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SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.
By JA^livlES H. Sls^ITH,
ASSISTED BY HUME H. CALE.
Published by D. MASON & CO.,
SYRACUSE, N. Y.
1
— I88I—
'%>. ^. ^^-^^^^ -*^-
SYRACUSE, N. Y. :
TRUAIR, SMITH & BRUCE,
PRINTERS AND BINDERS.
I 88 I.
Contents.
CHAPTER I. — Aborigines — Pre-Historic Period — page
The Iroquois Confederacy — Its Origin and
Organization — Tribal Relations — Secret
of Its Power — Its Superiority and Suprem-
,acy — Its Degeneracy <j
CHAPTER II.— Indian Habits and Usages— Indian
Dwellings — Indian Towns — Social Usages
— Dress and Habits — Law of Marriages —
Experimental Marriages — Family Disci-
pline— Amusements— Dances and Feasts
— Tlie War Dance — Stated Annual Festi-
vals— Medical Feasts — Dreams — Wizards
and Witches — Burials — Wampum — Hos-
pitality 20
CHAPTER HI.— Early Discoveries— European Com-
petition in the Western Continent — Settle-
ments and Conflicting Claims of the
Dutch, French and English — The English
Supercede the Dutch in New Netherlands
— Iroquois and Early Colonists — Cham-
plain's Invasions of 1609 and 1615 — Loca-
tion of the Fort attackedby Champlainin
1615 — Iroquois make Peace with French
— Iroquois Conquests and Supremacy 32
CHAPTER IV.— French and EngUsh Rivalry- Ex-
pedition of M. de Courcelles against the
Mohawks — M. de Tracy's Expedition
against the Mohawks — Peace of Breda —
French and Iroquois at warin 1669 — Peace
of 1673 — M. de la Barre's Expedition
against the Senecas — M. de Denonville's
Expedition against the Senecas — French
and English War of 1689— Attack on Mon-
treal and Quebec — Frontenac Invades the
Onondaga Country — Treaty of Eyswick —
Treaty of Utrecht— Tuscaroras admitted
to Iroquois Confederacy — French and
English War of 1741-1748— Treaty of Aix-
la-Chappelle — War Renewed in 1755 —
Treaty of Paris — Pontiac's Conspiracy —
War of the Revolution — Present Status of
Iroquois 39
CHAPTER v.— The Senecas— Their Origin and Sym-
bols— Antiquity and Extent of their Coun-
try— Their Status among the Iroquois —
Their Early Town Sites— Greenhalgh's
Journal — The Senecas Visited by LaMotte,
Hennepin and LaSalle — Mission of Sieur
de Joncaire — Jesuit Missions — Jogue's
Mission to the Mohawks — Le Moine's
Mission at Onondaga — Chaumonot Estab-
lishes the Missions of St. Joseph among
the Cayugas and of St. Michael
among the Senecas — Missions of Fathers
Fremin, Raffeix and Garnier — Seneca
Mission Resumed by Fathers Gamier and
CHAPTER v. — (CONTINDED.) PAGE
Vaillant — Fathers Bruyas and Fenelon —
Episcopal Missions — New England Mis-
sions— Rev. Sam'l Kirkland — Missionary
Societies ef Massachusetts and New York. 59
CHAPTER VI.— Titles to the Soil— Extinguishment
of Indian Titles — Line of Property— Con-
flicting Claims of New York and Massa-
chusetts— Preemption Line — New York
and Massachusetts Surrender Claims
to Territory to Federal Government —
Treaty and Cession of 1784 — Phelps and
Gorham's Purchase — Treaty and Cession
of 1788— Pultney Estate — Holland Land
Com pany — Holland Purchase — Connecti-
cut Tract — Transit Line — Morris Reserve
— Forty thousand acre Tract — Morris Hon-
orary Creditor's Tract — Robert Morris'
Letter to President Washington — Treaty
and Cession of Big Tree in 1797 — Red
Jacket's Insincerity — Difficulties Experi-
enced in Determining the Extent and
Boundaries of Reservations — Mary Jemi-
son's Farm — Lessee Company — Effort
made to Disme^iber the State — Reserva-
tions made in 1797 — Treaty and Cession
of 1826 70
CHAPTER VII.— Early Civil Divisions— Formation
of Livingston County — Original Towns
in Livingston County — Subsequent Ter-
ritorial Changes — Topography — Bounda-
ries, Area and Geographical Situation —
Improved Land in 1820 and 1875 — Char-
acter of Surface— Genesee River — Falls
at Portage — The Genesee made a Public
Highway — Charlevoix's Description of
the Genesee in 1712 — Indian Name of
the Genesee — Its Principal Tributaries —
Canaseraga Creek — Oashaqua Creek —
Conesus and Hemlock Lakes — CUmate of
Livingston County — Soil — Staple Produc-
tions— Chief Industry — Comparative Anal-
ysis of the Census of 1875 — Livingston
County Compared with other Counties in
the State — Towns in Livingston County
Compared 77
CHAPTER VIII.— Geology— Succession of Under-
lying Rocks in the County — Water-lime
of the Onondaga Salt Group — Onondaga
Limestone — Comiferous Limestone— Mar-
cellus Shales — Hamilton Group — Gene-
see Slate — Portage Group — Cashaqua
Shale— Gardeau Shale and Flagstones —
Portage Sandstones — Diagonal Lamina-
tion— Ripple Marks — Casts of Shrinkage
Cracks — Concretions or Septaria — Casts
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.— (Continued.) , ""
of Flowing Mud, Etc. —Indications of
Coal— Sulphuretted Hydrogen Springs-
Avon Springs— Brine Springs— Alluvial
Deposits — Marl — Chara — Mastodon Ke-
mains
83
CHAPTER IX.— First Settlements and Measures
Leading Thereto— Military Tract— Mill-
Yard Tract— Census of 1790— First Set-
tlements in Livingston County— Commun-
ication opened with the Settlements in
Pennsylvania — Arks — Charles William-
son becomes Agent of the Pultney Estate
—Progress of Settlements under his En-
ergetic Exertions— The Village of "Wil-
liamsburgh Founded — Settlements Re-
tarded by War with the Western Indians
and unfriendly Attitude of the British in
Canada— " Simcoe War "— Remarkable
Progress of Settlements— Scotch Colony
at Caledonia— Robert Munro's Descrip-
tion of the Genesee Country in 1804 — Set-
tlements Interrupted by War of 1812 —
Population at Different Periods— Homes
and Privations of the Early Settlers 91
CHAPTER X. — Internal Improvements — Indian
Trails— Routes Indicated by Blazed Trees
— Improvements in Natural Water Chan-
nels— Western Inland Lock Navigation
Company — Old Genesee Road — Cayuga
Bridge — Seneca Turnpike Company —
First Mail between Whitestown and the
Genesee — WiUiamsburgh Road — First
Vessel and Steamboat on Lake Erie — The
Erie Canal — Early Speculations Regard-
ing It — First Survey Thereof —First Board
of Canal Commissioners — First Contract
on Erie Canal — Construction Commenced
— The Completion Celebrated — Erie Canal
Enlargement — Navigation of the Genesee
— First Canal Boat and Steamboat thereon
— Genesee Valley Canal — Preliminary
Measures — Construction Luthorized — Its
Completion — Dansville and Rochester
Railroad — Genes A and Pittsford Rail-
road— Attica and Hornellsville Railroad —
Portage Bridge — Portage Riot — Buffalo
and Cohocton Valley Railroad —Rochester
and Genesee Valley Railroad — Genesee
Valley Railroad— Avon, Geneseo and Mt.
Mon-is Railroad — DansviUe and Genesee
Valley Railroad Company — Erie and Gen-
esee Valley Railroad — Silver Lake Rail-
road— Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Rail-
road— Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania
Railroad — Rochester and Genesee Valley
Canal Railroad 106
CHAPTER XI.— Societies— The Medical Society of
the County of Livingston — Its Organiza-
tion and First Officers — Succession of
Presidents of the Society — Names of
Members from its Organization — Origin
of Homeopathy — Its Introduction into
Livingston County — Homeopathic Med-
ical Society of Livingston County — Its
Constituent Members — Succession of Pres-
idents of the Society — Additional Mem-
bers— The Livingston County Agricultu-
ral Society — First Oificers — Premiums
Awarded — Classification of Members in
185.5 — Prominent Stock Raisers and Hor-
ticulturists in County — Succession of Pres-
idents of the Agricultural Society — Liv-
ingston County Stock Association — Liv-
ingston County Historical Society — Liv-
ingston County Pioneer Association 110
CHAPTER XII.— The Press of Livingston County— taos
Origin of the Press— The American Press
—Its Marvelous Growth— Early Journal-
ism in Livingston County— The First
Newspaper in Livingston County— The
Union and Constitution— The Livingston
Republican — The Dansville Express —
The Laws of Life and Journal of Health—
The Nunda News— The Dansville Adver-
tiser—The Mt. Morris Enterprise— The
Livingston County Herald- -The Union
Citizen— The Caledonia Advertiser— The
Springwater Enterprise — Obsolete Pa-
pers '--''■
CHAPTER XIII.— Early Courts— County Seat Des-
ignated—First County Officers— County
Buildings — First Court in Liviagston
County — County Poor-House — Insane
Asylum — Livingston County Civil List —
Delegates to State Constitutional Conven-
tions—State Senators— Members of As-
sembly-First and County Judges— Surro-
gates — District Attorneys — Sheriffs —
County Clerks — County Treasurers —
County Superintendents of the Common
Schools — School Commissioners — Presi-
dential Electors — Representatives in Con-
gress 127
CHAPTER XIV.— War of the Rebellion— Its Under-
lying Cause— Secession of South Carolina,
Followed by Other States — First Measures
to Repress Rebellion — Ready Response of
the North — Additional Troops Called for —
Prompt and Generous Response of Liv-
ingston County — Thirteenth Regiment —
Twenty-Seventh Regiment— Thirty-Third
Regiment — Regimental Camp at Geneseo
— One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, or
Wadsworth Guards— Calls of July 2, 18G2,
and August 4, 1862 — Military Districts
Formed — The One Hundred and Thirtieth
Regiment, or First New York Dragoons —
One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Regiment
—The Draft— Quotas Under Various Calls
— Subsequent Calls — County Bounty —
Enormous Local Bounties — State Bounty
— Local Bounties Abrogated — Contribu-
tions to the Support of the Indigent Fam-
ilies of Volunteers — Quotas Under Last
Three Calls 134
CHAPTER XV.— History of the Town of North
Dansville 155
CHAPTER XVI.— History of the Town of Ossian. ... 209
CHAPTER XVII.— History of the Town of Spring-
water 216
CHAPTER XVIII.— History of the Town of Spai-ta. 224
CHAPTER XIX. —History of the Town of West
Sparta 235
CHAPTER XX.— History of the Town of Nunda... . 242
CHAPTER XXI.— History of the Town of Portage. 262
CHAPTER XXII.— History of the Town of Mount
Morris 283
CHAPTER XXIII.— History of the Town of Conesus 323
CHAPTER XXIV.— History of the Town of Leices-
ter 338
CHAPTER XXV.— History of the Town of Grove-
land 348
CHAPTER XXVI.— History of the Town of Livonia 361
CHAPTER XXVII. -History of the Town of Gen-
eseo 381
CHAPTER XXVIII.— History of the Town of York. 410
CHAPTER XXIX.— History of the Town of Avon... 426
CONTENTS.
CHAPTEB XXX. —History of the Town of Cale-
donia 447
CHAPTER XXXI.— History of the Town of Lima... 469
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Aiverson James Lawrence, LL. D., Lima, portrait,
(steel) facing 487
Atherton Oliver, Leicester, portraits self and wife,
facing 343
Ayrault AUen, Geneseo, portrait facing 395
Allen, Samuel P., Geneseo, portrait ^ facing 888
Barker S. S., Nunda, portraits self and wife. ..facing 260
Barney George W., Mt. Morris, portraits self and
wife facing 310
Beardsley Jared, Portage, view of residence, .facing 270
Beebe James E., Leicester, portraits self and wife
facing 338
Beecher John S., Livonia, portrait 381
Bennett Charles D. , Portage, portrait facing 278
Bennett George Hosmer, Lima, portrait facing 489
Bennett Joel C. , Portage, portrait 277
Bennett Mrs. Walter, Portage, portrait 279
Bennett J. Yates, Portage, portrait 280
Bigelow Epaphrodittis, Geneseo, portrait 407
Bingham Bros. , Mt. Morris, bank block facing 303
Bissell Daniel H. , M. D., Geneseo, portrait... .facing 405
Blake Jesse, Livonia, portrait 380
Blakeslee Senator, York, portrait between 424-425
Brooks Gen. Micah, Mt. Morris, portrait facing 316
Brown Merritt H., Dansville, portrait 201
Butler Frederick W. , Geneseo, portrait.... 406
Cameron Angus, Caledonia, portrait 463
Cameron John, Caledonia, portraits self and wife,
facing 451
Cameron Duncan A. , Caledonia, portrait 465
Chamberlain Oscar L. , West Sparta, portrait 239
Coe Nathaniel, Portage, portrait facing 278
Coe George F., Conesus, portrait facing 333
Colt Hon. Charles, Geneseo, portrait 409
Craig William, York, portrait facing 426
Crossett John, Geneseo, portrait, (steel) facing 404
Court House Frontispiece
Donnan David, York, portrait between 424-425
Dickinson E. O., Nunda, residence between 242-243
Driesbach Elias, Sparta, residence between 226-227
Driesbach Henry, Sr. , Sparta, portraits self and wife,
facing 226
Driesbach Henry, Jr., Sparta, portrait, (steel)
between 234-235
Driesbach Elias, Sparta, portrait, (steel),between 234-235
Ebenriter Mary Bickel, Groveland, portrait facing 356
Faulkner Dr. Jas., Dansville, portrait, (steel). .facing 1.97
Field Leonard B. , Dansville, portrait 240
Flory John, Sparta, portrait facing 233
Foote Chester, Mt. Morris, portrait facing 278
Fowler N. Harmon, Livonia, portrait 378
Francis Franklin B. , Lima, portrait 489
Fraser William, York, portrait facing 416
Galbraith John, Sparta, portraits self and wife
facing 228
Geiger Elias H., Ossian, portraits self and wife,
(steel) between 214-215
Geiger E. H., Ossian, view of residence, between 210-211
Gibbs Hon. Leman, Livonia, portrait 379
Gilbert Charles S., Avon, portraits self and wife,
between 442-443
Gilbert Charles S., Avon, view of residence,
and mills..; between 442-443
Gilbert Joel, Conesus, portrait 337
Gray Dr. Arnold, Springwater, portrait 224
Gray Thomas, Geneseo, portraits self and wife, facing 383
Oilman John, Groveland, portraits self and wife,
facing 354
Grant Giles P., Caledonia, portrait, (steel) facing 464
Hartman Wm., Dansville, portraits self and wife,
facing 188
Hamilton William, Caledonia, portrait, (steel), facing 462
PAGE
Hamilton William, Caledonia, view of residence.
warehouse and elevator facing 456
Hampton Isaac, Ossian, portraits self and wife,
facing 212
Hanby John, Geneseo, portraits self and wife, facing 385
Haynes Jonathan Hunter, Geneseo, portrait... facing 384
Haynes John, Geneseo, portrait facing 384
Hedges Job 0. , Dansville, portrait facing 190
Hendershott Charles, Groveland, portraits self and
wife facing 353
Hyde Corydon, Ossian, view of residence facing 214
Hyland George, Dansville, portrait facing 196
Hyde Corydon, Ossian, portraits self and wife, facing 214
Jackman Moses, Livonia,, portraits self and wife,
facing 373
Jacques Kussel E. , Livonia, portrait 380
Jackson Dr. J. C, Dansville, portrait, (steel)... facing 192
Johns Geo. H., Sparta, portraits self and wife... facing 229
Johnson Leicester, Avon, portraits self and wife,
between 446-447
Johnson Seymour, Avon, portrait facing 447
Kiehle Benj, Sparta, portraits self and wife. ...facing 231
Kysor Mrs. Julia A., West Sparta, residence ...facing 240
Kysor Benjamin F., West Sparta, portraits self and
wife facing 240
McClintock Joseph, Geneseo, portrait 405
McLean Archibald H., Caledonia, portrait, (steel)
facing 465
McLean Hector, Caledonia, portrait, (steel) facing 468
McPnerson Daniel, Caledonia, portrait 467
McPherson Donald, Avon, portrait, (steel) facing 446
Mann Wm. K., Groveland, portrait, (steel). ...facing 359
Martin A. H., Lima, view of residence facing 472
Martin A. D., Lima, view of residence facing 472
Martin Alexander, Lima, portrait, (steel) facing 486
Mills Myron H. , Mt. Morris, portrait, (steel)... facing 318
Norton William H., Springwater, view of residence,
facing 216
Norton John B., Springwater, portrait 223
"Our Home Hygienic Institute," Dansville, view of
between 176-177
Page Herman D., Nunda, portrait facing 244
Page Albert, Nunda, portrait facing 244
Paine Earl J., Nunda, portrait facing 260
Parker David Curtis, Lima, portrait facing 470
Passage Daniel, Nunda, view of Water Cure. ..facing 2(;'_'
Pease Henry, Livonia, portrait 378
Ferine James P., West Sparta, portrait facing 241
Perrin Andrew N., Conesus, portrait facing 336
Perrin Mrs. K. M., Conesus. view of residence.. facing 324
Pierson Frederick Busbnell, Avon, portrait facing 445
Pray Isaac, Groveland, portraits self and wife, facing 360
Pierson F.B.. Avon, view of residence. ..between 428-429
Pray Isaac, Groveland, view of residence facing 360
Proctor Lucian B., Dansville, portrait 205
PhilUps Jonathan, Mt. Morris, portrait facing 278
Piffard David, York, portrait, (steel) facing 419
Eeynale Wm. H., M. D., Dansville, portrait. ...facing 194
Kiley JJichard Alsop, Geneseo, portrait facing 386
Root Capt. George W., York, portrait facing 423
Royce John Sears, Leicester; portrait, (steel)... facing 347
Sanders C. K., Nunda, view of residence facing 246
Sackett Col. Orange, York, portrait, (steel)... .facing 421
Shutt John, Sparta, portraits self and wife facing 230
Sleeper Col. Reuben, Mt. Morris, portrait 322
Smith John, Mt. Morris, portrait facing 28S
Smith Col. George, Livonia, portrait facing 362
Smith Willard H., Caledonia, .portrait, (steel). ..facing 453
Smith Joseph W., Dansville, portrait facing 194
Smith Jesse, Sparta, portrait 233
Society of Christian Believers, Sonyea, view of the
home between 358-359
Stevens Archelaus, Dansville, portrait 202
Stewart Niel, York, portrait, (steel) facing 422
Townsend John H., Nunda, portrait facing 260
Vary William, Lima, portrait, (steel) facing 488
VanDoreu Wm., West Sparta, portraits self and wife,
facing 241
CONTENTS.
Weidman John, Springwater, portraits self and wife,
facing 224
Wan-eu Samuel, York, portrait facing 424
Ward Rev. Ferdinand DeW., Geneseo, portrait, facing 401
Walker David, Caledonia, portrait 469
Weidman John, Springwater, residence facing 224
Wells Harlow W., M. D., Caledonia, portrait, (steel)
facing 46(J
West Erastus, Livonia, portraitsself and wife. ..facing 370
Wiard Matthew, Avon, portrait facing 430
White Wra. M., Ossian, portrait, (steel) facing 209
White John, Groveland, portrait 361
Whiteman Reuben, Dansville, portrait facing 193
Wbitmore Wm., Leicester, portraits self and wife,
(steel) between 348-349
Wbaley Charles E., Avon, portraits self and wife,
between 436-437
Wbaley Charles E., Avon, view of "Sanitarium,"
between 436-437
Wilhelm George, Conesus, portrait facing 335
Williams Col. George, Portage, portrait 281
Woodruff BuellD., Livonia, portrait 379
Zerf ass George, Dansville, portraits self and wife 204
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Allen Samuel P., Geneseo facing
Atherton Oliver, Leicester facing
Alverson James Lawrence, LL. D., Lima
Ayrault Allen, Geneseo facing
Barker Seth S., Nunda
Barney George W., Mt. Morris facing
Bennett, Joel C, Portage
Bennett Charles D., Portage
Bennett Mrs. Walter, Portage
Bennett J. Yates, Portage
Beebe James E., Leicester facing
Beecher John S., Livonia
Bennett George Hosmer, Lima
Bigelow Epaphroditus, Geneseo
Bissell Daniel H., M. !)., Geneseo
Blake Jesse, Livonia
Blakeslee Senator, York
Brooks Gen.Micah, Mt. Morris facing
Brown Memtt Holmes. Dansville
Bunnell A. 0., Dansville
Bunnell Major Mark J., Dansville
Butler Frederick W., Geneseo
Cameron John, Caledonia facing
Cameron Angus, Caledonia
Cameron Duncan A., Caledonia
Chamberlain Oscar L., West Sparta
Coe Hon. Nathaniel, Portage
Coe George F., Conesus facing
Colt Hon. Charles, Geneseo
Crossett John, Geneseo
Craig William, York
Christian Believers, Society of, Groveland
Dickinson E. O., Nunda
Donnau David, York
Driesbach Henry, Sr., Sparta facing
Driesbacb Elias, Sparta
Driesbach Henry, Jr., Sparta
Ebenriter Mary Bickel, Groveland facing
Faulkner Dr. James, Dansville
Field Leonard B., West Sparta
Francis Franklin B., Lima
Flory John, Sparta facing
Foote Chester, Mt. Morris
Fowler N. Harmon, Livonia
Eraser William, York
Geiger Elias H., Ossian "
Gibbs Hon. Leman, Livonia '_"
Galbraith John, Sparta facing
Gilbert Charles S., Avon between 442-
Gilbert Joel, Conesus
Gilman Phillip, Groveland facing
Gilmau .John, Groveland facing
388
343
486
395
260
310
277
278
279
280
338
381
488
407
405
380
42.5
31G
201
203
203
406
451
463
46,5
239
278
333
408
404
426
3.18
261
424
226
234
234
3.'iC
197
240
489
233
321
377
423
215
379
228
■443
337
354
354
PAGE
Grant Giles P. , Caledonia 464
Gray Dr. Arnold, Springwater 223
Gray Thomas, Geneseo facing 383
Hampton Hon. Isaac, Ossian facing 212
Hamilton William, Caledonia 462
Hanby John, Geneseo facing 385
Haynes Jonathan Hunter, Geneseo facing 384
Hendershott Charles, Groveland facing 353
Hartman William, Dansville facing 188
Hedges Col. Job Clark, Dansville facing 190
Haynes John, Geneseo facing 384
Hyland George, Dansville 196
Hyde Corydon, Ossian 214
Jackson Dr. James C, Dansville 192
Jackman Moses, Livonia facing 373
Jacques Bussel E. , Livonia 380
Jemison Mary, Mt. Morris 285
Johns George H. , Sparta facing 229
Johnson Leicester, Avon 447
Jones Capt. Horatio, Geneseo 409
Kiehle Benjamin, Sparta facing 231
Kysor Benjamin F., West Sparta 241
Logan Edward, Groveland 360
Mann W. K., Groveland 359
McLean Col. Archibald H., Caledonia 464
McLean Hector, Caledonia 467
McClintock Abraham, Geneseo 405
Martin Alexander, Lima 480
Mills Myron H., Mt. Morris 318
MoPherson Daniel, Caledonia 467
MoPherson Donald, Avon 446
Norton John B. , Springwater 223
Page Herman D. , Nunda facing 244
Paine Earl J., Nunda 261
Page Albert, Nunda , facing 244
Parker David Curtis, Lima facing 470
Pease Henry, Livonia 378
Ferine James P., West Sparta.. 241
Perriu Andrew N., Conesus 336
Pierson Frederick Bushnell, Avon 445
Phillips Jonathan, Mt. Morris 321
PifPard David, York 421
Pray Isaac, Groveland 360
Proctor Lucian Brock, Dansville, 205
Eejmale Wm. H., M. D., Dansville 194
Eiley Richard Alsop, Geneseo facing 386
Boot Capt. George W., York 423
Eoyce John Sears, Leicester 347
Sackett Col. Orange, York 421
Shutt John, Sparta facing 230
Sleeper Col. Eeuben, Mt. Morris 322
Smith Joseph W., Dansville 19;-,
Smith Jesse, Sparta 233
Smith John, Mt. Morris facing 288
Smith Col. George, Livonia facing 362
Smith Willard Huntington, Caledonia 465
Stevens Archelaus, Dansville 202
Stewart Niel, York 422
Townseud John H., Nunda 261
VanDoren William, West Sparta .!!!!!!!!.!.!!!!!. 241
Vary WiUiam, Lima. ... 488
WardEev. Ferdinand DeW. , Geneseo....! [faciiig 401
Water Cure and Mineral Springs, Nunda 262
Warren Samuel, York 424
Weidman John, Springwater ....!.."... 224
Walker David, Caledonia .................'. 468
West Erastus, Livonia ..'..'facing 370
WeUs Harlow Willard, M. D., Caledonia 466
White John, Groveland 3(u
Whitmore William, Leicester ."..."..'..'.'.".".'. 348
White Hon. William M., Ossian 214
Whiteman Eeuben, Dansville !!!!!!.!! 193
Williams Col. George, Portage 280
Wilhelm George, Conesus 336
Woodruff BuellD , Livonia 378
Wiard Matthew, Avon ...'.'.'facing 430
Whaley Charles E., Avon ." between 436-437
Zerfass George, Dansville 204
Introduction.
IN THE preparation of the history of the county treated of in this volume the authors have endeavored
to confine themselves to a concise and truthful statement of facts, leaving deductions and moralisms,
except where such were necessary to a proper elucidation of the subject, to the individual reader; and
in gleaning these facts they have laid under contribution every available source of information in the
effort to arrive at correct data. This, however, has not always been possible, for much is given that rests
for its authority entirely upon verbal statements, which, even among the best informed, are subject to the
lapses of memory. When conflicting statements have been observed, as was to be expected there would
be in so broad a field of inquiry, an honest effort has been made to reconcile them and make them con-
form to the probable fact ; for while each individual expects the record of a fact to conform to his
remembrance, it is notorious that all do not retain precisely the same recollection of it. To this end
also, records have been consulted where such existed and were accessible, both to supplement and
establish a verbal fact, and as an original source of information. These, however, were often fragment-
ary, sometimes entirely wanting, and while their incompleteness was perplexing, their frequent indefinite-
ness was even more so, so that it was often necessary to supplement them by verbal information.
The materials for such a work were widely scattered. They laid mainly in the imperfect town,
county, church, school, society and private records, and in the vague and faded memories of individuals.
Much time, labor, diligent research and patient inquiry have been required to gather these materials and
collate them into systematic order. Every town has been visited, and its records and well-informed
citizens have been consulted. In addition to these, the files of local and other papers have been
scrutinized, and the works of numerous authors laid under contribution ; but as the latter have generally
been .referred to in the text, especially when quoted, we do not deem it necessary to enumerate them
here. A few local gleaners, of acknowledged ability, in this field of historic inquiry, had rescued from
oblivion much that has served to embellish the annals of Livingston. The fruit of their labors was
kindly placed at our disposal.
Much more might have been given, enough to swell the volume to twice its present size, by the
multiplication of details which some would regard with interest and others as unimportant ; much indeed
was prepared and still more gathered, but it was found necessary to eliminate it to bring it within the
scope of this work. In discarding matter we have aimed to retain that which seemed most important —
most worthy of preservation.
An earlier preparation of the work would have lessened the labor and produced more satisfactory
results ; would have given access to the personal experience and relations of the very first settlers, with
whom have died facts and incidents which are now beyond recall. But few of the first generation of
those who settled and subdued this wilderness are now left with us, and fewer still of that sacred remnant
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
retain their faculties sufficiently to relate coherently and positively the interesting incidents of that early
period; but we still have their "oft told tales" from the lips of their immediate descendants, and have
thus been able to collect and chronicle, with a close approach to accuracy, the facts of early history. It
must, therefore, be obvious that the time for the publication of this work had fully come, and that a
longer delay would only have added to the obscurity of the facts and the difficulty of their acquisition.
Happily the very full and scholarly " Relations " of the faithful Jesuits and other French mission-
aries give us a minute and definite account of the manners and customs of the American Indians, the
supposed aboriginal occupants of this country, with whom they mingled as early as the fore part of the
last half of the seventeenth century, though they are chiefly concerned with the relation of their efforts
to Christianize them, and to engraft upon their rude natures some of the arts and usages of civilization
in their time. Numerous evidences of this intercourse have been disclosed by means of the plow and
other agencies in this county, which for a considerable period was the home of several cantons of the
most numerous and powerful of the tribes of the Six Nations, the Senecas. These consist of gaudy
trinkets and other articles of use and adornment, which possessed an intensely magnified value in the
eyes of the untutored savage, and were the means by which these zealous missionaries sought to
ingratiate themselves with the natives and prepare the way for the successful accomplishment of their
ulterior object. The mural remains, now mostly obliterated by the agency of the plow, and other
economic and sacred relics which were familiar objects to the first white settlers in the Valley of the
Genesee, bore abundant testimony to the fact that Livingston county was long the seat of a numerous
Indian population.
Though this county is not as rich in historical incidents fraught with tragic interest as the counties
which bordered on the confines of civilization during the French and Indian wars, the sanguinary
struggle of the Revolution, and the more recent but memorable war with the mother country, which
etched in lines of blood the history of their eventful scenes, it witnessed one of the most pathetic and
memorable incidents of the Revolutionary struggle, and the culmination of an event which was fraught
with the most important results affecting the development of Central and Western New York. Its soil
is hallowed by blood shed to establish those principles which, eighty-two years later, its sons so nobly
fought to perpetuate. It has, too, a pacific history to which many will recur with interest— yea, with
reverence.
The authors take this opportunity to tender their grateful acknowledgments to the many who, in
various ways, have so kindly aided them in this laborious work, and to testify to the uniform courtesy
which was extended to them, and the cordiality with which their labors were seconded by the hosts from
whom it became their duty to solicit information.
HISTORY
OF
Livingston County.
CHAPTER I.
Aborigines — Pre-Historic Period — The Iro-
quois Confederacy — Its Origin and Organi-
zation— Tribal Relations — Secret of Its
Power — -Its Superiority and Supremacy — Its
Degeneracy.
TITHAT we usually term the beginning of
VV history," says Humboldt's Cosmos, "is only
the period when the later generations awoke to self-
consciousness." The historic period for the region
of country the history of which it is the purpose of
this volume to give, may be said to date from the ad-
vent of the Jesuit missionaries into Canada, as their
Relations give us the first as well as the most exact
and comprehensive account we have of the people
who then inhabited it, and who are classed under
the generic term Indians — a name which obtains
from the fact that when this continent was discov-
ered by Columbus and others who succeeded him
in search of a western passage to the East Indies,
it was supposed to be the eastern shore of the con-
tinent of India.* Their history prior to their inti-
mate association with civilized people is shrouded
in obscurity and is transmitted to us in the form
of vague and fragmentary legends. The Indians
were a barbaric race and have left no written his-
tory, except that we occasionally discover traces of
their rude paintings, and still ruder engravings.
But these are pronounced merely the totems of the
* Indians of North America, I, 3.
Indians by Catlin, who says, " I have been unable
to find anything like a J)' j/w^ of hieroglyphic writing
amongst them."* This absence of a connected
written history is, however, compensated in a meas-
ure by the less enduring relics, consisting of the
implements of husbandry, the chase and war,
which the plow and other means of excavation
have numerously disclosed. Their fortified villages
and places of burial are rich also in suggestive
incidents.
Who were the aborigines of this country is a sub-
ject of much learned inquiry. It is pretty gen-
erally believed that the races who occupied it on the
advent of the Europeans, were preceded by one
more numerous and highly cultured, though the
evidence that such is the fact, is meager and un-
satisfactory. DeWitt Clinton points to the numer-
ous mural remains which existed through the north-
ern, central and western parts of this State, and to
the more remarkable ones bordering the Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers and their branches as evi-
dence of the fact ;t while more recent authors,
reasoning from more exact data, ascribe the origin
of the former works to a much more recent date,
and to a different race of people than the latter.f
The evidences referring to a pre-historic period
within this State are rare ; though the celebrated
*Catlin's North American Indians, II, Z46,
t Collect ions of the New York Historical Society for 1814, 89.
t SaysE. A. Squier, M. A., "• » * none of the ancient works
of this State, [New York,] of which traces remain displaying any con-
siderable degree of regularity, can lay claim to high antiquity. All of
them may be referred, with certainty, to the period succeeding the com-
mencement of European intercourse." Antiquities of New York and
ike JVcst. 9.
10
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Pompey stone* and the argent relief of the
Genesee Valley may be cited as instances of this
character, while neither can be said to furnish ne-
cessarily conclusive evidence.
That the nations of the Eastern hemisphere had
knowledge of the existence of the American con-
tinent long before its discovery by Columbus, their
literature gives abundant evidence ; and that its
aboriginal inhabitants were descended from eastern
peoples is generally conceded, though the theory
that American antiquity ante-dates that of Asia, is
not without its advocates.
Humboldt, from his observations of the remains
of the civilizations of Mexico and Central America,
was convinced that communication had existed
between the Eastern and Western continents, evi-
dence of which he found in the religious symbols,
the architecture, the hieroglyphics, and the social
customs made manifest by these ruins, and the
Abb^ Brasseur de Bourbourg shows that the sym-
bols of phallic worship, once so prevalent, and still,
to some extent, practiced in the East, were de-
scribed by the Spanish writers at the time of the
conquest. " These," says Baldwin, "with the ser-
pent devices, the sun worship, and the remarkable
knowledge of astronomy that existed in connection
with them, show a system of religion," of which,
with the social institutions it consecrated, " Asia,"
says the Abbe, " appears to have been the cradle."
" The traditions of these countries," says the same
author, " are still more explicit. Their uniform tes-
timony is, that the ancient American civilization
came originally from the East across the ocean."
The native histories examined by the Abbt^, de-
scribe three classes of ancient inhabitants, first, the
Chichimecs, "who," says Baldwin, "seem to have
been the unciviUzed aborigines of the country ;"
second, the Colhuas, " who were the first civiHzers,
and by whom the Chichimecs were taught to culti-
vate the earth, cook their food, and adopt the
* This is a small boulder about thirteen inches long and twelve inches
wide, bearing a most remarkable inscription and figures, which, if genuine,
and correcily interpreted, furnishes what is supposed to be the earliest
evidence of the presence of Europeans in North America. It dates back
to a period earlier than the discovery of New England, New York or
Virginia, a hundred years earlier than the founding of Plymouth colony,
and within twenty-three years of the discovery of the new continent by
Cabot. It has been reasonably conjectured by the author of Clark's
Onondaga, to be a sepulchral monument, erected possibly by a party of
Spaniards, who, stimulated by the love of adventure, allured by the love
of gold, or driven by some rude blast of misfortune, may have visited that
region and lost one of their number by death.
t " On the flats of the Genesee River, there was found on the lands of
Mr. Timothy Judd, a bit of silver, about the length of a man's finger,
hammered to a point at one end, while at the other it was smooth and
square, on which was engraved in Arabic figures 'the year of our Lord
6oo.' " Ms. Address on the AntiquUy of the IVorld, by Dr. M. H.
Mills, of Mt. Morris.
usages of civilized life ;" and third, the Nahuas or
Toltecs, " who came much later as peaceable im-
migrants, but after a time united with the uncivil-
ized Chichimecs, caused a civil war, and secured
power." The Colhuas originated the oldest and
finest monuments of the ancient civilization. T)6-
sirt; Charnay, referring to the ruins of Mitla, " points
out," says Baldwin, "that the most ancient archi-
tecture, painting, mosaics, and artistic designs are
in the highest style, and show 'marvelous work-
manship,' while the later editions are in much lower
style, and seem to be the work of a people less ad-
vanced in culture and skill than the original found-
ers of the city." The finest and most remarkable
monuments of these countries seem to be the re-
mains of that great and ancient kingdom of Xibalba.
"It is said repeatedly that 'the Colhuas came from
beyond the sea, and directly from the East;' " and
the Abbe' states that "there was a constant tradi-
tion among the people who dwelt on the Pacific
Ocean, that the people from distant nations beyond
the Pacific formerly came to trade at the ports of
Coatulco and Pechugui, which belonged to the
kingdom of Tehuantepec.'" The traditions of
Peru told of a people who came to that country
by sea, and landed on the Pacific coast ; referring
doubtless to the Malays, a great and ancient mari-
time empire, the dialects of whose language are
scattered across the Pacific Ocean as far as Easter
Island.*
Many ingenious theories are advanced to ac-
count for the origin of this ancient civilization. One,
of which Adair and Boudinot are noted advocates,
ascribes it to the " Lost Tribes of Israel j" this
CatUn isincHnedto sanction,! while Bancroftf seri-
ously refutes it, Foster § discards it, Bradford 1
likewise refutes it, and Baldwin || regards it an ab-
surdity; another, the " Malay theory," which Bald-
win regards as " much less improbable, though not
satisfactory;"** a third, the "Phcenician theory,"
which Baldwin discredits, while he admits that "the
known enterprise of the Phoenicians," (who have
been thought to be identical with the Colhuas,)
and their " ancient knowledge of America, so vari-
ously expressed, strongly encourage the hypothesis
that the people called Phoenicians came to this
continent, estabHshed colonies in the region where
* Pre -Historic Nations, by John D. Baldwin, A. M,, 392-395.
t Catliu's North American Indians. H, 231-235.
J History of tile United States.
§ Pre-Histortc Races of the United States, by J, Vf. Foster, LL. D.
322-324.
IT A mericaji A ntiquities, 240.
If A ncieni A merica, 166.
** Ibid, 167-171.
PRE-HISTORIC RACES.
II
ruined cities are found, and filled it with civilized
people,"* and a fourth, the "Atlantic theory," ad-
vanced among others by Brasseur de Bourbourg,
who has studied more thoroughly than any other
man living, the monuments, writings and traditions
of this civilization, which he avers is the first of man-
kind— -a theory which attributes it to the Atlantides,
who occupied the " lost island of Atlantis," referred
to by Plutarch, Solon, Plato andTheopompus, and
supposes it originated on a portion of this conti-
nent now submerged by the Atlantic Ocean, into
which it extended in a long, irregular peninsula,
was visited by a cataclysm which engulfed it, ex-
cept some elevated portions, including the Canary,
Maderia and Azores islands, and destroyed its in-
habitants, except such as escaped in ships, or fled
to the tops of high mountains, whence they made
their way to Central America.t
The origin of the barbarous Indians of North
America is buried in even greater obscurity than
that of the probable aborigines of this continent.
Our information regarding them is wholly conject-
ural. Efforts have been made to connect them
with the Mound Builders as their progenitors, and
there are able advocates of the theory which sup-
poses the unity of the races; but, says Foster, J
a broad chasm is to be spanned before we can
link the two, who, he says, " were essentially dif-
ferent in their form of government, their habits and
their daily pursuits." The former, " since known
to the white man, has spurned the restraints of a
sedentary life, which attach to agriculture, and
whose requirements, in his view, are ignoble. He
was never known to erect structures which should
^Ancient Anierica,i7i-i74,
^Ancient America, 174-184; also BaldwitCs Pre-Historic Nations-,
396-400. The latter quotes from Diodorus Siculus, book V., Chap. 11.,
the following *' important passage concerning America," which, it says,
" is not niythical, and seems to be given as a historical fact rather than a
tradition : 'Over against Africa lies a great island in the vast ocean, many
days' sail from Libya westward. The soil is very fruitful. It is diversi-
fied with mountains and pleasant vales, and the towns are adorned with
stately buildings.' After describing the gardens, orchards and fountains,
he tells how this pleasant country was discovered. The Phoenicians, he
says, having built Gades, sailed along the Atlantic coast of Africa. A
Phoenician ship, voyaging along this coast, was, 'on a sudden, driven by
a furious storm far into the main ocean : and after they had lain under
this tempest many days, they at length arrived at this island.'" For
further information upon this interesting subiect, the reader is referred to
Pre-Historic Races of the United States ; Abbe Brasseur de Bour-
bourg's translation of the Teo A moxtli, which is ths Toltecan mytho-
logical history of the cataclysm of the Antilles : The lifted and subsided
Rocks of A Tnerica, by George Catlin ; Biography and History of the
Indians of North A nterica ; A mericatt A ntiguities and Researches
into the Origin and History of the Red Race, by Alexander W. Brad-
ford, and others, which might be cited but which we have not the space
to quote at length.
A ttcieni A merica, 205, which quotes Bourbourg's Qnatre Lettres
Source de V Historie du Mexique,
% Pre-Historic Races of the United States, 347.
survive the lapse of a generation." " The Mound-
builders," he adds, " cultivated the soil in a meth-
odical manner, far different from the mode pre-
sented by the present Indians," and cites as evi-
dence " the vestiges of ancient garden-beds " left
by them . Many other radical points of differen ce are
cited by him. Baldwin says, referring to the sav-
age tribes, or wild Indians, their barbarism was
"original;" there was nothing to indicate that they
or their ancestors, near or remote, had ever been
civilized, " even to the extent of becoming capable
of settled life or organized industry."* He adds,
"the constant traditions of these Indians, support-
ed by concurring circumstantial evidence, appears
to warrant the belief that they came to this part of
the continent originally from the west or north-
west, at a period too late to connect them in this
way with the Mound-builders." After referring
to the skill of the Mound-builders in the ceramic
and other arts, he asks, "who can imagine the
Iroquois or the Algonquins, [the two great families
who two hundred years ago occupied the Valley of
the Mississippi and the regions east of it] working
the copper mines with such intelligence and skill,
and such a combination of systematic and persist-
ent industry ! They had no tradition of such a
condition of life, no trace of it. It is absurd to
suppose a relationship, or a connection of any
kind, between the original barbarism of these In-
dians and the civihzation of the Mound-builders.
The two peoples were entirely distinct and
separate from each other. If they really belonged
to the same race, which is extremely doubtful,
we must go back through unnumbered ages to
find their common origin and the date of their
separation. "t
The Iroquois, with whom the subject of this work
is more intimately connected, are supposed by
Lewis H. Morgan, who has discussed "Indian
Migrations" in a series of interesting papers in the
North American Review, to have " separated very
early from the same original stem which produced
the great Dakota family ; " and from their relative
position in the East as compared with the Algon-
quins, who were spread most widely over the coun-
try when it was first visited by Europeans, Mr.
Baldwin assumes that they preceded the latter
there. I
Livingston county is a part of the broad domain
* A jtcient A merica, 59.
\Ibid., 59— 61.
Mlid, 60.
12
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
of the Iroquois* Confederacy, which, in general
terms, extended from the Hudson to the Genesee,
and from the north to the south boundaries of the
State. This confederacy was composed of the
following nations, named in the order of their loca-
tion from east to west: the Mohawks, {Ganea-
gaonos,'\) on the river which bears their name ; the
Oneidas, (Onayofekaotws,) Onondaga.s, { 0/iimda-
gaoiws,) and Cayugas, {Gwengwekonos,) a.d.]a.ct\it
to the lakes which bear their name ; and the Sen-
ecas, {Ntindawaoiws,) between Seneca Lake and
Genesee River. Its origin is buried in the obscur-
ity of vague tradition and was unknown to civihzed
nations in 1750.^ The traditions of the Iroquois
ascribe it, as well as the origin of the individual
nations, to a supernatural source. They, Hke the
Athenians, sprung from the earth itself " In re-
mote ages they had been confined under a moun-
tain near the falls of Osh-wah-kee,§ or Oswego
River, whence they were released by Tharouhyja-
goH, the Holder of the Heavens."|| Schoolcraft in-
cUnes to the opinion that the confederacy is to be
referred to a comparatively recent date, early in the
fifteenth century; Mr. Webster, the Indian inter-
preter, a good authority, about two generations be-
fore the white people came to trade with the In-
dians ; Pyrlaus, a missionary among the Mohawks,
"one age, or the length of a man's life, before the
white people came into the country ; " while Clark,
the author of Clark's Onondaga, "from the per-
manency of their institutions, the pecuhar struc-
ture of their government, the intricacy of their civil
affairs, the stability of their religious beHefs and
the uniformity of their pagan ceremonies, diff'ering
from other Indian nations in important particu-
lars,'' thinks it must have had a longer duration.
They declare themselves to be the most ancient
and greatest people in America.lF
* Iroquois was the French name for the five confederate nations of In-
dians residing mostly within this State. By the Dutch they were called
*'Maquas." They denominated themselves "Mingoes," meaning
United People.— C/nr^'j Onondaga. Their true name is " Hodenosau-
nee," or "People of the Long House," because the five nations were
ranged in a long line through Central New York, and Hkened to one of
their long bark houses. —Farkman^s yemits. Ruttenber says they bore
the title of ^'Aquinosbione," or "Konosbione," having the same mean-
ing. They also called themselves "Canossioone," or ^'Konossione,"
meaning in the Iroquois language, ^' the whole house, or all the Indians
together." Colonial History, iv. yS, 296. The appellation Iroquois was
given them by the French, because they usually began and finished their
speeches with the word hiro, which means " I say," or " I have said "
and combined as an affix with the word Koue, is an exclamation express-
ing joy or sorrow, according aS the pronunciation is long or short. Char-
levoix, GtirnenH^s History 0/ Canada,
+ The Iroquois termination in ono. means peop]e.—Parkman's yesuits.
t ColdetCs Five Nations.
§ Signifying, "I see everywhere and see nothing."— C&r/S'j 0«o«-
daga "
II Indian Tribes of HudsotCs River. Ruttenber.
I.Col. Hist, iv., 12Z.
Long ago, says the Iroquois tradition, Taounya-
watha, the deity who presides over the forests and
streams, came down from his abode in the clouds
to make free the former to all, to remove the ob-
structions from the latter, and to bestow good gifts
upon the people. In the locahty of Oswego he dis-
closed to two hunters of the Onondaga nation whom
he there met, the object of his mission, and pre-
vailed on them to accompany him up the river and
over the lesser lakes, while he made ample provi-
sion for the sustenance of men, and taught them
how to cultivate the soil and hve happy, united and
prosperous. Having accomplished this beneficent
mission he divested himself of his divine character
and took up his abode among men, assuming their
habits and character. He chose for his habitation
a beautiful spot on the shore of Teonto (Cross)
Lake,* where he built a cabin and took a wife of the
Onondagas, by whom he had an only and beau-
tiful daughter, whom he tenderly loved. His
excellence of character, great sagacity, and wise
counsels won for him a profound regard, and
by universal consent he was named Hiawatha,
signifying very wise man. His advice upon mat-
ters both grave and trivial was eagerly sought,
and he was regarded as possessing transcendent
powers of mind and consummate wisdom. Under his
direction the Onondagas early gained a pre-eminent
distinction as the wisest counselors, the most elo-
quent orators and expert hunters, and the bravest
warriors.
While Hiawatha was thus living quietly among
the "people of the hills," the tribes were attacked
by a ferocious and powerful enemy from the north
of the great lakes, who invaded their country, laid
waste their villages, and slaughtered indiscriminate-
ly men, women and children. While a bold resist-
ance could not intensify the ferocity of the enemy,
neither did supine submission ensure palliation ;
utter destruction seemed inevitable. In their ex-
tremity they looked to Hiawatha, who, after
thoughtful contemplation, advised a grand council
of all the tribes that could be gathered, " for," said
he, " our safety is not alone in the club and dart,
but in wise counsels."t
This council is supposed to have been held on
the east bank of Onondaga ( Ohnentahd) Lake, on
the high ground where the \'illage of Liverpool now
* Ruttenber. — According to Clark the name of the lake is Teunngktoo,
the discrepancy probably arising from a difference in tribal dialects.
1 Ruttenber. — Clark puts this language into the Chieftain's mouth :
" our safety is in good counsel and speedy, energetic action ;" and Clay-
ton, the following : " Become a united people and you will conquer your
enemies."
HIAWATHA'S ADDRESS.
13
stands.* There was a vast assembly of chiefs, war-
riors, men, women and children, and although the
council fire had been burning for three days they
still awaited the presence of Hiawatha. Messen-
gers were dispatched and found him troubled with
melancholy forebodings of ill-fortune. He had re-
solved not to attend the council by reason of this
distress of mind, but he yielded to their importuni-
ties and set out with his daughter to join the wait-
ing throng. The white canoe in which the vener-
able Hiawatha made his journeys by water, and
which was regarded by his people with almost as
much veneration as himself, glided silently down
the deep waters of the Seneca, through the narrow
outlet and into the placid Onondaga, and as it ap-
peared to view, the assembled multitude welcomed
their chief with a glad shout. As he ascended the
steep bank and approached with measured tread
the council ground, a loud sound was heard Uke
a rushing mighty wind. Instantly all eyes were
turned upward and beheld a mass of cloudy dark-
ness rapidly descending into their midst, and in-
creasing in size and velocity as it approached. All
sought safety in flight save Hiawatha and his love-
ly daughter, who calmly awaited the impending ca-
lamity, the former having uncovered his silvered
head. With a mighty swoop a huge bird, with long
distended wings, descended and crushed the cher-
ished girl to the earth, destroying in her remains
the very semblance of a human being, and perish-
ing itself in the collision.
The dismayed warriors cautiously returned to
view the dismal scene. The bird was covered with
beautiful plumage of snowy white, and each warrior
plucked therefrom a plume to adorn his crown.
From this incident the Iroquois braves forever af-
ter made use of the plumes of the white heron, as
their most appropriate martial decoration.
Hiawatha was disconsolate. He prostrated him-
self with his face upon the ground and gave himself up
to the most poignantgrief for three days and nights,
refusing to be consoled. His grief was shared by
the whole assembly,-who sincerely mourned his
great and sudden bereavement.
At length he regained his composure and took
. his seat in the council, whose deliberations were
participated in by the ablest counselors of the as-
sembled nations. At the conclusion of the debate,
Hiawatha, desiring that nothing should be done
hastily and inconsiderately, proposed that the coun-
cil be postponed one day, so that they might weigh
' In The Song 0/ Hiawatha^ Lon ;reliow locates it on the south shore
of Lake Superior, between the Pictured Rocks and the Grand Sable.
well the words which had been spoken, when he
promised to communicate his plan for considera-
tion, assuring them of his confidence in its success.
The following day the council again assembled and
amid breathless silence the sage counselor thus ad-
dressed them : —
" Friends a?id Brothers : — You are members of
many tribes and nations. You have come here,
many of you, a great distance from your homes.
We have convened for one common purpose, to
promote one common interest, and that is to pro-
vide for our mutual safety, and how it shall best be
accomplished. To oppose these hordes of north-
ern foes by tribes, singly and alone, would prove
our certain destruction ; we can make no progress
in that way ; we must unite ourselves into one com-
mon band of brothers. Our warriors united, would
surely repel these rude invaders and drive them
from our borders. This must be done and we
shall be safe.
"You, the Mohawks, sitting under the shadow of
the 'great tree,' whose roots sink deep into the
earth, and whose branches spread over a vast coun-
try, shall be the first nation,' because you are war-
like and mighty.
"And you, Oneidas, a people who recline your
bodies against the 'everlasting stone' that cannot
be moved, shall be the second nation, because you
give wise counsel.
"And you, Onondagas, who have your habita-
tion at the 'great mountain,' and are overshadowed
by its crags, shall be the third nation, because you
are greatly gifted in speech and mighty in war.
"And you, Cayugas, a people whose habitation
is the ' dark forest,' and whose home is everywhere,
shall be the fourth nation, because of your superior
cunning in hunting.
" And you, Senecas, a people who live in the
' open country' and possess much wisdom, shall be
the fifth nation, because you understand better the
art of raising corn and beans and making cabins.
" You, five great and powerful nations, must
unite and have but one common interest, and no
foe shall be able to disturb or subdue you.
"And you, Manhattans, Nyacks, Metoacks and
others, who are as the 'feeble bushes' ; and you,
Narragansetts, Mohegans, Wampanoags and your
neighbors, who are a ' fishing people,' may place
yourselves under our protection. Be with us and
we will defend you. You of the South and you of
the West may do the same, and we will protect
you. We earnestly desire your aUiance and friend-
ship.
"Brothers, if we unite in this bond the Great
Spirit will smile upon us, and we shall be free,
prosperous and happy. But if we remain as we
are we shall be subject to his frown ; we shall be
enslaved, ruined, perhaps annihilated forever. We
shall perish and our nair.es be blotted out from
among the nations of men,
" Brothers, these are the words of Hiawatha.
Let them sink deep into your hearts. I have said
14
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The council was adjourned one day to afford
time to consider this weighty proposition, which
made a deep impression on its hearers. It may
seem strange, in the hght of a century of our own
federate existence, that time should have been
required to reach a conclusion so obvious ; but it
was a marked characteristic of the Iroquois to act
only after mature deliberation on questions of grave
importance, and in this lies much of that great
power they exerted both in council and in war.
Assembling the next day, the wisdom of the
proposition was unanimously conceded, and then
was formed that celebrated league of the five Indian
nations which no external power has effectually brok-
en. Whatever may have been the circumstances con-
nected with its origin, which is invested in the hy-
perbole and metaphor with which the Indian lan-
guage abounds, its great effectiveness is a matter of
history, and stamps the mind which conceived it a
genius of a high order. Pending this action, Hia-
watha, admonished by the death of his daughter
that his mission on earth was accomplished, pre-
pared to take his final departure. As the assem-
bly was about to separate, he arose in a dignified
manner and said : — ■
" Friends and Brothers : — I have now fulfilled
my mission upon earth. I have done everything
which can be done at present for the good of this
great people. Age, infirmity and distress set heavy
upon me. During my sojourn with you I have re-
moved all obstructions from the streams. Canoes
can now pass safely everywhere. I have given you
good fishing waters and good hunting grounds. I
have taught you the manner of cultivating corn and
beans and learned you the art of making cabins.
Many other blessings I have liberally bestowed
upon you.
" Lastly, I have now assisted you to form an
everlasting league and covenant of strength and
friendship for your future safety and protection.
If you preserve it, without the admission of other
people, you will always be free, numerous and
mighty. If other nations are admitted to your
councils they will sow jealousies among you, and you
will become enslaved, few and feeble. Remember
these words, they are the last you will hear, from the
hps of Hiawatha. Listen, my friends, the Great
Master of Breath calls me to go. I have patiently
waited his summons. I am ready; farewell."
As his voice ceased, sweet sounds from the air
burst on the ears of the multitude; and while
their attention was engrossed in the celestial melo-
dy, Hiawatha was seen, seated in his white canoe,
rising in mid-air with every choral chant, till the
clouds shut out the sight, and the melody, gradu-
ally becoming fainter, ceased.
The political and social organizations of the Iro-
quois though simple in their structure were effect-
ive in their operation. They were qalculated to
violate as little as might be the high regard this
people had for individual liberty, which they re-
quired should be the largest, consistent with the
general welfare. The method by which they secured
efficiency without imposing undue restraint was as
unique as it was simple and happy. No light tie
could hold to the harmonious development of a
common interest so fierce and barbarous a people
as these. The problem was eminently worthy of
the genius which solved it ; for while it held them
inflexibly, yet unrestrainedly, to all matters relating
to their federate existence, it secured the utmost
elasticity and freedom in their tribal and national
relations. The entire control of all civil matters
effecting the common interest was vested in a na-
tional council of about fifty sachems, though in
some instances as many as eighty, chosen at firjt
from the wisest men in their several nations, and
afterwards hereditary in their famihes. All met as
equals, but a peculiar dignity was ever attached to
the Atotarho, or war chief, of the Onondagas.* All
the nations were represented, and each had one
vote in the council. This general council was held
by common consent in the principal village of the
Onondagas, the central nation. Thither, if the
matter under consideration was of a deep and gen-
eral interest, not the sachems alone, but the greater
part of the population, gathered; and while the
sachems deliberated in the council house, the chiefs
and old men, the warriors, and often the women,
were holding their respective councils apart, and
their opinions, laid by their deputies before the
council of sachems, were not without influence on
its decisions. All questions of tribal, national and
federal polity were discussed and decided in coun-
cils. They had no written constitution, and no
attempt was made to coerce a nation or individual.
The authority of these sachems was measured by
the estimate the people put upon their wisdom and
integrity, and the execution of their plans rested
upon the voluntary acquiescence of those whom
they represented. But the Iroquois were actuated
by a high regard for personal and national honor,
which ever sufficed to impress them with a deep
sense of duty. The impression has prevailed among
authors that women were excluded from these
councils ; this, however, is erroneous, though they
did not commonly attend, t
* Parkman's yesuits. ~
t Schoroyady, or the Half-KinR, an Oneida, said at a meeting at Fort
Jolinson, May lo, 1756, attended by four Oneida and Seneca chiefs and
two heneca women ;—" It 15 no new thing to take women into our
councils, particularly among the Senecas." Cot. Hist. VII., 101 • also
A., 256. '
CIVIL POLITY OF THE IROQUOIS.
A marked feature of the Iroquois civil polity was
that which made the concurrence of all the nations
necessary before any measure could be adopted.
To secure this unanimity the most persuasive pow-
ers of reason and eloquence were constantly em-
ployed. Their speakers studied euphony in the
selection and arrangement of their words, and their
discourses were made highly impressive, if not al-
ways eloquent and convincing, by the use of grace-
ful attitudes and gestures. In this severe school
were trained those orators, whose eiforts have chal-
lenged favorable comparison with the best in civil-
ized nations, and reflected not less renown on the
federation than its bravest warriors.
" There was a class of men among the Iroquois
always put forward on public occasions to speak
the mind of the nation or defend its interests.
Nearly all of them were of the number of the sub-
ordinate chiefs. Nature and training had fitted
them for public speaking, and they were deeply
versed in the history and traditions of the league.
They were in fact professed orators, high in honor
and influence among the people. To a huge stock
of conventional metaphors, the use of which re-
quired nothing but practice, they often added an
astute intellect, an astonishing memory, and an el-
oquence which deserved the name.
" In one particular, the training of these savage
politicians was never surpassed. They had no art
of writing to record events, or preserve the stipula-
tion of treaties. Memory, therefore, was tasked to
the utmost, and developed to an extraordinary de-
gree. They had various devices for aiding it, such
as bundles of sticks, and that system of signs, em-
blems and rude pictures, which they shared with
other tribes. Their famous wampum belts were so
many ilinemoijic signs, each standing for some act,
speech, treaty, or clause of a treaty. These repre-
sented the public archives, and were divided among
various custodians, each charged with the memory
and interpretation of those assigned to him. The
meaning of the belts was from time to time expound-
ed in the councils. In conference with them noth-
ing more astonished the French, Dutch and Eng-
lish officials than the precision with which, before
replying to their addresses, the Indian orators re-
peated them point by point."
All business between other nations and the Iro-
quois was brought to the council fire at Ononda-
ga,* and the conclusion there reached carried with
it all the weight of a kingly edict. The dehbera-
tions of the sachems were conducted with the ut-
most decorum and a rigid adherence to their no-
tions of parUamentary usage which challenged the
admiration of civilized nations. No speaker inter-
rupted another. Each gave his opinion in turn,
but not until he had stated in full the subject of
* This council fire was finally extinguished January ii;, 1777, but the
reason therefor has never been satisfactorily explained.
discussion, to prove that he understood it, and had
repeated the arguments pro and con of previous
speakers. Thus their debates were exceedingly
prolix, but resulted in a thorough sifting of the
matter in hand. Their sachems received no com-
pensation for their services. Honor and esteem
were their chief rewards ; shame and being despised,
their punishment. Their principal men, both sa-
chems and chiefs, were generally poorer than the
common people; for they affected to give away
and distribute all the presents or plunder they got
by treaty or in war.* They held their oflice by
reason of merit and the esteem in which they were
held by the people, and forfeited this distinction
when that esteem was lost. Thus while the sys-
tem held out ample incentives to valorous achieve-
ment, there was nothing to tempt the covetous and
sordid. A respect for native superiority, and a wil-
lingness to yield to it were always conspicuous. In
his own nation each sachem was a civil magistrate
and decided the differences between his people in
public audiences of his tribe. In military matters
he had no control ; these were confided to the
chiefs of tribes. If he engaged in war he held on-
ly the rank of a common warrior.
Each of the Iroquois nations was divided into
nine clans or tribes, each having a specific device
or totem, denoting original consanguinity. These
totems were universally respected, and were often
tatooed on the person of the Indian and were rude-
ly painted on the gable end of his cabin, some in
black, others in red. They entitled the wandering
savage to the hospitality of the wigwam which bore
the emblem corresponding with his own. These
devices consisted of animals, birds, &c. They had
various uses, but the most important was that which
denoted tribal relation. Says E. B. O'Callaghan,
M. D., the learned editor of the Colonial and Doc-
umentary History f of New York : —
" The Iroquois Nation consists of nine tribes,
which form two divisions, one of four tribes and the
other of five.
"They call the first division Guey-Niotiteshes-
gue, which means the four tribes ; and the second
division they call Ouiche-Niotiteshesgue, which
means the five tribes.
" The first is that of the Tortoise, which calls it-
self Atiniathin. It is the first because they pretend
when the Master of Life made the earth, that he
placed it on a tortoise ; and when there are earth-
quakes, it is the tortoise that stirs.
" The second tribe is that of the Wolf, and calls
itself Enanthayonni, or Cahenhisenhonon, and
* ColderCs Five Indian Nations.
t Col. Hist. IX., 47 ; Doc. Hist. /., J. {Paris Docttmenis, 1666.)
i6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
brother of the Tortoise tribe. When there is ques-
tion of war they deUberate together ; and if the af-
fair is of great moment, they communicate it to the
other tribes to deUberate together thereupon ; so
of all the other tribes. They assemble in the hut
of a war chief when the question is of war, and in
the hut of a council-chief when it is for ordinary
matters of state.
" The third tribe is that of the Bear, which they
call Atinionguin.
"The fourth tribe is that of the Beaver, and
brother to that of the Bear. These four tribes com-
pose the first division.
SECOND DIVISION.
" The fifth tribe is that of the Deer, which they
call Canefuieske.
" The sixth is that of the Potatoe, which they call
Schoneschioronon.
" The seventh is that of the Great Plover, which
they call Otinanchahe.
" The eighth is that of the Little Plover, which
they call Asco, or Nicohes.
"The ninth is that of the Kilion, [Eagle,*]
which they call Canonchahonronon. [It] derives
its origin from a cabin that was in the interior
(datis les terres) and composed of several fires and
estabhshments. In the middle of the cabin was a
partition which divided [it] in two.
" Weary of knowing no one, and consequently
unable to marry, they all married among them-
selves ; which is the reason that their name signi-
fies two cabins united together."
Parkman, in speaking of the ninth tribe, which
he denominates the Potatoe, says, if it existed it
was very inconspicuous and of little importance.
Other authors name only eight tribes. Ruttenber
designates nine.
Previous to the formation of the Iroquois Con-
federacy, each of the five nations composing it was
divided into five tribes. When their union was
effected, each tribe transferred one-fifth of its
numbers to every other nation, thus giving each
nation nine tribes. Their tribal names were as
follows : Tortoise, or Turtle, Wolf, Bear, Beaver,
Deer, Potatoe, Snipe, Heron and Hawk.f
These tribes formed two divisions, the second
subordinate to the first, which was composed of
the four first named. The members of each divi-
sion were regarded as brothers to those in that
division to which they belonged, while they were
only cousins to those in the other divisions. Each
tribe constituted a family, and while all its mem-
bers were accounted brothers and sisters, they were
• Signifies a hawk in some of the Iroquois dialects.— Co/. Hist. IX.,
47-
t These are the more modern names as given by Morgan, though he
and other authors omit the Potatoe. The Snipe and Heron correspond
with the Great and Little Plover, and the Hawk, with the Eagle, of the
French documents.
also brothers and sisters of the members of all the
other tribes bearing the same device. The indis-
soluble bonds thus formed by the ties of consan-
guinity were still further strengthened by the mar-
riage relation. Originally marriage was interdicted
between members of the same division, but in time
the restriction was limited to those of the same
tribe. It was held to be an abomination for two
members of the same tribe to intermarry ; hence
every individual family must contain members from
at least two tribes. The child belonged to the
clan of the mother, not the father, from whom it
could not inherit anything. All rank, title and
posessions passed through the female. The son
of a chief could never be a chief by hereditary title,
though he might become one through personal
merit ; but a grandson, great-grandson or nephew
might succeed him.
The rule, though binding, was very elastic, and
capable of stretching to the farthest limits of the
tribe — -each tribe being allowed to select its chief
from among its own members. Almost invariably
the chief was succeeded by a near relative, always
on the female side ; but if these were manifestly
unfit, his successor was chosen at a council of the
tribe from remoter kindred, in which case he was
nominated by the matron of the late chiefs house-
hold.* In any event the choice was never adverse
to the popular incHnation.f The new chief was
inducted into office by a formal council of the
sachems of the league ; and on assuming its duties
he dropped his own name and substituted that
which, since the formation of the league, had be-
longed to his especial chieftainship.^ The chief
was required to be a skillful hunter, if not the best
in his tribe, and liberal with his game. He must
also be a good physician, and able to advise and
assist the sick in every circumstance. It was his
duty to take care of orphans, to harbor strangers,
and to keep order in the town. But he, like the
sachem, had no power of compulsion; and like
him, also, must keep up his reputation by a pru-
dent, courteous and winning behavior.§
The tribes were by no means equal in numbers,
influence and honor, says Parkman. So marked
were the distinctions among them that Golden and
other early writers recognized only the three most
prominent, — those of the Turtle, Bear and Wolf.
They were eminently social in their habits ; and
without any law other than that of common usage,
or means of enforcing justice, these rude, uncul-
* Lafitau.
t Parkman.
X Ibid.
§ Loskiel.
WAR BETWEEN THE ADIRONDACKS AND IROQUOIS.
17
tured barbarians lived together in communities ag-
gregating thousands, with a harmony civilization
might envy.
There was another council, says the same
author, between which and that of the subordi-
nate chiefs the line of demarkation seems not to
have been very definite. In its character it was
essentially popular, but popular in the best sense,
and one which can find its application only in a
small community. Any man took part in it whose
age and experience qualified him to do so. It was
merely the gathered wisdom of the nation. The
Jesuit Lafitau, famihar with the Iroquois at the
height of their prosperity, compares it with the
Roman Senate, and defines it as the central and
controlling power, so far, at least, as the separate
nations were concerned. He thus describes it : —
"It is a greasy assemblage, sitting sur leur derriere,
crouched like apes, their knees as high as their
ears, or lying, some on their belHes, some on their
backs, each with a pipe in his mouth, discussing
affairs of state with as much coolness and gravity
as the Spanish Junta, or the Grand Council of
Venice."
The young warriors also had their councils; so
too had the women; and the opinions and wishes
of each were represented by means of deputies in
this council of old men, as well as the grand con-
federate council of the sachems. The government
of this unique republic resided wholly in councils;
and by these all questions were settled, all regu-
lations established — social, political, military and
religious. The war-path, the chase, the council-
fire, — in these was the life of the Iroquois ; and it
is difficult to say to which he was most devoted.
In this blending of individual, tribal, national
and federal interests lies the secret of the immense
power wielded by the Iroquois, — a power which
successfully resisted for a century and a half the
hostile efforts of the French ; which made them
for nearly a century (from 1664 to 1763,) an im-
movable wedge between the contending French
and English colonies in America, alike feared
and courted by both ; and enabled them to ex-
terminate or effectually subdue neighboring tribes
with whom they had long waged war with varying
success.
The Iroquois were not always the same fierce,
rapacious and blood-thirsty people which they are
now familiarly known to have been, but were once
engrossed in the peaceful pursuits of the husband-
man. Golden graphically relates the circumstances
which lead them in a measure to forsake that occu-
pation, and involved them in a war with the Adiron-
dacks, in which they were engaged when the French
first settled Ganada. We quote : —
"The Adirondacks formerly lived three hundred
miles above Trois Rivieres, where now the Utmva-
was are situated ; at that time they employed
themselves wholly in hunting, and the Five Nations
made planting of corn their business. By this
means they became useful to each other, by ex-
changing corn for venison. The Adirondacks,
however, valued themselves as delighting in a more
manly employment, and despised the Five Nations
in following business which they thought only fit
for women. But it once happened that the game
failed the Adirondacks, which made, them desire
some of the young men of the Five Nations to
assist them in hunting. These young men soon
became much more expert in hunting, and able to
endure fatigue, than the Adirondacks expected or
desired; in short they became jealous of them,
and, one night, murdered all the young men they
had with them. The Five Nations complained to
the chiefs of the Adirondacks of the inhumanit}
of this action ; but they contented themselves with
blaming the nmrderers, and ordered them to make
some small presents to the relatives of the mur-
dered persons, without being apprehensive of the
resentment of the Five Nations ; for they looked
upon them as men not capable of taking any great
revenge.
" This, however, provoked the Five Nations to
that degree, that they soon resolved by some means
to be revenged ; and the Adirondacks, being in-
formed of these designs, thought to prevent them
by reducing them with force to their obedience.
" The Five Nations then lived where Mont Real
now stands ; they defended themselves at first but
faintly against the vigorous attacks of the Adiron-
dacks, and were forced to leave their own country
and fly to the banks of the lakes, where they now
live. As they were hitherto losers by the war, it
obliged them to apply themselves to the exercise
of arms, in which they became daily more and
more expert. Their Sachems, in order to raise
their people's spirits, turned them against the
Satanas, a less war-like nation, who then lived on
the banks of the lakes ; for they found it was diffi-
cult to remove the dread their people had of the
valor of the Adirondacks. The Five Nations soon
subdued the Satanas, and drove them out of their
country; and their people's courage being thus
elevated, they, from this time, not only defended
themselves bravely against the whole force of the
Adirondacks, but even carried the war into the
heart of the Adirondacks' country, and, at last,
forced them to leave it, and to fly into that part of
the country where Quebec is now built." *
While the Iroquois were waging war with the
Adirondacks, the French, who early signaHzed their
enmity for the former, had, by the establishment
of their fur trade, drawn most of the neighboring
nations to Quebec, and supplied them with fire-
* History of the Five Indian Nations-
i8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
arms. These nations joined in the war against the
Iroquois. The Adirondacks now resolved on the
utter destruction of the Five Nations ; but their
young warriors, from their superiority in numbers
and arms, became rash and insolent and restive
under the disciplinary restraints of their chiefs.
The Iroquois, who were thrown on the defensive by
the rash impetuousness of their enemies, soon dis-
covered the advantages they gained by this want of
discipUne, and became themselves more submis-
sive to their chiefs and diligent in executing any
enterprise. They opposed strategy, for which they
were so conspicuously distinguished,* to the supe-
riority in numbers and arms of the enemy, who
were adroitly drawn into ambuscades and thereby
suffered great losses. This warfare was continued
until it culminated in the disastrous defeat and dis-
persion of the Adirondacks and their alHes, the
Quatoghies, or Hurons, in a terrible battle fought
within sight of the French settlements at Quebec.
They pursued these enemies to their place of refuge
with a relentless persistency which only relaxed
with their dispersion and almost utter extermina-
tion.
With the same terrible, deadly vehemence they
pursued other enemies, prominent among whom
were the Neutrals and Fries to the west and the
Andastes to the south of them, their vengeance
never satiated until they were wiped out of exis-
tence as nations. Thus they eventually became
the dictators of the continent, their sway extending
over a territory estimated to be twelve hundred
miles long by eight hundred broad, embracing a
large part of New England, and reaching thence to
the Mississippi ; while the French occupants of
Canada, and the Cherokees and Catawbas in the far
south were humbled by their power. But they
held in actual possession only the limited territory
previously described.
From the conquered nations they exacted tribute
and drew conscripts for their armies. From the
extent of their conquests, the number of their sub-
ject nations, and the tribute and military aid ren-
dered them by the latter, they have been called the
" Romans of this Western World."t When we re-
flect that of their own warriors they could bring
into the field barely 2,000 braves, and with this
number subjugated nations numerically more than
twice as large, and spread terror and consternation
among the French settlements in Canada, threat-
» The Five Nations are so much delighted with stratagems in warTta
no superiority in their forces ever makes them neglect Ihem.—Colrka.
tVclne/s View of the United States, 470-476; Colden' s Five Va-
timtsl,!,, s; ColUctionsoftheNew Vor/i Historical Society, lin, 44.
ening their utter extinction, the magnitude of their
achievements may be faintly comprehended. They
are thus emphasized by Street : —
"By the far Mississippi the Illini shrank.
When the trail of the Tortoise was seen at the
bank,
On the hills of New England the Pequot turned
pale.
When the howl of the Wolf swelled at night on
the gale,
And the Cherokee shook in his green smiling
bowers,
When the foot of the Bear stamped his carpet of
flowers."
Their great successes, however, are scarcely ref-
erable to the perfection of their military organiza-
tion, which, though unquestionably better than that
of their neighbors, was wretchedly poor. Occa-
sionally, though rarely, they acted in concert as a
great confederacy ; but usually their wars were car-
ried on by detached parties, small in numbers, or
at best by individual nations, by whom their great
conquests were mostly made.
They were in a chronic state of warfare, and were
easily diverted from other pursuits whenever an
opportunity offered to avenge their enemies. The
inveterate wars waged by them against their kins-
men, as for instance the Hurons, Fries and Andastes,
all mighty and valorous nations, is one of the un-
explained passages in their history. Any of their
warriors who was desirous of avenging a personal
insult, rebuking a tribal or national affront, or am-
bitious to distinguish himself by some deed of valor,
might take the war-path with such following as he
could get. He first communicated his design to
two others of his most intimate friends and if they
approved of it, an invitation was extended in their
name to the warriors of the village to attend a feast
of dogs' flesh, which was always used on such oc-
casions.* His purpose was publicly proclaimed by
the singing of war-songs, dancing the war-dance,
and sticking his hatchet in the war-post. Any who
chose joined him. After a night spent in alimen-
tary debauchery they set out, dressed in their finest
apparel, with faces hideously bedaubed with paint,
to make them objects of terror to their enemies,
usually with a little parched corn meal and maple
sugar as their sole provision. Often these viands
were varied by the addition of a little smoked
venison ; and when the supply became scant, as it
often did, the tightening of the waist-belt was made
to supplement an insufficient meal. They were al-
ways followed on such occasions by the women,who
took with them their old clothes and brought back the
* Coldet^s Five Indian Nations ; Cot. Hist, IX. 560,
MILITARY STATUS OF THE IROQUOIS.
19
finery in which they marched from the castle. They
always recorded these exploits by the aid of their
mnemonic symbols, rudely sketched on the smooth
side of a piece of bark, peeled for that purpose
from a tree — usually an oak, as being most durable.
These expeditions usually provoked retahation, and
the vengeance of the injured party was wreaked on
any of the offending nation with whom they came
in contact. Thus the history of Indian warfare is
largely the history of the daring exploits of indi-
viduals and small bands of warriors, who harrassed
their enemies and kept them in perpetual fear of
danger. This mode of warfare proved peculiarly
distressing to the early settlements of the American
colonies.
Authors differ as to the military status of the
Iroquois, and it would be difficult, perhaps, with
our Umited exact knowledge of the various Indian
tribes with whom they came in contact, to award
them their just meed. It would be manifiestly un-
just to compare them with civilized nations, though
in some respects this would not reflect disparag-
ingly upon them. They had a discipline suited to
the dark and tangled forests where they fought.
Here they were a terrible foe; but in an open
country, against a trained European force, they
were, despite their ferocious valor, less formidable.
Their true superiority was a moral one. They were
in one of those transports of pride, self-confidence
and rage for ascendancy, which, in a savage peo-
ple, marks an era of conquest.* They were proud,
vindictive, arrogant, sagacious and subtle, and
esteemed themselves by nature superior to the
rest of mankind. They styled themselves Ongue-
honwe, signifying "men surpassing all others."!
Great care was taken to inculcate this opinion
in their children, and to impress it upon other
nations.
The superiority of the Iroquois, as compared
with others of their race in the whole western hemi-
sphere, and even with the civilized races of Mexico
and Peru, with a few doubtful exceptions, is clearly
proved by the size of their brain. The average
internal capacity of five Iroquois crania, as com-
pared by Morton, was eighty-eight cubic inches,
which is within two inches of the Caucasian mean,
and four of the Teutonic.^ The difference in vol-
ume is chiefly confined to the occipital and basal
portions — the region of the animal propensities —
and on this is predicated their ferocious, brutal and
* ParkmatCs Jesuits.
t Colden's Five Indian Xations.
% Crania A msricatia, 195.
uncivilizable character.* In this remarkable family
occur the fullest developments of Indian character,
and the most conspicuous examples of Indian in-
telligence. If not here, then nowhere are to be
found those higher traits popularly ascribed to the
race.f They unified and systematized the elements
which, among other nations, were digressive and
chaotic. The average internal capacity of the cra-
nia of the North American Indians generally is
eighty-four cubic inches ; greater than the mean of
twenty-four crania of Mound builders, as examined
by Prof. Jeffreys Wyman, Curator of Peabody Mu-
seum of American Archseology.f
The advent of the European nations to the
American continent was the precursor alike of the
downfall of the Iroquois Confederacy and the ulti-
mate extinction of the American Indian. This
was due, not so much to the organic defects of the
confederacy itself, as to causes inherent in the struc-
ture and mental incapacity of its authors. Stimu-
lated at first by the attrition of rugged Saxon
thought, they were destined ere long to be con-
sumed by it. Though radically' intractable, this
race possessed in certain external respects a plastic
mind ; but while they felt and were, in a measure,
influenced by this contact with a superior intellect,
they lacked the ability to adapt themselves to the
conditions essential to its evolvement. It intensi-
fied their savage nature, rather than eradicated it;
for, unhappily for them, they were brought more in
contact with its vices than its virtues. It cannot
be denied, however, that the efforts of early mis-
sionaries had a softening tendency; and what
might have been the result of their labors under
more favorable conditions can only be conjectured.
But the missionaries themselves gave ample evi-
dence of the great difficulty attending their conver-
sion, and it should not be overlooked that the in-
stances which gave unmistakable evidence of gen-
uine conversion were extremely rare. The large
liberty allowed by their national compact was an
element of great danger with a barbarous people,
given, as they were, to the gratification of many of
the worst impulses of their nature ; for it held little
or no restraint over them. The worst phases of
our civilization — a polished barbarism rather — were
engrafted on their natures, and served as a stimu-
lus to appetites and passions already abnormally
developed.
* A dmeasurements 0/ Crania of th^ Principal Groups of Indians i
the United States. -J. S. Phillips,
t Parkinan' s Jesuits.
% Fourth Annual Report .> 1871,
20
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Advanced as the Iroquois were beyond other
American tribes, there is no indication whatever
of a tendency to overpass the confines of a wild
hunter and warrior life. They were inveterately
attached to it, impracticable conservatists of bar-
barism, and in ferocity and cruelty they matched
the worst of their race. That they were sagacious
is past denying ; but it expended itself in a blind
frenzy which impelled them to destroy those whom
they might have made their allies in a common
cause. Their prescience, apparently, could not
comprehend the destiny of a people capable of
emerging from barbarism into civilization. Their
decline may be said to have begun when their con-
quests ended. They soon became a hopeless de-
pendency, without the means, if they had the de-
sign, which they probably did not, to stop the en-
croachment of the whites upon their domain. As
early as 1753, their dissolution was foreshadowed,
though it did not take place till about a quarter of
a century later.*
CHAPTER II.
Indian Habits and Usages — Indian Dwellings
— Indian Towns — Social Usages — Dress
and Habits — Law of Marriages — Experi-
mental Marriages — Family Discipline —
Amusements — Dances and Feasts — The
War Dance — Religion and Superstition —
Stated Annual Festivals — Medical Feasts
— Dreams — Wizards and Witches — Burials
— Wampum — Hospitality.
WE purpose giving in this chapter some of the
more prominent features of Indian domestic
and social life, which furnish the best index to his
true character. The Indian, viewed as a distinct
branch of the human family, has some peculiar
traits and institutions which may be advantageous-
ly studied. They furnish the key to those start-
ling impulses which have so long made him an
object of wonder to civilized communities, and re-
veal him as the legitimate product of the condi-
tions attending his birth, his forest education, and
the wants, temptations and dangers which surround
him. They show him also to be as patient and
politic as he is ferocious.
"America, when it became known to Europeans,
t See an account of a conference between Col. Willi.nm Johnson and
the Six Nations at Onondaga, Sept. 8, iis^.-Doc. Hist. II., 633.
was, as it had long been, a scene of wide-spread
revolution. North and South, tribe was giving
place to tribe, language to language ; for the
Indian, hopelessly unchanged in respect to indi-
vidual and social development, was, as regards
tribal relations and social haunts, mutable as the
wind. In Canada and the northern section of the
United States, the elements of change were
especially active. The Indian population, which,
in 153s, Cartier found at Montreal and Quebec,
had disappeared at the opening of the next
century, and another race had succeeded, in
language and customs widely different ; while in
the region now forming the State of New York, a
power was rising to a ferocious vitaHty, which, but
for the presence of Europeans, would probably
have subjected, absorbed or exterminated every
other Indian community east of the Mississippi
and north of the Ohio." *
Hence we shall see that Indian habitations were
not characterized by that durabihty and perma-
nency which is manifest in stable communities.
This mutability was governed primarily by success
or non-success in war, or the fear of ambitious
neighbors, for not unfrequently whole nations, or
fragments of nations, submitted to expatriation to
save themselves from extermination ; and, second-
arily, by the mode of Indian life. They subsisted
generally by hunting and fishing. Their agriculture
was usually of the most primitive character ; and
when, in the course of years, the fertility of their
small clearings became exhausted, not being con-
versant with the art of refertilization, they removed
to and cultivated new fields. The scarcity of
game and fuel also necessitated their removal to
localities where it was more abundant.
Usually, however, they had large central villages,
which exhibited in a more marked measure the ele-
ments of permanency. Thus the Iroquois, though
living at different times in various localities in this
State, retained their central habitations in or near
the localities where the whites first found them. Of
the Iroquois, who subsisted mainly by the chase,
the Senecas, who occupied the most fertile portion
of the State, brought agriculture to the highest de-
gree of perfection, and had the best houses. When '
General SuUivan passed through their country with
his army in 1779, thousands of acres had been
cleared, old orchards of apples, pears, peaches and
other fruits existed, and evidences of long cultiva-
tion abounded. Corn, which was a- staple produc-
tion, grew to marvelous perfection, ears twenty-two
inches in length being found by Sullivan's soldiers,
who, it is said, took to New England from the Gen-
esee Valley the first sweet corn ever seen there.
* Parkvtan^ s Jesuits.
DWELLINGS, TOWNS AND FORTIFICATIONS OF THE IROQUOIS.
21
Their dwellings differed in shape and size, and,
though rude, were generally built with considerable
labor and care. They were generally about thirty
feet square and of the same height. The sides
were formed of hickory saplings set in two parallel
rows and bent inward, thus forming an arch. Trans-
verse poles were bound to the uprights and over
the arch. The whole was covered with bark, over-
lapping like shingles, and held in place by smaller
poles fastened to the frame with cords of linden
bark. An open space about a foot wide extended
the whole length of the ridge and served the double
purpose of window and chimney. At each end was
an enclosed space for the storage of supplies of In-
dian corn, dried flesh, fish, &c., which were kept in
bark vessels. Along each side were wide scaffolds,
some four feet from the floor, which, when covered
with skins, formed the summer sleeping places,
while beneath was stored their firewood gathered
and kept dry for use. In some cases these plat-
forms were in sections of twelve to fourteen feet,
with spaces for storage between them. Five or six
feet above was another platform, often occupied by
children. Overhead poles were suspended for var-
ious uses, to make and dry their fish and flesh, and
hold their weapons, skins, clothing, corn, &c. In
cold weather the inmates slept on the floor, huddled
about the fires, which ranged through the center of
the house. In their large structures the sides usu-
ally consisted of rows of upright posts, and the roof
still arched, was formed of separate poles. The
door consisted of a sheet of bark hung on wooderr
hinges, or suspended by cords from above. Gen-
erally they were lined with a thick coating of soot
by the large fires maintained for warmth and for
cooking. So pungent was the smoke that it pro-
duced inflammation of the eyes, attended in old age
with frequent blindness. Their wolfish dogs were
as regular occupants as the unbridled and unruly
children. The Iroquois preserved this mode of
building in all essential particulars till a recent
period, and it was common and peculiar to all
tribes of their lineage.
The Indian towns were generally but an irreg-
ular and confused aggregation of Indian houses,
from five to fifty in number, clustered together with
little regard to order, and covering from one to ten
acres. As the Indian dug no wells, they were lo-
cated adjacent to-copious springs or to considerable
streams. They were often fortified, and a situation
favorable to defense was always chosen — the shore
of a lake, the crown of a difficult hill, or a high
point of land in the fork of confluent streams.
These defenses were not often constructed with any
mathematical regularity, but made to conform to
the nature of the ground. Frequently a precipice
or river sufficed for a partial defense, and the line
or embankment occurred only on one or two
sides.
An embankment was constructed of the earth
thrown up from a deep ditch encircHng the town,
and supported palisades of twenty to thirty feet in
height, planted in one to four concentric rows,
those of each row inclining towards those of the
others till they intersected. These palisades were
cut by the alternate process of burning and hack-
ing the burnt part with stone hatchets * from trees
felled in the same manner, and were often inter-
laced with flexible branches, to prevent their de-
struction by fire, a common effort of the enemy.
They were lined to the height of a man with heavy
sheets of bark ; and on the top, where they cr'ossed,
was a gallery of timbers for the defenders, together
with wooden gutters, by which streams of water
could be poured on fires kindled by the enemy.
Magazines of stones, and rude ladders for mount-
ing the ramparts, completed the provisions for de-
fense. The forts of the Iroquois were stronger
and more elaborate than those of other nations,
and large districts in New York are marked with
the remains of their ditches and embankments,
many instances of which occur in Livingston
county. After the advent of Europeans and the
introduction of suitable implements for making
excavations, the palisades were set in the ground
to a sufficient depth to render the use of embank-
ments unnecessary ; f and their later defensive
structures evince other modifications in form, sug-
gested, probably, by the example or instructions of
their white neighbors.
Unsatisfactory efforts have been made to estab-
lish a connection between the ancient works in this
vicinity and those ascribed to the Mound-builders,
and refer them to the same origin. " The resem-
blance which they bear to the defensive structures
of other rude nations, in various parts of the world,
are the results of natural causes, and cannot be taken
to indicate either a close or remote connection or
dependence."! But the differences between the
two in size, general conformation and mode of
structure are too important to be overlooked and
scarcely admjt of the thought of a Uke origin. The
* The Indian had no metallic ax capable of felling a tree prior to 1492.
— Schoolcraft.
t A notable instance of this kind came under the observation of the
writer in the town of Locke^ in Cayuga county.
\ Antigititits of New York and the West^ 141.
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
former are much smaller and more numerous in a
given extent of territory than the latter, which also
conform in their structure to geometrical principles,
while the former are conspicuous for their depart-
ure from this rule.* The former also have the
ditch outside the embankment, while in the latter
it is invariably inside^ — a distinction too important
and general to be merely accidental. Two of these
remains which have come under our observation
do not show by the relics found in them evidence
of intercourse between their occupants and Euro-
peans, showing that few had been abandoned prior
to the advent of the white man— a fact which is at
variance with the known mutability of the Indian ;
furthermore, the forest growths covering these sites
when the first settlers came into the country, and
usually cited as an evidence of antiquity, with a
few possible exceptions, did not indicate an anti-
Columbian, if an anti-Jesuit, period. Squier says :
" I am driven to a conclusion little anticipated
when I started upon my exploration of the monu-
ments of the State, that the earth-works of Western
New York were erected by the Iroquois or their
western neighbors, and do not possess any anti-
quity going very far back of the discovery.":]: Inci-
dental resemblances in the character of the relics
disclosed by them in isolated cases do not warrant
the broad deductions sometimes made for them ;
for, if the connection is real, these resemblances
should be of a general, not a special nature.
Large quantities of timber were consumed in
building these fortifications, and hence clearings of
considerable extent were made and opened to their
rude cultivation. In that work the squaws were
employed, assisted by the children and superannua-
ted warriors; not as a compulsory labor, but
assumed by them as a just equivalent for the oner-
ous and continuous labor of the other sex, in pro-
viding meats and skins for clothing, by the chase,
and in defending their villages against their enemies
and in keeping intruders off their territory.? The
implement used for tilling the soil was a bone or
wooden hoe, (pemidgeag akwout;) and the chief
crops, corn (mondaminjhems, pumpkins, tobacco,
sunflowers and hemp. There was no individual
ownership of land, but each family had for the
time exclusive right to as much as they saw fit to
cultivate. The clearing process was a laborious
one, and consisted in hacking ofiF branches, piUng
them together with brushwood around the foot
* Antiquities cf New York and the West, 9.
^ Pre-Historic Races of the United States of America, 174.
iAutiguitiesof New I'oriandthe lVest,Ho.
§ Schoolcraft.
of the standing trunks, and setting fire to the
whole.
With the Iroquois the staple article of food
was corn, "cooked without salt in a variety of dif-
ferent forms, each," says Parkman, " more odious
than the last." This, cooked with beans of vari-
ous colors, was highly esteemed by them, but was
more of a dainty than daily dish. Their bread,
which was of indifferent quahty, kneaded in a bark
tray with unwashed hands, but an article of daily
consumption, was made of corn ; from which they
also made a porridge, called by some Sapsis, by
others Duundare, (boiled bread.*) Wild game
was a common article of food, but venison (used
specifically) was a luxury found only at feasts;
dog's flesh was held in high esteem, and in some
of the towns captive bears were fattened for festive
occasions. Their food comprised many other arti-
cles, some of which are far from being delectable
to a refined taste.
These stationary tribes were far less improvident
than the roving Algonquins, and laid up stores of
provision against a season of want. Their main
stock of corn was buried in caches, or deep holes
dug in the earth. In respect to the arts of life, also,
they were in advance of the wandering hunters of
the North. The women made a species of earthen
pot for cooking, but these were supplanted by the
copper kettle of the French traders. They wove
rush mats with no Httle skill. They spun twine
from the hemp by the primitive process of rolling
it on their thighs ; and of this twine they made nets.
They extracted oil from fish and from the seeds of
the sunflower, the latter, apparently, only for the
purposes of the toilet. They pounded their maize
in huge mortars of wood, hollowed by alternate
burnings and scrapings.! To the woman belonged
the drudgery of the household, as well as the field,
though it may be questioned if the task was as on-
erous as it is generally supposed to have been.J
Among the Iroquois there were favorable features
in her condition. She had often a considerable
influence in the decisions of the councils. It was
her prerogative during war to propose a cessation
of hostilities, and this could be done without com-
promising the warriors and chiefs. For this purpose
a male functionary, who was a good speaker, was
designated to perform an oflice which was deemed
unsuitable to the female; and when this resolution
was taken by the matrons of the nation or tribe,
the message was delivered to^this officer, who was
>■ Col. Hist; /., z8j.
t Park-mat^ s Jesuits.
\ See Schoolcraft's Notes.
INDIAN MODES OF DRESS.
23
bound to enforce it with all the powers of eloquence
he possessed.* It was in this role that the talented,
but anomalous Red Jacket, acquired so great a
celebrity as an orator. To the men, in addition to
the duties already enumerated, belonged that of
making the implements of war and the chase, pipes,-
which were often skillfully and elaborately wrought,
and canoes, which were of two kinds — "some of
entire trees, excavated by fire, axes and adzes,"t
and others made of bark. The canoes of the Hu-
rons and other northern tribes were made of birch
bark; while those of the Iroquois, in the absence
of birch, were made of elm, which was greatly in-
ferior, both in lightness and strength.
The dress of both men and women consisted of
skins of various kinds, dressed in the well-known
Indian manner, and worn in the shape of kilts, or
doublets thrown over the shoulders, the men often
wearing it only over the left shoulder, so as to leave
their right arm free. Formerly these coverings
were made of turkey feathers, woven together with
a thread of wild hemp ;J but latterly both these and
the skins were superseded by a piece of duffels,^
which they received in trade with the whites. The
rich wore a piece of blue, red or black cloth about
" two yards" long, fastened around the waist, the
lower seam of which, in some cases, was decorated
with ribbons, wampum or corals. The poor cov-
ered themselyes with a bear-skin, and even the rich
did the same in cold weather, or in its stead, a
pelisse of beaver or other fur, with the hair turned
inward. They made stockings and shoes of deer-
skins and elk-hides, which, says Loskiel, were " tan-
ned with the brains of the deer," which made them
very soft; and some even wore shoes made of corn
husks, of which, also, they made sacks. The dress
which peculiarly distinguished the women, was a
petticoat, made of a piece of cloth about two yards
long, fastened tight about the hips, and hanging
down a little below the knees. This they wore day
and night. A longer one would have impeded
them in walking through the woods and working in
the fields. Their holiday dress was either blue or
red and sometimes black, hung all around, fre-
quently from top to bottom, with red, blue and
yellow ribbons. " Most women of rank," says Los-
kiel, " wear a fine white linen shift with a red col-
lar, reaching from their necks nearly to the knees.
Others wear shifts of printed linen or cotton of va-
rious colors, decorated at the breast with a great
* Benton's Herkimer County and the Upper Mohawk Valley, 18.
t Colonial History of New York.
i Loskiel and Colonial History of New York.
§ A kind of coarse cloth resembling frieze.
number of silver buckles, which are also worn by
some as ornaments upon the petticoats." The men
also frequently appeared in a white shirt with a red
collar, worn over the rest of the clothes. The dress
" of the women, according to the Jesuits," says
Parkman, in speaking of the Hurons, " was more
modest than that of our most pious ladies of France !
The young girls on festal occasions must be except-
ed from this commendation, as they wore merely a
kilt from the waist to the knee, besides the wam-
pum decorations of the breast and arms. Their
long black hair, gathered behind the neck, was
decorated with disks of native copper, or gay pen-
dants made in France, and now occasionally un-
earthed in numbers from their graves. The men.
in summer, were nearly naked, those of a kindred
tribe wholly so, with the sole exception of their
moccasins."
All Indians were very much addicted to personal
ornamentation, the women more so than the men.
In these decorations consisted their wealth, and
they were a means also of marking their rank
among themselves.* The men paid particular at-
tention to the dress and adornment of their wives,
and thought it scandalous to appear better clothed
than they, f Their robes of fur were often richly
decorated on the inside with painted figures and de-
vices, and elaborately embroidered, and were of
great value. Much time and labor was bestowed
in decorating their faces and bodies with paint and
other devices. The latter was frequently covered
entirely with black, in case of mourning, and was
most singularly tatooed with representations of ser-
pents, birds and other creatures. The entire body
was thus sometimes covered, and though the oper-
ation was severe and painful, at times resulting in
death, not a murmur escaped the suff'erer. From
these decorations they sometimes acquired appel-
lations by which their pride was exceedingly grati-
fied ; thus an Iroquois chief, whose breast was cov-
ered with black scarifications was called the Black
Prince.J The face each day received a fresh ap-
phcation of paint, and this was an object of special
care if they were going to a dance. Vermillion
was their favorite color, and with it they frequent-
ly painted the entire head. At other times half the
face and head were painted red and the other half
black. Near the river Muskingum was found a
yellow ochre, which, when burnt, made a beautiful
red color. This the Huron warriors chiefly used
for paint, and did not think a journey of a hundred
* Kifs Jesuits.
t Loskiel.
X Loskiel.
24
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
miles too great a price to pay for it. Some pre-
ferred blue, " because," says Loskiel, " it is the
color of the sky, when calm and serene, and being
considered an emblem of peace, it is frequently in-
troduced as such in their public orations.'' White
clay, soot and the red juice of certain berries, were
among the agents employed in these fantastic
decorations. Some wore a large pearl, or piece of
silver, gold or wampum, suspended from a hole
bored in the cartilage of the nose. From their ears,
which had previously been distended and length-
ened as much as possible, depended pearls, rings,
sparkling stones, feathers, flowers, corals, or silver
crosses. A broad collar made of violet wampum
was deemed a most precious ornament, and the
rich even decorated their breasts with it. " It is
always necessary,'' says Father Sebastian Rasles,
" to add a small piece of porcelain, which hangs at
the end of the collar."*
The hair was worn in various and grotesque fash-
ions, and decorated with silver and other trinkets
of considerable weight. The women suffered it to
grow without restraint, and thus it frequently
reached below the hips. Nothing was thought more
ignominious in women than to have it cut off, and
this was only now and then resorted to as an act
of punishment. They anointed it with bear's grease
to make it shine. " The Delaware women," says
Loskiel, "never plait their hair, but fold and tie it
round with a piece of cloth. Some, tie it behind,
then roll it up, and wrap a. ribband or the skin of a
serpent around it. * * » But the Iroquois,
Shawanose and Huron women wear a queue, down
to their hips, tied round with a piece of cloth, and
hung with red ribband." The men did not allow
their hair to grow long, and some even pulled so
much of it out by the roots, that a little only re-
mained round the crown of the head, forming a
round crest of about two inches in diameter. This
was divided into two parts, plaited, tied with rib-
bon, and allowed to hang on either side of the
head. The crown was frequently ornamented with
a plume of feathers, placed either upright or aslant ;
and the hair, at feasts, with silver rings, corals, wam-
pum, and even silver buckles. With some the hair
was braided tight on one side and allowed to hang
loose on the other ; while with others it bristled in
a ridge across the crown like the back of a hyena.
European writers, among them Voltaire, long
contended \ha.t, par tiaturel, the North American
Indians had no beards ; and W. J. SneUing, who
resided for some years among the Western Indians,
*Kip^s Jesuiis.
says, it is ?tot an error that the Indians have no
•beard. Brant, the celebrated Mohawk chief, ad-
dressed the following letter to a Mr. McCausland,
who, desiring to know the truth of the matter, pro-
pounded the inquiry* thereon : —
"Niagara, 19 April, 1783.
" The men of the Six Nations have all beards by
nature ; as have hkewise all other Indian nations of
North America, which I have seen. Some Indians
allow a part of the beard upon the chin and upper
lip to grow, and a few of the Mohawks shave with
razors, in the same manner as Europeans ; but the
generality pluck out the hairs of the beard by the
roots, as soon as they begin to appear ;t and as
they continue this practice all their lives, they ap-
pear to have no beard, or, at most, only a few strag-
gling hairs, which they have neglected to pluck out.
I am, however, of opinion, that if the Indians were
to shave, they would never have beards altogether
so thick as the Europeans ; and there are some to
be met with who have actually very little beard.
Jos. Brant Thayendanega."
It was common for the Indians to rub their
bodies with the fat of bears or other animals,
which was sometimes colored, to make their limbs
supple, and to guard against the sting of mosqui-
toes and other insects.
The Iroquois studied dress and ornamentation
more than any other Indian nation, and were
allowed to dictate the fashion to the rest.
The Iroquois married early in life, the men
sometimes in their eighteenth, and the women in
their fourteenth year. Both marriage and divorce
were effected with equal facihty, and were attended
with very little ceremony. The marriage ceremony
consisted in the acceptance of a gift from a suitor
by the intended wife, and the return on her part
of a dish of boiled maize and an armful of fuel.
Divorces ensued at the pleasure of the parties for
the most trivial causes, and without disgrace to
either, unless it had been caused by some scandal-
ous offense. The man signified his wish to marry
by a present of blankets, cloth, linen, and perhaps
a few belts of wampum, to the nearest relatives of
the object of his desire. If they happened to be
pleased with the present and suitor, they proposed
the matter to the girl, who generally decided agree-
ably to the wishes of the parents or relatives. If
the proposal was declined the present was returned
by way of a friendly negative. The woman or
girl indicated this desire by sitting, with her face
covered with a veil. If she attracted a suitor,
negotiations were opened with parents or friends,
* Biography and History of the Indians of Xorth America.—^afk
v., Chap, v., 92.
^ See Holland Documents, Col. Hist, of New York, /., z8l.
SOCIAL CUSTOMS OF THE IROQUOIS.
25
presents given and the bride taken. Says Father
Cholonce, missionary of the Society of Jesus, in
1715, referring to the Iroquois : " Although these
heathen extend their dissoluteness and licentious-
ness to the greatest excess, there is yet no nation
which in public guards so scrupulously the outward
decorum, which is the attendant of perfect
modesty. A young man would be forever dis-
honored if he should stop to converse publicly
with a young female. Whenever marriage is in
agitation the business is to be settled by the
parents, and the parties most interested are not
even permitted to meet." *
Taciturn, morose and cruel as the Indians were
usually in their hunting and war-like expeditions,
in their own cabins and communities they were
very social, patient and forbearing ; in their festal
seasons, when all were at leisure, they engaged in
a round of continual feasting, gambling, smoking
and dancing. In gambling they spent much of
their leisure, and staked all they controlled on the
chances of the game, — their food, ornaments,
canoes, clothing, wives, and even the skins from
their backs.f The game of bowl, in which two
entire villages sometimes contended, had a pecu-
liar fascination, and cases are related where some
of the contestants lost their leggins and moccasins,
and complacently returned home barefooted
through the snow. Some of the Iroquois believed
that they would play this game in the spirit land. %
Various devices were employed, — eight plum
stones, pieces of wood, or small pebbles, (twyaux)
painted red or black on one side, and yellow or
white on the other. These were put into a wooden
bowl, which, being struck heavily upon the ground,
caused them to bound upward, and the betting
was upon the colored faces which were uppermost
when they fell. So long as one threw seven or
eight of the same color he gained and continued
playing. § Ball {la crosse,) was also a favorite
game and engaged twenty or more contestants on
each side. Entire villages were often pitted agamst
each other. Two poles were set up and the game
commenced in the center ; one party, with bat,
which is described "as a sort of little racket," pro-
pelling the ball, (which was made of " very heavy
wood, somewhat larger than the balls used at
tennis,") from one side and the other from the op-
posite, and whichever^eached the goal won.
* Early Jesuit Missions.— T^\p, p. 86.
\ Biography of the Indians of North America.— Book 11., Chap.
II., 31.
% Parknian' s fesuits.
^Col. Hist. IX., 888. (Paris Documents.) Carver's Travels,
London Ed. 363 ; Phila. Ed., 1796, ^J7'
When playing they were entirely naked, except a
" breech cloth,'' and moccasins on their feet ; and
their bodies were completely painted with all sorts
of colors. They played "very deep {gros jeii,)
and often ; " and the bets sometimes amounted to
" more than eight hundred Hvres."* These games
occasionally provoked bitter feuds, resulting in
deadly combat, and tradition ascribes the war be-
tween the Neutral nation and the Iroquois to the
defeat of the former in a series of games of ball.f
Dancing was a common amusement and a sol-
emn duty with all Indians, and not a night passed
during these periods of leisure without a dance in
one family or another to which the youth of both
sexes resorted with eagerness. The common dance
was held in a large house or in an open field around
a fire. A circle was formed and a leader chosen.
The women danced with great decorum, even
gravity, never speaking a word to the men, much less
joking with them, as that would injure their character.
They neither jumped nor skipped, but moved one
foot lightly backward and forward, till by gradual
advances they reached a certain spot, when they
retired in the same manner. They kept their
bodies straight and their arms hung down close to
their sides. The men shouted, leaped and stamped
with great violence, their extreme agility and light-
ness of foot being shown to great advantage. The
sole music consisted of a single drum, made by
stretching a thin deer skin over an old barrel or
kettle, or the lower end of a hollow tree, and beat
with one stick. Its sound was disagreeable, and
served only to mark the time, which they kept with
exactness, even when dancing in great numbers.
The intervals between the rounds were enhvened
with singing by the drummer. The dances com-
monly lasted till midnight. The dance was a com-
mon way of welcoming and entertaining strangers.
Baron Lahonton says it was the custom of the
Iroquois to dance "-lorsque les etrangers passent
dans leur pais, ou que leurs ennemis envoient des
ambassadeurs pour f aire des propositions de peix."X
Another kind of dance was attended only by
men. Each rose in his turn and danced with great
agility and boldness, extolling the great deeds of
himself or forefathers in a song, to which the whole
company beat time, by a rough, monotonous note,
sung with great vehemence at the commencement
of each bar.
* Col. Hist. IX., 887.
t Biography and History of tlu Indians of North A merica.— Book
II., Chap. II., ii.—Doty's History of Livingston County, Ji. Other
authors ascribe to this cause the war between the Eries and Iroquois.
t Memoirs deVAmerique, II , no.
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Other dances were held upon particular occa-
sions, the chief of which was the dance of peace,
called also the calumet, or pipe-dance, because the
calumet, or pipe of peace, was handed about durmg
the dance. The dancers joined hands and leaped
in a ring for some time. Suddenly the leader let
go the hand of one of his partners, keeping hold of
the other. He then sprang forward, turned round
several times, so that he was encircled by the rest
of the company. They disengaged themselves as
suddenly, keeping hold of each other's hands during
all the evolutions and changes of the dance, which,
as they explained it, represented the chain of friend-
ship. A song, composed especially for this solem-
nity, was sung by all.*
The War Dance, held either before or after a
campaign, was dreadful to behold. No one took
part in it but the warriors themselves. They af-
fected with such marvelous fidelity the fierce pas-
sions which actuated them in their bloody deeds of
valor, as to give to the shuddering spectator an
exact pantomime representation of the scenes in
which they had actually engaged — representations
as horrible as life-like. It delineated the prepara-
tions for the war, and all the common incidents at-
tending it — their arming, departure, arrival in the
enemy's country, the encampment, the attack, the
struggle, the victory, and lastly the torture of the
captives.
Prodigality was as much a characteristic of their
feasts as their dances and other amusements, with
which they were often associated, and Uke them are
supposed to have had their origin in religion.!
They were often participated in by whole villages,
sometimes even by neighboring villages, and in this
way a vain or ambitious host applied all his sub-
stance to one entertainment. Brebeuf relates an
instance of this kind which occurred in the winter
of 1635, at the village of Cantarrea, where thirty
kettles were over the fires, and twenty deer and
four bears were served up.:}: The invitation was
simple and consisted in the concise summons,
" Come and eat." To refuse was a grave offense.
Each guest took his dish and spoon and as he
entered, greeted his host with the ejaculation. Ho .'
He then ranged himself with the rest, squatted on
the earthen floor or on the platform along the sides
of the house, around the steaming kettles. A long
prelude of lugubrious singing preceded the feast.
The host, who took no share in the feast, then pro-
claimed^ in^ loud voice the contents of each kettle
^ Loskiel.
* Charlevoix.
t Parkman^ s jfesuits.
and at each announcement the company responded
in unison, Ho/ The attendant squaws then filled
the bowls of the guests, who interspersed their feast-
ing with talking, laughing, jesting, singing and
smoking, at times protracting the entertainment
throughout the day.
When the feast partook of a medical character
it was indispensable that each guest should eat all
that was served to him, however enormous the
quantity, even if he should die. Should he fail, the
host would be outraged, the community shocked,
and the spirits roused to vengeance. Disaster would
befall the nation ; death, perhaps, the individual
A vicarious alternative was provided, however, and
when one found himself unable to conform to the
ridiculous practice, he engaged, when he could,
another of the company to eat what remained of
his portion, generally rewarding his benefactor with
a present. This was the only way of getting out
of the dilemma. " In some cases the imagined
efficacy of the feast was proportioned to the rapid-
ity with which the viands were dispatched. Prizes
of tobacco were offered to the most rapid feeder;
and the spectacle then became truly porcine.
" These feasts were much dreaded, but were never
known to be declined.
The War Feast of the Iroquois, as observed by
Father Dablon on the occasion of the contemplated
war with the Eries, in January, 1656, and which,
he says, " serves to stimulate their courage for the
approaching conflict," is thus described by him :—
" First of all the war-kettle, as they call it, is
hung over the fire as early as the preceding
autumn, in order that each of the allies going to
war may have the opportunity to throw in some
precious morsel, to be kept cooking through the
winter, by which act they are solemnly pledged to
take part in the proposed enterprise. The kettle
having been kept steadily boiling up to the month
of February, a large number of warriors, Senecas
as well as Cayugas, gathered to celebrate the war
feast, which continued for several nights in succes-
sion. They sang their war songs, danced and went
through all possible contortions of body and ex-
pressions of countenance, protesting the while that
never should they retire from the combat, but fight
to the death, whatever tortures they might suffer,
before they would yield an inch of ground. At the
same time that they make this boast of their courage,
they hurl at one another fire brands and hot ashes,
strike each other heavy blows, and burn one an-
other to show they do not fear the very worst the
enemy can do. Indeed, one must remain firm
and suffer himself to be bruised or burned by his
nearest friends without flinching ; otherwise, he is
regarded as a miserable coward.*"
"Relation, Jf>s6, Chap. X.
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF THE IROQUOIS.
27
The Indians had rude, though positive religious
ideas, which were associated with — almost entirely
embodied in — superstition, that natural concom-
itant of ignorance. As observed by the early Jesu-
its, before being contaminated by those of civilized
nations, they were in strict accordance, as with
other nations, civilized or barbarous, with their
mental and moral development, and hence differed
in different nations. They evinced, in perfect an-
alogy with the Indians themselves, a greater fear of
evil than of reverence for good; and hence their
devotions consisted more in propitiating evil spirits
than invoking the interposition of the good. In-
deed, and here we realize the beauty of their sim-
plicity, it was deemed superfluous to importune the
source of goodness. The belief m immortality was
almost universal, but, though rarely, there were
those who denied it.* Even animals were en-
dowed with it, and were deified and worshiped.f
This veneration for the animal kingdom is reflected
in the common practice of selecting from it the
names by which the tribes were designated. They
were tolerant towards others, and allowed as large
a liberty upon the subject of religion among them-
selves as in their social and civil arrangements.
To use the trite expression of a Creek chief who
accompanied an American to England in 1791, on
being asked as to his religious beUef, he replied
that, upon a subject upon which there was no pos-
sibility of people's agreeing, he thought " it was
best that every one should paddle his own canoe
his own way \" X
The Indians' God, whom the Iroquois called
Hawenniis, (meaning he rules, he is master^ was
endowed with attributes akin to their own, but
primitively not with that of moral goodness. The
Indian language had no word expressive of our
abstract idea of deity. The Iroquois had another
God, with equal claims to supremacy. Him they
called Areskoui, and his most prominent attribute
was that of a god of war. He was often invoked
and the flesh of animals and captive enemies was
burned in his honor. They had also a third deity,
called Terenymvagon, or Teharonhiwagon, whose
place and character is not well defined. In some
traditions he appears as the son of Jouskeha, the
ruler of the world, and endowed with great influ-
ence, for he it was who spoke to men in dreams.
* Father Gravier once said that a Peoria Indian once told him that
there was no future life. — Parkman's jfesjtits.
t It is the settled belief among the northern Algonquins that animals
will fare better in another world, in the precise ratio that their lives and
enjoyments have been curtailed in this life. — Schoolcraft^ s Notes.
X Biography and History of the Indians of North A merica. — Book
I., Chap. III., 20-21.
Some writers identify him with Hiawatha, to
whom the Iroquois ascribe their confederation ;
while Van der Donck assumes that he is God, and
Areskoui, the Devil. Besides these they had
numerous objects, both animate and inanimate,
which were endowed with supernatural powers and
supplicated. These the Iroquois called Okies;
the Algonquins and other tribes, Manitous. There
were local manitous of streams, rocks, mountains,
cataracts and forests, which, when they revealed
themselves to mortal sight, bore the semblance of
beasts, reptiles or birds, in unusual or distorted
shapes, their conception betraying for the most
part, a striking poverty of imagination. There
were manitous without local habitations, some
good, some evil, countless in number and indefinite
in attributes. They filled the world and controlled
the destinies of Indians, who were held to be
under a spiritual rule distinct from that which gov-
erns the white man. These were, for the most
part, in the shape of animals. Sometimes they
took the form of stones, and, though less frequent-
ly, assumed human proportions. Each Indian had
his guardian manitou, to whom he looked for
counsel, guidance and protection.
The points of the compass and the winds were
also personified as manitous. There was a Sum-
mer-Maker and Winter-Maker, and the latter
was kept at bay by throwing fire-brands into the
air. The hunter sought to propitiate the game he
desired to kill, and was often known to address a
wounded bear in a long apologetic harangue.
This is also true of the fish, which, says Parkman,
" were addressed every evening from the fishing-
camp by one of the party chosen for that function,
who exhorted them to take courage and be caught,
assuring them that the utmost respect should be
shown to their bones. The harangue, which took
place after the evening meal, was made in solemn
form ; and while it lasted, the whole party, except
the speaker, were required to lie on their backs,
silent and motionless, around the fire." The fish
nets were no less objects of solicitude, and to in-
duce them to do their work effectually, were mar-
ried every year to two young girls, with a ceremony
far more formal than that observed in human wed-
lock. As it was indispensable that the brides
should be virgins, mere children were chosen.*
Though believing in the immortality of the soul,
the Indian did not always accompany it with a be-
lief in a state of future reward and punishment ;
and when such belief did exist, the reward and
* Parknmn^s Jesuits.
28
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
punishment were sensuous rather than moral.
Some, though but few, beHeved in the transmigra-
tion of the soul. They had religious teachers
whose code of morals, says Loskiel, was as severe
as their own non-observance of it was universal.
To the poor they recommended vomiting, among
other things, as the most expeditious mode of puri-
fication from their sins. "Some," says Loskiel,
"who beUeved in these absurdities, vomited so
often that their Uves were endangered by it." He
pertinently adds, " few indeed persevered in attend-
ing to so severe a regimen." Others, he says, re-
commended stripes as the most effectual means to
that end, " and advised their hearers to suffer
themselves to be beaten with twelve different
sticks, from the soles of their feet to their necks,
that their sins might pass from them through their
throats." " Even these," he says, " had their wil-
ling scholars, though it was apparent that the
people became no better, but rather worse by these
wretched doctrines."
The Iroquois had five stated annual festivals,
each conducted in a manner appropriate to the
special event commemorated.*
The first was held in the spring, after the close
of the sugar-making season, in gratitude for the
abundance of sap and quantity of sugar they had
been permitted to make. The aged chiefs ad-
monished the young men to rectitude and virtue as
the way to merit a continuance of these favors. It
was usually closed with dancing, singing and games.
The second was held immediately after corn-
planting; when thanks were rendered for a favor-
able seed time, instructions given for the care and
cultivation of the crops, and the great spirit in-
voked to give it a healthy growth.
The third, called the green-corn feast, was held
when the corn was ready for use, and thanks were
rendered for this valuable gift, which was prepared
and consumed in great quantity and in a variety
of ways. Songs and dances entered largely into
the ceremonies of the occasion, which were closed
by the famous succotash dance. The pipe of
peace was usually smoked on these festal days by
the head men of the nation.
The fourth was held after the close of the corn
harvest, for which thanks were given, and was fol-
lowed by the usual festivities.
To the preceding festivals, which latterly occu-
pied but one day each, three days each were form-
erly allotted.
•According to Morgan there were six, the third being the strawberry
festival. — League of the Iroquois,
The fifth, the last, and crowning festival of the
year, the one to which the greatest importance was
attached, was held late in January, or early in
February, immediately after the return of the
hunters from the chase, with their wealth of game
and skins, and was celebrated with great pomp and
ceremony. When every preparation had been
made by the managers chosen for that purpose,
runners were sent to every cabin in the nation, to
give notice of the fact. The fire was extinguished
in every cabin, each of which was then visited and
purified by persons designated for that purpose,
who scattered the ashes, swept the hearth, and re-
kindled the fire. This occupied the first day. On
the second, the managers, fantastically dressed,
visited each house and received the gifts of the
people, which consisted of various articles useful
for food, incense or sacrifice. This was continued
several days, according to the time allotted for the
continuance of the festival, during which time the
people assembled at the council-house were en-
gaged in various sports. All must give something,
or be saluted with a " rub " by the solicitors,
which left a mark of disgiace not easily effaced,
and be excluded from the sacrificial absolution.
Preparations were made on the day preceding
the last for the great sacrifice, which was to take
place on the succeeding one. The offerings which
had been collected were presented separately by
the giver to the master of ceremonies, who, with
the utmost gravity, uttered a short ejaculatory pray-
er, to which those present made a hearty response.
These gifts as they were returned were hung around
the council room. The sins of the people, which
were supposed to have been concentrated in the
managers, were transferred by them to two individ-
uals clad in white, who, in turn, transferred them to
two white dogs, which had been previously fantas-
tically painted with red figures, decorated with
small belts of wampum, ribbons and feathers, and
killed by strangulation. These were then taken to
the council-house and laid upon a platform, the
whole proceedings being characterized by the most
devout solemnity. They were subsequently carried
with formal ceremony to the fire, which had been
kindled outside the house, and around which the
multitude gathered. Each in turn was thrown
upon the fire, the act being preceded by prayer
and song. Baskets of herbs and tobacco were
thrown upon the fire at intervals and the whole
consumed.*
* C/ari's Otunidaga, in which may be found a more minute descrip-
tion.
THE IROQUOIS FAITH IN DREAMS.
29
An Indian community swarmed with sorcerers,
medicine-men and diviners, whose functions were
often united in one person. The former, by charms,
magic songs and feasts, and the beating of drums,
professed power over spirits and those occult influ-
ences inherent in animals and inanimate things.
The Indian mind, so prone to mysticisms, was
largely influenced by these deceivers. The doctors
knew how to cure wounds, and treated simple dis-
eases successfully, but were not skilled in the prac-
tice of medicines. The general health was due
more to their habits than a knowledge of remedies.
One method of treatment was the sweating bath,
which was Hterally an earthen oven, around which
heated stones were placed to raise the temperature.
Into this the patient crawled, and after remaining
under perspiration a certain length of time, was
taken out and immersed suddenly in cold water, a
process well calculated to "kill or cure." The oil
obtained from beavers was used by them in many
forms and for various purposes. It was a remedy
to which the Dutch attached much value. But they
relied far more on magic than natural remedies.
Diseases, they believed, resulted from supernatural
causes, and hence supernatural and extremely ludi-
crous curative agencies were resorted to. They
beat, shook, pinched and bit their patients, and
sought to expel the evil spirits by deafening noises
and various incantations. These, together with
dances, feasts, dreams, an unearthly din in the cabin
of the invalid, kept up for hours, and sufficient to
make the well sick, strewing ashes about the hut,
and roUing one of their number in skins, were the
principal remedies.
The diviners, or prophets, had various means of
reading the secrets of futurity, and wielded an im-
mense influence with the people, who, apparently,
were incapable of abstract thought. For the spirit-
ual and purely esthetical they cared nothing ; but
directed their study chiefly to physical phenomena,
with which they were so intimately associated,
always referring their causes to a supernatural agen-
cy. Hence their mind was a fruitful field for the
mystic arts of divination.
The sorcerers, medicine-men and diviners did not
usually exercise the functions of priests, says Park-
man. Each man sacrificed for himself to the pow-
ers he wished to propitiate. The most common
offering was tobacco, thrown into fire or water ;
scraps of meat were sometimes burned to the
manitous ; and on a few rare occasions of public
solemnity, a white dog, the mystic animal of many
tribes, was tied to the end of an upright pole, as a
sacrifice to some superior spirit or to the sun, with
which the superior spirits were constantly con-
founded by the primitive Indian.
Among the Iroquois, and, indeed, all the sta-
tionary tribes, there was an incredible number of
mystic ceremonies, extravagant, puerile, and often
disgusting, designed for the cure of the sick or for
the general weal of the community. Most of their
observances seem originally to have been dictated
by dreams, and transmitted as a sacred heritage
from generation to generation. They consisted in
an endless variety of dances, masqueradings, and
nondescript orgies ; and a scrupulous adherence to
all the traditional forms was held to be of the first
moment, as the shghtest failure in this respect might
entail serious calamities.
Dreams were the great Indian oracles, and were
imphcitly obeyed. They beHeved them to be direct
emanations from the Great Spirit, and as such were
immutable laws to them. From this source arose
many of their evils and miseries. In them were
revealed their destiny and duty ; war and peace,
health and sickness, rain and drouth, were all re-
vealed by a class of professional dreamers and
dream interpreters. Sir WilHam Johnson, before
he was knighted, profited by his knowledge of this
pecuharity of the Indian character. He was ac-
costed at one time by King Hendrick, the cele-
brated Mohawk chieftain, to whom Sir William was
greatly attached. King Hendrick said he had
dreamed, and on being invited by Sir WilHam to
state the nature of his dream, added, " I dream you
give me one suit of clothes." Sir William replied,
" Well, I suppose you must have it." But now it
was the latter's turn. He not long after met Hen-
drick and with a bland smile told him that he had
dreamed. " Did you," said Hendrick, " what
you dream?" "I dreamed," said Sir William,
" You gave me such a tract of land," the outHnes
of which he described. King Hendrick paused,
and with a significant shake of his finger, said, " I
suppose you must have it," but, he added, " You
must not dream again."* This incident has also
been credited to the illustrious Oneida chief Skanan-
doah, through whose friendly andpowerfulinterven-
tion the arms of the Oneidas were bared in the
interest of the colonists during the Revolutionary
war.
Homionouaroria, The Dream Feast of the Iro-
quois, was one of their most noted festivals, and
while it lasted was one scene of frenzy. It is thus
described by Father Claude Dablon, who with
* Benton's Herkimer County and Upper Mohawk, 23-
3°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Father Joseph Chaumonot, witnessed its observ-
ance in 1656, the year of their embassy to Onon-
daga to open the way for the missions in the several
Iroquois cantons; premising that on such occa-
sions Ucense was given to any one who had
dreamed of anything involving his welfare, to de-
mand of others that they should tell him his dream
and satisfy his desire as thus indicated : —
"It began with the 22d of February and lasted
three days. Immediately upon the proclamation
of the feast by the old men of the village, to whom
this duty is entrusted, the whole population, men,
women and children, rush from their cabins through
the streets in the wildest confusion, but by no
means after the fashion of an European masquer-
ade. The larger part are nearly naked and seem
almost insensible to the cold, which is almost in-
tolerable to the warmly clad. Certain ones carry
with them a plentiful supply of water, and it may
be something more hurtful, to throw upon those
who come in their way. Others seize fire-brands,
live coals with ashes, which they fling about without
regard to consequences. Others still occupy them-
selves in smashing pots, plates and the small house-
hold utensils they happen to encounter. A number
are armed with swords, spears, knives, hatchets,
clubs, which they make as though they would hurl
at the first comer; and this is kept up until some
one is able to interpret and execute the dream.
"It sometimes occurs, however, that the skill of
each and all fails him in divining their meaning,
since instead of proposing the matter plainly, they
rather conceal in enigma, chanting a jumble of
ambiguous words or gesticulate in silence as in
pantomime. Consequently they do not always
find an CEdipus to solve the riddle. At the same
time they obstinately persist in their demand that
the dream shall be made known, and if the diviner
is too slow, or shows an unwiUingness to risk an
interpretation, or makes the least mistake, they
threaten to destroy and burn."*
Wizards and witches were the great bane of the
Iroquois, and objects of utter detestation. Murder
might be condoned, but witchcraft was punishable
with death in all cases. Any one might kill a
witch on sight with impunity. They believe that
witches could transform themselves at will into any
one of the wild animals or birds, or even assume
the shape of logs, trees, rocks, etc., and in forms
invisible, visit public assemblies or private houses,
and inflict all manner of evils. The delusion was
at one time so prevalent and their destruction so
great as to seriously lessen the population.
The Indians never destroyed rattlesnakes be-
cause they believed them to be the offspring of the
devil, who, they tliought, would revenge the act by
preventing their success in hunting.
Hll^y""" '^'^" """■ ^^•'^''^- ^^ Chafte7s'7/ Cayuga
Indian burials were attended with solemn cere-
monies, and differed somewhat in the method of
conducting them. The most ancient mode of
burial among the Iroquois was first to place the
corpse upon a scaffold, some eight feet high, and
allow it to remain there till the flesh fell off,
when the bones were interred.* How long this
method prevailed is not known, but latterly, and
from their first association with the whites, a more
commendable one prevailed. The corpse was clad
usually in the best attire of the deceased. The
grave, usually about three feet deep, was lined with
bark, into which the body was laid. There were
deposited in the bark coffin a kettle of provisions,
deer skin and the sinews of the deer, (to sew
patches on the moccasins, which, it was believed,
would wear out in the long journey to the spirit
land,) bows and arrows, a tomahawk, knife and
sometimes, if he was a distinguished person, a gun.
These were deemed indispensable to a prosper-
ous and happy journey to the Indian's land of
shades. The final covering was then placed over
the whole, and the grave filled with earth. This
done, the Indian women kneeled down by the
grave and wept. The men were silent for a time,
but eventually set up a doleful cry, chanted the
death dirge, and all silently retired to their homes.
It was formerly customary for the friends to visit
the grave before sunrise and after sunset for twelve
successive days, but this practice has been aban-
doned.
The practice of putting into the grave certain
articles designed to promote the journey of the
deceased to the great hunting grounds was com-
mon to all Indian nations, and often very costly
ornaments and trinkets belonging to the deceased
were buried with them. The face and hair of the
corpse were sometimes painted red to obscure the
pallor of death and give it an animated appearance,
and the obsequies were celebrated with all the
pomp of savage splendor. \\'ith the Natchez it
was customary for the mourning friend to name
the degree of relationship he sustained toward the
deceased, and the nearest relatives continued this
ceremony for three months.
Colden says the custom was to make a large
round hole, in which the body was placed in a sit-
ting posture. It was then covered with timber
to support the earth, which was heaped up in a
round hill, f Bradford cites several authorities with
regard to the position of the corpse, among them
*LaFort. American Antiquities, Bradford, 19;.
t Colden's Five Indian Nations-
INDIAN MODE OF BURIAL — WAMPUM.
31
Charlevoix, who says : " The dead body, dressed
in the finest robe, with the face painted, the arms
and all that belonged to the deceased by his side,
is exposed at the door of the cabin, in the posture
it is to be laid in the tomb ; and this posture is the
same, in many places, as that of the child before
its birth."*
" At intervals of ten or twelve years," says Park-
man, "the Hurons, the Neutrals, and other kin-
dred tribes, were accustomed to collect the bones
of their dead, and deposit them, with great cere-
mony, in a common place of burial. The whole
nation was sometimes assembled at this solemnity;
and hundreds of corpses, brought from their tempo-
rary resting places, were inhumed in one capacious
pit. From this hour the immortality of the soul
began. They took wing, as some affirmed, in the
shape of pigeons ; while the greater number de-
clared that they journeyed on foot, and in their own
likeness, to the land of shades, bearing with them
the ghosts of the wampum belts, beaver skins, bows,
arrows, pipes, kettles, beads, and rings buried with
them in the common grave. But as the spirits of
the old and of the children are too feeble for the
march, they are forced to stay behind, lingering
near their earthly villages, where the living often
hear the shutting of their invisible cabin-doors,
and the weak bodies of the disembodied children
driving birds from the corn-fields."
Cleared areas were chosen for this sepulcher.
The ceremonies attending the event lasted for days
and were very imposing. The subsequent discov-
ery of these immense deposits of bones have elici-
ted much inquiry on the part of those not familiar
with the facts. Father Brdbeuf saw and fully ex-
plained one of these burials in 1636.
Wampum, or Zewant, served the Indians as a cur-
rency, as an ornament and as the pubHc archives
of the nation. It was, therefore, an important
factor in all their civil, social, political and religious
affairs. It was of two kinds, purple or black,
and white, both being used as a measure of value,
the black being estimated at twice the value of
the white. The purple wampum was made from
the interior portions of the common conch, (venus
merceneria,) and the white from the pillar of the
periwinkle. Each kind was fashioned into round
or oval beads, about a quarter of an inch long,
which were perforated and strung on a fibre of
deer's sinew, but latterly on linen thread, after that
was discovered. The article was highly prized as
an ornament, and as such constituted an object of
traffic between the sea-coast and interior tribes. It
was worn in various ways, upon the clothing, and
in the form of necklaces, bracelets, collars and
belts ; and when these strings were united it formed
* American Antiquities-, 195-196.
the broad wampum belts, by which solemn public
transactions were confirmed. As a substitute for
gold and silver coin, its price was fixed by law,
though its value was subject to variations, accord-
ing to time and place. Three purple beads, or six
white ones, were equal to a stiver with the Dutch,
or a penny with the English, each equal to two
cents United States currency. The price of a
string six feet long, denominated a fathom of wam-
pum, ruled at five shillings in New England, and
was known to reach as high as four guilders in
New Netherland.
Previous to the advent of the Europeans, wam-
pum was made largely of small pieces of wood of
equal size, stained black or white. Its manufac-
ture from shells was very difficult, and although
much time was spent in finishing it, it presented
a very clumsy appearance, owing to the want of
proper tools. The Dutch introduced the lathe in
its manufacture, polished and perforated it with
exactness, and by supplying an article far superior
to that previously in use, soon had the monopoly
of the trade, which they found very advantageous.
The principal place of manufacture was Hacken-
sack, N. J., and the principal deposit of sea shells.
Long Island. Imitations in glass and porcelain
soon became abundant.
The most important uses to which wampum was
appUed, however, was in confirming compacts and
treaties between nations, both Indian and Euro-
pean, for which purpose it took the place of feathers,
which had been previously employed. Every speech
and principal part of a speech was made valid by a
string or belt of wampum, the value of which was
determined by the gravity of the subject under con-
sideration. The color of the wampum was of no
less importance than its other qualities, as it had
an immediate reference to the things which it was
meant to confirm ; thus a black belt implied a
warning against evil, or an earnest reproof, and if it
was marked with red and had the added figure of a
hatchet of white wampum in the center, it signified
war. Black or purple always signified something
grave, if not of doubtful import; while white was
the symbol of peace. It was necessary that the
answer given to a speech be confirmed by strings
and belts of the same size and number as those
received. The Indian women dexterously wove
these strings of wampum into belts, and skillfully
wrought into them elaborate and significant devices,
suggestive of the subject of the compact or speech,
and designed as aids to memory. These strings
and belts of wampum became the national records,
32
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
and one or more old men were charged with their
safe keeping and interpretation. At certain sea-
sons the Indians met to study their meaning, and
as it was customary to admit to these assemblies
the young men of the nation who were related to
the chiefs, a knowledge of these documents was
thus transmitted to posterity. The figures on
wampum belts were for the most part, simply
mnemonic, so also were those carved on wooden
tablets, or painted on bark and skin, to preserve in
memory the songs of war, hunting or magic. The
Hurons had, however, in common with other tribes,
a system of rude pictures and arbitrary signs, by
which they could convey to each ether, with tolera-
ble precision, information touching the ordinary
subjects of Indian interest.*
The Indian standards of value were the hand or
fathom of wampum and the deiwfas or bags which
they themselves made, for measuring and preserv-
ing corn.f
Hospitality among the Indians was proverbial,
not only among their own race, but was extended
also with the greatest freedom toward strangers.
They regarded it as a sacred duty, from which no
one was exempt.
CHAPTER HI.
Early Discoveries— European Competition in
THE Western Continent— Settlements and
Conflicting Claims of the Dutch, French
AND English— The English Supersede the
Dutch in New Netherlands— Iroquois and
Early Colonists— Champlain's Invasions of
1609 and 1615— Location of the Fort at-
tacked BY Champlain in i6 15 — Iroquois
MAKE Peace with the French — Iroquois
Conquests and Supremacy.
DEFORE proceeding to the consideration of
IJ the events immediately preceding the set-
tlement of this portion of our country, it will be
well to glance cursorily at the more salient of
the earliereventswhich prepared the way for it.
*Park,„au's7es,.its: Indian Tribes o/Hudso^sRi^er.^^^XX^r
^; A,nerua,tA„ti,„iUes,-Br^i{ori, ,89, ,90; Clu^rlevoisc', Vcyaze
; T"^^-' "" ■ ■^""■''''^ """"y "^ ■''"" Y'-''' I-. 74 ; hIL,
o/theM.s,onofth.. United Brethren a,nong the Indians in nZL
America, Losk.el, 28; Biography and History of the Indians of
t Rultenier, Col. Hist., I., 281.
In the light of modern research and archseolog-
ical discovery it is difficult to speak with definite-
ness upon the discovery of America. It was known
to ancien t Arabian geographers ;* Chinese records
give a circumstantial account of its discovery as
early as the fifth century of our era, by the Chi-
nese, who called it Fee-Sang, and described it as
being distant 20,000 /z (7,000 miles or more,t)from
Ta-Han;X and "there is an abundance of legends
and traditions concerning the passage of the Irish
into America,, and their habitual communication with
that continent many centuries before the time of
Columbus."§ The Basques, who were adventurous
fishermen, and extensively engaged in the whale
fishery, were accustomed to visit the north-east
coast of America long before the time of Colum-
bus, and probably " from time immemorial."||
It was not, however, known to modern Europe
until 861, when it was discovered by Nadodd, a
Norse rover; and colonization was not begun until
875, in which year Ingolf, a Norwegian, estabhshed a
colony in Iceland, where, owing to civil difficulties
in Norway, he was soon joined by many of the most
intelligent, wealthy and honorable of his country-
men. This Icelandic colony, during the two suc-
ceeding centuries, developed an intellectual culture,
which made them eminent in Norse communities,
far surpassing their countrymen in Norway; and to
them we are indebted for the existing records of
Scandinavian mythology. In 983,ir they discovered
and colonized Greenland; and about the year 1000,
in the course of many voyages, had explored the
coast of North America as far south as the present
State of Massachusetts.
From the Appendix to Ancient America, we epito-
mize an account of these discoveries. Thorvald, a
nobleman, and his son Eirek, surnamed the Red,
being obliged to flee from Jadir, in Norway, in con-
* General Hussein Pasha, an Arab gentleman, in a work on America,
m&Wzi. En-Nesir-El-Tayir, quotes from Djeldeki and other writers to
show this. Historical Magazine, New Series, VahW., No. HI., 220.
t IVa-ian-san-tai-dzoH-ye, the great Japanese Encyclopajdia.
tAbbede Bourboiirg's Introduction to the Popol-Vuh— Baldwin's
Pre-Historic Nations, 401 ; and Historical Magazine, New Series, Vol.
VI., No. in., 221 (quoting the Gentleman's Magazine,) yi\\vl!xsa^i%:~].
Haulay, the Chinese interpreter in San Francisco, wrote an essay on
this subject, drawn from Chinese historians and geographers, from which
the following statements are gathered :—
n,rri?"'''^''" ''""dred years ago even, America had been discovered by
!„,. ^'^™<=== ^""^ described by them. They stated that laud, to be about
Ift^^H J,°",f °?r-ir''^^ ^'^""' f""" China. About five hundred yeare
after the birlh of Christ, Buddlust Priests repaired there, and brought back
the news that they had brought back Buddhist idols and religious writings,
ol, .f l"!," J' ^''■■"^^- T''^"' descriptions, in many resplcts, resemble
' ?5L . Spaniards, a thousand years after. They called the country
th»^= -1' I. " ''■^e,"''}'<:h grew there, whose leaves resemble those of
whofe fruU lh^y°ate!^' ""= ""'"" ""^^ '^'■°"'" ^""^ P^P^'' <"" <>'• ^'"^
§ Baldwin's Pre-Historic Nations, 401.
II Ibid.
II Zell. Baldwin fixes the date at 982.
EARLY NORWEGIAN AND WELSH DISCOVERIES.
33
sequence of a homicide committed by them, went
to Iceland, where Thorvald soon after died. Eirek,
-becoming involved in another feud resulting in
homicide in Iceland, fled that country with a colony
in search of the land, which Gunniborn had seen
when driven by a storm into the Western Ocean.
Sailing west from the west coast of Iceland, he at
length discovered land, which he called Midjokul.
He coasted along the shore in a southerly direction
in search of a more suitable place for settlement,
and spent the winter on a part of the coast he called
" Eirek's Island," where his colony remained two
years. On returning to Iceland he called the dis-
covered country Greenland, saying to his confiden-
tial friends, "A name so inviting will induce men to
emigrate thither.'' He returned to Greenland with
"twenty-five ships," filled with emigrants andstores,
"fifteen winters," says the chronicle, {an Account
of Eriek the Red and Greenland^ " before the
Christian religion was introduced into Iceland," i. e.
in 985. Biarni, son of Heriulf, a chief man among
these colonists, was absent in Norway when his
father left Iceland. On returning he resolved to
join the colony, and with others set sail, making
"one of the most remarkable and fearful voyages
on record." After three days' fair sailing he was
driven for many days by a north-easterly wind, and
on saiUng west one day after the abatement of the
storm, he discovered land which he concluded was
not Greenland, as it " was not mountainous " — sup-
posed to be Nantucket or Cape Cod. The ship
was put about, and after sailing two days in a north-
easterly direction, he discovered land " which was
low and level" — supposed to be Cape Sable, Nova
Scotia. He sailed three days more in the same
direction and came to land, "mountainous and
covered with ice" — supposed to be Newfoundland
— around which he sailed. After saiHng north four
days he reached the southern coast of Greenland,
near the new settlement. This was in 985, 507
years before the first voyage of Columbus. Four-
teen years later, Leif, a son of Eirek, fitted out an
expedition, comprising a ship, manned with thirty-
five men, to go in search of the land seen by Biarni.
The first land seen by Leif after sailing from Green-
land, was the island around which Biarni sailed,
which he called Helluland, "the land of broad
stones." SaiUng south he came to a low and level
country covered with wood. This he named Mark-
land— the land of woods. Still saihng foward the
south, after two days he touched an island (Nan-
tucket ?) " which lay opposite the north-east part
of the main land." He then " sailed through a bay
between this island and a cape running north-east,
and going westward, sailed past the Cape.'' At
length he " passed up a river into a bay," proba-
bly Mount Hope Bay — where he landed and spent
the winter. This was about mid-autumn, and
finding wild grapes, he called the country Vin-
land. In the spring he loaded his vessel with tim-
ber and returned to Greenland. The next year
Leif's brother Thorvald went to Vinland with one
ship and thirty men, and i)assed the winter; The
next summer he explored the coast westward and
southward, and seems to have gone as far south
as the CaroUnas. The next summer he coasted
around Cape Cod, toward Boston Harbor. Here
the chronicle first speaks of the natives, whom he
calls " Skrsellings," with whom they provoked a
severe engagement, in which Thorvald was mor-
tally wounded. His companions, after passing the
third winter in Vinland, returned to Greenland.
Thorfinn came to Greenland in 1006. He made
a voyage to Vinland, taking with him three ships,
one hundred and sixty men, live stock and all
things necessary to the establishment of a colony,
and passing up Buzzard's Bay, disembarked, and
prepared to pass the winter, which proved a sevene
one and threatened famine to the little colony.
The next spring he explored the coast farther west
and south, and passed the second winter in Vin-
land. He called the bay Hop; the Indians called
it Haup ; we call it Hope. During the next sea-
son, in which he explored Massachusetts Bay, he
saw many natives and had much intercourse with
them, which finally led to hostilities, in which the
latter were signally defeated. After spending a
third winter in Vinland he returned to Greenland.
A part of the colony remained, and a lucrative
traffic was maintained between Vinland and
Greenland, where the timber which abounded at
the former place found a ready market.
Old Welsh annals preserved in the abbeys of
Conway and Strat Flur, and used by Humphrey
Llwyd in his translation and continuation of Cara-
doc's History of Wales, relate the particulars of
Welsh emigration to America under Prince Madoc,
Madog or Madawc, in 1 1 70.* About the year 1 168
or 1 169, Owen Gwynedd, ruling prince of North
Wales, died, and among his sons there was a contest
for the succession, which, becoming fierce and
* This emigration, whicli Squier (^ 7itiguiiies of New York and the
West, 137,) regards as *'apochryplia!," but to the verity of which authors
generally give credence, " is mentioned in the preserved works of several
Welsh bards who lived before the time of Columbus ;" and ''by Haklnyt,
who had his account of it from writings of the bard Gutten Owen." An-
cient America, Appendix-, 28s, i86.
34
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
angry, produced a civil war. His son Madoc, who
had " command of the fleet," took no part in this
strife ; but, in consequence thereof, he resolved to
leave Wales. Accordingly, in the year 1 1 7 o, he left
with a few ships, going south of Ireland, and steer-
ing westward, to explore the western lands and se-
lect a place for a settlement, which he established
in " a pleasant and fertile region," which Baldwin
supposes to have been in the Carolinas,* and Cat-
lin, " on the coast of Florida or about the mouth of
the Mississippi."! Leaving one hundred and twen-
ty persons, he returned to Wales, prepared ten
ships, prevailed on a large company, some of whom
were Irish, to join him, and sailed again to America.
Nothing more was ever heard in Wales of the prince
or his settlement.
The locahty and destiny of this Welsh settlement
is a matter of conjecture, but, says Baldwin, it is
supposed that, being " unsupported by new arrivals
from Europe, and cut off from communication with
that side of the ocean," it " became weak, and, af-
ter being much reduced, was destroyed or absorbed
by some powerful tribe of Indians.'' In our colonial
times, and later, he adds, " there was no lack of re-
ports that relics of Madoc's Welshmen, and even
their language, had been discovered among the In-
dians ; but generally they were entitled to no credit.
The only report of this kind, he says, having any
show of claim to respectful consideration, is that of
Rev. Morgan Jones, a Welsh clergyman, made
March 10, 1685, and published in the Gentlemeii s
Magazine in 1740, giving an account of his adven-
tures among the Tuscaroras, by whom he was cap-
tured in 1660. It states that he was promised im-
munity from harm by an Indian who appeared to
be a war captain, and conversed with him in the
Welsh language ; and that they (" the Doegs ") en-
tertained him " civilly and cordially" for four months,
during which time he had opportunity to converse
with them famiharly and preached to them three
times a week in the Welsh language. In conclu-
sion Baldwin says in regard to this report : " With-
out meaning to doubt his veracity, one feels skepti-
cal, and desires a more intehigent and complete ac-
count of these 'travels.' "J Says Foster, in refer-
ring to this matter, "he [the Rev. Mr. Jones,] may
have been a very worthy man ; but we are disposed
to question the truthfulness of a statement at this
day, when the author deems it necessary to fortify
* Ancient America^ Appendix, 286.
t Catlings North A nierican Indians, //., 259.
+ A ncient A mericn. Appendix, 285—187. Baldwin's Pre-Historic
Nations, page 40J, says: "It will be recollected that, in the early colony
times, the Tuscaroras were sometimes called ' White Indians.' "
it by a self-sought oath." Elsewhere, referring to
the Northmen and Welshmen under Madoc, he
says : " these peoples have left behind no memo-
rials."*
Catlin enters into an elaborate and plausible
argument to show that Madoc's Welsh colony were
the progenitors of the Mandans, who occupied and
have left so many interesting memorials in the
Missouri valley. He shows a remarkable analogy
between the two languages — an analogy, appar-
ently, too close to be accidental. He supposes
that, having landed on the southern coast of the
United States, they, or a part of them, made their
way through the interior, to a position on the Ohio,
where they cultivated fields and' established a flour-
ishing colony in one of the finest countries on
earth, but were at length driven from thence by
overpowering hordes, and were besieged, until it
was necessary to erect the fortifications referred to
for defense, where they held out against a confed-
eracy of tribes, till their ammunition and provisions
were exhausted, and eventually all perished, except
such as may have formed an alliance by marriage
with the Indians ; that the half-breed offspring of
the latter, despised, as he says, " all half-breeds of
enemies are," gathered themselves into a band,
severed themselves from their parent tribe, and in-
creased in numbers and strength as they "ad-
vanced up the Missouri river to the place where
they have been known for many years past by the
name of Mandans, a conception or abbreviation,
perhaps, of " Madawgivys" the name appUed by
the Welsh to the followers of Madawc."t An
earlier writer under the caption of "Welsh or
White Indians," furnishes voluminous if not
authentic, testimony confirmatory of Catlin's sup-
positions ; and cites, also, in a somewhat modified
form, a case which, evidently, corresponds with
that of Rev. Mr. Jones, before referred to. He
does not, however, attach much importance to the
several narratives, for he says, in conclusion : " Up-
on the whole we think it may be pretty safely said '
that the existence of a race of Welsh about the re-
gions of the Missouri does not rest on so good
authority as that which has been adduced to estab-
Ush the existence of the sea-serpent. "J
Notwithstanding these discoveries of the Norse-
men and Welsh, real, as they unquestionably were,
America was not known to Southern Europe until
the latter part of the fifteenth century, when it was
* Pre-Historic Races of the United States, 400.
t Catlin's North American Indians, IL, 259 — 265.
XBiography and History o/the Indiatis of North America, Book I,
chapter III., 36 — 39.
FIRST SPANISH, FRENCH AND ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.
35
accidentally discovered while in quest of a westerly
route to India and China. In 1492, Columbus, a
Genoese, set out on a voyage of discovery under
the patronage of the Spanish Government, and in
that and the two succeeding years made his tropi-
cal discoveries. In 1497, John Cabot, a Venetian,
in company with his son Sebastian, set out on a
voyage of discovery under letters patent from
Henry VII. of England. Sailing westward he dis-
covered Newfoundland, and on the 24th of June
of that year, struck the sterile coast of Labrador,
taking possession of the same in the name of the
King of England. The following year his son
Sebastian, while in quest of a north-west passage to
China, was compelled to turn from the frozen re-
gions of the north, and sailing south he explored
the coast from Newfoundland to Florida, of
which he took possession for the English crown.
In 1500, the coast of Labrador and the entrance
to the Gulf of St. Ijawrence, were explored by two
Portuguese brothers named Cortereal. In 1508,
the St. Lawrence was discovered by Aubert, and
four years later, in 15 12, Ponce de Leon discovered
Florida. Magellan, a Portuguese, passed through
the straits which bear his name in 15 19, and was
the first to circumnavigate the globe. In 1534,
the St. Lawrence was explored by Jacques Cartier
(Quartier) as far as Montreal. In 1539, Florida
was explored by Ferdinand de Soto. Upper Cali-
fornia was discovered in 1578, by an English navi-
gator named Drake. These data will be of service
in aiding to a proper understanding of the relative
importance of the events which subsequently trans-
pired.
Thus we see that within a decade from the time
that Columbus discovered America the different
maritime powers of Euroj^e were engaged in active
competition for the prizes of the New World.
Spain, actuated by the greed of gold and lust of
conquest, conquered Mexico in 1521, seized upon
the rich treasures of the Montezumas, and in 1540,
carried her conquest into Peru. Stimulated by these
successes, she took possession of Florida and that
portion of the Northern continent bordering on
the Gulf of Mexico, and in 1565, seventy-three
years after Columbus' discovery, and fifty-three
years after that of Ponce de Leon, planted the first
Spanish colony in North America, at St. Augustine,
Florida.
While the Spaniards were pushing their territo-
rial acquisition in the South, the French, attracted
by the rich prize of the Newfoundland fisheries,
had gained a foot-hold in the northern part of the
continent. As early as the beginning of the six-
teenth century the French, Basques, Bretons and
Normans fished for cod along the entire coasts of
the Gulf of St. Lawrence and those in the vicinity,
and traded for peltries. In 1518, Baron Livy set-
tled there. In 1524, King Francis I. of France,
sent thither Jean Verrazani, a distinguished Flor-
entine mariner, on a voyage of exploration. He
sailed along the coast twenty-one hundred miles in
frail vessels, and returned safely to report his suc-
cess to his sovereign. At about 41" north latitude
he entered a bay — supposed to be the entrance to
New York harbor — and remained there fifteen
days. His crew are supposed to be the first Euro-
peans who trod the soil of New York. Ten years
later the same king sent thither Jacques Cartier, a
pilot of St. Malo, who made two voyages, and
ascended the St. Lawrence as far as Montreal, pre-
viously called Hochelaga. As he sailed up the
broad expanse of waters on St. Lawrence day,
(August 10, 1534,) he apphed to the river the
name of the illustrious saint whose virtues that day
commemorates. In 1540, Cartier was sent back
with Jean Francis de Robarval, a gentleman of
Picardy, whom King Francis I. appointed his Lieu-
tenant-General over the new countries of Canada,
Hochelaga and Saguenay. In 1543, Robarval
came the second time from France, in company
with the pilot Jean Alphonse of Saintogue, and
they took possession of Great Breton. At this
time the settlement of Quebec was commenced.
In 1598 King Henry IV. of France conferred on
the Marquis de la Roche, a Breton, the govern-
ment of the territories of Canada and the adjacent
countries; and in 1603, he conferred his commis-
sion of Lieutenant-Colonel in the territories of New
France, Acadia, (Nova Scotia,) Canada and other
parts on Sieurde Mons, a gentleman of Saintogue,
who, in 1608, built a fort at Quebec, the govern-
ment whereof he let to Sieur Champlain, the first
discoverer of the Iroquois.
The year previous, 1607, the Enghsh colonists
made the first permanent settlement at Jamestown,
Virginia, under the immediate supervision of that
Englishman of heroic spirit and indomitable energy,
Capt. John Smith. In 1620, the English planted
a second colony on this western continent at Ply-
mouth Rock, which was destined to exert an im-
portant influence in the affairs of this country.
These two colonies were the successful rivals of all
others of every nationality in that competition for
empire, which has made their descendants the mas-
ters of North America.
36
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Henry Hudson, an intrepid English navigator,
having failed in two attempts to discover a western
passage to the East Indies in the interest of a com-
pany of London merchants, sailed from Amsterdam
on the 4th of April, 1609, in the employ of the
Dutch East India Company, of Holland, formed
the year previous for traffic and colonization. He
arrived on the American coast near Portland, Maine,
whence he proceeded south along the shore to the
entrance of Chesapeake Bay. From thence he pro-
ceeded northward, discovered and entered Delaware
Bay, and on the 3rd of Septernber moored his vessel,
the Half Moon, a mere yacht, at Sandy Hook.
Proceeding up the bay, he sent his boats to the Jer-
sey shore and received on board the natives who
came in great numbers to traffic, and by whom he
was in turn entertained. On the 12th he entered
the river which bears his name, and ascended it to
a point a little above the city of Hudson, having
been frequently visited on the way by the Indians,
who came to traffic, bringing maize, tobacco and
other indigenous products. Deeming it unsafe to
proceed further with his ship, he sent a boat with a
part of his crew to explore the river higher up. They
went, it is supposed, ahttle above Albany. On the
23d he commenced to descend the river; and a lit-
tle below the Highlands became embroiled with the
natives, to whom he had imparted a knowledge of
the baneful effects of intoxicating liquors, shooting
in the encounters ten or twelve of their number and
losing one of his own men. He returned to Europe
and imparted the information he had gained which
soon led to the establishment of a colony by the
Dutch, by the name of New Netherlands. The fol-
lowing year Hudson voyaged in search of a north-
west passage to India and discovered and entered
the bay which bears his name ; but continuing his
search too long he was compelled to spend the
winter in a northern latitude. In the spring a part
of his crew mutinied, and placing him, his son and
seven others in a boat, left them to perish.
On the foregoing discoveries three European na-
tions based claims to a part of the territory embraced
in the State of New York : England, by reason of
the discovery of Cabot and his son Sebastian, claim-
ing a territory eleven degrees in width and extend-
ing westward indefinitely ; France, by reason of the
discoveries of Verrazani, claiming a portion of the
Atlantic coast ; and Holland, by reason of the dis-
covery of Hudson, claiming the country from Cape
Cod to the southern shore of Delaware Bay.
The Dutch became the actual possessors of the
country. In 16 10, they sent out a vessel to engage
in the fur trade on the banks of the river discovered
by Hudson. In 16 12, Hendrick Christiansen and
Adrian Block fitted out two other vessels for the
same purpose, and were soon followed by others.
The fur trade proving successful, Christiansen was
9.ppointed to superintend it and Manhattan Island
made the chief depot. In 16 14, he erected a
small fort and a few rude buildings on the southern
extremity of the Island, which he called New Am-
sterdam. October nth of the same year the States
General granted a charter to the merchants en-
gaged in the traffic, conferring on them the exclusive
right to trade for three years in the territory embraced
between New France and Virginia, and giving the
name of New Netherlands to the whole region.
In the meantime explorations were being made
in the surrounding country. Adrian Block had
passed up the East River, Long Island Sound and
Connecticut river, and into the bays and along the
islands eastward to Cape Cod. Cornelissen Jacob-
son May had explored the southern coast of Long
Island and southward to Delaware Bay; while Hen-
drick Christiansen had ascended the Hudson to
Castle Island, a few miles below Albany, where he
estabhshed a trading post and, in 16 15, built a small
fort, which, being damaged by the flood, was re-
moved a Uttle below to the Normans-Kill. Here,
in 1623, a treaty of peace was formed between the
Five Nations and the representatives of the New
Netherlands.
The Dutch estabUshment at New Amsterdam
increased, and their fur trade became so profitable
that at the expiration of their charter, the States
General refused to renew it, giving instead a tem-
porary license for its continuance. It had become
sufficiently attractive to tempt the avarice of Eng-
lish capitalists. In i6:jp, James I. granted all the
territory between the 40th and 48th degrees of
north latitude, extending from ocean to ocean, to
Ferdinando Georges and his commercial associates,
and in their interest Capt. Dermer appeared at
Manhattan and laid claim to all the territory occu-
pied by the Dutch. This claim was strengthened
by instructions to the EngUsh ambassador at the
Dutch capital to remonstrate against Dutch intru-
sion. Notwithstanding this remonstrance, however,
in 1 62 1, the States General granted to the Dutch
West India Company, an armed mercantile asso-
ciation formed that year, a charter, which gave
them exclusive jurisdiction for a period of twenty
years over the province of New Netherlands, with
power to appoint governors, subject to the ap-
proval of the State, to colonize the territory and
CHAMPLAIN'S INVASION.
37
administer justice. By virtue of this charter the
company took possession of New Amsterdam in
1622-3. The executive management was entrusted
to a board of directors, distributed through five
separate chambers in Holland. The charge of the
province was devolved on the Amsterdam cham-
ber, which, in i623,sent out a vessel underthe direc-
tion of Capt. Cornelissen Jacobson and Andriaen
Jorissen Tien point, with thirty families for coloni-
zation. A portion of these settled on the Connec-
ticut river, and others on the Hudson, at Albany,
where, in 1624, they built Fort Orange, and the
same year Fort Nassau on the Delaware river,
near Gloucester. The colonies thus commenced
were soon after augmented by other accessions. In
May, 1626, Peter Minuit arrived in New Nether-
lands as Director-General or Governor of the Prov-
ince, and in that year purchased Manhattan Island
for trinkets valued at sixty guilders. For fifteen
years the colonists lived on amicable terms with the
Indians, carrying on a brisk and profitable trade
in furs ; but the harshness and cruelty of William
Kieft, who was commissioned Director-General in
September, 1637, soon provoked the just resent-
ment of the Indians, involving the colonists in a
war with the latter, which continued, with sHght in-
terruptions, during the remainder of the Dutch
occupancy, and jeopardized the very existence of
the colony.
On the 12th of March, 1664, Charles II., of
England, conveyed by patent to his brother James,
Duke of York, all the country from the River St.
Croix to the Kennebec, in Maine, also Nantucket,
Martha's Vineyard, and Long Island, together with
all the land from the west side of the Connecticut
river to the east side of Delaware Bay. The
Duke sent an English squadron, under Admiral
Richard Nicolls, to secure the gift, and on the 8th
of September following. Gov. Stuyvesant capitu-
lated, and the territory till then held by the Dutch,
passed into the hands of the Enghsh, who changed
the name of New Amsterdam to New York. The
victory was an easy one, for restricted in their rights
and liberties, and desirous of enjoying the privileges
accorded to the neighboring English colonists, the
Dutch settlers refused to contest the Supremacy, and
Stu)rvesant, unsupported, was obliged, though re-
luctantly, to resign.
When the French first assumed a military domi-
nence in Canada, they found the Iroquois at war
with the Adirondacks, who Hved in the vicinity of
Quebec. The French alhed themselves with the
Canadian and Western Indians, and maintained
friendly relations with them during the period of
their supremacy in Canada. They espoused the
cause of the Adirondacks against the Iroquois,
with whom they were at sword's-points during much
of that period, and long after the Adirondacks had
been exterminated by their inveterate enemies.
Champlain, having raised the drooping spirits of the
Adirondacks, by an exhibition of the wonderful
effect produced by the French guns, armed them
and joined them in an expedition against the Iro-
quois in 1609, and thus commenced that horrible
series of barbarities, which continued for more than
a century and a half, and from which the European
colonists both in Canada and New York, suffered
beyond description.
Champlain and his Indian alHes met a party of
two hundred Mohawks on the lake which bears his
name, (and then first discovered by him.) Both
parties landed; but the Mohawks, dismayed at the
murderous effect of the strange weapons, retreated
to their fastnesses in the wilderness, leaving the
French to return to Canada, without, however,
having accomplished the object of their mission,
which was to force the Iroquois to easy terms of
peace.
This was the first meeting of the Iroquois with
the whites, and the circumstances certainly were not
such as to give a very favorable opinion of them, nor
soften the savage nature so largely predominant in
them.*
Emboldened by this success, Champlain, with a
few Frenchmen, and four hundred Huron allies,
renewed the attack on the Iroquois in 1615, this
time directing his efforts against the stronghold of
the Onondagas. He arrived before the fort on the
afternoon of the i oth of October. At the first fire the
Indians fled into their fort, which inclosed their
village, and which Champlain describes as consist-
ing of " quadruple paUsades of large timber, thirty
feet high, interlocked the one with the other,
with an interval of not more than one foot, with
galleries in the form of parapets, defended with
double pieces of timber, proof against our arque-
buses, and on one side they had a pond with a
never-failing supply of water, from which proceeded
a number of gutters which they had laid along the
intermediate space, throwing the water without,
and rendering it effectual inside for the purpose of
extinguishing fire.'' The next day Champlain con-
* It is a most singular coincidence that while Champlain was acquaint-
ing the Iroquois with that deadly enemy ^impowf^er, the very same week
and year Henry Hudson was cautiously feeling his way, as he supposed,
into the Northern ocean, through the channel of the river which bears his
name, and regailing them with an equally deadly enemy — ruTn. Lifeand
Times of Red Jacket^ 291.
38
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
structed a movable tower of sufficient height to
overlook the palisades, and moved it near the fort,
placing thereon marksmen to fire over the pahsades,
while they themselves were protected from the
stones and arrows of the enemy by boards forming
a species of parapet. Attempts were made to burn
the palisades, but as his forces consisted mostly of
undisciphned Hurons who could not be controlled,
they suffered severely from the arrows shot from
the fort, without accomplishing their object. After
a three hours' engagement, during which Cham-
plain was twice severely wounded with arrows, like-
wise many of his allies, who were sadly demoralized
by the efficient resistance made by the enemy, they
withdrew to a fort erected for defensive purposes,
to await an expected re-enforcement of five hun
dred Indians, who, however, did not come. They
remained encamped until the i6th, during which
time several skirmishes occurred; but being unable
to induce his aUies to renew the attack which their
rash impetuosity had made so ineffectual, Cham-
plain, in pain and mortification, retreated to
Canada, being carried upon the back of an Indian.
The precise location of this fort has long been
in controversy.* Champlain's narrative of this ex-
pedition is accompanied by a diagram of the fort,
which is in the form of a hexagon, situated on a
slight elevation, in the angle of a stream, which is
at once the inlet and outlet of a pond, which, with
the stream, bounded three sides of the fort. The
stream flowed into and out of the pond at points
but a few rods apart. The situation is a peculiar
one, and it is scarcely probable that another one
could be found which so exactly corresponds with
Champlain's description, as the site designated by
Gen. Clark, who locates it in the town of Fenner,
in Madison County. While writers differ as to the
exact location of the fort, nearly all agree that Cham-
plain's last encampment before he attacked the fort
was at or near the mouth of Chittenango Creek,
for none other of the interior lakes in the State
meet the requirements of his description as to the
*E. B. O'CaUaghan, M. D., the able editor of The Documentary His-
tory and Colonial History of the State of New York^ assigns to it tlie
neighborhood of Canandaigua Lalte : while others locate it on the shore
of Onondaga Lake. Gen. John S. Clark, of Auburn, a most excellent
authority on Indian antiquity, made a recent and most critical examina-
tion of a locality which discloses physical and other features so precisely
correspondms with Champlain's description, as to make irresistible the
conclusion that the site is on the farm of Rufus H. Nichols, about three
miles east of Perryville, near the Mile Strip four corners, which was, at
that time the home of the Onondagas. Gen. Clark says ; '■ That the
east branch of the Limestone is the dividing line absolutely between the
historic and pre-historic town sites of the Onondagas ; and that Cham-
plain's narrative contains internal evidence, in statements of fact, unques-
tionably, that the fort was within a few miles at least, and south of Oneida
Lake."
presence of islands. Of the western lakes, Cayuga
is the only one thus graced, and that has but a soli-
tary one. Oneida is the only lake upon which he
could have encamped that has islands.
The locality indicated by General Clark as the
probable site of the fort has long been regarded an
important one in connection with the Indian anti-
quities of the State, and has yielded many rare and
interesting relics which are now in the Government
collections in the Smithsonian Institute. A large
part of the area which bears evidence of having
been inclosed within the well-defined outlines of
the fortification, has been cultivated for years,
but a part is covered by venerable forest trees of
great size. The plow has disclosed man} bits of
crockery and broken stone implements, which have
enriched many private cabinets; but, singularly,
none of those articles so clearly referable to the
Jesuit missions, and generally found in great
abundance elsewhere, reward the searcher for anti-
quarian relics here. This fact is a strong confirm-
ation of Gen. Clark's deductions, as it clearly
proves the existence of the fortifications anterior to
the advent of the Jesuits.* In the undisturbed
ground may be plainly seen marks left by the de-
cay of the deeply-set palisades, and indentations,
apparently, where corn was cached. From the high
points adjacent, the eye commands a wide range
of country of unusual beauty, and an alarm-fire on
these commanding heights would be seen from
near Lake Ontario to the western peaks of the
Adirondacks. A small pond, whose ancient water-
mark was much higher than at present, is fed by a
stream which enters and leaves it on the south,
and a low, broad knoll lies between these streams.
The coincidences are striking ones ; but the ele-
ments of correspondence are so peculiar as to
make it scarcely possible that they are merely coin-
cidences, "j"
These unprovoked attacks of Champlain on the
Iroquois provoked hostilities which ended only with
the extirpation of the French domination in North
America. Great must have been the chagrin of
the proud and boastful French General to be com-
pelled to retreat thus ignominiously before a "sav-
age" horde, whom he confidently expected to over-
* The first Jesuit mission in Canada was established in 1625. These
learned, devout and faithful disciples of Loyola, the hero of Pampeluna,
adopted as their own the rugged task of christianizing New France, sup-
planting the Franciscans, (Peres Recollects,) who were commissioned by
royal decree, in 161 5, missionaries in Canada, and who celebrated Mass
in Quebec that year.
t We have been aided in these investigations by a contribution from the
pen of Mr. L. W. Ledyard, of Cazenovia, to the Cazenovia Republican
of March 20, 1879.
FRENCH AND ENGLISH RIVALRY.
39
awe into submission. But he was destined to still
greater humiliation.
The Iroquois, alarmed but not dismayed, now
artfully sued for peace. The French gladly listened
to these overtures from an enemy from whom, in
their weak state, they had so much to apprehend,
and consented to a truce, imposing as the only
condition that they might be allowed to send mis-
sionaries among them, hoping by this means to
win them over to French allegiance. But the Iro-
quois held the Jesuit priests thus sent to them as
hostages, to compel the neutrality of the French,
while they prepared to wage a deadly war against
the Adirondacks * and Hurons, (Quatoghies,!) the
latter of whom they defeated in a dreadful battle
fought within two leagues of Quebec. This defeat,
within sight of the French settlements, and the
terrible loss inflicted on the Hurons, filled with
terror the Indian allies of the French, who were
then numerous, having been attracted to the local-
ity of Quebec by reason of the profitable trade car-
ried on with the French, who supplied them with
many useful conveniences. Many of them fled,
some to the northward, others to the south-west,
beyond the reach, as they hoped and supposed, of
their terrible enemies, but only to enjoy a tempo-
rary respite, for they were sought out by the vin-
dictive Iroquois and murdered in detail.
The Adfrondacks, however, remained, and on
them the Iroquois planned another raid. They
had been supplied with fire-arms by the Dutch
traders of Albany, and in 1646 they sent word to
the Governor of Canada, (whom the Iroquois
called Onontio,) that they intended to pay him a
friendly visit during the winter. They set out with
a thousand warriors and reached the village of the
Adirondacks at a time when the warriors of that
nation were engaged in their annual hunt. They
captured the women and children and a party of
ten set out in search of the absent warriors. They
fell in with Piskaret, a renowned Adirondack chief,
who was returning alone. They knew his prowess
from previous encounters with him and feared to
openly attack him. They therefore approached
him in the attitude of friends, Piskaret being igno-
rant of the rupture of the treaty of peace con-
cluded in 1645. After learning from him that
the Adirondack warriors were divided into two
bodies, and their whereabouts, one of the party
treacherously ran him through with a sword, and
returned with his head to their army. They then
•This is the French name for the Algonquins, Col. Hist. V., 791. In
Iroquois the name signifies "tree eaters," Col, Hist. IV., 899.
tAlso called Wyandots.
divided their own forces, surprised and fell upon
the unsuspecting Adirondacks, whom they almost
exterminated. Thus a once powerful people, whom
Colden regarded as "the most warlike and polite"
of all the Indian nations of North America, were
almost wiped out of existence by an enemy they
had once despised.
CHAPTER IV.
French and English Rivalry — Expedition of
m. de courcelles against the mohawks m.
DE Tracy's Expedition against the Mohawks—
Peace of Breda — French and Iroquois again
AT war in 1669 — Peace of 1673 — M. de la
Barre's Expedition against the Senegas — ■
M. DE Denonville's Expedition against the
Senegas — French and English War of 1689 —
Attack on Montreal and Quebec — Fronte-
nac Invades the Onondaga Country — Treaty
OF Ryswick — Treaty of Utrecht — Tuscaro-
ras Admitted to Iroquois Confederacy —
French and English War of 1744 — 1748 —
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle — War Renewed
'N 1755 — Treaty of Paris — Pontiac's Con-
spiracy— ^War of the Revolution — Present
Status of Iroquois.
n^HE peaceful relations which existed between the
1 Dutch colonists and the Iroquois were perpetu-
ated by the English on their accession to the Dutch
possessions in 1664, by a treaty held at Fort Al-
bany, Sept. 24, 1664; and, with immaterial excep-
tions, the Iroquois remained the firm allies or friends
of the English till the domination of the latter was
broken by the triumph of the colonists in the war
of the Revolution. But from the time the English
supplanted the Dutch, the jealousy and strifewhich
characterized the English and French intercourse
in Europe were extended to this portion of the
Western Continent. A sharp rivalry was main-
tained in the acquisition of territory, and in the
effort to gain an acknowledged supremacy over the
Iroquois, of whose country M. de Lauson, the Gov-
ernor of New France, took formal possession in
1656, and Thomas Dongan, then Governor of New
York, in 1684, by placing the arms of the Duke of
York in each of the castles of the Five Nations,
with their consent.* The French displayed the
most enterprise in the extension of her dominions ;
» Col. Hist., III., )6j ; /., 75, 76.
40
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
while the English were most successful in gaining
the allegiance of the Iroquois, though their dilatory
movements in wars with the French often provoked
sharp criticisms from their savage and impetuous
allies.* The French sent out parties in various di-
rections, to the west, north-west and south-west, to
explore new sections of country and take possession,
which they did by erecting the king's arms and
drawing m-^ froces-verbeaux to serve as titles. They
thus gained a useful knowledge of the country and
its savage occupants, and enlarged the scope of
their fur trade, which, together with the zeal of pro-
pagandism, were the vital forces operating in the
colonization of New France.
But the prosperity of the French colony was not
commensurate with the zeal of the Jesuits or the
enterprise of the fur traders, as compared with that
of the English colonies. The reason is quite ob-
vious. Those who composed the English colonies
came with the intention of making this their home,
and though immigration had virtually ceased, the
natural increase had been great. The strong de-
sire to escape persecution had given an impulse to
Puritan colonization ; while, on the other hand,
none but good Catholics, the favored class of
France, were tolerated in Canada. These had no
motive for exchanging the comforts of home and
the smiles of fortune for a starving wilderness and
the scalping-knives of the Iroquois. The Hugue-
nots would have emigrated in swarms ; but they
were rigidly forbidden. Of the feeble population
of the French colony, the best part were bound to
perpetual chastity ; while the fur- traders, and those
in their service, rarely brought their wives to the
wilderness. The fur-trader, moreover, is always
the worst of the colonists ; since the increase of
population, by diminishing the number of the fur-
bearing animals, is adverse to his interest. But be-
hind all this, there was in the religious ideal of the
rival colonies an influence which alone would have
gone far to produce the contrast in material
growth.f The Puritan looked for a substantial re-
ward in this life ; while the Jesuits, lightly esteem-
ing life themselves, and looking wholly for reward
in a future life, endeavored to inculcate the same
idea in those with whom they came in contact.
The interests of the French king were of far less
moment to them than those of their Heavenly
King. Nor was the French king ignorant or un-
mindful of this baneful tendency. His instructions
to Count de Frontenac when the latter was ap-
* New Vark Colonial History.
t Parkma?^ s Jesuits.
pointed Governor and Lieutenant-General of Can-
ada, not only evince this fact, but that he had a keen
perception of the great disparity in their estimate
of the Jesuits between Frontenac and his predeces-
sor M. de Denonville.
While the Iroquois were engaged in exterminat-
ing their kindred nations they kept up a desultory
warfare with the French, broken by brief intervals
of peace, when their interests or necessities de-
manded a cessation of hostihties.
In 1650, they had brought the French colonists
to such extremity, that the latter endeavored to
gain the powerful support of New England. Massa-
chusetts had expressed a desire for the establish-
ment of a reciprocal trade between her own and
the French colonists, and it was thought this con-
cession might be made the condition of securing
her military aid in subduing the Mohawks. It was
urged that as the Abenaquis, an Algonquin people,
living on the Kennebec, in the present State of
Maine, were under the jurisdiction of the Plymouth
colony, and had suffered from Mohawk inroads, it
became the duty of that colony to protect them.
Gabriel Druilletes, a Jesuit missionary, was deputed
to make these representations to the Massachusetts
Government, and proceeded to Boston for that pur-
pose. Druillettes met with a cordial reception, but
received no encouragement with regard to the ob-
ject of his mission, as it was scarcely to be expected
that the Puritans would see it for their interest to
provoke a dangerous enemy in a people who had
never molested them.
The French Government now resolved to put an
end to the ruinous incursions of the Iroquois. In
June, 1665, M. de Tracy was appointed Viceroy of
the French possessions in America, and brought
with him to Quebec four regiments of infantry.
March 23, 1665, Daniel de Runy^ Knight, Lordde
Courcelles, was appointed Governor of Canada,
and in September of that year arrived with the regi-
ment of Carignau SaUeres, composed of a thousand
men, " with all the arms.and ammunition necessary
to wage war against the Iroquois, and oblige them
to sue for peace," together with several families,
and everything necessary for the establishment of
a colony. January 9, 1666, M. de Courcelles, with
500 men, set out on a most hazardous expedition
to the country of the Mohawks. The journey was
undertaken on snow-shoes. After a perilous march
of thirty-five days, during which many of his men
were frozen, he arrived within twenty leagues of
their villages, when he learned from prisoners taken
that the greater part of the Mohawks and Oneidas
M. DE TRACY'S EXPEDITION AGAINST THE MOHAWKS.
41
had gone to a distance to make war with the " Wam-
pum Makers." Deeming it " useless to push further
forward an expedition which had all the effect in-
tended by the terror it spread among all the tribes,"
he retraced his steps, having '• killed several sav-
ages who from time to time made their appearance
along the skirts of the forest for the purpose of
skirmishing," and lost a few of his own men, who
were killed by the enemy.*
This expedition, so bootless in material results,
had the effect to induce the Iroquois to sue for
peace. May 22, 1666, the Senecas sent ambassa-
dors to Quebec, who represented " that they had
always been under the King's protection since the
French had discovered their country," and de-
manded for themselves and the Onontac nation,
" that they be continued to be received in the num-
ber of his Majesty's faithful subjects," requesting
that some Frenchmen be sent to settle with them,
and "blackgowns" to preach the gospel to them
and make them understand the God of the French,
promising not only to prepare cabins, but to work
at the construction of forts for them. This having
been granted, the treaty was concluded May 26,
1666. July 7, 1666, the Oneidas sent ten ambassa-
dors to Quebec on a Hke mission for themselves
and the Mohawks, and ratified the preceding treaty
July 12, i666.t
Pending these negotiations the Mohawks com-
mitted an outrage on a portion of the garrison of
Fort St. Anne, and M. de Tracy concluded that to
ensure the success of the treaty it was necessary to
render the Mohawks more tractable by force of
arms. Accordingly, in September, 1666, at the
head of 600 troops and 700 Indians, he made an
incursion into the country of the Mohawks, who,
with their usual sagacity, being unable to cope with
so powerful an army, fled to the forests on their ap-
proach, and left them to exhaust themselves in a
contest with privation and hardships in the wilder-
ness. After destroying their villages, corn and
other products, M. de Tracy returned.
Following this expedition, Oct. 13, 1666, the Iro-
quois ambassadors of the Onondaga, Cayuga, Sen-
eca and Oneida nations repaired to Quebec to re-
quest a confirmation of the continuance of his
majesty's protection, which was granted by divers
articles on several conditions, among others, that
the Hurons and Algonquins inhabiting the north
side of the River St. Lawrence, up from the Es-
ciuimaux and Bertamites into the great lake of the
' Relation tbbi—bb. Doc. Hist. New York.
1 New York Colonial History.
Hurons, and north of Lake Ontario, should not be
disquieted by the four Iroquois nations on any pre-
text whatsoever, his Majesty having taken them un-
der his protection ; and that on the contrary, the
said Iroquois should assist them in all their necessi-
ties, whether in peace or war ; that agreeably to
their urgent prayers, there should be granted to them
two " blackgowns." one smith and a surgeon ; that
the King, at their request allow some French fami-
lies to settle in their country ; that two of the prin-
cipal Iroquois families should be sent from each
of these four nations to Montreal, Three Rivers and
Quebec ; that all hostilities should cease till the re-
turn of the ambassadors with the ratification of the
present treaty ; that the Mohawks, ( Guagenigro-
nons,) having been informed of the estabhshment
of the French on the River Richelieu, without send-
ing ambassadors to demand peace, should be ex-
cluded from the preceding treaty, his majesty re-
serving unto himself the right to include them there-
in, should he deem it fitting so to do, whenever
they sent to sue for peace and his protection. The
Mohawks acquiesced in the conditions of the treaty,
but under circumstances which induced a behef in
the lack of fidelity.
The following year (July 31, 1667,) was con-
cluded the Peace of Breda, between Holland, Eng-
land and France. By it Acadia (Nova Scotia) was
left to the French, and its boundary fixed, and the
New Netherlands to the English. In 1668, a treaty
of peace was signed between France and Spain,
whereby Louis XIV. surrendered his claims to the
Spanish Netherland, but was left in possession of
much he had already conquered. A general peace
now ensued ; but it was of short duration, for in
1669, the French and Iroquois were again at war.
The harvests of New France could not be gathered
in safety, and much suffering and the greatest con-
sternation prevailed among the French colonists.
Many prepared to return to France. Louis de
Brande, Count de Frontenac, was appointed Gov-
ernor and Lieutenant-General of Canada, April 6,
1672, and under his efficient management confi-
dence was restored and a treaty of peace again rati-
fied in 1673.
In 1684, another rupture occurred between the
French and Iroquois, the latter of whom (the Sen-
ecas) in that year pillaged seven hundred canoes
belonging to Frenchmen, arrested the latter to the
number of fourteen and detained them nine days,
and attacked Fort St. Louis, which was successful-
ly defended.* M. de la Barre, who was then Gov-
* Memoir of M. de la Bane, Paris Doc. II., Doc. Hist. I., 109.
42
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
ernor of New France, that year lead an expedition
against the Senecas to punish them for this out-
rage. But before he reached the Seneca's country
a rumor reached him that, in case of an attack.
Col. Dongan, Governor of New York, had prom-
ised the Senecas " a re-enforcement of four hundred
horse and four hundred foot." This so alarmed
him that he decamped the next day. Sickness had
made such inroads in his army "that it was with
difficulty " he found a sufficient number " of per-
sons in health to remove the sick to the canoes."*
An expedition of such magnificent proportions,
yet so barren of good results, brought censure upon
M. de la Barre, and led to his supersedure the fol-
lowing year by the Marquis de Denonville, who was
instructed to observe a strict neutrality.
Denonville thoroughly examined the situation,
and, having reached a conclusion, he wrote his
royal master that the reputation of the French
among the Indians, whether friends or enemies,
was absolutely destroyed by the ill-starred expe-
dition of la Barre, and that nothing but a success-
ful war could avert a general rebelhon, the ruin of
the fur trade, and the extirpation of the French.
He adds, in speaking of the enemies of the French
colonists, " the Iroquois are the most powerful by
reason of the facility they possess of procuring arms
from the Enghsh, and in consequence of the num-
ber of prisoners (esclaves) they daily make among
their neighbors, whose children they carry off at an
early age and adopt. This is their only means of
increase, for in consequence of their drunken de-
baucheries which impel them into frightful disor-
ders, the few children their wives bear could not
assuredly sustain them alone. * * * Their
large purchases of arms and ammunition from the
English, at a low rate, have given them hitherto all
the advantages they possess over other tribes, who,
in consequence of being disarmed, have been de-
stroyed by the Iroquois. * * « Even the
Enghsh in Virginia, have suffered and still daily
suffer from them, but the gain of the merchants of
Orange and Manatte is paramount to every public
interest, for were they not to sell the Iroquois pow-
der, that Nation could be more easily conquered
than any other. It consists of five principal tribes,
{villages) each of which has other small dependen-
cies. The first calls itself Mohawk {Anic) and can
muster 200 men fit for service. * * * -phe
second is Oneida, ( Oneyoiist,) » * * ^\^q g^jj
muster 250 men. The third is Onontague', * *
it can muster 300 men. The fourth is Cayuga,
* Memoir of il. de la Barre, Paris Doc. Hist., /., 109.
[Goyoguoain) * * * which can furnish 200
men; and the Senecas (Sonontouans) are the fifth.
The last consists it is said of 1,200 fighting men,
and are five leagues south of the lake. The Senecas,
being the strongest, are the most insolent. Their
subjugation need never be expected except we be
in a position to surprise them."*
Louis responded with additional re-enforcements,
and not only approved the war, but advised that
Iroquois prisoners be sent to him for service as gal-
ley-slaves. Denonville therefore determined to
divert the Iroquois from their inroads among the
river Indians by giving them employment at home;
and especially to overawe and punish the Senecas.
Accordingly, in the summer of 1687, he invaded
them with about two thousand French and Indians.
Having arrived at Irondequoit Bay, he constructed
a paUsade for the protection of his bateaux and
canoes, which was finished on the morning of July
1 2th. The re-enforcements ordered from Niagara
arrived simultaneously with his own forces at the
mouth of the bay. The Senecas appealed to Gov-
ernor Dongan for aid, but he gave them only a
quasi support.
We quote from Denonville's report of this ex-
pedition so much as is of especial interest to this
locality : —
" I 2th. After having detached 400 men to garri-
son the redoubt which we had already put in con-
dition of defense for the protection of our provi-
sions, bateaux and canoes, we set out at 3 o'clock
with all our Indian allies, who were loaded like our-
selves with 13 days' provisions, and took the path
leading by land across the woods to Gannagaro.
We made only three leagues this day, among lofty
trees sufficiently open to allow us to march in three
columns.
" 13th. We left on the next morning, with the
design of approaching the village as near as we
could, to deprive the enemy of the opportunity of
rallying and seizing on two very dangerous defiles
at two rivers which it was necessary for us to pass,
and where we should undoubtedly meet them. We
passed these two defiles, however, unmolested, no
one appearing but a few scouts. * * * There
still remained a third, at the entrance of said vil-
lage. It was my intention to reach that defile in
order to halt there for the night and to rest our
troops, who were much fatigued in consequence of
the extraordinary and sultry-heat of the weather;
but our scouts havmg notified us that they had seen
a trail of a considerable party, which had been
in that neighborhood, in order that w? may call our
troops together, M. de Calli^res, who was at the
head of the three companies commanded by Tonty,
de la Durantage and du Lhu, and of all>pur Indians,
* Memoir of M. de Detwnville on the State of Canada, Nov. ii, ^685,
Col Hist. IX., 281, 281.
DENONVILLE'S INVASION OF THE COUNTRY OF THE SENEGAS.
43
fell about three o'clock in the afternoon, * * *
into an ambuscade of Senecas, posted in the
vicinity of that defile. They were better received
than they anticipated, and thrown into such con-
sternation, that the most of them flung away their
guns and blankets, to escape under cover of the
woods. The action was not long but the firing was
heavy on both sides.
■Sli # flt- ■* 3lt
" The severe fatigue of the march which our
troops
had undergone, left us in no
condition to pursue the routed enemy, as we had a
wood full of thickets and briars and a densely cov-
ered brook in front, and had made no prisoners
who could tell us positively the number of those
that attacked us. Moreover, we had not sufficient
knowledge of the paths, to be certain which to take,
to get out of the woods into the plain.
" The enemy, to our knowledge, left twenty-seven
dead on the field, who had been killed on the spot,
besides a much larger number of wounded, judging
from the bloody trails we saw. We learned from
one of the dying that they had more than eight
hundred men under arms, either in the action or in
the village, and that they were daily expecting a
re-enforcement of Iroquois.
"Our troops being very much fatigued, we
halted the remainder of the day at the same place,
where we found sufficient water for the night. We
maintained a strict watch, waiting for daylight that "
we might enter the plain which is a full league in
extent before reaching the village. The Rev.
Father Enialrau, missionary among the Outawas
savages whom he had brought to us, was wounded
in this action. It cost us also the death of five
Canadians, one soldier, and five Indian allies,
besides six militia and five soldiers wounded.
"14th. — A heavy rain that lasted till noon next
day, compelled us to remain until that time at the
place where the action occurred. We set out
thence in battle array, expecting to find the enemy
entrenched in the new village which is above the
old. We entered the plain however, without see-
ing anything but the vestiges of the fugitives. We
found the old village burnt by the enemy, who had
also deserted the entrenchment of the new which
was about three-quarters of a league distant from
the old. We encamped on the height of that
plain, and did nothing that day but protect our-
selves from the severe rain which continued until
night.
"15th. — The Indians brought us two old men,
whom the enemy had left in the woods on their
retreat, and two or three women came to surren-
der themselves, who informed us that for the space
of four days, all the old men, the women, and
children, had been fleeing in great haste, being able
to carry with -them only the best of their effects.
• * * One of the old men who had been of
note in the village, * * * told us the ambush
consisted of two hundred and twenty men stationed
on the hill-side to attack our rear, and of five hun-
dred and thirty to attack our front. * * * In
addition to the above, there were also three hun-
dred men in their fort, favorably situated on a
height, into which they all were pretending to retire,
having carried thither a quantity of Indian corn.
* * *
"After we had obtained from this old man all
the information he could impart, he was placed in
the hands of Rev. Father Bruyas, who finding he
had some traces of the christian religion, » * *
set about preparing him for the baptism, before
turning him over to the Indians who had taken
him prisoner. He was baptized, and a httle while
after they contented themselves at our solicitation,
with knocking him on the head with a hatchet in-
stead of burning him according to their custom.
"Our first achievement, this day, was to set fire
to the fort of which we have spoken. It was eight
hundred paces in circumference, well enough
flanked for savages, with a retrenchment advanced
for the purpose of communicating with a spring
which is half way down the hill, it being the only
place where they could obtain water. The remain-
der of the day was employed in destroying Indian
corn, beans and other produce.
" i6th July. — We continued the devastation.
Our scouts brought us from time to time the spoils
of the fugitives found scattered in the woods.
" In the afternoon of the same day, we moved
our camp towards those places where corn was to
be destroyed. A party of our Indians about whom
we had been anxious, arrived in the evening with
considerable booty, which they had captured in the
great village of Totiakton, four leagues distant.
They found that village also abandoned by the
enemy, who on retreating had set it on fire, but
only three or four cabins were consumed.
"17th. — -We were also occupied in destroying
the grain of the small village of St. Michael or
Gannogarae,* distant a short league from the large
village.
"i8th. — Continued, after having moved our
camp in order to approach some fields which were
concealed and scattered in the depths of the for-
est.
" 19th. — Moved our camp in the morning from
near the village of St. James or Gannagaro, after
having destroyed a vast quantity of fine large corn,
beans and other vegetables of which there re-
mained not a single field, and after having burned
so large a quantity of old corn that the amount
dared not be mentioned, and encamped before
Totiakton, surnamed the Great Village or the Vil-
lage of the Conception, distant four leagues from
the former. We found there a still greater num-
ber of planted fields, and wherewithal to occupy
ourselves for many days. * * *
"20th. — We occupied ourselves with cutting
down the hew corn and burning the old.
"21st. — Went to the small village of Gannoun-
ata,t distant two leagues from the larger, where all
the old and new corn was destroyed the same day,
*Gann0f^arnc or Gandougarae '«^J^ situated south of Ga««rt^rtr(?, near
the site of East Bloomfield.
^Gannoiinata or Gannoudata, named on Clark's map as Gandachira-
gon, the site of the mission of St. John, was located near East Avon.
44
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
though the quantity was as large as in the other
villages. It was in this village that we found the
arms of England which Sieur Dongan, Governor
of New York, had caused to be placed there con-
trary to all right and reason, in the year 1684,
having antedated the arms as of the year 1683,
although it is beyond question that we first discov-
ered and took possession of that country, and for
twenty consecutive years have had Fathers Fremin,
Gamier, &c., as stationary missionaries in all these
villages.
" The quantity of grain which we found in store
in this place, and destroyed by fire is incredible. *
* * *
" 2 2d. — We left the above named village to re-
turn to Totiakton, to continue there the devasta-
tion already commenced. Notwithstanding the
bad weather and incessant rain, the entire day was
employed in diligent preparation for our departure,
which was the more urgent as sickness was increas-
ing among the soldiers, the militia and the Indians,
and provisions and refreshments were rapidly
diminishing. Besides the impatience of the sav-
ages to return with a great number of the sick and
vvounded, gave us no hope of retaining them
against their will, some having already left on the
preceding day without permission.
" 23d. — We sent a large detachment of almost
the entire army * * » to complete the destruc-
tion of all the corn still standing in the distant
woods.
"About 7 o'clock in the morning, seven Illinois,
coming alone from their country to war against the
Iroquois, arrived at the camp, as naked as worms,
bow in hand, to the great joy of those whom Sieur
de Tonty had brought to us.
"About noon of the same day, we finished the
destruction of the Indian corn. We had the curi-
osity to estimate the whole quantity, green as well
as ripe, which we had destroyed in the four Seneca
villages, and found that it would amount to 350,-
000 minots * of green, and 50,000 of old corn —
[1,200,000 bushels]. We can infer from this the
multitude of people in these four villages and the
great suffering they will experience from this de-
vastation.
"Having nothing more to effect in that country,
and seeing no enemy, we left our camp in the af-
ternoon of the same day to rejoin our bateaux. We
advanced only two leagues. * * *
" 24th July. We reached our bateaux after
marching six leagues. We halted there on the
next day, the 2Sth, in order to make arrangements
for leaving on the 26th, after we had destroyed the
redoubt we had built."
Denonville then repaired to Niagara, and con-
structed a fort in the angle of the lake, on the
Seneca side of the river. He left a hundred men
under the command of Sieur de Troyes to garrison
it, provisioned it for eight months, and returned
with his army. This fort was so closely besieged
*A minot is equal to three bushels.
by the Iroquois that nearly all the garrison perished
by hunger.
The Iroquois were alarmed at this bold incur-
sion into the country of the strongest nation of
their league, and applied to Governor Dongan of
New York, for protection. A council was held in
the City Hall at Albany, August 5, 1687, at which
the Five Nations assigned as the probable reason
of Denonville's invasion, "that wee have given our
land and submitted ourselfs to the King of Eng-
land, which we confirmed solemnly when the Gov-
ernor of Virginia was with you here," three years
previously. They added, "It is true, wee warr
with the farr Nations of Indians, because they kill
our people, and take them prisoners when wee goe
a beaver hunting, and it is our custom amongst In-
dians to warr with one another ; but what hath the
Christians to doe with that to join with either one side
or the other ? O Brethren, you tell us the King of
England is a very great King, and why should you
not joyne with us in a just cause, when the French
joynes with our enemies in an unjust cause; 0
Brethren, wee see the reason of this, the French
would faine kill us all and when that is done they
would carry all the Beaver trade to Canada, and
the great King of England would loose the land
likewise, and therefore, O Great Sachim beyond
the Great Lake, awake and suffer not those poor
Indians that have given themselfs and their lands
under your protection to bee destroyed by the
French without cause."* Governor Dongan wrote
to the Lord President, requesting instructions as to
what course he should pursue in this emergency,
adding in his letter on that occasion : " Those five
nations are very brave and the awe and Dread of
all ye Indyans in these Parts of America and are a
better defense to us than if they were so many
Christians."!
On the loth of November, 1687, he was in-
structed to afford them protection. J He advised
them not to make peace with the French, and prom-
ised them supplies of arms and ammunition. But
Denonville called a meeting of the chiefs of the
Five Nations at Montreal, for the purpose of
arranging terms of peace, and they decided to send
representatives for that purpose.
In this year, 1687, the English colonists of New
York resolved to avail themselves of the peace
which then existed between the English and French,
by virtue of the treaty of neutrahty of Nov. 16,
*Col. Hist. III., 442.
tCol. Hist., III., 429, 4J0.
t Col. Hist., Ill-, S03.
WARS BETWEEN THE IROQUOIS AND FRENCH.
45
1 586, to attempt a participation in the fur trade of
the upper lakes. They induced the Iroquois to
liberate a number of Wyandot or Huron captives
to guide them through the lakes and open a trade
with their people, who were then living at Michili-
mackinac. The party, which -was led by Capt.
McGregory, was intercepted and captured by a
large body of French, and their goods distributed
gratuitously among the Indians. The lake Indians,
who had favored the project, by reason of the high
price and scarcity of goods, now became anxious
to disabuse the French of the suspicions their
actions had engendered, and to prove their fidelity to
them. To this end Adario, a celebrated chief of
the Wyandots, shrewd and wily in his plans, and
firm and courageous in their execution, led a party
of one hundred men against the Iroquois. Stop-
ping at Fort Cadaraqui for intelligence which might
guide him, the commandant informed him of the
impending peace negotiations, that the Iroquois
embassadors were expected at Montreal in a few
days, and advised him to return. But perceiving
that if this peace was consummated, it would leave
the Iroquois free to push their war against his nation,
Adario resolved to prevent it, and waylaid, sur-
prised and killed, or captured the Iroquois em-
bassy, with the forty young warriors who guarded
them. By dissembling he fully impressed his cap-
tives with the behef that the treachery, of which he
was made the unwitting instrument, was instigated
by Denonville. With well-simulated indignation he
looked steadfastly on the prisoners, among whom
was Dekanefora, the head chief of the Onondagas,
and said : " Go, my brothers, I untie your bonds,
and send you home again, although our nations be
at war. The French Governor has made me com-
mit so black an action, that I shall never be easy
after it, until the Five Nations have taken full re-
venge. He then dismissed them, with presents of
arms, powder and balls, keeping but a single man,
an adopted Shawnee, to supply the place of the
only man he had lost in the engagement.*
The Iroquois were deeply incensed and burned to
revenge the base treachery. They refused to listen to
amessage sent by Denonville disclaiming any partici-
pation in the act of perfidy. On the 5th of August,
1689, fifteen hundred Iroquois warriors landed,
with the stealth and deadly purpose of enraged
tigers, on the upper end of the island of Montreal,
and pursued their murderous work without any-
thing to impede them. They burned houses,
sacked plantations and massacred men, women
* Colden.
and children of the French inhabitants to the num-
ber of two hundred, and retired with more than
one hundred and twenty prisoners. November
13th following they visited the lower part of the
island with an equally deadly scourge.*
These incursions were incalculably disastrous to
the French interests in Canada and reduced the
colonies to the most abject despondency. Their
minds were filled with the fear of foreboding ills.
They burned the two barks they had on Cadaraqui
(Ontario) Lake and abandoned the fort at Cada-
raqui. They designed to blow up the fort, and
hghted a match for that purpose; but in their
fright and haste they did not wait to see that it
took effect. The Iroquois, hearing of the destruc-
tion of the fort, took possession of it. The match
the French lighted went out without igniting the
train. They found twenty-eight barrels of powder,
besides other stores.
These disasters to the French soon spread
among their Indian alUes, already disgusted with
la Barre's miserable failure, and whose confidence
the questionable success of Denonville had not
restored. The French influence over them was
greatly lessened, while the dread of the Iroquois
was measurably increased. Many sought an alli-
ance with the English, with whom this misfortune
to the French enabled them to open a trade; and
they would have murdered the whole French col-
ony to placate the Iroquois, "and would certainly
have done it," says Colden, " had not the Sieur
Perot, with wonderful sagacity and eminent hazard
to his own person, diverted them."
The French colony was in a most pitiable condi-
tion, for while the larger proportion of the men had
been engaged in the expedition against the Senecas,
in trading with the Western Indians, and in mak-
ing new discoveries and settlements, tillage had
been neglected. Several thousand of the inhabi-
tants had been killed. The continual incursions of
small parties of the Iroquois made it hazardous to go
outside the forts ; they were liable at any time to
sacrifice their scalps to a lurking savage, to have
the torch applied to their cabins, and the toma-
hawk fall upon the defenseless heads of their wives
and children. Their crops were sown in constant
fear, and were often destroyed before they could
be gathered. To add to the horrors of their situa-
tion, famine was rapidly decimating those who had
escaped the hatchet of the revengful Iroquois,
and threatened to put a miserable end to their
existence.
"Col. Hist. IX., 419. 4!', 4!4, 4!S-
46
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
But this deplorable condition was destined to a
favorable and most unexpected change, toward
which the bitter animosities and divided counsels
of the English colonies, growing out of the Revolu-
tion in England at this time, which resulted in the
accession of the Prince of Orange to the throne,
contributed in no small measure. The Count de
Frontenac, whose previous management of the col-
ony had been eminently wise and satisfactory, was
again appointed Governor, May 21, 1689, and
though he had arrived at an age when most men pre-
fer a retired hfe to the onerous burdens of State,
he entered upon his duties with such energy and
manifest wisdom as to revive the flagging spirits of
the colonists, notwithstanding the impending dan-
ger of a war with the English colonies which soon
ensued. He arrived on the second of October
1689, and at once commenced an effort to nego-
tiate a peace with the Iroquois, having learned by
sad experience that they could not hope to gain
by the continuance of war with them. He was the
more anxious to effect a peace with them, as the
French then had a war on their hands with the
EngHsh, which was declared that year. Faihng in
this, he hoped to terrify them into neutrality, and
for this purpose, and to lessen the influence with
the Enghsh with them, he fitted out three expedi-
tions that winter, one against New York, another
against Connecticut, and a third against New Eng-
land. It was a hazardous undertaking at that sea-
son of the year, but the desperate condition of the
French colonists demanded heroic treatment.
The first expedition was directed against Sche-
nectady, which was sacked and burned, on the
night of February 9, 1690, only two houses being
spared, that of Major Sander, (Coudre,) from whom
the French had received good treatment on a for-
mer'occasion, and that of a widow, with six chil-
dren, to which M. de Montigny, one of the leaders
of the expedition, was carried when wounded.
They spared the hves of some fifty to sixty old
men, women and children, who escaped the first
fury of the attack, and some twenty Mohawks, "in
order to show them it was the EngHsh and not
they against whom the grudge was entertained."
The loss on this occasion in houses, cattle and
grain, exceeded 400,060 livres.* There were up-
wards of eighty weU -built and well-furnished houses
in the town." They returned with thirty prisoners,
loaded with plunder, and with fifty good horses,
only sixteen of which reached Montreal, the rest
having been killed on .the road for food. They
*A French coin, now superseded by the franc, equal to li}i cents,
lost one Indian and one Frenchman in the attack
on the town, and nineteen on the return march.*
This disaster at Schenectady so disheartened the
people of Albany, that they resolved to abandon
the place and retire to New York. Many were
packing up for that- purpose, when a delegation of
Mohawks who had come to condole with them on
the loss, on hearing of their design, reproached
them and urged them to a courageous defense of
their homes. This passage in our colonial history
fills us with humiliating reflections, when we con-
trast the supineness of the English colonists,
arising from the bitter dissensions incident to the
governmental changes which the recent revolution
wrought, with the magnificent energies exerted by
the French colonists under the energizing influence
of the sagacious Frontenac. Our admiration is not
less challenged by the heroic conduct of the Iro-
quois, who, notwithstanding French intrigues and
Jesuitical influence, combined with an exasperat-
ing Enghsh apathy, which appeared willing to sac-
rifice these savage but noble alUes, kept firmly to
their early allegiance
Count de Frontenac, encouraged by the answer
made to his former message, renewed his eff'orts to
bring about a peace with the Iroquois ; but they
compelled his embassadors to run the gauntlet and
then delivered them over as prisoners to the Eng-
lish. Foiled in this, he endeavored to prevent the
peace which the Iroquois were on the point of
making with the Utawawas and Quatoghies. The
Iroquois continued to harrass the French in small
bodies and kept them in constant alarm.
In the summer of 1691, New York and New
England concerted an attack by a combined land
and naval force. The former, under command of
Major Peter Schuyler, was directed against Mon-
treal ; and the latter, consisting of thirty sail, under
command of Sir William Phips, against Quebec.
Both failed of the ultimate object for which they
set out; though Schuyler inflicted a heavy loss
upon the enemy, killing three hundred, which ex-
ceeded his entire command,! having seventeen
killed and eleven wounded of his own forces. But
finding the enemy vastly more numerous than he
expected he was obliged to retire. The naval
attack was illy directed and proved an ignoble fail-
ure. It was Ukewise attended with considerable
loss, both in men and material, without inflicting
much damage on the enemy, who, with ordinary
* Paris Document IV. Doc. Hist. I , 297. The English account places
the number killed at 60, and the number taken prisoners ^7, including
several negroes. — Ibid.
\C olden.
FRONTENAC'S INVASION.
47
promptness and prudence, might have been routed.
The Iroquois, however, continued their stealthy
raids, which were more dreaded and really more
destructive to the French interests than the more
imposing efforts of their EngUsh aUies. The
French were prevented from tilling the ground, or
of reaping the fruit of what they had sown or
planted, and a famine ensued, " the poor inhabi-
tants," says Golden, "being forced to feed the
soldiers gratis, while their own children wanted
bread." The French fur trade was also stopped
by the Iroquois, who took posession of the passes
between them and their allies, the western Indians,
and intercepted the traders and others passing over
these routes.
Count de Frontenac was pierced to the heart by
his inability to revenge these terrible incursions of
the Five Nations. His desperation drove him to
the commission of an act which must have been as
revolting to him in his normal condition, as it was
barbarous. He condemned two Iroquois prisoners
to be burned pubUcly aUve, and would not be dis-
suaded from executing the sentence. One of
them, however, killed himself with a knife which
was thrown into his prison by "some charitable
person."
June 6, 1792, the Iroquois entered into a formal
treaty of aUiance and friendship with Major Rich-
ard Ingoldsby, who assumed the Gubernatorial
office of New York on the death of Golonel Henry
Sloughter, July 23, 1691. The speech of Cheda,
an Oneida sachem, on that occasion, is a rare
piece of pathetic eloquence.
The French colonists having been obliged to re-
main so long on the defensive, were becoming des-
pondent, so that Gount Frontenac felt it imperative
to undertake some bold enterprise to restore con-
fidence. He therefore planned an expedition
against the Mohawks, and as it was necessary to
surprise them, it was undertaken in the winter,
when it would be least expected. Jan. 15, 1693,
a force of six hundred to seven hundred French
and Indians, under command of three captains of
the regulars, started with snow-shoes from la Prairie
de Magdaleine, and after a long and perilous march
through the forests, surprised and captured three
of the Mohawks' castles, in only the latter and
largest of which did they meet with any resistance.
They returned with about three hundred prisoners,
and though pursued by a party of Albany miUtia
and Mohawks to the number of about five hun-
dred, hastily gathered and commanded by Major
Peter Schuyler, and reduced to such extremity for
want of food that they eat their shoes, they escaped
with the loss of eighty men killed and thirty-three
wounded. This successful raid greatly alarmed the
English settlers and dispirited the Iroquois, who
saw that surprises could be made by their enemies
as well as themselves. The latter were now more
incUned to listen to the French proposals of peace,
and having been the greater sufferers by the war,
were quite anxious that it should cease.
The years 1693-4 were spent in efforts to nego-
tiate a peace between the French and Iroquois,
which the English endeavored to prevent. The
three intermediate nations, influenced by the Jesuit
priests, were more inclined thereto, than the Sene-
cas and Mohawks. The Senecas held the French
in abhorrence, and were not so much influenced
by the Jesuits; while the Mohawks were the near
neighbors of the English, and much influenced by
them in favor of continuing the war, although they
had been the greatest sufferers from it.
These negotiations failed and Governor de Fron-
tenac now resolved to coerce them to submission,
to that end made arrangements to attack the Mo-
hawks with the whole force of Ganada. But learn-
ing that the Mohawks had been advised of his in-
tention by an escaped prisoner, and the prepara-
tions that had been made to repel him, he changed
his plan, and instead sent three hundred men to
the neck of land between lakes Erie and Cadara-
qui, the usual hunting place of the Iroquois, hoping
to surprise them while carelessly hunting, and at
the same time to observe the condition of Fort
Gadaraqui, which was found to be better than was
expected. In the summer of 1695, he sent a strong
force to repair and garrison the fort, which then
took his name. This fort was of great advantage
to the French from its proximity to the beaver
hunting grounds of the Iroquois, thus enabhng the
garrison to make incursions on them when so en-
galged. It was also important to the French trade
with the western Indians, as a place of deposit for
supplies ; and not less so as a place of refuge in
time of war with the Iroquois. The French also
succeeded in putting a stop to the peace negotia-
tions then progressing between the Iroquois and
Dionondadies ; but in order to accompUsh that
end perpetrated an act of cruelty, which, for fiend-
ishness, parallels anything in the annals of Indian
horrors. But notwithstanding the French oppo-
sition a treaty was concluded covertly soon after.
The treaty of Ryswick, while it established peace
between the English and French, left unsettled a
question with regard to the Iroquois. The French,
48
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
while they insisted on including their own Indian
allies in the terms, were unwiUing to include the
Iroquois, and made preparations to attack the lat-
ter with the whole force of Canada ; but the Eng-
lish as strenuously insisted on extending the terms
of the treaty to their allies, and Earl Bellraont
notified Count de Frontenac that he would resist
an attack on the Iroquois with the whole force of
his government if necessary. This put an end to
French threats, and the question of sovereignty over
that nation was relegated to commissioners to be
appointed pursuant to the treaty. But the ques-
tion arose in another form, with regard to the ex-
change of prisoners. The French insisted on ne-
gotiating with the Iroquois ; but the English refused
to yield even by implication, the right of sover-
eignty which they claimed, and demanded that the
exchange be made through them. The Iroquois
refused to negotiate independently of the English,
and thus the French were obhged to yield the
point.*
Peace, such as had not fallen upon the wilder-
ness of the New World since the Europeans added
their conflicting interests to the field of savage con-
tests, prevailed at the opening of the eighteenth
century; for not only had the Europeans and their
alUes ceased to war, but the Indians themselves
had buried the hatchet. It was of short duration,
.. however ; for with the succession of Anne to the
English throne, on the death of King William in
March, 1702, the war of the Spanish succession, or
Queen Anne's war, was inaugurated and con-
tinued till the treaty of Utrecht, April 11, 17 13.
Although New England was ravaged with ruthless
hand. New York scarcely knew its existence ; not-
withstanding the Province was put in a condition
for defense.
Not until after the treaty of Utrecht did the set-
tlements in New York make much progress, owing
to the massacres that in King William's war were
committed by the French and their Indian allies
on the outskirts of the settlements. At its con-
clusion, or soon after, settlements in the Mohawk
were begun. By that treaty the French engaged
not to attack the Five Nations, who were acknowl-
edged to be the subjects of Great Britain, and a
free trade with them was guaranteed to both Eng-
land and France.
The Iroquois, being thus debarred from continu-
ing their predatory raids on the northern and western
Indians, extended their conquests in the South,
*Thi5 question was not fully settled till the treaty of Utrecht, April il,
171J, by which the French surrendered all claims to the Five Nations
who were acknowledged to be subjects of Great Britain.
and chastised their old enemies, the Flatheads, liv
ing in Carolina. While on this expedition the'
adopted into their confederacy the Tuscaroras, 0
North Carolina, one of the most powerful Indiar
nations of the South, who, in resisting the encroach
ments of the proprietaries of Carohna, who assignee
their lands to the German Palatines, were almos
destroyed in their fort on the River Taw, Marcl
26, 1 7 13, having lost eight hundred in prisoners
who were sold as slaves to the allies of the Enghsh
They became the sixth nation of the Iroquois con
federacy, which was afterwards denominated by th(
English, the Six Nations. They were assigned ter
ritory in the country of and in close proximity tc
the Oneidas.
From 1774 to 1748, the French and Engtisl
were again at war, which was concluded by the
treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, April 30th, 1748, which
virtually renewed the treaty of Utrecht.
The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was very imperfect
as it left unsettled many important questions whid
must sooner or later demand adjustment. The
contest was renewed in 1755. The French, imme
diately after the cessation of hostilities, had enterec
upon the vigorous prosecution of a pohcy inaug
urated by them as early as 1731, of connecting the
St. Lawrence with the Gulf of Mexico by a chain o
forts, and by the end of 1753, had a connectec
line of forts from Montreal to French Creek ir
Pennsylvania. The completion of the fort or
French Creek provoked the resentment of Virginia
and a force was sent out by that colony undei
Major George Washington, with instructions "tc
make prisoners, kill or destroy all who interruptec
the English settlements" in the invaded territory
The success was only temporary, for Washingtor
was soon compelled to capitulate within the feebk
breastworks of Fort Necessity.
The EngUsh colonies were wholly unpreparec
for the vigorous onslaught with which the Frencl
followed the overt act of Virginia; and being divi
ded in their counsels— lacking centralization — i
required some time to collect themselves and ti
interpose an effectual resistance. Among the eai
liest measures concerted were four expeditioni
planned by General Edward Bullock, the first ti
effect the complete reduction of Nova Scotia, th
second to recover the Ohio Valley, the third t
expel the French from Fort Niagara and form
junction with the expedition to the Ohio, and th
fourth to capture Crown Point. The latter wa
entrusted to Col. Johnson, who was to have th
militia of New York, Massachusetts and Connee
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE "PROPERTY LINE.'
49
ticut and the warriors of the Six Nations. He con-
vened the latter in council at Mount Johnson on
the 2ist of June, 1754, hoping to induce them to
join the expedition; but with all the art he was
master of, he could obtain little else than excuses.
Hendrick and his Mohawks, with here and there
a warrior from the other nations, to the number of
fifty, left Albany with him on the eighth of August.
At the "carrying place'' some two hundred war-
riors joined him, giving him, with the militia, a force
of about thirty-five hundred men. The French,
marching in about equal force to Oswego, were
called back and sent, under Baron Dieskau, to
the defense of Crown Point. Leaving the larger
portion of his forces at that fort, Dieskau pushed
on to attack Fort Edward, cut off Johnson's retreat,
and annihilate his army. Misled by his guides, he
found himself on the road to Lake George, and
only four miles distant from Johnson's encamp-
ment at Ticonderoga. Leaving his position, John-
son detached one thousand men and two hundred
Indians to bring on an engagement. The oppos-
ing forces met on the 8th of September. Finding
the French too powerful, the English fell back to
Ticonderoga ; the French pursued and resumed the
battle under the walls of Johnson's position. After
a severe engagement of four hours the French re-
treated. The losses on both sides were heavy,
that of the English being one hundred and fifty-
eight killed, including King Hendrick and thirty-
eight of his warriors, ninety-two wounded and sixty-
two missing ; while that of the French was between
three and four hundred. Johnson was wounded
slightly, and Dieskau mortally. The French retreat
was unmolested; Crown Point was not reduced.*
For the most part the remainder of the war was
a prolonged and sanguinary contest with the savage
aUies of the French, which brought the war to the
doors of the colonists and gave them ample work
to defend their homes. The border settlements of
Pennsylvania were especially afflicted by this deso-
lating scourge.
The war, which for many years threatened dis-
aster to the English, finally resulted in their favor,
■and was concluded between the English and French,
by the treaty of Paris, in 1763, leaving England in
possession of Canada and the territory west of the
Mississippi. It was continued, however, with un-
abated fury two years longer by the Indians under
Pontiac, king of the Ottawas, who in the summer
of 1762, formed a league to drive the English from
the country.
•Ruttenber.
Following the cessation of hostilities, territorial
disputes arose between the various Indian tribes
and the colonies, to adjust which. Colonel John-
son, in 1765, proposed the establishment of a line
which should be recognized alike by the Indians
and the English as a boundary beyond which neither
should pass. To this the Indians assented ; but
its execution was delayed till the irritation of the
Indians under the aggressions of European immi-
gration, became threatening and alarming. The
Senecas, smarting under these aggressions, and the
humiliating treaty they had been forced to make,
said by a large belt to the Lenapes and Shawanoes
in 1768: "Brethren, these lands are yours as well
as ours; God gave them to us to Hve upon, and be-
fore the white people shall have them for nothing,
we will sprinkle the leaves with blood, or die every
man in the attempt." Finding that the matter
could not longer be safely delayed, a conference
was called at Fort Stanwix, and the treaty by which
the boundary line was established was concluded
Nov. 5, 1768. This line, which was long known
as the " Property Line," is indicated on a map
accompanying the treaty. This treaty was ratified
by Sir WiUiam Johnson in July, 1770.
But this action did not long suffice to preserve
inviolate the Indian territory. The influx of new
settlers and the avarice of traders led to encroach-
ments which soon provoked complaints and gave
rise to apprehension on account of the Senecas.
At a Congress of the Six Nations at Johnson Hall,
in June and July, 1774, a Seneca orator complained
that the whites and traders encroached upon their
territory, followed their people to their hunting
grounds with goods and liquor, " when," he said,
" they not only impose on us at pleasure, but by
the means of carrying these articles to our scattered
people, obstruct our endeavors to collect them.''
" We are sorry," he added, " to observe to you
that your people are as ungovernable, or rather
more so, than ours.''
The continued and alarming encroachments on
the Indian domain prepared the way for the hostil-
ity which characterized the action not only of the
Iroquois, but also the western Indians, against the
colonists during the wai of the Revolution, which
soon followed. The Indians had adopted a settled
and well-understood policy, involving resistance to
further encroachments ; and the Iroquois, who had
hitherto preserved a uniform friendship towards the
colonists, now, with the exception of the Oneidas,
Tuscaroras, and possibly a few others, opposed
them. Eighteen hundred of their warriors allied
so
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
themselves with the British,* and only two hundred
and twenty, with the colonists. The atrocities of
of the former under the leadership of the redoubt-
able Brant, will long be remembered by both New
York and Pennsylvania.
The long hst of Indian and tory atrocities 'on
the border settlements of New York and Pennsyl-
vania, including the terrible massacres of Wyom-
ing, Cherry Valley and Minnisink, determined the
action of Congress in projecting the successful ex-
pedition of General Sullivan in 1779 — ^an expedi-
tion of paramount importance in its bearing on the
subsequent settlements in Central and Western
New York — and directed especially against the
country of the Senecas, which the tories and their
allies made a place of rendezvous, and from which
issued forth many a band of stealthy, prowling sav-
ages, an'd not less vindictive tories, to visit death
and destruction upon the outlying settlements of
the colonies.
Appeal after appeal went up from the exposed
and desolated homes on the frontier, and though
they reached the ears of Congress, that body was
too deeply engrossed with other duties and its re-
sources too heavily taxed to render the needed
succor. They did not, however, fail to receive the
attention and serious consideration of those guardi-
ans of the nation's weal, though the censure with
which some authors have visited them and the
accusation of culpable dilatoriness may not be en-
tirely unmerited. It is fair to presume that they,
in common with the general public, were lulled into a
partial sense of security by the anticipated aid from
French alliance. Not so, however, with the ever
vigilant Washington, who had busied himself with
plans to put an end to this desolating warfare —
plans which he lacked the means to execute. The
general inactivity which, in 1779, supervened the
unconsummated mihtary projects, owing to the
failure of expected French aid the previous season,
seemed to offer a favorable opportunity to strike a
decisive blow against these border depredators — a
measure which was made more imperative by the
horrible massacre of Wyoming the previous sum-
mer, in which Queen Esther, a Seneca half-breed,
distinguished herself by the conspicuous part she
took in those frightful orgies, f Washington urged
* Ruttenber says there were not more than eight hundred engaeed at
anytime. Chnton says there were 1,580.
tCatharins Montour, the Queen Esther of the Senecas, was a half-
breed, a native of Canada, and a putative daughter of one of the French
Governors, ' probably," says Lossing, "of Frontenac." Her superior
mind gave her great ascendancy over the Senecas, among whom she was
indeed a Queen. At Wyoming she "assumed the ofEce of executioner
and, using a maul and tomahawk, passed around the ring of prisoners'
who had been arranged at her bidding, deliberately chanted the son? of
death and murdered her victims to its cadences in consecutive order ''—
Losstng and Ruttenher.
its importance on the attention of Congress, and
on the 25th of February, 1779, was directed by
that body to protect the inland frontier and chas-
tise the Senecas, thus seconding the efforts which
the New York governor had put forth.
Having determined upon the expedition, Wash-
ington tendered its command to General Gates,
who declined the service "in a letter by no means
creditable to himself or courteous to his superior."*
It was finally entrusted to Major-General John
Sullivan, who was instructed on the 31st of May
to assemble the main body of his army at Wyom-
ing, then recently devastated by Brant and Butler,|
and proceeded thence to Tioga and onward into
the heart of the Indian settlements. " The mode
of fighting," says Hamilton, "was such as Wash-
ington's early experience would suggest 'to make
rather than receive attacks, attended with as much
impetuosity, shouting and noise as possible, and to
make the troops act in as loose and dispersed a
way as is consistent with a proper degree of gov-
ernment, concert and mutual support. It shall be
previously impressed upon the minds of the men,
whenever they have an opportunity, to rush on
with the war whoop and fixed bayonet. Nothing
will disconcert and terrify the Indians more than
this.' "\ " The immediate objects of the expedition
were set forth at large : they were, the total devas-
tation and destruction of the settlements of the
Six Nations, as well as of their adherents and asso-
ciates, and the capture of as many prisoners as
possible of every age and sex."§ The country was
not merely to be over-run, but destroyed; and he
was not to listen to any proposals of peace until
this was thoroughly done.
General Sullivan's army consisted of three divi-
sions : one from New Jersey, under command of
Brigadier-General WiUiam Maxwell; another from
New England, under command of Brigadier-Gen-
eral Edward Hand ; and the third from New York,
under command of Brigadier-General James Clin-
ton. The New Jersey and New England divisions
marched from Elizabeth, N. J., via Easton, to
Wyoming, where General Sullivan awaited the re-
ceipt of supplies for his army, which were not only
poor in quality, but insufficient in quantity, so
that, on his arrival at Wyoming, he was constrained
to write, " of the salted meat on hand, there was
* American Biogra^hy^ New Serus, Sparks^ III. 127.
t Hamilton's History of the Republic of the United States, I-, 54!, 544-
Col. Wm. L. Stone says it is doubtful whether Brant was at any time
in company with thij, expedition, and certain that when the battle occurred
he was many miles distant. — Life of Joseph Brants I., 5]S.
t Hamilton's History of the Republic of the United States, I., 54!, !44'
§ American Biography, New Series, Sparks, III., 127.
SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION.
SI
not a single pound fit to be eaten." A delay of
several weeks was occasioned, says Dr. Gordon,
"through the villainy or carelessness of the commis-
saries." Sullivan has been widely censured for his
extravagant requisitions on the board of war, and
the tardiness in supplying them provoked from him
unequivocal complaints, which subjected him to
the retaliatory strictures of that body, and, whether
justly so or not, to a general feeling of dissatisfac-
tion.*
Washington became impatient, fearing the delay
and the publicity it gave would imperil the success
of the movement. He had repeatedly enjoined
Sullivan to "move as light as possible, even from
the first onset," adding, " should time be lost in
transporting the troops and stores, the provisions
will be consumed, and the whole enterprise may be
defeated. Reject every article that can be dis-
pensed with ; this is an extraordinary case, and re-
quires extraordinary attention. "f
While General Sullivan was wrestling with these
embarrassments, Col. Van Schaick, with six hun-
dred men from Fort Schuyler, on the 21st of April,
1779, surprised the Onondagas, destroyed their vil-
lage, provisions and munitions of war, killing twelve
and taking thirty or forty prisoners, and returned
within three days without the loss of a man.
Having at length completed his arrangements
General Sullivan left W)'oming on the 31st of July,
and moved his army, consisting of thirty-five hun-
dred men, up the east side of the Susquehanna.
In transporting the baggage and stores, one hun-
dred and twenty boats and two thousand horses J
were employed. The boats were propelled up the
stream by soldiers with setting poles, and were
guarded by troops. The provisions for the daily
subsistence of the troops were carried by horses,
which threaded the narrow path in single file, and
formed a line about six miles in length. They ar-
* Says Bancroft, who sharply criticises his conduct during the entire ex-
pedition, he "made insatiable demands on the Government of Pennsyl-
vania," and "while he was wasting time in finding fault, writing strange
theological essays, the British and Indian partisans near Fort Schuyler
surprised and captured 29 mowers. Savages under Macdonell laid waste
the country on the west bank of the Susquehanna, till the Indians, by his
own report, ■• were glutted with plunder, prisoners and scalps.' Thirty
miles of a closely settled country were burned. Brant and his crew con-
sumed with fire all the settlement of Minnisink, one fort excepted. Over
a party of a hundred and fifly men, by whom they were pursued, they
gained the advantage, taking more than forty scalps and one prisoner."
—History of tite United States, X., ijc— 2jz.
t Bamro/t's History of the United States, X., 2)0—231.
X Many of the horses furnished for the expedition were quite unservice-
able, and some fifty were shot in the locality of Horseheads, being un-
able to proceed further. The heads of these abandoned horses were after-
wards gathered by the Indians and placed beside the route of the army—
a circumstance from which the village of Horseheads derives its name.
Many of the cattle furnished Sullivan were in even worse condition ; some,
it is said, being unable to walk, while others could not even stand.
rived at Tioga Point on the nth of August. The
Indians had collected in considerable numbers at
Athens, but on the arrival of the army, awed and
dismayed by its formidable appearance, they yield-
ed their stronghold with only a few inconsiderable
skirmishes. The following day a detachment was
sent forward to Chemung, twelve miles distant, and
after dispersing a body of Indians, with the loss of
seven of their number, destroyed the village, and
rejoined the army the next day. Here a fort was
built and named in honor of the commander of the
expedition, and here the army awaited the arrival
of the forces under General Clinton.
General Clinton collected his forces at Canajo-
harie. He endeavored to induce the Oneidas and
Tuscaroras to join the expedition ; and his efforts
would doubtless have proved successful, as he at
first supposed they were, but for an address, written
in the Iroquois language, and sent them by Gen-
eral Haldimand, then Governor of Canada, which
discouraged all but a few Oneidas from sharing in it.
Bateaux to the number of two hundred and twenty,
which had been constructed the previous winter
and spring at Schenectady, were taken up the Mo-
hawk to the place of rendezvous, and from thence
transported by land to Otsego Lake, a distance of
twenty miles. Each bateau was of such size that
in its transit from the river to the lake, four strong
horses were required to draw it, and, when placed
in the water, was capable of holding from ten to
twelve soldiers.
About the first of July, Clinton proceeded with
his troops to the southern extremity of the lake,
and there awaited orders from General Sullivan.
He had previously scourged the Mohawk country
and destroyed every village, with a single excep-
tion,* which was spared at the solicitation of home-
less frontier settlers, who begged that they might
occupy it until they could procure other shelter.
The villages of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras were
also spared.
In the meantime he constructed a dam across
the outlet, in order to make the passage of the
river feasible and rapid. He waited through the
whole of July for orders from General SulHvan,
who, immediately on his arrival at Athens, dis-
patched a force of eight hundred men under Gen-
eral Poor, to form a junction with Clinton and with
him rejoin the main army at that place ; but not
until the 9th of August was the dam torn away and
the flotilla committed to the bosom of the river
*The castle of "Praying Maquas," at the Schoharie Creek, consisting
of four houses.
52
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
thus suddenly swelled, which afforded a current not
only sufficiently deep to float the bateaux, but at
Oquaga and other places overflowed the river flats,
and destroyed many fields of corn belonging to the
Indians. At Oquaga, Chnton's forces were aug-
mented by a detachment under Col. Pauling, and
at the mouth of the Choconut, about thirty-five
miles from Athens, they met the detachment of
Sullivan's army under General Poor. On the 22nd
of August they formed a junction with the forces
under Sullivan, which then numbered some five
thousand men.
What emotions must have swelled the swarthy
bosoms of the Iroquois at the sight of this formida-
ble hostile array, which portended to them the de-
struction of their loved homes and the breaking of
the sceptre by which they had so long held the Su-
premacy of this vast territory ; and coming too, in
a dry season, on the bosom of a river swelled much
beyond its ordinary dimensions. So much was it
invested in mystery that little resistance was offered
to the advancing foe. The Indians fled from their
homes and cultivated fields, in many of which, it
was remembered by those who participated in the
expedition, corn was growing . in abundance and
great perfection, and cautiously watched their
progress from the neighboring hills.
On the 26th of August, after the junction between
Sullivan's and Clinton's forces was effected, the
whole army proceeded up the Chemung River. In
the vicinity oi Newtown* (Elmira,) where the In-
dians under their trusty leader, Brant, were con-
centrated, a battle was fought on the 29th, and
its issue hotly contested for two hours, when the
enemy, to avoid being surrounded, fled from their
works and retired before the victorious army. The
battle-field was well selected by the Mohawk war-
rior, and evinced the sagacity and military tact
with which he is credited. The enemy numbered
about one thousand, including three hundred or
four hundred rangers under Walter Butler, who had
chief command. Their loss is unknown ; but they
left seventeen dead on the field. Sullivan sustained
a loss of three killed and thirty wounded.f
General Sulhvan's army spent the night in New-
town, where it remained encamped the next day, a
part of which was occupied in burning the village
and destroying the corn and other things from
'Authors differ as to the exact locality of this battleT^StomTlnTis
Z,!/e ^/^ ^ra»/!, says it occurred at Elmlra: Wilkinson, in his AnnaJs
0/ Binghamton, fixes the locality at a distance of six miles below that
place, nearly opposije Wellsburg, in which opinion he is generally con-
firmed by modern writers; while others designate a mile below Newtown
as the locality.
t Dm?y of Dr. Jahez CampfieU, a Surgeon in Sullivan's army.
which the enemy might hereafter draw subsistence.
" The Indians shall see," said Sullivan, " that we
have malice enough in our hearts to destroy every-
thing that contributes to their support," and most
effectually did he execute that purpose, leaving in
his path a scene of desolation and woe.
Here it was ascertained that the supply of pro-
visions the army had was inadequate for its subsis-
tence for a period sufficiently long to enable it to
accomplish the objects of the expedition. Gen-
eral Sullivan announced the fact in a public order,
at the same time declaring that he had used every
effort to obtain a sufficient supply, but without suc-
cess.* He appealed to the patriotism of his army,
and proposed as an expedient to shorten the allow-
ance, to which both officers and men "almost
unanimously" acceded, offering to subsist on a half
pound each of flour and bread per day, " a striking
instance of the virtue of the army."!
On the night of the 30th, the wounded, together
with four of the heaviest pieces of artillery and all
wagons were sent back to Tioga, and on the 31st,
the march was resumed. On the night of Sep-
tember ist, they arrived at Catharinestown, distant
three miles from and near the southern extremity
of Seneca Lake. The march during the latter part
of this day was so difficult, says Dr. Campfield, as
not to " admit of description, it being totally dark
and through a thick swamp." Sullivan " arrived at
the entrance of this swamp late in the afternoon
and was strongly advised not to venture into it until
the next morning ; but he persisted, and a mira-
cle only prevented his obstinacy from bringing de-
struction upon his men . Som e of the defiles through
which he had to pass, were so narrow and danger-
ous that a score or two of Indians might have suc-
cessfully disputed the passage against any number
of men. The night was exceeding dark, the men
wearied, scattered and broken, and ready to die
rather than move on ; but the Indian scouts who
had been sent to watch them, having retreated as
soon as it was dark under the full persuasion that
no General in his senses would attempt such a road
by night, the defiles were fortunately unguarded,
and the General arrived with his wearied army
about midnight at the town."t Sulhvan's action
in this instance has subjected him to adverse criti-
cism, perhaps not unjustly ; but while he was per-
tinacious in pursuing a pohcy dictated by his judg-
ment, he can scarcely be charged with obstinacy in
^ American Biography, Sparks, III, 139.
t Diary 0/ Dr. Jabez Campfield.
%AlUn, II., 278.
SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION,
53
the sense in which it is used in the quotation. It
is fair to presume that he was not wholly ignorant
of the dangers attending so difficult a passage, but
that his guide, a Presbyterian minister, who was a
resident missiortary at Canidesego, was conversant
with them j and that, with his intimate knowledge
of Indian character and warfare, he doubtless fore-
saw that while it might be undisputed at such a
time, its advantageS-as a means of defense would
not be likely to escape observation by the vigilant
Brant, who, without hazarding an engagement, had
kept a close watch upoii his advancing enemy, and
might reasonably be. expected to contest in the day
time a passage, which, under the most favorable
circumstances, could only' be forced at a great sac-
rifice of life. The undertaking was certainly a
hazardous one — seldom wacranted ; and while an
error in judgment might have entailed irretrievable
disaster, the sequel proved that what the enemy
regarded an insuperable obstacle was a sure defense,
if not the salvation of Sullivan's army. Sullivan
•was keenly ahve to its perils ; for at its conclusion
he is said to have remarked that he would not
repeat it for the honor of a command. The rear
guard, however, under Clinton, did not venture to
cross until the following day. y
Catharinestown, with its thirty houses, some of
them quite good, was laid in ashes and its orchards
and growing crops of corn, beans' and other vege-
tables destroyed. On the way the small settle-
ment of Knawahola was destroyed, together with
the cornfields around it, and a detacfiinent was sent
forth fo extend the circle of devastation. The
march was resumed on the third, the army pro-
ceeding north on' the east side of Seneca Lake.
On the 4th the little village of Apple Town was
destroyed, and on the sth a village variously named
Kendia, Thendara and Canidesego. was reached.
It presented the appearance of an old village and
contained "■ about twenty decent houses,"* " four
or five small framed houses,"! and some of them
painted, but "nasty beyond descri]^tion."f All
were burned ; and the apple trees, which were large
and of many years growth, destroyed. The corn
and beans were gathered by the troops; but the
cornstalks and grass about the town was not suffi-
cient for the horses and cattle, which strayed away,
thus preventing a, resumption of the march till the
following afternoon. Colonel Gansevoort's ser-
vants having missed their way took a path which
led them to Cayuga Lake, where they burned a
*5pit\i.'% American Biography, New Series, III., 140.
^Ci)l.Hist.,\lU.,lii-(>.
t Diary 0/ Dr. Jabez Campfield,
deserted village. On the 7 th, the army forded the
mouth of Seneca Lake, destroyed a small village a
little beyond it, and three miles further on entered
the village of Kanadaseaga, the capital of the Sene-
cas, located a mile and a half west of the village of
Geneva, which the Indians had deserted but a
short time previously, Kaingwanto, the chief of the
village, having it is supposed, been killed at the
battle of Newtown. This was a large and impor-
tant town, surrounded by numerous apple and other
fruit trees, and a few acres of cleared land covered
with grass.* The cornfields, which were extensive,
were situated some distance from the town. All
these evidences of wealth and comfort were sub-
mitted to the torch and the avenging hand of deso-
lation, which spread with " dreary uniformity" over
the entire country. Great quantities of corn,
beans and other vegetables were found here.
The apple trees at this place were twenty
to thirty years old. A few old apple trees which
have since grown up from the stumps of
those cut down still mark the site of this once
populous Indian village. Here the army found
a Kttle white boy "about two years old," in
whom the officers took great interest. He was
doubtless the sad remnant of a desolated frontier
home. He was almost famished and had to be
restrained from over- eating. Though he could un-
derstand English he could speak only Indian. He
died of small pox a few months after the return of
the expedition. On the Sth, while the army lay in
camp. Colonel Smith was detached with two hun-
dred men to destroy the village of Gothseunguean,
called by some of the journalists Kashong, a name
perpetuated in that of Kershong Creek. It was
situated on the west side of Seneca Lake, seven
miles south of Geneva, contained about fifteen
houses, compact, and "tolerably well built," and a
great quantity of "potatoes, apples, peaches, cucum-
bers, watermelons, fowl, &c.," besides corn.
From Kanadaseaga, on the 9th, the invalids
were sent back to Tioga under an escort of fifty
men, commanded by Capt. Reid, who was ordered
to forward supplies for the army on its return to
Kanawaholla. The army resumed its westward
march on the afternoon of this day and the next
day reached Shannondaqve or Kanandaigiia, situ-
ated about a mile west of the lake of the same
name, whose outlet they forded. This village,
which occupied the site of the west part of the vil-
* Rev. David Craft, in a Historical A ddress delivered at the Centen-
nial Celebration at Geneseo, Sept. i6, 1879, said this village contained
fifty houses. The Diary of Dr. Jabez Campjield, says there were about
fifty ; Sparks' A mericau Biography, says there were about sixty.
54
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
lage of Canandaigua, consisted of twenty-three
houses, elegant and mostly framed, some log houses,
large and new. The rear guard of the enemy had
so recently left that their fires were found burning.
The torch was applied to the buildings and the
army encamped about four o'clock in the after-
noon among the cornfields about a mile further
west. Fatigue parties were at once detailed to de-
stroy the crops, which was pretty thoroughly accom-
plished before dark. On the nth the army pro-
ceeded to the Indian village of Angiiyca, (Hon-
eoye,) situated at the foot of Honeoye Lake, on the
east side of the outlet, near the site of the present
village of Honeoye. This village consisted of
eleven houses,* and about it were five cornfields,
" affording abundant forage for the stock and food
for the men." When Sullivan's riflemen entered it,
a few Indians just made their escape, leaving their
packs and blankets behind them and their potatoes
roasting in the fire.
On reaching Angayea, Sullivan estimated that
he was within twenty-five miles of his destination,
Chenussio, the great town of the Senecas. He
issued four days' rations and extra ammunition to his
men, and, with what baggage a few of the strongest
horses could carry, pushed on by more rapid
marches toward this objective point ; leaving the
remainder of the stores, horses and cattle, and one
piece of artillery f at Angayea, under the protec-
tion of Capt. John N. Gumming, of the 2nd New
Jersey regiment, and fifty good men, to whom were
added all the invalids, or, as one journalist ex-
presses it, says Mr. Craft, " the lame and lazy," to
the number of two hundred and fifty. Capt. Cum-
ming at once set about fortifying his position. He
selected the largest and strongest log house in the
town, pierced it with loop holes, and strengthened its
walls with bags of flour and boxes of ammunition,
while with the apple trees cut down he constructed
about it a strong abatis. The little fortress thus
improvised the men named Fort Cumming, in
honor of its gallant commander.
Sunday noon, Sept. 12th, the army left Angayea,
an earlier advance having been prevented by a
heavy thunderstorm, and after a journey of eleven
miles " over a body of excellent land," even the
hills being good, and bearing much chestnut tim-
ber, the advance encamped about sunset " in the
open wood a mile and a half or two miles from
* Rev. Mr. Cvaft says, "about twenty." The above is the number
designated in the Journal of M.\jor James Norris, an oificer in Sullivan's
army.
t Diary of Dr. Jabez Campfield and Jmirtial of Major James Nor-
ris. Rev. Mr. CTAh[CeHtemtial Historical Address) says two pieces
of cannon were left here.
Kanaghsaws* (Conesus,) an Indian village con-
sisting of eighteen houses, on the east side of
Conesus Inlet, a short distance from the head of
Conesus Lake, and about a mile north-west of
Conesus Center, on the north and south road cross-
ing the McMillan farm. The main part of the
army, being impeded by the rain, encamped nearly
two miles north, on the flats south-west of Foot's
Corners.f The route of the army this day was
acoss the outlet of Hemlock Lake and thence in a
south-westerly direction to the head of Conesus
Lake, entering the town of Conesus near the old
residence of Charles Hitchcock, crossing the main
road between South Livonia and Conesus Center
near the residence of Mrs. ElizathMc Vicar; thence
to the flats below now owned by Hiram Boyd, J
and following these to site of the residence of the
late Nathaniel Cole.§ " George Grant says that a
fine stream of water ran through the town, and
that an enterprising negro called Captain Sunfish,
who had acquired considerable wealth and influence,
resided here." || It was also the home of a Seneca
chief named Big Tree, who was a useful friend of
the colonists during the Revolution, and a leading
adviser in the treaties and councils of the Senecas ;
but who finally yielded to the universal sentiment
of his nation in their enmity to that cause. Presi-
dent Dwight says, that while Big Tree, in company
with other Indians, witnessed from a commanding
height the destruction of his possessions by Sulli-
van's army, one of his companions observed, " You
see how the Americans treat their friends ! " He
calmly replied, " What I see is only the common
fortune of war. It cannot be supposed that the
Americans can distinguish my property from yours,
who are their enemies." After the war Big Tree
lived in the town of that name on the west side of
* This village is variously named Adjuton, {CrafVs Historical Ad-
dress, ) Cannehsawes, {Diary of Dr. fahez Campfield, ) Koneghsaws,
{Spark's American Biography., which says it contained twenty-five
houses,) and Katieysas or Yucksea, {Journal of Major James Norris,
which says it contained eighteen houses, situated on an excellent inter-
vale.)
t "The local tradition that Hand took the road through Union Comers
and encamped on the L. B. Richardson farm at the False Faces is not
mentioned in any journal and is without doubt incorrect." Rev. David
Craft's Centennial Historical Address.
tUpon these flats a few years ago a son of Mr. Boyd plowed up a
copper plate in a good state of preservation, supposed to have been worn
upon the hat of one of Sullivan's soldiers. It was in the form of a dia-
mond, about five inches square ; in the center was a raised eagle, carrying
in its talons a bunch of arrows, and at the top comer the inscription, "U.
S. Riflemen." The lower comer was destroyed by the finder before he
knew what it was. — Pioneer Sketches of Conesus No. z. — The Dansville
Advertiser, February lo, 1876.
§ A few years since Mr. Cole found upon the flats below his residence a
pair of bullet molds, capable of molding twelve ounce balls at a time.—
Pioneer SketcJtes of Conesus No. 2.— The Dansville A dvertiser, Feb-
ruary 10, 1876.
II Craft's Centennial Historical Address.
SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION.
55
the river near the great bend. He died at his
lodgings in Philadelphia, in 1792, after a few hours
sickness resulting from over-eating, and was buried
thereon the 22nd of April with something Hke
public honors.*
In this vicinity occurred the most tragic events
connected with this eventful expedition, and as the
further progress and operations of the army were
mostly limited to territory now embraced in Liv-
ingston county a detailed account of them seems
warranted. We quote, therefore, from the admir-
able address of Rev. David Craft, before referred
to.f
" When General Sullivan reached his encamp-
ment near Kanaghsaws, he supposed that he was
near the great Seneca town on the Genesee river
and accordingly sent Lieutenant Boyd to recon-
noitre it. This town, which some of the journals
refer to, was generally known as Chenussio,
though not in existence at the time of the cam-
paign, yet bears such an important relation to it,
and Sullivan's mistake in regard to its existence
was attended with such serious consequences, that
a few words of explanation are necessary.
"As early as 1750 and as late as 1770, this
great town was on the east site of the Genesee
river, near its confluence with Canaseraga creek,
on the site of ancient Williamsburg. ' It appears
on the Guy Johnson map of 1771, as Chenussio,
as Connecchio on the Ponchot map of 1758, in
both cases at the point described. Cammerhoff
and Zeisberger visited it in 1750, calhngit Conness-
chio, describing it as containing forty large huts.
Mary Jemison, in her narrative, mentions the fact
of its being on the east side of Genesee river and
south of Fall Brook. * * * There is no men-
tion in any journal of a town at this point in 1779,
on the other hand, Col. Dearborn says expressly
that the General expected to find the great Gene-
see town a mile and a half from Gaghehegwalehale
and on the east side of the river, but upon recon-
noitering found it was five miles distant and on the
other side of the river. { Keeping this fact in
mind will enable us to understand the movements
about to be related. All day on the 12th the In-
dians had been so near that their tracks were fresh
on the path and the water was roiled through which
they had passed. Reaching Kanaghsaws a little
after 7 o'clock in the morning it was discovered
that the inlet ran through a soft miry bottom sev-
eral rods in width over which one could go on foot,
but where it would be impossible to take the pack
horses and artillery, the enemy having destroyed
*Craft^s Centennial Historical Address t and yournal of Major
Jatnes Norris; tX^o Spark's American Biosraphy., New Series, III.,
146, Note.
tThis address is published in full in Tke Livingston Republican of
Sept. 18, 1879.
+ Major Norris' Journal corroborates this statement fully ; and Dr.
Campfield's Diary says in referring to this village discovered by Boyd,
and which Major calls Gagliehegwalchale, " we expected this would be
the end of our labor, but we are mistaken, we are again to march on."
the bridge across the stream.* The General,
therefore, detailed a part of the army to destroy
the town and cornfields, and the other part to aid
the pioneers in building a corduroy causeway across
the marsh and in repairing the bridge. It was
near noon when the large cornfields had been laid
waste and the bridge completed, and the army
ready to resume its march. In the meanwhile
events of a most serious character had been tran-
spiring in the front. * * *
" * * * Just west of the inlet and bounding
the slough over which the army was compelled to
make the road, is a ridge of considerable height,
running north and south, whose eastern slope is so
steep that one can climb straight up it with diffi-
culty ; the path winding obliquely along its face,
which is broken by several ravines.
" After the battle of Newtown, Butler with the
main part of his army retired to Canawaugus, the
site of the present Avon, where he remained until
the 1 2th of September, when learning by his scouts
the approach of Sullivan to Kanaghsaws, and
knowing the difficulty in crossing the morass, deterr
mined if possible to surprise that portion of the
army which should first cross the bridge and put
them to flight before the remainder could come to
their assistance. The place was admirably chosen
and the plan skillfully made. For this purpose
Butler and Brant with their forces left Canawau-
gus early in the morning and posted themselves
near the crest of the ridge, which was covered with
open woods, but at a sufficient distance north of
the path to escape the observation of Sullivan's
advance guard. They were within musket-shot of
the creek, and could observe every movement of
our army, while they themselves were entirely con-
cealed. It was at this place that the incident
mentioned of Big Tree occurred. Here the enemy
anxiously awaited the advance of our army.
" When General Sullivan ordered Boyd to recon-
noiter the great Seneca town, he was directed to
take five or six men with him, and report at
headquarters as early as sunrise the next morning.
He took however twelve riflemen, six musketmen
of the 4th Pennsylvania Regt., and six volunteers,
who, with himself, and Hanyerry, an Oneida Indian
guide, and Capt. Jehoiakim, made twenty-seven
men in all. The party left camp at eleven o'clock
in the evening and set out on the trail leading to
the great town. Owing to his misinformation, Sul-
livan's directions had been confusing. It was found
the principally traveled trail took a different direc-
tion than the commander had expected. Boyd did
not lose his way,t but instead of taking the unused
path which would have led him to the abandoned
Chenussio, took the one which led to an important
town two miles farther up the Canaseraga. In the
darkness he had passed Butler's right flank without
* The inlet " then extended over the flats south of the main road that
crosses the same. The exact location of the bridge is not known, but is
supposed to be south of the highway and to have been nearly two-thirds
of a mile in length." — Pioneer Sketches of Conesus No i, — The Dans-
ville Advertiser, February lo, 1876.
t Sparks^ A merican Biography says '* his guides, not fully acquainted
with the country, mistook the route.
56
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
either party discovering the other. Boyd reached
the town which had been left by the enemy, early
in the morning without encountering any difficulty.
Halting at the outskirts of the village, himself and
one of his men carefully reconnoitered the place,
when they rejoined the rest of the party which lay
concealed in the woods near the town. He imme-
diately sent back two of his men to report his dis-
covery, while the rest awaited the light of the day
whose morning was just breaking. In a short time
four Indians were seen to enter the town on horse-
back, and Boyd sent five or six of his party to take
or kill them. They succeeded in killing one,
wounding another, and taking one horse with its
accoutrements. The wounded man with the others
escaped. Boyd then sat out to return to camp.
When he had gone four or five miles, thinking the
army must be on its march toward him, he sat
down to rest. After a short halt he dispatched two
of his men to inform the General where he was,
and of his intention to await the coming of the
army. In a short time these two men came back
to him with the information that they had discov-
ered five Indians on the path. Boyd again resumed
his march and had gone but a short distance when
he discovered the same party and fired at them.
They ran and Boyd, against the advise of Han-
yerry, pursued them. The chase was kept up for
some distance, they keeping far enough away to
escape danger from the fire of the scout which they
frequently succeeded in drawing, until they had
beguiled him in the midst of the enemy. Butler,
hearing the firing on his right, as his force was
arranged facing Conesus, and fearing that he had
been discovered, and that an attempt was being
made to surprise his camp, hastened to the spot,
when he discovered Boyd's party, and at once gave
such orders that before the Lieutenant was aware
of the presence of the enemy he was completely
surrounded by them. Once and again he attempted
to break the enemy's line but without success ; he
then attempted to retreat, but he was encompassed
on all sides by Butler's forces. Our men fought
with desperate bravery against fearful odds, for there
were about eight hundred of the enemy* to twenty-
six Americans, and every moment expected relief
from our army from whose lines they were not
more than a mile distant. Covered by a clump of
trees standing on a slight knoll they poured a mur-
derous fire upon the enemy, of whom numbers were
seen to fall. Here the greater part of Boyd's party
were slain. At this point the body of Hanyerry
was found Hterally cut to pieces. The story of the
theatrical address of his brother and his tragic end,
as related by Stone and followed by others, lacks
both confirmation and probabihty ; on the other
hand he was found with the others who fell with
him, which would not have been the case had he
been captured before he was slain. Near the same
spot, fifteen of Boyd's men were found killed.
Boyd and his sergeant, Parker, were captured, and
eight escaped ; among the latter was that noted
scout, Timothy Murphy, an account of whose hair-
• Major Norrissays the number of Boyd's assailants was joo.
breadth escapes and deeds of reckless daring would
fill a volume ; others were Elerson, McDonald,
Garret Putnam and Captain Jehoiakim, a Stock-
bridge Indian.* Boyd and Parker were hastened to
Little Beard's town, where they were put to death
with cruel tortures. It is said that Boyd approached
Brant under the sign of a Free Mason, of which
ancient fraternity both were members, that the
chieftain recognized the bonds of brotherhood and
promised his prisoner protection, but being unex-
pectedly called away, the captives were handed over
to Butler, (probably Walter N.,) who, exasperated
at Boyd's refusal to give information concerning the
numbers and disposition of Sullivan's army, handed
the heroic Lieutenant over to the Indians to be put
to death. How much of this story is true is diffi-
cult to ascertain ; it is, however, extremely doubt-
ful if any such transaction occurred. All that is
known is that the bodies of Boyd and Parker were
found by our troops the next day, horribly mutilated,
and bearing marks of having been subject to un-
speakable tortures.
"Sullivan had estabhshed a line of sentries along
the base of the hill next the morass, to guard the
pioneers against surprise while repairing the bridge
and causeway. Capt. Benjamin Lodge, who was
the surveyor for the expedition, and with chain
and compass had measured the entire route from
Easton, about a half an hour after the skirmish
with Boyd, had gone a short distance up the hill
beyond the piquet line, where he was set upon by
a party of Indians.
" Thomas Grant, who was one of the surveying
party, thus tells the story : —
" 'Myself and four chain carriers, who were about
one and [a] half miles in advance of the troops,
were fired on by several Indians who lay in ambush ;
a corporal by the name of Calhawn, who came vol-
untarily with me, was mortally wounded and died
the next day. The Indians pursued us a fourth of
a mile, but without success — we being unarmed
were obliged to run.'
" Mr. Lodge was compelled to leave his compass
and ran toward the nearest sentinel, who shot the
Indian who was chasing him with uplifted toma-
hawk and Mr. Lodge escaped. Campfield says
they were the Indians who were pursuing Murphy
and others.! These two affairs disclosed the posi-
tion and force of Butler, and thwarted his plans to
surprise the army. Gen. Sullivan ordered Hand's
brigade to cross the morass, push up the hill and
dislodge the enemy. Butler on returning to his
position after the affair with Boyd found his force
in confusion, who, seeing they were discovered,
beat a hasty retreat, leaving their hats, packs, etc.,
behind them. Butler withdrew his force to Gaghe-
hegwalchale.
" Having destroyed Kanaghasaws, and com-
pleted the bridge and causeway, Sullivan with the
*Dr. Campfield says "our loss in killed and taken was sixteen and tlie
officer."' Sparks says Boyd was dangerously wounded before being cap-
tured and "was put to death with the most inhuman torture.
t Dr. Campfield adds, one of the surveyor's men was wounded and all
his instruments taken.
SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION.
57
main army, pushed forward on the trail taken by
Boyd the night before, a distance of seven miles
to Gaghehegwalchale or Gathsegwarhohare, Cassa-
waughloughly. This was an Indian town of twenty-
five houses,* mostly new, on the east side of the
Canaseraga Creek, about two miles above its con-
fluence with the Genesee. The site is now occu-
pied by the house and surrounding grounds of the
' Hermitage,' the ancestral home of the CarroUs.
The tribes residing here, called by Sullivau, Squat-
chegas, by the Onondagas, Tchouera-gak, signify-
ing wild cats ; and by others Kah-Kwas, were the
same that afterward settled on Squakie Hill, to
whom two miles square were reserved in the treaty
of 1797. They were a remnant of one of the tribes
of the historic Eries. * * *
" As the advance of the army approached this
town about dusk of Sept. 13th, they found them-
selves confronted by a strong force of Indians and
Rangers, drawn up in battle array, to dispute their
farther progress. The General at once began to
make the proper disposition of his troops to attack
them, and pushed forward the flanking divisions to
cut off their retreat, but before the troops were in
position, the. enemy retreated in a precipitate man-
ner, and the army encamped in the town without
opposition. There were extensive cornfields ad-
jacent to the town, which it took two thousand men
from six until twelve o'clock of the r4th to destroy,
when they set out for the great town of the Gen-
esee. At two and one-fourth miles they crossed
the creek, then says Dr. Campfield, we 'advanced
on to a plain, throughaswamp of large trees. * * *
This plain appeared to be about two miles in
length and upwards of a mile wide, lying almost
east and west. [Approaching it] on the east end,
the view was obstructed by a hill, not very high,
but when we approached the middle of the plain,
we found it open to the right to an amazing extent.
When we came nigh the hill mentioned before, our
march was obstructed by the Genesee River, which
takes its course through the hills, and at this place
enters this extensive plain. * * * The grass
on this plain is good, the wild horses are very fond
of it, and it grows as high as a man's head in many
places. Here we had a charming view of our army,
which is the first, all moving in our original order
of march. The army here crossed the river and
ascended the hill — it continued its progress to
Geneseo, over several sudden hills and swamps
which were general [ly] miry, if not three rods
across, at which place it arrived about sunset. * * *
The town is situated on a very fine plain, higher
than the other large plain. Other journals speak
of it as being in a bend of the river, f by which it
was nearly encircled, and that a pretty brook of
good water ran through it. The location of this
great Seneca Castle was on the west side of the
Genesee River, on the flat immediately in front of
Cuylerville in the town of Leicester, on the oppo-
* Major Norris' yournal says it contained twenty-lwo houses.
t See Major Norris' Journal', which, as well as the Diary of Dr.
Campfield, says it was much the largest town the army met with. The
latter adds, "a pretty brook of water runs through it."
site side of the valley from Geneseo. It appears
on Evan's map as Chenandoanes ; in 1776, it was
called Chenondoanah ; by Morgan is called De-o-
nun-da-ga-a, as a more modern Seneca name, sig-
nifying ' where the hill is near ;' and is often called
Little Beard's town, from the name of the noted
Seneca Chieftain. The Castle consisted of one
hundred and twenty-eight houses, of which most
were large and elegant, and was surrounded by
about two hundred acres of cornfields, with every
kind of vegetable. It was also the western door of
the Long House, to which the Iroquois were ac-
customed to liken their confederacy. Near this
place were found the bodies of Lieut. Thomas
Boyd and Sergeant Parker, horribly mutilated by
the tortures to which they had been subjected in
the presence of an officer of the British army. They
were buried with the honors of war, that evening,
near the spot where they were found, under a clump
of wild plum-trees, standing near the junction of
Boyd's and Parker's creeks, which form what is
^nown as Beard's creek. A large mound by the
road-side still marks their first burial place. Our
army found the town deserted, but with every ap-
pearance of being left in a hurry and confusion.
This marked the extreme limit of the march of the
army.
" There was an Indian town, called Canawaugus,
twelve miles from the Great Castle, near the site
of Avon, which has been reported to have been
destroyed by a detachment under Poor and Max-
well, but this is a mistake. AH the journals agree
that Little Beard's town was the last town destroyed
and make no mention whatever of Canawaugus.
"At 6 o'clock on the morning of the 15th of
September, the whole army was turned out to
destroy the crops, orchards and houses of the
place. The corn was piled up in the houses and
burned with them, or thrown upon log heaps and
consumed. It was estimated that more than
15,000 bushels were destroyed at this place.* It
was the largest corn the troops had ever seen,
some of the ears being twenty-two inches in length.
It was about 2 o'clock when the fields had been
overrun, tlie abundant harvest destroyed, the trees
hewn down, and nought of the great town re-
mained but smoking ruins, and blackened logs ;
then came the joyful order to about face and re-
turn. While the army was in this town Mrs.
Lester with a child in her arms came to our troops.
The autumn previous, (Nov. 7th,) her husband
with others, was taken by the Indians to Nanticoke ;
he was slain but his wife was carried into captivity.
In their haste to leave the town her captors left
her behind, when she escaped to our lines. Her
child died in a few days. She subsequently became
the wife of Captain Roswell Franklin, who was
among the very first settlers at Aurora, N. Y.
" The army set out on its return by the same
path it came, at 3 o'clock p. m, * ** * [and]
encamped that night on the flats near Canawagh-
loughly. On Thursday, the i6th, the army were
* Maior Norris estimates the quantity of corn destroyed at 20,000
bushels.
58
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
early at work, finishing cutting some corn which had
been left, and resumed the march about ten
o'clock. Captain Henderson with sixty men was
detached to bury the dead who fell in the affair at
Groveland. Fifteen bodies were found, which
were buried in the presence of the army with the
honors of war,* and the army proceded to Kanagh-
saws, where it encamped. The next morning was
cold with severe frost, but the troops were in mo-
tion as early as sunrise and hastened to Haneyaya,
which they reached at one o'clock, and found Capt.
Cummings and party safe and sound, greatly to the
relief of the General and their friends. Here the
full ration was again issued, which, says one of the
journals, ' came very welcome, as we can now sit
down and eat a hearty meal of victuals with a clear
conscience, and before, on our half allowance, we
dare not.'
"On the evening of the 19th the army reached
Kanadaseaga, without any occurrence worthy of
note, except that scattered dwellings and fields of
corn which had been overlooked or purposely
spared were completely destroyed, and a number
of pack horses being unable to go farther were
shot. At Kanadaseaga, Colonel Smith with a de-
tachment was sent up on the west side of Seneca
lake to lay waste more effectually the country
about Kershong. Detachments under Colonel But-
ler and Colonel Dearborn were sent on each side of
Cayuga lake to complete the ruin of that region.
On Friday, the 24th of September, the army
reached KanawalahoUa, the site of Elmira, where
it found Captain Reid with an abundant supply of
provisions, and who received the approaching army
with demonstrations of joy. The next day was
spent in rejoia'ng, and the following days detach-
ments underColonel Courtlandt and Captain Simon
Spaulding were sent up the Tioga, who devastated
the country as far as Painted Post. On the 30th
of September the army returned to Fort SuUivan,
and reached Easton on the 15th of October."
Efforts have been made to disparage the man-
agement of this expedition and belittle its results ;
but it is remarked by the translator of M. Chastel-
let/x's Travels, an EngUshman then resident in the
United States, that the instructions given by Gen-
eral Sullivan to his officers, the order of march he
prescribed to his troops, and the disciphne he had
the ability to maintain, would have done honor to
the most experienced ancient or modern generals.f
* In 1841, these remains, together with those of Lieutenant Boyd and
Sergt. Parker, at Cuylerville, were exliumed and removed to Revolution-
ary Hill, in the beautiful Mount Hope Cemetery of Rochester, a spot
assigned by the authorities of that city for the interment of all Revolution-
ary heroes in Western New York, and there reinterred with imposing
ceremonies, which were participated in, besides the people of Livingston
county, by the military and civic authorities of Rochester. This action
was in consonance with a decision of a public meeting held at the court
house in Geneseoon the 14th of August, 1S41, and under the supervision
of a committee then designated, consisting of Colvin H. Bryan, William
T. Cuyler, Daniel H. Bissell, Reuben Sleeper, John Henderson, Horatio
Jones, John R. Murray, jr., Allen Ayrault, Samuel Treat, jr., Edward
R. Hammatt, William W. Weed, Wm. H. Stanley and Daniel P. Bissell.
t Thatcher's Miliiary ymtrnaL
With a " loss of less than forty men, in killed
wounded and taken, and those who died natural
deaths,"* it over-run and desolated the vast terri-
tory of a vigilant, crafty and powerful enemy and
inflicted a blow from which they never recovered ;
burning forty Indian towns, destroying one hun-
dred and sixty thousand bushels of corn in fields
and granaries, cut down a vast number of the finest
fruit trees, desolated luxuriant gardens, leaving
not a " single trace of vegetation upon the surface
of the ground," and opened up to commerce and
civilization a territory exceeding in extent one-third
of the area of this great State, and that the most
fertile and beautiful. The proud Iroquois, who
had scarce felt the touch of the colonists except in
kindness, were driven into the forests to starve and
be hunted Uke wild beasts ; their altars were over-
turned, their graves trampled upon by strangers,
and their beautiful country laid waste.f The terror-
stricken Iroquois fled to Niagara, where they per-
ished in large numbers from diseases caused by the
absence of accustomed food, and insufficient pro-
tection from the severity of the succeeding winter,
which was one of unexampled rigor and was dis-
tinguished as the hard winter. X
The result of the expedition was highly satisfac-
tory to Congress, which, on the 14th of October,
1779, passed the following resolutions: —
Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be given
to his Excellency, General Washington, for direct-
ing, and to Major-General Sullivan and the brave
officers and soldiers under his command, for effect-
ually executing an important expedition against
such of the Indian nations, as, encouraged by the
counsels and conduct of the officers of His Britan-
nic Majesty, had perfidiously waged an unpro-
voked and cruel war against these United States,
laid waste many of their defenseless towns, and
with savage barbarity slaughtered the inhabitants
thereof.
Resolved, That it will be proper to set apart the
second Thursday in December next, as a day of
general thanksgiving in these United States, and
that a committee be appointed to prepare a recom-
mendation to the said States for this purpose.
This retributive justice suggested by Washington
and executed by Sullivan was indeed terrible in its
consequences to the Iroquois, and has been re-
garded with some degree of disapprobation by
those whose amiable disposition leads them to con-
demn, says Chief Justice Marshall, "whatever may
have the appearance of tending to aggravate the
miseries of war;" but it had the sanction of Con-
* Diary of the A inerican Revolution, Frank Moore.
\ Indian Tribes of Hudson's River., Ruttenber.
XSpark's American Biography, Ne'w Series, IH., 147.
THE IROQUOIS AFTER THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
5^
gress, and, says Sparks, " was demanded as well as
justified, by the deliberate sentiments of the best
and wisest " of that day. It should not be over-
looked either that it was directed not against an en-
emy who regarded and respected the common usages
of civilized warfare, but against one whose heteroclit-
ical habits made him amenable to none of these,
and, says Sparks, " against whose fury neither the
helplessness of infancy, nor feeble age, nor the de-
fenseless state of woman, could afford the least
protection."
Of the Iroquois, who, says Clark, "hung like the
scythe of death in the rear of our settlements," and
whose " deeds are inscribed with the scalping-
knife and tomahawk in characters of blood," but
few ever returned to their native lands ; and in the
treaty of peace which put an end to this interne-
ciary struggle, no stipulation whatever was made
respecting them. Keenly sensible of the deadly
scourge which had devastated her border settle-
ments, the New York Legislature evinced a dispo-
sition to expel them from her territory, but, through
the influence of Washington and Schuyler, better
and more humane counsels prevailed ; and, though
according to common usage they, as conquered
allies of the British, had forfeited all territorial rights,
they still pressed claims, which both the State and
Federal Governments generously recognized and
respected by subsequent treaties. Ungenerously
left without provision by the allies who so strenu-
ously courted their assistance, many of them mi-
grated to the West. Their descendants are now
largely located at Forestville, Wisconsin, where
they are said to number six thousand, of whom the
Cayugas form the larger part. Two thousand of
their number can read and write, and they have
twenty-nine day, and two manual labor schools.
They support themselves by agriculture and dis-
play their superiority over the other tribes in the
arts or civilization in as marked a degree as they
did in the prowess of their savage warfare. They
are not dying out. Their numbers rather increase
than diminish.
Not so unmindful of the Iroquois, however, was
the Federal Government. At the conclusion of the
Revolutionary war, Oliver Wolcott, Richard But-
ler and Arthur Lee were appointed commissioners
to amicably adjust their rights and claims, and at a
council held at Fort Stanwix in 1784, reservations
were assigned to each of the Six Nations, except
the Mohawks, who after residing awhile on the
American side of the Niagara river, in the vicinity
of the old landing place above the fort, retired to
the banks of the Onise or Grand river, about forty
miles above Niagara Falls, on lands assigned them
by the Canadian Government, under the protec-
tion of Great Britain. January 9, 1789, St. Clair
held treaties at Fort Harmer with the Iroquois
(the Mohawks excepted,) and other Indians, which,
while they recognized the boundary line estabUshed
in 1784, modified that treaty so as to concede to
the Indians the right to compensation for lands
east of that line as far as the boundary established
in 1768. Special legislation had been previously
had with regard to the Oneidas and Tuscaroras.
October 15, 1783, Congress passed a series of reso-
lutions relating to the Iroquois, of which the sixth
reads as follows : —
" Whereas, The Oneida and Tuscarora tribes
have adhered to the cause of America, and joined
her armies in the course of the late war, and Con-
gress has frequently assured them of peculiar marks
of favor and friendshij), the said Commissioners are
therefore instructed to reassure the said tribes of
the friendship of the United States, and that they
may rely that the land which they claim as their
inheritance will be reserved for their sole use and
benefit, until they may think it for their advantage
to dispose of the same."
CHAPTER V.
The Senecas — Their Origin and Symbols — An-
tiquity AND Extent of their Country —
Their Status among the Iroquois — Their
Early Town Sites — Greenhalgh's Journal —
The Senegas Visited by I^a Motte, Hennepin
AND La Salle — Mission of Sieur deJoncaire
— Jesuit Missions ^ — -Jogues' Mission to the
Mohawks — LeMoine's Mission at Onondaga
— Chaumonot Establishes the Mission of St.
Joseph among the Cayugas and the Mission
of St. Michael among the Senegas — Missions
of Fathers Fremin, Raffeix and Garnier —
Seneca Mission Resumed by Fathers Garnier
and Vaillant — Fathers Bruyas and Fene-
LON — Episcopal Missions — New England
Missions — Rev. Samuel Kirkland — Mission-
ary Societies of Massachusetts and New
York.
THE origin of the Senecas, like that of the con-
federacy to which they belonged and the other
nations composing it, is ascribed to supernatural
agencies. It rests wholly on tradition reaching
back to a dim and misty past, which affirms that
6o
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
they sprang from the crest of a mountain near the
head of Canandaigua Lake, which is still venerated
by a remnant of the tribe as the place of their birth-
This eminence they designated Geimandewahgah,
or Goananonda, (mtaxvmg great hill, or big moun-
tain ;) and hence they were called the g/ral ///I/ or big
mountain people, and their armorial device was a
big mountain* This till a recent day and tradi-
tionally from a long remote period, was the place
where the councils of the nation were held. In
their infancy, the base of this mountain, so tradition
alleges, was encircled by a huge serpent whose
head and tail met at the entrance to the pathway
which led to and from its summit, and few who
essayed the passage escaped its voracious jaws.
They were thus immured till fright and the deadly
feted odor of the poisonous monster made their
condition insupportable; and arming themselves
with such weapons as were at hand, they attempted
an escape, but were seized and devoured. All thus
perished except two children, who were miraculous-
ly preserved and as miraculously made the instru-
ments of the destruction of this terrible enemy
of their race. In obedience to oracular instruction
they fashioned from a particular kind of willow a
bow and arrow, the barb of which was dipped in
poison, and with this weapon shot the serpent, the
arrow, by divine direction, entering its vitals beneath
its scales. The serpent was instantly seized with
violent convulsions, uncoiled itself from about the
mountain, and in its agonized writhings and con-
tortions disgorged the human heads, which rolled
down the declivity to the lake, whose limpid waters
petrified them and reveal them to this day in the
shape of large round stones, which exist in great
numbers, near the bank of the lake. The serpent
in its descent to the lake .destroyed in its death-
throes all the timber in its course ; and the trav-
eler as he passes through Canandaigua Lake, will
observe as he approaches the great hill, a gully ex-
tending from base to summit, which the Indians
claim was the track left by the serpent in its de-
scent to the lake. From the two orphans thus
preserved sprang the present race of Senecas.f
The Senecas had no tradition of a people occu-
pying their country prior to themselves, and which
was held in .possession by them from a period
" whereof the memory of man runneth not to the
* Life and Thnes of Red Jacket, in. Col. Hist., VIII., 506. ZIoc.
Htst.,I,z\. It IS also designated Simntdozoanne, (Col. Hist IV.
90s,) and Souendaouannen, (Col. Hist.. III.. ,25,) the former meamng
the great hi.l" and the latter " the great mountain."
t Life and Times 0/ Red yacket, in-i.j. Seaver's Life of Mary
•Jeniison- "^
contrary."* One of the first allusions to them by
the Europeans occurs in a Jesuit Relation dated
1644-45, and is as follows : " Toward the termi-
nation of the great lake called Ontario is located
the most numerous of the Five Nations, named the
Senecas, which contains full 1,200 men, in two or
three villages of which it is composed." Their
country, indeed, had been referred to incidentally
a century earlier. Jacques Cartier was informed in
1535. by the Indians hving upon the borders of the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, " that, after ascending many
leagues among rapids and waterfalls, he would reach
a lake one hundred and fifty leagues long and forty
or fifty broad, at the western extremity of which
the waters were wholesome and winters mild, and
that a river emptied into it from the south, which
had its source in the country of the Iroquois."t In
1726, their country is described as extending from
Canahogue Creek (Cuyahoga Creek, Ohio,) to
Sodoms Creek (Little Sodus Creek,) J the very gran-
ary, not only of the confederacy, but of the western
continent then inhabited by Europeans. As a
member of the traditional Hodenosaunee, of which
they, in conjunction with the Onondagas, were re-
garded the fathers,! they were by far the most nu-
merous and powerful (more than equaling the com-
bined numbers of all the others composing it,) and
wielded an influence proportionate to their com-
manding strength and sagacity. Their great
prowess was acknowledged by their confederates,
and their vigilance and power extorted its admis-
sion from their enemies. From their geographical
position with regard to the other members of the
league, they were the western door-keepers of their
so-called long house; while the Mohawks, being the
easternmost of the Five Nations, guarded the
eastern door at Scheneghtade. Thus the Senecas in-
terposed a living barrier to the enemies of the Con-
federacy from the west and south, and the Mo-
hawks, to those from the north and east, a duty
which they proudly fulfilled. " Whenever," says
Stone, " at either door of the long house, other na-
tions, or their ambassadors, knocked upon business,
the first duty of the nation keeping the door was
to ascertain its character and importance. If not
of great moment, the council of the separate nation
attended to it. Bat whenever the subject matter
presented from without was of interest to thewhole
confederacy, or of sufficient weight to require the
* CharlevoL-c ; Colden's Six lYations ; Moulton' s New York ; Lift
and Times of Red Jacket.
t MarsAall's Niagara Frontier,
t Col. Hist., K.Soo; F//., 488,
§ Col. Hist., VII., 382.
GREENHALGH'S JOURNEY AMONG THE SENEGAS.
6i
consideration of the united council, the messengers
charged with it were sent forward to the Onondaga
Valley, where the grand council fire was kindled
and it was discussed by the national congress." *
The earUest location of the Senecas of which we
have any authentic record is the one in which they
were found by M. de Denonville in 1687 ; and
though these were their principal villages, they had
others quite remote from them. Father Hennepin,
in 1678, refers to an Iroquois (Seneca) village,!
named Tai-ai-a-gon, in the locality of Toronto,
and to a small village of Senecas on the west bank
and near the mouth of Niagara River.| In 1677,
ten years previous to M. de Denonville's invasion,
this country was visited by Wentworth Greenhalgh,
yihoa Journal oi that journey is of peculiar interest
in this connection. We quote : —
" The Senecques have four towns, vizt. Cana-
gora. Tiotohatton, Canoenada and Keint-he ; Ca-
nagorah and Tiotohatton lye within 30 miles of ye
lake ifrontenacque, and ye other two ly about four
or five miles apiece to ye southward of these, they
have aboundance of come ; none of their towns
are stockadoed.
" Canagorah lyes on the top of a great hill, and in
that as well as the bignesse much hke Onondago,
containing 150 houses; north-westward of Caiougo
72 miles. « * *
" Tiotebatton lyes on the brink or edge of a hill,
has nott much cleared ground, is neare the river
Tiotehatton which signifies bending, itt lyes to the
westward of Canagorah about 30 miles, contains
about 120 houses being ye largest of all ye houses
wee saw, ye ordinary being about 50 or 60 foott
long, with 13 or 14 fires in one house, they have a
good store of come growing about a mile to ye
northward of the towne.
"Being at this place the 17th of June, there
came 50 prisoners from the South west-ward, * * *;
this day of them was burnt two women and a man,
and a child killed with a stone, att night we heard
a greatt noyse, as if ye houses had all fallen butt
itt was only ye Inhabitants driving away ye Ghosts
of ye murthered.
"The 1 8th, goeing to Canagaroh wee overtook
ye prisoners, when ye souldiers saw us they stopped
each his prisoner and made him sing, and cuttoff
their fingers, and slasht their bodys with a knife,
and when they had sung each man confessed how
many men in his time hee had killed ; thatt day att
Canagaroh there were most cruelly burned four
men, four women and one boy, the cruelty lasted
about seven hours, when they were almost dead,
* Life and Times of Red Jacket, 107.
t This village is also known as Gandatsiagon, and was located where
Whitby now stands, thirty miles north-east of Toronto. Early Ouipiers
of Cayuga History-
X Probably the village of Chenondaanah, which Pownall's Map of the
Middle British Colonies locates on the west bank of the Genesee, about
fifteen miles from its mouth. Co/. Hist-, yin ^99-
letting them loose to ye mercy of ye boys, and tak-
ing the hearts of such as were dead to feast on.
" Canoenada lyes about four miles to ye South-
ward of Canagorah, conteyns about 30 houses, well
furnished with Come.
" Keint-he lyes aboutt four or five miles to ye
Southward of Tiotehatton, contayns about 24
houses well furnished with come.
" The Senecques are counted to bee in all aboutt
1,000 fighting men." *
Canagorah was visited in the winter of 1678, by
Sieur de la Motte, a lieutenant of the adventurous
La Salle, and Father Louis Hennepin, a devoted
attache of that celebrated and daring explorer. Af-
ter a five days' weary journey by Indian trail
through the frost-bound wilderness from Niagara,
sleeping at night in the open air without other shel-
ter than chance afforded, they arrived on the last
day of December at the principal village of the Sene-
cas—Tagarondies — which occupied the site of
Boughton Hill, in Victor, Ontario county, where
they found the Jesuit missionaries. Fathers Julien
Gamier and Peter Raffeix. The object of their
visit was to placate the Senecas and gain their ac-
quiescence to the ambitious project of La Salle in
extending his western explorations in which interest
La Salle himself visited them the following year,
having visited the same village in company with
the Sulpitians, DoUier and GoUint^e, ten years be-
fore. La Salle succeeded in gaining what La Motte
and Hennepin had failed to obtain — the full assent
of the Senecas to the execution of his enterprises,
notwithstanding they subsequently proved them-
selves inimical thereto, f
Three of the villages described by Greenhalgh
are in the county of Ontario ; the fourth, Kei7tt-he,
corresponds with the village which Denonville calls
Gannounata and was known in the Seneca dialect as
Z'jw.'&i^jtf/ (pronounced De-o-dou-sote) and meaning
" at the spring." It was situated near the modern
village of East Avon, and the plow, which has nearly
obHterated all trace of its existence, has from time
to time disclosed many relics of its former occu-
pants. The location of these villages corresponds
with their designation on Clark's Map of the Iro-
quois Five Nations and Mission Sites, 1656-1684 ;t
and, though less specifically with that of a map pub-
lished by the Jesuits in 1664. § A map of North
America, drawn in 1688 by Jean Baptiste Louis
FranqueHn, Hydrographer to Louis XIV., and pre-
served in the archives of the Ministere de la Ma-
• Col. Hist. III., 151, 151.
t The Building and Voyage of the Griffon, in i679i ^y O- H.
Marshall.
X Early Chapters of Cayuga History.
\Kip's Jesuits.
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
rine, in Paris, represents two Seneca villages on the
east bank of the Genesee, ( Toinnontchianagon,)
apparently near the confluence of Honeoye out-
let, and two others upon the west bank and near
the head waters of a stream corresponding with
Irondequoit creek, emptying into the bay of the
same name ( Gatmiatarontaquat.)*
After the destruction of the Seneca villages by
Denonville in 1687, several others sprang into ex-
istence, some to the westward and others to the
eastward of them. In 1720 they had two villages,
which were distinguished as great and /////i? village;
but their exact location is left to conjecture. In
17 18, the court of France ordered the establish-
ment of a trade for the benefit of the king in the
circuit of Lake Ontario and the building of maga-
zines upon the north and south sides thereof In
1 7 19, "in the beginning of harvest," the Sieur de
Joncaire, Ueutenant of a detachment of marines,
with an interpreter, was sent in obedience to this
order by Marquis de Vaudreuil and Monsieur
Begon, to try the minds of the Senecas and see if
they could engage them to consent to the building
of a house upon their land, and to maintain that
settlement in case the English opposed it. This
message was accompanied with some belts of wam-
pum and other presents, consisting of powder, lead,
brandy and "other small merchandizes." "Sieur
de Joncaire wintered partly at the great, and partly
at the little village of the Senecas, and departed
thence at the breaking up of the ice for the fort of
the Cataracouy, where he had orders to take pro-
visions and merchandizes for the trade at Niagara
in case he could dispose of the Senecas to his inter-
est." He arrived at the fort about the beginning
of May, 1720, and reported to a council of French
and Indians that the Senecas had favorably re-
ceived the message "and produced several of Pel-
letrie by which the said Indians answered, Father
Onontio, (M. de Vandreuel) and their uncle Son-
onchiez (Sieur de Joncaire) were the masters of
their land and that the Indians consented not only
to the building of the house of Niagara but also
engaged themselves to maintain it, and if the Eng-
hsh should undertake to demolish it they must first
take up the hatchet against the Cabanes of the
two villages of the Senecas." After ten or
twelve days spent at Fort Cataracouy, Jon-
caire returned to Niagara with Sieur de la Come,
son of Mons. de la Corne, Captain and Major of
Montreal, and eight soldiers, with a canoe of mer-
chandise. Sieur de la Corne was commissioned
* The Building and I'oyagi qftlie Griffon, in 1679.
by M. Begon to winter at that post, and there
Joncaire left him in July, after having "built in
haste a kind of cabin of Bark, where they displayed
the King's colors, and honored it with the name of
Magazine Royal." Joncaire received orders to
return to Niagara with the title of commandant,
and about the middle of October, 1720, he left
Montreal to winter at Niagara, taking with him two
canoes laden with merchandise and twelve soldiers,
six of whom he detached on his arrival at Catara-
couy. He pursued his voyage, but was stopped
by the ice thirty-five leagues from the mouth of
the Niagara, and was obhged to put into the Gen-
esee, ( Gasionchiagon or Gasconchiagon,) where he
passed the winter.* Sieur de Joncaire was cap-
tured and adopted at an early day by the Senecas,
by whom he was greatly beloved.t From his long
residence with them he acquired a great influence
over them and incidentally over the other Iroquois
nations. He thus became a useful emissary of the
French in winning over to that interest the gen-
erally recalcitrant Iroquois, and much of his life
was spent in this service as mediator, interpreter
or concihator. At the opening of the eighteenth cen-
tury we find him officiating at a conference be-
tween the French and Iroquois ; J and previous to
17 II, Governor Hunter testifies that he, in con-
junction with M. de Longeuil had built a block-
house and projected a fort in the chief village of
the Senecas.g About 1730, he obtained permis-
sion of the Senecas to establish a trading post at
Irondequoit. || His sons, Chabert de Joncaire, Jr.,
and Philip Thomas de Joncaire Clauzonne, were
also active public servants and residents in the
Seneca county.
Sir Jeffrey Amherst's letter to Sir William John-
son, September 30, 1763, refers to Kanadaseagy
and Canadaraggo, (the former occupying the site
of Geneva and the latter to the westward of it,)
as two Seneca castles which were in the English
interest and to be exempted from molestation
in offensive operations which might be carried on
against the Senecas. II Sir William Johnson's
Enumeratioti of Indians within the Northern De-
partment, November 18, 1763, states the number
of Senecas to be 1,050 men, who "have several
villages beginning about fifty miles from Cayuga,
• Col. Hist, v., 589.
tCol. Hist., IX., 747.
tCol. Hist., IX., 709.
§Col. Hist., v., 253.
II Col. Hist., v., 911.
ICol. Hist.. VII., 568. See also Sir William Johnson's letter to Sir
Jeffiey Amherst, Sept. 14, 176J, in which Kanadessegy .3.vA Caiiaja-
saggo are referred to as being in the English interest and east o( Clunvs-
siff.
FIRST JESUIT MISSIONS.
63
and from thence to Chenussio, the largest, about
seventy miles from Niagara, with others thence to
Ohio."* In the Journal of Sir William Johnson's
Proceedings with the Indians, at Fort Johnson in
1757, Chinosia is referred to as the " farthest Sen-
eca castle;"! and from the Proceedings of Sir Wil-
liam Johnson with the Indians, September 7, 1763,
it appears that the Senecas had two castles at Che-
nussio,X which is designated on Guy Johnson's map
as Geneseo, ( Cenosio.)% The Seneca villages of
Kanuskago or Ganuskago, is located in the town
of Dansville on Guy Johnson's Map of the Country
of the Six Nations, || and was also called " the
door of the Six Nations," at a meeting of certain
of the Six Nations and their allies at Fort John-
son, February 18, 1756. H But it is not our pur-
pose to pursue here a subject which will be more
specifically treated in respect to this country in
connection with the several towns ; for the county
throughout almost its entire extent is dotted over
with the sites of these ancient villages which ex-
isted before the avenging hand of SulUvan's army
laid waste the fair country of the Senecas, or which
subsequently sprang into being. The principal of
these, however, prior to that epoch, have been
noticed in connection with that expedition.
The advent of the Jesuit missionaries among the
Iroquois was a marked event in the history of the
latter, as from the Jesuit Relations we obtain the
earliest, most exact and most authentic informa-
tion regarding them. The Jesuits were men of
culture and intelligence, who forsook homes of
luxury in Europe and submitted with a wonderful
patience and heroism to the most menial offices,
the utmost hardships and privations, and cheer-
fully accepted missions attended with the most in-
conceivable danger in the zealous pursuit of their
calling. Whatever estimate we put upon them as
men, we must admit their great devotion and self-
sacrifice.
The first Jesuit missionaries arrived in Canada
in 1625, and from that period exerted a vast in-
fluence upon the interests of the French colony in
that province. The mission was interrupted during
the English occupancy of Quebec, from 1629 to
1632, and was resumed the latter year. They
were instrumental in securing and holding the
friendly aid of the northern and western Indians to
the French arms in Canada. Had their influence
been the first directed towards the Iroquois, it is
probable their friendship, possibly their aid, might
*Col. Hist., Vll
t Ibid, VII., 264.
tlbid, VII., 554-
,582.
§Ibid, VI r , 154-
i: Ibid, VII., 57.
I1 Ibid, VII., 57-
have been secured, and then American coloniza-
tion might have presented a vastly different phase.
But while their beneficent policy attracted, that
inaugurated by Champlain and pursued by his suc-
cessors repelled them and provoked a deadly
hatred.
Failing in their efforts to- coerce the Iroquois
to terms which they presumed to dictate, the French
colonists, chagrined and deeply humiliated, sought
to gain their friendship by the aid of the mission-
aries of a religion whose precepts they had so wan-
tonly violated, and in 1646, Father Isaac Jogues
was sent in the double capacity of ambassador and
missionary to the Mohawks, who were the first of
the Iroquois nations to be outraged by the French
lust for dominance, and oy whom, three years pre-
viously, he had been captured, subjected to the
most horrid torture, and threatened with death,
which he escaped through the friendly interven-
tion of the Dutch settlers at Albany, (Fort Orange.)
His mission, like his office, was of a double nature.
He was commissioned by his Father Superior to
establish on the scenes of his torture a mission
which was given in advance the prophetic name,
the Mission of the Martyrs ; and by Charles
Huault de Montmagny, who succeeded Champlain
as Governor of Canada, to use his influence with
the Mohawks in perpetuating a peace which had
been concluded the previous year, through the
instrumentality of the Jesuit Guillaume Couture,
who was captured by the Mohawks at the same time
as Jogues, and adopted into one of their families in
place of a dead relative. Jogues, suffering under a
keen recollection of his recent tortures, apprehen-
sive also of his reception, and having, as he wrote
a friend, a presentiment of death, at first revolted
at the thought ; but it was only a temporary weak-
ness. Exchanging the uniform of Loyola for a
civilian's suit, by advice of an Algonquin convert,
he sat out on his mission about the middle of May.
His appearance in that character created no little
amazement in the Mohawk village ; but he was
respectfully received, and he delivered the gifts and
wampum belts, with the message of peace, of which
he was the bearer from the Governor, his speech
being "echoed by a unanimous grunt of applause
from the attentive concourse,'' and eliciting con-
firmations of peace in return. Two Algonquins
accompanied him as deputies, but their overtures
of peace were rejected.
" The business of the Embassy was scarcely fin-
ished," says Parkman, "when the Mohawks coun-
selled Jogues and his companions to go home with
64
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
all dispatch, saying, that, if they waited longer,
they might meet on the way warriors of the four
upper nations, who would inevitably kill the two
Algonquin deputies, if not the French also. Jogues,
therefore, set out on his return, but not until,
despite the advice of the Indian convert, he had
made the round of the houses, confessed and
instructed a few Christian prisoners still remaining
there, and baptized several dying Mohawks."
Jogues returned to his mission the following
August, but only to meet his death, which occurred
on the 1 8th of October following.
Eight years later, the first successful mission
among the Iroquois {Sf. Marie) was established at
Onondaga, by Father Simon Le Moine, who left
Quebec on the second of July, 1654, and arrived
at the principal Onondaga village on the fifth of
August.*
The Onondagas having " for a long time and
earnestly demanded that some priests be sent to
them, Father Joseph Chaumonot, an experienced
Huron missionary, and Father Claude Dablon,
then recently from France, embarked on the 19th
of September, 1655, and arrived at OimotUague,
November 5th of that year. ' They were leceived,
like Le Moine, with distinguished honor, and wel-
comed at a council of the nations held on the 15th,
with the most profuse demonstrations of joy. Be-
ing hstened to with approbation and kindness, Dab-
lon returned the following March to Quebec for
additional help.
In the latter part of August, 1656, Fathers Chau-
monot and Menard left the Onondaga mission to
extend their labors to the western Iroquois nations.
Proceeding to the Cayugas, where they arrived after
a journey of two days, they established the Mission
of St. Joseph on the site of Goiogouen, which was
situated three miles south of Union Springs, on the
east shore of Cayuga Lake. Leaving Menard in
charge of that mission. Father Chaumonot, after a
brief sojourn, proceeded to the country of the Sen-
ecas and estabhshed at the village of Gannogarre
or Gandougarae, situated near the site of East
Bloomfield, the Mission of St. Michael. On his
arrival at the village a council was convened by the
sachems, to whom he delivered his presents and
communicated his designs, which met their appro-
bation. He thus addressed them says Marshall :
" I offer myself as a guarantee of the truths which
I utter, and if my life is deemed insufficient, I offer
you in addition, the lives of all the French I have
left at Onondaga. Do you distrust these living
presents ? Will you be so simple as to beheve that
* Relation, 1654, Chap. \l.
we have left our native country, the finest in the
world, to come so far, and to suffer so much in or-
der to bring you a lie? " Father Chaumonot vis-
ited the other Seneca villages, where he was equally
well received, and converted Garonheaguerha, a
distinguished Seneca chief and orator, then pros-
trate with disease, but who, after his recovery, be-
came a firm friend of the French and Jesuits.
In 1657, "the harvest appearing plentiful in all
the villages of the upper Iroquois, the common
people listened to the words of the gospel with im-
plicity and the chiefs with a well disguised dissim-
ulation,"* Fathers Paul Ragueneau and Francois
Du Peron, some Frenchmen and several Hurons
came to the aid of the missions.
These were the first missionary labors among the
Senecas. La Carnon, an ambitious Franciscan
priest, had, indeed, in 1616, passed through their
country on his way to that of the Hurons, on the
borders of the lake which bears their name, but
did not attempt to acquaint them with the princi-
ples of his faith. These first missions among the
Iroquois were however of short duration.
The apparent desire for peace on the part of the
Iroquois immediately after M. de Tracy's expedi-
tion in 1666, seemed to be a favorable opportunity
to re-establish missions among them, and in that
and the one or two succeeding years, missions were
established in each of the Five Nations.
The Senecas, {Isonnontouans,) says Bishop Kip,
were the fourth of the Iroqiiois cantons to have
the mission restored.! Father Jacques Fremin,
who knew the language of the Iroquois, was assigned
to this station. He is supposed to have arrived in
Canada in 1655. He accompanied Dablon the
year following to Onondaga, where he remained
till 1658, after which his labors were confined to
Canada until 1667, when he was sent as mission-
ary to the Mohawks, where he was made Superior
of the Iroquois missions. In October, 1668, he
transferred his labors to the Senecas, with whom he
remained till 1671. He revived the Mission of
St. Michael at the village of Gannogarae, which
was composed of refugees from the Neutral and
Huron nations, and extended his ministrations to
the other Seneca villages, in each of which a mis-
sion was established.}: His knowledge of medi-
* Relation, 1657—58, Doc. Hist., I., 45.
t Early Jesuit Missions, 85.
t Early Chapters of Caynga History, 41. Note. The Seneca Mis-
sions were St. Michael, at Ganogarae, near the site of East Bloomfield:
St. James, at Gannagaro or Canagorah, on Boughton Hill, in the tcvm
of Victor ; La Conception, at Totiakion or Sonnoniovan, near the vil-
lage of Honeoye Falls : and St. John, at Gantwunata or Gatuhchhr-
agon, near tlie site of East Avon.
EARLY MISSIONS AMONG THE SENEGAS.
65
cine — a knowledge possessed in common by most
of the Jesuits — made his services peculiarly accept-
able to the afflicted Senecas, among whom, soon
after his arrival among them, a contagious fever
which proved very fatal, broke out. The skill he
displayed in its treatment won for him the confi-
dence and esteem of the savages ; and the care and
treatment demanded of him in the diiferent villages
engrossed much of his time during the earher part
of his mission. The simple life of the Jesuit mis-
sionary is illustrated by Father Fremin, who says :
" I neither see, nor hear, nor speak to any but the
Indians. My food is very simple and light. I
have never been able to conform my taste to the
meal or the smoked fish of the savages, and my
nourishment is only composed of corn which they
pound, and of which I make each day a kind of
hominy, which I boil in water." Father Fremin
was soon joined by Father Pierre Raffeix, who was
chaplain of the French expedition against the
Mohawks in 1666. Father Raflfeix continued his
labors with the Senecas till 1701, when he supplied
the Cayuga mission of St. Joseph, which Father
Stephen de Garheil was obliged to relinquish on
account of ill health. After a year's respite, during
which he obtained relief from the nervous disorder
which afflicted him. Father de Garheil resumed the
Cayuga mission, and Father Raflfeix, thus relieved,
returned to his duties among the Senecas, which he
continued until 1680. His brief stay in the coun-
try of the Cayugas gave him a highly favorable
opinion of it. In a letter dated June 24, 1672,* he
writes: "Cayuga is the most beautiful country I
have seen in America." He was familiar with all
the Iroquois cantons. Agnie, (Mohawk,) he says,
is a very contracted valley; for the most part stony,
and always covered with fogs; the hills that enclose
it appear to me very bad land. Oneida and Onon-
daga, he adds, appear too rough and little adapted
to the chase, as well as Seneca.
In 1669, Father Julien Gamier, brother of the
celebrated Benedictine, joined the Seneca mission,
and was assigned to the Mission of St. John, at Gan-
fiounata, (East Avon,) while Fremin took charge
of that of St. MichaeLf In 167 1, Fremin was
called to take charge of the Indians at Laprairie.|
'Relation, 1671-2, Chap. VI., Part I.
\ Early Chapters of Cayuga History, 41, Note. O'Callaglian says
Gamier was ordered to the Senecasin 1671, {Col. Hist. IX., 171.) Mar-
shall says, "In 1669 he had charge of the Seneca Mission of St. Michael,
and the following year that of St. James. In 1671 he conducted the three
missions among that people." ( The Building and Voyage of the Grif-
fon, 261; where he cites as authorities fesuit Relations, Quebec ed. 1668,
p. 17; 1669, p. 11; 1670, pp. 69— 78 ; i67J,p.io; 1666, p. 9.)
t Charlevoix, I., J13, 398: 402> 452-
This mission was removed to the Sault St. Louis
in 1676, and in 1679, Father Fremin visited France
to solicit aid for it.* He was again in Canada in
1682, and died in Quebec, July 2, 1691.!
Father Garnier was born at Connerai, in the dio-
cese of Mans, about 1643. In 1662 he came to
Canada, where he completed his studies, and re-
ceived Holy Orders in April, 1666, being the first
Jesuit ordained in that country. He was sent to
Oneida in 1667, and in 1668, visited Onondaga
and Cayuga.f His Seneca mission was interrupted
in 1673, by M. de la Barre's threatened invasion.§
In July, 1672, in addressing Father Dablon, he
says of the Senecas: " Their minds being ill-dis-
posed, the devil uses every occasion to make them
speak against the faith and those who preach it."
Father Dablon, in a letterto the Provincial Father
Pinette, in referring to Father de Carheil and the
Cayuga mission, says : " This holy man is of an
apostoUc zeal which does not find that the Indians
correspond to his care; but I think that he asks from
them too much virtue for beginnings. If he does
not sanctify as many of them as he would, it is
certain that he sanctifies himself in a good degree
as do Fathers Garnier and Raflfeix in the towns of
Sonnontonans," [Senecas.] || In the Relation of
1676-7, 1[ printed by James Lenox, Esq., of New
York, from the original manuscript, we find the
following: "The upper Iroquois, that is to say
those who are most remote from us, as the Son-
nontonans and Oioguens, [Senecas and Cayugas]
are the most haughty and the most insolent, run-
ning after the missionaries with axe in hand, chas-
ing and pelting them with stones, throwing down
their chapels an'd their little cabins, and in a thou-
sand other ways treating them with indignity. The
Fathers suffer all and are ready for all, knowing
well the apostles did not plant the faith in the
world otherwise than by persecution and suffering.
What consoles them in the pitiable state they are
in, is to see the fruit which God derives for His
glory and for the salvation of these very Indians
by whom they are so maltreated. For within a
year since these violences begun, they have bap-
tized more than three hundred and fifty Iroquois,
of whom, besides twenty-seven adults, there were
*Faillan; Vie de S. Bonrgeoys, V, ^%b.
•^ Col. Hist. IX., IJO.
+ C0I. Hist.. XI., 17I, The Buildingand Voyage of the Griffon, 260,
261.
§Col. Hist., IX., 229.
II Relation Inedites, II., II.
IT Relation de ce gici s^est passe des plue rentarquable aitx tnissions
des Peres de la Compagnie de fesus, en la Nouvelle France es annees
1676 et 1677.
66
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
one hundred and twenty children who died after
baptism, which is a certain gain for heaven. I
cannot extract anything else from Father de Car-
heil, Pierron, Raffeix and Garnier who are among
the upper Iroquois, because their greatest employ-
ment is to suffer and, so to speak, die at every
moment by the continual threats and insults which
these Indians offer them, who, notwithstanding all
this, fail not to wrest many souls from the devil.
Father de Carheil writes from Oioguen that the
spiritual gain of this year is thirt)'-eight baptized, six
of them adults and thirty-six dead, all children ex-
cept three ;" hence we may conclude that the re-
mainder of those enumerated above are the fruit
of the Seneca missions.
In 1679, Father Louis Hennepin and Sieur la
Motte de Lussiere visitedCa.na.gorah ( Tagarondies J
in the interest of La Salle's western project, and
found Fathers Garnier and Raffeix residing in that
village. " They were received by the Senecas,"
says Marshall, " with marked consideration, and
conducted to the cabin of their principal chief,
where they became objects of curiosity to the
women and children. The young men bathed their
travel-worn feet, and anointed them with bear's
oil. The next day, being the first of the year, Hen-
nepin celebrated mass and preached the mysteries
of his faith to the mixed assembly of French and
Indians. * * * After Hennepin had concluded
his religious services, the grand council was con-
vened. It was coriiposed of forty-two of the elders
among the Senecas. Their tall forms were com-
pletely enveloped in robes made from the skin of
the beaver, wolf and black squirrel. With calumet
in mouth, these grave councilors took their seats
on their mats, with all the stateliness and dignity
of Venetian senators. At the opening of the coun-
cil, La Motte, suspecting Father Garnier of hos-
tility to La Salle, objected to his presence. At
the request of the Senecas he withdrew. Henne-
pin, considering this an affront to his cloth, retired
with him. La Salle was ever suspicious of the
Jesuits; believing them to be opposed to his enter-
prises, and inclined to influence the Indians against
him. The council was informed, through Bras-
sart, the interpreter, that the French had come to
visit them on the part of Onontio, their governor,
and to smoke the calumet on their mats ; that the
Sieur de la Salle was about to build a great wooden
canoe above the Falls, [Niagara,] in which to bring
merchandize from Europe by a more convenient
route than the rapids of the St. Lawrence ; that by
this means the French would be able to undersell
the English of Boston, and the Dutch of New York.*
This speech was accompanied with four hundred
pounds weight of presents, consisting of hatchets,
knives, coats, and a large necklace of blue and
white shells. Portions of these were handed over
at the end of each proposition. This mode of
treating with the Indians by bribing their chiefs,
has, unfortunately, continued to the present day.
Among other inducements. La Motte promised to
furnish, for the convenience of their whole nation, a
gunsmith and blacksmith, to reside at the mouth
of the Niagara, for the purpose of mending their
guns and hatchets. Several coats and pieces of fine
cloth, iron, and European merchandise of great
rarity among the Indians, and of the value of four
hundred francs, were added, as weighty reasons, to
influence them in favor of the French. ' The best
arguments in the world,' says Hennepin, are not list-
ened to by the natives, unless accompanied with
presents.' f
" On the next day, the Senecas answered the
speech of La Motte, sentence by sentence, and re-
sponded by presents. As aids to the memory, they
used small wooden sticks, which the speaker took
up, one by one, as he replied seriatim, to the sev-
eral points in the speech of the day previous.
Belts of wampum, made of small shells strung on
fine sinews, were presented after each speech, fol-
lowed by the exclamation '■ Ni-a-oua,' signifying ap-
proval, from the whole assembly. This, however,
proved an insincere response in the present in-
stance, for La Motte, with his specious reasoning,
made no impression on these shrewd children of
the forest. They knew that the English and Dutch
had greater faciHties than the French for supply-
ing them with merchandise, and could outbid the
latter in trading for their furs. They received the
offered presents with apparent acquiesence, and
after the customary salutations the council broke
up."t
Father Garnier, in a letter dated July 10, 1673,
says the Seneca nation consisted of three villages,
" two composed of natives of the country, and the
third of the remnant of the divers Huron nations
destroyed by the Iroquois. § All together they may
amount to eight hundred men capable of waging
* Alluding to the plan of La Salle to send merchandise to the Niagara
by the way of the Mississippi and the lakes.
t Hennepin, N. D., p. 85.
t The Building; and V'oyage of the Griffon, 260 — 263.
§ Greenhalgh, who visited the Seneca country in 1677, says they had
four towns, though he refers to only two missions - St. Jacques, at Can-
garo, (Canagorah, ) and La Conception, at Tiotehation, (Totiakton.)
6'Callaghan adds, (Relation, 1669-70, J17,) the French had another
mission at the village of Gandougarae, which they called St. Michael-
Co/. Hist. III., 251, 252.
EARLY EFFORTS TO CHRISTIANIZE THE INDIANS.
67
war." He adds, " the chiefs of each village have
been deputed to go visit you at the place you indi-
cated to them ; they are well disposed to receive
your orders, and give you every satisfaction. They
have made peace with all the nations against whom
M. de Courcelles had forbad them waging war,
the King having taken them under his protection.
They have strictly enjoined on their young men
not to turn their arms in that direction. They
anxiously desire the French to settle in their country,
especially those who are useful to them, such as
smiths and armorers."*
In 1683, Colonel Thomas Dongan, then Gov-
ernor of New York, though himself a Catholic, had
well nigh succeeded in destroying the French in-
fluence over the Iroquois. He clearly saw the dan-
gers which menaced the EngUsh Government under
the stimulus of Jesuit influence and intrigue, and
was too loyal to allow his rehgious convictions to
cause him to swerve from political rectitude. He
therefore directed all his efforts to expel the Cana-
dian missionaries from among the Iroquois, and to
conciliate the latter promised to send them Eng-
lish ministers and build churches in their cantons.
He had so far succeeded that as early as 1684 the
greater part of the Jesuits had abandoned their
missions, and in 1687, the last, Jean de Lamber-
ville, had left his station at Onondaga, and gone to
Niagara ; his brother, Jacques de Lamberville, left
the same station the previous year. From this
time, or a few years later, the Jesuit missions began
sensibly to decline.
Father Gamier acted as interpreter to the Hu-
rons at the peace of 1701, and is said to have
returned to the Senecas in 1702,! accompanied by
Father Francois Vaillant de Gueslis. Garnier was
then old and infirm, and from this fact it was as-
sumed that Jesuits were in great demand in the
Iroquois missions.^ He was the last missionary of
that order among the Senecas. § Lafitau, who was
his pupil, and learned from him all he knew of the
Indians, says that he had spent more than sixty
years on the mission, and that he was well ac-
quainted with the Algonquin, Huron and Iroquois
languages, but better with the latter two. || He
died in Quebec in February, i73o.1[
The distinguished Jesuit missionary, Jacques
Bruyas, was among the Senecas in 1673 ; and the
• Col. Hist., IX., 792-
t Col. Hist., IX., ryl, 737, 76l-
t Col. Hist., IX., 750-
§ Shea's Catholic Mission, 194, 11.
II Jesuit Relation, ed. 1666, p. 6. Parkmnn's Jesuits, 54. The
Building and Voyage 0/ the Griffon, i6i. Col. Hist. IX., 171.
IF The Building and Voyage of the Griffon, 261.
Sulpitian priest, Francois de Salignac de Fe'nelon,
whose identity has been confounded with that of his
half-brother, the celebrated archbishop of Cambray,
though one of the first missionaries under the aus-
pices of the Sulpitians among the Iroquois, was not
stationed in that capacity among the Senecas south
of Lake Ontario, as has been stated by a cotem-
porary, but among a branch of that nation, who
resided on the north shore of that lake at a village
called Gandatsiagon, which was located on the site
of Whitby, a port of entry and an excellent harbor
on the north shore of the lake, thirty miles north-
east of Toronto.
The Dutch colonists did not give the matter of
Christianizing the Indians much consideration ; and
the Government of New York made no effort in
this direction, further than to pay for some time,
a small salary to the clergyman at Albany to at-
tend to the wants of such Indians as might apply
to him. The Rev. Mr. Freeman translated a part
of the English liturgy, the morning and evening
prayers, the litany, the Athanasian creed, with
some passages of the Old and New Testament, into
the Indian language; but those professing to be
Christians in 1710, are represented as "so ignorant
and scandalous that they can scarce be reputed
Christians."* In 1712, Rev. WilHam Andrews was
sent by the Society for Propagating the Gospel, as
missionary to the Mohawks, succeeding in that
capacity Rev. Thoroughgood Moor, and extending
his labors occasionally to the Oneidas. But he
abandoned his mission in 1719, having had no
greater success among the natives than his prede-
cessor; f and as he was the first, so was he the last
that resided among them for a great many years,
the Society afterwards contenting themselves by
imitating the pohcy of the government, and allow-
ing a small stipend to their clergyman at Albany to
act as a missionary among the Mohawks, in which
capacity he did them but very httle good.f
Revs. Henry Barclay and John Ogilvie, who
succeeded to the rectorship of St. Peter's Church,
Albany, the former in 1737, and the latter in 1749.
also extended their labors to the Oneidas. Mr.
Barclay, who was a son of Rev. Thomas B. Bar-
clay, the second rector of that church, was a native
of Albany and was graduated from Yale College in
1734. In 1735, at the recommendation of Rev.
Mr. Milne, who preceded him in the rectorship of
» Doc'. Hist. IV., S05,
t "He became discouraged and asked to be recalled, saying-, *lhcre is
no hope of making them better — heathen they are, and heathen they
must still be.' *' — Hammond's History of Madison County, lo6.
XDoc. Hist. IV.. 505.
68
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
St. Peter's, he was appointed catechist to the In-
dians at Fort Hunter. He closed his rectorship at
Albany in 1746, when he became rector of Trinity
Church, New York, where he died in 1764. Mr.
Ogilvie was a native of New York and a graduate
of Yale. Being a Dutch scholar he was appoint-
ed to this mission in 1748, and arrived at Albany
in March, 1749. In 1760, he joined the expedi-
tion against Niagara and continued attached to
the army till the close of the French war. He
succeeded Mr. Barclay as rector of Trinity Church,
and died Nov. 26, 1774.
In 1744, the New York Legislature made pro-
vision for presents for the Indians, as well as for
an interpreter and missionary to be sent among
them.* In 1748, the people of New England
turned their attention to this field Of labor, and
Revs. Messrs. Spencer, Timothy Woodbridge and
Gideon Hawley visited successively the tribes on
the Mohawk and Susquehanna rivers. The com-
mencement of the French war soon after interrupt-
ed all missionary efforts west of Albany, and they
were not renewed till 1761, when Rev. Dr. Eleazer
Wheelock directed his attention to this quarter,
and endeavored, by introducing Indians as mis-
sionaries and schoolmasters, to reclaim the natives
from their savage life.
In 1754, the Commissioners of Indian Affairs at
Albany, adverted to the fact that the French had
long been endeavoring to prevail on the Senecas to
settle at Irondequoit, in order to have them nearer
their settlements and the more easily to debauch
them from British interest, and expressed the opinion
that, as they (the Senecas) then hved "very re-
mote from one another," it should be insisted upon
that they make a general castle near the mouth of
the Genesee (Senecas') River, where they had
"already begun to build a new castle," (probably
Chenondoanah,) and farther that the most effectual
method to retain and secure the Six Nations to the
British interest, would be to build two forts, one
at Onondaga, the other in the Senecas' country,
and supply each fort with a proper missionary.
They also deprecated the carrying and selling of
rum in the castles of the Six Nations, as having
the most pernicious influence on the British inter-
est in general and this colony in particular.!
Speedy action was taken on the recommenda-
tion of the Commissioners in respect to the erec-
tion of forts,! but none, apparently, in regard to
• Col. Hist. VI., 641.
IC0I. Hist., VI., 856, 857.
%Cai.Hise.,yii.i 177."
supplying them with missionaries proper or im-
proper, though its importance was frequently ad-
verted to. Sir William Johnson, in a communi-
cation to the Lords of Trade, November 13, 1763,
writes thus disparagingly of the missions of that
period. He says : —
"Another matter extremely essential, will be the
choice of proper missionaries to reside amongst
the Indians in their own villages; many of the
present missions are established at settlements on
the sea-side, where the nations formerly residing
are become extinct, or reduced to an inconsidera-
ble number, whilst other missionaries are allowed
to double a cure, or live in our towns; so that two
or three visits in a year, are all that the Indians
get, and the missionaries, unable to speak their
language, are obHged to have recourse to the very
bad interpreters which the country affords ; by
which means the worthy design of the Society is in
a great measure defeated. There have been other
missionaries, who have too often used their influence
in obtaining grants of lands, which gives the In-
dians the most unfavorable opinion of their worldly
and interested views. The Mohawks lately told
me that they apprehended the reason they had not
clergy as formerly amongst them was because there
was no more land to spare."*
Rev. Samuel Kirkland was for many years a dis-
tinguished missionary among the Oneidas, and for
a shorter period, among the Senecas. He was born
in Norwich, Conn., Dec. t, 1741, and educated at
Dr. Wheelock's Indian school. In 1761, he was
sent to the Mohawks to learn their language. He
entered Princeton college in 1762, and in 1764
returned to the Mohawk country to teach school
and perfect himself in that language. He received
his collegiate degree in 1765, and in that and the
following year was employed among the Senecas.
In 1779, he was Brigade Chaplain in General Sul-
livan's campaign against the Indians in Western
New York, and at the close of the war remained
with the Oneidas. He died after a life of much
pubhc usefulness, February 28, 1808.
After the war of the Revolution, Washington
lent his powerful influence to the furtherance of a
project looking to the emancipation of the Iroquois
and the American Indians generally from their
savage barbarism through the medium of a benign
civihzation; and in the spring of 1792, a deputa-
tion of fifty of the representative men of the red
race were invited to Philadelphia, then the federal
city, for the double purpose of discussing plans
looking to this end and of attaching them more
closely to the United States' interests. The same
year the Federal government seconded these efforts
•Co/./y/rf., VII., 579, 5S0.
RED JACKET'S HOSTILITY TO PROTESTANT MISSIONS.
69
by the following enactment: "The United States,
in order to promote the happiness of the Five Na-
tions of Indians, will cause to be expended annu-
ally, the amount of one thousand five hundred
dollars, in purchasing for them clothing, domestic
animals, and implements of husbandry, and for
encouraging useful artificers to reside in their vil-
lages." But the Indians were not in a condition
to be immediately benefited by these beneficent
designs. The angry turmoils fomented and per-
petuated by British emissaries in Canada, and the
jealous apprehensions with which the Indians re-
garded the encroachments of white settlers on their
lands, measurably defeated these measures. Red
Jacket, who was then in the height of his power
and influence, at first gave a quasi endorsement
of the plan, but afterwards proved its most
implacable and obdurate enemy; and when, sub-
sequently, efforts to christianize the Indians were
made through missionary labors, he and the
younger Cornplanter, (notwithstanding the latter's
father had been converted to the christian faith,)
became the leaders of the anti-christian party of
the Senecas, while Captain Pollard, or Kaowndoo-
wand, Gishkaka, commonly called Little Billy, and
other distinguished Seneca chieftains, became the
champions of the opposite party, which, gaining
the ascendency, deposed Red Jacket from his
sachemship in 1827.* He was, however, soon after
restored.!
After the adjustment of the great controversy
between the Indians and the United States at Can-
andaigua in 1794, the broad and beautiful domain
of the Six Nations was curtailed to a few compar-
atively small reservations, which were afterwards
reduced by greedy and avaricious land cormorants.J
These reservations included several small tracts on
and adjacent to the Genesee, the Indian title to
the east of which in this county was extinguished
in 1826; but the greater portion of the Senecas
took up their residence on the Buffalo Reserva-
tion.
In 1796, several families of Friends settled on
the Oneida Reservation and improved the condi-
tion of that nation by instructing the men in the
art of husbandry and some of the indispensable
*L!/e and Times of Red Jacket, 441.
t Ibid, 447.
+ These reservations as affectmg the Western tribes are as follows : —
Tonawanda Reservation, near Niagara river, containing about 13,000
acres.
Buffalo Reservation, near the city of Buffalo, containing about 53,000
acres . .
Cattaraugus Reservation, near Cattaraugus creek, containing about
2i,ooo acres.
Alleghany Reservation, near the Alleghany river, containing about 31,-
000 acres.
Life and Times of Red yacket, 182, note-
mechanic arts, and the women in household duties,
spinning, sewing and knitting. In 1798, the Sen-
ecas, observing the improvement of the Oneidas,
requested the Friends to aid them in the same
way, and accordingly three families established
themselves in the canton of the Alleghany.
In the summer of 1805, a young missionary
named Cram was sent by the Evangelical Mission-
ary Society of Massachusetts to establish a mis-
sionary station among the Senecas; but he met
with no encouragement, and was filled with discom-
fort by the speech of the wary Red Jacket, which
has been pronounced one of the best of the many
attributed to him. He artfully confronted the dis-
concerted missionary with the worst phases of a
pseudo-christianity, such as too often presented
themselves to the untutored savages, and dwelt
upon the glaring injustice practiced upon the latter
by professors of the religion sought to be incul-
cated.
In the spring of 18 11, the Be v. Mr. Alexander,
the agent of the Missionary Society, accompanied
the agent of a New York company holding the
preemptive title to the reservations in the Holland
Purchase, in an attempt to acquire the right to
these, to renew the effort to estabHsh a mission
among the Senecas. This drew from Red Jacket
an equally terse and laconic speech, in which,
among other things, he said: —
" Great numbers of black coats have been amongst
the Indians, and with sweet voices and smiUng faces,
have offered to teach them the religion of the white
people. Our brethren in the east listened to the
black coats, turned from the religion of their fa-
thers, and took up the religion of the white people.
What good has it done them? Are they more
happy and more friendly one to another than we
are ? No, brother, they are a divided people — we
are united ; they quarrel about religion — we Hve
in love and friendship ; they drink strong water ;
have learned how to cheat, and practice all the
vices of the white men, which disgrace Indians,
without imitating the virtues of the white men.
Brother, if you are our well wisher, keep away and
do not disturb us. * * * You wish us to change
our religion for yours ; we like our religion and do
not want another. Our friends* do us great good ;
they counsel us in our troubles, and instruct us
how to make ourselves comfortable. Our friends
the Quakers do more than this; they give us ploughs
and show us how to use them. They tell us we
are accountable beings, but do not say we must
change our religion. We are satisfied with what
they do."
* Referring to Mr. Granger, the United States Agent of Indian Affairs,
Mr. Parish, the Indian Interpreter, and Mr. Taylor, the Agent of the
Society of Friends for improving the condition of the Indians, who were
present at the Council.
70
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
These, however, were either not the sentiments
of many of the Senecas, or they were not held as
tenaciously by them ; for, notwithstanding the re-
pulse of Mr. Alexander in 1811, the New York
Missionary Society had succeeded in establishing
several missionary stations, that among the Tuscaro-
ras as early as 1805, in consequence of which there
had been a rapid improvement in their moral and
social condition. A missionary house had like-
wise been opened at the Seneca village, (the home
of Red Jacket, whose Indian name was Sagoye-
watka, signifying, he keeps them awake,) about five
miles from Buffalo, and another upon the Cattarau-
gus reservation. Such was the success of these
efforts, that, previous to 1820, the Senecas were
divided into two distinct parties, Christian and
Pagan. Similar measures were instituted with the
Indians living at Squakie Hill. In December,
1815, a secular school was estabhshed there under
the auspices of the Presbyterian Synod of Geneva,
with Jerediah Horsford as teacher.
So grave had the encroachments of civilization
become, in the eyes of the Pagan Senecas, and so
uncompromising was their hostility to it, that in
the winter of 1819-20, an appeal, embodied in a
letter dictated by Red Jacket, who was then too
feeble to enunciate the sentiments in council, was
made to Governor CHnton, complaining of the of-
fensive and destructive encroachments of the white
settlers on their reservations, and invoking protec-
tion against the "black coats," as the missionaries
were called. A Mr. Hyde who had formerly been
a schoolmaster among them, but had changed his
vocation to that of a minister of religion, had made
himself especially obnoxious, having threatened,
the remonstrance said, that unless they listened to
his preaching and became Christians, they would
be turned off their lands. " If he has no right to
say so," the letter says, " we think he ought to be
turned off our lands, and not allowed to plague us
any more. We shall never be at peace while he
is among us.''
In consequence of this and similar representa-
tions, the Legislature, in 1821, passed an act to
more effectually prevent encroachments upon the
lands of the Senecas. The secular provisions of
the act were occasionally enforced; but in regard
to the missionaries, says Stone, its energies were
allowed to slumber for two or three years. In the
meantime the New York Missionary Society had
transferred its stations to the care of the American
Board of Foreign Missions, by which the Seneca
missions had been re-organized upon a more effi-
cient basis. In 182 1, Rev. Thompson S. Harris,
with an augmented mission family, was stationed
at the Seneca village, and commissioned superin-
tendent of the stations in the several cantons. A
church was soon after formed and male and female
schools opened. In 1822, Rev. Mr. Thayer, with
his family and suitable teachers, were stationed at
the Cattaraugus reservation. These labors were
successful; and the Pagan party, mortified by the
rapid increase of the Christian party at the ex-
pense of their own, and alarmed at the disaffection
of Capt. Strong, or Oquiyesou, a prominent Cat-
taraugus chief, who had become converted to the
Christian faith, aided by several "white Pagans"
in Buffalo, secured the ejectment of the mission-
aries and school teachers under the act of 1821.
Efforts were immediately put forth, which, though
at first unavaiUng, finally resulted in such a modi-
fication of the law as enabled both missionaries
and teachers to resume their labors.* Within the
next half decade the Indians had disposed of their
Hmited reservations in this county, and removed to
others outside the county; and within the two suc-
ceeding decades the Senecas had disposed of every
vestige of their lands within the State.
CHAPTER VI.
Titles to the Soil — Extinguishment of Indian
Titles — Line of Property — Conflicting
Claims of New York and Massachusetts —
Preemption Line — New York and Massachu-
setts Surrender Claims to Territory to
Federal Government — Treaty and Cession
OF 1784 — Phelps and Gorham's Purchase-
Treaty AND Cession of 1788 — Pultney Es-
tate— Holland Land Company — Holland
Purchase — Connecticut Tract — Transit
Line — Morris Reserve — Forty Thousand
Acre Tract — Morris Honorary Creditor's
Tract — Robert Morris' Letter to President
Washington — Treaty and Cession of Big
Tree in 1797 — Red Jacket's Insincerity-
Difficulties Experienced in Determining the
Extent and Boundaries of Reservations-
Mary Jemison's Farm — Lessee Company-
Effort Made to Dismember the State —
Reservations made in 1797 — Treaty and Ces-
sion of 1826.
UNTIL after the close of the Revolutionary war
in 1783, the territory embraced in the county
of Livingston, and indeed, of the whole of Western
* Life attd Times 0/ Red Jcukeit 387, 394.
TREATY AND CESSION OF 1784.
71
New York, was included in the indefinite Indian
domain, the east line of which, known as the
Property Line, was established by a treaty held at
Fort Statiwix, (Rome) November 5, 1768, and ex-
tended so far as it relates to this State, from a
point on Wood creek, near the mouth of Canada
creek, thence to the head waters of the Unadilla,
down that stream to its mouth, and thence south
to the line of Pennsylvania. This tract was sub-
sequently acquired from the Indians by treaty ; for,
notwithstanding the treaty of peace between the
English and Americans in 1783 contained no stipu-
lations respecting the Iroquois, or that portion of
them who had been the aUies of the former, their
right to the soil was generally recognized by both
State and Federal governments.
At the close of the war, claims were established
by Massachusetts under Colonial patents to the
right of soil of a large portion of Western New
York, and were confirmed by a Commission ap-
pointed by the two governments, which met at
Hartford, Conn., December 16, 1786, and which,
while it reserved to New York the right of sover-
eignty, conceded to Massachusetts the right to pre-
empt the soil from the native Indians of all that
tract lying west of a line, known as the Pre-emption
Line, extending north from the eighty-second mile-
stone from the Delaware River at the north-east
corner of Pennsylvania, or the south-east corner
of Steuben county, through Geneva and Sodus
Bay, on the meridian of Washington, (except a
tract a mile wide along Niagara River,) and an ad-
ditional tract east of that line, known as the Boston
Ten Towns, lying in the counties of Broome, Cort-
land and Tioga. This agreement was sanctioned
by Congress in 1787.*
Early in 1784, the State Legislature passed an
act, appointing as Superintendents of Indian Af-
fairs, a Board of Commissioners, of which Governor
Clinton was a member. In June of that year,
these commissioners met Brant, Cornplanter, Red
Jacket and Farmer's Brother, representatives of the
Six Nations, at Fort Stanwix, to negotiate a treaty
for the extinguishment of their title to lands in
Western New York. Nothing, however, was ac-
compUshed at this meeting, as the Indians declined
to negotiate with the State independent of the
Federal government, which had also appointed
commissioners for a similar purpose.
The succeeding fall, Oliver Wolcott, Richard
t The territory of both New York and Massachusetts extended indeH-
nitely westward from ocean to ocean ; but March i, 1781, New York
relinquished to the United States its claims to territory west of the western
boundary of the State. Massachusetts did the same in 178S.
Butler and Arthur Lee, commissioners of the Fed-
eral government, met the Indians at Fort Stanwix,
and on the 22d of October, 1784, concluded a
treaty, by which peace was established between the
United States and the Six Nations, who were re-
ceived under the protection of the former and
guaranteed undisturbed possession of the lands they
then occupied, including all that part of this State
west of the-line estabUshed in 1768. Prisoners were
exchanged, and a large tract of land ceded to this"
State, whose commissioners also attended the treaty.
It was at this treaty that Red Jacket first dis-
tinguished himself as an orator, displaying talents
which challenged the admiration and elicited the
commendation of that distinguished patriot, La-
fayette. He inaugurated at this time a poHcy
which characterized his subsequent life — that of
determined opposition to disposing of their lands
to the whites. It is believed that Brant, who was
not present at this treaty, would have supported
Red Jacket's opposition. His great opponent was
Cornplanter, who, though an able orator, was more
distinguished as a warrior, and had through his
valorous achievements and past services, acquired
a great influence with his people, who, however,
afterwards made him feel the weight of their re-
sentment of his great readiness to part with their
lands, even threatening his life,* a fact to which he
alluded in a pathetic appeal to Washington at Phila-
delphia, in 1790, when he sought to effect a recon-
sideration of the treaties and other proceedings
with the Indians, and especially to obtain redress
for alleged grievances connected with the purchase
of Phelps and Gorham soon after.f "Father," he
said, we will not conceal from you that the Great
God, and not man, has preserved the Cornplanter
from the hands of his own people.''
The journals of this treaty are lost; hence this
speech of Red Jacket's, whose eloquence astonished
his auditors, is not preserved.:]: Dr. M. H. Mills,
of Mt. Morris, whose extensive and careful re-
searches into aboriginal and pioneer history have
enriched the annals of this county and vicinity,
gives, in a contribution to the Dansmlle Advertiser,
the substance of some of its more striking passages,
as related by the Indians who heard it to his father,
who, for many years, had an intimate acquaintance
with the Indians in this locaUty. We quote :—
* Drake's Book of the Indians.
\ Life and Times of Red Jacket^ 132, 133.
X General Erastus Root is said to have remarked, " that he considered
John Randolph and Red Jacket the two most perfect orators whom he
had ever heard." [Life and Times 0/ Red jacket, Jig, note.) That
his name should be coupled with that of Randolph in such connection is
highly eulogistic.
72
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
" Red Jacket * * * said they would be
lowered in the estimation of other tribes if they
parted with their lands and disposed of their great
rivers and hunting grounds, and would become a
little people, whom the great spirit, as well as the
great white father, (Washington,) would have little
regard or respect for ; that the principle itself was
in open hostility to the best interest of the Indian ;
that their occupation was hunting and fishing and
following the war-path. ' Deprive the Indian of
these resources, and you bind his hands, and tie his
feet, and then say to him joggs [run,] which is an
impossibility, and will render the Indian a helpless
object, and, perhaps, by and by, an object of
charity,' which, he trusted, would never happen.
If it did, he hoped the great spirit would not per-
mit him to live, to behold his people so degraded.
' My eyes must never witness such a scene ; Red
Jacket's blood must all flow out of his body before
this can happen. Brothers, we desire to live in
peace with the white man ; we have had a great
deal of war ; we have become wearied ; we have
followed our well-beaten trails a long distance to
this council fire. We want peace; but if that is to
be obtained by the disposing of our lands, I am for
war.
April I, 1788, Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gor-
hani purchased of Massachusetts, in the interest of
an association of capitalists, its pre-emptive right
to lands in this State, variously estimated to com-
prise from 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 acres ; the con-
sideration being 300,000^, to be paid in three
annual installments, in the depreciated securities of
that State, which were then worth about one-fifth
of their par value. Failing to meet their obhga-
tions, owing to the unexpected depreciation in these
securities, Messrs. Phelps and Gorham surrend-
ered all that part of this tract lying to the west,
and a small portion lying to the east, of the Gene-
see, or more than a half of the original purchase,
which reverted to the State of Massachusetts in June,
1790. The eastern line of that portion retained
was the old Pre-emption Line ; the western line
commenced on the Pennsylvania line 44.78 miles
west of this, and extended directly north, along the
east hne of the towns of Nunda and Mt. Morris,
to the confluence of Canaseraga creek with the
Genesee river, thence following that stream to a
point two miles north of the Indian village of Cana-
waugus, thence due west twelve miles, and thence
north twenty-four degrees east to a point on Lake
Ontario which would intersect the prolongation of
the line from the point of beginning. The Indian
title to this tract was extinguished at a treaty held
at Buffalo Creek,* July 8, T788, the Senecas re-
*Li/e and Times of Red Jacket, IJ6; Pioneer History of Plielps
and Gorham' s Purdiase, 141— Note. This treaty has commonly, but
erroneously, been supposed to have been held at Canandaigua.
ceiving in consideration from Phelps and Gorham
the inconsiderable sum of five thousand dollars,
one-half of which was paid in cash and the other
half in goods, and a perpetual annuity of five hun-
dred dollars. The amount paid therefor to Massa-
chusetts was 3 1,000 _;^.
In 1789, Messrs. Phelps and Gorham opened a
land office at Canandaigua and commenced the
settlement of their lands.
November i8, 1790, Phelps and Gorham sold to
Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, the distinguished
financier and patriot of the Revolution, 1,200,000
acres of their purchase, reserving what had been
previously sold by them and two townships addi-
tional. The next year Mr. Morris, through his
agent in Europe, WiUiam Temple Franklin, a
grandson of Dr. Benjamin Frankhn, sold the whole
tract at an advance of 4,000^^ to a company of
London capitalists, composed of Sir William Pult-
ney, a capitalist and noted British statesman,
John Hornby, a former governor of Bombay, In-
dia, and Patrick Colquhoun, a wealthy Scotch phi-
lanthropist, then high sheriff of Westminster, Eng-
land, upon the latter of whom the duty of pro-
moting its settlement mainly devolved — a duty he
performed with great acceptability. This tract,
which embraced the present counties of Ontario,
Yates and Steuben, and large portions of Wayne,
Monroe, Schuyler, Allegany, Chemung and Living-
ston counties, has since been known as the Pultney
Estate, and the details of its settlement have been
successively managed by Colonel Charles William-
son, a native of Scotland, to whom the land was
originally conveyed, as attorney of the company,
Robert Troup, W. W. McKay, Joseph Fellows and
B. F. Young. The principal settlements were be-
gun at Geneva, Canandaigua, Bath and Sodus Bay.
May 12, 1791, the reverted portion of Phelps
and Gorham's Purchase was bought at one shilling
per acre, by Samuel Ogden, for Robert Morris, in
whom the Legislature confirmed the title May 11,
1 791. July 20, 1793, Mr. Morris sold the western
portion of this tract, constituting about seven-
eighths of the whole, to the Holland Land Company,
an association of capitalists of Amsterdam, Hol-
land, consisting of Wilhelm Willink, Jan Willink,
Nicholas Van Stophorst, Jacob Van Stophorst,
Nicholas Hubbard, Pieter Van Eeghen, Christian
Van Eeghen, Isaac Ten Gate, Hendrick VoUen-
hoven. Christian Coster, (widow,) Jan Stadnitski
and Rutger J. Schenimelpennick, who, being
aliens, made the purchase through residents in this
country, the consideration being 55,0^.0 ;£. This
THE MORRIS RESERVE.
73
tract has since been known as the Holland Pur-
chase, no portion of which lies within this county.
Its east line commences on the Pennsylvania line
twelve miles west of the west line of the Phelps
and Gorham Purchase, on the line between Alma
and Bolivar, Allegany county, and extends thence
due north to near the center of the town of Staf-
ford, Genesee county, to the south line of the Con-
necticut Tract,* thence due west two miles and
thence due north, on the west line of the Connec-
ticut Tract to Lake Ontario.f
Between the Phelps and Gorham Purchase and
the Holland Purchase was a tract twelve miles in
width, containing a half miUion acres, reserved by
Mr. Morris at the time of his sale to the Holland
Company, and hence known as the Morris Reserve.
It embraced the towns of Nunda, Portage, Mt.
Morris, Leicester and the south half of York in
Livingston county, and was sold out in several
large tracts to different purchasers. The Forty
Thousand Acre Tract, sold by Morris to Wilhelm
and Jan Willink, lies partially in this county and
partially in Wyoming county; and the Morris
Honorary Creditors' Tract containing 58,570 acres,
and joining this on the south, lies partly in Living-
ston and partly in Allegany county.
By the terms of the sale to the Holland Com-
pany, Mr. Morris obligated himself to extinguish
the Indian title to the tract thus sold, and 3S,ooo_;^
of the purchase money was withheld till its consum-
mation; but, owing to the threatening attitude of the
Indians for a full decade succeeding the war of the
Revolution, and until the signal victory of General
Wayne over the Western Indians in 1794, he did not
deem it prudent to make an effort in this direction.
On the 25th of August, 1796, he addressed the
following letter to President Washington : —
"Sir: — In the year 1791, I purchased of the
State of Massachusetts a tract of country lying
within the boundaries of the State of New York,
which had been ceded by the latter to the former
state under the sanction and with the concurrence
of the Congress of the United States. This tract
of land is bounded on the east by the Genesee
river, to the north by Lake Ontario, to the west
partly by Lake Erie, and partly by the boundary
line of the Pennsylvania Triangle, and to the south
by the north boundary Kne of the State of Pennsyl-
vania. * * * To perfect the title it is neces-
*This tract comprises 100,000 acres, lying in the counties of Genesee
and Orleans, and extending in a narrow strip to the lake. It was sold by
Mr. Morris to Watson, Cragie & Greenleaf; and in 1881, conveyed in un-
divided halves to the State of Connecticut and Sir William Pultney, the
former using part of her School Fund in the purchase. It was divided by
alternate lots in 1811. FrencKs State Gazetteer.
t This line is known as the Transit Line, from having been run with a
transit instrument, then first used in surveys.
sary to purchase of the Seneca nation of Indians
their native right; which I should have done soon
after the purchase was made, * * * but that
I felt myself restrained from doing so by motives
of public consideration.
" The war between the Western Indian nations
and the United States did not extend to the Six
Nations, of which the Seneca nation is one; and
as I apprehended that if this nation should sell its
right during the existence of that war, they might
the more readily be induced to join the enemies of
our country, I was determined not to make the
purchase while that war. lasted.
"When peace was made with the Indian nations
I turned my thoughts towards the purchase, which
is to me an object very interesting; but upon its
being represented that a little longer patience,
until the western posts should be dehvered up by
the British government, might still be public utility,
I concluded to wait for that event also, which is
now happily accomplished, and there seems no
obstacle remaining to restrain me from making the
purchase, especially as I have reason to believe the
Indians are desirous to make the sale.
" The delays which have already taken place
and that arose solely from consideratj^ans above
mentioned, have been extremely detrimental to my
private affairs ; but still being desirous to comply
with formalities prescribed by certain laws of the
United States, although those laws do not probably
reach my case, I now make application to the
president of the United States, and request that he
will nominate and appoint a commissioner to be
present and preside at a treaty, which he will be
pleased to authorize to be held with the Seneca
nation, for the purpose of enabling me to make a
purchase in conformity with the formalities required
by law of the tract of country for which I have
already paid a large sum of money. My right to
the pre-emption is unequivocal, and the land has
become so necessary to the growing population and
surrounding settlements, that it is with difficulty
that the white people can be restrained from
squatting or settling down upon these lands, which,
if they should do it, may probably bring on con-
tentions with the Six Nations.
