Full text of "Historical sketches of the town of Portland : comprising also the pioneer history of Chautauqua County, with biographical sketches of the early settlers"

'/^,^S , o^^//A^ ,

HISTOKICAL SKETCHES

OF THE

TOWN OF PORTLAND

COMPRISING ALSO THE

PIONEER HIST OK Y

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY,

WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE
EAELY SETTLEES.

d TAY

H!d TAYLOR, M. D.

' In the silent greenwood glade,
In the dim old forest shade,

By the gliding river,
Axe historic voices ringing,
Music in the soft breeze flinging,

And they haunt me ever.
I love them well, for they to me
Are as some pleasant memory."

FREDONIA, N. Y. :

W. McKINSTRY & SON, PRINTERS.

1873.

H. C. TAYLOK.

iu the Oerk's Office of the District Court of the Uuited States for the Northern District

of New York.

PREFACE.

The following pages are. not the result of hasty researcli or
careless investigation, but for three years have occupied the
earnest attention of the author during the hours that could be
spared fi'om the demands of a most laborious profession. The
comi>ilation was not imdertaken for the want of employment,
but to rescue from the wasting influence of time the facts and
incidents connected with the settlement and early liistory of
the town. It has been a labor of love, and in one sense the
author regrets the close of the volume. It was not expected
that more than from two to three hundred pages could be
written, but such was tjie accirmnlation of material that it
would have been far easier to have written two volumes than
condense it within the present limits. It was said by a fiiend
that he who could write a good town history is fitted to write
a book on any other subject. However this may be, it \h
certain he would be capable of almost any amoimt of hard
labor, and for his patience well deserving a niche close by the
one occupied by that rigid old moralist, the man of Uz. Amid
the discoui'agements consequent upon the prosecution of the
work, it becomes a pleasant 3uty to mention the names of a
few of the numerous friends whose kind symi)athies and
intelligent aid have cheered the author in his difficult labors.
But for them the work might have been abandoned long since.

VI PREFACE.

To Hon. E. T. Foote of New Haven, Conn., he is indebted for i
many suggestions of importance and many facts in regard to \
the early history of the county ; to David Eaton, an early
settler of the town who died the past season, for a large
amount of local history that it would have been impossible to
liave reached from any other source ; to Hon. Abner Hazel- !
tine of .Tamestovvn, this county, E. B. Taylor, Alfred Eaton,
J. S. West, and many others of this town, and over two '
hundred correspondents in twelve states of the Union- In ;
addition, a vast number of books, manuscripts and records
have been consulted and the utmost effort made to render the
whole truthful and a reliable book of reference. Errors may
be discovered by careful antiquarians, but it is believed that it
will be found as free from defects as it is possible for intense
solicitude and liard labor to make it. It is hoped that none
by a hasty glance will pronounce this or that statement incor-
rect, but on the contrary subject them first to serious conside-
ration or investigation.

To the good people of Portland, firstly, and to fiiends in
every locality, this book is dedicated, with the best wishes of
the author, H. C. TAYLOE.

CONTENTS.

Act forming town of Chautauqua .
Acres in town, assessed and real. .

Acres in each lot

Animals — native

Arkwright, first settlement of . . .

Academy, Salem .

Aid furnished soldiers

Asheries. .■

Anti-slavery Society —

Agricultural products

Assessors, first .,...

Ayers, Samuel, Super

Arnold, Ehsha, Super

Andrews, Asa, Suiier

Association, Library .

Batavia, town of

Bata via, town of, divided

Boundaries of Chautauqua county

Boundaries of Portland, original

Boundaries of Portland, present

Busti, first settlement of

Burgettsto^vn P. office

Barnes, Calvin, first P. M. in Portland.

Bird, Col. Nath

Baptist church, Portland

" society, when formed

" ch)irch of W. Portland

" society of W. Portland

Battle of Queenstown

" of Black Kock

Bounty to the 112th reg't, war of 1861..

" " " 154th " "' " " ..

•' to those re-enlisting, & others.

Barn, first frame

Bookbindery

122

280

182

196

230

242

236

237

133

101

153

156

159

162

248

254

289

270

277

313

182

Blacksmiths, early — 1'2

Bible Society 195

Bonding town • • • 220

BeU, Arthur, Super 235

Blood, Asa, Sui)er 237

Brocton Cemetery 300

County of Genesee erected 15

(Jhautauqua, original town of 16

Clerk of first election 17

Chautauqua county erected 18

County buildings, site of IB

County officers, first 19

Center of town 28

Climate of town 33

Cascades 39

.. 69

.. 70"

. 70

.. 71

Chautauqua, first settlement of

Carroll, " " "...

Charlotte, " " " . . . .

Cherry Creek, " " "..

Clymer, " " " . ...

Centers of population 78

Chautauqua postofflce 93

Canadaway " 94

Churches 134

Church, Congregational, formed 134

" reformed. . . . 136

" soc'y formed. 136

" " reformed 138

Methodist Episcopal 148

" society formed 150

" at Brocton 150

" first ijreacher 162

Baptist, when formed 153

" society formed 156

West Baptist 159

" " soc'y, when formed 162

CONTENTS.

Church, Protestant Methodist 167

" Freewill Baptist 168

" Uuiversalist 164

" Roman Catholic 167

Community, Harris 169

Company, first for war of 1812 247

Cavalry, 9th New York - . 285

Carding machine .. . 181

Cheese factory 181

CidermiUs 181

Circle, Social 194

Clerks, town 240

Commissioners of schools 244

" of highways 243

Collectors of taxes 243

Constables, first 244

Campbell, T. B., Super 231

Coney, J. R., Super 237

Cemetery, first iu county 97

" Evergreen 299

" Brocton 300

" W.&P.Union ... 300

" North Portland 300

" Union Lawn sOl

" On lot 16, T. 5 301

" Private 301

Cow, David Joy's 320

David Eaton, clerk of election IT

Division of i)oor fund 26

Description of roads 84

Dunkirk, settlement of 68

Dunkirk postoftice 98

District school, first 112

Draft of 1S63— war of IStil . 273

Distilleries 1*'4

Dwellings in town . . 2 9

Deed, first executed in town 306

David Joy's cow 3-20

Elections at Batavia. 16

Election, first in Chautauqua .... . 17

<< " clerk of 17

Erection of each town in county 21

EUicott, first settlement of ')9

EUery, " " " ^9

EUiugton, " " " "i^

Erie road • ■ *>"-

EUicott road ^'^

Express mail 95

Early Library Association 133

Early military company Appendix

Efifect of war of 1861 297

Empire vineyards 215

Early newspapers 196

Election, time of holding first 17

Elections, special. 234

Elections, inspectors of 243

Eaion, David, Super 236

Eaton, Alfred, Super 239

Evergreen Cemetery 299

Extent of grant of King James 51

First town meeting iu Chautauqua

" justices api^ointed

'• formation of Chautauqua connty .

" county officer.'i

" town meeting of Portland

Forest trees ^ . . .

Fortifications, old

First settlement of Westfield

" " " Pomfret

•' " " Ripley

" ' " Chautauqua

" •' " Poland

" " " EUicott

" " " EUery

Families in town
First postolflce . . .
First mail contractor

' Harmony ... .
■ Arkwright

• Carroll

' Kiantone

' Charlotte

' Stockton

' Busti

' Villenova ....

