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On the History of the Town down to the Ith of Jiia', 1876,
WITH AN Account of the Centennial Celebration,
BY :n'atha:n bouto^
^
DRYDEN, NEW YORK.-
A. M. FOED, FINE BOOK AND JOB PRINTER.
1S7S.
COMMITTEES.
-0-Oj4^00-
Cormmttee of Arrange') aents :
NATHAN BOITTON, JOHN AV. MORSE,
RTTFITS EDWARDS, JOEL HANCOCK,
MARTIN LUCE, THOMAS MOTT,
ALONZO SNIDER, EDWIN P. SLAFTER,
HORACE BRONSON.
Committee of Ivmtation :
FREDERICK HYDE, R. O. REYNOLDS,
NATHAN BOUTON.
Coin.itiittee on Muah :
E. P. SLAFTER, HARVEY M. SHEERAR.
Com,7nittee on Dinner:
HORACE BRONSON, S. M. ROE, ALONZC^ SNIDER.
Dresidenf :
SYLVESTER M. ROE.
Vice-l^residents :
RUFITS EDWARDS, JOEL HANCOCK,
HORACE BRONSON, JOHN W. MORSE.
^-csial (&:afhi^vmQ<
•■t^rtifja*~*.-m--
A'l' tlir snjiijostion of some of the former inlinlntnnts of the
Town of Virixil, wlio Imd Bimiiltanoonsly proposed visitinc;
the }>l8iec of tlieir nativity, it was deemed appropriate to extend a
•general invitation to such as had formerly been residents of the
Town, to imite wnth tlie present inlial)itants, in sudi exercises as
Would l»e suitaltli' to the Oijcasion promisinji; so much of interest and
i^ratitication. The invitations thus extended were responded to cor-
dially, and at the time desi<i;nated, a larije number of people came
to<;ether, includinii; re})resentatives from many of the oldest and
most rcsj)ected families of the Town, whose course in life has led
them to remote parts of our land.
In accordance with the arran«i!;eiiieiits of the Committee, whin the
j^iests had arrived on the morning of the 25th of Aujj;ust, they were
ps<'orte<l to the Presbyterian Church, where they were respectively
introduced to the jx'oph", liy the President, ])ea. S. M. Roe. R. ().
Reynolds, Ks(j., in behalf of the ])(M)])le of the Town, then arose and
wclcoMU'd the ijuests as follows:*
Fkiknos and (tuks'I's: — We are assembU'd hece, after a sepai'ation
of somi' years, to renew acijuain^ance, to briuliten tlie i^olden chain
of friendship, by genial interchan<>:e of heai'ts, of ^iviiii; and receiv-
iji^ mutual ])leasure. Many ol" y..ii have been absent fi-om us lon<2;
and Weary years. Some of yon, ere yon left us, had left tlie valley
of youth and liad betcun the rou;::h and ruiim'd road that winds up
the hill of Mctive life. Tlien how much did the futui'c seem to prom-
ise. Alas how little jiirs lieen acconijdlslied ! 'i'lie exjK'riences of
•It hns Im'oti thnupht that. in;i«iiinch iu* the scene cannot Im roprodncod, and
ttuit a tiook nf nuKU'nit^' dinu'nsions would In- nioiu likely Ut lie roiid t1i."..n a Inrt^o
on»'. it would be licst t<> abridge some of tlie a<l<ln'ssi's eimtaincd in the previous
pulilirntion and merely present «inu> of tlio otitlines.
FESTAL GATHERING. 5
life are that disappointment is the common lot of all men. With
tliis view of the case liow soothing the thonght that we may return
to the scenes of childhood and mingle onr sympathies with former
friends of like experience. Of friendships ]>roken, of faith l)etrayed,
of wrong inflicted and hearts crnshed in the miserable conflict for the
honors and distinctions of this life, and even for avaracious, miserly
gain, we never heard or deemed them hnt as a horrid and distorted
romance of fiends instead of men.
He continued in this strain, expressing tli'e utmost cordiality and
couvtesy, for nearly a half hour to the great satisfaction of those
addressed, who were welcomed in the most hearty manner to the
festivities of the day.
Dr. F. Hyde responded in a few remarks, and introduced to the
audience M. Frank, Esq., who said:
He did not come expecting to make an address and was not pre-
pared to do so. He had written to an individual in the county,
when apprised of this meeting, that no pul)lic address nmst l)e ex-
pected from him. He would, however, make a few remarks. When
lie came in sight of the place, the scenes of his early years came up
Itefore him, and he felt himself young again. But when he came
and looked upon the people assembled, he was reminded of his mor-
tality — time had made its impress upon many a on(;e familiar coun-
tenance. He recognized a portion of the assemblage, but they were
mostly of a new generation, who had risen up to take the place of
their fathers. He had l)een absent from the county many years;
had resided in the west fourteen years. He said he had l)ecome
westernized ; he was, in fact, a western man — his feelings, sympathies
and interests were identified with the west. The west was, however,
not that far off country.it once was; the facilities of travel and com-
nnmication had brought it to the very doors of the east. Manners,
liabits and tastes which once characterized the west from the east,
now scarcely had any distinguished traits, but were fast assimulating
to one great uniformity. But power was tending westward — soon
the destinies of the nation would be controlled by the population
west of the Alleghany mountains. All good men in the west felt
that the future welfare of the republic; depended not upon political
|)latfonns, or the measures of political men. The moral and intel-
l('<tual elevation of the people, especially of the rising generation.
(• FESTAL nArirFPJNO.
w:is n'jjanli'd ns tlu' imly safe and sure i:;uarantc'«.' to tlic |icij>ctti;ititiii
of our free iustituti(Uis.
This ineetini;, lie said, would 1k' cliorislied in ineinory, as one of
tlic most ini]»c»rtMnt events of his life. Tlic recollections of the past
and the scenes of the present awaken sensations and inspire emotions
that can nevei- l>e effaced from the min<l. The past and the present,
tliey pass in review before ns, with a stranj^e and yet indescrihahle
interest. Voices once familiar here are now hnshed in that mystc-
rions silence to which h\\ the livin<; haste; friends \vc once loved to
irreet have ])assed from onr sij.!;ht forever. Those who seeniino-ly
lint yesterday were yonng, appear to have heen stranijely hni-i-ied
aloni; the ])athway of age. The responsihilitics of maidiood and
active life, hav(% in part, passed to another generation. The destiny
<»f the futui't' of this Town is committed to the men now here n])on
the stage of action — that fntnre will be elevated and glorions, in
l)ro])ortion as the moral and edncational interests of the people are
cared and })rovided for.
In behalf of the visitors from abroad, Mr. F. said he could not
command language adequiitc to express a sense of obligation for the
generous welcome and hos})itality which had been extended. The
exi)ressioiis of kindness and friciiidship were overpowering, and he
dare not trust himsi'lf witli what the impulse of feelinu- might lea<l
him to say. He conclu<lcd liy thaidving the assembly for its indul-
gence for the manifestations of kind regai'd.
At the coiicjusiou of INf]-. Fr;nd\''> remarks llie choir sanii' the
iolh.wiug ndc:
HOME AGAIN.
WOUKS 1!V MAKSHAI.I, S. I'lKK.
IIdiiil' iif^iiin — lioiiit' uffivin —
From n foreifjn shore.
And, oil, it tills my soul with joy.
To nuH't my friends once more.
Hero r droiip<>d the prtrtinfj: tear,
To cross the ocean's foam,
But now I'm once ayain with those
Who kindly greet me home;
Homo again — home again —
From a foreign sh<:>re,
And, oh, it fills my soul with joy.
To uK^ot my friends onre more.
FESTAL GATHEUINO. 7
Hapi^y hearts — happy hearts.
With mine have laughed in glee;
But, oh ! the friends 1 loved in youth.
Seem happier to me ;
And if my guide should be tjie fate.
Which bids me longer roam,
But death alone can break the tie
That binds my heart to home.
Home again, &c.
Music sweet — music soft — . ' .
Lingers round the place,
And, oh! I feel the childhood charm,
That time cannot efface.
Then give me but my homestead roof,
I'll ask uo palace dome;
For I can live a happy life.
With these I love at home.
Home again, &c.
Rev. Mr. Ercanbrack then offered a fervent and appropriate
prayer, wlien the choir sang the following:
LAND OF OUR FATHERS.
Land of our fathers, wheresoever we roam.
Land of our birth, to us thou still art home;
Peace and prosperity on thy sons attend,
Down to posterity, their influence descend.
All then inviting hearts and voices joining,
Sing we in harmony, our native land.
Our native land — our native land — our native land.
Though our climes may brighter hopes fulfill,
Land of our birth, we ever love thee still.
Heaven shield our happy homes, from each hostile Land ;
Freedom and plenty, ever crown our native land.
All then, &c.
The president then introduced t(» the audience, Dea. Nathaii
Bouton, who gave the following incidents of the
Fellow Citizens: — The duty assigned me l>y tlie committee, on
this occasion, is one involving uiucli Labor and responsil)i]ity. The
5 FESTAL (iATIlERING.
cullccticm <»f tlio facts iind stntistics t<> 1k^ ciiiKi-Mccd in the hi-icf ont-
linc «»f tlu' liistorv of this Town, uliicli I propose to give, has heen
atten<k'<l, n«it only with consicU'rahh' lahoi-. Imt nincli oliscnrity li;is
rested on some important ]toints, owinir to the fact that most of the
early sctth-rs have gone " the way of all the earth." By diligent
in(jnirv, however, I have heen aide to arrive at a good degree of
certainty, respi-cting all the particnlars set forth in these remarks,
and the hearer may rely npon them as snhstantially ti-ne. I have
availe<l myself t)f the vai-ions som-ces of information within my
reach, and am especially indehted for the introdnction to "IIotch-
KiKs' UisToKV OF Wkstkrn Nkw Vokk. " I am to deal with primi-
tive times, an<l if tln' langnage used should not he as elegant or
modern as that of some of tlie speakers on this occasion, I hope the
cflorl may lie acci'ptahle.
Previous to 1789, the county (»f Montgomery emhraced all the
western part <»f the State. In that year the county of Ontario was
setoff, comprchcniling that })art of the State west of what was called
the " ]>recm]ttion line."" In 1 7! »1 . the counties of Herkimer and Tioga
were set ofT IVoni Montgomery. The county of Onondaga, includ-
ing the whole Military Tract, was set off fiom IlerUimei- in 1794.
Fi-oni ( )non<1aga, C'aynga Avas detachtil in 1709, and Cttrtland in
ISOS. The Military Tract was so called, from the fact that it
was set aj»art foi- the ])ayment of military Ixninlies to the soldiers of
the State who had served in the army for a c-ertain period during
the war of the Revolution. This tract endtraces the present counties
of ( )nondaga, ('ayuga, Seneca and Corthnid, the greater part of
Toiiqtkins, with small j)ai'ts of Oswego and Wayne.
The Indian title Iteing at length extinguished, an act was passed
hy the Legislature of the State, l'"el>ruai-y liS, 1789, for surveying
the land and appi-opi-i;iting it to the use of the soldiers. The Tract
was surveyed into twenty-eight townships, each eonfaining one hun-
dred h»ts of a s(piare mile each. l^vi ry soldier and non-conurns-
sioned olHcer of the State ti-onps hail one lot assigned him. Tlu^
otlicers received larger })ortions in proportion to rank. Many of the
soldiers, hy reason of the long peri(»d which elapsed j)revious to the
issuing of the ]»atents and the many nncertainties comiected with
the snhject, had sold their rights for a mere pittance, sonu', it is said,
06 low as eight doll.ir-. >o that they ileriveil very little henefit from
FESTAL GATHERING. 9
the Hrr;iiig'eiiieiit, miuI the way opened for mucli speculation and ul-
timately much litigation to settle titles. Many, however, lived to
settle upon their lots, and thus secured to themselves a competence in
old age, with an inheritance to descend after tliem to their children.
The patents were issued in 1790, and preparations were soon made
by tliose interested, to effect settlements on their lands.
The Township of Virgil is in the county of Cortland, and is one
of the southern towTis on the Military Tract. The whole of this
Town does not belong to the Military Tract, as the tract called the
"Massachusetts Ten Townships," comprehends al)Out one and one-
half mile in width across tlie south side, leaving, however, the Town
nearly ten miles square. It is situated on the height of land be-
tween tlie St. Lawrence and Susquehanna rivers. The waters part
here in less than a mile from where we are now assembled, and
mingle with tliose of the broad Athmtic through the Gulf of St.
Lawrence and Chesapeake Bay. The surface is variegated with hills
and valleys, watered l)y numerous springs and smaller streams of
water. The timber is rather heavy, consisting of maple, beech, elm,
basswood, pine, hemlock and clierry. Some of tlie hills have con-
siderable chestnut and oak, and interspersed through the whole is
some white ash and l)irch. The soil is rather uniform — a medium
l»etween the best and poorest — and better adapted to grazing than
tillage. The water is good, and most parts are remarkal)ly well sup-
plied for common purposes; but tliere are no largo permanent
streams adapted to the propelling of mills and machinery. The
Tioughnioga runs through tlie northeast pai't of the Town, remote
from the principal part of the population, and is not adapted to the
objects to whicli allusion has been made. To facilitate the settle-
ment of this section of the country, a road was projected, connecting
Oxford with the Cayuga Lake, to pass through this Town. Josepli
Chaplin, the first inhabitant, was entrusted with this work. The
instrument by which he was authorized to engage in it was autlien-
ticated on the 5tli of May, 1792. He spent that season in exploring
and surveying the route, the length of which is al)Out sixty miles.
He came to lot No. ,50, which he owned, and afterwards settled,
erected a house and prosecuted his work, ha\nng a woman to keep
the house and cook for workmen. The work of cutting and clearing
the road was done in 1793-4; so that he moved his family from
^^y FESTAL nATUERTNG.
Oxford uvrr it in tin* winU-r lT'.»4-5, einpl(\yiii,L' six (»r seven sleiiilis
fniLrlite«l with fniuily, furniture, ])n»visions, I'^'c
In 17JU, .Jolin M. Frank, who li:i<l a patent for lot No. 4:^, came to
jiHcortain its location and condition. II(> camo alonf;; lines of lots hy
marked trees, takinjx the present south line of the Towti, upon which
his lot wftj* l>o\inded, made his discoveries and returned. The next
year he came, made a hej^inninii; in tiie forest, erected a house, re-
tnrne<l to his family and made ])reparations to move on. He eamc
from MontiTomerv to C(»opersto\m, then down the Susquehanna to
Chenaui^o Point, tlnm-e up the Chenanf>:;o and Tioui::hnioi!;a rivers to
Oliaplin's, tjience on the State road to a p<.iiit near where the village
now is, thenci' southerly, ])assing near whei-e Munlock's Tnnnery
stands, and so on over the hill to neai- where Mr. Ilotchkiss now
lives, and then to the huilding he had erected. They arrived in
Novemher, 17i>5, after a journ(\v of si.\ weeks. And from that time
till .spriiii; saw none hut their own family. Tiie man whom he had
empli)Ve<l to move tliem in brought the family, and Mr. Frank came
out on foot and drove seven head of cattle and six sheep. Tiie sheep
went away a little from the house a few days after their arrival, got
out of sight an<l were never h(>ard of after, and it was supposed that
the wolves took tiuMH. Tiie cattle were wintered on hi-owse, and all
lived except one yearling. Sanmel Marvin, who movt'd tiie family,
agreed further, that he would clear two acres and fin-nish the family
with j>rovisi(»ns for one year tor three lumdred acres off the east side
of the lot, uhicli agreements were nmtually fidtilled. It is well to
understan<l, that, though the ]iatents w(M-e for the whole s<juare mile,
vet the State reserved to itself the right to retain one hunch'ed acres
in the S(»utlieast cornel' <»f each lot, and givi- an e<jual amc^unt in
Ohio, mdess the ])erson to receive the ])atent siiould give notice of
iiis wish to have his laud together, also chargcMl the ])atentee eight
dolhirs for sui'veying, and, in default of payment, reserved fifty acres
in one corner, called the *' Survev of tiftv aci'fs." Mr. Fi'ank iirave
notice and saved the one hundred acres, Ititt could not raise the eiirht
dollars to save the tifty, though he oifered a cow for the money, and
also }>r(»]>osed to mortgage the whole lot in .--ecurity; c(msequently
the fifty acres were alienated, constituting part of the farm now
oNnied l>y J), i.. Uronson.
The next iidud»itant was dohn (ice, also a scddier of the Revolution.
FESTAL a ATI! E RING. H
He <lrew lot No. 21, li)ounded west hy the towni of Diyden, on whicli
some of his descendants now live. He came in 1795, and two others
witli him, l)ringing their provisions with them on foot from Chenango
Point, guided by marked trees. They cnt down the trees on a little
spot, and Imilt such a liouse as three men could, with only an axe,
M'ithout a board, a nail or a pane of glass, and returned. He moved
his family tlie next year from Wyoming, arriving on the 17th of
June. The family consisted of his father and mother, his wife and
six cliildren, to live in a building about sixteen feet by twelve. And
it may perhaps as well l)e said here as anywhere, that all the struct-
ures for inhabitants were made rude. Generally .they were small,
l)uilt up of logs, with a floor of plank split from basswood logs, door
of the same, hung with wooden hinges, and tlie roof of bark peeled
from elm or basswood, witliout chimney or glass window. This was
the case witli nearly all constructed previous to 1801, wlien the lirst
Saw Mill was Imilt. And I may also proceed to say in this place,
tliat tlie farming utensils, liousehold furniture, and all such necessa-
ries and conveniences of life, were rude and clumsy. The bedsteads
were not French^ but American, consisting of four posts of round
timl)er, with holes bored to receive the end and side rails, and bark
drawn across instead of cords. The young children, of which the
numl)er was consideral)le in proportion to the population, were soothed
to rest in sap-troughs and holloM^ logs for cradles. It was the lot of
your speaker to enjoy tlie latter, ^'i])rating on the plank floor Ijcfore
described. Trenchers or wooden plates were, in many instances
used instead of earthen, ifec. Other points of correspondence might
be traced, but we will leave that to the imagination of our hearers.
With Mr. Gee the neighbors were: J. Chaplin, at the river, about
twelve miles by the road, J. M. Frank, four miles without road, and
El)enezer Bro^ni, twelve miles west in Milton, now Lansing. The
nearest grist mill was at Chenango Point, now Binghamton, and no
store even there. His flour was brought up in a canoe to Chaplin's,
and generally from there on foot. In 1798, Ludlow's mill was built
at Ludlowville, which was a convenience to him and the very few
others who had then settled in Town. It would not, however, " quit
cost, " or as we luive it, '' woidd not pay " to carry com that distance
to be ground, so tlicy woidd burn a hollow place in the top of a stump
and ]>ound it in tliat witli m pestle hung to a spring sweep.
jwj FESTAL OATiiKnmr,.
Ill tlic Sjtriii;,' "it 17'.«7, .lolin K. ItitccMim- on irniii I'lstci- county,
and iiiJulf a li(';4iniiin«; on his l(»t, tlic wmu' (>ccn})ii'(l till recently l»y
himself and family, lioanljuir with Mr. Frank. IIo cleared a spot,
pnt ii|> the l>o<.ly '>f a lo^r liouse, >)>lit phinU and laid a Jlo<»r, peeled
hark foi' a n-of and airn'fd uilli a man in Homer to put it on. He
also (Mit an<l tnred some ol the wild i^rass <i;rowin£(*i" the swamp, for
hay, and returned. {'reparations were then made for movinji; on,
which was done in the winter followinij. He and liis \\'ife came in
a pleii^li with a yonnj^ cow followin}:; them. AVhen they came to the
river opjxtsite Mr. ChaplinV tliey fouml tlie water hijj^li and the <^a-
noe tliat liad Iti-en used in crossini;, carrie«l away. Mr. Chaplin's
iioij trouixh was ]>rocnred and Mrs. Iloe was safely carried over in it.
8he then stood njton the hank to await the crossingof what remained.
TIk' horses heinij in-^ed in, swam across with the sleigh, the cow fol-
lowed, and <*ajne near heinj.;; carried away Ity the current, hut after
a hanl struggle made the shore in safety. They ])ut up for the niglit,
the horses heing fastened to the sleigh, as no accommodatif>ns could
l>e procured; and they ate out the hottoms of the chairs, to allay
the keen demands of appetite. The snow was two feet, with no
track, and the whole day was consumed in coming from the river to
their new hoiue. AVlien they arrive<1 they were surprised to find
their house without covering, eonse(]uently the snow as deej) in it as
out of it. Persons of less perseverance would have heen disheart-
«'ne(i. r.ut no time was to l>e lost. Tlie snow wa»s cleared away from
a |iortion of tlie Jloor, a tire huilt against the logs, some hlankets
drawn across tiie lH*ams for a covering, tlu^ horses tied in one corner
with some of the cojirse hay hefore them, and tlnis their tii-st and
several successive nights w(M"e ])ass(^d.
Tims in Kehruary, IT'.ts, we tind four families in the Towni, sep-
arated hy long (hstances from each other, almost without roads, suf-
fering in m.uiy respects for the m-cessaries of life, ex]>osed in their
property and persons to the ravages of wild lieasts, and far from
symitatiii/ing friends. Ihit the dark, howling wihU^ness must he
changed to fruitful tields, and these were the ])ioneers to lead on in
this great work. Wild heasts were very numerous, especiallv deer'.
Mr. Hoe lias sat in his house and seen twenty-Hve pass in a di-ove,
jind Jonathan (-ree has seen from six to eight lirowsin<i- with the cat-
tle at once. There were also many wolves and hears, and Mr. Roe
FESTAL GATHERING. 13
ami Capt. Knapp caught and killed tifteeii wolves in one year; and
(luring- the time when they were prevalent, Mr. Roe lost by them
fifteen head of cattle and a large number of sheep. Their ravages
M^ere general, and t^ubjei-ted the inhabitants to the necessity of fold-
ing their sheep eveiy night for al»out fifteen years. For a series of
years the settlers suffered great iiai-dships and privations, but they
gradually diminished, ^so that in 1809 <»i- *l<> most of the necessaries
of life were acciessible to the mass of the people. Though I shall notice
the pi-ogress of the settlements, I shall not be so minute in reference
to particular families. To this num]»er there was added in 1798,
James Wright whei-e Thomas IStanbro now lives, James Knapp
where M. B. Mynard lives, James Glenny and John Glenny, near
the residences of H. P. Jones and Thomas Hammond, Joseph Bailey
where William Givens lives, and Wait Ball where J. C. Hntchings
lives. In Fel)ruary, 1799, Enos Bouton settled where he remained
wliile he lived ; Dana Miles and others not now known, came in, so
that in the year twenty-three nien were taxed with highway labor,
in 1800, we tind James Sherwood, who settled on the ridge east
from A. J . Browni's resi<ience, James Wright, who settled near where
Mrs. Bvram lives, John Calvert, near where N. Chaml)erlain owns,
Seth Larabee, neai- where Abram Oak lives, John Ellis where L. V.
Terpeiming lives, Moses Rice where Cephas Gleason lives, Abial
Brown where Abijah Haight lives, Moses Stevens where Barnabas
Tyler lives, Jason Crawford, on the river, and Prinms Gaunt (colored)
in that part ncnv embraced in Lapeer. In 1801, Daniel Edwards
settled where William Glenny lives, Nathaniel Bouton on the farm
(H'cupied by him during his life, and now by his son. Prince Freeman
where Sanuiel N. RtmiuJs lives, and James Clai-k and son where
Joseiph Colwell lives. Ju 1802, Jonathan Edwards settled where he
lived the most of the rest of his life, Sanmel Carson, near where
Joseph Bouton lives, Alexander Hunter took the place of Joseph
Bailey, Gecjrge Wigant in a house neai' where J. Hancock's garden
is, Abner and Ezi'a Bruce near the residence of L. V. Terpenning,
and AVilliam Lincoln, a single man, came and has remained ever
since, and is with us to-day. Peter Gray settled the same year on
lot No. 70, (now J^apeer) and R(^i)ert K. Wheeler and Thomas
Kingsbury in 1802 or ";5; l)oth in tiie same part. In 1808, Moses
Olmstead settled where Josephus Gee lives, and Peter Powers and
1^ VESTAL GATirFRING.
.Tuliu I. Ct(»o KOttlcd nlhu, ill tlic wi'.-t i>art, and Aiwlrcw Van IJuskiik
in the oast ]>Mrt of the Town, aiul Dora.stiis Diwnlt in the south
itiirt, (now Ilnrfonl) <>n the hill west from the prcst-nt vilUi^o of that
name. S<'th Jcnninj^^s um\ Timothy Rohortson also settle.! in the
iiart n<»w I^nucor, in ls(>:i or '4. in 1><'4, Silas Line(>hi settled
where Salmon C/urtis lives, an<l Alexamier MeNitt on lot No. ?,,
takiii" the i)laee of .lames "Wriulit, ()l>ailiali Gla/ier near where
Newman liartim lives; J^-nniel liarnes, Peter Tanner and Th<»mas
Nieli«»ls also settle<l the same year in the part n<iw Harford, and
Jeremiah Slu'valier in the east j)art, near wliere liis son John now
live^.
1t\ 1805, Sim<M>n Lue^ fiettle<l on the hill that Ix'urs his name;
lsaa<- liarton on land owned by Isaae H. Raymond; Jotham Glazier
where Fre<l«'riek I >e.nton resides ; Zophar iMoore in this village; Oli-
ver l*all at the j>resent residence of M. 1>. Mynard; Isaac Elwell
near where John I'outon lives. And at some time ])revious, of which
we have not the date. Comfort liruce, Sluihel IS. J\Iai-sh and James
Roe came and took lip their residence liere. In 18(M), John Hill
settle*! where he lived aft^Twards, and wluM'e his family now live ;
John Green in the part now Harford; Zachariah S<iuires on lot No.
7<i, an<l Rol)ert Smith l)oii<i;ht the farm of Peter Gray, and lived
then' in that vear; .I(»hn Snider settled on tiie hill that heai's his
name, June loth, ls<»7. Time will not, however, admit of onr ])nr-
suin^ this course fnrth«;r. lidiaiiitants continued to come in from
different ])arts, till, at the present time, there is very little n<m-resi-
(U-nt laiui in the town. The eai'ly iidiahitants did not settle (»n
y>/v///v<, wlu^re they could raise their provisions x\\i.\p' I'.st yv4ii\ hut the
heavy forest nmst he cleared away, which was a woi-k of time, hefore
the lahorer coidd he fed from the soil he cultivated; ami must wait
a vear or two more Itctoi-e he had j^rass for his cows, and tliey must
run in the wood.s, and iiiuch time l»e >pt'nt in tindiiii; and l>rini:;ing
them hoiiH'. And fre«|uently they could not he found, es})ecially if
the sear<-h were ctunmeiK-ed late, when tlay would have lain down
and the tinklini: ot the liell coidd no moic l>c ]ic;iiil. The milk was
nlso of inferior tjuality, owinir to the leeks and other weeds upon
which they fed. Money was very scaice throu;zh the country, and
])artieiilarly in the new ]»arts where was little to he sold and much
to he lioui^ht. It Would lie im[»ossihle to express to the understand-
FESTAL GATHERING. I5
ing' of this, or any aiuiierife of inodeni times, the diilieiilties experi-
GTM'.ed on this account.
It was almost impossible to collect enough in the year to pay the
taxes. This diffii-ulty was very much owing, so far as the older parts
were concerned, to the Emhirgo wliich was then in force, restricting
commerce and causing a stagnation in all departments of lousiness, and
though the newly settled parts had not nuich to sell, they felt severe-
ly the effect of this state of things. We have seen the time when it
would have been as difficult to raist? fi^e dollurs as now it would be
to raise as many hundred. Another difficulty existing in this Town
particularly, was that the land was not owned by the inhabitants,
but nmst l)€ paid for from the products of the same t'<j add t« the
capital of rich men living at a distance.
Another embarrassment was one to which allusion was made in
the des(Tiption of the natural featm-es of the Town, viz. : the want
of sufficient water power to propel mills and machinery, thus taking
business away, and while other places were l)enetited, thiii Town was
the loser. There was, however, a commendable degree of enter-
prise among the people, and the crops were, for a number of years,
abundant, compared with the area of ground cultivated, and the
people relished highly ivhat tJiey had. For example — we have the
Sweet Bough, Red Astrachan and Red Margaret, (exhibiting a speci-
men of each) but neither of them tastes so delicious as some of those
inferior apples first produced by our orchards.
Their hardships were also veiy much ameliorated by common par-
ticipation and mutual sympathy. Hospitality prevailed and mutual
dependence promoted harmony and fellow feeling. They met, ex-
changed accounts of their trials, often with mucli liumor and pleas-
antry, and cheered each other on. If a log cabin was to be raised
for some new comer they were all on the spot with strong arms and
a hearty good wall.
But we must attend to several brandies of history in order.
First — Civil Regulations or Government.
When lirst settled. Homer, Sohjn, Cincinnatus and Virgil M^ere in
one town called Homer.
At the Town Meeting in 1797, it was resolved that the Township
of Virgil shall constitute one highway district.
1,; FKi^TAL OATIfFniNO.
In 17!*^. \ ir<;il sorins to have Ik-cii rfprt'sciitcil, iiitd . lames Kiiapj)
wati <-lii»scn Asscsi^or, ( "(•miiii.>«sioiu'r ni Hi<f)iways ami Overseer of
Ilifrhways, and rctunu'd eij^lit iiaine^ t(» l»e taxed tor highway work.
The ytoW tax was three days, and th( nmnher of days assest-ed was
tifty-oi}.dit and one-lialf. At tlie ToMn Meeting in 17!»9, lield at the
liouse of Mtises Hopkins, Virt:"il wa.- ht)in»re<l with the ottice of Sn-
j)ervis(»r in tlio person <>f ,Iaiiie> Knapj); Wait Ball was chosen As-
Pen8()r; .lohn E. Roe, OverM'er <if the l^><>r; Wait liall, Connnis-
sioner of IJijxhways, mid Dana Miles, Overseer of Iliixhways, and
returnod twenty-three names t<» l»e taxed.
Thus tiiis 'J'own continued with Homer throniih the year 1804,
always havinir it.^ j)roper pro]»ortion of otficc and ]>rivileu;e.
The Townshi]) of Vir»;il havinjj: heen set off from Homer into n
se]>arate town, the inhabitants assemhled in Town Meeting at the
houpo of .lames Knapp, on the 'Ji\ day of April, iSOo, and proceeded
to (■h()ose .lohn I. (ree, Aloderator ; Gideon Messen<fer, Town ("l(>ik;
MoRes Rice, Supervisor; Ahtier Kruc*', ilohn Gee and .losepii Chap-
lin, Assessors; .lohn (-Jlenny, Ge(tr<re Wij^ant and John I. Geo,
Commissioners of Highways ; .Jonathan E<lwai'ds and Petei' Powers,
Poor Masters, and Shut>(^l S. Marsh, Constahle and Collector.
I 'AIM MASIKKS.
1 .It.>hn (tcc, 5 Comf(»rt Ihiice, 9 Peter Powers,
2 Isaac Klwell, T) Alexander McXitt, 10 J(.>seph Clia])lin,
.'5 Siiniucl CarsoTi, 7 ( )!ia(liah (-ilaziei-, 11 Elias Thonijison,
4 .loiijithan E<lwards, s -lames Wright, \'2 J*eter Gray,
!;> Seth Jennings.
Moses ( )lnii-tea<l and Al'ial Ihcwn, Fence N'iewcrs.
Since the organization of the Town there have heen fo)'ty-nineT<nvn
Meeting^, at which the following jiersons have heen elected Supc^r-
visors and Ti>wn Clerks, for the term specified respectively:
Closes llice, lSuj)ervis(>i", N years, ( )g(len Gray, "2 years,
James Roe, 4 years, Enoch J). l-!ranch, 1 year,
Gideon Messenger, U years, Moses Tylci', 1 year,
Jose])h Reynolds, 9 years, John Green, 2 years,
Michael Frank, 'J years, Dudley Hent(»n, 1 year,
Sanford Ijouton, y, years, Page Green, 1 year,
.losiah-llart, 1 year, M. P>. Mynard, 1 year,
Timothy Green, :'> years, II. ,1. Messenger, now in office.
FESTAL GATHERING. I7
TOWN CJ.KKKS.
GidcM)!! Messeii<i;("r, 2 years, Williaui Wuociard, 4 years,
Aimer Bruce, 2 years, A. E. Hel>er(l, 4 years,
Moses Kice, 2 years, Juliii Chain])erlain, 2 years,
James Koe, 1 year, Norman Clianiberlain, 4 years,
James Chattertoii, 12 years, Willard Cliatterton, 8 years,
Alvaii Ryan, 1 year. Wait Cliaiiiherlain, 1 year,
William Snider, 1 year, Sanuiel Slafter, 1 year,
Kinne Grow, 1 year, I). L. Bvoiisoii, 1 year,
Willard Cliatterton, now in office.
James Glenny was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1802, and
held the office several years. Wait Ball was soon after appointed
to the same office, and continued in it for sixtt>en years in succession.
Moses Rice also held that office for several years, about the same
time. But our time Mill not admit of giving the names and t«rms of
service of all who have been Justices of the Peace in the Town.
Joseph Reynolds, Josiah Hart, James Cluitterton, Nathan Heaton,
Piatt F. Grow and Timothy Green have been Members of the As-
sembly of this State, and Joseph Reynolds has been Member of
Congress one tei'm.
Second — The Rej.igi(h:s Interests of the People.
Soon after tlie iirst settlements were made, the people were visited
by Missionaries who were faithful in looking to their spiritual wel-
fare.
Among these were Rev. Messrs. Williston, Phelps and Johnson,
Congregationalists, and Roots, Whipple and Cole, Baptists. There
were also Methodist ministers, who came in at an early day and
preached and otherwise labored to promote the spiritual good of the
people. The ITniversalists, also had occasional meetings, when they
were addressed by Rev. Archelaus Green, a resident of the Town.
The first religious meetings by the people were commenced in
1802. Pravers were offered bv Prince Freeman, of this Town, and
James Wood, of Dryden. Singing was conducted by Moses Rice,
and sermons read by James Glenny. Since that time religious meet-
ings have been lield every Sabbath, except in case of some violent
storm or remarkable event. On the 28th of Februaiy, 1805, the
Congregational Church was formed with eight members, (one of
whom, Mrs. L. Edwards, is still living,) b}- Rev. Seth Williston.
1^ FESTAL OATIIKRING.
Tlie clmrcli wiis without stato<l pri';ichiu<r, several years. They felt
severely their destituti' ••ondition, wliich will l>i' si-cii hv the followiTiir
vote passed December 3d, ISOO: "That the church will >cc to the
satisfvin»; of Rev. Dr. Darrow for two !Sal»liatiis' service a vear, at
five dollars a Sahhjith, to attend oji saeraineiital occasions, and als(»
to take tiie oversight oi the churcii for the present." Tlie clnuHrh
strn<.I<rled on throu<!:ii various ditticidties, with ])reachin^ part of the
time, meeting in various places where they could, after tlie '' Centre
School House"" was Imrnt, in 1818, till this house could 1k' used for
that purpose. This house was put up in 1821, l)ut it was two or
three years before it was enclosed and made <-oiiit'ortahle, and the
present seats were not built till 1881. Its hx-ation, near the b\n-y-
ing c;ronnd, was found inconvenient, and removed to this place in
18H4. About two hundred and seventy persons have ])een a<lded to
tlie church, and it now embraces about seventy resident members.
The ministers who have preached statedly to the church, ai-e Rev.
Messrs. Wallace, Hit<-hcock, Dunnini;, Robertson, Bliss, Chaffee,
Ileadley, Walcott, Tliaclier, Bronson and Bates. Among these
Messrs. Robertson, Chaffee and Thacher were pastoi's.
A Baptist Church was constituted in August, ISOT. They held
meetings in private houst^s, etc., and had preaching fnnn Elders
Bennett, of Homer, Powers and Ri>binson, and others of this ])lac,e
till al)Out 1826 or '27, when it was disbanded, and reorganized June
23d, 1830. In 1831, their present meeting house was built. The
ministers preaching steadily sinc<' its reorganization, iiave been Elders
Andrews, Robinson, Clai'k,Ainsworth, Cede, Jones, Lyon and DeWitt.
Present n\nnber of meml>ers, sixty-nine.
The Methodists held meetings fiXMpiently, and had {(reaching from
Rev, (t. W. Densmore and otiiers, previous to 1830. In that vear
there was nnu-h interest among them, and many were added to their
number. In 1831, the chapt'l was liuilt,an(l they lia\c had as preach-
ers since 1830, Rev. Messrs. Mason, Wood, J?i-onson, Harris, Meiu'ir,
Worthing, llaiuiltou. Porter, McDowell, Fox, Wire, Mynard,
Hewitt, Torry an<l Ei'caid>rfU'k. Tliey have almut seventy-two mem-
bers.
Tlie Free Ba])tist Chiircli In tlic west jiart of the Town was or-
ganized in 1822, with six mend)ers. They lichi meetings in " Ball's
School H(mse," so called, till they Imilt their j)i'esent meetinghouse,
FESTAL GATHERING. 19
often called ''The West Meeting lioiise/' in 1838. Its preaehers
liave been Eldeis Daniels, liilLs, Darling, Gardner, Dodge, Moulton,
and others. The number of nieinl)ers at this time is eight^'-three.