"This will be prevented by a timely, fair and
honorable purchase.
" This proposed treaty ought to be held imme-
diately before the hunting season, or another year
will be lost, as the Indians cannot be collected
during that season. The loss of another year under
the payments thus made for these lands would be
ruinous to my affairs; and as I have paid so great
deference to public consideration whilst they did
exist, I expect and hope that my request will be
readily granted now, when there can be no cause
of delay ; especially if the Indians are willing to
sell, which will be tested by the offer to buy.
" With the most perfect esteem and respect, I
am, sir, your most obedient and humble servant,
ROBERT MORRIS.
"George Washington, Esq.,
" President of the United States."
74
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
In the meantime Washington, who was disposed
to further the wishes of Mr. Morris in any way con-
sistent with the pubhc interest, had been put in
possession of documents, drawn at the instigation
of Capt. Bruff, then commandant of the.British gar-
rison at Fort Niagara, expressing an aversion of the
Senecas to parting with any more of their lands ;
and he told Mr. Morris that he should feel con-
strained to accompany his recommendation and
nominations to the Senate with these documents,
expressing doubt of the favorable action of that
body. Isaac Smith, of New Jersey, was nominated
by the President, and the Senate confirmed the
nomination, stipulating, however, that no treaty
should be held for this purpose until the Indians
themselves requested it. Thomas Morris, a son of
the purchaser of the tract, was deputized by his
father to obtain the consent of the Indians and
conduct the negotiations with them for the purchase
of their lands, in both of which he was successful.
At the time designated for the treaty, the atten-
dance of Commissioner Smith was prevented by
judicial duties, and Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth
of Connecticut, was appointed in his stead. Gen-
eral WiUiam Shepard was designated to attend by
Massachusetts; Captains Horatio Jones and Jasper
Parish were selected as interpreters, and James
Rees, of Geneva, as secretary. Captain Israel
Chapin, then Superintendent of Indian Aifairs, was
present ; also Charles Williamson, in behalf of the
Pultney Estate, William Bayard, in behalf of the
Holland Land Company, and two young gentle-
men from Holland, named Van Stophorst, relatives
of the proprietors of the name connected with the
Holland Company.
The treaty was held at Geneseo, and the log-
house of the Wadsworth brothers, then unfinished,
located between the site of the village of Geneseo
and the river, was hired for the use of the Commis-
sioners and officers in attendance. A large council
house, covered with the branches of trees was pre-
pared for the convenience of the negotiators ; and
after a week spent in preUminary matters, the busi-
ness of the council was commenced on the 28th of
August, 1797, continuing till the 15th of Septem-
ber, when a deed was executed by which the Sene-
cas disposed of the remainder of their lands in
Western New York, with the exception of certain
reservations. The council was a stormy one, and
was more than once threatened with utter failure,
owing to the machinations of certain venal white
persons, who stimulated a prevalent disinclination
on the part of the Senecas to part with their lands
for the purpose of defeating its object. Mr. Mor-
ris had hoped that $75,000 would sufliice to satisfy
the demands of the Indians ; but, in view of the
accumulating difficulties, was constrained to offer
them $100,000. Even this sum, however, was in-
sufficient; and Red Jacket, who, in consonance with
his former opposition to the disposition of their
lands, opposed with his fiery eloquence the object of
the treaty, responded to the offer that the Senecas
did not want to sell their lands ; but as there were
expenses attending the treaty, which they had re-
luctantly consented to hold, he offered Mr. Morris
a single township on the Pennsylvania border at one
dollar per acre, which, he said would sell for a suffi-
cient advance to cover the expenses. Mr. Morris,
by the urgent advice of the commissioners, and
Mr. Bayard, who had become impatient at the dila-
tory proceedings and desired to bring the parley to
a close, but in opposition to his own judgment and
wishes, affected to reject the offer with contempt ;
whereupon Red Jacket, with great vehemence,
retorted, "you have now arrived at a point to which
I wished to bring you. You told us in your first
address that even in the event of our not agreeing
to sell our lands, we would part friends. Here,
then, is my hand. I now cover up the council
fire."
This decision was received with great apparent
satisfaction by the Indians, who gave expression to
violent demonstrations, such says Stone, as " a
person unaccustomed to their character and man-
ners would have trembled for his scalp.'' Mr.
Bayard, who had been particularly importunate to
have Mr. Morris take the course pursued, hoping
it would expedite a favorable adjustment, was
deeply mortified with the result, and strenuously
urged Mr. Morris to make an effort to re-open the
negotiations, which the latter who was equally
soHcitous, promised to do, on condition that he be
allowed to take his own course, without interference
either by the agent or commissioners.
On the following day he observed to Farmer's
Brother, who called on him in a fraternal spirit,
that, in accordance with their established customs,
it was the prerogative of the one who lighted a
council-fire to extinguish it ; and since he had
lighted the present one. Red Jacket, by putting it
out, had usurped a right which belonged solely to
him, to which Farmer's Brother assented. Several
days intervened before a council could be convened,
during which Mr. Morris industriously appUed him-
self to an effort to win the approbation of the wo-
men and warriors, as there seemed little probability
BIG TREE" TREATY.
75
of being able to accomplish his purpose with the
sachems. For this purpose he artfully pandered
to their fondness for display and ornamentation,
by distributing among the women such articles as
were calculated to excite and gratify this passion —
a plan which fully met his expectations; for he was
soon able to convene a council of women and war-
riors and bring the negotiations to a favorable ter-
mination.* From the moment the women and
warriors assumed the task of negotiations, Red
Jacket withdrew and remained drunk during the
rest of the proceedings.! Cornplanter, the princi-
pal war chief, then became the main speaker, and
opened the proceedings. He said the women and
warriors regretted the misconduct of their sachems
and censured the haste displayed by Mr. Morris,
and expressed the hope that the renewed negotia-
tions would be conducted with better temper on
both sides.
After the terms of the treaty were agreed upon,
much difficulty was experienced in fixing the bound-
aries and extent of the reservations. The Indians
insisted that the former should be designated by
natural rather than arbitrary lines, such as the
courses of streams, etc.; but this was inadmissable,
as it gave the Indians every advantage over the
whites, who possessed little exact knowledge of the
geography of the country. J The chiefs were jeal-
ous of each other, and, as their importance was
measured by their following, which was determined
by the extent of their lands, each was solicitous to
* Indian polity vested the ultimate right to dispose of their lands in the
women and warriors, because the former tilled, while the latter protected
them.
t Stone says Red Jacket's opposition to this treaty was insincere, and
that his object in thus withdrawing was to throw the entire responsibility
upon Cornplanter. He adds it is a fact "no less true than disgraceful,
that after the negotiation had been completed, he repaired to the lodge
of Mr. Morris by night, and told him that he had in reality no objections
to the sale of their lands, but yet he must seem to oppose the measure, or
he should lose his popularity. That popularity had been acquired by op-
posing every land sale that had been made, and he must at least affect to
continue his opposition to the end. * * * In order to manifest his
apparent opposition to the treaty, he refused in Council, after the decision
had been made, to sign it ; and yet before any signature had been made
to the document, he arranged with Mr. Morris to have a blank left for the
insertion of his name afterwards— desiring that the space might be high
up among the first, that when Washington saw the treaty he might know
that Sagoyewatha was yet a man of consequence among the chiefs of his
people." Life and Times of Red Jacket^ 249.
X Mr. Morris did in one instance depart fron his fixed determination to
have the boundaries of reservations established by survey. In his im-
patience he yielded to the persistent importunities of Mary Jemison, the
white woman, for whom the chiet's were desirous of making provision.
She objected to her reservation being designated by a definite number of
acres, for the reason, as she said, that she had various improved places,
one of which was a patch of corn, another of potatoes, another of beans,
etc., she then named certain boundaries, to which Mr. Morris assented,
supposing the tract would not exceed 150 acres; but when surveyed,
Mary's farm, the Gardeau flats, proved to contain, according to the sur-
vey of Augustus Porter,made in 179^ '7i929 acres and 137 rods of land
of an .excellent quality.
increase his own allotment and diminish that of his
rival. Difficulties were also experienced before the
final consummation of the treaty, prominent among
which was the arrival at the council of Young
King, a youthful warrior, who, as a descendant of
the famous chief Old Smoke, inherited the title of
Chief Sachem of the Seneca nation, and an influ-
ence to which his merit did not entitle him. As
Chief Sachem of the nation his signature to the
treaty was necessary to make it valid; and though
he was at first averse to the sale, by dint of much
persuasion his objections were finally overcome.
Another obstack was presented by the instructions
of Washington to Col. Wadsworth, to withhold his
assent from any treaty which did not provide for
the investment of the purchase money in the stock
of the United States Bank, in trust for the Seneca
nation. It was only with great difficulty that the
Indians could be made to comprehend the magni-
tude of a hundred thousand dollars, the purchase
price ; while it was utterly impossible to make them
understand the nature of an investment and why
the dividend resulting therefrom varied in amount.
As an aid to the former they were told how many
casks of a given size would be required to hold the
amount, and how many horses would be necessary
to draw it ; while their idea of the latter was, that
a bank was an extensive place in Philadelphia
where money was planted and produced better
crops some years than others. Frequently in after
years they would inquire of Mr. Morris what kind
of a crop they might expect in a season like that
they were then experiencing.
Pending the negotiations between New York
and Massachusetts relative to their claims to the
territory of Western New York, a project was set
on foot by a company of Columbia county specu-
lators to get possession of this entire country, vnth
the ulterior motive of erecting it into a separate
State.* In order to evade the law then existing in
this State, which prohibited the purchase from the
Indians of land within the State, by individuals or
companies, without the sanction of the Legislature,
in 1776, they negotiated a lease with the chiefs of
the Six Nations of all the lands possessed by them,
exclusive of certain reservations, for a term of 999
years, the consideration being $20,000 in hand and
an annual rental of $2,000. Under these auspices
sales were made to settlers, who took possession of
various portions of the land. On the sale to
Phelps and Gorham in 1788, a second lease was
♦This company consisted of Jolin Livingston, Caleb Benton, Peter
Ryckman, John Stephenson, Ezekial Gilbert and others.
76
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
executed for a like period for the residue of their
lands, and a reduction of one-half made in the
annual rental. The Legislature, however, regarded
a lease of this character equivalent to a purchase
and an infraction of the law; and in order to
put the matter at rest, a law was passed in March,
1788, declaring the pre-emptive right to the lands
to be vested in the State, and authorizing the
strongest measures to be used to remove all in-
truders from the lands.* Accordingly Governor
George Clinton sent the sheriff of Herkimer
county, which then embraced this territory, with a
posse of sixty men to eject these intruders upon
the Indian lands and burn their dweUings. Though
baffled in these efforts the lessee company did not
abandon their project, but in 1793 developed a
plan to form a new state which was to embrace the
whole of Western New York. It was, however,
defeated by the energetic action of the better class
of citizens, although serious alarm was occasioned
among those settlers who were favorably disposed
towards the constituted authorities. The formid-
able character of the movement is indicated by the
proceedings of a public opposition meeting, held at
Canandaigua in November, 1793, and presided
over by Judge Timothy Hosmer, from the minutes
of which the following is an abstract : —
" Whereas, Certain restless and turbulent char-
acters from the eastern district of this State, evil
disposed towards this country, have for some time
past, endeavored to stir up sedition among the
peaceable inhabitants thereof, and to excite them
to acts both treasonable and improper; and,
"Whereas, They have proposed to many indi-
viduals of the county that the county of Ontario,
in conjunction with that of Otsego, and part of
Tioga and Herkimer, should immediately shake off
all allegiance and dependence from the State of
New York, and support their independence by
force of arms, in case the state should be unwilling
to ratify and confirm the same ; and,
"Whereas, The passions of the dishonest
and disorderly, of the ambitious and the timid,
have been flattered by the expectation of hav-
ing laws passed for the screening of individuals
from the payment of their just debts for six years,
and they have been falsely told that all the Indian
lands, as well as those belonging to the state of
New York as those which the said State, together
with Massachusetts, have guaranteed to individu-
als, should become a prey to the rapacity of their
hungry followers, and have engaged to support
these measures by a number of armed troops col-
• "In order that not even the color of injustice towards the lessees might
remain, the Legislature, five years afterwards, made a grant to them of a
district of country ten miles square, in the northern part of the state and
subsequently they received grants of several large tracts in the Genesee
country from Phelps ana Gorba.m."—Li/e a>ia Times of Red "Jacket,
13S-
lected from Vermont and elsewhere, in case of
opposition ; therefore,
" Resolved, That the inhabitants of Ontario, sen-
sible to the many advantages that they have derived
from their connection with one of the most respect-
able states in the union, and desirous of the con-
tinuation of the same advantages, highly resent the
ill-timed and improper attempt made by the charac-
ters above alluded to, to disturb their peace and
harmony, and they conceive their measures are preg-
nant with danger, and such as if carried into effect
would introduce into our infant country all the
comphcated evils which anarchy and confusion can
create."
Following this, in 1794, the Federal government
effected a treaty, guaranteeing to each of the Six
Nations the right to its own reservations; so that
the confederacy could not thenceforth dispose of
any of the land of either of its members against
their will; and while other Indians were restrained
from selling their land, except to the United States,
it conferred on each of the Six Nations, separately,
the right to sell any or all of its lands to citizens of
the United States whenever and however it might
choose.
The following reservations were made by the
Senecas at the Geneseo or Big Tree treaty in
1797:—
1. Canawaugus Reservation, two miles square,
located on the Genesee west of Avon.
2. Big Tree Reservation, two miles square,
located on the Genesee, opposite Geneseo, in the
present town of Leicester.
3. Little Beard's Reservation, two miles square,
located on the Genesee in the town of Leicester.
4. Squakie Hill Reservation, two miles square,
located on the Genesee, in Leicester, near Mt.
Morris.
5. Gardeau Reservation, twenty-eight square
miles, located on both sides of the Genesee in Cas-
tile and Mt. Morris.
6. Canadea Reservation, sixteeen square miles,
located on both sides of the Genesee, in Allegany
county.
7. Oil Spring Reservation, one square mile,
on the line between Cattaraugus and Allegany
counties.
8. Allegany Reservation, forty-two square miles,
on both sides of the Allegany river, and extending
north from the Pennsylvania line.
9. Cattaraugus Reservation, forty-two square
miles, at the mouth of and on both sides of Catta-
raugus creek.
10. Buffalo Reservation, one hundred and thirty
square miles, on both sides of Buffalo creek.
ri. Tonawanda Reservation, seventy square
miles, on both sides of Tonawanda creek, and
mostly in Genesee county,
12. Tuscarora Reservation, one square mile,
three miles east of Lewiston in Niagara county.
EARLY CIVIL DIVISIONS.
77
The titles to all these reservations in Livingston
county, together with the portions of the Buffalo,
Tonawanda, Cattaraugus and Canadea reserva-
tions, were extinguished at a treaty council held
August 31, 1826, and attended by Hon. Oliver
Forward, of Buffalo, as United States Commis-
sioner, Hon. Nathaniel Gorham, as agent for the
commonwealth of Massachusetts, and John Greig,
of Canandaigua, as agent of The Ogden Company,
who had acquired the pre-emptive right of Mr.
Morris, and in whose interest the treaty was held.
At this date the representatives of the once lordly
and powerful Seneca nation remaining in this coun-
try, had dwindled to an insignificant number, who
found an asylum on other reservations.*
CHAPTER VII.
Early Civil Divisions — Formation of Living-
ston COUNTY — Original Towns in Livingston
county — Subsequent Territorial Changes —
Topography — Boundaries, Area and Geo-
graphical Situation — Improved Land in 1820
AND 1875 — -Character of Surface — Genesee
River — Falls at Portage — The Genesee
made a Public Highway — Charlevoix's De-
scription OF the Genesee in 17 12 — Indian
Name of the Genesee — Its Principal Tribu-
taries — Canaseraga Creek — Cashaqua
Creek — Conesus and Hemlock Lakes — -Cli-
mate OF Livingston County — Soil — Staple
Productions — Chief Industry — Comparative
Analysis of the Census of 1875 — Livingston
County Compared with Other Counties in
the State — Towns in Livingston County
Compared.
IN 1638, the Dutch gave to all that part of New
York lying west of Albany its first specific
designation — Terra Incognita.'^
The Province of New York was divided into coun-
ties November i, 1683, and the counties then
formed, twelve in number, were named from the
titles of the Royal family.J Albany county, one
* The materials for this chapter have been drawn mainly from : Life
and Times 0/ Red Jacket; Stiae's Life of Brazil; Turner's Phelps
and Gorham' s Purchase ; Turner's Holland Purchase. A ddress of
Hon. B. F. Angel, of Genesee, before the Livmgston County Historical
Society, 1878 ; Contributions to the Local Press by Dr. M. H. Mills, of
Mt. Morris; YxmACs State Gazetteer; tAcMdiSler' s, History 0/ Steu-
ien County ; Tlie Historical Magazine ; and other documents.
t Pioneer History of Phelps & Gorham's Purchase, ii5.
\ These original counties were : Albany, Cornwall, (now in Maine,)
Dukes, (now in Massachusetts,) Duchess, Kings, New York, .Orange,
Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester.
of the twelve, was the first civil division to which
Livingston county belonged, and then embraced
" the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, Schenectady and
all the villages, neighborhoods and Christian plan-
tations on the east side of Hudson's river, from
Roeloffe Jansen's Creek ; and on the west side,
from Sawyer's Creek to the outermost end of Sa-
raghtoga." By subsequent statutes it was made
to include everything within the colony of New
York north and west of its present limits, and, at
one time, the whole of Vermont. March 12, 1772,
Tryon* county was formed from Albany county and
comprised the country west of a north and south
line extending from St. Regis to the west bounds
of the township of Schenectady, thence running
irregularly south-west to the head of the Mohawk
branch of the Delaware, and along the same to the
south-east bounds of the present county of Broome ;
thence in a north-westerly direction to Fort Bull,
on Wood Creek, near the present city of Rome ;
all west of the last mentioned Hne being Indian
territory. In 1788, all the region west of Utica
was known as Whitestown. At the third town
meeting of that town, in 1791, True worthy Cook,
of Pompey, Jeremiah Gould, of Salina, and James
Wadsworth, of Geneseo, were chosen path-masters.
Ontario t county was formed from Montgomery,
January 27, 1789, and included all that part of the
State lying west of a north and south line drawn
through Seneca .Lake, two miles east of Geneva.
March 30, 1802, Genesee f county was formed from
Ontario, and originally comprised all that part of
the State lying west of Genesee River and a line
extending due south from the point of junction of
the Genesee and Canaseraga Creek to the south
line of the State. Livingston county was formed
from Genesee and Ontario counties, February 23,
182 I, and named in honor of Chancellor Robert
Livingston, an eminent jurist and statesman and a
distinguished patron of agriculture. It originally
contained twelve towns, eight of which formerly
belonged to Ontario county § and four to Gene-
see. 11 In February, 1822, the north-west quarter
of the township No. 6, in the 7th range, then in
thetownofDansville, Steuben county, including the
* Named from William Tryon, Colonial Governor, and changed April
2, 17S4, in consequence of Tryon's manifest disloyalty to the colonies dur-
ing the Revolution, to Montgomery, in honor of General Richard Mont-
gomery, who fell at the capture of Quebec.
t Named from the lake of the same name, which then formed its northern
boundaiy.
X Named from the Genesee River which formerly was partly within its
limits.
§ Avon, Freeport, (Conesus) Geneseo, Groveland, Lima, Livonia,
Sparta and Springwater.
II Caledonia, Leicester, Mount Morris and York.
78
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
village of that name, was annexed to Sparta in this
county. The towns of Nunda and Portage were
annexed from Allegany county in May, 1846; and
Ossian in March, 1857. These, together with North
Dansville and West Sparta, which were formed
February 27, 1846, by the division of Sparta, con-
stitute the present seventeen towns of the county.
Livingston county lies upon the Genesee River,
and occupies a central position in the region com-
monly called Western New York. It is centrally
distant. two hundred and five miles from Albany;
and is bounded on the north by Monroe county,
on the east by Ontario and Steuben counties, on
the west by Genesee, Wyoming and Allegany
counties, and on the south by Allegany and
Steuben counties. It contains 380,665 acres.*
It is geographically situated between 42" 29' and
43° north latitude, and 44' and 1° 4' west longi-
tude from Washington. t Its greatest length, from
north to south, is 33.8 miles ; its greatest width,
from east to west, 27.3 miles.
The subjoined table shows the number of acres
of improved land in each town in 1820 and 1875 i
also the aggregate number of acres in 1879, indi-
cated as farm, village and railroad lands, the village
lands including, in addition to incorporated vil-
lages, mill property, factories, and lots of four acres
or less having buildings thereon which enhance
their value as compared with farm lands : —
Avon
Caledonia
Conesus ^
Geneseo
Groveland
Leicester
Lima
Livonia
Mt. Morris
No, Dansville§
Nunda
Ossian
Port3ge|[
Sparta
Springwater ...
West Sparta^.
Yoric
1820.
187;.
Farm.
Village
1,946
R.Rl
119
I2>'^33
21,134
22,867
8,205
21,777
25,883
•43
204
3,611
15.187
i';,798
.36
61
62S6
21,590
24.784
'.5'4
63
S.3°i
17.^74
24,402
<5
44
4,685
17,130
20.096
•34
8,°7 3
•7.347
18,799
767
10,915
"9>'34
22,415
392
69
2,500
25,056
28,425
469
64
3.578
4,152
1,296
12
3.192
>5'4+o
21,818
594
116
2,930
•+.771
25.094
22
10,868
15,138
ic6
54
6,229
12,987
17,100
103
8
2,790
^^.343
3',649
188
81
14.238
'9,599
5'
42
7,609
84,359
»5.377
295,232
29,458
^35
371,577
8,141
937
Aggreg'te
24,932
26,230
19,995
26,361
24,49'
20,230
19,566
22,876
28,958
5,56°
22,528
25,116
15,298
17,221
31,918
19,692
29,693
380,665
The surface of the county is diversified, and the
soil variable and adapted to a wide range of crops.
"JleMrt of the Committee on Egualizfitioti of the Board of Snter
visors, 1879. The Census of 1875 says it contains 374, 18S acres- and
Prench's State Gazetteer, 419,200 acres (6js square miles.)
t The meridian of Washington corresponds mth the seventy-seventh
west of Greenwich.
t Originally named Free/,ort. Name changed to Bowersville, March
z6th, 1825; and to Conesus, April 15th, 1825.
§ Included in Dansville, Steuben county, in 182c.
II Not given in 1810.
IF Included in Sparta in 1820.
The surface has a general inclination toward the
north, and consists of two terraces, separated by
the broad, deep valley of the Genesee, and broken
in a transverse direction by the streams which flow
over them. West of the Genesee the country is
level till we reach its ancient banks, which descend
by a series of ledges from one to two miles in width.
The eastern terrace rises similarly to a correspond-
ing height, attaining its greatest altitude in the well-
defined ridge which separates Conesus and Hem-
lock lakes, the former of which is about six hundred
feet above Lake Ontario, and about one hundred
and fifty to two hundred feet above Canandaigua
lake, to which the land descends. The slopes are
generally smooth and arable, except along the
banks of the streams, and nearly every acre of land
in the country is arable. The Genesee Valley
varies in width from two to four miles, and in the
south part of the county, where the highest eleva-
tions are ten to twelve hundred feet above the val-
leys and twenty to twenty-two hundred feet above
tide,* its depth is more than four hundred feet.
"In a comprehensive view it will be included in
the great western plain, forming part of the great
St. Lawrence basin, and probably once part of the
bed of the lake which covered the wide spreading
of Ontario and Erie when those inland seas had
no distinctive existence."!
Genesee river is the principal stream. It divides
the county into two unequal portions, and in its
upper course through it, forms a portion of the
western boundary. It rises in Potter county, Penn.,
on the great western table-lands of that State, at
an elevation of nearly two thousand feet,t and in-
terlocks the head waters of the Allegheny, the west
branch of the Susquehanna and French Creek.
Its entire length is about one hundred and forty-
five miles, one hundred and twenty-five miles of
its course being in this State. It is a small stream
m its upper course, and runs sluggishly through a
rich country to its first series of falls in the town of
Portage, where it is precipitated over four ledges,
which are respectively eight, sixty-six, one hundred
and ten, and thirteen feet in height.§ The entire
• French's State Gazetter, 1860.
t Gordon's Gazetier of New York, 1S36.
t At Angelica its bed is 1291 feet above tide, according to the report of
engmeers on the Erie railroad. At the head of the great falls at Portage
i'.^ !,'°' ,'^S': ,=" Gardeau Flats, 650 feet; at Squakie Hill, S74; at
trie Canal, Rochester, 506. Natural History of New York.
§ Gordon's Gazetteer of New York. Stafford's Gazetteer (1824)
mentions only two falls at th;s point, near each other, and of sixty and
ninety feet respectively. Disturnell ( Gazetteer of the State of New York,
1842,) mentions three, respectively sixty, ninety and one hundred and ten
leet, within the space of two miles, "each," he says, "differing in charac-
ter and each having peculiar beauties. " He adds, "although the cas-
cades are highly admirable, they are almost disregarded in the wonder
and fear caused by the stupendous perpendicular walls of the river," be-
tween which It flows, "in turns as short and graceful as if winding
through the softest meadow."
THE GENESEE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.
79
fall within a distance of two miles, is two hundred
and seventy-four feet. At the lower fall the bed
of the stream is bounded on either side by cliffs
three hundred feet high. Upon the left bank is a
table rock which was formerly the river bed ; and
upon the right, is a small conical island of rock,
between which and the table on the other side, the
stream now flows. Within the memory of the ear-
liest observers the river flowed almost wholly over
this table rock, and the isolated mass was joined
with the right bank of the river. This table rock
is ninety-six feet above the level of the river below
the falls, and was formerly continuous to the small
conical island, which is separated from the main
bank by a recent gorge, whose bed is about inter-
mediate between that of the present narrow chan-
nel and the table rock above, which is composed of
a fine sandstone, less than two feet thick, resting on
softer strata beneath.* The upper fall is a mile be-
low Portageville, and is known as the horse-shoe
fall, deriving its name from the curve in the face of
the cliff over which the water flows. Below this is
the middle fall, which pours an unbroken sheet one
hundred and ten feet into a chasm bounded by
perpendicular cliffs. In the west bank, near the
foot of the falls, an excavation known as the devil's
oven, has been worn in the rocks, large enough
when the water is low to seat one hundred persons
within it. Two or three miles below this point the
hills approach the river closely, and are separated
only by a deep chasm, with perpendicular banks of
aluminous slate four hundred feet high, almost as
regular as if a work of art, through which the river
passes in a rapid winding course for a distance of
three miles, after which it descends by a succession
of steps nearly as regular as a stair-case, and emerg-
ing from the narrow channel beneath the shelving
rock, makes a perpendicular descent. The water
strikes the base of high rocks and is hurled back at
nearly right angles into a deep pool overhung with
shelving rocks, the conical column of rock, or sugar-
loaf as it is called, receiving nearly the full force
of the stream. Thence by a tortuous course of
ninety miles it flows to Rochester, forming the
western boundary of the town of Portage and the
south half of Mt. Morris, and separating that town,
the north-west corner of Groveland, Geneseo and
Avon on the east, from Leicester, York and Cale-
donia on the west. From the head of the falls at
Portage the descent to Rochester is about seven
hundred and thirty-six feet, nearly the whole of
which is between Portage and Mt. Morris. At
"Geohgy of New York, Part IV., James Hall, 1843.
Rochester another series of falls commences, over
which by leaps of twelve, ninety-seven, twenty and
one hundred and five feet, the river attains the
level of the lake, which is two hundred and thirty-
one feet above tide. From thence it is navigable
for sloops and steamboats about five miles to its
recipient.
The Genesee is subject to an annual overflow,
the water often covering the entire flats which bor-
der upon it.* This frequently causes destruction
of property; but it is a source of constant fertility
to the soil. In its course through the county it '
has innumerable small curves, which embrace,
sometimes on the east and others on the west side
of the valley, fine tracts of alluvian, covered with
deep, rich and inexhaustable soil. These flats rest
upon quicksand, twenty feet below the surface,
and are generally from one to two miles wide. The
river frequently mingles its waters with the quick-
sand, and occasionally cuts the base of the hills
which skirt the valley. Its scenery is both beauti-
ful and sublime. The views from its banks are
everywhere beautiful and agreeable, and are fre-
quently of unsurpassed beauty.
By an Act of the Legislature passed April i8,
1828, the river from Rochester to the Pennsylvania
line was declared a public highway, without preju-
dice to mills and dams previously erected. Previ-
ous to the construction of the Genesee Valley
canal, it was navigated by boats between that city
and Mt. Morris, and an extensive traffic, which
was absorbed by that artificial commercial artery,
was carried on by that means. Both have now
succumbed to a more expeditious method of trans-
portation.
The principle streams tributary to the Genesee,
which are generally bordered by steep, and some-
times precipitous, hillsides, are Canaseraga creek,
Conesus and Honeoye outlets and Fall Brook on
the east, the former of which receives as confluent
near its junction with its recipient, Cashaqua creek;
while numerous small streams indent its western
margin, the principal of which are Beard's and
White creeks.
Canaseraga creek rises in the town of Nunda.
and flows thence in a circuitous course, first south-
east and then north-east, crossing the town of Os-
sian into Steuben county. It again enters this
county on the south line of North Dansville, receiv-
ing near the west line of that town. Mill creek, a
small but important mill stream. It thence flows
*In March, 1865, the city of Rochester suffered from a flood, which
did great damage to private properly, and to the streets, sewers, bridges
and public works.
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
in
_ a north-westerly direction, through a rich inter-
vale, averaging about one and one-half miles in
width, and resembhng in character the Genesee
flats, crossing the western portion of North Dans-
ville, forming the boundary line between Sparta
and West Sparta, and crossing diagonally the town
of Groveland, unites with the Genesee near the
north-east corner of the town of Mt. Morris. Its
length exceeds thirty miles. Cashaqua, or Kisha-
qua creek rises in Grove, Allegany county, enters
this county on the south line of Nunda, crosses the
south-west part of that town into Portage, which,
after making a short circuit in its eastern part, and
furnishing a good water-power whicli is not as
much utilized as formerly, it leaves a little north of
the center of the east border ; passing thence into
the town of Nunda, through the pleasant and once
thriving village of that name, it pursues a north-
easterly direction through the north-west part of
that town, the south-east part of Mt. Morris, giv-
ing power to the little village of Tuscarora, whose
business has been ruined by the closing of the
Genesee Valley canal, and thence through the
west border of Groveland, which it enters in the
south-west corner, to its recipient, into which it
empties near the line between that town and Mt.
Morris, about a mile from its mouth. A canal
three miles long in the latter town connects with
it the waters of the Genesee, and affords to the vil-
lage of Mt. Morris a valuable water-power. Its
length is about twenty miles.
Conesus* and Hemlock lakes are situated in the
east part of the county, the latter forming a por-
tion of the eastern boundary. Their outlets are
good mill streams, and the outlet of Honeoye lake
into which that of the latter discharges, forms the
east boundary of the town of Lima, which is also
the county line. They are the only considerable
bodies of water in the county. Conesus lake is
one of the most beautiful sheets of water in this
region, and, indeed, in the State. Its banks slope
gently to the water's edge, and are covered with a
fine forest of oak, hickory, &c., except where the
hand of industry has replaced them with cultivated
fields and meadows. It is about nine miles long
and one wide. Its depth does not exceed sixty
feet, and for the greater part is much less.f Its
* The Indian name of this lake was Ganeasoit, signifying, "where the
heavens rest upon the earth." Address of Dr. M. H. Mills at Ihe
Second Annual Meeting of the Livingston County Pioneer Association
August }, 1877- From The DansviUe Advertiser, Aug. 23, 1877.
^ Natural History of New York, Part I V., Geology, James Hall
Thomas F. Gordon, {Gazetteer of New York,) J. Distumel, (Gazetteer
of the State of New York,) mi Mather and Brockett, [Geographical
Hutory of New York, ) all state that Conesus Lake " is said to exceed
300 feet in depth."
waters are pure and cold. Its outlet is more valu-
able for hydraulic purposes from its great fall and
steadiness than its volume. The streams flowing
into the lake have deep channels. The lake is
much frequented during the summer months by
pleasure seekers ; and Long Point is hallowed by
its association with the meetings of the Livingston
County Pioneer Association. Hemlocklake, though
smaller than Conesus, is said to surpass it in beauty,
and has been pronounced " the most attractive of
all the beautiful chain of lakes which adorn Western
and Central New York. Its banks rise somewhat
abruptly from the water's edge to the height of two
to three hundred feet, and are covered with stately
pines and hemlocks. Halfway up the slope a ridge
of splendid chestnuts stretches away as far as the
eye can reach. It is six miles long and one wide.
Its depth is remarkable for its size, and is remarka-
bly uniform, especially the middle and upper por-
tions, where for several miles it has an easy average
of eighty feet, occasionally reaching ninety feet ; in
no part is it a hundred feet deep. For miles at
the upper end the depth is as great fifteen rods
from the shore as it is in the middle. At the foot of
the lake, as at the extreme head, the water is shal-
low, and abounds with weeds, as do all the coves,
and the shores where they are not too bold. In
the deep parts of the lake the water is remarkably
cold. It is well stocked with black and rock bass,
and has become a popular summer resort in that
region. Within a few years many cottages have
been erected upon its shores, also places of public
resort. The Jacques House, at the foot of the lake,
was the pioneer of Livingston county pleasure
resorts.*
The cHmate of this section is characterized by
uniformity. The mean temperature does not differ
materially from that of the whole State; but the
average annual range of the thermometer is only
96", while that of the State is 104°. Vegetation
in the spring is somewhat in advance of the State
generally, corresponding with that of Albany.
The prevalent local wind of this region is from the
southwest. In the autumn it is violent throughout
the whole section, and frequently attended with
rain. The extreme heat of summer is very uni-
form throughout the State ; only five places out of
fifty-five show a difference of over 3° from the
average of the State, which is 92°. The average
time throughout the whole State, from the bloom-
ing of the apple tree, to the first killing frost in
* Rochtster Democrat and Chronicle, July, 1871 ;
Advertiser, August 9, 1877.
Tlie Dam-,'iUi
CLIMATE — SOIL — PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES.
8i
autumn, is 174 days. On the west end of Long
Island it is 12^ days more; and in St. Lawrence
county, 22 days less. These are the extremes. It
has been ascertained by numerous observations
made in this State and New England, that an ele-
vation of surface of 350 feet produces a diminution
of heat equal to the addition of a degree of lati-
tude. Hence we see the influence of our moun-
tain systems upon the climate of the State. In the
eastern counties, consumption and other pulmonary
diseases are the prevailing maladies ; while in the
western counties bilious affections are more preva-
lent.* Cutting away the forests has doubtless
exerted some climatic influence and tended to
shorten or modify the distinguishing characteristics
of the spring and autumn seasons. The malarial
diseases which were so fatally prevalent during the
clearing process incident to the early settlement of
the county as to make the death rate greater than
in any other locality in this country| have vastly
diminished, though not entirely subsided; and at
present there are only sixteen counties in the State
which show a greater comparative healthfulness as
indicated by the percentage of deaths — the rate in
this county being 1.03, while the average for the
State is 1.15. The maximum rate — 1.41 — is in
Madison county — the minimum, .85 — in Clinton
county, t
The soil of the county is mainly derived from
the disintegration of the underlying rocks. It con-
sists of a sandy loam with clay sub-soil upon the
oaklands which abound in the north, and a deep,
rich alluvian on the flats bordering the Genesee
and Canaseraga. Beech and maple was the pre-
vailing timber on the west side of the river, where
the soil is a deeper sandy loam. Elm grew on the
flats and was also common on the uplands. In the
southern portion, which is better adapted to spring
crops and grazing, being supplied with an abun-
dance of pure soft spring-water, the timber consists
of oak, maple, elm, basswood, butternut, walnut,
ash, hemlock and white pine. About two-thirds of
the county is admirably adapted to the culture of
grain, and wheat of excellent quality is raised in
great abundance, the product in 1874 being one-
fifteenth of that of the entire State, and the grain
product, nearly one-thirty-second part. This great
staple was raised in its greatest perfection in this
* Gazetteer of New York^ Thomas F. Gordon ; Geographical His-
tory of New York, J. H. Mather and L. P. Brockett, M. D.
t Address of Dr. D. H. Bissell, of Geneseo, at the Second Annual
Meeting of the Livingston County Pioneer Association. Dr. Bissell
was one of the pioneer physicians and settlers in Livingston county, and
is one of the few remaining representatives of that early period.
tCensus ofliJS.
section prior to the destructive ravages of the
weevil in 1855, and the reputation of the Genesee
wheat surpassed all others in the market. Subse-
quent to that date its culture greatly diminished.
In 1836, the surplus product of wheat in the coun-
ty exceeded a million bushels annually,* while in
1874, the entire product was only 670,799 bush-
els,! notwithstanding the increased area under cul-
tivation by the acquisition of territory and other
means.
Joseph Harris, who was editor of the Genesee
Farmer in 1859, pronounced Western New- York
"the best natural wheat-producing region in the
world," and said "that the soil lacked none of the
ingredients which were necessary for the produc-
tion of wheat, but what could be easily supplied by
proper manuring and cultivation."
Grazing is receiving more attention than form-
erly, especially in the southern part of the county ;
and though the county does not take a high rank
in the magnitude of its dairy products, these form
an important industry and are increasing in value.
Dairying is confined almost entirely to private fami-
lies. Fruit of excellent quality grows readily. Bean
culture is an important industry and has developed
within the last six years on the east side of the river.
It was previously carried on quite extensively in York
and Caledonia, and, though to a less extent, in
Leicester. In 1874, the county ranked fifth in the
State in this product, which was nearly one-thir-
teenth of the entire product. Monroe and Or-
leans counties, however, produced alone nearly
one-half; and Livingston about one-seventh of the
remainder. Broom corn is raised quite extensive-
ly on the flats, and is manufactured within the
county. Sheep husbandry, in which, in 1855,
Livingston county ranked second in the State, in-
creased in magnitude during the succeeding decade,
but in the next one it rapidly diminished to nearly
one-third its magnitude in 1865, although in 1875,
it still ranked second in the State, and its fleeces
gave 4,244 pounds more wool than in 1855.:!;
Formerly pork and cattle were staple products.
Large quantities of pork were cured for market by
farmers and merchants ; and four or five droves of
cattle of from 300 to 500 head each were annually
* Gordon^ s Gazetteer of New York,
i Census of tSjS-
t The following table shows the variations in this industry between the
years 1855 and 1875 :—
No. of Fleeces.
Total Clip.
Average Weight of Fleece.
I8S5
1S64
186;
1874
1875
lo6,8j9
178,637
"8^;'9l6
68,83Z
377,689
786,256
776,16s
449,343
381,933
3-53
4.40
4.22
sss
s-ss
82
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
collected at Geneseo for the Philadelphia and New
York markets. Stock raising is still an importanl
-industry, but is more exclusively confined than
. formerly to improving the domestic herds' than to
fattening for the market.
The industries of the county are almost exclu-
sively agricultural, and the disparity between agri-
cultural and mechanical pursuits is increasing.
There were eighty-six more manufacturing estab-
lishments in the county in 1870 than in 1875; and
in the latter year there were only fifteen counties
in the State having a less number of manufactur-
ing establishments than Livingston county. The
manufactures of the county are mostly confined to
local needs.
The soil and climate, aside from intelligent cul-
tivation, determine the character and magnitude of
the agricultural productions of the county; and
since there is little material variation in climate,
and, though some difference in the quality, but
little in the character of the soil, we observe a
great similarity in the staple productions. Hence,
an analysis of the census with a view to arriving at
■comparative results, will be both interesting and
instructive.
In its great staple product — winter wheat — Liv-
ingston county ranks sixth in the State in the
quantity produced, (633,148 bushels,) but only
thirty-fourth in the average yield per acre, which is
14.62, while the State average is 16. t6. In the
other cereals — corn, oats, rye, barley and buck-
wheat— it ranks as follows : eighth in corn, yielding
38.63 bushels to the acre, the State average being
32.33, the maximum, (Yates county,) 47.82, and
the minimum, (Albany county,) 168.78; twelfth in
oatSj yielding 32.67 bushels to the acre, the State
average being 28.59, the maximum, (Monroe coun-
ty;) 36-97, and the minimum, (Rockland county,)
19.49 ; forty-third — next to the lowest — in rye,
yielding 11.37 bushels to the acre, the State aver-
age being 11.82, the maximum, (Herkimer county,)
21.63, and the minimum, (Warren county,) 8.34;
twenty-fourth in barley, yielding 22.73 bushels per
acre, the State average being 22.83, the maximum,
(Saratoga county,) 32.87, and the minimum, (Rich-
mond county,) 10.00; and sixteenth in buckwheat,
yielding 17.10 bushels to the acre, the State aver-
age being 15.14, the maximum, (Steuben county,)
19.99, and the minimum, (Albany county,) 9.78.
In the product of hay it ranks twenty-sixth, yielding
1.14 tons to the acre, the State average being 1.13,
the maximum, (Herkimer county,) 1.35, and the
minimum, (Warren county,). 75; in potatoes, twen-
ty-sixth, yielding iog.34 bushels to the acre, the
State average being 102.22, the maximum, (Kings
county,) 153.64, and the minimum, (Rockland
county,) 58.03.
A somewhat different result is obtained by com-
paring the results on farms of one hundred acres,
which is, perhaps, a fairer test. By this we find
-that Livingston ranks seventh in winter wheat,
tenth in barley, fifteenth in corn, twentieth in oats,
thirty-fourth in rye, fifty-third in hay and forty-fifth
in potatoes. This at least exhibits more fairly its
status in its great staple product — winter wheat.
The ratio of milch cows to the acreage of im-
proved land, June 1, 1875, was 3.57, the State av-
erage being 8.44. Themaximum ratio,(in Herkimer
county,) was 14,89, and the minimum, (in Kings
county,) 3.46. Livingston county ranked fifty-eighth
— next to the lowest. It ranked twenty-seventh in
the average yield per cow of dairy products in
1874, its average being 123, that of the State, 124,
the maximum, (Orange county,) 172, and the min-
imum, (Kings county,) 72.*
In the production of hay, Springwater takes the
lead, as compared with other towns in the. county.
Conesus, Geneseo, Groveland, Livonia, Mt. Morris
and York, exceed the general average, which is 3,742
tons per town. Lima takes the lead in barley,
producing nearly one-sixth of the entire product of
the county. Avon, Groveland, Leicester, Livonia,
Mt. Morris, Sparta and York exceed the general
average, which is 15,932 bushels per town. Spring-
water takes the lead in buckwheat, producing
nearly one-half the quantity raised in the county.
Nunda, Ossian, Sparta and West Sparta are the
only towns which exceed the general average which
is 3,424 bushels per town. Avon takes the lead
in Indian corn. Caledonia, Geneseo, Leicester,
Lima, Livonia, Mt. Morris and York exceed the
general average, which is 38,488 bushels per town.
Springwater produces nearly twice as many oats
as any other town in the county, except Mt. Mor-
ris, which produces less than three-fourths, as many.
Avon, Geneseo, Nunda and York are the only
other towns which exceed the general average—
44,946 bushels per town. Springwater also takes
the lead in rye, producing more than one-fourth of
all that is raised in the county, and, with the excep-
tion of North Dansville and Sparta, more than
double the quantity of any other town in the
county. Ossian is the only other town which ex-
ceeds the general average — 935 bushels per town.
* In this estimate two and a half pounds of cheese, one pound of butler
and three gallons of milk are considered equivalents.
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS.
83
Avon, Geneseo, Groveland, Lima and Livonia do
not raise any. Nunda takes the lead in spring
wheat, producing nearly one-fifth of all that is
raised in the county. Mt. Morris, Ossian, Sparta,
Springwater and West Sparta exceed the general
average — 2,215 bushels per town, Springwater
trebling it, and Ossian and West Sparta nearly so.
Caledonia, Geneseo and Groveland did not pro-
duce any ; while Lima raised only 1 2 bushels,
Avon 17 and York 99. The towns generally pro-
duce liberally in winter wheat, Caledonia taking
the lead with 77,406 bushels. The general aver-
age is 37,244 bushels per town, and is exceeded by
all the towns except Conesus, North Dansville,
(which naturally produces the least quantity, only a
little more than one-fourth of the average,) Nunda,
Ossian, Portage, Sparta, Springwater and West
Sparta. York takes the lead in beans, producing
a little more than a fourth of the product of the
county. North Dansville is the only town which
did not produce any, and Ossian raised the least
quantity, 46 bushels. The average per town —
4,692 bushels — is exceeded only by Avon, Caledo-
nia, Geneseo, Leicester and York. West Sparta
takes the lead in hops, producing nearly a third
of what is raised in the county— 163,561 pounds.
Conesus, Leicester, Livonia and Nunda are the
only other towns which exceeded the general aver-
age— 9,033 pounds per town ; while Caledonia,
North Dansville, Ossian, Sparta, Springwater and
York did not produce any. Potatoes were a plen-
tiful crop in all the towns, Lima taking the lead
with 51,926 bushels. Avon, Caledonia, Geneseo,
Livonia, Springwater and York are the only other
towns which exceed the general average — 26,029
bushels per town. Avon was the only town which
raised tobacco, producing 1,400 lbs. Apples were
produced bountifully in all the towns. The greatest
quantity— 47,212 bushels — was raised in York.
The number of horses on farms, two years old
and over, June i, 1875, was proportionate to the
natural requirements of the towns, Mt. Morris
having the largest number and North Dansville
the smallest. All, excepit North Dansville, closely
approximate the average number — 689 — and all,
except Conesus, Leicester, North Dansville, Nun-
da, Ossian, Portage, Sparta and West Sparta,
exceed it. The towns generally show a slight in-
crease in the number of milch cows kept in 1875,
as compared with 1874, the number in the county
increasing from 10,259 ^^ ^^74 to 10,531 in 1875.
Springwater had the largest number— 929 — and
North Dansville the least— 148. Avon, Geneseo,
Groveland, Lima, Livonia, Mt. Morris, Nunda,
Sparta and York exceed the average number — 619
— while Caledonia, Conesus, Ossian and Portage
closely approximate it. Milk was sent to factories
from only 256 cows in 1874, and 383 in 1875.
The number of pounds of butter made in families
in 1874 was 1,198,134 pounds, (to which all the
towns contributed generously,) and of cheese, 43,162
pounds. Springwater produced the largest quan-
tity of butter — 128,224 pounds — and North Dans-
ville thesmallest— 18,965 pounds. Avon, Caledonia,
Geneseo, Lima, Livonia, Mt. Morris and Nunda,
exceed the average per town — 70,478 — but none
of them very largely ; while Conesus, Groveland,
Ossian, Sparta, West Sparta and York closely ap-
proximate it. Groveland produces the greatest
quantity of cheese — 21,000 pounds — -nearly half of
the product of the county. The only other town
which approached it was Ossian, which made 8,400
pounds. The product of the other towns ranged
from 450 to 2,820 pounds, though the majority of
them made less than a thousand pounds. All the
towns are large pork producers, the entire product
of the county in 1874 being 2,529,205 pounds, of
which Avon produced the greatest quantity —
254,661 pounds, and North Dansville the least —
34,225. All the towns, except Conesus, Leicester,
North Dansville, Nunda, Ossian, Portage, Sparta
and West Sparta, exceed the average per town —
148,777 pounds.
CHAPTER VIIL*
Geology — Succession of Underlying Rocks in
THE County — Water-lime of the Onondaga
Salt Group — Onondaga Limestone — Cornif-
EROUS Limestone — Marcellus Shales —
Hamilton Group — Genesee . Slate — Portage
Group — Cashaqua Shale — Gardeau Shale
and Flagstones — Portage Sandstones —
Diagonal Lamination — Ripple Marks — Casts
OF Shrinkage Cracks — Concretions or Sep-
taria — Casts of Flowing Mud, &c. — Indica-
tions of Coal — Sulphuretted Hydrogen
Springs — Avon Springs — Brine Springs —
Alluvial Deposits — Marl — Chara — Masto-
don Remains— Speculations as to the Time
when the Mastodon Existed.
I'^HE lowest rock in the county is the water-lime
of the Onondaga salt group. Above this, as we
proceed south, appear in succession the Onondaga
* In preparing this cliapter we have relied mainly on the Geology o/
New York, Part IV., by James Hall.
84
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
and corniferous limestones, the Marcellus shale, the
Hamilton group, Genesee slate and Portage group,
the latter occupying the high lands in the southern
part of the county.
The thick-bedded hydraulic limestone passes
through Caledonia and Avon. In the former town
it is quarried in several localities, chiefly for build-
ings and enclosures. It underlies the village of
Caledonia, extending thence south-easterly towards
the Genesee, reappearing on the other side, and
extending north-easterly to Mendon. In several
instances where it has been burned for cement it
has been found unfit for the purpose, either from
improper composition or from the mode of burning.
For a distance of two or three miles south-east
of Caledonia village these flat masses of the drab
limestone are scattered over the surface, in many
places in sufficient quantities for enclosures; its
out-cropping edges approach so near the surface as
to be turned up by the plow. At the Wadsworth
quarry, three and one-half miles south-east of Cal-
edonia, it was quarried in large quantities for use
on the Genesee Valley canal. It is easily quarried,
splitting into masses of any dimension, and be-
comes very hard and brittle on exposure. The
upper seven feet of the mass is often in one course,
though generally divided into two ; this portion and
a course of two feet below, contain numerous ir-
regular cavities, often filled with greenish clay, gyp-
sum, and sulphate of strontian, blende, &c. In
some of these cavities there are remains of some
coralline fossils, the greater part having been expel-
led, probably by the action of sulphuric acid, which
formed, with the lime, gypsum, and with strontian,
its sulphates. The same causes which here produced
the small nodules of gypsum were in operation over
a large extent, to form the immense quantity which
occupies a place in the rocks beneath the drab
limestone. Owing to this circumstance only, we
find no fossils in the gypseous rocks ; for none could
exist in a sea where sulphuric acid was a free in-
gredient.
The Onondaga limestone is but a thin mass in
this county, scarcely appearing except in a few lo-
calities. The principal of these is at Caledonia,
where it is a thick compact mass, with a few thin
layers separated by shale, and contains agreat num-
ber of Cyathophylli Favosites and other fossils. It
extends also for several miles north-west from the
village, maintaining the same character, and the
surface is strewed with fragments which contain its
typical fossils. It abounds in its usual coraHine
fossils, but there are no places where it is sufficient-
ly developed for quarrying. Its usual characteristic
is a light-gray color, often approaching to white,
more or less crystaHine in structure. In many in-
stances it is almost entirely composed of broken
and comminuted fragments ofcrinoidea and corals
sometimes extremely attenuated, and at other times
fragments of large size are presented. These frag-
ments of crinoidal columns, with some of the other
fossils are frequently of a pink or reddish color
and give a beautiful variegated appearance to the
mass, particularly when polished. The Corniferous
limestone scarcely extends into the town of Lima
but forms the substratum of the northern portion
of Avon, and in the river valley extends as far south
as the center of the town. It occupies a width of
from two to four or five miles, dipping gradually
to the south under the Marcellus shales. It is
quarried in the outlet of Conesus lake, and on a
small stream a short distance further east ; at these
places only a few feet of the upper part of the mass
are seen. It is easily quarried in blocks of large
dimensions, and is nearly free from hornstone. It
was wrought for use on the Genesee Valley canal.
The fossils at this place consist chiefly of Stropho-
meiia negosa, Atrypa affinus, Delthyris, and some
fragments of trilobites. The greater portion of this
rock, on the east side of the river, is covered by a
deep alluvium, which renders it difficult to trace its
bearing and outcrop with extreme accuracy. On
the west side of the river it first makes its appear-
ance in the south-east corner of Caledonia, near
the town line. Two miles south-east of Caledonia
village a very extensive quarry has been opened on
the west bank of a small stream, on the Christie
place, from which large quantities of the gray por-
tion of this limestone were taken for the construc-
tion of locks, aqueducts, &c., for which purpose
no better stone can be found. It is mostly free
from seams and is easily quarried and dressed. The
whole thickness exposed does not exceed ten feet,
the courses varying from one to two and one-half
feet, and being thicker than elsewhere in the State
to the westward of Seneca Lake. None of the
layers preserve a continuity of thickness. Some-
times the courses are separated by a thin, irregular
course of hornstone; at others this hornstone is in
the center, or near the surface of the layer of lime-
stone.
From Christie's Quarry the limestone pursues a
north-west direction, passing just to the south of
Caledonia village ; it crosses the road a little west
of that place, and pursues the same direction to
the top of the terrace on the south side of Allen's
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES.
85
creek. In the west and north-west part of Cale-
donia large numbers of fossils are found in it, the
lowest portion of the rock is thick-bedded and com-
pact, while above it contains a large proportion of
hornstone, and in some places is composed almost
entirely of that substance. Being in irregular shaped
masses, and surrounded by limestone, which de-
composes on exposure, it is scattered over the sur-
face in rough and shapeless forms. These fragments
are crossed in every direction by innumerable fis-
sures, which are expanded by freezing water, and
the whole falls into small fragments which, in many
places, literally cover the surface for many acres.
Where the road crosses this part of the rock, it has
the appearance of being made in a bed of flints.
From the jagged and irregular appearance of the
hornstone rock, as its occurs in detached masses,
it has received the familiar and expressive name of
" chawed rock!' This rock is the best material for
road making which Western New York affords.
Where it approaches the surface the soil is rather
barren, producing only a growth of dwarf oaks ;
but where there is a tolerable proportion of finer
materials, it produces a fertile soil. A large pro-
portion of the native growth along this terrace con-
sists of oaks.
The Marcellus shales possess their usual essen-
tial characters ; the middle portions being quite
compact and highly bituminous, becoming more
slaty above and below. The compact part of the
shale usually contains large septaria; these some-
times consist of large silico-calcareous masses, with-
out seams of crystalline matter. This rock follows
the same course as the limestone. Commencing
on the east near the north line of the county, it
passes south-west to the Genesee; thence its course
is north-west through Caledonia, passing into Gene-
see county near the north line of this town.
On the Conesus outlet, near the lower saw-mill
at Avon, this shale may be seen resting on the lime-
stone. About thirty-five feet from the bottom of
the shale there is a stratum of limestone one foot
thick, sometimes concretionary, and containing
Orthoceras, fragments of trilobiUs, &c. For sev-
eral feet below this the rock is black, slaty and
very fragile. A few feet of the shale above this
limestone is black and slaty ; it abounds in fossils
of Orthoceras, Orthis, Strophomena, Avicida, and
a very small species of Orbicula. Above this the
mass graduates into a grayish or bluish gray slaty
shale, and contains few fossils. This shale is seen
in the ravines and hillsides on the west-side of the
Genesee, extending through the north-east corner
of York, and thence through the south-west part of
Caledonia. In the south part of this town two ex-
cavafions, one on each side of a small shallow val-
ley originally worn in this shale, were made for
coal. The indications which induced the under-
taking were the black and highly bituminous char-
acter of the shale, thin seams of coaly matter and
petroleum. North of the valley on the McLean
farm, the same shale was penetrated in digging a
well. Some portions of the rock are so highly
charged with bitumen as to burn when thrown into
a hot fire. Numerous excavations for coal have
been made in these shales as well as in the upper
Genesee slate, and in each alike fruitless.
The Hamilton group, consisting of several mem-
bers, but the product of one period, is exposed in
numerous localities in the county, and is every
where highly fossiliferous. Its destruction has af-
forded the highly fertile argillaceous soil which is
everywhere so productive of wheat in this part of
the State, and, perhaps, nowhere more so than in
this county. It occupies a belt of country from
five to eight miles wide covering nearly the whole
of the towns of Avon and York, a part of Geneseo,
Leicester and Caledonia. The deep valley of the
Genesee, with numerous lateral ravines and water
courses, renders this county one of the most de-
sirable localities for examining its rocks.
On Jack's Run the Ludlowville and Moscow
shales can both be seen, separated by the thin
mass of crinoidal limestone. The Moscow shale
is known by its fossils, the Calymene and Cryph-
CEUS ; while the Atrypa concentrica and large num-
bers of Cyathophylli and other corals characterize
the Ludlowville shale. In some localities the
Cyathophylli and smaller corallines occur in the
Moscow shales, but are not characteristic of this
mass. At York the Ludlowville shale is exposed
on a small stream near the village ; but the fossils
are chiefly Cyathophyllites and Favosites, both in
great perfection and beauty. Among the former
there is a specimen in the State collection, consist-
ing of twenty-six individuals of the species turbina-
tum (?) all closely grouped together. In the same ra-
vine several hundred feet lower, and in several other
localities may be seen a hard calcareous shale, or
shaly limestone, which, though of interest elsewhere,
possesses here but little economic importance. At
Moscow, the locality which gives name to the
upper number of this group of fossiliferous shales,
they are exposed in great perfection and contain
an abundance of the characteristic fossil. These
are the Colymene bu/o, Cryphceus calliteles, Atrypa
86
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
affinis and two or three species of Delthyris. The
principal locality is in the bed and banks of
Beard's Creek, on the Jerediah Horsford place,
where more than fifty species of fossils have been
found. The rock at this place is a pure calcareous
mudstone, of a blueish color on first exposure, but
weathering to a whiteish ashen. Its decomposition
is hastened by the diffusion of iron pyrites which
sometimes replace the fossil bodies. The Mos-
cow shale is exposed in a ravine and the bed of a
small stream, near the residence of Hon. G. W.
Patterson. These localities are in a deep valley
of denudation, and much below the general eleva-
tion of the surrounding country, the surface of
which is occupied by the Genesee slate. It is also
seen at the base of the fall on Fall Brook, south of
Geneseo village, and near the Conesus outlet,
along which the lower division of the group is ex-
posed at several places.
The Genesee slate extends through the coun-
try in an irregular course. From the outlet of
Conesus Lake its direction is south-west till it
comes to the level of the Genesee Valley in Grove-
land and Mt. Morris. From the west side of this
valley its course is north-west to the south part
of the town of York, whence it continues westward
to Allen's creek. It appears in the ravines both
east and west of Moscow; also in a hill crossed in
going from Moscow toward the Genesee, and in
the hillside ascending from the valley to Geneseo.
The same shale is seen in Fall Brook, where the
water leaps a hundred feet from the top of this
rock. It underlies the village of Geneseo, and is
seen in many places on the road east from that
place, and in the ravines between it and Conesus
lake. In this neighborhood the black shale is
succeeded by a thin stratum of impure limestone
which has been burned for lime near Moscow. At
the bridge crossing the Genesee near Mt. Morris,
and for a mile in the perpendicular cliffs forming
the gorge in that river, the Genesee slate is well
exposed, possessing all its essential characteristics
being bituminous, containing thin seams of coal
great numbers of septaria, sometimes irregularly
scattered, at other times in regularly courses. Its
greatest development in Western New York is at
the opening of the gorge at Mt. Morris.
The Portage group covers the remaining south
half of the county. It presents an immense
development of shale and flagstones, together
with some thick-bedded sandstone towards its
upper part. Like all the other mechanical depos-
its of the system, as they appear in New York, it is
extremely variable in character. From its superior
development along the banks of the Genesee in
the town of Portage, in the locality of the middle
fall, it has received the name of the town to dis-
tinguish it from the higher rocks, which possess
some differences in lithological characters, but a
more striking dissimilarity in organic remains. The
group rises sometimes in a gentle slope, and at
other times abruptly from the softer shales below.
The enduring sandstones of the upper part have
enabled it to withstand denuding action to a con-
siderable degree, and these often extend far north-
ward to the elevated grounds between the deep
north and south valleys, presenting a gentle north
slope to the shales of the Hamilton group ; while
on the sides of the same hills the slope is abrupt
and the surface being but little covered with north-
ern drift, the valleys on either side are bounded by
steep hills. This character is well illustrated along
the south part of the Genesee Valley towards
Dansville.
The change in the external appearance of the coun-
try indicates the commencement of these rocks
ahhough they are not seen. The valleys just spoken
of, in their course through the shales of the Hamilton
group, present gently sloping sides, and the country
rarely rises far above the level of the valley bottom
or bed of the stream. On approaching the north
margin of the Portage group, the observer finds a
gradually increasing elevation of the hills on either
side, and an abruptness in their slope ; and in a
short time he finds himself in a deep valley,
bounded on either side by hills rising four hundred
or five hundred feet, and in some instances even
eight hundred feet above the bed of the stream.
These elevations often extend several miles un-
broken, except partially by the deep ravines which
indent their sides. The higher sandstones of the
group, and in many instances some of the inter-
mediate ones, produce falls in the streams which
pass over them, and some of the most beautiful
cascades in the State are found among the rocks
of this gronp. The highest perpendicular fall of
water in the State is produced by the rocks of this
group, and in none others do we meet with more
grand and striking scenery. Conspicuous among
these are the upper, middle and lower Portage falls.
On the Genesee, which affords the best develop-
ment in this district, the group admits of these
subdivisions: i. Cashaqua shale; 2. Gardeau
shale and flagstones; 3. Portage sandstone.
The Cashaqua Shale differs sufficiently in htho-
logical and fossil characters from those above to be
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES.
87
considered under a separate name, which was
given it from its perfect development on Cashaqua
creek. The mass at this place is a soft argillaceous
rock of a green color, rapidly crumbling on expos-
ure, and forming a tenaceous clay. From the in-
fluence of atmospheric agency, it is very difficult to
procure good specimens; and fossils not being
abundant, they might be easily overlooked. It is,
however, marked by certain species of shells which
have not been seen in any other rock, and these
have been found to hold the same position over an
extent of a hundred and fifty miles. On Casha-
qua creek, and in some other places in the same
neighborhood, it contained some flattened concre-
tions of impure limestone, and sometimes of sand-
stone, but of these it presents no continuous layers.
It is deeply excavated, presenting high and abruptly
sloping banks, which project into the valley on one
side and recede on the other, as the stream widens
along its course below. In looking down the
stream, the slopes of these cliffs are free from veg-
etation, while on the opposite side they are entirely
covered, often with large trees. This effect
is produced by the action of the meandering
stream, which flows in its channel from one side of
the gorge to the other, continually undermining
the rock, which crumbles down from above, thus
constantly presenting a fresh surface. From one
hundred and ten feet on the Genesee, the rock
diminishes to thirty-three feet on Eighteen Mile
creek.
Along the Genesee, above the Cashaqua shale,
the Gardeau shale and flagstones present a great
development of green and black slaty and sandy
shales, with thin layers of sandstone, which form
beautiful and durable flagstones, and are quarried
in many places between Stony Brook in Sparta
and Dansville, where materials were obtained for
locks, bridges, etc., on the Genesee Valley canal.
The shale in the upper part of the ravine formed
by Stony Brook has been ground and used as a
plaster. The rocks in this part of the group form
high, almost perpendicular banks on the Genesee,
only indented by the incipient ravines caused by
slides and the action of running water. From
their great exposure on the Gardeau Reservation,
that name was adopted to distinguish this part of
the formation, in the lower part of which the shales
consist of alternations of green slaty and sandy
shales with black slaty shale, one or two thin
courses of sandstone occurring in the space of four
or five feet. As we ascend, the arenaceous matter
increases in quantity, the layers are thicker and
more numerous, and the shale forms distinct alter-
nations of black and green, often many times in
succession, within the space of fifty feet. Towards
the upper part the courses of sandstone become
too thick for flagstones, and the shale is in thicker
masses than below. These characters, however,
which are sufficiently obvious in the gorge
of the Genesee, are not constant for any great
distance in either direction. Toward the east
the arenacious strata augment in a great degree
to the exclusion of the shales ; while in a
westerly direction the sandstones are constantly
disappearing, and the proportion of shale con-
stantly increasing. With the absence of sandy
strata and the augmentation of shale, a few fossils
which were rather sparingly seen along the Gene-
see and in the east part of the district, become
more numerous, and form a distinguishing feature
of the rock.
The Portage sandstones are well exposed in the
deep gorge below Portageville, where the perpen-
dicular cliffs rise to the height of three hundred
and fifty feet. The upper part consists of thick
bedded sandstone, with little shale; while below,
the sandy layers become thinner with more fre-
quent alternations of shale. The thick-bedded
character of the sandstones, and the presence of
fucoids passing vertically through the strata, in-
duced the separation from the rocks below, where
the characteristic species of the same genus lie
horizontally upon the surface of the strata. The
lithological character of the sandstone, and the
presence of the vertical fucoid, hold uniform over
a considerable extent; and the presence of the
latter alone is often sufficient to decide the posi-
tion of the rock, when it is but sHghtly exposed.
The higher mass of sandstone of the Portage group
is very persistent and forms a line of demarkation
between the almost non-fossiUferous shales and
sandstones below, and the highly fossiliferous sand-
stones and shales above.
Canaseraga creek and its branches in the vicinity
of Dansville, offer good exposures of the rocks of
this group. The small streams flowing into the
Genesee Valley between Dansville and Mt. Morris,
on both sides, afford good opportunities for inves-
tigation. Cashaqua creek is the best of these. The
Genesee in its passage from Portage to Mt. Morris,
exposes the whole series of rocks in five mural
escarpments which rise from fifty to three hun-
dred and fifty feet high. The examination of this
gorge throughout its whole length will give a most
perfect and connected view of all the subdivisions
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
of this group, the thickness of which on the Gene-
see cannot be less than one thousand feet.
Carbonaceous matter is disseminated through the
black shales, and sometimes appears in seams of
half an inch thick. Some fragments of large vege-
table forms appear, and thin laminas of coal usu-
ally accompany these. From the frequency of these
small seams of coal, which are usually of no greater
extent than the specimen procured, excavations
and borings have been undertaken in search of
larger beds. It is unnecessary to say, says Mr.
Hall, that these always fail, as do all similar un-
dertakings in rocks of this period. Traces of coal
have been found in Conesus; and as late as 1876,
the community was considerably agitated by the
discovery of a vein in the wall of a deep gully,
known as the Purchase gully, near the center of the
town, about thirty rods south of the foundation of
the old Purchase grist-mill. "The vein is an inch
in width and seems to widen and thicken as it
extends into the rock. It is about ten feet above
the water, which winds at the foot of rocks fifty
feet in height at this place. Coal is seen in
other places, but nowhere in sufficient quantities to
pay for mining." Formerly it was found in the
north-west part of the town on the Adam and Cyrus
Trescott farms; also on Turkey Hill, in digging
wells, slight veins were seen. More recently, in
September, 1880, coal was discovered by workmen
engaged in digging a well on the Mountain Dew
premises, at the head of Liberty street in the vil-
lage of Dansville. " In the search for water, much
rock was encountered, necessitating drilling and
blasting ; and at the depth of twenty-four feet below
the surface of the earth a vein of superior soft coal
was struck, of about four inches in thickness in
either way, while coal slate was plentiful."*
The country underlaid by the rocks of this group
is well watered by never-failing springs. Except
where the black slaty shale is thick, there is no dif-
ficulty in procuring water. In such instances the
vertical joints appear to be more open, and to
allow the percolation of water through the mass.
There is here no remedy but to bore through the
black to the green shales, which are less divided
by joints, and usually impervious to water.
In some parts of the country occupied by this
group we first notice a deficiency in the calcareous
matter in the soil. This change is indicated by a
different growth of timber, and a corresponding
change in the cultivated products of the soil. Wheat
does not always produce a sure crop after the field
* TheDamville Advtriiser, September 2j, 1880.
has been cultivated for some years. When fin
cleared the land produces good crops of all the grain:
In this statement, however, must not be include
the valleys and low northern slopes, which ar
deeply covered with northern drift and alluviun
containing a large proportion of calcareous mattei
This on examination proves to be composed of th
ruins of the limestone and calcareous shales befor
described, with a small admixture of sand. Thi
kind of soil is but sparingly spread over the highe
grounds, and in many of the highest places is no
known at all. In consequence of its absence, th
character and productions of the soil of the valley
and of the hills are quite different. The soil derivei
from the lower part of the group is a stiff clay, thi
soil being in too small proportions to produce mucl
perceptible effect. As we ascend, the arenaceou:
matter increases, and the broken fragments of th(
sandy strata become intermixed with the finer ma
terials, giving it the character of a clayey gravel
The fragments, however, show little effect of attri
tion, and from being fiat and irregular, the soil ii
known locally as " Jiat gravel," to distinguish i
from that of the valleys, where the fragments ar(
rounded into the form of pebbles.
In the valleys and on the low northern slopes o
this group, the soil produces wheat with the same
facility and equal certainty as the formations nortl
of it. As we ascend to the south, the wheat crops
are less abundant and less certain, and this gives
place to the coarser grains and to pasturage. Foi
the latter object the soil is superior to that on the
north of it, and the evidence is fully substantiatec
by the increasing number of cattle and the product
of the dairies.
In the Cashaqua shale there are several species
of shells which have not been seen in any othei
rock, and at the same time there are no fossils
found with them which are known in other rocks
beyond the group. The more common forms are
the Avicula speciosa, Ungidiiia suborUscularis
Bellerophon expanstis, Orthoceras aviculum, Cly-
menia (') complanata, Goniatites sinuosis, PinnopsL
acuiirostra, and Piimopsis ornatus, all of which are
found on Cashaqua Creek, and the first also on the
Genesee. The following fossils occur in the more
central or higher part of the group, but, with the
exception of the last, are unknown in the Cashaqua
shale : Delthyris lavis, Cardium (I) vetustum, Or-
this termistrata, Liicina (?) reti/sa, Nucula lineolaia,
Astarte subtextilis, Bellerophon striatus (I), Goni-
atites bicostatus, Goniatites sinuosis. The Cyatho-
criniis ornatissimus, among the most beautiful
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES.
89
crinoideans in the system, occurs in this group, but
only in a limited stratum, upon the shore of Lake
Erie, in the town of Portland. The sculptured
column and tentaculated arms and fingers place it
among the most ornamental forms of this family of
fossils.
Sulphuretted hydrogen springs are numerous, and
occur in almost every rock in the district, but
those which are copious in water and highly charged
with gas, are confined to a few situations. The
most important ones are those issuing from the
rocks of the upper part of the Onondaga salt group;
these being almost the only ones resorted to for
the medical properties of their waters. They con-
tain, besides the gas, carbonate and sulphate of
lime, which are deposited upon the stones and
twigs over which the waters flow. At some there
is a considerable formation of calcareous tufa, often
covered with a yellow coating, which apparently
consists of sulphur, and sulphate of lime. The
water is usually perfectly limpid, though sometimes
it has a whitish or chalky appearance when first
flowing from the spring. Such are the springs
which occur at Avon.*
There are several unimportant brine springs in
the higher rocks of the district. The most remark-
able of these is at York, which, for some time after
its discovery, yielded a large supply of water, but
which has since diminished. It gives evidence
of a large proportion of iodine on the application
of the usual tests. It issues from the shale of the
Hamilton group. A sulphur spring, evolving sul-
phuretted hydrogen gas, issues from the upper part
of the Onondaga salt group at Caledonia village ;
another near Moscow, issuing from the Hamilton
group, evolves the same gas.
The superficial or alluvial deposits are extensive
in the valley of the Genesee, and originated mainly
at a time when that valley of ancient excavation
formed the basin of an immense lake, extending
from Dansville on the south to its northern extrem-
ity, with original outlet at Irondequoit, and into
which the detritus was poured through the valleys
south of Dansville and that of Cashaqua creek,
forming the deep beds of alluvian observed about
Dansville and below the mouth of the Cashaqua,
and spreading over the entire valley a fine sandy
loam. An examination of this deep deposit on the
Genesee flats shows conclusively that it was made
in a lake such as described, with a current passing
through it from south to north. The deposit was
evidently carried forward in that direction, as indi-
• See chapter Town of Avon.
cated by the lines of lamination. The coarser
materials, at the points mentioned, near the em-
bouchures of the streams into this lake, are in con-
siderable proportion of southern origin. As an
illustration of this may be noticed the accumulation
of gravel and sand resting on regularly stratified
clay, at Squakie Hill, near Mt. Morris. The exca-
vation of the Genesee Valley canal exposed a deep
section at this place, showing the lower deposit of
fine clay horizontally stratified, and succeeded by a
stratum of coarse pebbles and gravel, and above
this loose sand and gravel, the ruins of rocks on
the south. This shows the inundation of these
materials after the deposition of clay and loam
forming the Genesee flats.
In the vicinity of Portageville we find an immense
deposit of coarse sand and gravel, piled upon an
older deposit of sand and clay. The lower deposit
is regularly stratified, and consists in part of
materials of northern origin. This appears to have
been partially excavated, and another deposit
spread over it of materials from the south, consist-
ing of flat masses of sandstone and scarcely worn
pebbles, with loam and gravel. It is entirely dis-
tinct from the formation below, and proceeded
from a long subsequent operation. The excava-
tion of the Genesee Valley canal has given an
opportunity of examining these deposits in a very
satisfactory manner.
In the broad indentation on the east side of the
river, opposite the middle falls, the canal passes
along the slope of the hill, which rises nearly two
hundred feet higher. The lowest deposit excavated
at this point consists of alternating clay and quick-
sand, which, about one hundred feet lower, rest
upon the rocks of the Portage group. This de-
posit of clay and quicksand extends about one
hundred feet above the level of the canal, when it
is succeeded by sand and gravel. For more than
two hundred feet from the bottom, the mass con-
sists of alternating layers of sand from two to
eighteen inches, with layers of clay of half an inch
to two inches, each becoming thicker as we ap-
proach the upper part, where the quicksand layers
are fifteen to twenty feet. The upper layer of fif-
teen feet thickness becomes perfectly saturated
with water, and is termed liquid quicksand; and
this is succeeded by the deposit of coarse sand and
gravel, which is of subsequent origin, containing
materials from the rocks of the south, mingled with
some of the older drift deposits which have been
broken up. Through this the water percolates,
saturating the mass below, and giving it the char-
go
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
acter of quicksand. Fragments of the trunks of
trees have been found in this deposit, in a layer
of clay about thirty-five feet below the gravel.
The whole of the lower deposit, consisting of
regularly alternating layers of clay and sand, was
evidently deposited in a quiet lake, while the sub-
sequent one of gravel and coarse sand was brought
on by some powerful inundation from the south.
The fragments of wood are doubtless such as were
drifted from the higher grounds into this lake, and
sinking to the bottom were covered by the subse-
quent sediment. In several similar situations,
bones of the mastodon have been found, and con-
sequently referred to the drift period. These facts,
however, offer no arguments in favor of such an
hypothesis ; for in all instances which occur in
Western New York, there is the strongest evidence
of their having been transported from their origi-
nal situation, and mingled with the more modern
fluviatile or lake deposits.
Another circumstance to be noticed in connec-
tion with this section, is a superficial deposit of
about ten feet in depth, covering the whole slope
from the base of the gravel hill to the bank of the
This surface deposit is composed of the
river.
ruins of the gravel hill, with the clay and sand be
low. From the constant oozing of water from the
lower deposit, it undermines that above, which fall-
ing, carries with it something of those below, the
whole constituting a moving mass, saturated with
water. Its nature only became fully understood
upon the excavation of the canal, when all that
part above commenced shding down, completely
destroying the work. Farther examination proved
that the whole hillside, for ten feet in depth, was in
motion towards the river, and of course no exca-
vation or fixture could be made permanent on such
a foundation. In proof of this, and that such for
a long time has been its condition, we find that
the oaks which grow upon the hill towards the
top, have slidden down the rocky margin of the
river, where they stand among the hemlocks and
cedars, sometimes upright, but often leaning in
various directions. The whole surface for half a
mile, is saturated with water, and springs gush out
at every step.
In nearly all situations the muck swamps are
underlaid by a deposit of calcareous marl. This
is usually very finely pulverulent, and, though co-
hering when wet, is very friable when dry. When
this calcareous deposit is made upon the surface,
or in situations exposed to the air, it becomes tufa
or travatine, often preserving in a most beautiful
manner, the impressions of twigs and leaves, etc.
so perfectly that the species may be determined.
This marl is derived from two sources, one being
the limestone rocks themselves, and the other the
calcareous particles distributed through the super-
ficial detritus, the origin of which is still the lime-
stone formations. The drift materials being com-
posed, in a large portion, of the debris of the
rocks of the district, calcareous matter is widely
diffused. This is not only a constant fertilizing
agent in the soil, but from the action of rains upon
the surface, and the passage of water through tliese
superficial deposits, the calcareous matter is dis-
solved and carried forward into some lower situa-
tion, where it accumulates in the bottom of the
small lakes and marshes. Some of the most ex-
tensive formations of this kind in the district are
made upon the Onondaga salt group, and are de-
posited from the copious springs which rise along
its southern margin.
These deposits of marl usually rest upon a bed
of clay or sand, and are succeeded by muck. In
the greater number of localities its formation has
long since come to an end, but in others it is still
in progress. In many of the springs issuing from
the rocks, its daily deposition can be observed ; it
incrusts all the vegetables growing in the stream,
and, in favorable situations, forms deposits of con-
siderable extent. The tufa is used for building-
stone ; being soft, when first removed from its bed,
it is easily cut, or hewn into blocks of convenient
size. These, after drying, become comparatively
hard, and form a durable material. There are,
however, but few situations where there is a quan-
tity sufficient to allow of its being used in this
manner.
Remains of the mastodon have been found
within the county. In 1825, while a ditch was
being opened to drain the swampy tract on which
are located the springs which supply the village of
Geneseo with water, a large number of bones, in-
cluding several teeth of the mastodon maximus
were found beneath a deposit from two to three
feet deep, of muck intermingled with a sandy cal-
careous marl. The animal was young, as eight
molar teeth were found — old ones having only one
molar on either side of each jaw.* A molar tooth
of this animal, the only known remaining specimen
of this collection,! was in the possession of the late
C. H. Bryan, of Geneseo, and is illustrated in the
Geological Reports of this State. Ten years later
* Sillimatt's Journal, First Series XII., j8o.
t Geological Reports,
THE DANSVILLE MASTODON.
91
other mastodon remains were found in a swamp,
about three feet below the surface, while men were
engaged in straightening the road from Scottsburg
to Conesus lake. Portions of this collection are
now in the cabinet of the LeRoy Female Semi-
nary. The most important discovery of this charac-
ter was made in 1874, on the farm of Edward
Whiteman, in the town of Wayland, about two
miles from the south corporation line of Dansville
village.* The first discovery was made accident-
ally by Mr. Whiteman, while engaged in digging
a ditch through a long swail on that farm early in
the preceding December. Two teeth, a tusk, and
fragments of ribs and vertebra of the mastodon
giganteus were then unearthed. The teeth weighed
respectively five pounds and five pounds and three
ounces. One was seven inches long and four and
one-half inches wide, and, although an inch or two
of the points of the roots had crumbled off, seven
and one-half inches from top to bottom. The
other was seven inches long and thick and four
inches wide. In the spring of 1874 further ex-
aminations were made under the direction of
Dr. F. Ferine, of Dansville, and partially in the
presence of Prof. Jerome Allen, of the Geneseo
Normal School. Additional portions of the ani-
mal were discovered, consisting of a part of a tusk,
a part of a lower leg bone, a nearly complete ver-
tebra, three teeth, a part of a rib, the head of a
femur and a portion of the humerus. The tusk
measured nine feet two inches in length, and
twenty-five inches in circumference. It is believed
that it was not less than fourteen feet long before
any portion of it was decayed. The piece of leg
bone was thirty-five inches long, ten inches thick
at the upper end and nine at the lower; it weighed
twenty-eight pounds. The piece of rib bone was
thirty-eight inches long and three and one-half
inches wide. The vertebra, apart from its connec-
tions, was four and one-half inches thick. The
largest tooth weighed five pounds, ten ounces.
All the teeth were very much worn, and indicated
great age. The animal is the third one of its
species exhumed in this country, and its remains
were the largest hitherto found, f These relics are
now in the possession of Dr. Ferine, of Dansville.
Prof Allen says : —
"At no very remote geological period, before the
advent of man, the whole of Western New York
* These remains, though found iust over the line, in Steuben county,
are commonly denominated the "Dansville Mastodon." The accom-
panying description of them is gleaned from The Dansville Advertiser,
of May 7 and 14, 1874.
t The Mastodon and his Colemporaries, Prof Jerome Allen, from
The Dattsville Advertiser, of June n, 1874.
was covered with a great number of lakes. We
see the remains of them, not only in the blue
waters of the Ontario and Erie, but in the beauti-
ful Chautauqua, Silver, Conesus, Hemlock, Crooked
and Canandaigua. At this period ["when the
mastodon roamed through these ancient forests
and on the shores of these old lakes,"] the whole
of the Genesee Valley was filled with a lake which
could not have had an average depth of less than
three hundred feet. Into this water flowed in
beautiful cascades the Genesee river, the Canaser-
aga and other creeks, with many smaller streams.
The surface of the land on all sides was covered
with dense forests, interspersed with deep and
almost impassable swamps ; birch and willow grew
in great abundance in the forests, the mastodon
abounded, and in seeking for the rankest vegeta-
tion, often sank, on account of his immense weight,
when he ventured too far into the shady bogs.
Such a swamp existed on the hill above Geneseo,
and here a few years ago the remains of a huge
monster were found. Another swamp was found
near Dansville, on the road to Wayland, about
six hundred feet above the bottom of this old lake.
On the edge of this morass the Dansville mastodon
died. No bones of this animal have ever been
discovered in the place covered by the lakes of this
alluvial period."*
CHAPTER IX.
First Settlements and Measures leading
Thereto — Military Tract — Mill - Yard
Tract — Census of 1790 — First Settle-
ments IN Livingston County — Communica-
tion opened with the Settlements in Penn-
sylvania— Arks — Charles Williamson — Be-
comes Agent of the Pultney Estate — Pro-
gress OF Settlements under his Energetic
Exertions -The Village of Williamsburgh
Founded — Settlements Retarded by War
WITH THE Western Indians and Unfriendly
Attitude of the British in Canada — " Simcoe
War" — Remarkable Progress of Settle-
ments— Scotch Colony at Caledonia — Rob-
ert MuNRO's Description of the Genesee
Country — 1804 — Settlements Interrupted
by War of 181 2 — -Population at Different
Periods — ■ Homes and Privations of the
Early Settlers.
IN the events connected with the Colonial strug-
gle for independence, especially that which wit-
nessed the devastation of the Iroquois country by
the invading army of General Sullivan in 1779, we
trace the immediate agencies which opened up
*Il!id
92
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
to eastern and southern immigration the whole of
Western New York, for until after the close of that
struggle, as we have seen, the whole of that vast
extent of country west of the Line of Property was
a reserved Indian domain. Having thrown off the
oppressive burdens imposed on them by the mother
country, the mind of the colonists expanded with
the new and invigorating thought of liberty, and
they were stimulated to the development of new
enterprises and new industries. It is fair to pre-
sume that those who had been favored during the
war with a view of the beauty and fertihty of this
country, as were the soldiers who accompanied Sul-
livan's expedition, bridged with prophetic vision the
interval which must elapse ere the return of peace
should enable them to make this fair land their
future home, which many of them did, and that the
favorable reports given of it to their associates in
arms and their neighbors at home, gave direction
to the minds of many who subsequently took up
their abode in this wilderness, which, however, then
abounded in extensive tracts of cleared land which
had been subjected to the rude cultivation of the
Indians ; certain it is that the extinction of the
Indian title and the immediate subsequent opening
of these lands by survey and sale to settlement,
was the signal for a vast hegira from the New
England States, and a httle later from New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, with a Hb-
eral representation from the more intelligent and
industrious classes of the pauper-ridden countries
of Europe.
In 1789, the year after the extinguishment of the
Indian title to the reserved tract known as Phelps
and Gorham's Purchase, and extending from the
Old Preemption Line, or in general terms from
the Military Tract to the Genesee River, Messrs.
Phelps and Gorham commenced a settlement and
opened a land office on the tract at Canandaigua,
and in 1789 had completed the survey of their
purchase, including the Mill- Yard Tract,* into lots,
generally six miles square and containing 23,040
acres. The tract was divided into seven ranges,
•The Mill-Yard Tract, lying on the Genesee River, mostly in Monroe
county, extending from Lake Ontario into the north edge of Livingston
county, and embracing a territory twelve by twenty-four miles in extent,
was given by the Seneca Indians to Phelps and Gorham, pending the
negotiations for the extinguishment of their title to the Phelps and Gor-
ham Purchase, for the purposes of a mill-yard, for which, it was repre-
sented, a tract as large as this would be required. Messrs. Phelps and
Gorham conveyed one hundred acres of this tract — known as the *' Hun-
dred Acre Tract"— where the city of Rochester now standr, for the erec-
tion of a mill at the Genesee Falls, to Ebenezer Allen, a notorious char-
acter in this vicinity and the pioneer settler of Mt, Morris, who, in 1789,
erected a small mill. When the Indians saw the diminutive size of the
mill, they were not a little astonished that so large a tract shotild be needed
for its accommodation.
numbered from east to west, and extending from
the Pennsylvania line to Lake Ontario. These
ranges were six miles wide, and were subdivided
by parallels six miles apart. The squares thus
formed were designated townships and were num-
bered in ranges from south to north. The portions
of this tract embraced in the present hmits of Liv-
ingston county are townships 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in
range 7, (corresponding with the present towns of
Ossian, West Sparta, Groveland, Geneseo and
Avon,) townships 7, 8, 9 and 10 and the north-
west quarter of 6 in range 6, (corresponding with
Sparta, Conesus, Livonia, Lima and North Dans-
ville,*) and 7 and the western part of 10 in range
5, (corresponding with the eastern parts of Spring-
water and Lima.) The survey was made under
contract by Col. Hugh Maxwell, who completed
most of the northern portion of the purchase in
1788, and the remaining portion in 1789, with the
assistance of Judge Porter.
Settlements were speedily begun at various dif-
ferent points in the tract, principally at Geneva,
Sodus, Bath and the Friends' settlement at the
outlet of Crooked lake, and in 1790 the popula-
tion of the preemption lands, or Ontario county,
which then embraced al! the State west of the Old
Preemption Line, had increased to 1,047, 0"ly 5'
of whom were west of the west line of Phelps and
Gorham's Purchase. This attempt at settlement,!
however, says Charles Williamson, the first agent
of the Pultney estate, referring to that at Canan-
daigua, in a letter addressed to a friend in 1799,
"was attended with great and almost insurmount-
able difficulties. There was no access to the
country but by Indian paths, and the nearest set-
tlement was above one hundred miles distant; the
Allegheny Mountains, then never passed, lay on the
south, and Lake Ontario to the north ; to the west
was one boundless forest. It is not to be wondered
at, that, under such circumstances, the country
made little progress in population and improvement
for some years."}:
* The west part of Sparta is included in No. 7 of range 7: the western part
of Springwater, a little more than a third of that town, in No. 7 of range 6 ;
and that part of Lima lying between Honeoye Outlet and a line in pro-
longation of the east line of Liviona, was included in No. 10 of range 5.
t This census was taken in December, 1790, by Gen. Amos Hall, and
is pven in tabulated form in Doc. Hist. //., 1 1 14. It included, says Mr.
Williamson, "all travelers and surveyors, with their attendants, who
happened at that time to be within the bounds of the country." ^Pi^-
Hist. 11., lijo.) It appears that township 10, ranye 5 (part of Lima,)
then contained seven families, numbering twenty-six individuals : No. to,
range 6 (Lima,) four families, numbering twenty-three individuals; No.
6, range 7 (Ossian,) one family, numbering five individuals: No. 9, range
7 (Geneseo,) eight families, numbering thirty-four individuals ; and No.
10, range 7 (Avon, then Hartford,) eight families, numbering fifty-n""
individuals. Two additional settlements, on what were then Indian lands,
existed within the present county of Livingston : one opposite No.
(Groveland,) in the town of Mt. Morris, and the other opposite No. 9
(Geneseo,) in the town of Leicester; which together with_ a settlement
opposite No. s (Bums,) contained four families, numbering seventeen
individuals.
+ Doc. Hist. II., 1 1 30.
EARLY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE GENESEE COUNTRY.
93
Happily the pioneer settlers of the Genesee
country were not perplexed by those distressing
litigations which environed their contemporary set-
tlers on the Military Tract, and the soil of the
country possessed a fertility which was unknown
■to the lands further east. It responded generously
to the moderate exertions of the husbandman; and
during the many years while his less fortunate
neighbor could only by the most pinching industry
coax from an almost sterile soil a scanty subsistence,
he had acquired a title of undoubted validity to his
property, and was enjoying the blessings which
flow from a moderate competence. A writer in
describing the country between Albany and Niagara
in 1792, speaks in glowing terms of this country.
He says : —
■ " The famous Genesee flats He on the borders
of the Genesee river ; they are about twenty miles
in length, and about four miles wide; the soil is
remarkably rich, quite clear of trees, and producing
grass near ten feet high. I estimate these flats to
be well worth 200,000 £ as they now lie. They
are mostly the property of the Indians. Taking a
view of this country altogether, I do not know an
extent of ground so good. Cultivation is easy,
and the land is grateful. The progress of settle-
ment is so rapid, that you and myself may very
probably see the day when we can apply these lines
to the Genesee country: —
" ' Here happy millions their own lands possess,
No tyrant awes them, nor no lords oppress.'
" Many times did I break out in an enthusiastic
frenzy anticipating the probable situation of this wil-
derness twenty years hence. All that reason can ask
may be obtained by the industrious hand ; the only
danger to be feared is, that luxuries will flow too
cheap."
The same writer adds : —
" From Canandaigua I traveled about twenty-six
miles through a fine country, with many settle-
ments forming ; this brought me to Genesee river.
On this river a great many farms are la3dng out ;
sixty-five miles from its mouth is a town marked
out by the name of Williamsburgh, and will in all
probability be a place of much trade ; in the pres-
ent situation of things it is remote, when consid-
ered in a commercial point of view; but should
the fort of Oswego be given up, and the lock navi-
gation be completed, there will not be a carrying
placebetweenNew York and Williamsburgh. * * *
" After I had reached the Genesee river, curi-
osity led me on to Niagara, ninety miles — not one
house or white man the whole way. The only di-
rection I had was an Indian path, which sometimes
was doubtful. The first day I rode fifty miles,
through swarms of mosquitos, gnats, etc., beyond
all description."*
The comparative advantages attending a settle-
ment in the Genesee country were enumerated in
* (Massachusetls Historical Collection I.) Col. Hist. II., 1105-1109.
Imlay's Topographical Description of the Western
Territory of North America. After some prelimi-
nary references it says : —
" But the peculiar advantages which distinguish
these lands over most of the new settled countries
of America, are these following: — i. The uncom-
mon excellence and fertility of the soil. 2. The
superior quality of the timber, and the advantages
of easy cultivation, in consequence of being gen-
erally free from underwood. 3. The abundance of
grass for cattle in the woods, and on the extensive
meadow grounds upon the lakes and rivers. 4. The
vast quantities of the sugar maple-tree, in every
part of the tract. 5. The great variety of other
fine timber, such as oak, hickory, black walnut,
chestnut, ash of different kinds, elm, butternut,
basswood, poplar, pines and also thorn trees of a
prodigious size. 6. The variety of fruit-trees, and
also smaller fruits, such as apple and peach or-
chards, in different places, which were planted by
the Indians, plum and cherry trees, mulberries,
grapes of different kinds, raspberries, huckle-ber-
ries, black-berries, goose-berries, and strawberries
in vast quantities ; also cranberries, blackhaws,
etc. 7. The vast variety of wild animals and
game which is to be found in this country, such as
deer, moose deer, and elk of very large size, bea-
vers, otters, martins, minks, rabbits, squirrels, rac-
coons, bears, wildcats, etc., many of which furnish
excellent furs and peltry. 8. The great variety of
birds for game, such as wild turkeys, pheasants,
partridges, pigeons, plover, heath-fowl, and Indian
hen, together with a vast variety of water-fowl on
the rivers and lakes, such as wild geese and ducks,
of many different kinds, not known in Europe.
9. The uncommon abundance of very fine fish,
with which the lakes and rivers abound, among
which are to be found excellent salmon of two dif-
ferent kinds, salmon-trout of a very large size,
white and yellow perch, sheep-heads, pike,
suckers and eels of a very large size, with a va-
riety of other fish in their different seasons.
10. The excellence of the climate in that region
where these lands are situated, is less severe
in winter, and not so warm in summer, as the same
latitudes nearer the sea. The total exemption
from all periodical disorders, particularly the fever
and ague, which does not prevail in the Genesee
country, on account of the rising grounds and fine
situations. 11. The vast advantages derived from
navigable lakes, rivers and creeks, which intersect
and run through every part of this tract of country,
affording a water communication from the north-
ern parts of the grant by the Genesee river one
way, or by the Seneca river another way into the
great lake Ontario, and from thence by Cataraqui
to Quebec, or by the said Seneca river, the Oneida
lake and Wood creek, to Schenectady on the Mo-
hawk river, with only a short land carriage, and
from thence to Albany, with a portage of sixteen
miles ; affording also a water communication from
almost every township of the southern part of the
grant by means of the different branches of the
94
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Tioga river, which joining the Susquehanna, affords
an outlet to produce, through an immense extent
of country on every hand, to Northumberland, and
all the towns upon the great branch of this river,
down to Maryland and Virginia ; and (with a port-
age of twelve miles) even to Philadelphia with
small boats ; and when the improvements are
made in the Susquehanna, and the projected canal
cut between the Schuylkill and that river, there will
be an uninterrupted good water communication for
boats of ten or fifteen tons from the interior parts
of the Genesee country all the way to Philadelphia.
12. But above all, the uncommon benefits these
lands derive from the vicinity to the thickly settled
countries in New York and New England govern-
ments on the one hand, and Northumberland coun-
ty in Pennsylvania on the other, from all which
quarters, from the great advantages which are held
out, there must be an over-flow of emigrants every
year, until these lands are fully settled, which ex-
pectation is already completely evinced, from the
rapid population that has taken place on the east
boundaries of the grant upon the Tioga river, and
between the Seneca and Cayuga lakes up to On-
tario, where, in the course of three or four years,
above eight hundred famiHes have fixed themselves
in this fertile country, most of whom having emi-
grated from the Eastern States of New England,
New York and Pennsylvania, have all the advan-
tages which are to be derived from a perfect knowl-
edge of the country, and from that kind of educa-
tion and local resource, which soon renders the
situation of a new settler comfortable and happy,
enabling them, at the same time, to assist new
comers, who may be less acquainted with the na-
ture of the country."
The same work adds : —
" ' At present wheat can be sent from the Gene-
see Settlement to Philadelphia, at one shilling
sterling per bushel ; but if the water communica-
tion be opened between the two rivers, the cost
will not exceed fourpence.*
" ' Dry goods can now be sent to these new
settlements at about eight shillings sterling per
hundred weight, which will probably be reduced to
three shilhngs when the navigation is completed.
" ' No country in the world is better adapted for
raising cattle than the Genesee grant. One of the
first settlers in that country asserts that he can
every season cut wild grass on his own farm in the
Genesee flats sufficient to maintain 2,000 head of
cattle through the winter ; and that such hay, with
rushes and vegetables which are found above the
snow, generally keep the cattle fat without any ex-
pense. Hogs can also be reared in the woods at
little or no expense to the farmer.
" ' As the distance from Philadelphia (between
which and the Genesee lands a road was to be com-
pleted in 1791) is somewhat less by land than two
hundred miles, there can be no difficulty in driving
fat cattle and hogs to that market for sale : as they
can transport themselves at a very small expense,
* This communication was begun in I79J.
and as the demand for provision increases every
year, and a liberal price is given for beef and pork,
there can be no doubt but the rearing of cattle and
hogs, as well as horses, for sale in the low coun-
tries, will soon become a great object of profit to
the settlers, as the extensive ranges of meadow
ground on the fiats, and the blue grass,white clover
and pea-vine in the woods, must enable the farmer
to feed almost any number he can raise, or find
capital to purchase. In many parts of the tract
there is little or no underwood, and excellent pas-
ture in the forests between the trees, inconsequence
of their being in general of an enormous size, and
of the considerable distance between them ; thereby
affording even a wide range for cattle in the upland
country, as well as in the flats and meadows,which
have already been represented to be luxuriant be-
yond description, in a species of coarse grass, very
fit for hay. It is said that there are many wild
horses upon the tract, which is an additional proof
of there being winter food in the flat lands and in
the forests.
" ' The present settlers have already got a fine
stock of cattle and hogs, and find that they thrive
and increase very fast ; but as yet there are very
few sheep, although, it is supposed, they would suc-
ceed well on the hills, after the country is more
fully peopled. Several genteel families are prepar-
ing to settle on the tract this season, which will
greatly facilitate the population of these lands.
" ' The crops of wheat, Indian corn, and other
small grains were very abundant last year ; so that
the present settlers are in a situation to assist and
supply the wants of new-comers.
" ' The market for grain and provision raised in
the Genesee country will be on the spot for some
time to come, and the constant influx of settlers,
who may be expected, until the whole of these
lands are occupied, will, at least for a time, con-
sume all the surplus produce ; afterwards the city
of Philadelphia will probably be the best market ;
and while the country is in progress of being set-
fled, the hemp and flax raised by the Genesee
farmers, and also the ashes and sugar made upon
these lands, and the skins and furs procured by
hunting, must ultimately go to Philadelphia and
New York ; but this will be the business of the
merchant, who will receive all these articles from
the farmer in return for dry goods, implements of
husbandry, salt and rum, and such other articles as
the settlers may want.'
* » » * *
" Wheat is at present, 1791, one dollar per
bushel (4S.6d. sterling;) Indian corn, 2s.6d. ditto;
salt from the Onondaga works, 60 miles east of the
grant, is half a dollar a bushel."*
The following extract from the journal of the
journey of a gentleman into the Genesee country
in February, 1792, gives additional glimpses of the
* Doc. Hist. //., nil — II2Z.
WADSWORTH'S NOTICE TO NEW SETTLERS.
95
condition and prospects of the pioneer settlers of
the Genesee country. We quote : —
" From Canandaigua to the Genesee river,
twenty-six miles, it is almost totally uninhabited,
only four families residing on the road. The coun-
try is beautifully diversified with hill and dale, and
in many places, we found openings of two and
three hundred acres, free from all timber and even
bushes, which, on our examining, proved to be of a
rich, deep soil. It seemed that, by only inclosing
with one of these openings a proportionable quan-
tity of timbered land, an inclosure might be made
similar to the parks in. England.
" At the Genesee River I found a small Indian
store and tavern ; the river was not then frozen
over, but was low enough to be forded. As yet
there are no settlements of any consequence in the
Genesee country. That established by a society of
Friends, on the west side of the Seneca lake, is
the most considerable ; it consists of about forty
famihes. But the number of Indians in the ad-
joining country, when compared with the few in-
habitants who venture to winter in the country, is
so great, that I found them under serious appre-
hensions for their safety. Even in this state of
nature, the county of Ontario shows every sign of
future respectability. No man has put the plough
in the ground without being amply repaid ; and,
through the mildness of the winter, the cattle
brought into the country the year before are thriv-
ing well on very slender provision for their subsist-
ence. The clearing of land for spring crops is
going on with spirit. I also found the settlers here
abundantly supphed with venison.*
We have indicated the small beginnings which
had been previously made in this county ; but as
the details of settlement will be more fully noted
in connection with the various towns it is not our
purpose to dwell upon these matters here. Of
these settlements, however, that projected by the
Wadsworths at Geneseo was the only one which
continued to exert a permanent and controlling
influence upon the subsequent development of the
country.
The following is a copy of a notice issued by
James Wadsworth, relative to lands offered for sale
by him, taken from the original in the possession of
Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mt. Morris:—
" Notice to New Settlers."
"The subscriber offers for sale the following
townships and tracts of land, in the counties of
Ontario, Genesee, and Allegany, in the State of
New York.
"A tract containing upwards of 60,000 acres,
situated within six miles of the landing in Fall-
town, on the west side of the Genesee River — this
tract is divided into lots of about 100 acres. In
order to encourage and accommodate industrious
and enterprising settlers, one-half of the land, con-
•D0c.Hist.1t; 1131-1132-
sisting of every other three hundred acres through-
out the tract, will be sold for wheat, pork and neat
cattle ; the wheat and pork to be delivered at Fall-
town Landing. The very flourishing settlements
of West Pultney, Braddock's Bay and Fairfield are
within this tract. The inhabitants in these settle-
ments have been remarkably healthy. Vessels of
200 tons sail from Lake Ontario up the Genesee
River to the lower falls; this place is called Fall-,
town Landing, and is only six miles from the tract
now offered for sale. A barrel of flour can now
be sent from Falltown Landing to Montreal for
one dollar, and a barrel of pot-ashes for one dollar
and a half; these prices will be reduced as the busi-
ness of transportation increases. Most articles of
American produce command as high prices at
Montreal as at New York.
" The intervals and swails in this tract are tim-
bered with elm, butternut, white and black ash,
walnut, etc., the uplands with sugar maple, beech,
basswood, liickory, wild cherry, white oak, black
oak, chestnut, etc. There are a number of groves
of excellent white pine timber. There are no
mountains or ledges, and scarcely one hundred
acres of waste land in the tract. Some of the
intervals or flats will produce, if well cultivated, 80
bushels of corn, 800 weight of hemp, or 2,000
weight of tobacco on an acre, and other crops in
proportion.
"Also, the Township of Troupton, situated
eighteen miles south of the village of Gen€seo, and
adjoining the village of Dansville. This tract is
within twelve miles of Ark Port, a landing place
on the west branch of the Susquehannah river ; a
barrel of flour may be transported from Ark Port
to Baltimore, for a dollar and a half, and other
articles of produce in proportion ; the situation of
this township is considered very healthy, the lands
are fertile and well watered.
" Also the town of Henrietta, being township No.
12, in the seventh range, on the west side of Gen-
esee river ; this tract is within eight miles of Fall-
town landing, and adjoins the flourishing towns of
Hartford, (now Avon,) and Northfield ; the lands
in Henrietta are excellent and the settlement very
flourishing; the lots adjoining the Genesee river
containing handsome portions of timbered flats,
are put at five dollars per acre, the back lots at
four dollars per acre.
" Also a number of lots in a tract of land, usually
known by the name of Allen's Flats, or the Mt.
Morris tract, situated in the forks of the Genesee
river, fifteen miles south of the great State Road to
Niagara, and four miles from the village of Gene-
seo. The tract contains about 10,000 acres, 3,000
acres of which are flats or interval. It has lately
been surveyed into lots of convenient size ; the
village lots contain from one to- forty acres, and
the farm lots about one hundred acres each. The
village is situated on elevated ground timbered with
white oak, and bids fair to be a very healthy situa-
tion. The subscriber will sell the upland and
lease the flats, or will sell both upland and flats, as
applicants prefer.
96
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
" It is fully ascertained that the flats or intervals
on the Genesee river are perfectly adapted to the
cultivation of hemp. Mr. Stephen Colton, from
Long Meadow, raised ten hundred weight of excel-
lent hemp the last season, on one acre of flats in
Geneseo. One hundred and six bushels of Indian
corn have been raised on one acre in Allen's flats.
" Hemp may be transported by water from the
mouth of the Genesee river to Montreal; or it
may be sent from Ark Port down the Susquehan-
nah river, in arks to Baltimore, or it may be sent
by land to Albany.
" The price at which lots in the above tracts are
put, is from two to five dollars per acre. The
subscriber usually requires the purchase money to
be paid in four equal installments to be made in
two, three, four and five years from the time of
purchase, with one year free of interest; in some
of the tracts he gives a credit of six and eight
years.
" Liberal encouragement will be given in different
settlements to carpenters, blacksmiths, shoemakers,
millwrights and other tradesmen.
" The subscriber, in order to encourage the
settlement of substantial New England farmers,
will exchange a few lots for improved farms.
" The tract of country in which the above de-
scribed townships are situated, tho' north of New
Jersey, resembles that state in the mildness of its
climate. Peaches, apricots and nectarines grow
to great perfection on the Genesee river.
" A valuable salt spring is discovered in Brad-
dock's Bay township. Salt can now be afforded at
this spring at one dollar per bushel ; when the
works are extended salt will probably be afforded
at fifty cents a bushel, the same price at which it
is sold at the Onondaga salt works.
" A turnpike road is completed from Albany to
Canandaigua; and from Canandaigua to Geneseo,
and thence to the above mentioned settlements
there are excellent wagon roads..
" The subscriber has still for sale a number of
reserved and other lots of land, in the midst of
flourishing settlements, in the towns of Geneseo,
Hartford, Bloomfield and Pittstown ; some of these
lots contain handsome improvements.
"JAMES WADSWORTH.
" Geneseo, (Ontario county,) March, 1809."
The first settlement in the Genesee country was
made in the county of Livingston as early as 1759,
by that remarkable character, Mary Jemison, whose
residence of seventy-eight years with the Indians,
seventy-two of which were spent in the Genesee
Valley, has made her a valuable contributor to the
early history of this locality. The next while set-
tler in the present county of Livingston was Eben-
ezer, or Indian, Allen — a character as notorious
for his vice and savage brutality, as was that of
Mary Jemison made conspicuous by its gentle vir-
tues. Both these settlements were made in the
present town' of Mt. Morris; the fprmer on what
subsequently became the famous Gardeau reserva-
tion, and the latter, in 1782, on the site of the
village of Mt. Morris. The first important settle-
ment made within the county after the extinguish-
ment of the Indian title in 1788, from which the
settlement of the county more properly dates, was
that of John H., and George Jones, brothers to
Horatio Jones, who, like Mary Jemison, had been
held in captivity by the Indians. They located in
1789 in the present town of Leicester, where they
were joined the following year by Horatio and his
family, although that was then, and for eight years
thereafter, Indian territory. These characters,
from their intimate connection with the history of
this county, merit and will receive further notice.
Hitherto the tide of emigration had been from
the New England States, that from the south hav-
ing been retarded by the inaccessibility of the
country, owing to the lack of roads across the Al-
leghanies, which formed a formidable barrier. In
the summer of 1792, Charles Williamson, agent
for the Pultney estate, visited the tract and put in
execution a plan he had formed for its improve-
ment, by opening communication with Philadel-
phia and Baltimore by means of a road across the
AUeghanies. Notwithstanding the difficulties which
attended this enterprise, and which had been re-
garded as insuperable, by the month of November
of that year, thirty miles of the road were made
sufficiently good for the passage of wagons ; and by
the following August it was completed from the
mouth of Lycoming creek to Williamsburgh, a dis-
tance of one hundred and seventy miles. " It was
only from this period, which opened to the Gene-
see a communication with the settlements in Penn-
sylvania,'' says Capt. Williamson, "that we can
trace the beginning of that singularly rapid pro-
gress in population and improvements, which has
so eminently distinguished that country. The
opening of this road from Pennsylvania over a
chain of mountains before regarded impassable,
excited the curiosity of the inhabitants of the ad-
jacent country, and many were tempted to explore
the Genesee lands, that, previous to this, had
never given them a thought. The idea of the im-
mense distance was at once destroyed. At this
early period, however, it was only men of observa-
tion that were pleased. Many returned disgusted
with the inconvenience of traveling through a coun-
try almost destitute of inhabitants, for the distance
of one hundred and seventy miles, and particularly
when they found the only settlement in that part
•FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENTS.
97
of the country depending on the Indians for sub-
sistence."*
As in all new countries, the first settlements
were made on or adjacent to navigable streams,
which, in the absence of suitable roads, were, for
many years, the common means of communication
and transportation, especially of the marketable
productions. The streams were navigated by a
species of boats called arks, which were invented
and first used about 1793, by a Mr. Kryder, a
farmer on the Juniata river. They were construct-
ed of large timbers or planks, and after their cargo
was discharged, were broken up and sold for lum-
ber. They were capable of floating three hundred
barrels of flour, which, as well as lumber and vari-
ous other productions, were transported in them.
They were -afterwards improved and their capacity
increased, and were for many years in common
use.f
In 1791, Capt. Charles WiUiamson became the
agent of the Pultney estates and in 1792, inaugu-
rated those improvements in the Genesee country,
which, during the succeeding ten years, he contin-
ued with such distinguished energy, and a success
commensurate with the obstacles which opposed
his efforts, if not with the expectations of the com-
pany in whose interest he labored.
Mr. Williamson visited the Genesee country first
in February, 1792, and from observations made at
that time, decided on locating a village at the
mouth of Canaseraga Creek, which was then nav-
igable for nearly twenty miles, to Dansville. The
projection of this plan in 1792, and the ill-starred
colony sent there to develop it form an interesting
episode in the history of Livingston county; for
this was not only the first settlement in the county
which aspired to the dignified title of village, but
here, in 1793, was taught the first school in this
county by Samuel Murphy, an Irishman, — here in
1797, was kept the first inn, by William Lemen, —
here, in 1795 or '96, was kept the first store, by
Alexander McDonald, a Scotchman, if we except
the Indian " mart" kept by Indian Allen, on Allen's
hill, (Mt. Morris,) " as early as 1784, if not in the fall
of 1783," — here also, in 1797, was built, on lot 58,
the first grist mill, by Col. Williamson, — and here
too lived " the first preacher of the evangelical
truths of the bible in the county"— Rev. Samuel J.
Mills, a Presbyterian. I But this embryo village has
* Doc. Hist. II., 1134.
^ Doc. Hist. II., 115°, "Si.
XAddressof Dr. M. H. Mills le/ore the Livingston County Pioneer
Association, Aug. J, 1877. The same gentleman, in an address before
the Livingston County Medical Society, Jan. 11, 1876, says the first inn
was kept in 1795.
long since vanished together with the delusions of
its founder.*
Under the stimulus of WiUiamson's efficient en-
deavors, seconded by the exertions of more local
agencies, in the persons of those who had become
land owners and interested in the progress of im-
provements, accessions were rapidly made to the
settlements in various parts of the county. They
were, however, sensibly retarded by the unsettled
state of things which existed during this period ;
for, although the treaty of 1783 settled the terms
of peace between England and the United States,
the former government still retained possession of
the fortifications at Oswego and Niagara, and other-
wise menaced the young nation so recently one of
its tributary dependencies, and then waging a war
with the western Indians, which was terminated in
its favor by the signal victory of General Wayne
in 1794, in which year also the Jay treaty adjusted
the hitherto unsettled question of jurisdiction over
certain territory in the United States, including
lands in Western New York.
During this period, in 1794, an event transpired
which threatened to precipitate hostilities between
this and the Canadian government, which watched
with a jealous regard the progress of settlement in
Western New York. In that year, Capt. William-
son had projected a settlement at Sodus, which
proved the gravamen for a hostile demonstration
on the part of the Canadian authorities, who were
determined to resist it. Governor Simcoe sent
Lieut., afterwards Major-General Sir Roger Hale
Sheaffe of the British army, to demand that that
settlement, as well as all others in Western New
York, be abandoned. Capt. Williamson met the
demand with an unqualified refusal, and, under the
prevalent impression that the British government
meditated war, active measures were instituted to
put the frontier in a state of defense and to repel
any invasion which might be made. Happily, how-
ever, the war-cloud blew over, and the apprehen-
sions of the anxious settlers were dispelled.
From this period the work of colonization and
improvement progressed rapidly ; and " as early as
the year 1796, the various settlements had begun
to assume," says Capt. WiUiamson, "an appearance
of respectability never before instanced in so new
a country." In this year a Jersey settlement was
made at the head of Canaseraga creek, which
exhibited " instances of industry and enterprise,
rare as uncommon;" printing offices were estab-
* A detailed account of the founding of this village may be found in
connection with the history of the town of Groveland, in the north-west
comer of which it was located,
98
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
lished at Bath and Geneva, the former village
having been laid out in 1793, in which year it con-
tained fifteen families; and towards the close of
the season a sloop of forty tons burden was launched
at Geneva to run as a packet between that place
and Catharine's Town, a small village at the head
of Seneca lake. This was an event "of sufficient
importance to assemble several thousand people,''
and as none had previously "occurred to draw
together the different settlements, the people com-
posing them were not a little surprised to find
themselves in a country containing so many inhabi-
tants, and these so respectable. Natives of every
State in the Union, and of every nation of Europe,
were to be found in the assemblage, all ambitious
of the same object, the aggrandizement of the
Genesee country."*
"The only part of the Genesee country," adds
Capt. Williamson, "that seemed, until now to
have escaped the general improvement, was that
contiguous to the Genesee River, below Hartford
[Avon] or Canawagus ; a set of very good mills,
however, have been built at the falls, and some
settlers were to be found in that" neighborhood, on
the fertile plains by the side of the river; but the
idea of exposure to Indian depredations on a fron-
tier is always sufficient to prevent the man of
industry and property from settling. The luxuri-
ance of the soil will not always tempt him. The
moment, however, the western posts were given up
to the United States, and this part of the country
rendered safe, the industrious settlers turned their
attention to the lands west of the river." j
The emigration into this country in r797 exceeded
that of former years, both as to numbers and
respectability.}; About this time a Scotch settle-
ment was projected in the present town of Cale-
donia, and during the succeeding few years it was
joined by a considerable number of that nationality,§
whose simple habits and sterling virtues were a
weighty influence in the material growth and pros-
perity of that region. At this time, however, the
country for about twelve miles west of the Genesee
to the Niagara still remained a wilderness ; || but
the extinguishment of the Indian title to the Hol-
land Purchase this year gave an impulse to settle-
ments in that direction. Robert Munro, in describ-
ing the Genesee country in 1804, says: "From
Canandarqua to Genesee River, * * * the coun-
• Williamson's Letter II., Doc. Hist. II., iij7.
t Doc. Hist. II., 1141.
i WiUiamson's Letter III, Doc, Hist. II., 1141.
§ Williamson's Letter VI, Doc. Hist. II., 1156.
II Williamson's Letter VIII.. Doc. Hist. II., 1 165.
try has the most flourishing appearance, that part
being earliest settled, and abounds with very sub-
stantial improvements, which are seldom equalled
in the United States, in the pleasantness of their
appearance."* At this time the price of the best
unimproved lands on the east side of the Genesee
was commonly from two to four dollars per acre •
those on the west side sold for from one and one-
half to two and one-half dollars per acre, on a
credit of six to ten years. Lands which then sold
for four dollars per acre, sold twelve years pre-
viously for as many shillings.!
Says the same author : —
"A turnpike road is now completed from Albany
to Canandarqua, at a great expense, which is dis-
charged by tolls, and renders travehng and car-
riage of produce to market much easier when the
rivers are not navigable. Wagons now frequently
carry loads of fourteen barrels to Albany, and return
with an equal weight, and sometimes carry two
tons, going and returning in fourteen days. A
mail stage runs from Canandarqua to Albany in a
week.
" Trade is yet in its infancy and has much in-
creased within a few years. Grain is sent in con-
siderable quantities from Seneca lake and the Co-
hocton, Canisteo, Canawisque and Tioga rivers, to
markets on Susquehanna river; and flour, potash
and other produce to Albany; and a considerable
quantity of grain has for some years past been
exported by sleighs in winter to the west of Albany.
Whiskey is distilled in considerable quantities, and
mostly consumed in the country, and is also ex-
ported to Canada and to Susquehanna. The pro-
duce of the country is received by the store-keepers
in payment for goods, and with horses and cattle,
is paid for land. Several thousand bushels of grain
have been purchased in the winter beginning this
year, 1804, for money at Newtown and at mills
near Cayuga lake. Hemp is raised on Genesee
river and carried to Albany. Droves of cattle and
horses are sent to different markets, and a consid-
erable number of cattle and other provisions, are
used at the markets of Canandarqua and Geneva,
at Niagara, and by settlers emigrating into the
country. Cattle commonly sell for money at a
good price, and as this country is very favorable
for raising them, they will probably become the
the principal articles for market ; many being of
the opinion that the raising of stock is more pro-
fitable as well as easier than any mode of farming.
" The following is a list of prices of articles, and
the rates of wages since January, 1801 : —
" Wheat, from 62 cents to i dollar a bushel-
corn from 37 to 50 cents a bushel — rye from 50 to
62 cents a bushel — hay from 6 to 12 dollars a ton —
butter and cheese, 10 to 16 cents a pound — a yoke of
oxen, 50 to 80 dollars — milk cows from 16 to 25
dollars — cattle for driving, 3 to 4 dollars a 100 lb.,
* Doc' Hist, 11., 1172, 1173.
\ Doc. Hist. II., 1 182.
POPULATION FROM 1810 TO 1880.
99
a pair of good working horses, 100 to 125 dollars —
sheep from 2 to 4 dollars — pork, fresh killed in
winter, 4 to 6 dollars a hundred, and salted in
spring, 8 to 10 dollars — whiskey from 50 to 75
cents a gallon — salt, i dollar a bushel weighing 56
pounds — field ashes, 4 to 9 cents a bushel — 600
bushels may be manufactured into a ton of pot or
pearl ash, which has been sold at market at 125 to
150 dollars, and some persons by saving their ashes,
or by manufacturing them, have nearly cleared the
cost of improving the land. The wages of a laborer,
10 to 15 dollars a month, and board. A suit of
clothes made at 4 or 5 dollars. A pair of shoes,
175 to 250 cents. Store goods are sold at very
moderate prices, the expense of carriage from Al-
bany to New York being about two dollars a hun-
dred weight."*
Settlements progressed rapidly till the opening of
the war of 181 2, which was '' a complete damper to
all sales of new land," and it was said " more set-
tlers went out than came into the Genesee coun-
try."! The settlers responded promptly to the call
for volunteers, and left the improvements many of
them had so recently commenced to take up arms
to repel a threatened invasion. Under the leader-
ship of Gen. William Wadsworth, of Geneseo, who
early tendered his services to the government, they
participated in the brilHant but unfortunate engage-
ment of Queenstown Heights, October 13, 181 2,
and were surrendered with their commander, to-
gether with the fort cajitured in the early part of
the engagement, to the British under General
Sheaffe. To subsequent calls the sturdy pioneers
of the Genesee Valley as promptly and generously
responded, but owing to the incompetence or cow-
ardice of their leader — General Smyth — their labors
were mostly crowned with inconsequential results ;
notwithstanding they sustained severe losses by
sickness and battle. The settlements during this
period were frequently troubled with serious alarms
by the reported invasion of the British and Indians ;
and especially was this true on the capture of Fort
Niagara by the latter December 19, 1813, with the
burning of Youngstown, Lewiston, Manchester, (Ni-
agara Falls,) and the Indian village of Tuscarora,
and the destruction of Black Rock and Buffalo in
like manner on the 30th of the same month.
" After the close of the war," says Hon. Augus-
tus Frank, " the tide of emigration again set in for
the Genesee country, and from that date until 1820
the increase of population was large, coming par-
ticularly from the New England States. On the
return of peace a surplus of labor, which the cur-
rent prices of produce would not remunerate,
-iDocHut., II., 1184. n8S-
t Address of Hon. Augustus Frank, of Warsaw, Wyoming county.
flooded the land. The heavy duties which had
been imposed on imports for the support of the
war had stimulated domestic manufactures. On
the removal of these imports the country was
flooded with foreign goods. Manufacturing indus-
tries became stagnant, the country was depleted of
specie, and the currency greatly depreciated. Un-
der such circumstances it is not wonderful that *
* * the early snows of winter showed the tracks
of many naked little feet."
From this period up to 1850 the population
gradually increased; from 1850 to 1865 it de-
clined; and since 1865 there has been a gradual
increase, till at present, (1880) is has nearly reached
the highest point attained, in 1850, and nearly
double the population on the organization of the
county.
The subjoined table shows the population of the
county at different periods : —
1810* 13.390 1850 40,873
1820 t 21,305 1855 37,943
1825 23,860 i860 39,546
1830 27,729 1865 37,555
1835 31,092 1870 38,309
1840 35,140 1875 38,518
1845 33,193 1880 39,261
The Genesee's beautiful valley attracted many
sturdy and active emigrants from the comparative
luxury of their eastern homes to grapple with the
temporary hardships and privations incident to the
settlement of a new country. A steady and healthy
growth was maintained for many years; and
though Livingston cannot point to any gigantic
commercial or manufacturing enterprise within her
borders, she can, with just pride, refer the stranger
to the no less gratifying evidences of wealth, pros-
perity and contentment exhibited by the tillers of
the soil, who have supplemented nature by im-
proving an already beautiful country and trans-
formed it from its pristine wilderness to the produc-
tive and attractive farms which adorn its hillsides
and gentle slopes. If we do not hear the busy
hum of mechanical industry as it greets us in large
and populous cities and villages, neither do we
see and deplore the disparaging contrasts between
affluence and poverty which the latter picture inva-
riably presents. Here all are producers, and the
wealth of the country is more uniformly distributed.
* This is not exact, but a close approximation to exactness. It is de-
signed to give the population at that period of tlie towns at present com-
posing Livingston county, as nearly as that can be ascertained. It does
not, however, include that of North Dansville, which then formed a part
of Dansville, Steuben county, which then had a population of 666.
t The figures for this year also embrace the population of all the tovras
at present in Livingston county, except North Dansville, then a part of
Dansville, Steuben county, which had a population of 1,565.
100
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
Internal Improvements — Routes and Means
BY WHICH the Pioneers reached their Wilder-
ness Homes — Navigable Streams the public
Highways — Indian Trails — Routes Indicat-
ed BY Blazed Trees — Improvements in the
Natural Water Channels — Western Inland
Lock Navigation Company — Old Genesee
Road — Cayuga Bridge — Seneca Turnpike
Company — First Mail between Whites-
town and the Genesee — Williamsburgh
Road — First Vessel and Steamboat on Lake
Erie — The Erie Canal — Early Speculations
Regarding It — First Survey Thereof — First
Board of Canal Commissioners — First Con-
tract on Erie Canal — Construction Com-
menced— The Completion Celebrated — Erie
Canal Enlargement — Navigation of the
Genesee — -First Canal-boat and Steamboat
Thereon — Genesee Valley Canal — Prelimi-
nary Measures — -Construction Authorized —
Its Completion — Dansville and Rochester
Railroad — -Geneseo and Pittsford Rail-
road— Attica and Hornellsville Railroad —
Portage Bridge — Portage Riot — Buffalo
and Cohocton Valley Railway — Roches-
ter and Genesee Valley Railroad — Gene-
see Valley Railroad — Avon, Geneseo and
Mt. Morris Railroad — Dansville and Gen-
esee Valley Railroad Company — Erie and
Genesee Valley Railroad — Silver Lake
Railroad — Canandaigua and Niagara Falls
Railroad — Rochester, Nunda and Pennsyl-
vania Railroad — Rochester and Genesee
Valley Canal Railroad.
WE turn from the fruitful and inviting subject
of pioneer life to the consideration of the
means by which the pioneer reached his home in the
wilderness and the projects of internal improvement
which subsequently engaged his attention. When
the first settlers came in there was not a road in
the county, nor one leading immediately to it. To
the Wadsworths belong the honor of opening the
first road into its borders. There were two princi-
pal routes by which the pioneers came, denomina-
ted the north and south water routes — the former
the Hudson, Mohawk and Seneca rivers, the latter
the Susquehanna and its branches — and the navi-
gable streams were the most frequented highways
for some years after they arrived. Many, however
compassed the entire distance from the far New
England States on foot, bringing nothing with
them but an axe. Those who came with their
families generally came with ox teams drawing
sleds, sometimes wood-shod, or covered wagons,
often performing the entire journey in this manner,
and frequently driving a few sheep, cattle and
other animals before them. Many, however, re-
sorted to this mode of conveyance only to and
from the termini of the water routes ; while others,
accommodating themselves to circumstances, left
water routes at various points. The winter season
was generally selected, as they could then reach
points in the wilderness which were inaccessible to
their rude conveyances at other seasons. Many,
after leaving the main roads, threaded for long
distances forests unbroken, except by the few scant,
rude clearings made by the Indians. Blazed trees
were the forest guide boards, and by their aid the
forests were traversed from one locality to another.
But these human denizens could not prosper in
their isolated settlements; they must needs open
communication with each other and to points af-
fording a market for their surplus products, and to
this end roads were indispensable and of the first
importance.
The pioneers first followed the Indian trails and
from these branched off into routes indicated by
marked trees. The principal trail extended from
the Hudson, at Albany, to Lake Erie, terminating
on the site of Buffalo. It followed the Mohawk
to a point about in the locality of Utica, thence
passing through Oneida and Syracuse, and near the
foot of Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca and
Canandaigua lakes, crossing the Genesee at Avon.
Its route was found to be so advantageous that
subsequently the first great western turnpike was
laid out mainly along its course. Two trails ex-
tended along the Genesee, one on either side of
the river, that on the west side following its tortu-
ous windings through the Indian villages of Cana-
waugus, near Avon, Ohagi, a Tuscarora village on
the flats below Cuylerville, Big Tree, (Geneseo,)
Beardstown, (Cuylerville,) Squakie Hill, near Mt.
Morris, Gardeau, the home of Mary Jemison, and
thence to Caneadea, in Allegany county, the last
of the Seneca villages in the Genesee Valley. That
on the east was intersected near Mt. Morris by
trails extending up the Canaseraga to Dansville.
Several other trails intersected these, connecting
the numerous Indian villages within the county,
and in many instances they have been perpetuated
by local roads opened along their course.
From an early period in English colonial history,
EARLY ROADS AND NAVIGABLE WATER COURSES.
lOI
the subject of improving tlie internal water courses
between the Hudson and the great lakes engaged
the attention of the government. In 1724, Cad-
wallader Golden, then Surveyor-General of New
York, after mentioning the communication between
the Oswego ( Oyiondaga) river and Lake Ontario,
( Cadaraqni,) intimates that Seneca river might
give a more advantageous route to Lake Erie, and
avoid the falls of Niagara, (Jagara,) by which the
French were obliged to reach it.* This is doubt-
less the first speculation in regard to an interior
water communication between the Mohawk and
Lake Erie ; and "was but the expression of a hope
that a more safe, as well as convenient way might
be found to the trade of the upper lakes than that
frequented by the French, and made dangerous to
the frail boats then employed in the fur trade by
the storms of Lake Ontario."! In his report of
that year, (1724,) Golden describes the portage be-
tween the Mohawk and Wood Creek as being three
miles long, except in very dry weather, when goods
must be carried two miles further. This portage
was obviated as early as 1766, for Carver, who tra-
versed the lake country in that year, said the pas-
sage between those streams was effected by means
of sluices.}: In 1768, Sir Henry Moore, in a mes-
sage to the Colonial Legislature, suggested as a
remedy for the obstructions to navigation in the
Mohawk between Schenectady and Rome, (Fort
Stanwix,) sluices Hke those in the great Canal of
Languedoc, France.§ In 1784, and again in 1785,
Cristopher Golles of New York city memorialized
the Legislature and procured an appropriation of
$125 to enable him to examine the Mohawk River,
with a view to its improvement ; || and in 1786,
Jeffrey Smith, a member of the Legislature, intro-
duced a bill to effect this improvement, and for
"extending the same, if practicable, to Lake
Erie."l
Before and during the Revolutionary war, the
Mohawk was navigated by bateaux of light draught
and easy transport over the carrying place at the
lesser falls.**
In 1 79 1, Gov. George GUnton urged upon the
Legislature the necessity of improving the natural
water channels, so as to facilitate communication
with the frontier settlements, and in that year a
law was passed to authorize the Commissioners of
* ColdetCs Memoir y 28.
t Origin and History of Erie Canals by George Geddes, %.
t ColdeiCs Memoir^ 12.
§ Colden^s Memoir^
II Clark's Onondaga 11.^ 51.
H Turner's Holland Purchase-, 619.
•• Benton's Herkimer county and Upper Mohawk Valley, 212.
the Land Office to survey the portage at Rome and
the Mohawk to the Hudson, for improvement by
locks, and ioo_;£' were appropriated for the ob-
ject.* The survey was made by Abraham Harden-
burgh, under the advice of William Weston, an
Enghsh engineer."!" The report of the commis-
sioners was so favorable that March 30, 1792, the
Legislature incorporated the "Western Inland
Lock Navigation Company,'' with power to open
lock navigation from the Hudson to Ontario and
Seneca lakes, to " encourage agriculture, promote
commerce and facilitate intercourse between the
citizens" of the State.| The capital stock of the
company was fixed at $25,000, and afterwards
increased to $300,000. The improvement made
consisted in the construction of locks and a canal
around Little Falls, the removal of other obstruc-
tions in the Mohawk, connecting that river with
Wood creek by a canal from Rome, straightening
Wood creek and shortening the distance over it
nearly one-half, and the removal of obstructions in
Oswego and Seneca rivers. These improvements,
shght as they were, are said to have doubled the
value of the contiguous lands, and greatly aided
the settlement and development of the resources
of Central and Western New York.
As early as 1796, navigation was opened from
Schenectady to Seneca lake for boats of sixteen
tons burden, in favorable stages of water in the
rivers ; but the locks, being constructed of wood
and brick, soon failed, and had to be replaced by
stone. In 1813, the company had expended
$480,000, towards which, in 1795, the State sub-
scribed $10,000, and in 1796, loaned $37,500,
taking a mortgage on the canal and locks at Little
Falls. § At a later day, a proposed canal to con-
nect the waters of Mud creek with those of Tona-
wanda creek, thus opening water communication
between the Genesee above Rochester and the
Niagara above the falls, formed a part of this
scheme of internal improvements.
In 1794 and '95 the State made appropriations
for the improvement of the road which followed
the trail between the Mohawk and Lake Erie,
afterwards known as the "Ontario and Genesee
turnpike,'' and subsequently as the "Genesee road"
— the route by which the first settlers reached their
homes in this county. The first improvements on
* state Engineer's Report, 1862, 6ig. The commissioners who had
charge of the Vv'ork were Elkanah Watson, General Schuyler and Golds-
boro Banyer.
t Claris Onondaga II,, 51.
t Benton, 212.
§ Geddes, 3.
102
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
this road in its western course were made by the
Wads worths in 1790. They passed over it with a
cart drawn by oxen on their way to the Genesee
country. West of Whitesboro they were obhged
to cut away logs, build causeways, ford streams,
and at Cayuga lake to construct a pontoon, using
for that purpose two Indian canoes, which they
lashed together and covered with poles. In 1792,
the road was described as passable for wagons east
from Whitestown ; " but from that to the Genesee
river it was little better than an Indian path,
just sufficiently opened to allow a sled to pass, and
the most impassable streams bridged." " From
Geneva to Canandaigua'' it was "only the Indian
path, a little improved the first five miles." * The
Duke de Liancourt, a French nobleman, who vis-
ited this country in 1795, P^''^ '' '^^ questionable
compliment of being "a good one for this country,"
between Canawaugus and Canandaigua. He adds,
" as usual it leads through the midst of woods.
Within the space of twelve miles we saw but one
habitation. " At Canawaugus, though there were
but few inhabitants, he found "one of the best
inns" he had "seen for some time past." It was
kept by a "good civil man" named Gilbert R.
Berry.
March 22, 1794, three commissioners were
appointed to lay out this road from old Fort
Schuyler, (Utica,) as nearly straight as possible, to
the Cayuga ferry, and thence by Canandaigua to
Canawaugus, on the Genesee, where the first bridge
spanning that river was built in 1803 or 1804.!
In October, 1796, the consent of the Indians
was gained to the opening of this road to the Niag-
ara; J and in 1797, the State authorized the rais-
ing of $45,000 by lotteries, to be expended in
improving various roads. Of that sum, $13,900
were appropriated to the improvement of this road
from Fort Schuyler to Geneva. § The inhabitants
of the country through which the road passed made
a voluntary offer of their services, to aid the State
Commissioner, and subscribed four thousand days'
work, which they performed with fidelity and cheer-
fulness. By this generous and uncommon exer-
tion, and by some other contributions, the State
Commissioner was enabled to complete this road
" Z?(7£r. //"w^ //., Iijl, 1IJ2. "
t "On the first day of November, i8oj, tlie following notice was pub-
lished in relation to building a bridge over the Genesee at Canawaugus
( Avon) ;— ' Genesee bridge proposals will be received by Commissioners
Asher Sexton and Benjamin Ellicott, for building a bridge over the Gen-
esee, between the towns of Hartford [Avon] and Southampton, [Cale-
donia,] in the counties of Oniario and Genesee.' " Canandaigua Rtios-
ilory, February ll, 187s.
XAIhayiy Gazette, Oct. 17, 1796.
§ Hammond's History 0/ Madison County, 128.
of near one hundred miles, opening it sixty-four
feet wide, and paving with logs and gravel the
moist parts of the low country through which it
was carried. Hence, the road from Fort Schuyler
* * * to Genesee, from being, in the month
of June, 1797, a little better than an Indian path,
was so far improved, that a stage started from
Fort Schuyler on the 30th of September, and
arrived at the hotel in Geneva on the afternoon of
the third day, with four passengers. * * * Not
less than fifty families settled on it in the space of
four months after it was opened."* During the
winter of 1798, two weekly stages, one of them a
mail stage, ran between Canandaigua and Albany jj
and so great was the effect produced by the
improvements made the preceding year, five hun-
dred and seventy sleighs, with families, passed
through Geneva within the space of five weeks.|
The Cayuga Bridge Company, consisting of
John Harris, Thomas Morris, Wilhemas Mynders,
Charles WiUiamson and Joseph Annin, was char-
tered in 1797. and in 1799 commenced the con-
struction of the celebrated Cayuga bridge, which
was completed September 4, 1800, and speedily
became the great highway of western emigration.
It was for many years looked upon as one of the
greatest public improvements in the State, and was
considered the dividing Hne between the east and
the west. It was about a mile long, twenty-two feet
wide, and twenty-two feet between the trestles.
Eighteen months were consumed and about $150,-
.000 expended in its construction. It was destroyed
in 1808, rebuilt in 181 2-13, and finally abandoned
in 1857. Nothing is now left of it but the spiles
and timbers, which are mostly hidden by the
waters of the lake.
The Seneca Turnpike Company was chartered in
1800, having for its object the improvement of this
road.§ The company was required to construct
a road six rods wide from Utica to Canandaigua;
twenty-five feet of it, in the center, was to be cov-
ered with gravel, or broken stone, to the depth of
fifteen inches. They were permitted to place
gates at intervals of ten miles, and exact twelve
and one-half cents toll for two horse teams, and
twenty-five cents for four horses.
The first United States mail over this road be-
tween Whitestown and the Genesee was carried
* Williamson's Letter III., Doc. Hist., II., 1 142.
t Iliid
t Witiiajnson' s Letter V., Doc. Hist. II., 1152.
§ The capital stock was g 110,000, in shares of $50 each. Jedediah
Sanger, Benjamin Walker, Charles Williamson and Israel Chapin were
appointed Commissioners.
THE GENESEE TURNPIKE.
103
on horseback in 1797 or '98, by a Mr. Langdon,
who distributed papers and unsealed letters on the
way, before intermediate offices were established.
Mr. Lucas succeeded Mr. Langdon in transporting
the mail, which, in 1800, had become so heavy as
to require a wagon to carry it. Mr. Lucas estab-
lished a sort of two-horse passenger hack and did
a brisk and profitable business. The first four-
horse mail coach was sent through once a week by
Jason Parker, in 1803, and in 1804 commenced run-
ning regularly twice a week from Utica to Canan-
daigua, carrying mail and passengers. In 1804, an
Act was passed, granting to Jason Parker and Levi
Stephens, the exclusive right for seven years, of
running a line of stages for the conveyance of
passengers, at least twice a week,' between Utica
and Canandaigua. They were bound tp furnish
four good and substantial wagons or sleighs, and
sufficient horses to run the same ; the fare, not to
exceed five cents per mile for each passenger, with
fourteen pounds of baggage. They were required
by law to run through in forty-eight hours, acci-
dents excepted, and not more than seven passen-
gers were allowed in any one carriage, except by the
unanimous consent of the passengers. If four in
excess of that number applied for passage, they
were bound to fit out and start an extra for their
accommodation; or any number less than four could
be accommodated by paying the fare of four. In
1808, a daily line was established, and afterwards
several others, which were continued till the com-
pletion of railroads along the line.*
This road was opened to Col. Ganson's, within
a mile of LeRoy, in 1798, and completed to New
Amsterdam (Buffalo) as early as 1809; and in 1810,
the first mail stage was run over it west of the
Genesee, carrying passengers at six cents per mile.
The road from the mouth of Lycoming Creek
to Williamsburgh, at the mouth of Canaseraga
Creek, before referred to, was the other important
early highway affecting this county; and over it
came the tide of emigration from the south-east, as
did that from the New England States and the
eastern part of this State over the one just des-
cribed. This road pursued in the main the great
Indian trail from the Genesee over the Alleghanies
into Pennsylvania and the country of the Andas-
tes, intersecting the Lake Erie and Susquehanna
and Bath turnpikes, at Bath. It was located after
a laborious exploration in the summer of 1792, by
Captain Williamson and a party of Pennsylvania
hunters, and opened in that and the succeeding
* Hammond's History of Madison County, 128— ijo.
year, by " seven stout young Pennsylvanians, well
skilled in the use of the ax and the rifle," under the
immediate supervision of Benjamin Patterson, a
notorious backwoods hunter and guide, assisted by
a colony of German emigrants, numbering some
two hundred, who were established at Wilhams-
burgh under the auspices of the Pultney Estate.*
A small portion of this road in its lower course
through this county is perpetuated in the present
road between Geneseo and Dansville. The rest
of its course through the county was in a south-
easterly direction through Groveland, across the
south-west part of Conesus, the north-east part of
Sparta, and through Springvvater, crossing at the
head of the Springwater valley. For some years
after it was opened the streams were unbridged and
the low marshy places unimproved.
The enterprise which had the most marked effect
upon the settlements of Central and Western New
York was the completion of the Erie canal. It
promoted the full development of agriculture, by
opening up cheap and accessible markets for the
surplus products of the agriculturalist. Lands ap-
preciated and prices advanced.
With the rapid increase in population came the
demand for increased facilities for transportation.
The old methods were inadequate, and for several
years in the early part of the present century the
minds of public men, statesmen, and those whose
genius adorned the humbler walks of life, were agi-
tated by this intensely absorbing topic, as the
necessities of its proximate cause became more
immediate and pressing. To Gouverneur Morris
is due the credit of first broaching the subject of
connecting the waters of Lake Erie with those of
the Hudson, a thought which took form in his brain
as early as i777,t and found more tangible expres-
sion in 1800, in December of which year, he wrote
his friend, John Parish, then of Hamburgh, and in
descanting on the glories of Lake Erie, which he
visited in that year, he said : —
" Here again the boundless waste of waters fills
the mind with renewed astonishment ; and here, as
in turning a point of wood the lake broke on my
view, I saw riding at anchor nine vessels, the least
of them 100 tons.| Can you bring your imagina-
* See history Town of Groveland.
t Hosack^s Memoir^ 150.
X The first vessel on Lake Erie — the Griffon — was projected and built
by the adventurous Cavalier de la Salle in 1679, and left her anchorage
near the foot of Squaw Island, In Niagara River, August 7, 1679. She
reached Washington Island, at the mouth of Green Bay : but perished in
a storm on the return voyajie in September of that year, together with her
crew and cargo, which, with the vessel, was valued at 50,000 or 60,000
francs. The Building and Voyage of the Griffon, by O. H. Marshall.
The first steamboat on Lake Erie was the Walkin the ^ez^^r, which was
launclied at Black Rbck, May 28. 1S18, and wrecked near Buffalo on the
night of Oct. Ji, 1821. Doc. Hist. III., 1194. Buffalo Commercial
Advertiser. Nov. 7, 1879.
104
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
tion to realize this scene ? Does it seem like magic ?
Yet this magic is but the early efifort of victorious
industry. Hundreds of large ships will in no distant
period bound on the billows of these inland seas.
At this point commences a navigation of more than
a thousand miles. Shall I lead your astonishment
to the verge of incredulity? I will. Know then that
one-tenth of the expenses borne by Britain in
the last campaign would enable ships to sail from
London through Hudson's River to Lake Erie."*
In 1803, in a conversation with Simeon DeWitt,
who was then and had long been Surveyor-General
of this State, Mr. Morris adverted to the long cher-
ished " project of tapping Lake Erie and leading
its waters, in an artificial river, directly across the
country to Hudson's river ;" but DeWitt, with his
intensely practical mind, regarded it as a chimeri-
cal scheme, and related it on several occasions in
a spirit of levity, among others to James Geddes, a
surveyor, who, in 1794, moved from Pennsylvania
with the facilities for manufacturing salt, and loca-
ted near the Onondaga salt springs, from whence,
in 1804, he was sent to the Legislature. Mr.
Geddes was strongly impressed with the idea, and
untiringly pursued his investigations in regard to
the nature of the intervening country, thus acquir-
ing data which not only made him an ardent advo-
cate of the project, but enabled him to create a
public sentiment in its favor, so that it was made a
political issue, and in April, 1807, Judge Joshua
Forman, of Onondaga county, was elected to the
Assembly as the representative of its advocates
and supporters,
October 27, 1807, the first of a series of articles
from the pen of Jesse Hawley appeared in the On-
tario Messenger, over the signature of Hercules,
strongly advocating the construction of the canal.
March 21, 1808, in consonance with a resolution
previously introduced by Mr. Forman, the Assem-
bly passed a bill instructing the Surveyor-General
" to cause an accurate survey to be made of the
rivers, streams and waters, (not already accurately
surveyed,) in the usual route of communication
between the Hudson river and Lake Erie, and such
other contemplated route as he may deem proper,
and cause the same to be deUneated on charts or
maps for that purpose accompanying the same,
with the elevations of the route, and such explana-
tory notes as may be necessary for all useful infor-
mation in the premises." The Senate concurred
April 6th, and on the nth of that month six hun-
dred dollars were appropriated to carry out the pro-
visions of the resolution.
* Hosack's Memoir, i$'J.
Upon James Geddes was devolved the task of
making these surveys ; and January 20, 1809, he
submitted his report to the Surveyor-General, who
afterwards wrote that it marked out a route " almost
precisely in the line which, after repeated, elaborate
and expensive examinations, has been finally adop-
ted," and thus was " the fact satisfactorily estab-
hshed, that a canal from Lake Erie to Hudson's
River was not only practicable, but practicable
with uncommon feHcity."*
The favorable report of Judge Geddes silenced
much local opposition, and induced the Legislature,
March 15, 1 810, to unanimously authorize the or-
ganization of a Board of Commissioners consisting
of Gouverneur Morris, Stephen VanRensselaer, De-
Witt Chnton, Simeon DeWitt, William North,
Thomas Eddy and Peter B. Porter.
May 8, 181 1, Robert R. Livingston and Robert
Fulton were added to the commission, who were
empowered to employ engineers to make further
surveys, and to apply to the National and State
governments for aid.
June 19, 1812, the commission was authorized
to purchase all the right and interest of the West-
ern Inland Lock Navigation Company, with cer-
tain provisos, and to borrow five millions of dol-
lars to be used in the construction of the canal;
but the ensuing war necessitated a suspension of
operations, and April 15, 1814, the law authorizing
this loan was repealed.
The project was revived in the fall of 1 8 1 5, and in
March, 1817, thenew board of commissioners, con-'
sisting of Stephen Van Rensselaei", DeWitt Clinton,
Samuel Young, Joseph Ellicott and Myron HoUey,
made an elaborate report, and from revised esti-
mates placed the cost at $5,000,000. April 15,
1817, the bill which established the canal pohcy of
the State passed the Legislature, after a sharp and
talented controversy.
The Canal Commissioners were authorized by
that law to commence constructing the canals from
Lakes Erie and Champlain to the Hudson. The
first contract for the Erie canal was made June 27,
181 7, with John Richardson, of Cayuga county;
and the first spadeful of earth was raised at Rome,
with appropriate ceremonies, July 4, 181 7. Ninety-
four miles of canal, including the lateral branch to
Salina, were completed in the autumn of 1820, on
the middle section; and Oct. 26, 1825, it was fin-
ished the entire length, a distance of three hundred
and sixty-three miles, at a cost of $7,143,789.!
* Canal Laws, I., 40, 41.
t State Engineer's Report, 1878, p. 8;.
COMPLETION OF THE ERIE CANAL.
105
The final completion of the canal was a signal
for an outburst of the wildest enthusiasm along its
entire length, and the event was celebrated with
imposing ceremonies at New York and other
points on the 4th of November, 1825. As the first
boat,* with Governor Clinton on board, entered
the canal at Buffalo, on the morning of October
26th, the fact was signalled to New York by means
of cannon previously stationed at intervals of a
few miles along the entire length of the line and
down the Hudson.
Within the first decade after its completion the
necessity for its enlargement was felt, and this
work, which was ordered May 11, 1835, was com-
menced in August, 1836, and completed in Sep-
tember, 1862, at a cost of $36,495,535. This
improvement reduced its length from 363 miles to
350^ miles; changed the number of locks from 83,
each 90 by 1 5 feet, to 7 2, each 11 o by 1 8 feet ; reduc-
ing the number of feet of lockage from 675.5 '°
654.8; increased the width at the top from 40 to 70
feet, and at the bottom from 28 to 56 feet, and the
depth from 4 to 7 feet ; and increased the burden
of boats from 75 to 220 tons. The difference in
length was occasioned by a change in route in
various places.
The completion of the Erie canal exerted a
marked influence on the industries of the counties
bordering upon it, and measurably benefited those
more remote from it. To Livingston county it was
only the prelude to and precursor of a subsequent
enterprise, which brought within the reach of its
citizens the full fruition of its advantages. The
tedious, toilsome and unreliable water route to that
great artery was still, as formerly, its chief depend-
ence. The Genesee was navigable for boats be-
tween Mt. Morris and Rochester from an early day,
but up to the time of the building of the Erie canal
the regular commercial navigation between these
points was not more frequent than once in two
weeks. In May, 1824, the canal boat Hazard,
the pioneer of its craft on the Genesee, and owned
by Sanford Hunt, of Nunda, made the passage of
the river, carrying a load of pine lumber, ashes, &c.,
from Nunda to Albany ; and in July of the same
year, Captain Bottle, with the steamboat Erie
Canal, first navigated the Genesee by steam,
making the trip from Rochester to Geneseo. The
event was suitably recognized by the citizens of
* This was the first after the completion of the canal. The first packet
boat, the Oneida Chief, of which George Perry, a resident of Sullivan,
JIadison county, was captain, commenced running between Utica and
Montezuma, in July, 1810. Three'trips were made each week, each trip
occupying two days. The fare, including board, was $+. The following
year the canal was open to Schenectady.
Geneseo and Avon, as it stopped at the latter place
on its way up the river. The day following his
arrival at Geneseo, Capt. Bottle acknowledged the
compliment of the generous reception given him
by taking a large company of ladies and gentlemen
on an excursion up the river. Subsequently a
stock company, in which citizens of this county
were interested, attempted the navigation of the
river between Rochester and Geneseo with the
Genesee, a stern-wheel steamboat of small capacity,
designed to carry passengers and tow river boats ;
but the enterprise proved unsuccessful, and it was
abandoned after two seasons, during the first of
which the boat was commanded by Captain Wil-
liam W. Weed, and the second, by Capt. John
Dallson.
Immediately on the completion of the Erie canal
measures were taken by the residents of the Gene-
see valley to improve the water communication
with it ;• and the idea of a canal as a substitute for
river navigation early took definite shape. In the
spring of 1825, a bill authorizing a survey for a
canal in the Genesee valley was introduced in the
Legislature, but failed to receive the sanction of
that body. June 15, 1825, Phillip Church, Daniel
H. Fitzhugh, WiUiam H. Spencer, Ira West, Jon-
athan Child and Heman Norton issued through
the columns of the Livingston Register, a call for a
public meeting of those interested in the construc-
tion of a canal along the Genesee and Canaseraga
valleys, also from the Genesee to some point on
the Alleghany. The movement thus auspiciously
begun, notwithstanding the continued agitation
and the many meetings subsequently held in
various places in its interest, did not receive
official encouragement until 1834, when surveys
were authorized and made, and the cost of
construction estimated by F. C. Mills, tlie chief
engineer engaged in it, to be $2,002,285.* The
construction of the Genesee Valley canal was
authorized May 6, 1836,! and the contracts
awarded therefor during the three succeeding years.
* The estimated cost at contract prices was $4, 900, 122. Report of the
State Engineer and Stirveyar of the Canals of t/te State, 1878, p. 96.
t It is proper to state that a respectable and influential minority advo-
cated with much ability the improvement and use of a part of the river in
connection with the canal, for the reason that, as they beheved, it would
effect a *' saving of more than a quarter of million dollars to the State,
and at the same time render greater facilities to trade at a period of inter-
rupted navigation in the spring and fall, when a canal, supplied with water
from the summit level of the Genesee Valley canal, would be locked with
ice," A public meeting held in the court house at Geneseo, Dec. 16,
1 8 j6, was largely attended by citizens of Avon, Geneseo and York, but
from which those from the southern towns in the county were conspicu-
ously absent, and Calvin H. Bryan, George Hosmer, Allen Ayrault,
Charles Colt, Joseph B. Bloss and Elias Clark were appointed to present
and urge these views on the attention of the Legislature.
io6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
It was completed to Dansville, November i, 1842;
to Olean, in November, 1856; and to Mill Grove
pond, connecting with the Alleghany, (to which
point its extension was authorized in 1857,) in
December, 186 r. Its completion to the various
points within the county was hailed with enthusi-
astic demonstrations of joy. The entire length of
the canal, with side cut, was 124J miles. The
total cost of the canal and reservoirs was $6,433,842.
It was 42 feet wide at the top and 26 feet at the
bottom, with a depth of four feet, giving it a capac-
ity for boats of 50 to 55 tons burden.* It had 112
locks, each 90 by r5 feet, with a total lift of
1,128,87s feet; 28 were built of stone, at a cost of
$10,000 each ; 73, of composite, at a cost of $8,000
each, and 11, of wood, at a cost of $5,000 each.
Eight of these were on the Dansville branch, eleven
miles in length, with an aggregate lift of 82.6 feet.
This canal extends from Rochester to Mill
Grove pond, near the Pennsylvania Une, and enters
Livingston county in the northeast corner of the
town of Caledonia. Thence it extends in a south-
westerly direction on the west side of the river,
which it crosses at Mt. Morris, thence following the
Cashaqua valley to Nunda, where it deflects to the
west till it again reaches the river, which it crosses
on a wooden aqueduct, forty feet high, at Portage-
ville, where it leaves the county. The Dansville
branch intersects it at the Shaker settlement, in the
south-west part of Groveland, and pursues a south-
easterly direction to Dansville, crossing the Cana-
seraga at Comminsville.
The most difficult and expensive portions of the
work were encountered between the Dansville
branch junction and Portageville. The original
plan included, besides deep cuttings, heavy rock
excavations, the aqueduct across the Genesee and
a tunnel through the high hills near Portageville;!
but such were the obstacles encountered in the
latter undertaking that the project was abandoned
after much expensive labor had been performed
on it. The following description of the tunnel
appears in Disturneirs Gazetteer of the State of
New York, published in 1842, while that work was
in progress : —
" The trunk of the tunnel is to be 27 feet wide,
20 feet high and i,t8o feet in length; the entire
excavation * * *, including the gallery, shafts
and lateral drifts, will amount to more than 25,000
* Retort of the State Engineer and Surveyor on tlie Canals of the
State, 1878, p. 96. On page 84 of the same work it is stated that the
average burden of boats on the Genesee Valley canal was 70 tons, and
the maximum burden, 76 tons.
t The project of tunnehng the hill was adopted on account of the treach-
erous nature of the earth composing it, as explained in the chapter on
geology, and abandoned for the same reason.
cubic yards. * * * Since the excavation has
been commenced, such is the character of the rock,
thrown together apparently by nature in loose
masses and blocks, that it now appears that the
entire roof and sides of the tunnel will require
arching with sohd mason work. Indeed temporary
arches of wood have been found necessary during
the progress of almost every successive yard of the
work. It is by far the greatest undertaking of the
kind that has been attempted in our country. The
whole region through which the canal here passes,
also possesses great interest; the tunnel running
near by and parallel to the Genesee, which here
has a perpendicular bank of about 400 feet."
On the abandonment of the tunnel project, the
engineer adopted what long seemed an equally un-
promising one ; but after overcoming many per-
plexing difficulties he succeeded in placing the
canal on the treacherous hillside, overlooking the
deep gorge of the Genesee, and overshadowed by
the towering hill above, thus accomplishing a most
remarkable engineering feat.
In the early part of its, existence and for many
years this canal exerted a marked and beneficial
influence on the industries of the country through
which it passed, though it was an onerous burden
on the State treasury. The advent of the railroads,
however, soon demonstrated that it had outlived its
usefulness, and foreshadowed its abandonment,
which followed in 1878, the order directing its
abandonment being issued September 30th, 1878.
The evidences of its existence are rapidly vanishing.
Pending the prolonged effort to secure favorable
legislation in the interest of the Genesee Valley
Canal, its friends, becoming impatient of delay,
and feeling the urgent demand both for increased
and improved facilities for transportation, turned
their attention to the project of constructing a rail-
road through the Genesee Valley; and in 1831,
five years after the first railroad company in this
State was incorporated, and the year in which the
first railroad in the State was opened to the public,*
* The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad Company, incorporated April
I7, 1826, built the first railroad in this State between Albany and Schen-
ectady, a distance of seventeen miles. The work of construction was
commenced at Schenectady, July 29, 1830, and about the 20lh of July fol-
lowing, the road from the top of the hill at Albany to the brow of the hill
at Schenectady, a distance of about 11 1-2 miles, was completed and for-
mally opened September 24,1831. Previously, however, the road was
regularly operated by horse power. The science of railroad engineering
was then in its infancy, and the art of surmounting grades by locomotive
steam power was then unknown; hence, both termini were inclined
planes, up which the cars were drawn by stationary engines, and balanced
by means of a car loaded with stone descending an opposite track. The
road was completed through its entire length in the spring of iSjl. The
first cars used upon it were stage coach bodies placed upon trucks : and
the first train, of three coaches, was drawn by the engine De IVUt Clinton,
which made the return trip, with five cars, in thirty-five mitmtes. The
inclined planes were used till about 1840, when a portioffof the route was
changed for a line with grades that could be worked with locomotives.
This road now forms a part of the New York Central and Hudson River
R. R, — Hough's Gazetteer of New York, 126, 145.
RAILROAD ENTERPRISES.
107
a series of meetings were held along the line of the
proposed railroad, which culminated in the passage
of an Act on the 2 2d of March, 1832, incorporating
the Dansville and Rochester Railroad, for the con-
struction of a steam railroad from Dansville to
Rochester. This favorable legislation was joyfully
received by the friends of the enterprise, promi-
nent among whom, in this county, were Charles H.
Carroll, Hezekiah D. Mason, Allen Aj/rault, Wil-
liam A. Mills, C. H. Bryan, James Faulkner, Felix
Tracy, D. H. Fitzhugh, James McCurdy, John
Young, S. G. Grover, William H. Spencer, William
Lyman and others, and in July, 1832, surveys were
commenced. The public, however, were not pre-
pared for such an enterprise, and after ineffectual
efforts to secure the requisite amount of stock, it
was abandoned by its projectors.
The next railroad enterprise to engage the at-
tention of the people of Livingston county was the
Genesee and Pittsford Railroad, which was incor-
porated May 21, 1836, but, like its predecessor,
was not constructed.
The construction of a railroad from Attica to
Hornellsville, for which purpose the Attica and
Hornellsville Railroad Company was incorporated
May 14, 1845, with a capital of $750,000 was the
next railroad project which agitated the people of
Livingston county; and a sharp competition ex-
isted in the effort to determine the choice of one
of two proposed routes through the county, one of
which extended through the western and southern
parts of the county, and the other and shorter one,
and the one finally selected, through the south-
western corner, entering the county and crossing
the river at Portage, near the center of the west
border of that town, which it crosses in a south-
easterly direction, also the south-west part of Nun-
da, leaving that town and the county near the
center of its south border. The time for the com-
pletion of th^p road was extended to April 11, 1849 ;
and April 9, 185 1, other roads were allowed to
take stock. March 3, 1851, the capital was in-
creased, and the company allowed to purchase the
Buffalo and Rochester Railroad, from Attica to
Buffalo, and to change its name, which it did
April 16, 1851, to the Buffalo and New York
City Railroad. The road was completed and in
operation between Portage and Hornellsville in
January, 1852, and the following year was open its
entire length — ninety-one miles.* That portion of
the road from Attica to Buffalo was sold to the
Buffalo, New York and Erie Railroad ; and that
•The length of the road from Attica to Hornellsville is 59.848 miles.
portion from Attica to Hornellsville, changed to
the Buffalo branch of the Erie, December 12, 18621
It is now owned and operated by the New York,
Lake Erie and Western Railroad.
This road crosses the Genesee at Portageville on
a magnificent wrought-iron bridge, erected in
1875, at a cost of about $75,000, in place of the
famous wooden structure, which was destroyed by
fire, and was completed August 25, 1852, at a cost
of $175,000. It was the largest wooden railroad
bridge in the world; being 800 feet long, and 234
feet above the river bed. The present bridge is
eighteen feet longer than the old one and one foot
higher. It is a Pratt truss bridge, consisting of
ten spans of fifty feet each, two of one hundred
feet each, and one of one hundred and eighteen
feet. It rests upon six double towers, each com-
posed of four hollow iron beams, in sections, six-
teen inches square. These are seventy feet apart
at the bottom, and wide enough at the top for
double tracks. They rest upon moveable steel
rollers, which admit of adjustment as heat or cold
may expand or contract the structure. The whole
is supported by stone piers. The first iron work
was put up June 13th, and the last, July 16, 1875.
Its sustaining power is 20,000 pounds to the square
inch.
During the construction of this road through
Portage, in July, 185 1, a riot which threatened ser-
ious results occurred among the striking work-
men engaged in its construction, and render-
ed it necessary to apply to the civic authori-
ties of Livingston and Wyoming counties for
aid in quelling it. A desperate encounter en-
sued in which several of the rioters were shot,
two fatally, and it was not until the militia was
summoned to the scene that the emeute was
quelled. The Big Tree Artillery, of Geneseo,
were summoned and repaired to the scene of
action.
In 1849, the project of constructing the New
York and Erie Railroad (which was opened June
I St of that year to Elmira,) through the Cohocton
instead of the Canisteo Valley from Corning was
discussed and enlisted the earnest support of the
people of this section in favor of the former route.
The latter, however, being decided on, a separate
railroad was resolved on through the Cohocton
Valley from Corning, and June 26, 1850, the Buf-
falo and Cohocton Valley Railway company was
formed to effect that object. Two feasible routes
were reported from Bath to the Genesee ; one
known as the Honeoye route, which would cross
io8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
only the towns of Lima and Caledonia in this
county, and the other, the' Conesus route, which
was two miles shorter, and was adopted with
Buffalo instead of Rochester as the western ter-
minus. This enters the county on the south line
of Springwater, passes northerly through the west-
ern part of that town, the central part of Conesus
and the western part of Livonia, to its north line,
and to the south-west corner of Lima, where it
deflects to the west, and reaches the Conesus out-
let, which it follows in most of its course through
the southern and central parts of' Avon, to the
north line of Avon village, where it again deflects
to the west, and crosses the town of Caledonia
diagonally in a north-westerly direction, leaving
the county in the north-west corner of the latter
town. March 3, 1852, it was changed to the
Buffalo, Corning and New York Railroad Com-
pany; and subsequently that portion of the road
extending from Corning to Batavia was sold to the
Buffalo, New York and Erie Railroad, which was
organized in 1857. It is now leased by the New
York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad, belong-
ing to the Rochester division of that road. Forty-
four miles of the road were completed in 1852,
and an additional forty-six miles in 1853, in July
of which year trains were running regularly be-
tween Corning and Caledonia.
The project of a railroad through thp Genesee
valley was revived, and June 7, 1851, the Roches-
ter and Genesee Valley Railroad Company was or-
ganized for the purpose of building a road from
Rochester to Pittsburgh by that route and char-
tered July 2, 185 1, with a capital of $800,000.
James S. Wadsworth of Geneseo and Freeman
Clark of Rochester were the prime movers in this
enterprise. Amon Bronson of Rochester, was also
prominently identified with it. The route was sur-
veyed in 185 1, by McRea Swift, assisted by Edward
Everett. The work of construction was com-
menced in 1852, and was completed to Avon, a dis-
tance of 18.261 miles, in 1854. About $100,000
were expended for grading, masonry and right
of way on that part of the line between Avon and
Mt. Morris. At this point the means of the com-
pany gave out, and its subsequent efforts to com-
plete the road were unavailing. Oct. i, 1858, the
road was leased to the Buffalo, New York 'and
Erie Railroad Company for ten years, with the
privilege of renewal at the same terms. The
lease was sold and assigned to the Erie Railway
Company, and the road is now leased and operated
by the New York, Lake Erie and Western Rail-
road, as a part of the Rochester division of that
road.
Energetic measures were set on foot by the resi-
dents of this county to extend this road from Avon
to Portage, and July 12, 1856, the Genesee Valley
Railroad Company was formed for the accomplish-
ment of that object. It was composed among
others, of James S. Wadsworth of Geneseo ; John
R. Murray, Judge Geo. S. Hastings, Hiram P.
Mills, and Reuben P. Wisner of Mt. Morris ; Judge
Charles H. Carroll and Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh of
Groveland ; and William Kidd, Waterman F. Rey-
nolds and Henry E. Rochester of Rochester, all of
whom were prominent members of the company.
Arrangements were made whereby the Rochester
and Genesee Valley Railroad Company agreed to
transfer to this company all its right and title to real
property on the line south of Avon, on condition
that it carry forward the project. This transfer
was made by deed, Dec. 26, 1856. In September,
1856, a contract was entered into with George W.
Phelps of Mt. Morris, to complete the road from
Avon to Mt. Morris. He commenced operations
in October of that year ; but owing to the financial
crisis of 1857, and the consequent inability of the
company to furnish the means for prosecuting the
work, it was not completed until 1859. The first
train passed over the road on Thursday, January
20, 1859, when Mr. Phelps took the directors to
Avon and gave them a dinner there. The road
was formally opened, June 5, 1859. Its length from
Avon to Mt. Morris is 17.561 miles; and to the
town line 19 miles.
In 1856, the Genesee Valley Railroad Company
issued bonds to the amount of $175,000 for con-
struction expenses, and July 22, 1857, executed a
mortgage on its property to secure them. The
road was sold on foreclosure in 1858, and was sub-
sequently purchased by the Avon, Geneseo and Mt.
Morris Railroad Company, which was chartered
March 8, i860, with a capital of $225,000.
On the completion of the road it was managed
by Mr. Patchen, who ran his trains over it to Roch-
ester, for 3, pro rata of the expenses, and in eight
months made the running expenses exceed the re-
ceipts by about $1,800. May i, i860, the roadwas
leased to George W. Phelps, then a large stockhold-
er, for one year, he agreeing to pay seven per cent,
on the cost of construction. Mr. Phelps renewed
the lease a second year, at the expiration of which
he became its manager, and continued it success-
fully till i872,when it was leased to the Erie Rail-
way Company for eighty years with all renewals and
RAILROAD ENTERPRISES.
109
charters. It is now leased and operated by the
Ne%v York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad Com-
pany, as a part of the Rochester division of that
road.
The Dansnille and Genesee Valley Railroad
Company was organized March 22, 1864, for the
purpose of constructing and operating a road fifteen
miles in length from Dansville to Mt. Morris, to
intersect at or near the latter place the Avo7i, Gen-
eseo and Mt. Morris Railroad, but without accom-
plishing its object. The capital stock was fixed at
$150,000, divided into 6,000 shares. The follow-
ing named directors were chosen : George Hy-
land, James Faulkner, Charles Shepard, James C.
Jackson, Jesse Angel, Hugh McCartney, Sidney
Sweet, Alonzo Bradner, Orville Tousey, all of
Uansville ; Hugh T. McNair, of West Sparta ;
Anson D. Smith, of Mt. Morris, and Isaac Butts
and William Kidd, of Rochester.
January 24, 1868, a charter was granted to the
Erie and Genesee Valley Railroad Company for
the purpose of extending the Avon, Geneseo and
Mt. Morris Railroad from Groveland to Burns, in
Allegany county, to connect at the latter place
with the Buffalo and Hornellsville branch of the
Erie road. In 1871, seven miles of this road was
constructed, and in 1872, an additional five and
one-fourth miles, completing it to Dansville,* be-
yond which point it has not since been carried.
On its completion to Dansville the company leased
the road to the Erie Railway Company, agreeing
in the lease to build it through to Burns. The
road is now operated by the New York, Lake Erie
and Western Railroad.
The Silver Lake Railroad was chartered July
1 9, 1869, for the purpose of constructing a railroad
from Perry to Caledonia, with a capital of half a
million dollars, $120,127 of which is paid in. Six
and one-half miles of the road, from Perry to East
Gainesville, have been constructed, connecting the
former village with the Erie Railroad.
The Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Railroad
Company "^ss, incorporated May 18, 1851, under
the general railroad Act of 1850, and in 1853 con-
structed a railroad from Canandaigua to Suspen-
sion Bridge, mortgaging its property, corporate
franchises, etc., to secure the issue of certain bonds.
This mortgage was subsequently foreclosed, and
the mortgaged property purchased by James M.
Brown, Charles Congdon and Bobert B. Potter,
who, with others, organized the Niagara Bridge
and Canandaigua Railroad Company, August 25,
• state Engineer's Report on Railroads, 1879, /• 61.
1858, and to whom they subsequently transferred
the property. The company then leased the line
to the New York Central Railroad Company for
the term of its charter. The road is now leased
and operated by the New York Central and Hud-
son River Railroad Company. It extends from
east to west through the north part of the town of
Caledonia.
The Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company was organized April 9, 1870, for
the purpose of building a road from Mt. Morris to
Belvidere, the object being to estabHsh a railroad
connection between Rochester and the trunk line
of the Erie road. The project enlarged and on
the loth of January, 1872, a company styled the
Northern Extension of the Rochester, Nunda and
Pennsylvania Railro3,d was formed to build a road
from Mt. Morris to Rochester on the west side of
the Genesee Valley, passing through the towns of
Leicester, York, Caledonia, Wheatland and Gates.
The same year another company known as the
Southern Extension of the Rochester, Nunda and
Pennsylvania Railroad was formed in the same
interest to build a road from Belvidere to the
Pennsylvania line ; and immediately thereafter the
three companies consolidated into one, taking the
name of the first. Immediately thereafter the con-
solidated company consolidated with another rail-
road company in Pennsylvania, known as the
Northern Railroad and Navigation Company,
under the name of the Rochester, Nunda and
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, having for its
objects the opening of a direct communication with
the cities of Rochester and Pittsburg, and the
cities lying to the south-west of the latter, and to
open to people on its line and to northern markets
the vast forests of timber and especially the im-
mense bituminous coal basin of Pennsylvania,
which the road penetrates for a distance of fifty
miles. The company adopted mainly a route sur-
veyed for a railroad more than twenty-five years
previously. With about seventy-five miles graded
and about eighteen miles of iron laid and ballasted
(from Mt. Morris south through Nunda and
Rosse's Crossing,) the panic of 1873 overtook and
swamped the enterprise. In June, 1877, the fran-
chises and property of the company were sold on
foreclosure of mortgage and bought in the interest
of the stockholders, who re-organized, June 27,
1877, as the Rochester, Nunda and Pittsburg
Railroad Company, of which George Jerome, J.
Simpson, of Detroit, Charles L. Bingham, of Mt.
Morris, C. W. Leavitt, of Philadelphia, T. Gilbert
tto
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTV.
Smith, George M. Osgoodby, Buffalo, Franklin D.
Lake, Nunda, J. C, Wicker, Leicester, are the
directors ; George Jerome, president ; Franklin D.
Lake, vice-president; C. W. Leavitt, secretary;
Charles L. Bingham, treasurer. The property was
kept intact and was sold in September, 1880, to
capitalists, who propose to build the road. The
road has never be operated.
The Rochester and Genesee Valley Canal Rail-
road Company was incorporated April 15, 1879, for
the purpose of building a railroad as nearly as prac-
ticable on the line of the Genesee Valley Canal,
(abandoned,) from Mt. Morris, and through that
town, Nunda and Portage, in Ijvingston county,
Genesee Falls, in Wyoming county, Hume, Cane-
adea, Belfast and New Hudson to Cuba, in Alle-
gany county, its southern terminus. No portion of
the road is yet under construction. The directors
and officers are : George W. Phelps, (president,)
and Norman Seymour, Mt. Morris; Mortimer F.
Reynolds, Lewis P. Ross, (secretary,) R. A. Sibley
and S. J. Arnold, Rochester; F. D. Lake and
Michael DowUng, Nunda ; John N. Davidson,Gen-
esee Falls; WiUiam P. Brooks, Fillmore; M. L.
Ross, Hume; A. M. Smith and W. P. Stevens,
Cuba; and Geo. C. Buell, (treasurer,) Rochester.
CHAPTER XL
Societies — The Medical Society of the County
OF Livingston — Its Organization and First
Officers — Succession of Presidents of the
Society — Names of Members From its Organ-
ization— Origin of Homeopathy — Its Intro-
duction into Livingston County — Homeo-
pathic Medical Society of Livingston CouNT^■
— Its Constituent Members — Succession
of Presidents of the Society — Addi-
tional Members — The Livingston County
Agricultural Society — First Officers
Premiums Awarded— Classification of Mem-
bers IN 1855— Prominent Stock Raisers and
Horticulturists in the County — Geneseo
Credited with First Suggesting the Idea of
THE Mowing Machine— Succession of Presi-
dents OF the Agricultural Society — Living-
ston County Stock Association— Livingston
County Historical Society — Livingston
County Pioneer Association.
THE formation of county medical societies was
authorized in 1806, by an Act of the Legislature
which conferred on them certain powers and im-
posed certain duties. Previously all persons de-
siring to practice "physic and surgery," were re-
quired to present evidence of their competency to
the Chancellor of the State, to a Judge of the Su-
preme or Common Pleas Court, or to a Master in
Chancery, and on receiving a certificate entitling
them to practice, to file it in the county clerk's of-
fice, under penalty of receiving no remuneration,
or in case pay was received, of being fined twenty-
five dollars each time it was so received. The law
authorizing county medical societies conferred on
them authority to grant licenses and recognize
diplomas from other States and countries, but such
licenses and diplomas were required to be filed in
the county clerk's office under like penalties.
The Medical Society of the County of Livingston
was organized at a meeting of physicians and sur-
geons at the house of Col. John Pierce in Genesee,
on Tuesday, the 29th of May, 182 1. The meet-
ing was attended by the following physicians :
Charles Little and Jared D. Ensworth, Avon; Jus-
tin Smith, Lima ; Samuel Daniels, Elkanah French
and EH Hill, Livonia ; Royal Tyler and John W.
Leonard, York; and Cyrus Wells, Jr., Geneseo.
Dr. Charles Little was chosen chairman, and Dr.
Justin Smith, secretary of the meeting. The fol-
lowing officers were chosen for the ensuing year :
Charles Little, president ; Justin Smith, vice-presi-
dent; Cyrus Wells, Jr., secretary; Samuel Daniels,
treasurer.
At this early period the facilities for acquiring a
medical education was much more limited than at
present, and a large proportion of the practitioners
of medicine were licensed to practice by State and
county societies. The proportion of those who
were Ucensed to those who were graduates of medi-
cal colleges was about two to one. Up to 1852, the
copies of diplomas filed in the County Clerk's office
show that seventy-three were licentiates and forty-
four graduates.*
The society, feeling their responsibility, provided
by their first code of by-laws for a triumvirate, con-
sisting of the president, secretary and one of the
censors, " to examine students in the preparatory
branches of education and give a certificate pre-
vious to their entrance upon study." Candidates
for license to practice " physic and surgery" were
required to give notice thereof to the president and
* History of the Medical Society of Livingston county, by Walter E.
Lauderdale, M. D, of Geneseo, as published in the Transaciims of the
Medical Society o/the Stale 0/ New York, 1S76. Access to this docu-
ment was kindly permitted us by the author, who is one of the oldest, as
he is among the most honored and respected members of the profession
in this county, and of this society.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Ill
censors fifteen days previous to examination, and
to produce to the censors satisfactory proof that
they were twenty-one years of age and of good
moral character ; that they had studied the term
required by law with one or more " reputable and
legal practitioners," and had " appropriated that
time solely to the study of physic and surgery."
They were required to undergo an examination in
Materia Medica and pharmacy, anatomy, physi-
ology and the "theory and practice of physic."
Candidates for license to practice surgery were
required to undergo an examination, particularly in
anatomy and surgery. If the examination proved
satisfactory a diploma was issued.
These by-laws further specify that "it is consid-
ered the duty of every member of this society to
support the honor and dignity of the medical pro-
fession and execute their respective duties with
justice andfidelity." Each new member was required
at the next meeting after his admission to deliver
in the presence of the society a dissertation on some
subject connected with medical science. The
records of a later period show that new members
were permitted to deUver a dissertation in Heu of
the regular initiation fee, which, at different times,
was two, three and five dollars. These disserta-
tions were also required from members joining from
other counties, who, however, were allowed to join
without fee. An officer who absented himself from
any stated meeting, unless he gave a reasonable
excuse at the next meeting, was Uable to a fine of
not less than two dollars, and other members, to a
fine not exceeding one dollar. All members over
sixty years of age were exempted from fines for
non-attendance. The president, at the expiration
of his office, was required to dehver a dissertation
on some medical subject or an address, and in case
of failure topayafineof$2S. The by-laws adopted
in 1829, required the delegate to the State Society
to deliver an address before the society at the ex-
piration of his office or forfeit the sum of $20.
These by-laws have since been several times modi-
fied to meet the exigencies of the times. June 28,
1830, the Society put itself on record on the
temperance question by the adoption of the follow-
ing resolutions presented by Dr. G. W. Little : —
" Resolved, That we view intemperance in any
degree in the use of distilled spirits a great moral
and physical evil; and that we consider it our
duty, both as physicians and as citizens, to exer-
cise all the influence of which we may be possessed
to aid in its suppression.
"■Resolved, That the exertions making very gen-
erally throughout this country, for the promotion
of this object, while they are confined to their
legitimate and avowed purposes, and preserved en-
tirely disconnected with any extraneous question,
meet our cordial approbation ; and that all the aid
which we can contribute to promote their success
shall be cordially and constantly afforded.
'■'■Resolved, That the popular opinion that a
common use of ardent spirits renders the human
system less subject to the diseases of this climate,
we consider to be a dangerous, and in many in-
stances, a fatal error.
'■"Resolved, That our medical experience conclu-
sively shows us that persons intemperate in the
use of ardent spirits, are more Uable to be attacked
by the diseases incident to this climate ; and that
their diseases are uniformly of a more dangerous
and intractable character.
'■'■Resolved, That we will on all proper occasions
enforce the above sentiments by our advice to
those under our professional care ; and at all times
by the influence of our personal example."
Up to this period regular annual and semi-
annual meetings were held, with possibly one or
two exceptions, when they were omitted for want
of a quorum till 1834. From that year until 1841,
no semi-annual meetings are recorded. In the
latter year they were resumed.
This was a period when the physicians in this
county in common with others throughout the
country were deeply agitated — the period when
homeopathy began to force its just claims on pub-
lic attention and to legal recognition. The legis-
lative action which soon followed — in 1844 — was
regarded by many with grave and honest appre-
hension ; for it was thought that it would prove
detrimental to the interests of the profession, and
many beheved, says Dr. Lauderdale, "that their
efforts to advance a sound rational system of medi-
cal education and practice were neither apprecia-
ted by the people, nor their representatives in the
legislature." It has, however, worked beneficially
in resting the prestige of the profession upon its
real, rather than its assumed merits.
This Society, in a measure, anticipated and in-
vited legislative action on this subject. January
30, 1844, Drs. Salisbury, Metcalf and Lauderdale
were appointed to draft resolutions, which, after
having been signed by the presiding officers of this
meeting, should be forwarded to the Chairman of
the Committee on Medical Colleges of the Legis-
lature of this State, "urging the abolition of all
laws in relation to the practice of physic and sur-
gery." At the annual meeting of June 25, 1844,
" after some discussion on the utility of continuing
this Society under the disadvantages" which then
existed, "it was
112
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
"■Resolved, That when this meeting adjourn they
adjourn sine die ; and that a committee consisting
of three be appointed by the Chair to draft a state-
ment and resolutions expressive of the views of
this Societj ; and that the editors of the several
newspapers of the county be requested to publish
them ; that a copy be forwarded to the State Med-
ical Society."
Drs. Salisbury, D. H. Bissell and Sill were ap-
pointed such committee. At this meeting it was
further
"Resolved, That the funds belonging to the So-
ciety, amounting to $12.25, be expended by the Sec-
retary for medical books, which shall be deposited
in the medical library room estabUshed by the late
James Wadsworth in the village of Geneseo."
This is the first reference made in the records
of the Society to medical literature.
The annual meetings up to 1844 were held with
great regularity at Geneseo, where, also, the semi-
annual meetings were generally held.
During the eight years succeeding 1844, the
society was practically dormant, its meetings being
discontinued. In 1852, " it was concluded," says
Dr. Lauderdale, " by a number of the physicians
of the county, upon consultation, that the interests
of the profession and the community at large,
requires a reorganization of the Society ; and an
invitation was extended through the papers to the
physicians of the county, to meet in Geneseo, on
the 28th day of September, for the purpose of re-
organization."
In accordance with this call the following named
physicians convened at the American Hotel, Gen-
eseo, viz. : D. H. Bissell, T. Morse, J. B. Pur-
chase, A. L. Gilbert, S. L. Endress, W. E. Lauder-
dale, William C. Dwight, W. H. Sellew, E. W.
Patchen, B. L. Hovey, Z. H. Blake, A. W. Mercer,
A. H. Hoff, L. J. Ames, B. F. Fowler. Dr. A. H.
Hoff was chosen chairman, and B. F. Fowler, sec-
retary. Committees were appointed to draft by-
laws and medical ethics, officers were elected for the
ensuing year, and a committee appointed to select
suitable persons to prepare addresses on medical
subjects to be read at subsequent meetings.
The meetings of the Society continued to be held
regularly until 1858. There is no record of a
meeting from January 7, 1858, to January 7, 1864.
At the latter meeting a new fee bill to correspond
with the times was adopted. Two fee bills had been
previously adopted, one in May, 1857, and the
other June 28, 1842. This meeting was attended
by Drs. Bissell, who was called to the chair, Nesbitt,
Wells, Ames, G. H. Bennett, William Sprague, Ellis,
Vickery, and J. A. Bennett.
The next meeting recorded was held July 24,
1867, and was attended by Drs. Blake, Patchen,
Perine, Purchase, Bennett, Ellis, Lauderdale and
Chase. Dr. Lauderdale, as senior member, was
called to the chair, and Dr. Chase appointed sec-
retary. Drs. Perine, Purchase, Bennett and Blake,
were appointed a committee to draft resolutions,
and after a recess of fifteen minutes reported as
follows : —
Whereas, The Livingston County Medical
Society has failed to meet for a term of years;
therefore,
Resolved, That we request the secretary to call
the members together for an annual meeting on the
i8th of September, 1867."
A new fee bill was adopted in January, 1868,
and another in June, 1873.
In 1874, the Legislature in a measure put up
the barriers taken down in 1844, so far as to dis-
criminate against quackery, but not against regular
schools of medicine. Practitioners are required by
the law of 1874 to have a license from a medical
society or to be a graduate from, a medical college.
May 29, 1880, an Act was passed by the Legisla-
ture requiring medical practitioners to register in
the County Clerk's office, on or before October i,
1880, their name, residence, place of birth and
authority for practicing. Both these laws make
illegal practice punishable by fine or imprisonment
or both.
The following gentlemen* have served the
Society as president : —
Charles Little 1821, 1833.
Justin Smith 1822.
Caleb Chapin 1823.
Charles Bingham 1824, 1829.
E. Hill 1825, 1828.
Samuel Daniels 1826, 1827.
Cyrus Wells, Jr 1830.
Andrew Sill 1831.
Daniel H. Bissell 1832, 1837, 1839.
E. P. Metcalf ; 1834, 1836.
S. Salisbury, Jr 1835, 1840.
Joseph Tozier 1838.
Gilbert Bogart 1841.
William H. Reynale 1842, 1867.
John S. Graham 1843.
Ellis 1868.
E. G. Chase 1869.
W. B. Alley 1870.
C. H. Richmond 1872-
F. M. Perine 1873-
R. J. Menzie 1874-
B. J. Kneeland 1875-
J. E. Crisfield 1880.
Following is a list of the names of members who
* This list may not be complete, as the records themselves are veo'
incomplete.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
113
have joined the society since its organization, as far
as they can be ascertained from the records. The
right hand column of dates represents the time
when they joined the society ; the left hand column,
the time they filed copies of their diplomas in the
County Clerk's office at Geneseo : —
Alley, Wm. B., Nunda, as early as 1870.
Alvord, Ariel, 1833.
Alvord, Milton, 1828. June 24, 1828.
Ames, Loren J., Mt. Morris, 1843. June 27, 1843.
Baker, Milan,
Benedict, Avery, 1822.
Bennett, Geo. H., Lima, Jan. 7, 1864.
Bennett James A., Geneseo, . do.
Bingham, Chas., Mt. Morris,. 1821.
Bishop, Eben H., June 30, 1829.
Bissell, Danl. H., Moscow, .. 1823. 1822.
Bissell, Danl. P., Moscow, .. .1828. Jan. 29, 1828.
Blake, Geo. M., Dansville, . . .
Blake, Z. H., Dansville, Sept. 28, 1853.
Bogart, Gilbert, Mt. Morris, . . 183 1 June 30, 1829.
Bosley, Geo. H., Geneseo, . . .
Bowers, J. R., Mt. Morris, . . 1828. June 24, 1828.
Briggs, Chas. A., Avon, 1877.
Brockway, C. C, Avon,
Brown, Goit,
Butler, Wm., Lima, 1837. June 26, 1838.
Butler, Wm. C, Avon, 1842. June 28, 1842.
Byam, L. W., Geneseo,
Camp, Abraham,
Campbell, A. C, Sparta, .... June 29, 1841.
Campbell, Alex, June 26, 1838.
Campbell, Duncan, Caledonia, June 28, 1842.
Campbell, I. A., Jan. 31, 1832.
Campbell, John, Livonia 1823.
Campbell, Jno. A., Lima, 1829.
Carman, Samuel, Livonia,. . .1828. June 24, 1828.
Caton, Peter T., Livonia, 1839. June 30, 1840.
Caulkins,T. N.,
Chafee,C. C, Allegany Co.,(hon'ry) June 28, 1842.
Chapin, Caleb 1822. 182 1.
Chase, Enos G., Geneseo, . . . July 24, 1867.
Childs, Ebenezer, Mt. Morris, June 30, 1840.
Clark, Josiah, Caledonia, 1827, Jan. 29, 1828.
Clarke, Joel W., Livonia, 1829, Jan. 26, 1830.
Coe, Wm. H., Avon,
Calvin, Jonathan,
Cook, Lyman N., Sparta, 1821.
Craig, John, York, 1841. June 30, 1840.
Craig, John Reid, York, Jan. 25, 1842.
Crandall, Amos, Jr., Livonia,. 1834. Jan. 31, 1832.
Cressy, Alonzo, Lima 1829. June 28, 1830.
Crisfield, J. E., Dansville,
Culbertson, Isaac W., Grove-
land,
Currie, John, Caledonia, 1823. Jan. 26, 1830.
Daniels, Samuel, Livonia,. . .1821. May 29, 1821.
Davis, Aaron, Mt. Morris,. . . June 28, 1842.
Davis, Kendall, Moscow,
Day, Asel, Sparta, 1824.
Day, E.G.,... 1822.
Dayton, David D., Hopewell,
N. Y., 1844. June 25, 1844.
DeCamp, William H.,
Denton, L. A., Moscow, 1877.
Dewey, Horatio H 1846.
Dildine, C. T., Dansville,
Drake, Israel, 1852.
DuRelle, Geo. O. J., York,. .1839. June 25, 1839.
Dwight, Wm. C, Moscow, . . . 1824. June 30, 1829.
Dyke, L A. M., York, 1877.
EUis, S. G., Lima,
Ellis, Samuel L., Jan. 7, 1864.
Endress, Samuel L., Dans-
ville, 1829. Jan. 27, 1829.
Ensworth, Jared D., Avon,. . . 1821. May 29, 1821.
Fenn, Horatio N., 1823. Jan. 6, 1824.
Ferris, Lewis G., Mt. Morris, June 30, 1840.
Filkins, J. G., York,
Findlay, Solomon B., 1823.
Fitch, Graham N., Caledonia, 1835. June25, 1833.
Foote, Henry K., Conesus,. ..1830. June 28, 1830.
Fowler, B. F., Geneseo, Sept. 28, 1853.
French, Elkanah, Livonia, ... 1821. May 29, 1821.
GailUck, Thaddeus,
Gallantine, Samuel, Mt. Mor-
ris, 1842. June 27, 1843.
Gates, H. S., 1835. June 28, 1836.
Gibbs, Anson A., Livonia, . . .
Gilbert, Augustus L., Mt.
Morris 1852. Sept. 28, 1852.
Gilmore, John, Nunda,
Graham, John S., York, 1829. June 28, 1830.
Grant, Abraham, 1829. June 28, 1830.
Graves, Geo. W.,
Gray, Arnold, Springwater, . . 1827. June 26, 1827.
Gray, John W., Avon,
Gray, Joel, Geneseo, June 29, 1841.
Gray, Orlando S., Springwa-
ter, 1835.
Green, James, York, June 28, 1825.
Green, Jay L., Livonia,
Green, Wm. T., Livonia, 1827.
Hale, Thara, 1822.
Hanson, Benajah, York, 1829. June 24, 1828.
Harris, Francis L., Geneseo,,i829. June 26, 1832.
Higgins, David C, 1825.
Hill, Eli, Livonia, 1823. May 29, 1821.
Hoff, Alexander H., Mt. Mor-
ris, Sept. 28, 1852.
Holloway, Wm., York, 1823. 1822.
Hovey, Bleaker L., Sparta,. .1842. June 28, 1842.
Hudnutt, Isaiah B. Jr., West
Sparta, 1837. June 30, 1835.
Hume, Julius M., Conesus,. . 1835. Jan. 28, 1834.
Hunt, Hiram, Mt. Morris,. .. 1825. Jan. 30, 1827.
Hunt, John S., Sparta, 1842. June 28, 1842.
Huntington, T. R., Mt. Mor-
ris,
Hurd, Isaac W., Sparte, 1829. June 30, 1829.
Jinks, James E., Avon,
Jones, Geo. H., Fowlerville, . 1878.
Joslyn, Z. H., Mt. Morris,. ..
Kelsey, Robert, June 26, 1838.
King, John M., 1834.
Kneeland, Benj. F., Nunda,. as early as 1875.
Landon, J. C, Geneseo, 1825. June 28, 1825.
114
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Lauderdale, Edward, Grove-
land
Lauderdale, Walter E.,Sparta,i828. Jan. 27, 1829.
Lauderdale, Walter E., Jr.,
Geneseo
Leonard, John W., York, 1821. May 29, 1821.
Little, Charles, Avon, 1821. May 29, 1821.
Little, Geo. W., Lima, 1823. June 24, 1823.
Long, Josiah, York 1840. June 29, 1841.
Losey, J. B., Conesus,
Luce, Charles T., 1823.
Luke, Philip C, 1833.
Lyon, Lockwood, Groveland,i829. June 30, 1829.
Manning, J.,
Mason, Truman E., 1835, June 30, 1835.
McArthur, P. S., Mt. Morris,
Mclntyre, A. F., York, May, 1853.
McMaster, James, Livonia, ..1826. June 24, 1828.
McMillen, David, Conesus, ..1823. 1822.
McPherson, Thomas, 1833.
Meacham, E. H. G., Mt.
Morris, June 27, 1843.
Meacham, Wm. G., Geneseo,
Menzie, R. J., Caledonia,. . . as early as 1874.
Mercer, Alfred W., Syracuse, . Sept. 28, 1852.
Merriam, Harvey R., 1840.
Metcalf, Elias P., Geneseo,. . 1828. Jan. 27, 1829.
Minard, Isaac, 1837. June 25, 1839.
Morey, George, Avon,
Morgan, Charles F.,
Morse, T Sept. 28, 1852.
Moyer, Frank H., Moscow,..
Munson, Wm. Beers, Mt.
Morris, June 28, 1830.
Nesbitt, Wm., Avon, J^n'y 7. 1864.
Northrop, James,
Norton, John B., Springwater,i82 7.
Paine, Zina G., York 1835. June 28, 1831.
Palmer, Asa R., 1823. 1822.
Patchen, Edward W., Livonia, June 30, 1840.
Patchen, Robert A., Livonia,
Patterson, J. C, Livonia, . . .
Peck, Enoch, York, 1826. Jan'y 6, 1824.
Peckham, P. B.,
Ferine, F. M., Dansville, .... July 24, 1867.
Perry, Abijah E., 1828. Jan. 29, 1828.
Potter, E. A., Mt. Morris, . ..1830.
Potter, Wm. W., Mt. Morris,
Pratt, O. S., Dansville,
Purchase, J. B., Conesus, Sept. 28, 1852.
Purdy, Wm. S., Lima 1834. Jan. 28, 1834.
Reynale, Wm. H., Dansville, 1826. June 26, 1827.
Richmond, Chas. H., Livonia, as early as Jan., 1875.
Rider, Ebenezer, 1844.
Robinson, J. H., Conesus,. .. 1827. Jan. 29, 1828.
Rogers, S. C, Lakeville, ....
Rowland, M. E., Geneseo, . .
Royce, Phineas 1823.
Sabin, J. B., Nunda,
Salisbury, Samuel, Jr., Avon,. 1829. June 28, 1831.
Seaman, Ezekiel 1834.
Sellew, Wells H., Moscow. .. Sept. 28, 1828.
Seymour, Levi D wight, Lei-
cester 1842. June 28, 1842.
Sheldon, H. P., Livonia 1880.
Shepard, Lester G., 1823. 1822.
ShuU, D. L., York,
Sill, Andrew, Livonia, 1826. Jan. 30, 1827.
Smith, Athelstan W., Spring-
water 1841. Jan. 26, 1841.
Smith, Geo. M.,
Smith, Jacob K., Moscow, . . .
Smith, Justin, Lima, 1821. May 29, 1821.
Southwick, Wm. W., Avon, . .
Southworth, Samuel, Avon, . .
Sprague, Wm., Jan'y 7, 1864.
Sprague, Wm. B., York,
Staley, Jacob G., York,
Stickney, Frederick R., York, June 29, 1841.
Stickney, T. R., Fowlerville, . Sept. 9, 1878.
Stillwell, Danl. C, Livonia,.. 1835. June 28, 183 1.
Thomas, Wm. H., Mt. Mor-
ris, Jan. 26, 1841.
Townsend, Absalom, Cuyler-
ville, 1843. June 27, 1843.
Townsend, Wm. A., 1821. 1821.
Tozier, Joseph, York, 1824. Jan. 27, 1829.
Truesdale, Norman,
Tyler, , Jan'y 6, 1824
Tyler, Royal, York, 1824. May 29, 1824.
Upson, S., Nunda
Van Dike, J., York, 1877.
Vickery, Wm. H., Jan'y 7, 1864.
Wallace, Walter, 1838, June 30, 1840.
Ward, David,
Warner, Chas. F., Nunda,. . .
Weeks, Joseph, Sparta, June 28, 1842.
Wells, Cyrus, Jr., Geneseo,. .1821. May 29, 1821.
Wells, Harlow W., Caledonia, 1842. June 28, 1842.
Whitbeck, J. F., Avon, 1835. June 30, 1835.
Whitney, Wm., Mt. Morris, ..1840. June 30, 1840.
Wynn, Wm. W.,
Yale, Asahel, Dansville, 1829. June — , 1824.
The present officers of the society (Dec. i, 1880,)
are: —
President— J. E. Crisfield, Dansville.
Vice President — J. G. Filkins, York.
Secretary — -George H. Jones, Fowlerville.
Treasurer — W. E. Lauderdale, Jr., Geneseo.
Delegate to State Society — J. W. Gray, Avon.
Delegates to National Association — D. H. Bis-
sell and W. E. Lauderdale, Sr., of Geneseo, and
Z. W. Joslyn, of Mt. Morris.
Delegates to Central New York Society — J. E.
Crisfield, W. E. Lauderdale, Jr., J. W. Gray, J. G.
Filkins and George H. Jones.
Censors— B. T. Kneeland, Z. W. Joslyn, W. E.
Lauderdale, Jr., and B. J. Menzie.
The Homeopathic Medical Society of Livingston
Co. — The therapeutics of the homeopathic school
of medicine is founded on the theory of similia
similibus curantur. The principle was discovered
by Samuel Hahnemann, who was born in Leipsic, in
the Province of Saxony, April 10, 1755. He was
an accomplished and skillful practitioner of the
' old school of medicine, and having proved certain
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.
IIS
remedies upon himself and others, he abandoned a
lucrative practice under government patronage, at
Gommeon, near Magdeburg, on account of con-
scientious scruples against administering drugs
according to the vague formulas then in use, and
in 1796, first enunciated the principles of home-
opathy, the practice of which he commenced in his
native place. He was soon driven from thence by
the bitter opposition he encountered, to Paris,
where he met with success and secured converts,
among whom was Dr. Hans B. Gram, of Copen-
hagen, an American by birth, who, having won the
highest grade of merit in the Royal Academy of
Surgery in that city, came to New York in 1825,
and introduced the new practice into America, con-
tinuing it in that city till his death in 1840, three
years previous to that of his preceptor, Hahne-
mann, who died in Paris in 1843. It spread rapid-
ly, notwithstanding the prejudice and bitter oppo-
sition against it, and was first introduced into Liv-
ingston county in 1848, by Chauncy M. Dake, a
celebrated physician, who located in Geneseo,
where he practiced fourteen years. He went to
Pittsburgh, Penn., and died in Springwater.
Previous to 1857 homeopathic societies exist-
ed as informal associations only, having no legal
status. April 13, 1857, the Legislature authorized
the formation of homeopathic county medical so-
cieties, with equal privileges and immunities en-
joyed by similar so-called allopathic associations.
April 17, 1862, the Legislature passed an Act to in-
corporate the Homeopathic Medical society of the
State of New York. Under that act a reorgani-
zation was effected whereby county societies then
existing became auxiUary to the State society, and
the following year it was formally inaugurated.
The Homeopathic Medical Society of Livingston
Coimty was organized under the Act of 1857, at a
meeting convened at the Court-house in Geneseo,
on Tuesday, December i, 1857, pursuant to no-
tice issued by Drs. C. A. Dake, I. J. Mechem and
C. M. Dake, November 18, 1857. Dr. I. J. Me-
chem was appointed chairman pro tempore, and
W. R. Wells, chosen secretary. After resolving to
organize under the above name, for " the advance-
ment of the science of medicine," the following
named officers were chosen : — C. M. Dake, Gene-
seo, President; I. J. Mechem, Nunda, Vice Presi-
dent; W. R. Wells, Mt. Morris, Secretary; I. J.
Mechem, Nunda, Treasurer. By-laws and regula-
tions for the government of the Society were then
adopted. These provide for an annual meeting to
be held on the first day of December in each year.
(except that day be Sunday, in which case it is to
be held on the Saturday next preceding it,) and for
extra meetings on the written application of a ma-
jority of the officers or members. College gradu-
ates and medical licentiates "acknowledging the
Homeopathic Law of Cure, and by the Censors
found qualified to practice Homeopathy," are eli-
gible to membership on payment of an initiation
fee of five dollars. Provision is made for the ap-
pointment, at the annual meetings, of a committee,
" whose duty it shall be to propose drugs for trial,
and aid in the augmentation and improvement of
the Materia Medica." A fine of five dollars' is im-
posed on members absenting themselves from
meetings of the Society without satisfactory excuse ;
and it is made the duty of each member to write
dissertations or cases in practice, and report the
same at the annual meetings. Applicants for
license are required to undergo an examination by
the Censors, and present them with a written
statement from one or more respectable practition-
ers of medicine in this State, certifying to their
good moral character, and to their having pursued
the study of "physic and surgery" for the term
required by law. Each applicant passing a satis-
factory examination is entitled to a diploma ; but
is required to pay ten dollars, to be divided equally
among the Censors making the examination.
The code of medical ethics adopted by the "Al-
lopathic State Medical Society" in February, 1823,
was, " with a few alterations," adopted by this So-
ciety, after which the following additional officers
were elected: — C. M. Dake, I. J. Mechem and W.
R. Wells, censors ; A. A. Hendee, Geneseo, at-
torney ; C. M. Dake, delegate to American Insti-
tute of Homeopathy; I. J. Mechem, delegate to
the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of
New York, which, though not incorporated until
1862, was organized in 1857.
The following named persons were then elected
"permanent and taxable members," C. M. Dake,
M. D., Geneseo, I. J. Mechem, M. D., Dr. A.
L. L. Potter, Nunda, and W. R. Wells, M. D., Mt.
Morris; " honorary member," Hon. Allen Ayrault,
Geneseo ; "corresponding members," Constantine
Herring, M. D., Prof W. WiUiamson, M. D.,
Philadelphia, Pa., D. M. Dake, M. D., and Prof J.
P. Dake, M. D., Pittsburgh, Pa., S. R. Kirby, M. D.
The following named gentlemen have served the
Society in the capacity of president : C. M. Dake,
1858, 1862 ; J. M. Blakesley, i864-'66 ; J. N. An-
derson, 1867-70; J. W. Dake, 187 1-3; James A.
West, 1874,1876; Herbert M. Dayfoot, 1875; G.
u6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
R. Traver, 1877, '79, '80; I. H. Dix, (now in Kan-
sas,) 1878; W. W. Russell, 1881.
The society now hold annual meetings in June,
at which the officers for the ensuing year are elected,
and semi-annual meetings in December.
Following is a list of the names of additional
members who have joined the society, with the
date of joining, the names of the present members
being italicised: J. M. Blakesley, Dansville, and A.
L. L. Potter, Geneseo, 1862 ; Milton H. Halsted,
Geneseo, M. G. Davis, Perry, C. A. Dake and
Jabez W. Dake, Warsaw, and F. C. Fitch, Castile,
1863 ; James A. West, Geneseo, O. D. Hamilton,
Fowlerville, D. F. Dake, Mt. Morris, 1864; J. N.
Anderson, Dansville, and A. A. West, Fowlerville.
1865 ; Herbert M. Dayfoot, Mt. Morris, i^(>t ; /.
T. Bettis, Livonia, 1869 ; Isaac H. Dix and Henry
A. Whitfield, Dansville, and T. P. Tisdale, Lima,
1870; W. H. Thomas, Mt. Morris, 187 1; C. C.
Curtis, Nunda, (now at Dunkirk,) and G. R, Tra-
ver, Perry, June 23, 1874; Cyrus Allen, Avon,
and C D. Woodruff, Lima, June 20, 1876; F.J.
M. Whitcomb^, Nunda, June 19, 1877; W. W.
Russell, Hemlock Lake, and C. W Brown a.nd R.
P. Andrews, Dansville, June 9, 1878; E. W.
Southall, Geneseo, Dec. 9, 1879; G. T. Borden,
Caledonia, and C. C. Gifford, Attica, June 8,
1880.
TAe Livingston County Agricultural Society. —
The Livingston County Agricultural Society was
organized in 1841. On the 25th of May in that
year, the following named farmers of York, "feel-
ing a deep interest in the cause of Agriculture," and
desirous of exerting themselves for its promotion ;
and believing that if the plan suggested in the
"Act to promote agriculture," passed Mays, 1841,
were carried into effect, it would " be attended with
the most salutary consequences," requested the
clerk of the county to cause notice to be given, in
conformity to said Act, that a meeting of the inhab-
itants of this county would be held in the court
house at Geneseo, on the first day of July follow-
ing, at 10 o'clock, A. M. This request was signed
by John Holloway, David Piffard, James Doud,
HoUoway Long, Wm. Craig, Duncan Stewart, John
Stewart, Archibald Mclntyre, Robert Vallance,
John Donnan, Daniel McKercher, John Campbell,
Erastus Lawrence, Geo. N. Russell, J. B. Harris,
Roswell Stocking, Allen S. Wyman, Otis Presby,
Miles Torrey, Erastus Harris, A. S. Martindale,
James Oilman, Neil Stewart, Robert Wait, George
Blake, J. B. Bloss, James Hamilton and John
Hamilton.
S. P. Allen, then county clerk, gave the required
notice May 29, 1841, and in conforming with this
action a meeting was held at the time and place
designated. General Wm. A. Mills was chosen
chairman and Colonel Samuel W. Smith, secretary.
It was "resolved that it is expedient to form an
agricultural society for the county of Livingston."
General Micah Brooks, Colonel Holloway Long,
Fehx Tracy, C. H. Bryan and John Holloway were
appointed to draft a constitution for the Society,
which, after being debated . and amended, was
adopted at the same meeting.
The constitution states the object of the Society
to "be the promotion of agriculture, horticulture
and household manufactures." The payment of
one dollar on admission and one dollar annually
thereafter during the continuance of membership,
was and is the only requirement for membership;
and by the payment of ten dollars on admission
any person can become a life member. The
officers were made to consist of a president, three
vice-presidents, a recording secretary, a correspond-
ing secretary, a treasurer and twelve managers, one
from each town, who together constituted the execu-
tive committee. They were elected annually and
had power to fill vacancies in their own body. The
present by-laws state that "the object of the society
is the advancement of agriculture, horticulture,
mechanic arts and household industry." The
present officers consist of a president, vice-presi-
dent, secretary, treasurer and six directors, who
are elected in the manner prescribed by section 5
of "an Act to facilitate the formation of agricul-
tural and horticultural societies," passed April 13,
1855. They "constitute a board of managers for
the general administration ot the business of the
society." In addition there are town committees,
consisting of one from each town, elected or
appointed at the annual meeting of the officers,
who " superintend the affairs of the society in their
respective towns, under direction of the board of
managers." There may be appointed annually a
geologist and librarian ; * also a registrar of stock,
whose duty it is to register " the pedigrees of such
thorough-bred animals as may be presented for
entry."
The following named officers were then chosen :
Wm. A. Mills, president; Holloway Long, James
S. Wadsworth and Daniel H. Fitzhugh, vice-presi-
dents ; C. H. Bryan, recording secretary ; C. R.
* We find no record of an election to either of these oflRces until Janu-
ary 3, i860, -when John V. Lauderdale was elected to both. This, we
believe, is the only instance in which the former office has been filled, and
the latter but one additional time.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
117
Bond, corresponding secretary; Allen Ayrault,
treasurer ; Micah Brooks, Mt. Morris, S. W. Smith,
Sparta, C. H. Carroll, Groveland, W. H. Spencer,
York, W. W. Wadsworth, Geneseo, W. W. Woos-
ter, Leicester, Hector Hitchcock, Conesus, Edward
A. LeRoy, Caledonia, Asahel Warner, Lima, H.
S. Tyler, Springwater, Leman Gibbs, I jvonia, and
John E. Tompkins, Avon, managers.
The following named persons then paid each one
dollar : — David Shepard, Chas. Shepard, Hollo-
way Long, J. B. Harris, W. W. Wooster, J.Worth-
ington, D. Warner, Jr., P. E. Baker, J. W. Merrill,
J. White, Jr., Samuel Vance, P. Goddard, C. H.
Bryan, Robert Crossitt, O. D. Lake, R. L. Blake,
S. P. Allen, M. Brooks, Wm. A. Mills, O. Skinner,
Cornelius Shepard, Reuben Squier, S. W. Smith
and John HoUoway.
At a meeting of the executive committee, (the
first one recorded,) Aug. 3, 1841, the following town
committees were appointed : Geneseo, Cornelius
Shepard, Jr., Reuben Squier, Chas. Colt; Mt.
Morris, Alfred Hubbard, Wm. D. Morgan, Moses
Barron; Sparta, Charles Shepard, Wm. Scott,
Wm. Fullerton, Morgan Hammond; Groveland,
W. W. McNair, John White, William Ewart ;
Lima, Asahel H. Warner, Jasper Marvin, Samuel
Stevens ; Livonia, James Campbell, John Adams,
Ruel L. Blake ; Springwater, Parker H. Pierce,
Horatio Dyer, Zenas Ashley; Conesus, John
Henderson, Timothy DeGraw, Jotham Clark ; Lei-
cester, W. T. Cuyler, Jerediah Horsford, Allen
Smead; Caledonia, Ephraim Lacy, Th. H. New-
bold, John McKay; Avon, John Kelsey, Asa Now-
len, Ira Merrill ; York, John HoUoway, James Dow,
Wm. Craig, John Russ, Wm. Stewart, James B.
Harris, Angus McBean.
At this meeting it was resolved to hold the an-
nual fair at Geneseo, October 2 2d, and to award
forty-five specified premiums, ranging in value from
two to fifteen dollars, and aggregating two hundred
and forty-nine dollars, to the persons exhibiting the
best specimen of each article or thing for which
the premiums were offered. In addition, provision
was made for " discretionary premiums," to be
awarded to exhibitors of "articles not enumerated,
and which for their excellence or peculiar qualities"
might in the judgment of the committee be entitled
thereto. For this object forty dollars were appro-
priated.
At the first annual meeting, Oct. 22, 1841, no
less than five premiums were awarded to David
Brooks of Avon, four to Reuben Squier of Gene-
seo and three to Chas. Colt of Geneseo. Several
received two ; and of the entire number awarded,
eight went to exhibitors from Avon ; two to Cale-
donia ; thirteen to Yoik ; seven to Mt. Morris ; one
to Groveland ; twenty-one to Geneseo ; fout to
Leicester ; two each to Lima and Sparta ; and one
to Jonathan Miller, for the best yearling colt, not
designated. David M. Smith of Avon, received
the-highest premium — fifteen dollars — for the best
bull, two years old and over. There were five pre-
miums of ten dollars each ; of which David Brooks
of Avon received one for the best cow, and another
for the best stallion ; Roswell Root of York, one
for, the best pair of working oxen; Wm. A. Mills
of Mt. Morris, one for the best pair of fat oxen ;
and Wm. A. Mills, Jr., of Mt. Morris, one for the
best pair of matched horses.
Encouraged by the patronage of the Legislature
and by the citizens of the county, the executive
committee signified their intention " to offer pre-
miums for the promotion of the objects of the
institution, on the occasion of the second anniver-
sary, to the utmost extent of their means."
Noticeable among the premiums of that year is
one of ten dollars (the highest paid that year) for
the best cultivated farm of fifty acres or more, which
was awarded to Angus McBean of Caledonia.
At this meeting a plowing match was inaugurated,
the object of which was "to exhibit for public
benefit the comparative excellence of our best
ploughs and ploughmen ; not to try the strength or
speed of the teams, but to excite a laudable spirit
of emulation and improvement in the construction
and use of this most important agricultural imple-
ment." This took place on the 5th of October,
" in the presence of a large concourse of specta-
tors." Premiums of five dollars were offered for
the best work done by an ox team and the best
by a horse team; but none was awarded for
the former. The latter was awarded to David
McDonald.
At the annual meeting of 1845, it was decided
to hold the next cattle show and fair, which till
then had been held in Geneseo, at Avon. The
exhibition at this place — September 24, 1846 —
was pronounced one of the most interesting of the
kind ever held in the county. " The display of
working cattle was very large and highly creditable
to the farmers of the county," though the variety of
farming utensils was not as large as had been ex-
hibited on former occasions. "The ladies sus-
tained their part of the exhibition with the greatest
credit." This part of the fair was held in the
Academy building, and the room in which it was
ii8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON" COUNTY.
held was " elegantly decorated," and the articles
for exhibition " skillfully arranged." There was a
very large variety of domestic and fancy articles,
fruits and flowers, Richard Johnson, of Groveland,
exhibiting seventeen varieties of apples.
At the meeting of 1848, which was held at Mt.
Morris, a resolution was adopted, " expressing the
sense of the society that its interests would be bet-
ter promoted by the selection of a suitable place
and making it a permanent location for the annual
fair." In 1849,* the county seat was designated
for this purpose; and in 1850, Mr. J. S. Wads-
worth generously offered the society the use of eight
acres, near the court house, for show grounds, free
of rent for five years, upon condition that the society
fence and put the ground in order. This offer was ac-
cepted and measures taken to adapt it to the use
of the society. A track for the trial of horses was
constructed this year in the new grounds.
August 18, 1855, Lyman Turner, Charles Jones,
Hezekiah Allen, David Skinner, Henry V. Colt
and Wm. Cushing were appointed to obtain
grounds for holding the annual exhibitions of the
society, and to ascertain the cost of fencing the
same and erecting thereon suitable fixtures, includ-
ing at least one permanent building, and in case
they should find that the cost thereof would not ex-
ceed $1,800, they were authorized and required to
make and erect such fixtures and building without
unnecessary delay. The committee procured a
lease for twenty-one years of the grounds hitherto
occupied by the society in Geneseo, together with
lands adjacent thereto, north and east, containing
in all about fourteen acres, mostly a grove, afford-
ing shade for stock, at an annual cost of $30.
During this year the land was inclosed with a fence,
costing $676.63 ; an agricultural hall, 40 by 80 feet,
with 16 feet posts, admirably fitted up for the ex-
hibition of domestic manufactures, was erected at a
cost of $1,393-53, anda trotting course for the trial
of horses, one-third of a mile in length, which, in
the opinion of the committee, the interests of the
society demanded without delay, laid out at a cost
of $316.17, although it was not strictly included in
their trust. The whole was completed in time for
the annual fair of that year.
July 4, 1865, ahorse fair was held under the
auspices of the Society, and at that time premiums
were offered for the first time, we believe, for a
* In this year the members of the society numbered 255, as follows :•—
Avon, 26; Caledonia, 4; Conesus, ij; Geneseo,8i; Groveland, IJ; Leices-
ter, il ; Lima, 8 ; Livonia, 6 ; Mt. Morris, 10 ; North Dausville, 4,
Nunda, I; Portage, 3 ; Sparta, ! ; Springwater, none; West Sparta s;
York, 53 ; The number of members in 184S was 141.
test of speed for trotting and running matches.
The highest premium in the trotting match —
$150— was awarded to D. Mahoney, of Geneseo;
the second — $50 — to Geo. W. Pond, of Roches-
ter; and the third — $25 — to O. C. Seymour, of the
same city. C. W. Wadsworth, of Geneseo, was
awarded the first premium — $50 — in the running
match. Various other premiums, ranging in amount
from $5 to $20, were also awarded. In 1880, the
Society gave the Geneseo Driving Park Associa-
tion permission to build a half-mile track on the
fair grounds. This work is now in progress.
The annual meetings of the Society have been
held with interest and without a single omission,
and since the grounds now in use were first leased,
in Geneseo.
The following named persons have been promi-
nent as stock raisers in the county: — David
Brooks, Jasper Barber, Aaron Barber, Aaron Bar-
ber, Jr., C. Kelsey, F. B. Pierson, D. Hilliman &
Son, Asa Nowlen, Wm. T. and Norman Chappell,
D. B. Whaley, H. S. Sherman, Avon; Henry
Simpson, A. HoUenbeck, Caledonia; Solomon
Hitchcock, Geo. F. Coe, S. L. Fuller, Conesus;
Allen Ayrault, W. W. Wadsworth, Lyman Turner,
Mrs. Elizabeth Wadsworth, Chas. Colt, Chas. Shep-
ard, Jr., J. S. Wadsworth, C. W. Wadsworth, Gur-
don Nowlen, Geneseo ; Wm. D. Fitzhugh, W. T.
Curtiss, Judge Chas. H. Carroll, Ozro Clark, Grove-
land; W. Elliott, W. W. and W. B. Wooster, Lei-
cester; Richard Peck, T. Steele, Horace Warner,
Z. Longyer, Lima; C. A. Jackman, A. C. Bennett,
Livonia; James Conklin, (who in 1850, exhibited a
cow with triplet calves,) Wm. A. Mills, J. R. Murray,
Jr., Mt. Morris; E. S. Ashley, Nunda; Geo. W. and
Chester Root, Lyman Casey, C. Powell, HoUoway
Long, L. Tryon, Israel Casey, James Gillraore,
D. Pififard, Abram Stocking, A. M. Hardy, York ;
and the following as Horticulturists: — Benjamin
F. and Robert F. McMillen, Conesus; C. Colt,
Mrs. W. W. Wadsworth, J. S. Wadsworth, Daniel
Bigelow, Robert Clark, Geo. Mercer, Prof. R. A.
Waterbury, Geneseo; C. H. Carroll, Groveland;
Peter Patterson, Col. J. Horsford, John Sheldon,
A. W. Wheelock, Chas. Jones, Geo. B. Francis,
Leicester; Shepard P. Morgan, Lima; Geo. W.
Battorf, Livonia; D. McKee, John Henner, (who
was awarded eleven of the eighteen premiums for
vegetables in 1853,) Geo. A. Green, Henner &
Parker, Dr. R. W. Wells, Mt. Morris; Dr. F. M.
Perine, North Dansville.
Says an author, unknown to the writer: —
" To a deceased citizen of this village, [Geneseo]
LIVINGSTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
119
we believe, belongs the credit of first conceiving the
idea of a mowing machine. About the year 1835
or '36, the late Wm. W. Wadsworth conceived the
idea of constructing a machine for mowing, and he
had a machine constructed after his plan, but we
beUeve it did not work well, though it was doubt-
less the first attempt to construct a machine. The
machine of Mr. Wadsworth embraced a square
frame, underneath which was a circular revolving
plate, to which was attached short knives, and
when in motion the plate revolved, bringing the
knives in contact with the grass. Above the plate
was a grind-stone in such position that the knives
sharpened themselves as they passed beneath it.
The machine was tried several times, but we be-
lieve was never made to work satisfactorily, and
after a while was abandoned. This, doubtless,
was the first attempt to cut grass with a machine,
and was, so far as we know, the starting-point from
which emanated the great variety of mowers and
reapers that have since been perfected, and which
have done so much to lighten the labors of the
farmer."
The following named gentleman have served the
society in the capacity of president: — Wm. A.
Mills, Mt. Morris, 1841; James S. Wadsworth,
Geneseo, 1842, 1861 ; Holloway Long, York, 1843;
Wm. H. Spencer, York, 1844, 1867-8; W. W.
Wadsworth, Geneseo, 1845; AjaJ^owlen^_Avon,-
1846; Allen Ayrault, Geneseo, 1847; John R7
Murray, Jr.,* Mt. Morris, 1848 ; Jedediah Hors-
ford, Leicester, 1849; Chas. H. Carroll, Grove-
land, 1850, 1863, 1864; Chas. Colt, Geneseo,
1851; Robert Rome, Geneseo, 1852; Chauncey
R. Bond, Geneseo, 1853-4; Aaron Barber, Jr.,
Avon, 1855; Chas. Jones, Leicester, 1856; G. W.
Root, York, 1857; Richard Peck, Lima, 1858;
Alonzo Bradner, Dansville, i8s9-'6o; Jasper Bar-
ber, Avon, 1862; Craig W. Wadsworth, Geneseo,
1865-6; Aaron Barber, Jr., Avon, 1869-70;
James W. Wadsworth, Geneseo, 187 1-2; R. F.
McMillan, Conesus, 1873-4; Hugh Wilson McNair,
Sparta, 1875-6; Wm. A. Wadsworth, Geneseo,
1877-8; Jotham Clark, Jr., Conesus, 1879-80.
TAe Livingston County Stock Association. — Liv-
ingston county early acquired a wide celebrity for
its choice herds of blooded cattle and other stock.
About 1836, the first important importation of
Durham stock was made into the county, though
the Messrs. Wadsworth had previously introduced
a few head among their own herd. In that year
Edward A. LeRoy and Thomas Newbold imported
the bull "Cadmus" and the cow " Lady Morris,"
which were then considered very choice stock. In
• Resigned. George T. Olyphanl, elected Feb. 3, 1848, and resigned
Feb. 8, 1848. Both resignations were based on the assumption that the
office should be filled by a practical agriculturist. Jedediah Horsford
was elected July i, J848.
1840, David Brooks, of Avon, introduced into the
county about forty head of thoroughbred and
grade Durhams, including the famous bulls " De-
fiance" and "Red Jacket," and the cow "Betsey
Blossom," portraits of which may now be seen in
the office of the estate of W. W. Wadsworth, in
Geneseo. About 1841 or '2, Mr. Brooks added
to his stock the renowned bull "Splendor,'' and
the cows "Moss Rose" and "Cleopatra." About
the same time the late Gen. James S. Wadsworth
bought the imported "Rockett" bull. The pro-
geny of this stock are yet marked in the appear-
ance of some of the present stock, and traced
back to them. Soon after Mr. Sotham introduced
a herd of Herefords.*
From this time until 1853 nothing further seems
to have been done to stimulate improvements in
this direction. At the close of the fair of the Liv-
ingston County Agricultural Society in 1853, "the
formation of an association for the purpose of
importing blooded cattle for the improvement of
the stock in this county, was discussed at some
length by a number of the largest and most suc-
cessful stock raisers of the county, and resulted in
the appointment of -Mes&rsr James- S-.-W-adsWortfi^
Allen Ayrault and C. H. Carroll, as a committee to
mature a plan and call a meeting of the farmers at
this place at an early day. Those present seemed
fully convinced of the necessity of such a move.
All admitted that the stock of this county instead
of improving had for the last three or four years
remained stationary."!
This action resulted in the formation of an asso-
ciation for the above purpose, October 2 2d of that
year, with a capital of $8,000. Any person was
eligible to membership on the payment of fifty dol-
lars, and thus secured the privilege of preference
in the use of the stock imported, which was to be
sold at pubHc auction, the purchasers pledging
themselves to retain it in the county for at least
three years from the time of purchase. The asso-
ciation made choice of the following named
officers : James S. Wadsworth, President ; Daniel
H. Fitzhugh, Secretary ; Allen Ayrault, Treasurer ;
Charles H. Carroll, Aaron Barber, Wm. A. Mills,
Robert Rome, Geo. W. Root and Richard Peck,
Directors.
In furtherance of the object of the association,
David Brooks, of Avon, and Samuel L. Fuller, of
Conesus, repaired to England in January following
* Short-Horns in the Genesee Valley— Their History in Livingston
County, by Wm. A. Brodie, of Geneseo, in A merican Rnral Home, Vol.
I., No. ., Jan 7, 1871.
t The Livingston Republican, October 6, 18S3.
120
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
for the purchase of stock. They carefully selected
and purchased twenty-four head, which were
shipped the following spring to America; but
unfortunately one-half the number were lost during
a long and stormy passage. The remaining twelve
were sold June 27, 1854, but at a figure which
resulted in a small loss to the association. Many
of the fine herds now owned in Livingston county
are the progeny of this importation.
Soon after this the celebrated bull '•' Governor "
and two cows were sent to this country. " ' Gov-
ernor ' and his stock are too well known by stock
men in Western New York to require special men-
tion.'' In 1857, Mr. Brooks again did good service
in introducing the bull " John O'Gaunt " and cows
"Lady Rose " and " Dairymaid." Richard Peck,
of Lima, was largely instrumental about this time
in improving this class of cattle by introducing,
with J. W. Taylor, some very fine blooded animals
from Kentucky. Aaron Barber, of Avon, also
aided largely in the same direction, and in the
same way. In 1864, General James S. Wads-
worth purchased the bull " Reynolds," of Mr. Alex-
ander, the celebrated Kentucky stock breeder,
"and there is much good stock in Geneseo and
adjoining towns which attest his worth as a stock
getter." A Kentucky bred bull was introduced
about this time by Aaron Barber, and is credited
with much good stock, known as the " Red Duke,"
which has been exhibited at Livingston county
fairs. Since then the late Craig W. Wadsworth
and James W. Wadsworth, especially the latter,
have been conspicuous in their efforts to improve
the stock in Livingston county, and have succeeded,
adds Mr. Brodie, "in placing her in the van as the
producer and exhibitor of the very best grades of
cattle. Twenty years ago, but few farmers pos-
sessed an animal other than of the common kind,
but to-day almost everyone has some choice stock."
The Livingston County Historical Society.
The initiatory steps to organize the Livingston
County Historical Society were taken by a few
persons in Dansville in December, 1875. An
adjourned meeting was held at Mt. Morris in Jan-
uary, 1876, and attended by L. B. Proctor, of
Dansville, Norman Seymour and Dr. M. H. Mills
of Mt. Morris, Richard Peck, of Lima, George w!
Root, of York, and E. P. Fuller, of Grand Rapids,
Mich., formerly of this county. Dr. M. H. Mills
was chosen chairman and Norman Seymour, secre-
tary. The officers chosen for the year 1876 were
Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh, president ; Dr. James Faulk-
ner, William Scott, Adolphus Watkins, Dr. D. H.
Bissell and Deacon John McCall, vice-presidents;
Norman Seymour, secretary; Hon. B. F. Angel,
Dr. M. H. Mills, Samuel P. Allen, L. B. Proctor,
Richard Peck and George W. Root, executive
committee. The secretary, in compliance with the
request of the Centennial Commission, prepared a
historical address, which was delivered July 4,
1876, at Geneseo. February 13, 1877, the society
met at the rooms of the Hook and Ladder Com-
pany in Mt. Morris, and perfected its organization
by incorporating under the statute. A constitution
and by-laws were adopted, and the following named
officers chosen: Dr. D. H. Bissell, Geneseo, pres-
ident ; Dr. M. H. Mills, vice-president ; Norman
Seymour, secretary and treasurer; L. B. Proctor,
Dr. L. J. Ames, Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh, George W.
Root, Samuel P. Allen, Hon. B. F. Angel, Richard
Peck, John F. Barber, E. H. Davis, councilmen, or
board of administration.
The constitution declares that "the general ob-
ject of the Society shall be to discover, procure
and preserve whatever may relate to the history of
Western New York in general, and Livingston
county and its towns in particular, and to gather
such statistics of education and population, growth
and prosperity, and business of this region as may
seem advisable or of public utility."
Members are required to pay an admission fee
of one dollar and an annual due of like amount,
except resident clergymen, who are exempt from
the payment of dues. The payment of ten dollars
at any one time constitutes a life membership, ex-
empt from all annual dues. The annual meetings
of the Society are held the second Tuesday in
January, at such place as the president may desig-
nate, and at such hour as the secretary in the notice
of such meeting may name.
At the annual meeting in 1878, a place was ten-
dered the Society in the Wadsworth Library build-
ing in Geneseo, for depositing its books, maps,
charts and relics.
The annual meetings of the Society have been
regularly held at Geneseo during the last three
years, and have been made both interesting and
instructive by addresses and other literary ex-
ercises.
The successive presidents are : Dr. D- H. Fitz-
hugh, 1876; Dr. D. H. Bissell, 1877-8; Dr. M. H.
Mills, 1879; Hon. William M. White, 1880.
Livingston County Pioneer Association. — This as-
sociation was organized at Long Point, on Satur-
day, September 9, 1876, having objects kindred to
those of the Historical Society, and made choice
THE PRESS OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
121
of the following named officers : Dr. D. H. Bissell
of Gtnesto, president ; H. Tilton of Leicester, and
M. Willard of Avon, vice-presidents ; S. P. Allen
of Geneseo, recording secretary ; Oscar Woodruff
of Geneseo, corresponding secretary. Committees
of three from each town in the county were subse-
quently appointed as follows: E. H. Davis, I. R.
Newman and Fred Pierson, Avon ; Deacon J. Mc^
Call, Peter Campbell and Alexander Ferguson,
Caledonia ; S. Morris, H. Boyd and Jotham Clark,
Conesus; W. E. Lauderdale, Geo. W. Barney and
John White, Geneseo ; Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Sam-
uel Vance and Richard Johnson, Groveland ; James
A. Bolton, E. W. Sears and W. B. Wooster, Lei-
cester; W. A. Bristol, Richard Peck and A. T.
Norton, Lima ; W. Wheeler, O. Remington and
Henry Dixon, Livonia; Dr. Z. Joslyn, Jacob Chil-
son and N. Foote, Mt. Morris ; H. McCartney,
George Hyland and Geo. A. Sweet, North Dans-
ville; J. V. D. Coon, H. D. Page and E. O. Dick-
inson, Nunda ; I. Hampton, W, M. White and L.,
C. Lemen, Ossian ; John Fitch, J. D. Lyon and J.
D. Bennett, Portage ; John Shepard, Wm. Wilbur
and John Campbell, Sparta ; O. Walbridge, D.
Norton and A. Snyder, Springwater ; L. B. Field,
J. W. McNair and C. W. McNair, West Sparta ;
G. W. Root, Neil Stewart and B. F. Dow, York.
The meetings of the association are held annu-
ally at Long Point and are always largely attended.
The Livingston County Bible Society was organ-
ized at the court house in Geneseo, January 28,
1824, as an auxiliary to the American Bible Soci-
ety, and made choice of the following officers :
James Wadsworth, president ; Chas. H. Carroll
and Jeremiah Riggs, vice-presidents ; Augustus A.
Bennett, recording secretary; Rev. Norris Bull, cor-
responding secretary ; Orlando Hastings, treasurer;
George Hosmer, Avon, Willard H. Smith, Cale-
donia, Samuel Chapin, Jr., Freeport, (Conesus,)
Eben E. Buell, Geneseo, James Rosebrugh, Grove-
land, Orrin Gilbert, Lima, Leman Gibbs, Livo-
nia, Dr. Asa R. Palmer, Leicester, Jonathan
Beach, Mt. Morris, William McCartney, Sparta,
Alvah Southworth, Springwater, and William
James, York, directors. The society, during its
long and useful existence has distributed thousands
of Bibles, the entire county having several times
been canvassed for this purpose, and a copy left,
often gratuitously, in every home where it was found
wanting. Its annual meetings have been occasions
of deep interest. At the last, recently held in Gen-
eseo, the following named officers were chosen for
i88i. A. J. Abbott, president ; Rev. J. E. Kitt-
ridge, corresponding secretary ; L. R. Doty, record-
ing secretary ; John Davidson, treasurer; Dr.Wm.
J. Milne, Col. John Rorbach, Dr. L. J. Ames, Dr.
W. E. Lauderdale, Rev. O. S. Chamberlayne, exec-
utive committee. Theo. E. Winans, Avon ; Rev.
D. F. Bonner, Caledonia ; John Magee, Conesus ;
E. F. Curtis, Geneseo ; Fort Benway, Groveland ;
Rev. E. W. Sears, Leicester ; Rev. W. H. Milham,
Livonia ; Rev. O. Gibson, Lima ; Rev. Mr. Wil-
bur, Mt. Morris ; Rev. Mr. Hill, North Dansville ;
Rev. A. Sutherland, Nunda ; Hon. William H.
White, Ossian ; Chas. D. Bennett, Portage ; James
Brownell, Sparta ; E. N. Curtice, Springwater ;
Hugh T. McNair, West Sparta ; Hon. Arch. Ken-
nedy, York, vicepresidents.
CHAPTER XII.
The Press of Livingston County — Origin of
THE Press — The American Press — Its Mar-
velous Growth— Early Journalism in Living-
ston County — The First Newspaper in Liv-
ingston County — The Union and Constitu-
tion — The Livingston Republican — The
Dansville Express — The Laws of Life and
Journal of Health — The Nunda News — The
Dansville Advertiser — The Mount Morris
Enterprise — The Livingston County Herald
— The Union Citizen •— The Caledonia
Advertiser — The Springwater Enterprise —
Obsolete Papers.
IN this chapter we have to consider what has
been very appropriately termed the " art of arts ;"
" the art preservative." It is to be regretted, how-
ever, that the art which has given us so fully the
history of other enterprises is so deficient in that
of its own.
In view of the immense influence exerted by the
press, whose power, says Douglas Jerrold, " is as
boundless as that of society," it may not be inap-
propriate to preface its history in this county with
the following account of its origin : —
"Among the millions who are in the habit of
consulting the columns of a newspaper, doubtless
there are few, comparatively, who are acquainted
with its origin. According to DTsraeli, we are in-
debted to the Italians for the idea ; although in
ancient Rome, reports of important events, and
the doings of the senate, were frequently published,
under the title of Acta Diurna. The periodical,
press proper, commenced at Vienna and Augs-
burg, Germany, in 1524; these bulletins were.
122
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
however, not printed. About the year 1563, at
the suggestion of the father of the celebrated Mon-
taigne, offices were first established in France, for
the purpose of making the wants of individuals
known to each other. The advertisements received
were posted on the wall to attract attention ; as in
the case of the Romans, this ultimately led to a
systematic and periodical publication of advertise-
ments in sheets. The epoch of the Spanish Arma-
da, is also the epoch of the first orthodox newspa-
per ; although we are told by Chalmers, and it is
often repeated, to the wisdom of Elizabeth and the
prudence of Burleigh, we are indebted for the first
English newspaper, yet it is also claimed that the
first English newspaper was the Liverpool Mercuric,
begun May 28, 1576, forty-five years after the
Gazetta at Venice. It is also said, on very good
authority, that the copies of The English Mercuric
in the British Museum are forgeries. The circum-
stance of their being printed in the modern Roman
character, instead of the black letter of that period,
(1588,) awakens suspicion of their authenticity.
During the reign of James I., newspapers in the
quarto form were occasionally issued ; but during
the thirty years' war, when the exploits of Gustavus
Adolphus attracted the eyes of the civilized world,
we find a regular weekly paper edited by Nathaniel
Butler, and published under the title of ' The Cer-
tain Newes of this Present Week,' which may be
regarded as the first regular weekly newspaper.*
During the civil war in England in 1643, there was,
however, a score of the ' Diurnals' and ' Mercuries'
in circulation. So important an auxiliary was the
press considered, indeed, that each of the rival
armies carried a printer along with it. In the reign
of Queen Anne, in 1702, there was but one daily
paper published in London, the others being
weekly issues. Steele introduced poHtics as an
essential element of the press, and Addison sought
to devote it to purely Hterary purposes ; the result
has been the establishment of distinct vehicles for
both.f The first journal having the character of a
magazine or review, was \he Journal des Savants
established in Paris in 1693 ; in England, the first
monthly of this sort appeared in 1749. From these
simple elements has grown up an engine whose
potency and influence is now felt throughout all
classes of the civilized world." %
The first printing press in America was set up
in Mexico, in 1536; the second was at Lima, in
1 5 86; and the third, and the first in the United States,
at Cambridge, Mass., in 1639. The first Ameri-
can newspaper was issued at Boston, September
25, rego. It was published by Benjamin Harris,
and printed by Richard Pierce, and was intended
to be published once a month, but was immediately
suppressed by the authorities. The only copy
*" The first regular series of weekly newspapers hitherto discovered
was entitled, *The Weekly Newes from Italy, Gervtaiiie, etc ,"* (1621.)
A Tnerican Enclycopedia, A rticle on Printing,
t "The first hterary paper, the Mercurius Librarim, was published
in i6io."—Itid.
X Typographical Miscellany, 60.
known to exist is in the State Paper office in Lon-
don, and is headed " Publick Occurrences, both
Foreign and Domestick." The "Boston News
Letter," published by John Campbell, appeared
April 24, 1704, and was continued weekly until
1776. October i6, 1725, William Bradford, who
founded the "American Weekly Mercurie" at
Philadelphia, December 22, 17 19, commenced the
" New York Gazette," the first newspaper in the
city indicated by its name. Daily newspapers did
not make their appearance until the eighteenth
century. The first daily morning newspaper was
the Daily Courant, in 1709.*
The press of this country has had a marvelous
growth. In 1840, there were in the whole United
States but sixteen hundred and thirty-one news-
papers of all kinds; now we have over seven thou-
sand. The circulation of all the newspapers in
1840 was one hundred and ninety-five million
copies a year ; but now it is over two thousand
millions, more than ten times greater than in 1840,
and an annual average increase in over forty
years of about thirty per cent. But in the gain in
the size of sheets now published, in the amount,
quality and variety of matter, in the number of the
illustrations, in the quality of the paper and the
perfection of the letter press, the progress has been
still greater. In the number of newspapers pub-
lished, the United States are far in advance of any
of the older nations. We issue more newspapers
than the four principal nations of Europe, viz: —
Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy, not-
withstanding one of them exceeds us in population,
and a second is inferior in this respect by only an
inconsiderable amount, while the other two closely
approximate us. This fact is important as show-
ing the reading habits of our people as compared
with those of Europe.
The progress in this county is, in a measure, in-
dicated by Samuel P. Allen, the veteran publisher
of The Livingston Republican, who, in the retros-
pect of the history of that paper on the completion
of its fortieth year says : —
"It was in the office of the Register,^ in 1830,
that we first saw a printing press and types, and
gradually learned to use them. The old office
was the building now occupied in part by the
United States Express Company, which then stood
in the rear of Deacon Gardiner's cabinet shoji.
The old 'Ramage' press had then been super-
seded by Hoe's iron presses, upon which two
pages of newspaper could be printed at a single
* The A inerican Cyclopedia. A rticle on Printing.
t This was the name under which the Genesee Farmer, the first paper
in Livingston county, was published on its removal to Geneseo.
THE PRESS OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
123
'pull.' With the 'Ramage' it took two, and the
papers were worked at the rate of 200 to 250 per
hour by a fast pressman, but this was then re-
markable speed. A cylinder press was scarcely
known in the cities, while now steam power and
steam presses are very common in country offices.
There were only two papers in the county, the
'Register' and the 'Journal,' and the weekly edi-
tions were distributed over the county by post-
riders. * * * Instead of the post-rider as
formerly, who would be two or three days in pass-
ing over his route, we send the ' Republican ' by
railroad into nearly every town within a few hours
after it leaves the press."
There are now twelve papers, all weeklies, and
one medical monthly, published in the county,*
viz: — The Livingston County Herald, by' E. H.
Davis, Avon ; the Caledonia Advertiser, by A. H.
Collins, Caledonia; The Livingston Republican,
by Samuel P. AUen, and The Union Citizen, by
Dr. Alonson L. Bailey, Geneseo ; the Lima Re-
corder, by A. Tiffany Norton, Lima ; The Livonia
Gazette, by C. M. Alvord, Livonia ; The Union and
Constitution, by WilUam Harding, and the Mt.
Morris Enterprise, at Mt. Morris; The Dansville
Advertiser, by A. O. Bunnell, and The Dansville
Express, by Woodruff & Knapp, at Dansville;
The Nunda News, by C. K. Sanders, Nunda;
The Springwater Enterprise, by H. S. Niles,
Springwater, and The Laws of Life and Journal of
Health, by Our Home Hygienic Institute, at Dans-
ville.
The first newspaper in Livingston county was the
Genesee Farmer, which was estabUshed and the
first number issued February 6, 1817, by Hezekiah
Ripley, at Moscow, which was then the most
important village in the county. Franklin Cowdery
soon after became associated with Mr. Ripley in its
publication, at which time the paper was enlarged
and its name changed to the Moscow Advertiser
and Genesee Fartner. Within the year Mr. Ripley
again became its sole pubHsher, and changed
its name to the Moscow Advertiser, under which
title he continued it till January 8, 1824, when it
passed into the hands of James Percival, who
removed it to Geneseo, where the county seat had
been located, and changed the name to The Liv-
ingston Register, which, in an enlarged form,
became the advocate of the Bucktail party. Inci-
dent to the excitement produced by the abduction
of Morgan in 1826, in the adjoining county of
Genesee — an event which exerted a marked and
wide political influence — it became an anti-masonic
paper ; and subsequently it espoused the cause of
* In addition to this a paper styled Tlie A vonian is published at War-
saw.
the Whigs. In 1829, the paper became the prop-
erty of Anson M. Weed and Allen Warner, who
published it in company till the death of the former
in 1 83 1, when it again passed into the hands of
Mr. Percival, who, in 1832, sold it to Elias Clark,
from whom it was purchased in 1834 by Wra. H.
Kelsey and Richard M. Miel, the latter of whom
became the sole proprietor in 1835. Mr. Miel,
being dissatisfied with the support it received
from the Whig party, converted it into a Democratic
paper, but soon after sold it to D. S. Curtiss, who
discontinued it in 1837. It was soon after revived
and published a short time by Hugh Harding, who
was succeeded by John Kempshall, who pubhshed
it till the close of the presidential campaign of
1840, when the material was sold and removed
to Perry.
This pioneer newspaper of Livingston county
presented a marked contrast with those published
within her borders to-day, the latter of which fur-
nish some of the best specimens of country news-
paper work in the State, and are creditable aUke in
their literary character and mechanical execution.
It was a small four-column sheet, printed on
coarse paper in ungainly large type, and was prin-
cipally filled with foreign and legislative news,
official documents and promiscuous advertisements.
Like all the papers of that period it contained httle
or no local news.
The Livingston Journal, the second paper in
Livingston county, was started in Geneseo, April
IT, 1820, by Chauncey Morse, and became and
was conducted as an opposition paper to its prede-
cessor. Asahel Harvey was subsequently associ-
ated with Mr. Morse in its pubUcation. In 1829,
Levi Hovey became the proprietor. He was suc-
ceeded in 183 1, by Benjamin C^ Denison, who
was previously connected with The Village Chron-
icle, of Dansville; and in 1832, by Evans & Wood-
ruff. Denison changed the name to the Livingston
Courier. In the fall of the latter year Henry F.
Evans became sole proprietor. It was subse-
quently published for a short time by Wm. J.
Ticknor, and was suspended in 1834.
The Village Chronicle was commenced in Dans-
ville, in 1830, by David Mitchell and Benjamin C.
Denison, who conducted it as an independent
paper till April 12, 1831, when Denison withdrew
and assumed the control of the Journal, published
at Geneseo. Mitchell converted it into an anti-
masonic advocate and soon after changed the
name to The Village Record ; but it was soon dis-
continued.
124
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The Mount Morris Spectator was established
Jan. I, 1834, by Hugh Harding, who came here
from Dansville, where he had been employed in the
office of the Chronicle. The office was located in
a quaint wooden building, which occupied the site
of Yeoman's drug store in the Empire Block.
February 2, 1848, it was united with the Livings-
ton County Whig, which was started in the same
village in 1843, by Geo. B. Phelps, who published
it about six months and sold it to James T. Norton,
by whom it was continued until this consolidation
was effected. At this time the name was changed
to The Livingston Union and its publication was
continued by Harding & Norton till 1849, when
the latter removed to Geneseo and assumed the
management of The Livingston Republican. In
1846, Mr. Norton, while pubHshing the Livingston
County Whig, printed in connection with it a
daily — The Mount Morris Daily Whig — which
was discontinued after three months (from June to
August) as an unprofitable venture. In February,
1862, Mr. Harding purchased the Constitution,
published in Geneseo, and united the two papers
under the name of The Union and Constitution,
under which it has since been pubHshed at Mt.
Morris. In 1871, Mr. Harding sold the establish-
ment to David Frysinger from Pennsylvania, who
continued it eight months and sold it to William
Harding, a son of its founder, who issued his first
number July 16, 1872, and has since continued its
publication. The paper has been thrice enlarged.
It is an eight-column paper — twenty-six by forty
inches; is pubhshed every Thursday; and has a
circulation of about one thousand. It was started
as a neutral paper, but became a Whig organ when
that party was formed. When the American party
was in power here it was the advocate of its prin-
ciples, and since the disbandment of that party
has been allied with the Democracy.
The Dansinlle Times wa.s published in 1835 by
D. C. Mitchell.
The Livingston Democrat was started at Gen-
eseo in the autumn of 1835, by David Mitchell and
Wm. H. Kelsey, (who purchased the establishment
of the Livingston Journal, then recently sus-
pended,) and published in the interest of the Whig
party. Mitchell soon withdrew; and Kelsey con-
tinued its pubhcation till the spring of 1837, when
it succumbed to adverse circumstances.
The Livingston Republican was established
at Geneseo, September 19, 1837, at the
solicitation and under the auspices of the Whig
party in this county, by Samuel P. Allen, who pur-
chased it in 1844, and continued its pubhcation
for nine years, when (in 1846) he sold the estab-
lishment to John M. Campbell and became con-
nected with the Rochester Democrat September
10, 1847, Joseph Kershner, a lawyer in Geneseo,
succeeded Mr. Campbell as its publisher, and July
S, 1848, he was succeeded by Charles E. Bronson,
who terminated a three years' period of pecuniary
losses by its sale on the 27th of December, 1849,
to James T. Norton, who pubhshed it successfully
till his death in 1865, when his son, A. Tiffany
Norton, succeeded to its publication, which he
continued until 1869. It was then purchased by
Col. Lockwood L. Doty and James W. Clement,
the former of whom retired after a few months on
account of ill-health. Mr. Clement continued its
pubhcation till September, 1874, when Samuel P.
Allen, its founder, repurchased it, "with the pur-
pose of continuing its publication as long as life
and health are spared." Mr. Allen still publishes
it. The Republican is, with one exception, the
oldest paper in the county; and it not only takes a
leading position in the county, but is one of the
ablest and best representatives of the country press
of Western New York. During the proprietorship
of Mr. Norton, it was for a short time the organ of
the American party, but before his death was
changed to the advocacy of Republican principles,
a complexion it still retains. It is an eight-column
paper— twenty-seven by forty inches ; is published
every Thursday; and has a circulation of 1,656.
The Western New Yorker was commenced in
Dansville, January 13, i84r, by George W.
Stevens, who soon after changed the name to Tlu
Dansville Whig, and in 1848, to The Dansi'ilk
Courier. During this period Charies W. Dibble
pubhshed it about one year. In 1849 it passed
into the hands of H. D. Smead, who changed it to
The Dansi'ille Democrat; and subsequently to
those of George A. Sanders, who removed it to
Geneseo in 1855, and changed it to The Geneseo
Democrat, the first number of which was issued
April 4, 1855. In October, 1857, it was returned
to Dansville and published for a short time by H.
C. Page, as The Livingston Sentitiel.
The Nunda Gazette, was started in 1841, by
Ira G. Wisner. After about a year it was removed
to Mt. Morris and continued there till 1843, as
The Genesee Valley Recorder.
The Dansville Republican was published in
1842, by David Fairchild.
The Geneseo Democrat ^z.i. started in 1843, by
Gilbert F. Shankland. It was removed to Nunda
THE PRESS OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
125
in 1847, and to EUicottville, Cattaraugus county, in
1843.
The Livingston Express, was published semi-
monthly in 1843, by J. G. Wisner, at Mt. Morris.
The Cuylerville Telegraph was started in 1847,
by FrankUn Cowdery, at Cuylerville, which was
then a thriving canal village. In 1848, it passed
into the hands of Peter Lawrence, who soon after
removed it.
The Dansville Chronicle was started in June,
1848, by Richardson & Co., and was discontinued
in 1851.
The Nunda Democrat -^zs, started in 1848, by
Milo D. Chamberlain, but was soon discontinued.
The Fountain, a monthly pubHcation, was started
at Dansville in 1849, by J. R. Trembly, and con-
tinued about two years.
The Dansville Herald was started in 1850, by
E. C. Daugherty and J. G. Sprague, under the
name of E. C. Daugherty & Co., as a Whig paper.
Sprague retired in a few months, and in the fall of
1854, Daugherty was succeeded by H. L. & L. H.
Rann. About the ist of January, 1857, it passed
into the hands of the Know-Nothing party, in whose
interests it was managed by E, G. Richardson &
Co. In April, 1857,- H. C. Page took the paper ;
and about the close of that year it was purchased
by George A. Sanders and changed to an advocate
of Republicanism. During this time it had under-
gone various changes in form and size. August
r, 1865, it was sold to Frank J. Robbins and L. D.
F, Poore, who changed its name to The Dansville
Express, haguiX 9, 1865, and enlarged it from a
six to a seven-column paper. F. J. Robbins
became the sole proprietor in October, 1870, and
enlarged it to eight columns. He conducted it in
the interest of Horace Greeley and at the close of
that campaign continued it as a Democratic paper.
June I, 1877, Oscar Woodruff and A. H. Knapp
purchased it of Mr. Robbins and still publish it.
It is an able exponent of Democratic principles.
Its circulation exceeds one thousand, and nearly all
of its subscribers reside within ten miles of the
office— a fact which sufficiently attests its worth.
The Nunda Telegraph was started by Charles
Atwood in 1850, and published about a year.
The Nunda Times, was started in January, 1852,
by N. T. Hackstaff. In July following the office
was burned, and the paper discontinued.
The Lima Weekly Visitor ^ as, started in 1853,
by A. H. Tilton and M. C. Miller. It was subse-
quently published by Raymond & Graham, and by
S. M. Raymond, the latter of whom changed the
name to the Genesee Valley Gazette. It was dis-
continued in 1856.
The Neiv Era was commenced at Hunt's Hol-
low, in the town of Portage, in 1854, by David B. &
Merritt Galley, boys aged respectively fifteen and
seventeen years. In 1855 it was removed to Nunda
and its name changed to Young America. It was
discontinued after about a year.
The Laws of Life and Journal of Health was
started in 1857, by Dr. James C. Jackson at Glen
Haven, Cayuga county, and in 1858, was removed
to Dansville, where it has since been pubUshed
monthly, successively under the auspices of Our
Home on the Hillside and Our Home Hygienic In-
stitute.
The Dansville Daily Times was commenced in
May, 1859, by W. J. LaRue, and in June of the
same year was changed to The Dansville Daily
Register. It was discontinued in i860.
The Nunda News was established October
I, 1859, by C. K. Sanders, who has pubhshed
it continuously since, having been longer published
continuously by the same person than any other
paper in the county. The paper was printed for
the first six weeks at Dansville, at the office of the
Dansville Herald, which was then published by
George A. Sanders, a brother of C. K. The
first issue printed at Nunda bore date of Novem-
ber 19, 1859. It was started as a five column
paper and has been increased to eight columns —
twenty-six by forty inches. It has a circulation of
twelve hundred, and has always been pubhshed on
Saturday of each week. The success of the Ne7vs
is remarkable, in view of the many unprofitable
newspaper ventures which had preceded it in
Nunda; for, says E. W. Packard, who has ever
been its firm friend and supporter, it "had not only
to win its own favor, but was obliged to overcome
prejudices engendered by the mistakes of its pre-
decessors. To do this without capital, reputation
or experience, required industry, perseverance,
ability and pluck. For instance, when the first
issue of the News came out, a large majority pre-
dicted it would not last three months, and most of
the subscribers only paid for that time. The out-
look was not really very promising, and the public
were not to be blamed for want of faith, for at that
time the News had no press nor type, and its office
was temporarily in my law office, and the paper
printed in Dansville. But before the three months
had expired, the News had its own home, with
presses and type, ready for business. The people
soon began to have faith in its ability to live, and
126
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
once established the News has never lost its hold
upon the public.''
The Dansville AdvertiserfizSi established August
2, i860, by A. O. Bunnell, who has since pubHshed
it, having been associated from 1866 to 1868 with
Joseph Jones, under the name of Bunnell & Jones.
Mr. Bunnell has been its editor during the whole
period of its publication. It was started as an in-
dependent advertising medium, but on the opening
of the war in 1861, it espoused the cause of the
Republican party. It has since been a staunch
advocate of Repubhcan principles, and has led the
van in the cause of education. It is a model of
neat typographical execution, and has won a high
reputation for its literary character. It is an eight-
column paper — twenty-six by forty inches; is issued
every Thursday, and has a circulation of about
twelve hundred. Its columns have richly rewarded
_ our researches for historical data — a feature in which
it is exceptionally full and interesting.
The Livingston Democrat was started at Nunda
in January, 1868, by H. M. Dake, and succumbed
to the hard times and an insufficient patronage
November 4, 1876, the date of its last issue. Dur-
ing the greater part of its existence it was published
by C. F. Peck ; but during the last nine months
by Shepard & Holly, and C. L. Shepard.
The Genesee Valley Herald, an ephemeral pub-
hcation, was issued at Geneseo, in 1869, and pre-
viously for about two years, by James W. Clement,
but was abandoned when he purchased an interest
in the Livingston Republican, about the first of
January, 1870. It was Repubhcan in politics.
The Avon Reporter W2& started about 1871, by
C. F. Peck, of Nunda. It was continued two or
three years under several different proprietors and
failed, the presses and type being removed from
the place.
The Mount Morris Enterprise was estabHshed
March 4, 1875, by Shull & Knapp, (George M.
ShuU and A. H. Knapp.) In May, 1877, Mr.
Shull purchased Mr. Knapp's interest and has
since pubhshed it alone. It is a staunch advocate
of Democracy, and occupies a leading position in
the county in its pohtical affihations. It is an
eight-column paper— twenty-six by forty inches-
having been enlarged in March, 1878, from seven
columns. It is published every Saturday; and has
a circulation of eight hundred.
The Lima Recorder was established October
I, 1869, by Elmer Houser. It was subsequently
published by Houser & Dennis, Dennis & Dennis,
and Deal & Drake. January i, 1875, it was sold
to A. Tiffany Norton, the former publisher of the
Republican, at Geneseo, and for the first time in
its history was thus placed under the control of a
journalist and printer of long experience and train-
ing. Under Mr. Norton's management it has se-
cured a leading position among the newspapers of
the county and has enjoyed a prosperous career.
From a neutral journal it was changed to a Re-
publican paper, and advocates the principles of
that party with force and earnestness, while it fear-
lessly condemns all wrongs within as well as without
the party. It is marked in its boldness, independ-
ence and fearless criticism. Mr. Norton is the
author, in connection with the late Col. L. L. Doty,
of a valuable history of Livingston county, and in
1879, wrote a very interesting history of "Sullivan's
Campaign Against the Iroquois," which met with
a large sale.
The Livonia Advertiser, a three-column month-
ly, was established in the spring of 1869, by W. A.
Champ, and was printed at the office of the Living-
ston Republican, at Geneseo. The following sum-
mer it was transferred to H. D. Kingsbury. It
was published about twelve months.
The Livonia Express was established in the
spring of 187 r, by Henry Benjamin Newell, who
brought to Livonia the first printing press ever
used in that town, and opened an office in what
was then the Baldwin House. Mr. Newell was an
erratic genius and his paper reflected bis peculiar-
ities. A contemporary says : —
" No comic almanac ever made more sport for
all classes and conditions of people than did the
Livonia Express, with its numberless eccentricities,
in the few months of its checkered existence."
The Livonia Gazette, a twenty-eight column
paper, was established by Lewis E. Chapin, who
issued the first number on Tuesday, October i,
1875, 3.nd continued its publication until July, 1877,
when the establishment was purchased by Clarence
M. Alvord, of Albion, Orleans county, who still
continues it. The Gazette is Republican in poli-
tics, and evinces the enterprise of its pubhsher in
the collection of local news. It has a large circu-
lation in eastern Livingston and western Ontario
counties.
The Livingston County Herald was established
in Avon, May 11, 1876, by E. H. Davis, who still
continues its publication, and receives deser\-ed aid
and encouragement from the business men of that
pleasant, enterprising village. It is Republican in
politics and is issued every Thursday.
The Union Citizen was established in Livonia,
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT AT GENESEO.
127
July 29, 1876, by Dr. Alonson L. Bailey, who re-
moved it April I, 1879, to Geneseo, where he has
since published it as a Democratic paper. Its
size is six columns — twenty-two by thirty-two inches.
It is published every Saturday, and has a circula-
tion of 528.
The Caledonia Advertiser, a six-column paper,
was established May 7, 1878, by James Beattie and
A. H. Collins, with a circulation of 290. The ven-
ture proved successful, and the circulation steadily
increased, till at present it is 690. February i,
1880, Mr. ColHns purchased Mr. Beattie's interest
and has since had its entire management. It is
published on Friday of each week. It is devoted
to agriculture and matters of local interest, and in
politics is Republican. It is the first and only
paper ever published in Caledonia.
The Springwater Enterprise was established in
January, 1879, by H. S. Niles and C. B. Potter,
who continued it until February, 1879, when Mr.
Niles purchased Mr. Potter's interest and assumed
the entire control. It is published every Thurs-
day.
CHAPTER XIII.
Early Courts — County Seat Designated —
First County Officers — County Buildings —
First Court in Livingston County — County
Poor-House — Insane Asylum — Livingston
County Civil List — Delegates to State
Constitutional Conventions — State Sena-
tors— Members of Assembly — First and
County Judges — Surrogates — District At-
torneys— Sheriffs~C ounty Clerks — County
Treasurers — County Superintendents of
Common Schools — School Commissioners —
Presidential Electors — Representatives in
Congress.
PREVIOUS to the erection of Steuben and
Genesee counties from Ontario, the territory
now embraced in Livingston county occupied a
central position in the latter county, but on the
formation of Genesee county in 1802, it lay partly
in the three counties of Ontario, Genesee and
Steuben, but a small portion, however, being in
the latter county. The Hne of division between
Ontario and Genesee passed nearly centrally
through this county, following the Genesee up to
its confluence with the Canaseraga, and thence
extending due south, being identical with the west
line of Phelps and Gorham's purchase. Hence it
lay on the confines of the two civil divisions^ remote
from the seat of justice of either. The county seat
of Ontario county was at Canandaigua, and deeds
were required to be filed in the clerk's office at that
place by the act of April 3, 1798, many years be-
fore the general act for the recording of deeds was
passed. The first circuit court of that county was
held at the inn of Ezra Patterson, in Geneva, June
9, 1793, and was presided over by John S. Hobart ;
and the first court of common pleas at the house
of Nathaniel Sanborn, in Canandaigua, Novem-
ber 4, 1794. Timothy Hosmer and Charles Wil-
liamson were the presiding judges. Oliver Phelps
was appointed First Judge on the erection of that
county in 1789. The county seat of Genesee
county was fixed at Batavia.
On the erection of Livingston county. Dr. Gama-
liel H. Barstow, of Smithsboro, Tioga county,
Archibald S. Clarke, of EUicottville, and Nathaniel
Garrow, of Auburn, were appointed commissioners
to designate the county seat and fix the site for
buildings, and were directed to meet at the tavern
of James Ganson, in Avon, in the discharge of this
duty, which was no sinecure, for a sharp rivalry
existed for the honor of being the shire town, and
the adjustment of the question developed acrimo-
nious discussions, and gave rise to ungenerous
reflections on the residents of the southern part of
the county, which was then less developed and
consequently less populous and wealthy. Avon,
Williamsburgh, and the little hamlet of Lakeville,
were the rival competitors of Geneseo, which was
then the principal village and the commercial
centre of the county, and was finally selected be-
cause it was also nearer the geographical center of
the county.
The Act required that a suitable lot for the erec-
tion of a court house and jail should be conveyed
to the supervisors before the site therefor was de-
termined, and appointed Gen. William Wads-
worth, of Geneseo, Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugli, of
Groveland, and William Markham, of Avon, com-
missioners to superintend their construction. Can-
andaigua was designated for the confinement of
prisoners until, in the opinion of the sheriff the jail
was fitted for their reception. The former pro-
vision was complied with July 14, 1821, at which
time William and James Wadsworth deeded 1.79
acres in the northern part of Geneseo village as a
site for those buildings.*
The first county officers were : — Moses Hayden,
* The same deed conveyed 1.47 acres for a public square or promenade.
128
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
First Judge ; James Ganson, Cmmty Clerk ; Gideon
T. Jenkins, Sheriff; James Rosebrugh, Surrogate;
and George Hosmer, District Attorney. All, ex-
cept Hayden, who was appointed March 28, 1821,
were appointed February 26, 182 1. The first
Board of Supervisors consisted of :— Thomas Wiard,
Avon, Robert McKay, Caledonia, Davenport
Alger, Freeport, (Conesus,) Wm. H. Spencer,
Geneseo, Wm. Fitzhugh, Groveland, Jellis Clute,
Leicester, Mannasseh Leach, Lima, Ichabod A.
Holden, Livonia, Wm. A. Mills, Mt. Morris, Wm.
McCartney, Sparta, Alvah Southworth, Spring-
water, and Titus Goodman, York. Wm. Fitzhugh
was chosen chairman, and Ogden M. Willey, of
Geneseo, clerk, a position he filled very acceptably
for thirty years. Orlando Hastings, of Geneseo, was
appointed county treasurer, an office then filled by
the Boards of Supervisors of the various counties.
The supervisors being required by the Act erect-
ing the county to determine the proper amount to
be raised for the erection of county buildings, at
their first annual meeting in October, 182 1, resolved
to raise nine thousand dollars for that object. This
amount being afterwards deemed insufficient, in
December following the Board applied to the Leg-
islature for permission to raise an additional two
thousand dollars. Permission was grantedandthat
further sum raised. The court house and jail were
completed and ready for use in the spring of 1823.
Both are still in use. The court house is a brick
building and begins to show the ravages of-time
and the elements, but Judges from abroad pro-
nounce it superior in all needful requirements to
any on their circuit. It is beautifully situated in the
north part of the village, facing the main street,
which runs north and south. The jail is a wooden
structure, standing a little north-west of the court-
house, and in September, 1880, contained eight
inmates. The county clerk's office is a one-story
cobble-stone building, standing directly east of and
adjacent to the court house. All are in the same
inclosure, and all are common-place looking build-
ings. The clerk's office was for several years kept
in the court house.
While the court house was in process of con-
struction the courts were held in the upper story of
the brick building which occupied the site of the
present union school building on Center street, in
Geneseo. It was the regular district school house,
the lower part being used for that purpose, and the
upper part to some extent as a private academical
school. There the first court of record held in the
county was convened on the last Tuesday in May,
1821, and after prayer by Rev. Mr. Bull, was
opened by the usual proclamation. Moses Hay-
den, First Judge, presided, and was assisted by
Matthew Warner, Jeremiah Riggs and Leraan
Gibbs, Associate Judges. The grand jurors im-
paneled on this occasion were : William Janes,
foreman, Robert McKay, James Smith, Asa Now-
len, Josiah Watrous, Francis Stevens, William War-
ner, Ichabod A. Holden, Ruel Blake, Wm. A. Mills,
Ebenezer Damon, P. P. Peck, Joseph A. Law-
rence, William Crossett, William Carnahan, James
McNair, John Culver, Erastus Wilcox, John Hunt,
Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Thomas Sherwood, Ebe-
nezer Rogers and Gad Chamberlin.
The first case tried was that of Mary DeGraw,
who was indicted for assault and battery with in-
tent to kill. She was convicted of assault and bat-
tery, but acquitted on the rest of the indictment.
May Brown was sentenced at this time to the On-
tario county jail for thirty days. This appears to
have been the first commitment.
The first term of the Court of Common Pleas
was held the same day. James Richmond, LeRoy
Buckley, Roger Wattles, T. H. Gilbert, Joseph
White, Jehiel Kelsey, John Salmon, George Whit-
more, David A. Miller, Riley Scoville, Andrew Stil-
well, and Federal Blakesley composed the jury.
The first court held in the court house was the
May term of the Common Pleas Court in 1823,
Charles H. Carroll, First Judge, presiding.
The county poor house is pleasantly situated on
a farm of one hundred and fifty-one acres in the
town of Geneseo, about one and one-half miles east
of Geneseo village. The farm, which originally
contained about one, hundred and thirty-six acres,
was bought for the purpose in 1829, for $5,440,
and a two-story addition forty-eight by thirty-six feet
made to the dwelling house then on the premises.
On the loth of June, 1829, it was opened for the
reception of paupers. It soon, however, ceased to
meet the demands on it, and in 1849, the Super-
visors appropriated $6,000 for the purpose of erect-
ing a new building, and appointed Allen Ayrault,
Wm. J. Hamilton and Russell Austin to superin-
tend its construction and to dispose of the old one,
which, with eighteen acres of land, was sold at auc-
tion Dec. 13, 1850, to Dr. Daniel H. Bissell, of
Geneseo, for $2,001. The old building is now
owned and occupied as a residence by Joseph
Truesdell Lamson.
A new three-story brick building, 108 by 36 feel,
with basement, and two lateral wings, each 53 feet
deep, was erected in 1850, and completed ready
COUNTY POOR HOUSE AND INSANE ASYLUM.
I2g
for occupancy early in the winter of that year, at a
cost of $7,356.40, exclusive of furniture and heat-
ing apparatus. It is situated on the opposite
(north) side of the road, and adjacent to the old
one. The central portion is occupied by the su-
perintendent and his family ; the right wing by the
male, and the left wing by the female paupers.
The sexes are separated at night, and as far as
practicable during the day.
In 1868, when the late superintendent, George
W. Barney, entered upon the discharge of the
duties of that office, the only accommodations for
the insane were "a few cells in the basement of the
men's building, and the ordinary rooms in the
building for women." The apartments were
wholly unfit for their purposes, and the insane re-
ceived no special attention. The building was
heated by stoves, was imperfectly ventilated, and
without proper bathing facilities.* In 1869, a
small two-story brick building was erected for the
accommodation of the insane paupers, and subse-
quently another and larger building was erected
for the same purpose, the two affording accommo-
dations for about fifty patients. In 1879, ^ third
building was erected for the use of the female in-
sane, accommodating forty-four patients. Thirty-
three acres have also been added to the poor-house
farm. "The entire place," says Mr. Barney, in his
Annual Report to the Board of Supervisors, Nov.
20, 1879, "has been put in the best of order, and
above all, the condition of the buildings has been
raised from a state of filthiness hardly to be de-
scribed to a condition second to no building of the
kind in the State, and the institution has now at-
tained a reputation such as reflects the highest
honor upon every taxpayer in the county." The
county provides for such of its dependent children
as cannot be secured situations in famihes, in or-
phan asylums at Rochester. During the year end-
ing Oct. 31, 1879, there was expended for the
maintenance of such children $888.85. At that
date there were eight in the Rochester Orphan
Asylum and one in St. Mary's Boys' Orphan Asy-
lum, in the same city.
The farm, which is in a good state of cultivation,
is tilled by the sanet and insane paupers, with the
* Twelfth Antmal Refort of the State Board of Charities for 1878,
A73-
t Says Mr. Barney in the report above referred to : "I have stren-
uously endeavored to utihze the services of able-bodied paupers on the
farm and have succeeded to a greater degree than ever before, but an ex-
perience of twelve years with this class convinces me of the fact that the
supervision necessary to get work done properly and in the proper time
amounts to almost as much as the value of the services rendered, and
that the inmates of the Insane Asylum, under a keeper, will perform
more work in a given time, and in a better manner, than tlie same num-
ber of paupers. "
aid of one assistant, and, strange as the fact may
seem, the labor of the insane is far more efficient
and satisfactory than that of the sane. The value
of this pauper labor for the year 1879, is estimated
at at least $2,300. The stock upon the farm con-
sisted of two pair of working horses, two single
horses and ten milch cows, the whole valued at
$950, and the products of the farm for the year
ending Oct. 31, 1879, of 1,000 bushels of corn, (in
ear,) 445 bushels of barley, 508 bushels of oats, 40
tons of hay, 400 bushels of wheat, 60 bushels of
beans, 600 bushels of potatoes; straw, valued at
$75, milk from ten cows, valued at $300, 20 fat
hogs, 30 store hogs, 50 bushels of apples, garden
vegetables, valued at $20, and corn stalks, valued
at $50, the total valuation being $2,435.80.
The number of persons received and supported
in the alms house and insane asylum during the
year ending Oct. 31, 1879, was 335; the number
remaining Nov. i, 1879, was 158. Of the whole
number, 228 were males, and 107, females; 206
were natives of the United States, 94, of Ireland,
14, of England, 16, of Germany, 2, of Canada, 2,
of France, and i, of Scotland.
The expenses connected with the sui)port of the
poor during the year ending Oct. 31, 1879, are thus
stated in the report of the superintendent :—
Alms House Supplies, $11,086 17
Alms House Expenses, 5, 860 65
Temporary relief in the several towns, . 3,031 87
Transportation, 67 40
Total, $20,046 09
The number of deaths during the year was
twenty-one. The average age of the deceased per-
sons was 58,17-21 years.
The number of insane persons received and sup-
ported in the insane asylum during the year was
75. Of this number 7 males and 4 females were
discharged cured ; 1 male was discharged unim-
proved ; I male and 3 females died ; i female com-
mitted suicide ; and 30 males and 28 females then
remained. Mr. Barney, in referring in his report
to this class of unfortunates, says : —
" Under the advice of the Hon. Wm. P. Letch-
worth, president of the State Board of Charities, I
have given great attention to the food and diet of
the insane. I feel the deepest gratification at the
results of my efforts, and confidently invite com-
parison of the proportion discharged cured from
our own asylum with that of any other Hke institu-
tion in the State. The new building for female
patients is now about finished and will accommo-
date 44 persons. With this increased room it will
be possible to classify patients much more com-
pletely than heretofore and from the result of this
13°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
classification I look for the most favorable results
in the future."
The present Superintendent of the Poor is James
C. Wicker, who entered upon the discharge of his
duties January i, 1880. Mr. Barney was preceded
in the office by A. Howard, who filled that respon-
sible position for twenty-three years.
Livingston County Civil List. — Livingston county
has produced many men of talent and eminence in
the various professions and occupies a distinguished
position in the civil Hst. She has furnished a gov-
ernor, in the person of John Young of Geneseo,
who was elected in 1846, by a vote of 198,878, over
three opponents, Silas Wright. Henry Bradley and
Ogden Edwards, who received respectively 187,306
12,844 and 6,306 votes ;* a Private Secretary of the
Executive chamber of New York, in the person of
LockwoodL. Doty of Geneseo, who was appointed
in 1861 and held the office two years; a Chief
of the Bureau of MiUtary statistics, in the person
of the latter gentleman, who was appointed on the
creation of that office April 8, 1863, and was suc-
ceeded September 10, 1866, by Augustus J. H.
Duganne of New York, who subsequently became
Mr. Doty's biographer ; a Judge- Advocate- General,
in the person of Campbell H. Young of Geneseo, who
was appointed January i, 1867; two State Comp-
trollers, in the persons of Philo C. Fuller of Geneseo,
who was appointed Dec. 18, 1850, on the election
of Washington Hunt to the gubernatorial chair, and
held the office till the close of the term, and Jas.W.
Wadsworth of Geneseo, elected Nov. 4,1879 ; a Ca-
nal Commissioner, in the person of Daniel P. Bissell
of Moscow, who was appointed February 8,1842, to
fill vacancy, and again November 4, 1844, for the
term of four years ; a Canal Appraiser, in the per-
son of Calvin H. Bryan of Geneseo, who was ap-
pointed April 4, 1846, and served one term of three
years ; a Regent of the University of New York, (in
addition to John Young, who, as Governor of the
State, was an ex-officio member of the board,) in
the person of James S. Wadsworth of Geneseo, who
was appointed May 4, 1844, and held the office till
his death, May 8, 1864; two Clerks of the Court
of Appeals, in the persons of Benjamin F. Harwood
and Eussell F. Hicks, both of Dansville, the former
of whom was elected November 8, 1853, and died
in office at Albany, March 30, 1856, and the latter
November 7, 1856, holding the office three years;
and a Diplomatic Officer in the person of Benja-
min F. Angel of Geneseo, who was appointed Min-
• James S. Wadsworth of Geneseo, was the candidate of the Republi-
can party for Governor in iS6z, but was defeated by Horatio Seymour, by
a vote of 306,649 to 295,897.
ister-Resident to Sweden and Norway July 17,
1857-
Delegates to State Constitutional Conventions. —
James Rosebrugh represented this county in the
Convention of 1821 ; Allen Ayrault and William
H. Spencer, both of Geneseo, in that of 1846; and
Isaac L. Endress, of Dansville, in that of 1867.
State Senators. — Previous to 1821 the Senato-
rial Districts were designated as Southern, Mid-
dle, Eastern and Western. The latter originally
comprised Albany and Tryon (afterwards Mont-
gomery) counties, and Ontario which then em-
braced the'territory included in Livingston county,
from Jan. 27, 1789. During the continuance
of the First Constitution it comprised these
counties and those subsequently erected from
them. The representation, which at first was
six members, was changed February 7, 1791,
to five ; March 4, 1796, to eleven; in 1803, to
nine; in 1808, to twelve; and April 17, 1815, to
nine.
Under the Second Constitution which was adop-
ted the year in which this county was organized,
(182 1,) the State was divided into eight Senatorial
Districts, which were designated by number. Liv-
ingston county belonged to the Eighth District,
which also embraced the counties of Allegany,
Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe,
Niagara and Steuben, until November 12, 1824,
when Orleans was added. April 18, 1826, Steu-
ben was transferred; and May 23d, 1836, Alle-
gany, Cattaraugus and Livingston were transferred
to the Sixth District, which then comprised addi-
tionally the counties of Broome, Chenango, Tioga,
Tompkins, Steuben and Chemung. This connec-
tion it retained during the further continuance of
the Second Constitution which entitled each dis-
trict to four Senators, one of whom was elected
annually for the term of four years.
Under the third or present Constitution, the
State is divided into thirty-two districts, in each of
which one member is elected each odd year. Liv-
ingston was associated with Ontario in forming the
Twenty-ninth district. April 13, 1857, it was asso-
ciated with Allegany and Wyoming counties in
forming the Thirtieth district, and maintained this
relation till April 23d, 1879, when it became asso-
ciated with Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming coun-
ties in forming the same district.
Livingston county did not furnish a State Sena-
tor previous to its organization as a separate county,
nor during its connection with the Western district,
which continued till 1823. The office was first
LIVINGSTON COUNTY CIVIL LIST.
131
filled by a resident of Livingston county in 1827,
by Charles H. Carroll, of Groveland, who served
till his resignation in March, 1828. He has been
succeeded by Moses Hayden, of York, who served
in 1829 and until his death February 14, 1830;
Philo C. Fuller, of Geneseo, who was elected on
the death of Hayden and served in 1831 and '32;
James Faulkner, of Dansville, in 1842, '3, '4 and 5 ;
Allen Ayrault, of Geneseo, in 1848 ;* Charles Colt,
of Geneseo, in 1849-51 ;• Sidney Sweet, of Dans-
ville, in 1856-7 ;t David H. Abell, of Mt. Morris,
in 1860-61 ; James Wood, of Geneseo, 1870-73.
Members of Assembly. — There has been little
variation in Livingston county's representation in
the Assembly, which has corresponded with that of
the ratio of her population to that of the State, the
extremes being one and two. She had one mem-
ber at the time of her formation ; two, under the
apportionments of April 12, 1822, April 18, 1826,
May 23, 1836, March 8, 1846, and April 13, 1857;
and one under the apportionments of April 16,
1866, and April 23, 1879, the latter of which re-
mains in force.
The Assemblymen from the territory now em-
braced in Livingston county prior to its erection as
such were: Gideon T. Jenkins, who represented
Genesee county m^ 1808, and Hugh McNair, of
Sparta, who represented Ontario county in 1808-9 \
William Markham, of Avon, who represented On-
tario county in 1810; Chauncey Loomis, who
represented Genesee county, and Hugh McNair,
Ontario county, in 1811; James Ganson, of Gen-
eseo, who represented Genesee, and Hugh McNair,
Ontario, in 1812-14; James Rosebrugh, who
represented Ontario, in 1814-15, 1816-17, 1818;
James Ganson, who represented Genesee in 1816
and 1816-17; Elijah Spencer and Wm. McCart-
ney, who represented Ontario in 18 19; Gideon T.
Jenkins and Robert McKay, who represented
Genesee, and Matthew Warner, Ontario, in 1820;
Wm. H. Spencer, who represented Genesee, in
1820-21.
Since its formation Livingston county has been
represented in the Assembly as follows : George
Smith, 1822; William Janes and Matthew Warner,
1823; George Hosraer and George Smith, 1824;
James Faulkner and Robert McKay, 1825; James
Faulkner and Wm. H. Spencer, 1826; Wm. H.
Spencer and Felix Tracy, 1827; Calvin H. Bryan
and Wm. Janes, 1828 ; Philo C. Fuller and Titus
Goodman, Jr., 1829-30; Jerediah Horsford and
* Resigned June 2, 1848.
t During this session Samuel P. Allen, of Geneseo, was clerk of the
Senate,
James Percival, 1831; George W.Patterson and
John Young, r832; George W. Patterson and
Samuel W. Smith, 1833; Salmon G. Grover and
Tabor Ward, 1834; H. Hutchinson and George
W. Patterson, 1835; Charles H. Carroll and
George W. Patterson, 1836; George W. Patterson
and William Scott, 1837-8; Ehas Clark and
George W. Patterson, 1839-40;* Augustus Gibbs
and Reuben P. Wisner, 1841; Gardner Arnold
and Chester Bradley, 1842 ; Daniel H. Fitzhugh
and Daniel D. Spencer, 1843; Gardner Arnold
and Daniel D. Spencer, 1844; Harlow W. Wells
and John Young, 1845; William S. Fullerton and
John Young, 1846; William S. Fullerton and An-
drew Sill, 1 847 ; Gurdon Nowlen and Nathaniel
Coe, 1848; Archibald H. McLean and Philip
Woodruff, 1849-50; Alvin Chamberlain and Orrin
D. Lake, 1851-2; Amos A. Hendee and Abram
Lozier, 1 853 ; Leman Gibbs and Abram Lozier,
1854; Lyman Odell and McNeil Seymour, 1855;
Lyman Odell and Alonzo Bradner, 1856; Lyman
Hawes and Alfred Bell, 1857 ; John H. Jones and
Alfred Bell, 1858; Samuel L. Fuller and John
Wiley, 1859-60; Matthew Wiard and George
Hyland, 1861 ; Matthew Wiard and Samuel Skin-
ner, 1862; Hamilton E. Smith and Samuel Skin-
ner, 1863 ; Hamilton E. Smith and Jonathan B.
Morey, 1864; Hugh D. McCoU and Jonathan B.
Morey, 1865 ; Hugh D. McColl and Samuel D.
Faulkner, 1866; Jacob Mead, 1867; Lewis E.
Smith, 1868-9 ■> Richard Johnson, 1870-1 ; Arch-
ibald Kennedy, 1872-3 ; Jonathan B. Morey, 1874;
James Faulkner, Jr., 1875-6; Jonathan B. Morey,
1877; James W. Wadsworth, 1878-9; Archibald
Kennedy, 1880; Kidder M. Scott, 1881.
Fh-st and County Judges. — The Court of Com-
mon Pleas was continued from the Colonial period.
For most of the time under the First Constitution
the number of Judges and Assistant Justices in the
various counties differed, reaching, in some
counties, as many as twelve of each. March 27,
1 81 8, the office of Assistant Justice was abolished,
and the number of Judges limited to five, including
the First Judge. The Judges were appointed by
the Governor and Senate for a period of five years.
The constitution of 1846 provided for the election
of a County Judge for each county, except the city
and county of New York, and the new judiciary
article extended the tenure of office from four to
six years, upon the election of the successors of the
present incumbents.
* During these sessions— 1839-40— George W, Patterson was Speaker
of the Assembly. He is the only person from this county who has oc-
cupied that position.
132
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The First Judges of Livingston county were: — ■
Moses Hayden, of York, appointed March 28,
1 821; Charles H. Carroll, of Groveland, appointed
February i, 1823; Hezekiah D. Mason, appointed
April 8, 1829 ; Willard H. Smith, appointed March
24, 1832. The County Judges, since the office
was made elective, have been : — Scott Lord, of
Geneseo, June, 1847; George Hastings, of Mt.
Morris, November, 1855; Solomon Hubbard, No-
vember, 1863; Samuel D. Faulkner, of Dansville,
November, 187 1; Daniel W. Noyes, appointed in
place of Faulkner, deceased, August 30, 1878;
Edwin A. Nash, of Avon, November, 1878.*
Surrogates. — Previous to 1821, Surrogates were
designated by the Council of Appointment ; from
1 82 1 to 1846, by the Governor and the Senate.
The Constitution of 1846 abolished the office and
devolved its duties on County Judges, except in
counties having a population exceeding 40,000.
This office has been held successively by James
Rosebrugh, who was appointed February 26, 1821;
Samuel W. Spencer, appointed March 20, 1832 ;
Benjamin F. Angel, appointed March 23, 1836;
William H. Kelsey, appointed April 22, 1840;
Benjamin F. Angel, appointed March 3, 1844, and
held the office until it was abolished.
District Attorneys. — The original appellation of
this office, which was created February 12, 1796,
was that of Assistant Attorney-General, who was
appointed by the Governor and Council. The of-
fice of District Attorney was created April 4, iSoi.
At first the State was divided into seven districts,
but subsequently several new ones were formed.
In April, 18 18, each county was constituted a sep-
arate district. The office was made elective by
the Constitution of 1846.
The first person to hold this office in Livingston
county was George Hosmer, who was appointed
February 26, i82r. He was succeeded by Orlan-
do Hastings, January 27, 1824; George Hosmer,
May 29, 1824; Calvin H. Bryan, January 20, 1836;
Augustus A. Bennett, May 30, 1836; George Hast-
ings, May 27, 1839; Amos A. Hendee, June, 1847;
WilHam H. Kelsey, 1850 ;t James Wood, Jr.,
1853;! Amos A. Hendee, 1856;! Gershom Bulk-
ley, 1859;! George J. Davis, 1862 ;tt James B.
Adams, 1866 ;t§ Edwin A. Nash, 1869;! Daniel
*Jolin H. Jones, of Moscow, held the office of First Judge in Genesee
county, which then embraced the western part of this county, from June
10,1812, to May 9, 1821.
t Elected in November.
+ Resigned.
§ Appointed January, 1865, vice Davis, resigned ; elected November
1865. '
W. Noyes, 1875 ;*t Charles J. Bissell, August 30,
1878;}: John R. Strang, 1878,! the present
incumbent.
Sheriffs. — Under the first Constitution (1777-
1821) Sheriffs were appointed ann ually by the Coun-
cil of Appointment, and no person could hold the
office for more than four successive years. The
Sheriff could not hold any other office, and must
be a free-holder in the county to which he was ap-
pointed. Under the second Constitution (1821 to
1846) Sheriffs were elected for a term of three
years, but were ineligible to election the next suc-
ceeding year. These provisions are operative at
the present time.
The Sheriff was once an officer held in great re-
spect. He arranged all the ceremonials of the
court, and formally announced to the Judges the
particular hour the court-room was in order for
their reception. He was equipped with side arms,
and kept his sword unsheathed on the desk in
front of his seat. He, with his deputies, formally
inducted the Judges from their lodgings to the
court-room; the jurors closed the procession. He
opened the court with solemn proclamation. In
every respect the office of Sheriff was once of more
import in the public estimation than now.§
The first Sheriff in I,ivingston county was Gid-
eon T. Jenkins, who was appointed February 26,
1821. His successors have been: — William Car-
nahan, 1822; Martin Nash, 1825; Russell Austin,
1828; Augustus Gibbs, 1831 ; Josiah Wendell,
1834; Wm. W. Weed, 1837 ; James Brewer, 1840;
Wm. H. Scott, 1843; William Scott, 1846; Har-
vey Hill, 1849 ; Norman Chapel, appointed De-
cember 15, 185 1, vice Hill, deceased; William
Scott, 1852; Hugh McCartney, 1855; John N.
Hurlburt, 1858; Wm. B. Lemen, 1861; Thomas
C. Chase, 1864; George Hyland, Jr., 1867; Henry
L. Arnold, 1870; Elijah Youngs, 1873; Wm. B.
Wooster, 1876; Martin F. Linsley, 1879. ||
County Clerks. — County Clerks, in addition to
keeping the county records, were required by the
Act of February 12, 1796, to act as clerk of the
Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and of the Oyer
and Terminer. At present they are clerks of the
Supreme Court in their respective counties, and
their seals are declared to be the seals of the court.
Their term of office, like that under the second
constitution, is three years.
* Resigned.
t Elected in November.
i Appointed vice Noyes, resigned.
§ Clark^s History of Chenango County.
II All except Gideon T. Jenkins and Norman Chapel were elected in No-
vember.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY CIVIL LIST.
133
Livingston county furnished one County Clerk
for Ontario county while connected with it, in the
person of Hugh McNair, who was appointed March
17, 1815, and was succeeded July 3, 1819, by John
Van Fossen. James Ganson, who was appointed
February 26, 182 1, was the first person to hold that
office in Livingston county. His successors, all of
whom were elected in November, have been Syl-
vester Brown, 1822; LeviHovey, 1825 ; Chauncey
R. Bond, 1828; Elias Clark, 1834; Wm. H. Stan-
ley, 1837 ; Samuel P. Allen, 1840; Wm. H. Whit-
ing, 1843 ; Israel D. Root, T849 ; James S. Orton,
1852 ; Charles Root, 1855 ; Harvey G. Baker, 1861 ;
Augustus A. Curtiss, 1867 ; Nathaniel A. Gear-
hart, 1871; Hurlburt E. Brown, 1874; Jerome B.
Patterson, 1877 ; Mark J. Bunnell, 1880.
County Treasurers. — ^County Treasurers are
elected under the Constitution of 1846, for a term
of three years. They were formerly appointed by
the Boards of Supervisors in the several counties.
Chauncey Metcalf was the first person elected to
the office in Livingston county under the new re-
gime— in 1848. He has been succeeded by: John
White, Jr., 1851 ; Chauncey R. Bond, 1856; James
T. Norton, i860; Chauncey Metcalf, 1863; Theo-
dore F. Olmsted, 1871 ; John Shepard, 1874;
and Wm. A. Brodie, the present incumbent, in 1877.
All were elected in November.
County Superintendents of Common Schools. —
April 17, 1843, the Boards of Supervisors were di-
rected to appoint Superintendents of Common
Schools ; and Ira Patchin and Russell F. Hicks
were accordingly so appointed in Livingston coun-
ty. The office was abolished March r3, 1847.
School Commissioners. — Prior to 1857, School
Commissioners were appointed by the Boards of
Supervisors. In 1856 the office was made elective ;
and the first election under that act was held No-
vember, 1859. The office has been held in Living-
ston county by the following named persons : —
Chauncey Loomis^ Levi P. Grover, Franklin B.
Francis, S. Arnold Tozer, Franklin B. Francis,
John W. Byam, Lewis C. Partridge, Foster W.
Walker, in the First District ; and Horace L. James
Harvey Farley, Isaac C. Lusk, Thomas J. Thorp,
Robert W. Green and Ezra N. Curtice, in the
Second District. Foster W. Walker of Caledonia,
and Ezra N. Curtice of Spring water, are the present
incumbents.
Presidential Electors.^-Tht Federal Constitu-
tion provides that the President and Vice-Presi-
dent of the United States shall be chosen by Elec-
tors appointed in such manner as the Legislatures
of the respective States shall direct, the number to
be equal to their number of Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress. In this State the Electors
were originally appointed by the Legislature, pursu-
ant to an Act passed April 12, 1792. March 15,
1825, the Legislature submitted to the people the
question of choosing electors by districts, or on 3.gen-
eral ticket, and it was decided by a small majority
in favor of the former. The system thus adopted,
however, was in vogue at one election only ; for
April 15, 1829, the Legislature .adopted the gen-
eral ticket system now in use. The Electors must
be appointed within thirty-four days before the
first Wednesday of December, in every fourth year ;
and in this State, as, indeed, in all the States, they
are now chosen on the Tuesday after the first Mon-
day of November. In making up the general ticket,
one person is selected from each Congressional
District, and two to represent the State at large.
The Electoral College is required to meet at the
State capitol on the first Wednesday of December,
cast their votes for President and Vice President,
make a certified Kst thereof, and forward it under
seal to the President of the United States Senate,
who opens and announces the result in the pres-
ence of the two houses of Congress.
Livingston county has been represented in the
Electoral College as follows : —
Daniel H. Bissell, 1836; John Wheeler, 1840;
Benjamin F. Harwood, 1848; Isaac L. Endress and
James S. Wadsworth, (the latter one of the Elec-
tors at large,) 1856; James S. Wadsworth, i860;
Kidder M. Scott, 1872. Daniel H. Bissell was the
Messenger to Washington from the Electoral Col-
lege of this State in 1836; and Isaac L. Endress,
Secretary of the College in 1856.
Representatives in Congress. — Livingston county
has undergone various changes in its Congressional
associations. On its formation, in 1821, in con-
junction with Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua,
Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara and Ontario coun-
ties, it formed the Twenty-first District, which was
entitled to two members. . Under the Act of April
17, 1822, it was united with Monroe in forming the
Twenty-seventh District; under that of June 29,
1832, this and Allegany county formed the Thir-
tieth District; under that of Sept. 6, 1842, it was
associated with Ontario county, and formed the
Twenty-ninth District; under that of July 19, 1851,
in conjunction with Steuben county, it formed the
Twenty-eighth District ; under that of April 23,
1862, it was united with Ontario and Yates in
forming the Twenty-fifth District ; and under that
134
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
of June i8, 1873, the same counties were consti-
tuted the Twenty-seventh District, and still retain
that relation.
Livingston county has not been represented in
the United States Senate ; and had only one Rep-
resentative prior to its organization. That was
Samuel M. Hopkins, from the Twenty-first District,
in 1813-15. Micah Brooks, who subsequently
lived and died in this county, was, indeed, while
residing in Ontario county, a Representative in the
succeeding Congress — 1815-17 — but resigned the
first session. The Representatives from this county
since its organization have been : — Elijah Spencer,
182 £-'3 ; Moses Hayden, of York, i823-'27 ; Philo
C. Fuller, of Geneseo, i833-'36;* John Young, of
Geneseo, i836-'37, 1841-' 43; Charles H.Carroll,
of Groveland Center, i843-'47; Jerediah Hors-
ford, of Moscow, i85i-'53; George Hastings, of
Mt. Morris, i853-'55 ; Wilham H. Kelsey, of
Geneseo, 1855-59, 1867-71.
CHAPTER XIV.
War of the Rebellion — Its Underlving Cause
— Secession of South Carolina — Followed
BY Other States — First Measures to
Repress Rebellion — Ready Response of the
North — Additional Troops Called for —
Prompt and Generous Response of Living-
ston County — Thirteenth Regiment —
Twenty-Seventh Regiment — Thirty-Third
Regiment — Regimental Camp at Geneseo —
One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, or
Wadsworth Guards — Calls of July 2,
1862, AND August 4, 1862— Military Dis-
tricts Formed— The One Hundred and
Thirtieth Regiment, or First New York
Dragoons— One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth
Regiment — The Draft — Quotas Under
Various Calls— Subsequent Calls— County
Bounty— Enormous Local Bounties— State
Bounty— Local Bounties Abrogated— Con-
tributions TO the Support of the Indigent
Families of Volunteers— Quotas Under
Last Three Calls.
THE war of the rebellion covers a period in the
history of Livingston county to which the de-
scendants of those who participated in it may re-
cur with just pride. The causes which led to' this
sanguinary interneciary struggle date back to the
* Resigned September z, l8j6, ~~
dawn of civilization on this continent. Coloniza-
tion in New England and Virginia commenced
with radical social distinctions, which engendered
different habits, thoughts, aspirations and interests
and eventuated through the operation of climatic
influence and diverse occupations in bitter section-
alism. Variances which were at first regarded with
zealous apprehension ripened into direct antag-
onism, determined opposition and finally intense
hatred. One was the champion of the broad
cathoHc spirit of liberalism and progress ; the
other was firmly wed to a debasing and enervating
conservatism, on which it sought to build a slave-
holding and slave-perpetuating aristocracy. Amity
and fraternity cannot subsist between communities
thus constituted ; and an open rupture could not
be averted. It was only delayed by meeting the
demands of the one with the concessions of the
other. When further concession could not con-
sistently be made, rupture was inevitable, and the
issue thus delayed was the more bitterly contested
when it came.
The South, for obvious reasons, construed the
Federal government to be a mere confederation of
sovereign states, in contradistinction from a
sovereign nation composed of subordinate states.
This doctrine as expounded in the writings and
speeches of Calhoun and subsequently of those of
Stephens, its two great champions, implies not
only the right of nuUification, but also of secession.
Whatever may be the just claims of this theory as
an abstract proposition it is clearly inconsistent
with the spirit which actuated the founders of our
constitution, incompatible with the aspiration of
the great free North, and not permissible when, as
in this case, associated with the perpetuation of an
evil so repugnant as that of human slavery.
The struggle which culminated in the admission
of Kansas into the Union as a free state, con-
firmed a conviction which had long been matur-
ing, that the territorial extension of slavery in this
country had reached its limit under the provisions
of the constitution, and marks the period when
covert assaults gave place to the open and avowed
purpose to disrupt the Union. As in 1832 an ob-
jectionable protective tariflf was made to justify
nullification, so now the premonition that her
peculiar institution was doomed, was made by the
South to justify secession. South Carolina, in both
cases, taking the initiative.
On the election of Mr. Lincoln, the nominee of
the Republican or anti-slavery party, to the presi-
dency in i860, it was evident that further delay was
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
I3S
useless, and the leaders in secession labored assid-
uously to create a sentiment in the South favorable
to its immediate consummation. Dec. 17, i860,
the people of South Carolina met in convention at
Columbia, and adjourned thence by reason of the
prevalence of small-pox to Charleston, where they
repealed the Act of May 23, 1788, ratifying the
Federal constitution and the amendments thereto,
and declared "that the union now subsisting be-
tween South Carolina and other states, under the
name of the United States of America, is hereby
dissolved." An address to the people of the other
slave-holding states was issued, inviting them to
join in " a great slave-holding Confederacy," and
reciting that "we must be the most independent,
as we are the most important of the nations of the
world." This action was followed in a few days by
Georgia, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and
Louisiana. " The Border States, foreseeing inev-
itable war, and that the shock of the conflict would
fall upon them, temporized. After all that had been
done to pledge them to the movement, Virginia,
North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Maryland, though a reign of terror, political and
social, was inaugurated in them, either took the
step with great reluctance, or avoided taking it at
all."* Preeminent among these, and indeed
among the states composing the Confederacy,
was Virginia, which did not pass the ordi-
nance of secession until April 17, 1861, and
then only after exacting the foremost rank in the
Confederacy and protection for her slave interests.
Even then she did not carry the whole state with
her ; for the western portion maintained their de-
termination to adhere to the Union, and was after-
wards recognized as a separate state. Arkansas,
North Carolina and Tennessee also passed ordi-
nances of secession.
February 4, i86r, the delegates of six of the
seceding states (South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississipi, Louisiana and Florida,) met in conven-
tion at Montgomery, Alabama, and formed a pro-
visional government, denominated "The Confed-
erate States of America," founded, as affirmed in
the inaugural address of its president, on the prin-
ciple of the inequaHty of men, and with human
slavery as its corner stone. Jefferson Davis was
elected President and Alexander H. Stephens,
Vice President. They were soon after elected
permanently for six years. The permanent consti-
tution was modeled substantially from that of the
United States. The following summer the seat of
• Draper's History of the A merican Cmil War I., S"7.
government was removed to Richmond and their
Congress opened its first session in that city, July
20, 1861, the day previous to the battle of Bull
Run.
The people of the South, deluded with the as-
sumption of their vast superiority over those of the
North, did not believe that the latter would offer
any great resistance to secession, much less attempt
to coerce them ; and the people of the North were
equally deceived as to the real intent of the former,
beHeving that secession was not meditated then,
but only employed as a means to extort further con-
cessions. Not, however, that they failed to per-
ceive the ultimate issue of the threatening antago-
nism of the times, but that it was hoped — believed,
that an amicable adjustment would be reached.
Wm. H. Seward, in referring to this subject in
1858, said: "Shall I tell you what this conflict
means ? They who think it accidental, unnecessary,
the work of interested or fanatical agitators, and
therefore ephemeral, mistake the case altogether.
It is an irrepressible conflict between opposing and
enduring forces.'' Notwithstanding, the South did
not fail to make extensive preparation for a forced
separation. In this they were aided by their long-
continued control of the Federal government, both
in its executive and legislative branches. When
war became inevitable, and the North found it nec-
essary to prepare for it, the Federal treasury was de-
pleted ; the army — a large portion of it — was sta-
tioned in the distant State of Texas, where it was
surrendered with all its equipments to the Confed-
erates ; the navy was dispersed to distant foreign
stations, so that when the war broke out there was
only one war vessel on the whole northern coast,
and not a gun on the Mississippi and its great sys-
tem of waters; the material of war was distributed
throughout various places in the South, where, as
was contemplated, it was seized, together with
mints, arsenals and fortifications, by the authorities
of the seceded States, and appropriated to the uses
of the Confederates. Many of the officers both in
the army and navy treacherously deserted to the
Confederacy; as likewise did the legislators of the
seceded States, not, however, until they had done
their utmost to embarrass the Federal authorities,
and to procure legislation to the detriment of the
Union and in the interest of their confederates, so
that when the North awoke to the reaUties of war,
they found their enemy abundantly supphed with
the materials of war, and with an army already in
a well-advanced state of discipline ; while they,
though seriously crippled to furnish these, were ut-
136
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
terly destitute of both. Their efforts to supply
these, as well as their early military movements,
were long embarrassed by spies in the persons of
government employees and the host of secession
sympathizers who abode in Washington.
The delay of Virginia saved to the Union the
stronghold of Fortress Monroe, the most important
of our southern coast defenses.
During the night of December 26, i860. Major
Robert Anderson, who was then in command of
the insignificant government forces in Charleston,
and stationed in Fort Moultrie, one of the weaker
works in that harbor, after repeated entreaties for
aid from the authorities at Washington, removed
his force to Fort Sumter, which is built on an arti-
ficial island, made of stone chips from the quarries
of New England, and had cost the government a
million of dollars. This act Major Anderson be-
lieved to be warranted by his instructions from the
President, which were to the effect that while he
" must carefully avoid every act which might need-
lessly provoke collision, if attacked, he must defend
himself to the last extremity." He was also au-
thorized, if attacked, or if he had tangible evidence
of a design of that kind, to put his command into
either of the forts he might think best. It never-
theless greatly surprised the President, who had
" carefully abstained from increasing the force in
that harbor, or taking any measures which might
add to the public excitement there," and filled the
impetuous South Carohnans with indignation and
rage. The latter immediately took possession of
Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie, the guns of
which had been spiked and carriages burned by
Anderson before leaving it, and hoisted over these
and the government buildings in that city the pal-
metto flag. They also forcibly seized the government
arsenal in Charleston, which through the careful
providence of the traitor, Floyd, while Secretary of
War, was well-supplied with the material of war,
the munitions contained therein being estimated to
be worth a half million of dollars.
An attempt was made to reenforce and provis-
ion Fort Sumter, and on the 5th of January, the
unarmed steamer Star of the West left New York
for that purpose. The Confederate authorities at
Charleston were apprised of her departure, (which
it was designed should be kept secret,) by Mr.
Thompson, of Mississippi, who was then Secretary
of the Interior, and present at the Cabinet meet-
ing which made provision therefor. She was fired
upon from a battery on Morris Island and struck,
and an attempt was made to cut her off by two
steamers and a schooner. She returned to New
York without having accomplished her object.
South Carolina, immediately after passing the
ordinance of secession, sent commissioners to Pres-
ident Buchanan to negotiate for the transfer of the
public property within her borders and establish
amicable relations with the Government in her
sovereign capacity. Compliance was, of course
promptly declined. So, likewise, were similar pro-
positions made to President Lincoln, March 12,
1 86 1, by representatives of the Confederate gov-
ernment.
Failing in this, South Carolina immediately com-
menced a systematic organization of her troops and
the construction of works for the reduction of Fort
Sumter, which she continued for several months
unmolested. By April, fourteen batteries with
thirty heavy guns and seventeen mortars were
completed ready for this object, and on the loth
of that month. Gen. Beauregard, who was placed
in command of Charleston, was instructed to de-
mand the immediate surrender of the Fort, and on
refusal, to reduce it. He made the demand the fol-
lowing day, and compliance being declined, he
commenced the bombardment on the morning of
the 1 2th. Fort Sumter made no reply for nearly
three hours. The first shot in defense of the
Union was fired at 7 o'clock, a. m., of that day,
by Capt. Abner Doubleday. The Fort was sur-
rendered on the 13th, and on the 14th, Anderson,
without the loss of a man, marched out with his
command, consisting of thirty-five artillerists, nine
officers, thirty laborers, and fifteen musicians, and
left on the steamer Isabel for New York. The ex-
ample thus set by South Carolina was quickly fol-
lowed by the other seceding States, until they had
possessed themselves of nearly every one of the
southern coast defenses.
The firing upon Sumter put an end to the hope
which largely prevailed in the North that the dif-
ferences between it and the South could be ad-
justed by peaceful arbitration. The Administra.
tion, which haS studiously abstained from any act
which might prejudice an amicable settlement — a
means which the South, though fully determined
to apply force if necessary, would gladly have ac-
cepted— were now convinced that the application
of force was necessary. It was a relief to many
who were clamorous that secession should be op-
posed as promptly and vigorously as was nullifica-
tion, and who chafed under the diplomatic restraints
with which the Administration surrounded itself in
the hope of promoting a peaceful solution of the
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
137
difficulties. The London Times, which represent-
ed, and in no small measure manufactured, public
opinion, not only in Great Britain but also through-
out Europe, in referring to this period, ungenerous-
ly or unwittingly said : —
" The secession of South Carolina is to them
what the secession of Lancashire would be to us ;
it is treason and should be put down. But the
North is full of sophists, rhetoricians, logicians and
lawyers ; it has not a man of action. Mr. Seward
can tell us what will not save the Union, but not
what will. He looks upon secession as ideal and
impossible. While he is dreaming the Confede-
racy is strengthening. The Union seems to be
destined to fall without a struggle, without a
lament, without an epitaph. Each individual
State finds numberless citizens ready to lay down
their lives for its preservation ; but for the Union,
the mighty firmament in which those stars are set,
and which, though dark itself, lends them their
peculiar lustre, nothing is done."
But how different is this from the real picture !
On the 15 th of April, two days after the fall of
Sumter, President Lincoln called on the several
States for 75,000 men to suppress the uprising,
which was then regarded, even by those in the best
position to judge, as little more than an evanes-
cent emeute. The proclamation also called an ex-
tra session of Congress to be convened on the 4th
of July. On the 19th of April he established a
blockade of the forts of South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tex-
as; and on the 27th of that month extended it to
those of Virginia and North Carolina.
The people were ready and promptly responded
to the call of the President. Had the prescience
of the governmental authorities been equal to the
readiness and willingness of the common people,
in all probability we should have been spared much
of the bitter fruitage which early lassitude com-
pelled us to reap. "To an eye-witness," says
Draper, in referring to the response of the North,
" there was something very impressive in the action
of the people. A foreign observer remarked,
' With them all is sacrifice, devotion, grandeur and
purity of purpose — with the poor, if possible, even
more than the rich.' In the large cities great
meetings were held, in which men of all parties
united. Party lines vanished. There was none of
that frantic delirium which was manifested in the
Slave States, but a solemn acceptance of what was
clearly recognized to be a fearful but unavoidable
duty — 'Faint not, falter not; the repubUc is in
peril' "* The Livingston Union, of Mt. Morris, in
referring to secession, in an editorial under date of
* Draper's History of the American Civil IVar, II., 79-
March 20, 1861, says: — " * * * it can no
longer be treated as a brief malady whose virulence
will subside under the influence of careful nursing
and soothing mixtures. Its cure, if possible at all,
will require the greatest wisdom — the most self-
sacrificing patriotism." Such it proved.
On the day after the proclamation was issued
some Pennsylvania companies reported for duty in
Washington, just in time to frustrate a plot for the
seizure of that city.* Within four days Massachu-
setts had despatched four regiments, and in less
than a week her whole quota was far in advance
towards Washington. The passage of the Sixth
Massachusetts through Baltimore on the 19th of
April was resisted by an infuriated mob, which
assailed it with guns and revolvers, and with
bricks, stones and pieces of iron thrown from the
upper windows of the houses. The regiment sus-
tained a loss of three killed and eight wounded,
and killed eleven and wounded four of the assail-
ants. Maryland and others of the border slave
states endeavored to observe an "armed neutrality"
between the North and South — a means by which
they hoped to secure immunity from attack them-
selves, while they would be able to aid the South
by prohibiting the passage of Northern troops
through their borders, and by giving her direct
material succor under this guise.
New York, instead of filling the requisition on
her for seventeen regiments — -between 13,000 and
14,000 men — for three months, for which the
75,000 were called, raised 30,000 men for two
years and added a war loan of $3,000,000. Many
other states acted in hke manner ; Rhode Island
not only instantly sent her quota and added a loan,
but her governor, Sprague, went at the head of her
troops. Within fifteen days 350,000 men had
offered their services.
The South, by years of anticipation and covert
preparation, were in a better state of readiness
than the North, and were thus able to precipitate
events with astounding rapidity. The conviction
of the extent of that preparation, the magnitude of
the struggle, and the means necessary to oppose it,
forced itself only gradually on the minds of the
authorities at Washington, who repressed rather
than stimulated a popular uprising.
It soon became evident that the time of the
75,000 three months' men would expire before
they could be fully armed and equipped. On the
3d of May, 1 86 1, a call was issued for 42,034 vol-
unteers for three years, and provision made to in-
* Ibid II, ^^.
138
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
crease the regular army by 22,714 men and the
navy by 18,000 men, for five years. On the ist
of July two hundred and eighty regiments had been
accepted. Congress met July 4th and July 22,
1861, voted $500,000,000 and 400,000 more men,
of which New York's quota was 25,000 men, who
were called for on the 25th of July, four days after
the disastrous battle of Bull Run, which was fought
on Sunday, July 21, 1 861, mostly with three months'
men, whose time was then expiring. July 29th the
addition of 25,000 men to the regular army was
authorized.
Livingston county's contributions to the quotas
under these early calls were both prompt and gen-
erous. Public meetings were held in various parts
of the county and eloquently addressed by able
speakers. Each village and hamlet became the
center of an organized effort in this interest, and
as these measures were mostly prosecuted by the
several towns in their independent capacities, they
will be noticed more in detail in connection with
the several towns. Six hundred volunteers were
raised in the county for the first thirty-eight two-
years' regiments. In Dansville, seventy-seven men
were recruited by Captain Carl Stephan, and be-
came Co. B of the 13th regiment; for which a
second company (G) was raised there by Captain
Ralph T. Wood in the summer and fall of 1861.
During the winter a third company was raised for
this regiment in Dansville and Rochester, by Job
C. Hedges and Albert S. Lema, of Dansville, and
Lt. C. S. Benjamin, of Co. A in that regiment, who
opened an office in Rochester. Enough men for
another company were raised in Avon, Lima, Li-
vonia, GeneseuandCaledonia^ and were distributed
through that regiment. Captain James Perkins
recruited eighty-five men in Lima, and Captain
Charles E. Martin, eighty-eight men in Mt. Mor-
ris, for the 27th regiment, the former becoming Co.
G and the latter Co. H. Captain Wilson B. War-
ford recruited seventy-four men in Geneseo, and
Captain James M. McNair, seventy-seven in Nunda,
for the 33d regiment, the former becoming Co. E
and the latter Co. F. Both these towns subse-
quently sent forward recruits to fill the depleted
ranks of their companies. A large number of young
men of this county enlisted in various cavalry and
artillery regiments — the 19th, 22dand 24th cavalry
and 14th artillery.
The 13th Regiment was raised in Rochester, by
Col. Isaac F. Quimby, and in April, 1861, and on
its organization in Elmira, May 6, i86r, Captain
Stephan, of the Dansville companjr, was chosen
Lieutenant-Colonel, George Hyland, Jr., who was
formerly First Lieutenant of his company, became
its captain. The Dansville band joined this regi-
ment in Elmira, May 20th. It was the first regi-
ment which passed through Baltimore after the
Sixth Massachusetts was assaulted in the streets of
that city by a mob. It served two years with
marked distinction and was mustered out on the
14th of May, 1863. It participated in the follow-
ing battles, as detailed in the Dansville Advertiser
of February, 12, 1863 : —
Cub Run, July 18, 1861.
Bull Run, " . 21, 1861.
Yorktown, April 5, 1862.
Siege of Yorktown till May 4, 1862.
Hanover Court House, " 27, 1862.
Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862.
Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862.
Malvern Hill, July i, 1862.
Manassas, August 30, 1862.
Shepardstown, Sept. 17, 1862.
Antietam, " 19, 1862.
Fredericksburgh, Dec. 13, 1862.
The 27th Regiment was organized at Elmira,
May 21, 1861. It was composed, besides the
companies from this county, of Capt. Adams' com-
pany from Lyons, Capt. Chambers' company from
White Plains, the companies of Capts. Bartlett,
Rodgers and Jay, from Binghamton, of Capt. Ar-
chilles, from Albion, of Capt. Gardiner, from An-
gelica, and Capt. Wanzer, from Rochester. Henry
W. Slocum, of Syracuse, a graduate of West Point,
and for eighteen years in the regular service, hav-
ing participated in the Florida and Mexican wars,
was chosen Colonel ; Joseph J. Chambers, of
White Plains, Lieutenant-Colonel; and Joseph J.
Bartlett, of Binghamton, Major. As it was cus-
tomary to give the early regiments names in addi-
tion to their numeral designation, this was denomi-
nated "Union Regiment."
It was mustered at Elmira, for two years, July 5,
1861, and the next day set out for Washington,
where it arrived on the nth, and was assigned to
the First brigade, (Col. Andrew Porter,) of the
Second division, (Gen. Hunter.) It left Washing-
ton on the i6th and on the i8th encamped near
Centerville. At two o'clock on the morning of
Sunday, July 21, 1861, it marched to the field of
Bull Run, where it first encountered the 27th Vir-
ginia regiment, which fell back. It next met the
8th Georgia, which fell back till reenforced, when
the 27th was repulsed and took refuge under a hilL
It was soon ordered to charge a battery stationed
on a knoll, which it did under a heavy fire which
told fearfully on its ranks. Col. Slocum was
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
139
wounded, the color guard reduced from nine to
two. The movement was abandoned. It retired
from the field in good order, but on reaching the
road its ranks were broken and it participated in
the confused retreat to Washington. August 14th
it encamped near Alexandria, where Col. Slocum
was promoted Brigadier-General, and Lieut.-
Colonel Chambers resigned. Major Bartlett was
made Colonel, Captain Adams, Lieut.-Colonel,
and Capt. Gardiner, Major. Sept. 12th the regi-
ment, having been assigned to Slocum's brigade,
with the 1 6th New York and Franklin's division,
commenced the construction of Fort Lyon, and on
the 14th of October went into winter quarters four
miles north of it.
March 13, 1862, the Division with which it was
connected was attached to Gen. McDowell's (ist)
corps. April i6th the divisions of Generals
Franklin and Smith were detached from Mc-
Dowell's corps, and May 7 th, were organized as
the 6th corps, under Gen. Franklin, Gen. Slocum
succeeding Franklin in command of the Division.
This arrangement was not subsequently changed
during the term of service of the 27 th, although
the officers in command were changed, Gen.
Bartlett succeeding to the command of the brigade,
Gen. Brooks, to that of the division, and Gen.
Sedgwick, to that of the corps.
April 12, 1862, the division to which the 27th
belonged embarked on transports, and on the after-
noon of the 23d sailed to Fortress Monroe. On
the 24th it encamped on the Peninsula about seven
miles from Yorktown, in the siege of which it par-
ticipated. May 5th, the day succeeding the evacu-
ation of Yorktown, it went with other forces to the
head of navigation on York river and landed under
cover of the gunboats, which dispersed the rebel
cavalry and. infantry skirmishing on the shore.
The 27th were the first to land, and as the enemy
was near, six companies were deployed as skirm-
ishers, the others acting as a reserve. Picket firing
was opened and continued during the night. The
regiment lost several in killed and wounded, and
captured a few prisoners. On the morning of the
7th the enemy surprised the Union troops while at
breakfast, but were repulsed after a sharp engage-
ment with the loss of one of their batteries.
On Thursday, the 22d of May, a recomioissaiice
was made in which the 27th participated; and
from this time until June 29th it was actively en-
gaged, most of the time in skirmishing, in connec-
tion with McClellan's peninsula campaign. On
the afternoon of the 27th, the second of the Seven
Days' Fight, it crossed the Chickahominy to the
support of Gen. Porter, who was strongly pressed
by an overwhelming rebel force, and took part in
the desperate encounter of Gaines' Mill. The 2 7th
went into action about 5 p. m., on the extreme
right of Porter's corps, drove the enemy from his
position by a bayonet charge, and captured a large
number of prisoners. They held their position till
dark, when Porter withdrew his forces and joined
in the retreat towards Harrison's Landing. The
regiment lost in this engagement 179 men in killed,
wounded and missing. At Charles City Cross
Roads, on the 30th of June, it skirmished and sup-
ported batteries; and at Malvern Hill, July ist,
was early sent into action on the right of the army
to prevent a flank movement.
The regiment remained at Harrison's Landing
till about the middle of August, when, McClellan
having been ordered to withdraw his army to the
support of Gen. Pope in repelling Lee's sortie
through Maryland, it retraced its steps down the
Peninsula, and embarked at Newport News for
Alexandria. Thence it was sent to the support of
Pope, and arrived at Centerville on the night of
the 30th of August, in time to cover Pope's retreat
from the second battle of Bull Run, but too late to
affect the issue of that desperately fought contest.
It followed the retreat and went into camp at Fort
Lyon.
The regiment was engaged in the battle of South
Mountain, Sept. 14th, acting as skirmishers and
routing a rebel battery; and in that of Antietam,
with its horrible carnage, three days later, but,
though supporting batteries and being under heavy
fire all day, suffered no loss. It join ed in the pur-
suit of Lee, and on the 13th of December, shared
with the army under Burnside, who superseded Mc-
Clellan in command Nov. 8th, in the terrible dis-
aster at Fredericksburgh. The 27th was the first
regiment to cross the Rappahannock in the left
grand division of the army. Burnside withdrew
his army from this memorable field on the 15th,
and the 27th spent the winter in camp at White
Oak church. In the latter part of April it was
again engaged at Fredericksburgh, under Sedgwick ;
and on the 3d of May, in the disastrous defeat at
Chancellorsville, under Hooker. From this time
it guarded Bank's Ford till the expiration of its
term of service. May 13, 1863, General Sedgwick
directed their muster out, which took place at
Elmira, May 31, 1863. The order contained the
following allusion to their services : —
" The general commanding the corps congratu-
140
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
lates the officers and men of the 27th N. Y. Vols,
upon their honorable return to civil life. They
have enjoyed the respect and confidence of their
commanders and companions. They have illustra-
ted their term of service by gallant deeds and have
won for themselves a reputation not surpassed in
the Army of the Potomac, and have nobly earned
the gratitude of the Republic."
The 33d Regiment, composed, besides the
companies from this county, of two companies
from Seneca Falls and one each from Pal-
myra, Waterloo, Geneva, Canandaigua, Penn Yan
and Buffalo, was organized at Elmira, May 21, 186 1,
and Robert F. Taylor chosen Colonel. It left that
rendezvous on the 8th of July, and like the 27th,
with which its military career was nearly a parallel,
shared the varying fortunes of the Army of the Po-
tomac, participating in the battles of Yorktown,
Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Lee's Mill,
Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburgh,
besides other minor engagements, and at the expi-
ration of its term of service, being connected with
the command of Gen. Sedgwick, received from him
the same compUmentary notice as the 27th. The
regiment was mustered out June 2, 1863.
Livingston County raised 750 two years' volun-
teers between June i, 1861, and July i, 1862 ; and
1,500 three years' volunteers from July i, 1862, to
July I, 1863, making a total of 2,850 up to the
latter date. Some portion of these were connected
with the 75th and 89th regiments. The second
company of volunteers from Mt. Morris, which was
raised by Capt. C. W. Burt, and left for Elmira
September 13, 1861, was attached to the latter
regiment which was commanded by Col. Fairchild
and left Elmira for Washington, December 6,
1861. It sailed with Burnside's Expedition, and
was left at Fort Clark, Cape Hatteras, where the
men were drilled.
Sept. 24, 1861, a regimental camp was formed at
Geneseo, under Col. John Rorbach, for recruiting
the 104th Regiment, or " Wadsworth Guards," a
name it received in honor of General James S.
Wadsworth, who was desirous that Livingston
county should be represented in the service by a
complete regiment, and first suggested its organiza-
tion. Recruiting for it was general throughout
most of this county and in a portion of Wyoming
county. Sept. 30, i86r, Capt. Henry G. Tuthill,
with sixty men, arrived in Geneseo, with the first
company for this regiment. It afterwards became
Co. A. The second company of about forty men
reported three or four days after. These two com-
panies were quartered in the hotels of the village
until barracks for their accommodation were built
soon after, on the old camp ground at the head of
North street. To this rendezvous, which received
the name of Camp Union, the men were sent as
fast as they arrived. By the 24th of January, 186 2
ten companies had been recruited to the minimum
number and on that day were mustered into the
United States service by Capt. E. G. Marshall. By
the close of February the regiment had been re-
cruited to 683 enlisted men and 20 commissioned
officers; and on the 25th of that month it left Gen-
eseo, " amid the cheers and tears of thousands, who
had assembled to bid them ' God-speed,' " for Al-
bany, where it was formed into seven companies
and consolidated with a skeleton regiment of about
300 men, under command of Col. John J. Viele
then in camp at Troy, which became Companies
H, I and K of the 104th, the seven companies
from Geneseo being lettered from A to G, inclus-
ive. The regiment thus formed contained 1,040
men, and the following is a roster of the field,
staff and commissioned officers, as taken from the
order organizing the regiment, issued March 8
1862 :—
Colonel — ^John Rorbach.
Lieut.-Colonel — R. Wells Kenyon.
Major — Lewis C. Skinner.
Adjutant — Frederick T. Vance.
Quarter-Master — Henry V. Colt.
Surgeon — Enos G. Chase.
Asst- Surgeon — Douglas S. Landon.
Chaplain — Daniel Russell.
Company A— Captain, Henry G. Tuthill ; First
Lieutenant, ; Second Lieutenant, Al-
bert S. Haver.
Company B — Captain, Lehman H.Day; First
Lieutenant, Henry A. Wiley ; Second Lieutenant,
Homer M. StuU.
Company C— Captain, Stephen L. Wing; First
Lieutenant, Henry Runyan; Second Lieutenant,
Nelson J. Wing.
Company D— Captain, Zophar Simpson ; First
Lieutenant, Jacob H. Stutt ; Second Lieutenant,
George H. Starr.
Company E— Captain, H. C. Lattimore; First
Lieutenant, Wm. F. Lozier; Second Lieutenant,
Wm. L. Trembley.
Company F— Captain, Gilbert G. Prey; First
Lieutenant, Luman F. Dow; Second Lieutenant,
W. J. Hemstreet.
Company G— Captain, James A. Gault ; First
Lieutenant, John P. Rudd ; Second Lieutenant,
John R. Strang.
Company H— Captain, James K. Selleck; First
Lieutenant, E. B. Wheeler ; Second Lieutenant,
Thomas Johnston.
Company I— Captain, John Kelley; First Lieu-
tenant, J. J. McCarffey; Second Lieutenant, Chas.
\V. Fisher.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
141
Company K — Captain, John C. Thompson ;
First Lieutenant, John H. Miller; Second Lieuten-
ant, Wm. C. Wilson.
The regiment left Albany on the 20th of March,
and late in the evening of the 2 2d arrived in Wash-
ington, where for the first time the men had the
experience, so common in after years, of sleeping
upon the open ground, or the still more filthy de-
pot floor. The next day it went into camp at
Kalorama Heights, three miles from the Capitol,
and there remained about three weeks, during
which time arms (Enfield rifles) and accoutrements
were issued to the men, and ceaseless drill went on.
Early in April it was attached to Gen. Abram
Duryee's brigade, which also contained the 97th
and 105th New York and 107th Pennsylvania reg-
iments. After a month spent at Alexandria in
drill, in which the 104th excelled, it advanced to
Catlett Station, Va., to be in position for the for-
ward movement by McDowell from Fredericks-
burgh. Here the regiment was presented with a
magnificent stand of colors, gurdons, etc., by Mrs.
Gen. James S. Wadsworth, in recognition of the
compHment paid her gallant husband in naming
the regiment the " Wadsworth Guards."
On the 24th of May, the 104th was detached
from its brigade and proceeded by rail to Thorough-
fare Gap to join the command of Gen. Geary,
who was then confronting Gen. Jackson in the
Shenandoah Valley. It arrived in time to partici-
pate in a hasty and toilsome retreat to Manassas,
in which it lost its tents, stores and equipage which
could not be carried on the person. On the 28th
of May, it returned to Catlett Station, where it re-
mained three weeks as an independent command,
picketing all the adjacent country. About the
middle of June, Gen. Duryee, who had withdrawn
during the temporary absence of the regiment, re-
turned with the rest of the brigade to Catlett Sta-
tion. The camp of the 104th was removed to a
low marsh, which resulted disastrously to the health
of the regiment, diarrhea and a low type of mala-
rial fever becoming very prevalent. Several lives
were thus sacrificed and about one hundred were
sent to general hospitals, many. of whom never re-
turned to duty with the regiment.
July 5th the brigade moved to Warrenton, and
on the 2 2d to Waterloo, where it was attached to
Rickett's division of McDowell's corps. August
5th Gen. Pope, who was assigned to the consoli-
dated commands of Fremont, Banks and McDow-
ell, designated the Army of Virginia, June 26,
1862, commenced a diversion in favor of McClel-
lan, who was operating on the Peninsula, which
eventually brought on him the combined and over-
whelming forces of Lee and Jackson, and forced
his dispirited columns, shattered in the fierce con-
flicts on the plains of Manassas, within the defenses
of Washington. The first contest occurred at
Cedar Mountain on the 9th of August. The 104th
reached the field of battle on the evening of that
day, but too late to take any special part in the en-
gagement. It was for a time, (the first time,) under
a sharp artillery fire, but sustained no loss. His
communications being threatened, Jackson, though
the victor in this encounter, retired across the
Rapidan, whence Pope's retrograde movement
commenced on the i8th. Pope took post behind
the north fork of the Rappahannock on the 19th,
where the 104th held a position near the railroad
bridge crossing that stream, and was exposed to a
sharp artillery fire, during a feigned attempt ot the
enemy to cross the river to facilitate Jackson's
flank movement by Thoroughfare Gap, on the
right of Pope's army. The regiment was detached
with its division to intercept Jackson's retreat
through Thoroughfare Gap, but met the enemy in
such force as to compel a retreat to Manassas,
where it arrived on the evening of the 29th, after
an exhausting march of nearly thirty miles. The
men slept on their arms, and at early dawn the
next day relieved some troops who were holding
a piece of woods through which ran an unused
raihoad embankment. The line was advanced
across this embankment under a sharp musketry
fire from the enemy concealed in the dense under-
growth beyond. The regiment sustained a loss of
several in killed and wounded, including one officer,
Lieut. John P. Rudd. The line retired behind the
embankment, which it held, notwithstanding a
fierce attempt was made to dislodge it. About
noon the brigade was removed to a new position,
from which it was forced back about 4 p. m., by
an overwhelming force of the enemy, retreating in
haste and some confusion, in common with the
rest of the army, to Centerville, which was reached
during the night. The loss sustained by the 104th
was five killed, forty-one wounded and forty-eight
missing, most of the latter of whom were taken
prisoners.
During the succeeding night the retreat was con-
tinued to Fairfax Court House, and on the after-
noon of Sept. I St, the 104th was hurried toward
the field of Chantilly, where, during a terrible
thunder storm, a second attempt to turn Pope's
flank by Jackson was defeated by Gen. Kearney,
142
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
who, together with Gen. Stevens, were killed in
that action.
Then followed the retreat to Washington, the
retirement of Gen. Pope, the return of McClellan
to the chief command, and various other changes,
including the substitution of Hooker for McDowell
as the corps commander of the 104th.
After a halt of only four days in the vicinity of
Washington, began the Maryland campaign, in
which the first note-worthy event was the battle of
South Mountain, which occurred on the 14th of
September. While Reno's attack was progressing,
Rickett's division pressed up the mountain about 5
p. M., and reached the crest in time to participate
in the engagement. Duryee's brigade, of which
the T04th led the advance, occupied the right of
the line, and forced its way through fields and
tangled underbrush, and over steep and ragged
rocks, with great impetuosity. The 104th escaped
with the loss of only one man wounded, the fire of
the enemy passing over their heads owing to the
steepness of the ascent.
On the evening of the i6th, position was taken
upon the field of Antietam. At early dawn of the
following day. Hooker, who occupied the right of
McClellan's line, made a furious attack, and drove
Jackson's brigade, with severe loss, upon his
reserves, who, after an infuriated struggle, checked
Hooker's advance. Duryee's brigade, which had
been designated as a reserve the night previous,
now found itself upon the front, without any reserve.
Advancing steadily in a position absolutely without
shelter, they were met with a terrific storm of iron
and lead, which at last rendered it beyond the
power of mortal man to advance farther, and the
men lay down for temporary shelter. Twice they
were driven sullenly back, but rallying again,
each time with desperate energy, they again ad-
vanced, and held their Une until the arrival of
reenforcements about 10 a. m., when they were
withdrawn. "The antagonists," says Draper, "fight-
ing in a cloud of sulphury smoke, almost extermi-
nated each other." The loss of the 104th in
this engagement was nine killed and sixty-seven
wounded.
To this succeeded the inactivity of camp hfe at
Mercersville, Md., till the 26th of October, when
the army crossed into Virginia, and on the 7 th of
December the regiment was on the banks of the
Rappahannock, a few miles below Fredericksburgh.
During these marches Burnside had superseded
McClellan in command of the army ; Maj.-Gen.
John F. Reynolds was now the corps commander;
Brig.-Gen. John Gibbon, in command of the
division, and Col. A. R. Root, of the brigade;
while Major Skinner succeeded Col. Prey in com-
mand of the regiment.
The 104th crossed the river on the 12th and on
the 13th went into action below Fredericksburgh,
participating in the assault of Gen. FrankUn on the
left of the line, which broke through the enemy's line,
and gained the heights, but being unsupported was
forced back. The brigade with which the 104th
was connected, having been in reserve, was ordered
to drive the enemy from a sunken railroad track,
which they did by a gallant bayonet charge, cap-
turing about 200 prisoners and driving the enemy
far into the woods beyond. The right, under
Sumner, who was principally engaged, was the
scene of a terrible carnage. The 104th lost in this
ill-starred encounter 5 killed, 45 wounded, and 3
missing, of the latter of whom two were afterwards
ascertained to have been killed. During the night
of the 15th Burnside quietly withdrew his army to
the north side of the river without loss, and the
104th went into winter quarters near Belle Plain,
Va., where it remained till near the ist of May
following, the quiet of winter being only once inter-
rupted by that episode known as " Burnside's Mud
March."
On the 28th of April the regiment left its winter
camp and advanced first to Fredericksburgh, and
thence to the field of ChancellorswUe, but was not
actively engaged in that disastrous conflict. It
again went into camp at White Oak church, and
there remained until the middle of June, when it
participated in those movements which culminated
at Gettysburgh, the battle of the war, at which
place the 104th arrived July ist. On the morning
of that day, Buford's cavalry met and engaged the
enemy to the westward of Gettysburg, holding him
in partial check till Reynolds reached the scene of
action, with Wadsworth's division in advance. Al-
most with the first dash of the infantry forces came
the great disaster of the day— the death of Gen.
Reynolds, who commanded the corps to which the
104th belonged. Our forces gained a temporary
advantage, Wadsworth's division driving the ene-
my some distance, and capturing numerous prison-
ers, among them Gen. Archer. But, though How-
ard had come to their support with the i ith corps,
the rapidly increasing disparity in their numbers
compelled them to give way. With a persistence
and tenacity worthy of all praise the ist corps clung
to the Une of Seminary Ridge, prolonging the line
of battle to the right by utilizing all the reserve,
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
143
until at last the whole corps was in one line of bat-
tle, the 104th being upon the extreme right, and
resting upon the Cashtown road, at some distance
beyond which, with quite an interval between, were
deployed two divisions of the nth corps. All
along this line from 10 a. m., until about 3 P. m.,
waged a hotly contested battle.
During the last hour of this time the loss of the
104th was very severe, as it was exposed to a mur-
derous enfilading fire at short range. The arrival
of Swell's forces from York and Carlisle, forced
back the divisions of the i ith corps with confusion,
and gave easy access to the flank and rear of the
I St corps, which fell back slowly and sullenly
on the city, in the streets of which it became a
broken and confused mass. They were closely fol-
lowed by the enemy, who poured in their fire with
deadly effect and secured a good many prisoners.
They soon reached Cemetery Hill, where Gen.
Howard, by a happy inspiration, had posted his
third division, with three batteries of artillery, and
behind these the shattered corps withdrew to re-
form its ranks. Three officers and forty-three men
of the 104th alone answered to the first roll-call.
On the morning of the next day the number had
increased to ninety.
During the rest of the battle the first corps was
held in reserve, brigades and regiments being de-
tached to strengthen weak points hard pressed by the
enemy. Thus it happened that the brigade to
which the 104th was attached took part in the
fierce struggle on the evening of the 2d of July,
when Sickles' corps was almost overwhelmed ; and
again on the 3d were called on to occupy succes-
sively several distinct points where danger seemed
to be great, finally taking part in the repulse of
Pettigrew's division in the afternoon, and being in
plain sight of the wonderful charge made by Pick-
ett's division on that memorable day.
The casualties in the 104th were 15 killed, 86
wounded, and 94 missing, (mostly taken prisoners,)
at least nine-tenths of which occurred on the first
day.
Lee was feebly pursued intoVirginia, and various
counter movements ensued without, however,
bringing on an engagement. During the succeed-
ing fall about 250 recruits were infused into the
shattered ranks of the regiment ; but as a large
number of these were substitutes and men who had
enlisted to make money by the operation, and took
the first opportunity to desert, not much more than
half that number was a real addition to its strength.
The brigade to which the 104th belonged, then
composed additionally of the i6th Maine, and the
13th and 39th Massachusetts, was removed about
the 20th of December, 1863, to Mitchell's Station,
in the immediate vicinity of the battlefield of Cedar
Mountain, where it did out-post and picket duty,
far in advance of the rest of the army, until the
opening of the spring of 1864. During the winter
1 13 men of this regiment who had served two
years, reenlisted for three years. They received a
thirty-days' furlough, and were designated by gen-
eral orders " veteran volunteers." During this
time also a reorganization of the Army of the Po-
tomac was effected. The 104th was attached to
the 5th corps, to the command of which Major
General G. K. Warren was assigned.