' Geri-y

' Cherry Creek. .
' French Creek

• EUiugtou

' Mina

' Clymer . . .
' Sherman. . .
' Hanover

' Sheridan

' Portland

' Dunkii'k ...
ul812

16
17
18
19
27
37
44
66
68
69
69
69
69

71
71
71
71
71
71
71
72

246

CONTENTS.

First mail carrier 94

First P. M. in county 93

First P. M. in town 98

Fredonia named 95

First mail stage 102

Fellows, Odd 196

Fay, Nathaniel, Super 237

Fuller, K. D., Super 238

Fay, J. B., Super 239

First deed executed in town 306

First frame barn 313

First widow 310

First frame house 321

Fund, public school 124

First school teachers 128

First church formed 135

" " names of members 135

First company— war of 1812 247

Forty-ninth regiment — war of 1861 264

Forty-fourth regiment — war of 1861 264

Fruit growing jj208

(Jenesee, county of, erected 15

" " " divided 18

Geological features of town 34

Gas springs 35

Gerry, first settlement of 70

General training, first Appendix

Good Templars 194

Governor, vote for 224

Goodrich, D. G., Super 238

Grant of King James.-. 49

Harbors 36

Highlands, view from 39

Harmony, first settlement of 59

Hanover, " " " 71

Harris Community 169

Hatter, first in town 397

Highways, Commissioners of 243

Haywood, A., Super 239

Harris, Ebenezer, Super 237

Harris, J. E., Super 239

House, first frame 321

Holland Company 59

Inspectors of elections 243

Inspectors of schools 244

Justices, first appointed 17

Justices, elected 240

Judson, Timothy, Super. 23 7

Kiantone, first settlement of 70

Land office established . 20

Location of town of Portland 28

Lots, acres in each 29

Lakes in town 32

Lake shore, view from 40

Library Association 133

LaHatt, Rev. Charles 156

Lake Shore Wine Company. 213

London Company j 49

Miua, first settlement of... ... 71

Mail routes 93

May vUle postofflce 96

Methodist church, classes, &c 148

" society formed 150

Military companies, early Appendix

Men furnished in war of 1861 278

Masonic order 195

Meetings, town, where held. 231

McMahan, John, Super 236

Marsh, C. A., Super 2.3«

Moss, T. S., Super .. 239

MUls, Dunhams 175

" Sage's 176

•' Burton's 176

" Fay's, Hollis 176

" Ogden's 176

" Burr's 176

" Taylor's 176

" Fay's, Nath _ 176

" Everts' 176

" Bacon's 176

" Dalee's, 1st and 2d 177

" Goodsell's 177

" Elliott's - 177

" Fletcher's 177

" Coney's 177

" Jewett's..- 178

" Bigelow's 178

" Hall's 178

" Richardson's... 178

CONTENTS.

Pig.

Mills, Arnold's 178

" Eobbins', steam 178

" Jewett's , steam 178

' Fay & Goodrich, steam 178

'' Wheeler's, steam 179

•' Craudall's 179

" Whitcher's 179

" Burton's grist 179

" Coney's grist 179

•' God<'rey's grist _. 179

" Vanleuven's . 180

" Broctou grist _ . 180

" Center^dUe grist 180

• Brotherhood 180

Millwrights 182

Merchants, first and others 205

Morris' purchase 56

Native animals .._ 41

North Portland postoffice '.'9

Normal schools 127

Number of men furnished war of 1801 . 278
North Portland Cemetery 300

Original town of Chautauqua 16

Office, land established 20

Old fortifications 44

Old roadways _ 47

One hundredth regiment — war of 186! . 264
One hundred and eleventh regiment , 296

One hundred and twelfth regiment 268

One hundred and fifty-fourth regiment 270

Officers, town, first elected 240

Overseers of poor 245

Orchards, Dunn's andotherri.. 208

OddFeUows 195

Pomfret erected 19

Portland, south line 25

' • first town meeting 27

boundaries of . 28

" location of 28

Poor fund divided . 20

Pomfret, settlement of 68

Poland ' •■ 69

Portland " •' 72

Population, center of 79

Paine'sroad 81

p.j.

Postoffices S3

Pomfret postoffice 94

Portland postoffice , 98

" North, postoffice 99

Protestant Methodist church 167

Pioneer schools 106

" schoolhouses 107

Present school districts 116

Public school fund 124

Preachers, Cong, church . 137

" Baptist church 156

" " West church 161

" Methodist church 151

" Universalist church 164

Parsonage, Baptist 167

Methodist 151

Potteries 181

Papers, early, taken. 196

Political status of town 225

Presidential vote 225

Population of town 229

Population, sex. places of birth, &c 229

Products, agricultural 230

Peace, justices of 240

Poor, overseers of... 245

Prendergast, Thomas, Super. 235

Prendergast, Matthew, Super J36

Prescott, Gen. , captured .. . 340

Physicians 197

Squire White 197

Lawton Richmond 19S

" Fenn Deming 199

Silas Spencer. 199

'■ Marcius Simons.. 199

Carlton Jones 200

Daniel Ingalls 200

•' SUasPomeroy 200

" Aaron Wilbur... 200

•' James Ball 200

•' Saunders. 200

" Swartwood 201

" Barnes .201

' ' Marcum 201

" Daniel Henn 201

" W.G.Wolcott 201

" Austin 202

" James A. Hall 202

•' Lemuel Clark 202

•• Rose 202

Thomas Gushing . 203

" H.C.Taylor-. 203

CONTEXTS.

Physiciaus, Mclntyre 203

" Wm. Skinner 203

H. J. Dean. 204

N. H. Barnes 204

T.C.Wilson 204

Plymouth Company 49

Phelps & Gorliam's purchase 53

Purchase of Holland Company TjO

Queenstown, battle of.. 248

Quigley's wine house... 216

Real estate in town .... . 29

Rocks _ 34

Roadways, old 47

Road. Paiue's. . .-. 81

" Erie Sa

" Eliieott. 82

" Turnpike 91

Roads do -cribed _ 84

Road, portage 402

Ripley, settlement of 69

Rev. John Spencer ... 142

Rev. Charles LaHatt 155

Roman Catholics 167

Re-enlistment — war of 1861 278

Railroads, B. & Erie 217

'• Mayville & Portland. 217

" Fredonia & VauBuren 218

" Dunkirk & State Line 218

L. S. & M. Southern 218

" B., C. & Pittsburg . 220

Ileal estate of railroads 30

Religious meetings, first. 134

Site of county buildings 19

Soil and surface of ti)\\Ti. 30

Streams, siiriugs, &c 30

Springs, gas. 35

Settlement of town of Portland 72

Stockton, settlement of . 70

Sherman, settlement of 71

Sheridan, " " 72

Surveys by Holland Company. 62

Settlers, and lots settled 72

Settlement, rati' of 78

Stages. 102

Salem X Hnads P. office .. 100

P.60

Salem X Roads name changed 101

Stage route 93

Schools, pioneer 106

Schoolhouses, first 107

School districts, first... 112

" " present 116

Schools, Union 127

Salem Academy 122

School teachers, early 128

School fund 124

Statistical history, war of 1861 283

Shoemakers, early :.. 182

Sons of Temperance 193

Social Circle 194

Slavery 223

Special elections 234

Special town meetings 233

Schools, Normal. 127

School commissioners 244

School inspectors 244

Superintendent of schools ._ 244

Supervisors, Biog. Sketches 235

Town of Bata\ia. 15

Town of Chautauqua, original Ig

Town meeting, first in county 16

To\vn of Pomfret, erection of 19

Time of erection of each town in Co.. . 21

Trees, forest 37

Town, view of before settlement 42

Turnpike company 91

Teachers, early 128

Teachers' institutes 127

Taverns, Dunn's and others 186

Training, general, first Appendix

Temperance Society 192

Temperance, Sons of 193

Temiilars, Good 194

Town, bonding of 220

Taxes from 1829. 228

Town meetings, where held 231

Tanneries, Parker's and others 180

Title..... 49

Town officers 240

Taylor, H. C, Super 238

Taylor, G. M., Super 238

Universalist Society 164

" church 165

CONTENTS.