In about 1884, the Universalists formed a soeietj-, which increased
to about thirty mendiers, ant! continued their organization and meet-
ings s<^veral years. Among the preachers who labored statedly with
them, were Revs. Brown, Sanderson, Doolittle, Brown, P^'oster and
Bullard.
In the southwest part, now Harford, the first prea(thing was by
Rev. Seth Williston in 1804. Preaching by Methodist ministers in
1806 or 7.
The Baptists formed a church in that part about 1818, whi<-,h has
been ministered to by Elders Robinson, Miller, Gil)bs and others.
This church has always been small, though we are uiuible to give
its numl)ers.
The Meth(»dists have had meetings and an organization in the
same locality, and have participated in the erection of the meeting
house, and have at times been prosperouti.
The Christians were organized into a church about 1828, and have
held their meetings in the vicinitv of South Harford. They have
had stated preaching l)y Elders Rouse, Gould, Dodge, Holiday,
Grimes, Wade, Burlinganu', Wescott, Hitcthccx-k and others. Num-
ber of members we are unable to state.
The Congregational Church, of Harford, was organized September
28, 1831, with thirteen members; and in 1832, a house of worship
was built l)y that society, in connection with the Methodists and
Universalists. They have had stated preaching by Rev. Messrs.
Ripley, Gaylord, Baker and Lord ; and in 1846, when the Town
was set oif, had tiftv-four meinbers.
The Universalists formed a societv in about 1831, which has num-
bered as high as forty-three members. They aided in building the
house of worship above alluded to, and own a part of it. They have
had stated preaching from Rev. Messrs. Chase, Doolittle, Winston,
Bany, Rounsville, Brown and others.
A church of Free oi- Open Comnnuiion Baptists, was formed in
the southeast part (/f the Town, in about 1820, by Elder Lake, em-
bracing mend)ers also residing in Mai-athon and Lisle. Their preach-
ers have been Elders Lake, Hart and Matthews. The number of
._>(, FESTAL (iATirrnisa.
nuMiilifiv roM' .'it (»ii(' tiiiif If lu'iiilv ciiility. Tlic Mttliodists liiiil
frcijiu'Ht iiicctinjrs iioar tlw i-ciitn- <•! tli.it (iiiMrtci- of tlic Town, and
linvc li:i»l iit tinu's, considcriiMc r<li«rioii:- iiitcic.-t iimoiij:- rlicni. AVc
;irr not ;il«lc, lnAvcvrr, tn state tlicir nninlKTs.
Tlierc is also n cliurch of ilic Christian onlci- in tliat part, liolding
tlicir nicctini;.> in tlu' sc1i(m>1 house near Dann C. Squires'. They
have Ikhmi niinisteiH'd to hv Elder Ililchcock and oTher>. — \vc cannot
state their nuinl)ers.
There was als(» a church ori;ani/.ed in the east part of tiie Town
in altout l>>i^<t. of the (.'onirrcL^aTioiiaJ order l>y Rev. Eleazar Luce.
It was ininisTered to l»y Rev. Messrs. Euce, Axtell, Chaffee and
others; and in 1S87, had thirtv-one nienil>ers. ft has since been
dissf>lvcd. The Metlxxlists have also lonir had a hranch of theii'
church in East Viriril. an<l have had preachin<^ a jtortion of the time.
In 1S44, a house of woi-ship was e]"ccte<l ;it the place called Gridley-
Hollow, liy the union of the several denoniiiuitions ivsidinj; in that
vicinity. The years lSi;i, '20, '30 and *;n, were sifrnalized as sea-
son> (if special reli<;ious interest, and many were added to the (hffer-
ent »"hurches.
The tir?-t infants hajttized, were Betsey N. and Sylvester M. Roe,
hy Rev. W. MaiKleville, in the autumn of 1H(»2. The first adult
was Mrs. Zeruiah, wife of Peter Power>, in lS(i;i, liy Elder Whi]>ple.
In coiMiinni with otlicr locatities there have l»een >ocieties with us
for tlie p roll lot ion of the varioii> Iteiievoleiit ohjects of the day. — ^iieli
as Rihlc, Missionary and Ti'act lS<»cieties. These iiavc Ik'cii success-
ful in a ijood de<^ree, in proiiiotiiiir the >e\eral ol)jocts ftir which they
were instituted, and it may he safely estimated that the Bihle Society
lla^ lieeii instrumental in keejiin^ tlic families in Town supjdied with
the I>ilile t'V means of funds received fiuiii its inhahitailts.
Law.
Ami liere we have to l•onfe^^ tliat there never has heen resident
in Town a reirularly hreil hari/,,'. hut we have had those tiiat have
lieen aide to afivocate tlic riuhts ol the peo])le l)ef(»i"e the colU'ts in
Town, ami .--ome in other jtlaces. James Wrii^ht, a I'cvolutionarv
soldier, was the first who actc(| in this cajiacity, and since his time
there has l>een several who liave enijaiLred in that business; and now
we have Messrs. (-rreen and (ttow. wiio are ]»i-oltaltlv the a.hlest advo-
FESTAL GATHERING. 21
cates in iliat depiirtincnt that wo have ever had.
Medical.
The lirst physician was Elijali Hartson. Since he h^^ft we had in
this part of the Town, Drs. Moore, Green, Wordcn, Woods and
Ryan, l)efore 1820. Dr. Bronson came in 1820, and has been here
ever since, except tlie short time lie was at Vernon. During that time
Dr. C. P. Weaver was here, and from 1841 to '48 we had Drs.
Wilson and Rol)inson. Now our three physicians are Drs. Bronson,
Fitch and Ball. The physicians in the part now Harford, have been
Fox, Owen, Terry, Houo-hteling, Davis, Shipman and others.
Education.
The inhaT)itants were early awake to the importance of education,
and were resolved that their children should have all the means in
their power to provide for its acquisition. Accordingly in 1799, the
few that were here came together and ])uilt a school house near
where the Thorn Tree now stands, easterly from the residence of J.
C. Ilutchings. The first teacher was Charles Joyce, who taught
two or three weeks. Another named Hatch, continued a short time,
and left suddenl}^ Next Rebecca Ball, daughter of Wait Ball,
taught two summers. After her, Abigail, sister to Rebecca, was
employed one term. The first school near the village was taught
Ity Mrs. L. Edw^ards in her own house. Afterwards Moses Rice
tauirht in the Remington house in the winter of 1804-5. The first
school taught in the part now Harford, was by Betsey Curran in the
winter of 1806-7, in the house of Aimer Rounsville.
The Legislature had appropriated one lot in this Town to the sup-
port of the gospel and schools, and when the school law took effect
in 1818, the rent was added to the funds derived from the State, and
has since been available for this purpose. In that year William
Powers, Oliver Ball and Gideon Messenger, School Commissioners,
divided the Town into seven school districts. The first grammar
scliool was taught in 1819 by Henry J. Hall, in the east part of the
double log house of John I. Gee, located were T. L. Lincoln, Esq.,
now lives. This was the first effort of systematic instruction in that
science in the Town. It continued four weeks with thirteen schol-
ars. Their names were Beebe L. Ball, Stephen S. Powders, James
Ball, John M. Roe, John Harris, William L. Gee, Nathan Bouton,
22 FESTAL OATITFRINff.
Rufns^ mill il.iii-ict Edwanis, Loiiiirji l>yrain, Mjiriottu ('!i;i])liii .-iikI
Sally and Lucy Mes8oii<:;t'r. ( )1 this luiiiilicr ci^iit nvo liviii;;- liy
latest accounts, and four aic jircscnt.
From 1837 to 1S4-5, a school called the " Literary Institute," was
taught one-half of each year l»y N. l^xnitoii jiikI WilJiaiii E. (tcc,
which was in a y-ood de;i;ree successful. It was afterwanls continued
al»out two years by A. E. Frye. ()tlicr select scIkidIs have lieen
taught since at diffeivnt times. There have also Iteen such schools
in the part now ILirford. One l»y Erving Taintor, and another by
a lady, some time afterwards. There Avas also a select school taught
by Jesse Storrs in the part now Lapeer, Avhich continue*] several
terms. There was a great scarcity of reading matter in tiie early
settlement. Newspapers were scarce and dear; the usual price ^2
per annum, with less thati half the reading matter we now have, at
d<»u])le the price. (The speaker hei'e exhibited a copy of a county
paper ])ubHshed in 1S29, with five cohnnns on a page.) Torciiiedv
this defect, in }>Mi't, the iidiabitants set u]> a li])rary called tlie " Vir-
gil Lilmiry, " with thirty shares of one dollar each, and a very good
selection of books was procured in altout 1807. Another lil»rarv
was estahlished about 1814, with a capital (»f ^200, called the " Vir-
gil Union Library." At preseiit tlie necessity for such libraries is
superceded l»y their establishment in each school district. l>ooks
and ])apers arc also plenty and cheap.
The first Sabbath School was instituted in 1822, in connection
witli tlie (/ongregational Church. Since that tim(> Salibath schools
have b(,Hni conducted in the different churches and neigliboi-lioods
with various degrees of success to the ])res(>nt time.
Allusion has been made to the kind of, cradles in whicli some of us
were lulled to rest in our infancy, Imt it is not to be presumed that it
was always done wifliout a lulla])y. Piobably noTieof us can remem-
lier that used for ourselves, but the singing that made the first j>er-
manent impression on tlie mind oi the s}»eaker, was the following
words :
"VVhoro shall onr countrv turn its t^yi'?
What help remains Ijeneath the sky?
Our friend, proteot^or, strength and trust,
Lies low and moulderiuL;' in the dust.
This is a ])art of the lamentation of a bereaved people, at the
death of the Father (tf his (Jountrv. When individuals met who
FESTAL GATHERING. 23
could m\^^ they fi-equentlj engaged in this cxercdse, wlien the asso-
ciations connected witli it would lead tlieir minds back to the place
of their nativity, and bring up affecting remembrances of precious
friends and scenes long past. The lirst Singing School was taught
1 )y Moses Rice, in the winter of 1805-6. Since that time this depart-
ment of scienc^e and mental and moral improvement has received
mnch attention, and we, to-day, enjoy the rich privilege of listening
to delightful music in words eminently adapted to this thrilling oc-
casion. The sacred music of this place is now in the care of Messrs.
Slafter, Adaniy and Sheerar.
The department of roads now claims our attention. The tirst
road passing through the Town, was the " State Road. " A road
was slightly cut through from near this Village, in tlie direction of
the head of the lake, called the " Bridle Road. " The next was
one laid from tlio State Road, connnencing near the present
dwelling house of William Bell, and taking a noi-theasterly direction
till it intersected the road from Port Watson to Solon, laid July 2d,
1798. The hext from the State Road on lot No. 24, southwesterly
to near where the •' West Meeting House " now is, and turned and
went over to John Gee's, and continued on to the State Road. Soon
after, a road was laid from the State Road, near the residence of
L. V. Terpenning, past where Hiram Lament lives, and came out
on the present road, near Thomas Stanbro's, and continued on to
Homer. In 1801, this road was altered and run nearly where it
now is, past Purvis', Morse's, etc. About the same time a road was
hud from where the Village now is, southerly over Ow^ego Hill, and
the road leading from Mr. Frank's nearly as it now runs, intersect-
ing the road leading to Gee's at the West Meeting House, was laid
soon afterwards. The road from Cortlandville to Virgil, where it
now is, was laid in 1806, and that over Luce Hill nearly at the same
time. The St<e Road from Chaplin's this way was rather rugged,
and it early occurred to the inhal)itants that mucli of the hill might
1)0 saved hy a road that might be constructed from the State Road
near the residence of Daniel Pri<',e, passing down the stream to
. Vanderburg's mill, continuing on past the saw mill of A. Van Bus-
kirk, intersecting the State Road near the house of Joseph Chaplin.
This road was laid in 1818, through to the grist mill. This road re-
quired nuich lal)or and expense to make it passal»le, and must neces-
:i\r
FESTAL nATHEniNG.
saril}' be a work of time. It waB, liowcvor, cut and worked tliroui;li,
so tliat it was traveled in 1883, and remains a L-istiiij; monument to
tlie energy and perseverance of Reul)en Gridley, wlio was princi-
pally instrumental in its construction, though aided very niudi hy
funds appropriated by the Town.
Previous to 1808 there was no Post OtHce in Towni, and all intel-
ligence was transmitted by means of distant otlicres, or sent by indi-
viduals who miglit be going in the direction desired, which was at-
tended with nmch delay and uncertainty. In that year a post office
was established, and Zophar Moore appointed Post Master, and the
mail was carried for some time by a man traveling on foot; after-
wards it W!)s cari'ied on horseba(^k for several years. An office was
established in the southwest part of the Towti, in 1825 or '26, first
named Worthington, afterwards changed to Harford, and Theodore
E. Hart was ajipointed Post Master. An office was also located in
the cast part, called East Virgil, in 1845, and William Gray appoint-
ed Post Master.
Military.
Among the early settlers a large poi-tion were soldiers of the
F'rcnch and Revoluti(mary wars. Derosel Gee, Thomas Nichols
and John Smith were engaged in the French war, so called, of
1754— T)3. The following are names of the Ilevoluti(mary soldiers
who have lived in the To^^'n :
Joseph Bailey, Silas Lincoln Stej)hen Kelly,
Jason Crawford, Oliver Ilopldns,
David Robinson, William Parker,
Altamoiit Donaldson, David Crowell,
Al)ner P>aker, Rob(<rt Sii'itli,
Isaac Tillotson, Nathan Smith,
Moses Stevens, Henry Tui-ck,
George Barlow, Natlian AValker,
Simeon Loroy,
Jeremiah C-hasc,
John Stan])ro,
Cornelius Lament,
Elislia I'rewer.
Thomas Kingsbury, fjoel Morten,
Adam Kingman, ,[ohn (ti^mmi,
Moses Rice. Benjamin Glazier,
David Darling, Jonatlian Skeel,
John Gee,
Seth Larabee,
John M. Frank.
Dana Miles,
James Kna])]>,
James Wriglit,
Nicholas I>i-own,
Rol)ert Ryan.
John Smitli,
James Sherwooil,
p]noch Smitli,
John Sni<1ei",
Thomas Russell,
Seth l>outon,
George Totman,
Elias Thomson,
Epaphras Shelden.
Timothy Rolx-rtson,
Samuel Sole,
Asa Parker,
Thomas Nichols,
Lemuel P>arnes,
FESTAL GATHERING. 25
Of tlicsc Jeremiah Cliase, Simeon Lcroj, George Totman, Joel
Morten, Jolm Gee, Eliylier Brewer, Cornelius Lament, Jolm Stanl)ro,
Enoch Smitli, Tliomas Kingslmry and Steplien Kelly, were living in
Town in 184:0. Of tliis mnnber Jolm Gee is now the only snrvivor.
The scenes of tlie war tln-ongh which tlie}' had rec^ently passed
were fresh in their minds ; and it is not strange tliat nmcli of a mil-
itary S])irit should exist among the people. Consequently the call
for the performance of military duty was soon made, and the call
was responded to hy Hve men, of wliom Gideon Messenger was one,
going to Homer to train under Captain Moses Hopkins. Captain
Hopkins had previously held lower rank, hut had exerted himself to
get up a company of forty-five, l)y enlisting old men and hoys to
obviate the necessity of going to Marcellus to attend (company drills.
Soon tlie soldiers in Virgil were permitted to train in Town, and the
iirst meeting for that purpose was lield at the liouse of James Knapp,
wlierc M. B. Mynard now lives, under the command of Captain
John Ellis, afterwards Judge Ellis, of Dryden. The Captains after
liim were successively, Ahial Brown, James Wriglit, Geo. Wigant
and Joseph Chaplin. The company was then divided, and William
Lincoln commanded the east company, and Enoch Allen the west.
This was the condition of the military interest at the commencement
of tlie war of ISlS-'lo. Levies of troops were made and the com-
])anies in this Town were (tailed on for live or six men. In the west
company a sufficient num])er enlisted, — their names were John Rus-
sell, M(^ses Woolfeen and Henry Green. The east company drafted
for three, and John E. Roe, Daniel Price and L-a Lincoln were
drawn. John E. Roe procured a substitute. Daniel Price went
and served three montlis, and Ira Lincoln was excused on account of
ill liealth. At another muster David Snider was drawn and went,
serving three montlis, the usual time for militia. Tliere have also
been li\nng in the Town several others who were soldiers in that
war. Among these were Joel Hancock, Edmund H. Rol»inson,
Jacol) Bronson, Barnahas Baker, Za(;hariah Low, John D. Barnes,
Thomas Foster, Ezekiel Miller, Reuben Gridley, John Fisher, Isaac
Ayers, Gurdin Hall, Daniel Short, Uriah Harvey, Joseph Miller,
Joseph Tcr^\^llegar and Edward Griswold. There was a company
of aged men and invalids organized in 1813, after the example set
in the time of the Revolution. Of this company Simeon West was
Captain, Jolm S. Squires, Lieutenant, and William Powers, Ensign.
2G FESTAL GATITERINO.
TIk' Town was iiftenviinls divided into four coiMjianii's. out of
wliicli tliere lias also hooii for inoHt of the time an imlcjK'ndont cotti-
pan}'. A (•oin}>anv of i-iUcmcn was raised in al>oiit is];;, of whi<li
Jose]>]i Reynolds was llic lirst Ca})tain. Tliis eompajiy was after-
wards disbanded. A (•oinj)any of artillery was or«x:tidzetl in 1828—
'29, of which Michael Fraid< was the iirst Cajitain. It contiiniod
prosperous for several years, l>nt was nltinuitely disl)ande(l. After-
wards a (company of infantry wa^ raised, and John AV. Morse was
the first ca])tain in iniiforin. This company was discontinued when
military duty ceased to he called foi-.
Mir.Ls, Machinkry, ktc.
The first Saw Mill was l>uilt l»y Daniel Edwards, in 1801, nearly
on the i^round where Murdock's tannery is located. The first Grist
Mill was Ituilt near where Tyler's mill now i>, l»y Peter Vanderlyn
and Nathaniel Knajip, in 1805. Hutchin(;'s f:;rist mill, in the edije
of Dryden, vvas huilt in 1809 — mentioned hec^ausc this Town was
much interested in it. Previous to the huildinji; of nulls in Jlomer
and in this T<twu, several individuals practiced goiuir to Ludlow's
and carryiuir their <;rist u]»on their liacks. Among these were
Joseph Bailey and Enos Pxmton. Aftei' a few years, and when
these mills were huilt, persons could go with a horse, get grinding
d<me and return the same day ; and the yellow horse of ]V[r. Luce
has heen known to ]>ace off the hill >i.\ times in a week, for the fam-
ily and neighbors. About 1814 or '15, AUiur Jhuce built a grist
mill where the spring mill now is, owned by T. Green. It was hurnt
down in 1820, and rebuilt in a year or two. In 1827 it was bouiiht
by Josiah Byram, and occupied by him f<n' carding and cloth dressing
till his death, in 1S42. It has since l)een fitted U]) at coTisiderable
e.x])ense, for a grist mill, and is doing a good business, and the OA\n-
ei- deserves ci'edit for his enterprise and })ersevcrance. A grist mill
was ])uilt in 1814, by Nathan Ileatoii, in the south part of the Town,
now called South Ilai-ford. A grist mill was aUo built in the east
part in 1819, by a i\Ir. Vairderbui-g, which lias done considerable
bu.^iness. Harvy Jennings also built ;i gri>t inill in the southeast
])ait, near Orrin Day's, in 1888, which did some business till it was
I'unit in 1842.
The first wool carding by nuichiiu'i-y was done by C. Baker, at his
mill, (now Tyln-'s) in about 1M4. In 1S19, Henry BurgCv'^s com-
FESTAL GATHERING. 27
iiR'nced wool cardiiiu' and cloth dressing near the same place, takmg
water from the same dam. Ilis Imildino- was afterwa.J'ds removed
to near the place now occupied for tlie same purpose, by II. P.
Jones. In 1827, Josi;di Bvram commenced the same business in
the Imihling boui!:ht of Al»ner Bruce, as before mentioned.
BiKTHs, Makkiagks, Deaths, etc.
The first cliild l)orn in Town, was John, a son of Joseph Chaplin, ■
who was drowned in the spring <tf 1798, aged two years. The lirst
who lived to matni'e age was Jolm Frank, one of our guests, in aii-
tunm, 1797. Next to hi)ji was James Gee, in March, 1798 ; Betsey
N. Roc and B. F. Chaplin, in Febi-uary, 1799, and Hiram Ball and
Hiram Bouton, in the same year.
The first marriage, as nearly as we can ascertain, was solenmized
between Ruluff Whitney, of Dryden, and Susan, daughter of John
Glenny, of this Town, as early as 1800. In the autumn of 1801,
Truman Terrv was married to Rebecx-a, daughter of Wait Ball.
The first death was that of a stranger passing througli, who under-
toolv tf) go from El»enezer Brown's, in Milton, (now Lansing,) to
Cliaplin''s, at the river. He became fatigued, lost his way, lay down
with his pack under his head and died. This was in April, 1798, and
only four or live persons could l>e got together. George Frank was
present at the scene, and is also with us here to-day. They placed
some timbers about him, foi- a protection from wild beasts, and left
liim. One of their nund)er went to Homer to make the case known
to Solomon Hul)bard, Esq., and ask direction. His advice was, that,
as there was no Coroner nea^rer than Pompey, the few inlialntants
should get together and make such examination as they were able,
and proceed accordingly. The next day they assembled and had as
much of an examination as was practicable in the circumstances,
concerning the c-ause of his decease, and it was agreed as before
stated. They took some boards brought into Town by John E. Roe,
for the purpose of making a table, and fastening them together in
the form of a box, placed him in it and buried him in tlie grave
M'hich tliey had dug, and now his bones lie mouldering somewhere
l)etween this place aiul Timothy Green's, near the hill. His som
came subsequently, said his father's name was Charles Ilaifman, and
took some shoemaker's tools found with him at his death. The
lirst death of an adult resident was that of Mary, wife of Derosel
2S FESTAL nATJIFRING.
(tcc Miiil iiMitlu r (it .I(»liii (tec, ill ^liircli. 1S02. I*l\<rcis('s ;it tlio
funeral were sinj^int::; !m(l prayer.
Trevioiisly to iSOfi, when tlie |)ul>lic liuiyinij; ii-nuind was deodod
to the Town hy (ieor^e Wi<xant, persons were Itnried <iii the pi-eni-
ises wliere tliey iHe<l. Th(> first j^rave-stone was erected to the mem-
ory of James Roe, Es(j., in alxmt 1.S2S.
Tkmi'kranok, Anti-Si,avkkv, etc.
Tlie first distilU'rv was erecti'<l in 1808 oi- '4, hy James Wright.
Intem])erance pi-evaih'»l, as in otlier ])laees, till in 1829, six distill-
eries were in o])eration. The moral and ])hilanthropi<^ in the eonv
munity lieeame alarmed and iiKjuired with s<»li<'itnde what could ho
done to stay its ravafjes. Tem])erance societies heii;an to lie formed
in «Hfferent ])arts, and the iidiahitants of this ])lace, on consultation,
ai^reed to meet and form a Tem]K'rance Society. The Fouith of
July, IS'JO, was chosen as the time to orfjjanize such Society, and
Michael Fratdv, our ^uest, to <(ive the address, at the close of wliich
a society was formed with ahout twenty memhers. And here let us
pause and dro]> a tear in memory of our early, cordial friend aii<l
associate, P»eel»e L. I)all, the first President of that rociety, an<l M-liile
he lived, its fii'ui, judicious and ardent su]>])ortcr. In ISiU, a society
was instituted in tliat part now Harford; and one on Luce Hill, and
another on Snidei- Hill, ahout the same time. The temperance cause
has heen ])romoted since, hy various means and with <j:;reat lal»or and
expense, an<l niuch pi-on^ress has Keen made, hut much remains to he
(lone hefore its trium]>h will he com])lete.
Ahout the year 1882, several individuals hecame mucli aroused on
the suhject <>l Sla\cry. 'i'heir numlier was small, — the suhject
was one of <jri-vu\ dilliculty, hut they read and diffused infoi-mation
on thesultject, and acted accoi'diuii' to their con\ictions. The cause
])ro<rresse(l slowly, as e\cry ;j:reat reform nmst, till in 1844, the l.ih-
erty Tarty i;ave their candidate for the Presidency m'nety-nine votes.
Since that time v;ii-ious chaiiires li:i\c t;d<en |>lace in the aspects of
the ca\ise. and ;xi'('at ju'oj^ress has lieen made.
, Seculak Emim.iivmknts.
AjrHculture, the foundation >>\' all. has enii:ai!:ed the attention of
most of the jH'ople. They have heen employed in clearini>' away the
forest anil cultivi'tinu- lh(> (>artli, which has irenerally yielded good
FESTAL GATHERING. i^y
return. The implements used were those incident to the time. The
ph:)W8 were of the common rude kind till tlie veiir 1817, when the
tirst cast iron ph)w was l)rought in and \ised by Esq. Balh Some of
tlie tirst setth^j-s, of wliom John M. Frank w^as one, cleaned their
grain by tlirowingit across the l)arn floor with a small scoop shovel,
and afterwards shaking it up in a hand fan made of a hollow log,
when the refuse parts were bruslied off with a quill. Afterwards a
willow fan and riddle were used. It was very importsnii that the
grain sho\d<l be cleaned, as there were no means of taking out dust
at the mills, as there are now. Fanning mills soon came to be used;
the first, however, that is recollected was about the year 1809. Con-
siderable grain of the several kinds has l>een raised, and for some
years past much attention has been given to the dairy, which in 1851,
brought in a return of $25,000. Some of the people in an early
day directed their attention to the cultivation of fruit, especially ap-
])les. Very soon after his first settlement, Joseph Chaplin sowed
the seeds fov a nursery of natural fruit, and Enos Bon ton did the
same soon after, and most of the oldest orchards are from these
nurseries. Tlic first nursery of grafted fruit was put out l)y Nathan-
iel Bouton, about 1808, a.nd Oliver Ball did the same soon after.
Tlie tirst barrel of cider made in Town, was by Enos Bouton, in
1818 or '19. The apples were bnn'sed by a pestle hung to a spring
sweep like that referred to in pounding t-orn. The pomace was
pressed by a lever placed under a log, passing over the (-heese, with
a weight at the other end. Ii was sold for four dollai-s.
The first Merchant was Daniel Shelden, in about 1807 or '8.
Next was Samuel L. Shelden, and next after him, Gideon Messenger.
While he was in trade Joseph Reynolds set up a store in the village,
since which there have been two stoi-es in tlie vilhio-e most of the
time. William Snider, Hiram Bouton, G. V. Knapp, A. E. Hebei'd,
Rufus Edwards and others have engaii:ed in this Inisiness: and now
we have the firm of Winslow *fe Shifter, and William Snider. The first
in tiie part now Harford was TliecHJore E. Hai't, in June, 1824. In
the part called East Virgil, William Gray set up a store in 1884,
and most of the time since thcie have been two stores in that vicini-
ty. Tlie early mei-chants cari-ied wheat and other aitic-les to Albany
in wagons, and lirought l)ack such goods as the people could afford
to buy. Doubtless they sometimes took money with them, but the
30 FESTAL OATHERINO.
sums must liuve been smsill. The mercantile interest lias continujilly
increased to tlie present time, so tliMt in 1851 it was estimated tliat
£^oods were sold at the stores in this Village to the amount of s,SO,(M>0.
It will be understood that this is l)Ut a portion of the purchases of
the people in Town, as there are stores in other ])arts, and much
trading — too mvch for the good of the peo])lc — is done out of Town.
Slight mention has l)een made of some of our exports. In addi-
tion to these we may be permitted to add that of barley, oats, eggs,
and for many years past a large amount of oats has been carried to
Ithaca, Syracuse and other places. It was rumored in the autumn
of 1812 that oats could be exchanged at Ithaca for iron and other
necessaries, and after much preparation and in the presence of sev-
eral neighbors who came to oifer their congratulations, an ox team
set out for tliat place with a load, one Friday afternoon, and returned
late on Saturday evening. Since that time a large amount of the
article has been transported. This crop, hoM-ever profitable it may
be, is very exhausting to the soil, and we must abandon Its cultivation
for export, and direct our attention to the cultivation of other pro-
duce. ,
It would he desirable to speak of the different mechanical dej)art-
ments with their origin and progress, but as their Iteginnings were
very small, and in most instances involved in obscurity, and were I
the result of stern ne<^essity, it may be best not to make the attempt.
We will, however, state that the first frame building of mucli size,
was the large house now standing on the elevation in this Village,
owned by Shubel G. Ball, erected in 1804, by James Knapp, very
nmch astordshing the natives, and with other causes ruining the man
that liuilt it. The first well of niuch depth was that near it, of more
than f(U-ty feet deep, dug about the same time, and in which Seth
Larabee, one of oui' citizens, came near losing his life, by its caving
in.
The land sm-veying of the Town has been done by different indi- |
viduals, as Wait Ball and James Koe, wli(» comnnenced almost with jj
its first settlement. Afterwards Daniel L. Allen and Iliram Ball, |
and very recently Abiather Briggs have done business in this line ;
and in this vicinity for tlic last thirty years most of it has been done
by the speaker.
iY
FESTAL GATHERING. 31
Remarkable Events.
Several events luive transpired that liave caused great sensation
for a time, and made a lasting impression on many minds. Tlie
first was that of a boy lost in tlie woods. In May, 1796, Daniel
Chaplin, son c»f Joseph Cliaplin, and father of Mrs. Gleason, now
present, aged aljout fourteen years, set out to drive a cow to Mr.
Frank, and took witli him a few pounds of flour. The cow became
refractory and turned out of the road, and in endeavoring to get her
back he lost the road and wandered in the trackless wilderness. The
cow returned home, thus giving notice that he was lost. An alarm
was given and about lifty men assembed, which w^as a great number
for so sparse a population. He was gone four days and three nights
without food, and was found on the " Bi-idle Road, " in Dryden, by
Aaron and James Knapp, of Homer. They ascertained w^ho he was,
and proceeded to help him home. He had the flour with him, but
the weather havino; been rainy, it had become mouldy and they
threw it away. He was very faint and weak, biit being supported
on each side he could walk, and they arrived at his father's house
about midniglit, where his mother had about tliirty men in and about
the liouse, and was preparing victuals for them to take in their search
on the morrow. Mr. Chaplin was absent at the time. We shall
not make the vain attempt to paint the scene, but leave it to our
licarers to imagine the feelings of tliat motliei-, and the sensation
caused by his arri\jd.
The next to l)e noticed was the great eclipse of the sun on the
16th of June, 1806, wliich, tliough not peculiar to tins Town, made
a deep impression, and was an event from which many others have
been reckoned. Another event which produced general solemnity,
was that of a sweeping sickness, whicli occurred in the winter and
spring of 1813. In a very few weeks four heads of families in that
tliin population were removed by death. Their names were James
Roe, Esq., Jacob Chatterton, William Gee, and Lydia, wife of Ben-
jamin Glazier.
During the present year a death has occurred in Harford, once
Vircril, of an individual which it would be well to notice in this con-
nection. It was that of Henry Ballard, at the very advanced age
of one hundred and nine years. It remains to notice that the sea-
son of 1816 was veiy unfi-uitful, generally denominated the cold
32 FESTAL GATHERING
season, followed l»y <j;rc'at t^ftircity of pi'cnisiouti, etc. In iMil tlicre
was inucli Piiffcriny: on acceount of scarcity of food for stock, and it
was also a time of great pecuniary eniliarrassnient. In 1836-*3T
there was also a scant sup}>ly of }>rr>visions and a lime of derange-
ment in pecuniary matters, resulting from the in>atie specidations
immediately preceeding, in which many engaged with that reckless-
ness characteristic of those in ila^t(■ to tie rich. It i> unnecessary to
say that these last were events eoinnion to the whole country, and
affecting this Town only as a constituent part of the same.
Frequent allusion has heen nuide to the division of the Town.
It had long heen evident to discriminating minds that this event
must take place at some time, hut the different interests involved and
the condition of political parti(>s delayed it till 1846. It was then
divided into three towns; the north half constituted one and retained
the original name. The south half was formed into two; the west
part receiving the name of Harford, and the east that of Lapeer.
iSinee that time a part of Yirgil has heen set to Cortlandville, and
another part consisting r»f lot No. y(», has heen attached to Freetown.
Thus Virgil, frtmi heing (me-fourth ])art of f)ne t<»wn in lT5Mi, has
hecome the whole of three, and a part of two others. The popida-
tion has increased from thirty in 1T9S, to -toil in 184.5, and 2410
in 1S50, after the division. Stock taken on the Syracuse and Bing-
hamton railroad amounts to ^11,100. Other statistics have heen
given in their prf>per places.
It may he our duty, as it is certaiidy a ])leasur(\ to advert l)rielly
to the names of numerous individuals who i-nn'grated fr<»ni this Tow'n,
as well as to some who remain in it. as hy their varied talent, intel-
ligence aiul usefulness, d<iing honor to the place (»f their hirth, or
where they spent their childhood an<l youth and received most of
their education. We rejoice to greet our guests at this "Festive
Gathering," as among the nund>er to whom allusion has heen made.
We have among them Colonel Frank, a njitive of this Town, who
has exerted a great and salutary inliuince in the State of his adoption.
Not a State when he emigrate*! thither, hut a Territory where laws
were to l)e enacted, forms of g<nernment ado])ted and the foundations
of prosperity laid in the institutions to lie huuided and j>erpetuated in
that wide reiiion that iriu>t eventtudlv hear <;i-eat swav in our luitional
councils, lie has done much to promote the cans'." of education and
FESTAL GATHERING. 33
\o ameliorate the condition of the indiy-ent. And heinir one of tlie '
throe individuals appointed to revise the statutes of the State, those
relating to (;onanon sdiools and support of the poor were particu-
hirly assigned to him, and bear strong evidence of his intelligence
and philanthropy. We have here Judge Reynolds, who, though
past the season of youth when he settled here, spent many years
with us, and during a large portion of the time sustained the repu-
tation of a prompt, intelligent and impartial Justice of the Peace,
and was also Judge of the County Court.
We have also with us Drs. Hyde, Frank and Benton, who have
respectively arrived at a good degree of eminence in their profession
where they reside. Here are also John M. Roe, the successful
merchant; William Woodard, the i-eady accountant; William E.
Gee, the persevering and successful instructor of 3^outh ; R. O. Rey-
nolds, the talented and eloquent attorney, and Horace L. Green, a
young and promising practioner at law in Marathon. In addition
to this we may say that Dr. Bronson, yet a resident here, has prac-
ticed his profession to general acceptance more than thirty years,
and has had six students of medicine, all of whom have been suc-
cessful in practice where they have been located, viz. : William Hun-
ter, in Jasper, Steuben county; James Ball, in Michigan; Marsena
Terry, in Savanna, Steuben county; J. W. Jones, at Horseheads,
Chemung county ; Frederick Hyde, in Cortland village, and John B.
Benton, in Spencer, Tioga county. The two latter are among our
guests to whom reference has lieen made. To this list we may add
the names of Dr. Shevalier, of Truxton; George Graham, of Jasper,
Steul)en coimty, the intelligent and persevering advocate of ed\ica-
tion and temperance; Theodore E. Hart, the successful merchant
and banker, of Canandaigua, tmd many others. Honorable mention
should also be made of Carlo M. Woods, son of Dr. Woods, who
died when he was very young, leaving him a slender child to strug-
gle with poverty and the various ditticulties incident to his con-
dition. He was a studious and successful scholar, learned the
trade of a printer, went to Illinois, set up a ])aper pul)lished in
Quincy, and has since been clerk of Adams county, and is now clerk
of the Supreme and Disti-ict Courts of Quincy District. We may
be pardoned if we allude to the name of one, long a resident here,
now sleeping in the dust — ^Nathaniel Bouton, the projector of the
1^}. FESTAL GATHERING.
New York and Eric raili'oad, who contiinu-d to advocate tlic same
till an influence was awakened that resulted in its construction and
completion. This Town has furnished, at least, two individual youth
who have attended through a course of instruction in the State Nor-
mal School, and have prosecuted their studies with a degree of self
application and success, creditable to themselves and gratifying to
their friends. The persons to w]u)m reference has ])een made arc
A. P. Smith, present with us, and Sahrina Chaml)erlain, now in
Ohio. It is, however, a delicate matter to speak of persons in Towai,
and to discriminate between those perhaps equally meritorious, and
as there has been as much presented as could reasonably be expected,
it only remains for me to take affectionate leave of the audience,
deeply grateful for the patient and kind attention given during tjie
long time occupied with this address.
At the close of Mr. Bouton's address, the choir sang tlic follow-
mg;
FAREWELL, TQ-NIGHT WE PART.
Our happy hoines of childhood days.
We now remember well;
And memory often fondly strays.
To wher(> it used to dwell.