On the 4th of May, 1864, the Army of the Po-
tomac, now commanded by Gen. U. S. Grant, com-
menced a vigorous advance movement, the 5th
corps taking the lead. The enemy was encoun-
tered on the sth in the " Wilderness," and then com-
menced a series of battles and movements, which,
from the stupendous losses they inflicted on our
army, were without a parallel in the history of the
war. The 104th took an honorable part in the
battles of the Wilderness, and the several engage-
ments at Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna
River and Bethesda Church. In the forty-three
days which elapsed between the crossing of the
Rapidan and the James, there were but five in
which the regiment was not under fire. The total
losses during this period were 6 killed, 37 wounded
and 3 missing.
The regiment crossed the James on the i6th of
June and were hurried forward to the front of Pe-
tersburg, the heights to the south of which had
been carried the previous day by Gen. W. F.
Smith. On the i8th, to the 104th New York and
1 2th Massachusetts was assigned the task of cap-
turing the Petersburg and Norfolk railroad, which
they did in splendid style, in the face of a heavy
artillery fire at short range, "the charge of the
104th on that occasion," says Col. John R. Strang,
to whose history of the regiment we are mainly in-
debted for these facts, "being, in my opinion, the
most brilliant achievement of their whole service.
Not content with capturing the railroad, they
pushed forward to a considerable distance beyond,
and then deploying as skirmishers, drove the rebel
skirmishers inside of their earthworks, and for a
time, by picking off the exposed artillerymen,
silenced the battery which had so annoyed them
during the charge, enabling our line of battle to
take possession of the railroad track without loss."
144
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
On the 26th of June it moved to the Jerusalem
Plank Road, where the brigade constructed and
garrisoned Fort Warren, afterwards officially desig-
nated Fort Davis, and was constantly engaged in
picket and skirmish duty until about the i8th of
August. On the morning of that day it made a
long detour to the southwest, struck the Weldon
railroad a few miles north of Ream's Station, and
took possession of it for several miles with but little
opposition. Up to the commencement of this
movement, from the time of crossing the James
river, the casualties in the regiment were 6 killed,
32 wounded and 2 missing. It then numbered less
than 300; but of these about 100 were recently
arrived recruits, who were unarmed and did not
accompany it.
This movement on the Weldon railroad left a
gap between Warren's corps, (the sth,) which was
engaged in it, and the troops on his right, and into
this, on the 19th of August, Lee thrust Mahone's
division, taking 2,000 prisoners, but being event-
ually driven back into his lines. The division to
which the 104th belonged, then commanded by
Gen. S. W. Crawford, occupied the right of War-
ren's line, and the brigade to which it belonged,
the right of that division. Suspecting that such an
attempt would be made, the 107th Pennsylvania
was ordered to deploy as skirmishers to prevent
surprise from that quarter ; but a vigorous attack
now being made on their front that regiment was
unable to execute the movement, and the 104th
were ordered from their hastily constructed trenches
for that purpose. After proceeding about one-
fourth of a mile through a dense forest filled with
underbrush, the regiment suddenly and unex-
pectedly encountered Mahone's division, by which
it was almost immediately surrounded. After a
few minutes' sharp fighting, in which a few were
wounded, every commissioned officer and nearly
every enlisted man, were captured and sent into
the rebel hues, where many of them died in rebel
prisons, and most of the remainder were so en-
feebled by exposure and starvation as to be wholly
unfit for further service. Few ever returned to the
regiment, which was thus left without a single field
or line officer present for duty, and so remained
during the entire fall and winter following. Its
ranks were increased by recruits until it again num-
bered about 250 enlisted men. Capt. Graham, of
the 39th Massachusetts, was assigned to its com-
mand, and it was ordered on duty at corps head-
quarters, where it remained until after Lee's sur-
render. Col. Strang, who was wounded and taken
prisoner at the Weldon railroad, returned to the
regiment April 5, 1865.
About the last of April, 18.65, the regiment was
restored to its former brigade, and accompanied
the army on its return to the vicinity of Washing-
ton. It was mustered out at Elmira, July ij^
1865, and paid off and finally discharged on the
29th of that month.
The following tabulated statement presents a
general summary of the total number of officers
and men who were ever connected with the regi-
ment, and the disposition of them : —
H M
£0 C
n! O
■ 2 u
: p<|
-a
^Q
-o -31 -g-Sf S E
o .231 i«| g ui «
Commis'ned Officers.
Non-commis'ed Staff.
Company A
B
C.
D
E
F
G
H.
I
K.
Totals. .
19 a
J t
4 '4|--
z l6| .
5 I5;.-
4 16 I
5 u,..
141 3
3 lol 1
1914
6.
67
57
78
56
60
72
66
46.
6 54-
fl <
IS 10
40, I!
3 10^
!«
Ji IS
17, 16
JJ, s
72:
71 11 4S; 7
7! 1 jz 19
6, i
IJ 1
10 I
l704 5zl3jl'3S ii6^;'647'<4 i^ 6'loo'lS il7loil6o
The serious losses sustained by the Federal
armies in the early campaigns of 1862, induced the
President on the 2d of July of that year, to call
for an additional 300,000 men, to serve for three
years or during the war ; and to faciUtate and sys-
tematize the labor of raising them, and equalize
the burdens to be borne, military districts were
formed, and committees appointed to represent the
various counties embraced therein. Under this
call, and the succeeding one on the 4th of August
following for a like number, the 130th and 136th
regiments were formed.
July 7, 1862, the State was divided into military
districts corresponding with the Senatorial districts.
Geneseo was designated the recruiting rendezvous
for the 30th district, which then comprised the
counties of Livingston, AHegany and Wyoming,
and the following named persons were constituted
the military committee for the district: Hon. Chas.
Colt, chairman, Amos A. Hendee, Walter E. Lau-
derdale, Geneseo; W. S. Fullerton, Sparta; James
Faulkner, Alonzo Bradner, Dansville ; McNeil Sey-
mour, Mt. Morris ; Alfred Bell, Nunda ; Martin
Grover, Wilkes Angel, Angelica ; M. B. Champlin,
Cuba; John B. Halsted, Castile; L. W. Thayer,
H. L. Comstock, Warsaw ; John B. Skinner, 2d,
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
145
Attica. Gen. W. S. FuUerton of Sparta, was se-
lected as the Commandant of the military depot for
this district, which, pursuant to the request of the
committee was soon changed to Portage, and there
barracks were erected for the accommodation of
recruits who rapidly congregated there.
With a view to stimulating enlistments, the follow-
ing enactments were passed by the general gov-
ernment : —
" War Department. )
"Washington, D. C, June 21, 1862. j
"Pursuant to a joint resolution of Congress to
encourage enlistments in the regular army and vol-
unteer forces it is
" Ordered, That a premium of two dollars shall
be paid for each accepted recruit that volunteers
for three years or during the war ; and every sol-
dier who hereafter enlists, either in the regular army
or the volunteers for three years, or during the war,
may receive his first month's pay in advance upon
the mustering of his company into the service of
the United States, or after he shall have been mus-
tered and joined a regiment already in the service.
This order will be transmitted to the Governors of
States and recruiting officers.
" Edwin M. Stanton,
" Secretary of War.''
" War Department, )
"Washington, D. C, July 2, 1862. )"
"Ordered, That out of the appropriation for
collecting, organizing and drilling volunteers, there
shall be paid in advance to each recruit for three
years, or during the war, the sum of $25, being
one -fourth of the amount of bounty allowed bylaw ;
such payment to be made upon the mustering of
the regiment to which such recruits belong into the
service of the United States.
"Edwin M. Stanton,
" Secretary of War."
In addition to the government bounty of $100,
Governor Morgan offered a State bounty of $50,
to be paid at once to each private soldier who
should enlist thereafter into the United States' ser-
vice.
Enlistments were stimulated by these induce-
ments, and in various parts of the county meetings
were held to promote that object. July 25, 1862,
an order was granted for raising the 130th Regiment,
and such was the energy displayed that its ranks
were filled within five weeks. An enthusiastic
meeting was held at Scottsburgh, in the town of
Sparta, July 28th, under the auspices of A. T.
Slaight, Supervisor of the town, who energetically
put his shoulder to the wheel, issuing stirring ap-
peals to the patriotic Spartans to rally to the call
of country. The M. E. church of Scottsburgh was
filled to repletion, and stirring speeches were made
by Drs. Jackson and Hurd and Prof. Porter of the
Dansville Water Cure, Dr. Jocelyn, Capt. Smith
and Lt. Lancey of Mt. Morris, and A. T. Slaight,
Wm. Scott and Col. McNair of Scottsburgh. A
committee was appointed to raise funds for the sup-
port of the families of those who enlisted. Another
meeting was held at the same place on the first of
August.
These were but samples of the energetic efforts
put forth throughout the county. Lockwood L.
Doty, then Private Secretary to Governor Morgan,
offered a premium of $100 to the first ten men
recruited in Groveland, his native town, in which
also a bounty of $50 was offered to the first com-
pany recruited in the district to the maximum stan-
dard. Generous bounties were also offered by the
several towns. Prof. Smith of the Academy in Mt.
Morris, took hold of the business of recruiting with
a will, to raise a company of which he was to be
Captain, and Rev. S. H. Lancey, (who had seen
service in the army as chaplain,) Lieutenant.
Springwater, which had already done more than
any other town in the county of its size, held a
mass meeting July 31st.
In Geneseo, Sidney Ward of the firm of Ward,
Abbott & Wilkinson, opened a recruiting office,
and gave zealous and efficient aid to the great
work. In Avon, Capt. Orange Sackett, Jr., a young
man well and favorably known in Livingston
county, raised a company for the regiment to be
formed in the district. In Conesus a well-attended
and spirited meeting was held in the hotel of John
Mc Vicar on Saturday, July 26th, and a bounty of
$30 voted to each volunteer from the town. The
quota under the call was thirteen. In Dansville
a highly enthusiastic meeting was held on Wednes-
day, July 30th, and enlisted the earnest efforts of
many of its ablest citizens. The town sent one
full company (K) under Capt. Leach, and another
for the 136th, under Lt.-Col. L. B. Faulkner.
In West Sparta Prof. D. F. Brown was the soul
of the movement, spending his whole time in dis-
tributing circulars and harangtiing the people. A
meeting of the citizens of that town was held in
the M. E. church one mile north of Byersville,
Thursday, August 6th, for the purpose of enrolling
the names of volunteers. L. B. Fields, Supervisor
of the town, was also active. At Canaseraga Hall,
in Dansville, Tuesday evening, August 5th, Capt.
Leach's war meeting was held in conjunction with
Russell's War Panorama, and great enthusiasm pre-
vailed. The meeting was addressed by O. W.
West, G. H. Read, B. T. Squires, S. N. Hedges,
146
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
J. H. Jackson and F. W. Hurd of Dansville, and
A. E. Crittenden, recruiting officer for the town of
Burns. At Springwater Capt. Leach held a war
meeting on Monday, August 4, 1862, which was
addressed by Dr. James C. Jackson, J. W. Smith
D. W. Noyes and L. B. Proctor. A meeting was
held the same evening at South Livonia and ad-
dressed by Capt. S. Ward, O. W. West, E. K.
Scott, A. A. Hoyt and others. The meetings in
Dansville were followed by others on the 8th and
nth of August, and stirring addresses were made
by D. W. Noyes and S. Hubbard. York and Cal-
edonia paid each one of their recruits $100. Sat-
urday, August 9, 1862, a war meeting was held at
Read's Corners, and was addressed by Lieut. West,
Charles S. Hall, G. H. Read, B. T. Squires and
William Hamsher. It was the first meeting held
there and a great deal of enthusiasm was mani-
fested.-
Other portions of the county made equally noble
and strenuous efforts to fill the quotas without re-
course to a draft, which was ordered to take place
to supply deficiencies on the 15 th of August. The
130th was sent to the seat of war September 6th,
1,044 strong; and before it was completed the 136th
was under way. The latter left for Washington
with 874 men under Col. James Wood, October
20th.
For these two regiments Livingston county fur-
nished about 1,200 men. Between August 11,
1862, and Dec. 31, 1862, there was raised by tax
and paid by the county for bounties to volunteers,
$76,929; and by subscription, in 1862, $4,000.
The 130th Regiment, afterwards the ist N. Y.
Dragoons, was composed of men from the three
counties comprising the district. Companies B
and K were from Livingston county, G and I, from
Livingston and Allegany counties, C and D from
Wyoming county, E, F and H, from Allegany
county, and A, from Allegany and Wyoming
connties. The following constituted its organiza-
tion : —
Colonel— William S. FuUerton.*
Lieut.-Colonel — Thomas J. Thorpe.
Major — Rufus Scott.
Adjutant — George R. Cowee.
Quartermaster — A. B. Lawrence.
Surgeon— B. F. Kneeland.
Company A— Captain, J. E. Bills; ist Lieu-
tenant, J. P. Robinson; 2d Lieutenant, C. L
Daily.
* Resigned before the regiment left the county ; and Sept 6, 1S62, was
succeeded by Alfred Gibbs, who had had twenty years' experience in the
regular army, and at West Point was in the same class as McClellan, at
whose suggestion he was appointed.
Company B — Captain, Howard M. Smith ; ist
Lieutenant, S. Herbert Lancey ; 2d Lieutenant, Saul
C. Culbertson.
Company C — Captain, R. P. Taylor; ist Lieu-
tenant, O. R. Cook ; 2d Lieutenant, S. V. Waldo.
Company D — Captain, Jacob W. Knapp; ist
Lieutenant, Leonard Wilkins; 2d Lieutenant, Jared
M. Bills.
Company E — Captain, Wheeler Hakes; ist
Lieutenant, S. F. Randolph; 2d Lieutenant, Elias
Horton, Jr.
Company F — Captain, Jeremiah Hatch; ist
Lieutenant, S. A. Farnam; 2d Lieutenant, A. K.
Thorp.
Company G — Captain, Alanson B. Cornell; ist
Lieutenant, C. L. Brundage; 2d Lieutenant, G.
Wiley Wells.
Company H — Captain, Joel Wakeman; ist
Lieutenant, Ira Sayles; 2d Lieutenant, E. S. Os-
good.
Company I — Captain, James Lemen ; ist Lieu-
tenant, R. A. Britton; 2d Lieutenant, F. S. Adams.
Company K-^Captain, Andrew J. Leach; ist
Lieutenant, James O. Slayton; 2d Lieutenant,
Edmund Hartman.
The regiment was mustered into the United
States' service Sept. 3, 1862, and three days there-
after left its quarters at Portage for the seat of war,
followed by the well-wishes of a vast throng of
spectators who had gathered from all parts of the
district to witness its departure. On the 13th it
arrived at Suffolk, Va., where it remained until
the following summer, performing the duties of an
advanced garrison, and suffering the inconvenience
of a malarial district contiguous to the Dismal
Swamp.
While in this position it participated in an expe-
dition which repulsed a force under Gen. Roger
A. Pryor, who was advancing on Suffolk, losing
in the engagement about thirty men killed and
wounded. It left the camp at midnight of the 29th
of January, with a force of 3,500 infantry, 12 pieces
of artillery, and Spear's cavalry, the whole com-
manded by Corcoran, and about 4 o'clock on the
morning of the 30th, encountered a similar force
of the enemy midway between Suffolk and Black-
water. For two hours it lay in support of and
immediately behind the artillery, exposed to a
galling fire. Col. Gibbs ventured to remonstrate
with Corcoran at this disposition, and suggested
that the infantry be placed on the flanks of the
artillery, but for his temerity he was placed under
arrest and deprived of his sword. Corcoran's
brigade, which was still farther to the rear, was
soon thrown into confusion, and broke into pre-
cipitate retreat. Corcoran was obhged to retire
and join in the effort to rally them. The artillery
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
147
withdrew, and the infantry supports lay in front of
the enemy without direction. The cry to advance
without orders was raised and passed quickly along
the line. The three regiments composing the sup-
port dashed forward and drove the enemy before
them, until recalled by Corcoran, who, after re-
forming his brigade, resumed the pursuit, but only
succeeded in overtaking a small rear-guard. Col.
Gibbs, though under arrest, and destitute of horse
or sword, joined in this impetuous charge, and
seizing the flag of the regiment, heroically led the
advance.
April 3, 1863, Gen. Longstreet invested their
position in force, and on the 17th of that month,
the 130th, with two other regiments, made a bril-
liant sortie, for the purpose of developing the
enemy's strength. They drove the enemy from his
rifle pits and first line of works, compelling him to
disclose the main body of his force, and could with
difficulty be induced to retire. The loss of the
130th was only eight or ten killed and wounded.
The siege was raised on the ist of May and the
130th joined in the pursuit.
After participating in some minor operations on
the Peninsula, the regiment was ordered to join
the Army of the Potomac, which it did at Berlin
on the 19th of July, and with it proceeded to
Warrenton, Va., where, July 28, 1863, it was
changed to a cavalry organization and designated
the 1st New York Dragoons. At Manassas it was
instructed in the cavalry drill, and in September
was mounted. After a few days' mounted drill it
resumed active duty, making a reconnaissance on
the 1 2th of October through Thoroughfare Gap, to
ascertain if the enemy were threatening the rear of
the Union army, which was then being pressed
back by Lee from the Rapidan. Having proceed-
ed to Salem without finding the enemy, it returned
and joined the army near Catlett's Station. From
thence it guarded the approaches on the left flank
of the retreating army to Centerville, whence it
re-crossed Bull Run on the evening of the i6th,
and engaged in a skirmish on its recent camp
ground. On the evening of the 17th on the
plains of Manassas, it charged a brigade of rebel
cavalry and, single-handed, drove them to near
Bristow Station, with considerable loss, continuing
the pursuit until night, and resuming it the follow-
ing day to the Rappahannock, but without further
engagement.
It was engaged in picket duty at Morrisville and
Bealton till November 8th, when it made a rapid
advance with the cavah-y column, crossing the
Rappahannock at Sulphur Spring, and attacked
the enemy in flank as they were retreating through
Culpepper on the 9th, inflicting severe punishment,
but sustaining no loss. The following day the
pursuit was continued to the Rapidan. The regi-
ment soon after went into camp near Culpepper,
whence, in several important reconnoissances, it
engaged the enemy, on one occasion capturing a
signal station on Slaughter Mountain, and on an-
other developing the full strength of the enemy in
its works at Rapidan Station. On the 23d of No-
vember, in aid of the contemplated operations at
Mine Run, in connection with other forces, it
crossed the river at Ely's Ford, occupied the heights
beyond, and raided the country to and beyond
Chancellorsville, returning to Culpepper on the
abandonment of the movement. The regiment
soon after went into winter quarters near Mitchell's
Station, and was occupied during the winter in
picketing the Rapidan.
May 4th, 1864, it was again in active service on
the left of Grant's army. It was engaged in the
Wilderness, and on the afternoon of May 7th, it
attacked a greatly superior force of the enemy on
a small run near Todd's Tavern, maintaining the
unequal contest till far into the night, twice re-
forming its hne, broken by the desperate assaults
of the enemy, who were each time compelled to
relinquish their temporary advantage, and pressed
far back into the woods towards Spottsylvania.
The night was spent in burying the dead. In the
morning, before it was yet light, the contest was
renewed, and the enemy forced steadily back to
their infantry lines, where it was relieved by the
5th Corps. The regiment sustained a loss of 104.
After a day spent at Aldrich's Tavern, to replen-
ish their supplies, they joined Sheridan's Cavalry
in a raid on Lee's line of communication. At
Beaver Dam Station, on the evening of the 9th,
they burned Lee's suppUes, captured several trains
of cars, pierced the locomotives with cannon-balls,
and destroyed the track. The following day they
proceeded towards Richmond, and encamped at
night beyond Squirrel Bridge. The ist Dragoons
brought up the rear, which was twice attacked by
Stuart's cavalry, who were repulsed each time with
loss. At early dawn the next day an attack was
made at the point where the ist Dragoons was
encamped. Leaving every fourth man to saddle
the horses, the rest of the regiment charged the
assailants, who were slowly forced back; when,
returning hastily to their horses,#they mounted and
filed out after the main column, just as the enemy
148
HISTORYIOF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
again got in range, and opened on them without
effect. Major Scott was wounded in the thigh in
this charge.
In the afternoon the ist Dragoons, supported on
either side by regular regiments, dislodged Stuart's
cavalry, who had gained a threatening position to-
wards the front, sustaining a loss of twenty men ;
and although it was near night when the action
ended, the troops continued the advance towards
Richmond, and got within its first line of defenses.
Turning to the left they proceeded down the
Chickahominy between the Hnes amid exploding
torpedoes, and about dawn the advance was en-
gaged with the second line of defenses. They es-
sayed to recross the Chickahominy at Meadow
Bridge, but the passage was disputed by Stuart's
cavalry. The enemy had gathered in large force
in their rear. While engaging these, a division
was massed to force the passage of the river,
which was accomplished after a hot dismounted
fight. The bridge was repaired and the ist Dra-
goons crossed in advance of the mounted troops.
They charged the enemy who fled in every direc-
tion.
The ist Dragoons led in the advance to Me-
chanicsville. During the noon bivouac pickets
were thrown out in every direction. On resuming
the march to Cold Harbor, the brigade to which
the ist was attached took the lead, but the regi-
ment was delayed by drawing in its pickets. It
pushed rapidly by the moving column to overtake
the advance, which was already engaged with the
enemy, and was met by an orderly who was sent to
accelerate its movements. Proceeding at a gallop,
the rest of the brigade was met flying in wild con-
fusion before the closely pursuing and exultant foe.
The battery, which stood in column, seemed
doomed. As the head of the regiment came
abreast of the battery, Col. Thorpe, who com-
manded, shouted the order " Forward into line !
Prepare to fight on foot !" Each man designated
to fight on foot, as he reached the line, leaped from
the saddle and pressed forward, firing as he went. In
ten minutes, without the loss of a man, the enemy
was put in full flight and fifty of their men were left
prisoners in our hands.
After various movements with Sheridan's com-
mand, the Dragoons joined in the race with Lee
to Richmond. On the morning of the 26th they
dashed across the Pamunkey at Hanovertown and
during that and the succeeding day drove the ene-
my some distance beyond Hawes' Shop. On the
28th, the enemy in force attempted to dislodge this
advance, and there ensued for several hours one of
the most hotly contested battles of the war. The
Dragoons led the advance in a flanking party to
the right, and were met with a shower of grape and
cannister from a battery posted beyond a deep and
seemingly impassable gulf. They dismounted, and
sending their horses to the rear, plunged into it out
of harms way, for the guns of the enemy could not
be depressed to reach them. Capt. Knapp led the
charge up the opposite bank and the enemy were
quickly put to flight. Turning to the left they at-
tacked the remaining force, which fled precipitately,
leaving their dead on the field. On the 30th, at
Old Church, Custer's brigade and the ist Dragoons
drove the enemy back, with considerable loss, on
Cold Harbor, before which the Union forces en-
camped for the night.
The next day the contest was renewed for the
possession of that point, and an attempt was made
to carry the formidable earthworks by direct assault.
The Dragoons charged through a shower of iron
and lead over an open field, broken by swells, halt-
ing in each successive depression for a fresh start.
In the last of these, within five rods of the enemy's
works, they paused to make preparation for the
final assault, which they carried to within twenty
feet of the enemy's line ; but the fierce fire which
swept the field and rapidly thinned their ranks, was
more than poor human nature could endure. They
were forced back to their cover, where they opened
a straggling fire. The bugle advance of Custer
was heard on the left above the din of conflict. As
his line swept up to the Dragoons they rose the
crest together and charged. Another fierce but
short conflict ensued, and the enemy were driven
from their works with loss and confusion. The loss
of the Dragoons was sixty men. The ground was
held against repeated and desperate assaults till
about noon, when they were relieved by the 6th
corps and Smith's command from Butler's army.
During the two succeeding days, while the further
scenes in this bloody drama were being enacted, the
Dragoons, with two divisions of cavalry under
Sheridan, watched the lower crossing of the Chicka-
hominy at Bottom's Bridge, and covered the base
of supplies at the White House.
On the 7th of June they accompanied Sheridan
with the cavalry divisions of Torbert and Gregg, in
an expedition against the Virginia Central Rail-
road, which, it was expected, would facilitate
Grant's passage of the Chickahominy and James,
by withdrawing Stuart's cavalry from Lee's army,
and enable Sheridan to effect a junction with Hun-
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
149
ter's forces and return with them to the Army of
the Potomac. On the nth and 12th of June, at
TreviUian Station, where Gregg encountered
Hampton's cavalry division, the Dragoons were
again hotly engaged and Col. Thorpe was wounded
and taken prisoner. Returning they crossed the
James with the main army on the 25 th.
On the afternoon of the 26th of July, having in
the interval enjoyed a period of rest, the regiment
with a large force of cavalry and the 2d corps were
thrown across the James, and in conjunction with
the force under Butler, the next day, after an all
night's march, drove the enemy from his entrenched
position at Darbytown. The next day, the enemy
having been heavily reenforced, made an unsuc-
cessful effort to recover the lost ground. In a
charge made on the first day by a squadron of the
ist Dragoons Gen. Wade Hampton and his staff
barely escaped capture by them ; and on the second
day the regiment maintained the only unbroken
portion of the line, repelling repeated assaults.
But the movement having failed in its object, which
was the cutting of the enemy's railroad from near
Richmond to the Anna River, and thus endan-
gering Early's position in the Shenandoah Valley,
the regiment recrossed the James on the evening
of the 28th and returned to its old position in front
of Petersburgh.
On the ist of August the regiment was ordered
to the Shenandoah Valley, up which, on the 9th,
it moved with other cavalry to aid in operations
against Early by the Army of Virginia, to the com-
mand of which Sheridan was appointed August
7th. On the loth it took part in an encounter at
White Post, where it drove a rebel force from be-
hind a stone wall and with but little loss made im-
portant captures. On the nth, while on a recon-
naissance to Newton, it met the enemy's infantry
and cavalry a half mile from that place and five
miles from the main body of Sheridan's army,
maintaining a fierce and desperate contest unaided
for an hour and a half, and holding its position till
the arrival of the main force, though too late for
the operations of that day. In this engagement
the regiment suffered severely. The enemy with-
drew in the night and the hospital records found
in their abandoned camp contained the names of
men wounded in that action from thirty-three
different regiments. At Smithfield and Kearns-
town on the 2Sth, 26th and 28th of August it was
hotly engaged and lost heavily, brave Lieutenant
Alfred being killed and many officers wounded.
On the 19th of September, in the desperately
fought battle of Opequan, the regiment bore a
conspicuous part. It routed the enemy's cavalry
and charged his infantry, capturing twice its num-
ber of prisoners and three battle flags. Among its
losses was the gallant Capt. Thorp, who was killed
in the charge on the enemy's cavalry. The regi-
ment joined in the pursuit of Early, who escaped
in the night with the wreck of his army and fled
to Fisher's Hill, from which he was driven on the
2 2d with the loss of 1,300 prisoners and 21 cannon.
During the following night the regiment led in the
further pursuit. On the 24th it drove the enemy's
cavalry and by threatening his flank compelled him
to abandon his position on the bluffs of Mt. Jack-
son. On the 26th, being still in the advance, an
unsuccessful attack was made between Port Re-
public and Brown's Gap. October 9th, at Tom's
Brook, it was engaged in turning Early's cavalry
and capturing their trains and artillery.
Sheridan posted his army in echelon behind the
bold bluffs which form the north border of Cedar
Creek, and proceeded to Washington to consult
with the Secretary of War respecting the return of
the 6th corps to that city. Early, whose original
strength had been restored by the addition of Ker-
shaw's division, crossed Cedar Creek on the night
of October i8th, and early the next morning sur-
prised and routed the 8th corps, which occupied
the left of the Union line. In this battle the ist
Dragoons more than sustained its reputation.
During the demoralization which prevailed in the
early part of that day, its organization was kept in-
tact, and by its coolness and courage aided to re-
trieve those early misfortunes and secure the
glorious victory which eventually crowned the
Union arms, and put an end to rebel raids into the
North through the Shenandoah Valley.
In November the regiment participated in an
expedition to Loudon Valley, which, by common
consent, was styled the "bull raid," from the nature
of the captures made ; and in December it consti-
tuted a part of the force which advanced from
Winchester to Gordonsville, making a gallant
charge at Liberty Mills on the night of the 2 2d,
capturing two pieces of artillery and about thirty
prisoners, but suffering greatly from the intense
cold, many of the men having their feet frozen.
February 24, 1865, Sheridan, with a force of
io,ooo cavalry, including this regiment, left Win-
chester and arrived at Staunton in four days. He
defeated and captured the remnant of Early's forces
at Waynesboro, crossed the Blue Ridge at Rock-
fish Gap, turned and destroyed the Virginia Cen-
ISO
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
tral railroad from Frederick's Hall to Beaver Dam,
and won the memorable and decisive victory at
Five Forks, April i, 1865. From this time until
the surrender of Lee's army on the 9th of April,
1865, the cavalry were daily in action, inflict-
ing on the rebel army the blows which so rapidly
crippled it and brought on its final catastrophe.
During its term of service the regiment cap-
tured 1,533 prisoners, 19 pieces of artillery, 21
caissons, 240 artillery horses, 40 army wagons and
ambulances, 160 animals of draught and 4 battle
flags. It lost in killed 4 officers and 155 enlisted
men; and in wounded, 24 officers and 204 en-
listed men. One officer and 80 enlisted men died
of disease.
The 136th regiment, like the 130th, was raised
in the counties composing the 30th Senatorial Dis-
trict, through the efforts of Col. James Wood, Jr.,
of Geneseo, aided by the patriotic endeavors of the
community at large. Five companies, B, C, F, G
and I, were recruited in Livingston county ; two,
A and K, in Allegany county ; and three, D, E
and H, in Wyoming county. Capt. Augustus
Harrington reported at Portage with the first com-
pany for this regiment, August 29th, 1862, having
recruited his company in eleven days. Within a
month from the date of its authorization the entire
regiment was in camp at Portage. The regiment
was organized September 8, 1862, and mustered
September 25, 1862. The following is a roster of
its officers: —
Colonel — James Wood, Jr.
Lieutenant-Colonel — Lester B. Faulkner.
Major — David C. Hartshorn.
Adjutant — Campbell H. Young.
Quartermaster — John T. Wright.
Surgeon — B. L. Hovey.
First Assistant Surgeon — -Edwin Amsden.
Second Assistant Surgeon — Charles F. Warner.
Quartermaster Sergeant — Richard W. Barney.
Commissary Sergeant — J. S. Galentine.
Chaplain — Alvin T. Cole.
Company A — Captain, A. T. Cole ; First Lieu-
tenant, M. M. Loyden ; Second Lieutenant, John
M. Webster.
Company B — Captain, Edward H. Pratt ; First
Lieutenant, John J. Bailey; Second Lieutenant,
Nicholas V. Mundy.
Company C— Captain, A. A. Hoyt ; First Lieu-
tenant, Wells Hendershott; Second Lieutenant,
Emerson J. Hoyt.
Company D — Captain, Augustus Harrington;
First Lieutenant, Myron E. Bartlett ; Second
Lieutenant, Russell G. Dudley.
Company E— Captain,^ Henry B. Jenks; First
Lieutenant, James G. Cameron; Second Lieuten-
ant, Seth P. Buell.
Company F — Captain, J. H. Burgess; First
Lieutenant, John Galbraith ; Second Lieutenant
Charles H. Wisner.
Company G — Captain, Sidney Ward; First
Lieutenant, Orange Sackett, Jr. ; Second Lieu-
tenant, Kidder M. Scott.
Company H — Captain, E. H. Jeffi-es; First
Lieutenant, Edward Madden; Second Lieutenant,
Anson B. Hall.
Company I — Captain, H. L. Arnold; First
Lieutenant, Frank Collins; Second Lieutenant,
George M. Reed.
Company K — Captain, A. F. Davis; First
Lieutenant, George H. Eldredge ; Second Lieu-
tenant, George Y. Boss.
The regiment left Camp Williams at Portage on
the 2d of October ; received arms and equipments
at Elmira ; and on the 4th of that month proceeded
to Camp Seward, on Arlington Heights, Va.
From thence, Sunday, Oct. 12, 1862, it went to
Fairfax Court House, Va., where it was attached to
the 2d brigade (Von Steinwehr's) of the nth
corps, (Sigel's,) retaining this connection until
April 14, 1864, when it became a part of the 3d
brigade, 3d division, 20th corps. It left Fairfax
Court House, Dec. 14th, and proceeded to Bank's
Ford, where it was occupied in picket duty on the
advanced line of the army, and suffered the hardships
incident to the sudden change from civil to military
life, its ranks being much depleted by sickness.
Early in November, McClellan, by reason of
his failure to reap the legitimate fruits of Lee's defeat
at Antietam, and his subsequent dilatory move-
ments, was superseded in the command of the
Army of the Potomac by Burnside, who in the
reorganization of the army which followed, gave
Sigel the command of a grand division, which
formed the reserve, and to which the 136th
belonged. Dec. i oth, Burnside crossed the Rap-
pahannock with his army to attack Fredericks-
burgh, and the same day the 136th left its camp at
Germantown in aid of that movement. The regi-
ment was reduced in numbers, but those who re-
mained had become inured to the duties of a sol-
dier. When the regiment reached Falmouth, the
army, which had assaulted the enemy's works
behind Fredericksburgh on the 13th and been
repulsed with great disaster, was recrossing the
river, and it went to Banks' Ford where it did
picket duty in the face of the enemy. Burnside
projected another advance movement the succeed-
ing January, but the march was scarcely begun
before it was arrested by a sleet-storm, which
turned the roads into quagmires, and rendered
movement impossible. The project was aban-
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
rSi
doned, and the troops ordered back to their old
camps.
From Banks' Ford the regirrient went into camp
at Stafford Court House, Va., where it remained
till the last of April, when it crossed the Rappa-
hannock at Kellogg's Farm, and moved to the
disastrous field of Chancellorsville. In the mean-
time (Jan. 26, 1863,) Hooker had succeeded Burn-
side in command of the army. The brigade to
which the 136th belonged made a reconnaissance
to the right of the nth corps under Gen. Francis
C. Barlow, and captured nearly a thousand pris-
oners, but while so engaged, the nth corps had
been driven from the field, and the guards and
camp . equipage left behind by the regiment, fell
into the enemy's hands. On its return, the brigade
took position in rear of Gen. Sickles' command,
and witnessed the fierce conflict between it and
the Confederate force under Stuart, in which the
position of the latter was taken and retaken repeat-
edly.
From the field of Chancellorsville the 136th
returned to its old quarters at Stafford Court
House, where it remained until, on the 3d of June,
Lee commenced another sortie into the Northen
States through the Shenandoah valley, which cul-
minated in the disaster at Gettysburg. Hooker
followed the numerically superior rebel army down
the valley, interposing between it and Washington,
till both had crossed the Potomac, Lee making the
passage at Williamsport and Shepardstown on the
26th, and Hooker, at Edward's Ferry, the same
day. On the 27th Hooker resigned the command
of the army, and on the following day was succeeded
by Meade.
On the 30th of June the Union army extended
from Manchester to Emmettsburgh, the nth
corps forming a part of the left flank. The Con-
federate army was at Chambersburg, where Lee
tarried to consort with copperheads in the North.
Meade purposed fighting on the defensive in a
position he had selected on Pipe creek, about
Hfteen miles south-east of Gettysburg. The left,
consisting of the ist, nth and 3d corps, under
Reynolds, was sent as a mask toward Gettysburg
to screen this movement.
At 5 P. M. on the ist of July, the 136th, which
had been detached a short time at Hagerstown,
left that place for Gettysburg, thirty-eight miles
distant, and arrived there at n a. m. on the 2d.
The enemy had been met the previous day, first
by Buford's cavalry, who encountered him on the
Chambersburg road^ two miles westward of Gettys-
burg, and were forced back to Seminary Ridge,
where they were supported by Reynolds, who was
then in Gettysburg with the ist corps, and was
killed in the early part of the action. Howard
arrived on the field with the nth corps at
11:30 A. It., and having forwarded two of his
divisions to the support of the troops engaged,
posted his third division, with three batteries
of artillery on Cemetery Hill on the south
side of the town. Heth's division of Hill's
corps, which was the first engaged of the enemy's
forces, was heavily reenforced, and the Union
forces driven with loss and confusion through the
streets of Gettysburg, took refuge at night behind
Howard's position. Here the 136th was posted
on its arrival the following day.
Meade, who was at Taneytown, planning his de-
fensive line on Pipe Creek, on hearing of the battle
at I p. M., sent Hancock to take command. That
officer, perceiving the advantages of the position,
advised Meade to bring on the whole army, which
he accordingly did, arriving himself soon after mid-
night. All his corps, except that of Sedgwick,
which was thirty-two miles distant, arrived during
the night, and were posted on Cemetery Ridge,,
prolonging the line to the rear of Howard's posi-
tion, along the crest of the ridge. Sedgwick's corps
arrived at 2 p. m. on the 2d, and was posted on the
left, at the terminus of the ridge, behind the Round
Tops. Reynold's corps, commanded by Newton,
was in reserve, and was within thirty minutes' march
of any part of the line, which was compressed into
an area of about three square miles. Lee's army
— which, numerically, was about equal to that of
Meade — each being then about 80,000 strong —
was posted along Seminary Ridge, in the form of
a huge crescent, five miles in length, its concavity
facing his antagonist. Meade had the advantage
of position and the farther advantge of acting on
the defensive. Thus was commenced the memor-
able battle of Gettysburg.
The Union losses during the three days' fight
were 23,210, of whom 2,834 were killed, 13,733,
wounded, 6,643, missing; those of the Confederates
were 36,000, of whom 5,000 were killed, 23,000
wounded.
Soon after this decisive victory, which sent Lee ,
back into Virginia, the 136th was called to, other
not less trying duties. After his defeat at the battle ,
of Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 1863, Rosecrans with-
drew the army of the Cumberland to the defenses
at Chattanooga, and was succeeded in the com-
mand by General Thomas. Here Bragg followed ,
152
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
them and invested them so closely that they were
threatened with starvation, or a disastrous defeat if
the evacuation of the place was attempted. In this
extremity General Grant was assigned to the com-
mand of that army, which was reenforced by Sher-
man with the Army of the Tennessee, and by
Hooker, with the nth and 12th corps from the
Army of the Potomac. In comformity with this
arrangement the 136th left the latter army on the
23d of September, and in seven days was trans-
ferred from the Rapidan to Stevenson, Alabama, a
distance of 1,192 miles.
On the 27 th of October, Grant had restored the
interrupted communication with Chattanooga ; but
Bragg, who had lost control of the roads by a sur-
prise, did not submit to the result without a strug-
gle. He determined to recover what he had lost
by a night attack. He observed from Signal Rock
the situation of Geary's weak division encamped in
the Lookout Valley near Wauhatchie and ordered
Longstreet to assail it on the night of the 29th. After
a three hours' conflict the enemy were repulsed
with great loss. Gen. Howard, hearing the heavy
firing, proceeded to the aid of Geary, but was in-
terrupted by a force of the enemy posted on the
heights west of Lookout Creek, who announced
their presence by a sheet of fire from their crest.
Though the slope was heavily wooded and the
ground entirely unknown, the 136th, the 73d Ohio
and 33d Massachusetts, charged the enemy and
drove them from their entrenched position, but with
heavy loss.
The 136th now crossed the Chattanooga and
joined the command of General Thomas, which
occupied the center of Grant's Kne in the battle
of Chattanooga, and with it participated in the
assault on Bragg's position on the 25th of
November, which terminated a three days' con-
flict, and drove his army from Chattanooga back
into Georgia.
As soon as the battle of Chattanooga was won
Grant detached Sherman with a portion of his
army, including the i ith corps, to the relief of Burn-
side, who was beleagured at Knoxville, Tenn.; but
before they arrived Longstreet raised the siege,
having on the 29th of November twice attempted
to carry the works by assault, being each time re-
pulsed. The hardships endured on this march of
eighty-four miles are indescribable. The weather
was severe, and many of the men marched on
frozen ground with feet nearly bare and with insuf-
ficient clothing and food, having to subsist on the
country. The regiment then returned to the Wau-
hatchie Valley and went into comfortable winter
quarters.
In the spring a reorganization of the army was
effected. Grant having been appointed Lieutenant-
General and taken charge of the army of the Po-
tomac, Sherman was assigned to the command of
the Military Division of the Mississippi, comprising
the armies of the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland
and Arkansas. In this change, on the 14th of April,
1864, the 136th was attached to the 3d brigade,
3d division, 20th corps, the latter commanded by
Hooker. April 20, 1864, Col. James Wood, Jr.,
of the 136th was assigned to the command of the
3d brigade, which comprised in addition to the
136th, the S5th and 73d Ohio, 33d Mass., and 26th
Wis. The command of the regiment thus devolved
on Lieutenant-Colonel Faulkner.
After turning the strong position of Dalton by a
detour through Snake Creek Gap and compelling
its evacuation on the 12 th of May, Sherman di-
rected his forces against Resaca. At i p. m. on the
14th an attempt was made to break the enemy's
line and force him from an elevated position in the
immediate front.
Johnston retreated during the night of the 15th
after a sharp struggle. This, to the 136th was the
most destructive of all its engagements. The 3d
brigade was a part of the storming party and was
exposed to a murderous fire of musketry and artil-
lery. The loss of the 136th was 82 in killed and
wounded — 12 enlisted men killed, and 3 officers
and 67 enlisted men wounded.
Johnston was closely pursued, forced across the
Etowah, and his position at AUatoona Pass turned
by a circuit toward Dallas, Hooker having the ad-
vance, and having some sharp encounters at New
Hope Church, in which the 136th was again
engaged.
Sherman drove Johnston across the Chattehoo-
chee and forced the passage of that stream with his
army, which he posted in proximity to Atlanta on
the general line of Peach Tree Creek and across
the Augusta Railroad. Here, on the afternoon of
the 20th, he was attacked in force by Hood, who
had superseded Johnston in command of the Con-
federate forces in Georgia. The blow was unex-
pected and its weight fell mainly on Hooker's corps,
which was unprotected by works, and fought in
comparatively open ground. After a very severe
battle it was repulsed. During this action, while
the Union troops were moving to repel a charge, a
rebel color-bearer advanced in front of his regi-
ment and confronted the 136th whose color-
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
153
bearer at once advanced to meet him, and
the two stood defiant in view of the two armies.
The bold rebel was immediately shot, and his colors
captured and flaunted in the face of the foe. A com-
rade avenged him by the death of his slayer and
recovered the colors, but was himself slain while
bearing away the trophy, which was retaken. This
thrice captured flag now hangs among the war
trophies in the Military Bureau in Albany.
The 136th participated in the brilliant successes
which followed: — the capture of Atlanta Sept. ist,
1864; the march from "Atlanta to the sea," Nov.
16 — Dec. 21, 1864; and the terrible northern
march through the Carolinas in mid-winter to
Goldsboro which was reached March 21st, 1865,
after a journey of five hundred miles of toil and
suffering.
On the 14th of April, 1865, Sherman received a
letter from Johnston, inquiring the terms on which
he might surrender. An interview was had, and
terms such as were accorded to Lee on the 9th of
that month offered, which he was constrained on
the 26th of April to accept.
This ended the mihtary service of the 136th,
which continued the march through Virginia to
Washington, and was mustered out Jan. 13, 1865.
October 15, 1862, the members of the District
Senatorial Committee residing in Livingston county
and the Board of Supervisors met at Geneseo to
arrange the lists of volunteers, and make provision
generally preparatory to the draft, which was ordered
to take place November loth. The Supervisors
were called upon to furnish lists of the men who
had volunteered since July 2d, and thereby the
deficiency of the county for the 600,000 was
arrived at. Below are the quotas and lists claimed
by Supervisors : —
Towns. Quota. No. Reported.
Avon 90 52
Caledonia 62 62
Conesus 45 46
Geneseo 93 78
Groveland 48 49
Lima -- 86 85
Livonia* 8 r —
Leicester 62 64
Mt. Morris 122 140
North Dansville 116 122
Nunda 89 85
Ossian 39 35
Portage 46 36 -
Springwater 75 ^^
Sparta 39 4°
West Sparta 46 37
York ^5 79^
* No report ; said to be full.
Hon. R. P. Wisner, of Mt. Morris, was em-
powered by the Governor to superintend and aid
enlistments, to fill up the quota with nine months'
volunteers.
March 3, 1863, Congress authorized the raising
of additional troops to take the place of the two
years' men whose terms were about to expire, and
otherwise strengthen the army. President Lincoln
issued a conscription proclamation on the 8th of
May to carry that law into operation.
The draft for the district comprising the coun-
ties of Livingston, Ontario and Yates commenced
at the Town Hall in Canandaigua, on Saturday,
July 25, 1863, and continued on the 28th, 29th,
30th and 31st. The following is a list of the num-
ber in the several towns who were exempted and
held to service. Most of the latter, however, paid
the commutation of $300, in accordance with the
provisions of the law: —
Drafted. Exempted.
Avon 85 70
Caledonia 54 42
Conesus 31 26
Geneseo 86 74
Groveland 42 32
Leicester 49 41
Lima 81 64
Livonia .. 78 61
Mt. Morris 107 89
North Dansville no 94
Nunda 54 41
Ossian 25 21
Portage 24 19
Sparta 37 34
Springwater 74 67
West Sparta .31 31
York 76 64
October 17, 1863, another call for 300,000 men
was issued. The substitutes furnished and com-
mutations paid were as follows : —
Substitutes. Commutations.
Avon 2 19
Caledonia o 22
Conesus o 13
Geneseo 6 23
Groveland o 10
Leicester o 17
Lima 2 11
Livonia i 25
Mt. Morris 3 29
North Dansville 3 11
Nunda i n
Ossian i 5
Portage o 9
Sparta' i 12
Springwater 2 21
West Sparta. . .• 2 10
York I 27
The quota under this call in Livingston county
was 537.
IS4
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
During the summer and fall of 1863, H. R. Cur-
tis was recruiting for the 13th New York Artillery,
the nucleus of which was composed of the remnant
of the 13th New York Infantry, under command of
Col. E. G. Marshall. Lieut. S. H. Draper was
also recruiting for the Griswold Light Cavalry.
Both were organized in Rochester.
February i, 1864, a call was issued for 200,000
men, and immediately thereafter recruiting agents
were appointed in the respective Assembly Dis-
tricts. February 11, 1864, the Supervisors ex-
tended to the volunteers under this call the pro-
visions of an Act passed by them December 11,
1863, authorizing the Supervisors of the several
towns to draw on the County Treasurer for $300
for each volunteer furnished by his town until its
quota was filled.
But the generous contributions thus far made
by Livingston county were not the full comple-
ment of what was required of her. Two further
calls were issued — one July 18, 1864, for 500,000
men, and another December 19, 1864, for 300,000
men. In August, of that year, the Supervisors
concluded to offer a bounty of $300 for three
years' men; $200 for one year's men, and $25
premium for the expenses of each recruit. Persons
furnishing substitutes were entitled to receive the
bounty. Messrs. Beckwith, Hampton and Lau-
derdale were appointed a committee to disburse
the county fund. For the purpose of filling the
county quota, John Hyland, of Dansville, and
S. E. W. Johnson, of Avon, were sent South to
recruit there. There, however, the competition
was sharp, and high bounties were paid to recruits.
A telegram from John Hyland, dated August 23,
said they could do nothing, as other agents were
offering $500 bounty for one year men. This
foreign market for recruits produced a laxness in
the efforts at home. Says The Livingston Repub-
lican xw h.M%\isX., 1864: —
" So far as we can learn comparatively little is
being done in the several towns toward filKng the
quota under the last call. There are various
causes for this. The season of the year is un-
propitious — for the last three years there has been
a constant drain on the people, until laborers in
every branch of industry are scarce and are in
great demand at almost unheard of wages. The
farmers also engage their help in the spring for the
season and the time of these men does not expire
before October or November, and another cause in
this county is the quite prevalent opinion that the
quota of the county can be filled up by the agents
sent south. * * * fhe finance committee of
the Board of Supervisors held a meeting at this
place [Geneseo] on Tuesday and they report that
there is no trouble in obtaining from the people of
the several towns on county bonds all the money
needed to pay bounty."
Sept. 2, 1864, the Supervisors authorized each
town in the county to increase its bounty to a sum
not exceeding $1,000, and the County Treasurer
was authorized to issue county bonds as each
Supervisor might call for them. Most of the towns
of the county found it necessary to increase the
bounties largely to fill the quotas in the hope of
avoiding a draft.
In the early part of 1865, an additional stimulus
became necessary. The local bounty system had
worked such gross injustice and been subjected to
such outrageous abuses that the Legislature pro-
vided for a State bounty of $300, $400 and $600,
to one, two and three years' men, and prohibited
payment of all local bounties. This was at least an
approach to a healthier system, but its injustice
differed only in degree.
In addition to the large sums paid for bounties,
considerable amounts were also generously paid for
the support of the indigent families of soldiers.
In 1861, not less than $16,000 was contributed by
towns for this purpose; and to July i, 1863,
$33,000 was paid by the county for the same
object.
The troops raised in this county under the later
calls were distributed through the various organiza-
tions, generally but a few in each, whose history we
have not the space even to epitomize. Many,
however, went to fill the depleted ranks of old
organizations. The quotas of the several towns
under the last three calls are given below : —
Call of Call of Call of
Feb. I, '64. July i8, '64. Dec. 19, '64-*
Avon 23 66 49
Caledonia i8 35 33
Conesus 12 35 25
Geneseo 25 57 43
Groveland 13 29 16
Leicester 14 44 3^
Lima 23 53 36
Livonia 24 54 31
Mt. Morris 31 88 64
North Dansv'Ue. ..32 91 45
Nunda 18 58 45
Ossian 6 30 7
Portage 9 24 23
Sparta 32 25
Springwater 22 61 52
West Sparta 12 35 27
York 23 59 51
* These quotas are assessed with reference to all deficiencies or ex-
cesses under previous calls ol years of service, reducing everything to a
three years' basis, and representing the claim against each town Dec. 19,
1864.
NORTH DANSVILLE.
iSS
CHAPTER XV.
History of the Town of North Dansville.
NORTH DANSVILLE was formed from Sparta,
Feb. 27, 1846, and like the town to which it
originally belonged,* and the village of the same
name, derives its name (Dansville) from Daniel P.
Faulkner, an early settler, who, for a few years, was
conspicuously prominent in its affairs, and was re-
ferred to by Capt. Williamson, the agent of the
Pultney estate, as the head of the settlement in
1798. A part of Sparta was annexed in 1849. It
lies upon the south border of the county, east of
the center, and is bounded on the north by Sparta,
on the east by Wayland, Steuben county, on the
south by Dansville, Steuben county, and on the
west by Ossian and West Sparta, in this county.
It lies at the head of the Genesee Valley, or
rather the flats so designated, which are terminated
by the convergence of the east and west hills,
whose summits rise to the height of six hundred
to eight hundred feet above the valleys. These
flats are continuous and mostly of uniform width
from a point a few miles above Rochester to Mt.
Morris, where they diverge from the Genesee, and
gradually contracting, follow the course of Canase-
raga creek to Dansville, where, after expanding
and gradually rising in beautiful table lands, they
are suddenly terminated by a succession of promon-
tories overlooking the village, on one of which is
located the beautiful Greenmount Cemetery, not
unlike, in general appearance the equally beautiful
Mt. Hope, at the northern terminus of the valley.
They form in the immediate vicinity of the village
a tract of some three thousand acres of choice lands,
with a warm and productive soil. The hills, though
steep, are generally tillable to their summits.
Its streams are Canaseraga and Great and Little
Mill creeks, which emerge through narrow gorges
from the highlands in the south and east portions
of the town. The latter two unite near the south-
ern limits of the village, and discharge their united
waters into the former near the west bounds of the
village. They are small but rapid streams, making a
descent of some sixty feet within a mile and a half
in the town, and furnish numerous mill seats and
an abundant and constant water power, which is
only partially utilized, though the manufacturing
* It originally comprised the north-west quarter of township 6, range 6,
of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, and as such was set off from ,
Dansville, Steuben county, and annexed to Sparta, Feb. IS, 1822, its nat-
ural affiliations with the inhabitants of Livingston county being greater
than viiith those of Steuben county, from which it is in a measure barred
by the conformation of the surface of the country.
interests of the town equal, if they do not exceed,
those of all other towns in the county combined.
The Canaseraga enters the valley through a nar-
row pass called " Pogue's Hole,"* through which,
climbing along a steep aclivity, and then descend-
ing to a level with the stream, passes the Hornells-
ville road. On the opposite side from the road
through the whole length of the pass, is a perpen-
dicular ledge of rocks a hundred feet in height.
Beyond this pass the valley widens out occasionally
into small areas of intervale, but ranges of high-
lands rise in near proximity on either hand.
The town is wholly underlaid by the rocks of the
Portage group. Quarries have been opened in
both hills and valuable building and flagging stones
obtained. A good quality of bituminous coal was
recently discovered in the east hill, in a seam larger
than is usual in thislocaUty.j The soil in the valleys is
mostly alluvion and superior bottom timbered lands,
and these, with much of the hills, where a mixture
of clay and gravel prevails, produce excellent wheat.
Fruit, especially grapes, thrives well upon the hill-
sides. Upon the flats adjacent to the village, the
nursery business has become an important indus-
try, and engages the attention of various firms,
among whom are E. PI. Pratt, Sweet & Morey
Bryant Bros., S. P. Williams, E. P. Clark, William
Wilkinson, Uhl & Rhoner and Herndeen & Stone,
besides several others who are less extensively en-
gaged in it.
The Erie and Genesee Valley railroad, extend-
ing by its charter from Mt. Morris to Burns, ter-
minates in this town at Dansville village; likewise
the abandoned Dansville branch of the Genesee
Valley canal. The canal, so far as State enter-
prise was concerned, terminated at Faulkner's
dam, a half mile from the business part of the vil-
lage on Main street. To better accommodate the
business of the village, in 1844 a branch canal,
terminating within about thirty rods of Main street,
was constructed by private enterprise, at a cost of
about $6,000, though the project was attended with
intense local excitement. The completion of the
canal gave a great impetus to business, especially
the lumber trade, which was immense for many
years, the principal operators being Coleman, of
Troy, William HoUister, H. Southwick, Peter
Myers and B. R. Streety. The streets of the vil-
* This name is variously spelled ; but we have adopted the orthogra-
phy of James McCurdy, who says it derives its name from Benjamin
Kenyon, who located at Dansville village in 1807, and afterwards in this
narrow valley. " He was a desperate character," and was nicknamed
"Capt. Pogue, signifying the devil." Recollections 0/ James McCurdy,
in the Dansiiille Advertiser of AvgyaX 9, 1877.
t See Subject of Geology, Chapter VIII.
iS6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
lage'were thronged with lumber teams from Per-
kinsville, Wayland, Loon Lake and Ossian. In
1836, there were sixty saw-mills within a circle of a
few miles of this place.* In 1844 there were 10,372
barrels of salt brought here, on each of which a
dollar was saved in the item of transportation
charges as compared with former rates, f During
the four years from 1841 to 1844, it is said that
450 new buildings were erected in Dansville. X
The citizens of Dansville were interested at an
early day in the subject of railroads, for in 1832 a
charter was granted for the construction of a road
from Rochester to Dansville ; § but for thirty-nine
years they awaited the fruition of these early hopes.
Ground was broken for the Erie and Genesee Val-
ley railroad July 20, 1869, and the first passenger
train rolled out of Dansville at 10:24 a. m., De-
cember 12, 1 87 1. II
The population of the town in 1880 was 4,181 ;
the number of dwelHngs, 903 ; and the number of
famihes, 937. It is the most populous town in the
county. In 1875 the population was 4,061 ; of
whom 3,403 were natives, 658, foreigners; 4,054,
white, 7, colored; 1,903, males, and 2,158, fe-
males. In area it is by far the smallest town in the
county, and one of the smallest in the State. In
1875 it contained 4,425 acres ;1I of which 3,578
were improved and 847 woodland. The cash
value of farms was $406,100; of farm buildings
other than dwellings, $46,300; of stock, $33,039;
of tools and implements, $1 1,787. The amount
of gross sales from farms in 1874 was $32,898.
There are six common school districts in the
town. The number of children of school age re-
siding in the districts Sept. 30, 1880, was 1,344.
During the year nine teachers were employed at
the same time ; the number of children residing in
the districts who attended school was 708; the
average daily attendance during the year was 269 ;
the number of volumes in district libraries was 232 ;
* Gordon' s Gazetteer 0/ New York; In 1850, the number had in-
creased to loowithin a circle of two miles.— 7y« Damville Advertiser
of May I, l86z,
t History of Dansville, No. S, in The Joiinml of the Fair, to raise
funds for the establishment of St. Patrick's School, Dansville, October
JO, 1880.
t A. O. Bunnell, in Tlie Dansville Advertiser oi April a6, 1877.
§ It has been erroneously stated that tliis was "the second railroad
charter ever granted in this State." There were seventeen railroads
chartered previous to 1831, and twenty-four in that year, six of which
were prior to the "Dansville and Rochester." — State- Engineer's Report
on Railroads.
II A. O. Bunnell, in The Dansville Advertiser of April 26. 1877.
X Census oiiiTi. The published Proceedings of the Board of Su-
pervisors of Livingston Coimty in 1879, state the number of acres to be
5,560, the equalized assessed value .of which was $1,267,273, or $227.94
per acre, far exceeding, notwithstanding its diminutive size, any other
town in the county.
the value of which was $191; the number of
school houses in 1877 was six, five frame and one
brick, which, with the sites, embracing seventy-
nine rods, valued at $575, were valued at $7,775 '
the assessed value of taxable property in the dis-
tricts in 1877 was $1,794,523, and in 1880,
$1,428,993.
In 1877 there were 11 private schools, attended
by 147 pupils. This sufficiently indicates the
character of the public schools, which in the vil-
lage are lamentably poor.
The Indian village of Kanuskago or Ganuskago
occupied the site of the present village of Dans-
ville. Though it had once been a village of con-
siderable magnitude and importance, it was nearly
deserted when the first white settlers came in, only
fifteen or twenty huts then remaining, though
several Indian famihes lingered in the neighbor-
hood for several years. * Their presence here was
of incalculable advantage to the first settlers; for,
says one of them, "we could hardly have lived here
the first year had it not been for the Indians, who
were exceedingly friendly."t This beautiful and
romantic portion of the famed Genesee valley_was a
favorite haunt of theirs, and was regularly visited
by them from their settlements on the Genesee
during their annual hunting excursions, for these
hills abounded in deer and other game, which were
taken in large quantities. A favorite camping
ground, says one of the oldest Hving pioneers, was
on the deep gulch on the creek, at the upper end
of the village, at what is now called the California
House, as the bank, under which they built their
huts, protected them from the winds."t
We have no means of knowing at how eaily a
period this Indian village was established, though
it has been supposed by modern writers to be of
modern origin. It may have existed at the time
of M. de Denonville's invasion in 1687, though
no specific mention is made of it. That Governor,
in his report of this expedition, regretted that
sickness, extreme fatigue and uneasiness of the
savages, prevented his visiting other villages.
When we reflect that that expedition was directed
especially against the Senecas, it is fair to presume
that the villages referred to were Seneca villages.
There are other circumstances, however, which
inchne to the supposition that its origin was either
subsequent to that event, or that the Indians
* Recollections of Conrad Welch, a son of the pioneer Jacob Welcli,
in Turner's Pioneer History of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, J59.
t Recollections of James McCurdy, in The Dansville Advertiser of
August 9, 1877.
X Dansville as I found it, by Dr. James Faulkner, at the Pioneers'
gathering at Dansville, Jan. 21, 187J.
NORTH DANSVILLE — EARLY SETTLERS.
157
residing here, though it was denominated the " door
of the Six Nations," in "the most remote parts of
the Senecas' country,'' did not hold important
diplomatic relations with the English and French
colonial governments.
These Indians had an extensive burying ground,
covering some two or three acres. The main
street in Dansville village passes directly through
it. Numerous remains and relics of this interest-
ing people have been exhumed in making excava-
tions in that part of the village adjacent to the
public square.
There is a tradition that before the Revolution
a battle was fought on a hill a few miles distant
from the village of Dansville between the Canisteo
and Kanuskago Indians, in which a renowned
chief of the latter tribe was killed. He was in-
terred in this old burial place, near the site of the
German Evangelical Lutheran church in Dansville
village, which is said to occupy the site of an
ancient Indian mound, and its pulpit to rest over
the remains of a noted Indian chieftain. The spot
where he fell was marked by a large excavation,
made in the form of a man lying prostrate, with
his arms extended, and was quite discernible when
the first white settlers came here. It was near an
Indian trail, and the depression was kept free from
forest debris by the passing braves, who also reared
to him a monument of loose stones, brought from
a hill a mile distant, each as he passed casting
upon the accumulating heap his tribute of affection,
"after the manner of the ancient Caledonians."
These stones are said to have remained in their
monumental form until 1825, when they were used
in the construction of the foundation walls of the
edifice before referred to.*
Local authorities do not entirely agree as to who
was the first settler within the limits of the present
town of North Dansville, and this is not surprising
in view of the many territorial changes affecting it.
It may not be possible at this day to definitely de-
termine the fact ; yet, from inquiries made and a
careful analysis of conflicting statements in reference
to this matter, we see little reason to doubt that
the credit rightly belongs to William McCartney,
who was born in 17 71, at Kirkcudbright, in the
county and on the bay of the same name on the
south coast of Scotland, whence he came to this
country at the instance and as the clerk of Charles
WilUamson, on the latter's assuming the agency of
*From Turner's Pioneer History of Phelfs and Gorhmn's Purchase,
359, (note) which copies from the manuscript of W. H. C. Hosmer; and
contributions to tlie local press, especially The Damville A dvertiser of
August 12, 1880.
the Pultney estate. Reaching Philadelphia in 1 7 g i ,
early the following year he came to Bath, which
Capt. Williamson made his home. Thence, after
a few months, he came to Sparta, which then em-
braced the present towns of Groveland, Spring-
water, West Sparta and the major portion of Cone-
sus, and subsequently North Dansville. In com-
pany with Andrew Smith, who accompanied him
from Scotland, he occupied a log-house erected by
Capt. WiUiamson on the west bank of Canaseraga
creek, on what is known as the McNair farm in
West Sparta, three miles north of Dansville. Both
McCartney and Smith were young single men, and
there they kept bachelor's hall for about two years,
when Smith, who was suffering from fever and ague,
removed to and settled at Bath. McCartney moved
further up the creek, and built on 209 acres purchased
in 1793, on the flats in the locality of Comminsville,
including that site, but lying mostly north-east of
it, a log-house which stood about thirty rods east
of the Canaseraga and about a hundred rods north
of Comminsville.
July 14, 1796, William McCartney married Mary
McCurdy, (a step-daughter of Cornelius McCoy,
the pioneer settler on the site of Dansville village,)
who, says Dr. James Faulkner, is remembered as
a girl and woman of great beauty. The ceremony,
it is supposed, was performed by Rev. Samuel J.
Mills, of Groveland, from whom the Millses of Mt.
Morris are descended, who occasionally extended
his labors in this direction at an early day. This
was the first marriage contracted in the town. He
continued to reside on his farm in this town till his
death, February 9, 183 1. He was one of the original
members of the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta,
three miles north of Dansville, and one of its ruling
elders. He was the recipient of various ofiicial
trusts, irrespective of party. He was for twenty-
seven years Supervisor of the town of Sparta, and
for several years, during anti-masonic times, was
the candidate of both parties. For a number of
years he went to Canandaigna to attend the meet-
ings of the board. He was for several years a Jus-
tice of the Peace. He represented Ontario county
in the Assembly in 1819, and decUned a re-nomi-
nation. He served on the Niagara frontier during
the war of 181 2. He was one of the most promi-
nent pioneer settlers in this section. His wife sur-
vived him many years. She died Sept. 5, 1864.
They had thirteen children, eleven of whom Uved
to maturity, and most of whom settled in this
locality. Six are still Uving :— Maria, wife of
Charles R. Kern, Hugh, Matthew and Sarah A., a
iS8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
maiden lady, in Dansville village ; David, in Ster-
ling, 111. ; and Janjes F., in Dansville, Steuben
county.
It is generally conceded that Cornelius McCoy,
familiarly called " Neal" MCoy, made the first set-
tlement on the site of the village of Dansville, and
it is also urged that he was the first settler in the
town, which is probably true of the quarter section
of three miles square which originally composed it.
Cornelius McCoy was a native of the North of
Ireland and rharried in county Antrim, Mary Mc-
Curdy, whose first husband, John McCurdy, died in
1784. The McCurdys were natives of Scotland.
In 1788, soon after his marriage, McCoy immi-
grated to this country with his wife, two step-sons —
David and James McCurdy — and a step-daughter,
named Mary McCurdy, who contracted the first
marriage in the town with William McCartney.
They landed at Wilmington, Delaware, in the
spring of that year, and proceeded to Buffalo Val-
ley, Northumberland county, Penn., where they
resided seven years. In June, 1795, they removed
thence to this town, locating in the south-west part
of the village of Dansville. Our route from Penn-
sylvania, says, the late James McCurdy, " was
through a wilderness most of the way until we
reached Painted Post in this State. There we
found a store and tavern. Mr. Thomas McBurney
settled there about that time. Twelve miles from
there we found Mr. Tolbert located at the mouth
of Mud creek. At Bath the principal settlers were
Capt. Charles Williamson, Andrew Smith, Dugald
Camer6n and Daniel Cruger, senior, tavern-keeper.
Eight miles from there Mr. Thomas McWhorter had
settled at a place now called Avoca ; at Liberty,
Mr. Bevins; at Blood's Corners, Mr. Hooker.
From there to Havens's through the Springwater
valley there was no settlement. The object of our
coming this roundabout way was, there was no
wagon road by what is now the ordinary road to
Bath."* The journey from Painted Post occupied
five days. The first night they stayed at Bath ; the
second they encamped in the woods near Liberty
Corners, in the the town of Cohocton ; the third
was also spent in the woods, near the Conesus
Lake inlet ; the fourth at Darling Havens's, in the
present town of Sparta; and by the fifth they
had reached their destination. There was then a
small surveyor's hut where Conrad Welch after-
wards resided, on Ossian street. "At this time
there was no white inhabitant in what is now the
* Reminiscences 0/ James McCurdy, in tlie Dansville Advertiser of
August % 1877.
town of Dansville ; on the south, none nearer than
Arkport."
McCoy took up the half of a 300 acre lot, thefirst
lot, says Dr. James Faulkner, surveyed in this locality.
"The first summer," says Mr. McCurdy, "we or
most of the family had the fever and ague, but in the
fall of the first summer, my step-father, McCoy, and
myself made out to chop logs enough to build a
log-cabin 18 feet by 14, which we thought a very
large house ; the next thing was in our opinion the
hardest part of all about our log-cabin, that was to
get it raised. But we found no trouble in that, as
we gave notice of our raising day. We had hands
enough and more than we wanted, for the hands
came mostly the day before, and we got our build-
ing up and shingled in one day with basswood bark
which we had prepared in the summer."* This
log-house stood near a fine spring a little north of
the residence of the widow of David McNair, (a
grand- daughter of McCoy's wife,) on land now
owned by Mrs. Alexander Edwards. A second
log-house, clap-boarded, and standing nearer the
road, was afterwards built and occupied by the
family. It stood until about 1870, and was then
taken down. Here McCoy resided till his death,
which occurred May 8, 1809. at the age of 46
years. His wife survived him many years. She
died in 1835, in her 93rd year. She had only one
child by her second marriage — a daughter, who
died in infancy.
During the first winters they needed no hay as
the cattle preferred rushes which were abundant
along the Canaseraga, which gave it the name of
Rushbottom. Of these rushes, Mr. McCurdy says,
the cattle were extremely fond; they grew as much
in one winter, he says, as in two summers; horses
did well on them in the winter, but not in the
spring. There was no grist-mill nearer than the
outlet of Conesus lake. This family and others
purchased meat of the Indians, at a settled price.
The rate of exchange with this family was settled
by Mrs. McCoy. * * * The price of a good
hind quarter of venison was two pumpions, six
turnips, or two quarts of Indian meal. This was
so perfectly understood, and so satisfactory to both
parties, that there was no demurring ; the Indian
threw down his venison and took his pumpions or
turnips without speaking, and all was rights
The McCurdys — David and James — step-sons of
McCoy, were young lads when they came here in
1795, being aged respectively sixteen and thirteen
years. They took up the remaining half of the lot
* Miniature o/Dansvilte Village., J. W. Clark.
NORTH DANSVILLE — EARLY SETTLERS.
159
on which McCoy settled. The latter, at his death,
gave one-half of his farm to his nephew, James D.
McCurdy, who, says Dr. James Faulkner, was
called "Little Jimmy," to distinguish him from
James McCurdy, McCoy's step-son, who, for a
like reason, was called "Big Jimmy." The other
half went to McCoy's wife. David McCurdy after-
wards settled in Ossian, andabout 1825-30 removed
to Indiana, where he became very wealthy. He
died there in the fall of 1859, aged eighty years.
James McCurdy, his brother, who was born in the
parish of Billy, county Antrim, Ireland, May 10,
1782, married May 3, 1808, Sarah Gray, a native
of Lancaster, Penn., her father having been one of
the pioneer settlers of Almond, Allegany county.
He succeeded to the homestead farm, eventually
acquiring the whole original 300 acres, and bofh
he and his wife resided there till their death. They
became one of the wealthiest and most respected
families in the town. Mr. McCurdy was Super-
visor for many years. He died November 16,
1864, and his wife, February 5, 1864. They had
nine children, seven of whom — four sons and three
daughters — lived to maturity. They all settled in
this locaUty, and all are now living in this town,
viz: — William G., Mary Ann, wife of Samuel Stur-
geon ; Margaret, widow of David McNair ; John ;
Hugh F.; Elizabeth G., wife of Alexander Edwards,
and James.
Several families moved into the town during this
and the two succeeding years, among whom were
Amariah Hammond, Alexander Fullerton, David
ShoU, the Faulkners, the Porters, the Van De-
Venters, Samuel Stillwell and Thomas Macklen.
Amariah Hammond came here in 1795 on a
prospecting tour, and "during his first visit to this
place slept two nights under a pine tree, on premises
which he afterwards purchased. ' I put a bell on
my horse,' said he, ' that he might not stray beyond
hearing;' but it was unnecessary, as the horse
came as often as every hour to where he lay and dis-
turbed his sleep ; the horse seemed sensible of his
lonely situation, and fearful in view of it."* He
took up land on the main road to Geneseo, about
three-fourths of a mile from the center of the vil-
lage, where Henry Hammond now resides, and
■during that season put up a log house, into which
he removed his family from Bath the following
April. His family consisted of his wife and infant
child, who made the journey on horseback.
Mr. Hammond afterwards acquired that portion
of the Fullerton farm lying east of Main street.
* Miniature of Dansville Village'
He was the successful farmer of North Dansville,
and though uneducated, was sagacious and made
money and became influential. He was the first
Supervisor of the town of Dansville, which was
formed in March, 1 796. Mr. Hammond used to re-
late as one of the embarrassing incidents of pioneer
life, that when his first grass needed cutting he had
to go to Tioga Point to get scythes. He pur-
chased two, which, with the expenses of the jour-
ney, cost him eleven dollars. He continued to
reside where he first settled till his death. He was
born June 24, 1773, and died November 5, 1850.
He was twice married. His first wife, named
Catherine, died May 3, 1798, aged twenty-two.
His second wife, named Elsie, died April 26, 1842,
aged sixty-seven. Mrs. Fannie Bradner, of Dans-
ville, widow of Lester Bradner, is a daughter of
his, and the only one of the children left here.
Another daughter became the wife of the venerable
Dr. James Faulkner, who is still living in Dans-
ville, in his ninety-second year.
Lazarus Hammond, a brother of Amariah Ham-
mond, came here soon after him and lived in a log
house below him till 1806, when he sold to Har-
man H. Hartman, who came here from Pennsyl-
vania about that year. Lazarus Hammond was
the first Clerk of the town of Dansville. Hartman
died here June i, 181 1, aged 53. He left numer-
ous descendants, principally in Dansville and its
vicinity.
Alexander Fullerton, who was born of Scotch
parents in Chester county, Pennsylvania, removed
thence to this town and located in the north part
of the village, near the residence of Jonathan B.
Morey. He also sold to Harman H. Hartman
and removed to the town of Sparta, where he died.
He was something of a military character in his
native county, and was the father of Gen. Wm. S.
Fullerton, of Sparta, who represented Livingston
county in the Assembly in 1846-7.
David ShoU came here from Pennsylvania like
many of the pioneer settlers. He was a mill-
wright and was engaged in that capacity by Capt.
WiUiamson. He built the first saw-mill and grist-
mill in Dansville for the Pultney estate, the former
in 1795 and the latter in 1796. * The saw-mill,
says one authority, stood on the site of the plan-
ing-mill belonging to the Jesse Angell estate, and
operated by Geo. W. DeLong. It went to decay
many years ago — about 1824-6. The grist-mill
occupied the site of the Readshaw mill, on the
corner of Gibson and Main streets. It was burned
* French's Gazetteer of the State of New York.
i6o
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
soon after, before it was entirely finished,* but
was immediately rebuilt by ShoU. The frame of
the second structure is a part of the present one,
which was enlarged to its present size by Benj. F.
Readshaw, the present proprietor. ShoU was
hving in 1797 in a pine plank house, opposite the
Readshaw grist-mill, which he afterwards pur-
chased. He was a man of moderate capacity, but
industrious and careful. He disposed of the mill
property to Nathaniel Rochester and afterwards
removed to Mt. Morris, where he built the pioneer
grist-mill of that town. He subsequently went to
Michigan, where he died.
Solomon Feustermacher was born at Northamp-
ton, Penn., April i, 1789, and came here from that
State in 1805. Says a local writer: "He built
'Solomon's temple,' a large three-story building,
the largest structure in I^ivingston county at that
time, and so a great curiosity. Himself and his
brother Isaac built a great part of early Dansville."
He died Feb. 5, 1851.
There were three Faulkners f — brothers — Daniel
P., Samuel and James. The former, if not the
most worthy, seems to have been the most active
and enterprising. Daniel P. and James Faulkner
came here from Milton, Northumberland county.
Pa., in 1795. The former, who brought with him
$10,000, the proceeds of the sale of lands on the
present site of Troupsburgh, Steuben county, pur-
chased, in conjunction with three others, the west
half of township No. 6, range 6, (including the
original town of North Dansville,) and infused into
the budding settlement an energy and enthusiasm
characteristic of the man.
Daniel P. Faulkner settled on the site of the
First National Bank of Dansville, and tliere erect-
ed a plank house. With his acquisitions of land in
this neighborhood he also became the owner of a
saw-mill, which stood on the site of the well-curb
factory about a mile above the Readshaw grist
mill. He was lavish of his money and not a
prudent business man. He possessed a taste for
military display, and organized and became captain
of a grenadier company numbering thirty men,
whom he gaily uniformed at his own expense,! ^"d
" so beautiful a company," says a contemporary of
his, " I [have] never seen since." This was Dans-
* Turner says : "The mill was burned down soon after 1800, after
which, before rebuilding, the neighborhood had to go to Bosley's mills,"
at tlie foot of Conesus Lake. Pioneer History 0/ Phelps <Sr= Gorhani's
Purchase, 358,
t For a more extended account of the Faulkner family, and especially
of Dr. James Faulkner, see biographical sketch of the latter at the close
of this chapter.
% Statement of his nephew. Dr. James Faulkner of Dansville.
ville's first military company, and was highly cred-
itable to the infant settlement and the enterprise of
its ambitious projector. Mr. Faulkner brought the
first store goods to Dansville by sleigh from Albany.
But his injudicious enterprise was terminated by
his failure in 1798. He then returned to Pennsyl-
vania. He came back, however, in 1802, and died
in the frame house erected on the site of his plank
one by his brother Samuel, who came here from
Washington county in 1797. This village and two
towns perpetuate his name.
James Faulkner was an educated man and a
graduate of Rush College, and was the pioneer
physician of Dansville. He was, says McMaster,
"an eminent physician, and a public man of saga-
city and eccentricity." He lived near the Roches-
ter paper-mill, built in 1809-10, and erected there
in the fall of r796 what is supposed to have been
the first frame house in town, though there is doubt
about this, as the frame house built by Cristopher
Van DeVenter was erected about the same time.
Neither of these were immediately finished, how-
ever, it appears. Robert S. Faulkner, proprietor
of a feed store in Dansville is a son of his.
Samuel Faulkner, who, as we have said, came
here in 1797, bought several village lots of his
brother Daniel P. Faulkner. He built for his resi-
dence a two-story frame house which stood a little
south of the Clinton house, near the vacant spot
south of that house. It was the first frame house
in the village that was finished. In this he com-
menced keeping tavern in the fall of 1797. It
has been erroneously stated that he was the pioneer
tavern keeper of Dansville. He was preceded,
though but a short time, by John Van De Venter,
who kept tavern in a small one-story plank house
with two rooms, which occupied the site of Grant's
store, across the way from the National Bank.
This house of Faulkner's was destroyed by fire in
the winter of 1798, and nearly everything in it con-
sumed. Mr. Faulkner then removed to the Daniel
P. Faulkner residence, on the site of the National
Bank, where he also kept tavern till i8oi, when he
removed to Geneseo and there continued that vo-
cation till his death May 3, 1805. He had only
two children — Jonathan Dorr and James. The
former was an officer in the Commissary Depart-
ment during the war of 181 2, with the rank of
captain, and died in LeRoy in 1815, from disease
contracted by exposure in the army. James was
an early physician and a prominent business man
in Dansville during nearly the whole period of its
existence, and is still a resident of that village.
NORTH DANSVILLE — EARLY SETTLERS.
i6i
Capt. Nathaniel and William Porter, brothers,
came here from New Jersey, under the auspices of
Daniel P. Faulkner, in 1796. Nathaniel died the
following year in a log house known as the " Cas-
tle." It stood a little west of the German Lutheran
church in Dansville village, and is supposed to have
been built by the surveyors. All the early settlers
in the vicinity of the village occupied it tempora-
rily. Capt. Porter's death, which occurred March
12, 1797, at the age of 54, js said to have been
the first in the town. This is probably the fact, as
it is the earliest date preserved by the monuments
in the village cemeteries. At least three others
died the same year.* Capt. Porter's wife — Char-
ity— died March 19, 1813, aged 64. They had a
large family — James, the pioneer blacksmith, Peter,
John, Matthew, William, David C. and Richard
were sons of theirs, and all were then young men.
One of their daughters was the wife of Daniel P.
Faulkner ; a second became the wife of her cousin,
Richard Porter, son of William Porter ; a third, the
wife of Frederick Covert ; and a fourth, of James
Koogan. Not one of them is living ; the last,
David C, died in the fall of 1879, aged over 90.
William Porter, brother to Nathaniel, settled where
Matthias Kershner now lives, on the south line of
the corporation of Dansville, and died there March
II, 1816, aged 77. Ann, his wife, died in Novem-
ber, 1798, aged 54.
Christopher Van De Venter was another of the
New Jersey settlers. He came in 1796, and settled
in the village, where Charles Shepard now lives.
He died of the Genesee fever, August 25, 1798,
aged 67. He was the pioneer tanner, and built the
first tannery on a small stream at the point where it
crosses Ferine street. His sons likewise were all
tanners. They were John, Isaac and Christopher.
John opened the first tavern in town, on the site
of Timothy B. Grant's hardware store, opposite the
National Bank, and kept it till his death,t which
occurred Dec. 31, 1797, at the age of 27.
Samuel Stillwell settled first in North Dansville,
but afterwards removed to Sparta, where he was a
Justice of the Peace for a number of years.
Thomas Macklen, a Scotchman, who came from
New Jersey, following the Faulkners, previous to
ly^y — ^probably one of the New Jersey settlers of
1796. He was the first school teacher, and taught
here as early as 1798. The pioneer school house
•These were Ann, daughter of Richard W. Porter, Aug. Jo, 1797, aged
r, John Van De Venter, Dec, 31, 1797, aged 27; and Catharine, wife of
the latter, Sept. IJ, 1797, aged 25.
t Statement of Dr. James Faulltner, who is unquestionably the best
living authority, and who would not be likely to bestow upon another an
honor which others have conferred on his father.
stood on the road to Geneseo, about a mile north
of the center of the village of Dansville, just below
and on the opposite side of the residence of Henry
Hartman. Mr. Macklen was Dr. James Faulkner's
first school teacher. In the winter of 1798, says
the latter gentleman, "he had ten or twelve schol-
ars. Gaylord had ten or twelve scholars in 1799."
Macklen bought a farm on the Canisteo road,
about three miles from Dansville village, in the
town of Dansville, Steuben county. He married
into the McCurdy family, and taught school here
for many years. He died April 22, 1822, aged 54.
Alexander Rea, a surveyor, was an early teacher
here, but for only a short period. He was then a
young single man, and made his home at the tavern
of Samuel Faulkner in Dansville. He married a
sister of Horatio Jones, the distinguished Indian
interpreter, and was for many years engaged in
surveying for the Holland Company. He was a
Member of Assembly from the joint counties of
Allegany, Geneseo and Ontario in 1807 ; a State
Senator from the Western district in 1 808-1 1 ; and
Jan. 27, 1809, was appointed a member of the
Council of Appointment.
Other early settlers in North Dansville previous
to 1800 were Jacob Welch, Jacob Martz, Geo.
Shirey, Frederick Barnhart, Wm. and Jno. Phenix,
James Logan, Jared Irwin and Wm. Ferine, and
among the first, but in what year they came we do
not know, were Jonathan Rowley, John Haas,
Thomas McWhorter, Samuel Shannon, James
Harrison, Daniel Hamsher, Matthew Dorr, and
Oliver Warren, a nephew of Dr. Warren, of Revo-
lutionary memory. The Fronks were also early
settlers. One, a son of the pioneer, is still living
on the crest of the east hill, aged 97 years.
WiUiam Ferine, who served in the Pennsylvania
Une during the Revolution, came from Cambridge,
Washington county, in 1797, and located at the
ancient village of WiUiamsburgh. Two years after,
in 1799, he removed to Dansville, and settled at
the foot of the east hill, at the head of Ferine
street, which derives its name from him. He took
up three sections and sold out at a small advance
all but about 150 acres, which has since been
known as the Ferine tract. The house standing
on Health street, facing Ferine street, was the
Ferine homestead. It is now owned by the heirs
of his grand-daughter, the late Mrs. Charles S.
Hall, who died four years ago. Mr. Ferine was a
farmer by occupation, and continued to reside
there till his death in 1847, at the advanced age of
93 years. He had ten children, only one of whom
l62
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
is left — Peter Ferine, of Dansville, who is 8i years
old. He is a native of DansvillCj and is believed
to be the oldest native resident of the town. He
is the father of Dr. Francis M. Ferine, of Dansville.
William Ferine's children mostly settled in this
locality, but many of them subsequently scattered
over the Western States. His sons William and
Robert continued to reside in the vicinity till their
death, the former for a time in Dansville, Steuben
county, and the latter in West Sparta. Mrs. Rob-
ert Thompson, of Dansville was a daughter of his.
The family evinced remarkable longevity, all the
children living to be from 75 to 85 years old,
except one, who died of pneumonia at the age
of 40.
Jonathan Rowley was an early landlord in Dans-
ville. He erected for a tavern the first brick house
in the village,* and died here childless July 22,
1833, aged 60.
Col. Nathaniel Rochester, though not as early a
settler as many, was a prominent character during
the short period of his stay here and gave a great
impulse to the commercial and manufacturing
interests of the village. As early as 1800, he, in
company with Charles Carroll and Col. WilHam
Fitzhugh, all of Hagerstown, Maryland, visited this
country in quest of an eligible town site contiguous
to a water power. Rochester took up his residence
in "Dansville in 1809, and purchased a large tract
of land, embracing most of the water power within
the village, including the mills built by Daniel
ShoU for the Fultney estate. He added to the
other mills a paper mill, which was the pioneer of its
kind in Western New York. In 18 14 he disposed
of his property in Dansville, in part to Rev. Chris-
tian Endress, of Easton, Penn., and in part to
Jacob Opp, from the same place. Mr. Endress
resided in Dansville but a year, when he returned
and resumed charge of a German Lutheran church
at Easton ; but two of his sons, Judge Isaac L. and
Dr. Samuel L. Endress, were for many years dis-
tinguished residents of Dansville. He sold his
Dansville property, a tract of land and the paper-
mill, to Dr. James Faulkner. He died in Lan-
caster, Fenn., in 1827. Jacob Opp's purchase, which
embraced the present Readshaw mill and site, was
made in January, 18 14, and in May of that year
he moved his family here from Easton. He con-
tinued his interest in the mill property till about
1840, and died in Dansville in 1847, aged 84 years.
Henry B. Opp is the only one of his family left
here.
* Pioneer History of P help and Gorham's Purchase, 360.
This town was for some years the place of resi-
dence of Major Moses Van Campen, a character
whose eventful life, replete with daring enterprises
and thrilHng adventures, has made his name familiar
in all this section of country, and associated him
with such notorious frontiersmen as Daniel Boone
Simon Girty, Lew Wetzel, Kenton, Timothy or
"Big Foot" Murphy and others of that ilk. During
his residence here he lived in the house now oc-
cupied by John Schubmehl, which was removed
from the site of the Star blacksmith shop on
Ossian street ; and here he buried his second wife
Mary, the widow of Jonathan Stout, who died
March 8, 1845, ^g^d 78. A narrative of the life
of this remarkable man was published in 1842, and
from it the following facts were mainly condensed.
Moses Van Campen was the oldest of ten chil-
dren, whose father was Cornelius Van Campen. a
respectable farmer of Hunterdon county, N. J.,
where Moses was born Jan. 21, 1757. Hismother,
whose name was Depue, was descended from a
family of French Protestants, who fled from re-
hgious persecution at home to find refuge in the
State of Pennsylvania, to which State his father
moved soon after Moses' birth, to land purchased
on the Delaware, a Httle above the famous Water
Gap, whose charming scenery has since filled with
admiration numberless travelers. He early be-
came expert in the use of the rifle ; and by his
father's removal in 1773, to a tract of land on Fish-
ing creek, eight miles above its mouth, he was
brought in contact with the Indians, who came
from the waters of the Genesee, and hunted for
weeks at a time in this region, which abounded
with deer, wild turkey and other game. He thus
acquired a familiarity with Indian character, and
an experience which fitted him for the distinguished
services rendered in the impending struggle of the
Revolution.
In 1776, Van Campen was appointed ensign in
a regiment raised in Northumberland county, de-
signed to join the Continental army under Wash-
ington, who was then stationed in the vicinity of
Boston, but he was prevailed on to resign his com-
mission and remain on the frontier, where it was
thought his services could be more advantageously
used. He accordingly joined the regiment of Col.
John Kelly, which was ordered up the river to
Reid's Fort, opposite Big Island, from which point
scouting parties were sent out to gain information
of the movements of the Indians. In 1778 he was
appointed Lieutenant of a company of six months'
men raised for the protection of the frontier. With
NORTH DANSVILLE— MOSES VAN CAMPEN.
163
twenty men he went up the north branch of the
Susquehanna and erected a fort, to which the peo-
ple might fly in case of danger ; and scarcely was
it finished before it was attacked, but the defense
was so effectual that the Indians were compelled to
retire. A month later, in May, the attack was re-
newed. Van Campen shot the leader and the
assailants retired in a panic. Various exciting
events occurred during the year, among which was
the capture of a band of lurking tories in a bar-
ricaded log house, by Van Campen and five men.
In 1779, Van Campen was assigned to the army
under Geyi. Sullivan, and during the preparations
of that officer for the campaign which was so im-
portant in its results in this section of country, he
was arduously engaged in the capacity of Quarter-
master in the collection and distribution of military
stores.
In 1780, Van Campen was taken prisoner by a
party of Indians who invaded the vicinity of his
old home on Fishing creek, and killed his father,
a little brother, an uncle and cousin. He was
bound, and by assuming an indifference he did not
feel, caused the savages to desist tormenting him.
He was soon after joined by another captive
named Pike, whose wife and child was spared and
reported the news at Wyoming on the 30th of
March. On the journey they passed a spot where
five Indians had been killed by two captives named
Hammond and Bennett, the former of whom was
an uncle of Amariah and Lazarus Hammond, early
settlers in this town. They were afterwards joined
by another captive named Peter Pence. Van
Campen and his fellow-prisoners concerted a plan
of escape, the origin and execution of which,
mainly, were due to the former. It was arranged
that Pike and Van Campen should use tomahawks,
and Pence such guns as he was able to seize.
About midnight, Van Campen cut the cords which
bound himself and companions with a knife drop-
ped by one of the savages, and which he had dex-
terously concealed with his foot. The guns and
other weapons were removed. Just as they were
ready to strike, two of the savages assigned to Pike
to dispatch awoke, and were getting up. Pike
proved a coward; but at this critical juncture Van
Campen killed these two, and turning to the
three assigned to him killed them before they were
aroused. Just then Pence used the rifles with
good effect, kiUing four. The only remaining one
started up with a bound and went for a gun. Van
Campen pursued and intercepted him, striking him
in the back of the neck with a tomahawk, aimed at
his head. The Indian fell, and Van Campen
slipped and fell also. The two clinched and strug-
gled for the mastery, till Van Campen, while under
the Indian, succeeded in getting his toes in the
latter's belt, and threw him off. They rose togeth-
er, and the Indian escaped by taking to the woods.
Years after Van Campen was visited by this
same Indian, whose name was Mohawk, and who
exhibited the scar from the ugly wound inflicted
on his neck.
In 1 781, Van Campen was again made a Lieu-
tenant, and in the fall his company was sent in con-
junction with other troops to guard prisoners at
Reading. In the spring of 1782, he returned with
his company to Northumberland, and from thence
marched to Muncy, where he built a fort. While
on a scout up the river with twenty men, he was
surprised by a Tory, named Nellis, at the head of
eighty-five Indians. A desperate fight ensued, in
which nine of Van Campen's men were killed.
Three escaped and the rest were made prisoners.
These, Van Campen among the number, after a
consultation among the Indians, in which it was
decided that enough blood had been shed, were
taken to Caneadea, on the Genesee, to the old
council-house which now adorns the grounds of
Hon. Wm. P. Letchworth, at Glen Iris, at the
upper falls of the Genesee. Van Campen was
deeply solicitous lest it should be discovered that
he was the one who had killed so many when pre-
viously captured. At Pigeon Woods, on the upper
Genesee, he was for the first time accosted by
Capt. Horatio Jones, who, himself a prisoner,
quietly informed him that he and another, a Dutch-
man named Housen, were the only ones who knew
of his former exploit, and doubtless saved Van
Campen's fife by a timely admonition to Housen.
At Caneadea, the captives were compelled to
run the gauntlet, a common mode of Indian pun-
ishment, and one which sealed the fate of many a
weary captive. The distance to be run was forty
yards ; the goal of safety, the door of the council-
house ; but to reach it they had to pass between
two lines of men, women and children, armed with
knives, hatchets, sticks, stones, or any other con-
venient offensive weapon, each of whom was at
liberty to strike as often and severely as he or she
pleased until the goal was reached, when all fur-
ther demonstration ceased until the chiefs in coun-
cil decided on the ultimate fate of the captive; and
so highly was personal valor and bravery esteemed
in a foe by these untutored savages, that the man-
ner in which the prisoner bore himself during this
164
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
ordeal often affected the final judgment as to his
fate.
Just before the word was given, Van Campen
saw two young squaws with whips in their hands
coming leisurely from the village to join in the
sport. He was as active in mind as in body, and
at once decided to make them the objects of his
especial interest. When the word "joggo" was
given he directed his course toward them, avoid-
ing as best he could the blows aimed at him by the
motley assailants. He passed swiftly over the in-
tervening distance, though his hands were tied,
and just before he reached the two who awaited
with upraised whips, he gave a quick spring, and
by two well-directed blows with his feet, sent them
sprawling on the sod, himself falling with them.
Regaining his feet, he again started for the goal,
which he reached in safety. This piece of strategy,
skillfully executed, so delighted the chiefs, that they
rolled upon the ground convulsed with laughter ; it
won for Van Campen a light judgment.
In company with other captives he was taken to
Fort Niagara, when he was adopted into the family
of Col. Butler, to make good the loss of his son,
who was killed on the Mohawk. The Indians soon
after required intelligence from Mohawk himself of
Van Campen's former exploit in the massacre of
his captors, and sharply interrogated Capt. Jones,
who had been long enough a prisoner to gain their
confidence and esteem, as to his knowledge of the
fact ; but he concealed his knowledge with evasive
answers. They resolved however to punish Van
Campen. They repaired to Niagara and demanded
him of Col. Butler, promising fourteen other pris-
oners in his stead. Col. Butler sent an adjutant to
ascertain the facts, and after some hesitation Van
Campen boldly related them ; but he at the same
time claimed protection as a prisoner of war. Col.
Butler proposed, as the price of his freedom,
that he accept a commission in the British army,
a proposition which was subsequently renewed
by the wife of a British officer, who proved to be a
former acquaintance and school-mate. But the
brave Van Campen, though remembering the cruel
fate of Lieut. Boyd on the Genesee flats, indignant-
ly spurned the offer, saying, " No, sir, no 1 Give me
the stake, the tomahawk or the knife, sooner than
a British commission." He was placed on board a
vessel and sent to Montreal. After a few months
imprisonment he was paroled, and returned to
Northumberland in January, 1783.
In the spring he was exchanged. He again
entered the service and was sent to take charge of
a fort at Wilkesbarre, where he remained for some
time after peace was declared, to protect the fron-
tier from the still hostile Indians. He received
before leaving the service a Major's commission.
Soon after being relieved from military duty he
married a daughter of James McClure, a wealthy
farmer of Northumberland. In 1795 he removed
to Angelica, and being a surveyor, was for some
years employed in that capacity by Capt. William-
son and Philip Church. In 1807 he was appointed
Judge of Allegany county. He was Treasurer of
that county by appointment fifteen years ; and was
Loan Commissioner till 1831, when he removed to
Dansville village. He participated in the cere-
monies attending the removal of the remains of Lt.
Boyd and his unfortunate comrades, who were cut
down by the Indians in the ambuscade in Grove-
land, Sept. 13, 1779, and in a few words surren-
dered their honored remains for re-interment in
Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester. He returned to
Angelica soon after the death of his wife, and died
there Oct. 15, 1849, at the ripe age of 92 yearsand
9 months.
Town Officers. — The first town meeting was
held at the house of G. C. Taylor, on Tuesday,
April 7,-1846, and the following officers elected : —
Sidney Sweet, Supervisor ; Peter S. Lema, Clerk ;
Thomas Roming, Joseph Enos and John Haas,
Justices; Aaron Brown, Ebenezer B. Brace and
Thomas Roming, Assessors; Cyrus Jones, John
Hartman and Benjamin Stone, Commissioners of
Highways; Bleeker L. Hovey, Superintendent of
Common Schools ; John C. WilUams, Solomon
Hubbard and Geo. G. Wood, Inspectors of Elec-
tion ; Jason H. Stone, and Jarvis T. Beach, Over-
seers of the Poor ; Wm. McVicar, Collector ; Wm.
McVicar, Gabriel Shult, Harmon Howe, Consta-
bles; John Smith "of Lyons," Sealer;* Joseph
Kidd, Wm. Curtiss, Paul Knouse, Thomas Mc-
Whorter, Merritt Brown, Henry Hartman, Mat-
thew Porter, Jr., Isaac Dexter, Samuel Fisk, Wm.
Kershner, J. T. Lewis, Seth Foster, Conrad Welch.
David Shult, Wm. Foote and Cyrus B. Cook, Path-
masters.
The following have been the Supervisors and
Clerks from 1846 to 1880 : —
Supervisors.
Clerks.
1846-7. Sidney Sweet. Peter S. Lema.
1848-9. " Charles A. Thompson.
1850. John Goundry. C. E. Lamport.f
1 85 1. Henry Hartman. O. T. Crane.
* Though this officer was elected in 1846, not until 1853 was the Super-
visor authorized to procure the proper standards of v^eights and measures,
t O. T. Crane was appointed Clerk, Nov. 3, 1850, vice Lamport resigned.
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — OFFICERS.
165
1852.
1853-4-
i8s5-8-
1859-61.
1862.
1863-4.
1865-6.
1867-g.
1870.
1871-2.
1873-
1874-5-
1876-8.
1879.
1880.
E. B. Brace.* O. T. Crane.
Alonzo Bradner. "
Matthew Porter, Jr., Timothy B. Grant.
Joseph W. Smith.
Lester B. Faulkner. f "
Samuel D. Faulkner. "
Joseph W. Smith. "
John A. VanderHp. "
" Thomas E. Gallagher.
Jas. Faulkner, Jr. James Krein.
" J. J. Bailey.
Le Grand Snyder.
Geo. A. Sweet.
L. B. Faulkner.
C. Joseph Wirth.
Le Grand Snyder.
Dansville.
Dansville is a handsome, thriving and enterpris-
ing village of 3,632 inhabitants, beautifully situated
at the head of the Genesee Valley, and deriving a
valuable water power from the streams flowing
through and adjacent to it. It is not only the
most populous village in the county, but its com-
merce and manufactures far exceed any other. It
contains many fine business blocks and private
residences, which add to the attractiveness of its
handsomely shaded streets. It has a goodly sup-
ply of churches, which are well supported ; but is
sadly deficient in the matter of public schools, a
defect, however^ which is in a measure compen-
sated for by excellent private schools. The main
street runs parallel with and at the base of the east
hill, which rises above it with a good deal of ab-
ruptness to the height of over eight hundred feet,
presenting a succession of cultivated fields and
woodlands, which form a most picturesque land-
scape. At the foot of the opposite hills winds the
Canaseraga, which, with its affluents, control so
many of the industries of the village. It is con-
nected by rail with Mt. Morris, Geneseo, Avon and
Rochester, being distant forty-five miles by high-
way from the latter city, and eighteen miles from
Geneseo, the county seat. It is also connected by
daily stage with Burns on the Hornellsville di-
vision, and Wayland on the Buffalo division of the
Erie railroad.
It contains eight churches,t the Dansville Sem-
inary, a district school, several private schools, two
newspaper offices, § two banks, (one national and
one private,) three hotels, a popular and thriving
water cure, various manufa,cturing estabHshments,
* Appointed, as no choice was made by tlie Electors.
t Samuel D. Faulkner was appointed Supervisor vice L. B. Faulkner
resigned.
X These are Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, English
Lutheran, German Lutheran, German Catholic and Irish Catholic.
§ See Chap. XII. for History of tlie Press of Livingston County.
which will be enumerated under the head of manu-
factures, nearly seventy stores of various kinds,
and the various mechanics' shops incident to a
village of its size.
The village was incorporated May 7, 1845.
The first corporation meeting was held at the
American Hotel, kept by G. C. Taylor, June 16,
1846, and the following officers were elected:
Trustees, Sidney Sweet, Jason H. Stone, Samuel
L. Endress, Chester Bradley, Wm. Foote; As-
sessors, Ebenezer B. Brace, Aaron Brown, Wm.
Curtiss ; * Fire Wardens, Peter S. Lema, Philip
Hasler, Russell H. Winans ; Clerk, Barna J.
Chapin ; Treasurer, Samuel W. Smith; Collector,
Harmon Howe. At the first meeting of the Board
of Trustees, June 20, 1846, Chester Bradley was
elected President.
The following have been the Presidents and
Clerks of the village from 1846 to 1880 : —
Presidents. Clerks.
1846. Chester Bradley. Barna J. Chapin.
1847. Sidney Sweet.
1848. Harman Jones.
1849. John Haas. •
1 850. Ebenezer B. Brace.
185 1-2. M. H. Brown.
1853. George Hyland.
1854. Harman Jones.
1855-6. Abram Lozier.
George H. Bidwell.
Charles E. Lamport.
"t
Osman T. Crane.
1857
1858,
1859
i860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865,
1866,
1867
1868-9
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873-
1874-S
1876-7
1878.
1879-
1880.
The
Feb.
John Haas.
Mat. McCartney.
Charles R. Kern.
a
J. F. Howarth.
Frank Eschrich.
D. Cogswell.
Hugh McCartney.
Charles R. Kern.
Timothy B. Grant.
George Hyland, Jr.
Carl Stephan.
Timothy B. Grant.
Andrew J. Leach.
Charles B. Mitchell.
Oliver W. West.
Jesse B. Prussia.
John Hyland.
John N. Lemen.
J. B. Morey.
Hugh McCartney. Jesse B. Prussia.
W. J. La Rue. "
Jos. C. Whitehead. William Kramer.
" Jesse B. Prussia.
Geo. A. Sweet. Le Grand Snyder.
John Wilkinson. Patrick O'Hara.
James Krein. Le Grand Snyder.
Jas. Faulkner, Jr.
following Democratic ticket was elected
1881 : Trustees, James Faulkner, Jr.,
Resolved Wheaton, James Krein^ Dennis Foley,
James E. Crisfield; Tre^sarer, Timothy B. Grant ;
Clerk, LeGrand Snyder; CoUector, Thomas
~* June IS, 1846, Matthew McCartney was appointed in place of Curtiss,
who refused to act.
t Nov. 25, 185c, DeWltt C. Bryant was appointed Clerk in place of
Charles E. Lamport, who resigned.
1 66
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
O'Mera; Assessors, Thomas Earls, Joseph J.
Welch, Frank Schubmehl.
Dansville developed slowly previous to the open-
ing of the can^l. Spafiford describes it in his
Gazetteer of 1813, as having " a post-office, a num-
ber of mills, and a handsome street of \\ miles m
length, occupied by farm houses, &c.," and in his
Gazetteer Qi 1824, the description is not varied m
the least. " In 1830," says a local writer, " Dans-
ville was a vast pine plain. Get off from Main
street and you were in the woods directly. The
Maxwell nursery and Hartman farms were covered
with young second-growth pines so thick a dog
could hardly squeeze through, while the taller giant
pines reared their feathered tops majestically up-
ward into the sky, making good resting places for
the hawks and crows. It was the same thing on
the southern side, only the pines were taller and
denser,"*
In 1836 it contained three churches, (Presby-
terian, Lutheran and Methodist,) and a society of
Episcopalians, four paper-mills, each having a
double engine, using together a ton of rags per day,
five grain-mills, three of which were "large and of
superior fabric," a clover-mill, which had prepared
in one season 1,500 bushels of seed for market, one
blast furnace, two trip hammers, five tanneries, three
carding and cloth-dressing establishments, three saw-
mills, four taverns, six stores, one printing office,
issuing a weekly paper, and about 220 dweUings.f
In 1842 it contained about 1,600 inhabitants, 250
dwelUngs, two Presbyterian, one Methodist, and one
Lutheran churches, one bank, two hotels, twenty-five
stores, four extensive paper mills, two large flouring
mills, two furnaces and a tannery.^ In 1850, it is
described as "a large, thriving and busy village" of
1,800 inhabitants " extensively engaged in manufac-
tures," the principal of which were " paper, flour,
leather, iron, cloth, and lumber in large quantities."§
In i860, it had a population of 2,879, ^.nd con-
tained nine churches, the Dansville Seminary, two
printing offices, a bank, a water cure, five flouring
mills, three paper mills, two furnaces, a plaster mill,
machine shop, pail factory, sash and blind factory,
distillery, two tanneries and five breweries. || In
1872, the population had increased to 3,600, and
it contained eight churches, the Dansville Semi-
* Recollections of a Citizen^ in the Dansville A dvertiser of August 2,
1877.
t Gazetteer of New York, by Thomas F. Gordon.
+ y. DistitriulVs Gazetteer of the State of New York.
§ Geographical History of New York, by J. H. Mather and L. P.
Brockett, M, D.
II Historical and Statistical Gazetteer of New York, by J. H.
French.
nary, two printing offices, two banks, a banking of-
fice, a cure, five flouring mills, three paper mills,
one furnace and plow factory, two plaster mills, a
machine shop, pail factory, two sash and blind facto-
ries, a distillery, two tanneries, and five breweries.*
Thus we see a steady and rapid increase in popula-
tion, and the number and magnitude of its sub-
stantial enterprises and industries and social insti-
tutions since the opening of the canal.
Merchants. — Daniel P. Faulkner was the first
merchant in Dansville. His first stock of goods,
which was small, he brought in from Northumber-
land county. Pa., in 1796. The following year he
built a one-story frame house in front of his plank
shanty on the site of the National Bank, in which
he traded. In January, 1797, he brought in three
loads of goods from Albany. He kept the store
till his failure in 1798, when he returned to Penn-
sylvania to retrieve his fortune by resuming his
former occupation of tavern keeping.
Jared Irwin was Mr. Faulkner's successor. He
was originally from Pennsylvania but came here
from Painted Post as early as 1798. He opened
a store about midway between the bank and the
Wing tavern, and also kept tavern, continuing both
till his death, which occurred Jan. i, 1813, at the
age of 45, and resulted from a virulent disease called
the '' war fever," which was then prevalent all over
the country. In 1804, Mr. Irwin became the rep-
resentative of his brother, James Irwin of Painted
Post, in the Daniel P. Faulkner property, which
was purchased by James Irwin in 1802 or '3, and
sold soon after to Jonathan Rowley, who was also
from Painted Post. John Metcalf was contempo-
rary with Mr. Irwin and was trading here at the
latter's death.
Joshua Shepard, who was born in Plainfield,
Conn., in 1780, came here from Bloomfield in
in 1 8 13, bringing with him a stock of goods. He
soon after became associated with Lester Brad-
ner, who came about the same time from Utica,
where he had served an apprenticeship with Watts
Sherman, a prominent merchant of that place.
Shepard was a carpenter and joiner, and Bradner
an educated merchant ; both had been hucksters
on the Niagara frontier during the war. Bradner
first started a distillery three miles below the vil-
lage, and subsequently engaged in trade. Fearing
to come in competition with Bradner, whose ex-
perience i)laced him at a disadvantage, Shepard
shrewdly proposed a copartnership. Their store
* Gazetteer of t/te State of New York, by Frankbn B. Hough, A. M.,
M. D.
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — EARLY MERCHANTS.
167
occupied the site of Timothy B. Grant's hardware
store. They continued to trade in company till
the death of Shepard in September, 1829. Brad-
ner continued till his death. He was also interested
with his brother Alonzo in a store established about
1816 or '17 in a two and a half- story frame build-
ing on the site of the National Bank, in which
Dr. James Faulkner was a silent partner. This
business was closed out at Shepard's death. Alonzo
Bradner traded here till 1836, and went to New
York city.
Samuel W. Smith, a native of Caledonia, came
here about 1814 or '15 and traded for many years
in opposition to Shepard. His store stood on the
northeast corner of Main and Exchange streets.
He afterwards removed to the stand now occupied
by T. Carpenter, and traded here till within a few
years of his death. Luther Melvin, from Vermont,
was associated with Samuel W. Smith in the mer-
cantile business, and afterwards with Dr. Wm. H.
Reynale in the hardware business. He continued
till about 1840 or '45 and returned to Vermont.
Lamport & Eastwood succeeded Smith and traded
till about 1845. Lamport went to St. Louis;
Eastwood continued business in another place for
three or four years, associated with Endress Faulk-
ner, when he went to New York.
Samuel Shannon was a druggist here from about
1820 to 1840. He continued his residence here till
his death, May 28, 1849, aged 58. He was a Justice
of the Peace for a number of years. WiUis F.
Clark, who was born August 21, 1786, sold drugs
and dry goods from about 1820 to about 1835 or
'36. He was a physician, and after his failure prac-
ticed medicine here more or less till his death, Oct.
5, 1858.
Merntt H. Brown,* who was born in Benning-
ton, Vt, Oct. 20, 1806, came to Dansville with his
father's family in 18 ;8. In 1827 he engaged
in mercantile business with his father, Merritt
Brown, continuing some four years. In 1839
he returned to Dansville and resumed the hard-
ware trade. In the spring of 1846 he associ-
ated himself with Timothy B. Grant, under the
name of Brown & Grant, and added a general hne
of hardware to his stock, which had until then con-
sisted chiefly of stoves, sheet iron and tin ware.
John Betts was engaged in business here some
fifty years, continuing till within a few years, first as
a tanner and afterwards as a dealer in boots and
shoes. He still resides in the village, aged eighty
years. George Hyland, a native of Ireland, came
* See biographical sketch at close of chapter.
to Dansville from Canada in 1830, and in com-
pany with John Wildey, whose interest he after-
wards purchased, opened a hatter's estabhshment,
which he continued till about 1865. He was also
engaged in mercantile business, which he con-
tinued till his death, in the spring of 1880, at which
time, it is said, he had been longer engaged in
mercantile business than any other man in Liv-
ingston county.
James and David McCartney, both natives of
North Dansville, of which town their father, Wil-
liam McCartney, was the pioneer settler, com-
menced business as tanners at Comminsville about
1831. They sold out in 1835, and the building was
soon after used by Warren Commins as a foundry
and machine shop. In the spring of 1836 they
engaged in mercantile business in company with
George Bradner, under the name of Bradner &
McCartneys, purchasing the business of Alonzo
Bradner.
David J. Wood, originally from New Jersey,
came here from Burns, Steuben county, and was
a prominent merchant from about 1845 till his
death. May 16, 1855, at the age of 48 years.* Tom
E. Leman was his partner for a few years, till
1854. Leman was associated in trade with George
Hyland from June, 1854, to July, 1855, and after-
wards till his death with L. H. Puffer. Leman
was born March 22, 1824, and died May 5, 1862.
Mr. Puffer continues the business at the present
time. Robert S. Faulkner, who is now keeping a
flour and feed store in Dansville, commenced
mercantile business here about 1847 or '8, and
continued till about 1857.
The merchants and traders at present doing
business in Dansville are : Hinds & Bunce, pro-
duce dealers ; John Blum, boots and shoes ; Wm.
Veith, tobacconist; Crowe & Enwright, boots and
shoes; Charles Leonard, tobacconist; Samuel
Johnson, grocer; Thomas Earls, grocer; W. J.
Rose, jeweler; WiUiam Pfuntner, boots and shoes;
Robert S. Faulkner, flour and feed ; Owen Gal-
lagher, flour and feed ; George and John Hyland,
dry goods ; Manly Walker, grocer and confectioner ;
Richard Wiley, grocer ; Henry Byer, boots and
shoes ; Fielder & Olney, dry goods ; Spinning, Uhl
& Co., dry goods ; Fritz Durr, clothier ; G. G.
Fowler, dry goods; H. Hubertus, clothier; Nich-
olas Johantgen, clothier; Mrs. J. C. Prussia, mil-
* The death of Mr. Wood, followed in a few weeks by that of his wife
attended with like symptoms, awakened suspicions of foul play. The
bodies were disinterred, the stomachs submitted to chemical analysis, and
traces of poison found. Circumstances implicated Mr. Wood's brother,
who was arrested, convicted after a long and exciting trial, and hung at
Geneseo July 9, 1858.
i68
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
liner ; Miss Landers, fancy goods ; Kramer Bros.,
clothiers ; Wm. H. Dick, boots and shoes ; Wm.
Krein, grocer; Austin & Clark, dry goods ; Joseph
Holcomb, flour and feed ; Nicholas Grim, baker ;
Dennis Foley, grocer ; Miss Rosetta Griffith, mil-
liner ; Chas. Gardner, confectioner ; E. S. Palms,
merchant tailor ; J. W. Brown, boots and shoes ;
J. L. Matson, furniture dealer and undertaker;
John J. Kennedy, liquors ; Nicholas Huver, har-
ness ; H. Huver, boots and shoes ; Conrad Meh-
lenbecker, baker ; George Dippy, flour and feed ;
Altmyer & Jones, undertakers and furniture dealers ;
Andrew Schario, grocer ; A. Lauterborn, tinsmith;
R. G. Perrin, 99 cent store ; T. Carpenter, grocer ;
J. B. Prussia, milHner ; F. S. Southwick, boots
and shoes; F. C. Walker, hardware; J. W. Bur-
gess, boots and shoes ; L. H. Puff'er, boots and
shoes; F. J. Nelson, druggist; Dyer Bros., dry
goods ; S. J. Taft, grocer and confectioner ; James
Hodgmire, drugs ; H. W. DeLong, stationery; H.
T. Gallagher, grocer; Bailey & Edwards, hard-
ware; F. G. Rice, merchant tailor; L. G. Ripley;
jeweler; C. W. Woolever, drugs ; A. Hall, harness ;
Emmel Klouck, leather; T. B. Grant, hardware
dealer and agent for the Royce reaper ; L. Per-
ham, jeweler and news-dealer; McCartney &
Whitehead, boots and shoes; E. N. Parmelee,
patent medicines ; Walter Miller, Yankee notions ;
G. Bastian, drugs; Nicholas Fox, boots and
shoes.
Postmasters. — The earliest mail facilities en-
joyed by Dansville were from the south, by way of
Bath, to which place Capt. WilUamson estabUshed
communication by mail once a week from North-
umberland, Pa., paying all the expenses con-
nected therewith himself Charles Cameron, a
merchant at Bath, was the first postmaster at that
place, by Williamson's appointment. An old
Frenchman hved at the "Block house," on Laurel
Ridge, sixty-five miles distant from Bath ; and
thither Thomas Corbit, the mail rider in 1794, went
weekly for the Steuben county bag.* Jared Irwin,
the second merchant and first postmaster at Dans-
ville, procured the establishment of a post route
from Bath early in the present century. He held
the office till his death in 1813, and was succeeded
in that year by James W. Stout, who was then
keeping tavern on the site of the National Bank.
He was a tailor by trade. He held the office till
his death, which occurred Oct. 7, 1814, at the age
of 25. Dr. James Faulkner succeeded to the
* Narrative of Gen. George McClure, in McMaster's History of
Sieuben conjiiy, ii6.
office in 1814 and held it tiU 1841. Samuel Shan-
non next held the office till his death, May 28,
1 849, and was succeeded by Merritt Brown, Charles
Shepard, Charles Lamport, Merritt H. Brown, the
latter of whom held it till July, 1858, when Judge
John A. VanDerhp was appointed and held it till
Sept. 2, 186 1, when O. B. MaxweUwas appointed.
He was succeeded in 1865 by Edward H. Pratt.
George Hyland was appointed under Gen. Grant's
administration, and was succeeded in October,
1869, by Seth N. Hedges, who held the office till
Jan. r, 1874, when John Hyland, the present in-
cumbent, was appointed.
Physicians. — The first physician to locate in
Dansville was James Faulkner, to whom reference
is made elsewhere. The second was Jonathan P.
Sill, who came from Cambridge, Washington
county, in 1797, but removed the same year to
WiUiamsburgh, and the next year to Geneseo,
where he practiced till his death in 1807. He was
an estimable man, successful in his practice, and it
was said of him by William Crossett, an Irish dis-
tiller and a prominent man in this locality, that he
was the only man who ever died without an enemy.
He remained here but a short time. He married
the youngest sister of Samuel, Daniel P. and James
Faulkner.
Philip Sholl, brother to David Sholl, the
pioneer millwright, and a native of Moore town-
ship, Northampton county. Pa., came to Dansville
in February, 1 808, and fixed his habitation on the
corner of Main and Exchange streets. He was not
an educated physician, but he was a man of great
ability and shrewdness, and though an inebriate,
had an extensive practice. No man in this county,
says Dr. James Faulkner, had the popularity he
acquired all through this section. Not under-
standing the nature and uses of medicines, he re-
sorted to simple remedies until the advent of Dr.
Faulkner as a practitioner in 18 12, when he in-
judiciously administered from his stock, medicines
of whose nature he was ignorant. He was not
hcensed, and hence formed a copartnership with
Dr. Faulkner so as to enable him to collect his
debts. He continued in practice here till his death,
which occurred in 182 1 from apoplexy, while on a
visit to his former home.
WiUis F. Clark, a native of New England, came
here from Utica about 1813 or '14, and practiced
till his death, Oct. 5, 1858. Josiah Clark came
here about 1820, and after practicing several years
he removed to Livonia, where he was practicing in
1842. Wm. H. Reynale was born in Quaker-
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — PHYSICIANS.
169
town, N. J., Feb. 27, 1794. He was a noted sur-
geon in this section.*
L. N. Cook was born in London, Mass., April
5, 1791, and removed with his parents to Livonia
in this county. He studied medicine with Dr.
Cyrus Chipman, of Pittstown, (afterwards Honeoye
and now Richmond,) Ontario county. He prac-
ticed in the towns of Livonia and Richmond till
1818, when he removed to Dansville, and in 1824,
to Johnstown, Licking county, Ohio. In 1831, he
returned to Dansville, where he lived and practiced
till his death April 2, 1868, of heart disease.
Samuel L. Endress, in 1828 removed to Dans-
ville, and formed a co-partnership with Dr. Wm.
-H. Reynale, which continued for many years. He
continued in practice here till his death, from
bilious pneumonia, Feb. 24, 1871.
Edward WilUam Patchen entered upon the prac-
tice of his profession in Sparta, where he continued
four years. He then removed to Livonia, and a
year later, in 1843, to Dansville, where he prac-
ticed till his death, Oct. 20, 1869.
BleekerL. Hovey was practicing here in 1842 and
for some years thereafter. He is now a noted phy-
sician in Rochester. Asahel Yale and Alonzo
Cressy were practicing here in 1829; and O. S.
Pratt, C. T. Dildine and George M, Blake, at a
later day. A Dr. Davis and his nephew, named
George Davis, were practicing here in 1846. The
former was a Thompsonian physician and had an
extensive practice all over this section of country ;
the latter was an eclectic physician, and had a good
professional reputation. Dr. Ripley succeeded
George Davis and practiced two or three years.
Louis Velder, a native of the town of Heibach,
Austria, who had studied medicine in the best
schools -in Vienna, came to this country about
1850, and located at Dansville. He removed to
Elmira about 1867. George H. Preston was born
in Dansville, Sept. 1, 1819. In 1854 he located in
Dansville, and in 1855 he removed to Rochester.
From there he went to Brantford, Province of On-
tario, from whence, in 1864, he returned to Dans-
ville, where he practiced till his death, Nov. 14,
1872. Dr. Blakesley located in Dansville in 1859,
but how long he remained here we are not advised.
The present physicians are G. W. Shepherd,
Zara H. Blake, Francis M. Ferine, Wooster B.
Preston, James E. Crisfield, Ben P. Andrews and
Charles W. Brown.
G. W. Shepherd was born in Albany, Sept. 28,
1 8 16, and received an academic education at Al-
• His biography and portrait appear at the close of the chapter.
bany and Hamilton. He commenced the study of
medicine in 1835, with Dr. Guasque, in George-
town, S. C, subsequently pursuing his medical
studies with Dr. T. T. Everet, of Batavia, and Dr.
Morgan Snyder, of Fort Plain. He attended medi-
cal lectures at the South CaroHna Medical College
in Charleston, and was Hcensed by the Genesee
County Medical Society, August 6, 1842. He com-
menced practice in the fall of 1842 in New York,
continuing there some six months, when he removed
to Orleans, Ontario county, and thence, in 1846,
to Dansville.
Zara H. Blake was born in Livonia in this
county Oct. 23, 1821, and educated in the semi-
naries at Dansville and Herkimer. He commenced
the study of medicine in 1840, with Dr. S. L. En-
dress, of Dansville, and attended medical lectures
at the University of Buffalo, where he graduated
in 1847, in which year he established himself in
practice in Dansville.
Francis M. Ferine, agrandson of WiUiam Ferine,
one of the pioneer settlers of this town, was born
in Dansville, March 27, 1831, and received an
academic education in his native village. He com-
menced the study of medicine in 185 1, with Dr.
S. L. Endress, of Dansville, and graduated from
the Buffalo Medical College in February, 1855.
He entered upon the practice of his profession at
Byersville, in West Sparta, in the spring of 1855,
and removed there after six years to Dansville,
where he has since practiced.
Wooster B. Preston was born in Wellsboro, N.
Y., March 3, 1845, and educated at the High and
Grammar School of Brantford, Ontario, where his
father, Dr. Geo. H. Preston, with whom he com-
menced the study of medicine in 1863, was then
practicing. He attended lectures at the Eclectic
Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he
graduated Feb. 12, 1867, in which year he engaged
in practice in Dansville, in company with his father,
till the death of the latter, Nov. 14, 1872.
James E. Crisfield was born in Lodi, N. Y.,
August 6, 1851, and educated at Genesee College
and Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima. He
studied medicine with Dr. John W. Gray, of Avon,
and attended lectures at the College of Physicians
and Surgeons in New York, where he graduated in
the spring of 1872. He practiced four months of
that year in the town of York and then removed to
Dansville, where he has since practiced.
Ben P. Andrews was born in Preston, N. Y.,
August 19, 1855, and commenced the study of
medicine in 1873 with Dr. R. E. Miller, of Oxford.
170
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
He attended a full course of lectures at the New
York Homeopathic Medical College, where he
graduated in March, 1877. He established himself
in practice at Dansville in August of that year.
Charles W. Brown was born in Caton, N. Y.,
Sept. 5, 1848. He commenced the study of med-
icine in 1870, with Dr. Seeley, of Elmira, and
attended lectures at the Hahnemann Medical
College of Chicago, where he graduated in 1873.
He commenced to practice that year at Hornells-
ville, removed to Hammondsport in 1875, and to
Dansville in 1877.
Lawyers. — The first lawyers to locate in Dans-
ville of whom we have any information were James
Smith and John Proudfit, who were practicing here
prior to 1840. Both were regarded as good law-
yers, but the latter was somewhat dissipated. He
was a man of considerable abihty, and died in
New York City. His father was a Presbyterian
clergyman at Salem, Washington county. Ben-
jamin C. Cook was practicing here in 1842, and
continued some fifteen years. He devoted him-
self more to other business than to his profession,
in which he was not regarded very proficient.
Isaac Lewis Endress, brother to Dr. Samuel L.
Endress of this village, was born at Easton, Pa.,
Sept. 14, 18 10, and a graduate of Dickinson Col-
lege, at Carlisle, Pa. His father, who was a dis-
tinguished Lutheran clergyman, designed him for
the ministry ; but the bar presented superior attrac-
tions, and in 1827 he entered the office of Judge
Ewing at Trenton, N. J. In the fall of 1828 he
removed to Rochester, where he pursued his legal
studies with Daniel D. Barnard and Isaac Hill, of
that city. He was admitted to the bar in October,
1 83 1, and in February, 1832, opened an office in
Dansville, where he practiced till 1856, when he
went South for the health of his wife, visiting
Havana, Cuba and Key West. He returned in
1857. He was appointed Associate Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas about 1839; was Presi-
dential Elector and Secretary of the Electoral Col-
lege in 1856; and a Delegate to the Constitutional
Convention in 1867. He died here Jan. 22,
1870.
John A. Van Derlip was born in Jackson, Wash-
ington county, N. Y., Jan. 27, 1818, and was edu-
cated at Washington Academy, in Salem, in that
county, and at Union College, graduating at the
latter institution in 1838, in which year he com-
menced the study of law with Pearson & Davis, in
Troy. He afterwards pursued his legal studies
about six months in Cherry Valley with David H.
Little, afterwards State Senator, and completed
them in Rochester, with Judge Moses Chapin.
He was admitted at Rochester in October, 1841,
and the following January established himself in
practice in Dansville, where he has since continued.
In 1846, he was appointed Associate Judge of the
Common Pleas Court by Silas Wright and per-
formed the duties of that office till the Constitu-
tion of that year took effect. Judge Van Derlip is
an able lawyer, and stands to-day at the head of
the Livingston County Bar.
Benjamin F. Harwood was born in Hornby,
Steuben county, N. Y., August 10, 1819. He was
admitted to practice in the State courts in July,
1839, and in the fall of that year located at Dans-
ville, where he acquired some prominence, but
more by his political affiliations than by his law
practice, though he was not wanting in professional
talent. In 1848 he was a Presidential Elector;
and in 1855, was elected Clerk of the Court of
Appeals. He died at Albany, March 30, 1856,
while in discharge of the duties of that office.
John R. Hickox was practicing here in 1842.
He was a Justice, and did pretty much all the
Justice's business during the four or five years he
subsequently remained here.
Endress Faulkner, son of Hon. James Faulkner,
was born in Dansville, March 25, 1818. He pre-
pared for college at Canandaigua Academy, and in
July, 1837, entered Yale, where he graduated in
1 84 1. He immediately engaged in the study of
law, was admitted to the bar in January, 1843, and
in that year entered upon a brief but brilliant
professional career in Dansville, associated for a
time with the late Hon. Cyrus Sweet of Syracuse,
and subsequently with Judge Solomon Hubbard,
now of Geneseo. He died of consumption Nov.
12, 1852. He possessed a keen intellect and
unusual forensic powers.
Solomon Hubbard practiced here from 1844 to
1864, when, having been elected County Judge the
previous year, he removed to Geneseo, to perform
the duties of that office.*
John Wilkinson was born in Sparta, Nov. 24,
1808. His father, Gawen Wilkinson, emigrated
from Shulthwaite, Cumberland county, England,
to North Dansville, about 1800, and about 1804
removed to the present town of Sparta, where he
resided till his death. John Wilkinson was admitted
in 1834, and in that year entered upon a practice
in Dansville which he has since continued.
* For further mention of Judge Hubbard, see the subject of lawyers in
connection with the village of Geneseo.
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — LAWYERS.
171
Lucian B. Proctor* was born at Hanover, N.
H., March 6, 1823, and removed with his parents
when about ten years old to x'Vuburn. He was ad-
mitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in October,
1S43.
Joseph W. Smith I was born near Bath, Steuben
county, in 1821.
Adoniram J. Abbott practiced here ten years
from 1848 to 1858, immediately after his admis-
sion, when he removed to Geneseo, where he is
now practicing, and in connection with which town
further mention of him is made.
Job C. Hedges X was born in New York city in
June, 1835.
Samuel Dorr Faulkner, son of Judge James
Faulkner and brother of En dress Faulkner, was
born in Dansville, November 14, 1835. He com-
menced his classical education at home under the
instruction of an accomplished private tutor, and
completed his preparation for college at Berkshire,
N. Y. He entered Yale in 1855 and was gradu-
ated in the class of 1859 with distinguished honors.
Soon after leaving college he entered the Albany
Law School, where he chiefly prepared for the bar,
and was admitted to all the courts in the State in
i860. He immediately commenced the practice
of his profession in his native village, and his
abilities soon won for him a place among the lead-
ers of the Livingston county bar. In 1865, he
was elected to the Assembly; "and was the first
Democrat ever elected by his party in Livingston
county to the Assembly." The following year he
was tendered, but decUned a re-nomination. Li
187 1, he was elected County Judge, and re-elected
at the expiration of his first terra of six years. But
he, like his brother, was stricken down with con-
sumption soon after entering upon the second
term of his Judgeship, a position he had filled with
distinguished ability and acceptance.
John G. Wilkinson, son of John Wilkinson, was
born in Dansville, October 15, 1849, and educa-
ted at Dansville Seminary. About 1870, he com-
menced the study of law with his father, and was
admitted in 1872, in which year he entered upon
the practice of his profession in Dansville, contin-
uing till his death, December 6, 1875.
The other lawyers now practicing in Dansville,
are D. W. Noyes, Seth N. Hedges, Charles J.
Bissell, Byron T. Squires, John M. McNair, Lester
B. Faulkner, Frederick W. Noyes, Charles H.
Rowe, Andrew J. Shafer and Robt. G. Dorr.
* For Mr. Proctor's biography and portrait see anotlier portion of this
chapter. , , ^ , - ,
t For a memoir and portrait of Mr. Smith see the close of this chapter,
i For further mention of Mr. Hedges see the close of this chapter.
D. W. Noyes was born in Winchendon, Mass.,
September 30, 1824, prepared for college at the
academies of Amsterdam and Galway, and gradu-
ated from Union College in 1847. He was ad-
mitted at the General Term at Ballston Spa, in
January, 1850, and on the loth of June of that
year commenced practice in Dansville, where he
has since continued. He was elected District
Attorney of Livingston county in 1875 and in
August, 1878, on the death of Judge Samuel D.
Faulkner, resigned that office to accept the office
of County Judge tendered him by Governor Rob-
inson.
Seth N. Hedges was born in Dansville, March 7,
1839, and received an academic education at the
seminaries at Dansville and Lima. In 1862, he
entered the army as private in the 13th New York
Volunteers; was afterwards transferred to the
140th Regiment, from which he was promoted to
First Lieutenant in the 14th New York Heavy
Artillery. He was afterwards promoted Captain,
and subsequently Major in the same regiment, and
was mustered out in September, 1865. In i866,
he entered the law office of D. W. Noyes, of Dans-
ville, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1868.
Mr. Hedges was postmaster of Dansville from
October, 1869, to January i, 1874.
Charles J. Bissell was born in Penn Yan, Aug.
2ist, 1847, and educated in Temple Hill Acad-
emy, Geneseo. He commenced the study of law
while pursuing his literary studies, and in January,
1871, entered the office of Judge S. D. Faulkner,
of Dansville. He was admitted in September of
that year, and commenced practice in Dansville.
Byron T. Squires was born in Dansville, August
19, 1836, and received an academic education in
Dansville Seminary. In 1861, he entered the law
office of Hubbard & Faulkner, of Dansville, as a stu-
dent, and was admitted at Rochester, in Decem-
ber, 1862. He commenced practice in 1863, at
Livonia Station with Almond A. Hoyt. In 1865,
he went to Pennsylvania to take charge of his fa-
ther's lumber business. About 1874, after having
been variously employed, he resumed practice in
Dansville.
John M. McNair was born in West Sparta,
December 24, 1848, and received an academic ed-
ucation at Dansville Seminary. In 1866, he com-
menced the study of law with Judge S. D. Faulk-
ner, of Dansville. He entered Cornell University
in 1868, and graduated in 1871. In 1872, he
went to Minnesota, where he completed his legal
studies, and was admitted in 1873. He com-
172
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
menced practice at St. Cloud, Minn., and after
practicing there a year and a half, removed to
Cannon Falls, Minn., from whence, in 1876, he re-
moved to Dansville.
Lester B. Faulkner, brother of Judge S. D.
Faulkner, graduated at Yale in 1859, and entered
the Albany Law School. Immediately after his
admission, he entered the army, joining the 136th
Regiment, and was mustered out at the close of
the war as Lieut.-Colonel of that regiment. Janu-
ary I, 1879, he formed a law partnership with
Charles J. Bissell, which still continues under the
name of Faulkner & Bissell.
Frederic W. Noyes, son of Hon. D. W. Noyes,
is a native of Dansville, and read law with Messrs.
Noyes & Hedges. He was admitted in 1878, and
formed a co-partnership with his father in the
spring of 1880.
Charles W. Rowe was born in Springwater, in
this county, May 17th, 1856, and received an aca-
demic education at Dansville Seminary and Cook
Academy at Havana, N. Y. In 1874, he entered
the law office of Judge John A. VanDerlip, of
Dansville, and subsequently pursued his legal
studies with Messrs. Noyes & Hedges. He was
admitted in January, 1879, and commenced prac-
tice that year in Dansville.
Andrew J. Shafer was born in Sparta, December
12, 1855, and educated at Dansville Seminary. He
read law in Dansville with John Wilkinson and
Faulkner & Bissell, and was admitted in January,
1880.
Robert G. Dorr was born in Dansville, March
21, 1856, and educated at Dansville Seminary. In
January, 1877, he commenced the study of medi-
cine with his father, Robert L. Dorr, who was born
at White creek, Washington county, August 7,
1816, and admitted to the bar June 29, 1843 ;
Robert G. Dorr was admitted April 10, 1880.
Manufactures.— With the splendid and abun-
dant hydraulic facilities which the streams uniting
in and near this village afford, it is not surprising
that manufacturing enterprises should be the pre-
dominant element in its industries. The manu-
facture of paper and paper stock is not only the
most important, but among the earliest of these in-
dustries, for the pure waters of these streams early
invited this branch of manufactures. The pioneer
paper-mill in Western New York was, as we have
seen, built here in 1809-10, by Nathaniel Roches-
ter, and the old building is stall standing adjacent
to the Faulkner grist-mill, though long since appro-
priated to other uses. From this single enterprise
the business increased, until in 1844 there were
four large paper-mills manufacturing over $100,000
worth of paper per annum.* There are at present
four mills of this class, but, though adjacent to the
village, only two are within the corporation limits.
In 1820, Amos Bradley came here with his
family from Hartford, Conn., and commenced the
manufacture of writing and print paper on a large
scale, renting for that purpose the "old Faulkner
paper-mill," which he occupied until 1825, when he
formed a copartnership with his two oldest sons,
Javin and Chester, under the well-known name of
A. Bradley & Sons, and in the spring of that year
erected a fine mill on the ground now occupied by
the pulp-mill of the Woodruff Paper Co. In 1837,
the company met their first great reverse by the
destruction of their mill by fire. It was imme-
diately rebuilt. Two years elapsed and then the
fiery element again reduced their mill to ashes.
They immediately erected what is known as the
"lower paper-mill." Scarcely was this mill got in
operation, when they commenced rebuilding the
one destroyed by fire, which was superior in size,
machinery and facihties of all kinds to its pre-
decessors and to the lower mill. In 1841, the
upper mill was again destroyed by fire. Phcenix-
like another soon raised from its ashes, to be in its
turn destroyed four years later by the same ele-
ment ; but again it was rebuilt.
About this time the firm divided, Amos and his
sons Javin and Lucius, who had also acquired an
interest, remaining here, while Chester and Ben-
jamin removed to Niagara Falls, and commenced
the manufacture of paper there. For five years
Lucius and Javin continued the business, prin-
cipally at the upper mill, which, in 1854, was again
destroyed by fire, and was never rebuilt by any of
the Bradley family.
In 1852, Chester and Benjamin separated, and
the former returned to Dansville and erected the
Livingston mill, which is still in active operation,
but under a different management. Chester Brad-
ley, who was born July 18, 1802, died suddenly in
New York city, Nov. i, 1853, while transacting
business connected with his paper mill. Few men
stood higher in public estimation than he. In
1842, with the late Gardner Arnold, of Conesus, he
represented this county in the Assembly.
Lucius Bradley, who is still engaged in the man-
ufacture of paper in Dansville, is the only repre-
sentative left of this family, to which Dansville owes
so much of its prosperity.
* Pioneer HUtory of Phelps and Gorhani's PurcJiase-, 361 {noie.)
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — MANUFACTURES.
173
The Woodruff Paper Co., the present represen-
tatives of the Bradleys' manufacturing interests in
Dansville, was incorporated Nov. i, 1866, with a
capital of $40,000, and was composed of the fol-
lowing well-known gentlemen : L. C. Woodruff,
Alonzo Bradner, D. D. McNair and Thomas
Brown, the latter of whom retired Dec. 7, 1869,
his stock being purchased by the remaining part-
ners. No other change has occurred in the stock-
holders. There has been no change to the present
time in the official management, which is as fol-
lows : L. C. Woodruff, of Buffalo, President ;
Alonzo Bradner, of Dansville, Vice-President ; and
D. D. McNair, of Dansville, Secretary and Treas-
urer. The latter gentleman is also the efficient
General Superintendent.
This company was organized for the manufacture
of pulp from straw, by the process patented and
owned by the Hydrostatic Paper Co., the Woodruff
Paper Co. having the exclusive right for this vicin-
ity. In 1866 the company purchased the upper
mill property of the Bradleys, located on upper
Main street, near the junction of Big and Little
Mill creeks, which had been unoccupied since the
fire of 1854. The walls of 100 by 40 feet of the
present mill were erected by the Bradleys, and have
withstood at least three fires. The building, which
was then a mere shell, was fitted up and enlarged
by an addition of 40 by 40 feet, of brick and stone,
the character of the original building, the whole
being two stories high. The works were got in
readiness and operations were begun January i,
1868.
The works give employment to about twenty
persons, and consume annually about 1,200 tons of
straw — rye straw being used almost exclusively —
about forty per cent, of which is converted into
pulp. About one-fourth of this product is manu-
factured into paper at the Livingston paper-mill,
which is also the property of this company, and the
remainder is shipped to the New England states,
Ohio, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Straw alone
is used in its production.
The manufacture of print and book papers from
straw is of comparatively recent origin, the use of
that article having originally been confined to the
manufacture of coarse wrapping paper. But the
art of manipulating straw has been brought to such
perfection that pulp is now produced perfectly
white and with a texture almost as silken as bank
note paper. This was the first straw pulp-mill in
the United States, and is now the only one in this
State. For ten years there was no competition in
the country ; and to-day there are only three others
in this country, one each in Ohio, Michigan and
California.
The Livingston Paper Mill, which has been
referred to as being the property of the Woodruff
Paper Co., was built in 1852, by Chester, Javin,
Lucius and Benjamin Bradley, brothers. It soon
after passed into the hands of L. C. Woodruff, who
sold it Dec. 30, 1862, to Isaac Butts, Joseph Cur-
tis and John E. Morey, publishers of the Rochester
Union and Advertiser. Oct. 3, 1872, Mr. Butts
sold his interest to G. Cooper, Lorenzo Kelly and ,
Wm. Purcell, and the name, which, from 1862,
was Curtis, Butts & Co., was changed to Curtis,
Morey & Co., and the business conducted under
the name of the Daily Union and Advertiser Co.,
of Rochester. In February, 1874, it was sold by
these parties to the Woodruff Paper Co. The
mill gives employment to about twenty-five per-
sons, about one-fourth of whom are females, in the
manufacture of about a ton of printing and book
paper per day.
The HoUingsworth Paper Mill, situated a half
mile south of Dansville, was built— the larger and
rear portion of it — about eight years ago, by Capt.
Henry Henry. About 1876, Capt. Henry's widow
sold the building to Henry HoUingsworth, who, in
the spring of 1880, built a front addition, raised the
rear part one story, and put in machinery for the
manufacture of paper.
Mrs. Knowlton owns a mill for the manufacture
of brown wrapping paper, which is located about
two miles southwest of Dansville. It was built
some sixty to sixty-five years ago by Matthew
Porter.
O. B. Johnson's carding-mill was built about
1826, by Samuel and Jonathan Fisk, cousins, and
operated by them until about 1838, when Samuel
acquired Jonathan's interest and continued the
business till his death in 1841, when O. B. John-
son purchased the machinery. In the spring of
1868, he in company with W. L. Stewart, bought a
building which stood on the site of the Dansville
Woolen Mills, and removed the machinery to that
building, which was burned March 24, 1868.
They rebuilt on the same site, within sixty days,
the Dansville Woolen Mills, where they continued
business till the spring of 1876, when Mr. Johnson
sold his interest to John E. Phillips. Messrs.
Stewart & Phillips did business two years, till 1878,
when the latter sold his interest to Peter Craig,
who, in company with Stewart, operated the
mills till the fall of 1879, since which time they
174
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
have not been in operation. In 1876, Mr. John-
son resumed the wool carding and cloth exchange
business in the building originally erected by the
Fisks, and has since continued it. He has two sets
of custom cards, operated by water from Little Mill
creek, which has a fall of about twelve feet.
The grist-mill owned by Benjamin F. Readshaw,
on the corner of Gibson and Main streets, to which
reference has been made in connection with the
early settlement of the town, occupies the site of
the grist-mill built in 1796 by David ShoU for the
Pultney estate. It was soon after burned and
rebuilt by Sholl, who eventually became its owner,
and was succeeded in possession of the property
by Col. Nathaniel Rochester, the founder of the
city of Rochester. In January, 18 14, Mr. Roch-
ester sold it to Jacob Opp, who owned it till about
1840. The mill contains three runs of stones, •
which are propelled by water from Little Mill
creek, with a fall of thirteen and a half feet.
The Faulkner grist-mill, on South street, was
built in 1830, by Dr. James Faulkner, who has
since owned it. It occupies the site of the saw
mill built by David Sholl for Nathaniel Rochester,
which was torn down by Mr. Faulkner about the
time the grist-mill was built. It contains four runs
of stones, which are propelled by water from Mill
creek, with a head and fall of twenty-nine feet.
The mill has been rented for the last thirty odd
years to John C. Williams, and is often called the
Williams mill.
The Stone Mills (grist) were built about 1844
by Ehhu Stanley, and occupy the site of the old
foundry operated by Curtis & Tousey about 1836.
Stanley was succeeded in its ownership by Cady
Richardson, of Rochester, and Jesse Angell, the
latter of whom owned it till his death, since which
time it has belonged to his heirs, who rent it to the
present proprietor, W. H. Boyd. The mill con-
tains three runs of stones, which are operated by
water from Little Mill creek, which has a fall of
fourteen feet.
Lockling Bros.' Agricultural Works were estab-
lished in 1836, by Nathan Lockling, who conducted
them till 1871, with exception of one year, about
1852, when John Gill owned them. In 1871, L.
E. Lockling, son of Nathan, bought the estabUsh-
ment, and was succeeded in 1876 by his sons
Louis N. and A. C. Lockling, who carried on the
business under the name of Lockling Bros., till the
death of A. C. Lockling, Feb. 23, 1879. Louis
N. Lockling continues the business, which con-
sists in the manufacture of agricultural implements.
under the same name, and employs two persons
besides himself.
The Dansville pail factory was established about
forty years ago by E. Shelley, who carried on the
business some ten years, and sold to George Hy-
land, who continued it till his death in the spring
of 1880, since which time his son, John Hyland,
has carried on the business, which gives employ-
ment to six persons in the manufacture of pails,
tubs and butter packages. The motive power is
furnished by Big and Little Mill creeks, which
unite at this dam, and give a fall of seventeen feet.
The Ossian street foundry was established in
1842, by F. and M. Oilman, for conducting a gen-
eral foundry business. After doing business some
four years F. Oilman withdrew, and E. B. Oilman,
another brother, became a member, at which time
the name was changed to Oilman Bros., and re-
mained such until 1875, when E. B. Oilman sold
out to his brother, who continued the business two
years. E. B. Oilman then purchased the establish-
ment and associated with himself his brother, A. J.
Oilman. The business has since been conducted
under the name of E. B. & A. J. Oilman.
In 1854, Mr. DeLong came to this place and
formed a co-partnership with Richard Young, who
was then engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors
and blinds on this privilege, in a building which has
since been torn down, and the timbers of which
were used in the construction of- the residence of
Mr. Asa Bunnell. At the expiration of a year Mr.
DeLong purchased the interest of his partner and
has since carried on the business alone. The busi-
ness gives employment to four persons.
The steam planing-niill owned by Messrs. Fisk,
Son & Co., was built in 1861, by J. C. Fisk, who
carried on the business for twelve years, when his
son, Henry E. Fisk, became his partner. Messrs.
Fisk & Son conducted the business till 1876, when
James Wood became a member of the firm, the
name of which was changed to Fisk, Son & Co.
The firm also do a machine repairing business, the
machineryfor which was put in in 1878, and manu-
facture sash, doors and blinds. They employ two
persons in addition to themselves.
N. Klauck & Sons' tannery was started in 1865,
by Nicholas Klauck and his son Joseph, in a build-
ing which was formerly used as a blacksmith shop,
and now forms the front portion of the present tan-
nery, which is located on the upper part of Main
street. The addition, 48 by 24 feet, was built in
1868. The tannery gives employment to five per-
sons, contains twenty-two vats and three leaches ;
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — BANKS.
175
and tans annually 1,200 to 1,400 sides of upper
leather, and about 500 kip and 600 calf skins.
The Genesee Valley Wine Co., of which Dr.
Francis M. Ferine is sole proprietor, commenced
the manufacture of wine from grapes in 1870. The
Doctor has a fruit farm of 225 acres in this town,
25 acres of which are devoted to grape culture. He
makes from 8,000 to 10,000 gallons of wine per
year, principally Catawba; though his stock in-
cludes Delaware, Diana, Concord, Port and Sherry.
The Dansville Plow Works were established in
November, 1878, by Moses Gilman and C. H.
Sanford, who bought the Jemison wagon shop and
removed it to its present location. They do a gen-
eral iron founding business, but make a specialty of
F. Wiard's latest improved plow of 1878. This firm
are just putting in a mill for the manufacture of
sugar and syrup from the Minnesota sugar cane.
They planted one acre the present year, (1880,)
which yielded eighteen to twenty tons of cane.
The enterprise thus far is merely tentative, as it is
new to this locality, though the African sorghum
was raised here twenty years ago.
The manufacture of trunks now carried on by
A. Lozier was commenced in 1874 by Carl Ste-
phan & Co. Carl Stephan subsequently acquired
the interest of his partner, Mr. Weeks, and in 1876,
sold the establishment to A. and Frank Lozier,
brothers, the latter of whom sold his interest to his
brother, A. J^ozier, in the spring of 1880. The
business gives employment to two persons.
Banks. — The Bank of Dansville was incorpor-
ated June 10, 1839, under the general banking
law of April 18, 1 838. The first Directors were : —
Lester Bradner, Justus Hall, James McNair, Joel
W. Clark, John Hartman, John Gilman, Thomas
C. Grover, James Faulkner, Josiah Wendell, Ben-
jamin C. Cook, Isaac L. Endress, Richard W. Por-
ter and Salmon Gates. The first officers were : —
James Faulkner, President; Justus Hall, Vice
President; A. A. Bennett, Cashier; David D.
McNair, Teller. The capital was $150,000, se-
cured by bonds and mortgages, with no cash paid
in. The* bank commenced business under favor-
able auspices. It procured $50,000 in stocks of the
State of Michigan, and $25,000 of the State of
Alabama, for which a premium was paid. These,
with an equal amount of bonds and mortgages
were deposited with the Bank Commissioners, and
$150,000 of circulating notes procured.
" Then commenced the discounting. Very soon
the discounted debt was swelled to its utmost ca-
pacity and the trouble began. Neither of the offi-
cers understood the first rudiments of banking, and
it required but a short period to get the bank into
inextricable confusion. The stocks of the State of
Michigan were repudiated ; Alabama's went down
to sixty per cent. The cashier, Bennett, left the
country for the country's good and was never heard
from. The President resigned his position, and
proclaimed to the Board that the bank must go by
the board ! The Directors, more plucky than their
head officer, feeling all the responsibihty of their
position, their own farms being mortgaged for the
public security, declined to surrender without an
effort."*
They cast about, and, acting under the advice
of Governor Hunt and Thomas H. Rochester, in-
vited L. C. Woodruff to accept the cashiership,
which he did. Mr. Woodruff arrived in Dansville
on the 31st of December, 1839. An examination
of the condition of the bank revealed the fact that
within the four short months business had been
conducted, $54,000 had been wasted or lost; but
he applied the heroic remedy, and saved it from
the ruin which seemed inevitable. Within seven
years he made up the lost capital, built up a first
rate credit, and for seventeen years thereafter gave
the stockholders hberal dividends.
In 1868, the bank surrendered its Charter, as
authorized by Act of the Legislature, divided up
its capital, and has since been conducted as a pri-
vate institution under the same name.
There were originally about fifty stockholders.
Only two of them survive — Erhard Ran and James
Faulkner. They are fast approaching their cen-
tennial, and with their death the curtain falls upon
the last of the corporators of the Bank of Dansville.
Perhaps no bank in this State has encountered
so many violent, mahcious attacks from envious
enemies, who were jealous of its success. It has
withstood them all, defied them all, and has main-
tained its credit and standing through a period of
forty years with signal honor. It has survived its
founders and bids fair to outlive another genera-
tion.
First National Bank of Dansville.— IXit bank-
ing business of which this is the outgrowth was es-
tablished in 1849, by Sidney Sweet and Endress
Faulkner, who soon after associated with them-
selves James Faulkner and B. S. Chapin, with
change of the original name— S. Sweet & Co. En-
dress Faulkner died November 12, 1852. "Sep-
tember 23, 1863,"! it was organized as a National
♦Statement of L. C. Woodruff, of Buflalo, tlie former Cashier of the
Bank, November lo, 1880.
t This is the date given by the Bank ofBcials. It sliould probably be a
vear later as the "'Act to provide a National currency, secured by a
pledge of United States bonds, and to provide for the circulation and re-
demption thereof," was not approved until Junes, '864-
176
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Bank, with the following stockholders: — James
Faulkner, Sidney Sweet, James Faulkner, Jr., B. S.
Chapin and S. D. Faulkner. The capital stock
was $50,000, and still remains at that figure. It
was one of the pioneer National banks, the first in
this State west of Cayuga Bridge. It was No. 9
in the State, and No. 75 in the United States. In-
deed, the State had not yet recognized or sanc-
tioned the authority of the United States to regu-
late the conditions of banking within its borders,
and the Bank Superintendent, jealous of the
State's interests and privileges, forbade the mana-
gers to organize and transact business as a Na-
tional bank.*
The first officers were: — Dr. James Faulkner,
President, an office he has held to the present
time; Sidney Sweet, Vice President, an office he
still holds; B. S. Chapin, Cashier; James Faulk-
ner, Jr., Teller. Chapin was succeeded in the
office of cashier by James Faulkner, Jr., who still
retains it. James Faulkner, Jr., was teller from
the organization of the bank till his election as
cashier, and was succeeded in the office of teller
by Leonard Kuhn, who was appointed assistant
cashier in January, 1875, an office he still holds.
F. T. Brettle succeeded Mr. Kuhn as teller, and
still holds the office.
S. Sweet & Co., commenced business in the Ex-
press Building block. The present building, on
the corner of Main and Ossian streets, was erected
for their accommodation in 186 1-2, and occupied
April I, 1862.
Hotels. — The Hyland House occupies the site
of the old American Hotel, a wooden building,
which was purchased by George Hyland about
1845, and burnedin the spring of 1854. Thesouth
part of the present building was erected in 1859-60,
and the remaining or main part, in 1873-74. It
was opened in the spring of 1874. George Hy-
land owned the property till his death, when he was
succeeded by his son George, who has kept the
hotel during the intervals when it was not rented.
The present proprietor. Smith Newman, took
possession July i, 1880.
The Allen House was built in 1871-72, by S. C.
Allen, who rented it to George Swick, afterwards
to M. Yorks, and subsequently kept it himself for
three years, till January, 1878, when he rented it to
D. B. Voorhees, the present proprietor.
The Clinton Hotise, originally known as the
Dansville House, was built by Joseph Feuster-
* January 19, 1865, the Legislature passed an Act enabling the bankg
of this State to become associations for the purpose of banking, under the
law of the United States, of June 3, 1864.
macher — the front part about forty years ago, the
rear part earlier. It was first kept by Milton
Morey. The present proprietor, Wendell Engel,
purchased it about 1868. It has been kept the
past three years by Harris Wing.
Our Home Hygienic Listitute was established in
1853-54, by Dr. Bingham, who erected in those
years the south half of the present main building
for a water-cure. Abram Pennell, of Honeoye
Flats, soon after succeeded him in the proprietor-
ship, and it was occupied by his son-in-law, Dr.
Stevens, for whom it was purchased. But Dr.
Stevens and his successor, Dr. Blackball, occupied
it but for a short time, not more than two or three
years at most, for the building was never finished
above the second floor until Dr. Jackson took
possession, Oct. i, 1858. The building had then
been vacant about a year, and was fast going to
destruction.
In 1853, Dr. James C.Jackson, in company with
his son, Giles E. Jackson, Miss Harriet N. Austin
and F. Wilson Hurd leased the building for one
year for the insurance thereon. A copartnership
was formed by F. Wilson Hurd, Giles E. Jackson
and Miss Harriet N. Austin, under the style of F.
Wilson Hurd & Co., and Dr. James C. Jackson
was employed to take general supervision of the
cure. Dr. Jackson came from the town of Sem-
pronius, in Cayuga county, and was one of the
founders of the Glen Haven Water Cure on the
shore of the beautiful Skaneateles lake in that town.
Miss Austin, who had been a member of the medi-
cal corps of that institution, and Dr. F. Wilson
Hurd were associated with Dr. Jackson in the med-
ical supervision of this institution, which was first
named "Our Home on the Hill Side," from its
location on the side of the beautiful east hill in the
village of Dansville.
When Dr. Jackson landed at the foot of the hill
with his family and effects from Capt. Henry's stage,
on the ist of October, 1858, there was no road
to the building which a team could travel, and they
were obliged to carry their trunks, etc., up the hill
by hand. " For possession of the house during the
first few days," says Dr. James H. Jackson, "we
fought a battle with the wasps, bats, flies and rats,
coming off victorious and estabHshing our right to
place and property.'' From that period improve-
ments began which have brought the buildings and
grounds connected with them to their present status
— making them a real gem in the fine rural land-
scape of the village. The buildings consist of a
main wooden, four-story structure, with chapel at-
''our home'' hygienic INS'
"E^Dansvflle, Livingston Co. N.Y.
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — GAS LIGHT COMPANY.
177
tached, having a frontage of over 350 feet, and
seven detached ornate cottages, some of them of
quite large size. The chapel, which is 65 by 32
feet, and was erected in 1863-64, is connected with
the third-story of the main building by means of a
corridor. It is denominated Liberty Hall, and is
used for public meetings, lectures, worship, and
amusement. These buildings are located on the
east side-hill, from 130 to 200 feet above the main
street in the village.
On the death of Giles E. JaCkson, June 29, 1864,
his mother Lucretia E. Jackson, and brother,
James H. Jackson, became members of the co-
partnership, and the following year the name of the
firm was changed to Austin, Hurd & Co. In the
fall of 1868, Dr. Hurd's interest was purchased by
the remaining partners, and the name changed to
Austin, Jackson & Co. In 1872, the institution
was incorporated as a stock company under the
name of Our Home Hygienic Institute of Dans-
ville, N. Y., with Miss Harriet N. Austin as Presi.
dent and James H. Jackson as Secretary.
Dr. Jackson brought his reputation and patients
from Glen Haven, the latter coming as fast as
rooms could be fitted for their accommodation,
in a few weeks numbering fifty or sixty. A
steady increase in the number of patients was main-
tained, and since i860 there has never been less
than 100 patients, while as many as 300 have been
treated at one time. At present (September,)
1880,) there are 250 patients, who represent every
state and territory in the Union. They have had
patients from South America. Canada and Nova
Scotia, especially the Province of Ontario, have
contributed largely in this respect. There are five
physicians in attendance, viz : — Dr. James C. Jack-
son, Physician-in-Chief; Harriet N. Austin, M. D.;
James H. Jackson, who has been connected with
the institution as superintendent and general busi-
ness agent since i86r ; Kate J. Jackson, M. D.,
wife of Dr. James H. Jackson, and Elisha D. Lef-
fingwell, M. D.
The Laws of Life and Journal of Health, a
monthly medical publication, established at Glen
Haven, by Dr. James C. Jackson, in 1857, has
been published.continuously at the " Home" to the
present time.
The water used at this Institution is supplied by
a spring, issuing from a shaly seam in the rock
which forms the hill on whose site it is located,
about 420 feet above the valley, and discharging
about 3,000 barrels per day. This spring, which
is called " The All-Healing Spring," burst forth
from its imprisoned cavity through the hill-side in
the spring of 1798. This singular phenomenon
was attended with great violence and rent a chasm
eighteen inclies to three feet in width, extending
for a mile along the hill, and about 700 feet above
the valley. About 200 to 300 feet above this
spring is the entrance to the " devil's hole ;" while
about twenty feet above and forty feet to the south
of it, is an orifice from which in rainy seasons the
water issues with great force, forming a stream
some six inches in diameter.
Dr. James Faulkner, in remarks made at an
anniversary celebration of " Our Home,'' said, in
referring to this "freak of nature," it "occurred in
the morning, and was preceded by a loud and
rumbHng noise distinguishable in the village and
somewhat similar to heavy thunder. The noise
greatly excited and alarmed the few inhabitants
who then peopled Dansville. The force and vio-
lence of the rushing waters were so great as to up-
root large trees in its course and carry them far
down the hill-side. For a few hours the flow of
the water was both rapid and copious. It gradu-
ally subsided and finally settled down to about its
present dimensions, and has remained so for about
eighty years. The little water course was, before
it received its present name, called the Break-
out. The water has always been singularly clear,
pure and sparkling, when undisturbed by the ele-
ments."
The Dansville Gas Light Co. — As early as
1856, the project of lighting the village with gas
was discussed, and on the 3d of April of that year
the village trustees conferred certain rights and
privileges on Messrs. Sabbatons & Co., of Albany,
who had applied to them for permission to erect
works and lay pipes for the purpose of lighting the
village with gas. March 8, i860, this exclusive
privilege was extended to a period of twenty-five
years from March i, i860, and the personal prop-
erty of the company was exempted from village
taxation for three years. The company were
required to commence operations within one year
from the granting of this privilege, and to have the
works in operation within six months from the time
they were commenced. August 15, i860, these
privileges were revoked, and conferred on George
Gratton, of Syracuse, and those who might be
associated with him, and he was required to have
the works erected and in successful operation
within that year. March i, 1861, the time for com-
pletion was extended four months from Jan. i,
1861.
178
HISTORY OF LIVINCxSTON COUNTY.
The Dansville Gas Light Co. was organized in
New York, May i8, 1861, with a capital of
$25,000, and Mr. Schaner as President. George
Gratton was sent from Syracuse to construct the
works. About the time they were completed
Schaner failed, and no election of directors was
held for several years, though the manufacture of
gas was continued by Nicholas Schu. George
Gratton became the Treasurer and Superintendent
of the company, and October 4, 1861, submitted
a proposition, to furnish gas for street lamps and
public buildings for $3.50 per thousand feet, which
offer was accepted by the village trustees Oct. g,
1861.
The affairs of the company had become very
much disarranged and its stock was bought up by
Sidney Sweet and Judge James Faulkner, who
afterwards associated with themselves Timothy B.
Grant, J. B. Morey, George A. Sweet, Laura J.
Morey, M. O. Austin, George Hyland, Hugh
McCartney, and O. B. Maxwell, who compose the
present stockholders, Mr. Maxwell's interest, since
his death, being represented by his estate. The
present officers are J. B. Morey, President, and T.
B. Grant, Secretary and Treasurer.
In 1877, J. M. Lowe leased the works and soon
after associated with himself William Humphrey,
who subsequently acquired Lowe's interest in the
lease.
Gas was first made from coal, next from naptha
vapor, then from gasoline, subsequently from oil,
and at present from naptha.
Water Works. — Various efforts were made
from time to time to secure an appropriation ior
effectually supplying the village with water for fire
purposes, but not until 1873 was the question sat-
isfactorily disposed of August 20, 1873, the elec-
tors resolved to issue bonds of the village
in the sum of $25,000, for the construction
of water works, payable, with interest annually at
seven per cent, per annum, in installments of
$2,000 per year. The water works were completed
in the spring of 1874. The reservoir consists of a
pond formed in Mill creek by the construction of
a dam above the " California House,'' at an eleva-
tion of about 182 feet above the lower end of Main
street. The water is drawn from a stoned well
sunk within the pond thus formed. May 22, 1875,
George Hyland, Jr., was appointed Superintendent
of Water Works, a position he still holds.
Dansville Fire Department. — The first village
charter authorized the appointment of one or more
companies of firemen, of twenty members each,
and one hook and ladder company of fifteen mem-
bers, and designated one member of each as fore-
man thereof. Section 24 provides that firemen,
while they continue to be such, shall be exempt
from military duty. The amended charter of May
9, 1846, limited the number of fire companies to
one of thirty members for each fire engine procured
by the village. At the first corporation meeting,
June 16, 1846, it was resolved to raise by tax $800
to purchase a fire engine, the necessary hose and
other apparatus therefor, hooks and ladders and
the necessary apparatus for a hook and ladder
company, to erect or hire a suitable place to keep
such engine and apparatus, "to pay the expense of
procuring the same and other needful and proper
expenses of the corporation," and "to dig public
wells, sewers and drains and make aqueducts, cis-
terns and reservoirs in said village for the use of
the inhabitants thereof, and procure pumps and
other necessary fixtures for the same in such man-
ner and at such places as the said trustees may in
their discretion order or determine."
August 5, 1846, Wm. C. Bryant, B. J. Chapin,
C. R. Kern, Wm. G. Thompson, Samuel M.
Welch, J. L. Boon, C. W, Dibble, G. C. Wood,
M. McCartney, L. P. Williams, John Nares, C. E.
Lamport and H. Howe were appointed Engine
Co. No. I. September 9, 1846, the Board of Vil-
lage Trustees approved the by-laws and officers of
" Phoenix Engine Co. No. 1," and O. B. Maxwell,
R. Williams, Wm. H. Southwick * and Wm. Hol-
Uster were appointed members of that company.
James H. Parker, J. D. Pike, Charles Rumley, E.
Miles, M. Halstead and L. H. Colborn* were
added to the company November 10, 1846 ; and
Elias Geiger, G. H. Rice, John U. Wallis, Charles
D. Heening, James M. Smith, J. V. Taft, J. H.
Freeland and Charles McElvany, January 12, 1847.
December it, 1849, Julius A. Reynolds, J. H.
Conrity, T. B. Goodrich, L. W. Reynolds, Wm.
Brown, Jr., G. F. Shannon, J. G. Shepard, N. Schu,
H. Brewer, Charles Heidacker, S. L. Barrett, J.
W. Merriman, B. Lewis Brittan, Jonathan Doty,
N. Bavenger, D. Shafer, H. O. Reynale, A. N.
Barto, Charles Stephan and Joseph Hallaner were
constituted Engine Co. No. 2.
April 28, 1857, H. C. Payne and twenty others
were, at their request, organized as Phoenix Fire
Co. No. I. June 21, 1858, DeForest Lozier and
eighteen others were, at their request, constituted
Hope Fire Co., No. 2, and DeForest Lozier was
* Withdrew from the company and returned certificates January I4,
1847-
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE— THE SQUARE, THE SEMINARY.
179
appointed its foreman. December 15, 1858, H.
Henry was appointed Chief Engineer of the Fire
Department.
May 4, 1863, thirty-four persons were consti-
tuted " Engine Co. Canaseraga," and Nicholas
Schu was appointed foreman ; twenty-five others
were constituted " Engine Co. Phoenix," with James
Faulkner, Jr., as foreman ; to take charge of the
new engines then recently purchased by the village.
August 3, 1864, "Genesee Fire Co. No. 3" was
organized, composed of thirty-one members. This
company and the hose company connected with it
were disbanded July 25, 1866. April 27, 1867, J.
H. Rumpff and others were constituted a" hook
and ladder company, with J. H. Rumpff as fore-
man, and were authorized to increase the number
to twenty-four.
January 26, 1876, the following, on their peti-
tion, were constituted a " Protective Fire Co." ;
James Porter, Foreman; James Keenan, 1st Assist-
ant-Foreman; Charles V. Patchin, zd Assistant-
Foreman ; H. K. VanNuys, President ; Wm. H.
Dick, Vice-President ; Geo. M. Blake, Secretary ;
James F. Bryant, Treasurer; Ed. Moody, C. S.
Snyder, F. T. Brettle, Joseph W. Burgess, C. B.
Casterline, B. H. Oberdorf, W. J. Lee, Ed. Wood-
ruff, Charles Rowe, Wm. Krein, W. C. Bryant, Jr.,
L. B. Grant, L. G. Tilden, A. A. Oaks, F. E. Kin-
ney, F. S. Miller, Wm. C. Croll, C. C. Hartley, H.
F. Beyers, A. W. Pease and A. B. Lindsay ; and
the following, on petition, were constituted a hook
and ladder company : James Hoover, President ;
J. Kramer, Jr., Vice-President; Baldise Foot, Treas-
urer ; F. Schubmehl, Jr., Secretary; A. C. Lock-
ling, Assistant-Secretary; D. K. Price, Foreman;
Martin LaForce, Assistant-Foreman ; Conrad
Kramer, 2d Assistant- Foreman ; Adolph Huber,
Steward; Peter LaForce, H. Steinhardt, F. S.
Schubmehl, M. C. Hirsch, Fred. Fridle, E. C.
Klauck, A. Sourbeer, J. Storm, G. Fesley, Peter
Geiger, Conrad Yochum, S. Schwan, A. Lauter-
born, Wm. Thomas, Jr., F. Gregorious, Jacob
Foot, T. Eschrich, J. Hubertus, B. Shafer and
Peter J. Deitsch. May 3, 1876, the trustees con-
sented to the incorporation of the Union Hose
Co. of Dansville, pursuant to the Act of May 2,
1873 ; and August 9, 1876, to the incorporation of
the Protectives, and March 28, 1877, to Fearless
Hook and Ladder Co., under the same Act. These
constitute the department as at present organized.
The equipment consists of the apparatus of the
Protective, hose, and hook and ladder companies,
a Babcock fire extinguisher, and about 2,000 feet
of hose, all serviceable. Since the completion of
the village water works in 1874, they have amply
supplied the water needed for fire purposes, with-
out the use of fire engines. There are forty-five
hydrants. The water pressure is ninety-five pounds
to the square inch, and the force sufficient to throw
a stream over the highest building in the village.
H. Huver is foreman of the hook and ladder com-
pany; James McC. Edwards, of the hose com-
pany ; and F. W. Krein, of the Protectives.
The Square. — In 1810, Nathaniel Rochester
deeded to the "Union Society" some four acres
of land, known as the village square, which is
now used for church and school purposes, and
the old cemetery grounds adjacent to it. These
grounds possess a historic interest from their asso-
ciation with the Indian tribe who once dwelt here,
and should be kept inviolate as pubHc grounds.
As the Society to which they were deeded never
had a legal existence, no absolute conveyance was
made. The question of title was submitted to that
eminent lawyer, John C. Spencer, who decided that
it never passed from Mr. Rochester, and that at
his death it rested in his heirs. As the citizens
were opposed to buying grounds for a school-house
site, this square was used for that purpose. The
old builditig is still standing, having been removed
from its original location a little north of the Epis-
copal church. ' This square was successively
occupied by the Methodists, Presbyterians, Epis-
copalians, Lutherans and Cathofics, each of whom
have built churches upon it, though the former is
now abandoned, and lastly by the village for a
lock-up, engine house and gun house.*
The Dansville Seminary was incorporated by
the Regents, Jan. 14, 1858, and opened in Septem-
ber of that year, under the auspices of the East
Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church, in a building rented for the purpose and
now occupied by L. G. Ripley as a residence.
The next year the school was removed to the second
story of the large, unsightly brick building on the
corner of Ossian and Spruce streets, which now
forms the district school-house in the 2d school dis-
trict. There it was continued until Jan. i, i860,
when the seminary building — the brick structure —
charmingly situated on the east hill-side, was so
far completed as to admit of its occupancy, and it
was removed to it.
The first principal was Rev. Schuyler Seager, a
member of the East Genesee Conference. His
* Statement of L. B. Proctor of Dansville ; mi The Dansville Adver-
tiser ot Awpisi 12, 1880.
i8o
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
successors have been Rev. John J. Brown, now a
Professor in Syracuse University, Rev. Joseph
Jones, Rev. Mr. Crumb, Henry Sanford, Albert
Lewis, who was a graduate of McGill College,
Montreal, and the last of the Conference ap-
pointees, J. C. Foley, now practicing law in New
York city, ■ ■ , Samuel H. Goodyear,
who retired at the close of the academic year in
June, 1880, and G. S. Miller, the present incum-
bent.
Since the conference withdrew its patronage, the
Seminary has been conducted by individuals who
receive the tuitions as their compensation, and
until the close of the last year, the faculty have
paid the interest on the Seminary indebtedness,
which, as reported in 187 1, the latest report at
hand, was $500. Notwithstanding the laxness
which has prevailed in its management, the Semi-
nary has been maintained on a highly creditable
basis. Its patronage is drawn largely from the
village and surrounding country, the neglected
condition of the village public school making it an
acceptable substitute. The present attendance
(September, 1880,) is about 100, which is less than
the average of former years by 30 to 50, and is only
about one-half the attendance which has been
reached. The school has always been under the
visitation of the Regents.
The boarding hall connected with the Seminary
was built in 1876. The corner-stone was laid June
22, 1876. It is a wooden structure, and will well
accommodate 200 students. The original cost of
the property was about $20,000.
The prime movers in the projection of the Sem-
inary were Dr. B. L. Hovey, Judge and Hon. S.
Hubbard, Matthew McCartney, Charles Shepard,
Hon. Isaac L. Endress, and Orville Tousey.
The Livingston Circulating Library, of
Dansville, is the result of a project which was set
on foot in the fall of 1872. Dec. 7, 1872, the pre-
liminary work having been done by a number of
energetic and public spirited persons, principally
ladies, a meeting was convened at the residence of
Mrs. E. Youngs, on EUzabeth street, for the pur-
pose of organizing the forces which should there
muster for the establishment of a village Hbrary.
Jan. 13, 1873, the library was incorporated under
the above name, the incorporators being : D. W.
Noyes, I. H. Dix, F. Fielder, A. O. Bunnell, M.
M. Durkee, J. C. Foley, H. F. Dyer, A. D. Beach,
S. N. Hedges, Thomas E. Gallagher, Mrs. E. M.
Knowlton, Mrs. D. W. Noyes, Mrs. S. N. Hedges,
Mrs. Sarah Baldwin, Mrs. H. F. Dyer, Miss D. B
Bunnell, Kittie Bissell, Grace Hedges, Augustus
Kern, Mary F. Bunnell, Ada H. Smith and Sallie
McCurdy, who met at the residence of Daniel W.
Noyes, in Dansville, and organized under the Act
of June 17, 1853. Daniel W. Noyes, James H.
Jackson, Frank Fielder, George A. Sweet, I. H.
Dix, A. O. Bunnell, Thomas E. Gallagher, H. F.
Dyer and Samuel D. Faulkner were named in the
charter as the trustees for the first year. The cap-
ital stock was $25,000, divided into 5,000 shares.
The library was opened on Saturday evening, July
18, 1874, with Miss A. P. Adams as Librarian, a
position she efficiently and acceptably filled some
eighteen months. Her successor in that ofiice is
Mrs. M. L. Brayton, who was chosen January 12,
1876. The hbrary now numbers 1,150 volumes of
well selected hterature.
Churches. — Just when and by whom the first
church in Dansville was organized is a matter
which is made obscure and uncertain by the various
and unauthentic statements concerning it. The
only authentic statement relative to it is the in-
definite one contained in the letter of James Mc-
Curdy, published in Clark's Miniature of Dans-
ville, which says : "The first estabhshed preacher
and founder of a church among us, was the Rev.
Andrew Gray." We are left to conjecture, or at
best to subsidiary evidence, to determine the time
and place. Rev. Geo. K. Ward, who prepared a
history of the Presbyterian church of Dansville in
1876, concludes that the Rev. Mr. Gray was settled
here about 18 12. But there is nothing to indicate
directly the extent and result of his labors.
"The primitive settlers of Dansville," says Tur-
ner, "were mostly Lutherans, or Dutch Reformed.
The first meetings were held from house to house ;
Frederick Barnhart or Adam Miller, usually taking
the lead. The Rev. Mr. Markle, a Lutheran
preacher from Geneva, occasionally visited the
place, as did Elder Gray. The first located minis-
ter was the Rev. Mr. Pratt. The Rev. Mr. Hub-
bard, a son-in-law of Moses Van Campenj was an
early settled minister."* "The early settlers of
Dansville," says the Rev. Mr. Ward, before quoted,
"were mainly of Presbyterian origin ; the McNairs,
Perines, McCurdys, McCartneys, Faulkners, Brad-
ners and Hammonds were all of this stock, and
hence it was quite in the natural sequence of events
that the first religious body of importance should
have been of this denomination." Hotchkin, who
does not mention an earlier one, says a Presby-
terian church denominated Dansville and Sparta,
* Pioneer History of Phelps and GorhanCs Purchase, 360.
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — CHURCHES.
ISI
was organized in 1819, or the early part of 1820.
It was afterwards called Sparta First church, and
was received under the care of the Presbytery of
Ontario, Feb. 8th, 1820."* This probably has
reference to the church three miles north of Dans-
ville, which undoubtedly accommodated the Pres-
byterians in this vicinity, as the churches in the
sparsely settled country at that early period drew
their members from a wide extent of territory.
This supposition is confirmed by the fact that a
Presbyterian church was formed in this village in
1825, and strengthened by the additional testimony
of Hotchkin, who, in referring elsewhere to this vil-
lage and its immediate vicinity, says : '' The settlers
were Yankees, Pennsylvanians and Germans, be-
tween whom there was very little affinity, and the
institutions of religion were for a long time almost
totally neglected, and irrehgion prevailed." f
The Presbyterian Church of Dansville was or-
ganized March 25, 1825, by the following mem-
bers of the Presbytery of Bath : Rev. James H.
Hotchkin, Robert Hubbard and Stalham Clary,
and was received under the care of that Presbytery
August 30th of that year. The constituent mem-
bers were eleven in number, nine of whom were
members of the First church in Sparta, and
two from the church in Buffalo. They were : —
Wyllis F. Clark and Charity his wife, Samuel
Shannon and Sarah his wife, Calvin E. Clark and
Harriet his wife, Mrs. Mary Rowley, Mrs. EHzabeth
Pickell, Nancy Pickell, Stephen Franklin and Sarah
his wife. The church was placed under the care
of Rev. Robert Hubbard, of Angelica, as stated
supply. June 2, 1826, it was transferred by Act of
the General Assembly to the Presbytery of Ontario.
At that period it numbered thirty-two members.
The society worshipped in an old school-house
which stood on the west side of Main street, on the
vacant lot south of the Dansville house, and was
afterwards removed to the rear of the Cathohc
church on Dutch street. It was the place of wor-
ship of the Catholic society before, their church edi-
fice was erected, and was subsequently used by
them as a parochial school, but is now converted to
and used as a barn. The Presbyterians afterwards
found a convenient place of meeting in the new
school-house which occupied the site of the Epis-
copal church, and occupied it for some time after.
At this time Joshua Shepard generously donated
to the society the lot now occupied in part by the
post-office, and a thousand dollars toward erecting
* Hotchkin's History of ll'esiern New York, 584.
t Hid, 584.
a church thereon. A church was accordingly built
on that site and completed at a cost of $3,500. It
was dedicated in 1831.
In 1834, Rev. Mr. Hubbard resigned his charge
over this church and took charge of a church in
Fowlerville. Rev. Elam H. Walker, in September,
1834, was ordained and installed pastor. In
the early part of 1840, disaffection arose,
and resulted in the formation of a separate
church, which, by way of distinction, was denomi-
nated the First church. The church was nearly
equally divided, 56 remaining with Mr. Walker at
the old church, and 66 separating and occupying
what was termed the brick church, (an upper room
in the Stevens block,) until they could build a new
edifice, which was finished in 1842, at a cost of
$4,000, and occupied until the reunion was effected
Jan. 15, 1861, at the solicitation of the Presbytery,
when the reunited church was given its former dis
tinctive name " The Presbyterian Church of Dans-
ville."
Rev. I. N. Hubbard supplied for the first six
months the pulpit of the church formed by the
seceding members, and was succeeded by Rev.
Leveret Hull, who continued his labors as stated
supply about two years. In November, 1842, Rev.
D. N. Merrit was installed pastor and continued
his labors till April, 1844. Rev. Joel Wakeman
next supplied the pulpit for a few months. In the
fall of 1844, Rev. W. F. Curry was installed pastor,
and continued in that relation till March, 1849,
when he was succeeded by Rev. C. L. Hequem-
bourg, who was installed pastor and occupied the
pulpit until July, 1853, when Rev. I. N. Hubbard
was invited to supply the pulpit and continued his
labors for four years. Rev. S. M. Campbell suc-
ceeded him and supphed the pulpit one year, to
1858, when Rev. Dr. Seager, then principal of
Dansville Seminary, was invited to supply the pul-
pit, which he did till the winter of 1859, when Rev.
Mr. Ford began his labors as stated supply and
continued in that relation till i860. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Samuel Jessup, who was installed
pastor in 1861, and during whose labors the re-
union was effected.
Rev. Mr. Walker continued his labors with the
other branch until his death, which occurred Jan-
uary II, 1849, at the age of 50 years. From the
time of Mr. Walker's death until 1855, the pulpit
was supphed by Revs. Powell, Parker, Ray and
Hequembourg, each of whom labored about a year.
March 31, 1854, their church edifice was destroyed
by fire. For a time they occupied Canaseraga Hall,
I82
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
and continued to hold their meetings there and at
the Lutheran church until 1855, when Mr. Hequem-
bourg's services closed. From that time to 1861
they had no regular pastor or preaching. By the
reunion both branches were brought under the pas-
toral care of Rev. Mr. Jessup, who continued his
ministrations until the spring of 187 2. Mr. Jessup's
administration was marked by a large and gratify-
ing degree of prosperity. In 1867 he was permit-
ted to behold the consummation of a project for
which he had labored with untiring zeal and en-
ergy— the building of a neat and commodious
chapel for social, prayer and praise meetings, and
the enlargement of the church edifice.
During the autumn and winter of 187 1-2, Mr.
Jessup laid aside his pastoral cares. In his absence
the pulpit was very acceptably filled by Rev.
Charles Ray, now pubHsher of the Moravia Citi-
zen. Immediately after Mr. Jessup's resignation
the pulpit was suppUed for three months by Rev.
Geo. K. Ward, who was succeeded by Rev. John
Jones, D. D., of Geneseo, who labored as a supply
for five months. Rev. John H. Brodt, formerly of
Brooklyn,, was then invited to fill the pulpit, which
he did with universal acceptance for four months.
The present pastor, Rev. Geo. K. Ward, entered
upon his ministry the first Sabbath in May, 1873,
and was ordained and installed June 4th of that
year. The church numbers at present 317 mem-
bers. In 1876, the church, which stands upon the
square, was repaired at an expense of about $2,000 ;
and in 1878, the chapel, which had before been de-
tached from the church, was enlarged and brought
into it, by an addition of about half its size, which,
including furnishing, was completed at a cost of
about $2,000. The Society are just arranging to
purchase a parsonage, which the generosity of Mrs.
Joseph W. Smith enables them to consummate.
The old parsonage was sold many years ago. The
Sabbath School was organized in June, 1820, and
has been faithfully sustained to the present time.
Dr. W. F. Clark was the first Superintendent, and
served in that capacity for sixteen years.*
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Dansville.
— The early records of this church have not been
preserved, and there is not one of the old members
left whose memory can be trusted to give a con-
nected history of it. A few fragmentary facts only
can be given, and these, mainly, are only the rec-
* This sketch is prepared mostly from Hotchkin's History of Western
New York; Turner' s Pioneer History of Phelps and Gorham's Pur-
chase; and, mainly, fromahistory of the church prepared in 1866, by Cal-
vin E. Clark, one of the eleven persons who organized it, and supple-
mented in 1876, by Rev. Geo. K. Ward.
oUections of individuals. Dr. James Faulkner says
there were Methodists in Dansville as early as i8ii.
The first Methodist meeting he knows of was held
in the house where John Galbraith lives. Robert
Parker preached occasionally in Peter Kuhn's
neighborhood as early as 1812, '13 and '14; though
there were but few Methodists here then. The
first great impulse to the growth of Methodism in
Dansville seems to have been given by the family
of Merritt Brown, who came here in the fall of
1818, and, says Dr. Faulkner, did more than al-
most any body else for the church when it was first
built. He pays a high tribute to the worth of Mr.
Brown and his wife, and says of the latter, " if she
is not happy in the other world I would not give
much for any one's chances of happiness there."
After Mr. Brown came here, he and others were
active in getting up a subscription for a church.
All denominations were very generous. But sev-
eral years elapsed before their efforts were rewarded.
Occasional meetings were held at Mr. Brown's
house by Revs. Thomas Magee and Mr. Nash. In
181 9 Rev. Micah Seager was preaching here.
Commencing at Sparta, he preached every day in
the week, his circuit of two weeks extending south-
erly. Mr. Seager was the uncle of Rev. Dr.
Schuyler Seager, the first principal of the Dansville
Academy. He was assisted in his labors by Rev.
Chester B. Adgate, who was afterwards the presid-
ing elder of the district. They held meetings from
time to time in the old log school house on Main
street. " They would come," says Rev. Mr. Ward,
" without a moment's warning, give notice of a
meeting to be held a few hours later, and when the
appointed hour arrived the house would be full of
eager listeners." Mr. Adgate continued his labors
two years and was followed on the circuit in 182 1
by Rev. James Gilmore, who was succeeded by
Rev. Mr. Prindle. In 1825, the Rev. Mr. House
preached on this circuit, and in January of that
year Rev. Gideon Stoddard held the first quarterly
meeting in Dansville. Rev. Mr. WiUiams preached
here in 1827. He was succeeded by Rev. Robert
Parker, during whose labors $800 were raised by
subscription to build a church, which was com-
menced in 1828, and finished and dedicated in
1829. The dedication sermon was preached by
Wilbur Hoag. It was erected and still stands on
the square,* but was abandoned by the Methodists
* ' ' The old M. E. Church which has stood for over fifty years on the
public square, was sold last week for I300 to Burns brothersof this place,
who will move it from the present site to the lot adjoining Bradley and
Pfunter's marble shop, and fit it up for a carnage manufactory." — Dam-
ville Advertiser^ March Z.J, i88r.
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — CHURCHES.
183
when their present fine house was finished in 1877.
It was built over once or twice. About this time
the Society was incorporated. The first trustees
were Merritt Brown, Wm. Curtice and Benjamin
Pickett. Mr. Parker was succeeded to the pastor-
ate by John Copeland, now insane, and in 1831,
by Thomas Carlton and Wm. D. Buck.
During the pastorate of Rev. G. W. Coe, in
1876-7, the splendid brick edifice on Chestnut St.,
in which the Society now worship, was erected. The
church was opened on Thursday, September r3,
1877. The cost aggregated $18,000, of which
$8,000 was then unprovided for, but $6,000 of the
amount was raised during the meetings of that day.
To-day, the church numbers about two hundred
and sixty members. The present pastor is Rev.
J. T. Gracey, who has served them two years.
Moses George, who is probably the oldest mem-
ber of this church, is the last survivor of the war
of 18 1 2, in Dansville. He entered the army at
the age of eighteen and served three years. He
was wounded, and carried on his body for about
sixty-one years the bullet which inflicted the wound.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Church. —
We are not advised when this church was organ-
ized, but it was among the earliest in the village,
and was the first to erect a house of worship, the
corner-stone of which was laid on the 4th of July,
1826. The ceremony attending it was participat-
ed in by the Masbnic fraternity of the village and
surrounding towns, a military company and a large
concourse of people. "Abraham Vrooman was the
master builder, and in the eyes of the people," says
the facetious historian of this church,* " a great,
momentous undertaking was committed to him."
Late in November, 1826, the church was dedi-
cated, under the pastorate of Rev. Jacob Martin,
a young man, whose talents, piety and energy
joined to many amiable traits of character, ren-
dered his ministry useful and profitable. After
preaching several years he accepted a call from a
German Lutheran Church at Harrisburgh, Pa.,
where he died. After the retirement of Mr. Martin,
the church had no settled pastor for two or three
years, but the pulpit was occupied most of the
time by Rev. Dr. Wells and Rev. Mr. Barnhart.
The next minister in charge of the church, of
which there is any record, was the Rev. David
lester, a gentleman of ability and great activity in
the sphere of his ministerial duties. Prominent
among the clergymen who have had charge of this
church, in addition to those mentioned, were Revs.
* Lucian B. Proctor, Esq., of Dansville.
Messrs. Strover, Selmser, Rev. Dr. Miller, Stern-
berg, Lautz, Klein, Strobel, Borchard, Rumpff,
Boyer and the present efficient and highly-respect-
ed pastor. Rev. Paul L. Menzel, who commenced
his labors in connection with this church Septem-
ber 18, 1874.
During the ministrations of the eloquent and de-
voted Wm. T. Strobe], who was pastor of the
church from March 12, 1859, to May t8, 1863, the
church edifice passed into the hands of the present
congregation, the right to transfer the same having
been given by decree of the County Court, Septem-
ber i6, 1861. December 2, r86r, a deed of the
church property was given by John Shutt, George
Zerfass, Benjamin Kidd, James Kiehle and R.
Steffy, a majority of the trustees of the two con-
gregations aforementioned, to William Schwendler,
John G. Engert and Jacob Schwingle, trustees of
this church, for the almost nominal sum of $800.
A few years after the dedication of the church, a
fine pipe-organ was placed in it. As it was the
first of its kind ever brought to Dansville, it was
an object of curiosity and admiration. There was
then no regular organist in the village, and an ac-
compHshed performer named Snyder, residing at
Avon, was hired to take charge of it on the Sab-
bath. He traveled from his place of residence to
Dansville every week for a long time. When Mr.
Selmser resigned his pastorate, he purchased the
organ, which had become an object of contention
in the troubles which beset the church, and re-
moved it to Lockport.
In rS76, the church underwent extensive repairs.
It was re-dedicated August 6, 1876, service being
conducted both in German and English, the former
by the pastor. Rev. Paul L. Menzel, and the latter
by the Rev. P. A. Strobel.
The church now numbers one hundred and
twenty members. It belongs to the United Ger-
man Evangelical Synod of North America — the
only one in the county belonging to that Synod —
and is connected with the German Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Perkinsville, Steuben county,
of which Mr. Menzel is also pastor.
The English Lutheran Church of Dansville, an
off-shoot from the German Lutheran Church of
this village, was organized in 1846. Their house of
worship was built in 1847, and dedicated Decem-
ber 25th of that year. Among the prominent
members at the organization of the church were
Dr. S. L. Endress, John Haas, S. Jones, Henry
Hartman, Elias Geiger, Conrad Welch, Daniel
Ingersoll, William Haas, Dr. C. H. Patchin, Wil-
184
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
liam Wildey, John Littles, John Haas, Jr., B.
Pickett and George C. Drehiner. The Building
Committee were John Hass, William Wildey and
Frederick House. The first officers, elected Jan-
uary II, 1848, were: — Daniel IngersoU, Trustee;
John Kohler, Elder; George C. Drehmer, Deacon;
Shepard Jones, Clerk; John Haas, Treasurer.
The church now numbers about one hundred
members. It is a somewhat remarkable fact that
the church has never been in debt beyond its im-
mediate ability to provide for.
The following have been the succession of pas-
tors : —
Rev. John Selmser* 1 845-1 854.
Rev. F. W. Brauns 1854
Rev. C. H. Hersh 1855-1857
Rev. L. L. Bonnell 1858-1859
Rev. D. Swope 1859-1863
Rev. M. I. Stover 1864.
Rev. Albert Waldron 1865-1867
Rev. John Selmser {2d term) 1868-1873
Rev. E. H. Martin .1873-1875
Rev. P. A. Strobel 1875-1880.
St Mary's Church, (Catholic,) of Dansville.—
German CathoUcs found their way to Dansville as
early as the beginning of the present century, and
it has been asserted that a Catholic was among the
very first settlers. Later a few Irish Catholics
came in with the needy surplus population which
Europe poured into this country, but Catholicity
did not have a visible existence here for more than
a generation after the town was first settled.
In 1836, the Catholic families residing in this
neighborhood were visited by Rev. Father P.
Prost, a redemptorist missionary from Rochester,
and a German by birth, who was afterwards sent
as a missionary to Ireland. He gathered the few
CathoUcs then located here in divine worship, and
administered the holy sacraments of the church.
He was followed in 1837, by Father Schackert.
Two years later, in 1839, Rev. Father Sanderl
began to come here semi-annually. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Benedict Bayer. These labors
were continued until 1844, when the Catholics
purchased the school house in the west part of the
village and converted it into a house of worship.
From that period they were visited more regularly
than hitherto, by Father Bernick.
The church occupied the school house as a place
of worship but a short time, for in 1 845 the corner
stone of the present church was laid by Father Ben-
edict Bayer. When the congregation commenced
to worship in the new church, the old school house
* Mr. Selmser was pastor of the church before the division occurred
Commencing his labors June jo, 184J,
was converted into a parochial school and used as
such until the present fine school building was
erected in 1876.
Father Bernick was succeeded by Fathers P.
Hobzer, P. Tappert, Alexander Cyait Koviz, A.
Jenkins and Andrew M. Schweiger, redemptorist
fathers, the latter of whom was the first resident
pastor, in 1849. Rev. Aloysius Somoggi, D. D.,
succeeded Father Schweiger in the pastorate as
early as 185 t, and continued till May, 1852. In
1852, Father John M. Steger was the pastor.
Father Somoggi again served them until January,
1854. He then made a journey to Hungary,
whence he came, and was absent eight months,
during which time Father John M. Steger offici-
ated. On his return, Father Somoggi again min-
istered to them for four months, till January, 1855.
Rev. N. Arnold, D. D., succeeded Somoggi and
remained five months. After that there was no
priest until October, 1855, when Father Steger
again became the pastor, continuing as late as
March, 1857. Revs. John N. Koenig and Peter
Seibold both officiated in 1857, Seibold continuing
till 1859, when Rev. J. Rosswig became the pastor.
He was succeeded in i860 by Rev. F. R. Marshall;
in 1861, by Rev. Christopher Wagner; and in
1862, by Rev. Sergius de Stchoulepuikoff, a Rus-
sian priest, who finding -the church too small to
accommodate the parishioners, had an addition
built to it. He also purchased the high altar and
bell during his short pastorate of twenty months.
In 1864, Rev. Joseph Albinger came here and con-
tinued his ministrations until 1875, when Rev.
Henry Egler assumed the pastorate. He was
succeeded July 13, 1879, by the present pastor.
Rev. Frederick R. Rauber.
During the pastorate of Mr. Egler, in 1876, the
present parochial school connected with this church
was erected. It was formally opened and dedicated
on the 5th and 6th of June, 1876. The building for-
merly used for that purpose, standing in the rear of
the church, is now used as a barn. The parochial
school, which is attended by about 150 pupils, is
taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, of Rochester,
four in number. The church edifice is a wooden
building, located on Franklin street, in the west
part of the village.* The present nu'mber of mem-
bers is about 800. The church property is valued
at $15,000.
• History of St. Patrick's Church, in Tlit Journal of the Fair, Oc-
tober and November, i8So, prepared by the pastor, Rev. Father Simon
Fitzsimons, to which, and a History of St. Mary's Church, prepared by
its pastor, and published in the same journal, and to the records of the
latter church, we are indebted for the history of Catholicism in Dansville.
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE— CHURCHES.
185
S/. Patricks Church, Dansville. — The history
of this, so says our informant, " dates from twenty
years after the settlement of the town of Dansville."
The first priests who visited this locality ministered
alike to the German and Irish Catholics. The
first Irish priest who found his way hither, of whom
there is any record, was Rev. Bernard O'Reilly,
but when he came, how frequently he visited Dans-
ville and how long he continued to do so, is a mat-
ter of uncertainty. From the time of Father
O'Reilly, priests visited Dansville at regular inter-
vals, and the number of Catholics increased to such
a degree that larger accommodations were needed,
and under Father O'Connor, the successor of
Father O'Reilly, the people assembled at the town
hall to assist at mass.
In 1847 the western portion of this State was
formed into a diocese by the late lamented pontiff,
Pius the Ninth. Buffalo was made the episcopal
seat and Rt. Rev. John Timon was the first bishop.
Within a couple of decades of years dating from
the first appearance of permanent Catholicity in
Dansville, the number of Catholics had increased
to such an extent as to warrant Bishop Timon in
sending them a priest to reside amongst them.
All the historical records agree as to the name of
the first resident pastor, but none give the date of
his arrival. His name was Rev. Edward O'Flaherty,
and it was under his administration that the foun-
dation of St. Patrick's church was laid, at the head
of the public square, where the church now stands,
at the corner of Liberty and Church streets. Some
traditions which seem sufficiently reliable mention
the names of Father McEvoy and Father Carroll,
who paid occasional visits from Rochester to the
Catholics in Dansville, but beyond the fact of their
visiting as missionaries Uttle seems to be known.
Before the erection of any church in Dansville, the
town-hall— the property of Charles Shepard— was
used as the place of divine worship. Father
O'Flaherty ministered to the wants of the German
as well as Irish nationaUty, and according to one
account, in the year 1849, according to another, m
the year 1850, laid the foundation of St. Patrick's
church. The church structure, which was com-
pleted in 1851, at a cost of $1,500, was about half
its present size. Father O'Flaherty was succeeded
immediately by Rev. Charles Tierney, and one ac-
count gives him the credit of having completed the
church, the foundation merely being laid by Rev.
Father O'Flaherty.
We find Father Tierney recording a baptism in
the church register as late as May, 1852, and Rev.
John Donnelly recording his advent in June of the
same year. Father Donnelly remained but a short
time, for we find him succeeded by Rev. Joseph
McKenna on the ist of May, 1853. Father Mc-
Kenna's stay was of even shorter duration than that
of Father Donnelly, for his autograph does not ap-
pear in the church registries later than August of
the same year (1853). He was succeeded by Rev.
Aloysius Somoggi, who, it would appear, took
charge of both CathoUc churches, St. Mary's and
St. Patrick's, during his stay. His signature ap-
pears upon the records for the first time on October
Sth, 1853, and the last baptism recorded by him
was administered in December of the same year.
From that time until October, 1855, we find the
names of Rev. Terence Kernan, Rev. Daniel Dolan
and Rev. Michael Casey, in the order given.
In the month of October, 1855, Rev. Michael
Steger took charge of St. Patrick's congregation as
well as St. Mary's. His latest signature is that of
December 2d, i860. Rev. M. Steger was suc-
ceeded immediately by Rev. J. A. Marshall, who
remained only a few months, and was in turn suc-
ceeded by Rev. Chrysostom Wagner in June, 1861.
His stay seems to cover the time from June, 1861,
to April, or May, 1862, when Rev. Sergius de
Stchoulepuikoff, a Russian by birth and a Catholic
by conversion, assumed the pastoral charge.
There were few among the many priests who re-
mained in Dansville for any length of time who
made such a lasting impression on St. Patrick's
congregation as S. de Stchoulepuikoff, and many
a heartfelt and warm tribute is to-day paid to his
zeal and energy. His name disappears from the
records after January, 1864, when Rev. Joseph
Albinger assumed the pastorate. Father Albinger
took charge of both congregations from his arrival
until the sth of July, 1871. Rev. Michael Biggins
succeeded him on the 5th of July, 187 1.
Father Biggins labored amongst the Irish Cath-
olics of Dansville for six years, and was transferred
to the Catholic church at Clyde, in August, 1877.
He was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. S.
Fitzsimons.*
St. Peter's Church, Protestant Episcopal— Ta&
parish of St. Peter's church, Dansville, was organ-
ized April 13, 1 83 1. At the meeting for organizing,
the Rev. WiUiam W. Bostwick, "missionary of
Bath, Steuben Co. and parts adjacent," presided,
and the following gentlemen were elected wardens
and vestrymen, viz : —
• From the historical sketch by Rev. Father Fitzsimons before referred
1 86
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Wardens, William Welch, Amos Bradley ; Ves-
trymen, Justus Hall, James Smith, Sedley Sill, Benj.
C. Cook, Alonzo Bradner, George Hyland, David
Mitchell, Horatio G. Taggart.
It was, however, several years before a resident
clergyman was secured, and divine service regularly
celebrated every Sunday. For some twelve years
the parish was either associated with St. Paul's
church, Angelica, or left with only occasional mis-
sionary services. But in 1842 several active young
churchmen having removed to the growing village,
vigorous measures were adopted to place the parish
on a more permanent basis. At a special parish
meeting, held on the r4th of November, in that
year, the following officers were elected to serve
until the ensuing Easter, viz : —
Wardens, Benjamin Bradley, William Welch ;
Vestrymen, John C. Williams, Ralph T. Wood,
Edward O'Brien, Isaac L. Endress, John A. Van-
Derlip, Lauren C. Woodruff, Peter S. Lema, Geo.
G. Wood.
Mr. Lauren C. Woodruff, was elected treasurer,
and Mr. John A. Van Derlip, clerk of the vestry,
an office continuously held by him from that date
till the present time.
In April of the following year, the Rev. Nathan-
iel F. Bruce, M. D., who had of late officiated oc-
casionally in the parish, in connection with St.
Paul's, Angelica, was elected rector and removed
to Dansville. Measures for the erection of a
church edifice were about this time adopted, and
with L. C. Woodruff, Benj. Bradley and Isaac L.
Endress, for a building committee, the work was
vigorously prosecuted.
In the autumn of 1846, the present neat church
edifice of wood was completed, at a cost of some
$3,000, and on the 25th of May, 1847, was conse-
crated by Bishop DeLancey.
Down to 1846 the congregation had worshipped
in " The School House on the Square,"— a building
now venerable for use and years, that once stood
on the N. W. corner of the public park, but was
moved to its present site, to give place to St. Peter's
church.
On the istof July, 1846, about the time the new
church was completed, the Rev. Mr. Bruce resigned
the care and was succeeded by the Rev. Mason
Gallagher. In the summer 011848, Mr. Gallagher
in consequence of failing health, was granted a
leave of absence by the vestry, and the Rev. T. F.
Wardwell engaged as a supply. The following
December Mr. Wardwell accepted an election to
the care of Grace church, Lyons, and the services of
the Rev. O. F. Starkey were temporarily secured.
In the spring of 1849 the Rev. Mr. Gallagher's
resignation was accepted, and in July following the
Rev. O. R. Howard, now of St. Thomas' church,
Bath, was elected rector.
The rectorate of Rev. Dr. Howard continued
until 1857, and covers the era of greatest prosperity
both of the parish and the village.
Since the resignation of Dr. Howard and his
removal to Bath, the following clergymen have suc-
cessively had ministerial charge of the parish, viz :
The Rev. Thomas G. Meachem, the Rev. V. Spald-
ing, the Rev. J. C. L. Jones, the Rev. Robert C.
Wall, the Rev. L. D. Ferguson, the Rev. L. H.
Strieker, the Rev. Joseph Hunter, the Rev. James
B. Murray, D. D., and the present incumbent, the
Rev. A. P. Brush, who has been rector since Nov.
I, 1878.
In spite of these successive, and sometimes not
desirable changes, the parish has grown from both
numerical and financial weakness, to its present
condition of comparative strength, including as it
does some sixty families and about one hundred
communicants.
From 1 83 1 to 1 88 1, the changes have been many
and marked. Of the original vestry none survive,
while of the vestry of 1842, only three are living,
and only one, the Hon. John A. VanDerlip con-
nected with the parish.
The present parish officers are : Rector, the Rev.
A. P. Brush ; Wardens, Mr. A. T. Wood, Mr.
Luther Grant ; Vestrymen, Hon. John A. VanDer-
lip, Mr. Alonzo Bradner, Dr. Z. H. Blake, Mr. L.
G. Ripley, Mr. James Lindsay, Maj. Edwards H.
Pratt, Mr. Geo. A. Sweet, Mr. A. V. McNeil Sey-
mour ; Clerk, Hon. J. A. VanDeriip ; Treasurer,
Luther Grant.*
The Dansville Baptist Church was organized
Oct. 23, 1850, at the house of Barnett Brayton.
The Rev. B. R. Swick, of Bath, was chairman of
the meeting held for that purpose, and M. R. Mar-
cell, secretary. The constituent members were:
Aaron W. Beach and Mary Ann his wife, Bamett
Brayton and Olive his wife, Martin R. Marcell and
Emily his wife, Nancy Filer, Ann Brayton, Maria
Bates, Joseph Palmer, Elijah Hill and Judith his
wife. They were recognized by a council convened
in the Lutheran church in Dansville November 6,
1850, and composed of delegates from the churches
in Mt. Morris, Bath, Wayne, Almond, South Dans-
ville, Avoca, Burns. Barnett Brayton and .A.aron
Beach were chosen deacons November 8, 1850.
* This sketch was khidly furnished by the Rector, Rev. A. P. Brush.
VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE — SOCIETIES.
187
At a meeting held at Dansville Academy, their
usual place of worship, December 10, 1850, the
following trustees were elected : Paulinus Cook,
George Hovey, Barnett Brayton, Martin R. Mar-
cell, Lemuel J. Swift and Charles L. Truman.
January 12, 1851, it was resolved to call Howell
Smith, of Penn Yan, to the pastorate, at a salarj'
of $500. The call was accepted, and Mr. Smith
commenced his labors the first Sunday in March
following. June 24, 185 1, the church united with
the Livingston Baptist Association.
Mr. Smith closed his labors as pastor March i,
1855. He was succeeded by Rev. O. I. Sprague,
who commenced his labors May 5, 1855, and closed
them April i, 1858. Edwin S. Walker, of Roches-
ter Theological Seminary, entered upon his labors
as supply in April, 1858, and July 8, 1858, was
called to the pastorate. He commenced his labors
as such August i, 1858, and was ordained Septem-
ber 16, 1858. He closed his labors in the spring
of i860, and was followed in November of that
year by Rev. J. Wilson, who remained only
about two months. Rev. I. W. Emory of Cana-
seraga, supplied the pulpit from the spring of 186 1,
and April 14, 1861, was given a call to the pastor-
ate for one year from April i, 1861. He was dis-
missed April 4, 1863. His successors have been,
Rev. George W. Baptis from September 3, 1864,10
June 24, 1865 ; Elder M. Barker from June 6,
1866, to ; Rev. E. L. Crane, from December,
1870, to September 24, 187 1 ; Rev. R. J. Reynolds,
from September 3, 1873, to September 4, 1874;
Rev. C. B. Read, from October 10, 1875, to ;
Rev. L. Q. Galpin, the present pastor, who com-
menced his labors January 9, 1878. The present
number of members is 112.
TAe Advent Christian Church in Dansville was
organized by William Brown, Sr., Daniel Cogswell
and ten others, " believers in the speedy arid per-
sonal coming of the Lord Jesus Christ," who met
at Dansville, December 23, i860, and adopted a
church covenant and articles of association, drawn
and presented by Elder Daniel T. Taylor. We
have no further information respecting this church,
but beUeve it is not now in existence.
Societies. — Dansville Royal Arch Chapter No.
91 was chartered February 2, 1825. The charter
officers were ; Merritt Brown, High Priest ; War-
ren Patchin, King ; Paul C. Cook, Scribe. The
Chapter was organized March 31, 1824, under a
dispensation granted February 21, 1824, by theG.
R. A. Chapter. The officers elected in addition to
the three above named were : Timothy Atwood, R.
A. C. ; Moses Conn, Cof H. ; Wm. McPherson,
P. S. , James Conn, M. of ^d. V. ; Anson Dela-
mater, M. of 2d V. ; 'H. Boyden, M. of 1st V. ;
Thomas M. Bowen, Secretary ; Samuel Stilwell,
Treasurer ; Henry Burley, Guard. The mem-
bers present at that meeting in addition to those
named were Andrew Prindle and Jacob Thorn.
The Chapter numbered 41, October 5, 1880 ; and
meets in the Maxwell Block the 2d and 4th Tues-
days of each month.
Phcenix Lodge No. iiSi F. 6f A. M., was insti-
tuted April 15, 1846, and chartered August 18,
1846. The charter officers were : — -Merritt Brown,
Master ; John Culbertson, S. W. ; Javin Bradley,
J. W. The lodge numbers about 95, and meets
the I St and 3d Tuesday evenings of each month in
the same room as the chapter.
Canaseraga Lodge No. 123 / O. O. P., was or-
ganized Sept. 15, 1844, and chartered Nov. 4, 1844.
For more than half the period of its existence it was
the sole representative of Odd Fellowship in Living-
ston district. The charter members were : — John
A. VanDerlip, John B. Smith, Wm. G. Thomson,
P. S. Lema, L. C. Woodruff, H. Kingsbury and
John C. Williams. The lodge numbers 83 mem-
bers, and meets Friday evening of each week in the
Maxwell Block.
Dansville Union Equitable Aid Union No. 24
was organized Oct. 29, 1879. The charter mem-
bers and first officers were :— L. G. Ripley, Presi-
dent ; J. M. Edwards, V. P. ; C. W. Brown, Sec-
retary and Accountant ; M. W. Haviland,* Chan-
cellor; Henry Feustermacher, Auxiliary; A. P.
Burkhart, Advocate; H. P. Updike, Treasurer and
Chaplain ; J. H. Campbell, Sentinel ; D. L. Sweet,
Warden ; Henry Schwingle, Watchman ; Anton
LaBoyteaux, E. J. Belts, H. A. Fairchild, L. Per-
ham, H. P. Updike, D. L. Sweet, Henry Schwingle,
W. C. Bryant, Jr., and Henry Feustermacher. The
Union numbers 36 members, and meets the 2d
and 4th Monday of each month in Odd Fellows
Hall.
COMMINSVILLE.
Comminsville is a hamlet of 1 26 inhabitants, lying
in the north-west part of the town, on Canaseraga
creek, a little below the north bounds of Dansville
village, and derives its importance from being the
seat of the manufacturing establishment of Sweet,
Faulkner & Co. It derives its name from Warren
Commins, who, with his son Moses A. Commins,
estabhshed there in 1839, a furnace and machine
* Haviland and the officers succeeding him were elected Nov. n,
1879, at which time also E. H. Readshaw was initiated.
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
shop on the site of the present works, in the old
tannery building occupied by the McCartney Bros,
from 1831 to 1835. They continued the business
till 1842, when Sidney Sweet purchased the interest
of Warren Commins, and in company with the lat-
ter's son continued it under the name of Sweet &
Commins until 1845, when George Sweet and John
Gill purchased the establishment.
In 1869, after several intermediate changes the
name was changed to and has since remained
Sweet, Faulkner & Co.
Previous to 1858, the business consisted of gen-
eral machine work, principally the manufacture of
steam engines and threshing machines. In that
year the manufacture of mowers and reapers was
begun and has been continued to the present time,
having now become the exclusive business. The
Royce Reaper and the Dansville Mower, an inven-
tion of George Sweet's, are the articles manufac-
tured.
The works require a capital of about $35,000,
and give employment to from twenty to thirty per-
sons, the number at present employed being
twenty-three.
Stone's Falls.
Stone's Falls is a hamlet located on Mill creek,
in the south-east corner of the town, two miles
south-east of Dansville village. It derives its name
from Rufus Stone, who came here with his family
from Pompey, Onondaga county, June 3, 1816,
having been here the previous year to prospect.
He took up a tract of land in the locality of Stone's
Falls, and was the first to utilize the water power
here. He built in 1816, on the site of his son's
wagon-shop, a saw-mill which was in operation till
about 1840, and went to decay. In 1825, he
built an oil-mill and made flaxseed-oil, operating it
till within two or three years of his death, which
occurred in Ohio, March 2, 1842. His son Ben-
jamin succeeded him to the ownership of the oil-
mill, and continued the business till his death,
March 8, 1852, at the age of forty-two, when it
was discontinued.
Benjamin Stone built a saw-mill on the site of
the original oil-mill, about 1842 or '43, having,
about 1840, built a second oil-mill to take the
place of the first. After the death of Benjamin
Stone the mills were sold to Capt. Henry Henry,
who took down the oil-mill, the timbers of which
were used in the construction of the Brewster
House in Dansville village. Capt. Henry owned
the saw-mill till his death in 1872, when his widow
sold it to John White, the present proprietor. Dur-
ing Capt. Henry's occupancy the mill burned down.
It was rebuilt by him immediately after. He had
occupied the upper story for a flax-mill.
Broton S. Stone established his wagon manufac-
tory at this point in 1848, and has carried on the
business since that time. He does a general
wagon business, but makes a specialty of lumber
and farm wagons. He employs on the average
about six persons, and makes some fifty to sixty
lumber wagons per year. The motive power is
furnished by Mill creek, which has a fall at this
place of about thirty feet.
Dansville Grange, No. 178 P. of H., whose
headquarters are at this place, was organized April
'14, 1874, with the following members: — B. F.
Kershner, Master; R. K. Stone, Secretary; Henry
A. Kershner, Lecturer; B. S. Stone, Overseer;
J. B. Lemen, Steward ; G. C. Stone, Assistant
Steward; James F. McCartney, Chaplain; Fred
Driesbach, Treasurer; Henry Driesbach, Gate-
keeper ; E. M. Driesbach, Ceres ; Eliza L. Kersh-
ner, Pomona; M. E. Stone, Flora; Emma J. Le-
men, Lady Assistant Steward; B. S. Stone, Wm.
Hartman and B. F. Kershner, Executive Commit-
tee ; L. A. Palmer, Honeoye Falls, J. H. McCart-
ney, Henry Hartman, Wm. Hall, Ora R. Stone,
Mrs. B. F. Kershner, Mrs. J. B. Lemen, Mrs. B.
S. Stone, Mrs. Frederick Driesbach, Mrs. J. H.
McCartney, Mrs. R. K. Stone, Mrs. J. F. McCart-
ney, Mrs. G. C. Stone, Mrs. Henry Driesbach,
Mrs. William Hall. It was chartered July 6, 1874.
The organization was effected and the meetings
for nearly four years were held in the upper part
of B. S. Stone's wagon shop, the use of which was
given by Mr. Stone free of expense. In 1878, the
Grange built here a fine commodious hall, at an
expense of about $2,000, and here the meetings
have since been held. Gratuitous services were
rendered thus greatly reducing the money cost of
its construction. The land on which it stands—
about three-fourths of an acre — was donated for
the purpose by George C. Stone; so that with the
amount actually expended, the land donated and
the gratuitous services rendered, the Grange is put
in possession of a hall worth about $3,000.
The CaUfornia House is a name applied to a
locality a half mile south of Dansville village,
where are located two hotels, the HoUingsworth
paper-mill, a cooper shop and an unoccupied
brewery. Kramer's Hotel, known also as the
"CaUfornia House," has been kept since 1870 by
John Kramer. It occupies the site of the old
yV\.R. 8j yVlRs. William Wai\tman,
WILLIAM HARTMAN.
William Hartman was born in the town of Sparta, now
North Dansville, Livingston county, N. Y., January 30th,
1820. He is a son of John and Mary (Longnecker) Hart-
man. The former was a native of Northumberland
county, Pa., was born in 1782 and died in North Dansville
February 19th, 184,5. The latter was born in Pennsyl-
vania in 1792 and died on the same day that her husband
died, and both were buried in the same grave. They
died of a contagious disease known as malignant erysipelas
that carried off many citizens of North Dansville during
its prevalence. Harmon Hartman and his wife Susannah,
the father and mother of John Hartman, were among the
early settlers of the town of Sparta. They came in and
settled near where the village of Dansville is located, in
1807. John, the father of our subject, was then twenty-
five years of age. He was the eldest of a family of thir-
teen children, eight by the first wife and five by the sec-
ond. In the year 1815 he married Mary Longnecker,
who was then residing here with a married sister. Her
parents were living in Cayuga county, N. X. John fol-
lowed farming and kept tavern many years. They had
nine children, viz : Angeline, married J. W. Brown, of
Dansville ; Henry, now residing on the old homestead ;
William, our subject ; John, now living in Groveland,
Livingston county, a farmer by occupation; Endress,
living at Clarksburg, W. Va. ; George, living on a part of
the old homestead farm; Jacob and Laban died in infancy,
and Samuel Frederick, now a resident of Lancaster, Erie
county, N. Y., and connected with the Buffalo Cowrfer es-
tablishment in Buffalo, N. Y.
At the time of the death of the jiarents the children
were all living at home except Angeline, who married Mr.
Brown and was living in the village of Dansville, and they
operated the farm until 1848, when the estate, then con-
taining ,579 acres, was divided. The share that fell to
William was 69 acres. He then moved on to a five acre
lot that he purchased of the heirs of Su.sannah Hartman,
his grandmother, where he lived and carried on farming
until 1850. In that year, April 25th, he married Catha-
rine Driesbach, the daughter of Henry and Lydia (Hart-
man) Driesbach. She was born November 24, 1827.
Mr. Hartman continuedand has always followed farming
and has been eminently successful. By his energy, econ-
omy and enterprise he has acquired a large property and
is ranked among the leading agriculturists of the county.
His advantages for an education were such as were afforded
by the common schools of his town and the academy at
Dansville.
He has never been an office seeker nor an active politi-
cian. He gave his allegiance to the Democraticparty until
1860, when he voted for Abraham Lincoln, and voted for
the candidates of the Kepublican party from 1 860 to 1872,
when he voted for Horace Greeley. Since that time he
has voted for whom he has considered the best man, re-
gardless of party.
Mr. Hartman has never imited with any religious de-
nomination, but attends, as does his family, the English
Lutheran church at Dansville. There have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Hartman three children, namely: William
Henry, born Sept. 30th, 1851 ; Mary L., born July 10th,
1853; and Emma C, born Nov. 14th, 1856, all residing
at home with their parents.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
189
"California House," and was built about twenty-
four years ago, by Nicholas and Frank Schu. The
Schus had also a small brewery, which is now used
as a cooper shop by Adam Kramer. Kramer's
brewery, located on the opposite side of the road,
was built by John Kramer in 1870 for the manu-
facture of lager beer. Brewing was discontinued
in 1875. The Farmer's Hotel located here is kept
and has been for several years by Michael
Weynand.
There are various other manufacturing enter-
prises carried on in the town aside from those
located in the village, but none of great magnitude.
Among these are the Grove grist-mill, located on
the west bank of Canaseraga creek, a mile west of
Main street, in Dansville village, which was built
in 1 816-17, by Thomas McWhorter and his son
John. Curtis & Tomkinson now operate it. The
mill contains three runs of stones, operated by
water from Canaseraga creek, with a fall of eight
feet. In Pogue's Hole is a grist-mill, owned by
John Hartman, and built by Porter. It is
located on Canaseraga creek, about a mile south-
west of Dansville village, and contains two runs of
stones. The fall at this point is about twenty feet.
The Morey grist-mill, owned by John Morey, and
located on Canaseraga creek, about two miles
northwest of Dansville, was built at an early day.
It contains three runs of stones, and has a fall of
seven feet. On Mill creek, about one and one-
half miles above Dansville village, is a saw-mill
owned by Mrs. Dr. Zara H. Blake. It was built
at an early day by Mrs. Blake's father, Samuel G.
Dorr, who also had a carding-mill. The saw-mill
has been rebuilt two or three times. The property
has always remained in the Dorr family. H. E.
Hubbard is engaged in the manufacture of horse
pokes, well-curbs, well buckets, leather straps for
well-curbs, rubber buckets, pumps, etc., about a
mile and a half above Dansville, on Mill creek,
which furnishes the motive power, with a fall of
eighteen feet. The business was established in
1862, by Henry Hubbard, father of the present
proprietor, in George Fiske's planing-mill, at the
foot of Washington street in Dansville, and was
continued there fourteen years, when it was re-
moved to Capt. Henry's building, now the Hol-
lingsworth paper-mill. Dec. 5, 1876, Mr. Hub-
bard sold the establishment to his son, H. E.
Hubbard, who erected the building he now oc-
cupies in the fall and winter of 1879, and occupied
it for manufacturing purposes about March ist,
1880.
War of the Rebellion. — We cannot give as
definitely as we would like the action of this town
during this trying period, and for the reason that
the records here, as in other towns in the county,
have been only partially preserved, the most im-
portant one giving a complete summary of the re-
sult of this action, being among the lost. Enough,
however, has been gleaned from the files of The
Dansi'ille Advertiser of that period to sufficiently
indicate the generous nature of her response to the
repeated calls made on her resources ; and that
early and most interesting, because most spon-
taneous action is there faithfully and fully re-
corded.
The first pubHc meeting in North Dansville in-
cident to the war was held at Canaseraga Hall, in
Dansville, Saturday evening, April 20, i86r, and
was then regarded the largest in-door meeting that
had taken place in the village. The meeting was
called to order by L. B. Proctor; the Hon. James
Faulkner was chosen chairman, and Dr. F. Wilson
Hurd, secretary. S. Hubbard, Dr. James C.
Jackson, Sidney Sweet, G. Bulkley, John A. Van
Derlip and M. H. Brown were appointed a com-
mittee to draft resolutions. D. W. Noyes read, by
request, the Governor's proclamation and the order
of the Adjutant-General. Addresses were made
by L. B. Proctor, L. B. Faulkner, S. D. Faulkner,
Joseph W. Smith and Dr. Jackson.
Subscriptions were then given to the amount of
$1,972, to be distributed by a committee consist-
ing of Charles Shepard, James Faulkner, Sidney
Sweet, J. C. Jackson, I. L. Endress, A. Lozier and
A. Bradner, " to assist the families of such persons
of this village and vicinity as may desire it, who
shall be received into active service in defense of
the Stars and Stripes and the enforcement of the
laws." The Dansville Advertiser, of Thursday,
April 25, 1861, says: "Lieutenant Carl Stephan
issued a call this week for volunteers under the
$3,000,000 act, which is being heartily responded
to. Yesterday there were 63 names on the rolls.
Volunteers who come from abroad will be pro-
vided for by the citizens of Dansville until they are
called into the service of the State." "An election
of officers was held at the armory yesterday and re-
sulted " as follows : —
Captain— Carl Stephan Dansville.
First Lieutenant— George Hyland, Jr., "
Ensign— Ralph T. Wood
First Sergeant— Henry R. Curtis "
Second " — George W. Hasler ... . "
Third " —Mark J. Bunnell "
Fourth " — Duane D. Stillwell "
I go
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
First Corporal * — George B. Dippy . . .
Second " — George M.Morris.. Conesus.
Third " — Wm. H. Drehmer..
Fourth " — A. J. Hartman Dansville.
The following are the names of the enlisted
men: —
Adams, James, Wayland.
Allen, Samuel, Dansville.
Alverson, Edward C, Dansville.
Arwin, Charles A., South Dansville.
Ash, Jacob, " "
Avery, Charles F., Wayland.
Bean, Charles Y., Groveland.
Brownell, Hiram, Rogersville.
Carpenter, A. W., Dansville.
Conklin, Munroe, Conesus.
Conrad, Philip, Perkinsville.
Cook, Daniel, Haskinville.
Cook, Orrin H., Dansville.
Corbin, A., Wayland.
De Forrest, George, Dansville.
Deiter, John T.,
Demerit, Charles, South Dansville.
Dipple, C. W., Dansville.
Dutcher, C. Wellington, "
Easterbrook, Stephen, Wayland.
Eldridge, John, Springwater.
Feustermacher, Endress, Dansville.
Fitch, M. Harlo, . ; "
France, William, Ossian.
Freed, Solomon, Sparta.
Galbraith, Pat, Groveland.
Goodwin, WiUiam, Dansville.
Hatch, David G., Conesus.
Johnson, John, West Sparta.
Jones, Edward, Dansville.
Jones, John R., Sparta.
Jones, Thomas, Dansville.
Kemp, George O., "
Ketchum, George E., Rogersville.
Ketchum, Richard "
Kinney, A., Sparta.
Lauterborn, M., Dansville.
Lerts, F. X}., Groveland.
Lpokms, George, Dansville.
Lozier, D. P., '<
Maginley, Henry, Sparta.
Mitchell, N. A., Springwater.
Moose, Merritt, Sparta.
Morris, Joseph, «
Morris, Lester B., "
Opp, Jacob, Dansville.
Phelps, Lester, "
Prentice, Charles, "
Prentice, Warren, "
Richardson, A., ■'
Roberts, F. M., ,, , "
Roberts, Sidney E., Sparta.
Root, Charles, South Dansville.
Scott, Henry C, Dansville.
Seyler, Charles, Jr., "
* In a published list of the members of this company May 2, 1861 the
name of E. D. Richardson, of Dansville, appears as First, and that of
George M. Morrison, of South Dansville, as Third Corporal.
Shafer, Samuel, Dansville.
Slate, John, «
Snyder, James F., Springwater.
Stanley, George B., Dansville.
Steffy, Joseph Sparta.
StefFy, William, Byersville.
Stout, Charles, Dansville.
Tiffany, W. C, "
Toles, George C, "
Wellington, E., South Dansville.
Werth, J., Springwater.
Westerman, Louis, Wayland.
Wilson, George, South Dansville.
Wright, Miles O., Dansville.
Wright, N., Ossian.
Capt. Stephan's company left for Elmira on Fri-
day, May 3, 1 86 1, going by wagons to Wayland,
where they were transferred to the railroad.
During the summer and fall of 1861, Capt. Ralph
T. Wood recruited in Dansville a second company
to fill the depleted ranks of the 13th regiment, of
which this became Co. G. The company left
Dansville, Oct. 29th, carrying with them a flag pre-
sented by the ladies of the village. At this time
enough scattering recruits had been raised to fill
two additional companies.
In November, 1861, the raising of a third com-
pany for the 13th was begun by Job C. Hedges
and Albert S. Lema, of Dansville, the former of
whom had done yeoman service in the raising of
Capt. Wood's company — services which were rec-
ognized in the offer of a commission in the com-
pany to be raised. The company was to be
recruited in Rochester and Dansville, and Lt. C.
S. Benjamin, of Co. A, 13th regiment, opened an
office simultaneously in Rochester. EnUstments
were not as rapid as formerly, but by Dec. 26,
1861, the company was recruited to eighty men,
and left for the seat of war Jan. 6, 1862.
Owing to the disasters which attended our arms
in the summer of 1862, the president was induced
to call for an additional 300,000 men July 2d of
that year, and on the 4th of August following for a
like number of militia for nine months. Pursuant
to the former call, on Wednesday, July 30th, a war
meeting was held at Canaseraga Hall, in Dansville,
at which Judge R A. Wilson presided. Lieu-
tenant S. H. Lancey, of the Mt. Morris com-
pany, stated briefly the object of the meet-
ing, and was followed by stirring appeals from
Dr. J. C. Jackson, Hon. R. F. Hicks, Dr. J.
M. Blakesly, G. H. Read and Rev. I. W. Emery,
after which a call was made for volunteers. There-
upon Maj. J. T. Beach offered $10 for the first
man, but before the offer was made three men
Colonel Job Clark Hedges was born in the city of New
York, June 12th, 1835. He was the son of John and Per-
melia C. Hedges. His father was born at Woodstock,
Oxfordshire, England. His mother was a native of
Springfield. N. J., and a descendant of Abram Clark, one
of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His
parents removed to Dansville in the year 1838, where
they still reside ; and while they are not pioneers of that
village, they are among its early residents, identified with
its interests and substantial contributors to its growth and
prosperity.
The subject of this sketch was the oldest of a family
of six children. Major Seth N. Hedges, his youngest
brother, is also distinguished for his military service . He
entered the ranks as a private soldier, in the 13th New
York Volunteers, won his way to a Captaincy in the 14th
Now York Artillery Volunteers, and was breveted Major
for gallant and conspicuous service. He continued m
the army until the close of the war, and is now engaged
in the practice of law at Dansville, the place of his
birth.
Col. Hedges' wife nee Elizabeth Elmer, to whom he
was married in 1860, still survives him. His only son.
Job Elmer Hedges, is a student at Princeton College, and
gives ample evidence that he has inherited the talents
and virtues of his heroic father.
In his early youth. Col. Hedges exhibited all those
qualities of mind and heart which in after years won for
him distinction in his profession and fame as a soldier.
After a thorough preparation at the seminaries of Alfred
and Lima, in this State, and in the private school of Mr.
David H. Pierson, at Elizabeth N. J., he entered Prince-
ton College, where his education was completed. Having
adopted the legal profession, he entered the office of
Hastings & Newton at Rochester, N. Y. , and under the
direction of these accomplished lawyers, prepared for the
bar, and in October, ISnS, was admitted to practice as
attorney and counsellor at law. Subsequently he was
associated with Ferris, Cushing & Squires, a prominent
law firm of New York city. Oifers of co-partnership
upon the most flattering terms were tendered him,
but he preferred to practice his profession independently
and alone. Yielding to the solicitations of friend.s, he
returned to Dansville, opsned an oflice, and there com-
menced a professional career, which, but for the vicissi-
tudes of war, would surely have led to legal eminence.
But in the midst of his bright professional jirosijects the
civil war broke out. He immediately abandoned his pro-
fession and entered the military service as First Lieuten-
ant of the 1 3th N. Y. V. He was soon promoted to Adju-
tant, and in that position served the term of his regiment
with distinction.
A letter to his father dated Nov, 16, 1862, closes as fol-
lows: "Good night, fatlier and family. The- camp fire
burns brightly, and in its brightness I see visions of home
a' id family, and wife and child ; but I am a soldier and
my fate uncertain."
In the official report of the 13th Regiment, referring
to a critical period in the battle of Malvern Hili, July 1st,
1862, his commanding officer said : "Of the conduct of
Adjutant Job C. Hedges at this time I cannot speak too
highly. Fearlessly ttdvancingunder a destructive fire, he
executed his orders with a cheerfulness and promptitude
which fully entitle him to special mention."
And again, referring to the battle at Fredericksburg,
December 13th, 1862, the same report continues: "Ad-
jutant Job C. Hedges, although sufPering from a painful
wound in his right arm, continued with his regiment,
and rendered very efficient aid to General Barnes, com-
manding the brigade, until taken to the rear by order of
Lieutenant Colonel Schoeffel, too weak to walk without
as.sistance. "
In the month of May, 186,S, his regiment was honor-
ably mustered out of service, and he returned with his
weary comrades to receive the well-deserved honors of
their fellow citizens. And hire he might well have
rested. The hero of seven hard fought battles and
eighteen months of arduous service, who could say that
COL. JOB CLARK HEDGES.
he had not served his country well and enough ? But his
country was still in danger ; his military talents were de-
manded, and he could not resist the appeal. Scarcely
had the torn battle flag of the old 13th been furled when
its gallant commander, Col. E. G. Marshall, and his no
less gallant Adjutant were commissioned to organize the
nth N. Y. H. Artillery.
Upon the completion of that regiment, young Hedges
was commissioned Major. In the spring of 1864 the
command was ordered to the front, and joined the 9th
army corps at Annapolis Junction. Crossing the Bapi-
dan on the 'ith day of May, the regiment was constantly
in the most active service, and participated in all the
battles of the Army of the Potomac to the surrender of
Lee at Appomattox.
On ttie 3d day of May, 1865, Major Hedges sent this
parting salutation to his friends at home : " My regi-
ment is in the 9th Corps — Major General Burnside. I
trust we will be successful ; one thing is certain, whatever
may be my part in the fight, I will try to do credit to you
and myseU or stay here. "
In all the weary marches and bloody battles which fol-
lowed, he was conspicuous for his bravery and efficiency.
That he fuUy appreciated the desperate nature of the
struggle in which they were engaged and the personal
dangers to which he was exposed, appears in the follow-
ing letter, dated May 30th, 1864, the last one written to
his parents. The presentiment as to his own fate adds
lustre to his brave acts.
"Once more on the Peninsula. We crossed the Pa-
munkey night before last. I am anxious to read the his-
tory of this campaign. I am still more anxious to know
the rexults. The army is ready to do all that men can do.
The men sleep constantly with their muskets and our
horses are rarely unsaddled. Night before last the march-
ing was so severe that several men died along the road,
several of them of our own regiment. * * * But we
shall not complain if the results shall only equal the pri-
vations we endure. God grant that we may succeed. I
thought I had seen something of the hoiTors of war, but
I had not yet seen our wounded left on the field without
care and without food. For my part I do not wish to be
wounded. To be killed at once would be preferable. *
* * * * You may be certain if we ever take Rich-
mond we must dig them out. ***** However,
any way, I care not * * * j little expect to survive
this campaign. Every soldier must have a last battle.
Every day I hear of some old companion in arms who
has drawn his last ration, but I am ready and willing to
do anything for success, anything that will stop by force
the suffering and pain that I see every day around me."
On the 17th day of June, 1864, Major Hedges was
instantly killed while leading his battalion in a charge
upon the enemy's works. This was the famous charge of
LedUe's Division, and the last of that series of bloody
contests commenced at the Wilderness, and which demon-
strated the correctness of young Hedges' judgment that
"If we ever take Richmoud we must dig them out."
It is illustrative of the bravery and daring of the young
Major that just before the charge he called the officers of his
battalion about him, and, pointing in the direction of the
rebel Une, said cheerfully.- "We are ordered to take
those works. ,We can do it, but every man must do his
duty. Some of us may fall, but if it must be let us die
bravely," and he gave minute directions as to the method
of attack, the care of the colors, and the disposition of his
men.
The circumstances attending his death are well de-
scribed in a letter from an officer of that regiment, pub-
Ushed shortly after in the Rochester Daily Bemnerat. He
said: "The 14th Regiment New York Artillery is by
no means the same regiment that left New York Harbor
two months ago. Out of 1,800 strong and healthy men
who then made up one of the finest regiments that has
entered the field during the war only 600 are now reported
for duty, and most of them are worn out and disabled by
fatigue and hardship. * * * In the memorable charge
of the 17th, the regiment suffered severe loss in both
officers and men. •« * * In this charge Major Job C.
Hedges, one of the most gallant and intrepid officers yet
sacrificed on the altar of his country was killed. Un-
daunted by the screeching of shells or the rattle of mus-
ketry, he rushed forward with his men until the colors of
his battalion were planted upon the works of the enemy.
Just as the works were reached the Major fell pierced
with grape shot. His death has cast a gloom not only
over our rsgiment, but the whole brigade. Fearlessly
brave and vigilant in the discharge of his duty, he was
always at the head of his command in the hour of danger.
His name and memory will always be cherished by those
with whom he shared the dangers and hardships of the
field."
General Marshall, then in command of the brigade, al-
though himself suffering from a severe wound,immediateIy
wrote the widow : " It is with a sad heart I address you.
Your husband has fallen at the head of his battalion, while
gallantly leading it in a charge upon the enemy. His
virtues both as a citizen and soldier were well known to
me. Both in the old 13th N. Y. V. and the 14th N. Y. H.
Artillery, he was with me in many a battle and always
performed his duty gallantly and intelligently. All were
his friends."
General Ledlie rode up to brigade headquarters, where
the wounded Marshall lay, acd by the side of whose tent
lay the dead soldier, and the voices of these officers
choked with emotion as they spoke of the bravery and
intelligence of the deceased.
The remains were borne from the battle field by his
brother, then Lieut. Hedges, who had shared with him
the hardships and dangers of the campaign. At EUza-
beth, N. J. , a halt of a day occurred, to allow his friends
and relatives there to pay him funereal honors.
At Wayland Depot the dead hero was met and escorted
to the village by a procession of the leading citizens of
DansvUle and the surrounding country. Places of busi-
ness were closed, and the most solemn and grateful
honors were paid the slain soldier, who had gone out
from among them in the pride and beauty of his young
manhood to defend his imperilled country. Resolutions
of respect were adopted by the Livingston county bar,
and eulogistic addresses were delivered by its leading
members.
•The survivors of the gallant old 13th also adopted reso-
lutions expressive of their love and admiration for their
dead comrade.
There stands to-day in Greenmount Cemetery a beauti-
ful monument, perpetuating the name and deeds of the
gallant hero. It is surmounted by the emblemshe loved :
the flag of the Union, showing beneath its gracefully
carved folds the sword and belt of the soldier, and,
crowning all, the laurel wreath that fame had woven for
his brow.
Upon the shaft are inscribed the names of the nine-
teen battles in which the brave soldier had participated,
viz: —
"Siege of Yorktown, April ."Sth to May 4th, 1862 ; Han-
over Court House, May 27th, 1862; Mechanicsville', June
26th, 1862; Gaines' Mills, June 27th, 1862; Turkey Bend,
June 30th, 1862 ; Malvern Hill, July 1st, 1862; Fredericks-
burgh, December 13th, 1862 ; Wilderness, May 5th and
8th, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 12th aud 15th, 1864;
North Anna River, May 24th, 1864 ; Tolapotomoy Creek,
June 1st, 1864; Shady Grove, June 2d, 1864; Bethesda
Church, June 3d and 4th, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 5th
and 12th, 1864 ; Petersburgh, June 17th, 1864."
He was breveted by the President "Lieutenant Colo-
nel," to rank from June 5th, 1864, "for gallant and con-
spicuous conduct at Cold Harbor," and "Colonel" "for
gallantly leading his regiment in front of Petersburgh on
the enemy's works, on the 17th of June, 1864, where he
fell at the head of his column."
It is fitting that his memory should be embalmed in
the History of Livingston County. Both the regiments
which he served largely represented the intelligence and
patriotism of the county ; he was the only lawyer of the
county whose life was sacrificed for his country in battle
in the war of 1861, and he was a brilliant example of the
calUng, career and valor of the citizen soldier.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
191
were on their way to the stand to enlist. As soon
as they reached the' stand Dr. Jackson offered $10
apiece to the other two men. Miss Dr. Austin
then offered $10 apiece to the next two men; Miss
Katie Johnson, $10 to the next; James H. Jack-
son $10 to the next, and Dr. F. W. Hurd $10 to
the next. H. Beyer offered $5 and H. Southwick
$20, to be used as the committee saw fit. Dr.
Blakesly offered to be one of twenty to give $25
apiece to the first twenty volunteers. The offer
not being taken the Doctor proposed to give his
share. The recruits enlisted were taken into Lt.
Lancey's company.
The war meeting of Saturday evening following
was one of the most enthusiastic assemblages Can-
aseraga Hall ever witnessed. At an early hour
the house was crowded with the first citizens of
Dansville, a goodly portion representing its pat-
riotic women. Judge John A. VanDerUp was
chosen President, Hon. James Faulkner and J. C.
Jackson, M. D., Vice Presidents, and B. S. Chapin
and O. B. Maxwell, Secretaries. Spirited and pat-
riotic speeches were made by the President, A.
Bradner, S. Hubbard, L. B. Proctor and others.
It was resolved to raise by subscription a sum suf-
ficient to pay a bounty of $25 to each volunteer
from this town entering Capt. A. J. Leach's com-
pany, and $5 to those volunteering under him out
of town. L. B. Faulkner, George Sweet, Charles
Shepard, Orville Tousey and M. McCartney were
appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions and
disburse funds. James Faulkner and A. Brad-
ner, two members of the Senatorial Military Com-
mittee, were appointed ex-officio members of that
committee. The attorneys of the place were re-
quested to aid Capt. Leach in recruiting. John
O'Hara, S. W. Warren, Daniel Carpenter, Joseph
Newton and John Dorman volunteered at this meet-
ing and $587 were subscribed.
At an adjourned meeting the following Tuesday
evening the committee on subscriptions reported
the total amount subscribed to be $1,030.50. Elo-
quent speeches were made, but the key note was
sounded by J. W. Smith, who thought the most
effective eloquence which could be displayed on
the subject of volunteering would be by the one
who should enlist. The speech was loudly ap-
plauded and the call for volunteers responded to
by James O. Slayton, who was followed by William
McNice, James M. Squires, Edmund Hartman,
George R. Beach, Harrison E. Allen, Henry Wil-
liams, Pat Welch and George Rouber, who were
sworn in by Charles P. Jones, Esq. After stirring
music by the band, Charles J. McGuire and Wm.
R. Monroe promptly responded. Major Beach
now offered $5 for the next man. Dr. Jackson, in
behalf of Miss Dr. Austin, offered $100 if twenty
men were sworn in during the evening. This gen-
erous offer was followed by one of $50, on like
conditions, from Major Beach. Miss Katie John-
son offered $5 for the second man. Charles P.
Squires now accepted Major Beach's offer. Wen-
dell Lauterborn offered a pair of fine sewed boots
to the next man. S. P. demons made alike offer.
After the rendering of a patriotic poem by Rev. J.
Pearsall, "the Bard of Canaseraga," Robert Cam-
eron enrolled his name. Mrs. Dr. Blakesly, hav-
ing no sons to send, added $5 to the pair of boots
to the first man who should enUst, and $5 to the
next pair of boots for the second man. Wm. P.
Cook promptly responded to this offer. After an
earnest and eloquent speech by S. D. Faulkner,
which was vociferously applauded, Wendell Lau-
terborn offered to be one of twenty-six to enlist
under Gen. Sigel, and to deed his house and lot to
be shared equally by those going with him. A call
for six more men to make up the twenty was re-
sponded to by John Hill and Nathan Hill. Griffith
Goodrich offered $5 more for the next man.
Another offer of $5 each was made for the next four
men to complete the twenty by Samuel W. Smith.
S. P. Williams offered a pair of boots to the next
man, and Patrick Finn accepted the offer. He
also had $5 slipped into his hand by L. B. Faulk-
ner, of which no announcement was made. Wm.
H. Libby offered $5 additional bounty to the next
man, and David Langee accepted the offer. Dr.
P. B. Bristol offered $5 each to the remaining two
needed to make up the twenty, which was re-
sponded to by W. C. Dutcher and Patrick Rogan,
$5 more being quietly slipped into the hand of the
latter by L. B. Faulkner. This filled up Capt.
Leach's company to 44 men.
At a meeting held at Byersville, Monday night,
August nth, and addressed by G. Bulkley, G. H.
Read, O. W. West, I. C. Lusk, Charles S. Hall,
D. Blanchard and others, several recruits were ob-
tained for Capt. Leach's company, which departed
on the packet May Fly, by canal, for the military
depot at Portage, on Monday, August i8th, the
departure being witnessed by a large concourse of
people. Major Proctor, with the assistance of ef-
ficient aids, gave them a parting salute with a six-
pounder.
August 14th, Adjutant Job C. Hedges, of the
13th regiment, arrived in Dansville to recruit a
192
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
company for that regiment. The first expression
of response was given on the 19th at Canaseraga
Hall. An eloquent speech was made by Lester
B. Faulkner, who was to lead the new company in
person. E. H. Pratt, of the firm of O. B. Max-
well & Co., united with Mr. Faulkner in the effort
to raise this company. A recruiting office was
opened in the Stevens Block in Dansville ; and
such were the efforts put forth by Messrs. Faulk-
ner, Pratt, Hedges and others in Dansville, that,
under the stimulus of bounties offered and the fear
of the impending draft, this company was filled in
eight days, and was mustered August 30, 1862, as
Co. B of the 136th regiment.
August 22, 1862, Judge VanDerlip, in behalf of
the ladies of Dansville, presented Capt. Leach's
company with a beautiful silk and satin flag, sur-
mounted by a gilt eagle. His speech was pointed
and eloquent.
On Thursday, September nth, Capt. Faulkner's
company, no strong, left Dansville for camp at
Portage.
Before leaving, the ladies, through Judge Van-
Derlip, presented the company with a most beau-
tiful flag.
In November, 1863, Mark J. Bunnell was ap-
pointed recruiting agent in Dansville, but, being
subsequently appointed Captain in the Invalid
Corps, S. G. Dorr, Jr., received the appointment
of recruiting agent in his place, and enlistments
progressed vigorously. In the early part of Feb-
ruary the quota of Dansville was filled, and $300
town bounty was paid to each of twenty-seven men,
the number enlisted after the bounty resolution was
passed by the Supervisors, December n, 1 863.
February i, 1864, a call was made for 200,000
men. Immediately thereafter S. G. Dorr, Jr., and
John Hyland, recruiting agents for this assembly
district, opened offices, the former in Smith's
Block, and the latter at G. Hyland's store, and en-
ergetically commenced the business of recruiting.
March 30, 1864, Supervisor S. D. Faulkner re-
ported the following moneys received and dispersed
for the relief of families of volunteers : —
Cash borrowed of James Faulkner,.. .$125
Cash received from Town Collector... 125 — $250
Paid sundry persons as per receipt. . . 143
Balance on hand to credit of fund
March 29, 1864 $107
At a special town meeting held at the Dansville
House, Thursday, September 15, 1864, after an
animated discussion it was resolved to raise by tax
and pay $600 to each volunteer or substitute, or
to the family of each drafted man, to the number
requisite to fill the quota of the town under the
last call for 500,000 men. Daniel W. Noyes
Charles S. Hall and Frank Eschrich were ap-
pointed a committee to attend to the filling of the
quota of the town.
At a special town meeting held at the same place
September 23, 1864, it was resolved to raise by tax
and pay an additional sum, not to exceed $200, to
every man who should volunteer or furnish a sub-
stitute credited to the town till the quota was full.
Several public meetings were held and about a
dozen recruits obtained; while a committee abroad
was working hard to fill the quota. Up to the
close of the second succeeding week over fifty men
were mustered to the credit of the town, through
the exertions of Charles S. Hall, S. D. Faulkner,
D. W. Noyes and others ; and by the close of the
third week more than enough men had been raised
to fill the quota of the town.
TAe Dansville Advertiser of March 2, 1865,
says : J. T. Beach, Charles S. Hall, T. Carpenter,
L. B. Proctor, S. D. Faulkner and others are en-
deavoring to fill our quota here without drafting.
A number of meetings have been held and Lt.
Wortman appointed recruiting officer. At a meet-
ing held March 7, 1865, it was voted to raise
$3,400 on Livingston bonds of $100 each, pay-
able in one year with interest, and $2,000 were
raised at that meeting. Notwithstanding these ex-
ertions a draft took place almost at the same time
that Lee surrendered, forty-eight being drafted iu
Dansville."
This, in the absence of fuller data, will suffice
to indicate how nobly the town performed its duty
in the great drama of the rebellion. Those who
survived the vicissitudes and dangers of the bivouac,
the march, the battle field, and returned crowned
with the honors of their arduous service, are the
living monuments of its glorious achievements, and
merit the undying gratitude of those at whose bid-
ding they went forth to dare and'if need be to die.
BIOGR/PHIC/IL SKETCHES.
DR. JAMES C. JACKSON.
James Caleb Jackson was bom in the village of
Manlius, March 28, 181 1. His father, Dr. James
Jackson, was a native of Tyringham, Mass., and
his grandfather. Col. Giles Jackson, was a distin-
guished field officer under Gen. Gates at the battle
(llJI^d
Jc(P . c/a c
/O) en
HSIOBSIBI WiaiTSMASt.
DR. JAMES C. JACKSON, REUBEN WHITEMAN.
193
of Saratoga. When James was twelve years of age
his father renounced the practice of medicine and
adopted the calling of a farmer, hence the first years
of young Jackson's hfe were mainly devoted, when
out of school, to agricultural pursuits, and in all the
vicissitudes of his life he has never lost his love for
that noble occupation. When seventeen years of
age he commenced preparing for college at Manlius
Academy, but before completing his academic course
his father died, leaving his mother and four children
younger than himself, comparatively under his pro-
tection. This threw a great responsibihty upon
him, but he discharged it with that ability and un-
ceasing energy which have characterized him in all
his relations in life. On attaining his twentieth
year he was married to Lucretia E., daughter of
Judge Elias Brewster of Mexico, Oswego Co., N.Y.
This caused him to relinquish his plan of obtaining
a collegiate education, but it did not deter him from
following, with rigid determination, the noblest of
all exertions, that of self-education. Under the
instruction of a learned and accomplished clergy-
man, Jackson became a fine latin scholar, and a
finished, graceful master of the English language.
Early desiring to adopt the profession of his father,
he devoted much time to the study of medicine and
surgery, and in time prepared himself for admission
to the practice of his chosen profession. When
merely a youth he entered ardently into the field
of politics, giving his allegiance to the Democratic
party. But not being able to understand why
slavery was allowed to exist in this, a free nation,
he soon became an admirer and associate of the
great historic champions of Anti-Slavery. In the
year 1838, at the suggestion of one of his early and
devoted friends, Gerrit Smith, he removed to Peter-
boro, N. Y., and soon became so distinguished in
the Anti-Slavery movement that he was appointed
agent of that society of Mass., and continued in
that employment till the spring of 1840 when he
was made Secretary of the American Anti-Slavery
society. In the autumn of 1 842 he became a poUt-
ical abolitionist and soon gained high rank among
those illustrious reformers whose noble acts gave
the name of Lincoln to immortaUty and struck the
shackles from the limbs of four millions of human
beings. In the same year he assumed the editor-
ship of the Madison County Abolitionist, which
he edited one year and then it was sold out by the
publishers and removed to Utica where it was re-
pubUshed under the name of the Liberty Press.
Two years subsequent to this Dr. Jackson resigned
his position as editor of that paper and purchased
the Albany Patriot, then the leading Anti-Slavery
journal, and in editing this fully exhibited his re-
markable talents as a writer and editor. From his
earliest days the Dr. has been distinguished as a
political orator as well as writer, having a peculiar
manner of enforcing his views and crystallizing his
ideas so as to put his hearers in full possession of
them. With him, words are truly the " vehicle of
thought." Dr. Jackson edited the Albany Patriot
until 1847, when his health gave way and he sold
the paper and its good-will to Wm. L. ChapHn — a
distinguished early aboHtion lecturer and writer.
He became a confirmed invalid and a patient of
Dr. S. O. Gleason, then of Cuba, now of Elmira.
This was in 1847 and he remained under the care
of the Dr. four months and then entered into a
co-partnership with Dr. Gleason and Miss Theo-
dosia Gilbert, with whom he left Cuba and estab-
Kshed a Hygienic Institute at the head of Skane-
ateles lake, which is widely known as the " Glen
Haven Water Cure," and remained with them till
the winter of 1849-50, when Dr. Gleason sold his
interest to the two remaining parties, who contin-
ued to conduct the cure till the fall of 1858, when
Dr. Jackson left Glen Haven and removed to
Dansville, where he opened the institution which
has since become renowned as " Our Home Hy-
gienic Institute." The elegant and commodious
building — the cure proper, with its tasteful and
classic chapel, its beautiful and artistic cottages, its
cool and refreshing fountains and streams of water,
looks down upon the beautiful village of Dansville
and the rich and splendid valley of the Canaseraga,
like a little city on a hill.
Dr. Jackson was the father of two sons and one
daughter. His eldest, Giles E. Jackson, and the
daughter died many years ago, leaving only Dr.
James H. Jackson who is now house physician at
the Institute at Dansville.
From boyhood. Dr. Jackson has exhibited a rev-
erence for sacred things, and beHeves that religion
is rational, tending to our best interests as a source
of happiness, and widening our range of thought,
feeling and sensibility. In the inner circle of his
life are inexhaustible and exceptionally happy fam-
ily relations, rendering him a steadfast friend, kind
and indulgent parent, and an affectionate husband.
He is more than a successful physician, and stands
in the front rank of medical reformers, and has
opened new fields in the great art of healing.
REUBEN WHITEMAN.
Like many of the earUer settlers of Dansville,
Reuben Whiteman was born in Lehigh county,
Penn., May 14, 1817. His parents, Jacob and
Susannah Whiteman, were people possessed of
those sterling qualities, which, instilled into the
minds of their children, rendered them respectable
and profitable members of society.
Reuben was the second of a family of thirteen
children, of whom all, except one, are living. In
October, 1823, Jacob Whiteman removed with his
family to Dansville, and found a temporary home
on the lands of the late Amariah Hammond, now
owned by Hon. J. B. Morey. The next spring
he removed to Sparta, where he resided the re-
mainder of his Hfe, and amassed considerable prop-
erty. Reuben continued with his father, actively
engaged on the farm, for several years. Owing to
the disadvantages by which he was surrounded, he
could devote but little time to learning, even in
194
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
the school which was kept a part of the time in their
neighborhood. But by applying himself to his
books with assiduity, he acquired an education
sufficient to enable him to fill his place in life, well
and successfully. When seventeen years of age,
he left his father and became an apprentice to a
painter in Dansville, where he soon acquired suffi-
cient knowledge of the trade to commence business
for himself, in which he continued until he reached
his twenty-ninth year.
June 22, 1845, he was married to Rebecca E.,
daughter of Telemachus demons of Sparta, who
was born at Sparta, April 17, 1824, and we do not
hesitate to say that her prudence, industry, and ca-
pacity and the confidence which her husband al-
ways reposed in her judgment, advice and counsel,
have contributed in no small degree to that success
which has always crowned his exertions. By her
humble but deep and true devotion to the service
of her Saviour, by her efforts to bring the religion
she professes, into the discharge of her duties to
her family, her church, and to society, she has
gained the respect and esteem of all who know her.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Whiteman re-
nounced his occupation as painter and commenced
the fife of a farmer, which occupation is pro-
nounced the power, pride, and strong support of
the nation. He took up a piece of wild, unculti-
vated land containing one hundred and ten acres,
situated in the town of Wayland, Steuben Co.
After devoting, with considerable success, eight
years to this life, increasing, by purchase from time
to time, the extent of his acreage, in the year 1851
he removed to Dansville and commenced the oper-
ation of a lumber dealer. This proved to be the
business particularly adapted to be conducted by
Mr. Whiteman and was soon extended beyond the
village of Dansville into those magnificent pine for-
ests that then covered a large portion of the state
of Michigan. Some of his business relations were
conducted in connection with the late Geo. Hy-
land, whose keen sense of honor, never-failing
integrity, love of justice, and acknowledged mental
powers found in Mr. Whiteman a congeniality
which soon resulted in a Hfe-long and pleasing
friendship, and in highly remunerative reciprocal
business relations. In the mutability of business
Mr. Whiteman met with heavy losses sufficient to
make any other man poor, but which have not in the
least depleted the contents of his coffers. For
many years he has been a consistent, useful and
devoted member of the Reformed Lutheran Church
in Dansville, and sustained it conscientiously by
his influence and. means, while his wife has been a
member of the M. E. Church of the same place,
and the "love of God shed abroad in their hearts''
has united them in bonds of His sacred commun-
ion. Mr. Whiteman has always given his poHtical
allegiance to the democratic party, but has never
sought office, and it is a noteworthy fact that near-
ly all of his employees have been republicans, and
many of them somewhat vehement in their politi-
cal faith. Mr. Whiteman's paternal ancestors were
Prussians, His grandfather, Jacob Whiteman,
came to America when he was four years old and
was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serving
during the whole of that great struggle for freedom.
After the war he settled in Lehigh Co., Penn.,
where his son and grandson were both born. Mrs.
R. Whiteman's maiden name was Susannah But-
ton. The purity of Mr. Whiteman's private life
has never been questioned. He is somewhat strong
in his opinions, and if occasion requires, often en-
ergetic in manifesting them, and is inclined to put
faith in men as he finds them, but when a man de-
ceives him, even in a small matter, he ceases all
intercourse with him forever. He ranks among
the strongest advocates of temperance, and in the
dispensation of charities is generous though his hab-
its of personal economy are proverbial. He has had
three children, as follows : Frederick C, born April
9, 1846, was a young man of much promise and in
whom were concentrated many fond hopes of his
parents — hopes that all who knew him were united
in saying, were justly indulged. He died August
24, 1859. Alonzo J. was born June 19, i860, and
Clara J. born May 14, 1863. Alonzo is now a
student in Hamilton College and is soon to be
graduated. He occupies a high rank among the
students, and his standing in his class and collegiate
course betokens much success in the coming years.
WM. H. REYNALE, M. D.
Dr. Reynale was one of the earliest physicians
and surgeons of Dansville. He was born at Qua-
kertown, Hunterdon county, N. J., Feb. 27, 1794.
Very early in hfe he lost his father. His mother
died in 1835. Soon after his father's death he was
adopted by Henry Bidleman, a maternal uncle,
who was an accomplished scholar, an able and dis-
tinguished agriculturist, and highly respected for
his courtesy and all those quaHties which constitute
a Christian gentleman. Young Reynale found in
his uncle all those tender affections, and all that
parental sohcitude, which he had lost in the death
of his father. He was carefully and religiously
reared and educated; and chose the medical pro-
fession for his future occupation. After a severe
and critical course of medical reading, he entered
the University of Pennsylvania in January, 18 11,
as a medical student, and was graduated from there
April 9, 1814. Soon after this he went to Dans-
ville, at the invitation of Jacob Opp, a connection
of Dr. Reynale, who was at that time, building the
well-known flouring and grist-mill south of Dans-
ville, which is now, and has been for several years,
owned by Benj. F. Readshaw. But the country
being new and sparsely populated, it afforded but
little business for the young physician, and after
spending a year there he returned to Easton, Pa.,
where he practiced three years and then removed
to Hartland, Niagara county. After practicing
there for some time he returned to Dansville, where
he remained until 183 1, when he removed to Lock-
WM. H. REYNALE, M. D., JOSEPH W. SMITH.
I9S
port, where he devoted himself to his profession
with unremitting energy, gaining a high reputation.
In the winter of 1834 he again returned to Dans-
ville, where he spent the remainder of his life and
rose to the highest distinction, both as a physician
and a surgeon. June 5, 182 1, he married Miss
Harriet Palmer, a lady of many attractive qualities,
personal and mental. This marriage was the
source of much happiness to Dr. Reynale ; indeed
he often said : " The sound advice and counsel, the
judicious management of our household affairs, by
my sensible, affectionate and practical wife, are a
prominent source of my prosperity." She died in
December, 1849, and in 1852 he married Mrs.
House, widow of the late Frederick House, of
Dansville. By his first wife Dr. Reynale had four
children as follows : George, Mary, Henry and
Joseph, all of whom are dead except Mary, now
the widow of the late Joseph W. Smith. Dr. R.
was a man of rare intellectual endowments, and as
a practitioner was ready, careful, calm and thought-
ful. In the sick room his manner and looks
possessed a kind of panacea. In discharging his
duties as a surgeon, the dissecting knife and
scalpel were familiar instruments, used with a con-
fidence and self-possession that seldom failed of
success. Always adhering to what is known as the
"Old School," if ever he indulged in bitter, aggres-
sive language, it was in denouncing quacks and
ignorant pretenders ; these he never tolerated under
any circumstances. He was of gentle, conciliatory,
manners, and possessed a patient and persevering
energy, which no amount of professional labor
could fatigue or discourage. Though quick and
hasty in his temperament and easily aroused to
anger, compassion or sympathy, few men everhved
who had better control of their passions than Dr.
Reynale, and possessing a native humor, and a
light-hearted, sunny nature, he was ever a pleasing
companion. In early hfe he united with the Pres-
byterian church at Dansville, being one of its earliest
members, and in his subsequent hfe, by a meek
and reverential observance of the teachings of the
gospel, became an exemplary member. He con-
sulted conscience as reverently as an oracle of God,
and in this way his faihngs were controlled and
subjected to a singular extent. Greatly beloved
by iris family and friends, the fame he won in his
profession was the honest reward of learning,
ability, probity and honor. He died at Dansville,
August 7, 1870. The universal sorrow that per-
vaded the community on the announcement of his
death revealed the high estimation in which he was
held.
JOSEPH W. SMITH.
Joseph VV. Smith was born near Bath, N. Y., in
the year 1821, hence at the time of his death was
fifty-five years of age. His father was a respect-
able farmer, who died when Joseph was yet quite
young. He was reared principally under the
guardianship of his brother-in-law, Jason Stone,
Esq., now a highly respected citizen of Corn-
ing. Too frail to endure the occupation of a
farmer, he was early sent to the best schools
in the country, attaining an excellent educa-
tion. Often in his boyhood days he witnessed
the stirring legal contests that took place at the
court house in Bath. One of these was the first
trial that the present Judge Rumsey, of the Su-
preme Court, conducted as counsel. In this way
his mind was directed to the legal profession, and
his early aspirations were to become a lawyer. In
this he was encouraged by his friends, particularly
by his brother-in-law, Henry Goff, Esq., of Corn-
ing, and another brother-in-law, Jason Stone, of
Corning. In the year 1S42, on completing his
education, he came to Dansville and entered the
ofiice of the late Benj. F. Harwood, then in the
plenitude of his brilliant practice. He applied
himself to his studies with great industry and per-
severance. With a delicate constitution he suc-
cessfully mastered the great elementary law writers.
He delighted in studying the old metaphysical
rules of special pleading. Bacon's Abridgments,
with its antique phraseology, was an admirable
instructor for him. He lingered with delight over
the gracefully written commentaries of our own
learned and illustrious Kent, a work that is still
the text book of judges and lawyers in our own
country, and it has called forth the eulogy and
guided the labors of the learned in other climes.
Mr. Smith always thoroughly and severely investi-
gated the law apphcable to causes submitted to
him, and he made strong, exhaustive briefs. His
preparatory course ended, we beUeve, in 1847,
and he was immediately called to- the bar. He
commenced practice as the partner of Moses
Stevens, who for a time was his fellow student in
the office of Mr. Harwood. After a brief period
this partnership was dissolved; Mr. Stevens re-
moved to Wellsville, and Mr. Smith continued to
practice alone at Dansville for a short time, then
removed to Almond, Allegany Co., pursuing there
his profession. About the time of his removal to
Almond, in the year 1849, he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Mary E. Reynale, an accomphshed
young lady, the only daughter of the late Dr. Wm.
H. Reynale, and a favorite in society. She sur-
vives her husband, and is the sole survivor of a
large, happy and refined family circle. At Almond,
Mr. Smith entered at once upon a lucrative and
successful practice. But in the autumn of 1849,
through the influence of his father-in-law. Dr. Rey-
nale, and others, Mr. Smith was induced to return
to Dansville and there resume his practice. Here
professional success again awaited him. After
practicing alone some time, the well remembered
firm of Hubbard, Smith & Noyes was formed.
With this combination of learning and talent, suc-
cess was an inevitable result. But for some reason
the firm was dissolved after the lapse of a year, and
a new firm under the name of Smith & Noyes was
immediately formed. This business relation con-
tinued two or three years with considerable sue-
196
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
cess, when it was dissolved, each of the parties
continuing to practice alone. In the fall of 1859
the eminent firm of Van Derlip & Smith was
formed. This relation continued through the long
period of seventeen years, and was dissolved by
the death of its junior member. Its successful
career is too well known to the public to require
any comment here. In the trial of a cause he
detected with keen, quick observation, the weak
points of his adversary, while, with an instinctive
ingenuity and skill, he defended, disguised, or
strengthened his own assailable points as occasion
required. In the thrust and in the parry he was
equally at home. When opposed by a sharp, pet-
tifogging trickster — one who resorted to knavish
shrewdness for success, instead of the learning of
his profession, or when a deep, shrewd, deceitful,
lying witness came against him, then his sarcasm
fell withering, heavy and effectual. With his
brethren of the bar he was honorable, high-minded
and courteous, and everywhere his word was his
bond. At the bar and in the popular assembly
Mr. Smith was a forcible, logical and persuasive
speaker. As a politician he was bold, ardent and
adroit, a Democrat, who never furled the banner
of his party for the sake of policy, but always car-
ried it aloft in triumpli or defeat — like Bruce at
Bannockburn, planting its standard on the hard
rock. Mr. Smith represented his town in the
Board of Supervisors several successive years. In
the fall of 1859 he was a candidate for Member of
Assembly. Although in his district there was an
overwhelming Republican majority, he reduced
the majority of his opponent, a very popular man,
to barely thirty-five. He would have been elected
but for some disaffection in one of the towns of the
county. In 1872 he sustained an irreparable loss
in the death of his only son — his only child. He
was a young man of much intellectual promise.
From this terrible blow Mr. Smith never recovered.
Like a strong tree that has withstood the whirl-
wind, though many of its green leaves have been
swept away, among whose broken boughs the birds
no longer warble, so he withstood, this terrible
stroke. To his friends it was plain that nothing
could banish his lost boy from his thoughts, and in
their confidential interviews with him, when his
sad heart was laid open to them, as it often was,
they felt that in his musings at his home or in his
office,
"Grief filled the room up of his absent child,
Laid in his bed, walked np and down with him ;
Put on his well known looks, repeated all his words,
Reminded him of all his gracious parts,
Stuffed out his vacant garments with liis form.'"
But his sorrow is at an end, the valley and the
shadow are past, he sleeps well and peacefully by
the side of him whose loss silenced the music of
his life. In private life Mr. Smith was a valuable
and influential citizen. Kindness was innate in his
nature. As he possessed a fund of pleasing anec-
dote, set off by lively wit and sparkhng repartee he
was a favorite in the social circle. "To those who
loved him not he was lofty and sour," and to his
enemies who crossed his path in hatred he was im-
placable and agressive in his resentment. In the
death of Mr. Smith, Dansville lost one of its best
citizens, and the bar of Livingston county one of
its most gifted members.
GEORGE HYLAND.
It is always a subject of regret when the lives of
prominent and useful men are permitted to end in
influence as in duration, at the entrance of the
grave. A long career of useful labor is an object
of contemplation far too fruitful and suggestive to
be suffered to pass quickly out of memory. The
restless waves of busy human life soon erase, in
spite of us, the most cherished recollections unless
gathered up and crystallized into some more per-
manent and abiding form. It is for the purpose
of arresting, and in a measure preserving, the mem-
ory of those whose honorable and virtuous lives
demand reverence ; whose usefulness, gratitude —
and whose faults are forgotten in that excellence
which challenges the action of time, that this his-
tory of Livingston county is given to the public.
That the long, useful and interesting career of
George Hyland fully entitles him to honorable
mention in these pages, none will deny; for he was
one of those who aided in giving Livingston county
the proud name she bears in the history of the Em-
pire State.
Mr. Hyland was born in the parish of Droma-
hair, county of Leitrim, Ireland, June 21st, 1803.
When he was fourteen years old he emigrated with
his father's family to America, landing at Quebec ;
from thence he went to York — now Toronto—
where the family became permanent residents.
Two years later Mr. Hyland lost his father, " leav-
ing me," he said, "all America to get my hving in,
with nothing but my hands, my natural love of la-
bor and a determination to succeed in the world
with which to get that living." With a cheerful
submission to the lot which Providence had as-
signed him, he entered upon the duties and re-
sponsibilities before him. For several years he
alternately worked on the farm and attended school.
In this way he acquired a good practical edu-
cation.
In the year 1820, he commenced learning the
trade of a hatter in Toronto. He was there en-
gaged until the year 1824, industriously and per-
severingly devoting himself to the acquisition of a
thorough knowledge of the calling he had adopted
for a livelihood.
From Toronto, after going to Prescott, Mr.
Hyland went to Ogdensburg. When he arrived
there he had only twenty cents in his pocket, but
he soon found employment, and with industry and
economy he accumulated quite a sum of money.
After working some time at Ogdensburg, he went
to Bethel, N. Y., where he attended school nearly
a year, working at his business morning and even-
ing, and in that way earning enough to defray his
expenses.
1. ^«*
'(^^yU_^
GEORGE HYLAND, DR. JAMES FAULKNER.
197
In the month of May, 1829, he became a resi-
dent of Dansville, N. Y., for the remainder of his
life. Here he opened a hat, fur and dry goods
store, and commenced business for himself.
As we have said in another place, his prompt,
energetic, industrious business habits and his in-
tegrity, brought an abundant reward and gave him
a high position among the business men of Living-
ston county. To his enterprise and pubHc spirit
Dansville is largely indebted for its prosperity and
beauty. Among the monuments that perpetuate
his memory and evince his public spirit is the fine,
tasteful and very commodious hotel edifice which
bears his name. He was a man of much more
than ordinary intellectual strength. His inteUi-
gence and rapid perceptive powers were proverbi-
ally practical and always at his command. Out-
spoken, honest, direct, and yet courteous in his in-
tercourse with his fellow-citizens, he always had
their confidence and esteem, subject, of course, to
the criticism which rivalry in business always en-
genders, but which ends with the occasion.
In the autumn of i860 he was elected Member
of Assembly from Livingston county. In that dis-
tinguished body his large fund of information, his
ready and acceptable use of language and tact in
debate, his uncompromising honor and sense of
right, and his independence of character gave him
a high position among his fellow legislators, ren-
dering his public services of great value to his con-
stituents.
In his political faith he was at first a Whig, and
then a Republican. He was a zealous, untiring
partisan ; but his zeal was tempered by a moder-
ation and sagacity which enlarged his influence and
usefulness. The native eloquence which disting-
uished him often exhibited itself during active cam-
paigns in brief, pointed and stirring addresses from
the political rostrum, to which he was often called
by his fellow citizens. He was never known to
ask for an office. It is true he once held the office
of Postmaster for a brief period, but when Andrew
Johnson, who was then president, entered upon his
policy, Mr. Hyland openly denounced it, though he
knew the consequences would be the loss of the
office he held. When elected to the Assembly, the
position was tendered him by an unexpected and
nearly unanimous nomination.
In his dealing with men he was exact, and
prompt. Having once lost confidence in a person
it required a long probation of good conduct to
restore it. He had strong prejudices, but they
were balanced by equally strong and generous sym-
pathies. This brings us to say that he was a bitter,
aggressive enemy, but a warm and liberal friend.
There was a sort of humorous method in his likes
and disUkes which exhibited the lights and shades
of his character just as the angles of a diamond
exhibit its brilliancy.
He was not regarded as a close man in pecun-
iary matters. We have known repeated instances
of Mr. Hyland's lenity to persons indebted to him,
amounting nearly to a discharge of the demand.
We are quite sure that there are many who are
indebted to his reHeving hand, extended in the
hour of dark adversity, for the prosperity and hap-
piness which they and their families now enjoy.
Indeed, we know of several in whose eyes moist
jewels of gratitude will gather as they read these
lines, for his acts of kindness : —
"Which leave upon the silent shore
Of memory, images and precious thoughts
That shall not die, and cannot be destroyed.'*
Mr. Hyland often exhibited the generous im-
pulses of his nature. There are many who have
been recipients of his bounty and yet ignorant of
the hand that gave them.
Modest and unassuming himself, he disliked all
attempts at display in others. A modest, unpre-
tending man in home-spun clothes would gain his
respect, while a conceited, meritorious person
though in a genteel dress, was sure to meet his
contempt.
On August 15th, 1833, Mr. Hyland was united
in marriage to Sarah, daughter of Maj. Tom Lemen,
the widow of Jacob Sholl. Mrs. Hyland possessed
all those amiable traits of character which adorn
her sex. In her relations to society she so deported
herself as to gain the esteem of all who knew her.
As a wife and mother she was affectionate, consid-
erate and faithful. She was born February 28th,
1778, and died Sept. ist, 1866. The death of few
persons have been more sincerely lamented than
Mrs. Hyland's, few persons have a stronger abiding
place in the memory of surviving friends than she.
It is therefore needless to add that Mr. Hyland's
marriage was the source of much happiness to him.
There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Hyland. One of these was a daughter who died
very young. Col. George Hyland, a gallant officer
in the recent war for the Union, and subsequently
Sheriff' of Livingston county — a leading and dis-
tinguished citizen, — and John Hyland, Esq., the
present Postmaster of Dansville — a citizen of the
highest intelligence, generally esteemed for his high
sense of honor, his geniality and enterprise— are
sons of Mr. Hyland, who survive him.
DR. JAMES FAULKNER.
James Faulkner is nearly the sole survivor of
that adventurous band, who, in the flush and ani-
mation of youth penetrated the wilderness of
Western New York — a pioneer, who made his home
among the red men of the forest, who aided in
erecting churches, school houses, stores and facto-
ries where he had seen the council fires of the
Indians light up the unbroken wilderness. Hence,
through him one generation speaks its thoughts,
feelings and appeals to another. The reminis-
cences of his early days, hghtedup by keen observa-
tion and perpetuated by a remarkably retentive
memory and an intelligent relation — his recollec-
rion of the distinguished men who were his cotem-
poraries, form a history as instructive as it is enter-
taining.
198
HISTORY OF WVINGSTON COUNTY.
His paternal grandfather emigrated from Ireland
to America before the Revolutionary war and set-
tled in New Jersey. In the year 1784 he removed
from New Jersey to Cambridge, Washington
county, where he purchased a large tract of land
and became a leading farmer and business man of
that county. He was the father of several sons.
His third was Samuel, who was the father of the
subject of this sketch. His eldest son was Daniel
Faulkner, who, in the year 1796, laid out the village
of Dansville and from whom it received its name.
His second son was Judge James Faulkner, who re-
ceived a liberal education, entered the medical pro-
fession, becoming an eminent physician and sur-
geon. Immediately after receiving his medical di-
ploma he settled at Painted Post, Steuben county,
N. Y. His fame as a physician and surgeon, his
rare and versatile talents, his learning, and knowl-
edge of men and the springs of human nature gave
him a conspicuous place in public affairs. In
January, 1803, he was appointed First Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas of Steuben county,
by Gen. George Clinton, then Governor of the
state of New York. Though not bred to the bar,
he possessed many accomplishments that quaHfied
him for the high judicial position to which he was
appointed. He presided over the Steuben county
courts until February, 1813, — a period of ten
years — when he resigned his office and retired to
private life.
Dr. James Faulkner was born at Cambridge,
Washington county, January 21, 1790. He is a
son of Samuel and Catharine Faulkner. His
father was a farmer, a man of intelligence, possess-
ing great energy, industry and probity of character.
He married Catherine Phoenix, the daughter of a
highly reputable citizen of Cambridge — a woman
greatly beloved by all who knew her — a model wife
and mother. When James was six years of age his
father removed with his family to Dansville, N. Y.
As they were leaving for this, then distant region,
at least two hundred miles to the westward— to
them the far West — their friends bade them a tear-
ful farewell, under the conviction that so distant
was their place of destination, so fatiguing and
dangerous their journey — most of the way through
a dense wilderness — that they would never meet
them again in life. What a change time has
wrought in overcoming distance. Now Dansville
is but a few hours' distant from Washington county,
and a Journey to the most distant parts of the con-
tinent can be made in much less time than the jour-
ney of a few hundred miles undertaken by the
father of Dr. Faulkner in 1796. He was ten days
on the road, reaching Dansville, January 8th, 1797.
In the year i8or, young Faulkner became a resi-
dent— with his father — of Geneseo, N. Y. Here
he resided until the year 1805, when the elder
Faulkner died.
Judge Faulkner, whom we have described, an
uncle of James', pleased with his intelligence and
promise, immediately adopted him as his son,
.educated him and prepared him to enter the pro-
fession of, medicine. In the year i8io, young
Faulkner entered the college of Physicians and
Surgeons of the city of New York, from whence he
was graduated in March, 181 2. Immediately after
receiving his medical diploma he returned to Dans-
ville and commenced the successful practice of his
profession. In June, 181 2, he was united by mar-
riage to Miss Minerva Hammond, a daughter of
Amariah Hammond, a pioneer settler, an eminent
respected and wealthy citizen of Dansville.
In the year 1815 Dr. Faulkner became the pur-
chaser of an extensive paper-mill in Dansville, and
about the same time, he purchased a large tract of
land, a great part of which is now within the limits
of the village. The consideration of these pur-
chases amounted to a large sum of money, exceed-
ing his means by at least $16,000. The prompt
manner in which Dr. Faulkner paid off this large
indebtedness, is an eloquent tribute to his energy,
abihty and enterprise. But the details of his large
and increasing business made such importunate de-
mands upon his time that he was compelled to
abandon his profession ; though such was his
reputation as a physician and surgeon, that, for
many years, he was frequently called to counsel
with the physicians in the village and in the sur-
rounding country.
The paper-mill to which we have alluded is still
standing on the estate of Dr. Faulkner, in the
western part of the village, a landmark of the past
and a monument of the early enterprise of its
owner. For many years it was one of the princi-
pal paper manufactories of Western New York.
There are many still living who remember the pic-
ture of the old mill, which embeUished the thous-
ands of reams of paper that found their way into
most of the wholesale and retail stores of the North-
ern States.
This mill was operated by Dr. Faulkner, with
great pecuniary success, until the year 1839, when
it was converted into a large tannery. Many years
ago Dr. Faulkner erected the large flouring-mill,
which has been conducted with such success by his
son-in-law, John C. Williams, that the flour he has
manufactured in it has attained precedence over
all other brands in Western New York.
Dr. Faulkner's mental quahties were combined
with and regulated by an intelUgence so rarely at
fault, as to place him at the head of the business
men of the county, and enabled him to amass a
large fortune. The times and the condition of the
country demanded men Hke him, to develope its
resources.
Another remarkable mental feature in Dr.
Faulkner is his iron will. This, joined to his sys-
tematic mind and well-poised prudence, preserved
him from that redundancy of enterprise which so
often embarrass and defeat the efforts of the
brightest business intellects.
It would be strange, indeed, if a mind consti-
tuted like his should remain inactive in politics.
By the very make of his nature, and by the "tunes
of the times," he was forced into the political arena
— though he was never a place seeker.
As his powers of organization and combination
DR. JAMES FAULKNER.
199
were unsurpassed, by common consent he was a
field officer in the battle line of politics. He en-
tered active life a few years after the great triumph
of Jefferson and Democracy over the great aristo-
cratic Federal party, and his political faith was
founded on the principles of the great apostles of
popular rights. In other words, he has always
been a Jefifersonian Democrat. In his political
career he was the friend and compeer of illustrious
men of the past, whose names are embalmed in
their country's history. Even now, at his ad-
vanced age, his memory of those men and the stir-
ring events which marked their career, is clear and
distinct, and his description of them is pleasing,
suggestive and instructive. Martin Van Buren was
his counsel in an important law-suit in which he
was interested, and which terminated in that great
tribunal of last resort — the Court for the Correc-
tion of Errors. Dr. Faulkner's description of Van
Buren's person reminds one of Boswell's descrip-
tion of Wilberforce when addressing the electors
of his district from the hustings. " I saw," said he,
" what seemed a mere shrimp mount the platform ;
and I wondered what he could say ; but, as I hs-
tened to him, such was his eloquence, that he grew
and grew, until the shrimp became a whale."
In the spring of 1815 James Faulkner was
elected Supervisor of the town of Sparta, which
then embraced the territory now included in the
towns of Dansville, West Sparta and Sparta, all of
which then belonged to the county of Steuben.
By nearly continuous elections he continued to
represent Sparta in the Board of Supervisors of
Steuben county until the year 1821, when that
town was annexed to Livingston county. After
this he represented the town so many years, that
to use his own language, " I have almost forgot their
number."
In the autumn of 1824 Dr. Faulkner was elected
Member of Assembly from Livingston county,
taking his seat in that body January 4th, 1825. In
the fall of that year he was reelected and com-
menced his second Legislative term on the 3d of
January, 1826. The celebrated Samuel Young
so conspicuous in the history of the State, was
speaker of the house. Dr. Faulkner became a
favorite and friend of Col. Young. The Doctor's
description of him is so characteristic that we can
not refrain from giving it a place in our history.
" He was to most people like a crab apple, sour,
bitter and tough, — as pure as the purest ; his intel-
lect was as keen as he was crabbed and pure. To
his friends, however, he was as sweet and as gentle
as a woman." No description of Col. Young that
has ever been written exceeds this in truth.
In the Legislative session of 1825 Faulkner
made the acquaintance of the illustrious statesman
and orator, Silas Wright, who was then a member
of the State Senate from the county of St. Law-
rence.
The friendship that there commenced between
himself and Mr. Wright was never changed by any
vicissitudes of time or of changes in others. In-
deed it grew brighter with the lapse of years.
Among the other distinguished men who are
enrolled on Dr. Faulkner's list of early friends are
Gen. Erastus Root, a historic character in the
State and Nation, William L. Marcy, the first of
American statesman, John C. Spencer, the illus-
trious lawyer, legislator and adviser.
In April, 1826, Dr. Faulkner retired from his
legislative duties to private hfe, and from that time
until 1842 he devoted himself exclusively to the
details of his business. It is a truthful saying that
it requires more real talent, more executive ability,
to become a successful business man than it does to
become eminent in any of the professions. In his
career as a business man, as we have already said.
Dr. Faulkner stood preeminent.
With all his assiduous attention to business. Dr.
Faulkner continued a moving and controlling
power in the political field. Whenever the Demo-
cratic forces mustered, obedient to the Slogan cry
of their party. Dr. Faulkner was foremost in the
marching column, always leading the charge —
always confident of victory, and if defeated always
ready for another charge.
In the fall of 1842, he was nominated for the
office of State Senator from the then Sixth Senato-
rial District, which consisted of the counties of
Chenango, Chemung, Tioga, Steuben, Livingston
and Allegany. After a desperate political contest
he was elected and commenced his Senatorial
duties January 3d, 1843. He continued in the
Senate until April i8th, 1846, when he retired from
public life to the duties of business, never again to
leave those duties.
We should have stated that in February, 1835,
Dr. Faulkner was appointed an Associate Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas of Livingston county,
by his early friend William L. Marcy, who was then
Governor of the State. William H. Smith, ■ of
Caledonia, was the First, or presiding Judge of that
Court, and that honored citizen of Livingston
county. Dr. David H. Bissell, of Geneseo, was
one of Dr. Faulkner's associates on the Bench, he
having been appointed to that position by Mr.
Marcy. It is no affectation to say, that the Court
of Common Pleas presided over by Smith, Faulk-
ner and Bissell was a tribunal that gained the
respect of the bar and the pubhc to an almost un-
precedented degree.
When Dr. Faulkner was elected to the Senate,
he resigned his Judicial position.
Though Dr. Faulkner never in any sense aspired
to the role of orator, he was one of those who could
gain influence and usefulness without much speak-
ing, and as a legislator he left upon the records of
the Senate and Assembly indubitable evidence of
his ability and usefulness.
We have omitted one recognition, James Faulk-
ner's ability as a physician and surgeon, that should
have a place in these memoirs. In the year 1813,
during the war with England he was appointed on
the staff of Gen. McClure, and with that officer
moved to the sdat of war on the northern frontier.
His associates oii' that staff subsequently ranked
among the most distinguished men of their times.
200
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Among them was William B. Rochester, John C.
Spencer and David Cruger.
Such is the outline history of the more public
life of James Faulkner. He has always been a
strong, often a bitter partisan. For this we com-
mend him ; for the man who is not a strong par-
tisan is without convictions, or if he has convic-
tions, he is false to them and to his friends. Dr.
Faulkner never knew how to be hypocritical; nor
how to apostatize; nor how to "keep the word of
promise to the ear and break it to the hope,"
always acting his honest convictions without fear
of consequences. He is, however, a systematic
hater, and has always tendered his enemies a
square battle. With him the contest always went
on until defeat or victory terminated it, and he
was ever ready to give and receive blows until the
last. He was always for a clean victory or clean
defeat.
Dr. Faulkner has always been retiring and un-
ostentatious in his life and in his manners, and he
has never sought that general acquaintance and no-
toriety in which persons differently constituted find
delight; but those who do enjoy his confidence
and esteem understand that though not demonstra-
tive his friendship is strong and enduring, and by
such he is beloved.
There is something like coldness and reserve in
his exterior; but those who are best acquainted
with him see in this a contempt of meaningless
professions, and beneath it a generous nature and
a warm heart. Through life he has been the dis-
penser of charities, most of them known only to
himself and their recipients. In his public career,
though long and prominent, there was nothing that
was impure — nothing that detracted from the strict-
est morality.
In the fierce battle of hfe he has been success-
ful, and now at a ripe old age, with his work well
done, in the sanctity of his domestic relations the
sun of his hfe is descending with pleasing mem-
ories and an abiding hope and confidence that
when the day of life shall close forever, another
will dawn in a world of happy immortality.
In his domestic relations. Dr. Faulkner has
every reason to congratulate himself, though death
has taken his beloved and affectionate wife and
four of his children out of the seven who have
been born to him. Seldom has there been a fam-
ily of children who have reflected more honor upon
parents than those of Dr. and Mrs. Faulkner, as a
plain, unvarnished reference to some of them will
show.
Endress, born in 1819, after graduating with
distinction at Yale College, entered the legal pro-
fession, and after winning high distinction at the
bar, died at the early age of j,?,- Samuel JDorr
Faulkner, born November 14th, 1835, like his
brother Endress, was graduated at Yale College,
in the class of 1859. Afterwards he prepared for
the bar at the Albany Law School and was admit-
ted to practice in January, i860. He arose rapidly
in his profession, and attained high distinction as a
legal and poHtical orator. These attainments
gave him a high rank among the leaders of the
Democratic party of the State — the party to which
he gave an intellectual and abiding allegiance.
In the autumn of 1865, he was nominated by his
party for Member of Assembly for the Second
Assembly district of Livingston county. He was
triumphantly elected over his opponent, though
supported by a heavy majority. In the fall of
1 87 1 he was nominated by his party for the office
of County Judge, and was elected over a Republi-
can majority of at least twelve hundred. In the
fall of 1877 he was reelected County Judge, but
hardly had he closed the first year of his second
Judicial term when death terminated his useful and
brilliant career.
James Faulkner, Jr., was also a graduate of Yale,
in the class of 1859. Having no predelictions for
any of the learned professions, like his father, he
decided to adopt the avocation of a business man,
choosing the occupation of a banker. Very soon
after leaving college he accepted the position of
cashier of the First National Bank of Dansville,
which he still occupies. The manner in which he
has discharged his duties is attested by the high
rank which his bank holds among the financial in-
stitutions of the State. Generous, genial, kind and
unassuming, he is a favorite with his fellow-citizens,
so that we may say without extravagance that few
young men have more friends than James Faulkner,
Jr. He is an ardent and influential Democrat — a
leader of his party, and yet never intruding his
principles offensively upon his Republican oppo-
nents. The manner in which his abilities have
been recognized, is evidenced by the fact that he
has repeatedly been elected supervisor of his town,
and by the fact that in the autumn of 1874 he was
elected member of Assembly by the Democracy of
Livingston county, a county where the Republicans
have a large majority. He is the only democrat
except his father and his brother, Hon. S. D. Faulk-
ner, that ever was elected to the legislature from
Livingston county. The next year he was again
nominated and elected by his party. It is a singu-
lar coincidence that he took his seat in the legisla-
ture for the first time, January 4th, 1875— just fifty
years to a day after his father had taken his seat in
the same body, and that he drew seat No. 99, the
very seat drawn by his father, January 4th, 1825.
During his first legislative term he was chairman of
the Insurance Committee,— a member of the Com-
mittee on Expenditures of the House, member of
the Committee on Public Education. He was
chairman also of the Assembly Committee ap-
pointed to investigate the great Canal frauds. The
next year the house was Republican, but Mr.
Faulkner was honorably considered by the Speaker,
Mr. Husted, by being placed on the Committee of
Ways and Means, the Insurance Committee, and
on the Committee on the Rules of the House.
Gen. Lester B. Faulkner is the youngest of Dr.
Faulkner's children. Like his brothers, Endress,
Samuel and James, he is a graduate of Yale Col-
lege-class of 1859, a lawyer by profession, the
senior member of the distinguished firm of Faulk-
MERRITT H. BROWN.
20I
ner & Bissell, of Dansville. Gen. Faulkner won
much distinction as an officer in the Union army.
He was rapidly promoted from a private to the rank
of Captain and to that of Lieutenant-Colonel.
At the close of the war he returned to the duties
of his profession. Like his father and brothers, he
keeps the faith of the Democracy in undeviating
belief and practice. Bold, ardent, ambitious.
gifted and eloquent, he has attained a State repu-
tation as poHtician. Indeed, though yet a young
man, he is regarded as the leader of the Demo-
cratic party in the State. In the fall of 1 879 he was
chosen Chairman of the State Democratic Com-
mittee. As a recognition of his ability as a pohtical
leader, he was re-elected to that high and responsi-
ble position, a position which he now occupies.
MERRITT HOLMES BROWN.
Merritt Holmes
Brown was born at
Bennington, Vt, Oct.
20, 1806. He was a
son of Merritt Brown,
a native of Connect-
icut, who, in early
life, removed to Ben-
nington, and subse-
quently in the year
1 8 1 8, settled at Dans-
ville, in this county.
Here he spent the
remainder of his life.
He was a man of
sterling integrity, and
strong native good
sense; a love of jus-
tice and a high sense
of honor were pre-
vailing traits in his
character. To these
quahties may well be
added that piety
whose constant du-
ties are enjoined by
the dictates of con-
science; he worship-
ed and revered God
in no noisy demon- photo. by Beits, Dansville.
strations but in the (merritt hoi
fullness of moral excellence, in spiritual hght and in
true devotion, unassumingly and humbly exhibited.
He was one of the early postmasters of the vil-
lage. For many years he discharged, in an ac-
ceptable manner, the duties of a magistrate of the
town of Dansville. Though Mr. Brown bore a
name so common in the nation, he was the only
representative of his own family in this county, his
ancestry having emigrated to America from Eng-
land at an early period in the nation's history.
Few man ever lived a more useful or a more
blameless hfe in their sphere of action than Mer-
ritt Brown. He lived at a very advanced age be-
loved and respected by all who knew him. As
he came to Livingston county three years before
its present territory was formed into its present
County organization, he was one of its honored
pioneers — a race of enterprising men who laid the
foundation of its present unexampled wealth and
prosperity — whose
toil, hardship, useful-
ness and moral worth
have passed into
history. Mr. Brown
died at Dansville.
Merritt H. Brown,
his son, to whose life
these pages are de-
voted, removed with
his father to Dans-
ville when in his 13th
year. Here he re-
ceived a good Eng-
lish and business ed-
ucation which ren-
dered him fully qual-
ified to enter suc-
cessfully into the
labor, competition
and struggles of the
business world, and
therefore his name is
identified with that
class of business men
who gave to Dans-
ville its high rank
and prosperity.
For upwards o f
thirty-five years he
■MES BROWN.) was known as a lead-
ing hardware merchant and manufacturer. In his
more active life, Dansville was the most important
business centre between Rochester and Northern
Pennsylvania. Hence he drew customers and
patrons, not only from the adjoining counties, but
even from Pennsylvania.
With such prudence, judgment, unflagging indus-
try and success did he conduct his business that a
handsome competency was his reward, every cent
of which was honestly and honorably gained.
Mr. Brown possessed qualities of head and heart
that naturally made him many friends. His genial
and sunny nature, his rare social qualities, acknowl-
edged courtesy and never-failing good humor, will
long be fondly remembered in Dansville. He had
a kind word for all who approached him, espec-
ially for those who, amid hfe's vicissitudes, were
unfortunate. To this class he recommended him-
self by those nameless acts of kindness and charity
202
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
unknown to the world, performed, as it were, by
the right hand all unknown to the left.
Like his father, Merritt H. Brown was a Demo-
crat of the true Jeffersonian school — whose creed
is " the greatest good to the greatest numbers."
These principles always found in him a zealous, but
never a captious or troublesome advocate.
Though strongly and ardently devoted to his
party, he was never, in any sense, a place or ofifice-
seeker. His business interests were so important,
so absorbing that he found no time to look after
official position for himself. He felt that the life
of a mere political office-seeker, even at the best,
is dangerous, if not dishonorable ; successful to-day
— to-morrow disastrous and unfortunate. He was
often solicited to accept nominations for official
positions by his friends, but always respectfully
and firmly declined.
The only exceptions to this was when, at the
request of his friends, and after much hesitation,
he accepted the position of Postmaster of the vil-
lage for two successive terms.
In the year 1829 Mr. Brown was united by
marriage to Miss Arvilla Danforth, a daughter of
Jonathan Danforth of Saratoga, N. Y. Few mar-
riage relations have proved happier than this. Mrs.
Brown, who still survives him, unites in her char-
acter those estimable qualities which in a wife and
mother adorn the character of a true woman with
such infinite grace and attraction.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Brown, six of whom are still living, and we assert
fearless of contradiction, that a happier househpld
than theirs was never vouchsafed to the married re-
lation. It was a home where the love of the par-
ents was reciprocally and tenderly blessed; with
those of the children.
To Mr. Brown his home was his all. It was
his empire, where was centered all his ambition, —
all his hopes. That he should make that home as
happy as the happiest, is a natural sequence of his
nature and of his manner of life. As has well
been said " he always wanted his children about
his fireside." "One vacant chair" there rendered
him unhappy, even though he knew its occupant
was only temporarily absent. Whatever tended to
the educational, religious, or business advancement
of the village, always found in Mr. Brown a liber-
al advocate.
Several years before his death he erected the
large commodious brick store standing on the east
side of Main street, occupying the north-east cor-
ner of Main and Ossian streets, Dansville. Here
for many years he was the senior partner in the
well known and flourishing hardware house of
Brown & Grant.
In the year 1847 Mr. Brown became one of the
proprietors in the well known foundry and agricul-
tural works of S. Sweet & Co., in Dansville. He
retained his interest therein down to the time of his
death in 1864.
Merritt H. Brown died at Dansville on the 27 th day
of June, 1864, in the 55th year of his age. To
his family, — of which it is needless for us to add.
he was the idol — his death was an almost over-
whelming blow. To the village it was an irrepar-
able loss, for it took from their business circles one
of its prominent supporters. Alas ! how many of
his friends, associates, and compeers in business,
have followed him to that beautiful resting place
where the fragrant flowers of spring, summer and
early autumn, keep watch and ward, and whose
pure breath is the incense which undying affection
offers to their memory.
Mr. Brown's highly esteemed consort still pre-
sides over the family mansion, where she enjoyed
with him and her children, so many happy years,
and where her loved husband left her and them for
" that better land."
On the whole we may say of Merritt H. Brown
that his well spent, useful life, devoted as it was to
the business interests of Livingston county, has
appropriately prepared for him a place in its hon-
ored historic record.
ARCHELAUS STEVENS.
Photo, by Belts, Dansville.
(ARCHELAUS STEVENS.)
James and Affa (Hoyt) Stevens, the parents of
the subject of this brief memoir, were natives of
New Hampshire. The former was of English ex-
traction, born in 1757, and brought up a farmer.
He served his country in the war of Independence,
under the command of Gen. Gates. His eldest
child, Mrs. Ruth Whitmore, of Boston, is yet living
at the great age of ninety- eight years.
Archelaus was born in Enfield, Grafton county,
New Hampshire, May i, 1790. Early designed
for the profession of medicine, he took an Academ-
ic course at Salsbury Academy, and then entered
Dartmouth College. After leaving there he work-
ed on his father's farm, until finding his physical
condition unsuited for manual labor, he adopted
ARCHELAUS STEVENS — A. O. BUNNELL.
203
the profession of teaching. His high testimonials
for proficiency in mathematics and English litera-
ture, enabling him, at the early age of eighteen
years, to obtain the confidence of the people
wherever he taught, who considered him an accom-
plished educator.
In 1 814, he was married to Sally, eldest daugh-
ter of Ben Gage, of Enfield, N. H., and in 1817
emigrated to Pennsylvania. Remaining there four
years, they removed to Ithaca, N. Y., where he
followed farming and teaching for a few years
when the precarious condition of his health com-
pelled him to choose some other occupation. In
1827, he was appointed by Governor Clinton, Pay-
master of the 183d Regiment of Infantry, and in
1829, receiving an honorable discharge, he entered
into partnership with a firm in Cortland, N. Y., for
the manufacture of paper; but a prospect of fail-
ure induced him to withdraw in time to save him-
self from loss. In 1834 he undertook the intro-
duction of, Lyman Cobb's series of school-books
in the vicinity of New York, and in 1836 moved
to Dansville, where he opened a book printing
and binding establishment, publishing Cobb's school
books. In 1839, Mr. Stevens, in company with
the late Dr. Reynale, erected the first three-story
building ever built in Dansville, and in the second
story of this, the Second Presbyterian church, of
which Mr. Stevens and his family were members,
held services for three years. In the fall of 1846,
he built a second three-story building, south of the
first one. He took an active part in all improve-
ments of the village, and was earnest in advocat-
ing such principles as would lead to the advance-
ment of morality. In 1842, he published the
Dansville Whig in company with his son, G. W.
Stevens. Finally the publication passed into the
hands of the latter, when it was changed to The
Western New Yorker, and edited by Rev. John N.
Hubbard. In 1850, Mr. Stevens moved to New
York city and remained there eleven years, return-
ing in 1861, with his wife and youngest child to
Dansville, where he passed the remainder of his
life; and finally, January 8, 1876, with implicit
trust in God, )delded up his spirit to his Maker.
The revered wife and mother survived her hus-
band ten years. She was an intelhgent, energetic
and prudent woman, possessing largely the Chris-
tian graces, and contributed much hy her wise
counsel to the success of her husband and children.
Three of his children died in infancy, and his eld-
est daughter, a teacher of high reputation and
wife of Rev. James Bonsell, died in California.
His second son, Dr. H. M. Stevens, after having
attended three courses of medical lectures in differ-
ent cities, with an ambition too great for his physi-
cal organization, was stricken with disease when
just entering on the practice of medicine, and after
lingering several years, died in the city of New
York, at the age of thirty-four.
The two remaining s )ns emigrated to California
in 1856. George settled in Oakland, for many
years owned a large printing office in San Francis-
co where he continued the business of printing
and pubhshmg. William, the youngest son, settled
m Nevada, where he laid out the town of Winne-
mucca on the Pacific railroad. There he was
elected to many town offices, and for several years
was Chairman of the State Central Republican
delegation. Through his influence the county
seat of Humboldt county was removed to Winne-
mucca, where he has accumulated a competency.
Two of the daughters are still living in Dansville
with the only surviving grandchild of Archelaus
Stevens, Effie L. White.
A. O. BUNNELL.
A. O. Bunnell, of Dansville, N. Y., was born in
Lima, Livingston county, N. Y., March loth, 1836.
His father, Dennis Bunnell, was the youngest of
seven children of Jehiel Bunnell, of Cheshire, Con-
necticut, one of an old and prominent farnily of
that name. Jehiel Bunnell's wife was a Hotchkiss,
also prominent in the early history of Connecticut!
In 1 81 9 Jehiel Bunnell came with his large family
to Western New York, and four years later settled
in Lima, where he died in 1844. Dennis, in his
7Sth year, is the only surviving member of the
family which left Connecticut in 1819.
The mother of A. O. Bunnell was Mary Baker,
who was the daughter of James Baker, a sturdy
pioneer woodsman and hunter. James Baker's
wife was Mary Parker, the elder sister of the three
celebrated pioneer Methodist circuit preachers of
Western New York, Revs. Robert, Samuel and
John Parker, all of whom are now dead.
A. O. Bunnell came to Dansville with his father's
family, in 1850, and has since resided there with
the exception of one year at Rockford, 111., where
he set the first type for the Rockford Register. He
received a limited education in the common
schools. He was obliged to leave school at the
early age of 15 years, and at once set about win-
ning his way by entering the office of the Dansville
Herald, as an apprentice. In i860 he established
the Dansville Advertiser, which he still publishes
and edits. He has never sought nor held political
place, preferring a printing office above all other
offices. Since 1868 he has been secretary and
treasurer of the New York Press Association, and
this honor at the hands of his fellow journalists he
esteems above all others.
Major Mark J. Bunnell, a younger brother of
A. O. Bunnell, was born in Lima, N. Y., Christ-
mas day, 1837, and came to Dansville in 1850.
He was one of the first to enlist as a private soldier
in April, 1861, as a member of the "Old Thir-
teenth New York," and was rapidly promoted in
that regiment for gallant conduct on the field. At
the second battle of Bull Run, in 1862, he was
shut through both lungs and received a bullet
wound through his thigh and a shell wound on the
foot. In this condition he lay in the hands of the
enemy for nine days, his only mattress the green
grass, and his only covering the branches of a
204
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
friendly tree. Remarkable as it may appear, he
recovered, and to-day enjoys a fair degree of
health and strength. His case attracted the at-
tention of the most eminent army surgeons in
Washington. After his recovery, Major Bunnell
had charge of the provost guard of Washington,
and was made personally responsible for vast
millitary stores and for the safety of the Long
Bridge over the Potomac. After the war, he
spent his winters in Washington, first occupying
a position in the Doorkeeper's department of the
House, and afterwards as assistant to the Sergeant-
at-Arms in the Senate. The latter position he
resigned in December, 1880, to assume the
responsibilities of County Clerk of Livingston
county, to which position he had been elected by
a large Republican majority at the November
election.
GEORGE ZERFASS.
(GEORGE ZERFASS.)
George Zerfass, the subject of this sketch was
born in Northampton county. Pa., the 28th of
January, 1805. He was a son of Abraham and
Hannah (Kanause) Zerfass. The former was
born in Northampton county. Pa., the 27th of No-
vember, 1772, and the latter was born in the same
county January 23, 1783. The parents of Abra-
ham were Adam and Elizabeth Zerfass. They
came from Germany when they were quite young.
The former was born in 1742, and the latter was
born Feb. 11, 1746. Adam was a Captain in the
Revolutionary army and was in the battle of
Germantown and Brandywine, and after the close
of the war of Independence he was engaged in
fighting the Indians. Adam and Elizabeth died
in Pennsylvania, in the early part of the present
century.
Abraham Zerfass and Hannah Kanause, were
married the 19th of April, 1802, and came to Steu-
ben county, now Livingston county, and located
at Dansville in 1813. Here they followed farming
until they died, the former Dec. 17, i§37, and the
latter Feb. 4, 1845. They had twelve children —
as follows : — Elizabeth, (dead,) George, our subject,
Hannah, (dead,) Abraham, (dead,) Mary, living,)
Saloma, (dead,) John, (living,) Vienna, (living,)
Lydia, (dead,) Margaret, (living,) Henry, (living,)
and Anna, (dead.) Six of these children are yet
living and residing near Dansville, except Mary
now residing in Wisconsin. The children all lived
at home until they died or started out in life for
themselves. Their education was such as could be
obtained in the common schools of their town, and
was very limited. George never left the parental
roof, but remained at home assisting his father until
the latter died, when he bought the old home farm
and settled up with the rest of the heirs. He lived
in the old house until 1858, at which time he moved
into the handsome edifice he finished that year and
which he occupies at the present time. Owing to
(POLLY ZERFASS.)
a paralytic shock received the 24th of April, 1878,
he has been unable to manage his farm and since
that time it has been operated by his brother
Henry.
The 1 2 th of April, 1838, George was united in
marriage with Polly Kanause, daughter of George
and Ehzabeth (Driesbach) Kanause of Dansville.
She was born in Steuben county the isth of Jan.,
1819, and died February 23d, 1872. In the death
of his wife Mr. Zerfass met with a loss almost un-
bearable. She was a careful, economical helpmeet
and loving wife, and was respected by all who knew
her. Mr. Zerfass cheerfully concedes that to her
he is greatly indebted for much of his success.
They had no children that grew up.
Mr. Zerfass has never been an aspirant for pub-
lic trusts, but has been elected to the office of as-
sessor for two years, and highway commissioner
three years. He is a life-long Democrat, but in
GEORGE ZERFASS-^LUCIAN BROCK PROCTOR.
205
home affairs he gives his suffrage to the man or
men he deems best qualified for the various offices.
In religious sentiment he is a Lutheran and was a
member of the German Lutheran Church of Dans-
ville many years. He was a trustee of that church
several years and Deacon of the same six years.
Mr. Zerfass has passed with honor through all
the vicissitudes of life, and, has lived to see the
County of Livingston develop from almost a wil-
derness into one of the finest agricultural districts
in the State. He has been successful in life and
is enjoying in his old age a competency, the result
of a long life of industry, economy and honorable
dealing.
LUCIAN BROCK PROCTOR.
L u c i a n Brock
Proctor, extensively
known as an author
and lawyer, was born
at Hanover, N. H.,
March 6, 1823. His
parents were Jona-
than and Ruth Proc-
tor, both natives of
the Granite State —
the descendants of a
long line of English
ancestry. Some of
their more direct an-
cestors came to
America as early as
1602 and 1610.
Those on the pa-
ternal side settled at
Salem, Mass.; those
on the maternal at
Concord, N. H.
Mr. Proctor's
mother was Ruth
Carter, of Concord,
a daughter of Jacob
Carter, an eminent
citizen of that place,
and an officer in the
Continental army photo. by Bctts, Dansviiie
during the war of (lucian brock proctor)
the Revolution. She received, in her youth, every
educational advantage of her times, was a woman
of strong native intellect and the possessor of those
admirable qualities that rendered her all that was
requisite in a wife and mother. To her early in-
struction, to the principles instilled into his young
mind by her, to her as intellectual guide, Mr.
Proctor is largely indebted for whatever mental
strength he possesses. His father was a man of
unassuming habits, with unsullied reputation, pos-
sessing intelligence and cultivation which was
modestly exhibited only to those who knew hmi
best.
Mr. Proctor's paternal grandfather and grea.t-
grandfather, also his maternal grandfather were m
the battle of Bunker Hill, and at Bennington,
where his great-grandfather was mortally wounded.
One of Mr. Proctor's maternal uncles was the late
Nathaniel H. Carter, for several years Professor of
Greek and Latin in Dartmouth College. He sub-
sequently removed to
New York city, where
he became an inti-
mate friend of De
Witt Clinton. As
Mr. Carter was a
distinguished writer
as well as scholar, he
soon became editor-
in-chief of the New
York Standard and
Statesman, then one
of the leading jour-
nals of the Nation.
He v/as one of that
brilliant literary co-
terie to which Bryant,
Morris, Percival and
other distinguished
)5ersonages belonged.
He has left many
valuable works, the
productions of his
pen, both in prose
and poetry, among
which is that justly
admired poem, " The
Burial at Sea." He
died at an early age
at Venice, in Italy.
When he was five
years old young Proctor removed with his parents
from New Hampshire to this State, and after a
short residence in Oneida and Chenango counties
settled at Auburn, N. Y., where, for several years,
he conducted a large manufactory of edge tools.
At a very early age young Proctor exhibited a
love of study, making books his companions, when
so young that he was apparently unable to compre-
hend their contents. With these he would withdraw
from his companions, spending hours in devouring
their contents. .
It is related of him that when in his ninth year
he persuaded his father to fit him up a room in his
house for a study where he was often found at mid-
night engaged with his books.
About this time he commenced the study of
Latin under the instruction of Rev. N. Gould a
Presbyterian clergyman and a ripe scholar, and an
apt teacher. Such was the progress of the boy that
within a very short period, he mastered Virgil, Sal-
2o6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
lust, Cicero and Horace. It is said that nothing
ever gave him so much intellectual pleasure, as the
Catilinarian and Verrine Orations of Cicero, which
even at that early age, he read in the original with
perfect ease and correctness. When twelve years
old he entered Auburn Academy, where he prepared
to enter the junior class in Hamilton College.
But as he intended to make the legal profession his
future occupation in life, he decided to enter at
once upon his legal studies, determined to continue
his classical studies at the same time. This he did
with a never-failing determination and success. To
him soHtary study has always been perfectly natural
and he has never neglected it.
While Proctor was at the Auburn Academy,
Rev. Samuel H. Cox, D. D., one of the most ac-
compHshed clergymen of his day, was Professor of
Sacred Rhetoric and Belles Lettres in the Auburn
Theological Seminary. Through the influence of
friends, young Proctor was admitted to the Rhetor-
ical lectures of Dr. Cox. For over two years he
enjoyed this rare advantage with a profit that has
always been of great value to him.
In those days the young man, with the view of
becoming a lawyer, used to spend much of his
leisure time in the office of Hon. WiUiam H.
Seward, who was then approaching that distinction
as a lawyer, orator and politician, which, in after
years, rendered his name so illustrious.
Pleased with the industry, mental qualities and
genial nature of young Proctor, Mr. Seward en-
couraged him in his studies. As Seward himself
had been an accomplished classical teacher, he
could not avoid taking an interest in the young
man's education. Perhaps nothing so tended more
directly to elicit the mental powers of Proctor than
his early acquaintance with this great statesman.
He used to see and admire Seward in his contests
at the bar, with such men as B. Davis Noxon,
Daniel Cady, James R. Lawrence, Freeborn J.
Jewett and other giants of the bar.
In the autumn of 1838, young Proctor was sent
by his preceptor to Angelica, N. Y., on business
for him. It was on this occasion that he made the
acquaintance of Martin Grover, an acquaintance
that continued until the splendid career of thaf
eminent jurist closed in death. It is well-known
that in his early career, and for many years, he
dressed so regardless of good taste — we may say of
respectabihty — that he was called the "ragged
lawyer." So indifferent was he to his wardrobe,
that on his appearance in courts where he was not
known he would be taken for a poorly dressed in-
truder, but the moment he began to address the
court or jury, such was his eloquence that his dress
was forgotten in the richness of his mental attain-
ments. It is a singular fact that even in those days
he was comparatively wealthy. The following ex-
tract from Proctor's description of Grover, which
has been extensively published in various maga-
zines and journals, will give the reader a correct
idea of the appearance of this singular man : —
" When I first saw Martin Grover," says Proctor, "he was engaged
with his law partner, the late Judge Wm. G. Angel, in the trial of a very
important criminal case. They were on the defense. In the bar,
not far from Judge Angel, sat a poorly_ dressed young man, whom I took
for a friend of the accused, interested in the case. If I was surprised at
the appearance in the bar, of one so poorly dad, I was p'eased with his
high expansive forehead and his face ; on which intellect and thought had
placed their signets — it was a face over which intellect presided— a study
for a painter ; but I did not suppose he was a lawyer, until, to my aston-
ishment, he arose to address the jury. I had Hstened_ to arguments of
the ablest lawyers in the State, but there was something in Grover's man-
ner— something in the method in which _ he marshalled his language and
his arguments, that made a deep impression on me. His address was de-
iivered in words of the plainest common sense — free from all rhetorical
drapery, and yet tersely eloquent. The best words dropped easily from
his lips into the best places with fluency and ease. Each syllable was
nicely adjusted to its proper place, and every sentence was full of force,
pointed with logic ar.d abounding in refinement of reason, and set off by
graceful satire. At times he was one of the jurors, anxiouslyendeayoring
to harmonize the deep angular lines in the circumstantial evidence in the
case. It was a strange combinatioD.^ It was intellect in its amplitude,
eloquence approaching perfection, mind in its triumph. _ It was Martin
Grover in tlie garb of poverty in one of his most splendid and successful
efforts at the bar."
So pleased was young Proctor with this eminent
lawyer, that he determined to pursue his legal
studies with him for a time at least. Accordingly
he soon entered the office of Angel & Grover as a
law student. He remained with them a little over
one year, and then entered the law office of Hon.
I. L. Endress, at Dansville, with whom he com-
pleted his legal studies and under whose instruc-
tions he was called to the bar.
In the month of January, 1843, Mr. Proctor was
united by marriage to Miss Araminta D. Whitney,
a daughter of Wm. Whitney, Esq., of Cortland, N.
Y. She is a lady of rare accompUshments, care-
fully educated, of agreeable, graceful manners. Of
her it may well be said : "All who know her love
her."
Two children were born of this marriage, — a son
and daughter. The son is Dr. W. C. Proctor of
Gowanda, N. Y., successfully established in the
practice of his profession. The daughter is the
wife of Rev. W. W. Cary of Almont, Mich.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Proctor,
attracted by his early associations with the Cayuga
bar, removed to Port Byron and commenced the
practice of his profession. His success was soon
assured. He at once began to attract a large and
respectable clientage which rapidly increased in
numbers and influence. After he had been at Port
Byron five years he was attacked by the pre-
vailing disease of that region, the ague and fever.
So violently did the disease take hold of him that
it seemed incurable, and he was advised by his
physician, that a permanent cure could only be
effected by removing from the infected district.
Acting under this advice, in the autumn of 1849,
he sold out all his interest in Port Byron, went to
Dansville, intending to spend the winter there, and
in the spring remove to Chicago and there continue
the practice of law.
He had been at Dansville but a few weeks when
a wealthy Jew was robbed of watches and fine
jewelry, valued at several thousand dollars.
The robbery was committed by the porter at the
hotel at which the Jew was a guest. After his arrest
the porter confessed his guilt, implicating a young
man of the name of Saxbury.
Mr. Proctor, though not then in practice was
retained to defend Mr. Saxbury. This retainer
changed all Proctor's plans for the future. The
People in this highly important and interesting trial
LUCIAN BROCK PROCTOR.
207
were represented by Hon. A. A. Hendee, District
Attorney, assisted by Hon.' John. A. Van Derlip
an eminent member of the Livingston bar. It
was one of the most stubbornly contested cases
ever tried in the county. After two exciting trials
Saxbury was acquitted. This trial and its result
brought Mr. Proctor very conspicuously before the
public as a lawyer. Other important and profitable
retainers followed, and he finally decided to abandon
all thoughts of removing to Chicago, and to remain
in Dansville.
The records of the courts in Livingston and the
adjoining counties bear ample testimony of Mr.
Proctor's success as a lawyer. Though not making
criminal law a specialty, he has been very success-
ful in this department of practice.
Many are the anecdotes that are related con-
cerning his career at the bar, one of which is so
singularly amusing that we cannot refrain from
inserting it as we find it in a number of Harper's
Weekly : —
On one occasion, wliile attending a Circuit Court at AnRelica, N. Y.,
where Judge Grover presided, Proctor was applied to by a young rnan
under an indictment for grand larceny,— to defend him on his approachiiig
trial. He was charged with stealing $150, in banknotes, from afarmer in
his neighborhood.
"I am afraid you are guilty," said Proctor, after listening to the story
of the accused.
" It's none of your business whether I am guilty or not. I didn't come
to talk with you on that subject : besides they say it don't make any differ-
ence with you whether a man is guilty or not, that you always contrive to dig
him out in some way. So don't talk anymore to me about guilt," said the
fellow.
" What about the pay?" asked the lawyer.
_ " You just hold on until the trial is over, - until you earn your money, —
give K (the complainant) hell on the cross-examination, and in sum-
mine up, go for that cuss of a District Attorney, and you wont have any
trouble about your pay."
The trial commenced and proved to be both protracted and interesting.
The prosecuting attorney, having no doubt of the man's guilt, made a
strong and determined effort to convict him. He proved that the money
stolen consisted of four fifty, two twenty, and two five dollar bank notes ;
all of which was wrapped in a piece of oiled silk.
After hearing the evidence, the arguments of the counsel and the charge
ofthejudge, the jury retired and after an absence of several hours came
into court with a verdict of not guilty. The accused greatly elated with
the result of the trial and dehghted with the efforts of his counsel, invited
him into one ofthe vacant jury rooms. The moment they were alone, he
slapped the lawyer on his shoulder, exclaiming :
Free as water! ain't I ? What's the use of trying a man for stealing, or
for anything else when you are around ? Now, 1 suppose you want your
pay."
" I don't suppose you've £ot much to pay with," was the reply.
■ " Just lend me your knife and we'll see about that."
llie lawyer startled at such a request, rather reluctantly complied.
The fellow immediately commenced ripying and cutting away at the
waistbands of his pantaloons. Soon producing the identical bills carefully
rolled up in the. piece of oiled silk described by the witnesses for the peo-
ple, and throwing them on the table, said : —
" There, take your pay out that little bundle. I guess there is enough
there to pay you tolerably well."
" Why, you villain ! You stole that money after all ! Do you expect
me to take my pay out of that stolen money ?" said Proctor.
" Stolen money I Stolen money ! Why, what under heavens are you
talking about ? Didn't them twelve honest men up stairs, after hearing
the story on both sides and after talking the matter over, say I didn't steal
it ? What's the use of your trying to raise a question of conscience after
twelve of the best men in Allegany county have given their opinion on the
subject. Take your pay, man ; and ask no questions. Lawyers have got
to live, and you've been very useful to me. So, take your pay, I say. I
got the money easy enough, but you have worked like the devil to
earn it." , , ,1
It is not stated how much the lawyer took, but we presume the tellow
didn't have much change left afler our friend had satisfied his conscience
out of "it."
Among the important criminal trials in which
Proctor appeared for the defense was the People
vs. Joseph Rock, for arson in the ist degree in set-
ting a large building in Dansville on fire in the
night time, and therefore,— under the then existing
statute, — if convicted, his punishment would be
death. He was brought to trial at the October
Livingston Circuit, for 1853. Hon. Wm. H. Kel-
sey, District Attorney, with Benjamin F. Harwood
associated, appeared for the prosecution. The
trial occupied nearly a week eUciting circumstan-
ces of the most exciting nature. It resulted in the
conviction of Rock, and he was sentenced to be
hanged. But Proctor removed the case on a writ of
error to the General Term of the Supreme Court and
obtained a new trial, reversing the conviction. Af-
ter this, under the advice of his counsel. Rock
plead guilty to arson in the 2d degree, and was
sentenced to State Prison for hfe, where he ended
his days. He was, it is said, a singular man, with
a history, fully known only by his counsel — full of
interesting and thriUing incidents.
The next year the trial of James Weldon, indicted
for arson in the ist degree, took place at Geneseo.
Weldon was an intelligent, well educated mulatto,
about thirty years of age. Having taken offense
at the late Major J. T. Beach, of Dansville, it is
alleged that he sought revenge by burning in the
night, a building belonging to Beach, standing
near the Exchange Hotel on the east side of Main
street, Dansville. Not only was Beach's building
burned but the Exchange Hotel and several other
buildings were consumed. Seldom has there been
a more singular case presented to a jury than this.
Kelsey, District Attorney and Mr. Harwood ap-
peared for the People, and Mr. Proctor for the de-
fense. It is said that his effort in behalf of Wel-
don would have done honor to any lawyer however
eminent. But his client was convicted, and sen-
tenced to die.
An anecdote is related with this case, which is
worthy of repetition here : —
Some time after the trial Proctor called on Weldon— informed him that,
asthe crime of which he had been convicted was very aggravated, there
was no hope for him and he must prepare to die.
" I have done all I can for you, Weldon. Now let me send you a mm-
isterof the gospel who will aid you in seeking forgiveness of the great
"?o ymfthlnk, Mr. Proctor, that there is no hope for me?" asked the
prisoner in a voice that indicated his intense mental agony. No hope I
not the least, Mr. Proctor ? Don't say that there is no hope, don t ! he
"^^ '"must say so, Weldon, for there is no hope at all for you," said
'"'^Ohi My God! My good God I Oh, God! Mr. Proctor," ex-
claimed Weldon, between a shriek and a howl. ''Oh! Lord! Oh!
Lord I can never live through that hanging, if I try I
This was too much for the lawyer, and notwithstanding the solemmty of
the occasion, he could not control his laughter. Two weeks before the
time appointed for Weldon's execution. Proctor apphed to Hon. Horatio
Seymour, then Governor of the t'tate, for a commutation of the death
sentence to imprisonment for life. In the course of Proctor s argument to
the Governor he stated the circumstance that Weldon desired a commu-
tation for the reason that he did not believe he should live through the
hanging ' ' The Governor was greatly amused at the anecdote, and at the
condusion ofthe argument said, "I will take the papers in the case and
consider them carefully as I shall the arguments of to-day. Perhaps,
he continued facetiously, ' if the Executive of this State becomes fully sat-
isfied that the man cannot live through tbe hangmg, it will be his duty to
interfere with a commutation.'' - ., . • j j .i,. r„„
Whether it was this fear or some other reason that induced the Gov-
ernor to commute the sentence we cannot say. Certain it is, that the
sentence was changed to imprisonment in the State PriEOn for lite.
Some time after this, William Sutton was placed
at the bar to undergo a trial for his Hfe for setting
fire— in the night time— to a building standing op-
posite the ware-house of J. E. Titsworth, in Dans-
ville. The circumstances of the case were most
atrocious. So thoroughly was the public prosecutor
of the county convinced of Sutton's guilt, that he
made a most powerful effort to convict him. Mr.
Proctor, the prisoner's counsel made an obstinate,
ingenuous, and able defense, which resulted in Sut-
ton's acquittal.
208
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
But the cases that most thoroughly tested the
abihty of Mr. Proctor, were those of the People
against Covert, and of the People against) Mrs. Mary
M. Hess ; in both of which he was successful. In the
first case, Mr. Proctor was assisted by Hon. Scott
Lord. The People were represented by Hon.
Daniel S. Dickinson — then Attorney-General of
the State, — assisted by Hon. J. A. Van Derlip. Co-
vert had been indicted for the murder of his young
and interesting wife by administering arsenic to her.
Such was the suffering of the victim that if Covert
did give her the arsenic, he was a monster in hu-
man form. He was twice tried. On the first trial
the jury disagreed, standing ten for conviction and
two for a verdict of not guilty. On the second trial
he was acquitted, much to the disgust of the people,
especially the residents of Dansville, who almost
unanimously beheved him guilty. It was said of
Proctor that he went into the defense of Covert
with the determination to succeed, even at the ex-
pense of an unscrupulous defense. There are many
persons in Dansville who will never forgive him for
turning Covert free upon the community.
Mrs. Hess was indicted for shooting and instantly
kiUing Wm. H. Lewis, of Wayland, N. Y., and for
mortally wounding with a pistol, one of her broth-
ers. Mr. Proctor as her counsel interposed the
defense of insanity and after an exciting trial suc-
ceeded. This trial took place in March, 1871.
Another absorbing capital case in which Proctor
was engaged for the defense was that of Joseph
Messner. In this case he was associated with
Hon. H. O. Chesebro, of Canandaigua, and Geo.
E. Ripsom, of Rochester. Messrs. Proctor and
Chesebro were retained to defend on December
8, 1869. Messner had then been tried, convicted
and sentenced to be hanged at a Court of Oyer and
Terminer held at Rochester in May, 1869. Mr.
Ripsom had appealed the case to the General Term
of the Supreme Court for a new trial, which had
been denied. He had apphed to the Governor for
a commutation of the sentence; but this was re-
fused. What was still more embarrassing there
were but two days before the execution was to
take place. The only hope for Messner now, was
the removal of his case to the Court of Appeals.
Was there time for this? and would a Judge of
that Court order a stay of the execution pending
the proceedings in that Court ? It would take one
day to prepare the papers, and there was no Judge
nearer than Judge Hunt, at Utica, and Judge
Grover, at Angelica. It was decided to make the
application to Judge Grover, at Angelica. Notice
was accordingly given to the District Attorney
that the application would be made on the loth of
December, at 7 o'clock in the evening of that day;
Messner was to be executed on the nth — the
next day. At 11 o'clock of the forenoon of the
loth, the respective counsel left Rochester for An-
gelica, which they did not reach until near 10
o'clock in the evening. But the motion was made,
and after close argumerits on both sides, the writ
of error, with a stay of the execution was granted.
By the time the writ was prepared it was after
midnight, and the party must travel twenty-five
miles overland to reach Canaseraga, from which
place they were to take the cars for Rochester via
Attica. Unless Canaseraga was reached by 6
o'clock the next morning the writ and stay of exe-
cution would be useless; but by almost super-
human efforts it was reached just ten minutes be-
fore the arrival of the desired train ; and by half-
past ten the lawyers arrived at Rochester. lii the
meantime the preparations for Messner's execution
were completed. It was after 1 1 o'clock before the
proper copies of the papers were ready to serve
on the Sheriff. With these Proctor and Chesebro
appeared at the jail a few moments before the pro-
cession which was to move to the gallows was
formed. They were duly served, and the execu-
tion was stayed indefinitely. By this time the ex-
citement in the city over the matter had become
very absorbing. The friends of Messner were
greatly delighted, and in the evening the lawyers
were serenaded at their hotel — the Osborne House.
After the expiration of a year the case was
brought to argument before the Court of Appeals,
which, in due time, rendered a judgment reversing
Messner's conviction and granting him a new trial.
Thus we have given a brief history of the capi-
tal cases in which Mr. Proctor was the leading
counsel. The cases where the punishment of the
accused would be imprisonment in the State's
prison for life, and of the important civil cases in
which he has been counsel, are too numerous to be
given here. His reputation as an eloquent, able
and prominent lawyer has been well earned and
fairly won as we have seen.
But Mr. Proctor's most distinguished talents are
those of a writer, particularly as a biographical
writer. Most of the productions of his pen have
been confined to the lives of eminent judges and
lawyers of America. These are found in several
works which have gained for their author an exalted
position as a writer. In 187 1 he published "The
Bench and Bar of New York," a work of 900 pages
quarto. This work was so popular that the first
edition was soon exhausted, and a revised edition
was immediately pubHshed, and in 1874 ^ "^^ O""
in fact a third edition was pubHshed. To use the
language of TAe New York Tribune, " Biographi-
cal works when properly written, reveal a man's
character and the interior of his life with distinct-
ness. The mere historic events are nothing — what
we want is the man himself. And it is in this re-
spect we find especial reason for admiring Mr.
Proctor's work. The Bench and Bar of New York.
Wilham L. Marcy, John C. Spencer, Benjamin F.
Butler, Martin VanBuren, Silas Wright, James T.
Brady, Daniel S. Dickinson, John Young, Martin
Grover, John B. Skinner, Luther C. Peck, and
many other great lawyers of the past, appear in
this work. Each character standing out distinct
and plain, so well drawn that the mental portraits
which the author presents are entirely true to nature."
The press generally, with one or two exceptions,
acknowledged in scholarly reviews, more or less ex-
tended, the ability and literary beauty which the
LUCIAN BROCK PROCTOR — OSSI AN.
209
work exhibits. Many of the biographies contained
in this work have been republished in Europe. F.
Erbinsteim & Co., extensive publishers in Berlin,
Germany, have published in German, nearly the
whole work. The Life of Brady and of Emmett have
been republished in Dublin, Ireland. These are
emphatic endorsements of the value of the work,
exceedingly creditable to its author. In 1875 ^^■
Proctor wrote "The Lives of The Chancellors of
the State," which was exceedingly well received by
the public. In 1877 he published "The Life and
Times of Thomas Addiss Emmett,'' a work that
added largely to the author's reputation.
Mr. Proctor is a highly acceptable contributor
to several leading journals and magazines. The
remarkable frequency of the republication of these
articles in all parts of the nation, is sufficient evi-
dence of the ability of their author.
One of his latest contributions to the press is his
series of articles entitled "Is Aaron Burr Mis-
judged?" These have found great favor with the
reading public. His "Notes of the Bar," pub-
Hshed in the Bicffalo Sunday Courier^ are very
popular, especially with judges and lawyers. The
Brooklyn Eagle, speaking of these articles, said
"the writer of these sketches of the Bar writes
them out of the abundance of his knowledge, with
much economy of expression, and severe intellectual
taste. His manner of portraying character with
unerring truth, and with classical finish, is almost
unequalled. This his readers all acknowledge."
Though Mr. Proctor makes no pretension as a
speaker, yet he occupies a respectable position
among the orators of the day. If he can
only have sufficient time to prepare a public
address, he is always sure to interest and instruct
an audience. Many of his public addresses have
attracted marked attention for their strength and
their beauty of diction. Among these are the eulogy
on Daniel Webster, delivered in Canaseraga Hall,
Dansville, Nov. 17th, 1852, and at Bath, Dec. 3d,
1852 ; eulogy on Abraham Lincoln, deHvered at
Dansville, May 6th, 1865; eulogy on Martin
Grover, delivered at Belmont, N. Y., Sept. 8th,
t87S; address delivered at Geneseo, Jan. loth,
1878, on presenting a portrait of Ex-Governor
John Young to the Livingston County Historical
Society ; and the annual address delivered before the
same society, January 14th, 1879. His subject on
this occasion was. The Judges and Lawyers of Liv-
ingston County and Their Relation to the History
of Western New York. This, perhaps, is one of
the ablest of Mr. Proctor's productions. This is
proved by the fact that large numbers of copies
have been sought for by persons in every part of the
United States and in Canada. It is a succinct,
finely written history of the men of historic renown
in Western New York — mental portraits of the
men whose learning, influence, activity and enter-
prise made that beautiful region— Western New
York a great State in and of itself.
In his manners, Mr. Proctor is unassuming,—
even retiring. His conversation shows cultivation,
refinement and knowledge of man and of the
world. No man more readily acknowledges true
merit and real ability wherever found, than he. He
is, therefore, generous and liberal in his estimation
of all men. With his friends he is genial, open-
hearted, abounding in anecdotes and repartee.
If need be, however, sarcasm, satire and irony can
be called easily and effectually to his aid as has
often been exemplified.
He makes no efforts to conceal his faults. In-
deed, whatever they are, they lie on the surface of
his character rendering him easily assailable by his
enemies. He is positive in his positions, plain and
out-spoken in regard to them, and bold and fearless
in maintaining them. In politics Mr. Proctor has
always been a Republican. Though a man of un-
doubted influence in his party, having strongly
aided it with his pen and on the rostrum, he has
never held any official position, from the fact that
he has never been an aspirant for any office. He
has, however, represented his Congressional Dis-
trict in two or three National conventions. The
severe mental labor to which he subjects himself,
removes him from all the appliances by which
office seekers gain their point, and from all desire
for the ephemeral fame and uncertain remunera-
tion of office holders.
CHAPTER XVI.
History of the Town of Ossian.
THE town of Ossian lies in the extreme south-
ern part of Livingston county.
It is bounded northerly by West Sparta ; south-
erly by Burns, (Allegany county,); on the east by
North Dansville, and Dansville, (Steuben county,) ;
and on the west by Nunda, and Grove, (Allegany
county,).
Originally a part of Angelica, Allegany county,
it was taken from that town March ir, 1808, and
erected into the town of Ossian. For forty-
nine years after, it belonged to Allegany county,
when, in 1857, it was taken from that county and
annexed to the county of Livingston.
The township has an area of 25,086 acres, nearly
one-third of which is timbered land. Its surface
is hilly, nearly mountainous, some of the points
ranging to a height of six or seven hundred feet
above the level of the valleys. The soil on the
hills is a sandy loam ; in the valleys a gravelly
loam, well adapted to the culture of wheat, barley,
corn and oats, which constitute the principal
crops.
At the date of its first settlement it was an un-
broken wilderness, and it presents even now, with
all its indications of modern improvements, the
unmistakable signs of primeval wildness.
210
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The town of Ossian was one of the sales of
Phelps and Gorham to Jeremiah Wadsworth,
who sold it to Robert Troup, in honor of
whom, some thirty years ago, it derived and re-
tained for years the name of Troupstown. The
records relating to the earlier history of Ossian are
quite meagre ; the rugged lives and hardships of its
first settlers, and even of their descendants, making
the recording of historical data, if not distasteful,
at least, impossible so far as concerned accuracy
and method. But few now live who can remem-
ber with any degree of certainty the dates of the
incoming of many of its first residents, or the
minor historical facts and reminiscences which it
is the duty of the historian to record. The early
days of the settlers were rugged and severe.
Coming into what was then a new found land — a
sort of El Dorado to the dwellers in the Eastern
States was this far-off Genesee country — they were
thrown absolutely upon their own resources for
livelihood and homes. Those who now live
on the well tilled farms in this picturesque town-
ship, and who occupy, by right of inheritance, the
comfortable dwellings built by the persevering
industry of their forefathers, scarcely realize the
difficulties which their brawn and brain had to
meet and overcome to bring the wild forests of
those days to the fertile farms of modern times.
Coming from various parts of the country, over
rough roads, and in rude conveyances, they had,
first to build themselves homes, and then to hew
from those forests a precarious sustenance for
themselves and famiUes. Their homes for years
were uniformly of logs rudely cut into shape and
roofed with shingles of their own make. Shingle
making was at first the occupation which furnished
the necessaries of life and such of the luxuries as
they craved and could afford, and which were pro-
cured by means of barter, money being a scarce
commodity.