Uui versalist preachers 166

" names of first members. . 165

tlnion Lawn cemetery 301

Union schools ]27

View from higlilands, ZQ

" " lake shore 40

View of town before settlement. 42

Villeno va, first settlement of 70

Vineyard's, i'ay'sand others 212

Vote for Governor to 1S72 224

Vote for President to 1 S72. 225

Valuation of real estate 226

" '■ " " comiiared 227

Westfield, settlement of Appendix

Williams, B., contractor

Williams, Mrs. Sophia

Westfield postoffice

Warof 1812_

War of 1861, call for troops

" " statistical history

" " men drafted ...

" " men furnished

Wagon makers, early

Wine house R., F. & Haywood

Wine Company, Lake Shore....

Wine house, Ryckman, Day tfCo

Wine house, Fuller's.

Wine house, Quigley 's

Widow, first in town

96
98
246
263
283
275
278
182
213
213
215
215
216
310

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

.4 bell, Heniy 332

Andrews, Erastus 363

Andrews, Wilson 375

Andrews, James '. 376

.Andrews, Asa 376

Anderson, Samuel 389

Andrews, Sylvester. 396

Andrews, Amos C 406

A verill. Lemon 409

Arnold, C. F 423

Arnold, Elisha 43.5

Barnes, Daniel... 318

Barnes, Calvin... _ 321

Berry, William 322

Burch, Jonathan .329

Bushnall, Chester 331

Brainard, Cephas 333

Brooks, Asa 337

Barker, Barzilla. 442

Burton, Simon 3.52

Bennett, James 354

Bacon, Gillett 336

Baldwin, Jesse 3^53

Berrage, Richard 37 4

Barnes, James 377

Bail, Frederick ziS

Bradley, Collins 379

Bowhall, John 379

Beach, Roswell 390

Brown, Mansur 390

Humi), As.i ;^97

Bumi5, Jacob 397

Beebe, Abner B sgg

Bassell, Samuel 400

Burdick, Ezra 407

Bigelow, Thomas 417

Baker, Warren 424

Crosby, Nathan 313

Carpenter, David . . 315

Churchill, Sylvester 334

Churchill, John 335

Coney, John 337

Correll, William 343

Crosby, Luther 354

Cass, Joseph 355

Cotton, William _ _ _ 3g3

Crane, Lemuel 353

Conner John 355

Colt, Wolcott 380

Cook, Samuel ^88

Charter, James 391

Crosby, Erastus 395

Corning, John and brothers 396

Clough, Hoi-ace 399

Case, William 400

Crosby, Joshua 40c

Carley, T. G 407

Carley, L. P ^^fg

Carpenter, Timothy 410

Clements, H. C 415

Dunn, James 3Q3

Dodge, Daniel. 321

CONTENTS.

Harris, William, jun 339

Hill, Zimri 345

Hall, Ahira 347

Hill, Lewis ;55Y

Hubbell, Brewer , 363

Harris, Ebenezer Qpo

Doolittle,Ljinan 399 Hefron, William J

Daiee,JamesW 411 Hutchius, Calvin.' ■::.' : 3™

Deuton,Isaac 41S Howe, William 1

l^''^' ^'^^^'^ 424 Hubbard, Isaac '.■.; Vpo

Dr.ggs, Alison 4., Howard, Henry

Eaton, David ,, g^-

Dusenbury, J 34^

Diusmore, Silas Appendix & 337

Dunbani, William 3Jjg

Druse, John 35-

Duraud, Jeremiah 330

Doty, Elijah. 399

Emerson, Wilder 323

Ely, Heman 335

Ensign, Otis 3(jfj

Eastwood, CorneUiis 394

Ensign, Thomas 4qt,

Everts, Jesse 4jq

Everden, Samuel 4J2

Everden, John 4j.,

EUiot, Oliver ]] 433

Fay, Nathan 30 -,

Fay, Nathaniel 3]j

Kay, Elisha 3Qg

Farlin, David 3j4

^'^y.Hollis 323

Fay, EUjah 324

Fish, Hiram 33-

Fuller, Asa ijl .3^

Flint, Abial 3gg

Ford, Almon 3g-

Kreeman, George 3^7

Freeman, Robert 4Qg

Fellows, Abigail 4H

Granger, David B 315

Goldsmith, Roe 340

Guyle, Joseph. , 344

Geer, Samuel 335

Gator, Richard 357

Goodwin, Tyrus 397

Gill, Amos 407

Gittord, David 432

Gibbs, Joseph V 331

Hutchins, Benjamin,.,, ; .305

Hart, Josiah 313

Harris, Absalom 31;5

Hodge, Alfred 315

Hall,Perry 317

Hutchins, William- 3s-8

Haines, anford 33I

.".09
399
401
420
419

390

Holenbeck, John 391

Hitchcock, G. A 391

Hall, Aaron 390

Houghton, Silas 393

Hedgeline, John .... 395

Harris, Joseph 39,5

Harris, Samuel

Hibbard, Eleazer.

Howe, Isaac

Hall, Samuel

Hunt, Obadiah

Hulburt, David, Rev 401

Ingersoll. Peter 3^ 3

Ingalls, Daniel... _^q^

Joy, David. ....*.. 3^^

Jordan, Benajah 3^,^

J udson, Timothy 40-

Jackson Joshua

Kane, Peter

Klumph, Thomas 314

Kelsey, Andrew vj-

Klumph, Augustine 3]^

Klumph, Jeremiah 3^11

Klumph, Jacob W 3^2

Kinney, Erastus. 4,3

Kinney, Rufus... 4^3

Lee, James 3go

Light, John 3^,,

Lilly, Leonard 395

Logan, Cyrus _ 393

Lake, Nicholas 394

Lewis, Pardon ■19,.

Lewis, Walker 40-

Logan, John .... ,,..

Leech, Robert 4],;

Leavitt, Robert 4.^.^

Martin, Zadoc 350

Mumford, Walter. ■■«.,

310

Millet, Samuel.

■I'is, William 339 Mclntvrf

CONTENTS.