Hiirrali ! hurrah ! la, la, la, la, la, la.;
May music gla<lden every heart;
Hurrah ! hurrah ! la, la, la. la, la, la;
Farewell, farewell, to night wo part.
Those joyous hours of childish life.
Were pleasanter by far,
Than scones like those with pleasures rife.
Where friends and strangers are.
Hurrah, etc.
From fricjndly thronj^s in stranger land.
A few fond liearts we find;
Yet can they cheer thi.a little band,
Liko homos we've left behind.
Hurrah, etc.
<S>'
li^fmmm '§M(^ml§^i
-a-o'^^^OO-
AFTER. dinner tlic assembl}^ repaired to the Imll, when the Presi-
dent of the day took the chair, snpported l)y Vice-Presidents
J. W. Morse, Pufus Edwards, Horace Bronson and Joel Hancock.
The President tlien annonnced that the meeting was in order, and
called on Dr. Hyde to offer some remarks adapted to the occasion,
who arose and addressed the meeting as follows:
Mk. Pkesident and Gentlemen : — I regret tliat it is not my priv-
ilege to claim, in common with my warm friends asseml)led around
me on this festive occasion, this portion of earth as the place of my
nativity.
So large a portion of the events of my youth' occurred in your
Town that it would he strange sliould I not share lil)erally with you
in tlie ebullition of warm-heartedness so characteristic of this signal
meeting. It has been my fortune to have mingled somewhat in pub-
lic assemblages, but I am quite certain that in all my life I never
witnessed such spontaneous out-gushings of happy feelings as flow
tlirough tliis kindred gatliering. It is here that heart beats to lieart,
voice responds to voice, and even tlie l)ig tears well profusely out
from tlieir fountains as the friendly and long stranger-hand goes forth
unbidden to grasp with Arm clench its kindred, I would, tlierefore,
that my words could give utterance to tlie feeling of my heart, and
proclaim with my friends here, that tliese lieautiful and majestic
old hills, wdiich so grandly l)egirt the green plain on wlncli we are
assem])led, were mine, too, by l)irth.
There is a holy charm whicli liovers around one's l)irth-place whicli
cannot be resisted. Sir, wldle fraternizing so lil)erally with tliis joy-
ous group, it produces in me a vivid renewal of all tlie sacred asso-
ciations which cluster around my own dear native earth-spot. But
a little way over these eastern hills, and down the valley of the limpid
36 FESTAL GATHERING.
and cnrlini^ Tionolmiooa to its junction with its niori' ojistern jmd
quiet tributary — tlie Otselic — is the spot of all others the most prec-
ious to nie, the earliest home of my l»irth. I never near tliis hal-
lowed place, hut my heart throl»s witli emotions whicii compel me
to linger and look on this small Init ])rceious item of earthlv hcrita<j:e,
and the scenery around it, with increasin<; pleasure.
I will not trespass further upon tlic ])recious moments of this in-
terview, as they are more pro})erly yo\u-s than nnne, hut will ask
permission, before I take my scat, to introduce the followinir letter
received from your former fellow-townsman, Dr. Marsena Terrv.
Savanna, August 15th, 1853.
I)r. Hyde:
Dear Sir: — Your kind invitation to attend a " Jubilee " at Virgil,
on the 25th of August, inst., was duly received. I wish here to as-
sure you of my hearty co-operation and a]>proval of the sentiments,
and that nothing w(»uld be more consonant with my feelings than
the opportunity of meeting, an<l that, too, at Virgil, — within the im-
mediate circle of my nativity, my old friends of that ToM-n, whose
acquaintance I still (cherish and hold in high esteem.
And while I desire to express to y<iu my thanks for this courte-
ous and friendly invitation, I am compelled to acknowledge a toted
inability to fulHll my ardent desires to l)e among you. May von
have a good time, a great time, and a time altogether.
Respectfully yours,
M. Terry.
1 now offer you tiie following sentiment, and take great pleasure
in calling upcm our ardent friend, Dr. Benton, for a speech, whose
warm heart I am (piite sure is already restive to give utterance to
its emotions.
The jri'i'initrm fatliera and inotJicru of \ iryd,:
May their children never forget to bestow upon them tlie grateful
homage of filial hearts, and may they in return always have cause
to 1)6 proud of their progeny.
Dr. Benton then responded to the call as follows:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — I arise to respond to
the call of iriy distinguished friend, Dr. Hyde. The sentiment he
has just offered is one well worthy of him; and had it l)een over-
looked or forgotten, our meeting to-day would have been wanting in
one element of enjoyment, which, as nni<Oi as any other, has made
this occ;ision sacred to us wW.
FESTAL GATHERING. 37
T need iKtt say tliat I ai-ise to address you feelmj^ iiiueh embar-
rasse<l. J am aliiutst a sti'aiit^er in the arena of pnl)lie speaking, and
tliere ai-e so many on<-e familiar faees of my boyhood, bronglit as
by nuigic brfoi't' nie, with all their stirring and animating rec^ollec-
tions, that I am aware the inq^-essions made ii]ion me l)y tliis meet-
ing may be different fi-om yoni's.
We who are your guests to-day are kneenly alive to the many
changes which have passed over oiii- aneieut homes and family circles,
and there are numy tints of melanclioly Iti tlie pi<'tnre of the past
not so obvious to you.
Your hospitality, too, mingled with the recollection of sweets that
once clustered ar(»und the shrine of our homes, is suc-h that language
is feeble to des<rribe these emotions, and rhetoric but childish prattle.
1 conhl only give t)utward expression to these emotions by encir-
cling you in my arms, and.pressing yon to my bosom witii one loud,
longv hallelujaJi to Him whose kind providence has permitted this
meeting.
Mr. President: — I ha\e always had a strong desire to acijuaint
myself with the early history of the Town of Virgil; and the many
facts presented in the able historic address to-day, have amply paid
me for this visit. But the in(piiry comes up, who were the primitive
settlers «kf tiie Town of Virgil^ What did they do; and what me-
mento liave tliey left l>ehi]id tiiem of their virtues and their worth?
They were distingnisiied men — men of raie integrity — men of emi-
nent fortitude — men emphatically robed and ledeemed in the love of
country! for they came here with thei]' garments dripping with the
blood of the Revoluti(»n. If we l(»ok at tlie physical ol>stacles which
they had to overcome, and the veiy mipiopitious ciivumstances at-
tendant on their removal, we cannot accoi-d them too nnich fortitude.
InteaTitv was a necessary element in their character; for without it
this mighty work nevei' could have been accomplished.
Mr. President: — To Itriiig a family into an unbroken wilderness,
as this was sixty years ago; and then be often without any means
of subsistence, save wliat was furnished by nature, until the sturdy
forest could be removed and tlie soil nuide to prochice — required an
energy, a fortitude, a power little short of i^)nmipoten<te.
88
FEHTAL GATHERING.
May I not point von to your coniinoii school ;is one proud nioiiu-
mcnt of their wisdom and j^-oo(hiess^ These primary institutions of
learnin**" were fostered l)y them witli <ireat care, — niav thi'ir chihlrcn
make a (corresponding effort to im])rove tliem. Anotlier institution
yon have among you of still higher claims, coming down from these
puritan fathers, " with healing on its wings."
No theme connnands so much of our luhniration as tlie Religious
<levotion of these ancestors. The tii-st altars here erected liy our
nol)le fathers to the eternal God, l)urned with sweet incense, and the
voice of supplication went \ip to the unwearied ear of the Deity —
calling down the l)lessings of heaven to aid, to comfort, jmd supjiort
them. And may not many of \]]o Ith^ssings now enjoyed to-day he in
answer to some of those fervent petitions (
Ladies and gentlemen, have 1 not said enougli i T>ut this occasion
is one, not only for (congratulation and joy, hut one for our improve-
ment. Tndee(l, it seems like a special jft-ovidence that so many of
us meet here (m this oasis, midway between this life- and the life to
come! Let tliis hour then he one of reflectioTi, one of noble n^solve.
We are di'ivc^n by the force of cirtcumstances, by every (ccmsidera-
tion drawn from the past and ]>resent of tlie physi(ral and moral
world, to "go forward," to Itegirt ourselves witli unceasing activity,
for tliis is a progressive age.
Contemplating the wonderful and astonishing improvement of our
times, discoverable in every ])ossi])le direction, l>iff, least of all h) the
moral uiorhl , (for the seltisli ])rinciples of man have found nnich en-
c.oura<»'ement and development,) our minds naturally recur to Virgil;
and we ask ourselves the question — has this place and this people
kept pace with this mighty march of improvement ?
In that very interesting reception Address this morning, your im-
provement in wealtli and in<]ependence of tliought has ])een dwelt
upon, and affortie<l me nnich pleasure. The general thrift of your
fjirmers, and the shrewdn(>ss of your speculators, I had lu^ard of be-
fore to-day ; for your fame in tliis had gone abroad. Still there may
be a question, whether in tliis strife to aggrandize self and buil<l.u]>
individualism, you have not lost sight in some measure, of those
great public int(M-ests which are essential to your real prosperity and
hapr)in(>ss, and must be looked to, in (»rder to advance with the age.
FESTAL GATHERING. 39
The present nj^pearanco of jouv lionses of public, worsliip is not
so favoral)le to your public spirit and your morality as I could wish
it. It is to be lioped that the (^lun-cli planted here by our veneral)lo
fathers has not lowered the standard of her faith or l)ecome insen-
sible to her ol)lii2;ations. Otherwise tlie wealtli that is here acumu-
lated will furnisli but a meagre blessing to your children.
You liave the means in your liands to estal)lisli such institutions
among you, as shall be necessary to give your cliildren ample edu-
cation without sending tlieni abroad.
Tlien let me say to you, to use this means in building up a home
interest. Let tliis classic spot ever be sacred on account of the
united interest and action of its inlial)itants, in promoting mental
and religious improvement. Let this home of my cliildhood, en-
deared to me by a thousand fond recollections, l)e the spot where
a united people, scorning to work for self alone, sliall open their
hearts to tlie great intere^s of humanity !
And, Mr. President, as the old Town of Virgil stands upon a
physical elevation, overlooking vast slopes of country, so may the
moral excellence of her citizens gleam from afar in resplendent
beauty.
Mr. William E. Gee arose and said:
I expected, ])y attending tliis Ju])ilee, to see my old friends and
liear from tliem, ])ut not to speak myself; but tlie recjuest of Dr.
Benton and otliers, to hear from me, is such that I cannot refuse to
express my gratification at meeting with them on this 0(;casion. The
Town of Virgil, its valleys and its hills, its woodlands, its cultivated
fields and its inhabitants, are all dear to me, — with almost every
farm, and almost every farm-house, are associated recollections to
which my mind reverts with pleasure, and althougli not my l)irth-
place, yet removed here in early infancy, it is endeared by all my
earliest remembrances and child! lood sports. I am proud to own it
as such and to claim the inhabitants of this vicinity as my friends,
and these guests asseml)led liere as tlie accpiaintances and associates
of my youth. It was here amidst these scenes and associated with
these friends that I resided till I arrived at the meridian of life, and
since my removal I have never returned witliout stopping involun-
tarily upon the summit near the north line of Harford, wliich over-
40 FESTAL GATHERING.
looks a lai'ii'c porticm of this Town, to tr-at-t- out tin/ residences of
nij frieTids and reeall the j»ast. How |»i-olitie is thought (»ii such an
oceasioTi I — the sports of eliihihood, tlie recreutions of youth, and the
more ^"raxc coiieei'iis of mature itiaidiood, all <tow(I ujion the nninl
in (luiek succe-ftsion. As I reviewed the scene tliis niorninfz; nnd
notice<l thediffei-ent localitieis that were of particiilai' interest to nie —
their pleasant eonditinu and the vast aiinmnt of h\nnan happiness
wliieh the imagination would conceive nnjiht he enjoyed in sueii fa-
vorai>le situations, tlie.re was lirought to my mind as licing pecidiarly
appro])ri!ite, the words of a former I'esick'.nt (»f this Town, who pos-
sessed a s])ark of y)oetie gem'ns, and wrote after a shoi't ahseiu*e, for
one (»f the famous ])ei'iodicals to. which Dr. llytli< has alluded:
Oh, Virj^il ! sacred thou to scenes gone by.
When cliiliUsli lancy \'io>» f<l a cloudleKS sky;
Wlien ni»u<j^ht hut joy re-echoed o'er thy j>lain.
And naught but phiasnre saw the youthful train, —
Tluiii art still the same.
I perceive hy thi' anient salutations heri' exhibited, that althouoh
the lapse of time lias charii^ed the ruddy hrow of youth into the
grave and sage-like ap|)eai-ance of meridian manhood, Hn<l hes])rink-
led our locks with occfu-^itnial indications of decline, yet, irc are still
the same, — the same wai'm hand of friendship is ])resented, tiie same
generous feeling of interest in each other's e(»ndition inanifested, the
same fon/m seen, and the same voices heard as of yore, and I per-
ceive by the general bouy;mcy of feeling here displayed, that our
assend)ling in view (»f these scenes in fi-ont of the Village Green, the
grand ai'cna of oui' youthful recreations, has, by a kind of magical
iniluence, made; us feel like bovs again.
The situation of this Town, remote from the great thoroughfares
of the State, ami its inhabitants in a great measure exempt from
their vices, have enjoyed a fa\t»iable o]>poi'tunity for the cultivation
of those virtues which i-endcr life j)leasant and society agreeable ;
and it is o'l-atifvino- to kn<>\v that emiii'i'ants frt)m this Town, have,
in almost evei-y instance-, t\( rtc<l their influence to promote a sound
and healthful morality in the coimmmities where they reside.
Some h:i\(' enteivd t4ie tield of j)olitics, ami lia\(' bei'U elevated to
positions of honor, realizing theii' fondest as])irati(jns — some l)y a
quiet application to j>rofessio]ial employment, a strict observance of
FESTAL GATHERING. 4.I
domestic duties, and tlie dissciiiiiuitioii of mora] and religions ]>rin-
ciple, have rendered themselves l)elo\e(l. S(»me liavc cng-atjed in
mercantile em])Ioyment, and hrconie u^leful and influential members
of society; while others in' the aa-ricultui-al depai'tmcnt of industry,
have become respected for intellin-ence, enterprise and unyielding
integrity. All these considerations (•oml)ine to make the Town of
Virgil respectable abroad. I have observed with ])leasure for several
years, that whenever I have heard it spoken of by ]H^oph' at a dis-
tance, it has ])een in terms of the highest res])e('t.
We liope, tlierefore, that those who still reside here will exert
themselves to perpetuate the good name of the place; that while
laboring to cultivate and omrich the soil, that they may receive a
bountiful harvest, they will not neglect the intelligent and moral-
cultivation of tiiose more (\elu'nte plants, which the Clod of nature
has place<l in their care; and greatly dependent upon parental ti'ain-
ing for future happiness and prosperity in life.
It is with pleasure tluit I take this opportunity to give more ex-
tended publicity to oue fact, to which a l)rief allusion was made this
morning, which shoidd be published as an impoi-tant item in the
hist(U'y of the State; and fully proves that the early settlors of this
Town, though sitiuited at a distance from the' original public works,
were fidly competent to appreciate tlie advantages which they would
derive from them, and entered with spirit into the public improve-
ment policy which has since so checkered the country that the means
of speedy and cheap conveyance are furnislied to almost every por-
tion of it.
After the Erie canal .was linished thei'e arose a discussion in the
public mind concerning tlie respective merits of canals and railroads
as a means of public conveyance, — one consideration in favoi- of the
latter was, that many places were accessi])le by raili-oads where
canals could not be made; this was the case of the southern tier (jf
counties in this State.
The mind of Nathaniel Bouton, one of the early settlers of this
Town, knoAvn to us all as an energetic farmer and worthy citizen,
became interested in this s\d)ject, — he conceived the idea of construct-
ing a railroad from the city of New Yoi'k* to Lake Erie, dire(!t
through the then secluded southern tier; and in the 3'ear 1828 he
examined a i-oute thronali >utlicientlv well to know that it was a
4-2 FESTAL GATHERING.
fonsililo mio, nihl with tlicaid <>i llio speukor of to-day, lie pi'opared
and puhlislit'd the outlines of his i)hiii in tlio Cortland Ohservcr, a
pa])or tlien issued in Iloiner Vilhine.
His plan was copied in several periodicals along the line of the
proposed road; and from that time the suhject of a New York and
Erie railroad continued to occupy tlu^ pul)li(t mind until the grand
j)roject was completed. The decease of DeWitt Clinton, whose
death was announced in the same sheet that puhlished Mr. Bouton's
plan, was a cause of discouragement to him, for he had fondly lioped
tliat his fjivorite project would receive the approl)ation and aid of
that distinguished statesman ; hut the nucleus ivas formed, the project
wt(S orlglnnted, and t]i(> woi-k advanced. Mr. Bouton was anxious
that it should he a State work; he argued that it would he good
policy for the state to engagt; in it, — tliat it would annually yield a
revenue which might he advantageously expended for the su]>port
of schools.
A few months previous to the tinal completion of the road, its
worthy projector died at his residence in this Town, where he had
lived forty-tive years. II(^ had lived to see the place of his ado]>tion
transformed from a wild and howling wilderness into a delightful
and well cultivated country, inhal»ited hy a moral, intelligi'Ut and
industrious people. lie had lived too, to see the distance l)etween
liis residence and the Atlantic changed from a dreary journey of two
weeks into a pleasant ride of only a few hours, and this Town en-
joying all the privileges, and possessed of all the elements which are
necessary to promote the ]ia])])iness of a peoj)le.
Dr. John Frank, in I'csponding to the call of his nanu% gave the
following toast :
Virgil, the land of nathnty to itia.ny of us now present :
Whenever we tread oi- our tlioughts revert to these hills and val-
leys, we remendter that here is the revered s])ot wliere our earthly
journ(\y was commenced. Although many of our fri(>nds aiul neigh-
Ixtrs have goni^ to tlie s])irit land, not to rctin-n, — ])eace he to their
ashes, — and many of us live in difi'ci-cnt p rts of the country, we can
never foreret the land of earlv davs :md i>f our hirth.
Hon. J. Reynolds heing called ujion liy the President, replied
that he had l»een for a long period a resident of Virgil, that the
present occasion was one of intense interest to him, he having oh-
' FESTAL GATHERING. 43
served and been a participator in so mncli of tlie eventful history of
the Town ; but was oliliged to decline any extended remarks in con-
sequence of ill health.
Wni. Woodard, Esq., spoke as follows:
It gives me much satisfaction to meet so many of my friends in
this happy gathering, who with myself can lioast an early home in
this good "Old Yirgil." Both childhood and youth were spent
among these hills and valleys; having been familiar for years, yitli
the social and civil condition of the people, lie was delighted after
years of al)8ence to discover that the changes in the whole phase of
things had been in obedience to the great law of progress, and that
the home of his dearest and earliest associations had improved its
intellectual and moral condition. Tlie allusion to the present con-
dition of the schools and churches of the Town made by one of the
speakers who had preceded him, reminded him of a time M'lien there
were six distilleries in successful operation and not a linished church
edifice in the whole Town. lie said he took great pride in finding
on his present visit, that his beloved Town had entirely abandoned
the alcoholic manufacture ; and in place of her distilleries he con-
gratulate<l his kindred and other friends, that they could now enu-
merate eight buildings erected and dedicated to the w-orship of the
livine: God. So too had the common school house become the com-
mon property of every neighborhood in Town. A subversion, said
he, of the liquor manufacture, for improvements of this character,
was cause for the highest gratifi(;ation to him, and only endeared to
him the more the home of early years.
Col. M. Frank, of Wisconsin, being called upon by the President,
spoke in substance as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen : — This social gathering is a time of es-
pecial interest to those who claim this Town as the place of their
nativity. I can truthfully say that tliis is the place of my birtli,
and here were tlie scenes of my childhood and youtli. The hills
that rise in the distance were the first that ever greeted my vision;
the streams that wind their way through this valley were the first I
ever looked upon. Here were the l>cginnings of life, where were
received those early impressions of thought that gave direction in
after years. To many of tlie associates of my youth in this Town,
^^ FESTAL GATUERlNLi.
I owe iiiucli. There wei'e ;iiin)ii«i- tlieiii tliose whose tinii rcs<tlve wsis
to make their mark lii^'h. The early (-(hieMtional advailtatijes and
facilities for intellectual imju'ovemeiit weic comparatively limited, —
hence a irreater amount of effort was requii-ed to make advances.
Schools for acquiring anylhini;- heyond tlie most ordinary hranchcs
of education, there were none; conseinlently the young men of Virgil
twenty vears ago, were forced to rely \ipoii such resoin-ces as they
conld be^t conuiiand, to im])ro\-e their nnnds and prepare them for
the theatre of hnman action. I am luippy to know that not a few
of tiie voung men at the period of which 1 speak made good use of
their time; they appi'opriated every instrumentality within their
reach to the ac<juii-ement of useful knowledge.
Since the long absence from my native Town, I find the aspect of
much that I see greatly changed, — the woods have diininisheil, farms
enlarged and im])roved, the agi-icultural })rosperity of the people has
been largely advanced. 'J'his is well, it is indeed gratifying, lint
during the period that has intervened since my residence here, I have
alwavs l»een less anxious to learn of your success in the enhancement
of your prosperity and the accunndation of wealth, than to hear of
your intellectual and moral condition — of the progress of your
schools and your success ii] whatever pertains to the true elevation
of the people and the more substantial interests of society. My
anxious incpiiries in X\\\> behalf have no.t always received satisfactory
answers. I fear the intelleciua!, nu)ral and' religious interests of the
people have not always kept jtace witli their pec\miary advancement.
Those "vvho are now the young uu'U of Virgil liave a high nnssion
before them. We live in an age of unusual intellectual activity —
the time for ignorant and unlettered men to attain to an lionorable
distinction is soon to pass away. No yoimg man can now reason-
al»ly expect to reach a high position of public or {)rivate trust with
out an education. The ])osts of liotior and true res])ectal)ility are
not attainal)le by those who make money, or low amusement the
onlv object of ])Ui'suit. Besides the improvenu'iit of their minds,
the times demand of the young men of Virgil active service in be-
half of the cause of humanity. And among the calls to duty, upon
every voung man and evi'i-y lo\ei' of his country is the cry of suffer-
inf millions for the >nppression of intempi'rance. This Town, this
county, the State and the world liavc been long enough cursed with
FESTAL GATHERING. 45
tlie traffif in intoxicating drinks, and the friends of freedom and
Innnanity shonld rise in their strength for its overtln-ow an<l effectnal
legal prohil)ition.
Judge Edwards arose and said, tliat lie wonld not ocenpy the time
of the meeting with many remaks, 1>nt would say that he was deeply
interested with the incidents of the day, and sympathized with tlie
feelings of the friends who addressed the meetinij;. The scenes of
the day and the remarks made, naturally led liis mind l>ack to events
long since passed. Allusion lias l)een made to the appearance of
houses for religious worship as not being what it should l)e. He
said, that though he might not l)e inclined to deny the fact, he felt
it would he unjust to apply any discredit arising from this cause
iridiscriminntehj, as from what he knew of the history of the place,
he could say that numerous individuals had made large sacrifices to
promote its religious interests. He would refer to one incident to
illustrate this remark. Mrs. Roe, mother of S. M. Roe, President
of the day, was an early and ardent friend to the interests of relig-
ion. At a certain time her friends at the East sent a small amount
of dried apples. Did she call her friends and feast them and her
children on tliose ? Not at all. When her children hegan to con-
gratulate themselves upon the acquisition, she told them that they
might restrain their feelings, for she had a use to which she should
devote them. She sold them and applied the proceeds to the pur-
chase of a cloth for the communion tal)le — the same that is now used
in the church to wliich she ])elonged.
The President, Dea. S. M. Roe, remarked that the incidents of
the day had brought to his mind many of the most important events
of his life, spent mainly in this Town.
It had revived more particularly the history of his early years,
while the country around was almost an unl)rokcn wilderness, the
undisputed al)ode of panthers, bears and wolves. He sai'l the privi-
lege of seeing so large a group of his old friends once more, under
so favorable circumstances, had made him over-full of joy.
The associations of the day had reminded him of some of his early
luxuries, such as being cradled in a sap-trough by his kind parents,
amid the sweet melody of nightly serenades by wolves. He could
never forget among the later delicacies of that tender period the ex-
^^ FEf^TAL GATHFAilNG.
qnisito llavor oi' the hiowu johniiY-cako, msido of tlio p(tiiii(l(>(l corn,
as his frugal niotlicr paix'elled it out to the eager apetites of licr
little Hock.
lie further remarked that he was coniident, when his friends rce-
ollected his early advantages, and how nnu-li of lii.-- life had Ix-cn
shaded by tlie native foivsts of l)y-g(>ne (lays, they would not expeet
hini to he now a loiig-speech-niaking man.
Hon. M. Frank, of AVisconsin, luang called upon for a toast, gave
the following sentiment:
" The Ladies of our native Town :
* Never surpassed in heanty and virtue. The time lias now arrived
M'hen they also take rank with the foremost in accom])lishments, re-
finement and taste."
R. O. Reynolds, Esq., l)eing cjdled upon to res]ion(l, said :
Mr. Chairman: — The X'wnv has been when no lia])picr, and as I
then thought, no inore ajijtropriate duty could l»e im})osed u])on me
than a fidl and heart-felt res})onse to the truthful and well a})j)lied
sentiment of my'friend from the West. But those days, alas, have
flitted away upon the swift wing of time. It was when in the full
freshness of vigor and youthful numhood, my heart was tilled with
the mysterious romance and gallantry of that sunlit period (»f my
life, when everything wore a rosy tint, when the futiu-e was undark-
cned by the sond>i-e cloutls of i-eal lif(\ and the beautiful and fascin-
ating sisterhood with which I was surr(Mnidc(l, possessed a Mcii'd ami
mystic charm that placed them almost u]»on a h'vcl with angels in
disguise.
Now the enchantments of love and andiition ai-e in a measure dis-
si>l\-ed, and T stand advanced beyond the threshold of struggling,
liuhtinu' life, and have begun to learn how little of fruition there is
in the brii;-ht visions and ])romises held out to us by the deceiving
mirror of romance and antici])ation. The silver thread meandenng
and imdti})lying among my locks lu'toktu the effect of years and
labor, and when I seek for rest and (piict recreation to recruit my
wearied energies, I find them no longer in the gay circ^les of the
rosy and young, but by the retii'eil domestic hearth-stone where I
begin to see those surrounding my own tire-side who are already
preparing to take the place I ha\(' made vju'.ant among the youthful
and the ga3\ Yet, aside from all the romance and unreality with
FESTAL GATHERING. 47
whicli youthful inexperience may snrronnd tlie female character,
tliere is a valnal)le truthfulness in the sentiment of in}' friend which
will 1)0 felt and appreciated by all, and should 1)0 the cause of tlio
liiijjhcst oxidtation and congratulatiiui nmong;st us.
The qualities, characteristics and endowments which comhine to
make up the perfect female character, and ])estow upon her those
('harming graces and attractions which make her the lovely compan-
ion of man's prosperity and the sweet solace of his adversity, are of
a two-fold character and origin. Some, and those indispensahlc ones
tluit form the foundation of all Imman attraction and worth, are con-
ferred by the great Master alone. Others, the mere accessories, and
still no less desirable and captivating, are added by (mltivation and
improvement. Thus beauty of person, virtue and goodness of heart
and character, and strength of intellect, can be ac^quired only from
the great source of all l)eauty, goodness and mental power, whilst
tliiit beauty may be improved and rendered more attractive, that
vii'tue and goodness may be increased and refined, and extended in
its usefulness, and tliat intellect may l»e improvetl, enlarged and
strengtliened, almost to intinity, l)y those embellishments and accom-
]>lislnnents, by that refinement and taste which are a(;quired by the
<-ultivation and the teacliings of society.
Tims my fi-iend has well said of tlie ladies of tlie Town of his
n^itivity, tliat the time has never l)een when they were surpassed l)y
their sisters in any neigh1)oring country in virtue and l^oauty, in
tliosc qualities which God bestows to form the perfect woman; and
although it is equally true that the time has been when our young-
ladies lacked many of the advantages for the improvement of the
mind and tlie cultivation of the graces and adornments of manner
possessed by some of their neighboring sisters; yet, my friend may
well say, and we may all congratulate you, young ladies, " that the
time has now arrived when you may also taivc rank Avith tlie fore-
most, in accomplishments, refinement and taste. "
It has been no less true with the sons than witli tlie daughters of
Virgil. Possessing from the earliest settlement of the (country, and
inheriting from their hardy pioneer ancestors from New England
and Eastern New York, in a degree unsui'passed by any tliat sur-
rounds them, those energies of character, that strength of mind and
will, that desire to progress, and that i-eal goodness and soundness
4,S FESTAL GATHKRING.
of lioiirt, ;ili of wliicli comliiiu' to ionii tli;it tniiiidatioii ^-ranted hy
Ilfavi'ii for niakiiii;' n]> tlu' perfect mail, tlie_y needed Imt the o]>])or-
tniiity and tlie means to add to those precdons <^ifts hestowed l)y
natni-cV kiii<lly liaiid, tlic improNcinents and aceomplisliments, tlic
cultivation and retinenu'nt, wliich e<hie.ation and an ac(|uaintanee
witli societ}' l)est(jws, to make them what tliey now are — l)<»tli tlie
sons and daiiu'hters of our uative Town — "never snrpassed in tliose
H'ifts and \ii'tucs whidi (iod ah me hi-stows, whilst they also now take
rank with the foremost in lliose accomplisliments and refinements
derived from education, iii>triiction and cultivation."
No one can say of ns, ho\ve\ ir, in our eai'ly strnggles for improve-
ment, at the time when oui- means of im]n'ovement were the most
meajiTC and limited, tliat wc wci'c ever discoura^-ed, <>v that we faih'd
to turn every thing to the hest account, and liad I time, nothini:: could
he more junnsinii' to tlie l»oolv-<i:oro'ed, academy-u'lntted student of
the present day, than an account of the way we son«!;ht to l)ec(»me
anatonnsts and clRinists, physicians and lawyers, orators and dehat-
ers, poet-s and essayists, editors and journalists, and even traij^edians
and stai^e players. It would, indeed, be a ])ictm-e of " the ])ursuil
of knowled^-e under ditHculties, " and I fei-l almost inclined to
])romise when the leisure can he commanded, to ij;ive yon a lecture,
descri|)tive of our early stru,i;-i>;les in the various departments of
learning; and literatnre.
But now 1 have only a gdance to give at some of our most pnmi-
tive attem])ts at im])rovement, foi- the ])ur])ose of jiroving tliat liow-
ever rude tlie material used, or unskillful the attempt, yet they were
attended with most im})ortant results in the deveh)])ment ((f the I'c-
sourccs, and in the foi-matiou of \]\o character of tlie sons and daugh-
ters of onr maternal Town.
Almost in all cases the first effort towards intellect\ial cultui'e in
the early settlement of a country, is a comhined effort to sn})ply that
greatest and foremost want of mental food arising from a scarcity
of hooks, resulting in the f(.nnation of the circulating library. How
well many of ns rememher the pi-eeise appearance of every volume
contained in the Ohl Virgil Union Library, as they were arranged
npon the shelves within the little white i)ine, unpainted clothes-press-
looking l)ook-case, being just live feet wide and six feet higli, and
one-half filled with books — oh! how precious! From that sacred
FESTAL GATHERING. 49
arcana I iirst drew, wdth trembling and deliglited lingers, the first
volnme I ever read l)eyond the dignity of Motlicr Goose. It was
" The Sorrows of Werter. " Next we were more fortnnate, and the
Arabian Nights were cantered throngh day and night, by my friend.
Carlo M. Woods, now clerk of Supreme Conrt, in Qnincy, 111., and
myself, side by side, with sncjh delight as the well fed reader of the
present day can never enjoy.
Then in after years, when the few volumes remaining became
dogs-eared, scattered and gone, and the fountain was no longer sup-
plied, and its treasures exliausted, how wonderful the diligence with
which we watched for and sought out any stray crumb of new food.
Often have I, together with Pliillip Koe, Carlo Woods and William
Edwards, gone two, three and four miles on foot to borrow a l)Ook
we liad heard of, owned l)y some remote neiglilwr. I tell you that
was comfortable reading. And then the deliglit furnished me by
my good friend, Dr. Bronson, who was ever ready in my boyhood,
to aid me onward in improvement, loaned me tlie gratuitous use of
liis share of tlie Cortland Village Lil)rary. Oil, the riches ! the
treasures. Mavor's Voyages and Travels, Clark's, Bruce's, Cook's,
Lewis and Clark's, and others of voyages and travels, and then tlie
opening of that rich treasury furnished by Cooper's and Sir Walter
Scott's Novels, then in current publication.
It was with the rest of them as with me, and those early struggles
and slender advantages have told upon our lives.
Next to acquiring the means of information, follows the discussion
and the application of the new world of knowledge acquired. Then
follows the debating society — not confined to students, mercliants or
lawyers, clerks or young meclianics, l)ut l^ringing together tlie farmer
and the day worker, for miles around, who had a taste for cultivat-
ing the mind together with the controversial propensities, and the
depth of the questions discussed; the gravity and learning with
which each side was studied and weighed, would seem to settle for-
ever without controversy, the comparative merits of Bonaparte and
Washington as generals, {710 one thought of comparing them as
men,) the respective abilities of Hannibal and Ca3sar, the compar-
ative benefits derived from Dr. Franklin and Columbus, from the
art of printing and the magnetic needle ; yet in those very clubs in
which I have seen so familiarly many a face assembled here to-day.
50 , FESTAL GATHERING.
;ni(l in wliicli I luivc so often -vvicldcd my s\vor<l of latli, aijainst the
trenchant bhules of the Franks and Il^'des and Woods and Terry
and the Greens and the Edwardses and the Hunters and the Roes,
have been elicited for the tirst scinctilbitions of intellects tliiit have
since proved themselves wortliy of tlie liighest cultivation, and liave
since rewarded richly tlie largest appliances of improvement. Many
of ns wlio are now occupying at least, comf ortal )le and reasonable
positions (and some ranking with tlie higliest,) in the learned pro-
fessions, would now but for the liumlde debating clul)S in tliis good
Town, have l)een but third rate hewers of wood and drawers of
water amongst you.
Oil, pardon us, ye Goddess Tliespis, that I should so long forget
thy early votaries. Only think of the preparations and rehearsals
for our exhibitions, a la (lr<i'innti<i\ie^ in the different districts of our
common schools. Was ever Caesar so foully nnirdered as by my
friend Frank, over on Luce Hill ? Why ! the stal) that even et tu
Brute gave, was nothing to compare with it. And was ever E-obin
Roughliead made so much a clown as on the boards at the South
Settlement ? And Deacon Homespun could never have more dressed
and looked the stupid, superstitious, ignorant country doubter, than
was put on by our then facetious friend, Ilu-am Green. But Rome's
grand effort, " her greatest and her last, " — Frank as Pizarro, myself
as Alonzo, our little, withered, yellow, dried, monkey-faced school-
master, who shall 1)0 nameless, as Rolla, and the long galaxy of talent,
male and female, that faithfully rehearsed through the long winter
at the old white tavern on the hill, in the hall, at the weekly rent
of a quarter pound of tea or its equivalent.
If Forrest could have seen our school master as Rolla, he never
would have played more. His great heart would have broke, and
it was no wonder that the glorious winter for fun and rehearsals
ended in a failure to give the lin^d eclat by a public exhibition.
Persevering to the last, we had nopi^ess, no type; Init by pro{airing
foolscap paper to be headed with the printed words in Roman cap-
itals, " The Spectator, " we weekly issued our closely written columns
to an admiring public; and imitating the great essayist Addison, in
the style of our articles and in the manners we reformed, as well as
in onr paper's name, for three long years we continued the faithful
monitors of the public through the medium of the press, composed
FESTAL GATHERING. 51
of tliG fists of Frank, myself, Hyde, and otlier wortliy contril)utors.
And who shall say how mucli the tastes and facilities of wi-iting
thus and then acquired may have influenced and controlled the career
and destiny of my friend, who was its principal conductor. But
alas, I can dwell upon such pleasant reminiscences no longer. Tlie
rapidly declining sun warns me to a close. The happiest day must
have an ending. The most joyous gatherings must be followed by
a separation, and we must again become scattered abroad, and min-
gled with strangers to our native soil in the strife of life, but let us
all rememl)er, one and all, that whenever duty may call us, wherever
our lot may be cast, let each son and daughter of Virgil strive to
reflect nothing liut the sunshine of bright honor and worth upon
tlieir maternal l)row.
On motion it was resolved that a committee of three be appointed
to procure from the several speakers of the day, a copy of their ad-
dresses, tlie sentiments presented and the odes sung, and arrange
the same with the proceedings of the da}'^, and have the whole pub-
lished in pamphlet form ; and that Dr. F. Hyde, R. O. Reynolds,
Esq., and N. Bouton constitute said committee. The meeting then
dispersed.
E. P. SLAFTER, Chorister, MISS M. ROBINSON,
H. M. SIIEERAR, Second C, " M. HAZEN,
M. FRANK, " L. SNIDER,
J. B. SIIEERAR, " M. ROE,
WM. CHATTERTON, " J. M. IIOTCIIKISS,
DR. J. BALL, " J. GLEASON.