It is related that the earliest settlers, presumably
the squatters, were so reduced in means that they
were obliged to cut a few bunches of shingles, haul
them to the nearest market on sleds, and exchange
them for codfish, meal, and molasses ; the bunches
of shingles thus bartered were denominated " Ossian
Bank Bills."
So scanty were the means of the residents of
those days, and so scarce in that region of woods
the means of subsistence for even their meagre
stock of cattle, that they were often compelled to
fell the basswood trees which grew abundantly and
let the cattle browse on the tender branches. As
exhibiting the poor resources of the settlers a story
is told of Abram Porter, the first white child born
in the town. His parents had a logging bee one
day to which the men of the neighborhood were
invited, but having no flour in the house and Abram
presenting too ragged an appearance to send for
some, his mother wove from the piece in the loom
cloth for a pair of pants which she made, and sent
him a mile and a quarter to mill for flour for the
evening meal. In those days the loom was a
power.
The Indians were numerous in the days of the
early settlement, but were well-disposed and kind to
the settlers, rendering them many friendly acts. A
tribe of Indians held their encampment one winter
on the land of Jacob Clendennin, opposite the
house where his son now lives.
Among the names of these were " Tall Chief,"
" Laughing Molly" and " Yankee John ;" the latter
a skillful hunter who used to share with the settlers
the proceeds of the chase.
Mr. Clendennin and family being out till late one
night, were surprised on coming home to find that
they could not open the door of their log cabin.
Mrs. Clendennin, giving the door a push it flew
open, and a heavy object fell on her giving her a
severe fright. The object proved to be a quarter
of venison which some one had placed above the
door during their absence.
She related the incident to "Yankee John" on
the following day, telUng him how frightened she
was, which so amused him that he danced around
in Indian fashion, throwing up his arms, and shout-
ing between his peals of laughter, " Me ! Me !''
meaning it was he who had given her the surprise.
Lumbering became from necessity the first lucra-
tive business of the pioneers. Saw mills sprang
up as if by magic, and the busy hum of saws betok-
ened the advance of a civilization new to that
region. Good pine lumber as it ran was drawn to
Dansville, thirty years after the first settlement, and
sold for three dollars per thousand feet in "truck,"
or barter from the stores.
The first saw-mill was built by Nathaniel Porter
in 1809. It has been established, with a certain
degree of credibiUty, that the first settlers in the
township were Richard W. Porter and his brother
James Porter, who came in 1804. They settled at
what is now known as Ossian Centre, although the
settlement at that point has been ascribed to
Abram Porter in the year 1800. Among other
early settlers were Isaac Burrell, James Haynes
and James Croghan, who located about 1806.
SAW MILL & TENEMENT HOUSES-
Residence of E.H.Geiger,
siAN, Livingston, Co. N.Y.
VIEW OF BARNS 225 FT. LONG.
OSSIAN — FIRST SETTLERS.
211
Jacob Clendennin came in 1807 ; Heman Orton
in 1813. Nathaniel Porter died June 3, 1852,
aged 73 years. Jacob Clendennin Nov. 4, 1859,
aged 81, and James Haynes May 13, 1829,
aged 68. Jacob Clendennin now living at Ossian
Centre is a son of the Clendennin who settled in
1807. Mrs. Dutcher, of Dansville, is a daughter
of Heman Orton. Mrs. Frederick Covert, of
Ossian, is a descendant of the Porters.
The first frame house was built in 1830, by
Phineas Howard on the land of James Gregory,
now owned by the Covert family. It was a story
and a half house, 18 by 24, and was painted red.
The first frame barn was built by Henry Bowman
on land of Nathaniel Porter, now owned by Oscar
Covert. The old barn is now standing. Abram
Porter, who, as before mentioned, was the first
white child born in the town, dates his birth from
1805. The first marriage was that of John Gilsan
and Betsey Shay, in 181 6. The first death of
which any record as to name and date can be
found, was that of John Turner, who was killed by
the fall of a tree while chopping in 1807.* The
first schoolmaster was named McCoy, although
French claims Weston, who taught in 1 813-14.
The first hotel was kept by R. N. Porter in 181 7,
who sold to Oliver Stacy soon after. The first
merchant was Samuel Chapin, who dealt in general
merchandise for five or six years, and then sold his
store to Daniel Canfield, who kept it in 1824.
Chapin moved to Michigan. The first grist-mill
was built in 1826 by John Smith.
The first postmaster was James Porter, but in
what year, or when the postoffice was first estab-
lished, could not be learned.
The first doctor was named Hopkins; a root
and herb doctor, who carried his "pharmacy" in a
saddle-bag. He practiced some eight or ten years.
The first regular physician who began and retained
any settled practice was Dr. Sholl, who practiced
some ten years, but the date of whose coming or
going is unknown.
In the present business of Ossian lumbering
still constitutes a by no means unimportant part.
Numerous saw-mills are scattered over the town,
and the remaining forests are being rapidly cleared
up into improved farms. A few more years and
those remains of the primitive condition of the
town will have given place to fields of grain and
corn, and the forests which stood wild and track-
less before the pioneers, will be remembered only
in the pages of history. In 1875 there were in
the township 9,218 acres of woodland, to 14,772
acres of improved land. The value of farm lands
is estimated at $96r,32o; of farm buildings,
$87,395; of stock, $109,962.
In 1875 there were 4,156 acres plowed, 4,913
acres to pasture, and 3,280 mowed. The gross
sales from farms were $48,448.
The Supervisors and Town Clerks from 1808, as
near as can be ascertained, were as follows : —
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1808. Richard W. Porter. James Horken.
1809. " " " "
* Mrs. Frederick Covert, now living, tells of two deaths which occurred
previously,— one while building a house, by the falling of a log, and the
other by falling on a sharp stake on his ox-sled ; but she could give no
names or dates.
1810.
181I.
1812.
1813-
1814.
1815.
1816.
18T7.
1818.
1819.
1820.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.
1826.
1827.
1828.
1829.
1830.
183I.
1832.
1833-
1834.
1835-
1836.
1837.
1838.
1839.
1840.
184I.
1842.
1843.
1844.
1845.
1846.
1847.
1848.
1849.
1850.
1851.
1852.
1853-
1854.
1855-
1856.
Samuel Boylan.
Nathaniel W. Porter.
Jacob Clendennin.
Merritt Brown.
Nathaniel Porter.
Richard W. Porter.
Samuel Chapin.
Richard W. Porter.
William R. Bennett.
Samuel Chapin.
it a
James D. McCurdy.
Isaac H. Consalus.
Joshua Rathbone.
Isaac H. Consalus.
Israel Canfield, Jr.,
11 u
Joshua Rathbone.
James Lemen.
A. T. Wood,
Israel Canfield.
WilUam Gould.
Isaac Hampton.
Israel Canfield.
Isaac Hampton.
James Lemen.
Samuel Porter.
Richard W. Porter.
Alfred Bailey.
Isaac H. Consalus.
Joel J. Knapp.
Hiram Gorse.
Joel J. Knapp.
Samuel Porter.
Lewis A. Sprague.
Joel F. Knapp.
Samuel Porter.
Caleb Haws.
Ira Canfield.
it a
Corydon Hyde.
Ira Canfield.
James Wilkins.
Levi Walrath.
John N. Lemen.
George Voorhees.
John N. Lemen.
James Voorhees.
William Stapleton.
212
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
1857. Samuel Porter.
1858.
1859. " "
i860. William M. White.
1 86 1. James Voorhees.
1862. " "
Isaac Hampton.
James Voorhees.
Jonathan N. Gould.
J. J. Hubbard.
Austin B. Dunn.
John McCarthy.
Nathan Fenton.
R. B. Rathbun.
Oscar Porter.
Nathaniel Shay.
A. B. Dunn.
Charles E. Hyde.
1863.
1864.
1865.
1866.
1867.
1868.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873. William M. White.
1874. " "
1875. L. C. Lemen.
1876. N. P. Covert.
1877. "
1878. Isaac Hampton.
1879. Andrew McCurdy.
The officers for 1880 are as follows : —
Andrew McCurdy, Supervisor.
Isaac F. Hampton, Town Clerk.
J. B. Prentice, Wm. R. Shay, John C. Scott,
Justices of the Peace.
Ambrose Shay, Commissioner of Highways.
Stewart Milliman, Collector.
Herman Chittenden, James Lockwood, Andrew
Powell, Constables.
Henry McCartney, J. B. Wilcox, Overseers of
the Poor.
A. Barney Clendenin, Ira J. Knapp, Boyd Run-
yan, Inspectors of Election.*
There are ten school districts in the town, con-
taining comfortable frame buildings. The total
number of children in the town of school age is
435- Non-residents, 22. The number who attend
school some portion of the year is 348. The aver-
age attendance is 131 ; average attendance of non-
residents, 7. There are four acres of land devoted
to school sites. The value of property and sites
is $3,974-
The population in 1875 was 1,143, as against
884 in 1865; of which 1,042 are native; loi for-
eign. Of this population 1,131 are white, 12
colored; males, 580; females, 563; aliens, 7.
OssiAN Centre.
The town contains but two settlements.
Ossian Centre is situated on Sugar creek, the only
stream of importance, flowing southwesterly through
the center of the town, and so named because of
the plentitude of sugar maples in early days
* For the above list of Supervisors and Town Clerks, as well as
for the present town officers, we are indebted to Isaac F. Hampton, the
present efficient 'I'own Clerk.
abounding along its banks. The settlement at an
early date was called Sugar creek. It is situated
in a remarkably fertile farming country. The val-
ley at the centre expands into a broad plain, but
northerly opens into a narrower valley of striking
beauty.
The settlement is scattering and consists of a
town hall, built in 1880; a grocery and dry goods
store owned by Crystal Fanning, who began busi-
ness here some two years since ; two blacksmith
shops, a wagon shop, a school house, two churches,
a few saw-mills, and twenty or thirty houses.
Aside from farming its business is lumbering.
Three steam saw-mills are run by Isaac Hampton,
who owns four thousand acres of land, and three
other saw-mills by Elias Geiger, who owns two
thousand and three hundred acres. The present
Postmaster is Isaac Hampton, who has held that
office for twenty years, being appointed in Abra-
ham Lincoln's first administration. Mr. Hampton
has also been Supervisor for a number of years.
The town officers for 1880 are: — Supervisor,
Andrew McCurdy ; Town Clerk, Fremont Hamp-
ton ; Assessors, Freeman Covert, Charles Canfield,
Richard Mitchell ; Highway Commissioner, An-
drew Shay; Justices of the Peace, John Scott,
Riley Shay, J. B. Prentiss, Blake Dunn.
BiSBEE,
Or Bisbeetown, as it is called by the inhabitants,
is in the northwestern part of the town. It is a
small settlement similar to Ossian Centre. It was
first settled about the year 1816. Among the first
settlers were Jesse Bagley and Heman Orton, the
latter coming in 1813. They engaged in farming
and shingle making. Luther Bisbee, for whom the
settlement was named, was a Revolutionary War
pensioner. He came there in March, 1819, and
built the first saw-mill.
Bisbee consists now of two stores kept by David
Clark and John S. Kriley; the former beginning
four years since, the latter ten years ago; a saw
and grist mill, run by Charles Porter ; a saw-mill by
Harvey Chittenden; two blacksmith shops by
James Ingersoll and Washington Forrester, and a
small collection of houses.
The first school house was built of logs in 1820.
The first frame school house was built in 1829, on
land of Isaac H. Consalus. Stephen D. Murphy
was the first schoolmaster, in what is now district
No. 4. The first store was kept by Israel Canfield,
in 1 840 or '42. The first meetings for religious
(Photo, by Belts, DansviUe.)
Mr. & Mrs, Isaac Wampton,
hon. isaac hampton.
Hon. Isaac Hampton, son of Andrew and Mary Finch
Hampton, was born in Canadice, Ontario county, N. Y. ,
April 20, 1821. His father and mother were natives of
Connecticut. The former was born April, 1780, and
died June 2, 184,5, aged 65 years. The latter was born
November 30, 1797, and died September 9, 1872, aged 8.5
years. Andrew Hampton left his native State at an early
day, locating in the town of Scipio, Cayuga county, buy-
ing a farm and residing there for several years. About
the year 1818 he went to the town of Canadice, buying a
farm in what was then woods. He resided there for a
time, but through sickness and other trouble lost his farm,
and for the balance of his life remained poor. He had
twelve children, two of whom died in youth. Mrs. Mary
Hampton was of English origin, and it is rumored that a
large estate in England remains to be divided, she being
one of the heirs. In 1835, when young Isaac, who was
the sixth child, was in his fifteenth year, they moved to Os-
sian. The oldest son, John, with his father, bought a new
farm of 125 acres, making a small payment, which John
subsequently paid for, making a home for the family.
Young Hampton attended the district school to a lim-
ited extent, but in a short time he was enabled to teach a
district school, and with such success that he was engaged
for nine successive terms, and saved enough of his salary
to enable him to attend the Nunda Academy two terms.
Being then about 24 years of age, he concluded to go
west, going to Ottawa, 111., to teach school and study law,
but being taken down with the fever prevailing there at
that early day, he returned home in a few months, but
suffering for over a year. The three years following he
spent in alternately teaching winters and laboring sum-
mers. Having accumulated a small sum of money, he
purchased a farm, paying two hundred dollars down, and
buying a team on credit, also some timber land in the
southwestern part of the town with a saw mill upon it.
This mill has been burnt three times and each time
promptly rebuilt, and is now in full operation. He
bought timber land from time to time and cleared it,
making fine farms of the land, until he had some five
thousand acres. He has recently sold one thousand acres
to his son Isaac F. , leaving him four thousand acres.
This land is well adapted to stock raising, into which he
has entered largely, having now about two thousand sheep,
and other stock in proportion. From 1867 to 1876 he was
engaged largely in the wool trade, but was obliged to aban-
don it on account of other business. In poUtics he was for-
merly a Whig. By that party he was elected Justice of the
Peace and Supervisor for several terms. He entered the
Kepublican ranks in its infancy, attending as delegate from
Ossian, the first RepubUcan convention held in Western
New York, at AngeUca. He has been Supervisor four-
teen terms and Chairman of the Board several times ; was
elected to the Legislature in 18,55, and received the ap-
pointment, from Abraham Lincoln during his first term,
of postmaster at Ossian, which office he still holds.
Isaac Hampton married Mary Jane Fenton, December
8, 1849. They had nine children, as follows, in the order
of their birth : Emma J. ; Annie D. ; Isaac F. , who mar-
ried Eva Welton, of Oseian ; James B. , who married
Florence Olp, of Mt. Morris ; Cora B. , who married Wm.
L. Hyde, of Ossian ; Carrie B.; Mary E ; WiUie H., and
Nellie M. Nathan Fenton, father of Mrs. Hampton, was
one of the early residents of the town of Leicester, her
mother being Lucy Spellman of the same town, and both
are now, at a ripe old age, living near their daughter in
Ossian. In religion Mr. Hampton is a Presbyterian and
his wife a Methodist, she having adopted the creed of her
parents at an early day. He has long held the office of
trustee in both of said churches, and for twenty-five
years superintended the Sabbath school in one or both of
said churches almost continually. He is in his sixtieth
year. Time has left but few marks, and he promises a
long and useful life to his family and many friends.
OSSIAN— WAR RECORD, CHURCHES.
213
purposes were held in the log school house in 1820
by the Methodists, Elder Benton first presiding.
In 1862 a singular phantasy seized upon some of
the residents in and about this settlement, which
led twenty-two persons to leave their homes and go
to Utah to join the Mormons. Among those who
went were Israel Canfield, his wife and three
children ; Abram Porter and his wife Marcia, and
his sons and daughters, Luther, Nahum, Henrietta,
Mary and Ellen ; Henry Miller, and wife and one
child ; Augustus Canfield and his daughter Lucy,
who became the Mormon wife of John Young, by
whom she had two children. He afterward re-
pudiated her and married her cousin.
From this vicinity there went to the war of the
Rebellion a number of brave men. But very few,
however, of those who enhsted from Ossian were
ever recorded so that a complete Ust can be col-
lected. The records which were made and filed
have been lost, and the town records have been
loosely cared for. The following are the only
names* that could be obtained : —
Wm. H. Decker,
John D. H. Wright,
Milton Seymour,
Alexander Crocker,
Lucius C. Fenton,
Alexander Wilson,
Zenas Denton,
WilUam Smith,
George Cowen,
Henry Bush,
Charles E. Pennock
George DeForest,
Robert Hughes,
William Lindsey,
George Prentice,
Marshall Giddings,
Bruce Rathbun,
Isaac Smith.
Hiram Foster,
Hugh KeUy,
Wilfred Crocker,
John Crocker,
Lucius A. Bisbee,
Edwin Luce,
Allen Luce,
Seymour Newton,
Thomas Sanford,
WilUam Libby,
Jackson Bush,
Elijah Frasier,
Perry DeForest,
Bert Price,
Joseph Price,
Marvin J. Magee,
William Price,
Barney Clendennin,
Darius Woolverton,
Jerome Chesebro,
WiUiam Hopkins,
Oliver P. Pennock,
Lafayette Woolworth, Joseph Hillman,
Ichabod Hubbell, David Utter,
John More, Fairfield Snider,
Egbert Gorse, Daniel Wilkms,
Nelson Pennock, Isaac More,
Eugene Marr, James Welton,
George Thompson, Amos VanDerhoof
George Swingle, Augustus More,
Solomon Tierney, Wilber More,
Isaac Witheral, Walter Witheral,
Hiram B. Wright, John Barrager,
John McCarthy, Daniel Shultz,
Martin Hotaling, Charles Bush,
*This list was kindly furnished by Hon. Isaac Hampton, who was
Supervisor from 186; to 1872, and who is undoubtedly the best authority
attainable. In sending thie he says, " I have only my memory to guide
me, as the record made and filed is lost."
Wilhain Gilboy, William A. Luce,
H. C. Roff, David Clark,
Henry Runyan, John Runyan.
The two latter enlisted in the Wadsworth Guards,
formed at Geneseo. Henry, who ranked as Orderly
Sergeant, died June 22, 1864, from wounds received
at the battle of Petersburg. John Runyan died
June 22, 1863, from wounds received at the battle
of Gettysburg. His mother went alone to Gettys-
burg at a time when there was much danger,
searched until she found his body, and brought it
home to be buried in Ossian.
William A. Luce enlisted in Co. I, First New
York Dragoons, and died October 1st, 1864, in
the service. H. C. Roff enlisted in the First New
Vork Dragoons, and was killed at the battle of the
Wilderness, June 4, 1864. William Smith was a
corporal in the First New York Dragoons, and died
in the service, July 7, 1864. Charles Bush, Co.
D, 104th Regiment, was killed at Antietam, Sept.
17, 1862. John Barrager was corporal in Co. I,
First New York Dragoons, and died of wounds
received in action June 2, 1864. David Clark
enlisted at Portage in the 130th Regiment, after-
wards mounted as the First New York Dragoons,
under command of Capt. James Lemen. He came
home wounded.
It could not be ascertained in what regiments the
others enlisted, or what became of them.
Churches. — The Methodist Episcopal Church of
Ossian was built about 1 85 2 . Revs. Robert Parker
and Piersall were the first pastors. The pres-
ent pastor — 1880— is Rev. George Gibson, residing
in Canaseraga, who has presided two years. The
church records, unfortunately, have been lost, so
that a fuller account could not be obtained. The
church is situated at Ossian Centre.
The Presbyterian Church of Ossian was formed
in 1818 by Rev. Robert Hubbard, pastor of the
church of Angelica, who attended by invitation.
The names of the candidates for membership in
the church when it was formed, were as follows :—
James Haynes, Mary Haynes, Wm. Boyles, Esther
Boyles, Sam'l McCray, Catherine W. Porter, Cather-
ine N. Porter, Nancy Vorhees, John Shay, Jeremiah
Flynn, Jonathan Haynes, John Haynes, Jane
Haynes, Anna Conkright, John Perine, Polly Per-
ine, Jacob Clendennin, Lucy Hurlbut, Rhoda Clen-
dennin. The first ruling elders were chosen Nov.
21, 1818. They were Jacob Clendennin and James
Haynes. Jacob Clendennin was appointed clerk.
The church was rebuilt and enlarged in 1878. The
present elders are Jacob Clendennin and David
214
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
McCurdy. The church has a membership of
about 80. The pastor for 1880 was Rev. J. L.
Box, who has presided for three years. The build-
ing is a large substantial structure located at Os-
sian Centre.
BIOGRjiPHICjlL SKETCHES.
HON. WILLIAM M. WHITE.
The White family is of Puritan origin and trace
their descent from Elder John White, one of the
first settlers of Cambridge, Mass., and of Hartford,
Conn. He came in the ship Lyon, from England,
in 1632, to the port of Boston.
The genealogy of the family is as follows : —
Captain Nathaniel White, son of Elder John, was
born in England about 1629, and came over with
his father in the ship Lyon, being about three years
old.
Ensign Daniel White, was the third son of Cap-
tain Nathaniel, and was born at Hartford, Conn.,
February 23d, 1661.
Hugh White, son of Ensign Daniel, was born at
Hartford, February 15th, 1691.
Hon. Hugh White, youngest son of Hugh, was
born in Hartford, Conn., January 25th, 1733. He
was the pioneer of Western New York, and settled
at Whitestown, Oneida county, in May 1784 — with
his four sons— Daniel Clark, Joseph, Hugh and
Ansel.
Whitestown was organized in 1788, and em-
braced within its limits all that part of the State of
New York, lying westward of a line passing through
Utica, and reaching from the southern boundary of
the State to the St. Lawrence river.
Hon. Hugh White was appointed Judge and also
held that position in the new county of Oneida.
Hugh White, Jr., son of Hon. Hugh, was born
at Hartford, Conn., January i6th, 1763. He ac-
companied his father to WhitestoWn. Hon. Hugh
White, son of Hugh, Jr., was born in Whitestown,
December 25th, 1798. He located in Saratoga
county, and was a successful business man, and
took an active interest in public affairs. He
served in Congress from 1845 to rSsi. He died
October 6th, 1870. He was the father of William
M. White, the subject of our present writing. His
mother was Maria Mills, daughter of William P.
Mansfield, a merchant in Kent, Litchfield county,
Connecticut.
Mr. White was born in Waterford, Saratoga
county, N. Y., July 8th, 1833. He graduated at
Hamilton College in 1854, and received the degree
of Master of Arts in 1857. In April, 1852, he
took up his residence on his present homestead, a
delicacy of constitution making it impossible for
him to follow a professional life ; he turned his at-
tention to agriculture, and by farming and an out-
door Ufe sought health and vigor in the mountain
atmosphere of our " Southern tier."
When the rebellion broke out he, made three at-
tempts to enter the army, but was prevented by
physical causes from taking the active part in the
war that his patriotism prompted him to take.
He has large business interests aside from farm-
ing, but he regards the farm as the American
home ; the best surroundings for a family and the
real foundation of America's greatness and pros-
perity.
On the 2 2d of January, 1863, Mr. White married
Anna M. Pierrepont, daughter of Hon. William C.
Pierrepont, LL. D., of Pierrepont Manor, Jeifer-
son county. New York. They have a family of ten
children, five boys and five girls.
Mr. White was the first Republican Supervisor
of the town of Ossian, and in 1872 he was the
candidate of the Liberals for Representative in
Congress, but since then he has acted with the Re-
publican party.
The title of Honorable has been conceded to
him for over twenty years, his right to it resting on
" common consent," the highest authority known
in America.
Mr. White is a member of the Episcopal Church,
has been and is a lay-reader and warden of Trinity
Church, Canaseraga, a member of the Standing
Committee of the Diocese, Trustee of the Episco-
pate Fund, Trustee of the General Theological
Seminary, Trustee of Hobart College, and twice
elected delegate to the general convention of the
church.
In his social matters he is social, cordial, con-
siderate and hospitable.
In his mental characteristics he seems magnani-
rnous, free from spite or prejudice, seeking what is
right, advisable or desirable, and so entirely ignoring
self as to always seem ready to do a kindness, even
when a detriment to himself. His neighbors re-
gard him with loVe and affection, placing a confi-
dence in his wisdom and judgment, and appeal to
him in local matters and neighborhood disputes.
He is an active, useful,*honorable man.
CORYDON HYDE.
The subject of this sketch was born in Livonia,
Aug. 26, 18 1 4. He was the only son of a family
of two children. His sister, Carohne H., married
Wm. B. Lemen, now of Dansville. She died Feb. 4,
1 880, aged about 59 years. Harry Hyde, the father
of Corydon, was born in Connecticut in 1785. He
left his native State at an early day for the then far
west, Livingston county, settling in the town of
Livonia, where he married Lucinda Bard. They
came to the town of Ossian about 1835, purchasing
a farm of 173 acres, Corydon being then in his
twenty-first year, assisting his father in adding to
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CORYDON HYDE — ELI AS H. GEIGER.
215
his already large farm which now contains 581
acres. His father died in 1877, being 92 years
old and a consistent member of the M. E. Church.
His wife, Lucinda, only surviving him one year,
died at the advanced age of 83 years, as she had
lived, an honored member of the Presbyterian
Church. Corydon was united in marriage Oct. 11,
1848, to Ann Lemen. The result of this union
was four children as follows: Henry C, Wm. L.,
who inarried Cora B. Hampton of Ossian, Charles
E., who mamed Jennie Shay of Ossian, and
Lucinda Jennie who died in her youth. Mrs. Hyde
was the fourth child of a family of twelve, eight
of whom are now living. Her father was Tom
Lemen who came from Pennsylvania at an early day
and settled in Ossian, where he married Jane Boyles
about the year 1814, and died in 1862 aged 72
years. His wife died in 1874 aged 79 years. They
were among the first members of the first Presby-
terian church which was built in the town of Ossian,
he being the first deacon, and holding that office
during his life. His wife was a worthy member
and adorned her profession by a truly christian life.
Mr. Corydon Hyde was for several years afflicted
with dyspepsia, of which he finally died, Aug. 20,
1880, in his 66th year. He passed away peacefully
to that land where peace and life ever-lasting is
the reward of an honorable and upright christian
hfe.
ELIAS H. GEIGER.
The life of Mr. Geiger is a fine illustration of
what energy, honesty, industry and economy,
moved by strong common sense, and unaided by
wealth and influence, can attain. It proves that
every young man holds in his own hands the issues
of success, and that the business world is made up
largely of young men, who have improved such op-
portunities. EUas H. Geiger was born in North-
ampton county. Pa., Nov. 25, 1819. His parents,
John and Mary Geiger, were natives of Mt. Bethel,
Pa. He was the fourth child of a family of seven
children. When Efias was seven years old he sus-
tained an irreparable loss by the death of his father,
which, at that tender age, cast him out upon the
world with no one to shield him from the storms of
adversity. But as Providence tempers the wind to
the shorn lamb, so in this case, the child found a
home and protector through a farmer named Rida-
nour. He continued to reside with them until he
was twenty years old, enjoying such advantages
for an education as a limited attendance upon
a common school afforded. He devoted his
time and energies in aiding Mr. Ridanour
in working his farm, and as he soon developed
into a well-formed, strong and muscular man his
services proved of great value to his employer, and
he learned the art of agriculture well and practi-
cally and this he never has forgotten. Through
all his early years he evinced a strong love of mech-
anism, which gravitated to the calling of a car-
penter, and in his twenty-first year he apprenticed
himself to Mr. John Levis, a carpenter of Bethle-
hem, Pa., remaining with him two years and be-
coming a very competent carpenter and joiner.
Leaving Mr. Levis, he settled at Lima, attended
school there one winter and devoting himself to
his studies finished a good common school educa-
tion. In the following spring he removed to Dans-
ville, where, with great energy, he entered upon
the duties of his occupation. For a time he was
employed by "boss" carpenters who paid him a
fair salary, but at length he commenced the busi-
ness of a master builder, and. in his turn employed
men by the day. He entered largely into the
business of building dweUing houses and then sell-
ing them ; many of the pleasant and commodious
dwellings of Dansville having been erected by him
in this way.
In 1852 he erected a steam saw-mill near Ossian
Center, and such was the capacity of the mill for
furnishing lumber, that the great demand for it was
fully supplied. At this time the town of Ossian
was, to a large extent, covered with splendid ma-
terial for building purposes. A few years later he
formed a co-partnership with Hon. Alonzo Brad-
ner, in the manufacture and sale of lumber, build-
ing a large steam saw-mill near Bisbeetown in Os-
sian, which, in 1863, they moved two miles west of
Ossian Center on Sugar creek. This relation con-
tinued with great pecuniary success to both parties
about six years, when it terminated by mutual con-
sent. Mr. Geiger's wealth continued to increase
until he became one of the largest lumber dealers
in the county. In 1865 he erected a large steam
saw-mill not far from Canaseraga. This mill is
now in successful operation, turning out a large
amount of lumber. In 187 1 he built another large
steam saw-mill, near his present home in the town
of Ossian. In pohtics Mr. Geiger is a Democrat,
though always at his post of duty as a voter, he
never sought office. Forty years ago he united
with the Lutheran church at Dansville, and has
since been an unassuming and exemplary member
of that church. Tested by the standard of those
the world calls learned, Mr. Geiger is no scholar,
but tried by what people call safe, practical, and
useful, he certainly is learned. February 22, 1844,
he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter
of WiUiam and Susan Gilger Haas. She was born
in Northumberland county, Pa., July 1 1, 1820, and
moved with her parents to Dansville in 1823,
where she was subsequently married. This union
has been in every sense a happy one, as Mrs. G.
possesses all those amiable and attractive qualities
which constitute the true, faithful and affectionate
wife. Through all her married life she has been an
intelUgent, useful counsellor and advisor. Her
father died in Dansville, December 8, 1873. Her
mother is still living at the advanced age of 81
years. Mr. Geiger's mother died at Hazelton,
Luzerne county, Pa., in 1871.
2l6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVII.
History of the Town of Springwater.
SPRINGWATER, the land of hills and valleys,
lies in the southeastern part of Livingston
county. It is the largest town in the county, being
eight and one-quarter miles east and west, six and
one-half miles north and south, and containing an
area of farm lands of 32,579 acres. It waserected
by legislative enactment in the spring of 1816, and
was formed from Sparta and Naples, then belong-
ing to Ontario county. It is bounded on the north
by Conesus and Canadice, (Ontario county) ; south
by Wayland and Cohocton, (Steuben county) ; on
the east by Naples, (Ontario county) ; and on the
west by Sparta.
The chief streams are the inlet of Hemlock
Lake, which flows north through the western part
of the town, and Cohocton river, rising in the north-
eastern part of the town and flowing southerly into
Steuben county.
The year 1 807, memorable as the year in which the
first steamboat sailed on American waters, was the
year in which the settlement of Springwater began.
To Seth Knowles is accorded the credit of being the
first settler in the town. He was native of Massachu-
setts, and in 1805 left his home among the New Eng-
land hills and came to the then distant lands of
Western New York, locating in Livonia, on what is
now known as the " Gibbs Farm." The first and
second season of his arrival there the crops in Livo-
nia, and in the towns north, suffered from severe
drought. Mr. Knowles observed that clouds often
rested on the hills south of him, and that showers
were of frequent occurrence there while no rain
fell in his locality. He therefore resolved to make
a prospecting trip in that direction after harvest.
Accordingly in the fall of 1806, he and his son,
Jared, and Peter Welch took their guns, axes, and
necessary provisions on their shoulders, and fol-
lowed the old Indian trail over Bald Hill, in the
town of Canadice, to Springwater Valley. About a
mile from the head of Hemlock Lake, they made a
small clearing and built a log cabin on lot number
4, now part of the farm owned by John Jennings.
They then returned to Livonia and remained
there during the winter. On the last day of March,
1807, Mr. Knowles and his family came up Hem-
lock lake on the ice and took possession of the
cabin. Other settlers soon followed, several fami-
lies coming in the same year, but it was not until
ten years after Mr. Knowles' occupancy that the
town was organized.
Its organization took place on the first day of
April, 181 7. It was suggested that the new town
be named Knowlesville in honor of the first settler,
but the suggestion did not meet with general ap-
proval.
John Roberts then proposed the name of Spring-
water, remarking that he never before had seen a
place where springs were so numerous. This name
met with instant and general approval, and the vote
was unanimous to call the town Springwater. The
name was well chosen; for, in the language of
Scripture, the town is a land of brooks of water,
and of fountains that spring out of valleys and hills.
Among other early settlers were Eber Watkins,
Joshua Herrick, Hosea Grover, Peter Welch and
Adam Miller. In 18 13 there were but thirty fam-
ilies in the township. What is now the village of
Springwater contained but one dwelling, built by
Samuel Story, a frame barn built by Eber Wat-
kins, a small store built by Hosea Grover, in that
same year, two or three saw-mills and a frame
grist-mill. In 1817 the principal inhabitants were
located as follows: John Roberts lived in a log
cabin where the hotel now stands.* Hugh Wilson,
a native of Northumberland, Pa., where A. Wiley
lived. He also built the first grist-mill in 1813.
It stood at the foot of the hill where the road from
Scottsburgh enters the valley, and was a two-story
frame building containing two runs of stones. Sam-
uel Story erected and occupied the first frame
house in the town. It stood between Styler's barns
and orchard on the flat. The first saw-mill was
also built by Mr. Story on land occupied by the
sash factory. Hosea Grover's store was located
between Tyler's Grove and the Corners; and near
it was the residence of Thomas Grover, Sr. Alva
Southworth occupied the farm now owned by Na-
than A. Kellogg. He also built the first distillery
in the town, distilling about twenty gallons per day
from rye and corn. The liquor was sold by him at
the still, and was carried away by the purchasers
in pails, bottles and jugs. On the corner where
John McCrossin now resides, the late Hon. John
Wiley then Hved. He had a blacksmith-shop on
his premises and worked some at the forge him-
self, being the first man in the town who did such
work. He soon left the shop for the farm, and
finally became a minister of the gospel. He served
as Member of Assembly in 1859 and i860.
Jonathan Lawrence lived where Addison Marvin
now lives. He was among the foremost of the
* Nearly all of these settlers located on, or near, what is now the site
of Springwater village.
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SPRINGWATER— EARLY SETTLERS.
217
early settlers who sought to establish public wor-
ship. On the next farm north, now owned by Mr.
Wheaton, Oliver Jennings made a small clearing
and built a log cabin. He also built the first frame
barn in the town. Mr. Jennings was the first Su-
pervisor of the town, being elected to that office by
a majority of one. Below the property of OHver
Jennings, on the farm now owned by Mr. Bailey,
was the residence of John Johnson, and north of
that was the clearing and cabin of Seth Knowles.
Where Wm. Norton now lives Phineas and Reuben
Gilbert were located. Up the valley from the cor-
ners the first dwelling stood opposite the Presby-
terian church, the residence of Salmon Grover.
On West Hill there were only two families lo-
cated: Joseph Cady, living on the Rodman place,
and Joseph Puss on the Totten farm. East of the
corners, the first house was that of John Waddams.
The next settler of the hill was Archibald WiUis, on
the place now occupied by N. WiUis. Jacob Can-
non then lived one mile east of the valley, near
where Levi Breckway now lives.
The first hotel was kept by OUver Jennings in
1815. The first physician in the town was Doctor
David Henry, who lived on the farm now occupied
by H. H. Marvin.
John Culver, the first Justice of the Peace, lived
on the Colegrove place. At that time the justices
were appointed by the State. John Culver and
Joab Gillett were the first so appointed.
The first wool carding and cloth dressing mill
was built in 1821 by Edward Walker.
The first piano was brought into the town by
Parker H. Pierce, who came from Boston in 1838.
The first sewing machine was used by Mrs. Trux-
an Dyer, in 1851 or '52. It is claimed that the
first mowing machine was used by Henry Tyler
only as late as twenty years ago. The first citizen
elected to the State Legislature was the Hon.
Salmon P. Grover, in 1834.
The history of Springwater exhibits some in-
stances of long continuance in official positions,
professions, and occupations which are worthy of
notice. Alvah Southworth was elected the second
supervisor of the town and was reelected to that
office ten years. He had been a member of the
State Legislature before coming to Springwater,
and in this town he was also Justice of Peace and
Assessor for many years. It was through his ex-
ertions and influence mainly that the post-office
was established about i8i8, and he held the office
of postmaster which he retained thirty years, bemg
appointed to that position by eight presidents.
For fifty-six years Dr. Arnold Gray rode over
the hills and through the valleys of Springwater,
ministering to the sick. N. R. Hopkins toiled at
his anvil the same number of years. Rev. W^illiam
Hunter* has'presided over the Presbyterian church
forty years, and Joel Hudson served the town as
Justice of the Peace forty-two consecutive years.
It is believed that in no town in the state can an
instance be shown of longer continuance in office.
From reminiscences of Martin Hopkins, who
located in the town two years after its organization,
and who still lives in Springwater village, we
abstract the following : —
"May 19, 18 19. This day arrived in Springwater.
Came from Burhngton,Vermont,with father and Ste-
phen Walbridge. Mr. Walbridge returned to Burhng-
ton for his family, and arrived with them early in
July. Father in a few days left here for Burling-
ton, by way of Canada, to visit a sister Uving there.
I stayed through the summer in Springwater, liv-
ing with Russell Day. Father returned with the
family on the second day of October in that same
year. We moved into a house near Doctor David
Henry's and old Daniel Day's. We soon afterwards
built a house near D. Goff' s Mills, and very pleas-
ant warm weather we had in which to work at it.
We moved into it between Christmas and New
Year's day 1820. When I first saw this town from
the top of Bald Hillt I little thought that I should
pass so many years of my hfe in this place. It was
ratha- hard work for a while, though, for myself, no
harder than I have always had it ; that is, I think
I enjoyed Hfe as well as I ever did. In the sprmg
of 1820, we started a blacksmith shop in a small
way. I was rather the " proprietor" of it. In those
days there was no money to be had for any kind of
work, but we could get grain and something to live
on I remember that among our first jobs, we did
work for Samuel Wood, of East Hill, to the amount
of three dollars, for which he willingly brought us
four bushels of as good wheat as ever grew. Dur-
ing that summer my brother Norman and I got a
bushel and a quarter of wheat each per day for reap-
ing in harvest time. We worked for Elam Nor-
throp at that rate on the west side of the valley,
where the new burying ground now is. At that
time Col. Oliver Jennings kept a tavern on the
Withington farm. John Wiley also had a black-
smith shop. David Luther was located here as a
shoemaker. Alvah Southworth was Supervisor in
that year. Among other settlers at that time were
Elder John Cole, a Baptist minister. Doctor Elisha
C Day, who moved from Canada in the spring of
1820, and little Luther Farwell, great for making
fun and shingles."
* To this much respected clergyman we are indebted for the greater
portion of the early history of the town. We have not used m their regu-
far succession the notes which he placed at our disposal, but have placed
them as the sequence of events dictated, m some instances changing the
phraseology. Mr. Hunter's long residence here, and the position which
he has held, has enabled him to give quite accurately the events of the
early history of the town.
t Bald Hill is on the north boundary of the town in Ontario county.
:i8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The early business was mostly lumbering and the
manufacturing of shingles. " In the pioneer his-
tory of the town there is but little that is note-
worthy. It does not appear that the early settlers
had any reason to fear the scalping knife of the
Indian. None of them had any sanguine encount-
ers with wild beasts, but they suffered what the
present generation would call great privation.
Many of them were happy if they could procure a
little grain in exchange for a few bunches of
shingles, — about the only exchangeable commodity
of which they were possessed.
It is not known that they suffered actual want,
but they were often pinched for the necessaries of
life. It was a time of rejoicing in many a family
when the father came home from Bloomfield, or
Richmond, or Jones' Settlement, with but a scant
supply of bread-stuff. When more grain was raised
in town than was necessary for home consumption
it was almost impossible to dispose of it at any
price.
A farmer living on East Hill raised excellent
wheat which he drew to Rochester and sold for
thirty-one cents per bushel. These early settlers
enjoyed but little intercourse with the outside
world. There was general rejoicing when a mail
route was established between Springwater and
Geneseo. The first mail carrier was Daniel Pea-
body, who traveled on foot, carrying the mail in a
valise. His weekly arrival was a time of great
interest. Nearly every man in the settlement might
then have been found at the house of the post-
master. They did not have to wait long for the
mail to be distributed, as it consisted generally
of about three or four letters and perhaps twice
that number of newspapers. Nearly all of the early
settlers have passed away. A few still remain who
are feeling the infirmities of age. In a few more
years the mournful inquiry will be made in regard
to all of them — ' The Fathers, where are they?'
Respected be the memories of those hardy sons of
toil. Their labors converted the primitive forests
into fruitful fields, and made possible the comforts
which surround their children to-day.*
* From reminiscences of Rev. Williams Hunter. But few anecdotes of
the early settlers have been preserved. One, however, is recorded by Mr.
Hunter, which is worth mentioning. "The ladies of those times made
use of two articles with which the ladies of our day have not much acquaint-
ance ; namely, the spinning-wheel and the side-saddle. Mrs. Zeddock
Grover sent to her neighbor, Mrs. Gaston, to borrow a spinning-wheel.
Mrs. Gaston answered, that she did not like to have the wheel go out of
the house, but that Mrs. Grover was welcome to come and use it as much
as she pleasid. This did not suit Mrs. Grover's convenience, and she
regarded the refusal as an unneighborly act. Not long after Mrs Gaston
sent to borrow Mrs. Grover's side-saddle This furnished a good oppor-
tunity to pay her back m her own coin. So Mrs. Grover returned answer
that she did not like to have the saddle go out of the house, but that Mrs.
Gaston was quite welcome to come and ride on it as long as she pleased "
In 1817 there stood in what is now Jacob Sny-
der's door yard a log building which was the first
school house, and in which the first school in the
town was taught by James Blake, in 1813-14.
It was in this house that the meeting was held
for the organization of the town, in 181 7. At the
time of the organization every dwelling in the town
was a log cabin in the woods, except that of Samuel
Story. The meeting was held on Tuesday, April
9, 181 7. Solomon Doud presided as the moderator.
The town officers elected were as follows : —
Supervisor — Oliver Jennings.
Town Clerk— Hugh Wilson.
Assessors — Jonathan Lawrence, Solomon Doud,
Alexander McCouUouch.
Coinraissioners of Highways — Samuel Story,
Solomon Doud, Josiah Fuller.
School Commissioners — Samuel Story, Solomon
Doud, John Culver.
Overseers of the Poor — Henry Cole and Samuel
Story.
School Inspectors — Jno. W. Barnes, Ephraim
Calkins, Thomas Grover.
Constable and Collector — Jonathan Lawrence.
Pound Masters — Joab Gillett and Lorin Cole-
burn.
About the year 1824 an effort was made to form
a new county from the towns of Cohocton, Naples,
and a part of Springwater. A special town meet-
ing was held at the house of Jacob Cannon, in the
town of Springwater, on the first day of January,
1825, for the purpose of opposing this attempt.
At that meeting the following resolution was
passed : —
" Resolved, That we deem it improper, im-
politic, unjust, and altogether against our inter-
est that any part of this town should be made a
part of the new contemplated county."
A resolution was offered at this same meeting re-
questing that the members of the Legislature procure
the passage of a law altering the name of the town
from Springwater to that of Veri. This was the
proposition of Alvah Southworth, but it was voted
down, the people concluding it was better to retain
the name of Springwater.
The Supervisors and Town Clerks from and
including the year in which town was organized,
are as follov/s : —
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1817. Oliver Jennings, Hugh Wilson.
1818. Alvah Southworth,
1819-21. " " John W. Barnes.
1822. " " Isaac C. Howe.
1823. " '■ Martin Hopkins.
1824-26. " " Joel Hudson.
1827. Zennos Ashley, " "
1828. Alvah Southworth, " "
SPRINGWATER — TOWN OFFICERS, MILITIA.
219
829-30. John Culver,
831. Salmon G. Grover,
832-33- "
834-35. Thos. C. Grover,
836.
837-38.
839-
840.
841.
842.
843-
844-45.
846.
847.
Andrew Spafford,
Horatio Dyer,
Stephen Robinson,
Martin D. Hopkins.
Thomas C. Grover.
Horatio Dyer.
Salmon Waterbury.
Thomas C. Grover.
Rufus G. Clark.
Thomas C. Grover,
Andrew Spafford,
John Ray,
Stephen Robinson,
848-49. Horatio Dyer, Salmon G. Grover.
850. George C. Marvin, " "
851-52. " " Wm. A. Robinson.
853. H. H. Foskett, Jerome B. Patterson.
854. Stephen Robinson, N. Byron Hopkins.
855. Moses A. Commins, " "
856-57. Arnold Gray, Salmon G. Grover.
858-59. John S. Wiley,
860. " " Marcus O. Austin.
861. Orson Walbridge, " "
862. " " James G. Morris.
863. Thos. M. Fowler, Marcus O. Austin.
864. " " " George A. Pierce.'
865. Orson Walbridge, " "
866-67. A. M. Withington, " •' "
868-69. Robert H. Wiley. Edward S. Coats.
870. •' " " N. Byron Hopkins.
871. Robert H. Wiley, A.M.Brown.
872. " " Frank S. Grover.
873-74. Harvey H. Marvin, " "
875. E. A. Robinson, Rufus G. Clark.
876. John S. Wiley,
877. DeWitt C. Snyder, "
878-80. " " George M. Wells.
The other town officers for 1880 were: — As-
sessors, John Wilheim, Nelson WiUis, Jonathan
Howe ; Highway Commissioner, N. T. Wibbing-
ton; Justices, R. H. Wiley, L. R. Hopkins, Orson
Walbridge, E. J. Page; Poormaster, Charles
Lawrence ; Constable and Collector, E. C.
Grover.
After the town of Springwater was organized in
1817, and the civil offices filled by election or ap-
pointment by the Governor, it became necessary to
organize a militia, and for that purpose the town
was divided by the road and line of lots running
east and west from the old Golf mill into two mili-
tary departments, called the north and south de-
partments. It has been the custom of the inhab-
itants for a number of years to hold reunions of the
survivors of these mihtary companies, the last re-
union occurring on the 6th of September, 1880.
Captain Ebenezer Smith, now seventy-three years
old, commanded the parade, and had prepared a
brief history of the mihtia, which, on account of his
weakness, was read by Mr. R. H. Wiley, as
follows : —
" It must be understood that this little history is
almost from recollection down to a boy of ten
years old. There has been no record kept that is
available, and all the old rolls are lost or de-
stroyed.
" The first company of infantry in the south de-
partment— being the one with which I am the
most acquainted, and of which I shall have the
most to say — was organized and had a parade and
drill in 1 818. Captain Daniel Herrick was in com-
mand of the company, but at what time his com-
mission was dated I am unable to say, or how long
he commanded the company. He died March 22,
1 82 1, and as he was in feeble health for a year or
more before his death it is presumable that he re-
signed in 1820. Captain Daniel Herrick was a
man of commanding aspect ; his height about five
feet eleven inches, and in health would weigh 180
pounds. The next in command of the company
was Captain William Roberts. He probably served
under his commission three or four years. His
successor was Captain Abijah Barnes. He died
August 31, 1824. Captain Joab Grover succeeded
Barnes, and, I think, had command of the com-
pany about three years. Captain Ethan Grover
was the next in command, and I think served a full
term of four years. Captain George Farnsworth
was next ; David Parshall, First Lieutenant ; and
Solomon Grover, Jr., Second Lieutenant. They
served a full term, and, without doubt, were hon-
orably discharged. Captain William Grover took
command of the company about 1836, and resigned
his command in 1839. About 1836, the 260th.
Regiment was organized and the two companies
consolidated, so that the whole town came under
one command. My commission is dated April 24,
1839, and the first parade I took charge of was
held on the first Monday in September, 1839.
Sylvanus Young was First Lieutenant and John
Frazer Second Lieutenant under my command,
and Harvey Farley First Sergeant. From that
time till I resigned I fulfilled the duties of my office
to the best of my ability. I trained the company
four years, and never had a word of difficulty with
any man in or out of the ranks ; everything at all
times was peaceable and orderly. Rufus G. Clark
was my successor; Alonzo Snyder, First Lieutenant,
and D. C. Snyder, Second Lieutenant. He held
the office till the old law was repealed, and by that
means he was discharged from the duties of the
office."
Mr. Smith then produced his Captain's commis-
sion, which Mr. Wiley read. It was made and
signed in the handwriting of William H. Seward,
then Governor of New York State, at Albany, May
8th 1839. His resignation and its acceptance was
also read, which was dated May 30, 1843.
Captain Ebenezer Smith was born in Freetown,
Bristol county, Mass., in the year 1808. He
220
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
moved to the town of Springwater on the 24th day
of March, 1816. Mr. Smith is respected as a man
above the average in inteUigence, and as an honest
and industrious citizen.
The next reunion was appointed for the first
Monday in September, 18S1.
On the first day of June, 1880, the population of
Springwater was —
White population 2,276
Colored population i
Number of voters at date 663
Number of actual resident voters 650
The ages of the population range as follows : —
Over 90 and less than 100 i
" 80 " 90 13
" 70 " 80 63
" 60 " 70 131
" 5° " 60 204
" 40 " so 254
" 3° " 40 289
" 20 " 30 402
" 10 " 20 440
I TO 442
Born within census year 38
Making a total of 2,277
Of the oldest of these, Jerusha Foster was ninety
years old and upwards, and Joel Hudson was
eighty-six. The above number of inhabitants are
the members of 552 families, who reside in this
town, in 514 dwellings. The town contains 378
farms, 4 churches, 18 school houses, 7 stores, i
meat market, 8 saw mills, 3 grist-mills, 9 black-
smith shops, 2 wagon shops, 3 cider mills, 2 cheese
factories, one manufactory of agricultural imple-
ments, three cooper shops, and two evaporating
dry-houses for drying hops and fruits.
The town has 18 school districts in which school
houses are located, and 4 joint districts. In these
districts there are 792 children over 5 and under
2 1 years of age. During the year 1880, school was
taught 537 3-5 weeks, employing 19 teachers, and
with an average attendance of 357. The number
of children of school age attending some portion of
the year was 641. The amount paid in wages to
teachers was $2,801.59. The number of children
of school age living out of the town, but attending
school in the town was 24. Of this number there
was an average attendance of 1 1.
The total value of the district libraries is $105,
and the once valuable libraries of the town are rap-
idly deteriorating. During the year no expendi-
tures were made for either libraries or school ap-
paratus. The total amount expended for school
houses, sites, fences, repairs, and furniture was
$138.28. Total incidental expenses for the year,
$286.55. The school houses and sites — the latter
containing an area of seven acres — have a total
valuation of $7,600. The total valuation of the
districts is $9,915.33. The houses are all frame
buildings, a number of them being quite superior
to the usual run of common school houses.
For these statistics relating to the schools of
Springwater, we are indebted to Mr. Ezra N. Cur-
tice, Commissioner of the Second District of the
county,* who has held that position six years, and
who has proven to be a most efficient officer. Mr.
Curtice has taken a deep interest, not only in the
schools within his jurisdiction, but in all matters
pertaining to the education of the young. He has
introduced into the schools in his charge improve-
ments in the methods of teaching; and besides
the originality of his views, and his intelligent per-
ception of educational requirements, is possessed
of an additional quality valuable in public instruc-
tors— practical common sense. The residence of
Mr. Curtice is in Springwater village.
It would be an instructive lesson to notice care-
fully the gradual elevation of these schools from the
rude log-cabins of 181 7, and the succeeding years,
with their lack of educational facilities, and the
primitive methods of instruction, to the present
comfortable buildings with their efficient corps of
teachers, and all the facilities for a thorough edu-
cation which exist to-day.
The schools of those early days were the rudi-
mentary departments in which were drawn the
plans for the better system of education prevailing
now, and the progress of those schools marked,
surely and definitely, the progress of the town. The
result of this growth and improvement in educa-
tional methods and facilities is seen in the intelli-
gent prosperity of the farming community, in the
thoroughness, aptitude, and culture of the mechanics
and business men, and in the air of refinement and
comfort which pervades all localities thus favored
with the facilities for learning.
In the last census of the State, the town con-
tained 22,343 acres of improved lands, 5,814 acres
of woodland, and of other land, 4,422 acres. The
cash value of these lands was $1,332,725 ; of farm
buildings, aside from dwellings, $166,525 ; of tools
andimplements,$si,042; of stock, $183,688. The
amount of gross sales from farms was $123,414.
The area plowed was 8,561 acres. 5,131 acres
were mown, producing 6,154 tons of hay; and
* Vl^hich comprises the towns of Mt. Morris, North Dansville, Nunda,
Ossian, Portage, Sparta, Springwater and West Sparta, for which he
furnished the statistics relating to Schools.
WEBSTER'S CROSSING— SPRINGWATER.
221
6,795 acres were devoted to pasture lands. It is
noticeable that for fertilizers but $t,ii6 were ex-
pended, which should speak well for the natural
richness of the soil.
Webster's Crossing.
Webster's Crossing lies in the northwestern part
of the town on the hne of the Buffalo, New York
and Erie Railroad. At this point there was no
settlement of any kind until within the past ten
years. The place derives its name from Elisha
Webster, who had built there a saw-mill. It con-
sists of one store kept by John Foster, a black-
smith shop, stave factory, E. Webster, proprietor,
a barrel factory by Alonzo Webster, a cheese-fac-
tory, and twenty or twenty-five houses.
The post-office is kept by Harvey Humphrey.
Springwater.
On the line of the Erie road, and less than two
miles west of the center of the town, is situated
the beautiful village of Springwater. Nestling in
the fertile Springwater "Valley, with well cultivated
farms crowning the slopes of the hills on either
side and adding beauty to the pleasant low lands,
and with an air of quiet comfort surrounding it, a
more charming rural scene it would be difficult to
find.
The valley is five miles long from north to south,
and at this point is half a mile wide. In the ear-
lier history of the town this valley was known as
Hemlock Valley. It was here, or in the immedi-
ate vicinity, that the early settlers located, and the
pioneer history of the village is naturally included
in the history of the town. This place in 1880
had a population of 344, and is the chief business
center of the town. It consists of several stores,
mechanics' shops, one hotel, the post-office, and
three churches.
The post-master is George A. Pierce, who was
appointed under Grant's administration in 1873.
The hotel is a well conducted pubhc house kept
by George Smith.
The village has also a well printed newspaper.
The Springivater Enterprise, established in 1879,
in connection with which is a suitably appointed
job printing office. The editor and proprietor is
H. J. Niles.
Merchants. — Allen & Whitlock, dealers in dry
goods, groceries, and clothing, began business here
eight years ago, and have a large trade. This firm
is also interested in the hardware trade, under the
name of Allen, Whitlock & Humphrey, in which
they have been engaged one year. This branch
of their business was previously conducted for
some two years under the firm name of Allen,
Whitlock & Miller.
Morris & Grover began business in dry goods,
clothing, and general merchandise under this firm
name six years ago. The firm was originally
Grover & Morris, and then Morris & Withing-
ton. James G. Morris has been engaged in busi-
ness in Springwater twenty-two years.
G. M. WilKs, dealer in groceries and provisions,
has been in business here five years.
H. H. Densmore, dealer in drugs, books, sta-
tionery and jewelry, began business here in March,
1866.
D. H. Grover & Son, dealers in groceries and
boots and shoes, have been in business in Spring-
water since 1858.
Manufactories. — A considerable trade in man-
ufactured goods is established here, consisting of
agricultural implements from the manufactory of
N. A. Kellogg; sash, doors and blinds from the
mill of S. Tyler ; pails and planed lumber from the
factory of Frank Pursel; and Wiard chilled plows,
and cultivators from the foundry of H. M. Rogers.
Besides these are the carriage factory of H. E.
Wilson, who has been engaged in that business
here twelve years, and that of J. D. Hendershott,
whose business has been established eight years.
There is also a paint shop conducted by Hiram
Conderman, a meat market by T. S. Wemoth, a bar-
ber shop by F. E. DeLang, and a miUinery estab-
lishment by Mrs. J. D. Hendershott. Residing
with Mrs. Hendershott is her mother, the widow of
Hon. Salmon G. Grover, the first citizen of this
town elected to the Legislature of the State. In
1822 Mrs. Grover saved the life of Hon. WilHam
H. Seward. He had driven into Owasco creek to
wash his carriage, and turning his horse's head up
instead of down the stream, which was then very
high and running with a strong current, he was
swept from the carriage and born onward with the
water. Mr. Seward, being unable to swim, would
have drowned had it not been for the presence of
mind of Mrs. Grover, whose attention was called
to the scene by a crowd of persons assembled on
the banks of the creek, none of whom attempted
to save the drowning man. Mrs. Grover ran out,
seized a plank which was standing against a house
near by, and running out on a log she extended it
toward him as the current was sweeping him past,
which he managed to reach and was rescued. As
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
a token of his gratitude for her noble service, Mr.
Seward afterward presented Mrs. Grover with a
set of silver spoons, now in the possession of her
family, bearing on one side of each the name of
the brave lady, and on the other the initials of the
afterwards American statesman, " W. H. S."
Physicians. — The present physicians in the town
and village are Dr. T. D. Cannor, who has been in
practice here twenty years.
Dr. Irwin Woodin, two years in the town.
Dr. Mrs. Woodin, in practice here two years.
Dr. H. A. Whitfield, in practice three years in
the town.
Dr. Boone, a graduate of Buffalo University, who
began his medical practice ten years ago, and who
has been a resident practitioner in the village four
years.
Churches. — If in th e early days of the to wn's his-
tory one had been passing over the Canadice hills,
he might have met a tall, stout man with a bag of
grain on his shoulder. This man was Elder John
Cole, the first minister who resided in Springwater.
It is said that he often carried grain from Rich-
mond, a distance of twelve miles, over a hilly road.
He presided over the Baptist church, which was
organized in 1816 or'17, laboring through the week
and preaching the gospel on the Sabbath, usually
holding two services, and regaling himself during
intermission on a piece of johnnycake which he
carried from home.
Elder Cole was a strong man physically, preached
strong doctrine, and, according to the custom of
those times, did not eschew what was then called a
reasonable use of strong drink. The church over
which he presided has long since ceased to exist,
and there are no records extant whereby we can
definitely trace its origin or dissolution.
At that time the Methodists had a society, of
which Phineas Gilbert, who came to Springwater
in 1 810, was the first-class leader. The organiza-
tion of this society was mostly due to the exertions
of Jonathan Lawrence, who may justly be called the
father of the Methodist Episcopal church of S])ring-
water. At that early date the society consisted of a
half dozen persons. The Methodist circuit then
embraced Bloomfield and Springwater, and was
suppUed by Rev. Elisha House and an assistant.
The first quarterly meeting was held by Rev.
Abner Chase in 1820 or '21, in the barn of Jona-
than Lawrence, who was then class leader.
The present church was dedicated April 3, 1834.
The pastor for 1880 was Rev. E. M. Buck. The
church has a membership of fifty.
Presbyterian Church. — The Presbyterian church
was organized February I oth, 1821. It was at first
formed as a Congregational church, and was com-
posed of twelve members, as follows : Alpheus
Phelps, Jotham Dyer, Alfred Phelps, Daniel Ward,
Nathaniel Adams, Lucinda Ford, Esther Flanders,
Mercy Adams, Clarissa Phelps, Nancy Brown,
MeHnda Gott, Mary Whalen.
Previous to this organization, and while the popu-
lation was sparse. Rev. Lyman Barrett, pastor of
the church of Naples, Ontario county, at times
visited the place and preached. Under his minis-
tration the church was organized, and on the i6th
of January, 1827, was received under the care of
the Presbytery of Ontario. In 1843 the church
consisted of forty-six members, the greatest number
ever belonging to it at one time. In 1846 the
membership was thirty-six.
For about five years after the organization of the
church Mr. Barrett occasionally preached, admin-
istered the sacrament, and acted as moderator in
the sessions. After his departure Rev. James
Gaboon performed similar services for three years.
Rev. Seymour Thompson was stated supply nearly
three years. Rev. Daniel B. Woods was ordained
and installed as pastor September 19, 1839, and was
dismissed from his pastoral charge August 25, 184 1.
He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Hunter in October
of the same year, who was ordained and installed as
pastor of the church, September 25, 1844.
The most distinguished season of revival ever
enjoyed by the church was in 1843, as the fruits of
which twenty members were added to the church
by profession.
The church was dedicated December 31, 1840.
In 1872 it was repaired at a cost of $1,600, and
re-dedicated, the dedicatory sermon being delivered
by Rev. Dr. Shaw of Rochester, N. Y.
The church edifice is fifty feet in length by thirty-
six broad, is conveniently located on the Main
street, and has connected with it a pleasant parson-
age. The present membership is forty, presided
over by Rev. William Hunter, in the fortieth year
of his pastorate.
77^1? First Advent Christian Church of Spring-
water was organized in 187 1, in which year the
society erected a neat and substantial church. It
has a membership of between fifty and sixty pre-
sided over by Rev. Warren J. Hobbs.
The Christian Church is located a mile or two
from the village. The church building was erected
in 1839. The society numbers about forty.
The pastor in 1880 was Rev. George Hibbard.
John b. norton— dr. Arnold gray.
223
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN B. NORTON.
Photo, by Betts, Dansville.
(JOHN B. NORTON.)
Among the pioneers of Springwater none have
left a more honored memory than he whose name
appears at the head of this sketch.
Dr. John Boardman Norton was born April 21st,
1793, at Greenville, Greene county, N. Y. His
father resided next at Aurelius, in Cayuga county,
and John B. attended the seminary at Auburn some
two years. In the war of 18 12 he acted a con-
spicuous part as First Sergeant under Capt. Daniel
Eldridge, at Sachem's Head Harbor, on Long
Island Sound, in preventing the British stealing our
shipping.
Afterwards, Major Umstead ordered his com-
pany to Buffalo, under General Peter B. Porter,
but it arrived too late to take a part in the military
proceedings of that place. Fort Erie or Lundy's
Lane. At the age of twenty-two he commenced
the study of medicine with Dr. Clary at Troups-
ville, where he stayed one year, when he went in with
Dr. Joseph T. Pitney at Auburn, where he com-
menced to ride and visit patients, and after a stay
of two years, left the pleasant Httle village of Au-
burn, and on the i8th day of February, 1820,
started for Springwater, where he arrived on the
20th.
At that time Springwater was almost wholly un-
known, consisting only of a few log houses, and the
embryotic M. D. was just the man for the position.
Young, energetic, willing and anxious to assist in
building up, and to be built up by the then active
little hamlet where he had cast his lot. He first
pitched his tent above the orchard on the present
premises of Webster Tyler, where Hosea Grover
started the first store ever kept in town. In 182 1
John B. associated himself with Harvey S. Tyler,
in the mercantile business, but his health being
rather delicate, dissolved partnership, or rather
sold out to Tyler, July 25, 1825, and then en-
tered wholly into medicine. In the same month
Dr. Arnold Gray came into town, and in August
following they entered into partnership, which lasted
one year. On the 8th day of June, 1823, he mar-
ried Jane C. Marvin, by whom he had eight
children. One daughter, Mrs. Lovinia Andrus, of
Livonia Station, and four sons, viz : John and
Oscar M., of Allegany county, Asher B., of Ontario
county, and Wm. H., now the owner of the farm
on which his father died, survived him, all of whom
are successful farmers and business men.
S. G. Grover, John B. Norton and others, under
the firm name of Grover, Norton & Co., bought of
Timotliy Ryder the land on which stands the
present store of Allen & Whitlock, and built the
old part of the said building in 1826. They dis-
solved soon afterwards, and Norton took thirty-
five acres of land where the hotel and other build-
ings stand as his share of the gains and losses.
At different times in life he has filled the offices
of Commissioner or Inspector of Schools, Road
Commissioner, and others, all of which were never
sought for by him, but which were always filled in a
satisfactory manner. A few years since he sold out,
retired from practice, and purchased the farm on
which he died.
In his old age he retained his memory remark-
ably well, his step was firm and elastic, and as he
was a noted Nimrod in his youth, he still clung con-
siderably to some of his boyish proclivities — fishing
being a pastime in which he, during the last
season of his fife, spent many a pleasant day on the
bosom of Hemlock Lake. He was a liberal
Christian; was a firm friend to the system of popu-
lar education, in the belief that general education,
by lessening crime and imparting skill to effort, is
an ample return for the burdens of taxation.
Abroad he was social; at home, cheerful and
pleasant. He contemplated the past in general
with satisfaction, and the future he awaited with a
tranquil mind. Ever honorable, benevolent and
kind, he won and retained the esteem of all, and
passed away on the 29th of August, 1878, mourned
by a large circle of friends and kindred.
DR. ARNOLD GRAY.
Dr. Arnold Gray was born in Lower Canada,
March 20, 1798. He moved with his parents to
Washington county, N. Y., when twelve years old.
His mother, a strong-minded Christian woman,
took great care in the moral and religious training
of her large family.
224
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Photo bv Betts, Dansville
(DR. ARNOLD GRAY.)
Dr. Gray received his medical education at Fair-
field, Herkimer county, where he graduated in
1824, and the same year moved to Spring water.
He worked at home on the farm until he was
twenty-two years old, and then prepared himself
for teaching school. During a few years of teach-
ing he earned sufficient money to defray the ex-
penses of his medical education.
In 1828, he married Frances Ackley, of Gran-
ville, Washington county, who died in i860. He
was again married in 1862 to Fanny Armstrong,
of Penn Yan, N. Y. Nature had endowed the Dr.
with a remarkable constitution which endured the
hardships of a new, rough and hilly country sparsely
settled. He loved the practice of medicine, and
his marked individuality together with a long prac-
tice, gave him a wide-spread notoriety. His aim
was conservative, and though taking an active part
in poUtical life and serving as Supervisor in the
town for several years, he was never an office-seek-
er. Not readily receiving new ideas, he was more
disposed to inquire for the old ways and walk in
old paths. With a strong will, positive opinions
and likes and dislikes which were lasting, his na-
ture still possessed a great deal of sunshine, and
his ready joke and hearty laugh were frequently a
benediction to the sick. The Doctor for more than
thirty years was a liberal supporter, and for half
that time a consistent member of the Presbyterian
church. In response to a call of the late Mr.
Barber on December 8, he became so exhausted
with the hardships of the trip as to cause his death
January 5, 1879. He was buried in "Evergreen
Cemetery." Dr. Gray stood high in his profession,
and his practice was extensive not only in Spring-
water but in several of the adjoining towns. He
was a true friend to the poor, often rendering them
professional services without charge.
JOHN WEIDMAN.
John Weidraan, the sketch of whose place, with
portrait of himself and estimable wife, appears in
this work, was the son of Jacob Weidman, who
moved from Northampton county, Penn., in 1823,
and settled in Sparta, and whose father was a
soldier in the Revolution, he himself having fought
in the war of 18 12.
John, the subject of this sketch, in 1849 was
married to Mary Ann Hartman. They had ten
children, six of whom are now living. In 1856 he
moved on the place where he now hves, and occu-
pied the log house (a sketch of which appears in
the sky margin) until 1872, when he built the fine
residence which now attracts the attention of the
passer-by. His farm, which is situated about three
miles from Springwater and two from the Erie
depot, is now in splendid condition, and no stronger
evidence of the industry and energy of Mr. Weid-
man than a walk over his large and productive
fields, with good fences, and barns well stocked
with every requisite of a first-class farm, will give.
Through close application to his business, he has
made for himself a magnificent home out of what
was but a few years ago a wilderness.
CHAPTER XVIII.
History of the Town of Sparta.
THE town of Sparta lies southeast of the center
of Livingston county. It is bounded on the
north by Conesus and Groveland, on the east by
Springwater, on the west by West Sparta and on
the south by North Dansville.
The surface of the town is exceedingly hilly,
some of the highest points rising one thousand feet
above the level of the valleys.
The soil is a mixture of gravelly loam on the
high lands, and in the valleys an admixture of
gravelly loam and clay. The town has an area of
16,625 acres, and a population of 1,133.
The town of Sparta was formed in 1789, and
originally embraced the towns of Groveland, West
Sparta, and North Dansville, with also a small por-
tion of Springwater. In i8i6 a part of Spring-
water was taken from Sparta. Groveland was
formed in 181 2. In the year 1846 the town of
Sparta was by legislative enactment divided, and
from it was formed what is now known as the
towns of Sparta, West Sparta and Dansville. A
portion of Groveland was annexed to Sparta in
1856. When Dansville was erectedall the remain-
ing portion of the town of Sparta lying east of
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SPARTA— EARLY SETTLERS.
225
Canaseraga creek was formed into a separate town
and retained the original name of Sparta. The
remaining part lying west of the creek was declared
a separate township and named West Sparta.
The settlement of the town began in 1794, near
the present village of Scottsburgh. Jesse Collar
is supposed to have been the first settler here in
that year. He was a native of Pennsylvania, as
were most of the early settlers. For a number of
years Scottsburgh was called Collartown, in honor
of Jesse Collar.
Among other pioneers in this region of hills and
forests were DarUng Havens, John Niblack, Asa
Simons, Robert Wilson, Thomas Hovey and Alex-
ander Fullerton,* who came from Chester county,
Pennsylvania.
Darting Havens kept the first tavern in the town
in the year 1800, at a place since known as Havens'
Corners. He afterward kept hotel in Scottsburgh
in the house built and occupied by WiUiam Scott,
in 1819. He had two sons, Isaac and Thomas,
who inherited his property. They are now all
dead.
The first grist-mill was built by W. D. McNair
in 1 810. The first religious society established for
the worship of God was that of the Methodists,
presided over by Rev. John B. Hudson, circuit
preacher, in 1805. No records exist to throw any
light whatever on this society. It probably became
extinct, as no permanent society of that denomina-
tion was organized in the town until thirty-five
years later.
The first school teacher was Thomas Maclem,
about 1796. Among the first physicians was Dr.
SchoU, who came from Northampton county,
Pennsylvania.
In 1795 James McCurdy came here and pur-
chased a farm. The price of land then was three
dollars per acre, which was considered very high,
and was brought to that sum through the specula-
tive spirit of the owners. The price for twenty years
after ruled lower, from one dollar and fifty cents to
two dollars and fifty cents per acre. The country
then had a wild, yet attractive appearance, and the
soil was very productive for the various kinds of
grain and vegetables now extensively grown there.
Mr. McCurdy for some years sold the most of his
grain and stock to the new settlers, but occasion-
ally going elsewhere for a market. The second
year after his arrival he went to Bath with a load
of oats, and as he could get no money was obliged
to sell them to Dugald Cameron for thirty-seven
* Father to General William S Fullerton.
and one-half cents per bushel and take his pay in
trade. In those days the settlers were obliged to
go to the Onondaga saltworks with teams for sup-
plies of salt. It usually cost them two dollars per
barrel, and when transported to Sparta often sold
for ten dollars per barrel.
At Bath the principal settlers then were Captain
Charles WiUiamson, Andrew Smith, Dugald Cam-
eron and Daniel Cruger, Sen., who kept a tavern
there. The Indians, whose encampments were
located in that vicinity, or who roamed here and
there through the forests, were exceedingly friendly
and but for their rude friendship and kindly acts
many of the pioneers could hardly have lived dur-
ing the first few years of their settlement. One
Indian named "Yankee John" frequently made his
camp in this locaHty, and he and others of his tribe
often stayed with the settlers during the night. This
poor fellow was afterward made lame for Hfe from
wounds received in an encounter with a bear.
The year in which Mr. McCurdy came, the town
was in Ontario county; the next it was set off into
Steuben, and again in 1821 into Livingston
county.
In the year 1804, a man and woman on horse-
back left the State of Pennsylvania, and after five
days' ride reached the forests and scantily cleared
lands of Sparta. Here, after making a satisfactory
survey, they located a home on lands since owned
by Peter Swick, and then departed as they came,
returning to their home in Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania. This man and woman were James
Scott and his wife, whose family were destined to
play an important part in the history of Sparta.
James Scott was born in the county Antrim, Ire-
land, of Scotch parents. His family came to
America in October, 1773, and settled at Mount
Bethel, Pennsylvania, where James continued to
live until 1794. In that year he went to Northum-
berland county where he lived until his removal to
Sparta, as a permanent resident, in 1806.
Coming to America at the time the colonies
were trembling on the verge of a revolution, which
three years later worked the beginning of the
greatest epoch in the nation's history, he became
imbued with the patriotic spirit of that age, and
when the revolution broke out he joined the
American forces under the command of Colonel
Stroud, and with his regiment was sent to the fron-
tier to protect the border inhabitants from the
scalping knife of the Indians.
James Scott brought to the new region of Sparta
a family of ten children. The distance from Penn-
226
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
sylvania to Sparta was considered great in those
days, and the journey was attended with severe
labor, much of the distance being over rough roads
or no roads at all, which in such cases necessitated
the cutting of a thoroughfare through the forests.
In the fall of the same year in which Mr. Scott
and his wife made their prospective trip to Sparta,
two of his sons came here and made a small clear-
ing on the land which he • had located, on which
they built a log cabin, returning the next summer
to Pennsylvania. In this cabin the family located
in 1806, and commenced their new hfe in the
Genesee country, with all the attendant labor and
privations of pioneer existence. After a residence
of thirty-four years in the town in which he was
respected as an honest, energetic and useful citi-
zen, James Scott died in 1840, aged eighty-four.
His wife died in 185 1.
Upon William Scott fell the mantle of his fa-
ther's usefulness and influence. For him the vil-
lage of Scottsburgh was named, which for years
was known as CoUartown. Wilham Scott was
born July 18, 1790,* in Mount Bethel, Northamp-
ton county, Pa., coming with his father to Sparta,
as before stated, in i8o6. The year after his ar-
rival here, then sixteen years old, he entered the
wool-carding and cloth-dressing establishment of
Samuel Culbertson, in Dansville, where he re-
mained nearly three years. At the expiration of
his services with Mr. Culbertson, he went to Li-
vonia where he engaged with Russell & Holden at
the carding business for eighteen dollars per month.
His engagement with the firm lasted until winter
only, when he engaged his services to the Norton
Mills, now Mendan, and at that time owned by
Elder Weeks.
In the spring of i8ri, he went into partnership
with Carson Rochester in the carding business at
Dansville, in which connection he pursued the
business three years until Mr. Rochester, seUing
his property here, severed the partnership. In
1 81 3 he was drafted, but hired a substitute, Peter
Roberts, for fifty dollars. He also volunteered on
three occasions of pubHc alarm, one of which was
the burning of Buffalo, when he marched under
General Wadsworth as far as Batavia. In that
same year he built a grist-mill in Scottsburgh in
company with his brother.
In 18 1 4, he became foreman in the cloth dress-
ing establishment of Benjamin Hungerford, in
what is now West Sparta, where he remained three
* From Mr. Scott's personal reminiscences "given at a meeting of
pioneers of Livingston county, in 1873.
years. At this place began his acquaintance with
Millard Fillmore, afterward president of the
LTnited States, who had come here to learn the
wool carding business. The friendship thus formed
lasted through Hfe, a regular correspondtence being
kept up between them, and Mr. Scott often visiting
Mr. Fillmore at his private residence and at the
White House. Mr. Scott, after his three years' ser-
vice here, went to Arkport, Steuben county, where
for one season he carried on the carding works of
Judge Hurlburt, receiving as compensation thirty-
five dollars per month and in the succeeding year tak-
ing the business on shares. Remaining in Arkport
two years, Mr. Scott returned to Sparta in the early
part of 1819, and built a house in Scottsburgh which,
two years later, he opened as a hotel, continuing in
that business until 1826. In 1835 he was elected
justice of the peace, holding that office twelve
years. In 1836 he was elected member of Assembly
and again the succeeding year was returned to that
office. He also held in 1847 the position of Justice
of Sessions. His associate was John H. Jones of
Leicester, Judge Lord occupying the bench as
County Judge.
In 1820 Mr. Scott married Phebe Woodruff of
Livonia, the result of this union being one child, a
son, who died in 1840 at Canandaigua while a
student in the academy there. Mrs. Scott died in
1856. Mr. Scott's career of usefulness in this town
and county extended over a period of seventy years,
and his energy, honesty and manUness formed a
character that commanded the respect and esteem
of all with whom he came in contact. His death
which occurred in Rochester in the spring of 1876,
was widely lamented. He died at St. Mary's hospital
in that city, his remains being brought to Scotts-
burgh for burial. Mr. Scott was eighty-six years
old. His brother, Samuel Scott, a highly esteemed
citizen, still resides in Sparta, a short distance east
of Scottsburgh.
Among other early settlers in Sparta were Hector
McKay, Morgan Hammond, and among the set-
tlers from the old country were Archibald McFet-
ridge, Edward Logan, Robert Ross, William
Carney, Squire Magee, Henry Havens and Hugh
Magee.
Morgan Hammond had six sons, two of whom
are dead, and only one son, Lester, is now living
in Sparta.
Hector McKay was a great friend to the Indians
of those early days, and by them was highly
esteemed. Two of his sons, Robert and Mordecai,
are Hving in the town ; another son, James, who used
JAr. ^ JAb.s. Wenrj Di^iesbach, Sr.
HENRY DRIESBACH,
Henry Driesbach, Sr. , was one of the pioneers and one of
the advance guard of those emigrants who, turning their
backs to the home of their youth and the comforts and lux-
uries of the older States, moved to a country covered with
forests, to make it the home of civilization, and to dis-
place the wigwam of the Indian for the school-house, the
church, and the comfortable dwelling. They were con-
querors, not by the sword and musket, but by proper
and rugged tools moved by stalwalrt arms, strong native
intelligence and by the immutable truths of the Bible and
that reUgion which teaches an intelUgent and heartfelt
devotion to the God of their fathers. No one among their
number is more worthy a place in this History of Living-
ston county than Henry Driesbach, Sr. , for he was one
^™^e strong arm, brave heart, and unwearied industry
aided in making her foremost among the agricultural
coimties of the State. It is with pecuhar pleasure that
we record the name of such men on the pages of this
History. He was born in Lehigh township, Northum-
berland county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1790. In the
year 1806 he removed to Sparta with his father's
family.
"When old enough he purchased a piece of land contain-
ing seventy acres. One day a laud agent called at his
lather's and proposed to sell to Henry this piece of land.
Jle repHed that he had no money with which to purchase
U. The agent informed him that he would trust him for
■1°?^'^® ^^"^ ^^' ^^^ *'™^ needed in which to pay, pro-
vided he would pay the cost of making out the contracts
which was .f 1,,50. This was another poser to the young
man for he saw no means by which to raise the required
sum. But his mother came to the rescue and said, "Henry,
If you really wish to take up that land I'll pay for the
contract." Accordingly she paid the agent the money,
the papers were made out and Henry became the posses-
sor of the seventy acres of land. At this time the land
''f^V''"^*^ ^^ ^^^ shiUings per acre, and here was a debt
of i87,50 for Henry to pay. Soon the sound of his ax
began to resound through the forest. In a short time he
made a small clearing and then commenced building him
a house, working at it at odd times until he enclosed it
and finished off one room. This done, like Jacob of old,
he looked around for a wife, a companion who would
share with him the comforts of his home. He soon found
one m the person of Lydia, daughter of Harmon Hart-
man, of Dansville, whom he married in 1819. She was
in every sense of the word worthy of her husband, and
their life was a happy one.
The husband, after successfully fighting the battle of
life for over seventy years, has gone to his final rest, but
. SR.
his widow still lives in the very house to which her hus-
band took her when a bride.
He used to relate in a pleasing manner how ardently he
struggled to pay for his first seventy acres of land. The
land office from which he purchased was at Geneva, fifty
or more miles distant from his home, and nothing but a
foot path marked by blazed trees to guide him there. He
says, ' ' I remember on one occasion when there was ten
dollars due the office, by the hardest kind of scraping I
got the money together and with my gun on my shoulder,
I started on foot for Geneva. In due time reaching there,
I paid my money and started for home."
' 'In those days deer and bears were plenty in the country
and often, too, a panther was to be seen prowhng about.
I saw but little game until nearly home and then espied
a noble deer some rods from me. I raised my gun, fired,
and the deer giving one jump dropped dead. With my
hunting knife I skinned it, cut out the hind quarters,
strung them over my shoulders and inarched home with
my venison." This took place very near what is now called
Keeds Corners.
Another time, when on his way home, as he reached a
dense part of the forest, he heard a strange noise which
came from a largo tree. Looking up he saw a huge
panther glaring down at him. Bringing his gun to bear
on the frightful beast he fired. The bullet entered its
throat just under its mouth, inflicting a fatal wound.
The panther fell to the ground, snapping his teeth at him
in the most ferocious manner. He fired again and this
time the ball entered his brain, causing instant death.
Mr. D. sold the skin of this large animal for eight dollars,
thereby receiving nearly enough to pay the next install-
ment on his contract.
At length having paid for his seventy acres he gradu-
ally took up land and paid for it till many years before
his death he owned six hundred and sixty acres of land,
the most valuable in the county.
Mr. Driesbach was the father of eight children, four of
whom died in childhood. Henry Mved till forty-five
years of age, and Elias is still living. Mrs. Hartmau,
wife of Wm. Hartman of DansviUe, and Mrs. Galbraith,
widow of John Galbraith, of Sparta, are children of his.
Mr. Driesbach was successful as a mechanic as well as
an excellent farmer. At an early age he united with the
Lutheran Keformed Church at Dansville, and during the
remainder of his life was a devoted and prayerful member
of that church. He was always a Democrat but never
troubled others with his poUtice. He died at the
advanced age of eighty-two, honored and respected by
all who knew him.
Residence of Euas Driesb/
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•ARTA, Livingston Co.N.Y.
SPARTA— TOWN OFFICERS.
227
to act in the capacity of a lawyer, went West many
years ago.
Archibald McFetridge, father to Edward Mc-
Fetridge, the supervisor of the town in 1880, still
lives in Sparta at the advanced age of ninety
years.
Edward Logan died several years ago. His
sons, John, James and Andrew, are residents in
Sparta ; the oldest son, Edward, lives in Groveland.
Robert Ross died some six years ago ; only one
son, Robert, survives him.
William Carney, still living, has two sons, Hugh
and William, Jr.
Squire Magee died ten years ago. None of his
sons live here. Hugh Magee, his brother, still
lives in the town.
Henry Havens died two years ago. Four sons,
William, Henry, Isaac and Willard survive him.
Rev. Andrew Gray, the first settled minister in
the town, had two sons, James and William, who
are now dead. Mrs. Perrine is the only survivor
of his family in Sparta.
'There has been no resident lawyer in Sparta in
forty years. Col. Woodruff, now dead, William
Scott, and James McKay used to act in that ca-
pacity, but not as regular practitioners.
Of the physicians who have practiced in Sparta,
Doctor A. Campbell, who resided in Scottsburgh,
and who was highly esteemed, moved to Mount
Morris where he died some years ago.
Doctor E. Patchin moved to Dansville where he
died.
Doctor Jocelyn removed to Mount Morris where
he still lives.
Doctor Coe left Sparta several years ago.
The present physicians are Drs. J. B. Purchase,
D. H. Foster,* and Harrison, located at
Scottsburgh.
Town Officers. — The first town meeting held in
Sparta, when it embraced its original territory, was
held at the house of WiUiam Lemens in WilUams-
burgh, on the first Tuesday in April, 1796.
The officers elected at that meeting were as fol-
lows: Supervisor, WiUiam Harris j Town Clerk,
William Lemens ; Assessors, John McNair, James
Rosebrugh, Henry Magee ; Commissioners of
Highways, Matthias Lemen, Alexander McDonald;
Commissioners of Schools, Samuel Mills, James
Henderson, Robert Erwin ; Pathmasters, WiUiam
McCartney, Hector McKay; Pound Keeper,
Asahel Simons ; Fence Viewers, Nathan Fowler,
+ Lives across the line in Groveland.
Jeremiah Gregory ; Constable and Collector, John
Ewert.
Thereafter, as near as can be learned from the
records, the succession of Supervisors and Town
Clerks was as follows : — •
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1797. William Harris. WiUiam Lemens.
1798-99. " " WiUiam McCartney.
1800. James Henderson. William Lemens.
1801. John Smith. Robert McKay.
1802. Hugh McNair.
1803-04. " " WiUiam McCartney.
1805 " " David McNair.
1806-10. WiUiam McCartney. " "
1811-12. David McNair. James Rosebrugh.
1813-15. William McCartney. Benj. Wilcox.
1816. James Scott. Samuel Stillwell.
1817. William McCartney. James Scott.
1818-19. " " Wm. D. McNair.
l820.'( iS
1821. j
1822-25. William McCartney.Phillip Woodruff.
1826. " " Samuel Shannon.
1827-29.1
1830-34 , ,
1832.1 Isp,ac Wendell.
1833-'
1834. Isaac Wendell.
1835. Isaac L. Endress.
1836. H. T. Taggart.
1837. Isaac L. Endress.
1838. D. McNair.
1839. Isaac L. Endress.
1840. Samuel M. Welch.
1 84 1. E. Faulkner.
1842. J. B. Smith.
The first recorded vote for governors and repre-
sentatives was in 1801. George Clinton received
twenty-nine and Stephen VanRensselaer ten votes
on the gubernatorial ticket. For Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Jeremiah VanRensselaer received twenty-
seven, James Watson, ten, and WiUiam Harris, one.
Lemuel Shipman, for Senator, received thirty-eight
votes, Isaac Foote the same, and Judge Meyer, thir-
ty-seven.
In May, 1801, the first recorded license was
granted by John Smith, H. W. McNair and WU-
Uam Wadsworth, commissioners of excise, to
Thomas Hammer, of Sparta, for tavern keeping
and for the sale of spirituous liquors.
The first town meeting after the division of the
town was held on the first Tuesday in April, 1847,
•There are no records of the Supervisors or Town Clerks for 1820-21 ;
though it is supposed that McCartney was Supervisor and W. D. McNair
Town Clerk.
t From 1827 to 1830 the Supervisor is believed to have been WiUiam
McCartney. He filled chat office twenty-six years in all.
t No records as to either Supervisor or Town Clerk, but it would ap-
pear that Shannon was Clerk, as his name is appended to road surveys,
etc., in diose years.
§ No records as to Supervisor.
228
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
at the house of Darling Havens. The chief offi-
cers elected at that meeting, and the succession
from then to 1880, are as follows : —
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1847-48. P. Woodruff, Harvey G. Baker.
1849-51. John Gilman, John Shepard.
1852. David D. McNair, " "
1853. John Shepard, Timothy Hopkins.
1854. Hugh McCartney,
1855. " " David D. McNair.
1856. David D. McNair, Harvey G. Baker.
1857. " " John Shepard.
1858. Harvey G. Baker,
1859. George Shafer,
i860. Harvey G. Baker, F. P. Harrison.
1 86 1. David D. McNair, "
1862. Alonzo T. Slaight, "
1863. John Shepard,
1864-65. " " Edwin E. Shutt.
1866-67. " " Jesse Smith.
1868-70. " " Freeman P. Harrison.
187 1. " " Samuel L. Shutt.
1872. " " George Tillotson.
1873-74. " " Rockwell M. Lozier.
1875. John Logan, D. H. Foster.
1876-77. John Galbraith, James M. Newton.
1878. E. L. McFetridge, Edwin E. Shutt.
1879-80. " " John N. Foster.
The following is a list of the names of the re-
maining officers of the town of Sparta for the year
1880 :— Justices, Jesse Smith, James Newton, J.
M. Campbell, Wm. W. Sutton ; Assessors, Jesse
Roberts, Benjamin Kiehle, Wm. Driesbach ; High-
way Commissioner, Philip Hilts ; Overseers of
Poor, G. H. Johns, W. P. Barnes ; Inspectors of
Election, Thomas Dodd, John Gilman, Rensselaer
Cranmer ; Collector, D. D. Dunn ; Constables, D.
D. Dunn, Jotham McGregor, Wm. Henry, H. K.
Needham, Harmon Gilman ; Game Constable,
Samuel Roberts ; Excise Commissioners, Wm. H.
Kiehle, Henry Thompson.
The war record of Sparta is manifestly incom-
plete, although the town furnished a considerable
number of volunteers in the late rebellion. There
has been kept no complete record of the enhst-
ments either as to men or regiments, and what is
here given is mostly from the personal recollections
of soldiers who survived the vicissitudes of the
war, and of citizens of the town.
The town clerk's records contain but the actions
of a special meeting of the citizens, called by the
Supervisor for the 25th day of August, 1864, at
which the following resolutions were passed : —
Resolved, That the town of Sparta pay to volun-
teers who shall be credited to the town, under the
late call of the President for five hundred thousand
men, a bounty of $800, in addition to the amount
raised by the county for one year men; the same
amount to be paid to any person furnishing a sub-
stitute under said call, who shall be credited to said
town, up to the amount of our quota, and payable
in five equal annual payments with interest thereon,
and the same to be levied and collected from the
taxable property of the town of Sparta.
Resolved, That every drafted man from said
town of Sparta receive the same amount as volun-
teers, and
Resolved, That each elector in said town of
Sparta shall pay ten dollars per capita tax, to apply
on the tax levied on said town to pay volunteers.
The following number received a bounty of
$300 : George E. McGregor, Charles E. McGregor,
Peter S. Ort, Jacob Moose, George Krisher, Ezra
Sturdevant, George A. Miller, James B. Cratser,
2 1 St New York Cavalry; George W. Loveland,
James Emo, Henry Bovee, Joseph Hersh, Joseph
Doty, Solomon Freed, Jesse B. Lasey, Captain O.
F. Wisner, 2 2d New York Cavalry; R. Alfred
Allen, hospital steward, 2 2d New York Cavalry;
Patrick McSheane, assistant surgeon, 2 2d New
York Cavalry.
The following received one thousand dollars
bounty: Abram Swartz, Allen Conkling, William
Stuffy, Edward Brennen and John Dexter (substi-
tutes).
In J 862 the following volunteers received a town
bounty of $50 each: Andrew ConkUng, 130th
Regiment ; D. D. Dunn, 130th Regiment,
wounded by explosion of shell; Phillip Gilman,
130th Regiment, blind from effects of the
war; Edson C. Marshall, 130th Regiment; Har-
mon Gilman, 136th Regiment; Henry K. Need-
ham, 136th Regiment; David Langley; John
Young, died in army; WilHam J. Hampshire,
George Snyder, Andrew McWhorter, Archibald
Simpson, Sidney E. Roberts, Laban Upthegrove.
In 1863 the appended number received a bounty
of $50 and $75 : Thomas Van Scooter, Martin
S. Hampshire, Henry C. Kiehle, George Swartz,
Eli Gilman, Martin Sandey, William Pifer, John
Kiehle, R. M. Lozier, Solomon Swartz, J. Deiter,*
136th Regiment; Milton Flory, Prosper A. Smith,
Rensselaer Cranmer, Cady Smith, 130th Regiment;
William A. Miller, Joseph Emo, 21st New York
Cavalry ; Monroe Conkling, John Curtis, Abraham
Kiehle, killed at the second battle of Bull Run,
old 13th Regiment; Horace Curtis, 13th Regi-
ment, wounded in the head, from the effects of
which he died ; Mark Hall, wounded ; John Dunn,
George Sutton, Harrison Clemens, James M.
Kiehle, W. B. Strickland, David Wambole, George
* Shot through the lungs.
Photo, by Belts, Dansville.
M.R. &• Mrs. John Galbr^ith.
JOHN GALBRAITH.
John Galbraith was born May 8, 1826. His
father, Patrick Galbraith, came from the north of
Ireland about the year 1820, and a few years later
settled in Sparta, on the farm where Robert Ross
now lives, and where John was born. He was the
fifth of a family of ten children, six sons and four
daughters, three of whom are now living, as fol-
lows : — Jane, wife of James Gilman, of Groveland,
Lizzie Galbraith, living in Mt. Morris, and Mary
L., wife of P. G. Kelley, of the latter place.
John remained with and assisted his father until
twenty-one years of age, when he and his brother
Samuel B., bought their father's farm and worked
it together for a few years, when John sold his in-
terest to Samuel. Soon after this he bought a
farm in the town of Groveland, built there a new
house, and February 9, 1854, was married to Lydia,
daughter of Henry Driesbach, Sr., of Sparta. This
farm he sold in 1857 or 58, and moved to Mt.
Morris, where he engaged in business in a flouring
mill, which he conducted till 1862, when he entered
the army, having enlisted and been appointed First
Lieutenant in company F, of the 136th Regiment.
After his return from the army he engaged in farm-
ing, his principal occupation until his death which
occurred Feb. 23, 1880, at the age of fifty-three.
In politics he was a Democrat, and held the
office of highway commissioner a number of years,
as also that of Supervisor of Sparta for several
terms. In religious views he was a Presbyterian.
John Galbraith, though a man of few words as well
as modest and retiring, naturally won the esteem
and confidence of all with whom he come in con-
tact. In all his business transactions he was hon-
orable, direct, and in every sense reliable, and
throughout the whole history of his life there has
nothing occurred that detracts in the least from a
uniformly honorable record.
He took a deep though unobtrusive mterest in
public matters. He was always proud of the high
agricultural fame of Livingston county, inheriting
from his Scottish ancestry that love of Uberty, that
devotion to free institutions, that independence
which characterize the Scottish people wherever
they may be. When the late rebellion broke out,
his love of country was exhibited in his enlistment
into her armies, where he faithfully served as First
Lieutenant. He was generous to a fault, and his
liberality was proverbial, and yet many of his most
liberal acts were unknown to all but him and the
recipients of his kindness. In every sense Mr.
Galbraith was one whose life though unostenta-
tious, was in every way worthy to be recorded in
the history of Livingston county.
Mrs. Galbraith has been a member of the Ger-
man Reformed Church over seventeen years. The
married Hfe of Mr. and Mrs. Galbraith has been a
happy one. They had nine children, three of
whom died in their youth. Those who are living
are Mary E., Lydia D., now Mrs. John A. Cul-
bertson, of Sparta, Henry D., John, Jennie M.,
and Anna W. Mrs. Galbraith and Henry D., con-
duct the large farm of three hundred acres, in a
successful and creditable manner.
M.R. & M.RS. GeOB\GE ff. jIoHNS.
GEORGE H. JOHNS.
George H. Johns was born in Catawissa,
Columbia county, Pa., May 23, 1818. His
father, Abraham Johns, was born in the
same town in 1785 and died in 1830, aged 45
years. His mother, a native of the same
town, was born in 1789 and died in 1871,
aged 81 years. They had seven children, as
follows: Lavina, (dead,) Angelina, living in
Shamokin, Pa., Stacey, (dead,) Mary Ann,
wife of Isaac Traxler, and living in Dansville,
N. Y., George H., (our subject,) Hiram,
(dead,) and Sarah J., living in Bloomsburg,
Pa., the wife of Freas Brown. George lived
at home till twenty-one years of age. Having
bought out the remaining heirs after his
father's death, he operated the home farm
until he was twenty-five years old, when he
came to Sparta, and May 23, 1843, married
Susan R., daughter of Erhard and Susan
(Kidd) Rau, who was born September 20,
1822. He then returned to his home in
Pennsylvania, and remaining there about ten
months came to Sparta, locating where he
now lives, on the farm he bought of George
Cole. He held the office of Justice of the
Peace twelve years, Assessor six years, In-
spector of Election six years, and in 1878
was appointed Notary Public, being re-
appointed in 1880. In politics, "Squire"
Johns is a Democrat, but formerly an old line
Whig. He is a member of the Lutheran
church in Sparta Centre, having united with
it in 1845, and his wife has been a worthy
member of the same since 1841. They have
had four children, Saloma A., born October
26, 1844, wife of George Kercher, now living
in Kalamazoo county, Mich.; Sabina Adelia,
born May 28, 1846, married William Dries-
bach", and now living in Sparta; Mary A.,
born September 15, 1848, wife of John
Foster, now Town Clerk of Sparta ; and
Heman H., born February 23, 1852, married
Emma R. Shafer, of Sparta, and now living
at home.
SPARTA — CHURCHES.
229
Coon, William Sorg, Charles P. Hilts, George M.
Reed, James W. Roberts.
Churches. — Early in the history of this section
of country the pioneers began to take measures to
estabHsh the worship of God. The first people to
form a permanent society for religious observances
were the Presbyterians. The origin of the church
of this denomination is involved in considerable
obscurity, owing to the loss by fire of all the papers
that could have given authentic information on the
subject.
The beginning of its existence may be safely
dated from the time when the first settlers entered
the township, which, as before stated, then included
what is now known as the towns of Sparta, West
Sparta, Groveland and North Dansville.
Tne first settlement in this region appears to
have been at a place called Williamsburgh, now in
the town of Groveland, where certain Presbyterian
families made choice of a home, about the year
1795-
These people were supphed with sermons occa-
sionally by the Revs. Daniel Thatcher, John Lind-
sley and others ; these ministers being missionaries
under the care of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church. There is no record extant
of any church having been organized at Williams-
burgh, but the names of certain elders are given as
having been connected with the church there, and
the Lord's Supper must have been dispensed among
the settlers who had previously been connected
with the Presbyterian body as early as 1800. The
settlement at WiUiamsburgh having been broken
up, its component elements afterward constituted
the churches of Groveland and Sparta.
At about the time that WiUiamsburgh was occu-
pied, a settlement was also formed near to the
place where the Second Presbyterian Church of
Sparta now stands. The settlers principally having
been members of that church in Pennsylvania, from
whence they emigrated ; and many of them being
of Scotch or Irish origin, their first concern, after
choosing their location, appears to have been to
have the ministrations of religion dispensed among
them. Various ministers are mentioned as having
occasionally preached to them, but for many years
they had no settled pastor. The Rev. Andrew Gray
of the Dutch Reformed Church, who went to Alle-
gany in 1795, took charge of the churches of
Almond, Angelica and Dansville, all in connection
with that denomination. This call was dated
November, 1803, and was sustained by the Classis
of New Brunswick in September of the following
year. He continued his labors in this connection
until the year 1807. At that time the church in
question was known as the "United Congregation
of Ontario and Steuben."* About the year 1804 or
1805, this society received valuable additions from
the settlement at Williamsburgh, which had been
discontinued. As a consequence of these acces-
sions, the church appears to have formed a connec-
tion with the Presbyterian denomination. This is
supposed to have been in the year 1806, but no
record of the exact date is preserved. In the year
1807, June 18, a call was presented to the Rev.
Andrew Gray from the above society, which states
that " they had changed their situation from under
the direction of the Dutch Synod, and had cast
themselves under the jurisdiction of the General
Assembly of Divines, and had chosen themselves
a body of trustees according to law." This call
stipulates that Mr. Gray shall leave the Dutch
Reformed Church and connect himself with that of
the Presbyterians. Mr. Gray did not accept the
call; but in December, 1807, he was appointed by
the New York City Missionary Society to establish
a mission among the Tuscarora Indians at Niagara,
to which field he removed with his family in the fol-
lowing spring. From this time the church appears
to have depended for a number of years on mis-
sionaries from, the General Assembly, and on stated
supplies, for the ordinances of religion. Public
worship continued to be held occasionally in a small
log school house a mile or so north of the village
of Dansville, and also in a barn— still standing-
belonging to William D. McNair in Sparta, the
worshippers coming long distances in various prim-
itive conveyances, or on foot.
In the fall of 1807 subscription papers were put
in circulation to raise money for the erection of a
church edifice. These papers are still preserved,
and testify to the liberality of the pioneers and to
their appreciation of religious privileges. These
papers contain the names of all the residents of the
neighborhood, with very few exceptions, and the
subscriptions are in sums of from five to twenty
doUarS'in cash, or "merchantable wheat or lumber."
One of the conditions of the papers is that the site
on which to build shall be chosen by lot. Subse-
quently, a meeting having been called for that pur-
pose, and the lots prepared, the drawing was made
by a small boy present who was called upon by the
chairman of the meeting to perform that duty.
This boy was the late Charies Clayton,t of Sparta,
* Livingston County had not then been formed.
t Mr. Clayton died in 1879, at the age of eighty-six.
230
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
a grandson of John McNair. The two proposed
sites were, one in the village of Dansville and the
other on land owned by David McNair, in Sparta.
The latter site was chosen, and on it the year fol-
lowing a church building was erected and en-
closed, but the funds being insufficient it was not
finished. This is beUeved to be the second church
edifice erected in the State west of Cayuga Lake.
A year or two later another effort was made to
finish the building, which resulted in ceiling the in-
terior with very knotty pine lumber, and in fitting
it up with loose boards, resting on blocks, for seats,
a small table for a pulpit, and a stove for warmth
in cold weather. Thus furnished, it was thought
to contain all the really necessary fixtures for a
sanctuary, and was used for that purpose for sev-
eral years. Among the papers of that time still pre-
served is an earnest appeal, bearing date of May
2oth, 1809, and addressed to the General Assem-
bly of the Presbyterian church of the United States,
setting forth the destitution of rehgious privileges,
and asking that a missionary be sent by that body
to labor in this region. The names appended to
this paper are : Samuel Bauer and William Mc-
Cartney, Elders; and John McNair, Sr., David
McNair and others. Trustees. Whether in re-
sponse to this request or not, Rev. T. Markle came
in the following year and preached for a season.
An old paper dated 181 1 is also preserved, bear-
ing the names and subscriptions of all the promi-
nent members of the Society for the support of the
Rev. Mr. Glasgow. It is not known how long he
ministered to the people.
Rev. Silas Pratt was the next stated supply, but
the date of his entering upon the work is unknown.
He preached in the old church in connection with
other places while residing in Dansville, and was
thus engaged when, in 1814, Rev. Andrew Gray,
having been burned out by the British during the
war, returned from the Hnes to his farm in Sparta.
Some of Mr. Gray's friends and former parishioners
were in favor of reinstating him in his old position
as pastor ; others decHned and adhered to their
support of Mr. Pratt. The consequence of the
controversy which then sprang up was that the
church became divided, and for some time both
ministers held service at different hours in this
same church ; and the difference soon resulted in
the complete division of the Society, those favoring
Mr. Pratt continuing to meet in this church, and
in the village of Dansville, and those adhering to
Mr. Gray holding services at Havens' Corners,
where the First Presbyterian church of Sparta now
stands, and in the "Gully School House" in the
town of Groveland, near the burying ground.
Here for several years Mr. Gray supplied the pul-
pit until increasing age and infirmities led him to
retire from the active duties of the ministry.
In 1825 the village of Dansville increasing in
population, the members of the church presided
over by Mr. Pratt, residing in and about that vil-
lage, decided to have a separate organization.
This separate existence of the Dansville church
appears to have interfered with the prosperity of
the congregation of Sparta to such a degree that
measures were taken to change the location to
Havens' Corners and form a union with those wor-
shipping there, and those who worshipped at the
"Gully School House." A meeting to effect this
object took place on the 28th day of April, 1827,
at which meeting it was stated that "on account of
the weakened state of the church by the departure
of some of the members to Dansville, and consid-
ering that it would be highly injurious to join the
church there, they resolved in the future to meet at
Havens' Corners." The organization, according
to the law of the First Presbyterian church, occurred
January 18, 1828. Its ecclesiastical origin, how-
ever, must be assigned to a period prior to the
date of the call to Rev. Andrew Gray, and proba-
bly took place in 1806, as before stated. Imme-
diately after its legal organization, measures were
taken to build the present house of worship, and a
deed of the ground on which it stands was obtained
bearing date February 19, 1829. A substantial
and commodious edifice was erected in the course
of the year. This measure resulted in the amal-
gamation of the two parties known as the adher-
ents of Mr. Gray and the adherents of Mr. Pratt,
which was consummated at a meeting of the Pres-
bytery of Ontario, held at Sparta, April 10, 1830.
The Rev. Silas Pratt continued to sign the minutes
of session until January 24, 1829. The Rev. S.
Gaylord then became stated supply, and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Amos P. Brown, who signed the
first minutes of session September 11, 1830. He
was installed as pastor August 24, 1831, and dur-
ing his ministry the church appears to have en-
joyed a season of great awakening, many being
added to the roll of communicants. On the 2 2d
of January, 1834, he was dismissed on account of
ill-health, and was succeeded by the Rev. S. Hall.
In 1837, March 5, the Rev. H. Snyder became
the stated supply for several months, and during
his pastorate the church resolved to join the Old
School General Assembly.
Photo, by Belts, Dansville.
M.R. &■ M.RS. John Shutt.
JOHN SHUTT.
John Shutt, a native of Moore township, Northamp-
ton county, Pa., was born March 10, 1798. He lived at
home until twenty-six years of age, assisting his father to
work a small farm, and occasionally helping in weaving
the cloth used among the hardy pioneers. His father
came to Livingston county to visit some friends, and
thinking he could better his prospects in life, purchased
the farm of 115 acres, where William J., a grandson, now
lives. He died December24, 1833, and the farm and per-
sonal property were willed to John, who came there with
him, with this provision, that he should pay his brother
i2.50, and his sisters each f 1")0, also a claim in the land
office, making the farm cost him eleven dollars per acre.
In 1819 he married Christine Weldy, of Northamp-
ton county, Pa. The result of this marriage was thirteen
children, eleven of whom are now living. Mr. Shutt was
a hard working, industrious man, but assisted his children
so much with his money that at the time of his death,
which occurred January 9, 1875, his large property was
considerably reduced. He and his estimable wife were
members of the Keformed church for ifearly sixty years,
always ready to aid the church, and at one time spending
nearly eight hundred dollars in the good cause. In
politics he was a Democrat, sustaining his party with his
help and influence, but never accepting an office even
when urged to do so. He left ti will similar to his
father's, his property going to his son, Wm. J., with the
proviso that he pay the other heirs their portion men-
tioned in the will. This he has done and now owns the
old homestead where he was born. He is the seventh
child of the family and was bom March 10, 1832. April
3, 1862, he married Maggie McFetridge. They had five
children, four of whom died in their youth ; the only
surviving one being Freddie E., who is now in his tenth
year. At his father's death, Wm. J. found his estate re-
duced to a mere nothing. He went to work with a will,
determined to keep the old home, and to-day sees what
perseverance and industry combined with the work of a
wife who is able and willing to assist his every effort, can
effectually accomplish. He writes this as a memorial to
his parents, whom he remembers as indulgent and loving
to their family and steadfast in their regard for others.
(Photo, by Belts, Dansville.)
M.R. ^ Mrs. -Benjamin Kiehle.
BENJAMIN KIEHLE.
Benjamin Kiehle was born in Lehigh county, Pa.,
Feb. 23, 1816, being the seventh child of a family
of ten children. His father, Abraham Kiehle, was
born in the same county in 1782, and in 1817,
with his wife, Elizabeth Hughes, left Pennsylvania,
and after a long and tedious journey settled in
Sparta, taking up the one hundred and eighteen
acres where Benj. now resides, where he died Feb.
12, 1868. His wife survived him six years and
died Sept. 24, 1874. Feb. 28, 1839, Benj. married
Salome, daughter of Abraham and Hannah Zer-
fass, of Sparta, by whom he had seven children as
follows: Abraham I., James M., Hulda V., Fran-
ces M., William H., Rosabella C, (dead,) and
George M., the latter of whom lives on the farm
near the old homestead. During the late war
Abraham I. enlisted in the old 13th Regiment and
was killed at the second battle of Bull Run, and
James enlisted in the 136th Regiment and died in
Washington of typhoid fever contracted from ex-
posure. Hulda is still living, but Frances died in
April, 1871. Jan. 12, 187 1, Mrs. Kiehle died from
paralysis. She was a devoted member of the Luth-
eran church, a kind mother and a loving wife. Mr.
Kiehle afterward married Vienna Zerfass, a sister
of his first wife, and both are members of the
Lutheran church of Sparta, having joined that
organization a number of years ago. Benjamin,
after the death of his father, bought out the re-
maining heirs, and now owns and lives on the old
homestead, and is probably surpassed by none in
knowledge relating to a proper cultivation of the
soil.
Although his education .was confined to the
common schools of his early day, by the improve-
ment of the opportunities afforded him by inter-
course with others, he, to-day, ranks among the
most intelligent farmers of his town. In politics
he has always been a Democrat, and is now filHng
the office of Assessor for the fifth term.
SPARTA— CHURCHES.
231
The name of Rev. Alfred White appears on the
minutes of session as Moderator, February i8,
1838. He officiated as stated supply for about
six months, when the congregation first invited
Rev. George Morris, and then the Rev. Hugh
Mair, D. D., to become their pastor, but neither of
them accepted the invitations.
Rev. Thomas Aitken * was extended an invita-
tion April 23, 1839, and was installed pastor Au-
gust IS, 1840, his installation having been deferred
to this time on account of the Assembly's rules re-
specting foreign ministers.
The membership of the church is forty-nine, still
presided over by Mr. Aitken.
Second Presbyterian Church. — The building near
the burying ground, which was abandoned by
those who went to Havens' Corners to worship,
having become much dilapidated, was in 1837, re-
paired, fitted with permanent seats, platform, desk
and circular table enclosing an area in front of the
platform, and was used by debating and literary
societies, singing schools, and for political and
other meetings.
On the 28th of December, 1847, a meeting was
held there and preliminary steps taken to organize
the Second Presbyterian Church of Sparta.
The following Board of Trustees was elected :
John Culbertson, Samuel Sturgeon, Hugh T. Mc-
Nair, John W. McNair, Jacob Knappenburger,
David McNair. In May following the organiza-
tion was effected by a committee of the Presbytery
of Steuben, and the following persons enrolled
themselves as members : —
Joseph Knappenburger, James McNair, Hugh
T. McNair and wife, Samuel McNair and wife,
Jacob Knappenburger, William D. McNair and
wife, Mrs. Anne McNair, Mrs. Catharine Knap-
penburger, John W. McNair, Mrs. Nancy Culbert-
son, Frances McNair, Jane McNair, Mrs. Ann
Shafer, James Sturgeon, Samuel Sturgeon and wife,
Mrs. Margaret McNair. James McNair, William
D. McNair and Samuel Sturgeon were chosen
elders. Rev. Jesse Edwards was stated supply
for two years. Rev. James E. Miller became
pastor in 1850 and remained until 1854. In 1852
the church building was renovated and re-dedicated,
the sermon being preached by Rev. Mr. Miller.
A call to the Rev. Thomas Aitken, pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, was presented
at the Presbytery in April, 1855, and was sustained.
Since that time the two churches have been pre-
•To this venerable pastor, and to Hugh T. McNair, Esq., we are in-
debted for the facts in the history of this and the Second Presbyterian
church of Sparta.
sided over by Mr. Aitken. The church has a mem-
bership of forty-five.
German Lutheran and German Refortned
Chicrch. — This church is located in the eastern
part of the town, and is vacant at present, the con-
gregation scattered, and the society will probably
soon be extinct. From such records as could be
found it is learned that the congregation was or-
ganized in 1837, and the church edifice erected in
1839. The trustees and principal members are,
John Kiehle, Caleb Smail, Catilp Light, Conrad
Clinetop.
The present membership is about fifty.
The pastors have been : Rev. A. Bayer, of
German Reformed church, Rev. Abraham Berkey,
of German Reformed church. Rev. Daniel Lautz,
of German Reformed church, Rev. S. S. Klein, of
Lutheran church. Rev. Edmund Erb, German Re-
formed church.
St. John's Lutheran Church is situated at nearly
the center of the town. The congregation was or-
ganized in 1837. The church edifice was erected
in 1840. The principal members are : Erhardt
Rau, Barnard Hamsher, Peter Trexler, Daniel
Lichard, Charles Lorish, Jeremiah Kuhn, Isaac
Trexler, S. G. Roberts, John Kohler, Peter Kuhn,
Abraham Artman, Michael Klein, George H.
Johns.
Among the first officers chosen were: Peter
Kuhn, Barnard Hamsher, Peter Trexler, Michael
Klein, Erhardt Rau and John Kohler.
The following have been pastors : —
Revs. M. L. Stover, Levi Sternberg, D. D., John
Selmser, F. W. Brauns, C. H. Hersh, L. L. Bau-
nell, D. Swope, Albert Waldron, E. H. Martin and
Rev. P. A. Strobel, the present pastor, from whom
is derived the facts concerning this and the Ger-
man Reformed church.
Church of the Baptists and Evangelists. — This
is a union church situated at what is known as
Reed's Corners, a mere settlement containing this
church, a school house, blacksmith shop, and some
twelve or fifteen houses.
No records are extant to throw definite light on
its origin and history. It is learned that the
Evangelists, in 1842, purchased of Erhardt Rau an
old dwelling house which was moved on the present
site and refitted for church uses. The first minis-
ter of this society was Rev. John Sendlinger, who
occupied their pulpit two years. Bishop Siberd
also preached to them, but at what time we could
not learn. In the summer of 1857 this edifice was
reframed and changed to the Union church of the
232
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Baptists and Evangelists. The first Baptist min-
ister was Elder Kellogg. The succession of pastors
in neither society can be given. The Baptists hold
no meetings there at present. The Evangelical
pastor in 1880 was Rev. William Wallace.
First M. E. Church of Sparta. — This church is
located a little south of the center of the town.
The Society was organized in 1841. The church
edifice was erected in 1862. Rev. James Duncan
was the first pastor after the erection of the church,
remaining three years. Rev. Stephen Brown sup-
plied the pulpit two years. Rev. DeWitt Munger
was then pastor for two years, succeeded by Rev.
Henry Van Ben Schoten, who also remained two
years. For several years after the ministry of the
latter pastor the church was supplied by local
preachers until the coming of Rev. John Parker
who presided two years. His successor was the
Rev. George Dryer who officiated but one year.
Rev. John Burchard preached two years. Rev.
Joseph Wayne two years, and Rev. James Landreth
two years, supplying the pulpit of the Methodist
church at Scottsburgh also. He was succeeded by
the Rev. W. W. Mandeville, who remained one
year. The present pastor is Rev. D. C. Blakely,
who resides in Scottsburgh.
School Statistics. — The town of Sparta con-
tains nine school districts. In these districts there
are 398 children over five and under twenty-one
years of age. During the past year school was
taught 276 2-5 weeks, employing nine teachers,
and having an average attendance of 177 scholars.
The number of children attending during some por-
tion of the year was 302. The amount paid to
teachers was $1,514.15. The district libraries
contain 305 volumes valued at $175. There was
paid out during the year for school apparatus $96.
The total incidental expenditures for the year were
$201.10. For school houses, fences, repairs, fur-
niture, etc., there was paid out during the year
$492.18. The school houses and sites are valued
at $3,100. The total valuation of the districts is
$6,975.64. The houses are all frame buildings,
some quite comfortable, but many too poor for
school purposes.
Agricultural Statistics. — At the last census
of the State, Sparta contained 12,987 acres of im-
proved lands, 3,191 acres of woodland, and 447
acres of other lands unimproved. The valuation
of farm lands was $1,042,080; of farm buildings,
aside from residences, $149,075; of tools and
agricultural implements, $40,915; and of stock,
$124,684. The gross sales from these farms was
$98,883, while the cost for fertilizers was but $730.
The area plowed was 3,895 acres; 2,439 acres
were devoted to pastures, and 2,669 acres were
seeded to hay, producing 1,694 bushels of seed,
and 3,207 tons of hay.
Statistics of Population. — According to the
census of 1870, S^parta contained a population of
1,182, of which 1,080 were native, 102 foreign,
and none of the colored race. In 1875, the total
population was 1,133; native, 1,039, and foreign,
94 ; a decrease of 49 in the total population in
those five years. Of the population at that cen-
sus, 789 were born in the county of Livingston;
72 in adjoining counties; and 46 in other counties
of the State. The nativity of the remainder was :
New Hampshire, i ; Vermont, 4 ; Massachusetts,
I ; Connecticut, 4 ; New Jersey, 7 ; Pennsylvania,
105, and 10 in other sections of the United States ;
18 were born in Canada, 13 in England, 3 in Scot-
land, 36 in Ireland, and 24 in the German Empire.
Scottsburgh.
The pleasant little village of Scottsburgh lies in
the northern part of the town, close to the line be-
tween Sparta and Groveland.
This is the only place of note or commercial im-
portance in the town. The village has about two
hundred and eighty inhabitants, and contains two
stores, the postoffice, two churches, school house,
one hotel, three blacksmith shops, and two manu-
factories for wagons. The postmaster is J. E.
Brownell, who was appointed to that position May
9, 1875. The merchants are, Brownell & Slaight,
dealers in general merchandise, who began busi-
ness here in April of 1857, and John Shepard, also
dealer in general merchandise, who has been en-
gaged in business here nearly thirty years. The
business was established by Mr. Shepard. In 1854
the firm name was Shepard & Blake. The part-
nership continued some five years, when Mr.
Shepard bought Mr. Blake's interest and has since
conducted the business alone.
The hotel, the Scottsburgh House, is the one
kept at a former time by William Scott, and built
by him in 1819. The present proprietor is W. H.
Guy, who has been in the business one year.
Of the blacksmiths and workers in iron, John
McMillan has been in business here three years
and Frank Craver one year.
Rockwell M. Lozier, carriage and general painter,
has been in that business here three years.
J. B. Cratser, wagon maker, started in that busi-
John Florj-.
David Flory was born in Lancaster county,
Penn., and emigrated thence to Franklin
county, N. Y., when quite a young man.
From there he removed to Buffalo, where he
remained till a short time after that city was
burned by the British, when he removed to
Sparta and settled on the farm where he lived
till his death, and on which his son John was
born. David Flory was the father of four
children, of whom two are now living — John,
the youngest of the family, and Jeremiah,
who resides near his brother.
John Flory, the subject of this sketch,
remained at home assisting his father in his
farm work, until twenty years of age, when
he rented the same farm of one hundred and
twenty-two acres which he afterwards pur-
chased. To this he added from time to time
till at the present date he is the owner of
three hundred and eighty-six acres of land,
situated in the town of Sparta.
Nov. 1 8, 1834, Mr. Flory was married to
Clorinda, daughter of Matthew and Annie
Scott, of Scottsburgh. To them were born
five children, as follows :— Elizabeth Ann,
born Nov. 25, 1835, died May 10, 1862;
Milton, born Sept. i, 1839, joined the 136th
Regiment, passed through all the battles of
that regiment till their discharge at the close
of the war, was wounded with a piece of shell
at Gettysburg, and died Feb. 16, 1875 ; Mary,
born Aug. 17, 1841, died Nov. 14, 1863;
John, born July 14, 1845, the only surviving
child; and Scott, born Sept. 27, 1849, died
Nov. 22, 1863.
Mr. Flory is a worthy member of the
Presbyterian church of Sparta, having joined
with that congregation many years ago,
during which time he has been ever ready to
assist in all cases where he has seen the need
of such assistance. In politics he is a Demo-
crat, and although he has held the office of
assessor six or seven years, he has never been
a politician, but has preferred to have the
office seek the man.
Mr. Flory has resided on his present farm, or
a portion of the same, during the last sixty-
seven years, and it is entirely due to his energy
and perseverance that the broad fields which
greet the gaze of the passer-by, are in such a
fine state of cultivation and so well provided
with the many requisites of a well kept farm.
SCOTTSBURGH— JESSE SMITH.
^33
ness here in 1877. J. H. Shutt began the manu-
facture of wagons here twenty-two years ago. From
this shop very fine work is turned out.
The churches are the First Free Baptist zxvA the
Methodist Episcopal. The former was organized
in 1840. The first pastor was Rev. Levi Kellogg.*
The succession of pastors thereafter, as near as can
be learned, was Elders McKay, Cobb, H. Esten,
Joseph Wood, D. M. Stewart, D. I. Whitney,
James L. Box, J. W. Brown. The present pastor
is Rev. Wilham Walker, who has presided three
years. The membership at the last report was
eighty-three. The church edifice is a neat and
substantial building, with a comfortable parsonage
attached, both clear of debt.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized
in 1840. In 1839 the first class was formed com-
posed of some eight or ten members, among whom
were James Collar and wife, Mr. Moore, James
Haynes, S. P. Keep and Timothy Hopkins. In
the spring of 1840, Rev. Mr. Kellogg came to
Scottsburgh, and under his ministration a series of
extra meetings were held which resulted in the en-
deavor to permanently establish a church of this
denomination. This endeavor assumed definite
form on the 29th of April, 1840, when a meeting
of "the male members of full age of the M.
E. congregation in Scottsburgh," was held in
the school-house in the village for the purpose
of forming a religious incorporation. Of this
meeting Chandler Wheeler and Timothy Hopkins
were appointed as chief officers, and five trustees
were elected. These were, James Collar, Timo-
thy Hopkins, James Carey, WiUiam Scott and Eli
Holeman. It was resolved that the incorporation
receive the name of the Third Society of the M. E.
church in Sparta ; Timothy Hopkins was appointed
to take charge of the records of that meeting. The
voters who participated in the proceedings at that
date were Timothy Hopkins, Chandler Wheeler,
James Collar, Allen Simons, Orlo M. Hopkins, Eli
Holeman, James Carey and James Fitzgerald.
The only men now living in Scottsburgh, who
belonged to the church in its early days are John
Shepard and Samuel Scott.
The erection of the church edifice was begun in
1841, and finished in 1842, under the pastorate of
Rev. Mr. Doolittle. The succession of pastors,
owing to the meagreness of the records, could not
be learned. Since 1872 the following ministers
have ofliciated: —
Rev. James Wayne, 1872-75 ; Rev. James
* Now living in Addison, N. Y-
Landreth, 1875-77; Rev. W. \\. Mandeville,
1878-79; Rev. D. C. Blakely, 1879-80.
The present membership is seventy-seven.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
JESSE SMITH.
Photo, by Betts, Dansville.
(JESSE SMITH.)
Jesse Smith, who was born in Northumberland
county. Pa., Dec. i6, 1822, is a son of Adam and
Ehzabeth (KUne) Smith, who came from Pennsyl-
vania, and settled in Sparta in 1825, where the
father carried on the business of farming until
within a few years of his death, which occurred Nov.
25, 1878. His wife died July 14, 1857. Jesse was
three years of age when his father came to this
county, and his education was only such as he could
obtain at the district school winters, his summers
being spent in working on the farm for his father
and others. In his twenty-third year he decided
to learn the business of blacksmithing, and settled
in Mt. Morris for that purpose. Having served
his apprenticeship he returned to Sparta and built
a shop near his present residence, where he now
carries on the business to a Hmited extent in con-
nection with farming. Oct. 2, 1856, he married
Catherine, daughter of Abraham and EHzabeth
Kiehle, of Sparta. Of this marriage were born
three children, Myron, William B. and Lizzie M.
Mr. Smith has been a member of the M. E.
Church twenty-one years, and his wife is a mem-
ber of the German Lutheran Church of Sparta.
In politics he is a Republican, having acted with
234
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
that party since its formation. He has been Town
Clerk and Justice of the Peace, and is now
Justice of Sessions, having been reelected for
the third term. Having always been a careful
and industrious man, and investing his money in
land, he now owns a farm consisting of 91 acres,
together with his other business.
ELIAS DRIESBACH.
Elias Driesbach, was a son of Henry and Lydia
Driesbach, and we are sure that in saying he is a
worthy son of his highly respected parents, we but
utter a truth that is his due. Like his father he is
a farmer and no better cultivator of the soil is
found in the town of Sparta. Besides this he is
one of the largest land owners in that town. His
homestead farm where he resides consists of one
hundred and thirty-nine acres. It is beautifully
situated on elevated land above the magnificent
valley of the Canaseraga, which lies in all its beauty
in full view of his homestead, stretching far away to
the north, until lost in the valley of the Genesee.
No finer view than this is found in Western New
York. EUas D.,was born at Sparta, Feb. 17,
1822. In his youth he was subjected to the trials
and hardships incident to a life in a new country,
and therefore had few advantages for gaining an
education. But he made the best use of those he
did have, and obtained a competent common
school education — all that was necessary to rank
him among the intelligent, successful farmers
around him. It is not saying too much that he
possesses in a large degree, native sagacity, judgment
and discernment. He is a man of much practical
ability, order and promptness.
His honor and integrity have never been ques-
tioned or doubted and his word has always been
regarded as good as his bond — which is, beyond
the shadow of a doubt, good. In his dealings
with men he is upright and just, demanding what
is his due, and giving to others their whole due to
the last farthing. Until he was twenty-three years
of age he lived with his father, and much of his
labor was devoted to assisting him on his farm.
January 16, 1845, he married Susannah, daughter of
Joseph Kidd, of Dansville. She, though now an
invalid, is all that a wife and mother should be,
kind, affectionate and exemplary. Thus far six
children have been born to them, named as fol-
lows, Susan Catharine, Lydia Ann, Mary, Rosy,
Joseph and Emma. Mr. Driesbach settled on the
farm where he now resides, soon after his marriage.
He has been very fortunate in his business rela-
tions. By successful negotiations and far-sighted
enterprise, he has accumulated quite a large
fortune. Among his property he owns five hun-
dred and ninety-four acres of valuable land, one
hundred and forty acres of which are situated in
the town of Springwater and the remainder in
Sparta, including the old homestead of seventy
acres, purchased by his father. Mr. Driesbach is
a member of the Lutheran Reformed church, of
Dansville, having united with that congregation
many years ago. The old church, which still
stands, was erected in 1826, and his father was
very active in building it and sustaining the con-
gregation. Mr. Driesbach has, since uniting with
the church, been a consistent, influential, devoted,
and exemplary member. In politics, like his father,
he is a Democrat, strong m the faith of the fathers
of that party. While firm in his principles, he
still accords the same right to his political oppo-
nents, believing in everyone's thinking for himself,
and would not, if he could, control any person in
his poUtical or religious rights or belief. It is just
to Mr. Driesbach to state that in his business re-
lations, in his family and as a citizen, his life and
career is certainly an honor to his town and county,
and that the pages of this history could not prop-
erly be filled without a fair, impartial, and just
biography of him.
HENRY DRIESBACH, JR.
Henry Driesbach, Jr., was another son of Henry
Driesbach, Sr., whose biography appears in the
pages of this work. He was a farmer, and in the
truest sense realized and appreciated the duties,
trials and embarrassments of an agricultural life.
It is said by those in the great book of human na-
ture that all men are born with natural proclivities
for certain business occupations or science. Hence,
one man is a chemist, another an anatomist, an-
other an astronomer, some are intuitively mechan-
ics and some musicians. Conceding this to be
true, then, we unhesitatingly say that Henry Dries-
bach was intuitively a farmer. To him the farm
was as natural as the native heath of the McGre-
gors to Roderick Dhu.
One of the distinguishing features of Livingston
county is the success of its farmers in raising stock.
Into this Mr. Driesbach entered enthusiastically.
His judgment in this department was second to no
man's in the county, young as he was during the
active period of his business life.
He was born at Sparta, Livingston county, May
9, 1824. He lived with his father until he was
twenty-eight years old. Having attained that age
he decided to commence business for himself. Be-
ing of an independent, self-reliant turn of mind, and
determined to be indebted to no one for whatever
success awaited him, he declined to ask his father
for any pecuniary assistance. Trusting to his own
intelligence and business capacity, he purchased
on his own account the farm just north of the vil-
lage of Dansville called the "Shepard farm."
Without a dollar in the world he entered into spec-
ulation. His self-reliance gave him success, and
within a comparatively brief period of time he
stocked his farm, paid for it and brought it to a
very high state of cultivation. As an evidence of
his perseverance we relate the following ; —
'U&^
r^Ja^^n.
€/r(yiyf^^iJju^
WEST SPARTA— EARLY SETTLERS.
235
A portion of his farm extended to the bottom
land of the Canaseraga, and was accordingly so
damp and boggy that it was a common thing to
see cattle almost hopelessly mired in those bogs.
Mr. Driesbach conceived the idea of draining those
lands. He accordingly commenced a system of
drainage by underground causeway with such suc-
cess that he soon made the lands perfectly dry,
fertile and productive.
Henry Driesbach was a man of uncommon good
sense, thoughtful, candid, honest and direct. He
had no platitudes. One always knew exactly how
to take him, and if he gave his word he carried it
out to the letter, as to time, place and everything.
He was a man of very few words, but when he
spoke it was to the point. He was retiring but
firm in his convictions, to an extent ahttle removed
from stubbornness. In the midst of activity
and usefulness he was seized by an incurable
malady which ended his days while he was in the
prime of manhood, and in the midst of his finan-
cial success and usefulness. He died October 28,
1868, at the age of forty-five. His knowledge of
the value of farming land was almost unequalled.
In recognition of this knowledge he was elected an
assessor of the town of Sparta for a considerable
period of time. In politics he was a Democrat,
honest and true to his convictions, but modest and
unassuming in declaring them. He early united
with the Lutheran Reformed Church at Dansville,
and was in every sense a worthy, consistent. Chris-
tian man, observant of all the duties and ordi-
nances of the Church. Such was Henry Dries-
bach, Jr.; in every sense a man who commanded
the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
CHAPTER XIX.
History of the Town of West Sparta.
THE town of West Sparta Ues south of the
center of the county. It is bounded on the
north by Groveland, on the south by Ossian, on
the east by Sparta and North Dansville, and on the
west by Mt. Morris and Nunda.
The surface of West Sparta is also quite hilly,
though less mountainous than that of Sparta and
Ossian. There is also more of an unsettled, un-
cultivated appearance than is characteristic of the
towns lying to the east or west. The soil is some-
what heavier than that of the surrounding towns,
especially in the northern part, where it is of a clay
loam. In the southern part the soil incHnes to a
sandy loam. An extensive marsh, known as Can-
aseraga swamp, in the northeastern part robs the
town of much of its tillable soil. The only impor-
tant streams are Canaseraga creek, which flows
north along the eastern border, forming the boun-
dary line between this town and Sparta, and Butler
brook, a smaller stream in the southern part, in
which is a perpendicular cascade of some sixty
feet. The Dansville Railroad passes through the
extreme eastern part of the town.
This town was formed at the time of the division
of the original town of Sparta, February 27, 1846.
The first white person to break land and build a
cabin in the present Umits of the town were William
McCartney and Andrew Smith, who came from
Scotland in 1791, landing in Philadelphia and
coming to West Sparta in 1792. William McCart-
ney acted as clerk for Captain WilUamson, a land
agent.
The cabin which was built under the directions
of WilUamson was situated on land afterwards owned
by John McNair, later by Judge James McNair,
and at present by Hugh T. McNair. The nearest
white settlers at that time were at Arkport, Steul)en
county, some fourteen miles south, and at Williams-
burgh, in Groveland, twelve miles north.
McCartney and Smith, however, must be regarded
only as temporary residents within these Umits, for
two years later the former purchased land near what
is now known as Comminsville, within the present
limits of North Dansville, where he moved and
where he resided until his death in 1831. Andrew
Smith remained but one year, when, on account of
fever and ague which was probably developed by
the swampy nature of the soil in that section of the
town, he removed to Bath, purchasing there a farm
where he resided until his death, some time about
1840.
The first permanent settler was Jeremiah Gregory,
who located in 1795 in the southern part of the town.
After him a short time came other settlers, among
whom were William Stevens, in 1796, Abel Wilsey in
1797, Benjamin Wilcox in 1798, and still later, Sam-
uel McNair in the year 1802 or '3. John McNair, in
1803, came on a prospective trip to this new
country and purchased of John Wilson of Fred-
ericksburgh, Maryland, a tract of land containing
four hundred acres in the then town of Sparta
three miles north of Dansville. He then returned
to his home in what was known as " The Irish Set-
tlement," Northampton county, Pennsylvania ; and
in the early part of 1804, with his family of six
sons and one daughter with her husband, set out
for his new home in the Canaseraga Valley, joining
there a son and daughter who a year or two before
had preceded him. The journey was made in cov-
ered wagons, containing besides the family the
furniture and implements with which to begin their
236
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
pioneer life in this region of forests and hills.
Arriving some time in the middle of June, the
family found a temporary home in the log cabin
which had been put up on the tract in 1792 by
direction of Captain WiUiamson, and occupied by
WiUiam McCartney. A part of the farm was cleared
of timber and had doubtless been at some time
cultivated by the Indians.
Here on this tract they at once built a comfort-
able home of hewn logs, which is still standing in
a good state of preservation on the farm which is
now owned by Hugh T. McNair.
The children of John McNair were William,
Samuel, John, David, James, Andrew, Robert,
Margaret and Christiana, all of whom are dead ;
but many descendants are now Uving in the vicin-
ity.
Among other pioneers of the McNair family was
Judge Hugh McNair, grandfather to Hugh T. Mc-
Nair, now living in West Sparta, who for some
years was Prothonotary of Ontario when it in-
cluded the county of Livingston. All of his sons
are dead but one who lives in Corning, Iowa.
William W. McNair, whose widow lives here, was
Hugh's oldest son.
The early history of this region is but a repeti-
tion of that of the surrounding towns. Lumbering
and shingle making were for some years the prin-
cipal occupations of the settlers. The privations
incident to the new settlement were keenly felt;
but it is not known that any of the pioneers suffer-
ed from actual want. For some time the mar-
ket for such produce as their farms yielded was
confined to the settlers each year arriving, or oc-
casionally they bartered their products for the
wares and goods of the merchants at Bath and
other as scantily inhabited settlements in Steuben
county.
It was not until 1823 that the first store in the
town was opened by Jonathan Russell at what is
now Union Corners. The nearest post-office was
at Bath, thirty miles distant. These inconven-
iences in procuring merchandise, and in keeping
up an intercourse with the outside world, were, it
may be imagined, among the chief hardships of
their pioneer existence.
It is to the fortitude with which these early
fathers and mothers endured privations; to their
hardy self-denial, and to their courage under the
difficulties which beset them, that their descend-
ants are indebted for whatever prosperity and
comforts surround them to-day.
Beyond the clearing of land into farms, and the
lumbering traffic attendant upon such labors, the
progress in other kinds of business was slow.
The first grist-mill was built by Samuel Stoner
in 1823. The first tavern kept in the town was
by Ebenezer McMaster in 1820,* at what is now
known as Kysorville. The first wool-carding and
cloth-dressing mill was established by Benjamin
Hungerford in the year 1814. In this establish-
ment Millard Fillmore, President of the United
States in 1850-53, was apprenticed to the trade of
cloth-dressing, serving four months on trial. Hav-
ing been set by Hungerford at menial labor that had
no connection with the contemplated trade, when
the four months had elapsed he gave up the busi-
ness and returned to his home in Cayuga county
to begin the career which made his name a house-
hold word throughout the nation.
The first town meeting after the division of the
town in 1846, was held on April 7th of that same
year in the school-house standing at that time near
the property of J6hn Muchler. At that meeting
the following officers were elected: —
Supervisor, Roswell Wilcox ; Town Clerk, Gid-
eon D. Passage ; Superintendent of Schools, Sam'l
G. Stoner; Assessors, Jacob Chapman, James F.
McCartney, Alexander Henry ; Commissioners of
Highways, David McNair, James Van Wagner,
James Northrop; Inspectors of Election, Peter
VanNuys, WilKam D. McNair, Jr., Levi Robin-
son, Jr., appointed; Justices of the Peace, Hiram
Jencks, short term, Stephen Stephenson, one year,
Samuel Scribner, two years, H. G. Chamberlin,
four years ; Overseers of the Poor, William Spin-
ning, Aaron Cook ; Collector, B. F. Hyser ; Con-
stables,Freeman Edwards, B. F. Hyser, A. J. Thomp-
son, Nathaniel Hanna ; Town Sealer, John Sto-
ner, Jr.
Thereafter the succession of Supervisors and
Town Clerks was as follows : —
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
T847. Roswell Wilcox, David McNair.
1848. " "
1849. " "
1850. Hugh McCartney. Calvin B. Smith.
1 85 1. Jas. F. McCartney. Alvin W. Spears.
1852. " " Calvin B. Smith.
1853. Alexander Kinney. Alexander Rogers.
1854. David McNair. " "
1855. Leonard B. Field. Peter C. Cuykendall.
1856-57- " " Alexander Rogers.
1858-63. " " Willis C. Rose.
1864-65. " " Alexander Rogers.
1866. Peter VanNuys. " "
1867. Leonard B. Field. Stephen Stephenson.
* Some doubts exist as to the correctness of this, although it is not pre-
cisely known where or by whom the first tavern was kept.
WEST SPARTA — TOWN OFFICERS.
237
Leonard B. Field. Isaac Van Hooser.
Ogden March. John O. Kelley.
Leonard B. Field. Isaac Van Hooser.
1868.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872-74. William J. Slaight. " "
1875. " " Edward M. Gregory.
1876. Leonard B. Field. "
1877-78. " " Henry B. McNair.
1879. James B. Frazer. C. Fredk. McNair.
1880. James B. Frazer. Russell C. Stoner.
The other officers for 1880 are: — Justices of the
Peace, Merritt B. Dake, Henry B. McNair,
Stephen Kemp, John Ferine; Highway Com-
missioner, William Johnson ; Assessors, Fred Mil-
ler, Andrew J. Kennedy, Augustus Hungerford ;
Overseers of the Poor, John N. Kemp, Henry F.
Muchler; Collector, Joseph McCay ; Constables,
Joseph McCay, Nelson B. Willett, George Hunt,
George Lester, Buell Gould ; Inspectors of Elec-
tion, Frederick Miller, James F. Muchler, A. C.
Green ; Game Constable, Job Woodworth ; Excise
Commissioners, Hugh T. McNair, William Van
Doren.
West Sparta furnished a large number of soldiers
during the war of the Rebellion, but as no correct
record of the enlistments was ever kept we cannot
learn in what regiments they enlisted, nor what
fate met the brave men who perilled their lives in
the defense of their country. The following is as
complete a list as could be obtained of the men
who entered the service at different times during
the progress of the war.
The following enlisted from West Sparta pre-
vious to July 2, 1862 : —
Marshall Hungerford, Charles Burr, James
Edwards, Alonzo Farnsworth, Horace Herrick,
Edward Kenney, John Johnson, Jerome Harden-
dorf, Robert Pierce, Stephen A. Kemp, Thomas
Radigan, Michael Radigan, Edward Kiehle, Josiah
Kiehle, Wm. Streffa, Archibald Van Ness, George
Walters, Frank Swager, Jasper Wadsworth, John
Wadsworth, Henry Vorhees, Melvin Walker.
After that date, and previous to July 18, 1864,
the town paid a bounty of $50 to each of the fol-
lowing who enlisted : —
Geo. W. Libby, Henry K. Price, Jas. UUyett,
Ogden Marsh, Solomon Wise, Roswell Masten,
Thomas Owens, Wm. A. Edwards, John Gorigan,
Wm. H. Whetstone, James McKeown, Hamilton
S. McMaster, Wm. A. McMaster, Shubal W.
Farnsworth, Gilbert M. Van Velzer, John Kelly,
Thomas Bonner, John F. Gill, John Aon, Ira B.
Sherwood, Wm. A. Selover, Henry W. Spear,
Jehiel Johnson, James A. Rogers, A. T. Blan-
chard, Andrew J. McNair, Squire L. Herrick, John
W. Wampole, Geo. R. Torrey, Daniel B. Wads-
worth, William Servis, John M. Dennison, Charles
C. Vorhees, Edwin Smith.
In 1864, and previous to July i8th, the follow-
ing number enlisted : —
Orlando Abby, Andrew J. Kennedy, John Kemp,
Jr., Joseph Aeret, Henry V. Thompson, Joseph
Doty, James Pendergast, John Johnson, Charles
Gant, Wm. Brown, Sylvanus H. Cook, Calvin
Shortliff, Wm. Patterson, Marshall Hungerford,
John Aplin, Wm. C. Hague, Josephus H. Lawrey.
Under the call of July 18, 1864, for five hundred
thousand men, the appended number was en-
listed:—
George C. Brooks, James Simpson, David
Simley, Henry Atwood, Wm. Butler, John Walker,
Jesse Smith, Jr., Benjamin Wampole, David Blank,
Roswell S. Clark, Alex. Duvall, James Colwell,
Robert Kelly, John Cunningham, Geo. Froehg,
Amasa W. Aber, John M. Harvey, Westley P.
Gridley, Silas R. Rhodes, Thomas H. Rhodes,
Duty S. Cram, Wm. M. Wolcott, Albert West,
Charles Sawyer, Daniel Brace, Thomas Hennessey,
George Judson, John Gallagher, Thomas Wilcox,
Andrew Rush.*
Statistics of Population. — In 1870, West
Sparta had a population of 1,244, of which 1,144
were native, and 100 of foreign birth. In 1875
the population was 1,208, a decrease of 36. In
this year the native population was but 1,097, a de-
crease of 47 in those five years, while the foreign
population had increased to in in the same
length of time. Of these 1,208, only 6 belonged
to the colored race, 610 were males, 598 females,
and 32 aliens; and of this number but 12 who
were twenty-one years of age, and upwards, were
unable to read and write. Of the total population
but 164 were owners of land; 238 were liable to
military duty ; 349 were of voting age, of which
number 297 were native, 34 naturahzed, and 18
were aliens.
Agricultural Statistics. — The census of that
same year gave the town in improved land 14,238
acres; 3,261 acres of woodland, and of unim-
proved land 1,708 acres. The value of farms was
$911,718; of farm buildings, $95,061; of stock,
$107,370; andofagriculturalimplements, $29,164.
The sales from these farms were to the amount of
$81 041. Fertilizers were used to the amount of
$55-
* The foregoing military record was kindly furnished by L. B. Fieldi
the efficient Supervisor of this town during those trying years.
238
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
School Statistics. — West Sparta has 12 school
districts, containing 334 children of school age.
During the past year school was • taught 3394-5
weeks, employing 1 2 teachers, and with an average
attendance of r 5 2. The number of children attend-
ing some portion of the year was 284. The amount
paid for teachers during the year was $1,520.88.
The district libraries are very meager, being valued
at $ii.oo only.
There was expended during the year for school
apparatus, $2.10 ; for fences, repairs, furniture, &c.,
$55.28, while the total incidental expenses were
$191.31. The value of school houses and sites is
$4,460. The total valuation of the districts is
$6,454.08.
West Sparta contains no villages of note.
Kysorville.
Kysorville, a httle hamlet in the northern part of
the town, consists of a grocery store conducted by
Frank Muchler, in business one year, a cider mill,
(William Buell,) blacksmith shop, (James Jones,) a
school house, and a few dwelUngs.
WoODVILLE.
Woodville, in the south-eastern part, contains a
large flouring mill, owned by Morey & Goho, who
have been engaged in the business here five years,
a church, a school house, and a few dweUing houses.
The place derived its name from John, Rufus,
and Asa Wood, who located there at an early date.
The Union Church of Woodville was built by the
EvangeHcal Association of that place about the
year 1850. It was first preached in by Rev. Thomas
Aitken.
No records exist to show the origin of the society
or its progress. The church is also used by the
Free Methodist society, the pastor of which, in
1880, was Rev. Charles South worth.
Byersville.
Byersville, in the southern part of the town, some
three miles west of Woodville, derived its name
from Samuel Byers. The first settlement was made
here about 1823. It contains about sixty inhab-
itants. The only store is devoted to general mer-
chandise and is kept by Russell C. Stoner, who has
been in business here two years. The present post-
master is Elijah Kinney, who was appointed in
February, 1880. The present physician is Dr. A.
V. Watkins, a graduate from the Eclectic College
of Philadelphia in March, 187 1, who has been
located in Byersville since that time.
Churches. — The Free Methodist Society of
Byersville was organized in 1876. The class was
formed September 9, 1877. The church was built
soon afterward, and at the time of dedication the
members were : D. L. Pickard and wife, L. N. Tur-
rey and wife, Mr. Merrick Jencks and wife, Mr.
and Mrs. R. C. Stoner, Georgiana Powell, Libbie
Powell and Clarence Pickard. The dedicatory
sermon was preached by Rev. A. F. Curney, who
presided two years. The second pastor was Rev.
D. J. Santmier, who officiated one year. The Rev.
Charles South worth was in charge in 1880. The
church edifice is quite a fine building for so small
a place, and is clear of debt. The present mem-
bership is thirty-five.
Union Corners.
Union Corners hes in the western part of the
town about a mile north of the center, and close to
the Une dividing the town from Mount Morris. It
contains but a school house, blacksmith shop, two
churches, and a few dwelling-houses.
The Union Corners Methodist Episcopal Church
was organized in 1879 under the pastorate of Rev.
B. A. Partridge. The church edifice was erected
in 1880, and is a nicely situated and substantial
building. The membership is thirty-six. The
pastor in 1880 was Rev. F. M. Cole.
The Presbyterian Church of Union Corners was
organized by Rev. Elihu Mason, August 21, 1825,
with the following members : —
Garrett VanWagnen, and Mary, his wife, Mrs.
Catharine Bogart, Mrs. Catharine Thompson,
Abraham Thompson, James O'Brien, and Nelly,
his wife, James J. Amerman, and Jacob VanMid-
dlesworth. The following were the officers chosen
and ordained : — Garrett VanWagnen, First Elder ;
James J. Amerman, Second Elder ; Jacob VanMid-
dlesworth. Third Elder.
There is no further record regarding the trans-
actions of the society until August 6, 1828. At
that date Rev. Norris Bull as moderator, received
to membership in the church Catherine Thompson,
Archibald Ten Eyck and Eliza, his wife, PhiUip
Thompson and Hannah, his vidfe, and Hannah G.
Thompson. September 17, 1828, the Rev. N.
W. Fisher as moderator, Philhp Thompson and
Archibald Ten Eyck were elected elders.
April 19, 1832, the following elders were added:
Obed Cravath, Calvin E. Crank, Jacob Bergen,
and Samuel Comstock. On the 5th of March,
1834, the first trustees were chosen. These were
OSCAR L. CHAMBERLAIN.
239
Jabez Hungerford, Stephen Trowbridge, first
class; Samuel T. Comstock, Jacob Bergen, second
class ; Abraham S. Thompson and Gilbert Bogart,
third class.
The following has been the succession of pas-
tors : —
Rev. Amos P. Brown 18^9-1830.
Rev. L. Robbins 1831-1832.
Rev. Leonard Rogers 1835-1836.
Rev. L. Hull 1837-1840.
Rev. Samuel H. Rawson 1841-1842.
Rev. Horatio Norton 1 843 .
Rev. William Bridgeman 1844-1845.
Rev. William Fithian 1 846-1 853.
Rev. M. Barton 1855-1856.
Rev. T. Darling 1857-1859.
Rev. R. W. McCormick 1865-1866.
Rev. P. S. Van Nest 1867 .
Rev. Willis C. Gaylord 1 868-1 869.
Rev. William Jones 1870-1872.
Rev. J. M. Horton 1874-1875.
Rev. S. McKinney 1876 .
Rev. B. A. Partridge (M. E. pastor). .1878-1879.
Rev. J. Mitchell 1880- ■.
The present house of worship was built in 1835,
and was the first one built by the society.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
OSCAR L. CHAMBERLAIN.
Oscar Lafayette Chamberlain was born in the
old town of Sparta, (now West Sparta,) Feb. 7,
1825. His father, H. G. Chamberlain, with his
wife, Anna, moved into Livingston county while
the greater part of the country was a wilderness
and settled on a farm about one mile south of
Union Corners where they raised a family of six
sons and five daughters. He was a man of strict
morals, and upright in all of his dealings with man-
kind. Four daughters and four sons survive him.
The eldest, O. H., lives in Wisconsin. The fourth,
A. O., in Darlington, Wisconsin. He was elected
to the State Legislature in 1880. The fifth, A. B.
Chamberlain of Auburn, N. Y., is a minister of the
gospel of the Disciple Order, and is an able speaker.
The youngest, H. G., resides in Mt. Morris.
Oscar L. remained in the county till the spring of
1847, when he emigrated to the West, laboring in
Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin, till the spring of
1850, when in company with two other young men
he went the overland route to CaKfornia, the jour-
ney being accompUshed with oxen. After about
three months' time he reached his destination and
soon began his career as miner. He diligently
sought for riches, and after eight years was rewarded
by an interest in the famous Amadore mine at Sut-
ter Creek, Amadore county, California, where he
accumulated a large fortune. In i860, he visited
his native county, and Oct. 15, married Mary Z.
Farrell and they together returned to Cahfornia,
where they remained a few years, when his health
having failed they returned to this county, where he
purchased a beautiful residence in Mt. Morris, now
the residence of H. G. Chamberlain, where he
-4^ I
(OSCAR L. CHAMBERLAIN.)
remained a little over two years. His health con-
tinued to dechne but he regarded himself able to
go to California on business in the spring of 1870,
but his strength proved unequal to the task and
he died July 24th, at the Grand Hotel in San
Francisco.
Mr. C. was a man whose unchallenged integrity
commanded the confidence and respect of all who
knew him, and noted for those positive traits of
character which made him outspoken and frank on
all questions which claimed his attention. In pol-
itics he was an ardent Republican and was once
offered a nomination for State Senator in Califor-
nia, when nomination would have been equivalent
to an election. He declined the honor, preferring
the place of a private worker for the principles of
his party. He was beloved for his noble genero^ty,
which prompted him to help all who needed assist-
ance with princely benevolence. He left a wife
and three children, who since his death have
removed to California. His name is embalmed in
the hearts of his brothers and sisters for his un-
selfish and manly regard for their welfare, and in
the hearts of many who were the objects of his
solicitude.
240
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
LEONARD B. FIELD.
Photo, by Betts, Dansville.
(LEONARD B. FIELD.)
Leonard B. Field, a portrait of whom appears in
connection with this sketch, is one of West Sparta's
self-made men, and one who from his intimate as-
sociation with the pubUc affairs of the town is
eminently deserving of the brief record of his hfe
here given.
He like many others of the worthy residents of
livingston county is a native of the old Green
Mountain State ; the State from whence so much
of the brain and brawn that developed the new set-
tlements and made the " wilderness blossom as a
rose" was derived.
Mr. Field was born in New Fane, Vermont, the
30th of March, 1821. In the spring of 1824, his
parents, seized with the desire of change from the
rugged hills of Vermont, to the famed valley of the
Genesee, moved thence with their family consist-
ing of Leonard B. and his two sisters, and settled in
the town of Groveland. Here they made their
home for some httle time, afterwards moving to
Geneseo and Dansville, and finally to West Sparta,
then Sparta, in the spring of T843. It was here
that Mr. Field's father and mother died ; Reuben,
his father, on the 23d of November, 1865, and
MaryG., his mother, on the sth of October, 1869.
Mr. Field's elementary education was obtained
fronri the district schools of the neighborhood and
he improved the time allotted to him there to the
best possible advantage as has been fully shown by
his later life. After leaving the district-school, he
attended private schools of prominence at Lock-
port, Temple Hill and Bath, the High school at
Geneseo, and the Academy at Canandaigua, which
latter institution he left in the spring of 1840. He
then returned to his chosen vocation, that of a
farmer, and has since devoted the best energies of
his life to that most honorable caUing, winning de-
servedly the highest encomiums from his neigh-
bors who have shown their appreciation of his merit
by repeatedly electing him to various offices within
their gift.
In the spring of 1845, Mr. Fields was elected to
the office of the Justice of the Peace of the town
of Sparta, by the Whigs, and in 1849 ^-nd 1853
was reelected by the same party to that office in
the town of West Sparta.
Upon the disruption of the old Whig party into
two factions, the "silver grays" and the ''wooly
heads," Mr. Field cast his lot with the former, be-
lieving them the better of the two. Upon the for-
mation of the American party, Mr. Field, from the
positiveness of his nature and through the Protes-
tant ideas and prejudices imbibed in his youth,
naturally sided with it and was elected to the
office of Supervisor in 1855 upon the American
ticket. The American party at the time of its in-
ception was popular with the masses and developed
strength sufficient in the year 1854 and 1855 to
elect a sheriff of Livingston county, a senator of
the district and nearly sufficient to elect a Gover-
nor. The party being based upon National and
rehgious antipathies, the native element against the
foreign and the Protestant against the Catholic,
was deservedly short-Uved and soon sank to its
poKtical grave never to be resurrected.
The "barnburner" or "soft-shell" wing of the
Democratic party having united with the Whigs to
form the Republican party, Mr. Field joined the
"hunker" or "hard shell" faction of the Demo-
cratic party. Since this time Mr. Field has served
his town faithfully, having been elected to the re-
sponsible and trying position of Supervisor in the
years 1856, 1857, i8i;8, 1859, i860, 1861, 1862,
1863, 1864, 1865, 1867, 1868, 1870, 1871, 1876,
1877 and 1878.
In the year 1846 Mr. Field was baptized by El-
der Seneca Short, and became a member and com-
municant of the Methodist Episcopal church, fully
believing in the doctrines of the Atonement and of
the Trinity as expounded in the teachings of that
church. Mr. Field being a man of positive and
forcible convictions, in the matter of religion as in
all else, has in after years found good and sufficient
reasons in his mind to doubt the truth of the doc-
trines that are the foundation stones of the church
and beUeving that these doctrines are pernicious,
and tend to retard rather than assist the spiritual
and moral development of the human race, takes
every means within his power to advance his views,
beUeving that he is thereby a help to erring hu-
manity.
In the fall of 1877, Mr. Field while in Rochester
witnessed some remarkable spiritualistic phenomena
in the shape of direct or independent slate-writing
which fully convinced him of the fact that disem-
bodied human spirits can and do communicate
freely with mortals, and he now holds firmly to the
doctrine of Spiritualism.
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James f. f ef^ne.
»4' J J > 3?ii
Photo, by Betts, Dansville-
MlR. ^ JArS. "^ILLIAM yAN pOI^EN.
BENJAMIN F. KYSOR— JAMES P. FERINE— WILLIAM VAN DOREN.
241
BENJAMIN F. KYSOR.
John Kysor emigrated from Germany to America
previous to the Revolution and took an active
part in the fight for Independence. His son Syl-
vanus married Lois Fisk, of Mayfield, N. Y., by
whom he had three children, Benj. F. being the
second child and only son. They were among the
pioneers of Livingston county, commenced with
Small means, but by strict economy and industry
obtained a handsome property as their reward.
Oct. 28, 1846, Benj. F. Kysor married Juha A.,
daughter of Harlem G. and Anna (Bush) Cham-
berlain. She was the third child in a family of
eleven. Her father belonged to a patriotic family ;
his grandfather fought in the Revolution ; his
brothers fought in the war of 181 2, and one of his
brothers, Joseph H., was a distinguished minister
in the Baptist church. Harlem G. Chamberlain
moved from Vermont to Cayuga county, and from
there to West Sparta^ where he died.* Benj. F.
Kysor was the father of twelve children, as follows:
Harrison F., (dead,) Oscar C, (an invalid,) Hattie
A., Helen C, Horace G., (dead,) Effie A., Herbert
S. and Albert H., (twins, deceased,) Octavius H.,
Julia E. and Franklin A., (twins,) and Dayton A.
Harrison F., who was a talented young lawyer,
went to Walla Walla city, Washington Territory,
in the fall of 187 1, where with great vigor and
hopeful prospects, he began his work of life. But
being stricken with disease of the heart, he Hngered
but a few days and died Dec. 13, 1871. Benj. F.,
a man of untiring industry and sterling integrity
had been suffering several years from a malady,
which in 1874 carried him nearly to the grave. He
ralhed however, and in 1875 undertook the erec-
tion of the magnificent residence now occupied by
his family. Improving in health during that year,
in 1878, he started with his wife on a trip to Wis-
consin, but was taken sick on the cars and during
his six weeks' stay in the West, was constantly un-
der the care of a physician. Returning home, he
Hved only a month and died Aug. 8, 1878, and is
buried in the cemetery at Union Corners where a
magnificent black and white granite monument
marks his resting place, and where his grand- father
and father are also buried. Mrs. Kysor is a mem-
ber of the Baptist church, and is a hopeful believer
in the gospel of Christ. She carries on the busi-
ness connected with the large farm surrounding her
house. Six of the children are there with her.
JAMES P. PERINE.
The Perine family who emigrated from France
to New Jersey at an early day are of French origin.
James P. Perine, son of Peter Perine ajid grand-
son of James Perine, of Brunswick, Middlesex
county, N. J., was born July 4, 1784. No record
of his early life is given until his marriage in 1805
* See biographical sketch of 0. L. Chamberlain.
to Mary Cheeseman, of N. J. They moved to
Cayuga county in 1818, and after living there eight
years removed to Mt. Morris and settled on the
farm now occupied by their son, Wm. H. Ten
children were born to them named as follows:
Ehza, Joseph C, Huldah Ann, Phoebe Maria,
Eleanor, Prudence, John, James Barzillai, and W.
H. Phoebe Maria, the oldest child now Uving, is
the widow of David Truman, and resides in West
Sparta. Eleanor, unmarried, resides in Mt. Mor-
ris. Prudence, the wife of Frederick P. Hardy,
now lives in Lima. John married Harriett Stone,
of Mt. Morris, and has four children — Frank,
Elmer, Mary and Edson. James B. married Ehza-
beth Chapman, of West Sparta. W. H. married
Josephine Millholland, of Mt. Morris. Nine chil-
dren were born to them, eight of whom are now
living as follows: — Molly, Helen L., Ida R., James
C, Wm. W., Latetia, Josephine and Burgess.
John occupies the farm adjoining that of W. H.
His children are all married : Frank to Harmon
Hall, and living in Kansas ; Elmer to Virginia
Chapman, of West Sparta ; Mary to Gerdell Linds-
ley, of Dansville, and Edson to Jennie Knapp, of
Ossian. The family of Wm. H. are unmarried
and live at home.
Jas. G. Perine first purchased eighty acres of
heavily timbered land in Mt. Morris, having to clear
a space for the erection of a log house into which
he moved during the month of April, and by his
untiring industry cleared four acres from which he
raised a fine crop of corn and potatoes the same
season. Two years later he purchased eighty acres
more, and with the help of his family cleared and
worked the land so successfully that in 1836 he
built the house now occupied by Wm. H. Of the
many who moved into the county at that time none
tasted more of the privations and discomforts of
a pioneer life. He moved from Cayuga county
with an ox team. The first winter spent in the log
house was very disagreeable, as an improvised
blanket was used as a door, and not being imper-
vious to cats and dogs, they were greatly annoyed
by the midnight r3.ids of these animals. The team
of white oxen which he owned were called the
finest in the country and did the double duty of
farm work during the week and drawing the family
to church on the Sabbath. Mr. Perine was a mem-
ber of the Union Corners Baptist Church, and was
deacon of the same for several years. Being a man
possessed of great energy and perseverance he
raised a family that to-day are numbered among
the substantial and respected citizens of the county.
He died Feb. 9, 1869, and was buried in the cem-
etery at Union Corners.
WILLIAM VAN DOREN.
WilUam VanDoren whose grandfather came
from Holland at an early day and located in New
Jersey, is one of the self-made men of this county.
His father, John VanDoren, was born in New
242
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Jersey September 3, 1780, and married Alchsy
Voorhees, from which union eleven children were
born, as follows: — Cornelius, Elizabeth V., Maria,
Sarah Jane (deceased), C. V., Ellen Ann, William,
Catharine, Sarah J., John V., and Henry W.
John VanDoren died March 21, 1856, and his
wife September 23, i868. They were buried in the
Kysorville cemetery.
WiUiam VanDoren was born in the town of
Skaneateles, Onondaga county, May i, 181 7 and
in 1831 moved with his father's family to West
Sparta, where he worked for him till twenty-two
years of age, and then for Deacon Ammerman of
Mt. Morris for twelve dollars per month. After
working for him two years he married Jane E.,
daughter of Ephraim Walker, of Mt. Morris, Feb-
ruary ir, 1841. He then took land to work on
shares until 1850 when he bought twenty-five acres,
running in debt for it, the total amount of his pos-
sessions at that time being five hundred dollars.
The venture proved a profitable one, and after
working a little over three years, he purchased fifty
acres more and moved there with his family. With-
in the next two years he bought twenty-seven acres
of woodland which proved to be the most profita-
ble of his investments. He then bought the Hun-
gerford farm of seventy-six acres and moved there,
where he lived six years, and then sold one hun-
dred and two acres and purchased the farm, on
which he now resides, containing one hundred acres.
He is now the possessor of two hundred and sev-
enty-six acres of land in the town of West Sparta.
The pleasant home where he now resides, is
situated about six miles from Dansville. He has
two daughters, both of whom are married and
settled within three miles of their old home, Mary
J., having married Wm. A. Green and Jennie M.,
having married Edwin G. Stoner, both of West
Sparta.
In politics Mr. VanDoren is a Democrat, has
held the office of Assessor six years, and in 1880
was elected Supervisor by a large majority. He
possesses, in a marked degree, those qualities which
characterize the useful citizen, the good neighbor,
the fihal son and the kind and indulgent parent.
The life of Mr. VanDoren, although containing
no thrilling episodes, may well be regarded with
attention by the young ; commencing life but a
poor boy, with his unaided arm he has conquered a
place in the world that stands as an example to all.
Mr. and Mrs. VanDoren are now in the autumn
of Ufe, enjoying the comforts of a happy home and
fireside, and are members of the Methodist church,
esteemed and beloved by family and friends.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. VanDoren
came from Holland ; fought in the Revolution and
was taken to Halifax a prisoner of war by the
British. Her father was a soldier in the war of
181 2, and was drawing a pension up to the time
of his death. She was the second child in a fam-
ily of nine by his first wife, whose maiden name
was Mary Lake, born in the town of Hoosick,
Rensselear county, a woman of eminent piety,
and half-sister to ten children by his second wife.
CHAPTER XX.
History of the Town or Nunda.
NUNDA lies in the south-western part of Living-
ston county, being the last town but one on the
south-western border. It is bounded on the north
by Mount Morris ; on the south by Grove, (Allegany
county j) easterly by West Sparta and Ossian, and
westerly by the town of Portage. It has an area
of 22,291 acres. The soil in some parts is a sandy
loam ; in other parts a gravelly loam with an inter-
mixture of clay. The soil is adapted to the cul-
ture of cereals, of which, especially of wheat, the
town was at one time a prolific producer.
The Cashaqua Creek, the only stream of im-
portance, rises in Grove, Allegany county, flows
through the north-western part of the town and
empties into the Canaseraga Creek between Dans-
ville and Mount Morris, and thence into the Gene-
see river, affording the chief motor power for the
saw and grist mills scattered along its banks.
The name Nunda is an Indian word said to sig-
nify " the meeting of the hills ;" the popular signifi-
cation being " Potatoe Ground," applied because of
the richness of the soil, which favored the culture
of that tuber. Tradition says there was in early
times an Indian village called Nunda[ah,J but it
was abandoned at the beginning of the Revolution-
ary war, and its exact location is now unknown.
Nunda was originally twelve by twenty-four miles,
embracing the towns of Portage, Pike, Grove,
Granger, Centreville, Eagle, Hume, and Genesee
Falls. It has now a territory of about six miles
square. The town of Nunda was formed from
Angelica, Allegany county, March i ith, 1808. At
an early day its people desired to be annexed to
Livingston county, and soon after this county was
organized began to take steps to secure that end.
In 1846 they succeeded, and Nunda was taken
from Allegany and annexed to Livingston county.
The early settlers came chiefly from New Eng-
land, New Jersey, and from Cayuga county, N. Y.
A few were from Pennsylvania, and from Oneida
county, in this State. The settlers came to this
new country with oxen and sleds, and some
with horse teams. Those who came from a dis-
tance journeyed by the Erie canal to Rochester,
and from thence traveled overland to this valley.
Their scanty stock of goods was drawn by teams
from Rochester and Albany, and Catskill, while
others shipped their goods on keel boats from
Rochester to Geneseo, and from there conveyed
RESIDENCE AND GROUNDS OF E.O
■i.ifM^'^k^ '^A.^'u^ljij
[SON, NuNDA, Livingston, Co. N.Y.
NUNDA— EARLY SETTLERS.
243
them by team to this town. For years there were
but few to fell the forests, and cultivate the land
which their hardy hands had rescued from its primi-
tive wilderness ; while for many years there were,
in all this surrounding region, but few schools in
log-houses, with but few pupils, and but few of the
comforts and conveniences of society and religion
with which the town is now so abundantly favored.
The honor of the first residency in the town has
been ascribed to Phineas Bates and Bela Elderkin,
who located near the present village of Nunda in
1 806. A closer investigation shows that they were
not what was termed settlers, but "squatters," who
occupied land in thatlocaUty before it had entered
the market for public sales ; and who, upon the in-
coming of purchasing residents, moved onward to
newer and unlocated lands.
The lands in this vicinity were put into the mar-
ket by McSweeny, agent for Luke Tiernan,
of Baltimore, owner of the Tuscarora Tract, which
embraced fully one-half of the township. After
these lands were opened for sale by McSweeny as
resident agent, the first actual settlers in the pres-
ent limits of Nunda, as near as can be learned,
were the families of James A. Paine, Reuben Bates,
and George W. Merrick, who came in the spring
of 181 7, James A. Paine coming March 15th,
1817.
It is known that in the previous year — 1816 —
there came to Nunda, John and Jacob Passage,
Schuyler Thompson, Henry Root, John White, and
Abraham Acker; but it is not known that they
settled within the present limits of Nunda, for at
that time the township contained a much larger
area than at present.
George W. Merrick built the first frame house
ever erected in the town. When he came to Nunda
in 18 1 7 he bought some land, and a log-house
partly finished, for forty dollars in gold. He raised
the roof and shingled it with shingles of his own
make without the use of a nail ; laying on a course
of shingles and then putting on a pole to weight
them down, and so on till the roof was completed.
Mr. Merrick was one of the township's most ener-
getic and prominent residents. He held the office
of Supervisor six terms, and was Justice of the
Peace for sixteen years.
Noah Warren was among the first settlers in
Nunda, coming in 181 6 from Cherry Valley, Otsego
county. Remaining but a short time he went from
here to Massachusetts, and returned in April 1819.
The first night of his stay in this locality he passed
with George Patterson, who lived at Oakland in a
little log-cabin in which he could hardly stand up-
right.
Mr. Warren setfled at first near what was known
as " the Corners." He located one hundred acres
on the tract then known as the Norton Tract,
cleared about fifty acres, and lived there until 1823,
when he moved to the Tuscarora Tract, where he
purchased sixty acres.
At that time the land where the village now
stands could have been bought for seven dollars
per acre. There was a log house occupying the
ground where the Livingston House now stands,
and whortleberries could be picked on what are
now the main streets.
Other settlers located rapidly after the opening
of these lands for sale. Among the earlier of these
was James H. Rawson, who came to Nunda in
1 819, and settled near the south line of the town.
He lived to see thrifty farms take the place of
forests, an enterprising and beautiful village spring
up on the site of unkept and unsalable lowlands,
and to witness all of the improvements which have
added to the wealth and industry of the town. Mr.
Rawson held for a number of years the office of
Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk.
He died August 7th, 1879, in his eighty-third year.
Adaline R. Barker, now in Nunda, is his daughter.
Other early settlers were Reuben and Peleg
Sweet, Abner Tuttle, David Corey and brother;
John H. Townser ; Willoughby Lowell, who came
in 18 18, and in that year built the first saw-mill;
Alanson Hubbell, who came in 1819, and who
kept in 1820, the first hotel in Nunda, which stood
where the Nunda House now stands; William P.
Wilcox, in 1820, and who built a residence be-
tween Nunda village and Nunda station, at what
was called " Wilcox Corners," probably so named
in his honor; Henry C. Jones, in 1820, and
Nathaniel Clough, who came in 1821 or 1822.
James A. Paine, Wilham P. Wilcox and George
W. Merrick assisted in laying out and building the
State road in 1821. Earl J. Paine and L. F.
Paine, now living in Nunda, are sons to James A.
Paine, and are about the only, survivors of the early
settlers. Earl J. Paine was ten years old when his
father located in the town in 1817. L. F. Paine
is still a hale and rugged man, with a powerful
memory, and one who has played a by no means
unimportant part in the upbuilding of the town.
From him we learn that the early settlers lived a
life of roughness and severity compared to the lives
of their descendants.
Living in houses built from logs hewed from the
244
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
forests which surrounded them ; subsisting'on what
they could cultivate from the meager patches of
land hurriedly cleared, or on the scant produce
procured miles away in the more settled towns;
toiling early and toiling late, and dressing in home-
spun from their own looms ; theirs was a rugged
life and demanded more than ordinary persever-
ance and self-denial, to procure a living for them-
selves and families.
Shingle making and lumbering was at first the
only important business, the former being made
there for fifty cents per thousand, and the best
lumber selling for two dollars per thousand feet.
In those days deer were abundant. There were
also some bears and elk, but not in large numbers.
Wolves were so plentiful that the settlers could
keep but few sheep, and a reward was paid by the
town for the kiUing of each wolf. Wheat drawn
to Rochester, then a three days' journey, sold for
three and sixpence per bushel, which was consid-
ered a good price. It cost them twelve dollars
per year to get deUvered in Nunda a small paper
published at Geneseo.
In 1820 the Hon. Charles Carroll superintended
the sale of lands in this locahty. He afterwards
purchased the land on which the village of Nunda
now stands, which he laid out in the year 1824.
The first grist mill was built by Samuel Swain
and Lindsley Joslyn in 1828. William Alward, or
C. C. Ashley, built the first tannery. WiUiam P.
Wilcox kept the first store near the Centre in 1820.
M. F. Blanchard and John Gilmore were the first
doctors. The first death was that of Cornelius
Bulson, who was killed by the falling of a tree in
1820. He was buried on the farm since owned
by Mr. Partridge. There was no clergyman in
the town at that time to conduct the services; a
neighbor read a chapter from the Bible, prayer was
offered, and the service ended. In 1832 the Eagle
Hotel was built by James Heath, who kept it for
two or three years. It was for years the largest
hotel in this section of country, and was con-
sidered one of the sights of the town. It occupied
the ground where the Livingston House now
stands.
Under Andrew Jackson's administration — 1832
— the first postofiice was estabHshed in what is now
Nunda village, and Lindsley Joslyn was appointed
postmaster. The office stood on the corner of
Mill and State streets, where the store of W. B.
Whitcomb now stands.
After the town of Portage was set off in 1827,
George W. Merrick was the first Supervisor of
Nunda ; J. H. Rawson, the first Town Clerk, and
William Richardson the first Justice of the Peace.
The first town meeting held in Nunda when it
embraced its original territory, and in the year
when it was erected into a township from Angelica,
Allegany county, was in the house of Peter Gran-
ger, April 4, 1809. Eli Griffith was elected Su-
pervisor, and Asahel Trowbridge, Town Clerk.
The first town meeting after Nunda attained its
present limits, and had been annexed to Livingston
county, was held at the Eagle Hotel, kept at that
time by F. S. Cooley, in the village of Nunda,
March 3d, 1846.
At that meeting the following town officers were
elected : Edward Swain, Supervisor ; Charles E.
Crary, Town Clerk; Earl J. Paine, Highway
Commissioner.
The following have been the Supervisors and
Clerks succeeding that date to the present time : —
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1847. Edward Swain. Charles E. Crary.
1848. Samuel Skinner. "
1849-50. " Edgar M. Brown.*
1851. " James H. Camp.
1852. EHsha Whipple. "
1853- t
1854. Samuel Skinner. Peter Carter. {
1855. " Bradford P. Richmond.
1856. Lewis B. Warner. David D. Tuttle.
1857. L. B. Warner. Hiram C. Grover.
1858-59. " Lewis C. Skinner.
i860. Samuel Skinner. Isaac Bronson.
1 86 1. " C. H. Herrick.
1862. E. O. Dickinson. "
1863. " Benj. F. RoUah.
1864. Alfred Bell. Whitman Metcalf
1865. Herman D. Page. "
1866-67. " "
1868. " Edmond Daggett.
1869. " Geo. W. Daggett.
1870. " Milo S. Goldthwait.
187 1. Jared P. Dodge. "
1872. Elijah Youngs. Benj. F. RoUah.
1873. Jared P. Dodge. "
1874-75. E. O. Dickinson. "
1876-77. Plin. D. Lyon. "
1878. William M. Hunt. Adelbert Moot.
1879. Wm. Y. Robinson. Wilford E. Willey.
1880. " Benj. F. RoUah.
The following were the additional town officers
for the year 1880: —
Highway Commissioner, J. A. Paine ; Justices
of the Peace, John F. Olney, W. S. Orcott, Moses
♦ Edgar M. Brown was appointed by the Justices of tlie Peace as Clerk
for that year, no Clerk having been elected.
t No Supervisor was elected that year ; Samuel Skinner and Alfred
Bell each received 146 votes ; and there is no record showing that any one
was appointed.
t Chariest. Spencer was soon after appointed Clerk vice Peter Carter
resigned. Carter removing from the town.
Merjvian p. Page.
Herman D. Page was born December 10, 1828, and Oct.
22, 1852, married Margaret Consales, who died May 20,
1855. By her he had one child, Carrie M., who is now
wife of Hector Sinclair, of Jamestown. October 27,
1867, he was again married to M. O. Warner, by whom
he had three children as foUows : — George W., Boy A.,
and 'Albert H.
Mr. Page has filled several offices in the town, being,
in 1865, elected Supervisor and reelected five consecutive
terms. He occupies the old homestead, which is beauti-
fully situated about one mile east of the center of the
village of Nunda. There are two fine dwellings on his
farm — which contains 285 acres — one of which is occu-
pied by his tenant. Aside from the fine crops yearly
produced, Mr. Page carries on quite an extensive dairy,
having from twenty -five to thirty cows. He takes great
interest in keeping up his stock, the farm being particu-
larly adapted to this branch of work, as it contains sev-
eral very fine springs which are never dry.
After the death of his father, he purchased the interest
of the heirs and to-day is sole owner of the homestead.
In politics Mr. Page is a Republican, but liberal in his
views, believing that all men should worship and vote as
their conscience dictates.
Alberj- Page.
The ancestors of our subject were of English origin
and moved into this country as early as the eighteenth cen-
tury, participating in the Revolutionary war and the war
of 1812. Albert Page, son of Eli Page, of Bradford,
Conn., was born in Paris, Oneida county, in 1800. He
moved into Nunda at the age of twenty-three, and cleared
from an unbroken forest the foundation of what is now
one of the finest farms in the town. After making a
clearing he erected a log house and returned to his native
place, where he married Jerusha C. Tyler. Eeturniug,
he added 100 acres to his original purchase of fifty, after-
wards adding thirty-five and fifty acres. He was married
three times and is the father of nine children, six of whom
are now living as follows : — 0. A., in Ionia connty, Mich,;
H. D., in Nunda, on the old homestead; Ava E., at
Pleasant Gap, Mo. ; Edward E. , and John E. , at Apple-
ton, Mo., and Mary L,, wife of Charles Giddings of
Nunda.
The second wife of Mr. Page was Abigail Hanford,
and his third, Eliza Weeks, still lives to mourn his
loss. He was a Whig and afterwards a Eepublican. He
filled the position of Assessor and Highway Commission-
er for several years, and in 1 862-3 was Assistant Revenue
Assessor and Collector. Mr. Page possessed those quaU-
ties that make the kind parent and influential citizen. He
was a deacon in the Baptist church for a number of years.
He died August 22, 1876.
VILLAGE OF NUNDA.
245
Wescott, M. H. Wakeman; Assessors, John W.
Banker, D. S. Paine, George Passage; Overseer
of the Poor, Alfred Tabor ; Collector, Alfred W.
Skinner; Constables, Alfred W. Skinner, Isaac
Preston, Ezra W. Davis, Charles Dunn ; Game
Constable, J. B. Satterlee, Jr.
For twenty years, with but one exception, the
town meetings were held in the Eagle Hotel.
Nunda has enjoyed numerous improvements
which have aided the business capacities of the
town. Among these was the Genesee Valley ca-
nal which traversed the northwestern corner of the
town, and which for years was an important factor
in the business of Nunda. This channel of com-
merce opened up to transportation the vast lumber
regions of Livingston and Allegany counties, and
for the greater part of its course passed through
some of the most rugged and beautiful scenery in
the State. From this point to Portage it had a
great elevation, which, with its deep cuts through
embankments, its numerous locks, and the natural
scenery through which it passed, made an exceed-
ingly picturesque view. But now all this has
changed. The forests have been cleared up, the
great bulk of the lumber shipped, railroads thrust
out their competitive branches, and the canal ceas-
ing to be self-supporting was abandoned a few
years ago. * It is no longer the busy commercial
thoroughfare of yore ; the boats have ceased to run ;
wild grasses grow in the bed of the stream ; the
locks are moss covered and decaying; and ruin
reigns over what was once not only picturesque,
but the pride of citizens and a spur to business
activity.
The Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania rail-
road was another improvement which bid fair to be
of the greatest importance to Nunda. The object
of this enterprise was to open to the markets of the
north the vast forests of timber and the bituminous
coal basin of Pennsylvania, which the road was to
have penetrated for some fifty miles, and to make
a direct communication by rail between Rochester
and Pittsburgh, and the cities lying southwest of
the latter.
The cash cost of the road was estimated at
$6,732,000. Towards this sum the citizens of
Nunda contributed hberally. The entire length
of the road was located, extending from Rochester,
its northern terminus, to a junction with Bennett's
branch of the Allegany Valley railroad, its southern
terminus, in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, a dis-
tance of two hundred miles. For that distance the
' 1877.
right of way was in great part secured, and a por-
tion paid for. The grading, bridges and fencing
were all under contract, the road was graded from
Belvidere, Allegany county, to Sonyea, Mount
Morris, and for some distance beyond toward
Rochester, and the track was laid for some thirteen
miles over which cars ran. Work on this road
was extended over a space of three years, when
the enterprise was abandoned for lack of funds
with which to complete it.
In 1875, Nunda had a populatiori of 2,697, of
which 2,477 were of native and 220 of foreign
origin. The white population was 2,864, while of
the colored race the town contained but 13
persons.
The sex of the population was 1,397 males and
1,300 females. In the township there were but 19
aliens. The persons of school age, over five and un-
der eighteen years of age, were, males, 329 ; females,
354 ; and in the town there were but three persons
twenty-one years old and upwards unable to read
and write. The number of males of voting age
was 756 total; of which 650 were native, 97
naturalized, and 9 aliens.
The area of improved land was 15,440 acres; of
woodland, 3,747 acres, and of other unimproved
land, 1,891 acres.
The cash value of farm lands was $1,009,325 ;
of farm buildings, exclusive of dwellings, $143,310;
of farm stock, $129,737; of farming tools and im-
plements, $42,038.
Of this area of farming land, 4,949 acres were
plowed ; 4,398 acres were devoted to pasture, and
3,213 acres were mown, producing 3,575 tons of
hay; 407 acres were devoted to the culture of bar-
ley, producing a yield of 5,561 bushels.
Nunda.
Nunda is situated in the north-western part of
the town, and is a village closely bordering on the
realm of the picturesque. NestHng in a valley some
two miles wide ; surrounded on nearly all sides by
highlands of unusual beauty, on whose slopes are
some of the finest farms in the county; with its
wide and level streets, well paved and shaded walks;
with its stately churches and fine residences, and
every evidence of business activity and thrift, — all
combine to make it one of the pleasantest villages
in the State. It is twenty miles from Angelica on
the south; eighteen from ' Dansville on the east;
eleven from Mount Morris on the north, and a
mile and a half from the Erie railroad at Nunda
Station, from which point it is accessible by stage.
246
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The business part of the village faces on a broad
square, and contains several groceries, two drug
stores, milUnery shops, clothing houses, dry goods,
boot and shoe and hardware stores, harness shops,
jewelry stores, marble factory, public hall, two
banks, two hotels, and a newspaper and general
printing office, all of which are kept up in good
style and bear evidences of prosperity.
A noticeable feature of the village is that the
residences and business houses are uniformly good,
many quite fine ; and there is a pleasing lack of
squallid and dilapidated buildings so apt to be seen
in villages half a century old.
The Nunda House, W. W. Church, proprietor,
stands on the corner of State and Portage streets,
and is a large roomy hotel, superior in many re-
spects to public houses usual to villages of that
size.
The Eagle Hotel, on East street, C. Smith, pro-
prietor, built in 1832 — as before mentioned — is
a hotel of historic interest. For nearly half a
century it has kept open doors for the accommo-
dation of travelers and for the benefit of residents
of the town, and is still as hospitable as in bygone
days. A few years ago it was moved from the site
it occupied, on the corner where the Livingston
House now stands, to its present location. It is a
long, low building, with a veranda across the entire
front, and retains nearly the form in which it was
built. The large building on the corner of State
and East streets was erected a few years ago and
was devoted to the uses of a hotel and named tlie
"Livingston House." It was abandoned for such
purposes, the ground rooms turned into various
business places, and the upper floors changed into
offices, and a hall for political and general public
business.
The Nunda News, the only newspaper in the
town was established in 1859 by C. K. Sanders,
who still continues as its editor and proprietor, and
who is also the present postmaster, having held that
office for a number of years.
The village has several lodges in good working
order, — Kishequa Lodge, No. 299, F. and A. M.,
organized in 1851.
Ancient Order United Workingmen, organized
in 1879.
The Foresters, a benefit order on the insurance
plan, organized in 1879, and
The Union, an order somewhat similar to the
former, organized in 1880.
The village is favored with a fine body of musi-
cians, the Livingston Cornet Band, containing
thirteen pieces, and organized in 1879, under the
leadership of W. H. Willard.
Among its other attractions Nunda is favored
with a mineral spring, whose medicinal properties
are becoming quite celebrated.
The spring is situated about half a mile from the
village on the land of Daniel Passage. The spring
was discovered in 1867 by Mr. Passage, while dig-
ging for water for his stock. Noticing that the
water had an unusually acrid and bitter taste he
was induced to have it analyzed, the analysis show-
ing that it contained in large quantities the sul-
phates of magnesia and lime, together with the
carbonates of lime and iron.
A large and attractive building has been erected
on a commanding portion of the land for the ac-
commodation of visitors wishing to test the quali-
ties of the water, and pass the summer days amidst
the delightful scenery of this section of country.
The first permanent settlers in the village -were
Deacon Rawson, Asa Heath, Samuel Swain, David
Bassett and James M. Heath. The first frame house
in the village was built in 1824 by Asa Heath, who
came from Washington county, and settled in
Nunda in 1820. A portion of the house he built is
still standing. In 1824 the village was laid out with
some degree of system, and in fifteen years after
was incorporated, April 26, 1839. The first meet-
ing held for the election of village officers was on
Tuesday, the nth day of June, 1839, at the Eagle
Hotel, at which meeting the following officers were
elected : —
Trustees, Benedict Bagley, Russell Barnes, Wal-
ter Whitcomb, Calvin B. Lawrence, David Holmes.
Assessors, Calvin B. Lawrence and Samuel Swain,
Jr.
At a meeting of the trustees held at the office of
Benedict Bagley on the following Thursday, June
13, 1839, Nathaniel Coe was appointed Clerk,
William D. Hammond, Collector, and Albert H.
Prescott, Pound Master.
The following were other appointments made by
the trustees at that date : —
Fire Wardens, Clifford Chaffee, B. P. Richmond,
W. M. Chipman, Henry C. Jones. Members of
Hook and Ladder Company, Addison M. Crane,
Hiram C. Grover, Thomas Raines, Francis F. Gibbs,
Joseph White, James Swain, Jehiel Reed, Henry
Ashley, Doctor D. Morse, Henry Chalker.
Law^yers. — Benedict Bagley, at whose office this
meeting is mentioned as being held, was one of the
most prominent men in the town for nearly a quar-
ter of a century. He came to Nunda in 1832 and
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VILLAGE OF NUNDA— PHYSICIANS, BANKS.
247
remained till 1855, when he went to Cincinnati,
Ohio, and engaged in the banking business.
He was a lawyer of no mean ability, and held a
high place at the bar, but his interest in other
business led him to gradually give up active prac-
tice. When he came to Nunda it was a small ham-
let, and he resided in a house where Grace church
now stands. He took a prominent part in the local
affairs of the town ; was one of the first trustees,
and held the office of Justice for one term. He
was a stockholder and one of the directors in the
Cornell Telegraph line, laid through that region in
1850.
He was also Attorney for and Vice-President of
the Buffalo and New York City Railroad during its
construction from Hornellsville to Buffalo, now the
Buffalo Branch of the Erie Railroad. He also en-
gaged in building railroads in the West. Previous
to his removal to Cincinnati he v/as interested in a
contract on the Chicago and Mississippi Railroad
near Springfield, 111. He died in Dansville, Novem-
ber 4, 1875, at the age of seventy-five.
Among other lawyers of the past were A. C.
Chipman and Luther C. Peck, the latter holding a
prominent position at the bar. He represented in
Congress the Thirtieth Congressional district, con-
sisting of Livingston and Allegany counties, his
Congressional career extending from 1837 to 1841.
The present lawyers of Nunda are Peck & Wil-
ley — the former a son of Luther C. Peck, and who
has inherited much of his father's legal acumen —
Osgoodby & Moot, Daggett & Norton, E. W. Pack-
ard, D. S. Robinson, Frank Dake, E. C. Olney, W.
S. Coffin, H. M. Dake.
Physicians. — Among the past physicians of the
town were, Dr. Wright, W. G. Blanchard in 1829;
John Gilmore, who moved to Nebraska, but at
what date is unknown. The present doctors are
WiUiam B. Alley, who has been in Nunda seven-
teen years. He graduated at the Berkshire Medi-
cal College, Pittsfield, Mass., and has been in prac-
tice thirty-one years.
C. L. Harding, who located in Nunda in 1846,
graduated at Cincinnati. Has been in practice
thirty-four years.
S. C. Upson, a licentiate of New York State,
has resided in Nunda thirty-five years, and has
been in practice sixty years.
John B. Sabin graduated at Buffalo, N. Y., and
has been in Nunda about ten years.
Mrs. Doctor Whitcomb, (Homeopathic,) gradu-
ated at Boston ; has been in practice four years.
T. A. Hammond, graduated at Pulta Medical
School, Cincinnati, (Homeopathic,) has been in
practice one year.
Banks. — The Nunda £a?tk was organized in
May, 1873, as a private bank. The officers are
Robert J. Baity, President; W. B. Whitcomb,
Vice-President ; John E. Mills, Cashier. The office
is situated on the corner of State and East streets,
in the Livingston House building.
The First National Bank of Nunda was organ-
ized February 5, 1875, the articles of association
being drawn and signed on that day.
The directors were elected the 1 2th of February
as follows:— John F. Barber, Michael DowHng,
John M. Griffeth, James S. McMaster, Gordon L.
Gilbert. President, John F. Barber ; Vice-Presi-
dent, John M. Griffeth ; Cashier, James S. McMas-
ter. The bank commenced business April ist,
1875, succeeding the Bank of Nunda, a private bank
established in 1868. The capital was $50,000 in
$100.00 shares. The present directors and offi-
cers are John F. Barber, Peter DePuy, William Y.
Robinson, Gordon L. Gilbert, John M. Griffeth.
President, John F. Barber ; Vice-President, John
M. Griffeth ; Cashier, Peter DePuy.
The Oakwood Cemetery Association. — This
association was formed June 17, r865, conformable
to an Act passed April 27, 1847, authorizing the
incorporation of Rural Cemetery associations. At
that meeting the following trustees were elected : —
Hon. Alfred Bell, Robert J. Baity, John Angler,
Willard Wood, Cyrus Rose, E. O. Dickinson, L.
B. Warner.
The members of the society are the same as the
officers given, with the following additions — Walter
Whitcomb, Henry Lambert and Henry Martin.
The Pioneer Association of Nunda and Por-
tage.— The first meeting for the formation of this
society was held August nth, 1877, at which meet-
ing it was
"■Resolved to organize a Pioneer Association
for the towns of Nunda and Portage, for the
purpose of gleaning and preserving facts per-
taining to the early and modern history of these
localities."
On Saturday, August i8th, 1877, the permanent
organization was effected with the appended Ust of
officers and members : —
President, Utley Spencer ; Vice Presidents, Am-
mon Smith, of Portage, and John Gilmore of
Nunda ; Secretary and Treasurer, C. K. Sanders ;
Historians, B. P. Richmond, Nunda, Charles D.
Bennett, Portage ; Medical Statisticians, Dr. Wil-
liam B. Alley, Nunda, B. F. Kneeland, Portage;
Executive and Financial Committee, Joel C. Ben-
248
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
nett, E. O. Dickinson. The object of this society
is to procure and preserve whatever may be of his-
torical interest to these towns, and to gather such
statistics relating to education, population, the
growth, general prosperity, and business of this lo-
cality as may be of public utility. Such an asso-
ciation must be of great benefit to any town if its
object be to any great extent attained. A few
years hence and its worth will be fully appreciated
if not in the present decade. An important feature
in the society is the keeping of a book of registry,
in which all members are required to sign their
own names, that their autographs may be pre-
served. The meetings of the association are held
annually.
Educational Institutions. — Thirty years ago
Nunda had an enviable reputation for the high
character of its schools. In fact, there were few if
any villages in the State whose facilities for educa-
tional purj)0ses were equal to hers. Various causes,
not the most unimportant of which was the indif-
ference of the people to educational matters, led to
a decline in the high character of the schools ; and
though not now behind the times in educational
facihties, it must be confessed that up to 1876 its
former glory had, to a great extent, departed.
The Nunda Literary Institute was opened in
1843, and was for years a widely known and in-
fluential school of learning. The first term began
May I St, 1843, with Rev. Amasa Buck, Principal;
Mary S. Buck, Preceptress ; and Eliza Brown,
Musical Teacher. It had a thorough course in
EngUsh, French, Latin, Greek and Music, and was
well attended by pupils from various parts of the
country. Occupying so high a position it had a
prosperous career till the building was destroyed by
fire May 2, 1859, when the school was adjourned
and never fully resumed. A few years after the
burning of the Institute building a united effort was
made by the people, and a new and commodious
brick building was erected. In this building began
the existence of the Nunda Academy which con-
tinued till 1876. On the whole this was a success-
ful school, and left its impress in the community ;
but it suffered, Uke most of the Academies of the
State, by a frequent change of principals. Becom-
ing apparent to the people that as an Academy it
ceased to accomplish the work which it was felt the
community needed, a movement was started to
consolidate the adjacent districts and form a Union
graded School, which object which was accom-
plished on Tuesday evening, August 15, 1876, when
five districts were consolidated into one.
On Saturday evening, August 12, 1876, pursuant
to a resolution of a previous meeting, the election
of a Board of Education took place. The trustees
elected were as follows : —
One year — Cyrus Rose, James McNair, Daniel
Passage.
Two years — John F. Olney, James Lemen,
Samuel Swain.
Three years— L. B. Warner, J. V. D. Coon, E.
O. Dickinson.
At this meeting W. S. Coffin, Esq., offered the
following resolution, which was adopted : —
" Whereas, there exists within the limits of this
Union Free School District an academy known as
the Nunda Academy, and an academic institution
is needed in said district, therefore
"Resolved, That the Board of Education of this
Union Free School District be, and they are
hereby authorized and directed (by and with the
consent of the trustees of the Nunda Academy,) to
adopt said Nunda Academy as the academic de-
partment of this Union Free School District."
The trustees of the academy consented, and
thus was formed the Nunda Academy and Union
Free School.
A meeting of the Board of Education was held
on the succeeding Monday, and the following
officers were chosen : —
President, J. V. D. Coon; Secretary, J. F. Olney;
Treasurer, L. B. Warner ; Committee on Teachers,
Samuel Swain, James Lemen, Dr. Coon; Com-
mittee on Repairs and Supphes, Cyrus Rose, Dan-
iel Passage, E. O. Dickinson.
In 1877 the school opened with the subjoined
faculty : —
M. T. Dana, Principal; Miss Frankie Hinds,
Mrs. Nellie Ransom, Miss Mattie McNair.
The Board of Education and Faculty for 1880-81
are as follows: —
H. D. Page, President; J. F. Olney, Secretary;
L. B. Warner, A. C. Dodge, E. W. Packard,
James Lemen, Virgil Hungerford, Fidelia J. M.
Whitcomb, S. Augusta Herrick.
M. T. Dana, Principal ; Carrie A. Van Ness,
Academic Assistant ; Frankie Hinds, Preparatory
Department ; Mrs. Nellie Ransom, Intermediate
Department ; Mattie McNair, Primary Depart-
ment; Mary N. Cofiin, Primary Department.
The school is free to all actual residents of the
town, and although the attempt to consohdate the
districts was earnestly opposed by many of the
inhabitants as an unwise plan, their experience has
demonstrated that it was both a wise and a bene-
ficial movement.
VILLAGE OF NUNDA — CHURCHES.
249
The number of districts having school houses in
the town are twelve, employing eighteen teachers.
There are in these districts 790 scholars over
five and under twenty-one years of age; the num-
ber of children attending school during the year
being 639.
During the past year school has been taught 355
weeks, with an average attendance of 385, and an
expenditure of $4,382.82 for teachers for the year.
There was paid for school apparatus during the
year but $3.69, while for libraries there was ex-
pended $39.35. The total value of the district
libraries is $398. The total incidental expenses
for the year were $431.18. There has been paid
out for school houses, sites, fences, furniture,
repairs, &c., the sum of $974.78. The school
houses and sites are valued at $16,480; and the
total valuation of districts is $1,213,949.
The present officers of the village of Nunda
are:-
Chris. Smith, Mayor and Deputy Sheriff; F. P.
Thomas, Trustee; R. J. Baity, Trustee; B. F. Rol-
lah. Village Clerk ; John E. Mills, Treasurer.
Churches. — Coming as many of the early set-
tlers did from the New England States, where
religious observances had for years been as much a
part of their nature as the breath they drew, it was
natural that the pioneers in this new region should
stilllovingly cling to those observances and endeavor
to form as early as possible societies for the wor-
ship of God. Hence we find that in the very first
years of the settlement a movement was begun to
incorporate into a society the people of religious
antecedents. The first society thus formed was
by the Baptists in 18 19, under the efforts of Elder
Samuel Messenger. Elder Messenger came from
the town of Phelps, Ontario county, and located
near the hamlet of Oakland on a farm, which the
greater part of his time he was obliged to cultivate
to derive subsistence for himself and family. He
found in the valley several people who were mem-
bers of Baptist churches in the places from whence
they had come ; and who anxious to be associated
in one common body, with his advice and assist-
ance drew up a list of articles of faith and cove-
nant, to which twelve members subscribed. To
this body of pioneer worshipers Elder Messenger
extended the hand of fellowship as a regular, inde-
pendent Baptist Church, at a meeting held for
such organization at the house of Mr. Button in
Hunt's Hollow,* May 21, 1819.
* In Portage now, but which at that date was part of Nunda.
The names of the twelve subscribing members
were : —
Russell Messenger, Schuyler Thompson, Elijah
Bennett, Aaron Thompson, Aaron Thompson, Jr.,
Jacob Devoe, Wm. Greening, Susanna Greening,
HuldahRoot,Rhoda Ann Bennett, Sally Thompson.
Elijah Bennett was chosen clerk, which office he held
until October 5, 1820, when he resigned and Jas.
H. Rawson was elected to fill his place.
After the organization of the church, the first
member who joined it was Willoughby Lowell,
who presented his letter and was received to mem-
bership at the first covenant meeting June 5, 1820,
James H. Rawson was the first member received
into the church by baptism.
In October, 1820, Elijah Bennett, one of the
first subscribing members, having by'his ability and
zeal shown himself adapted to ministerial work,
was duly ordained as a minister by elders Bradley,
Case and Messenger. In that year Schuyler
Thompson, EUas Rawson and James H. Rawson
were elected deacons.
In 1820 this church was annexed to the Ontario
Baptist Association, which connection was severed
in 1824, when it united with the Holland Purchase
Association. The organization of this church and
society in a legal form occurred on the 8th of Oc-
tober, 1827, when Daniel Ashley, Silas Warren and
John Waite were chosen trustees. In the twelve
succeeding years the trustees were annually elected
according to the laws of the State; but at the an-
nual meeting in April, 1840, it having become ne-
cessary to be more expUcit, in order to possess and
hold real estate this body was regularly incorpor-
ated pursuant to the statutes of the Legislature,
and under such corporation Samuel Swain, Jr.,
Albert Page and Edward H. Brackett, were elected
trustees. At this date the membership for the
first time since the organization, numbered one
hundred, which, in July of the following year, was
reduced to eighty-two by the withdrawing of Curtis
Coe, Thaddeus Bennett, John Gearhart and fifteen
other members to form the Grove and Portage
Church at Hunt's Hollow.
In the infancy of the church its meetings were
held in private houses, log school-houses and in
barns. In 1827, at the annual church meeting in
April, the following resolution was adopted : —
" Voted, that we hold our meetings from the first
Sabbath in May until the ist of October in one
place, and that shall be at Mr. Jones' barn.
In June, 1827, this church was incorporated in
the Genesee River Association formed at that
250
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
date, in which body it still retains a membership.
The Society at this union with the above asso-
ciation began to feel the need of a settled and
central place of meeting, and soon after were al-
lowed the use of a school-house in a central local-
ity, and which the society enlarged at its own ex-
pense. In this house their meetings were held for
a short time, when it was found too small to ac-
commodate the increasing congregation and a
more suitable place was sought.
Early in 1832, by a united effort, they com-
menced the erection of a house of worship which
was located on the corner of Mill and Church
streets, and which in the following winter was com-
pleted and dedicated. Long before its dedication
it was needed for their use. Furnishing it with
temporary seats their regular services were held on
the Sabbath day, and the church at this time
passed through one of its most important revivals,
during which more than eighty united by baptism.
At the succeeding meeting of the Association, the
membership of this church was reported as two
hundred and twenty-eight. The rapidly increas-
ing congregation made it necessary in a few years
to erect a larger place of worship, which, by an
earnest and united effort, was partly accomplished
in 184 1, and completed and dedicated in 1842.
This is the edifice now standing on the south-
east corner of Church and East streets. The form-
er building was sold and converted to the use of
an academy for the Nunda Literary Institute, and
was used by that society until May 2, 1859, when
it was destroyed by the torch of an incendiary.
The lives of the early pastors of this church and
the pioneer ministers of this section of the country
are full of interest in the exhibition of unselfishness
and zeal with which they labored to foster and ex-
tend the worship of God.
Elder Messenger devoted a portion of his time
for seven years to the upbuilding of this church,
for which labor he received but little pecuniary
compensation. His salary scarcely ever exceeded
one hundred dollars per annum.
In 1826, he resigned his pastorate and was suc-
ceeded by Elder Elijah Bennett, whose ministerial
labors extended to 1830, the last year being as-
sisted a part of the time by Elder Harvey. He
also preached in 1831-32. Elder Bennett died in
Nunda, in 1835. In the latter part of 1832, the
church came under the pastoral care of Elder Ezra
W. Clark, who remained until 1836, when he re-
signed on account of ill-health. He was succeeded
by Elder Abram Ennis, who retained the pastorate
till 1840.* His salary was $400 for the first year,
and $500 for each of the last three years. Elder
J. W. Spoor, the next pastor, began his labors in
October of 1840, and continued them until May,
1844. Under his pastorate about two hundred
and thirty members were added to the church,
while a reduction in the membership of two hun-
dred and five left a total of a little over five hun-
dred at the time of his resignation.
In May, 1844, Elder Ichabod Clark assumed
the ministerial duties. Elder Clark's pastorate
ended in May, 1848. In June of that year the
membership reported was three hundred and sev-
enty-nine, which exceeds the membership reported
in any subsequent years. Elder Jira D. Cole suc-
ceeded Elder Clark, and remained with this people
about two years, during which time the church
passed through a season of very deep trial, occa-
sioned chiefly by connections with secret societies,
in violation of resolutions which had been passed
in 1827. t
For some months after the expiration of Elder
Cole's term the desk was supplied by a licentiate,
when Elder P. B. Houghout was engaged but re-
mained only a short time, resigning in July, 1851,
and Elder Spoor again assumed the pastorate in
November, 1851, holding it till May, 1854. He
was succeeded by Elder Whitman Metcalf, whose
labors extended over a period of nine years. His
advanced age and infirmities caused him to resign
in May, 1863. He was succeeded by Elder J. J.
Keyes, who labored here for nearly two years. He
was succeeded by Elder J. B. Vroorman, who re-
mained till April, 1870.
Elder William Mudge came in May, 1870, re-
maining until July, 1873, when he was succeeded
by Elder C. B. Parsons, who continued from Oct.,
1873, to April ist, 1876. The present pastor is
Rev. J. D. Tucker, who came in April, 1876.
Several members of this church have entered the
ministry. Elijah Bennett, before mentioned as
being ordained in 1820. Peter Robinson was or-
dained to the work of the ministry in 1836. Newell
Boughton was licensed in 1836, and subsequently
ordained. James Work, a native of the Orkney
Islands, was licensed in Hamilton, Canada, and
united with this church in 1855. He completed a
course of education at Rochester, and was or-
dained here February 11, 1863, being about to re-
turn to his native land to preach to his country-
men. Lysander L. Wellman was licensed in 1861
* Elder Ennis died in Mendon, Monroe county, in 1845.
t Tliese resolutions were repealed in April, 1866.
VILLAGE OF NUNDA— CHURCHES.
251
and afterward ordained. Alvin W. Tousey was
licensed in 1861, was subsequently ordained, and
went to Illinois where he engaged in the ministerial
work.
The First Presbyterian Church of Nunda* —
This, in point of time, was the next church to or-
ganize for the worship of God; for among the in-
coming tide of new settlers was an increasing num-
ber of Presbyterian antecedents and associations,
and it was but natural that they should wish to en-
joy the same ministrations as to doctrines and or-
dinances as those under which they had received
their early training.
Accordingly, upon the sixth of October, 183 r,
they were organized into a Presbyterian church.
The meeting for the organization was held in a
school house near Deacon Wisner's, two miles
northeast of the present site of the church. So far
as can now be ascertained it seemed to have been
a spontaneous movement among those of like mind
and faith. No record and no personal recollec-
tion of the oldest residents remains, pointing to
any particular one as a leader of others. The
ministers present and assisting in the organization,
were Revs. Robert Hubbard, Abel Caldwell, and
Ludovicus Robbins. The Elders were Joseph
Waldo and Silas Olmstead. Of these ministers,
Mr. Hubbard had organized the Presbyterian
church at Angelica in 18 11, and preached there a
number of years. He assisted in organizing the
Presbyterian church at Dansville in 1825, and was
for a number of years its pastor. He was subse-
quently pastor of the church at Fowlerville, at
which place he died in 1840. Mr. Caldwell was
the minister at Hunt's Hollow, to which place he
had come, it is believed, from Bloomfield.
The entire number uniting at this organization
was fourteen. Ten of these were by letter, and
four upon profession of faith. Their names were :
John Chapin, Clarissa Chapin, James Patterson,
Sarah Patterson, Zaddock Herrick, Betsey Her-
rick, EHza Guy, Mille Pierce, Celestia J. Hills,
Abraham Van Sickle. Those uniting upon pro-
fession of faith were Sillah Lee, Lucinda Booth,
William R. Duryee, and Mrs. Lany Duryee.
It has been said that the church was organized
first as Congregational, and afterward changed
to Presbyterian by a vote of the members ; but ac-
cording to the records, and from the recollections
of many of the older members, it would appear
* To Rev. B. S, Foster, a former pastor of this church, now in Spring-
ville, N. Y. , we are gready indebted for a full and accurate history of this
Society ; he having during his pastorate taken especial pains to glean all
that was of historical interest, and which he kindly placed at our disposal.
that the organization was designed from its origin
to be Presbyterian, although there was no election
and ordination of Elders until May 21, 1835. The
business seems to have been transacted by church
meetings, and practically the church was carried for-
ward according to Congregational usage.
The first clerk of the society was James Patter-
son, Nathaniel Chandler succeeding him in office.
At a meeting of the church which is without date,
but which must have been soon after August 25,
1833, David Shager and John Chapin were elected
deacons. The former accepted, the latter declined.
At a meeting held May 21, 1835, six ruling elders
were elected as follows : — Samuel Swain and Rus-
sell Barnes, for one year; Elihu Dickinson and
Ephraim Smith, for two years; and John Chapin
and Abraham Burgess for three years. At the same
meeting it was voted to have four deacons — Guliel-
mus Wing, one year ; David Thayer, two years ;
Erastus Buck, three years ; and Josiah Phelps, four
years, all of whom accepted but Mr. Wing. This
completed the organization as a church, which at
this time was under the care of the Presbytery of
Angelica, from which it was transferred to Ontario
Presbytery, October 8, 1844.
The first minister who assumed pastoral charge
of this church was Rev. Ludovicus Robbins, who
remained one year, and who preached to the con-
gregation in the school house where the organiza-
tion took place. Afterward the meetings were
held in the Page school house, one-half mile east
of the present church, and were held there for
about a year.
The best recollection concerning Mr. Robbins is
that he formerly preached at Avon, Conn., but that
he came from Union Corners to this place, and
afterwards went to Michigan.
Soon after this time, and up to 1844, the funds
for church expenses were raised by assessment upon
the property of the church and society. Those not
consenting to that plan had a subscription taken
up among them, and the amount thus raised was
subtracted from the whole sum to be raised, and the
remainder was raised by assessment.
In April, 1844, that rule was abrogated, but sub-
stantially the same rule was afterward resumed. It
is not in force now, but there is no record of when
the custom was abandoned.
The name of the next pastor, Rev. William P.
Kendrick, first appears on the record October 25,
1832. He remained till the close of 1833. It is be-
lieved he came to this place from West Bloomfield.
i^rom here he went to Grove, Allegany county.
252
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
In January, 1834, the name of Rev. Asa John-
son first appears, who, having preached three
months on probation, was installed pastor of
the church by the Presbytery of Angelica, Febru-
ary 26, 1834. His pastorate extended to October,
1837. He was a graduate of Auburn Theological
Seminary, and had preached in Richmond, Ontario
county, from which place, it is believed, he came to
Nunda. At the close of his pastorate here he went
to Logansport, Indiana. Under his ministration
occurred the first revival in this church in which he
was assisted by Rev. Mr. Littlejohn, well known in
those days as an Evangelist.
The name of the succeeding pastor, Rev. Wales
Tileston, first appears November 5, 1837, as mod-
erator. Although there exists no record of his in-
stallation as pastor, or of the time when his labors
with this society ceased, it is the recollection of
those who remember that he was installed. He
came to this place from Heath, Mass. Subse-
quently he went to Illinois.
He was followed by Rev. Edwards Marsh, whose
name first appears in the minutes of June 7, 1840,
as moderator of the session. It seems probable,
however, that he commenced his labors as stated
supply in the spring of 1840. In this capacity he
continued to labor until at a meeting of the congre-
gation on the ninth of March, 1846, a formal call
was made to him to become the settled pastor of
the church, and he was so installed. In the following
year he tendered his resignation which was accepted
March 8, 1847.
He came to this church from Avon, and on retir-
ing went to Canton, Illinois.
Rev. WilUam Lusk became the next pastor, a
call having been extended to him June 7, 1847.
He remained till February 26, 1852, when he re-
signed his pastorate. He had formerly preached in
Washington county and in Cherry Valley, N. Y.
He afterwards preached in Batavia.
Soon after the resignation of Mr. Lusk his suc-
cessor, Rev. Pliny F. Sanborne filled the desk as
temporary supply, and was engaged as stated sup-
ply for one year from December 11, 1852. He was
not installed, but continued as stated supply until
the spring of 1857. He came to this place from
Granby, Connecticut. He afterwards labored nine
years at West Bloomfield, Ontario county.
Rev. L. G. Marsh was his successor, beginning
his labors in June, 1857. He was not installed,
but labored with great acceptance as stated supply
until September, i860. During his pastorate,
according to the best recollection, was made the
change in time of church service from afternoon to
evening, there having formerly been two services
each Sabbath, one in the morning and the other
at one and a half o'clock p. m. Mr. Marsh had
previously preached in Thomaston, Maine, from
which place he came to this charge.
In the fall of i860 Rev. I. O. DeLong began
his labors, remaining as stated supply for about
three years.
After the retirement of Mr. De Long, Rev. L.
G. Marsh returned and began his second pastorate
February 9, 1864, which he retained until Decem-
ber, 187 1, when he resigned and returned to Ban-
gor, Maine.
Rev. T. Dwight Hunt was the succeeding pastor,
to whom a call was extended in February, 1872,
and who was soon after installed. He remained
until September, 1875, when his pastoral relation
was dissolved. He had previously been a mission-
ary to the Sandwich Islands ; had also labored in
San Francisco.
He was succeeded by Rev. B. S. Foster, who was
installed March ist, 1876, and whose pastorate
extended to the first of June, 1879.
After the expiration of his pastorate, the church
was unsupplied some eight or nine months, his
successor, the present pastor, Rev. N. H. Bell,
commencing his labors in February, 1880. He
came from Arcade, Wyoming county.
During the pastorates of the two latter ministers
the church has suffered much from deaths.
The succession of elders and deacons, after those
elected in the first years of the organization, were
Erastus Buck, 1838; William R. Duryee, May 21,
1839; C. W. King, June 23, 1840; Joseph Waldo,
Dec. 31, 1841; Charles V. Craven, Stephen Bald-
win, and Earl J. Paine, Jan. 10, 1846; Alfred Bell,
John Gilmore and George H. Bayley, March 5,1864;
Jacob Brinkerhoff, Charles T. Metcalf, Dec. 31,
1870; Adam Potts, George Arnold and J. M. Mc-
Nair,July6, 1872 j John T. Van Ness, May 6, 1876.
Deacons — William R. Duryee, July 2, 1836;
Zaddock Herrick, Sept. 4, 1837 ; Chauncy Ladd,
May 21, 1839; John Briggs, Dec. 31, 1841 ;
Charles V. Craven and Erastus Buck, Jan. 10,
1846; George H. Bagley and Andrew B. Lock-
wood, March 6, 1864; C. T. Metcalf, April 8,
1871.
The rapid increase in members and in attendance
upon the services soon required a more commodi-
ous place of meeting than the school house in
which the meetings were held, and the society
erected their first church edifice in 1833. It stood
VILLAGE OF NUNDA — CHURCHES.
253
on thq east part of the present church lot. No
records can be found respecting its erection. It
is learned, however, that Samuel Swain, Nathaniel
Chandler and Gulielraus Wing were prominent in
originating and furthering the enterprise. The
cost of this building was about $2,200. Upon the
completion of this place of worship there were two
services regularly every Sabbath, the services pre-
viously having been held every alternate Sabbath,
the minister in charge having been obliged to de-
vote half of his time to another field.
After a lapse of thirteen years the still increasing
membership and attendance made .it necessary to
build a larger church, and in 1846 the erection of
the present edifice was begun, and in June of 1847
was dedicated by Rev. Edwards Marsh, in the
interval between his resignation and the arrival of
Rev. William Lusk, his successor.
To Mr. Alfred Bell is accredited an especial in-
fluence in originating and aiding the work of con-
structing this second and commodious house of
worship.
The trustees when the church was built were
Alfred Bell, William M. Marsh, Nathaniel Chand-
ler, Russell Barnes and A. H. Prescott.
The cost of this building was about $6,000.
The former house was sold to the Methodist Epis-
copal society previous to the erection of this. The
size of this church is 50 by 80 feet, with a seating
capacity, including galleries, of 650. Early in the
pastorate of Rev. Mr. Tileston — probably some time
in 1838 — a session house was built on the present
site .of the parsonage, the cost of which was $800.
It was divided into two stories, the upper one being
for many years devoted to school purposes. In
1872 this session house was sold for $600 and re-
moved. The proceeds of the sale were devoted
to the erection of the parsonage which occupies
the site where the session house stood. The par-
sonage cost $3,000, less the amount received for
the session house.
The present membership is about 120, and the
aggregate membership since the organization 854.
The church property is situated on the north-
west corner of Church and East streets, the par-
sonage being on the former street.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Nunda. — The
next people to form into an organization for the
worship of God were the Methodists, a considera-
ble number of whom had become by this time
located m the township.
The first meeting for the organization of this
society was held in the house of Samuel Record, in
the village of Nunda, some time in the year 1837.
No records of this or of meetings immediately fol-
lowing can be discovered. According to the re-
collection of Mr. Record, who still resides in the
village, the only members present at that meeting
were Jacob H. Osgoodby and wife, Mrs. Stivers,
and Mr. Record and his wife, who constituted the
original membership.
The society was at first organized as Indepen-
dent Methodist, but afterward, the society under
that name becoming to a great extent inoperative,
it was joined to the Methodist Episcopal Confer-
ence, but in what year is not known.
It would appear that the pastors who first labored
with this society were Revs. Mr. Hard and Bron-
son, about the year 1840. In its early days the
church passed through many trials and vicissitudes,
and the pioneers in this movement were obliged to
struggle against much discouraging opposition.
Their meetings for years were held in private
houses, school houses, and in barns, but being
composed of energetic and determined men and
women, the society grew in strength, in zeal, and
in means, and in 1846 succeeded in procuring a
church of their own.
The Presbyterian society in this year beginning
the erection of a new church, the Methodists pur-
chased of that society the edifice about to be va-
cated, and removedit from the Presbyterian ground
to its present location on the northeast corner of
Church and East streets, repairing, improving, and
dedicating it in 1849. The dedicatory sermon was
preached by Rev. A. S. Baker, who was the pastor
at that time.
After the pastorates of Revs. Hard and Bronson, it
would seem that preaching had been conducted by
Revs. Church and Wheeler, but in what order of
succession, and at what dates, is unknown. The
first trace that can be discovered of any settled
pastor is in 1 840, when Revs. Amos Hard and Ira
Bronson are mentioned in conjunction. In 1841
Rev. Mr. Doolittleis mentioned as having officiated.
In 1842 and '43, the name of Rev. Carlos Gould
is mentioned. Thereafter, the succession of pas-
tors was as follows : —
Rev. D. B. Lawton, 1844-46; Rev. Robert Par-
ker, 1847-48; Rev. A. S. Baker and colleague,
Rev. Thos. Tousey, i848*-49; Rev. I.J. Mecham,
Rev. J. L. Edson, 1850; Rev. Mr. Laman,
1851-52; Rev. Albert Plumley, 1852-54; Rev.
Mr. Latimer, 1855 ; Rev. Wesley Cochrane, 1855-
* The Methodist Conference year began in October, and a pastor com-
ing, for instance, in October, 1848, would be put down for that year,
though his first year would not occur till the next October.
254
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
1856; Rev. R. Harrington, 1856-58; Rev. L. L.
Rogers, 1859-60; Rev. Charles S. Fox, 1861-62;
Rev. B. F. Bradford, 1863 ; Rev. E. P. Hunting-
ton, 1864-65; Rev. Elijah Wood, 1866; Rev. J.
L. Edson, 1867; Rev. J. C. Hitchcock, 1868-69;
Rev. L. D. Chase, 1870-72; Rev. WilHam Brad-
ley, 1873-75; Rev. J. B. Countryman, 1876-78;
Rev. A. Southerland, 1879-80.
The present membership in the church is one
hundred and twenty-two.
First Universalist Church of Nunda. — The
first meeting for the organization of the Universa-
Ust congregation was held in a district school-house
in the village of Nunda, September 12th, 1840.
The officers at that meeting were Elijah Horton,
Moderator, and L. S. Church, Clerk.
The deacons chosen were Granville Sherwood
and Joseph Root. The names of the persons en-
rolling themselves as members were : —
Richard Church, Elijah Horton, Abram Merrick,
Joseph H. Root, Charles Stillson, Granville Sher-
wood, Joshua Fuller, George Townsend, Lawrence
S. Church, Lyman Smith, Amman Smith, Leonard
Church, Nathan Sherwood, Jonathan Hay, Sarah
Horton, Elvira Starkweather, Malvina J. Church,
Esther Merrick, Abigail Gould, Harriet Horton,
Mercy Fuller, Maria Sherwood.
On the 23d of January, i84i,the Universahst
society was formed, R. Church, presiding as chair-
man, and Elijah Horton, as secretary of the meet-
ing. The following trustees were elected — David
Grover, Richard Church, David Babcock, Gran-
ville Sherwood, Hiram Merrick, Elijah Horton,
Joshua Fuller, William Huggins, Silas Grover.
A committee on building was appointed at this
meeting, and the church was built in that same
year.
In 187 1, the Church of the Redeemer was
erected, a large and beautiful structure standing on
East street.
The first pastor mentioned in the records is Rev.
A. Kelsey, who officiated four years. After his
ministration the following is the succession of pas-
tors as near as can be ascertained : —
Rev. O. F. Brayton 1852.
" A. J. Aspinwall 1856-1860.
" C. C. Gordon 1861-1862.
" E. Tomhnson 1863.
" A. C. DeLong 1864-1865.
" C. V. Craven 1866.
" E. Reynolds i866.
" F. S. Bacon 1867-1869.
" G. F. Jenks 1870.
" A. L. Rice 1870.
" J. A. Dobson 1871-1873.
Rev. Mr. McLean 1874.
" Mr. Kelsey 1874.
" H. Jewell 1875.
" Mr. Shepherd 1876.
" Mr. Snell 1876.
" Mr. Aldrich 1876.
" S. J. Aldrich 1877-1879.
Since the first of April, 1879, there has been no
settled pastor.
Grace Church {Episcopal). — Services were com-
menced with a view to forming a parish in 1845,
and were conducted by Rev. Gershom P. Waldo
with as much frequency as a place for such services
could be had and other circumstances would
permit.
The society was incorporated March 28, 1847,
and the following officers were chosen : — Warden,
C. Remington; Vestrymen, J. Y. Turner, R. H.
Spencer, N. Chittenden, John Guittram, Samuel
Swain, Sr., David T. Swain, Henry Chalker, R.
Bennett.
On the 7th day of April, 1847, the formation of
the parish was accomplished. There being no
resident rector, the services were conducted by
Rev. Mason Gallagher, Rector of St. Peter's,
Dansville. Services were afterward conducted at
different periods by Rev. Gershom P. Waldo, Rev.
Lucius Carter, and Rev. Asa Griswold.
On the first of December, 1849, Rev. Andrew
D. Benedict assumed the pastoral charge in con-
nection with that of St. Mark's, at Hunt's Hollow,
resigning the charge May ist, 1852.
The corner stone of Grace church was laid May
23, 1848, at which ceremony the Eev. Mason Gal-
lagher and Rev. Gershom P. Waldo were present
as clergy, the sermon being preaclied by Rev. Mr.
Gallagher. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr.
Benedict the church was in process of construc-
tion, and nearly ready for consecration; Trinity
church in New York giving very generously four
hundred dollars in aid of the project.
On the fifth of May, 1853, the church was duly
consecrated by Rt. Rev. Dr. WilUam H. DeLan-
cey. The clergy attending this ceremony were:
Rev. Lucius Carter, Rev. Andrew D. Benedict,
Rev. I. A. Robinson, Rev. Mr. Wilson, Rev. Mr.
Howard, and Rev. H. W. Lee, of St. Luke's,
Rochester, afterward Bishop of Iowa.
In 1853, May ist. Rev. James A. Robinson took
the pastoral charge, resigning in the spring of
1854.
He was succeeded by Rev. James O. Stokes,
who was appointed missionary in charge, coming
in 1854 and leaving in 1855.
NUNDA STATION.
25s
His successor was Rev. Gershom P. Waldo, who
was appointed missionary to Nunda with full
stipend July r, 1856, and who in April, 1857,
resigned the stipendj^in favor of Rev. Henry
Gardner, who then took this charge and that of
St. Mark's, Hunt's Hollow, resigning in April of
i860.
In June, 1863, Rev. Fayette Royce took charge
in connection with Brook's Grove Mission and
Trinity church, Canaseraga, retaining the pastorate
until February, 1866. After the departure of Rev.
Mr. Royce, Rev. G. P. Waldo assumed temporary
charge till the parish was supplied by the coming
of Rev. Hiram Adams, whose pastorate dates from
January 1st, 1867.
Rev. Noble Palmer, M. A., succeeded him in
November, 1868, having in charge the parishes of
Nunda, Hunt's Hollow, and the Brook's Grove
Mission, which he retained two years.
In 1872, Rev. Charles Woodward assumed the
pastoral charge after the parish had been without a
settled clergyman for two years. He also officiated
at St. Mark's, Hunt's Hollow. He resigned July
I, 1876.
In 1877, Rev. Stephen H. Battin took charge
for a limited period, he then being rector at Can-
aseraga. Since that time the church has been
without a settled rector, having had but occasional
services from different clergymen.
In the early period of this church's history and
growth it was largely aided and encouraged by
subscriptions and offerings from General Micah
Brooks and members of his family, which in-
cluded the rectory and a solid silver communion
service.
The means to build the church were in great
part obtained through the persevering efforts of
Miss . Laura A. Brooks, who visited New York,
Albany and Boston to procure aid in furtherance
of the project.
A beautiful Italian marble font was presented
by a number of the parishioners ; and a bell, an
organ, and other necessary improvements were
given by the united efforts of members of the con-
gregation and early sustainers of the church. The
church has suffered much in these years by the
death and removal of valued and useful members.
Among the deaths are included Gen. Brooks, Miss
Catherine Brooks and Leonidas Nichols.
The present membership is, families, 26, indi-
viduals, 68, communicants, 41.
The value of the church edifice is $2,500. The
rectory is valued at $800.
Nunda Station.
Nunda Station (Dalton P. O.) lies in the south-
western part of the town on the line of the New York,
Lake Erie and Western Railway. It has a population
of between four and five hundred, and is the prin-
cipal shipping point of the town for all products.
The first settler here was Maxam Smith who
was owner of nearly all of the property in that
vicinity.
The first store was kept by Lyman Ayrault, who
is still in business there. The post office was
established in 1856, and the first postmaster was
James Douglass, at which time Lyman Ayrault
was deputy postmaster. Mr. Ayrault is the pres-
ent postmaster, having held the office, with
the exception of one year, since i860.
The present physicians are Drs. J. C. Durgan
and Hugh Hill. W. S. Orcutt is the only lawyer
residing there. The place has one school house,
six stores devoted to dry goods and general mer-
chandise, two harness shops, two drug stores and
one hotel, the Parker House, built in 1873, and
kept by Sanford Parker, who was one of the first
settlers.
The place has but one church, the Methodist
Episcopal, built in 1858 or '59. The society was
formed at the meeting of the M. E. Conference at
Corning in 1858, from parts of Nunda and
Granger charges. The church edifice is pleasantly
situated in a commanding part of the village, and
is a large and substantial building, free from all
encumbrances. The society also owns a neat
parsonage in connection with the church, which is
also free from debt. The church is valued at
$1,500 and the parsonage at $1,200. The church
at its formation had a membership of forty-five.
The first class leader was H. Mirethew. The
present membership is 134, all of Nunda Station.
The first pastor was Rev. Woodruff Post, who
officiated one year followed by
Rev. De Puy 1859-1860.
Rev. John Spinks 1860-1862.
Rev. John J. Turton 1862-1864.
Rev. Elijah Wood presided for a short time
when there was a vacancy till the pastorate of Rev.
A. Maker who presided in 1867, when another
vacancy occurred till the coming of Rev. C. G.
Lowell in 1869, who was followed by
Rev. T. W. Chandler 1870-1872.
Rev. T. L. King 1872-1874.
Rev. G. B. Richardson 1875-1877.
Rev. C. Dillenbeck 1877-1878.
Rev. E. T. Cook , . . . 1878-1881.
2s6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
War Record. — No town was more patriotic, or
evinced its patriotism in a more tangible way in
the war of the Rebellion, than Nunda.* On the
afternoon of Friday, April 19, 1861, a telegram was
received by Mr. G. M. Osgoodby asking if Nunda
could furnish a company of men under the call of
the President for 75,000 volunteers. A meeting
was held that same evening, and so great was the
enthusiasm, and so ready was the response, that
twenty-eight men immediately stepped forward and
entered their names on the enlistment roll.
The citizens generously received volunteers into
their homes and provided for them while perfect-
ing themselves in drill.
The enthusiasm extended even to the women of
Nunda, who began immediately to manufacture
various articles for the comfort of the soldiers dur-
ing the career on which they were about to enter.
There was also raised a fund for the relief and
support of such families as this enlistment might
leave dependent.
On the 6th day of May, 1861, less than a month
from the receipt of the telegram asking for such a
company, this band of -brave men was mustered,
and James McNair elected Captain, George T.
Hamilton, First Lieutenant, and Henry G. King,
Second Lieutenant.
The company numbered fifty-six men, and they
entered the 33d Regiment of New York Volun-
teers as Company F. Of this number and of
those who afterward joined the company : —
Morton Bardwell, who enlisted May 13, 1861, was
killed at the battle of Fredricksburgh, May 4, 1863.
Elias Smith was killed in battle at Antietam,
September 17, 1862.
Whitfield Whitney, died of fever at Yorktown,
Va., June i, 1862.
Henry Swartz died of fever. May 10, 1862.
William John Nolan was wounded and taken
prisoner at Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864, and sup-
posed to have died in the hands of the enemy.
Lycurgus Twining died from wounds received in
action, but at what date is unknown.
Michael Clark, killed in the battle of the Wilder-
ness, May 10, 1864.
Howard B. Doty was transferred from the 33d to
the 49th New York, and died October 20, 1864,
from wounds received at battle of Cedar Creek.
Gardner Bacon died .Oct. 3, 1861, of sunstroke
at Fort Ethan Allen.
*To Dr. William B. Alley, who has manifested great interest in sta-
tistics relatmg to the soldiers from Nunda, we are m great part indebted
for the war record of this town. The major portion of this account is
from his records, changed only m the order of its original appearance to
admit facts gleaned from other sources.
John DeLong died at Hagerstown, Md., Dec. 4,
1862.
Augustus L. Damon died Nov. 11, 1862, at the
Soldiers' Home in Washington.
Daniel Chilson died of fever at Alexandria,
March, 1862.
Jonathan Greenwood was taken prisoner in the
latter part of June, 1862, during McClellan's re-
treat from before Richmond, and died a prisoner
at Bell Island.
James Kiley, after two years' service, contracted
lung disease, was honorably discharged, came home
and died June 2, 1863.
Ervin VanBrunt died at Fort Ethan Allen, Oct.
16, 1861.
George H. Prentice died of typhoid fever at
Camp Griffin, Va., Feb. 28, 1861 or 1862, andwas
buried in Nunda.
Charles R. Lowe died on the 19th of April, 1862,
of typhoid fever at Newport News, Va., and was
buried at Nunda.
Thaddeus Maynard died of fever at Philadel-
phia, Aug. 6, 1862.
William James Casnett was killed at Chancellors-
ville May 3, 1863. A more extended notice of this
patriotic man may not be out of place. Mr. Cas-
nett was attending Hamilton College at the break-
ing out of the war, preparing for the ministerial
service. While spending the summer vacation of
1862 at his home he deemed it his duty to go to
the defense of his flag, and so he enUsted in the
33d Regiment as a private in the ranks, leaving at
home a sister and a widowed mother.
He reached his regiment at Hagerstown, Md.,
soon after the desperate battle of Antietam, where
he lay sick of fever at Clear Spring long after the
army had crossed the Potomac. He joined his
regiment, however, in time to be engaged in the
first battle of Fredericksburg.
During the four months while the army lay in
winter quarters he improved his leisure moments
in study and in defense of the religion which he
professed. On the 28th day of April, 1863, the
army broke camp and immediately moved upon the
enemy's works. Casnett's regiment was compelled
to lie flat on the ground for several hours in the
midst of falling shot and shells. He seemed sin-
gularly anxious for action, and was heard to say re-
peatedly : " Why don't we charge ? The only way
to take this fort is to march up there sxiA fight!"
At last the assault came. In the tempest of fire
and smoke, of shot and shell, he was lost sight of,
nor was he seen again till the battle ended and
NUNDA— WAR RECORD.
257
victory gained, he was found some yards in advance
of his company, dead. His companions buried
him on the heights of Fredericksburg. A history
of his life, and a poem commemorating his bravery,
were prepared by his college class by whom he was
held in great esteem.
In September, 1861, the town of Nunda fur-
nished thirty-six more men who enUsted in Captain
Tuthill's company, which constituted Company A
of the Wadsworth Guards. Failing to procure men
enough to form a complete regiment, they went to
Albany and joined the 104th Regiment, and these
men were afterward known as Company K.
Of these thirty-six men -. —
Captain E. A. Tuthill died December 30, 1867.^
Corporal Daniel White died in prison, date un-
known.
James Macken, died in service Feb. i, 1864.
Sergeant Lewis W. Shepard, Co. A, died from
wounds received at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
George Flint, Co. A, died at home from disease
contracted in the service.
Frank Russell, Co. A, died at home from wounds
received in the service; date unknown.
Elijah White, died at home from disease con-
tracted in the service ; date not known.
Cicero C. Clark, died at Mount Pleasant Hospital,
June 30, 1862.
Corporal Lewis Sutton, died in prison Dec. 13,
1862.
Charles Crawford, died from wounds received at
Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
Hiram Passage, died in prison ; date unknown.
George Britton, died in the service ; date un-
known.
Octavius Clark, killed at the battle of the Wild-
erness, 1864.
Samuel Wright, died at the Soldier's Home, Bath,
N. Y., 1879.
Corporal John Gruber, Co. F, died in prison ;
date unknown.
Corporal Daniel Swinder, Co. F, died in prison ;
date unknown.
William Hooson, killed at Gettysburg, July 2,
1863.
Sergeant Thomas J. Curtis, killed at Gettysburg,
July I, 1863.
Lucien Carpenter, killed in service, 1864.
Abram Carpenter, killed in battle of the Wilder-
ness, 1864.
Corydon Smith Thompson, was wounded at Fred-
ricksburg. May 4, 1863, taken prisoner and sup-
posed to have died soon after.
James L. Thompson, was taken prisoner at Get-
tysburg, July I, 1863, and died at Richmond, Feb.
16, 1864.
William George Chislett, was wounded at Fred-
ericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, and died at Washington,
January i, 1863.
Sergeant John S. Satterlee, served his time in the
104th and reenlisted in the same regiment; died
from wounds received at Spottsylvania, on the 13th
of May, 1864, and was buried on the battleground.
George Satterlee, served his time out, going
through all the battles with his regiment, and reen-
listed as a corporal, Jan. 4, 1864; was taken pris-
oner, and died of starvation at Salisbury, N, C. ;
place of burial unknown.
William Davis, killed at Gettysburg, July i,
1863.
Perry Haynes, was taken prisoner at Gettysburg,
July I, 1863. Was afterward paroled ; came home
and died from the effects of his starvation, Dec.
28, 1864.
Richard B. Connett, died in hospital at Balti-
more, Jan. 7, 1863.
Mortimer Herrick, was wounded May 7, 1864,
in battle of the Wilderness ; was taken to Wash-
ington and died there from the effects of his wounds.
William Woodruff, killed at Gettysburg, July 1,
1863.
Corporal Stephen P. Havens, was taken prisoner
at Gettysburg, on the first of July, 1863, and sup-
posed to have died in Salisbury prison.
Under the call of July and August, 1862, for
three hundred thousand men in each month, the
130th Regiment was organized, and the town of
Nunda sent out under Capt. James Lemen of
Company I, forty-three men. By an order from
the War Department and of the Governor of this
State, dated July 28, 1863, the i30tli was changed
and designated the First Regiment of New York
Dragoons. There was afterward added to this
regiment twelve other men from Nunda as recruits,
making fifty-five in all.
Of the N. Y. Dragoons from Nunda : —
Sergeant Seth H. Weed was killed at Todd's
Tavern, May i, 1864.
Corporal Charles A. Kinney, died at Newberne, N.
C, Sept. 25, 1864.
Z. E. Barney, died at Suffolk, Va., January 4,
1864.
James H. Poland, died in Andersonville prison.
May 7, 1864.
Josiah H. Fhnt, died in Andersonville prison ;
date unknown.
2s8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Nathaniel Marr, died June 3, 1865.
Milan Parker, died September to, 1864.
George I. Philips, died in the service, Dec. 28,
1862.
Corporal Hiram J. Woodard, died in Anderson-
ville prison ; date unknown.
Simeon Gelzer, died in Andersonville prison ;
date not learned.
Leonard Russell died from wounds received in
action, May 22, 1864.
Alexander Drake died from wounds received in
battle, October 22, 1864.
Levi C. Davis died Jan. 4, 1864, at Mitchell
Station, and was buried at Culpepper, Va.
John Gothard was killed in battle at Newtown,
Va., on the nth of August, 1864.
James Christie was taken prisoner at Todd's
Tavern, May 7, 1864, and died Oct. 15 of same
year at Andersonville, Ga.
Wilham Black was killed at the battle of the
Wilderness, May 7, 1864, and was buried near
Todd's Tavern.
Corydon C. Lovejoy was wounded and taken
prisoner, and died in Andersonville Prison in Au-
gust, 1864.
Hiram O. Seeley, after more than two years'
service, died at home of disease contracted in the
army, Nov. 3, 1864.
William J. Wright died at Suffolk, Va., Nov. 6,
1862, and was brought home and buried.
John Callahan died Aug. 14, 1864, at Winches-
ter, Va., from wounds received at Newtown, Va.,
Aug. II, 1864.
Isaac Johnson, after two years' service, was dis-
charged on account of ill health, and returning
home died in June, 1864, of consumption.
In August and September of 1862, the 136th
regiment was organized. The town of Nunda, as
near as can be learned, furnished for this regiment
about twelve men, who went out under Captain
Arnold, of Conesus. Of this number : —
David C. Wade died while home on a furlough
at Nunda Station, Feb. 27, 1864.
Rufus P. Wescott died from wounds received in
action. May 24, 1864, and was buried near
Resaca.
David Close was killed May 15, 1864, at Resaca
and was buried on the field.
There were also several men from Nunda who,
for different causes, joined various regiments of
this and even of other States. Of this class from
or representing some one of this town : —
Corydon Crossett, supposed to be a, recruit
credited to Nunda, joined the 3d Michigan regi-
ment, Jan. 20, 1864, and died in August of that
year a prisoner at Andersonville.
Alpheus C. Willett, of Nunda, joined the 8th
Heavy Artillery, Jan. 4, 1864, and was killed in
battle at Cold Harbor on the 3d of June, 1864.
Alva J. White, credited to Nunda, entered the
97th New York Volunteers, July 26th, 1863 ; died
May 28, 1864, from wounds received in battle.
Orin Nickerson joined the 6th New York Cav-
alry, Oct. 14, 1 86 1, and died at Point Lookout
from sickness produced by hard service.
George W. Fuller, of Nunda, joined the 126th
Regiment of New York Volunteers, Aug. 6, 1862,
and was killed in battle at Romeo Station, Nov.
25, 1864.
Philander Maker enhsted in the 27th New York
Volunteers in 1861, and died March, 1865, at
Blackwell's Island, from disease acquired in
the service.
Gardner Milleman, credited to Nunda, joined
the 2 2d New York Volunteers; supposed to have
died of starvation at Andersonville, September 7,
1864.
Philander McGee served his time out in the 27th
New York Volunteers, was wounded in the hand
at battle of Petersburgh ; reenhsted, and died of
disease contracted in the service, at New York Har-
bor, March, 1865.
Charles Harris was drafted and then enlisted ;
was sent South, lost his health, came home and died
in the winter of 1864.
George Fay, i88th New York, was killed in
action, but at what date is unknown.
L. E. Willey, 4th Heavy Artillery, died 1863.
In the latter part of Aug., 1863, thirteen men
from the town of Nunda joined the ist New York
Veteran Cavalry under Captain John J. Carter.
Of this number : —
Perrin Page was killed in battle of New Market,
May 17, 1864, and is supposed to be buried near
that place.
Martin H. Myers died from wounds received in
battle at New Market, May 17, 1864.
Abram Burdick died about the same time from
wounds received in battle of New Market.
William A. Ecker was taken prisoner at New
Market, May 17, 1864, and died while a prisoner
at Florence, S. C, Sept. 30, 1864.
Samuel S. Tallmadge entered the service Sept,
18, 1863, and served in the army till the spring of
1864, when, on account of ill health, he was sent to
Martinsburg Hospital. While in that hospital he
NUNDA — WAR RECORD.
259
was taken prisoner on the 3d of July, 1864, by a
force under Breckenridge, was kept until the 5 th
and was placed in prison at Lynchburg on the i ith
day of July. On the 20th he was marched to Dan-
ville prison, and on the 2 2d he was again marched
South, and on the 25th reached a prison in Au-
gusta, Ga. On the 27th of July he was taken
from there to Andersonville, where he remained
until the 28th of September, when he was again
moved and placed in prison at Savannah. At this
place he remained till the 13th of October, when
he was sent to Milan, and after a few days was re-
turned to Savannah to be exchanged. He was
finally paroled November 19, got back on his way
home as far as Annapolis on the 25th of Novem-
ber, but was too feeble and reduced in flesh to go
any farther. He died at Annapolis, Dec. 8, 1864,
of inanition, the result of systematized starvation.
The following is a further list of those who en-
tered the service for or from Nunda, but whose lo-
cation, if hving, or place of burial, if dead, we are
unable to learn.
104//5 Regiment N. Y. Volunteers.
William Magee, Judson D. Van Sly ke, James L.
Toms, John A. Wright, Philetus Mayhew, Edwin
Wilcox, Abram Poland, Lucius H. Barron, George
H. Graham, Abram Youells, Christian Smith, Jos.
Moyer, Jacob Lieb, Albert Bennett, Theodore
Magee, William C. Cain, Geo. W. Snyder, William
DeMocker, Patrick Gould, WiUiam Brown, Edgar
J. Whipple, A. W. Skinner, W. H. Boyd, Michael
Emo, Randall Haynes, William Barton, Joseph C.
Dean, Lewis C. Skinner, DeLancy Smith, Michael
Welch, David E. Taddler, Nelson Craft, Adelbert
S. Haver, Edwin Hinman, John C. Haze, C. G.
Lowell, Edgar M. Chipman, William E. Keen.
2,yd Regiment N. Y. Volunteers.
Aikin Aspinwall, John J. Carter, Volney O. Car-
ter, Geo. W. Daggett, CHnton Guy, William J.
Marshall, James Norris, Martin L. Porter, Francis
W. Sargent, Irvin I. McDuffie, John F. Barker,
Justus H. Cain, James Christie, Geo. W. Dennis,
Gotlep KoefRe, Geo. D. Martin, Rufus H. Newell,
Phillip Smith, Henry A. Hills, Charles R. Len.
First N. Y. Dragoons.
Sidney S. Morris, Charles F. Wilkins, David C.
Lamb, Romeo St. Clair, James Lemen, C. S.
Strickland, B. F. Town, W. C. Mayhew, H. H.
Wheeler, F. M. Town, L M. Barker, G. W. Piper,
C. M. Havens, G. D. Waldo, O. F. Record, Geo.
W. Durfee, John Provo, Chester C. Carter, Russell
A. Britton, C. C. Bowen, N. H. Spicer, J. W. Rog-
ers, EH H. King, Havella D. Baker, W. E. Town,
Gilbert Freer, Horace Howe, Milo Goldthwait, W.
C. Hendershott, R. H. Greenfield, W. B. Wagor,
Philo Mosier, H. O. Seeley, C. E. Lewis, F. S.
Adams, N. H. Shute, N. S. Goldthwait, D. C. Town-
send.
A somewhat noteworthy fact in relation to these
men is that in the above list the oldest man was
but forty-three; thirty-four of the number being
considerably under thirty years of age, and ten
being but eighteen years old at time of enlistment.
The cemetery at Nunda contains the remains
of the following soldiers : —
Capt. E. A. Tuthill,* Company A, 104th Regi-
ment.
James Macken, Company A, 104th Regiment.
Perry Haynes, Company A, 104th Regiment.
Sergeant Lewis Shepard, Company A, 104th
Regiment.
George Flint, Company A, 104th Regiment.
Frank Russell, Company A, 104th Regiment.
Needliam C. Knight, 104th Regiment, died Au-
gust 13, 1870.
Sergeant Prosper Swift, Company I, First N. Y.
Dragoons.
ElishaT. Ames, Company I, First N.Y. Dragoons.
William J. Wright, Company I, First N. Y.
Dragoons.
Isaac Johnson, Company I, First N.Y. Dragoons.
W. J. Nolan, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers.
Alfred H. Cain, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers.
Charles R. Lane, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volun-
teers.
Charles Harris, 15 7th Regiment.
Schuyler Duryee, 136th Regiment N. Y. Vol-
unteers, died in the service, date unknown.
Samuel Tallmadge, First Veteran Cavalry, N. Y.
Rufus Chandler, Fourth Heavy Artillery, died at
the general hospital in Washington, D. C, Feb. 2,
1863.
H. Smith, 33d New York and Veteran Cavalry,
died in the service in 1863.
Henry Fuller, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers,
died March, 1875.
John B. Paine, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers,
died March, 1869.
Captain John P. Wood, staff officer killed in the
service.
•Time and cause of death of those belonging to the 104th Regiment
has been previously given ; also of those of other regimenti when not
especially mentioned.
26o
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Captain Wood entered the service from Ohio',
and was promoted and appointed by the President
Assistant Adjutant, and assigned a place on Gen-
eral Gibbon's staff. He died on the 6th of March,
1864, and was brought to Nunda and buried, where
his wife and children resided.
The town of Nunda contributed liberally in
money and material as well as in men, toward
putting down the RebelUon. Early in the war the
ladies of Nunda organized a society called " The
Ladies' Hospital ReUef Association." This society
sent to the soldiers eleven large boxes containing
clothing and hospital stores. Three boxes were
sent to Suffolk ; one to Washington, two to Roch-
ester, three to Buffalo, and two to the Howard
Hospital. The freight and all charges being paid
by the society. The entire cost was estimated at
$750. This society also raised and paid out in
cash $144.27, making in all $897.27.
There was raised by subscription and paid to
Nunda's men in the 130th Regiment, by and
through Mr. B. F. King, the sum of $380. There
was raised and paid out through Mr. Page $392.
The town paid out in the year 1 864 for the sup-
port of soldiers' families $250, and in 1865, $142.
There was raised on subscription $1,000 to pay the
taxes of those women who had lost friends in the
war, or whose husbands were still in the service.
Under the President's call of July and August,
1862, for six hundred thousand men, the town
raised $2,250 and paid as bounty to forty-five men.
Under the call of July, 1863, for five hundred thous-
and men there was raised and paid to forty-seven
men the sum of $8,100. Under the call for two
hundred thousand men of March 14, 1864, the
town raised and paid $9,000 to eighteen men.
Under the call of July 18, 1864, for five hundred
thousand men, there was raised and paid to fifty-
one men the sum of $44,050, besides the sum of
$1,225 called "hand money ;" and under the call of
December 19, 1864, for three hundred thousand
men, the town paid $19,600 to twenty-eight men.
The town also paid connected with the draft the
sum of $817, making a total of $88,103.27, exclu-
sive of the numerous boxes sent by individuals to
their sons, brothers and friends in the army, and
the large sums expended by relatives and friends in
going to the camps and battle-fields and bringing
home their sick, wounded and dead.
Nunda also furnished one company of men who
in the fall of 1864, served three months at Elmira,
guarding rebel prisoners. In all Nunda sent out
and furnished for the war three hundred and twen-
ty-three men. Of that number, as near as can be
learned, two hundred and forty-five were actual
residents of the town. Of those who were actual
residents, with perhaps two or three exceptions,
twenty-five were killed in battle, three were taken
prisoners soon after being wounded and died in the
hands of the enemy ; four are known to have died
of starvation ; seven have died in rebel prisons ;
and twenty-two died from diseases contracted while
in the service.
This is a sad catalogue for relatives and friends,
but on the scroll of honor are inscribed the names
of these sixty-one young, strong and brave patriots
who gave their lives that Nunda might continue to
have the protection of a united government.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SETH S. BARKER.
The subject of this sketch was born near Oris-
kany Falls, N. Y., August 30, 1801. His parents
whose ancestors came from England in the seven-
teenth century, and settled in New England, were
from Connecticut. Feb. 8, 182 1, he married
Sarah Durfee, who was born in Fall River, R. I.,
and whose mother was a descendant from the old
warrior. Col. Church, of King Phillip's time. Soon
after his marriage, Mr. Barker set out on foot with
his knapsack on his back to seek a home in the
West. In August, 1821, he came to Nunda and
took an article for the farm on East Hill, where he
now resides, selecting it on account of the large
timber growing thereon. The place where the
village now stands being then covered with pitch
pine and scrub oaks, he considered it valueless.
He then went for his wife and her mother, and re-
turned in November with them to his forest home.
The house to which they moved scarcely deserved
the name, blankets being suspended instead of
doors and windows. He was a person of few words,
but deep thought, and though not appearing to be
as vigilant as some was silently conquering troubles
and overcoming difficulties little known to others.
He has held several offices of trust, serving several
terms as Assessor and Commissioner of Highways
of the town. Being quite a mechanic, he manu-
factured many of his tools, while most of his neigh-
bors had to purchase theirs. He kept well in-
formed as regards the news of the day, both in our
own and foreign countries.
Mrs. Barker, as a weaver and spinner, was un-
excelled. She wove cloth for her neighbors, made
cloths and exchanged them at the stores for her pur-
chases; also worked considerable at the t-ailor's
trade. While her husband was working in the
timber, she nobly did her part working at her loom,
JAr. ^ JVLrS. ^. ^. ^AI^ER.
Eai\l J. Paine.
John H. Townsend.
JOHN H. TOWNSEND — EARL J. PAINE — E. O. DICKINSON.
261
and to show her skill it is stated that when only 1 1
years of age she wove 1,100 yards of checked dress
cloth for a factory in Fall River. Mr. and Mrs
Barker have been married 60 years, and have had
four children, three of whom are now living, as
follows: Munson O., who married Adaline Raw-
son; Orlando W., who married Mary E. Swain,
and Justus L., who married Olive L., daughter of
Richard Bowen, who moved to this county from
Fall River, Mass., in 1825.
Time has dealt gently with this pioneer couple,
and tlie severe hardships and trials through which
they have passed have left but few impressions.
They have been members of the Baptist church for
over fifty years. Surrounded by their sons, who
are living on adjacent farms, their path of life is, in
return for untiring energy and industry, being
beautifully strewn with flowers of filial love and
veneration.
JOHN H. TOWNSEND.
The subject of this memoir deserves especial
mention from the pen of the historian as being one
of the few hardy pioneers who lived to see the usher-
ing in of the year 1880.
John H. Townsend was the son of Gideon and
Freelove (Haynes) Townsend, and was born in
Putnam county, October 25th, 1793. November
22, 1818, he was married to Betsey Barnum, and
in 1822 moved to this county bringing all his
worldly effects on one wagon drawn by an ox team,
and settled on what is now the State road and of
which he was one of the founders and builders.
During the first winters he spent there he walked
to Hunt's, a distance of four miles, and chopped
wood at 2S. 6d. per cord, the cold being so severe at
times that he was obliged to bury his dinner in the
snow to prevent its freezing. He " articled" for
85 acres of land and made additions to it until he
had 275 acres. In 1830 he overworked in the
harvest-field, bringing upon himself a sickness from
which he never recovered. He was an invalid for
fifty years and though suffering great pain at times,
his indomitable nerve and happy disposition showed
itself in his greatest trials. He died September 4,
1880.
After the death of his first wife he married Mary
VanDeventer, November 7, 1824, by whom he had
three children as follows : — John V., Peter H., and
Gideon. She died March 4th, 1881, surviving her
husband only six months. He served in the war
of 181 2, and was drawing a pension at the time of
his death.
EARL J. PAINE.
The Paine family were among the first settlers
of the State of Connecticut. James Paine, the
father of the subject of this sketch, and the pro-
genitor of the Paine family in this county, was
born in Litchfield county. Conn., January 27th,
1783. He moved to Herkimer county, N. Y. , about
the year 1800, and married Polly Dana, the result
of the union being five children, three of whom are
now living, named Earl J., L. F. and J. A. A
deceased daughter, Mary A., was the wife of Rev.
Mr. Stilson, a celebrated Burmah missionary.
Mr. Paine moved with his family to Nunda,
March 15, 1817, and was one of the earliest pio-
neers in this region. The limits of the town of
Nunda at that time were so extensive that three
days were consumed by him in attending town-
meeting, being obliged to walk from his home to
the voting place. He died April 8, 1866.
Earl J., the subject of this brief sketch was born
at Paine's Hollow, Herkimer county, March 24,
1807, and was ten years old at the time of his
father's rettlement in this town. He was married
to Catharine, daughter of Richard Grimes, of
Nunda. Four children were born to them, two of
whom are now living. Wells and Ann. Mr.
Paine by his untiring industry has succeeded in
carving a fine farm out of the wilderness that he
settled in.
He possesses a powerful constitution, which has
succeeded in carrying him through several very
severe trials during his life, and at present, (April,
1B81,) is rapidly convalescing from a painful malady
that has confined him to his room for more than
a year. Although having lived more years than
are usually allotted to man, his friends have hopes
of his companionship for several years to come.
His wife died Feb. 25th, 1879.
He and his brother L. F. are the only ones left
of the early pioneers who were here at the time
they moved in. Of his children, Ann married Mr.
Buck, of Vincennes, Ind., and Wells is one of the
most extensive and successful farmers in this sec-
tion of the county, having over six hundred acres
of land on " East Hill," conveniently located and
under a fine state of cultivation. Mary Jemison,
the celebrated " White Woman," was a frequent
visitor at the early home of the family.
E. O. DICKINSON.
Emilus O. Dickinson, a sketch of whose residence
appears in this book, was born in Oneida county,
N. Y., August 30, 1818, and is the son of Wm. and
Lois Dickinson. At the age of eighteen he com-
menced droving, between Oneida county and Bos-
ton, and for a few years has been shipping cattle
from the West to New York. When twenty years
of age he purchased a farm of 80 acres in Oneida
county, at $25.00 per acre. In 1849 he went to
Davenport, Iowa, and engaged in the lumber busi-
ness, but remaining there only a short time, returned
to New York State, and settled in Nunda. Novem-
ber 10, 1850, he was married toLydia, daughter of
Thomas and Elvira Starkweather of Nunda. Was
elected Supervisor in 1861, returning the year fol-
lowing, and also in 1874-5. On his farm, which
262
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
consists of 236 acres and is situated one-half mile
east of Nunda, there is a mineral spring which
issues from a rock and the water of which has been
analyzed and found to possess great medicinal
qualities. It has unusual alterative and eliminat-
ing power, and one gallon of it is said to contain
many more grains of valuable medical substances
than the water of any other spring in the State of
New York, and some even assert its superiority
in that respect, over any otherspring in the United
States. It is one of that class of springs whose
water contains those natural combinations of med-
icines that occasionally cure cases of some forms of
disease which the most skilled among our profes-
sional men cannot. No chemist can exactly imitate
these natural compounds, and these waters do not
operate alone by means of their predominant min-
eral constituent.
Mr. Dickinson was very instrumental in securing
to Nunda its free Union School. He was a Repub-
lican until after the death of Lincoln, and then not
agreeing with the party became a Democrat. He
has four children, as follows : Nellie M., Allie J.,
Mattie E. and Neva L. His place is one of the
finest in the county, being almost unequalled as re-
gards its handsome and commodious buildings.
The land is very fertile and watered by several
large springs, one of which has been analyzed by
S. A. Lattimore, as follows : " One U. S. gallon
contains 203. sSgrains sulphate of magnesia, 184.41
sulphate of hme, 104.10 carbonate of lime, 6.82
chloride of sodium, 1.05 carbonate of iron, .12 sil-
ica, and traces of alumnia." He also says this
water belongs to the magnesia class of mineral
waters, and will be a powerful agent if judiciously
applied.
THE WATER CURE AND MINERAL
SPRINGS.
These springs, which are becoming justly cele-
brated for their curative properties, are situated
about a half mile south of the beautiful village of
Nunda. They are on a rise of ground, nearly one
hundred feet higher than that on which the village
stands, and are situated about fifteen minutes'
drive from Dalton Station on the line of the Erie
railroad. The cure, located on a rising elevation
near the s.prings, is a large, commodious building,
adjoining a grove of pines and maples, containing
pleasant shaded walks and drives. The interior is
fitted up for the accommodation of those who wish
to avail themselves of the medicinal properties of
the springs, and contains hot and cold baths sup-
plied from the naturally medicated waters. The
rooms are large, thoroughly ventilated, and supplied
with all the modern improvements and the location
is in all respects desirable, combining the best hy-
gienic conditions, with a landscape view of excep-
tional beauty.
The first discovery of one of these springs was
in 1878 while workmen were engaged in repairing
the public highway adjoining the lands of Daniel
Passage. As the earth was removed from the side of
the beaten track a vein of water gushed from the
rock beneath. Tubing was placed in the spring
from which the water flowed, for the benefit of the
traveling public. The medicinal properties of the
water were discovered by use and led to an analysis
of the water, which showed one U. S. gallon to con-
tain 203.58 grains sulphate of magnesia, (Epsom
salts,) 184.41 grains of sulphate of lime, 104.10
grains of carbonate of lime, 6.82 grains of chloride
of sodium, 1.05 grains of carbonate of iron, .12 of
silica and traces of alumnia.
The two larger springs emanate from the rock
about five feet beneath the surface of the earth and
about twenty-five rods distant from the spring by
the roadside, and are situated upon slightly more
elevated ground appearing to be the fountain from
which these mineral waters are supplied. These
two springs furnish an abundance of water and from
these springs water is drawn to supply the cure.
These springs belong to the class of magnesia
mineral waters and in a general sense their therapeu-
tic effects are alterative, and it may well be called
nature's sovereign remedy for all the ills that the
human family is heir to. The springs are on the
estate of Daniel Passage, who in 1879 began the
erection of the cure. The first discovery of the
curative properties of this water was in 1878. Since
that time it has been confirmed by many^who have
used it as a singular alterative for the cure of blood
diseases, and is becoming quite generally used,
large quantities being shipped each year to various
parts of the country. It is being used more exten-
sively each year.
CHAPTER XXL
History of the Town of Portagk.
ON the extreme south-western border of the
county lies in some respects the most remark-
able, and in nearly every respect the most pictur-
esque town in Livingston county.
Originally a part of the town of Leicester in
Genesee county, at its first formation, in' 1805,
Portage was set off as a part of Angelica, (Allegany
county,) and in 1808 was again set off as a part of
Nunda ; being formed from Nunda as the town of
Portage, March 8, 1827.
It was about six miles square, bounded on the
east by the Piquot line, and on the west by the
Transit hne. In 1846 it was taken from Allegany
and annexed to Livingston county. At the same
time from about one-third of it, lying on the west
side of the river, was formed the town of Genesee
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PORTAGE - PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
263
Falls, which was annexed to Wyoming county. The
town is six and a quarter miles long, and four and
three-quarters in width at its widest part.
It is bounded on the north by Mount Morris, on
the south by Granger, (Allegany county,) on the
east by Nunda, and on the west by the Genesee
River and Genesee Falls, (Wyoming county.)
Within these Umits Portage has been called
"The Switzerland of the Empire State." With less
of the general ruggedness characteristic of Ossian ;
with but little, if any, of the quiet rural scenery of
Springwater ; and to a great extent devoid of the
enterprising appearance which characterizes Nunda,
Portage surpasses all in presenting the most varied
scenery bordering on the modern, the ancient, the
beautiful and sublime.
Near the line of the Erie road, which passes
through from the western to the south-western part
of the town, the surroundings approach to the
modern and business appearance of to-day. Back
from the railroad and the river the scene changes
to rolling farm lands, and to a settled and ancient
look, as though at some time the town had taken
immense strides in advancement, and had sud-
denly stopped afraid of its own progress, and never
again having the courage to proceed had settled
down contentedly and allowed age to cover it with
quaintness and beauty.
Here is seen the deserted channel of the Genesee
Valley canal cut through high embankments, and
spanned by old-fashioned and decaying bridges;
with its oft recurring locks, now grass grown and
crumbling, rising like giant stairs to higher levels ;
passing through scenery now rural, now romantic, —
a busy stream no longer, but picturesque even in
its idleness and desertion.
Near the Genesee river on the western border of
the town, and extending nearly the entire length of
that boundary, the scenery changes from cleared
lands and thrifty farms dotted with comfortable
buildings to wild and rocky ravines skirted with a
dense growth of saplings and heavy timber,
sprinkled with lumbering camps and saw-mills,
and where is heard the ringing of axes and the
crash of falUng trees as in the days when the whole
town was a forest, unbroken only by the ax of the
sturdy pioneers.
It is in this section that the town presents its
most striking beauty. Through the winding ra-
vine, whose shaley walls, straight and smooth,
tower hundreds of feet, or break up into ragged
masses of rocks crowned with the verdure of pine
tree and shrub, flows the Genesee, calmly and
sluggishly, or whirling with a dash and roar over
the falls into the basins which its action for ages
has channelled deep and smooth. Within a dis-
tance of three miles are three falls varying in
height and in scenery. At the lower falls the
scenery approaches the sublime. Here the river
lashed into a creamy foam thunders through a
gorge worn narrow and deep by the eternal rush of
its waters, and whose perpendicular walls hem-
ming it in on either side rise to an elevation of
four hundred feet above the level of the lower
stream.
Standing here in the silence, unbroken save by
the roar of the falls and the ringing of the lumber-
man's ax in the forest which crowns the summit,
fancy reverts to the time when these waters floated
the graceful canoe of the Indian, parted before the
homely keel boat of the advancing pioneer, and
bore upon their surface the freightage of the forests
to the markets of the East. Then, as now, the
water poured ceaselessly over the falls, but in
wider and more eager torrents, while along its
banks the river was dotted with the wigwams of the
savage whose war song blended with the music of
the cataract.
But the scene has changed. The canoe, the
wigwams, the Indians, have disappeared; the keel
boats have passed from existence, and the river
long ago ceased to be navigable for the rafts of the
hardy lumbermen.
Above this point a few rods, is still seen the
carrying road over which the lumber and other
freight of early days was conveyed from the upper
to below the lower falls, and from which "port-
age," or carrying place, the town derived its name.
Just below these falls there arises an island of
rock, crowned by large flat stones, as though
placed there by some human agency, on the sur-
face of which grasses grow and in whose scant soil
several pines and sapUngs have taken root, lending
their verdure to that barren and shaley rock. At
some time in the past this pyramidical island haj
been connected to the eastern bank, but it has
been gradually separated therefrom by the crumb-
ling of its surface into the river. It is called "The
Haystack " by the inhabitants of the town, and is
not unlike one in appearance, tapering, however,
on all sides, somewhat like a pyramid, toward the
top.
The fall of water here at one time was nearly one
hundred feet ; but the stream, becoming shallower,
changed its course, and cutting its way deeper into
the narrow gorge has reduced the height to sixty-
264
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
eight feet, and in five years the falls have receded
fully one hundred feet.
Midway between the lower and middle falls the
barren, perpendicular walls on the western side take
a graceful curve, in shape like an Indian bow, and
rise to a height of three hundred feet above the
stream below. On the eastern side the ascent is
less abrupt, and is sprinkled with a growth of
saplings, crowned on the summit with a parapet of
huge flat stones that formerly protected the towing
path of the Genesee Valley canal, which began at
this point its parallel course, with the river. In the
precipitous rocks which skirt the canal on its east-
ern side is seen the side drift of the tunnel began
by Elisha Johnson, * through which the canal was
originally intended to run. The tunnel was begun
at a point on the southern side of the gorge, and
had a south-western termination near the Middle
Falls. The spot is now covered up by the caving
in of its walls, so that the terminus is not visible.
Work was begun on the tunnel in 1839. It was
eleven hundred and eighty feet long,- and was at
that time the greatest undertaking of that nature
in this country. Owing to the treacherous nature
of the earth forming this hill, the tunnel was not
found practicable and was therefore abandoned.
The canal was not completed to Olean until 1856.!
At the Middle Falls tlie scenery is less grand, but
still beautiful. The water falls in a broader sheet
over the shelving rocks to a distance of one hun-
dred and ten feet into an immense basin which its
action has furrowed out, but the walls of the ravine
below are not so high or imposing. On the east
side is seen the wooden aqueduct of the canal now
hastening to decay.
On the western side the summit is surmounted
by a table-land thickly strewn with pine and oak,
and dotted with cottages, while on the bank of
the river numerous places of observation have been
built for the benefit of tourists.
Between these and the upper falls the land on
the eastern side slopes gradually up to the bed of
the canal. On the western, it lies quite level for
some distance back from the river, when it gradu-
ally rises into hills covered with forests. At the
upper falls the banks abruptly rise again to a height
of two hundred and thirty-five feet, where stretches
the Portage bridge, like a gossamer thread, across
the chasm. The water at this point has a fall of
seventy-three feet; the three cataracts having a
total fall of two hundred and fifty-one feet.
* At one time Mayor of Rochester, N. Y.
t See page io6.
The Portage bridge stands not only as one of
the wonders of the State, but as a monument to
the ingenuity of man, and to the rapidity with
which his skill can surmount obstacles and over-
come difficulties. This bridge was built for the
Erie R. R., to replace the wooden one which was
destroyed by fire May 6, 1875. The old bridge
was built in 1852, at a cost of $175,000. It was
800 feet long, 234 feet high, and contained 1,602,-
000 feet of lumber, and 108,852 pounds of iron,
and was the largest wooden railroad bridge in the
world. In twelve weeks after its destruction by
fire, the present bridge was tested and opened for
traffic, July 31, 1875.
It is 280 feet from bank to bank, 235 feet high
from the bed of the river to top of railing, and
contains 1,314,500 pounds pf iron, besides track
material. It was built by the Watson Manufac-
turing Company, Faterson, N. J.*
Seventy years ago where now this railroad
stretches its iron course, was a dense forest and
the whole township was an unbroken wilderness ;
where now the shrill whistle of the flying locomotive
breaks on the air as it sweeps past well-tilled farms
the silence was undisturbed save by the howling of
wolves, the chase of the savage, or the fury of the
tempest.
Jacob Shaver, Seth Sherwood and other pio-
neers who first penetrated these wilds scarcely
conceived that in the lapse of forty years, that
engine of civilization, the locomotive, would become
an established feature of the town, and that over
the forest-skirted chasm of the Genesee would be
constructed the largest railroad bridge in the world;
to be replaced in a few years by the grand piece
of mechanism that spans the river to-day.
To Jacob Shaver, who came in 1810, and Seth
Sherwood, who came at about the same time or
soon after, has been awarded the honor of the first
settled residency in the town. This claim, how-
ever, is doubtful. As pioneers they were undoubt-
edly the first to wield the ax in making for them-
selves small clearings, upon which they located as
squatters, with no, pretense to title or ownership.
But here their labors toward the settlement of the
town probably ended; for when in 18 16 these
lands were opened for sale, and the incoming of
permanent settlers began, they moved onward to
become pioneers in other unbroken regions.
To Ephraim Kingsley is accorded the credit of
being the first actual settler in the present limits of
Portage. He came here from Vermont in 1814,
* See page 107.
PORTAGE — EARLY SETTLERS.
265
and located on lot 169, since owned by Frederick
B. Hunt. In 1816 Col. George Williams settled
in the town as resident agent for the Cottinger
Tract, which contained fifty thousand acres con-
veyed to Gerrit Cottinger in 1791, and by him con-
veyed to John Hornby, of Scotland, who sold the
half of it in alternate lots to his agent, John Greig, of
Canandaigua, for the sale of them. Ini 807 the tract
was surveyed and subdivided by Elisha Johnson.
The lots were three quarters of a mile long and
about one-third of a mile wide, containing one
hundred and sixty acres, the measures varying and
generally over-running.
The lands in the town have all been sold.
There are one hundred and one lots and parts of
lots, containing in all 16,580 acres, the town being
situated about the middle of the east side of the
entire tract.
As agent for these lands Col. Williams continued
for years, becoming himself an extensive land
owner, and taking an important part in the settle-
ment and improvement of the town. In his eighty-
first year he was thrown from a buggy, sustaining in-
juries which hastened his death. He died May 1 1,
1879. He had a son who now occupies the home-
stead, and a daughter residing at Portage Bridge.
These lands opened for sale, the settlement of
the town was accelerated, and the next few years
witnessed the influx of those whose labors convert-
ed the forests into farms and laid the foundation
for the future wealth and prosperity of the town.
Among the settlers who came in these early days
were Prosper Adams and his brother Abijah, Rus-
sell Messenger, Nathaniel B. Nichols, Asahel Fitch,
Elias Hill, Halliday, Stephen Spencer,
Horace Miller, EUsha D. Moses, WiUiam Dake,
Joseph Walter and Thomas Bennett. Of these
pioneers and settlers, Nathaniel B. Nichols was the
first Justice of the Peace, in about 1818.* Pros-
per Adams built the first tavern in the town just
south of what is now known as the Deep Cut,t on
land now owned by A. J. Burroughs. This tavern
was for many years the center of business for the
town, and was kept by Adams for several years.
He sold it to William Marks, his brother-in-law,
who in his turn kept it about fifteen years.
In 1835 °^ '36 Marks went to Kirtland, Ohio, with
a society of Mormons who had held a branch church
in Portage, meeting principally at Marks' tavern. j:
* Magistrates have been the only legal representatives with which Por-
tage has been honored. There has never been a lawyer's office in the
town.
t Where the Genesee Valley Canal was cut through the high land.
t Afterwards, and for a number of years, this tavern was kept by Mr.
Burroughs.
William Dake, with his wife and two children, —
Jonathan and Charles — came from Saratoga coun-
ty, in this State, in 1819, locating on Oak Hill.
July 27, 1822, he purchased of John Horn-
by, through his agent and attorney, John Greig,
one hundred acres of land on lot 142. For this
land, heavily timbered with oak, he paid four hun-
dred and fifty-two dollars, and cleared it entirely
with the labor of his own hands. Here, on Oak
Hill, he lived fifty-four years, dying in May, 1873.
His wife died in Rochester, N. Y., in 1878. Two
of his children died, Wilham J., in 1849, and
Clarrissa E., in 1872. His descendants are J. M.
Dake, a hardware merchant in Nunda ; Jabez W.
Dake, M. D., now living in Rochester, N. Y.; Dr.
Charles A. Dake, of Irondequoit, N. Y.; and Benja-
min F. Dake, M. D., now in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Elisha D. Moses was the first physician, coming
from Connecticut in 1816, and beginning at once
his practice which continued until 1837, when he
removed to Rochester, N. Y., where he died in
October of 1872.
His father, Elisha Moses, came to Portage in the
following year, 181 7. He was a native of Sims-
bury, Conn., where he and his father before him
were born. In 1826 he moved to Mt. Morris, pur-
chasing a farm and living there until his death.
He had a family of twelve: — Elisha D.; Amarila,
the date of whose death is unknown ; Phtxbe, who
died in Portage in January, 1820; Timothy, in
Indiana, September, 1823 ; Arden, in Michigan,
April, 1847; Flavia, in 1858; Betsey, in 1863;
Edmond, in 1865; Ormenta, in March, 1825;
Marcus, in Lockport, N. Y., December 9, 1880,
and Auielia and Schuyler, the former now living in
Mt. Morris, and the latter in Rochester, N. Y., at the
advanced age of eighty-two.
Thomas T. Bennett's family all went west but
one daughter, the wife of William Tousey, who
lives near Joel C. Bennett.
The family of Joseph Bennett are also settlers
in Western States, none remaining in Portage.
Walter Bennett's widow, Mrs. Huldah' Bennett,
still lives in the town with one of the sons, J. Y.
Bennett.
The improvements made by Jacob Shaver, who,
as we have remarked, was a squatter at will in this
region, were purchased by Captain Richard Church
in 18 1 6. Near him soon after settled Abner Tut-
hill and his sons, Henry and Lewis.
Rev. Mr. Miller and sons, Allen, Horace and
Orrin, with their families, came about the same
time from Saratoga county. Allen Miller was ex-
266
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY:
tensively know as a drover, and Orrin Miller be-
came distinguished as a Methodist .minister of rare
eloquence and power.
Robert, George and Reuben Gifford, Elias
Bowen, Benjamin Utter, Nathaniel Lewis, John
McFarline, a Scotchman, and others, early occu-
pied every lot in the school district No. i, called
North Oak Hill.
A few of these pioneers lie buried here, but a
majority sought other homes. All are gone and
their posterity are widely scattered. Alexander
McFarUne remains the sole representative of the
only family that holds the paternal homestead.
The northern part of the town was settled mainly
by people from Saratoga county and were most of
them related to each other. Most of those who
settled about Marks' Tavern, the old town center,
were from Windham, Vt. ; those who located at
/ Hunt's Hollow were from Cayuga county, while in
the district between that place and Oakland the
settlers were from Coleraine, Massachusetts.
George Wilner, another inhabitant of Connecti-
cut, came to Portage in 1817 or '18, and married
Betsey, daughter of Ehsha Moses. His descend-
ants are Malcolm, who resides in San Francisco ;
Flavia, who lives in Michigan, and Marcus and
Merriman, who still live in Portage.
Solomon WiUiams and Capt. EUsha Smith, who
came from Vermont, were early settlers ; the former
coming in 181 6 and locating just south-west of
Hunt's Station, on the Short Track road and the
latter locating near Adam's tavern south of the
Deep Cut.
Russell Messenger built the first saw and grist
mill in 1817, at Messenger's Hollow, which was
named for him, and now known as Oakland. Dur-
ing the next few years fourteen saw mills were
constructed on the Cashaqua Creek, which flows
northerly through the eastern part of the town,
and within the same time, nearly as many more
were built on the Genesee River and smaller
streams. Wherever a stream of sufficient force
could be found a saw mill was built, for at that
time and for many years afterward, the principal
business was lumbering. Of all those mills built
by the pioneers scarcely a vestige now remains.
Soon after the building of the first grist mill by
Russell Messenger, a second mill was built by
Thomas Alcott near the head waters of Spring
Brook, which was afterward moved to the mouth of
the brook, and again removed about fifty rods down
the stream to receive the water of the Cashaqua
Creek, and was then enlarged to an extensive flour-
ing mill by Hunt & Thompson. It afterward
passed to the proprietorship of Smith & Mills, and
was destroyed by fire on Christmas day, 1869.
Among the most prominent and energetic of the
pioneers in this new region of country was Sanford
Hunt. He was a native of Connecticut; born in
Tolland county, in April, 1777, and came to Por-
tage from Greene county in December, 1818, with
his wife and seven children.
He located at Hunt's Hollow, which derived its
name from him, and engaged in farming and mer-
cantile business in a small way, opening the first
store in 1819, afterward building an ashery and
saw-mill. He kept the post-ofiice at this place
from its first establishment and for many years
afterward.
When he came there were but few settlers, and the
township was nearly a dense wilderness. On the
evening of his arrival he met Dr. EHsha D. Moses,
who was then School Inspector, and whose first
residence in the town was at the forks of the Short
Tract and Hunt's Hollow road, south of Mr. Bur-
roughs'. He was then post-master, being the first
postmaster and second Town Clerk of Old Nunda.*
Rev. Orrin Miller was the first Town Clerk.
Of the children of Sanford Hunt but one, Sam-
uel, Uves here at Hunt's Hollow. Another son,
Horace, is living in Jackson, Michigan.
The mail was then carried once a week, on foot
or on horseback, through fi-om Moscow to Angeli-
ca. The post-office was established some time in
1818, and was located on lot 169, near where
Adams' tavern stood.
Mr. Hunt had for some years a large trade with
the Indians, whose encampments extended along
the Genesee Valley, and who placed in him the
fullest confidence. His goods were purchased
mostly at Geneseo, twenty miles distant. The
store continued in his hands until his death in
1849, when the business passed into the manage-
ment of his son Horace, who continued it some
ten years longer.
Sanford Hunt was the father of nine children: —
Horace, Samuel R., John H., Sanford, Frederick
B., Washington and three girls. The latter soni
Washington, became Governor of this State in
1851-52. Studying in the common schools of
Portage — which, in his day, were limited in both
comfort and educational facilities — and laying the
ground-work of his education there, Washington
went to Geneseo and entered the Academy pay-
• Portage, it will be borne in mind, was then part of Nunda ; not being
separated therefrom till nine years later.
PORTAGE— EARLY SETTLERS, CHURCHES.
267
ing his way by manual labor. He afterward
entered the store of Bissell & Olmstead in Gene-
sec, and Mr. Bissell soon after renfoving to Lock-
port, N. Y., Washington followed him, where he
found a field that presented a wider scope for his
faculties, and a surer reward for his efforts and his
ambitions. Here he advanced rapidly in his pur-
suits and in the opinions of the pubhc, until he at-
tained the highest position in the State within the
gift of the people.
Another prominent early settler in Portage was
Col. Greenleaf Clark, who came from Tamworth,
N. H., in early boyhood to the then wilds of West-
ern New York. He also located in Hunt's
Hollow in 1824, and in 1826 married Eliza, the
eldest daughter of Sanford Hunt.
Col. Clark began business there as a tanner and
currier, succeeding William Alward, who had built
the tannery in 1818 or thereabout, and continuing
the business until his death in 1875. He assisted
at the organization of St. Mark's Church, of which
he was a valued member ; and for many years held
the office of Magistrate. The tannery is now con-
ducted by his son, John H. Clark.
Hunt's Hollow in its early days was believed to
have before it a rapid growth in population and
in business.
In the ten years that succeeded the coming of
Sanford Hunt, other stores were built ; a cloth-
dressing establishment, a tannery, two asheries, a
hat shop and two churches were erected, in one of
which — the Episcopal — Mr. Hunt was a leading
member. Three taverns were also built, one of
them being kept by John Slater* for many years.
To the minds of the inhabitants. Hunt's Hollow
appeared in the future as the center of business for
that immediate region east of the river. But the
hopes and aspirations of the people were doomed
to disappointment. The birth of the Genesee
Valley Canal drew from it the greater share of its
traffic to Oakland, and the building of the Erie
Railroad in 1852 robbed it of whatever remnants
the canal had left, Nunda Station absorbing it.
The lumber trade which had given employment
to so many hands became exhausted ; the Casha-
qua creek, which had driven the wheels of its saw-
mills, tanneries, clothing works and turning lathes,
for several months in the year ran dry, and the
place began to decline by perceptible degrees, and
from being the largest village and principal place
of business in that section of the country, has
faded to a nearly deserted hamlet, which seems
* He died somewhere about the year 1870.
likely in the lapse of a few years to be known only
in the history of the past. It stands to-day a
quaint old village, presenting the appearance of
having come to an abrupt halt when young
and forever after fearful of progress. There
remains at present but the churches, a school-
house, a tannery, a blacksmith shop, and the time-
worn houses of the few remaining inhabitants. The
mills have all disappeared, the business has fled,
and a moss-grown age, touching and picturesque,
has settled on what was once the pride and hope of
the town.
Churches. — Of the religious societies organized
for the worship of God in the town of Portage, it
appears that the Presbyterians were the first to form
a permanent organization. The church was organ-
ized and united with the Presbytery of Ontario,
Jan. 18, 1820, but was transferred to the Presby-
tery of Angelica, Feb. 24, 1829. No early records
of this church can be found to establish the pre-
cise date and particulars of its organization, but it
is learned that its first minister at Hunt's Hollow,
where the church was located, was Rev. Mr. Linds-
ley.
After him were Revs. Messrs. Phineas Smith,
who was ordained and installed March 5, 1829, and
who left Feb. 24, 1830, Abel Caldwell, who re-
mained six years, Horatio Waldo, A. C. DuBois,
Rogers, Lewis Hamilton, James B. Wilson, L.
Rogers and John M. Bear.
In 1825, the membership numbered eighty-three;
in 1832, one hundred and eleven, and in 1846,
one hundred and fourteen.
Among the elders, were Erastus Norton, Silas
Olmstead, J. B. Hewitt, Edwin S. Olmstead, Joseph
C. Burton, Arad French and Delos C. Wells. In
October, 1848, it became consolidated with a
second Presbyterian church which had been organ-
ized in Nunda, under the name of the Oakland
Presbyterian church, located in the village of Oak-
land and being under the care of the Presbytery of
Wyoming.
Among its ministers at this latter place were
Revs. Richard Kay, Isaac Oakes, William Hall,
Henry B. Thayer, Pliny Twichell, E. W. Kellogg
and R. W. McCormick. Its sessions included the
following names: GuHelmus Wing, David H.
Thayer, Silas Olmstead, Edwin S. Olmstead, John
Preston and J. B. Hewitt.
Here in 1850 a church building was erected,
which on the 8th day of June, 187 1, was destroyed
by fire, and the membership* uniting with the
* The membership at that time was Ji.
268
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Nunda Presbyterian church, its after history was
merged into the history of that society located in
the village of Nunda.
The Episcopal Church at Hunt's Hollow was or-
ganized in 1826, as St. Mark's Church. Sanford
Hunt and Walter Bennett were chosen as wardens.
The Vestrymen were as follows : Joseph Bennett,
Miner Cobb, Thomas T. Bennett, Henry Bagley,
Roswell Bennett, Samuel R. Hunt, Greenleaf
Clark and Lewis Peet. Of these officers but two,
Samuel R. Hunt and Henry Bagley, are now liv-
ing.
The church edifice was erected by the society in
1828, and was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. John
Henry Hobart on the first day of September, 1829.
The first Rector was Rev. Richard Salmon, who
was present as pastor at the organization of the
society, but the length of whose pastorate could
not be learned. It is probable, however, that he
remained until 1831, or thereabouts, as the name
of his successor. Rev. George Bridgeman, does not
appear until 1832. After the ministration of this
latter pastor, which lasted until 1833, the succession
of pastors was as follows: — ■
Rev. Thomas Meecham, 1833-1837.
" Lucius Carter, July, 1837-1840.
" H. S. Atwater, 1841-1844.
" Lucius Carter, 1845-1847.
" Asa Griswold, 1847-1849.
" Andrew D. Benedict,* 1849-1852.
" James O. Stokes,* 1854-1856.
" Henry B. Gardner,* 1857-1860.
" Lucius Carter, 1860-1866.
" Noble Palmer,* 1868-1870.
" Fayette Royce, 1871-1872.
" Charles Woodward,* 1872-1876.
" William Westover, 1877-1879.
In 1880 there was no settled pastor. The
present membership is about twenty-five communi-
cants. The church is gradually losing member-
ship from deaths and removals. The older mem-
bers are nearly all dead.
Portage Baptist Church. — On the 21st day of
May, 1819, Elder Samuel Messenger and eleven
other members of Baptist churches, met at the
house of David Button, near Hunt's Hollow, and
organized the Nunda f Baptist church.
Their names were : R ussell Messenger, Aaron
Thompson, Aaron Thompson, Jr., Elijah Bennett,
Jacob Devoe, Wm. Greening, Susannah Greening,
Huldah Root, Rhoda Ann Bennett and Sally
* Rectors thus marked presided over Grace Church, Nunda, having
St. Mark's included in their charge.
t Portage was then part of tlie town of Nunda. The history of tliis
church is incorporated in the history of Nunda township, where before
and since 1827 its services have been held.
Thompson. Elijah Bennett was chosen clerk.
Their public meetings were held at Hunt's Hollow
and vicinity, many of them in private dwellings.
Additions to its membership were numerous,
but mostly from persons living further east and
north. Consequently the places of meeting grad-
ually changed to the eastward, and were mainly at
or near Wilcox Corners,* on the State road, north
of Daltonf for a length of time, and finally to the
present site of the village of Nunda. But these
changes in the place of meeting made it quite in-
convenient for those members residing in Grove,
and the south part of what is now the town of
Portage, from five to eight miles away.
This led to the appointment of a meeting to con-
sider the propriety of organizing another church.
The meeting was held on the 24th of May, 1828,
at the house of John Messenger near the southeast
corner of Portage. They soon concluded to take
measures to this end, and appointed a committee,
viz: Curtis Coe, David Baldwin and Israel Root,
to prepare a form of church articles of belief and
practice to be considered at the next meeting.
They also sent a committee to gain the consent of
the Nunda church, of which they were all mem-
bers, and also to invite them to send delegates to
assist in recognizing them as a church.
To this the church in Nunda readily consented,
and also voted letters of dismissal to all who
wished to unite with this new church.
On the 21st of June, 1828, the meeting re-con-
vened to hear the reports of the committees, and
adopted the articles of faith and covenant reported,
to which the following eighteen members sub-
scribed: Israel Root, Curtis Coe, David Bald-
win, Thaddeus Bennett, John Gearhart, Samuel
Carman, John Messenger, William Alward, John
Boughton, Bethuel Bradley, Betsey Bennett, Cath-
erine White, Huldah Smith, Rosannah Bradley,
Sally Root, Almeda Carman, Hannah Coe, Mar-
garet Peet.
The meeting was presided over by Samuel Mes-
senger. Israel Root was elected clerk of the
church, and David Baldwin and Curtis Coe as
leaders ; but no deacons were chosen until a few
years after. The clerk failed to record any public
recognition of the church, but the invitations of
the Nunda church, the presence and official
position of Elder Messenger, and other circum-
* Frequently in the barn of Deacon Schuyler Thompson, Gideon
Lowell and perhaps others. The ordination of Elder Elijah Bennett took
place in the barn of G. Lowell, Oct. 20, 1820.
t The name of Nunda Station has been changed to Dalton.
PORTAGE — CHURCHES.
269
stances, indicate that they were regularly received
into the fraternity of Baptist Churches.
The society was thereafter known as the Grove
and Portage Baptist Church until 1877, when the
name becoming inappropriate, — there being for
many years but one member residing in Grove, —
was changed from that to the Portage Baptist
Church.
From the organization of the church in 1828
until September, 1842, its meetings were held at
the school house near the corners of the towns of
Grove and Portage. In that year the society ap-
pointed a committee to procure a more suitable
and convenient place of meeting, which resulted
in obtaining the privilege of using half of the
time, the Methodist chapel* at Hunt's Hollow.
In this chapel their meetings were held for five
years, until the house now occupied by the society
was purchased of the Presbyterian Church in
1848.
During the entire course of its history, long in-
tervals have occurred between the departure of one
pastor and the settlement of his successor ; but the
society during such intervals has not neglected to
hold services, conference, and prayer-meetings,
and sometimes the reading of sermons taking the
place of pastoral ministrations.
In May, 1829, a year after its organization, the
society received an invitation from a conference
of neighboring churches to meet with them at the
Portage and Castile church on the third Wednes-
day in June following, to assist in organizing a new
Association. To this invitation the society as-
sented, and a delegation of its members were pres-
ent at that meeting. Elder Messenger, their pas-
tor, being made moderator.
The abduction of William Morgan had then
but recently taken place, causing a most intense
excitement regarding the danger of secret societies,
and of Masonry in particular. The churches rep-
resented at that meeting recorded as their first
declaration : "This Association shall be composed
of such Baptist churches only as have no fellow-
ship for Masonry." This feature of the Constitu-
tion was particularly admired by the Grove and
Portage church, to which principle they as a body
remained steadfast, until the amendment passed in
1868 expunged that article from the Constitution.
In October of 1829, when the Baptist churches
* Of this society no records are extant and nothing to indicate either its
origin, progress, or dissolution. There is now no church of that denom-
ination in Portage. Mr. J. C. Bennett thinks that this chapel was owned
by a Methodist class whose membership was with the M. E. Church at
Nunda, but the class lost its visibility soon after 1850.
and Associations of the State held the famous
Whitesboro Convention for the purpose of trying
to organize a uniform system of defense against
Masonry, they took measures to see that this As-
sociation should be duly represented in that body.
Elder Samuel Messenger had up to this time
occupied the position of pastor, and the member-
ship during these four years had increased to thir-
ty-one. The society then obtained for half of the
time, the services of Gilead Dodge, a Hcentiate
hving in Mt. Morris. He remained until Septem-
ber, 1833, when at the instance of the church, a
council was convened and he was set apart by or-
dination to the work of the ministry, after which
he immediately resigned.
In the fall of 1834, Silas Morse bought a farm
within the bounds of the church, on which he lo-
cated, and was soon invited to preach. Accepting
the invitation, he so rapidly gained the esteem of
the church that in January, 1836, at the request of
the society, a council was called for his ordination
to the labors of the ministry.
The society now began to feel the need of a
house of worship for the better accommodation of
the congregation, and several meetings were held
to consult in regard to the erection of a suitable
building. Elder Morse was appointed to solicit
aid from neighboring churches, but he met with
but little success. After appointing a committee
to consult with a like committee from the Grove
church* in relation to uniting with them in the
erection of a building to accommodate both socie-
ties, the decision was soon reached that this would
be poor policy, and the idea of building was aban-
doned.
In the beginning of the year 1840, there were
in this society but thirty members. In September
of the same year, the resolution appointing leaders,
which had been in force for twelve years, was re-
scinded, and David Baldwin and John Gearhart,
who had served as leaders, were elected deacons.
Those since elected have been Alfred Taber in
1868; P. W. Hewitt and F. M. Nicholson in 1878.
At the time of this first election of deacons,
Israel Root was still clerk of the society, holding
that office until 1842 — fourteen years. His suc-
cessor was Record Taber, who held the office seven
years, and who in 1849 was succeeded by Joel C.
Bennettjt the present clerk.
* Afterward the Granger Church.
t To him we are indebted for the major portion of the history of this
church; he having compiled an epitome of its history from 1828 to 1869,
which he placed at our disposal, and which is changed only somewhat in
phraseology and in the sequence of events.
270
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
In April, 1841, Elder Morse, who had occupied
the desk as pastor most of the time from 1834,
died after a long andpainful illness, and the church
secured the service of Elder Rufus Sabin.*
In 1850, Elder J. H. Greene became pastor, to
whose faithful preaching and exemplary Christian
hfe the church owed much of its prosperity and
strength. During the four years of his pastorate,
seventeen were added to the church by baptism
and fourteen by letter.
In the latter part of 1854 Elder F. Glawville
became pastor, remaining about a year and a half,
but not becoming a member of the church.
In 1856 Elder Sabin was again called to the pas-
torate, which he retained for three years. Under
his ministrations in the winter and spring of 1858,
occurred an interesting revival which resulted in
the addition, by baptism, of sixteen members to
the church.
In 1859, O. E. Mallory, then a student of the
Institution at Hamilton, during his summer vaca-
tion, preached to the church with much accept-
ance, and his labors are still held in grateful re-
membrance.
In November of 1859, Elder Edward Teuney
occupied the desk, sustaining the pastoral relation
until April, -1860. In the summer of that year he
was succeeded by Elder J. Trowbridge, who, in the
course of a few months, aroused the church to the
necessity of repairing and remodeling their house
of worship. This was completed in July, 1861,
and again dedicated to divine worship. In a few
months afterward Elder Trowbridge resigned, and
was succeeded by Elder W. W. Beardslee, whose
pastorate lasted two years. Elder William
Brooks then assumed the pastoral care of the
church, which he retained three years, closing his
labors on the first of April, 1867.
During the next seven months, the desk was sup-
pUed by Elders A. L. L. Potter and W. Metcalf, of
Nunda.
In November, 1867, Elder L. S. Stowell was
called to the pastorate, and his work was greatly
blessed. Within two years the membership was
doubled. He remained eight years and then re-
signed on account of ill health. During this time
the church was unusually prosperous, seventy-
seven being added to its membership by baptism.
A year or two then elapsed without a settled
pastor, until the coming of Elder J. A. Taylor, the
t His pastorate continued nine years. The first six years he preached
to this church but half the time, the other half with the Baptist church in
Granger. But in 1847 the latter was disbanded and this church enjoyed
his full labors.
incumbent in 1880. The church is located at
Hunt's Hollow, in a thinly settled farming country,
and the membership and congregation have always
been small. The present membership is about
eighty.
Statistics. — In i860 the population of Portage
was 1,519, which in 1870 had decreased to
1,338, and in 1875 was but 1,170 total. In this
latter year the town had a native population of
1,044, of foreign, 126; of white, 1,165, of colored,
5 ; a loss in those five years of 168 in the total pop-
ulation ; of 143 in the native ; of 25 in the foreign;
of 169 in the white, and a gain of i in the colored
population.
The town in 1875 had 570 males, 600 females,
and 7 aliens ; and of voting population a total of
329, of which 278 were native, 47 were naturaUzed,
and 4 were aliens.
The soil of Portage is a clay loam in the eastern
and a sandy loam in the western part. The area
of farm lands in 1875 was given as 10,868 acres of
improved lands, 3,019 acres of woodland, and of
other lands 1,323 acres. The cash value of farms
was $964,185; of farm buildings, $111,860; of
stock, 98,595 ; of tools and implements, $26,725 ;
while the gross sales from farms in the preceding
year were $72,899.
A portion of the town records having been de-
stroyed by fire on the night of December 24th,
1 868. no accurate or reliable list could be obtained
prior to 1869, although it is learned that Joel C.
Bennett was Supervisor during the war, and John
A. Lyon in 1866.
We give here as extended a list as possible of
the Supervisors and Town Clerks of Portage.
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1869. Benj. T. Kneeland. E. Selden Kellogg.
1870. Charles D. Bennett. "
1871. Benj. T. Kneeland. Jno. M. Griffith.
1872-73. MerrimanJ. Wilner. C. S. Gilbert.
1874. Jno. Fitch. Chas. C. Adams.
1875- " C. S. Gilbert.
1876-78. " Jno. M. Griffith.
1879-80. Jno. M. Griffith. O. L. Crosier.
The following officers were elected April 5,
1 88 1 :— Supervisor, John M. Griffith; Town Clerk,
Otis L. Crosier; Highway Commissioner, William
Townsend; Assessor, Lyman L. Edmonds; Over-
seer of the Poor, Lorenzo D. Gififord ; Constables,
John Stager, Cornelius J. Whipple, Willie E.
Spencer, R. R. Parks ; Game Constable, Philip M.
Payne; Excise Commissioner, F. B. Hunt.
Portage has eleven school districts in which
there are school houses, and one joint district in
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OAKLAND — CHURCHES.
271
which there is no school house in the town. In
these districts there are 429 children over five and
under twenty-one years of age. During the past
year school was taught 322 2-5 weeks, employing 11
teachers, and with an average attendance of 164,
there being 341 children of school age attending
school some portion of the year. The totalamount
paid to teachers during the year was $1,732.62.
The total value of school houses and sites is $3,460 ;
of district libraries, $183. There was paid during
the year for school houses, sites, fences, repairs and
furniture, the sum of $123.20; the total inciden-
tal expenditure for the year was $153.55. The
total valuation of the districts is $6,333.49.
Dr. B. T. Kneeland who graduated at Geneva,
N. Y., in 1 85 1, resides in the eastern part of the
town.
Oakland.
Oakland is situated in the eastern part of the
town. In its earlier history it was known as Mes-
senger's Hollow, from Russell Messenger, who, as
before mentioned, located there in 1817, build-
ing there the first grist-mill erected in the town.
It went by the name of Messenger's Hollow for
years, until the post-office was moved from Col.
George Williams' on Oak Hill to the Hollow,
bearing the name of Oakland with it. This name
grew in public favor slowly, especially among- the
older residents, but at last the hamlet came to be
generally known by its present name. The mill
erected by Russell Messenger was rebuilt and
enlarged in 1832. It is the only grist-mill now in
the town, and is a very large and substantial struc-
ture.
Here in Oakland, Russell Messenger died, and
his son, Orlaton F. Messenger, succeeded him in
the business of the mill and the warehouse which
was built after the opening of the canal. Here,
also, Asahel Fitch kept for many years a general
dry-goods and grocery store. His son, John Fitch,
manufacturer of carriages, is now living here.
None of Russell Messenger's family are left
here, but live at or near Rochester, Minn.
When the Genesee Valley canal was completed
Oakland had, besides the grist-mill, a tannery, a
cloth dressing establishment, several saw-mills, a
store and a tavern. The growth of Nunda Vil-
lage, and the abandonment of the canal, detracted
from the business of the place, and it contains at
present but the mill, carriage shop, a blacksmith
shop, school house, a manufactory for plows and
other agricultural implements, and thirty or forty
houses.
Churches. —The place formerly contained two
churches, Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian.
The former was built about 1830 or '32, and the
society becoming extinct, the church was aban-
doned somewhere about 1872, and was then con-
verted into a hall for public use.
Oakland Presbyterian Church. — On Sunday,
the 5th day of December, 1819, Rev. Elihu Mason,
pastor of the church in Mt. Morris, organized the
Presbyterian church of Portage, at Oak Hill, then
in the town of Nunda, with the following mem-
bers : — Arad French and Lucinda, his wife ; Rich-
ard W. Robinson and Charlotte, his wife; Mrs.
Laura Strong, Wm. T. Totten, Enoch Miller, Mrs.
Rosanna Marks, Mrs. Hannah Moses, Samuel
Swain and Mrs. Elizabeth Tuthill. Arad French
was chosen deacon, and Messrs. French, Robinson
and Swain elders. Mr. French was also chosen
clerk, and for more than twenty years kept a model
record. In January, 1820, the church became a
member of the Presbytery of Ontario. The next
two years it remained under the care of Mr. Mason.
In the spring of 1822, Rev. John Lindsley became
pastor. He was a native of Connecticut, and
though an old man, he was a missionary in Western
New York, where his name is found in the history
of most of the old churches. He settled at Oak
Hill, where he died December 4th, 1838, aged
eighty-seven years. He was a deep thinker and a
very exemplary man.
September, 1822, the church numbering seventy-
five members, Isaac P. Atwood, Erastus Norton and
Solomon Williams were chosen additional elders,
and William T. Totten and William Town, deacons.
Rev. Mr. Lindsley having become superannu-
ated, Phineas Smith, a licentiate, became pastor in
1828, and was soon afterwards ordained. Though
the church had one hundred members, it had no
house or home. Its meetings were held in the
school-houses and barns, niostly at Oak Hill or
Hunt's Hollow.
The parish extended from Pike Hollow to East
Hill, in Nunda, and on the river from St. Helena
to Wiscoy.
Efforts were made to build a meeting-house, but
in 1827 the church was organized in Portage ville,
within this parish. The pastor had not the wisdom
of experience, and several of the leading members
joined the Episcopal church. It was not till the
summer of 1830 that they built their house in
Hunt's Hollow. The church then became a mem-
ber of the Presbytery of Angelica, and Rev. Abel
Caldwell succeeded Mr. Smith, who became, soon
272
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
after, a missionary to Texas, then just entering the
family of nations as a Republic.
In 1 83 1, a Presbyterian church was organized in
Nunda and another in Pike, both of which drew
many of her members, but accessions were more
numerous; for in 1835 the membership is stated
at one hundred and thirty — the greatest number
the church ever reported.
Rev. Leonard Rogers succeeded Mr. Caldwell
in 1837, and was followed by Rev. Abram C.
DuBois in 1840; and James B. Hewitt, Edwin S.
Olmstead, Delos Wells and Jos. C. Button were
chosen elders. Abel Caldwell was again pastor
in 1841-42, Rev. Lewis Hamilton in 1843-44 and
Rev. John M. Bear in 1845-47. He was an ob-
trusive pro-slavery man from Delaware, out of time
and place. Several of the leading members left
the church for political reasons and never joined it
again. John Preston, John F. Woodruff and Nel-
son C. Lockwood were chosen elders, and Tracy
Ensworth, deacon.
The mania for going west which began in 1836
carried away many members, and the dechne con-
tinued till in 1848 Messrs. Caldwell and Leonard
labored as supplies to a membership of about fifty.
They sold the church and parsonage to the Baptist
church for $800, joined the Presbytery of Wyoming,
and uniting with the Old School church, of Nunda,
formed the Church of Oakland, Richard Kay, pas-
tor, Gulielmus Wing, David W. Thayer, Silas Olm-
stead, E. S. Olmstead, J. Preston and J. B. Hewitt,
elders, and Wm. T. Totten and Tracy Ensworth,
deacons. July ist, 1848, the church and society
were incorporated, G. Wing, Wm. Houghton, Jas.
Camp, L. Tuthill and Asahel Fitch, trustees ; Rev.
Moses Miller, pastor.
They built a commodious church and session
room on the corner of lot 170 in Oakland, which
was dedicated Oct. 3d, 1850. The building com-
mittee were G. Wing, E. H. Nash, A. Fitch, O. F.
Messenger and Jas. Camp. N. C. Lockwood and
Geo. Arnold were chosen additional elders.
Richard Kay's pastorate closed in 1852, and Rev.
Isaac Oakes was pastor till 1857. He was succeeded
by Rev. Wm. Hall for one year. Rev. Henry B.
Thayer followed for two years. In his pastorate
many were added to the church. Rev. Pliny
Twitchell was pastor from the fall of 1 86 1 till his
death in 1864. His successor, E. W. Kellogg,
continued till 1868, when Rev. R. W. McCormick
was pastor for one year. Rev. L. G. Marsh fol-
lowed him in 1870, and continued till the meeting
house was burned June 8th, 187 1.
The schism between the old and the new school
was healing and as many of the members had once
been united with the Church of Nunda, so now
she welcomed the Church of Oakland to her com-
munion. During the fifty years the Church existed
about 450 names were on her records.
The first settlers of Portage were mainly from
New England, and the Presbyterian faith had
probably more adherents than all other creeds
combined, perhaps they still outnumber any other,
but their names are enrolled in Portage or Nunda.*
Hunt's Station.
Hunt's Station, or Hunt's, as it is as frequently
called, is situated at nearly the geographical center
of the town, on the line of the Erie railroad. It
contains two stores, a post-office, two blacksmith
shops, one wagon shop, a warehouse, the depot,
and eight or nine dwelUng houses. One of the
stores, devoted to dry-goods and doing a consider-
able business, is kept by Williams & Averill. The
other, devoted to groceries, is owned by Milo
Eldridge, who came here in December, 1874, com-
mencing business the following July. The post-
office was moved to this place from Hunt's Hol-
low in 1875, and Mr. Eldridge was appointed post-
master, which position he has since held.
Mr. Schwartz began business here as a black-
smith in the spring of 1876. In 1877 Frank
Nickleson built here a wagon shop, devoting a
portion of it to blacksmithing. The warehouse
was built by J. L. Smith in the spring of 1877, sell-
ing in 1878 to J. B. Simmons, who as produce dealer,
is now in business here.
Hunt's Station is quite an extensive shipping
point for farm produce, the only depot in the town
of commercial importance.
At this place is located the Portage Memorial
Hall, a neat slate roofed brick building, twenty-six
by fifty feet, containing within its interior three
large marble slabs inscribed with the names of the
soldiers from Portage who died on the field of bat-
tle, or in prisons, during the war of the Rebellion.
The building was erected at an expense of two
thousand dollars, and is also to be used as a town
hall.
This Hall was built through the efforts of an as-
sociation of citizens under the title of "The
Soldiers' Monument Association of the Town of
Portage." The society was organized Saturday,
June 9, 1866, in accordance with Chapter 237,
* For this sketch we are indehted to C. D Bennett.
PORTAGE— WAR RECORD.
273
Laws of 1866 for the erection of a monument in
said town in memory of her soldiers.
The meeting for organization was held in the
school-house at Hunt's Hollow, Horace Hunt pre-
siding as chairman, and Hiram Smith, as secre-
tary. In addition to the Supervisors and Justices
made by the law ex-officio members of the Board
of Trustees, eight more were elected, making the
first Board of Trustees as follows :— John A. Lyon,
Supervisor ; Greenleaf Clark, Latham Coffin, Chas.
H. Randall and Hiram Smith, Justices ; John F.
Barber, Alfred A. Cox, Horace Hunt, Charles D,
Bennett, Orlaton F. Messenger, J. Bradley Clark,
Enos H. Nash, Roderick P. Spencer.
The certificate of organization was recorded in
the Livingston County Clerk's office, June 13,
1866. On the 1 6th of June, the organization was
perfected by the election of John F. Barber, Presi-
dent ; Orlaton F. Messenger and J. B. Clark, Vice-
Presidents; Charles D. Bennett, Treasurer; and
Hiram Smith, Secretary.
By means of Fourth of July celebrations, fairs,
festivals, and various school exhibitions, a fund was
accumulated with which to build a monument.
Committees on locations, plans and specifica-
tions were at various times appointed, but no
location could be agreed upon. In 1872 or '73,
a law was passed allowing a Memorial building
to be erected in place of the monument con-
templated by the Act under which this Association
was organized.
On the 30th of April, 1874, the Association
resolved that the funds of the society should be
expended in the erection of a Memorial Hall. The
location selected was on the south side of the road
at Hunt's Station, where in 1880 the building was
erected.
The committee on Building, were J. Beardsley,
G. S. Hovey and Hiram Smith. The committee
on Marble Tablets were Joel C. Bennett, Charles
D. Bennett and L. B. Gallup.
By the usual changes in town officers, and by
deaths and removals, corresponding changes have
been made in the Board of Trustees. At the time
of the erection of the Memorial Hall, the follow-
ing were the members of the Association : — John
M. Griffith, Supervisor; G. S. Hovey, Charles H.
Randall, Hiram Smith and L. B. Gallup, Justices;
Amman Smith, President ; Charles D. Bennett,
Treasurer; John S. Lyon, Vice-President; E. H.
Nash, R. P. Spencer, Joel C. Bennett, Jared Beards-
ley, A. M. McFarlane. The present Secretary is
Hiram Smith.
Portage Bridge.
Portage Bridge has but a few scattering houses,
the depot, and two hotels. The Emerald House,
proprietor P. M. Brogun, was built fourteen years
ago. Mr. Brogun has been its proprietor thirteen
years.
The Cascade House was built about 1853, after
the burning of the old Laman House. Its present
proprietor is J. G. Barr. This hotel is a large
handsome building, finely located, and is quite a
resort for tourists who come here to pass the sum-
mer months amidst the beautiful scenery of the
Genesee.
War Record. — The history of Portage for
years, was that of a tranquil farming country, and
not until the war broke out in 1861, did anything
occur to disturb its citizens in their pursuits. At
the breaking out of the RebelUon, thirty-six men
from the town of Portage, without bounty, and
with no expectation of reward but their meager
pay, entered the army to maintain as far as they
could the integrity of the nation.
During the year 1862, forty-five more of the citi-
zens of Portage, whose hves had been passed in the
quiet pursuits of husbandry or trade, threw down
the implements of industry and, at the call of the
President, went resolutely to the fields of strife,
there to wield the implements of death in behalf of
the same noble cause. In answer to the^call of
1863, nineteen more men quietly and bravely left
their homes and went forward to take the place of
those who had fallen in battle, or dropped from the
ranks from the blighting effects of toil, privation
and disease. The town furnished in all, one hun-
dred and fifty-two men.
Of those who enlisted in 1861,* Wilbur Haver
entered the 27th Regiment, and was killed at
Fredericksburgh, Va., May 3, 1863.
Fifteen men entered Company F, 33rd Regi-
ment, under command of Captain McNair.
David Bentley was disabled and discharged in
April, 1862. He afterwards reenlisted in Co. F, 4th
Heavy Artillery, was wounded June 23, before
Petersburgh, and transferred to the Invalid Corps.
George Benjamin deserted, but reenlisted in
the 8sth Regiment, and was taken prisoner at Ply-
mouth, N. C, April 20, 1864, serving the remainder
of his time in Andersonville prison.
J. H. Delong died at Hagerstown, Md., Decem-
ber 4, 1862.
* For Ihis record of the soldiers from Portage, we are indebted to Joel
C. Bennett, who has manifested much interest in matters pertaining to
their history.
274
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Michael Driscoll served his two years, was then
transferred to Company D.of the same regiment,
and on May 15, 1863, was attached to the 49th
Regiment.
James C. Gillett was discharged August 4, 1861,
came home and died at Oakland.
Robert S. Hall was discharged Aug. 15, 1861,
afterward reenlisting.
James Haver served two years, and was dis-
charged with his Regiment, but reenhsted in the
New York Dragoons and served to the end of the
war.
George M. Lockwood, Jan. i, 1862, was de-
tailed to duties in the Signal Corps, where he
served to the end of his two years' term.
Rufus Newell served his two years.
Eben Patterson died at Nunda Station Dec. 30,
1862, of disease contracted in the service.
Reuben W. Mayhew was discharged for dis-
abihty Aug. 4, 1861, but reenlisted in Company D,
4th Heavy Artillery, and was again discharged for
disabihty.
Henry Schwartz died of fever Aug. 10, 1862.
Hosea F. Shaw was promoted to First Sergeant,
and served his two years.
Theodore Washburn was killed at Deserted
House, Va., June 30, 1863.
Delancy Smith * served two years and was trans-
ferred to Company D of the same regiment, and
attached to the 49th Regiment May 15th, 1863.
Of those who joined the 85th Regiment f in
1861:—
Charles Buckbee served his two years, reenlisted
in the same regiment, was taken prisoner at Ply-
mouth, N. C, and died in Andersonville.
JuUus C. French was discharged for his disabil-
ity, but recovered and reenlisted in the First New
York Veteran Cavalry and was again discharged
for ill health.
James Holbrook sickened and died in the
service.
Charles Hale died in the hospital in the winter
of 1862.
Jay J. Mills, at the end of his two years' service,
reenlisted in the same regiment, was taken prisoner
at Plymouth, N. C, and died at Andersonville.
George W. Randall was discharged for disability.
* Enlisted in 1862. ^
t This entire regiment was captured at Plymouth, N, C, after perhaps
the most gallant and obstinate resistance to superior numbers that took
place durmg the war. This courageous defense secured honorable terms
of capitulation, and such was the respect entertained for them by their
captors that, dunng their march to Andersonville, not a man was plun-
dered although they were well clothed and were in possession of several
months' pay.
Albert O. Taber died at Suffolk, Va., Oct. 28,
1862. He had been promoted to Lieutenant, but
died before receiving his commission.
Of Company A, 104th regiment, enHstment
of 1861:—
George W. Brittan was discharged for disability,
but re-enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery. He
died at Washington, March i, 1865.
Albert H. Cleveland was discharged July
r, 1862.
William Davis was killed at Gettysburg, Pa.,
July I, 1863.
George Flint was discharged Sept. 3, 1862, and
died soon after the war.
George H. Graham was discharged Dec. 18,
1862, on account of ill health. Reenlisted in the
Veteran Reserve Corps Sept. 12, 1864. Died at
Boston Harbor Dec. 8, 1864.
Nathaniel A. Gearhart was wounded at Gettys-
burg, Pa., July I, 1863, and was discharged Oct.
12, 1864.
Edwin M. Hinman deserted from Camp Chase,
Ohio.
Alexander H. Hinman served his full three years.
John C. Hays was taken prisoner at Gettysburg,
and passed twenty-one months in Rebel prisons,
before being exchanged.
Albert S. Haver was promoted from Second
Lieutenant to Captain, but was dismissed from the
service for using disrespectful language to a
superior officer.
George W. Rowell was dismissed for disability
Dec. 13, 1862, but reenhsted in the First New
York Veteran Cavalry.
George W. Snyder was discharged on account
of ill health, Aug. 4, 1862.
William Youngs was transferred to Invalid Corps
Oct. I, 1863.
In the months of August and September of
1862 volunteers were organized into regi-
ments as if by magic all over the Northern
States. The camp-grounds for Allegany, Living-
ston and Wyoming counties was in Portage. Here
the 130th and 136th Regiments were organized
with wonderful rapidity and sent to the front.
The name of the 130th was afterwards changed to
the First New York Dragoons.
Eighteen men from Portage, enhsted in the
companies of this regiment, receiving from the
town a bounty of fifty dollars each, and in 1863
and 1864 twelve recruits from this town were
added to the number.
B. T. Kneeland was appointed Surgeon at the
PORTAGE — WAR RECORD.
275
organization of the regiment, with the rank of
Major, and remained until the close of the war.
Jacob Alvord, Company I, was wounded near
Malvern Hill, disabled, and discharged.
Elisha T. Ames, Company I, lost a leg in the
battle of the Wilderness, May 7, and died in Wash-
ington June 26, 1864.
Thomas W. Edmonds, Company I, was trans-
ferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
William C. Hendershott served to the close of
the war, mostly as nurse in the hospital.
John M. Hall, Company A, served to the end of
the war.
Geo. A. Gearhart, Company I, also served to
the close of the war.
Geo. M. Gearhart, Company A, killed at the
battle of Cedar creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864.
John Kegan, Company A, was killed at Deserted
House, Va., Jan. 30, 1863.
Horace C. Orton, Company I, died in Ander-
sonville prison, Ga.
Phillip M. Payne, Company A, was transferred
to Veteran Reserve Corps June 13, 1864.
Albert Smith, Company I, served three years.
Horace Ward was transferred to InvaUd Corps.
John L. Snyder and A. J. White, of Company I,
were transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps.
H. E. Youells, Company I, sickened and died
at Norfolk, Va., April 3, 1863.
Sergeant Prosper Swift, after fighting through a
great many severe skirmishes and battles, was
killed in action at Cedar creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864,
and hes buried at Nunda.
George Stockwether, Company F, was wounded
and taken prisoner at Travihan Station, Va., but
was exchanged and mustered out with his regi-
ment.
M)Ton H. Haver, Company F, served to the
close of the war.
Wm. J. Wright, Company I, died of fever, Nov.
6, 1862.
George C. Abbott, Company B, enlisted in
1864, and served to the end of the war.
Thomas Brick, Company B, enhsted in 1863,
and was mustered out at the close of the war.
David L. Randall, Company F, enlisted in 1863,
sickened, came home on a. furlough, and did not
return to his company.
James H. Haver, Company I, served through
the war.
Geo. W. Lowell, Company F, enhsted in 1864,
and died of fever at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., July 27,
1864.
Peter J. Quant, Company I, enhsted in r864,
and died in that year from exposure to frost while
sick.
Fletcher Walker enlisted in 1864 in Company
F, was killed at Cedar creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864.
Wilham Beach enhsted in 1863 and served to
the end of the war.
Lorenzo D. Lowell, Company F, enhsted in
1864. His heath failed and he was discharged.
Emerson Rude, Company I, enhsted in the
130th Regiment, Aug. 13, 1862. Generally known
by the citizens of both Portage and Nunda, the
news of his death cast a gloom over the commun-
ity. After landing at Suffolk, Va., his first battle
was at Deserted House, Va., Jan. 29, 1863. He
was in active camp duty until the dread seige of
Suffolk in April, 1863, when he was under fire in
the rifle-pits and forts every day for twenty-one
days in succession. Again he was in another
battle near Baltimore Cross Roads, the first of
July. In November, 1863, he was in a severe
skirmish at Manassas Junction, and also in another
near Orange Court House in January, 1864. At
the battle of the Wilderness, on Saturday, May 7,
1864, he was shot through the left arm and right
thigh. He was carried back into the field, where
he remained that night and until Sunday noon,
receiving such care as a fighting and pursuing army
could render. He was finally placed in an ambu-
lance and started for Fredericksburgh ; carried
about half way and obhged to lay out in the ambu-
lance over night without a fire. On Monday fore-
noon he reached Fredericksburgh and in two or
three days thereafter died and was buried with the
army's dead.
Of those who in 1862 entered the 136th Regi-
ment : —
Thomas F. Carroll, Company H, was discharged
at Fairfax Court House, Va., for disability.
Otis L. Crosier served to the close of the war,
and is now living at Oakland.
Levi Guernsey was taken prisoner at Manassas
Junction, Va.,in August, 1863, and has never been
heard from since.
Norman A. Hamilton was discharged on account
of failing health.
Wilham C. Hall was promoted to the oflSce of
First Lieutenant, was wounded at Resaca, Ga.,
May 15, and died of lock-jaw at Nashville, Tenn.,
June 27, 1864.
Henry S. Lyon served through the war.
George H. Mosier was wounded at Gettysburg,
Pa,, July 3, and died August i, 1863.
276
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
John McDonald was discharged at Atlanta, Ga.,
for disability.
Felix Managhan was mustered out at the close
of the war.
Patrick Ryan died at Stafford Court House,
Va., in March, 1863.
Alterva Smith was wounded at Resaca, Ga.,
May 15, 1804, and died soon after.
Jackson L. Wallace served until the war closed.
H. W. Hand was promoted Captain of Com-
pany I, 39th Regiment of colored troops and
served till the close of the war.
Of the 105th Regiment:—
Lyman B. Gallup, when the regiment was con-
solidated with the 94th, was placed in Company
H, but was discharged for the purpose of reenlist-
ment as hospital steward, and finally, was dis-
charged for disability July 6, 1865, and is now in
Portage.
John Quinn enlisted in 1862, was discharged for
disabiHty, reenlisted in the First Veteran Cavalry,
and served through the war.
John H. Parks died of disease contracted in the
service. May 17, 1864, at Washington.
James B. Randall, Company F, 169th Regiment,
was wounded at Cold Harbor, June i, 1864, and
died on the 4th of the same month.
John Simpson, of Company D, i88th Regi.
ment, served to the close of the war.
Of the 4th Regiment of Heavy Artillery : —
Augustus Beardsley, Company E, served to the
close of the war.
George W. Bingham, of Company E, and Aaron
Burroughs, of Company D, remained in the army
until the close of the war.
Rufus Chandler, Company E, died at Washing-
ton, February 2, 1863.
W. H. H. Havey, Company D, served till the
end of the RebelHon.
Matthew Lake, Company D, also served to the
close of the war.
Michael Loughlen entered the service in Janu-
ary, 1864, was wounded at the battle of the Wilder,
ness, disabled and discharged.
Robert R. Parks, Company E, served to the end
of the war.
Rowland Ward, Company E, was wounded at
Ream's Station and disabled, but was not dis-
charged till the war closed.
E. Adelbert Nash, Company F, enlisted in Feb-
ruary, 1864, was taken prisoner at Ream's Station,
was paroled, exchanged and served to the end of
the war.
Charles H. Rowell, Company F, entered the
army at the same date, and was killed at Peters-
burgh, Va., June 23, 1864.
Michael Welch, Company F,, enlisted in 1862,
and served to the end of the Rebellion.
William Riley entered the service January i,
1864, and died in prison at Salisbury, N. C, date
unknown.
Marion W. Mosher, Company E, joined the
regiment in 1864, and was lost in the battle near
North Anna river, Va., in May, 1864.
Isaac L. Holley and George F. Rogers entered
the service in 1863, in Company F, ist New York
Veteran Cavalry, and remained until the war
ended.
A number of men, residents in Portage, enlisted
for other towns. Among these were John Slater
and James Moore, the former being wounded in
the second battle of Bull Run and permanently
disabled; the latter remaining with the regiment
until the close of its two years' service, when he re-
enlisted in the sth New York Cavalry and was
sent with that regiment to Texas.
Charles Calahan entered the 130th Regiment at
its organization, and was severely wounded at
Travilian Station ; but after eight months' absence
in the hospital he rejoined the regiment, was with
it in its last campaign, and with it was mustered
out at the close of the war.
Twelve of the citizens of Portage, in 1863, were
also claimed by the draft, two only responding to
the call, viz. — Wm. D. Lake and Theodore Elhot.
The former was placed in the 146th Regiment. He
was taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness,
May 7, and died in Andersonville prison, Novem-
ber 21, 1864.
Theodore EUiot entered Company B, 76th Regi-
ment, was also taken prisoner at the battle of the
Wilderness, May 5, and died in Andersonville,
Sept 16, 1864.
The other ten men satisfied the demand of the
government by the payment of three hundred dol-
lars each in commutation for their services. These
were Jason D. Hunt, J. S. Hewett, Martin Dona-
hue, Thomas N. Lockwood, Edwin Thompson,
Justus G. Yule, Sylvenus H. Reece, Stephen G.
Scott, Lyman W. PhiUips and Nelson Devoe.
In addition to all regular quota, in 1864, the
town furnished twenty-six men for four months'
service in the 58th Regiment of New York State
Militia to guard rebel prisoners at Elmira.
These were Major Geo. M. Lockwood, Captain
Jason D. Hunt, Lieutenants H. F. Shaw and
PORTAGE, WAR RECORD— JOEL C. BENNETT.
277
George Conklin, Edward L. Hunt, J. M. Hayne,
John E. Spees, Samuel Russell, Chas. E. Gardner,
Henry Allegar, Benjamin Brigham, Eramett Dick-
ens, E. L. Hayne, Nelson Link, James Lyon,
Joseph C. Russell, Robert Scutt, H. O. Sparks,
Charles L. Williams ; — Franklin W. Payne, S, A.
Spencer, John Moffett, Elijah Dunn, Curtis S.
French, A. W. Chase, S. G. Scott, George Fletcher,
A. A. Smith, B. L. Brooking, J. B. Chase and
Oscar F. Sharp, by substitute, and E. A. Lowell.
Of the brave defenders of the Union who went
from Portage, thirteen were killed or died from
wounds received in battle, thirteen died from dis-
eases contracted in the service, and nine drooped
and died from starvation and exposure in the
various prison pens of the South.
The town also paid a large amount in bounties
to the men who went forward to the fields of strife.
■In 1 86 1 thirty-six men entered the service without
bounty. In 1862 seventeen men were paid $50
each,— $850; twenty-five were paid $75 each,—
$1,875, and nine of the same men received by
subscription $125 each,— $1,125; total for the
year, $3,850.
In 1863 eight men went without bounty, eleven
were paid $300 each,— $3,300 ; ten paid commu-
tation of $300 each,— $3,000 ; total for the year,
$6,300.
In 1864 eight men received $1,000 each, — $8,-
000; one man received $950; fifteen men were paid
$900 each,— $13,500; and one substitute was paid
by H. Smith $1,000; total for the year, $23,450.
In 1865 one substitute was paid by A. Smith
$1,100, one substitute for H. Dutton was paid
$1^300, — $2,400; and fifteen men enhsted in
Washington for the town were paid $750 each, —
$11,250; total for the year $13,650, and a final
total for the four years of $47,250.
Previous to July, 1863, the various Ladies' Aid
Societies in the town had sent to the armies
through organized agencies of benevolence, hospi-
tal stores and comforts to the amount of $239.
Besides this a large number of boxes were sent by
individuals and societies to particular friends and
companies.
In 1864 a festival was held on the Fourth of
July, the net proceeds from which were $437.54.
Two hundred dollars of this sum was sent to the
Sanitary Commission and $200 to the Christian
Commission. Collections were then made in the
various school districts and in August $61.75 were
sent to the same Commission.
In October and February $61.25 were added to
the contribution ; the Thanksgiving dinner, which
resulted in the receipt of $77.16, swelling the yearly
contribution to the sum of $600.17.
In addition to this cash and goods to the
amount of $374.76 were forwarded to the freed-
men of the South in March, 1864, making a grand
total of $48,501.47 that Portage contributed toward
the suppression of the RebeUion.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOEL C. BENNETT.
(JOEL C. BENNETT.)"
Among the early settlers of Portage the Bennetts
were somewhat conspicuous. They are of English
origin, tracing the immediate family tie back to
Ephraim Bennett, who was born in England about
the year 1720, but the exact date of his birth, mi-
gration to this country, marriage and death, are
lost to this branch of his posterity. His death oc-
curred about the year 1780. Thomas, one of his
three sons, was born in Newtown, Conn., Nov. 17,
1752, and died in the same town, Feb. 7, 1836, at
the age of eighty-four. He had a family of eight
sons and three daughters, all reared in Newtown,
all married and all living to raise famihes of chil-
dren. As the sons successively came of age, they
left their native town, and most of them settled in
Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y. But after a few years
the wild Genesee country had attractions for them,
and between 1817 and 182 1, seven of the brothers
bought lands and settled in the wilderness of Nunda,
(now Portage.)*
• Ebenezer Bennett, the oldest son settled in Ovid, Seneca County
N. Y., (now Covert,) where many of his posterity now reside.
278
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Their names were Henry, David, Thomas T.,
Joseph, Walter, Philo and Roswell Bennett. So
numerous were their children that it was said there
were seventy-seven Bennett cousins living near
enough to attend church at Hunt's Hollow.
The descendants of these seven brothers afford
an illustration of the Yankee tendency to spread
and " replenish the earth," as they are known to be
settled in various parts of seventeen different
States and also in Canada and Brazil, S. A. Very
many of them are or have been teachers, thus nat-
urally occupying positions of responsibility and
influence. Only one of the old homesteads built
by the fathers now remains in the hands of the chil-
dren reared in them. This is the one established
by David Bennett, now owned and occupied by
his son, Charles D. Bennett.
David Bennett was the third child in the above
mentioned family of eleven and was born on the
7th of March, 1777. He was married to Polly
Botsford, May 4, 1799, and soon afterward moved
to Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y. Here his wife
died in Oct., 1812, leaving a family of five children.
April 10, 1813, he was again married, his second
wife being Mary, eldest daughter of Joel Coe one
of the first settlers of the town of Scipio. In the
spring of 1 82 1 he removed to Portage, arriving on
the 16th of May. He commenced at once his
work upon the Springbrook farm, establishing a
home where the social and family tie have ever
been, and still remain strong and tender. Here he
died Dec. 7, 1857. Six children resulting from his
second marriage here grew to maturity, viz: —
Joel C, Mary J., Charles D., Emily C, Curtis N.
and Rachel A. Bennett.
Joel C. Bennett, the oldest of these was born
May 16, 1815. He received a district school edu-
cation and also taught school several terms, be-
coming pretty well acquainted with the school sys-
tem as it was administered in the early days. He
was the first to introduce the use of blackboards in
school in this part of the country, and it had to be
done at his own expense. He, with thirty-five
other teachers of Portage, helped to organize the
first Teachers' Institute in Western New York,
at Hume, under the auspices of R. H. Spencer,
then County Superintendent for Allegany county,
in 1844.
For many years he discharged the duties of
School Inspector, School Commissioner or Town
Superintendent, but he has held office very little
except in this connection. He was, however. Su-
pervisor at the opening of the war in 1861, and
held the office two years. He tried to keep pretty
full statistics with regard to the soldiers enlisted,
bounties paid, companies in which they served,
casualties which happened to them, &c. Most of
the statistics on this subject for Portage have been
compiled from memoranda kept by him.
On November 10, 1850, he was married to Cor-
nelia Botsford, youngest daughter of Ezra Bots-
ford, Esq., long a resident of Granger, Allegany
county. They have four children, Ada E., Nora
M., Carl D., and Ezra W. Bennett.
CHARLES D. BENNETT.
Charles D. Bennett, the subject of this sketch
was born in Scipio, Cayuga county, Feb. 15, 18 rg.
Two years after this, his father moved to Nunda,
now Portage, and cut for himself a farm out of the
woods, and as the forest was partly pine, he was
obliged to combine lumbering with clearing. His
education began in the rude log school-house, but
was afterwards continued in Henry Chalker's select
school, the LeRoy high school and Canandaigua
academy, with teaching school between the terms,
and he also made good use of the Nunda Farmers'
library. On reaching his majority he went to
Louisiana and clerked for his brother Ezra for a
year, then taught school atime on Bayou LaFourche,
and returning home, spent four years in farming
and teaching, and was for two years town superin-
tendent of common schools. An attack of inflam-
mation of the eyes then forced him to refrain from
hard labor and he sought the dry climate of Texas,
then recently annexed, and settled at Gonzales, on
the south-western frontier, where he was chiefly en-
gaged in teaching, and for several years was presi-
dent of Gonzales college. About the year 1850,
the temperance wave spread over Texas, and he
joined the ranks of " Sons of Temperance" and was
for several years Deputy Grand Worthy Patriarch
of the order. In 1853, he visited the north and
married Miss Huldah Olney, of Scipio, who after a
few years residence in Texas, desired to leave
society controlled by slavery. The hard times of
1857 making the sale of property and collection of
debts impracticable, Mr. Bennett converted his
means into a herd of cattle and drove them to
Chicago, a distance of 2,000 miles, about the be-
ginning of a trade now amounting to millions. In
1858 he drove a herd of Texas oxen to Leaven-
worth, and returning to Portage bought the old
homestead where he has since followed the quiet
and uneventful life of a farmer. In politics he has
never sought preferment, but of the many minor
offices which a riian assumes voluntarily and fills at
his own expense, he has held his full share. He is
perhaps chiefly noted for his labors in improving
the highways.
HON. NATHANIEL COE.
Hon. Nathaniel Coe was born in Morris county,
N. J., September 6th, 1788. His paternal ancestry
is given in the sketch of his sister, Mrs. Huldah
Bennett. " The wish to cherish the remembrance
of our ancestors is akin to the equally laudable
desire to live in the memory of posterity,
*'E'en though our ancient but ignoble blood
Has crept through scoundrels, ever since the flood."
His mother, Huldah Horton, was born in Ches-
ter, N. J., Jan. 14th, 1762. She was the daughter
of Deacon Nathaniel Horton, of Southold, Long
Island, who was the seventh in descent from
Barnabas Horton of Mousely, in Leicestershire,
(PORTAGL )
p.p.p
ENNETT.
MX. MORRI;
Jonathan Phiulips.
Chester Fo
ESTER f OOTE.
HON. NATHANIEL COE — MRS. WALTER BENNETT.
279
England, whose ancestry and coat of arms were
traced back several centuries.
He was born in about 1600. About 1635, with
his wife, Mary, and two children, he came to
Hampton, Mass., in the ship Swallow, Capt.
Jeremy Horton, master. In 1640, his family, with
twelve others, formed a church in New Haven,
Ct., Rev. John Youngs pastor, and together
soon removed to the east end of Long Island, then
a wilderness. They named their place Southold,
from their old home in England. He built the
first framed house there, and in strange contrast
with the restless, moving habits of our population,
it has continued to be the residence of his posterity
in lineal descent, viz: Jonathan, Jonathan, Jr.,
I^awrence, Jonathan and Jonathan G. Horton,
who died there July 3d, 1873. A similar instance
of continued possession is found in Stratford, Ct.
Robert Coe, from England, settled there about
1650. His premises have ever since been held by
his descendants, viz : John, Robert, Ebenezer, Eben-
ezer, Jr., John Ebenezer and John Henry Coe, born
in 1842. N. Coe found himself in the woods of
Scipio at seven years of age, where his father had
a soldier's right of 640 acres, for which he paid a
shilling per acre. Schools were few, and those not
the best, but the youth was one of those who take
to books and seem to learn by intuition. In 1818
he came to Portage, tended saw-mills, practiced
surveying, etc. In 1820, with his brother Joel and
a schoolmate, Myron Strong, he went to Olean,
where they procured a boat, in which they passed
down the rivers to New Orleans.