MeiTitt, Felix 375

McManus, C. and brothers 377

McAllister, Andrew .-. 381

McGregor, David 382

Muusou, Samuel 383

Miiinford, Heni-y 390

Miller, William - 395

Mills, Deforest 395

Moore, Kufus _ — 407

MattheT\sou, Andrew 433

Nichols, Benjamin 418

Nash, Cotton 433

Owen, Ethan A 359

Owen, Frederick 393

Odell, Kobert 415

OdeU, John 415

Onthank, Lovel. 415

Orton, Thomas 432

Price, John 311

Parker, James 312

Perrj, Eufns 313

Potter, Jeremiah 321

Palmer, Abel 346

Perkins, Orris 366

Pierce, Aaron. 367

Prime, Jewett — ^ 371

Pratt, James 395

Pullman, Nathaniel. ..- 432

Pomeroy, Plynn ._ 40.S

Peters, Joseph P. . 413

Powell, Lorenzo 414

Patch, Reuben B 418

Price, Charles. 419

Pomeroy, Silas 424

Peck, Asahel 429

Palmer, Nathaniel 406

Pease, Solomon and Asa 4-">-

PuUman, Lems 433

Quigley, John 320

Quigley, Martin . 369

Rice, Lester 374

Reeder, Nathaniel 394

Reeder, James 394

Risley, Jared. 413

Ray, James 426

Smith, Martin 314

Sage, Moses 341

Shiiff, Henry 359

Saflford, Jonas 359

Smalley, Stephen 366

Simmons, Zuriel 372

Spafford, Oliver - 373

Simpson, Obadiah . . . 379

Spencer, Henry 386

Skinner, David 387

Skinner, Chester 386

Skinner, Alfred 386

Skinner, Albert 388

Smith, Joel 397

Shattuck Samuel 402

Shattuck, Seth 405

Shum way, Ebenezer 410

Shaver, Joseph 425

Stilson, Jaeob . 4:J2

Stetson, William A 435

Taylor, Erastus 31 3

Taylor, Parsons 315

Taylor, Reuben . . 34s

Thornton, Asa 34ii'

Thayer, Jedediah :i6ii

Tit comb, Moses . . 37'i

Tower, John 3S-!

Thayer, Lemuel . . 392

Thayer, Elijah . :;9:'.

Tucker, Samuel 429

Tillotsou, Cyrus 432

Tibbals, John 433

Utter, Eleazer 377

Uuderhill, John 40>;

tJhl, Nicholas . 426

Vangaasbeek, M. P ... 360

Vangaasbeek, Peter 372

Vibbard, Leonard 395

Wilder, James 331

Williams, Richard .... 351

Whitcomb, Simeon . . . 361

Williams, Ebenezer 362

Wooden, Cahan 395

West, Joshua S 409

Winslow, Nathaniel 41()

Wilbur, .John 41 s

Williams, Harvey 42ii

Wilbur, Aaron 424

Wilbur, Browneil 425

CHAPTER I.

To make the following pages the more intelligible, as well as
more acee])table to the reader it is proposed in the outset to
devote a brief space to civil divisions, not only of the county of
Cliautauqua, of which Portland forms a i)art, but more or Less
detinitely of the whole western part of the State.

Few, comparatively, have any very definite knoAvledge with
reference to the various divisions of that vast tract of country in
western New York commonly known as the Holland Purchase;
when tliey were made, or who were the actors in those early
scenes — a knowledge at once interesting, useful and often neces-
sary. It is ])roposed to place a record of this character, as far
as suits our j)urpose, within the reach of every former and pres-
ent citizen of the town of Portland, and as many of their de-
scendants as it is possible to reach.

I^y an act of the Legislature of the State, dated March :30,
1 8i)2, the original county of Genesee was erected, embracing
substantially all tlmt ))ai'f of the State west of Steuben county
and the (xeuesee river, and trom which originated the present
counties of Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Erie, Wyoming, Alle-
gany, Cattaraugus. Cliautau(|iui and parts of Monroe and Liv-
ingston. Batavia was the county seat. By the same act the
county was divided into four towns, Northam))ton, Southampton,
Leicester and Batavia. The town of Batavia embraced nearly
all the territory within tlie ])i-esent counties of Niagara, Catta-
raugus*and Chautau<[ua. Emigration pressing westward with a
rapidity almost beyond precedent, considering the difficulties to
be overcome and the hardships to be endured, soon created a
demand for a still furtlier division: an<l on A])ril 11. 1S()4. tlie

16 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

town of Batavia was divided into the towns of Batavia, Wil-
link, Erie and Chautauqua. Previous to this date the elections
were held at the village of Batavia, and some of the electors
living in the remote settlements of that extended town were
obliged to travel, if voting at all, a distance of nearly one hun-
dred miles and occupy an entu-e week for the purpose.

It has generally been understood that the original town of
Chautauqua embraced all the territory within the present county
of that name: but the act defining the boundaries of the town
reads thus:

"And all that part of the town ot Batavia, beginning in the
uortli boundary of the state of Pennsylvania, where the meri-
dian line between the tenth and eleventh ranges of the Holland
Company's Lands commences; thence north along said meridian
line, bounding east on the town of Erie, to the boundary line in
Lake Erie" &c. Thus leaving the towns of Carroll, Poland,
Ellington, Cherry Creek, Villenova and Hanover, except the
first four lots of T 0, 11th Kange, and that part of Iviantone
lying east of the township line as defined on the Holland Com-
pany's maps, outside the limits of the present county and with-
in the town of Erie. [See Original Laws V. :34, No. 112.]

This act also specified that the first Town meeting sliould be
held at the house of widow McHenry. ISlrs. McHenry lived at
the ancient Cross Roads, about one mile west of the center of
the present village of Westfield, near where now stands a mon-
umental stone. Li April of the following year. 1805, the first
Town JSleeting was held at the place specified, at which John
McMahan was elected Supervisor, and .James Montgomery,
Town Clerk. James Dunn was elected one of the Koad Com-
missioners, and was the first elected to office from the territory
now comprising the town of Portland, in fact was the only legal
voter in town.

This first Town Meeting was deemed to be invalid from a
mistake in the nam'e of the town, and an ai>i)ointment was made
of the officers chosen by the people, by Benj. Elliott, David
McCracken and Asa Ransom, then Justices of the Peace and

TIIK T(>\V\ OF PORTLAND. 17

all living east of Buffalo ; with the exception of Zattu Gushing,
in whose place Orsamus Holmes was appointed as Overseer of
the Poor. [See List of Town Officers.]

The office of Justice of the Peace was not then elective, but
appointments were made by the council of ap})ointment at Al-
bany, and the first selected to till that office for the new town of
Chautauqua were: Perry G. Ellsworth, David Kinkade and
Peter Kane in March 18)5. Perry G. Ellsworth, John McMahan
and David Eason were appointeed in March 1806. [See List of
Town Officers.] The meetings of the Board of Supervisors for
1 806-7-8 were held at the village of Batavia. No general elec
tion was held in the town until 1807; when the vote of the
town was 69 ; Daniel D. Tompkins receiving 41 and Morgan
Lewis 28.

Elections were then held on the last Tuesday in April and the
two following days, instead of the first Tuesday in November
as at present; the Board having the i)Ower to adjourn to such
places as should seem most for the convenience of the settlers.
At tliis first election the |)olls were opened on th^^ first day at
tlie house of Wm. Bemus on the east side of Chautauqua Lake
at Bemus Point ; the second at the house of Mrs. Per'-y, form-
ly Mi-s. McHenry, at the ancient Cross Roads, now Westfield,
and the tliird day in the forenoon at the house of Hezekiah Bar-
ker at Caiiadawjxy, now Fredonia, :md in the afternoon at the
house of Orsamus Holmes in the present town of Sheridan, at a
])oint familiarly known as the "Roberts Stand." The expense
of that election to the town was 68 dollars, each vote costing
within a fraction of one dollar. The only means of travel then
w;is by horseback and through an almost interminable wilder-
ness, with roads little better than a trail, in fact with almost no
roa(is at all. The Board ])acked their ballot boxes, into their
]»ockets, and proceeded on their "devious winding way" in single
file from one j^oint to the others designated. David Eaton, Esq..
of the present town of Portland, Avas clerk of that board.