MRS. A. SNIDER,
o-oi<KOO
IT occurred to me that it would be well, as the original pamphlet
giving the account of the Festive Gathering of Early Settlers
of the Town of Virgil, was exhausted, and events have been con-
stantly transpiring to the present time, that it would be very desir-
able to renew tlie original work, not only, but to bring the history
up to tlie present time and embrace the same in one publication, to
be placed in reach of any one who should wish to become acquainted
with a plain and authentic liistory of the Town, for the entertain-
ment and gratilication of those who will be desirous of reading the
same.
Nearly four years since, I commenced a series of " Letters " con-
nected with tliis subject, for the Press, and concluded to copy them
nearly entire into the New Work. It was at first thought best to
abridge them, retaining the substance in less compass ; but in look-
ing it over, it seems to myself that this course would render the
style much cramped and inflexible; and thus destroy that easy flow
of ideas that now prevails — at least as the writer looks upon them.
Errors will be corrected, parts withdrawn, and such additions made
as shall appear to be proper and suitable.
-o-d^^Oo-
NITMBEIII.
AS the elections for tlie year are past, the crops gathered, and
tlie greatest share of marketing produce is done, and winter
is npon us in earnest, it may reasonably be assumed that the minds
of tlie people are accessil)le to other considerations than those which
have engrossed tliem during the busy months past. Taking this
view of the situation, the writer, who has lived in the Town to be
described more than seventy years, and has been familiar witli most
of the important events that have transpired in that time, has come
to tlie conclusion that he will 1)6 justified in presenting some facts
in reference to matters in the- history of " Old Virgil. " And he is
tlie more inclined to do so from the fact that many seem to liave
erroneous impressions, greatly to tlie disparagement of our Town,
in reference to the various items cm])raced in the standing or credit
of a Town where a common, mutual, and general interest prevails.
Tliis diminutive opinion doul)tless had its origin in tlie ol^scure
beginning wliicli the early settlers had, in the dense forest where
they chose their homes, and where their daily business was to fell
the forest and prepare the soil to yield its production for the saste-
nance of man and l»east. In this respect the Town differed but lit-
tle from those surrounding it; ])ut there were some disadvantages
peculiar to this Town, not in so great a degree participated in l)y
others. The settlers were generally poor, and had to purchase their
land of those residing at a distance, involving the necessity of taking
the money that could be realized from hard toil, away from us and
paying it out in distant places, from whence it ne^•er i-eturned to aid
4 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
l)y its circnliition, tlie success niid prosperity of our people, reiuler-
ing money extreiiiely scarce and 1)riu«i;ing them to o;rcat straits.
Another permanent eml)arrassment was the lack of a heavy stream
of water passing throngh centrally, for propelling mills and machin-
ery. Others might be mentioned which had a depressing effect on
the energy of the pioneers; but they did not prevent them from
persevering in the determination to hew out for themselves and
families rcspe(^table and comfortable homes, and to rear the institu-
tions of religion and learning. The situation was very different
from that now found in settling a new comitry. Everything nnist
be taken in its primitive state. The first settlers must wfdt twelve
or more years for a Post-Office. And though our office was estab-
lished in 1808, yet as late as 1873, some have found it hard to believe
that such an obscure place should have a Post-Office. There is one
here, however, wliich is doing a business very creditably to the intel-
ligence of the population.
Before the partially cleared farms produced a sufficient amount
of grain for the sustenance of the people, it was common for the
able-])odied, stalwart young men to go, as it was said, "out to the
lakes, " to work during harvest, that they might supplement the scan-
ty amount grown on their own narrow fields. I might mention as a
specimen of difficulties to be overcome, the scanty remuneration re-
ceived by ministers of the gospel. One who had labored several
years in a church made a statement which is derived from an au-
thentic source to this effect; that he had not received money enough
from the church to wliicli he ministered to pay the postage on letters
which he had received on their account. Afterwards the same
church secured the labors of a minister on a salary of fifty dollars.
Another church passed a solemn resolution that they would endeavor
to raise ten dollars to secure the laliors of a minister two Sabbaths
during the year. Such are some of the facts existing, incident to
the settlement and progress of this Town. These have doubtless
given rise to some of the disparaging things that have been said long
since, and have been repeated in modern times, taxing heavily even
the " Charity which suffereth long and is kind. " It will ho the object
of the writer, in a series of articles, to show that such opinions if
entertained, arc unfounded, and merely indicate the ignorance or
prejudice of those who express them.
SUrriEMENTARY LETTERS. 5
NUMBER II.
IN looking; over what I had written in reference to tlic remnnern-
tion made to ministers of the gospel, it occurred to me that an
inference might be draw^n, reHecting on the generosity of meml)ers
of the churches. I should he reluctant to leave such an impression,
as they probably contributed according to their al»ility in the sub-
stantials of life, to the comfort and convenience of those officiating
in the " sacred calling. " It remains to set forth some of the insur-
iriountalile obstacles arising from the situation of tlio Town. It was
one of those constituting what was known as the " Military Tract, "
and was about ten miles square, with a ridge of hills extending from
west to east through the centre. When the settlements were made
they occupied, essentially the borders of the area, so that small com-
munities were formed in each corner, causing great inconvenience in
doing business of whatever kind ; religious, literary or political, in-
cident to the progress of the people. The result was that every in-
stitution was feel)le and essentially isolated ; and when any impor-
tant object was to be promoted, requiring the concurrence and aid
of all those interested, they must hold their consultations and unite
their influence at great expense and inconvenience. This state of
tilings told unfavorably on the public mind. Then any cause was
viewed in its results, compared with the whole population, as seen
in the census reports ; it would appear much disproportioned, and
the inference would l»c against the intelligence, ability and public
spirit of the people.
Each settlement would naturally urge its claims for privileges,
such as town meetings, clerk's othce, etc., which caused a constant
struggle between the respective localities for participation in these
and other common privileges. It would be difficult to set forth the
embarrassments arising fi'om this cause, so as to l)e appreciated by
those who have never experienced the like. Tliis state of things
continued, with many efforts for the division of tlie Town, all of
which failed, till 1845, when it was divided into three towns, by a
line east and west, identical with tlie original line of lots live miles
from the north boundary, leaving the north part to retain the name
of Virgil, and the south part separated into two parts. Tlie west
Q SUPriEMENTARY LETTERS.
part liavino; tlic name of Harford, and the east part that of Lapoor.
This division lias, on the wliole, proved satisfactory, as it lias placed
each portion on its owti responsihility, and o^iven to each the o\^\)or-
tunity to labor and strive as hest it niif^ht, for its own advancement.
I have hitherto occupied yonr space to set forth the ol)stacles with
which we had to contend; and, let it he remembered that the merit
of success is in proportion to the difticidties to be overcome. The
writer has enjoyed no advantages for education outside the Town
under consideration ; conse(piently your readers will not be enter-
tained with flights of the imagination, finding their expression in
gorgeous sunsets, with light, fleecy clouds tinged with gold, speed-
ing their way towards the eastern horizon, or gurgling, sparkling
rills pursuing their serpentine course through the lowly vale. The
object will ])e to give the facts in phiin language, such as none need
misunderstand.
NUMBER III.
IT will now 1)0 expected by your readers that the MTiter of
these articles will proceed, as was proposed, to give evidences
of enterpise, thrift and advancement. That is now my object. It
must, however, be premised, in order to present a proper view of
the merit of success, that a portion of our population, embracing
men of property and influence, have failed to harmonize with the
efforts made for the promotion of plans for the elevation of the
To\vn in the scale of morality, education, or agriculture, causing the
wheels of progress to roll heavily. There has also been a class of
idlei's subsisting on the thrift Jind industry of their fellow-citizens,
that has added very much to the burdens of a community essentially
laborious and enterprising. It may be said that such is true of
every place. However that may be, it is certain with us every laud-
able enterprise has made its way, inch by inch, through the difficub
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 7
ties tliat Imvc interposed. It lias l)een said, that if a man should
live where he could gain a su])sistenoe l>y lal)oi'ing two days in the
week, he would labor hut 07ie. And if he could live by laljoring
fovr days, he would labor six, thus gaining a surplus. Such is very
much the case in this Town. It is not claimed that it is the most
fertile spot on earth, or even in the State or county. Here is, how-
ever, encouragement for a good return for the labors of tlie husband-
man. Few of the frugal and industrious, blessed with health, have
wanted for the necessaries and comforts of life ; and many have en-
joyed its luxuries. The time has been, in the memory of the writer,
when a man o\\Tiing a property of three thousand dollars would be
accounted ncV/ ; or, as the phrase then was, " forehanded. " JVovj
it would require fifteen to twenty thousand to entitle him to such
appellations.
The soil is l)etter adapted to grazing than tillage; yet, l^efore
there was a demand for the products of the dairy, the necessities of
the people required the cultivation of grain to a considcralile extent,
especially of oats, which found a ready market, though at a very
low rate, in Ithaca and other villages around. Cattle and sheep
were also raised in large numliers, and were sold to l)e driven toward
the seaboard for market. At length there arose in the cities, and
especially in New York, a call for Initter, and the labors of the peo-
ple were directed to the production of that article. The cultivation
of oats for exjjort, always very exhausting to the soil, was then
abandoned.
Al)0ut twenty years since, an investigation was made with much
care, by the writer, and it was ascertained tliat the butter made and
sold from the Town, in one year (1852,) at the extremely low prices
of that time, brought a return of $25,000.
Recently it has been impossil)le to form an estimate, approximat-
ing correctness, of the amount made and sold, but it has, doubtless,
doubled — and the price at which it has been sold has also doubled,
or nearly so. Within a few years considerable attention has been
given to the production of cheese; and during the passt season, an
amount has ])een made and sold whi(;h brought a return of $8,000
or more.
g SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
NUMBER IV.
I])rocce(l now to give some account of tlio productions of our
Town. Allnsion lias been made to the cultivation of oats.
Considerable has been done in wheat, corn, barley, etc., though it is
long since gtrtin was a leading production. Formerly nnich was
(lone in raising potatoes for food, marketing and feeding. A single
farm has ])een knowm to produce 2,000 bushels in one season. And
in 1816 — known as the "cold season" — the same farm produced
some five or six hundred l)ushels from 3f acres. Every description
of produce has had a beginning and a slow progress. This has l)een
emphatically the case with the products of the demy. After the
call for these products became considerable, it was long before the
article of JjuUer was reckoned in a manner graduated by its merit.
Butter was butter, and the product of every man's dairy went at
about the same price. The w^riter once asked a Initter-buyer if there
WMS not a difference in the qualHy of butter 'i The answer was that
there was a great difference. The question then w^as, if there is a
difference in quality, why not a corresponding difference in price?
The reply was, that the buyer could see the difference, Imt coidd not
make it because it w^ould give offense, and the disaffected individuals
would be in his hai7\ Indeed, individuals have been known to in-
dulire a life-Ions dissatisfaction towards the buyer because he <1(^-
dined to pay the same price for inferior butter that he did for that
which wii^fne.
The following dialogue has, in substance, taken place in numer-
ous instances:
Mrs. 1). asks tlic ])uyer why he cannot give as much for her but-
ter as for that of Mrs. A. 'i Tlie answer is that there is a difference
in quality. Mrs. I), asks hi gi-eat earnestness, is not my butter as
good as that of Mrs. A.? The buyer answers (rather crest-faJl(>n,)
well, ha — rdly. Mrs. D. then says, you need not be troubh^d M'ith
wy butter any more.
It will readily l)e seen that this state of things would o]>erate to
discourage efforts for the production of a Jitic article.
For the last few years the article has been graduated in ]iric(>,
essentially by its merit. One important instrumentality in produc^-
ing this result, has been the critical analysis to which the article has
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 9
been subjected in the mai'ket wliere commercial favor is unknown.
Another has l)een the competition among Lnyers, where such avast
amount has been prodnced, wliich is constantly seeking sale in the
village of Cortland.
I would say that a few days sin(!C I called on a buyer of that vil-
lage, when I found him surrounded l)y a crowd of firkins and tubs,
when he said that the reception of this amonnt had ])een the work
of that day — amonnting to about $2,000 — and he had been alone.
He, moreover, said that in the sixteen, or rather fourteen days, of
this month of Decemlier, his partner and he had purchased l)utter
to the amount of about $20,000. And there has been a rush upon
other l)uyers to an equal extent, more or less.
But I was writing about Virgil. Well, the matters and circum-
stan(;es here set forth have l>een common to this region, and partici-
pated in equally l:)y the inhal)itants of this Town. For a few years
the production of cheese has occupied the attention of a portion of
our population. The success attending the efforts made in this di-
rection has been of slow growth, owing to the various difficulties and
embarrassments standing in the way. These have been mostly over-
come, and during the few late years great improvement has l)een
made, and now the " Virgil Cheese Factory Association " stands
strong in the confidence of the people. And the product of the
past season, owing to its very fine quality, has been sold at high
figures — the last sale having l)een made at 14^ cents per pound.
For further information your readers will please wait for the annual
report of the Association.
I have hitherto written nothing of the production oif?'uit. The
remarks on this l)ranch of our sul)ject must be confined mostly to
apples and pears, as the climate is not favorable to the production of
peaches. It is said, however, that grapes may be successfully cul-
tivated by those who have the requisite skill in this branch of horti-
culture. There are several orchards of consideral^le extent, which
have produced a sufficient amount of apples for home consumption,
and often considerable to be spared for expo7'L In one instance a
single orchard produced, in one season — that of 1858 — so many,
that itoo h^mdred barrels wei'c exported, besides supplying a lively
home demand. Some pears have ])een exported ; tlie amount, how-
ever, has l)een small.
IQ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Nr.MJJKR V.
As tlio writer uf these articles Ikis dwelt f^oiiiewhat fully oii rlio
])rodnctions of onr Town, in the line of aijricultnre, liorti-
ciilturo and the dairy, it will \>v a])propriate to defd in this mnnher
with the enterprise of the people in promoting their social and moral
well-))eing.
It is understood, of course, that the practice of intemperance pre-
vailed here in common with <»ther Towns, and the country generally.
To illnstrate the low state of public sentiment on this s\d>ject, I will
allude to a fact wliich occurred under my own ohsei-vation. 1 was
present at a prayer and conference meeting, one evening, some miles
from my residence, when, after a while, a professor of religion liv-
ing in the vicinity, came in and participatcnl in the exercises. To-
wards the close, the exercises took the form of free conversation and
individual experiences. The individual alluded to stated that he
did not enjoy his mind very well, having had a " falling out " with
one of his brethren that afternoon. Tlie fact was that each owned
a distillery in the same neighl)orho()d, and they could not run hai"-
moniously in such proximity. The circumstance produced no gi-eat
sensation. At present such a state of things cannot exist. Public
sentiment, htw as it is, would frown down such proce<lurcs. The
subject of temperance took tangible shape on the -l-th of duly. 1829,
when, after a very ap{)ropriate temperance address \>y Michael
Frank, a young man of the vicinity, "The Virgil Temperance So-
ciety" was formed of twenty-one memlx'rs, mostly young men, who
subscribed to the constitution and pledge. The ])ledge only i-ci[uir-
ed tlie iiK iid»ers to abstain from drinking distilled li<juor. As tame
HS was this pledge, it caused great excitement, and objections were
raised that would not now 1)e thought of, or cherished for a moment,
even bv those who ai-e life-long opponents of the cause. Two vei-y
connnon ol»jections, long since ol)solete, were these: First — what
shall we do with all the rye and corn i That is, in the event of the
success of the cause. Most of us would know, at this late day, what
to do with these pro<lnctioiis. Second — the success of this cause in-
volves the union of Churcli and State. Much effort of temperance
speakers was expended on these two objections. Time and the
progress of things have obviated these long since.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. |;[
Ahont tlic time of the organization of tliis Society, it was remark-
ed that there were in the Town, six distilleries, and only one skele-
ton of a church edifice. In a few years it was said that there were
no distilleries and three church biuldings. Now it may be said that
we have no distilleries and eleven cliurch buildings on the same ter-
ritory.
Owing to that characteristic; of tlie Town set forth in a previous,
number, tlie area is distributed in separate communities, consequent-
ly several of these buildings are moderate in size and pretension.
They are, how^ever, such as furnish sufficient acconnnodation for the
neighborhoods and comnnmitics where tliey are located. Here the
lovers of God and his cause may assemble, worship him according
to the dictates of their own consciences, and " sit together in heav-
enly places in Christ Jesus.'' It may, however, be justly claimed,
that several of them are respectable in size, and finished in a manner
credital)le to the liV>erality and taste of the respective societies to
whicli tiiey belong.
Now the people of our Town have the assurance to look upon
these undeniable facts as indicative of tlieir fidelity to strong
moral principle, and their persevering energy directed to securing
these desirable results.
NUMBER YL
JN place of my ordinary weekly letter I give the report of the
trustees of the Virgil Cheese Factory Association, for the year
1873, received, adopted and published by vote of the Association.
Report.
Tlie trustees of the Yirgil Cheese Factory Association congratu-
late the stockholders and patrons, in view of the success attending
the workings of the same, for the season of 1873, of about five
months, commencing May 12th, and ending October l-lth.
This success is very nuich owing to the eminent skill of the man-
ufacturer, Mr. E. D. Harris, in producing an article of superior
(juality, and also to his \igilance and fidelity in caring for and pre-
^t^ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
serving the cheese wliilc maturing, and nntil sold and removed. Tlie
iignres and statements ])c]<»\v \\\]\ almndantly vindicate the correct-
ness of onr intro(hictory remarks.
LRS.
MilU 1)rono-lit to factory in May, 44,575
Milk hrought to factory in June, 1(50, 856
Milk brought to factory in July, 185,043
Milk brought to factory in Augnst, 101,888
Milk l)r()Ught to factory in Se])tcnibor, li;:5,025
Milk brought to factory in October, 82,017
Total, 097,404
First sale of cheese, May and Jime, including that
sold to patrons and others in small quantities, as was
done in every sale afterwards, made 20,002 lbs. at
12|c., ^2,507 75
Second sale, July, 17,803, 1])S. at 12fc., 2,277 52
Third sale, August, 10,122 lbs. at 13^c., 2,130 10 '
Fourth sale, Sept. and Oct., 14,908 lbs. at 14^c.,. . . 2,105 75
'P
Total, S9,027 18
Paid Harris Ic. per ponnd, $089 55 -
Due stockholders Ic. per ponnd, 089 55
$1,379 10
Leaving to be divided among patrons, $7,048 08
The number of cheeses made during the several months are as
follows :
May, 73
June, 277
July, , . 300
August, 252
September, 182
(October, 57
Total, 1,141
Total number of pounds manufactured, 08,955
Average weight of cheese, 00.4
Due stockholders as above, $089 55
Expenses, findings, taxes, etc., 539 55
To be divided among thirty shares $5 each, 150 00
fp
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 13
The de'uts heretofore resting' upon the iVssociatioii are all pro-
vided for, and the prospect for success hereafter is promising. In
tlie Spring of 1872 the hope for success was slender, and only through
the perseverance of comparatively few patrons, and the skill and
constancy of the manufacturer, has success been acliieved. And it
is due to the purchasers to say that they exliibited nuich skill and
discrimination in appreciating the merit of a line article, thus en-
abling tlie patrons to realize an advanced price in the several sales
which have been made.
Nathan Bouton, ')
George Tyler, ' Trustees.
RUFUS E. HOLTON, )
1-T
NUMBER VII.
AVING dwelt in a previous number, somewhat at length,
X JL- upon the rise and progress of the temperance interest in
our Town, also upon the 1)uilding of churches, their number and the
vital interests clustering around them, it will not be considered for-
eign from our design to spend a number upon the Imrial of the dead,
which is an inevitable duty of every generation of our mortal race.
When the settlement of the Town commenced, the fulfillment of
the primitive sentence pronounced upon man after the fall, " Dust
thou art and unto dust shalt thou return," was visited upon its in-
habitants. The lirst to pay the debt of nature was a stranger, who,
attempting to go from a j)oint near the Cayuga Lake, on the State
road, so called, to Chaplin's on the Tiouglmioga river, lost his way
and perished. He was found soon aftei- and buried by the few people
of the Town, in a manner as respectable and appropriate as practi-
cable. He was buried near where he was found. Only a few fam-
ilies at this time (1798) resided in the Town, which extended over ten
miles of territory. There was no public ])urying ground, and it was
not possilde to know where it would be located. It was ten to
twelve years afterward that a public burying ground was commenced
near the intersection of roads, afterwards called tlie " Corners," and
l^ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
recently tlio "Yillage.'' Families Iniricd tlicir dead on tluMi- (nni
prcmiscB, and otliers, strHn<j!;orb and transient ])ers()ns Avere j)erinittod
to be laid in these family <!;n>nnds. Ultiniatel}-, it came to ])ass that
one or more of tliese i»:rounds came to l)e considered ^>?//>//V-, in a snli-
ordinate sense. There was a lar<i:e numl)er of these whicli continned
in nse after the pu])lic ti;round was opened, as hefore dcscrihed, It
turned out that its locality was not generally satisfactory, and within
a few years a place has been secured for a Cemetery, on lands for-
merly owned by Hon. J. Reynolds, and where he had buried kis dead.
A Cemetery Asssociation or organization, was formed according to
tlie law in sucli case made and provided. Additions liave l)een
made since the first purchase, and it now consists of alxnit six acres
w4th more suital)le ground contiguous, which can be acquired when
it shall be needed. And it may be said that whether villages pros-
per, railroads succeed, or any other temporal interest sliall be ad-
vanced, this "city of the dead " will sjn-ead abroad on the riglit and
(m the left. Whether connnerce, agriculture or any other oecu]>a-
tiou of men prosper or not, the current of mortality will constantly
sweep, like an over-flowing stream, the children of men into tlie
"hollow gaping tomb,'" and "the mourners go about the streets."
Soon these m(.)urners will fall victims to the king of terrors, and
their remains will be laid to rest in the insatiate gi-ave, and otlier
mourners will lament and grieve ; and so in constant succession, as
saith tlie scripture, " One generation passeth away and ^mother gen-
eration Cometh."
The cemetery referred to is n<)t in a romantic place, su{;h as is
frequently cliosen for the final resting place for the dead, though in
portions it is gently undulated, easy of access and ver}' neat, com-
modious and respectable in appearance, and very creditidile to tlie
piety, intelligence an<l reflnement of the people of the Town, and
all interested as having relatives here entombed. Here are more
than thirty monuments of very respectable appearance, belonging to
the families of the Town, and others, varying in cost from one Imn-
dred to tin-ee hundred dollars. As has l)ecn remark(»d, it was a long
time before the public mind became thoiougldy united on this local-
ity, during which, other and smaller grounds were, of necessity, be^
ing filled uj). Recently, it lias l)een the case, that families have
been collecting- the remains of friends from those scattered localities
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 15
wlicre they had been interred, and depositing them together in a
family plate, here procured for that purpose. Tliis process is con-
stantly going on, and this central and principal cemetery is absorb-
ing the contents of those scattered in different parts of the Town.
Here is the place where persons of a contemplative state of mind
may pass through and read the inscriptions and epitaphs on monu-
ments erected to perpetuate the memory of cherished friends, and
be admonished to prepare for a like event to themselves. This may
be accounted like going to the house of mourning, concerning which
the scripture saith, "It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting ; for that is the end of all men,
and the living will lay it to his heart. "
NUMBER VIll.
THE subject of Agriculture, or cultivation of the earth, has al-
ways been considered indispensiljle to the proper sustenance
and development of our race. In agreement with this proposition,
it is said in the Scripture that " tlie king himself is served l)y the
field. " It is also indispensable to the progress and prosperity of
a comnmnity, that the several l)ranches of industries, or trades, be
prosecuted for the nnitual benefit of all, and no one occupation can
well prosper without the co-operation of a great share of the occu-
pations in which tlie respective individuals of a successful connnuni-
ty are employed. Hence, if one of the many different employments
is successful in a connnunity, others must be comparatively success-
ful also. So that there is a mutual connection and dependence of
the several callings or occupations pursued by its members. There
are, however, particular localities where one kind of manufacture
will take the lead, owing to the diiferent circumstances and facilities
which are there prevalent.
In our Town circumstances indicate clearly that the occupation of
agriculture, and other employments cdosely connected with it, should
employ the energies of the great majority of the people. It has been
jg SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
a problem witli the tliou<;litful and sagaeious, liow tlie energy, in
dispen?al)le to the success of this calling, could best be developed.
Much information was necessary to guide, judiciously, this energy
when lu'ought out, that the l>ost results might ]>e reali;i:ed. The
principle of the proverlt, that "Iron sharjieneth iron; so a man
shar})eneth the countenance of his friend,'' was tinally adopted, and
Agri(;ultural Societies were forme<l for nmtual encouragement and
information. In this county of Cortland an Agricultural Society
was early formed, and has continued with varied success to the pres-
ent time. Some individuals from this Town attended its Fairs with
profit, ]»ut tlie div^tance was such that few only could be induced to
attend. It occurred to a few minds that it might be practicai>le to hold
a Fair to tliis Town, thus bringing the benefits of the institution
home to the people here. It is said, I believe, with truth, that tlic
two Lincolns, Theron and Wait, were the originators of this phiii.
Wlu'U spoken of, it very soon awakened a great and pi-evailing in-
terest on the subject, which resulted in the formation of the Vii-gil
Agricultural Society eai'ly in 1854. The members were generally
inexperienced in the matter, and other end>arrassments tended to re-
tard opei'ati<ms, but the adage, " Where there is a will there is a
way " proved true, and though it was a season of drouth, a success-
ful Fair was held, and several agricultural men from other towns
came to wonder and admire. The Fair was a success. The un-
quenc^hable ardor and indomitable enthusiasm of a large portion of
the ])eople prevailed, and (a-editalde Fairs were held till 1868, mak-
iuiT the munber of ten Annual Fairs.
After tw(» or three years it was thought best to procui-e a ])iece
of irround where thev miij;ht be held in successive years with con-
venien(;c and security. A very suitable locality was secured on a
lease of years, to the amount of four acres, in a s(juare form, and
surrounded with a substantial fence of boards set upright, and eight
to ten feet high, and a buihUng of uiuissuming pretension reared in
the centre f(»r a "■ Floral Hall. " At tirst it was impossible to pro-
cure sufficient funds from meml)ership and other sources, to pay the
premiums. At length it was j)ro]iosed that we proceed to make a
large cheese, to awaken more interest in atttiudancc upon our exlii-
])itions. A cheese was made and pressed in a cider mill, in a hooj)
supported by the tire of a wagon wheel, and aftei-wards turned by a
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 17
nuicliine of ingenious contrivance, and presented at the Fair. The
interest to see the cheese was great, and the premiums of that Fair
were fully paid.
After the cheese became mature it was divided among those mIio
had furnished the curd, and the aggregate wait was more tlian tive
luuidred pounds. The example and success of our Fairs awakened
an interest in otlier towns around ; and other societies were formed
which had the effect to draw from the interest of this, and owintr
to this fact, and also to that of a constant current of opposition
raised l)y certain individuals, who kept up a constant clamor against
it, cliarging the administration witli favoritism, etc. ; and it having
had tlie desired effect of awakenening an all-controlling and widely
extended spirit of vigilance and enterprise on the subject of agricul-
ture an<l kindred employments, it was thought best, on general con-
sultation, to disljand and profit by what we had learned, and l)y what
we might yet learn from other Fairs held near iis.
Of those who held the office of President, the names are as fol-
lows: N. Bouton, S. G. Jones, Josephus Gee, C. A. Hotchkiss, J.
G. Tyler, Martin Luce and Wait Lincoln.
The following are the names of those who held successively the
ofHces of Secretary: S. G. Jones, C. B. Gleason, W. A. Wood,
Orrin C. Dann and A. Mahan, all of whom performed tlie duties of
their offices with ability and fidelity.
It will not be proper to close this article without a tribute to the
ladies, who were constant in their aid, rendered with much skill,
fidelity and zeal, through the whole existence of the Society.
NUMBEK IX.
IT seems to your correspondent that it may be in order, at pres-
ent, to give some evidences of the enterprise of our inhabitants
in the direction of I'oads and means of transportation. The time
was, in tlie memory of the writer, when all transportation between
this Town and the LIudson river, (h- New York, was by wagons.
Ij^ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Tonmp worn dispatched AWth produce for Allniny, Newlmr*; or Cut-
skill, and returned with merchandise. Some were loaded with but-
ter, and made their way direct to New York, and would ])C i^^one
three or four weeks and return freij^hted with family supplies for
the year. An effort was early made to get a Turnpike Comjiany
chartered from Norwicdi or Oxford to the head of the lake, or to Itha-
aca, as it has since been named. This project, however, failed, to the
great gratification of the petitioners, as they afterwards saw that it
was impracti(%al>le. Partial relief soon came on the completion of the
Grand Canal. Much expense has been sustained in the Town in
the construction of roads and bridges. The Tioughnioga passing
through the east part of the Town, required an expensive bridge,
which, at the early day in which it was built pressed heavily upon
the people; also other bridges over rapid streams which were fre-
quently carried away ^\^th high water, and had to l)e replaced with
others, which were promptly built with the recent improvements
embraced. Soon after the completion of the Grand Canal, the sub-
ject of Railroads began to occupy the attention of the people. Such
roads were constructed in England, and short pieces were built in
this country — particularly one between Schenectady and Albany, of
about fifteen miles.
The Grand Canal traversed the north part of our State, and was
a State work. It was felt by all impartial minds that equity re-
puired that something should be done for the southern tier of coun-
ties, or as they were sometimes termed, " the secluded counties. "
What it should be was not so readily seen. It was very certain that
it could not be a Canal. The face of the country rendered it im-
practicable. It occurr(!d to a citizen of this Town that a railroad
might be (constructed from New York to a point on Lake Erie. So
much was his mind impressed with the feasibility of this plan,
that he took a jom-ney to New York and examined tlu^ route for a
railroad from that place to T>inghamton, and i-eturned with the firm
iuqiression that the route so far was pacticable. He had previously
l)ecome acijuainted with the route from Binghamton to Tioga Point,
(now Elmira) and was satisfied with it.
Having a son wishing to move to Cattaraugus county, he took an
ox-team and a load of goods and went along and ncnir so much of
his contemplated route as lay between his residence and Hinsdale,
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. . 19
of the above named county. He thus had an abundant opportunity
to examine and locate a route so far. He proceeded to inquire and
inform himself respecting the territory intervening between that
place and Dunkirk, on Lake Erie, where he proposed that the road
should terminate. He returned firmly assured of the pwicticability
of the whole route.
The next work in order was to present this plan to the public. It
was important that it be done with much care and propriety. Hav-
ing been reared in the years just following the Revolution, when
schools were poor, he could not wield the " pen of a ready writer. "
He invited his son, the writer of those articles, to aid him in this
work. He gave tlie data, and by our labor for a week or two, in
writing, erasing, substituting and altering, a piece was written em-
Iwdying the plan in such language that we thought it would do to
be printed. Every idea was closely scanned ; every sentence and
every word tlioroughly weighed. We well understxx)d that the
wliole matter would l)e looked upon as impracticable and visionary.
This, however, had not tlie least effect to shake the confiden(;e of the
projector. He secured the publication of the article in the Cortland
Ohserver, a paper publislied in Homer, in this county of Cortland.
A few extras were procured. One of them was taken to Angelica,
in Allegliany county, and tliis article was copied l)y the paper of
that village. An effort was made to get the plan pul^lished in the
Joiirnal of Commerce, of New York, but failed.
Soon, however, the project became known, and the people inter-
ested became aroused to tlie importance of the subject. Conventions
were held, and though the work was slow, having innnmerable ob-
stacles to overcome, yet it was accomplislied, and the New York and
Erie railroad is a living reality. This is the great Trunk Line, and
the wTiter cannot pretend to say how many branch lines are depend-
ent on this for their existence.
The article referred to was published in February, 1828, forty-six
years since. The projector lived so long that in his life thne the
road was completed to Bingliamton, and while in liis last sickness,
and within a few days of his death the cannons were booming, and
rejoicings were had over the event, in tlie latter part of 1846, nearly
nineteen years after the publication of the plan. The writer of
these articles is not very nervous, l)iit when in Bingliamton, stand-
sjO , SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
ini]^ near tlic convertrence of the several roads tliat come in there, he
sees the acres of tracks and hears the whistles of tlie numerous trains
as they (;ome in and go out with the numerous labels indicating the
extreme points connected ])y them, and retiects on the obscure and
feeble origin of all this as no other living person can reflect, he must
acknowledge his sensi])ilities to be deeply stirred with the scene.
NUMBER X.
JT has been the intention of the writer of these articles to close up
each subject dwelt upon, in one mnnber. It lias ])een felt,
however, b}^ myself, at least, that some of the numbers have been
longer than Avould be desirable, and it was found that the last num-
ber would be much too long if the subject were; to be closed ^}]^ in
it, so another is devoted to it.
' The enterprise of the people here was put to a very significant
test when the proposition for the construction of the Syracuse <fe
Binghamton road was made. Though it was to pass only through one
corner of the Town, the call was responded to 1)V the payment of
§11,100 to its stock, as I learned upon inquir}' of the lamented D?ivid
Hale. It is needless to say that this whole amount was lost by those
who paid it. This sum was paid with the slender hope of advantage
that could be entertained under the circumstances, while other towns
bad tln' road passing through them centrally, where the people paid
nothing. Within a few years, those residing in the west part have
been culled <>n, verv iu-<;-entlv, to aid in the construction of the
Southern Central, passing through the hither pai't of Di-yden, and
considerable sums lu'.ve been paid for that roa<l. Both these roads
have been carried through, but neither of them has a station nearer
our village than six Diiles, so that the advantages of such roads are
not brought very near to us. There is, however, one consideration
left for us that is rather gratifying, which is, that our Town is not
bonded for railroads nor any other great object. Qui- Town issued
l)onds for the payment of bounties in the time of the late civil war.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 21
wliicli were felt to lie an eml)arrassment while they remained, and
an evident feeling of relief prevailed when the last of these were
redeemed ; and they were }>ronght together at a meeting of tlie
Auditing Board, and one of the Justices asked alond, if any one had
any objection to offer wliy tliey should not be destroyed'!' No one
raised an^' ol)jection, and they were all placed in the stove, and
every one seemed to Vjreathe easier.
Much has been done here in the construction and support of com-
mon roads and bridges. More, probably, than in most other towns
around, in proportion to space and population. The alteration of
the State Road, so called, so as to take most of the travel from
Snider Hill, so called, through Gridley Hollow, has caused a great
expense, especially to the people in the vicinity, and also to the
Town at large ; yet as this road is so located as to avoid most of the
hills wliich }U»ound in this portion of the Town, it has l)een adhered
to, and the considerable expense involved in sustaining ])ridges, etc.,
has ])een borne with as much quietude and resignation as could be
reasonably expected. We now assume that the credit of our people,
for entei-prise on tlie subject of the different classes of roads and
bridges, should rank as high as that of any otlier town in this vicin-
ity, oi- anywhere else.
NUMBER XI.
IT would seem that the subject of education should be considered
of importance enough to claim, at least, one letter in this series.
And that may, perhaps, come in as well at this time as any other.
It was much to the credit of the people here, that they considered
the subject of education to their children, of suc^h importance, that
they associated together, in the separate neighborhoods, and erected
their rude school-houses. It will be understood that the School
Law had not then been enacted, and there was no organization of
school districts ; ])ut a few neighljors would voluntarily associate to
concert means for the advancement of this vital object. As early as
1798 a school house was erected in tlie west part of the Town, near
^2M SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
the present rosidcnce of Afiron Iliitcliings. Tliis Imildiiiii" av:is oc-
(Mi])ie(l for 51 few terius, wlieii a ctDllcrtioii of yoiiiia: peo])le was liad,
and they oceupii'd it for tlieii" exercises, and it was hnrned-down in
(•.onse(jnene.e. One of the mniiher is still livini;- at an advanced ao'e.
His name is Scth Stevens. When the writer conniicnccd his scIkk*!
days, a. few years afterwards, a lo^' liouse, forsaken hy its occnpants,
was nsed for tliis purpose, and a man hired for a year, ij;'ave direc-
tion to tilt' yonni;' idea, wliieli was ready to slioot. This teaclier was
eni]>loyed hy a wi'itten (contract, whicli the writei- has seen witliin,
comparatively, a few years, pasted on a window to lielp snp])ly ihe
place, of a, pane of glass. The names of the parties were legihly
written npon the same.
It innstl»e ac-knowledged that here is incontrovertihle evidence of
the energy and determination of those early settlei-s, who, without
State aid, incurred this consideral>le expense for tlie j)romotion of
this very im])ortant and landahle ohject. Schools wei-c; snstained in
all the ]n'incipal neighborhoods, with more or less etlici(nicy, until
1813, when the School Law took effect, tnid school districts were
organized, school honses Imilt, and oi'der established. Numerous
districts were formed, so that in abont 1840 there were in Town,
districts and j)arts of districts, amonnting in nnndx'i- to forty or more.