He remained a,bout six years in various places
at the South, generally teaching school or classes
in penmanship. In his travels he became ac-
quainted with the Lancasterian method of teach-
ing, then quite famous as well as novel. He taught
school several sessions. By the introduction of
better text books and methods of teachipg by him,
and a fewsimilar teachers, such as Hiram Olney and
Stephen Fuller, the common schools of Portage
attained the reputation of being the best in this
region. He was a member of the school board as
inspector or commissioner till these offices were
abolished by law. In 1828 he and W. Z. Blanch-
ard, partners, opened a store in Oakland. "No
liquor sold to be drank here " was hung in a con-
spicuous place, a novel and unpopular sign in that
day, when liquor sellers were prominent church
members. October 9th, 1828, he married Miss
Mary White, of Auburn, a young lady of fine Ht-
erary taste and high moral sentiments. Her extra-
ordinary social faculties enabled her to take a lead-
ing place in society. Acting with earnestness and
consistency, with a unity of object, few families
have exerted a stronger influence, always for good,
than they. In the countless instances in common
life when public good or private want required the
aid of a benevolent heart, a prudent head or skill-
ful hand, he was the ready helper —
" The Ajax and the Mentor, too,
To sagely plan and stoutly do."
He was several terms a Magistrate and often
Supervisor. For rare discernment and integrity he
had the confidence of all. He was elected to the
Assembly from Allegany in 1843, '44 and '45, and
from Livingston in 1847, and became one of the
leading members of the legislature. Twice he had
the misfortune to be reduced from comparative
affluence to bankruptcy by the failure of others.
In 1851 he was appointed Mail Agent for Oregon.
He selected a homestead at the mouth of Hood
River on the Columbia. His sons, Lawrence \V.
and Eugene F., were the first navigators of that river
above the Dalles. As a successful fruit culturist he
spent the evening of a useful life that had been a
blessing to many, dying Oct. 17th, 1868.
" Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."
MRS. WALTER BENNETT.
(MRS. WALTER BENNETT.)
Mrs. Walter Bennett nee Huldah Coe, was born
in Morris county, N. J., July 15, 1793. The Coe
family came to this country from Suffolkshire,
England, where the family descendants had re-
sided for many generations. The earliest mention
of them which can now be found is in Fox's Book
of Martyr's, which states that Robert Coe, (Coo it
is there spelled) of Millford, Suffolkshire, was
burned at the stake by Queen Mary, September,
1555, at Texford. A full account of his trial and
defense is given by Fox in vol. 3, page 349.
Robert and his sons John, Robert and Benjamin
Coe, came to America from England in 1634.
Robert, Jr., settled in Stratford, Conn. Robert
was married in 1657, and died in 1659, leaving one
son, John Coe, who was born May 10, 1658. This
son was married to Mary Hawley, December 20th,
1682.
The result of this marriage was a family of ten
children. His second son Joseph, was married to
280
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Abigail Robinson in 1708. His son Joseph was
born in 1713. He was married in 1739 to Abigail
Curtis, by whom he had ten children. Joel was
the eighth child in this family. He married Hul-
dah Horton in 1780. In 1795 he moved with his
family to Scipio, Cayuga county, which was then a
wilderness, and settled ten miles south of the log
grist-mill, on the site of what is now the city of
Auburn.
It took them a week to sail to Albany. From
Albany they went to Schenectady by wagons, and
from that place on a boat, propelled by oars and
poles, to Fort Stanwix, now Rome. They hauled
the boat on an ox wagon three miles, to Wood
creek, thence on Oneida lake, Oswego and Seneca
rivers, and Cayuga lake to Aurora. For nine miles
they cut the greater portion of their way through
the forest to their settlement one mile north of
Scipio Center.
Mary was the first born in Joel's family of eight
children. She was the mother of Joel C. Bennett,
whose portrait appears in another part of this
work.
Huldah Coe, whose name heads this sketch, was
the sixth child in this family. Both Mary and
Huldah were born in Morris county, N. J. Mary
was born in September 8, 1782, and died Septem-
ber 12, 1872. Huldah was born July 15, 1793,
and was married to Walter Bennett September 20,
1809. They settled in Portage in 1817, cutting
their roadway much of the last twenty miles, and
were one of the most influential families of that
town, taking a leading part in all the earlier settle-
ments and improvements.
The Coe family are noted for their longevity,
and the subject of this sketch will be eighty-eight
years old in July, 1881, enjoying remarkable health
for a woman of her age. Brightness of intellect,
with uniform cheerfulness, blended with Christian
graces, purity of heart and life, works of charity,
and steadfast faith have been her eminent charac-
teristics. The "dew of youth" is still fresh in her
warm affections, and her children, friends and
neighbors "arise and call her blessed." She
resides with her son J. Yates Bennett, who is the
subject of the following sketch.
J. YATES BENNETT.
Walter Bennett, father of J. Yates, was born in
Newtown, Conn., May 2, 1786. Came to this
country in 181 7, and settled in the town of Portage.
He is the grand-son of Ephraim Bennett, who emi-
grated from England to Connecticut about the
year 1720, and son of Thomas Bennett, who was
born November 17, 1752, and died February 7,
1836. Walter settled in Scipi6, Cayuga county, in
1808. Married Huldah Coe, (a portrait and
sketch of whom appears previously,) September
26, 1809. Eleven children were born to them,
seven of whom are now living as follows: — Thomas
F., a wealthy farmer, residing in Atchison county,
Mo. ; Walter, an inventor, residing in Rhode
Island ; Flora, principal of the Peabody Institute
at Summit, Mississippi; J. H. Hobert, sewing
machine dealer, residing in Springfield, 111.; M.
Louise, wife of J. W. Johnson, and residing in Bal-
timore; Mary K, residing with J. Yates Bennett.
On moving to Portage, Walter Bennett formed a
co-partnership with N. B. Nichols, and they built
the first saw-miil erected in the town, in Hunt's
Hollow, and there carried on the lumber business
and farming for a number of years. In poUtics, he
was a Democrat. Was Justice of the Peace a num-
ber of years. He was elected warden of the Epis-
copal church at its organization, which office he
held till his death May 26, 1843.
(J. YATES BENNETT.)
J. Yates Bennett was born in Portage, Nov. 30,
1822. Moved to Louisiana in 1844, and resided
there mostly for sixteen years, seven of which he
spent in teaching school, five as postmaster and
book dealer in Thibodeaux, La., and two in New
Orleans. Returned to Portage, and in 1862 mar-
ried Marietta Galusha, of Arcadia, N. Y., who died
Dec. 23, 1868. He then married Mrs. Elizabeth
B. Siiiith, daughter of Dr. G. W. Branch, of Mt.
Morris, May 2, 1872. Two childten were born to
them, one of whom, Arthur Yates, born July 28,
1873, is now living. Mrs. Bennett died May 27,
1877. In politics J. Yates is a Democrat and was
elected Justice of the Peace in t88o. Is also war-
den of the Episcopal church, and is engaged in the
lumber business and farming.
COL. GEORGE WILLIAMS.
Col. George WiUiams was born in Hatfield,
Mass., May 26th, 1793. He was educated at Can-
andaigua Academy, his father, Dr. William Wil-
liams, being a prominent pioneer on the Phelps
COL. GEORGE WILLIAMS.
281
and Gorham purchase. At nineteen he enlisted as
a volunteer and became a member of Gen. Peter
B. Porter's staff. At the close of the war of 181 2
he commenced the study of law in the office of
John Greig, Esq. Mr. Greig was the agent and
afterwards the partner of Mr. Hornby, of Scot-
land, in the survey and sale of the Cottinger tract
of 50,000 acres which included the town of
Portage.
(COL. GEORGE WILLIAMS.)
In the spring of i8i6_h&.^ent the student to act
as resident agent foF its sale and settlement. He
established his land office at Oak Hill, a little
south of the Deep Cut, and as it was a pleasant
location, central among the settlements, it soon
became the principal seat of town business, where
trainings, elections and town meetings were usually
held. He located his homestead a half mile north,
where he opened a large farm. Its clearing and
cultivation, his extensive milling and lumber
operations, the business of the land agency and his
various civil and mihtary offices made his life a
busy one. Of powerful frame and vigorous con-
stitution, he shunned no exposure and feared no
fatigue. He had a genial, social temperament,
which made hinr the acknowledged leader in the
festive scenes and athletic sports that enlivened the
rough labors of the early settlers.
As a land agent he was kind and indulgent to
the buyers, few^ of whom were able to comply with
their contracts, and none who labored faithfully to
improve their premises were ever ejected for non-
payment. In 1822 the Nunda post-office was re-
moved from Oak Hill to Hunt's Hollow, and he
obtained the establishment of the Oakland post-
office at his residence, where he was about ten
years postmaster. About the same time the
militia brigade was constituted a regiment, and he
was made its colonel.
Mr. Williams had been Town Clerk and Super-
visor, and in 1826 he was elected to the Legisla-
ture as a Clintonian, but in Albany he went over
to the opposite party. That was, among poli-
ticians, the unpardonable sin. The principle of
free toleration, though early preached, was slow in
coming into practice, and party spirit, though less
bitter than it had been in the last century, when
Federalists and Republicans would not sometimes
send their children to the same schools, was far
more rancorous than now, and knock-down argli-
ments were often used in political discussions.
In the lonely road east of Portageville about that
time, he chanced to meet Dr. A. A. Parmelee,
when a discussion at once began. His artillery of
logic well shotted with facts was in such a skirmish
hardly a match for the Doctor's keen thrusts of wit
and ready repartee surcharged with a sarcasm that
was venomous. Tortured to madness, the
Colonel's threat of harsher arguments was quickly
met by the Doctor, whose physique was above the
average, and if inferior to the Colonel in size of
frame and power of muscle, he fully made up the
deficiency in agility and skill at scuffling, for this
was not a contest under the rules of the ring, but a
common rough-and-tumble. Whether a thought
of their former friendship, or from an idea of
its ridiculousness, or from weariness they gave
up the discussion as a draw game is not known, as
there were neither spectators nor umpire, and the
parties were never profuse in giving particulars.
This incident is given as an illustration of the
custom of the times, rather than of the character
of the persons, for both were men of the first re-
spectability; nor was it at all akin to the vengeful
vendetta still so common at the south, for as they
had before been fellow' partisans, so they after-
wards worked as warm Whigs together. Col.
Williams was never again an aspirant for office.
He was too impatient of the criticism and calumny
heaped upon candidates, and he gradually with-
drew from party politics, but he was always pro-
nounced in his poHtical principles.
About the time he opened his agency, Hubbard,
Mumford, McKay and Smith, a company of enter-
prising men, undertook to develop the immense
water-power at Portageville, but with indifferent
success. They built mills and laid out the village,
but weary of their work, they sold their interests
at different times, till finally Col. Williams became
sole proprietor. The purchase did not prove a
wise one, for hke the company, he failed to make
it a paying investment. Besides it left him the im-
putation of holding a valuable and useful property
which he would neither improve himself, or allow
others to develop. His naturally genial temper
was soured by such accusations and the hostility of
the villagers \ he became estranged from his fellow
citizens and diverted his mind from social enjoy-
ments to the cares of his family and the conduct of
his extensive business. But his kindness of heart
continued. The needy called often upon him and
never in vain.
His generous disposition made him very public
spirited, but impulsive in his methods and im-
282
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
patient of dictation, he preferred to act by himself
rather than be fretted and crossed by the co-opera-
tion of others, even in the construction of costly
highways, or the building of a river bridge.
He took a leading part in causing the construc-
tion of the Genesee Valley canal, and was a large
stockholder in the Attica and Hornellsville railroad,
which was mainly built by subscribers along its
line, but has since become a part of the great Erie
Railway, whose insatiate maw has devoured the
funds of successive series of stockholders.
His health remained firm and vigorous till his
eightieth birthday, when he was severely injured
by being thrown from his buggy. When he had
partially recovered, a similar injury, September
22d, caused his death. May nth, 1874. If the
great opportunity given him at that early day, in
the possession of ample means for doing great good
to others and gaining greater for himself, was not
crowned with commensurate success, it was not for
want of the will, for he was frugal and industrious,
liberal to lavishness, and he has left a character
noted for strict integrity, as well as an ample
fortune.
August 30th, 1843, he married Miss Alma De-
voe, sister of Isaac, Henry and Col. Jacob Devoe,
among the first settlers of the town. Their
children are : George W., who occupies the home-
stead; Juha, the wife of Willis H. Fuller, of Por-
tageville; Henry, who died in Montana, and Char-
lotte, wife of Edwin Pattison, Esq., of Buffalo.
Charles Williams, brother of Col. Williams, and
for many years a noted teacher, lived near him.
He married Miss Mary Hunt, daughter of Sanford
Hunt, and afterwards Miss Maria Taylor. He
died September 24th, 187 1, aged sixty-eight years.
His children were : Mary H., wife of Chapin C.
Williams; Delia, wife of Morris Ayrault; Charles
L., who died December 15th, 1871 ; C. Anna, a
distinguished teacher and elocutionist, and Ella
WiUiams.
OTHER EARLY SETTLERS.
Among others of the early settlers worthy of an
extended sketch may be mentioned the follow-
ing :—
George Wilner was born in Berkshire county,
Massachusetts, in 1797 — of German origin. His
father was one of the conscripts furnished by the
Duke of Brunswick to George III. to help sub-
due his rebellious colonies in America, and sailed
from Plymouth, England, in 1776 with his regiment
known as the Brunswickers, under the command
of Baron Frederick Adolphus von Riedesel.
In 1777, he was attached to Burgoyne's army
for the invasion of New York. Under the com-
mand of Lieutenant-Col. Baum, he with others were
sent to take Bennington, Vt., where they were
captured by the Americans under Gen. Stark.
Young Wilner took the oath of allegiance rather
than be held a prisoner for exchange, and after-
wards married and settled in Berkshire county,
Massachusetts. In 18 13 his sons George and
Henry joined a company then being raised by Capt.
Perkins for the war. Henry was killed at the bat-
tle of Plattsburgh. In 1816, George Wilner, in
company with Capt. Perkins settled in Nunda,
•now Portage, each purchased a farm near the
Genesee river above Portageville. George Wil-
ner married Betsey Moses, a sister to Dr. Elisha D.
Moses, and with him moved to Intiiana in 1822.
He returned in 1824 and purchased a farm in the
town of Portage, where he Uved until his death,
which occurred in 1864. He held several town
offices and was an active business man. Two of
his children reside in the town : Marcus W., who
was born in 1825, and who has held the office of
Assessor and Supervisor, and Merriman J., who
was born in 1827, and who has been Highway
Commissioner, Assessor and Supervisor.
Captain James Perkins better known here as
Colonel Perkins sold his farm on the river about
the year 1855, and moved to Lima, where he died
m li:
50.
Jonathan Bailey was bom in Athens, Vt., April
I, 1792. His father dying when he was seven
years old, he was brought up by Asa Barry of
Rockingham. He was a soldier on the Niagara
frontier in the war of 1812. At the battle of
Lundy's Lane he received a ball in his thigh. It
was unsafe to remove it and it made him lame for
life. He married Miss Bethany McCurdy, Febru-
ary 26, i8i8. She was a daughter of Samuel Mc-
Curdy, and born in Surry, N. H., July i, 1794.
They settled in Burns, Allegany county, in 1818.
In 1832, they removed to Pennacook, where he
died August 12, 1869. He was a leading citizen,
an exemplary Christian, and for several years the
superintendent of the Sunday school in his school
district. They had eight children, the fifth, Jas.
Hinman Bailey, succeeds his father on the farm.
Allen Paine was born in Peru, Berkshire county,
Mass., February 19, 1792. He taught school sev-
eral terms. December 26, 18 14, he married Miss
Lucy Meacham, who was born in Middlefield,
Hampshire county, Mass. They moved to Leices-
ter in 1 818. In 1 83 1 they settled in Pennacook,
where she died April 22, 1845. He continued
many years a popular singing-school teacher, was
often elected to various town offices and was sev-
eral terms a magistrate. He married Miss Mary
Wilkinson, July 4, 1846. He died January 13,1876.
His children are Lyman F., who removed to Ohio;
Philip M., who was a soldier in the 130th Regi-
ment; Cecelia, wife of N. Wilder; Adaline, wife of
Samuel Star; Lucy, wife of Elisha Town ; Hannah
wife of Monroe Griffin ; and by his last marriage,
Franklin W., Nelson and Mary Belle.
Deacon Richard Willis Robinson and Charlotte,
his wife, of Rutland county, Vt., settled at Oak
Hill, in October, 18 18, after the usual two weeks'
journey by horse team, which the distance re-
quired. He was a farmer, a caipenter and a brick
and stone mason. He was a pioneer in burning
MOUNT MORRIS— PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
283
brick kilns. They were constituent members of
the Presbyterian church at Oak Hill, in 1819, and
also of the Congregational church formed at Por-
tageville, in 1827. She spun and wove the clothing
for the family, and since his death, Nov. 23rd,
1839, she has continued to keep house for her son,
E. F. Robinson, a farmer in Pennacook, and still
does so, though in her 87th year. Their children
were : — E. F., Huldah M., wife of R. P. Spencer,
Richard W., Charlotte E. and Alba G., who went
west, and Ann Z., wife of Judson Stockwell, in the
river valley.
Nathaniel Wilder was born in Buckland, Frank-
lin county, Mass., December 3d, 1815. Married
Miss Cecelia Paine, of Pennacook, November 30th,
1848, where they settled in 1851. Their children
are: — Charles N., a teacher; Lucy M. and Wm.
P. Wilder. He is a successful farmer and Hke the
Paines a Presbyterian.
George Gearhart was born near, the Schuylkill,
Pa., in 1774. Soon afterwards his father removed
to Scipio, Cayuga county, then a wilderness.
There George Gearhart married and had twelve
children. He moved to Portage in i8r8, where he
died in 1857.
Deacon John Gearhart, his son, was born Jan.
3, 1804. He married Miss Elizabeth Guthrie in
Nunda, June 19, 1828. She was born in New
Jersey, August 8, 1804. She was a woman of un-
common abilities with a will to use them for the
good of others. She died July 13, 1879. Deacon
Gearhart was one of the 'constituent members of
the Portage Baptist Church. He was a lumber-
man, built a saw-mill and became a farmer on the
paternal homestead.
They raised nine children : Chas. H., who mar-
ried Louisa Taber; Anna Cordelia, wife of Deacon
Alfred Taber; John G., who married Anna Van-
slyke; Sarah A., wife of Rev. Lucius E. Palmer;
Mary E., wife of Augustus Beardsley, of Portage-
ville; Martha, wife of Menzo Lowell; William C,
who married Nancy Orton ; Nath. A., who married
Ella Gilbert, volunteered in the 104th Regiment,
and was severely wounded in the battle of Gettys-
burg, has been several terms the efficient County
Clerk of this county, as chief or deputy; and
George Adelbert, who enlisted in the 130th Regi-
mant or First New York Dragoons, served through
the war, was several years a merchant at Dalton,
a public lecturer, and efficient Sunday school
superintendent. He married Miss Elizabeth Wing,
of Mt. Morris.
George Gearhart, the youngest of the twelve
children of George Gearhart, Sr., was born in
18 1 6. He still occupies the paternal homestead,
and is a successful farmer. He married Miss
Sally Baldwin, whose father. Deacon David Bald-
win, was one of the first settlers. Their children
were : Armilla, wife of Albert Dunn ; G. Munroe,
killed at the close of the battle when Gen. Sheri-
dan destroyed the army of Jubal Early; Fayette,
Esther, Mary, Merritt and Frank.
Record Taber was born in Rhode Island, April
17th, 1798. The family soon after moved to
Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y. In 1820 he
married Miss Sally Meeker, and in 1825 they
settled in Portage and became noted as prosperous
and public spirited citizens. He still resides on
the old farm. They reared a large and intelligent
family, of whom only two remain here, viz : Deacon
Alfred Taber, of Dalton, and Clark W. Taber,
who married Sarah, daughter of D. P. Lake, Esq.
CHAPTER XXII.
History of the Town of Mount Morris.
MOUNT MORRIS was formed from Leicester
April 17, 18 1 8, and named* in honor of
Robert Morris, a son of the distinguished financier
of the Revolution of that name, whose large means
greatly aided the straitened colonists in their
struggle for independence. It lies upon the west
border of the county, south of the center, and is
bounded on the north by Leicester, from which it
is separated by the Genesee, on the east by Grove-
land and West Sparta, on the south by Nunda and
Portage, and on the west by Leicester and Castile,
Wyoming county.
The surface presents a pleasing variety of roll-
ing and hilly upland and rich valley lands. Gen-
esee river forms the north and west border.
Cashaqua creek, the only considerable stream in
the town, enters it near the center of the south
border, and flowing in a north-easterly direction
across the south-east part, leaves the town near
the center of the east border. It again enters the
town for a short distance near its confluence with
the Canaseraga. Numerous small streams flow
into these from all directions. They generally rise
in the central and southern portions of the town,
which attain the altitude of several hundred feet
above the broad alluvial flats which border the
river and creek.
The valley of the Genesee, " the terrestrial para-
dise of the Seneca's," says a modern writer,! takes
its name and signification, ("a pleasant open val-
ley,") from the beautiful broad flats below Mt.
Morris; and the Marquis de Talleyrand, the dis-
tinguished French statesman and exile, as, in 1793,
he stood on the bold terrace which skirts the flats
in the vicinity of that village, on the spot now occu-
pied by the residence of Dr. M. H. Mills, filled
with admiration at the grand scenery which long
fixed his gaze, exclaimed " it is the fairest land-
* Pioneer History of Phelps and Gorfuim's Purchase^ lyj.
t From Sketches of the Caneadea Reservatioti and its Inhabitants^ by
John S. Minard, of Hume, Allegany county.
284
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
scape that tire human eye ever looked upon." A
writer of a nearly equally early period,* after refer-
ring to the large, numerous and " singularly curious "
openings in the Genesee country, giving signs of
extensive cultivation, land which, from the ignor-
ance of the early settlers as to its quality, was sup-
posed to be barren, until necessity compelled them
to attempt its cultivation, says : " It is difficult to
account for these openings, or for the open flatson
the Genesee river, where ten thousand acres may
be found in one body, not even encumbered with
a bush, but covered with grass of such height that
the largest bullocks, at thirty feet from the path,
will be completely hid from view. Through all
this country there are not only signs of extensive
cultivation having been made at some early period,
but there are found the remains of old forts where
the ditches and gates are still visible. They ap-
pear to be, in general, well chosen for defense."
The town is wholly underlaid by the rocks of
the Chemung and Portage groups, deeply covered
in many places with alluvion and drift. The river
flats comprise some of the most valuable land in
the county. The best is assessed at $135 per
acre, without buildings, or with only a barn,t while
the average equalized assessed value throughout
the county is only $62.03. Much of the high land
is clay and some of it is very hard and unproduc-
tive. It is a grain-growing town, with a majority
of the farms adapted to wheat.
The Avon, Geneseo and Mt. Morris Railroad
enters the town in the north-east corner and ex-
tends in a south-westerly direction to Mt. Morris
village, thence it deflects to the south-east, leaving
the town a little north of the center of the east
border, and connecting with the Erie and Genesee
Valley Railroad to Dansville. The projected
Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Railroad ex-
tends through the town along the valley of Casha-
qua creek. The rails are laid through the town,
but the road has never been operated. The aban-
doned Genesee Valley canal enters the town on
the north border, at the village of Mt. Morris,
where it crosses the river, and extends in a south-
easterly direction of the Cashaqua Valley, entering
and leaving the town with that stream, and skirting
the first terrace which rises from the flats.
The population of the town in 1880, was 3,943,
being exceeded only by North Dansville. In 1875
it was 3,795, of whom 3,207 were native, 588
foreign, 3.776 white, 19 colored, 1,876 males and
* IVilliamsan's Letter IV., Documentary History of New York
II., 1147.
t The assessments range from 80 to 100 per cent, of full value.
1,919 females. In area it ranks third in the county,
being exceeded only by Springwater and York.
In 1875 it contained 29,705 acres,* of which
25,056 were improved, 4,236 woodland, and 413
otherwise unimproved. The cash value of farms
was $1,837,876, ranking fifth in. the county ; of
farm buildings other than dwellings, $135,522 ; of
stock, $190,074, being fifth in rank in the county;
of tools and implements $57,884, ranking fifth
in the county. The amount of gross sales from
farms in 1874 was $155,231, in which respect it
ranked ninth in the county.
In 1877, there were one union and eleven com-
mon school districts in the town. The number
of children of school age residing in the districts
September 30, 1880, was 1,101. During the year
ending that date, eighteen teachers were employed
at one time for twenty-eight weeks or more; the
number of children residing in the districts who
attended school was 782, the average daily atten-
dance during the year was 399, the value of the
volumes in the district libraries was $1,195, the
number of school-houses was fourteen, eleven
frame and three brick, which, with the sites, em-
bracing 4 acres and loi rods, valued at $1,390,
were valued at $20,400, the assessed value of taxa-
ble property in the districts was $1,783,530.
Paid for teachers' wages, $4,357.60. Paid for
school apparatus, $540. 1 2. Paid for school houses,
sites, fences, out-houses, repairs, furniture, &c.,
$9,716.83. Paid for other incidental expenses,
$736.07. Paid for school libraries, $400.00.
The first white settler in Mt. Morris, and, indeed
of the entire Genesee Valley, was Mary Jemison, com-
monly known as the " White Woman," who resided
with the Indians seventy-eight years, seventy-two
of which were spent in the Genesee Valley and
fifty-two on the Gardeau flats, which Ue upon the
Genesee, partly in this town and partly in Castile,
Wyoming county. She was highly esteemed by
the Indians, who named her Dehewamis, signifying,
" the woman with hght hair." Her biography was
published at her dictation in 1824, and re-published
in 1877, by Hon. William P. Letchworth, of Glen
Iris, Wyoming county. Her hfe is one of strange
vicissitudes, and from its intimate connection with
the history of this section merits an extended notice
in this connection.
* Census of 1875. The published Proceedings of ike Board of Super-
visors in 1879, state the number of acres to be 28,958, the equalized
assessed value of which was >i,7ii,3J7, or $59,09 per acre. Id this,
however, it was less than the average per town— $62.oj— which was ex-
ceeded by only six towns in the county, though it exceeds the avei^ge
value per acre in the county, which was 3154.62.
MOUNT MORRIS — EARLY SETTLERS.
285
Mary Jemison was born on the ocean in 1742 or
'43, during the voyage of her parents, Thomas
and Jane {nee Irwin) Jemison, from Ireland to
Philadelphia. In the spring of 1755, while resid-
ing on Marsh creek, then on the Pennsylvania
frontier, a party of four Frenchmen and six Shaw-
nee Indians surprised and captured the entire
family, (except two of Mary's brothers, who were
in the barn at the time, and escaped to their
mother's family in Virginia,) consisting of her
parents and three children, including herself, to-
gether with the wife and three children of a soldier,
who was visiting with them, and, having set out
for a bag of grain, was killed the instant before by
the same party. All were inhumanly murdered,
except Mary and a boy — one of the soldier's chil-
dren— who were taken to Fort Du Quesne, (Pitts-
burgh,) where Mary was adopted by two Seneca
women in place of a lost brother, and kindly treated
by them. From her hopeful nature and buoyant
spirits she rapidly acquired the habits of her rude
captors, with whom she soon became a great favor-
ite, and of whom she always spoke in terms of the
highest praise.
During a four years' residence on the Ohio she
married a Delaware Indian named Sheninjee, by
whom she had two children — a girl, who died in in-
fancy, and a boy, whom she named after her father,
Thomas Jemison.
In the autumn of 1759, she accompanied her
foster-sisters to the home of their mother, who
lived at Beardstown, on the Genesee, near the site
of Cuylerville, in Leicester. She made the long
and toilsome journey of six hundred miles on foot,
carrying upon her back her infant son, then nine
months old. Here she expect^ to be joined the
following spring by her husband, who was to spend
the winter on the Ohio in hunting furs, but he
sickened and died soon after her departure.
After the close of the French and English war in
1763, the latter government offered a bounty for
the surrender of prisoners captured during its con-
tinuance, and Mary was offered her freedom ; but
she chose to continue her forest life, and actually
concealed herself to avoid abduction by parties
who were bent on securing the bounty.
About that year she married a noted Seneca
warrior named Hiokatoo, by whom she had two sons
and four daughters, whom she named after her rela-
tives— John, Jesse, Jane, Nancy, Betsey and Polly.
All, except Jane, who died about 1795 or 1796,
married and raised families, and many of their
descendants still reside on the Indian reservations.
During the Revolutionary war, her home, which
was always a hospitable one, frequently harbored
Brant and Col. John Butler, while planning their
predatory incursions upon the frontiers of the col-
onies, and when the Senecas fled before the ad-
vance of Sullivan's army in 1779, she accompanied
them to Niagara. She was among the first to re-
turn to the Genesee, and finding nothing but deso-
lation at the once populous and thrifty Beardstown,
she made her way up the river to Gardeau flats,
which had escaped the desolating hand of Sullivan's
army, and there engaged her services to two fugitive
slaves to husk corn on shares. Her negro com-
panions left the flats after two or three years ; but
Mary continued to reside there until 1831, becom-
ing rich in herds and flocks as well as in lands.
The treaty at Fort Stanwix in 1784 provided for
the restoration to freedom of all white persons held
as prisoners by the Indians. Pursuant to this pro-
vision Mary was again offered her freedom, but,
notwithstanding the importunities of her son
Thomas, who urged her to return to her white
relatives, she persisted in her determination to pass
the remainder of her life amidst the scenes of her
womanhood. She feared that her friends, if found,
would disdain to recognize her Indian children, and
she preferred to pursue the quiet of her simple yet
happy life rather than subject them to contumely.
She would not throw aside her Indian costume,
even after the white population had surrounded her
residence, but adhered- to the Indian habits and
customs to the last.
At the treaty at Big Tree in 1797, a tract of land
of nearly 18,000 acres, comprising the Gardeau
flats, was secured to her in perpetuity, notwith-
standing the violent opposition of Red Jacket.
This she let out on shares to white people and thus
lived in comparative ease. A contemporary author*
writes that he "remembers to have seen the old
white woman at his father's house, when a boy, and
to this day distinctly recollects how she looked and
appeared; short in stature, under size, very round
shouldered and bent forward, caused by toting
luggage on her back, supported by a strap across
her forehead. Her complexion, once white, was
tawny; her feet small and toed in ; dressing in the
ordinary costume of the Indian female, she resem-
bled a squaw, except her hair and light-colored
eyes. Her house was the stranger's home. None
were turned away hungry from her table. In all
her actions she showed so much simplicity, good-
* Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mt. Morris, who writes under thettam deplume
of Corn Planter, and is a voluminous contributor to the local press.
286
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
ness of heart and sincerity, her admirers and
friends increased as her acquaintance became ex-
tended. She never was known to make trouble
among the Indians, or among white people and
Indians. She was always a peace maker, and
minded strictly her own affairs."
Hiokatoo, Mary Jemison's second husband, was
born on the banks of the Susquehanna in 1708,
and died of consumption in November, 1811. His
mother was sister to the mother of the celebrated
chief Farmer's Brother. He was a warrior, and
from his youth to the close of the Revolution was
engaged in all the wars of the Senecas, often lead-
ing hostile expeditions. Though kind in his do-
mestic relations, as a warrior he was capable of the
most cruel atrocities attributed to a savage nature,
and exulted over the many fiendish tortures inflict-
ed on his captive foes. Mary bears testimony to
this complex nature, not, however, peculiar to the
savage. She says : —
"I have frequently heard him repeat the history
of his life from his childhood, and when he came
to that part which related to his actions, his brave-
ry and war; when he spoke of the ambush, the
combat, the spoiling of his enemies, and the sacri-
fice of his victims, his nerves seemed strung with
youthful ardor, the warmth of the able warrior
seemed to animate his frame, and to produce the
heated gestures which he had practiced in middle
age. He was a man of tender feelings to his
friends, ready and willing to assist them in distress ;
yet, as a warrior, his cruelties to his enemies were,
perhaps, unparalleled, and will not admit of a word
of palliation."
From such a parent we might not unreasonably
expect the transmission of those quahties to the
offspring which embittered Mary's later life. Two
of her sons, Thomas and Jesse, were the victims
of the savage brutahty of a third, John ; and the
latter was in turn murdered by two Indians with
whom he had quarreled.
Thomas, who married the daughter of an Eng-
hsh fur-trader, trapper and hunter and a Seneca
squaw named Sally — ^who afterwards became the
wife of Ebenezer Allen — died at the age of fifty-two.
He left a family, of whom one — Jacob Jemison —
was in part educated at Dartmouth College. He
afterwards passed through a regular course of med-
ical studies, and became an Assistant Surgeon in
the United States Navy. He died on board his
ship in the Mediterranean squadron about 1850.
Another son, Thomas, was a worthy representa-
tive of his race, and an earnest advocate of the
degree of civiUzation to which it is attainable. He
was born at Squakie Hill, near Mt. Morris, in the
latter part of December, 1796, and died on the
Cattaraugus Reservation, September 7, 1878. Col.
William Lyman, of Mt. Morris, formerly of Leices-
ter, one of the oldest and worthiest representatives
of the venerable but rapidly diminishing pioneer
race, pays the following tribute to this man, whose
word, said Governor Patterson, " was good as any
white man's note in the valley." He says: —
" As the hst of our pioneers grows shorter, and
worthy individuals drop from the stage of action,
and we miss a friend, we are ambitious to add our
testimony to their worth and spread before the
living our impressions of their good deeds, their in-
tegrity and usefulness. I am unwilling that the
opportunity should pass without notice. The death
of Tom Jemison * « « brings up recollec-
tions of past interviews and transactions that are
not easily effaced. I knew him intimately; he
was an honest man, a good friend, and a promi-
nent man in his connections. The house he built
on Squakie Hill, where he lived in his youth, still
stands as a monument of his enterprise, and almost
the only mark of the aborigines who once covered
that location and were a power. Although no
writer, he swayed the judgment and actions of his
tribe for good, and was the peer of Tall Chief,
Sharp Shins, BKnkey, Keneda, Straight Back and
Capt. Cook, and we can say, without fear of con-
tradiction, that a good man has fallen."
In 181 1, Dehewamis commenced negotiations
with Jellis Clute and Micah Brooks for the sale of
a part of her land. In 1817, a special Act of the
Legislature invested her with the power to convey
it; and in the winter of 1822-23, she conveyed
all, except a tract of two square miles on the west
bank of the Genesee, and a lot for Thomas Clute,
to Messrs. Gibson, Brooks and Clute, who, in con-
sideration, bound themselves, among other things,
to pay to her or her heirs or successors, $300 a year
forever.
In 1 83 1, she sold her remaining lands in the
Gardeau Tract, and removed with her daughters
and their families to the Buffalo Reservation, where
she died September 1 9, 1833. She was buried with
Christian rites, in the cemetery near the Seneca
mission church, and over her grave was placed a
marble slab, which bore the following inscription : —
"In memory of Mary Jemison, daughter of
Thomas Jemison and Jane Irwin. Bom on the
ocean between Ireland and Philadelphia, in 1842
or '43; taken captive at Marsh creek. Pa., in 1755,
at thirteen years of age ; carried down the Ohio ;
adopted into an Indian family.
"In 1759, removed to Genesee river; was natur-
alized in 181 7. Removed to this place (Buffalo
Reservation) in 1831, and having survived two
husbands and five children, leaving three still alive,
she died September 1 9, 1833, aged about ninety-
MOUNT MORRIS — EARLY SETTLERS.
287
one years, having a few weeks before expressed a
hope of pardon through Jesus Christ."*
In less than two decades from the time of her
burial every vestige of her grave had disappeared,
and the ground which contained her remains
brought under cultivation. Subsequently a street
laid out through the cemetery passed over it, and
the stone which marked it was much defaced by
the vandalism of relic seekers. In March, 1874,
her remains were disintered by Hon. Wm. P.
Letchworth, under the immediate supervision of
her descendants, and, together with other articles
found in her grave,! placed in a tasteful black
walnut coffin, and deposited in a marble sarcopha-
gus, on Glen Iris, at Portage Falls, six miles from
her former home at Gardeau.
The spot selected for the final resting place of
her remains is a high eminence on the left bank of
the Genesee, overlooking the upper and middle
falls and railroad bridge, and commanding the
finest view of the picturesque scenery of that lo-
caHty. Near to and upon the same eminence is
the ancient Seneca council house,J where she rest-
ed after her long, fatiguing walk from the Ohio.
It was brought down the canal from the Caneadea
Reservation in 1872, by Mr. Letchworth, who has
made varied and extensive contributions to Indian
lore, and filled an adjoining artistically constructed
Indian hut, fifteen feet square, with Indian curios-
ities.
The grave is curbed with stones once used as
head-stones in the Indian cemetery at Gardeau,
and afterward to construct a road culvert ; at its
head stands what remains of the slab which mark-
ed her grave at Buffalo, the original inscription on
which has been transferred to a square block of mar-
ble six feet in height, which stands near it, and is de-
signed to form the pedestal to a statue of Mary Jem-
ison, in Indian costume, and bearing on her back a
babe, just as she made her advent into the Genesee
Valleyj at its foot is a blackwalnut tree, planted by
* Mary Jemison was religiously instructed in her childhood : and after
her capture, her mother, judging from the fact that her shoes were ex-
changed fbr mocca.sins that Mary was destined to escape the cruel death
which awaited herself, enjoined her to remember these early instructions
and her native tongue as long as she lived ; but, though at first she en-
deavored to fulfill the promise then made, in the lapse of time both were
lost to memory, and she became a Pagan, continuing such till within a few
weeks of her death.
t Near the center of the grave was found a peculiarly shaped porcelain
dish, containing what, when placed there, may have been articles of food,
and a wooden spoon much decayed.
t This council-house is constructed of hewed logs, and is i8 by j6 feet. It
has a door on either side, and seats of poles inside. The roof is made of
large shingles, covered with poles. Each log as it was taken down was
marked and replaced so as to present the same appearance as when orig-
inally constructed. Upon one of its logs there still remains the sign of a
cros^, precisely like those the early Jesuits are known to have used.
her grandson, Thomas Jemison, and raised from
seed borne by the tree that shaded her grave at
Buffalo.
The next white settler in this town was Ebene-
zer or " Indian" Allen, a native of New Jersey,
who came to this locaHty in 1782. He was a
Tory and ally of the Indians, and fled from Penn-
sylvania to evade the just punishment of his crimes.
He made his home at the house of Mary Jemison,
on the Gardeau flats, and worked her land till the
close of the Revolution. He provoked the enmity
of the Indians by taking a wampum belt and a
tender of peace to an American out-post, thus
treacherously misrepresenting a party of British
and Indians who contemplated a renewal of border
hostiUties. The sacred pledge of the wampum belt
was observed, but the Indians determined to pun-
ish Allen for his perfidy, and tracked him like a
wild beast, so that for weeks he was obliged to
conceal himself to elude his pursuers, his physical
wants being supplied by the kind-hearted Mary.
He was, however, captured, and tried and acquit-
ted in Canada.
In 1785, he located on the site of the village of
Mt. Morris, which received from him the designa-
tion of Allen's Hill. He married a Seneca squaw
named Sally, (the mother of the wife of Thomas
Jemison, the eldest son of Mary Jemison,) who
bore him two daughters, named Chloe and Polly.
Allen procured a boat-load of goods in Philadel-
phia and bartered them with the Indians for gin-
seng and furs, being at the same time engaged in
agricultural pursuits. The old Indian council tree,
under which he exposed his first stock of goods,
was blown down during the storm of Saturday,
June 9, 1866. It measured twenty-three feet in
circumference. After harvesting his crops he re-
moved to the locality of Scottsville, near the mouth
of Oatka or Allen's creek, which derived the latter
name from him. He soon after removed to the
falls of the Genesee, on the site of the city of
Rochester, and built there, in 1789, a saw and
grist-mill, receiving in consideration therefor from
Messrs. Phelps and Gorham, what is known as the
Hundred Acre Tract, including the mill site and
apart of the site of Rochester. In 1792, he dis-
posed of his interest in this property and returned
to Mt. Morris. His long log cabin "which," says Rev.
Darwin Chichester, " combined a store, a tavern
and a harem," (for Allen had several wives of vari-
ous colors,) stood near the site of the residence of
the late Judge George Hastings. He also com-
bined trading with agriculture.
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
" Ebenezer Allen," says the author just quoted,
"was a bad man. He had courage, talent and
energy ; was remarkable for accomplishing his ends ;
knew how to please, and had great influence over
the Indians; but he was guilty of many crimes.
His hands were stained with the blood of the in-
nocent." According to Mary Jemison, the history
of whose Ufe contains a chapter devoted to him, he
was a monster of iniquity, capable of dragging an
infant from the breast of its mother and dashing
out its brains before her agonized eyes. In 1797,
"as white settlements increased," says Mr. Chi-
chester,»" he fled from those whose vengeance he
had provoked" to Canada, and died at Grand
River in 18 14.
In 1 791, at his sohcitation, the Senecas deeded
to Allen the Mt. Morris Tract,* for the reasons
set forth in the instrument in the following lan-
guage :—
" Whereas, Kyendanent, our Seneca squaw, Sal-
ly, has two daughters born of her body by our
brother Jenushshio, named in EngUsh, Ebeneezer
Allan. The names of said daughters being, in
English, Mary Allan and Chloe Allan! The daugh-
ters here mentioned are to be sent to school and
instructed in reading, writing, sewing and other
useful arts, according to the customs of white peo-
ple. Sally, the mother, to have a comfortable
maintenance during her natural Hfe, or as long as
she remains unjoined to any other man."
The deed is signed by the Sachems of the Sen-
eca nation, and by Timothy Pickering, U. S. Com-
missioner. It is witnessed by Horatio Jones, Jos.
Parish, Oliver Phelps and Ebenezer Bowman.
Within a reasonable time Allen commenced to
execute his trust. He sent his daughters to school
in Philadelphia, where they remained about two
years. In 1793 Allen sold this tract, for a nominal
sum paid in goods, to Robert Morris, whose ac-
qiiaintance he made during his frequent visits to
Philadelphia in marketing peltry. It has never
been satisfactorily explained how Mr. Morris was
induced to make the purchase with no better title
than a trust deed, which reverted when the trust
was broken, though it has been asserted that Allen
by fraudulent practices procured a vahd title. Be
this as it may, there can be little doubt that Mr.
Morris' title was confirmed by the Big Tree treaty,
and effectually bars the numerous claims which
have been made by persons claiming relationship
to Allen, among them the two daughters, one of
whom was Hving till within a few years in Canada.
* This tract is also known as the " Indian Allen Tract," the "Four
Miles Square Tract," and the " Ten Thousand Acre Tract." For the
history here given of it we are indebted to the versatile pen of Corn Plant-
er, (Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mt. Morris).
Robert Morris dying insolvent in 1806, the Bank
of North America, holding as collateral security an
assignment of the title papers to this tract from
Mr. Morris, for loans and advances made to him,
caused it to be surveyed the same year, Stephen
Rogers, a familiar name to the early settlers, as
surveyor.
In 1807 the Bank of North America sold an
eighth interest in the Mt. Morris Tract to each of
the following persons, retaining an eighth interest
itself: John R. Murray, (grandfather of John R.
Murray, of Mt. Morris,) merchant, of New York
city, and Harriet, his wife, William Ogden, mer-
chant, of New York city, and Susan, his wife, John
Tremball, James Wadsworth and Naomi Wads-
worth, his wife. In 1810 they made a partition of
that part of the tract which lies south and east of
the river, excepting the public square in Mt. Mor-
ris village, which lies nearly in the geographical
centre of the tract, and a certain lot and mill
seat which were held in common, Peter J. Monroe,
Esq., acting in behalf of the bank. It was laid
out into lots numbered from i to 241 inclusive,
and subdivided into eight parts for distribution.
Mark Hopkins was the first land agent for the
Mt. Morris Tract, acting for Messrs. Murray, Og-
den and Rogers,* the latter having purchased an
interest therein. He came to Mt. Morris in the
summer of 18 11, in company with his father, Sam-
uel Hopkins, Deacon Jesse Stanley and his two
sons, Oliver and Leman. His father, who was
born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1748, died March 19,
1 818, aged 69, and was buried in the old cemetery
in the village of Mt. Morris. " He was an honor-
able, high-minded, worthy Christian man, and a
gentleman of the olden school." His wife died in
Geneseo, Sept. 19, 1811, aged 58. On her ar-
rival in Geneseo her husband lay very sick in that
village with the Genesee fever, but recovered. She
contracted the same disease and perished through
her efforts to save her husband. Mark Hopkins
reUnquished his land agency in 1817, and removed
to Strong Bridge, Huron county, Ohio. He subse-
quently removed to Chillicothe in that State, where
he died in 1831, aged 53 years, " honored and re-
spected for his high sense of honor, strict integrity
and social qualities."
The next settler in Mt. Morris, (with the excep-
tion of a dissolute mason named Clark Cleveland,)
and the first permanent white settler, was William
A. Mills, son of Rev. Samuel J. Mills, the pioneer
* In 1810 Benjamin W. Rogers and Samuel Miles Hopkins, both of
New York city, purchased jointly the interest of the Bank of North
America in the Mt. Morris Tract.
^ «^^^^ ^-
John S
MITH.
John Smith, the subject of this sketch was born
in Maryland, in the year 1794, and removed with
his parents to Cayuga county about 1801.
In the year 1823, he was married to Harriet,
daughter of Othniel Allen, of Saratoga county.
Being energetic, and having a strong constitution,
he resolved to leave the fertile lands of Cayuga
and seek a fortune elsewhere. To this end he
removed westward, about eighty miles, to Mt.
Morris, Livingston county, and there purchased
an "article" of a hundred acres of almost wild
land. Having used all of his money in the pur-
chase, his situation here was not very flattering;
but being strong of limb and possessing a brave
heart, he very soon built for himself a comfortable
home. Here he resided about fifty years, be-
coming quite an extensive land holder. He died
June 4, 1872.
He was noted throughout hfe for his energy and
perseverance in business, and for the strictest hon-
esty and integrity in all of his dealings with man.
The poor always found in him their friend, helper
and advisor.
He was a good husband and a kind, indulgent
parent. He was the father of the following eight
children: — Angeline B., Harrison W., Kate M.,
Sarah M., Susie A., Lida I., Frances Adelia and
Emma Amelia, the last two of whom are twins.
Only four of these children are now living, viz: —
Harrison W., a prominent attorney in the village of
Castile, Wyoming county, and Susie, Lida and
Emma, residing in Mt. Morris,
Mrs. Smith, wife of John, died September 12,
185 1. She was a noble example of a Christian
mother, beloved by all, and her death was lament-
ed by all that knew her.
MOUNT MORRIS— EARLY SETTLERS.
289
preacher of the Genesee Valley, who came in 1793.
Rev. Samuel J. Mills was a Baptist clergyman, and
preached during the summer in a large barn erected
by Col. Williamson, at Williamsburgh, and in the
winter in private houses. He also conducted the
first religious services held in Mt. Morris. His
sons, Samuel, Jr., Alexander, Lewis, Philo and
William A., all men grown, resided with him, and
afterwards settled in this vicinity.
William A. Mills was born at Patterson, Putnam
county, N. Y., May 27, 1777, and in 1794, at the
early age of seventeen, without means, he took up
his abode at Mt. Morris, then known as Allen's
Hill. He built and kept bachelor's hall in a small
cabin which stood near the residence of the late
David A. Miller, upon the sightly eminence over-
looking the beautiful river valley and the noble
flats, portions of which he rented on easy terms
and cultivated in common with the Indians,
whose language he soon acquired. He gradually
won the respect and confidence of his dusky neigh-
bors, whose counselor he afterwards became in
their dealings with the white settlers, and an arbi-
trator in controversies among themselves. They
bestowed on him the name of Sanungewah, mean-
ing "big kettle," and indicating the generous hos-
pitality dispensed at his home, which they fre-
quented in after years.
In March, 1803, Wm. A. Mills married Susan-
nah H., daughter of Jonathan and Lodema Harris,
of Connecticut, and brought her on horseback from
her home at Tioga Point, Pa. She was an estima-
ble woman and endeared herself to the community
by her excellent social qualities and great benevo-
lence. She died April 26, 1840, aged fifty-eight
years.
Their youngest son. Dr. Myron H. Mills, who,
after an absence of some years in the West, has
returned to the parental homestead, is a worthy
representative of this highly respected family. For
a more extended mention of the Mills family we
would refer to the close of this chapter.
But very few additions were made to the settle-
ments in Mt. Morris during the first ten or fifteen
years after Gen. Mills located in the town. Many,
indeed, came and located here, but were soon
driven away by the fever and ague, which was then
fearfully prevalent.
Among the early settlers who located in the town
prior to 1810, were Benedict Satterlee, Isaac Bald-
win, Squire Solomon, Grice Holland, Jonathan
Harris, Chappel, Eaton, Wilson, Adam Holtslander,
Ganon, Erwin, Manier, Simeon Kittle, William
Col.
Haskell, Isaac Powell, Gifford Simmons,
Damon and the McNairs.
William McNair came from Northumberland
county. Pa., in 1798, and after stopping for a few
months at Williamsburgh, removed thence to Son-
yea, in this town. He drove from Pennsylvania
thirty head of cattle, being assisted by his son,
James H. McNair, who was born in Northumber-
land county and was then ten years old. On
arriving at Mt. Morris they found there Gen. Wm.
A. Mills, Louis Mills, Jonathan Harris, David
Marsh, Grice Holland, Adam Holtslander, and two
others named Fuller and Sanford. In plowing on
the farm in Sonyea they found gun barrels, hatchets
and other articles. James H. McNair was in many
respects a model man, a pattern of industry, and
of incorruptible integrity. He was highly esteemed
for his kindness of heart and generous impulses.
He died Januarys, 1874. He was a brother to
Robert and Andrew McNair, of Groveland, in
company with whom, for many years, he carted
wheat to Rochester with ox teams, frequently re-
ceiving only thirty cents per bushel. Robert, who
was born in AUentownship, Pa., May 28, 1793,
died at Groveland, June 26, 1863. They were
brothers to Mrs. McCurdy, of Dansville.
Adam Holtslander, the famous rail-splitter, was
born in Goshen, Orange county, in 1783, and re-
moved to Mt. Morris in 1799. In 1808 he mar-
ried Betsey Sash, who came to Mt. Morris with her
father's family in r8o2, at the age of fifteen years.
They lived, until their removal to Michigan in
1849, in a log house which stood on the high
ground a mile to the west of the village, and for
many years isolated from other settlers. Mr.
Holtslander was one of the few residents of this
town who volunteered his services and went to the
frontier in 181 2; but the threatened danger being
over he returned to his home after an absence of
only a few days. He was a tall man, standing six
feet and four inches in his stocking feet, and very
straight, with a muscular and bony frame, strikingly
marked features, and a good constitution, rendered
more hardy by pioneer life and the primitive man-
ner of living in those early days. He furnished the
rails to fence a large share of the original improve-
ments in this locality. He helped to build the first
dam across the Genesee to divert its waters to the
village ; also the mill-race, which completed that
enterprise. He raised a large family, most of whom
reside in Michigan, and died in Mt. Morris in that
State, (named by his and other families who re-
moved there from this town,) February 27, 1872.
290
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
His wife died at the same place November 28,
1877, in her ninetieth year.
Deacon Jesse Stanley, Oliver Stanley, Luman
Stanley, Deacon Jonathan Beach, the father of
nine sons and two daughters, Oliver Beach, Martin
Beach, Elisha Parmelee, Dr. Abraham Camp, Rus-
sell Sheldon, Isaac Seymour, Sterling Case and Mr.
Coe, each the head of a family, came about 18 11,
from Goshen, Conn., bringing with them the New
England habits of thrift and religious worship.
They gave an impulse to religious influences which
culminated in 1814 in the formation of the Pres'by-
terian church of Mt. Morris. They gave atone to
society, in a religious point of view, the influences
of which are still felt in the community. There
were other persons of a similar character from Ver-
mont, such as Luther and Russel Parker, with their
families, who came about the same period.
Jesse Stanley, " than whom," says Rev. Mr. Par-
sons, "there was perhaps no other one so influen-
tial in laying the foundations of religious institu-
tions in this place," came in 1811, and erected the
first frame house in the village of Mt. Morris, and
subsequently the present residence of Norman A.
Seymour, in front of which it stood. This first
house was removed and a part of it is now to be
found on Murray street, just east of the residence
of the late Philo Thompson. One of the principal
streets in the village bears his name. He died
June 24, 1845, aged eighty-seven years. He had
three wives — Eunice, who died January 26, 1813,
aged 57; Sarah, who died September 22, 1821,
aged 64; and Mary, who died January 14, 1840,
aged 73. Luman and Oliver were sons of his.
The former died Oct. 14, 1839, aged 60, and the
latter, Oct. 24, 1851, aged 74.
Russell Sheldon died about 1850; and Sterling
Case, April 4, 1846, aged 78.
Between 181 1 and 1820 came the families of
Enos Baldwin, Sr. and Jr., Daniel and Amos Bald-
win, each of whom was the head of a family, Ben-
jamin and WiUiara Begole, Joseph Cowding, Aaron
Adams, Adam and David A. Miller, Adino Bailey,
Riley Scoville, J. Miller, Sr. and Jr., Allen, Orrin
and Horace Miller, each the head of a family,
Samuel Learned, Chester Foote, David Sanger,
Horatio Read, Phineas Lake, Samuel Rankins,
James B. Mower, John Brown, John C. Jones,
William Lemmon, Asa Woodford, David H. Pear-
son, Richard W. Gates, Eli Lake, Dr. Charles
Bingham, Joseph Thompson, Vincent Cothrell, the
Whitings, Starkweathers, Pratts and others.
"From 1820 to 1835," says Dr. Mills, in an ad-
dress delivered at the farmers' pic-nic held in
Begole's woods, Sept. 2, 1876, "came the list of
farmers and their descendants, who to-day are the
bone and sinew of the town of Mt. Morris, paying
a large share of the burden of taxation and who
are on this occasion assembled, under the guidance
and direction of the officers of your association,
and especially your venerable and esteemed Presi-
dent, Mr. Jacob Chilson, who, commencing life as
a farmer bare-handed in this town when a young
man, nearly a half a century ago, has by industry,
prudence, economy * * * and upright deal-
ing acquired a competency, and still retains through
all these long years, the confidence and respect of
his neighbors and all who know him."
Mr. Chilson was a native of Cayuga county, and
came to Mt. Morris in 1829, but disliking the ap-
pearance of things, he returned to his former home.
Two years later, however, he had overcome his re-
pugnance, and in the spring of 1832 brought in his
family, consisting of his wife and one child a few
months old. " At that time the town presented the
appearance of an unbroken wilderness, except the
Genesee flats, there being but few pieces of the up-
land cleared and cultivated." There was a cordu-
roy wagon road from the Ridge to Brooks Grove,
but the land was heavily timbered, level and wet ;
also one from the foot of the mill-hill well out on
the flats. There was a warehouse on Canaseraga
creek to receive grain and flour for shipment by
boat down the creek into the river, and thence .
down to Rochester. Mr. Chilson, though a black-
smith by trade, followed the business of farming.
He died in 1879, aged 76 years.
The first town meeting was held the first Tues-
day in April, 1819, and the following named
officers were elected : — William A. Mills, Super-
visor ; Horatio Read, Clerk ; Allen Ayrault, Jesse
Stanley, Aaron Adams, Assessors ; Allen Ayrault *
and Oliver Stanley, Overseers of the Poor ; Samuel
Learned, Phineas I^ake, Samuel Rankins, Com-
missioners of Highways; Horatio Read, Aaron
Adams, James B. Mower, Commissioners of Com-
mon Schools; John Brown, Constable and Col-
lector; Phineas Lake, Amos Baldwin, Wm. A.
Mills, James H. McNair, Aaron Adams, John C.
Jones, William Lemmon, Fence Viewers; Ebe-
nezer Damon, Dist. No. i, Asa Woodford, Dist.
No. 2, John Sanford, Dist. No. 3, David H. Pear-
son, Dist. No. 4, Sterling Case, Dist No. 5, Road
Masters ; Abraham Camp, James H. McNair,
* James Coe was elected Overseer of the Poor, September 2y, i8lg, in
place of Allen Ayrault removed.
MOUNT MORRIS — TOWN OFFICERS.
291
Richard W. Gates, Eli Lake, Inspectors of Com-
mon Schools; Enos Baldwin, Poundkeeper.
Among the legislative enactments at that meet-
ing, in addition to the imposition of certain re-
strictions on the running at large of cattle, etc.,
was one which evinced the careful husbandry
which has since characterized the farming opera-
tions in that town. It provided that no person
should knowingly suffer Canada thistles to go to
seed on his premises under a penalty of five dollars.
It was also voted to raise twenty-five dollars for the
support of the poor;* and "money sufficient to
obtain the public school from the State."
At the annual election held April 27, 28 and 29,
1819, the following votes were cast, and serve to
indicate the poHtical character of the population f
of the town at that time: —
For Gideon Granger, for Senator 33
" Lyman Paine, " " 33
" Robert McKay, " Assemblyman 76
" Gideon T. Jenkins, " " 78
" Joseph Sibley, " " 7
" Fitch Chipman, " " 2
The following have been the Supervisors and
Clerks of Mt. Morris, from 1819 to 1880: —
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1819. William A. Mills. Horatio Reed.
1820. do David A. Miller.
1821. do Phineas Lake.
1822. do Eli Lake.
1823. David A. Miller. do
1824-6. William A. Mills. Reuben Sleeper.
1827. Othneil Allen. do
1828. Riley Scoville. do
1829. WilUam A. Mills. do
1830-1. do Abner Dean.
1832-3. do George Hastings.
1834-6. Riley Scoville. James H. Rogers.
1837. Orrin D. Lake. Reuben P. Wisner.
1838. do James H. Rogers.
1839. do George H. Elliott.
1840-1. C. Hangerford. Lucius C. Bingham.
1842. Alfred Hubbard. do
1843. do Hugh Harding.
1844. Orrin D. Lake. do
1845. do Lucius C. Bingham.
1846. Geo. T. Olyphant. do
1847-8. do James T. Norton
1849. Jesse Peterson. do
1850-2. do Hugh Harding.
* The number of paupers from Mt. Morris remaining in the county
house, November i, 1879, was 2J, a larger number than from any other
town in the county ; while the amount expended for the temporary relief
of indigent persons in this town during the year ending October 31, 1879,
was$4j2.sj.
t The population of the town in 1821, three years after its formation,
was "1002; 267 farmers, 35 mechanics, i slave; taxable property,
$232,754; 6 schools, 8 months in 12 ; $129.37; 304; 322; 153 electors,
2,500 acres improved land, 882 cattle, 98 horses, 981 sheep : 4,443 yards
cloth; I grist-mill, J fulling mill, i carding machine, 5 distilleries, 3
asheries."— i>l«^orrf'i Gazetteer., 1824.
1853-60. Jared P. Dodge. Hugh Harding.
1861-5. Abraham Wigg. do
1866-70. McNeil Seymour. do
187 1. John Simerson. do
1872-4. Thomas J. Gamble. do
1875-6. do Charles Harding.
1877. Orrin D.Lake. Carlos A. Miller.
1878. George W. Phelps. Hugh Harding.
1879-80. Hugh Harding.* do
The following officers were elected April 5,
1881: — Supervisor, Thomas J. Gamble; Town
Clerk, Charles J. Perry; Justice of the Peace,
James L. Skillman; Highway Commissioner,
Amos O. Dalrymple ; Assessor, William Petrie ;
Overseers of Poor, John Olp, Frederick Lehman ;
Collector, Paul R. Kingston ; Constables, Cor-
neUus O'Leary, James Gamble, James Patten,
Michael Powers, Richard Dunning; Game Con-
stable, Nicholas Myers; Excise Commissioner,
Archibald McCarthur ; Inspectors of Election,
District No. i, Clinton Sutphen, Thomas McNam-
District No. 2, John L. Gamble, Deloss
Edward M. Petrie,
ara;
Williams; District No.
Barkley Miller.
The following census of Mt. Morris taken in
July, 183s, by Levi L. Totten, is of interest, as
showing the rapid increase in the population of
the town and the development of its varied in-
dustries : —
Whole number of families in town 598
Males 1797
Females 1702
3.499
Persons subject to military duty 362
" quahfied to vote at election 740
Aliens not naturalized 27
Persons of color not taxed 2
Married females under the age of 45 yrs. 485
Unmarried females between 16 and 45 . . 259
" " under 16 830
Marriages occurring within the last year . 9
Births — Males 72, Females 71, Total. . . 143
Deaths— Males 22, Females 27, Total. . 49
Number of acres of improved land 16,179^
of neat cattle 2,841
of horses 1,100
of sheep 5)^33
of hogs 3)548
of yards of fulled cloth manuf'd. 5, 862 J
of " flannel " " 5,985
of " linen, cotton, etc.," 4i428
Grist Mills, 2
value of raw material $ 4,878
manufactured articles 60,115
Saw Mills 6
value of raw material 3.35°
manufactured articles 6,800
• In 1879, Myron H. Mills and George W. Phelps each received 397
votes. The Board of Canvassers appointed Hugh Hardmg.
292
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Fulling Mills 3
value of raw material 9,000
manufactured articles 1 1,75°
Carding Machines, 3
value of rawmaterial 6,875
manufactured articles 7>867
Distilleries i
value of raw material 1,000
manufactured articles i>40°
Asheries, 3
value of raw material 1,050
manufactured articles 1,860
Tanneries 2
value of raw material 2,600
manufactured articles 4,7°°
Blind persons, i ; deaf and dumb persons, i ;
idiots, 5 ; lunatics, i ; paupers, o.
" On the bank of the river in this town an
ancient mound or barrow was discovered and
opened in 1845, ^^ which were some human skele-
tons in a very decayed state, with some stone
arrowheads, stone knife and cleaver, and a copper
skewer about the size of a pipe shank, flattened at
one end and slightly twisted. The knife was of a
fine, hard stone of the thickness of a quire of paper
with sharpened edges. The cleaver was of slate.
The articles were of the rudest workmanship."*
These relics and others which have been met
with in the town are doubtless referable to the
Indians, who had a considerable town near the
village of Mt. Morris, and resided in this vicinity
for many years after the white settlers came in, and
in considerable numbers. Their principal chief
was Tall Chief, a fine specimen of his race, physi-
cally and otherwise.
Mount Morris.
Mount Morris, generally known to the Indians,
even to the present day, as Sanungewage, from
Sanungewah, a name given by them to Gen. Wil-
liam A. Mills, is beautifully situated in the north
part of the town, on the margin of the high terrace
which overlooks the broad, fertile flats bordering
the river and its confluent streams, and is the
southern terminus of the Avon, Geneseo and Mt.
Morris Railroad, the northern terminus of the
Erie and Genesee Valley Railroad to Dansville,
and on the line of the proposed Rochester, Nunda
and Pennsylvania Raikoad. The abandoned Gen-
esee Valley canal extends through the northeast
portion of the village, which, when in operation,
connected with the Erie at Rochester, thirty-eight
and one half miles distant. It is distant six miles
southwest of Geneseo, the county seat. Its streets
are regular, handsomely shaded, and lighted with
oil, and being based on a sandy soil are generally
* Gazetteer of New Vork^ Thomas F. Gordon, 1836.
dry. The village is abundantly supplied with
wholesome water from an elevation sufficient for
fire purposes without the aid of mechanical force,
though this is not wholly relied on. It has some
fine churches and business blocks and many taste-
ful residences.
The village was first known to the white settlers
as Allen's Hill, from Ebenezer Allen, its first
settler, and subsequently as Richmond Hill, a
name given it by Col. John Trumbull, an artist
who delineated some of the most important scenes
of the Revolution, and at one time contemplated
making it his place of residence. He selected and
purchased a site near the residence of the late
Judge Hastings, planted an orchard, and made
some preparations for building ; but the name was
abandoned with the abandonment of his idea of
settling here, and, like the town, received and has
since retained the distinctive name of its dis-
tinguished proprietor.
It contains six churches, (Presbyterian, Episco-
pal, Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, Free Methodist
and Catholic,) a fine Union school, with academic
department, two district schools, two newspapers,*
{^Tke Union and Constitution, William Harding,
publisher, and the Mount Morris Enterprise, George
M. Shull, publisher,) two banks, (Genesee River
National and Bingham Bros. — private,) various
important manufacturing establishments, twenty-
one stores of various kinds, four hotels, (Dodge
House, Scoville House, 'Wallace House and Burke
House,) various mechanics' shops, including two
harness shops, (Frank Austin and Thomas Conlon,)
and four blacksmith shops, (O. C. Matteson,
George Wooster, John Sleight and F. S. Dal-
rymple,) and a population of 1,928.
"No village," says Jessie Jasper, a local writer,
"has sent out more professors, clergymen, mission-
aries, painters, musicians, poets, writers, judges,
congressmen, architects, and machinists than Mt.
Morris."
The village was incorporated May 2, 1836. The
first corporation meeting was held at the house of
Riley Scoville, June 9, r835. Justice O. D. Lake
presiding^ and the following named ofiicers were
elected : Reuben Sleeper, James Conkey, Ichabod
Thurston, Oliver Stanley and John Sloat, Trustees;
and James H. Rogers, Adino Bailey and Stephen
Summers, Assessors. George Hastings was clerk
of the meeting.
At a meeting of the Board held June 12, 1835,
the following named officers were chosen: — Reu-
* See Chapter XII. for History of the Press.
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — OFFICERS.
293
ben Sleeper, President; George Hastings, Clerk;
Aylmer Keith, Treasurer; Walker M. Hinman,
Asa Woodford, John P. Gayle, John N. Hurlbut,
Fire Wardens; Reuben P. Wisner, Collector;
Ezra Kinne, Pound Master.
Following is a list of the Presidents and Clerks
of the village from the date of incorporation : —
Presidents. Village Clerks.
1835-6. Reuben Sleeper. Geo. Hastings.*
1837. Phineas Canfield. Reuben P. Wisner.
1838. Stephen Summers. do
1839. Geo. G. Williams. do
1840. do Wm. H. Houghton.j
1841. David A. Miller. George H. Elliott.
1842-3. Geo. G. Williams. Geo. N. Williams.
1844. John Vernam. do
1845. Elijah E. Thatcher. do
1846. Hugh Harding. do
1847. Reuben P. Wisner. do
1848. Jesse Patterson. do
1849. do Henry D. Barto, Jr.
1850. Augustus Conkey. do
1851-3. John Vernam. McNeil Seymour.
1854. Abraham Wigg. do
1855. Henry K. Satford. C. B. Adams.
1856-8. Abraham Wigg. do
1859. Reuben Sleeper. do
i860, Abraham Wigg. McNeil Seymour.
1861. Reuben Sleeper. do
1862-4. Hiram P. Mills. do
1865-9. C. B. Adams.J do§
1870. A. F. French. Z. A. Colburn.
187 1. Z. W. Joslyn. do
1872. H. P. Mills. do
1873. Hugh Harding. do
1874. Z. W. Joslyn. F. E. Brown.
1875. H. P. Mills. C. Sutphen.
1876. Henry Scoville. do
1877. F. E. Hastings. J. M. Hastings.
1878. Geo. W. Phelps. Carlos A. Miller.
1879. H. W. Miller. do
1880. Z. W. Joslyn. James L. SkilUn.
Village officers of 188 1 :— H. H. Scoville, Presi-
dent; Mathew Taylor, Peter Schermer, Morgan
Hammond, Hugh Harding, Trustees; James L.
SkiUin, Clerk; H. M. Dayfoot, Health Officer;
E. A. Mills, Treasurer ; Daniel Cassidy, Collector ;
William Murray, H. S. Wigg, A. McCarthur, As-
sessors; C. J. Perry, Chief Engineer, H. S. Wigg,
Assistant Engineer Fire Department ; Chas. Hard-
ing, Treasurer Fire Department.
Mt. Morris, though its inception dates back to
the first settlement of the town, did not early de-
* November 21, 1836, Reuben P. Wisner was appointed Clerk vice
George Hastings removed.
t January 23, 1841, George H. Elliott was appointed Clerk vice W. H.
Houghton, deceased.
t December 17, 1869, A. F. French was appointed President vice C. B.
Adams, deceased, December 9, 1869.
§ May ij, 1870, Z. A. Colburn was appointed Clerk vice McNeil Sey-
mour, deceased.
velop a commercial importance. The following
description of it in i8 13, which we extract from the
discourse of Rev. Darwin Chichester, will be read
with interest by the, present generation. He
says : —
"We will enter on what is now the plank road
across the flats. Ascending the hill, we pass what
is now Beach's Temperance House. There stands
the frame dwelling of widow Baldwin — on the cor-
ner opposite, towards the north, is the frame dwell-
ing of Capt. Baldwin — going a little farther, we are
near the frame residence of deacon Jesse Stanley,
now the site of the residence of James R. Bond,
Esq. In reaching this point, we pass the school-
house, a few rods to the left, that building which is
so plainly pictured to the minds of some of this
audience, around which so many associations of
early days cluster. Its unpainted and mutilated
seats and dingy walls, bring with them pleasing
thoughts, for they are fresh, strong impressions of
early days. This building is not seen from the
road, for, though we stand in front of what is known
as Dean's brick store, and look no farther than what
was lately the law office of R. P. Wisner, Esq., yet
the oak bushes and saplings completely conceal it
from view. A little farther on, and we are oppo-
site the site of this [Presbyterian] church building.
On the other side of the road stands the old block-
house, into which all the inhabitants fled on one
occasion the year before, for fear of a'coming army
of British and Indians. A few rods farther, and on
the north side of the road, is the frame dwelling of
Mark Hopkins, Esq., on the site of the residence
of the late David A. Miller, Esq. We ascend, and
from Prospect Hill, look over the village, and we
can count the four framed dwelHngs just mentioned,
and no more. These, with twenty-two log-houses,
constitute the Mt. Morris of 1813. The eye can
rest upon two streets, the one we have passed over,
coming from the valley, passing the site of this
church edifice, turning to the left, and winding up
the hill towards Nunda, and the other running
through the place north and south, being what is
now Main street. These two streets, or roads, the
sides of which are well lined with oaks, shrubs and
sapHngs, are the only streets of the village. Here
is now and then a remaining tree of the forest, and
plenty of undergrowth. On every side, except that
of the valley, is a dark forest, the impressions upon
which, by the woodman's ax, are, as yet, hardly
perceptible.
" Going towards Nunda, we pass through an un-
broken forest for three-and-a-half miles, we then
reach a solitary dwelling, that of Mr. Houselander,
and for six miles beyond that (where now is a suc-
cession of fine farms, with their neatly painted
dweUings,) is an unbroken forest."
In 1817, says Frankhn Cowdery, in describing
the condition of Western New York in that yean
in the Cuykrville Telegraph of March 18, 1848,
Mt. Morris had a tavern, a few mechanics' shops,
and a small store kept by Allen Ayrault. " This,"
294
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
says Mr. Chichester, in referring to the epidemics
which have raged with great power in this vicinity,
" was a memorable year — one that brought sorrow
into many a dwelling. Hardly a family in the place
escaped sickness — and one family, (a member of
which told me of the ravages of the disease,) lost
four of its members." Spafford, in his Gazetteer of
1824, dismisses the subject of its description with
a single sentence. He says, " the village of Mt.
Morris, where the town meetings are now held,
* * * has the post-office, and a small collec-
tion of houses." In his Gazetteer of 18x3 it is not
even mentioned. In 1836, as described in Gor-
don's Gazetteer of that year, the village contained
three churches, (Presbyterian, Episcopal and Meth-
odist,) three taverns, nine dry goods stores, three
groceries, two hatters, one tannery, two shoe stores,
three cabinet makers, one chair factory, one bakery,
one iron foundry, one hemp factory, one plow and
wagon factory, two blacksmiths, one hardware store,
tin factory, two saddlers, three tailors, two drug
shops, one printing office, issuing a weekly paper,
two lawyers, four physicians, one flouring mill, one
carding and cloth-dressing mill, and had in the im-
mediate vicinity three saw mills and more than a
hundred dwellings. There were then four addi-
tional post-offices in the town — at River Road,
Brushville, River Road Forks and Brooks Grove.
In 1840, says Disturnell, in his Gazetteer of 1842,
it contained about 1,200 inhabitants, 200 dwell-
ings, four churches, (Presbyterian, Episcopal, Pap-
tist and Methodist,) three pubhc houses, twenty
stores and groceries, one furnace and a pottery, two
flouring mills, two saw mills. The post-offices in
the town, in addition to Mt. Morris, were, Brush-
ville, Brooks Grove, Ridge River Road, and St.
Helena.
Merchants.— The first merchant in Mt. Morris,
if such he may be called, was Ebenezeror " Indian"
Allen, a native of New Jersey, who came here dur
ing the Revolutionary war to escape the military
enrollment. He did not continue in trade after the
white settlers came in. He obtained his goods at
Philadelphia and exchanged them with the Indians
for peltries.
The first regular merchant, it is believed, was
Elisha Parmelee, who came here from Connecticut
about 18x1, and opened a store on State street, in
a building which stood on the site of the residence
of J. B. Bacon, on the north side of that street,
and was removed about 1854 to its present loca-
t"ion on Eagle street. It is now owned and occu-
pied as a residence by Cornelius Cassidy. Parmelee
removed to Warsaw in 1817, and was succeeded
in the same store by Allen Ayrault, from Connec-
ticut, who removed to Moscow in 1819, and two
or three years later to Geneseo, where he became
a prominent banker.
There was no store from that period until 1823,
when Abner Dean and Reuben Sleeper (Dean &
Sleeper) came from Laurens, Otsego county, and
occupied the same store. They dissolved partner-
ship in 1828, and both continued to trade separately,
Dean in a new store, adjacent to the old one, until
1841, when D. K. Moss, from Greene county, took
the store and put in a new stock of goods, but after
trading about two years he sold out at auction and
went away. Sleeper became a prominent mer-
chant in the village, continuing at intervals till his
death May 11, 1872, at the age of 74. He was
associated from 1847 to 1854, with Lucius C.
Bingham, who then engaged in the hardware busi-
ness.
David A. Miller, from Orange county, was con-
temporary with Ayrault and traded two or three
years. He then engaged in farming and distilling,
and some fourteen years later resumed mercantile
business, which he continued successfully about
ten years, from 1831 to 1841, when he sold to his
sons Henry R. and David, who traded with some
shght changes till about 1843, when Henry retired.
David continued until 1854, when he sold to his
brother Henry, who sold out about 1864, and died
Sept. 23d, of the following year, aged 50. His
father died August 6, 1853, aged 64.
In 1824, William H. Stanley, who came here
with his parents from Connecticut in 181 1, opened
a store and traded till 1831, when James H. Rogers
became his partner, continuing for three or four
years, when Stanley retired. Rogers continued
alone until 1842, when he failed.
In 1829, Phineas Canfield, from Chenango
county, commenced trading in company with
Henry Gale, from Orange county, under the name
of Gale & Canfield. After two years, David A.
Miller took Gale's place and soon after acquired
Canfield's interest, continuing till 1841.
In 1833 N. L., George W. and Joseph Totten,
brothers, commenced business. They closed out
in 1835. In 1848 N. L. Totten opened a grocery,
continuing till t86o, associated the first two years
with R. C. Hill. In 1871 Mr. Totten resumed
the grocery business, which he continues to the
present time.
In r837 James R. Bond came from Geneseo
and did an extensive business till about 1843.
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — MERCHANTS.
29s
In 1839 Higgins & King, (Henry I. Higgins
and Charles W. King,) the latter from Cayuga
county, established the first hardware store of any
importance in the village. They sold out about
1841 to Abram Vernam, from Saratoga county,
who sold in 1850 to Harvey & Thatcher, (George
C. Harvey and Elijah E. Thatcher,) who continued
the business until 1854, when they sold to Bing-
ham & Thatcher, (Lucius C. Bingham and Elijah
E. Thatcher,) who continued till the death of
Thatcher, Sept. 3, 1855, at the age of 47. Mr.
Bingham continued the business alone until 1863,
when he associated with himself William H. Coy,
under the firm name of Bingham & Coy. In 1875
Mr. Bingham purchased Mr. Coy's interest, and in
January, 1879, he admitted to partnership Henry
Gale, with whom he is still doing business under
the name of L. C. Bingham & Co.
About 1840 Hugh Harding, who came from
Dansville and in 1834 established the Mount
Morris Spectator, the pioneer newspaper in Mt.
Morris, which he was then publishing, opened a
stock of books and stationery — a business he has
continued to the present time. This was the first,
and is now the only book store in the village, and
with the exception of one started some years ago
by J. W. Webb, but continued only about a year,
it is the only one that has been established in the
village.
In 1841 Norman Seymour, a native of Herki-
mer, came here from Geneva and commenced the
dry-goods business, which he changed in 1S64 to
hardware, continuing the latter to the present time
under the name of Seymour & Co.
In 1844 Sanford E. Hunt and George Talcott,
the former from Portage and the latter from Hart-
ford, Conn., commenced trading and were promi-
nent merchants for about two years, dealing in
merchandise and lumber.
H. W. Miller, druggist, came here with his
parents from Cayuga county about 1835. In 1850
he bought out R. J. Stanley, who had traded some
four or five years, and subsequently he purchased
the stock of George S. Whitney who had traded
some fifteen or twenty years.
Jacob O. Crevling, boot and shoe dealer, com-
menced mercantile business in December, 1850.
He was associated with Ezra Kinney in 1852, with
John Marsh in 1862, and with Dennis Evans in
1863-4. Mr. Crevling is a native of New Jersey,
and came with his parents to Mt. Morris in 1833.
Wheeler Hinman, who was born in this county
February 14, 1815, commenced trading here in
1856, and did a prosperous business here till his
death, January 4, 1867.
Numerous others of little prominence have traded
here for short periods.
The other merchants now engaged in business
here are : — Timothy Hennessy, grocer and liquor
dealer, who commenced business some twenty
years ago; W. Richmond, jeweler, a native of Ba-
tavia, who came here from Geneseo, where he had
carried on the same business, and estabhshed him-
self in trade March 16, 1863; H. Burt, general
merchant, who, in 1865, in company with the late P.
J. Runyan, purchased the grocery business of S. E.
Brace, who had traded some seven years at differ-
ent times, and quit mercantile business to engage
in banking with the Messrs. Bingham ; (Mr. Burt
resumed his present business in the fall of 1874.
He is the present post-master, having been ap-
pointed to that oflrce in 1877 ■) Emma Burke, mil-
Uner, a native of Mt. Morris, who commenced
business in 1867; M. J. Noonan, tobacconist and
cigar manufacturer, a native of Mt. Morris, who
commenced business in 1868; M. Beggs, milliner
and fancy goods dealer, who is a native of Mt.
Morris, and commenced business about twelve
years ago ; Alfred Harris, furniture dealer, and a
native of Mt. Morris, commenced business some
ten years ago — his father, E. S. Harris, who now
carries on the undertaking business at the same
place, came here from Warsaw about 1837, and
engaged in the cabinet business ; Henry Wagner,
grocer and liquor dealer, commenced business in
January, 1874, at which time he bought out Timo-
thy Hennessy, is a native of Germany, and had
resided here several years previously ; Norman A.
Seymour, druggist, who commenced business in
1875, in company with William R. Hinds, whose
interest he purchased at the expiration of two
and one half years ; the business was established
in 1850 by Thomas & Joslyn ; (Mr. Thomas of
that firm sold to James Yeomans, who sold to
Messrs. Seymour & Hinds ; the store has always
been known as the Empire Drug Store ;) J. S.
Mosman, general merchant, purchased the dry
goods estabHshment of Eddy, Gregg & Co., who
had traded here for three years, in August, 1875,
and the following January added to his stock gro-
ceries, boots and shoes and clothing; and in
March, 1880, he admitted his son, William O.
Mosman, to partnership ; A. Halstead, dealer in
boots and shoes, commenced business October 25,
1875, under the name of Halsted & Co.; he bought
out WiUiam H. Coy, whose father, Loren Coy, had
296
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
carried on business for many years ; Barney Beu-
erlein & Co., (Nicholas Johantgen,) clothiers, from
Dansville, where Mr. Johantgen resides and car-
ries on the same business, commenced business
here in 1877 ; F. W. Woolever, furniture dealer
and undertaker, commenced business some two
years ago, having previously worked at. the cabmet
business in this town ; Thomas T. Gallagher, gro-
cer, commenced business here April i, 1879, — this
is a branch of his store in Dansville, where he has
traded since 1868, in company, until 1872, with
Albert Sweet, under the name of Sweet & Gallag-
her ; and Allen & Pennington, (WiUiam P. Allen
and J. W, Pennington,) flour and feed dealers, who
commenced business in August, 1880.
Postmasters. — The post-office at Mt. Morris
was established in 18 18, and the mail was received
once a week. It was carried on horseback, but
often on foot, over the route between Moscow and
Angelica. The first postmaster was David A.
Miller, who held the office from 1818 to 1841. His
successors have been Stephen Summers, Henry
Swan, Augustus Conkey, Moses Clark, (who held
the office eight years,) Philo Thomson, (appointed
in the fall of i86r,) George W. Barney, Norman
Seymour, Jacob A. Mead, Dr. Loren }. Ames and
Hathorne Burt, who was appointed in 1877.
Physicians. — The first physician to locate in
Mt. Morris was probably Henry Gale, though it is
doubtful if he ever practiced here. He was the
father of Mrs. David A. Miller, whose husband was
one of the first merchants here. He was blind for
many years prior to his death, which occurred July
6, 1835, at the age of seventy-one.
Abraham Camp, whom the Rev. Dr. Parsons
says was the first regular practitioner in this village,
and was highly esteemed both as a physician and a
man, was born Norfolk, Conn., July 31, 1770, and
there he spent his youth and early manhood. In
October, 1813, after a short residence in Vermont
and in Greene county, in this State, at the solicita-
tion of Deacon Jesse Stanley, he came to this
place accompanied by his wife, four sons and two
daughters. His first residence was on Main street,
on the premises now owned and occupied by Ozro
Clark. With the exception of three or four years
spent with his son Cicero, in Ohio, he resided here
till his death, August lo, 1850, aged eighty. Mary,
his wife, died August 3, 1844, aged seventy-four.
He was the father of Abraham C, and Moses
Camp. He practiced here till about 1820, until
Dr. Bingham came.
Dr. Gates located in Mt. Morris in 1817, but re-
mained only a year or two. He then went to Al-
legany county.
Charles Bingham was born in Bozrah, Conn.,
and studied medicine in that State. He was
licensed by the State Medical Society of Connecti-
cut in 1808, and in that year moved to Avon,
where he practiced his profession until 1820. In
that year he removed to Mt. Morris, where he pur-
sued an extensive and successful practice until
failing health compelled him to abandon it. He
died at Mt. Morris December 3, 1842, aged 58.
Mary, his wife, died here February 8, 1873, at the
advanced age of 87. Messrs. Lucius C. an3
Charles L. Bingham, two of Mt. Morris' most
prominent business men and influential and re-
spected citizens, are sons of Dr. Bingham, and all
that are left of the family.
Hiram Hunt came here from Cayuga county
about 1824. He studied medicine with Dr.
Stephen Mosher, of Union Springs, in that county,
and with the exception of two years spent in De-
troit, Mich., practiced here till his death, which
occurred Oct. 8, 1853, at the age of sr. Eben-
ezer Childs came here from Massachusetts in 1834
and practiced till about 1849, when he went to
North CaroUna and died in the South. William
H. Thomas game here from Allegany, his native
county, in 1837 and practiced here till his final
sickness, dying here about 1876. He was Winded
in 1858 from accidental shooting. William Whit-
ney, a son of Dr. Jonathan Whitney, one of the
old pioneer physicians of Cayuga village, removed
thence to Mt. Morris in 1839. About 1847 he
removed to Chicago, where he died some time
during the late war. John SulUvan Hunt, a
brother to Dr. Hiram Hunt, whose parents were
among the early settlers of Mt. Morris, studied
with his brother Hiram and graduated about 1838.
He practiced a few years at Union Corners, in this
town, and at Mt. Morris about three or four years
from 1845. He died here of consumption about
1850. Henry Maxwell came here about 1846,
and after practicing some four years returned to
Lockport, whence he came. Alexander H. Hoflf,
the son of a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed
Church, came here from the Hudson river coun-
try about 1847, and succeeded Dr. Whitney, con-
tinuing his practice here till about 1863, when he
went to Albany. During the war he became a
surgeon in the regular army and died while serving
in that capacity after the war. He was succeeded
by T. Romeyn Huntington, son of Dr. Hunting-
ton, of Perry, whence he came about 1854. He
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS -PHYSICIANS.
297
graduated at Philadelphia. After practicing some
two years he returned to Perry. Alexander C.
Campbell, who was born April 30, 181 2, came
here in 1857 from Lima, where, and in Nunda, he
had previously practiced. With the exception of
some two years spent in Avon he practiced here
till his death, Oct. 30, 1871.
David L. Williams came here from Elbridge
about 1845, and practiced till his death, February
16, 1853, aged 34. He was the first homeopathic
physician to locate here. W. T. R. Wells, who
had formerly belonged to the regular school, came
here from Covington, Wyoming county, about the
time of Dr. Williams' death and practiced here a
few years. He afterwards practiced electropathy
and subsequently became a lecturer on that branch
of medical science. He is now living in Roch-
ester.
W. W. Potter came here from Washington, D.
C, in 1872, having served as a surgeon in the
army, and at the close of the war established' him-
self in practice in that city. He left here in the
summer of 1876 and went to Batavia, where he
still resides. Augustus F. McKay came from the
locality of Wilkesbarre, Pa., and succeeded Potter,
continuing two years, during which time he became
a convert to homeopathy. He returned to Penn-
sylvania. Charles F. Morgan, a young man from
Connecticut, came in 1870 and practiced a year or
two with Dr. Joslyn. He went to Michigan. Dr.
Spiegel, who had practiced some two years in Tus-
carora in this town came here about 1877, and
after practicing about a year returned to Utica,
whence he originally came.
Miss Mina A. Baker, a graduate of Ann Arbor,
who was a native of Monroe county, but raised in
Mt. Morris, practiced here about a year — 1876-7.
She removed to Racine, Wisconsin, where she is
now practicing very successfully. She was the first
lady physician in Mt. Morris.
Lewis G. Ferris, from Cayuga, settled about 1837
or '38 in the locality of Brooks Grove, and prac-
ticed till his death about 1850. He was preceded
there by Dr. William Munson, who was one of the
earlier practitioners of the town.
Drs. Hiram Hunt, E. Childs and Alexander
Campbell were among the most prominent physi-
cians. Dr. Hunt was a heroic practitioner. When
he undertook a case he did it with a firm decided
hand, gave thorough doses of medicine, and was
regarded as successful. Dr. Campbell was a man
of very decided ideas. He had a happy faculty of
impressing his patients with them, and was re-
markably successful in gaining their confidence.
His fame extended throughout the county. Drs.
Hoff and Potter were regarded and proved them-
selves distinguished surgeons. They were more
noted as such than as physicians.
The present physicians are: — Loren J. Ames,
Zara W. Joslyn, Herbert M. Dayfoot, Henry Povall
and A. L. Cook.
Loren J. Ames was born in Royalton, Vt., July
12, 1 81 5, and educated at the academy in his native
town. He removed thence to Rochester in this
State, and — in 1839 — to Geneseo, where, in 1840,
he commenced the study of medicine with Drs.
Bissell and Lauderdale. He attended lectures at
Geneva Medical College and graduated there in
1843. He established himself in practice in March
of that year at Mt. Morris, where he has since pur-
sued his profession. He was coroner of this county
for twelve years, and postmaster of Mt. Morris
from March, 1873, to May, 1877.
Zara W. Joslyn was born in Mentz, Cayuga
county, November 6, 1815, and received an acade-
mic education at Wyoming, N. Y. He com-
menced the study of medicine in 1839, with Dr. C.
C. Chaffee, of Nunda, and in the spring of 1841,
entered the Castleton Medical College of Vermont,
where he graduated in June, 1842. In November,
1853, he removed to Mt. Morris, where he has
since practiced.
Herbert M. Dayfoot was born in Georgetown,
Canada, February 21, 1846. He received an
academic education at Woodstock Institute in
Canada, and Rochester University. In 1864, he
commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Elias
Vernon, of Hamilton, Canada. He attended lec-
tures at the Buffalo Medical College and the
Western Homeopathic College of Cleveland, grad-
uating at the latter in 1867, in which year he com-
menced practice in Mt. Morris, where he has since
continued, with the exception of six months spent
in Ithaca.
Henry Povall was born in Bunbury, England,
August 14, 1828. He was licensed in 1870 by the
Eclectic Medical Association Examining Board of
Liverpool, having previously read medicine with a
private tutor for fifteen years, during ten of which
he was engaged in practice. He emigrated to Mt.
Morris in 1878.
A. L. Cook was born in Stephentown, N. Y.,
September 4, 1822, and received an academic edu-
cation at Castile and Perry. At the age of twenty-
one he commenced the study of medicine, but
abandoned it after one season and engaged in other
298
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
business. In i874he resumed his medical studies.
He commenced practice at Oil City, Pa., and re-
moved to Mt. Morris in the spring of 1878.
Lawyers.— "Bill" Haskell, a pettifogger, was
the first to undertake to expound law in Mt. Mor-
ris. He came here about 1812. He was illiterate,
but possessed a good deal of native talent. He
was an odd, uncouth genius, largely engaged in
Justices' courts at an early day. He left here for
the Western country about 1835. Simeon Kittle
was contemporary with Haskell, who removed to
Michigan, and a similar character. Both receded
from civihzation.
The first representative in Mt. Morris of that
elegant diction for which the bar of Livingston
county has been so ably conspicuous was George
Hastings, who was born in Clinton, Oneida county,
March 13, 1807,* and graduated from Hamilton
college at the early age of nineteen. His father
was Dr. Seth Hastings, of Clinton. He studied
law and was admitted to the bar in 1830, in which
year he entered upon the practice of his profession
in Mt. Morris, where he resided till his death,
August 29, 1866. He at once took a leading po-
sition at the bar and had a large practice. He was
appointed District-Attorney of Livingston county.
May 27, 1839, and held the office till it was made
elective in 1847. He was a Representative in
Congress from this county from 1853 to 1855, and
was County Judge from November, 1855 to 1863.
He was a man, who, both in pubHc and private Hfe,
evinced great purity and could not be tempted be-
yond the line of rectitude. He was a prominent
member of the Presbyterian church and noted in
its councils. His widow, two sons and three
daughters still reside here.
Samuel H. Fitzhugh was born in Washington
county, Maryland, in 1796, and graduated at Jef-
ferson college in Pennsylvania. In 181 7 he re-
moved to Canandaigua, where he prepared for the
bar in the office of N. W. Howell. In 1820 he
married a daughter of Judge Addison, of Wheeling,
Va., where he practiced his profession until his re-
moval to Mt. Morris in 183 1. In 1840, he was
appointed Associate Judge of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas of Livingston county.
Reuben P. Wisner, who was born in Springport,
Cayuga county, January 4, 181 5, was the next to
engage in the practice of law in Mt. Morris. His
early scholastic advantages were restricted by the
limited means of his parents, but by assiduously
* Lanma7is Dictionary of Congress^ 178. Proctor makes the date
March 10, 1807.
devoting every leisure moment to the culture of
his mind, he made considerable progress in the
languages, in rhetoric, logic and history. When
old enough he became a farm laborer, working by
the month in summer, and in winter engaged at
cabinet making. He subsequently became bar-
tender and clerk in what was then the principal
hotel in Auburn, and there his passion for forensic
display was stimulated by the great luminaries who
congregated at that political center. By invitation
he entered the office of William H. Seward, and
after receiving his license remained in that office
two or three years as assistant. In 1837 he located
in Mt. Morris and formed a co-partnership with
Judge Samuel H. Fitzhugh. The practice of the
firm soon became extensive and lucrative. Mr.
Wisner was an able and successful lawyer and
possessed great character — qualities which soon
gave him a high position at the bars of this and ad-
joining counties.
Clark B. Adams, who had studied law in Nunda,
removed thence about 1843 to Mt. Morris and
entered the office of Reuben P. Wisner. He was
admitted to the bar about 1846, and practiced
here till his tragic death on the 9th of December,
1869. He was a man of fine abilities and good
practice.
McNeil Seymour was a native of Rome, Oneida
county, and was educated at Oberlin College. He
came to Mt. Morris in 1843, and entered the law
office of George Hastings as a student. He was
admitted to practice about 1847, and immediately
after opened an office in Mt. Morris, where he
practiced till his death in 1870. He represented
this county in the Assembly in 1855. He was a
man of superior ability, a sound lawyer, and was
highly esteemed in the community, aUke for his
professional skill and probity, and social qualities.
In addition to his other accomplishments he pos-
sessed a fine discriminating literary taste. He was
a brother of the Hon. Norman Seymour, of Mt.
Morris, the urbane and efficient secretary of the
Livingston County Historical Society.
Scott Lord came here from Buffalo in 1843, im-
mediately after his admission, and practiced till his
election as County Judge in 1847, the first incum-
bent of that office under the elective system. On
his election as Judge he took up his residence in
Geneseo, where he practiced till about 1872, when
he removed to Utica, where he formed a co-part-
nership with Hon. Roscoe Conkling, and imme-
diately took a leading position as a lawyer. He
was a Representative in Congress from 1875 to
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — PHYSICIANS, MANUFACTURERS.
299
1877, and at the expiration of his Congressional
term, during which he distinguished himself as a
parliamentary debater and tactician, he removed
to New York, when his recognized legal ability
secured for him a leading position among the mem-
bers of the bar, and where he was more recently
made conspicuous by his connection with the Van-
derbilt will case.
Charles L. Bingham, son of Dr. Charles Bingham,
was born in Mt. Morris, April 25, 1827. He
received an academic education in his native vil-
lage, where, in 1848, he commenced the study of
law with George N. Williams. He subsequently
pursued and completed his studies with R. P. Wis-
ner, of that village, where, immediately after his
admission, in 1851, he entered upon the practice
of his profession which he continued until August
17, 1869, when he engaged in the banking business,
which he still continues in company with his brother,
Lucius C. Bingham, who is also engaged in mer-
cantile business.
The present attorneys are Albert M. Bingham,
Thomas J. Gamble, Ziba A. Colburn, William A.
Sutherland, John M. Hastings, Alexander H. Mc-
Kay and Frank M. Joslyn.
Albert M. Bingham was born in Perry, N. Y.,
October 15, 1825, and received an academic edu-
cation at the Perry Center Institute. He coin-
menced the study of law in Michigan, with Judge
Leonard, of Mt. Clemens in that State, in 1846,
and after pursuing his legal studies there two years,
he returned East and resumed them with Scott
Lord, of Geneseo. He was admitted in 1850, and
commenced practice about 1852, in Moscow,
whence he removed April i, i86o, to Mt. Morris,
where he has since practiced, with the exception of
a period spent in the army from October, 1861,
to January, 1863, in the capacity of ist Lieutenant
of Company C, 89th N. Y. Vols. In the fall of
1879, he formed a co-partnership with Frank M.
Joslyn, which still continues.
Thomas J. Gamble was born in Groveland, in
this county, Dec, 21, 1839, and educated at Tem-
ple Hill Academy in Geneseo. He commenced
the study of law April 3, 1859, with Wisner & Sey-
mour, of Mt. Morris, and afterwards pursued his
studies with R. P. Wisner, of that firm. He was
admitted in December, 1865, and Jan. i, 1866,
formed a co-partnership with his preceptor, Mr.
Wisner, which continued till July 7, 1872. Mr.
Gamble has practiced here continuously since. He
was Collector on the Genesee Valley Canal from
1876 till its abandonment in 1878.
Ziba A. Colburn was born in Westmoreland, N.
H., Dec. 6, 1839. He studied law with McNeil
Seymour in Mt. Morris, and was admitted in 1869.
He entered upon the practice of his profession in
this village in 1870.
Wilham A. Sutherland was born in Hopewell,
Ontario county, May 30, 1849, and educated at
Genesee College in Lima. In 187 r, he became a
student in the law office of Judge E. A. Nash, of
Lima, (now of Avon.) He was admitted to prac-
tice in 1874, at which time he formed a co-part-
nership with his legal preceptor, which continued
till Jan. I, 1876, when he moved toMt. Morris.
John M. Hastings was born in Mt. Morris, July
4, 1853, and was educated at the Union Free
School and Academy of that village, and subse-
quently at the College of the city of New York,
where he commenced his legal studies, subsequently
pursuing them with J. E. Lee, A. M. Bingham and
Norton & Brown, all of Mt. Morris. He was admit-
ted in January, 1875, and commenced practice in
Mt. Morris in 1877.
Alexander H. McKay was born in Sparta in this
county March 2, 1853. He is a graduate of Fort
Edward Collegiate Institute. He pursued his legal
studies while acquiring his literary education, and
completed them with John H. Martindale, of
Rochester. He was admitted in 1877 and com-;
menced practice that year in Mt. Morris.
Frank M. Joslyn was born in Mt. Morris, Aug.
22, 1854, and received an academic education at
the Union Free School of Mt. Morris. He com-
menced the study of law in 1874, with Norton &
Brown, of Mt. Morris, and completed his studies
with Turner, Dexter & VanDuzer, of Elmira. He
was admitted at Rochester in October, 1877, and
commenced practice at Mt. Morris in the spring
of 1878. In November, 1879, he formed a co-
partnership with Albert N. Bingham, which still
continues.
Manufacturers. — Mt. Morris has for many
years been the seat of important manufacturing
interests, and to-day takes a high rank in this
branch of industry.
Previous to 1820, Col. Ebenezer Damon was
engaged in carding and cloth-dressing on a small
stream in the west part of the village, and contin-
ued until about 1835. The local name of " Damons-
ville," by which that part of the village, as well as
the stream, is designated, perpetuates his memory.
Fed by the same stream on the steep side-hill, just
north-east of the present residence of Dr. M. H.
Mills, was the pioneer grist-mill of Mt. Morris. It
300
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
was a large four-story structure, operated by an
immense overshot wheel, and known as the Sholl
mill, from its owner, David Sholl, by whom it was
built in 1814 or '15. At Damonsville the water
was diverted from the brook of that name and
brought in an open ditch along the south bank of
the deep ravine near Dr. Mills' residence, gaining
a fall of twenty feet at the mill. Around the bluff,
down the dugway and under the road to the mill,
the water was conveyed in a wooden trunk. It
was torn down in 1827. The flats around the
base of the hill were inundated to the extent of
about one hundred acres. They were partially
drained by a. ditch extending south-east to Casha-
qua creek, about one and one-half miles distant,
but were never completely drained until the dam
was built across the river and the tail race con-
structed in 1827. Prior to the erection of the
Sholl mill, hard wood stumps andiron mortars were
used as a basin to bruise the corn and make samp.
Subsequently Dr. Fitzhugh's mill on Cashaqua
creek in Sonyea (the Shaker settlement) received
the principal business of this village, and earlier
the Wadsworth mill at the foot of Conesus lake
did a good deal of the milling for this place, espe-
cially for Gen. Mills' distillery.
From 1820 tp 1830 Riley Scoville raised a quan-
tity of hemp on the flats adjacent to the village,
and on the horse-shoe flats j ust west of it, which
he water-rotted and dressed by hand. The early
settlers generally were engaged in raising hemp on
the rich bottom lands, for the reason that it was
transported with greater facility and with less lia-
bility to injury than grain or other commodities,
"and had also a readier and greater market value.
It was marketed at Baltimore by the Susquehanna
and its tributaries, the shipping point being Ark-
port on the Canisteo.
But the enterprise which gave Mt. Morris its
importance as a manufacturing center, and also
gave a great impetus to its growth, was the con-
struction of a dam across the Genesee river and a
canal connecting that stream with Canaseraga
creek, a Uttle below the mouth of Cashaqua creek,
in 1827.
This improvement was the work of John R.
Murray and William B. Rogers, of New York, and
their associates. General WiUiam A. Mills and
Jesse Stanley, of Mt. Morris, and was designed to
open water communication by the Canaseraga and
Genesee between Mt. Morris and Rochester, but
was never accomplished, though it has given Mt.
Morris a valuable water power. At the intersec-
tion of the canal with Canaseraga creek a guard-
lock was built to lower boats to the level of the
creek. The first dam was built of timber; the
present one is a substantial stone structure, which
also accommodated the canal while that was in
operation, as it crossed the river at that point.
Over this dam was built, in 1831, the first bridge
over the Genesee between Mt. Morris and Leices-
ter.
In 1 83 1, John R. Murray built, in the interest
of his maiden sisters — Mary and Hannah L. Mur-
ray— a grist-mill, which was located adjacent to
Humphrey's mill which was recently burned. It
was rented to various persons ; first to James
Campbell and a younger brother. It was burned
about 1866. A second grist-mill was built about
1841, by William Gay, who sold it to the Totten
Bros. It finally passed into the hands of the late
Asel Galbraith and burned during his ownership,
about 1864. It was located some twenty rods
north of the first one. William P. Allen bought the
property and immediately after, in 1864, erected a
saw and planing mill on the site, which he still
operates. The works contain one circular log saw,
several smaller saws, and one Hopkins planer. In
1878 Mr. Allen added a cider-mill, containing two
of Boomer & Boschart's cider-presses, and pur-
poses the coming winter (1880) to put in a gener-
ator for the manufacture of vinegar.
Near the guard-lock, John Murray Ogden erect-
ed a hemp factory about 1834. It was destroyed
by fire in 1835, and never rebuilt.
In 1824, John Runyan came from Livonia and
manufactured bull-plows, with wooden mold-boards.
In 1 83 1, in company with Charles W. King, he
established a furnace on Eagle street, and manu-
factured the Jethro Wood plow and other castings.
About 1835, the establishment was sold to Albertus
Childs, Runyan continuing to wood the plows dur-
ing his life for Childs and his successors. He
died December 4, i860, aged seventy. Mr. Childs
added to the business the manufacture of agricul-
tural implements, including a smut machine of his
own invention. About 1838, he sold to Gideon
Henderson, who sold to James H. Rogers about
1843, when the establishment was removed to its
present location on the race. It passed successive-
ly into the hands of H. C. Brown about 1850, Dr.
Hubbard Foster about 1853, and the Bodine Bros.,
(John and Joseph) about 1858.
In November, 1869, the Bodine Manufacturing
Company of Mt. Morris was organized, with an
authorized capital of $isoyOoo, for the manufac-
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS— MANUFACTURERS.
301
ture of the " Bodine Jon val Turbine Water Wheel,"
which was invented by Truman A. Hill, of Mt.
Morris, and patented by him and Col. J. H. Bo-
dine, the former owner of these shops. C. Laflin
was chosen President, and George S. Whitney,
Secretary and Treasurer of the company. From
the organization of the company till about 1875,
extensive sales were made, about 2,000 wheels hav-
ing been shipped to the various States and Terri-
tories, besides many to foreign countries. Subse-
quent to that time the sales were greatly dimin-
ished by the great financial depression of that
period. In the fall of 1877, on the death of their
President, Mr. Laflin, who had retained the office
up to this time, the company sold the entire busi-
ness to S. L. Rockfellow, then of Rochester, N. Y.
Mr. Rockfellow took possession January i, 1878,
and on the first of March following associated with
himself Frank Sleeper, of Mt. Morris. They im-
mediately recalled Mr. T. A. Hill, from Jefferson
City, Mo., to take charge of the shops. Mr. Hill
brought with him the patterns of a grain drill which
he had patented under the name of the " Missouri."
Messrs. Rockfellow & Sleeper, besides doing a gen-
eral foundry business, commenced the manufacture
of this drill in Hmited numbers, adding a phosphate
attachment, testing its merits, etc. In the fall of
1879, they found it desirable to enlarge their busi-
ness, and organized a stock company, which was
incorporated under the name of the Genesee Val-
ley Manufacturing Co., for the manufacture of the
" Missouri Grain Drill," Fargo's V Tooth Harrow,
the Bodine Jonval Turbine Water Wheel, Sad-irons,
and to do a general foundry business. L. C. Bing-
ham was elected President; S. L. Rockfellow,
Vice-President and Superintendent; W. H. Coy,
Secretary and Treasurer. The new company com-
menced operations January i, 1880, and are now
turning out manufactured goods at the rate of 500
drills, 300 harrows, and 100 tons of sad-irons, etc.,
per annum. They employ from 75 to 100 men.
In 1 831, Albertus and Ebenezer Childs, brothers,
and then young men, came here from Massachu-
setts, and were the first to introduce the culture of
broom corn in this vicinity and the manufacture of
brooms with wire. The business has since been
continued and has developed into very respectable
proportions. There are now ten broom factories
in the village of Mt. Morris, employing in the ag-
gregate more than forty hands, viz :— Swett Bros.,
Jacob Remmell, Jacob Sickles, James Kellogg,
George A. Miller, Bump & Pray, Hurlburt & Son,
Sweeney & Son, Miller & Co., John Samerson.
In 1 841, John R. Murray, Jr., and George T.
Olyphant erected glass works on the flats north of
the village, which subsided about 1848. The nine
houses built in that locality were and are still
known as the "Nine Sisters," and the locaUty as
"MuUingar." John R. Murray also had a saw and
planing-mill near and a Kttle east of the head of the
race which was burned down about i860. About
1848, John R. Murray erected a paper-mill on the
south end of the race. It was the last building on
the race and stood directly south of the Exchange
mills recently burned. Elijah Powers, from Mas-
sachusetts, put in the machinery and operated it
two or three years. In 1852, James Yeomans
rented the mill and carried on the business until
1856, when he became associated with his brother-
in-law, R. J. Stanley. In 1857 Mr. Yeomans with-
drew. Mr. Stanley continued the business about
a year. It was operated for a short time success-
ively by Augustus Conkey and J. E. Robinson.
Wm. F. Jones, an Englishman, then bought the
property — -about 1863 — and about 1868, removed
the machinery to LeRoy. The building was after-
wards occupied by Begole & Olp, (Joseph Begole
and Joseph Olp,) for the manufacture of spokes;
and subsequently by Joseph Begole and J. C. Prout,
for the manufacture of barrels. It was burned
while so occupied,m 1874. Originally, and during
its continuance as a paper-mill, it was used for the
manufacture of wrapping and tea paper.
A planing-mill and manufactory of sash, doors
and blinds, was estabHshedin the building now oc-
cupied by Mr. F. B. Seymour, by a man named
ChamberHn. Spencer & Ferris succeeded him and
carried on the business several years — until i860 —
when they were succeeded by the present proprie-
tor, Mr. Seymour, who, on taking possession, added
to the business the manufacture of moldings and
broom handles, of the latter of which he makes
aboxit 100,000 per annum. He was associated for
a short time with John Ferris, who soon enhsted.
The manufacture of sash, doors and blinds was soon
after discontinued.
The Exchange Mills (flouring and grist) were
built in 1852, at a cost of $18,000, by Harmon
Bros., (A. and E. Harmon, of Wheatland,) who
sold them in 1864, to Samuel B. and Azel D. Gal-
braith, natives of Dansville, the former of whom
was engaged in milling business at Oakland, in the
town of Portage, from 1857 to 1865, in which latter
year he disposed of his mill property at Oakland
and took up his residence in Mt. Morris. The
Galbraiths operated the mills till their death. They
302
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
" did a large and prosperous business, and were
sympathetic and liberal to the poor, always making
advances to them from their mill of the staff of
life, without security, and trusting the recipients of
their bounty to pay." Samuel B. Galbraith died
Dec. 7, 1876, aged 56, and Azel D., May 5, 1872,
aged 43. Since their death the mills were owned
by their heirs and were operated under the name of
Galbraith & Hammond until they were burned on
the morning of August 24, 1880.
The Equity mills, (flouring and grist,) were built
in 1866-7, by Humphrey & Braman, (W. H.
Humphrey and C. F. Braman,) at a cost of $25,000.
Mr. Humphrey bought his partner's interest in the
property about 1874, and still owns it. The build-
ing was a wooden structure, with four stories besides
attic and basement, and contained four runs of
stones. It was located on the race on State street,
directly opposite the Exchange mills, and was
burned at the same time as the latter, which com-
municated the fire to it. Mr. Humphrey has
already rebuilt on the same site a mill of like ca-
pacity and dimensions, 40 by 60 feet. The fall at
this point, like that at the Exchange mills, is sev-
enteen feet.
A. B. Goff is doing a general machinist business,
which he commenced June, 1876. His shop is
located on the race which supplies the motive
power.
Pennington & Co., (J. W. Pennington,) are en-
gaged in the manufacture of the Little Tiger fan-
ning-mill, which business they commenced April i,
1880. Connected with the establishment is a saw
and planing-mill, but used only for their work. The
building they occupy was erected in 1876 by E.
Winegar, who occupied a part of it for a plaster-
mill, for which purpose it is still used in part by
Winegar & Cornell. Pennington & Co. have also
a feed run, which they put in about Sept. i, 1880.
J. W. Pennington also deals in ready-made wagons
and carriages, a business he established in June,
1880; and he and William Allen have leased the
site of the old Farmers' mill, which it is their pur-
pose to purchase, and erect thereon a flouring-mill.
Mr. Pennington and George W. Barney are also
dealers in phosphates, a business they commenced
in the fall of 1880.
Messrs. Winters & Prophet, (John C. Winters
and John M. Prophet,) are extensively engaged in
canning fruit and vegetables. The business was
commenced in January, 1878, by Mr. Winters, who
associated Mr. Prophet with himself as partner in
in April, 1879. They employ from 75 to 100
hands, and sometimes as many as 125, the major
portion of whom are women and girls. The busy
season lasts from the middle of June to the middle
of October. They have 105 acres under cultiva-
tion, all planted to sugar corn. They also pur-
chased and used the present season the crop from
an additional twenty acres. They put up about
a half a million cans, averaging two pounds each
in weight. Corn is the principal article canned, but
cherries, plums, pears, grapes, quinces, tomatoes,
apples, strawberries and green peas are put up in
their season. The " Empire" brand is labeled on all
their goods. The business requires a capital of about
$30,000. The works are located on the flats in
the north part of the village. In 1880, the firm
opened a branch estabUshment at Medina, where
from 50 to 75 hands are employed.
The Genesee Valley Fruit Evaporating Co., was
organized May i, 1880, for the purpose of drying
fruit and vegetables by the evaporating process,
and is composed of Morgan Hammond and G. W.
Barney, Jr. They have an invested capital of
$7,000, and employ forty persons, over two-thirds
of whom are females. The works are in operation
about eight months in the year.
M. J. Noonan employs on an average thirteen
persons in the manufacture of cigars, of which he
makes 35,000 per month. He commenced busi-
ness in 1868.
The Schwartz Brewery, located on the berme
bank of the canal, was established in 1 860, by David
Schwartz, who carried on the manufacture of lager
beer about fourteen years. In 1876, John E.
White & Bro. acquired the property. It has not
been operated as a brewery for about two years.
The Mt. Morris Spring Brewery, located just over
the south line of the village, was established in
1862, in which year also the building was erected
by John E. White & Bro., the present proprietors.
They make about a thousand barrels of ale per
annum.
Banks. — The Genesee River National Bank was
organized as the Genesee River Batik, May 2,
1853, with a capital of $130,000. When the
change was made to a National Bank, application
for which was made May 31, 1865, the capital was
reduced to $100,000; and February 6, 1877,
it was still further reduced to $50,000, which
it at present remains. The first Directors were
John R. Murray, John Vernam* Henry Swan,
Hiram P. Mills, Reuben P. Wisner, Reuben Sleeper,
Calvin Norton, Jesse Peterson, Lyman Turner,
* Those whose names are in italics are dead.
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VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — BANKS, HOTELS.
303
Calvin T. Chamberlain, David McDonald, Charles
T. Flint, Samuel Skinner, Samuel J. Mills and
Azariah Boody. The first officers were: — John
Vernam, President; Calvin Norton, Vice-Presi-
dent; E. C. Galusha, Cashier; H. W. Gregory,
Teller.
The bank opened for business Oct. 5, 1853, in
the building now occupied by Thomas J. Gamble
as a law office, which was fitted up for its accommo-
dation. In 1866, it was removed to its present
location, the Bank Block, on the corner of Main
and State streets, which was built by a stock com-
pany in 1865-6.
Reuben Sleeper was elected President Dec. 13,
1859, succeeding John Vernam, and was succeeded
Oct. 7, 1861, by Hiram P. Mills, who has since
held the office. Calvin Norton was Vice-President
until Nov. 19, 1859, when Reuben Sleeper was
elected. John F. Barber was elected to that office
Dec. 31, 1859, and still holds it. E. C. Galusha
was succeeded as Cashier Nov. r, 1858, by William
Mills, who held the office till April 6, 1 86 1 . Jonathan
E. Robinson succeeded him. H. E. Brown was
elected cashier Nov. i, 1864, and has since held
the office.
The first private bank in Mt. Morris, was estab-
lished by George S. Whitney, who did business
from about 1853 or 4, till 1870.
Binghatn Bros'. Bank, Mt. Morris, (private,) was
established August 17, i86g, by Messrs. Bingham
Bros. & Brace, (Lucius C. and Charles L. Bing-
ham and Sears E. Brace, the latter now of Roches-
ter.) In 1876, Mr. Brace retired from the firm,
and the business has since been conducted by the
remaining partners, Charles L. Bingham being
the manager. The Messrs. Bingham do a general
banking business, and an extensive one in respect
to their local accommodations to the business com-
munity. Their bank occupies one of the oldest
business sites in the village, having been used for
business purposes ever since Mr. Miller first estab-
lished himself here. It is also the business center
of the village. The building was erected about
"^SSi by David A. Miller, one of the first mer-
chants in Mt. Morris. It was purchased by the
Bingham Bros., in 1869, and was remodeled, en-
larged and adapted to their uses as bankers. The
block is now designated the Bingham Bank Block.
The Messrs. Bingham are both natives of Mt. Mor-
ris. Their father. Dr. Charles Bingham, removed
from Bozrah, Conn., to Avon, in 1810, and from
thence in 1820 to Mt. Morris.
Hotels. — The Scoville House occupies the site
of the old Eagle Tavern, which was built and kept
by Enos Baldwin, who came from Litchfield, Conn.,
in 1813, and kept the tavern till his death, Oct. 3,
1817. His widow succeeded him and kept it till
her death. May 25, 1844, the heirs transferred
the property to Riley Scoville, who kept the house
till his death, Feb. 6, 1852, aged 61. His widow
and son Daniel A., each kept it a short period. In
1855, Henry H. Scoville, another son, took pos'
session and bought the property of the heirs. He
has kept it continuously since, having changed the
name from the Eagle Tavern to the Eagle Hotel
soon after taking possession, and again, in 1875,
to the Scoville House, by which name it is now
known. The front part of the house was built in
1834, by Riley Scoville, who also built the rear
part in 1840.
Enos Baldwin first located on the lot on which
Woolever's cabinet shop now stands. His house
stood a little north of that shop. Experiencing
some difficulty in getting a title to that property he
removed to the Scoville House corner, taking his
house with him.
The Dodge House likewise occupies an old tav-
ern stand. The first tavern on its site was kept by
Isaac Baldwin, who died about 1813. It was an
unfinished house in 1818, when the widow Bailey
came to this county. Baldwin's widow kept the
tavern for a short time after his death, but was
obhged to surrender it to her son-in-law, Joseph
Thompson, who kept it several years, and until his
death, April 30, 1829, at the age of 40. His widow
kept it for some years after his death and finally
exchanged it for property on Murray street. The
present brick structure was erected in 1843, by
Alvah Beach. There have been many occupants
since, among them George P. Phelps, who called it
the Phelps House. Dexter Dodge, the present pro-
prietor, took possession of the house May i, 1872.
The Wallace House. — Phineas and Eli Lake
came to this village with their families from Greene
county, about 181 6, and established themselves in
the smithing business. The latter retired to his
farm, now known as the "Amentfarm," about t8i8,
still pursuing his old vocation. Phineas continued
the business in the village till about 1824, when he
turned his House into a hotel, now known as the
Wallace House, which was kept by him until 1826,
and since then by Mr. Chase, Rial O. Moore, the
Beaches, Wheelock, Delcampo, W. C. Green and
others until 1864, when J. D. Wallace became the
owner and proprietor and has so continued to the
present year — 1880.
304
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The Burke House, situated on the canal, was
built in 1842, by Ketchum, who kept it some
years. Richard Burke, the present proprietor, took
possession of the property in 1866, and has kept it
continuously since.
Mt. Morris Water Works. — The project of
constructing water works and supplying the village
of Mt. Morris with an abundance of pure and
wholesome water for domestic use and for fire pro-
tection, has been a question of frequent discussion
among its citizens for the past twenty-five years.
About fifteen years ago a company was organ-
ized to construct works ; George W. Phelps,
President. The works were undertaken and, al-
though water was brought into the village, the at-
tempt proved a failure and the enterprise was
abandoned by this company.
In 1873, pr. M. H. Mills published an article in
the Mt. Morris press, showing the practicabiHty and
importance to the village of constructing water
works, and the manner of providing the necessary
capital.
On June 3, 1879, a pubUc meeting of the citi-
zens was held in Wallace Hall in said village to
consider the subject of constructing water works.
By special request of the trustees of the village
Dr. Mills appeared and addressed the meeting
and submitted a plan for the construction of the
works, coupled with a proposal to build them.
This meeting, without a dissenting voice, indorsed
and approved of said plan and proposal. The
"Mills Water Works Company" was organized,
and entered into a contract with the trustees of
said village to construct the works and to supply
the corporation of said village with water for twen-
ty-three fire hydrants at $45.00 each per annum,
and to furnish water for two public water troughs
with drinking fountains attached, without charge,
for thirty years, with the proviso that additional
fire hydrants should be furnished on the line of
any water-pipes hereafter laid, on the same terms.
Water rights, land damages and all preliminary
matters being adjusted, the works were commenced
August 20, 1879, and prosecuted with energy and
dispatch, and were substantially completed the
same year. The water supply is obtained from a
number of quicksand springs. The water is quite
soft and very pure.* The works are operated on
the gravity system.
In December following an exhibition of the
capacity of the works for fire purposes was made.
* May 30, 1879, by measurement, there was flowing from the Packer &
Henner spring, and from one of Fiddler's two springs, thirteen and one
half gallons in thirty secoiids.
A large concourse of citizens gathered to witness
the display, which was under the direction of the
Fire Company. Four streams at the same time
were thrown upon and over the highest blocks of
buildings on Main street, the streams reaching to
the estimated perpendicular height of from seventy-
five to eighty feet.
The citizens express their satisfaction with the
efficiency of the works, and their belief is that
everything has been done in the best possible man-
ner. The reputation of these works stand very
high j and, in fact, are not excelled by any of their
capacity in the country.
About seventy private families are now taking
water and the number is increasing from year to
year.
No other so great an improvement for the fu-
ture prosperity and health of the village could have
been undertaken ; and there is little doubt but that
it will eventually prove to have been a wise and
sagacious investment for the father of the enter-
prise.
All the improvements in the construction of
water works known to science have been adopted.
Their cost was about $30,000. Dr. M. H. Mills
is the sole owner and proprietor. "To him alone
are the citizens of Mt. Morris indebted for having
their beautiful village supplied with an abundance
of pure and wholesome water and protected from
the ravages of fire."
Mt. Morris Fire Department. — Contempo-
raneous with the incorporation of the village were
the measures looking to the protection of the vil-
lage property from the ravages of fire. The first
village charter provided for the organization of fire
companies to consist of not more than twenty-four
individuals to every engine possessed by the village ;
of one hook and ladder and company, to consist
of not more than ten members, and the adoption
of rules for their government, and to regulate the
time and manner of their exercises. It authorized
the village to provide engines and all necessary
apparatus for the extinguishment of fires, and to
require the inhabitants to provide and keep fire-
buckets ; to compel them to aid in the extinguish-
ment of fires, and to prescribe the mode of opera-
tions and to protect property in case of fire. The
amended charter of 1853 authorized the increase
of the membership of fire companies to a number
not to exceed forty each, and of the hook and
ladder company not to exceed twenty.
August 5, 1836, $500 were voted for the pur-
chase of hooks and ladders, a fire-engine and hose,
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — FIRE DEPARTMENT, SCHOOLS.
30s
"and in defraying the incidental expenses of the
corporation." September 4, 1836, the President
was authorized to order from the " American Hy-
draulic Company," of Windsor, Vt, "a No. 3 Rota-
tive Fire Engine, constructed for suction hose^
according to proposal, for the sum of $300." No-
vember 21, r839. Walker M. Hin man was appoint-
ed Chief Engineer, and John N. Hurlburt, Assistant
Engineer, and they were authorized to "enlist"
twenty-four persons to form an engine company,
and ten to form a hook and ladder conipany.
July 28, 1849, the fire company was disbanded
"for neglect of duty," and July 31, 1849, the hook
and ladder company was disbanded for the same
reason. The names of the officers and members
of these companies are not given. On the dates
respectively given, James G. Norton, Darius W.
Stone, Robert R. Conkey, Norman Seymour, Jr.,
Frederick Davis, Jr., Joseph Garlinghouse, Jr.,
Rufus Hilliard, H. C. Brown, Jacob A. Mead,
Samuel Rockfellow, Hugh Harding, F. L. Burfee,
I. A. Burfee, A. T. G. Carroll, C. E. Martin,
Wheeler Hinman, D. N. Bacon, Henry Root, A.
N. Norton, Isaac Specs, B. P. Driggs, Noah North,
Henry W. Maltbey, Levi Dalrymple were consti-
tuted a new fire company, and George W. Branch,
Hugh Harding, A. G. Miller, E. T. Baker, M.
Goodwin, Norman Seymour, Jr., Maxwell Thorp,
Charles C. Goodale, A. R. Fargo and Peter M.
Murray were, on their petition, constituted a hook
and ladder company.
In 1852 a new engine was purchased of Thomas
Snooks, of Rochester, for $750.00. January 18,
i860, Reuben Sleeper was appointed "to consult
with and attempt to reconcile the differences exist-
ing between the fire companies of the village."
At present, the department comprises two fire
companies, a hose company, a protective company,
and a hook and ladder company. The equipment
consists of two hand engines, two hose carts, a
hook and ladder truck, and a protective cart. The
water for fire purposes is supplied by the Water
Works Company. Previous to the construction of
the water works, cisterns, reservoirs and the canal
were the dependence.
Living Stream Fire Co. No. i was organized in
1852 and incorporated in 1875, under the Act of
May 2, 1873. It consists of about twenty-six
members. John Gorman is foreman.
Neptune Fire Co. No. 2 was organized in i860,
and incorporated in 1875 under the same Act. It
contains sixteen members. F. G. Harding is fore-
man.
Active Hose Co. No. 3 was organized in 1875
and incorporated in that year under the Act of 1873.
It has about twenty-five members. Charles J.
Perry is foreman.
Mt. Morris Hook and Ladder Co. No. 4 was or-
ganized and incorporated in 1874 under the Act of
1873. It has fourteen members. James McNielly
is foreman.
The Protectives were organized in 1876. They
consist of eighteen men. Frank BurUngame is
foreman.
The following have been the successive Chief
Engineers of the Fire Department from the first
appointment to the present time, except the years
1838, '63, '64 and '66, when they are not recorded :
Walker M. Hinman, 1836-7; John N. Hurlburt,
1839-42, 1848-50; Jesse Peterson, 1843-7; Henry
Swan, 1851, 1853-7; Loren Coy, 1852; Archibald
McCarthur, 1858, 1868; C. E. Martin, 1859;
Newton P. Lee, 1860-1 ; A. Veazie, 1862; Henry
H. Scoville, 1865; John C. Vernam, 1867; T. L.
Swan, 1869; Henry Phillips, 1870-4; Hathorne
Burt, i875-'8o.
Schools. — The Mt. Morris Union School was
organized in the fall and winter of 1844, by the
consolidation of the four district schools then ex-
isting in the village ; and in 1845, the brick school
house which occupied the site of the Union school
building, was erected at a cost of $3,500. That
structure was torn down in 1879 to make way for
the present one.
H. G. Winslow, who came to Mt. Morris and
opened a private school in the fall of 1843, divid-
ing the patronage between four district schools and
as many private ones,became the first principal of
the Union School on the opening of school in the
new building about the first of November, 1845.
He was assisted by Miss Emily Bradley, Miss Ellen
Fisk and Miss M. Jane Church, than whom, says
Mr. Winslow, "no man in such a position, ever
had a purer, truer, nobler, better corps of assist-
ants." Mr. Winslow served as principal until the
fall of 1848. E. D. Wellar was also a prominent
teacher of the Union School. The beautiful elms
which now adorn the grounds were planted in 1846.
In the summer of 1857, at the suggestion of
Lester Phelps, the only survivor of the trustees of
that period, the question of reorganizing under the
act of 1853 was discussed ; and August 18, 1857,
at a special meeting held for the purpose at the dis-
trict school house, it was decided, with but one
dissenting vote, "that a Union Free School be
established within the Umits of District No. i, in
3o6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
the village and town of Mt. Morris," pursuant to
the provisions of that act. The number of trustees
was increased to nine, and they were constituted a
Board of Education. The trustees then elected
were, Norman Seymour, Jr., John Vernam, Loren
J. Ames, Hiram P. Mills, Loren Coy, Clark B.
A.dams, Reuben Sleeper, Zara W. Joslyn, Thomas
F. Wilcox. August 20, 1857, the Board met and
elected Clark B. Adams, President; L. J. Ames,
Clerk; E. C. Galusha, Treasurer; Moses Camp,
Collector.
The following have served as members of this
Board, at different periods, since its organization : —
W. H. Noble, C. L. Bingham, R. T. W. French,
A. M. Bingham, A. F. French, Charles Woodman,
S. L. Rockfellow, J. H. Bodine, A. B. Millard,
W. A. Mills, Byron Swett, Wm. Sickles, H. W.
Mills, M. H. Mills, Warren Richmond, H. E.
Brown, Phihp Yeoman, F. E. Hastings, A. P. Dean,
Hugh Harding, Archibald McArthur, E. A. Mills,
H. S. Wigg.
The gentlemen who have filled the office of prin-
cipal since the organization of the Board, are : —
Isaiah McMahon, G. S. Hastings, F. E. Pierce,
H. M. Smith, H. M. Morey, W. M. Benson, A. J.
Thomas, Richard Green, Z. A. Colburn, H. A.
Balcom, Howard Allison, W. H. Allen, W. P. Hes-
ton, I. O. Best, L. P. Bissell, Burr Lewis, E. C.
Springer, J. F. Forbes, G. F. Slocum. The fol-
lowing ladies have occupied the position of assist-
ant in the academic department: — Ann Clark,
Mary Green, Mary E. Joslyn, Jennie Chamberlain,
Sarah 4- Ford, Ann E. Kendrick, Sarah O. Peck,
Kate Hinman, Ella Bacon, Sabry PhiUips, Emma
Darling.
The new Union Free School building was erect-
ed in 1879-80 at a cost of about $8,000, though it
cost the contractors about $10,000. It is a noble
brick structure — a credit to the enterprise of the
village — and far surpasses any other public school
building which has come under our observation in
the county, except the Normal school in Geneseo.
The funds with which it was built were raised on
the bonds of the district, amounting to $8,000,
and payable $1,000 each year from January i,
1 88 1, with interest semi-annually at 6 per cent.
The bonds were sold to the First National Bank,
of Dundee, at a premium of $128.50. The build-
ing is 68 by 78 feet, two stories high, with a cellar
under the whole. It is provided with four exits
from the first story; is heated with three furnaces,
with the best modern appliances for ventilation
and newly furnished throughout with modern fur-
niture. In addition to this, the school buildings in
the north and south sub-districts, both formerly
used as district schools, are used for school pur-
poses. One is of brick, the other of wood; the
latter in the north sub-district. Each contains
only one room, presided over by one teacher.
The present teachers are: — Winfield S. Smith,
Principal, commenced in 1879; Miss Kate L.
Hitchcock, Preceptress, in 1880; Miss Emma L.
Joslyn has taught for nine or ten years; Miss Car-
rie L. Gamble, 1879; Mrs. Ada Briggs, 1879; Mrs.
Juha Annin, in south sub-district, in 1878; Mrs.
L. M. Burlingame, in north sub-district, has taught
for nine or ten years.
We gather the following additional information
from the report to the Regents for the Academic
year, ending May 30, 1879: — The hbrary contained
874 volumes, the original cost of which was
$1,206.31, and the estimate value $850. The
apparatus, which originally cost $546.46, was esti-
mated at $330. The whole number of scholars
taught during the year was loi, of whom 51 were
males, and 50 females. Their average age was
14.7 years.
The revenues and expenditures were: —
From tuition collected or considered collectable $92-50
Apportionment from Literature Fund 20.78
For the purchase of books and apparatus 150.00
From local taxes i, 761 . i j
$2,014.41
For salaries of teachers 1,213.51
For repairs of property belonging to Academy 200.00
For fuel and other incidental expenses 350.00
For the purchase of books and apparatus 210,90
For Librarian 30.00
$2,024.41
Churches.* — "Although the settlement of Mt.
Morris was commenced about 1790," says Rev.
Dr. Parsons, " we discover but little that is worthy
of favorable notice in its religious character prior
to 1 8 14. * * * For the first twenty years after
General Mills located here, there were very few re-
ligious people who were attracted to this spot.
The inhabitants generally paid no regard to the
Sabbath, but both white people and Indians from
the settlements around, were accustomed to con-
gregate here on the Sabbath and spend the day in
drinking, wrestling, shooting, horse racing and the
like. We find it stated that in an early day the
smoke of five distilleries might be seen ascending
from this town. It was against such discourage-
ments as these that the few Christians who gath-
ered here in an early day and the preachers who
visited the settlement were called to contend."!
♦ Promised data regarding the Free Methodist Church has not been
furnished ; and owing to the loss of the records of the Baptist Church we
are unable to give its history. The church edifice of the latter was built
in 1840.
t From Historical Discourses, by Rev. Dr. L. Parsons, pastor of the
Presbyterian church, of Mt. Morris, July 9, and 16, 1876, from which we
draw our materials for the history of that church.
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS— CHURCHES.
307
In 1810, after residing for a brief period in Ovid
and Genesee, Robert Chappel, of Colchester, Conn.,
with his wife, four sons and two daughters, selected
this place as his home. He lived in a log house,
not far from the site of the Wallace House ; and it
was there that the first services conducted in this
town by a Presbyterian minister were held. That
minister was Rev. Robert Hubbard, who, it is
thought, then preached regularly at Dansville and
Angelica. Mr. Chappel died in 181 1, aged 44.
The Presbyteriati Church of Mt. Morris was
organized April 29, 1814, in the new school house,*
which was located on the west side of what was
then an open square, not far from the site of the
house of J. J. Ferris. The first or south half was
built in the fall of 1813, and was about twenty-five
feet square. About 181 5 it was lengthened by the
addition of about twenty-five feet. A swing par-
tition in the center was so adjusted that it could
be closed when used for school purposes and opened
when more room was required for religious servi-
ces. Here the Church worshipped about eighteen
years after its formation. The constituent mem-
bers were Jesse Stanley, Jonathan Beach, Luther
Parker, Enos Baldwin, Abraham Camp, Luman
Stanley, Russell Sheldon, Almira Hopkins, Lucy
Beach, Martha Parker, Sarah Baldwin, Mary Camp,
Patty M. Stanley and Clarissa Sheldon.
Soon afrer the organization Stephen M. Whee-
lock, a licentiate, commenced his labors here and
continued them two or three years. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Silas Pratt, who, it is supposed,
commenced his labors early in 1817. The Church
was received under the care of the Presbytery of
Geneva, Feb. 12, 1817. May 7, 1817, Mr. Pratt
was ordained and installed pastor, the services
being held in the barn of Deacon Stanley.
His pastoral relation was dissolved by the same
body April 9, 181 8.
A period of nearly twenty years elapsed before
another pastor was installed over the Church, and
many were the changes in ministers during this in-
terval. Rev. Elihu Mason soon succeeded Mr.
Pratt, commencing his labors about June, 181 8,
and remaining till near the close of 1820, supply-
ing during the first year the Church at Perry Center
half the time, and the second year alternating
between this place and Portage. His widow still
lives in this village, aged 94 years. Mr. Mason
was succeeded by Rev. Bartholomew F. Pratt,
brother of Silas Pratt, who commenced his labors
* There was a log school house prior to this time on the site of the
Wallace House.
in the spring of 1821, while a student of theology.
He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of
Ontario, Jan. 16, 1822. Feb. i, 1825, he was
ordained as an Evangelist in this village. He con-
tinued his labors till the close of 1825. During his
stay, in 1822, the membership was increased from
79 to 153. The pulpit was next supplied by Rev.
Wm. Lyman, D. D., who commenced his labors in
the fall of 1825 and remained two years. Soon
after he left, the pulpit was supplied for a short
period by Rev. Abel B. Clary, after which it re-
mained vacant about eight months. Rev. James
W. McMaster commenced his labors in the fall of
1828 and continued them till the fall of 1830.
Dec. 7, 1830, Wm. H. Stanley, Wm. A. Mills,
Alfred Hubbard, Asa Woodford and Abner Dean,
were appointed a committee to build a church. It
was erected in 1831, was 64 by 44 feet, and was
located a little southwest of the residence of Gen.
Mills, upon the public square, facing south. It
was dedicated in January, 1832, Rev. S. H. Grid-
ley, of Perry, preaching the sermon. The pulpit
was at the front end, between the doors, with the
singers' gallery behind it and over the vestibule.
This arrangement proving unsatisfactory, a plat-
form some two or three feet higher than the floor
of the Church, was provided for the accommoda-
tion of the singers a few years afterwards, by an
additional building in the rear.
In 1833 the public square was sold to supply the
means for rebuilding the dam, which had been
washed away. It was divided into village lots,
which soon began to be occupied; as a conse-
quence the society found the location of the
church to be inconvenient, and removed it about
twenty rods to the south, upon State street, a little
west of the present site of the Free Methodist
Church. At this time the building was lengthened
making it 84 by 44feet; a session house, 40 by 24
feet, erected just east of the church ; and sheds built
in its rear. These improvements were completed in
1 841, and the house was re-dedicated, the sermon
being preached by Dr. Lord, then of Geneseo.
This structure, with the session house and sheds,
were all swept away by fire during the night of Sept.
29, 1852, this being the first very large fire that
had occurred in the village. Before the fire was
entirely extinguished measures were instituted for
rebuilding, which resulted in the erection of the
present edifice, located on the northwest corner of
State and Stanley streets, on land donated by John
R. Murray, Jr. It was dedicated Feb. i, 1855,
Rev. Darwin Chichester preaching the sermon.
3o8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The entire cost was about $10,000. For a time
after the fire the congregation worshipped in the
Methodist and Baptist churches. Temporary ac-
commodations were soon provided however in a
large room on the south side of Chapel street,
where Mr. Barnhart's market is now located. This
they occupied until the church was completed.
The lecture room, located a few feet west of the
church, was built in i860, and dedicated Nov.
14th of that year. It cost, including furniture, not
far from $600.
The organ now in use was purchased in June,
1864, at a cost of $1,100. The first bell was pur-
chased in Albany in December, 1834. It weighed
810 pounds and cost $324. It was placed in the
tower of the old church before its removal to State
street. This bell proving defective another weigh-
1,209^ pounds was substituted in its place about
November, 1839, at an additional cost of $224.
This also faiHng a third one, weighing 1,525
pounds, was procured in November, 1844, at an
additional cost of $200. The latter was destroyed
when the church was burned, together with the
town clock which for a number of years had been
attached to it. The present bell, weighing about
1,400 pounds, was purchased on the completion
of the church.
The Rev. Mr. McMaster was soon succeeded
by Rev. Calvin Bushnell, of the Oneida Presbytery.
He preached several months to the general accept-
ance of the community and was called to the pas-
torate, but for reasons which do not appear this
relation was never consummated. His name last
appears on the records Feb. 12, 183 1. Rev.
James B. Wilcox commenced his labors within a
few weeks after the above date and acted as stated
supply for one year. He was followed by Rev.
George W. Elliott, who supplied the pulpit for two
years, till the spring of 1834. The next minister
was Rev. Clark B. Goodrich, who commenced his
labors August, i, 1834, and continued them four
years. He was installed Jan. 9, 1837. Rev. John
Van Buren soon followed Mr. Goodrich, supplying
the pulpit till the fall pf 1839. During the ten
years terminating with this period 296 were added
to the membership.
lu 1837 occurred the disruption of the Presby-
terian General Assembly, which deeply agitated
the churches in this section. This church, though
many times among the breakers, was saved from
actual division.
Oct. 31, 1830, Moses Marvin and Ann his wife,
Harriet Speas, Fanny Roland and Anna Sharp
were dismissed in order to unite with others in the
formation of the Second Presbyterian church of
Mt. Morris. This church united with a school
district in the erection of a house, which for a
number of years was used for both church and
school purposes. It was located on the west side
of the State road, about five miles south of this
village. The church was organized by a commit-
tee of the Presbytery in 1830, and received under
their care in January, 1831. It was disbanded
about 1839, there having been a Dutch Reformed
Church * established in the same locality about
the same time with which a portion of the mem-
bers connected themselves. Rev. Elam Walker
was the first minister of the Second Church, and is
remembered as a very forcible preacher. He was
followed by Rev. Messrs. Hall, Ward and Lindley.
The greatest membership was about fifty. Moses
Marvin, Sylvester Roland and Clark Mather were
elders and the two first named acted as deacons.
The church maintained a prayer meeting ; also a
Sunday school, of which S. Roland and J. McCrary
were Superintendents.
During the intense anti-slavery agitation between
1820 and 1830 an attempt was made to blow up
the church in Mt. Morris with powder when the
people were gathered in it to hear an abohtion lec-
turer named Storrs. A quantity of powder was
placed under the building and the slow match
lighted, when happily it was discovered and ex-
tinguished.
Rev. Cyrus Hudson, after supplying the desk for
about a year, was, on the loth of September, 1840,
installed pastor of the church. He continued his
labors till Jan. 5, 1847. Rev. C. H. A. Bulkley
soon succeeded Mr. Hudson, and was installed
pastor Oct. 21, 1847. He remained nearly four
years, being dismissed at his own request, and
contrary to the wishes of the congregation gener-
ally, Jan. 7, 1851. He was succeeded in the
spring of 185 1 by Rev. Darwin Chichester, who
remained as stated supply till the summer of 1855.
Levi Parsons commenced his labors as a licentiate
of the Presbytery of Cayuga, the first Sabbath in
February, 1856, and was ordained and installed
pastor July 10, 1856. His pastorate continues to
the present time, covering nearly a quarter of a
century of the church's history.
* '* It is not often that a religious society becomes dwindled down to
one trustee and only one surviving member, and both of these in the same
person. But such an instance has occurred in Mt. Morris. Jacob Van
Wagner, the sole surviving trustee of the True Reformed Dutch Church
has applied for an order to dissolve the corporation and sell the prop-
erty." (Nunda News.) The Union and Constitution, Mt, Morris,
April 22, 1880.
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS— CHURCHES.
309
The first ruling elders were Jesse Stanley, Abra-
ham Camp and Jonathan Beach. Subsequently
there have been added to the sessions : — James
Coe and Luther Parker, 1818; Asa Woodford and
Oliver Stanley, 1820; John Pratt and James
Conkey, 1829; George Kemp, Jr., and George
Hastings, 1831; Harry H. Evarts and James H.
Rogers, 1834; Reuben Weeks, Reuben Sleeper
and Charles W. King, 1836; Marsena Allen, 1842;
Henry Sheldon, Charles Holmes and Levi God-
dard, 1844; Samuel J. Mills, Loren J. Ames, Milo
H. Maltbie and Stillwell Burroughs, 1853; Loren
Coy and Pomeroy Sheldon, 1857; Jonathan E.
Robinson, Samuel L. Rockfellow and Justine
Smith, 1862; Elijah N. Bacon, Frederick E. Hast-
ings, Ziba A. Colburn and Jay E. Lee, 1871;
Reuben S. Weeks and Wilder Silver, 1875. In
1875 the church adopted the plan of limited elder-
ship.
Jesse Stanley and Jonathan Beach were the
original deacons. Subsequently there were elected
to this office : — Asa Woodford, Wm. Marvin and
Abraham C. Camp, 1831 ; James Conkey and
Marsena Allen, 1834; Robert E. Weeks, 1861;
Esek M. Winegar, 1862; James Beggs and Milo
H. Maltbie, 187 1 ; and Wilder Silver, 1879.
In 1815, Mrs. Oliver Stanley first made an effort
to establish a Sunday school, before there were any
such schools in this section. She was assisted in
her efforts by Emily, daughter of Luman Stanley.
They met with many discouragements, and it was
not until 181 7 that anything like a permanent or-
ganization was effected. Of this there is no record,
and no hint as to who was Superintendent. In
1818, Allen Ayrault was the Superintendent.
Deacon Woodford is thought to have succeeded
him, and for many years he ably discharged the
duties of the office. At an early period some In-
dian girls were among the pupils. The present
Superintendent is Joshua Weeks. Loren Coy
acted as chorister of this church from 1846 to 1879.
The membership of the church April i, 1880, was
273; the attendance at Sabbath school, 242.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt Morris.
The Methodists, if not the first, were among the
first to cultivate this religious field, though the
Presbyterians were the first to do so systematically.
The first religious services in the town, however,
were conducted by a Baptist, Rev. Samuel J. Mills,
before referred to. The first Methodist preacher
who visited this locality was, it is supposed. Rev.
J. H. Hudson, familiarly known as Father Hudson,
who came here in 1804 from Friendship, in Alle-
gany county, guided by Indian trails and follow-
ing the course of the Genesee to Gardeau having,
he said, for the last thirty-five miles, " traveled over
a country where not a white inhabitant had yet
broken ground," where " all was forest, wilderness
and river." He proceeded down the river to
Squakie Hill, and thence to Allen's Hill. He
found a few ''who called themselves Methodists "
living on the flats and preached to them. From
that time Mt. Morris became a stated appointment
on the circuit whose head was at Canisteo, and ex-
tended thence to the mouth of Genesee river, and
thence east to Seneca lake. Rev. A. Owen, then
presiding elder, sent Hudson a colleague in the
person of Sela Paine, a young man, says Hudson,
full of Holy Spirit and Ufe. At the conference of
1805, Paine was taken away and Frederick Stiars
and Timothy Lee sent as additional help. In
1806, J. B. Hudson, Gerard Morgan and John
Richards were assigned to this extensive field.
Hudson, speaking of the moral character of Mt.
Morris at that time says : — " It was notorious for
its whiskey and Sabbath desecration," " a charac-
ter," adds Rev. T. Cardus, from whose Historical
Discourse we quote,* " which seems to have clung
to the place during all the years of its existence."
These pioneer preachers held services in the log
school house which occupied the site of the Wallace
House. A class, it is supposed, was formed among
the few Methodists first met by Mr. Hudson on the
flats, and " a constant attendant at this Methodist
ordinance," says Mr. Cardus, " was the wife of Gen.
Mills, her only path to and fro being an Indian
trail."
Mr. Hudson attended to the interests of the so-
ciety here until 1814. In 1815, Rev. Mr. Parker
preached here.
In 1 816, a new circuit was formed, containing
the following appointments: — Geneseo, Mt. Mor-
ris, Nunda, Groveland, and parts of the towns of
Livonia and Conesus. By request. Rev. Mr. Hud-
son took its charge, receiving for his faithfully
performed labors for the year, $100. In spite of
all privations men of good ability found their way
to this locality. Among these was Rev. Mr. Hoag,
in 1820. In 1824, Louisa Kinney, Ebenezer Da-
mon, Ehzabeth Damon, Elizabeth Holtslander and
Rebecca McNair were members. There were,
doubtless, others, but none others are recorded.
In 1827, Mt. Morris was still in the Geneseo
circuit, of which Revs. B. Williams and M. Doud
• History of the M. E. Church, Mt. Morris, by Ihe pastor, Rev. T.
Cardus, July 2, \ilb.— Union and Constitution, Mt. Morris, July 15,
1876.
3IO
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
were the preachers. They stayed, it is believed, two
years. Two classes were then in existence, with
forty members, Chester Grover and Benjamin F.
Robinson being leaders, and the preaching was
held in a frame school-house which stood near
Father Arnold's. In 1829, Revs. Haywood and
St. John became the preachers, and regular preach-
ing was then held in the village, in a small school-
house which stood on the corner of the lot where
Mr. Moss now lives.
In 1830, Mt. Morris was transferred from the
Geneseo to the Angelica circuit. The preachers
appointed were: — Revs. Jonathan Benson and
Merrit Ferguson. "There was a revival all the
year.'' The leaders were Ezra Kinney and Levi
Keyes, the class of the former containing sixty
members, and that of the latter, twenty-four. In
1831, Rev. J. Lent became the preacher, and the
place of meeting was changed from the white to
the long school-house. During Mr. Lent's minis-
try, steps were taken to secure a church edifice.
A site was selected on the lot where Dr. Joslyn
now resides, and March 5, 1832, the contract for
building the church was let to Benjamin Dodge, of
Castile, who, in presenting his bill of costs amount-
ing to $1,622.16 said: — "The house has cost me
the above bill, besides all chorin' and runnin'
about, and without anny prophit except on the
frame and chargin' day wages." It was finished in
January, 1833, and dedicated on the 4th of that
month. Dr. Lackey, of Lima, preaching the dedi-
catory sermon. The first trustees, at the building
of the church, were:— Ebenezer Damon, Ezra
Kinney, Leonard Hoskins and George W. Barney.
Rev. Mr. Lent was removed in 1832, and was
succeeded by Revs. Asa Story, Daniel Anderson
and Wm. Gage Anderson, who remained on the
circuit two years. After the dedication of the
church, Mt. Morris was severed from Angelica and
became the head of a circuit, with Anderson as
sole pastor. The members at that time, with pos-
sibly a few omissions, were : — Ezra Kinney, who
was for twenty-six years a class leader, Louisa
Kinney, Aylmer Keith, EHza Keith, Eleanor Begole,
Chester Grover, Martha Aldrich, Ebenezer Damon,
Elizabeth Damon, Henry Lake, Clarinda Lake,
John Hartsock, Jacob Chilson, Jr., Lucy Ann
Chilson, Jonas Bellows, Charles Seymour, Peggy
Miller, Wm. S. Parsons, Mary Parsons, Diadama
Parsons, Asahel Parsons, Esther Parsons, Sally
Parker, Gordon Williams, Hiram H. Gladding,
Juha DaboU, (afterwards Mrs. Green,) Gilbert G.
Townsend, Rachel Townsend, George Eaton,
Josiah Eaton, Noah Chapman, Daniel Miller, Sally
Washburn, Lucy Cooper, John T. Keith, Satterlee
Holland, G. W. Barney, Mary Barney, Daniel
Cothreil. At this time Mt. Morris was in the
Rochester district.
Mr. Anderson was succeeded in the pastorate in
1834 by Revs. Loren Grant and J. Robinson.
J. H. Wallace was sent to this charge in 1835, and
stayed two years. His colleague the first year was
Rev. Mr. Benjamin, and the second, Mr. Atchison
Wallace. Rev. S. W. Wooster was stationed here
in 1837, but in a short time was removed to Perry.
Rev. Mr. Hudson supplied the pulpit the remain-
der of the year. Rev. Mr. Church was the pastor
in 1836 and Rev. Mr. Hall in 1839-40. During
Mr. Hall's pastorate. Rev. Mr. Farrell came on
the circuit and labored a year and nine months.
In 1842, Mt. Morris was placed in the Dansville
district. Asa Abell was the preacher in charge.
He stayed two years.
In 1844 Rev. J. G. Gulick, a man of more than
ordinary pulpit talent, became the pastor. The
pulpit was supplied the succeeding year by Rev. S.
Reed Cook. He was succeeded in 1846 by Rev.
Alexander Farrell. Rev. John Parker was sent to
this charge by the East Genesee conference in
1848 and remained two years.
In 1850 Mt. Morris was placed on the Lima
district and Rev. Zyna J. Buck stationed here.
He stayed two years, adding during the first year,
by means of a revival, 43 probationers. In 1852
Mt. Morris was in the West Rochester district and
Rev. E. Latimer was the preacher in charge. He
was succeeded by Rev. Ralph Clapp, who also re-
mained a year. In 1854 Rev. Wesley Cochrane
became the pastor. In February, 1855, it pur-
chased the Episcopal church and the house which
now forms the Methodist parsonage, giving in ex-
change the old church and $500. This old church
was sold to Geo. H. Summers in 1856, and removed
from its location on Chapel street about 1865 to
the south side of the Wallace House, on Main
street. It is now known as Concert Hallj and is
owned by the proprietor of the Wallace House.
It was vacated by the Methodists in 1855, and the
one received in exchange — the one now in use —
occupied. Mr. Cochrane was succeeded after a
year by Rev. Jonathan Benson, who had minis-
tered to this people twenty-five years previously.
In 1856 "the beloved Edson" became the pastor.
He was succeeded in 1858 by Rev. H. T. Giles.
Rev. R. Harrington took charge in 1859. In i860
Rev. O. Trowbridge took the field, and after an
M.ARjr Baf^ney. pEOE^E W. Bae^ney.
GEORGE W. BARNEY.
George W. Barney was bom in the town of Newport,
Herkimer county, Sept. 18, 1808. He is a son of Reuben
and Sarah (Pierce) Barney, natives of Rhode Island. The
former was bom March 28, 1774, in the town of Swan-
zey, and the latter in the same town in 1777. They were
farmers by occupation and moved from Rhode Island to
Herkimer county in 1801, and resided there until they
died, the father March 31, 18.55, and the mother May 25,
1844. They had twelve children, eleven of whom grew
up and married.
Their names were as f olows : Pardon, (dead, ) Davelia
Lorean, (dead,) Sarah, (dead,) Sophia, Mathilda, (dead,)
Temperance, (dead,) (Jeorge W., Angeline, Reuben,
Louisa and Daniel. George W. Uved at home, working
on the farm and attending the district school until he was
seventeen years of age. " These were the only advantages
he ever enjoyed for an education. On leaving home he
was apprenticed to Wm. Talcott, of Little Falls, to learn
the hatter's trade. Here he appUed himself industriously
and perseveringly to the acquisition of a thorough knowl-
edge of the trade he had adopted for a livelihood. At
the expiration of his term of service he went to Fairfield,
N. Y., and worked one winter. From thence he went to
Albany. From the last named place he went to SuflSeld
and Hartford, Conn., and worked at his trade about six
months. Thus hfe opened before him its rugged path
and bade him rely upon his own energies in surmounting
its obstacles and achieving success. In 1828 Mr. Barney
removed to Mt. Morris, where he found a wider field for
the exercise of his maturing judgement and his untiring
energies.
Here Mr. Barney commenced his long, useful, and hon-
orable career. He was engaged by Mr. Peter Peterson, who
was carrying on business quite extensively here at that time,
in the manufacture of hats, and dealer in hats, caps, furs
and clothing. In 1830 Mr. Bamey bought out Mr. Peter-
son and carried on the business about thirty-two years.
Li 18G0 Mr. B. closed out his business and from that time
for many years his energies and capacity were devoted
to the discharge of the duties of the various offices of
trust and responsibility that had been bestowed upon
him, either by election or appointment. He was poor-
master seven years, County Supt. of the Poor from 18G8
to January 1, 1880 ; was deputy ^eriff of Livingston
county six years. During the war of the rebellion he was
U. S. detective four years and now holds the office of
deputy sheriff. During Abraham Lincoln's administra-
tion he was post-master at Mt. Morris. July 12th,
1865, he was appointed to the same office by Andrew
Johnson, President of the United States, and re-appointed
by Johnson June 18, 1866-. Owing to his refusal to sup-
port the policy of Johnson's administration Mr. Bamey
was soon thereafter removed and Norman Seymour, Esq.,
was appointed to succeed him. In politics Mr. Bamey
was formerly a Whig; but upon the formation of the
Republican party he united with that and has always been
an active and zealous supporter of its principles and
measures.
In the cause of Christ Mr. Bamey has, since 1832, (at
which time he experienced reUgion,) been an ardent and
faithful laborer. In 1847, at the 38th session of Genesee
Conference, he was ordained Deacon of the Methodist
Episcopal church by Bishop Hamlin, at Geneva, N. Y.
In 1873 he was ordained Elder ia the Free Methodist
church by Superintendent Rev. B. T. Roberts, at Perry,
N. Y. He traveled as a circuit preacher eight years,
while carrying on his business in Mt. Morris, In his
support of the church he has always been liberal. He
gave largely of his means in aid of the construction of
the first M. E. church and parsonage ever built in Mt.
Morris — has always been ready and willing to give liber-
ally when the demands of the church were made upon
him. His house was the home of the circuit preachers for
many years. Mr. B. remembers when as many as twelve
were gathered under his roof at one time. In 1829, Jan-
uary 29, Mr. B. was united in marriage with Mary,
daughter of Garret C. and Rebecca (Babcock) Peterson,
the former of whom was born in New Jersey, Feb. 25,
1777, and died Nov. 1, 1843. The latter was born Janu-
ary 25, 1782, and died March 8, 1840. They had eleven
children, viz. : Jessie, born September 24, 1802 ; Sarah,
born January 22, 1804, died January 22, 1838; Peter,
born July 27. 1806; William,, born November 26, 1808;
John, born January 26, 1810, died November 26, 1831 ;
Mary, born February 28, 1813 ; Jane, bom April 20,
1814 ; Rebecca, born July 29, 1817 ; Caroline, bom Jan-
uary 28, 1822 ; Gilbert, bom August 5, 1824, and Harriet,
bom May 16, 1827, all of whom are now living, except
Sarah and John. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Barney eight children, two of whom died in infancy.
Their names are as follows : Sarah', (dead,) Richard W.,
Mary, (dead,) George W., Alice M., and Charles W. The
latter, a graduate from the Normal school at Geneseo, N.
Y. , is now in the Custom House, New York. Richard W.
was a member of the 13(ith New York Infantry during the
late war, and George W. enlisted in the 27th New York
Infantry, and afterwards in the 14th New York Heavy
Artillery, and in both organizations was a drummer.
Mr. and Mrs. Barney celebrated their golden wedding
Jan. 29, 1879. Like many other men who were and are now
the bone and sinew of the country, he lives in his seven-
ty-third year, one of the few old living landmarks of our
country's pioneers, having led a life of integrity and
uprightness of character, honored by all who know him,
and at the writing of this brief sketch bids fair for more
years of usefulness to his friends.
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS— CHURCHES.
311
unhappy ministry of one year went to another
sphere of labor. Mt. Morris was dissociated from
the church at Ridge, with which it had been con-
nected, and reported a reduced membership of
73. Rev. John Shaw next served a pastorate of
one year.
In 1862 Rev. J. L. Edson returned and remained
three years. In 1865 Rev. A. N. Filmore came
with his genial disposition. The church became
too small and March 4, 1867, it was resolved that
it should be remodeled and enlarged. This work
was accomplished at a cost of about $4,500. Mr.
Filmore remained two years till the fall of 1867,
when Rev. C. M. Gardner entered upon a three
years' ministry. The alterations to the church
were finished during the first year of his pastorate,
and it was re-dedicated by Dr. Mattison.
In 1870 the Ridge was again annexed to Mt.
Morris, under the charge of Rev. William Bradley,
who continued his labors for three years, increasing
the membership from 88 to no. During the
second year of his ministry Mt. Morris was con-
nected with the Western New York conference
and again returned to the Lima district. Rev. T.
Cardus became the pastor in 1873 and added
thirty-six to the membership during the first year
of his labors here. The present pastor. Rev.
James Hill, entered upon his labors in October,
1877. The present membership (September,
1880,) is 130; the average attendance at Sunday
school, 100. The church is valued at $7,000; the
parsonage at $3,000. The first Sunday school
superintendent was Ezra Kinney, and Jennie Jas-
per was the first teacher of the Bible class.
The Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church, four
miles south of Mt. Morris, has a membership of
about fifteen. The church was built by the Bap-
tists and bought of them many years ago. It is
one of the oldest churches in this section of the
country.
St. Johiis Church, (Episcopal,) of Mt. Morris,
was organized on Easter Wednesday, 1833. Rev.
Thomas Meacham, rector, presided, and David A.
Miller was secretary of the meeting at which the or-
ganization was effected. Jellis Clute and Nehemiah
Barlow were elected wardens and David A. Miller,
John W. Montross, Walker M. Hinman, Phineas
Canfield, Stephen Summers, Charles B. Stout,
James S. F. Heald and Hiram Hunt, vestrymen.
Hiram Hunt was elected clerk of the vestry. Ser-
vices were previously held here occasionally by
Rev. Mr. Croes, who was located at Geneseo,
and were conducted in the school house on the
west side of what was then the public square,
which was bounded by Chapel, Main, Clinton and
the second street north of Clinton, running parallel
with it. In 1833, when Mr. Meacham commenced
his labors, the services were transferred to a private
school house belonging to David A. Miller, where
they were continued until the church was built.
Dec. 27, 1833, an invitation was extended to Mr.
Meacham, who was then ministering to the church
at Hunt's Hollow, to become the minister half the
time at a salary of $250, including the missionary
stipend — a salary like to that he had previously
received.
July 6, 1834, Charles B. Stout, Summers and
Hiram Hunt were appointed a committee to draft
a memorial to Trinity church, and David A. Mil-
ler, Stephen Summers and Walker M. Hinman, to
draft a plan for a church and procure a site for it.
November 7, 1834, Hiram Hunt, David A. Miller
and Walker M. Hinman were appointed a build-
ing committee. At the next meeting, November
17, 1834, Stephen Summers was substituted on the
latter committee for Mr. Hinman, who requested
to be excused from such service. At this meeting
also the vestry made binding the writing of the
committee with Charles B. Stout for the purchase
of a building lot. December 28, 1834, the plan of
a church presented by the committee appointed
for that purpose was accepted, and the building
committee authorized to proceed to expend the
amount of subscription, and no more, in building
a church. March 30, 1835, it was resolved to ex-
change lots with Charles B. Stout for one on the
corner of Chapel and Stanley streets. The corner
stone of the church was laid July 3, 1835, by Rev.
Henry J. Whitehouse, D. D., assisted by the rector,
Rev. Thomas Meacham, and Revs. Wm. P. Page,
Rarand Karney and Richmond. Wm. Ham-
lin was the architect. Walker M. Hinman, the
builder, and Isaac A. Kemball, the mason.
May 1, 1837, a call was extended to Rev. Henry
S. Atwater to take charge of the parish, at a salary
of $500, the rent of a house, and a missionary
stipend if it could be obtained. June 30, 1840,
the salary was increased to $600.
August 14, 1837, it was resolved to separate
from the Sunday school library certain books suited
only to adults and make them the nucleus of a
parochial library for the use of the congregation.
At that time also the church edifice was formally
donated to Rt. Rev. Benjamin Tredwell Onderdonk,
D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of New York, by
whom it was consecrated August 19, 1837. The
312
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
church slips were sold at public auction September
23, 1837 ; Phineas Canfield was the auctioneer.
June 29, 1843, Rev. Charles D. Cooper was
called to the rectorship, and March 5, 1845, was
granted a leave of absence for one year. His
resignation was accepted Dec. 21, 1846, to take
effect March i, 1847. June 21, 1847, a call to the
rectorship was given Rev. Maunsell Van Rensse-
laer, of Albany, and accepted. March 17, 1853,
he tendered his resignation, which was accepted
March 21, 1853. October 3, 1853, a call was ex-
tended to Rev. Thomas L. FrankUn and ac-
cepted. His rectorship continued till the summer
of 1871.
The demand for increased church accommoda-
tions being felt, March 4, 1854, J. R. Murray, G.
H. Summers, Henry Swan, John Vernam and W.
M. Hinman were appointed a committee to ex-
amine and report at an adjourned meeting a plan
and estimate of the cost of enlarging the church at
the south end, so as to give an additional window
on each side, and also of an alteration at the north
end by throwing the vestibule into the body of the
church and the erection of a new tower. At the
next meeting Mr. Murray offered to purchase the
church and lot at $1,500 and give the society a lot
on which to build a new edifice. W. M. Hinman,
Geo. H. Summers and John Vernam were ap-
pointed to confer with pew holders and obtain
their consent. A majority of the pew holders con-
curring, committees were appointed to procure
plans for a church, with estimate of cost, and solicit
subscriptions for its erection. April 6, 1854, Mr.
Murray modified his former proposition by an offer
to erect a new church on a site opposite the old
one, and convey the same to the vestry, provided
that body would sell and convey to him the church
building and lot then in use and pay him $1,500,
provided also the vestry would accept the plan for
a new church which he might propose, his proposi-
tion to remain open one week. The vestry then
resolved to build a new church, provided the same
could be done without incurring a heavy debt, and
the subscription committee were instructed to use
their utmost exertions to raise $1,500 for that pur-
pose before the next meeting, which was held on
the 13th of April following. At that meeting the
vestry accepted Mr. Murray's proposition of April
6, 1854, the plan of a new church presented by him
was adopted, and W. M. Hinman, Henry Swan
and Jesse Peterson were appointed to enter into a
contract with Mr. Murray in behalf of the vestry
in accordance with his proposition.
In 1856, an organ costing $1,000, (toward
which the old organ was applied at $200,) and a
bell weighing 1,930 pounds, were purchased for the
new church, which was built at a cost of $25,000,
and was consecrated September 18, 1856, by Wm.
Heathcote De Lancey, D. D., LL. D., D. C. L.,
Bishop of the Diocese of Western New York.
December 29, 1857, a deed from John R. Mur-
ray and Mrs. Anna Vernon Murray, (Jated July 24,
1857, of parts of lots 19 and 20 in the village of
Mt. Morris for a parsonage site, was accepted and
the thanks of the vestry tendered to Mr. and Mrs.
Murray for their liberality and kindness.*
That the office of vestryman was not a sinecure
may be inferred from the fact that June 8, 1858, a
fine of fifty cents was imposed upon each vestry-
man or church-warden who should be "more than
thirty minutes behind time, or be absent from any
vestry meeting without a reasonable excuse."
September 20, i860, Judge Charles H. Carroll,
in behalf and at the expressed wish of his deceased
daughter. Miss A. V. R. Carroll, donated to the
vestry $500, to be invested, and the annual income
arising therefrom devoted to the Sunday school and
parish libraries alternately. In 187 1, Hon. J. A.
and Mrs. Mead donated to the parish a new com-
munion set to take the place of one donated by
Mrs. David A. Miller and in use from the organi-
zation of the church.
Mr. Frankhn, who resigned June 23, 1871, to
accept a call to the parish of Christ church, in
Madison, Ind., was succeeded in the rectorship by
Rev. L. Van Bokkelen, D. D., to whom a call was
extended August 14, 1871. Dr. Van Bokkelen's
resignation was accepted August 31, 1874. Jan-
uary 17, 1875, Rev. Francis B. Dunham was called
to the rectorship. His resignation was received
and accepted February 15, 1877. Rev. George S.
Teller took charge of the parish April i, 1877.
His resignation was accepted August 27, 1879, to
take effect November i, 1879. A call was given
Rev. J. A. Massey, D. D., of Mobile, Alabama,
October 15, 1879.
The following have been the wardens of this
church: — Jellis Clute, 1833 ; Nehemiah Barlow,
1833-5; Stephen Summers, 1834-57;! David A.
* Mrs. Anna Vernon Murray, wife of John R. Murray, died at Caze-
novia, March 8, 1878. In accordance with her exoressed wish she was
buried in the church yard, near the church which the generous bounty of
herself and husband provided for this Parish, together with the lot on
which the parsonage stands. The vestry granted Mr. Murray tlie right
in perpetuity to use that part of the church yard he had designated as his
family burial lot, and assumed the reverent care of the mortal remains
thus placed within their grounds.
t Died Aug. 5, 1847, aged 57. David A. Miller elected his successor
Aug. 25, i847.
VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — CHURCHES, SOCIETIES.
313
Miller, 1837, 1840-52 ; Col. Wm. Fitzhugh, 1838-
39, (died in 1839;) Frederick A. Davis, 1847-51,
1853; George H. Summers, 1852; W. M. Hin-
man, 1853-67; Charles H. Carroll, 1854-65;*
Hiram P. Mills, 1866-78; C. B. Adams, 1868-9;
Robert H. Brooks, 1870-80; J. R. Murray, 1879-
80.
The following Vestry was elected March 29,
1880; Wardens, John R. Murray, R. H. Brooks;
Vestrymen, M. H. Mills, James Yeomans, Arthur
Sawyer, C. L. Bingham, N. A. Seymour, Ozro
Clark, L. C. Bingham, Wm. Harding.
St John's Church, (CathoUc,) Mt. Morris.— The
first Catholic services in this vicinity of which we
have information were held during the building of
the canal by Father McGuire from Rochester, and
about the second year of the progress of that work
a house of worship was erected at " Brushville,"t
(Tuscarora,) on land, the use of which was do-
nated by Judge Carroll, of Groveland. When
operations on the canal ceased the services were
discontinued and the building, which was an inex-
pensive one, was subsequently burned down.
Among the earliest to conduct services in the
village was Father Edward O'Flaharty, who
preached in the school-house, in the hall which oc-
cupied the site of the Greens' Empire Block, (the
latter of which was built in 1874,) and in the resi-
dence of John Toole, at Damonsville. Occasional
services were held till about 1 851, about which
time a house of worship was erected on the site of
the present fine brick structure, which was built in
1869, and there they continued to worship until the
present house was built, when the old one was
torn down. At that time Father O'Brien was the
pastor. The first priest stationed here was Father
Riley, who had previously read mass here. He
remained till his last sickness, his death occurring
soon after at Buffalo. He was succeeded by
Father McCool and numerous others. The pres-
ent pastor. Rev. J. J. Donnelly, has labored here
about six years. The Church has a large mem-
bership, and a congregation exceeding in numbers
that of any other church in the village.
Mt. Morris Cemetery Association was incorpor-
ated July 20, 1859. The incorporators were
George W. Branch, Hiram H. Gladding, Justin
Smith, Henry Swan, Reuben P. Wisner, Hiram P.
Mills, George Hastings, Clark B. Adams, Reuben
Sleeper, Norman Seymour, Jr., Abraham Wigg and
*Died in 1865. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, M. D., elected his successor Sept.
I, 1865.
t This name is probably due to the fact that the locality was character-
ized by a growth of low brush and the absence of large trees.
Walter H. Noble, who were trustees by the char-
ter, and seven of whom are buried in the new
cemetery. The trustees met July 23, 1859, and
elected the following officers : — Reuben P. Wisner,
President; Hiram P. Mills, Vice-President; W.
H. Noble, Secretary ; Reuben Sleeper, Treasurer ;
Henry Swan, Clark B. Adams and Norman Sey-
mour, Jr., Executive Committee. Mr. Noble has
held the oflSce of Secretary since the organization
of the Association. George Hastings succeeded
Mr. Wisner as President in 1863, and was followed
by Clark B. Adams in 1867, and by Hiram P.Mills
in 1870. Mr. Mills still holds the office.
The Association purchased 15.57 acres of land
about three-fourths of a mile west of the center of
the village of Hiram P. Mills and Abraham Wigg,
for which they paid $100 per acre. The grounds
were immediately laid out by H. B. Allen, a civil
engineer of Arcade, at a cost of about $400. The
Association have since expended $6,426 in the
general care of the grounds, inclosing them with a
fence, and in building a receiving vault, gateway,
bridges, &c., all of which, together with the pur-
chase price, the cost of laying out the grounds, and
$1,5x0.47 now in the treasury, has been reahzed
from the sale of lots ; while only about one-fourth
of the plot has been sold. The grounds occupy a
beautiful eminence overlooking the village. They
present a pleasing diversified surface, are hand-
somely laid out, and tastefully adorned with trees
and shrubbery.
The present officers, elected in June, 1880, are :
Z. W. Joslyn, Hathorne Burt, C. L. Bingham, W.
H. Noble, Hiram H. Gladding, H. E. Brown, L.
J. Ames, Norman Seymour, H. P. Mills, Ozro
Clark, Henry H. Scoville, Hugh Harding, Trus-
tees ; Hiram P. Mills, President ; Norman Sey-
mour, Vice President ; W. H. Noble, Secretary ;
C. L. Bingham, Treasurer; H. E. Brown, Superin-
tendent, a position he has held for the last fourteen
years; Porter Kellogg, Sexton; Z. W. Joslyn,
Hathorne Burt, Dr. L. J. Ames, Executive Com-
mittee; C. L. Bingham, H. E. Brown, H. H.
Scoville, Investing Committee.
Societies. — Mt. Morris Lodge No. 122 F. 6^
A. M. was instituted in 1847. The charter mem-
bers were: Wm. D. Morgan, farmer; John Ver-
nam, farmer; Joseph Favor, merchant; Eli Lake,
blacksmith ; Alfred Dean, carpenter ; Henry Max-
well, physician; Ebenezer Damon, clothier; Ehas
B. Driggs, tinsmith; Walker M. Hinman, mechanic;
Prentice Pendleton, mechanic; George G. Wil-
liams, mechanic ; David A. Miller, merchant, and
314
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Samuel H. Fitzhugh, attorney, all residents of Mt.
Morris. Wm. D. Morgan was the first Master.
The present officers are : James Yeomans, Mas-
ter; Henry G. Ames, S. W.; H. M. Dayfoot, J.
W.; Hathorne Burt, Treasurer; John M. Hastings,
Secretary; Wm. J. Pressey, S. D.; Dr. Frank H.
Moyer, J. D.; John W. Sickles, Tiler.
Past Masters — Wm. D. Morgan, Henry Max-
well, John N. Hurlburt, Elias B. Driggs, Judson
C. Goodrich, Henry Wells, Loren Coy, John Ver-
nam, Charles L. Bingham, McNeil Seymour,
George N. Williams, Archibald McCarthy, James
Yeomans, T. T. Swan, Charles W. Stevens, Walter
H. Humphrey.
The lodge meets the first and third Mondays of
each month in the Empire Block. It numbers
about 85 members.
Mt. Morris R. A. C. No. 37 was organized in
1850 and warranted Feb. 5, 1850. Moseley Stod-
dard was the first High Priest, John N. Hurlburt
the first King, Elias B. Driggs the first Scribe.
Present officers — Loren Coy, H. P.; James Yeo-
mans, K.; Wm. H. Swan, Scribe; Charles I,. Bing-
ham, Treasurer ; Hugh Harding, Secretary. The
present membership is 29. The Chapter meets
on Wednesday of each month on or preceding the
full of the mooB.
Among those who have passed the chair are
John N. Hurlburt, Moses Stoddard, Moses Camp,
McNeil Seymour, James Yeomans and Loren
Coy.
Genesee Valley Lodge No. i2g A. O. U. W. was
organized Jan. 30, 1878. The charter members
were: Morgan Hammond, P. W. M.; Dr. H. M.
Dayfoot, M. W.; W. R. Hinds, Foreman; Henry
H. Scoville, Overseer; Henry Wigg, Recorder;
Wm. H. Swan, Financier; Adam Sech, Receiver;
John White, Guide ; John Brown, Inside Watch-
man; George White, Outside Watchman, and
Hathorne Burt, A. F. McKay, Henry Gale, L. A.
J. Gage, Joseph Fraley, Charles H. Gladding,
James Yeomans, P. S. Moxon, N. A. Seymour,
John C. Winters. The lodge meets every Thurs-
day evening. The present membership is 39.
Ml. Morris Lodge No. in E. O. M. A. was
organized July 2t, 1879. The charter members
were: Wm. A. Sutherland, P. P.; Norman A. Sey-
mour, P.; Wm. O. Mosman, V. P.; Charles H.
Scoville, Secretary ; F. E. Hastings, Treasurer ; W.
H. Buell, Conductor; James Hill, Chaplain;
Eugene Ferris, Inside Guard; John V. Sickles,
Outside Guard; Herbert M. Dayfoot, Medical
Examiner; C. F. Braman, William Sickles, W.
Richmond, Trustees, and Hathorne Burt, W. H.
Humphrey, Addison P. Wisner, H. S. Wigg,
Charles J. Perry, John D. Wallace, William Chap-
pell, P. Durkin, James McNeilly, James M. Chil-
son and James S. Mosman. The present number
of members is 24, four having been admitted and
four suspended since the organization. The lodge
meets each alternate Friday evening.
TUSCARORA.
Tuscarora is a post village situated on Cashaqua
creek in the south-east part of the town, some six
or seven miles south of Mt. Morris, on the Une of
the Genesee Valley canal and the Rochester, Nunda
and Pennsylvania railroad. The business of the
place has been ruined by the abandonment of the
canal. It contains two churches, (Presbyterian and
Free Methodist,) but only one church building, one
hotel, kept by Samuel Lashell, two stores, a grist-
mill, cheese factory, two wagon shops, (kept by
L. J. Colburn and Harrison Hagadorn,) two
blacksmith shops, (kept by Frederick Layman and
WilUam Naraganz,) one harness shop, (kept by
Squire Rumsey,) a saw-mill, and a population of
159. The settlement here, says Hotchkin, was
commenced in 1822-23, by Messrs. Culver, Bab-
cock and Caulkins.
Prominent among the merchants who have done
business in this place were Benjamin Irish, who
occupied the building next south of Mr. North-
way's store some sixty years ago, John and David
LaRue, Elias Kinney, who was afterwards associ-
ated with John Sherwood, WiUiam Townsend,
Henry and Sidney Alden, Demorest & Son, and
Wilham Petrie, from 1839 to 1873. The present
merchants are Frank A. Northway and Edward R.
Crevling. Mr. Northway commenced business
August 24, 1872, and was successively associated
with L. H. Barron, R. K. Bergen, C. Whiteneck,
the latter of whom he bought out May i, 1879.
The business was established about forty years ago
by Jared P. Dodge in the building next south of
the store now occupied by Mr. Northway, and
now used by him as a storehouse. Mr. Dodge
removed some ten years later to Mr. Northway's
present store and continued in trade till 1865, ex-
cept at intervals, when his sons A. and A. C.
Dodge, and later A. C. Dodge and E. Youngs,
carried it on. In 1865 he sold to Hand & Post,
(Wesley Hand and Jacob Post,) the former of
whom sold toTallman T. Van Arsdale about 1867,
and Van Arsdale to Lucius H. Barron about 187 1.
TUSCARORA.
315
Post sold to Mr. North way, the present proprietor,
in 1872. Mr. Northway is the postmaster at this
place, having received the appointment June i,
1878. E. R. Crevling came here from Sparta, his
native town, and commenced business May i,
1874. He was associated one year, in 1879, with
W. M. Crevling, under the name of E. R. & W.
M. Crevling
Dr. James S. Sharp and Orville L. Rowe, are
the physicians at Tuscarora. Dr. Sharp located
here in 1864, and Dr. Rowe in 1879.
The grist-mill at Tuscarora was built in 1 860,
by David LaRue, who operated it about eight years,
when he was succeeded by the present proprie-
tors— Garrett, Barckley and David Miller — broth-
ers. It contains three runs of stones, and is pro-
pelled by water from the Cashaqua creek, which
has a fall of ten or twelve feet.
The saw-mill is located on the same stream
about half a mile above the grist-mill. It was built
about i860 by Isaac Hall and David LaRue, who
operated it till the death of Mr. LaRue, July 8, 1876,
when Mr. Hall purchased the latter's interest, and
still operates it. The mill contains one circular
log saw. The creek at this point has a fall of
about nine feet. A former saw and lath mill at
this place, owned by J. P. Dodge, was swept off
bodily and completely by the great flood of Sep-
tember, 1861, which nearly equalled that of 1835.
The Tuscarora cheese factory was built in the
spring of 1877, by a stock company, who still own
it. It receives from 1,000 to 6,000 pounds of
milk per day. There are two other factories in
the town; the Johnson factory, a small one, located
near the Shaker settlement; and the Genesee
River cheese factory, which was built, and is still
owned by a stock company, about 1874, and re-
ceives somewhat more milk than the Tuscarora
factory.
The Tuscarora House was built in 1 841, by
John and David LaRue, who kept it until i860,
since which time it has been kept by Samuel La-
shell. The first tavern in the village, which forms
the rear part of the present hotel, was built about
fifty-five years ago, by Wm. Babcock.
The First Presbyterian Church of Tuscarora
was organized in 1839, '^y ^^'^- Israel Hammond,
with eleven members of the Dutch Reformed
order. January 20, 1844, it was incorporated as
The First Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of
Mt. Morris. At this time Israel Hammond was
the pastor, and had been from the organization.
Aaron Conover, Garret VanArsdale, Peter Van-
Nest and William Howell were the elders; and
John L. Tallman, Aaron Hall, Abraham S. Thomp-
son and Stephen Birch, deacons. Says Hotchkin:
"The church was organized as a Presbyterian
church, and named the Second Presbyterian
Church of Mt. Morris, February 26, 1846. The
number of members in November of that year was
thirty-six. The church was received under the
care of the Presbytery of Ontario June 2, 1846.
Rev. Israel Hammond was five years the pastor of
the church while it was connected with the Re-
formed Dutch denomination, and during this period
the church was aided in the support of its pastor
by the Synod's Board of Missions."*
October 25, 1852, Stephen Birch, Wm. N. Hall,
Aaron Conover, WilUam Yules, Isaac VanDeven-
ter, William VanDeventer, William Post and Rev.
Thomas S. Dewing met for the purpose of
re-incorporating. Rev. Thomas S. Dewing was
then pastor. Stephen Birch and Wm. N. Hall were
chosen to preside, and James Concklin, Wm. N.
Hall and Isaac VanDeventer were elected trus-
tees. The name was then changed to " The Pres-
byterian congregation of Tuscarora."
In 1870, the church united with the Presby-
terian church at Union Corners, in the west
edge of West Sparta, and January 2, 1871,
the combined organization elected as first trus-
tees; Hezekiah Johnson, L. J. Colburn, R. R.
Concklin, from the^ Tuscarora congregation, and
Wm. Slaight, Andrew Suydam and Peter D. Green,
from the Union Corners congregation. Wm. E.
Jones was then the pastor, and continued such
till September, 1873. John Jones, then located at
Geneseo, next supplied the pulpit for a few months
and was followed by Rev. T. Dwight Hunt, then
the pastor at Nunda, who suppUed the pulpit for
six months. This union between the two churches
was dissolved in the spring of 1874.
The church was built in 1844. The church now
numbers ninety-eight members. The present pas-
tor is Rev. John Mitchell, who has served them
about a year. Mr. Mitchell is also the superin-
tendent of the Sunday-school, the average attend-
ance at which, as reported in January, 1880, was
ninety-one.
The Free Methodist Church of Tuscarora was
organized in August, 1875, with about thirty mem-
bers, by Rev. R. M. Snyder, the first pastor, who
had held services from March previous, and sus-
tained pastoral relations two years. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Wm. Southworth, who remained
*Hotchkit{s History of Western New York, pp. jSi, jSj.
3i6
HISTORY OF.- LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
till the fall of 1880. Services have been held in
the school house since the organization. The
present number of members is seventeen.
Brooks Grove.
Brooks Grove, an early post-village, is located in
the south part of the town, on the main road from
Mt. Morris to Nunda. Its derives its name from
having been the place of residence of one of Mt.
Morris' most substantial farmers and intelligent and
trusted business men — Gen. Micah Brooks* — a
son of David Brooks, A. M., of Cheshire, Conn.,
the latter of whom was a graduate of Yale College,
a member of the Connecticut Legislature at the
time of Burgoyne's surrender, and a delegate to the
State Convention that adopted the United States
Constitution at Hartford. In 1796, Micah Brooks,
who was born in Cheshire, Conn., in 1775, and edu-
cated by his father, visited the Genesee country on
a tour of exploration, and again in the fall of 1797.
In 1823, in connection with Jellis Clute and
John B. Gibson, he purchased of Mary Jemison
the major part of the Gardeau Tract, a fine por-
tion of which he selected for a farm and residence
in the locality which bears his name, where he died
July 7, 1857. During his residence here he ex-
erted a marked influence upon the agricultural and
other interests of the town and vicinity — an in-
fluence perpetuated by his sons Lorenzo H. Brooks,
of Caneadea, and Micah W. Brooks, the latter of
whom resides on the homestead farm and is the
present postmaster at Brooks Grove, an oflice to
which he was appointed in January, 1862. The
residence of the late Gen. Brooks was destroyed
by fire in the summer of 1875.
" The history of Micah Brooks," says Turner,
"furnishes a remarkable instance of a man well edu-
cated, and yet unschooled, for," he adds, "he
never enjoyed in all, a twelve months of school
tuition ! The small library of his father, a good
native intellect, intercourse with the world, a lauda-
ble ambition and self-reliance, supplied the rest."
He was a "successful teacher," a "competent
Justice and Judge," an able debater, and "the
author of able essays upon internal improvements
and other subjects." Even in his old age he was
" a vigorous writer, and a frequent contributor to
the pubUc press."!
Ridge.
Ridge is a hamlet containing a Methodist church,^
* See portrait and biography of Gen. Micah Brooks on another page.
t Pioneer History ofPhtlps &^ Gorhavi's Purchase^ pp. 197,198
% This Church is on the same charge as Mt. Morris, and has been
noticed in connection with that Church.
a blacksmith shop and a wagon shop. Jonathan
Shank, who keeps the blacksmith shop, also keeps
the post-office. It is about midway between Mt.
Morris and Brooks' Grove, on the road from the
former village to Nunda.
War Record. — The military record of Mt. Mor-
ris is very incomplete ; while the record of the
legislative action of the town in regard to the part
taken by it in the war of the Rebellion is even more
so. The latter, with the exception of a single item,
relates wholly to the provision made for the indi-
gent families of volunteer soldiers from this town,
and even in that respect it is evidently incomplete.
But such facts as we have been able to glean from
these sources, and additionally from the partially
preserved columns of the local press ol that period
we give, regretting our inability to give more ample
and exact information in regard to this important
and interesting portion of the town's history. Hap-
pily we are able to gather the earliest action of the
town in this eventful period from the columns of
The Livingston Union of April 22, 1861, and sub-
sequent early action from later issues.
The first war meeting in the town was held pur-
suant to the following notice : —
"We, the undersigned, citizens of Mt. Morris, for
the purpose of responding to the call of our Gov-
ernment, for the protection and defense of our Na-
tional honor and prosperity, request that a public
meeting be held on Monday evening, April 2 2d, at
Empire Hall. Let there be a prompt attendance."
This was signed by the following prominent
citizens of the place : —
Z. W. Joslyn, A. Conkey,
W. A. Mills, P. H. Hinman,
J. A. Mead, McNeil Seymour,
J. Conklin, J. Olp,
C. B. Nash, G. VanHouten,
H. Scoville, John H.'Bodine,
H. Ruggles, S. L. Rockfellow,
N. Seymour, G. S. Whitney,
H. Swan, L. C. Bingham,
H. W. Miller, ' S. McNeilly,
R. P. Wisner, H. Woodford,
I. McNeilly, C. P. Winegar,
G. W. Phelps, W. G. Thompson,
J. Vernam, H. Bump,
D. D. Strain, A. M. Bingham,
H. SkiUin, G. W. Branch,
M. Clark, J. E. Robinson,
L. Coy, • R. T. W. French,
H. M. Smith, H. G. Ames,
E. L. Ament, C. T. Wygant,
H. R. Miller, W. Humphrey,
O. H. Phillips, J. S. Thompson,
S. E. Brace, W. Hinman.
" Pursuant to the above notice," says the report
in the Union, " one of the most enthusiastic meet-
GENERAL MICAH BROOKS.
. This brief record commemorates the life and services of one who lived
in the most eventful period of human history, excepting only the
years made memorable by the life and teachings of the Saviour of the
world. Micah I'rooks was born a subject of George III., at the time the
American colonies were r&solvinc: upon open revolt — he died eighty-two
years later, having witnessed and taken part in the most remarkable changes
that ever occurred in government, society, industry, science, and art. He
was the son of David Brooks, who was the son of Enos, who was the son
of Thomas, who was the son of Henry Brooks, who came from Cheshire,
England, to Cheshire, Conn. He had fought under Oliver Cromwell,
and the restoration of (I has. II, was offensive to him and caused him to
remove to America. His son -I'homas- settled fourteen miles north from
New Haven, and the town to which he removed was called Cheshire, af-
ter the place of his father's nativity, at least so read the family records.
His grandson, David, the father of Micah, was born in Cheshire, Conn.,
in June, 174+, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Doolittle of
Wallingford, Conn,, who was a son of David, the son of Abram Doolittle
who came from England. He wasgraduated at Yale College in 176?. and
received the degree of Master of Arts. He also studied theology and
was duly ordained as a minister, but continued to conduct his farm at
Cheshire, taking a prominent part in the discussions and agitations that
preceded the Declaration of Independence- Hewas appointed amember
of the Vigilance Committee for the town of Cheshire, to prevent the con-
sumption of tea and other articles unjustly taxed by the British govern-
ment, the inhabitants having voted not to use them. On the breaking out
of hostilities he joined, as a private soldier, the first company organized
in his town, but afterwards became Quartermaster of his regiment. When
occasion required he served as chaplain and in emergencies, shouldered
his musket. He was also a member of the State Legislature and a dele-
gate to the state convention that adopted the U. S. Constitution at Hart-
ford. Later in life he retired to his farm in Cheshire and died there in
1802.
Micah Brooks was born May 14, 1775, on his father's estate in Cheshire,
Conn., where he spent the first years of his life, and acquired the studi-
ous and diligent habits which distinguished him through life. Schools were
few and poor duiing the Revolution, and die years that followed, but Micah
belonged to a family that had the benefit of parental discipline and instruc-
tion and where reading was enjoined and enjoyed. Thus he acquired habits
of observation and research that made his mind a repository of useful knowl-
edge He was ihe oldest of liis father's familv, which consisted of Micah,
David, Elizabeth, Benedict, Laura- Charity, "Polly, Patty and David, all
of whom lived to maturity except David, the second son, who died in
his sixth year ; and all, excepting Patty, married.' Mic^h Brooks gave
from his own recollection, a very interesting account of the period imme-
diately following the Revolutionary war, and it was published in Turner's,
Phelps and Gorhani's Purchase. In 179& in common with many sons of
New England, he explored the regions of the west, visited the Mohawk.
Susquehannah, Seneca, and the Genesee, and saw many pioneers in their
lonely cabins, suffering privations, but full of hope. In the fall of 1797 he
visited the land of promise the second time remaining at East Bloom-
field durins: the winter and keeping the district school there. Mr. James
Sperry gives an account of this venture as follows : " In the fall of '97, a
young man with a pack on his back, came into the neighborhood of Gunn,
the Bronson'^s, &c., and introduced himself as a rchool teacher from the
land of steady habits, proposing that they form anew district and he would
keep their school. The proposition was accepted, all turned out and built
a school-house, the youne; man assisting, and he kept school there that
winter and the one following, and the house was entirely filled. My father
sent eight children to .his school : there we learned for the first time, that
the earth is round — an old hat with a chalk line 'round it for the equator
served as a globe to illustrate the revolution of the earth on its axis. Al-
though the schoolmaster was a favorite with parents and pupils, they
thought he was telling something he knew nothing about, and still believed
the earth was flat, and immovably fixed."
In those days to be a good surveyor was a great accomplishment and a
vast amount of surveying was to be done. Micah Brooks studied the art
with Prof. Meigs, and held a certificate from the court of New Haven
County, appointing him "surveyor within and for said county." In the
fall of 1798 he made a tour, on foot, to Niagara Falls, following the Indian
trails and stopping over night with Poudry and his Indian wife at Tona-
wanda. In 1799 he purchased a farm In East Bloomfield, paying six dol-
lars per acre for it. The price of land soon declined, speculators having
run the price up too high. In 180J-4 good lands on the Holland Pur-
chase was bought for three dollars per acre, Mr. Brooks Immediately
commenced clearing his land, boardmg with Dencon Bronson and giving
two days' work for one week's board. In 1800 he was associate com-
missioner with Hugh McNair and Matthew Warner, to lay out a road from
Canandaigua to Olean, and another from Hornellsvllle to the mouth of the
Genesee river. Subsequently he found much use for his chain and com-
pass In layiu'.^ out roads and running lines on his wild lands In Livingston
and Allegany counties. In 1801 he built a small frame house, then re-
turned to Conn., and brought _ out two sisters to keep house
for him, but as they soon married, he went back again to Conn.,
and December i^, 1802, was there married to Mary, daughter of
Deacon Abel Hall, of Lyme, Conn. Frug^al, industrious, Intelli-
gent and public spirited, he became a prominent and useful citizen.
In the militia he rose through successive gradations to the rank of Major
General. In 1S06 he was elected Justice of the Peace, in 1808 assistant
Justice of the County, the same year was elected to the Legislature from
Ontario Co., and In the war of iSii served in three campaigns as Lieut. -
Col. He was elected to Congress In 1814, representing avery large terri-
tory and serving on important committees. In 1821 he was elected to the
New York state convention that revised the state constitution, and was a
presidential elector in 1824 For twenty years he was a Judge of Ontario
county courts. While a member of Congress he presented to that body
a petition drawn by DeWitt ChnlOn, askinq; the national government to
aid in the construction of the Erie canal. Some twenty years later he ad-
dressed a large convention at Rochester, presided over by Judge Nathan
Dayton, of Lockport, urging the "speedy enlargement" of the Erie
canal— which was effected with manifest advantage to the state and nation.
Februarv ', 18J9, delegates from several counties assembled at Cuba,
Allegany County, to Jorward the completion of the New York and Erie
Railroad, which had been chartered seven years before, but which, owing
to the great commercial revulsion of i8?7, and the magnitude of the un-
dertaking, had not been completed. Gen. Brooks was chosen president
of the convention, and addressed that body : his_ speech was pub-
lished in the papers and widely circulated. In i8ij In connection with
John B. Gibson and Jellis Clute, he purchased the lands of Mary Jemi-
son . and soon after removed to them ; the place of his residence Is known
as ** Brook's Grove." In iSjj hebought6,?82acres In Caneadea, Alle-
gany Co , consideration $8,000. His wife having died, he was again, Sep-
tember 2j, 18 H, married toElIza Chattin, who died in '86j, without issue.
His sons were, Lorenzo H., of Caneadea, now deceased, and Micah
Woosler, who is married and resides at the homestead. His daughters
were, Marcia, wife of Henry O'Reilley, Clarissa, wife of Theodore F. Hall,
of Kansas, Catharine, a mute, very Intelligent and highly educated, now
deceased, Laura, residing at Brook's Grove, and Cornelia, wife of Geo.
EUwanger, of the Mc Hope Nurseries, at Rochester. In politics. Gen.
Brooks was a firm supporter of the Whig party. He was master of him-
self, temperate in his habits, upright in his dealings, kind, compassionate
and forbearing July 7, 1H57, his life work being done, he leaned back in
his chair and died, without a struggle. A public meeting of citizens testi-
fied to the respect in which he was held, and the "press"of the country
announced that a true patriot and useful citizen had departed.
MOUNT MORRIS — WAR RECORD.
317
ings that ever occurred in our village took place.
At 7 P. M., our bells chimed most furiously, bring-
ing crowds of our citizens into Main street.
Our band was out playing spiritedly the Star
Spangled Banner, Hail Columbia, Yankee Doodle,
and other national airs. The stars and stripes
were displayed from our hotels, churches and
dweUings in great profusion. At an early hour
Empire Hall was filled. Hon. John Vernam called
the meeting to order, nominating R. P. Wisner to
preside. Mr. Wisner, on taking the chair, made a
stirring patriotic speech, eliciting rounds of ap-
plause. « * * xhe following gentlemen were
selected as officers of the meeting : Vice-Presidents,
John Vernam, H. Bump, Dr. Branch, H. Swan,
H. P. Mills, Rev. T. S. Frankhn, R. Sleeper, W.
A. Mills, George S. Whitney; Secretaries, Mc-
Neil Seymour, L. C. Bingham, A. Conkey."
Stirring and patriotic speeches were made by
Messrs. Wisner, Vernam, Frankhn, Ames, A. M.
Bingham, Janes and Hastings ; after which a com-
mittee consisting of Geo. S. Whitney, C. E. Mar-
tin, McNeil Seymour, Reuben Sleeper and C. B.
Adams were appointed to raise and distribute
funds for the support of the families of volunteers.
C. E. Martin was duly authorized to raise a com-
pany, and half the requisite number signed the roll
for volunteers before the meeting adjourned. It
was then left at the American Hotel for additional
signatures. Lucius Southwick, of the Shaker
Society in Groveland, was present on the rostrum,
and declared that his fraternity were ready to pay
their quota for the support of the war. In referring
to the meeting, the Union says : —
"The love of country has obliterated party
lines — but one spirit and sentiment prevails — that
insurrection and treason must be put down."
On the 27th of April a Uberty pole was raised at
Tuscarora and the stars and stripes flung to the
breeze. It was saluted by martial music and
thirty-four guns. The people were addressed by
Dr. Joslyn, Capt. Martin, A. Hall and R. P. Wis-
ner. ''A large share of patriotic spirit was ex-
hibited. Several names were added to the list of
volunteers, and hberal contributions were made to
the Patriotic Fund." The Livingston Union, of
May I, 1 86 1, says, "our volunteer company is
nearly full, and will be prepared to leave for Elmira
in a few days." The same paper says that up to
April 27th, $1,678 had been contributed for the
support of volunteers from this village and vicinity.
Conspicuous among the subscribers is the name of
John R. Murray, who subscribed $250— the largest
individual subscription. Seven others subscribed
$100 each, viz:— George S. Whitney, R. P. Wis-
ner, George W. Branch, R. Sleeper, Bump & Pray,
•Frederic Davis and C. B. Adams.
Capt. Martin's company, with seventy-seven en-
listed men and eleven commissioned and non-
commissioned officers, left for Elmira, Thursday,
May 16, 1 86 1, and was there designated Co. G of
the 27th Regiment. The following were its
officers: — Captain, Charles E. Martin ; Lieutenant,
Joseph H. Bodine ; Ensign, Oscar H. Philhps ;
ist Sergeant, John J. Kellogg; 2d Sergeant, Ed-
win C. Bennett; 3d Sergeant, Edward WiUiams;
4th Sergeant, Wm. M. Nimbs ; ist Corporal, E.
R. Parker; 2d Corporal, George W.Bingham; 3d
Corporal, William Biggs; 4th Corporal, George
Bennett. The occasion of their leaving was made
a grand ovation. The Livingston Union, of May
22, 1861, says: —
" Thursday last, the day appointed for the de-
parture of our volunteers to Elmira, was one never
to be forgotten by the citizens of our village.
About 2 o'clock P. M. the crowd began to gather in
Main street, until it was one mass of men, women
and children. The occasion was one of thriUing
interest — its equal never before witnessed in our
town. Our worthy volunteers were drawn up in
line to receive the parting blessing of their fellow-
citizens. The ceremonies were impressive and
affecting — stout hearts gave way and tears flowed
freely. Speakers as well as Hsteners were sensibly
affected, and the moistened eyes of hundreds grate-
fully expressed the deep solemnities of that interest-
ing occasion."
The ladies were indefatigable up to the last
hour in providing garments, etc., for the comfort
of the men. About 4 o'clock the procession started
for the depot, followed by the entire crowd.
"Here," says the Union, "the scene was really
affecting, as the parting moment had come. Amid
loud cheers, waving of handkerchiefs, faUing tears,
and aching hearts, the volunteers left for Elmira."
With this much accomphshed Mt. Morris did
not relax her efforts. The good work so nobly
begun was continued. On Saturday, May 18,
1 86 1, a pole 112 feet long, surmounted by a large
gilt ball, was raised on thegrounds of the late Gen.
Brooks, and stirring addresses were made by Rev.
T. L. Frankhn, R. P. Wisner, A. M. Bingham and
Capt. Randall, of Portage, urging the people to
rally to the defense of a suffering country. On
Saturday, Jurie i, 1861, a hberty pole was raised
in the village amid impressive ceremonies, and ad-
dresses were made by C. B. Adams, Revs. Story
and Keyes, R. P. Wisner, Col. Sleeper, A. M.
Bingham, Hon. Wm. Scott, N. Seymour, Drs.
Joslyn and Ames and Prof. Smith.
The second company of volunteers from Mt.
Morris was raised by Capt. C. W. Burt, whose in-
3i8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
defatigable efforts enabled him to leave with his
company for Elmira, September 13, 1861. The
company was escorted to the depot by the band
and a large number of citizens. Among its mem-
bers was A. M. Bingham, a lawyer of this village,
who had done much in the way of addressing meet-
ings to encourage enUstments. The number neces-
sary to fill it were obtained while at Elmira, a re-
cruiting office being kept open in Mt. Morris for
thai purpose. It was attached to the 89th Regi-
ment, commanded by Col. Fairchild, and left
Elmira for Washington, December 6, 1861.
During the war Mt. Morris furnished 285 men ;
of whom I was a substitute, 8 reenHsted, i was
drafted, 233 resided in the town, and 27 were na-
tives of the town. They were distributed through
various organizations as follows, as nearly as can
be ascertained from the records : — -51 in the 136th,
40 in the 27 th, 10 in the 130th, 6 in the 89th, 5 in
the 104th, 2 each in the 24th, 58th and 133d, and
I each in the nth, 15th, 33d, 140th and 147th in-
fantry regiments ; 2 in the 4th New York artillery,
I each in the 2d and 24th batteries, and i in the
5th Rhode Island artillery; 29 in the 24th New
York cavalry ; 2^ in the ist dragoons, 3 in the 8th
and I in the 3d cavalry regiments. This, like
other details of the records is manifestly incom-
plete; while in regard to bounties, it only shows
that a town bounty of $ioo was paid to 60 indi-
viduals, and of $300 to 31; a county bounty of
$300 to 16, of $100 to I and of $75 to i ; and a
State bounty of $75 to i. We simply cite this to
show how unreUable and unsatisfactory is the data
from which to compile these local histories of the
rebellion.
B10GR>PHICAL SKETCHES.
MYRON H. MILLS.
Myron H. Mills was born in Mt. Morris, Dec.
8, 1820. He is a son of Maj.-Gen. Wm. A. Mills
and a grandson of Rev. Samuel J. Mills, one of the
earliest evangelical preachers of the county of Living-
ston, south of Avon. This distinguished clergyman
was a graduate of Yale College ; uniting many promi-
nent mental quahties with a superior education, he
was well qualified, in every respect, for the duties of
his sacred profession. He was a native of Derby,
Connecticut. Soon after completing his theological
education, attracted by the glowing accounts of the
beauties and promised wealth and greatness of the
Genesee Valley, about the year 1792 he immigrated
with his family to that part of Livingston county
now known as Groveland, and settled in Williams-
burgh, then a mere hamlet. This was the first village
in that county, and for a time was the successful
rival of Geneseo. But more- powerful influences
favoring the latter, it became the county seat, and
the growth of the former was at an end, and the
population gradually decreased, until at last there
was left no trace of the once busy little town.
The Rev. Samuel J. Mills preached the great truths
of the gospel to the pioneers in an acceptable and
profitable manner, and he became an object of af-
fection and love to the early settlers about him.
A few old apple trees standing to the left of the
road after crossing the Canaseraga bridge going to
Geneseo, planted by his hands, mark or nearly so,
the site of his ancient home. In the midst of his
prosperity his house was consumed by fire. This,
together with the unlucky turn of a land specula-
tion, so greatly disheartened him that it superin-
duced a disease known as the Genesee fever, which
soon terminated his life. At the request of James
Wadsworth, Sr., his remains were interred in the
cemetery at Geneseo. After his death his family,
with the exception of Wm., — afterwards General
Mills, — returned to New England, and became resi-
dents of New Bedford. William with that penetra-
tion, comprehension and sagacity which were strong
features in his character, had a clear conception of
the destined wealth and greatness of the country
about him, and he determined to remain in the
country, and move on with it to success, prosperity
and usefulness.
As a conseqence his name is enrolled in the
history of Western New York, among its lead-
ing pioneers, and he is spoken of as a chief artificer
in the erection of that noble and distinguished civil
edifice — Livingston county. When only seventeen
years of age, he settled at Allen's Hill — now Mt.
Morris — and with his own hands prepared the ma-
terial for the log house which was for a long time
his home. Among his many Indian neighbors
there was only one white man, Clark Cleve-
land, a mason by trade. The myriads of dusky
sons and daughters of the forest, became to
young Mills his friends and he proved to be a great
favorite with them, whose generous sentiment they
recognized by giving him the name of "Sa-nun-ge-
wa" — interpreted signifies a big kettle or generous
man. To this day among the old Indians on the
Allegany and Cattaraugus Creek reservations the
village of Mt. Morris is called " Sa-nun-ge-wa-ge," in
honor of his memory. He spoke the Indian language
fluently, giving it the pecuUar sound of the " red
man's" vernacular. He witnessed the subduing of
the wilderness, the increasing population and the
changes of the country, until it developed into a
region that lost little when compared with the Vale
of Tempe and the gardens of the Hesperides. He
erected the first framed house in the village of Mt.
Morris. It stood on State street nearly opposite
the present residence of Mr. Moss. In the year
1803 he was united by marriage to Susannah H.
Harris of Tioga Point, Penn. Ten children were
MYRON H. MILLS.
319
born of this happy union, of whom nine grew to
maturity and four are still living, viz : Samuel J.
Mills and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Hamlin of Iowa, Mrs.
Susan H. Branch and Dr. Myron H. Mills of Mt.
Morris. Gen. Mills was not only a friend to the In-
dians, but it is stated he never permitted a settler
to lose his property for want of means to meet the
payments due on his land. So notable did he be-
come in this respect, that he was known and called
by the original settlers, the "father of Mt. Morris."
General Mills was the first Supervisor of the
town of Mt. Morris, holding the office for nearly
twenty years in succession. He saw his old and
life-long friend, Moses Hayden, who had been ap-
pointed March 28, 1821, First Judge of the Court
of Common Pleas, lake his seat for the first time
on the bench of the new county. He was also the
first President and prominent organizer of the Liv-
ingston County Agricultural Society, and was di-
rector in the old Livingston County Bank — the first
banking institution opened in the county. He or-
ganized the first militia company in what is now
Livingston county. When the war of 181 2 broke
out General Mills was among the first to respond
to the call of his country, and served as a soldier
on the frontiers. By rapid gradations, he rose to
the rank of Major-General in the service of the
State. His command embraced Livingston, Gen-
esee, Ontario, Steuben, Monroe and Allegany
counties. On occasions of pubHc parade and drill
of his command, which occurred in the fall of the
year at the principal villages in the above counties,
he, like the President of our times, says an old set-
tler, " was the observed of all observers."
Among the distinguished gentlemen who have
served on his military staff were Col. Reuben
Sleeper of Mt. Morris, Gen. Frank Granger of
Canandaigua, Hon. Daniel D. Barnard and Hon.
Charles J. Hill of Rochester. Col. Hill is one of
the Ex-Mayors of Rochester, N. Y., and is still
living in the 86th year of his age, honored and re-
spected for his many virtues, by the entire com-
munity where he resides. Gen. Granger subse-
quently became Postmaster-General and a member
of the President's Cabinet, and Daniel D. Barnard
a Member of Congress.
Gen. Mills become a large landed proprietor,
was influential and public spirited, but his useful
and active life was suddenly terminated, while yet
in the vigor of his manhood. After ])artaking of his
dinner, April 6th, 1844, he retired to his room for
his customary after-dinner nap, from which he
never awoke in this world. He died from disease
of the heart, at sixty-seven years of age, leaving an
extensive landed property to his nine surviving
children.
Dr. Myron H. Mills, to whom we have already
referred, is a citizen of Livingston county, whose
interests are his interests, and whose prosperity and
advancement are a source of unquaUfied gratifica-
tion to him. After receiving an excellent Enghsh
academic education, he entered upon the study of
his chosen profession — medicine and surgery.
Upon a thorough preparatory course in the office of
Dr. Hiram Hunt his father's old friend and family
physician, he entered Geneva Medical College,
from which he was graduated in March, 1844. In
June, 184s he became a resident of the city of St.
Louis, where he commenced the practice of his
profession, and hardly had six months passed away,
before the young physician had gained a remunera-
tive practice, and was surrounded by strong and
influential friends and holding the position of phy-
sician to the City Hospital.
In the spring of 1846, when the government had
declared war with Mexico, Dr. Mills was ambitious
to serve his country, resigned his office in the city
hospital, volunteered as a private in Captain Hud-
son's company, then being raised and organized in
St. Louis for the war, but before being mustered
into the United States service, he applied for the ap-
pointment of Assistant Surgeon in the U. S. Army.
His appKcation to the proper authorities for the
position he desired, being made at the suggestion
of, and indorsed by influential friends. He went
to Fort Leavenworth, five hundred miles from St.
Louis, to present his papers in person to Gen.
Stephen W. Kearney, who was to command the
"Army of the West," and if possible to obtain his
endorsement to his papers, before making appUca-
tion to the Secretary of War's office at Washington.
In this his efforts were successful, and he received
his appointment, and served through the entire
war. He was wounded at the battle of Canada,
New Mexico, but remained on the field until the
close of the action — the ball striking the fleshy
portion of the right leg below the knee. Lieut.
Irwin, near the Doctor at the same moment, was
severely wounded by a musket ball.
Mr. Mills being fresh from the graduating schools
of medicine and surgery, was the first to introduce
the " flap operation" in amputations in the army
of the west, the "circular" being the former in use
from time immemorial. For this he was promoted
by Surgeon DeCamp, of Baltimore, of the United
States Army, to the head of the Medical and Sur-
gical department of the army. After the close of
the war while in Washington attending the court
martial of Col. Fremont, Hon. Wm. L. Marcy then
Secretary of War, tendered him a commission as
Assistant Surgeon in the regular army, under the
Act known as the ten regiment bill, to increase
the standing army, which he declined. After an
absence of nearly three years, he returned to Mt.
Morris, and soon after at the request of a commit-
tee of citizens, delivered an address on the " Mexi-
can war and its incidents," which, by special
requests from committees, was repeated in Nunda
and Perry. In June, 1849, Dr. Mills was united
in marriage to Mary E. Mills, only daughter of
Hiram P. Mills, Esq., of Mt. Morris. She is a
most estimable lady, possessing those admirable
traits of character which make the domestic circle
cheerful and happy. The marriage has been one of
happiness and reciprocal affection, deepened and
brightened by the flight of time. Six children were
the fruits of this marriage, two of whom only sur-
vived to maturity.
320
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
In the spring of 1850, the Dr. removed to Roch-
ester, N. Y., where he opened a drug-store, and al-
though the business proved remunerative, it was
too small and contracted a business to suit his
broad and comprehensive mind. He therefore
embraced the first opportunity presenting itself to
sell out his stock of goods, and engaged in the con-
struction of pubhc works for the State of New
York. Here he found ample scope for his busi-
ness qualifications, and was rewarded by a liberal
compensation, which afforded him a competency
for hfe and enabled him to retire from business in
the fall of 1868.
In 1863, he was appointed a delegate by the
Mayor and Common Council of Rochester, to re-
present that city in the National Ship Canal Con-
vention, held at Chicago in June of that year.
In November, 1870, he removed to Mt. Morris,
his native village, and purchased the homestead
grounds upon which he was born, but which had
passed out of the family. He enlarged and taste-
fully improved the mansion, constructing elaborate
and costly outbuildings, embelhshing the grounds
which embrace nearly five acres of land with pleas-
ing walks and shrubbery. This home is situated
in the northern part of the village, at the extremity
of Main street, and overlooks the broad valley of
the Genesee for miles around. The imagination
can hardly conceive of a more beautiful situation.
The view of the surroundings and landscape
scenery would inspire the muse of a poet, and
imbue the imagination of the painter with all the
beautiful inspirations of his creative art. Here the
representative red-men of the forest used to corne
in bygone times to see " Sa-nun-ge-wa," (General
Mills) their friend and counselor — not unfrequent-
ly settling difficulties between the white settlers and
the Indians, as well as other matters of more grave
import.
Here Mary Jemison, better known in history as
the "Old White Woman," paid, it is said, her last
visit in the Genesee Valley, the cherished home of
her youth, before leaving for the Buffalo Creek
Reservation, in 1830, to reside.
Here upon these grounds, made historic by the
white and red man. Doctor Mills ("Hod-a-geflts-
sa-nun-ge-wa," a title given him by the Seneca
nation of Indians in honor of his father, which in-
terpreted signifies in the Indian tongue " Doctor
Big Kettle ;" in our language. Dr. Mills,) devotes
a large share of his leisure time to literary pursuits.
He was one of the founders of the Livingston
County Historical Society, also of the Livingston
County Pioneer Association. He has been presi-
dent at different times of both societies, and has
labored zealously for their success, which appears
now established.
He is known as an easy, flexible and forcible
writer. Under the 110711 de plume of " Corn-planter "
is the author of a series of articles on Indian history.
He also published an elaborate and the only com-
plete history of the Mt. Morris tract. The Doctor
has attained much reputation as a public speaker
and lecturer. He delivered an address before the
Wyoming Historical Pioneer Association at the
dedication ol their log-cabin at Silver Lake, in 1878,
and was there greeted by an immense audience,
20,000 people having assembled at the lake on that
occasion. His address before the State Associa-
tion of Mexican War Veterans, at Detroit, Sept.
14, 1880, was another masterly effort. His review
of the results and benefits of that war to the coun-
try, and the claims of the veteran soldiers upon
the government for a pension, are unanswerable.
In February, 1878, he deKvered a lecture on the
Pre-Historic Races in America, by special invita-
tion, at Dansville. His audience consisted of the
clergy, lawyers, physicians, professors in the Semi-
nary, and leading business men, and literary ladies
and gentlemen of the place, who were unanimous
in their approval.
In August, 1877, he deHvered an oration on the
occasion of the annual meeting of the Livingston
County Pioneer Association, at Long Point, Con-
esus Lake, holding the vast audience, thickly inter-
spersed with ladies, for more than an hour, during
the last half of which a threatening thunder storm
seemed rapidly gathering, with but limited shelter
accomodations at hand, save that offered by the
friendly and wide-spread branches of the stately
forest trees.
He has delivered at various times acceptable
addresses upon agriculture and its kindred sub-
jects before the Farmers' Association of his town,
on the occasions of their annual gatherings after
harvest. To him they look for counsel and advice
in local affairs effecting their welfare. He is a
fearless and bold advocate of the people's interest
and is regarded by them as one of the few men in
whom implicit confidence can be placed.
He is President of the Board of Education of
Mt. Morris, President of the " Mills Water Works
Company," was appointed in December, 1880, by
the Board of Supervisors of Livingston county on
the commission to devise ways and means to sup-
ply the Poor House, Insane Asylum and other
buildings belonging to the county with an abundant
supply of pure water for sanitary purposes, domestic
use and for fire purposes. The commission was a
success, and reported to the Board in April, '8r,
for their consideration, plans of the work with esti-
mated cost, to supply upon the "gravity system"
the two former requirements, also the latter.
In politics Dr. Mills has always been a Demo-
crat, firmly, but never obtrusively, sustaining his
principles. He was never an office seeker, pre-
ferring private life and its retirement and the good
opinion of his fellow citizens to pubHc office,
although occasionally accepting positions of honor
and public trust tendered him. He admires in men
the distinction of moral worth, integrity, industry
and virtue, and all men who possess these traits
are equal in his estimation.
Though retired from active business life, what-
ever tends to promote the growth of his native vil-
lage or beautify it, finds in him a zealous and
efficient advocate. A son Of a pioneer who was
conspicuous for enterprise and upright dealings,
JONATHAN PHILLIPS— CHESTER FOOTE.
321
and valuable in doing those things which have so
largely tended to make Mt. Morris reach its present
advanced and progressive condition, it is not sur-
prising the son should emulate the example of his
father, and reflect his virtues in whatever pertains
to the public interests and welfare of his native vil-
lage. In 1873 he published an article exhibiting
the feasibility and necessity of constructing water
works to supply the village of Mt. Morris with
water, and June 4th, 1879, at the request of the
Trustees of the village, met the citizens in a public
meeting .to discuss the subject to which he had
previously called their attention. His able and
well matured plans for the construction of water
works were accepted, and the works were con-
structed the same year with that push and energy
characteristic of the man, who furnished the entire
capital himself The expectation of the public
in their construction were more than realized
and a grand success was achieved. The health of
the village has materially improved since the con-
struction of these works, aside from the great con-
venience of an abundant supply of pure and whole-
some water for sanitary and domestic purposes
brought to the doors of the citizens, as well as to
protect their property from destruction by fire.
For this enterprise, and the great blessings result-
ing therefrom, the citizens are indebted wholly to
Dr. Mills.
Courteous, kindly disposed, self-reliant, clear-
headed and gentlemanly in his demeanor. Dr. Mills
never stops at trifles, but presses right on to the
successful completion of whatever he undertakes.
In his domestic relations he is peculiarly fortunate
and happy. Two amiable and accomplished daugh-
ters— Jennie and Isabell, and their estimable
mother — adorn his household and contribute
largely to his happiness.
JONATHAN PHILLIPS.
Jonathan Phillips was born in Romulus, (now
Varick,) Seneca county, November 2, 1810. His
parents were Samuel and Sarah (Scoby) Phillips,
natives of New Jersey. They settled in Cayuga
county, about 1800, and soon thereafter in Seneca
county. They came into this county in 1826,
where the father died December 22, 1874, aged
eighty-eight years, and the mother January 31,
1870, aged seventy-eight years. They had eleven
children, only three of whom are now Hving, viz : —
Calista, Isaac and Sophronia. Jonathan, the sec-
ond of the family, when in his twenty-second
year, left the home of his parents, (where he had
lived up to that time, assisting his father on the
farm and attending the district school winters, the
only advantages for an education he ever enjoyed,)
and worked land on shares for about five years.
Then he bought the farm on which he lived till he
died, and which is now operated by his widow.
He moved into a log house which was on the
place and occupied that until he finished the pres-
ent fine residence in 1853. He at first purchased
only 50 acres, but added from time to time till he
owned 360 acres in his home farm, and in other
localities about 200 acres, making his estate con-
sist of 560 acres. He was a most thorough and
successful farmer, and for about sixteen years be-
fore his death was very extensively engaged in buy-
ing and selling live-stock; and it may safely be
said that as a farmer and speculator he was to be
ranked with the first in the town of Mt. Morris.
Ink politics he was a Repubhcan, but never an
office-seeker. He took a lively interest in the suc-
cess of his party, and sustained its measures and
advocated its principles with a warmth that is al-
ways characteristic of the earnest partisan.
April 25, 1832, he married Violetta, daughter of
Richard and Hannah (Keeler) Akers, natives of
New Jersey, who came to Seneca county in 1823,
and to this county in 1825. Her father died De-
cember 22, 1866, aged about ninety years, and her
mother, aged ninety-six years, is still living and
residing in Michigan with her daughter Jane, wife
of Samuel Klady. They had seven children, four
of whom are now Hving, viz : — Violetta, Jane, John
G., and Aaron. He died March 15, 1870, in the
sixtieth year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips
have had three children as follows : — Sarah Jane,
born February 10, 1833, married Charles Moyer,
of Mt. Morris and died February 5, 1875 ; Janette
H., born June 23, 1839, and died January i6,
1842; Adella Z., born May 2, 1850, married L.
DeWitt Smith, of Geneseo, and lives now with the
mother on the old homestead.
CHESTER FOOTE.
Chester Foote is one of the oldest residents now
living in the town of Mt. Morris. He was born
in the town of Kingsboro, Montgomery county, N.
Y., April 27, 1790. His parents were Joseph, Jr.,
and Beersheba (Burr) Foote, of Conn. Joseph, Jr.,
was born about 1755. He served his country
during the Revolutionary war as cavalryman. He
died in Kingsboro in 1790, aged about 35 years.
His wife survived him many years, and died in
Ohio at the great age of one hundred years. They
had four children, Levi, Joseph, Beersheba and
Chester, of whom Chester alone is living. The
mother married for her second husband Isaac
Flowers, by whom she had three children, Lucy,
Sylvia and Livinia, all now dead. For her third
husband she married Thomas Thompson, of Ohio.
No children were born of this marriage.
After the death of his father, which occurred when
Chester was about two months old, Mrs. Foote
kept her four children together as long as possible,
but soon had to place them out among her rela-
tives until they became old enough to support
themselves. At the age of nine years Chester was
taken into the family of his uncle Aaron, a brother
of his father's and lived with him until his marriage
with Fanny Hoofcoot, Feb. 25, 1812. She was
born in 1792.
322
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Four years after this marriage Chester moved to
Trenton, Oneida county, where he carried on
farming about three years. In 1817 he moved
with his family, consisting of wife and one child,
and what few goods he had to Western New York,
passing through Mt. Morris, which was then a
small settlement, to his destination at Plum Creek,
Allegany county. He found a small settlement
at Nunda, also one at Solomon Williams' on the
old short tract road, which was merely marked out
through the woods. A short distance beyond^Mr.
WiUiams' there was a very steep hill, on which the
snow had been thawing quite rapidly, so that the
horses' feet balled up, causing them to slip and
stumble so badly that before reaching the top of
the hill the horses were drawn back again by the
weight of the sleigh to the foot of the hill. After
several attempts they succeeded in gaining the
summit and about dark reached a creek in which
the melting snow had caused the water to rise so
high that it carried off the log bridge which spanned
it. Finding it impossible to cross with the sleigh,
he unharnessed the horses and placing his wife on
one rode the other himself and carried the child.
After crossing the creek, while on their way, his
wife, not being accustomed to riding on horseback,
would occasionally fall from her elevated position,
and he would spread a blanket on the snow and
lay the child on it while he helped her to mount
again.
About twelve o'clock at night they reached their
destination, and the next day he brought over the
sleigh and goods. They brought provisions with
them sufficient, as they thought, to last till they
were started, but provisions were becoming so
scarce among the settlers that when a new corner
arrived they flocked in in such numbers to make
acquaintance and get something to eat that in a
few days the future began to look gloomy to Mr.
Foote and his family. While meditating on the
subject one evening, they fancied they heard a
voice, saying: "Arise and get thee hence;" and
obedient to the summons, they packed their goods
the next day and returned to Mt. Morris where
they settled about a mile south of the village, on
land owned by the father of John R. Murray, the
latter now a resident o^ Mt. Morris. Here Mr.
Foote lived about three years, when he moved to
West Sparta, where he resided till about 1832,
when he purchased and moved to the farm in Mt.
Morris where he now lives. Here his first
died June 10, 1827, aged sixty-four years,
months and three days.
In 1863 he married Mary Bingham,
having rented his farm to his son Norman, moved
to Nunda and resided there six years, when the
death of his second wife occurred. He then re-
turned to his farm. Since leaving Nunda he has
Hved at times with all of his children.
In 1870 he sold his farm to his son Norman,
with whom he spends half of his time and the re-
mainder with his son Giles W. He is a remark-
ably well preserved man, but the signs of old age
are manifesting themselves in the loss of hearing
wife
ten
and
and impaired eyesight. There have been born to
him eight children, one of whom died in infancy.
Those that reached maturity are named as follows
Maria, born Dec. 31, i8r3, died Dec. 13, 1839
Ehza, born Nov. 8, 1816, died April 15, 1854
Giles W., born July 11, 1818; Chas., born Oct. 15,
1822; Norman, born Sept. 15, 1824; Mary, born
Sept. 14, 1826, and Harriet, born Jan. 8, 1834.
COL. REUBEN . SLEEPER.
(COL. REUBEN SLEEPER.)
Col. Reuben Sleeper was born in Laurens,
Otsego county, February 22, 1798. He was of
Quaker descent and enjoyed vigorous health,
being of temperate habits. He early espoused
the temperance reform and abandoned the sale of
spirituous liquors, even at a sacrifice of business
interests. With only a common school education
he, at sixteen years of age, entered upon a clerk-
ship in his native town in a " general dry goods
and variety store." In 1821, he, with his partner,
Abner Dean, engaged in the mercantile business at
Manlius, Onondaga county. In 1823, they re-
moved to Mt. Morris, and for some time kept the
only store in that town. For years their goods,
bought in New York, were brought up the Genesee
river from Rochester, being, from Rochester, poled
up, on flat boats, a distance of one hundred and
thirty miles. Also goods were brought by teams
from Albany in favorable weather. After occupy-
ing a small wooden store for four years, they re-
moved it, and erected the first brick building in the
place. In 1828 the partnership was dissolved, the
brick building being sold to the partner of Mr. S.,
and he opened in another building a store, continu-
ing there till he built a store on a lot adjoining his
residence. In April, 1 82 7, he married Lucretia C.
CONESUS— ORGANIZATION.
3^3
daughter of Rev. Dr. Lyman, of East Haddam,
Conn., who survives him. On the incorporation of
the village in June, 1835, he was chosen President
of the Board of Trustees, and at the time of his
death was the last survivor of the Board chosen at
that time. He retained that position several years,
the late Hon. George Hastings acting as clerk.
After the death of the first president of the Genesee
River Bank, he was chosen President, and served
in that capacity for a long time. Col. Sleeper was
widely known throughout the Genesee Valley and
Western New York, as a successful business man
and a man of strong and earnest convictions, of
great industry and steriing integrity. On all public
questions he was independent and acted without
regard to self-interest or policy. Being early
known as an Abolitionist, his house for years was
the resting place of fugitives from slavery, fleeing to
the Queen's Dominions, and his integrity of charac-
ter and strict sense of justice led him to adopt and
advocate principles that were not popular with the
people. He was a man of culture and extensive
reading and a courteous gentleman. During a
residence of about fifty years he held many posi-
tions of public trust with credit to his sagacity and
integrity. He retired from active business in 1 856,
but at the time of his death, May 11, 1872, was
director of the Genesee River National Bank, hav-
ing held that position since its organization, and
being a public spirited man he took an active in-
terest in all public improvements.
CHAPTER XXIII.
History of the Town of Conesus.
THE town of Conesus is situated on the eastern
border of the county, and contains an area of
six square miles. It is bounded on the north by
Livonia, on the south by Sparta and Springwater ;
on the east by Canadice, (Ontario county ;) and
on the west by Groveland.
The town lies between the beautiful lakes of
Conesus and Hemlock. Its surface is quite uneven,
with a higher general elevation than any town of
the eastern range.
Several ranges of hills extend through the town,
most of them small ; the largest being the " Mar-
rowback Hills,'' in the eastern part, and what is
known as " Turkey Hill," in the western part.*
At points in the larger range the hills rise to an
elevation of several hundred feet, in which vicinity
*These names are of local derivation. The name ^^ Marrowback,'' as
applied to the largest range, was derived from this instance : Two men —
inhabitants of the town — engaged in a personal conflict. One of them
was from this region of hills, and he getting the better of his adversary
the bystanders exclaimed to the vanquished — "He's got too much mar-
row in his back for you, boy !"
Turkey Hill was so named on account of the numerous fowls of that
species stolen from the dwellers in the valley by pillaging families who
lived on this hill. The name signifies " Many Stolen Turkeys."
several fatal accidents have occurred, the most no-
table being that of the death of a citizen named
Hamilton who, in an attack of delerium tremens,
leaped over the rocks and was dashed to pieces
below.
From near the center of the town begins the
Calabogue valley * which extends into Springwater.
The town derives its name from Conesus Lake,
which was named for the celebrated Indian chief,
Conesus.f
The town was first organized in 1 821 as Free-
port.
Before the year 1820 Conesus was divided into
two parts, the eastern, belonging to the town of
Livonia, and the west part to the town of Grove-
land.
At that date the two towns belonged to the
county of Ontario, and all of the different articles
of agreement for lands were dated in the above
named towns and county before 1820.
In 1820 the first attempt was made for the or-
ganization of the town, but on account of certain
irregularities the organization was not effected till
1821.
The name Freeport was given to the town by
the early squatters, who supposed the land to be
free to all who came here to settle, and who as
erroneously supposed that building a brush fence
around their quasi claims was all that was neces-
sary to secure to them the future ownership.^
When a few years after the actual owners came
and claimed the land, some of the squatters, when
they discovered the invalidity of their titles, left for
parts unknown, while a number who had thus
seized their land, supposing it to be without an
owner, refused to yield their claims, causing no little
disturbance and some important law suits which
were in the courts of the State for several years,
but which were finally decided in favor of the right-
ful owners.
For three years the town retained the name of
Freeport, when, in 1824, through the influence of
a man named Bugbee, it was changed to Bowers-
* Or Calabogue Hollow, as it is sometimes called. The name signiiies
"The Headless Place."
t The Indian name for Conesus Lake was Ga-ne-a-sois, or Gah-nyuh-
sas, meaning—'* Place of Nanny Berries," — a small mealy berry which
at one time grew there in great profusion.
J Doty's History says the name of Freeport was derived from the
following circumstance : —
" A squatter, who had been a sailor, settled on a particular lot near the
brow of the western hill.
"After fencing it in and making some improvements, he was forcibly
driven off by the owner. The ejection provoked the landless pioneer,
who, at some pains, i>ublished his version of the story, urging that how-
ever ready other sections might be to welcome emigrants, this particular
region was no 'free-port.' "
This, from the meaning of the term, " free-port, " would seem to be the
most probable version, though the other is given as correct.
324
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
ville, in honOr of the Bowers family who then owned
here a large tract of land.
The inhabitants, however, soon became dissat-
isfied.with this name and petitioned the legislature
to again change it. This petition was signed by a
large number of inhabitants. At the same time a
remonstrance was raised against the proposed
change which did not prove successful, and after
retaining the name of Bowersville one year it was
in 1825 changed to Conesus, which name it has
since retained.
Among the early purchasers of land in this town
were Phelps and Gorhara, a number of years before
the first settlement of the town was made by white
men.
After they had retained possession of the land a
certain length of time, they transferred their claims,
in part, to Henry Bowers and Sir Wilham Pulteney,
and a small tract to what was then known as the
Canandaigua Academy, situated at Canandaigua,
N. Y.
Thig tract consisted of five lots, which, a few
years after, were numbered as lots Nos. 16, 54, 80,
89, no, a total or 814 acres.
In 1819 or '20, a few years after Bowers and
Pulteney had obtained possession, they laid this
tract of land out into lots, and numbered them
from I to 139, including a tier of lots on the east
•side of Hemlock lake that formerly belonged to
the town, which were numbered 10 and 20, and
parts of lots 30, 39, 40, and 57, which have since
been transferred to the county of Ontario. They
also laid out part of Hemlock lake into lots, as
Nos. J, 2, 3, 4, and 5, which they reserved for those
who wished to purchase water privileges.
A few years after Mr. Bowers died, his prop-
erty, consisting of seventy lots, was divided among
his five children as follows : John Bowers, 13 lots ;
Mary Campbell, 14 lots; Mary Ann Duane, 15
lots; Harriet Mumford, 14 lots; and Rebecca
Scott, 14 lots.
Soon after his death the heirs came to the town
and sold their claims to those who desired to pur-
chase at the extremely low price of from eight to
ten dollars per acre. It was upon their arrival
that .the. squatters departed, or refusing to yield
their occupancy, caused the important but tedious
suits at law.
The Pulteney claims, which consisted of fifty-
eight lots, have now almost ceased to be known.
Their lands were sold to different purchasers,
and those lands belonging to the Canandaigua
Academy have also passed into other hands.
The first settlement of the town was begun in
the year 1793, although there are evidences that
some one settled here prior to that date. Some of
the settlers of 1800-05, pastured their cattle on
what was known as the " Olcutt clearing," which
was situated on what is now called Turkey Hill.
This clearing had an area of some five acres, well
covered with grass, and surrounded by a log fence,
in the center of which stood a cabin where had
hved the person when clearing the land. In 1806
this cabin was nearly gone to decay, and the indi-
cations were that the tract had been cleared a num-
ber of years, but by whom it was never known, as
he was gone when the first settlers came, and no
record of his life has ever been found. He must
have settled here about 1793, if not before; but
as the attempted location may have been made by
some venturesome squatter, and as there exists no
authentic record of it, the first permanent settle-
ment must be ascribed to James Henderson who,
in the year 1793, came from Pennsylvania, and
located at the head of Conesus Lake, where he
built a log house on lot 49, on land now owned by
B. F. and R. F. McMillen.
In 1795, he was followed by Hector McKay, who
located on lot io8, about three-quarters of a mile
north of the site of Scottsburgh. Here he built a
log house, in the construction, of which he procured
the assistance of friendly Indians from Allen and
Squakie Hills. In the following spring he pur-
chased the land on which he resided at the time of
his death, the date of which is unknown. He was
buried in the south part of the town in the old
cemetery, known as McKay's burying-ground.
The family of James Henderson * consisted of a
wife and several children, who came here with him
to mingle their fortunes in an unknown wilderness
filled with varied trials and discomforts.
Mr. Henderson was by occupation a mill-wright,
and soon after his arrival here — probably about
1794 — built the first saw-mill near the site of
Conesus Center. This was a great aid to the in-
coming settlers, in preparing material for their
houses, in raising which they obtained the aid of
other settlers throughout the county.
In 181 6 and '17 he built the old woolen and
fulHng mill that used to be situated in the gully at
the head of Conesus lake. This mill has for
many years been abandoned, and nothing now re-
mains of that once famous factory but the stones
that were used for its foundation.
In this mill in 18 18 or '19, William Scott, of
* Betttr .known thioughout the town as Squire Henderson.
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CONESUS — EARLY SETTLERS.
325
Scottsburgh, carded the first yards of cloth ever
carded in the town.
In 1 80 1 Squire Henderson's family was pre-
sented with a child, which hved but six months —
the first white birth known to have occurred in this
town.
A son of Squire Henderson, James Henderson,
Jr., was killed at the battle of Queenstown, Canada,
October 13th, 181 2. At the time of his death he
had reached the age of twenty-five, and held the
ofiice of Quartermaster in his regiment.
Squire Henderson, the pioneer, quietly sleeps in
the town of Richmond; other members of the
family have passed away, and the name of Hen-
derson has become extinct, although there are de-
scendants of the family still Hving who are among
the most worthy citizens of the town. These de-
scendants are: — Frank and R. F. McMillen, a
brother, Charles McMillen, who is United States
Minister to China, and William H., Nelson N. and
Henry S. Gilbert, grand-children.
After the advent of Henderson and McKay, the
settlement of the town progressed quite rapidly.
Among the settlers who immediately followed those
hardy pioneers were Jacob Durham in 1795, and
Jesse and Jacob Collar in 1796.*
Jacob Collar was one of the most useful citizens
of the town. He was born in Sussex county. New
Jersey, February 25, 1770, and in the spring of
1796, at the age of twenty-six, came with his father,
Jesse Collar, to Conesus and located on lot No.
109, in the southwestern part of the town, about
one-half mile north of Scottsburgh, where they
built a log house.
In coming here from the then far away State of
New Jersey they were assisted by one horse and an
ox team, and the condition of the route through
the forests was such that they were twenty-eight
days in making the journey. When they arrived
at the Great Bend in the Susquehanna river they
were obliged to cut their way through what was
then called the beach woods, and for many days
their journey did not average seven miles per day,
while the teams had to subsist on the scant herb-
age of the highway.
When night came upon them they would build a
large fire, cook their scanty meal, and then roll
themselves in their blankets and sleep till another
morning came with its tedious journey and attend-
ant difficulties.
In this way the journey was conducted to and
through Dansville, their only guide from being lost
* For whom Scottsburgh at an early day was called Collartown.
in the dense forests being the blazed trees along
the route.
Upon arriving in the town they procured the aid
of Wigot Andrews, James and Samuel Culbertson
of the town of Groveland, and Isaac and Darling
Havens, of Sparta, to assist them in raising their
house. The timber being so thick they had but to
cut and peel the logs and roll them up to place.
The first year their food, which they had to buy
mostly of the Indians, consisted of corn — wheat
could not be obtained at any price — for which they
paid at the rate of six shillings per bushel. There
being no grist-mill near, they ground the corn by
burning a hole in a stump, pouring the corn in it,
and then pounding it into meal, from the finest of
which they made their bread.
Jacob Collar died in the fall of 1865, ending his
useful life at the age of ninety-five. He was buried
in the McKay burial ground.
In 1802 there came to the town of Conesus a
singular man known by the inhabitants as Maloy,
the hermit. He located on lot 19, bordering on
the shores of Hemlock lake, where he built him a
log cabin quite remote from any civilization. Here
he lived the life of a hermit, refusing to mingle
with any white people who sought to become ac-
quainted with him. He seemed desirous to retreat
further into the forest to escape the encroachment
of civilization, and when other settlers began to lo-
cate around him he packed his effects and moved
to the Ohio river, where his career became lost to
the settlers in Conesus.
We give here others of the prominent pioneers,
and the lots by them settled : —
John McNinch, lot 70, in 1803.
Samuel McNinch, lot 78, in 1803.
James McNinch, lot 91, in 1805.
Jabez Lewis, lot 5, in the fall of 1805.
John McMillen and Elias Chamberhn, about
1805, located on lot No. 6, each building there a
log house.
Joseph Richardson at about the same time
settled on lot 13, and in 1808 Davenport Alger
also located there and built a log house.
Francis Richardson, in 1803, settled on lot 136,
and a few years after committed suicide by hang-
ing himself to a limb of a tree. Repeated incar-
ceration in jail for debt, at which times his family
suffered severely, caused him to become insane.
Joseph Allen settled on lot No. 81, in 1806.
John Richardson settled on lot No. 14, about
1806.
Moses Adams, lot 133, in the spring of 1806.
326
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Samuel and Matthew McNinch. lot loi, in
1806.
Elijah Richardson, lot No. 15, in 1807.
Joseph Gilbert, lot No. 12, in 1808.
Charles Thorp, lot 134, about 1808.
John Robeson, (or Robinson,) lot 25, about
1808.
WiUiam Johns, lot 18, in 1809.
Joshua Gile, lot 22, in 1809.
Eli Clark, lot 23, in 1810.
Lot No. 24 was first settled by Harvey May,
who built the first log house there in the spring of
1806. This tract was afterward divided into sev-
eral village lots, and is now known as Foot's Cor-
ners.
Peter Bevins, lot 39, about 1810.
Hinman Janes, lot 60, about 1810.
Simeon Root, lot 33, soon after joined by Joseph
George, who erected a log house on the same land
in 1810.
Lot 43 was first settled and the first log house
built thereon by Abel Root, about 1807. This
tract is now known as Union Corners, a small
hamlet.
Matthew McNinch, who settled lot 10 1, was
born in Sussex county, N. J., March 3, 1784. In
early infancy his parents moved to Northumber-
land county. Pa., and in 1806, at the age of twen-
ty-two, he moved with his father's family to Cone-
sus. His father had come here about two years
previously, leaving his family in Pennsylvania; then
he returned to his home, and as the family were
about to start on their journey to this town he was
taken sick and died shortly after. Matthew Mc-
Ninch died in 1866, and was buried in the McKay
burying ground.
Jabez Lewis, who in the fall of 1805 settled on
lot No. s, was born in Vermont. In 1802 he
moved to Lima, this county, where he remained
one year, removing from there to Richmond, On-
tario county. In the fall of 1805 he came to Con-
esus and built a log house on lot No. 5, and sent a
son and daughter there to live and clear up the
land. In 1806 he moved the rest of his family
here to live. He was one of the soldiers of the
Revolution.
One of the later and prominent settlers was
Alexander Patterson, who came to the town in
181 4, and in the following year built the first log
house on lot No. 4, on which land he Hved the
remainder of his life.
He was born in Vermont, and at an early age
resolved to make Conesus his future home. Hav-
ing but limited means — not more than sufficient to
reach the town — he resolved to peddle his way
through, and by so doing save what little he had
earned to aid him when he had reached his new
home. So, procuring a small traveling trunk and
the necessary articles, he set out on foot, accom-
panied by a companion who was also bound for
Conesus. All the first day he tried to dispose of
his goods but met with no success, which so dis-
couraged him that on the second day he presented
his companion, who was suffering from the cold,
with a pair of mittens, and then threw his trunk
across his shoulder and resolved to peddle no more.
On his arrival at Conesus he took up his residence
with the family of Jabez Lewis, who were then liv-
ing on lot No. 5. A short time after, he married
Lucy, one of Lewis' daughters, with whom he
Uved happily over fifty years. He died in 1866.
Among other prominent early settlers were the
parents of John Young, Governor of New York
State in 1846.
John Young was born in Bennington, Vt, in
1804, being but four years old when his parents
came to this town. He attended the Academy at
Lima, N. Y., from wliich school he was graduated,
and at the age of sixteen taught school in Conesus,
receiving nine dollars per month. About the year
1823, he began the study of law with A. A. Ben-
nett, at East Avon, and in 1829 was admitted to
practice in the Supreme Court and opened an
office at Geneseo. In 1832, with Hon. George W.
Patterson, he was elected member of Assembly
from this county.
From 1833 to 1837 he was representative in the
Twenty-fourth Congress from this Congressional
district, and also in the Twenty-seventh Congress
from 1 841 to 1843. He was also member of As-
sembly in 1845-6. As a Whig in 1846, he was
elected Governor of this State by about 1 1,000
majority over the Hon. Silas Wright. In July of
1849, he was appointed Assistant United States
Treasurer, at New York, which position he held
until his death.
He was an able lawyer, occupying a front rank
in his profession, and the dignified positions which
he held and graced were a just return for his years
of patient toil and untiring energy. He died in
New York, April 23, 1852, and lies buried at Tem-
ple Hill, Geneseo.
Nathaniel Cole was another prominent after
settler. He was born in Rensselaer county, N.Y.,
July 4, 1776, — the memorable day in the history
of our nation.
CONESUS — EARLY SETTLERS.
327
At the age of eleven his father moved to within
five miles of Ballston Springs, N. Y., where they
remained a few years, moving from there, when he
was twenty-two years old, to Aurelius, Cayuga
county, N. Y., and from that town to Conesus, ar-
riving here March 23, 1815.
At that time most of the town was a wilderness.
His first land was purchased of William Williams,
lot No. 104, on which Mr. Williams had done but
three days' work. Here he built a log house, and
the first year cleared five acres, and the next, seven
acres.
In i8i6, he aided in building the Wing saw-mill
on lot 104, which for many years has ceased to be
in use.
Even in his early days here the nearest grist-mill
was at Hemlock lake. Wheat was then worth
fourteen and corn ten shillings per bushel ; while
potatoes, brought from Livonia, commanded one
dollar per bushel; and even at those prices both
grain and potatoes were scarce. The scarcity and
high prices were due to a severe frost which oc-
curred in i8i6, appearing in July and followed on
the loth of September by another equally as severe.
This frost caused much hardship'among the settlers,
especially to those on the Marrowback hills, where
there were some who did not have a mouthful of
bread for three successive weeks.
This brief famine caused some of the settlers to
become insane on account of the suffering of their
families. Among those thus seriously affected was
Micah Spencer, who settled on lot 69, — a poor
man of proud spirit — the suffering of whose family
made such an impression on his mind as to make
him demented.
In 181 7, Mr. Cole moved on lot No. 79, where
he was obliged to plan every way to procure pro-
visions. The most successful plan was in burning
wood and selling the ashes therefrom, and with the
proceeds purchasing the necessaries of life. Mr.
Cole died in 1868, at the advanced age of ninety-
two.
Mrs. Jane McNinch,* wife of James McNinch,
who came here in t8o6, was born in Washington,
Columbia county, Penn., April 24, 1788. At the
age of seventeen, October, 1805, she was married
to James McNinch. In February, 1806, in com-
pany with Matthew, Annie and John Scott and
Matthew McNinch, she moved from Columbia
county to this town, arriving here about the ist
of March, and stopping at the house of James Hen-
derson at the head of Conesus lake. Her hus-
• Grandmother to Wm. P. Boyd, Esq., of Conesus.
band, who was a mill-wright, had remained to
attend to his mill, but in a few months joined her
here.
One of his brothers, John McNinch, came to
Conesus about 1804, and his father and others of
his brothers came soon after, and rented a farm of
Squire Henderson near the head of the lake,- and
early in the fall of 1804 the father returned and
brought the rest of the family here to live.
In the summer of 1806, James McNinch took
up lot III in the south part of the town, where he
cleared a small area and built a log hoiise into
which they moved in the fall of 1806. In that
same year Mrs. McNinch and her husband moved
to Dansville, where he had engaged to tend mill
for Mr. Rochester. This mill, in the early part of
the winter, was destroyed by fire. They then re-
turned to Conesus, and in the spring they moved
to Frost's Hollow, Ontario county, where for two
years Mr. McNinch tended mill, when they again
returned to Conesus where they lived two years.
In the spring of 1813, they went to Lakeville,
town of Livonia, where for ten years Mr. Mc-
Ninch tended mill for Mr. Bosley. At the expira-
tion of that time they moved again to Dansville
where they remained two years, and then returned
to Conesus where they passed the rest of their life.
When they first came to the town, all of their
trading was done at Dansville. The merchants
there would sell no person more than a quarter of
a pound of tea and two pounds of coffee at a time,
for which the purchaser paid from three to four
shillings per pound for coffee, and from six to
twelve shillings for tea. Sugar and molasses could
^scarcely be obtained at any price. Their grist was
carried to Hemlock lake on horseback, as there
was no road but a foot path through the forest.
Tames McNinch died of consumption Novem-
ber 8, 1839. Jane McNinch died March 11,
1869, at the age of eighty-five, and was buried in
the north part of the town in what is known as the
Alger and Boyd burying ground. Mrs. McNinch
resided several years among the Indians at the
head of Lake Conesus, where, during the summer
months, large numbers would encamp about the
inlet for the purpose of hunting and fishing. Before
the cold weather of fall set in, the most of them
would depart for the south to pass the winter, re-
turning when spring came. At times through the
summer they would become quite troublesome,
and often it was not safe for a white person to be
seen near the inlet. These times were occasioned
chiefly by their use of intoxicating liquors which
328
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
the settlers sold to them. When not under the in-
fluence of Uquor they were friendly and docile.
The settlers living near them generally endeavored
to keep on friendly terms withithe Indians, and
whenever they wished to borrow pots and kettles
in which to cook their food always managed, if
possible, to accommodate them. These the In-
dians were careful to return, cleaned in their own
way, but not at all times to the taste of the
loaners.
When the news of sickness among the settlers
reached the Indians, the squaws would come with
roots and herbs to doctor them. Of these herbs
they made teas, and to assure the whites that they
were not poisonous, they would taste of them first
before offering to the patient. In most cases these
simple remedies were sure to cure the diseases that
were prevalent at that time, and especially the dis-
eases incident to children.
Th€ habits and customs of the early settlers
were nearly as primitive as those of the Indians.
The houses of those early days were rude aff'airs,
as compared with the dwellings of to-day. They
were uniformly of logs, either round or hewn on
two or more sides, and between the logs to keep
out the wind and cold, the chinks were plastered
with mud, or filled with strips of wood sharpened
on one side and wedged firmly in. In rearing
these primitive houses the pioneers held logging
bees, to which the settlers far and near would
come to assist in the erection of the home for the
new comer. When the house was raised they
would cut places for doors and windows, before the
doorway hanging a blanket, and for the windows
using sheets of greased paper or the hides of wild
animals. The roof was covered with the bark
peeled from the logs used in the construction of
the cabin, and bound on by poles to keep it from
blowing away. The floors were made of slabs of
basswood hewed on one side and with the round
side turned down. In one end of this rude building
they constructed a fire-place on which they placed a
back log from two to three feet thick, with one half
the size for a forward log, and between these logs
they would pile huge sticks of wood, before whose
cheery blaze, surrounded with no comforts, and
pinched by all the privations and trials of pioneer
life, they passed their evenings as happily as do
their descendants who live in costlier and more
comfortable homes.
But few of these relics of that pioneer age exist.
In a few years not a vestige will remain of the log
cabins under whose bark roofs those hardy men
and women Hved lives of heroic devotion and en-
durance.
In 1816, there were but four frame buildings in
the town, three of which were barns. The house
was burned a number of years ago. One of the
barns belonged to Davenport Alger and one to a
Mr. Younge. The rest of the buildings through-
out the town were of logs.
Early Merchants, Early Events. — The busi-
ness interests of the town developed but slowly.
The pioneer effort in that direction has been as-
cribed to Squire Henderson who in 1794 — the next
year after his arrival — built the first saw-mill.
One of the earliest merchants was Harvey May,
who, in 181 9 opened a small store at what is now
known as Foot's Corners, and near the residence
of Nathaniel Cole, Jr. He sold general merchan-
dise to the settlers, taking his pay in ashes which
he converted into potash.
In 1820 or 21, he was succeeded by Martin
Neal, who began business on a larger scale, which
he continued a few years. Harvey May and
Samuel Chapin in 1822 built here the first frame
store in which merchandise was ever sold.
In 1818 Andrew and Gardner Arnold opened a
store at what is now Conesus Centre.
The first grist-mill was built in 1824.
The first school-house was built in 1 810, in
which year Polly Howe taught the first school.
The first preacher was Rev. Mr. Goodale, who
in 1795 preached in the southwest part of the town
for the Free Will Baptists.
Another early and noted minister was Rev.
Baldwin Wright.
The first Church built was the Methodist at
Conesus Centre in 1836.
The first marriage was that of Hugh Harrison
and Elizabeth Collar in 1796.
The first birth was that of a daughter, Jane, to
Squire Henderson in i8oi.
The first death was that of EUzabeth Collar * in
1801.
The first resident minister was Rev. Mr. Ing-
ham (or Ingraham) in 1808.
The first Justice elected by the people was
Samuel Robinson in 1829.
One of the most noted early physicians was
Doctor E. Campbell.
The oldest person ever known to have died in
the town was Lucy Bates, born in 1725, and dying
in 1832, at the age of 107 years.
♦Probably wife to Hugh Harrison, whose marriage to an Elizabeth
Collar, the reader has noticed.
CONESUS — SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION AND WAR OF 1812.
329
Near the head of Lake Conesus, occurred in the
year 1779 a memorable battle between the Indians
and a portion of General SulHvan's army. The
army passed through the northwestern part of the
town, entering nearly on lot No. 6, and pursued a
direct course to the head of the lake.
Gen. Hand's light corps encamped on land once
owned by Doctor McMillen, while the main body
of the army encamped about three-quarters of a
mile southwest of what is now Conesus Centre.
This spot was on part of the farm taken up after
the war by Lemuel Richardson, who was a Revo-
lutionary soldier and also a member of Sullivan's
expedition.
Since the settlement of the town the plow has
unearthed many relics of that memorable cam-
paign, among which is a brass or copper plate,
worn on the hat, inscribed " U. S. Rifleman."
In the center of this plate is an eagle with out-
spread wings, holding in one claw an olive branch,
and in the other a bow and bunch of arrows. This
was found by Bennett R. Boyd while working for
Hiram Boyd on lot 14.
On land of Nathaniel Cole, Jr., a bullet mould
was found capable of running twelve balls of the
size of an old style horse pistol.
Numerous mementos have been discovered of
the Indians who formerly inhabited this region.
Warren Wheeler, who came here from Vermont,
in 1816, says that in the fall of that year an Indian
mound, or burying ground, was discovered near the
head of Conesus Lake, in which, in a sitting pos-
ture, were found the remains of a number of In-
dians, with the arms and trinkets with which they
had been buried.
The mound was about thirty feet in diameter,
thatched overhead with stones.
Revolutionary Soldiers. — Conesus has the
honor of once being the home of ten or more of
the patriots of the Revolution who came here after
the close of the war and resided until their death.
The list of these soldiers as near as can be learned —
although there may have been others who made
this town their home — is as follows : — Francis
Horth, Aaron Hale, Lemuel Richardson, David
Sopher, Jabez Lewis, Charles Chamberlin, Paul
Sanborn, Theophilus Jackson, Thaddeus Gage,
Isaiah Bacon. Five of these patriots lie buried in
the cemetery at Conesus Centre, two in South Li-
vonia, one in the McKay burial ground, one in
Hart's and one in Springwater. In those graves
which are honored by their presence they have
slumbered many years, and no records exist con-
cerning the majority of them. It is learned that
Thaddeus Gage was born in the year 1750, and in
1776, when but twenty-six years of age, entered
the Revolutionary army with which he served in
five campaigns.
Francis Horth was born in Rhode Island in
1756. At the age of nineteen he Joined the army
and served nearly five years, participating in the
battle of Stillwater, and being present at Saratoga
when Burgoyne surrendered his sword to General
Gates. He died in 1844 at the age of 88.
Aaron Hale was born near the city of Boston.
At the age of twenty-one he entered the army and
was present at the battles of Bunker Hill and Ben-
nington. In 1815 he came to Conesus where he
lived until his death in 182 1. He was buried in
the town of Springwater.
War of 181 2. — In this war, as the town was
not thickly inhabited, there were but few who
joined the American forces. Among those who
entered the field at that time were James Hender-
son, who was killed at the battle of Queenstown,
Andrew Carter, Andrew Arnold, Tyranis Ripley,
B. F. Fosdick, Asa Stevens, Benjamin Clapp,
Elijah Webster, and Daniel and Samuel Monger.
Erastus Lewis served as one of the minute men,
and when the news of the British advance on Buf-
falo reached the town he was called out to oppose
the enemy. In an engagement between the Amer-
can and British forces, on the enemy's side of the
river, in which the British were aided by a large
number of Indians, he took his position behind a
log fence, and as the enemy advanced he began to
fire upon them. After firing several shots he dis-
covered that he was alone, his comrades having
fallen back and deserted him. Under a heavy fire
from the British he jumped up and ran after them,
reaching his companions with only a bullet hole
through his hat.
Two brothers, Joseph and Jonathan Richardson,
both cripples, participated in the battle of Chip-
pewa, fought July 5, 18 14, in which battle Joseph
was killed by a ball passing through his heart, and
Jonathan was taken prisoner by the British. He
was taken to Montreal, and from there to Halifax,
from which place, after some six months imprison-
ment, he was released. Joseph Richardson, Jr., a
son to Joseph who was killed, was also captured
by the enemy, but in a few days escaped.
The friends of Joseph Richardson visited the
battle-field, where among the other dead gathered
for burial they found his remains, which they
brought home and buried at South Livonia,
330
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Andrew Carter, whose name is given in the
above list, entered the army when scarcely twenty
years of age, and soon after becoming disheartened
he deserted and returned home to suffer trials
greater than those from which he had fled.
He was soon missed, and an immediate search
was made for him, which, had he been re-taken,
would have resulted in his death for desertion.
Learning that he was pursued he took refuge in
what is known as Purchase Gull, where through
one long winter he hid away among the pines and
rocks, from whose recesses when the nights came
he would cautiously emerge and seek food at the
log cabin of James McNinch.
Several times officers came from Buffalo and
searched for him, ransacking this house, exploring
the guUeys, and laying every plan for his capture,
but through the aid of Mrs. McNinch he escaped.
In the branches of a huge hemlock he built a nest,
covering it with bark, in which through the winter
storms he lay until spring, when the search was
abandoned. He died a number of years ago in
Scottsburgh, respected by all as a worthy and
upright citizen.
As a reHc of this war Hiram Boyd, Esq., has in
his possession a captain's commission given sixty-
seven years ago to his father, Phillip Boyd. It is
dated at Albany, March 2, 1814, and is signed by
Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor of the State, and
by J. Kutsch Van Rensselaer, Secretary.
Flood of 1835.— In the fall of 1835 the town
of Conesus experienced the most disastrous flood
known since its settlement by the pioneers.
The flood was caused by a furious storm which
swept over the southern portion of the town, and
when it reached Calabogue Hollow the rain fell in
torrents, filling the ravines with a rush of water
which soon covered the flats below, carrying every-
thing before it to destruction, until its fury was
abated at Conesus lake. Trees and fences were
whirled away like straws before the wind, and the
residents on the flats flew to the hills for safety,
some of them barely escaping with their lives. On
the eastern bank of the gully stood the millwright
shop of Bell & Hedges, which was swept away
as the unfortunate owners were endeavoring to
save their tools. The body of Bell was found next
day a short distance from the ruins, but the body
of Hedges was not found until the next July,
when it was discovered buried beneath a pile of
floodwood near the head of the lake.
Town Officers.— The first town meeting was
held at the head of Conesus lake, April 4, 1820.
This meeting proved to be illegal, as the legislative
act to form a new township from parts of Grove-
land and Livonia, which was passed in the early
part of the preceding winter, contained a special
clause that there should be no town meeting or
election of officers until the spring of 1821. Soon
after the passage of this act the inhabitants, un-
aware of this clause, issued notices for the election
of town officers on the day mentioned, when they
nominated Davenport Alger for Supervisor and
Phoenix Squibbs for Town Clerk. These nomina-
tions not being satisfactory to a large number of
the inhabitants, they determined to place in nom-
ination two other candidates. In this determina-
tion they experienced some difficulty, for at that
time they were but little acquainted with each
other's ability to hold office. They finally resolved
to try Thomas Collar for Supervisor, although for a
long time they were in doubt as to his abihty ; but be-
lieving that a man who kept up as good fences as
Mr. Collar did would make a good Supervisor,
they placed his name on the ticket and succeeded
in electing him, together with Samuel Chapin, Jr.,
as Town Clerk.
The illegality of the election was soon discovered,
and in 182 1 was held the first legal town meeting,
at which Davenport Alger was elected Supervisor,
and Samuel Chapin, Jr., Town Clerk.
The other officers elected at that time were as
follows: — Assessors, Jesse McMillen, Alexander
Patterson, Zenas Whilen ; Overseers of the Poor,
Alexander Patterson, Thomas Collar; Highway
Commissioners, Jesse McMillen, Joel Gilbert;
Constable and Collector, Peter Stiles; School
Commissioners, Jesse McMillen, Joel Gilbert,
Erastus Wilcox; Inspectors of Schools, Andrew
Arnold, Samuel Chapin, Jr., Elias Clark.
From that date to 1880 the succession of Su-
pervisors and Town Clerks has been as follows : —
Supervisors. Tovm Clerks.
1822. Samuel Chapin, Jr. Andrew Arnold.
1823. Andrew Arnold. Davenport Alger.
1824-25. " " Peter Stiles.
1826. Alex. Patterson. " "
i827-28.David C. Higgins. David Gilbert.
1829. Andrew Arnold. Joshua Huntington.
1830. Samuel Robinson, Jr. B. F. Fosdick.
183 1. Jotham Clark, Sen. " "
1832. EK Barnes. " "
1833. Jotham Clark. " "
1834-35. Gardner Arnold.- " "
1836. Harvey Purchase. " "
1837. Jotham Clark. " "
1838. Hosea Gilbert. Joseph Wells.
1839. Robert Bayles. Charles Pixley.
1840. Gardner Arnold. " "
CONESUS — TOWN OFFICERS, CHI)rCHES.
33^
1 84 1. Robert Bayles. Charles Pixley.
1842. Hector Hitchcock. Justus Allen.
1843. Luther Chapin. " "
1844. Hector Hitchcock. " "
1845. Robert Bayles. Benoni F. Fosdick.
1846. Hector Hitchcock. " "
1847-48. Solomon Hitchcock. " "
1849. Robert Bayles. "
1850. Davenport Alger. " "
1851-52. Lewis C. Kingsbury. " "
1853-56. George F. Coe.
1857-58. Henry L. Arnold,
i859-62.EzraW. Clark.
1863-64. R. Fulton McMillen. "
1865. Ezra W.Clark.
1866. Henry C. Coe. "
1867. Ezra W.Clark. "
1868. Solomon Hitchcock.* "
i869-72.Henry C. Coe.t
1873. Jotham Clark.
1874. " " William H. Mills.
1875-76. Amos D. Coe. " "
1877-80. George F. Coe.t " "
The following officers were elected April 5,
1 881: Supervisor, R. Fulton McMillen; Town
Clerk, William H. Mills; Justice of the Peace,
Floyd McNinch ; Highway Commissioner, William
P. Whiteman ; Assessor, James C. McNinch ; Over-
seer of Poor, David Coleman ; Collector, Andrew
F. Kelleman; Constables, Andrew F. Kelleman,
John C. Coe, George Jerome, Timothy Bailey,
Sanford Allen ; Game Constable, Luman H. Bald-
win; Excise Commissioner, Patrick McNinch;
Inspectors of Election, William A. Miller, Charles
C. Gray.
Churches. — For many years after the settle-
ment of the town the pioneers were without regu-
larly organized religious societies and were depend-
ent on occasional preachers for the ministration of
the gospel. At first their nearest place for wor-
ship was at what was then known as Buell Hill, in
Livonia, where the Presbyterians held service.
About 1810 the Methodists began to hold religious
services in private houses throughout the town,
followed soon after by the Baptists, who had as an
occasional preacher a minister named Ingham.§
A society of the Christian order was organized
near May's (now Foot's) Corners in 1818, but it
existed only a few years. Of this order Rev. Syl-
vester Morris, who settled here in 18 18, was after-
ward an honored pastor. Mr. Morris was born in
the town of Paris, Oneida (now Clinton) county,
* Appointed.
t Died February 22, 1880.
t Mr. Coe died and R. F. McMillen was appointed to fill the unex-
pired term.
§ Or Ingraham, who settled in Conesus about 1808, and who was the
first resident minister in the town.
N. Y., Nov. 30, i8or. In 1815 he moved to East
Henrietta, N. Y., and from there to Conesus in
1818. In 1847 he was ordained as a minister in
the Central New York Christian Conference,
which was formed in pioneer times by circuit riders.
He died February 14, 1877.
Rev. John Hudson became a resident here in
1 81 5, and when in about 1816 the Methodists
organized a society at Conesus Centre he became
the pastor of that denomination.
Of the Methodist Episcopal Society thus organ-
ized there are no records until the erection of its
church edifice in 1836.
The church was dedicated January 28, 1837, by
Rev. James Hemmingway, Presiding Elder. First
Board of Trustees — Thomas Youngs, Jesse Gray,
Justin Allen.
The first preacher in charge was Rev. E.
Thomas, followed by Revs. Jacob Scott in 1837,
Wilham Jones in 1838, Carlos Gould in 1839,
Chandler Wheeler in 1840, Sheldon Doolittle in
1 841, C. L. Brown in 1842, Wesley Cochrane in
1843, John Wiley in 1844, E. O. Hall in 1845,
Geo. Wilkinson in 1846, Theodore McElhaney in
1847-9, Hiram Sanford in 1850, Veranus Brownell
in 1851-2, Z. I. Buck in 1853, W. M. Haskell in
1854, Jonas Dodge in 1855, Samuel McGerald in
1856, Otis B. Weaver in 1857, Myron De Puy in
1858, Isaac McMahon in 1859-60, James Knapp
in 1861, L. L. Rogers in 1861-3, E. Lattimer in
1864, Robert T. Hancock in 1865, John Parker
in 1866-7, D. Hutchins and Mr. Blakeslee in
1868, T. J. O. Woodin in 1869-71, G. J. Du Bois
in 1871-2, J. Duncan in 1873, J. W. Blanchard in
1874, A. M. Bancroft in 1875, R. T. Hancock in
1876, J. D. Recqua, 1876-7, J. W. Barnett in
1877-8, Porter McKinstrey in 1878-9, A. E. Tan-
ner in 1879-80.
This church edifice was destroyed by fire Decem-
ber3o, 1871, and the meetings were held in aschool
house for two years and then in the First Univer-
salist Church until the fall of 1876, when a new
church was erected.
This church was built and furnished at a cost of
$4,000, and was dedicated November 15, 1876,
by Rev. B. I. Ives.
Board of Trustees: David Coleman, Samuel
Maring, WiUiam L. Perrin, Orville Chapin, Daniel
Trescott, Secretary.
TAe First Universalist Church. — This society
was organized December 19, X835. Among early
members were Joshua Huntington, H. J. Hunt-
ington, Gardner Arnold, Hosea Gilbert, Daven-
332
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
port Alger, Alexander Patterson, Enoch Wilcox,
Robert Bayles, Solomon Hitchcock, Lewis Clark,
Timothy DeGraw, David Gilbert, Samuel Buckley,
A. Stevens, Hiram Boyd, Darius Morris, J. T.
Beach.
The erection of a church edifice was begun in
1836 and was completed in 1837.
The church was built at Union Corners, on land
owned by Timothy DeGraw. Here the society
worshipped until the erection in 1873 of a more
commodious church in the village of Conesus
Center. This church was dedicated by Rev. W.
B. Randolph in March, 1874.
Among the pastors who officiated in the early years
of the society were :— Rev. O. Roberts, Rev. Mr.
Tompkins, Rev. O. B. Clark, Rev. J. A. Dobson,
Rev. W. B. Randolph.
The first pastor after the erection of the new
church was Rev. G. W. Montgomery, who remained
three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr.
Baker who presided one year. The next pastor
was Rev. Nelson Snell, one year, succeeded by the
present pastor. Rev. John Charles Mclnerney,
who came in April of 1880.
St. William's Catholic Church. — The church
edifice of this society was erected in 1876 by Rev.
Father Seymour, the resident pastor of St. Mi-
chael's church, Livonia, from which place Conesus
was attended. Previous to this time there was no
regular place of worship in the town, the people of
that faith being obliged to attend the church at
Livonia Centre, except when Father Seymour came
and held service in the school-house kindly opened
by the Trustees for that purpose. The church
erected for the accommodation of the society is a
very neat structure, and was completed and suita-
bly furnished by Father Murphy, who succeeded
Father Seymour, Nov. 7, 1877, and who attends
this charge from Livonia Center, where he resides.
Since the erection of the church the members have
done remarkably well in reducing the indebtedness
incurred, which at this date does not amount to
one hundred dollars. The ground upon which
the church was erected was purchased by William
Egan, a member to whom much is due for his un-
tiring zeal in prqcuring a place of worship. Among
the many generoiis non-Catholics who contributed
liberally toward the erection of the church were
Amos D. Coe, Ezra W. Clark, Solomon Hitchcock,
Jotham Clark, Fulton McMillen, George F. Coe,
T. F. DeGraw, and W. H. Mills.
The membership numbers about twenty families,
prominent among whom are those of Patrick Ryan,
C. McGinty, B. Lawn, John McGinty, William
Dunne and Martin Berrigan.
Services are held in the church every third Sun-
day at nine o'clock, a. m.
Population. — The population of Conesus in
1870 was 1,362; of which 1,262 were native, 100
foreign, 1,357 white, and 5 colored.
In 1875 the total number of inhabitants was
1,371 : of which 1,263 were native; foreign 108 ;
and white 1,371.
At the last census, 1880, the total population
was 1,397; a gain of 35 in ten years.
School Statistics. — The first school districts
in Conesus were organized in the year 1820, Jan.
21, under the direction of Jesse McMillen, Erastus
Wilcox, School Commissioners. These are known
as Districts 6 and 7.
There are 9 districts in the town which, in 1 880,
employed ten teachers. During 1880 school was
taught 441 3-5 weeks, with an average attendance
of 186. The number of children in these districts
over five and under twenty-one is 443. Of that
number 347 attend school during some portion of
the year. The amount paid as wages to teachers
during the yearwas $1,734.09. The district libra-
ries were valued at $75.00, and the amount paid
out on them in 1880 was $404. Total value of
school houses and sites, $6,235.
Total amount paid for school apparatus during
the year, $2.11.
Total amount expended on school houses, sites,
repairs, furniture, &c., $174.30. Total incidental
expenses for the year, $264.52. Total valuation
of districts, $7,645.79.
Printing Establishments. — The only enter-
prise of this kind in the town is Boyd's Job Print-
ing EstabUshment, situated in the northern part of
the town at what is known as Conesus post-office.
The business was established by the present pro-
prietor, Wilham P. Boyd, in 1875. The estab-
lishment has every faciUty for job printing.
Mr. Boyd is a practical mechanic. The press
which he uses in his office was made by himself,
and he also manufactures for the trade, his presses
giving general satisfaction.
Besides the labor attendant on his business, Mr.
Boyd is a well known and interesting contributor to
the press of the county and State. He and Hiram
Boyd, his father, have made the history of Conesus
an especial study, and it is to them that we are
indebted for the material used in this history
of the town, much of which appears in its original
form.
The subject of this brief memoir was the son of
John C, and Anna (Dixon) Coe, who moved to
Livonia at an early day, being among the pioneers
of that town.
He was born in Livonia in 1816, and moved to
Conesus in 1843. He was twice married, first to
Roxy Howe, of Livonia, who lived but a few years ;
afterwards to Alta A. Stone, also of Livonia. To
them were born three children, viz: — Annie C,
John C, and G. F. J., all of whom survive him.
At the time of his death, Mr. Coe was 64 years of
age, and had been for many years a prominent
citizen of his town, and well known throughout the
county. That he greatly endeared himself to the
people of his town, the many public offices he held
fully testify. For eight years he represented the
town of Conesus as Supervisor, having been elected
to that office in 1853, reelected in 1854-5 and'56,
and also in 1 877-78-79 and '80. The board of
Supervisors, recognizing his particular fitnesss for
the position, elected him chairman of that board in
1880, which position he held at the time of his
death.
As a public officer, he was faithful, vigilant,
and trustworthy, guarding carefully the interests of
the county at large, as well as of his own imme-
diate constituents. A favorite among his ac-
quaintances, keen in perception, and full of the
poetry of wit, genial and pleasant to all, his pres-
ence brought sunshine into every gathering in which
he mingled. He was one whom nature fitted for
the highest responsibilities of life, possessing clear
and accurate judgment combined with broad and
liberal views, and unbounded benevolence. He
was a kind and generous friend to the poor. Being
full of sympathy for all the distressed or unfortu-
nate, he never allowed a suffering or needy appli-
cant to be turned away empty-handed, thereby ex-
emplifying in his daily life the distinguishing tenet
of his religious faith, which was the fatherhood of
God and the brotherhood of man. He was socially
honest, and what he said to-day, he was ever will-
ing to repeat to-morrow. In the community in
which he lived, the foot-prints of his kindness and
charity will remain long after the mould of time has
gathered on the tablet erected to his memory. Mr.
Coe was a member of the Masonic fraternity, hav-
ing become so in 1858. His death which was a
pecuharly sad one, occurred November 9, 1880.
Returning from a meeting of the Board of Super-
visors, which he left in apparent health, when almost
in sight of his home, he was attacked with heart
disease, a difficulty which had troubled him occa-
sionally for some years, and stricken down instantly,
breathing out his precious spirit in solitude where
no eye beheld him except the Eye that never sleep-
eth. So true is it, that in the midst of life, we are
in death.
UNION CORNERS — FOOT'S CORNERS — CONESUS CENTRE.
333
Hiram Boyd came to Conesus in 1821, at the
age of sixteen, and is known as one of the most
successful and inteUigent farmers of the town.
Union Corners.
Union Corners is situated about half a mile
north of Conesus Centre, on lot No. 43. It has
some eighteen or twenty houses, and about fifty
inhabitants.
The first house was built here in 1807 by Abel
Root. The only business place is a tailor shop
conducted by John Magee. The first tailor shop
was built here by a Mr. Bates in 1820. In 1837
he was succeeded by Gardner Arnold, who built
the first frame tailor shop, in which for a few years
he carried on a successful business when it was
burned down.
John Magee, the present merchant tailor, was
born in Ireland in 1821, and came to America
when ten years old. He came from New York to
Conesus as a permanent resident in 1846, and in
1850 built his store in which for thirty years he
pursued his business until Sunday, March 6, 1881,
when both his store and his dwelling house were
destroyed by fire.
Foot's Corners.
Foot's Corners is a small hamlet about a mile
south of the northern boundary of the town. In
the early settlement of the town this place was
called May's Corners, for a family of that name who
made the first settlement here in 1806. The ham-
let contains ten or fifteen houses and was once the
chief place of the town. In earlier days it had a
store, tavern, and blacksmith shop. The tavern
was built about sixty years ago by Harvey May
and Samuel Chapin.
The store was built about the year 1835 by
Foster Foot, from whom the place derived its pres-
ent name.
Both tavern and store have been abandoned for
many years. This place at an early day was a
noted resort for races, general trainings, and other
amusements.
Conesus Centre.
Conesus Centre, the chief business place of the
town, contains a population of about two hundred.
It is situated nearly in the center of the town on
the line of the New York, Lake Erie and Western
Railroad. The first permanent settlement known
to have been made here was by Jacob Durham,
about the year 1800, who built the first log-house.
The village contains three churches, one hotel,
post-office, a harness shop, and three stores.
The first store was opened here in 181 7 by Mr.
Arnold and his nephew, Gardner Arnold. Their
place of business was in a log building.
The first hotel was built by Daniel Bump be-
tween 1830 and '35, which was destroyed by fire a
number of years ago. The post-office was estab-
Hshed here in 1819 with Andrew Arnold as post-
master, and B. F. Fosdick as post-rider. In 1823
a mail route was estabUshed between Conesus Cen-
tre and Springwater, and Rev. Sylvester Morris
was the first to perform the service of post-rider on
that Hne. The present post-master is WiUiam H.
Mills, who was appointed in 1874, succeeding B.
M. Moulton who had held the office some four or
five years.*
The hotel is kept by Dr. G. K. Vincent, who is
also extensively engaged in the manufacture of
perfumery and flavoring extracts, and various med-
ical compounds. This business was founded by
G. K. Vincent in 1873, and is conducted by G. K.
Vincent & Co. The medicine and extracts man-
ufactured by this firm have met with great success
and the business bids fair to live among the prom-
inent manufactures of the county.
WiUiam H. Mills, general merchandise, has been
in business here ten years. He was born in Grove-
land, February 24, 1845, and has been a resident
of the town twenty-seven years.
Lewis & Stark, (Gilbert L. Lewis, Arthur A.
Stark,) general merchandise, have been in business
as a firm since April i, 1880.
John Dodge, general hardware, has been in bus-
iness here since 1876, coming here at that time
from Liberty, Steuben county, in which place he
was born July 15, 1847.
Frank S. Gilmore, jeweler, has been in business
two years, coming here from Springwater, N. Y.
WiUiam A. Miller, harness-maker, has been en-
gaged in that business here seven years. He was
born in DansviUe in 185 1, and came to Conesus
eight years ago.
Dr. Jesse B. Losey is the only practicing physi-
cian in the town. He was born in South Dans-
viUe, Steuben county, October 20, 1828, gradu-
ated at Castleton, Vt., in 1857, and came to Cone-
sus in i860. During the war of the Rebellion he
served as Assistant Surgeon in the 2 2d New York
Cavalry.
* The town has also another office, known as Conesus post-office, in
the northern part of the town. The post-master is Joseph H. Rowland.
334
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Soldiers of thk Rebellion. — When the war
cloud of the Rebellion broke over the land the
town of Conesus promptly and enthusiastically re-
sponded to the call both in money and men.
The town stood two drafts, and had the honor
of being able to furnish the requisite quota of vol-
unteers without compelHng the drafted men to en-
ter the service.
Through the enthusiastic efforts of the inhabit-
ants, who with fife and drum recruited on the
Sabbath day as well as during the week, the de-
sired number of men was obtained, and they
marched from the town to carry the flag on the
bloody fields of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, York-
town and Richmond, and in Sherman's triumphant
march to the sea.
The total enlistment from the town, under the
various calls was seventy-eight. The amount of
money raised to procure enlistments was $3,100,
and of that amount $1,900 was raised by a tax
upon the town, the balance being procured by in-
dividual subscription. Besides that amount $700
were raised as donations to hospitals and sanitary
commissions.
The following is the list of the volunteers and
the regiments in which they enlisted : —
One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment: —
Henry L. Arnold, entered as Captain of Company
I, was promoted to Colonel of the regiment, and
was wounded in battle at Bentonville, N. C,
March 19, 1865. He is now in Geneseo, N. Y.
Matthew Mead, Second Lieutenant, Company
I, served through the war. Now in Rochester,
N. Y.
Charles Bullard, First Lieutenant, Company not
known, was wounded.
William Lawn, Sergeant, Company I, killed at
the battle of Resaca,* Ga., May 16, 1864; buried
on the field.
LaFayette McFarlin, Company I, enlisted in
1862. Died in hospital at Washington, in August
of 1863.
Watson Thomas, Company I, enlisted in 1862 ;
taken sick, came home on a furlough, and died in
November, 1863.
John Duane Alger, Company I, enlisted in 1862 ;
died at Camp Smoky Hollow, Va., in the fall of
1863.
Jerome Henry, Company I, enlisted in 1862 ; died
in the hospital at Washington, in the spring of
1863.
James Conlen, Company I, enlisted in 1862 ; lost
* Another record says he was killed at Chattanooga.
an arm at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, but served till
close of the war. Now living in Conesus.
Charles Beadle, Company I, served till 1864,
when he was discharged. Now in Wisconsin.
Orville M. Chapin served through the war. Now
in Conesus.
Allen Timbrooks, Company I, served through
the war. Now in Michigan.
James McGHn, Company I, wounded and taken
prisoner at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. Was
taken to Libby Prison, and was afterwards released
and returned to his regiment. Now in Livonia,
N. Y.
William Poland, Company I, discharged in 1863,
at Stafford Court House for inability. Now in
Conesus.
Henry Compton, Company I, was Company
cook. Now in Illinois.
James Compton, Company I, deserted in 1863,
after the first day's battle at Gettysburg.
Chester Gould, Company I, served till fall of
1863. Lost his voice and was honorably dis-
charged. Now near Pontiac, Michigan.
Joel Johnson, Company I, was discharged on
account of inability. Now in Springwater, N. Y.
Horace Wing, Company I, was discharged on
account of sickness, in 1863. Now proprietor of
the Clinton House, Dansville.
Harrison Coleman, Sergeant, Company I, served
through the war. Now in Saginaw, Michigan.
Joseph Earnhardt, Company I, discharged at
Washington in the fall of 1862. In 1863 he re-
enlisted in the 14th Heavy Artillery. Was wound-
ed at the battle of Cold Harbor, in 1864. Now
in Canadice, Ontario county, N. Y.
Abram Tittsworth, Company I, was discharged
on account of inability in 1862. Now in Kalama-
zoo, Michigan.
Orlando D. Webster, Company I, deserted in
1863. Was drowned in Conesus lake in 1873.
WiUiam Cole, Company I, deserted after the
first day's battle of Gettysburg.
Theodore Acker, Company I, enlisted in 1864,
at Savanah, Ga. Now in Michigan.
Robert F. Bullard, Company I, was wounded at
Mission Ridge, Tenn., in November of 1864.
Now in Perry, Wyoming county, N. Y.
Samuel Maring, Company I, died in the hospi-
tal in 1863.
Reuben Cole, Company I, deserted in 1863, af-
ter the first day's battle at Gettysburg.
Isaac Philhouse, Company I, enlisted in 1862.
Was discharged in 1865. Now in Conesus,
©aoias^ ^s>yaIL.E,MSIL,M»
CONESUS — WAR RECORD.
335
John Gill, Company I, was wounded at Gettys-
burg in July, 1863, and was honorably discharged.
A. T. Thompson, (dead,) Samuel Compton,
Henry Piatt, (dead,) John Tierney, Christopher
Sylvester, Wm. Burdick.*
Of those who enlisted in other regiments in de-
fense of the Union, G. Wiley Wells, at the break-
ing out of the RebeUion was one of the first from
this town to tender his services, entering the 27th
Regiment New York Volunteers, and serving with
credit to himself until the expiration of his term
of enlistment. Upon his return he recruited for
the 130th Regiment, afterward changed to the
First New York Dragoons, and on reenHsting was
commissioned as First Lieutenant. At the close
of the war he removed to Mississippi, from which
State he went as a Representative to Congress, and
under President Grant's administration was U. S.
Consul to China.
Wilber Payn, enHsted in 1864 in Company K,
1 88th Regiment. Was wounded at battle of Five
Forks, Va., April ist, 1865. Now in Conesus.
Daniel Shker, Sergeant, Company D, i88th Regi-
ment. Now in Ohio.
Morgan Shafer, Sergeant, i88th Regiment. Now
in Conesus.
Peter Sawdey, First N. Y. Dragoons. Now in
Springwater, N. Y.
Daniel Hoose, enlisted in 1864 in Company K,
1 88th Regiment. Was honorably discharged at
close of the war. Now a farmer in Sparta, N. Y.
William Gray enhsted in 186 1. Died in Michi-
gan ; date unknown ; buried in Conesus.
Wilham Harrison enlisted in 1864 in U. S. Navy.
Was discharged in 1865 on account of sickness.
Now in Conesus.
Theodore Redmond enlisted in 1863 in 14th
Heavy Artillery. Served till 1865 ; was discharged
and afterwards went to Michigan, where he died in
1872 or '73.
Lucius Doud, Company G, First N. Y. Dragoons,
was shot in battle at Todd's Tavern, Va., and is
supposed to have died of lockjaw.
William Sleiter, Company G, First N. Y. Dra-
goons. Now in Livonia,
Jesse B. Losey enlisted in 1864 in 22nd N. Y.
Cavalry as assistant surgeon. Now practicing phy-
sician in Conesus.
William Egan, transferred to invalid corps in
1864. Now in Conesus.
Henry Timbrooks enlisted in 1861 in Company
* Of this list there are no records to show the date of death, or the
present resideoce of the living.
B, 104th Regiment, ^eenlisted at Mitchell Sta-
tion, Va., in 1864. Was wounded at second battle
of Bull Run, and at Laurel Hill in 1864. Now
mail carrier in Conesus.
Joseph Orr, 93d N. Y. Volunteers. Now in
Conesus.
Joseph Harvey, Company K, i88th N. Y. Vol-
unteers, was promoted to First Lieutenant. Now
in Saginaw, Mich.
Chauncey (or Charles) Wilder, Company B,
104th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, died at Camp
Rathbun, Albany, in 1862.
John Piatt, Company B, 104th Regiment N. Y.
Volunteers, was discharged in November of 1862
on account of inability. Died in Conesus in
1864.
Albert Piatt, Company B, 104th Regiment N.
Y. Volunteers, was wounded at Gettysburg, Pa.,
July I, 1863. Died in Steuben county since the
war.
Truman Powell, Company B, 104th Regiment
N. Y. Volunteers, discharged in 1862, on account
of inability. Now in Kansas.
William Henry Gould, Company B, 104th Regi-
ment N. Y. Volunteers, discharged with his regi-
ment in 1865. Now in Springwater.
Jacob Gray, Company I, i88th Regiment N. Y.
Volunteers, discharged at close of the war. Now
a farmer in Conesus.
George Northrop enlisted in March, 1864, in U.
S. Navy. Was drowned at Tunica Island, La., in
1864.
John Duane Scott* enhsted March 20, 1864, in
U. S. Navy. Served faithfully through the period
of his enhstment. Now in Conesus.
Charles Bush, 104th Regiment N. Y. Volun-
teers, was killed by a cannon ball in the first battle
in which the regiment was engaged.
Joseph Thomas, Company H, First Michigan
Volunteers, killed by accidental discharge of a gun
in the hands of a comrade.
Jason Spencer, 13th Regiment. Killed.
William Wilson, i88th Regiment.
Manson Sanborn, 13th Regiment.
Wilham Spears, 130th Regiment.
John Brown, 104th Regiment.
William Brown, 22nd N. Y. Cavalry.
Charles Ray, 130th Regiment.
Moses Acker, captain's waiter, 130th Regiment.
Moses Slater, 130th Regiment. Missing.
George Patten, i88th Regiment.
* To whom, and to James Conlon and W. P. Boyd, we are indebted
for this soldiers' record.
33^
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Marcus Hutchin, i88th Regiment.
Livingston Clark, 21st N. Y. Cavalry.
Israel Wells, 21st N. Y. Cavalry.
Ward More, 21st N. Y. Cavalry.
Charles Holmes, 104th Regiment N. Y. Volun-
teers.
Alvin Beers, i88th Regiment.
Marshall Morris, 13th Regiment. Dead,
George Clarke, 13th Regiment. Wounded
slightly.
Arlington Sylvester,* Gilbert Lewis, John Mc-
Ninch, John Swartout, James De Forster.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE WILHELM.
Among the early settlers of this county the Wil-
helm family deserve special mention, and are of
German origin. Three brothers came over from
Germany about the year 1700, and settled one
each in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
John, the father of George and progenitor of this
family, was born in New Jersey. He was the
father of eight children — six sons and two daugh-
ters. Jacob, the sole surviving member of the
family, lives in Woodhull, Steuben county, N. Y.
George, the subject of this brief memoir, was born
September 2, 1791, and December 25, 18x5, was
married to Sarah Bailey, of Yates county, N. Y.,
by whom he had ten children, viz : Ursula, John,
Jonathan, Benjamin F., William B., George, Elsie
Ann, James G., Rhoda, and Phillip C.
March 22, 1828, he moved to the town of Sparta,
taking his goods on sleighs. Here he purchased
one hundred and forty-three acres of land, on
which only fifteen acres had been partly cleared,
and built a frame barn. In 1835 he erected
a frame building on the place previously oc-
cupied by a rude log hut, and by his sturdy will
and industry made a clearing on what is now a
finely cultivated farm. He held the position of
road commissioner several terms, and he never
sought pohtical preferment, but was satisfied to
devote his energies to the task he had undertaken
— that of clearing and making a comfortable
home for his family out of the wilderness he had
selected as a foundation. Three of his children
are now living — John and William, who occupy
farms in Conesus, and Jonathan, in Springwater.
He died March 7, 1855, and his wife October 20,
I87.S-
As an individual member of this family, John is,
perhaps, the most prominent and successful. He
* Company and regiments of these are unknown.
is the second child, was born September 14, 181 8,
and April 23, 1843, was married to Leora, daugh-
ter of Ozias Humphrey, of Springwater. They
had eight children, six of whom are now living, as
follows : — Emily A., Sidney S., Elsie J., Solon H.,
Eugene B. and Martha V. His first business ven-
ture was in a saw-mill, which he ran in connection
with his father about four years. His first pur-
chase of land was one hundred and eighteen acres,
to which he has added at different times, until he
is now the owner of about four hundred acres, in-
cluding the old homestead. He deals extensively
in cattle and sheep. On one of his trips through
the Western States he stopped at the town of Mil-
ford, Oakland county, Michigan, where, there
being no bank and the business needing one, he
became one of the originators of an exchange
bank. The increasing population, however, de-
manded a national bank and they changed the Ex-
change bank to the National bank of Milford, of
which Mr. Wilhelm is vice-president. Two of his
sons, Sidney S. and Solon H., seem to have in-
herited their father's business qualifications and
hold responsible positions. Sidney S. was elected
Supervisor of Holly, Mich., in April, 1881, and is
cashier of the Merchant's National bank there, to
which position he was appointed at the early age
of twenty-one years, and Solon H. is the cashier of
the National bank of Milford. The two brothers
are extensive dealers in lumber, their transactions
amounting to millions of feet of the same each year.
Of the family all are married, excepting Martha
and Eugene who reside at home, the latter assist-
ing in the management of the large farm which he
occupies with his father, and which is a very pro-
ductive one, the soil being a loam and clay sub-
soil.
In his domestic relations, Mr. Wilhelm is a kind
and loving father, teaching his children by an up-
right Ufe the value and importance of virtue, and
inspiring them with worthy ambitions to be true
men and women in the loftiest sense of the word.
His teachings are not forgotten, but are fully ex-
emphfied in the lives of his children.
ANDREW N. PERRIN.
Among the younger men who were natives of
this county, few, if any, are more deserving of
special mention than Andrew N. Perrin.
His father, William Perrin, came here from
Washington county, N. Y., about 1825, and pur-
chased the farm situated about half a mile south of
Conesus Center, and which is still in the family.
December 27, 1833, he was married to Sybil
Chamberlain.
They had three sons, the eldest of whom is the
subject of this sketch, and was born September i,
1839. The others are, Wm. L. and Lewis D.
s^mmwimwi si., F-jaiamsn,
ANDREW N. PERRIN— JOEL GILBERT.
337
Perrin ; also two daughters, Mary M. and Sybil S.,
who have died.
Mrs. Peirin died July 26, 1847. Mr. Perrin
married, as his second wife, Rhoda M., daughter
of Titus Curtiss, of Groveland, by whom he had one
child, Luna L.
Mr. Perrin, Sr., became one of the leading citi-
zens and farmers of the county, and was well-
known in the State and beyond for his superior
stock, especially in the line of merino sheep, and
horses.
He died December 8, 1853, truly respected and
lamented, and was buried in the cemetery at South
Livonia.
A picture of the " good old home '' is given in
this volume. The father's death occurring when
Andrew N. was fourteen, left him, with the widow,
the main reUance of the other children. With a
brave young heart, he entered upon the responsi-
bilities of the situation, and by virtue of his work-
ing on the farm in summer and teaching in winter,
the following eleven years witnessed all the family
well cared for, and each of the children with a
good education; Andrew N. having found time
also to spend two years in Brockport Collegiate In-
stitute.
Wilham L. married Salhe, daughter of S. K.
Foote, of Louisville, Ky. Lewis D. married Ger-
trude, daughter of Patrick McEntee, of Perry, N.
Y. Both these sons reside at Clean, N. Y., suc-
cessfully engaged in the oil business. Andrew N.
was married May 8, 1867, to Linda, daughter of
C. G. Williams, of Waukesha, Wisconsin. They
have five children : — William, Marion W., Sybil
M., Linna and Charles W.
In 1865 he engaged in the development of oil in
Western Pennsylvania, and in 1868 located at
Titusville, Pa.
After passing through the vicissitudes incident
to that business, he appears in the front rank of
prominent men in position and character.
He is part owner and a manager in the Tide
Water Pipe Line Company, which transports, by
pipe line, from the oil regions to the seaboard, two
millions or more barrels of crude oil annually ;
and has recently added refining on a large scale
to its business of transportation.
Under appointment of the Governor, he is a
member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Agri-
culture, where his early experience will be of great
value.
He is also under appointment, by the President,
as a Commissioner from Pennsylvania to the
World's Fair proposed to be held in New York in
1883.
In 1880 he was elected Mayor of the city of
Titusville, which position he still holds.
As a public speaker he takes high rank in both
matter and manner. In a word, by natural en-
dowments and expanding personal character, he is
one of those reliable, rising men, who are not only
successful in private life, but are also needed by
the community in the administration of its more
important and public affairs.
JOEL GILBERT.
Joel Gilbert, the subject of this sketch, was born
in Vermont, May 4th, 1792. He was the son of
Moses Gilbert. He moved to Conesus about the
year i8io, and was married to Maria Henderson,
of Conesus, August 31st, 18 19. She was the
daughter of Samuel Henderson, who was one of
the oldest settlers in the town. The result of his
(JOEL GILBERT.)
marriage was four children viz: — Theodore H.,
Nelson N., Wm. H. and Henry S. Nelson N.
married Alta, daughter of John CoUer, of Sparta.
Her grandfather, Jacob, was among the first settlers
of that town.
Wm. H. married Juha A., daughter of Wm.
Games and Phoebe Shay, a family noted for their
lon<^evity; in 1870, at a re-union of the family of
Mrs. Games, there were five generations sitting at
one table.
WilUam H. Gilbert's family consists of five
children:— Estella M., Nettie E., Wm. Sherman,
Henry N., Luella E. Wm. H. occupies the old
homestead, which is pleasantly situated on the
eastern shore of Conesus lake.
Henry S. married Emeline, daughter of Riley
Scott, of Conesus. Three children were born to
them :— Helen M., Ermie E. and Henry S. Theo-
dore lives in Oregon. The subject of this memoir
was one of the oldest and a highly respected citizen
of the town in which he lived. Although never
seeking office, he held the position of Assessor for
a number of years. He possessed the nerve and
energy peculiar to the sturdy New England stock
from which he sprang. In politics he was a Re-
pubhcan at the time of his death. Pnor to the
war he was an Andrew Jackson Democrat. He
died February 7th, 1870. His wife died January
30th, i860.
338
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIV. -
History of the Town of Leicester.
LEICESTER is the central town on the west
border of Livingston county, and is bounded
on the north by York, east by Geneseo and Grove-
land, south by Mt. Morris, and west by Castile,
Perry and Covington, Wyoming county.
It was formed March 30, 1802, under the name
of " Lester," in honor of Lester Phelps, son of
Oliver Phelps, a partner of Nathaniel Gorham.
This name was changed February 9, 1805, to the
present one.
Its surface is undulating, but grows more level
as the Genesee river is neared, along the valley of
which are extensive flats. The soil is mostly a
sandy and clayey loam on the uplands and a rich
alluvium on the flats. The principal streams are
the Genesee river which forms its eastern and
southern boundary, and Beard's and Sam's creeks
which are tributary to it. Rice's Falls are located
upon the former stream and have a fall of fifty feet.
Beard's creek derives its name from the famous
Indian chief, Little Beard, who was killed June ist,
1806, at Stimson's tavern, by being pushed out of
a door in a drunken quarrel between some Indians
and whites.
On the farm of Wm. DeForest exists a very fine
fossiliferous deposit which is full of interest to the
geologist, so much so that the Moscow shale and
fossils are widely known.
At the time of its formation, Leicester embraced
a territory quite large in area extending about sixty
miles north and south, and twelve miles east and
west, with the following original recorded boun-
daries : — " Commencing on the eastern transit at
the southwest corner of South Hampton, thence
east to the Genesee river, thence south on that
river to a point near the junction of Canaseraga
creek and Genesee river, thence directly south to
Steuben county, and on the west line of Steuben
county to the Pennsylvania line, thence west on
the Pennsylvania line to the east transit, thence
north on the east transit to the place of beginning.''
At this time the eastern tier of townships of Alle-
gany county were included within the bounds of
Steuben county, but were annexed to Allegany
county, March 11, 1808. Angelica was set off
from Leicester, Feb. 25, 1805, and included all of
the town south of the southern boundary of Mt.
Morris. Perry, Wyoming county, which then in-
cluded Castile and a part of Covington, was set off
March 11, 18 14, and Mt. Morris, April 17, 1818.
March 26, 18 19, the north part of Leicester and
the south part of Caledonia were united to form
the town of York, leaving the town reduced to its
present boundaries.
There is more than usual historical interest at-
tached to this town from the fact that within its
borders was located three of the principal villages
of the Senecas — Little Beard's town, Squakie Hill
and Big Trge — and it was here, also, that the ob-
jective point of General Sullivan's noted expedition
against the Iroquois confederacy was located, and
from whence, August 17, 1779, he commenced the
retracing of his footsteps, having accompUshed the
total destruction of all of the Iroquois towns.
It was to Little Beard's town that Boyd and
Parker were taken after their capture; and it was
near the flouring mill, at Cuylerville, that they were
so cruelly tortured and put to death by the Indians
under the sanction of Col. Butler, Commander of
the British Rangers. This town at the time of its
destruction contained upwards of one hundred and
fifty houses, and was surrounded by orchards and
fertile fields of corn. It was here, also, that Mary
Jemison lived for a number of years previous to its
burning.
After the commencement of the Revolutionary war
white persons of both prisoners and allies were fre-
quently seen at this place, as it was considered the
headquarters of the Senecas.
Among the prisoners was one Joseph Smith who
was taken prisoner in 1776, by the Indians in
Cherry Valley. He remained with them as prison-
er until the close of the war in 1783, when he was
released. The Indians afterwards made him, in
conjunction with another prisoner, Capt. Horatio
Jones, a present of a tract of land five miles square,
bounded as follows : " Commencing at a point near
the junction of Canaseraga creek and Genesee
river, running west five miles, thence north five
miles, thence east to the Genesee river, and thence
south along said river to the place of beginning."
At the treaty held at Geneseo in 1797, but part
of this grant was confirmed, only three by five
miles being allowed. Smith was rather eccentric
in his habits, and through his open-hearted dispo-
sition and willingness to assist his friends financial-
ly, finally lost all of his property. He died at
Moscow.
Through some misrepresentation on the part of
Oliver Phelps, he obtained control of a large por-
tion of Horatio Jones' share, and upon Phelps'
failure these lands were transferred to the State of
Photo by Merrell, Ganeseo.
MR. & MRS. JAMES E. BEEBE.
Russell Beebe, father of James E., was born in
Canada, and came with his parents, when a mere
child, to Whitehall, Washington county, N. Y.,
where he resided until nineteen years of age. He
then concluded that the then far west in the
Genesee Valley, was the place where a young man
should commence to make for himself a home
and a fortune. Selecting the Genesee fiats he
settled there and remained about two years, when
he engaged to work by the year for William Wads-
worth, with whom he remained about three years.
From that time he worked by the month for
different parties until the year 1814, when May
29, he was married to Orville, daughter of Joseph
and Hannah Bell, of Leicester. He was then
superintendent of the Rogers farm and continued
in that capacity for the ten years following, when
he bought a farm one mile north of Moscow,
where he hved until he died March 14, 1864, his
wife having died in May, 1862. Their family
consisted of five children, three sons and two
daughters, four of whom are now living.
James E. is the eldest child and the only one
residing in the town of Leicester. He resided
with his parents until nearly twenty-three years of
age, and his education was such as he could
obtain at the district school, which he attended
winters, working on his father's farm during the
summer. December 25, 1839, he was married to
Caroline F. Royce who was born March 31, 1821,
and was daughter of Samuel and Betsey (Reed)
Royce, of Leicester. Mr. and Mrs. Beebe lived
with his father one and a half years after their
marriage, when they moved to where he now
resides, and for five years lived in the log house
which then stood where his present residence is
now situated. He then erected the- fine and com-
modious farm house which he now occupies.
They have had five daughters, four of whom are now
living, and three of whom were born in the old log
house. Emily M. is now Mrs. Charles Beckwith,
Hving in Bethany, Genesee county. Dora M.,vvife
of Edward J. Van Sickles, of Mt. Morris. Ruth A.,
now Mrs. Albert Filkins, of Bethany, Genesee
county, and Sarah E. is now Mrs. Augustus Burt,
of Perry, Wyoming county. Carrie L. died Sept.
22, 1880, at the age of twenty-two years.
Mr. Beebe has filled several important offices of
trust in town. He has been commissioner of
highways and assessor for a number of terms and
also auditor. He is a practical farmer and well
deserves the success that has followed his efforts.
LEICESTER— EARLY SETTLERS.
339
Connecticut. This land was divided into lots and
parcels about 1813. At the time of the donation
to Smith and Jones the flats were valued at 75
cents and the uplands at 25 cents per acre.
To Joseph Smith was born, in Geneva, in No-
vember, 1787, Mary, said to have been the first
white female child born west of Utica; and to
Horatio Jones, at Geneva, was born, December
17, 1786, William Whitemore, the first white male
child born west of the same place.
To Ebenezer Allen is ascribed the honor of mak-
ing the first settlement soon after 1783, but did not
remain but a short time, the first permanent settlers
being Horatio and John H. Jones, in 1789,
although John H. and George Jones had come in
the year previous, for the purpose of cutting grass
and stacking hay preparatory to the settlement the
next year. They cut the grass from about nine
acres aUttle east and south of the bridge over Beard's
creek, on the road to Cuylerville, and after secur-
ing the hay, left but returned in the fall and plowed
and sowed to wheat the ground they had mowed
over in the summer. This is beUeved to have been
the first wheat sown west of the Genesee river.
Captain Jones and his family, consisting of his
wife and three sons, Wm. W., George and Hiram
and a hired girl by the name of Sally Griffith,
moved into the town in June, 1789, and located in
a small hut located near the field of wheat sown
the fall before. It was here that the first white
birth occurred in the town, that of James Jones,
who was born May 5, 1791. James and his brother
George were taken prisoners by the Indians near
Lewiston in 1813 during the war with Great Britain.
After their capture a difficulty arose between their
captors as to the division of the prisoners, and dur-
ing the quarrel they were both cruelly tomahawked.
Sally Griffith who came in with Captain Jones'
family afterwards married Benjamin Squires of
Geneseo. The first death in the town was that of
Mrs. Horatio Jones, in June, 1792. The first inn
was kept by Leonard Stimson, who established in
1797 a tavern near the bank of the river, about a
fourth of a mile north of Jones' bridge. In 1803
he built a frame building, and used it as a tavern.
This was the first frame house built in the town
and was afterwards bought by Charles Jones. It
stood on the site of his residence, being incorpo-
rated in the same. The first frame barn was built
by Capt. Horatio Jones in 1796 and was the first
frame building in the town. It was erected a little
west of Jones' bridge.
The facilities for the transportation of grain dur-
ing the early history of the town were extremely
limited and being debarred by the expense of trans-
portation from sending the bulk of the grain raised
away to market, they were perforce compelled to
create a market for it at home, by converting it
into something more easily carried, and it was not
but a few years after the settlement of the town,
before a distillery sprang up, built by John H.
Jones on the old Fort farm where Col. W. W. Jones
afterwards lived. Since that time there have been
eight other distilleries in operation, although at
present the business has entirely died out.
A great deal of this Hquor found a " home mar-
ket " also, as is witnessed by the fact that no less
than sixteen taverns have had existence in the
town. Besides Stimson's tavern there was the
Pine tavern, which at first was only a log shanty in
the woods kept by Joseph Simonds, a tavern kept by
Francis Richardson on the farm afterwards owned by
Hiram Crosby, one kept by Pell Teed, one at the
river on the road between Geneseo and Moscow kept
by James Forbes, and one at the Jones Bridge kept
by Mr. Whitmore, all of which were the earliest in
the town. Dennison Foster kept tavern on the
place afterwards owned by Geo. Lane, in a house
which he erected for this purpose, and which was
afterwards purchased by Wm. Robb, who moved
it to Moscow in 1816, where he fitted it up as a
store and occupied it for a few years. It was after-
wards occupied successively by Allen Ayrault, Ly-
man Ayrault and Daniel Gates, and was finally
incorporated in the tavern afterwards kept by a
Mr. Pratt. Col. Joseph White was another early
tavern keeper at Leicester.
Elder John B. Hudson, an early Methodist
preacher who settled in Geneseo in 1808, states in
his "narative" that "Lester was at this time
(1808) known as a thinly scattered settlement,
certainly not noted for its moraUty, and still less so
in regard to rehgion. Whiskey and Sabbath dese-
cration were then and there notoriously prevalent."
Another writer says: "For a number of years
after the first settlement of the town the inhabi-
tants were beyond the reach of the healthful influ-
ence of civil authority. Intemperance was general
and crime was of frequent occurrence." All this,
however, has long since undergone a change, and
Leicester, freed from the incubus of alcohol, has
taken a front rank among the towns of the county
for the industry, thrift and law abiding spirit of its
inhabitants.
Old Leicester village was laid out in 1800 about
three-fourths of a mile east of Moscow by Augus-
34°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
tus Porter. The first postmaster in Leicester was
Nicholas Ayrault.
The formation of roads received due attention
from the early settlers, and some of the principal
thoroughfares from Geneseo passed through this
town. The first recorded roads in the county were
one located in Geneseo in 1791 and one in Avon
in 1797. In 1792 a gentleman from Boston jour-
neying from Canawaugus to Fort Niagara says
that "there was no path except an Indian trail
which was sometimes very difficult to follow, and
no white man lived on the route.'' Soon after this,
as the settlements increased in number, temporary
paths were opened through the forest, through
which, by means of " blazed " trees the traveler
could wend his way with a sense of safety against
losing his way through the forest, even if the road
was rough and primitive in its construction. One
of the earliest roads in the town was from the set-
tlement first known as Old Leicester to Batavia,
and from thence to Lewiston ; another was opened
from Leicester directly west twenty-five miles to
the town of Sheldon, while a third road starting
from the same point as the other two was laid off
in a south-westerly .direction to the Alleghany
river. Between Beard's creek, at this time, and
Leicester village was a swamp which though pass-
able was during wet seasons mostly under water.
The highway from Leicester to Mt. Morris was the
continuation of the present road leading south
from Leicester to its intersection with the present
road a few rods south of the school house at
Squakie Hill. From thence north to Moscow in
1818 the present traveled road was opened and
made passable for teams, mainly through the efforts
of Jellis Clute, who with Thomas and Wm. Clute were
prominent early settlers, coming from Schenectady.
The old road from Leicester village to Rice's
Falls came across Moscow green, thence by the
northwest corner through the center of the ceme-
tery and from there to the falls. In regard to the
means of crossing the river we have only been able
to glean the following items: Daniel Curtis, in
1804-5 '^spt ^ ferry across the river on the road
leading from Geneseo to Leicester. The first
bridge built south of Avon was called the Jones
bridge, and was erected in i8i6. In 183 1 this
bridge was carried away by a large freshet, and
was not rebuilt till 1832-3. The bridge at Mt.
Morris was built in 1830, washed away in 1832,
and rebuilt two years later. The Cuylerville bridge
was erected in 1852.
Besides the early settlers already mentioned that
wielded a prominent influence in the early history
of this town there were Jesse Wadhams, Joseph
White, Joseph Edmunds, Gideon T. Jenkins, after-
wards the first sheriff of the county, Festus Cone,
Dr. Asa R. Palmer, Justin Dutton, Col. Jerediah
Horsford, Samuel Miles Hopkins, Col. Wm. Ly-
man, Elijah Hunt, Alexander Ewing, Theodore
Thompson, and others. Jedediah Richardson set-
tled in Leicester in 1816. His son Hiram W.
Richardson was born in 1817, and is now living in
the town. Col. Lyman's wife was a daughter of
Capt. Horatio Jones, and was born in Leicester ;
she died March 14, 1875, aged seventy-one. Cap-
tain Horatio Jones, already mentioned, was born
Dec. 17, 1763, in Penn. He enlisted in the Con-
tinental army in 1780, and was captured by the
Indians that same year and taken to their home.
He lived with them till after the close of the war.
He died in 1836 and is buried in Geneseo.
The industrial interests of the town have been
quite prominent in their time. Besides the nine
distilleries already mentioned, there have been five
grist-mills, the first of which was erected by Oliver
L. Phelps, on the west -branch of Beard's creek at
Rice's Falls in 1797, and was burned in 1817 and
the second one by Noah Benton, near Mos-
cow, in 1799. The one at Cuylerville was first
built in 1844, by Col. Cuyler. There have been
three fulling mills in the town, two of them as early
as 1815, viz: one built by Peter Roberts and
Samuel Grossman in the gully, north of the resi-
dence occupied by Lewis Newman, and one built
by Peter Palmer. Three tanneries have been
in operation, conducted by Messrs. Ira Holmes,
Cone & Ferry and Spencer. The first saw-mill
was built by Ebenezer Allen, at Gibsonville, in
1792, Samuel M. Hopkins owned a brewery in
1820.
The first upland farm cleared and cultivated was
that of Josiah Risdon's, and was situated a little
north of Cuylerville. It was afterwards owned by
David Bailey. The first physician was Paul New-
comb.
In September, 1825, there was held at the
Academy in Moscow an important treaty with the
Seneca Indians. On the part of the United States,
Major Carroll, Judge Howell and Nathaniel Gor-
ham acted as commissioners, Jasper Parish was
Indian agent and Horatio Jones acted as inter-
preter. This treaty was held mainly for the purpose
of extinguishing the title of Mary Jemison to the
Gardeau reservation by purchase by the whites.
The land amounting to nearly i8,oqo acres was
LEICESTER— TOWN OFFICERS.
341
bought by Henry B. Gibson, Micah Brooks and Jellis
Clute. The Indians soon after this sale was con-
summated, moved away to their reservations west.
In 1815 the Synod of Geneva proposed opening
a school at Squakie Hill for the instruction of the
Indian children, provided a school house could be
built for that purpose. Rev. Daniel S. Butrick
engaged to have a suitable school house provided
which was completed Jn November, 1815. Soon
after the completion of the house a school was
opened for the Indian children under the care of
Col. Jerediah Horsford, who was employed for the
purpose by the above mentioned Synod. At the
time of this school the number of Indians at the
place, old and young, was about eighty.
August 20, 1 84 1, occurred a most notable event
in the history of the town. On that day, in the
presence of large delegations from Livingston and
Monroe counties, the remains of those brave
men who formed Lieut. Boyd's scouting party
and who were so cruelly sacrificed, were, to-
gether with the remains of Boyd and Parker, taken
to Rochester and there interred in Mt. Hope ceme-
tery. T"hc remains of Boyd's unfortunate comrades
were exhumed August 16, from the farm of James
Boyd, in Groveland, having been buried near
where they so bravely fell. Boyd and Parker were
buried near the bridge at Cuylerville. The two
small streams that join near here were at this time
(1841) named respectively Boyd's and Parker's
creeks in their honor.
The first town meeting was held March 1st,
1803, at the house of Joseph Smith, who then
lived very near the spot that Col. Cuyler's farm
house was located. This Joseph Smith was the
one to whom, in company with Horatio Jones, the
Indians granted a tract of land.
At this meeting there were elected the following
officers : —
Supervisor, John H. Jones ; Town Clerk, Geo. A.
Wheeler; Assessors, Samuel Ewen, Alpheus Harris,
Dennison Foster ; Collector and Constable, Peres
Brown; Poor Masters, Benjamin Gardner, Adam
Wisner; Commissioners of Highways, George Gard-
ner, Wm. Mills, Joel Harvey ; Fence Viewer, Daniel
Curtis ; Pound Keepers, David Dickinson, James
Dale, Joel Harvey; Path Masters, Abel Cleveland,
Samuel Hascall.
The following have been the successive Super-
visors and Town Clerks : —
Supervisors. Town Qerks.
1804-06. John H. Jones. Daniel Curtis.
1807. Tom Lemen. Jared Spalding.
1808-09. Tom Lemen.
1 8 10. John H. Jones.
1811-13. Wm. A. Mills.
1814.
■25-
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819,
1820-
1822
1823
1824
1826
1827
1828
1829,
1830,
1831
1832
1833-34-
1835-36.
1837.
1838.
Jellis Clute.
Abraham Camp.
Joseph Butrick.
Jellis Clute.
Joseph White.
JeUis Clute.
EHhu Scofield.
Jellis Clute.
Allen Ayrault.
Felix Tracey.
Wm. Jones.
Justin Dutton.
JeUis Clute.
Justin Dutton.
II ((
John Baldwin.
Joseph White.
Hezekiah Ripley.
John Baldwin.
Jerome Curtis.
Wm. Lyman.
Jerediah Horsford.
Daniel Gates.
Wm. Lyman.
Geo. W. Patterson. " "
Daniel H. Bissell. H. A. Wilmerding.
Horatio Jones, Jr. Ebenezer Walker.
Daniel H. Bissell. H. A. Wilmerding.
Daniel C. Maxson.
Ephraim Cone.
Daniel P. Bissell. M. N. Burchard.
Geo. W. Patterson. H. A. Wilmerding.
1839-40. H. N. Wheelock.
1841.
Richard H. Wells.
Wm. W. Wooster. Sylvanus L. Young.
Wm. M. Older.
Horatio Jones, 3d.
Wm. M. Older.
D. B. Noble.
Henry Tilton.
D. B. Noble.
John H. Jones, Jr. Gideon Thompson.
Erastus Brooks.
John H. Jones.
John Kennedy.
1842
1843-44.
1845-
1846.
1847.
1848-50.
1851.
1852.
1853-
1854.
1855-
1856.
1857-
1858.
1859.
i860.
1861.
1862.
1863.
1864-66. "
1867. A. M. Woosler.
1868-70. John H. Jones.
1871.
A. M. Wooster.
John Kennedy.
Wm. W. Wooster. Wm. W. Sears.
Hiram D. Crosby. Wilbur H. Boies.
Thos. J. Jones. " "
" " James McCarter.
" " Barney Van Vleet.
Wm. C. Dwight.
E. N. Bacon.
N. E. Clute.
A. E. Clute.
W. W. Wooster.
W. B. Wooster.
W. B. Wooster.
Chas. O. Atherton.
Dorus Thompson.
P. A. Phillips.
Austin S. Smith.
Dorus Thompson.
Bingham Knapp.
D. Thompson.
1872.
1873-
1874. John H.Jones.
1875. A. M. Wooster.
1876. Wm. C. Dwight.
1877.
1878-79. Jas. C. Wicker.
1880. C. O. Atherton.
The following officers were elected April 5th,
1881: Dorus Thompson, Supervisor; Squire P.
Utley, Town Clerk ; George W. Lane, Justice of
the Peace ; William B. Wooster, Highway Com-
missioner; John Robinson, Assessor; Martin S.
Wheellock, Overseer of the Poor ; George W.
342
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Richardson, Collector; George W. Richardson,
Harrison Harrington, Ira Green, Reuben G.
Moses, Constables; Daniel G. Ten Eyck, Game
Constable ; Henry H. Warner, (vacancy.) James
Brophel, Excise Commissioners ; James E. Beebe,
John W. Kellogg, Louis A. Allen, Inspectors of
Election.
At the first town meeting it was voted that $400
be raised for the expense of the town for the year,
and also that a bounty of five dollars be offered
for every wolf killed in the town.
The following order appears on the town
records : —
Ontario County, ss :
To Samuel Hascall, Poortnaster of the District
of Leicester : — In the name of the people of the
State of New York, you are hereby authorized and
required to warn and see that each and every per-
son hereafter named doth faithfully work the num-
ber of days opposite their respective names on the
road, beginning at the northeast corner of the
square against the Indian town, thence from the
southeast corner of said square to the river at
"Squarker" Hill, thence east from the place of
beginning to the top of the hill at Leonard Stim-
son's, and make returns of your proceedings to tjie
Commissioners of Highways according to law.
Hereof fail not at your peril. Given under our
hands this the 31st day of May, 1803.
Geo. Gardner,
Joel Harvey,
Wm. a. Mills,
Com'n'rs of Highways.
The following are the names appended : — John
Redford, Stephen Hoyt, Warner Finton, Wm.
Carter, John H. Jones, John Solomon, James and
Stephen Dale, Joshua Quivey, John Griffith, Wm.
White, James Blakesley, Martin Griffith, Willard
Lewis, John Sample, Andrew Rose, Wm. Rose,
John Lewis, Josiah Rirden, Ralph Brown, Elijah
Hunt, Geo. and EH Cooper, John Shackleton,
Peres Brown, Ransom Harmon, Ephraim Fosster,
Denison Foster, Geo. Gardner, Joel Harvey, Major
Nobles, Daniel Curtis, Benjamin Gardner, Benj.
Gardner, Jr., Geo. A. Wheeler, Joseph Smith,
Peter Myers, Adam Wisher, Josiah Jewett, Caleb
Shaw, David and Joseph Pond, Josiah and John
Hovey, David Philips, Moses Wilson, John Knuckle,
Jacob Holden, Aaron Wheeler, Josiah Hovey, Jr.,
Simeon and Guerdon Hovey, John Bonard, Rich-
ard Cramer, Teeple, Jonathan Jinner.
The following names were appended to a similar
order sent to Wm. A. Mills : Clark and Abel Cleve-
land, Joseph Philips, Jared Spalding, Thos. Philips,
Alpheus Harris, Isaac Powel, David Dickerson,
Lewis Mills, Wm. A. Mills, Alexander Mills, Bela
Elderkin, Samuel Patterson, Dorastus P. Snow
Zebulon Tubbs, Squire Haskin, Phineas Bates,
Robert Wilson, Lauraby, Amos Solomon,
John Kinyon, Geo. Minigar and James Haskins,
At an election held in this town April 26, 27,
28, 1803, there were forty-five votes cast. In 1810
there were fourteen votes cast for Governor.
In the war of the rebellion Leicester contributed
her full share and it is a matter for serious regret
that a perfect record of those who so bravely vol-
unteered from this town at the time of their coun-
try's peril and who laid down their lives upon the
altar of liberty, should never have been made.
The following is a copy of all that appears on the
town records essentially ])ertaining to its military
record.
April sth, 1864, the following resolution was
passed : —
^^ Resolved, That the Board of town auditors be
authorized to pay such sums of money to the indi-
gent families of the soldiers from this town now in
the service of the United States or that may be
called into such service during the present year as
in theirjudgment shall from time to time be deemed
necessary to make such families comfortable, and
that the same be levied upon the taxable property
of said town the same as other town expenses and
not to exceed One Hundred and Fifty Dollars."
August 15, 1864, it was
"■^ Resolved, ^\idX the town of Leicester pay for
volunteers who may enhst under the last call of
our President for five hundred thousand men dated
July 18, 1864, in addition to all other bounties the
sum of three hundred dollars for those who may
enhst or be mustered in, to the credit of said town
for one year, and six hundred dollars for those en-
listing for three years until the quota is filled.
" Resolved, That the town pay the sum of five
hundred and twenty-five dollars to men that are
drafted under the late call of the President for five
hundred thousand volunteers and who furnish a
substitute."
September 12, 1864, the following resolution was
passed : —
" Resolved, That the Supervisor of the town of
Leicester be and is duly authorized to pay for vol-
unteers to fill the quota of said town under the call
of July 18, 1864, for five hundred thousand men
for the service of the United States, not to exceed
the sum of one thousand dollars to each recruit."
The following school statistics for the town of
Leicester were taken from the last report filed with
the county clerk, which bears date of October i,
1877:—
Number of licensed teachers employed at the
same time for twenty-eight weeks or more, 12;
M.R. 8f M.RS. Oliver Atherjon.
OLIVER ATHERTON.
Oliver Atherton, the subject of this sketch,
was born in Chesterfield, Cheshire county, N.
H., Dec. 5, 1806. He was the second son of
a family of seven children, four sons and three
daughters. He remained at home with his
parents, assisting his father on the farm, until
19 years of age, when he went to Warsaw,
now Wyoming county, and in partnership with
a man named Marvin,- bought the stage route
running between LeRoy and Angelica. This
proved to be a bad investment, for his part-
ner was unreliable, and he then commenced
working in a hotel for Col. Wm. Bingham, of
Warsaw, with whom he remained two years.
After this he drove the stage for Gen. McEl-
wain, from Warsaw to Moscow, and in 1838
commenced the grocery and restaurant busi-
ness in Moscow, where he continued till his
death, which occurred Feb. 5, 1865.
Mr. Atherton was successful as a merchant,
careful, prudent, and industrious. Feb. 27,
(1839,) ^^ was married to Maryette. daughter
of William and Clarinda Knapp, of Perry,
Wyoming county. They adopted a son who is
as dear to Mrs. Atherton as though he were her
own. He carries on the same business, begun
by his father and occupied the same building
until iSSo, when he moved to the present large
and commodious building near the old one.
In politics, Mr. Atherton was a Republican,
supporting his party by his vote only, never
interfering with others in their political views.
LEICESTER— VILLAGE OF MOSCOW.
343
number of children between five and twenty-one
years of age residing in the town Sept. 30, 1877,
552; number of children attending school during
the year, 428; average daily attendance, 229.950;
whole number of days attendance through the
year, 34,685 ; number of volumes in district library,
263; value, $140; 10 school houses, all frame;
valueof sites, $800; valueof school houses, $4,355 ;
size of sites, 2 acres 77 rods ; assessed value of tax-
able property in the district, $1,289,820.
Statement of receipts and disbursements for the
school year ending Sept. 30, 1877 : —
RECEIPTS.
Amount on hand Oct. I, 1876
Amount apportioned to district
Amount raised by tax
Amount from teachers' board and other sources
.$ 87.78
• l,!7547
■ 1,717.2)
36.00
$3,2'648
DISBURSEMENTS.
For teachers' wages $hS^^-'9
For libraries 8.4J
For school apparatus 10.46
For school houses, sites, fences, out-houses, repairs,
furniture, etc ii9.'2
For all other incidental expenses 332.16
Amount on hand Oct. 1st, 1877 14S.11
$3,116.48
The following from this town have held distin-
guished positions in various places : —
John H. Jones was appointed one of the Judges
of Genesee county at its organization in 1802 and
continued on the bench of that county till Living-
ston county was formed in 182 1. He was after-
wards Side Judge in Livingston county for a few
years. Gideon T. Jenkins was the first Sheriff in
the county, and also served in the State Legisla-
ture in 1819. Samuel Miles Hopkins and Felix
Tracy both served in the legislature. Col. Hors-
ford was in the legislature in 1830, and Geo. W.
Patterson in 1832-33-35-36-37-38-39-40, twice
Speaker during that time. John H. Jones, Jr., in
1857, and Lyman Odell were elected to the assem-
bly. In 1 814 Samuel M. Hopkins was elected a
member of Congress and served one tern. J.
Horsford was elected to Congress in 1850. Geo.
W. Patterson was elected Lieutenant Governor in
1848 on the Whig ticket. Prof. Eben Horsford, a
chemist of note, is a native of this town.
Moscow.
In the year 181 1, Samuel Miles Hopkins came
to Livingston county ; but it was not till 1813 that
he finally made a permanent location in Leicester.
In 1 814, he made arrangements with his brother-
in-law, Jesse Wadhams, to erect a large hotel at
Leicester village. Mr. Wadhams, therefore com-
menced operations and collected part of the ma-
terial for the new house when some difficulty arose
between Mr. Hopkins and some of the villagers in
which Mr. Hopkins felt himself much aggrieved,
and, in consequence of which, he determined to do
nothing towards the advancement of that settle-
ment. Mr. Hopkins soon after had completed the
plans of another village, and in accordance there-
with the present village of Moscow was laid out,
and the plot surveyed in August, 18 14, John Smith,
of Groveland, acting as surveyor.
Samuel Miles Hopkins was an eminent lawyer,
and a brother to Mark Hopkins. He graduated
at Yale College in 1791, and in 1792 became the
pioneer lawyer in the village of Oxford, Chenango
county, which was then just budding into promise.
In 1 81 7, Mr. Hopkins was considered to be
worth about $75,000, which, three years later,
owing to a depreciated currency — the legacy of
the war of 181 2-15 — was wholly absorbed in the
payment of his debts.
In 1822, he moved with his family from the
Genesee Valley to Albany, and engaged in the
practice of his profession. In 1831, he removed
to Geneva, N. Y., where he died October 8, 1837,
aged sixty-five. He represented the 21st District
in Congress in 1813-15 ; was a member of Assem-
bly from Genesee county (which then embraced
the town of Leicester,) in 1820-21; represented
the Western District in the State Senate in 1822 ;
and March 7, 1825, in conjunction with George
Tibbits and Stephen Allen, was appointed a
Commission to sell the State prison at Newgate
(which was inadequate to accommodate the con-
victs in the eastern section of the State,) and build
a new one — at Sing Sing. He was much respect-
ed as a philanthropist and a Christian.
The land upon which Moscow is located, was,
at the time it was surveyed, covered with a young
growth of hickory and oak. When first laid out,
the square was bounded about one rod south and
three or four rods north of its present hmits, and
was donated to the town for a public square and
the land sold by the original proprietor with that
understanding. The roads running east and west
from it were six rods wide, but encroachments
have been made upon both, and afterwards held
by occupants of adjoining lands.
The first building of any kind built in Moscow
was a barn erected by Jesse Wadhams. The first
public house in the place was built and kept by
Jesse Wadhams in 1814. He was succeeded by
Gideon T. Jenkins who kept it for some little time.
The building was afterward used as a residence
344
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
by Horatio Jones. Homer Sherwood and Joseph
White, from Leicester, each built a tavern in Mos-
cow soon after and kept them for some time. Col.
Jerediah Horsford succeeded Mr. Sherwood in
business in 1848. Jerediah Horsford first opened
a pubHc house in Moscow in 1817 and kept it
about [twenty years. The Moscow Academy was
built in 1 81 5-1 6 and was one of the first institu-
tions of the character in Western New York. In
the first few years of its existence it drew pupils
from as great a distance as Canandaigua and Buf-
falo. With the decadence of the village the acad-
emy gradually lost its patronage, until it was finally
closed. The building is now used as a black-
smith shop. The first physician in Moscow was
Asa R. Palmer, and John Baldwin, who came
from East Bloomfield in 181 4, was the first lawyer.
The first pubKc school house built in Moscow was
the one known as the "old brick school house,"
built in 1817. The first store was opened in 1815
by Nicholas Ayrault.
A weekly mail, sometimes on foot and on horse-
back, was established between Moscow and Angel-
ica by the " short tract. " Pre vious to 1 8 1 7 settlers
of Mt. Morris had to go to Moscow for mail.
The first newspaper in the county was estab-
lished in Moscow by Hezekiah Ripley in 181 7
under the name of the Moscow Advertiser and
Genesee Farmer. In 1821 James Percival pur-
chased the paper, and removing it to Geneseo
continued it under the name of The Livingston
Register. According to French's State Gazetteer
Moscow village was incorporated in 1856, although
no mention of this fact is found elsewhere.
The following includes all of the present business
of the village : —
F. H. Moyer, M. D., came to Moscow in June,
1876 ; was graduated from Buffalo Medical College
in 1872.
J. Denton, M. D., came to Moscow in 1879 and
succeeded to the practice of T. A. Denton, who
located here in 1876. He was graduated from
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York city
in 1879.
D. Thompson, general store; business estab-
hshed in Moscow, January, 1856.
C. O. Atherton, general store, drugs, etc.; com-
menced business in 1864, and succeeded to the
business estabUshed by his father, Oliver Atherton,
in 1838 soon after his settlement here.
Edmund W. Sears commenced the boot and
shoe business in 1842, and has since carried it on
in this village. He is the son of Franklin Sears,
who came to Groveland in 18 r6. Mr. Sears
came to Moscow in 1828; he has been postmaster
since May i, 1865, succeeding Erastus Brooks.
St. James Hotel was built by Henry Bush in
1836 and was opened as a temperance house, but
was not financially successful. Catharine Rail
now owns the property. E. P. Hill has been land-
lord since February, 1880.
There are three blacksmith shops, kept by John
McMahon, Mathew Shirley and Wm. Grant; also
two wagon shops, kept by Anthony Shaler and
Wm. Grant. Leander Rowley keeps a shoe shop.
Churches— 7^/4^ Presbyterian Church of Mos-
cow was organized in June, 1817, by Rev. Abra-
ham Forman of Geneseo, with the following origi-
nal members : — Asahel Munger, Eunice Munger,
Asahel Munger, Jr., Lydia Munger, Hinman A.
Boland, Amanda Munger, Asa R. Palmer, Abijah
C. Warren and Bathsheba Warren. Asahel Hun-
ger, Abijah C. Warren and Asa R. Palmer were
chosen the first elders. Previous to the organiza-
tion of this Church, Moscow had been favored
for some time with opportunities for religious wor-
ship though not regularly. Rev. Mr. Wheelock
is recollected as being the first one to preach the
" Word of God" in the village ; coming at inter-
vals from Mt. Morris, where he then resided. The
first resident pastor was Rev. Elihue Mason, who
came in 1816, from Barkhampstead, Mass., and
remained here two years. He came here under
the patronage of the Congregational Missionary
Society of Connecticut, an organization that did
much to render the life of the hardy pioneers
brighter and their physical burdens easier to bear
from the religious teachings and associations of
those early missionaries. Rev. Mr. Mason after-
wards moved to Mt. Morris, where the last sixteen
years of his life were spent. The first person added to
the Church was Mrs. Polly Dutton, the daughter
of Capt. Joseph Smith, spoken of previously as the
first white female child born west of Utica. She
was married to Justin Dutton, who died in Mos-
cow in 1815.
At the time of its organization the society wor-
shipped in the chapel of the Moscow Academy, and
continued to hold their meetings therein until their
present church building was finished in 1832. This
building was erected at a cost of $3,000, and was
repaired in 1868.
Rev. EHhue Mason was the first pastor after the
organization of the society. Rev. S. T. Mills fol-
lowed him in July 1820, though what interval in-
tervened between him and Rev. Mr. Mason, is not
VILLAGE OF MOSCOW — CHURCHES.
345
definitely known. He remained till 1826. Rev.
Ames P. Brown filled the pulpit from May, 1827
til! 1 8 2 9 ; Rev. J. Walker, 1829-1833. After Re v.
Mr. Walker, Rev. Mr. Schaffer filled the pulpit for
a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel
Porter from November, 1833—1835. The first
settled pastor was Rev. John H. Redinglon, who
remained from September, 1835, till his death Sept.
15, 1841. It was during his pastorate that a divi-
sion of the church occurred between the old and
new schools — so-called. The "new school" party
retained possession of the church, and Mr. Red-
ington with the " old school" faction were obliged
to seek accommodations elsewhere. They ac-
cordingly built a small church on the east of the
the park. After Mr. Redington's death. Rev.
J. W. McDonald succeeded to the pulpit Sept.
19, 1841.
In the " New School" branch Rev. Mr. Gilbert
officiated from 1838 to 1841, and Rev. E. H.
Stratton from February, 1.842, till 1845. It was
in the latter year that Mr. Stratton succeeded in
uniting the two branches into one harmonious
church. After the consolidation. Rev. J. W. Mc-
Donald officiated as pastor till 1848. From July,
1849, till July, 1856, Rev. L. Leonard served as
stated supply. Rev. Walter V. Couch then sup-
plied the pulpit for three months, and was followed
by Rev. J. M. Harlow, January 25, 1857-64; Rev.
F. DeW. Ward, D. D., two months; Rev. G. R.
Howell, March, 1864, to fall of 1865; Rev. W. D.
McKinley, January, 1866, to April, 1873 ; and Rev.
F. Gutelius, the present pastor, since July, 1874.
The present membership of the church is ninety ;
of the Sunday-school, onehundred and forty. M. H.
Crosby is the superintendent of the Sunday-school.
Rev. Herman N. Bamum, son of D. T. Barnum,
and formerly of this church, has been a missionary
at Harpoot, Turkey, for twenty-four years. Miss
Sarah Dales, daughter of John B. Dales, D. D.,
went from this church, some years since, to Cairo,
Egypt, where she is now located. Elam H. Walk-
er, Wm. Wilder, Charles Ferry, John B. Dales,
D. D., — who is now located in Philadelphia, and
who is a prominent divine — and George Lane,
have all been ordained ministers from members of
this church.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Moscow. —
The Methodists at an early day in this vicinity
were sufficient in number to warrant the formation
of a church organization and they were accordingly
placed on a circuit though the date cannot be as-
certained. In 1829 they built a church edifice.
The succession of pastors since 1840 has been
as follows : —
Revs. Richard Wait, Selleck, and Richmond,
in 1840; Fellows, Hood and Baker, in 1844; Asa
A. Abel and G. W. Barney, in 1845 ; J- W. Hinds,
1846; J. B. Jenkins and Z. Hurd, 1847; C. D.
Burlingham, 1848; G. Hines, 1849; H. May and
G. W. Terry, 1850; J. J. Gridley, 1851; W. C.
Kendall, J. A. Wells and J. H. Wallace, 1852-53 ;
Wm. D. Buck and J. P. Kent, 1854-55 ; J. G: Mil-
ler, 1856 ; A. W. Luce and D. Nichols, 1857 ; Geo.