An effort was made in 1806 to divide the town of Chautau-
(pia. and a vote taken :it the town meeting in April of that year

18 HISTORIC Al, SKETCHES OF

at the house of Mrs. McHenry with reference to the propriety of
such a division, was nearly unanimous in its favor. The
proposition was to divide by a line commencing on Lake Erie at
the N. E. corner of the ])resent town of Sheridan, thence south
to the S. E. corner of Charlotte, or the S. E. corner of T. 4. R.
11, thence west along- the line between T. 4 and 5 to the S. W.
corner of T. 4 and lot 58 in the present town of Stockton, and
thence north along the line between Ranges 12 and 13 to Lake
Erie, comprising territory embraced within the present
towns of Sheridan, Arkwright, Charlotte, Dunkirk, Pomfret
an<i Stockton, very nearly. Whether any further eflTort was
made in this direction I am not advised, but the proposition was
not carried out.

By an act of the Legislature bearing date March 11, 1808,
the old county of Genesee was divided, and the counties of
Genesee, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua were formed,
and their boundaries determined. The eastern boundary of the
county of Chautauqua was the line between the 9th and 10th
Ranges of townshi})s from the Pennsylvania line north to Cat-
taraugus CH'eek. and thence down the center of that stream to
Lake Erie.

These boundaries remain to the jjresent time. The county of
Chautauqua thus included one tier of townshi])s, the 10th on the
east, more than the old toum of Cliautaucpia. Niagara county
was fully organized the same year, but the counties of Cattaraugus
and (Chautauqua being but sparsely po])ulated, were required to
remain as a part of the territory of Niagara for judicial pur{)oses
until such time as they should each contain five hundred taxable
inhabitants qualified to vote for members of assembly ; the
Board of Supervisors of Niagara county to determine the fact*
from the assessment rolls of these counties ; their action being
certified to the Governor, they were to be fully organized by the
a|)pointinent of officers &c. From this county Zattu Cushiug
and Martin Prendergast were appointed by the council of ap-
pointment. Judges of Niagara county, in w^hich cai)acity they
served until Chautaucjua county was fully organized in IHll.

Till. Toux OK poirri.ANi). 19

By the act of 180-! tlic Governor was authorized to a]>]>(»int
lliree oommissi oners to hx-ate a site for tlie county buildings in
tlie three counties, within one year from the date of tlie act.
Tlie commissioners ai)])ointed were. Jonas Williams, Isaac Suth-
erland and Asa Kansoni, who discharged the duties assigned
tliem within the time specified, or some time during that year.
Kew Amsterdam, now Buffalo, was fixed upon as the county
seat for the county of Niagara: Ellicottville for Cattaraugus,
and ]\ray ville for ClKuitauijua. In their rei)ort of the manner in
wliich they liad discharged their duties, the commissioneis
<lescribed in general terms the spot they had designated for
Chautau(]ua county, and then, tliat there should be no mistake
Avith reference to it, they added that they had ''erected a large
hemlock ])ost."

By the act before mentioned of ]March 11, 1808. dividing the
old county of Genesee and erectiiiL;-, with others, the county of
Cliautau((ua, the old tmru of Cliautau<[ua Avas also divided, the
town of l^omfret ei'ected and made to include the 10th Range
of to\vnshi])s on the east and not included in the original town
of C)hautau(iua. Tlie town of Pomfret included tlie 10th and
1 Ith Banges from the I'eiinsylvaiiia line to Lake Erie and two
t(iwiishi|(s on the nortli of the 12th Bange. territory now in-
cluded in the towns of Hanover, Villenova. Cherry Creek, Elling-
ton, Poland. Carroll. Kiantone, Ellicott, Gerry, (/harlotte. Ark-
wiiglit. Slieridan, Dunkirk, Pomfret and a ]>art of J^iisti. The
balance of the town retained its original name of Chautau<[ua.

At the meeting of the board of Su|>ervisors of Niagara county
in the fall of 1810. it was found on the examination of the as-
sessment rolls that the county of Chautauqua contained the
re(iuisite number of taxable inhabi'ants to entitle it to become
organized in accordance with the jn'ovisimis of the statute, and
a statement of the fact was drawn up and certified to \mder
seal by tlie board to (Tovenior Tompkins, and at a m'.'eting of
the Governor and council of api)ointment, held on the 9th day
of February 1811, the requisite county officers were appointed
and commiss'oned. The officers then a))]ioinfed Avere Zattu

20 IllSl'OKlCAl, SKKTCUKS OK

Cusliing, first judge, Matthew Prendergast, Philo Ortoii, Jon-
athan Thompson and William Alexander, assistant judges. Da
vid Eason was appointed sheriff, and John C. ]\rarshall. county
clerk. The first court of Common Pleas was lield at ^[ayville
June2r;th, 1811.

The Land Office was established at Mayville in 1810. and
Wm. Peacock appointed agent.

The census was taken in 1810, under the authority of the
United States, and the population of the county found to lie
2.88].

"But little more than eight years had elapsed since the fii'st
white inhabitant had located within the limits of the county.
The change that had marked the features of the county during
that period was probably as striking at that time as at any sub-
sequent period of equal duration. The sense of solitude which
liad pressed upon the minds of the pioneers had in a great mea-
sure been removed, and the evidences of industry and cultivation
were on all liands obliterating the traces of savage life and lift-
ing the gloom which had hung .over it since creation.'" — AVar

REN.]

THK Town ok i'oi;ti.\ni>. 21

CIFAI'TKIJ IT.

John MoMahan as First Supervisor of ("liautauqua, meets with the Board at Batavia—
Arthur Bell First Supervisor of the uew Towu of Chautauqua, and meets with
the Niagara County Board at Buffalo— James Montgomery First Town Clerk-
Development of the Couuty— Erection of the various Towns in the County, and
their First Supervisors.

John McMahan served as supervisor of the old town of Chau-
tauqua for the years 1805, 6 and 7, and met with the board at Ba-
tavia, Genesee county. In April 1808, Arthiu- Bell -was elected
the first supervisor of the new town of Chautauqua, and served
with the Niagara county board which met at Buffalo. James
]\[ontgomery was the first town clerk, and was elected at the
same time with Mc^fahan. [See list of town officers.]

From this time onward the county Avas ra})idly developed,
exce])t for the period during the war of 1812, and towns were
divided and subdivided and new ones erected in rapid succes-
sion to accomniodate the wants of the settlers and facilitate mu-
ni('i]»al regulations. In June 1812, the towns of Ellicott, Gerry,
and llan()\er were erected. Ellicott then included within its
limits the ))resent towns of Ellicott, C-arroll, Kiantone, Poland
and a ]>art of Busti. (rerry incluiled the present towns of
(ierry. F211iiigton. Charlotte and Cherry Creek, was of the same
size of Ellicott and lay immediately north of it. Hanover
included within its limits the ])resent town of that name, Avith
Villenova and a part of Arkwriglit and a part of Sheridan. All
tlie above towns were formed from the old town of Fomfret.