Soon afttn- this the Town was divided; and now wv have in its ])res-
ent Hunts al)out twenty districts. The a(l\;ineed hi';inc]ies of com-
mon seliool ('(hieation wer(^ brought in by slow ih'grees, and it was a
long time before English Grammar was toleratecl as a legitimate
bi'aiieh of common school education.
Academies were few and of very recent oi'ganizatioii in the coun-
try g(Mierally, and various causes operated to ]>re\( nt attendance on
liiem by our more advanced scholai-s. To obviate these diilicultiee,
in part, a High School, oi- as known in common jiarlance, "The
Virgil Literary Listitnte, " was organized and sustained for twelve
or more years, with a good degree of snccess. At length academies
and other literary institutions around, have furnished such facilities
that this has been given uji.
NmruM'ous teaehei's lia\-e bet'u raised uj), of Nciy respectable ac-
(jnisitions, and haxc goiu' to diifei-ent parts of our co\mt)'y to engac;c
in the instruction of children and youth in the fundamental bi'anches;
and also in the more a<lvanced studies ])Ui'sue(l in Aca.dcmies and
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 23
Normal yduxils. It iniglit he coiisidored invidious to name some
of tliosc wlio liave distinguialied themselves in this department, and
not to name others, but as it is impracticable to mention all, we
nuist be permitted to allude to some without intending' disparage-
ment to any. It has l»een said that the merit of success is in pro-
portion to the ditiiculties overcome. If the dithculties in the way
of our students were greater tlian those in many places, the effort
necessary to overcome tliem when sustained, might lead to still more
strenuous exertion, and greater acjquisitions would be made. Stu-
dents from here, nmst, of course, meet ol)stacles and expenses un-
known by those who live in tlie vilhiges or (dties where literary
institutions are lo(;atc(I. The expenses incident upon attendance at
those institutions have pressed very heavily upon parents in our
Town, and evincoi] much zeal and generosity in parents, as they
have given from the fi'uits of their toil for the sustenance and aid of
their sons and daughters while they were making solid acquisitions
in the sciences there taught.
Allusion will be made to a few facts in illustration of the general
truths set forth above. Some time in the course of the years of
1850-\54-, a number of our scholars were in attendance upon the
Cortland Academy, then under superintenden(;y of Prof. Wool-
M'orth. At a certain time he was attending the recitation of a class,
most of whom had their residence with their parents in Homer vil-
lage, while the remainder were mostly from Virgil. The Homer
scholars answered the questions but poorly, and they would pass
along until a Virgil scholar was readied, when they would l)e an-
swered. This continued a while when the feelings of the preceptor
were aroused, and hc^ gave vent to them in manner and form fol-
lowing, to wit : — " I am ashamed of you. Here you have lived all
your lives in this village, having convenient access to the school at
all times, and here are scholars coming from the Virgil hills, bring-
ing their board, hiring a room, and answering your questions."
It might be accounted indelicate in tlie writer to name the scholars
referred to, as coming from Virgil and answering those questions.
I am told that some from our Town liave distinguished themselves
also, in the academy in Cortland village, previous to the institution
of the Normal Sdiool. Among these were Anna Shcerar, Orrin
Luce and Mary Leech. h\ the N(»rmal School, some from this
24 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Town hiixc <i:Ta<hi!itcrl ; John E. Winslow, Jamos IT. Slmlts, W. S.
Spencer, etc., some of whom liave l)ecn employed in tl»e same insti-
tntion as teacliers.
In the Antnmn of 1S68 there was what was called the Reo'ents'
Examination in the two Academies of Cortland and Wliitney's
Point. Questions were sent to ])e projiosed to the stndents in the
classes. A large class was examincHl in the Cortland Academ}^
under Prof. J. J. Pease. Only one of the whole nnml)er passed in
all branches, and that was Miss Sarah P. Leech, now Mrs. Lonks,
from one of the "Virgil hills." The same examination was had
at Whitney's Point, under Prof. E, C. Beach. About thirty in the
class and none of them received tlie certificate involved, except
Lydia Bloomer, now Mrs. Davis, who like Mrs. Louks, was born
and reared in Old Virgil. It seems that there must have been de-
cided merit in their acquisitions, respectively, or these scholars and
their native Town would not have had this distinguishing tribute,
while all other to\nis and lo(ralities represented in these institutions
failed to endure this test.
NUMBER Xll.
ONE would conclude on perusal of my last extended letter, that
the subject of education in Virgil, had been sufficiently set
forth, but upon reflection and fm-ther consultation with friends, it is
thought Itest to continue the subject in anotlier article, with the de-
sire to do impartial justice to those interested, which, it must be con-
cede<l, is a delicate and resp<)nsi])le task.
It seems* that a sliglit error obtained in the last numl)er in refer-
ence to -John E. Winslow, who was named as one who had graduated
at the Normal School. It Mppears that he was prevented from
graduating by ill health, and was forced to return home, where he
has since remained, owing to sickness in the family, and has not yet
resumed his studies. It is due to him to say that he l\as the repu-
tation of a tliorough scholar, so far as his health and otlier circum-
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 25
stances permitted him to proceed. Otjiers beside those named have
£i:radiiated and have become distinguished teachers, among whom are
George E. Ryan and Alice Lincohi. Some years since Marvin
llyan, son of Jonatlian Ryan, l»ecame a teaclier of distinction, and
went to Illinois and engaged in teaching in an institution of some
note, where he continued for a time, when he was taken with dis-
ease and returned home. To the great grief of his friends and ac-
quaintances, his disease terminated in deatli. The aforementioned
George E. Ryan is a younger l)rother of the deceased just referred
to, and is now engaged as Principal in the same institution, called a
IJnicm or Graded Scliool, at a salary of $800, with two hundred and
lifty scholars enrolled. Miss Lincoln has been engaged as teacher
in institutions of distinction in Dryden and Bingliamton.
During the early years of our Town's history, several teacliers
iiave risen among us, wlio have acquitted themselves nobly in their
profession. Among tliese are William Hunter, Michael Fi-ank, P.
F. Grow, Frederick Hyde, W. E. Gee, George Graham, I. B.
Bloomer, J. S. Squires, John M. Roe, Rachel and Milly Bouton,
Ruth and Minerva Lincoln, Cliarlotte and Jane Palmer, Charlotte
Ehle, and others too numerous to mention. A large number have
engaged in this honorable and responsil)le calling in more recent
years, among whom, owing to his want of acquaintance, the writer
feels that he is incompetent to discriminate, though many of tliem
are doubtless fully ecpial in merit and success to those in the list
named.
We have lived and progressed under the different forms of ad-
ministration that lia^'e obtained during the sixty years since the en-
actment of the School Law. We have had School Commissioners,
School Inspectors, Town Superintendents, County Superintendents
and District Commissioners. All these officers have had resting on
them, in the times of tlieir administration, respectively the respon-
sible duty of examining candidates offering themselves for teachers.
And even before the enactment of the Scliool Law, a sense of the
importance of some sort of test appeared necessary to the sagacious,
early settlers, and they endeavored to discharge this duty according
to tlie best of tlieir a])ility. Every one acquainted with the spelling
book published about the year 1800, I)}' Noah Webster, Jr., Esq.,
knows that at tlie close of a long clia])ter of hard names there M^ere
2(; SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
tAVO sliort (u>lniiniP of loni^ names of tivo, six or more syllaMos, such
as Oin})oiiipaiioosuc, Canajoliario, Michilliuiacinac, etc. In the ex-
ercise of tlieir prerogative and tlieir best judgment, they chose, in
one instance at least, tlie lesson containing the aforementioned
names, and directed the candidate to pronoiUK^c tl\cm, wliicli she
did to the satisfaction of those who conducted tlie examination.
This occurred in about 1807. It will not probably be considered
impertinent to give her name. It was Mercy Wi-ight, and the writer
])artici])ated in the l)encfits derived from her intelligent and faithful
l-il)()rs. If I were asked at what time in tlie liistory of our To\\ni,
tlic interest in the cause of common school education was greatest,
my answer would be, tliat it was, in my opinion, in the time when
the " Virgil Literary Institute " was held, and (hn-ing tlie adminis-
tratif)n of lion. II. S. Il;mdall, County Superintendent, wliich wci-c
co-temporary.
NUMBER XIII.
T T is probable that by this time your i-oadors are expecting some-
JL thinii' brilliant in the settinc; forth of tlie names of distiiiiiuished
individuals of our Town, in the several departments and aspects in
which liuiuan life is viewed l)y cont(nin)lative observers. Your
readers may rest assui'cd tluit wc have a briglit array of naines to
be pi'esented, and commendable mikI honoral)lc deeds done, l)efore
wo close these essays. In order that these shall sliine in a miinner
to give a just and ap])ropriatG view, the picture must have painted
for it a ])i'()i)(M' background. As these are to be l)rilli;int, it would
seem that tlu> l);!ckground should be d<(rl\\ tliat the contrast may be
the more significant.
As early as the earliest recolle(!ti<m of the oldest inhal)itant, tlie
practice of intemperance in the use of intoxicating drinks has pre-
vailed in Town, and has produced its lamentable effects. It would
be difficult to add miudi to the vivid descriptions of the untold evils
of this practice, :is tlicy have ])een set forth l)y the tongue and pen
of elo(|uence which liave been employed on tliis painful suliject dur-
ing the long years that have passe<l since 1829, when tlie minds of
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 27
the people were tliorouiildy aroused on this subject. Temperance
societies were formed to counteract and remove this great evil.
Much g-ood has been done, relief has been gained, individuals have
1)cen reformed and evil prevented. But the warfare was an unequal
one. The friends of t^ie cause of temperance had unanswerable ar-
guments founded on mornl principle to present, which were availaWe
for a good purpose, when set ])efore the moral, intelligent and re-
ilective portion of the cojnmunity. These, however, were not
adapted to effect the mind of the seller of the deleterious article, or
to make head against the craving, insatiable thirst of his victim.
Numerous plans have been put in requisition to save, if possilde,
tliose who have been drawn into the net of the remorseless tyrant,
Intemperance. When approached by a kind friend in his sober
liours it seemed as thougli reformation wei*e prol)al)le, and high hopes
would be cherislied by ardent, hoping, solicitous friends. Such
hopes have proved, in a majority of instances, to l)e delusive, and
tlie clierislied object of affection and anxiety has returned to his
cups, and the last state of that man is worse than the first. It is
painful to trace the history of the rum-sellers of our town. They
and their families have mostly come to ruin.
We have not time nor inclination to particularize. It would be
impossible to set forth, within the compass of an essay of toleral)le
length, any (iomprehensive or adequate view of the evils and suffer-
ings involved. How many families made wretched, hopes lilasted,
lives sacrificed, and poverty, shame and ignorance entailed on inno-
cent and helpless sufferers. These and numberless other ills go to
malvO up the aggregate of the burdens borne by the industrious,
economical, thrifty and relia])le portion of the comnmnity. The
reader may be induced to inquire : Is that so f Has Virgil been
subject to such evils and burdens in consequence of intemperance ?
How would the description given apply to our country generally., or
to other countries, or to the world f I apprehend that the descrip-
tion given fails almost entirely of presenting a true view of the sub-
ject. It lacks immeasurably in force, vividness of description and
pungency of expression to come up to the truth. Indeed, language
fails, words fall infinitely short of expressing the wofnl reality.
Efforts have been put forth, taking various forms, and organized on
different plans. We have liad temperance organizations differently
28 SVPPLEMENTARY LETTEIiH.
constituted whioli continncd, cncli for a time, and woro prodnctivo
of _<2;ood — we know not liow much — as we cannot know how dchased
we nii<^lit liave ])ecn, liut for these instumentahties. We have now
no temperance orp^anization, and sliall not have any that will inspire
much confidence while s]iii-its are employed in medicine for the sick,
as freely as at present. These remarks may l)e thought rather sug-
gestive; hut tlie writer has hoen cognizant of several very painful
instances of this kind. In one case a man in middle life, under the
direction of a physician, imhihed so much that he was disguised and
unfit for tlie transaction of financial husiness. Many similar
cases might he adduced, hut I forhear. Tlicre remains another
hranch of tliis suhject to he discussed, which must wait for a suhse-
quent article.
NUMBER XTV.
AT the close of our last numl)er, it was announced tliat another
l)ranch of the same su])ject remained to l)c discussed.
Tlie suhject dwelt upon in the last numher was intemj)erance, and
its most efficient auxiliaiy is the use of tohncco. The most of those
who are intemperate use this article, though many who use it arc
not intemperate in the use of intoxicating drinks. This practice is
extremely prevalent, and is tlie cause of inexpressihle regret and
sorrow to every intelligent well-wisher to humankind. Perhaps
there is no point in morals where the puhlic mind and sentiment are
so deplorahly at fault as here. Let this sul)ject he set forth in a
sermon, lecture or puhlic; discussion, and any ol>serving person will
dis(;over an ill-concealed sneer, as though the speaker were l)elittling
himself. If in an ap]M*opriate time and place, a speaker should in-
troduce this topic, and any should he led to intimate that the suh-
ject was heneath the dignity of the speaker, the place . or the occa-
sion, theti it is heneath any of us to inquire for the cause of the in-
creased dehility of the present generation, with those that are past.
Our health is given us as a rich l)lessing to he watched over, cared
for and preserved with the utmost vigilance. The effect of toltacco
is invariahle in its debilitating influence on those who use it, and on
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 29
])OStcrity. This proposition is amply supported by reference to
medical anthorities, as I am told. But were it not thus, an individ-
ual with only a moderate share of discrimination might see the con-
nection of weakness and disease in children, with this practice in their
parents, tluis furnishing a clear illustration of one of the means by
which the " iniquity of the fathers is visited upon the children unto
the third and fourth generation. "
It is melancholy to reflect upon the numerous deaths of individ-
uals caused by this practice. The writer has known several persons
whose death could not by the greatest ingenuity of evasion, l)e traced
to any other cause than the use of this article. Many who practice
smoking or chewing tobacco, seem totally insensible to the claims
of courtesy or decency. If this were not true, how shall we account
for the fact that a Justice of the Peace will start a pipe while sitting
in the Judicial chair, and engaged in the trial of a cause ? How
shall we judge the state of mind of a pei-son who wall go into a post
office and engage in smoking a pipe or (dgar ? All classes are ex-
pected to call and get the intelligence directed to them ; but all are
not partial to the fumes of the pipe. Nay, it is an oifense to many.
How shall we justify those men of business who will indulge in this
practice while negotiating with those to whom it is an offence ? The
writer has had important business to transact with such, when they
would undertake to use the English language with a cigar or pipe
in their mouth, reminding one of a carpenter trying to talk with a
gimlet in his mouth. This practice l)y many is reckoned rather
iilthy.
We liave no Town Ilnll to acconnnodate the citizens for meeting
to attend to the various kinds of business incident to the progress of
a community ; consequently it has been difficult to procure a proper
and convenient place to hold su(^h gatherings. It has been held
that they are not suitable to the design of a (duirch, and especially as a
promiscuous asseml)ly might not use the proper care to keep the
same clea?i, from the cause previously hinted at.
This practice shortens the life of those who follow it, in most
instam;es, besides rendering that life burdensome by the weakness
and infirmity thus induced. It discourages effort in behalf of youth,
who might otherwise be liopeful ; and the benevolent are deterred
from rendering that help that would otherwise be freely bestowed in
30 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
the aid of tlio oxci'tioiis of tliose \vl»o wonld projjrosB in the arts or
sciences. Let a young man a]r|)eal for aid to a pliihmthropist of
means, and when about to receive that encouragement wliicli lie
greatly desired — if that kind friend should discover this hnbit in
him, the desired aid would l)e withheld and the hope of the petition-
er would vanish in thin air. It is painful to i-eiiect that a large
share of our young men contract this habit, thus throwing a pall
over their prospects, and forfeiting the coniidenee of every one whose
good opinion could be of any avail for their success and advancement
iuHife. How much talent and capacity are thus thro\vm away I It
is the practice of perverted human nature to turn blessings into
curses. Thus the invention of matches was one which was adapted
to pi-omote great (convenience in the business of life. But, alas !
how has this been perverted, as it has facilitated the smoker in his
efforts to undermine health and draw on the decreptitnde and de-
bility of premature age. This is a practice of in(-redible cost. Every
man that has indulged in it for forty-tive years has spent $2,000,
more or less, and oftener more than less. Such disable themselves
measurably, fi'om aiding worthy objects, as building churches, bridges,
school houses, and even making and keeping their own families com-
fortable and respectable. At a moderate estimate there has been
spent in this way si^ times as imich in this Town as has been the
(cost of all the churches, school houses, ministers' salaries and teach-
ers' wages. If all that is M'orse than wasted by this practice could
be expend(>d for the in(u-eased comfort and (convenience of families,
and for valual>le public objects, this Town might be ])];u-e(l in a very
enviable condition.
NUMBER XV.
I come now to (-(msider some of the effects of tobacco on the pow-
ers of the minds and l)odies of those who indnlge in its use.
And I do this by quotations from a prize essay hj Elisha Harris,
M. D., physician to the New York City Dispensary. He says " the
ultimate results of tobacco using are invariably the same. By it the
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 31
nerves are irritated, tlie senses hennnibcd and their functions per-
verted ; the action of tlie heart is rendered feeble and irregular, the
l>lood circulates imperfectly, all the functions of life become slug-
gish, and old age creeps over countenances and frames that other-
wise would liave possessed all tlie bloom and viva<nty of youth.
Most of those causes of intermission of the heart's action which
cause so mu('h alarm to those who suffer from it ; and much of that
fashionable disease known as pdlpitation of the Iiear% arise from
tol)acco using." Again he says, " Tlie disastrous effects of tobacco
upon the functions of the nervous system and the action of the heart,
ai-e felt throughout every tissue of the body ; the blood moves slug-
gishly, and as it stagnates in delicate organs, foundation is laid for
every form of disease, while at the same time the poison of the drug
itself is diffused through every tissue of the living frame, beimml)-
ing and paralyizing all the powers of life. " Again, " Tobacco using
is a prolific cause of that fashi(mable disease, dyspepsia; and among
students and literary men, it is the most frequent cause of this ex-
ecrated and protean malady. The excellent and eminent Dr. Wood-
ward, so long the Superintendent of the Asylum for the insane at
Worcester, Mass., has left his testimony, "that tobacco produces
insanity. " He says, " I am fully confident that its influence upon
the ])rain and nervous system is hardly less than that of alcohol, and
if excessively used is equally injurious."
It has been noticed by every one who has endeavored to produce
an impression on moi-al subjects upon the mind of a tobacco-user,
that it has proved to be peculiarly insusceptialde to any motives or
arguments that might be adduced. Dr. Alcott has remarked that
" no class of men think more tardily than tobacco users."
Many Iniildings have been destroyed by fire from pipes and cigars.
Some twenty-five years since a barn was destroyed oil Snider Hill,
by the pipe of the owner. Perhaps twenty years ago a barn belong-
ing to Esq. Brusic, in the east part of tlie Town was burnt down
in consequence of a drunken man going in to stay, and endeavoring
to smoke, lost his life besides destroying considerable property.
The reader can attribute this to spirits or tobacco. It is not mater-
ial. Within the region of my personal knowledge, at least three
valuable dwelling-houses have been destroyed by this cause with-
in a few years. Fires from smoking are of frequent occurrence.
32
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
The i>;rcnt tire in North nnd Toarl streets, liostoii, Avas cansfd by a
cigar. A church in Chicago, which cost some thirty thousand <h)l-
lars was had in ashes in the same way.
Instances are known to the writer of those who have In-oken off
this liahit and never resumed it, and it has always resulted in an im-
provement of health. Dr. Kufus Ilolton, s(Hne sixty or uiorc' years
old, effectually cured himself, indicating to all wiio slioidd come
after him that it can he done. Jonas Owen ahandoned its use, and
the use of intoxicating drinks at the same time, and continues to
<riVe them a wide herth. These cases show that this practice can
be abandoned w4th safety.
I have said tobacco-using was an auxiliary to intemperance. I
will refer to a few authorities. Says that nol)le friend of temper-
ance, E. C. Delavan, " I have had my fears for the safety of the
temperance cause through the insidious intluencc of tobacco. It is
my conviction that while the use of tolmcco continues, intonperance
will continue to curse the world. " Dr. AVoodward lias remarked
that " tlie use of tobacco is the most ready and connnon stepping-
stone to that use of spirituous liquors whi('li leads to intemperance."
Dr. Rush has observed that "smoking and chewing dispose to tlie
use of the stronger stimidus of ardent spirits. " Having a good op-
portunity once to get the opinion of a celebrated pliysician. Dr. F.
Ilvde, I asked him for tlie merits of tobacco as a medicine. His
answer was in these words, " It is not necessary in the treatment of
any disease." The pecuniary cost of spirits and tobacco consumed
in tlie United States, of whic-h Virgil is a part, is innnense annually —
sufficient, it may be presumed, to pay our National del it in otic year,
or at all events, in an inci-cdibly short space of time.
Tliere are in our Village three octogenarijuis, or those whose
ages will average about eighty, in a distance of sixty rods, who do not
use the article referred to, who are able to manage the affairs of a
household, and are taking p:u-t in active life. Tlieir names are
Henry Vunk, Jonas Owen and Daniel Trice. There are others of
the same class in Town, as B. B. llub])ell, Barnabas Baker and John
Tyler, whose ages will average more than eighty, all in reasonable
health for men of their years. Doubtless there are others whom
we do not know well enougli to venture theii- names. Are there as
many who answer to this descrii)rion, wIk* in<lulge in this i)ractice ^
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 33
1 Min aware that two or three of my last letters may not have been
very captivating ; l>ut I tliought that if I evaded these points, I could
not claim to be an impartial historian ; hence their insertion in our
course.
NUMBER XVI.
I now proceed to name individuals who have either distinguished
themselves in Town, or have done honor to the place of their
nativity in other localities. The first name which I shall mention,
is tliat of Ge(^rge Frank, a son of John M. Frank, a soldier of the
Revolution, and the second settler of the Town. With great diffi-
culty and delay, he arrived in November, 1795, and settled on lot
No. 43, wliich he drew as bounty land, in consequence of his ser-
vices in the army. The subject of this notice was five or six years
of age on the arrival of the family at their new home in the wilder-
ness. All will agree that his circumstances for acquiring an educa-
tion were far from flattering. He liad no aid in his study of the
English language from liis parents, as they were unacquainted with
it, l)eingof German origin, and there l>eing no scliool in the vicinity
till 1798, some of his best scliool days must have passed without
opportunity. Notwithstanding all this, lie was found on arriving at
mature years, to have a respe(;tal)le common school education, which
fitted him. to fill some important offices in Town. He was Justice
of the Peace for several years. He was a good writer and a ver}^
acceptable reader. While the Congregational church was without a
minister, he was chosen to read sermons at their meetings on the
Sabl)ath, for some ten or more years, which duty he performed to
the satisfaction of all concerned. Having been associated with him
as a school officer for a year or two, I once asked him how he had
l)een able to make such attainments in education. His answer was
that he availed himself of such means as the place afforded, and
sometimes he visited the place of liis birth near the Mohawk, where
he u'ained fdl that lie could.
M
SUrrLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Here is ;in cxMinplo for thoso of nioaf^or opportunitios to imitntc.
IIo w:is nn cxcniplni-y citi/Aii and <lic'«l in a ujood oM ai^o, rovcrod
and lamented.
William Hunter, wliu^c hirtli occuitcmI in ISOl, \va> liroui^lil into
T(t\vn liy his parents, an infant, and had his r(\n-ini;' lici'c witli tlic
slend(^r advantaii^es of the times, and l;-i-c\v up a lover of (Mhication,
and was (pudiiled to teach on arri\in^' at 1 he propter a. i;-e. He chose
llic profession of medicine and jmrsuecl the proper studies, recitinijj
to Dr. Bronson, of this place. While occupied in his studies lie
taui;-lit our village school live winters in succession. His pactice
was in Jasper, Steuben Co., where he acquired the rej)utation of a
skillful physician. He was twice elc(^ted to the State Legislature.
He has gone to "that bourne whence no traveler returns. " His
two brothers, Charles and Hii-am, l)ecame somewhat distinguished.
Charles went to Jasper, studied medicdne with William, bec^amc a
physician, practiced in that vicinity a while, and died. Hiram en-
gaged in tlie study of the law, witli an attorney who spoke highly
of llic (•a])a<dty of his mind, and of his acquisitions. He was a
tcMchcr of considerable ability; but his health failing he abandoned
the law, and afterwards the business of teaching ; and after a lin-
ircrinir illness he died. All the means for mental imin-ovcment that
could be made availa])le were })ut in re(]uisition. Winter after
winter witnessed the formation of a lyceum oi- debating society,
where the great questions of pultlic interest were investigated, and
all the research that could be had was exercised, and the results
lirought out for the instruction and nnitual benefit of all. These
meetings ins])ired much interest. The comj)arati\c merits of I'xma-
])arte and Washington, as Generals, was set forth ; the respective
abilities of Hanni]»al and Caisar; the comp;u'ative Uenelits derived
from Dr. Fr;!id<lin and Cfdundms; from tiie art of printing and the
magnetic needle; the comparative damage sustained Ity our race
from tire and water — by slavei-y and intemperance, etc. Much tal-
ent and research were displayed in these discussions. They not
only elicited information, but inured those participating in them
for effective labor in those important causes soon to come before the
pco])le, such as temperance, etc. These debates were from A. D.,
1822 to 1S2(). Those enlisting in them were the Hunters, Woods,
Grows, Franks, Greens, Koes, Hydc^s, Edwards, Reynolds and
others not i-ecollected or too mmierous to mention.
SUPrLEMENTARY LETTERS. \
The iiri^t Tcraporanco Society was formed on tlie Fourth of Jnlj)^
1829, composed mostly of young men. It was soon followed hy an
efficient Female Temperance Society, which eml)race(l a noble band
of intelligent, decided and ardent friends of tlie temperance cause.
These societies mntnally aided and supported each other. The ad-
vocates of strong drink were mimerons and determined. But the
talent and argument were on tlie part of the advocates of the tem-
perance cause. After the first address, by Michael Frank, the
spetdvcrs were mostly from other places for a while, but it was soon
seen that need for addresses was so great and urgent tliat domestic
talent must be pat in requisition, and the needed men were found.
The effect was a general one. In many instances loads of friends
wonld be taken to distant school-houses, and one of tlie number
would give an address, and however few from tlie vi(nnity would
come in, we wei'e sure of an enthusiastic meeting, for we hacl the
material witli us. In tliis way the cause was advocated and pro-
moted in ^dl tlie school districts around, and we all liad frequent
opportunities to listen to oui" young men in support of tliis nol)le
cause.
The following are some (»f them: Rev. W. J. Bradford, Michael
Frank, Frederick Hyde, William E. Gee, P. F. Grow, and subse-
quently George Graham. Many who were not classed as public
speakers were very useful in supporting the speakers, and in individ-
ual influence among tlie people, and many opponents soon Ijecame
firm friends.
ANOTHER VOICE FROM VIRGIL.
HOW glad I am that there is su(;h a town as Virgil. How
gratifying it must he to you to know you live in a county
with such a remarkable town in it. I live in Virgil; l»ut when I
think of the wonderful events tliat have occurred here, I have to
hold my bi-eath. Wli}^ we have men here that know all about
"World-Making" — tliat calls everybody fools Imt just us. And
36 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
they can do lots of tliintjf^ tliat no otlicr one ever thouijlit of doing.
And are full of knowledge that no one wonld ever need. AVc have
some of the most ])rilliant si;]iolars and railroad proje(,-tors, and, in
fact, everytliing that is necessary to make a town great and glorions.
Jnst take in accunrnt the nnm])ei" of rats killed in one harn, and then
connt the l)arns in town and s\ippose they don't average any ]>etter
than that harn ; yon can see at a glance that it lias some notoriety
in regard to the production of rats. Mr. Editor, I nuist close, as I
have to make out other copies of this article to the other editors of
this county.
P. S. — As 1 luive a little more time my mind is so full 1 c^an't
stop here. Sup})ose each rat is worth ten cents ; from that income
alone — say nothing about butter and cheese — in a very short time
we could project and build a railroad from Messengerville west,
passing through Gridley Hollow and the village I live in, P^'roghud-
dle, Ilutchingville, and so on to Dryden, intersecting there with the
Southern Central.
Mr. Editor, it may seem strange to you that Dryden would ever
be let out into tlie world this way, but it looks reasonable to the
smartest of us. I hardly know how to sto]) without mentioning
some other things that are o('cnring in our town, but I must close,
and I will. Letter No. 1. N. B. — Please ])rint sor»n and oblige
the third voice from Virgil.
March 14th, 1874.
NTTM15ER XVII.
IT was my design to pass rather l^rietly over what ivmained of
my ]dan respecting our Town of Virgil ; b\it I find in your
issue of the 17th of March, a fresh illustration of a fact set fortli in
my third letter and alluded to in my eighth, as one reason why our
agricultural fairs were given u{). In the third letter it is said that
"a portion of our population, end)racing men of property and in-
fluence, have failed to harmonize with tlie efforts made for the pro-
motion of plans for the elevation of the Town in the scale of mor-
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. \
ality, cHhication or agrienltiire, cMnsing' tlio wheels of ])ro<j;i-ess to roll
heavily.''' And in the eighth number, it is said, speaking of some
of the reasons for giving up our agricniltural fairs, " that of a con-
stant current of opposition raised by certain individuals who kept
up a continual clamor against it, charging the administration with
favoritism, etc." The connnunication above alluded to is entitled
" Another Voice from Virgil, " written in a maimer to caricature
our Town and what has been -written to the credit of the same.
What has l)een written in this piece harmonizes in and with the
facts alluded to above, and shows that the energy and thrift of the
people have always had a strong undercurrent of opposition to meet
when any important enterprise or improvement was proposed.
It is in accordance with all nature that every good has its oppo-
site. Wheat has its smut. Corn has to contend with the cut-worm
and wire- worm. The apple tree has its borer and caterpillar ; the
plum its curculio ; the currant its bug, and so on endlessly, and
when any efforts are put forth for the diffusion of needed informa-
tion, it has its opposite ; hence, " Another Voice from Vii-gil. "
The name of the writer of these articles has been subscril»ed to
each, that the pul)lic may know where to look for the responsil)ility ;
and nuich care has been taken to gain assurance of all the facts in-
sorted, and to see that no representation should 1)0 overdrawn. The
writer is held in law and equity to answer for all the statements
here made. There can 1»e but one of two reasons for withholding
the writer's name from such 'a production as the one before alluded
to. The first is that he is ashamed of it. The other is that if his
name be given it will diminish from its effect.
I now pro(^eed to name sonic other indi\'iduals deserving special
notice : Carlo M. Woods, son of Dr. Hervey Woods, who died when
he was very young, leaving him a slender child to struggle with
poverty and the various difticulties incident to his c-ondition. He
was a studious and successful scholar, learned the trade of printing,
went to Illinois, set up a paper published in Quincy, which contin-
ued several years. He has since been Clerk of Adams county, and
afterwards Clerk of the Su})reme and District Courts of Quincy
District.
3y SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Jolin B. Benton spent most of his early life licre ; was a student
of medicine under Dr. Bronson, and lias practiced his pi-ofession in
Spencer, Tioga Co., with a good degree of eminence. George Gra-
ham also spent his early life here, evincing great taste for education,
soon became a teacher, ultimately removed to Kansas, where he has
filled several Legislative offices, and also that of State Treasurer.
II. M. Sheerar had his rearing and education here, hecame a teacher,
afterwards Town Superintendent of Common Schools, ultimately
removed to Wellsvillc, Alleghany county, N. Y., and is there prac-
ticing dentistry with success, and enjoys a large share of public con-
fidence, which is evinced by his being fi*equently chosen to fill im-
portant positions of honor and trust. Garret House spent most of
his childhood and youth, and made his acquisitions in education in
this To'\\Ti. He afterwards engaged in the manufacture of churtOi
organs, taking up the trade without an instructor, as he said to me
in words like the following, " I dug it out myself. " lie now has a
large estal)lishment for the manufacture of church organs in Buffalo,
and makes sales of the articile from Massachusetts to St. Louis.
Wesley Hooker, Esq., editor of the '•'■ Standard and Journal^'^''
published in Cortland village, resided with his brother. Culver
Ilookei", in Virgil, from the age of thirteen to twenty-one, and at-
tended school about three months each winter, where the most of
his acquisition in edu(;ation was made. He, however, attended the
Itluuia Academy a portion of two terms ; engaged two years as
teacher, when he. commenced hiltoring in the Ithaca Journal office.
Afterwards he was engaged in other printing offices as foreman,
pul)lisher or editor. He then returned to Ithaca, engaged in the
Jourmd office as foreman ten years, then editor and Inisiness mana-
ger ten years, six years of which time he was County Treasurer,
when he c^ame to Cortland nearly two years since, procured the
union of the two papers, the Standard and Jov^mal^ and has pub-
HsIumI the united paper successfully since, })r()curing large accessions
to the number of subscribers, materially enlai-ging the same, and
now issuing a paper equalled l)y f(>w in t;d(nit, mechanical execution
and infiuence.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 39
NUMBER XVIII.
I proceed witli tlie list of names of those meriting notice in this
connection.
Gideon Messenger was a step-son of Joseph Chaplin, the first
settler in Town. I have heard him say that he had ])een throngh
on tlie State Road, so called, from Chaplin's on the Tionglmioga, to
its termination, on the Caynga Lake in Milton, since Genoa and
now Lansing, when there was not a house on the road in the whole
distance. He was elected to the office of Supervisor of the Town
several successive years, when the numerical strength of the party
against him was greatest. Of course he had the confidence of his
constituents. He died a few years since at an advanced age.
Moses Rice was an early settler, and a man of reading and intel-
ligence. He was appointed Justice of the Peace and elected Sup-
ervisor in several successive years, and mostly while tliis Town was
a part of the county of Onondaga. He died long since in a 'good
old age. It is due to his memory to say. that in the discharge of
his duties as Justice of the Peace he was prompt, intelligent and
impartial.
We have with us, Sanford Bouton, long an acting Justice of the
Peace, performing the duties incident to tliat office with readiness
and impartiality, and was also Supervisor of the Town several years.
Hiram Bouton, born in this Town in 1799, long since a resident
in the adjoining town of Dryden, was a Justice of tlie Peace there
several years, and until recently, when age and infirmity admonislied
him to retire.
Nathaniel Bouton, Jr., was liorn and reared in tliis Town. He
early went to Marathon — was long since elected to the office of
Justice, whicli he has now held for fifteen years, more or less, and
has recently l)een elected President of the Corporation in the village
of MfW'fttlion. A few only of our distinguished townsmen can be
named in our list. The intention is to be impartial, and it is earn-
estly hoped that none will think the writer invidious. A few sep-
arate individuals will now be named in addition to those already
noticed.
"The writer was once in (conversation with Dr. Holbrook, pastor
of the Congregational Chur(rh in Homer, when the subject turned
4<l
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
njxm tliii^ Town, ;iii(l he reniarkod that in his ])rovi(ms pastorates,
the hest deacon lie ever had was from ViriiiL Witli me the ques-
tion WHS, wliat slioidd be his name ? His answer was, that it was
William C. Chamberlain. I liad known him as a well disposed boy,
\v\ih frank, open connthnanee, but this annonne('ment met me with
ii;ratitied surprise. He is a brother of N. Chamberlain, of Coi-tland.
We fouml in ilic Standard last winter, a euloi^istie notice of Dr.
J. Sheerar, of Vermont, and foruu'i'ly from Cortlnnd county, wilh
the remai"k thr'.t it was greatly to the credit of Cortlaml county to
have sent such a young man out to make his mark in the world. In
a later issue of the same paper is a laudatory noti(^e copied from
rlic AJha,ny Argus, of the same individual, stating for substance that
a solo tenor of celebrity, from New England, Dr* J. Sheerar, by name,
would make his dehut — would sing, etc. And in a subsequent issue
of the Argus, it is said, "Dr. J. Sheerar made a decided sensation
with -his fine tenor voice and refined and artistic manner." So New
England has the credit of this performance and Cortland county
had it previously. Suppose we trace back this distinguished person-
age a little, and we shtdl find his birth occurring and his childhood
and early youth spent on the banks of Cunningham creek, in Virgil,
a small unpretending stream in general, but sometimes rather noisy.
It has lieen announced that one of our townsmen had been a Mem-
ber of Congress. Several have been mend)ers of our State Legisla-
ture. The time was when Cortland county was entitled to two
Members (.)f Asseml)ly. This was the case in 1H25. The two pju"-
ties made nomination of two Mend)ers ea(-h. The paities were rep-
resented oil their tickets ea(;h by a Member from Prcbh' mid Virgil.
The parties were very nearly balanced. The result A\'as that those
cliM'ted wu-re both from Virgil. Their names were James Chatterton
and Josiah Hart. Since that time six Members have been elected from
Virgil. Their names were Nathan Hejiton, Timothy Green, Piatt
F. Grow, J. H. Knapp, Nathan Bouton and Dan C. S(juires. llufus
Edwards of this Town was appointed a Judge of the County Court,
and officiated till the office was abolished. In less than a year since
it was said that three of the most important ofHces in our coimty
were held liy men l)orn and reared in Virgil, as it is since its divis-
ion, to wit: Judge, Sheriff and District Attorney. When tlie First
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 41
National Bank was organized in Cortland, and its nine officers
elected, it was seen that four of that number were l)orn and reared
in the Township of Virgil.