W. Terry, 1858; A. Newton, 1859; A. Kendall,
1860-61 ; E. Thomas, 1862-63; J- Hager, 1864;
J. H. Rogers, 1865; L. L. Rogers, 1866; H. F.
Osborne, 1867; J. C. Whiteside, 1868; J. W.
Vaughn, 1869; W. D. Buck, 1870; John Irons,
1871; King, part of 1872; C. D. Rowley,
1873; E- C. Hermans, 1874; R. F. Kay, 1876;
W. V. Cliff, 1878; B. F. Hitchcock, 1879; Isaac
Harris, 1880.
This church is one of three on the circuit sup-
plied by Mr. Harris, the other two being Greigs-
ville and Fowlerville, in the latter of which places
Mr. Harris resides.
The present membership of the church is about
35, with about the same number in the Sunday-
school. E. W. Sears is the Superintendent of the
Sunday-school. The church edifice was repaired
in 1848, and again in 1872-73 ; the latter time at
an expense of about $1,300.
The First Baptist Church of Leicester was or-
ganized in 1843, Elder O. D. Taylor officiating as
the first pastor. Their house of worship was erect-
ed the following year. This church has experi-
enced various vicissitudes during its existence and
has been quite irregularly supplied with pastors.
As near as can be ascertained, the following
have filled the pulpit at the times stated; although
as the records are lost it is impossible to verify the
dates : The first pastor, Mr. Taylor, was succeed-
ed by Rev. Mr. Kneeland, and he by Rev. Mr.
Wadsworth, who supplied them about two years.
He was followed by Rev. Mr. Leggett, who only
remained a short time, after whom there was no
regular pastor for several years. In 1857, Rev.
R. Marien took the charge as the next regular
pastor and remained about two years. The pulpit
was then vacant, except occasional preaching, until
1 86 1, when Rev. J. Coley came and remained two
years. Rev. Bela Palmer came in 1864, and re-
mained three years. Prof. Waterbury, of Gene-
seo, supplied the pulpit from 1870 till 1872. Rev.
Mr. Delano, who came soon after and remained
346
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
two years, was the last regular minister. Since
then only occasional services have been held. The
church membership has been largely merged with
that of the Mt. Morris church. At its organiza-
tion the membership was about twenty-five, and
at one time was over ninety. The society still
owns the building in Moscow.
Mrs. Sarah Jenkins was one of the first settlers
in the vicinity of Moscow, and was the wife of
Gideon T. Jenkins, who moved from Auburn in
1807 to the Holland purchase, stopping over night
on his way at Dennison Foster's, who then kept
tavern in the house where Rev. George W. Lane
now lives. In 1815, Mr. Jenkins kept hotel in the
house where one of his daughters, Mrs. Clarinda
Jones now Hves. He was the first Sheriff of the
county, and the first person from the village elect-
ed to the State Legislature.
Jerediah Horsford was born in Charlotte, Vt.,
1 79 1. He came to Moscow from Mt. Morris in
1817, and kept public house in the house at the
foot of the square, now occupied by Mr. Austin
Weaver. He was a member of Congress in 1856.
He died in January, 1875.
CUVLERVILLE.
Cuylerville is situated on the old Genesee Valley
canal, between Geneseo and Moscow, and owes
its origin to the construction of the canal which
stimulated business at this point. It derives its
name from Col. Cuyler, who settled here about
1833, and who took a prominent part in laying out
the village in 1840.
The first ware-house at Cuylerville was built by
Seymour Phelps in 1841, and how stands next to
the canal bridge. Col. Cuyler built one very soon
after. Col. Cuyler built the large distillery in 185 1,
and in 1855 it was burned. He rebuilt it the
same year, but failed in business soon after. His
son, George Cuyler, and Stephen Slocum after-
wards operated it about two years. It was then
idle till about 1873, when George Cuyler again
placed it in operation and continued it about two
years, since which time it has been idle.
Cuylerville reached the height of its prosperity
in 1848, in which year it was incorporated as a vil-
lage. At about this time there were four ware-
houses located here, owned by Lyman Odell, A.
Baker, Bowman & Burt and Col. W. T. Cuyler.
H. Truesdell, A. Baker, Jos. Wheelock and Mr.
Gordon were conducting mercantile business here
at about that time. The old building just south
of Mr. Wheelock's was built in 1846 by Mr. Fish
as a storehouse and store. It was converted into
a malt-house about 1858, and was operated as such
by Thomas Copeland for a few years. It was last
in operation in 1874 under a Mr. Curtis.
The Cuylerville Mill, situated just east of Cuy-
lerville, was built by Col. Cuyler in 1844. Wm.
Marsh operated this mill as early as 1856, but
since 1878 it has been run by his son, David
Marsh. This mill was for some time idle on ac-
count of the mill dam being torn down by the
State. The dam was replaced in 1878.
The present business consists of J. S. Wheelock,
general merchant, commenced business in 1845,
keeping then a canal grocery; M. S. Wheelock,
general store, commenced in 1856, in 1858 relin-
quished business till 1 868, when he resumed ; Sco-
ville House, W. B. Scoville proprietor, was built as
the " National Exchange" in 1841 by Chas. Phin-
ney, and opened by Truesdell Lamson, who kept
it five years, operated since 187 1 by Mr. Scoville;
Farmer Hotel, John Black, proprietor ; Alanson
Decker, blacksmith.
J. S. Wheelock has been postmaster since 1863
and succeeded Melvin Dales.
Cuylerville is located upon the site of Little
Beard's town, the most prominent of the Seneca
villages elsewhere spoken of.
The United Presbyterian Church of Cuylerville.
— About 1840, at the time Cuylerville commenced
springing up into existence, there were no facilities
offered to the inhabitants for religious worship at
this place, with the exception of occasional visits
from Rev. A. Blakie, of the York Church. A par-
tial church organization was effected soon after,
and a supply furnished by the Synod. In the
spring of 1844 efforts were made to erect a house
of worship which was completed in 1846. At the
same time application was made for a church organ-
ization to the Presbytery of Caledonia.
A committee met July ist, 1845, for the pur-
pose of organizing a church with the following
named members: Hugh Sales, Margaret Sales,
Eliza Sales, James Hutton, Henry Van Vecten,
Ann Van Vecten, Andrew Rome, Jane Rome,
James Niven, Clarissa Niven, John D. Eraser
and Sarah Eraser. The church organization
was not completed, however, till April 7,
1847, when the election of elders took place, John
Kennedy, Matthew Crawford and Hugh Rippey
being elected to that office. John Kennedy is still
living.
Rev. James B. Scouller was called November 4,
1846, and commenced his labors in January, 1847,
/,
'1^/^..^C/
C^i/^c
GIBSONVILLE— JOHN SEARS ROYCE.
347
but was not installed till April 7, 1847. He left
in April, 1852. Rev. W. C. Somers commenced
June I, 1853, and remained a little over three
years. Rev. F. M. Proctor's name appears first
upon the records March 7, 1859, and last October
28, 1865. Rev. John Rippey, the present pastor,
commenced December 26, 1866.
The present membership of the church is about
80, and of the Sunday school about 95. The Sun-
day school superintendent is Wm. B. Wooster.
The present elders are John Kennedy, now 90
years of age, and who has been elder since the or-
ganization of the church, John McKercher, David
Donnan, Joseph N. Rippey, Wm. B. Wooster
and John F. McKercher.
GiBSONVILLE.
Gibsonville is a post village and lies in the south-
ern portion of the town, south-west of Mt. Morris,
and is situated on the outlet of Silver Lake. It
was named in honor of Henry B. Gibson, of Canan-
daigua. Ebenezer Allen was the first settler here
in 1792, and while here built the first saw-mill in
the town.
The Silver Lake Paper Mills are located here,
and are operated by water power. Geo. H. West
is the proprietor. The buildings cost four thousand
dollars; capacity of mill, 3,000 pounds per day;
ten men employed. They manufacture rag, hard-
ware, manilla and tea papers.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN SEARS ROYCE.
About the year 181 5 a man who during his Hfe
was widely known as " Deacon Samuel Royce," in
company with his good wife, Betsey Reed Royce,
emigrated from the town of Lyme, New London
county. Conn., to Leicester, Livingston county.
There Mr. Royce purchased a tract of timbered
land from John Gregg, and with the aid of his sons
in due time converted it into a productive farm.
Upon this same homestead which he had created.
Deacon Royce died on July 12, 1850. He could
look back upon a life well spent, adorned with
Christian virtues, commanding the respect of many
friends and the love of the family. He was a
member of the close communion Baptist church,
and the father of eleven children, ten of whom are
now living.
Among these children was one named John
Sears Royce, the subject of this sketch, who was
born in Leicester July 15, 1819. His boyhood
and youth were passed on his father's farm, and
although young Royce found much hard labor be-
fore him, he battled manfully with it till eighteen
years of age, when his father became convinced
that his son was born with an inventive genius that
would not contentedly brook the narrow restraints
of farm Hfe.
Fortunately for John, his father desired the
happiness and future welfare of his children as
much as the immediate advancement of his own
affairs, and cheerfully allowed his son to act at will,
and bade him God-speed in the broad field of in-
vention.
The young inventor's first work was a threshing
machine, the entire drafting and pattern making
for which was done by himself, and the result was
a better machine than any in existence at that
time. When twenty-two years old, Mr. Royce in-
vented and perfected a plow, which was a favorite
with many farmers of that day, and was widely
known as the Genesee Valley Plow. He then
took out his first patent on a metallic spoke sus-
pension wheel for carriages, which was followed
by improvements in portable steam engines, and
afterward by his great work on mowers and
reapers.
In the year 1849, when thirty years of age, Mr.
Royce was married to Louisa M. Boom, of Litch-
field, Herkimer county, N. Y., and in thus select-
ing a hfe partner he was most fortunate, his wife
proving a true helpmeet in all his labors. Mrs.
Royce is spoken of as endowed with caution and
prudence, combined with good business capacity,
and prominent in the social circle in which she
moves. She is looked up to and respected by a
large circle of acquaintances and many valued
friends. Seven children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Royce, (of whom six are now living) viz:
Ida A., Samuel J., (deceased,) Cora I., Jennie L.,
J. Byron, Carrie M., and Eva D. This family
have been nurtured to habits of industry and
characters of respectability.
In the year 1850, Mr. Royce took out a patent
for a Rockaway carriage, which proved successful
and in the manufacture of which he was engaged
for nearly ten years, when he began the work
which was destined to become the crowning
achievement of his life — the invention of the com-
bined mower and reaper, known as the Empire
Harvester. During that era this was a successful
machine, and Mr. Royce continued its manufac-
ture till the year 1870. These combined machines
weighed from 1,200 to 1,500 pounds, and the
practical-minded inventor readily perceived that
farmers were injuring their horses in causing them
to draw these great weights of moving machinery
over the soft fields, and immediately employed his
mind in constructing a plan for a machine which
should require less power than the ones then in
use and yet do the work so successfully ac-
complished by a man with a slender "cradle."
34^
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The result was the machine known as the Royce
Reaper, and the first one constructed weighed 370
pounds. It was a perfect success and possessed
ample weight and power for cutting the heaviest
grain.
During the years 1871, '72, and '73, a few of
these machines were made, well tested by farmers,
some improvements made, and in the year 1874,
Mr. Royce took out patents in the United States,
and Canada, covering nine claims. This machine
worked a revolution in that branch of business,
and still continues in almost universal use.
It was a proud triumph for Mr. Royce when his
reaper secured, as it did, the first prize for
simplicity, ease of draft, lightness and quality of
the work done by it, at the great three days' trial
of the Centennial exhibition. Since that time,
the Royce Reaper has invariably been awarded
first prize whenever exhibited in competition in
the States and Canada, and it is not exaggera-
tion to state that Mr. Royce has made more
valuable improvements in reapers than any other
inventor.
Not satisfied with the success already achieved,
in the year 1878, Mr. Royce invented and patent-
ed two other reapers, differing widely from each
other, as well as from the first. One is known as
the Centennial reaper, and the other as the Little
Joker, the patent for which covers thirty-two claims,
and which has never been presented before the
public, but will, we trust, in due time make itself
favorably known.
Mr. Royce's last work is the invention of a
header, thresher, cleaner and bagger, which, pre-
diction says, will work an entire revolution in har-
vesting and reduce the cost of it to a nominal
sum. It is expected that this machine will cut
and prepare for market twenty acres of grain in a
day, and its weight is not to exceed 800 pounds.
For this great work all farmers will forever be
grateful to the inventor.
In speaking of Mr. Royce's characteristics it
should be noted that he combines with his inven-
tive genius, great energy and executive ability;
otherwise he never could have reached his present
measure of success. He is a born inventor, has
loved the solution of mechanical problems from
boyhood, and his mechanical ideas always possess
originality and simpUcity — two great elements of
success. The influence of his genius has left its
impression upon many branches of industrial sci-
ence. The light reaper that bears his name is the
pride of his life, an honor to its inventor, and, like
many others, the work of his life will live after
him.
Mr. Royce is radically temperate in all respects,
and earnest and industrious in his habits. He
possesses generous impulses, and has never turned
a deaf ear to the wants of mankind. Being social
in his nature, he is ever ready to promote the wel-
fare and happiness of his family and those sur-
rounding him. Now, while living, he is respected
by all who know him, and when his work is done
he will be mourned by many.
WILLIAM WHITMORE.
William Whitmore was born in 1802, and came
to Livingston county with his father, George Whit-
more, who took up land at what is now known as
Jones' Bridge, in the town of Leicester, and there
kept the first hotel in that part of the county. He
was the second son of a family of eight children
and Uved at home until he was twenty-one years of
age, working on the farm and attending school
winters. He then bought a farm near what is now
known as the "High Banks," forming a nucleus
for the large fortune he afterwards accumulated,
owning, at the time of his death, eight hundred
acres of land.
About the time of his first purchase he was mar-
ried to Nancy L., daughter of Jedediah and Tri-
fosie Richardson, of Leicester, who came from
Massachusetts at an early day; Mrs. Richardson
being an aunt of the late Charles Sumner. This
marriage proved a very happy one, and of the
eleven children born to him, four are still living.
Daniel W., is a farmer in Ashland, O., but has
been honored to some of the most important offices
in his county. Sally Ann was the wife of Samuel
O. Roberson, of Geneseo. He was a mill-
wright and farmer, and died in Leicester, where
he came to reside a year before his death, which
occurred February 4, 1865. His wife survived
him fifteen years and died December 23, 1880,
leaving one son, William W. Roberson. Miss
Emily Whitmore, who resides on the Col. White
farm, is the only daughter living, and it is through
her generosity that the portraits of her father and
mother appear in this work.
George W., was married to Sarah Jane Ostrom,
of Leicester, by whom he had two children — Wm.
H., who resides in Leicester, on the old Ostrom
homestead, and Nancy L., who resides in Paris,
France. John is married and resides in Jersey
City, N. J. William, Jr., is married and resides in
Farmer City, 111. He and John together own the
old homestead on the " High Banks."
In poUtics, Mr. Whitmore, Sr., was a Democrat,
but never thrust his views on others, and allowed
every man to vote and think as he pleased.
James M., the youngest son, when about twenty-
one years of age, went to St. Louis, and at the
close of the war was a book-keeper in Benton Bar-
racks. Since that time his relatives have heard
nothing from him, and mourn him as one who is
dead.
CHAPTER XXV.
History of the Town of Groveland.
GROVELAND, the central town in Livingston
county, is bounded on the north by Geneseo,
on the east by Conesus, on the south by Sparta
and West Sparta and on the west by Mt. Morris,
'/l^m/?t^&.
a
n r/7^//^^
/ A/r/^Ae
GROVEL AND — EARLY SETTLERS.
349
It was formed April 6, 1813, from Sparta, and con-
tained in 1875 a population of 1,366.
In its physical characteristics it is one of the
finest towns in the county, both as regards the
fertility and value of its farming land, and the
many picturesque views that greet the eye. Near-
ly three- fourths of the town consists of an elevated
table-land that slopes gradually, as the boundaries
of the town are neared, to the valley of the Cana-
seraga on the south and east and to the inlet and
head of Conesus lake, on the west.
To Groveland belongs the honor of having had
located within its borders the first village in the
county — Williamsburgh — which was situated mid-
way between Mt. Morris and Geneseo. Nothing
so strongly illustrates the erroneous ideas in relation
to the future of this section held by the early hold-
ers of the large tracts of western lands, as they
were then called, than the founding of this village,
which, commencing under such influential patron-
age, soon reached the zenith of its prosperity,
and then, giving away to the march of events,
gradually lost its prestige, so that now not a build-
ing remains to testify to its original prosperity.
The first purchasers of the Indian territory
between the Genesee River and Seneca Lake had
sold an immense estate to Robert Morris, of
Philadelphia, who in turn offered his lands for
sale in the principal cities of Europe. The repre-
sentations of his agents gained much attention
from men of capital, and three gentlemen of Lon-
don, Sir William Pultney, John Hornby, and
Patrick Colquhoun, purchased that noble estate
which has since borne the name of the English
baronet. Their agent, Captain Charles William-
son, visited America, and excited by the reports
transmitted by him, the associates indulged in
brilliant dreams of the destiny of the wilderness
which had fallen into their hands.
Charles Williamson, the first agent of the Pult-
ney estate, was a native of Scotland. He entered
the British army in youth, and during the Revolu-
tionary war held the commission of captain in the
twenty-fifth regiment of foot. His regiment was
ordered to America, but on the passage Captain
Williamson was captured by a French privateer.
He remained a prisoner at Boston till the close of
the war. On his return to Europe, he made the
acquaintance of the most distinguished public
men of England, and was often consulted
concerning American affairs. On the or-
ganization of the association of Sir WiUiam
Pultney and others, he was appointed its agent.
and entered zealously into the schemes for
colonizing the Genesee forest.
Captain Williamson was a man of talent, hope,
energy and versatility, generous and brave of
spirit, swift and impetuous in action, of ques-
tionable discretion in business, a lover of sport and
excitement, and well calculated by his tempera-
ment and genius to lead the proposed enterprise.
His spirit was so tempered with imagination, that
he went up to the wilderness, not with the dry
and dogged resolution of one expecting a labor
of a lifetime in subduing the savage soil, but in a
kind of chivalrous dashing style, to head an
onslaught amongst the pines, and to live a "Baron
of the Backwoods" in his Conhocton Castle,
ruling over forests and rivers, after the manner of
the old Norman nobles in England.
Having landed in Baltimore in 1791, and taken
the steps required by our naturalization laws, he
received in his own name, from Robert Morris, a
conveyance of the Pultney estate and began im-
mediately his preparations for the colonization of
the same. Of these preliminary movements there
is but little to be said. It appears that he
corresponded extensively with men whom he
sought to engage in his enterprise, that he opened
communication with many planters of Virginia
and Maryland, proposing a transfer of themselves
and their households from the worn-out planta-
tions of the South, to the fresh woods of the
Genesee; that he traveled much through the
country and made active exertions by personal
application and by advertisement to induce farmers
and emigrants of the better sort from Great
Britain to settle upon his Northern lands. He
established his centre of organization and cor-
respondence at the village of Northumberland, Pa.
In the winter after his arrival in America, Capt.
Williamson made a visit to the Genesee by way
of Albany and the Mohawk. In the upper valley
of the Mohawk he passed the last of the old settle-
ments. From these old German farms the road
was but a lane, opened in the woods, passable
only on horseback, or in a sledge. A few cabins,
surrounded by scanty clearings, were the only in-
dications of civilization which met his eye, till he
stood amongst a group of cabins at the foot of
Seneca Lake. The famed Genesee estate was
before him. Surely few city builders of ancient or
modern times have gazed upon districts which
offered less encouragement to them than did the
wild Iroquois forest to the hopeful Scot. A little
settlement had been commenced at Canandaigua.
35°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The Wadsworths were at Big Tree. The disciples
of Jemima Wilkinson, the prophetess, had estab-
lished their new Jerusalem on the outlet of
Crooked Lake, and, scattered through the vast
woods, a few hundred pioneers were driving their
axes to the hearts of the tall trees, and waging war
with the wolves and panthers. Beyond the
meadows of the Genesee Flats, was a forest
as yet unknown to the ax, which har-
bored several tribes of savages wavering be-
twixt war and peace. British garrisons, surly
from discomfiture, occupied the forts at Oswego
and Niagara; colonies of Tories, including in
their numbers, men of infamous renown, dwelt on
the frontiers of Canada, on lands allotted to them
by the Crown, and there were not wanting those
amongst the military and political agents of the
provincial government who incited the jealous
barbarians to the general slaughter of the back-
woodsmen.
In the following summer Captain Williamson
determined to open a high road from Northum-
berland to the Genesee. The only road leading
to the north from the mouth of the West Branch
followed the valley of the Susquehanna, which at
this point, to one going above, begins a long and
unnecessary ramble to the east. A direct road to
the Genesee would cross a ridge of the Alleganies.
An Indian trail, often trod during the Revolution
by parties from the fastnesses of the Six Nations,
ran over the mountains; but to open a road
through the shattered wilderness, which would be
passable for wagons, was deemed impossible.
After a laborious exploration, however, by the
agent and a party of Pennsylvania hunters, a road
was located from "Ross Farm" (now Williams-
port) to the mouth of Canaseraga Creek, on the
Genesee, a distance' of one hundred and fifty
miles. This road was opened in the ensuing
autumn by a party of German emigrants.
The fortunes of this German colony formed
quite a perplexing episode in Captain Williamson's
history. The simplicity, the sufferings and the
terrors of these Teutonic pioneers were sources of
much amusement to the rough backwoodsmen,
and their passage through the wilderness and over
the wild Laurel Mountains was in early times an
event so momentous that although the matter has
strictly but little reference to the history of this
county, it may nevertheless be permitted to recount
their frights and tribulations.
It seems that Mr. Colquhoun, who conducted
the business affairs of the association, became ac-
quainted in London with a certain Dr. Berezy, a
German of education and address, who engaged to
collect a colony of his countrymen, and conduct
them to the Genesee lands under the auspices of
the association. Capt. Williamson seems not to have
favored the scheme, but while living at Northum-
berland in 1782, the colony arrived, and it fell
upon him to devise some plan of disposing of this
very raw material to the best advantage. There
were about two hundred of them, men, women and
children. Though stout and healthy enough, they
were an ignorant and inexperienced people, accus-
tomed to dig with the spade in the little gardens
of the Fatherland, and as unfit for forest work and
the rough life of the frontiers as babes.
It was determined to send them over the moun-
tains to the Tioga, thence by the valleys of that
river and of the Conhocton to Williamsburgh on
the Genesee. It was necessary to give the emi-
grants in charge to some reliable and energetic
guide and Benjamin Patterson, the hunter, who
was well acquainted with the German language,
and in whose judgment and resolution Capt. Wil-
liamson had entire confidence, was employed in
this capacity. He was abundantly provided with
money and means. Seven stout young Pennsyl-
vanians, well skilled in the use of the ax and the
rifle, were chosen by him as assistant woodsmen,
and these and the Germans were to open the road,
while the guide, in addition to his duties as com-
mander of the column, undertook to supply the
camp with game.
It was in the month of September when the emi-
grants appeared at the mouth of Lycoming creek,
ready for the march to the northern paradise. A
little way up the creek they commenced hewing
the road. Here the Germans took their first les-
sons in woodcraft. They were not ready appren-
tices, and never carried the art to great perfection.
We hear of them in after years sawing trees
down.*
Owing to their extreme ignorance of anything
pertaining to woodcraft their march progressed
slowly and with great suffering to all. They became
mutinous. " I could compare my situation," said
the guide, " to nothing but that of Moses with the
children of Israel. I would march them along
a few miles, and then they would rise up and rebel."
Mutiny effected as little with the inflexible com-
mander as grief. He cheered up the down-hearted
and frightened the mutinous. They had fairly to
* " An old gentleman who came over the road in an early day says the
trees looked as if they had been gnawed dovm by the beaver." Turner' i
Phelps and GorhanCs Purchase.
GROVELAND — EARLY SETTLEMENT OF WILLIAMSBURGH.
351
be driven. Once, when some of the men were
very clamorous, and even offered violence, Patter-
son stood with his back to a tree and brandishing
his tomahawk furiously said, " If you resist me I will
kill you — every one of you." Thereupon discipline
was restored.
They worked along slowly enough. At favor-
able places for encampment they built block-
houses, or Flocks, as the Germans called them,
and opened the road for some distance in advance
before moving the families further. These block-
houses stood for many years landmarks in the wil-
derness. September and October passed and it
was far in November before they completed the
passage of the mountains.
At the place now occupied by the village of
Blossburgh they made a camp, which from their
baker, who there built an oven, they called "Peter's
Camp." Patterson, while hunting in this neigh-
borhood, found a few pieces of coal which he cut
from the ground with his tomahawk. The Ger-
mans pronounced it to be of good quality.
Pushing onward seven miles further they made
the " Canoe Camp," a few miles below the present
village of Mansfield. When they reached this
place their supply of provisions was exhausted.
The West Branch youths cleared two acres of
ground ; Patterson killed an abundant supply of
game, and went down with some of his young men to
Painted Post, thirty miles or more below. He
ordered provisions to be boated up to this place
from Tioga Point, and returned to the camp with
several canoes. He found his poor people in utter
despair. They lay in their tents bewailing their
misfortunes, and said that the Englishman had
sent them there to die. He had sent a ship to
Hamburgh, he had enticed them away from their
home, he had brought them over the ocean on
purpose that he might send them out in the wil-
derness to starve. They refused to stir and begged
Patterson to let them die. But he was even yet
merciless. He blustered about without ceremony,
cut down the tent poles with his tomahawk, roused
the dying to life, and at length drove the whole
colony to the river bank.
When the Germans saw the slender canoes
they screamed with terror, and loudly refused
to entrust themselves ' to such shells. The
woodsmen, however, put the women, the chil-
dren and the sick, into the canoes almost by main
force, and launched forth into the river while the
men followed by land, thus making the journey to
Painted Post.
It was now December. They had bean three
months in the wilderness, and were not in a con-
dition to move onward to the Genesee. Patter-
son with thirty of the most hardy men, kept on,
however, and opened the road up the Conhocton
to Dansville and the place of destination. The
others remained through the winter of 1793 at
Painted Post.
The whole colony was conducted to the Genesee
in the spring. There was, at this time, a single
settler in the valley of the Conhocton above the
settlements near Painted Post.
After manifold tribulations, the Germans were
at last deposited at the Genesee, with the loss of
but one man, who was killed in the mountains by a
falling tree. The subsequent fortunes of this ill-
starred colony can be told in few words. *
At Williamsburgh they were abundantly pro-
vided for. Each family received a house and fifty
acres of land, with a stock of provisions for pres-
ent use, and farming utensils. Cattle and sheep
were distributed amongst them, and nothing re-
mained for them to do but fall to work and culti-
vate their farms. Hardly a settlement in Western
New York had such a munificent endowment as
the German settlement on the Genesee. But it
soon became apparent that the leader of the colo-
ny had failed to regard the instructions of Mr. Col-
quhoun. Instead of recruiting his numbers from
the sturdy and industrious Saxon population, as
directed, he had collected an indiscriminate rabble
from the streets of Hamburgh, not a few of whom
were vagabonds of the worst kind. They were lazy,
shiftless, and of the most appalling stupidity.
Breeding cattle were barbacued. Seeds instead of
being planted in their fields, vanished in their ket-
tles ; and when provisions were exhausted, Captain
Williamson was called upon to dispatch a file of
pack-horses to their relief. The emigrants were
greatly disappointed in the land which received
them, and complained with bitterness of the
treachery that enticed them from the blessed gutters
of Hamburgh, first to starve in frightful mountains,
and then to toil in hungry forests.
At length they broke out into open and outra-
geous rebellion. Captain Williamson, who was on
the ground was assailed by Berezy and the rabble,
and as he himself says, " nothing could equal my
situation but some of the Parisian scenes. For an
hour and a half I was in this situation, (in a corner
of a store between two writingdesks,) every instant
expecting to be torn to pieces." However with the
* Turner's Hist, of Phelps & Gorham's Purchase.
352
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
assistance of a few friends, he kept the mob at bay,
till Berezy at length quelled the tumult. The col-
onists then drove away or killed all the cattle on
the premises, and held a grand carousal. The
mutiny lasted several days, till the sheriff of On-
tario mustered a posse of sufficient strength, and
descended upon them by forced marches, and
made prisoner the ringleader. Berezy, in the mean-
time, had gone to the east, where he made arrange-
ments for the removal of his colonists to Canada.
This transfer was at last effected, greatly to the
relief of the London Association and their agent,
to whom the colony had been, from the beginning,
nothing but a source of expense and vexation.
Col. Wilhamson beUeved that this was to be a
most important point in the future as the com-
merce of the country developed, on account of its
being located at the junction of two important
water-courses, thus affording water communication
through two sources to this point, and thence on to
Lake Ontario. He little dreamed at that day that
the future carrying business was to be done by
the railroads or even by the canal to the entire
abandonment of the old water channels. Col. Wil-
liamson entertained great expectations in regard
to the future of this place believing that it was to
be the great commercial centre of Western New
York. In a letter to a friend he writes : —
"On the Genesee river a great many farms are
laying out ; sixty-five miles from its mouth, is a
town marked out by the name of Williamsburgh,
and will, in all probability be a place of much trade.
In the present situation of things, it is remote,
when considered in a commercial point of view but
should the port of Oswego be given up and the lock
navigation be completed, there will not be a carry-
ing place between New York and WilUamsburgh."
The village of Williamsburgh contained at one
time, a good hotel building, a dry-goods store, a
distillery, blacksmith and grocery shops, a grain
warehouse, and about forty dwellings. Services
were occasionally held in a portion of the ware-
house by the Rev. Samuel J. Mills, a Presbyterian
minister. He was the pioneer minister in the
valley south of Avon. He is the grand-father
of M. H. Mills, Esq., of Mt. Morris. A more
extended account of him can be found on pages
289 and 318.
A post-office was established here in 1792, it
being the terminus of a post-route then established
ftom Whitestown to this place. In 1798 there
were three frame buildings here besides several log-
houses.
M. H. Mills, M. D., of Mt. Morris, in an
address before the Livingston County Pioneer
Association, in August, 1877, states as follows: —
" The first school taught in the county was at
Williamsburgh, in 1793, by Samuel Murphy. The
first tavern was kept at this place by Wm. Lemon,
in 1797. The first grist-mill was erected on lot
58, in 1797. The first store in the county was at
Williamsburgh, and kept by Alexander McDonald,
a Scotchman. The first race-course for running
horses was made by Col. WilUamson, in 1793, and
was located on the Genesee flats at, or near, the
confluence of Canaseraga creek and Genesee river,
at a short distance from Williamsburgh. Here
sporting men came from New York, Albany, Phil-
adelphia and Baltimore for several years, but the
enterprise was abandoned."
The Albany Gazette of July 15, 1793, contains
an advertisement of the WiUiamsburgh Fair and
Genesee Races, which states that an annual fair
for the sale and purchase of cattle, horses and
sheep would be held at Williamsburgh, at the great
forks of the Genesee, commencing on Monday,
the 23d of September, 1793. These fairs were
continued for some years with quite marked suc-
cess.
Following the tract of Mr. Williamson when he
broke in from Pennsylvania and made a com-
mencement at Williamsburgh, settlers soon began
to drop into the valley of the Canaseraga. In
Groveland, other than at Williamsburgh, John
Smith was the pioneer. He was from New Jersey,
a surveyor in the employ of Mr. Williamson. He
purchased a mile square, upon which he resided
until his death in 181 7.
Benjamin Parker, a step-son of John Smith,
John Harrison, William and Thomas Lemon, Wm.
Kelley, and James Rosebrugh, were among the
earliest. Smith in 1799 built a mill between Hor-
nellsville and Arkport, and as early as 1800 took
lumber from it to the Baltimore market.
Michael Roup was an early pioneer upon the
uplands in Groveland, with his son, Christian
Roup. He died during the war of 1812. Michael
Roup, of Groveland, is his son.
The early minister that visited the neighborhood
was the Rev. Mr. Gray.
Other early settlers were : — Samuel Niblack,
(Niblack's Hill,) William Martin, Samuel Stillwell,
John Vance, Doty, Ewart, Wm. Magee, Wm. Mc-
Nair, Samuel Magee and Darling Havens.
Wm. Magee settled in 1796 where John Hart-
man now lives, on the valley road, and came from
Sussex county, N. J. He was one of three broth-
ers who came from Ireland. William married in
New Jersey, and had eight children, — four boys
(Photo, by Belts, Dansville.)
M.R. 8r Mrs. Charges Wendei\shott.
CHARLES HENDERSHOTT.
Among the pioneer families of Groveland, may
be mentioned the antecedents of our subject, Chas.
Hendershott. He was the son of Jacob and Mary
(Thomas) Hendershott, and was born in Columbia
county. Pa. Oct. lo, 1805, the eleventh child of a
family of twelve of whom four are still living. When
four years of age he came into this county with his
parents who remained in Avon over a year, and
settled in Groveland in 1814, purchasing 137 acres
of land at twenty shillings per acre. He lived at
home assisting his father in improving that land
which is now one of the finest farms in Groveland,
and at his father's death, which occurred in 1847,
at the advanced age of 84 years, this farm was
willed to him with a codicil to the effect that
he pay the other heirs a consideration. His
mother, Mary Hendershott, died in 1834, aged 72
years.
Charles Hendershott is second to none in his
town, as a practical farmer, and not only owns the
old homestead, with a hundred acres adjoining,
but also a farm in Allegany county. He is now in
his seventy-third year, but personally attends to his
farm and its interest and does not appear more
than fifty years of age.
December 21, 1848, he was married to Lois P.,
daughter of Andrew and Wealthy D. (Hughes)
Metcalf, of Cooperstown, Otsego county, N. Y.,
who was born in Harpersfield, Delaware county,
July 29, 1820, and moved to Otsego county, with
her parents when four years of age. The result of
this union was four sons, of whom three are still
living, viz: Chas. A., born September 11, 1850,
is married to Agnes M. Creg, of Belmont, Alle-
gany county, and resides near the old homestead
in Groveland. Frank M., born Feb. 27, 1852, is
married to Hattie E. Buckland, and resides in
Buffalo. Chester A. was born Jan. 5, 1854, and
resides at home. Edward E., born Feb. 3, 1859,
and died Aug. 10, 1862.
Mrs. Hendershott is an exemplary and con-
scientious member of the Groveland Presbyterian
Church, having united herself with it more than
twenty years ago. In sickness or distress she has
ever been ready to assist, and is always kind to the
poor and needy. Her ancestors are an old family
and Mrs. H. is able to trace them back as far as
the landing of the Mayflower. Her grandfather
and his three brothers and two cousins came from
Connecticut to Cooperstown in or about the year
1795, ^'I'i settled on what is now known as " Met-
calf Hill." Mrs. Hendershott says she has heard
her father say he has attended school when thirty
of the scholars' names were Metcalf Andrew Met-
calf, the father of Mrs. H.', was a son of Roger
Metcalf, one of the pioneers of Otsego county, and
was the oldest of six children. He died September
2d, 1880, at the advanced age of 85 years, having
out-lived all his brothers and sisters.
In politics Mr. Hendershott was formerly a Whig,
but is now a Repubhcan, having acted with that
party since 1856.
GROVELAND — EARLY SETTLERS.
353
and four girls — six of whom were born after his
arrival in Groveland. His children born in Grove-
land are: — Hugh, now in Conesus; Elizabeth, who
married Samuel Ewart, (now dead,) of Geneseo,
and who is now living in that place ; Charles, who
died in Groveland, January 9, 1850; Rebecca, who
died in Groveland, April 9, 1857; Julia Ann, who
married Darling Havens, (both dead) ; and John,
born July 18, 1812, now living on the old home-
stead, which was first occupied by his father about
1806.
William McNair settled at Williamsburgh in 1 7 98.
DarUng Havens was an early settler, coming pre-
vious to 1795, but soon after located where the
Havens' now live in Sparta. The Zehner Mills,
located on Canaseraga creek were built by Isaac
Havens, a son of Darling Havens.
Darting Havens remained but a short time when
he removed to Sparta.
Jacob and Mary Hendershott were early set-
tlers, coming into the town in 1814. They were
formerly from Columbia county, Pa., where Charles
Hendershott, who now lives upon the old home-
stead, was born. Jacob Hendershott died in 1847
and his wife in 1834.
Michael Johnson emigrated from Ireland and
came in 1804 to Geneseo, from whence in 1806,
he removed to Groveland. He died in 1835
on the homestead. He had five children : Nancy,
married Samuel Culbertson ; Margaret, married V.
P. WhitbeckjOf Avon, (dead); John, born 1810,
died 1827; Matilda, married Michael Kelly, of
Groveland; and Richard, born Nov. 25, 1815,
married Matilda Ebenriter, of Groveland, was
Member of Assembly 1870-71.
Upon the pages of the town record are the
names of Daniel Ross, Levy Dunn, Hugh Mc-
Nair, William Harris and William Kelly, in 1797 ;
Elias Harrison, William McNair, John Rosebrugh
and John Hampton, in 1798; and Thomas
Bailey and David Crook, in 1S05.
Among the most prominent of the settlers from
i8io-'2o may be mentioned William Fitzhugh
and Judge Charles Carroll.
WiUiam Fitzhugh was of a family, the name and
service of which are intimately blended with the
history of the stirring events of the Revolution in
the colony of Maryland. His father, Col. William
Fitzhugh, held the commission of colonel in the
British army, retired upon half pay, when the
troubles between the colonies and the mother
country commenced, and whose son. Col. Peregrine
Fitzhugh, was first commissioned in a corps of
light horse, but in a later period of the war was
enrolled in the military family of Washington.
William, another son, served as a colonel in a
division of cavalry, and after the, war was a
member of the Maryland Legislature. Previous
to 1800, Col. Peregrine Fitzhugh had made the
acquaintance of Mr. Williamson, and had visited
the Genesee country. When Col. William Fitz-
hugh first visited the country in 1800 in company
with Col. Nathaniel Rochester, Major Charles
Carroll, and several others, he brought a letter of
introduction to Mr. Williamson from his brother,
for himself and Col. Rochester ; Major Carroll as
would seem from the reading of the letter, having
previously known him. During this visit, in
addition to a third interest in the " 100 acre
tract " at the Falls of the Genesee, purchased in
company with Messrs. Rochester and Carroll, he
jointly, with Mr. Carroll, purchased on the Can-
aseraga, in Groveland and Sparta, 12,000 acres of
Mr. Williamson, pajang $2.09 per acre. Their
tract embraced the old site of Williamsburgh, Mr.
WiUiamson having abandoned his enterprise of
forming a town there after the failure with his
German colony. Leaving their property in the
care of an agent, Messrs. Fitzhugh and Carroll
did not emigrate with their famihes until 1816,
when a division of the joint purchase was made.
Col. Fitzhugh died in 1830, aged 78 years; his
wife, who was the daughter of Col. Daniel Hughes,
of Washington county, Md., died in 1829, aged
56 years.
Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, a son of Col. William
Fitzhugh, was a very prominent citizen of Grove-
land. He was born in Maryland in 1794, and
came to Groveland in 1816 to superintend the
erection of their new home. He died April 23,
1 88 1. He was the last male representative of his
father's family. He left a family of four sons and
six daughters.
Dr. Fitzhugh has always been prominently iden-
tified with the best interests of Livingston county.
He was member of Assembly in 1843; was for
many years President of the Genesee Valley Na-
tional Bank, of Geneseo, and was President of the
Livingston County Historical Society for the first
two years of its organization.
He was a man of delightful social accompHsh-
ments and highly appreciative of humor. He was
not a greattalker ; indeed, rather the reverse. Hos-
pitable in the extreme, a full house was his delight.
Of close business habits, he was never deceived by
the same person twice. He attended in the
354
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
minutest details to the care of his estate up to the
very last day of his life. He was a true friend, a
valued neighbor, and a courteous gentleman, em-
phatically of the old school in habits, manners and
appearance.
Charles Carroll's connection with Messrs. Roch-
ester and Fitzhugh, and his advent to this region
with them in 1800 has been noticed. He had pre-
viously, in the year 1798, with a brother, Daniel
Carroll, been here upon a tour of exploration.
They came via the Susquehanna route with pack
mules, made a general survey of the country, were
pleased with it, but made no investments until
1800. Their residence in Maryland was at Belle-
vue, near Hagerstown ; the earher home of the
family had been upon the site of the city Of Wash-
ington. The capital of the United States now
occupies a portion of the estate of their father,
Charles Carroll, who was a cousin of " Charles
Carroll, of CarroUton."
Major Carroll died at his residence in Groveland
in 1837, aged 60 years. Among his sons were
Charles Carroll, who was a representative in
Congress of the Livingston and Ontario dis-
trict and a State Senator, and William T. Car-
roll, a clerk of the Supreme Court of the United
States. His daughters became the wives of Henry
Fitzhugh, of Oswego ; Moses Tabbs, of Washing-
to, D. C; Dr. Hardage Lane, of St. Louis. The
eldest son was the private secretary of Mr. Clay at
Ghent, becoming soon after the clerk of his father,
who held the office of receiver at Franklin, Mis-
souri. He was killed in an affray which occurred
in that town.
The institution of slavery at one time had a
foothold in Groveland, as is witnessed by the fol-
lowing extracts from the town records : —
"June 6, 1817.
"I hereby certify that on or about the 7th day of
December, 1816, last past, I brought with me the
following slaves, to-wit: Nancy, born the 20th
day of May, 181 1; Barbary, born in December,
i8ro, and Nelly, about twelve years of age, all of
whom I have held for many years previous to my
removal into the State of New York.
R. A. Fitzhugh."
" I, Wm. Fitzhugh, late a citizen and former resi-
dent of the State of Maryland, having on the 19th
day of November, in the year of our Lord 181 7,
arrived in the town of Groveland, Ontario county^
State of New York, with the intention of perma-
nently residing therein, do make oath on the Holy
Evangelist of Almighty God that the slaves here-
inafter mentioned are my property and belong to
me, and that I removed them with me into the
aforesaid town of Groveland on the said 19th day
of November, 18 17, and that to the best of my
knowledge and belief their sexes and ages are as
follows, to-wit: Males — George, born July 17,
1801; James, born July 7, 181 1; Adam, born
April 14, 1815; Henry, born March 25, 1816;
Samuel Harrison, born December 26, 1806. Fe-
males— Ann Harrison, born July 17, 1805; Agness,
born December 20, i8o8."
"November 13, iSii;.
" I hereby certify that on or about the 15th day
of June past I brought with me the following slaves,
to-wit : David, about fifteen years in April, t8i6;
Nany, thirteen years in June, 18 16; Milly, eleven
years in March, 1816; Sarah, nine years old in
February, 1816 ; Nan, seven years old in Novem-
ber, 1 8 15, all of whom I held for some years pre-
vious to my removal to the State of New York.
Ch. Carroll, of Bellevue."
Among the early physicians of the town were
Dr. Warren A. Cowdery, Lockwood Lyon, Edward
Lauderdale and Walter E. Lauderdale. Dr. Lyon
was here as early as 1820, and was a very promi-
nent man in town affairs. Walter E. Lauderdale
is now located in Geneseo, where a more extended
account of him may be found.
At the annual election of the town of Groveland,
held at the house of Wm. Doty, inn-keeper, the
first Tuesday of April, 1813, the following persons
were elected : —
Samuel Niblack, Supervisor ; James Rosebrugh,
Town Clerk; Hugh McNair, John Jones and Chris-
tian Roup, Assessors ; Daniel Ross, John Slaight
and Samuel Begole, Commissioners of Highways ;
Abraham Harrison and Aaron Norcross, Overseers
of the Poor ; Wm. Doty, Constable and Collector ;
Davenport Alger, Constable; John Hampton,
Samuel M. Mann and Enoch Squibb, Fence View-
ers; Wm. Doty, Nathan Ogden, John Oman, Ira
Travis, David Crooks, John Vance, Wm. R. Ee-
gole, Philo Mills, Ebenezer McMasters, Benj.
Price, Samuel Henderson, EU Clark and Thomas
Young, Overseers of Highways.
At an election held at Wm. Doty's on April 2,
1 81 6, the following persons were elected and privi-
leges granted: —
Samuel Niblack, Supervisor ; David Coursen,
Town Clerk ; James Rosebrugh, James Henderson
and John Smith, Commissioners of Common
Schools ; Enoch Squibb, Wait Arnold, John Jones,
David Coursen, Samuel Niblack and John Vance,
Inspectors of Common Schools; Wm. Doty and
Daniel Ross, Overseers of the Poor ; Simeon Root,
Constable; Wm. P. Begole and Elijah Holmes,
Fence Viewers; Robert Burns, Thomas Philips,
Elias Harrison, Stephen Bonker, Jacob Hender-
shott, John Scott, Samuel Ward, David Schull,
'* % '^'^'
Mr. &■ Mrs. John Gilman.
PHILLIP GILMAN.
Previous to the war of the Bevolution, the parents of
Phillip Gilman emigrated from Hanover, Germany, to
Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1756. In the early
part of the Kevolutionary war he enUsted in the Conti-
nental army and adhered to its fortunes to the end of the
struggle, participating- in the battles of Brandywine,
Germantown and others of that eventful period. While
in the battle of Germantown he was shot in the left breast
by a musket ball, the ball passing through his lungs and
being extracted two days after from under the left shoul-
der blade. After he was wounded he broke his musket
over a stump to prevent it from being of use to the Brit-
ish, who then occupied the battle ground, and concealed
himself under some hay in a bam, where a party of Brit-
ish dragoons fed their horses and departed before day-
light, without seeing him. At sunrise, wishing a drink
of water, he made his way to a well near by, and there
met a woman who directed him in the way to reach the
American army and avoid the British. After remaining
a short time in the hospital, he, notwithstanding the
urgent protest of the surgeon, again joined the army,
and by a strong will and vigorous constitution, was safely
carried through. In 1779 he served under General Sulli-
van in his contest with the Iroquois Indians. Little is
known of his individual experience in that campaign
although he was so greatly pleased with the beauty of the
" Canaseraga country," as he called it, that its praise was
constantly on his lips until he became one of its residents.
He was married to Maria Clara Haasler, daughter of a
merchant then in Beading, Pa. In 1791 when Captain
Williamson, on his way from Europe to tlie Genesee
country, came up the Susquehanna with a company
of emigrants he engaged to work for the Captain in his
mills at Bath, where he remained till the spring of 1800,
when he removed with his family of iive sons and five
daughters to Sparta, and there cleared a home in the
forest. Always retaining a hearty dishke to the British, he,
during the war of 1812, encouraged his sons to take an
active part in their country's service, and the four who
were old enough relieved each other in guarding the lines
at Buffalo.
John Gilman, son of Phiflip, was born in Bath,
Steuben county, in the year 1794, and removed with
his father's family to Sparta, where his youthful days
were spent in assisting to subdue the forest and im-
prove the farm on which he spent the remainder of his
life. When eighteen years of age he was drafted for
three months' service in defending the lines against the
British at Buffalo. In 1819 he was married to Jennie,
daughter of James Scott, Esq., who had removed to
Sparta from Northumberland county. Pa., in the year
180G. For fifty-two years they passed a happy married
life and raised a family of three sons and three daugh-
ters, of whom only one survived them. John Gilman
died April 27, 1871. His wife survived him nearly six
years and died April 10, 1877.
GROVEL AND — TOWN OFFICERS, WAR RECORD.
355
Charles Carroll, Andrew McNair, Hector W. Hey,
James Henderson, Davenport Alger, Alexandria
Patterson, Thomas Young, Joseph George, Moses
Gilbert, Samuel Culbertson, Michael Johnson,
John Hyland, Stephen Cole, Nathan Thorp and
Peter Murren, Overseers of Highways.
Privileges granted : —
" Win. Doty is to have the privilege of selling
and retaihng spirituous hquors on days of town
business, when done at his house."
" Wm. Willson is to have the privilege to sell
spirituous liquors on days of town business by pay-
ing one dollar for the time already sold."
" Also that James Henderson shall have the priv-
ilege of selling spirituous Hquors on the first day of
election, April i6, 1816."
The following has been the succession of Su-
pervisors and Town Clerks.
Supervisors.
J as. Rosebrugh.
Samuel Niblack.
1813-14-
1815.
1816.
1817.
1818.
1819-20.
1821.
1822.
1823-26.
1827.
1828-29.
Chas. Carroll.
Wm. Fitzhugh.
Chas. H. Carroll.
David Gamble.
Daniel Kelly.
Town Clerks.
Samuel Niblack.
Christian Roup.
David Coursen.
David Coursen.
Warren A. Cowdery.
David Coursen.
Wm. Learning.
John Jones.
Wm. Aten.-
1830-32. DanielH. Fitzhugh. Lockwood Lyon.
183
1834,
1835
1836
1838
1839
1840.
1841
1842
1844.
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850,
1851
1852-53
Daniel Fitzhugh.
37. W. E. Lauderdale.
Reuben Field.
Chas. H. Carroll.
43-
Daniel H. Fitzhugh.
Daniel Kelly.
David Gamble.
Wm. Ewart.
Chas. H. Carroll,
Wm. Ewart.
John Morrow.
L. C. Lyon.
Chas. Goheen.
ii it
Josiah Fisher.
Chas. Goheen.
Edward P. Fuller.
Edward Logan.
1854-55. Harvey Ewart.
John Benway, Jr.
a ii
Chas. Goheen.
Hugh C. Lattimore.
John Aten.
a ii
Phineas Barber.
John Benway, Jr.
Hugh C. Lattimore.
Augustus Palmer. John Benway.
Nathaniel B. Mann. Thos. Gamble.
" " John Benway.
Edward P. Fuller.
Chas. Goheen.
" John Aten.
" " Chas. Goheen.
John Aten.
1856.
1857-
1858.
1859-
i860. "
1861. " "
1862. "
1863. John Hartman.
1864-65. John Hartman.
1866. Orimel Bigelow.
1867-68. John Hartman.
1869-72. Geo. S. Ewart.
1873. Hugh W. McNair. John Aten.
1874. Geo. S. Ewart. '• "
1875. Hugh McNair. " "
1876. Jerome A. Lake. " "
1877. Geo. W. Kelly.
1878! Jerome A. Lake. Geo. G. Fox.
1879-80. John W. Sickly. John Aten.
The following officers were elected April 5, 1881 :
Supervisor, John W. Sickly ; Town Clerk, James
B. Harrison ; Justice of the Peace, Frank S. Lee ;
Richard J. Kelly, (vacancy ;) Highway Commis-
sioner, John P. Titsworth ; Assessor, B. F. Cul-
bertson ; Overseers of the Poor, H. W. Ogden,
Andrew Boyd ; Collector, John Lee ; Constables,
John Lee, Andrew Gray, Patrick Wall, Richard E.
White; Game Constable, Richard Johnson ; Ex-
cise Commissioners, William Aten, David Gray;
Inspectors of Election, George S. Ewart, John K.
Slack.
At an election held in the town of Groveland,
which commenced April 30, 1816, at the house of
James Henderson, and closed May 2, at the house
of William Willson, there were cast for Daniel D.
Tompkins, for Governor, forty-three votes, and for
Rufus King for Governor, fourteen votes.
The report of the School Commissioners to the
County Clerk of Ontario county, made May 20,
1816, reports that there were six full districts and
one part of one, the amount of moneys received
was $79.99, the number of children taught in the
district were 280, and the total number of children
between the ages of five and fifteen years were 366.
War Record. ^ — The record of the part that
Groveland took in the war of the Rebellion is very
meagre. The following is all that is recorded in
relation to the subject : —
September 19, 1863, a resolution was passed to
raise $100 that same fall "for the relief of the
wives and children of the volunteers and those or-
dered into the service of the United States, accord-
ing to an Act passed by our State Legislature on
the 17th day of May, 1863."
September 23, 1864, at a town meeting held for
the purpose of filling the quota of said town under
the last call, it was voted by a majority of the votes
cast that said town raise a sum not exceeding one
thousand dollars for each, for the purpose of filling
the quota of said town, and that the amount be
assessed and collected from the taxable inhabitants
of said town at the two next annual collections.
At a special town meeting held in and for the
town of Groveland at the house of Richard Mate,
in said town, on the 3d day of February, 1865,
for the purpose of voting upon a proposition to
3S6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
raise money upon the credit of said town for pay-
ing bounties to volunteers into the military and
naval service of the United States, it was voted by
a majority of the electors present that the board of
town auditors of said town issue the bonds of said
town to the amount of $400 to each volunteer to
fill the quota of said town under the last call of the
President for three hundred thousand men.
At a special town meeting held the 4th of March,
1865, it was voted that the sum of $300 be ex-
pended by the board of town auditors in cases of
actual necessity for the relief of the families in said
town whose natural supporters are in the military
and naval service of the United States, or who have
died in said service.
Groveland Corners.
The principal hamlet in the town is Groveland
Corners. The present business consists of a black-
smith shop kept by Wm. Mate, a shoe' shop kept
by S. Pease, and one general store kept by Geo.
Fox. Millard Sickly formerly kept store here,
succeeded by John Magee from 1878 till the fall of
1880.
Abraham Harrison kept tavern at the corners
about 1825 and remained till as late as 1830 in
the house across from the store. The Presbyterian
parsonage was built about 1840 as a hotel by John
Morrow, who had then a store here. The present
postmaster is L. M. Bradley, who was appointed
in the latter part of 1880. His immediate prede-
cessors were John C. Magee, M. F. Sickly, Geo.
G. Fox, Harris Harvey and John Aten.
The Presbyterian Church of Groveland was or-
ganized in 1809,* by Rev. John Lindsley, and
consisted of sixteen members and three elders.
The early Minutes of Session being carried to the
General Assembly by Rev. Mr. Lindsley were un-
happily lost.
In the year 181 8, the congregation obtained the
services of Rev. Silas Pratt, who ministered to
them each third Sabbath for one year. On Janu-
ary 10, 1819, the church was taken under the care
of the Presbytery of Ontario.
In the Minutes from 1818 to 1824, the names
of Samuel Culbertson, Thomas Ward, John Jones
and Abraham Harrison appear as ruling elders ;
and January i, 1824, Michael Johnson and Wm.
Learning were installed as their associates in office.
* This date is given on tlie authority of Rev. Mr. Lindsley, although
Rev. Silas Pratt states that the church was organized in 179s, by the
General Assembly through the efforts of their missionary, Rev. Mr.
Thatcher.
Their present house of worship was erected in
1829 — the builder being Henry Vroman; and the
trustees were Messrs. G. W. Merrill, Daniel Kelly,
John Harrison, A. Harrison, Michael Johnson
and George Bennett. One of the articles of agree-
ment between the builder and trustees read as fol-
lows:—
"The said party of the second part (viz: trus-
tees,) agree to deliver all the material on the spot
where the said building is to stand j to ask the
hands and furnish the liquor for raising of the
building and be at the expense of the same."
The congregation had previously worshipped
in a school-house that stood opposite to the Gully
school-house.
From the departure of Rev. Pratt, in 1828, regu-
lar services were intermitted, but Rev. Mr. Mas-
ter and Rev. Mr. (Dr.) Bull, of Geneseo, occasion-
ally administered the sacrament. On the loth of
March, 1831, Rev. Isaac Crabb was installed as
the first pastor, on a salary of $300 per annum,
payable in semi-annual installments, but was
obliged to close his labors May 12, 1833. Rev.
George E. Sill was employed as stated supply for
one year from August 28, 1833, and Rev. George
Freeman, of the Presbytery of (ieneva, occupied a
like position for about three years. February 7,
1836, Messrs. John Vance, Samuel C. Culbertson,
John J. Groesbeck and Daniel Kelly were added
by ordination to the eldership. From April, 1836,
to May, 1841, Rev. Orrin Brown, of Champlain
Presbytery, was stated supply; and July 30, 1840,
Rev. Silas Pratt again assumed charge, continuing
for three years. February 27, 1842, the Session
took preliminary steps toward transferring the
church to the Presbytery of Caledonia, and the
change was made March 20, 1842. A minority
protested and organized under the Presbytery of
Ontario; but this division was but temporary, and
in the autumn of 1842, the church placed itself
under the care of the Presbytery of Steuben.
From the fall of 1843 to 1845, Rev. Lewis Cheese-
man presided. He was followed by Rev. Richard
Kay, who remained three years, and from February
5, 1849, to April 5, 1850, Rev. John C. VanLiew
presided. In the fall of 1850, Rev. S.-Smith Stur-
ges commenced his services as stated supply, con-
tinuing till the summer of 1853. Rev. John J.
Carroll took charge of the pulpit January i, 1854,
and presided there ten years, and upon his retire-
ment Rev. F. DeW. Ward, of Geneseo, filled his
place, but remained only two months, and was fol-
lowed, after a brief interval, by Rev. Robert L.
Conant, who acted as stated supply a few Sabbaths,
Ma^y Bickel Ebeni^ter.
Mary Bickel Ebenriter was born in Lehigh
county, Pa. , Nov. 15,1792. Her father, Henry
Bickel, was a native of Switzerland, born May
24, 1748, and died April 5, 1826. Her mother
was born in Pennsylvania, near Bethlehem,
July 16, 1759, and died Oct. 19, 1830.
Peter Ebenriter, was born in Northampton
county, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1790. His
grandfather was a native of Germany, and came
here and took part in the Revolutionary war
with England. When Peter was four years of
age, the family moved to Lehigh county, near
Allentown, where, when old enough, he worked
with his father till the death of the latter in
1825. As Peter continued to work the farm
until 1833, his education was necessarily limi-
ted to the district school of that day, but he was
' a man of good judgment and discernment, and
was one of a company of volunteers who went
to Philadelphia to defend the flag of his coun-
try against the attack of the English in 1812.
Sept. II, 1812, he was married to Mary
Bickel, and they lived on his father's farm
until 1833, when they moved to the town of
Groveland. They had one son and seven
daughters, three of whom are now living.
George Ebenriter occupies the old homestead,
and it is due to his liberality that his mother's
portrait appears herewith, (his father never
having had one taken).
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ebenriter were both
members of the Groveland Presbyterian
Church, having joined that organization about
the year 1834, Mr. Ebenriter by a letter from
the Church at his home in Pennsylvania. Both
lived the life of exemplary christians, and all
of the family became members of the same
Church. Mr. Ebenriter died Feb. 12, 1873,
and his wife Feb. 13, 1874, mourned by all
who knew them. Mrs. Ebenriter had doubly
endeared herself to all and was ever ready to
assist a neighbor when in trouble or sickness.
EAST GROVELAND — NORTH SPARTA.
357
and in April, 1863, was succeeded by Rev. Stuart
Mitchell. Rev. Henry L. Doolittle then followed,
and remained three years. Rev. John Jones, D. D.,
supplied the pulpit for a short time when Rev.
Thomas Dobbin became pastor, resigning August
13. 1875.
August I, 1876, the superintendent of the Sun-
day-school was Orimel Bigelow, and the trustees
were David Gray, William Aten and Samuel Cul-
bertson. The church membership reported May
I, of that year was 143.
August, 1876, Rev. David Conway came and
remained one year. Rev. Chester Murray served
the church from January, 1878, till April, 1879,
followed in May by Rev. Andrew J. Hardie, who
remained till September, 1880, since which date
there has been no pastor. The present acting
elders are David Drake, Fort Benway and Orimel
Bigelow. Present membership about 128.
East Groveland.
East Groveland, formerly known as Hunt's
Corners, is located in the northern portion of the
town and contains a post-office, store and Metho-
dist Episcopal church. The present store was
built in 1870 by J. DuBois. The present propri-
etor is Geo. G. Fox. The post-office has been
kept by Elijah Hunt, James VanAntwerp, James
Ward, Hugh Kelly and J. L. Whitney.
The First M. E. Church of Groveland is located
at East Groveland, formerly known as Hunt's Cor-
ners. The following is the certificate of its incor-
poration : —
" We, the subscribers, do certify that at a meet-
ing held at the school house near John Hunt's, in
the town of Groveland, in the county of Living-
ston, it being the place where the members and
friends of the M. E. Church statedly attend divine
worship, on the 14th of March, 1826, of the male
persons of full age being members and friends of
the M. E. Church, held in pursuance of public
notice given two successive Sabbaths or meeting
days, and at least fifteen days before the time of
meeting, for the purpose of reorganizing themselves
according to the act entitled ' An act to provide
for the incorporation of rehgipus societies ' passed
April 5, 1813. That John Arnold and John Hill,
two of the members of said society were duly
chosen to preside at the said meeting and election
of trustees, and we do further certify that at the said
meeting Wm. Doty, Jonathan Doty, Lemuel B.
Ginnings, John White and John Salmon were
elected to serve as trustees of said church, and we
do further certify that at the said meeting, that
the said society to be reincorporated should be
called and known by the name and title of the
' First Society of the M. E. Church in Groveland,'
which elective resolutions and proceedings we do
certify were had in our presence. Given under
our hands and seals the 14th day of March, 1826.
"John Arnold,
"John Hill."
The deed for the church lot was given March 7,
1825, by Daniel and Mary Ross to the trustees of
the church, and the church was built about the
year 1828.
The first records attainable bear date January
18, 1834, at which date Rev. Abner Chase was
presiding elder and Rev. Joseph McCrary was pas-
tor. In 1835 John Parker was the pastor, and
from that year to January, 1843, the minutes are
missing, but in 1843 Rev. J. G. GuHck and Rev.
David Ferris were preachers, and in October of the
same year Rev. Robert Parker took the place of
Rev. David Ferris. From that year the various
ministers filled the position in the following
order: —
Revs. C. L. Bowne in 1845, S. W. Alden in Oct.,
1846, E. B. Fuller in 1848, Alex. Farrill in Aug.,
1848, Leveret Richmond in Sept., 1849, Wesley
Cochran in Sept., 1850, J. Chapman in 1852, J. L.
S. Granden in 1854, S. Brown in 1855, C. L. Bowne
in 1857, Wm. Mattison in i860, Geo. W. Wilkin-
son in 1862, Geo. VanAlstyne in 1863, B. Mande-
ville in 1864, W. W. Mandeville in 1865, B. F.
Hitchcock in 1866, L. D. Chase in 1867, Jas. S.
Lemon in 1869, F. D. Blakeslee in 1872, J. B.
Countryman in 1874, T. J. O. Woodin in 1877, J.
E. Tiffany in 1879, P. R. Stover in 1880.
The membership numbers 66 and the Sunday
school 100, with Daniel Morris as Superintendent.
Among the prominent members may be mentioned
Daniel Morris, Frank Barber, Harvey Ewart, Ed-
ward Parks and Elijah Hunt. John White was a
member for about sixty-three years and died June
27, 1880, in the ninety-second year of his age. The
parsonage was built about 1848. The circuit
preacher is Thomas Carlton.
North Sparta.
North Sparta is a postoffice situated in the
southeast portion of the town, a short distance
north of McNair Station on the Dansville branch
of the New York, Lake Erie and Western railroad.
The postoffice was moved from Sparta in 1874^
since February of which year, Samuel Wambold
has been postmaster.
Wm. Johnson kept a store at this place since
about 1847, and continued the same till his death
358
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
in September, 1872; during the latter portion of
his life carrying on business in a store located
across the road from the present one. C. E.
Warnbold is the present merchant, and has been
in business since 1878.
Zehner's mills (grist) located here, were built in
1826 by Isaac Havens, a son of Darling Havens,
of Sparta, and were purchased by Abram Zehner,
who run them till 1865, when Stephen Wambold
took charge and has since continued. A saw mill
was added about 1842. There are about seven
feet fall at this place. The mill contains two runs
of stones and one upright saw.
SONYEA.
The Society of Christian Believers. — In the year
182 1 there began a religious awakening in Wayne
county, N. Y., which continued with an increase
for several years. The people of that section
having learned something of the doctrines of Be-
lievers, applied to the society at Mt. Lebanon for
aid in establishing a society in Western New York.
Brethren from Mt. Lebanon visited the people in
the year 1826. Finding them to be thoroughly in
earnest, a site was selected and purchased for the
location of their society. The tract of land
decided upon contained about 1,296 acres; situ-
ated partly in the town of Sodus and partly in the
town of Huron. It was purchased of Robert C.
Nicholas, Feb. 23d, 1826, and the Believers took
formal possession of their property March ist of
the same year. In the month of May following,
there were sent from the churches at Mt. Lebanon
and Niskayuna, four missionaries, viz. : Elders
Jeremiah Talcott and John Lockwood, and El-
dresses Esther Bennet and Lucy Brown. These
were to be the leaders of the newly-formed society
at Sodus. Under their ministration the society
continued to increase in numbers and prosperity
at that place for several years. They erected
some buildings and lived very comfortably.
In the year 1836, when the Sodus Canal Com-
pany was formed, with the intention of building a
ship canal from Clyde to Great Sodus Bay, the
projected course of the canal lay through the land
which the Believers had purchased. The Canal
Company offered to buy the property, and the
people, not wishing to be subjected to the incon-
convenience and associations which a canal would
bring, accepted the terms of the company, and the
sale was effected on the 21st day of November,
1836. Having thus disposed of their home, it
now became necessary for the Society to secure a
future abiding place.
After much inquiry and due deliberation, they
finally purchased the property where they are now
located, consisting of 1,670 acres of land in the
town of Groveland, Livingston county, N. Y. This
was bought of Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh in January,
1837 ; and afterward additional land was pur-
chased, making in all about 1,800 acres. The
Society at that time numbered 145 members or
thereabouts ; who, soon after the bargain was con-
cluded, commenced moving to their new home in
Groveland. This move was accomplished during
the years 1837-38, and in the month of April,
1838, the Sodus property passed into the hands of
the Canal Company.
There was necessarily much privation suffered
by the people in beginning anew to establish a
home; but they immediately set about cultivating
the soil, erecting buildings, and striving to provide
themselves with accommodations and comforts as
fast as possible. In the year 1839, the office was
built, and soon afterward the church, then the
mills, a flouring mill, (since destroyed by fire) and
a saw mill. The foundation for the present
dweUing was laid in 1858. Previous to that time
and during the time of building, a part of the
Society occupied the house formerly used as a
dwelling by Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh and his family.
The remainder of the people lived in other smaller
buildings which were on the place when they
bought it, until better accommodations could be
provided. This Society has met with many losses ;
some by several fires which have occurred here,
and others by the dishonesty and unfaithfulness of
trustees, who, betraying the confidence reposed in
them, have left the Society, taking with them
much of the property which had been consecrated
for the benefit of all the members.
In spite of all obstacles, however, those who
have remained true to their faith have continued
making improvements, erecting commodious build-
ings, and by constant toil have steadily risen from
a state in which they were barely supplied with
the necessaries of life, to a condition of com-
parative comfort, though not of ease, for it is one
of the principles of their faith that all should
engage in manual labor to provide for the susten-
ance of the body. It is now more than forty years
since the removal of the Believers from Sodus,
and more improvements have been made in their
property and belongings since the year 1861 than
in all the previous years. The ministers or leaders
I OFFICE
2 HORSE BARN
3 MEETINGHOUSE
4 DWELLING HOUSE
5 SEWING HOUSE
6 DINING ROOM 8^ DAIRY
The Home of the Soo
YTTT r^APTV OATTTi^n RuAKgWi
Christian Believers
7 FRUIT HOUSE 8; LAUNDRY
a STOCK BARN
9 WOOD a( CARRIAGE HOUSE
10 BOILER HOUSE
11 JOINER SHOP
\Z BROOM SHOP
13 SCHOOL HOUSE
'T^y??^
WILLIAM K. MANN.
359
who first came to Sodus, have long since died;
but their places have been filled by worthy
successors, who have striven to maintain the doc-
trines that were established in the first days of
their church. There have been many seceders
from the faith causing a declension in numbers,
but the fundamental principles, as taught and
practiced by the founders of the Church, have
ever been preserved in their purity by the faithful,
and to-day the Believers claim to have a faith,
which has stood the test of more than a hundred
years.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM K. MANN.
Samuel Mitchell Mann, son of .Samuel Mann
and Margaret Keith Mann, grandson of John and
Mary Mann, was born on the 25th day of August,
1 781, in the township of Horsham, Montgomery
county, Pa., where the family still reside in the
fourth and fifth generations, in the same substan-
tial stone house, and on the same farm originally
bought by the founder of the family from the
Penns.
Samuel M. Mann came to Western New York
in 1805, with his brother-in-law, Samuel McNair,
and located in what was then the town of Sparta,
Ontario county, now Groveland, on a farm of 240
acres in the wilderness, and upon which there had
not been cut a stick of timber. He returned the
following year to Pennsylvania, and in September,
1806, married Susan, daughter of General John
Borrows, of Northumberland county. Pa. Susan
was a native of Philadelphia county.
They removed to their farm in Groveland, where
they died after raising a family of nine children,
seven of whom are still surviving, and six of them
in this county. Dr. Josiah Stockton Mann, son
of Samuel and Susan Mann, has been a practicing
physician in Posey county, in the State of Indiana,
for more than forty years. Samuel Mann and
wife lived to be four score years of age.
The subject of this sketch, WiUiam Keith Mann,
was born in the town of Groveland, on the 15th
day of September, 181 r, and was the third son of
Samuel M., and Susan B. Mann, and now resides
within one-half mile of the place of his birth. He
has always been a farmer, and has sometimes dealt
in produce. Mr. Mann cannot boast of the ex-
aggerated advantages of modern schools, but may
claim to be a graduate of the district school, the
school of the people, whose advantages were made
use of by him to its fullest extent.
He was married on the 28th of March, 1837, to
Sarah D. McNair, by whom he had eight children.
five of whom are living ; one in Indiana, one in
Pennsylvania, one in Colot^do, and two in Grove-
land. In 1863 he was married to Mrs. Fanny M.
Wheelock, by whom he has one daughter.
Mr. Mann well remembers when it was quite as
common to see an Indian as a white man ; and
when bears and deer were often seen, and rattle-
snakes were killed by children singly, or hunted by
men and killed by the score.
Mr. Mann has always had laudable ambitions,
probably induced somewhat by pride of ancestry,
as he can trace the blood of the Stocktons, Hub-
bards and Manns of New Jersey; and of the Keiths,
Borrows, Torberts, Andersons and Mitchells of
Pennsylvania, in his veins. Both of his grandfathers
and one of his great-grandfathers were Revolutionary
patriots and served in the war of Independence. His
great-grandfather, John Borrows, enlisted in the
war with five sons, and two step- sons by the name
of Wood, and out of the eight in the family but
three returned — the father, Nathaniel and John Jr.
One perished in a prison-ship in New York harbor,
one was blown up on a vessel in the same harbor,
when every soul perished, and a third fell at the
battle of Camden, in South Carolina. John Jr.,
was promoted and remembered by his government,
and subsequently was appointed a General in the
war of 181 2, and raised a brigade and was ready
to march to the Hues when peace was proclaimed.
He was State Senator and Prothonotary of the
county of Lycoming several years, and otherwise
honored and respected.
William K.'s aspirations for learning led him to
spend a few months at school in Geneva after he
was 21 years of age, on his own responsibility,
when his board, tuition and stationery did not cost
him over fifty cents per week, and when he wrought
on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays to pay for
his fuel by chopping and sawing wood, cleaning
and digging ditches, and other jobs that were hon-
est that he could get to do. He returned to his
father's in the spring and continued to work for
him as if a minor till in his 23d year, when he en-
gaged in teaching school for several winter terms,
still working on the farm in summer. Subsequent
to his marriage, for a series of years, he worked
lands on shares by the halves, and at times had
contracts on the public works, when he bought the
farm on which he now resides and has continued
to add to it until he is now in possession of 840
acres, but his misfortunes have compelled its
incumbrance.
Being a man of decided opinions, one whose
convictions were clear and conclusive, and behev-
ing that "no man has a right to say he will do as
he has a mind to unless he has a mind to do right,"
he has always been a total stranger to poUcy, born
without fear. If he thought a certain course right
he was sure to say so if all the world beside him
said otherwise, and if he thought it wrong it was
sure to meet with his most emphatic condemna-
tion. His views on temperance were adopted
early, amidst persecution, and never regretted, and
he can now say truthfully that he never bought,
360
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
offered, or received a glass of intoxicating liquor at
any public bar or elsewhere, since his views were
formed, which was when he was 13 years of age.
Politically he was born an Anti-Mason about the
time William Morgan was abducted and murdered.
He thinks the whole society of Masons responsible
for the crime by trying to prevent the punishment of
the perpetrators by encouraging their witnesses to
treat the case with contempt, and treating them
as if they had been martyrs in some righteous
cause after they had served or paid the penalty of
the law. He voted with the Anti-Masonic party
until they united with the Whigs. His sympathies
were with the Democrats, and his first vote for
President was cast for that noble Democrat,
Andrew Jackson. He continued to vote with that
party until it seemed to him the only principles
left it were the loaves and fishes and slavery. He
abandoned the party in disgust and went in with
the RepubUcans, voted for John C. Fremont, twice
for Abraham Lincoln, twice for Gen. Grant, for
R. B. Hayes, and lastly for Jas. B. Garfield. He
prides himself on being called a Republican and
in belonging to the party that carried us through
the war and saved the country; proud of the glori-
ous company of such men as William H. Seward,
A. Lincoln, D. S. Dickinson, J. A. Dix, E. Morgan,
Stanton, Sherman, Grant, Sumner and hosts of
others that were originally Democrats.
Mr. Mann is decidedly of the notion that the
Methodist minister was right when he said that
"the man who sells seven feet of wood for a cord
is no Christian," and he envys not the man's
morals that thinks he can pay a just debt by bank-
rupt or assignment laws.
His earhest recollections of the pioneers of this
town which dates back to the close of the last
war with Great Britain, embraces the McNairs,
Robertsons, Vances, Baileys, Rosebrughs, Cul-
bertsons, Lattimores, Brans, Stillwells, Kellys,
Barbers, Hendershotts, Roups, Hylands, Magees,
Berrys, Thompsons, Harrisons, Dotys, Gambles,
CarroUs, Fitzhughs, SchoUs, Mills, Ewarts ; nearly
all from New Jersey or Pennsylvania. Most of
them are dead, many removed, some have not even
left one to transmit their names. The first clergy-
man he heard in this town was Rev. Lindsley.
We can find descendants of men of this town
in almost every State and Territory west of this,
and not a few in the South. The changes are al-
most incredible in other respects from hard labor
to machinery, from the Indian paths, to railroads
and telegraphs, and the rise in the value of land
from $2,00 per acre to $100. We might search
long for a race of men more distinguished for lon-
gevity than these pioneers.
EDWARD LOGAN.
Edward Logan was born in county Antrim, Ire-
land, in July, 1813. His parents were Edward
and Jennie (Boyd) Logan, natives of the sam(
county, who came to this country in 1820, anc
settled permanently in the town of Sparta, neai
Scottsburgh, where they remained till they died
the mother in 1861, and the father a few year;
later. They had seven children, viz : — Jennie, Ed
ward, Sarah, James, Mary, John and Andrew, al
now living in this county, except Sarah, who re-
sides in Tecumseh, Michigan. Edward lived al
home with his parents until 1846, when he settled
where he now lives in the town of Groveland.
March 13, 1850, he was married to Adeline,
daughter of John W., and Sarah (Magee) Latimer^
of Groveland. She was born June 18, 1824. Her
father came with his parents from Pennsylvania
when very young.
Mrs. Logan's paternal ancestry were English.
Her mother was born in the State of New Jersey,
of Irish parents, of whom the father died February
22, 1865, and the mother July 27, 1834. They
had six children : — William McNair, James, Hugh
C, Caroline and Adeline, (twins,) and Elizabeth.
Mr. and Mrs. Logan had three children, all of
whom died in infancy. Mr. Logan has been flat-
teringly recognized by his townsmen by election to
various offices of his town. He was elected Super-
visor in 1852, and again in 1853, and has been
Road Commissioner. In politics he is a Republi-
can, and firm in the support of his party's meas-
ures and principles. He is a member of no reli-
gious denomination but attends the Presbyterian
church at Groveland Centre, of which his wife is a
worthy member.
ISAAC PRAY.
Isaac Pray was born in Winfield, Herkimer
county, N. Y., April 22, 181 2. His grandfather,
John Pray, left his native State, Nov. i, 1794, and
with his family, settled in Litchfield, where he
engaged in farming. Soon discouraged in this he
went to Ballston, Saratoga county. His son
James, father of our subject, was born in Foster,
R. I., in 1782, and was about twenty-one years of
age when his father went to Ballston. July 28,
1805, he was married to Corneha Patterson, of
Winfield, who died Nov. 10, 1856. Before his
marriage he engaged in the manufacture of pot-
ash, that being one of the leading industries of
that early day, and disposed of his potash to parties
in Albany. This was a good business venture
and gave him a fine start in Ufe. With Mr. Sim-
mons as a partner, he built a saw and grist mill on
one of the head branches of the Unadilla river,
near a small hamlet which is not now remembered.
A few years after he disposed of his interest there
and engaged in the distilling business. He soon,
however, became dissatisfied with this and en-
gaged in farming ever after. In May, 1832, he
came to Groveland and bought the farm where
Isaac now resides, and where he lived till his
death, which occurred Nov. 16, 1873, ^8^^ 9^
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JOHN WHITE— LIVONIA
361
years and 6 months. Isaac Pray resided with
his parents till 19 years of age, and enjoyed only
the limited advantages of the district school of
those early days for an education. He afterwards
went to Ohio where he engaged in farming for five
or six years, and in 1837 went to visit his parents
in Groveland, when his father prevailed upon him
to remain at home and assist him on the farm
which he bought in 1864, and which consisted of
ii8| acres of land.
February 6, 1836, he was married to Jane,
daughter of Frederick Lewis Mills, of Mt. Morris,
by whom he had two daughters, Harriet M. and
Frances I., the latter of whom married William
Wyant, of Groveland. In politics Mr. Pray is
a Republican, at all
times working in the
interests of his party,
but never wishing to
hold any office. In
rehgion Mr. Pray and
his family are Baptists, ^^^^^^^
Mrs. Fray having been ^^^^^H Si' •^^^'
a member of that
church for more than
forty years.
Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo.
JOHN WHITE.
John White was
born in the town of
Piqua, Northumber-
land county, Penn.,
December 25, 1788.
In 1794, his ])arents
with their family em-
igrated to the town of
Lima, where they lived
for four years, then
purchased and remov-
ed to a farm, (long
know as the Ram-
beau farm,) one and a
half miles southeast of the village of Geneseo.
In these boyhood days Indians were often his com-
panions in the games of wrestling and ball playing.
In 1805 while yet but a youth he started out for
himself and began the battle of life in earnest. In
company with a brother and a friend he followed
the Indian trail westward to the " Holland Pur-
chase" where each purchased a farm in the unbroken
forest, but all living together for a year in a rude
log-cabin doing their own house-work, and furnish-
ing their cabin in the style of those days. Split
bass-wood logs fastened on standards of different
heights serving for tables and chairs, and maple
wood dishes were their only supply.
He cleared a portion of his farm and built a
house and on Jan. 6th, 1807, was united in mar-
riage with Miss Anna Griffith of Geneseo. In 1808
he united with the M. E. Church and from that
time forward his reHgious faith and principles con-
trolled him in all the duties and relations of life.
In 1813 he returned to this vicinity and bought
the farm in Groveland, on which he resided for 62
years. Thus did he become identified with the
early settlement and material prosperity of the
town where so great a portion of his Hfe was spent.
He held for many years the various offices within
the gift of his townsmen, truly the gift for he never
sohcited a vote nor even voted for himself, and in
the discharge of these duties his record is of one
who did his work well and honorably.
In 1826, he assisted in the organization of the
M. E. Church at East Groveland, was elected
trustee and class-leader, which offices he held until
his death. In the same year he with Lemuel B.
Jennings donated a
lot of five acres to be
occupied as a parson-
age ground, and it is
.still used for that pur-
pose. He was the
first farmer in Grove-
land to break away
from the then prevail-
ing custom of provid-
ing ardent spirits for
his laborers, while to
protect the pioneer
temperance lecturer in
his work he has even
interposed his own
powerful physical
frame as a barrier in
the door against the
enemies of the tem-
perance cause.
Firmness of purpose
and perseverance in
duty characterized
him in every position
he was called to oc-
cupy. He died in
Geneseo at his home
with his only remain-
ing child Joseph E.
(JOHN WHITE.)
White, June 27th, 1880, in the 92dyear of his age.
CHAPTER XXVI.
History of the Town of Livonia.
I'^HE town of Livonia lies on the eastern border
of the county. It v/as formed February 12,
1808, from Richmond, Ontario county, which, at
that date, was known as Pittstown. A portion of
its territory was taken off in 1819, and, with other
territory of Ontario county, formed into the town
of Conesus.
The town is bounded on the north by Lima and
Avon; on the south by Conesus and Canadice
362
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
(Ontario county,) on the east by Richmond, (On-
tario county,) and on the west by Geneseo. It
contains an area of 22,81 1 acres, the soil of which,
in the low lands, is a clayey loam, and on the
higher lands an admixture of sandy and gravelly
loam.
In the southern part the surface is somewhat
hilly ; in the northern part, gently undulating.
The name, Livonia, was derived from a Russian
province, and was proposed by Col. George Smith
at the time when the Legislature was petitioned for
the formation of the town.
The township contains five villages — Livonia,
Livonia Center, Hemlock Lake, South Livonia, and
Lakeville. GuUburgh, in the southeastern part, is a
name given to a small settlement of a few scatter-
ing houses ; and Hamilton Station, in the northern
part, is a small station on the hne of the Erie rail-
road.
The only streams of importance are the outlets
of Hemlock, Conesus, and Canadice lakes — the
two former lying partly within the eastern and wes-
tern borders of the town — and Kinney's creek, a
small stream which rises in the southern part, flows
northerly and southerly and empties into the mill-
pond at the village of Hemlock Lake.
The first settlement of Livonia was begun by
Solomon Woodruff in 1789.* He came from
Litchfield, Conn., and located on lot 32, just south
of Livonia Centre, and a little east of the present
residence of Buel D. Woodruff. Here he made a
clearing, on which he built a log house, and then
returned to Connecticut and brought his wife and
son Austin, then three years old, together with his
household effects, in an ox sled, to Livonia.
On that lone winter's journey, their second born
little boy sickened under exposure and hardships.
When they reached Bristol, Ontario county, he
died in his mother's arms, and there on the sum-
mit of one of those bleak hills the father dug a
rude grave by the way-side, in which they laid their
little one, and then with saddened hearts pursued
their journey.
Arriving in Livonia, Mr. Woodruff found that
the log-house which he had so patiently constructed
had been burned down by the Indians during his
absence, and that his wife and surviving child were
homeless in this region of wilderness.
He immediately began the erection of another
house, and while it was in the course of construc-
tion his wife and child stayed with the family of
* On the tombstone over his grave the date of liis mcoming is placed
at 1790 ; but that was a mistake made at tlie time of its erection. French
gives the date as 1792, which is also incorrect.
Gideon Pitts, the nearest neighbors, at the foot of
Honeoye lake.
In this log-cabin, when completed, Solomon
Woodruff and his resolute wife Susannah began
their pioneer life, — the initial movement toward the
settlement and civilization of the town.
For a number of years the nearest mill was seven
miles east of Canandaigua, at a place now known
as Shortsville, where Mr. Woodruff carried his grist
on his back, or on an ox yoke, there being no ac-
cessible wagon road through the forest.
The Indians then in this locaHty were often
troublesome. Soon after their arrival here, when
Mr. Woodruff was absent from home one day, his
son Austin was stolen by a passing band of Indians.
When the father returned and discovered his loss
he immediately started in pursuit, overtaking the
Indians on the shore of Hemlock lake, and single
handed contended with them and rescued his child.
At another time while at work alone he was sur-
prised by a company of Indians, his first intimation
of their presence being the savage war-whoop.
Looking up he found himself confronted by their
levelled guns. Bareing his breast he stood erect
before them, without a quiver of a muscle ;
whereupon, struck by his coolness, they, lowered
their weapons, saying such a brave man should
not die.
In 1794, February 19, a second son, Phillip
Woodruff, was bom, being the first white child
born in the town.
He was in after years a lawyer of considerable
repute in the County courts, and a noted patron of
education in the common schools of the county.
He was a member of Assembly two terms in 1849
and 1850.
In that same year, 1794, Solomon Woodruff kept
the first tavern in the town in his log-house-
Beneath that humble roof the discrowned and
exiled Louis Phillipe, King of France, who, with
the Duke de I^iancourt, wandered in these western
wilds, received a night's lodging and the hospitable
care of Solomon and Susannah Woodruff.
Their cabin also sheltered for a time a lad who
was afterwards known' as the celebrated Presby-
terian divine. Rev. Dr. Joel Parker, who in 1858,
at a meeting of the general assembly in Rochester,
said to a daughter of his benefactors, "Whatever
under God I am or have done in my life I owe to
Mrs. Susannah Woodruff."
Solomon Woodruff died January 18, 181 1. Su-
sannah, his wife, died in 1828.
The only direct descendant now living of those
4'^ ^^<r^f^^U,.^^^ir
The subject of this biography was born in Dorset, Vt., March 3, 1779,
while his parents were moving from Scituate, Rhode Island, to Claren-
don, Rutland county, Vt. His ancestors on both sides were of English
descent, and were noted for their strong native talents.
Joseph Smith came from Northumberland county, England, to North
Carolina. His descendants moved to Rhode Island. Of these, John
Smith, of Scituate, Rhode Island, was the grandfather of George Smith,
and was connected by inter-marriage and common ancestry with the
Hopkinses, Wilkinsons, Harrises, and other prominent families there.
His wife, and the grandmother of George Smith, was Miss Hopkins, «
near relative of Stephen Hopkins, the signer of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. They had six sons, viz:— Richard, Joseph, Jonathan, Oziel,
Thomas, and Hope, all of whom served in the Revolutionary Army,
either as commissioned officers or common soldiers. Thomas was killed
iu one of its battles. Their fourth son was the father of Col. George
Smith. Oziel Smith was born in Scituate, where he married Margaret
Walton, the mother of George Smith. They moved to Clarendon, Vt.,
where she died June 10, 1793, aged 39 years. Oziel Smith afterwards
moved to Livonia, N. Y., where he died September, 1818, aged 78
years.
Some of Margaret Walton's relatives held office under the British
government at the breaking out of the Revolution, and adhered to its
cause. The majority of the relatives— some of whom were Quakers-
sided with the colonies.
George Smith's school opportunities, owing to pecuniary losses of his
father, and the limited resources of a new and sparsely settled country,
were limited to three months in a common school at ten years of age, and
about ten weeks at the age of fourteen.
While working at the carpenter and joiners' trade he studied evenings
by getting a pile of shavings which he could reach with one hand and
throw on the fire for a light while he held his book in the other.
Thus availing himself of every opportunity, he improved till he taught
a common school in the winter. He afterward studied surveying, which,
in connection with farming, he made a principal business during the lat-
ter portion of his life.
In the winter of 1798, he came from Vermont to Lima {then Charles-
town,) N. y., in the employ of Joel Roberts, driving a team of two yoke
of oxen and a horse, loaded with agricultural implements, making the
journey in twenty-two days, and arriving in February. He remained in
Lima until the spring of iSoi, when he moved to Livonia, then Pittstown,
to work with John Woolcot at the carpenter and joiners' trade and mill-
wright business. In the winter of 1803, he worked on the Court House
at Batavia, and in the fall of that year erected a saw-mill for the Holland
Land Company at Oak Orchard Falls, now Medina, N. Y.
Though not a professed politician, he early took an active interest in the
political questions of the day. In iSoo he took the only Republican news-
paper taken in his neighborhood, which was published at Hartford,
Conn. He became prominent in promulgating its doctrines, and gave
his first vote in that year for Thomas Jefferson for President; and voted
at every succeeding Presidential election, including Grant's second term,
and also at the fall election of 187J, about five weeks before his death.
He married Sally Woodruff in January, 1807, and they settled on the
"Col. Smith Homestead Farm" in Livonia, where she died February
17, 1S35, aged 51 years. She was a daughter of Nathan Woodruff who
moved with his family from Litchfield, Conn., in 1801. She rode on
horseback all the way, carrying a weaver's reed on her lap to use in the
new country. She was tall, of fair complexion, with dark brown hair and
blue eyes ; of cheerful and benevolent disposition, and ever ready with
sympathy and relief for the suffering of others. She had a strong consti-
tution and good health until bitten by a rattle-snake, when crossing a
field in Livonia, at the age of nineteen. The poison rankled in her sys-
tem ever after, filling her remaining years with suffering, which only
ended with her death. She was the mother of seven sons, only three of
whom survived her,— Lewis Edwin, born November 15, i8iz; George
Woolcot, born May 16, 1815, and Daniels Oziel, bom February 20,
1 8 19.
COLONEL GEORGE SMITH.
Lewis E., who after some common school and academic educational
advantages, studied law. He attended the Cambridge University Law
School under Judge Story and Simon Greenleaf. He practiced the pro-
fession some years at Livonia, held eome town offices,— including Super-
visor four years in succession— represented the county of Livingston in
the Legislature in 1868 and 1869, and moved with his family to Rochester,
N. Y., April, 1871, where he now resides.
George Woolcot, who, after graduating at Hamilton College, N. Y.,
taught an academic school at Livonia, then studied medicine, and finally
settled in New York City, where he now resides, practicing his profession
successfully by the sole use of animal magnetism.
Daniels O., became blind when thirteen years of age, and attended the
school for the blind in New York City, devoted his time mostly to music,
and died in October, 1854, aged 35 years.
Lewis E., married Lucy Boardman, of Trumansburg, Tompkins
county, N. Y., the daughter of AUyn and Phebe Boardman, January
If, 1854. They have one son, George Herbert Smith, born December
K, 1857.
The two sons, Lewis E., and Giorge W., and the grandson George
Herbert, are the only suiviving descendants of George Smith.
Col. George Smith was married again December 2^ 184J, to Widow
Helena H. Slout, of East Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y. She died
March 6, 1845, aged S» years.
George Smith was five feet eleven and one-half inches in height, of
strong constitution and muscular frame, and weighed one hundred and
seventy pounds. He had dark complexion, black hair and eyes, and
great physical strength ; was of a cheerful and social disposition, loved
to tell and hear a good story, and won many firm and lasting friends.
After holding the office of Ensign and Captain of a company in a regi-
ment commanded by Lieut.-Col. William Wadsworth, he was commis-
sioned by Gov. Tomkkins, in May, 1811, "first Major" of the regiment
commanded by Lieut.-Col. Joseph W. Lawrence. When thewar of 1812
commenced, he volunteered his services and was accepted. H is regiment
not being called for, he was assigned to the regiment of Col. Peter Allen,
and marched to the Niagara frontier. When the order came to attack
Queenstown he was detached, and ordered to take charge of the boats
and transportation across the river. As the main part of our forces
reached the other side, Gen. Wadsworth with a small force took boats for
the purpose of supporting the movement, and taking command of the at-
tacking party. He directed Major Smith to raise the flag of his regi-
ment ; he promptly stepped into the boat and unfurled the colors, and
they all passed safely over though under the constant fire of the British
artillery. He had the honor of planting this flagon the British battery
when captured. When this service was performed, he was sent out under
Col. Winfield Scott of the regular army to drive away the Indians who
were firing at our troops from a piece of woods, which was promptly ac-
complished. These duties performed, he picked up the musket of a
dead soldier and joined the ranks for further service. After the Heights
were retaken by the British, he was made prisoner at the general surren-
der, and taken to Fort George, and at the end of a week was released on
parole and returned home. In May, 1816,' he was commissioned by Gov.
Tompkins, Lieut. Col. of the 94th Regt. of Infantry, and in Sept. 1817,
commissioned by Gov. CUnton, Colonel of the same regiment. He
served two or ihree years and then resigned.
He was appointed Justice of the Peace by the Governor in 1819, and
held the office about eight years.
He had a strong practical intellect, abhorred all shams and acts of dis-
simulation, and had little respect for lawyers who would talk on either
side for pay. One day during his official term as justice, as he was get-
ting in hay under a threatening sky, he was reminded of a suit to be tried.
He left the field, heard the testimony, and immediately declared judge-
ment for the plaintiff; when the defendant's lawyer, with an expression
of surprise on his face, said, "Your Honor, I was about to offer some
remarks on the testimony and law in the case." He replied, "Never
mind now, when I have more leisure we'll attend to that if you wish. "
He was largely instrumental in getting Livingston County set off, and
was on its organization in 1821 elected its first representative, and sat
in the Legislature of 1822, where he wore a suit of clothes made of wool
grown on his own sheep, and spun and wove by his wife.
He was again elected in 1 823, with Hon. George Hosmer, of Avon, and
sat in the several sessions of 1824. In 1820 he was elected supervisor of
Livonia, the name of which town was selected by him in 1808. He held
that and other town offices from time to time, sometimes being elected
when his party was in the minority.
He early embraced the doctrine of the ultimate salvation of the whole
human family, was for years a member of the Universalist Church, and
died happily a firm believer in its doctrines, retaining his mental faculties
to the last. He believed with the poet that *'an honest man is the
noblest work of God," and showed his faith by his works through a
long and somewhat eventful life. He was ever the victim of his benevo-
lence in indorsing and becoming surety for others. He would scold some
about the delinquents, then pay his losses cheerfully, and work on, earn-
ing more money by his labor than any man of his time in Western New
York. He always commanded the highest wages for planning and erect-
ing public buildings, mills, mill dams, and bridges, and works of difficult
mechanical construction. He was always industrious and despised idle-
ness ; unlike the "bosses" of the present day, who look on with gloved
hands, he would direct and ovarsee his twenty men, and at the same time
do as much, if not more work than any one of them. This habit lasted
him through life. When in his ninety-fifth year he said his eyesight was
so poor he could not read over fifty pages a day, and he wanted some-
thing to do, and did plan, "set out, " and, with the aid of a common
laborer, frame and erect a small barn for his son in Rochester.
Though not a visionary, he had for years before his death occasional
"visions," as he called them, and of which he spoke as they
occurred. The vision appeared in the form of a scroll unfold-
ing before him, on which was written, in large plain letters,
not always in the same words, but always to the same import, — and which
night or day, with eyes open or closed, he could read, — that an era was
approaching when the civilized nations of the world would adopt substan-
tially a Republican form of government, and that the religious sects
would all come to a like uniformity in belief and practice, and that this
would occur in Dec, 1892.
He resided in Livonia until April, 1871, when he moved with his sou to
Rochester, N.Y., where he died December g, 1873, aged 94 years, 9
months and 6 days.
He became a member of the Masonic order early in life, was honored
with prominent and responsible positions therein, and was buried near his
early homestead in Livonia with the customary services of that fraternity
LIVONIA— EARLY SETTLERS.
363
two hardy pioneers is Morris Woodruff, who lives
in the town of Geneseo.
A grandson, Buell D. Woodruff, son to Austin,
now lives on the farm originally located and cleared
by Solomon Woodruff.
Other early settlers here were Daniel Lindsley,
about 1793; Higby and Peter Briggs in
1794, David Benton and Jesse Blake in 1798,
Nathan Woodruff, Ruel Blake and Thomas Grant
in 1801, and Smith Henry previous to the year
i8oo. The most of those settlers were from Con-
necticut.
The first death was that of a child of Mr. Higby
in 1797. Dorias Peck taught the first school in -
1798-9.
The first school house stood on the land of Sol-
omon Woodruff, in what is now the garden of Buell
D. Woodruff.
Isaac Bishop kept the first store in 1803-4. Mr.
Higby built in 1795 the first saw-mill on the outlet
of Hemlock lake, and the first grist-mill was built
on the same outlet in 1799 by Seth Simonds, of
Bristol, for Thomas Morris, of Canandaigua.
About the year 1800 John Bosley built near
Lakeville the mill widely known as " the Bosley
mill." This mill was afterwards burned down, and
in 1822 Edmund Bosley erected another mill on
this site, which was also burned.
In 1835 Lucius F. Olmstead & Co. again re-
built it, and the mill is now owned by Clark &
Sons.
The first frame house was built for David Ben-
ton in 1801, and the builders were Col. George
Smith and John Woolcot.
A son to John Woolcot, Harry B., aged seventy-
seven years, now lives here.
Col. George Smith* was one of the most promi-
nent and influential men of this town. He was
born in Dorset, Vt., March 3, 1779, and came to
the Genesee country in 1798, locating in Lima,
where he lived till 1801, when he removed to Li-
vonia and began life here as a millwright, carpen-
ter and joiner in company with John Woolcot.
In the war of 181 2 he bore a prominent part.
In 1819 he was appointed justice of the peace,
which office he held eight years. At the organiza-
tion of the county in 1821 he was elected Member
of Assembly, and again in 1823, and sat in the four
sessions of 1824. He died in Rochester, N. Y., at
the home of his son, Lewis E. Smith, December 9,
1873. His wife, Sally Woodruff Smith, died Feb-
ruary 17, 1835.
• See biography and portrait on another page.
The only living descendants of George Smith are
Lewis E., George Woolcot, and a grandson
George Herbert Smith, son to Lewis E. George
W. is a practicing physician in New York.
Hon. Lewis E. Smith, son of George Smith, was
also a man of note in the town of Livonia. He
was born November 25, 1812, and laid the founda-
tion of his education in the common schools of the
town. He afterward attended the Canandaigua
academy and the academy at Wyoming, Wyoming
county, N. Y. Resolving to enter the legal pro-
fession, he studied law with Amos Dann, of Avon,
in 1835, then with Judge John B. Skinner, of Wy-
oming, N. Y., and in 1838 entered the office of
Samuel Northrop, Esq., at Livonia Centre. He
also took a course of study in the law school of
Cambridge University, Mass., in 1844-5, under
Judge Storey and Simon Greenleaf as professors of
law. In July of 1842, he was admitted to practice
in the Supreme Court, State Court of Chancery and
Circuit and District Courts of the United States,
and in that year formed a co-partnership with Sam-
uel Northrop at Livonia Centre. This relation
existed until about 1848, when Mr. Northrop re-
moved to Hemlock lake and Mr. Smith remained
in practice at Livonia Centre until 1850, when, on
account of ill health, he retired from business. In
1867 he was elected Member of Assembly and was
reelected in 1868. In 1871 he removed from
Livonia to Rochester, N. Y., where he now re-
sides.
Oliver Woodruff, brother to Solomon, the pio-
neer, was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1755, and
with his wife and family of six children moved to
Livonia in the latter part of 1803. He had been
to this town twice before, coming once to bring a
load of goods to the elder Wadsworth.
Oliver and Nathan Woodruff located a tract of
land and divided it, Oliver's lot being the one that
lies just south of the Presbyterian church at Livonia
Centre. When he arrived in the town he found
quite a settlement, among the people being Solo-
mon Woodruff and others of that name, the Gibbs,
the Pitts, Turners, Goulds, and many others.
Up to the time of his incoming there had never
been a meeting held in this locality, and in the
early part of 1804 he began to hold meetmgs m
the log school house, he reading and explammg
the scriptures. This was the beginning of the re-
ligious movement that resulted in the formation of
the Presbyterian church at Livonia Centre, of
which Oliver Woodruff was a deacon until his
his death in 1845.
364
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war,
Oliver was preparing to enter Yale College, but
abandoned his plans for a higher education and
devoted himself to the service of his country. He
enlisted for six months as a private in a company
commanded by Captain Bazihel Beebe, in Col.
Wooster's regiment, and marched to Ticonderoga.
He returned home in December of 1775, and in
February, 1776, again enlisted for nine months in
Capt. Beebe's company, in the regiment com-
manded by Col. Philip B. Bradley. After the
battle on Long Island, at which he was present,
the regiment was marched to Bergen, opposite
New York city, where they remained till the
British gained possession of New York, and then
ascended the Hudson river fourteen miles where
they built Fort Lee. During the winter, part of
the regiment in which he was included was or-
dered over to Fort Washington.
That fort was captured by the British Nov. 16,
1776, and twenty-six hundred patriots laid down
their arms, to be sent into British prisons. Eight
hundred and seventeen, among whom was Oliver
Woodruff, were sent to New Bridewell, where for
three months they suffered from cold and starva-
tion.
Of the thirty-three belonging to Capt. Beetfe's
company only Mr. Woodruff and two others sur-
vived. At length an exchange of prisoners was
effected, and, sick and emaciated, Mr. Woodruff
returned home and many months passed before
he regained his health. He died in Livonia in
1845.
His descendants now living are Washington
Woodruff, Mrs. Stacy, and Mrs. Sedgwick, of
Dansville, and Oscar Woodruff, a grandson, editor
of the Dansville Express.
Orange Woodruff was another early settler here,
and a brother to Solomon Woodruff. Of his
descendants, a son, Cyrus, now lives in Canan-
daigua, and another son, Dr. Landon Woodruff,
is a resident of LeRoy.
Matthew Armstrong, Elias Chamberlain, Leman
Gibbs, Capt. Robert Dixson, and Darius Jacques,
were also early settlers and men of no inconsider-
able prominence. Matthew Armstrong, with his
sons John and William, and his daughter Mar-
garet, came to Livonia in 1805 from Lycoming
county, Penn., and settled on the farm now owned
by John Armstrong.
Matthew Armstrong was one of the first as-
sessors of the town. He died in 1829.
John, when a lad of four or five years playing
before his cabin door, was severely bitten by a
mad wolf, and still bears the scars of the wound.
The wolf was killed by the pursuing neighbors,
but not until it had bitten numerous animals that
afterward died from the poisonous effects of its
fangs.
Elias Chamberlain came to Livonia in 1805
locating in the south part of the town, near what
was known as Holdens, and afterwards Jackson-
ville. Here he remained one summer, then moved
to Conesus, where he built a log house, in which
he lived about two years. During this time his
wife died, and he removed to near South Livonia.
He died about 1835. A son, Samuel G. Cham-
berlain, now lives just south of Livonia Centre.
Capt. Robert Dixson, a man of much note in
the town, was born in Groton, Conn., April ist,
1791. In 1793 he removed with his parents to
Paris, Oneida county, N. Y. September, 21,
1813, he was married to Miss Rhoda Wilkinson,
and on the i8th of February, 1814, they came to
Livonia to commence their married life in this
new country.
Here Robert Dixson lived sixty-seven years—
always honorable, always devoted to the cause of
education, morality and religion. Although in no
sense an office seeker, so much did he possess the
esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens that
he was elected to the office of Supervisor ten times
— nine terms in succession — from 1826 to 1834,
and again in r854. His hand struck the. first
blow towards the erection of the first church in the
town — the Presbyterian church at Livonia Centre.
He died February 8, 1881, in his ninetieth year.
His wife died in October, 1879.
Darius Jacques, in 1813, settled in Richmond,
Ontario county, N. Y., where he purchased a small
farm. In 18 15, he married the widow of Levi
VanFossen, of Hemlock Lake, and in 1816 moved
with his family, consisting of a son and daughter —
Russell R., and Caroline— to the mills at Hemlock
Lake.
His only descendant is Russell R. Jacques,*
proprietor of the Jacques House, a quite noted
summer resort on the shore of Hemlock lake.
Leman Gibbs, whose name is also quite promi-
nent in the history of this town, was born in Litch-
field, Conn., August 15, 1788, and came with his
parents, Eldad and Esther Riggs Gibbs, to Livonia
in the latter part of the winter of 1801, locating
about a mile north of Livonia Centre. His edu-
cation was obtained chiefly under the tutorage of
* See biography upon another page.
LIVONIA — TOWN OFFICERS — LIVONIA CENTRE.
365
Rev. Dr. Hotchkiss in Bloomfield, 'N. Y. At the
age of eighteen he began to teach school, pursu-
ing that occupation several winters. A man of
integrity and strong common-sense, he naturally
became the recipient of public trust. His first
office in the town was that of constable, and he was
afterwards appointed deputy sheriff. For nearly thir-
ty-five years he held the office of Justice of the
Peace. From 1841 to 1845 he held the office of
Supervisor, and was again elected to that office in
1852.
When the county of Livingston was formed he
was appointed Side Judge, which office he filled till,
under the present Constitution, the office of Ses-
sions Justice was substituted, when he was imme-
diately chosen for that office. In 1854 he was
elected to the Assembly of the State.
Town Officers. — The first Town meeting was
held at the house of Solomon Woodruff, but at
what date is unknown, as the town books were
burned in January of 1878, destroying all records
prior to 1827. It was prbbably held in 1808 or
1809.
The first Supervisor was Lyman Cook, elected
at this meeting; Theodore Hinman, Town Clerk;
and George Smith, John Warner and Matthew
Armstrong, Assessors.
Col. George Smith was Supervisor in 1820.
From 1821 to 1823 that office was held by Icha-
bod A. Holden.
Ruel Blake was chosen Supervisor in 1824-25,
and Robert Dixson began a nine years' term in
1826. From 1827 to 1881 the Supervisors and
Town Clerks were as follows : —
Supervisors.
Town Clerks.
i827-3r.
Robert Dixson.
Henry Pierce.
1832-34.
((
Charles P. Pierce.
1835-
Augustus Gibbs.
ct
1836-37.
George Smith.
Shepard Pierce.
1838.
Augustus Gibbs.
Charles P. Pierce.
1839.
u
it
1840.
Charles P. Pierce.
Samuel Hough.
1841.
Leman Gibbs.
Charles P. Pierce.
1842.
it
Joseph Wells.
1843.
^(
Charles P. Pierce.
1844.
n
George F. Pratt.
1845-
a
Thomas A. Royce.
1846.
George Smith.
Charles P. Pierce.
1847.
Wm. S. Gilbert.
Gates Clark.
1848.
tt
EU Holeman.
1849.
Austin Woodruff.
Irving Parmelee.
1850.
C. L. Shepard.
G. A. Mosher.
1851.
Henry Dixson.
Wm. McCoy.
1852.
Leman Gibbs.
11
1853-
Sam'lH. Northrop
. Manson F. Gibbs.
1854-
Robert Dixson.
tt
I8SS-
Joel Stone.
ti
1856. Wm. B. Lemen. Geo. F. Ramsdell.
1857-58. Lewis E. Smith.
1859-60. " * Jerome B. Patterson.
1861-65. Bradner J. Blake. "
1866-67. Willard W. Wheeler. WillardS. Chapin.
1868-69. David Gray. "
1870-71. John B. Thurston.
1872. Jerome B.Patterson. "
1873. " Henry A. Barton.
1874-75. " James A. Mosher.
1876. Sol. G. Woodruff
1877. Chas. H.Richmond. Albert Swan.
1878. Sol. G. Woodruff
1879. Chas.H.Richmond.
1880.
The officers elected April 5, 1881, were:— Super-
visor, Buell D. Woodruff; Town Clerk, Albert
Swan ; Justice of the Peace, Lovette P. West ; As-
sessor, Daniel B. Bosley; Collector, Marvin W.
Lindsley ; Commissioner of Highways, Abram W.
McCUntock ; Overseers of the Poor, Nixson Mc-
Crossen, Stephen Wheaton; Constables, James
VanNess, Thomas Welch, WilUaln Ganung, Wm.
J. Games, Walter Westbrook; Game Constable,
Wm. J. Games; Inspectors of Election, First Dis-
trict, Lemuel C. Short, Grove W. Mathur; In-
spectors of Election, Second District, C. Arthur
Patchin, Jesse Blake.
School Statistics.— The town has 13 school
districts, in which, during 1880, school was taught
406 4-5 weeks, employing j8 teachers at a total
cost for wages of $4,5°4-92- Number of children
in districts over five and under twenty-one years of
age. 839. Number of children attending school
some portion of the year, 685. Average attend-
ance, 397. The Hbraries of these districts are
valued at $45, on which during the year there was
nothing expended. The amount expended for
school apparatus during the year was $78.45 ; for
school houses, sites, fences, repairs, furniture, etc.,
$323.25. Total incidental expenses for the year,
$720.13. Total valuation of districts, $1,701,424.
Population.— The population of Livonia in
1870 was 2,705, of which number 2,402 were
native, 303 foreign, 2,693 white, and 12 colored.
In 1875 the town contained 2,889 mhabitants;
2,567 being native, 322 foreign, 2,885 white, and
4' colored. At the last census of 1880, the total
population was 3,204, an increase in ten years of
499.
Livonia Centre.
Livonia Centre, situated near the center of the
town, contains two churches, one store, post-office,
~« Lewis E. Smith resigned, and at a special meeting held November,
i860, Bradner J. Blake was elected to fill the vacancy.
366
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
school-house, blacksmith shop and some two hun-
dred inhabitants.*
This is the oldest settlement in the town. In
this vicinity most of the pioneers located, and for
many years it was the business center of the town-
ship. A little south of this place is where Solo-
mon Woodruff, the first settler, located in 1789.
Among those who came here at an early day
were George Pratt, in 1808, Eldad and Esther
Riggs Gibbs,in 1801, Benjamin and Rhoda Gibbs,
in 1812, and Captain Robert Dixson in 1814.
George Pratt started the first tannery in the
town near Livonia Center, where he continued the
business until 1836. In that year he removed the
tannery to the head of Hemlock lake where the
business was conducted till 1850 when the tannery
was destroyed by fire. A son, George F. Pratt,
born in 1816, now lives here.
Benjamin and Rhoda Gibbs located the farm
now owned by Norton Gibbs. Their children were
Norton, now living here, Catherine, Mary Ann,
Charlotte P. and Susan.
Six children of the family died, — Charles, Maria
Susan, Maria, Charles, Samuel and Miranda.
Benjamin Gibbs died in 1828. His wife died in
May, 1880.
The descendants of Eldad Gibbs are Mrs. Eme-
line Clark, Adna S. Gibbs, Major Backus S. Gibbs,
Leman and Manson F. Gibbs.
About the first merchant here was Lester Kings-
bury ; William R. Waldron, came afterwards and
continued in business here some years when he
failed and moved to Michigan.
Henry Pierce & Co., carried on a general retail
business at the old stand where Solomon Wood-
ruff now lives. Other merchants here were Mar-
tin & Hinman, who conducted for a time a store
opposite the old hotel when they dissolved partner-
ship, and Hinman went to Hemlock Lake. After
the fire here in 1832, Bradley Martin rebuilt the
store, which is the stone building now occupied
by the present merchant, Thomas W. Millham.
Mr. Millham has been in business here nine years.
He was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., in 1843,
and came here nine years ago, from Schenectady,
N. Y.
Mr. Millham is also postmaster, having held that
office seven years.
Cn\j^cu¥.s.^Fresbytenan Church. — The first
ministerial services here, of which there is any
record, were conducted by Rev. John Rolph, who
resided in this place in 1803-4, and who preached
* The census of 1870, gives a population of 19J.
to the people who were disposed to attend on his
ministrations.
In the winter of 1804-5, Rev. Mr. Lane, who
had been a licensed Methodist preacher in Eng-
land, but who had no ecclesiastical connection in
this country, used to preach here, but how long he
continued his labors cannot be learned. The nu-
cleus of a church was formed in i8o6. On the 29th
of December of that year seventeen people assem-
bled in the second framed house in town, situated
on what is now known as the Blackmer farm-^
then owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Ben-
ton— where, with the assistance of Rev. Aaron C.
Colhns, they organized a church. It was named
The Second Congregational church of Pittstown,
and was received under the charge of the Ontario
Association, January 14, 1807.
The original members were: — Jeremiah Riggs,
Aaron Childs, Selah Stedman, Thankful Parsons,
Lucy Childs, Dameras Blake, Mary Stedman, Irene
Clark, Benjamin Cook, Oliver Woodruff, Rachel
Gibbs, Nancy Benton, Lydia Gibbs, Anna Wood-
ruff, Sally Farrand, Sally and Rebecca Blake.
For a long time this society had no house of
worship, and were destitute of the means to build
one. Their meetings were held in log-cabins,
barns, and school-houses, but principally in the
school-house on what is known as " Buell Hill," *
situated near what is now the garden of Buell
Woodruff. Here a portion of the time Mr. Collins
preached to them, also supplying the church at
Richmond, and when he did not officiate they met
for prayer and conference.
The Ontario Association, with which this church
was connected, was dissolved May 25, 1813, and
this society assumed the name of " The First Pres-
byterian Church of I^ivonia, under which name it
is now known.
The first church edifice was erected May 30,
1814. This was the first church built in the town,
and stood a little west of where the present house
of worship now stands. It was nearly as large as
the present building, and cost over $3,000.
At this time the ehurch numbered about thirty
members.
The Rev. Mr. Collins continued to preach as a
supply for eight or nine years. Then for some
time the church was supplied by various neighbor-
ing ministers. The next stated supply was Rev.
Ebenezer Everett, who was ordained to the gospel
ministry in this church, February 4, 1818.
In 1819 he was succeeded by Rev. Ezekiel J.
*The first school-liouse built in the town.
LIVONIA CENTRE, CHURCHES.
367
Chapman, who officiated as pastor some eight
years.
The Rev. Jeremiah Stow was the next pastor,
installed Apiil 30, 1828. His pastorate continued
nearly four years, when it was terminated by his
death, November 15, 1832, at the age of thirty-
four.
On the night of December 19, 1832, the church
edifice was burned, and, at the same time, the
store owned by Bradley Martin, which stood on
the corner where the stone store now stands, was
destroyed by the fire. In 1834 the present house
of worship was erected, and dedicated free of debt,
and with money in the treasury. The dedicatory
sermon was delivered by Rev. Theron Steele, of
East Bloomfield, February 13, 1834.
While the church was yet unfinished the Rev.
Samuel Allen officiated as stated supply for about
a year and a half. In November, 1833, Rev. Jus-
tin S. Hough succeeded him, although he was not
installed as pastor until Feb. 13, 1834. In April,
1840, he resigned on account of ill health, and
was never able to resume the active work of the
ministry. He died Dec. 20, 1872, aged 87.
The Rev. Lorin Brewster was then engaged as
stated supply, remaining for two and a half years.
He was succeeded by Rev. B. G. Riley, who was
installed March 23, 1843. He remained twelve
and a half years, giving general satisfaction, and
then resigned on account of ill health.
The succeeding pastor was Rev. A. H. Parma-
lee, who was installed January 9, 1856. He re-
mained here thirteen years, resigning the last
Sabbath in March, 1869. For two years after the
departure of Mr. Parmalee there was kept up the
unprofitable, but sometimes unavoidable custom
of candidating for a minister. When the pulpit
was not so occupied it was filled by Prof. W. P.
Coddington, of Genesee College, Lima, N. Y.
During this period the church edifice was entirely
remodeled and refurnished, at an expense of about
$5,000.
In July, 1871, Rev. WiUiam H. Millham,* from
Galway, N. Y., began his labors here, being in-
stalled October 5, 187 1.
The installation sermon was preached by Rev.
P. Barbour, his father-in-law. During his pastor-
ate several extensive revivals have occurred, which
have resulted in numerous accessions to the
church.
Since the organization of this church, seventy
years ago, there have been added to it in all, as
•To whom we are indebted for this history of the church.
near as can be ascertained, six hundred and ninety-
four members, an average of nearly ten each year.
Of those who have been connected with the
church or Sabbath school, ten have entered the
ministry.
The present deacons are Benjamin Coy and
Adna S. Gibbs. Trustees, — Joel Stone, Adna S.
Gibbs, Theodore Patterson. The present mem-
bership is 170. The church property is clear of
debt, and is valued at $6,000. The parsonage, a
fine building erected in 1874, is valued at $3,500.
S^. MichaeVs Church, (Roman Catholic). — In
1848, John Whalen, B. Calligan, John Meagher
M. Martin, John McGinty and Daniel Whalen
came to Livonia as the pioneer Catholic families.
They attended mass which was celebrated by Rev.
Father O'Connor, in a cooper-shop of John Bren-
nan's, in Lima. In the latter part of that year the
priest made Livonia a charge, paying it regular
visits, and saying mass in the dwelling house of
John Whalen. In 185 1, Father O'Connor was
succeeded by Rev. Father Kenney, who in 1852
was followed by Father Welch, after whom Father
Tierney assumed charge, remaining two years. In
1855 Father Quigley, Sen., performed the duties
of the then extensive charge connected with Lima
and Livonia.
The parish about this time was increased by a
few such earnest Catholics as John B. Kavanaugh,
William Ryan, William and John Higgins, Robert
Hoare, John Kavanaugh, T. Quigley and James
Kerrivan.
Rev. Father McGuire assumed charge of the
parish in 1857. In September of that year, after
mass one Sunday, a few of the heads of famiUes
assembled in the store of William Ryan, where
after a brief deliberation over one hundred and
fifty dollars were subscribed and paid toward the
erection of a church. With the result of this sub-
scription, which in the hands of John Meagher
soon amounted to a considerable sum, Fathei
McGuire purchased a lot, on which a neat edifice
35 by 40 feet was erected.
In 1858 Father McGuire was called to Buffalo
and Father O'Brien was sent to take his place. He
died shortly after in Lima, and in 1859 the per-
formance of the mission obligations devolved upon
Father Quigley. He remained with the charge
four years and in 1863 was succeeded by Father
Clark, who officiated about a year, and then Father
Gregg was given the pastoral charge.
On the 27th of June, 187 1, Rt. Rev. Bishop
McQuaid appointed Rev. N. Byrne to the pastor-
368
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
ate over Livonia, Honeoye and Conesus. He
took up his residence at Livonia. July 26th, 1875,
Rev. William Seymour was transferred from Nunda
and appointed pastor of the mission at Livonia.
During his pastorate the present church edifice was
constructed.
November 6th, 1877, Father Seymour was re-
moved to Auburn and Rev. T. C. Murphy,* the
present incumbent, assumed the pastoral charge of
Livonia and Conesus.
Father Murphy has prosecuted with zealousness
the undertakings begun under the ministration of
Father Seymour.
He has refitted the house, purchased an excel-
lent lot for a cemetery and cancelled the entire in-
debtedness therefor.
The present membership is 500, a unit in har-
mony and devotion.
South Livonia.
South LiVonia lies in the extreme southern part
of the town on the line of the Erie railroad. It
contains one church, a store, postoffice, black-
smith shop, (George P. Kennedy,) school house,
and thirty or forty dwellings.
This place was settled largely by people from
Vermont and for many years went by the name of
Vermont street.
The first merchants here were Backus and
Chamberlain, in about 1827. Orrin Hastings was
another merchant here about 1838. He kept a
general store on land now owned by Michael Car-
roll,! and was also the first postmaster at this place.
The present postmaster is George L. McDon-
ald.
The present merchant is Shelby Baker, who has
been in business here twelve years. He was born
in the town in 1827.
Tfie South Livonia Baptist Church. — This church
was organized August 29, 1816, as the Second
Baptist Church of Livonia. It consisted of forty-
nine members, and was under the charge of the
Ontario association.
The first trustees were Benjamin Howe, Seth
Godfrey and Timothy Howe, Jr.
The first deacon was Samuel Chapin. The first
pastor was Rev. Jehiel Wisner.
In 1833 a house of worship was erected and the
name of the church changed to the First Baptist
Church of Livonia.
• To this gentlemanly pastor we acknowledge thanks for the history of
this church and of that at Conesus.
t Or Lewis Chamberlain.
In 1867 twenty-one members were dismissed
by letter to join the Baptist church at Livonia Sta-
tion.
The church is now known as the South Livonia
Baptist church, and is under the charge of the Liv-
ingston Baptist Association. The church now
numbers forty-five members. The present pastor
is Rev. Ransom Marean, who has supplied the pul-
pit for twenty years.
The following is a list of the pastors who have
presided over the church : Revs. Jehiel Wisner,
John R. Seaver, P. S. Slocum, Ira Justin, Isaac I.
Brown, Joel W. Clark, Thomas B. Beebe, Eli
Stone, Daniel B. Purinton, S. W. Olney, E.
Mosher, Samuel T. Livermore, Frederick Glan-
ville, Henry F. Hill, Ransom Marean.
Hemlock Lake.
Hemlock Lake, a somewhat picturesque little
village, is situated in the south-eastern part of the
town of Livonia, about a mile from the foot of
Hemlock lake. It contains two churches,* four
stores, one hotel, two harness shops, a school house
and a population of about three hundred. f This
place was for a long time known as "Slab City,"
a nickname derived, presumably, from the lumber
traffic of its earlier days. About a mile north of
this place, at an early date, was situated a thriving
little village known as Jacksonville. It contained
a distillery, cloth dressing works, grist-mill, a store
and a considerable number of dwellings. The
place was laid out into lots duly numbered and the
indications were that in time it would become a
village of no mean proportions. Its existence,
however, was comparatively brief ; the village lots
have long since been transformed into farming
lands, and nothing now remains of its past pros
perity.
The first house in this place was built by Squir(
Short. The first merchant here was Dorastui
Hinman.
The MetropoUtan Hotel was built by Aaroi
Doolitlle in 1856. The post-office was establishec
here under the official care of Levi VanFossen
but at what date is not known.
The VanFossen family were among the mos
prominent early families of the town. The mi
first erected here was rebuilt by Levi VanFossei
• The Baptist and Methodist. Of this latter church there are no rei
ords extant to show either its origin or progress. It is learned th&t tl
church edifice was erected about 1857. The society has a memhership
about one hundred, presided over by Rev. A. H. Maryott.
t The census of 1870 gives a population of 157.
HEMLOCK LAKE.
369
previous to 181 1, and also after a period of time
another mill was built by him about 181 1. These
were the mills to which came the early settlers of
the surrounding towns, and which possess some
considerable historic interest.
At about the time of the erection of the second
mill — about 181 1 — Levi VanFossen died, and the
property passed into the hands of his heirs — Isaac,
John, William, Thomas and Sarah VanFossen, the
only one of whom now living in this State is
Thomas, a resident of Lima, N. Y.
The present postmaster of Hemlock Lake is
Eli S. Norton, who, in 1869, succeeded Gilbert D.
Morgan.
The merchants are : — Alanson H. Kinney, deal-
er in dry goods, groceries, etc., who has been in
business here since 1867. ^
Charles D. Morton, general merchandise, who
began business in 1879, succeeding William M.
McCrossen. Mr. Morton was born in this village
in 1859.
Hoppough & Short, (Horace P. Hoppough,
Peter A. Short,) general merchandise, in business
as a firm nearly five years. Mr. Hoppough was
born in Canadice, Ontario county, 1825, and has
lived in this town since 1866. Mr. Short was
born in Richmond, Ontario county, in 1845, and
came to this place in 1876.
Fox Brothers, (Richard H., and James F. Fox,)
general hardware, in business as a firm since Feb-
ruary 10, 1 88 1. The business for three years pre-
vious to that date had been conducted by Rich-
ard H. Fox.
Julien Tousat, harness-maker, and Chas. M.
Swarthout, harness-maker, in business here four
years.
The physicians are: — Dr. Wm. W. Russell, who
has been engaged in practice here since 1877. He
graduated from Pulte Medical College, Ohio, in
1876; born in Chester county. Pa., in 1832.
Dr. Jay L. Greene, born in North Cohocton,
Steuben county, N. Y., in 1838; graduated from
the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New
York, in 1866, and in that year came to Hemlock
Lake.
Among the professional men of the town, and
now a resident of this place, is Samuel Northrop,
Esq., a lawyer of forty-three years' practice and ex-
perience. He was born in New Hartford, Oneida
county, N. Y., November 21, 1812, and came to
this town in 1838, locating at Livonia Centre. In
that year he was admitted to the bar. In 1842 he
formed a co-partnership with Lewis E. Smith, who
had previously been his student, which relation was
sustained until 1848, when, in the spring of that
year, Mr. Northrop moved to Hemlock Lake, and
the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Northrop still
resides at Hemlock Lake.
Baptist Church of Hemlock Lake.— In 1834
Elias Archer, originally from New Hampshire,
came to Hemlock Lake, and soon began to hold
prayer meetings in his kitchen, which were attended
by people of the Baptist denominadon. This place
of meeting was in a short time changed to a school
house near by, and Elder Briggs, from Richmond,
an earnest Baptist minister, began to preach the
gospel to the increasing congregation. In January
of 1838, Abijah Archer, his wife Sehna, and his
brother, Benjamin Archer, and others of the Bap-
tist church at South Livonia, requested letters of
dismission, for the purpose of forming a church of
like denomination at Hemlock Lake. At their
request a council was called to take into consid-
eration the propriety of such a step. The council
met July 3, 1838.
Elias, Abijah, Benjamin, and Selina Archer,
John Bedell, Thaddeus Hampton, Francis D. Owen,
Lucinda Bedell, and Patty Owen, presented them-
selves before the council. After due deliberation
the council resolved to fellowship them as a church.
Elder S. Wood preached the sermon.
Rev. T. B. Beebe, of South Livonia, volunteered
to take the young church under his pastoral care,
and finally united with it July 29, 1838.
The pastor of the church being unable to attend
to his duties on account of sickness, Rev. Hull
Taylor, united with the church and became their
pastor November 30, 1839.
Elder Taylor continued with the church as pas-
tor until March 14, 1840, when he resigned.
In April, 1840, the church extended to Rev. Ira
Justin, of Lakeville and Richmond, a unanimous
call to become their pastor, which he accepted and
which relation he sustained for about twenty- three
years.
Up to this time the society had no house of
worship, and the members began to take steps for
the erection of a church. For this purpose a site
was purchased, April 15, 1843, of Samuel Wright,
for which they paid one hundred dollars. The trus-
tees of the society contracted with Samuel Wright to
erect a substantial building 32 by 42, at a cost of
$1,500, which was furnished and dedicated August
26, 1844.
The first trustees were : O, Hanchett, B. Archer,
and F. D. Owens.
57°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Elder Ira Justin, on account of ill health, resigned
his position as pastor March 14, 1863.
His successor was Rev. L. S. Stowell, who
remained with the church until October 20, 1866,
when he resigned, and was immediately succeeded
by Rev. James Mallory, November 17, 1866. El-
der Mallory sustained the relation of pastor until
November of 1868, when he tendered his resig-
nation.
The church was then without a pastor until
April, 1869, when Rev. A. VanPuttkamer was ex-
tended an invitation to become their pastor which
he accepted. At that date the membership num-
bered seventy-four. Elder VanPuttkamer remained
until 1870. He was succeeded by Rev. George M.
Slaysman, the present incumbent, who came here
in 1874, and under whose pastorate, in 1877, the
church was thoroughly repaired.
The present membership is sixty-two.
Lakeville.
Lakeville is situated in the northwestern part of
Livonia, at the foot of Lake Conesus. It contains
two churches, one hotel, one store, post-office,
school-house, two blacksmith shops, (John Mooney,
W. H. Bryant,) and a population of about two
hundred. The village lies on a broad plain con-
tiguous to the lake, and looks, though on a smaller
scale, not unlike some old and battered sea board
town.
Conesus lake, like Hemlock lake, is quite a
summer resort for various pleasure parties. The
lake is nine miles long, with an average width of
about a mile, bordered by gently undulating farm
lands dotted here and there with beautiful groves.
The time is not far distant when this picturesque
lake, and the quaint little village nestling at its
foot, will be a much frequented resort for those who
would escape from the confusion and summer's
heat of over-crowded cities.
The first house in this village was built by James
Bosley. It stood near the present site of the Lake-
ville House. Other early settlers here were Jacob
Fullmer and Michael, his son, George Hanna,
Robert Ames, William Bryant, who lived in a log-
house west of the Conesus outlet, DeLaVergne
Jacob Hall, who lived where the Presbyterian
church now stands, ■ Weldon, just east of the
hotel, on what is now the Rowland Place, and
Erastus West father to L. P. West, the merchant,
who now lives here.
Erastus West was a man of considerable energy
and prominence. He held for many years the
office of postmaster, and for a number of years w
one of the magistrates of the town.
He was a wheel-wright by trade, and in the ea;
days of his settlement here, did a considerable bu
ness in the manufacture of spinning wheels. I
was born May 24, 1794, and came to this pla
from Susquehanna, (now Elkdale) county, Peni
in 1815, with his wife and three children.
His wife, Sophronia Bucklin, died a few yes
afterwards, and he then married Lucy M. Bun
of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, Oct. 2
1820, by whom he had twelve children, five of who
are now living, L. P. West being one of this nm
ber. Erastus West died in 1865. His wife nc
lives here.
Robert Ames, one of the pioneers, came at ;
early day, and settled about a mile north of Lak
ville. His descendants here are Mrs. Zebedi;
Rathbun, a daughter, aged 89, and a grandso
Giles R. Ames, who lives in the village.
In 1814 an attempt was made to form the v
lage into some system of regularity. A plot w,
laid out in lots and streets, and a pubUc squa
containing four acres, situated on the south sic
of the main street. At that time there was a k
tavern kept by Mr. De La Vergne, a small stoi
by Jeffrey Chipman, a grist mill in process of coi
struction by Jacob Hall, and a few log dwelling
Mr. Chipman and a Mr. Brifogle purchased tl
most of the village lots and mortgaged them 1
obtain a loan of money, thus preventing the
abiHty to give a clear title to purchasers, and ;
the close of the war of 18 12 the enterprise w;
abandoned. Again in 1822, just after the couni
of Livingston had been formed, another attemj
was made to create a regular village, and effor
were put forth to make this place the county sea
Hon. Frank Granger, Dr. EU Hill, and oth(
prominent men, exerted their influence to indue
the Commissioners to decide on Lakeville as tl
place to locate the public buildings of the count;
and another plan for a village was drawn up, wit
a pubUc square of fourteen acres situated on Ave
street, and again the inhabitants were disa]
pointed.
Beyond a spasmodic effort to establish the Eri
railroad though this vicinity in 1852,* no other a
tempt to increase its importance was ever madi
and the village sank into a dreamy slumber by th
shore of the beautiful lake.
* This I'oad was surveyed through here, and citizens contributed iibf
ally towards the enterprise, but for some financial consideration the rot
was changed to its present course through Hamilton Station and Livor
at an increased expense in cost and distance.
Erastus West was born near Hartford, Conn., May 24, 1794. He
was the son of Hezekiah and Experience West and was the third of nine
children, seven sons and two daughters.
When Erastus was ten years of age his father was killed by the falling
of a branch from a tree- Four years later Erastus was bound out to a
cousin in the northern part of Pennsylvania, who was engaged in the
manufacture of spinning-wheels, spipdles, etc-, to learn the trade of a
wheel-wrieht His advantages for gaining an education were very lim-
ited, but his desire for learning was so great that he secured at his own
expense the privileges of an evening school. There he laid the founda-
tion of that work which, owing to his remarkably retentive and correct
memory, continued through life till he became highly respected in society
as a well informed citizen-
Early in his term of apprenticeship he developed a genuine talent for
ingenuity and inventive genius, and while his hand was employed in the
manufacure of the spindle his mind sought to devise some means by
which the labor attendant upon the hand manufacture of cloth from wool
might be lessened, and in imagination he constructed a carding machine
for preparing the wool for the spindle.
Soon after this, death deprived Erastus of his cousin and employer, and
at the age of eighteen years he rented the shop and privileges of his late
employer from his widow and continued the business, to which he added
a carding machine of his own construction, which proved so successful
that in a short time he added a second one.
In September, i8ij, he was married to Sophronia Bucklin, by whom
he had three children, viz: Perry, De Forest and Experience. In the
spring of 1810 he moved with his family into the State of New York,
bringmg his equipments of trade and household effects by wagons. The
roads at this time were in such bad condition that some days they only
traveled a distance of ten miles. He settled on land which is now in-
cluded in Lakeville, and there found the country hterally a forest and
scantily settled, with a few families about the foot of the beautiful lake
Conesus, some of whom were Indians who lived on land which he after-
ward purchased. The nearest post-office was at Livonia Centre.
In the fall following his settling here his wife died leaving him to con-
tend with the hardships of a life in a new country and the maintenance
of three small children, the youngest of whom was less than a year old.
About this time came the depreciation of Continental currency and Mr.
West, having incurred a debt of some two hundred dollars in fitting up
his carding machines, was obliged to sacrifice all of his goods and per-
sonal property, previously valued at more than two thousand dollars, m
order to maintain his sterling integrity. Having indomitable courage,
latent ingenuity and his trade, he started life anew, seeking by close ap-
plication to the work fortune cast before him to gain an honest and respect-
able livelihood, in which endeavor he succeeded.
After living a widower for about two years he was married to Lucy M.
Burns, of CTiflFord, Susquehanna county. Pa. She was bom May 16,
1800, and now lives on the same farm selected by her husband many years
ago. To them were born the following children : Ziba H., Manila, Covel
G., Lucy M., Elisha, Jonathan Burns, Francis G., Thomas H., Lovette
P. and Erastus N. Of all the children born to Mr. West six are now
living, viz ; Perry West, residing in Dansville ; Lucy N. Baird in Holly,
Oakland county, Mich,; Elisha West, in Lockport, N. Y.; Jonathan
B. in Rochester, N. Y.; Franklin G. in Avon, and Lovette P. residing
on the homestead in Lakeville, where the varied fortunes and hardships
of the father were experienced for nearly half a century.
When this family became of sufficient age to assist him Mr. West con-
structed mills for the manufacture of linseed oil and also for lumber, and
thsn introduced the first steam power used in this section of country.
When these had been in operation less than two years they were con-
sumed by fire, and he then built flouring mills and lumber mills, which
were also propelled by steam. He was also first to introduce the reaper
in this vicmity, which is now so common.
Mr. West aided in establishing the post-office here, and was for a long
time the post-master. He was appointed Justice of the Peace by the
Governor, and in 18 jo was elected to that office, being one of the first
who were thus honored by the town of Livonia. He was a temperate,
EST.
exemplary and respected citizen, a devoted Christian, and one of the
founders of the Baptist church, of which he was a principal supporter.
He died January zi, 1865, leaving many friends and relatives, who have
greatly mourned his loss.
His earnest and noble partner, Lucy M , who is represented above,
was a native of Saratoga, this State, though moving with her parents when
quite young to Pennsylvania, where she is first mentioned in this sketch.
Her parents, Jonathan and Annar Burns, were of English and Irish de-
scent, stalwart and hardy. She was one of nine children all of whom
lived to old a^e, and four of whom are still living. She performed faith-
fully her part in the pioneer life, spinning and weaving for the family she
adopted, as well as those whom were her own children, cared for and
reared nearly all of them to man and womanhood, and saw them com-
fortably established in families of their own. Of these Perry West has
followed for a livelihood principally artisan work, painting and marble
work, and raised an estimable family, one son and two daughters. The
son was a youthful volunteer in the war of the Rebellion, and rose to the
rank of Captain. After the war he entered the profession of attomey-at-
law. and is now a noted and successful practitioner in New York City.
Ziba H., the eldest of the second family, followed painting, and exhib-
ited no ordinary talent for portrait painting.
Lucy M. B., the daughter, has found time, in addition to her house-
hold duties, to carry on for a long time the milliner and dress-making
business, and has raised a promising son and daughter. The latter is
now a noted musician and portrait and ornamental painter in the City of
Chicago.
Elisha chose mechanical manufacturing business and carries on a ma-
chine shop in the city of Lockport. N. Y., at which place his inventive
genius has made for him an enviable reputation.
To Jonathan B.the inheritance of real Yankee inventive genius seemed
to fall in an unusual depree. He constructed in his eighth year his first
"perpetual motion," which ran as well as any since invented, and now
the Patent Office shows over a dozen patents to his credit. The first an
automatic turning lathe, next a machine for cutting rasp for clover mills,
and in 1870 a tire-setter, which he exhibited at the American Institute
Fair in New York, and a medal of honor awarded. In 187?, accompa-
nied by his wife, he visited Europe and exhibited at the Worid's Fair at
Vienna the tire-setter, and received a Medal of Progress, and while there
made an extensive tour of all the principal cities. Since then he has ob-
tained patents on a machine for dressing granite, another tire-setter, the
lightning screw-driver and a water metre which is extensively patented in
foreign countries. This called the inventorto Paris, France, in 1880 to
establish a factory for manufacturing it. Two patents for machines for
regulating the pressure of water in service pipes and an air compressor
have been granted him. He will soon make apphcation for patents on a
machine for embroidering Hamburg edging, etc,, which isnowbein^ con-
structed in his works at Rochester, N. Y. He is also a skillful musician.
Francis G. spent several years at mechanical business, but having re-
ceived an injury to his eyesight, turned his attention to agriculture, and
has been successful. His two sons, however, have inherited a talent for
mechanism, and are classed as unusually ingenious.
Lovette P. possessed the family talent for ingenuity, but during his
bovhood had poorer health and devoted more to acquirmg an education.
When that was finished he engaged to a manufacturing firm to tmveland
introduce machinery and conduct a general agency for them 1 hat en-
gagement over, a greater inducement off^ered to take charge of a manufac-
turing establishment on the Ohio river at Louisville, Ky., at which he
continued three years. Meantime the death of the father made it neces-
sary to settle up the estate, and Lovette had bought out the heirs to keep
the homestead intact for the comfort ot his mother. So he then returned
to his native town, and has since engaged in themercantile busmess. His
town selected him for Justice of the Peace, and has lately chosen him for
* EriuisNTtheyounger, was also a mechanic, a true "chip of the old
block " for ingenuity, inventive faculties and pleasant, jovial ways, in-
vented many new and useful implements and machines, but did not live
to bring them before the public.
LAKEVILLE.
371
The Old Universalist church, now standing in
ruins here, was built in 1838-39, and was dedi-
cated in 1840 ; Elder Roberts was its first pastor.
It was abandoned as a church some thirty years
ago.
A Baptist church was also built here some forty-
five years ago, the frame of which was moved to
this place from Avon. Its pastor was the Rev.
Ira Justin. For a number of years it had a pros-
perous career, but frequent withdrawals to other
churches weakened the society, the church was
abandoned about six years ago, and the members
became scattered. The church building was sold
to James Martin . Gilbert, who converted it into a
barn.
The postoffice was established here between
1814 and 1820. The present postmaster is
Lovette P. West, appointed under Grant in 1870.
The Lakeville House is the only hotel here. It
is a neat, commodious, well arranged house, com-
manding a fine view of the lake, and is kept by
Milton Hinsdale.
West & Company (L. P. West, Francis M.
Acker) are the only merchants here. The busi-
ness was founded by Mr. West in 1870. Mr.
West was born in Lakeville in 1841.
Mr. Acker was born in Groveland in 1847 ^.nd
has resided here twenty-nine years.
The Christian Church of Lakeville. — During
the year 1817, Joseph Badger, John Blodget, and
David Millard, then prominent young ministers in
the Christian denomination, held religious meet-
ings in South Lima and the vicinity of Lakeville,
mostly in barns and private dwellings. In the
winter and spring of 1818 quite a revival interest
was manifested, numbers becoming converted. In
June of that year, under the labors of Joseph
Badger, ten of these converts, all, or nearly all of
them young unmarried people, were organized
into a church. The organization was effected
in South Lima, but the regular meetings were soon
after established in Lakeville, and hence the
society took the name of the Christian Church of
Lakeville. Joseph Badger was their first pastor,
and Revs. William True, James Westcott, Gideon
Hendrick, William Hance, Amasa Staunton, Geo.
H. Hebbard,* David Millard, Jefferson D. Childs,
and Oliver W. Powers, have also sustained pas-
toral relation to the church.
At no period in its history has this church been
very large in its membership, or embodied any
great amount of wealth. Six of its members have
*To whom we are indebted for this historical sketch.
gone forth as ministers, some of whom became
men of especially marked abihty and influence.
One of its members was also selected and em-
ployed by the American Missionary Association as
teacher among the Freed People of the South, and
is now (1881) a prominent educator in one of its
institutions of learning in that section of the
country.
Few country churches have sustained a more
continuous pastoral labor, or larger congregations
than has this church during its history. The
present membership is between sixty and sixty-five,
presided over by Rev. Oliver W. Powers, who has
been their pastor three years.
The First Presbyterian Clmrch of Geneseo* —
This church was organized with twelve members
in the Presbyterian form in 1795, by Rev. Daniel
Thatcher, a missionary of the General Assembly,
and was, therefore, the earliest of all the churches
in this part of the country. Its title was "The
First Presbyterian Church of Geneseo,'' by which
name it is still known.
The church originally extended over the entire
town of Geneseo, and the principal place of wor-
ship was in a building that stood on what is now
known as Temple hill, above the village of Gene-
seo. The first members of this church were nearly
all Presbyterians. Afterwards a number of mem-
bers of the Congregational order came here from
the Eastern States. They were attached to the
order in which they had been educated, and that
they might coalesce in one society and unite in the
support of one minister, the elders of the church
here resigned their offices. The plan of union
adopted by the General Assembly of the Presby-
terian Church and the General Association of the
State of Connecticut was accepted by the church,
and a standing committee, composed of an equal
number of members from both parties, was chosen
to transact the discipHrie of the church. This
measure, however, was not attended with success.
The parties did not harmonize, and the Congrega-
tionalists asked and obtained letters of dismission
and organized another church, which, after several
changes in now known as " The First Presbyterian
Church of Geneseo Village." The Presbyterian
element then removed their place of worship to the
eastern part of the town.
For several years they had no church edifice,
and were accustomed to meet in a school house in
the winter. During the summer they frequently
• From a historical discourse by Rev. John Mitchell in 1876, and with
but shght alteration in language.
372
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
held their meetings in a barn belonging to Benja-
min Wynn. In 1824 the first house of worship
was erected. The old building has since been
converted to other uses.
The progress of the church for the first thirty
years was slow, for the number on the roll of com-
municants was only thirty-two in 1825.
The church enjoyed only occasional ministerial
labor until about the beginning of 1806. January
29, 1806, the Rev. John Lindsley was installed
pastor, which relation he sustained between eleven
and twelve years. It was during his pastorate that
the schism above mentioned took place.
For some considerable time after Mr. Lindsley
left, the church seems to have been destitute of
stated preaching. For about two years and a half
from the spring of 1824 Rev. Silas Pratt preached
to this people one-fourth of the time. From the
spring of 1827 Rev. Horace Galpin was stated sup-
ply for a little more than four years. After Mr.
Galpin's dismissal the church was supplied one
year by Rev. Elijah Woolage. He was succeeded
in the fall of 1833 by Rev. Merrit Harmon, who
remained ten years. During his ministrations
ninety members were added to the church. He
was immediately succeeded by Rev. Sidney S.
Brown, who continued between two and three
years.
Rev. Charles Richards was installed pastor over
the congregation in May, 1847. Previous to l^js
installation he had labored two years as a licentiate
under the care of the Presbytery. Thereafter the
succession of pastors was as follows : —
Revs. E. M. Toof, 1849-53; Charles Living-
ston, six months of 1853; LaFayette Dudley,
1853-54; Wm. Reed, three months of 1854; Ed-
win Moore, 1855-60; George W. Mackie, 1860-
61 ; Dwight Scovel, 1861-67; Alvin Baker, 1867-
71; John Jones, D. D., 1871-72; John Mitchell,
1872. The latter pastor remained some five or
six years, and was succeeded, after the lapse of a
year, by the present incumbent, Rev. Newton J,
Conkling.
The present house of worship was erected in
1855. The congregation gradually extending east-
ward, the church was built for convenience of ac-
cess, just over the town line in the village of Lake-
ville. In convenience, comfort and general effect
it is one of the best country churches in Western
New York.
Livonia.
The village of Livonia, or Livonia Station, as it
is also called, lies in the western part of the town,
a little north of the center, on the line of the Erii
railroad. This is the chief business center of thi
town, and contains a population of six hundree
and seventy-six.*
The existence and growth of this village is dm
to the birth of the Erie railroad. In 1853, whei
that road was built through here, there were bu
seventy-one inhabitants! ^^ what is now considerei
the limits of the village. The first depot here wa
an ordinary shanty, which in 1854 gave place ti
a better structure, 96 by 44, at a cost of $1,160
built by A. C. Keyes.
The first business place in the village was
restaurant, built of rough boards and kept b
Pyram B. Ripley, of Livonia Centre. It stood 01
the depot grounds in front of where C. Y. An
druss' store now stands.
The first hotel was built here in the fall an(
winter of 1855-6. This was the Church Hotel
and was built by Henry Smith, and by him wa
opened as a pubhc house in the spring of 1856
Previous to the erection of this house, traveler
were obliged to. go to Livonia Centre for hotel ac
comrnodations.
The Baldwin House was the next hotel erectec
in the village. It was built by Wm. W. Baldwii
in 1862, and at that time was the largest hotel ii
the county. It was a four-story structure, 36 by 76
Mr. Baldwin opened the house and run it unti
Hall Aldrich leased it in 1863. The present pro
prietor is Geo. W. Swan, who purchased the proper
ty of Moses & Johnson two years ago. Thi
hotel is extensively patronized by the travelin]
public, and is one of the best appointed hotels ii
the county.
The first manufacturing business here was thi
making of grain cradles by George VanNess whc
in 1843, moved from South Avon to this town am
started a cradle factory near where once stow
Munson & Summers' cabinet shop.
At that time there had never been a reaper 0
mower in Livingston county. He did an exter
sive business for a number of years, until in 185;
when reapers came into general use, the busines
began to decline, and in a few years ceased er
tirely.
The cabinet-shop above mentioned was pu
chased in 1854 by R. W. Tompkins, who move
it from that site to the corner of the railroad an
the road running east and west, where the oldei
brick block now stands. This was the first buil(
* In 1870 the population was 399, an increase of 177 in tlie ten years-
t 34 males, 37females.
MOSES JACKMAN.
^Tut-ifn^
The subject of this memoir was the son of Moses
Jackman and Martha Moss, of New Hampshire.
He was one of a family of seven children, was
born January 14, 1776, and in the year 1804 was
united in marriage with Rhoda CoUins, of Ver-
mont. In 1811 they moved to Mendon, N.
Y. They had four children, viz : Orlen C, Flora,
Cyrus and Alzina, of whom Alzina married Her-
man Doyle and lives in CaUfornia, and Flora mar-
ried Hollis Daggett and resides in the town of
Brighton, Monroe county, N. Y.
Mr. Jackman's wife died October 8, 181 1, and
for his second wife he married Betsey Beecher,
whose portrait appears herewith, January 4, 1813,
by whom he had eight children, four of whom are
now living. Their names are Emeritt E., Moses
L., Matilda A., Rachel B., Hezekiah R., Charles
A. and George W. One child died in infancy.
Matilda and Rachel reside at Livonia Centre,
Charles A. at Lima and George W. on the old
homestead situated about two miles north-east of
Livonia Station. The latter, at whose instance
this sketch was written, was married to Jane E.,
daughter of Benjamin Cowles, of Brighton, N. Y.
She is the oldest of a family of six children, four of
whom are now living and is the mother of the fol-
lowing children: Jessiettie E., George W., Jr.,
Lizzie M., Rillie E. and Lyman Ward B.
Moses Jackman moved to Livonia in the year
1828 and located on forty acres of land now occu-
pied by his son George W., who has added to it at
different times, until the farm now contains one
hundred and fifty acres. Mr., Jackman relates an
incident in which his paternal grandfather was
taken by the Indians when a mere boy, and re-
turned after a lapse of seven years.
Betsey Beecher was a daughter of Hezekiah
Beecher, of Connecticut, who moved into this
county in 1801 and took up a tract of land a mile
square, lacking 150 acres. He was brother to the
father of Henry Ward Beecher. The original pur-
chase has been sub-divided into small farms which
are now in a high state of cultivation.
In politics Mr. Jackman was an Andrew Jack-
son Democrat until the Anti-Masonic crusade,
when he became a Whig, and in i860 espoused the
cause of the Republican party. He died in the
year 1861, and it may be mentioned as a remark-
able coincidence in connection with his history
that he was born in the year of the Declaration of
Independence and died in the year in which Fort
Sumter was fired upon. He was a member of the
Baptist Church up to the time of his removal into
Livingston county, but never joined with any re-
Hgious society after his settlement in Livonia.
He was a man of strong convictions, and when
decided that he was right no power that could be
made to act upon him could change his decision or
cause him to deviate from the fulfillment of his
purpose. He left a family who are intelligent, in-
fluential citizens of the communities in which they
reside, and of whom George W. deserves special
mention. He has greatly improved the old home,
and to-day is one of the most successful farmers in
Livonia. He is now in the prime of life and sur-
rounded by all the comforts of a happy home.
LIVONIA, MERCHANTS AND MANUFACTURERS.
373
ing here that aspired to a frame, and shingled roof.
Mr. Tompkins sold it soon after to John Locke,
Sr. who finished the upper part of it for a dwelling
and the lower part for a grocery store.
On the 28th of January, 1878, occurred a de-
structive fire which destroyed the postoffice and
other of the business places. The postoffice was
the oldest wooden building, and was built by John
Locke, Sr., in 1856. The postoffice had been es-
tablished here the year previous, 1855, and Jchn
Locke was the first postmaster. Carleton Bowen
succeeded him in 1857, continuing four years.
Jerome B. Patterson was the next official, appoint-
ed under Lincoln, and his successor was Carleton
Bowen who again assumed the duties, continu-
ing two years and a half The present postmaster
is Willard S. Chapin, who was appointed under
Grant in 1869. Mr. Chapin was born in Venice,
Cayuga county, in 1826, and came to Livonia, in
1861.
Merchants. — Jerome B. Patterson, one of the
oldest merchants in the town, came to Livonia in
1834, beginning business in that year at Hemlock
Lake. In 1858 he moved to Livonia, where he
remained until 1865, when he removed to Lock-
port, N. Y., returning to Livonia in 1868, where
he has since continued business in general mer-
chandise.
In 1877 he was elected County Clerk. He was
born in the town of Springport, Cayuga county, in
I82».
E. C. Long, dealer in boots, shoes and clothing,
has been in business here sixteen years. He was
born in Livonia in 1840.
Eugene W. Stowell, general hardware ; in busi-
ness here six years. He was born in Huntington,
Addison county, Vt.,in 1843, and came to Livonia
from Michigan six years ago.
Elbert Long, dry goods and groceries, has been
in business one year. He was born in Livonia in
1852.
Wheeler Brothers, (Charles and William,) gro-
ceries and crockery; in business here one year.
Came here in April of 1880 from Nunda, where
both were born, Charles in 1859 and William in
1862.
Trescott & Long, (Charles Trescott, Abraham
Long,) furniture and undertaking; in business as a
firm nearly two years. Previously for some eight
years the firm was Trescott & Davis. Both are
natives of the town, Mr. Long being born here in
1828, and having pursued the occupation of farm-
ing until his engagement in this business.
Henry A. Barton, groceries, drugs and medi-
cines ; in business here seventeen years. He was
born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1829, and came to
Livonia in 1864.
Clark & Rogers, (Edmund P. Clark, James E.
Rogers,) dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes; in
business here some four years. Mr. Clark was
born in Rensselaerville, Albany county, in 1839.
Mr. Rogers was born in Coventry, Chenango
county, N. Y., in 1844, and came to Livonia in
1877.
Densmore Brothers, (Luther and David H.,)
general hardware, paints and oils.. In business
here five years. Both were born in New Balti-
more, Greene county, N. Y., Luther in 1832,
David in 1828, and came to this town in 1836.
Fred. S. Day, drugs, medicines and fancy goods ;
in business here nearly three years. He was born
in Macon, Ga., in 1852, and came to Livonia in
1862.
Brown & Hulbert, (Sarah C. Brown, Laura J.
Hulbert,) milliners. In business here eight years,
purchasing in April of 1873 the millinery business
of Mrs. Mary E. Hoyt. S. C. Brown was born in
Dansville in 1837, and came to Livonia in 1873.
L. C. Hulbert was born in Burns, Allegany coun-
ty, in 1843, and came here eight years ago.
Joshua D. Howell, watches and jewelry. In
business here three years, coming at that time
from Nunda, where he was born in 1850.
Swan & Ganung, (Albert Swan, William Ga-
nung,) produce merchants. In business as a firm
since 1876. Previously for one year the business
was conducted by Mr. Swan. Albert Swan was
born in Canadice, Ontario county, in 1847, and
came to Livonia as a resident thirteen years ago.
WilUam Ganung was born in Canadice in 1847,
and came here in 1876.
John H. Prettejohn, produce merchant. In
business here twelve years.
Manufacturers. — Perry & Gardner, (E. Harvey
Perryj John Gardner,) millers, have been in
business here over two years. Their grist mill
was built in 1879. Mr. Perry was born in
Oneida county, N. Y. Mr. Gardner was born
in Hopewell, Ontario county, N. Y., in 1854, and
came here as a resident in December of 1879.
George Ritzenthaler, barrel manufacturer. In
business here twelve years. He came here in
1873 from Hemlock Lake, where he had conduct-
ed the same business for eight years, during which
time he had also carried on the present manufac-
tory in Livonia. Mr. Ritzenthaler was born in
374
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Baden, Germany, in 1830, and came to America
in 1835.
Lawyers. — John Wesley Byam, who came to
Livonia in 1866, to begin the practice of law, was
born in Warsaw, Wyoming county, N. Y., in 1837.
At the age of seventeen he attended the seminary
at Lima, where he studied several years, and in
April of 1864, entered the Albany Law School
from which institution he graduated in the spring
of 1865.
William F. Gelston, a graduate of the University
of Michigan, was born in Rushville, Yates county,
N. Y.jin 1855. He studied law for two years with
Lincoln & Conley of Naples, N. Y., and was one
year with George Ripsom in Rochester. He was
admitted to the bar in 1876, and came to Livonia
in 1878.
Physicians. — Dr. Charles Herbert Richmond
graduated from Buffalo Medical University in i860,
and in December of that year came to Livonia to
begin the practice of medicine. During the war
of the Rebellion he was Surgeon of the 104th N.Y.
Volunteers from August, 1862, to July of 1865.
He was born in Churchville, Monroe county, N. Y.,
July 15, 1840.
Doctor Herbert P. Sheldon, a partner with Dr.
Richmond, graduated at Buffalo Medical College
in 1879, and came to Livonia in September of the
same year. He was born in Perry, Wyoming Co.,
N. Y., in 1856.
Doctor J. TenEyck Bettis was born in Albion,
Orleans county, in 1846. Graduated from Ham-
ilton College, Cleveland, in 1870, and came to Li-
vonia in 187 1. In connection with his practice
he has also a drug store.
Doctor Silas Fayette Staggs, was born in Pan-
ton, Vt., July 19, 1847. He graduated at How-
ard Medical College, Washington, in 1878, and in
October of that year, went to Lakeville, removing
from there to Livonia, in September of 1879.
Dr. E. A. Clapp, dentist, began business here
two years ago. He was born in Groveland, Liv-
ingston county, in 1857.
Banks. — The pioneer banker here was Daniel
Stanley, who opened a bank in the north room of
the Baldwin House, in the winter of 1868-9.
The banking house of Solomon Woodruff and
Irving Parmelee was opened in 1869. The next
year Mr. Parmelee bought Mr. Woodruff's interest
and conducted the business alone until his health
failed, when he sold the business to Niel Stewart,
October ist, 187 1.
In 1872, Stewart and Co. removed to a fine
suite of rooms built by them for banking purposes,
where their bank is now located, and in the rooms
which this firm vacated, Solomon G. Woodruff
opened a private banking establishment, making
the second bank in Livonia.
Societies. — Livonia Lodge, F. dr A M. — This
lodge was organized in 1876. The charter officers
were: — Francis S. Stevens, W M., Clark Meacher,
S. W., J. T. Bettis, J. W.
The present officers are Willard S. Chapin, M.
W., Eli Burr, S. W., J. A. Piatt, J. W.
The only newspaper here is the Z«v«/« Gazette,
of which for four years Clarence M. Alvord has
been editor and proprietor. Under his judicious
management it has become one of the leading and
most interesting papers in the county.
Churches. — The First Methodist Society was
formed in the town of Livonia, somewhere about
the year 181 7. The exact date is not known, as
none of the original members of the class are now
living, and none of the earlier records have been
preserved. The class when first formed contained
about twenty members. Abijah Wright, Isaac
VanFossen, Amos Richmond, and Ruel and Jesse
Blake, were members at an early day, and possibly
some of them joined when the class was formed.
For a number of years Livonia was part of the
Bloomfield circuit, and the meetings were held first
at Hemlock Lake, and afterwards in the barn and
cider mill of Ruel and Jesse Blake. In 1831 a
meeting house was built on the farm of Ruel Elake,
and the first society of the M. E. Church in Livo-
nia was duly organized.
The society continued to worship in the Blake
meeting house until about i860, when a church was
erected at Livonia Station, and the society removed
to that place. At that time there were about forty
members, among whom were such leading men as
G. Price, S. Francis, S. Ditts, J. Sanger, and G.
Nottingham.
Rev. William H. Goodwin was the presiding El-
der, and Rev. H. T. Hancock the preacher in
charge. The following named pastors have been
appointed to this charge in the order in which they
are named : —
Revs. R. T. Hancock, George Wilkinson, Josiah
Arnold, William Manderville, T. J. O. Woodin, C.
E. Hermans, J. C. Hitchcock, L. D. Chase, D.
Leisinring, and K. D. Nettleton,* the present pas-
tor, who has been here two years.
During the pastorate of Rev. T. J. O. Woodin,
in 1866, the church was repaired and enlarged, at
* To whom we aie indebted for the history of this Church.
LIVONIA— WAR RECORD.
375
an expense of about $2,000, and during the pas-
toral service of Rev. J. C. Hitchcock, in i87i,agood
parsonage was built at a cost of about $3,600.
The church is in a flourishing condition, and has a
present membership of one hundred and ten.
Livonia Baptist Church. — This Church was or-
ganized November 7, 1867, with the following list
of members : — Robert Neel, Sr., Mrs. Lucinda
Neel, Robert Neel, Jr., Mrs. Laura M. Neel, Mrs.
Margaret Neel, Miss Lucinda Neel, John Neel,
Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Thompson, Hattie Thompson,
Alice Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. John Locke, Chas.
Locke, Mrs. Laura Locke, Mrs. Henry Smith,
Mrs. Lucy Briggs, Mrs. M. Wilkins, Evangeline
Norton, Mrs. Pemberton, James McCrossen, Mrs.
James McCrossen, Mrs. Elsie Sharp, Rev. E. Sav-
age, Miss Naomi Eddy, James Wells, Mrs. James
Wells, Mrs. A. W. Gordon, Mrs. Anna Shepard,
Mrs. Mary Howe, Mrs. Venus Scott, Louisa Eddy,
Frankhn Stone, Mrs. Betsey Stone, Mrs. Lyman
Smith, Mrs. Theodosia Hart, Mrs. Savage, and
Mrs. Brewster.
During the winter of 1867-8 Rev. Mr. Savage
officiated as pastor of this new church. On the
29th of April, 1868, the regular organization of the
society was formed and A. R. Pemberton, J. R.
Hopkins and Robert Neel, Sr., were elected as the
first trustees.
The church was recognized May 13, 1868, by
the sending of delegates from the churches of
Avon; Dansville, South Livonia, Lima, Mt. Mor-
ris and Hunt's Hollow. On the 9th of June,
1869, the church was received into membership
with the Livingston Baptist Association.
Rev. Mr. Savage, on account of ill health, closed
his labors with the church May 31, 1868, and dur-
ing the summer of that year the pulpit was supphed
by Rev. Mr. Marean, of South Livonia, and occa-
sional supphes in the winter, and the prayer meet-
ings were held from house to house until March,
1870.
On the 1 2th of that month Rev. Jacob Gray be-
came their pastor, remaining until December 29,
1870. During his brief pastorate the church edi-
fice was erected at a cost of some $3,400.
On January 7th, 187 1, a call was extended to
the Rev. D. B. Purinton to become their pastor,
which he accepted and began his labors in Febru-
ary, which he continued until September, 1873.
In November of 1873 Rev. J. R. Smith entered
upon the work of the ministry here and remained
till April ist, 1877. His successor was Rev. A.
M. Duboc, the present incumbent, who began his
labors here in June of 1877. The present mem-
bership is one hundred and thirty-three.
Soldiers of the Rebellion.— Livonia during
the late war contributed largely in money and men
toward crushing the Rebellion. But very meagre
records, however, have been preserved concerning
those brave men to whom the town owes so much
of gratitude. What is here given has been gleaned
chiefly from officers and privates who entered the
different regiments, and is therefore fragmentary,
but in the main correct.
Cotnfnissioned Officers.— Edwm S. Gilbert, Lieu-
tenant Colonel, 25th N. Y. Volunteers; dead.
Edward E. Sill, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, 136th
Regiment N.Y. Volunteers. Now in Rochester, N.Y.
Henry F. Sill, Captain, 27th Iowa Infantry.
George W. Sill, Brevet First Lieutenant, First
N. Y. Light Artillery.
Justus F. McCoy, Captain, First N. Y. Dra-
goons.
Charles H. Richmond, Surgeon, 104th N. Y.
Volunteers. Now practicing physician in Livonia.
John Rudd, First Lieutenant, 104th N. Y. Vol-
unteers. Killed at battle of Bull Run.
Adam Dixson, Captain, 104th N. Y. Volun-
teers.
Oscar Adams, First Lieutenant, 126th N. Y.
Volunteers. Killed at battle of Cold Harbor.
Willard S. Chapin, Captain, 136th N. Y. Vol-
unteers. Now postmaster at Livonia, N. Y.
Almon A. Hoyt, First Lieutenant, 136th N. Y.
Volunteers.
Charles P. Woodruff, Captain, Illinois Vol-
unteers.
Shelby Baker, First Lieutenant, 136th N. Y.
Volunteers.
Charles L. Peck, Captain, 136th N. Y. Volun-
teers.
Hubbard G. Gary, First Lieutenant, 136th N. Y.
Volunteers.
John Jack, Lieutenant, 136th N. Y. Volunteers.
Company C, i^6th Regiment N. V. Volunteers.
— Willard S. Chapin enhsted as a private in 1862,
was mustered in as First Sergeant, and was pro-
moted to Second Lieutenant in February, 1863,
and again promoted to Captain, September 25,
1863. Served to the close of the war. Is now
post-master at Livonia, N. Y.
Almon A. Hoyt, First Lieutenant, was discharged
on surgeon's certificate of disabihty in June, 1864.
Died August 7, 1867.
Shelby Baker, Sergeant, promoted to First Lieu-
tenant.- Now in South Livonia.
376
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Thomas Boyle, enlisted in 1862. Was wounded
at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. Now in Lima, N. Y.
George F. Briggs, transferred to invalid corps
November 15, 1863; whereabouts unknown.
Jonathan E. Britton, enlisted in 1862. Was
wounded at Resaca, Ga. Now at Livonia Cen-
tre.
Hubbard G. Cary, Corporal, promoted to First
Lieutenant in November, 1864. Now in Livonia.
Orlando F. Davis, Sergeant. Now in Land
Office of Interior Department at Washington,
D. C.
James M. Decker, wounded at battle of Kene-
saw Mountain, June 21, 1864.
Monroe H. Annis, Corporal, wounded at battle
of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863; transferred to invalid
corps November 15, 1863. Now in Michigan.
William E. Dubois was wounded in action at
Gettysburg, July 3, 1863; transferred to invahd
corps. Now in Geneseo, N. Y.
Peter E. Holt, Sergeant, was wounded March
16, 1865, near Averysboro, N. C. Now at Livonia,
N. Y.
John Hammond was taken sick and was dis-
charged from hospital in 1863. Dead.
James Henry, whereabouts unknown.
Charles W. Hanna was wounded at Resaca, Ga.,
May 15, 1864. Died in Michigan in 1879.
John Jack, Sergeant, promoted to Lieutenant.
Now in Richmond, Ontario county, N. Y.
Walter C. Masten, Sergeant and Adjutant's
clerk from 1863 to 1865, when the regiment was
mustered out. Now in Kansas.
David H. Martin, now in Michigan.
Thomas McGorman, precise whereabouts un-
known.
Thomas Mooney was wounded at Resaca, Ga.,
May 15, 1864; transferred to invahd corps March
27, 1S65. Now in Lima, N. Y.
George P. Morey, now a druggist in Indianapolis,
Ind.
Wells G. Nash was wounded at Gettysburg in
July, 1863 ; discharged March 3, 1864, from U. S.
hospital. Now in Livonia.
Ammi Perkins was wounded at Resaca, Ga.,
May 15, 1864, died May 16, and was buried on the
field.
Edward Phelps, now in the West.
Daniel L. Richardson, now in Michigan.
Cornelius Runyan, Corporal. Now in Livonia.
Martin N. Runyan, dead.
John B. Ray was wounded at Gettysburg, July
3, 1863. Now in York, Nebraska.
Alfred C. Summers, Corporal, promoted to
Quartermaster Sergeant. Died in Peoria, Wyom-
ing county, N. Y.; date unknown.
Rocklin Shaw, Corporal; precise whereabouts
unknown.
George H. Sanger, Corporal, promoted to Ser-
geant. Was wounded at Resaca, May 15, 1864
and died of his wounds July i, 1864.
Lovette Sherwood, Corporal, wounded at Gettys-
burg, July 3, 1863. Now in Nebraska.
Orman O. Sherwood, was wounded at Resaca,
Ga., May 15, 1864. Now in Conesus, N. Y.
Billa F. Smith, now in Boyne Falls, Charlevoix
county, Mich.
Burr Summers, was wounded near Atlanta, Ga.;
July 20, 1864. Now in Livonia, N. Y.
James Spees, was wounded in battle at Chat-
tanooga, November 23, 1863. Whereabouts now
unknown.
Ephraim E. Tiffany was transferred to Invalid
Corps some time in 1863. Now in Wisconsin.
John M. Turrill, Corporal, went through all
the battles with his regiment. Now in Livonia.
William H. Ward, Cori)oral, was wounded at
battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 28, 1864, and
died of his wounds in general hospital at Jefferson-
ville, Ind., August 6, 1864.
William D. Walker. Now in California.
Leman B. Withy, was wounded at Resaca, Ga.,
had an eye shot out. Was murdered in Avon
in 1876, by William Pierson, who gave him
poison.
Charles L. Peck, Sergeant, promoted to First
Lieutenant, and afterward to Captain. Now in
Ohio.
Norman A. Hamilton, whereabouts now un-
known.
Irving D. Lindsley, supposed to have deserted
from Chancellorsville in May, 1863.
Richard Youells, killed at battle of Gettysburg,
July 3, 1863.
John G. Sanger, discharged for disability in
November, 1862. Now in Iowa.
Alonzo A. Eddy, discharged for disability, Dec.
29, 1862. Now in Lakeville, Livonia.
Sylvester S. Summers, discharged for disability,
January 12, 1863. Now in Michigan.
Chester Gould, discharged for disability, Janu-
ary 19, 1863. Now in Conesus, N. Y.
James (or John) Van Valkenburg, discharged
for inability, February 2, 1863.
Martin Brennan, discharged for disability, Feb-
ruary 25, 1863. Now in Livonia.
LIVONIA— N. HARMON FOWLER.
377
Allen C. Wallace, discharged for disability,
March 28, 1863. Now in New Mexico.
Harvey S. Gibbs, drum major, discharged under
an order from War Department, January 19, 1863.
Now in Michigan.
Myron W. Stoddard, died November 28, 1862,
at Fairfax Court House^ Va. ; buried in Livonia.
Norman J. Smith, died December 4, 1862, at
Fairfax Court House, Va. ; buried at same place.
James C. Van Sickle, died and buried Decem-
ber 17, 1862, at Fairfax Court House, Va.
William Grills, died and buried December 27,
1862, at Fairfax Court House, Va.
Homer Britton, deserted from regiment at Por-
tage Bridge, N. Y., September 28, 1862.
James W. Barnhart, deserted October 2, 1862.
Charles McGary, deserted at Portage Bridge,
N. Y., September 28, 1862.
Walter Jack, served to close of the war.
Edward O'Brien, now at Hamilton Station,
Livonia.
This company was organized August 29, 1862,
at Geneseo, and was mustered into the United
States service at Portage Bridge, September 25,
1862.
Miscellaneous. — The following is a Ust of those
who enlisted in this war at various times and in
various regiments.
Nelson Peabody, 104th Regiment, New York
Volunteers. Died in rebel prison.
Stephen Summers, 104th Regiment, New York
Volunteers. Now in Pennsylvania.
William Jackson, 97th Regiment, New York
Volunteers ; killed.
George Gibbs, 6th New York Cavalry. Sup-
posed to have deserted.
William Gibbs, 6th New York Cavalry. Sup-
posed to have deserted.
Martin Murphy, 2 2d Cavalry. Now at Livonia
Centre.
Erastus E. Bailey, 2 2d Cavalry.
William Martin, 13th New York Volunteers.
George Burdick, 13th New York Volunteers.
Donald McLeod, 104th New York Volunteers.
Marvin W. Lindsley, First New York Dragoons.
William Meagher, 27th New York Volunteers.
John Meagher, 27th New York Volunteers.
George Gilbert, 13th Regiment, New York
Voluntedts.
Harvey S. Stedman, 22d New York Cavalry.
Addison Masten, 2 2d New York Cavalry.
Charles Risdon, 13th Regiment, New York
Volunteers.
Caleb Purdy, 140th New York Volunteers.
Killed.
Samuel B. Coy, 2 2d New York Cavalry.
Reuben E. Coy, First Mounted Rifles.
Elam Masten, 6th New York Cavalry.
George A. Woodruff, 8th lUinois Cavalry.
Patrick Noonan, 140th Regiment, New York
Volunteers. Dead.
Orra Gilbert, 13th Regiment, New York Volun-
teers.
Charles E. Murray, 13th Regiment, New York
Volunteers. Now in Michigan.
John Peck, 13th Regiment, New York Volun-
teers. Dead.
John Phalan, 13th Regiment, New York Volun-
teers, wounded at first battle of Bull Run.
Adonijah Fellows, 13th Regiment, New York
Volunteers. Killed.
John Salsich, 13th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers.
WiUiam Runyan, 13th Regiment, New York
Volunteers, afterward veteran in 14th Heavy Ar-
tillery.
Isaac Mabury, 104th Regiment, New York
Volunteers.
Patrick O'Brien, First New York Dragoons,
killed before Richmond.
Peter Ransom, T4th Heavy Artillery.
Paris Rathbun, 2 2d New York Cavalry.
Dennis Carty, 2 2d New York Cavalry. Dead.
Isaac Clark, H. J. Trimmer, C. Stow, Jacob
Gray, A. Gray, Samuel Afifalter, John Peel, Geo.
F. King, J. J. White, William White, Edward
White, George , Davis, Joseph A. Steele, George
H. Brown, Michael Rourke, John Conlon, Allen
R. Herrington, Patrick Collins, A. G. MilHman,
Edward Bloomer, John N. Gilbert, Benjamin
Gordon, Charles Hall, Isaiah Stilwell, Caleb L.
Chadwick, William D. Hendershott, James Webb,
Samuel C. Adams, Michael CaUigan, James H.
Clark, Edgar F. Thomas, WilHam Compton, Jacob
Jackson, Oscar B. Guerin, Edward VanRiper, W.
W. Dennis, John B. Stilwell, Charles M. Easterly,
Benjamin S. Wilkinson, J. Henry Weramett, Geo.
S. Gregg, James Steele.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
N. HARMON FOWLER.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Stephen
and Altic (Harmon) Fowler, who in 1800 came on
378
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
to the farm now occupied by their two sons N.
Harmon and Stephen B. He was married Dec.
lo, 1801, in Richmond, (then Pittstown,) and had
a family of five sons and four daughters.
It was a wilderness country then, and he cleared
up and brought under subjection to his sturdy
will, a large farm on which he lived until his death,
May 10, 1846, his wife having died March 9, 1840.
(N, HARMON FOWLER.)
N. Harmon was married to Clarissa P. Dixon,
May 6, 1847. Stephen B. married for his first
wife FideHa Stedman, October 7, 1842, who died
Dec. 6, 1850, having borne him two daughters.
He was again married May 20, 1851, to Esther
A. Stedman, by whom he had seven children, four
of whom are now living. These two brothers
occupy the fine tract of land that was settled by
their father. N. Harmon has no children and his
residence occupies a pleasant site about two miles
from Hemlock Lake. He inherited the creditable
characteristics of his father, and the beautiful sur-
roundings of his home testify to the good taste and
industry displayed by himself and estimable wife.
HENRY PEASE.
Henry Pease, the subject of this biography, was
a descendant of Robert Pease, who was born in
England, in 1630. The first account we find of
him is in the court records of Salem, in the settle-
ment of his father's estate, August 27, 1644. We
next find historic record of the family in the Revo-
lutionary war, in which John Pease bore an active
part. In that war the family saw active service,
and also in the war of 18 [2. The parents of
Henry, our subject, were Henry and Huldah
Tilden Pease, who were married in the year 1793,
at Sansfield, Mass., where he was born. He
moved with his father to Livonia in 1805, being
then eleven years old.
On the 19th of March, 181 7, he was married to
Polly Gould, by whom he had eight children, four
of whom are now living. She died, and he was
again married, in 1838, to Rowena Spafford.
Henry C, his third son, was born August 1 1,
1828, married Hannah B. Hoag, October 14,
1861, and died October ig, 1874.
Henry Pease was a conscientious member of
the Methodist church for over fifty years. He
was a farmer, carpenter, and known as a kind,
generous-hearted man, who never turned his back
on the poor, but always took great pains to find
out their actual need and attend to their wants.
He was a man of noble quahties, honored and re-
spected by all who knew him ; and at his death
many mourned the loss to their community.
BUELL D. WOODRUFF.
Buell D.Woodruflf is a grandson of Solomon
Woodruff, who was the first white settler in the
town of Livonia. The family is of English origin,
and the first record we find of it is in Litchfield,
Conn., in 1640.
Solomon Woodruff in 1789, with his rifle and
knapsack on his back, came alone and on foot to
Livonia, where he located on lot No. 32. Here
he made a clearing and built a log house, and re-
turned for his wife and son Austin, who was then
BUELL D. WOODRUFF— HON. LEMAN GIBBS.
three years old. With this small family and house-
hold effects in an ox wagon he started for his new
home in the Genesee country, the journey occupy-
ing six weeks. His nearest neighbors were seven
miles distant, at the foot of Honeoye lake. He
was the father of five children who reached matur-
ity, viz: Austin, Phillip, Jeremiah, Morris and
379
Marina. They
HON. LEMAN GIBBS.
Leman Gibbs was born in Litchfield, Conn ,
l"J^' ^^^^' ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^°" °f EWad Gibbs
and Esther Riggs, who moved to what is now Li-
vonia, m the year 1801. December 16, 1810 he
was married to Juliana Stedman, and she having
died, he was again married, May 20, 1847. toBet-
Photo. by Merrell, Geneseo.
(BUELL D. WOODRUFF.)
county. Austin, the father of the subject of this
sketch, retained a part of the old farm settled
by Solomon Woodruff, on which Buell D. now
lives, and which from various purchases made by
the latter now amounts to two hundred and thirty
acres. Austin married Julia Smith, of New En-
gland, by whom he had ten children, seven of
whom are yet living, Buell D. being the youngest
son. On the 15th of June, 1855, Buell D. was
married to Hortensia V. Harding, of Burns, Steu-
ben county, by whom he had three children : Her-
bert S., Edward B. and Frank H. His wife died
January 19, 1869, and February 26, 1873, he was
married to Elizabeth A. Coe.
Herbert, the eldest son of Mr. Woodruff, was
married to Lizzie Durkee January 18, 1879. Ed-
ward B. was married to Georgie Quackenbush
March 10, 1880, by whom he had one child, Em-
ma, who is the fifth generation that has resided on
this farm within ninety years.
Buell D. Woodruff still resides on the old farm
originally settled by Solomon Woodruff, and is a
man widely known and respected for his sterling
qualities of head and heart. He was elected Jus-
tice of the Peace by the Republican party in April,
1875, 3-nd Supervisor by the same party April 5,
1881, by 230 majority, it being the largest major-
ity given to any Supervisor up to the present time.
(HON. LEMAN GIBBS.)
sey Stanley. By his first wife he had six children,
five of whom are living, as follows — Emeline P.,
Adna S., Backus S., Leman A., and Manson F.
Mr. Gibbs was present at the burning of Buffalo
in 18 13, and his military career was a highly hon-
orable one, he having entered the army as a fifer
and coming out a Brigadier-general. He held
nearly all the offices in the gift of the people of his
county, from constable to Member of Assembly,
having held the position of constable and deputy
sheriff before Livingston county was set off, and
was the first Side-judge appointed by the Governor.
In the year 1854, he was elected to represent the
county in the Legislature, and after serving one
term was appointed Commissioner to examine pub-
lic accounts. The duties of all these offices he
performed in an intelligent and perfectly satisfac-
tory manner and in his own town stood as a sort of
common peace-maker and arbitrator. Beine: en-
dowed with a strong mind and great good judg-
ment, his aid and counsel were ever ready for those
who were in need of them, and few men are com-
petent to fill the position, so long, so honorably,
and so honestly filled by Judge Gibbs. He had been
a firm, consistent christian for many years, and let
his light shine, not only by precept but by example
and practice. He died in 1858 at the age of sev-
enty years, and it may well be said, that in his death
an honest man has left us.
38°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
JESSE BLAKE.
Jesse Blake was the son of Richard Blake, of
Litchfield county, Conn., who served as a soldier
during the Revolutionary war. The subject of this
sketch was born in Litchfield, Conn., August 31,
1773, and was married to Sallie Luddington about
1796, whose father acted as one of Washington's
body guard, by whom he had fourteen children,
five of whom are now living. In 1798 he "arti-
cled" for a portion of lot No. 41 in the town of
(JESSE BLAKE.)
Livonia, then known as Pittstown. He was among
the first settlers in the town, coming with his
family and household effects on an ox sled in the
year 1800. Mr. Blake possessed great powers of
endurance, was industrious to a remarkable de-
gree, and was eminently fitted for the life of toil
and hardships which he had undertaken. At the
time of his death he owned four hundred acres of
fine improved land. Of the five children now liv-
ing, Bradner J. and Richard reside in Livonia, the
former being prominent in the poHtical affairs of
the town and county. Mr. Blake was a member
of the Methodist church, and was also much inter-
ested in Masonry. He died Sept. 17th, 1859, his
wife having preceded him July 14th, 1841.
RUSSEL R. JACQUES.
Russel R. Jacques, the subject of this biography,
was born in the State of Vermont, February 1 1,
1807. His mother dying in his infancy, his father,
Darius Jacques, entrusted him and his sister Caro-
line— the only surviving children — to the care of
an aunt, Mrs. Williams, in Chenango county, N. Y.
In 18 13, he removed with them to the town of
Richmond, Ontario county, where he purchased a
small farm.
In 1815, Darius Jacques married the widow of
Levi VanFossen, and in the following year moved
with his family to what was known as the Van-
Fossen Mills.
Russel R., was then nine years old. His father,
though a man of collegiate education, gave his son
but the educational advantages of the common
schools, the higher schools of those days being re-
mote and expensive. Being naturally inclined to
study he availed himself of the opportunities of the
common schools, and at the age of thirteen went
Photo, by Merrell, Genesee.
(RUSSEL R. JACQUES.)
to Canandaigua to secure the better educational
advantages there presented. In that place he re-
mained some five years, and then went to Geneseo
where he attended school some two years. While
at this place his father lost his eyesight, and he
being the only child, was called home to take care
of the afflicted parent, at the sacrifice of any am-
bition he might have had in other directions.
Here, at the foot of Hemlock lake, he began the
life of a farmer, in which pursuit, and in the same
place, he has continued to the present time.
_ In 1834, he was married to Miss Harriet Fran-
cis, daughter of EHhu Francis, who then owned
the farm now owned by Mr. Lindsey.
In 1 841, he was elected magistrate of the town,
serving four years, at the close of the term declin-
ing reelection.
In 185 1, he built a large farm-house, which in
1 86 1 was devoted to the accommodation of sum-
mer tourists to the beautiful region of Hemlock
Lake. During the years which followed, the place
became a popular resort, and his accommodations
being insufficient he was, in 1873, induced to en-
large his house to a capacity affording accommo-
dations to seventy-five persons, giving to it the
name of the Jacques House. To this place, in
the summer months, come tourists from various
parts of the country, who make this house their
TOHN S. BEECHER — GENESEO.
38r
home, or who occupy the cottages built on leased
or purchased lots from his farm.
Of the pioneer of this delightful summer resort,
it may be said that he is a man of genial, social
nature, ardent and appreciative in his friendships,
a staunch advocate of the right, responsive to the
call of the poor and unfortunate, a lover of his
country and an admirer of the beautiful in nature ;
and now, in the yellow leaf of life, believing that,
though unknown here, when God comes in His
kingdom He will perhaps remember him as well as
the philosophers, statesmen and heroes who have
won the plaudits of the world.
JOHN S. BEECHER.
(JOHN S. BEECHER.)
Hezekiah Beecher, Sr., grandfather of John S.,
was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1752. He mar-
ried Dorcas Strong of the same place, and in 1801
moved to Livingston county with his wife and eight
children, viz : Enaeus, Sally, Nathaniel, Betsey,
Hezekiah, Jr., Alfred, Anna, and Maria.
Enaeus married Hannah Cook, and at an early
day moved to Union county, Ohio, where he died ;
Sally died at home ; Nathaniel married Matilda
Cook, and also, at an early day removed to Ohio ;
Betsey married Moses Jackman, and spent the re-
mainder of her life in Rush and in this town ; Al-
fred married Sarah Leavenworth and became one
of the pioneers of Oberlin, Ohio ; Moses married
E. S. Rust, and also settled in Oberlin ; Anna mar-
ried D. B. Clark, and spent her days on part of the
original purchase of her father. Hezekiah, Jr: , was
born in 1793, and at the age of eight years, moved
with his father to this town in i8ot. In the fall of
1818, he was married to Nancy, daughter of Oziel
Smith, and sister of Col. George Smith, and settled
on a part of the original purchase of his father,
situated one and one-half miles north of Livonia
Center. He had four children, viz : — Esther M.,
born Sept. 22, 1819, married to George B. Gibbs,
of Livonia; Mary A., born Oct. 7, 1822, now of
New York city ; John S , born April 7, 1826 ; and
George C. now of Canandaigua, N. Y., born Oct. 7,
1831.
John S. the subject of this sketch, was married
Sept. 26, i860, to Sarah J. daughter of Oliver Wil-
son, of Clarendon, Vermont, by whom he had two
children, both now living : Lewis H., born Jan. 29,
1862; and Martha A., born Jan. 3, 1836. Mr.
Beecher now occupies the old homestead, and is
one of the pioneers in the breeding of Spanish
Merino sheep in this county, which business he
still follows. He is pleasantly situated, his ances-
tors having displayed sound judgment in the selec-
tion of a home for the family.
CHAPTER XXVIL
History of the Town of Geneseo.
GENESEO was formed by the Court of General
Sessions of Ontario county, in January, 1789.
Its name is of .Indian origin and singularly appro-
priate, signifying "Pleasant Valley." It is an in-
terior town, lying north of the center of the county,
and is bounded on the north by Avon, on the east
by Livonia and Conesus, on the south by Grove-
land and on the west by York and Leicester, from
which it is separated by Genesee river. The sur-
face is a rolKng upland, with abrupt declivities to
the east and west, the highest acclivities being two
hundred to three hundred feet above the river
valley, which is of exceeding beauty and fertiHty.
Conesus lake forms the southerly portion of the
east border. Its outlet crosses the north-east
corner of the town, and again enters the town for
a short distance near the center of the north
border. Numerous small streams tributary to it
indent the eastern declivity of the town. The
principal streams flow west to the Genesee. They
are Fall Brook in the southern, and Jaycox creek
in the northern part of the town, both of which
rise by several affluents in the central elevation of
the town. The former, near the highway to Mt.
Morris, a little south of Geneseo village, gives rise
to a pretty perpendicular cascade of nearly ninety
feet, which, however, for the greater part of the
year, consists of only a slender thread of water.
The locality is invested with a romantic interest,
but the legend is based on traditions so vague as
to be unworthy of credence or repetition.
382
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The northern part of the town is underlaid by
the rocks of the Hamilton group, and the southern
part by those of the Chemung and Portage groups ;
but neither develops any great commercial import-
ance in the town.
There is httle or no waste land in the town.
There is considerable clay soil in some sections
which requires thorough cultivation to make it
productive. The high lands are generally level,
and are well adapted to the growth of winter wheat
and. other cereals. The river flats, which have an
average width of half a mile, are very productive,
and are largely used for pasture. At an early day,
flax, which was first raised here in 1801, was ex-
tensively cultivated on these flats for many years.
The Avon, Genesee & Mt. Morris railroad
traverses the west border of the town.
The population of the town in 1880 was 3,248.
In 1875, it was 3,229, of whom 2,598 were native,
631 foreign; 3,188 white, 41 colored ; 1,588 males,
and 1,641 females. Its area was 25,648 acres,* of
which 21,590 were improved, 3,607 woodland and
and 451 otherwise unimproved. In size it ranks
fourth in the county. The cash value of the farms
was $1,991,648, exceeding, with the exception of
Avon, that of any other town in the county; of
farm buildings other than dwellings, $175,015 ; of
stock, (in which it ranked third,) $251,459; of
tools and implements, $56,265. The amount of
gross sales from farms in 1874 was $190,608. In
this respect it ranked second — next to Avon.
Geneseo, though not as rich in this respect as
some of the towns in the county, contains one of
those interesting monumental rehcs which serve to
connect the present with the long ago past ; to es-
tablish the fact and indicate the character of the
people who once occupied this country long ante-
rior to the advent of those whose descendants now
possess it ; but whether it is the work of a race
who still retain a feeble hold on their once vast
territorial possessions, or of a people who ante-
date these is still a matter of conjecture, though
the weight of evidence, as we have elsewhere shown,
inchnes to the former supposition. It consists of
a small in closure of about two acres, located south-
west of Geneseo, on the Brimmer farm, in the
south-west angle of the highway leading from Gen-
eseo to Mt. Morris and that crossing the river at
Jones' bridge.
The settlement of the town is about coeval with
* Census of 1875. The published Proceedings of ilte Board of S-u-
^ervisors n-i 1879 state the number of acres to be 26,361, the equalized
assessed value of which was $1,978,019, or $75.03 per acre. In this it
was exceeded only by Avon and North Dausville.
its civil organization. The first settlers were c
two classes, those who came from Connecticut
and those who came from Pennsylvania, all, o
nearly all, of the Presbyterian persuasion.
The pioneer was Lemuel B. Jennings, fron
Connecticut, who, then a young man, came hen
in the winter of 1788-9, in the employ of Olive
Phelps to herd cattle on the river flats, west of th(
village of Geneseo, which then bore a luxurian
growth of coarse grass. Jennings had squattet
and built a small hut on the lower table-land nea:
the river, in the locahty where the Wadsworthi
first settled. He afterwards took up a farm o
some four hundred acres a mile and a half south
east of the village, which he brought into a gooc
state of cultivation, and there raised a large family
He married here a sister of John White, who died
in this town recently at the advanced age of ninety-
two years, having spent most of his life in the
town of Groveland. Jennings' farm is now owned
and occupied by Russell Kneeland. He divided a
portion of it into fifty-acre lots among certain of
his children, reserving about 150 acres, which he
finally deeded to his son-in-law, named Runyan,
under contract to support him during the remain-
der of his natural life. But Runyan was profligate
and soon ran through the property, when he went
to Michigan, Jennings accompanying him and
dying there at an advanced age. Jennings was a
peaceable and upright citizen, and acquired a good
property by his industry, but died in poverty in
Michigan. He was a man of large stature and
great physical strength; capable, it was said, of
laying up a log house alone. In this respect his
eight sons resembled him, but not in his pacific
disposition.
Capt. Elisha Noble, also from Connecticut, came
about the same time as Jennings, and like him
settled near the village. He probably did not re-
main here long as little is known of him by the
present generation. His brother Russell, who was
also aji early settler, was one of the institutions of
his time. "He was the pioneer fiddler; he and
his old violin mark the advent of music on the
Holland Purchase.'' He was widely known
throughout the sparsely settled country, for he
"had no competition," and his services were in
requisition on all festive occasions, though an at-
tempt has been made to tarnish his reputation by
the intimation that he had " no more 'regard for
time than he had for eternity.' " *
But the settlement which had the most marked
♦ Ttirner^s History of the Holland Purcllase^ 468.
M.R. &■ Mrs. Thomas Grj^y.
THOMAS GRAY.
Duncan Gray and Hannah McBride, the parents of the
subject of this sketch, were natives of Ireland. The lat-
ter came to America with her parents, who settled in
Pennsylvania when she was very young, and the former
came over about 1780, and their marriage occurred about
1787. They came to Livingston county in 1806, and lo-
cated in the town of Geneseo.
Duncan Gray enlisted in the service of the United
States, marched to the front, took part in the battle of
Chippewa in the war of 1812, and was lost in that en-
gagement; but in what manner he was killed is not
known, as he has never been heard of since. His widow
died July 14, 1847, aged eighty-one years. They had
eight children, viz: — Hugh, Daniel, James, Mary, Thom-
as, William and Jane, none of whom are now living
except Thomas, who was born August 18, 1798, and
lived at home with his mother until two years after his
marriage, assisting his mother in the management of her
small farm, and occasionally attending school winters.
His advantages for obtaining even a common school edu-
cation were extremely limited, as all of his time and best
enei'gies were required to secure a scanty living tor his
mother, two younger children and himself.
On the 2lBt of April, 1825, he was united in marriage
with Mary, daughter of Benjamin and Isabell (Hunter)
Wynn, the latter of whom was the widow of James
Haynes, one of the first settlers in the town of Geneseo.
She was born Feb. 10, 180.5. Thomas Gray is one of that
band of resolute spirits who helped to clear away the
forests, lay out roads, build bridges, and erect school
houses and churches. Beginning life a poor boy, with
no advantages, and nothing but his native energy, per-
severance, and unswerving integrity of purpose, he has
attained a fair success in life. He settled on the farm on
which he is still living in 1 827, occupying a board shanty.
until he finished a small house, having chopped away a
place in the woods for that purpose. He then commenced
clearing off the original forest from his land which, after
many trials and privations, he accomplished. Now at the
advanced age of eighty-three years, his step is firm and
he is in the possession of his faculties to a remarkable
degree. Much of his success in Ufe is due to the assist-
ance rendered him by his faithful wife who has ever been
ready with good, kindly advice and wise counsel. She
has toiled early and late in her husband's interests, and in
assisting and teaching her children. Home has been her
province, and love her scepter. Mr. Gray has never been
a member of any church, but has attended the Presby-
terian church at Lakeville, of which his wife has been a
member forty-six years. He has been a member of the
Republican party since its organization, giving a hearty
support to its principles, but has never been an office-
seeker.
In all business transactions he has endeavored to be
strictly just, and has passed through life without a
stain resting upon his character. There have been bom
to Mr. and Mrs. Gray six children, as follows : — Cather-
ine, born Sept. 21, 182fi, died Dec. 21, 1866; Daniel
Harvey, born Sept. 7, 18211, unmarried ; Lydia Maria,
born May 13, 1834, married to Lorenzo P. Boe, of Gen-
eseo, and residing in that town ; Josepha, born July 8,
1 836, married to Wm. Davis, of Geneseo, and residing in
the town of Avon ; Leonora Elizabeth, born JiJy 20,
1844, married to Thomas Jefferson Wynn, of Geneseo,
and Edgar Lotharin, born Feb. 20, 1840, married to Mar-
tha Diefenbacher, of Geneseo, by whom he has one son,
Clyde D., born Dec. 30, 1876.
Lydia united with the Presbyterian church, of Lake-
ville, in the spring of 1853, Josepha at the same time and
Leonora in the spring of 1865.
GENESEO — EARLY SETTLERS.
383
effect upon this town, and, indeed, upon the coun-
ty and adjacent country, was that of the Wads-
worth brothers, William and James, in 1790.
They were natives of Durham, Conn. William
wasborn'in 1766; and James, April 20, 1768.
James Wadsworth graduated at Yale College in
1787, and spent the winter of 1787-8 in Montreal,
employed in school teaching. In the spring of
7790, while undecided whether to seek his fortune
in the Southern States or to make the study and
practice of law in New England his life work, he
was approached with a proposition to undertake
the sale of lands in the Genesee country, from his
uncle, Col. Jeremiah Wadsworth, of Hartford,
Conn., a gentleman of distinction, who had pur-
chased, as an investment, a part of the reserved
portion of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, em-
bracing township 6, range 9, a part of township
II, range 7, and one-twelfth oi Big Tree*
After consultation with his brother William, who
consented to accompany him to the Genesee
country, he acceded to the proposition, and in
that year they bought in their joint interest two
thousand acres of the Big Tree tract, at the
original cost — eight cents per acre — the terms ac-
corded to their uncle, as co-proprietor, engaging
to undertake the care and sale of the remaining
lands.
Immediate preparations for the journey to, and
* It has been generally supposed, and is so stated by various authors,
that this name, which is applied to the village of Geneseo, is derived from
an immense oak tree (which has, however, been erroneously denominated
an elm) which stood upon the bank of the river, into which it finally fell
by the continual undermining action of the current. A section of this
tree, about seven feet in height and diameter, cut near the point where it
emerged from the ground, is preserved under a rustic arbor on the James
Wadsworth estate, and another section on the grounds of Hon Wm. P.
Letchworth, at Glen Iris. But the Hon. Benj. F. Angel, of Geneseo, a
gentleman of rare culture and critical research, says, on the authority of
Capt. Jones, who was for a long time a captive with the Senecas, (in an
Address itXnerecli before the Livingston County Historical Society in
• 878,) that " this is an error," and that "the name is derived from an
Indian chief of that name, whose village • * * was something over a
third of a mile west of what is now the most populous part of the present
village of Geneseo, and it was near there where the log house of General
Wadsworth stood, which was hired for the use of the commissioners, pend-
ing the negotiations which resulted in the treaty of 1797 " — known as the
Sig Tree Treaty. The statement of Mr. Angel is corroborated by Spa/-
/ord's Gazetteer of 1813, confirmed by that of 1824, which says: "About
1,2,00 acres, situated in the bend of the river is usually called Big-tree or
the Big-tree bend tract, from an Indian chief of the name of Big-tree,
who, with his little tribe, cultivated the flats in this bend when first settled
by the English in 1790. Here are now the Wadsworth's Farms., cele-
brated for their fertility, products and stock." Cordon's Gazetteer, of
I8j6 bears like testimony. The Journal of Major James Norris, an
officer connected with Sullivan's Expedition of 1779, says, referring to
Kaneysasy (Conesus,) *'at this town live a very Great noted Warrier
Calld the Great tree." It is quite probable that after the destruction of
the Indian town at Conesus and the return of a portion of .the Senecas
from Niagara, Big Tree located with the remnant of his tribe on the river
flats at Geneseo. His name, says Mr. Angel is signed to the Big Tree
Treaty, and is also appended with those of Com Planter and Half Town,
to a communication to General Washington in 1790.
hfe in the far off wilderness, the Genesee being
then practically the limit of western settlement in
New York. '-Amid the farewells of kindred and
friends, in which," says Turner, "were mingled
sad forebodings of the dangers and vicissitudes the
bold adventurers were about to encounter, they
commenced their journey." William, who, so far
as manual labor was concerned, was the prac-
tical workman of the two, started overland with
an ox team and cart, two or three hired men, and
a favorite family female slave named Jenny, who,
for a long time, was almost the only one of her
race in this region, and was, says Turner, an object,
of curiosity with the younger portion of back-
woodsmen. James went to New York to procure
provisions and a quantity of household furniture
with which he proceeded up the Hudson to Al-
bany, where he joined his brother.
From Albany they proceeded by team to
Schenectady, whence their goods were conveyed
by boat up the Mohawk. William proceeded
overland with the team, carrying the goods over
the portages at Little Falls and from the Mohawk
to Wood Creek. From that point he left the
water party and ' proceeded overland to Canan-
daigua with the oxen and cart, and a small herd
of cattle purchased upon the Mohawk, making
slow progress over the poor roads, which were but
little better than Indian trails.
At Canandaigua the parties reunited, James
having proceeded by the usual water route to that
point. Thence they followed the Indian trail and
the route of Sullivan's army. They arrived on the
loth of June, 1790, at their destination.
Their first log house stood on the first table
lands, adjacent to the river south of the road lead-
ing to their boarding house on the flats. A large
blockhouse was built in the same locality in 1794,
and there they planted locust and apple nurseries,
from the latter of which trees were obtained to set
out on their extensive farms. About 1804 a more
commodious house was built on the present
WilUam Wadsworth estate. It was constructed of
three-inch white oak plank, which were sawed at
the mill on the outlet of Silver Lake, about a mile
west of the Genesee, which was then the nearest
saw-mill,* and thence rafted down the river to the
Genesee flats. From that house was constructed
* This, with the exception of one at Niagara Falls, was the first saw-mill
west of the Genesee, and supplied the first boards used in the upper valley
of the Genesee. It was built in 179^ by Ebenezer Allen, and was raised
by the help of Indians, for the want of sufficient white men in the coun-
try. The Wadsworths afterwards built mills on the outlet of Conesus
lake on lands purchased there.
384
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
the present modernized palatial residence which
adorns the beautiful and spacious grounds which
form the homestead of the William Wadsworth
estate. It was removed a few years since from its
original location — seven or eight rods southwest of
the office on those premises — to its present site.
These houses were occupied jointly by the two
brothers, both of whom were then young, single
men. William never married, but continued to
make his home with his brother James, who, in
1804, married Naomi Wolcott, of East Windsor,
Conn., an amiable woman, of fine esthetic cul-
ture, who died March i, 1831, aged 54.
In September following William and all his
hired help had the fever and ague, the negro
woman, Jenny, being the only well one among
them. Disheartened by disease, the hired men
returned to Connecticut, when they were soon
followed by James, William and Jenny being left
to winter in the shanty and take care of the
stock.* James returned to Big Tree the following
June.
The Wadsworths steadily extended their farm-
ing operations, sedulously investing their surplus in
new lands, until they owned and cultivated thous-
ands of acres in addition to a vast territory which
they leased to settlers. They were extensive stock-
raisers, the coarse herbage which grew in great luxu-
riance upon the flats enabling them to increase
their herds to any desired extent. Much attention
was given to the introduction of improved breeds
of cattle and sheep, and their intelligent efforts in
this direction contributed in a most important de-
gree to the high reputation Livingston county has
borne for the superior excellence of the flocks and
herds which, for years, have roamed its hills and
vales. They had at one period an extensive dairy;
and during the first few years of the present cen-
tury they extensively cultivated hemp, much of
which they manufactured into ropes, for which they
found a ready market in Albany and New York.
They, in common with others, engaged in the cul-
tivation of tobacco, the leaves of which were manu-
factured into plugs by Major Spencer, an early
merchant in Geneseo, who, for several years, sup-
* In August, 1790, Oliver Phelps, who was then in the Genesee coun-
try, wrote to Nathaniel Gorham, at Boston, giving a somewhat discour-
aging acount of the almost universal prevalence of disease among the new
settlers. Hesays? "We have suffered much for the want of a physician :
Atwater [referring to Dr. Moses Atwater,who settled m Canandaigua early
in 1791] has not yet arrived ; we have now a gentleman from Pennsyl-
vania attending on the sick who seems to understand his business. The
two Wadsworths, who came from Durham, have been very sick, are now
recovering, but are low spirited ; they like the country, but their sickness
has discouraged thetn," Pioneer History of Phelps and Gorham*s
Purchase, 14J.
plied most of the small dealers west of Seneca
lake ; but this business eventually fell pretty much
into the hands of a company, from Long Meadow,
in Connecticut, who rented of them the flats, and
for a few years cultivated largely. In later years
they engaged in sheep raising and wool growing to
an extent, says Turner, " never exceeded in the
United States." In some observations of Prof.
Renwick, in reference to the magnitude of their
operations, he adds, they were ranked with Gen.
Wade Hampton, of South CaroUna, at the " head
of agricultural pursuits in the United States."
James Wadsworth's agency responsibilities were
also greatly augmented, and the large income real-
ized from this source enabled them to immensely
increase their vast landed estate. It was no small
compliment that he was selected by such men as
Robert, Thomas and Gouverneur Morris, Aaron
Burr, Charles WiUiamson, DeWitt Clinton, Robert
Troup, Oliver Phelps, Nicholson & Greenleaf, Col.
Jeremiah Wadsworth, and other prominent men of
New England and Pennsylvania, to represent their
interests in conjunction with his own, in Europe.
He sailed for Europe in February, 1796, after the
reaction which succeeded the wild land specula-
tions of that period had set in, and remained abroad
until November, 1798, visiting and residing tem-
porarily in London, Paris and Amsterdam. While
abroad he effected large sales, and to his mission
is to be attributed many of the foreign proprietor-
ships in this region, as well as in other portions of
the United States. In London he was also en-
trusted with other important land agencies, includ-
ing the Mill Tract, embracing a considerable por-
tion of Monroe county. These duties, combined
with the management of the Wadsworth estate,
threw upon his hands an amount of business sel-
dom devolving upon one individual, and requiring
all his time and energies. It_was not prosecuted
without peculiar embarrassments, pecuniary and
otherwise. In a letter to a friend, written after he
had had an experience of fifteen years, he says : —
" It is slow reaUzing from new lands. I will never
advise another friend to invest in them. Men gen-
erally have not the requisite patience for speculat-
ing in them." The financial depression succeed-
ing the war bore heavily upon this locality. It was
not until the war of 181 2 made a good market for
his produce that he began to be relieved from em-
barrassment. That was followed by a few years
of depression, and then came the great measure of
deliverance, and source of prosperity to all this
region — the Erie canal.
YNES.
J. H. Haynes was born in the town of Geneseo,
Oct. 27, 1809. His parents were John and EUza-
beth (Teeple) Haynes, both of whom were born in
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, the former
August 17, 1787, and the latter March 12, 1788.
John Haynes came into the town of Geneseo, in
1792, with his parents, James and Isabel Haynes.
The former died soon after settling here and the
latter married for her second husband, Benjamin
Wynn, and died April 24, 1853, aged eighty-four
years. For several years after his father's death,
John remained at home, working for his step-father
on the farm and by the day for neighboring farmers.
January 26, 1809, he was married to Elizabeth
Teeple, and commenced house-keeping on the Wynn
farm in a tenant-house, and here Jonathan H. was
born. He remained here but a short time, having
purchased eighty acres of what is now known as
the Haynes estate, where he built a log-house and
moved his family into it in 1812 or '13. He lived
there thirty- five or forty years, when he bought
another farm about one mile and a half north of
his old home and removed to that and lived there
about twenty years. Becoming aged and infirm,
a home with his son Jonathan was offered him and
after a residence of about two years with him, he died
June 10, 1873. He was for about sixty years a
ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church of
Geneseo, and took an active part in the erection
of the first church edifice in the eastern part of the
town. About fifty years before he died, and during
his whole life, he had been an active, earnest and
devoted Christian. He was a volunteer in the war
of 181 2, and marched to the Niagara frontier where
he took part in the battle of Lundy's Lane. In
character he was honest and industrious, and lived
so Uprightly that his death was mourned as a pub-
lic loss. His wife was also a member of the Pres-
byterian church many years, and died Sept. f.
John Maynes.
1868. They had six children, viz : — Jonathan H.
born as before stated, Anna born June 23, 181 1,
died Feb. 22, 1863 ; James born May 2, 1813,.
died March, 13, 1856; Margaret born July 3,
1815, died in August, 1868; Harriet, born March
23, 1823, married to Abraham H. Williams, of Li-
vonia, and is now residing in Dakota ; Sally W.
Haynes, born Sept. it, 1817, now living with her
sister in Dakota. Jonathan H. lived at home
with his parents until he was twenty-five years of
age, working on the farm and attending the dis-
trict school in the winter.
January 26, 1834, he was married to Mary,
daughter of Arthur and Agnes (Sinclair) Price of
Livonia, who was born Dec. 4, 1812, and died
April 12, 1866. By her he had three children
named as follows : — Elizabeth M., born Jan 2,
1839, and married to Templeton R. Sinclair, of
Geneseo; Emma R., born Oct. 6, 1842, and mar-
ried to Dr. M. C. Rowland, of Geneseo, and Luella
A. V. N., born Dec. 4, 1858, and residing at home.
January 20, 1870, Mr. Haynes married for his
second wife, Margaret S., daughter of James and
Elizabeth Finney, of Northumberland county. Pa.
She was born August 29, 1831. Mr. Haynes has
been a member of the Presbyterian church at
Lakeville, for nearly forty years, and has been a
deacon in the same fifteen years. In politics he is
a Republican, uniting with that party when it was
formed. He has been a hard working and perse-
vering man. The training he received during his
minority on his father's farm, and his natural en-
ergy and determination admirably fitted him to
fight the battle of life, and being more successful
than many he has become one of the prominent
agriculturists of his town. Through all the vicis-
situdes of a long and busy life, he has maintained
a character for honesty and integrity of purpose
that every one" who knows him admires.
38s
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
on the staff of Gen. McDowell, who highly com-
mended his conduct in the memorable battle of
Bull Run on the 21st of July following, in which
he had a horse shot under him. By his courage
and energy he retrieved much of the disaster of
that ill-starred engagement. August 9, 1 861, he
was commissioned a Brigadier-General and as-
signed to a command in McClellan's army. In
March, 1862, he was appointed Military Governor
of Washington, and for nine months performed the
arduous duties of that responsible position.
In December, at his own request, he was called
into active service, and assigned to the command
of the ist division, ist corps, then commanded by
Gen. Reynolds, with which he participated in the
battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and
Gettysburg, in the latter of which the command
of Gen. Reynolds sustained the severest part of
the conflict the first day. Reynolds was killed in the
early part of the action, and his command devolved
upon Gen. Wadsworth. The decimation of the
army in these engagements necessitated a reduc-
tion in the officers, and Gen. Wadsworth, at his
own request was relieved from command. He
was then sent on a tour of inspection on the Mis-
sissippi to report on the condition of the camps of
the freedmen and other matters regarding the
liberated slaves. Before entering upon these
duties, in a conversation with the paymaster who
had referred him to a paymaster in New Orleans,
who, he said, would make him any required dis-
bursements. Gen. Wadsworth said, " I wish my
account with the government to be kept by one
paymaster only, for it is my purpose at the close
of the war, to call on you for an accurate state-
ment of all the money I have received from the
United States. The amount, whatever it is, I
shall give to some permanent institution founded
for the relief of disabled soldiers. This is the
least invidious way in which I can refuse pay for
fighting for my country in her hour of danger."*
Returning to Washington, early in 1864, he
was appointed Commissioner for the exchange of
prisoners, but was soon after assigned to the com-
mand of the 4th division (including the remnant
of his old division in Reynolds' corps,) of Warren's
corps. He was mortally wounded in the desper-
ately fought battle of the Wilderness on the 6th of
May, 1864, and died two days afterward in the
hands of the enemy, aged 56. His remains were
temporarily interred in his family burying ground,
by Patrick McCracken, a resident in that vicinity,
* ReMUon Record. VIII., 24.
and soon after transferred to their present resting
place in the family plot in the Temple Hill Cem-
etery in Geneseo.
He had three sons and three daughters : Charles,
a prominent farmer, now Hving on the west bank
of the Genesee, in York ; Craig Wharton, who died
January i, 1872, aged 31; James, the present
State Comptroller; Harriet, now Mrs Adair, living
in Ireland; Nancy, now Mrs. Post, living in New
York, and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Rogers, also living
in New York. Charles and Craig were in the army
during the late war. Charles was attached to the
Department of the Gulf, served as Captain under
Gen. Banks, and participated in the attack on Port
Hudson. After a year of active service, at the call
of imperative duties at home, he resigned his com-
mand. Craig was for a time attached to General
Wadsworth's staff, and afterwards held responsible
and hazardous positions with other general officers
in various departments till May, 1864, when im-
portant domestic duties called him home. He
rose to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General of
Volunteers.
Besides the Wadsworths the following named
persons, heads of families, had settled in the town
at the close of 1790 : Phineas Bates, Daniel Ross,
Henry Brown, Enoch Noble, Nicholas Rosecrantz,
David Robb and Nahum Fairbanks. Other early
settlers were Benjamin Squier, Joseph W. Law-
rence, Deacon Daniel Kelley, Benjamin Winn,
William Crossett, Rodman Clark, William, David
and Samuel Finley and Horatio Jones.
Benjamin Squier was among the first to come in
after the Wadsworths. He was born in Cornwall,
Conn., in 1769, and removed to Geneseo in Oc-
tober, 1793. He settled on a farm of 400 acres
adjoining that of Lemuel B. Jennings on the south,
which is now owned in part by the heirs of the late
John White and in part by the Wadsworths. He
raised a large family and died on that farm Janu-
ary 23, 1846, aged 77. Sarah, his wife, was born
in Duchess county in 1778, and died in Geneseo
village, July 19, 1862, at the advanced age of 84
years.
William Crossett, from Pennsylvania, settled a
Uttle south of Geneseo village, on the farm now
occupied by his son John. He acquired 400 acres,
which at his death he deeded to his sons William
and John, children by his last wife.
The elder Crossett died November 27, 1829, aged
66, and Sarah, his wife, June 9, 1823, aged 33.
He was a native of Ireland, and embarked to this
country soon after the close of the Revolution.
Mr. St Mrs. Johx Wanby.
JOHN HANBY.
John Hanby was bom in the town of Geneseo, March 15,
1805. He is the only son of William and Mary (McNeill)
Hanby, the former of whom was born in England, and
the latter in the county of Northumberland, Penn. Her
parents were natives of county Antrim, Ireland ; their
names were Bobert and Jane McNeill. They were
among the first settlers in the town, and bought their
farm from Benj. Squires, who got his title from the
Wadsworths. The parents of John were married about
1804.
His father returned to England a short time after his
marriage and died there, and Mrs. Hanby soon there-
after married Isaac Hall, of Geneseo, by whom she had
six children, three sons and three daughters, viz : Eliza-
beth, now the wife of Chas. Hazleton, and residing at
Lawrence, Mich.; Robert, also in Lawrence, Mich.;
Dorothy, who married Walter Smith, of Geneseo, and
died about 1850; James Thompson, who died in the
spring of 1880; Eli, now Uviug at Kalamazoo, Mich., and
Mary Ward, married to Samuel Perkins, of Perkinsville,
Steuben county, and now living on the old homestead in
Geneseo. The mother died in 1859, aged 78 years. She
was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of Gen-
eseo, nearly fifty years. Before she was married she
used to attend church in the town of Groveland, at a
locality then and now known as Havens' Tavern, eleven
miles distant from where she lived, walking the entire
distance both ways.
John lived at home with his mother until he was of
age, working on the farm and teaming when the latter
employment could be found, and attending the district
school winters. He worked the farm from the time he
was twenty-one until he was married in 1830, and
two years thereafter. He married Margaret M., a
daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Scholl) Begole,
of Geneseo. Her father was born August 22, 1783,
and died July 12, 1861, and her mother was born
Dec. 2.5, 1795, and died Nov. 6, 1873. They had
four children: Margaret M., born Nov. 24, 1812; Mary
Ann, born Sept. 10, 1815, married to Dwight Webb and
now residing in Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, Penn.;
Joshua R., bom Nov. 19, 1817, residing in Niagara
county, and Samuel, bom Feb. 12, 1820, and living in
Geneseo.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Hanby moved on the
farm on which he still lives, which then contained fifty
acres, (having purchased the same before he was married, )
and occupied a log house fifteen years, until he built and
moved into his present comfortable and substantial resi-
dence. Having added by pm-chase from time to time, he
now owns four hundred and sixty-five acres, all in one body.
He has made life a success mainly by steady application
to the performance of his duties. In all business rela-
tions he is honorable and upright. Sociable, hospitable,
benevolent and possessed of ennobling Christian virtues,
he has won friends and admirers among all classes. In
politics Mr. Hauby was formerly a Whig, but since the
formation of the Republican party has given a consistent
support to the measures and principles of that party. He
has maintained a membership of high standing in the
First Presbyterian Church of Geneseo for more than
forty-five years. His wife is also a member of the same
church, having joined it forty-six years ago. Mr. H.
helped to build the brick church in the village of Gene-
eseo, giving liberally of his means for that object. He is
one of that class of self-made men that we may well
desire long to keep with us, and whose worth cannot be
over-estimated. The supreme words to be written over
his life are sterling fidelity.
There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanby seven
children who grew to maturity, as follows : WilUam
Henry, born Nov. 15, 1832, mamed Eliza McComb, and
was drowned in Conesus lake Nov. 13, 1874 ; Nancy Caro-
line, born Jan. 26, 1837, is unmarried and resides in the
home of her uncle, the late J. Thompson Hall, of Geneseo;
John R., born March 9, 1839, married Augusta Boyden
and residing in the town of Geneseo. Hannah C. , born
July 11, 1840, married Bela Richmond and residing in
Lansing, Mich.; Mary S., born April 17, 1842, married
George Forsythe and residing at home with her jjarents ;
Margaret C, born April 16, 1844, is unmamed and re-
sides at home ; Helen L., born Jan. 28, 1848, married to
George Williams, of Geneseo, and is now residing in
Auburn, N. Y.
GENESEO — EARLY SETTLERS.
38s
Cai)tain Horatio Jones, the noted Indian cap-
tive and interpreter, whose history will be given at
the close of this chapter, was an early settler in this
town. He located on the east bank of the Gene-
see, about two and one-half miles south of Geneseo,
on the road leading from that village to Leicester.
He raised a large family, of whom only one is left,
Charles Jones, now residing in Geneseo village.
He died in this town August 18, 1836, aged 72,
and Elizabeth, his wife, March 4, 1844, aged 66.
His brother. Judge John Jones, settled in Leicester.
John P. Ryers purchased 6,000 acres of land
in detached lots in this town at an early day, but
becoming financially involved he was put upon the
limits in New York. There he sent for James
Wadsworth, to whom he sold one-half the lands,
thus enabling him to acquire the title to the re-
maining 3,000 acres, for the sale of which James
Wadsworth was made the agent. Mr. Ryers never
settled on his lands himself, but cleared up a farm
of 200 acres in the east part of the town for his son
John, who is now living in Geneseo. The farm,
which is known as the Mt. Pleasant farm, is now
owned by Aaron Griswold. He erected the pres-
ent buildings on that farm.
In the primitive division of Ontario county into
districts, Geneseo, the second district, embraced
all west of the east line of Pittsford, Mendon and
Richmond, a Hne corresponding very nearly with
a line in prolongation of the east line of Spring-
water. The first town meeting for that district
recorded was held at " Cawnawagus," April 5, 1 791,
and -the following named officers were chosen : —
John Ganson, Supervisor ; David Sullen, Clerk ;
Nathan Perry, Gad Wadsworth, Amos Hall, Israel
Stone and William Wadsworth, Assessors ; Edward
Carney, a surveyor. Collector; Hill Carney and
Jno. Ball, Poormasters ; Isaiah Thompson, Benja-
min Gardner, John Lusk, Commissioners of High-
ways; Jasper Marvin and Norris Humphrey, Con-
stables ; WiUiam Rice, Jno. Oelman, Elijah Mor-
gan, Philemon Hall and Phineas Bates, Fence
"Viewers; Darling Haven, Nicholas Miller, and
Henry Brown, Pound Keepers; Gilbert R. Berry,
Clark Peck, Gideon Pitts, Lemuel Jennings, Joseph
Morgan, Chauncey Hyde, Aaron Beach and Abner
Mighells, Pathmasters. Dr. Moses Atwater, of
Canandaigua, was then the Justice.
The following list of male persons who were
obliged by law to work on the highways in Gene-
seo in 1798, gives us a clue to others of the early
settlers in this town, and approximately their loca-
tion : —
East District — John Barsley, James Barsley,
Arthur Price, Shadrach Barsley, James Haynes,
Richard Steel, Samuel Winn, David Haynes, Sam-
uel Ewart, Abraham Divenbaugher, Dan'l Kelley,
Benjamin Winn, Jonathan Winn.
Middle District — Wm. Wadsworth, Enos Haw-
ley, Sylvester Smith, Joseph Whaley, John Bartlett,
Judah Benjamin, Joseph Norton, Abel Mansfield,
Benjamin Tibbits, William Crossett, Geo. McNam-
ara, Joseph WiUiam Lawrence.
South-east District — John Ewart, Phineas Bates,
Benjamin Squire, James Irwin, Squire Haskins,
Bela Elderkin, Thomas White, Thomas Austin,
Charles White, Jonathan Jennings, Lemuel Jen-
nings.
South District — Andress Parker, Wm. Griffith,
Elijah Hunt, Daniel Curtis, William Curtis, Black
William, Warren, Gideon Dunham, David
P'uUer, Thomas McMakin, Poorman, Alex-
ander Ewing, Alexander Ewing, Jr., Samuel Ewing,
Barnabus Parker, Horatio Jones, George Jones,
Leonard Stimpson, Eli Griffith.
North District — Enoch Nobles, Elisha Nobles,
Elisha Dunham, John Jason, Mark Grounda, Wm.
Barrow, John Rhoades, Jolin Rhoades, Jr., John
Moody, Benjamin Gardner, Geo. Gardner, Eben-
ezer Utter, David Beverly, William Mooney, John
Day, Andrew Wortman, Samuel Utter, Samuel
Utter, Jr., John M. Miner, Calvin Newton, Pantry
J. Moor, Cyprian Collins, Elias Rogers, M. de
Buoy, Daniel Peck, Matthias Leman, Edward
Bentley, Joseph Newton, E. Morse, Nathan Win-
ton, John Babcock, Eli Utter.
The following is a return of the persons in Gen-
eseo qualified and liable to serve as jurors May 8,
1806, with the occupation of each: — Wm. Crossett,
merchant; WiUiam Carnahan, tailor; Joseph W.
Lawrence and Thomas Wiard, blacksmiths ; John
Pierce, hatter ; B. Bishop, Joseph Bigelow, Rod-
man Clark, Josiah Carrier, Samuel Finley, Samuel
Finley, Jr., David Finley, WiUiam Finley, Moses
Gibson, Lemuel B. Jennings, Giles Hubbard, Seth
Hall, Stephen Heth, Ezra Hall, Horatio Jones,
David Kneeland, David Nash, Roger Orton, John
Rhoades, Benjamin Squire, David Warner, Benja-
min Winn, Wm. and James Wadsworth, farmers.
The foUowing have been the Supervisors and
Clerks of Geneseo from 1791 to 1880: —
Supervisors.
1 79 1. John Ganson.
1792. Thomas Lee.
1793-94. Amos HaU.
Town Clerks.
David BuUen.
do
Theodore Shephard.
386
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
1795
1796
1797-180
1802-04.
1805.
1806.
1807-10.
1811.
1812.
1813-14-
1815-19.
1820/22.
1821.
1823.
1824-26.
1827.
1828-30.
1831.
1832-33.
1834-35-
1836-37-
1838.
1839.
1840.
1841-42.
1843-44.
1845.
1846.
1847.
1848,-52.
1849-51.
1853-54-
1855-
1856.
1857-59-
1860-64.
1865-66.
1867.
1868.
1869.
1870.
1871-72.
1873-
1874-
1875-
1876-77.
1878.
1879-80.
Supervisors.
Amos Hall,
Solomon Hovey.
i.Wm. Wadsworth.
do
James Sherer.
Wm. Wadsworth.
do
do
Jos. W. Lawrence.
Wm. Wadsworth.
do
Wm. Finley.
Wm. H. Spencer.
Wm. Finley.
do
Wm. H. Spencer.
Eben N. Buell.
John Young.
Russell Austin.
Chauncey Metcalf.
Charles Colt.
Gurdon Nowlen.
Fred'k W. Butler.
do
Allen Ayrault.
A. Worthington.
Chauncey R. Bond.
do
Dan'l H. Bissell.
do
Charles R. Vance
Chauncey R. Bond.
do
James T. Hall.
W
Town Clerks.
James Davis.
Nathaniel Naramor.
John M. Miner.
Ezra Hall.
do*
dot
John Pierce.
William Fay.
do
do
Wm. Carnahan.
do
do
Philo C. Fuller.
Ogden W. Willey.
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
Wm. J. Hamilton.
Ogden M. Willey.
Amos A. Hendee.
do
do
Nelson Janes.
Isaac Newton.
James H. Vail.
do
do
Isaac Newton.
do
E. Lauderdale. Walter Smith.
do Chas. R. Vance.
Amos A. Hendee. do
C. W. Wadsworth. do
do Samuel P. Birge.
Nelson Janes. Charles R. Vance.
Andrew J. Willard. Gardner D. Mercer.
Charles F. Doty. Thos. D. Beckwith.
Jas. W. Wadsworth. do
do Wm. W. Bishop.
do Abram McChntock.
John R. Strang. Myron N. Foster.
Russell A. Kneeland. do
Andrew J. Willard. do
The following officers were elected April 5, 1881 :
Supervisor, William Austin Wadsworth; Town
Clerk, Myron N. Foster ; Justice of Peace, Archie
H. Ayres ; Highway Commissioner, Edward Haw-
ley; Assessor, Joseph D. Lewis; Overseer of
Poor, Robert B. Robinson ; Collector, Franklin
Stevens ; Constables, John Hanby, Richard Rudd,
David O'Toole, Elisha H. Shepard, George W.
Bloodgood ; Game Constable, John Hanby, Jr. ;
* Thomas Wiard was chosen clerk April ij, 1805.
t John Pierce was chosen clerk November i, 1806, on the death of
Hall.
Excise Commissioners, Andrew J. Willard, (long
term) Charles R. Shepard, (short term); Inspec-
tors of Election, District No. i, Myron N. Foster
Charles A. Young, District, No. 2, James C. G.
Haynes, Theodore S. Riley.
We have not the space at our command to give
anything like a detailed and satisfactory account
of the part taken by this town in the war of the
Rebellion, neither have we the data which would
admit of a complete and comprehensive statement
in brief of the substantial results of that action ;
for, unfortunately, the military record of Geneseo,
(if such ever existed, of which, from inquiries
made, we have reason to doubt,) has either not
been preserved, or has been so effectually secreted
that it cannot be found ; and the town records, it
is evident, give only a very meager and compara-
tively unimportant part of the legislation of the
town bearing upon this subject. That Geneseo
nobly did her duty in that trying emergency there
can be, there is, no doubt ; but mere adulation is
not what the occasion demands ; it is but a mock-
ery of that merited praise which the materials for a
full and truthful history would reflect, and but a
thin veil of gauze to conceal the want of that
material. Hence we are constrained to leave the
subject to one of more leisure, who mav yet be
able to rescue from the files of the local press,
from the participators in those events, and from
other fugitive sources, much that will be valuable
in this connection.
Geneseo.
Geneseo, the only village m the town, is situated
mostly on the third table land rising above the
river, and overlooks a valley as peerless in its
beauty as in its marvelous fertility. Main street,
the principal street, is a broad, handsome
thoroughfare, about half a mile in length, extending
through the central part of the village from north
to south, being terminated on the north by the
square containing the county buildings, and on
the south by the Wadsworth homestead grounds,
which remind one of the handsome parks of the
English nobility. Center street, extending east at
right angles with Main street, which it intersects
at a central point, is the next principal street, and,
like Main street, which, however, contains the
business blocks, presents many very attractive
residences, which are also to be found in other
parts of the village, and evince in a high degree
the esthetic culture of its inhabitants. These,
together with the other streets in the village, are
Photo, by Champ, Geneseo.
RicHAE\p Alsop Riley.
Kichard Alsop Biley was born in the city of New York
October 19, 1799. His father, Isaac Kiley, was born
Nov. 29, 1770, and his mother, Hannah Alsop, was bom
Feb. 2, 1774, and died about 1859, aged eighty-five years.
They had twelve children, viz; Emeline, Mathilda,
Mary Wright, Kichard Alsop, Henry Augustus, Julia Ann,
Adelaide, Theodore WilUam, Charles, Caroline Augusta,
Louisa Sophia, Charles Frederick and Clara Pomeroy, all
now dead except CaroUne A., now the widow of Isaac
■Abbott, and residing in New York city Isaac Kiley was
a book-seller in Middletown and afterwards in New York.
Richard Uved at home and attended school in the last
named place, and was afterwards placed in a Koman
Catholic school in Germantown, Pa., where he remained
tiU sixteen years of age, when he went to sea in a mer-
chant sailing vessel, and followed that life until he was
twenty years old. At that time his father purchased a
farm for him in New Jersey and he followed the occupa-
tion of a farmer till in 1826, when he came to Lima, N.
Y. While living in New Jersey he was married to Emily
Golpin, of Lansingburgh, N. Y., by whom he had no
childi'en. She was born December r., 1792, and died
January 27, 1844. December 24, 1844, Mr. Kiley was
united in marriage with Anna Haynes, daughter of John
and Elizabeth Haynes, of Geneseo. She was born June
23, 1811, and died February 22, 18C3. They had three
children, as follows :— Lewis Adams, born June 22, 1846,
and died September 4, 1846 ; Kichard Alsop, born August
19, 1848, and married Lizzie C. King, of Bath, Steuben
county; and Theodore H., bom July 18, 1851. The lat-
ter married Anna Birgs, of Geneseo, N. Y. For his third
wife Kichard married Sarah Ann, daixghter of John and
Elizabeth (Rowe) Harris, of Harrisburgh, Pa. She was
born in Bath, N. Y., November 10, 1810. On settlingin
Lima, he entered into a co-partnership with Mr. Warner
and carried on the business of tanning and currying.
This proved a disastrous venture, for he lost all of his
money and was obliged to go out to work by the day.
He moved into a small house in the town of Livonia and
worked at anything he could find, till he saved enough to
make a small payment on a piece of land he had pur-
chased in the town of Geneseo. This he kept a short time,
then sold it to J. Hunter Haynes and purchased the farm
on which he lived until he died, December 9, 1874. The
old homestead is now owned and occupied by his son,
Kichard A. Theodore H. is residing on a farm a short
distance from the old homestead, purchased by his father
but a short time before his death. Mr. Riley in pohtics
was a Repubhcan, having voted that ticket since the
formation of that party, but was no ofBce-seeker. He
united with the First Presbyterian church of Geneseo, in
1832 ; in 1836 was ordained and installed a ruling elder of
that church, and held that position until he died. He
was a man of sound sense and sterling integrity. The
church was ever dear to him, and where duty called or
opportunity offered, he was ready to ' ' spend and be
spent" in the service of his Master. A pure, noble and
honest man, he ever elevated the true Christian character,
and led a life which we may all delight to follow. Thus
passed away one whose death cannot be regarded with-
out feelings of profound regret at the loss which, not
only his family, but the entire community and church
to which he was so ardently attached has sustained, in his
removal.
GENESEO VILLAGE— FIRST OFFICERS.
387
handsomely shaded, generally lighted with gas and
oil, and supplied with substantial walks, in which
oak, the prevailing timber in this section, plays a
prominent part.
The village is located near the center of the
west border, and is a station on the Avon, Gen-
eseo and Mt. Morris railroad, which extends along
the west border. It is nearly equi-distant between
the two termini of that road. It contains five
churches, (Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist,
Baptist and Catholic,) the Geneseo Normal and
Training School, a union school, the Wadsworth
Library, two newspaper offices, {The Livingston
Republican, Samuel P. Allen, publisher, and The
Union Citizen, Dr. Alonson L. Bailey, publisher,*)
a national bank, three hotels, a grist-mill, saw-
mill, planing-mill, cooper shop, an establishment
for the manufacture of the machine-cut clover
rasps, twenty-four stores of various kinds, a coal
and lumber yard, three meat markets, (Toole &
Ryan, Costello & Willard and Charles Davis,) two
blacksmith shops, (Frederick Mates and George
Averill,) two carriage and blacksmith shops, (Har-
ry Harrison and Elias Goldsmith,) a tin-shop, (H.
H. Sunderlin,) two harness shops, (R. P. Goodsell
and J. O.Vanderbelt) two dentists, (F. E. Howard
and J. A. Chase,) arid a population of about 1,800.
It is supplied with water from two springs located
in the east part of the village, in the locality where
themastodon remains were exhumed in 1825. They
are elevated 104 feet above Main street, and are
owned by the village. They are never-failing, but
have lowered some within the last few years in
consequence of the clearing up of the land, the
south one so much so, that on the ist of August,
1880, the village put in one of Mast, Foos & Co.'s
(Springfield, Ohio,) mills, to raise the water by
pumping. The water as it comes from the springs
is stored in a reservoir, 100 by 80 feet, nine feet
deep, which was built in 1868. There are 11,500
feet of mains laid ; and water is supplied to fifty-
five families, besides hotels, stores, livery stables,
and other establishments. The supply is ample
for fire purposes and for six public watering
troughs located on all the roads leading into the
village.
The water from these springs was first appropri-
ated for village purposes in 1845, and May 5, 1846,
the village trustees accepted a deed, executed by
James S. Wadsworth, May i, 1846, conveying
certain water works and rights to water. One-
fourth of the water from the springs was and is
* See Chapter XII. for a history of the Press of Livingston county.
still reserved to the James S. Wadsworth estate.
Wooden pipes were first laid, but these were re-
placed with iron in 1868.
There have been various legislative enactments
from time to time with reference to supplying the
village with water.
August 4, 1868, a lot 90 by 140 feet on Temple
Hill street, was bought of Col. Lockwood L. Doty
for $400, for the purpose of constructing a reser-
voir for the water- works. December 19, 1868,
Samuel H. Blyth's bill for constructing water-
works was audited at $6,427.90. December 21,
1868, the trustees were authorized to raise upon
bonds of the village, not to exceed $i,S°°, to ex-
tend the water pipes into North street, and finish
the present water works.
Geneseo was incorporated April 21, 1832, and
the first village meeting was held at the house of
Amos Adams in said village, June 4, 1832. Allen
Ayrault was chosen chairman and Ogden M. Wil-
ley, secretary. The following named officers were
elected: — Allen Ayrault, Wm. H. Spencer,* Calvin
H. Bryan, Charles Colt and Owen P. Olmsted,
Trustees; Samuel F. Butler, Gurdon Nowlen,
Chauncey Metcalf, Assessors ; Truman Hastings,
Clerk ; Wm. H. Stanley, Treasurer ; Joseph W.
Lawrence, Collector; Horace Aplin, Joseph W.
Lawrence, Jr., Russel Austin, Elias P. Metcalf,
John F. Wyman, Fire Wardens. At a meeting of
the trustees at the house of Comfort Hamilton,
July 7, 1832, Owen P. Olmsted was chosen Presi-
dent ; Philo C. Fuller, Calvin H. Bryan and Tru-
man Hastings, a Board of Health; Dr. Eli Hill,
Health Officer; Truman Hastings, Attorney.
The following have been the Presidents and
Clerks of the village from 1832 to 1880.
Clerks.
Truman Hastings.
Truman Hastings.
Presidents.
1832-34. Owen P. Olmsted.
1835. Charles Colt.
1836. do
1837. do
1838-39. do
1840-41. fRussell Austm.
1842. Allen Ayrault.
1843-44. Charles Colt.
W. W. Wadsworth
Elias P. Metcalf.
Allen Ayrault,
1845.
1846.
1847.
1848.
1849.
1850.
1851.
James H. Vail.
A. A. Hendee.
William J. Hamilton.
Dwight Webb.
Wm. J. Hamilton.
do
do
do
H. H. Guiteau.
Chauncey Metcalf. Joseph Kershner.
Calvin H. Bryan. Edward W. Tracy.
Benjamin F. Angel. James H. Vail.
Amos A. Hendee. do
• Win. H. Spencer neglected to file notice of acceptance, and July n,
18J2, the trustees elected Cyrus Wells, Jr., in his stead. Wells declined
to serve, and July 12, 1832, Dr. Elias P. Metcalfwas elected to that
office,
t No election was held in 1841, owing to informality in notice of meeting.
388
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Presidents. Clerks.
1852. Daniel H. Bissell. James H. Vail.
1853. Scott Lord. do
1854. Henry P. North. John O. I^ty.
1855. do James H. Vail.
1856. Lyman Turner. Isaac Newton.
1857. George I. Davis. James B. Adams.
■ 1858. John Rorback. Sidney Ward.
1859. Elias P. Metcalf. T. Wilber Havens.
i860. George Mercer. Adoniram J. Abbott.
1861. Wm. H. Whiting. B. Franklin Spencer.
1862. Ephraim Cone. Joseph Kershner.
1863. W. E. Lauderdale. Charles M. Morgan.
1864. Ephraim Cone. Wm. A. Brodie.
1865. Daniel H. Bissell. do
1866. Sidney Ward. do
1867. John F. Bishop. do
1868. Charles F. Doty. do
1869. Nelson Janes. A. Tiffany Norton.
1870-71. Adoniram J. Abbott. John R. Strang.
1872. Amos A. Hendee. do
1873. John R. Strang. Nelson Janes.
1874-75. Nelson Janes. O. M. Hopkins.
1876. do WilHam W. Bishop.
1877. N. A. Gearhart. do
1878. do A. R. Scott.
1879-80. M. A. Foster. E. B. Rebban.
List of officers 1881.
President, Myron N. Foster; Trustees, A. A.
Cox, Geo. S. Whitney, Wm. A. Stevens, Fred W.
Mate, Chas. A. Youngs ; Police Justice, Otto Kel-
sey ; Assessors, H. G. Baker, Joseph D. Lewis,
Ephraim Curtiss ; Collector, H. B. Shackelton;
Treasurer, Nelson Janes; Clerk, O. M. Hopkins;
Village Attorney, Jno. R. Strang ; Street Commis-
sioner, Wm. C. Palmer; Pohce Constables, Rich-
ard Rudd, Ira C. Smyth ; Examiner of Weights and
Measures, Wm. A. Stevens; Fire Wardens, H. B.
Shackelton, Daniel P. Alvord, R. B. Robison ;
Board of Health, W. E. Lauderdale, (Health Phy-
sician) George Mercer, Jerome Allen; Chief En-
gineer Fire Department, Gardner D. Mercer ;
First Assistant, Frank Churchill; Second Assist-
ant, Matt. Corbett.
The settlement of the Wadsworths at Geneseo
made that the nucleus of a considerable neighbor-
hood, though for many years, says Turner, there
was but a small cluster of dwellings. In 1805
there were but about a dozen dwellings. There
were two public houses, one kept by Faulkner, the
other by Bishop. In 1810 the population of the
town was 894 — 148 families — and contained a
meeting- house and six school houses, but
the village had not developed sufficient im-
portance to merit distinctive notice in Spaf-
ford's Gazetteer of 1813. It was the market
town for this section of country, and in 18 15, says
James H. Vail, of Leicester, formerly of CJeneseo,
William Wadsworth and Wm. H. Spencer kept a
store on the square. Hon. Allen Ayrault was their
clerk. In 1817, he adds, "roads and bridges were
not much between Geneseo and Moscow. The
ice in winter and a rope in summer were the only
ways to cross the Gensee river.'' In 1824 Spaf-
ford describes it as being the largest village in the
county, containing "the post-office, county build-
ings, and a handsome collection of houses, stores,
etc." In 1820 the population of the town was
1598 — "351 farmers, 11 traders, 70 mechanics, 3
foreigners, 8 free blacks." The taxable property
amounted to $244,550. The number of school
districts had doubled within the decade. There
were 6,286 acres of improved land, 1,508 cattle,
367 horses, 3,083 sheep, i-saw mill, i fuUing-mill,
4 distilleries and 2 asheries. The number of yards
of cloth made in famihes was reduced from 11,273
yards in 1810 to 9,700 in 1821.
In 1830, says Mr. Vail, "the village of Geneseo
contained a population of 500. There were 96
buildings, public and private, 6 dry-goods stores,
I drug store, i large grocery store, 2 saloons, 2
harness shops, 2 hat shops, 2 shoe shops, i jewelry
store, 2 book stores, 2 printing offices,* i hard-
ware store, 2 millinery stores, 2 cabinet shops, 3
tailor shops, i wagon shop, i chair factory, i bank,
4 blacksmith shops, 4 hotels, i livery stable, i
meat market, 3 churches,! i district school." It
"was the market place for this county and portions
of Allegany and Genesee counties. Upwards of
300,000 bushels of wheat and other grains were
purchased here [annually] and 500 barrels of pork
and 100,000 pounds of wool. The buyers were
Charles Colt and Andrew Stewart. The only
means of transit was by wagons and by flat-bottomed
boats down the Genesee river to Rochester, dis-
tance down the river 90 miles, time of down trip
2^ days, up trip 3 days. Several large storehouses
were located at the river." The space from where
A. W. Butterway's cabinet shop stands to the line
fence of the late Ephraim Cone's residence, on the
east side of Main street, was a deep gully, and a
wooden bridge extended through that portion of
Main street for teams and footmen.
Merchants. — The early merchants at Geneseo
were Minor & Hall. In 1805 one of the firm,
*Thesewere The Livingston J?^^zj/er, anti-masonic, published by
James Percival, and The Livingston Journal, Democratic, published
by Levi Hovey. Connected with the printing were two book stores, in
one of which was a circulating library let out at six cents per volume.
t Presbyterian, Methodist and Episcopal.
Pnoto. by Merrell, Lieneseo.
The earliest known ancestor of Samuel Percival
Allen is Edward Allen, who, according to tradition
m the family, was a soldier under Cromwell, and
came to this country upon the Restoration. He
was of Ipswich, Mass., 1670, and died Nov. 22,
1696. The subject of this notice is of the seventh
generation, and is the grandson of ApoUos Allen,
who came from Gill, Mass., to Smyrna, N. Y., in
1797- His father, Marsena Allen, was then but
eight years old, and died in Mt. Morris, June 18,
1861. His mother was Hannah G. Percival, sis-
ter of James Percival, a newspaper editor in Mos-
cow and Geneseo, from 1821 until 1832. Her
father served in the Revolutionary war from Lee,
Massachusetts.
Samuel P. Allen was born in Smyrna, October
21, 1814, and came to Geneseo in 1830, where
he became an apprentice at the printing busi-
ness in the office of the " Livingston Register."
Between 1832 and 1836 he went to school, worked
upon a farm and in a printing office, and in Sep-
tember, 1837, commenced the publication of the
"Livingston Republican." Disposing of it in
1846, he purchased an interest in the " Rochester
Daily Democrat" and as assistant and chief editor
continued until 1864. In 1870 and for four years
thereafter, he was half owner of the " Chenango
Telegraph." Returning to Geneseo in 1874, he
repurchased the "Livingston Republican," with
which he is still (1881) connected. Mr. Allen was
elected Clerk of Livingston county in 1840; Clerk
of the State Senate in 1856, and reelected in 1858;
was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for
Monroe and Orleans counties in 1863, by Presi-
dent Lincoln, and continued in that office six years;
was appointed Assistant Clerk of the Assembly for
seven years, ending with the session of 1879, ^^'^
many times served upon the Whig and Republican
State Committees and as a delegate to State Con-
ventions.
Mr. Allen was married in 1838 to Harriet C.
Stanley, daughter of Luman Stanley, of Mt. Mor-
ris, an early pioneer of that town. Three of their
six children are living ; a daughter who was teach-
ing in Detroit, died in 1872, and two others who
were teaching in the Normal School at Geneseo,
died in 1876.
Mr. Allen and his wife visited California in 1878,
passing several weeks at Salt Lake City, San Fran-
cisco, Big Trees, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, etc.
GENESEO VILLAGE — MERCHANTS.
389
Hall, died at Oneida Castle, on his way to New
York to purchase goods.*
The first prominent merchant was Major Wil-
liam H. Spencer, a native of East Haddam, Conn.,
who came to this country in 1803, and was the
pioneer settler of Spencerport, in Monroe county,
which place derives its name from him. In a Uttle
over a year he cleared fifty acres there and erected
a saw-mill, the irons for which he brought with an
ox team from Connecticut. Mr. Wadsworth, in
1805, induced him to take an interest with him in a
mercantile establishment in Geneseo. Starting with
a large stock of goods for that period, his business
extended as settlement advanced, and for many
years his trade embraced a wide region. His
goods came by the water route from Schenectady
to the foot of Cayuga lake, and from thence on
wheels to Geneseo; the transportation usually
costing about $3 per cwt. Doing principally a
barter trade, his furs, tobacco, hemp, grain, pork,
and maple sugar were, in the earliest years, mar-
keted at Baltimore, by wagons to Arkport on the
Canisteo, and from thence by water. The first
produce shipped at Arkport was from Dansville;
the second shipments were by Spencer & Co. from
Geneseo. This was the avenue to market for all
the southern portion of Phelps and Gorham's Pur-
chase until the Jefferson embargo ; then it changed
to Lake Ontario, by wagon roads to the mouth of
Genesee river, until bateaux were introduced upon
the river. These ran from the rapids above Roch-
ester as high up as Geneseo, and Durham boats
ascended to Mt. Morris.f His store was originally
located on the square, in the south part of the vil-
lage, but in 1820 he was trading in a building
which stood on the site of Conron's oyster saloon.
About 1837 he discontinued trade and purchased
a large, noble farm on the flats on the west bank
of the river, in York, the farm now owned by Chas.
Wadsworth. This he cultivated till his death,
January 11, 1851, becoming one of the most ex-
tensive graziers and wool and wheat producers in
the valley of the Genesee.
Andrew Stewart, from Canandaigua, came here
about 1 81 7, and opened a store on the site of the
brick building owned by Joseph Cone, near the
square, which was built by Stewart. He continued
in trade till about the time of his death. Charles
Colt, who was born in Pittsfield, Mass., Jan. 23,
1793, was a prominent merchant on the site of the
old bank in 1817, and for some years before and
* Pioneer History ofPMps &f Gorham's Purchase, 347-
MMd.
afterwards. He died at Geneseo, Jnly 27, 1866.
He was State Senator from the 29th district in
1848-51. Soon after the death of Stewart, Bis-
sell & Olmsted, (Edward Bissell and Owen P. Olm-
sted, brothers-in-law,) came from Connecticut and
traded till about 1835. Bissell went to Toledo,
and Olmsted returned to Connecticut, where he
engaged in banking, and still resides there. Olm-
sted was the first village President. Charles R.
Vance came here about the same time as Bissell &
Olmsted, from New Jersey, and was a prominent
man for a great many years. He was a popular
man, jovial, and full of good stories. He con-
tinued his residence here till his death of heart dis-
ease in the winter of i779-'8o. His family still
reside here. In addition to Stewart, Vance &
Olmsted, Chauncey Metcalf, E. N. Buell, R. Van-
Rensselaer and Henry P. North were engaged in
mercantile business here in 1830. Dr. Eli Hill was
the druggist, and John T.Wyman the grocer of that
period.
The present merchants are: Patterson & Co.,
(R. J. & J. F. Patterson and J. E. Lauderdale,)
clothiers, a business established about 1845, by R.
J. Patterson ; A. W. Butterway, furniture dealer,
who came from Philadelphia to Rochester in 1847,
and from thence to Geneseo, where he commenced
his present business in July, 1848; S. P. Birge,
dry goods dealer, one of Geneseo's most substan-
tial merchants, is a native of Geneseo, and com-
menced business in 1849 in company with his
his brother, H. F. Birge, who had traded here some
7ears previously ; N. W. Rose, dealer in clothing,
gents' furnishing goods, hats and caps, who removed
from Ontario to York in 1844, and in 1847 to
Geneseo, where he commenced business in 1851 ;
John Richmond, jeweler, who commenced busi-
ness in 1853, in company with his uncle. Rev. Lev-
eritt Richmond, and H. C. Hill ; C. O. Beach &
Co., general merchants, who are conducting a busi-
ness established some twenty-five years ago by C.
O. Beach, a native of Fowlerville; Miss M. A.
Hardy, milliner and fancy goods dealer, who is a
native of England, emigrated toPavillion, Genesee
county, in 1853, removed thence to Geneseo in
1854, and commenced business in 1856; John
Davidson, jeweler, who came here from Rochester
and commenced business in 1857 ; George Goode,
merchant tailor, who commenced business about
eighteen years ago in company with George Mer-
cer, whose interest he boughtin August, 1875, Mr.
Mercer had previously done business some seven-
teen years; Jeremiah C. CuUinan, grocer and
390
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
crockery dealer, who is a native of Ireland, and
came here from Groveland in 1861, in which year
he commenced business ; Bernard McBride, grocer,
successor to his father, Bernard McBride, who came
here in the fall of 1866, bought out John McGuire,
and traded till his death, Nov. 9, 1876; Lauderdale
& McBride, (Robert Lauderdale and Wm. J. Mc-
Bride, both natives of Geneseo,) dealers in boots
and shoes, who, in the spring of 1869, bought out
Robert Robinson, who had traded some twenty
years ; L. W. Crossett, druggist and stationer, a
native of Geneseo, who is conducting a business
estabhshed about 1852 or '53, by J. Oakley Doty ;*
John Conroy, grocer, who commenced business in
May, 1872; Reuben A. Rose, who, in the spring
of 1876, established himself in the sale of agricul-
tural implements, to which business he added hard-
ware in 1878 ; Charles A. Youngs, dealer in hard-
ware, purchased the interest of his father and
brother, in the business which was established in
1 86 1, by Samuel P. Rose; O. F. Sherwood, dealer
in drugs, stationery, books and groceries, came here
from Skaneateles, in 1873 and formed a copartner-
ship with L. W. Crossett; which continued till
April I, 1880, when they dissolved, both continu-
ing business to the present time ; W. E. Booth,
dealer in boots and shoes, succeeds to a business
estabhshed by Frank Miller ; E. A. Pickard, grocer,
a native of England, who came here from New
York in 1864, and established himself in business
in 1875 ; M. Leiser, clothier, who commenced busi-
ness in the spring of 1878, in company with his
brother G. Leiser, whose interest he bought during
that year; E. E. Doty, dealer in hardware and
stoves, who succeeds to a business established about
fifty years ago, by H. P. North ; Hersey & Co.,
(W. A. Hersey,) druggists, who came here from
Vermont in 1878, and in August of that year,
purchased of W. W. Killip a business established
some fifty years ago by Dr. Bissell ; and A. T. Gan-
non, merchant tailor, who commenced business in
August, 1879.
Postmasters. — The postal faciUties of this re-
gion were very meager for many years after the
first settlements were made; and it was not until
1806 that the postoffice at Geneseo was estab-
lished. Mail facilities of an unsatisfactory charac-
ter had indeed been established by private enter-
prise as early as 1792, on the old Genesee road,
accommodating this vicinity, in some measure,
from Avon, (Hartford,) which was on the Hne of that
road.
* Died Sept. 2j, 1862,
In 1806, the road from Avon through Geneseo,
Williamsburgh and Dansville to Bath was declared
a post-road, with a mail once in two weeks, which
was then considered an ample service. It was not
until 1825 that Geneseo enjoyed a daily mail.
The first postmaster at Geneseo was Major
Wm. H. Spencer, who was succeeded about 1829,
by Dr. EH Hill,, who held it till 1837, when the
office passed into the hands of Dr. Daniel H. Bis-
sell, who held it several years, by two appoint-
ments, preceding and succeeding Chauncey Met-
calf, who held it but a short time— under Harri-
son's administration. Dr. Bissell was succeeded
by Wallace R. Walker, who held the office until
1853, when Dr. Walter E. Lauderdale was appoint-
ed and held it until June, 1861, when Alanson A.
Lapham succeeded him. Henry V. Colt received
the appointment in 1865, but Mr. Lapham was
soon reappointed. He was succeeded by Harvey
G. Baker and Wm. W. Killip, who together held
the office eight years, until the appointment of
John F. Bishop, the present incumbent, February
2, 1880.
Physicians. — The pioneer physician in Gene-
seo was John P. Sill, who removed from Cam-
bridge. N. Y., to Dansville in 1797, thence, the
same year, to Williamsburgh, and the following
year to Geneseo, where he practiced till his death,
in 1807. He was the father of Dr. Andrew Sill,
of Livonia. He was succeeded by Augustus Wol-
cott, an acquaintance of the Wadsworths, who
came here from Connecticut soon after them and
opened an office in his house, which stood on the
north-east corner of Main and Center streets,
where the Youngs' Block now stands. He was an
educated and talented physician and had an exten-
sive practice in this and adjoining towns. He
sold out to Cyrus Wells, from Richmond, Ontario
county, and removed to Ohio about 1821 or '22.
Dr. Wells occupied the same house as Dr. Wolcott
for a few years, and afterwards built the brick
house now occupied by the widow of David Shep-
ard, on Center street, nearly opposite the Union
school. He practiced here till about 1835 or '36.
Elias P. Metcalf came here from Otsego county
soon after Dr. Hill, with whom he was associated in
practice for a few years. He continued to prac-
tice here till within a short time of his death, which
occurred ten or twelve years ago.
James McMaster, who had practiced at an early
day in York, came here about 1836, and practiced
several years.
Daniel H. Bissell was born in Randolph, Vt.,
GENESEO VILLAGE — PHYSICIANS, LAWYERS.
391
September 21, 1794, and was educated in the
academies of his native town and Bloomfield, On-
tario county.* He now Hves in Geneseo, and is
remarkably well preserved, both mentally and
physically, exhibiting as much vigor as many men
of only half his years. We are indebted to the
Doctor's well-stored mind for much valuable in-
formation regarding this town and county.
Chauncey M. Dake, a celebrated homeopathist,
came here in 1848. He was the first of his school
of medicine to locate in Geneseo — probably the
first in the county. He practiced here fourteen
years and removed to Pittsburgh, Pa. He died in
Springwater. During the time he was here, T. C.
Schell, a Canadian, and a very prominent physician
of the same school, practiced here two or three
years. He went to the Sandwich Islands where
he remained three years, and afterwards located for
a short time at Lockport. Milton Halsted prac-
ticed here one year, in i86r. With the exception
of Drs. West and Southall, the present practition-
ers, these are the only homeopathists who have
located in Geneseo.
The present physicians are : Walter E. Lauder-
dale, James A. West, John Craig, Walter E. Lau-
derdale, Jr., Marvin C. Rowland and Edward W.
Southall.
Walter E. Lauderdale was born in Cambridge,
N. ¥., April 16, 1806, and graduated at Union
College in 1824. He commenced the study of
medicine in the summer of that year, with Dr.
Matthew Stevenson, of Cambridge, and attended
lectures at Fairfield Medical College. He re-
moved to and estabhshed himself in practice in
Sparta in August, 1828, and was hcensed by the
Livingston County Medical Society in that year.
The University of Buffalo afterwards conferred on
him the honorary title of M. D. In 1837, he
removed to Geneseo, where he has since practiced.
James A. West was born in Utica, N. Y., April
20, 1835, and graduated at the Hahnemann Medi-
cal College of Philadelphia in 1858. He studied
medicine in Rochester with Dr. M. M. Matthews,
and commenced practice in Geneseo in 1862,
having previously practiced till then in Rochester.
John Craig was born in Carnmore, Ireland,
June II, 1810, and received an academic educa-
tion in his native country. He emigrated to
Sparta in this county in 183 1. About 1835 or '6,
he commenced the study of medicine with Dr.
Samuel L. Endress, and after some eighteen
months pursued his studies in Rochester with Drs.
* See portrait and biography on another page.
Henry and DeForest. In 1838 he entered Yale
College, and after examination by the professors
of that institution, was licensed by the Censors of
the Connecticut State Medical Society, Jan. 24,
1840. In March, 1840, he establishd himself in
practice in York, whence he removed in 1865 to
Geneseo, where he has since practiced, but not
as regularly as formerly since the spring of 1878.
Walter E. Lauderdale, Jr., was born in Geneseo
March 19, 1850, and educated at the Geneseo
Academy. He commenced the study of medicine
in Geneseo with his father in 1870, and attended
one course of lectures at the University of Buffalo
and three courses at the College of Physicians and
Surgeons of New York city, where he graduated in
March, 1874. He commenced practice with. his
father in Geneseo in 1875, and though young is
fast taking the lead in surgical practice.
Marvin C. Rowland was born in Hartford, N.
Y., June 4, 1826. He was educated at Lima
Academy and the University of Vermont, at Bur-
lington. He studied medicine at Salem and
Greenwich in his native county, and graduated in
medicine at the University of New York, in
March, 1862, in which year he entered upon the
practice of his profession in Argyle in the same
county. In September, 1862, he entered the army
as Assistant-Surgeon of the 6ist N. Y. Volunteers.
He was promoted to Surgeon of the same regiment
April 14, 1864, and was mustered out with the
regiment in the summer of 1865. On leaving the
army he established himself in practice at Lake-
ville in this county, and removed thence to Gen-
eseo in March, 1877.
Edward W. Southall was born in Dudley, Eng-
land, March 5, 1851, and educated by his father,
who was for thirty years a school teacher in Eng-
land. He emigrated to Buffalo in 1869, and
studied medicine in that city with Dr. Rowland
Gregg nine months, and Drs. Foster and Brayton
four years. During this time he attended lectures,
one course each at the New York Homeopathic
Medical College, the University of Buffalo, and
the Cleveland Homeopathic College, graduating
at the latter March 5, 1879. He commenced
practice in -Buffalo as the electrician of his pre-
ceptors, Drs. Foster and Brayton, while pursuing
his studies, and June 15, 1879, established himself
in practice at Geneseo.
Lawyers.— The first person to practice law in
Geneseo was James Wadsworth, who, though not
a regular practitioner, was admitted to practice as
attorney and counsellor in 1791, by Oliver Phelps,
392
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
then First 'Judge of Ontario county, "to enable
persons to sue out writs and bring actions, which,
at the present, for want of attorneys, it is im-
possible to do."*
We are not advised as to who was the first
regular practitioner, but think it probable that it
^ was Philo C. Fuller, who came here in 1815, at
the instance and as confidential clerk of James
Wadsworth. Mr. F'uller was born in New Marl-
borough, Mass., August 13, 1787.
He was elected to the Assembly in 1829-30.
On the death of Moses Hayden, February 14, 1830,
he was elected State Senator, and served in 183 1-'2.
In the fall of 1830, he was elected to Congress from
the 30th district, and served till his resignation,
Sept. 2, 1836, when he removed to Adrian, Mich.,
to take charge of a bank there. In 1840, he was
elected to the lower house of the Michigan Legisla-
ture, and chosen speaker of that body. In i84i,he
accepted the appointment tendered him by Postmas-
ter-General Francis Granger, as Assistant Post-
master-General, but dissenting from the poficy of
President Tyler, he resigned at the expiration of a
year. The following year he retired to his farm in
Conesus in this county ; but on the election of
Washington as Governor, he was appointed the
successor of that gentleman as Comptroller, Dec.
18, 1850. At the expiration of the term hereturned
to his farm in Conesus, where he died August r6,
1855, aged 68.
In 182 1, when the county was formed, Orlando
Hastings, Calvin H. Bryan, Ogden M. Willey and
Ambrose Bennett were practicing in Geneseo.
John Young was born in Chelsea, Vermont, in
1804, and in 1808, removed with his parents, who
were in humble circumstances, to Freeport (now
Conesus.) He received an academic education at
Lima, and in 1820 entered upon the vocation of a
teacher. By private study and untiring industry he
mastered the best classic authors. When about
twenty years old he entered the office of Augustus
A. Bennett, of East Avon, as a law student, and
completed his studies with Ambrose Bennett, of
Geneseo, supporting himself while pursuing his
studies by teaching and occasional practice in Jus-
tices' couits. He was admitted to the bar of the
Supreme Court, in October, 1829. He entered
upon the practice of his profession in Geneseo, and
was soon conceded a front rank in it. He repre-
sented this county in the Assembly in 1832, as the
candidate of the anti-masonic party. On the re-
signation of Philo C. Fuller, Sept. 2, 1836, he was
Pioneer History of Phiips &= Gorkmtt's Purchase, 3 J J.
elected in his place as a Representative in Con-
gress, serving the unexpired terra till 1837. He
was sent to the lower house of Congress in 1841-3,
and was regarded one of the ablest members of that
body. In 1843 and '46 he was again sent to the
Assembly by the Whig party, and there dis-
tinguished himself by his advocacy of the Constitu-
tional Convention, and laid the foundation of that
popularity which carried him to the Gubernatorial
chair in 1846. In July, 1849, ^^e*' tl^e expiration
of his gubernatorial term, he was appointed Assist-
ant Treasurer of the United States, in New York
city, and died while performing the duties of that
responsible office, April 23, 1852, at the age of 48
years.
Hezekiah D. Mason came here from Moscow
previous to 1829. On the 8th of April of that
year he was appointed First Judge of Livingston
county. Felix Tracy came from Leicester, about
the same time as Mason, and practiced here many
years, until his death. He was a Member of As-
sembly in 1827 while a resident of Moscow, where
he had previously practiced. Elias Clark, a native
of Conesus, read law with Mr. Bryan while the lat-
ter was practicing in Geneseo, and was admitted
about 1833. He was Clerk of this county from
1834 to 1837, and represented it in the Assembly
in 1839-40.
Benjamin F. Angel was born in Burlington, N.
Y., Nov. 28, 1815, and received his early educa-
tion in his native town. At the age of ten years
he was placed under the tutorship of Rev. Mr.
Nash, then rector of the Episcopal Church in Exe-
ter. In 1830 he was sent by his parents to the
Livingston County High School, in Geneseo,
which was then under the management of Seth
Swetzer, Cornehus C. Felton and Henry R. Cleve-
land. Here he prepared for college, but owing to
an attack of opthalmy, did not enter. In 1834 he
entered the office of Edmonds & Monell, of Hudson,
where he completed his legal studies. He was ad-
mitted in 1837, and immediately after formed a
law partnership in Geneseo with Calvin H. Bryan,
which continued at intervals for twelve years.
March 23, 1836, he was appointed by Gov. Marcy
Surrogate of Livingston county, holding the office
till April 22, 1849, when he was succeeded by Wil-
liam H. Kelsey. He was reappointed March 3,
1844, succeeding Mr. Kelsey, and performed the
duties of the office until, by the Constitution of
1 846, they were merged with those of County Judge.
In 1848 he was appointed Supreme Court Com-
missioner, then an office of great importance, as
GENESEO VILLAGE — LAWYERS.
393
the incumbent performed all the duties of a Judge
of the Supreme Court at Chambers. This office
he held until 1853, when he was appointed by
President Pierce, Consul at Honolulu, which was
then one of the most lucrative offices in the gift of
the government. After eighteen months he was
sent by President Pierce as Special Envoy and Com-
missioner to China, to settle a difficulty growing
out of a refusal of the United States merchants to
pay export duties in consequence of the neglect of
the Chinese government to protect them against
pirates. In these negotiations he was successful.
He returned to the United States by way of the
East Indies and Europe, making an extended tour
of the latter, also of Egypt.
In 1857, Mr. Angel was appointed by President
Buchanan, Minister Resident to Sweden and Nor-
way, his appointment, and that of Henry C. Mur-
phy to the Hague, being the first made by Bu-
chanan. He returned in 1862, and has since been
interested in agricultural pursuits, carrying on a
large farm in Geneseo. He was President of the
State Agricultural Society in 1873, having for sev-
eral years previously and subsequently till 1878,
been a member of the society.
Amos Alonzo Hendee,* the youngest son of Eph-
raim Hendee, who came to Avon from Hubbards-
town, Vt, in 1810, was born in Avon, June 15,
1815.
Wm. H. Kelsey, who was born in Smyrna, N. Y.,
Oct. 2, 181 2, abandoned the publication of the
Livingston Register at Geneseo about 1840, and
engaged in the practice of law, which he continued
here till his death in 1879, though he was more of
a poUtician than a lawyer. He was appointed Sur-
rogate of Livingston county April 22, 1840, and
was succeeded in that office by B. F. Angel, March
3, 1844. In 1850 he was elected District Attor-
ney and held the office one term. He was a Rep-
resentative in Congress from the 28th district in
18^5-59, and again from the 2 5 th district in 1869-
'71.
The present attorneys are : — James Wood, James
B. Adams, Adoniram J. Abbott, Solomon Hub-
bard, Kidder M. Scott, John R. Strang, Otto M.
Hopkins, Henry T. Braman, Walter T. Howard,
and Lockwood R. Doty.
James Wood was born in Alstead, N. H., April
I, 1820, and educated at Lima Seminary and
Union College, graduating at the latter in July,
1832. The following year he entered the office of
John Young, at Geneseo, as a law student, and
* See History Town of Avon.
was admitted to the Supreme Court at Utica in
July, 1844. He was District Attorney of this
county from 1854 to 1857 ; was elected State Sen-
ator in 1869, and again in 1871. He entered the
army in 1862 as Colonel of the 136th N. Y. Vol-
unteers, raised in the military district embracing
this county. He refinquished that command in
January, 1864, and assumed command of the 3d
Brigade, (to which the 136th belonged,) 3d Divis-
ion, 20th Corps. Later that year he was brevetted
Brigadier General. He continued that command
till the close of the war, and was mustered out in
June, 1865. Since the war he has been brevetted
Major-General of Volunteers.
James B. Adams was born in Richmond, On-
tario county, June 17, 1830, and educated at Gen-
esee and Williams Colleges, graduating at the lat-
ter in 1854. He was admitted in December, 1854.
January i, 1857, he entered upon practice in
Geneseo, forming a co-partnership with Hon.
Amos A. Hendee, which continued till April, 1864.
He was appointed District Attorney of this county
in January, 1865, on the resignation of George J.
Davis, and was elected in November, 1866, serv-
ing one term.
Adoniram J. Abbott was born in Moscow, in
this county, October 28, 1819, and educated in
the common schools of Leicester, the Moscaw
Academy, the Middlebury Academy in Wyoming
county, and the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at
Lima. In 1843, while attending the latter insti-
tution, he entered the law office of Martin S. New-
ton, of Lima. He subsequently pursued his legal
studies with Messrs. Young & Wood, of Geneseo;
Verplanck & Martindale, of Batavia; and com-
pleted them with Judge E. C. Dibble, of the latter
village. He was admitted at Lockport in Septem-
ber, 1848, and commenced practice that year at
Dansville, where he continued ten years, when he
removed to Geneseo.
Solomon Hubbard was born in Broome, Scho-
harie county, October 22, 1817, and educated at
the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima. He
commenced the study of law in 1838, with Horatio
Shumway, of Buffalo, and was admitted in June,
1844, in which year he opened an office in Dans-
ville, where he remained until 1864, when he re-
moved to Geneseo. He was elected County Judge
in 1863, and held the office two successive terms.
In June, 1879, he formed a law partnership with
Walter S. Howard, which still continues.
Kidder M. Scott was born in Geneseo, May 13,
1840, and received an academic education in this
394
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
village. He pursued his legal studies with Gen.
James Wood, of New York, in portions of 1858-9,
and subsequently in Geneseo, after the removal of
that gentleman to this village. He was admitted
in December, 1861, and the following year entered
the army as 2d Lieutenant in the 136th New York
Volunteers. He was discharged in 1863, as Cap-
tain in the same regiment. January i, 1866, he
formed a law partnership with his legal preceptor,
which still continues. He was a Presidential Elec-
tor on the Republican ticket in 1872.
John R. Strang was born in Gait, Canada, Jan-
uary 8, 1840. He entered the Albany Law School
in 1858, and in the summer of 1859 entered the
law office of Scott Lord, of Geneseo. In Febru-
ary, 1862, he joined the army as 2d Lieutenant in
the 104th New York Volunteers, which was formed
in Geneseo, and after filling all the intermediate
grades, except that of Captain, was discharged as
Colonel of that regiment in Aug., 1865. On leaving
the army, he again entered the Albany Law School,
where he graduated in December, 1865. He en-
tered upon the practice of his profession in August,
1866. He was elected District Attorney of this
county in 1878, and is the present incumbent of
that office.
Otto M. Hopkins was born in Spring water, in
this county, January 8, 1853. In the latter part
of 1872, he entered the law office of Adams &
Strang, of Geneseo, and was admitted at Roches-
ter in October, 1875. April i, 1876, he formed a
law partnership with John R. Strang, which con-
tinued under the name of Strang & Hopkins till
May, 1878, when he went to Toledo, O. Return-
ing to Geneseo, he formed a co-partnership, Oct. i,
1879, with James B. Adams, which still continues.
Henry T. Braman was born in Exeter, R. I.,
May 27, 1845. He read law in Kingston, R. I.,
where, after his admission, in August, 1868, he
was engaged in practice until April, 1877, when
he removed to Livonia, and thence, in October,
1878, to Geneseo, at which time he formed a law
partnership with John R. Strang, which still con-
tinues. He was for three years — 1875-7 Clerk
of the House of Representatives of Rhode Island.
Walter T. Howard was born in Geneseo, May
II, 1852, and educated in Genesee College at
Lima. In 1872 he entered the law office of
Solomon Hubbard as student, and was admitted
to the bar in 1875. He was Clerk of the Surro-
gate's Court from 1872 to 1879, and a few months
later formed a law partnership with his preceptor,
which still continues.
Lockwood R. Doty was born in Albany, De(
2, 1858, and educated at the Normal School ii
Geneseo. He afterwards attended the law de
partment of Columbia College, where he graduate:
in May, 1880. He was formally admitted a
Buffalo in June of that year, and commence
practice in Geneseo shortly after his admission.
Mr. Doty is the son of Lockwood L. Doty, th
accomphshed historian of Livingston county, wh
was himself an educated lawyer. Lockwood I
Doty was born in Groveland, in this county. Ma
15, 1827, and died at Jersey City, Jan. 18, 1873
leaving unfinished the work which had been thi
labor of his later years. Though he read law ii
the office of John Young in Geneseo, most of hi
hfe was spent in clerical duties of a varied an<
arduous nature. Conspicuous among these wai
his connection, as Chief, with the Bureau of Mili
tary Statistics, an office to which he was appointee
on the creation of the Bureau April 8, 1863, anc
held till 1866. Through his indefatigable effort:
much valuable material for the military history o
this State has been rescued from obUvion. Ir
1847, he followed his legal preceptor — Governoi
Young — to Albany, to fill an appointment in th«
office of Canal Appraiser. He was soon aftei
made Deputy State Treasurer under Alvah Hunt
and held that position successively under Elbridgf
G. Spaulding and Stephen Clark. When th«
latter became President of the LaCrosse and Mil
waukee Railroad Co., Mr. Doty was chosen Secre-
tary and Treasurer of that company. During
Governor Morgan's first gubernatorial term Mr.
Doty was appointed Chief Clerk in the Executive
Department, and in 1861, Private Secretary oi
the Executive Chamber. In December, 1862, he
was tendered the appointment of Consul to Nas-
sau, N. P., then an important station, because
frequented by confederate cruisers, but decHned it
Then succeeded his appointment to the Bureau oi
Military Statistics. He was afterwards, for short
periods, Deputy Collector of Customs in New
York city. Private Secretary to ex-Gov. Morgan,
then U. S. Senator, and Assessor of Internal
Revenue for the Sixth District of New York city
But his health gradually and alarmingly failing
under the excessive labor to which for years he hsLi
been subjected, admonished him to seek the retire-
ment of his home in Geneseo, where he soon after
but only for a short period, engaged in newspapei
and other literary work. In April, 1871, he was
appointed Pension Agent in New York city, anc
died while discharging the duties of that office.
Allen A;yi\ault,
Allen Ayrault was bom in Sandisfield, Berkshire county,
Mass., October 30, 1793. He passed the early years of
his life at home assisting his parents on the farm and at-
tending the district schools. He taught school a number
of terms, and when twenty-one years of age left home
and came to Greneseo, where he at once found employ-
ment in Spencer & Co.'s store, the "Co." being Gen.
James Wadsworth and William Wadsworth.
He remained with Spencer & Co. but a short time, go-
ing to Mt. Morris, where he started business for himself
in general merchandising, but continued it for a short
time only, having been appointed agent for the lands of
Kogers & Murray. He remained in Mt. Morris until
1819, when he removed to Moscow, still retaining
this agency. Here he engaged in the purchase and
sale of cattle, pasturing them on the lands for which
he was agent, and the profits from these transactions gave
him a start in life. He carried on a large and lucrative
business in Moscow until 1 830, when he removed to Gen-
eseo, having been elected President of the Livingston
County Bank, which was organized in that year, and of
which he remained President until the expiration of its
charter and close of its business, June 30, 1855.
His management of this bank was characterized by
prudence, untiring vigilance, and a watchfulness that
nothing could escape. He made it his sole thought and
care, and gave it twenty-five of the best years of his life,
and during that entire period, though the board of direc-
tors was composed of many of the best men of Geueseo
and vicinity, no occasion was ever found to criticise his
ofScial or personal conduct.
Mr. Ayrault belonged to that class of citizens who give
stability to the financial status of our country and char-
acter to society. He was a safe counsellor and a judicious
manager of his own affairs. His influence in all depart-
ments of society and in all associations for business, was
characterized by modesty and diffidence, for his judg-
ment (expressed without pretense and generally upon
solicitation) was generally based upon reasons which de-
manded and secured concurrence. Mr. Ayrault was a
plain, unpretentious man, never a seeker for public office
or honors. He affiliated with the Whig party, and strove
in a consistent manner to enhance its interests, and was
in turn honored, on several occasions, by nominations
from his fellow citizens for important offices.
In 1841 he was a candidate for State Senator in the old
Sixth District, including Allegany and Livingston coun-
ties on the west and running east on the southern tier
and including Broome and Chenango counties on the
east. In this contest he was defeated by James Faulk-
ner, of Oansville, the Democratic candidate. He was
elected as delegate to the Constitutional Convention
which convened April 22d of that year and adjourned on
the ninth of October following, serving upon several im-
portant committees. In 1847 he was elected to the State
Senate from the Twenty-ninth District (Oatario and Liv-
ingston counties) but resigned after serving one session.
Mr. Ayrault was President of the County Bible Society
fourteen yeara — always manifesting a deep interest in its
success and good work. In religious sentiment he was
an Episcopalian, and a member of St. Michael's church
in Ganeseo, and gave liberally from his means for the
support of church interests and any enterprise looking to
the advancement of education among the rising genera-
tion and the establishment of good society.
September 9, 1822, Mr. Ayrault was united in marriage
toBethiah, daughter of Kev. Wm. Lyman. She was born
July 12, 1792, at East Haddam, Conn. Her father was
born in 1765 aud died June 5, 1833. Her mother was
born in 1767 and died June 22, 18.58 at the great age of
ninety-one years, and their remains lie buried at Arcade,
Wyoming county. They had eleven children, seven of
whom are yet living, the youngest at the age of seventy-
two years and the oldest ninety. Mrs. Ayrault is still
living, now in her eighty-ninth year, in possession of her
faculties to a wonderful degree. Allen Ayrault died at
Geneseo, N. Y., February 4, 1861. They have had no
children.
GENESEO VILLAGE — MANUFACTURERS, BANKS.
395
Manufacturers. — Geneseo has never been an
important center of manufacturing interests. The
river at this point affords a limited water-power,
and the fall is meager. In 1837 the Geneseo
Hydraulic Company was incorporated for the pur-
pose of creating a vast water power on the Gen-
esee at this point; but the great expectations
awakened by its organization were never realized.
The Geneseo Planing Mills were built in 1877,
by Josiah Curtis, the present proprietor, who also
deals in coal, lumber, lime and cement. The
mills are located near the depot. They are oper-
ated by steam.
The saw-mill in Geneseo, owned by E. W. Hud-
nutt, occupies the building near the foot of Main
street, known as the "Big Tree Iron Works,"
which was erected in 1855 for a machine shop, by
E. W. Hudnutt and Elias P. and Chauncey Met-
calf. In November, 1862, James J. Cone, Hurl-
burt L. Johnson and Scott Lord, formed a co-
partnership, for the manufacture of the Brincker-
hoff mowers and reapers. They rented the " Big
Tree Iron Works."
The Geneseo Manufacturing and Croquet Co.
was organized and merged with the American Cro-
quet Co., composed of Judge Scott Lord, Samuel
Finley, J. J. Jones, John Rorback, Harvey G. ^
Baker and Charles Jones, which commenced
operations in 1861. The consolidated company
did business about a year, until 1865, when they
removed the machinery to South Bend, Ind. In
1875, Mr. Hudnutt again took possession, put in
a circular saw, and has since been engaged in the
manufacture of lumber.
In the spring of 187 1, Baker & Barclay (Har-
vey G. Baker and George P. Barclay) rented of
Finley & Co. a portion of the building for the
manufacture of the machine-cut clover rasp, which
is used for threshing out clover seed: In 1877,
Harvey G. Baker sold his interest to his son,
Merritt H. Baker, and the business is still con-
ducted under the same firm name. It requires a
capital of about $2,000, and usually the employ-
ment of two additional hands a part of the year.
Messrs. Kendall & Shattuck have a branch
cooper shop at the depot in Geneseo. Their
principal business, which is quite extensive, is
conducted at Piffard, in the town of York. They
employ two men in the shop at Geneseo and
from eight to fifteen at Piffard.
The Big Tree Mills, (flouring and grist,) situated
on the east bank of Genesee River, just north-
west of the village limits, were built about forty
years ago by Mr. Bailey. Thomas Gilmore is
the present proprietor. The mills comprise
four runs of stones, which are operated by
water from the Genesee, which has a fall of
five feet. Mr. North, during his ownership,
built a saw-mill on the opposite end of the dam.
It was torn down by the present proprietor four or
five years ago. «•
Clark's Mills, named from Leman Clark, their
present proprietor, are located in the north-east
corner of the town, on the outlet of Conesus Lake,
a mile below Lakeville. They occupy the site of
the old Bosley mills, which were erected in the
latter part of the last century, by John Bosley,
who came to this country in 1792 or '3. The
present mills were erected in 1836, by Lucius F.
Olmsted, who bought the property of Mr. Bosley
in 1835. The mill is a wooden structure, and
connected with it is a saw-niill, which was built by
Mr. Olmsted the same year on the site of a
former one, which was built at an early day at the
foot of the pond forming the outlet of the lake.
The grist-mill contains four runs of stones. This
locality is an interesting one from its proximity to
the remains of a fortified Indian village. The
excavations made both by Mr. Bosley and Mr.
Olmsted disclosed numerous and varied relics, in-
cluding human remains. Metal implements were
found in sufficient quantity, it is said, to iron the
first mill.
Messrs. Ayrault & Co., (Lyman Ayrault and A.
A. Cox,) who are located at the depot, do a gen-
eral storage and produce business. The business
was established some ten or eleven years ago, by
L. Ayrault, who, six months later, associated with
himself A. A. Cox. These gentlemen were the first
of importance of a modern period, to buy grain
for storage and shipment.
Banks.— The first bank of issue in the county
was the Livingiton County Bank in Geneseo, which
was incorporated under the Safety Fund Act, April
7, i830,withacapitalstockof $100,000. Variouspre-
vious efforts had been made, both in this town and
others in th,e county, to secure a charter for a bank
—in Geneseo soon after the erection of the county—
but all were alike fruitless. The subscription books
were opened in Geneseo on the 31st of May, and
within three days from that time the entire capital
stock was subscribed. The organization was per-
fected on the 2Sth of June by the election of the
following named directors :— John Greig, H. B.
Gibson, Nathaniel W. Howell, Abraham M. Scher-
merhorn, James K. Guernsey, Charles H. Carroll,
396
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Hezekiah D. Mason, Felix Tracy, Owen P. Olm-
sted, Eli Hill, William Lyman, Wm. H. Stanley
and Allen Ayrault. The latter gentleman, who was
an able financier, and the principal stock-holder
during the existence of the bank, was chosen Presi-
dent, and held that office during the continuance
of its charter. Watts Sherman, afterwards a mem-
ber of the well known banking house of Duncan,
Sherman & Co., of New York, was chosen cashier.
An office was opened in the upper story of the
building on the east side of Main street, now oc-
cupied by A. W. Butterway as a cabinet shop. The
following winter the bank took up its quarters in
the brick building erected for its accommodation,
located on the west side of Main street, opposite
the American Hotel. It is now vacant, except in
the upper story, which is occupied as a law office
by James B. Adams. The charter of the bank ex-
pired July I, 1855. Scott Lord and Allen Ayrault
became trustees, by virtue of the statute, for closing
up its business. The bank was very ably managed
and highly prosperous, returning to its stockholders
at the expiration of its charter an unimpaired capi-
tal, besides having paid an average annual dividend
of a little more than fifteen per cent, on the capital
stock.
The Genesee Valley National Bank was organ-
ized as the Genesee Valley Bank, April 21, 1851,
with a capital of $120,000, in shares of $100 each.
The capital was increased Feb. 20, 1855, to $150,-
000.
The first Directors were : — James S. Wadsworth,
A. Cone, D. H. Abell, C. Colt, W. Cushing, D. H.
Bissell, H. Chamberlin, D. H. Fitzhugh and Peter
Miller. James S. Wadsworth was elected Presi-
dent ; W. H. Whiting, cashier ; Daniel H. Fitz-
hugh, Jr., teller.
The present officers are : — President, James W.
Wadsworth ; Cashier, James S. Orton ; Teller,
Theodore F. Olmsted.
The bank commenced business May i, 1851,
on the first floor, the north room, under Concert
Hall, which was left when the building now occu-
pied was erected in 1865-6. March 14, 1865, it
was changed from a State to a National bank, and
authorized to commence business as such at that
time. At the latter date the surplus of the bank
was $25,114.27; and a semi-annual dividend,
varying from 3^ to 6 per cent, had been paid-
One year during the war a 14 per cent, dividend
was paid. Since it became a National bank $266,-
250 have been paid in dividends, which is an aver-
age annual dividend of nearly 1 2 per cent. In
addition to this, the surplus has been increased to
$59,087.64. This statement sufficiently reflects its
efficient management.
On the expiration of the charter of the Living-
ston County Bank, Allen Ayrault, who then held
nearly all its stock, conducted a private bank in
the same building till his death, February 4, 1861
aged sixty-seven. Mr. Ayrault was born in Sandis-
field, Mass., October 30, 1793, and removed to
the Genesee Valley in 1812. He was one of the
most prominent, influential and highly cultured of
Geneseo's citizens during nearly the whole period
of its commercial importance. He was a brother
to Nicholas Ayrault, the early merchant in Mos-
cow. His widow still resides in Geneseo. Eph-
raim Cone, who had been for many years Mr.
Ayrault's cashier, continued the bank in his own
name till his death, April 27, 1868, aged sixty-two
years. James J. Cone succeeded to his father's
business and continued the bank till his failure,
November i, 1878, having been associated with
W. H. Olmsted from 1868 till December, 1870.
In 1856, Orton & Walker (James S. Orton and
William Walker,) established a private bank in the
upper part of a building which stood directly north
of the present bank. When Mr. Orton became
cashier in the Genesee Valley Bank, December 12,
1857, he sold his interest to Charles Colt, Jr., who
died April 9, i860, leaving Mr. Walker to continue
the business alone, which he did till his death,
February 9, 1871. January 6, 1864, the building
was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Walker removed to
the store next south of John Rorback's hardware
store, which was recently occupied as a jewelry
store, but is now vacant. Mr. Walker was asso-
ciated for a short time with Wm. H. Whiting. Af-
ter Mr. Walker's death, G. D. Mercer continued
the business till within about two years, when he
failed, being involved in the failure of Duncan,
Sherman & Company, of New York.
John White opened a private bank in the build-
ing afterwards occupied by Orton & Walker about
1852 or '3, but soon failed.
The Geneseo Gas Light Company was organ-
ized in 1859, with a capital of $9,000, in shares of
$100 each, which was reduced March 11, 1864, to
$4,500, the present capital. The works were
built in 1859. About one and one-half miles of
mains are laid, extending entirely through Main,
Second, Center, Wadsworth and Bank streets.
There are 26 gas street lamps. . Gas is furnished
at $2.50 per thousand feet.
Hotels. — The American Hotel, which has been
GENESEO VILLAGE— HOTELS, WADSWORTH LIBRARY.
397
kept since October, 1879, by Clarence S. Youngs,
occupies the site of the old Pierce tavern, which
was built prior to 1809, by Col. John Pierce, a
Southern man, who kept the stand for many years,
and acquired no Httle notoriety for the excellent ac-
commodations furnished his guests. It was a one-
story frame building, made conspicuous at an early
day by a coat of yellow paint, and now forms the
front sitting room to the right of the main entrance
of the American Hotel, and the room in rear of it,
but has nearly lost its identity in the subsequent
additions made to it. Deacon Frederick W.
Butler says it was twice enlarged before 181 7 ; and
that the third addition, which put it in its present
exterior form, except the piazzas, which were
added three or four years ago, was made by him
in 1825.
The Wallace House, kept by Wallace & Son,
who took possession May 30, 1880, was built by
Col. William Frost, about 1822 or '3, on the site
of the old Colt tavern, which. Dr. Bissell says, was
in a dilapidated condition in 1809. The Wallace
House was formerly known as the Robinson House.
The third hotel, the Globe Hotel, has been kept
some eight years by Isaac J. Stratton.
The Wadsworth Library was established as
the Atheneum Library through the munificence of
Jas. Wadsworth, who in 1843, erected for its accom-
modation a one-story brick building, which now
forms the wing to the Methodist parsonage, and
the same year deeded in trust for its maintenance
to James S. Wadsworth, William W. Wadsworth
and Elizabeth Wadsworth, of Geneseo, and Martin
Brimmer, of Boston, Mass., seven different tracts
of land, to be leased, with the exception of two of
the village lots, and the proceeds arising therefrom
to be annually applied, in such proportions as
they should deem fit and proper, " to the follow-
ing and no other purposes whatever, viz. : to the
payment of the necessary expenses of executing
the trust hereby created, to the procuring of
periodical or occasional lectures to be deHvered in
the Livingston County High School, and in the
village of Geneseo * * *, to the purchase of
useful books, philosophical apparatus and speci-
mens of minerals to be deposited in said Atheneum
building, for the use of the public — such books to
constitute a Ubrary to be denominated the Ath-
eneum Library — to the purchase of books, philo-
sophical apparatus and specimens of minerals for
the said High School, and to the repairing of the
buildings, fences, and enclosures on the i)remises
hereby granted, but not to the erection of any new
buildings. The books of the said Atheneum
Library shall be open and free for the gratuitous
use as well of the teachers and scholars of the said
High School as of the inhabitants of the county of
Livingston."
Five of these tracts are village lots. The first
denominated the Atheneum lot, was designated as
the site of the Atheneum building ; the second, de-
nominated the Temple Hill Grove Lot, was to be
forever held and occupied " as a pubhc ground,"
and appropriated " to the use of the public for
purposes of ornament, exercise and recreation;''
the third, denominated the North Temple Hill Lot,
and the fourth, denominated the South Temple
Hill Lot, each contain about two acres ; the fifth is
the lot on the corner of Center and Second streets.
The sixth tract is denominated the Kneeland farm,
and the seventh, the "Yellow House" farm, the for-
mer containing 152.51 the latter rr4.78 acres.*
The library was continued under an informal
management till the last of the legal trustees (James
S. Wadsworth) died in 1864, and some years later
under informal appointments, till, having lapsed
and reverted, the heirs of the Wadsworth estate
consented to and Jan. 16, 1869, deeded the prop-
erty to new trustees, who became incorporated un-
der the name of " The Wadsworth Library" April
21, 1869. Martin Brimmer, Charles F. Wads-
worth, Craig W. Wadsworth, Wm. A. Fitzhugh,
Charles P. Bowditch, James Wood, John Rorback,
James S. Orton and James W. Wadsworth were
the incorporators.
The present Hbrary building is an ornate one-
story brick structure, situated on the corner of
Center and Second streets. It was erected in 1867,
by the Wadsworth heirs, at a cost of about $ 1 2,000.
The present trustees are : — Charles F. Wads-
worth, James W. Wadsworth, Martin Brimmer, A-
J. Abbott, James Wood, John Rorback, Wm. J. .
Milne and James S. Orton, the latter of whom has
performed the duties of Secretary and Treasurer
since the incorporation. March 25, 1880, Mrs. E. H.
Shepard was elected Librarian in place of Mrs.
Olmsted, deceased.
The income of the Library for the year ending
Dec. 31, 1879, was $1,386.55, and the expenses,
* Feb. 7 18761 the trustees sold to the Methodist Society who had
previously leased it, the land on which the church and parsonage stand
for $1,400. March 14, 1876, the farm of 114.78 acres was sold to Geo.
W. Heth at $65 per acre ; and April i, 1870, the farm of IS2-S> acres
was sold to Jacob Clapper for $ 10, 140. In part payment of the former they
took the house and lot on South street lately occupied by J. C. Merrell as a
residence at $z,oco. Nov. 15, 1873, three acres of the Temple Hill Grove
lot were conveyed by direction of the legislature to the Temple Hill Cem-
etery Association for J800.
398
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
including the cost of 221 new books added during
the year, $295.97, were $1,045.25.
The Genesee Reading Rooms were established in
1866, by Mrs. William Wadsworth, who fitted up
rooms in the Rorback Block, and contributes $200
annually towards their maintenance. Her son, Wm.
Austin Wadsworth, contributes a Uke amount. An-
nual subscriptions are also solicited for the same
object.
The Livingston County High School, afterwards
the Geneseo Academy. — On the ist of June, 1826,
several gentlemen residing in this county associated
thertiselves "for the purpose of estabUshing in the
village of Geneseo, upon a lot of two acres of land
to be given for that purpose by Messrs. William
and James Wadsworth, a Collegiate Institution on
the Monitorial System," which was incorporated by
the Legislature as the Livingston County High
School," March 10, 1827, and by the Regents,
Feb. 7, 1829. The incorporators were William
and James Wadsworth, William and Daniel H.
Fitzhugh, John H. Jones, Charles H. Carroll, Geo.
Hosmer, James Faulkner, WilUam H. Spencer,
Philo C. Fuller, John Colt, Henry P. North, Leman
Gibbs, Orlando Hastings, Augustus A. Bennett,
William Finley, Moses Hayden and Jeremiah Riggs,
of whom Henry P. North is the only one now
living.
Soon after the incorporation a site was selected
on " Temple Hill," and two commodious brick
buildings erected by subscriptions, the walls of
which remain the same, though the internal arrange-
ments are different, and the buildings themselves
are debased to mere tenements.
The name of the school was changed to
the Geneseo Academy, May 13, 1846, and early in
1849 went under the care of the Synod of Buffalo.
It was conducted under the auspices of the Pres-
byterians of Western -New York, until the over-
shadowing influence of the State Normal School in
Geneseo sapped its vitality. The academy is still
the property of the Synod of Western New York,
(Presbyterian.)
The Geneseo Normal and Training School was
estabhshed in 1867, as The Wadsworth Normal
atid Training School, and its name changed by Act
of the Legislature, March 15, 1871.
Soon after the passage of the Act (April 9, 1866,)
authorizing the establishment of five additional
Normal Schools in the State, Geneseo exerted
herself to secure one of them. August 13, 1866
the village trustees were requested to inform the
Commissioners charged with the duty of locating
them, that Geneseo would raise the necessai
funds, not to exceed -$45,000, exclusive of tl
site, which they would also furnish, to secure or
of them. Col. Craig W. Wadsworth, Hon. Sec
Lord, A. J. Abbot, Esq., and Col. John Rorbac
were appointed a committee to confer with tl
trustees and assist them in their correspondenc
with the Commissioners. August 14, 1866 th
trustees directed the Clerk to forward to the Con
missioners a communication embodying the abov
proposition. Sept. 10, 1866, Col. Craig W. Wad
worth, was delegated to proceed to Albany an
lay before Commissioners the claims of the villag
in this particular. Nov. 16, 1866, that gentleraai
in conjunction with Lockwood L. Doty, Horn
Wm. H, Kelsey and Jacob A. Mead, and Gei
James Wood, Jr., were charged with a like missio
and authorized to increase the offer previous!
made by $10,000 if necessary. But notwithstanc
ing these vigorous exertions, the school, which j
one time seemed Ukely to be estabhshed in Gei
eseo was located at Brockport, owing, it is allegec
to the bad faith of a certain official. This advers
decision created much dissatisfaction, so that, oi
of respect for the distinguished services of Gei
James S. Wadsworth and the generous spir
manifested by the family in aid of such a schoo
in 1867, the Legislature passed a special Ac
authorizing the establishment of one in Genesee
to bear the family name of the Wadsworths. Joh
Rorback, Lockwood L. Doty* and Craig V\
Wadsworth were appointed a commission to pn
cure the ground and erect the building.
Sept. 24, 1867, a special town meeting was hek
and by a vote of 321 to 176, $45,000 were appn
priated to aid in erecting and furnishing a norm:
and training school. At a special village meetin
held June 8, 1868, it was resolved by a vote of 7
to 5, to raise by assessment on the real and pei
sonal property of the village, in fifteen equal ai
nual installments from March i, 1868, $15,000 i
aid of the same object. This action was take
pursuant to an Act of authorization passed by th
Legislature May 5, 1868.
The site selected for the school contains 6.7
acres, for which the Commissioners paid $2,011
The building was erected in 1869 ; but tl
$60,000 thus far contributed was not sufficient t
complete it. In 1870, the Wadsworth heirs coi
tributed $10,000 in furtherance of this object.
The amount was still inadequate for the con
* Mr. Doty resigned July I ;, i858, and James S. Orton was chos
his successor.
GENESEO VILLAGE— SCHOOLS, CHURCHES.
399
pletion of the building ; and March 7, 187 1, the
electors of the town passed a resolution requesting
the Senator from this District and Member of As-
sembly from this County, " to procure the passage
of a law by the Legislature, changing the name of
'The Wadsworth Normal and Training School' at
Genesee, to that of ' The Geneseo Normal and
Training School;'" and to request an appropria-
tion of $20,000 for the purpose of completing the
building. March 15, 187 1, the desired change in
name was made, and $18,000 which had been
appropriated in 1870 for the maintenance of the
school, was authorized to be applied to the com-
pletion of the building and grading of the grounds
and putting them in the condition required by
law to be accepted by the State.
The school was first opened Sept. 13, 187 1,
with Wm. J. Milne as Principal and Professor of
Moral Philosophy and Didactics.
In 1876-7 an addition, known as the As-
sembly Room, was made on the north end of the
original building at a cost of $25,000. CVer the
cloak rooms in front of the Assembly Room is a
room which is used for instruction in drawing and
painting. The basement of this addition is used
for instruction in calisthenics. The buildings are
three stories high, besides basement and attic.
They are constructed of brick, heated with steam
and lighted with gas. The buildings and grounds
present a very ornate appearance. They occupy
a lower terrace than the main part of the village,
and lie between it and the river, whose beautiful
valley presents a charming landscape from their
rear. The grounds and buildings are valued at
$106,000 ; the furniture, at $5,500 ; the Hbrary and
apparatus, at $7,750.
The receipts of the school for the year ending
Sept. 30, 1879 were: — State appropriation, $18,-
400.87; tuitions, $1,402.60; total, $19,803.47.
The disbursements were $19,801.35. The atten-
dance during the year was: — Normal Department,
312; Academic Department, 108; Intermediate
Department, 156 ; Primary Department, 185 ; total,
761. The primary and intermediate departments
are composed of village pupils, who receive instruc-
tion from pupils practicing the principles of teach-
ing. The number of graduates in 1879 was 29;
the number from the organization of the school,
180.
Union Free School District No. 5, of Geneseo
was organized Feb. 19, 1867, and the trustees — A.
J. Abbott, Wm. A. Brodie, E. N. Bacon, James S.
Orton, E. F. Curtiss, John O. Vanderbelt, John
Rorback and David O. Toole, met at the office of
Col. John Rorback, Feb. 27, 1867, and organized
as a Board of Education, by Ihe election of A. J.
Abbott, President, and Wm. A. Brodie, clerk. Wm.
Walker was appointed treasurer and Alanson Ran-
ger, collector. J. B. Gorham was employed as
Principal.
The number of children of school age residing
in the district Sept. 30, 1879, was 636, of whom
142 attended district school some portion of the
year. The average daily attendance was 67 48-1 89.
The number of volumes in the district library was
about 624, the estimated value of which was $300.
The school-house and site were each valued at
$r,5oo. The assessed valuation of the taxable
property in the districtwas $1,312,795. The num-
ber of children between eight and fourteen years of
age, residing in the district was 244.
Churches. — The pioneer settlers of the Gene-
see country, though attracted hither by material
considerations, brought with them a religious cul-
ture and a love of the sacred institutions of religion
which had shadowed with benign influence their
eastern homes. Happily those who took up their
abode east of the Genesee river were early brought
under an influence which fostered these conditions,
and reservations of land for church and school pur-
poses were often made — a practice sedulously ad-
hered to in regard to the lands which came under
the agency of Mr. Wadsworth when it was in his
power to conform to it. Not so west of the Gene-
see, on the lands of the Holland Company, for,
although promises of land were made for the first
regularly incorporated religious society in a town-
ship, they were not, except in " a very few instan-
ces," fulfilled. Joseph EUicott, the principal agent
of the Holland Company, though an eminently
worthy and able man, " disregarded the Sabbath,
and was hostile to religious institutions. His in-
fluence had an unfavorable effect upon the religious
state of the Holland Purchase ; and for a period
after the settlement of that part of the Genesee
country commenced, it was a common observation
that Sabbath-day did not extend westward beyond
the Genesee river."* Exception was made how-
ever to the Scotch settlement at Caledonia, where,
March 4, 1805, was organized the first Presbyterian
church west of the Genesee river, by Rev. Jede-
diah Chapman, a missionary of the General Assem-
bly of the Presbyterian church.f
The first religious services in this town, it is
"Hotchkin's History of Western New Yotk. 78.
t Ibid, 78-9.
40O
HISTORY OFjLIVINGSTON COUNTY.
believed, were conducted by missionaries sent out
by the Missionary Society of Connecticut, the first
of whom Rev. Aaron Kinne, penetrated the wil-
derness of Western New York as far as the Gene-
see river in 1794, and preached to the scattered
settlements in the valley. The first settlers in the
eastern part of the town were persons of Scotch-Irish
descent from Pennsylvania, with strong Calvinistic
sentiments, and warmly attached to the Presbyte-
rian form of government. Among these princi-
pally, though its members were drawn from the
entire town, was organized in the fall of i79S> ^y
Rev. Samuel* Thatcher, a missionary in the em-
ployment of the General Assembly of the Presby-
terian church. The First Presbyterian Church in
Geneseo, which was, with the exception of the one
organized by the same agency the same year at
Charlest07vti, (Lima,) the first in this county. The
organization was effected at the house of John
Ewart, who, in conjunction with Daniel Kelly and
James Haynes, all from the same neighborhood in
Pennsylvania, were the first elders.
The Church first met in private houses, at Mr.
Ewart's, at a house near Bosley's mills, and at what
was afterwards known as the Field's Farm, on the
lower road to Dansville. " To these widely sep-
arated places would those settlers walk, men,
women and children, through the woods and along
Indian trails, for the privilege of meeting their
neighbors in the worship of God."t After the
"town house" was erected — in 1797 — they wor-
shipped occasionally in it.
The Church, says Hotchkin, " was for a number
of years in a low state, and for most of the time
destitute of the preaching of the gospel and living
in the neglect of stated pubUc worship ; but it af-
terwards revived, and its circumstances were more
prosperous."t Its first pastor. Rev. John Lindsley,
was installed by the Presbytery of Geneva, Jan. 29,
1 806. Soon after its organization other settlers,
who were Congregationalists, mostly from New
England, came in, and though they worshipped
with the Presbyterians for a few years, they could
not harmonize, and a separation took place in 1810.
The Presbyterians then removed their place of wor-
ship to the east part of the town, meeting in the
school-house in winter, and frequently in summer
*Eev. John Mitchell in A Centennial Discourse, containing the His-
tory of the First Presbyterian church ol Geneseo during its first eighty-
one years, and Rev. Geo. O. Folsom, in a Historical Discourse on the
fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of the id Presbyterian charch of
Geneseo, make this name Samuel Thatcher ; while Hotchkin and otiier
authorities consulted give the name Daniel Thatcher.
\ Historical Discourse t by Rev. G. P. Folsom, 13.
XHiiiciikiti^s History of Western New York^ ^9-30.
in Benjamin Winn's barn. In 1843, their first
house of worship was erected, and the old building
is still standing opposite its former site, though
converted to other uses. In 1855, the present
church edifice was undertaken, and for convenience
of access, was located just over the town line, in
the village of Lakeville. During the first thirty
years the progress of the Church was slow, for in
1825 the number of communicants on the roll was
only 32 ; in 1836 the number had increased to 155,
and in 1846, to 180. In i864thenumber was 140.
Since that time the number has somewhat de-
creased through deaths and removals, yet there
have been some members added to the church
every year.* The Church still retains its origina'
name, notwithstanding its removal to the town ol
Livonia.
The Presbyterian Church of Geneseo Village "f^a
organized May 5, 1810, by Rev. Daniel Oliver,:
missionary from Massachusetts, and was composec
of twenty-one persons, who being Congregation
ahsts, •severed their connection with the Firs,
Presbyterian Church in Geneseo, because thej
could not affiliate with them, viz : — Ehzabeth Reed,
Mary Rew, David Skinner, Jerusha Skinner, Davie
Kneeland, Mercy Kneeland, Cephas Beach, D0II3
R. Beach, Delight Finley, Samuel Finley, Louis(
Chappell, Abigail Case, Alice Skinner, Betse;
Finley, Candice Beach, Sylvia Kpeeland, Anni
Alvord, Russell Lord, Nabby G. Kneeland an(
Sibyl Lawrence. David Skinner was chosen Mod
erator; Samuel Finley, Clerk ; and David Skinne
and Cephas Beach, deacons.
Without any settled pastor they enjoyed, fc
several years, the services of transient minister
and missionaries, among whom were Messrs. Dani(
Oliver, John Lindsley, Aaron C. ColHns, Robei
Hubbard, Wheelock, Pratt, Millis and Butricli
and in the absence of these listened to sermor
read by Deacon Beach. In 1814, they adopte
the Presbyterian confession of faith and united wil
the Geneva Presbytery.
The town house, which had been moved 1
" Temple Hill," came under the control of tl
church, and was arranged with pews and a galler
the former of which were taxed for the support 1
the church. In 181 1, a novel method of providir
for the support of the gospel was inaugurated,
consisted of a fund — denominated the "shee
fund" — to which a certain number of sheep we
contributed, the increase and wool of which we
* A Centennial Discourse, by Rev. John Mitchell, 1876, For a nn
extended account of this Church, see History of Livonia.
^ 4^ny77yoc,r<^
Rev. Ferdinand DeWilton Ward, D. D., son of
Levi (M. D.) and Mehetabel (Hand) Ward, was
born in Bergen, Genesee county, N. Y., July 9,
181 2. His parents moved from KilHngworth,
Conn., in 1807, to the "Genesee country," where
his father held many public positions of honor and
responsibihty, being for sixty years agent of the
State of Connecticut in the sale of their extensive
land tract in Western New York. The family
removed to Rochester in 181 7.
Rev. Dr. Ward was graduated from Union Col-
ege, New York, (Dr. Nott, President,) and the
Theological Seminary at Princetown, N. Y. He
spent ten years in India, as a foreign missionary,
accompanied by his wife, (Miss Jane Shaw, of
New York city). He was also pastor of the Pres-
byterian church in Geneseo for twenty years ;
Chaplain in the 104th New York Volunteers dur-
ing the late war; and District Secretary of the
American Bible Society for three years. He was
an extensive tourist through Great Britain, the Con-
tinent, Naples, and many other places,. and was the
author of many volumes in English and Hindu
languages. Among these are "India and the
Hindus," (re-issued in London and Edinburgh) ;
" Christian Gift ;" " Ecclesiastical History of Roch-
ester ;" "Summer Vacation and Abroad;" and
"Expositions of the Parables," (in Tamil).
Dr. Ward's public life commenced at twenty
years of age, and has been long, laborious, and
eventful. Of his three children, Sarah resides in
Philadelphia, Pa., wife of John Brinton, M. D. ;
Wilham S., is Superintendent of extensive gold
and silver mines in Colorado; and Ferdinand
makes his home in Brooklyn, having an office of
large business in mines, stocks, etc., in Broadway,
New York city. A son and daughter were buried
in India. Connected with Dr. Ward's family are
Hon. L. A. Ward, ex-Mayor of Rochester; the late
Hon. Moses Chapin, Judge of Monroe county; the
late Hon. Samuel L. Selden, Judge of the Court
of Appeals; Hon. Freeman Clarke, Member of Con-
gress and Comptroller of the Currency ; Hon. Ed.
Smith, ex-Mayor of Rochester and American Con-
sul at Baden, Switzerland ; and H. A. Ward, Pro-
fessor in Rochester University.
GENESEO VILLAGE— CHURCHES.
401
to be applied to that object. The flock began
with 48 sheep, to which the Wadsworths donated
20, W. H. Spencer, 3, Mr. Kneeland, 3, and oth-
ers 2 and I each. In 1817 it had increased to 324
sheep and lambs. In 1820 the proceeds of the
sheep as sold began to be invested in landed security,
and in 1826 amounted to about $300, which was
finally used in building the session-room first occu-
pied by the Church.
Sept. II, 1815, the Society connected with this
church was incorporated as the Geneseo Gospel
Society, and Joseph W. Lawrence, Samuel Finley,
Isaac Smith, Wm. H. Spencer, Samuel Loomis
and Timothy P. Kneeland were elected trustees.
In 1816, the subject of erecting a meeting house
was agitated. The foundation was laid early in the
spring of 181 7, and the house raised in June,
181 7, but was not finished till some time after. It
was dedicated Jan. i, 1818, the sermon being
preached by Rev. Mr. Axtell, of Geneva. The
site was given by William and James Wadsworth.
Sept. 3, 1 834, the Church, which during the pastor-
ateof Dr. Bull had followed the Congregational form
of government, formally adopted the Presbyterian
form of government, and elected the following
Board of Elders :— Charles Colt, Cyrus Wells, Jr.,
Jacob B. Hall, Samuel A. Hubbard, Chauncey
Parsons, Levi Goddard, Truman Hastings, Wm.
H. Stanley and Owen P. Olmsted.
Oct. 21, 1858, during the pastorate of Rev. Dr.
Ward, a division occurred on the question of
"old" and "new school," and a large membership
separated from this church to form the Central
Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, (O. S.) The
last report made to the Presbytery before the
division showed a membership of 234; after the
division it had on its roll 130 resident members.
April I, i88o, after a separate existence of nearly
twenty-two years, the Churches reunited, and as-
sumed the name of The Presbyterian Ckurck of
Geneseo Village. The united membership is
about 450.
Immediately after the reunion a subscription
was commenced to raise funds to build an addition
to the house of the Central Church, the latter of
which was to form the Sabbath School room and
church parlors of the enlarged building. Work
was commenced on the new structure in Septem-
ber, 1880. It was to be built from plans furnished
by the New York architect, Mr. Valk.
In addition to the two churches, a session room
and parsonage connected with the house of the
Second Church, and two first-class organs, the Socie-
ty also own a farm of 100 acres in the central part of
the town, which was deeded to them as a gift by
WiUiam and James Wadsworth, April 13, 1816.
The Sabbath School was organized about 1820.
Jacob B. Hall, Orlando Hastings, Mr. Fairchild,
Miss Harriet Wadsworth and Miss Mary Law-
rence were the first teachers. The present Super-
intendent of the school is Col. John R. Strang.
Mr. Wm. A. Brodie is Assistant Superintendent.
The attendance at school is about 270.
The following have been the successive pastors
and stated supplies of the church : —
Pastors— Rev. Abraham Foreman, installed July
12, 181 7, dismissed Nov. 17, 1819, and died at
Geneseo, August 20, 1850. Rev. Norris Bull, D.
D., installed June 19, 1822, dismissed July 3, 1832,
and died at Lewiston, Dec. 8, 1847. Rev. John
C. Lord, D. D., installed July 31, 1834, dismissed
Oct. 28, 1835. Rev. John N. Lewis, D. D., in-
stalled Oct. 3, 1838, dismissed April 5, 1841, died
at New York, Oct. 5, 1861. Rev. Benjamin B.
Stockton, installed Nov. 8, 1843, dismissed Sept.
25, 1848, died at WilHamsburg, June 10, 1861.
Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D. D., installed Sept. 25,
1850, dismissed June 22, 1857, but continued to
supply the pulpit until Oct. 31, 1858, now residing
in Geneseo. Rev. George P. Folsom, installed
Feb. 2, 1859, dismissed October, 1868. Rev.
Isaac N. Sprague, D. D., installed in February,
1869, dismissed in April, 1877. Rev. Josiah E.
Kittridge, the present pastor, who was installed
April 18, 1877.
Stated Supphes — Rev. T. Spencer, in 1836;
Rev. Elam H. Walker, in 1836 ; Rev. Mr. Snyder,
in 1837-8; Rev. Charles Morgan, in 1842-3.
The Central Presbyterian Church of Geneseo,
as we have seen, was formed by the division of the
Second Church, and was organized by a commis-
sion from the Genesee River Presbytery at Gen-
eseo, Oct. 21, 1858. Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D.D.,
who severed his connection as pastor with the
Second Church, Oct. 31, 1858,* was called to the
pastorate of this Church Nov. 7, 1858, and sus-
tained that relation ten years. A large and com-
modious house was at once erected on the corner
of Second and Center streets, and was dedicated
Jan. 3d, i860. Succeeding the cessation of Dr.
Ward's labors. Rev. Henry Neil, D. D., supplied
the pulpit for about three years. Rev. C. R.
Durfee then assumed the pastorate and continued
his labors till the reunion took place.
* His resignation was tendered Sept. ii, 1858, and its withdrawal
urged, but refused.
402
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
S^. MichaePs Church, Genes eo, (Episcopal,)
was organized at the residence of Ebenezer Belden,
in Geneseo, May 17, 1823. Col. Wm. Fitzhugh
presided at the meeting, and he and David War-
ner were chosen Wardens, and Samuel W. Spen-
cer, C. H. Bryan, Eh Hill, David Shepard, Daniel
H. Fitzhugh, David A. Miller, Chauncey Morse
and Marinus Willet, Vestrymen.
The congregation worshipped in the Court-house
until their church was erected in 1828. It was
consecrated on Thursday, Jan. 28, 1829, by Rt.
Rev. Bishop Hobart, who on that occasion also
confirmed fourteen persons.
The services were conducted by Rev. Richard
Salmon, who was chosen rector in December,
1824, and resigned in May, 1827. The parish
was vacant till Sept. 8, 1827, when Rev. L. P.
Bayard was chosen rector. He continued his
labors till June 29, 1830, when he resigned.
A vacancy existed till March 10, 1831, when Rev.
Robert B. Croes was chosen rector. He entered
upon his duties on Sunday, May i, 183 1, and
resigned the rectorship July 12, 1833. He also
extended his labors to Moscow, Dansville, Avon,
and Mt. Morris, discontinuing his visits to Dans-
ville when Rev. George Bridgman took charge of
that parish, in October, 1831, and resuming them
after Mr. Bridgman left, in the spring of 1832.
On Wednesday, April 17, 1833, St. John's Church,
at Mt. Morris, was organized, its constituent mem-
bers comprising several of the communicants of
this Church.
During Mr. Croes' ministry a difficulty existed
between him and the vestry which became more
aggravated, until finally the services were neces-
sarily suspended and the, church locked up.
Bishop Onderdonk instituted a trial of Mr. Croes
at the presentment of the vestry some time in the
early part of 1853, and though he was found
guilty of imprudence, nothing affecting his moral
or rehgious character was elicited. This had a
lamentable effect upon the parish, which was
broken up as to any practical existence and much
divided and distracted. A vacancy now followed
till March, 1834, when Rev. W. P. Page was chosen
rector. He resigned in April, 1838. In Decem-
ber, 1838, Rev. Lloyd Windsor succeeded to the
rectorship, and resigned in January, 1842.
In the fall of 1847, the church edifice and
grounds were thoroughly and handsomely repaired
and put in order at considerable expense, under
the direction of Allen Ayrault and H. P. North a
committee of the vestry for that purpose.
After the departure of Mr. Windsor there oc-
curred a vacancy of some months, until August
1842, when Rev. Edward IngersoU took charge ol
the parish. He resigned in March, 1844. His
successor was Rev. Henry B. Barlow, who assumed
the rectorship in September, 1844, but shortly re-
linquished it on account of ill health. Rev. Wm.
J. Bakewell was rector from November, 1845, to
September, 1849. To him succeeded Rev. Thos.
Mallaby, who resigned in November, 1852. After
an interval of seven months Rev. John W. Birch-
more, of Massachusetts, became the rector, con-
tinuing his services till April, 1859.
Mr. Birchmore was succeeded in the rectorship
by Rev. Rollo O. Page, who resigned in Septem-
ber, 1862. Rev. Wm. Norman Irish was called to
the charge of the pari-sh July i, 1863, and resigned
it Jan. I, 1868.
During Mr. Irish's rectorship the present church
edifice was erected in 1866, on the site of the old
one, in which the last services were held Sunday,
Dec. 31, 1865. The corner stone was laid in
August, 1866, by the Rt. Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe,
D. D., Bishop of the Diocese, and the church was
consecrated by the same prelate Sept. 7, 1867.
This beautiful brick structure, with the iron fence,
which has since been taken down, cost over
$33,000, $25,000 or more, being the generous gift
of the Wadsworth family.
Rev. George S. Teller succeeded to the pas-
torate in May, 1868, and left the parish April 10,
1 87 1, in December of which year. Rev. Charles
DeL. Allen took charge. He resigned in the
spring of 1875. Rev. W. A. Coale, the present
pastor, entered upon his labors as such July 25,
1875, coming from the diocese of Maryland.
The number of communicants in September,
1880, was 176; the number of families, 90; the
number of individuals, 450., The church is valued
at $30,000 j the rectory, at $4,000 ; and the organ
at $3,000.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Geneseo
was incorporated February 19, 1825, "at the
brick academy in the village of Geneseo, * * *
where the M. E. Church statedly attend divine
worship," and adopted the name of The First
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the
town of Geneseo. Stephen Hoyt, Henry P. North
and other members met for the purpose of elect-
ing trustees. Stephen Hoyt and Medad Curtis
were chosen to preside; and Medad Curtis, Stephen
Hoyt and Henry P. North, " being discreet per-
GENESEO VILLAGE — CHURCHES, SOCIETIES.
403
were elected to serve
sons of said congregation
as trustees.
When the church was organized is not known,
as no record of the fact has been preserved. But
very early Geneseo was a preaching station of
the Genesee Conference, formed in 1810. In
1807, Father Hudson came here to reside.
The Church continued to worship in the " brick
academy" until 1826, when their house of worship,
a small brick structure, was erected. A new
church seems to have been built in 1 851, in which
year and in 1852, Rev. Robert Hogaboom was the
preacher in charge, for in the minutes of the trus-
tees' meetings it is recorded that the annual meet-
ing of 1S52 was held " at the session-house of the
new Methodist church," Feb. 13th of that year,
and adjourned to the house of the pastor. Pre-
viously the meetings were held in the "brick chapel."
At the annual meeting of the trustees in February,
1867, the "St. James (M. E.) Church of Geneseo,"
is first mentioned.
The records are very meager, and do not admit
of a connscted history of the Church. It is doubt-
ful if there are any records other than those kept
by the trustees.
The present pastor, O. S. Chamberlayne, com-
menced his labors with this church in the fall of
1878. The number of members in October, 1879,
was 185 ; the attendance at Sabbath-school — offi-
cers and teachers 24, scholars 180 — 204. The
value of the church was $7,500, and parsonage
$4,500. The benevolent contributions for the year
were $219.65. M. L. Perkins is Superintendent
of the Sunday-school.
S(. Mary's Church of Geneseo, (Catholic,) was
organized in 1854, in which year also that church
edifice was built. It is a wooden structure, uncome-
ly in appearance, and was built through the exer-
tions of Rev. Father Michael McGuire, who
preached here some three years previous to and
during the building of the church. Regular monthly
services were held for several years previously in
Concert Hall and the Court House, by non-resident
priests. Various priests have officiated here, but
none have resided here. The present pastor is
Rev. John J. Donnelly, who also officiates at Mt.
Morris and Nunda, at the former of which places
he resides. The membership at first was very
small, but has increased until now the congrega-
tion exceeds five hundred. Several years ago the
Church purchased of the heirs of James Wads-
worth two acres of land for a cemetery, paying
therefor $300. The ground on which the church
stands was donated for the purpose by James
Wadsworth.
The First Baptist Church of Geneseo, was or-
ganized Dec. 31, 1872, at a meeting held in the ves-
try room of the Methodist church in the village of
Geneseo. Rev. Walter Holt was chosen chairman
and H. G. Baker, clerk. Rev. Reuben A. Water-
bury, a Professor in the Geneseo Normal School,
visited those in the vicinity who held to Baptist
doctrines, and awakened a desire among them for
the formation of such a church. At the meeting
in question. Prof. Waterbury read the New Hamp-
shire Confession of Faith, to which the following
persons subscribed and became the constituent
members of the Church :— R. A. Waterbury, H. G.
Baker, Alanson Ranger, (died March 23, 1878,)
N. A. Gearhart, Asahel Norton, (now dead,) Niles
L. Norton, Levi Jones, Horace Kelsey, Daniel
Young, Fanny Ranger, Mary VanMiddlesworth,
Mary E. Norton, Philena Young, Mary Young,
Phebe Dean, Clara L. Curtiss, (died March 27,
1873,) Eunice L. Jones, Amy H. Baker, Rhodilla
Kelsey, Sylvia J. Berry and F. A. Waterbury.
From its organization until Dec. i, 1875, the
church enjoyed the ministrations of Prof. Water-
bury, who still performed his professional duties in
the Normal. School. He was succeeded at the lat-
ter date by Rev. J. J. White, who continued his
labors until April, 1877. He was succeeded by
Rev. S. W. Culver, who commenced his labors the
same month and year and still continues them.
The Church first worshipped for a few weeks in
Concert Hall. Rorback's Hall was soon after
secured for that purpose, and the Church has since
worshipped there, having now the exclusive con-
trol of it by rental.
February 2, 1878, the Church and Society per-
fected a legal organization by the election of N.
A. Gearhart, G. I. Dean and H. G. Baker, trustees.
The Sabbath-school was organized April 6, 1873,
N. A. Gearhart was chosen Superintendent, a posi-
tion he has since held; Rev. R. A. Waterbury,
Assistant Superintendent ; and Miss Vira Skiff,
Secretary and Treasurer. The attendance at Sab-
bath-school is 9 teachers and 96 scholars.
Societies. — Geneseo Lodge No. 21^, F.&^ A.M.,
was warranted March 14, 1851- The constituent
members were:— Edward R. Hammatt, Master;
Jacob B. Hall, S. W. ; Walter Smith, J. W. ; James
W Wood, Jr., Henry Chamberlin, Elijah H. Per-
kins Daniel H. Bissell and David Wattles. The
present officers are :-Wm. A. Brodie, M. ; Samuel
Cully S. W.; E. Fish, J. W. ; George Mercer,
404
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Treasurer; A. R. Scott, Secretary; Josiah Curtis,
S. D. ; A. L. Tournor, J. D. ; Josiah Warren and
Alvin Hurlburt, M. of C. ; Samuel H. Blyth, Tiler.
The present number of members is 68. The Lodge
meets the ist, 3d and sth Thursdays of each month
in Masonic Hall, in the Rorback Block.
A lodge of masons existed here many years pre-
viously, but little is now known concerning it. It
was known as Comet Lodge of Geneseo, and went
down during the anti-masonic times.
Geneseo Lodge No. 138, ^. O. U. W., was or-
ganized March 13, 1878. The first officers were : —
AlHson R. Scott, P. M. W. ; Frank N. Burt, M. W.,
Walter T. Howard, G. F. ; Samuel H. Blyth, Over-
seer; Clayton B. Potter, Recorder; Elisha B.
Rebban, Financier; Henry L. Arnold, Receiver;
C. H. Knowles, I. W. ; Charles A. Youngs, Guide ;
George S. WiUiams, O. W. In September, 1880,
the lodge numbered 33. It meets the ist and 3d
Mondays of each month in Masonic Hall.
BIOGRJIPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN CROSSETT.
WiUiam Crossett, the father of the subject of
this sketch, was born in the County Antrim, Ire-
land, in 1763. The date of his arrival in America
is not known, but after a short residence in Phila-
delphia he came to Livingston county, about
1794, and settled about a mile south of where the
village of Geneseo is now situated. Here he pur-
chased four hundred and seventy acres of land and
carried on farming until he died. His first wife
was a Miss Rice of Livonia. By her he had ten
children, all of whom are now dead except Lydia,
now Mrs. Jasper Parish, living in Branch county,
Mich. His second wife was Sally Pond, of the
town of Geneseo. They were married about 1814,
and the result of the union was five children, as
follows : — Harriet, who married Edmund Bosley,
and is now residing in the town of Mt. Morris ;
William, who died in 1850 ; John, born Feb. 13,
1817, now residing on the old homestead; Ehza,
living in St. Clair county, Mich., and Julia. The
latter married John Hamilton, and after his death
married a Mr. Wright, and is now living in Branch
county, Mich. Wm. Crossett, the pioneer, at the
time of his death, which occurred Nov. 29, 1829,
was the owner of twelve hundred acres of land.
For many years he kept a store on his farm and
suppUed the Indians and white settlers with neces-
saries. From the Indians in exchange for goods
he obtained large quantities of valuable furs, upon
which he realized large profits. When he came
here and commenced his labors in clearing his
land of the giant growth of timber that covered it,
there was no communication with Canandaigua
except by Indian trail, but in a few years the roads
were much improved, and he used to run a seven
horse team to Albany, carrying such articles as he
had taken in payment for his supplies, and bring-
ing back large loads of goods for his store. He
was a man of great physical strength and endur-
ance, and was able to bear the hardships and trials
incident to an early, and consequently laborious
life in the dense wilderness. In his intercouise
with the Indians he was fortunate. He learned to
speak their language and mingled freely with
them, thereby securing their friendship. He fre-
quently accompanied them in their hunting ex-
cursions in which they would be absent in some
instances three and four weeks. Mr. Crossett
kept a distillery, and sometimes they were very
importunate in their demands for liquor when he
thought they ought not to have it, and they would
threaten to take his life, wildly flourishing their
hunting knives and tomahawks, with a view to
frightening him into giving them the much coveted
fire-water.
Mr. Crossett was a man of quick apprehensions
and strong convictions, frank and fearless in their
expression and energetic in carrying them out.
He possessed strong common sense, and uncom-
mon sagacity in business, and was admirably fitted
by the ])ossession of these qualities to fight the bat-
tles of a pioneer Hfe. His second wife died about
1823. After the death of Mr. Crossett, his estate
was managed by Middleton Crossett, a son by his
first wife, for about two years. Then it was man-
aged by John, our subject, and his brother Wil-
ham, under the supervision of their guardian, James
Crossett, a brother of their father, until they be-
came of age, when it was divided, William taking
one-half and John the other half, which included
the old homestead where he always resided.
November II, 1839, John married Jane, daughter
of William and Mary (Cole) Leonard, of Sparta.
She was born Sept. 30, 1817, and died March 19,
1875. By her he had three children viz : — Selenda
K. born Oct. 26, 1842, died Sept. 8, 1876; Lloyd
W. born Oct. 5, 1845, now living and carrying on
the drug business in Geneseo ; and Emma J., born
Nov. 30, 185 1, married James Fitzhugh of Ken-
tucky, and died March 14, 1879. Mr. Crossett
has carried on farming since he came into posses-
sion of his share of his father's estate, is still operat-
ing his farm of 240 acres, and has been highly
successful. The appearance of his farm and premi-
ses indicate that the mind that directs and controls
his affairs is intelligent, and the abiHty and skill
brought into action is of a high order.
Mr. Crossett has never had any desire for public
affairs but has performed the duties of the office oi
Assessor two terms, an office forced upon him.
In politics he is a life long Democrat, sustaining in
a consistent and earnest manner the measures of
his party. Mr. Crossett has been a member of the
Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, about eleven
years.
ABRAHAM McCLINTOCK — DANIEL H. BISSELL, M. D.
405
ABRAHAM McCLINTOCK.
Abraham McClintock, one of the pioneers of
Geneseo, was born in Northumberland county, Pa.,
March 12, 1775, ^"'^ ^^ i^°7 came here and took
up seventy-four acres in lot in. He was the son
of Joseph and Margaret (McQueen) McClintock,
who had six children, five sons and one daughter.
JOSEPH McCLINTOCK.
Abraham who was the second child, remained at
home after the death of his father and assisted in
the care of his mother and the younger children,
until he was married, when he came to this county
and settled as we have already stated. He cleared
the land he had taken up and hved in a rude log-
cabin on the same. April 28, 1807, he was mar-
ried to Mary Clark of his native county, by whom
he had five sons and one daughter that grew to
maturity, as follows : Joseph, whose portrait heads
this sketch, was born in 1808, and is now resid-
ing in the town of Hamilton, VanBuren county,
Mich., where he is carrying on farming, having
settled there about 1845 ; WiUiam C, born in 18 10
and died in 1848; Robert, born in 1812 ; Margaret,
born in 1816, married Thomas B. Erwin and is
now living in Paw Paw, Mich.; John, born in 1818,
and Charles, born in 1823. Robert, John and
Charles are now living on the old homestead farm,
operating the same in partnership. Abraham was
universally esteemed for qualities of a high order.
He was a good husband, kind father, and an ac-
commodating neighbor, and in 1820 was elected a
ruling elder in the First Presbyterian. Church of
Geneseo, holding that office many years. His
childhood of indigence, his early manhood of weari-
some toil, served as the crucibles wherein sterling
qualities were refined and tested preparatory for
the faithful performance of responsible duties in
later years. Owing to his well known integrity and
honesty of purpose, coupled with an excellent
ability, he was called upon many times to settle the
affairs of deceased persons and in all business and
social relations he was upright and honorable. He
was a valuable citizen in the highest sense and con-
tributed largely to the welfare and social improve-
ment of his neighborhood. In politics he was at
first a Democrat and then a Whig. His death oc-
curred March 16, 1849. His wife who was a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church at Lakeville, sur-
vived him about one year. Their grandchildren
are only three in number viz :— Frank, daughter
of Margaret, Mary Margaret, daughter of WilHam,
and Tracy son of John. Charles McClintock has
been assessor of the town of Geneseo, six terms.
DANIEL H. BISSELL, M. D.
In attempting to trace the career of Daniel H.
Bissell, honorable as it is in itself, we are reminded
at the very outset of the intimate relations it sus-
tained to the development of an unoccupied re-
gion of country into a mighty and prosperous com-
monwealth. It comprehends almost the entire
period of American constitutional history, he hav-
ing hved under every Presidential administration.
His father, a heroic soldier of the Revolution,
was sent from Connecticut by Gen. Washington
to the city of New York (when that city was in
the possession of the British army) as a spy and,
was rewarded for his valuable services with a badge
of merit by the Government. After the close of
the war he was married to Theoda Hurlburd and
moved to the State of Vermont, where eight chil-
dren were born to them — six sons and two daugh-
ters. The sons were all named Daniel. In 1809,
he removed to Richmond, Ontario county, N. Y.,
where he died in 1823, aged seventy years.
Daniel H. Bissell was born at Randolph, Vt.,
September 21, 1794, and removed with his parents
to Ontario county, and when the war of 181 2 broke
out he enhsted in the service of his country and
served under Generals Brown, Scott and Porter in
Captain Claudius V. Boughton's company of Por-
ter's Volunteer Dragoons. He was with the army
in Canada in 18 14, and was in the celebrated bat-
tle of Lundy's Lane ; in the sortie on Fort Erie in
August, and in the sortie of the American army
upon the enemy's works around Fort Erie in Sep-
tember of that year.
In the month of April, 18 17, Mr. Bissell went
on foot to Olean, N. Y., from thence in a skiff
down the Allegany and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati,
O., a distance of 800 miles, a voyage as hazardous
as it must have been exciting. After a tour of five
months in the States of Ohio, Indiana and Ken-
tucky, he returned to Lima, N. Y. His future in-
terests now demanding a permanent decision on
his part as to what should be his occupation in
life ; his predilictions for a profession won the day ;
and acring upon the belief that as a physician his
field would be one in accordance with his tastes
and in which he could be of the most service to
his fellowmen, he adopted the medical profession
4o6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
and soon after entered the office of Dr. Justin
Smith, of Lima, where he remained two years.
In 1819-20 he attended the medical lectures of Yale
College, graduating there with the highest honors.
In 1820 he located at Moscow where he resided
and practiced until 1837, when he removed to
Geneseo, where he has since resided. The general
estimation of his probity and wisdom is abundantly
proved by the number of offices of trust and re-
sponsibility bestowed upon him, both by election
and appointment. He was elected President of
the village of Geneseo, and has held the office of
Under Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, Supervisor of
the town of Geneseo many terms, and Judge of
the County, U. S. Loan Commissioner, Physician
of Marine Hospital, Staten Island, and Deputy
Health Officer of the Port of New York, was U. S.
Postmaster at Geneseo under the administrations
of VanBuren and Tyler. He was the Repubhcan
candidate for Canal Commissioner on the first ticket
put in the field by that party in 1856. In 1836,
he was Presidential Elector and had the honor, as
Messenger, of conveying the vote of the State of
New York, which had been cast for Mr. Tyler, and
placing it in the hands of the defeated candidate,
Mr. VanBuren who was then Vice-President.
In 1857 the Regents of the University of New
York conferred upon him the honorary degree of
medicine.
Greatly interested in the security and preserva-
tion of the records of the early history of Living-
ston county, he has been most active and earnest
in the organization of the Pioneer and Historical
Societies, and has been President of both these or-
ganizations. The duties of all. these public posi-
tions have been performed with that honesty of
purpose that has characterized his whole life.
Dr. Bissell commencing and continuing the
practice of his profession in a quiet and secluded
village, has won by honest hard work and a skill-
ful and honorable practice a preeminent place in
his profession. Success and honor thus won are
not accidents, they come of an abiding purpose,
and'therefore is it that they are more valuable as
examples for those who are struggling for excel-
lence, not only in this profession, but in any wor-
thy business calHng. His virtues, his integrity, his
goodness, his usefulness and example as a citizen
and a public officer should be emulated by all who
desire the esteem and the welfare of the people
among whom they live. The life of Dr. Bissell
presents a most valuable example in these latter
days, when the temptation to tread forbidden
paths and to use, to say the least, doubtful expedi-
ents in the headlong scramble for riches and honors,
has left so many human wrecks along the pathway
of the generation.