Portland was erected the next year, 181.3, Ai)ril 9th, and was
taken from the town of Chautauqua, and included the present
towns of Portland, Westfield and Kipley ; the form reminding
one somewhat of tlie (4eriymandering of partizan State legisla-
tures in districting States for representation in Congress. The

22 IIISTOIUCM- ivKTfllES OK

first supenisor awis Tliomas I'reudergast. [See l)iograi)hieal
sketches of supervisors.]

ITarmoiiy was erected from the town of Chautauqua, February
1-ith, 1810, and included tlie ])resent town of tliat name and a
l»ait of r>usti. Palmer Phillips was the first supervisor.

Ivijdey was erected ]M arch 1st, ] 810, and was taken from
Portland. It included all that ])art of Portland west of Chan-
tau<[ua creek. The first supervisor was Amos Atwater, elected
in A\m\ 1810. [See biographical sketches.]

Clymer was erected February 9th, 1821, and was taken from
C1iautau(jua. It embraced the present towns of Clymer, Sher-
man, French Creek and Mina, being townships one and two of
ranges fourteen and fifteen. The fii'st supervisor was Ande
Nobles.

Stockton was erected imder the same act as Clymer and was
also taken from Chautaucjua, and embraced nearly its present
territory. The first supervisor Avas C^alvin Warren, elected in
tlie si)ring of that yeai'.

Ellery was erected twenty days after Stockton and Clymer,
February 2nth, 1821. and was taken from Chautau(pia. It has
retained its original boun(huies. The first supervisor was
Almon Ives.

Kusti was erect e<l April 10, 182;-5, and was taken from Ellicott
and Harmony. It was named in honor of Paul Pusti, the
popular General Agent of the Holland Company, living in
Philadelphia, to whom the settlers upon the Purchase and their
descendants are indebted for many acts of genei'osity and good
will, and the various religious societies for generous gifts of
land for their use. Daniel Shearnum was the first supervisor,
elected in April 1824.

MUenova was erected January 24th, 1823, and was taken
from Hanover. Elzra Puffer was the fii'st sujiervisor.

Carroll was erected ^l:u-ch 2.')th, 182."). It was oriuinallv a
part of Ellicott. James Hall was the first su])ervisor.

Sheridan Avas erected .\.])ril 10th, 1827, and Avas taken from
Pomfret an<l Hanover. The first supervisor was Lyscum IMixei'.

TIIF, TOWN Ol POIITI.AXl). 23

Wcstfield was erected Marcli 19th, 1829, and was taken from
Poi'lland and Ripley. The first supervLsor was Amos Atwater.
[See biogra}>hieal sketches of supervisors.]

Cliarlotte was erected Ai)ril INth, 1829,' and was taken from
Gerry. Tlie first suj)ei'visor was Nathan Lake.

Arkwright was erected iVpril :30th, 1829, and was taken from
Pomfret and Villenova. Tlie first supervisor was William
Wilcox.

Cherry Creek was erected May 4th, 1829, and was taken
fron\ Ellington. First sujiervisor, James Carr.

French Creek was erected April 2od, 1 829, and was taken
Clymei". First supervisor, Alexander Wilson, jun.

Ellington was erected April 1st, 1824, and was taken from
Gerry. The first supervisor was James Thatcher.

Mina was erected March 23, 1824, and was taken from
Clymer. Nathan Throop was the fii-st supervisor.

Poland Avas erected April 9th, 1832, and was taken from
Ellicoit. Nathan Fenton was the first supervisor. ^

Sherman was erected April ITtli, 1832, and was taken from
Mina. B. H. Kipp was the first supervisor.

Kiantone was erected Nov. IGth, 1853, and Avas taken from
Carroll. The act erecting the town was jjassed by the board of
supervisors at their adjourned meeting at the village of Mayville
on the above named day. The power to legislate with reference
to the division of towns had been delegated to the board by the
state legislature, by an act bearing date April 3d, 1 849.

The first supeiwisor was Ezbai Kidder.

Dunkirk was instituted by act of the board of supervisors,
dated Nov. 17th, 1859, and was taken from Pomfret. Geo. M.
Abell was the first supervisor.

24 IITSTOUTCAT. SKKTCIIF.S OF

CHAPTER III.

Act erecting tlic origiual town of Portland — Act eree'iing the town of Ripley — Place of
holding town meeting changed — Agitation for another division of the town of Port-
land — -Act relating to the same — jTii'st OUicers chosen — Close of Civil Divisions.

Tlie act erecting the original town of Portland as lias been
said was passed April 9th, 1813, and defines its boundaries as
follows : "That after tlie passing of this act, all that part of
the town of Chautau(|na beginning at the northwest corner of
township No. 3 in the 15tli range of the land belonging to the
Holland Company, thence south on the line of the state of
Pennsylvania to the south corner of township No. 3 in the 15th
range aforesaid, thence east between the second and third tier
of townships ei<ifht miles and one quarter of a mile to a ])ost,
thence nortli between lots No. 33, 41, 34, 42, 35 and 43 to the
place where the said line intersects Chautauqua Creek, thence
down the center of said creek to a point, thence by a line to be
drawn from said point to the southeast corner of township No.
5 in the 13th range, crossing the bridge road at the five mile
post in said road, thence north bounding on said township No-
5 in the 13th range to the boundary line of the State, thence
south westerly along said boundary line till it comes to a place
opposite the place of beginning, thence to the place of begin-
ning, shall be and liereby is erected into a town by the name of
Portland, and the first town meeting in said town of Portland
shall be held at the house of Jonathan Cass ; and that all the
remaining part of the said town of Chautauqua shall be and
remain a separate town by the name of Chautauqua, and that
the first town meeting in said town of Chautauqua shall be held
at the house where the courts are held in the village of
Mayville." [See Sess. L. Ch. 36.]

TITK TOWN OF POETLAXP. 25

Some little obscurity existing witli reference to a portion of
tlie soutliern boundary of the town, a survey was made by A.
Williams, surveyor, on June 4th, 1821, and is described as fol-
lows : "Portland town line bears IVoni the N. E. corner of T.
4, 11. 13, to the Chautaucjua Creek, south GO'' 14^ west, 645
chains to a black oak tree marked T. L., standing on the west
bank of Chautauqua Creek."

This survey was attested by "T. B. Campbell, supervisor of
Portland," with the statement that he was present at the run-
ning of the line.

Portland did not long remain with its first boundaries. So
great was the influx of emigration that there was soon a
demand for better accommodation for the transaction of business
and attendance upon elections. Accordingly, during the year
1815 the project of a division was agitated which resulted in
the passage of an act l)y the legislature, March 1, 1816, erecting
the town of Ripley, which comprised the ])resent town of that
name and all of the present town of Westfield west of Chau-
tauqua Creek.