NUMBEK XIX.
IN referring to the history of our Town brought out in connection
with the " Festive Gathering of the Early Settlers and Present
Inhal)itants of the Town of Virgil, " I find references to individuals
which I feel justified in reproducing for the present occasion. Wait
Ball settled in the Town in 1798 with a large family, and being a
man of respectal)le education and good al)ility, he soon became
known in Town and a])road, as one in a good degree distinguished.
He was soon appointed Justice of the Peace, the duties of which
office he was eminently qualified to fulfill, and continued to hold the
same sixteen years. He was also one of the Judges of the county
several years. He died at an advanced age in about tlie year 1837.
Joseph Reynolds settled in Town in 1808, and from small bisgin-
ninffs arose to the office of Justice of the Peace, which he held sev-
eral years ; was Member of Assembly in 1819, was County Judge,
Member of Congress and Brigadier General of Militia. He died
some years since at his residence, in Cortland.
Joseph Chaplin, son of tlie first settler of the Town, was distin-
guished in the locality where he resided as a man of intelligence and
integrity, was chosen a Justice of the Peace by the people, and a
Major in the Militia, and was generally and familiarly known as
" Major Chaplin. " He removed to the West some years since and
died.
It was stated in a former number that tliere was no heavy stream
of water passing centrally througli the Town, whicli might be ap-
plied in propelling mills and machinery. It must not be inferred
from this, however, that there have l)een no manufacturing estab-
lishments set up among us. There was a l)eginning made in the
I
4^ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Iwsincss of stono-ciitting nnd prcparinfr grave Btonos, mnii}' yoars
since, ])y Caleb Whiting, Jr., wliicli increased very much with tlie
years that passed, and many hands were employed and sales made
far and wade, and tliough commencing with common quarry stone,
it soon became an extensive manufactory of marble. Tliis business
has passed tln'ongh several liands, and for a few of the last years the
snperintendency lias devolved upon Charles Williams, and man}^ ex-'
quisitely wrouglit grave stones and monuments have been carried
fi-om his shop tc» Dryden, and to other places, and many liave been
set up in our own neat cemetery. Mr. Williams has recently moved
to Dryden, where he is employed in the same calling.
We have two extensive establishments for the manufacture of
wagons and carriages and sleighs, employing each a consideralde
numl)er of hands, and making sales over a wide extent of territory.
The names of the proprietors are respectively, E. Perkins and E.
Crain, each having a large l)uilding for the storing and exhibition
of wares. We have three churches in the Village, with sittings suf-
ficient for the acconnnodation of all the population i-csiding witliin
a convenient distance, and a minister for each. Also three stores
of sufficient capa(dty to supply tlie ordinary needs of the whole pop-
ulation, and shops (u)rresponding with tlie wants of the people. It
is not tlie iiitontion of the writer to represent all or any of the dis-
tinguished individuals of our Town, or those who have removed from
liere, as l)eing faultless, as saith tlu^ scripture, (" for tliere is no man
that sinneth not.")
Large num])ers of our citizens have arisen from small beirinnincrs
to the possession of ample estates, some of whom have left their na-
tive place, braved the rigors and hardships of a new countiy, and
in their age, may congratulate themselves with the possession of
abundant means to meet every temporal want, reflecting that the
ac(juisition lias 1)een made by honest industry and good economy,
without any lucky hits, verifying tlie saying tliat " the hand of the
diligent maketh rich and addotli no sorrow with it." I might men-
tion names, ])ut the difficulty would ])e to know where to leave off
safely, so I will not lieging the count. T am well assured that we
have poor pay -masters among us, but I feel justified in saying luu-e,
that I have lieen told by a merchant of great experience and inti-
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 43
mate acquaintjince with the sul)ject, tliat he finds a smaller percent-
age of loss in debts against men from this Town than any other
town with which he deals in his extensive business of farmer's sup-
plies.
NUMBER XX.
I proceed to cite a few facts which I might l)e excused from in-
serting, inasmuch as they have reference to parts of the orig-
inal Town, but now emln-aced in the towns of Harford and Lapeer.
In a former nunil)er reference is made to the name of Nathan Hea-
ton, as having been a Membei' of Assembly from our Town, which
was in 1841, and before the division. He was taken sick in his
term of service and returned home and died before the term closed.
He had been active in pul)lic matters, and was especially instru-
mental in establishing the cemetery in the present town of Harford.
I proceed to mention two other names, especially with a view of
bringing forward the efficacy and value of moral principle in pro-
moting the welfare of those exercising it. At the commencement
of the temperance interest, Frantds Morton was an inebriate, and
with his family in poverty and wretchedness. He became a sober
man, embraced religion and reared a family of respectability and
usefulness, and himself exhil>iting the appearance of great humility
and deep devotion.
Theodore E. Hart was first postmaster in that portion while it
was yet Virgil, and being an extravagant user of tobacco came total-
ly to al)stain, which is more to his credit than to be a banker in
Canandaigua. I derive these facts fi-ora Mrs. Heaton, now of Cort-
land village, a part of which is corroborated by my own knowledge.
Jesse Storrs, long an inhabitant of our Town, in that portion now
embraced in Lapeer, was a teacher of some eminence, had a small
property, engaged in rearing fruit trees on a very small scale, in-
(jreased considerably, ultimately sold out and removed to Painesville,
Ohio, continued the business, entered into a partnership, the title of
which is " Storrs, Harrison (fe Co. " They occupy much space in
44 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
the cnltivjition of tlieir trees, new, rare and l)eantif'ul ])l!\nts, slirnb-
l>ery, etc., and have issued a spring CHtulogue of plants, inchiding
roses, green-liouse and bedding plants, etc., a description of wliicli
fdls a pamphlet of sixty pages. T state these facts not to forestall
some writer who may be induced to write up these to^vns, but to set
forth the power of moral ])rinciple and persistent energy, when em-
ployed in enterprises eminently laudable and useful.
Andrew Brusie was intelligent and useful, — was a Justice of the
Peace several years — had a forge for manufacturing ii-on from frag-
ments, which he prose(aitcd several years ; and when any one wished
to speak highly of the quality of iron, he would say, " It is a good
Brfisie hwi. " He left tlie Town some years since. It is not known
that he is still living.
Randall Williams was an early inhabitant of tliis Town — received
rather of a limited education here. At the age of about eighteen
he went to Pike county, Pennsylvania ; engaged in canaling ; rose
to be section engineer on seven miles of canal, implying confidence
and aliility. Afterwards went to Janesville, Wis., and lias risen
to afiiuencc.
Roul»en Gridloy was a man of indomital)le enei'gy, and it was very
much through his instrumentality that the road through Gridley
Hollow, so called after him, was established and made fit for travel,
and is the principal thoro\iglifare fi'om Virgil to Marathon. He re-
moved with a large family to Michigan some years since, where
several of his sons have 1)ecome men of propei'ty aiid influence,
Jt)hn E. Roe settled \\vyo early in 179S. Ho was deficient in ed-
uc^ation, and in order to supplement the same, attended the common
scliool witli his children, where he made acquisitions sufficient to fit
him for tlie trfmsa,(^tion of any business arising in ordinary life, and
ac<iuitted liimself well in the office of deacon in the church of which
he was a meml)er. John E. Roe and Chailotte Roe Avere the par-
ents of five cliildren, who liveil to mature life. The eldest, Betsey
N. Roe, was reputed to be the first female child l)orn in the Town.
She grew up an intelligent, exemplary woman, early made profes-
sion of religion, adorning the same by a life devoted to its interests.
She removed to a westei-n state some years ago, and lias since died.
She was a woman whom any man might be happy to (^all sifiter.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 45
Cotomporary with her was Sally, daughter of Jonatlian and Lucinda
Edwards. She was also intelligent and made early profession of
religion, which she adorned with a pions and exemplary demeanor,
and died in early womanhood, deeply lamented.
S. M. Roe, John M. Roe, Erastus G. Roe and Philip T. Roe,
were the other children of John E. Roe, l)efore named. Their his-
tory was common in that they had only the advantages of the com-
mon school. All made profession of religion and became officers in
the respective churches where they became located, several of which
were weak and required much of their labor to sustain them. The
eldest S. M. Roe was deacon in the Congregational Church in Yir-
gil, his native place. Afterwards he removed" to Cortland, where
he engaged in the l^utter trade, involving also the purchase of
wool, pelts, eggs, etc., till his health failed, when this business
was given up. He has l)een elder in the Presbyterian Church there
seventeen years. John M. was a leading and efficient member and
officer in the Presbyterian Church in Marathon. He died nearly
two years since, much lamented. Erastus G. Roe made profession
of religion here — remained a few years, then left for Fulton (county,
HI., about thirty years since. He has acquitted himself well as a Jus-
tice of the Peace several years — was entrusted with much responsibil-
ity connected witli the war in caring for soldiers, securing their
rights, etc., and active in matters of religion.
Nelson C. Roe, son of S. M. Roe, before named, spent his child-
hood and youth here. He afterwards removed to the West, and
settled in Lyons, Iowa, At the commencement of the war his pa-
triotism moved him to raise a company of soldiers, of which he was
made captain, went into service, was with his company in sixteen
sanguinary ])attles, and though he had ah epaulette and sword-belt
shot off, he escaped imhurt.
NUNBER XXI.
I proceed to give some account of a few more names that deserve
a notice in this direction. Hananiah Wilcox and Benjamin
Harding, though natives of Cortlandville, yet as they received their
46 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
education lierc, wo feci justified in tlic allusion. Mr. Wilcox en-
giio-ed in school-teaching in this Town and in Dryden, for a few
terms — was an ardent friend and supporter of the temperance and
anti-slavery causes. He lived in Dryden during the last thirty or
more years, and was untiring in his devotion to these causes, as some
would sav, almost to a fault. He was a Justice of the Peace durintr
several of the last years of his life, and died a few months since.
Mr. Harding went to Kansas in a very early period of its settlement.
He was a mem])er of the Senate in the territorial Legislature which
was dispersed by an armed force by order of the Government.
Leonard Fostser left Town early in life, and settled in Cortland-
ville. He enjoyed the public confidence and was a reputalile mem-
ber and officer in the Presbyterian Church in that jdace. He re-
moved to a place in the western part of the State a few years since.
It was stated in a former num])er that a Post-Office was e8tal)lished
here in 1808. The business done in it was small for a long time.
The po}>ulation was sparse and postage high. The writer was pres-
ent on a time when the mail arrived, and when inquiry was made
of the postmaster, James Chatterton, Esq., l)y some one interested,
he answered that nothing came except one letter. The route then
was from Ithaca to Cortland, and frequently performed on foot. It
would seem to the present inhabitants to be quite a walk to go
through every day. I once met the mail engaged in this service
and asked him if he preferred to go on foot. His answer was that
if he had a horse he would ride in preferenc^e to going on foot.
Cheap postage, an increase of population, business and intelligence
have added much to the business of this departinent, and now we
have an office centrally located in a space of country of about six
miles in diamater, with 275 boxes and a mail every day — for a few
months past (tarried by a team of horses owned and drivtsn ])y Mr.
Julian C. Seamans, by whom also many passengers arc carried with
comfort and convenien(;e. There are also two other Post-Ofiices in
Town doing c^onsiderabh^ business.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 47
NUMBER XXII.
THE names of a few other men occnr to me that deserve to l)e
noticed, whose history is connected with the war.
Chnton D. Bonton entered early into the service of liis country.
He remained in the army till near its close, serving the Union cause
acceptably and with fidelity. On his return home he settled in
Dryden ; soon engaged in business, has been successful, and is
one of the leading mercliants in that village, and is the postmaster.
Daniel P. Griswold enlisted early, served faithfully, was in seven
sanguinary battles, among which were South Mountain, Antietam
and Gettysburg, where he received a severe wound in the leg, re-
mained a long time in the hospital, and was finally discharged. The
wound was incurable and amputation above the knee was resorted
to. He lives in Town an example of industry and thrift. A broth-
er of his entered the army and fell a sacrifice to his country's cause.
His name was Barzilia Griswold.
We will now notice a few civilians. Isaac B. Bloomer received
only the education furnished by this Town. He engaged early in
teaching, and was afterward elected Town Superintendent of Com-
mon Schools, which office lie filled several years, discharging its
duties acceptably.
Walter L. Chaplin derived his education from the means enjoyed
here. He taught a while, then entered upon the lalwrs and duties
of land surveyor, and now enjoys a good reputation in that depart-
ment.
The writer would be happy to set forth somewhat in detail a large
number of the pioneers of the Town who have lived and died here.
It must suffice, however, that a few of their names are mentioned.
These, with many others, encountered the rigors and hardships of a
settlement in the new country. Joseph Chaplin, John M. Frank,
John Gee, James Knapp, James Clark, John Shevalier, Robert
Ryan, John Snider, Enos Bouton, Joseph Bailey, Simeon Luce,
Oliver Ball, Abner Bruce, Ezra Bruce, William Lincoln, Eli John-
son, John Hill, Oliver Tyler, Silas Lincoln, Joshua Farnam, Jona-
than Edwards, John Calvert, Moses Olmstcad, Isaac Bloomer,
David Snider, William Snider, William Powers, and many others,
^^ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
who, having served their generation, have passed away in advanced
age, respected and hiniented.
In my next I liopo to 1)C' m1>1o to set forth' some of tlie Virgil men
livinij: in Cortbind.
A
NUMBER XXIII.
GKEEAIUjY to the intimation in my hist number, I proceed
to give some sketches of individuals living in Cortland who
emigrated from Virgil. As I j)ass into town I find for tlic first man
D. D. Crawford, long a resident of our Town, but recently removed
to Corthmd. His means for the acquisition of education were lim-
ited, lie commenced the business of active life with small advan-
tages, and, indeed, I think I have heard him say that he was scarce-
ly even with the world, but with the aid of his cfticient 'helpmeet,
attended with the divine blessing, he has accunmlated a handsome
property and sustains a good reputation. And I may as well pre-
mise that all those of whom I am now to write, commenced with
small means, and some were emphatically poor ; and it is especially
true of all that they had to pass througli Valley F(>rge on their way
to wealth and distinction. I use this phrase as happily descriptive
of the embarrassments and difiicultics in the way of each, as he has
progressed from his small beginnings to his present position of in-
fluence and respectability. If any are uninformed respecting the
origin and meaning of this term or phrase, let them sean^h it out and
ascertain for themselves its signification, when they will appreciate
its force in this connection.
Maitin Iaicc was elected a Justice of the Peace, and held the of-
fice during one term ; he was also chosen County Superintendent of
the Poor, whi(^h office he held several years, discharging its duties
acceptably.
The two Messrs. Holton are distinguished as mechanics of a high
order in their trade as carpenters and house-builders. Amasa and
Harrison Crivens are successful merc^liants, having made great ad-
vances on the small means with whicli tliey commenccnl, occupying
a splendid store and are doing an extensive Inisiness.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 49
H. J. Messenger had only the opportunities afforded by the com-
mon school. He and the others of whom I shall write derived all
their education from sueh facilities as this Town afforded, except in
cases that will be noted as we pass along. Mr. Messenger was
elected Justice of the Peace, serving the people ably and acceptably.
He was also chosen Supervisor, in 1853. He commenced the mer-
cantile business in East Yirgil, in 1839, in company with William
Gray, whom he bought out in 1840. He continued in that depart-
ment of business there, at Killaw^og,and at Canandaigua, till 1857,
when he went into banking with T. E. Hart, also formerly of Virgil.
In 1860 he returned to Cortland and established the Messenger
Bank, and he continued the same, doing a large amount of business
in the time, till his regretted failure a few years since. He was
principally instrumental in erecting several large brick blocks, thus
giving an impetus to the department of l)uilding in tlie village. He
is now employed as Keal Estate Agent, and in other responsible de-
partments of pul)lic business, implying a large share of public con-
fidence.
Alexander Mahan is nuicli younger than any other of those men-
tioned. His early prospects were not flattering. He engaged as an
aid in ])utter l)uying. He afterward entered upon the same business,
also embracing other articles of trade, such as wool, etc., on his own
account. Within a few years lie has been- employed as book-seller,
and has taken into partnership his brother-in-law, David F. Wallace.
Recently, like Al)raham and Lot, they have separated, and he has
erected a splendid store near the Episcopal Church, which he is oc-
cupying as a music store.
E. N. Johnson liegan as a clerk in a small store in East Virgil.
Pie afterwards entered upon business on his own account, in Homer.
He is now in Cortland doing a good business in merchandise, and is
reputed to be successful.
Luce & Silverman are photographers and artists, holding a high
position in that line. The first named is a native of our Town, and
passed through a great affliction in one of his limbs. It was feared
that he would not recover ; but it is extremely gratifying to know
that he has essentially recovered, and has attained an enviable posi-
tion in the employment in which he is engaged. He is yet young
and has the good wishes and liopes of all his friends for a long and
useful life.
50 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
NUMBER XXIV.
Icontimie in tliis miinl)or, the list of individuals deserving notice,
wlio (^!une from Virgil, now living, or who have lived in Cort-
land. Natlian Smith was long a resident in our Town. lie lived
in the eastern part, and in early manhood attached himself to a com-
pany of artillery then in active service, being in Town, and was pro-
moted to the office of Captain, and was very active in tluit position.
lie was afterwards elected Justice of the Peace, and later was chos-
en Supervisor, in wliich office his services were accreptahle. He was
ail influential leader in the religious interests in that portion of the
Town.
James S. Squires enjoyed but limited means for education in tlie
locality in which he was reared. He was moved with a strong de-
sire for greater opportunities, and as the best within his reach, he
resorted to the means presented l)y the " Virgil Literary Institute, "
lo(^ated at the Corners, since called tlie Village, hiring his l)oard by
cutting wood at twenty-two cents per cord, and doing it within the
term of school. He engaged in teaching in a back district where
his services were so a(^ceptable that the term was extended. He
tanglit in Town, and in Pennsylvania several terms. He at lengtli
entered npon the mercantile l)usiness, and endorsing for parties that
failed, his means were exhausted, and he was advised to make the
best terms practical )le with his creditors, settle up, and commence
again in some distant locality. He, however, declined this counsel,
on tlie principle that the place to find a thing is where it is lost, and
remained, determined to pay the full amount of the demands against
hini, if industry and e(ronomy would do it, whicli was accom})lislied
in a short time. This is an example eminently wortliy of imitation.
lie commenced again in the same department on a very small scale,
;uid was successful. He was elected Town Sujierintendent of Com-
mon Schools, discharging tlie duties of the office with fidelity and
success. He afterwards pni'sued the mer(;antile l)usiness in Cortland,
till witliin a few years, wlien lie retired from tliat department and
liecame President of the Bank of Cortland, whi(tli position he occu-
pied nearly five years. He has acquired a large property, of which
he has devoted a lil>eral portion to the erection of the Baptist Churcli
in Cortland, and to tlie thorough re])nirs put upon the Baptist
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 51
Clmrcli in Virgil during the past year. lie was very efficient and
influential in securing the location of the Normal School in Cort-
land.
Norman Chamberlain began life with small means, and these were
soon put in jeopardy by endorsing for others who failed, by which
he was severely straitened for several years'. He was also long af-
flicted with sickness in his family. Possessing the courtesy and af-
fability so well adapted to fit him for the position of clerk in a mer-
cantile establishment, he was employed in such capacity bj'- the
Messrs. Freer, in Cortland, in their extensive store for fanners' sup-
plies, etc. He has risen from that position to be a principal mem-
ber of a firm that owns an extensive store doing a very successful
business. He has been once elected Supervisor of Cortlandville,
where the party to which he belongs is greatly in the minority,
though it may be said that a local question was involved which
added to his party strength. He has been liberal in rendering aid
in the same particuha-s with Mr. Squires.
E. P. Slafter commenced business life like the others named, with
slender means. His first employment in active life was as a black-
smith, — he afterwards entered upon the mercantile department, and
being successful, his lousiness enlarged and somewliat changed. Be-
ing a ready accountant, lie was soon entrusted with extensive ac-
counts to collect and settle, and was a few years since the Cashier
of the National Bank in Cortland, which position he held several
years, discharging its duties with skill and fidelity. He has been
active in Sal)l)ath school matters ; has been President of the County
Sabbath School Association, and for the past year Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the State Sabl)ath School Association. He
has also been generous in the bestowraent of means for the erection
and repairing of the two churches before named. He is now in the
store with ChamT)erlain and others.
A. P. Smith, Judge and Surrogate of Cortland county, was a
native of Virgil. He had the educational facilities afforded by our
Town, and commenced to teach with the same. He afterwards at-
tended the Normal School in Albany, and graduated there. He
taught school again, a few terms, and entered upon the study of the
law, and was admitted to practice. He was soon elected District
Attorney, and later has been chosen County Judge, which office he
52 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
now holds. He is reputed to be a sound lawyer, and liis decisions
are seldom or never reversed. He hns wi'itten and pnldished a liis-
torAM^f the 76th Rei^imcnt of New York Volunteers, Avhieli required
much lahor and research, and is accounted authentic and reliable.
Irving W. Palmer comnsenced the practice of law a few years
since, and is well reputed in the same.
Ai-nold Staffoi'd was snccessful in the acqnisition of property, and
enjoyed a good share of public confidence, wliicli was evinc^ed by his
l)eino: chosen on the l)uilding connnittee of the M. E. Churcli in
Cortland; and a<;ting a prominent part in that connnittee. He die<l
very snddenly, about two years since.
C. P. Snider set up merchandise in Virgil, and was a conrteons, ac-
ceptable trader while he remained with ns. Since lie has lived in
Cortland he has l)een employed as merchant or clerk, and is a good
l)usiness man.
E. F. Willet was an intelligent and estimal)le citizen. He ae-
quinnl a good property, the main part of which lie left with his son,
and removed to Cortland. He was once chosen Supervisor of Vii--
^il, and was alsocaptain in the malitia. He died a few months since,
niucli i-espected and lamented.
NUMBER XXV.
AS stated in my last number, I had given Avhat I intended in
reference to individnals of our Town, and was pr(K',eeding
to (h-aw some practical reflections derived from the facts set forth
in the previous immbers. I have, however, come into possession of
a fact in the notice taken of Jesse* Storrs which I would have em-
ployed then if I conld have assured myself of its correctness, as I
would be very averse to making statements unsupported l)y good
authority. I greatly desired then to state the number of acres under
cultivatitm hj Storrs, Harrison & Co., in rearing trees, shrubs,
plants, vines, evergreens, etc. This leads me to look ])ack a little
to the origin of all, and see " how great a matter a little tire kind-
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 53
letli. " It was stated in our first notice that J. Storrs was a teacher
of some eminence. It was his practice for several winters to teach
in districts located from one and one-half to two and one-half miles
from his residence — board himself and do his own work — partly
from necessity and partly from the love of the employment and his
desire to advance the cause of education. As stated before he had
a partiality to fniit-growing, and engaged in the cultivation of apple
trees on a small scale, procuring his cions where he could in the re-
gion around, and having some whose worth had not been properly
tested, bearing names which would now provoke a smile, and indi-
cating the crude state of the profession or occupation of fruit culture.
The writer having an orcliard to replenish, dealt rather fi-eely with
him in the purchase of trees. His great care was to l^e able to as-
sure the bviyer that the trees sold would be true to the names given.
He brought forward and gave currency to some new varieties,
among which is the Munson Sweet, previously known by various
different names. Also tlie Hutchings apple, which S. D. Storrs
took to New England and gave it circulation tlirough the northern
and eastern New England States. Jesse Storrs took it to Painesvillej
Ohio, and gave it circulation in the northern and western United
States. Tlie pai-ent tree is still living within four miles of the resi-
dence of the writer. From tlie small beginning described the in-
terest has grown till we find him in Painesville, Ohio, the senior
partner in a firm that cultivates in the rearing of fruit trees, vines,
shrubs, flowering plants, evergreens, etc., the wide extent of four
hundred acres of land — a vast contrast fi-om teaching school two
miles from home and boarding himself, at perhaps, fifteen dollars
per month, or traveling and keeping accounts in the interests of a
marble shop ten miles from his family and home. If there is on
earth a more extensive nursery, the writer has failed to learn its
location. How many apple and pear trees would grow on four hun-
dred acres, with rows three feet apart, and eight inches in the row ?
How many hands would be required to cultivate such an area, keep
it from weeds, prune, shape and balance the trees as they are pro-
.gressing toward the time when they will be fit to transplant ? Wliat
a work to fill orders for the purchase of the products of such a nur-
sery, to be sent over the wide area supplied by the same ! Without
wisliing to invade the prerogative of some other waiter, as the sub-
54 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
jcct is open, T voTitnre to name nnother man, who, witli Mr. Storrs,
lived in Virgil till its division, in 1846, and employed in active ma-
ture life in the same.
D. C. Squires, an elder lirother of J. S. Squires, of Cortland,
claims Virgil as his birth-place. Here he acquired an education
with the limited opportunities enjoyed, which has enabled him to
discharge the many responsible duties with whi(Oi he has been
charged, \Aath signal ability and acceptance. It is said that in his
early youth his insatiate desire for learning led him to spend many
a night lying on the hearth-stone in tlie kitchen, studying ])y the
light of pine knots or candles, and then prosecuting the arduous
labors of the farm on the next day. The appreciative public; have
called on him to act in numerous offices and public trusts, among
which are the following: He has held the office of Justice
of the Peace twenty-eight years ; the office of Supervisor of the
Town fourteen years ; was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
six years ; was Superintendent of Schools several years, and Scliool
Commissioner one term ; was Justice of Sessions three years ; was
h Member of Assem])ly in 1805, and also in 1872. And in addition
to these several positions of honor and trust, has had constantly on
hand, in progress of settlement for the last ten years, the estates of
several deceased persons, implying a large share of public confidence
in his ability and integrity. He was also largely instrumental in
procuring the division of the Town, and in giving the name to the
present town of Lapeer, in which he lives. He was also a success-
ful teacher of common schools for several terms.
It would be a pleasure to proceed witli t]\c names of other indi-
viduals in Harford and Lapeer, such as the Taintors, Hemingways,
Grays, Hunts, etc., but for the reason liefore stated I shall forbear
to do so.
NUMBER XXVI.
I proceed to extend the list of those who live, or have lived in
oui' Town, to whom credit is due.
Alexander M(;Vean has lived in Town, and in the adjoining to^vn
of Freetown, alxmt sixty years. He is a man of good education and
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. " 55
information, for the means enjoyed ; has been a Justice of the
Peace about thirty years ; is now in tliat office, and elected for an-
other term ; has been postmaster in East Virgil for many years, and
has held other important offices ; is still vigorous at an advanced
age.
William Bell has been a Colonel in the Militia and a Justice of
the Peace two or more terms, and has held and acted in other im-
portant offices.
Kinne Grow was a man of respectable talent and ability. He
was a Colonel in the Malitia and a Justice of the Peace. He was
cut off by death about forty years since.
P. F, Grow, brother of Kinne Grow, was a man of more than
ordinary attainments and ability ; engaged somewhat in school-
teaching ; was a Justice of the Peace in the town of Richford, I
think ; returned, and was a partner in a store ; exerted much inffii-
ence in the Town ; served as member of the Legislature one term,
and acquitted himself there to the satisfaction of his constituents.
He, also, died several years since.
John Green was long a resident here. His opportunity for edu-
cation, like nearly all our men, was found only in the common
school. He commenced life with limited pecuniary means, but ad-
van(;ed steadily till he V^ecame tlie owner of a large farm on Luce
Hill, so called, now Lapeer, and has since exchanged and lived in
several places ; still careful not to get out of hearing of Virgil, and
now resides in Cortland. When he made the purchase of the farm
on Luce Hill, it was a problem with lookers-on whether he would
be able to meet the responsibilities. When the subject was up at a
certain time, Josiah Blodgett, of the vicinity, remarked, " that he
did not know ; John was a squirmy fellow. " By this expression
the writer understood liim to mean that he was a man of eminent
forecast and sagacity. It is needless to say that he passed through the
ordeal and owned the farm. He was Supervisor of the Town a year
or more, where he acquitted himself with al)ility and to the accept-
ance of the people. He has since engaged much in the purchase
and sale of cattle, a very useful employment, inasmuch as it relieves
the farmers of their surplus stock, and promotes life and interest in
trade of all kinds, and greatly facilitates the circulation of money,
thus inspiring hope and tln-ift tliroughout the community. He has
5g SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
1)onght and put npon tlio road to market, 1,750 lioad of cattle in
one season ; has liad the reputation of a fair dealer, and a man of
integrity. The writer was associated witli him in the settlement of
one estate, being executors of Dr. Green, his father, which was done
harmoniously and to tlie satisfaction of those interested.
Edmund Homer was tlic eldest of six children of a poor family,
whose father was essentially insane. He was thus at a very early
age, providentially cliarged with the care of a large family, with
but very scanty means. With the aid of his kind and intelligent
mother, with her labor, advice and encouragement, and with tlie
lielp of the younger children as they grew up, he was a1)le to save
tlie family from Bevere suffering, and ultimately to phute the whole in
comfortal)le circumstances. The times were hard, and the war of
1812-'15 was upon the (x)untry, yet, about that time they went
into the unbroken forest, three or four miles from the main settle-
ment, on a high hill, a mile east from the " Girdle Road," so called,
and erected a log cabin. They had a chance to clear land, fent^c it
and seed it down to good grass, and as a rennmeration to have as
many acres of forest. The question of subsistance while this pro-
cess was going on, would seem to be in order. The trees were felled,
made in heaps and burnt. The ashes were manufactured into salts,
which brought ready money. This solved the question of provisions,
at least in part. But there was industry and economy throughf>ut.
He took up the trad(^ of the carpenter, which brought in some
means, and soon the family were placed above want, and a large
farin embracing the spot where the first rude shelter was built, was
acquired, and he passed away some years since, much respected and
lamented, leaving a handsome property to his sucrcessors. His aged
mother has since come down to the grave, " like a shock of corn
fully ripe. "
Dr. H. Bronson. The ancestors of Di-. Bronson (^ame from Scot-
land, in the esirly part of the eighteenth centm-y, and settled in Con-
necticut. Sanuiel Bronson is recorded as liaving a son, Elisha, l)om
in 1718, the first probably born in this country. The same simple
names seem to be repeated over and over in the family record, without
the introduction of a second name, until we come to that of Horace
Bronson, who was l^orn in Catskill, N. Y., September 8th, 1796.
Here his father and grandfatlier were merchants. From here they
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. ^fj
removed to Vernon, Oneidu county, N. Y., when Horace was but
four or five years old, and were known as thrifty farmers. It is
said that he evinced. a fondness for reading natural history, and was
ready in common scliool studies, which was properly encouraged hy
his parents, who were competent to give liim the l>est of parental
discipline. He received his collegiate course in Hamilton College,
his father having l)een an early donor to tliat institution. We can-
not he certain with whom he pursued most of his private medical
studies. It was common for him to speak of Dr. Noyes as his
tea(;her in chemistry, and often did he refer to Dr. Hastings in con-
nection with his medical studies. After lie entered the medical col-
lege the time l)etween the lecture terms was mucli of it passed with
Prof. Hadley, leaving him less time to spend with a private prac-
titioner as preceptor. He attended fom* full courses of medical
lectures, receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District known as
Fairfield Medical College, in 1819, and some time in the next two
years, while on a visit to his former friend and acquaintance, Dr.
Lewis Riggs, then living in Homer, he was advised hy him to locate
in the Town of Virgil, which he did soon after, and connnenced the
practice of his profession, where he remained until the close of liis
life, January 30th, 1874. He was received into the Medical Society
of Cortland county in 1821. During the latter yeai's of liis life he
did not attend its meetings so frequently as formei'ly, but always re-
tained his interest in its prosperity, and never failed to urge upon the
new and younger meml)ors the importance of identifying themselves
witli its history. He came into Town as above hinted, in 1820, and
has remained here since, with the exception of a year or two, which
lie spent in Vernon, his native place. He was assiduous in his at-
tentions to calls in his profession, and never failed to attend on ac-
count of indigence in those who made their calls on him for medical
ai<l. He was very forbearing to those whom lie had aided, and lost
much in the delinquency of his patients. He was generjdly ac-
counted skillful and was very tenacious of what was termed the
" regular practice. " He was a good (dtizen and hospital >le to his
acquaintances and generous to the needy. He was a friend to the
cause of education, and very fond, especially of the science of Geol-
ogy, and collected a large amount of specimens of minerals. He
58 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
was H stroni:; fi-icnd of the toiiqx^rance and kimli-cd ri^foririatory
causes. He lias sustained a good reputation as a man of integrity
and honesty. Ho experienced the |)reinonitorv indications of liis
hist sickness several years previous to the time when it came. It
came in the s]iring and summer seasons of 1S73, -which terminated
his valualde life on January 30th, 1874.
John Tyler came into Town in ISOfi. He has lived here and in
the adjoining town of l^ryden since. ]Ie has always had the repu-
tation of unquestioned integrity. He has been a main pillar in the
Free Will Baptist Church, of which he has been long a prominent
member; and now, at'the advanced age of eighty-two is a principal
supporter of the interests of the Church, in Sab])ath-school and
prayer meeting devotions. He is remarkably healthy in appearance,
doubtless ownng in a good measure to his fidelity to temperance
pHnciples. It is hoped that his life may })e prolonged yet for years
to come.
Hart Edwards, son of Rufus and Harriet O. Edwards, was bom
about 184fi. He grew up a candid, thoughtful child, attentive to
the instruction of his parents and teachers, an assiduous scholar in
the Sabliath-school, and around whom the hopes and affections of
parents and friends clustered. In early youth, however, he began
to decline in health, and no relief being found, he soon passed away.
Near the time of his departure, having some funds at his disposal,
he ]>roposed to l^estow Hfty d<^llars to replenish tlie Sa})bath-school
library in liis native Town of Virgil. When about coming to this
con(dusion, he looked up to his mother, and asked, in cliildisli sim-
plicity — " Ma, do you think they will remember me if T do this ? "
We ansM'er, Yes, we will remember you, dear Hai-t.
John Frank was born in the autumn of 1797, consequently is now
more tlian eighty years of age. He was the tii-st child ])orn in Town,
who lived to grow u]). He was eminently familiar with the hard-
ships of tlie cMvly settlement of the new country. His op])ortunity
for gaining an education was like th;it of other youth <'>f the time,
but beini!; very studious he gained enough to make his acquisitions
respectable. Some fifty or more years since he commenced tlie
Study of medicine, being his own instructor. He commenced prac-
ticing in his ovm way, which, we believe, is called E(^lectic. He
soon removed to Owegq, where he has resided and practiced since.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 59
He has alwHys enjoyed excellent lienlth, and now, at his advanced
age presents a remarkal )ly fresh and vigorons appearance. He has
always sustained a reputation for unsnllied integrity. He made pro-
fession of religion in 1820, and attached himself to the Congrega-
tional Church in this place, and still holds connection with that of
the same name in Owego.
David R. Barton was born in this Town, and rose from a rather
obscure origin to be somewhat eminent in his occupation. After
rising to manhood he went to the county of Kockland, N. Y., and
failing to find employment that suited him, he returned and settled
in Rochester. There he came to be an effi(;ient aid in the cause of ed-
ucation, and engaged in building up and establishing an extensive
and celebrated edge-tool factory. He died a few years since, leav-
ing a very salutary influence to follow him.
William Woodward, with poor advantages, became a school teach-
er, and also a Justice of the Peace, in which ofiice he was true to
the temperance cause; was a good clerk and accountant, and died a
few years since, in Elmira.
In a previous number it was stated that the Presbyterian Church
in Town had received about three hundred members. Estimating
that all the other churches had received twice that number, the
whole amount would be nine .hundred gathered together. They
would constitute a rather large company. If to these are added
those whose l)rief biographies have been given, and admitting that
though not all these are experimental Christians, yet all in a measure
controlled b}^ the public sentiment created l^y the churches, the
question may well arise : Have the churches lived, labored, strug-
gled and prospered in vain 'i Is it not worth while still to labor
and strive for their success ?
NUMBER XXVII.
AFTER an interim of about tln*ee years, I resume the " Letters
from Virgil." It was thought that about enough of biog-
raphy had l)een written, but- on further reflection I have concluded
to give something additional. The flrst person of whom I will
^l) SUPPLE MENTARY LETTERS.
speak was a daughter of the writer. It might ho thought that deli-
cacy would forbid ; hut tlie excuse of relationship does not satisfy
those who desire to have it done;, so [ waive that consideration, and
will give a f(^w items in the history of Louisa Bouton, wlio died on
the 11th of March 1840, ag(ul twenty-one years. She manifested
very early an ardent desire for education, and liaving a very sus-
ceptible mind, lier advancement was very rapid. Her opportunities
for acquisition were rather limited, tliough tliey were the l>est that
tli(^ faniily could afford, and slie had tlie great privilege, fis she
esteemed it, of attending the academy at Homer during one term.