Dr. Bissell was married at Lima, N. Y., in June,
1823, to Lucy Grosvenor, of Mansfield, Conn.
She died at Geneseo, N. Y., September ist, 1868.
Wm. H. Bissell, of Wilmington, 111., and Albert G.
Bissell, of Detroit, Mich., are his sons, and Mrs.
Helen M. Arnold and Laura E. Olmstead, of Gen-
eseo, are his' daughters.
FREDERICK W. BUTLER.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town
of Hudson, Columbia county, Jan. 26, 1795. He
is the son of Ezekiel and Lydia (Frisbie) Butler.
The former was born in the town of Brantford,
New Haven, Conn., about 1761. At the age of
sixteen he enlisted in the service of his country,
and served faithfully in the war for Independence
(FREDERICK W. BUTLER.)
five years. Soon after the close of the war he
settled in Columbia county and followed the car-
penter's trade and farming, and died there in 1831.
His wife survived him about twenty-five years.
They had ten children only two of whom are now
hving, Frederick and William. The latter was
born in 1804 and is now living in the old home-
stead in Columbia county. Frederick W. lived at
home working on the farm until he was twenty
years of age. His early years were filled with the
many hardships and privations incident to the life
of a poor farmer's son. What education he gained
was literally picked up in the district schools of a
new and not prosperous country. He partially
learned the carpenter's trade of his father, and on
leaving home he went to the town of Kinderhook
and followed that occupation one season. From
thence he went to Albany in January, 1815, and
worked at his trade by the day about two years.
On the last day of March, 181 7, he started for the
then, far west, and arrived in Geneseo April 10,
following, having walked the entire distance. On
determining to remain in Geneseo, he engaged to
work for the Wadsworths, the great men of this
section at that time. H-e followed his trade until
1840, having built many of the fine residences that
now beautify the village of Geneseo. When the
present Court House was built in Geneseo, he was
employed by the building committee, consisting of
Gen. Wm. Wadsworth, Col. Markham and Daniel
FREDERICK W. BUTLER— EPAPHRODITUS BIGELOW.
407
H. Fitzhugh to superintend its construction. In
1823 Mr. Butler purchased ninety acres of the
farm on which he now resides, and in 1824 moved
into the house he is yet occupying. Since 1840
his hfe has been exclusively that of a farmer.
During the war of 181 2 he was called into the ser-
vice of the United States, and now draws a pension
of $8.00 a month. In politics Mr. Butler was an
old line Whig, but on the formation of the Repub-
lican party he united with it, and has always given
an intelligent and faithful support to its pohcy and
measures. His townsmen honored him by elect-
ing him to the office of
Supervisor two terms.
In religious sentiment
Mr. Butler is a Presby-
terian and has been a
member of that church
in Geneseo since
March, 1833. He was
made an elder the fol-
lowing summer, and has
held that position in the
church since that time,
and has been trustee of
the society since 1831.
Mr. Butler has been
an earnest worker in the
cause of religion, and
has been liberal of his
means in support of the
Gospel and in building
and repairing their pres-
ent church edifice. In
all that tends to the
good and well-being of '
society he has been an
able and powerful
worker. His life has
been of that character to
secure the respect and
confidence of all that
have the good fortune
to know him. In 1824, the 12th day of August,
Mr. Butler was joined in marriage with Eunice,
daughter of Joseph and Rosanna (Gardiner) Barton,
of Columbia county, N. Y. She was born Jan. 1 2,
1803, and is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Butler
have been born four children that grew to maturi-
ty, viz. : — Edward, now living in the town of Gen-
eseo. Mary, married to Abram Magee, and now
living in Columbia county, N. Y., and Martha and
Cornelia, living at home. Mrs. Butler has been a
member of the Presbyterian church fifty years.
(EPAPHRODITUS BIGELOW.)
He was a lineal descendant of John Bigelow,
who emigrated from Wrentham, county of Suffolk,
England, to New England, and settled at Water-
town, Mass., where he died July 14, 1703.
He was the son of Daniel Bigelow by his second
wife, Sarah F. Ingham, of Saybrook, Conn., he hav-
ing married for his first wife, Mary Brainard, of
Westchester, Conn. By each of his wives there
were born unto him seven children, eight sons and
six daughters, ten of whom lived to mature years.
One only of this large family survives, Mrs. Bet-
sey Bigelow Hempstead, who has attained to the
ripe age of 97 years,
and is the oldest person
now living in the town
of Geneseo.
Mr. Bigelow, the sub-
ject of this sketch was
the fourth child by the
second wife. His father
was a farmer by occupa-
tion, he, therefore, re-
ceived his early train-
ing at home and upon
the farm in summer,
and attended the com-
mon schools of his na-
tive town in the winter.
His early advantages
were liriiited, but he fully
improved what he en-
joyed, and when of age
he became a common
school teacher of quite
large experience, having
taught eleven winter
terms in the schools of
his native State, and in
Geneseo after his re-
moval thereto.
In the month of July,
18 13, he enHsted as a
soldier in the war of
EPAPHRODITUS BIGELOW.
Epaphroditus Bigelow was born February 4, 1 7 86,
at Marlborough, Hartford county. Conn., and died
April 7, 1874, at his home in Geneseo, N. Y.,
aged 88 years and two months.
1812.
He was enrolled as a private in the "First
Regiment Connecticut State Troops " under Capt.
Enos H. Buel, his being the first name upon the
company's roll. He served three months, the
period for which he enhsted, at New London, Ct.,
and was honorably discharged in the month of
September following.
Under the Act of February 14, 187 1, grantmg
pensions to the survivors of the war of 181 2, he
became entitled to a pension, which he received up
to the time of his decease.
He was married at Marlborough, Conn., Nov. 7,
18 16, by the Rev. David B. Ripley to Sarah Phelps,
eldest daughter of OUver Phelps and Mary Hills.
In the spring of the year 1818, he removed with
his family, consisting of his wife and a son nine
months old,'to Geneseo, N. Y. This son, Orirael,
is yet living and a resident of the adjoining town of
Groveland.
The journey was undertaken in a canvass cov-
ered lumber wagon, the style in those days, drawn
4o8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
by a yoke of oxen and one horse in advance, and
the distance, 330 miles, occupied a period of
eighteen days.
He settled upon a farm in the eastern part of
the town which he had previously bought of David
Haynes, a native of Pennsylvania, and purchased
by him of the Messrs. Wadsworth in September,
1792, when the surrounding country was an un-
broken wilderness.
Here he entered zealously upon the work of his
hfe, continuing to dwell upon this chosen spot to
the end of his days, a period of fifty-six years.
In those days before canal or railroad had pen-
etrated the Genesee valley the profits of farming
were not large and markets were not near. Roch-
ester, distant twenty-five miles, was the principal
one, and here he sold his crops of wheat at times
at three shillings per bushel, and other farm
products in proportion.
By industry and economy he in time secured a
competency and raised and educated a large family
of children. During the active period of his hfe
he took a lively interest in pubHc affairs, and was
often honored by his fellow citizens with places of
pubhc trust. Among the town offices held by him
were Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Schools
and Assessor. In politics he was a Whig up to the
time of the dissolution of that party, and afterward
acted with the Republicans. He cast his first vote
for President in the fall of 1808 for James Mad-
ison, and in all cast his vote seventeen times for
the electors of President and Vice President of
these United States.
Mr. Bigelow was of Puritan ancestry, and was
early taught the truth of divine revelations and
made familiar with that gospel which for so many
years he adorned by a godly life and conversation.
On May 22, 1838, under the pastorate of Rev.
Horace Galpin, he united with the First Presby-
terian Church of Geneseo, and was elected and
oidained as a ruling elder September 2, 1836, in
which office he continued until his death.
He was not a great man as some count great-
ness, but rather might be called one of those
standard, reliable men to be found in every town,
who seek to be useful in their day and generation,
filling his place creditably and honestly and accord-
ing to an enlightened judgment.
He was a man of stern integrity and of firm
convictions. Opinions once formed were tena-
ciously held. He was benevolent and generously
contributed of his means for the good of his fellow
men, and those enterprises organized for the pur-
pose of advancing and improving the world had
his support.
He has acted his part upon the stage and has
passed away, and the testimony is that his life's
work was well done.
His wife united with the church at the same
time as her husband whom she survived nearly four
years. She was a worthy helpmeet, exemplary and
faithful in all the duties relating to her home, to
the church and to her God. She was born Oct.
23, 179s, and died March 21, 1878, aged 82 years.
His children were nine in number, q,ll sons
Their names in the order of their ages were Orimel
Revilo, Daniel, Harvey, Cyrus Phelps, Alonzo
Martin Luther, Merit Harmon, and Edward. 0
these Cyrus Phelps, Alonzo and Martin Luthe
died in childhood. Merit Harmon a young mai
of more than ordinary promise, died December 10
1858, aged 24 years.
Each one of those who lived to reach their nia
jority, received an academic education at Genesee
Academy, Geneseo, N. Y.
Orimel married Jane WilUams, is a farmer b]
occupation, and resides at Groveland N. Y. The]
have two children, a son and daughter. Revile
lives at the village of Geneseo, and has marriec
twice. His first wife was Sarah Ahce Wilbur b)
whom he had two daughters. For his second wift
he married Mrs. Nancy S. Haynes, by whom he
also has two daughters. Daniel dwells upon the
homestead of his late father, deceased, and married
Helen A. Whitney, of Avon, N. Y. They have a
son and daughter.
Harvey lives at Rush, N. Y., and is a wagon and
carriage maker. He married Maria VanBuskirk,
and they have five children, two sons and three
daughters.
Edward hves at Austin, Minn., and is a mer-
chant in the drug and stationery business. He
served his country for three years in the late Re-
bellion, and held a captain's commission, and has
been the Principal of several higher institutions of
learning in the West. He married Lucy A. Brown,
by whom he has three children, two sons and a
daughter.
HON. CHARLES COLT.
The subject of this notice was born January 23,
1793, in the town of Pittsfield, Berkshire county,
Mass. He was the youngest son of a large family
of children.. His early life was like that of New Eng-
land farmer's boys of that period — plenty of work,
with Umited educational advantages. At sixteen he
was apprenticed to a merchant, to learn the busi-
ness, where he remained till he reached his majority.
Meanwhile his father died.
During the summer of 1814, he made a trip on
horseback to the Genesee country — the Far West
of that day. His object was to find a location
where he could in that new country, with his little
patrimony set up business on his own account.
Spending some time near Rochester where an
older brother had settled, he pushed on as far as
Buffalo. On his return he diverged somewhat from
the main traveled route to look over a tract of land
on the west side of the Genesee river, in the present
town of York, inherited from the paternal estate
by still another brother. Captivated by the beauty
and promise of the Genesee Valley, the prospector
determined to settle in this locality. This deter-
mination he carried into effect the spring of the
following year, 1815. In copartnership with his
CHARLES COLT— CAPTAIN HORATIO JONES.
409
brother he commenced business as a merchant in
Geneseo — under the firm name of Solomon and
Charles Colt. This partnership was terminated
by the death of the senior member in 1823.
Charles continued the business till about 1830.
Mercantile business of that day was principally
barter, and in that way Mr. Colt naturally became
a produce dealer, and eventually devoted all his
time and energies to that business. For many
years he was the principal buyer of farmers' pro-
duce in all this region. In that connection he
was interested in a line of flat-boats navigating
the Genesee river be-
tween Rochester and
Geneseo.
The opening of the
Genesee Valley Canal
in 1 84 1 put an end to
that primitive mode of
water transit.
The early education
and natural taste of
Mr. Colt attracted him
to agricultural pursuits,
and from 1830 to 1837
he was interested with
Campbell Harris in
grazing the tract of
land known as the
" Brinton Flats " on
the west side of the
ri^er; the property now
owned by Charles F.
Wadsworth.
With the late Gurdon
Nowlen, Mr. Colt in-
troduced into this
county and manufac-
tured what was then
regarded a great im-
provement— the fam-
ous iron mold-board
wood plow. It was a
rude instrument compared with implements of the
present time of the same character; but fifty
years have wrought a great change.
It will thus be seen that the pioneer of 1815 was
an energetic, pushing, active business man, of ro-
bust frame. He continued to be a leader in his
line till about the year 1853, when he retired and
devoted the remainder of his life to the care and
management of a farm located near the village of
Geneseo, where he continued to reside till his de-
cease which occurred July 27, 1866.
It would almost necessarily follow that such a
man as we have briefly outlined would take a large
interest in the public affairs and pohtics of his lo-
cality. Mr. Colt was no office-seeker, but it is
safe to say that he had much to do in the adminis-
tration of public affairs in his county for many
years.
As Anti-Mason and Whig, and afterwards Re-
publican he was universally regarded as a " leader."
The only State office he ever held was that of
" Senator," having been elected to fill a vacancy in
1848 and for a full term in 1849.
He was an active member of the County War
Committee during the late Rebellion — giving to it
his full quota of energy and ripe judgment.
In his religious life Mr. Colt was no less active
and conspicuous. For more than forty years he
was identified actively with the Presbyterian church
of Geneseo — during all that time being both trus-
tee and elder.
He left behind him a name honored for integrity
and business enterprise. Two children, a daughter
and son survive him.
(HON. CHARLES COLT.)
CAPTAIN
HORATIO JONES.
Among the distin-
guished patriots and
adventurous pioneers
who have left an im-
press upon Western
New York, none were
more noble and con-
spicuous than Horatio
Jones. Born in Ches-
ter county, Penn., on
the 7 th of February,
1763, at an early age
he removed with his
family to Bedford
county in the same
State, and being fond
of field sports, became
an adept in the use of
the rifle before he was
fourteen. At the age
of sixteen he entered
the military service of
his country as a mem-
ber of the "Bedford Rangers," a rifle company
which embraced thirty-two young men, the flower
and chivalry of Bedford county. This com-
pany had gained great renown for their valuable
services in repelling the incursions of the hostile
Iroquois, who "hung like the scythe of death
upon the frontier settlements, inscribing their
deeds with the tomahawk and scalping knife in
characters of blood." In the early spring of r779
the command was most unfortunately drawn into
an ambush by a large party of Seneca Indians —
and fully a third of the Rangers were killed at the
first fire — about a third escaped and the balance
were made prisoners. Young Jones would have
got away, as he was a very fleet runner, but one
of the strings of his moccasins became loosened
and wound around a staddle in the underbrush,
which caused him to fall, and as his rifle had been
discharged he had no means of defense, and with
several of his comrades was taken and securely
bound by the savages.
4IO
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
After scalping those who had been killed, the
band and their captives were hurried away through
the wilderness to the Indian country. They suf-
fered great hardship in the march from fatigue and
starvation, but finally reached the village at Nunda,
in this county. From there they were taken to
Caneadea, and forced to " run the gauntlet," — a
ceremony common to captives previous to their
being slain or adopted into famiHes, to supply the
places of those who had died or been killed in
battle. The prisoners were required to run forty
or fifty rods from the starting place to the Council
House. The old men, boys and squaws of the
tribe being armed with tomahawks, knives, hatch-
ets, clubs and sticks, were allowed to strike the
captives before they reached the goal. This
crdeal was for the amusement of the tribe, but the
warriors scorned to engage in the pastime. Jones
was the first to run and he safely dodged or jumped
over those in his way and reached the goal without
a sciatch, his fearlessness and activity being equal
to the occasion. His companions were less for-
tunate, and one was killed outright, and according
to the Indian usage his head was severed and
placed upon the war-post. Subsequent to this,
Jones was adopted into a family and given an
Indian name. On two occasions he attempted to
escape, but with nearly two hundred miles of a
trackless wilderness in his front, without compass
or trail, the effort proved impracticable. He
finally accepted the situation — learned the Indian
language — entered heartily into their sports, and
soon became a great favorite, as he could out-run
and out-jump their most athletic young men.
During the continuance of the war he was of
invaluable aid in saving the lives of other prisoners
as was notable in the case of Major Moses
Van Campen, who on one occasion had
when a prisoner, killed several Indians who were
guarding him- and made good his escape. He
was subsequently taken again and brought to
the Indian country, but by the sagacity and
address of Jones, was delivered to the British for
exchange before the Indians learned who he was.
In September, 1779, when Gen. Sullivan made his
famous campaign against the Senecas to destroy
their crops and burn their villages, Jones, with
the whole tribe, except the warriors, was kept at a
secure distance.
At the close of the war he was appointed by
Gen. Washington, Agent and Interpreter for the
Six Nations— an office he held through successive
administrations for a period of over forty years.
He rendered the language with singular accuracy.
His style was terse and graphic, and his manner
pleasing and impressive. It is said that the great
orator, Red Jacket, would not allow any one but
Jones to interpret his speeches. His services as
mterpreter at the celebrated treaty at Big Tree,
(now Geneseo,) in 1797, were of the greatest pos-
sible advantage to the Council.
As early as 1785 Capt. Jones married a lady of
Schenectady, and established a trading post at
Schanyes, (now Waterioo,) in the county of
Seneca, and the next year he was connected witl
John Jacob Astor, in the fur trade at Geneva
Here his eldest son was born — the first white chile
born west of Utica. This son. Col. Wm. W
Jones, died at his residence in the town of Leices
ter, in this county in 1870, at the advanced age ol
eighty-four.
In 1789 Capt. Jones returned to the Genesee
Valley and settled on the border of the river in
Geneseo, being the first white settler in the now
county of Livingston. He was twice married,
and some of his descendants, and others con-
nected with his family, are still among the most
prominent and honored residents of Western New
York. As has been most justly said by Rev. Dr.
Gridley, in his eloquent eulogy before the Seneca
County Historical Society, from which valuable
contribution to our early history we are indebted
for many facts and dates : " Few men have
passed a more charmed and eventful hfe than
Capt. Horatio Jones — made a prisoner by a savage
tribe of hostile Indians while in his country's ser-
vice— exposed to the caprices of his captors — now
dodging the uplifted war club, and the deadly aim
of the rifle and tomahawk — now sick with pes-
tilence— rising from the condition of the captive
to that of a son by adoption into the family and
a favorite of the tribe— honored by the authorities
of his country — he passed the span of more thaii
an ordinary life-time in benefitting a disappointed
and waning race; and by his enterprise, intelli-
gence and public spirit, founding a social state of
his own people, which in culture, tone, and lofti-
ness of aim, has proved worthy of the physical
beauty and wealth of the ' Garden of New York.' "
Capt. Jones died at his residence,' known as
Sweet Brier, on the banks of the Genesee river,
in the town of Geneseo, in August, 1836, at the
age of seventy-three years and six months, — "full
of years and full of honors."
CHAPTER XXVIII.
History of the Town of York.
THE town of York lies on the northwestern
border of the county of Livingston. It has
an area of 29,689 acres, and ranks among the
largest towns in the county. It is bounded on the
north by Caledonia and a portion of Pavillion,
(Genesee county,) on the south by Leicester, on
the east by Avon and Geneseo, and on the west by
Pavillion and Covington, (Genesee and Wyoming
counties.)
The Genesee river forms the boundary line
between York and Geneseo and Avon.
The surface of the town is gently undulating,
with a general inclination to the east. The soil in
the southern and central portion of the town is of
YORK — EARLY SETTLERS.
411
a clay loam ; in the northern portion, a sandy and
gravelly loam.
The only streams of any importance are Brown
and Calder creeks which flow eastward through the
central and northern part and empty into the Gen-
see river.
The town contains five villages, York Centre,
Fowlerville, Piffard, and North and South Greigs-
ville, the two former being the largest and most im-
portant places.
York was formed from Caledonia and Leicester
March 26, 18 19. A part of Covington was an-
nexed in 1823. The name of the town was derived
from Hon. Joseph York, Member of Assembly
from St. Lawrence county, who. as chairman of the
committee, had favorably reported the bill for the
formation of the town.
At the time of the first settlement here the ter-
ritory now known as York was embraced in the
town of Caledonia, and the settlers, chiefly from
Scotland, located first at " Big Springs," now the
village of Caledonia, in 1799 and 1800, and from
thence branched out into the section of wilder-
ness then called " South Woods," and now known
as the town of York.
Among the hardy Scotch pioneers who thus
came here about the year 1804, were John and Al-
exander Fraser, John McCall, Archibald GiUis ;
Donald McDonald, James Calder,* and William
Mackenzie in 1806, Capt. Angus McBean, in the
fall of 1804, Alexander Stewart about 1805, and
William Dorris, in 1807, from Avon, where he had
resided several years. He settled on land after-
ward owned by Wells Fowler. These families
were mostly from Inverness and Argyleshires,
Scotland.
Among those who constituted the pioneers of
this region was ' Donald D. McKenzie who set-
tled in York in 1804. Mr. McKenzie was for over
fifty years a prominent farmer of the town, and one
who devoted much attention to the earliest history
of this and the surrounding towns. He was born
in Inverness, Scotland, January 8, 1792, and died in
York, Jan. 6, 1854, aged 63. His descendants in
York are two sons and two daughters— Donald,
William, and Margaret McKenzie, and Mrs. Mary
F. Clunas.
From his graphic and interesting writings con-
cerning the early settlement of the Genesee coun-
try, it is learned that there started for America
from Inverness, about the middle of July 1803, the
following named people : —
'Diedini8i6.
Donald McKenzie and family of five children,
three sons and two daughters, William, Donald,'
John, Margaret and Helen ; Simon Fraser and his
son Donald and daughter Mary; John Clunas and
his young wife. Flora, also daughter to Simon
Fraser ; John McKenzie* and his two sons, Don-
ald and Alexander, John Fraser and three sons,
Donald and John and (Capt.) Simon Fraser; John
McDonald and WiUiam Fraser.
"We were," says Mr. McKenzie's narrative,
" one week on the road between the cities of In-
verness and Glasgow, where we stayed one week,
and five weeks in Greenock, waiting for an Ameri-
can ship, then in port, to get ready. There were
but few vessels then trading between that country
and this. The British government was claiming
and exercising the right to search all vessels, which
was indignantly remonstrated against by the Ameri-
can government, and which ended in the war of
181 2. The ship in which we sailed was the Trap-
per, of New York, William Taylor, captain. On
the morning of September 8th, 1803, she spread
forth her wings to the breezes that wafted us on
our journey to our destined home. The passage
rates were very dear, ten guineas each, even for a
child not more than four months old. Donald
McKenzie paid about $400 for himself and familj'.
" The sickness of my mother during most of the
voyage made our condition more uncomfortable
than it otherwise would have been, but whatever
were the feelings of others for my own part I felt
buoyant and cheerful.
"After a voyage of about six weeks we landed in
New York, and we felt how unlike the great cities
we had left behind us ! The golden dreams of
some began to vanish when they saw the dilapi-
dated condition of many of the buildings near the
wharves, and the number of deserted houses and
desolated streets caused by the ravages of the
yellow fever, which that season had carried off
great numbers of the inhabitants, and causing
all who could to flee from the plague.
" Our sojourn in New York was brief, only two
days. The party agreed with the owner of a
sloop to carry us to Albany, for one dollar each,
big and little, without any provisions or accom-
modations of any kind. We were over a week on
the journey, and I suffered more from hunger on
that inland voyage than at any other time before
or since. After much exposure and fatigue we ar-
rived in Albany, where, for the first time, the
different famiUes separated. The next place of
*Died June iS, 1840, aged 73 years.
412
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
rendezvous was to be in Johnstown, Montgomery
county, where all arrived safe in a few days. We
now began to breathe the free air of a free coun-
try, the smell of which was like the perfume of a
field which the Lord had blessed. Although we
were far from being in comfortable circumstances,
there was no murmuring. The winter was very
severe, different from any we had ever seen before,
and we were thankful for being in a safe haven.
The men were learning to chop, some threshed,
and at times all explored tracts of land which
were offered for sale in that section, but which did
not suit the new comers. The Genesee country
was talked of, but there was no one who could
give us correct information concerning it. There
was a current report among the people there that
the Genesee country was very sickly, which was
partly true.
"They also gave an alarming account of the con-
duct of the Indians, in whose neighborhood we
should have to settle, and by whom all Western
New York was thickly inhabited. The picture
looked anything but encouraging. They called it
the ' far west,' and so it was then, even on the
confines of civilization."
Notwithstanding these discouraging reports a
number of the Scotch emigrants began to make
preparation for moving to the Genesee country.
Mr. McKenzie, the elder, bought a yoke of oxen
and a sled on which his family and goods were
conveyed to the place where they have ever since
resided, the journey occupying two weeks.
"When we arrived here there were perhaps a
dozen famihes in Hartford, now Avon, as many in
Caledonia, and about equal numbers in each
Batavia and Buffalo. All the rest of this large
territory did not contain many inhabitants, except
the Indians. There were several families in Gan-
son Settlement, and also a few in Leicester; all
the rest west of the Genesee river was an unbroken
wilderness.
"When the snow had melted in the spring, ex-
plorations were begun. There was a large tract
of land lying west of a parallel line between Le
Roy and Brockport, then newly offered for sale,
called the ' Triangle Tract.' Richard Stoddard'
its agent, was anxious to get a part of it settled by
Scotchmen. The party spent some time in ex-
ploring it, but although the agent made them
liberal offers, on their return they brought rather
an unfavorable report, and the idea of settlement
in that locality was abandoned.
" There was then on every side of them any
quantity of unoccupied land, which has since
proved to be exceedingly fertile, but which had
then a very sterile appearance owing to its having
been burned over by fire so often.
" They would not take them as a gift, and be
obliged to till them, some of the now best farms in
this section. When the ground dried, which it did
early in April of that spring, the emigrants con-
cluded to make a part of the ' Forty Thousand
Acre Tract ' their future home, although at that
time it had not been surveyed.
"In company with Donald McKenzie and Wm.
Fraser, I came that spring to what was to be my
future home.
" We stayed two days and one night clearing
away the underbrush and felling some large trees.
When night came we kindled a large fire to keep
us warm, and to frighten away any wild beasts
that might be prowling in the wilderness, and after
refreshing ourselves with food we sang for a long
hime a number of the old psalm tunes which we
were wont to sing of yore on the hill-sides of
Scotland."
The writer of the above, for the greater part of
the time until his death, slept within six rods of
that, to him, sacred spot, which he had enclosed
in his garden.
All of the party left Johnstown at about the
same time, but the others having hired horse
teams arrived at the " Big Springs," (Caledonia,)
a few days before Mr. McKenzie and his family,
and found good quarters in the house of a kind
man named John McVean, who owned then the
farm afterwards for a long time owned by Col.
Robert McKay and sons, some two miles west
from Caledonia village.
They arrived there in the latter part of Febru-
ary, 1804, where some of them became residents,
and others, as previously stated, branched out tc
settle the now town of York. In April, 1804, th£
families of Donald McKenzie, Elder John Mc-
Kenzie, his brother John Clunas, Simon Frasei
and Donald, his son, took up their residence in the
north-east part of the town of York, where most
of them made it their home until they died.
This portion of the town was originally known
as Inverness, so called in memory of their native
city, and embraced all the territory north of Few-
lerville creek, as far west as Deacon Gillis' easi
Une, and north to the north hne of the first section
of land in Caledonia.
Among other after settlers were Archibald Ken-
nedy and family, from Scotland, in the spring ol
YORK — TOWN OFFICERS.
413
181 1- Duncan Grant, from Inverness, Scotland,
in 1808 ; William Fraser, 1810; and Dudley New-
ton, in 1817.
Capt. Aaron Russ settled near Fowlerville in
1810. ■ He was a man of considerable note in the
town. For nearly twenty years he was Overseer of
the Poor, and was Supervisor from 185010 1853.
Col. HoUoway Long came in 1 816. He was a
man prominent in military matters and poHtics.
His title was derived from his commandment of
an artillery company celebrated in early days as
the "York Artillery." During his hfetime Mr.
Long filled acceptably most of the offices within
the gift of the town. A son, Moses Long, for
some years conducted the stove and plow making
business at York Centre.
Among the descendants of those early settlers
are Francis McBean, son to Angus McBean, who
now lives on the old homestead.
Donald McDonald,* Isabel McBean, and Mar-
garet McDonald, now living near Fowlerville, are
children of Donald McDonald, who settled here in
1806. Moses N. Ferrin, now living in Fowler-
ville, is a son to Wihiam Ferrin, who came here in
181 1. A daughter, Mrs. Louisa B. Whitcomb,
also lives near the same place. Archibald Ken-
nedy, a descendant of Archibald Kennedy who
came here in i8ri, is a prominent citizen of the
town. He held the office of Supervisor from 1869
to 1872, and again from 1874 to 1881.
Among the early physicians of the town were
Dr. Durelle, Dr. Long, brother to Col. Holloway
Long, and Dr. Frederick' R. Stickney who, in
1841, was a successful practitioner here.
Elder Josiah Goddard was an early minister
here of the Baptist denomination. He was born
May II, 1768, in Petersham, Mass., and came to
this town as early as 1812 or 1813. He preached
at what is now Fowlerville, and in other places.
He died in York, February 19, 1836.
The first child born in the town was a son to
Donald Clunas.f The second child born here
was Angus McKenzie, son to Donald McKenzie,
born March 26, 1805.
The first saw-mill, known as the Morely Mill, was
built in 1807 by Ezekiel Morely and Joseph, his
son. The first grist-mill was built by Wells Fow-
ler and William Taylor, between 1815 and 1820.
*Born in 1813.
t French says the first child born here was Angus McKenzie. A con-
siderable portion of this history of York is derived from the writmgs of
Donald D. McKenzie, one of the pioneer settlers, who gave much at-
tention to the early history of this region, and whose statements the his-
torian has been inclined to accept in nearly all cases of disputation.
Town Officers. —The first town meeting was
held on the first Tuesday in April, i8 19, at the inn
of Nathan Russ. This place of meeting was
designated by the Special Act of Legislature for
the formation of the town.
The officers chosen by the people at that meet-
ing were: —
William Janes, Supervisor ; Peres P. Peck, Town
Clerk ; John Darling, John Dodge, Henry Janes,
Assessors ; Joseph R. Ramsdell, Collector ; Moses
Allen, Thomas Blake, Overseers of the Poor; John
Russ, William Taylor, Newcomb Mead, Commis-
sioners of Highways ; Jonathan Tainter, Joseph R.
Ramsdell, Constables; Wells Fowler, Philander
Sexton, N. Sacket, Commissioners of Schools.
From the succeeding year — 1820 — to 1881, the
succession of Supervisors and Town "Clerks has
been as follows : —
Supervisors. Town Clerks,
William Janes. P. P., Peck.
Titus Goodman, Jr. Rufus Cook.
do do do
Holloway Long. do
Titus Goodman, Jr. do
1820.
1821-22.
1823.
1824-25.
1826.
1827.
1828.
1829.
1830.
1831.
1832.
do do
Holloway Long.
John Holloway.
Asa Arnold.
do do
Holloway Long.
1833-36. Donald Fraser.
1837-38. Holloway Long,
1839-40. John Holloway
Wm. H. Spencer.
William Stewart.
Edward R. Dean.
do do
David McDonald.
Israel D. Root,
do dot
1841-43
1844.
1845-
1846.
1847.
1848.
1849.
1850-52,
r853-
1854.
1855.
1856-58
1859-60
P. P. Peck.
Rufus Cook.
Joseph Tozier.*
Rufus Cook.
Israel D. Root.
Cyrus Hawley.
Israel D. Root.
do do
do do
do do
do do
do do
Niel Stewart.
do do
Charles Stewart.f
William A. Collins.
Moses Long.
Aaron Russ.
Daniel McPherson. Charles Stewart.
David H. Abell. do do
Hamilton E. Smith, do do
Niel Stewart.
--- Allen W. Smith.
^861-62. George W. Root.
1863. do do"
1864-65. do do
1866. do do
1867-68. do do - . „
1860-70. Archibald Kennedy. James A. Forrest
1871 do do Jas. W. McArthur.
1872-73. Benjamin F. Dow. Jas. W. McArthur.
J874-80. Archibald Kennedy, do do
Alexander Ried.
do do
John S. McKercher.
James Mclntyre.
J. W. McArthur.
James Mclntyre.
Theodore F. Baldwin.
» Or Tosier.
t Appomted-
t Aaron Russ was chosen to fill vacancy for balance of that term.
414
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The following officers were elected April 5, 1881 :
Supervisor, Aurora D. Newton ; Town Clerk,
James W. McArthur ; Justices of the Peace, James
Spittal, (long term) John Torry, (vacancy ;) As-
sessor, Duncan McKenzie ; Overseers of the Poor,
Robert Wallace, George Slack ; Collector, Thos.
F. Kennedy ; Constables, WilHam Mann, Jr., Wil-
son J. Rogers, Charles H. Whitney, Hugh Spittal,
Thomas F. Kennedy ; Game Constable, John S.
Gibson ; Excise Commissioner, Gerret S. Casey.
Population. — In 1870 York had a population
of 2,564. Of this number 1,986 were native, 578
foreign; 2,546 white, and 18 colored. In 1875 the
total population was 2,475, a decrease of 89; the
native population was 1,886 a decrease of 100, while
the foreign population was 589, an increase of 11.
The colored inhabitants in those five years had
increased from 18 to 49, a gain of 31. In that
year the town contained 303 ahens, a greater num-
ber by 131 than in any other town in the county.
At the last census of 1880 the total population was
2,479-
School Statistics. — The town contains four-
teen school districts, employing during the past
year (1880) 15 teachers, at a total amount in
wages of $3,431.07. The number of children in
these districts over five and under twenty-one years
of age was 791. During the year, school was
taught 409 2-5 weeks, with an average attendance
of 358-
The number of children of school age attending
school some portion of the year was 633. The district
libraries are valued at $140. The total amount
paid for school apparatus during the year was
$684; for school-houses, sites, fences, furniture
and repairs, $25,103; total incidental expenses
for the year, $332.72; total valuation of school
property, $16,626.01.
York Centre.
The village of York Centre is situated at nearly
the geographical center of the town. It contains
three churches, five stores, one hotel, post-office,
cooper shop (Ephraim Dinsmore,) wagon shop,
(Peter Anderson,) three blacksmith shops, (Wil-
Uam FitzSimmons, Joseph Trimbel, John McDou-
gall,) a furnace, and a population of some three
hundred.
Early settlers here were Nathan Russ, Timothy
Rice, 1811 ; Ralph Brown, who owned the land on
which the village stands, 1808; Captain John Russ,
1808 ; John Darling, in the fall of 1809. Nathan
Russ, brother to Capt. John Russ, built the first
frame house in York Centre, in which for a ni
ber of years he kept tavern.
Timothy Rice, soon after his arrival in 18
built a frame house and also kept it as an inn. 1
first merchant in the town was Peres P. Peck, w
traded for a time on a small scale on land owr
by Alanson Gilmore, and afterwards in York Ci
tre.
David McDonald was a merchant here in 18:
beginning business at that time, and continuinj
number of years. He was born in Sutherlar
shire, Scotland, about 1790, and came to Ameri
in 1819.
The present post-master here is Chester S<
mour, who has held that position some twel
years.
The hotel is kept by the widow of Ray Hitt, w
had been its proprietor for some thirty-five yea
and who died January 26, 1881.
The present merchants are : —
McKean and Forrest, (Alexander F. McKea
James A. Forrest,) general merchants. In busine
as a firm some fourteen years, beginning in 186
Mr. McKean was born in 1833, in county Aimag
Ireland, and came to America in 185 1, and direct
to York in that year. Mr. Forrest was born
Scotland, May 16, 1837. Came to America
1841, and to York in 1847.
Caldwell and Stewart (Edward E. Caldwe
Charles N. Stewart,) general merchandise. ]
business as a firm since July, 1876. Mr. Caldwt
was born in New Market, Canada, in 1838. I:
came to York in June, 1876. Mr. Stewart w
born in York in 1855.
James W. McArthur, general merchandise. ]
business ten years. He was born in York in 183
Mrs. E. M. Ried, millinery and ladies' furnis
ing goods. In business since 1847, coming fro
Fowlerville to York Centre in that year.
Fred. C. Rautz, hardware and tin shop. ]
business two years.
William J. Ryan & Co., (WilHam C. Luc£
harnesses and horse -furnishing goods. In bui
ness as a firm one year. The business had be{
conducted previously by Mr. Ryan some twent
five years. He was born in Dansville, N. Y.,
1824, and came to York as a resident in 1840.
About the year 1826 a young man named Dav
Stewart came to this place and began with a smi
capital the manufacture of plows, on which he ma
some important improvements. About 1842 or ^
he built here a large furnace and suitable sho]
where for a number of years he carried on exte
YORK CENTRE — CHURCHES;-
415
sively the manufacture of plows and other agricul-
tural implements. In 1853 he sold to Hugh Spit-
tal, who in 1869 was succeeded by Duncan Hag-
gart, the present proprietor, who now conducts the
business. Mr. Haggart was born in Canada,
June 19, 1823, and came to York in 1844.
The physicians here are Dr. Ishmael G. Filkins
and Dr. Isaac A. M. Dike.
Dr. Filkins, a graduate in 1861 of the Medical
Department, University of New York city, was
born in the town of Grawville, Washington coun-
ty, N. Y., in 1833, and came to York in 1872.
Dr. Dike was born in Belmont, Allegany coun-
ty, N. Y., in 1852. He graduated from the Buf-
falo Medical University in 1876, and came to
York Centre in April of that year.
/ Churches. — In the spring of 181 1, seven fam-
ilies of Scottish descent came from Johnstown,
Montgomery (now Fulton) county, N. Y., hoping
to secure for themselves a more advantageous
location in the valley of the Genesee.
These, together with four families recently from
Scodand, and two from Ireland, settled in the
south part of Caledonia, then in Genesee county,
in the neighborhood called " Coille Mohr,"* or
" Big Woods," known to-day as York.
As there was already established an Associate
Reformed Church in the north part of the town,
now the town of Caledonia, these people attended
the meetings there whenever there was preaching.
At this time that church was preparing to call Mr.
John Campbell, a licentiate of the Presbytery of
Saratoga, which then embraced within its limits
all the territory now occupied by the Presbytery of
Caledonia.
Those in the " Big Woods " being desirous of
uniting with them in this important movement,
met and chose John McKercher, Jr. and James P.
Stewart their commissioners to treat with the
Society in Caledonia for a portion of Mr. Camp-
bell's services.
This movement was unanimous, and although
but a minority of them had been previously con-
nected with the Associate Reformed Church, all
heartily concurred in the petition. The brethren
of Caledonia generously granted the petitioners
one-fourth of Mr. Campbell's time for two years,
while it was required of them to furnish only $100
of the $500 promised as salary. Mr. Campbell
assented to this division of his labors, and although
of delicate constitution, was abundant in minister-
•Or "CoUIe Mor," from the Gaelic, meaning "Big Woods;" or
" CoUIe an airde deas," meaning " South Woods."
ial labors. During the year 1813, Donald Fraser,
Daniel McNab, and Robert McGlashan, were
chosen trustees. The only place of meeting yet
was a small log-house, or in a barn, which was
preferred when the weather permitted.
In 1814 the first meeting-house was erected.
The ground on which it stood was granted by
John McDonald, one of the 'members of the
Society. The dimensions of this pioneer church
were 28 by 32 feet, built of logs. The seats were
slabs split from logs of basswood.
During this year Alexander Harvey was chosen
ruling elder, to act for this part of Mr. Campbell's
charge with the session of Caledonia.
In the early part of 1817, Rev. John Campbell
died, greatly lamented; and in the same spring
Elder Harvey removed to Caneadea. In the autumn
of this year, Rev. George Mairs, of Argyle, Wash-
ington county, N. Y., was sent to look after the
church in this section. In the summer of 1818,
the elders chosen the fall previous were ordained
and installed.
The names of those who constituted the first
session of this church were: — Donald G. Fraser,
James McKerhe and Hugh Innis.
The Rev. Robert Proudfit, D. D., presided at
their ordination.
Thus, although there was a society and a church
before this, the regular organization was not effect-
ed until 1818. During the month of February of
this year. Rev. John White, of Seneca, as first
supply, preached in York.
In the fall of 182 1, Rev. Joseph Pinney preached
here, and his person and preaching so pleased the
congregation and community that a call was ex-
tended to him for his continued services, but
which he declined. In the fall of 1822 the church
was supphed by Henry S. Wilkin, a licentiate of
the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New York,
who, some three months later, was ordained, and
in March, 1823, was installed as pastor of the
Society. In 1822 the church was incorporated as
the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of
York.
In 1825 a more commodious house of worship
was erected and enclosed at a cost of about
$ 1,000. Up to this time the most perfect harmony
had prevailed in the Society, but in November of
this year the Session passed a resolution making
the observance of the Fast Day previous to the
Communion, a term of communion or church
fellowship. This action caused dissension in the
Society and resulted in the resignation of all the
4i6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
elders, except Donald G. Fraser, and the with-
drawal of ten families who placed themselves un-
der the care of the Associate Presbytery of Albany,
and were organized as the Associate Presbyterian
Church of York and Covington.
This defection crippled the Society for a time,
but a subsequent increase in membership again
placed the church on a stable basis.
In 1 83 1 the church edifice was completed at an
additional expense of $1,000.
On the i8th of January, 1834, Rev. S. Wilkin
resigned his pastorate, and the church was without
a settled pastor until the installation of Rev.
Alexander Blakie, February ist, 1836.
During the next year, 1837, it was resolved to
add twelve feet to the length of the meeting-
house, together with a steeple, which was done at
a cost of about $1,240.
In 1844 Rev. Mr. Blakie resigned his charge,
and the Society was again without a settled pastor
until the coming of Rev. J. M. Heron in the early
part of 1848. He was installed as pastor May 17,
1848.
In 1844 eight families withdrew from the
Society and, with others, formed the Associate
Reformed Congregation of Cuylerville.
In December of 1852, Rev. Mr. Heron resigned,
and in September, 1853, his successor. Rev. J.
Van Eaton, began his labors with the Society,
which he continued to September, 1879. He died
in York Centre, March 5, 1880.
Some time in 1852, the property occupied as
a parsonage was purchased at a cost of $600.
In the summer of 1854, the main part of the
parsonage was rebuilt at an expense of about
$1,500.
In 1866 the church edifice was repaired at an
expense of some $1,600. This, together with the
parsonage and previous alterations and repairs,
sums up a total of some $12,000 expended on the
church property in a little more than fifty years.
The Society is strong in membership and faith, but
is at present— March, 1 881— without a pastor,
owing to the recent death of Rev. Mr. Van Eaton.
First Reformed Presbyterian Church. — This
Church was organized in 1832. The first Elders
were James Milroy, James CuUings, James
Guthrie, Jr. Trustees— Robert J. Guthrie, David
McMillan, James Kennedy.
Members — John Donnan, David Morrow, John
Morrow, Andrew Morrow, Daniel Christie, Andrew
Donnan, Angus McLeod, Mrs. Mihoy, Mrs. Cul-
lings, Mrs. James Guthrie, Mrs. Robert J. Guth-
rie, Mrs. David Morrow, Mrs. Christie, Mrs. An-
gus McLeod, Mrs. John Donnan, Mrs. Andrew
Donnan, Mrs. Daniel McMillan, Mrs. Castly, Miss
Jane Guthrie.
The only surviving ones of the first members
are Mrs. James Cullings, Mrs. D. McMillan, An-
drew Donnan,* Daniel McMillan and Mrs. James
Guthrie.
The first pastor was Rev. John Fisher, whose
pastorate lasted some fifteen years.
The next pastor was Rev. Samuel Bowden, who
was installed in 1847, and who continued with the
Society until his resignation in October, 1876.
The first church was built in 1833 or 1835,
and was abandoned in 1871 for a more com-
modious edifice erected in that year. The old
church building is now occupied as a dwelling by
John Patterson.
The church has a membership of about 160, and
is at present (March, 1881,) without a pastor.
The church property is valued at $10,000.
Baptist Church of York.^ — The present Baptist
Church of York was formed in 1832 by the union
of two churches called the First and Second Bap-
tist Churches of York.
There exists no definite information of the First
Church previous to 1819, only that it was known
as the Church of Caledonia and Leicester; its
members being scattered over a large area of ter-
ritory, and holding their meetings in different'
localities.
At this time the town of York was formed from
the towns of Caledonia and Leicester. The
church was then called the First Baptist Church of
York, numbering fifty members. The two follow-
ing years were of marked interest in the history of
this church, and are known as the great revival
period. Many additions to the Society were made
through the labors of Rev. John Blain and others.
The church belonged to the Genesee Baptist As-
sociation, which met for the first time with the
church in York in 1827, holding its meetings in the
barn of Allen Smith, now owned by his son, A. W.
Smith.
The names of the ministers who, in the following
order, preached from 18 19 to 1832, were Revs.
Josiah Butler, John Blain, Jesse Bramin, — Miner,
Solomon Dimock, and O. H. Reed.
Among the earliest members were Jotham
Forbes and wife, James Rice, Olive Rice, Amos
Baker, Gershom Waite, Allen Smith, Patience
* Now in Campbell, Michigan.
t For tins brief yet comprehensive history we are indebted to the
kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Ira G. Lyon, of York.
Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo.
^^
^<-<^^
FOWLERVILLE.
417
Smith, Timothy Tryon, Harrison Church, Marens
Carter and wife, Enoch Waller, Rhoda Weller, W.
D. Powers, Elizabeth Powers, Abigail Powers,
Cyrus Lyon, Polly Lyon, Nathan and Eunice
Clapp.
The Second Baptist Church of York was organ-
ized in 1822 at York Centre, numbering twenty
members, and holding their first meetings in the
hall of a public building, and afterwards in the
school-house.
This Church also belonged to the Genesee Bap-
tist Association, and was presided over by Rev.
Josiah Goddard until the two churches were united.
Among the earliest members of this church were :
Spencer and Cynthia Pomeroy, Nathaniel and
Amos Goddard, Elisha Goddard, Sarah Goddard,
Jesse Skinner, Joseph Gould, G. T. Roberts, Anna
Roberts, Augustus Weller, Rhoda Weller, Ira Grant,
Maria Grant, B. W. Willard and Clarissa Ferrin.
These two churches united in 1832, forming the
present Baptist Church of York. The number of
members at that time was fifty-nine. The first
pastor was Rev. Eliada Blakeslee. The early
records show this to have been a period of con-
tinued prosperity, both temporal and spiritual.
The present church building was erected and
dedicated in 1833. The present number of mem-
bers is 126.
The following have been the pastors from 1 83 2
to 1881, with the date of their coming : — Revs.
Eliada Blakeslee, 1832; Ira Bennett, Dec, 1834;
William Arthur,* Dec. 2, 1837; Eleazer Savage, June
6, 1840; David Taylor, Dec. 3, 1842 ; S. A. Estee,
Jan. 4, 1 845 ; S. M. Bainbridge, June 2 5, 1 848 ; B. R.
Swick, Nov. 30, 185 1 ; John Nisbet, Nov. 30, X856 ;
A. L. Farr, Oct. 15, 1859; E. Packwood, Oct, 24,
1861 ; C. Monjeau, Nov. 7, 1867 ; Walter Holt,
June I, 1869; A. V. Eddy, the present pastor.
May I, 1876.
FOWLERVILLE.
The village of Fowlerville lies in the north-eastern
part of the town. It contains two churches, two
stores, post-office, one hotel, a harness, blacksmith
and wagon shop, agricultural works, and a popula-
tion of 375 of 400, including transient boarders, j
Fowlerville was first permanently settled by
Wells Fowler and William Taylor, in 1816, and
William and Henry Janes, Ira Torrey, and Eliakim
Weller at or about the same time, all of whom came
from and near Pittsfield, Mass.
• Father of the present Vice-President of the United States,
t The employees in the agricultural works.
The village derived its name from Wells Fowler,
and was chosen by the unanimous resolution of the
inhabitants who resided there.
Wells Fowler was one of the most prominent
men of the town, and contributed very essentially
toward the upbuilding of this active little village.
He was also influential in making roads, bridges,
and other beneficial improvements, in establishing
schools, and in sustaining the educational and re-
ligious interests of the village and town.
When the post-office was established here, about
1827, at which time the place was named for him,*
he was appointed postmaster, the duties of which
office he continued to discharge through all the
pohtical changes that occurred for fourteen years,
or until the defection of President Tyler in 184 1.
In the early part of 181 7 Mr. Fowler and Pliny
Weller built a saw-mill on the stream near the vil-
lage, which was of much benefit, not only to the
people there but to all the inhabitants for miles
around.
The first merchant here was Clark S. Capron,
who began business in 1823. He was afterward
in company with Nathaniel Goodman, and still
later, with Joseph Ramsdell. Alonzo Fowler, eld-
est son of Wells Fowler, was also for a long time a
successful merchant here.
Walter Whitcombf was another early merchant,
and for two years was in company with Alonzo
Fowler.
Torrey & Weller for a number of years carried
on successfully together the business of tanning
and shoe making, Mr. Weller being a shoe-maker
there over forty years.
The present postmaster is Benjamin F. Dow,
who was appointed in the spring of 1869.
The Howell House, the only hotel here, is kept
by WilHam Howell who has been the proprietor
three years. The hotel had formerly been kept
by Alexander McHardy, some thirteen years, and
previously by Caleb White, who assumed the pro-
prietorship in 1843.
The merchants are: — Benjamin F. Dow & Co.,
(L. F. Dow, John W. Howe,) who have been en-
gaged in business as a firm twelve years. The
firm was previously Dow & Fowler.
William Fraser,^ dry goods and groceries, in
business here since 1839. Mr. Eraser was born in
Johnstown, N. Y., June 11, 1808, and came here
with his father, William Eraser, in 18 10.
* The village for a number of years was known as Inverness post-office.
t Now a merchant in Nimda.
t See Biography and Portrait, on another page. .
4i8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Aaron Mount, harnesses, and horse-furnishing
goods. In i^ business here seventeen years. He
was born in Stark, Herkimer county, N. Y., in
1828, and came to York in 1863.
The only physician here is Dr. George H. Jones.
Mr. Jones was born in Manchester, N. Y., in 1853.
He graduated from Michigan University in 1877,
and came to Fowlerville in that year.
Robert Wallace, blacksmith and machinist, lo-
cated at York Centre in 185 1.
Isaac McPherson, wagon maker, began business
in August, 1878, in Scottsville, N. Y., and came
to Fowlervilld in 1880.
The Livingston Agricultural Works was estab-
lished here by Hamilton E. Smith, who came to
Fowlerville about 1835 and with a small capital,
began the manufacture of agricultural implements.
He did an extensive business here until November
16, 1854, when Dow & Fowler succeeded him in
the enterprise. The firm of B. F. Dow & Co.,
succeeded Dow & Fowler in 1868. On the 12th
of May, 1879, the manufactory was burned down,
with a total loss of tools and machinery, and was
rebuilt in the same year. From that time until
1881 the firm did a large business in the manufac-
ture of portable steam engines, threshers, separa-
tors, and other farming machinery, and employed,
on the average, seventy-five men in the different
departments of the works.
In April, 1881, the firm abandoned this manu-
factory here, and removed to Peru, Indiana, the
people of Peru giving them, as an inducement to
locate there, a cash endowment of $10,000.
Churches. — Methodist Episcopal.— Qi the two
Churches here, the Methodist Episcopal began its
organization by the formation of the first class in
the spring of 1844, of which Dudley Newton was
leader.
For some ten years the meetings of the Society
were held in private families and school houses.
The church edifice was erected in 1854 at a cost
of $2,200.
The following have been pastors since the or-
ganization of the church : —
Revs. C. D, Burlingame, G. Benedict, Hiram
May, J. J. Gridley, Father Kent, W. P. Buck, S.
G. Miller, G. Nickle, Alonzo Newton, A. W.
Abell, R. E. Thomas, C. E. Van Sickle, P. King,
S. H. Rogers, John C. Whiteside, W. Vaughn,
W. W. Manderville, P. E. Hermans, R. F. Kay'
William B. Cliff, B. F. Hitchcock.
The present pastor is Rev. Isaac Harris. Under
the pastorate of Mr. Hermans a fine parsonage
was built at an expense of some $1,600.
Mr. Harris has succeeded in paying off the deb(
of $400 on this parsonage, and the Church is novi
in a prosperous condition, clear of debt, and with
good prospects for the future.
Presbyteria7i Church of Fowlerville. — In the
autumn of 1826, at their own request, the follow-
ing persons were set off" from the Presbyterian
Church of York : —
Amos Skinner, Olive Skinner,
Ezekiel Morely, Sally Fowler,
Joseph Tosier, Nancy Weller,
Alfred Collins, Elizabeth McKnight,
Clarissa Janes, Mary Eastman,
Lavinia Roberts, Mary S. Eastman.
The organization of a Society was efl^'ected by
these people November 16, 1826. Rev. John
Eastman acted as moderator, and became the first
pastor. The church was under the charge of the
Presbytery according to the "accommodation
plan." Mr. Alfred Collins, one of the original
members, is still living in Fowlerville.
The following were ministers while the church
was in the Congregational form : —
Revs. John Eastman, Walker, John Hub-
bard, Powell, Burbank, Lyman, Slie, Chapin,
Bridgeman, Laird, Snyder, Darling, Wadsworth,
Moses, Powell, Yeomans and Modesit.
During Mr. Wadsworth's ministry the church
withdrew from the care of the Presbytery, becom-
ing purely a Congregational Church.
About this time large numbers began to move
away, and the membership greatly diminished until
the present organization.
In the spring of 1878, steps were taken to
change the organization of the Church from Con-
gregational to Presbyterian. This was accom-
plished in due form April 22, 1878. Rev. S. M.
Campbell, D. D., of Rochester, N. Y., acted as
Advisor before the consummation, and as Modera-
tor of the Commission of Rochester Presbytery
which constituted the new Church.
Rev. E. G. Cheeseman became at once the
pastor of the new church, and continued in that
relation about a year when he resigned on ac-
count of ill health, and was speedily succeeded by
Rev. Frederick D. Seward,* the present pastor.
The membership of this church has increased
from fifty-two at its organization April 22, 1878,
to one hundred and fourteen at the date of this
writing, March, 1881.
• To this gentlemanly pastor we are indebted for this history, which
appears in nearly its original form as written by him.
GREIGSVILLE — PIFFARD.
419
The Elders in the Church are WilUam Fraser,
L. F. Dow, and G. S. Casey.
The church property is valued at $1,000.
Greigsville.
The two places of this name. North and South
Greigsville, about a mile apart, are situated in the
southern part of the town. These are small ham-
lets and together contain two churches, the
Methodist Episcopal and Free Methodist, post-
office, one store, two blacksmith shops, (William
Mann, Jr., Ranold Grant,) and a saw-mill owned
by Doremus & Hodgson.
Elisha Williams, the only merchant here, began
business in October, 1880.
The present postmaster is Francis Rice, who
has held the office over twenty years.
A hotel was kept here by Samuel Dorris about
1857-
Of the two churches, the class of the Methodist
Episcopal \)Zs,io\Ta^A'v\ 1817. Among the early
members were Urania Tuttle, Elmira Orvis, Dian-
tha Orvis, Saloma Orvis, and E. Slocum and wife.
The church edifice was built in 1833. The mem-
bership is small, and is presided over by Rev.
Isaac Harris, pastor of the M. E. Church of Fow-
lerville ; the pastors of the latter church having
for years supplied the pulpit at Greigsville.
The Free Methodist Church was organized about
nineteen years ago. Among the earliest members
were George Slack and wife, James Jones, Sylvia
Tuttle, Sally Lynn, Mrs. Delana Slocum, WiUiam
McBurney and wife. The church edifice was
erected in 1873, under the pastorate of Rev. An-
thony More. The first pastors were Revs. Asa
Abell, Arnold Green and Thomas Cotton, who
preached alternately.
The present membership is twenty, presided
over by Rev. George Coleman, who has preached
here two years.
The following have been pastors of this church :
Revs. John A. Wilson, George Coleman, John
Reddy, (dead,) Melvin Burritt, Wm. Cusick, O. O.
Bacon, John Robinson, Anthony More, Nathaniel
Brown, A. A. Burgess, I. C. White, John Robin-
son, George Coleman, (1879-81).
PiFFARD.
The hamlet of Piffard* lies in the southeastern
part of the town of York. It contains one church,
* This place is often called Piflardinia, an unwarranted corruption of
its proper name.
one store, postoflSce, one hotel, blacksmith and
wagon shop, (Reuben Mann,) a saw-mill, stave
and barrel factory combined, and a population of
about one hundred and fifty.
The hamlet derives its name from David Pif-
fard, who located here in 1824.
The first house here was built about 1820 by
Campbell Harris, who was then agent for John
Brinton of Philadelphia, an extensive land owner
in this vicinity.
David Piffard,* who was born August 9, 1794,
in the village of Pentonville, parish of Clerkenwell
without, Middlesex county, England, came to
America in December, 1822; remained a short
time in New York city, and in 1824 came to this
part of the Genesee Valley and purchased of John
Brinton a tract of land of about six hundred acres,
a portion of which is now the site of the hamlet
bearing his name.
The remaining portion of the Brinton estate was
purchased by William H. Spencer, and was by him
converted into one of the largest and best farms in
the town of York. He died in 1850.
The growth of this hamlet was due to the open-
ing of the Genesee Valley canal, and to the public
spirit of Mr. Piffard, who, in his eighty- seventh
year, still resides here.
The poEtoffice was established here some thirty-
one or two years ago. The first postmaster was
McPherson. Thepresentpostmaster is John
R. Bangs, who was appointed in August, 1880.
William H. VanValkenburg, the only merchant
in this place, began business here in 1880. He
was born in Geneseo, in February, 1836.
The saw-mill, stave and barrel factory, is con-
ducted by Kendall & Shattuck.
The saw-mill was established here in i860, and
the additional business of stave and barrel making
was begun some six years ago.
The erection of the hotel was commenced in
1835, and was completed in 1840 by D. Thomp-
son, by whom it was kept as a tavern for a num-
ber of years. It was afterwards kept by his sons,
ElHs and Edward, then by Ray Russ in 1865, by
Raymond and Rich in 1866, and then by Butler
Brothers five years. The present proprietor is
Harvey Butler, who eight years ago succeeded But-
ler Brothers, and whose name the. hotel bears.
The church edifice here was built in the year
1845.
The Church was then under the care of the Al-
bany Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church. The
* See Biography and Portrait on another page.
420
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
first pastor was the Rev. John VanLiew, and he
was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Compton.
About the year 1853, the church was removed
from the care of the Albany Synod, and placed un-
der the care of the Board of Missions of the Gen-
eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Wes-
tern New York, and the Rev. Charles Ray was ap-
pointed missionary in charge, remaining three
years. From the time of Mr. Ray's resignation
until May, 1881, the Rev. Mr. Ward, of Geneseo,
has had the care of the parish, holding service
every alternate week (with the exception of the
time that he served as chaplain to the 104th Regi-
ment during the RebelHon,) and he is held in great
esteem by the people here for his faithful, constant,
and earnest devotion to his missionary work in
this place.
Soldiers of the Rebellion. — The town of
York furnished during the war of the Rebellion a
large number of soldiers, but, like many other
towns in the county, the war record required by
the law of 1865 was never kept, and for the ap-
pended list of those who fought in that war the
historian has been compelled to depend on the
memory of the citizens, and the surviving soldiers
who enhsted from this town. The record, there-
fore, is necessarily meagre. It is better to have
recorded on the pages of history the few accessible
names of those gallant defenders, than to permit
all of them to pass into oblivion ; and so we give
the following few but patriotic names, leaving it for
the future to add others to this list of the heroes
of Gettysburg, of the Wilderness, of Vicksburg and
Bell Plain.
ith N. V. Cava/ry.— Harry Robinson, enhsted
in 1 86 1 in Company B. Reenhsted on the
field in 1863 in same company and regiment, and
served until close of the war. Now in Fowlerville.
Henry Averill, Company B. ; died at Arlington
Heights in August, 1861, and was buried there.
Myron Averill, Company B, was discharged for
inability in the spring of 1862. Now in Geneseo,
N. Y.
Thomas J. Robinson, Company B, reenlisted in
1863, was wounded at Black and White Station in
1864, and sent to headquarters in Washington
where he remained until the close of the war. Now
in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, Mich.
George Brown, Company M, served three years.
Now in town of York.
Hugh O'Hara, Company M, discharged for ina-
bility at Bell Plain Landing in 1864. Now in
York.
Joseph McPherson,* Company M, killed at bat-
tle of Raccoon Ford, Va., in 1863. Body brought
home for interment.
George Scott, Company M, was wounded at the
battle of Beverly Ford, June 9, 1863 ; died of lock
jaw soon after. Is buried in York.
Daniel Calder, Company M, died at Bell Plain
Landing in 1863. Is buried in York.
William Patterson, Company M, served his
period of enlistment. Now in Rochester, N. Y.
Duane Powell, Company M, died at Bell
Plain Landing in 1863. Is burieej in York.
Clark White, Company F, was captured by the
rebels and imprisoned in Andersonville. Was pa-
roled and died on his way home in 1864, at Fort-
ress Monroe, where he was buried.
Robert Orr, Company M, killed near Fairfax
Court House in 1863, and was buried on the field.
John Hardin, Company M, enlisted in 1862,
and served three years. Now in lona, Mich.
Jonathan Macomber, Company M, killed on
skirmish line in Western Virginia, in 1863.
Andrew Scott, Company M. Now in Michigan.
Phillip Wood, Company F. Served until close
of the war. Now in Fowlerville.
Roswell Root, Company M. Now in York.
Other Regiments. — John E. Roberts, Sergeant,
enlisted in 1861, in Company G, 104th Regiment
N. Y. Volunteers. Was wounded at Gettysburg
July 2. 1863, died twelve days thereafter, and lies
buried in the National Cemetery at Gettysburg.
Captain James Gault, Company G, 104th Regi-
ment, N. Y. Volunteers, enlisted in 1861, served
through the war, and was afterwards provost-mar-
shal in Buffalo.
Wilham Francis Gibbons, corporal, enlisted in
1865, in Company D, 169th N. Y. State Volun-
teers, and was discharged with regiment at the close
of the war. Now in Fowlerville.
Frank Hawley, corporal of the colors. Company
E, 169th N. Y. State Volunteers. Now in Greigs-
ville.
Amos Hill, Company D, 169th N. Y State Vol-
unteers, was discharged for inability in 1865. Dead.
John Foster, drummer 104th Regiment. Died
in Fowlerville three years ago.
O. M. Bush, entered the naval service in 1862,
aboard the gunboat ChiUicothe. Was in the Red
River Expedition in 1863. Died in 1874, and is
buried in the town of York.
James Rockie, entered U. S. Navy in 1862, and
served his time of enlistment. Now in the West.
* Brother to Senator McPherson, of New Jersey.
COLONEL ORANGE SACKETT— DAVID PIFFARD.
421
BlOGRAPHlCjlL SKETCHES.
COLONEL ORANGE SACKETT.
Homer Sackett, father of Orange, was born in
Warren, Litchfield county, Conn., Aug. 6, 1765.
In 1787 he was married to Sarah Carter, by whom
he had twelve children, eleven of whom grew to
maturity.
Col. Orange Sackett, who was the sixth child of
this family, was born in Warren, Conn., April 21,
1796. Before reaching his majority, he went to
Orange county, N. Y., where he taught school.
From thence in 1816 he went to Canandaigua,
Ontario county, continuing his labors as teacher,
and there Dec. 5, 1822, married Amanda Minerva
Sheldon, who still survives him. Soon after this
they removed to Mendon, Monroe county, where
Mr. Sackett embarked in the mercantile trade,
and where their first child was born. They re-
mained there but a short time, removing to Riga,
in the same county, where he continued his busi-
ness as a merchant for eight or nine years, and
from thence in the year 1835, he removed his
family to the farm purchased two years previously,
and which they have occupied since, in the town
of York, Livingston county.
After an illness of only three weeks, Col. Sackett
died at his residence March 10, 1877. He was
full of energy and activity up to the date of his
last sickness, overseeing and managing the affairs
of his large farm of eight hundred acres.
He was in many respects a remarkable man, and
his success was as marked and signal as have been
the triumphs of other noted men in wider fields of
industry. Justly entitled to be classed with the
pioneers of Western New York, he partook
largely of the energy and industry characteristic of
those early settlers, but to these were joined higher
and nobler traits than are commonly found upon
the border. He was the same warm-hearted, be-
nevolent, urbane, christian gentleman, whether in
the fields pursuing his daily vocations, or in the
social circle. He never sought political honors.
He was an active, influential and devout member
of the First Congregational Church at Fowlerville,
and leaves a bright and stainless record behind
him. Although nearly eighty-one years of age it
cannot be said that he had outlived his usefulness,
for up to the time of his last sickness, there seemed
to be little or no diminution either in his physical
or mental activity and energy.
Mr. Sackett left eight children ; there are also
seventeen grand-children, and four great grand-
children, and this four-fold family relationship was
broken for the first time by the removal of its
honored and venerable head.
Mrs. Orange Sackett died October 17, 1880,
after an illness of three weeks.
DAVID PIFFARD.
David Piffard was born Aug. 9, 1794, in the vil-
lage of Pentonville, parish of Clerkenwell without,
Middlesex Co., England, and was the son of David
Piffard, who was the son of an old French Hugue-
not family ; the elder David Piffard was born in
1768, and died in 1823. He was a wealthy banker
on the Royal Exchange, and of him Rothschild
said, " that Piffard was the greatest man on change."
The mother of David Piffard, Jr., was
Sarah Eyre, a lineal descendant of Joseph Eyre,
an oflScer in the army of William the Conqueror
at the time of the conquest. She was born in
1778 and died in 1815. David was the eldest son
and second child of seven children, named as fol-
lows:— Sarah, David, Anrre, Charles, Louisa,
EHzabeth, and Guferard. In 1802, he went
to France where he resided until 1813, when he
returned to London with his parents. He received
his education at Versailles and Paris, studying in
connection with the usual course of study, the
profession of architecture, and afterwards in Lon-
don perfected himself in that profession.
In December, 1822, he came to America with
letters of introduction to LeRoy, Bayard & Co.,
with whom he remained one summer. In 1824 he
came to the Genesee valley and there bought of
John Brinton, of Philadelphia, a tract of land con-
sisting of about six hundred acres, and part of
which is now the site of the village bearing his
name.
In 1825 he married Ann Matilda, daughter of
David L. Haight, of New York. Five children
were the result of this union, all of whom are now
living as follows: — David Haight, Sarah Eyre,
Ann Matilda, Chas. Carroll, and Henry G. David
Haight was married to Constance Theall, by
whom he had four children, David Halsey, ' Nina
Haight, Charlotte Ogilvie, and Emma Matilda.
Henry G. now a noted physician of New York
city, married Helen Hart, daughter of Gen. Wm.
K. Strong, of that city. They also had four
children, as follows: — Henry Haight, Helen
Strong, Charles Halsey Haight, and Susan Far-
nam. Since his settlement, Mr. Piffard has chiefly
devoted himself to the care of his home farm and
five thousand acres near Fhnt, Genesee county,
Mich. In politics he was an old line Whig, and
joined the Republican party at its formation in
1856, since when he has been a vigorous sup-
porter of his party's measures, but has never
looked for an office or allowed his name to be
used in connection with one. He was a member
of the first vestry of St. Michael's Parish, Gen-
eseo, and was on the building committee for the
first edifice of that parish. He was a man of rare
intellectual attainments, and was thoroughly con-
versant on almost any known subject. As a
scholar and a scientist his knowledge of arts and
the sciences was deep and far-reaching. He was
among the first to accept the vibratory theory of
sound and light. When it was advanced many
years the men were born who were to accept it,
422
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
and which every school boy learns. Horticulture
was a passion with him, and his garden was one
of the finest in the county, and was always a
source of great pride and pleasure with him. His
probity of character was a proverb, and it was
always said of him, in more honorable words than
those of knighthood, that his word was always as
good as his bond. His well-known hospitality
was a distinguishing trait and every year found
his house filled to overflowing with welcome
guests. His wife was a woman of superior
intelligence and culture, and one has truthfully
said of her " that in those elements which con-
stitute noble womanhood, she had no superior."
Refined taste. Christian devotion, purity of pur-
pose, and fidelity to Ufe's duties were marked and
characteristic traits. ■ She ever regarded the poor,
by whom she was surrounded, as having a claim
upon her as, "the poor whom ye have always
with you." During the late civil war her heart
beat in sympathy with the volunteers in the North-
ern army. Many a wounded and sick soldier, in
camp or hospital, enjoyed those comforts pre-
pared by her hands or purchased by her ever open
purse, who never knew that he was indebted to a
noble-hearted lady for this kindness. She died
Oct. 14, 1878, leaving to her friends a history
fragrant with precious memories. Mr. Piffard's
memory is faithful to the many and varied ex-
periences of his earlier life, and he delights in re-
ferring to those younger histories which would fill
volumes, of how he was in Paris during the siege
of Montmartre, when the allies entered, and much
more. He has been in France during three
governments — the Consulate, the Empire, and
Louis XVIII., and in England during the reigns
of George III., and the Regency of the Prince of
Wales, and afterdwards the reign of George IV.,
and in America under twelve elected Presidents,
three of them holding two terms — and three Vice-
Presidents who took the chair to complete the
term of deceased Presidents.
NIEL STEWART.
Alexander Stewart, father of the subject of this
sketch, was born on the Highlands of Scotland in
the year 1778. When about thirty years of age he
was married to Margaret McDougal of the same
neighborhood in Scotland. About two years sub-
sequently they emigrated to the United States, and
m the year 18 10 settled in the town of York (then
Caledonia). There he commenced Hfe anew, and
by perseverance and manual labor made for 'him-
self and family a home from the lands which at the
time of his purchase was covered with a forest. He
raised to maturity a family of six children— four
sons and two daughters, all of whom, excepting the
oldest son, are now living. Mr. Stewart died in
February, 1845, and his wife survived him about
sixteen years.
Niel Stewart, the subject of this sketch, was born
in the town of York, July 12, 181 1. He was
brought up on a farm and early learned those prin-
ciples which constitute success — economy and in-
dustry— and which are always to be found in every
successful person's life. During the early part of
his life Mr. Stewart lived at home, assisting on the
farm, and attending the common school where he
received a moderately good education, and after-
wards attending for a time a select school at Cale-
donia, preparatory to teaching school, which he af-
terward did with great satisfaction to the district
and credit to himself.
When about twenty- three years of age he engaged
with J. H. and E. S. Beach, millers at Rochester
and Auburn, and such were his business qualifica-
tions, that he was given full charge of their large
warehouse and boats at York landing, on the Gene-
see river, and continued as manager for six years,
receiving five hundred dollars as salary the last
year. He then located at the village of York and
during three years following bought grain and wool
on commission. He also engaged in the dry
goods business with James McPherson. Severing
that connection he afterwards engaged in a similar
enterprise with E. Brown and Charles Stewart, he
himself being postmaster at that time. Mr. Stew-
art then commenced buying grain and wool on his
own account, investing from time to time in real
estate. Soon after this he severed all connection
with the mercantile business, giving his full atten-
tion to his grain and wool dealings, and looking af-
ter his large farms containing some twelve hundred
acres in the town of York. His business is not all
confined to that town, for at Livonia Station he
is sole owner of the Bank of Livonia, the bank
building, a large wool warehouse, a large grain
warehouse, and lumber yard, all under the man-
agement of his son, Alexander N. Stewart. Mr.
Stewart is without doubt the largest wool and grain
dealer in the county. He has in his extensive
business career met with several severe losses, hav-
ing at one time lost over thirty thousand dollars,
but no man ever lost a dollar through Niel Stewart.
In politics Mr. Stewart was formerly a Whig
but upon the organization of the Republican party
joined it and has ever since adhered to its princi-
ples with unswerving fidelity. He has held all the
important offices of his town, having been town
clerk, assessor, justice of the peace, and supervisor
of his town three terms.
March 12, 1840, Mr. Stewart was married to
Jane, daughter of William and Jane Nichol, of
York, by whom he had ten children, all of whom
are now living as follows : — Maggie, married to Ho-
mer McVean, of York ; Jennie, married to Geo. K.
Whitney, of York; Eliza, married to John Sinclair,
of Caledonia ; Ella, married to Edward C. Caldwell,
of York ; Aggie H. wife of Geo. D. Smith, now of
Rochester; Mary K. living at home ; Alexander N.
living at Livonia Station ; Chas. N. merchant at
York ; William N. living at home assisting on the
farm, and Niel N. now attending the Normal school
at Geneseo.
r^^i'°IIMBIiBl
SAflP. (S^©R©2g W,
NIEL STEWART— WILLIAM ERASER— CAPT. GEORGE W. ROOT.
423
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the United
Presbyterian church of York.
Providence has granted Mr. Stewart the prayer
of Agur in the Book of Proverbs, that he should
have " neither great poverty or riches." He has
had given to him a competence, a pleasant home, a
faithful wife possessed of fine literary talents, duti-
ful children, " troops of friends," and a contented
spirit. His story illustrates the truth that God's
blessing attends the path of uprightness, prudence
and industry. His leading characteristics are great
activity, strict integrity and a desire to be useful.
He is of the better class of self-made men. Such
men are pillars of society, and salt against the
world's corruption. We may well desire long to
keep them with us, and cannot easily over-esti-
mate their worth. It is better to show them regard
and reverence now, then to wait till they have been
taken from our midst, and we have only their
memories to honor. The supreme words to be
written over this man's life, through all its social,
rehgious and business relations are sterling fidelity.
WILLIAM ERASER.
WiUiam Eraser, the father of our subject, emi-
grated from Badenach, Invernesshire, Scotland,
in the fall of 1807. He went directly to Johns-
town, Montgomery county, (now Eulton county,)
about fifty miles west of Albany, where he re-
mained three years, then came to the Genesee
country, and in the year 18 10, settled in the town
of York (then Caledonia,.) where he bought a
farm, which he cleared and upon which he Uved
till his death, in February, 1828.
WiUiam Eraser, Jr., was born in Johnstown,
Fulton county, June 11, 1808, and when about
two years old moved with his parents to York
where, when old enough, he assisted his father in
clearing his land. He attended the schools of
that early day until at the age of nineteen years,
having a taste for other pursuits in life, he in 1827
entered the general merchandise store of David
McDonald, of York. During these years, by strict
economy, he was enabled to become a partner in
the business with Mr. McDonald, the partnership
continuing for two years when it was dissolved by
mutual consent. In 1839, Mr. Eraser found an
opening for a general merchandise store in the
village of Fowlerville, and in the spring of the
same year opened with a stock of dry goods. He
has occupied the same store continuously since
that time, having been the leading merchant of
that village, and is now, without doubt, the oldest
living merchant in the county, as he has conducted
the mercantile business for more than half a cen-
tury.
He began his business career in a modest way,
determined to succeed if energy, indomitable per-
severance, and true business habits would win suc-
cess. He now owns a most desirable farm about
one mile from the village, and the fine building
fronting on the two principal streets of the village,
erected for his residence in 1849, and rebuilt, as it
now appears in 1874, is one of the finest in the
town. Mr. Eraser is a plain, unassuming man,
having the full confidence of his fellow men, and
now at the age of seventy-three years, retains an
active mind and business ability apparently unim-
paired. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and was
a member of the church of Caledonia for over
twenty-seven years. He joined the First Presby-
terian Church of Eowlerville at its organization in
1878, and soon after was elected Elder of the
same.
In politics Mr. Eraser has always been a Demo-
crat, his first vote for President being cast in 1828,
for that ever memorable and great captain of in-
dependence, Andrew Jackson. He was Post-
master at Eowlerville for sixteen years, and in
1835 was appointed census taker.
In December, 1839, Mr. Eraser married for his
first wife, Isabelle, daughter of Donald G. and
Margaret (Ferguson) Eraser, of York, by whom
he had three children : — Helen Mar, Donald A.,
and Wm. Wallace. Mrs. Eraser died February
21, 1846.
For his second wife Mr. Eraser was married to
Ann, daughter of Elder Donald and Mary (Christie)
Eraser, of Inverness, May 18, 1848. They had
two children, viz. : — Simon W. and Mary Belle,
the wife of Dr. G. H. Jones, of Medina, Orleans
county, N. Y. The death of Mrs. Eraser occurred
September i, 1873.
CAPTAIN GEORGE W. ROOT.
George W. Root was a son of Roswell and Pa-
melia (Dickinson) Root, the former of whom was
born in Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Mass., Nov.
29, 1759, and the latter Aug. 7, 1766. They were
married April 21, 1785, and in the year 1822, Mr.
Root with his family emigrated from his native
State to the town of York, Livingston county,
where he purchased a farm and located about a
mile south of the village of York, and remained
there till his death which occurred Jan. 27, 1827,
at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife survived
him ten years and died March 22, 1837, aged
seventy years.
George W. Root was the youngest of a family
of seven sons and two daughters, and was born in
Pittsfield, Mass., June 8, 1808. He always lived
at home with his parents, and with three of his
bachelor brothers worked the farm, till at the death
of one of the four, that one's share was divided
between the remaining three, and so on till George
W. being the last of the four brothers, paid off the
other heirs and retained the land originally pur-
chased by his father. To this he has added from
time to time till at his death he was the possessor
of about seven hundred acres.
March 21, 1833, he married Eugenia Hurlburt,
424
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
daughter of Dr. Ulysses and Lucina Hurlburt, of
York, formerly of Stockbridge, Mass. They had
five children : — Mary D., who died when eleven
years of age ; Daniel W., living at home ; Martha,
at home ; Mary E., wife of Clarence Hodgman,
of Lyons, Ionia county, Mich. ; and Julia A., wife
of Moses Cowan, of York, Livingston county,
N. Y.
Although he was a far-seeing man, Mr. Root's
investments did not at all times meet his ex-
pectations. He had always been a public-spirited
man, entering into public improvements for the
supposed good of his town or county, and often
with pecuniary losses to himself. He was a man
of strong common sense, sanguine in his tempera-
ment and hopeful that many of his early projects
woLild yet succeed. He was president of the agri-
cultural society of the county one year, and direc-
tor since its organization.
In politics Mr. Root was originally a Whig, but
at the organization of the RepubUcan party he be-
came one of its members and ardent supporters.
He was elected Supervisor by his party eight con-
secutive terms, and chairman six of those terms,
and often the votes of the opposing party were
cast in his favor.
March 28, 1881, while attending to his duties at
home he received a paralytic shock, and it was soon
apparent to those who gathered at his bedside that
his lamp of life was flickering, and as colors melt
away into shades and tints and finally disappear,
so his life passed away at the age of nearly seventy-
three years. He was a kind husband, an indulgent
father, a good neighbor and a warm friend. His
life was one of unusual activity, and thoroughly
identified with the history and business interests of
his town and county.
SAMUEL WARREN.
Samuel Warren, was born in Litchfield, Herki-
mer county, N. Y. Oct. 28, 1797. His father died
when Samuel was but ten years old and he remained
at home with his mother until he was nineteen
years of age, when he concluded to try and better
his condition in life by entering a new country. To
this end he came to the Genesee Valley in 1816,
and there engaged for one year in working on the
farm for Mr. Asa Davis. The following winter he
brought his mother there to live with him in the log-
house he had erected on his farm of thirty-three
acres purchased from his employer. He continued
in the employ of Mr. Davis, grafting fruit trees in
the surrounding county, and on his own land planted
a vineyard from which he sold vines to different
piarties and within a few years raised large quanti-
ties of grapes from which he manufactured pure
native wine. He made the first of that kind ever
made in the county in 1832, in that year manu-
facturing about twenty gallons, and in the year
1853 made over fifty-eight casks full.
Previous to this in 1822, Mr. Warren built a saw
mill, the first in the town, near where the feed an
flour mill, known as Warren's mills, is now operate'
by his son H. P. Warren.
Nov. 30, 1826, he was married to Sarah, daugh
ter of Eleazer and Elizabeth Flagg of Conwaj
Franklin county, Massachusetts. Five childrei
were born to them, three sons, and two daughters
of whom three are still living, viz:— Josiah, no\
residing in Geneseo; H. P. occupying the ol(
homestead in York ; and Mary Jane, now Mrs
Alfred Burt, of Campbell, Ionia county, Mich
Fidelia, who died Feb. 5, 185 1, had reached he
twenty-fourth year, and was a young lady of ver]
brilliant mind and highly educated. She ha(
studied medicine in Syracuse and Rochester in th(
Eclectic Medical College.
After eleven years of intense suffering Mr. War
ren died Sept. 14, 1862, in the sixty-fifth year 0:
his age. He had long been deacon in the Con-
gregational church at York, and a most exem-
plary man, and efficient laborer in the Sundaj
School, in which he was particularly interested.
Being a true christian, during the long period oi
his ill health, his friends or family never heard one
repining word.
In politics he was a Republican. A man of
good taste, nice discrimination, sound judgment
and extensive reading, he became deeply interested
in the questions of the day and earnestly hoped
that ours might become a free nation. He became
so engaged in that noble desire that he willingly
bade his son whom he loved, go fight for his coun-
try, and the few days that he lived after the de-
parture of his son, perfect resignation was manifest
upon his brow.
Just before he breathed his last, when asked by
his eldest son if he had any fear, he replied, " 0,
no ; my trust is in Jesus." Thus fearlessly and
peacefully, on a quiet Sabbath afternoon, sur-
rounded by all of his family, save one, the aged
christian passed away from toil to triumph.
Mrs. Warren who still survives her husband, is
now in her eightieth year, and retains her mental
powers to a remarkable degree.
It is through the liberality of the sons, Josiah
and H. P. Warren, that this portrait and sketch of
their father are inserted in the pages of this work,
a tribute to his memory.
DAVID DONNAN.
David Donnan, one of the representative farmers
of Livingston county during more than half a
century, was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery
county, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1809. His father, Alexan-
der Donnan, was a native of Galowayshire, Scot-
land, and came to America the year after the in-
dependence of our nation was declared. He set-
tled in Amsterdam and there bought the farm on
which the remainder of his days were spent.
David remained at home with his parents until
twenty-one years of age, assisting his father in the
SAMPSia, WAmRSM.
Photo, by Merrell, Genesee.
Photo by Merrell, Geneseo.
©A'S'SiD bomma:
DAVID DONN AN — SENATOR BLAKESLEE.
425
arduous duties of farming and acquiring such an
education as he could obtain from the district
schools of that day. Wishing to engage in business
for himself, and having what seemed to him great
wealth, he determined to visit the then famous
Genesee country.
Being pleased with the prospect which there
presented itself, he purchased a farm of one hun-
dred and twelve acres, and settled in the town of
Leicester. Here he began to build for himself that
high reputation as a farmer which he now holds,
and from that time onward, has ever shown him-
self competent to secure the end he had in view,
and worthy the praise accorded him.
He has added to his first purchase from time to
time until now he is the owner of six hundred
acres of the finest farming land in Leicester or
York, which lies in part of both towns and is all
in one body.
Mr. Donnan was married to Jane Milroy, daugh-
ter of James and Mary Milroy, who were natives
"of Galowayshire, Scotland, and who settled in
York at an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Donnan
have been born two children: — John A., who
married Agnes Shannon, of York, now. living at
home; and Mary E., wife of Alexander McPher-
son, of LeRoy, Genesee county, N. Y. Mr. Don-
nan and his family are all conscientious adherents
to the Presbyterian faith.
In politics Mr. Donnan is a Republican, having
joined that party at its formation, and he has
always been an ardent supporter of that party's prin-
ciples, but has never allowed his name to be used
in connection with any office, preferring to let his
large farming interests occupy his time.
Mrs. Donnan was, like her husband, an ardent
and consistent Christian, and was beloved by all
who knew her for her true Christian virtues and
kindness of heart. She died June 13, 1857. The
husband who was thus deprived of his faithful as-
sistant, is still living, in the seventy-second year of
his age, and is able to conduct his business affairs
with great promptness for one that has passed the
alloted time, and he can say, what very few can,
that in all of his business transactions through life
he has never found it necessary or expedient to sue
any person.
SENATOR BLAKESLEE.
Senator Blakeslee was born in Wallingford, New
Haven county, Conn., March 25, 1 799. His father,
Joseph Blakeslee, was a native of Connecticut.
He could trace his lineage back to two brothers of
English origin, who came to this country in that
old " nest-egg of freedom," the Mayflower. His
wife, Mary Andrews, was also a native of Connecti-
cut. They had six children of whom Senator, the
subject of this sketch, was the fourth.
His early life was spent on his father's farm, and
he received more of an education than the average
farmer's sons of those days, having attended a
select school and an academy. When about twenty-
one years of age he taught the school in his native
town and district for two terms, receiving a remu-
neration of ten dollars per month, and the last
term the school consisted of one hundred scholars
of whom he had the entire charge, there being no
assistant. For six years he was a member of the
Wallingford horse artillery of New Haven county,
serving as a commissioned officer.
Mr. Blakeslee remained at home, saving from his
earnings about one hundred dollars each year, till
twenty-six years of age, when he purchased a farm
in Litchfield, Conn., and then married Sally Morse
of Litchfield. They had six children, four of whoin
are now hving : — Merancy, Lyman, and Joseph,
are residing in Kalamazoo, Mich., and Sarah, now
Mrs. Dodge of Oswego county, N. Y. Mrs.
Blakeslee died after being married about fifteen
years.
Mr. Blakeslee continued to work his farm for
eleven years, when he sold out and following in the
footsteps of many before him, sought a farm in the
West, but after spending quite a length of time in
looking around he became somewhat discouraged,
and decided to return east. He stopped at Chicago,
which was then a mere hamlet, five days waiting
for a boat and during that time was privileged in
hearing the great orator, Daniel Webster, in one of
the forts near there.
This was in 1837, and on his way to Connecti-
cut he called on some of his acquaintances who
used every available means to persuade him to
locate in Livingston county, but all in vain. He
returned to WaUingford and in the fall of the same
year carne to York where he purchased a farm of
one hundred and fifty acres, and commenced busi-
ness on the principle, that a good farm like good
stock must be well fed in order to meet the expec-
tation of the owner. In a few years he added
twenty-five acres to his first purchase, and then five
more, making a total of one hundred and eighty
acres, all in one body.
In 1840, he was married to Lucy Hull, of Wal-
lingford, Conn., by whom he had four children,
three of whom are now living, viz : — Lucy, now
Mrs. J. L. Dodge of Moscow ; Marietta, now Mrs.
Geo. Green of Alder creek, Oneida county, and
Henry K. married to Minnie Kellogg, of New
Hartford, Oneida county, and residing on the
homestead farm, and occupying the same house
in which he was born. Mrs. Blakeslee died m
1865, and March nth, 1866, Mr. Blakeslee was
again married to Lucy Kendall his present wife.
Mr. Blakeslee built a beautiful residence with all
the modern improvements, opposite the one he
occupied so many years. He and his wife are
both members of the Baptist Church, Mr. Blakes-
lee having united with the same over sixty years
^^He has been director of the Genesee River bank,
the Mt. Morris bank, and is now one of the direc-
tors of the Genesee Valley National bank. He is
also a Ufe member of the Livingston County Agn-
426
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
cultural Society, having united with that body at
its organization.
Mr. Blakeslee, now at the advanced age of eighty-
two years is a genial, kind-hearted man, with many
friends and respected by all who know him.
WILLIAM CRAIG.
William Craig was born in Dumfriesshire, parish
of Hollywood, Scotland, in 1797. His parents
were James and Agnes (Reed) Craig. They had
eight children, of whom WiUiam was the second
son.
When nine years of age he began working dur-
ing the summer months for the farmers of his native
heath, and remaining at home winters and attend-
ing the district school. His parents took his
earnings till he was nineteen years of age, when he
emigrated to this country where he had an uncle
in Amsterdam, Montgomery county, N. Y.
Having a great taste for mechanical work he
concluded to become a carpenter and joiner, and
engaged his services as an apprentice to Ezra
Loomis.
In 182 1, about the time that he finished his
trade, a brother of Mr. Loomis' residing in Roch-
ester, engaged him to come there and assist him in
erecting the Monroe county jail and a house for
the sheriff.
Feb. 14, 1822, Mr. Craig was united in marriage
with Jape Stewart, of Amsterdam, and in 1823
came to the town of York and bought the fifty
acres of land where he now lives. Here he re-
sumed work at his trade, and such was his repu-
tation as a builder that he sometimes had fourteen
carpenters working at one time under his direc-
tions.
He continued this business until 1838, and
adding to his fifty acres, till now he is the owner
of three hundred and six acres of as good land as
the county contains.
He has four children, as follows: — James W.,
born Nov. 8, 1825, married Sarah J. Butterfield, is
now a physician in Churchville, Monroe county,
N. Y.; Elizabeth, born Sept. 9, 1827, married
William Wilson, of York, and died July 24, 1868 ;
Agnes Reid, born in July, 1829, is the wife of
John McMartin, of York; and Duncan Stewart,
born June 14, 1831, married Elizabeth Walker, of
York.
Mr. Craig is a member of the United Presby-
terian church of York.
In politics he is a Republican, having joined
that party at its formation, and has been Assessor
for his town and Highway Commissioner several
years. He is now about eighty-four years of age,
and can look back upon a life of toil and pleasure
intermingled, and feel that though many years
have passed he does not regret them, but placing
entire confidence in the Ruler of the Universe,
looks cheerfully forward to the future. It is the
wish of his many friends and acquaintances that
he may yet be spared to them many years to come.
CHAPTER XXIX.
History of the Town of Avon.
AVON the central town upon the north borde
of the county is bounded upon the north b
the town of Rush (Monroe county,) upon the eas
by Lima, upon the south by Livonia and Genesee
and upon the west by York and Caledonia. It ha
an area of 24,891 acres, and contained a popula
tionin 1875 of 3,325.
The surface of the town consists mostly of rollin]
uplands while a small portion lies on the flats 0
the Genesee. The soil of the uplands consist
mostly of a gravelly loam intermixed in places witl
clay making valuable wheat land. The assesse(
value of farm lands in this town is the highest 0
any in the county, thus sufficiently attesting no
only the fertility of the soil but the high state 0
cultivation that it has been brought under.
The principal streams of the town are the Gene
see river which forms its western boundary an(
the Conesus outlet which flows through the south
western portions of the town furnishing valuabl
water power at several places in its course befon
it loses itself in the Genesee.
Avon was organized under an Act dated Jan
27, 1789, by the name of Hartford, which wai
changed to Avon, in 1808. The name of Hartfon
was derived from that of Hartford, Conn., and th(
present one was taken from that of a town in Hart
ford county. Conn. It originally comprised thi
town of Rush, Monroe county, but the latter towi
was set off in 18 18.
Gilbert R. Berry was the first permanent settler
coming in the spring of 1789. Dr. Timothy Hos
mer and Isaiah Thompson were the next settlers
and came in 1790, and were followed very soon b;
John Ganson, Benjamin, John, Jesse, Joseph an(
David Pierson, brothers, Josiah Waters, Johi
Beach, Stephen Rogers, Gad. Wadsworth, Pantry J
Moore, Joseph Rathbone and Gideon Dunham
and later by the Wiards, Bensons, Johnsons, Chap
pells. Chapels, Bonds, Riggs, Hendees, Millers
Demings, Littles, Todds, Pecks, Beckwiths am
others mostly from Connecticut.*
The first permanent settler in the town wa
Gilbert R. Berry, who came in the spring of 1789
He was a prominent character in the town up ti
the time of his death which occurred in 1797. H
was from Albany, and married the daughter of th
early Indian trader, Wemple.
* From Address of Hon. A. A. Hendee, of Avon, before the Livingstc
County Pioneer Association Aug. 15, 1878.
Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo.
•Jt2al,aAM C®.ii.lS»
AVON — EARLY SETTLERS.
427
William Rice was at Avon in the same year, and
must have settled there soon after Mr. Berry.
Morgan and William Desha were upon the
"Desha Flats," as early as 1789, claiming under
an Indian grant ; but the title failing, they re-
moved to Canada. There were there in that
year, besides, several heads of famiHes, who are
supposed not to have been permanent settlers.
The son of the Wm. Rice named above, was the
first born upon the Phelps and Gcrham Pur-
chase. He was named " Oliver Phelps Rice.''
Judge Phelps gave him an 100 acres of land in
Livonia, which he occupied when he became of
age.
Gilbert R. Berry being engaged in the Indian
trade, located first at Geneva, and in 1789, re-
moved to the Genesee river, erected a log-house
on the west side of the river, near the present
bridge, opened a trade with the Indian village of
Canawangus, established a ferry, and entertained
the few travelers that passed through on the old
Niagara trail. He died in 1796 or 1797, and was
succeeded by his widow. The Holland Purchase
being opened for settlement soon afterwards, the
" Widow Berry's " tavern was widely known in all
early years west of the river ; and beside furnish-
ing a comfortable resting place for early pioneers
in her primitive tavern, some of the best wives and
mothers of the Genesee country were reared and
fitted for the duties of life. Her daughters be-
came the wives of George Hosmer, Esq., of Avon,
E. Clark Hickox, the early merchant of Batavia
and Buffalo, John Mastick, Esq., the pioneer
lawyer of Rochester, and George A. Tiffany,
whose father was one of the early printers of Can-
andaigua.
In 1795 the Duke de Liancourt, a French noble-
man who visited this county in that year says : " At
Canawangus, though there were but few in-
habitants, I found one of the best inns I have seen
for some time past. It was kept by a good civil
man named Gilbert R. Berry.
Capt. John Ganson was the pioneer settler fol-
lowing Mr. Berry. Holding a commission in the
Revolutionary war, he had accompanied the ex-
pedition of Gen. Sullivan. Before the treaty was
concluded in 1788, he revisited the country, and
selected a fine tract of land on the river, about two
miles below Avon. His sons, John and James,
passed the winter of 1788-89 in a cabin upon the
premises ; and the father and family came on in
the fall of 1789. During the following winter they
erected a rude "tub-mill" on the small stream I
that runs into the river on the Markham farm. It
was a small log building ; no boards could be had ;
the curb was made of hewed plank ; the spindle
was made by straightening out a section of a cart
tire ; the stones were roughly carved out of native
rock. There was no bolt, the substitute being
hand sieves, made of splints. It was a rude,
primitive concern ; but it would mash the corn a
little better than a wooden mortar and pestle, and
was quite an acquisition to the country. It pre-
ceded the Allen mill a few months, and if we shall
call it a mill, it was the first in the Genesee Valley.
Capt. Ganson had claimed title either under the
Indian grant, or under the lessees, which failed,
and Col. Wm. Markham became his successor.
He resided for several years afterwards four miles
east of Avon, on the main road. As early as
1788, about the period of the commencement of
surveys upon the Holland Purchase, Capt. Ganson
had pushed on to the west side of the river, and
purchased the pioneer tavern stand of Charles
Wilbur, on the then verge of civilization, one mile
east of the present village of LeRoy. In this location
he was widely known in early years. His house was
the home of early land agents, surveyors, explorers
and pioneer settlers. He was both loved and feared
by the Indians; they came to him for counsel and
advice ; when they became turbulent in their
drunken frolics and threatened outrage, he would
quell them by his determined will, or with his
strong arm.
Township 10, Range 7, (Avon,) was sold by Mr.
Phelps to Wadsworth, Lewis & Co. Those inter-
ested in the purchase were : — WilUam Wadsworth,
of Farmington, Conn., (a cousin of James and
William,) Wells, of Hartford, Isaiah Thomp-
son, Timothy Hosmer, and Lewis. The
price paid was is 6d., New England currency per
acre ; a high price at the period, in consequence
of the large amount of open flats. Dr. Hosmer
and Thompson were the only ones of the proprie-
tors who became residents. Major Thompson,
who had not brought his family, died the first sea-
son, of bihous fever. His son Charles afterwards
became a resident, and died in Avon many years
since.
Dr. Timothy Hosmer was a native of West
Hartford, Conn. With a little more than an ordi-
nary academical education, he became a student
of medicine with Dr. Dickinson, of Middleton.
But recently settled in practice in Farmington, at
the breaking out of the Revolution, he entered the
service of the colonies as a surgeon, in the Con-
428
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
necticut line. Serving in that capacity through the
eventful crisis, he retired happy in the recollection
of its glorious result, but like most of those who
had helped to achieve it, he was poor and penni-
less, with a growing family dependent on his pro-
fessional services for support. In the army he had
acquired a high reputation in his profession, es-
pecially for his successful treatment of the small-
pox at Danbury, where an army hospital had been
established for patients. The discovery of Jenner,
having been but recently promulgated in Europe,
its efficacy was a mooted question ; with a profes-
sional boldness which was characteristic of the man,
he espoused the new discovery, and used it with
great success.
Personally acquainted with Mr. Phelps, and
hearing of his purchase in the Genesee country,
partly from a love of adventure and new enterprise,
and partly to escape from a large practice, that was
requiring too much of constant toil, in 1790, he
visited this region in company with Maj. Thomp-
son, with whom, for themselves and associates, he
made the purchase of a township, spending the
summer of 1790 in Avon and erecting a log house,
(the first dwelling on the present site of Avon,)
where Mr. Merrill's house afterwards stood. His
whole family joined him in 1792. Coming into
the wilderness, with other objects in view, he was
forced by necessity^ — ^by the absence of others of
his profession, to engage in practice, which he con-
tinued until relieved by others.
The Indians early learned to appreciate his pro-
fessional skill and personal good offices. They
named him " At-ta-gus," the healer of disease. In
a period of doubt as to their relations with the new
settlers, he helped to reconcile them and avert a
threatened danger.
When Ontario was organized he became one of
its judges, and succeeded Mr. Phelps as First Judge,
which office he held until he was sixty years of age,
the constitutional limitation. He possessed nat-
urally a fine literary taste; and his well selected
library was an anomaly in the backwoods. In his
correspondence with Messrs. Wadsworth and Wil-
liamson, there are indications of the scholar the
poet, and always of ardent, enhghtened patriotism.
He died in November, 1 815,. aged 70 years.
Among his sons, most of whom came to the country
as junior pioneers, may be mentioned William T.,
and George, of Avon, who in early years occupied a
conspicuous position at the bar of Western New
York, and who was the father of Wm. H. C. Hos-
mer, the author of "Yonnondio," "Themes of
Song," and other poems; who is justly entitled t(
the position that has been awarded him in the fron
rank of American scholars and poets.
Geo. Hosmer pursued his early studies unde
the tuition of the Rev. Ebenezer Johnson, of Lima
in 1799 entered the law office of Hon. Nathanie
W. Howell, as a student; and in 1S02 was admit
ted to practice, opening his office in Avon, thet
the only lawyer west of Canandaigua. In the wa
of 181 2 he was upon the frontier as the aid of Gen
Hall. He died in Chicago in March, 1861.
Timothy, the early and widely known landlorc
at Avon, afterward resided at the Four Mile creek
near Fort Niagara; Sylvester, in Caledonia; Alben
in Hartland, Niagara county.
Frederick Hosmer, deceased, was a son of Judge
Hosmer. He was the first merchant at Avon.
Colonel William Markham, who had first settled
at Bloomfield, moved to Avon in 1 790. In Bloom-
field he had purchased a hundred acres of land,
and paid for it with the proceeds of one acre ol
potatoes. With the proceeds of that land, he pur-
chased and paid for the fine farm on the river, af
terwards owned by his son, Guy Markham, which
has rented for $1,000 per year. He died in 1827
or 1828.
Gad Wadsworth was a distant connection of
James and WiUiam, and came in with them in
their primitive advent in 1790, in care, personally,
of the stock. James and William having become,
by purchase from first hands, land proprietors in
Avon, he settled there in 1792, his farm being what
was afterward the farms of his son, Henry Wads-
worth, and Asa Nowlen, upon which are the Avon
springs. He died soon after 1820, aged nearly
80 years. Another son of his, Richard, inhabited
that part of the farm upon which the springs are
situated, and sold to Mr. Nowlen. He emigrated
to Sandusky.
Major Isaac Smith was the early and widely
known landlord, four miles west of the river, com-
mencing there as early as 1800. Under his roof,
a large proportion of the pioneers west of the river,
have found rest and refreshment.
The next landlord at Avon, after Gilbert R.
Berry, was Nathan Perry. He built a framed
house, north side of the square, on the site occu-
pied by the dwelling of Mr. Curtiss Hawley. Perry
emigrated to the Connecticut Reserve, and was
succeeded by Sidney Hosmer, who made additions
to the house. In 1806 James Wadsworth built the
hotel on the corner, and soon after sold it to Sid-
ney and W. T. Hosmer, after which it was long
j^ESIDENCE AND StoCK jpAE^^M OF F^ ||
^
\
VSON, fivoN, Livingston Pounty, N. Y,
AVON— EARLY SETTLERS.
429
known as the Hosmer Stand. During the war of
181 2, and for many years after, it was kept by
Timothy Hosmer.
The first school-house was a log one, erected a
little north of the Episcopal church. Judge Hos-
mer and the Wadsworths built saw mills on the
Conesus as early as 1796. The first meetings were
held in the log school-house, — Judge Hosmer usu-
ally reading the Episcopal service. Mr. Crane, an
Episcopal clergyman, and Rev. Samuel J. Mills,
were early itinerant ministers.
Jehiel Kelsey was another of the early pioneers of
Avon. In 1 798 he brought the first cargo of salt that
came from Onondaga by water, and around the
portage at Genesee Falls. He paid for each
bushel of salt a pound of pork, and sold his salt
at $10 per barrel.
In 1805, a library was established at Avon. The
trustees were : — A. Sidney Hosmer, Job Pierce,
Joshua Lovejoy, Jehiel Kelsey, Elkanah Whitney,
James Lawrence, William Markham, George Hos-
mer, Stephen Rodgers.
In 1810 "a number of persons being stated
hearers of Rev. John F. Bliss, of Avon," met and
organized the "Avon Religious Society." Samuel
Bliss and Asa Clark presided. Trustees :— John
Pierson, George Hosmer, Nathaniel Bancroft, John
Brown, Ezekiel Mosely, William Markham.
James Hosmer was a prominent citizen of Avon.
He was born in Montville, now New London,
Conn., Sept. 13, 1799, and came to Avon with his
parents, Graves and Amy Hosmer, in 1801. He
resided in the tov/n of Avon continuously from that
time until his death, which took place May 11,
1880.
His father, Graves Hosmer, enlisted on board of
the Continental frigate Trumbull as midshipman,
in 1779, when it was lying in the port of New Lon-
don. In the spring of 1780, the frigate sailed, and
in the month of June fell in with the British ship
Wasp. In the conflict that ensued, Mr. Hosmer
was in command of eight men in the main-top all
of whom were either killed or wounded, with the
exception of himself. He only served one year.
He was a native of Middletown, Conn.
Charles Kellogg came from Colchester, Conn.,
in 1810 and settled in the town of Geneseo. His
family consisted of nine children, all born in Con-
necticut. His daughter Mary was born in Octo-
ber, 1800, and in 181 8 she moved to the farm just^
north of the cemetery at South Avon, where she
still resides.
Benjamin Deming was an important addition to
the early pioneers. He located in the neighbor-
hood of South Avon about 1806. Major Scott was
another early settler in this section of the town
and bought a large farm. None of his descend-
ants are now here.
Hermann Ladd settled a short distance west of
East Avon, as early as 1 806, and died there. War-
ren Ladd is a son of his. Pantry J. Moore settled
upon the hill just east of Avon, previous to 1802.
Chandler Pearson was one of the first settlers at
East Avon, and was an early merchant there. Job
Pierce came to Avon village as early as 1801.
Josiah Waters lived about one mile south of
Avon, and settled there as early as 1805. He had
located previous to this on a lot three- fourths of a
mile east of East Avon, but not liking the land
moved in 1805. Mrs. John Hall is a daughter of
his. Among his children were Truman and Ed-
ward, both dead. Edward Waters his brother, set-
tled about one and three-fourths miles east of East
Avon, as early as 1805, and died upon the same
place. He had a large family all of whom are gone.
John P. Whaley is another of the early pioneers
whose name has been made historical through its
connection with the records of the past. One of
the progenitors of this family, Edward Whalley, was
born in 1615, in Northamptonshire, England.
When the contest between Charles II. and his
Parliament arose he sided with the latter, and was
one of the fifty-nine who signed the King's death
warrant. At the Restoration he was obliged to flee
for the safety of his life, and came to New England,
where he arrived July 27, 1660. Edward A. was
a son of John P. Whaley, and was born Jan. 17,
1786, in Berkshire county, Mass. Charles E. who
now resides in Avon, is a son of Edward and was
born in this town Nov. 14, 1825. John P. settled
in Avon in 1805.
A Mr. Barrows settled about three-fourths of a
mile north-east of Avon, about 1800. Captain
James Austin married one of his daughters.
Ephraim Hen dee moved to the town of Avon, in
October, 1810. His children were Hannah P., af-
terwards Mrs. Jonas Howe ; Amy Lovisa, who mar-
ried Hiram Pierson ; Worthy L., who moved to
Michigan; Ruby OrviUa, who married a Mr. Ran-
som, (now dead;) Churchill, born Jan. 15, 1812,
in Michigan, and the Honorable A. A., now dead.
John Barnard located near the old ferry on the old
State road as early as 1806.
The Pierson— or Pearson as some of the mem-
bers spell it-family consisting of Benjamin, John,
Jesse Joseph and David, brothers, settled a little
43°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
east of East Avon, on the State road as early as
1797. Hiram Pearson is a son of Jesse Pearson,
and was born September 21, 1805. His father set-
tled upon lot 68. Ira Pearson was born in 1793,
and was brought to this town with his parents who
settled upon lot 113. He died in Feb. 9, 1850. S.
B. Pearson is a son of Ira's, and was born Octo-
ber 22, 18 15.
Joseph Pierson was born in Ellington, Conn.,
April 15, 1767. At the age of twenty-one he
emigrated to Schenectady county, where he was
married to Sarah Watrous. July, 1 797, he re-
moved with his family to Avon. Of his nine
children only four are living :— Catherine, Wealthy,
Frederick B. and Bradley M. Mr. Pierson died
Dec. 10, 1843, and his wife, Sept. 17, t8io.
Frederick B. has acquired no little notoriety for
the excellence of his stock farm and for his efforts
to improve the quality of the live stock of the
county. Horses reared upon his farm have not
been regarded unfit gifts for two Presidents of the
United States.
There came to the Genesee country with
Messrs. Fitzhugh, Rochester and Carroll, or at
about the same time, Col. Jonas Hogmire, of
Washington county, Md., and William Beal and
John Wilson, of Frederick county, Md. Col.
Hogmire purchased of Mr. Wadsworth, on the
river, in Avon, 1,500 acres of land, upon which his
sons, Conrad and Samuel Hogmire, afterwards re-
sided. The father never emigrated. Austin Hog-
mire, who resides near South Avon, is a son of
Conrad's, and was born in Avon, April 11, 1820.
Thomas Wiard came in 1802 from Waterbury,
Conn., and settled in Geneseo. He had purchased
his farm of the Wadsworths before coming, and
was to have the privilege of selecting his land from
among any of their vast possessions in the Genesee
country, which at that time comprised nearly
all of this section. Owing to a subsequent
difficulty arising from political discussions, he
experienced considerable trouble in locating his
land, but finally located in 1805 upon the tract
occupied the year before by Josiah Waters, and
upon which the latter had built a log-house. Four
of his children: — WilHam, Seth, Margaretany,
and Rachel E., were born in Connecticut, and
came in with him. Henry, George, Thomas,
Matthew, Caroline and Mary Ann, were born
after his settlement here. Upon his removal to
Avon he carried on farming, backsmithing, and
the manufacture of plows. He was the first
Supervisor of the town of Avon, holding that office
in 1821, 1822, 1829, 1830 and 1835. He died
1837. Of his children : — Seth, Thomas, Mattli
and Henry in East Avon, and Mary Ann,
Michigan, are the only ones living. Seth marr
Acsah Dayton ; Thomas married Almira E. Aid
man; Matthew is unmarried and Henry marr
Caroline Palmer. Matthew was born Sept.
1813. From 1852 till 1870, he was largely engaj
in the manufacture of the Wiard Plow. He v
Supervisor in 1858, 1859, i860, and 1876, a
was Member of Assembly in i86i and 1862.
Deacon Hinds Chamberlain came to Avon
1790. He afterward moved to LeRoy, Genes
county.
Col. Abner Morgan, athough not one of the fi
settlers, on account of his prominence, is worthy
mention. His collegiate education was obtain
at Harvard College, from where he was graduat
in 1763. He left his home in Brimfield, Mas
where he was engaged in the practice of law,
T775, and accepted, at Cambridgeport, Mass., t
commission of Major and Adjutant in the fii
regiment of Continental troops raised in the war
the Revolution. Nehemiah Porter was the colom
This regiment formed part of the force with whii
General Arnold joined Montgomery before Qu
bee. When Montgomery was killed, Arnold tO(
his place, and upon his being disabled, Maji
Morgan assumed command of the " forlorn hop*
and led the last and final attack the morning
Jan. I St, 1776, which was repulsed by overwhelr
ing numbers.*
Colonel Morgan came to Avon in 1828, anddii
there in December, 1837, at the extraordinary a|
of 100. Mrs. Salisbury, the widow of Dr. Samu
Salisbury, of Avon, now residing in Rochester, is
daughter of his.
At a census of Avon, taken by General Am
Hall, in 1790, the town contained a population
ten famiUes, sixty-six persons.
The first bridge was built across the Genesee
Avon, in 1803 or 1804.
The earliest records attainable bear date of Ap
7, 1797, at which time Ebenezer Merry wasSupi
visor, Wm. Hosmer, Town Clerk, and Timot
Hosmer and Gad Wadsworth Commissioners
Highways. In 1798 the following names appe
upon the records : Ebenezer Merry, Supervise
Wm. Hosmer, Town Clerk; John Beach, Jo
Hinman, John Pearson, Assessors; Stephen Re
ers, Josiah Wadsworth, John Markham, Comm
* Irving's "Washington" vol. xxiv page 148 inadvertently confou
Major Morgan with Captain afterwards General Daniel Morgan.
0U c!^^^S^Ct^a\ /h,cuo^
Matthew Wiard, the subject of this sketch, was born in
the town of Avon, Livingston county, Sept. 8, 1813. He
is the fourth son of Thomas Wiard, who came from
Waterbury, Conn., about the year 1802,;and located at
Geneseo, where he commenced farming and afterwards
carried on blacksmithing in the village. After remaining
there two years he purchased a farm in the town of Avon,
to which he removed, and carried on farming, black-
smithing and the manufacture of plows. He was the
first Supervisor of the town of Avon, performing the
duties of that office in the years 1821, '22, '29, '30 and
'35, and was also Justice of the Peace for many years.
His first wife was Susan Hall, a native of Waterbury,
Conn., by whom he had ten children, as follows: Wil-
liam, (deceased,) Margaretany, (deceased,; Seth,KachelE.,
(deceased,) Thomas, Mary Ann, Caroline, (deceased,)
Matthew, Henry and George, (deceased.) His second
wife was Nancy Gansen, of Genesee county, by whom he
had three children, viz.: Nancy J., Louisa, (deceased,)
and Elizabeth. He died in 1837, at the age of 67 years.
Matthew lived at home, working on the farm and at-
tending the district school — the only advantage for an
education he ever enjoyed — until about twenty-two years
of age, when he and his elder brother, Thomas, took the
hotel at East Avon, which had been kept for many years
previously by William T. Hosmer, one of the early set-
tlers in the town. He continued there until about the
yearl8.')2, when he sold the house— having purchased it
after his father's death — and engaged in the manufacture
of plows, then and now known as the "Wiard Plow,"and
which obtained n world-wide fame for its superior excel-
lence. The plow now manufactured in Syracuse, and
known as the "Syracuse Chilled Plow," is an outgrowth
of the Wiard Plow, and was first made from a set of pat-
terns sold by Matthew Wiard to John S. Robinson, of
Canandaigua. Mr. Wiard sold out his interest in 1870,
and about 1876 the manufactory was removed to Batavia,
N. Y. Mr. Wiard has since followed farming in a small
way and speculating in real estate, but considers himself
as retired from active business. He has been elected to
many of the offices in the gift of the people of his town
and county. He was Supervisor in 18i58, T)!), '60 aud '76.
In 1861 and '62 he represented his county in the State
Legislature, has been Justice of the Peace nearly twenty
years, holding that office at the present time, and has
been Notary PubUc about ten years. In politics Mr.
Wiard was an old line Whig until the Eepubliean party
was formed, with which he united and has given an in-
telligent and firm support to its principles and measures.
During the late war he was one of the first enrolling
officers appointed for the town of Avon by the Governor.
He is a staunch and true friend to those who prove them-
selves worthy. By a lifeof industry and honest dealing
he has secured a competence, and it is agreed by all who
know him that in their social and business relations with
him they have ever found him a man of sterling fidelity.
AVON— TOWN OFFICERS.
431
sioners of Highways ; John Pearson, Wm. Mark-
ham, Overseers of P9or, and John Mack, Constable.
At the "Anniversary" election held April 30,
1801, Stephen Van Rensselaer received forty-one
votes for Governor, and James Watson fifty-six
votes for Lieut.-Governor ; Ebenezer Merry, Job
Pierce, John Hinman, John Beach and Ransom
Smith were Inspectors of Election.
The following persons have held the office of
Supervisor and Town Clerk since 1802 :—
Supervisors. Town 'Clerks.
1802. Ebenezer Merry. Wm. Hosmer.
1803-7 do do Chas. Little.
1808-9.* Wm. Markham. do do
1810. Chas. Little. Bradley Martin.
iSii. Thomas Wiard. Matthew Hanna.
1812. Wm. Markham. Bradley Martin.
1813. Asa Nowlen. do do
1814. Wm. Markham. Asa Nowlen.
18 1 5. Thomas Wiard. do do
i8i6-i7.tWm. Markham. do do
1818. Asa Bishop. do do
1819-20. do do Augustus A. Bennett.
1821. Thomas Wiard. Asa Nowlen.
1822. do do A. A. Bennett.
1823. Asa Nowlen. Hervey Brown.
1824. do do Emanuel Case.
1825-26. do do David Firman.
1827-28. Wm. J. Hosmer. do do
1829. Thomas Wiard. do do
1830. do do Matthew P. Thomas.
1 83 1. David Firman. do do
1832. Tabor Ward. C. D. W. Gibson.
1833. do do M. P. Thomas.
1834. Wm. T. Hosmer. do do
1835. Thomas Wiard. do do
1836-37. Curtiss Hawley. L. W. Beecher.
1838-40. M. P. Thomas. do do
1841. Richard Torrence. do do
1842. Thomas Wiard. Peyton R. Morgan.
1843. Lewis Chandler. Clark K. Estes.
1844. do do M. P. Thomas.
1845. Thomas Wiard. Isaac Wells.
1846. Aaron Barber. Hugh Cameron.
1847. Amos Dann. Wm. A. Firman.
1848. Wm. C. Hawley. do do
1649. Norman Chappell. H. S. Firman.
1850. do do V. P. Whitbeck.
1851. Curtiss Hawley. Chas. A. Simonds.
1852. Chas. L. Shepard. Volkert P. Whitbeck.
1853-54. N. Chappell. Calvin Knowles.
1855. do do Stephen Hosmer.
1856. W. C. Hawley. do do
1857. C. L. Shepard. John Watkins.
1858. Matthew Wiard. do do
1859-60. do do Wilson D. Palmer.
1861. Hiram B. Smith. do do
1862. do do John Sabin.
1863. Russell Beckwith. Solon Watkins.
1864. do do Francis J. Hedenberg
* Avon erected from Hartford,
t Rush set off in April 1817.
H. H. Isham.
Samuel Churchill.
Elias H. Davis,
do
do
H. E. VanZandt.
do do
do do
do do
do do
1865. James Hosmer.
1866-68. Geo. W. Swan.
1869-70. C. H. Marsh.
187 1. Homer Sackett.
1872-74. Geo. D. Dooer.
1875. do do
1876. Matthew Wiard.
1877. Geo. D. Dooer.
1878. Aaron Barber.
i879*-8o.W. S. Newman.
The following is the present list of officers : —
Supervisor, Joseph A. Dana ; Town Clerk, Henry
E. VanZandt; Justiceof the Peace, Calvin Knowles,
full term ; Justice of the Peace, Samuel L. Harned,
vacancy ; Highway Commissioner, E. H. Clark ;
Assessors, Charles E. Whaley, W. P. Low, C. Lan-
don ■ Overseer of the Poor, William B. Calvert ;
Collector, H. McKinney; Constables, Edward B.
Reed, Jason B. Benedict, A. O'Neill, Benjamin G.
Nixon, William Pierce ; Game Constable, Milton
C. Smedley ; Excise Commissioners, J. E. Jenks,
Wm. Clendening, John Klett ; Inspectors of Elec-
tion, Dist. No. I, Underbill D. Torrance, Henry
Wiard ; Dist. No. 2, Charles P. Quick, W. W.
Hodgmire.
The following miscellaneous items are taken
from the town records : —
In 1802 Zephania Beach, Josiah Rathbone, Gid-
eon Dunham and Wm. Poor were Pathmasters.
The town expenses for the year 1802 were $8.00.
In 1814 the first appropriation was made for a
common school fund. In 1 8 2 o there were fourteen
school districts and six hundred and fifty-four
scholars. The amount of pubHc school moneys
distributed was $269.22. In 1833 12^ cents
bounty was paid for each crow killed in the town,
which bounty was increased to 25 cents in 1835.
The total number of votes cast November 2, 3 and
4. 1840, was for the Whig candidate 394, and for
the Van Buren candidate 199. In 1841, Robert
McLaughlin and Stephen S. Briggs were the only
persons voting the Abolition ticket.
Certificate of Freedom:— This may certify
that it hath been made to appear to my satisfac-
tion that OHver Payne, a black man, is free ac-
cording to the laws of the State of New York; that
said Oliver is of the age of forty-one years ; that
the place of his birth is the town of Grafton, State
of Massachusetts ; that he became free by virtue of
an Act of the Legislature of said State for abohsh-
ing slavery in said State, passed more than twenty
years ago; and that said Oliver is about six feet in
height, slender built. Witness my hand this 27th
day of April, 1815.
■^ Mathew Warner.
One of the Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas for Ontario County.
» Elected for two years.
432
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Slave Certificate: — I hereby certify that
Dion, a black woman, is aged about 33 years, her
son Henry was born Oct., 1815, her son Robert
was born July 28, 1817. All of the above names
are slaves of mine till their times shall severally ex-
pire agreeable to the laws of this State.
Avon, 8 Nov., 18 17. Jeremiah Riggs.
War Record : — The part that Avon took in the
great interneciary struggle that was precipitated upon
the country in 1861, will in all probability never be
fully told, as no records were ever kept to portray in
living colors the noble services of her sons upon
the field, or their sufferings within the prison-pens of
the enemy. The following. is all that appears in
the records of the town, and is but a brief epitome
of the support given by those at home to their
brave townsmen who had gone or who were to go
to the defense of their country.
The first resolution appearing in the town
records relative to the war bears date of Aug. 18,
1863, and is as follows : —
" Resolved, That the sum of Two Dollars per
week be appropriated to the indigent wife of any
volunteer or drafted man, who is now or may be
hereafter called into the service of the United
States from this town with the additional sum of
fifty cents per week, for each child of such family
who has not arrived to an age sufficient for its own
support."
Three hundred dollars were voted to be raised
for this, and Nov. 5, 1863, it was resolved that one
thousand dollars be raised for the same purpose.
April 5, 1864, it was
"Resolved, That $r,22i be assessed upon the
taxable property of the town of Avon for the pur-
pose of paying the extra bounty pledged to volun-
teers, and other expenses pertaining thereto."
At a special town meeting held at the house of
I. R. Newman, East Avon, Aug. 20, 1864, of
which John L. Burleigh, was chairman, the fol-
lowing resolution drawn by Matthew Wiard, Rus-
sell Beckwith, Wm. E. Hall, James Hosmer and
Josiah Brooks, was adopted: —
"Resolved, That the clerk of this town be
authorized to issue the bonds of this town, bearing
annual interest of seven per cent., borrowing
money thereon to pay each volunteer who shall be
mustered into the U. S. service for three years and
credited to this town, four hundred dollars in ad-
dition to all other bounties, and two hundred dol-
lars for one year, ****** said bonds
to be payable in five years, in five annual instal-
ments."
Sept. 8, 1864, the following resolution was
adopted unanimously : —
"Resolved, That the Supervisor of the town of
Avon is hereby authorized to pay in cash or bon<
of Livingston county, one thousand dollars to eac
recruit or person who has furnished and caused 1
be mustered into the military service of the Unite
States, a substitute under the last call of tl
President for five hundred thousand men, provide
that such recruits or substitutes are credited upc
the quota of Avon."
February 14, 1865, the following resolution wi
adopted : —
"Resolved, That there be assessed and coUecte
upon the taxable property of the town of Avon,
sum of money sufficient to pay to each and evei
volunteer, who shall enhst on the quota of th
town, for one year's men, three hundred dollars
two years' men, four hundred dollars ; three year
men,- six hundred dollars, * * *."
" Resolved, That the sum of two hundred an
fifty dollars be paid to each man who may b
drafted from the town of Avon and mustered i
the service of the United States."
March 2, 1875, it was resolved that onethoi
sand two hundred and eighty-four dollars be raise
to build a soldiers' monument. E. H. Davis, '
A. Dana, Orange Sackett, Jr., Matthew Wiar
and Hugh Tighe were appointed a committee t
purchase and superintend the erection of the samf
March 7, 1876, it was resolved to raise thre
thousand dollars for a soldiers' monument.
Feb. 17, 1877, it was resolved that the soldien
monument be accepted, and it now stands a beau
tiful graiiite structure, forty-five feet high.
On the south side of the monument are ir
scribed the following names : —
George Blackall, 11 6th Regiment, N. Y. S. V
Denis Bulkley, "
Charles Barnard, "
Houghton Gerry, "
J. T. Morrison, "
D. E. Sunderlin, "
David Rich, "^.
Edwin Winans, "
F. E. Whaley,
Wm. Hover, "
Samuel Whitmore, "
Patrick Brennigan, 104th "
Edward Roberts, 104th "
Patrick Conner, T4oth "
Simon Deal, io8th "
On the east side those of: —
Edgar Nobles,
G. E. Slater,
A. B. Milliman,
A. K. Damon,
Wm. Hall,
Wilbur Waterous,
Peter Zimmer.
H. N. Stowell,
14th H. Artillery.
Engineer.
AVON VILLAGE.
433
On the north side those of : —
Wm. Fisher, 13th Regiment, N. Y. S. V.
Joseph Shadlow, 33d " "
Gilbert Fuller, 27th " "
Chas. Hosmer, 27 th " "
H. C. Cutler, B. Cav. "
John Canfield,
James Halligan, " "
George Hosmer, Jr. " "
John McGraw, « "
J. J. Peck, 2 2d " «
J. K. Snyder, ist "
James Chase, 26th Battery, "
Jeremiah VonKleeck, " "
Homer Hilburn, 8th H. Art. "
Milo Moran, " "
On the west side is inscribed : —
Erected by the Town of
Avon,
IN memory
TO her deceased AND FALLEN
Soldiers
whose names are
inscribed hereon.
At the bottom is inscribed —
" Rest Here for the
Night."
Around the shaft are the names —
Fredericksburgh,
Gettysburgh,
Wilderness,
Atlanta.
The monument is surmounted by a fine marble
statute of an infantry soldier and stands in the
center of the park at the top of the hill on the
street leading from the depot. It is an ornament
to the town and an honor to the townsmen of these
fallen heroes, that they should thus perpetuate their
memory upon the enduring stone.
Avon Village.
The village of Avon or West Avon as it was
formerly called, lies in the northwest portion of the
town upon the line of the New York, Lake Erie
and Western Railroad, it being the junction of the
branch from Corning to Buffalo, with the one run-
ning from Rochester to Dansville.
It is a thriving village containing in 1880, 1,620
inhabitants and derives considerable notoriety from
the sulphur springs that are located here and which
have been found decidedly efficacious in curing
many diseases. Even among the Indians the water
from these springs was regarded as a good reme-
dial agent.
The village is charmingly situated upon the edge
of the highlands bordering the Genesee flats, thus
giving a magnificent view across the intervening
lowlands to the highlands upon the other side of
the valley.
The springs are the principal point of attraction
for summer tourists, yet the inducements for pleas-
ure seekers will be greatly enhanced this summer
by a line of stages which is to be run to Conesus
Lake, thus making that beautiful place easy of
access.
The village contains two newspaper offices, the
Livmgston County Herald, E. H. Davis, editor and
proprietor, and the Avonian, which is printed in
Warsaw.
Tirtiothy Hosmer was one of the first settlers in
the present village, occupying a log house on the
hill. This log house was used as the first hotel
here, and during the war of 1812 was made very
lively with the companies of soldiers that often
camped here, this being on the principal route to
the Niagara frontier.
Captain Asa Nowlen came from Connecticut in
1812, and bought a farm between Avon and East \
Avon, known as the John Hillman farm. He was
a prominent character of his day. After locating
on this farm he came to the village and on the south-
west corner of Main and Genesee streets, erected
what with alterations was afterwards known as
" Comstock's" and still later, was known under the
more pretentious title of United States Hotel.
The incorporation of the village took place May
17, 1853. At an election held at the hotel of
Samuel Davis, June 11, 1853, relative to ac-
cepting the charter, fifty-three votes were cast,
forty-nine of which were in the affirmative. George
Hosmer, Orville Comstock and David Brooks were
the inspectors of this election.
On the 5th of July, 1853, the first election was
held, at which the following officers were elected :
George Hosmer, Orville Comstock, James Hosmer,
David Brooks and Benjamin P. Ward, Trustees ;
Joseph F. Miller, Orin H. Coe, and Curtiss Haw-
ley, Assessors \ Thomas C. Chase, Collector ; John
Sabin, Treasurer; Charles A. Hosmer, Clerk; Ed-
win M. Price, Darius M. Gilbert, and Wm. W.
Jones, Fire Wardens, and Wm. E. Pattee, Pound
Master.
The following persons have held the office of
President and Clerk at the date designated:—
President.
1854. Curtiss Hawley. C.
1855. James Hosmer.
1856. Jesse H. Loomis.
1857. O. Comstock.
1858.
' No election.
434
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
1859.
Charles L. Shepard
i860.
J. H. Bennett.
I86I.
James Hosmer.
1862.
T. E. Winans.
1863.
James Hosmer.
1864.
Hiram B. Smith.
1865.
T. E. Winans.
1866.
W. E. Hall.
1867.
Geo. W. Swan.
1868.
James Hosmer.
1869.
Sylvester G. Fay.
1870.
J. R. Marsh.
I87I.
G. W. Swan.
1872.
Stephen Hosmer.
1873-
H. H. Haile.
1874.
do
1875-
Geo. W. Sherman
1876.
T. E. Winans.
1877.
W. S. Newman.
1878.
J. C. Davenport.
1879.
E. J. Whiting.
1880.
do
C. A. Hosmer.
Wilson D. Palmer.
Elias H. Davis.
do
T. E. Winans.
G. H. Nowlen.
do
Daniel Lacy.
do
S. G. Fay.
S. Hosmer.
do
Daniel Lacy.
M. H. Bronson.
F. N. Isham.
Geo. W. Swan.
, M. U. Bronson.
W. S. Newman.
J. R. Fryer.
Patrick Gleason.
do
W. B. Bassett.
The present (1881) officers of Avon Village
are :— Trustees, E. J. Whiting, George D. Dooer,
John S. Peters, J. L. Falkner, W. B. Bassett ; As-
sessors, Samuel Armstrong, Michael Dowdall ;
Police Justice, Wm. Carter; Treasurer, C. F.
Whiting ; President, E. J. Whiting ; Clerk, W. B.
Bassett.
Avon Springs. — Through the kindness of Mrs.
Samuel Salisbury, we are able to give the follow-
ing valuable extracts in relation to these celebrated
springs from a pamphlet published by her husband,
the late Dr. Samuel Salisbury, in 1838, entitled
" Avon Mineral Waters, etc."
"The Avon Mineral Springs were long known
to the Indians who resorted to them for the cure
of diseases of the skin. A portion of the Seneca
tribe inhabited a village on the opposite branch of
the river which they called Canawangus. Captain
Parish informed me that the name signified lively
water, and was applied to this settlement in conse-
quence of the great nember of clear and limpid
fount9,ins of water in the vicinity. The far-famed
chief Red Jacket as Dr. Francis informs us in the
U. S. Medical & Surgical Journal enumerated
them among his remedial measures for the cure of
diseases of the skin ; and wasting disorders, as they
were termed, were supposed capable of being
removed by their use even when applied ex-
ternally."
" Great numbers of deer were in the habit of re-
sorting to these springs, thus making the vicinity a
desirable hunting ground for the aborigines. The
outlet of the Conesus, a creek which empties into
the Genesee river near the lower spring is a spot
distinguished for the abundance of excellent fi
which are caught there ; and even to this day, \
occasionally find some of these sons of the fore
encamped along the bank of the river and busi
engaged in taking fish for which they find
ready sale to the inhabitants of the neighborii
village."
In the year 1792 one of the inhabitants used tl
waters with perfect success in the cure of a disea
of the skin consequent upon intermittent fever. ]
1795 a case of rheumatism of long standing whii
had resisted the treatment of a number of intel
gent physicians, was speedily and entirely cured 1
their use. The first improvement was made at tl
springs by the proprietor, Mr. Richard Wadswort
in 1 82 1, when a small building was erected at tl
lower spring that contained a showering bo
This building was enlarged and a bathing houi
erected in 1823, and some effort was made to su
ply visitors with accommedations necessary for tl
external use of the waters. In 1828 there w;
erected a large building at the upper spring. ]
1828-29, three houses were erected in their imra
diate vicinity, one by Nehemiah Houghton, one 1
D. Knickerbacker, and one by a Mr. Cartrigh
About a mile southwest of the lower spring upc
what is called the Black creek, there is a spring
which Paul Knowles, its proprietor, in 1834 erect(
a very large house for boarding with accommod
tions for bathing.
In 1836, A. Nowlen purchased of Richai
Wadsworth one hundred acres of land which en
braced the two springs most highly prized.
" The Lower Spring in its original state form*
a large pool of perhaps fifty feet in diameter, ar
was the one first made use of. It rises from
fissure in the rock, thirty-six feet below the surfa^
of the ground, about one hundred rods from tl
Genesee river and about thirty rods from Cones
creek. The volume of water discharged from tl
spring is the same at all seasons of the year, ai
does not appear to depend in the least up
atmospheric influence. As near as can be asce
tained, the discharge per minute amounts to fifl
four gallons. The temperature of the water
from 41; to 47 degrees Fahr., and the speci
gravity is 10.018. Its taste resembles tli
of a solution of hydro-sulphuric acid, but it
more bitter and saline ; it has the strong odor
this acid. As it issues from the fountain it
limpid, transparent and somewhat sparkUng."
The following is an analysis of Lower Spri
by the late Dr. Samuel Salisbury : —
AVON VILLAGE — THE SPRINGS.
435
In a wine gallon, gaseous contents.
Sulphuretted Hydrogen 10.02 cubic inches.
Nitrogen 5-42 "
Carbonic Acid 3.92 " |'
Oxygen 5^
Solid contents.
Carbonate of Lime 29.33 grains.
Chloride of Calcium 8.41 "
Sulphate of Lime 57.42
Sulphate of Magnesia 49.61 "
Sulphate of Soda i3-73 "
Total 158.52
The UpJ>er Spring has h&tn in use since 1827.
It has been proved by the cures which have been
effected by its use to possess similar medicinal
properties to the Lower Spring, and is by some
even more highly prized. In sensible properties
it bears a close resemblance to it, but there is a
peculiar sweetness of taste which distinguishes it.
The deposit around it is mostly of a dark blue
color, while that around the Lower Spring is white.
This spring rises about sixty rods east of the other,
and is at an elevation considerably above it. The
bed of sand through which this water oozes is
about twenty feet, and the rock about thirty feet
below the surface of the ground.
Analysis of the Upper Spring by Professor Had-
ley: —
In a wine gallon, gaseous contents.
'Sulphuretted Hydrogen 12. cubic inches.
Carbonic Acid 5.6 " "
Solid contents.
Sulphate of Magnesia 10. grains.
Sulphate of Lime 84. "
Sulphate of Soda 16. "
Carbonate of Lime 8. "
Muriate of Soda 18.4 "
Total 136.4 "
The Well or New Bath Spring was first discov-
ered by its proprietor, R. K. Hickox, in 1835,
while digging for pure water. The soil through
which the excavation was made is hard blue clay,
having a strong sulphurous odor. The tempera-
ture of this water is 46 degrees Fahr. The follow-
ing analysis is by Dr. L. C. Beck : —
In a wine gallon, gaseous contents.
Sulphuretted Hydrogen, 31.28 cubic inches.
Solid contents.
Sulphate of Magnesia 8.08 grains.
Sulphate of Lime 3.52 "
Sulphate of Soda 38.72 "
Chloride of Sodium 5.68 "
Carbonate of Lime 26.96 "
Total 82.96 "
"Lon^s Spring, which has been in use since 1833,
is the property of Paul Knowles. It rises from
the surface of an alluvial deposit through the cen-
tre of which passes what is termed Black creek, a
small stream having its rise some miles to the
south. It is about a mile southwesterly from the
upper spring. The following analysis is by Dr.
J. R. Chilton:"—
In a wine gallon, gaseous contents.
Sulphuretted Hydrogen 43.584 cubic inches.
Carbonic Acid 5.871 "
SoUd contents.
Sulphate of Lime 109-05 grains.
Sulphate of Magnesia 13-10 "
Sulphate of Soda 3.27 "
Chloride of Calcium 19.31 "
Chloride of Sodium 57-89 "
Chloride of Magnesium 27.09 "
Iodide of Sodium a trace
Hydrosulphuret of Sodium 2.45 "
Organic Matter 81 "
Total 228.97 "
The following is taken from a pamphlet pub-
lished by Dr. O. D. Phelps, proprietor of Congress
Hall, a few years since : —
Congress and Magnesia Springs, though not so
generally used as the others, have their especial
merits, which entitle them to the consideration of
invalids. Congress Spring is in close proximity to
Congress Hall ; the water flows up in a fountain in
front of Congress Bath House, in which it is used
for bathing purposes in connection with the water
of the Upper Spring. The spring is the most re-
cently developed one. In taste the water of the
spring is similar to the Upper Spring, but consid-
erably stronger, consequently less can be drank of
it. The water was analyzed by Prof. H. M. Baker
with the following result : —
Solid contents in one gallon of 231 cubic inches.
Sulphate of Magnesia 19.07 grains.
Sulphate of Lime 27.61 "
Sulphate of Soda 21.02 "
Chloride of Sodium 29. 1 1 "
Carbonate of Lime 9.25 "
Sulphurets of Magnesium, ^
" " Sodium. Y 99.5s "
" " Calcium, )
Total 205.61
Gaseous contents in one gallon of 231 cubic
inches.
Free Sulphuretted Hydrogen. .27.63 cubic inches.
Free Carbonic Acid 22.04 " "
Nitrogen 3-88
Oxygen 97
Cubic inches per gallon 54.52
436
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The Magnesia spring is located on the bank of
Conesus Creek, about 80 rods west of the Lower
Spring. It bubbles up through the sand, clear,
cold, and sparkling. In taste, this water is far
more pleasant and palatable than the other water.
Of late years the water has attained a remarkable
popularity, owing no doubt, in a great measure to
the highly beneficent results obtained by its use in
dyspepsia, a disease which has yielded to this water,
after other springs and medicines have failed to
produce any favorable effects. The chemical con-
stituents of the water are supposed to be similar to
those of the Lower Spring, with a greater propor-
tion of the Sulphate of Magnesia.
In the " Mineral Springs of United States and
Canada,'' the following article appears in regard
to the Avon Springs : —
"Analysis of the Lower Springs. One pint con-
tains—
Carbonate of Lime 3.666 grains.
Chloride of Sodium i-iS7 "
Chloride of Calcium 1.05 1 "
Sulphate of Soda 1.716 "
Sulphate of Magnesia 6.201 "
Sulphate of Lime 7.180 "
Iodide of Sodium ' trace.
20.971
Carbonic Acid Gas 1.49
Sulphuretted Hydrogen ... 2. 25
"It will be seen by analysis that these are valuable
sulphur waters, resembling in many respects the
celebrated Spa of Neudorf, in Hesse, Germany.
The flow is larger from the Lower Spring, being
54 gallons per minute. * * * The location
of these springs in one of the most beautiful loca-
tions of Western New York, together with the
efficacy of the waters, conspire to make this a
most attractive resort."
The benefits to be derived by invalids from a
proper use of the mineral waters of these springs,
combined with the natural- attractiveness of the
village and the surrounding scenery have long
conspired to make this a popular summer resort,
yet this like all other watering places has seen its
seasons of prosperity and depression.
Hotels. — It was at this point that the
old State road crossed the Genesee Flats,
and as was often the case when the river
overflowed its banks travel was almost en-
tirely stopped until it resumed its natural
courses. Captain Asa Nowlen, an early settler
ifrom Connecticut, had charge of the transfer of
the mails across the flats at this point, and
, in compHance with the demand for better hotel
accommodations, from the traveling public, erec
on the southwest corner of Main and Gene
streets, the building which was afterwards w
alterations, known as "Comstock's," and still latei
the "United States" hotel. At this time this he
was a most fashionable resort and was throns
the entire season. In the winter of 1873-4 1
building was consumed by fire. Captain Now!
disposed of his property interest by degrees
Orville Comstock, who owned it several years,
afterwards passed through several hands, and
the time of burning was owned by Simonds' Bn
The Livingston House, Dr. William Nisb
proprietor, was completed in its present shape
1879, but was first thrown open to the public
1878. It is only open through the summer montl
The Newman House was built as the St Geoi
Hotel by C. H. Armstead and was kept by h
until December 25, 1875, when it was burne
It was rebuilt by Mr. Armstead, and finished
June, 1876, when it was leased to Smith Newm;
under its present name. In 1880, Mr. Amiste
assumed control.
The Sanitarium (Cyrus Allen, M. D., and Jan:
D. Carson, lessees and managers,) is conducted
a health resort for invalids, and is open the ent;
year. It has been under its present manageme
since 1871. The property upon which the Sanil
rium is located was purchased by Charles E. Wl
ley in 1866 and the present large and commodio
building erected. Mr. Whaley conducted it si
cessfully until 1871 under the name of the "Av
Cure." The grounds comprise about twelve acn
The building is a four story frame structure
pleasing appearance capable of accommodating 0
hundred guests. There are two sulphur sprij
upon the grounds that supply the bath rooms
the institution.
Messrs. Allen & Carson are also the proprietc
of a private bank that was established in 18
shortly after the failure of the Bank of Avon.
The Pattee House, Wm . E. Pattee, propriet
was built in 1876 on the site of the hotel burned
Dec, 1875. The building that was destroyed w
also called the Pattee House. It was built
1873 ^"^d was similar in general style and chari
ter to the present building. Mr. Pattee settled
Lima, May 1, 1840, and moved to Avon in 18;
Knickerbocker Hall, L. G. Smedley, M. 1
proprietor, is a resort for the invahds who visit t
springs and is open the entire year. Dr. Smed
purchased the property of Orange Sackett, in i8(
The hotel will accommodate eighty guests.
J k
Photo, by Merrell. Genesee.
Charles Edward Whaley is a son of Edward
A Whaley, and grandson of John P. Whaley,
who in 1805, with his family, consisting of
his wife, eight children, and an aged mother,
emigrated from Massachusetts, and settled on
a farm in the eastern part of the town of Avon.
This farm has always been retained in the
family name, and apple trees are still standing
which he raised from the seed. John P.
Whaley was a ship carpenter by trade, and
many of the frames of old buildings now
standing were shaped by his mallet and chisel.
Of the eight children, four were sons, all of
whom married and raised families. Robert
settled in Castile, Wyoming county. John
studied medicine and practiced that profession
through life, while the younger brothers set-
tled on farms in Avon, which they cleared, and
both were identified with the war of 1812. Ed-
ward A. was drafted but furnished a substitute.
Caleb J. enlisted and served his time, receiving
a wound from which he suffered for fifteen
years, and which finally caused his death.
Of the ancestors of the Whaley family, Ed-
ward Whaley * was born in Northampton-
shire, England, in the year 1615. Arriving at
maturity he was married to Elizabeth Middle-
ton, and when the war broke out between
King Charles and Parliament, he espoused
the Parliamentary cause, and served under his
cousin, Oliver Cromwell, until, 1649.!
By Cromwell, he was advanced to the rank
of Major-General, and was entrusted with the
government of five counties. He was after-
ward appointed Commissary-General for Scot-
land, and was called into the upper house,
where he sat as " Edward, Lord Whalley."
* In history this name is spelled Whalley.
t He was one of the fifty-nine who signed the warrant for the execu-
tion of King Charles, and was present at the beheading of that unhappy
monarch.
yVLf^s. C. E. Whaley.
After the death of Cromwell, Whaley was the
main-stay of that dynasty until the Restora-
tion was accomplished. When England was
no longer a place of safety for those immedi-
ately concerned in the execution of King
Charles, Whaley, together with his son-in-
law, Goffe, who had played an important part
in the same cause, embarked in a swift sailing
vessel to America, arriving in New England
July 27, 1660. They remained in various
places of concealment, and in 1664, removed to
Hadley, Mass., where Mr. Russell, the min-
ister of the place, had previously consented to
receive them.*
Edward A., father to Chas. E. was born
Jan. 17, t786, in Berkshire county, Mass.
April 30, 1809, he was married to Isabella,
daughter of Gardner Scott of Conn. They
had eight children, the youngest of whom,
Chas. E.,was born in Avon, Nov. 14, 1825.
In July, 1867, he was married to Ella P., daugh-
ter of Thomas St. John, of London, England.
He has devoted his life to agricultural pur-
suits. In 1866 he purchased the property in
Avon, now owned by him, and erected the
commodious building known as the "Sanita-
rium." Upon this property he also developed
and made available, two sulphur springs. The
place is largely patronized by patients from all
sections of the country. In politics Mr. Wha-
ley is a Republican, and was drafted to serve
in the war of the Rebellion, but furnished a
substitute whom he trusts, rendered as effectual
service as he himself could have done. In
religious belief he is a Spiritualist.
* This minister had caused his house to be fitted up with secret pas-
sages for their concealment, and here they remained for fifteen years in
voluntary seclusion. About the year 1681 Whaley went to Maryland,
where he purchased a tract of land containing twenty-two hundred acres,
under the assumed name of Edward Middleton. After the Revolution
in England in 1688 he had this land patented in his rightful name. He
died in 1718 at the advanced age of one hundred and three years.
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AVON VILLAGE — MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS, PHYSICIANS
437
Congress Hall, O. D. Phelps, M. D., proprietor,
is only open during the summer months. Dr.
Phelps purchased the property in 1876 of Charles
M. Titus of Ithaca, who had bought it the year
before of Geo. H. Nowlen, Esq.
Merchants.— The following are the present
merchants of Avon: -Dr. C. A. Briggs, druggist
and dealer in books and stationery, bought out
Dr. G. P. Moreyin 1879, who had been in business
three or four years; Dr. Wm. Nisbet, druggist,
has been in business since about i860; Mrs. E.
M. Price, miUinery and fancy goods, business es-
tablished in 1856; O. C. Jones, jeweler, com-
menced business in 1851, and still continues;
Henry E. Van Zandt, general store, commenced
business in 1874, having bought out the business
of Andrew Dunakin, who had carried on the busi-
ness for some twenty years previously, and until
his death in 1873; Mrs. D. W. McLaughlin,
millinery and fancy goods, established in 1872 ; P.
C. Gleason, groceries, flour and feed, has been in
business since Jan. i, 1878, business was estab-
lished in 1870 as McLaughlin & Gleason; F. Col-
vin, groceries, estaWished in 1873; W. P.
Haskins, flour, feed and groceries; E. M. Price,
furniture dealer, business was established in 1850;
Mary Dockery, meat market, established in May,
1879; W. W. Barnhart, dry goods and groceries,
business estabhshed in 1878 ; J. G. Calvert, fruits,
confectionery and bakery, business established in
1872; C. T. Hedenberg, dealer in news, station-
ery, cigars and confectionery, established in 1878 ;
C. A. Bowman, dealer in. hardware, successor in
1878 to C. M. Church, who had previously done
business a few months ; H. H. Hilborn, harness
maker, established in 1880, bought out C. H.
Armstead; Wallace & Clark, (J. C. Wallace and
E. H. Clark,) dealers in hardware, Oct. i, 1880,
bought the business of E. D. Rowley, who had
previoasly continued the business for several years ;
Reed Bros., (E. B. and W. J.,) general merchan-
dise, established in 1877; James Hill, meat mar-
ket, established in 1874; G. D. Dooer, meat mar-
ket, established in 1867 ; J. E. Hall, flour and
feed store, established in 1873; Joseph Brown,
boot and shoe store, established in January, 1879;
John Loftus, tailor, came in April, 1880; F. E.
Welch, baker and confectioner, established in
1876; F. G. Bixby, jeweler, established in April,
1880; C. F. Whiting & Co., (C. J. Whiting,) boot
and shoe store, estabUshed in 1879 ; C. S. Gilbert,
general store, established in 1874; J. C. Peuss,
merchant tailor and clothing, estabhshed in 1879,
and Michael Dowdall, harness maker, established
in 1872.
Manufacturers. — The manufacturing interests
of Avon are not extensive, the only water power
available being that obtained from the Conesus.
The following are all that are at present located in
or adjacent to the village ; E. L. Armstrong & Co.
operate a planing mill in which they employ four
men; established in 1877. Long & Watkins are
contractors and builders and have been in busi-
ness here since 1876. R. G. Waldo, carriage
manufacturer and blacksmith, succeeded his father,
Reuben Waldo, in business in 1861. His father
came from New Hampshire in 1815, and that year
commenced blacksmithing here. He died in 1861.
The Avon mills are located on the Conesus outlet,
about one and one-fourth miles from Avon. W.
P. Haskins is the present proprietor. He purchased
them in 1869 of Arch. Christie, who had previously
operated them some eight or ten years. The mills
contain three runs of stones and are run by water
power derived from the Conesus, which has here a
fall of twenty feet. The saw and cider mill situated
on the same stream just above the railroad bridge
has been owned by Mr. Haskins since 1871. It
was previously owned by the Wadsworths, of Gen-
eseo. The malt house and elevator at Avon, is
owned by Stephen Hosmer & Co. (John Klett.)
The building was erected in the fall of 1880. Its
malting capacity is 50,000 bushels per season and
the capacity of the elevator is 25,000 bushels. The
malt-house near the depot is owned by Andrew Y.
Marsh of Buff'alo ; capacity about 30,000 bushels.
The Avon Brick and Tile manufactory was estab-
hshed in 1862 as a joint stock company with Fran-
cis Lyth as manager. It is at present owned by
John Lyth. The machine used in manufacturmg
is operated by horse power and was invented by
Francis Lyth.
Physicians.— The first physician here was Col.
Timothy Hosmer, elsewhere spoken of.
Dr. Samuel Salisbury was undoubtedly one of
the best of the early practitioners here. He pos-
sessed a fine literary taste and was a deep scholar.
He was the author of a work upon the Sprmgs of
Avon and their medical properties, a work which
is quoted extensively. His brilUant career was cut
short by his untimely death. He was born m
Boston in 1806, and was educated at Harvard
College, Cambridge, whence he was graduated, and
afterwards was graduated in medicme at Boston.
After remaining there some Uttle time, he came to
Rochester in 1832, and in the summer of that
438
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
year went to Avon, where he became interested in
the curative qualities of the water of that place to
such an extent that he took some of the water to
Roxbury, for analysis. He returned to Avoh in
1833, and September 12th of that year, was united
in marriage with Marie A., daughter of Major Ab-
ner Morgan, of Avon.
It was during the winter of 1833-34 that Dr.
Salisbury wrote his work on the springs to which
reference is made in another portion of this work.
He died in Avon, April ig, 1850, much regretted
by all. He was fitted for college at the age of
thirteen, and entered as soon thereafter as his age
made it admissible. He was thoroughly con-
versant with the French, Spanish and German
languages.
In 1849 among the physicians m the town were
Drs. Ensworth, John Whitbeck, Wm. Butler and
Hutchinson, at East Avon ; Drs. Van Kleek, who
died in the army while in New Orleans, and South-
worth, at the springs ; and Dr. Parsons at Little-
ville.
Dr. Andrew Sill, an early physician of this town,
was born in the village of Geneseo, December ist,
1804. His father. Dr. Jonathan P. Sill, was the
pioneer physician of this section, locating first at
Williamsburg in 1797, and subsequently removing
to Geneseo village, where he died in September,
1806.
Dr. Andrew Sill received an academic education
at Cambridge Academy, Washington county, N.
Y. After studying medicine with Dr. Townsend,
of Caledonia, he attended courses of lectures at both
Fairfield and Pittsfield Medical Colleges, graduat-
ing from the latter institution in 1825. He first
opened an office in the village of West Avon, where
he remained until 1829, when he located at Livonia
Centre, where he remained for fifty years. He
died October ist, 1879.
Charles Bingham was born in Bozrah, Conn.,
and studied medicine in that State. He was
licensed by the State Medical Society of Connecti-
cut in 1808, and in that year moved to Avon,
where he practiced his profession until 1820. In
that year he removed to Mt. Morris, where he pur-
sued an extensive and successful practice until fail-
ing health compelled him to abandon it. He died
at Mt. Morris, December 3, 1842, aged 58. Messrs.
Lucius C. and Charles L. Bingham, two of Mt.
Morris' most prominent business men and influ-
ential and respected citizens, are sons of Dr.
Bingham, and are all that are left of the family.
The present physicians are Drs. William Nisbet,
C. A. Briggs, Cyrus Allen, John W. Gray, and ]
C. Hulbert.
WiUiam Nisbet, M. D., settled here in 1849, ani
is a native of Scotland. He studied three year
in Edinburgh, and was graduated from Wiirtzber
University, Bavaria. He came to America in 184c
C. A. Briggs, M. D., was born in Williamstowr
Orange county, Vermont, and received his educa
tion at the Montpelier Conference Seminary. H
entered Ann Arbor Medical College in 1874, am
completed his medical studies at Long Island Co
lege Hospital, where he was graduated in !&•;(
since which date he has been in practice in Avor
Cyrus Allen, M. D., was born in Ontario cour
ty, N. Y., and received his college education at th
University of Michigan, located at Ann Arboi
He was graduated from the Homeopathic Colleg
of the State of New York, New York city, in i86i
and from the Berkshire Medical College of Massa
chusetts in November, 1864. He commence
practice in Palmyra, Wayne county, from thenc
to Chfton, and removed to Avon in May, 1871
taking charge of the Sanitarium.
John W. Gray, M. D., was born in 1833. H
read medicine with James R. Wood, M. D., c
New York city, and afterwards with A. C. Caraf
bell of this county. He attended lectures and wa
graduated from the University of New York. H
came to Avon in 1856.
Joel C. Hulbert, M. D., was born in Fort Ant
Washington county, N. Y., Nov. 12, 1815. H
studied medicine at the Pennsylvania Universiti
where he was graduated in 1866. He settled i
Livonia in 1849, and in Avon in 1877.
Lawyers. — George Hosmer was one of th
earliest if not the first practicing lawyer i
the village. He came here with his fathe
Dr. Timothy Hosmer, when twelve years 1
age, having been bom in Farmington, Conr
His early studies were pursued under the ti
ition of Rev. Ebenezer Johnson, of Lima. 1
1799 he entered upon the study of his chosen pr
fession, the law, in the office of Hon. Nathani
W. Howell. He was admitted to the bar in 180
and opened an office in Avon. In the war of 181
he was appointed aide-de-camp upon the staff'
General Amos Hall, and served upon the Niaga
frontier. His associate upon the General's st;
and intimate friend was William Howe Cuyk
who was killed at Black Rock by a ball from tl
British guns at Fort Erie. His son Wm. H. '
Hosmer, was named from him.
George Hosmer was a large holder of real esta
AVON VILLAGE — LAWYERS.
439
and a lawyer of prominence. He was appointed
District Attorney upon the organization of the
county, which office he continued to hold till 1824.
He was elected a Member of Assembly in 1824.
He died in Chicago in March, t86i, in the eight-
ieth year of his age.
William Henry Cuyler Hosmer was born in
Avon, May 25, 1814. His earlier education was
obtained at Temple Hill Academy, Geneseo, and
at the Academy in Geneva, N. Y. He was gradu-
ated from the University of Vermont in 1841.
After his graduation he followed in the footsteps of
his father, and, step by step, climbed the ladder to
fame in the legal profession, where he stood for
many years without a peer. To his genius and
ability the science of law is much indebted, many
decisions being rendered in accordance with his
eloquent pleadings at the bar.
He practiced law till 1854, when he received a
government position in the Custom House at New
York.
At the breaking out of the Rebellion he entered
the army. His son also enlisted and was killed
at the battle of Chancellorsville.
After his return from the war he devoted the re-
mainder of his life to literature and lecturing, and,
notwithstanding his success at the bar, his fame
rests chiefly on his literary work.
Such was the reputation which he had acquired
by his juvenile poems that he received the honor-
ary degree of A. M., both from Hamilton College
and the University of Vermont before he obtained
it from his own.
He was a poet born, not made. His principal
works are " Yonnondio,"* " The Fall of Tecum-
seh : a Drama," " Warriors of the Genesee."
" Indian Traditions and Songs," " The Months,"
"Bird Notes," and "Legends of the Senecas."
In his younger days he .learned much from the
Indians who lived in this community, becoming
familiar with their language, and receiving an in-
spiration from their romances and traditions.
Much of his writing remains in manuscript form,
which, if pubhshed, would be an acquisition to
literature. He merited the title of " The Bard of
Avon," and has received the congratulations of
eminent writers for being "The first English
writer who sunk a shaft into Indian Tradition."
He died in Avon, May 23, 1877.
Among the other early lawyers here were the
following :— A. A. Bennett studied law with Geo.
Hosmer, and commenced practice about 1820.
* Based on the Indian traditions of the Genesee Valley.
T. R. Morgan, son of Col. Abner Morgan, prac-
ticed law here from about 1835 till 1850. Hugh
Cameron, from Caledonia, practiced here about
1845. He afterwards moved to LaCrosse, Wis.
Amos Dann studied law with Geo. Hosmer, and
was in practice here as early as 1828. With the
exception of three years spent in New York city,
he remained in practice in Avon all of his life up
to the time he became insane. He died in the
Utica Insane Asylum in 1866. Geo. B. Benedict
was practicing law in Avon in 1861.
Hon. Amos Alonzo Hendee* was a prominent
member of the Livingston county bar. He was
born in Avon, June 15, 1815. He was the young-
est of a family of six children, all of whom were
reared upon the farm which their own industry
and that of their parents reclaimed from a com-
parative wilderness. His primary education was
attained in the common schools of his native town
and in the Academy at Avon. From this latter
institution he went to the Seminary at Lima, where
he completed his education.
Returning to the homestead he soon became
convinced that the life of a farmer was unsuited
to his tastes, and he resolved to enter upon the
more congenial profession of the law. Accordingly
before he had attained his majority he entered as
a student the law office of John Young, in Gen-
eseo, and on the 26th of September, 1837, was
admitted to the bar.
Soon after his admission he removed to Perry,
Wyoming county, where he resided for a time, and
then returned to Geneseo, where he formed a law
partnership with Elias Clark, afterwards with H.
H. Guiteau, and finally with James B. Adams,
with whom he remained from 1857 to 1863.
In June, 1847, at the first election held under
the new constitution, he was elected District At-
torney.
In 1852 he was elected Member of Assembly
from the First Assembly district of Livingston
county, and in the succeeding year again ran for
that office but was defeated~by Judge Gibbs. In
1856 he was again elected to the office of District
Attorney, during which term occurred the cele-
brated Wood trial, in the management of which
Mr. Hendee evinced superior skill as a prosecuting
officer, conducting the case successfully on the
part of the people.
In 1865 and'66, he was a member of the Board of
Supervisors from Geneseo, and in 1867 was presi-
•For the ahove sketch we are indebted to the able tribnt= of MrE H
Davis to h.s memoiy, delivered before the Livingston County Historical
Society, at their fifth annual meeting.
44°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
dent of that village. In 1868, he retired from
Geneseo to the old homestead, and the remainder
of his life was passed in the improvement of his
farm and among the books in his ample library.
The last pubHc act in his hfe was the delivery in
1878 of the annual address before the Livingston
County Pioneer Society, of which he was an inter-
ested and efficient member. For three or fouryears
prior to his death he passed his winters in the vil-
lage of Avon, where, at the house of Wm. E. Pattee,
he suddenly died on the morning of February 13,
1880.
The present attorneys of Avon are Judge E. A.
Nash, Wm. Carter, Calvin Knowles and W. S.
Newman.
E. A. Nash was educated at the Genesee Wes-
leyan Seminary and was admitted to the bar in
i860. He was located at Lima until 1878, since
which time he has resided in Avon. He has been
District Attorney two terms and was elected to the
office of County Judge in 1878, an office he still
holds.
Wm. Carter was educated in Lima at the Gene-
see Wesleyan Seminary, and was admitted to the
bar at Utica in January, 1879, since when he has
been located at Avon.
Calvin Knowles was born at Littleville, and
received his education at the Genesee Wesleyan
Seminary, Lima. He commenced his legal studies
with Amos Dann, of Avon, and afterward with
Chamberlain & Wood, of Geneseo. He was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1856 and has since been en-
gaged in practice in Avon the greater portion of
his time. He was in the army from 1861 to 1863,
in the 13th Regiment, New York State Volunteers.
Winfield S. Newman, was born in Lima, N. Y.,
on the 22d day of December, 1847. Ifi 1851 he
removed with his parents to the town of Avon,
where his father, Isaac R. Newman, is still living.
His mother died in August, 1873. He received his
education at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary,
located at Lima, N. Y., and upon leaving that in-
stitution entered upon the study of the law in the
office of H. J. Ward of that, place, a lawyer of
large experience and talents of a high order. In
this office Mr. Newman remained until his admis-
sion to the bar June 10, i86g.
After his admission he immediately formed a co-
partnership with H. Decker, and remained in Lima
practicing his profession till the fall of 1873, when
he removed to Avon, where he has since resided
and practiced.
In the spring of 1879 he was elected Supervisor
for the town of Avon, which position he has
for two years. Upon the organization of
Board he was chosen chairman. In August, 1
he was elected President of the Firemen's i
ciation of the State of New York.
Churches — Central Presbyterian Churc,
Avon was organized May 9, 1876, with forty-l
members. Edwin I. Stevens and Benjamin 1
were elected elders. Rev. H. P. V. Bogue ao
ed the pastorate in June, 1876, and still ren
with them. The church and society have at j
ent ninety-eight members.
The first meetings were held in Nisbet Hall,
afterwards in Opera Hall. The church edifice
erected in 1877, and dedicated October i, 1
Rev. J. B. Shaw, D. D., preaching the dedica
sermon. The church, which cost between thir
and fourteen thousand dollars, is a very hands
structure, and is an honor to the society and
ornament to the village. The society also c
the parsonage adjoining. The Sunday school
sists at present of one hundred and fifty meml
and G. G. Westfall is its Superintendent.
The First M. E. Church of Avon was organ
in 1835, with the following persons among
original members : Mrs. Laura Fuller, ]
Wright, Mrs. Dunakin, Smith Bryan and wife,
Gleason, and Wm. Maguire and wife. Of tl
only Wm. Maguire, Mrs. Laura Fuller, ]
Wright, and Mrs. Dunakin are living.
Owing to the absence of all records we are
able to give a more extended account of the his
of this church. The society was visited by cir
preachers until 1839, when Calvin Coates bee
its pastor. In 1840 Eleazer Thomas officii
as pastor, and in 1843 James M. Fuller, who
in 1844.
In 1866 Luther North way assumed the cha
and was succeeded in 1868 by David Nutton,
was followed in 187 1 by Wm. Wolgemuth.
1872, George Coe was pastor of the church; li
Stephen Brown; 1875, J. D. Requa ; 1876-79
D. Chase; and in 1879, John Copeland, who is
present pastor, assumed the charge.
The old church edifice was finished in 1839
cost of about $2,000. The present church
commenced in August, 1879, ^"d dedicated ^
II, 1 880, D. W. C. Huntington preaching the
mon. The church cost $9,000. The pre
membership is one hundred. The Sunday scl
consists of one hundred and fifty members,
Alva Carpenter is its Superintendent.
Zion's Church at -Avon. — The first steps
AVON VILLAGE — CHURCHES.
44 1
the organization of this church and society were
taken by the inhabitants of the village of West
Avon in a school house in that place on Monday,
Oct. 8, 1827. At this meeting a building commit-
tee was appointed to attend to the erection of a
church edifice "at or near the Public Square."
This committee consisted of the following members :
Edward A. Le Roy, Curtiss Hawley, and Asa
Nowlen.
The committee next met according to adjourn-
ment at the house of Timothy Hosmer, Friday eve-
ning, October 12, 1827. At this meeting two more
were added to the building committee, namely,
Jehiel Kelsey and Woodruff Matthews. The so-
ciety was legally incorporated October 24, 1828,
and the following officers chosen : Wardens, Eli-
jah Woolage, John Newberry ; Vestrymen, George
Hosmer, Reuben K. Hickox, Nehemiah Hough-
ton, Woodruff Matthews, Elkanah Whitney, Ed-
ward A. Le Roy, Curtiss Hawley and Lewis W.
Beecher. At a trustees' meeting held December
13, 1828, Curtiss Hawley was chosen treasurer of
the society.
The church building was completed in this same
year, and was consecrated as Zion's Church by
the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, Bishop of the
Protestant Episcopal Church of New York.
The first regularly installed rector was Rev.
E. G. Gear.*
Among the pioneer members of this church were
Andrew Sill, George A. Tiffany, James Austin,
Amos Dann, John E. Tompkins, Moses L. George,
Orville Comstock, William Scott, William Morris-
on, R. S. Williams, S. S. Briggs, Samuel Salisbury,
Henry Wadsworth, Merritt W^ Riggs.
In 1830 a bell was donated to the church by
James Wadsworth. In 1836 the parsonage was
built.
The second rector was Rev. R. Kearney, whose
pastorate ended in November, 1836.
Some two years then elapsed without any settled
rector until 1839, when Rev. Beardsley Northrop
was engaged for three months. In July, 1839, he
was succeeded by Rev. Thaddeus M. Leavingworth,
who was engaged for one year ending in July, 1840.
In that same month a call was extended to Rev.
Mr. Bailey, who accepted and remained six months.
In December of that year he was succeeded by
Rev. Samuel G. Appleton whose ministerial
services extended to August, 1844.
fir ''^^'""J?'^^""'™ of the church records having been destroyed by
s, the precise dates of the incoming and departure of the rectors can
not be obtained.
The Rev. P. P. Kidder came next in 1845 for
six months, and at the expiraton of that term was
reengaged for one year. The next rector was Dr.
Bethel Judd, who remained some two years, fol-
lowed by Rev. George B. Eastman. In 1850 and
'51 the pulpit was vacant as to a regular sup-
ply, and in October of 185 1, Rev. Fortune C.
Brown assumed the pastoral relations which he
retained until October, 1870. After him came
Rev. Henry M. Brown, remaining one year. Then
Rev. Francis Gilliat, who remained until 1878.
The succeeding pastor was Rev. James A. Brown
who remained till March ist, 1881. The present
membership is, families, 60 ; individuals, not thus
included, 40. Total of individuals, 260.
The church property is valued at $5,000 ; the
rectory at $3,000.
Sf. Agnes Church (Roman Catholic,) of Avon. —
About thirty years ago the Catholic population of
the village desiring some permanent dwellings to
worship in, purchased the old Baptist church through
the instrumentality of Father Maguire. This
chuFch, in order to meet the needs of the growing
denomination, was .afterwards enlarged to nearly
twice its original size. Until 1853 they had no
resident pastor, but in that year Father Maguire
came, followed in 1856 by Father O'Brien, in 1857 ,
by Father Quigley, in 1863 by Father Bradley, and
in 1869 by Father O'Keefe.
The present edifice, a very fine brick structure,
was built in 1869 under Father O'Keefe's pastor-
ate, at a cost of about thirty-five thousand dollars.
Father O'Keefe was followed by Father M. J. Hen-
dricks, June 2oth, 1874.
The present membership of the church is about
two hundred and fifty.
St. Agnes school was founded in 1876 and is
under the charge of this church. There are four
teachers — Sisters of St. Joseph's order. The school
occupies the old church building, and has an aver-
age attendance of two hundred pupils.
Avon Free School. — A call was made Sept. jo,
1867, for a meeting to be held October 8, 1867, to
determine whether a Union Free school should be
established in the district. Of this meeting James
Hosmer was chosen chairman and O. C. Jones,
clerk. The meeting was adjourned till October 17,
when by a vote of 78 to 27, it was resolved to re-
organize with the following Trustees: — John Z.
Reed and Martin Kelly, for one year; William E.
Hall, and Henry Albert, for two years ; and Daniel
Lacy and Roger Carroll for three years.
The school building was erected as early as 1836,
442
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
as the Avon Academy, and W. H. Curtis was one
of the early teachers. This building was used by
the Union Free School district, and with repairs
and the addition added thereto in 1873, cost them
about $5,000.00.
The report of receipts and disbursements of this
district for the year ending September 30, 1880, is
as follows : —
Receipts.
Balance on hand October i, 1879 $ 275 10
Amount of pubhc school moneys both for
teachers' wages and library, appor-
tioned to the district from State funds 815 49
Amount raised by tax on property for all
school purposes within school year . . . 1,116 27
Amount received from all other sources . 53 75
$2,260 61
Disbursements.
For teachers' wages $1,617 9°
For repairing and insuring school houses 93 47
For fuel 120 66
For janitor 165 00
For other expenses 115°
Amount on hand 252 08
$2,260 61
The number of teachers employed in teaching at
the same time for twenty-eight weeks or more dur-
ing the school year was four. Number of children
residing in the district over five and under twenty-
one years of age was 629. The number of chil-
dren who attended school some portion of the
school year was 228. The average daily attend-
ance was 143.294, and the whole number of days'
attendance, 27,941.
The assessed valuation of all taxable property in
the district was $826,576.00. The site is valued
at $1,000.00 and the building $4,000.
Postmasters. — The postal facilities of the region
round about Avon were very meager for many
years after the first settlements were made. Mail
facilities of an unsatisfactory character were estab-
lished by private enterprise as early as 1792 on the
old Genesee road by which Avon, (then Hartford)
was accommodated. In 1805 Timothy Hosmer
was the postmaster at Hartford.
E. H. Davis is the present postmaster succeed-
ing in Jan., 1872, T. E. Winans. Wm. Maguire was
postmaster from 1861 to 1870, succeeding Geo.
Hosmer.
Fire Department. — Avon in years past has
suffered quite largely from the ravages of fire, owing
in a measure to the inefficiency of the means pro-
vided for extinguishing the same. At present
there is not a village of its size in the State better
provided with facilities for quelling the flames nor
a more thoroughly organized department. The
water supply is furnished by gravity pressure and
with sufficient force to reach the tops of the high-
est buildings.
The department as at present organized consists
of one Babcock Chemical engine, of 80 gallons
capacity, one hand engine, one hook and ladder
truck, one hose cart, four hundred feet of rubber
hose and two hundred feet of linen hose. There are
seven hydrants and two cisterns from which water
is obtained. The companies comprise one hun-
dred volunteers. E. H. Davis was the first chief
and was succeeded Jan. ist, 1878, by W. B. Bas-
sett, who still holds that office.
The first company of the present department
to be organized was the Hook and Ladder com-
pany, Feb. 8, 1876. W. S. Newman is the presi-
dent of the company, and Orange Sackett, Jr.,
foreman. Within a short time after this a chemi-
cal engine company and a fire engine company
were organized. J. B. Benedict has been foreman,
and Alva Carpenter, president of the fire engine
company since its organization. The present fore-
man of the chemical company is Patrick Tighe-and
president, D. W. C. Pruner.
These companies have a very fine brick engine
house erected in 1877 at a cost of about $3,000.
The lower floor is used for the storage of the ap-
paratus while the upper floor is divided off into as-
sembly rooms, that are very finely furnished. The
building is both an ornament and honor to the en-
terprise of the village.
The Avon Water Co. was organized in 1857,
and the upper reservoir finished in 1858. It is fed
entirely by springs. In 1870 the lower or receiv-
ing reservoir was built. The capital stock of the
company is $15,000. The present officers are
Wm. Nisbet, President ; Theo. F. Olmsted, T. J.
Thorpe and Stephen Hosmer, Directors.
Societies. — Equitable Aid Union Diamond
Lodge, No. 157, was organized in October, 1880,
and has about twenty-five members. R. J. Wal-
lace is President.
Avon Springs Lodge No. 570, A. F. &= A. M..,
was organized by dispensation, Jan. 26, 1865, with
the following members: — S. E. W. Johnson, W.
M. ; R. S. Taintor, S. W. ; A. E. Moore, J. W. ;
H. H. Haile, S. D. ; J. L. Hayden, J. p. ; J. L.
Burleigh, Sec'y ; S. Taintor, Tiler; Wm. Van
Zandt, H. S. Hale, J. Miller, J. H. Perkins, Wm.
G. Markham, R. G. Wilbur, Jasper Barber, Ben B.
Wilcox and A. E. Moore.
Mr. &■ Mrs. Phai\les S. Gilberj.
CHARLES SEWELL GILBERT.
Charles Sewell Gilbert, the subject of this sketch, was
born at Mutford Hall, Suffolk county, England, January
5, 1817. He is the son of Charles and Hannah (Borrett)
Gilbert. The former was a farmer by occupation, and
died at his home in London, December 12, IS.")/, aged
sixty-four years. His wife also died there March 4, 1875,
aged eighty-five years. They had eleven children, eight
of whom are now living and all residing in England, with
the exception of Charles S. , who came to America in the
spring of 1837. While at home he enjoyed moderate ad-
vantages for an education, and at the age of fifteen y ears
was apprenticed to a miller and remained with him four
years.
After landing at New York he proceeded to Kochester
and stopped during one month with Mr. Be^rs, of Pitts-
ford, receiving ten dollars for his services. He then
commenced working for Mr. John Agate, a son-in-law of
Mr. Beers, who promised him ten dollars per month, but
was so well pleased with him that he increased his wages
to one dollar per day. With Mr. Agate he lived one
month. He next engaged himself as second miller in the
mill belonging to Andrew Lincoln, of Penfield, with
whom he remained eighteen years. After being with
him about a year and a half, Mr. Lincoln placed him in
full charge of the mill, where he served as master miller
to the satisfaction of aU concerned, until he severed his
connection with Mr. Lincoln. He often speaks of Mr.
and Mrs. Lincoln as his "American parents," who ever
took a parental interest in his welfare, such kindly inter-
est and friendship being one of the pleasant memories
and green spots of his life.
January 30, 1889, he was married to Mary, daughter of
John and Hannah (Goodrich) Clark, of Suffolk county,
England. She was bom January 29, 1817, and in com-
pany with her brother and one sister, came to America
in 1837, on the same ship with the voyager who proved
to be her future husband. They were married at Pen-
field, while Mr. Gilbert was in the service of Mr. Lincoln,
and during their residence with him revisited England.
In 1855, they settled in the town of Avon, where they
now reside. He purchased a mill property which he has
improved by adding steam power, so it can now be run
at all seasons. When on his way to occupy his present
home he was informed by curious and inquisitive persons
whom he met, that he surely would starve if he relied upon
getting a living there ; but such a fate was not in store for
him, and he is now one of the prominent business men of
the town, and has run the mills successfully for nearly
twenty-five years.
There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert eight
children, two of whom died in infancy.- Those living are
named as follows: — John W., born January 5, 1810;
Harriet E., born March 11, 1845; Martha A., bom March
28, 1851; Charles Borrett, born December 1, 1853; Ar-
thur Sewell, born July 20, 185(i, and Alfred Clark, bom
January 10, 1858. The two eldest sons are in company
engaged in the mercantile business at West Avon, or
' 'Avon Springs . "
In religious sentiment Mr. Gilbert and his wife are
Episcopalians, but in politics Mr. Gilbert takes no
interest, having never voted during his residence in
America.*
* Mr. Gilbert speaks with afifectionate and loving pride of the unremit-
ting and valuable assistance he has always received from his faithful com-
panion of forty-two years. In his hours of discouragement and doubt, it
was her love, her wise counsel and advice that bore him up, and enabled
him to meet bravely the ban-iers common to all who are struggling with
rough fortune. To his children, whose love for her and for him is per-
fect, she has been a kind and noble mother ; and now as they are declin-
ing into the vale of years, they are comforted by a consciousness of having
performed their duties to their family and society faithfully and well.
EAST AVON.
443
Meetings were first held in rooms over Johnson
& Hayden's store. They now occupy rooms in
the Carpenter block, on Genesee street, their
former rooms having been destroyed by fire.
The present officers are : — A. W. Dewitt, W.
M. ; Orange Sackett, S. W. ; Bert Van Tuyl, J.
W. ; Frank Weisert, S. D. ; Frank H. Wiggins, J.
D. ; Cyrus Allen, Treas. ; Wm. Carter, Sec'y ;
and John H. Chase, Tiler. The present member-
ship is seventy-three.
Avon Lodge, No. 455, / O. of O. F., was pr-
ganized Jan. 4, 1877, with H. L. Strough, N. G. ;
H. H. Sunderlin, V. G. ; Geo. W. Bennett, Rec.
Sec'y; J. M. Fletcher, Treas. ; John Son, Warden;
H. H. Butcher. O. G. ; and M. D. Davis, I. G.
The present membership is thirty, with the fol-
lowing officers : — A. H. Owens, N. G. ; J. M.
Fletcher, V. G. ; H. J. Clark, Rec. Sec. ; John
Son, Treas. ; Geo. W. Bennett, Per. Sec'y ; Geo.
W. Strouse, Warden ; J. W. Boorman, O. G. ; H.
H. Dutcher, I. G. ; and Walter S. Buck, P. G.
Meetings are held every Wednesday evening on
the third floor of Isham & Whiting's block.
A. O. U. W. Valley Lodge, No. 26, was organ-
ized May 31, 1876. The first officers were, W. B.
Bassett, P. M. W. ; A. W. Dewitt, M. W. ; F. R.
Torrance, G. F. ; J. E. Hall, O. ; H. McKinney,
Rec. ; Wra. E. Hall, Jr., Fin. ; M. G. Swan, Re-
ceiver ; I. B. Potter, Guide ; Charles Sackett, I.
W. ; and M. V. Swan, O. W.
The number of members has increased from
nineteen at its organization to fifty-three at the
present time, with the following persons officers : —
Geo. A. Graves, M. W. ; E. L. Armstrong, G. F. ;
E. Hawley, O. ; Wm. Carter, Recorder; C. F.
Whiting, Financier; H. McKinney, Receiver; J.
D. Carson, F. F. Woodruff and Benjamin Long,
Trustees; Geo. W. Bennett, G. ; Charles H. Sack-
ett, I. W. ; and Nelson Brown, O. W.
*
East Avon.
East Avon is a small village of about three hun-
dred inhabitants, situated one and one-half miles
east of Avon, on the old State road. It dates its
main growth from about 181 2 although there was
a small settlement there a few years previously.
The present business consists of a general store,
pump manufactory, file cutting works, one hotel,
harness shop, one carriage shop and two blacksmith
shops.
G. T. Palmer is the merchant here. The store
in which he is located was erected as early as 1840.
Among the merchants who have done business in
the past were David Firman, Jeremiah Whitbeck,
Peleg White, Truman Waters and Chandler
Pierson.
D. M. Pelton commenced the manufacture of
wooden pumps here in October, 1879. The busi-
ness gives employment to six men. Mr. Pelton
occupies the old Wiard plow works.
Perry & Co. commenced the manufacture of
files here in November, 1 880. They give employ-
ment to about eight men.
The Newman House, I. R. Newman, pro-
prietor, was built about 181 5 by John Pierson, and
was first kept by a daughter of his. Mr. Newman
has had control since 1854. He was born in
Lima, June 24, 1816, and was a son of Joel and
Jerusha Newman, who were early pioneers.
Solomon Taintor, M. D., came to East Avon
in 1857, and commenced the practice of medicine
in 1859. He only continued in practice about
two years when he devoted his attention to other
business. He received his diploma from the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city.
James E. Jenks, M. D., now practicing here,
was born in East Avon, August 11, 1832. He
received his diploma from the University of the
State of New York, from the New York Opthal-
mic School, and from the New York Medical In-
stitute in 1856, since which date he has practiced
at East Avon.
The Gilbert flouring mills, Charles S. Gilbert,
proprietor, are located about two and one half
miles north-east, of East Avon, and are operated
by both water and steam power. The mills were
built as early as 1808, and were operated for a
long time by Thomas Hanna. Mr. Gilbert was
born at Mutford Hall, Suffolk county, England,
Jan. s, 1817, and emigrated to this country in
1837. He has resided at his present home since
1855-
Charles B. Dusinberre is the proprietor of the
steam saw and cider mills located about one and
one-half miles east of East Avon. Mr. Dusinberre
was born in Ulster county in 1828.
The most prominent industry of East Avon in
times past was the Wiard Plow Works, which were
" established by Thomas Wiard, Sr., about 1830, for
the manufacture of cast iron plows from patterns
made and invented by Thomas Wiard, Jr. These
works were in operation here until 1877 under dif-
ferent proprietors, when the business was removed
to Batavia. At the time of removal there were
about twenty-five men employed.
444
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
A. A. Bennett was a prominent lawyer here in
1823. John Young, who held the position of
Governor of this State in 1846, first commenced
the study of law with him.
Churches. — The First Baptist Church of
Avon is located at East Avon. In the latter
part of 1806, a few of the inhabitants of the
then town of Hartford, united themselves in
" covenant," forming the Second Baptist Church
of Hartford, and called Elder William Firman
to be their pastor. In the fall of 1807 they
were admitted to the Ontario Association, hav-
ing a membership of twenty-three. In 1808
the name of the church was changed to the
Baptist Church of Avon, on account of the change
in the name of the town, and their place of meet-
ing from this time to 1830, was about one mile east
of East Avon.
Just when Elder Firman ceased his labors, can-
not be ascertained but he was followed by John R.
Seaver as early as 18 16. He was succeeded by
Reuben Winchell in 1823 ; Rev. David Tenant in
1825; Philander Kelsey in 1827; S. Goodall in
1832; Elder J. G. Stearns, in 1834; Elder E.
Stone, in 1838, who remained, however, only six
months; Rev. J. W. McDonald, in 1838; Elder
A. H. Stowell, in 1841 ; Elder E. Stone, in 1843 >
Elder S. M. Bainbridge, March i, 1844; Elder
Wra. Curtis, in 1848; S. F. Campbell, Nov. 9,
1852. From 1852 till May 1856, the church was
supplied by students from the Rochester Theologi-
cal Seminary.
May 31, 185s, E. Nisbet commenced a pastor-
ate that lasted three years. During 1859, Thomas
Rodgers supplied the pulpit and was followed in
i860 by H. G. Nott, who left in August, 1864.
Oct. 9, 1864, S. J. Lusk, accepted a call and was
ordained in March, 1865, but remained only one year.
Rev. B. F. Mace began Feb. 4, 1866, but remained
only eight months. The pulpit since then has been
supplied with students from the Rochester Theo-
logical Seminary. One hundred and seventeen
persons have been baptized within the last thirty
years.
July 18, 1827, the name was again changed to
the First Baptist Church of Avon. In 1828 ar-
rangements were made to build a new church at
East Avon. The church was not dedicated till
1830. In 1832 the Livingston County Baptist As-
sociation was formed and held their first meetings
in this church.*
• The above is compiled from the Livingston County Herald of Oct. 7,
J 880,
East Avon Presbyterian Church. — The follow-
ing is an extract from the discourse dehvered by
Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D. D., of Geneseo, in the
East Avon Presbyterian church, Thursday, Sept.
16, 1880, upon the occasion of the dedication
of a new chapel connected with the church. It
will be found interesting as giving the history of
one of the oldest churches in Avon. We are able
to give it by courtesy of the Livingston Republican.
From 1790 to 1810 (a period of 20 years) no
worship under a congregational minister of the
Gospel, was held in the town of Avon. On the 9th
of Nov., 1810, there was a gathering at the brick
school-house in South Avon, of a few religious
people, having for its object the organization of a
Christian church. There were present Rev. Mr.
Parmelee, of Bloomfield, Rev. E. J. Chapman, of
Lima, Rev. A. Hollister, of Riga, and J. F. Bliss.
A series of Articles of Faith were drawn up, which,
with an appended Covenant, were signed by the
following twenty persons :— Samuel Federal, Phebe
Blakeslee, Asa and Jemima Clark, Herman and
Mary Ladd, George Crouse, Martha and Lucy C.
Tilden, Elizabeth Strunck, Maria and Catherine
Berry, Thankful Bancroft, Lucinda Burfee, Chris-
tiana Bishop, Rebecca Scott, Mary Brown and
Catherine Miller. Thus was constituted the first
congregational organization in the town of Avon.
The first deacons were Samuel Blakeslee and
Asa C. Clark.
John F. Bliss, a Licentiate, was after ordination
installed as the first pastor. After a faithful and
fruitful ministry of seven years and a half (1812 to
1819) he resigned. Then followed, as stated sup-
plies, Rev. Chauncey Cook, Rev. Mr. Hyde, Rev.
Mr. Knapan, Rev. Mr. Robins and Rev. Mr. Bird.
On the 15th of January, 1822, the Avon church,
thus far Congregational, by their own request, be-
came a constituent part of the Presbytery of On-
tario. Rev. John Whittlesey was installed as pas-
tor, June 16, 1822. Rev. Jacob Hart was stated
supply from May i, 183 1, to May i, 1834. Rev.
William C. Wisner, D. D., of the Third Presby-
terian church in Rochester, was next in charge for
the period of 1 8 months. Rev. Alfred White took
charge of the parish on or about October 27,
1838, and remained one year. Rev. Edward
Marsh between March, 1839, and July, 1840. —
Rev. J. Hubbard during one year. Rev. P. C.
Hastings about as long. Rev. E. W. Kellogg the
same. Rev. Samuel Miles Hopkins, D. D., came
in September, 1844, and left in the spring of 1846.
Rev. Edward B. Wads worth, D. D., was pastor
F®,3SBS®.ICM. B» l>a2Sm^(i
LITTLEVILLE — SOUTH AVON — FREDERICK B. PIERSON.
445
from 1846 to 1852. Rev. Charles W. Higgins
succeeded Dr. Wadsworth in the spring of 1853
and left in 1855. Rev. J. W. Ray began his min-
istry in August, 1855, and closed March i, 1857.
Rev. Nathaniel Elmer, now at Middletown, Conn.,
was in charge from the spring of 1858 to the
spring of 1862. Rev. Archibald M. Shaw, now at
Clifton, N.'Y., was in charge for one year from
January, 1864. Rev. Edwin R. Davis, now at
Chicago, 111., came and remained until the end
of 1865.
Rev. Joseph R. Page, D. D., for many years
pastor of the Presbyterian church of Perry, N. Y.,
commenced his ministry at the East Avon church
May 1, 1868, and removed to Rochester in Novem-
ber, 1872. Dr. Page was stated supply for four
months in 1873 and four months in 1874.
Rev. H. P. V. Bogue took charge of the
parish August 16, 1874, holding the same
till the first Sabbath in June, 1876, when here-
signed. Rev. W. L. Parsons, D. D., since de-
ceased, member of the Ingham Institute, LeRoy,
supplied the pulpit during a summer. Rev. F.
DeW. Ward, D. D., an ex-foreign missionary, and
for many years pastor at Geneseo, took charge as
stated supply October, 1876, and continued till
February 8, 1880. Following Dr. Ward was Rev.
James F. Calkins.
We find that between 1812 and 1880 the East
Avon church has been in charge of 2 1 ministers,
with interims of assistance rendered by at least ten
neighboring pastors.
With a church edifice central to the parish,
ample in size and commodious in all its arrange-
ments; with a chapel just completed, and all that
is required in such a room ; with a Sabbath school
containing youth from all the families in the con-
gregation, and teachers from among the best
qualified for this post in the parish, and an ever
renewed library of instructing and interesting
books ; with an eldership of hearty devotion to the
cause of Christ and souls, there is no reason why
this church should not take its place in the fore-
most ranks of religion.
LiTTLEVILLE.
Littleville is a small hamlet situated upon the
Conesus outlet a short distance south of Avon. At
an early day it was quite prominent, its business
interests rivaling those of Avon. It derives its
name from Norman Little, a son of Dr. Little of
East Avon, who settled here as early as 1830.
The place contains a flouring-mill, a blacksmith
shop, a saw mill and a population of about two
hundred.
The present flouring mill (custom,) was built in
the fall of 1879 upon the site of one burned in
1878. E. Light is the proprietor. It contains
two runs of stones. A former mill on this site was
erected about 18 10. The saw mill is owned by W.
P. Haskins. The stone bridge across the outlet
was built in 1850.
Paul Knowles, a clothier by trade, came from
Berkshire county, Mass., and settled in Lima in
1808, and in 1810 removed to Littleville, where he
erected a carding and fulling mill on Conesus out-
let between the flouring mill and the bridge. He
continued to operate this mill till 1834. He
died in 1845. He had a family of eight children
viz : — William, Ann Eliza, Caroline, Betsey, Paul)
Calvin. George and James, all of whom are living
except Paul and Betsey.
At this point on the Conesus, there was erected
by Jeremiah Riggs previous to 1810, a distillery
which was in operation for several years. The last
proprietor was Norman Little.
South Avon.
South Avon is a postoffice situated three miles
south of Avon. H. W. Chadwick is the post-
master, which position he has held for six years.
Josiah Chadwick was postmaster previous to him,
and held the office a great many years. He also
kept the hotel here as early as 1830. There used
to be a store at this place, but both store and ho-
tel are closed. A blacksmith shop is located here.
Near South Avon, on the Conesus, is located a
strawboard mill, owned by Josiah Curtis of Gen-
eseo, and leased by S. L. Harned, who has opera-
ted it since May, 1879. The capacity of the mill
is four hundred tons per annum. It gives employ-
ment to eight men. The building was built about
fifteen years ago by Josiah Curtis, on the site of
the Wadsworth flouring mills, which were totally
destroyed by fire, Saturday night, Oct. i, 1864.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
FREDERICK BUSHNELL PIERSON.
F. B. Pierson is the second son of Joseph Pier-
son, who was born in Ellington, Conn., April 15,
1767, and who, when about twenty-one years of
age emigrated to Schenectady county, where he
446
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
married Sarah Watrous. July, 1797, he removed
with his family to Avon (then Hartford.) They had
nine children, only four of whom are now living,
as follows: — Catherine, Wealthy, Frederick B.,
and Bradley M. The names of those who died
were Clarenda. Mary, Nancy, Maria, and George.
On settling in Avon, Mr. Pierson purchased lands
and became extensively engaged in agriculture,
and also kept a hotel at East Avon for ten or
twelve years. He died December 10, 1843, and
his wife September 17, 18 10.
Frederick Bushnell Pierson was born on the old
homestead in Avon, November 22, 1806, and was
brought up on the farm, receiving his education at
the district school and at the academy at East
Henrietta. He has continued to follow the avoca-
tion of farming, and his farm is considered one of
the model farms of Livingston county. On May
8, 1828, he was married to Frances Jariette, the
daughter of Kasson and Sabrina (Redington) Gib-
son, of East Avon, who was born on the 9th of
July, 1 8 10, in Cobleskill. They have had four
children, viz: — Sarah A., married to Rev. Dr. E.
B. Walsworth, and residing at Albion, Orleans
county, Joseph Kasson (deceased), Frances Janette,
married to Jacob H. Brumagira, and residing on
Staten Island, and Sabrina Eliza (deceased). Mr.
Pierson has formerly taken a great interest in mili-
tary affairs, and was Captain of the Independent
Rifle Company of Avon. He is a strong Demo-
crat, and has been several times elected Assessor
of his town. In religious sentiment he is a Pres-
byterian, and is a plain, unassuming man of ster-
ling integrity. He justly deserves the esteem and
respect in which he is held by all who know him.
To him largely the county is indebted for the in-
troduction of the best blooded stock of various
kinds into the Livingston County Agricultural So-
ciety's Fairs. He was one of the first to introduce
the Spanish Merino sheep into Western New York,
about the year 1835, and sheep from his flocks
have been sought for and are found in many parts
of the Union. Horses reared upon his farm have
not been regarded unfit gifts for two Presidents of
the United States. He has taken premiums on
his farm, cattle, horses and sheep several times.
It seems not too much to say that as a farmer he
is justly entitled to credit for having done his share
in elevating the standard of agriculture in Livings-
ton coimty. He has been a man of deeds, not
words, and has been, hke the man of whom one of
the world's greatest living historians speaks, — " Too
busy to write history, but himself busied in mak-
ing it."
DONALD Mcpherson.
The subject of this sketch is the son of James
and Margaret (Kennedy) McPherson, who came
from Culloden, Scotland, in 1801, and first settled
near Delhi, Delaware county, N. Y., where in 1803,
Donald was born. In July, 1816, the family, com-
prising his father and mother, brother James, now at
Lyons, Iowa, and Henrietta, who afterwards was
married to Duncan Stuart, of York, moved up to
the Genesee Valley. This was on the 3d of July,
1816, and they encountered a furious snow storm
while crossing the Chenango river. The family
settled upon the homestead about three miles
southwest of Canawaugus, and the Indians living
at that place were constant visitors at the house
and Donald spent many days in their company
hunting, and often remaining nights with them at
their village of Canawaugus. His educational
advantages were only those of the common district
schools. In 1828 he was married to Jean Calder,
by whom he has had five children, as follows :
James, John, Daniel, Joseph and Jennie. Mr.
McPherson has always followed the occupation of
farming, has served his tow^n acceptably many
terms as Supervisor, and eight years as a com-
missioned officer in the State Militia. He was
formerly a Whig, but of late years has affiliated
with the Democratic party. In religious beUef he
is a Presbyterian.
Nearly five years ago he moved to Avon Springs,
where with his wife and son, Col. James A.
McPherson, he now resides. His father and
mother died in 1828, the former aged 62 years
and the latter 60 years.
Mrs. Jean (Calder) McPherson is a daughter of
James and Elizabeth Calder, of Sterlingshire,
Scotland, and was born at Greenfield, Conn., in
1806. Her parents came from Scotland about
the year 1800, and after a residence of a few
years in Massachusetts and Connecticut moved to
the " Genesee country," where, in i8o8 they
settled on what is known as the Casey farm, near
Fowlerville. The creek passing through the place
is known as " Calder Creek," from the family
name. All this part of the town was then Cale-
donia, and when the Calder's moved here there was
only one white settler — Ralph Brown — between
their home and the Indian settlement at " Genesee
Castle " or " Big Tree." Mrs. McPherson is, we
think, the oldest Kving pioneer of this section, and
she remembers well when the first tree was cut
and the first house erected in the place now known
as Fowlerville.
The Indians were not at all backward in making
known their wants. One time several squaws
came to the house and demanded "quisquis"
(pork). On being told there was " none to spare,"
one of them went to the pork barrel and taking
out a piece held it up exclaiming " Bad Yankee! "
Mrs. McPherson is the only survivor of a large
family. Her father died in 1817, aged 55 years,
and her mother in 182 1, aged 56 years.
Col. James A. McPherson, the eldest son of
Donald, was born in 1830, and spent much of his
early Hfe in manufacturing interests in the South,
until the breaking out of the Civil war in which he
early enhsted. He was Second and First Lieutenant
in the 26th New York Independent Battery, and
accompanied it to New Orleans, taking part
in the occupation of the city, acting .as Assistant
Quartermaster in the " Departri^^nt of the
'^,c?-n.aA/^^Af !^eUon-
r.mi- by B:S.11iii1 .i.Sin&n InrOM/ St MY
Photo, by Merrill, Geneseo.
Leicester J
EicESTER Johnson.
Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo.
Julia A. M. Johnson,
Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo.
Seymour Johnson.
DONALD Mcpherson— LEICESTER JOHNSON— CALEDONIA.
447
Gulf" until after the occupation of Port Hudson
by the United States forces. Desiring a more
active service he left New Orleans, and entering
the 1 6th New York Cavalry, shared in the brilliant
aehievement of that arm of the service in the
valley of Virginia, during the closing scenes of the
war. He now resides at Avon Springs with his
aged parents. He is by profession a mechanical
engineer, and in politics is a Democrat.
Hon. John R. McPherson the second son of
Donald was born on the old homestead in the town
of York, in May, 1832. He was graduated at
Temple Hill academy in Gceneseo, and on leaving
school gave his attention to farming and stock
raising until 1859, when he moved to Hudson city,
N. J., where he engaged in dealing in live stock.
He was the projector, architect, and superinten-
dent of the construction of the stock-yard and
abattoir in Jersey city, and is now j)resident of the
Central Stock-yard and Transit Co., and lessee of
the National stock-yards on the Erie R. R. at Buf-
falo, Deposit, Oak Cliff and New York. He is
also one of the principal proprietors at West Phila-
delphia, of the abattoir and stock yard. He was
one of the originators, and the first president of the
People's Gas-light company of Hudson city, and
for six consecutive years was a member of the
Board of Aldermen, three years acting as president
of that body. In 1871 he was elected State Sena-
tor and served one term. He took a decided
stand against the Camden and Amboy R. R.
monopolies and it was mainly owing to his efforts
that the present liberal railway law was passed and
placed among the statutes of N. J. On the 24th
of January, 1877, he was elected United States
Senator for the long term to succeed Mr. Freling-
huysen. He is a model business man, prompt,
energetic and trustworthy. In 1868 he was mar-
ried to Edla J. Gregory of Buffalo, by whom he
has two children, Gregory and Edla.
Daniel McPherson, the third son of Donald, was
born in 1834, and until after the close of the late
war had never left home, except when attend-
ing school. He was graduated at Fairfield acade-
my, Herkimer county, and in 1865 took up his resi-
dence in the State of New Jersey, where in 1870,
he married Miss Wood, of Woodville. They have
one child — Anna Wood, and their present residence
is in New York city. In politics Mr. McPherson
IS a RepubHcan, and though a fine business man, he
prefers to be known simply, as a plain unassuming
farmer.
Joseph H. McPherson, was born on the home-
stead in 1839. Early in the civil war he joined
the 8th N. Y. Cavalry, Company H, shared in all
its hard fought battles, and was in sixteen engage-
ments. On the 12th of October, while his regi-
ment was engaged with the enemy at Stevensburgh,
Va., he was severely wounded, and was removed to
the hospital in Washington, where he survived but
a few hours. A fine monument marks his grave in
the cemetery at Avon, and that of his twin sister
Jennie beside him, who died in Avon, October 3,
1877.
LEICESTER JOHNSON.
Leicester Johnson was the second son of David
Johnson, who came from Hartford, Conn., some-
where about the year 1808, and purchased a small
tract of land in the town of Avon, then Hartford,
where he followed the occupation of farming, which
was attended with more or less trials and hardships
incident to pioneer life in the Genesee Valley.
During the year known as the "cold season" he
would walk seven miles and put in a full day's work
for a peck of corn, which he would carry home up-
on his back at night for the use of his family. He
was the youngest of seven sons. The other six all
served their country in the Revolutionary war.
One of the brothers, Ebenezer, was about the first
Mayor of the city of Buffalo.
David Johnson married Rachel Chappel, of Con-
necticut, by whom he had nine children, four sons
and five daughters. By his honesty and persever-
ing industry and economy he acquired a competen-
cy. He died in 1814.
Leicester Johnson, whose name heads this brief
memoir, was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1805, and
came with his father to Livingston county, then
Ontario. He was brought up on his father's farm,
receiving such an education as could be acquired
at the common district schools. After attaining to
the age of 18 years, he taught school winters and
worked upon the farm during the summer. In
1 83 1 he married Julia A. M., daughter of Calvin
Bicknell, Esq., of Geneseo, who bore him six chil-
dren, four of whom are now hving, namely: Sey-
mour, Leicester, Julia A. M., and Julius. The
latter is living in Geneseo. The others died in in-
fancy. Mr. Johnson was an "old-hne Whig," but
became identified with the Republican party. In
his younger days he took an active interest in the
political affairs of the country, though never seek-
ing office. He was for many years Town Superin-
tendent of Schools, and filled many other local of-
fices at different times. Upon his beautiful farm,
where at an earlier period he had seen the wild deer
and the bear roam in apparent security, he has for
years heard the shrill whistle of the locomotive and
seen the trains of heavily freighted cars passing and
re-passing at almost all hours. He died in 1875,
honored and lamented by all who knew him.
Seymour is the eldest of the family, and is living
upon the old homestead of his father, now con-
sisting of 350 acres of as good land as there is in
the Genesee Valley, a finely improved farm 3J
miles south of the village of Avon.
CHAPTER XXX.
History of the Town of Caledonia.
THE town of Caledonia lies on the extreme
north-western border of the county. It con-
tains an area of 26,199 ^cres, and is bounded on
the north by Wheatland, (Monroe county); on
448
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
the south by York and Avon; on the east by
Rush (Monroe county,) and Avonj and on the
west by LeRoy and Pavillion, (Genesee county).
The Genesee river forms the eastern boundary
between Rush and Avon.
The Erie railroad passes through the town
from north-west to south-east, and the Canan-
daigua and Niagara railroad crosses from east to
west through the northern part. The only im-
portant streams are White creek, which rises in
the northern part and flows south-easterly into the
Genesee river, and the Caledonia Springs, in the
northern part, which cover an area of some six
acres, the outlet of which forms an excellent water
power for milling and manufacturing purposes.
The soil is a clay loam with a sub-stratum of lime-
stone.
The town has been, and is now to some extent,
noted for its extensive and valuable quarries of
building stone and gypsum. Great quantities of
hme were manufactured in the western part of the
town, and " Caledonia plaster" for years bore an
excellent reputation.
Caledonia and Canawaugus are the only settle-
ments in the town. The former, a quite populous
and enterprising village, lies in the northwestern
part. Canawaugus, a small hamlet, lies in the
south-eastern part of the town, on the line of the
Erie railroad. This, at an early day, was an In-
dian village of some prominence, and is supposed
to have been the birthplace of the famous chief.
Red Jacket. It was here that he and such other
chieftains as Capt. Hot Bread, Capt. Jack, Henry
O'Beal and Blue Sky, ruled supreme. When
the persons who were the original owners of
Avon came to settle and to make improvements,
among the preliminary steps taken for the purpose
of getting the good will of the Indians they made
a feast and invited the Indians to partake. This
feast was held at Canawaugus.
In the days of the Genesee Valley Canal a con-
siderable shipping business was done here, and
large lumber yards were owned by Mr. Hamilton
and others. A grocery store was kept here by a
Mr. Penigree for the custom afforded by the canal.
The place contains now but a few scattering
houses, and one store kept by John Hollenbeck,
who has also been postmaster there about seven
years.
In 1797 all the territory west of the Genesee
river, included in the State of New York, was con-
stituted a town of Ontario county and named
Northampton. By the pioneers it was familiarly
called " The Town of Two Rivers," from the fac
of its being bounded on the east by the Genesee
and on the west by Niagara river. Its northen
boundary was Lake Ontario, and its southern, thi
Pennsylvania line. The first town meeting of thi
extensive territory was held at the " Big Springs,'
now Caledonia, and was presided over by Ga(
Wadsworth, Esq., of Avon.
' In 1802 the county of Genesee was set oflffron
Ontario county, and comprised within its limits al
of the Sate of New York west of Genesee river.
On the 30th of March of that year the towns o
Leicester, Batavia and Southampton were erectec
from Northampton. Caledonia, which then com
prised the towns of Wheatland, LeRoy, and aportior
of York was included in the town of Southampton
which name it bore until changed to Caledonia
April 4th, 1806. In 1812 a new town was erectec
from Caledonia and named Bellona, and in the
following year took its present name of LeRoy,
In 1819 that portion of York, then known as
Medford, belonging to Caledonia, was set off, and
with some of the territory of Leicester, was elected
into a separate township, and in 1821 Wheatland,
then known as Inverness, was set off into the new
county of Monroe.
In 1795 there was built at the "Big Springs,'
now Caledonia, a house " by two EngUshmen ol
the name of Kane and MofiFatt."* This was the
first house built here, and those squatters were
probably the first to locate within the present limits
of the town. In this house Kane and Moflfatt
kept tavern for some time, but being suspected ol
robbery and murder they were driven away by the
settlers at Avon. They were succeeded by twc
men named L. Peterson! and David Fuller, about
1798, who in this house, aftd in log-houses built b)
themselves, entertained travelers, and afforded a
temporary shelter to the Scotch emigrants whc
soon after came as the pioneer settlers of the town
In the year 1798,^ a number of families anc
young persons emigrated from Broadalbin, Perth
shire, Scotland, to America, to seek a home where
they could be free from the exactions of lane
* For much of the early history of this town we are indebted to thf
writings of Donald McKenzie, of Caledonia and Donald D. McKenzie
of York, who have devoted much time in collecting data relating to th<
early years of this section of country. The facts relating to Kane anc
Moffatt appeared in the LeRoy Gazette of June 9, 1858, and, with othei
matter, were gleaned from the notes of Donald McKenzie, of Cale
donia.
t Peterson's successor was a man of the name of Brooks: he was sue
ceeded by Job Pierce, who sold to John Cameron and moved to Avon ii
1806, where for many years he was a successful merchant.
t From notes of Donald D. McKenzie, changed only somewhat ii
language.
CALEDONIA — EARLY SETTLERS.
449
owners and the danger of impressment in the army
of the British government, then waging war against
France. In the beginning of March, they took
shipping at Greenock, and arrived in New York
before the first of May, and from tlience proceeded
without delay to Johnstown, Montgomery (now
Fulton) county, N. Y., where a number of their
friends and acquaintances had been settled for
many years.
Here they remained for nearly a year, undeter-
mined as- to their future location. Vague reports
came to them of lands open for settlement in the
Genesee country, but no one could give them au-
thentic information concerning that then far away
region.
Col. WiUiamson, agent for the Pultney estate,
hearing of their arrival in Johnstown, and being de-
sirous of securing Scottish emigration to this portion
of the Genesee country, journeyed there to see
them, and held out tempting inducements for them
to settle on his company's land near the "Big
Springs." He offered them land at three dollars
per acre, payable in wheat at six shillings per bushel,
and agreed to provide them with necessary pro-
visions until they were able to provide for them-
selves. As they had expended all their money for
the passage to America, and were consequently too
poor to purchase land in Johnstown, Col. William-
son's alluring offers were deemed worthy of accept-
ance. But with the habitual shrewdness of their
race, before they gave him a decided answer they
resolved to send five of their number to explore
the Genesee country and report the result of
their investigations. The names of the persons
selected to visit that then distant region were
Donald McPherson, Malcolm McLaren, Hugh
McDermid, James McLaren, and John D. Mc-
Vean.
These young men traveled on foot the distance of
two hundred miles, and arrived at a place called
the " Big Springs," so named " on account of large
springs of water that rise from the ground there."*
The investigation was quite satisfactory to the ex-
plorers, and they started on their return journey to
Johnstown to entreat their companions to prepare
immediately for settlement in this new and prom-
ising country.
On the return journey they met Col. WiUiamson
on the road between Geneva and Canandaigua, and
there on the highway the writings were drawn and
the bargain closed that secured to them the occu- •
pancy of this fertile region. " On our return to
* These springs are now in the village of Caledonia.
Geneva,* Col. Williamson treated us to peaches and
other new fruit of the Genesee country. He
showed us his English stock cattle which we all
admired, but much more so the man, Col. Wil-
liamson. After we arrived in Caledonia again,
with our families, we must all acknowledge that we
found Col. Williamson more noble and generous
than he agreed or promised."
Upon receiving the report of the five explorers,
emigrants in Johnstown made immediate prepara-
tion for their journey to the Genesee country. The
number of men, women, and children did not
exceed twenty persons — as some of the company
remained in Johnstown until the next spring — and
included Peter Campbell and wife, Malcolm Mc-
Laren and wife, John McNaughton and wife, Don-
ald McVean, Hugh McDermid, John McPherson,
and, in the succeeding fall, Donald McPherson,
Donald Anderson," and Alexander Thompson.
These are the settlers who found temporary relief
and shelter beneath the thatched roofs of Peterson
and Fuller, and who constituted the pioneer set-
tlers of the town of Caledonia.
Arriving here in March of the year 1799, and
being satisfied with the appearance of the soil, they
agreed to purchase three thousand acres on the
previously arranged plan of three dollars per acre,
to be paid in wheat at six shillings per bushel.
On account of so extensive a purchase Charles
Williamson agreed to grant to them two hundred
acres as a donation for the support of a minister,
together with two acres on the State road on which
to build a church and school house, t The
pioneers then began in earnest to build houses and
to cultivate the ground. Accessions were made
yearly to this small colony by their countrymen from
Scotland and Johnstown. Those who came soon
after were John and Daniel Anderson, John Christie
and family, John McLaren, Major Isaac Smith,
Finley McKercher and his sons, Peter and John,
who came in September, 1800 ; John McKay, his
mother and sister, Jeannette, Alexander McDonald
and his wife and son Donald and two daughters,
Jeannette and Catharine, Robert Whaley, Wil-
liam Armstrong, all of whom came previous to
1804 ; and Angus Cameron and three sons — Dun-
can A., Donald and John, who came about the
year 1804. These settlers were reduced to nearly
* From notes of Donald McPherson included in the writings of Donald
McKenzie.
tin i8oz at the formation of the "Caledonia Presbyterian Keligious
Society,'' William Pultney, through his agent, Charies Williamson,
made over a deed of I So acres of land for church lands, 2 acres on which
to build a manse, and Jo acres for school purposes, which was duly re-
corded in the County Clerk's office of Ontario in i8oi.
45°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
the conditions and surroundings of the most primi-
tive age. To those who had been born and bred
in Scotland, and whose ancestors had for genera-
tions inhabited the highlands and lowlands of that
staid and long settled country, everything in this
region was both new and strange. They found
themselves at once introduced to a new world and
a new government, to new scenes, new manners
and customs. The system of government even, at
that early period, was yet both new and problem-
atical.
The sudden transition from a monarchial to a
republican government was attended by no Uttle
mental embarrassment, but they soon became im-
bued with the spirit of republican principles, and
clung with the true Scottish love to the land of
their adoption.
Coming here poor and with scarcely the means
for subsistence. Col. WiUiamson furnished them
with provisions and the necessary faciHties for the
cultivation of the soil. Wheat was obtained at
Dansville, and for some time was ground at the
Wadsworth mills in Conesus. In the summer of
1 80 1 Mr. Williamson began the erection of the
first grist mill on the outlet of the Springs,* which
was completed in 1802. The work was superin-
tended by Jonathan Baker.
Finley McPherson was employed by Mr. Baker
to dig for the foundation at six shiUings per day
and board himself, and was obliged to go for his
pay to the Pultney Company's store in Hermit-
age,! some twenty miles distant. This was a small
mill, having but one run of stones, and was the first
mill, except Allen's, west of the Genesee river.
In 1803, this mill and two hundred acres of
land, which included the Springs, the outlet, and
the site of Mumford, were purchased for two
thousand dollars by an enterprising pioneer, John
McKay. Mr. McKay came to the Genesee coun-
try in 1793, when but sixteen years of age, and
worked for several years as carpenter and joiner,
coming to Caledonia in 1803. In 1804 he erected
there a saw mill, in the construction of which he
was assisted by WilUam J Whaley, who soon after-
wards married his sister Jeannette. John McKay
died in 1850, aged seventy-three years. The next
grist mill erected in Caledonia was built in 1814
by Moses Gibson and Col. Robert McKay,§ on a
* Turner says this mill was begun in 1799, but the notes of Donald
McKenzie and others of the first settlers place the date at 1801.
t Williamsburgh. , Alexander McDonald was the company's sub-
agent and clerk at that place.
t In another place this name is given as Robert Whaley.
§ Brother to John McKay, and an early school-teacher in the Genesee
country.
Stream near the line of York. With the erection
of these convenient mills the progress in farming
and building was more rapid, and the settlers were
soon making considerable headway, though still in
straitened circumstances and struggling against
the numerous adversities and privations of pioneer
life.
In the fall and winter of 1803 and 1804, a large
number of Scotch people came in from Inverness-
shire and Argyleshire, and other places in Scot-
land, and at that time came also some of those
who had remained in Johnstown since 1798.
Among these settlers may be mentioned the
names of Duncan McColl and his son, Donald,
Lachlan, Daniel, James and Niel McLean,
brothers, Archibald Gillis, Archibald McLachlin,
William Orr, Angus Haggart, and Niel, his brother,
CoUin Gillis and John McKenzie, the most of
whom brought families with them.
Among the many intelligent and prominent
early settlers was Donald McKenzie,"* who came
to America in 1805. He arrived in New York in
July, where he remained two months working as a
clerk in a store. From there he went to Con-
necticut, where he stayed until fall, when he came
to Caledonia. He worked for a short time in a
cloth dressing and carding shop on Honeoye
creek in Lima, and in the fall of 1806 he built on
the present site of Mumford a small log building,
in which he began the business of cloth dressing,
becoming in that business the pioneer in all the
Genesee country west of the river. He had for
his early customers all the people of a territory
now included in the ten counties. In 1809 he
added to his business a carding machine, which
was the second in all the territory west of the
Genesee river, the first having been erected by
William H. Bush, near Batavia. Not long after
this small beginning he built a large framed shop,
in which for some time he did a profitable business
until it was destroyed by fire. During this time
he had purchased of the EngUsh Company in
Geneva some three or four hundred acres of land,
on a part of v/hich he soon built a large stone
factory and commenced again not only the former
business, but the additional branches of spinning
and manufacturing of all kinds of cloth. He also
built a large grist-mill on Allen's creek, a short
distance east of Mumford, from which for some
years he derived considerable profit, but which
he lost through some business misfortune. He
* To whose writings, as before mentioned, we are indebted for many
of these facts.
Mr. &• Mrs. John Cameb\on.
JOHN CAMERON.
John Cameron was a native of Inverness, Scot-
land. His father, Angus Cameron, was also a na-
.tive of the same place. In 1804, he was married
to Catharine, daughter of Alexander Cameron, of
Argyleshire, Scotland, and soon after, in com-
pany with his wife, came to America, landing in
the city of New York, and proceeded from there
to Geneva, where he engaged in the mercantile
business in company with Colonel Grieves.
After remaining there nearly a year he sold out
his interest to his partner, and through the solici-
tations of the Scotch settlers in Caledonia, or
"Big Springs," as it was then called, came here
in 1805 and opened a store containing general
merchandise.
He was the first merchant who engaged in busi-
ness in this town, and continued in it till about
18 15 or '16, soon after the close of the war of
1812. He died August 7th, 1820, and his wife
June 8, 1849. They left eight children as fol-
lows : — Angus, born July 10, 1805 ; Margaret, born
March 4, 1808; Mary Ann, born March 21, 1810;
Alexander, born December 10, 1811; John Greig,
born July 31, 1813; Caroline, born May 13, 1815;
Jean, born March 25, 1817; and Charles, born
August s, 1820. Only three of the family are now
living, viz :^Margaret, Mary Ann, who married
Peter Forbes and resides in Burlington, Racine
county, Michigan, and Jean, who married Robert
Brown, of Mumford, Monroe county, N. Y.
CALEDONIA— EARLY SETTLERS.
451
also lost a large section of his land, and the stone
factory had not been many years in operation
when that, too, was burned down, incurring a loss
of many thousand dollars in buildings and ma-
chinery. He then built on the Spring creek, near
his house, a large saw-mill, in which for a number
of years he did a paying business. He married in
T809 a daughter of William Hencher, the " prince
of pioneers," who settled near the mouth of the
Genesee river in 1792. She had been inured to the
hardships and discomforts incident to pioneer
life, and it is not known that in all the reverses of
fortune which came upon the family that she ever
gave utterance to one perverse murmur. She died
Sept. 14, 1877, aged 92. Donald McKenzie died
Sept. 13, 1861, aged 77.
His children were Janet McNaughton, of Mum-
ford, N. Y.; William W. McKenzie, of Oakland,
Cal.; Daniel R. McKenzie, of Liberty, Ind. ;
Mary McLean, of Rochester, N. Y. ; and Elizabeth,
now on the homestead, — all living ; and Mehitable
Lusk died July 15, 1843; Sarah died in 1832;
Joseph died in Kansas, September 25, 1857 ; John
J. died July 3, 1878; and Simon D. died June
10, 1879.
Alexander McDonald, Col. Williamson's clerk
and sub-agent, was another prominent early settler.
He sailed from Scotland in July, 1775, in the ship
"Glasgow," Captain Townsend, with five hun-
dred passengers. On arriving in New York they
were all taken as prisoners by the British ship of
war, Asia, and sent to Boston, and then to Hali-
fax. Alexander was then enlisted in the 84th
Regiment, in which he served five years. He af-
terward owned half of the schooner "Mary," 105
tons burden, which was lost on the first voyage to
Maderia. He then went to the Bahama Islands,
arriving at Nassau in 1790, and was there over-
seer of Lord Dunmore's estates. On his return
from there to New York he engaged with Charles
Williamson, agent for the Pultney Estate, and
sailed from New York, April 9, 1793, arriving at
Williamsburgh about the beginning of June. Here
he remained in the employ of Colonel WilHamson
until the latter left the agency, when he removed
to Caledonia about the year 1802. He was the
first postmaster here, the first captain of militia,*
and for a number of years kept tavern in a build-
ing which stood just beyond the Presbyterian First
Church. He died in February, 1826.
John Cameron came to Caledonia in 1806, lo-
• Of him it is related that in drilling an " awkward squad " who did
understand the meaning of the order about face, he cried out, ' ' Turn
your face to the captain's hoose, an' your bocks to John McKay's mull I"
eating at what is now Caledonia village. He pur-
chased the old log cabin tavern stand and a large
farm adjoining, on which he built a commodious
framed house and a store. He was the first mer-
chant in Caledonia. He had married the daugh-
ter of a wealthy lease-holder in Scotland — a wo-
man of great beauty. The union was opposed by
her father, and America became their "Gretna
Green," and the Genesee country their final desti-
nation. He engaged at first in the mercantile
business with Walter Grieves in Geneva, but as
early as 1806 removed to Caledonia. During the
years embracing the war of 1812 he relinquished
the management of the tavern, but his hospitable
private house was often the stopping place of Gen-
erals Gains, Brown, Ripley and Scott, and other
leaders, when public houses had not the capacity
to accommodate all who were on their way to and
from the frontier. Mr. Cameron died in 1820.
leaving his wife with eight children, and with his
business affairs much embarrassed. She assumed,
with her son Angus, the management of the tavern,
store, and farm. They retrieved the estate, main-
tained and educated the family, and accumulated
for them a considerable inheritance of property,
and a far richer one — the noble example of a pio-
neer mother. She died in 1849.
Finley McLaren was the first to die in this
town, and he was buried where the Presbyterian
First Church now stands. He died about the year
1800. The first marriage was that of Hinds
Chamberlin and the Widow McLaren. The first
school was built in about 1802, and Jeannette
McDonald was the first school teacher. The first
settled preacher was Rev. Alexander Denoon.
Another early minister was Rev. Donald Mann,
of the Baptist denomination, who came to Cale-
donia in 1809, from Invernesshire, Scotland. The
first church was built in about 1806, and was located
on the ground now occupied by the house of
Charles Blackman.
In 1807 occurred here a horrible murder which
was the first startling crime ever committed in this
region. In the laying out of a road near the land
of Duncan McColl, James McLean and WiUiam
Orr engaged in some ill-tempered dispute, and
McLean, who was quite violent when enraged,
struck Orr on the head with an ax, killing him
instantly. Being reproached by Archibald Mc-
Laughlin, one of the working party, who came up
at that moment and bent over the murdered man,
McLean at once struck him a heavy blow with the
ax, cutting to his heart, and kiOing him as sud-
452
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
denly as he had killed Orr. McLean then made
his escape and fled to Canandaigua, where he was
discovered and arrested and taken to Batavia,
where he was afterward convicted and executed.
James McLean had three brothers, Lachlin,
Donald, and Niel. The first brother has three
sons now living — Hector, in Rochester, Lachlin,
in Wisconsin, and Alexander McLean, the chief
of police in Rochester, N. Y.
Peter and John, sons to Donald McLean, live
in Michigan, the latter being a doctor in the city
of Jackson. A daughter, Mary, lives in Rochester.
The children of Niel McLean are Alexander,
Betsey, (Mrs. WiUiam McPherson,) and Mrs.
Duncan Shepard, all of whom live in Michigan.
Among the descendants of other settlers are
Peter Campbell, who lives on the farm on which
his father, Peter Campbell, settled in 1799. John
Campbell, another son, lives in Fowlerville, York.
Angus Cameron, who came here in 1804, has none
but grandchildren living : — Hugh Cameron, a law-
yer, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Mary, Catherine,
Duncan, now in Wisconsin, Mrs. Margaret Wil-
son, and U. S. Senator Angus Cameron, of La
Crosse, Wisconsin. Other grandchildren were
Daniel, Dugald, and Alexander. Daniel died in
June, 1856 ; Dugald died in LaCrosse, Wis., in
1867 ; and Alexander died in April of 1864, from
disease contracted in the late war. All of these
were children of Duncan A. Cameron, son to
Angus.
Rev. Alexander Denoon has two sons now living
in Caledonia, James and Alexander; Simon, an-
other son, died in California some three or four
years ago, and two daughters died in 1813 or
1814.
Among these noble pioneer men and women
there existed a moral principle that was above
suspicion, and a strict regard for their pledged
word was manifest in all their dealings. They
have passed to their final rest, and with thiem the
peerless Scotch pioneer mothers, who forsook
paternal roofs and youthful associations and fol-
lowed the husbands of their choice over a wide
ocean, and with them entered the forests of the
Genesee country, willing helpers in all that had to
be done and endured.
The pioneers of Caledonia brought with them
Scotland's vigor, Scotland's customs, and Scot-
land's names. This region in early days was called
New Inverness, for the Inverness left behind in
fatherland, and when that name became obsolete the
more national name of Caledonia clung to it like
the mists which cling to the highland crags.
Those hardy sons of Scotia plied the ax, and, as if
caused by the whistle of Roderic Dhu, from matted
forests sprang forth fields of grain, and the wilder-
ness gave place to the broad and cultivated farms
that grace that town to-day. And the Scottish
vigor has not been purely physical. There has
been a wealth of mental vigor. From this town
have gone forth artists, poets, and statesmen.
" Happy as a Queen," which at the Centennial
Exposition received honorable mention as an
artistic production, was painted by Kate E. Cam-
eron,* of this town. She went to Paris, France,
in 1867, to perfect her studies, and died there
June 22, 1878.
The celebrated Chester Harding, one of the. best
portrait painters America ever produced, lived in
Caledonia village in 18 14 and '15. Few men in
any country have risen from obscurity to fame so
well deserved, and few have crowned their honors
by the grace of so noble a life. He was born in
the town of Conway, Mass., September 1st, 1792
and came to Caledonia about the close of the war
of 18 1 2. Here he engaged in cabinet making in
company with a man named Osgood, the latter
doing the wood work and Harding the painting.
A house which he built is now standing, the prop-
erty of Miss Mallock.
Money being scarce, he took from customers
their notes for furniture, and having difficulty in
negotiating them he became involved in debt to the
extent of some five hundred dollars. The law im-
prisoning for debt was then in force, with whose
dire vengeance Harding was threatened. Judge
Willard H. Smith, afterwards one of the ablest of
the Judiciary of Livingston county, espoused his
cause, and secreted him in a building now occupied
by Miller & Son as a plow manufactory. In the
cellar of this building he remained hidden
from Friday until Sunday, Judge Smith conveying
to him food and drink. As he could not on the
Sabbath day be arrested on a civil process, the
Judge opened the door of his temporary prison and,
pointing to the woods beyond the village, said —
"There are the woods; now make for them!"
And he did. From there he went to Le Roy, and
from there to Batavia, losing no time in getting
outside the jurisdiction of his former county. In
the vicinity of Batavia he remained a short time,
and then worked his way to Pittsburg, where he
engaged in house and sign painting. Afterwards
becoming acquainted with a sign and portrait
* Sister to Dugald E. Cameron, merchant in Caledonia.
£'-'fra,.e^ by E Sarivr ■ ^'^'
n I'^.f^nuL
CALEDONIA— EARLY SETTLERS.
453
painter named Nelson, he became convinced that
he, too, could paint portraits, and he at once en-
tered upon the career which made him famous both
in this country and in Europe. He died in Boston
in April, 1866.
John H. McNaughton, the popular song writer
and poet, lives three miles southeast from the vil-
lage of Caledonia. His residence is a comfortable
farm house whose interior bears evidence of the
jjoetical nature of the man. Mr. McNaughton
was born in Caledonia in 1829. He received his
education in the common schools of that town,
and early evinced a decided aptitude for music and
musical studies, which later developed into the
phase of song writing that has made him so popu-
lar both in this country and in Europe. His
songs have a peculiar sweetness and an individual
charm, due, undoubtedly, to the inspiration which
prompts both the words and the music. He has
written the words and the music of over one hun-
dred songs which were issued simultaneously in
New York and London._ Among those melodies
are the exceptionally popular ones of "Bell Ma-
hone," "Jamie True," "Mary Aileen," "As we
went a-Haying," "Sweet Night, be Calm," " Faded
coat of Blue," the latter being a popular song dur-
ing the war of the Rebellion. Mr. McNaughton
is also the author of a volume of poems entitled
" Babble Brook Songs," and a theoretical work on
Bands and Orchestras, besides being a prolific con-
tributor to various musical journals and reviews on
Harmony, Acoustics, and other technics relating to
the science of music.
Caledonia was also the home of that eminent
jurist. Judge Willard H. Smith,* who came to this
town in 1813. He was a native of Chesterfield,
Mass., where he was born in 1785.! He gradua-
ted from Williams College in that State, September
10, 1 8 10, and soon after studied law with Bleeker
& Sedgwick in Albany, N. Y., and afterwards
with Samuel Huntington, of Waterford. In Octo-
ber, 1813, he was admitted to practice in the Su-
preme Courts of this State. He was appointed
First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Liv-
ingston county March 24, 1832, the duties of
which office he continued to discharge for sixteen
years — or until that office became an elective one.f
His dignified and impartial manner in dispensing
justice, his extensive learning and eminent talent
* See Biography and Portrait upon another page.
t The notes of Donald McKenzie give his place of birth as Cheshire
county, New Hampshire, September 30, 1785, and also state that in 1791
he removed with his father to Hampshire county, Mass., where he re-
mained till he completed his education.
t In 1847.
as a counsellor and jurist, qualified him, above
many of his contemporaries, for the duties of this
important and arduous office. Willard H. Smith
was the first, and for a long time the only, lawyer
in a large section of country west of the Genesee
river.
It was in rather an unpropitious period that the
then young lawyer chose as his residence and the
theatre of his professional career, a village west of
that river. It was in the darkest days of the war
of 181 2, — atime of alarm, dismay, and flight. Judge
Smith arrived at his new home in the evening of
the day on which Buffalo was burned, and here for
over fifty years he lived an honorable and useful
life, highly esteemed by the legal fraternity, and
respected by all with whom he came in contact.
He died December 25, 1865. His only living de-
scendants are Mrs. Frances C, widow of Hon.
Harlow W. Wells, who now resides in the village of
Caledonia, and Mrs. Thomas Frothingham, Mrs.
Hon. William N. Emerson, and Loyd K. Smith,
who reside in Rochester, N. Y.
Among the citizens of this town who have graced
the legislative halls of this State and nation, we
may mention the names of Hon. Angus Cameron,
now Senator from Wisconsin, Hon. Norman Mel-
drum, who was born here, and who is now Secre-
tary of the State of Colorado, of which State he has
also been a Senator, and Hon. Harlow W. Wells,
M. D., above mentioned in connection with the
family of Judge Willard H. Smith, and whose biog-
raphy and portrait appear in another part of this
work. Mr. Wells was born in Leyden, Franklin
county, Mass., in 1809. He graduated from Fair-
field Medical College in January, 1834, and in April
of that year came to Caledonia to begin the prac-
tice of his profession. He had for forty years an
extensive practice, and for nearly twenty-five years
was, with the exception of brief periods, the sole
physician of this town. In 1837 he was married
to Frances C, eldest daughter of Judge Willard H.
Smith. He was Supervisor of the town from 185 1
to 1853. In 1845 he was elected Member of As-
sembly, and in 1865 and '66 was again honored
with a seat in the Legislature. Mr. Wells died
October 13, 1877, aged 68 years.
Town Officers. — The first town meeting, when
the town was in Genesee county, and was known
as Southampton, was held in the house of Jotham
Curtis, on Tuesday, March i, 1803. "Present,
Ezra Piatt, Richard M. Stoddard, and Phineas
Bates, Justices of Peace." The officers elected
were :— Christopher Laybourn, Supervisor; Job
454
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Pierce, Town Clerk ; Peter Shaffer, Ebenezer
Green, Peter Anderson, Assessors ; James Ganson,
Collector; Hinds Chamberlain, Peter Shafifer, Over-
seers of Poor; Thomas Irvine, Andrew Wortman,
Asher Bates, Commissioners of Highways ; James
Ganson, Cyrus Douglass, Daniel Buell, Constables;
John Ganson, Jr, Isaac Smith, John Christie.
Peter Shaffer, James Wood, Andrew Wortman,
Henry Mulkin, Fence Viewers and Overseers of
Highways; James McLaren, John Ganson, Jr.,
Charles Duggan, Pound Keepers.
In 1804 the town meeting was held at the house
of Austin Brooks, on the 7th day of March, and
Christopher Laybourn and Hugh McDertnid were
chosen respectively Supervisor and Town Clerk,
which offices they held until the name of the town
was changed April 4, 1806.
The first town meeting when the town assumed
the name of Caledonia was held at "the late house
of Shepperd Pierce, (now John Cameron,)" April i,
1807, at which meeting Christopher Layboum was
elected Supervisor, and Asher Bates, Town Clerk.
In 1808, James Ganson was elected Supervisor and
Alexander McDonald, Town Clerk, and they held
those offices until the close of the year 181 1.
From 181 2 to 1881 the Supervisors and Town
Clerks of Caledonia, have been as follows : —
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1 81 2. John Finch. Thomas Tufts.
1813. Robert McKay. John Garbutt.
18 1 4. Powel Carpenter. do do
1815. Robert W. McKay. Donald McDonald.
18 1 6. do do Willard H. Smith.
181 7-19. do do Donald McDonald.
1820. John Garbutt. do do
182 1.* Robert McKay. Federal Blakeslee.
1822-23. do do Duncan Campbell.
1824. do do John Butterfield.
1825-26. do do Federal Blakeslee.
1827-28. Federal Blakeslee. Gad Blakeslee.
1829. Robert McKay. Angus Cameron.
1830-31. Federal Blakeslee. James Hill.
1832. Robert McKay. Angus Cameron.
1833-37- Donald McDonald. James Hill.
1838-41. Alex. Simpson.f do do
1842-43. William Barron. do do
1844-50. do do Gad Blakeslee.
1851-52. Harlow W. Wells, do do
1853-55- Archibald Renwick. do do
1856-59. Henry G.JRochester.do co
i860. Hugh D. McCoU. John M. Dean.
1861-62 do do Stephen Loucks.
1863-64. David Walker. do do
* In this year Inverness— Wheatland— was set off into the new county
of Monroe.
t Mr. Simpson came to Caledonia in 1816, and followed the business
of brewing beer and farming. He died in 1852.
t Or Henry E. ?
1865. William S. Curtis ) do do
and >-*
Wm. Hamilton. ) do do
1866-67. Alex. Ferguson. do do
1868-70. do do John McNaughton.
1871. do do Charles U. Ferrin.
1872. Hugh D. McCoU. William H. Walker.
1873. Alex. Furguson. Robert Wilson.
1874. do do James Beattie.
1875-80. William Hamilton. William H. Walker.
The following officers were elected April 5,
1881 : — Supervisor, James Fraser; Town Clerk,
William H. Walker; Justices of Peace, William S.
McKenzie, (long term,) James J. Guthrie, (short
term;) Highway Commissioners, Donald McKenzie,
James A. Maxwell ; Assessor, Peter W. McNaugh-
ton ; Overseer of Poor, Peter P. Campbell ; Col-
lector, James Beattie ; Constables, Thomas H.
Bundy, Peter P. Campbell, Jr., William H. Ryan,
Nathaniel Mosier ; Game Constable, George Mc-
Kay; Excise Commissioners, Charles W. Black-
man, James R. Espie; Inspectors of Election,
Duncan D. McCoU, Arch. K. F'owler.
Population.— In 1870 the population of Cale-
donia was 1,813, of which number 1,294 were na-
tive, and 519 foreign, 1,811 white, and 2 colored.
In 1875 the total population of the town was
1,975; native, 1,483, foreign, 492; white, 1,959,
colored, 16; an increase of 189 in the native, and
a decrease of 27 in the foreign population.
At the last census returns of 1880 the total pop-
ulation was 2,068, an increase in the ten years of
255 in the total population.
School Statistics. — The town contains ten
school districts, in which, during the past year,
(1880) school was taught 241 3-5 weeks, employ-
ing nine teachers at a total amount in wages of
$2,781.77, and with an average attendance of 205
pupils.
The number of children in these districts over
five and under twenty-one years of age is 617.
The number attending school some portion of the
past year was 425. The district libraries arevalued
at $95, on which was expended during the year
the sum of $10.37. The amount paid out for
school houses, sites, fences, furniture and repairs
was $492.51. Total incidental expenses for the
year, $304.51. Total valuation of school houses
and sites, $142.25. Total valuation of districts,
$1,749,919-
Caledonia.
The village of Caledonia is beautifully situated
in the north-western part of the town, on the lines
*This was a tie vote, and the Justices appointed Alexander Ferguson
Supervisor for that year.
CALEDONIA — EARLY SETTLERS.
45S
of the Erie and Canandaigua & Niagara railroads.
This is the village known in early days as " Big
Springs," on the old State road from Albany to
Buffalo.
The Springs from which this place derived its
primitive name are now devoted to the breeding
of fish, the waters of these ponds being the finest
in America for the propagation of trout. Here
are located the " State Hatching Grounds," under
the supervision of the eminent pisciculturist, Seth
Green, who established the hatchery here as a
private enterprise in June, 1864. Mr. Green con-
ducted the business four ■ years, and then sold to
Alfred S. Collins for the sum of $14,000, under
whose management it remained seven years, when
he, for a similar consideration, sold it to the State
of New York in 1875. Seth Green was chosen as
Superintendent of the Hatchery; and an appro-
priation of $r,ooo was made in the interest of the
enterprise, which in 1880 was increased to
$15,000.
The trout propagated here are sent to stock the
pubhc waters of the State, over a miUion of eggs
being annually shipped from these grounds.
An extensive business in fish culture is also
being carried on here by James Annin, Jr., pro-
prietor of the Caledonia Trout Ponds, whose
waters adjoin those of the State Hatchery. Mr.
Annin engaged in this business in 1872, succeed-
ing Annin & Campbell, and J. Annin & Co. A
specialty is made of Brook Trout, although other
species are propagated, and from these ponds
yearly are sent to different parts of this country
and to Europe extensive shipments of eggs, frys,
and yearlings.
Mr. Annin also engages to some considerable
extent in the manufacture and sale of fishing
tackle, supplying to the disciples of Izaak Walton
rods, leaders, flys, spoons, and other accoutrements
of the piscatory science. The scenery about these
ponds is remarkably fine and picturesque. Con-
nected with the grounds is a beautiful grove, a
quite celebrated resort in summer for pleasure
parties from various parts of the State.
The present postmaster in Caledonia is James
Beattie, who was appointed in 1873. Previously
for some years, the officials had been Robert Wil-
son, and then Miss E. A. Blakeslee, whom Mr.
Beattie succeeded.
The village has but one newspaper, the Cale-
donia Advertiser, a weekly, which was established
in May, 1878, by James Beatde and Alfred H.
Collins. The present editor and proprietor is
Alfred H. Collins, who purchased Mr. Beattie's in-
terest in 1880.
Among the early inn-keepers here was Major
Isaac Smith, a widely known landlord west of the
river, who began here in that capacity as early as
1800. Others who kept tavern here at different
times were John Cameron in 1808, Alexander Mc-
Donald in and before 1809, Orange Dean, who
came here in 181 1, and occupied for some years
the McDonald stand, and Peter Bowen, who was
the first proprietor of the hotel now known as the
Moss House. This hotel was built in 181 6 by
Robert McKay. Other proprietors after Peter
Bowen were Augustus Hotchkiss, who kept it a
number. of years, P. P. Foote, the present pro-
prietor of the Caledonia House, who was landlord
of the Moss House some eight years, and J. W.
Moss, of whom the present proprietor, P. Coffee,
purchased five years ago.
The erection of the Caledonia House was begun
in 1 83 1, by James Shaw, and was by him com-
pleted in 1833. The first proprietor was Mar-
cenus Haxton, who kept it a year or two, and
afterward went to Ohio, where he died. James
Shaw was the next proprietor, and was succeeded
by his son, John Shaw. Wells Hosmer was the
landlord in 1844. Other landlords were J. W.
Moss, from 1866 to 1867 ; Algeroy Smith, one
year ; and Theodore F. Wilkinson one year. The
present proprietor, P. P. Foote, purchased the
property in 1873.
The village contains an excellent public library,
which is under the management of the Caledonia
Library Association. This Association was or-
ganized March 11, 1873, through the influence
and exertions of the following ladies : — Mrs. G. P.
Grant, Mrs. John McNab, Mrs. D. F. Bonner,
Mrs. John H. McNaughton, Mrs. Daniel Mc-
Naughton, Mrs. Donald McPherson, Mrs. Thomas
Brodie, Mrs. Dugald E. Cameron, Mrs. William
Hamilton, Mrs. W. Walker, Mrs. David Menzie,
Mrs. R. J. Menzie, Misses Helen Hosmer, Libbie
McKenzie, Kittie Walker, Ella McVean, Christine
Cameron, and Mrs. E. Burgess.
Each of these ladies contributed the sum of five
dollars, and pledged her interest and labor for the
estabUshment and maintenance of a public library.
The officers appointed at this meeting were :—
Mrs. Thomas Brodie, President; Miss Helen Hos-
mer, Vice-President; Mrs. Elwood Burgess,
Treasurer; Mrs. R. J. Menzie, Secretary; and
Miss Christine Cameron, Librarian.
The Library was opened to the public May 17,
4S6
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
1873. The first year closed with 163 volumes
purchased by the Association. December 31,
1877, the library contained 471 volumes. In that
year the Society procured a charter, which placed
it on a legal and business foundation. In 1880
the library contained 655 volumes. The books,
for the most part, are the productions of standard
authors, comprising the works of Herbert Spencer,
Taine, James Anthony Froude, and others as
noted philosophical and historical writers.
In February, 1881, the Association had in the
bank $180.00, and about $ioo.oo in the hands of
the treasurer. The present officers are :— Mrs.
Daniel McPherson, President; W. H. Walker,
Vice-President ; Mrs. Dr. Borden, Secretary ; Miss
Mary McCall Simpson, Treasurer ; James Beattie,
Librarian ; Mrs. Dr. Wells, Mrs. John McNab
and Mrs. Sarah Clark, Trustees.
The A. O. U. tV., the only secret society here,
was organized May 27, 1880. The officers then
elected, and who are now the piesiding officers in
the Order, were David Menzie, P. W.;A. K. Fowler,
M. W.; D. W. Chamberlain, G. F.; F. P. Brownell,
O.; Daniel F. Burgess, Recorder ; R. J. Menzie,
F. S.; George Outterson, R. S.; George McKay,
Guide; George Barron, J. W.; Jno. Monroe, O.W.
Merchants. — The first merchant here was John
Cameron, who came to Caledonia in the fall of
1805. The next was Robert McKay, who came
to the Genesee country in 1797, locating at Wil-
liamsburgh, where, and in the surrounding section,
he taught school for a number of years. In 1803
he entered the employment of Miner & Hall, early
merchants in (Geneseo,) and on the death of
both members of the firm he closed up their busi-
ness affairs and in 1808 moved to Caledonia where
he began the mercantile business. Other early
merchants were Alexander McDonald, Sylvester
Brown,* 1813, John McKenley, about 1817, and
Thomas and Robert Brown, who came here in
1827, purchased McKenley's store and carried on
business together until about 1851, when they sold
to Elwood Burgess, who still continues in the busi-
ness here. Mr. Burgess was born near Philadel-
phia, Pa., in 1824, and came to Caledonia in 1847.
The other merchants here are: — William H.
Walker, who came to Caledonia in 1848. — After
receiving his education he taught school a number
of years, and engaged in his present business as
general merchant ten years ago. He was born in
Naperville, DuPage county. 111., in 1839; — Robert
* County Clerk of Livingston county in 1823, and tlie second to fill
that office.
M. Place, dealer in drugs and fancy goods, who
came to Caledonia in 1837, and began his present
business nine years ago ; Alexander Watson, mer-
chant tailor, who began business here eight years
ago; Cameron & Fraser (Dugald E. Cameron,
Andrew Fraser,) hardware merchants, who have
been in business as a firm nearly two years, suc-
ceeding Cameron & Menzie — Mr. Cameron was
born in Caledonia, March 19, 1831 ; — Mr. Fraser,
in the town of York, in 1850 ; — Archibald K. Fow-
ler, druggist, who has been in that business here
four years, and who was born in York in 1852 ;
Robert Wilson, general merchant, who came from
Scotland in 1835, where he was born May 30, 1817,
and who began his present business in May, 1879 ;
Peter Gallagher, grocer, who has been in business
one year ; James Callan, a native of Mumford, gen-
eral merchant, who has been in business four years;
James Smith, grocer, in business four years; Wil-
liam Hamilton, produce merchant, who was born
in LeRoy, in 1852, and who came to Caledonia in
January, 1859. Mr. Hamilton is one of the most
prominent citizens of the town. Besides dealing
in grain and produce he is also a large owner of
farming lands, and is extensively engaged in malt-
ing,*which business he began here in 1867. He
has held the office of Supervisor six years, from
1875 to 1880.*
Physicians. — The first physicians to locate in
Caledonia, were Drs. Peter McPherson and Wil-
Ham H. Terry, who were here as early as 1812.
They were succeeded by Dr. Stockton in about
181 2, and Dr. William A. Townsend, from Con-
necticut, in about 1815, who built a house where
the residence of Mrs. Dr. Wells now stands. Dr.
Campbell was a physician here about 1853. Dr.
Harlow Wells, of whom previous mention has been
made, was a successful physician here for forty
years.!
The present physicians are: — Dr. Robert J.
Menzie, who was born in Riga, May 21, 1833,
graduated at Buffalo MedicalUniversity in 1866,
and practiced a short time in Bergen, Genesee Co.,
then came to Caledonia in the fall of 1866, where
he has since resided.
Dr. George T. Borden, was born in Mattapoiset,
Mass., October ist, 1833. He graduated from
Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1876,
and at once came to Caledonia, to begin his prac-
tice.
Lawyers. — The sole lavyyer of the town is Wil-
* See Biography on another page,
t See close of chapter.
CALEDONIA VILLAGE— MANUFACTURERS, CHURCHES.
457
liam Jesse Byam, son of Rev. George T. Byatn, of
Melville, Ont., Canada, in which place he was born
Jan. 21, 1847. At the age of fifteen he was em-
ployed as assistant Master of Mathematics in the
Pictou High School, of which institution he became
the Principal at the age of nineteen, having in the
meantime taken a two years' course of instruction
at Upper Canada College. At the age of twenty-
one he graduated from the University of Toronto,
receiving first class honors in Mathematics, and at
the age of twenty-three graduated from the Cana-
dian Military Academy at Toronto, taking a first
place in the Artillery and Cavalry Departments,
and a second place in the Department of Infantry.
In 1872 he began the study of law with Charles
Francis of Trenton, Ont., with whom he remained
some four months, and then entered the office of
Hon. John Hilliard Cameron, of Toronto, where
he studied a little more than a year. In June,
1874, he entered the office of William F. Cogs-
well, in Rochester, N. Y., and was admitted to
practice in October, 1877. He came to Caledonia
in 1878, where he has since practiced law with
much success.
Manufacturers. — The parties engaged in manu-
facturing in Caledonia are : — Miller & Son, (Alex-
ander and Fred,) manufacturers of agricultural im-
plements, who have been in business a year, suc-
ceeding A. D. & D. H. McCoU, who had con-
ducted the business some twelve years.
Charles W. Blackman, manufacturer of grain
cradles, has been engaged in that business here
since 1867, in which year he became the partner of
Henry G. Hatch, who for thirty years had con-
ducted the business. In 1876 Mr. Blackman suc-
ceeded Mr. Hatch, and has since been the sole
proprietor of the manufactory.
The Caledonia Manufacturing Company (W. S.,
Nelson C. and C. H. Redfield,) manufacturers of
hand rakes, broom and hoe-handles, barrel-head-
ing, etc. In business here two years.
Charles F. Curtiss, manufacturer of the " Wild-
er" plow, began that business here in 1881.
Archibald McLaughlin, a native of Caledonia,
manufacturer of grass seed sowers, began here in
1855 the manufacture of agricultural implements.
George W. McKay, proprietor of a saw and grist
mill, was born in Caledonia in 1859. He is grand-
son to John McKay, who purchased near the site
of these mills in 1803 the old grist mill built by
Colonel Williamson for the Pultney Land Com-
pany.
Churchks.— The early settlers of Caledonia
were Christian people, and among the first objects
of their care was the provision for religious services.
In consequence of their poverty they were unable
at first to secure the labors of an ordained minister,
but religious observances were not neglected. So-
cial religious worship was held every Sabbath, but
accustomed as they had been to regular adminis-
tration of the Word and ordinances, they were not
satisfied with this. Accordingly a meeting was held
at the house of Peter Campbell, November 10,
1802, for the purpose of organizing a religious so-
ciety, to be incorporated under the laws of the
State. At this meeting they selected for their
name "The Presbyterian Religious Society of
Caledonia." They chose as trustees Thomas Irv-
ine, Duncan McPherson, Peter Campbell, John
Christie, and Peter Anderson. The next year a
log school house was erected on the creek road,
about a quarter of a mile west of what is now
known as Mission Corners, in Wheatland. Here,
every Sabbath, the pioneers met for religious wor-
ship, and in the absence of ministers the services
were conducted by themselves. This state of
things continued until 1805. Having had up to
this time but a civil religious organization, and
being now strengthened by accessions of settlers
from Invernesshire, Scotland, who had come in
1804, they determined to form an ecclesiastical
organization. Accordingly at a meeting held in
the school house, March 3/ 1805/ an organization
was effected by Rev. JedetiTah Chapman, of the
Presbytery of Geneva. Donald McKenzie, Dun-
can McPherson, and Donald Anderson were elect-
ed Elders. Soon after a log church, 30 by 40 feet
in size, was erected in the western part of the pres-
ent village of Caledonia, on the two acres granted
by Col. Williamson. This church stood on the
site now occupied by the residence of Peter
McNaughton.
In February, 1806, there came into the colony
from Scotland a young man of the name of Alex-
ander Denoon, who had been in the old country a
tutor to gentlemen's sons. He was licensed by
the Presbytery of Geneva, June 26, 1806, and
was appointed as the supply of this congrega-
tion, in which capacity he continued to act until
August 17, 1808, when he was ordained and form-
ally installed pastor of the church. To this step
there was very considerable opposition, on the part
chiefly of the first settlers, which led soon to the
disruption of the congregation, and to a final sep-
aration. Both congregations reorganized, that of
Mr. Denoon's in September, 1808, and the Asso-
45 8
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
ciate Reformed Church in November, 1810. The
church edifice was the joint property of both par-
ties and was used by both, but in a few years after
the church property was equally divided between
them. On the organization of the Presbytery of
Ontario Mr. Denoon's church, known as the' First
Presbyterian Church of Caledonia, was assigned
to that body, and from that transferred to the
Presbytery of Genesee when that was instituted.
After the exscinding act of 1837, and the divis-
ion of the Presbyterian Church, this society and its
pastor connected themselves with the Presbytery
of Susquehanna, of which they gave notice to the
Presbytery of Genesee, and the connection was
severed February 15, 1838. The church was af-
terward received under the care of the Presbytery
of Wyoming. The first edifice erected by this
church was built in the year 1814, on land owned
by Deacon Archibald Gillis. It was abandoned in
a few years and was pulled down in 1850. In 1827
a stone church was erected at a cost of over $2,000,
and was built on an acre of land which Alexander
McDonald donated to the society for that purpose.
This gave way in 1855 to the present fine edifice.
Among the early members were : — Duncan McPher-
son, Donald McKenzie, Simon Fraser, Archibald
Gillis, Catherine GiUis, Peter and Catherine Camp-
bell, John McPherson, Kitty (McBean) McKenzie,
John Campbell, Margaret Campbell, Mary (Mc-
Laughlin) Orr, Donald Anderson, John McKenzie,
and Mary (McArthur) McKenzie. Rev. Alex-
ander Denoon continued as pastor of this
church until his death June 16, 1850—
a pastorate of over forty-four years. He
was a man of eminent piety, exerted a marked
influence for good in the town, and is spoken of
reverently by the descendants of his parishoners.
The succeeding pastors have been : —
Rev. John W. Major, 1854, dismissed 1856
Rev. Wm. Evan Jones, 1857, " 1859
Rev. MalcolmN. McLaren, 1859, " 187 1
Rev. John Kennedy Fowler, 1874, " 1877
Rev. Thomas Stephenson, 1878, who is the pres-
ent pastor.
The membership is 200. The church property
is valued at $6,000, and the parsonage at $3,000.
Those who withdrew from this church were
chiefly people from Perthshire, Scotland, re-
solved to look to the Associate Reformed
Presbyterians for preaching. They according-
ly applied to the Presbytery of Saratoga, and,
after various delays, were by it organized into
a congregation, Nov. 3, 18 10, John McVean, Wm.
Armstrong, and Peter Farquherson being elected
elders. The number of members was about 25.
They were variously supplied until the fall of 181 2,
when they extended a call to Rev. John Campbell.
In this call they were joined by a number of per-
sons living on the Forty Thousand Acre Tract,
now York, who had there a log church in what is
now York Centre.
Mr. Campbell was to receive a salary of $500
per annum, of which the people in York were to
pay one-fifth, and receive one-fourth of the pas-
tor's time.
In November, 1813, Mr. Campbell entered upon
his labors, which he continued successfully until
his death, .May i, 1817. During his ministry 109
persons were added to the church. With his
death the connection with York was severed, and
that people were organized into a separate congre-
gation in 1818. His successor was the Rev. Wm.
Boyce. Concerning this pastor there are very
meager records. He was called in 1820 and was
released at the request of the congregation, about
1824. In the interval between these pastorates
the congregation erected a house of worship at a
cost of $6,000. It was finished in the spring of
1 8 19. The next pastor was Rev. Donald C. Mc-
Laren, at the time pastor of the Associate Re-
formed Church of Cambridge, Washington county,
N. Y. The congregation had now become quite
strong. It embraced 117 famihes. In these there
were 142 children over, and 310 under sixteen
years of age.
The number of communicants was 174. The
relations between the two congregations were also
more amicable than they had ever been since the
disruption. Besides the opposition to the settle-
ment of Mr. Denoon, differences had arisen
between the two parties respecting the property
donated by Col. WilUamson, and which, ever since
the disruption in 1808, had continued to be a bone
of contention. In 1823, however, the matter was
settled by the equitable division of the property.
The Associate Reformed congregation received
the east half of each tract, and the Presbyterians
the west half of each, together with the log church
on the village lot. In December, 1824, the con-
gregation made a settlement of the business of
their church building, when it was found that they
were indebted to Robert McKay in the sum of
$2,227.69. In order to indemnify him for this
sum, which he had advanced to complete the
church, the Society agreed to lease to him all the
land falling to its share, on the condition that the
lease was to be of a durable nature, and that the
CALEDONIA— WAR RECORD.
459
lease-holder was to pay a rental of one barley corn
yearly on the call of the trustees. The lease thus
ordered was duly executed Feb. 23, 1826, and the
lands virtually passed out of the hands of the
Society. The pastorate of Mr. McLaren was a
very successful one, lasting until July 14, 1852.
On the evening of Sunday, Feb. 24, 1833, the
church building was destroyed by fire. The con-
gregation immediately began the erection of an-
other, which was completed on the 30th of the
following November, and is the fine stone church
which now stands in the village. Its cost was
about $4,000. At the sale of seats on the third of
December, this amount was more than realized,
and the congregation entered the new house free
from debt.
Near the close of Mr. McLaren's pastorate a
new organization was formed in the northwest
part of the congregation. Into this society 27
persons were received. The organization was
effected Feb. 24, 1852; and the circumstances
attending it being so favorable — ^the society start-
ing with a good building free from debt — it was
christened Beulah. After a brief vacancy the con-
gregation called the Rev. William S. McLaren,
the eldest son of the former pastor. He began
his labors Dec. 19, 1852, and was installed April
19, 1853. He resigned on account of ill health
and was released Sept. 8, 1869, and removed to
Santa Barbara, Cal., where he died July 12, 1874.
During his pastorate a parsonage was erected at a
cost of about $3,300.
A change also occurred in the congregation's
ecclesiastical relationship in 1858. In that year a
union was effected between the Associate and As-
sociate Reformed Presbyterian churches in this
country, resulting in the formation of what is now
known as the United Presbyterian Church of
North America, into which union this congregation
entered.* On the the 13th of May, 1869, a new
congregation was formed in the village of Mum-
ford, about one mile north of Caledonia, and into
that organization went from this church 27 mem-
bers. In December, 1870, the congregation in
Caledonia called the present pastor, Rev. D. F.
Bonner, t He began his labors the first Sabbath
in January, 187 1, and was formally installed Feb.
28, 187 1. Various changes have taken place
during his pastorate, among which was the re-
modeling of the church building in 1875. This
* The title of the church is now the United Presbyterian Church of
Caledonia.
t To this kind pastor we are indebted for the most of this church his-
tory, having drawn for some facts on the writings of Donald McKenzie.
was effected at an expense, including furnishing,
of $5,225. The congregation is in a flourishing
condition and numbers to-day 160 communicants.
War Record of i 8 i 2 and of the Rebellion. —
When the war of 181 2 broke out, the Scotch set-
tlers in Caledonia had for the first time an oppor-
tunity to show how strong was their love for the
land of their adoption. Malicious reports were in
circulation soon after the beginning of the war to
the effect that the Scotch residents would prove
treacherous, and lend their assistance to the British
invaders. Little did the calumniators know of
Scottish character who could thus charge them with
treachery. Treason finds no lodgment in the
head or heart of a Scotchman. Such of those resi-
dents as had not yet become naturalized, on hear-
ing this report, at once made application for citi-
zenship, and so gave ample proof of their loyalty
and honesty of purpose. They did more. A com-
pany was formed among them, with Robert McKay
as Captain, and Thomas Duer as Lieutenant. These
Scotch Highlanders marched at once to Lewiston,
where they remained until reUeved by the regular
troops. Capt. McKay was promoted to the rank
of Colonel in 18 13, and in 1 814 he and others of
this company marched to defend Buffalo from the
British who had crossed the Niagara, had taken the
fort of that name, and burned Youngstown and
Lewiston. On arriving in Buffalo they were en-
rolled under the command of Major General Amos
Hall and Col. Blakeslee, and at the battle of Black
Rock, Col. McKay and several others were taken
prisoners and carried to Montreal where they were
confined until regularly exchanged the next year.
In the war of the RebeUion, Caledonia sent to
the defense of the Union two hundred and seven
men,* besides contributing liberally in other ways
to the Federal cause.
The town furnished in August, 1862, 62 men,
with a bounty of $100 each; in July, 1863, 22
commuted; in October, 1863, 28 men, with a
bounty of $423 each; in February, 1864, 9 men,
three at $300 each, and six at $320 each ; in July,
1864, 33 men at about $900 each; in December,
1864, 25 men at $600 each, and $ 100 hand money ;
also 28 men who enlisted at various times from
this town, without bounty and with bounty to the
credit of other towns.
The War record of the town was quite carefully
kept, and from it is given here the names of those
who enlisted from the town of Caledonia.
* This number includes those who enlisted from other places to fill the
quota of Caledonia.
460
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
%th N. Y. Cavalry. Enlistments of 1862. —
William W. McNaughton, Co. K, enlisted Aug.
27 ; born in Caledonia, Sept. 4, 1836. Served on
picket duty only, was taken sick about April 20,
1863, and died at Carver Hospital, Washington,
D. C, May 2, 1863. His body was broughthome
to Caledonia for interment.
John William McNaughton, Sergeant, Co. K,
enlisted Aug. 14; born in Caledonia, March 23,
1840. Was in engagements at Beverly Ford, Mid-
dleburgh, and Gettysburg, and was stationed at
Alexandria, Va., at the date of the surrender of
General Lee, was discharged about June 16, 1865.
Now living in Caledonia, N. Y.
Enos Sullivan, Corporal, Co. K, enlisted Aug.
21, was slightly wounded at the battle of Gettys-
burg. Now in Flint, Mich.
Thomas Bradburn, Co. B, enlisted in August,
was killed in a skirmish at Shepardstown, August
25, 1864.
William Tygart, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 19. Now
in Caledonia, N. Y.
John Bradburn, Co. H, enlisted Aug. 28. Pro-
moted to Corporal in May, 1865, was captured by
the Rebels at Lacy Springs in Jan., 1865, but
escaped in a few hours. Was wounded on the
shoulder by a sabre cut from which he recovered.
Now in Caledonia, N. Y.
Thomas Tygart, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 28, was
wounded in the right knee, at Gettysburg. Now
in the west.
David R. Stewart, Co. M, enlisted Aug. 18.
Promoted to Corporal Jan. i, 1865. Now in
Caledonia, N. Y.
Jeremiah Casey, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 21. Pro-
moted to Corporal in Jan., 1864; was taken pris-
oner about June, 1864, and confined the most of
the time in Andersonville prison, where he died
Nov. 26, 1864.
Almond Duane Robinson, Co. K, enlisted Aug.
18, was disabled by the fall of his horse at the bat-
tle of the Wilderness, and discharged May 18, 1865.
Died in 1880.
Daniel Donohue, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 20. Pro-
moted to rank of Sergeant, Jan. 6, 1864. Was in
sixty-two engagements up to June 24, 1864, at
which time he was taken prisoner and was confined
the most of the time in Andersonville prison ; died
at Florana, S. C, Nov. i, 1864.
William Ball, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 19 ; was taken
prisoner March 4, 1863, and confined for sixteen
days in Libby prison, was then exchanged, rejoined
his regiment, and was at the surrender of General
Lee. He returned in Co. F, of the same regi-
ment. Now living in Caledonia, N. Y.
William A. Lynn, Corporal, Co. K, enlisted
Aug. 20, was wounded in the head at Gettysburg,
nearly recovered, and was taken prisoner March 9,
1863, and confined in Libby prison twenty-three
days.
James K. Polk Walker, Co. K, enlisted in Aug.;
born in Caledonia, N. Y., Feb. 3, 1845, was in the
several battles of the regiment, and was taken pris-
oner at the battle of the Wilderness and confined
the most of the time in Andersonville prison, where
he died Oct 3, 1864.
Wilson Caruthers, Co. M, enlisted in August ;
wounded at Beverly Ford, June 9, 1863, and was
discharged Jan. 21, 1864. Now in Caledonia, N.Y.
Robert Robertson Orr, Co. K, enlisted August
14; born in Caledonia, March 10, 1841. Pro-
moted to Q. M. Sergeant Jan. i, 1875. Was in
thirty-five engagements, including the battles of
Upperville, Gettysburg, Boonsboro, Brandy Plains,
and Stephensburg, at which place he was wounded
in the right side, and confined to the hospital some
three months. Was taken prisoner March 5,
1863. Exchanged in June, 1863, rejoined his
regiment, and was discharged in June, 1865. Now
in Indiana.
Robert M. Place, was discharged before expira-
tion of his time. Now a druggist in Caledonia,
N. Y.
William Bradbury, Jr., Co. K, supposed to have
deserted some time in September, 1862, from the
encampment in Rochester, N. Y.
Alexander M. Caruthers, Corporal, Co. M, en-
listed August 25. Died in rebel prison.
Samuel Burgett, Co. K, enlisted in August, sup-
posed to have deserted in September, from the en-
campment in Rochester, N. Y.
George A. Hickey, enhsted in this regiment and
was afterwards transferred to the Second Battalion
Veteran Reserve Corps ; was discharged about
June, 1865. Now somewhere in Southern New
York.
Daniel J. McVean, died in the service.
Andrew McKenzie, Co. K, enlisted in August.
Shot dead on picket duty near Dumfries, Va.,
March 5, 1863. Body brought home and buried
in Caledonia, N. Y.
John Caragher, Co. L, enlisted Aug. 30. Taken
prisoner May 5, 1864, and died in Andersonville
prison in October, 1864.
Andrew Kennedy, enlisted in August. Killed in
the service.
CALEDONIA — WAR RECORD.
461
Daniel Calder, died in the service. Body brought
home for burial.
Daniel McMartin, Jr., Co. I. Discharged in
June, 1865.
William Brown, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 14, was
in service until June, 1865. Now in Scottsville,
N. Y.
Lewis Yorks, enlisted in August. Deserted
from encampment in Rochester, N. Y.
C. C. Rockafellow, Co. K, enlisted in August.
Died in rebel prison.
Lewis J. Cox, enlisted in August. Died in rebel
prison.
William Solomon, Co. K, enlisted in August.
Died in Union Hospital.
Harvey Murell, enlisted in August. Deserted
from Camp in Rochester, N. Y., in Sept. 1862.
Jacob Hemluk, enlisted in August. Deserted
from camp in Rochester, N. Y., in Sept. 1862.
Frederick Simmimur, Peter Farley, Jeremiah
Kelley, Benjamin Aldridge, Co. K, Jacob Guen-
ter, Co. M, George W. Moore.
Enlistments in other Companies mid Regiments.
— John D. Campbell, enlisted August 29, 1862, in
a company of sharp-shooters. At the battle of the
Wilderness he was wounded in the thigh. Died
since close of the war.
Peter WiUiam McNaughton, N. Y. Sharp-shoot-
ers, enlisted August 27, 1862. Born in Caledo-
nia, N. Y., October 14, 1834. Promoted to Cor-
poral March 4, 1864. Was in the siege of Suffolk,
Baltimore Cross Roads, Rappahannock Station,
and Weldon R. R. Now in Caledonia, N. Y.
Duncan D. Cameron, Co. K, 9th U. S. Colored
Troops. Enlisted August 26, 1862. Born in Cale-
donia, N. Y., January 18, 1839. Promoted to
Lieutenant, November 29, 1863. Was in the siege
of Suffolk, Deep Bottom, at John's Island, S. C,
and in front of Petersburgh. After being in ser-
vice thirty-one months he resigned March 9, 1865,
and his resignation was accepted. Now in Cale-
donia, N. Y.
Andrew Beattie, Corporal, Co. C, 4th N. Y.
Heavy Art. Enlisted August 5, 1862. Promoted
to Corporal August 25, 1864. Now in LeRoy,
N. Y.
Archibald Walker, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy
Art. Enlisted as private, October i, 1862. Born
in Broadalbin, N. Y., May 31, 1833. Was pro-
moted October i, 1863, to Captain of Co. I, 7th
U. S. Colored Troops. Killed before Petersburg,
September 6th, 1864. Body was brought home
and buried in Caledonia, N. Y.
Newton Thompson, Co. E, 27th N. Y. Infantry.
Enlisted in April, 1861. Promoted to Sergeant in
June, 1862. Now in Caledonia, N. Y.
Sylvester Clark, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art.
Enlisted August 5, 1862. Was taken prisoner
August 25, 1864, at Ream's Station and sent to
Libby Prison, then to Belle Isle, and from there to
Salisbury, N. C, where he was exchanged in Feb-
ruary, 1865. Now in La Crosse, Wis.
Gaylord Henry Hatch, 6th Ind. Co. N. Y. S.
Sharp-shooters. Enlisted September 30, 1862.
Promoted to Corporal in February, 1863. Was
wounded in the left side at Gravel Run, March 30,
1865. Now living in Rochester, N. Y.
Alexander Robert Fraser, Co. B, 1st District of
Columbia Cavalry. Born in York, Livingston
county, January 5, 1842. Enlisted July 27, 1863.
Promoted in May or June, 1864, to Corporal.
Was company clerk from time of enlistment to the
time of his death. Was wounded at Ream's Sta-
tion on the Weldon R. R., August 23, 1864, and
died from the effects of his wounds in the field hos-
pital, August 24, 1864, and was buried on the Je-
rusalem Plank Road about four miles north of
Petersburg.
John EUiboat, Co. B, 15th N. Y. Cavalry.
Promoted to Corporal July ist, 1865. Now in
Rochester, N. Y.
Edward McEnrae, Co. G, 136th N. Y. Infant-
ry. Went from Caledonia to the credit of the town
of Leicester. Now in Caledonia, N. Y.
Alexander W. Carmichael, 6th Ind. Co. N. Y.
S. Sharp-shooters. Was discharged about June i,
1865. Now in the West.
John Campbell, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art.
Enlisted August 5, 1862. Was wounded in right
arm. Discharged in June, 1865. Now in the
West.
. Albert Crawford, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art.
Enlisted August 5, 1862. Promoted to Sergeant
July, 1864. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in
April, 1865, and was promoted to First Lieuten-
ant in May of that year. Died in 1866.
James Walker, First Lieut. Co. C, 4th N. Y.
Heavy Art. Born in York, Livingston county,
July 18, 1835. Enlisted November 15, 1861.
Was shot dead at the Battle of the Wilderness,
May 6, 1864. His body was left on the field and
was probably buried with the army's dead.
Hugh Brady, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Enlisted Aug. 4, 1862. Was discharged from the
service in January, 1863. Now in Caledonia, N. Y.
Alexander William Ross, 6th Ind. Co., N. Y. S,
462
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Sharp-shooters. Enlisted in September, 1862.
Was in the service three or four months and was
discharged, on account of disability. Now in
Dansville, N. Y.
James E. Cameron, enlisted in 1862 in 26th N.
Y. Battery. Was discharged about August, 1865.
Now in Caledonia, N. Y.
William Moreland, enlisted in August, 1862, in
6th Ind. Co., N. Y. S. Sharp-shooters. Present
whereabouts unknown.
James Ryan, enlisted in August, 1862, in First
N. Y. Light Artillery ; whereabouts unknown.
Samuel Whitmore, enlisted in August, 1862, in
146th N. Y. Vol. Infantry. Present location un-
known.
William G. Coon, enlisted in August, 1862, in
4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Dead.
Sylvester Coon, enlisted in August, 1862, in 4th
N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Present location not
known.
John Whitmore, enlisted in August, 1862, in
146th N. Y. Vol. Infantry. Whereabouts un-
known.
Oscar Smith, enlisted in 1864, in 14th N. Y.
Heavy Artillery. V/hereabouts unknown.
Francis Loving, enlisted in January, 1864, in
14th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Was taken prisoner
June I, 1864, and died in Andersonville prison
Nov. 2, 1864.
John Buncombe, enlisted January 4, 1864, in
Co. C, 4th N. Y. Vol. Artillery. Whereabouts
not known.
Lemen B. Granger, enlisted Jan. 4, 1864, in
Co. C, 4th N. Y. Vol. Artillery. Whereabouts
unknown.
William Henry Gibbs, Co. L, First N. Y. Light
Artillery. Enlisted Sept. 27, 1861.
Amos Gibbs, Co. L, First N. Y. Light Artillery.
Enhsted Sept. 27, 1861. Was wounded in the
wrist at Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 1863, and
in the shoulder at Gettysburg, July i, 1863 ; was
in the hospital about six months ; was discharged
at expiration term of service, Oct. 24, 1864.
John McPhail, Co. B, 100th N. Y. Infantry.
Enlisted Sept. 20, 1861. Was discharged from
the service Jan. 30, 1865. Now in Riga, N. Y.
John M. Campbell, enlisted in 1861, in looth
N. Y. Infantry. Dead.
Lyman Taylor, enlisted in 1861, in looth N. Y.
Infantry. Dead.
John Davis, enlisted in 1861, in looth N. Y.
Infantry. Whereabouts unknown.
Donald Mclntyre, Co. B, loothN. Y. Infantry.
William Reed, Sergeant, Co. G, 6th U. S. Reg.
Enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Was six months in
prison on Belle Isle. Was exchanged and re-
joined his regiment about August i, 1864, and was
discharged Aug. 10, 1864. Now in Texas.
Alfred Melancton Hotchkin, enlisted in i86i,
in 13 th N. Y. Infantry. Now in Meadville, Pa.
John J. McColl, enlisted in 1861, in looth N.
Y. Infantry. Dead.
Albert Augustus Hotchkin, enlisted in 1861, in
r3th N. Y. Infantry. Now in Rochester, N. Y.
Joseph E. Stewart, Co. L, 4th Michigan Caval-
ry. Enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Now in Caledonia,
N. Y.
Norman Meldrum, enHsted in 1861, in looth
N. Y. Volunteer Infantry. Now Secretary of the
State of Colorado, of which State he was also a
Senator since the war.
Charles Englart, Co. B, iiith N. Y. Infantry.
Enlisted Aug. 15, 1864. Was discharged in
June, 1865.
W. S. Bogart, Lieutenant in looth N. Y. In-
fantry. Enlisted in 1861.
John Adams, Co. D, First N. Y. Veteran Cav-
alry. Enlisted Aug. 20, 1862. Was taken
prisoner at Newmarket, Va., June 15, 1864, ex-
changed Feb. 18, 1865, and was discharged Aug.
20, 1865.
David F. Sinclair, Co. G, 136th N. Y. Infantry.
Enlisted Sept. 7, 1864. Born in Caledonia, N. Y.,
May 24, 1839. Was discharged June 22, 1865.
Now in Wisconsin.
John Connell, X36th N. Y. Infantry. Enlisted
Sept. 7, 1864, to the credit of Leicester, N. Y.
James Sullivan, ri6th N. Y. Infantry. Enlisted
April 13, 1864. Was in 12th U. S. Regulars three
months ; was also in Co, F, 26th N. Y. Infantry.
Was shot dead before Petersburg, July i, 1864.
George Wright, enlisted in 6th U. S. Regiment.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM HAMILTON.
WilUam Hamilton is the eldest son of James
Hamilton, who was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland,
June, 1 808, and who was son of William Hamil-
ton, a farmer of the same place. James remained
upon the homestead with his parents till twenty-
three years of age, when, in March, 1832, he mar-
ried Grace Naron, and soon after immigrated to
America. In 1833 he settled in Livingston coun-
Sfiff raved, bif Soj-taf^t ^^■^
Lyt/t^J>-T^^L^
WILLIAM HAMILTON— ANGUS CAMERON.
463
ty, where he followed the occupation of farming,
and died in February, 1878. His wife died in De-
cember, 1873. They had eight children, as fol-
lows : William, James who died in infancy, James
2d, now residing in Ohio, Jeannette, Alexander,
who died in Nevada from injuries received in the
mines, John B., Grace Ann, and Margaret.
William Hamilton was born in LeRoy, Genesee
county, December 25, 1832. His early life was
spent on a farm, and his education was such as the
common schools afforded. In 1853 he taught
school in Michigan, and in 1856 went to Minne-
sota, returning in 1857.
In 1859 he was mar-
ried to Jane, daughter
of Robert Vallance,
Esq., of York, and
settled in Caledonia,
where he now resides,
and is one of the lead-
ing business men of
the place. It is to his
invincible energy and
active business ability
thai Caledonia is in-
debted for many im-
provements. Mr. Ham-
ilton is a farmer, grain
dealer and maltster. In
politics he is a Demo-
crat, and although al-
ways taking a lively in-
terest in important pub-
lic questions, has never
aspired to political posi-
tion. He has been
Highway Commissioner
for nine years, and town
Supervisor six years,
holding the latter office
at the present time. In
religious sentiment he
is a Presbyterian, and is
now acting as Secretary and Treasurer of the
First Presbyterian church of Caledonia.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have had five children,
four of whom are now living, viz. : William Val-
lance, who is now at Cornell University, Nellie Jane,
Mary Elizabeth, and James Alexander.
Mr. Hamilton has ever been ready, not only to
lend a helping hand and render assistance to all
feasible movements towards furthering the indus-
trial interests, growth and public improvements of
his town, but has always taken a great interest in
the agricultural pursuits of the county, and has
given the most hearty support to all efforts and
measures tending to the advancement of the agri-
cultural interests of Western New York. Mr.
Hamilton is a man of unusual enterprise and ac-
tivity. He early learned to rely upon self-efforts
for advancement in the world, and by business
habits, persevering industry, integrity of purpose,
and honorable dealing, has won a deserved
success.
He is eminently a self-made man and one
of the representative business men of Livingston
county.
(ANGUS CAMERON,
ANGUS CAMERON.
Angus Cameron was of Scotch descent, his
parents John and Catharine Cameron, having emi-
grated to this country in 1804, the former from
Inverness, and the latter from Argyleshire, Scotland.
He was born at Geneva, N. Y., July 10, 1805,
and the following Oc-
tober removed with his
father to Caledonia,
where, after attaining a
suitable age, he attend-
ed the district school
of the town, and the
select school at LeRoy,
N. Y.
When about twenty-
one years old he en-
gaged himself as a clerk
in the general store of
Mr. Butterfield, of Cal-
edonia, and after re-
maining there several
years he accepted a
similar position with
Donald McDonald of
the same village. He
was also, for a short
time, salesman in a
store in Canandaigua,
whence he removed to
Caledonia and opened
a general store for him-
self. This he conducted
for five or six months
only, when he sold out
to Mr. Collen Mc-
Vean.
He then purchased several farms, in the
town of Caledonia, which he rented, and the
residue of his life spent the most of his time in
speculating in real estate, collecting his rents, and
loaning money.
He was a man possessing unusual shrewdness,
business tact and ability, having in an eminent
degree those sterling Scottish characteristics, thrift
and industry.
In pohtics he was a strong and true Democrat,
and his first ballot cast was for General Andrew
Jackson. He died at Caledonia on the 20th of
October, t866, at the age of sixty-one years, and
though never having married, he was a man, who
through his geniality and kindness to others made
many and lasting friends and at his death it was
felt by all that though absent he would not be for-
gotten.
Having left no will, the large fortune which he
had amassed was inherited by his brothers and
sisters.
464
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
GILES PHELPS GRANT.
Giles Phelps Grant, the subject of this memoir,
was born in Norfolk, Litchfield county. Conn.,
May 26, 1801. His father was a farmer and until
Giles became of age his history was similar to that
of other New England farmer's sons— working on
the farm and attending the district schools.
This occupation not suiting the inclinations and
temperament of young Grant, he decided to strike
out for himself, and in 1822, at the age of twenty-
one, he left home and went to Hartford, where he
leased a store and immediately entered into the
mercantile business. Having but Httle money, his
beginning was necessarily small, though in self-
reliance, enterprise, and energy he possessed an
ample fortune, and his sagacious business tact soon
developed a large and rapidly increasing trade.
In 1825 he was married to Laura Crittenden, of
Hartford, where he remained till about 1835, and
then removed to the " Empire State," locating at
Rochester, where he at first opened a retail boot
and shoe store on the corner of Main and St. Paul
streets. This proved to be the most successful
establishment of the kind in Rochester, and gradu-
ally developed into a wholesale trade.
His first wife having died, Mr. Grant was again
married, Sept. 8, 1863, to Margaret, daughter of
Hector McLean, Esq., of Caledonia.
In 1865 he opened an exclusively wholesale busi-
ness on Exchange street, which he conducted till
about 1874, when he retired from active business,
having amassed a large fortune. His trade had
increased from $1,000 the first year, to $500,000,
the last year. He was the founder of the house
now known as L. P. Ross' — the largest in Roches-
ter.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle of Jan.
22, 1877, says of Mr. Grant: —
"The death of such a man as G. P. Grant
deserves more than a passing notice in our columns,
as he was in many respects a remarkable man.
" Through his long course of over fifty years as
a merchant inactive business, he maintained an un-
blemished reputation and credit, conducting his
business through the two greatest commercial panics
ever known in this country— in 1837 and 1857 —
always paying every debt in full that he contracted,
and never even asking an extension. « * «
Mr. Grant was the first person in Rochester to in-
troduce the practice of selhng goods on the road
by samples, which is now so generally adopted by
all kinds of trade.
" He was a man of remarkable memory, retain-
ing his recollection of events which transpired dur-
ing his business life with remarkable accuracy.
"His genial and pleasant manner of relating his
reminiscences, made him a very agreeable and en-
tertaining companion. He leaves many friends
who will sincerely mourn his loss, and wish the
country had more such upright, active business
men as was G. P. Grant."
Mr. Grant was eminently a self-made man, the
sole architect of his own fortune. He was method-
ic, prompt and rehable in all his transactions.
As an example of his promptness, the following is
stated : —
" During the last fourteen years of his life he
resided in Caledonia, going by rail to his business
in Rochester every morning, and returning to his
home in the evening, and during the whole of
which time he was never known to miss his train."
He was a liberal, benevolent, and unostenta-
tious man, ever ready to lend a helping hand to
those who iri his opinion, were deserving of his as-
sistance.
In politics he was a strong Republican, and
though seeking no political preferment, he quietly
wielded a very strong influence.
During the life of Mr. Grant's first wife, they
adopted a datigbter, Mary A. Grant, whom they
loved as dearly as though she were their own. She
was married to Charles, son of Nathan Wild, Esq.,
of Valatie, Columbia county, N. Y., where they
now reside. They have six children, of whom the
sons, in connection with their father, are extensive-
ly engaged in the manufacture of cotton.
Mr. Grant died at Caledonia, Jan. 18, 1877, at
the age of seventy-six years. Mrs. Grant is left
with an ample competence and still resides in
Caledonia, the pleasant village of her nativity, with
her sister, Miss Catherine McLean. Col. A. H.
McLean, Mrs. Grant's brother, and their much
loved aunt, Mrs. John McLean, comprise at
present (1881) the entire family. In 1838 she
became a member of the United Presbyterian
church of Caledonia, and has ever remained an ac-
tive and devoted member of that congregation.
COL. ARCHIBALD HECTOR McLEAN.
Col. Archibald Hector McLean is the only son
of Hector McLean, and was born in Caledonia,
July 20, 1820. He was brought up on a farm, and
received his education at the district schools, with
the exception of two terms — in 1 839 and '40 — spent
at the " Wesleyan Genesee" academy at Lima.
In 1843 he engaged in wool trading, at the same
time carrying on business on his father's farm in
Caledonia. About 1853 he purchased a farm of
two hundred and eighty acres adjoining that of his
father's, comprising with the first about six hun-
dred acres, which he continued to manage, in con-
nection with his wool business, till the breaking
out of the war of the Rebellion, when he expe-
rienced a reverse of fortune, having on hand at the
time a large quantity of wool, which suddenly de-
clined in value and had to be disposed of at a sac-
rifice.
Having previously invested in real estate in De-
troit, he removed there in 186 1 and became a real
estate agent. Desiring a larger field of operation
he removed to Chicago, immediately after the large
fire there, and opened a real estate office, in which
he continued till the great crash or panic of 1873.
All movement in real estate being then blocked, he
■ ^c/iA.'C^a'ic
€lyn^
Xnjf-tyS'ESiai&Sms J2 BafeTay StJfT
COL. A. H. McLEAN — DUNCAN A. CAMERON— WILLARD H. SMITH.
465
commenced operating in grain, still attending to
whatever business was oflfered in the office. He
remained in Chicago till 1877, when he was called
to Caledonia to assist his sister, Mrs. Grant, in the
settlement of her deceased husband's estate.
Colonel McLean has ever taken a great interest
in military affairs. When only fifteen years of age,
he accepted a position on Col. Gordon's staff, and
passed through the different gradations, from Lieu-
tenant to Colonel, in the 77th Regiment of the N.
Y. State militia, of which he had command for six
years.
On the breaking out
of the war of the Re-
bellion, Jas. S. Wads-
worth offered him any
position on his staff he
might choose, but the
Colonel's financial mat-
ters were such as to re-
quire his personal at-
tention, and he could
not accept.
In 1848 Colonel Mc-
Lean was elected to
the New York State
Assembly of 1848 and
'49, and being reelect-
ed served in the ses-
sions of 1849 and '50.
In the latter year he
ha^l charge of the bill
for the establishment of
the Genesee college in
connection with the
seminary at Lima,
which is conducted
under the patronage
of the Methodists. The
Colonel who, ten years
previously was a stu-
dent at the old sem-
inary, took a deep in-
terest in its success,
and it was doubtless
mainly due to his in-
fluence, that the bill
was passed.
In 1852 the Colonel assisted in organizing and
constructing the Canandaigua & Niagara Falls
Rail Road and was for six years an active director
in that company.
In politics Colonel McLean is a RepubUcan,
and has always taken an active part in the interests
of that party.
In rehgious sentiment he is a United Presby-
terian, and is a genial and social gentleman.
DUNCAN A. CAMERON.
Duncan A. Cameron was born in Invernesshire,
Scotland, on Christmas day, 1783. He was the
third son of Angus and Catherine (McPherson)
Cameron. They first located at Johnstown, Mont-
gomery county, N. Y., and after remaining there
about a year, removed to Caledonia, where, in 1805,
Mr. Cameron purchased a tract of land which he
cleared and afterward cultivated till near the time
of his death, which occurred in 1823. His widow
survived him till 1839.
Duncan A. spent the early years of his life on his
father's farm, and on the 23d of March, 1813, he
was married to Sarah McColl, of Argyleshire, Scot-
land, by whom he had eleven children, as follows :
Angus (died in infancy) ; Hugh, an attorney, in
LaCrosse, Wis.; Dun-
can, a farmer, residing
in Wisconsin ; Mary
and Catherine, resid-
ing on the old home-
stead ; Margaret E.
Wilson, residing in Cal-
edonia ; Daniel (dead);
Angus, U. S. Senator
from Wisconsin, resid-
ing at LaCrosse ; Du-
gald (dead) ; Charles, a
farmer, now living in
York ; and Alexander
(dead).
In politics Mr. Cam-
eron was a Whig till
the organization of the
Republican party, when
he joined that party,
and took an active in-
terest in all political
matters. In religion he
was a strict Presbyteri-
an, and rigidly opposed
to any innovations of
the tenets of that sect.
The happiness of Mr.
Cameron's married life
was suddenly changed
to sadness, when Jan.
14, 1863, the loving
wife who had passed
with him through many
years of trials, was
called away from his
side and the society of many dear friends. He was
not, however, left many years to walk the paths of
hfe alone, but Dec. 3, 1868, quietly passed away to
the other world. He was one of the leading repre-
sentative farmers of the county, and at the time of
his death, his farm, which is situated about three
and a half mileS southwest of the village of Cale-
donia, fully illustrated that labor and perseverance
will accomplish much if only properly applied.
WILLARD HUNTINGTON SMITH.
Willard Huntington Smith was born in Chester-
field, Mass., Sept. 30, 1785, and died Dec. 25,
1856. He was the fourth son of Joseph and Ann
(Stuart) Smith. At the age of six years his parents
466
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
removed to Bernardston, Mass., where he remained
engaged in agricultural pursuits until eighteen
years of age when, feeling that this mode of life
was entirely unsuited to his tastes or inclinations,
he resolved to adopt a different one. Having a
good common school education, and unaided by
his father who had a large family of children, he left
home and entered the academy at Salem, Mass.
Upon leaving that institution, he placed himself
under the tutorship of Rev. Orville Dewey. By
teaching at intervals he earned sufficient to enable
him to finish his preparatory course, and entered
the junior class of 1808 in Williams College, from
which he was graduated in the class of 18 10.
From thence he went to Albany, where he com-
menced the study of law in the office of Bleeker &
Sedgwick. He read during the day, and devoted
his evenings to the instruction of a class of young
gentlemen who were fitting themselves for college,
and was thus enabled to pay his board and other
expenses. He remained in Albany till after his
marriage on Nov. 24th, 181 1, to Mary, youngest
daughter of Col. Caleb Johnson, of Hampstead,
N. H.
In August, 181 2, he went to Waterford, N. Y.,
and entered the office of Samuel M. Huntington,
where he completed his law studies. October 1 7,
1813, he was admitted to the bar by Hon. James
Kent, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the
State of New York, and in December of the same
year came to Caledonia (then Genesee county).
It being impossible for him to obtain a boarding
place for himself and wife, he rented the rear part
of the "red store" owned by Col. Robert McKay,
at the west end of the village, where they com-
menced housekeeping and remained two years.
In the meantime he had purchased a village lot,
consisting of half an acre of land, of McKay L.
Mumford — that being all any one individual could,
at that time, obtain for building purposes — and
succeeded in procuring from another party a deed
of a half-acre lot adjoining his, upon which he built
the house in which he resided till his death. For
about two years he used a portion of this house for
an office, and then built one upon the same lot
near his home.
March 2, 181 4, he received the appointment of
Master in Chancery, under Daniel D. Tompkins,
Governor, " to have and to hold said office during
our good pleasure." In 1823 he was reappointed
to the same office under Gov. Joseph C. Yates,
and was again appointed under Gov. Wm. L. Mar-
cy, holding that office till the Court of Chancery
was abolished.
March 17, 1826, he was appointed County Judge,
under Governor DeWitt Clinton, and. March 4,
183 1, was reappointed to the same office. March
24, 1832, he received the appointment of First
Judge of Livingston county, under Gov. Enos T.
Throop, which office he continued to hold till June,
1847.
His wife died March 26, 1844, aged fifty-nine
years, and on May i, 1845, he married for his
second wife Charlotte, widow of Colonel Thomas
Johnson of Syracuse, N. Y., youngest daughter of
Moses Johnson, a former merchant of Canandaigua.
She survived him three years, and is buried by the
side of his first wife in the cemetery at Mumford,
where also his mortal remains repose.
He had seven children, four of whom are now
living as follows : — Lloyd K. in Rochester; Fran-
ces Connor, widow of the late Dr. Harlow W.
Wells, now residing in Caledonia ; Mary Ann Stew-
art, wife of Thomas Frothingham of Rochester, N.
Y. ; and Sarah Lovejoy, wife of Hon. Wm. N. Em-
erson, also of Rochester.
The legal attainments of Judge Smith, were of a
high order. He was a man of sterling integrity,
irreproachable moral character, and ever a genial
and instructive companion. These characteristics
combined with fine literary tastes, and a highly
cultivated intellect, endeared him to a large circle
of friends. When upon the Bench, his clear and
comprehensive mind enabled him to dispatch busi-
ness with great rapidity.
His is a fragrant memory and no eulogium can
add to it one jot or iota in the estimation of those
who remember him. His was a progressive mind,
and to the latest moment of his life, his intellect
remained perfectly clear, and his last hours were
peaceful and serene. Perfectly resigned to the
will of his Father, and with an unfaltering trust in his
Redeemer, he passed away, cheered by the hope
of a blessed immortality beyond the grave.
DR. HARLOW WILLARD WELLS.
Dr. Harlow Willard Wells was born in Leyden,
Mass., April 15, 1809, and died Oct. 13, 1877,
aged fifty-eight years.
He was the fifth in descent from Thomas Wells,
who in company with his two brothers, emigrated
from Colchester, England, in 1636, to Hartford,
Conn., and from there to Hadley, Mass., in 1639.
Simeon Wells, father of Dr. H. W., removed
from Leyden to New Haven, Oswego county, N.
Y., in 1816. In 1826, at the opening of the Van
Rensselaer Academy in the adjoining town of
Mexico, Dr. Wells was enrolled as a student of
that institution. After completing his course of
studies there, he entered the office of Dr. Patrick
G. Hard, as a student of medicine, and after
taking three courses of lectures in the " Fairfield
Medical College," of Fairfield, Herkimer county,
N. Y., was in 1834 graduated as doctor of medi-
cine.
Among his classmates were Drs. Jewett and
Simmons, of Canandaigua; Dr. McCollum, of
Lockport ; Prof. James P. White, of Buffalo ; and-
the late Dr. John B. Witbeck, of Rochester, N. Y.
In April, 1834, he came to Caledonia, and at
the age of twenty-five commenced the practice of
his profession, in which he continued to labor suc-
cessfully during forty-three years.
In the fall of 1845, he was chosen to represent
his county in the State Legislature, as Assembly-
j-tyy-. fj-t^^^
HARLOW W. WELLS, M. D.— DANIEL McPHERSON— HECTOR McLEAN.
467
man, but served only one term. His colleague
was the late Gov. John Young. In 1852 he was
elected Supervisor and held that office two years.
During the last forty years of his life he was
part of the time engaged in agricultural pursuits.
He was a man of strict integrity, and untiring
energy, and was eminently kind and generous to
those around him. He was emphatically the poor
man's friend, and in his professional capacity the
needy and suffering ever found in him a kind and
ready helper. The noble quaHties of heart which he
possessed endeared him to a large circle of friends,
and commanded
the confidence and
respect of the entire
community in which
he had spent the
greater portion of his
Hfe.
He was married
June 26th, 1837, to
Frances Connor, eld-
est daughter of Hon.
Willard H. Smith, of
Caledonia, N. Y. Mrs.
Wells has been left m
possession of an am-
ple competence, and
is a lady of refinement
and culture, possess
ing much force of
character. She is a
consistent member of
the Presbyterian
church, taking great
interest in all benev-
olent movements tend-
ing toward the ameli-
oration of society and
advancing the cause of
religion.
land, April 9, 1828. He was brought up on his
father's farm and received his education at the dis-
trict school and the academy at Riga, Monroe
county. At the age of twenty-one he purchased a
farm in Wheatland, which he disposed of, after
working it a few years, and in 1854 bought his
present home in Caledonia.
Jan. 14, 1857, he was united in marriage with
Hattie M., daughter of Geo. B. Chace, Esq., of Cas-
tile, Wyoming county, N. Y. They have one son,
Frank Chace, who is living with them on the home-
stead, and who married Miss Franc, daughter of
Rev. B. R. Swick, of
Lima.
Mr. McPherson has
followed the vocation
of a farmer combined
with that of the in-
ventor, until within
the last ten years,
during which time he
has leased his farm
and devoted his whole
time to invention. He
has now seven differ-
ent patents on grain-
binders, and Cyrus H.
McCormick, of Chi-
cago is manufacturing
them.
At first Mr. Mc-
Pherson met with dif-
ficulties and reverses,
but such has been the
history of many of our
prin cipal inventors,
and he is now begin-
ning to reap the re-
ward of his labor.
(DANIEL McPHERSON.)
DANIEL McPHERSON.
Duncan W. McPherson, the father of Daniel,
was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1793, and
came with his family to this country in 1798. He
first settled in Johnstown, Montgomery county,
where he remained till 1801 and then removed to
the Genesee country, and there purchased and
cleared a tract of land upon which the residue of
his life was spent. In 1807 he was married to
Catharine McArthur, who was born in Perthshire,
Scotland, in 1798, and emigrated to America in
1 80 1. They had ten children, five of whom are
now living. In religious sentiment Mr. McPher-
son was a Presbyterian. He died in 1868, and his
wife who still survives him is a lady of superior in-
tellect and resides in Wheatland, Monroe county
N. Y.
Daniel was the fourth child and second son of
Duncan W. McPherson, and was born in Wheat-
HECTOR McLEAN.
The subject of this sketch was born in Argyle-
shire, Scotland, in 1776. He was the oldest of
seven children, and emigrated to New York city
in 1805.
Small events sometimes decide the fate of
nations, as well as individuals and families, and
the destiny of the McLean family was probably de-
cided by a difficulty that occurred between the
father of Hector, and the factor of the landlord on
whose estate the family resided. They had an
altercation at the public house in the little town
where they lived, and the factor received a severe
drubbing. During the absence of the landlord for
several years on the Continent, the aggrieved fac-
tor taking advantage of his master's absence, re-
fused to renew the lease of the farm.
Hector had contemplated coming to America,
but received strong opposition from his parents
and other members of his family. When his father
lost the farm which had been under the control of
468
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
his ancestry from time immemorial, he was so
sorely grieved that he decided at once to ac-
company his son to America, binding him under
the solemn obligation, that whatever their destiny
might be in the " New World " while living, in
death their bones should repose in adjacent graves.
By occupation, Hector was a seafaring man,
carrying on commercial transactions between
Greenock, Glasgow, and the numerous Islands off
the coast of the West Highlands, and his father
was a well-to-do farmer. They disposed of their
interests in Scotland, and with all their worldly
effects embarked from Greenock for the New
World in October, 1805. After a tempestuous
passage of over nine weeks, a distant view of land
was obtained off Sandy Hook. Just then a British
man-of-war hove in sight and fired a shot across
their bow, as a signal for them to stop. A "press-
gang" came on board and claimed Hector and his
two brothers as "lawful subjects of His Majesty,"
who were endeavoring to escape from the kingdom
of Great Britain. Resistance was worse than
useless, for the " French war " was then raging,
and the King wanted soldiers and sailors.
The poor captives showed their clearance from
the port of Greenock for America, but all in vain.
No time was allowed for parleying, and the
peremptory order "get ready and go aboard the
boat," sent a thrill of horror to the hearts of the
stricken captives. The tears of their aged parents
were unavailing, but finally money, offered as a
ransom, softened the obdurate heart of the British
officer, and he consented to their release on the
Conditions that three of the vessel's crew should
be substituted, and that they should hand over to
him all their money and valuables.
Through the efforts of McLean and his brothers
working before the mast, the vessel was brought to
port, but when the family landed in New York
they had not the means to purchase a night's
lodging, and only their sturdy hands and resolute
hearts, to brave the terrors of a rigorous winter.
A temporary lodging was procured, and the follow-
ing morning Hector and his brother Charles found
work as stevedores on the dock, and soon earned
a sufficiency to make their parents and family
comfortable.
Hector subsequently obtained work in the Brook-
lyn navy yard, where he earned the money to pur-
chase a farm in the Genesee valley. In the meantime
the family removed to Stamford, Delaware county,
N. Y., where Hector soon found his wife, in the per-
son of Annie Mclntyre, of Harpersfield.
In the winter of 18 13, Hector and his wife
started in a temporary sleigh drawn by one horse,
for their new home in the west, and on the route
received the news from an escaped soldier, of the
burning of Buffalo, and the ravages of the Indians
on the white settlements.
Hector was half inclined to turn back, but his
wife, who was a woman of great courage, combin-
ing substantial good sense, insisted on their pro-
ceeding on their journey, as a runaway from camp
never brought good news. They arrived at their
new home in mid-winter, and commenced clearing
the forest, preparatory to making a home for
themselves and family. They received a " High-
land Welcome " from the Scottish settlers at Cale-
donia, and great kindness and encouragement
from all their neighbors.
When Commodore Yoe came with his fleet to
the mouth of the Genesee river, and threatened to
destroy the village of Carthage, McLean and his
neighbors volunteered and marched for the protec-
tion of the town. After the close of the War of
181 2, the early settlers experienced great difficulty
in obtaining a market for their products, but after
the construction of the Erie canal, remunerative
prices were obtained, land advanced in value, and
general prosperity prevailed.
Although experiencing many hardships, Mr.
McLean found himself, after a few years of indus-
try and frugality, the possessor of a comfortable
home. He attributed his success in life, in no small
degree, to the sound judgment and wise counsel of
his wife who possessed fine literary tastes and a
seemingly intuitive knowledge of the world which
was truly remarkable.
Long before leaving Scotland, Mr. McLean
united with the Scottish Presbyterian Church, and
finding a similar organization in Caledonia he and
his wife united themselves with, and remained
active and consistent members of the United Pres-
byterian Church of that place.
In politics, he was a Whig and Republican and
held many important trusts in Church and State.
His sound judgment and kind heart made him
the trusted counselor, the valued friend, and the
frequent peace-maker. He was generous to a fault,
and his benign sympathy for humanity might have
led him to give to the undeserving. He was in-
tolerant to all that was base or false, asking noth-
ing he considered unjust, and subrnitting to noth-
ing he considered to be wrong.
He died at Caledonia, surrounded by his family
and numerous friends, in 1869, at the advanced
age of ninety-three years, surviving his wife, who
died in 1853. He was buried by the side of his
father in the cemetery at Caledonia, thus fulfilling
the solemn promise made to him before leaving the
land of his birth.
Mr. McLean was a strong, muscularly built man,
capable of enduring great mental and physical
labor. His children who survive him are : — Mrs.
G. P. Grant, Miss Catherine McLean, and Col. A.
H. McLean, all of whom now (1881) reside in
Caledonia.
DAVID WALKER.
David Walker is the eldest son of William
Walker, who was bom in Broadalbin, Montgomery
county, (now Fulton county,) in the year 1779.
He (David) was born at Johnstown, Montgomery
county. May 21, 1806, was brought up on the
homestead at Broadalbin, and educated at the dis-
trict school of the town. In 1829, at the age of
C'Ct^'i^ —
.En^i-liy 'ffJJBuR .iSinnlSSaraaii StXT
DAVID WALKER — LIMA.
469
twenty-three years, he left the old home and took
up his residence in Caledonia. He followed the
occupation of farming till within the last twenty
years, during which time he has retired from active
business life. On the iSth of March, 1835, he
was married to Isabelle Robertson of Broadalbin,
N. Y. She was born July S, 1806.
Mr. Walker is a member of the United Presby-
terian church, and has officiated as deacon of a
church for nearly forty years. In politics he is a
Republican, and, though never having sought of-
fice, has been elected several times in his town.
He was town Supervisor in 1864 and 1865, and
has been Justice of the Peace for several years.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker have passed the "three score
years and ten " of their lives and still appear ex-
ceptionally well preserved. By an upright life of
industry and integrity they have secured a compe-
tency for a comfortable support during their de-
clining years, and have justly gained the respect in
which they are held by all who know them.
CHAPTER XXXI.
History of the Town of Lima.
THE town of Lima lies on the extreme north-
eastern border of the county. It is bounded
on the north by Mendon, (Monroe county) ; on
the south by Livonia and Richmond, (Ontario
county) ; on the east by West Bloomfield, (On-
tario county) ; and on the west by Avon.
The only stream of importance is Stony brook,
which rises in Livonia and flows north through the
center of the town. Honeoye creek, on the east-
ern border, divides the town from West Bloomfield
in Ontario county. The town has but three vil-
lages, Lima, the principal point, near the center of
the town, North Bloomfield, in the extreme north-
eastern part, and Hamilton Station, or South
Lima, in the extreme south-western part.
The town of Lima was originally known as
" Mighle's Gore." The name was derived from a
man who owned here a considerable tract of land
so cut up by the division of towns on the north,
east and west as to present the shape of a "gore."
Lima was formed as Charleston, then in Ontario
county. Jan. 27, 1789. Its name was changed
April 6, 1808. Its surface is undulating and hilly.
The soil is a clay and clay loam, and in the north-
west sandy and gravelly loam.
The first settlement of the town is accredited to
Paul Davidson and Jonathan Gould, who it is be-
lieved came from Pennsylvania, and who located
here in 1788. These pioneers are beheved to be
the first permanent settlers west of the Adams'
Settlement in Bloomfield.*
Soon after these pathmakers cameAbner Miles,
from Massachusetts, in 1789; John Mmer and
Asahel Burchard, in the following year, and Steven
Tinker and Solomon Hovey, from Massachusetts,
in 1 79 1. In this year came also Zebulon Moses,
with his wife and son, Luther, settling near the
present site of Lima village. Here he lived two
years, and then removed about four miles south-
east to what was then an unbroken wilderness,
where he purchased a tract of land. Luther
Moses, the son, was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1787.
He died in 1876, having been a resident of Lima
eighty-four years.
Miles Bristol came to the town of Lima about
1785, locating a farm near what is now Lima
village. His son, William Bristol, now retains the
homestead. On this farm have been found many
interesting relics of the savage race who had been
the primitive occupants, comprising rude axes,
arrows of flint, pipes, tomahawks, kettles of clay,
and skeletons of those early aborigines. In 1877,
Mr. Bristol discovered the perfect remains of a
human being, whose fleshless arms were decorated
with iron armlets strung with varied colored beads.
Among other early settlers who came here
previous to 1795, were Reuben and Gideon
Thayer, Col. Thomas Lee, Col. David Morgan,
Willard and Amasa Humphrey, and Asahel,
William and Daniel H. Warner. The family of
> Turner's Phelps and Gorham's Purchase.
47°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Warner were among the most prominent and in^
fluential of the pioneers in lima.* In 1797, the
greater part of what is now the village of Lima, was
owned by Matthew Warner and his brother.
The ancestor of this family, William Warner,
came from England in 1637 and settled at Ips-
wich, Mass. He had two sons, Daniel and John,
who in 1672 settled in New Canaan, in this State.
One of these brothers had a son named William,
who married there and had a family of thirteen
children. William Warner was the oldest of this
family. He was born in 17 17. In 1740 he was
married to a Miss Hawley, of English descent,
by whom he had seven children, Asahel,
Matthew, William, Daniel, Elizabeth, Hannah and
Sally. His wife dying in 1775 or 1776, he was
again married to Ehzabeth Norton, by whom he
also had seven children, three sons and four
daughters. The sons were John N., Linus and
Samuel. William Warner participated in the war
of the Revolution, in which he ruined his health,
and as his property was in continental money it
became worthless, and at the close of the war he
was imprisoned for debt in Albany jail, where, in
poor health and despondent spirits, he remained
some time. In 1794 two of his sons, Asahel and
William, came to Lima, where they remained dur-
ing one summer. Here Asahel purchased a tract
of land on which was a log house, and then the
brothers returned to their former home, where in
the following winter they were married. The next
year, 1795, they again started for Lima, arriving
there on the 22d of March, after a journey
of twenty-two days. They found the country here
almost an unbroken wilderness, with bears, wolves,
and deer in large numbers, and nearly the sole
ownership of the land vested in the red men.
WiUiam Warner, who at this time came with his
sons, died in the following August, and was buried
in Bloomfield.
Asahel Warner was a man of great energy and
perseverance, and was grea'tly instrumental in de-
veloping the business interests of Lima. In 181 2-
'13, he was elected member of Assembly. He
died in 1847, aged 83 years.
Matthew Warner was also quite a prominent
man in the early history of this town. He came
to Limt in 1797, where he soon after built a log
house t in which he lived until his death July 9,
1841. He was at one time Justice of the Peace,
* It might also be said the most numerous. It is related that in those
early days strangers were told, *' If you see a man in the street and don't
know his name call him Warner. You are certain to hit it every time."
t Near the brick house in which Mr. Thayer has since lived.
and one of the Judges of the County court of On-
tario, and in 1818-19 served his district in the As-
sembly.
William Warner, who came herewith his brother
Asahel in 1795, died February 16, 1850, aged 78
years.
Among other early settlers were Col. George
Smith, who came in March, 1798, and James Ster-
ling, Nathaniel Munger, Samuel Carr, Jedediah
Commins, Joel Roberts, Phineas Burchard, Chris-
topher Lee, Jonah Moses, and John and David B.
Morgan, all of whom came previous to the arrival
of Col. Smith.
In 1799 Adolphus Watkins came to this town
from Ashford, Winford county. Conn. When he
came, where Lima now stands were a few scatter-
ing log houses, and what is now known as Roches-
ter street, was a muddy thoroughfare, over which
the pioneers traveled with their grist to a mill in
Honeoye. This is now one of the finest streets in
the town, the principal street in the village, and the
log cabins have given place to fine residences and
costly churches.
The town was then known as Charleston, rough
and unbroken, with the land heavily timbered with
black walnut, white and black oak, elm, cherry,
and basswood.
The first marriage in this new country was that
of Simeon Gray and Patty Alger, in 1793. The
first death that of Mrs. Abbot, mother to Mrs. Paul
Davidson, in 1791.* This was the first death in
the Genesee country.
The first child born was a daughter to Mrs. Paul
Davidson. The first school was taught in 1792-3,
by John Sabin. Reuben Thayer kept the first
tavern in 1793, and in the year following Tryon
& Adams opened the first store.
Reuben Thayer built the first saw mill in 1796,
and Zebulon Norton the first grist mill in 1794.
The growth of the town, and the development of
its business interests, was gradual and attended by
many hardships. As late as 1820, some of the best
land between here and Avon lay to commons, and
was offered for sale at ten dollars per acre.
Lima then comprised all the territory west of
Honeoye creek, — including what was then known
as Abram's Plains — to the town Hne of Rush, nearly
to Hallock's Corners, on the East Rush road.
There was then no building north of the Pres-
byterian Church in Lima Village for nearly a mile.
At that time the village had but a few stores, the
principal one being that of Atwell & Grout.
* Doty says 1790.
David Cuf^tis Pai^ker,
David Curtis Parker was a son of William and Sarah
(Curtis) Parker, the latter of whose father, Mr. Curtis, of
Connecticut, was a surveyor and one of a company sent
by the government to survey the lands of the Holland
Purchase. William Parker was born in Connecticut in
1767. He moved to Lima at a very early day and settled
on the farm now occupied by his son Charles L. He died
in 1842, his wife in 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker were
bom the following children : — Khoda, born in 1800 ; Bet-
sy, in ISO.J ; William B., about 1807 ; David Curtis, May
2, 1810, died May 14, 1879; Edmund J., born in 1812;
Sarah Ann, in 1817 ; and Charles L., in 1819; of whom
Charles L., and William B. are the only ones living,
and both reside in Lima.
David C. remained at home till twenty-three years of
age, being most of the time engaged in working the home
farm, and assisting his father whenever an occasion
offered itself. His education was necessarily limited as
he could only attend the common school of the town in
which he resided.
February l/i, 1833, he was married to Ehza, daughter
of George and Eliza Wiggins. She was born in New Jer-
sey December 1, 1810, and moved with her parents to
West Bloomfield, where her mother died in 1816, leaving
four children. Her father married for his second wife
Polly Fay, a sister of his deceased wife. By her he had
ten children. Those left him by his first wife were : —
Jonathan, bom in New Jersey in 1808, (deceased); Eliza,
as already mentioned ; David Sargeant, bom in 1812, died
in 1867; and James Baldwin, now living at West Avon.
After his marriage, David C. hved one year with his
parents and then purchased the firm on which he resided
till his death. Here the best years of his life and most
noble efforts were devoted to improving and developing
his property, and he ranked among the best and most
scientific agriculturists in the county.
He was never an office-seeker, but was a plain unpre-
tentious man, whose reputation was without a stain.
His character was never questioned and he was highly
respected for that fact. In poHties he was a Republican,
and took a lively interest in the success of his party, al-
ways sustaining its measures consistently. He attended
the Universalist church at North Bloomfield, but was
never a member of any congregation.
Having no children of his own, he adopted hie wife's
nephew, Curtis P. Wiggins, when he was eight years old,
and lavished upon him the tenderest care of a kind parent,
which the young man fully appreciated, and he inserts
this portrait and sketch from pure affection and in rever-
ence-for his memory.
Curtis Parker Wiggins was born August 26, 1838, and
was married to Phebe A., daughter of Robert and Fanny
Huntington, of West Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y.
She was born August 24, 1839. Two children have been
bom to them ; Fannie E., and Ida M.
Mr. Wiggins lives on the farm left him by his adopted
father, which is beautifully located about three miles
northeast of Lima. The place is kept in the highest
state of cultivation and Mr. Wiggins is surrounded with
all the comforts of a happy home and fireside.
LIMA — EARLY SETTLERS.
471
Wheat sold then for 37^ cts. per bushel. Goods
were paid for in wheat, which was ground into flour,
drawn to the mouth of the Genesee river, and from
there was taken by sloops to Ogdensburgh and
down the St. Lawrence on rafts to Montreal. Be-
tween the Honeoye creek and the Avon line there
were then seven taverns, which, nearly every night,
were full of teamsters and travelers. One of these
taverns, a little west of the village of Lima, was
kept by John Morgan. The order of things has
been somewhat reversed since that time. Then
there were seven taverns and one church; now
over that same line are five churches and but one
tavern.
Of those pioneers who laid the foundations for
the future growth and prosperity of Lima, none are
living, and but few have descendants in the town.
Asahel Warner has none in Lima. Judge Mat-
thew Warner has one son, Andrew J. Warner, now
living near Lima village, a farmer, and a music
teacher of some celebrity. Mrs. C. J. IngersoU,
also Uving near the village, is a daughter of Mat-
thew Warner. A son, Spencer, lives in Michigan,
and another daughter, Huldah, (Mrs. Clement
Turner,) lives in Iowa.
William Warner has no immediate descendants.
A grandson, Charles H. Warner, a farmer, whose
father was Henry Warner, now lives here.
Daniel Warner has one son, Edwin Warner, a
farmer, living here.
Asahel Burchard, who died in 1853, aged 91,
has no descendants in the town.
Stephen Arthur, has none in the town. His
children married and settled in the West.
Thomas Peck, has one son, Richard, a farmer,
now living here. He was Supervisor a number of
years, and is quite a prominent man. A daughter,
Mrs. Dann, also resides in the town.
Another family quite prominent in the history
of this town was that of the Leech brothers, Man-
asseh, who came here in 1797, and died in March,
1828, and Clement, Ebenezer and Paine, who
probably came here at about the same time.
Josiah G. Leech, a son to Manasseh, was born
April 22, 1803, and in his day was one of the lead-
ing men of Lima. He held town offices seventeen
consecutive years, ending in 1847 with three suc-
cessive terms as Supervisor. He died in 1872.
A daughter to Manasseh Leech, Mrs. Nelson
Lloyd, who lives in Lima village, is the only direct
descendant in the town now living. A grandson,
Manasseh Cummings, lives here.
Clement Leech has no descendants here. A
son, Robert T., lives in West Bloomfield, and a
daughter, Mrs. Parmilee, also in West Bloomfield.
A son, Clement, moved to the West and died.
Ebenezer Leech has no descendants here. All
are dead.
Solomon Hovey has one son, Guernsey, now in
the town.
Adolphus Watkins, who died in 1876, has one
daughter, Mrs. Roxie Gordon, living here, and a
son, Solon Watkins, who was President of Lima
village in 1877-78.
Town Officers. — From some stray records, of
whose authenticity nothing is positively known, it
is learned that the first town meeting was held in
1793, when what is now Lima was known as
"Mighle's Gore,"* and that at this meeting Amos
Hall was chosen Supervisor, and that during this
year most of the roads were laid out.
The only records known to be authentic, place
the first meeting on April 4th, 1797. This was held
at the Inn of Reuben Thayer, and the officers then
elected were as follows : — Supervisor, Solomon
Hovey; Town Clerk, James Davis; Assessors,
Joseph Arthur, Willard Humphrey, Justus Miner ;
Commissioners of Highways, Elijah Morgan, Na-
thaniel Munger, Jonathan Gould ; Poormasters,
Joseph Arthur, William Williams ; Constable and
Collector, John Miner; School Commissioners,
Joel Roberts, William Williams, Col. David Mor-
gan ; Path-Masters, Jonathan Gould, PhiUip Sparl-
ing, Joseph Arthur, Willard Humphrey ; Fence
Viewers, William Webber, William Williams, James
Davis ; Pound Keeper, Reuben Thayer.
The town was then known as Charleston, and
that name was changed to Lima in 1808 or 1809.!
The first town meeting held in the town of
Lima, so named, was in the "Brick School House''
in what is now Lima village, on the 4th day of
April, 1809.
The town was still in Ontario county. At this
meeting the following officers were elected : —
Supervisor, Abel Bristol ; Town Clerk, Manas-
seh Leech; Assessors, Justin Smith, William
Bacon, William Williams ; Constable and Collector,
John Morgan; Commissioners of Highways,
Jacob Stevens, Gurdon W. Cook; Overseers of
the Poor, Ezra Norton, Jedediah Commins;
Sealer of Weights and Measures, Gurdon W.
•This name is variously spelled Mighle's, Mile's, Migell's : the former
is said by Franklin Carter, Esq., to be the correct form.
t Both French and Doty state that the name was changed in 1808, the
former placing the date at April 6, but the town meeting which was held
in April of that year is dated Charleston, and no records show that the
change was made at that date. The name of Lima first appears on the
records January Ji, 1809.
472
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Cook; Fence Viewers, Asa Porter, Clement
Leech, Enos Frost; Pound-keeper, Asa Porter.
A sum of $25 was voted to build the pound, which
was to be located on the northwest corner of the
Porter farm.
From that date the Supervisors and Town
Clerks have been as here appended : —
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1810 Asahel Warner. Matthew Warner.
181 1 William Williams. " "
181 2 Matthew Warner. James K. Guernsey.
1813-14 Jacob Stevens. " "
1815 " " Matthew Warner.
18 16 Matthew Warner. Manasseh Leech.
18 1 7 Asahel Warner. " "
1818-19 Manasseh Leech. Matthew Warner.
1820-22 " " George W. Atwell.
1823 Asahel Warner. Edmund Root.
1824 Levi Hovey. M.W.Brown.
1825 Manasseh Leech. " "
1826-27 " " George W. Little.
1828-31 Smith Parmelee.
1832 H. Hutchinson. " "
1833 John Cutler. Erastus Clark.
1834-35 '' " Charles IngersoU.
1836 Alexander Martin. " "
1837 " " J. Franklin Peck.
1838 John Cutler.
1839-41 " " Franklin Carter.
1842 Jarvis Raymond. " "
1843 Alexander Martin. " "
1844 Israel Nicklesson. " "
1845-46 Josiah G. Leech. " "
1847 " " J. Franklin Peck.
1848 Alexander Martin. Franklin Carter.
1849 Alvin Chamberlin. Jarvis Raymond.
1850 " " Albert L. Stevens.
1 85 1 " " Henry M. Barnard.
1852 Daniel Day. " "
1853 Ezekiel Hyde.
1854 Henry Warner. " "
1855 Samuel T. Vary. Edward Salmon.
1856 Lyman Hawes. " "
1857-58 Daniel Day. "
1859-60 David H. Alberston. "
1861-66 Shepard P. Morgan. " "
1867-69 Richard Peck.
1870-72 Wm. R. McNair. " "
1873-77 Anson L. Angle. Patrick Guinan.
1878 Albert Heath. " "
1879-80 James T. Gordon. "
The following officers were elected April 5,
1881 : — Supervisor, James T. Gordon; Town
Clerk, Patrick Guinan ; Justice of Peace, Egerton
Watts; Highway Commissioner, David B. Mor-
gan; Assessor, Lewis Moses; Overseer of Poor,
David H. King ; Collector, James E. Lockington ;
Constables, James E. Lockington, James Van Val-
kenbergh, Henry F. Stevens, James Egan, George
Ford ; Game Constable, Charles D. Goodrich.
Population. — In 1870, the town of Lima had a
population of 2,912, of whom 2,355 were native,
557 foreign; 2,896 white, 16 colored. In 1845 the
total population was 2,915, of which number 2,346
were native, 569 foreign ; 2,895 white, 20 colored.
At the census of 1880, the total population was
2,700, a decrease of 212 in the ten years.
School Statistics. — The town of Lima has
nine school districts, in which, during the past year
(1880,) school was taught 303 weeks, employing 13
teachers, and with a total amount in wages of
$3,238.75. Number of children in districts over five
and under twenty-one years of age, 895 ; average
attendance during the year, 3 1 2 ; the number attend-
ing some portion of the year, 614. Total value of
district libraries, $190.00, the amount expended on
libraries during the year, $12.14.
Total value of school houses and sites, $8,200.
Total amount expended for school houses, sites,
fences, furniture and repairs during the year, $3,-
700.20; for school apparatus, $21.44; total inciden-
tal expenses for the year, $339-85.
Lima.
The village of Lima is situated near the center
of the town, and is one of the oldest and most
beautiful villages in the county.
In its early days this place was known as the
" Brick School house Corner." It was situated on
the State road, which now forms its main street,
over which flowed the pioneer traffic and emigra-
tion, and was looked upon as likely to become the
most populous village in the Genesee country.
But the development and growth of railroad inter-
ests in other directions put an end to such antici-
pations, and Lima was left an inland village, charm-
ing even in its isolation; and, as if in remunera-
tion for its loss of railroad facilities, Lima became
noted as the seat of learning for Livingston county.
The village contains four fine churches, one
hotel, post-office, twelve or thirteen stores, the
noble buildings of the Seminary and College, and
a population of 1,125.* Lima was incorporated
by legislative enactment April 25, 1867. The first
election for village officers was held in the stage
office of Joel Dailey on the second Tuesday in
May, 1867. The officers elected at that meeting
were: — President, Joel Dailey; Trustees, First
Class, Alexander McCune, Daniel Stanley, Timo-
thy Holden ; Trustees, Second Class, John R.
French, Alfred Kendall, Samuel G. Ellis ; Asses-
*Lima had in 1870 a population of 1,257, which shows a decrease of
131 in those 10 years.
I^ESIDENCE OF ft., ji _ yW.AI\TIN, J^IMA, ^IVINGSTON PoUNTY, N. y.
JIesiDENCE op ;4. p. yVlAt^TIM, J-IMA, PlVINGSTON poONTY, J*f. y.
LIMA VILLAGE, OFFICERS— GENESEE WESLEYAN SEMINARY.
473
sor, James W. Chappell; Treasurer, William D.
Mitchell
On the i6th of May, 1867, pursuant to a call
issued by the president of the village, the officers
elect met at the office of Henry Decker, Jr., where
the act of incorporation was read by Prof. French,
and the oath of office was administered to them by
William Arnold, Justice of the Peace.
On the 17th of May, the board met and elected
James W. Chappell as Clerk of the village, and
William Whittlesey as Street Commissioner.
On the 1 8th of May, the board elected William
Excell, as Police Constable.
The village ordinances were adopted May 24,
1867. taking effect twenty days thereafter. The
following has been the succession of presidents and
clerks of the village from 1868 to 1881 : —
Presidents. Clerks.
1868. Joseph Chambers. Jas. W. Chappell.
1869. Alfred Kendall. Franklin Carter.
1870. Samuel G. Ellis. Elmer Houser.
187 1. William Vary. do do
1872. William Arnold. John Dennis, Jr.
1873-74. Hiram Gilbert. Wm. A. Sutherland.
1875. Joel Dailey. do do*
1876. John Watkins. Charles A. Goheen.
1877. Solon Watkins. do do
1878. do do H. H. Thompson.
1879. Samuel G. Ellis. do do
1880. James T. Gordon. do do
The present officers of Lima are: — President,
Levi P. Grover ; Trustees, Benjamin Ollerenshaw,
John Hogan, William Excell, James T. Gordon, A.
Tiffany Norton, James E. Lockington ; Assessor,
Jacob S. Galentine ; Treasurer, Patrick Guinan ;
Collector, E. J. Hewitt; Street Commissioner,
Ambrose Hyde ; Clerk, Hosmer H. Thompson.
Gknesee Wesleyan Seminary.!— In 1823, the
Genesee Conference of the M. E. Church estab-
lished the first literary institution ever under its
patronage and control, at Cazenovia, N. Y. In
July, 1828, at its session in Ithaca, it divided its
territory on a line running from north to south
across the State, on the same parallel with Cayuga
Lake. Out of the portion thus separated, and
lying east of this line, it constituted what was
known for many years as the Oneida Conference.
By this act it surrendered, geographically, this in-
stitution, known as the Seminary of the Genesee
Conference, to this new Conference, and the
Legislature was memorialized to change its name
to the Seminary of the Genesee and Oneida Con-
ferences. The first session of the Genesee Con-
* To Jan. 3, 1876, when he was succeeded by George W. Atwell.
t The facts relating to this Seminary are gathered, in part, from the
proceedings of the Semi-Centennlal Anniversary of June, 1880.
ference after this division, was held in Perry, N.Y.,
in July, 1829.
At that conference, Glezen Fillmore and Loring
Grant moved a resolution that a committee be
appointed to obtain information and report to the
conference at its next session, preparatory
measures for the erection of a Seminary within
the bounds and under the direction of this confer-
ence. The proposition was adopted, and a com-
mittee of five, consisting of Glezen Fillmore,
Abner Chase, Loring Grant, Asa Abel and John
Copeland were elected for this important work.
The committee at once canvassed the entire ter-
ritory, and received propositions from towns and
villages solicitous of securing the local advantages
of such an institution. At the next conference,
held in Rochester in the summer of 1830, the
committee made its report, and presented the
names of the several places competing for the
possession of the proposed institution. These
were five in number, and they severally presented
the following inducements : — Perry offered a sub-
scription list of 380 names, aggregating in amount
$10,463, besides giving an eligible site of 25
acres of land ; Henrietta, a bond to deliver the
Monroe Academy, with all its appurtenances, the
same that remains standing in that village to-day,
and $3,600; Le Roy, a subscription of $8,500;
Brockport, the sum of $16,820, also stone at the
quarry for the construction of buildings ; and
Lima, a subscription list of 170 names, the sub-
scriptions amounting to $10,808, with the privilege
of buying the present site, including ten acres, at
$50 per acre, and the whole farm at $30 per acre.
The ballot showed a vote of 4 for Henrietta, 4 for
Le Roy, 15 for Perry, and 26 for Lima. Lima
having received a majority of the votes was
declared to be the choice of the conference.
Revs. Abner Chase, Glezen Fillmore, Richard
Wright, Loring Grant, Micah Seager, Francis
Smith, and Messrs. Augustus A. Bennett, Erastus
Clark and Ruel Blake, were elected the first board
of trustees ; and thus, by these successive acts and
appointments, was founded, in the summer of
1830, " The Genesee Wesleyan Seminary."
The first building was erected in 1832, at a cost
of about $17,000. No record remains of the lay-
ing of the comer stone or the completion of this
building. It was opened for pupils the first
Wednesday in May, 1832. The first faculty of
the institution was:— Rev. Samuel Luckey, Prin-
cipal; Thomas J. Rugar, A. B., Professor of
Mathematics ; John Hutton, A. B., Professor of
474
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Languages ; D. B. Wakefield, English Teacher ;
Lord Sterling, Assistant Enghsh Teacher; Miss
Eliza Rogers, Teacher in Female Dei)artment.
The salaries of these teachers ranged from $120
to $700. The attendance the first year was 341 —
230 gentlemen and in ladies.
This first building was destroyed by fire May
26, 1842. The teachers and students escaped un-
harmed, and some of the furnishing of the building
and nearly all of the apparatus and library was
saved. The loss was estimated at $25,000, on
which there was an insurance of $12,000. The
Town Hall was at orice secured for recitations,
the boarders in the institution transferred their
quarters to the homes of the citizens, and the
school continued without interruption. In sixty
days from the conflagration, the corner stone of
the new building was laid. To the erection of
this building the citizens of Lima subscribed
$S,ooo. January 12th, 1843, the new building
was opened, the school was transferred from its
temporary surroundings and accommodations to
these new and permanent ones, where it has since
dwelt in prosperity and safety.
The building is of brick, four stories in height,
with a front of 136 feet to the south, with wings
east and west, giving a frontage of 96 feet. The
cost of erection was $24,000.
In 1849 Genesee College was founded, and the
large building of College Hall was built. This for
some years was a flourishing college, but after a
time was abandoned, and the Syracuse University
was founded. An effort was at that time made to
remove the Genesee College, but an injunction
was granted by Judge Johnson, of the Supreme
Court, restraining such removal; that injunction
was never dissolved. The college lapsedj its func-
tions ceased, and the Legislature enacted a law -
by which all the material possessions of that cor-
poration were conveyed to the Genesee Wesleyan
Seminary, that institution assuming the obligations
and responsibihties of Genesee College. The
college property, consisting of buildings, a farm of
nearly seventy acres, a cash endowment of
$54,000, together with the libraries and philo-
sophical apparatus, was thus transferred to the
Seminary, placing it on a sound financial basis.
From this Seminary, founded in days of com-
parative poverty, when the inhabitants of the town
had not yet fully emerged from the stern realities of
the settler's life, have gone forth more than twenty
thousand students to impress their influence and
power upon the civilization of the nineteenth cen-
tury. They have filled prominent positions in
every profession and honorable avocation in life, —
in the ministry, in the professions of law, of medi-
cine, in journalism, in State legislatures, in the
Executive chair, in Congress, and in the Senate of
the United States. Through their reputation and
influence, the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary is
known and honored in every land of Christian
civihzation.
The buildings, with all their furnishings, are val-
ued at seventy thousand dollars, and are in excel-
lent condition.
The farm has sixty-seven acres, and for state of
cultivation and productiveness it is not excelled by
any other in this section of the country.
The present number of students is 225.
The Department of Instruction is provided with
every facihty for thorough and successful work. It
is organized with the following able and experienced
officers and teachers : — Rev. George H. Bridg-
man, A. M., D. D., Principal. Anna E. Rice, Pre-
ceptress ; Adam C. Works, A. M., Natural Scien-
ces and Mathematics ; William E. Thompson, A.
M., Ancient Languages and French; Emma C.
Terry, Higher English; Abby Barry, Principal of
Grammar School; Samuel C. Moore, Director of
Musical Institute ; Ida Yorks, Piano and Organ ;
Maria C. Wales, Drawing and Painting; Albert
C. Aldridge, Principal of Business College ; Adam
C. Works, A. M., Librarian ; Rev. J. O. Wilsea,
Steward.
Among the prominent men who received instruc-
tion in this Seminary was Henry J. Raymond, the
founder of the New York Times, who was born in
Lima about 1820. He went from here to Middle-
bury College, Vt., where he graduated in 1840, re-
turning to his father's (Jarvis Raymond) home in
Lima that-same year. He began immediately to
t^e a prominent part in politics, and in the winter
of 1840-41, having attracted the attention of Hor-
ace Greeley, became attached to the Tribune sta.f(,
afterward estabUshing the Times. He was Lieut.-
Governor of New York State, with Governor
Myron H. Clark, in 1855.
Postmasters. — The present postmaster at Lima
is O. S. Gilbert, who was appointed under Presi-
dent Grant in 1874.
Banks. — The Bank of Lima was established in
1876, under the control of George and George W.
Thayer, who succeeded the banking firm of Cham-
bers & Watkins.
Hotels. — Lima has but one hotel, the Ameri-
can Hotel, which was built in 186 1-2 by John
LIMA VILLAGE — SOCIETIES, MERCHANTS.
475
Mosher. This occupies the site of the old Ameri-
can Hotel, which was burned in 1855. S. Farns-
worth was proprietor here a number of years, when
he was succeeded by his son, L. J. Farnsworth,
who has conducted it some six years. The first
hotel on this site was in a wooden building, built
by Jedediah Commins about sixty-five years ago,
and which was burned about a year previous
to the erection of the old American Hotel. Pre-
vious to that the site was occupied by a black-
smith shop, the proprietor of which, at one time,
was a man named Abel Parkhurst.'
Societies. — The Union Lodge, F. and A. M.,
was organized as No. 261 in December, 1816,
Governor DeWitt Clinton, signing the charter as
Grand Master. The present number of the lodge
is 45, which was changed in 1848, during the Mor-
gan anti-mason excitement.* The present officers
are:— J. T. Gordon, W. M.; W. D. Heath, S. W.;
Benjamin Ollerenshaw, J. W.; James Heath, S. D.;
E. R. Bronson, J. D.; J. S. Galentine, Sec; Am-
brose Hyde, Treas.; G. S. Bauter, S. M. C.j E. A.
Boehme, J. M. C; Samuel Mitchell, Tiler.
A. O. U. W. — This lodge was organized in
March, 1879, under the ministrations of U. L. Up-
son, of Buffalo, D. D. G. M. W. The charter offi-
cers were : — A. T. Norton, M. W.; George W. Syl-
vester, P. M. W.; E. R. Bronson, G. F.; William
A. Ferris, Overseer ; C. J. Mills, Recorder ; Geo.
H. Bennett, Financier; Stanley Coventry, Re-
ceiver ; C. B. Bristol, Guide ; Charles L. Sterling,
I. W.; W. H. Beale, O. W.; Medical Examiner,
George H. Bennett, M. D.
The present officers are : — George W. Sylvester,
P. M. W.; A. Tiffany Norton, M. W.; H. A. Met-
calf, G. F.; J. T. Gordon, Overseer ; Frank W.
Scott, Financier; Stanley Coventry, Receiver;
Edgar Bronson, Recorder ; L. B. Holmes, Guide ;
Henry Beale, I. W.; L. J. Farnsworth, O. W.;
Medical Examiner, G. H. Bennett, M. D.
Fire Department. — The first meeting to or-
ganize the Lima Fire Department was held on Sat-
urday, January 29, 1876. At that meeting it was
resolved to raise for such purpose from the taxable
property of the village the sum of $2,000, which
was finally placed at $1,600. The organization
was named The Centennial Fire Company. The
constituent officers and members were: — J. S.
Galentine, President ; A. T. Norton, V. P.; G. V.
Hanna, Sec'y and Treas.; J. T. Gordon, Chief
* Two miles east from the village is situated the house — where now
resides Richard Peck— in which was written by William Morgan the
famous ^*' Expose^* of Masonry.
Engineer ; Charles Goheen, Foreman H. and L.;
Henry Markham, Assistant ; William Excell, Fore-
man Babcock Extinguisher; Thomas Martin, Assis-
tant; John Harvey, Foreman Village Engine; Lloyd
Crandall, Assistant ; L. B. Tinkham, U. A. Yorks,
George W. Challis, Henry Beale, A. E. Beale, R.
P. Dartt, Frank Olmsted,* B. C. Yorks, Patrick
Guinan,, Edgar Bronson, J. E. Lockington, L. J.
Farnsworth, C. B. Bristol, H. H. Thompson,
Frank Carter. The house now occupied by the de-
partment was purchased of E. A. Boehme two
years ago, and remodeled into a large and commo-
dious building. The Babcock Extinguisher cost
$800. The truck, made by J. T. Gordon, of
Lima, cost $2,250.