The towns of Portland and Piyjley remained intact for several
years, and in fact there was no exertion for another division
until the summer and fall of 1 828. The town meeting of Port-
land that year had been very sjjirited. Elisha Arnold, living in
the present town of Portland, had been elected supervisor in
opposition to a prominent and influential citizen of the village
of Westfield, and the question of removing the place of holding
the next town meeting from the usual place to some point more
central was agitated, and a vote obtained to the end that the
next meeting be held at the forks of the roads in the present
town of Portland on the Erie road, on lands of Martin Coney,
lot 34 T. 5. At that time there Avas not the semblance of a
house to be seen on the spot designated, the ground being cov-
ered with stum])S and the remains of fallen timber. The voters
however, had the assurance of Mr. Coney that a building suitable
for the purpose should be placed upon the ground in time for
the next meeting, which i)romise was fulfilled and a tavern

2G insTor.iCAi. sketches of

house of ample proportions built daring the season npon the
spot, and occupied by the family of JNEr. Coney. The building
is still standing and is the prtsent residence of ^Ir. O. Jerome
Greene.

Tlte chagrin of the defeat at the town election for 1828
"svas the occasion of a movement by the people of the village of
Westtield and vicinity having in view another dismemberment
of the old town of Portland, and during the -winter following
a bill was drawn and ])resented to the legislature l)y Nathan
Mixer, then one of the members from this county, which
after the usual com-se was passed March 19th, 1829, erecting
the town of Westfield. This act reads as follows : "From
and after the passing of this act, all that part of the town of
Portland known as a part of the fourth township in the four-
teenth range <jt the Holland Company's purchase, and so much
of the town of Ripley as lies east of a line running from Lake
Erie to the south line of said town, being the division line
between the fourteenth and fifteenth ranges of townships of
the Holland Company's purchase as aforesaid, shall be and
remain a separate town by the name of Westfield, and the
first town meeting shall be held at the house of Asa Farnsworth
on the first Tuesday in April next, and hereafter at such
place as the inhabitants shall appoint at their anniial town
meetings. The residue of the town of Portland shall remain
a separate town by the name of Portland, and the next town
meeting therein shall be held at the house of jVIartin Coney in
said tow^n on the first Tuesday of April next. The supervisors
and overseers of the poor of the towns of Portland, Ripley
and Westfield, shall as soon as may be after the first town
meeting therein, npon notice to be given by the said supervisors
or one of them, meet together at the house now occupied by
Asa Farnsworth in the village of Westfield. and ap})ortion the
poor and poor moneys and other funds of said towns agreeable
to the assessment rolls of the to^vns of Portland and Ripley
for the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eiglit, and
each of said towns shall thereafter support its own poor."
[SeeSess. L. 1829. ch. 59.]

THK TOWN Ol' POIJTI.AXI). *J t

On the first Tuesday of April following Elisha Arnold was
elected supervisor of Portland, and a full set of town officers
was also elected. Amos Atwater, the first su])ervisor of Kiplev,
was the first supervisor of Westfield. [See Lioorajihical
sketches.]

We have thus noticed the formation and the dismemberment
of the old county of Genesee, the hive from Avhich counties
seemed to swarm, and the formation of some of tliose counties :
the formation of the old town of Chautauqua ; the formation of
the county ; its several divisions described more or less definitely
as suited our purpose, until our inquiry has brought us within
the limits of the ])resent town of Portland, the theatre of onr
futui'e investigations.

An interest attaches to the subject that may lead us to ])aitic
ularize ferther than may interest many readers now citizens of
the town, but we are sure that the generation coming upon the
stage and those that are to follow will esteem this very feati;re
as one of great value, and will ap})reciate oiu" motives and
eiforts in {)lacing upon record those incidents and facts that go
to make uj) tlie unwritten history of the town.

28 HISTOUICAT. SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER TY.

Description — Boundaries — Geographical Center — Location — Assessed Area — ^Real Area
— Table of lots and acres in each — Surface — Soil — Value for agricultural purposes —
Compared vrith other towns — Streams — Springs — ^Lakes &c., &c.

Portland is the smallest town in the county of Chautauqua
with but two exceptions, Kiantone and Dunkirk. It is bounded
on the north by Lake Erie, on the east by the town of Pomfret,
on tlie south by tlie towns of Chautauqua and Stockton, and on
tlie west by Westfield. Its definite boundaries have before
been given in reciting- tlie acts of the legislature creating the
towns of Portland and Westlield. The geographical center of
the town is a point six rods north of the road intersecting the
line of lots No. 25 and 30, T 5, and commonly known as the
.Erie or Kllicott road, about midway between the former resi-
dences of S. Y. P. Wells and Simeon Dedrick, and is in lati
tude 42*^ 22^, longitude 2° tM)^ west from Washington.

Tlie length of its eastern l»oundary is seven miles and fifteen
rods; the southern boundary is six miles and two hundred
and forty rods ; the western l)oundary is fom* miles and two
hundred and forty four rods, and the northern boundary from
the IsT. E. corner on the lake to tlie N. W. corner is eiglit miles
and sixty-two rods. The width of the town on the line
between toAvnshi})S 4 an<l 5 is five miles and two hundred and
ninety-seven rods, lacking twenty-six rods of the proposed width
of townships in the first survey. The town lies upon Lake
Erie, on the northern border of the county a little west of the
centei', and is fifty-one miles from Buffalo and thirty-six from
Erie, Pennsylvania. It has an assessed area of twenty thousand
five hundred and ten acres including roads, and a real area of
twentv thousand seven liiuidiTd and fortv nine and oiu^-li.-ilC

TIIF. TOAN'N or PORTLAND.

acres, nearly ; the diiFerenee being cliurch property and property
not taxable under the statute and, probably, inaccuracies in
making returns to the assessors.

The following table will show the number of each lot or
])art of a lot within the town, and the numbei' of acres and
decimals of an acre in each lot, the aggregate showing the leal
area of the town. Lots are numbered from the southeast
corner of each townshi)) as defined by the Holland Coni]):iny's
ma]>s ; a part of Portland being in the 4th and a jiart in the
5th township, of the 18tli i-ange.

Acres.

;-^r>7.7S

331) 00 \

\ 35

.-, '•

3S« 95

1»

.f,3S 00

i 3(;

5 1

4 IS. .83

170.00

^ \

421.72

:■>

342 04

1()S.87

308 80

.",

?A?,.r^r-^

17.>.38

332.90

.P)

370.00

•*

;^;^o ;?{)

2.5

,500 00

354 00

.34.^. (52

i 8

.3n0 43

4!l'l r>3

;")

1 8.-) 03

ISO 52

2j>

I'J

,S7I.0()

312.00

i:5

;")

r.4!> 00

413(10

;-,

3<!fi.7l

1 87.00

.^1

ir.

i")

387. 77

6fi8 89

If!

4Il.Itl

3(;i.oo

3."). .5 1

343 00

1 39

357 52
374 71
222 fiO
314 00
184 00
4(53 70
471. (w
343 34

98.07
280 80

88 97
384 20
4.00
238.40
371.50
110.32
324.00

-J

338.00
9 00
28 V50
370 70
38(5.50
144.80
303.30
301.00
300.40
10,00
270.00
319 09
327.30
329.00

Thus showing tlie real above the assessed area to be as aV)ove
state.l.

The south line of the town runs diagonally across lots Xo.
8, 16, 28, ao, 31, as, 4.5, 46, 52 and 6) of T 4 at an angle from
the N. E. corner of that townshi}) S. 6'J*^ 14" west.