Aside from tliis, lier opportunities were only snch as were afforded
by the S(Ou>ols of her native Town. She commenc^.d teaching in
disti'ict schools when very young, and continued tlms employed, witli
some interruptions, till she was taken with her last sickness in De-
cember, 1845. She was very partial to the study of astronomy, and
would frequently observe and adinire the appearance and relation
of the heavenly Iwdies, considering them as setting forth and pro-
claiming the power, wisdom, skill, and goodness of the Great Archi-
tect. She was early tlie subject of religious impressions, and made
a public profession of religion, uniting witli tlie churcli in which slie
WM.s I'eared in tlie 16th year of her age. She was very mu(;h esteemed
for her services in the churcli, Sabhath-school, etc., and was efficient
in her labors for the promotion of the cause of temperance and
kindred benevolent enterprises. She was iilial, kind, and loving in
hor associations, and benevolent to all. She died in ]icace, gi'catly
lamented. The funei-al was attended by Hev. H. R. Dunham, of
Cortland, of cherished memory in the church, who preached a ser-
mon of tenderness and love from those expressive words, "Jesus
wept."
Aima Sheerar, the daughter of John and Susanna Sheerar, Avas
born about the year 1843. She grew up a kin<l, sprightly, loving
girl, fond of books and rending, :m attentive, diligent scholar in
the coimnon school and the Sabbnth-school, Mud connnenced early
as teacher in the former. She Avas an acccptjible and successful
teacher, and discharg(vl the duties of the profession Avith g^eat
fidelity nnd zenl. Owing to her arduous labors ^md exposures^in
this ctdling, her lu^alth failed and she was for a time an invalid.
She, hoAvever, recovered essentially, an<l was nnirried to a Mr. Be-
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. gl
mail, and settled in PemisylvHnia, where she lived eininently beloved
for a few years, and then died very buddenly, to the ijreat grief of
her surviving parents, friends, anil acquaintances generally. She
had made profession of religion some j'ears previous to her death, a
profession wdiich she adorned witli a godly life and mudi activity
in the service of her Divine Master.
Mary C. Leach, the daughter of Amos E. and Rebecica Leech,
was born a1)out the year 1845. Her adyantages iov education were
only equal to those enjoyed by the average child of our town. She
was studious, and gained such proliciency that at an early age she
engaged in teachingif with acceptance. She attended with her
school on the annual Town convention of schools held in some cen-
tral and commodious place, where the teachers were not onlj- ex-
pected to make a display with their scliolars, hut to present some
important exendses on their own account. On one such occasion
the writer was present. When the turn of Miss Leec'h (;ame, she
concentrated what she had to say on the Power of a Word, its influ-
ence for good or evil extending to the end of time. Wlien once
spoken it could not be recalled. How unspeakably important, then,
that no word be uttered except wisely and appropriately. She pro-
ceeded with (^ther and like inferences, in a manner which made the
exercise very impressive. She was the subject of religious impres-
sions in early life, which resulted in a Christian profession and her
uniting with the Congregational cluirch, as did the other two young
ladies whose l)iographies are set forth in this connnunication. Slie
was exposed to the hardships of the teacher, and was feeble for
several years in consequen(;e of the same. She afterwards married
a young man whose name was Dorward. Her health was neyer
fully restored, and after lingering some few years, looking to her
Saviour for support, she died al)out two years since in the triumph
of the Chi-istian faitli.
Thus died three shining lights in tlie same small church, within a
few years, in youth, with the hopes of their associates resting upon
them for great usefulness in the promotion of tlie interests of the
Redeemer's kingdom in the woi-ld.
One object in grouping together these three biogra]>hies is to set
forth in one view tlie evils resulting from the practice that then
(^52 SUPl'LEMKNTARY LKTTKUS.
nhiumoi] of f(Mnak' teachers " Ix^firding round," as every one of tliese
i^irls contracted the disease of wliidi she died from exposures inci-
dent to this practice. It was generally made a condition in the
contract in tnk-inii: a school for the winter, that the teacher should
he (tarried to the school-ljonse in stormy weather and had traA^eling;
hut it was often dithcult to secure the })erformance of tlie contract.
Hence the lamontahle consequence in the si(;kness and death of the
teacher, as in the cases herein stated.
De Ette Chamherlain was alxmt the age of Anna Slieerar, and
the intimacy Ivetween them was very strong. She was an acccpt-
al>l(^ school teacher, and died a short time after tlu^ death of her
friend Anna. She made early profession of religion. So it may
he said that they were lovely and pleasant in tlicir livens, and in tlicir
denths they wei-e not. far separated.
NUMBEli XXVTIT.
I will give another hiographical sketch or two, which I tiiink
will he found io contain something of interest.
S. 1). Storrs was the son of Deacon Jesse Stori-s, of Virgil, and
grew u]) with tlu^ ordinary opportunities of con)mon school edu(%'V-
tion. ( )n arriving at majority, he felt desirous of greater educa-
ti<mal ]n-ivileges, and entered a school called the Virgil Literary
lustitute, in the same Town, whose design was to give to connnon
S(Oiool teachers an o])portunity to l)ecoiMc hotter versed in the
lir;mches taught in tlic common schools ; ;ind, generally, to afford to
those who wislu^l ;i chance for improvement. There he engaged
earnestly in tlu^ studies pursued, and, at the n])]iroach of winter, en-
gaged in teaching a connnon scliool in the Town. The time had
now come to determine <m his vo(^ati(m for life. lie opened his
mind to his teacher, manifesting his. desire to attain a thorough
education, hut felt the scantiness of his means. Tlie answer of the
teacher was, that he (M)nld say that in his youth he had himself the
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. g3
same desire, but whs held back by the same reason, lie now wished
that he had exerted hhnself and gained an education. This answer
decided him to proceed and engage in tlie struggle. He taught
school, cultivated fruit-trees, and employed himself in winters and
in vacations, thus gaining means to defray his expenses at the Acad-
emy at Homer. There, his circumstances being known, he was
aided by occasional loans by Jedediah Barber, Dr. Bradford and per-
haps others. Though offered aid by benevolent societies, he uni-
formly declined the same during the whole course of his study, that
he might l)e free to pursue the calling that seemed l)e8t to him when
he should leave school. He entered college in New England, where
he supported himself in part by the cultivation of a nui-sery of fruit-
trees, and took a thorough course in the college and in the Theo-
logical Seminary. To be prepared for usefulness in life was the one
object which he had in mind, and since entering the ministry he has
found use for his mental and physical powers, and has never regret-
ted the years spent in study. During the three years spent in the
Seminary, tlie troubles in Kansas connnenced, and, with tlu-ee of his
classmates, he chose that state as the held for lal)or in the mission
work. In pursuance of his design, he went thithei', arriving in Oct.,
1857, and, witli the exception of two years with the Congregational
(murch in Atchison, after they became self-sustaining, and one year
in Soutli- Western Iowa, he has been wholly engaged in mission
work in that State. Since the 15th of January^ 1872, he has been
Superintendent of Missions in Kansas, under the care of the Ameri-
can Home Missionary Society, and has 130 churches under his care.
During the year 1875, he traveled about 25,000 miles in the dis-
cliarge of the duties involved. He has been in the ministry nearly
twenty years, and is about tifty-seven years of age. It is to be
hoped that his usefulness may ])e long continued.
One object of the writer of these letters is to give encouragement
to young men in enterprise and thrift ; and in looking over the Town,
his mind has seemed to settle, for a specimen, on our young merch-
ant, W. A. Holton. He was born and raised in this Town, with no
remarkable advantages for education. His father died while he was
yet young, consequently the care of his rearing and education rested
on his inother. He was inclined to study, and made su(r]i acquisi-
(54 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
tions that he tMuji-ht six terms in school with acceptMnce. He was,
however, partial to the mercantile profession, and went into partner-
ship with a merchant in the place, Mr. A. H. Peckham, and (con-
tinued witli him thre^ 3'ears, when they separated. The writer met
him afterwards on the road, when he said it was in his* mind to
bnild a store on the. ground vacated, or soon U) ])e so, which B. J.
Jones had ownipied. He wished t-o put up a building that would be
an lionor to the place and convenient and commodious for the pur-
pose designed. He said it would take all liis means to huihl the
store, and that he should have to take credit to supply the same
with goods. He proceeded, and built an elegant store-house and
tilled it with goods, has had a fair portion of th'e To^\^l trade, sus-
tains the reputation of a fair dealer, and is likely, so far as we can
see, to be al)le to cancel his indebtedness in the near future. He
has been honored by the people of the Town witli tlie offices of
Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace. He is about thirty years of
age.
James H. Slndts, son of David Shults, was also reared in this
Town. He grew up with the ordinary facilities for acquiring an
education. He became desirous of making acquisitions in educa-
tif>n, and progressed so well that lie graduated at the Normal Sc^hool,
and ultimately was placed in the same institution as a Professor,
wliich position he occupied for a year or two, wJien he was induced
to resign his place,*with a view to accept a call to the princtipalship
and chair of Latin and Greek in the Cleveland (Ohio) High School,
at a salary of $2,000, and will leave very sooii to take u}) his resi-
dence in that city. This resignation of his position in the Cortland
Normal Scliool is much regretted.
Though it may be thought that the list of eminent individuals,
named in previous numbers, as former or present residents of our
ToAvn, has been rather exhaustive, vet there are those remaininir
that I would have noticed but for want of space. Among these is
Dr. Miller, of East Virgil, the lecturer on pliysiology, and the ven-
era]>le N. li. J>ocke, formerly our Postmaster, and father of Nasby,
the editor of tlie Toledo Bhole.
SUPPLJiMENTARY LETTERS. (J5
NUMBER XXIX.
WHAT I have written of distinguislied personages of our
Town, closes what I had designed to say on that sub-
ject — not that the list could not be extended, but it has not been
my intention to exhaust the subject, but to leave something to be
said by others.
The question now arises, Why should Virgil and other rural dis-
tricts produce a greater number of eminent individuals in propor-
tion to the population than cities and large villages ? No one who
has given much thought to this question will doubt the fact implied.
If you, or any one, should go to Syracuse and trace to their origin,
the distinguished men there, it will be found that a large percentage
of the same have come from Pompey ; and the like will be the result
of any investigation that shall be made from New York, Philadel-
pliia, Washington and all the large cities and villages in our country.
Why is this ? Do not the cities and villages furnish greater facili-
ties to the youtli to become eminent than the rural towns and dis-
tricts ? Certainly. Tlie question then returns — What makes the
difference ? A short incident said to have occurred in some of the
past ages will illustrate tliis point, and lead to a true solution. It
is said that a certain king liad a wise counselor whose services he
highly valued, and felt that his aid in the government was indispen-
sable. This counsellor asked of the king permission to be absent a
year or two. The king remonstrated. The minister answered, he
had a son who had arrived at an age that required that he should
give him the learning and instruction indispensable to his usefulness
and respectability in future life ; and he wanted the time asked for
to give him the learning and discipline so necessary for him. The
king said, Go ! but take my son along that he may share the same
opportunity. At the time appointed, the wise man returned with
the lads, and presented tliem to the king. The king proceeded to
examine the two young men, when he found that his own son was
greatly inferior in acquisitions to the son of the councelor. He
inquired for the cause. The councelor answered that they had
shared, equally, in his instructions ; but he said that while his own
son had improved Ids opportunities, sensible that he must depend
upon his own efforts foi- success and advancement in life, he (iould
i\{\ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Tint conceal from tlio son of tli(> kintj, the fact that the people
would be dependent on him, instead of liis hein<; depi-ndent on
tlie people, for sn(;(^ess and distinction in life. The ciiildren and
yonth in cities and villages fail, in a majority of cases to appreciate
their privile^jjes, and allow those from the nn-al districts to outstrip
them in the race for advancement and distinction. Tliey are de-
ceived and flattered l»y tlieir position, shirk their lessons and ex-
aminations held to test their progress, and leave school greatly in
the rear of those with fewer facilities; and find, when too late, tlieir
irretrievable loss. Here is another illustration of a remark in a
preceding nmn])er, " that the merit of success is in proportion to
obstacles ()vercome."
NUMBER XXX.
Jsliall not, in this number, enlarge on the list of individuals from
this Town deserving to be noticed with credit, thougli I might
do so wnthout exhausting the subject, but proceed to inquire for the
mfun cause why we have so enviable a i-ecord to present. Allusion
has been made to scmie fat^ts connected hei-e ; but the main one has
not been presented. All the advance wlii(;h our race has made in
intelligence and morals is traceable to the influence of the Gospel
or the Christian religion.
• Would any one presume to say that without this instrumentality
numerous individuals would rise above the mass, and make such a
showing in the world i It is the ehureh and tlu^ s.efwol -house to
whi(rh we nmst refer when searching for tliese eminent and desir-
able results.
A young friend of the writer returned from a series of services
which he had rendered in the (construction of the railroad connect-
ing the two (KH'ans at the fsthmus of Darien, laboring on depots
and bridges; and stated, in the a(H;ount of the }K'<>ple in that local-
ity, that they had no meetings or schools and were very much de-
based. So it would l)e in any locality witiiout the means alluded
to. This is not said ostentatiously, as tlumgh I would represent tli
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 67
religious or scientitic privileges here ever were renuirkHble. Far
from it. The conimencenient was made amid great disadvantages,
and the progress has been with weakness, difficulty and sacrifice.
Very few Sabbaths have passed since 1802, when religions services
were not held. Rev. Setli Williston was early on the ground to
watch for the spiritual interests of the sparse population. He was
here in 1802, and called together those who were favorable to the
interests of religion, and proposed to them the question, whether
they would choose to have religious services on the Sabbath, and
whether they would endeavor to sustain them. He was a mission-
ary, and could not be present very frequently. He must see to
matters of the kind in other places, as Homer, Dryden, Lisle,
etc. The people responded to the suggestion, and agreed tf> assem-
ble on the Sabbath and hold services, having obtained the consent
of James Wood, (jf Dryden, and Prince Freeman of this Town, to
])e present and offer prayer, and James Glenny to read sermons.
The few who attended gathered from an area of some eight to ten
miles. They heard and united witli the prayers of those devoted
men, listened to the reading of the sermons, and were edified, and
united in singing the praises of God, led l)y that practiced and able
singei-, Moses Rice, Esq. Tlie interest became such that Mr. Wil-
liston considered the time to have come to unfurl the standard of
the Cross, and he proceeded to o)-ganize a church of eight meml^ers,
tliree of whom lived in Dryden, four to five miles distant from the
place of meeting. This was done on the 28th of February, 1805,
styled the First Congregational church in Yirgil. The church was
without stated preaching several years. They felt severely their
destitute condition, which will be seen by the following vote, passed
December, 1806 : " That the church will see to the satisfying of
Rev. W. Darrow, for two Sabbaths' service a year, at five dollars a
Sabbath, to attend on Sacramental occasions, and also to take the
oversight of the church for the present."
The following are the names of some of the early fathers who
have long since gone to their rest : Silas Lincoln, Jonathan Ed-
wards, Jotham and Benjamin Glazier, Benjamin Cleaveland, John
E. Roe, Eli Pickit, Simeon Lu(;e, Jeptha Branch and Thomas Luce.
Some of the m(jthers in Israel were Charlotte Roe, Lucinda Ed-
wards, Hannah Sheldon, He])lizibah Osborn, Lydia Glazier and
rt8
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Pnidenee Brmton. The clmreh Btnif^i^jled on tliroiigh various diiticnl-
ties, with preaching part of the time, meeting in various })hices
where they coukl, after the "Center School-house" was Imrnt in
1818, till the present meeting-house could be used for that purpose.
This was put up in 1821. It was two or three years before it was
enclosed and made comfortable, and it was not seated till 1831.
Its location, near the old burying-ground, was found inconvenient,
and it was removed to its present site in 1834. About 300 mem-
bers have been added to 'the (;hurch, the greatest sluire of whom
have passed away or removed, so that its numl)er of resident mem-
bers is less than thirty. In 1871, tliorough repairs were put upon
the church edifice. It is now respectable in appearance, and is very
comforta])le and convenient. The ministers who have preached
stat(Mlly in the cliurch are Rev. Messrs. Wallace, Hitchcock, Dun-
ning, Robertson, Bradford, Bliss, Chaffee, Headley, Walcott,
Tliaclier, Bonson, Bates, Otis, Kinney, Burgess, Marshall, Ray-
mond, Ilmnphreys and Knieskern.
NUMBER XXXI.
I now proceed to give some facts in the history of other clnn'ches
in our Town. A Baptist clnn-ch was constituted in August,
1807. They held meetings in private houses, school-houses, barns,
etc., and liad preaching from Elders Wliipple, Bennet, of Homer,
Peter and William Powers and Robinson, till about 1826 or '27,
wlien it was disl>anded, and re-organized June 23, 1830. In 1831
they liuilt a very respectalde churcli edifice. Tlie progress of the
clun-ch wsis witli much lal>or and sacrifice, and in several periods the
prospects were dark ; l>ut the church lias continued with varied
scenes of adversity and prosperity till the present time ; and during
the last year, the chur(rh edifice has been so tlu»roughly repaired as
to l)e as good as new, and was dedicated in Fel>ruary last. It pre-
sents an imposing appearsince to tlie traveler approaching from tlie
north or east, and its internal structiu'e corresjxmds with its outward
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. - (jtj
Hppearaiice. The clmrcli luus the Lihors of its resident uiinister,
Elder Philli])s, witli a good attendance, and appearances are en-
(^onraging. The early fathers and mothers in the (thnrch were ear-
nest and persevering. They assembled from Sal)bath to Sal)l>ath,
and heard preaching, when they could have it, and otlierwise, tlie
time of service was improved in devotional exercises of prayer, sing-
ing and conference. Tlie writer remembei-s the singing with much
interest, when sucli of their mnnber as Peter Powers and Jesse
Jolmson and their wives woidd engage in^inging psalms and hymns
in snch tunes as M(^ar, Old Hundre<l, Windliam and Coroiuition,
with their honest faces directed upward with earnest devotion, while
they dwelt with em])hasis on the Lmg notes peculiar to sucli tunes.
Some of the fathers were Sanmel Kingman, living where R()])ert .
Purvis now resides in Harfoj'd, and Prince Freeman, living where
his son Elijali now lives, on Lu(;e Hill, who were the deacons. Rob-
ert Ryan, living on the State road, John Snyder, on Snydei- Hill,
Moses Olmsted and Nathan Foster, about a mile westerly from the
Corners, and Juba Smith and others in diiferent directions around.
The Sabbath was sure to find them gathered from their distant
homes to s<jme ]>lace agreed upon, where they woidd hold their
services and impart to each other words of enciouragement, admoni-
tion and consolation. All these, having served their generation,
have long since gone to their i-est, yet their names have left a savor
l)ehind whicli will i-emain with the present generation so long-as an}^
shall live to retain a rememlu-ance of them.
The ministers preaching statedly since its re-organization have
been Elders Andrews, Robinson, Clark, Ainsworth, Cole, Jones,
Lyon, l)e Witt, Mann, Stai-k, Crosson, and perhaps others. Two
of the ancient mem came to their death \ciy suddenly, each by the
fall of a tree, — Deacon Kingnum, in the early part of 1816, and
Elder Rolunson, jd)out foi'ty 3'ears siiu^e. It is estimated that tlieir
present number is about /r/y/?/.
The Methodists held meetings frequently, and had preaching from
Rev. G. W. Densmore and others, previous to 1830. In that year
there was much religio'us interest among them, and numy were ad-
ded to their numlter. In 1881, their present church edifice was
built. Previous to 1830, they held meetings at Mr. Hannah's and
at Wm. Keeclfs. Afterwards, their meetings were at Esq. West's,
70
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
and at Thoniat> Mott's. The numerous meetings lield in i8a(»
were had in the Presljyterian clmrch, then standing near the old
burying-ground, and in school-houses. Some of tlie fathers in the
ehurch were Hannahs, Palmontere, West, Baker, and Mott. Some
principal leading men since have borne the name of Hutchings,
Mott, Bloomer, and others. This church has also shared in the
ehans-es and trials incident to the commencement and growth of a
clmrch. Its present condition may be said to be rather prosperous.
It is more numerous than either of the other churches, though we
cannot state its mimbers. The preachers lalioring with them since
1830 have been Rev. Messrs. Mason, Wood, Bronson, Harris, Mineir,
Worthing, Hamilton, Porter, McDowell, Fox, Wire, Mynard, Hew-
itt, Torrv, Ercanl)rack, Hyde, House, Hinman, Bunnell, Luce, and
Steele.
A Free Baptist cluu-ch, in the west part of the Town, was organ-
ized in 1822, with six members. They held meetings in "Ball's
School-house," so-called, till they l)uilt their present meeting-house,
often called tlie "West Meeting-house," in 1838. Its preachers
have been Elders Daniels, Hills, Darling, Gardner, Dodge, Moul-
ton, Krum, Crandall, Gritlitlis, Russell, Davis, and doubtless some
others. Some of the leading men and fathers have been Oliver
Tyler, John Hill, Amos Daniels, all of wliom liave passed away,
but are remembered witli affection by their survivors in the cluu-ch,
and in the community. With our present means, we shall be unable
to state the number of members.
A small church of Cctngregationalists was formed in the east part
of the Town, in 1830, by Rev. Eleazar Luce. It was ministered to
by Rev. Messrs. Luce, Axtell, Cliaffce, and others. In 1837, it had
thirty-one meml)ers. It has since been dissolved, and the members
have joined other churches. The Methodists have also long had a
branch of their churc^h in East Virgil, and have had preacliing there
a portion of the time by the same who ministered at the village.
There have been seasons of refreshing fi-om the presence of the
Lord, in whicli all the (churches have partici])ated. The years 1813,
1820, 1830, '31 and '32 were characterized *as such. In 1831, the
Baptist and Methodist clnn-ches were built, and the Presl)yterian
church was seated.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 71
NUMBER XXXII.
EFORE I proceed farther, I will say that a few names more
should have been mentioned in the list of Methodist minis-
ters preaching here since 1858. The names to be added are Barnes,
Rowland, and two tlifferent men by the name of Brown.
We liave now come to a cliapter of inferences. The efficient in-
strumentalities have been set forth. To the dmreh and the primary
school, we owe the enviable showing we have been enabled to make,
of distinguished individuals reared in our Town, and are not through
yet, as there are numerous others that deserve notice equally with
those referred to lieretofore, which will occupy our next number,
notwithstanding the encouragement derived from wliat has been
written al)Out closing u]) that department.
In looking over tlie hasty sketch of the churches given in the last
number, and of tlie schools in previous numbers, it will l»e apparent
to every considerate nund, that the progress of each of these depart-
ments has been with nmcli difficidty, weakness and embarrassment;
yet the motto has been throughout, "faint," yet, by the help of God,
"pin'suing,'" It has often i)een clear, in our religious history, that
"man's necessity has been God's opportunity." " Wlien l»rought
low, God has helped us." And though it has often been prophe-
sied that one and another of the churches m/ast disband, they yet
remain. All have ever been mu(;h weakened by emigration. Many
have left, assUrinp- tliemselves that thev would thus better their con-
dition, and othere liave l>een pei-suaded away, frequently to their
hurt, though it may be acknowledged that there has not been room
for the expansion desired. Yet if a place is sold, there must, of
necessity, be a buyer ; and the changes have been mostly to the
disadvantage of the moral interests of the Town. It has been said
that our ciiurches are nurseries to churches in more populous places ;
and, indeed, it has been remarked that those churches depend largely
upon the rural churclies to supply their waste, by deatli, removals,
and apostasy. In connection with tlieir own lal)ors, and the aid
thus received from the rm-al churches, those in villages can live and
prosper ; l)ut what of the feeble churches, constantly exposed to
tliis process of exhaustion \ Is it not a in utnrtl interest that is to Ije
72 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
sustained ? I? not the ('anse a common one? What if the "fecl)le
(•hurehes," so called, he suffered to lan^,nish and dies' When tlic
streams are ent off fi-om a river, what l)e('oraes of the river ?
There is another view of the general snhjeet tlmt is painful, which
is tliis — that our youth go out of Town to procure their education.
It will be noticed that those wlu* have signalize^ themselves hy their
fd)ility and success, have derived their education from tlie slender
means enjoyed here. Before it was the practice to attend foreign
schools, or those out of Town, the youth availed themselves of the
means in tlieir reach, and turned every opportunity to tlie best ac-
count. It may ^Jmost be said that they were "self-taught.'" Tliere
was a time when no opportunity was enjoyed— /;? school or out of
school — to gain any systematic instruction in writing compositions.
In tliese circumstances, some among our most intelligent and aspir-
ing young people conceived tlie idea of having a Commonplace-
book, to be circulated, in which compositions should be WTitten by
those who would undertake to do so. It is impossible to say how
jimch this device had to do with the suc(;ess of the several able ed-
itors of newspapers, that have arisen in our Town, and had no means
of making their accpiisitions, except such as could be had inside of
old Virgil.
The great advantage enjoyed l>y tlie yoiitli here tifty years since,
over the present generation, was that they were associated together
in making their attainments, wliereas our present youth are eff(?ctu-
;dly dis-sociated. Formerly they were mutu^d aids and stimulants
to each other ; )wiv they are separated, attending different schools,
jmd return to s]>end tlieir vacations at diffei-ent times, so that they
scarcely retain a knowledge of each other, and the motive and the
means for mutual improvement are wanting.
Something is done by institutes and school conventions, which? it
would seem, might, in part, obviate this diilicnilty ; but a convention
of schools once in the year is a vei'v insufficient means to accomplish
or secure the desired result. Doubtless much advantage is supposed
to lie derived to tliose villages where such advanced schools are lield.
Tlu^ most enterprising youth of the adjacent towns are gathered, and
the meetings and lectures are mmierously attended, and the resident
population exult in their prosperity, and though their success is thus
promoted, the t'ffet't on the population of the rural towns is veiy
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 73
adverse — and tliis effect, so much to he deplored, will not be re-
moved until schools are established in every town, of sufficient mer-
rit to enable the youth there to make all the acquisitions necessary
to fit them for intelligent merchants, tradesmen and farmers, or
even newspaper editors. This is an unnatural state of tilings ; wlien'
it is to be remedied, we cannot foresee. It is partially done now in
some places, by what are termed Graded Schools. It is to be hoped
that success may attend tliese efforts; and that the evil, so much to
be deplored, may be removed.
NUMBER XXXIIL
THE writer of these articles has supposed that his labors in this
direction were ended, and felt a kind of relief in the rcllect-
tion that a res])ite might now be had from this laborious work. In
this I was, however, mistaken. You recollec-t that you gave me a
slip from a paper (tailed the "" Daily Journal^'' published, as I under-
stand, in Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., in this State, calling in ques-
tion the substance of one of my articles published in your paper
early in February last, respecting the origiTi of the Erie Railroad.
The article referre<l to seems to be editorial, as no name is sub-
scril)ed to it, and it does not present the appearance of being the
production of a correspondent. •
Having l>een led to state many things relating to events transpir-
ing in the history of Virgil, in the county of Cortland, my native
ToMTi, as an impartial historian, it was incumbent on me to set
forth, before the general public, wliat has long been known in this
vicinity, to wit — that tlie New York ife Erie Railroad was projected
by one of the citizens of this Town. Tlie fact was fully known in
a small circle at tlie time, and was fearlessly pul)lished by those
familiar with it everywhere, and at all times, and neoer heretofore
questitmed, to our knowledge. To sit down deliberately to prove
and confirm this fact to the people in central or southern New York
would be like attempting to pi'oxe that cohI M-as to be found in
Pennsylvania, or that the sun rises in the east. However, for the
74 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. - i
hciR'tit of any canditl iiiindri that iiii^'ht he staggerccl by the consid-
erations set forth in the article referred to, a few facts will be pre-
sented. It is not understood that any one complains, who claims in
his own person or for liis friend tliat he is the projector of this work,
Imt that it is ''''fahy'' or " improhal)le " \\vAt '''' hoo yem's hefo7'e i\\G
feasil)ility of a railroad had l>een demonstrated either in England or
in the United States, Mr. Bouton was looking np a line of railroad
from New York city tln'ougli the southern tier of counties.'" It is
also said, " The article of Mr. Bouton looks like an attempt to falsi-
fy the facts of history, and to turn a good deal of credit where none
is due." No one living at the time when this project was first set
forth, would ]ia\'e thought, from the I'eception it nu^t with tJien and
for years afterward, tluit tlie credit would Ite wortli contending foi'.
It is not easy to conceive, at this late day, how imicli of sport and
ridicule was consequent u])ou the publication of the scheme. The
most respecta])le appellation employed was, that it was extremely
visionary. Great stress is laid on the fact, that we claim the plan
to have ])een set forth so earhj, and it was said tliat tlie locomotive
was not in use so early, and that railroads were not then in success-
ful operation in England or in the United States, etc. So far as
the lo(;omotive is concerned, it is entirely foreign to the subject.
The railroads in England were operated by horse-power, as they ai'e
now in oui' cities, and it was conceded that a railroad was prefera-
ble to a wagon road. The writer goes (»n to give <Uites of the es-
tablishment of different railroads. In a work pultlislu^Ml in Hartford,
in 1^73, l)y J. B. Burr tfe Hyde, compiled from the writings of
Horace Greeley, Leon Case, Jolm B. Gough aiui other eminent
writers, it is said on page 534, " Horse railroads were increasing in
numbers in England — live having been cliartered by act of Parlia-
ment in 1805, sixteen in 1815, and tliii'ty-two in 1825." Tlie first
railroad in the State of New York, from Albany to Schenectady,
was chartered in 1828, though not completed till 1831. Tlie dis-
cussions which led to this act wei-e progressing at tlie time when the
plan for the Erie road was pul)lished liy us. The article published
in X\\v Cortland Observer, setting forth tlie same, came out in the
same number tliat recorded the death of Governor Clinton, and in
black lines, on a(H*.ount of that mournful event, which we considered
a dark omen, and supposed that it might put an end to the plan. I
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 75
b(3lieve it is generally understood tluit the deatli of Governor Clin-
ton occnrred on the 11th <»f February, 1828. . Any one who will
consult the publislied pro('.eedin<;s of tlie festive g;atherino- of early
settlers of Vir^^il, in 1858, will tind in tlie address of W. E. Gee, on
page 39, an extended reference to this sul)jeot, fixing tlie date at
18'i8. This was in the iiiunediate vicinity and in the hearing of
those personally accpiainted witli tlie facts. I took the paniplilet
containing tliose proceedings, to Albany early in 1858 and presented
it to Dr. Woolwortli, the Secretary of tlie Board of Regents and
keeper of the State Library, saying to him that in reading jt he
■ would find an account of the origin of the Erie railroad. He asked,
at what time. I answered, in 1828. He said they had l>een alile
to trace it t)ack only to 1829. He said that he wanted it, that
he might place it in the State Library, and I presume it is there now,
saving from oblivion this fact claimed at present to be rather im-
portant. Dr. Woolwortli had l^een Preceptor of the Cortland
Academy and an old acquaintance of mine. I then stated, perhaps
unnecessarily, that though the pamphlet was an unpretending one,
yet the facts contained in it were authentic. He replied that he had
no doubt of it. It is but reasonable to suppose that the writer of
the production under (consideration has access to the " Gazeteer of
the State of ^ew York," embracing a comprehensive view of the his-
tory, etc., of every county, city, town, village and locality, by J. H.
Frecnh, published in Syracuse, N. Y., by E. Pearsall Smith, in 1860.
In this volume, on page 255, will be found, in a note near the bottom
of the left hand colimm, this entry, connected with other facts in
the history of Viig-il :
"As eai'ly as 1828, in a series of articles in the Cortland Observer,
Nathaniel Bouton, a farmer in this Town, thoroughly advocated the
construction of a railroad through the*soutliern tier of counties."
Both this notice and that in the address of Mr. Gee were without
the knowledge or suggestion of the writer. It seems to be wondered
at that Mr. Bouton, years before the line of the road was located,
could have been looking up a route to terminate at IJunkirk. This Mr.
Bouton was early in advoc.acy of the Erie Canal, and all other in-
ternal improvements, such as churches, school-houses, roads and
bridges, and Wfis, in general, a man of sagacdty and forecast, and
neve'r an afteriKxni man.
76 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Afi the vei-acity of the writer of these articles is <jue8ti<»ne(l, it
may be well to refer the writer of the ai'ti(;le under couBi<leration to
tlie members of Assembly from Chautauqua for 1858 : Hon. Henry
Bliss, Sherman P. O., and Hon. Charles B. Green, Ellington P. O.
They may not be living in those places now, but if they are it would
be well to ask them if they knew the member from Cortland, ac-
cupying, as will be seen by the diagram of the Asseml)ly Chamber,
seat No. 114.
When the projector of the road had betrome assured that it would
succeed, lie said, " The road will go, and now it is time to produce
fruit to be carried on it." He had an orchard, hut he had but few
kinds of ap])les lit for market. He had the Road Island Greening,
English Streak, Seek-no-further, and Romanite. The Greening
would not constitute an assortment, and the othei^s had not merit
enouirh to iustifv their cultivation. He found a tree al)out seven
miles off, that produced fruit which he thought, from all the knowl-
edge he could get, would answer his purpose. It was from a cion
l»rought fi-om Massachusetts. He proceeded to take (dons from this
tree, and grafted them on about eighty trees. Not a very great
number it is true, l)ut consideral)le for the time and place. These
trees produced a full crop in 1846 — the same year in which the road
was completed to J^inghamton, and in which he died ; but the apples
were carried to market on that road, and brought, it is sfud, live
dollars per barrel. After his death, the writer bought the farm of
the lieirs and realized a large amount of fruit from these trees. In-
quiry was made for the name of this apple. At length a nm-sery-
man (;ame and examined them, and said that it was the Ro.vhiiry
/^nf<set, and that it was very gratifying to know that such an apph^
had ol)tained such a foothold here. My father had started a mir-
scry of grafte<l fruit in 1"S09, jnisting the wound with fdue clay^
mixed up in a sap trough. He also soM^ed a quantity of seeds to
grow a nursery of natural fruit. In this nursery the writer was
employed in cleaning out and cidtivating the young seedlings, when
they had attaiiuMi the third leaf. He has followed the same through
the several stages of growtii, cliange and decay, till a few years since
they were removed that they might not longer cumber the ground.
The writer has outlived those tives, and is still vigoi-ous and able to
meet and refute a caluumy. It need not he expected that any fur-
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 77
ther attention will be given to such criticisins till some inun shall
come forward and claim in is own person, or that of a friend, the
authorship of this project.
NUMBER XXXIV.
PIIEVIOUS to 1871, there were erected many neat and com-
modious residences throngliout our Town ; luit it was re-
marked that building in tiie village had nearly ceased, ^^nly the
house of Mrs. Jenkins, of moderate dimensions, had lieen built for
several years, and many in tlie village liad become very innocent of
paint, and it was a rather common impression tliat it had al)Out ar-
rived at its zenitli. So nuu-li liad l)een said respecting the imprac-
tibility of building up the village, that a kind of depression was on
the minds of most of the people, and it was yielded to as a fact, that
this place must submit to he eclipsed by surrounding villages and
towns. The church edifice, like the other structures, gave outward
indications of decay. This state of things affected a few minds very
deeply, and a resolution was formed tliat an effort should l)e made
to change the aspect. Perhaps no building presented a more gloomy
appearance than did the Pi-esbyterian Church. Amid many dis-
couragements and prophecies of failure, it was undertaken, and in a
short time it w^as apparent that success would attqjid the exertions
of those engaged in this enterpiise. Seldom has tlie progress of
any work towards completion been looked upon with more wonder
and surprise. It was foretold that this effort would be a failure, or
that tliose assuming responsibility w<»uld inv<»lve themselves so. deep-
ly that it would be difficult to extricate themselves. However, what
was enjV)raced in the original plan was accomplished, and the build-
ing was dedicated to tlie worsliip of tlie Sacred Three in the fore-
part of January, 1872. The remark that there liad come a depres-
sion over the minds of tlie pe(^ple about Imilding and repairing, liad
reference only t(') the tnll<ige. Other parts of the Town proceeded
as usual, and liouses and barns were erected, as the pleasure or need
-j-c; SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
of the people suggested. In the same season of 1871, several build-
ings vn'YG erected in different parts, some of which were of noble di-
7nensions. Of these a description lias been given up ta August,
1874, embracing the Baptist Church. Since that time tlie M. E.
Church edific^e has been erected, with its stately proportions, costing
$7,000 or more, of which a circumstantial account was given for tlie
press, by Rev. J. W. Steele, and published soon after its completion,
in the winter of 1875- 7fi.
David R. Price luiilt a new house, ^eported to l)c well planned
an<l furnished witli exquisite skill and workmanship. Its cost has
lieen estimated at fi-om three to four thousand dollars. Isaac B.
. Bloomer and John Bays, on the State road, each did such thorough
work in repairing their houses that they became essentially new, and
are very neat and commodious, and an honor to the vicinity as well
as to the o\^Tiers and l>uilders. J. B. Rounds l)uilt a I)arn seventy
feet in length and tliirty in wddth, with stone work three feet lugli
for the foundation. The posts are sixteen feet.