The officers for 1880 are:— President, J. S. Gal-
entine; Vice-President, J. T. Gordon; Sec, L. P.
Grover ; Treas., Patrick Guinan ; Chaplain, Rev.
James Robertson ; Janitor, Albert Parker ; Fore-
man Babcock Ex., H. G. Gilbert; Assistant, Wil-
liam Excell ; Foreman of Engine, C. J. Mills ; As-
sistant, R. P. Dartt. Fire Police, James VanVal-
kenbergh, H. F. Stevens, Henry Markham, J. T.
Gordon, A. T. Norton.
Merchants. — One of the earliest merchants in
Lima was James Guernsey, who kept in 1808, a
large general store. In 181 7 or 181 8, the firm was
known as Guernsey & Clark. Waite Martin was
an early merchant here in 1809-ro.
Guernsey & Clark carried on business here until
about 1823, when Guernsey removed to Pittsford,
N. Y.
Erastus Clark then associated with him his brother-
in-law, William Dean, which connection existed
until Clark retired from the business in 1830. In
1836 Mr. Dean sold to Godfrey and Cargill who con-
tinued the business until Cargill removed to the
west in about 1850. The business was then con-
ducted by Godfrey until about i860 when he
failed. From 1861 to 1874 he was postmaster
here, with the exception of one year during John-
son's administration. He died about 1878.
Atwell & Root began business here as general
merchants in 1817, being succeeded in 1818 by
Atwell & Grout.f This firm continued in busi-
ness until 1827, when Atwell retired to a farm,
and Grout took as partner his brother-in-law, E. A.
Sumner. This partnership existed until 1834,
when Sumner retired from the firm and Grout
conducted the business alone until 1836. In that
year he associated with him in the business his
•Dead.
t George W. Atwell and Henry Grout.
476
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
former clerk, Franklin Carter, who had come to
Lima in 1820. In the spring of 1847, Franklin
Carter and N. C. Parmelee purchased the store
and continued in partnership until 1853 when Par-
melee retired to his farm and Carter con-
tinued the business until the spring of 1868,
when he sold to George V. Hanna. Mr.
Carter was born in November, 1795, in Peter-
borough, N. H. He served Lima as town clerk a
number of years ; was postmaster here four years
under Taylor's administration, and one year under
that of Andrew Johnson. In 1820 he was chosen
secretary in Union Lodge, No. 45, F. and A. M.,
which office he held forty years. He is still living
in Lima, in his 86th year. Henry Grout, his
former partner, died in 1849. George W. Atwell
died in 1852. N. C. Parmelee died in 1856.
Another merchant here was J. Franklin Peck,
who began business about 1833. He was burned
out in 1835, rebuilt and continued his business
until about 1840, when he sold to H. D. Clark
and John Draper, and in a few years moved to
Springfield, Mass., where he is now engaged in
banking. Clark and Draper continued as partners
a number of years, when Clark bought Draper's
interest and conducted the business until his death
in i860.
The merchants now in business are : — S. H.
Olmsted, who began business here as clothier in
1856; Hendrick & Guinan, general merchants,
who have been engaged in that business here ten
years; A. L. Stevens, grocer, in business here since
1845 ; J. P. Thompson, flour and feed, who came
from West Bloomfield in 1 87 2, and began business in
1874; James R. Wilson, hardware, in business
since November, 1880, succeeding G. S. Bauter
who had conducted the business some six years ;
Walter W. Scott, general merchant, in business
two years, succeeding W. D. Mitchell; N. A.
Soggs, jeweller, who began that business here Nov.
20, 1880; Beadle Brothers, (Thomas T., William
W., and George B.,) dry and fancy goods, who be-
gan business in 1879; Edward Salmon, drugs and
medicines, who came here in 1851 from Livonia,
and engaged with Dr. D. D. Dayton in the drug
business. Three years later he bought out Dayton
and has since conducted the business alone; W.B.
Baker, jeweler, in business eight years, succeeding
S. Coventry ; Joanna Dalton, millinery and fancy
goods, in business two years, succeeding Miss Ella
Egan, who had conducted the business some ten
years ; Stanley Coventry, drugs and groceries, in
business four years, succeeding John G. Scott,
and Henry Livingston, harnesses and horse fur-
nishing goods, who began business in Watts' block
in 1877.
Manufacturers. — Andrew Hart, manufacturer-
of monuments and head-stones, established that
business here twenty-five years ago, commencing
on the corner of Main and Rochester streets,,
where the Presbyterian church now stands.
L. D. Clark, furniture and manufacturing un-
dertaker, began business in June, 1865.
Benjamin Ollerenshaw, monuments and head-,
stones, began business in 1871, succeeding Hart
& Ollerenshaw. He is a native of England, com-
ing to America in May, 1858.
Hugh Regan, also manufacturer of monuments
and tomb-stones, has been in that business here
three years.
John Murphy, furniture and undertaking, came
from Ireland in 1849, and in 1877 engaged for
himself in the above named business.
Physicians. — Dr. Justin Smith was one of the
earliest physicians in Lima. He came here from
Vermont previous to 1805, and practiced until he
became insane and died in about 1838. Another
early physician was Dr. Stevens.
The physicians practicing here now are: — Dr.
S. G. Ellis, who came to Lima in 1856, having
previously graduated from the College of Physicians
and Surgeons. He was born in Fairfield, Her-
kimer county, N. Y.
Dr. George Hosmer Bennett graduated from
the Buffalo Medical College in 1848, and came at
once to the town of Lima, where he has since had
an extensive practice.
Dr. H. K. Brasted, a graduate in 1880, of the
University of Michigan, came here in that year
from Canisteo, N. Y., and began the practice of
his profession.
Lawyers — The present lawyers here are Hosmer
H. Thompson, John Horr, Geo. Atwell and Nelson
W. Clark.
Churches. — The Presbyterian Church of Lima
was organized by Rev. Daniel Thatcher, October
ist, 1795. Among the early members were Wil-
liam Williams and wife, Miles Bristol and wife,
Joseph M. Gilbert and wife, Huldah, wife of Judge
Warner, Mary, wife of Abel Bristol, Elijah Gifford
and wife, Charles Rice, Mrs. Daniel Warner,
Mrs. Clark Brockway and Guernsey W. Cook and
wife. The organization of the society is of later
date than that of the church. The meeting for
organization was held at the house of Asahel
Warner, Jan. 5, 1802. The Society in November
LIMA VILLAGE— CHURCHES.
477
of that year, elected as trustees, Abel Bristol,
Asahel Warner, William Williams, Willard Humph-
rey, Manasseh Leech, and David Morgan. At a
meeting of the society held March 29, 1803, Asahel
Warner and Willard Humphrey were appointed
trustees to build a school-house. The site selected
was that on which the school-house now stands,
but the old building was nearer Main street. At
a meeting of the society held in the brick school-
house the first Monday in November, 1804, it was
voted to engage the Rev. Ezekiel I. Chapman for
six months. The society agreed to pay to Mr.
Chapman a salary of two hundred and sixty dollars,
one hundred dollars in cash, and the remainder
in produce. The salary was raised by tax based
upon the grand list.
In 1806, Mr. Chapman having left, the salary
was fixed at $200 ; one-half in cash, and the other
half in wheat, rye, or pork. During this year the
Rev. Mr. Leavenworth was engaged for six months,
receiving for his services five dollars a Sabbath.
The society again engaged the services of Rev.
Ezekiel Chapman, and he was installed the first
pastor of this church, and continued in that rela-
tion until 1814. He was succeeded in that year
by Rev. John Brown who remained a short time,
and in the following year Rev. Mr. Cook was in-
vited to preach. The contract for the erection of
the first church was made in 181 5, and the build-
ing was completed in i8i6, at a cost of $7,000.
On December 28, 1818, the society extended a
call to Rev. John Barnard to become their pastor,
at a salary of $700 a year. Mr. Barnard accepted
this call, and was installed pastor Feb. 3, 1819,
sustaining that relation to July, 1856.
The name of the church was changed in 1851
from " The Charleston Congregational" to "The
Lima Presbyterian Society." In 1853 the church
edifice was enlarged at a cost of about $2,000.
Feb. 24, 1857, the society called the Rev. Robert
R. Kellogg to be their pastor. He was installed
by the Presbytery of Ontario, June 22, 1857. In
two years this relation was dissolved.
In i860. Rev. A. L. Benton accepted a call to
the pastorate of this church, and was installed by
the Presbyteryof Ontario, March 6, 1861. During
his pastorate the church edifice was re-roofed and
remodeled. In September, 1870, Mr. Benton
retired from the pastorate, and in October of that
year the society called Rev. A. H. Corliss from the
Presbytery of Utica, which call he accepted, and
was installed as pastor Dec. 27, 1879. During his
pastorate occurred the erection of the present beau- |
tiful church edifice, the corner stone of which was
laid with impressive ceremonies, Tuesday, Aug.
12. 1873. Rev. Albert H. Corliss continued
as pastor until 1875, when he was succeeded
by Rev. Henry Payne, who remained till 1878.
He was followed by the present pastor. Rev.
James Robertson. The present membership in
this church is 213.
Mehodist Episcopal Church of Lima.'* — Method-
ism was introduced into this town about eighty
years ago. In the year 1800 a member of the
M. E. Church, Jonah Davis, came from Delaware
and settled on a farm three miles south of the
present site of Lima village. He was a licensed
exhorter, and began at once to hold religious
meetings as opportunity offered. His house soon
became the home and preaching place of the
pioneer itinerants who first preached the gospel
and proclaimed the peculiar doctrines of Method-
ism in this then wilderness. Davis was a man
of marked character, a representative of the moral
heroism of early Methodism. He filled the office
of exhorter and class-leader for many years.
Preaching was continued in his house and in a
school-house near by, for more than twenty-five
years. Many of the prominent pioneers of Method-
ism preached here, among whom was Father Howe,
who was an earnest and devoted itinerant for more
than half a century. He preached in Davis' house
as early as 1801. George Densmore, Gideon
Draper, and other worthy compeers, officiated in
the same place in the early days.
During the year 1827, Rev. Micah Seager, then
preacher in charge on the Bloomfield circuit,
preached here occasionally, for at that time
Methodism had not assumed organized form in
this locality. In the autumn of 1827, Rev. John
Parker, then stationed at Norton's Mills, (now
Honeoye Falls,) was invited to hold regular
services on Sunday evenings in the Town Hall at
Lima. Under his ministry a powerful revival was
enjoyed, the influence of which thoroughly per-
meated the community and. resulted in the organ-
ization of the Methodist church at " Lima
Corners." The society was organized by Rev.
John Parker in March, 1828, and the class south
of the village was transferred to the new organiza-
tion. Among the original members of the society
were : — Jonah and Phebe Davis, WiUiam Corey,
Jane Corey, Joel Ross, Frederick House, Betsey
Fowler, Mary Gager, Jane Porter, Eunice Humph-
rey, and others. The membership rapidly in-
* Gathered from the Church's History.
478
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
creased, the town-house soon became too small to
accommodate the congregation, and the erection
of a church edifice was soon begun and completed
in a few months. This humble edifice was long
the crowning glory of the hill-side, on the street
leading west toward Avon. At the session of the
Genesee Conference in the summer of 1828, the
society in Lima was included in the Bloomfield
circuit, and Revs. Goodwin Stoddard and Samuel
Parker were appointed to that charge, remaining
but one year. In June, 1829, Revs. Benajah
Williams and Asahel Hayward were appointed,
and in 1830 were succeeded by Revs. Gideon
Lanning, Wilbur Hoag and Philo E. Brown. In
1 83 1 Lima was detached from the Bloomfield
circuit and constituted an independent station, and
Rev. Richard Wright was appointed to the pas-
toral charge. This arrangement proved unsatis-
factory, and at the conference session of 1832 an-
other change was made in the organic form of this
charge, and Lima was connected with Livonia,
and Revs. Jonathan Benson and Jacob Scott were
appointed to the united charge.
One remarkable feature in the early history of
Methodism in Lima was the frequent changes
which occurred in the form of the charge. In
1833 Lima was detached from Livonia, and or-
ganized into a separate and independent charge,
and Rev. Seth Matthison, then one of the strongest
men of the old Genesee Conference, was appointed
to the pastoral charge. He remained but one
year, and in 1834 was succeeded by Rev. John
Copeland. Soon after, the large M. E. church in
Rochester was burned, and Mr. Copeland was re-
moved from this pastorate to the work of collect-
ing funds with which to rebuild it. In the middle
of the year. Dr. Bartlett, formerly from Nan-
tucket, Mass., was appointed to the vacant pas-
torate. This temporary supply was acceptable to
the society, and was peculiarly fortunate in its
ultimate results, in that it secured the permanent
membership of Dr. Bartlett and his devoted wife
with the society in Lima until their death many,
years after.
In 1835 Lima was united with West Mendon,
Rush, Livonia and Geneseo, and Revs. Micah
Seager, Levi B. Castile, and Samuel Parker were
appointed to the charge. At the end of one year
this union was dissolved, and Lima was again con-
signed to its "lone star" destiny.
Rev. Allen Steele, one of the most eloquent men
of his time, was appointed pastor over the charge.
He remained but one year, and was succeeded in
1837 by Rev. Benj. Shipman, who, in turn, at the
end of his first year, gave place to Rev. Gideon D.
Perry. In 1839 Rev. Philo Woodworth was ap-
pointed to the pastoral charge of Lima, and was re-
appointed in 1840, the first instance in the history of
the church in Lima of the appointment of any minis-
ter to the pastoral charge for two consecutive years.
In 1843, under the supervision of Rev. Thomas
Carlton, the old church edifice was removed from
its former site and reconstructed upon the lot now
occupied by the present house of worship. At the
session of the Conference in Geneva in 1847, a
resolution was passed requesting the General Con-
ference to divide the former body. This request
was complied with, and the division was consum-
mated at the session of the General Conference
held in Pittsburgh in 1848. An arrangement was
mutually entered into before the division that the
Lima charge should alternate between the two con-
ferences, four years in the one, and four years in
the other in succession. This arrangement was
never satisfactory to the church or citizens of
Lima, and was extremely difficult to adjust, and
was ultimately abandoned by mutual consent of
the Conference. The charge then remained per-
manently in the East Genesee Conference. The
enterprise which resulted in the erection of the
present church edifice was inaugurated in 1855,
and was designed to accommodate the College and
Seminary as well as the village congregation.
Consequently provision was made to appropriate a
sufficient number of pews for the free occupancy
of the students of these institutions, and, as a con-
sideration for such privilege, the Conference pro-
posed to raise $300 to aid in building the church.
The building committee was composed of the fol-
lowing persons : — Rev. Joseph Cummings, D. D.,
Rev. Woodruff Post, James L. Alverson, LL.D.,
Ira Godfrey, Esq., and William L. Gaylord. The
corner stone of the church edifice was laid with in-
teresting ceremonies in the autumn of 1855. The
building was completed early in the following sum-
mer, and was dedicated June 22, 1856. The dedi-
catory sermon was preached by Rev. Allen Steele.
The entire cost of this building, including the fur-
nishing, was less than $16,000. In i860 the Lima
charge again passed into the Genesee Conference,
and in 1864 was again transferred to the East Gen-
esee Conference, from which it was never again re-
moved until the annihilation of that body by the
General Conference in 1872. The following has
been the further succession of pastors in this
church since 1842.
LIMA VILLAGE — NORTH BLOOMFIELD.
479
Revs. Thomas Carlton, from 1842 to 1844; F. G.
Hibbard, from 1844 to 1845 ; Moses Crow, from
1845101846; D. D. Bush, from 1846101847; F. G.
Hibbard, from 1847 to 1 848 ; Wesley Cochrane, from
1848 to 1849; John Copeland, from 1849 to 1850;
John Raines, from 1850 to 185 2 ; William C. Fuller,*
from 1852 to 1853; R. L. Waite, in 1853;
Charles Adams, from 1853 to 1854; Philo Wood-
worth, from 1854 to 1856; Jonas Dodge,t from
185610 1857 ; John Dennis, from 1858 to i860;
Joseph H. Knowles, from i860 to 1862 ; King
David Nettleton, from 1862 to 1864 ; Israel H. Kel-
logg, from 1864 to 1865 ; A. Sutherland, from 1865
to 1867 ; William Benham,from 1867 to 1870; I. T.
Brownell, from 1870 to 1871; John Dennis, from
1871 to 1874 ; G. W. Paddock, from 1874 to 1875;
L. F. Congdon, from 1875 to 1878; O. L. Gib-
son, from 1878 to 1881.
During the pastorate of Rev. John Dennis —
1871-1874 — the church edifice was thoroughly re-
paired and remodeled, and the entire indebtedness,
amounting in all, including repairs, to the sum of
$4,000, was provided for and paid. The church
has now a large membership, and is in a most
flourishing condition.
The Lima Baptist Church, located on Main
street, was organized August 26th, 1854, at the
residence of J. H. Miller. The number of original
members was fifteen, among whom were G. W.
Glass, Eunice Glass, J. P. Briggs, M. J. Briggs, E.
W. Briggs, I. Briggs. The church edifice was
builtin 1855-56, and dedicated May i, 1856. The
cost of building, including the lot, was $10,000.
The first pastor was Rev. B. R. Swick, whose
pastorate lasted nearly seven years. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. J. T. Seeley, who remained nearly
eight years. His successor was the Rev. S. S.
Bidwell, who remained three years, and was fol-
lowed by Rev. W. H. Shields, who also officiated
three years. The present pastor, A. H. Emmons,
c'bmmenced his labors September 4, 1875. The
present membership is 139.
St. Rosds Church (Catholic.)— The first Catho-
lic who settled in Lima was Thomas Martin, who
came in the fall of 1834. Three years later came
James Egan, and they were joined in 1839 by
Michael Corneen and John Brennan. These four
formed the nucleus of the present congre-
gation of St. Rose's. These were sturdy specimens
of the faith that dwells in the hearts of Irishmen.
• Died Feb. Ji, i8sj, and Kev. R. L. Waite filled the vacancy until
the close of the Conference year.
t Reappointed in >8S7, but was transferred to the Kansas Conference
before the close of the Conference year, the vacancy being supplied by
Rev.' Allen Steele until the end of the year.
For some years they were obhged to go to Roch-
ester to hear mass, or to baptize the children that
were born to them, walking there, and then patient-
ly trudging home after the services. The first
mass ever celebrated in Lima was in 1842, in the
house of John Brennan. The priest was Father
Murphy. The second mass was said by Father
Tierney. After them Father French and Father
Carroll came occasionally to celebrate mass, and
to give encouragement to the Catholics here. The
first attempt at a church was made by Father
O'Cdnnor. A portion of the present school house
attests the small beginning of the present large and
prosperous parish. Other priests here were : —
Fathers Kenny, Quigley, Walsh, McGuire, O'Brien,
and Gregg. The first church edifice was erected
in 1849, when there were but eight or nine Catho-
lic famihes in the town. The burial ground was
bought in 1857. Michael Corneen was one of the
first buried in this cemetery. The present fine
church edifice was begun in 1870, on land given
by Tone Yorks, for the nominal sum of $35. The
present number of famihes in the parish is about
175, presided over by Rev. Father Edward Mc-
Cartney.
North Bloomfield.
North Bloomfield is a small hamlet in the ex-
treme north-eastern part of the town, bordering on
the counties of Monroe and Ontario, a portion of
the place lying in the latter county. It contains a
grist-mill, (Lewis Johnson,) saw-mill, (James Still-
man,) one church, and eighteen or twenty houses.
The UniversaUst church was organized March
12, 1825, under the title of "The First Univer-
salist Society of Lima." Among the original
members were : Ezra Davis, David Baxter, Daniel
Buzzell, EUphalet Huntington, John Case, Elias
D. Wight, Daniel Day, Jr., Derick Knickerbocker,
Seth Potter, Zebulon Townsend, Thomas Leland,
Ezra Davis, Jr., John Seins, Benjamin Northrop,
Benjamin Case, Jeremiah Townsend, Stewart
Porter, Solomon Arthur. The earliest ministers
here were Revs. John S. Thompson and Liscorab
Knapp, who preached some time before the organ-
ization of the Society. The first settled pastor
was Rev. Henry Roberts,* who came in 1825 and
remained one year. The erection of a church was
begun in 1827, and was dedicated June 17, 1829.
The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev.
Stephen R. Smith, of CUnton, Oneida county,
N. Y.
* Died in 1848.
48o
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The present church edifice was erected in 1872
at a cost of $5,000. It was dedicated by Rev.
Asa Saxe, of Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 13, 1872.
The present membership is 87, presided over by
Rev. W. W. Hand. The following, as correctly
as can be ascertained, has been the succession of
pastors in this church from its organization : —
Revs. Henry Roberts, from 1825 to 1826; Wil-
liam I. Reese, from 1826 to 1830; Savillian Ful-
ler,* from 1830 to 1831 ; WiUiam I. Reese,t from
1831 to 1834; William Andrews, in 1834; Elijah
SmithJ, in 1835; Jacob Chase, from 1836 to 1839;
Thomas J. Smith,? from 1840 to 1844; S. W.
Remington, half the time for two years ; Mr.
Spaulding, half the time for one year; Charles
Herman Button, || from 1847 to 1849 j Orrin
Roberts; O. F. Brayton, died in 1876; U. M.
Fisk ; G. W. Gage, from 1853 to 1855 ; James
W. Bailey, from 1857 to 1862; J. R. Sage, 1864
and 1866 ; W. W. Dean ; Murray Bailey; W. B.
Randolph; J. Arthur Dobson; Lewis C. Browne,
from 1871 to 1872 ; Hamilton Squires, from 1872
to 1878 ; W. W. Hand, from 1879 to 1881.
War Record. — At the breaking out of the
Rebellion the town of Lima patriotically responded
with money and volunteers, sending forth many
brave men to contend for the perpetuity of the
Union on the bloody battle-fields of the South.
In 1 86 1 the following men enlisted, receiving
little or no bounty : —
2']th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, Co. G. — Gar-
diner William Agard enUsted May 21. Now
living in Naples, N. Y.
Jonathan B. Atchinson enhsted May 21, as
musician ; was afterward mustered in as private
by Col. J. J. Bartlett. Now in town of Alabama,
Genesee county, N. Y.
WiUiam Newton Baker enlisted May 5 ; re-
enUsted in August of 1863, in First N. Y. Veteran
Cavalry. Now in Trenton, N. J.
Robert Brabow was with his regiment all
through its service, and was honorably discharged.
ReenUsted in isth N. Y. Engineers under the call
in 1864. His whereabouts not known.
Alexander Boyd enlisted June 28 ; was dis-
charged with his company, and has not been heard
from since.
John R. Briggs enlisted May i ; was Second
Lieutenant. Now in Naples, N. Y.
• Died in 1840.
t Died in Buffalo, Sept. 6, 1834, during the cliolera plague.
t Died in 1836.
§ Died in 18S6.
II Died in 1879.
Elwood H. Brady, born in Ireland in 1841,
enlisted in May; was Second Lieutenant. Now
in West Bloomfield, N. Y.
Tyler J. Briggs enlisted in May ; was Corporal.
Now in Naples, N. Y.
Joseph B. Butler enlisted in June ; was dis-
charged Nov. 8, 1861, on account of wounds re-
ceived at Bull Run on July 21, 1861. In 1865-6,
was living in East Bloomfield, N. Y.
Charles E. Bartlett enlisted December 1 7 ;
discharged Feb. 4, 1863, on Surgeon's certificate
for disabihty. In 1865 was in West Bloomfield,
N. Y.
Charles W. Burr enhsted May 7; was dis-
charged Sept. II, 1862, for wounds received at
Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862. In 1865 was in
Government employ at Norfolk, Va.
Edwin E. Bond, born in Farmersville, Cattar-
augus county, N. Y., July 15, 1837 ; enlisted
May 7 ; was discharged July 16, 1862, for
wounds received at the battle of Bull Run, July
21, 1861. Now living near North Bloomfield, N.Y.
George Henry Chappell, born in Avon in 1838 ;
enhsted May 7. Served faithfully all through the
time his regiment was in service, and was dis-
charged with his company; returned to Avon and
died there in 1866 or 1867.
William Halsey Clark, born in Morristown, N.
J., August 18, 1841 ; enhsted September 21.
Present location unknown.
John Alden Copeland enlisted May 7, 1861 ;
promoted to Corporal September ist, 1862.
Michael Cavanaugh enhsted May 7, 1861;
promoted to Corporal February 18, 1863.
Jerome H. BurUson, Corporal, enhsted May 7,
1861 ; was killed at Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27,
1862.
WiUiam Henry Buxton enhsted July 8, 1861 ;
was killed at Gaines' Mills June 27, 1862.
Frederick Bender, Corporal, enlisted May 7,
1861 ; was transferred to non-commissioned staff
May 29, 1 86 1. Present whereabouts unknown.
John Hudson Carter enlisted May 7, 1861 ;
discharged for disabihty January 20, 1862. Died
in 1867.
WiUiam Henry Coe enlisted May 7, 1861 ;
was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disabili-
ty November 22, 1862; again entered the army
and was promoted to Assistant Surgeon. Now in
Auburn, N. Y.
George Cook, Musician, enhsted May 7, 1862;
was transferred to non-commissioned staff May
29, 1861.
LIMA— WAR RECORD.
481
Benjamin Shepard Coffin, Corporal, enlisted May
7, 1861 ; promoted to non-commissioned staff as Q.
M. Sergeant May ist, 1862. Now in Nunda, N. Y.
Thomas Challis enlisted August 3E, 1862;
deserted from camp near White Oak Church, Va.,
January r, 1863 ; returned to England.
RoUin Page Dartt enlisted May 7, 186 1; was
wounded at the battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27,
1862, and on that account was discharged August
12, 1862. Now in Lima, N. Y.
Amenzo E. Davis enlisted July 5, 1861 ; was
discharged July 31, 1861, on account of heart dis-
ease. Now in Geneva, N. Y.
Hiram Davis enlisted July 8, 1861; was killed
at battle of Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861, and
was buried on the field.
James A. Dunn enlisted December 17, i86i ; died
in hospital at Hagarstown, Md., December 29,
1862, and was buried in hospital cemetery.
John N. Dunn enlisted December 17, 1861 ;
died in hospital at Craney Island, August 27, 1862,
and was buried in hospital burying ground.
Andrew Jackson Darron enlisted May 7, 1861 ;
died of epilepsy in Brigade hospital, near Alexan-
dria, Va., December 20, 1861 j lies buried in hos-
pital cemetery.
John Dutcher enlisted May 7, 1861; deserted
near Sharpsburgh, Md., September 17, 1862.
Charles Dutcher enlisted May 7, 1861, and de-
serted at same time and place.
Seymour Emmons enlisted September i, 1861 ;
was taken prisoner at Savage Station ; dropped in
accordance with General Order No. 162; was af-
terward sick for some time in hospital. Now in
Naples, N. Y.
Robert S. Frazee enlisted May 7, 1861. Now
in Washington, D. C.
Charles W. Frazee enlisted May 7, 1861. Now
in Washington, D. C.
Benson Simon Fleming enlisted August 29, 1862.
George Fladding enlisted August 29, 1862;
whereabouts not known.
William George enUsted May 21, 1861 ; died of
epilepsy in Brigade hospital, near Alexandria, Va.,
December 20, 1861.
Henry M. Gould enlisted May 21, r86i ; killed
at battle of Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27, 1862, and
was buried on the field.
H. Seymour Hall enlisted May 21, 1861 ; mus-
tered as Second Lieutenant; was promoted to
Captain April 24, r862 ; lost right arm before
Petersburgh ; was afterward Lieutenant-Colonel of
colored regiment.
Arthur Hanson Hunt enlisted May 2r, 1861 ;
was discharged June 4, 1862, on surgeon's certifi-
cate of disability.
Mills Davis Hamilton enlisted May 21, 1861 ;
was discharged on account of disability February
II, 1862.
WiUiam Hall enlisted May 21, 1861 ; was dis-
charged for disability, by order of General Wads-
worth, May II, 1862.
Oscar Headley enlisted December ist, 1862 ;
died of typhoid fever in Mansion House hospital,
Alexandria, Va., April 15, 1862, and v/as buried in
hospital grounds.
William Frederick Lindsley, born in Lima April
14, 1840, enlisted May 7, 1861 ; died of typhoid
fever in camp at Harrison's Landing, Va., August
2, 1862 ; lies buried in Lima, N. Y.
Henry Markham enlisted May 7, 1861 j was
Orderly to General Bartlett. Now in Lima, N. Y.
WiUiam Marra enlisted May 7, 1861; served
with the regiment- during its term of service, and
was discharged with his company; reenlisted in
1863 in First Veteran Cavalry, and served until
the close of the war. Now in New York city.
William Mileham enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was
wounded in leg at first battle of Bull Run ; was
taken prisoner and afterward exchanged ; returned
to his regiment, served the remainder of his term,
and was discharged with the company.
Alexander Miles enlisted May 7, i86i; was
killed at battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862.
Stephen Peak enlisted May 7, 1861; was de-
tailed as butcher for the company, and was dis-
charged at the expiration of his term of service ;
supposed to be dead.
James Perkins, Captain, enlisted May 2, 1861 ;
was at first battle of Bull Run ; resigned Novem-
ber 7, 1 86 1, in consequence of failing health; died
October 29, 1879.
Joseph Herbert Perkins, Sergeant, enlisted Sep-
tember 21, 1 86 1. Now in Michigan.
Seymour Pierce enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was en-
rolled as First Sergeant at that date, and was pro-
moted to First Lieutenant November 7, 1861;
transferred by promotion to Co. K, as Captain,
June 9,1862; was on detached service in signal
corps, from November 7, 1861. Now in Honeoye
Falls, N. Y.
Van Rensselaer Pratt enlisted May 7, 1861 ;
was promoted to Corporal, December i, 1861; pro-
moted to Sergeant November i, 1862 ; reenlisted
July 27, 1863 in First N. Y. Veteran Cavalry ; was
wounded at the battle of Winchester, July 24, 1864,
482
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
and returned to his regiment in one month. Now
in Lima, N. Y.
John M. Roberts enlisted May 7, 1861 ; died at
Point Lookout, Md., October 13, 1862, and was
buried there.
Eugene Peppel enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was killed
at the battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862, and
was buried on the field.
Silas Atwell Sylvester enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was
promoted to Corporal November 7, 1861; pro-
moted to Sergeant February i8, 1863 ; reenlisted
April I St, 1864, in First N. Y. Veteran Cavalry;
was killed in a skirmish at Martinsburgh, Va., and
was buried in a grove near the town.
Francis M. Stone enlisted May 7, 1861 ; served
two years in this regiment, and reenHsted March
26, 1863; was in First New York Veteran Cav-
alry. Now in Chicago.
Henry Horace Stone enlisted May 7, 1861 ;
reenlisted July 27, 1863, in First New York Vet-
eran Cavalry ; was taken prisoner July 2, 1864, at
Berryville, W. Va., and was exchanged April 6,
1865. Now in Conesus, N. Y.
John Barnard Smith enhsted September" 8, 1862 ;
was transferred to the i2ist New York Infantry,
Company E, May 12, 1863, and was detailed as
clerk in the quartermaster's department. Now in
Maine.
James E. Sewell enlisted May 7, 1861 j was dis-
charged October 29, 1862, on account of wounds
received at the battle of Gaines' Mill, June 27,
1862.
Theodore Stone eijHsted May 7, 1861; was
discharged December 2, 1862, on surgeon's cer-
tificate of disabihty.
Henry Grout Wells enlisted May 7, 1861 ; reen-
listed August 10, 1864, in First New York Veteran
Cavalry.
Nicholas R. Wood enlisted December 14, i86i ;
died in regiment hospital near Alexandria, Va.,
February 18, 1862.
Frederick Thurber Wright enlisted September
21, 1861 ; died in brigade hospital, near Alexan-
dria, Va., December 27, 1861, and brought to
Lima for burial.
Charles Franklin Wells enhsted April 23, 1861 ;
was promoted to Corporal November i, 1862.
Myron Cassina Watkins enhsted May 7, 1861;
was enrolled as Corporal and promoted to Ser-
geant April 24, 1862. Now in Avon, N. Y.
Philo B. Woodward enhsted August 31, 1862;
whereabouts not known.
Perry Gardner, Charles A. Grover, Ovid G.
Harrington, Henry Hibbard and Artemas Jenkins
enlisted May 21, 1861; present whereabouts un-
known.
Frank Young enhsted August 31, 1862; present
location not known.
Enlistments at Other Times and in Other Regi-
ments.— John Henry Buxton, 136th Infantry, en-
hsted September 8, 1862. Is stiU living in Lima,
but is blind from the effects of the war ; receives
a government pension of $900 per year.
Harvey Johnson Benson, 8th Heavy Artillery ;
was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor June 3,
1864, and was buried on the field.
Martin Guinan, Second D. C. Infantry ; died in
hospital from wounds received in the campaign of
1864.
Samuel G. Hamilton, io8th Infantry, born in
Lima October 17, 1841; was wounded in hand at
battle of Antietam, and was afterward discharged.
Died since the war.
Galen Sheldon Hicks enlisted in Company M,
8th Heavy Artillery, January 4, 1864; was pro-
moted to Corporal June 10, 1864, and to Sergeant
November 25, 1864; was one of the five who res-
cued the body of Col. Peter A. Porter from under
the guns of the enemy at Cold Harbor, for which
act he received a gold medal from Col. Porter's
family.
George Washington Tabor, First New York
Dragoons; promoted to Corporal April 17, 1863;
was at the siege of Suffolk and in the battles of
Chancellorsville and Spottsylvania.
William Hooker Day, born in Lima, January 17,
1845, enhsted January 19, 1864, in Company M,
8th Heavy Artillery ; was severely wounded in the
battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, and was dis-
charged from the service November 29, 1864.
Now in Lima.
Henry Francis Clark, Company K, 15th Engi-
neers, enhsted September 5, 1864; served faith-
fully with his regiment until close of the war, and
was discharged with the company. Now in Lima.
Nathaniel Joel Clark, Company E, 13th Infantry,
enhsted July 31, 1862; served in the "Old 13th"
until the expiration of its term of service, and was
then transferred to the 140th New York Zouaves.
Now in Michigan.
Wilham Parker Wiggins, born in Lima, Novem-
ber 4, 1842; enlisted August 12, 1862, in Com-
pany G, First New York Dragoons ; died of typhoid
fever in hospital at City Point, Va., August 30,
1864, and his body was brought home and buried
in North Bloomfield.
LIMA— WAR RECORD.
483
Daniel Henry Waller, Company M, 8th Heavy
Artillery, enlisted January i, 1864 ; was killed at
the battle of Cold Harbor, Junes, 1864, and was
subsequently buried on the battle-field. His widow
and daughter reside in Lima.
Phillip Jarvis Stevens, born in Lima, June 20,
1829, enlisted in August, 1863, in Company C,
145 th Infantry; was killed on skirmish line in front
of Petersburgh, Va., June 20, 1864.
Charles Henry Johnson enlisted August 3, 1863,
in Co. D, 14th Heavy Artilery; was Quarter-
master's Sergeant. Is now in the regular service.
Daniel WiUiam Shay, enhsted September 7,
1864, in Co. C, First New York Veteran Cavalry ;
served as blacksmith to the regiment while in the
service. Died in 1867.
Michael O'Niel, Co. K, Second N. Y. Cavalry,
enlisted September 4, 1864. Present Location
not known.
Lawrence Warren Pender, Co. G, First N. Y.
Dragoons, enhsted in August, 1862 ; was wounded
in the leg at battle of Trevilian Station, Va., June
11,1863. Now in Lima.
Jefferson Griffin Wiggins, Co. D, io8th Infantry,
enlisted July 28, 1862 ; was severely wounded in
the battle of Chancellorsville, and in consequence
of his wounds was discharged January 15, 1864.
Now in Auburn, N. Y.
Harry Day Holmes, Co. K, 148th Infantry, en-
hsted in August, 1862 ; was severely wounded in
arm at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864,
and was discharged by general order. Now in
Honeoye Falls, N. Y.
Lucius Benjamin Holmes enlisted August 31,
1862, in Co. K, 148th Infantry; served until the
close of the war. Now in Lima.
Theodore Lorenzo Holmes enhsted September
3, 1864, in Co. B, First N. Y. Dragoons. Now in
the west.
John Lockington enlisted August 16, 1863, in
Co. L, First N. Y. Veteran Cavalry. Now in
Lima.
Samuel Tracy Smedley, Corporal Co. C, First
N. Y. Sharp-shooters, enlisted September 16, 1862.
Present location not known.
Samuel Mitchell, Co. I, 15th Engineers, enlisted
September 3, 1864. Now in Lima.
John Emberry Copeland, Co. C, io8th Infantry,
enlisted in June, 1862 ; was badly wounded at
battle of Chancellorsville ; was afterward dis-
charged in consequence; reenlistedin the Veteran
Reserve Corps ; came home on furlough and died
of typhoid fever, September 16, 1864.
Michael O'Daly, Co. E, First Veteran Cavalry,
enlisted July 31, 1863. Died about 1875.
Martin Pierce, Lieutenant, enlisted in August,
1862, in 126th Infantry; was wounded at the
battle of Bristoe Station, Va., in October, 1863.
Now in Corry, Pa.
Francis Marion Pierce, Sergeant, i88th In-
fantry; enlisted in September, 1864. Served
until the close of the war as Quartermaster-Ser-
geant. Now in Honeoye Falls, N. Y.
George Ransom Hutchinson enhsted Nov. 4,
1864, in Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery. Was
wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania C. H., Va.,
May 20, 1864; transferred to 2d Battahon Invahd
Corps, Feb. 22, 1865.
Marcus H. Warner enhsted Aug. 11, 1862, in
Co. G, 130th Infantry. Was transferred to the
Veteran Reserve Corps, Aug. 3, 1863.
Arthur Barnes Warner enhsted July 19, 1862,
in Co. G, 130th Infantry. Died of typhoid fever
in camp at Suffolk, Va., Nov. 22, 1862. Remains
sent home for burial.
WilUam Ayling, Co. E, 136th Infantry; en-
listed Sept. 3, 1862. Now in Lima.
Thomas Martin enhsted in September, 1864.
Now in Lima.
Israel Parsons Marvin enhsted Jan. 5, 1864, in
Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery. Now in Lima.
James Polk Short, Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery;
enlisted Jan. 4, 1 864. Was severely wounded in
the hand at the battle of Deep Bottom, Aug. 14,
1864. Now in Kansas.
Frederick Parker, Corporal, Co. A, io8th In-
fantry, enhsted July 16, 1862, was taken prisoner
at one of the battles of the Wilderness, and was
starved to death at Andersonville prison.
Thomas Paine Wright; born in Lima, October
2, 1838; enlisted July 31, 1863, in Co. H, 147th
Infantry. Was wounded and taken prisoner at
the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864; died
in the hospital at Florence, S. C, Sept. 23, 1864,
and was buried in that place.
Charles Willard Rice, Co. G, First New York
Dragoons, enhsted August 13, 1862. Present
location not known.
James William Fowler, 26th Battery, enhsted
December 18, 1863. Present location unknown.
James Quigley, Co. L, isth Engineers, enlisted
September 3, 1864. Now in Rochester, N. Y.
Edwin Warner went out with the 130th In-
fantry in September, 1862 ; was transferred to the
First N. Y. Dragoons in September, 1863. Now
in Lima.
484
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Edward Logan Bonner; born in Sparta, N. Y.,
October 28, 1840. Enlisted August 12, 1862, in
Co. G, First N. Y. Dragoons. Was killed at the
battle of Trevilian Station, Va., June 12, 1864,
and his body was buried about two miles from the
field.
William Henry Harrison Pratt, Sergeant, Co.
E, First Veteran Cavalry ; enlisted March 26,
1863. Was in the Shenandoah Valley campaign
during his term of service. Dead, date not
known.
Benjamin Ollerenshaw Beale; born in Man-
chester, England, September 16, 1842. Enlisted
January 4, 1864, in Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery.
Killed at the battle of Cold Harbor, Va., June 3,
1864, and was buried on the field.
William Augustus Ferris enlisted July 19, 1862,
in Co. G, First N. Y. Dragoons. Now living in
Lima.
Thomas Theodore Beadle, Co. B, First N. Y.
Dragoons, enlisted September 13, 1864. Now in
Lima.
Francis Dighton Kent enHsted July 19, 1861.
Was promoted to Captain in Co. F, Second
Colored Cavalry, in December, 1863, being the
first man in the United States to enhst a full
colored company for the war. Present location
not known.
Lloyd Starkey Crandall, Co. K, First N. Y.
Dragoons, enlisted Sept. 3, 1864. Now in Lima.
John Todd McMahon, Sergeant, Co. E, 136th
Infantry, enlisted August 11, 1862. Present loca-
tion unknown.
William H. McMahon, Co. K, 27th Infantry,
enlisted April 7, 1861. Was promoted to Second
Lieutenant Sept. 11, 1862. In 1865 was in the
Custom-house in New York.
David B. Page enlisted September 5, 1864, in
Co. K, 15th Engineers. Present location unknown.
WilUam Whisker, Co. K, 15th Engineers, en-
listed September 5, 1864. Died of typhoid fever
in the hospital at City Point, Va., Nov. 7, 1864.
George Hosmer Bennett, Surgeon, enHsted Oct.
I, 1862, in 70th Infantry. Was at the battle of
Fredericksburg, December 13th and 14th; was
discharged March 4, 1863. Now in Lima.
John LesUe Chapman enlisted in August, 1862,
in Co. E, 136th Infantry. Died of typhoid fever
at Fairfax Court House, Va., Dec. 14, 1862, and
remains buried there.
John Welda, Co. G, 130th Infantry, enlisted
July 29, 1862 ; was transferred to First New York
Dragoons, August 14, 1863 ; dead, date unknown.
Henry Chase, 91st Infantry, enlisted August 8,
1862; was transferred to this regiment in July,
1865. Now in Avon, N. Y.
Bishop Hamlin True, Lieutenant, enlisted Aug.
II, 1862, in Co. E, 136th Infantry. Promoted to
Sergeant, Sept. 20, 1862 ; promoted to Lieutenant
March ist, 1863; dead, date not known.
Jacob Stull Galentine, enlisted August 22, 1862,
in 136th Infantry. Was Quartermaster of the
regiment. Now living in Lima.
Thomas Mooney, Co. C, 136th Infantry, en-
listed Aug. II, 1862. Now in Lima.
Marvin Peck, Co. B, First N. Y. Dragoons,
enlisted March 16, 1865. Now in Lima.
Jerome Brown enlisted in 1862 in Company C,
New York State Sharp-shooters ; was mortally
wounded at the battle of the Wilderness May 5,
1864, and died May 25, and was buried in Locust
Grove, some three miles from the field.
James Lavery, Company E, 136th Infantry
enlisted in July, 1862 ; was wounded at Gettysburg,
losing the sight of his right eye ; was transferred to
Invalid Corps March 18, 1863; died about 1874.
Ledian Brown, 26th Battery, enlisted December
18,1863; died at Mellican's Bend, on the Mississippi
river, August 15, 1864; remains buried there.
Richard McMahon, Company E, 136th Infantry,
enlisted September 20, 1862 ; died of typhoid fever
at Fairfax Court House, Va., November 26, 1862,
and Hes buried there.
Amos F. Blair, Corporal, Company E, 136th
Infantry; served until the close of the war. Now
in Townsend, Ohio.
Thomas O'Hara, Company F, 140th Infantry,
enlisted in 1863. Present location unknown.
Lucien Gibbs, Company C, 147th Infantry, en-
listed July 30, 1862 ; came home on furlough Jan-
uary 1 1, 1863, and died on the 2d of the following
month.
Albiron More, Company E, 136th Infantry, en-
listed July 20, 1862. Now in North Plains, Mich.
Solomon Wood, Sergeant, enlisted in 1861 in
the 2 7th Infantry and served two years; was wounded
and taken prisoner at the first battle of Bull Run ;
was exchanged January 3, 1862, and returned to
the regiment; reenlisted September 5, 1864, in
Company K, 15th Engineers. Dead, date not
known.
Harvey James Wood, Company K, isth Engi-
neers, enlisted September 5, 1864. Present loca-
tion unknown.
Edward Timmons, Company E, 136th Infantry,
enlisted August 15, 1862. Now in Lima.
LIMA — WAR RECORD.
485
Patrick Welch, Company M, 8th Heavy Artil-
lery, enlisted January 5, 1864; was transferred to
the loth New York Infantry in June, 1865 ; was
wounded at the battle of Deep Bottom, August 15,
1864. Now in Lima.
Winslow Salter, 13th Infantry, enlisted in Aug-
ust, 1862 j was wounded at the second battle of
Bull Run in 1862; taken prisoner and paroled,
and was afterward discharged on account of dis-
ability. Now in Battle Creek, Mich.
Robert Sweatoh Whisker enlisted July 27, t86i,
in the i02d Infantry ; was badly wounded at the
battle of Chancellorsville, and was in the hospital
eight months; returned to his regiment and was
with it during its terra of service ; reenlisted March
r6, 1865, in First New York Dragoons. Now in
Lima.
John O'Day, Corporal, Company E, 140th In-
fantry, enlisted August 23, 1862 ; was slightly
wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, Decem-
ber 13, 1862 ; remained with the regiment during
its term of service. Now in Lima.
Isaac White, Company A, 146th Infantry, en-
listed July 30, 1863 ; was wounded at the battle of
the Wilderness, absent from regiment some four
months, returned and was taken prisoner before
Petersburg, held three days with nothing to eat,
and was then paroled. Now in Michigan.
John Jefferson Hanna, Company K, 148th In-
fantry, enUsted August 25, 1862 ; was taken sick
shortly after entering the service and was in hos-
pital nearly a year ; returned to the regiment and
was discharged at the close of the war. Now in
West Bloomfield, N. Y.
Edgar Gardiner PHmpton, Company G, ro4th
Infantry, enlisted February 23, 1862 ; was taken
prisoner on the Weldon railroad, confined at Salis-
bury, N. C, seven months; was paroled and re-
turned to Elmira, N. Y., where he died of typhoid
fever April 2, 1864. Remains buried there.
James Murray Bailey, Company M, 8th Heavy
Artillery, enhsted January 3, 1864; was severely
wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3,
1864, and was afterward discharged on account of
disability. Is now a prominent UniversaHst minis-
ter in Pennsylvania.
Henry Franklin Bushnell, Company G, First New
York Dragoons, date of enlistment not known ;
died in hospital at Chappel Point, Va., May 23,
1865, and was buried there.
Seth Parker Buell was mustered September 5,
1862, as Second Lieutenant in 136th Infantry;
was promoted to Captain shortly after entering the
service; health failed and he was obliged to resign.
Now in Pittsburg, Pa.
David O. Bushnell, Company G, First New
York Dragoons, enHsted August 13, 1862; was
mortally wounded at the battle of Newton, Va.,
September i, 1864, and was buried at Winchester,
Va.
Isaac Beebe, Corporal, Co. G, First N. Y. Dra-
goons, enlisted July 28, 1862. Present location
unknown.
Florintine Brown, Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery,
enlisted January 19, 1864. Now in Lima.
James Tubbs, Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery, en-
listed Jan. 19, 1864. Present location unknown.
George Overt, Corporal Co. E, 136th Infantry,
enlisted April 20, 1862. Present location not
known.
Caleb Clow, Co. K, i88th Infantry, enlisted
October 6, 1864. Now in Lima.
Charles Edwin Hyde, Co. D, First N. Y. Dra-
goons, enlisted July 19, 1862.
Samuel A. Salter, Co. K, 15th Engineers, en-
listed Sept. 4, 1864, and served until the close of
the war.
FrankUn Levi Fifield, Co. K, 15th Engineers,
enlisted Sept. 4, 1864. Was with his regiment un-
til the close of the war. Now in Honeoye Falls,
N.Y.
. WilUam Henry Salter, Co. K, 13th Infantry, en-
listed in August, 1862.
Henry Walter White, Co. B, 76th Infantry, en-
listed July 31, 1863. Was discharged for dis-
ability January ist, 1864. Now in Michigan.
Hiram Harrison Reynolds, Co. K, 148th In-
fantry, enlisted Aug. i8th, 1862. Was detailed in
October, 1863, as hospital steward.
Horace Chambers, Co. K, 15th Engineers, en-
listed Sept. 3, 1864, and served with his regiment
until the close of the war ; dead, date unknown.
Horatio E. Chapin, Sergeant Co. K, isth En-
gineers, enlisted Sept. 3, 1864. Served with regi-
ment until end of Rebellion.
Henry Merritt Talman, Corporal Co. M, 22d
Cavalry, enlisted March 25, 1865. Now in St.
Louis, Mo.
Owen Carragher, First N. Y. Dragoons, en-
hsted in August, 1862. Served faithfully during
the war and was honorably discharged with the
regiment.
Martin Quigley, Corporal; date of enlistment
unknown ; was a veteran of the Crimean war ;
killed near Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 28, 1863, by
falling from the cars as his regiment was being
486
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
transferred from the army of the Potomac to the
army of the Cumberland.
James A. Hamilton, Quartermaster, 27th Regi-
ment, died in Geneseo in 1877.
Samuel Hamilton, iijth Regiment, died about
1876.
J. T. Baccus, died in Lima in 1879.
Barney Kusick, died about 1874.
Patrick Noonan, died since close of war.
Michael Boyle, First Veteran Cavalry; dead,
buried in Lima.
James O'Brian, 136th N. Y. Volunteers ; dead,
buried in Lima.
Marion Campbell ; dead, buried in Lima.
Lizzie Campbell, an heroic hospital stewardess,
died in Lima, date unknown.
Alexander Mias, Andrew J. Darrow, left dead
on battle field.
BlOGRjiPHICAL SKETCHES.
ALEXANDER MARTIN.
Alexander Martin was born January 10, i8oo,
and was a son of Stephen and Bethiah Martin.
Stephen Martin was born January 26, 1761 and
died December 19, 1834. He was a soldier in the
war of the Revolution, and at the time of his death
was drawing a pension from the government for
services rendered his country in her struggle for
independence. His wife, Bethiah (Barrows) Mar-
tin, was born May 4, 1764, and died March 13,
1841. They had eleven children, of whom Alex-
ander was the ninth, and all are now dead.
Alexander came to North Bloomfield over sixty
years ago, where his father had a small foundry,
and when he became of age, he assumed the busi-
ness. Alexander took the care of his father and
mother until their death, and continued the
business for a number of years. At that time
there was no competition in that line anywhere
near, and his customers came from a long distance,
exchanging grain and barter of all kinds for his
goods. By that means he acquired an extensive
acquaintance and a reputation for fair dealing and
honesty throughout the country.
March 26, 1823, he was married to Ruth, daugh-
ter of Simon and Ruth (Hall) Harwood. Her
father was born August 23, 1766, and died March
3, 1816, and her mother died October 18, 1838.
In 1826 Mr. Martin purchased and moved into
the house in which he lived till his death. He and
his loving wife spent over fifty years together amid
the comforts of a pleasant home, and surrounded
with a large family of children and grand-children.
Their golden wedding was celebrated in 1873,
when five of the ten children that had been born
to them were present. In July, 1875, his wife died
and in the same year his son, B. Franklin, also died.
His surviving children are Amasa H. and A.
Dwight, of Lima, Mrs. T. H. Holden, of Honeoye
Falls, and Mrs. J. W. Davis, of Livonia Station.
In October, 1876, Mr. Martin married the widow
of Amos Hitchcock, and daughter of Eleazer Har-
wood. She was a cousin of his first wife, was born
January 29, 1814, and is still living. In 1822,
Mr. Martin united with the Masons at Allen's
Hill, and was one of the last two surviving mem-
bers of Union Lodge, No. 50, of Lima, who re-
mained true to the trusts of Free Masonry through
the Morgan excitement. He was Master of Union
Lodge at one time, and also was a member of
Morning Star Chapter of Lima.
In poUtics he was a Democrat until 1848, when
he entered into the Free Soil movement and upon
the formation of the Republican party became one
of its members, ever supporting its measures and
policy with earnestness and consistency. He rep-
resented the town of Lima in the Board of Super-
visors several terms, and enjoyed the respect and
confidence of a large circle of friends and acquain-
tances in his own and neighboring counties.
He had not been in active business for several
years preceding his death. His was one of the
few examples we have in these days of one who
had accumulated a competency by close applica-
tion to business in early life, industry and frugality,
without deception or fraud of any kind ; one of
whom no one could say that he had wronged them,
and in whom the poor and needy ever found a
friend and benefactor. He died August 8, 1877,
from neuralgia of the heart and without a mo-
ment's warning. His funeral services were attend-
ed on the Friday following, from the Universalist
church of North Bloomfield, where he had been a
constant attendant and one of its chief and earnest
supporters for many years.
JAMES LAWRENCE ALVERSON, LL. D.
James Lawrence Alverson LL. D., was born in
the town of Seneca, Ontario county, N. Y., Oct.
6, 1 815. His father, Stephen Alverson, was the
son of Uriah Alverson, whodiedin Cazenovia, N.Y.,
at the age of one hundred and two years, having
lived an honored and useful life.
Stephen Alverson married Amy Smith, the daugh-
ter of David Smith, and to them were born ten
children. After their marriage, they lived awhile
in Utica, N. Y., where their eldest child, Richard,
was born. They then removed to the residence of
Mr. Smith in Seneca Falls, near Geneva, where
their other children were born.
In 18 18, Stephen Alverson removed to Perry,
N. Y., which was then in the midst of a dense forest,
and connected with neighboring places only by an
Indian trail. Mr. Alverson was a pioneer, both at
Seneca Falls and Perry. He and his family were
j>fiL^^u^t£/£oy Ky4is(^y^^
JAMES LAWRENCE ALVERSON, LL. D.
487
hardy and knew how to endure privation and toil.
He and his wife were consistent Christians. She
was distinguished for superior natural abilities,
great discernment and practical wisdom.
Dr. Alverson was fortunate in having such par-
ents, from whom he inherited a fine constitution,
and under their training and example he was pre-
pared for the noble and successful career he pur-
sued. He remained with his parents on the farm
in Perry till his eighteenth year when he became a
student in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. From his
early childhood he manifested great love for study,
and devoted all the time he could command, to
reading. He was thoughtful and earnest in his
inquiries, and his conduct was in every way be-
coming and exemplary. At the early age of eleven
he became a member of the church. This course
was then much more unusual than now. His
mother regarded him as a Christian from the age
of five years.
After completing his preparatory studies in the
Seminary, he entered the Wesleyan University, at
Middletown, Conn., from which he graduated with
honor in 1838.
On the sixth of the following September he mar-
ried Emily Bennett, the daughter of Jeremiah and
Mary Bennett. She was descended from a hardy,
pioneer family. Her grandfather, James Bennett,
emigrated from Vermont to Genesee county when
it was a wilderness, driving nine horses and a yoke
of oxen the entire distance, over roads almost im-
passable. He was a good and influential man, and
though a layman he estabUshed and conducted
religious services in the community where he re-
sided till the services of a clergyman could be
obtained willing to share their hardships. Her
parents were worthy people, highly respected and
esteemed. Her father lived a Ufe of strict integ-
rity and usefulness, and her mother gave a noble
example of cheerfulness, equanimity and self-denial.
After his graduation, Dr. Alverson became the
principal of an academy in Elmira, N. Y., and in
1841 a teacher in the Oneida Conference Seminary,
now the Central New York Conference Seminary,
located in Cazenovia, N. Y. In 1844 he became
a teacher in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, of which
he became principal in 1847. From 1849, till his
death, he was the Professor of Mathematics in
Genesee College. In i860 he received from his
Alma Mater, Wesleyan University, the degree of
LL. D., and at different times, from other sources,
testimonials of the high respect in which he was held.
He labored faithfully and earnestly in the discharge
of his duties, and with increasing influence and
fame. He held a high rank among the scholars
and educators of the country. Having naturally a
good constitution, his habits being regular, tem-
perate and in every respect exemplary, he gave
promise of a long life. Unfortunately he was led
to make unusual exertions under unfavorable cir-
cumstances, and as a consequence he was violently
seized by disease, and after a brief but very painful
illness, he died, Sept. 12, 1864. His premature
death caused a profound sensation, and cast a dark
shadow of gloom over the literary institutions of
Lima and the whole community. A large con-
course of people, many coming from a distance,
gathered at his funeral to show for him their
respect and esteem. The sermon was preached
by his intimate friend, Rev. Joseph Cummings,
D. D., LL. D., President of the Wesleyan Univer-
sity, who as a former President of Genesee College,
had been associated with him in his work in that
institution and also in other diflicult and very im-
portant works.
He died with a full and joyful assurance of the
favor of the Redeemer, to whose service he had
consecrated his life.
His Christian death was a fitting close to an
honorable, useful, devoted life. Of him we may
well say " Blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord, from henceforth : Yea ! saith the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labors ; and their works
do follow them."
Dr. Alverson was a man of marked and varied
abihties. His personal appearance was fine and
indicative of true dignity and esthetic tastes. His
habits and demeanor, even in minute things, were
faultless. Whoever met him recognized him as a
gentleman of refinement and culture. He had a
lofty scorn of all that is low, mean and degrading.
He was usually calm and had great self-control.
Like all men of deUcate feehngs, he was retiring
and reserved to all but intimate friends, hence he
was often misunderstood, and termed cold and
unfeeling ; but when he was aroused by real distress
and calamity to others, his flowing tears and strong
emotions indicated a warm and noble heart. For
years, with more than a woman's tenderness and
care, he cherished one bound to him by closest
ties, who as an invalid was often helpless and en-
dured much suffering, striving by personal atten-
tion to lessen her pain, disappointment and sor-
row. He did not repine or become discouraged
in adversity, but with cheerfulness used the good
in the present and hoped for better fortune in the
future.
He was cautious in forming his opinions but
tenacious in retaining and firm in upholding them.
He had great power over others, and great skill
and tact in retaining his influence. As a citizen
he favored all measures that were calculated to
promote good order and improve the best interests
of society. His personal efforts were untiring to
secure these objects.
His life work was given to his profession as a
teacher. For this he was well qualified by natural
endowments and acquirements; and considering
his methods and the results of his work he had few
superiors.
His mental powers were harmoniously developed
and their action was controlled by a sound judg-
ment and the dictates of conscience. His life,
passed in the quiet of scholarly and professional
pursuits, presents no wonderful or startling inci-
dents. Most well ordered and useful lives are of
this character. They may not exhibit the brillian-
cy that attracts, but they are free from the errors
488
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
and indiscretions too often associated with genius.
If there are no striking deeds that excite the ad-
miration of friends, there are none that cause to
them humiliation and shame while they give glad-
ness and triumph to foes.
Dr. Alverson was not one of the multitude
swayed by the will of the ambitious and selfish.
He was an independent thinker and naturally a
leader, exerting a powerful influence over others.
His work is not ended ; his life is renewed in
its transforming power over the lives of others.
Though dead, he still speaks, and when his name
shall no more be mentioned on earth it shall be re-
membered in Heaven.
WILLIAM VARY.
William Vary was born in the town of Berlin,
Rensselaer county, N. Y., July 2, 1807. He was
the son of Samuel and Esther (Thomas) Vary, the
former of whom was born in Duchess county Sep-
tember 24, 1764, and died in Columbia county,
having settled there from Rensselaer county Octo-
ber 9, 1833. The mother was born in Providence,
R. I., April 29, 1769. They were the parents of
ten children, four boys and six girls, only three of
whom are now living, namely : — Mehitable, Abial
T., now living in Marshall, Mich., and Deborah,
the widow of the late Daniel Smith, of Wayne
county, N. Y. Mr. Vary was a mill-wright by
trade, but also carried on a small farm, and reared
his boys in the latter occupation. They received
their education at the district schools of the town
in which they lived. In 1836 the widow of Samuel
Vary moved with her five children, one of the
number being WiUiam, to Lima, where she resided
till she was eighty-three years of age, when she
made her home with her daughter in Wayne coun-
ty, where she died July 12, i860. Her remains
lie buried in Oak Ridge cemetery in Lima.
Calvin, WilUam and Abial carried on the farm
they had previously purchased, and which is now
occupied by Burton A. Vary. They all lived
together four years, and then Calvin, Hannah, Me-
hitable and the mother moved on to the farm now
occupied by William L. Vary.
After the division of the family, Calvin, WilUam
and Abial carried on farming together several
years, till the latter bought a farm in Caledonia and
moved there. In the spring of 1861 he moved to
Michigan, where he now resides. William contin-
ued to work his farm until December 12, 1865,
when he moved to the village of Lima.
October 12, 1833, he was married to Sarah A.,
daughter of Peleg and Freelove (Arnold) Thomas,
of Greenbush, N. Y. She was born December 2 r,
1810. They had two children, viz : — Mary Jane,
born December 26, 1838, and died April 11, 1867,
and Burton A., born November 3, 1841, now re-
siding on the old homestead. Mrs. Vary died
January 26, 1849.
December 20, 1849, Mr. Vary married for his
second wife, Mary E. Thomas, a sister of his first
wife, and she died November 28, 1854.
November 5, 1857, Mr. Vary married Sarah A.
Kinear, of Lima, by whom he had one son — Wil-
ham L., born May 12, i860. Mr. Vary was the
architect of his own fortune. Without the aid of
inherited wealth or social prestige, he made his
way from poverty to affluence, and to a high
position as one of the prominent agriculturists of
his town. His greatest pride and enjoyment was
in his well-ordered farm and the associations and
comforts of his delightful home and the society of
his many friends. He died September 14, 1873.
GEORGE HOSMER BENNETT.
George H. Bennett was born in Avon, June 9,
1820. He is the son of Augustus A. and Maria
(Pierson) Bennett. The father was born in Con-
necticut, July 27, 1789, and the mother was born
May 30, 1 799. Augustus A. was the fifth of a fami-
ly of sixteen children. His father was a mason by
trade, and was also a local Methodist preacher, who,
not being blessed with an abundance of this world's
goods, was unable to give his children anything but
a limited education. Augustus attended school
only about six months. He learned the mason's
trade and worked with his father at that business
till he was twenty-one years af age, his parents, in
the meantime, having moved from Vermont, where
they had lived since he was an infant.
When Augustus became of age, he located at
Livonia, N. Y., where he worked at his trade, em-
ploying his leisure hours in the study of Blackstone,
and was afterward engaged in teaching school, during
which employment he spent every spare moment in
perfecting himself for the pursuit of his chosen pro-
fession— law. He studied with Judge Timothy
Hosmer, then First Judge of Ontario county, and
was admitted to the bar in 1816, after which time
he formed a co-partnership with George Hosmer,
son of the Judge already spoken of.
March 10, 1818, he was married, and followed
the practice of his profession in Avon the sixteen
years following, during twelve of which he was
alone, having, after four years' practice, dissolved
with his partner.
In 1833, he located in Lima, where he remained
until 1839, when he mysteriously disappeared and
has never been heard of since. He was a man of
magnificent presence, of large legal attainments,
and ranked among the foremost lawyers of Western
New York. His wife died May 4, 1879. Six chil-
dren were born to them, viz : — Sarah A. wife of
Jeremiah Whitbeck, of Rochester ; George H. ;
Mary W. wife of Leander Mix, of Batavia, now of
WheeUng, West Virginia; Charles J. a resident of
Australia, for the past thirty years ; Jane E. wife
James L. Page, of Rochester ; and James A. who
married Rowena Warfield, of Ontario county, and
/^ML^a^^ny //aybvx
.&t^ ^ hi/
^i hiiMS'-Mll & SmsM \Bca-i;laij ^: l^'T.
Photo, by Merrell, Genesee
^^oM^-uTZl
GEORGE HOSMER BENNETT — FRANKLIN B. FRANCIS.
489
is now residing in Prattsburgh, Steuben county,
N. Y.
George H. lived at home till he became seven-
teen years of age, and attended the Genesee Wes-
leyan Seminary at Lima. He then went west to
Lima, Ind., where he remained one year, then
returned to Lima, N. Y., where he worked on a
farm during the following year.
He again went west and located at Austinburg,
O., where he spent two years attending the acad-
emy, and then again returned to New York State
and located in Avon, where he immediately com-
menced preparing him-
self for a physician. In
1844, he was enrolled
as a student with Dr.
John F. Whitbeck,
then of Lima, with
whom h e remained
four years. He then
attended one course of
lectures at the Geneva
Medical College, and
one course of lectures
in the medical depart-
ment of the University
at Buffalo, whence he
was graduated in 1 848.
Immediately following
this he settled in Lima,
where he has since fol-
lowed his profession
with great diligence
Oct. 25, 1848, Mr
Bennett was united m
marriage with Eliza C,
daughter of Ernest A.
and Mary (Johnson)
Dunlap, of Ovid, Sen-
eca county, N. Y. She
was born August sth,
1821;. Her father died
in 1827, aged about
thirty-seven years. He
was a farmer and surveyor, and was clerk and sur-
rogate of Seneca county two terms, and died
while still in office. Her mother died in 1848
aged forty-eight years. Three children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap, viz : — Mary Jane, who
died at the age of twenty ; Eliza C, and Ernest
Augustus, who died in infancy.
To Dr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born eleven
children, as follows: — Mary Jay, wife of W. W.
Pierce, of Des Moines, Iowa; Charles A., who
died at the age of twenty-six ; Sarah M., who died
in infancy; Emma M., wife of Sidney T. Palmer,
of Wayne county, N. Y. ; George D., now a prac-
ticing physician at Honeoye Falls, N. Y. ; John
W., a medical student in the University of Penn-
sylvania, at Philadelphia; EUza P., Helen E.,
Jason J., Ernest W., and Amanda J.
The doctor united with the Presbyterian church
twelve years ago, and his wife has been a member
of the same for twenty-five years.
In poUtics Dr. Bennett is a Democrat. Person-
ally he has never indulged in any desire for pohti-
cal preferment, though at all times deeply inter-
ested in the general welfare of his party. He has
kept pace with the advancements of the age, pos-
sessing strong powers of appHcation and a well
balanced mind. He is best known in the com-
munity as a physician, though always looked up to
as a man of ideas. His cheerful countenance and
disposition make his presence in the sick room, in
no ordinary way a source of consolation to his
patients, and the high regard in which he is held
by all classes, clearly
shows that he not only
enjoys but is eminently
entitled to the name
of friend.
FRANKLIN
B. F.RANCIS.
Franklin B. Francis
was born in Spring-
port, Cayuga county,
Dec. 4, 1826. He is
a son of Sylvester and
Love (West) Francis,
of Cayuga county. His
father was born July 9,
1804, and his mother
March 24, 1804. The
former was a native of
Wallingford, Ct, and
son of Elihu and Lydia
Francis, also natives
of Connecticut. The
mother of our subject.
Love West, was a
native of Vermont and
a daughter of John
and Phebe West.
Sylvester Francis moved with his family to
Livonia in 1831, from his former home in Cayuga
county. He settled about two miles south of
Livonia Centre, where he lived until he became
incapacitated by being thrown from a mowing
machine. About 1867 he removed to Livonia
Station, where he still resides.
Mrs. Love Francis, died May 7, 1837, leaving
the following five children -.—Franklin B. ; Andrew
J., born June 26, 1828, now residing at Austin,
Nevada; Charles L., born May 10, 1831, died in
Calfornia in i860; John W., born Aug. 12, 1833,
died in Minnesota in 1864; and Jay, born Nov.
20, 1836, now residing in Portland, Oregon.
Sylvester Francis married for his second wife,
Eliza Coe, by whom he has had two children,
viz. : — Lydia, now the wife of George B. Dunlap,
of Pittsburgh, Pa. ; and Emma, who died in 1862,
aged twenty-two years.
FrankUn B. was brought up on his father's farm,
^/^rx^?><i^X2Xi<^
49°
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
and attended the common schools of his town until
he was thirteen years of age, when he was placed
in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, where
he remained about five years, attending the spring,
summer and fall terms, and teaching a district
school during the winter months.
In 1850, he left Lima, and from that time till
1850 he taught school in the different towns, when
at the latter date he was appointed professor of
mathematics and natural science in Temple Hill
Academy at Geneseo. His health faihng, he was
obliged to leave Geneseo, and accordingly located
on a farm in the town of Lima, where he has lived
since.
April 28, 1853, he was united in marriage with
Mariette E., only daughter of Isaiah and Delina
(Kinney) Terry, of Lima. She was born Aug. 16,
1834. Her father who was born in Colebrook, N.
H., Nov. 6, 1797, has been a resident of the same
street in Lima, since 1808. His wife was born in
South Manchester, Conn., July 5, 1803, and mar-
ried in 1829. Previous to her marriage, she lo-
cated in Lima (in 182 1) and was a resident of that
place till her death April 3, 1878. She was a lady
of unusual vigor, both mentally and physically and
was a fitting type of that sturdy pioneer race of
whom but here and there one remains as a re-
minder of a past heroic age.
Sept. 23, 1879, Mr. Terry was married to Eliza-
beth A. Griswold, of Avon. Isaiah Terry, learned
the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and followed
that occupation up to the year i860, having built
some of the most substantial and handsome resi-
dences in the town of Lima and vicinity. He is
still hale and hearty and in the possession of his
faculties to a remarkable degree.
Franklin B. our subject, has for the past thirty
years followed engineering and surveying. In i860
he was elected school commissioner for the north-
ern district of the county and served three years, was
reelected in 1866 and served another three years.
In politics he is a staunch Republican. In 1870
and '71, he was corresponding agent at Buffalo for
the publishing house of Harper & Bros. In reli-
gious sentiment he is a Presbyterian, and with his
wife has been a member of that church in Lima
about fifteen years.
There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Francis
seven children as follows : — George C. born Feb.
23, 1854, died Feb. 18, 1876; Frank Terry, born
April 14, 1856, died Aug. 14, i860; Delia Delina,
born April 10, i860, died Sept 23, 1864 ; Alta
Love, born May 29, 1867, died Jan. 23, 1868;
Etta Delina, born Aug. 11, 1869; Stella H. born
Dec. 8, 1872; and Delbert Isaiah born Aprill 11,
1878. By adoption May 29, 1867, they also have
one daughter, Minnie Gage who was born Dec. 26,
1863.
Names of Citizens
WHO iSSISTED AND CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THE PUBLICATION OF THE HISTORY OF
LIVINGSTON COUNTir, WITH PERSONAL STATISTICS.
AVON.
Abbey John, p o South Avon, grain farmer and stock dealer, 140
acres, has been highway commissioner; parents Ly-
man and Hannah Abbey, who came from Massachu-
setts, settled 1814.
Arnold William N., p o Livonia Centre, teacher, born Providence,
R. I., August 3, 1856; parents George and Abby Arnold,
settled 18T2; wife Nellie Gilbert, born Conesus.
Beckwith Jeremiah, p o East Avon, grain and stock farmer. 260
acres: father Seth Beckwith. was born Connecticut,
and an early settler, mother Thankful Sej'inour.
Bronson Emily, p o East Avon, grain and stock dealer, 157 acres,
born Sherburne, Chenango county, settled 1858; hus-
band Philander K. Bronson, born April 27, 1825, mar-
ried December 10, 1860, died March 18, 1868, on the
steamer '"Magnolia," Ohio river; children one. May.
Bryan L. H., p o East Avon, grain farmer, 152 acres, born Avon
February 17, 1840; father Amasa Bryan; wife Nora
Anderson, born Chenango county, married 1870; chil-
dren three, Allen A., William M., Amasa.
Beckwith Dwight M., p o Avon, dairy farmer, 138 acres, born
Avon 1852; father Bussell Beckwith, was supervisor
1863-4, was active in raising troops for the late war,
died October 25, 1864; grandfather Seth Beckwith.
Bristol Albert G., p o East Avon, grain farmer and stock dealer,
1S8 acres, born Canaan, Columbia county, 1812, settled
1836, has been assessor six y^ars; parents Elipbalet
and Lucy Bristol; wife Miranda Lockwood, born Ca-
naan, married 1835; children live.
Brown Joseph, p o Avon, manufacturer and dealer in boots and
shoes, born June 28,1838, settled 1879; parents William
and Lovina Brown; wife Angeline Gallagher, married
Januarv?, 1864; children two, Ellsworth, Edwin J.
Bronson John Henry, p o Avon, proprietor railroad eating
house, born Livonia October 27, 1842. has been village
treasurer; parents Chauncy and Permelia Bronson;
grandfather Elnathan Bronson ; wife Margaret E. Had-
ley, born Kochester, married 1872.
Cole George H., p o Avon, farmer and ice dealer, 30 acres, born
1824, settled i856; father Timothy Cole; wife Susau
Gillett ; children three, Julius, Clara A., Kittie.
Chapel Richard K., p o East Avon, dealer in agricultural imple-
ments, born September 7, 1814; father Richard Chapel,
an early settler; wife Marietta Thompson; father Da-
vid Thompson; agent for the Syracuse Chilled Plow
Company, South Bend. Indiana. Iron Works, and for
Walter A, Wood's mower, reaper and self-binder.
Clendening William, p o Avon, grain and stock farmer, 452
acres, born Canada 1835, settled i850, is present excise
commissioner; father Alex. Clendening; wife Sophia
Hall, bom Bronson Hill ; children two, Frank, Eugene.
Chappell Harlow, p o East Avon, farmer and dealer in eggs and
poultiT, 12 acres, born Avon 1832, was slate enumera-
tor 1875; father Harvey Chapel of Connecticut; wife
Harriet Mead, born Michigan; children three.
Chappell W. T., p o South Lima, stock and grain farmer, 237
acres, born on lot 108 Avon, August 22, 1810, has been
assessor and highway commissioner; parents Enos and
Olive Chappell of Sangerfield, Mass.; wife Julia A.
Ransom, born Plainville, Ohio.
Collins Martin, p o South Lima, farmer, grain and stock dealer,
44 acres, born Livonia, 1855; wife Elizabeth Dalton,
married 1879,
Carter William, p o Avon, attorney and counsellor, born Eng
land July 28, 1848, settled 1872. has been justice of the
peace, read law with Judge Morgan of Rochester, was
admitted 1879; wife Emma Andrews; children one.
Dailey Thomas, p o Avon, farmer, 60 acres, born Rush, Monroe
county, June 9, 1806, settled 1869, has been justice of
the peace, highway commissioner and overseer of the
poor ; parents Thomas and Margaret Dailey, who set-
tled in town of Rush 1800; wife Lovina L. Whitney;
children fdur, Euphemia, George W., Hiram David,
Lois Adelaide.
Dusinberre Charles B., po East Avon, saw and cider mills, 16
acres, born Ulster county 1828, settled 1837; parents
Samuel and Elenora Dusinberre; wife Martha Gillett,
born Lima, married May, 1868; children 1, Mary G.
Davis James, p o Avon, farmer. 3 acres, born Otsego county
181)2, settled 1830; father Robert Davis, an early set-
tler; wife Sophia Herrington; children six.
Davis E. H., p o Avon, publisher "Livingston County Herald"
and postmaster.
Fisk Frederick B., p o Avon, cotton broker, did business in
Memphis, Tenn., born 1819, died October 28, 1868; fath-
er Ebenezer Fisk; wife Lucy Fisk, born Memphis,
Tenn. : children tbree, Frederick B. Jr., Walter, Sarah.
Gray Dr. John W., p o Avon, physician and surgeon, born New
York 1833, settled 185n, read medicine with Dr. James
R. Wood of New York city, and A. C. Campbell of Liv-
ingston county, attended lectures and was graduated
Irom the university of New York city; first wife Au-
gusta E. Cole, born Bennington. Vt., second wife Eliza-
beth W. Fowler, born Batavia, N. Y.
Gilbert Charles S.. p o East Avon, custom and merchant miller,
born England 1817, settled 1855; parents Charles and
Hannah Gilbert; wife Mary Clark; children six, John,
Harriet, Martha, Charles, Arthur, Alfred.
Hulbert Joel C, p o Avon, phvsician and surgeon, born Fort Ann,
N. Y., November 12, 1815, settled 1849, studied with Dr.
Abner Davis, attended lectures and was graduated
from the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania;
wife Jennie Trimmer, born Ontario county.
Henty Horace, p o Avon, carringe manufacturer, born England
1848, settled 1871, builds carriages, sleighs, wheelbar-
rows, lumber wagons and cutters, all work promptly
done; parents Horace and Mary Henty, wife Harriet
V. Orman, born England 1850, married 1873; children
five; parents William and Eliza Orman.
Harris William J., p o East Avon, farmer, 265 acres, born Duch-
ess county October 6, 1827, settled 1830. has been as-
sessor two terms; parents Joseph W., and Rachel Har-
ris; wife Mary Wilbur; children four, Inez M., Erastus
C, Edward J., Eliza R. ; father Ephraim Wilbur.
Hogmire Austin, p o South Avon, farmer, 152 acrep, born Avon
April 11^ 182!l, has been assessor; father Conrad Hog-
mire; grandlather Jonas Hogmire who purchased 13,-
000 acres of land in Avon and sent his two sons to
make the first settlements; wife Margaret Van Ess;
children two, Frank A., Emma L
Huestis Frank, p o East Avon, farmer, 3 acres, born Avon May
1^, 1834; parents James C, and Charlotte Huestis.
Hanchett Erastus, p o East Avon, farmer, 47 acres, born Hone-
oye Falls, settled 1854, was sergeant company B, 8th
New York cavalry; parents Daniel and Mary Hanch-
ett; wife Ettie Martin; children three, George, Fred-
die, Daniel.
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Hovey Marvin, p o East Avon, farmer, 170 acres, born Lima Oc-
tober 5, 1811: wife Phebe Brown, born New Jersey;
children seven, Henry M., Celestia E., Millard F., Ed-
ward J., George R., Malvina T.. Marshfield P.
Hillman Silas, p o East Avon, farmer, 220 acres, boin Lowville,
Lewis county, N. Y., settled 1833; parents David and
Lucinda Hillman, who settled on this farm in 1833.
Huston Alexander, p o Geneseo, farmer, 390 acres, born Ireland
1820, settled May 15, 3846; father David Huston,
who died 1867 aged 85 years; mother Jane Huston,
who died 18fi8 aged 71 years; wife Sarah Madell, mar-
ried 1870; children five, Alexander, Jane, Nancy, Jem-
ima, Sarah.
Hillman John Y., p o Avon, farmer, 123 acres, born Lewis coun-
ty November 16, 1816, settled 1833; father David Hill-
man, born Martha's Vineyard; mother Lucinda Cole,
born Vermont.
Hillman S., p o East Avon, farmer.
Johnson Leicester, j) o Avon, farmer, 96 acres, born on lot 303,
Avon 1834, is present assessor ; father Leicester John-
son, who settled with his father David Johnson 1800;
wife Ann Jennette Hart, born Mt. Morris, married 1861.
Jenks Dr. James E., p o East Avon, physician and surgeon, bom
East Avon August 11, 183:2, settled 1856. studied medi-
cine with G. W. Hanna of East Mendon, N. Y., attend-
ed lectures and was graduated from New York city
medical college 1856.
Johnson Seymour, p o Avon, farmer, 353 acres, born on this
farm 1832; father Leicester Johnson, who came here
with his father 1805; mother Julia A. Bicknell; broth-
er E. Johnson, mayor of BufEalo ; wife Anna B. Wilson.
Jenks Mary L., p o East Avon, farmer, 130 acres, born Ogden,
Monroe county; parents Aaron and Lois Barber; chil-
dren two, William Aaron, Louisa M.
Knowles Calvin, p o Avon, lawyer, has been justice of the peace
and town clerk.
Knowles Paul, settled 1808; wife Betsey Knowles, settled 1806,
married 1811, settled on present homestead 1815.
Kellogg Francis, p o South Avon, farmer, 183 acres, born Cale-
donia May 14, 1834, is justice of the peace, has held
office 12 years; wife Helen M. Hogmire, married iy53;
children five; father John Kellogg, was born at Col-
chester, Conn., 1792, settled 1811, came on foot and
drove an ox team.
Kennard W. W., p o Avon, printer, born Canada December 2,
1856, settled 1878; wife Ida E. Brundage, born New
York, married July 8, 1879; parent ; Richard and Jane
Kennard, bom England, and are residents of Wayne
county.
Knowles Miss A E., p o Avon, farmer.
Light E., p o Avon, proprietor of Glen Avoa mills, born Lower
Canada 1847, settled 1875, father Charles Light, cus-
tom and merchant miller, dealer in fiour, feed and
grain; wife Adaline Caswell, born Rochester.
Landon Cortez, p o East Avon, farmer, 130 acres, born on this
farm November 6, 1839, is present assessor; parents
Egbert and Marilla Dorman Landon; wife Sarab
Warner, born Lima; children foar, Louise, Mabel,
Walter and an infant.
Landon Egbert, p o East Avon, retired faimer, 80 acres, born
Stockbridge, Mass., 1810, settled 1812; parents Lather
and Rachel Landon; 1st wife Marilla Dorman, 2d,
Harriet Davidson; children four, Helen, Cortez, Giles,
Electa.
Low William P., p o South Avon, farmer 126 acres, born Ovid,
Seneca county, October 15, 1823, settled 183-J, has been
excise commissioner, census enumerator 1875 and is
present assessor; father Garret Low, born New Jer-
sey; wife Prudence A. Fuller, married l845.
Lacy Ephraim, p o Scottsville, farmer, 300 acres, born Orange
county March 37, 1788, settled 1816, died February 23,
1866, has been highway commissioner and assessor;
wife Mary Dickinson, born Vermont, married 18 19;
children tour, Volney, Mary Ann, Daniel, Charlotte,
who died 1841.
Lacy L. A., p o Avon, grain, hop and stock farmer, 38 acres,
born Perry, Wyoming county, January 18, 1844, settled
1871; parents David and Lucy Lacy who settled 1824;
wife Imogene Eggleston, married October 27, 1869;
children three, Charles E , Willie E., George E.
Lyth Christopher, p o Avon, brick and tile manufacturer, born
England, settled I86i.;; parents Francis and Ann Lyth.
Milliman J. N., p o East Avon, blacksmith, 4)4 acres, born Ohio
1825, settled 1833; father Hiram Milliman an early set-
tler; first wife Adaline Case; children three; second
wife Margaret Barlow; children one.
McPherson Daniel, p o Avon, retired farmer, 190 acres, born
Delhi, Delaware county August 17, 1803, settled 1815,
has been captain of miJitiaj supervisor, highway com-
missioner and assessor ; wife Jane Calder. born Con-
necticut, settled 1810, married 1828; children four,
James A., John R., Daniel, Jane E., who died October
3, 1877.
McPherson Joseph H., born York 1840, was sergeant and 2d
Lieutenant 8th New York Cavalry, was wounded at
Stevensburgh, Va., October 1863 and died in Washing-
ton a few days afterwards, was in sixteen battles with
8th N. Y. Cavalry, is buried in the cemetery at Avon.
McPherson J. R., p o and residence Washington, D. C, born
York, has been state senator of New Jersey, and is
now V. S. senator of New Jersey and chairman naval
senate committee; wife Miss Gregory, born BufEalo;
children two.
McPherson J. A., p o Avon, superintendent national stock yards
at depot New York city, was in 2tith New York Inde-
pendent Battery, and quartermaster at New Orleans,
captain New York Cavalry, was commissioned colonel,
was assistant provost marshal of general defenses
south of the Potomac, and was wounded in battle of
Carter's farm, Va,
Newman I. R., p o East Avon, proprietor East Avon Hotel, born
Lima June 34, 1816; parents Joel and Jerusba New-
man who settled I8u0; wife Catharine Covert, born
near Hud on. died August 23, 3873; children three,
Smith H., W. S., Isadore L.
Newman W. S., p o Avon, attorney and counsellor at law. born
Lima, was chairman of board of supervisors, read law
with H. J. Wood, commenced practice 1873.
Nowlen G. H., p o Avon, farmer, 30 acres, born Avon 1825, has
been assessor and village trustee; father Asa Nowlen
who settled 1812; wife Helen Fowler, born Steuben
county, married December 36, 1854; children two, H. L.,
George F.
Nott Henry A , p o East Avon, retired, born England 1816, set-
tled 1840, has been justice of sessions and justice of
the peace sixteen years; wife Mary Ashley, born Gen-
esee county; children one, H. W. A.
Nash Edwin A., p o Avon, lawyer, born Lower Canada, settled
1842, was district attorney of Livingston county ls70-
76, and was elected county judge 1878; wife l^'rances
A. Morgan, born Lima, married 1863; children one.
Pierson F. B., p o East Avon, farmer and stock raiser, 250 acres
born Avon November 22, 1806; father Joseph Pierson,
born Connecticut, settled 1797 on lot 68 died Decem-
ber 10, 1843; mother Sarah Pierson, died September
17, 1810 ; wife Frances Janette Gibson, born Cobles-
kill, N. Y.; children two, ^arah A., Prances Janette;
parents Kasson and Sabrina Gibson, who died, the
former August 6, 1850, and the latter August 24, 1861.
Pearson Hiram, p o Avon, farmer, 100 acres, born Avon Septem-
ber 21, 1805; parents Jesse and Lydia Pearson, born
Vermont, settled on lot 68 and died, the former Janu-
ary 10, 1837, and the latter January 12, ls49, in her
eighty-eighth year; wife Loviaa Hendee, born Sud-
bury, Vt., married October 3, 1827; children two, An-
nette, Amaryllis; parents Ephriam and Lovisa Hendee
who settled 1810.
Pearson S. B,, p o East Avon, farmer, 70 acres, born Avon Octo-
ber 33, 1815, has been assessor seven years and high-
way commissioner two years; father Ira Pearson was
born 1793, settled on lot 113, 17!i5, died February 1'^
1850; wife Emily Chapel, born Avon 18 5, married 1843;
children four; father John Chapel.
Potter Ira B., p o Avon, engineer, born Avon 1839, fath»r G. D.
Potter; wife M. Clende:2ing, married 1857; children
Emma L.
Pattee William E., p o Avon, proprietor Pattee House, born
New Hampshire 1813, settled May 1, 1840, has been
superintendent of schools and justice of the peace;
father Savony Pattee: wife Irena L. Brown, born
Lima; children two, Lydia Alice, Albertina Louisa.
Palmer G. T., p o East Avon, farmer, merchant, postmaster and
dealer in stock, 100 acres, born Connecticut, settled
1828; father David H. Palmer; grandfather David -
Palmer who was killed at Fort Griswold, Conn., 1782.
Primer D. W. C, p o Avon.
Rogers George B., p o Avon, farmer, 78 acres, born Avon 1840.
father John Rogers, born Colchester, Conn., settled
1828; wife Ellen E. McKenzie, feorn Caledonia; chil-
dren four, Willie L., George B., Ella E., Charles W.
Rose H. M., p 0 Fowlerville, farmer, born Geneseo, 1835; parents
Conklin and Eliza Rose, settled 1830; wife Clarissa A.
Griswold, born Conesus, married 1859; children one,
Frederick H.
Ryan Michael, p o East Avon, farmer 6){ acres, born November
11, 1807, settled 1851; parents Michael and Catharine
Ryan; wife Hannah Clancey; children five, Catharine,
Mary, Michael, Jr., Bridget, Ellen,
Stevens Edwin I., p o Avon Springs, farmer, 225 acres, born Or-
leans county March 5, 1834, settled 1863, is present as-
sessor; father David Stevens, born Vermont 1793, died
November 2, 1865: mother Maria P. Stevens, born 1802,
died November 13, 1879; wife Julia B. Doming, married
1863, died June 32, 1875; children two, Andrus D., John
D. .
Smedley Dr. L. G., p o Avon Springs, magnetic physician, 23
acres, born West Bloomfield, settled 1869; wife Emily
J. Culver, married October 35, 1855; children five.
Smith Thomas, p o South Avon, farmer, 138 acres, born England
April 6, 1806, settled 1850; parents Edward and Betsey
Smith; wife Lucy Fridd, born England; children five,
Anna, Betsey, Mary, John, George.
Sherman Hiram S., p o East. Avon, farmer, 196 acres, born
Duchess county 1836, settled January 6, 1880, has been
assessor and collector in Duchess county; father
Hiram Sherman who died 1875; great grandfather built
the quaker meeting house on Quaker Hill 120 years
ago; wife Martha E. Denton, born Duchess county,
married 1856; children 6.
Sherman Howland, p o East Avon, farmer, 165 acres, born Paw-
ling, Duchess county, April 17, 1833, settled 1853; fa-
ther Henry Sherman; grandfather Abial Sherman;
great grandfather Benj. Sherman who settled 1764 and
had three sons in the Revolutionary war; wife Mary
Price, born Monroe county, 1824, married 1847; chil-
dren three.
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
Ill
Stanley Seaman, p o Avon, farmer. 100 acres, born county of
Kent, England, 1820, settle4,1849; parents Charles and
Jane Stapler; wife Catharine Durey; children three.
Torrance M. D., p o East Avon, farmer, 130 aore.=, born Yates
county 1817, settled 18-37; parents Richard and Eliza-
beth Torrance; wife Eliza J. Bryan, born Avon; chil-
dren three, Floyd B., Belle A., Edith D.
Thompson h. W., p o East Avon, farmer, 30 acres, born Cherry
Valley iSSS, settleJ 1858; parents Philo and Rachel
Thompson, has been assistant revenue assessor two
years, notary public two terras and justice of the
peace eight years; wifs Sarah E. Chappell, married
1860; children three.
Vaness Moses A., p o Avon, retired. 5i acre, born Canada East
March 3, 1811, was in the Florida war, company D, 4th
regiment of Infantry; wife Sarah Jane Darrow; chil-
dren four. Moses A., Mary, Frederick, William.
Webb James C, p c Avon, farmer, born Eochester September
3, 1886, settled April, 1812; parents Charles and Mahala
Webb; wife Elizabeth Mann; children one, Maud.
Wiard Henry, p o East Avon, farmer, 97 acres, born Avon 1815,
has been commissioner of highways fifteen years;
parents Thomas and Susan Wiard who settled 1807;
first wife Caroline Palmer; second wife Amanda Lan-
don; children two, Julia, Frederick.
Wiard Hon. Mathew, p o East Avon, farmer, 65 acres, has been
commissioner of highways^, justice of the peace, mem-
ber of Legislature two terms, 1861-62, and supervisor;
parents Thomas and Susan Wiard who settled 1804.
Whaley D. B., p o East Avon, farmer. 68 acres, born Avon on lot
111, 1840; father Daniel B. Whaley; wife Louisa M.
Calvert, married 1863; children two, Catharine L.,
John B.
Wright Worman, p o Avon, farmer 64 acres, born on this farm
1831; father Jasper Wright, settled 1827; wife Harriet
Covert, born Lima 1836; children three.
Wright Herman, p o East Avon, farmer. 143 acres, born on lot
8J», 1844; parents Jasper and Clarissa Wright who set-
tled on lot 102; wife Ida M. Cook; children two, Carl
C, and Jasper H.
Wright Elwyn R., p o Avon, undertaker, born Webster. Monroe
county, settled February 1880; father Charles S.
Wright; wife Alice Willard, born Webster, Monroe
county; children one, Charlio.
Whiting £. J., p o Avoo, boot and sho3 dealer, is President of
the village, born Guilford, Chenango county, Septem-
ber 18, 1828; parents John and Roxanna Whiting; wife
Eliza E. Mahar; children one, Charles F.
WadsworthAsahel W., p o Avon, farmer, 36 acres, born Avon
1815, haa been highway commissioner and overseer of
the poor; father Ezekiel Wadsworth; grandfather Gad
Wadsworth who took up 500 acres of land on whic-h
the springs are located; wife Mary Ann Chase, born
Avon; chOdren four.
Waldo Reuben G., p o Avon, manufacturer of all kinds of car-
riages, lumber wagons, democrat wagons, etc. ; father
Reuben Waldo who settled 1815; wife Mary B. Avery,
born Avon, married 18B4; children four, Frank, Minnie,
Mabel, Charles.
CONESUS,
Armstrong Francis, p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 200 acres, born
New London county. Conn., August 39, 1793, settled
February 17, 1817, has been commissioner of highways,
is the ouly surviving member of a family of fifteen
children; wife Susan Rudd, boru Ireland 1817, settled
1831, married April 5, 1849.
Allen Gilbert, p o Webster's crossing, farmer, grain and stock
dealer, 225 acres, horn Washington county January 7,
1815, settled 1818; 1st wife Angeline Allen, died 1852;
children Electa Ann, born October 18, 1847, Mary J.,
born February 15, 1844, Sanford B., born July 30, 1849,
Jannette, born March 23, 1854; 3d wife Laura W. Tall-
man, born Cayuga county, married April 4, 1854; chil-
dren one, Winter G., born November 9, 18B1.
Clark Jotham, p o Conesus. farmer, 150 acres, born Milton, Sara-
toga county, March 8th, 1794, settled April 13, 1817, has
been supervisor four terms, highway commissioner
and poor master thirteen years; wife Mary Ann Ad-
ams, born Vermont August 22, 1794, married April 6,
1817; children nine, Harriet, born January 3, 1818, died
December 4, 1844, Ozra, born March 83, 1823, Wealthy,
bom February 18, 1830, died April 30, 1846, Ezra W.,
born February 20, 1824, John Adams, born July 11,
1826, died July 88, 1858, Mary Ann, born October 5,
1828, DoWitt Clinton, bom May 20, 1831, Jotham. Jr.,
bom September 16, 1833. Matilda W.. born May 10, 1841.
Clark Jotham, Jr., p o Conesus, larmer, 180 acres, born Cunesus
September 15, 1833, has been assessor three terms and
supervisor two terms; 1st wife Celia A. Hart, married
November 18, 1862, died September 7, 1868; children
one, Alice L , born September 24, 1863; 2d wife Eliza-
beth J Hart, born Coresus, married June 80. 1877.
Clark Ezra W., p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 4u0 acres, born Con-
esus February 20. 1824, has been assessor three terms
and supervisor five terms; wife America J. Allen, born
July 4 1847, married January 4, 1866; children three,
John Adams, bom January 27, 1867, Grace Mary A.,
born May 84, 1872, America M., born July 17, 1878.
Chapin Orville M., p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 83 acres, born
Conesus June 16, 1833. was in 136th regiment three
years; wife Lucia M Woodrufl, born Livonia July 26,
1833, married September 7, 1859; children two, Velma,
bora 1860, Vema, born 1870.
Coleman David, p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 58 acres, bnrn New
Jersey I)eoember 15, 1812, settled 1839, has been high-
way commissioner and poormaster over thirty years;
wife Elsie Gray, born New Jersey April 22, 1816, mar-
ried January 1. 1833; children twelve, Mary Jane, died
1834. Elizabeth J., born January 28, 1836, Marilda, born
April 18, 1838. Ezra H., born May 30, 1840, Mary J., born
July 2, 1842. Wealthy A., born September 15, 1844, Jesse
J., born February 8, 1847, Delight A,, born January 17,
1850, died June 19, 1851. A del, born March 2, 1852, died
1858, David M , born March 27, 1854, Elsie L., born Au-
gust Ij. 1856, Lewis P., born January 25, 1869.
Clark Daniel, p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 105 acres, born Ver-
mont May 2, 1810, settled 1832; 1st wife Lovina M. Ly-
man, born Madison county July 13, 1814, married
January 19, 1834. died November22, 1876; children five,
Charles F., born February 12, 1835. died April 16, 18.59,
George H , born January 33, 18:37, James F.. bnrn
January 12, 1839, Mary E., born March 8, 1843, died
November 11, 1866, Edwin A., born June 2, 1853, died
October 14, 1857; 2d wife Alvira E. Gordon, born Way-
land, Steul)en county, December 13, 1858, married
August 1, 1879.
Coe George F , p o Conesus Centre, farmer and supervisor.
Cole B. F., p o Scottsburgh, farmer.
Durkee G. W.. p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 71 acres, born Cone-
sus September 6, 1835, has been assessor several terms;
wife Harriet E. Payne, born Conesus May 13, 184'?,
married December 26, 1861; children ten, Alice E.,
born February 27, 1864. Seward B.. born April 19, 1865,
John E., born January 19, 1867, Lena L.. born October
1, 1868, Hattie K., born November 12, 1870. Arlington,
born February L6, 1872, Charles W., born February 28,
1874, Daisy L , born October 18. 1875, Frank L., born
February 28, 1877, Willard P., bnrn September 25, 1878.
Degraw T.. p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 150 acres, born Conesus
Novembir 15, 1833; wife Sarah N. Monroe, born Pen-
field, Monroe county, March 11, 184ii, married Septem-
ber 15, 1866; children two, Minnie F., Verna E.
French Sireno, p o South Livonia, retired insurance agent and
farmer, 92 acres, born Onondaga county August 12,
1810, settled 1857; wife Jane Elizabeth Whitney, bom
Richmond, Ontario county, January 3, 1816, married
May 14, 1835; children three, Julia Amelia, born April
17, 1836, Byron N., born October 17, 1837, Minerva E.,
born June 3, 1848.
Gray William T., p o Conesus Centre, farmer, S80 acres, born
Now Jersey January 21, 1828. settled 1836; 1st wife Sa-
lome Luce, born June 5, 1833, married December 4,
lS5t, died May 15,- 1863; children four, Helen born
March 5, 185.3, died August 18, 1875, Charles C, born
April 14, 1855, Emma P.. born May 24, ]b57, Mary S.,
born November 18, 1859; 2d wife Mary A. Clark, born
October 5, 1828, married November 33, 1871.
Gould W. T., p o Conesus Centre, farmer 45 acres, born Murray,
Orleans county, August 20, 1833, settled April, 1831;
wife Susan Neff, born Livonia March, 27, 1829, married
October 13, 1869.
Gilbert William H.. p o Conesus Centre, fanner, 105 acres, born
Richmond, Ontario county, October 38, 1828, settled
1834, wife; Julia A. Carnes, born Scottsburgh, Oc-
tober 3, 1838, married August 10. 1865; children five,
Estella M., born July 9, 1856, Nettie E , born January
23, 1864, William Sherman, born August 7, 1868, Henry
Nelson, born January 17, 1871, Luella B. , born January
27, 1879.
Gray Kancehaun, p 0 Conesus Centre, farmer 157 acres, born
Conesus May 5, 1831; wife Sarah M. Havens, born
Conesus August 10, 1833, married July 7, 1853; children
eleven, Ida V.. born October It, 1854, James H., born
April 28, 1856, Nellie M., born May 21, 1868, Frank E.,
born July 18, 1860, Mary L., born September 9, 1862,
Susie B, born December 9, 1864, Nettie A., born De-
cember 87, 1866, Delia A., bnrn Januarj 27, 1869, Kittle
U., born February 15. 1871, Jesse R., born February 24,
1873, Joseph J., born May 11, 1876.
Gilbert Nelson, p o Scottsburgh, farmer 200 acres, born Conesus
October 21, 1823, has been assessor; wife Alta Ooller,
born Sparta April 25, 1836, married March 14, 1851.
Hitchcock Solomon, p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 400 acres, born
Amenta, Duchess county, November 9, 1809, settled
October, 1831, has been assessor, justice and super-
visor; wife Laura M. Cox, born Paris, Oneida county,
April 10, 1814, married November30, 1841; children one,
S. Edward, born December 2, 1858.
Jones William, p o Conesus Centre, farmer. 115 acres, born Au-
burn, N. Y., April 18, 1816, settled 1817, has been con-
stable, town collector and highway commissioner;
wife Betsey D Webster, born Washington county, N.
Y,, October .3, 1820, married April 17, 1844; children four,
Natalia M., born April 10, 1845, Winfield S,, born Novem-
ber -M, 1816, Luna J., born March 4, 1855, Annie, born
October 33, 1869.
Kuder Andrew, p o Soutli Livonia, farmer, 156 acres, born
Groveland November 11, 1888; wife Mary L. Hitchcock,
born Conesus, married November 15, 186S; children
three, Halcyone A., born December 17, 1867, Dwight H.,
born November 17, 1874, Katie A., born May 23, 1879.
IV
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
McMillan David, farmer and physician, 625 acres, born Albany
county February 80, 1794, died August 29, 1837, settled
181H; wife Alta Henderson, born Ontario county, mar-
ried 1823; children seven, Charles, John H., B. P., R.
F., James, now in the regular army, Charlotte,
Luna A.
McMillan B. F. & R. F., p o Conesus Centrp, farmers, 640 acres,
born Conesus October 8, 1829; R. F. has been supervis-
or two terras.
Morris William C, p o Soottsburgh, farmer, 185 acres, born
Conesus August 23, 1823, has been assessor three years;
wife Sarah Washburn, born Naples, Ontario county,
August 26, 1828, married April 28, 1853; children six,
Heman W., born March 3, 1854, Addle, born March 12,
18B8, Jessie F., born June 25, 1861, Lillian G., born
September 9, 1866, Mabel, born May 15, 1869, Vivian,
born December 18, 1871.
McNinch J. C, p o Scottsbureh, farmer, 130 acres, born Cone-
sus November 30, 1819, has been assessor nine years;
wife Elizabeth A. Gray, born New Jersey June 25,
1825, married June 7, 1849; children one, Floyd L.,
born April 17, 1850, Clark M. Gray was adopted in the
family 1861.
McNinch Mathew, born Northumberland county. Pa., 1781, set-
tled 1803, was one of the earliest settlers, died 1865,
was justice of the peace.
Magee John, p o Conesus Centre, merchant, born Ireland No-
vember I, 1821, settled 1843.
Perrin Mrs. R. M., p o Conesus Centre, farmer.
Powell Tyler Q., p o Hemlock Lake, farmer, 200 acres, born Li-
vonia October 13, 1815; 1st wife Maria Lowden, born
Seneca county, died 1858; children three, Franklin T.,
George T., Elizabeth; 2d wife Mary C. Wallace, born
Livingston county.
Sliker Alfred, p o Conesus Centre, farmer 81>i^ acres, born Co-
nesus June 1, 1837, is one of the present assessors;
wife Frances Marion Nash, born Livonia May 25, 1818,
married May 1, 1870; children seven, Gabriella May,
Lawrence Gifford, Bnrt Edgar, Shelby Baker, Cora
Victoria, Alfred Marion, John Samuel.
Thomas I. H., p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 120 acres, born Sparta
October 8, 1822; wife Salinda G. Guldner, born Livonia
October 17, 1834, married February 17, 1857; children
three. Will, born June 14, 1858, Frank, born July 9,
1859, S. Belle, born December 18, 1871.
Whiteman W. P., p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 70 acres, born
Leicester, Livingston county, January 13,. 18.8, has
been highway commissioner; wife Nancy Mills, born
January 29, 1836, married March 6, 1857; adopted son
Henry M., born August 17, 1862.
Wilbelm John, p o Webster's Crossing, farmer 390 acres, born
Milo, Yates couniy, September |4, 1818, settled 1829,
has been assessor and highway commissioner, and
present excise commissioner; wife Lora Humphrey,
born Cbenango county June 2, 1815. married April 23,
1843; children six. Emily, Sidney, Elsie. Solon H., Eu-
gene B.. Martha V.
Wilhelm William B., p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 63 acres, born
Milo, Yates county, October 15, 1825, settled 1829; Ist
wife Pharazina Allen, born Conesus January 13. 1831,
married 1819, died February 15, 1870; children Rhoda
A., born January 5, 1850, Sarah U.. born August 31,
1851, died June 22, 1856, Ella C, born October 2.% 1853,
Mary A., born February 17, 1856, died April 17, 1857,
George W., born January 30, 1858, died April 8, 1865;
2d wife Mary N. Thompson, born Groveland August
17, 1831. married April 6, 1875.
Webster L. J., p o Conesus Centre,
CALEDONIA.
Ayres Mrs. Cornelia, p o Caledonia.
Blackman C. W., po Caledonia, manufacturer of grain cradles.
Borden G. T., p o Caledonia, physician and surgeon,
Brownell F. P., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Byan W. J., p o Caledonia, attorney and counselor.
Cameron D. E., p o Caledonia, hardware dealer.
Cameron Margaret, p o Caledonia.
Cameron Margaret J., p o Caledonia.
Campbell M. M., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Campbell Peter P., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Clunas John, p o Fowlerville, farmer.
Collins A. H., p o Caledonia, publisher.
Cox Darius, p o Caledonia, farmer.
Espie J. R., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Espie Robert B., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Fellows John, p o Canawangus, farmer and justice of peace.
Foote P. P., p o Caledonia, prop., Caledonia House.
Fraser James, p o Caledonia, justice of peace and farmer.
Gordon A, T., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Hamilton William, p o Caledonia, farmer, produce dealer and
supervisor.
Hollenbeck A., p o Avon, farmer.
Hosmer John E., p o Caledonia, farmer.
McLean A. H.. p o Caledonia, grain and real estate dealer.
McCoU D. D., p 0 Caledonia, produce dealer.
McKay George, p o Caledonia, miller.
McEensie Miss Elizabeth, p o Caledonia.
McNaughton John, p o Caledonia, retired.
McNaughton Peter W., p o Caledonia, builder and assessor.
McBae Duncan, p o Caledonia, farmer and butcher.
Mallocb James C, p o Caledonia, farmer.
Maxwell J. A., p o Scottsville, farmer.
Maxwell William, p o Canawangus, farmer.
Menzie R. J., p o Caledonia, physician and surgeon.
McNab John, p o Caledonia, farmer.
Menzie David, p o Caledonia, auctioneer.
McVean W. J., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Miller Alex. & Son, p o Caledonia, agricultural works.
Mastorton William £., p o Cjiledonia, retired.
McLachlen D,, p o Caledonia, farmer.
Orr Collin, p o Caledonia, retired.
Place R. M., p o Caledonia, druggist.
Redfield N. C , p o Caledonia, manufacturer of rakes.
Renwick A., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Rutherford Walter, p o Scottsville, farmer.
Shaw Peter, p o Caledonia, farmer, justice of the peace and
assessor.
Sinclair Peter J., p o Caledonia, farmer and assessor.
Swan C. H., p o Caledonia, maltster.
Thompson D., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Walker W. H., p o Caledonia, dealer in general merchandise.
Walker J. W., p o Caledonia, retired and ex-judge.
Walker David, p o Caledonia, farmer.
Walker Foster W., p o Caledonia, school commissioner.
Weeks I^aac, p o Caledonia, farmer.
Weeks James A., p o Caledonia, farmer.
Wells Mrs. Frances C, p o Caledonia.
DANSVILLE,
Andrews B. P., p o Dansville, physician and surgeon, born Che-
nango county 1856, settled 1877, is a member of county
medical society.
Allen S. C, p o Dansville. one of proprietors of Allen House.
Brown Merrit H. merchant and paper manufacturer, born Ver-
mont 180i, settled 1818, has been postmaster, died
1864; wife Arvilla Danfoith, born Saratoga, married
1829; children six.
Burkhart A. Perclval, p o Dansville, dentist, born Cleveland,
C, May 17, 1852, settled 1878; wife Kate S. Quigley,
born Rushford, N. Y., married October 1, 1874; chil-
dren one.
Burns Brothers, D. W., M. J., and J. E,, p o Dansville, carriage
making and trimming, all born New York, business
established two years ago corner of Main and Frank-
lin streets.
Brown Charles W., p o Dansville, physician and surgeon, born
Steuben county September 5. 1848, settled 1877, was
graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago,
111., 1873. is member of Livingston county home medi-
cal society; wife Sara S. Butler, b:rn Tioga county.
Pa., married December 31, 1873.
Bradley I. W., p o Dansville, carriage manufactory, born Skan-
eateles. N. Y., 1828, settled 1&36; wife Frances Wool-
ever, daughter of William Woolever, born Dansville,
married 1872; children three.
Bunnell A. O., p o Dansville, editor of the "Dansville Express."
Betts E. J., p o Dansville, photographer.
Bailey, J. J., p o Dansville, hardware dealer.
Cogswell William, p o Dansville, lumber merchant, born Dans-
ville 1850; father David Cogswell; wife Mehitable
Owen, born Schuyler county.
Grisiield J. E.. p o Dansville, physician and surgeon.
Clark David W., p o Ossian, grocer.
Dorr Robert G., p o Dansville, attorney and counselor, born
1856; father Robert Dorr.
Dyer Daniel E., p o Dansville, retired, born Vermont 1817, set-
tled 1834; wife Cordelia H. Day, born Sullivan county.
Davis M. L., p o Dansville, real estate dealer.
Endress Christian, clergyman, born Philadelphia 1775, settled
1814, died 1827.
Edwards Alex., p o Dansville, farmer, born Bath October 13,
1823, settled September 1, 1847; wife Elizabeth Mo-
Curdy, born Dansville.
Earls Thomas, p o Dansville, grocer.
Endress Sarah A., p o Dansville.
Foley Dennis, p o Dansville, grocery 179 Main street, born Roch-
ester 1838, settled 1840, has been village trustee, is a
member of Catholic church; wife Celia Farney, born
Livingston county, married 1862.
Faulkner Dr. James, p o Dansville, physician and surgeon, born
Washington county 1790, settled 1797, studied in Bath
and was graduated from College of Physicians and
Surgeons 1810, is President of First National Bank of
Dansville No. 75, organized 1863.
Fielder Alfred W., p o Dansville, carriasfe manufacturer, bom
Brighton, England, 18.37, emigrated 1847, settled 1868;
wife Mary H. West, born New York.
Faulkner R. S., p o Dansville, produce dealer, born Bath, Steu-
ben county 1809, settled 1842; father is First Judge of
Steuben county; wife E. S. Todd, born Schoharie
county, married 1838.
Fitzsimons S., p o Dansville. clergyman.
Gallagher Thomas E., p o Dansville, groceries and crockery,
born Dansville July 31, 1848, has been town clerk and
village trustee; wife Sarah A. McCurdy, born April 8
1874; children two.
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
Oilman E B., p o DansviUe, foundry and machine shop, born
Oneida county 1827, settled 1830.
Oilman A J , p o Dansville, n.achine shop and foundry, born
1850; wife Ann Purdy, born Steuben county.
Hartman Henry, p o Dansville, farmer, lliO acres born Dans-
ville 1817, has been justice of the peace and town
superintendent; father John Hartman; wife Eliza
House of Otsego couuiy, N. Y., married 1844; children
three.
Hartman Wm., p o Dansville, farmer, .330 acres, born Dansville
1820; father John Hartman; wife Catharine Driesbach;
children three.
Hanne Daniel, p o Dansville, retired farmer, 60 acres, born
Pennsylvania 18-iO, settled 1863; father Christian
Hanne; wife Mai;garet Smith, born New Jersey.
HoUlngsworth Henry, p o Dansville, California paper mills, born
Engbnd 1828, settled 1877. manufactures Nos 1 and S
manilla paper, first settled in Patterson 1852, was
formerly in Livingston mills for some time; wife Eliza-
beth Best, bom Connecticut, married 18b7: children
five.
Hyland John, p o Dansville, postmaster.
fJedRef Seth N.. p o Dansville, attorney and counselor at law.
Hubbell & Goodyear, p o Dansville. Dansville Seminary.
Hodgmire James L., p o Dansville, druggist and telegraph oper-
ator.
Hartman John, p o Groveland. farmer.
Johnson Samuel, B., p o Dansville, retail and jobbing trade, 381
acres, settled 1846, is asrent for National steamship
line company, is a member of Presbyterian church;
wife Elizabeth A. Dake, born Allegany county, mar-
ried February 14. 1859; childreu five.
Johnson Oliver B., p o Dansville, woolen mills, established thir-
ty years, born Richmond, Ontario coonty, N. Y:, 1813,
settled 1836, has been constable, collector and asses-
sor; wife Lodema Jennings, daughter of Joseph Jen-
nings, married Oi'tober 18, 1838.
Jackson James H , p o Dansville. proprietor of water cure.
Kern Charles R., p o Dansville, justice of the peace, has been
postmaster in Pennsylvania, born Pennsylvania 1805,
settled 1839; first wife born Pennsylvania; second
wife Maria McCartney, born Dansville.
Enappenberaer J., p o DansviUe, retired.
Kennedy John J., p o Dansville.
Lockling Louis N., p o Dansville, agricultural works and foundry.
LaBoyteaux A. L., p o Dansville. dentist.
McCurdy C. B., p o Dansville, grain detiler, born Dansville May
4, 185-2; father James M. McCurdy; wife Maria L. Ijent-
ley; children two.
Morey Hon. Jonathan B., p o Dansville, farmer and nursery-
man, 335 acres, born Dansville IH^ifi, has been membi-r
of assembly four terms and president and trustee of
village; wife Laura J. Smelt, born Battle Creek, Mich.,
married 1861; children four.
McCurdy Hugh F., p o Dansville, farmer, 500 acres, born 1823,
has been assessor three terms; wife Elizabeth A. Fen-
stermacher, born Dansville, married 1854; children
three.
McNalr David D., p o Dansville, paper manufacturer, born
Sparta 1814, has been supervisor and town clerk.
McNair John M., p o DansviUe, attorney and counselor at law.
McCartney Hugh, p o DansviUe, sheriff of county.
McCartney H. §., p o Dansville, grain dealer.
Newman S. H., p o Dansville.
Pratt Edward H., p o Dansville, nurseryman, 200 acres, born
Auburn, Mass., 18.3", settled 1859, was captain 136th
New York Volunteers; wife Sarah L. VanDerlip, mar-
ried 1878.
Proctor L. B.. p o Dansville, attorney and author.
Perrine, F. M., p o Dansville, physician and surgeon.
Readshaw B. F., p o Dansville, proprietor of Forest mills, mer-
chant miller, born Dansville 1846.
Ranch N. & Sons, p o DansviUe. tanners and dealers in leather.
Stout M. T., p o Dansville, carriage trimming, etc , born Ovid,
Seneca county, N Y., 181.5, settled 18.36; wife Clara C.
Conkling, born New York, married 1839; children four,
one sonlciUed in 136th regiment.
Sturgeon Samnel, p o DansviUe, farmer, born Livingston coun-
ty 1809, has been assessor; wife Mary Ann McCurdy,
born Dansville, married 1836; ohUdrenflve.
Sweet George A., p o Dansville, nurseryman, born Dansville
1844, has been supervisor; wife C ara Maxwell Sweet,
born Dansville, married 1867; children two.
Stone B. S., p o Dansville, wagon manufacturer, 80 acres, com-
menced business 1848, born Dansville 1825; wife Nancy
Driesbach, daughter of Michael Driesbach, married
1871; children four.
Stevens Archelaus, pubUsher of Cobb's spelhng book, born En-
field, N. h:, 1790, settled 1836, died 1867; wife Sally
Gage, born Enfield. N. H., died 1877; children three.
Stevens Anna M., p o Dansville.
Smith Mary B., p o Dansville.
Steinbardt H.. p o Dansville. . . „ ■„
Tompkinson Capt. S. D., p o DansviUe, proprie'or Grove mills,
13 acres, born Liverpool, England, February 11, 181H,
settled January 15, 1860; wile Sarah M. Aldridge, born
Wayne counry, married 18.'5. Mr. T., was on the sea
forty years and thirty-five years a commander, was
twenty-five years on the lakes,
Thomas M H., p o Dansville, livery and sale stables.
VanNuys Peter, farmer, born New Jersey 1808, settled 1838. has
been magistrate, supervisor, etc. ; wife Harriet Kern,
born New York City 1809, married 1830; children five.
VanDerlip M. H., p o Dansville, attorney.
Voorhees D. B., p o Dansville, proprietor Allen House.
Ward Georgo K., p o Dansville, pastor Presbyterian church.
Welch C. F., p 0 Dansville, Station Agent in Erie railroad depot.
Welch J. J., p o Dansville. assessor.
Whiteman Franklin M., farmer, born DansviUe 1810, has been
supervisor, superintendent po(jr and assessor, was in
Assembly 1854; wife Mary Stewart, married 1836; chil-
dren two.
Whiteman Reuben, p o DansviUe, lumber dealer, born Pennsyl-
vania J817, settled 1833.
Woodruff B. W., p o Dansville. retired printer, born Livonia
May 26, 1806; wife Sally A. Rose, married July 9. 1834;
children nine.
Williams S. P., p o Dansville, nurseryman, born Auburn, N. Y.,
1818, settled 1844; wife Sophia J. Smith, born Dans-
viUe, married September 38, 1848; children two.
Williams J C. & Son, p o Dansville, milling.
Whitehead Joseph C, p o Dansville, boots, shoes, furnishings,
leather, etc., born New Jersey 1817, settled 1843, hMS
been postmaster and excise commissioner; first wife
Elizabeth Putnam, born Barrington, N Y.; second
wife Harriette Cutting; two sons, one in National
bank Dansville, and one special agent U. S. treasury.
Wood Anthony T.. p o Dansville, coal dealer, born Geneva,
N. Y.. 1820, settled 1827, has been supervisor and mem-
ber of Assembly, was clerk of Court of Appeals from
1854 tol8b0. has been in mercantile trade, was admit-
ted to the bar in 1S66.
Zerfass George, p o Dansville, farmer, 195 acres, born Pennsyl-
vania July 35, 1805, settled 1838, has been assessor and
highway commissioner: father Abraham Zerfass; wife
Polly Kanauso, born New York, married 1838, died
1872.
GENESEO.
Allen Samuel P., p o Geneseo. editor and publisher, born Smyr-
na, Chenango connty, settled 1830, was county clerk
from 1841 to 1843, clerk of senate 1856 to 1860, collector
of internal revenue 38th district 1863 to 1869, assistant
clerk of the assembly 1873 to 1875 and 1876 to 1879.
Ayrault Allen, p o Geneseo, banker and merchant, born Mas-
sachusetts 1703, settled 1814. died 1861. was president
of Livingston county bank from 18.30 to 18.55; wife Be-
thiah Lyman, born East Haddam, Conn. .1791, married
1823.
Austin Charles E., p o Geneseo. farmer, ISii acres, born Liv-
ingston county 1844; wife Frances M. Vicar, born Wis-
consin 1847, married 1867; children one, J. R. Jr., born
1878. Father J. R. Austin, settled 18 6, died 1880, wife
Agnes EUzabeth Wilbaskey, born Russia, married
1839.
Abbott A. J., p o Geneseo, attorney and counsellor, born Mos-
cow, Livingston county, October 28, 1819; wile Mary
Jane Beach, born I'ompey Hill, married SeptemberSO,
1848: chUdren one. ,
Ayres A. H., p o Geneseo.
Blaisdell & Jones, p o Geneseo, marble and granite works.
Beach Charles O., p o Geneseo, general merchandise, born South
DansviUe 1823. settled and commenced business 1850,
wife Cornelia E. Beach, born Livingston county 1834,
married 1853; children three, Mary Ella, Nealie and
Lulu.
Bigelow Daniel, p o Lakevilla, farmer, merchant and teacher,
132 acres, born Livingston county, 1832, has been town
commissioner, superintendent, supervisor and assess-
or; vile Helen A. Whitney, born Livingston county
1828, married 1856; children two, Hattie A. and Edward
E Father Epaphroditus Bigelow, born Hartford,
Conn., 1786, settled 1818, died 1874, wife Sarah Phelps,
born Connecticut 1795, married 1816, died 1878; chil-
dren nine.
Bosley B B., p o Lakeville, farmer, IBO acres, born Livingston
county 1834; wife Jennie Douglas, born Livingston
connty 1841, married 1868; children three, Edward R.,
Louis D., Kittle M.
Bosley Daniel, p o Lakeville, general merchant, born Livingston
county 1805; wife Lucia R. Richmond, born 1811, mar-
ried 1832; children six, Daniel B., William E., Lucia M.,
May, Ella, George H.
Bosley John, born Maryland, settled 1702, died 1795, was farmer
and miller, built first grist mill in town.
Bosley Edmund, born Maryland, settled 1793.
Bixby Emery P., p o Geneseo, farmer, carpenter and joiner. 88>!i
acres, born on homentead in Livingston county 1853.
Bixby Ezra, born Pennsy.vania 1803. farmer, died 1872.
Butterway A. W., p o Geneseo, general furniture dealerand up-
holsterer, born Pennsylvania 1835, settled 184'; wife
May E. Johnson, born 1832. married 1850; children
three, Edivard L., Cora E., Hattie M.
Bishop J. F., p o Geneseo. t ■ ■ *
Crossett John, p o Geneseo, farmer, 240 acres, born Livingston
couniy 1817; wife Jane Leonard, born Spartal817, mar-
ried 18.39. died 1875; children one, Loyd W., born 1846.
Father William Crossett, born Ireland 1853, was gen-
eral farmer and merchant, trading largely with the
Indians, died 1839.
VI
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Cox A. A., (Ayrault& Cox,) p o Genesee, general produce dealer,
lOa acres, born England 1827, settled 1870; wife Esther
Shaw, born Perry, Wyoming county 1836, married 1854.
children one, Stella. Mr. Cox commenced his present
business in 1870, has a building in course o£ erection
26 (eet high and 26x50 feet, wings 20x36 feet, also an-
other building 16x26 leet, two stories high, with ofHce
and storage room, one hundred to one hundred and
fifty thousand bushels of grain are handled yearly,
beside plaster, grass and clover seed.
Dieffenbacher John, p o Lakeville, farmer, 225 acres, born Liv-
ingston county 1812 ; was town commissioner ; wile
Martha C. Knight, born Livingston county 1821, mar-
ried 184S ; children five. May E,, Martha C J. Prank,
OlieA., Edward L Father, Abraham Dieffenbacher,
born Pennsylvania 1770, was a mill wright, died 1840.
Dieffenbacher Leonard, p o Qeneseo, farmer, 45 acres, born Liv-
ingston county 1816 ; wife Maria Darling, bora Living-
ston county 1816, married 1841 ; children four, Florus
F., Ploretta F., (twins) born January 16, 1843, Amos D.,
born 1844, Alfred D., born 1819.
Ewart Samuel, p o Geneseo, farmer, 400 acres, born Northum-
berland county. Pa., 1773, settled 1796, died 1818, was
in war of 1812; wife Elizabeth Magee, born New Jer-
sey 1796, married 1817 ; children three. May A., who
married Edward Patohin, Hannah, Elizabeth.
Foster M. N,, p o Geneseo.
Fridd William, p o Qeneseo, farmer, 290 acres, born England
18:i0, settled 1841. has been assessor three years ; wife
Sarah Bridgland, born England 1830, married 1848 :
children five, Alfred W., born 1860, Celina, born 18521
WaryA., born 1854 Sarah A., born 1858, Isabel, born 1869.
Gray Thomas, p o Lakeville, farmer. 95 acres, born Pennsylva-
nia 1798, settled 1806; wi'e May Wynn, born Livingston
county 1805, married 18i5; children six, Daniel H.,
bora 18-9, Lydia M., born 1834, Josepha, born 1836, Le-
nora E., born 1846, Edgar L., born 1S49, Catharine, born
1826, died 1866. Father, Duncan Gray, born Ireland,
settled 1806, died in an engagement in war of 1818, un-
der General Scott.
Goode George, p o Geneseo, merchant tailor.
Haynes J. C. G., p o Geneseo, grocer, 60 acres, born Geneseo
1856.
Haynes Henry S., p o Geneseo, farmer, 153 acres, born Living-
ston county 1851; wife Ella Boyd, born 1854, married
1878.
Haynes J. H., p o Geneseo, farmer, sheep and stock grower, 150
acres, born Geneseo 1809. has been assessor and road
commissioner; )st wife Mary Price, born 1812, married
1834, died 1E66; children three; 2d wife Margaret Phin-
ny, born Northumberland county. Pa., 1831, married
January 20, 1870.
Haynes John, born Pennsylvania 1787, settled 1793, died 1873;
wife Elizabeth Haynes, married 1809, died September,
1868
Hawley James, p o Geneseo, farmer, born Delaware county
1806, settled 1818, has been road commissioner and as-
sessor: 1st wife Mary Buthven, born Scotland 1812,
married 1834, died 1851; cliildren nine; 2d wife Maria
Ellis, born 1826, married 1854; children one, Willard
D., born 1858.
Hawley Edward, p o Geneseo, farmer and justice of the peace,
elected 1878, born Livingston county 1?40; wife Sara
Mathier, burn Livingston county 1840, married 1869;
children one, Edward C, born 1871.
Hersey & Co., p o Geneseo, drugs, paints, oils and stationery,
W. H. Hersey born Canada 1846, settled 1878; wife
Julia Moore, married 1867; children three, Willie A.,
Mary C, Louise.
Jones R, H., p o Geneseo, general marble and granite works,
born Vermont 1845, settled 1875; wife Amelia A, Cor-
bett, born 1863, married 1874; children two. Winnie
and Nellie.
Jones Richard M., p o Geneseo, farmer, 550 acres, born Sparta
1836, enlisted July 13, 1361, in company A, 3d New York
cavalry; wife Amanda Jenney, born Livingston coun-
ty 1838, married 1865; children two, Emily C, born
1867, Richard M., born 1869.
Jones Charles, p o Geneseo.
Knight Samuel N., p o Lakeville, farmer, 84 acres, born Wyom-
ing county 1824, settled 1831 ; wife Mary B. Bushnell,
born Livingston county 1823, married 1858: children
three, Chailes B., born 1859, George N., bornl864, EfFa
E , born 1866; father Norman Bushnell, settled 18iB,
died 1847, was a very prominent man in the Presby-
terian church; Jonathan Hill settled 1817, died 1849,
aged 80 years, was a farmer.
Knight James C, p o Lakeville, jeweler and assessor, 69 acres,
born Geneseo 1838; wife Almira E. Bryant, born 1840,
married January 11, 1871; children one, Willie B.,
born 1871.
Linsley Martin F., p o Geneseo, farmer and sheriff, 230 acres,
born Livingston county 1840; wife Fannie Perrigo,
born Cayuga county 1839, married 1866; children three.
May, Claude, Xradell.
Lewis Joseph D., p o Geneseo, farmer, auctioneer and commis-
sion business, born Livingston county 1833; wife Mar-
garet Donnan, born York, Livingston county, 1833,
married 1864.
McOlintock Charles, p o Lakeville, farmer and assessor, 179
acres, born Livingston county 1823.
McClintock, Abraham, born Pennsylvania 1776, settled 1807,
farmer, 118 acres; children eight; died 1849.
Milliman Norman M., p o Lakeville, farmer, 50 acres, born Liv-
ingston county 1834; wife Lizzie Harlow, born Cayuga
county 1846, married 1868; children two, Jennie May,
Roy Harlow.
Milliman Bryant, born I;ivingston county 1808, farmer, 80 acres;
wife Lorena Curtis, born Cortland county 1808, mar-
ried 1828, died July 12, 1879.
Milliman John, born Rhode Island 1776, settled 1802, died 1818.
Mather John C., p o Geneseo, farmer, 120 acres, born Saratoga
county April 9, 1807, died December 1, 1877; wife Eliza-
beth L^ellogg. born 1811, married 1831; children seven,
Mary A., Eliza A., and Julia A., twins, Amos R., Nor-
man W., Sarah A., Fannie J.
Milne Wm. J., p o Geneseo, principal Normal School.
Morris Garry, p o Geneseo, born Hampton, Washington county
ItOa, farmer, 60 acres, settled 1817; wife Deborah Huff-
man, born Pennsylvania, 1801, married 1825; children
three, T. Carlton, born 1829, William, born 1830, J. R.,
born 838.
Morris William, p o Geneseo, farmer, 150 acres, bom 1830, wife
Cornelia Perkins, born 1853, married 1879.
Morris T. C, p o Geneseo; wife Margaret Remington, married
1852.
Morris R. J., p o Geneseo; wife Rebecca Hardy, born England,
married 1863.
Mate Fred W., p o Geneseo, general blacksmithingand carriage
repairing, born England 1841, settled 1843, enlisted in
8th New York cavalry 1862 for three years: wife Celina
Fridd. born Livingston county, married 1869; children
two, Hattie W., Batie W.
Merrell J. C, p o Geneseo. photographer.
Neff Abram, p o Geneseo, farmer. 93 acres, born Pennsylva-
nia 1805, settled 1831 ; wife Magdaline Martin, born Mon-
roe county 1809, married 1836; children six, Theodore C.
born 1840, Angeline M., born 1842, Newton W., born
1813, Cathaiine E., born 1845, Julia E., born 1847, Chas.
D.. born 1849.
Neff Christopher, p o Geneseo, farmer and carpenter, born
Pennsylvania 1809, settled 1810, 30 acres, was commis-
sioned captain 1845-49; wife Almira Woodruff, born
Livingston county 1812, married 1837; children seven,
John W., Sarah E., Fannie J.. Henry H., Lucy A., Jacob,
Ella, Henry enlisted in the 136th New York Volunteers,
was taken prisoner and. died 1864, his wife died 1869
aged twenty-four years.
Orton James S , p o Geneseo, banker, born Woodbury, Conn.,
November 26, 1816, settled December 1844, has been
county clerk and cashier of National bank of Genesee
Valley; wife Emilv Stanley, born Mt. Morris, N. Y.,
married May 23, 1843.
Patterson J. B., p o Geneseo, merchant, has beeen county
clerk.
Riley Richard A., p o Geneseo, farmer, 133 acres, born Living-
ston county 1848. was elected justice of the peace
1878; wife Lizzie King, born .Seneca county 1847, mar-
ried 1869; children two, MaudE., Theo. A.
Riley Richard A., born New York City, settled 1836, died 1874;
wife Anna Haynes, born Livingston county 1811, mar-
ried 1844, died February 23, ]8t:3; children two.
Rose R. A., p o Geneseo, general tin, hara and shelf ware and
stoves, born Avon, Livingston county, 1840.
Rose Conklin, born Green county 1797, settled 18:j3, died 1867;
wife B. A Hyde, born 1802, married 1832, died 1869;
children five
StrattoD I. J., p o Geneseo, proprietor Globs Hotel, born Che-
nango county 1833, settled 1872, enlisted 1862 company
K, 10th New York cavalry, was mustered out at close
of war; wife Margaret Stratton, born Chenango coun-
ty 1837, married 1853.
Stevens William A., p o Geneseo, hardware, stoves and general
house furnishing goods, born Livingston county 1844;
wife Helen A. Doty, born Livingston county 1853, mar-
ried 1870; children three, Sophia, Florence Helen,
Allen Cornelia.
Scott John L., p o Geneseo, (Gilmore & Scott,) general milling
business, commenced business 1865, the buildings are
40x70 and 40x60 feet, containing four runs of stones and
has an unlimited water power.
Sleggs William J., p o Lakeville, 153 acres, born England 1817,
settled 1851, died 1872; wife Elizabeth Wright, born
England 1830, married 1848; children seven, Eliza,
Mary J., John W., George T., Elizabeth H., Charles A.,
Winneford A.
Southall Edward W., p o Geneseo, physician, born Staffordshire,
England, March 5. 1851, settled June 15, 1879; wife Su-
sannah Southall. born England, married May 7, 187:3;
children two.
West James A., p o Geneseo, physician and surgeon, bornUtica
April 20, 1835, settled 1862; wife Fanny B. West, born
Ohio, married 1863 at Rochester, N. Y. ; children three,
Jennie A., Mary L., Nannie.
Wicker J. C, p o Geneeeo, county superintendent alms house,
insane asylum, and farmer, 225 acres, born Rutland
county, Vt., 1823, settled 1841; wife Josephine Candee,
born Oxford, Conn., 1840, married 1869.
Wicker Jona, born Massachusetts, settled 1873, died 1874, aged
ninety-four years.
White John, p o Geneseo, farmer, 195>^ acres, born Pennsylva-
nia 1788, settled 1794, was elected justice of the peace
1820 and served twelve years, was assessor several
yeari and held other important offices; wife Anna
Grifath, born Delaware 1786, married 1807, died Sep-
tember 10. 1849; children eleven.
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
VII
White Joseph E., born Livingston county 1826; wife Jah'a H.
Magee, born Groveland 1838, married 1861; children
two, Hester Paret, born 1S61, John Magee, born I8(i9.
Warner Lucius, p o Groveland, farmt r, 270 acres, born Geneseo
ISIO, has been assessor and commissioner; wife Nancy
White, bom Wyoming county 1816, married 1839, died
August 4, 1858; second wife Charlotte P. White, born
1821, married February 10, 18b0, died December 20, 1878;
children two, Lucius W., Anna W.
Warner David, born Connecticut August 17, 1774, settled 18C4,
died August 10, 1818; children seven, living five.
Warner David, p o East Groveland, farmer, 130 acres, born Liv-
ingstoti county March 28, 1816, died December 27. 1879;
wife Pbylancy H. Snethen. born 1H::M, . married 1844;
children five, Wm. W.. Mary E., Jrlarriet E., James H.,
David S.; adopted Katy A. Hall, born 1865.
Weller A J., p o Geneseo, 25 acres, born Mt. Morris 1829; wife
May J. McComb, born Ireland 1H39, married 1861; chil-
dren three, Peter Rush, born 1862,' Edward, born 1866
Weller Peter Rush, born New Jersey 1785, settled 1820, died.
May 18, 1866, was a farmer, tanner and currier.
Wiliard A. J , p o Geneseo, farmer and stocH grower, 135 acres,
born Wyoming county 1623, settled 1842, was elected
supervisor 1^79, has a hired farm of 3,300 acres; wife
Opbelia Bush, born Albion 833, married 1857; children
three, Willie, Clara, Frederick.
Warren J., p o Geneseo, merchant tailor.
Wattles Mason, p o Geneseo.
Wartswnrth W. A., p o Geneseo.
Wadsworth J. W.. p o Geneseo.
Waterbury R. A., p o Geneseo.
Youngs Clarence S., p o Geneseo.
GROVELAND.
Atea Wm., p o Groveland, farmer, 85 acres, born Groveland
August 5th, 1H33; has been constable and excise com-
missioner; wife Elizabeth Head, born Steuben county
May 3, 1834, married March 9, l856; children two, El-
mer, born July 28, 1861, Libbie, born Feb. 7, 1869.
Amer Enos, p o Groveland, farmer, 290 acres, born Northamp-
ton county. Pa., July 14, 1810, settled 18M, has been ex-
cise commissioner; wife AmandaM. Hendershott. born
Nov. 14, 1819, married March 4, 1841; children three,
Charles F , born May 88, 1844, Alonzo B.. born Marcli 3,
1848, Mary L., born Nov. 18. 1R.J3. died June 10, 18V5.
Aitlten Thomas, p o Norih iSparta, minister.
Barber Frank, p o East Groveland, farmer, ISO acres, born
Groveland Jan. 8, 1838; wile Elizabeth E. Heath, born
Liv. county J<eb. 18, 1836, married Dec. 13, 1864; grand-
father Wm. Barber was one of the first settlers.
Boyd Andrew, p o East Groveland, farmer, 140 acres, born Ire-
land Nov. 1, 1813, settled 1818. has been assessor 15
years; wife Mary Park, born Geneseo April 31, 1887,
married April 2, 1844; children five, John P., born April
20, 1845; Andrew J , born Sept. 27, 1847; M. Kate, born
July 2, 1851, Jennie F. E., born June ~'6, 1854, Leonora
C, born Oct. ae, 1859.
Bigelow Orimel, p o Groveland, farmer, 136% acres, born Hart-
ford county, Conn., June 3, 1818, has been supervisor
one term and assessor four terms; wife M. Jane Wil-
liams, bom Green county, N. Y.. June 15, 1824; married
March 25, 1847; children two, Sarah, born Aug. 3U, 1848;
Clermont, born July 18, 1849.
Bean H M., p o North Sparta, farmer.
Barber Isaac, p o Groveland, farmer.
■Bigelow Clermont, p o Groveland, farmer; Erma M. Gamble, wife
of Clermont Bigelowj Dorra M. Bigelow, daughter of
Clermont and Erm Bigelow, oorn March 9, 1879.
Barber Jesse, p o Groveland, farmer. 917 acres, born in Warren
county, N. J., July 2. 1798, settled in county in 1811;
wife Elizabeth Buskirk, born in Sussex county, N. J.,
Feb. 2, 1800, married March 1, 1821 ; eight children.
Culbertson Samuel, p o East Groveland, farmer, 135 acres, born
Groveland August 30, 1837; wife Sarah R. H. Johnson,
born Ohio March 17. 1844, married Jan. 25, 1866; chil-
dren four, Margaret Bell, born June 9. 1867, Hobert M.,
bom Oct. 8, 1870, died Nov. 28, 1873, Samuel Craig, bora
May 8, 1875, James J., born Nov. 29, 1877.
Carrell Mrs. Elizabeth A., p o East Groveland, farmer.
Denniston Irus, p o Groveland, farmer. 1(17 acres, born Living-
ston county April 6, 1840; wife Victorine Mate, born
Oct. 15; 1846, married Dec. 6, 1870; children two,
Laverne, born Jan. 23, 1873, Stella H , born Sept. 10,
1875.
Davis Wm., p o Groveland, blacksmith, bom Steuben county,
died Sept. 27, 1856; wife Rosannah Crane, born Grove-
land Nov. 18, 1827, married June 20, 1854; children one,
Wm. J., born Aug. 3, 1855.
Dean G. J., p o East Groveland, farmer.
Ebenriter Geo, p o Groveland, farmer. 200 acres, born Pennsyl-
vania Feb. 25, 1815, settled April 26, 1833.
Fox John, p o East Groveland. farmer, born Connecticut May
18, 1803, settled 1854, died Jan. 11, 187'i; wife Anna Hill-
man, bom Lewis county Jan. 16. 18u8, married Feb. 8,
1829; children ten, Cornelia M , born Feb. 15, 1830. Isa-
bella D., born Feb. 20, 1832, Caroline E., born July 27,
1834, Cyrus C born Sept. 30, 1836, Wm. P., born Oct.
1, 1839, Sophia Z., born Sept. 5, 1841, Madison V., born
Nov. 18, 1843, George G., born June 23, 1846, Amy A.,
born June 23, 1848, Otto B., born Jan. 30, 1852, died Oct.
16, 1.869.
Pitzhugh Wm D.. p o Mt. Morris, farmer.
Fitzhugh Daniel H., p o Mt. Morris, farmer.
Oilman James S , p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 550 acres, born Sparta
Nov. 8, 1821, has been justice of the peace ten years
and assessor nine years; wife Jane R. Galbraitb, born
Sparta Dec. 13, 18?2, married Jan. 23. 1853; children
seven, Frank P., born Deo. 14, 1853, Elmira W , born
May 5, 18S5, Elizabeth, born Jan. 1, 1857, John, bom
Sept. 1, 1859, Samuel B., bora July 12, 1862, James Scott,
born March 30, 1865, Anna 6., born Aug. 23, 1869.
Gray Sylvester, p o Groveland, farmer, 330 acres, born New Jer-
sey Oet. 13, 1814, settled 1834; wife Esther A. Hillman,
born Lewis county Oct. 31, 1820, married Dec. 13, 1855;
children four. Harriett, born Sept. 21, 1856, died Nov.
6. 18B3, Mary E., born Jan. 24, 1857. died Nov. 88, 1863,
Wm. Hillman, born Dec. 13, 1869, Nellie E., born July
8, 1865, died Aug. 7, 1865.
Gray W. H, p o Groveland, farmer.
Goodwin James, p o Sonyea, member of Society of Christian
Believers.
Hendershott Charles, p o Groveland, farmer, 260 acres, born
Columbia county, Pa., Oct. 10, 1808, settled 1814; wife
Lois P. Metcalf, born Delaware county July 29, 1820,
married Dec. 21, 1848; children four. Charles A., born
Sept. 11, IKiO, Frank M., born Feb. 27, 1852, Chester A.,
born Jan. 5, 1854, Edward E., born Feb. 3, 1859, died
Aug. 10, 1862.
Hartman John p o North Sparta, farmer 660 acres, born in
Dansville Nov. 17, 1823, has been supervisor four terms:
wife Mary J. Hayes, born in Genesee county Deo. 28,
1838, married Nov. 1, 1859; two children, Lei-ter B.,
born Aug. 12, 1860, Kate, born May 7, 1862.
Johnson Richard, p o East Groveland, farmer.
Kelly Geo. W., p o East Groveland, farmer, 190 acres, born
Groveland March 10, 1819, has been supervisor and as-
sessor; wife Lucetta Kimbark, born Cayuga county
August 24, 1827, married Feb. 8, 1848; children three,
George B. Jr., born Nov. 1, 1852, Florence L., born
Deo. 2, 1849, died March 20, 1850, Daniel A., born March
8, 1859.
Kelly Cassius M., p o East Groveland, farmer, born Groveland
March 6, 1848, has been constable; wife Frances Sax-
ton, born Avon Jan. 4, 1861, married April 82, 1878;
children four, George Lewis, born May 13, 1874, Charles
Leslie, born Sept. 25, 187.5, Lucy Fern, born Sept. 10,
1877, Mary Cornelia,born April 22, 1879.
Kelly Michael R., p o Groveland, farmer and lumberman, 146
acres, burn Groveland, May 27, 1813; wife Matilda
Johnsim, born Groveland Aug. 2, 1812, married March
36, 1835, children seven. Michael J., born March 30,
1836, died March 23, 1862, Mary R , born Nov. 19, 1838,
Daniel, born March 19, 1841, Richard, born Feb. 13,
1845. Geo. W., born Dec. 19, 1847, James C, born July
14, 1850, Frederick, born June 8, 1863.
Lake Orrin D.. p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 150 acres, b.orn Delaware
county Nov. 11, 1805, settled April 1, 1830. has been
member of assembly two years and supervisor of Mt.
Morris; first wife Sarah P. Gunn, married March 3,
1831, deceased; second wife Martha B. Gunn, married
Dec. 19, 1849 deceased; children two, Jerome A., bom
Oct. 5, 1832, Sarah P., born Jan. 15, 1841.
Logan Edward, p o East Groveland, farmer, 173 acres, born Ire-
land July 15, 1813, settled 1818, has been road commis-
sioner and supervisor; wife Adaline Laitimore, born
Groveland June 18, 1824, married March 13, 1850.
Lee David B., p o East Groveland, farmer, 95 acres, born Yates
county Jan. 27, 1815, settled 1850; wife Elizabeth N.
Wells, born Washington county Dec. 3, 1830, married
June 14, 1849; children four, Bradner Wells, bom May
4, 1850, Charles Bedell, born Nov. 7, 1854. died Jan. 14,
1862, Franklin Scott, born Feb. 2, 1852, James Avery,
born July 31, 1860.
Long P. H., p o Sonyea, member of Society of Christian Be-
lievers.
Lee Franklin S., p o East Groveland, farmer.
Morris Daniel, p o East Groveland, farmer, 210 aeres, born Ire-
land Aug. 25, 1834, settled 1852, has been assessor; wife
Mary Grey, born New Jersey Jan. 15, 1*30, married
Jan. 81, 1869; children two, Mary Jane, bom June 3,
1871, John Grey, born Nov. 20, 1873.
Magee John, p o Groveland, farmer, 700 acres, born Groveland
July 18, 1812; wife Marietta Patehin, bom Steuben
county 188;', married June 2, 1845; children nine, Fran-
cis A., born April 29, 1849, C. Luella, bom Sept. 21,
1851, Charles M . born Deo. 6, 185.3 John C, born July
38, 1855, Jane C, born March 1, 1859, died Match 36,
1873, Walter W., born May 33, 1861, Edward M., born
Jan. 18, 1863 Evangia. bom Sept. 17, 1865, Mary, born
June 30, 1868, died Feb. 28, 1869.
Mann Wm. K., p o North Sparta, farmer 840 acres, born Grove-
land Sept. 15, 1811, has been school inspector several
years; first wife Sarah McNair, born Sparta July 3, 1811,
married March 28, 1837, died Sept. 25, 1855; second wife,
Fanny M. Dodge, born Feb. 3, 1824, married Nov. 10.
18i)3; children nine, Wm. Henry, born April 30,1838.
died May 10, 1848, Francis A ,born March 24, 1840, Susan
M.,born Nov. 26, 1841, died March 12,1846, JosiahS.,born
Jan. 8. 1843, Sarah L., born Jan. 27, 1845, Margaretta,
born Feb. 27, 1847, died Oct. 11, 1850, Franklin K., bora
July 20, 1852, Wilhemina, born August 37, 1866, Theresa
D., born June 10, 1849.
viu
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Mann Nathaniel B., p o North Sparta, farmer, 210 acres, born
Qroveland Feb. 29, 1828, has been supervisor two
terms; wife Helen M. Ludlong, born Monroe county
March 27, 1836, married June 26, 1861; children four,
Marietta B., born May 19, 1862, Helen B., born Oct. 1,
1866, Marguerita B., born May 19, IbeS, Clara G. P. G.,
born May 1, 1873.
Mann Samuel A, p o North Sparia, farmer, 200 acrec, born
Qroveland Aug. 18, 1807, has been school commissioner,
school inspector and assessor; wife Margaret A. Heyl-
mun, born March 3, iSll. married Deo. 18, 1845; chil-
dren five, Edward W., born March 2, 1848, Charles H.,
born March 2, 1848, died May 6, 1873, Susan B., born
Oct. 12, 1849, Sarah H., born Feb. 23, 1851, Margaret B.,
born July 15, 1853.
Ogden Jennings, farmer, born Groveland June 19, 1811,
died August 28, 1877; wife Nancy Snyder, born
Groveland November 14, 1811, married February
28, 1833; children four, Mary L., born March . 13,
1834, Harriet N., born Aug. 6, 1835, Hamilton W., born
March 4, 1838, Lucius M., born Sept. 2, 1840.
Ogden Hamilton W., p o East Groveland, farmer, 80 acres, born
Groveland March4.1838,hasbeenoverseerof poor; wife
Margaret Kelly, born Groveland Feb. 24, 1848, m.arried
Feb. 23, 1871; children four, Minnie Edith, born July
26, 1872, Alice 'Gertrude, born Nov. 27, 1874, died Aug.
18, 1875.
Ogden Lucius M,, p o East Groveland, farmer.
Pray Isaac, p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 118 acres, born Herkimer
county April 22 1812, settled 1837; wife Jane Mills born
Mt. Morris April 28, 1814, married Feb [6, 1839; children
two, Harriet M., born Dec. 13, 1839, Francis J , born
April 25, 1842.
Palmer Augustus, p o Geueseo, farmer, 218 acres, born Duch-
ess county March 2, 181.3, settled 1842, has been super-
visor, assessor and highway commissioner; wife Anna
S. Lathrop, born Massachusetts Oct. 22, 1811, married
Aug. 20, 1836; children five, Charles S., born March 26,
1843, died Nov. 12, 1864, Mary L., born Nov. lu. 1845,
Cynthia 0.,born Aug. 20. 1849, Fred, born April 18,
1852, Addie, born May 5, 1854.
Young Daniel, p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 111^ acres, born North-
umberland county. Pa., June 4, 1803, settled in 1806,
was assessor in 1^0; wife Lucy Norton, born Susque-
hanna county. Pa,, Aug, 3, 1806, married Dec, 7, 1826;
children seven, Sarah Ann, bom Jan. 5, 1829, Isaac S.,
born May 4, 18;«, died July 10, 1839, Asahel N., born
Aug. 14, 1833, Philena P., born Deo. 16, 1837, Caroline
A., born April 6, 1840, died Feb. 28, 1843, Mary M., born
Feb. 22, 1843, Clara A., born Aug. 23. 1854.
Sickly E. W., p o East Groveland, farmer.
Slack John K., p o Groveland, farmer.
Wise Wm. W., p o Groveland, farmer, 163 acres, born Groveland
Aug. 2, 1841, has been commissioner of highways and
justice of the peace; wife Francis Magee, born Grove-
land April 29, 1849, married Jan. 19, 1869; children four,
Blanche, born Oct. 16, 1871, Edward E., born Sept. 4,
1873, John M., born August 10, 1876, Charles W., born
Jan. 25, 1879.
Wambold Samuel, p o North Sparta, miller, born Chester
county. Pa,, Sept. 5, 1817, settled 1823, has been justice
of the peace eight years and postmaster; wife Catha-
rine Zehner, born Schuylkill county, Pa., Oct. 22, 1818,
married Oct. 27, 1840; children five, 'William W., born
Aug. IT. 1841, Mary B., born July 13, 1843 died 1864,
Abram Z., born Oct. 4, 1845, died June 3, 1849, Francis
Ida, born June 20, 1857, Edward E., born July 7, 1859.
LIMA.
Atwell George W , p o Lima, retired farmer, 145 acres, born
Lima 1832, has been assessor twelve years; wife Mary
A. Gillen, born New Jersey 1827, married 1847, died
1876; children two, Geo. W., born 1852, Silas John, born
1856; second wife Mary H. Doolittle, born 1830, mar-
ried 1878.
Atwell George W,, born Massachusetts 1789, settled 1816, was
one of the first merchants of Lima, retired 1827; wife
Martha Howard, born Massachusetts, married 1818,
died 1863; children two, G. W., and Silas C.
Bonner Benjamin, p o Lima, retired farmer, 16 acres, born
Sparta 1807; wife Jennie Logan, born Ireland 1811,
married 1835; children three, Samuel, Rosa J., and Ed-
ward L., who enlisterl 1862, company G, 130th New
York Volunteeis, died in Virginia.
Banter G, S., p o Lima, dealer in hardware, stoves, tinware and
agricultural implements, born Steuben county 18^9,
settled 1865; father Adam Banter, born Herkimer Co.,
1816, settled 1865, retired farmer.
Bonner Samuel, po Lima, farmer, grain and stock dealer, born
Livingston county 1836; first wife Cornelia J. Good-
rich, Dorn 1845. married 1865, died 1875; children three,
Edward L., Frank C, 'Willie S.; second wife M. Eliza-
beth Peck, born 1846.
Bond "Winslow, p o North Bloomfield, retired farmer, home-
stead and 6 acres, born Rutland county, Vt., 1812, set-
tled 1850; wife Eliza MuUican, born Vermont 1812, mar-
ried 1834; children two, Edwin E., born 1838, Mary M.
bom 1840.
Bennett G. H., p o Lima, farmer, physician and surgeon, 85
acres, born Avon 1820, was surgeon in 70th New York
Regiment one year; wife Eliza Dunlap, born Seneca
county 1825, married 1848; children ten, Mary, Charles,
Emma, George, John, Eliza, Helen, Jason, Earnest,
Amanda.
Brjggs E. W., p o Lima, farmer and capitalist, 205 acres, born
Bloomfield 1H18; wife Sarah Bowles, born Livingston
county 1818, married 1814.
Briggs Humphrey, born Massachusetts 1787, settled 1819. died
1874; wife Phebe Phillips, born Massachuselts l'i90,
married 1809, died 1857; children four.
Briggs Innocent, born Bloomfield 1814, settled 1819.
Briggs J. P., p o Lima, retired farmer, 185 acres, born Onlario
county 18l6, settled 1819, has been justice of the peace,
town inspector, commissioner of highways and asses,
sor; wife Mary J. Hopkins, born Ontario county 1819,
married 1840; children four, Augusta J., born 1S42;
Laura E., born 1847, M. H., born 1849, C. E., born 1852,
died 1879.
Briggs Geo. D., p o Lima, farmer, 120 acres, born Orleans coun-
ty 1850, settled 18U3; wife Ella Rickey, born Huron
county, O., 1852, married 1874; children one, Roy E.
Commins M. L., p o Lima, farmer and dealer in reapers, etc.,
140 acres, born Lima December 22. 1822; wife Lucy A.
Commins, born 1830, married 1848; children four, Jen-
nie, Emma L., Mary L., Frank C.
Grouse George G., p o Lima, farmer and capitalist, 178 acres,
born Avon October 4, 1805; wife Mary N. Hovey, born
Lima 1812, married 1832, died October 16, 1869; children
four, James H., born February 9, 1834, Sarah J., born
February 3, 183b, Ann A., born June 12, 1838, Henry,
born October 15, 1841, died 1845.
Grouse George, born l'i79, settled 1795, died 185:5.
Cary Wilkinson, born 1835; wife A. E. Grouse, born Lima, mar-
ried November27, 1857; children two.
Chappell Harvey, p o Lima, farmer and tailor by trade, born
Massachusetts 1802, settled 1805; wife Charlotte M.
Stillman, born Connecticut 18il, married 1825, died
1840; children three, Robert, born 1829, Harlow, born
1834. Martin, born 1839.
Chappell Martin, p o Lima; wife Catharine Gallagher, born 1847,
married 1866; children three, Harvey, born 1869, Flora
A., born 1871, Thomas, born 1879.
Clow Caleb, p o Lima, general blacksmith, S}^ acres, shop and
homestead, born Canada 1837. settled I860; wife Lucy
A. Atkins, born Connecticut 1838, married 1855; chil-
dren nine.
Clark Wm. S., p o Lima, retired teacher and farmer, 30 acres,
born New London, Conn., 1808, settled 1868, has been
asi^istant assessor or the 25th district of the United
States four years; wife Caroline Way, born Livingston
county July 4, 1810, married 1831; children three, Mary
C., born 1841, Sarah A., born 1844, Thomas R., born
1850.
Carter Franklin, p o Lima, retired merchant, born New Hamp-
shire 1795, settled 1820, has been postmaster seven
years, is one of the oldest masons in Western New
York, uniting with the order in Boston 1818, has been
secretary of lodge in Lima forty yeirs, is a man much
respected by all who know him; wife Catharine Whit-
beck, born Herkimer county 1814, married 1849; chil-
dren one, Franklin W., born 1858.
Croft Edwin, p o North Bloomfield, farmer.
Douglass William, p o North Bloomfield, farmer, 95 acres, born
Livingston county 1825; wife Cordelia M. Gates, born
Monroe county 1824, married 1849; children one, Ada
C, born 1850.
Douglass Caleb, born Oneida county 1779, died 1839.
Dalton John, p o Lima, farmer, 70 acres, born Ireland January
1, 1827, settled June 13,1851; wife Catharine Haurahan,
born Ireland 1832, married 1860; children six, Eliza-
beth, born 1861, William, born 1863, John, born 1863,
Margaret, born 1866, Catharine, born 1868.
Dalton Edward, p o Lima, farmer and drug goods dealer, 72
acres, born Ireland 1821, settled .847; wife Ellen Tobin,
born Ireland 1827, married 1850; children seven, Wil-
liam, Eliza, Joanna, Edward, Matthew, Richard, Ellen.
Day Levi C, p o Lima, retired farmer, born Otsego county 1808,
settled 1837; wife May Hooker, born Oneida county
1814, married 1835.
Day Wiiliam H., p o Lima, farmer, 165 acres, enlisted company
M, New York Volunteers 1864; wife Ella Morley, born
Ontario county 1848, married 1871 ; children two, Jen-
nie May, born 1874, Charles M., born 1876.
Day Dan'l, born Otsego county 1805, settled 1838, died 1877; wife
Julia Day, born 1804, married 1828.
Emmons Rev. A. H , p o Lima, born Freehold, N. J., December
2.% 1843, settled September 1, 1875; wife Rosa A. Em-
mons, born Bordentown, N. J,, married April 7, 1869;
children two.
Ford A. G., p o Lima, farmer and produce dealer, 50 acres, born
Herkimer county 1813, settled 1868, has been excise
commisioner; wife Angeline Benchley, born Herkimer
county 1819, married Ifc&O; children four, Julia C, born
1844, George P., born 1853, Roscoe, born 1857, Frede-
rick, born January 8, 1842, enlisted 1862 in company C,
12lst Regiment New York Volunteers, under command
of Colonel Franchaw, and was kilted in a skirmish the
day after the battle of Chancellorsville.
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
IX
Francis F. B., p o Lima., surveyor, engineer and loan agent, 80
acres, born Cayuga county December 4, 1826, settJed
February, 1831, has been school commissioner and
held other town offices; wife Marietta E. Terry, born
Lima 1834, married April, 1854; children three, Minnie
G., Ettie D , Stella H., and Delbert I, adopted; father
Isaiah Terry, born New Hampshire, 1197. settled 1808;
wife Delina Kinney, born Connecticut July, 18U3, mar-
ried 1821), died 1878.
Gilbert O. S., p o Lima, is postmaster, appointed 1874, born Liv-
ingston county 1826; wife Harriet H. Western, born
Cayuga county 18ifi, married 1855; children three.
Grover Levi P., p o Lima, retired farmer, born Ontario county
1825, settled 1838, has been superintendent of schools
and held other town offices; wife Elvira M. Sprague,
born Ontario county 182ii, married 1819; children three,
Adele, born 1850, Minnie, born 1863, Allie, born 1870.
Goodrich Erastus C, p o Lima, farmer, Ir^JO acres, born Lima
1816; wife Sarah Lord Clark, born Lima 1818, married
1839; children four, Ann S., born 18,50, Maraina S., born
1863, Mary 0 , born 18.)6, Chauncy C, born 1860.
Goodrich Chauncy, born Connecticut 17t;4, settled 1793, died
1850; father Samuel Goodrich, born Cjnnecticut 1762,
settled 1793. died 1823.
Goodrich J. S., p o Lima, farmer and dealer in fine sheep, 154
acres born Lima 181S, has been assessor fifteen years;
Jane M. Chamberlin. born 1821, married 1842, died
January 14, 1880; children two, Sarah B., born 1846,
Charles D.. born 1852.
Gilmore James, p o Lima, farmei*. 94 acres, born Washington
county November 6, 1824, settled 1830; wife Sarah
Biekey, born New Jersey 1833, married March 15, 1860;
children five, Clarenco A., Johnnie M., Bertha A., John
A., George T.
Guinan Patrick, p o Lima, (firm of Hendricks & Quinan,) gener-
al merchant, born Ireland 1842. settled 1869; wife Mar-
faret Guinan, born 1845, married 1878; children one,
iartin J.
Gilbert H. L., p_ o Lima, farmer.
Hendrick Patrick, (firm of Hendrick & Guinan,) p o Lima, 'gen-
eral merchant, born Ireland 1847, settled 1866; wife
Ellen Hendrick, born 1848, married 1879.
Hill George, born England 1798, settled 1847, died 1865; wife Su-
san Hill, born 1798, married 1820, died 18T5; children
twenty, living four.
Hill Levi, born England 1842, settled 1817; wife Charlotte M.
Halsey, born Putnam county 1845, married 1867, died
1880; children two, George, born 186S Ida May, born
1872.
Hart Andrew, p o Lima, dealer in monuments, marble and gran- .
ite, born Germany, January, 1826, settled 1846; wife
Catharine Harris, born 1835, married 1855, children
nine.
Heath Albert, p o Lima, retired farmer, wagon maker and black-
smith, born Livingston county 1822. has been super-
visor, elected 1878; wife Eoxanna Sacket. born Mon-
roe county 1823, married 1846; children three, William
D., born 1848, James M., born 1833, Edwin Newton,
born 1859.
Heath William, bore Genesee county 1795, died 1826.
Howard Nathaniel, p o North Bloomfleld, miller, born England
1834, settled 1875; wife F. L. Hyde, born Livingston
county, married 1863; children two, Charles E , born
1854, Jessie K., born 1869.
Hardy F. P., p o Lima, retired farmer, 50 acres, born Vermont
1815, settled 1826, has been inspictor and superintend-
ent of schools; wile Prudence Ferine, born New Jer-
sey 1817, settled 1825, married 1843.
Ideson Johu, p o North Bloomfleld, Ontario county, farmer,
painter and paper straw board mill, 55 acres, born
Yorkshire, England, 1818, settled 1844, has been inspec-
tor of election and road commissioner; wife Sarah
Moon, born Yorkshire, England, 1819, married 1844;
children three, Harriet, Helen, Jennie V.
Ideson Robert, p o Lima, assessor and decorator, 24 acres, born
Yorkshire, England, 1826, settled 1864; wife Elizabeth
Gilbahks, born England, married 1847; children five,
John J., Walter G., Mary E., Anna, Eooert J.
Jaokman Charles A., p o Lima, farmer and sheep dealer. 185
acres, bom Monroe county 1824. settled 1827, has been
assessor three years: wife Mary A. Green, born Sene-
ca county 1829, married 1852; children two, Frank L.,
Imogene J.
Kinney C. R., p o Lima, farmer, born Livingston county 1837;
wife Eliza J. Clow, born Canada 1857, married 1879,
Longyor Solomon, p o*Lima, farmer, 75 acres, born Ontario
county 1821, settled 1871; wife Emily Jane Reed, born
1821, married 1830; children one, Sarah E., born 1854,
is an artist in oil colors.
Longyor Joel S , p o Lima, farmer and stock dealer, 158 acres,
born Ontario county ls-23, settled 1849; wife Mary
Beebe, b»rn Livingston county 1834, married 1864; chil-
dren two, Nellie D., born 1868, Hattle B , born 1870.
Landon Henry, p o Lima, farmer, 242 acros, born Massachusetts
September 10, 1811, settled 181(1, has been assessor and
commissioner of highways ten years; wife Mary A.
Child, bom 1809, married January 1, 1836, died Septem-
ber, 1865; children 3, Perry L., born 1839, George W.,
bom 1842, Sarah A., born 1838. died 1878.
Martin A D., p o North Bloomfleld. farmer, 1-35 acres, born May
11 1844- wife Harriet E. Huntington, married October
29! 1864; children four, Mattie A., Louise M., Irene F.,
Clarence D.
Martin A. S., po North Bloomfleld, farmer, 133 acres, settled
1827; wife Julia A. Garfield, born Warren county, mar-
ried May 16, 1854; children three.
Miller Willis, p o Honeoye Palls, farmer. 165 acres, born Men-
don, Monroe county 18i0, settled 1869; wife Elizabeth
Bickle, born Canadice, Ontario county, married lb68;
children one, Adam; father Solomon Miller, with his
father were the first settlers in Wesiern New York,
built the first saw mill and raised the first wheat iu
Monroe county about 1793.
Morgan David B., p o Lima, farmer 190 acres, born Lima April
4, 1840. is highway commissioner; wife Melissa Au^el,
born Monroe county 1848 married 1868; children lour.
Mary B., born 1868, Anson A., born 1871, John S., born
1876, Melissa, born 1880.
McNair Wm. R., p o Lima, larmer, grain and stock dealer, 300
acres, born Grovelaod 1823, has been supervisor and
held other town offices: wife Mary W. Maun, born
Livingston county 1823, married 1850; children four,
Henry H, bora September, 1851, Charles W., born
1856, Anna L., born 1868, Clara A., born 1860.
Moses Lewis, p o Lima, farmer and breeder of fine cattle, 280
acres, born Lima 1319; first wife Caroline M. Hicks,
born Ontario county 1822, married 1811, deceased : chil-
dren two. Lewis H., born 1816, Irving Moses, born 1848;
second wife Celia A. Green, born Monroe county; chil-
dren three, Edward O.. Frank, Luther.
Moses Luther, born Vermont 1787, settled 1791, died 1876; wife
Sally Phillips, born 1793, married 1811, died 1861.
Moses Lewis H., p o Lima, farmer, 80 acres, born Lima 1846;
wife Alice B. Harden, born 1846, married 1869; children
two, Gary E , Fred I.
Norton A. Tiffany, p o Lima, publisher "Lima Recorder." born
Mt. Morris, Septembers, 1844; wifoTillieE. Whitbeck,
born Groveland, married 1870.
Nash Adolphus, p o Lima, dealer in coal and phosphate, born
Vermont 181:3, settled 1849, has been deputy sheriff six
years; wife Harriet S Smith, born Canada September,
1813, married January 1, 1836; children two, Edwin A.,
bom Canada October 26, 1836, settled 1819, was elect-
ed county judge in 1878, Mary A., born Canada Janu-
ary 1, 1839.
Newman Aaron, p 0 Lima, farmer, 70 acres, born Delaware
county 1798, settled 1817; father Abner Newman, was
bom Duchess county 1748, settled 1817, died 182H; wife
Mercy Dodge, born Duchess county November 3,
1754. married 1774, died October 1, 1813; children
twelve, living two, Aaron and Sarah.
NewmanThomas,po Lima, born Livingston county 1808; wife
Abigail Horton, born Wayne county 1819, married
1842; ohildien two, Lewis W., born 1845, Ira E. born
1863
Newman Sarah, p o Lima, owner of a farm.
Parker Charles L., p o North Bloomfield, farmer, 153 acres, born
Ontario county 1819, settled 1823; wife Ann L. D'Moyne,
born Seneca county 18i8, man led 1840, died 1873; chil-
dren three, living one, Celestia, born 1845, married Ed-
win Croft, born Monroe county 1810, married 1842,
children two.
Peck Richard, p o Lima, farmer, grain and stock dealer, 80
acres, born West Bloomfield 1811, settled 1812, has been
supervisor and assessor; wife Elizabeth Case, born
Lima 1813, married 1833, died 1845; children two, Jas.
B born 1836, Asahel B,. born 18:37 and married Rebec-
ca Jeffords 1815; children one. May E., born 1846,
Plimpton Edwin, p o Lima, retired farmer, born Ontario coun-
ty 1815, settled 1847; wife Maria Bliss, born Bristol
1830, married 1853; children three, Lillie E., Ida A.,
George E. . , . . ^
Peck Asahel B., p o Lima, farmer, 89 acres, born Livingston
county 1837; wife Helen M. Steel, born 1843, married
1S75; children two, Ida M., Mertie A.
Parker David C, farmer, born Livingston county 1810, died 1879;
wife Eliza Wiggins, born New Jersey 1810, married
183.3. ^ ,. . ,
Ripley Rev, H. M., p o Lima, retired clergyman, born Livingston
county 1812, homestead and 12 acres, wife Mary M.
Reynolds born Wyoming county 1817, married 1832;
children one, Ellen E. .
Stanley H. Augustus, born 1848, settled 1861; wife Elizabeth
Valentino, born Monroe county 1860, married 18/8;
children one, Ralph R. .
Stanley Hiram, p o Honeoye Falls, born Ontario county 1807,
settled 18:<3: wife Lucinda Markhall. born 1817, married
1842: children three, Mary L., Lucy E., Horace.
Smith J. J., P 0 Lima, carriage manufacturer, repairing and
blacksmith, born Wayne county 1848, settled 1851, gives
employment to seven men; wife Mary Flynn, bom
Rochester, married 1871 ; children three.
Shuart Theodore L., p o Lima, farmer, born Monroe county
1886 settled 1867; wife Elizabeth Dusenberre, bom
Ulster county 1827, married 1855; children four, Frank
A., Barry E,, John R., Elner D.
Smith Mrs. Rhoda Warner, p o Lima, representative of the
Warner estate.
Terry Charles A., p o Lima, farmer, 96 acres, bom Lima 1841;
father Henry Terry, born Massachusetts 1792, settled
1801 and married, first, Sarah Williams, bom Livings-
ton county, married i814, died 1824; second wife Abi-
gail Northrup, born Wyoming county 1804, married
1825; children seven, Clarissa, Alvin, Sylvester, Levi,
Juliette, Charles, George .
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Thayer George, p o Lima, retired merchant, farmer and banker,
born Itfassachuaetts 1807, settled 1844; wife Phebe L.
Wood, born Onondaga county 1813, married 1837. died
1873; children three, Samuel R., born 1838, Elizabeth
W., born 1842, George W.. born 1848.
Vary Wm. L., p o Lima, farmer, 160 acre", born in Livingston
eonnty 1860; wife Eatie L. Warner, born New Orleans
1861, married 1880.
Vary Win., born Rensselaer county, settled Livingston county,
died 1873.
Vary B. A., p o Lima, farmer, 219 acres, born Livingston county
1841; wife Fhilinda Payne, born Livmgston county
1839; married 1861, children ton.
Vary Wm., born Columbia county 1807, settled 18;i6, died 1847.
Watts J onathan J., p o Lima, retired clergyman and farmer, 34
acres, born England 1818, settled 1859. wife Agnes
MoEwen, born Canada 1822, married 1836, children
two, Margaret A., Edgerton.
Winans Seth W., p o Lima, farmer, 50 acres, born Seneca
county 1821, settled 1883: first wife Lucretia Norton,
born 1824, married 1830, died 1879; children two, Sarah
N., born 1853, Jennie M., born 1860; second wife Julia
Bathbun, born 1834, married 1880.
Winans Elnathan, born Greene county 1790. settled 183.3, died
1860, was in rifle company in war of 1812.
Warner Albert, p o Lima, farmer, 135 acres, born Lima 1809,
wife Ann Harvey, born Connecticut 1810, married 1832,
children two, Frank, George B. Father William War-
ner, born Connecticut 1770, settled 1795, has been as-
sessor and farmer and captain in war of 1812. died 1855.
Warner Wm. B., farmer, born Livingston county 1795, died 1870;
wife Electa Bennett, born Massachusetts 1798, married
18'i2, died 1880; adopted daughter Uhoda Smith, born
1824, Lucinda I. Stone, born Columbus county 1833,
settled 1836.
Whaley Robert, p o Lima, farmer and stock dealer, 130 acres,
born Avon 1818, father Caleb J. Whaley, born Rhode
Island 1787, settled 1800, died 1830; wife Emily Barnum
bom Livingston county 1821, married 1841; children
two, Robert F., born 1842, Julia A., born 1844.
Wiggins Curtis P..p o Lima, bocn West Bloomfleld, Ontario
county 1838; wife Phebe A. Huntington, born 1839,
married 1861; children 2, Fannie E., born 1862, Ida M.,
born 1872.
LEICESTER.
Alfred N. R., p o Moscow.
Allen John, p o Cuylerville, farmer.
Atherton Maryette, p o Moscow.
Bottsford Eli, p o Moscow, farmer, 140 acres, born Castile, Wy-
oming county, in 1820. settled in county In 1S61, has
been assessor six years: wife Malvina A. Bolton, born
Scipio. N. y., in 1824, married April 9, 1844; six chil-
dren. Helen M., Ada A., Mary, Edith A. Chas. Leslie,
and Inez V. ; father Eliakim BottsTord, settled in Wy-
oming county in 1818, served in war of 1812.
Barret John, p o Cuylerville, farmer.
Beebe James E., p o Moscow, farmer 190 acres, born Leicester
August 12, 1816, has been assessor, highway commis-
sioner, and other minor offices; wife CarolineF. Royce,
born Leicester March 31, 1821, married December 25,
1839; five children. Emily M., born August 31, 1842,
Dora M. born October 28, 1844, Ruth A. born Octobers,
1846, Sara E. born February 1, 1850, and Carrie L. born
February 9, 1838. Father's name Russell Beebe.
Black John, p o Cuylerville, hotel proprietor.
Brown Frank L,, p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 175 acres, born Leices-
ter December 9, 1846; wife Mary J. Cornwall, born
Perry, Wyoming county, mairied Dec. 12, 1870; threo
children, Frederick C, Franklin D., Jessie A.
Brown Milton, p o Mt. Morrip, farmer.
Brown Dudley, farmer, 103 acres, born North Stoniugton July
19, 1802. died Sept. 20, 1873; first wife Rebecca- Cleve-
land, born Somers, Conn., married February 2T, 1828,
died Juno 12, 1833; second wife Susan Blivin, born
Westerly, R. I., married November 6, 1834, died April
17, 1877; children by first wife Charles D., George M.
and an infant; by second wife Rebecca C, Susan E.,
William H., Rhoda A. .Lawrence F., Marion M , Frank-
lin L.. Clarissa J. and Jeremiah M.
Bolton James H., p o Moscow, farmer, 335 acres, born Berne,
Albany county, November 30, 1802, settled in county
in 1824, has been assessor seven years; wife Alvirah
Warren, born Deerfleld, Mass., May 16, 1805, died Aug-
ust 81, 1849, married February 20, 1823; ten children,
Malvina A., Jasper N., Amanda M., Helen C, Alvlra and
Almira (twins), Adelaid E., Cornelia A., Elizabeth A.
and Alice V.
Bush Henry, carpenter, joiner and farmer, 500 acres, born
Berne, Albany county, 1787, died April 19, 1869, settled
in county in 1823, has been commissioner of highways:
wives Amy Willis, died in 1846, Nancy Stone, died in
1857 and Ellen Swan; children, Thomas, Hannah, Hen-
ry, Sally, Ann A., John G. and George R.
Cone B. S., p o Moscow, farmer.
Crosby H. D., p o Moscow, farmer, 137 acres, born Hartland,
Litchfield county, Conn., February 27, 1811, settled in
county in fall of 1816; has been supervisor one term
and assessor; wife Rachel Underwood, born York June
15, 1813, married February 8, 1837; four children, Mar-
cia F., born November 29, 18.38, Newton H., born Feb-
ruary 18. 1841, Helen E., born in 185", and Edward B.,
born September 5, 1853. Father Jeduthan Crosby,
settled in Leicester in 1816, died there in 1848, aged 72
years,
Cooley Alonzo B., p o Moscow, retired farmer, 100 acres, born
Covington, Wyoming county, August 28, 1821, settled
in county in 18l'5, has been supervisor one term and
notarv public; first wife Hannah Beebe, born Leices-
ter m'arried March 23, 1865, died July 13, 1871; second
wife Emeline White, born Moscow, married August 22,
1874; children, Helen (deceased), Russell B., William
J. and Mabel. Father Jonathan Cooley settled in
Greigsville in 1809, and afterwards removed to Cov-
ington, Wyoming county.
Donnan David, p o Moscow, farmer, 600 acres, born Montgom-
ery county December 3, 1809, settled April 17, 1849.
Father Alexander Donnan, who came from Scotland
in 1777,settled in Montgomery county, married Jenette
McEerlie, died aged 85 years. Wife Jane Milroy, born
Scotland 1815, married 1842, died 1858; children two,
Mary E., who married Alexander McPhersou, and
John A.
DeForest Wm., p o Moscow,
Elliott Wm., p o Moscow, farmer and hop grower, 126 acres,
born Clou^h. County Antrim, Ireland, August 11, 1799,
has been highway commissioner, came from Ireland in
1828, settled in Geneseo, removed to Nunda in 1832,
thence to Groveland in 18:16, tbence to Geneseo in
184-^, thence to Leicester in 1853 on homestead of Gov.
George W Patterson; wife Jane McLain, bom Clough,
Ireland, Septmber 25, 1798. married January 28, 1822,
died October 6, 1870; children eight. James, Thomas,
Jane, William, .lohn, Maria, Adam, Sarah A.
Hull John D., p o Gibsonville, farmer, 158 acres, born Manches-
ter, N. y., March 8, 1807, died August 59. 1858, settled
in county in 18l8; first wife Eliza Chamberlain, born
Cayuga county March 4, 18l0, married January 28,
18.30, died July 10, 1840; second wife Sarah (Wilson)
Lord, born Vermont July 8, 1811, married October 26,
1841; sis children, Homer D., Alphonso R., Mary A.
and Jedediah by first wife, William and John K, by
second wife. Father Moses Hull.
Jacobs Samuel H., p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 100 acres, born Barn-
stead, N. H., December 20, 1839, settled April 10, 1867,
was in 15th New Hampshire infantry, was wounded in
the siege before Port Hudson, was discharged at the
expiration of his term of service; wife Sally Nichols,
born Leicester September, 1815, married March 30,
1871; children four, Charles H., Bert, Elmer, Ella.
Jones James W., p o Moscow, fiirmer, 258 acres, bom Leicester'
December 2, 1831, has been mt-mber of auditing board;
wife Elizabeth L, Jones, born Leicester May 7, 1836,
married November 20, 1861, Father of Jiimes was
Hiram W, Jones, Parents of Elizabeth were John H.
and Julia Jones, who were both born in Leicester,
Jones G, W., p o Moscow,
Kennedy John, p o Cuylerville, farmer, 125 acres, born Schenec-
tady July 14, 1801, settled 1811, has been supervisor,
asscFsor and highway commissioner. Father Archi-
bald Kennedy, who came from county of Perth, Scot-
land, and served in the war of 1812, Wite Katharine
McKeroher, born 1806, married 182S, died Anril, 1862,
McKeroher John, farmer, 197 acres, born Broadalbio, Ful-
ton county, April 2, 1790, settled 1811, has been
highway commissioner and school commissioner; wife
Margaret McMartin, born Glenlyon, Scotland, July 10,
1791, married March 21, 1811, died October 13, 1861;
children 10, Katharine, Daniel, Jane, Duncan, who was
in the war of the Rebellion, was prisoner seventeen
months, was promoted from captain to major, then to
colonel, Anna, Tinaley, Margaret, John, Martin,
David.
Moyer Frank H., p o Moscow.
Marsh David, p o Cuylerville, miller.
McNeiUy J. S., p o Mt. Morris, livery proprietor.
Pelton L, C, p o Cuylerville, farmer.
Parker Calvin E„ p o Gibsonville, farmer, 76 acres, born Leices-
ter in 1844; wife Mattie Jaynes, born in New York,
married in 1869: two children, Fannie and Walter.
Father, Calvin S. Parker.
Piffard A, M., p o PifEard,
PifEard S. E., p o PifEard,
Richardson George W., p o Gibsonville, farmer, 180 acres, born
Leicester November 20, 1853: wife Victoria E, Tyring-
ham, born in Massachusetts March 12, 1857, married
November 12, -1876; one child, Edith Belle,
Richardson H, W,, p o Gibsonville, farmer, 400 acres, born Lei-
cester January 12, 1817, died May 14, 1877, was justice
of peace ton years; wife Jane Tabor, born in Duanes-
burg, N. y., February 19, 1824, married September 10,
1843; ten children, Nancy J., Mary A,, Wm, H, (died
May 21, 1865), Emaline, George W., Charles W., Ida M.,
Nellie A,, Edith M. and Fred H. Father Jedediah
Richardson settled in Leicester in 1816,
Beed I. N, p o Cuylerville.
Robinson Wm., p o Moscow, farmer.
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
XI
Tennike John, p o Moscow, farmer, 12 acres, born Duchess
county October 16j 1799, settled 1827, has been highway
commissioner; wife Hannah Cady, born Duchess
county May 1, 1779, married July 33, 1820: children five,
Jacob H., born November 17, 1822, Daniel G., born No-
vember 17, 1822, Mary E., born October 4, 18i5, Alfred,
born October:;, i829, Emery, bom July 4, 1^34.
Welton Amos B., p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 220 acres, born Shel-
don, "Wyoming county, beptembet 18, 1832, settled 1845,
has been highway commissioner, wife Druzzella
Stevens, born West Sparta April 20, 1840, married
July 4, 1858; children two, Charles, born September 23,
1860, Freddie, born January 19, 1865.
Wheelock A. W., p o Moscow, farmer.
Wooster Wm. B., p o Cuylerville, farmer. 340 acres, born Sche-
nectady county December 25, 1828, settled in county
in 1833, has been supervisor six years and sheriff one
term; wife Margaret J GifCord, born Schenectady
county, married in 1856; four children, June A., George
B., Wm. G , Beatty. Father. William W. Wooster set-
tled in county in 1833 and held ofQce of supervisor sev-
eral years.
Wheelock M. S., p o Cuylerville, merchant.
Welch itichard, p o Cuylerville, farmer.
Warner D. L., p o Moscow, cooper, 30 acres, born Ashfield,
Mass., March 10, 1801, settled 1832, wife Betsey Wilder,
born Buckland, Mass., March 9, 1804, married Febru-
ary 26, 1826, died April 23, 1879; children three, Eliza-
beth, born March 5, 1828, Thomas, born January k8,
1831. Henry, born May 23, 1836.
Wheelock, I. T., p o Moscow, farmer and gardener, 120 acres,
born Leicester September 29, 1832, has been assessor
one term and T7. S. guager; wife Marcia Crosby, born
Leicester November 29, 1839, married August 22, l8ofi;
two children, Arthur, born April 8, l8^, Gertrude,
born January 1, 1869. Father, Harry Wheelock, born
in Massachusetts, came from West Broomfield. to
Leicester in 1822, served in war of 1812 as private.
White, Eli, p o Mt. Morris, farmer and hop grower, 448 acres,
born Nelson, Madison county, October 27, 1842, settled
in county January 15, 1867; wife Eunice E. Madison,
born Nelson January 26, 1835, married December 8,
1863; eight children, Laura E., born January 23, 1865;
Cornelius B., born July 23, 1866, Carrie L., born March
20, 1868, I. Newton, born February 7, 1870, Willie, born
October 13, 1871, Francis, born July 17, 1874, Mason F.,
born February 27, 1876, and Milton E., born October 9,
1878.
Welton Amos, p o Mt. Morris.
White Mrs. Jennette C, p o Moscow.
West George W., p o Gibsonville, paper manufacturer, born
Rickmondsworth, Eng., Sept. 19, 1822, settled in county
November, 1871, 80 acres and mill property, has been
justice of the peace two years and, postmaster; first
wife Laura Smith, born Middle Haddam, Conn., mar-
ried in 1846, died in 1817; second wife Pauline C. Baker,
born Chesterfield, Mass., June 12, 1822, married No-
vember, 1849, died July 3, 1876; children, CbarlbS S.,
George E. (deceased), Hattie Paulina, Fanny Belle
(deceased), Victoria Eliza, Jennie B., George Thomas.
Whitmore Emily, p o Moscow.
Yale T. H., p o Perry, Wyoming county, farmer. 111 acres, born
Norwich, Conn., July 30, 1821, settled in county in
1823; wife Helen C. Bolton, born Leicester September
4, 1830, married December 24, 1850; one child, Eliza-
beth.who was married to Samuel R. Sharpsteen Octo-
ber 23, 1872; three children, Earle J., born November
3, 1873, died March 26, 1874, John M. and Karl Y.
LIVONIA.
Alvord L. M., p o Livonia Station, publisher.
Adams Oscar, p o Livonia, farmer.
ArmstrongThomas, p o Lakeville, farmer, 180 acres, born Livo-
nia January 20, J830; wife Eliza J. Nortlirop, born Li-
vonia September 17, 18311, died September 14, 1873, mar-
ried May 10, 1860, three children living, Mary, born
May 7, 1863, Charles, born September 18, 1866, Ida, born
April 10, 1S69.
Annis Edgar S., po Livonia Station, farmer and stock grower,
80 acres, bom Honeoye Falls, Monroe county, settled
in April, 1861; wife Harriet E. Hand, born Groveland,
married March 22, 1876; four children, Mabel, born
February 5, 18T7, Maud, born September 1, 1878, Lulu,
born January 25, 1880; Irving, born April 8, 1868-by
first wife,
iigustus, p o Livonia Station, farmer, 84 acres, born Li-
vonia June 6, 1824, died May 31, 1873; wife Mary E.
Pease, born Livonia June 6, 1835, married May 13,
1857; one child, Myron H. P. Annis, born November 25,
1861.
Armstong John, p o Livonia Station, farmer 50 acres, born Penn-
sylvania April 18, 1801, settled 1805; wife Marany Aid-
rich, born Livonia, is dead, married February '27, 18.34;
three children, Boxanna, born February 27, 18.36, John,
born July 21, 1S42, Charles, born November 13, 1854;
father, Matthew, born Bucks county, Penn., came to
this county in 1805, took lip the farm John now owns,
and lived till his death in this year.
Barton H. A., po Livonia Station, druggist.
Annis j
Blake B. X, p o Livonia Station, farmer, 200 acres, born Livonia
October 4. 1822, supervisor six terme, was also asses-
sor; wife Elizabeth Smith, born Oneida county March 3
1824, married I'ebruary 26, 1847; oue child, Jesse, born
December 23. 1848; father Jesse, born Connecticut
August 31, 1773. came to this county in 1798, moved
family here in 1800.
Bronson Chauncey, p o South Lima, farmer, 100 acres, born
Lima February 2, 1802; wife Parmelia Sheldon, born
Vermont January 5, 1805, died December 17, 1876, mar-
ried October 13, 1829; six children, Pradley M , born
September 16, 1830, Harriet C, September 23, 1839,
John H , October 37, 1841, Emma E., Ootober21, 1844
lived on same farm seventy six years; father Elnath-
an B., came from Connecticut to Lima 181)0, in 1802
came to Chauncey's farm and resided there till his
death in 1828, born 1767.
Barber Rev. Wm. A.,p o Livonia Station, farmer and supernum-
erary M. E. minister, born Kingston, Canada, October
8, 1821, settled in county 1851, 171 acres; wife Sarah A.
Welton, born Livonia July 12, 1823. died Novem-
ber 24, 1878, married August 10, 1848; one child, Mary
B.. born July 8, 1849. » ■ ' . j
BackusAndrew J., p o South Livonia, farmer, 190 acres, born
Fort Ann, Washington county, February 6, 1815, set-
tled April, 1830; wife Ann Patterson, born Conesus
April 10, 1816, married May 25, 1837; two children liv-
ing, Alexander, born September 8, 1840, George, born
July 6, 1848. . . s .
Baker S., p « South Livonia, merchant, born Livonia November
21, 1836, was in 13Bth New York State Volunteers, en-
listed in company 0 as private August 1862, promoted
to foarth sergeant September 25, 1863, to sergeant Au-
gust 15, 1863, promoted to first lieutenant company F
April 22, 1365; wifeM. S. Sharp, born Livonia, married
January 14, 1857, he was deputy pos' master,
Beman Edward, p o Lima, farmer 160 acres, born Berkshire
county, Massachusetts, June 1, 1806, settled 1810, cap-
tain of militia; wife Abigail Phillips, born Lima 1806,
married January 10, 1837, died June 14, 1865; five chil-
dren, four living, Mariette, born Dec. 19, 1838, Ann
D., January 25, 1840, died, March 11, 1870, Ellen H.,
June 17, 1843, Jennie A., March 9, 1844, John E., August
17, 1847; Urial, father of E., came in 1810, took up land
but died in 1814 from bite of mad dog.
Bears A. D., p o Hemlock Lake, farmer and hop grower, born
Livonia April 25, 18.34, 70 acres, wife Sarah A. J erome,
born Ueneseo, married December 31, 1857, died 1878;
two children, Annie L., born January 22. 1859, M. Nel-
lie, July 18, 1863, John Bears born in Cayuga county
1808, came here 1815, died 1872.
Bissell Charles A., farmer, 102 acres, born Bristol, Ontario
county, August 13, 1817, died May 7, 1877, settled 1864;
wife Jane Salsich, born Livonia August 20, 1834. mar-
ried May 23, 1869; two children, Ernest C, born Feb-
ruary 9, 1872. Laura G., October 12, 1875, died Septem-
ber -3. 1877; Joseph, father of Jane Salslch. came from
Cumberland county. Pa., June 1826, settled at Livonia
Centre, died September 9. 1876.
Beman Isaac N., p o Lima, 140 acres, born Berkshire county,
Mass., December 27, 1797, died January 9, 1873, settled
1797; first wife Eunice Bennett, born Bennington, Vt.,
March 13, 1800, died 1836, married January 3, 188J; one
child, Andrew J., born February 13, 1833; second wife
Malinda Sbuart, born Mendon, Monroe county, July
26, 1807, died July 7, 1879; one child. Angle E., born
October 83, 1841.
Chapin W. S., p o Livonia Station, owns house and lot, born
Venice, Cayuga county, December 26. 1826, settled
1861, enlisted in 136th regiment, promoted at different
times to captaincy, town clerk six years, present post-
master; wife Catharine £. Hart, born Groton, Tomp-
kins county, February 13, married December 23, 1857;
three children, Fred E , born December 7, 1860, Wil-
lard H., September 1, 1863, Grace E., September 20.
1868.
Chapin C. C, p o Livonia Station, farmer, 100 acres, born Scipio,
Cayuga county, June 5, 1817. settled 1821; wife Rhoda
A. Lewis, born Livonia, April 1, 1822, married Febru-
ary 14, 1844; two children, Floyd A., born February 7,
1850, Lewis B., March 3, 1856.
Clark L. & Sons, p o Lakeville, grist, lime and plaster mills, 243
acres, L. Clark born GeneseoJune 14, 1823: wife Mar-
garet Stewart, born Scotland October 5, 1824, married
May 22, 1845; three children, living, Hiram L., born
October 23, 1849, Alexander S., February 17, 1851,
Frank H., April 28, 1864.
Chamberlin S. N., p o Livonia Station, farmer, 140 acres, justice
of the peace twenty years, justice of sessions one
term; wife Catharine Cook, born Livonia September
23, 1837, married April 8, 1853; three children, James
N., born April 13, 1854, Marquis D., May 16, 1856, Cora
L., October 4, 1858.
Coe Horace B , p o South Livonia, farmer, 98 acres: father
Lewis Coe, came from Paris, Oneida county, in 1823,
took up 110 acres where the Goes now live, died there
October 33, 1869; Mrs. Coe's maiden name was Rhoda
iiacon, born in Connecticut, died September 7, 1863;
aged sixty-six.
Davis George L., p o Livonia Station, furniture dealer and un-
dertaker.
Davis J. W., p 0 Livonia Station, farmer.
Xll
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Densmore Capt. D., p o Livonia, farmer, 102 acres, bom New
Baltimore August A 1816, settled 1837, captain of old
militia of this town; wife Eleanor Price, born Livonia
January 4, 1816, married Maich 2, 1837; father David,
born in Connecticut March 28, 1767. came to this coun-
ty in 1837, died here August 18, 1861.
Davis N. J., p o Livonia Station, farmer and milk dealer, 64
acres, born Tioga county. Pa., July 4, 1834, settled
1835; wife Cordelia Powell, born Livonia April 21,
1829, married February 21, 1857; four children, Estella
Z., born January 18, 1858, Luther M,, June 15, 1869, El-
vin N., June 4, 1864, Grant S.. December 14, 1868.
Dibbell Charles, p o Livonia, farmer. 158 acres, born Vermont
April 12, 1810, settled 1830; first wife Rebecca E. Young,
born Livonia September?, 1815, married 1840; two chil-
dren living, Elizabeth A. Welch and Louisa J.; second
marriage November 28, 1853, Charles E.. born February
10, 1855; Daniel Young came from New Jersey about
1805, died February 15, 1863.
Dibbell Danforth C. p o Livonia, 10 acres, born Kandolpb, Vt.,
May 31, 1807, died May 27, 1865. settled 1827. was in the
shoe business; wife Maria Foot, born Washington
county May 13. 1815, married September 25, 1838; three
children, Frank M., born December 14, 1839, Unicy M.,
June 16, 1843, died April 21, 1868, Charlotte E., born
March 24, 1850.
Fowler N. H., p o Livonia, farmer.
Qillett M. M., p o Livonia Station, farmer.
Gove N., p o Livonia Station, farmer.
Gray David, farmer, 150 acres, born Livonia July 28, 1812, died
July 27, 1874, justice of the peace for twenty yeare;
wife Ohloe A. Williams, born June 19. 1820, died in Gen-
eseo 1860, married 1840; three children, Emma C, born
April 6, 1842, Lizzie L , born August 16, 1845, James D.,
born September 15, J848.
Gibbs Augustus, p o Livonia, 60 acres, born Litchfield, Conn.,
December IS, 1794, died January 24, 1874, settled in
1800, small sherifC of county, member of Assembly in
1841; wife Caroline Finley, born Geneseo August 10,
1813. married February 13, 1851; one child, Carrie F.,
born June 24, 1856.
Gray William, p o Lakeville, farmer, 11 acres, born Livonia 1818,
is dead; wife Mary Hillman, born Lakeville 1821, mar-
ried 1847; two children. Addle M., born September 11,
1849, Emma R., born November 1, 1851.
Gibbs Adney S., p o Livonia, farmer, born Livonia May 30, 1814,
been excise commissioner and poormaster; first wife
Margaret Read, born Ontario county, died June 0,
18.51; second wife Agnes Griswold, born Geneseo April
6, 18J8, married February 12, 1852; five children, Laura
Ann, born January 8, 1846, Ella Margaret, born May S9,
1854, Mary Francis, born February 26, 1856, Agnes,
born June 12, 1857, Leman, born June 28, 1859; Leman
Gibbs born in Litchfield, Conn., 1788, came to Livonia
in 1803, was elected constable, and in the Legislature,
supervisor four years, also appointed justice of ses-
sions of Livingston county, died 1858.
Hamilton Augustus, p o Livonia Station, farmer, 657 acres, born
Marion county, O., March 20. 1829: wife Caroline Van-
Nuys, born West Sparta June 4, 1834, married Septem-
ber 1, 1863; three children, Hugh F., born April 30, 1867,
Hattie A , born October 21, 1869, Emma M., born Octo-
ber 18. 1872.
Hillman Geo., p o South Lima, farmer, 70 acres, born Lowville,
Lewis county, December 31, 1828, settled October 1839,
town assessor; wife Anna M. Squires, born Ledyard,
Cayuga county, January 10, 1835, married December ,1,
1859; William, father of George, born Martha's Vine-
yard July 14, 1777, came here October 1839, died Sep-
tember 2, 1865.
Hitchcock Charles M., p o South Livonia, farmer 180 acres,
born Conesus March 17, 1833, assessor; second wife
Leonora Stedman, born Livonia, married March 24,
1874; by first wife Belle B., born May 1, 1860.
Harder George W., p o Hemlock Lake, farmer, 140 acres, born
Livonia May 25, 1848, collector of school money; wife
Mary Adeline Turner, born Livonia August 25, 1850,
married October 25, 1871; children, Flora, Mabel, born
January 5, 1872, Hattie Lois, born March 10, 1875, Lulu
Annie, born April 15, 1877; father William came from
Saratoga county about 1830, died March 7, 1877.
Jerome W. S., p o Livonia, farmer, 100 acres, born Ontario
county December 10, 1823, settled 1836; wife Alta S.
Patterson, born Conesus October 1, 1823, married
March 8, 1849; children, Mary J., born March 27, 1853,
Clara A., born September 9, 1860, Julia, born April 9,
1866, W. S. Jr., born March 24, 1868.
Jackman Geo. W., p o Livonia Station, farmer, 156 acres, born
Mendon, Monroe county, February 19, 1826, settled
1828, school trustee; wife Jane E. Cowles, born Brigh-
ton, Monroe county, July 10, 1831, married November
25, 1868; children, George Washington, Jr., born Sep-
tember 21, 1863, Lizzie M., born June 26, 1866, Rillie B.,
born July 9, 1870, L. Ward B.. born September 7, 1874.
Jerome Myron D., p o Hemlock Lake, farmer, 98 acres, born
Richmond, Oniario county, February 10, 1812, settled
1836: wife Sarah Davis, born Covington, Wyoming
county, married June 8, 1847; children, Myron Davis,
born April 10, 1848, John Wiber, born October 22, 1849,
Henry Hobert, born April 6, 1852, Susie Louisa, born
November 10, 1854, Sarah Jane, born October 9, 1856,
Edward, born December 5, 1859, died December 22,
1802.
Jerome Henry N., p o Hemlock Lake, farmer, 100 acres, born
Ontario county November 2, 1830, settled 1836, wile
Anna C. Harder, born Livonia February 7, 1840, mar-
ried March 9, 1864: children, John F, (by first wife,)
born February 28, 1857, Willie G., born December 4,
1867.
Jacques R. R., p o Hemlock Lake, farmer, S60 acres, born Ver-
mont February 11, 1807, settled 1814, has been justice
of the peace, division judge advocat6(rank as Colonel)
received commission Governor Marcy; wife Harriet
Francis, horn Connecticut August 10, 1810, married
September 11„ 18:34.
Long Christopher, p o South Livonia, farmer, 95 acres, born
Geneseo June 6, 1811, has been minister of the Mennon-
ite society; wife Catharine Bean, born Harrisburgh,
Pa., 1807, mai ried May 7, 1845; died November 28, 1871,
three children living, Ann M., Ellen M., Elmer £., born
August 1848; his father, Christian Long, came from
Centre county. Pa., 1811.
Lindsley Freeman, p o South Livonia, farmer, 75 acres, born
Livonia March 12, 1825: wife Sarah Bearss, born Cone-
sus January 10, 1825; four children, Marvin W., born
June 27, 1844, Sarah Jane, born February 27, 1846, Ida
May, born December 25, 1856, Ella D., born February
8, 1860.
Lewis J. M., p o Livonia Station, liveryman.
Long Jacob, p o Livonia Station, farmer, 45 acres, born Gene-
seo September 16, 1813; wife Nancy S. Snyder, born
Clinton county. Pa., June 14, 1818, married February
4, 1841.
Lewis Rockwell J., p o Livonia, farmer, 124 acres, born Livonia
February 24, 1820 ; wife Emily P. Claik, born Livonia,
died September 2, 1868, married 1848; Erastus Lewis
father of R. J., came from Conn.
McClintock Abraham, p o Livonia Station, farmer, 128 acres,
born Livonia March 3, 1825; wife Mary A. Williams,
born Livonia December 20, 1831, married January 29,
1852, one child, Herbert A., born November 11, i8o4;
Wm. McClintock; father of Abraham, born Reading,
Pa., February 20, 17'83, came here 1812, was in war of
that year, died January 25, 1853.
Millham T. W., p o Livonia, general merchant, born Charlton,
Saratoga county, December 11, 1842, settled April
1872, has been postmaster since 1874; wife Anna E.
Barnard, born Saratoga county, married June 18, 1867,
seven children.
Nettleton K. D., p o Livonia Station, clergyman.
Owen D. D , p o South Lima, farmer, 67 acres, born Richmond,
Ontario county, November 19, 1830, settled 1K37; wife
Lucy Clark, born Geneseo October 1-j, 1837, married
February 14, 1861, D. D., was in the late rebellion three
years and four months, enlisted in Ohio 7th as private,
was promoted to first lieutenant and acted as com-
mitisary till his discharge,
Patterson, J. B., p o Livonia btation, merchant, born Cayuga
county April 4, 1828, settled 1834, has been town clerk,
supervisor four terms, and was elected to his present
office of county clerk in 1877; wife Orselia M. Lewis,
born Orleans county November 20, 1834, married Sep-
tember 28, 1853; children, L. J., born September 15,
1855, W. G.. born October 4, 1857, Carrie L., born March
8, 1860, Emma, born April 5, 1862, J. B. Jr., born May 1,
1864, Mary O., born May 18, 1866, Ina B., born July 23,
1876.
Perry E. H., p o Livonia Station, runs a grist mill, born Otsego
county May 22, 1848, came from Ontario county Sep-
tember 8, 1879: wife Lydia J. Trembley, born Ontario
county February 14, 1848, married September 30, 1868;
three children, Nellie J., born October 20, 1869, Emma
J., born October 22, 1875, Ralph H., born June 30, 1879.
Price A. L., p o Livonia Station, farmer, 160 acres, born Livonia
January 21, 1850; father Garrett S., born Northumber-
land county. Pa., October 15, 1805, came to this coun-
ty with his father, Noah, in 1807.
Pease Henry C, p o Livonia Station, born Livonia August 28,
1888, died October 19, 1874, owned 140 acres; wife Han-
nah P. Hoag, born Greene county May 25, 1835, mar-
ried October 14, 1860; one child, Harry Pease, born
November 13, 1871.
Patterson Theodore, p o Livonia, farmer.
Purdy Ebenezer, p o South Livonia, Farmer, 100 acres, born
North Salem, Westchester county. August 3, 1823. set-
tled 1835, has been highway commissioner: wife Fran-
ces E. Harrison, born Groveland April 7, 18.34, married
December 4, 1860; one child, Wm. Harrison, bom
February 15, 1864.
Purdy Cole, p o South Livonia, farmer, 100 acres, born North
Salem, Weschester county, November 26, 1832. settled
1835.
Rider S. W., p o Livonia Station, farmer, 10 acres, born Ohio
August 11, 18:J8, settled i858; wife Achsa A. Amsden,
born Livonia July 28, 1837, married February 15, 1879;
one child, Lee F. Richardson, (by first husband,) born
July 7, 1871.
Remington Mary A., p o Lakeville, farmer.
Ressequie Jerome, p o Livonia Station, farmer.
Swan Albert, p o Livonia Station, dealer in produce and coal,
born Canadice, Ontario county, July 2, 1847, settled
April 1, 1869, has been foreman of Livonia hook and
ladder company, town clerk and treasurer of agricul-
tural society; wife L. Adell Hart, born Conesus July
18, 1847, married September 6, 1871.
Swan George W., p o Livonia Station, hotel proprietor.
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
xui
Short Josiah C, p o Hemlock Lake, farmer and merino sheep
breeder, 250 acres; wife Esther E. Weller, born Livo-
nia May 13, 1825, married March 11, 1852; three children,
Amelia A., born May 4, 1853, Weller J., born August 2T,
1854, Mary A., born April 28, 1867; Henry Weller, father
of Mrs. S., born in PittsSeld, Mass , 1783, came here
1S09, died September 24. 1848, his wife born Westfleld,
Mass , July 31, 1783, died .January 11, 1856.
Smith Lewis E., p o Oakland street, Rochester.
Stcme Joel, p 0 Livonia, farmer.
Swan E. Darwin, born Milton, Saratoga county, March 10, 1813.
died July 10, 1878, settled in county ]ftl6; wife Aman-
da M. Hillman. bom Lowville, Lewis county, August
21, 1832, married March 30, 1870; one child, Nellie, born
May 21, 1873.
Thurston J. B., p o Livonia, cashier banking house of S. T.
Woodruff, born Livonia September 26, 1835, owns 16
acres, has been supervisor two terms; wife Martha
McPherson born York, married September 20, 1858;
one child, Wm. B., born March 20, 1870.
TefEt Frank E., p o Hemlock Lake, does boating on Hemlock
lake.
Thurston George A., p o Hemlock Lake, farmer 97 acres, born
Livonia September 4, 1S38; wife Ella A. Austin, born
P«?rry, Wyoming county, married May 3, 1871: four
children, Thomas G., born June 17, 1873, Kittle S , born
November 7, 1874, Prank A., born June 15, 1876, Bessie,
born February 5, 187M; father Silas R , born Otsego
county, came here 18-37, died 1872.
Turner Sidney P.. was a farmer, born Cayuga county, 1822, set-
tled 1876, died October 6, 18i9; wife Amanda Weller,
born Livonia June 2.3, 1820, married February 27, 1658.
VanZandt I. M., p o Livonia Station, farmer, 90 acres, born
Potter, Yates county, February 7. 1848, settled
April 6, 1870; wife Estella A. Wheeler, born Quincy,
Branch county, Mich., August 8, 1852, married Febru-
ary 18, 1875; one child, Ida May, born September 24,
1878.
VanZandt Samuel, p o Livonia Station, farmer. 187 acres, born
Potter, Yates county, November 1, 1819, settled 1870:
wife Charity Simmons, born Benton October 14, 182-3,'
married November 8, 1840; one child L M., born Feb-
ruary 7, 1848.
WoodrufiE S. G., p o Livonia, farmer and banker, 660 acres, born
Livonia March 8, 1827, has been supervisor two terms,
son of Jeremiah, and grandson of Solomon Woodruff
who came to this town 1790. formerly from Connecti-
cut and first settler in town.
West Lovette P.. p o Lakeville, merchant and farmer, 102 acres,
born Livonia December 24, 1841, has been justice of
the peace for three years, postmaster for the last ten
years; wife Hattie M. Dimmick, born Union Dale, Ha.,
June 22, 1842. married September 30. 1869; four chil-
dren, Harry P.. born December 21, 1872, Erastus L.,
born September 19, 18?'5, Charles S., born February 5,
1878, Florence L , born August 30, 1879.
Wilkin David, p o Livonia Station, farmer, 56 acres, born Livo-
nia September 23, 1826; wife Marilla O. Norton, born
Livonia November 12, 1830. married October 17, 1860;
one child ; Charles L , born April 14, 1855; Lemuel Nor-
ton, father of Mrs. W., born in Saratoga county 1782,
came to this town in 1813, died in 1846.
MT. MORRIS,
Ament Edward L., born Schenectady December 12, 1795, settled
iu 1811. I::i5 acres of land; wife Mary Barnhart, born
Dansville, married January 16, 1831; six children. E.
L. Ament died November 4, 1877.
Bills N. D., p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 198 acres, bcrn Groton,
Tompkins county, September 29, 1814, settled in 1838;
wife Nancy M. Begole, born March 23, 1818 married
May 27, 1840; five chilJran, Charles A., born September
11, 1843, died May 18, 1873, Benjamin B., born Septem-
ber 10th, 1844, died October 2oth, 1846, Lillie, born July
8, 1854, died July 13th, 1876, Margaret E.,born June 28,
1858, Mary A., born May 1^, 1851.
. Brown H. E., p o Mt. Morris, cashier Genesee River Bank.
Bingham Bros., p o Mt. Morris, bankers.
Beuerliue Barney, p o Mt. Morris, dealer in gents' furnishing
goods.
Barron M. M., p o Tuscarora, farmer, 300 acres, born Mt. Morris
November 1st. 1852, 'has been justice of the peace,
elected 1880; wife Alida A. Hall, born Mt. Morris.
Benway Isaac, p o Brooks Grove, farmer. 93^ acres, born Rens-
selaer county February 4. 1817, settled 1838; wife Mary
Bowen, born Scipio, Cayuga county, married Septem-
ber 26, 1842; five children. Anne A., Janette, Henry A.
(dead), Llewellyn, Sales B.
Brooks Micah W., p o Brooks Grove, farmer, 280 acres, born
East Bloomfield, Ontario county, March 20, 182:8, set-
tled in 1832; wife Phoebe E. Van Dusen, born Mt. Mor-
ris, married February 8. 1866: two children, Roscoe
W., born in March, 1863, Mary L., born in September,
1870.
Barney G. W., p o Mt. Morris, local preacher.
Barney George W. Jr., p o Mt. Morris.
Chamberlia H. G., p o Mt. Morris, farmer.
Clark Ozro, p o Mt. Morris, farmer.
CreveliDg Samuel, p o Tuscarora, farmer 230 acres, born Mans-
SPJo^' Warren county, N. J., August 21. 1815, settled in
IS66\ Wife Catharine Miller, born Mansfield N J
married January, 1843, four children. George W., Wm
,0-,'n^*'*"''^^ ^" ^^oy*^ J- Francis W. died April 6th,"
1879. aged 33 years.
Crevling Edward R., p o Tuscarora, dealer in dry-goods and
groceries, owns house and lot, born Mt. Morris Sep-
tember 9, 1852; wife Cora E. Bergan, born Mt. Morris
married February 25. 1874; three children, Howard B.
born April 4, 1875, Julia A., born January 5, 1877, Ed-
ward W., born December 25, 1878
Coffin B. S., p o Nunda, farmer and manufacturer, 240 acres,
born Mt Morris September 3, 1859, has been justice of
I ha peace for eleven years, school trustee; wife Kate
Smith, born Canandaigua, N. Y.. married December
20, 1863; two children. Susie Bell, born April 23, 1870,
George E,, born October 15, 1874. Peleg Coffin, father
of B.. came from Saratoga, born 18U0, moved to Mt.
Morris in 1824, died in 1871.
Case W. H., p o Brooks Grove, farmer, 152 acres, born Fleming.
Cayuga county, April ?6, 1822, settled in 1868, has been
school trustee three years; wife Luraoda Southworth,
born Bergen, Genesee county, married 1849, children,
Sylva G., Enus T., Anna R., all living in this county
and married.
Covey Howdin, p o Brooks Grove, farmer, 78 acres, born Parma,
N. Y., October 3, 1830, settled in 1837; wife Laura
Jones, born Allegany county, N. Y., married June 29,
Case Sterling Jr., p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 85 acres, born Hart-
ford, Conn., settled in June, 1818. Sterling Case Sen.
came from Connecticut in 1818.
Dowling M , p o Mr. Morris, owus 400 acres, settled in 1835, wife
H. L. Barron, married Sept. 8, 1870, nine children,
Mabel H. and Cora I.
Dalrymple A. 0., p o Mt. Morris, farmer. 105 acres, born Mt.
Morris September 6, 1831, has been highway commis-
sioner, assessor six years; wife Frances M. Darling,
bora in Nunda, married June 28, 1854; two children:
father died in Mt Morris.
Dunning W. C, p o Brooks Grove, farmer, 128 acres, born Malta,
Saratoga county, Nnvember 22. 1805, settled in 18i7;
wife Adeline Downs, born Shaftsbury, Vt,, married
October 25, 1832; three children, Sophia, born Decem-
ber 24, 1834, Clarissa, boru March 24, 1837, Richard W.,
born February 8, 1850. Chester Foote, born in 1790,
moved to Mt Morris in 1817, and lived there nearly all
the time since.
Downs Martin E., p o Nunda, farmer and produce dealer, born
Shaftsbury, Vt., March 27. 1823, settled in county No-
vember 1, 1827, has been trustee seven years; wife Sa-
rah Hamilton, born Mt. Morris, married November,
1848. three children, Charles, born January 15, 1850,
Eli, born September 27, 1847, Mary, born September 15,
1853.
Daboll Jane, p o Mt. Morris,
Donnelly John J., p o Mt. Morris, clergyman.
DeCamp Charles E.. p o Tuscarora, farmer, 134 acres, born in
Mt Morris July 16, 1838, has been school trustee ten
years and collector; wife Eliza N. Northway, born
Mt. Morris, married December -Jd, 1862; five children,
Essie L., born July 11, 1864, Frank N., born October 8,
1866, Sarah N., born i)ecember 1, 1868, John A., born
January 20, 1872, William H., born September 26, 1874.
David Howell moved here May 19, 1831, died in Salioe,
Mich., August 18, 1863.
DeCamp John C., born Rahway, N-. J , settled in county March
. 24, 1824, has been school tru.<^tee; wife Sarah Miller,
born Owasco, Cayuga county, married January 6, 1824;
five children, Wm. H., Martha M., Margaret S., Charles
E., Lydia J.
Frost W. A., p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 331 acres, born Brooklyn,
Windham county, Vt., settled in 1844. has been asses-
sor; wife S. A. Miller, born in New Jersey, married in
1822; one child, Fred W., who is 20 years old.
Foote Giles W., p o Brooks Grove, farmer, 133 acres, born Mt.
Morris July 11, 1818, has been postmaster eight years,
assessor three years; wife Harriet Bump Lyon, born
Connecticut, married November 1, 1842: nine children,
Giles, born July 31, 1843, John B born July 18, 1844,
Asa E.. born September 4. 1846, Elizabeth, born July
30, 1850, George W., born February 24, 1863, Fannie J.,
born August 2, 1865,
George John W., p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 380 acres, born in East
Sparta March 16, 1835; wife Eliza Beers, born Leices-
ter, four children.
Green George A., p o Mt. Morris, was formerly a tailor, owns 13
acres, born Otsego county June 1, 1809. settled in 1828;
wife Julia Daboll, born Groton, Conn., married Octo-
ber 20, 1833; three children, two living, Mary and
Richard.
Huggins W. W., p o Nunda, born in Auburn December 26, 1808,
owns IH9% acres, settled in county in May, 1834, has
been school trustee; wife Elmira B. Pitts, born Paw-
let, Vt , March 5. 1803, married March 5, 1829; six chil-
dren, Franklin P., born June 21, 1830, died January,
18:33, M. L., born January 28. 1834, Francis M., born
April 9, 1836, Martha R , born June 13. 1840, William Q.,
born August 9, 1842, J. Henry, born July 25, 1845, died
April 1, 1873. Mother died October 33, 1879.
Harding H., p o Mt. Morris, dealer in books and stationery, hag
been supervisor.
XIV
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Harding W., p b Mt. Morris, editor and proprietorof paper.
Hatbam Brothers, p o Mt. Morris, dealers in general goods.
Hall William N., p o Tuscarora, farmer, 130 acres, born Sem-
pronius (now Kiles) December 3, IblO, settled in county
March, 1835; wife Eliza B. Ccnover. bcrn July SiS. 1820,
' married January 18, 1337; seven children, William,
Harmon, Dora E., Nicholas L., Louisa E , Dorman,
who died aged 47 years, Aaron W., died aged seven
weeks.
Hagadorn "Wiliiam, p o Brooks Grove, farmer, 55 acres, born
Sempronius (now Niles) July iJi, 1820, settled in the
* winter of 18:.'2, has been trustee three terms; first
wife Melissa A. Allen, born Wyoming county; three
children, Sarah N., Adelman, who died in 1863, and
Allen; second wifeLenora Parks, born Scipio, Cayuga
county; three children, Elizabeth A., died September
2, 1849, Frank and Fred J.
Johnson Andrew, p o Tuscarora, farmer, 123 acres, born Sem-
pronius (now Niles) June 38, 1814, settled in April, 1830,
' has been assessor six years and highway cocomis-
sioner; wife Elizabeth Whiteneck, born Groton, Tomp-
kins county, married January 24, 1839.
Johnson Hezekiah, p o Tuscarora, farmer, 160 acres, born Sem-
pronius, Cayuga county, November 1, 1825, settled in
county April, 1830; wife Caroline M. Elwood, born
Aurelius, Cayuga county, married September SOth,
1849.
Joslyn J. W., p o Mt. Morris, physician and surgeon, president
of village.
Knibloe John P., p o Brooks Grove, farmer, 140 acres, born in
Sharon, Conn., January 30, 1808, settled in No-
vember, 1845, has been highway commissioner
three years, justice of the peace two terms;
wife Catherine Winegar, born Amenia, married
December 7, 1857; seven children, Elijah E , Susan L.,
Mariette E , Gilbert W., Kate L., John P., Effie A,
LaKue Frank A., p o Brooks Grove, farmer 75 acres, born Mt.
Morris March S5, 1853; wife Annie Clarkson, born Mt.
Morris, married April 33, 1873. •
Mills M. H., p o Mt. Morris.
Miller Bartley, p o Tuscarora. miller, 100 acres, born Mt. Mor-
ris February 14, 1838; wife Mary H. McDufCy, born in
Seneca county, N. Y,, married November 4, 1869; three
children, Laverne, born April 33, 1871, Carl, born Feb-
ruary 7, 3879, one without a name born May 29, 1879.
Mosher Samuel, p o Nunda, faroaer, 149 acres, born Mt. Morris
May 2, 1833: wile Caroline Seeley, born Livonia, mar-
ried October 12, ]855; three children, Charles J., born
January 8, 1861. Adelbert, born April 26, 1866, Lillie,
born January 26, 3873.
McNeilly & Gamble, p o Mt. Morris, livery owners.
Miller B., p o Tuscarora, miller
Noonan M. J., p o Mt. Morris, cigar manufacturer.
Omans Mrs. Margaret, p o Brooks Grove, farmer.
Olp Joseph P., p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 306 acres, born Warren
county, N. J , January 19, 18.i5, settled in cOunty 1838,
has been assessor; wife Harriet M. Warren, born Lei-
cester, married March 13, 1853; two children, Henry
W. and Flora E. Father moved here from New Jersey
in 1827, died March, 1855.
Olp John, p o Mt. Morris, farmer and insurance agent. 300 acres,
born Mansfield, N J , August 3, 1833, settled in county
April, 1831, has been highway commissioner six years,
also school trustee; first wife Eliza A. Rockatellow,
born Flemington county, N. J., married November 36,
1845; four children, Deb'irah S., born September 19,
1846, died May 6, 1873, Lambert L., born April 15, 1848,
Charles P., born February 13, 1850, Eva J., horn Nunda
April 14, 185 ; second wife born County Antrim, Ire-
jaud, married November 14, 1865* two children, Frank
J., born Mt. Morris October 10, 1871, Albert, born Aug-
ust 31, 1876. Daniel Olp, father of John, born in War-
ren county, N. J., May 6, 1794, married Elizabeth Bow-
man December 11, 1819, died in Livingston county May
6, 1864, also his wife April 17, 1880.
Phillips Mrs. J.,p o Brooks Grove, farmer, 180 acres, born Haw-
ley, Orleans county, March 3, 1824, settled in county
183'J; Mr. Baron died December 13, 1878; she married
agaio April 13, 1880; was first married February 17,
]84i: four children, Harriet L., A. Clifton, Thornton
M., Eate A.
Phillips Mrs. J., p o Ridge, farmer, born Hopewell, N. J., De-
cember 16, 1809, settled in county October 2T, 1824,
Jonathan P., husband of Mrs P., born November 2
1810, died March 15, 1870, married April 25, 1832; three
children, Sarah J., now deceased, Janet H. and
Adelle Z.
Pennington James W., p o Mt. Morris, manufacturer, 176>^
acres, born Newark August 19, 1838, settled in county
1870; wife Sue A. Smith, born Mt.Morris, married May
5, 1869; one child ; Susie F., born August 11, 1871. Mrs.
P.'s father settled here in 1823.
Pdtrie Peter, p o Tuscarora, farmer. 215 acreB. born in Scipio
August 6, 1819, settled in county 1823, has been school
trustee, highway commissioner three years, poor mas-
ter five years and excise commissioner; first wife Har-
riet Ammerman, born Niles, married September 15,
1842; seven children; second wife Louisa J. Elwood,
born Aurelius, N. T., married February 37, lb79. Jacob
P., father of Peter, born in Little Palls, moved to this
county in 1823: had five children, William, Peter, Jo-
seph. Jacob, and Abigail who died in Ilion in 1878. Ja-
cob Petrie died in 1865.
Perrine W. H., p oTuscarora, farmer, 313 acres, born'February
19, 1835; wife Josephine MillhoUen. born West Sparta,
married January :a2, 1861; eight children.
Parsons Levi, p o Mt Morris, clergyman.
Poval Henry, p o Mt. Morris, eclectic physiciap and surgeon.
Phelps Georgu A., p o Mt. Morris, resident.
Price James, p o Nunda, farmer, 12;3 acres, born County of Sligo,
Ireland, August 36, 1827, settled in this county 1840,
has been justice of peace foui years; wife Hannah N.
Phillips,born county Leitrim, Ireland, married August
26, 18li; one child living, John H. Price, born June 6,
1851.
Sedam Daniel P., p o Tuscarora, farmer, 163 acres, born Somer-
set county, N. J., August 2i, 1798, settled in county
May 12, 1833; wife Cynthia Bergen, born Middlesex
county, N. J., married in 1822; six children, Sallie,
Jane, who died May 5, 1876, Mary, Andrew, Jacob B.
and Amanda. One of the oldest inhabitants of the
town.
Sheldon Pomeroy. p o Mt. Morris, farmer. 45 acres, born Perry,
Wyoming county, April 10, 1821, settled in county
April, 1840; first wife Sarah S. Sheldon, born in Massa-
chusetts, died May 19. 1858, married October.1846; four
children. Oren Sheldon, father of Pomeroy, born in
New Marlboro, Mass., 1788, moved to Wyoming county
in 1811 had nine children, moved to Mc, Morris in 1840.
Second wife Mrs. Mary P. Robie, born April 3, 1827;
children. Cora E., born December 6, 1849, Oren T., born
December 35, 1851, Sarah A., burn J une 11, 1855, Joseph
P., born December 3^, 1857, died April 11, 1863.
Scoville H. H., p o Mt. Morris, proprietor of Scoville House.
ShuU George M., p o Mt. Morris, editor and publisher of paper.
Sech Adam, p o Mt. Morris, proprietor of saloon.
Shank John, p o Kidge, farmer, born February 9, 1808, owns 60
acres, settled in county April, IS^W; first wife Mary J-
Sharp, married December 24. 1829; second wife Free-
love Thorpe, married September 19, 1866; four chil-
dren by first wife, Ephralm, Henry S., Franklin and
Laban who died at Andersonville,
Tallman Jacob, p o Mt. Morris, farmer, born Skaneateles, April
13, 1818, came in county with his fatherwho had seven
children in 1839, has been assessor five years.
Thorp Edward, p o Mt. Morris, farmer, born Mt. Morris August
8, 1856; wife Ada Case, born Seneca county, N. T.,
married November 5, 1873; one child, Mabel, bom Jan-
uary 39, 1879.
Weeks Robert E., p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 80 acres, born Gene-
seo November 9, 1816; wife Ruth G. Allen, born Che-
nango county, married January 26. 1842; two children,
Willard A., born September 23, 1847, Prank G., born
March 18, 1857.
Winters John C, p o Mt. Morris, proprietor of canning fac-
tory
Wigg Henry S.. p o Mt. Morris, lumber dealer.
Woolever P. W., p o Mt. Morris, undertaker and dealer in fur-
niture.
Wagner Henry, p o Mt. Morris, grocer and dealer in wines
NUNDA,
Ayrault Lyman, p o Nunda Station, general merchant, has'four
different warehouses, torn Allegany county 1829, set-
tled 1654; wife Miss Baldwin, born Allegany county
1827, married 1848, died 1851; children two, Allen, born
1849, Nellie, born 1851; second wife, Mehetabel A. San-
born, born Allegany county 1837, married 1853: chil-
dren four. Belle B., Fannie A., May E., Charles L.
Atkins D. S , p o Nunda, stock dealer and butcher, born Onon-
daga county, wife A. E. Brooks', born Allegany
county; children two, Eatie B., Gertrude.
Barton Francis, p o Nunda, general custom flouring mill and
shipping to the trade, he purchased interest in mill
October 30, 1879, it has three runs of stone and is ted
from creek in north part of town, born Owego, Tioga
county, 1843, sgttled 1875; wife Maiy Whitehead, born
Livingston county 1868, married April, 1877.
Bennett Liberty, p o Nunda, retirod farmer, 30 acres, born Ver-
mont 1813, settled 1835; wife Ann Bennett, born Alle-
gany county 1827, married 1863; children two, Emily
C, JohnL. '
Barker Seth S , p o Nunda, farmer, 106 acres, born Oneida
county 1801, settled 1821, has been assessor 12 years
and highway commissioner three years; wife Sarah
Durfee, born Rhode Island 1802, married 1821; chil-
dren three, Munson O., born 1822, Orlando W., born
1826. Justus L , born 1834,
Barker Justus, born Livings'on county 18-34. has been assessor
nine years; wife Olive L. Bowen, born Livingston
county 1837, married 1867; children three, Mertie E.,
Fred L., Earnest D.
Barker Amos., p o Nunda, farmer, carpenter and joiner, 100
acres, born Augusta, Oneida county, August, 1800, set-
tled 1827, was assessor 1835: wife Sophia Tracy, born
Connecticut February 7, 1796, married 1827, died 1875;
children seven, Gnstavua, born 1828, Edwin W., born
1829, John F., born 1831, James S., born ia33, Mary C,
born 1835, Joseph M , born 18:37, Julia S., born 18% A.
H. Tyler, born 1&35, settled 1837; wife Mary C. Barker,
married 18;-3. ' '
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
XV
Baker Alonzo D., p o Nunda Station, farmer, drover and stock-
dealer, 235 acres, born Livingston county 1839; wife
Mary E. Ward, born Allegany county 1840, married
1K57; children three, Dorr A., born 1859, L. Earnest,
boru in 1801, Plyn W., born 1875.
Brace L. H., p o Nunda, general carriage and blacksmitbing:
business, born Canada 1841, settled 1860; wife Mary Wa-
ger, born Nunda 1815, married 1865; children three,
Louie Z., Leo D. , Eva Bott.
Barker O. W., p o Nunda, farmer and bee dealer, 68 acres, born
Livingston county 1826; wife Mary E Swan, born Liv-
ingston county 1835, married 185T; children three,
Sarah I., born 1860, Ethel May, born 1866, S. C, born
1878, Willie, adopted.
Barker Munson O., p o Nunda. farmer and surveyor, 90 acres,
born Livingston county 183i; wife Adaline B. Rawson,
born Nunda 1838, married 1851; children four. Flora J.,
born 1855, Lillie A., born 1858, Herbert S., born 1863,
Lavillo S., born 1853, died 1854. James H. Rawson was
born in Springfield, Otsego county, 1796, settled 1819,
was a farmer and carpenter, has been justice of peace
and supervisor, died 1879; wife Marian Lowell, born
Madison county 1800, married 1819, died 1879.
Brewer C. R., p o Nunda. boot and shoe dealer, born Wyoming
county 1859. H. W. Brewer, born 1825; wife Maria B.
GifCord, born Saratoga county 1836, married 1850; chil-
dren ono, C. R.
Barrett George W., p o Nunda, farmer 205 acres, born Franklin
county, Vt., 1815, settled 1851; first wife Sabrah Riker,
born Elford, Maine, 1811, married 1845, died 1866; chil-
dren three. Harriet A. Willett, Sabrah J., Georgianna,
born Quiney, Mass , September 3, 1850; second wife
Huldiih Prime, born Mt. Moiris 1830, married Febru-
ary 1.5, 1880. EzekielP. Greenleaf, bom Boston, Mass.,
May 14, 1790, settled 186:?
Batty R. J., p o Nunda. banker and farmer, 50 acres, born Avon
September 1, 1814.
Banker John W., p o Nunda, farmer and blacksmith, 60 acres,
born Cayuga county January 27, 1826, settled 1862, is
the present assessor; wife Elizabeth Horton, born Or-
ange county 1831, married 1851.
Benson William, p o Nunda, 50 acres, born York, Livingston
county, 1815; wife Susau Squires, born Livingston
county 1S18, married 1838; children two, William M.,
born 1839, Henry F., born 1843. Stephen Benson was
born Vermont 1767, settled 1790, died 1843, married
Lucia Mathews, born 1789, married 1800, died 1864.
Bailey Volney, p o Nunda, farmer, 100 acres, born Livingston
county 1850; wife Alida Newville, born Allegany county
1853, married 1876; children one, M. Belle.
Beach Lauren R., p o Nunda, farmer and school teacher, 110
acres, born Livingston county June 13, 1832; wife
Bridget , born County Connaught, Irelanrl,
1832, married May 10, 1852; children three, Eva Maria,
Ida May, Jessie C. Allen Beach was born in Massa-
chusettR 1800, settled 1828, died 1851. Allen J. Beach,
born 1829.
Bagley Henry, p o Nunda, retired 1873, born Greene county 1794,
settled 1823 and was one of the early settlers of the
town, commenced the lumber business in 1823 and con-
tinued it five years, then commenced to do building
and jobbing, and has taken an active part in the build-
ing up of the town; first wife Lucy Hoadlcy, born
Bradford, Conn., 1792, married 1817, died 1832; children
four, living one, Mary, born 1828; second wife, Eliza A.
Brown, born Heath, Mass., 1806, married 1834; children
one, GifEord H., born 1844
Bailey William, p o Nunda, farmer, 140 acres, born Allegany
county 1821, settled 1850; wife Susan Amelia Teeple,
born Livingston county 1834, married 1846; children
two, Volney T., Wesley, born 1862. Alexander Bailey
was born in Vermont
Chambers James, p o Nunda, farmer and hop grower, 52>^ acres,
born St. Lawrence county 1829. settled 1840; wife
Amanda L. Batterson, born Livingston county 1835,
married 1860; children seven.
Chidsey George, p o Nunda, was retired merchant and farmer,
71 acres, born Avon, Conn,, 1810, settled 18.39, died Feb-
rnary 24, 1880, was post-master at Mt. Morris six years;
wife Mary M. Woodford, born Avon, Conn., 1816, mar-
ried 1838; children four, Lucia M , born 1&39, Martha,
born 1840, Alice M., born 1841, George S., born 1842,
wife M. J. Brewer, born Allegany county lt48, married
1869, children two, Allie M., born 1870, Charles, born
1818.
Craig John J., p o Nunda, farmer, 80 acres born Livingston
county 1843. Father. James Craig, born Ireland 1816,
settled 1830, died 1859; mother Elizabeth Carney, born
Livingston county 1820, married 1837; children twelve,
William, James, Mary, John J., Robert, Elizabeth A.,
Sarah, Albert, Edward, Alfred J., Victor T., Sam-
uel J.
Colton W. H., p o Nunda Station, farmer, 60 acres, born Erie
county. Pa., 1839, settled 1855; wife Rosina Passage,
born Livingston county 1814. married 1868; children
two, Walter, born 1874, Hattie Belle, born 1878.
Chandler J. W., p o Nunda. farmer, 225 acres, born Wyoming
county 1839, settled 1861; wife Abbie A. Prescott, born
Nunda 1813, married 1860; children six, Walter H.,
born 1860, Blanche E., born 1862, Grace M., born 1869,
Ruth A., born 1873, Susan J , born 1875, Arthur W.,
born April 28, 1817. Albert H, Prescott was born New
Hampshire 1801. settled 1835, died 1812; wife Eliza
Brown, born in New Hampshire 1808, married 1836.
Close William, p o Nunda, farmer, 63 acres, born Livingston
county 1833, enlisted in Company I, 136th N. Y. Regi-
ment, in 1862, served through war until 1865, in 1863
was wounded in an engagement in Georgia under
Gen. Sherman: wife Catharine Boyd, born Cayuga
county 1836, married 1857; children three, Harriet A.,
David L., born 1867, Katie R., born 1873.
Close John, p o Nunda, farmer and shoemaker, 86 acres, born
Pennsylvania 1804, settled ]831;flrst wife Rebecca Van
Dyke, born Eagle, Wyoming county, 1808, married
1837, died September 28, 1863; children nine, Sarah A.,
Mary E , William, Eleanor, Lewis, David, who was
killed in battle May 16, 1864, Rebecca L., Harriet, who
died May 6, 1863, Ruby; second wife A, Uynes, born
Livingston county 1812, married 1869.
Closer Michael H.,p o Nunda Station, born Allegany county 1828,
settled 1874; wife Sophia Campbell, born Hanover,
Germany 1826, married July II, 1853; children five,
Adella, born 1855, Celestia M., born 1857, Lydia A., born
1859, John L., born 1861, Lizzie, born 1864.
Cole James M , p o Nunda, farmer. 111 acres, Ijorn Livingston
county 1823; wife Julia M. DeWitt, born Wyoming
county April 25, 1828, married 1854; children two,
Frank M., born 1856, Mary F , boru 1858; Joseph Cole,
born Saratoga county 1796, settled 1818, died October
15,1871; wire Rhoda GifEord Cole, born Washington
county 1800, settled 1818, married 1838.
Cooper Samuel, p o Nunda, farmer, 140 acres, boru Massachu-
setts 1808, settled 1840; wife Hannah Coates, born Mas-
sachusetts 1815, married March 18, 1840; children two,
John M., born 1842, Nancy E., born 1845.
Cooper John M., p o Nunda Station, farmer, 112 acres, born Liv-
ingston county 1842; wife Octavia Cooper, born Massa-
chusetts 1842, married 1866; children two, Clayton,
born 1867, Helen, born 1873.
Duryee William R., p o Nunda, farmer, 160 acres, born Schenec-
tady 1796, setlled 1830; first wife L. Oonklin, born Cay-
uga county 1800, married 1820, died 184.3; children
twelve, living Helen M., Jane A., Gertrudes., Delia O.,
George Monroe. 0. Caroline, J. Conklin, Frances N.,
Harriet N., second wife Melinda Rathborn, born Sara-
toga county 1802, married 1845, children one, James
Harvey Shears, born 1821.
DeGraff Abraham, p o Nunda, farmer, 280 acres, born Cayuga Co.
1810, settled 1830; first wife Sarah Duryee, born Cayuga
county 1818, married 1838, died 1838; children three;
second wife Sarah Perry, born Schoharie county 1813,
married 1839, died 1879; children. EUza A., born 1835,
Margaret A., born 1843, Willie, Myron P., born 1845,
Ennis J., born 1848, Herbert L., born 1850, Marion W.,
born 1853.
Dickinson B. 0., p o Nunda, farmer and stock dealer, 236 acres,
born Oneida county 1818, settled 1850, has been super-
visor four years from 1861; wile Alida Starkweather,
born Cayuga county 1829, married 1849; children four,
Nellie, Allie J., Mattie B., Neva.
Donahue Martin, p o Nunda, farmer and blacksmith, 118 acres,
born Ireland 1835, wife Mrs. Martha Westcott, born
Ireland 1831, married July 10, 1873. John L. Westcott
was born Oneida county, settled Livingston county,
died December 18, 1869; wife Martha Miller, born 1831,
married November 11, 1862; children DeWitt Clinton,
born 1863. Nora, born 1867, Lillie, born November 30,
1869.
Drew Libey, p o Nunda, farmer, 57 acres, born Vermont 1808,
settled 1847, wife Susan Rowell, born New Hampshire
1810, married 1883; children one, Mary L.. born 1837.
Dayton R. B., p o Nunda, general job shop and pump manufac-
turer, born Michigan 1831, settled 1849; wife Laura J.
Gear, born Monroe county 1832, married 1857.
Depuy Peter, p o Nunda, cashier First National Bank.
Eidridge Milo J., p o Nunda Station, general merchant, grocer-
ies, dry goods, drugs, medicines, paints and oils, dat-
ing back as the oldest business mercantile house at
the Station in the drug trade, born Ontario county
April 14 1833, settled 1856; first wife Eliza Remington,
born 1837, married 1858, died 1862; children two. Myrtle
M., born 1857, Elsie B., born 1861; second wife S. Raw-
son, born Livingston county December 31, 1837, mar-
ried 1864; children one, Warren S., born Oct. 18, 1866.
Fuller William C, p o Nunda, farmer, 54 acres, born Massachu-
setts 1819, has been post master nine years and col-
lector 1879, settled 1833, was deputy sheriff from 1861
to 1870; wife Louisa C, Guy, born Cayuga county 1838,
married 1848; children seven; Arthur W., born 1850,
May L.. born 1853, George C. born 1855, Martha E.,
born 1857, Charles O., born 1859, Fred A , born 1863,
Allie J born 1865. Joshua Fuller was born Massachu-
setts 1779, settled 18:13, died 1870; first wife Polly
Brewer, born Massachusetts 1778, married li99, died
]80I ■ second wife Mary Pease, born Massachusetts
1782,' married 1801, died 1869; children four.
Grimes John D., p o Nunda, farmer and school teacher, 400
acres, born Livingston county 1839; wife Sarah A.
Hovey. born Broome county 1835, married 1852, chil-
dren five, Frank H., Scott F.,John D., Mills S.,Blanche
L R. P. Grimes was born Greene 1804, settled 1833,
died 1872, wife Elizabeth Donaldson, born Wayne
county 1808, married 1826, died 1877.
Herrick C W.. p o Nunda, dealer in watches, jewelry, silver
and plated ware, born Cayuga county 1829, settled
1S48; wife Augusta S. Bennett, born Livingston county
1830, married 1853.
XVI
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Hamaher John M., p o Nunda, farmer, 8i acres, boru Livingston
county 1842; wife Ellen Egau, born Livingston county
1846, married 1868; children one, Prank M„ born 1871.
John Hamsher was born in Pennsylvania 18U5, settled
1806 died 1872; wife Sophia C. Hamsher, born Pennsyl-
1803, died 1813.
Jones J. C, p o Nunda, farmer, 115 acres, born Allegany county
1833, settled 1849, died April 8, 1875; wife Prances Hug-
fins, born Livingston county 183B, married 1851 ; ohil-
ren seven, Lorette, born 1856, Harley, born 1857, Jas.
W . born 1860, George B., born 1865, Alice L.,born 1867,
Mattie L., born 1871, Henry H., born 1874. Klmer E.
Batterson, born Chenango county ]852, settled 1853;
wife Lorette Jones, born 1876; children two.
Eiehle C. M., p o Nunda, farmer, 164 acres, born Livingston
county 1847. Pather, Ruben Kiehle, born Pennsylvania
1808, settled 18.35, farmer; wife Maria Hamsher, born
Pennsylvania 1814, married 1835, children eight, Eliza-
beth, Edward, Reuben, Hannah, Franklin, Gbarles M.,
Sarah, Daniel O.
Lake P. D., p o Nunda, dealer in hardware, nails, iron, tinware,
stoves, paints, oils, rope, sash, glass, doors, blinds,
etc , commenced business 1866, 135 acres, born Mt.
Morris, Livingston county, April 3, 1822; wire Emily A.
Fitch, born Wayne county, married January 4, 1855.
Lemen, James, p o Nunda, retired farmer and merchant, born
Livingston county 18i5, was captain in Company I, 1st
N. Y. Dragoons in 1863 and served to the close of the
war, was wounded in right hand, has been post-master
two years; first wife Janette Wood, born Ontario
county 1816, married 1835, died 1848; second wife Mary
A. DonelsoQ, born 1816. married 185'.i, died 1857, third
wifeE. H. Olney, married 1863, died 1869, fourth wife,
Laura Lovejoy. born Livingston county 1844, married
1875; children, Catharine Jane, Margaret A., Virginia
T., Prank J.
Miller Jonathan, p o Nunda, farmer, 59 acres, born Livingston
county 1829; wife Phcebe R. Miller, born Nunda, mar-
ried 1853; children three. Estella E., Mary L., Myta P.
Mc Nair James M., p o Nunda, farmer, 50 acres, born Livingston
county 1836, enlisted 1861, was captain of company P,
33d regiment, served two years, was quartermast^ r at
Washington six years; wife Emily Qilmore, born Alle-
gany county 1841, married 1865; children four, Emma
L., born 1869, Charles Frank, born 1871, May A., born
1875, Emily, born 1678. John C. McNair was born Penn-
sylvania 1794, settled 1796, died 1869. Hugh McNair
was born Pennsylvania 1765, settled 1796, died Decem-
ber 27, 1845, he was a judge for many yearsin the court
of common pleas, and member of legislature, was also
county clerk.
Myers Peter, p o Nunda, farmer, 75 acres, born Livingston coun-
ty 1849. Father Peter Myers, born New Jersey 1790,
settled 1825, died 1874; mother Betsey S. Myers, born
Seneca county 1815, married 1840.
McCuUough L.K ,p o Nunda, tailor and cutter, bornMiddletown,
Conn., 1818, settled 18:^9; wife Mandana Dayton, born
in Canada 1833, married 1854; children four, Delia A.,
Viola J., Eva L., Minnie,
Myers Monroe. t> o Nunda, planing mill and general job work,
born Livingston county 1833; wife Eliza Tripp, born
1835, married 1866; children two, Melvin M., born 1869,
Fred J., born 1878.
Murray Patrick, p o Nunda, farmer, 85 acres, born Ireland 1823,
settled 1853; wife Catharine Boylbone, born Ireland
1832, married 1852; children seven, Mary A., Rosa B.,
John, Daniel, Catharine, Margaret, Bridget.
Merrick D. S., p o Nunda, farmer, lumber dealer and black-
smith. 51Ji acres, born Herkimer county 1817, settled
1818; wife AlmiraChase, born Maine 1819, married 1843;
children .3, Julia, Clarissa, Mary. George W. Merrick
was born Connecticut 1793, settled 1818, died 1880, was
a prominent man and held the offices of justice of the
peace and supervisor; wife Sophia Paine, born Herki-
mer county 1796, married 1816, died March 6, 1861; chil-
dren two.
Norris James W., p o Nunda, farmer, 8.3X acres, born Phelps,
Ontario county 1804, settled 1819; first wife L. Marlett,
born Monroe county 1810, married 1839, died 1846; sec-
ond wife Mrs. Adeline Fierce Brcwnson, born Cayuga
Co. married 1847,died May 28, IWo; third wife Mrs. Clar-
inda Batterson Hay ward, born Livingston county 18z5,
married October 1, 1876; children seven, living five.
Parker M. Sanf ord, hotel, livery and farming, the Parker House
was erected at the station 187.3, and is the only hotel
in the place, born Cayuga county 1830, settled 1835;
wife Elizabeth Wood, born Schoharie county 1833,
married 1853; children two Mary Ette, Charles W.
Page H. D.. p o Nunda, farmer, 376 acres, born Livingston
county 1829, has been supervisor six years from 1863
to 1869; first wife born 1829, married 1854, died 1857;
children one, Carrie, born 1856; second wife Mary Oc-
tavia Warner, born Livingston county 1838, married
1868; children three, George, Ray A., H. Albert, born
1878. Albert Page was born Oneida county 1800, set-
tled 1833, died 1876, farmer.
Paine William H., p o Nunda, farmer, 150 acres, born lf50.
Father William D. Paine, born Herkimer county 1809,
was a mill-wright, settled 1830; wife Semantha Rice,
born Massachusetts 1815, married 1835; children two,
Laura L., born 1848, William H. Elijah Rice, born
Massachusetts 1776,settled 1837, died 1846; wife Annie
Rice, born Long Island 1791, died 1879.
Paine Earl J., p o Nunda, farmer, 130 acres, born Herkimer
county 1807, settled 181T; wife Catharine Grimes, born
Greene county November 10, 1803, married March 38,
1827; children two, Ann M., born June 30, 1H2S, Wells,
born April 15, 1830, first wife Emily B. Phillips, born
Wyomingcounty 1832, married 1851, died 187u; children
two; second wife Celia M. Doolittle, born Otsego
county 1844, married 1871; children two, Earl D,, Fred
E., Carrie A,, Mary C.
Petteys E. S., p o Nunda, farmer, 91 acres, born Cayuga county
1836, settled 1858; wife May N. Day, born Allegany
county 1838, married 1858; children two, Cora A., born
1850, William E , born 1862. Jacob Petteys, was born
Cayuga county lt-03, settled 1838, deceased; wife Hep-
sibah Satterlee, born 181,5, married 1821.
Passage George E., p o Nunda Station, carpenter and joiner and
builder, seven acres, born Livingston county 1843, was
elected assessor 1879; wife Charlotte Lyon, born Con-
necticut 1841, manied 1870; children three, Louis, born
1873, Plyn L , born 1877. Neil L., born October, 1879.
Peter Passage, p o Nunda Station, farmer, born Her-
kimer county 1813, settled 1841 ; wife Harriet Ward,
born Herkimer county 1817, married 1842.
Paine Carlos Grant, p o Nunda, farmer and lumberman, 109 63
acres, born Herkimer county February 20, 1811, settled
1S32; first wife Jerusha Switt, boru 1811, married 1835,
died 1853; children four, Delos S., born 1840, Fannie A.,
born 18-38, Harriet U., born 1336, Nathan A., born IHUl;
second wife Nancy Sweet Burdick, born Delaware Co.
1817, married 1854. Ezra Burdiek, born 1845. Mary Jane
Burdick, born 1841, settled 1851. Abraham Burdick
was born 1801 and died 1850; wife Nancy Sweet, mar-
ried 1836.
Passage Daniel, p o Nunda, farmer and mineral springs, 150 acres,
born Herkimer county 1817, settled 1866. has been com-
missioner of highways four years; wife Nancy White,
born Allegany county 1820, married 1840; children five,
Charlotte, born 1843, Martha D., born 1843, Frank W.,
born 1854, Walter S., born 1858, Luella, born 1863. Hi-
ram A., boin 1845, was in the late war, was taken pris-
oner and died in Andersonville prison 1864.
Robinson William Y., p o Nunda, druggist, born West Sparta
1843, has oeen supervisor, wife Charity Smith, born
Nunda, married 1865; children two.
Richmond B. P., p o Nunda, retired merchant and farmer, 318
acres, born Massachusetts 1812, settled 1836; children,
Georgia W., born 1840, Anna B , born 1842, Charles D,,
born 1856.
Sanders C. K., p o Nunda, editor and publisher of Nunda News,
paper established 1859, was appointed postmaster 186 1
by President Lincoln, and again in 1879 by Hayes; wife
Harriet E. Tousey, born Dansville, married -March,
1861 ; children one.
Seager Jacob, p o Nunda, farmer and preacher, 88 acres, born
Ulster county 1804, settled 1850; wife Asenath Tobias;
children six, Henrietta, Sally, Catherine, Asenath,
Susan, Ellis P.
Swain Samuel, p o Nunda, retired merchant, farmer and rail-
road director, 110 acres, born Northwood, N. H., 1809,
settled 1818; first wife Cynthia Jeffries, born Cayuga
county 1810, married 1834, died 1850; second wife Clara
J. Jeffries, born 1822, married 1854; children five, Sam-
uel J., Charles J , Julius C, Emma, Katie.
Towne Arba, p o Nunda Station retired farmer, 100 acres, he
bought his land of Mr. Norton of tbe land company,
and through fraud was compelled i o pay for it the sec-
ond time, he was born iu Massachusetts 18U4, settled
1818; wife Mary Ecker, born Herkimer county 1791,
married 1835, died 1873 W. H. Pierce was born Liv-
ingston county 1843, and married Irena Towne, who
was born 1841, married October 29, 1&67: children two.
Bertha, born 1873, Matilda, born 1880.
Thompson Luther, p o Nunda Staiion, farmer, carpenter and
joiner, 91 acres, born Massachusetts 1809, settled 1837,
has been pathmaster; wife Martha Holland, born Mas-
sachusetts 1810, married 1837; children four, Joseph A.,
Henry A., Jonathan T., Direxa V. J. Lurher Thomp-
son was born Livingston county 1S38, enlisted in 1861
in Company A, 104th Regiment, under Col. Rorback,
was taken prisoner, sent to Belle Island prison, died
by starvation February 16, 1864. Cordino S. Thomp-
son, born Li v'ingston county 1841, enlisted in Company
A, 104th Regiment, was wounded in first battle of
Fredericksburg 1862, taken prisoner and never after
heard of.
Townsend John H., p o Nunda, farmer 380' acres, born Hunter,
Greene county 1793. settled 1823, was in war of 1813, is
a pensioner; wife Mary Vanieventer, born New Jer-
sey 1795, married 1824; children five, living three, John
B., Peter, Gideon.
Tracy John, p o Nunda, larmer, 310 acres, born Ireland 1838,
settled 1852; wife Bridget Creed, born 1833, married
1853; children eight, Margaret, Thomas, Michael,
Mary, Catharine, James, William, Patrick- Margaret
Donahue, born Ireland 1804, married Michael Tracy
1824, settled 1857.
Van Bnskirk John, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 93 acres, born in
Greene county 1821, settled 1851; wife Eliza G. Willis,
born Steuben county 1833, married 1831; children,
Charles Henry, born June 25, 1855, Lydia Jane, born
October 30, 1857, James Andie, born June 26, 1870, died
July 9, 1871, Charlotte A., born 1874.
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
xvu
Warren Noah, p o Nunda, retired favraer, born New Hampshire
1793, settled 1S18; wife Ursula Cole, born Otsego coun-
ty 1791, married 1816, died 1870; children six, living
four. Porter, born 1818, Esther, born 1885, Gorham N.,
born 1832, Lyman, born 1835; wife Sarah Greenwood,
born England 1836, married 1860; children five, Emma
and Eva, twins, born 1862. Jessie, born 1863, Harry L.,
born 1867, Frank, born 1815.
Willey Joseph D., p o Nunda, farmer, 9 acres and homestead,
born Canada 1817, settled 1839, died 1862; wife Catha-
rine Smith, born Saratoga county 1818, married 1840;
children six, Paul E., born 1841, Emma, born 1843,Celia,
born 1851, Florence, born 1853, Louis P., born 1865,
Wilford B., born 185T.
Wakeman Miles H., p o Nunda Station, born Fairiield, Conn.,
1825, settled 1850, las been ju?tice ol the peace; wife
Electa Newton, born Portage 1824, married 1852; chil-
dren four, Willie N., Prank E., Miles E , Nellie S.
Woodworth J. R., p o Nunda. foundry and blacksmithing, born
Madison county 1835, settled 1846; wife Aurelia Hay,
born Livingston county 1827, married 1848; children
two, Mary E. Nellie I. Commenced the foundry busi-
ness 1878, buildings, 36x60 and 42x22, employing five
men; wagon makinfj, repairing, and the manufacture
of the combination (steel) field, garden and potatoe
hoe and hook specialties.
Willard H., p o Nunda, born Livingston county 1855, general
furniture dealer and undertaker; his factory was built
in 1850 by Mr. Tuttle, later owned by Mr. Barkley and
bought by present proprietor January, 1880, he em-
ploys from seven to ten men and keeps constantly on
hand a general assortment of the best quality of fur-
niture and carpets.
Whitenact Cornelius p o Nunda, farmer, 115 acres, born Cayuga
county 1811, settled 18:^6; wife Lueinda Duryee, born
Cayuga county 1813, married 1835; children four. Bell,
Arminda, Elizabeth, Charles.
Whipple Jacob, p o Nunda, farmer, 100 acres, born Livingston
county 1830; wife Joanna Faulkner, born Bath, Steu-
ben county 1843, married 1862; children three, Carrie
born 1866, Kate F., born 1869, Freddie E., born 1871.
Elisha Whipple was born 1801, settled 18j5, died May
39, 1863; wife Maria Post, born Cayuga county 1803,
died 1819; children nine. George Whipple, born Liv-
ingston county 1829, farmer, 95 acres, wife Helen M.
Herriek, born Castile 1834, married 1863; children two,
William, born 1866, Charles Seldon, born 1872.
Whipple Henry, p o Nunda, farmer. 18 acres, born Livingston
couniy 1833; wife Elizabeth Smith, born Livingston
county 1858, married 1876.
OSSIAN.
Ackley W. J., proprietor St. James Hotel.
Bonner Samuel C, p o Ossian. farmer. 802 acres, born Ossian
June 20, 1835; wife Mary M. Scott, born Ossian, mar-
ried 1857; children two, Fred C, Nellie.
Benson Edward, p o Dansville, farnaer, 50 acres, born June 4,
1808, settled 1864; wife W. Finn, married 1863; children
Mary, Thomas, Jane, Ellen.
Bush Henry, p o Ossian. farmer, 100 acres, born 1836.
Box James L., p o Ossian.
Clendenin Jacob, p o Ossian, farmer, 53 acres, born Ossian 1818,
has been justice of the peace; wife Mary Ann Kemp,
born Cayuga county, married OctoberSO, 184 '; children
John, A. B., Jacob, Catharine, Joel, Charles, Rhoda
Canfleld Charles, p o Dansville, farmer, 880 acres, born Monroe
county 1818, settled 1837; has been assessor; wife A.
M. Smith, born Onondaga county, married 1837; chil-
dren five.
Covert F. P., p o Dansville.
Geiger E. H., p o Dansville.
Holdridge George G., p o Canaseraga, farmer, 3i0 ceres, born
Wayne county December 29, 1803, settled 1837, has been
school commissioner, captain and assessor's clerk;
childr n seven, Ella, Emma, George, Nannie, Miner,
Blanche, John.
Heath William, p o Ossian, farmer, 118 acres, born Monroe
county April 28. 1810, settled 18411; wife Rhoda Scott,
mairiedlBoO; children, John W., Ella A., Matilda J.
Hyde Corydon, p o Dansville. farmer, 571 acres, born Livonia,
August 86. 1814, has been town clerk and town super-
intendent; wife Ann Lemen. married October 11, 1848;
children four, Henry C, William L., Charles E., Jen-
nie L. , , r . ■ i
Hagadorn James, p o Ossian, carriage maker, born Livingston
county 1884; wife Esther Crumb, married 1843; chil-
dren four.
Hampton Isaac, p o Ossian. „ . o
Lemen L C, p o Dansville, farmer, 116 acres, born Ossian Sep-
tember 3, 18-33, has been supervisor and justice; wife
Catharine B. Boyes, born Ossian, married November
16, 1869; children one, Virginia M. „ , ,
Linzy Daniel, p o Dansville, farmer, 60 acres, born Bnglapd
April 6 1806, settled 1849, has been poormaster; wife
Edith Wells, married 1873; children nine. John Catha-
rine Elizabeth, William, Julia, James, Alice, Matilda,
R. C.
MoCurdy A., p o Dansville, farmer, 270 acres, born Livingston
county January 31, 1826, has been supervisor and as-
sessor; wife Janet Scott, married June 31, 1865; chil-
dren five, Ellis, Fred E., M. J., Jonas E., Alice Mav.
McViuch William, p o Dansville, farmer and teacher, 160 acres,
has been poormaster, laorn Livingston county October
7, 1812; wife Caroline E. Gould, born Livingston coun-
ty, married October 4, 1841 ; children four.
McCurdy David, p o Dansville, farmer, 305 acres, born Sparta
1816, has been justice and poormaster, married 1843;
children eleven.
Price Israel, p o Ossian, farmer and lumberman, 6 acres, born
Pike county. Pa., 1809, seltled 1823, has been commis-
sioner of highways; wife Jane Covert, born Ossian,
married October 4. 1848; children, Mary Ann, James
C, Martha Jane, Israel jr , Harriet J., George, Fred D.
Price Lemuel, p o Ossian, farmer, 60 acres, born Ossian Novem-
ber 8, 1829, has been constable, collector and excise
commissioner; wife Rebecca Thompson, born Orleans
county, married March 8, 1859; children four, Emory
H., G. M., Earnest N., Anna Blanche.
Roberts Daniel, p o Ossian, farmer and mechanic, born Penn-
sylvania September 15, 1800, settled 1849; wife Martha
Roberts, married 1819; children six, Ehoda, Ellen, Dan-
iel, Mary Ann, Moses, Andrew.
Robinson M., p o Dansville, lumberman and farmer, 90 acres,
born 1818, settled 1846, has been commissioner of high-
ways and overseer of poor; wife -Harriet P. Knapp,
born Ossian, married May 29, 1852: children two, Vir-
ginia Alice, Samuel Albert.
Scott Samuel, p o Scottsburgh.
White S. D., p o Dansville, farmer, born New Hampshire Oct.
1, 1810, settled 1814, has been constable; wife Lydia
Russ, born Petersburgh, N. Y,, married 18.30; children
six, Martin. Solomon, Everet, Mary, Hattie, Louise.
White Wm. M., p o Canaseraga, farmer.
Weidman, G. G,, p o Dansville.
PORTAGE.
THE followiiig article, furnished by tbe kindness of Mr. C. D.
Bennett, was received too late for insertion in Chapter
XXI; but as it is worthy of preservation, we insert it in this
connection:—
Portage was in Albany county from its organization, Novem-
ber 1, 1683, soon after the colony of New Yoik was taken by the
English from the Dutch, It was in Tryon county frum March
12, 1772, till that name was changed to Montgomery. April 2,
1784. It became a part of Ontario county January 27, 1788, and
was embraced in the town of Northampton, which included the
Morris reserve, in 1797. March yo, 1803, it became a part of Lei-
cester, Genesee county, and was included in the town of An-
gelica, February 25, 1805. It went to Allegany rounty at its
formation, April?, iSOfi, and was included in Nunda at its or-
ganization, March 11, 1808. It was erected as a town and named
Portage, from the carrying place round the Genesee Falls,
March 8, l827. April 1, 1846, it was annexed to Livingston coun-
ty, about one-fourth its area, lyinj; west of the river, being with
a part of Pike constituted the town of Genesee Falls, and set to
■Wyoming county at the same time. It was a part of the Morris
reserve, and is wholly within the 50,000 acre tract sold in 1791
by Robert Morris to Gerritt Cottringer, and which lies between
the Transit and the Picket lines, extending from near Silver
Lake to Granger Centre.
It was soon afterwards bought by John Hornby, of Scotland,
■who made John Greig, of Canandaigua, his agent for its sale
and settlement. He employed Elisha Johnson to survey and
sub-divide it in 1807.
The lots are oblong, about three-fourths of a mile long and
lOB rods wide, containing about 160 acres and number from 1 to
279. The numbers from 135 to 235 constitute the town of Port-
age, 16,564 acres
On every lot Mr. Johnson noted the quality of the soil, and
the kind and qualityof tbe timber, with special reference to the
amount of pine. On every pine lot he estimated the amount of
pine timber as equivalent to a certain number of acres thickly
set with good pines.
Nearly one-fourth of the town in the northern part was main-
ly timbered with oak, chestnut, hickory, etc., with too little pine
for mention. On the rest it was estimated at from 2 acres to 140
aeres on a lot.
Lots 178, 186, 196, 203, 235, 226, 233 and 234 averaged 100 acres of
pine each, while the total of the pine lands in the town was
very near 2,000 acres.
xvm
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Probably no measurement was ever made of the quantity of
lumber cut from a given acre of land ; but on some acres it was
estimated as high as 75,000 feet of pine.
Some trees were of gigantic size, measuring over 200 feet in
height, and some over 7 feet in diameter; a log 12 feet long
making 2,000 feet of lumber one inch thick.
There was a large quantity of splendid oak, some that would
saw 5,000 feet of lumber to the tree.
Along the streams stood a large growth of maple, cucumber,
etc. The timber as it stood would bo worjh more at present
prices than the real estate and personal property now in town.
The soil is mostly a sandy and gravely loam, dry and warm,
suitable for the growth of corn and winter wheat.
Though at about the same altitude with the towns west of
the river, the snow fall is much less than there and compara-
tively free from drifts, while the spring comes on a week or
more earlier.
Though her acreage is less than half the average of the other
towns io the county, the number of her freeholders is i30, while
their average is little over SCO.
The upper valley of the Genesee river is 1,100 feet above tide
water, and more than 500 feet higher than the lower valley at
Mt. Morris. The intervening distance the river runs through
deep gorges or caiions, in a direct course about 12 miles.
The Erie railroad is about 250 feet higher than the river val-
ley, while the surface of the south part of the town rises as
much higher, or 1,600 feet above tide water.
Through Portage lay the shortest and easiest route between
the Squakie Hill and Caneadea reservations, and here the trail
of Ihe Indian had been traveled tor centuries. Here was con-
structed the Genesee Valley canal. The easiest grade across
the river, till far north, is through this town, and here the Erie
railroad was laid
The ever-increasing stream of migration westward that set
in after the Revolution and the destruction of the Indians'
power, seemed to stop with the century, at the Genesee river.
It followed two principal channels: one up the Susquehannah
and iis branches into Allegany; the other over the levelland
north of the lake country.
The new century gave vigor and volume to the west-bound
rush. The Holland Company was laying roads to lure it on.
Connecticut was leading it to her reserve in Ohio,
Southern Livingston was between the streams. The various
tracts it comprised were not in the market. It was thickly set-
tled by squatters of that rough and restless class who like to
live on the verge of civilization and prefer the liberty that is
not limited by law.
lu 1816, George Williams, sent by Mr. Greig to act as resident
agent, opened a land office on Oak Hill, near the deep cut. Set-
tlers came in rapidly, so that in a few years nearly every lot
was sold at from $3.50 to $4.50 per acre. Though strong induce-
ments wera offered to incline some of the scores of squattei's to
buy and remain, Ephraira Kingsley, a noted hunter from "Ver-
mont, was, perhaps, the only one who bought and settled. They
sold their "betterments" for what they could get and went
west.
Where the old Allegany road crosses the East Coy and West,
Coy creeks, settlers began to stop in 18C5-6. March 11, 1808,
they procured the erection of the town of Nunda, 12 miles by
24 , now constituting the towns of Centerville, Eagle, Genesee
Falls, Granger, Grove, Hume, Nunda, Pike and Portage.
For several years Mr. Kingsley, who lived a mile below Nunda
village, was the only town officer ejected east of the river; but
with the rapid settlement of the Cottringer tract, it was evi-
dent that the center of population would soon fall east of the
Transit line.
The founders of Nunda, at their own request, were consti-
tuted a new town named Pike, after General Albert Pike,iand
Oak Hill became the business centbr of Nu^da, then twelve
miles square. March 6th, 1818. The Tuscarjra tract and other
lands comprised in the present town of Nunda soon after were,
offered for sale and settlement. The town was inconveniently
large and several plans for its division were proposed at* suc-
cessive town meetings till March 8th, 1827. Portage was seiofl!
six miles square, containing most of the population ^^ait^l^jkcnfii-ft
stituted Nunda. On the erection of a new town it generallytakes
the new name, as when Angelica was formed from Leicester
and Nunda from Angelica. But Smith's Mills (now Portage-
viile) was ambitious to become a town center, and effected a
division of the town, by consequence taking the new name,
while Nunda was again moved eastward into the recent wilder-
ness, retaining the books and files of papers made by the Doles,
the Grangers, Griffiths, Newcombs, Skiffs and Mills, common
names in Pike, but foreign to modern Nunda.
The business relations of Portage and Nunda were mostly
with the dealers in Livingston county, and a large majority of
the people preferred that their political connections should
go with them. At the town meeting held in Portageville in 1846
the voters present from the east side of the river almost unan-
imously voted to be set from Allegany county into Livingston,
while those from the west side voted in favor of being set into
Wyoming county.
Probably no other town was settled with a population so uni-
formly of Yankee origin. The north part, called North Oak
Hill, was settled by the Dakes, Millers, Moshers, Giffords, and
many others originally from New England. A~ few years later
it was said that there were seventy-five blood relations in their
school district.
Messenger's Hollow, now called Oakland, was settled by the
Fitches, Hills, McNairs, Messengers, Swains and others, mos'ly
related.
On Oak Hill came the Adamses, Frenches, Markses, Robin-
sons, Smiths, Spencers, Strangs, etc., relatives from Pawlet,
Vt. East of them settled the Newtons, Pattersons, Thompsons,
relatives, from Ooleraine, Mass.
Around Hunt's Hollow were the Aliens, Bennetts, Clarks,
Cobbs, Hunts, Devoes, Nashes, Parmelees, Slaters, Roots, Wil-
liamses, etc., mainly from Connecticut.
Pennycook (so named by Mr. Rosebrook at his raising of the
first log house there) was settled later by people from various
places.
The town was long distinguished for the excellence of its
common schools and for the number of teachers it sent forth.
It has always been a temperance town, perhaps because'lt has
but little village population.
In the Morgan excitement it was strongly Anti-Masonic. It
became as decidedly Whig, and is now as much so Republican.
Of the more than twenty saw-mills built on the banks of the
river and Cashaqua creek the last one failed nearly twenty
years ago. The vast quantity of pine lumber cut by them was
run in rafts to Rochester, there assorted by the buyers into
three qualities and sold at an average of $5, S", and $10 per M,
the poorer quality outmeasuring both; the others.
The risks and labor of rafting ceased when the Genesee Val-
ley Canal was completed to Mt. Morris in 1840, for it was better
to haul lumber Ihe sixteen miles than to raft it, but Portage
had sold most of her lumber before that time, or. rather, she
had given the lumber, and got small pay for t'. e cost and labor
of handling it.
One saw-Diill of 2,000 feet per day capacity succeeds the score
of former years, lumber and shingles come to us from Michigan
and Canada, and even climb the hills to Allegany. Nor are the
families of the pioneers more permanent than their works, for
the descendants of only seven of them, viz: of David Bennett,
George Gearhart, John McFarlane, Nath. Olney, Robert W.
Thompson, George Williams and Solomon Williams now hold
any part of the premises originally taken by them from the land
office.
Thomas Tousey Bennett was one of the seven brothers who
assisted in clearing the wilderness and developing the water
power at Hunt's Hollow.
His mill for fulling, coloring and dressing the home made
cloth of the early settlers was erected about 18-21 or 1822, and
was for a long time a prominent feature in the business of the
place.
Of the twelve saw-mills on the Cashaqua creek in the town of
Portage the one built by him and Deacon Samuel Swain was
one of the best.
He died in 1849, leaving four boys and three girl.i, all of whom
settled in western states, except Sarah, the youngest daughter.
She married William} Tousey in_ 184.5, and^ soon" occupied the
Tousey homestead. They have there reared a family of four
children, viz: Lucy Cornelia, Emma Jane. Carrie A, and Lucius
C. Tousey.
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
XIX
Bennett Joel C, p o Hunts, farmer, 100 acres, born Sciplo, Cay-
uga county, May 16, 1815, settled May 16, 1821, was
supervisor 186^6;^; wiie Cornelia Botslord, born Sen-
nett, Cayuga county, married November 10, 1850; chil-
dren four, Ada E. born December 18, 1851, Nora M.,
born Adgust 30, 1857, Carl D., bora January 26, 1860, E.
Warner, born April 26, 1866.
Bennett Charles D., p o Hunts, farmer and surveyor, 250 acres,
born Cayug.i county February 15, 1819, settled 1821,
has been supervisor and highway commissioner; wite
Huldah Oluey, born Cayuga county August 28, 1819,
married December 15, ]8")3; children three, Carrie M.,
born Texas June 15, 1855 Ellura, born Texas. Decem-
ber 22, 1856, Charles B., born Portage May 5, 1860.
Beardsley George B., p o Hunts, farmer, 100 acres, born Cay-
uga county April 21, 1888, setftled 1851; wife Catharine
Sutherland, born Portage January 5, 1841, married
October 17, 18H1; children two, Hattie M., born Octo-
ber 31, 186-^, Willie G., born December 7, 1867.
Beardsley Jared, p o Hunts, farmer and stock dealer, 162 acres,
born Oakland couniy, Mich., May 20, 1836, settled 1851,
has been assessor; wife Mary T. Branch, born Cayuga
county, married April 2, 1868; children four, Alice C.,
born July 9, 1870, Mary T., born December 15, 1871,
Lotta S., born July 5. 1874, J. Ray, born June 25, 1876.
Bailey James H., p o Hunts, farmer, 87 acres, born Steuben
county February 19,1830, settled 1832, has been school
trustee; wife Mary Hanford, born Saratoga county,
married October 8, 1854; children four.
Bennett Nathaniel H., p o Oakland, farmer, 110 acres, born Port-
age 18-27, has been assessor a-id school trustee; wife
Elizabeth Wright, born Saratoga county; children
four.
Bennett J. Yates, p o Hunts, lumbering, 30 acres, born Portage
November 30, 1823, has been notary public, has a saw-
mill on Spring brook— the only one in Portage; first
wife Mariette Galusha, married 1862; second wife
Elizabeth Branch, married 1872; children one, Arthur
Yates Bennett, born 1873.
Bennett C. F,, p o Portageville.
Brogan. P. M., p o Portageville.
Brooks Laura A., p o Brooks Grove.
Carrick Robert, p o Oakland, farmer, 650 acres, born Perthshire,
Scotland. July 12, 1798. settled 1834, has been commis-
sioner of highways sixteen years; wife Margaret Ann
McKill, born Glasgow, Scotland, October 1, 1818, set-
tled 1827, married December 3, 1838; children eight,
Mary Jane, born March 4. 1841, Clarissa C, born Janu-
ary 26, 1843, Robert B., born April 6, 1846, John W.,
born July 31, 1850, William W., born May 25, 1852, Flor-
ence E., born January 8, 1855, Charles I., born March
7, 1859, Margaret Ann, born September 6, 1849.
Coffin Latham, p o Nunda, farmer, 194 acres, born Mt. Morris
October SI, 1825, has been assessor six years and jus-
tice of the peace twelve years; wife Jennett E. Burr,
born Haddam, Conn , married 1863; children four,
Peleg Coffin was one of the first settlers in Mt, Mor-
ris.
Clarke I. B., p o Nunda. farmer, 50 acres, born Livingston coun-
ty Novembers, 1826; wife Elizabeth Lake, born Liv-
ingston county December 33, 1827, married April 7,
1853; children two, Ada E., born Conesus August 28,
1855. George B., born Conesus February 28, 185S.
Clark Amos R., p o Hunts, farmer, 100 acres, born Allegany
county February 20. 1831, settled in county 1867; wite
Mary Olcott, born Portage ls35, married August 19,
1856; three children, Henry W.. Rosa E., Wilber T.,
born Fi'bruary 8, 186i; all born in Allegany county.
Dickens Charles H., p o Nunda Station, farmer, 25 acres, born
Tompkins county December v8,1817, settled 1854; wife
Sarah Ann Thompson, born Portage October 24, 1822,
married May 29, 1844; children four, David Edgar, born
April 9. 1846, Robert Emmet, born October 8, 1848,
Frank Oliver, born November 13, 1851, MahlonC, born
March 20, 1856.
Gearbart John, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 160 acres, born Cay-
uga county January 3, 1804, settled 1816; wife Eliza-
beth C. Guthrie, born New Jersey August 13, 1808, mar-
ried June 28, 1828; children ten. living seven, Charles
H , born May 2, 18*9, Hannah C, born December 29,
1830, John, born November 14, 1832, Sarah A., born
February 2, 1834, Mary E., born May 16, 1836, Martha
A., born February 14, 1839, William C, born February
25, 1841, Nathaniel A., born September 25, 1843, George
A., born September 15, 1845.
Gearhart George, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 140 acres, born
Cayuga county November 11, 1816, settled 1817, has
been higtiway commissioner and assessor; wife Sarah
Baldwin, born Tompkins county July 3, 1817; married
I July 4. 1837; children nine, George M., born June 4,
1838, died October 19, 1864, F. F., boru October 33, 1839,
Armelia, born July 11, 1841, Edwin D., born January
27', 1843, died May 6, 1843, Esther A., born July 3, 1847,
Meriitfc H., born August 24, 1848, Mary P., born July
35, 1851, Frank A., born September 20, 1853, Bertha L.,
born September 16, 1857, died August 29, 1864.
Gilpatrick Charles C, p o Nunda Stntion, farmer, 112^ acres,
born Ycrk county, Maine, January 6, 1817. settled 185u;
wife Hester A. Scott, born EUsburgh. Jt»fEerson coun-
ty N Y., March 23. 1838. married July 31, lb77, Han-
nah Gilpatrick. born January 21, 1787. died February
22 1862. Children Delia V. Dean, bornBurns, Allegany
county, ilpril2, 1867.
Griffith John M., p o Oakland, miller and banker, 8 acres born
Steuben county 1834, settled 1844, has been supervisor
oneterm; wife Caroline M. VanScoter, born Sparta,
married 1&49; children two, living one
Hewitt Peleg W.,po Hunts, farmer, 145 acres, born Ontario
?oo"i°t^' ? ^-^ February 23, 1822. settled February 23
18.^7, has been poormaster, highway comissioner and
excise commissioner; wife Nancy Thompson born
Frankbn county. Mass,, July 15, 18l8, married Decem-
ber 18, 1845; children five, Wilson S , born Portaee
October 21, 1816, Cornelia, uorn February 14 184ri
Alice F., born March 17, 1850. Edwin C, born Julv 28*
1854, Mary J., bora August 21, 1861. *
HinkleyOwen E..po Hunts, farmer, 97 acres, born Vermont
May 2Ist. 1836, settled 1838, was in the 14th New York
Heavy artillery twenty-five months, was discharged
by order of war department as a paroled prisoner-
wife Cornelia A. Hinman, born Greene county ^ Y '
married September 34, i857; children three. ' ''
Kneeland B. F , p o Nunda ^tation. physician and surgeon
born Onondaga county June 3, 1825, settled ]85l7 has
been supervisor two terms; wife Harriet Niles, boru
June 14, 1852. '
Lockwood Thomas G., p o Hunts, farmer, 63 acres, born Con-
necticut January 17, 1810, settled 1839. has been over-
seer of the poor thirteen years; wile Lucy C. Smith,-
born Onondaga county; children four, George m!
Lockwood was in the 33d New York Volunteers during
the late war; was chief clerk of the interior under
Schurz.
Lryon J. S., p o Nunda Station, farmer.
Morse Chauncey, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 91 acres, born Port-
age May 10, 1837; wife Jane E. Gilpatrick, born Allega-
ny county, N. Y., May 7. 1841, married December 10,
1862; children one, Fred K., born December 22, 1868.
Morse Marvin, settled i836, died June 6, 187H.
Morse George, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 98 acres, born Rens-
sela-'r county, N. Y., December 26, 1832, settled Octo-
ber 18S5; wife Orpha L. Smith, boru Allegany county
May 4, 1838, married April 7, 1861; children three,
Charles Raymond, born April 7, 1868, Prank Edwin,
born January 2, 1873, Orpha Belle, born Januarv 12
1878.
Merithew Hiram, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 56 acres, born
Washington couoty, N. Y., March 19, 1798, stttled 1867;
wife Laura Bailey, born Allegany county December
25, 1819, married May 8. 18.)8; children two, Seneca S.,
born Nunda March 31, 1854, Willis A., born September
1, 1855.
McFarline Alexander, p o Nunda,farmer, 92 acres, born Portage,
has been assessor and highway commissioner; wife
Cynthia Spencer, born Portage, married 1850; chil-
dren one; father John McFarline, settled 1820, and
cleared the present homestead.
Nash Enos A., p o Hunts, farmer, 70 acres, born Wilton, Conn.,
February 13, 1817, settled 1825, has been assessor and
town clerk; wife Elenora B. Stockwell. bom Vermont,
married October 26, 1811; children three, living two,
Adelbert who was in the 4th New YorkHeavv artillery
was wounded in the hand and was also in Libby Pri-
son.
Parmelee C. L., p o Hunts, station agent.
Robinson E. F , p o Hunts, farmer and lumberman, 80 acres,
born Portage January 19, 1819.
Robinson Charlotte, born Fufton county, N. Y., January 18,
1795, settled 1818, married November 33, 1817; chifdren
eight; she is the oldest settler now living in the town.
Randall Charles H., p o Oakland, farmer, born Whitehall, Wash-
ington county, N. Y., 1817, settled 1831, has been super-
visor and justice of the peace twelve years, and ses-
sion justice three terms; wife Catharine A. Lockwood,
born Whitehall, N. Y., married July 17, 1842; children
eight, living four, James B., was in 169th regiment, and
was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor June 4th, 1864,
David L., was a volunteer in the 130th New York Dra-
goons.
Saxton Nelson, p o Hunts, farmer and stock dealer, 160 acres,
born Ulster county, N. Y., October 16, 1827, settled
1857, has been school trustee and collector; wife Han-
nah Lane, born Wyoming county, N. Y.. November 14,
1827, married January 20, 1858; children four, Charles
C, born July 13, 1859, George U., born January 13, 1861,
Nelson Jr., born April 33, 1863, Hattie L., bora Sep-
tember 4, 1866.
Smith Lyman born Danbury, Fairfield county, Conn., January
22, 1808, settled 1832, died June 6, 1870, came here with
Ammon Smith, wife Mary Sheppard, born Newtown,
Fairfield county, Conn., November 18, 1809, married
November 25, 1830: children three.
Smith Ammon, p o Hunts, farmer, 250 acres, born Danbury,
Fairfield county. Conn., March 20, 1810, settled 1832,
has been supervisor five years and assessor nine years;
wife Julia R. Nash, born Newtown, Conn., married
1831 ; children one.
Slater Vandalia, p o Hunts, farmer, 300 acres, born Portage
May 30, 1829; wife Betsey Murry.
Smith Hiram, p o Hunts, farmer, 80 acres, born Westchester
county January 7, 1819, settled 1850, has been justice
of the peace sixteen years superintendent of schools
and assessor seven years; wife Eliza I. Janford, born
Connecticut, married May 18, 1846; children six, living
four.
XX
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Towsey William, p o Hunts, farmer, 100 acres, born Genesee
county, N. Y., July 16, 1818; wife Sarah Bennett, born
Portage October 29, 1830. married October 30, 1846,
children six, L. Cornelia, born Octobers, 1847, Emma
J., born August 30, 1849, Carrie A., born February 17,
1851, Charles B., born June 25, 1853, died November 27,
1857, "William C„ born July 22, 1856, died November 1,
1857, Lucius C , born July 16, i860.
Trailer Robert P.. p o Portageville. farmer, 80 acres, bora Liv-
ings*"0u county June 8, 1831; wife Delia Allen, born
Saratoga county, married December 23, 1873; children
one. William Allen, born Saratoga county July 13,
1800; Clara Deuel, born in Saratoga county, July 13,
1795.
Thompson Robert W., p o Oakland, farmer, 172 acres, born
Colerain, Mass., July 26, 1823, settled 1823, has been
highway commissioner and assessor; first wife Sarah
E. vadSIyke, born Wyoming county June 20, 1823, died
June 25, 1858; children two. EUetta B., born June 27,
1849, Annette E., born July 20, 1853; second wife Cyn-
thia Andrus, born Hartford county, Conn , September
25, 1829, mairiedMay 23, 18 9; children five, Chester
W.. born June 33. 1862, Sarah E., born November 22,
1863, Lincoln A., born October 31,- 1866, Luther R., born
August 31, 1869, May, born May 1, 1872, died August 6,
1872.
Tabor Clark W., p o Nunda Station, farmer, 130 acres, born Port-
age August 8, 1834, has been town clerk; wife Sarah A.
Lake, born Allegany county November^, 1839, married
April 10, 1862; children four, Cora L., born April 22,
1863, Albert O., born September 7, 1865, May L., born
April 25, 1868, Harry C, born December 15, 1869,
Townsend William, p o Hunts, farmer, carpenter and joiner, 50
aeres. born Allegany county April 30, 1832, settled 1867,
has been commissioner of highways; wife Laura
White, born Allegany county June 18, 1836, married
February I, 1857; children three, Julia, born Nunda
March 26, lt'59, Grace B., born Allegany county Sep-
tember 12, 1867, Willie R., born Portage July 23, 1869.
Wilder Nathaniel", p o Hunts, farmer, 113^^ acres, born Buck-
land, Franklin county, Mass., December 3, 1813, set-
tled 1826; wife Cecelia Paine, born Livingston county
May 39, 1821, married November 30, 1&4S; children four;
father Allen Paine, settled 1818, came from Leicester
with two yoke of oxen when this country was a wilder-
ness.
Wilner Marcus W., p o Portageville, farmer, 195 acres, born
Portage January 4, 1825, has been supervisor two
terms and assessor two terms; wife Susan A. Adams,
born Ohio, married 1850; children four.
Wilner Merriman J., p o Portageville, farmer, 114 acres, born
Portage December 12, 1828, has been supervisor two
terms and highway commissioner; wife Sarah M. San-
ford, born Connecticut, married December 1856; chil-
dren two; George Wilner was in war of 1812, settled
soon after.
Williams George, p o Portageville, farmer, 2,000 acres, born
Massachusetts May 26, 1793, settled 1813, was member
of Legislature about 1826, agent for Cottinger's tract,
and first postmaster: wife Alma Devoe, born Cayuga
county, married August 13, 1845; children six, living
three.
Williams J. J., p o Hunts, merchant.
SPARTA.
Buskirk Samuel, p o Scottsburgh, retired farmer, 131. acres, born
December 12, 1806; wife E. Allen, born Washington
county, married 18S1.
Blakely Rev. D. C, p o Scottsburgh, clergyman.
Baisel J. E., p o Scottsburgh.
Calbertson John A., p o Dansville, farmer 85 acres, born Sparta
June 8, 1843, settled 1843, has been assessor eight years,
was in late war in 54th N. Y. N. G., company E, father
was a pioneer in town; wife Lillie D. Galbraith, born
Groveland November 13, 1857, married Judc 9tb, 1877;
children one, Johnie G.
Driesbaoh Elias, p o Dansville, farmer, 480 acres, born Sparta
February 17, 182JJ; wife Susannah Eidd, born Mauch
Chunk, Pa., December 13, 1823, married January 16,
1845; children six, Susan C, born November a, 1845,
Lydia A., born September 23, 1848, Mary Olivia, born
October 7, 1851, Rosa Joan, born August 7, 1857, Joseph
Henry, born June 3, 1859, Emma Alice, born May 19,
1864.
Driesbach Henry, born Mauch Chunk, Pa., April 3, 1790, settled
1808, farmer and left 700 acres to be divided between
three heirs, died March 1, 1872; wife Lydia Hartman,
born Mauch Chunk 1799, settled 18 j9, married 1821;
children six, living three.
Foster Samuel, p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 73 acres, born Pennsyl-
vania September 17, 1840, settled 1865, has been high-
way commissioner; wife, Arville P. Brown, born Erie,
Pa., married March 19 1861; children six, Elliot M.,
Lucy K., G. B., David, Henry L., Blanche E.
Flory John, p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 27ti acres, born Franklin
county, Pa., April 12, 18l)9, settled 1813, has been asses-
sor; wife Clarinda G. Scott, born Sparta, married No-
vember 18, 1835; children five, living one, John, born
July 14, 18-17.
GiUman Mrs. H., p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 150 acres, born Grove-
land March 25, 1833, married October 31, 1854; children
three, one living, Jennie Scott, born Sept. 3, 1862.
Galbraith Mrs. Lydia, p o Dansville, farmer, 306 acres, born
Sparta 1833, married February 9, 1854; cliildren six,
Mary E., Lydia D., Henry D., John, Jennie M.. Anna.
Hamsher Mrs. RebeccH, p o Dansville, farmer, 100 acres, born
Northumberland October 3, 1803, settled 1812. married
January 8, 1844; children four, Caroline E., Susan B..
Martin S., Jonas S., who married Cornelia Woodruff
and has two children, Bennard W., Sophia C.
Hammond L. B., p o Dansville, farmer, .348 acres, born Sparta
October 10, 1832; father Morgan Hammond, born Dans-
ville 1794, settled 1816, died 1847, was a pioneer and
prosperous farmer, owning several farins; wife Cath-
erine E. Driesbach, born Sparta, married October,
1869; children two, Kittie, William.
Havens Willard C, p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 110 acres, born
Groveland July 11, 1836; wife Sarah Polen, born Grove-
land 1815, married January 37, 1870; children two, Lil-
lie M., Freddie G.
Hamsher Henry, p o Dansville, farmer, 82 acres, born North-
ampton counts', fa , February 19, 1812, settled 1823,
has been commissioner of highways; wife Rebecca
-Artman, born Pennsylvania, married February 8, 18.36;
children six, Sarah, William, Clara, John Wesley,
Emma, Theo.
Hughes Martin, p o Dansville, farmer, 90 acres, born Sparta
January 27, 1857; wile Rosa Joan Driesbach, married
January 27. 1880.
Hammond John S., p o Dansville, farmer.
Jennings .John, p o Scottsburgh, merchant and farmer; 55 acres,
born Ontario county 1812, settled 1833, has been over-
seer of the poor; wife Mary Frost, born Washington
county, married 1836; children four, Amanda, Mary M.,
Emma E., Charles.
Johns G. H., p o Dansville, farmer, 250 acres, born in Columbia
county. Pa., May 23, 1818, settled 1844, has been asses-
sor and justice of the peace; wife Susannah Ran, born
Pennsylvania, married May 2:1, 1843; children four, Sa-
loma A., Sabina A., Mary A , Heman H.
Euhn Geo., p o Dansville, farmer, 62 acres, born Sparta Nov. 26,
1839; wife Clementine Artman, born Dansville, mar-
ried December 24, 1867; children two, Blanche May,
born October 6, 1873, Julia Bertha, born June 20, 1878.
Eiehle Benjamin, p o Dansville, farmer, l63 acres, born Lehigh
county. Pa., February 23, 1816, settled 1817, has been
assessor; children three, William H., George M., Hul-
dah v. ; wife Vienna Zerfass, born Sparta, married No-
vember, 1873.
Lee E. W., p o Scottsburgh, 6 acres, born Ontario county No-
vember 13, 1817, tettled 1848; wife Lucy Johnson, born
Groveland, married 1856 ; children Hve, Charles W.,
Frank H., Ira J., C. Elmer, Mattie M.
Logan John, p o Scottsburijh, farmer, 105 acres, born Sparta
May 25, 1823, has been supervisor, collector and inspec-
tor of election; wife Jane McFetridge, bora Sparta,
married 1863: children seven, Archie F., J. C, Jesse C,
Edward M., Mary A., Edith B., Bessie E.
McBurney James, p o Dani^ville, farmer, 150 acres, born Osh-
kosh. Wis., settled April 1, 1879; wife Mary Sorton, born
Corning, N. Y., married January 15, 1879; children two,
Grace, Thomas.
McFetridge Edward L., p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 246 acres, born
Livingston county October, 1840, has been supervisor;
wife Mary M. Eiehle, born Sparta, married November
37, 1872; children two, A. C, born November 10, 187:3,
Nellie May, born May 16, 1877.
Moose Seymour E., p o Dansville, farmer, minister and advent-
ist, 120 acres, born Sparta August 29, 1850; wife Mary-
ett Merritte, born Pratfsburgh, Sieuben county, mar-
ried September 9, 1874; children two, Sarah Helena,
born September 1, 1876, Charles Seymour, born June
W, 1878.
Magee Mrs, Emma, p o Scottsburgh.
Oberdorf Lester, p o Scottsburgh, farmer and stock raiser, 114
acres, born Sparta Sept, 11, 1836; wife MandanaS, Need-
ham, born Sparta, married February 29, 1860; children
four, Jennie N., Claude, C. Mabel, Caroline.
Parker Augustus L., p o Dansville, farmer, 180 acres, born in
Sparta April 9, 1836; wife Elizabeth McCartney, born
Sparta 1833, married May 29, 1855; children seven,
Susie M., born March 27, 1866, Annie M., born Febru-
ary 6, 1858, Elizabeth, born April 18, 1862, Alice M.,
born May 33, It- 63, Fran cis M., born June 2, 1864, Sarah
C, born June 25. 1867, Nellie, born March 5, 1869.
Rau Erhard, p o Dansville, farmer, 200 acres, born Northampton
county. Pa., September 3, 1787, settled 1830, has been
assessor; wife Susannah Eidd. born Northampton
county. Pa,, June 27, 1793, married 1810" died March 31,
1871; children sixteen, living thirteen.
Roberts Jesse, p o Scottsburgh, farmer, IH'Z acres, born Sparta
June 23, 1834, school trustee and assessor, wife Mary
M. Wilber, born Sparta 184i, married January 6, 1863;
children one, William Welton, born July 16, 1864.
Roberts Benjamin F., p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 153 acres, born
SpartaFebruary 30, 1831; wife Sarah J. Wilber, born
Sparta February 6, 1844, married March 27, 1869; chil-
dren two, John M., born May 7, 1870, Benj. F., born
August 9, 1874.
Roberts S., p o Scottsburgh, mechanic and farmer, seven acres,
born Livingston county.
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
XXI
Ross Robert H., p 0 Dansville, farmer and stock raiser, 380
acres, born Sparta January 8, 1846, has been town
clerk and town Kiaeting inspector; wife Mary E. Art-
man, born January 23, 1848, married December 31,
1874; children one, Edward J., born October 29, 1876.
Slaigbt Jacob, p o Scottsburgh. farmer, 115 acres, born Livings-
ton county March 8, 1820.
Shepard John, p o Scottsburgh, merchant, born Allegany coun-
ty October 8, 1821, settled October 10, 1835, has been
town clerk, supervisor and county treasurer; wife Mi-
nerva F. Shepard, born Sparta, married October 20,
1859; children two, M. M., born October 31, i860, John
H., born October 27, 1870.
Phutt William J., p o Dansville, farmer. 126 acres, born Sparta
March 10, 1832, has been collector two terms, assessor
two terras and justice of the peace; wife Maggie Mc-
Fetridgp, born Canada, married April 3, 1862; children
five, living one, Freddie E., born July 3i. 1870.
Smith Jesse, p o Dansville, farmer and blacksmith, 91 acres,
born Northumberland county. Pa., December 16, 1832,
settled April, 18-25, has been town clerk, is justice of
the peace and justice of sessions; wife Catharine
Eiehle, born Sparta April IS, 1824, married October 2,
1856; children three, Myron, boi-n July 22, 1857,, Willie
B., born August 23, 186U, Lizzie M., born September 15,
1861.
Sutton Mrs. Sarah, p o Dansville, farmer, 50 acres, born Penn-
sylvania February 25. 1816, settled 1825, husband John
Sutton, married 1836, died March 22, 1879; children
three. Mary C, Anna L., Francis E.
Shafer John, p o Dansville, farmer, 258 acres, has been asses-
sor; wife Hannah Hamsher, born Sparta, married
January 24, 1850; children three, James Alfred, Martha
S., Franklin Munroe.
Shafer Andrew, p o Dansville, farmer, 73 acres, has been inspec-
tor of election; wife Elizabeth J. Kuhn, born Sparta,
married December 25, 1856; children five. Emma R.,
DoUie E., Hattie M., George E., Baby.
Sterner Samuel F., p o Dansville, farmer 81 acres, born Dans-
ville April 13, 1851; wife Mary E. Caton, born Septem-
tember 9, 1861, married May 29, 1879.
Shafer James A., p o Dansville, farmer, 1C8 acres, born Sparta
December 21, 1850; wife Rosa E. Carney, born Febru-
ary 11, 1856, married October 22, 1874.
Tenney Silas W., p o Dansville, farmer and stock raiser, 218
acres, born New Hampshire 1839,settled 1874; wife Net-
tie C. Smith, born Erie county, Pa., 1849, married June
1, 1876; children three. Emma, Elizabeth, Baby.
Von Waldegg Augustus H., p o Scottsburgh, physician and sur-
geon, born Germany, settled 1818; wife Armeda Rob-
erts, born Conesus, married September 23, 1869.
WEST SPARTA.
Berger Samuel, p o Tuscarora, farmer 160 acres, born Mt. Mor-
ris May 10, 1830; first wife Harriet J. Robinson, born
West Sparta October 2J, 1888, married December 31,
1851, died June 5. 1861; children three, Cora E., born
November 9, 1853, Julia D., born April 20, 1854, died
March 31. 1874, John E., born August 6, 1858; second
wife Marietta Bnsley. born Genesee county August 28,
18!i8, married February 20, )8ti2; children two, Lucia
H., born December 15, 1866, Minnie M., born May 28,
1869.
Chasey John S., p o Byersville, farmer, 300 aorss, born in Mon-
mouth county, N. J., September 15, 1823, settled 1843;
■wife Eliza A. Bush, born Tomplcins county December
24, 1828, married March 28, 1849; children eight, Chas.
W., born Mlarch 3, 1850, LaMartine W., born December
8, 1851, Andrew R., born October 5, 1853, Ida M., born
July 25, 1857, George A„ born July 6, 1859, Willie A.,
born September 21, 1863, Mary F., born June 26, 1864,
Floyd, born July 13, 1876.
Creveling John, p o Tuscarora, farmer, 363 acres, born Warren
county, N. J., September 15, 1825, settled 1834. has
been justice of peace two terms; wife Elizabeth Rit-
tenhouse, born Uayuga county April 3, 18i7, married
November 17, 1851'; children four, Edward R., born
September 9, 1851, Wilson M., born December 19, IH.oS,
John E., born June 25, 1862, Mary A., born May 9, 1864.
Denison Robert, p o Byersville. farmer, 130 acres, born North-
ampton, N. r., January 1, 1798, settled 1818; wife Mar-
garei Crafford, born West Sparta May 10, 1805, married
February 16, ]8-.i6; children nine, Sophia A., born Oc-
tober 22, 1836, Minerva C, born December 36, 1828, died
October 16, 1874, Eliza M., born July 2, 1831, Louise C,
born October 16, 1833, Joanna, born October 23, 18-16,
died December 20, 1836, Annis M., born September 3,
1839, John M., born December 9, 1843, died November
2, 1864, Nicholas K., born September 7, 1846, M. Emma,
born August 30. 1849. .
Fenstermacher John, p o Dansville, farmer, 163 acres, born in
Dansville August 8, 1813, died July 19, 1868, has been
constable; wife Beersheba Dart, born Genesee county
May 8, 182:1, married July 19, 1843; children 4, John H.,
born February 19, 1845, died September 20, 1850, Clar-
ence W. born May 20, 1847, Mary E., born December
10 1849. died February 88, 1851, George Franklin, born
November 30, 1852.
Field L. B., p o Dansville, farmer.
Frazer James B^ p o Dansville. farmer, 180 acres, born Spring-
water February 26, 1849. has been supervisor and col-
lector; wife Sarah M. Van Middlesworth. born West
Sparta Augnst 17, 1818, married August 20, 1874; chil-
dren three, Nellie, born November 28, 1875, Mary E.,
born December 15, 1876, Julia, born January 18, 1879.
Green Abram S., p o Byersville, farmer, 153 acres. Born Albany
county November 8, 1811. settled 1868; wife Mary P.
Smith, born Greene county March .30, 1813, married
October 19, 1834; children six, Ambrose P.. born No-
vember 16, 1835, died June 11, 1864, Catharine E.. born
May 26, 18.'i8, died May 31, 1841, Emily L., born January
27, 1846, Theo. S.. born August 5, 1848, Alexander C,
born September 25, 1853, Egbert K., born September
31, 1855.
Green William A,, p o Byersville, farmer. 100 acres, born West
Sparta October 26, 18;i7; wife Mary J. Vandoren, born
Nunda July 29, 1843, married October 26, 1861; children
three, William B., born August 2, 1863, Cora May, born
May 22 1865, Don V., born Sovember 13, 1869.
Green Philetus W., p o Byersville, farmer and thrasher, 60 acres,
born West Sparta January 31, 1842; wife Kitty Rose,
born Penfleld, N. T., May 1, 1846, married November
21, 1866; children four, Mary A., born January 16, 1868,
Eittie Rose, born July 15, 1870, Charles C, born Sep-
tember 36, 1872, Clifford J , born May 27, 1875.
Green Calvin, p o Tuscarora. farmer, 346 acres, born Montgom-
ery Qounty March 4, 1813, settled la35, has been asses-
sor one term; wife Lydia M. Roberts, born Sparta
February 18, 1818; children six, Wilber W., born March
16, 1837, Phoebe Emaline, born December 3, 1879, Phi-
letus W., born January 31, 1842, Versilla M., born Sep-
tember 28, 1844, Lester B., born April 23, 1848, Char-
lotte Ella, born November 1.3, 18S6.
Hungertord Chark's A.,p o Dan-ville, farmer, TO acres, born West
Sparta Sept. 15, 183-3, has been assessor, wife Maggie Pot-
ter, born Livingston Co. April 17, 1843 ; children eight,
Edna A., born December 18, 1856, Charles E., born Jan-
uary 26, 1859, Lula, born April 4, 1866, Seba, born June
11, 1868, Percie, born September 1, 1870, Hattie, born
July 31, 1873, Allie, born April 1, 1876, Jessie, born Oc-
tober 2, 1879.
Hungerford Eleazer M., p o Byersville, farmer, 180 acres, born
West Sparta August 31, 1816, has been commissioner
of highways and assessor; wife Cassandra Kemp,
born West Sparta February 4, 1821, married Novem-
ber 23, 1843; children three, Marshall, born October 23,
1844, died March 28, 1864. Victor R,, born August 31,
1846, Edwin, born February 28, 1849.
Hartman Hiram, p o Dansville. farmer, 140 acres, born West
Sparta April 14, 1814; wife Lucinda Kendall, born in
Nunda July 25, 1825, married November 14. 1844, chil-
dren two. Abbey Jane, born October 10, 184.5, Belvia
Lucinda, born July 21, 1852.
Johnson William S, p o Dansville, farmer, carpenter and joiner,
80 acres, born Tompkins county January 4, 1822, set-
tled November 13, 18i7, has been assessor one term;
wife Maria Johnson, born Cayuga county June 28, 1821,
married October 17, 1843; children seven, Lewis P-,
born April 26, 184.5, died September 28, 1846, Thomas,
born June 26, 1847, died September 13, lf51, John H.,
born December 29, 1849, died September 17, 1851,
Charles F., born June 28, 1853, Edwin A., born August
14, 1854, Leander L., born August 23, 1856. Nelly A.,
born September 17, 1864.
Kenney Jeremiah, p o Byersville, farmer, born West Sparta
April 18, 1843; wife Melissa Walker, born Nunda Octo-
ber 8, 1840, married April 36, 1868; children four, Nelly,
born June 23. 1869, Clarence, born November 3, 1872,
Clifton, born Nov. 3, 1872, Adda, born Aug. 15, 1877.
Kemp Stephen A., p o Dansville, farmer, 150 acres, born West
Sparta December 5, 1831, has been justice of peace;
wife Catharine L. Weston, married August 4, 1864; chil-
dren Stephen A., born March 22, 1865, Herbert W.,
born March 35, 1866, Clarence E., born October 14, 1868,
'Charles, born September 34, 1870, Victor, born August
19, 1873. Henrietta, born August 39, 1878, Baby, born
November 38, 1879.
Kennedy Thomas, p o Byersville, farmer, 217 acres, born West
Sparta May 12, 1826; wife Minerva Frazer, born Feb-
ruary 15, ll!30, married October 8, 1856; children four,
Gordon Delwin, born December 26, 1857, died March 7,
1860, Grace A., born December 5, 1861. Charles S., born
November 22, 1865, Willie L., born December 11, 1870.
Kysor Bcnj. F., p o Tuscarora, farmer, .230 acres, born West
Sparta April 17, 1822, died August 8, 1878; wife J ulia A.
Chamberlin, born West Sparta December 5, 1823, mar-
ried October 28, 1846; children twelve, Harrison F.,
born August 3, 1848. Oscar C, born October 16, 1851,
Hattie A., born June 10, 18.53, Helen C, born October
23, 1854, Horace G., born September 27, 1856, Effa A.,
born November 39, 1858, Herbert S., born January 7,
186 i, Albert H., born January 7, 1863. Octavius, bom
June 21, 1863, Julia E., born October 30, 1867, Franklin
A., born October 30, 1867, Dayton A., born April 20,
1870. , , ,
Kennedy Joseph S., p o Dansville, farmer, 40 acres, born Jack-
son county, Mich., Augnst 16, 1839, settled 1843; wife
Mary E. Rowe, born Springwater October 31, 1856, mar-
ried April 13, 1865; children four, Nora Leona, born
November 34, 1867, Myron J., born February 8, 1874,
Sarah L., born May 6, 1875, Josephine E., born Febru-
ary 15, 1878.
xxu
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Knappenberger Henry, p o Tuscarora, farmer, 369^ acres, born
Lehigh county, Pa., March 19, 181)3, settled 1810, has
been School trustee; wife Elizabeth M. Slaigbt, born
Groveland March 26, 1818, married June 11, 1S33, died
August 3, 1873 ; children nina. Mary C, born March 31,
1836, died October 21, 1864, Elizabeth, born March 2:i,
1837, Sarah J., born September 12, 1«38, William S.,
born October 10. 1840, served in late war, Jacob, born
March S'i, 1843, Frances G., born June 1, 1845, died
August 9, 1845, John H , born August 23, 1847, Harriet
born January 17, 1852, died November 18, 1862.
McNair Hugh T., p o Daosville, farmer, 500 acres, born West
Sparta November 4, 1822, has been assessor several
tt-rms; wife P. J. Hatmaker, born Yates county Oc-
tober 12, lHiI4, married Noveinber 19, 1845; children
ten, living five.
Perripe James B . p o Tuscarora, farmer, 2 0 acres, born Ca-
yuga county January 29, I8J6, has been town audifor;
wife Elizabeth Chapman, born West Sparta November
2.5, 1826, married January 12, 1853; children seven,
Cora E , born April 28, 1854, Charles H., born Septem-
ber iO, 1855, Mary A., born August 5, 1857, Nettie L ,
born Octobfr 13. 0:6% Jessie F., b >rn May 3, 1862, Min-
ni? H., born September 20, 1865, Hattie S., born De-
cember 15, 1869.
Perrlne John, p o Tuscarora .farmer, 150 acres, born Cayuga
county July 14, IS'^O, settled 1826, has been assessor,
justice of peace and poor-master; wife Harriet E,
- citone, born Allegany county June 27, 1819, married
March 10, 1842; children four, Frances Augusta, born
October 25, 1845, Elmpr Stone, born February 28. 1848,
Mary Evelyn, born January 25, 1853, Edson B., born
December 25. 1858.
Slaight William J .p o Tuscarora,dealer in stock, 500 acres, born
Groveland May 5, 18:i2, pettled 1853. has been super-
visor, assessor, revenue collector, etc ; father John
Slaight, a pioneer settler who had a brother in the
Mexican war; wife Mary Logan, born Sparta March 2,
1821, married May 3, )853; children three, Albert J.,
born January 13, 1854, John W., born March 25, 185?,
Edward L., born October 28, 1858.
Tunison Abram B., p o Byersville, farmer, 130 acres, born West
Sparta May 9, 1832; wife Jane Green, born Nunda Feb-
ruary 8, 1834; children seven, Leona "S.. born July 31,
18.")y. Robert E., born April 6, 1862, died June 10, 1877,
Katie L, born August 11, 18H4, Richard L., born August
19, I88r,, Jennie E., born March 8, 1871, Elmer, born De-
cember 25, 1875, Alice, born March 23, 1878.
VanMiddlesworLb, p o Byersville, farmer, 240 acres, born Ca-
yuga county November 9, 1811, settled 1823; wife Julia
Ann Shaw, born West Sparta May 11, 1821, married
February 5, 1846; children three, Andrew, born No-
vember 9, 1847, died September 13, 1818. garah M , born
August 17, 1848, Hartison C, born September 3, 185.5.
VanDoren, William, p o Byersville, farmer, 365 acres, born On-
ondaga county May 1. 1817. setded 1831, has been
assessor six years; wife Jane E. Walker, born Mt. Mor-
ris December 9, 1817, married February 11, 1841; chil-
dren two. Mary J., born July 29, 1842, Jennie M., born
January 22, 1850.
VanNuys Peter, p o Byersville, farmer. 500 acres, born Millstone,
N- J., February 7, 1808, settled 1823, died January 2,
1875, has been supervisor and justice of peace; wife
Harriet Kerr, born Cayuga county April 13, 1809, mar-
ried Ndvember 19. 1829; children seven Caroline M.,
born June 4. 1833, Isaac N., born November 20, 1836, A.
Vinton, born June 8, 1840, Ella L., born November 23,
1812, di.,d July 22, 1843, Harriet E., born January 9,
1814, died August 9, lh71, Webster B., born February
8, 1847, Herbert K., born April 22, 1852.
Watkins A. V., p o Byersville, physician, 6^ acres, born Allegany
county July 8, 1844, settled May 3, 1871; wife Fredonia
Elenora Dake, born Allegany county April 7, 1847, mar-
ried August 21, 1871.
Woodworth P. F.. p o Dansville, farmer and lumberman, 92
acres, born Madison county February 13, 1819, settled
1821, has been poor master and constable; wife Phila
Hungerford, born West Sparta October 26, 1827, mar-
ried September 6, 1845; children eight, Orinthia E.,
born May 10, 1847, Evorett M., born June 14, 1848. Frank,
born February 4, 1853, died April". 1850, Agnes E , born
March 12. 1851, Carrie A., born June 28, 1855, Grace A.,
born August 27, 1857, Burt F., born November 16, 1865,
Walter W., born November 12, 1868.
SPRINGWATER,
Curtice Ezra N.. p o Springwater, school teacher and farmer, 80
acres, born Webster, Monroe county April 2. 1833. set-
tled 1836. is school commissioner from 1875 to 1881;
father Jacob Curtice, born Berkshire, N. H.. October
11, 1804; wife Mary James, born Potter, Yates county,
married June 20th, 1855; children three, Mina G., Kit-
tie F., Leonard E.
Capron Wesley H., p o Springwater, farmer, 110 acres, born
Springwater November 5, 1847; father Sylvester Cap-
ron ; wife Mary E.Lewis, bom North Cohocton, Steuben
county April 19, 1851, married July 7, 1869; children
three. Willie L., born March 22, 1870, Rosa M., born
February 7, 1873, Nellie D., born January 1, 1876,
Clapp Henry, p o Wayland, farmer and stock grower, 200 acres,
bora Wethersfield, Conn., November I8th, 1817, settled
1840; father Norman Clapp. served in war of 1812;
grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers; wifo Han-
nah J. Herrick, born Springwater August 11, 1H24, mar-
ried December 24. 1873; children one, Edwin A,, step-
son Scott A. Farley, Father David Herrick, settled
1814 with his father and three brothers.
Carpenter William, p o WaylaLd. farmer, carpenter and joiner,
105 acres, born Bristol, Ontario county, April. 1821,
settled 1812; wife Martha Jones, born Auburn, N. Y.,
October 12, 1817. married November 23, 1841; children
six, Edward, born August 28. 1842, died in infancy,
Mary, born November 14, 1844, died November 26, 1844,
Phila A., born 1846. Robert, born 1850, died ia51, Wil-
liam A., born 1853, Phcebe, born 1858. Father Joshua
Jones, with wife and nine children settled 1842.
Dietzel Charles, farmer, 109 acres, born Germany February 6,
1819, settled 1865, died Nuvember 8, 1874, had been
highway commissioner and school trustee, came to
America 1846, settled first in Rochester, next South
Wayland. next Wayland and last in Springwater; wife
Caroline Miller, born Germany 1821, married 1847; chil-
dren four, GenrgH, Jacob, Carrie, Willie.
Erwin William J., p o Springwater, farmer and sheep grower,
130 acres, born Springwater 1845; wife Rebecca Wood,
born Penfield, Monron county, married February 22,
1866: children four, Eloise b.,, Willie G., Bruce Roe,
Helen O. Father Jared Erwin, settled Mt. Morris 1837,
is a clothier and cloth dresser, removed to Spring-
water 1842. Mother Laura Arnold, born Connecticut.
Engel Peter, p o Wayland. farmer and stock grower, 145 acres,
born Sandwendel, Germany January 7. 1819. settled
April 1, 1868, has been school trustee and 3ollector,
served three years in German army, came to America
1810, worked first near Philadelphia, moved thence to
Steuben county 1848; wife Barbara Mark, born Sand-
wendel, Germany, May 4, 1824, married January 2, l85i;
children eight, Catharine, Mary, John P., Frank and
Elizabeth, twins, Alexander, Barbara. Jacob.
Ford Christopher, p o Springwater, farmer, 105 acres, born Eas-
ton. Washington county, October 31, 1794. settled 1822,
has been poor-master, kept a store for the soldiers of
1812, attended the first museum in Albany and trav-
eled three years with an exhibition from there; wife
Laura Willis, born Northumberland county, married
I8l6, died March 1S19, aged 85; children seven, living
six, Avery. Lucinda, Salina. Phoebe A,, Eunice, John.
Fuller Richard, p o Wayland, farmer. 138 acres, born near Bath.
Steuben county, January 29, 1836, settled 1865, served
in Rebellion, was in 107th N. Y. Infantry, Company I,
was discharged at close of war; wife Minerva J. Ware-
in;r, born Coh-icton, Steuben county, November 28,
1835, married October 14, 1854; children two, Sylvester,
born November 24th, 1855, married Cora A. Glover
June, 1879, Minnie E., born January 16, 1870.
Hudson Joel, p o Springwater, farmer, 168 acres, born Chatham,
Columbia county, October 10, 1794, settled 1820, has
been justice of the peace 42 years, school commis-
sioner a-'d town clerk, served in war of 1812 and is
now a pensioner, has been prominently identified with
the Christian church of Springwater 40 years; wife
Sarah Hover, born Washington county, married No-
vember 16, 1817; children three, Mrs. Lydia A. Bryant,
Luther B , James M.
Hunter William, p o Springwater, pastor of Presbyterian
church, 3 acres, born County Antrim, Ireland, Febru-
ary 2, 1813, settled 1841, from which time he has been
pastor of said church, has been school superintendent
three years and town collector one year; wife Mary
E. Morris, born Auburn. N. Y., married May 18. 1842;
children four, Charles R., Frank W., Samuel M.-, Hat-
tie M.
Howe Samuel A., p o Springwater, farmer, 140 acres, born Bos-
ton, Mass., July 1, 1807, settled 1839; lather, Samuel
Howe, served in war of 1812; wife Emalino C. Nichols
born Middlebury, Vt., April dO, 1816. married January
26, 1836; children six, living thr?e, Mrs. Harriet E,
Purdy, born March 26, 1837, Jonathan, born December
4, 1845, Mrs. Martha L. Knowles, born Nov 9, 1852.
Lawrence Loren, p o Wayland, farmer, 105 acres, born Sparta
October 30, 1822, hns been school trustee; lather John
Lawrence; wife Rhcdina Kuhn, hcxn Sparta, married
1862; children three, Nellie, Grant, Willie; father
^ Jacob Kuhn, one of the pioneers of Sparta.
Lawrence Ira, p o Wayland, farmer, 150 acres, born Sparta 1827;
father John Lawrence; wife Julia A. Lewis, born
Springwater, married 1863: children six. Ida, Clara,
Lewis, Edward, Katie, Franklin I. Father Jacob Lewis.
Lament William, p o Bloods Station, farmer and dealer in stock,
75 acres, has bsen constable one year, parents Smith
and Mary Lamout; grandfather Ashbel Lament settled
from Vermont 1815, on farm now owned by H. Lament;
had brother in 104th Regiment N. Y. Infantry; was
killed in second Bull Hun; wife Sarah A. Doty, born
Springwater January 9, 1S41, married October 2, 1867;
children one, Alta, born January 31, 1869.
Leach Alfred, p o Springwater, farmer, 530 acres, born Cortland
Co. Jiily 11, 1835, settled 1837; father Alexander Leach
settled 1837 and had two sons in Rebellion, Silas, who
was killed In battle, and Lark, who died in prison ; wife
Henriette E Westfall, born 1841, married March 17,
1369; children one, Myr^n J., born August 22, 1871
PERSONAL STATISTICS.
XXlll
Marvin FraDklin D., p o Springwater, farmer, 100 acres, born
Springwater October 20, 1836; father Curtis Warner
MarviQ who settled in 1818 and had one son, Harvey,
in the Rebellion, died August 26, 1810; wife Angelina
Croswell, born SpringwaterNovember 4, 1840. married
May --J, 1857; children four, Emma, born April 11, 1859,
Edgar G., born March 29, l8ti4, Curtis, born June 12,
I8fi9, died April 4, 1873, Frank, born September 19,
1871 : father Harmon Croswell, who settled at an early-
day, and died November 9, 1869.
Mead Daniel, p o Springwater. farmer, 155 acres, born Limer-
ick county, Ireland, 1818, settled 1846, came to Amer-
ica in 1839, bad one English shilling on landing, and is
now owner oC 155 acres by hard labor, has been school
trustee; wife Catharine Horrigan, born Clare county,
Ireland, married 1850; children four, Micbael, John,
Ellen, Mary. Michael and Ellen are school teachers.
Stepson Bartholomew Caton, served in Rebellion.
Jlorris J. G., p o Springwater.
Niles James L., p o Springwater, farmer and sheep grower, 200
acres, born Springwater November 22, 1826; fa'her
Henry J. Nllea, settled 1817; wife Emaline Marvin,
born Springwater, married March 10, 1852; children
three, Harry J., Jennie E., Edward.
Northrup William M., p o Wayland, farmer, 169 acres, born
Charlton, Saratoga county, January 11, 1800. settled
.1845; father Jabez Northrup, settled in Ontario county
and with the help of his family cleared 400 acres,
grandfather Daniel Northrup was a Revolutionary
soldier: wife Sabrina Tucker, born Livonia June 23,
I8ii0, married June 26, 18M; children six, living two,
William, Wealthy A.
Norton Wm. H. H., p o Springwater, farmer, grain speculator
and breeder of line sheep, 220 acres, born Springwater
August 15, 1840; father John B. Norton, settled 1821;
wife Alice Woodin, born Fishkill, Duchess county,
married August 24, 1870; children two, Millie M., Oak-
ley W.
Ostrander Evert, p o Naples, Ontario county, farmer, 176 acres,
bnra Columbia county October 17, 1834, settled ]861;
wife Eliza Johnson, born Naples September 26, 1840,
married September 25, 1858; children tdree, Wm. S.,
born April 24, 1861, died October 2, 1866, Helen, born
July 2, 1865, Wm. E., born May 7, 1871.
Pursel William, farmer and manufacturer, 100 acres, born
Plemington, N. J., 1807, settled 1838, has been highway
commissioner; wife Jane Crossen, born Richmond, On-
tario county, married 18^2; children five; had three
sons in the Rebellion, all in First N. Y. Dragoons, De
Witt, who married Charlotte Atwood, James M., who
married Eunice Grover, Benjamin F., who married
Caroline E. Pemberton.
Peabody Alvah, p o Springwater, farmer. 108 acres, born Man-
lius, Onondaga coumy, I'ebiuary 18, 1810, settled 1814,
has been inspector of election; wife H. Jane Quick,
born near West Point September 20, 1813, married Sep-
tember 15, 1834; children nine. Nelson, born 1835, who
served in the Bebelliou in the Wadsworth Guards and
died in prison, Albert H., born 1838 and served in Re-
bellion in Wadsworth Guards, Helen, born 1840, Lu-
cinda, born 1842, Manson, born 1844, Maggie, born
1849, Alfred, born 1851, Frank, born 1356, George, born
1858.
Robinson Edmond A., p o Springwater, farmer, 385 acres, born
Springwater June 21, 1831, has been supervisor one
term, was elected by 176 majority on Democratic
ticket; wife Mary E. Monk, born Springwater, mar-
ried January 15, 1852; children five, Frank, deceased,
Carrie E., Estella, James M., Minnie. Father Joseph
Robinson, born April 10, 1803, settled 1822, died 1846;
mother Katharine Spangler. married 1825, died 1856;
children, twelve sons and two daughters
Rix Sylvester, p o Springwater, farmer, 137 acres, born Verona,
Oneida county. February 28, 1812, settled 1816; father
Rufus Rix, who served in the Revolutionary war, set-
tled 1816 with wife and seven children on land now
owned by Hiram Becker; had three sons, Edmond,
who was a captain, Samuel and James, in war of
1812.
Rau Benjamin, p o Dansville, carpenter and joiner and farmer,
87 acres, born Lehigh, Pa., February 27, 1811, settled
1820; father Erbard Rau, a pioneerof Sparta; wife Mar-
garet Cranmer,born Sparta 1815,married 1834; children
fifteen, living ten, John W., Mariette, Erhard S., who
served through the late war, Harriet N , Martha, Cor-
delia, David J. and Elizabeth, twins, Sidney S., Carrie
A,, Benj. F., killed in battle before Richmond. David
Cranmer was one of the pioneers of Sparta and served
in war of 1812.
Root James M., p o Springwater, farmer, 125 acres, born Spring-
water May 2, 1828; father Amos Root, settled 1825;
wife Adelaide J. Hopkins, born Springwater August
10, 1834, married December 25, 1870; cnildren three,
Charles M., born February 25, 1872, Norman H., born
December 14, 1873, Zella, bom May 6, 1875.
Richards Moses, p o Wayland, farmer and blacksmith, 444 acres,
born Sussex county, N. J., April 12, 1805, settled 1837
with wife and three children, mare and colt, cow and
heifet, hog, a dozen hens and $180 in money; wife Ev-
aline Howell, born Sussex county, N. J., July 5, 1809;
married January 28, 1830, children three, Dunning,
Julia A., Caroline,
Shaver Stephen, p o Wayland, farmer, blacksmith and cider
manufacturer, 150 acres, born Wayland April 20, 1877,
settled Januar 30, 1869; wife Juhana Shutes, born Way-
land December 10, 1827, married March 10, 1849; chil-
dren ten, Lorenzo, Wm. H , Enoch P.,Hosea, deceased,
Martha, Electa, Freeman, Jonah, George, Deborah.
Smith David G , p o Springwater, farmer, 72 acres, born Grove-
land, Pa., August 30, 1818, settled 1834, was constable
three years from 1851 to 1854; father Jacob Smith, set-
tled in Groveland, Pa., at an early day; wife Eliza M.
Berber, bora. Springwater August 4, 1821, married
March 5, 1844; father Erastus Barber, born Connecti-
cut, settled 1814, and had one son, Wm. U,, in war of
Rebellion,
Snyder Nelson F., p o Springwater, mehanic and farmer, 81
acres, born Scipio, Cayuga county. September 8. 1816,
settled 1817; first wife Polly C Inglesbee, born Wash-
ington county March 12, 1821, married January 1,
1810, died March 30, 1856; second wife Fanny M. Root,
born Townsend. Ohio, November 24, 1823, married De-
cember 31st, 1857; children eight, James F. was killed
in second battle of Bull Run August 30, 1862, Aubery
A. was in war of Rebellion, Eugene B. was in war of
Rebellion, Charlie H., deceased, Charlie H,, AlmaR.
Father Benjamin Snyder.
Snyder Alonzo, p o Springwater, carpenter and joiner, hotel
proprietor and farmer, 60 acres, born Solon, Cortland
county, November 24. 1814, settled March 20, 1817, has
been deputy sheriff eighteen years, collector and con-
stable; first wife Mary J. Stratton, married September
7, lti37; second wife Minerva G. Putnam, married Jan,
uary aO, 1849; children ten, Susan B., died January-
1868, George L. enlisted as private in 1861, was pris-
oner in Libby, Andersonville and Danville twenty-two
months, was promoted to captain and died June, 1868,
from disease contracted in prison, Isabel E.. Jane A.,
Frank A., Manly S , Mary J., Magill G., Judson P.,
Helen A. Father Benj. Snyder.
Sharpsteen Doctor, p o Wayland, farmer and stock buyer, 75
acres, bom Richmond, Ontario county, April 7, 1824,
settled April. 1867, has been constable and overseer of
the poor in Richmond; first wife Abigail liawrence,
born October 31, 1832, married February 25, 1851 ; sec-
ond wife Maggie Smith, born August 21, 1841, married
November 26, J862; children, Albert, born February i,
1852, Gilbert, born August, 1853, Sarah L., born Sep-
tember 17, 1859, Bertha V., born November 3, 1860,
Charles J , born January b, 1867, Lena B., born July 7,
1868, Jennie B., born June 2, 1870, George W., born
June 20, 1874.
Skeels Isaac, farmer, 100 acres, born Saudgate, Vt , April 6,
1793, settled 1828, has been highway commissioner and
justice of the peace, was in war of 1812, died October
9, 1877; wife Anne Eggleston, born Skaneateles July 2i,
1794, married October 28, 1812; children eight, Spencer
S., Thaddeus H., Ruth, Mary A., James, Harriet E ,
Dwight and Dorr, who was in the Rebellion.
Schwab Charles, p o Wayland, farmer, 133 acres, born West
Bloomfield April 11, 1839, settled 1840; wife Ella Fitz
Water, born Canton, Pa., married June 28, 1868; chil-
dren three, Gracie, born July 6, 1871, Fannie, born
April 26, 1877, Charles Jr., born December yl, 1878.
Father George Schwab, born Bavaria, Germany, and
came to America 1829, fir.-t settled in Pennsylvania,
thence to Monroe county, thence to Ontario county,
thence to Springwater, died Litchfield. Mich., 1876.
Snyder DeWitt C, p o Springwater, farmer and speculator in
wool and stock, 169 acres, born July 25, IH^ZO, has been
supervisor three terms; first wife Mary A. Smith, born
Livonia, married June 19, 1847, died May 12; 1857, sec-
ond wife Calista Croswell, born Springwater, married
June 5, 1859; children six, living three, Scott W., who
was a soldier in the Rebellion, George H.. Louise.
Father Benj. Snyder, settled March 20, 1817; mother
Darnida Cole, daughter of Gen, Cole, of Revolutionary
fame.
Swarts Levi, p o Dansville, farmer, 179 acres, born Sparta June
30, 1828, set led April 12, 1858; wife Susan A. Snyder,
born Sparta 1825, married February 26, 1857; children
two, Jacob O., born January 31, 1860, Mary E., born
December 1, 18H3. Father Jacob Swarts, who settled
in Sparta at an early date.
Smith Ebeoezer, p o Springwater. carpenter, farmer and saw-
filer, 10 acres, born Freetown, Bristol county, Mass.,
September 27, 1808, settled March 24, 1816. has been
captain of State militia; father Abner Smith, ship car-
penter, settled 1816; wife Eliza A. Morley, born Bru-
tus, Cayuga county, September2, 1818, married August
10, 1834; children one, George E., born May 15, 1835;
father Harvey Morley, settled 1829 with wife and six
children.
Wiley John, p o Springwater, farmer and Methodist minister,
7U0 acres, born Dalton. Muss , December 24, 1794. set-
tled lal3, served in war of 1812, has been member of
Assen bly. Republican; first wife Betsey Southworth,
born Massachusetts, married September 1819; second
wife Julia B. Hyde, born Virginia, married January
24, 1828; children nme, Sarah, Eliza, John-S., Robert
H., who has been supervisor, assessor and justice of
peace, Charles W., Henry A., who was Lieut-Colonel
of I04th regiment New York Infantry, served during
rebellion in army of Potomac, and mustered out Mar,
9, 1865.
xxiv
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Willis Caleb W., p o Springwater, farmer, 120 acres, born Galen,
Cayuga county August 7, 1815, settled 1816, has been
collector two years, constable eight years and high-
way commissioner two terms; father Archibald Willis
who settled 1816; wife Malinda Robinson, born Wol-
cott, Wayne county, March 21, 1818, married June 30,
1839; children seven. Mephen A., died November 11,
1873, Alvira, died July 527, 1844, Fayette H,, Frank,
Malinda, died September 6, 1855, Ada, Morey.
Walker Ezra, farmer, 150 acres, born Savoy, Berkshire county,
Massachusetts. February 2, 1799, settled 1820, died
January 27, 1850; wife Harriet Stewart, born Brattle-
■ boro, Vt., December 11, 1799, married February 1820;
children nine, William P., deceased, Mary H., Lucy
N., Nancy J., Charles H., John L., Harriet S., Luclnda
C, Ellen A., deceased ; father John Stewart, served in
war of Revolution.
Wiley John Southworth, p o Springwater, farmer, 75 acres,
born Springwater April 1st, 1835, has been collector,
constable, supervisor and inspector of election; father
John Wiley: wife N. J. Capron, born Springwater
February 23, 1833, married June 3, 1856; children three,
Frank S., born December 24, 1858, Charles C, born
September 20, 1854, Minnie E., born September 22,
1871.
Wetmore Ira L., p o Wayland, farmer and stock dealer. £00
acres, born Springwater February 28, 1842; father
Elijah Wetmore, settled 1827; wife Lucy H. Parsball,
born Springwater June 10, 1838, married September
2:3,1866; children four, Z. P.. born December :?, 1869,
Emma B., born July 14, 1872, Wirt E , born August 23,
1874, Arch G., born December 25, 1877.
Wbitlock Ira, p o Springwater. farmer and surveyor, 30 acres,
born Granville, Washington county, 1804, settled 1837,
has been assessor twenty years, justice of the peace
i^/- - twelve years and highway commissioner; wife Amelia
Shuartz, born Mendon 1818, married 1837; children
one, Samuel L.
Weidman John, p o Springwater, farmer and stock grower. 315
acres, born Sparta November 16, 1827. settled 1852, has
been inspector of election; father Jacob Weidman,
who was in the war of 181?, and grandfathers served
in the Revolutionary war; wife Mary A. Hartman,
boro Sparta February 5, 1837, married 1850; children
six, Andrew R., Joel H., Mary V,, John A., Jay K.,
Mark H. - Father Henry Hartman settled at an early
day.
YORK.
Elakeslee Senator, p o Greigsville, farmer, born in Wallingford,
Conn., March 25, 1799, settled in county in Nov., 1837:
wife Lucy Hobson, born in Washington county, N. Y.,
married in March. 1866; seven children living, Lucy
and Henry K. living in county.
Bowden S., p o York, retired.
Bow Lysander, p o York, farmer.
Boyd M. H., p o York, farmer.
Clunas Mary F., p o Fowlerville, farmer.
Craig William, p o York, farmer, 112 acres, born in Scotland
Feb. 8, 1797, settled in county in 1823, has been high-
way commissioner and assessor; wife Jane Stewart,
born Amsterdam; four children.
Craig Duncan S., p o York, farmer, 86 acres, born York June 14,
1831; wife Elizabeth Walker, born in Canada, married
March 17, 1857.
Cooley Orson, p o York, farmer, 130 acres, born York May 13,
1820; first wife Harriet Russ, born in York, married
Dec. 26, 1844; second wife born in Paris, N. Y., mar-
ried June 7, 1877; one child living, Hattie A.
F., p o FOT
Dike I. A. M., p o York, physician.
Eraser Wrn., p o Fowlerville, merchant.
Fierren M. N-. p o Fowlerville, hardware dealer.
Eraser J. A., p o Fowlerville, farmer.
Gilmore Thomas, p o York, farmer.
Gilmore G. E., p o Fowlerville.
Gray F. S., p o York, farmer.
Gray James M., p o Greigsville, farmer, 15 acres, bom in Her-
kimer county April 3. 1809, setfled in county Nov. 26,
1853, has been justice of peace three terms and notary
public, third term, and loan commissioner five years:
wife D. C. L. Fox, born in Hartford, Conn., married
Jan. 18, 1835; two children, James M., Jr., and Lou-
isa A.
Howe John W., p o Fowlerville, merchant.
Howell William, p o Fowlerville, proprietor of hotel.
Innis Duncan, p o York, born in Delaware county Jan. 25, 1812,
owns 150 acres of land, moved here with his father
by an ox team when obliged to cut their own road.
Kennedy Arch, p o York, farmer.
Long Mrs. A. T., po York, resident.
Mount Aaron, p o Fowlerville, harness maker.
McMillin Daniel, p o York, retired.
McDonald Mrs. David p o York, retired.
McKean A. F. p o York, merchant.
McVean IHomer, p o Avon, farmer,
McKenzie Miss M. A., p o Fowlerville, farmer.
McDonald D , p o York, farmer.
Reid Alex, p o York, farmer.
Russ Delos, p o York, justice of the peace.
Russ K W . , p o York, farmer.
Rose George B.', p o Fowlerville, farmer.
Root G. wT, p o York, farmer.
Rice Francis, p o Greigsville, farmer.
Rice Sylvanu'^, p o Greigsville, farmer, 255 acres, born in Wal-
lingford, Conn., Feb. 10, 1818, settled in county in 1819;
wife Janette Smith, born York, married June 19, 1845;
four children, Belle O., Frank J., Harriet L. and Wm. S.
Father Jas. Rice, died Nov. 9, 1875.
Randall George W., p o York, farmer, 106 acres, born in Lenox,
Madison county Nov. 24, 1816, settled in county in
spring of 1849, has been school trustee twenty years;
wife Philindia M Palmer, born in Orangeville, N. Y.,
married in 1840; two children living, Ada M. and El-
gin G.
Smith H. E., p o Fowlerville, manufacturer.
Stewart Niel, p o York, farmer.
Sackett Orange, p o Avon, farmer.
Sackett Samuel, p o Avon, farmer.
Stickney W. B., p o Fowlerville, farmer.
Stewart Wm and A. W., p o York, farmers.
Smith A. W., p o Greigsville, farmer, 184 acres, born in York
Dec. 19, 1821, has been supervisor and highway com-
Uiissioner; wife Hannah M. Homer, born iu Norwich,
Vt., married Apr. 10, 1861; one child, Hattie L., born
Aug. 13, 1862, living at home.
Sisson Charles, p o Greigsville, farmer, horn in Greigsville June
2. 1859.
Torrey John, p o York, farmer.
Whitney George K., p o York, farmer.
Wadsworth Charles F , p o York, farmer.
Warren Harlan Page, p o York, farmer and dealer in musical
instruments, 32 acres, born in York Oct. 18, 1841, has
been justice of peace two terms; wife Hattie C. Wil-
liams, born in Livonia, married May 13, 1869, two chil-
dren, Roy T. and Lena E.
Warren Samuel, born in Herkimer county Oct. 28, 1797, settled
in county in 1816; wife Sarah Flagg, born in Conway,
Mass., July 27, 1801. married Nov. 30, 1836; five chil-
dren, three now living, Josiah, Mary Jane, Harlan
Page. Samuel Warren died Sept. 14, 1863; made first
wine in coudty inl832; Harlan now carries on the busi-
ness.
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