People in the village began to think " that some things could be
done as well as others," and commenced on repairs. The residence
neai- the church referred to above, of M. L. Sheerar, was thoroughly
renovated and presents a line appearance. John M. Frank soon
afterwards commenced to improve the appearance of his house, and
exhi])its his perseverance by continuing to ]>aint and add to the orig-
inal structure ; and when the whole shall l)c finished it will doul)t-
less add much to the appearance of that locality. Charles Williams
built a very respectable village residence two years sim-e, which we
regret to say was destroyed by tire about a. year afterwards. Other
houses were built in tlie region around, among which is one of very
respectable apjjearance by Edwin Branch, in the west part of the
Town, and one in the east i)art by John Shevalier, very highly
spoken of as being of noble dimensions and superior finish and
appearance. But the enthusiasm for l)uilding was thoroughly aM'ak-
ened in the village, and the year 1878 will be long remembered as
that in which many elegant structures were reared.
As the battle of Bunker Hill was the leading engagement of the
Revolution, so the elevation in our village, known by that name,
was the scene of preparation by tlu^ removal of the Iniilding of
nob' } dimensions, ere(;ted there by General Knapp, in 1804. It was
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 79
set in tlie nortli part of tlie village and is used by E. Grain as a
ware-room for his l)nsines8 of wagon and carriage making. It was
30x40 feet, and two stories high, and a wonder to tlie natives in the
early days in whieh it was built. This removal prepared the way
for the erection of the splendid residence of Dr. Mnncey. This
building is forty-one feet front and thirty-five feet deep, twenty feet
high ; lower story, ten feet high, finished with hard wood with ex-
quisite workmanship. The doors are cherry and ash alternate.
Kitchen done off for convenience ; pantry, and closets for wardrobe,
etc., finished with chestnut and cherry. A convenient mjmber of
windows — glass, 14x30 inches, — one bay-window finished with (;her-
ry and ash ; stairs, cherry and ash alternate, with white oak railing ;
parlor, finished with cherry, ash, and butternut, with exquisite
moulding; cellar, 21x23 feet; building and stoop, covered with tin
roof ; (50st, about $4,000. W. A. Holton built a mammoth store
on the lot made vacant by the removal of the store-house previously
occupied by B. J. Jones. This store-house was removed by R. E.
Holton a1)out one-half mile, and changed into a very respectable
residence. The new store of W. A. Holton is seventv feet in lenstli,
twenty in width, and twenty -five feet posts ; cellar, under the whole ;
cistern, with capacity of five hundred barrels of water, with force
pump on the outside and also in the inside ; tin roof ; store-room,
42x50 feet, completely finished, with show-cases, stools, chairs,
chandelier, and everything for convenience in a (;ountry store ; up-
per story, finished in rooms with convenience and taste; a very
convenient room lielow for courts or for meeting of Town l)oard or
similar meetings ; tin roof ; the whole cost estimated at $4,000.
The Baptist church has been noticed in a previous number. F. T.
Hovey built a residence of fine appearance on his lot westerly from
the " Village Green." The length is thirty feet ; width, twenty-
two ; with posts twenty feet; ten feet high in the clear, l)elow;
with nineteen windows — four lights, 14x30. In the rear is an ap-
pendage 12x16 feet, for culinary purposes, etc. W. H. Williams
built at the same time a very respe(;table residence nearly opposite.
In addition to all this done in building, many houses have been much
improved l)y painting, etc. It may also be said that one story has
been added to a portion of the building occupied by E. Winslow,
for store and post-office. David Trapp also erected a splendid
80 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
house in tlie west part of tlie Town : two stories, with rooms spa-
cious and airy, and tinished in exquisite style, costin<»; over $4,000.
Samuel Hutching-s erected a bai'u lifty feet in length, thirty-four
feet wide, and twenty high above the basement, which is eiglit feet;
two bays for hay sixteen feet deep, with a floor seventeen feet.
Standing on a conspicuous place, and well painted, it presents an
imposing appeai-ance for miles around.
Tliis building interest was very much facilitated by the discovery
of a bed of vei'V good sand, conveniently located. All the building
mentioned, coimnencing witli that of Dr. Muncey, was done in 1873.
Captain S. M. Byram did, aLso, nmch foi- tlie impj-ovement of his
grist-mill, — siding and painting, on the outside, and in needed and
thorough I'cpairs inside, in the making of a new water-wheel, etc.
This is called the Virgil Spring Mills, fi-om tlie fact that it derives
its propelling power mostly from the water of several large springs
M-hicli are pcrnianent, thougli not always sufKcient for tlie demands
of a large surrounding population. It is now doing a very lively
Imsiness under the charge of the young Messrs. Rease. One ^-reat
advantage is its very eligible location in the midst of a tliriving
comimmity. Mr. Byram has also paiijted and much im})]-oved iiis
hous(% so that iu)W it presents a neat and becoming appearance.
Ebenezer Perkins lias built a ware-house for the convenience of
his Itusiness. The length is thirty-eight feet, and width, twenty-
eight feet, with nineteen feet,po8ts. It is painted in such a way as
to ])i'csent a very tasty appearance. He has also built a shop for
blacksmithing, 26xiJ0 feet. David Shultz has erected a large and
connnodious house. Its dimensions 1 caniiot give. Henry Lewis
has erected a house on tlu; State; road, one and one-half miles froiii
the village!. Charles G-riswold made an old house nearly new about
two years since, which is now painted and res})ectal)le in appearance.
John O. Hammond, son of the late Thomas Hannnond, has renova-
ted the house on that ])lace, an<l repaired the same so as t(t be almost
new, adding nuuth to its comfoi-t and convenience.
CTCorge Fisher built in 1873 a horse barn thirty-eight feet in
length, and tM'enty-four feet in width, and sixteen feet posts, on a
good foundation of stone woi-k, painted red and trinmied with white.
He has also removed and improved a very large barn, placing it in
a convenient situation. Though so mucii was done in buihling.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 81
last year, tlie enthusiasm is not exhansted. Mr. B. B. Elster is
building a residence that pi-omises to be a credit to the builder and
also to the village. Abrani Sager is erecting a residence of noble
dimensions, about three-fourths of a mile west from the village,
which will l)e finished in tlie most approved style, costing $1,600 or
more. Mr. Pinney is building a house on the Cortland road, from
the village about two miles, 'wliich, from the known energy and
taste of the builder, may 1)6 expected to be an lionor both to tlie
owner and to the neigliljorhood. Besides what has been mentioned,
there is evidence of improvement generally, indicated by the inter-
est shown in moving barns and other ])uildings to more convenient
situations, and in their thorough repairs. In sliort, business is lively,
crops are a])undant, and we have had noticeable exemption from
casualties by fire, wind and flood. We have had convenient rain
and sunshine and the growth of a very luxuriant crop of vegetation
sucli as has not l)een in the memory of " the oldest inhabitant."
NITMBEK XXXV.
CHARLES W. JOHNSON roare.l a large and elegant l)arn, with
a basement, near his house in the Village, and has since repaired
and very much improved his house, rendering it not only comfortable
but neat and tasty in appearance. Natlianiel Lewis has built a new
house in the south part of the Village, of very respectable appear-
ance. J. C. Seamans has built a residence, essentially new, eml)rac-
ing but a small part of the materials of one previously occupying
the same ground. It is of nol)le proportions, and, when well painted,
will add nuich to the appearance of that part of the Village where
it is located. Several l)uildings have been treated with new coats
of paint, among which are those of G. W. Elster, J. P. Price and
others. The Village has also been much improved in appearance
and convenience, by the railing in front of the Baptist church, and
by a walk to the M. E. church. A barn of moderate dimensions
has been built l)y W. A. Holton, directly north from the hotel, and
82 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
a barn on the lot occupied by Elder Haskell lias also been repaired
and enclosed with new materials, giving a sprightly appearance to
tlie innnediately locality. Henry Sniitli, near the north line of the
Town, has renovated and very much improved the appearance of
one of liis barns. Jai"ed Mnnson has moved two barns, placed them
adjoining, with a basement and other improvements, for conven-
ience to himself and comfort to his animals. Harrison Smith, a
mile nortli from the village, has replaced a rookery of a horse barn
with a new one. Samuel Hutchings, wlio had a splendid barn,
described in a former number as capaljle of being seen for miles
away, has obscured the view ]>y another ])arn of nearly the same
description, tliough somewhat less in dimensions, l)ut painted as
well as the other. Jolm O. Hammond has, since the last wi-iting,
given liis liouse a thorough painting, which causes it to look very
comely and pleasant. In the same neighliorhood, a much needed
and permanent l)ridge has been Imilt across what is called the " Vir-
gil Creek." Tlie old school-house adjoining the west meeting-liouse
h;is l)oen replaced by a new, convenient aiid tasty edifice, presenting
a great contrast to its predecessor, which was built in a]:>out the
year 1808. Another nund)er will lie given to complete what is to
be noted concernino; other new Imildines in the Town.
NUMBER XXXVI.
WITHIN the last three years, R. C. Tyler has built a fine
new barn. Frank Saltsman has erected a new horse
and carriage l)arn of good size, well finished and painted. J. C.
House has remodeled, changed and very much improved the house
on the farm long occupied by his father and tlie family ; and Au-
gustus Bell has thoroughly and tfistefully painted his house. W.
P. Mynnrd has erected a splendid barn, seventy-two feet in lengtli
rmd twentj^-six feet in width, with sixteen feet posts above the base-
ment, which is eiglit feet high. It is on a firm foundation of mason-
work, well finished and painted. He has also built a connnodious
corn-house nnd gi-anary, painted like the l)arn.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 83
In the north-west part of the town, we lind several bnildings
recently repan-ed and pamted — and more that are new. Jesse
Trapp's house, formerly, now owned by liis son, was tliorons^hly
repaired so as to be nearly new, a few years since. Thomas Gillen's
house has new blinds and a new roof. Frank Yaples has l)uilt a
house of respectal)le dimensions, two stories high, said to be well-
finished inside, and soon to be painted on the outside. Frederick
Ilollenbeck has built a fine residence, the upright portion of which
is forty-two feet l)y sixteen, two stories high, and the wing twenty-
four by seventeen feet. It is entirely finished, except that he lias it
in contemplation to add something in the line of a veranda or stoop.
It has an excellent cellar, added to wliich is a good and commo-
dious cistern.
On the road from Dryden to Cortland, we find Warren Hoaglin,
wlio has built during the present season a horse and carriage barn,
tliirty-four ])y fifty feet, with twenty feet posts, finished and painted.
Geoi-ge Moore has erected, during the present season, an addition
to his barn, twenty -four by thirty feet, with sixteen feet posts. The
whole building is now sixty -four by thirty feet. N. P. Pulling has
also built, during the present season, a house essentially new, whicli
is nearly, or quite, finished ; is painted an<1 very respecable in appear-
ance. Cornelius Veeder has painted and put a new roof on his
house, with other improvements. L. B. Ball has built a residence
of imposing appearance on the State road, al)out one and one-half
miles westward from the village. The upright portion is twenty-
two l)y thirty feet, with twenty-one feet posts. The wing is sixteen
by twenty-two feet, with twelve feet posts. There is a remarkably
fine cellar, with faultless walls, seven and one-half feet deep. Water
is brought by a pipe into the kitchen and is already running, and is
also carried into the cellar to be in readiness for any arrangement
that may hereafter be made. Tlie i-ooms ai-e arranged with much
skill for convenience and comfort. The glass in the lower story is
thirteen by thirty inches, and above it is thirteen by twenty-eiglit
inches. The house is painted and otherwise nearly completed.
John McKinney, in the same neighborhood, has changed a house
of ordinary appearance to one that is very respectable, by putting
on improvements, rendering the building almost as good as new.
The school district, long known as the " Morse Hill District," has
84 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
l)ni]t a rospeetal )ly appearing- new scliool-house. Emery Gee erected
a new residence in 1876, which is still in process of completion, and
is marked by all the cliaracteristics that coml)ine to render a home
desii'al)le and attractive, even to running water for domestic pur-
poses in the kitchen. J. B. Hutchings erected a new barn of stately
proportions, it being forty by fifty feet, witli twenty feet posts, on a
good foundation, with a l)ay twenty by forty Jeet, floor sixteen by
forty feet, and stable fourteen by forty feet. The old l)arn, twenty-
six by tliirty-six feet, with sixteen feet posts, has been moved :ind
placed adjoining a portion of the new, and newly inclosed. It was
formerly thought to be a good sized barn, but now the contrast be-
tween the two is great. Abram Sager has built a new barn, thirty-
six by twenty-five feet, with sixteen feet posts above the basement,
whi(rh is eight feet, all finished and painted. Ilol)ert Sager has
)-('inoved a frame, and finished a l)arn, making it essentially new,
and lias it painted. L. V. Terpenning has ])uilt a convenient and
handsome horse and carriage barn, twenty-six by forty feet, with
eiglitcon feet posts. Dr. Tripp has thoroughly renovated and
repaired a l)arn of moderate dimensions on his place, Norman
Bailey, who lives half a mile west of the village, has ])uilt and
painted a barn on his premises, retaining ])ut little of the one pre-
viously occupying the same ground, adding greatly to the appear-
ance and value of his place. Myron Ballon has erected, finished
and painted a l)arn of stately size, it being seventy feet long by
tliirty feet wide, with twenty feet posts. A. E. H. Ladd is making
great improvements in his residence, which will be better a])[)re-
ciated when completed. Robert Sager has commenced to build
spacious additions to his house. They ai'e now complete and render
tlie residence very tasty fmd becoming..
The writer is indebted to J. Shevalier, Esq., for information re-
specting the cast part of the Town.
On the road north from John Batten's, a new house and barn
ha\'e lieen built within the past two or three years, now owned by
Michael J)elaney. On lot tliirty, W. llolden, of Syracuse, caused
a large barn to be built in 1875, with basement; and in 1870, a
first-class house, painted and finished in excellent style. " Two
years ago," Mr. Shevalier says, " our churf^h underwent a thorough
repair, from basement to roof. All of the old building that was
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 85
left was tlie naked frame — all the rest is new and bright." Two
years since Mr. Shevalier himself built a horse and carriage l)arn,
all painted and finished, with running water in the same. Two
years since, E. D. Angel built a sul^stantial barn, thirty by forty
feet; and during the present season, E. B. Husted has also built a
new barn.
In the west part of the Town, George Tyler has l)uilt during the
present season a horse and carriage barn, thirty-six by fifty -four
feet, with twenty feet posts, which is well finished and painted, and
standing on a firm foundation. George P. Dann has repainted the
exterior of his house; and in the interior, it lias been re-painted,
papered and otherwise very much improved. Pie lias also removed
and fitted up a barn with new foundation and new covering, mak-
ing the same essentially new. He has also just finished, witli the
exception of paint, a new granary and corn-house, sixteen l)y twenty
feet, with twelve feet posts — the same being complete with the
latest improvements. Chester Simonds has removed and done off a
barn of ordinary dimensions, adding much to the convenience of his
place. Horace Fitts, in the west part of the Town, has, since the
last writing, removed and tlioroughly renovated his house, re-arrang-
ing the inside, and painting the exteri(jr. The school district known
as the " Frank district" has conmienced to build a new school-house,
and in two other districts the question of erecting new school-houses
has been agitated. It should have been sooner said that E. W«is-
low has added much to the appearance and convenience of his place
by building and painting. And still tlie entlnisiasm for building
and repairing continues unabated.
Edwin Branch has rel)uilt his house, which was (consumed last
autumn, with the same kind of workmanship that obtained in the
original structure. It is greatly to his ci-edit that he has sustained
himself with firmness through all the embarassment incident to the
casualty. George H. Ladd has ])uilt a neat dwelling house adjoin-
ing the Methodist church. Asa Price is renovating and much enlarg-
ing his residence. R. C. Tyler has very much improved his barn,
rendering it very much more capacious.
A new school-house has l)een built in what has been called tlie
"Raymond District."
gg SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Mr. Diivid Sluilts liad two Imnis hurnt hy lightning recently, and
is now replacing them by one eighty feet long hy forty feet wide,
with twenty feet posts above the basement.
NUMBER XXXVII.
Iliavo thonglit l)Ost, that, inasmnch as some facts have transpired
that seem to have no particnlar connection with any subject
treated of heretofore, a fragmentary chapter be inserted, embracing
facts having no special mntnal dopcnidenco on each other, and are
here pLured pr(~)miscuously.
To show the great difference in mail facilities in early days (com-
pared with the present, I would say that, l)eing at the Village some
forty years since, I was accosted by Thomas Ilannnond, a neighbor,
who had a bundle of flax under his arm. He asked me to buy it
to enable him to take a letter from the Post-oflice, wliicli he ha<l
not the means to do. How it is im])erative on the sender to pre-
pay, and the postage is so reduced that it is merely nominal.
Reference has been had in othei' pages to four men who fell from
apple ti-ees in gathering fruit, (^nc of thes(> was John Tyler, oi* as
generally called. Deacon Tyler. It was near the liouse, and the con-
(nission drove the breath from his l)ody and ho was carried to the
house unconscious and breathless. Mr. Timothy Pond being pres-
ent he l)i'eathed into his nostrils and he revived, and his breath lias
l)een healthy ever since. The four men referred to are named as
follows : John Tyler, Moses Tyler, S. B. Seamans and Luther Gris-
wold.
In tlie ])rogress of the Teiii])erance cause several olistacles had to
1)0 met and overcome, one of which was the quality of the material
employed in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, to supply the
place of the fi-uit of the vine, referred to in tlic administration of
that ordinance. It had been the practice to use wine bought at the
stores, involving the idea of <lrugged licjuor embracing a large por-
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 87
tion of Alcohol. Several members were dissatisfied, and a discus-
sion arose whicli ultimately resulted in the adoption of the follow-
ing resolution : " That the officers of the church l>e instructed to
procure, for the use of the church in Communion seasons, pure na-
tive wine, when it can be procured, or the article tliat has been used
during the jenr past, wliich is made by getting the juice of soaked
raisins." Tliis was in February, 1853, and now at this late day only
a portion of the churches have come to this standard.
In a preceding chapter it was announced that great opposition
was felt and manifested against the Agricultural Fair held in Town
and that this was one reason why it was given up. J. R. Dixon,
Esq., editor of the Cortland County Repahlican., was in Town at-
tending one of the Fairs, busy in his attention to his interest con-
cerning his paper. He tarried over night at the Pu])lic House and
heard the language of those who opposed. Afterward he said to
the writer, that he wondered how we could keep up the Fair with
such opposition as existed in the community. It was a wonder.
Reference has been had to the scarcity of money in the early
days of the Town. It would be thought strange that a farm of fif-
ty acres should l)e mortgaged for thirteen and one-half dollars. In
the time of the Old Loan, it is announced that the farm of Salmon
Curtiss was mortgaged for that sum.
It has been heretofore stated that when any enterprise is propos-
ed tliat promises to be for the good of the connnunity, it is sure to
encounter persistent opposition from a certain class of tlie popula-
tion. To illustrate : On the line of Lots in this Town, l)etween 36
and 26, where the State Road, so called, was intended to run, a
stream ran on the line, and the travel took place about three rods
north of the line. After a time^a man l)y the name of E. H. Luce
came to own the farm, and proposed to put the road on the line
where it was intended to be. Great opposition showed itself. Now
all feeling on the subject is over, and nearly forgotten.
In the year 1867, a patent was secured, in this Town, for an ap-
paratus for gathering apples, by Martin Darling. / was invited,
with several otlier fruit growers, to meet at the residence of Martin
Luce, to examine the same in operation. It met our hopes and we
88 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
]-('coiniiicn(k'(l it to fruit iii-owcrs foi- use, as dcst'i-vini'- coiilidciu'c.
TliG whole realm uf Nature luid been exaniinetl to liiid a substitute
for hand picking, and every plan had signally failed. It seemed de-
sira]»le that a substitute should be diseovered. One reason was, tliat
persons in hand picking must liold on witli one liand while the oth-
er picks the fruit and ])lnces it in a l)asket. The danger is tliat
trust will be ])lace(l in unsound litiil)s, and tliey l)c broken and tlic
operator be precipitated to the ground to tlie great jeopardy of life
and liml). If one lias two hands for his support, he is assured of
safety. Within a distance of a trifle over a mile in extent, in my
immediate acquaintance, four men have tlius fallen from trees, and
h:;vc been essentially disabled for a long time. Another advantage
is, that when there is danger of a hard frost, a nundxT of liauds
can be drawn together and inany can l)e gathered in a short time.
A prejudice arose against the use of the instrument, so that men
(M)ul(l not be employed for money ^ to use it and give it fair treat-
ment. Also, factory cloth was so very deai- in time of tlie war tliat
it cost more for the canvas than men were willing to pav, and tlie
consequence was that its general use was a])an(loned. A few have
continued its use and are satisfied. Among these is Theron Lincoln
Esq., of Newark, Wayne county, N. Y., formerly of this Town.
He speaks highly of it, and some others do tlie same. -lolm S.
Winters has use(] \\\\{\ ap]u-oves of it. Dann C. Scpiires also ex-
pressed to the writer that he thought it mnst lie a <jooiJ thing.
Martin Lu(^e, Esq., of Cortland, who li;is no interest in its success,
unless it can be used, told me that he gatliered his apples with it one
season, and that he k(^pt them till the Ma.y following. He then took
them to Coi'tland to sell. On Ins way he passed the residence of Mar-
tin Sanders, wlio came to the road, and looking on tliem, said : " How
could you keep them till tin's tinu^ looking so fresh and sonncH "
Mr. Luce then gave the answer. P(M'ha|)s the people in Cortland will
respect the o})inion of Martin Sanders in reference to the appearance
that apples sliould present when offered in their market for sale. I
gather(Ml a portion of my fruit in the same way one season, and the
same was true of that. I insert this witli the view to save a good
tiling from oblivion. It is safe to say tliat if a sulistitute for hand
picking is ever discoverc^d, tlih i.s H, inasmu(Oi sis Nature furnishes
no other.
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. gg
NUMBER XXXVIII.
WE have now arrived at a cliapter of Conventions anrl Cel-
ebrations. It was connnon about fifty years since to
have gatherings of the connnon schools, including a dozen or more,
generally in the Summer but sometimes in the Winter. It was us-
ual to have a list of questions printed and distril)uted through the
schools to be committed to memory, and at the gathering liave tliem
propounded and answered in concert, as one of the exercises. The
only record of a like gathering was on the 10th of February, 1831.
There were present ten scliools with their teachers, and the account
was taken of tlie whole numl)er of scholars belonging to the schools.
As tliey were formed and marched, with ilags and banners flying,
at the liead of martial music, tlie view was particulai'ly inspiring.
Tlie account <»f tlio scliools was as follows:
WHOLE NO.
TEACHERS. SCHOLARS. NO. PRES.
Salislmry Clark, 84 70
William' Meeker, 101 57
Erastus Phillips, 50 50
Emily Malian, 36 25
Hiram Bout(jn, 62 31
Isaac Bloomer, 63 35
Cortland Hill, 44 25
Katlierine Morse, 31 20
David Robinson, 31 7
Eli Smith, 35 8
Total, 537 328
In 1826, the first fifty years of the life of our Government was
completed. It occurred that many minds were exercised on the sub-
ject of the celebration of tlie Fourth of July, as a jul)ilee of Amer-
ican independence. The ]:>eople were comparatively few, and had
little knowledge of the way to celel)rate that anniversary ; but the
interest was sucli that a celebration was arranged for the Fourth ;
and those engaged resolved to do tlieir best to render the occasion
an interesting one. Michael Frank was chosen to deliver the oration,
and otlier arrangements were made to correspond. When the morn-
ing ari-ived it was found that we were without clei'gy. Some of our
527i)SQA
90 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
well meanino; citizens had persuaded the several ministers tliat it
was nnsnital)le for a gospel minister to officiate on such an occasion.
The best tliat could l)e done was to select individuals to perform
the parts, and proceed, which was d(»ii(\ The attendance was rath-
er tliin, 1»ut t]u> result was satisfactory. Frederick Hyde read tlie
Declaration; Nathan Bonton offered jirayer, and Michael Fc-iidc
delivered the oration.
<^)n tlio 25th of August, 1853, a gathering was liad, called the
Festive G-athering, wliich has been sufficiently set fortli in tlie pre-
ceding pages.
Time passed on an<l events transpired, and when the Centennial
approached, some minds l)egan to clierish the idea of celebrating
the same ; and one great argument in its favor was the fact that the
three individuals who performed the important parts in 1826 were
still living and vigorous, and anxious to act in the same capacity
again. Mucli correspondence was had, but it was finally agreed to
call a meetino; of those wlio were favorable, and one was held of
considerable interest, espe(dally with the aged men of the former (xs
casion. Conmiittees were appointed to have charge of the matter
in its varied departments. Soon the people were generally aroused,
and several unanticipated appendages were added. It was not or-
iginally designed to have cannon to employ in tlie exercises. But
some w(M'e unwilling to have the day pass without the roar of can-
non, :uid it was had principally through the persistent urgency of
J. G. Tyler. It was afterward suggesteil that young ladies be se-
lected to represent the several States, dressed in suitable unifoi-m,
wliich met tlie appi'(»bation of tlu^ managers. This proposition was
suggested by Miss Josephine Mott, and got's to her credit. Miss
Satt Sanford with A. E. H. Ladd and wife, had the charge of the
selection of tliese young ladies and suggesting the manner of their
costunies, which was very credital)ly performed. Soon the project
of a company of fusileers was started, wliich was got up and man-
aged with consummate skill and maturitv of design. Arranscements
were also made for fire works in the evening.
Now follow foni' biographical notices of the persons who on-
gaged in tlie ('(debra.tioii of 1826, and also in 1876. It will be seen
that this may lie open to the charge of egotism, inasmuch as in the
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. Qi
responses after dinner there will be some repetition, Init it was in-
dispensable that the speakers be left iintrammeled, and that thej
were confined to tlie sul)jects allotted to them.
NUMBER XXXIX.
FREDERICK HYDE spent a portion of his yonth here. He
early engaged as teacher of the common scliools, and was
considered eminent in that employment. He afterwards stndied
medicine — the earliei' part of his pnpilage being with Dr. Hiram
Moe, of Lansing, Tompkins connty, and the later portion with Dr.
Horace Bronson, of Virgil, Cortland connty ; and after gradnating
at Fairfield Medical College, he at once commenced the practice of
his profession in Cortland, where he now resides, actively engaged
in the dnties of his profession. He, in dne time, acqnired the repn-
tation of an eminent physician, which he still maintains. He has
the confidence of the connnnnity jis the following facts will fnll}-
testify. He was Trustee of the Cortlandville Academy, from its
first organization, wliile it continued ; and on the resignation of its
first President, Judge Reynolds, he was elected in his place. He
has l)een Trustee of tlie Cortland Normal and Training School since
its commencement, and is now President of the Board. He is Presi-
dent of the Cortlan<l Savings Bank. He has been a member of the
Cortland County Medical Socdety since 1833. He was a member
of the Medical Association of Southern Central New York, during
its lifetime. He is a member of the Central Medical Association of
New York. He was elected a permanent memlier of the New York
State Medi(!al Society, in 1854, and was elected its President in
1865. He particnpated in the organization of the American Medi-
cal Association at Philadelphia, in 1847, and has continued a per-
manent member of the same. He was a delegate from the New
York State Medical Society to tlie International Medical Congress
held in Philadelpliia, 187B.
92 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Eai'lv in liis professional life lie began to contrilnite to tlie litersi-
tnre of tlic niedieal profession, and has continued to do so, as the
AuK^ican iiic< Ileal journals and printed transactions of tlic different
medical associations in M'liich he is honored with membership, will
abundantly show. He held the professors! lip of Surgery in Geneva
Medical College, and discliarged its duties for sixteen years. On
the organization of tlie Medical Department of Syracuse University
he was elected Professor of Surgery in this institution, the duties of
wliifli post he continues to discharge. He has ever been accounted
a man of integrity, sound judgenient and practical sagacity. Also
cond)ining the traits embraced in the comprehensive word, relufhle.
Ho h;is generally enjoyed excellent health, which, for a man of his
age gives l\im a remarkaV)le youthful appearanc^e.
NUMBER XL.
NATHAN BOUTON was born in Virgil, July 27th, 1802.
His early life was familiar with the privations and liard-
ships incident to tlie time. His opportunities for education were
such as other children and youth of the time enjoyed. He was sup-
posed at the age of thirteen to be rather an adept in figures, which
led his fond father to determine to give him the opportunity to 1)0-
come a land surveyor. A place was found in Genoa where an ex-
perienced surveyor lived, who was pursuaded to take liim and teach
him the elements of the profession, in the Spring of 1816. The ex-
pense was three dollars for tuition and two dollars for board. All
the knowledge he ever gained afterward on the sul)ject was the re-
sult of his own experience and study. He was not furnished witli
instruments till 1823, when he commenced practical land surveying,
and continiKMl the same employment during forty-four years, when
nearly all tin; work, after ten years, was in settling disputed lines
and harmonizing those in confli(^t. The work done has l>een rather
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 90,
extensive and spread over a large share of tlie towns of Virgil, Miir-
athon, Lapeer, Harford, Cortlandville and Dryden. Also some in
Fi'eetown, Scott, Trnxton and Houier, implying the confidence of
the general pnl)lic in his skill and ac(mracy.
At the age of eighteen he was employed in teaching school, in
which he continued from time to time, till 1845, in which he evinced
great perseverance, though not always very popular. In connection
to this he was appointed to school oflices, such as Commissionei-,
Inspector, and Town Superintendent. He has always l)ecn a strong
friend to education and an efficient promoter of the cause, in tlie
time of his active life. The fact of Ids writing out at the sugges-
tion of his father, the plan for tlie New York and Erie Hailwiiy,
has been sufficiently set forth in the previous pages. In 1857 it
pleased the people to commit to his trust the interests of the county,
and he was elected to the office of State Legislator, by a majority of
nine hundred or there-abouts ; the duties of which he performed to
the satisfaction of his constituents. Since that time he has been
chosen on the Board of Supervisors against a very popular compet-
itor. In moral and religious aspects he has had nnich to do, and,
especiall}^, in tlie late renovation of the Presbyterian Church, of
which he has lieen for aiore than fifty years an efficient member.
He was chosen to the office of Deacon, June 21, 1833, whic^h office
he has held since. He has l)een an ardent supporter of the tempei--
ance cause since 1829, and of the anti-slavery cause since its first
inauguration. He has 1)een the firm supporter of all the causes
operating in the community, that have promised the progress and
well-being of the same. Among other things he gave for the con-
struction of the Syracuse & Binghamton Railroad two hundred dol-
lars, and lost it; also to the Southern Central thi-ee hundred dollars,
and lost two hundred of the same. He has likewise had committed
to his trust the settlement of six or more estates ; and three of them
were heavy, involving the adjustment and distribution to the legatees
of the several estates, the portions due to them respectively. All
the estates involved embraced interests of more than fifty thousand
dollars; and all this has been done without any fault being found
from any reputable source. He has also collected the material for
the History of this Town, which is now, at the time of this writing,
in press, and has written the same out.
94 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
NUMBER XLL
COL. MICHAEL FRANK was born in Yirgil, December 12th,
1804. His edncation was acqnired in the schools of the
Town and its vicdnitv. Dnrina; tlie vears of his residence liere he
became widely known in the county. He was elected Inspector of
Connnon Schools several years in succession ; also elected Supervis-
or of the Town. He was chosen Captain of the first company of
artillery organized here. He was also prominent in the formation
of several societies for mutual improvement among the young peo-
ple of the Town. On the Fourtli of July, 1826, he delivered an
oration on the occasion of the Fiftieth Ainiiversary of American
Independence, and on the Fourth of July, 1828, he delivered a tem-
perance oration which resulted in the formation of the first Tem-
perance Society in the Town.
He clianged his residence from Yirgil to Preble, in the north
part of the county, in 1836, where lie engaged in the mercantile
business, and where he married Miss Caroline J. Cai-penter, his
present wife. While in Preble he was elected Supervisor of the
town, in 1838, and Town Clerk, in 1839, which latter ofHce he re-
signed, to go west. In the fall of 1839 he moved to Soutliport,
now Kenosha, Wisconsin, at which place he became associated in
tlie publication of a newspjiper. The SotUhport 7ele(/rap/t ; and was
connected with that paper, altogether, al)out twelve years. He also
had editorial charge of other papers, for short periods. Prioi- to
the adoption of State government in Wisconsin, he was a member
of the Territorial Council three years, and aftei" the adoption of
State government, he was a member of the Legislative Asseml)ly
one year. He was ehn-.ted l)y the Legislature in 1848, one of the
Board of Connnissioners to revise the laws of the State ; also elected
by tlie Legislature in 1861, a member of the Board of Regents of
the State University.
On the incorporation of S<aith])ort as a village, in 1840, he was
chosen President of the vilhige ; and on the change of the name, of
Southport to Kenosha, in 1850, and the incorporation of the place
as a city, he was chosen Mayoj-. He held the offi(;e of Justic^e of
the Pea(*e two years, Ti'easur(>i- of Kenosha county four years, City
Superintendent of Scliools six years. He was appointed Postmaster
SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
95
at the city of Kenosha, hj President Lincohi, and hekl the office
about six years. In tlie military line he was appointed by Governor
Dodge, of Wisconsin, Colonel of the militia, and subsequently Gen-
eral of the militia. Although commissioned a General, he has been
more familiarly known the past thirty years, as Colonel Frank.
In matters of religion, morals and education, he has a well earned
reputation. He united with tlie Congregational Church at Soutli-
port, in IS-iO, and has retained a church connection ever since. He
was active in the early temperance movements in Wisconsin, and
has always been a firm friend of the cause. In educational mji,ttei-s,
particularly the introduction of the Free School System in Wiscon-
sin, he did efficient service througli the press, and other agencies.
In 1870 he was appointed to a clerksliip in the Treasury Depart-
ment, at Washington. During the period of over eight years since
he has been in government employ, he has been comparatively iso-
lated, as most government employees are. The only marked event
m his history during this time, was the delivery of an oration, July
4th, 1876, in connnemoration of the Hundredth Anniversary of
American Independence, in the same town and village wliere he
delivered the Fiftieth Anniversary oration, just a half century Ijefore.
It is probable that no event parallel to this o(;curred among the over
forty million of people in the United States.
NUMBEK XLII.
COLONEL WILLIAM SQUIRES. Tliough he was not born
oi- reared in Vii-gil, yet, as he was the Marshal (the duti(>s
of whicli office he performed with peculiar activity,) at the Centen-
nial, where the three preceding individuals wlio had participated
in the two celebrations fifty years apart, it was concluded to be fit-
ting that a brief biographical sketch should be given of him also.
William Squires, son of Zachariali and Catliarine Squires, was
born in Binghamton, N. Y., November 23, 1798. With the excep-
QQ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
tion of the privation and liardslii}) wliicli is unaA'oidablo witli all larly
settlers, the early life of the subject of this sketch was not rcniark-
al»lc or unusual.
His opportunities for education were limited ; yet, by |)t'rseveran('e
he acquired such a knowledge of the comiiion branches as was then
considered necessary foi- ordinary business transactions. He lived
with his father on a farm, just west of the corpoi-atioii line, until he
was twenty-four years of age. In 1823 he married Lucy Churcli,
his present wife. To clear up a farm of dense forest, ])ay for it,
provide the necessary luiildings, support his family and fulfill the
obligations of society, was tlu^ task to whic-h he invited himself, and
which by the most untiring industry and good management, he ac-
conqdished at an earlier day than even he had anticipated, and was
permitted to live for a nund^er of years thereafter to enjoy the fruits
of his toil and witness the improvement which his own hands had
wrought. He served twenty-two years in the militia of tlie State,
holding connnissions of Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel.
In eai-ly life he interested himself in religious affairs, — was among
the first to espouse the cause of temperance, and helped to inaugu-
rate the Washiugtonian Society. The anti-slavery movement, in its
very beginning, found in him a fearless supporter. In the years of
1865 and 1866 he represented his town in the Board of Su]>ervisors
acceptably to his constituents. He was one of the originatoi-s and
active managers of the " Marathon Cemetery " — one of the noted
institutions of the place. Al)out the year 1868, he moved into the
village, leaving his farm in the charge of his son, — since which time,
though almost always busy, he has not confined himself to the man-
agement of business. lie is now nearly eighty years of ago, and
bids fair to live yet a nnndxM' of years.
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF
ARTS AND PURE SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
; OF THE DEAN
December 2, 1930
References to the project of the Srie
Railroad as formulated and initiated by I'atlianiel Souton,
of Virgil, N.Y., and published by him in a coiamunication
to the Gortland Observer, February 22, 1828 (q.v.),
occur on pages 33 and 41-42 of this pamphlet: THS
FESTAL g-ATHSRING ^ T^ EARLY 3BTTLSRS Al^iJ PPu.SSTJT
ir:iiAbrr^jTs of VjiiaiL . Hsii) ok Thursday, t^ 25th of
AUGU3T , 1853 - and reprinted with Supplementary Letters
in 1878 by Mathan 3outon. Further references occur on
pages 18 ard 19, ai.d 73-75 of these Supplercen'iary
Letters.
A copy of the original issue of the Cortland
Observer, containing the above ccLJuunication, is in the
p033©3sion of the Cortland Public Library, at Cortland,
Archibald L. Bouton
w
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