A bluff with an elevation from twenty to thirty feet e.xtend.s
along the lake, a portion of the way ])recipitous and rocky, but
mostly gravelly at the base and a clay loam at the surface.
For trom two to three miles from the lake the surface is niostlv

30 IlISl'ORK AI. SKKTi'IlKS OK

level or gently undulating, broken only by the valleys made
by the small streams that empty into the lake. The soil for
this distance is a clayey loam. Immediately south of this and
near the villages of Brocton and Centreville, and extending
across the whole town from southwest to northeast is a strij)
of sandy or gravelly soil averaging one mile in width and
slightly elevated from the loam or lake belt. From this the
surface rises more or less into a hilly ridge, fonning a part
of the great water-shed between the waters flowing into the
gulf of St. Lawi-ence through the great lakes and those flowing
into the gulf of Mexico through the Allegheny, Ohio and
Mississippi rivers. The elevation of this ridge of hills or
water-shed is one thousand to twelve hundred feet above the
waters of Lake Erie, and eighteen hundred to two thousand
feet above ocean tides. So gradual is the rise from the
level country along the lake to the summit that the whole
surface is fitted for agricultural purposes and capable of
a high state of cultivation. P'rom the summit back to the
south line of the town the surface is uneven, and in the south-
west part somewhat broken, but well adapted for grazing,
dairying and general agricultural pur})oses. On this ridge the
soil is mostly a heavy clay and loam. Tlie soil of the town as
a whole is well adapted for tlie purposes of agriculture, the
south ])art more especially for grazing and dairying and the
north for grain and fruit growing. Some idea inay be formed
of its value for the purposes of general agriculture front the
fact that the state assessors have placed it in the first of the four
classes into which the towns of the county have been divided by
them, there being but three others in the same class, viz :
Hanover, Pomfret and Sheridan: and no one stands in advance
of it in the average valuation of real estate considei-ed with
reference to its ada] )tability for the ])ur])oses named, the M\t'i'agc
per acre being thirty five dollars.

Hivers. — There are but few streams of water flowing througli
the town. The s]>ace between the toji of the ridge of higli-
lands in the south part of the town and Lake Kric on tlit- noi-tti is

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 31

SO narrow that the acciuuiTlation of water is necessarily small
and the streams dwindle to mere rivulets in the liot and dry
weather of summer, and some of them entirely disappear.
There are, however, exceptions to this general rule and occa-
sionally a season when water -flows through the whole year
sufficient for the propelling of machinery &c.

Little Canadmoay Creek rises in the town of Ponifret, runs
a northwesterly coarse, enters Portland on lot eight in the
northeast j)art of the town, and after a brief career empties into
lake Erie on lot 9, T. 5.

Slippery Rock GreeJc. — This is the principal stream in town,
and rises in the highlands in the south of the town and the
town of Pomfret ; runs first a north and then a northwesterly
course and falls into the lake on lot twenty-seven, T. 5. It has
an east and a west branch uniting four miles from its mouth
on the east part of lot thirteen, T. 5.

Dunhams Creek. — This stream rises in the central and south
part of the town, receiving in its com'se many smaller streams
mostly originating in springs, and running a general north-
westerly direction falls into the lake on lot thirty-two, T. 5.

CorniVs Creek. — This stream rises also among the high-
lands in the south of the town, runs a general northwesterly
direction and enters the lake on lot thirty six, T. 5.

Fay's Creek. — This is the most westerly stream in town, of
note, north of the highlands, rises as all the others — in the-
highlands — and after absorbing the waters of the numerous
tributaries from springs empties into the lake on lot forty-two,
T. 5.

A number of streams of less note also empty into the lake,
and some of them have been used more or less for the purpose
of propelling machinery.

The East Branch of Chautauqua Creek rises in the town of
C/hautauqua, enters the town of Portland on lot fifty-three, T. 4,
and after a circuitous coiu'se enters the town of Chautauqua
again on lot 59, T. 4, near the southwest corner of Portland,

32 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

and falls into the lake at Barcelona after uniting with the west
branch a little south of the village of Westfield.

Although the streams of water are few and small and scarcely
subseiTe the purposes of necessary manufacture, large springs
are numerous and furnish an abundance of pure water, enough
for all the purposes and conveniences of life. Some of these
burst with considerable energy fi'om the gravelly belt before
spoken of, and furnisli water in large quanties during the
whole year. Springs are also found in almost endless profusion
upon the side hills or northern slope of the great water-shed,
emanating fi'om nearly every depression and from the crevices
of the out-cropping rocks. Water is also obtained by digging
to a moderate depth.

Lakes. — Portland is washed the entire extent of its northern
border by the waters of lake Erie. Most of the beach is
gravelly, but a portion of the distance is }»erpendicular rock
which occasionally rises fi'om the surface of the lake to the
hight of fi'om forty to fifty feet. Against this iron-bound
shore in boisterous weather the waters of the lake dash with
great violence, at times casting their spray far above the tops
of the rocks.

The water of the lake at this time is fi-om three to four feet
higher than at the first settlement of the town. It was possible
at that time to pass with facility and most of the way upon dry
land, along the beach fi'om the west line of the town to Van-
Bui'en Point near the northeast corner, a distance of more than
eight miles. It is said that a difference of seven feet has been
known to exist in the hight of the water, but of the particular
cause of this rise and fall nothing is definitely known ; conjec-
ture says "probably prevailing winds, unequal amounts of rain,
and evaiDoration." There are no small lakes or ponds within
the borders of the town.

Climate. — The chmate of the town of Portland in common
Avith that of the whole southern lake border is mild and salu-
brious, the greatest range of the thermometer being from
ninety five to ninety eight degrees to from three to five degrees

THE TOWN Or PORTLAND. 33

above the cipher <>f Farenheit, or zero. Occasionally, however,
the mercury rises to one liiindi'ed and two degrees and falls as
low as from three to five degi"ees below. The gentle breezes
from the lake in the summer cool the atmosphere and render it
delightful. Being' on the border of so large a body of water
the climate is subject to sudden changes, and strong winds,
mostly from the west and south, in certain seasons of the year
are frequent.

Frosts seldom come so early in the fall as to prove a damage
to vegetation or to maturing crojjs, and the grass remains
green until the falliug of the snows of winter. The tails of
snow during winter are seldom heavy, but usually coming in
connection with the strong w^esterly winds it is thrown into
huge drifts and often to an extent interfering with travel.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTEK V.

Natural Geography continued — Geological Features — Rocks — The Portage Group — Gas
Springs— Sulphur -priugs — Harbors — Forest Trees.

Of the geological features and formations in the town we
purpose to say but little. The rocks that underlie the whole
town and that crop out here and there, belong to what is
termed the " Portage Group of the New York System." Tliis
group is composed of the Coshacjua Shales, Gardeau Flag
Stones and Portage Sand Stones. The order of their arrange-
ment is from below upward, the whole formation dipping
slightly towards the south. The upper strata, or Portage sand
stone, lies below the coal fields of Pennsylvania ; in fact tlie
highest series of rocks in this state form the floors of the coal
measures of that state, rendering the idea of the existence of
coal at any point within the bounds of this state as visionary.
The sand stone of this Portage group is the stone mostly used
for building purposes, and is quarried in various places ; and of
this stone is formed most of the cellars in town and the original
bridges and culverts of the Lake Shore railroad. The veins
are of various thickness, from' a few inches to three or four feet.
The strata in this town, however, are of uneven surface, not
unifornti in thickness and not as well adapted for building
purposes as those from the quarries of the town of Pomfret
and of some other localities.

The flagging is obtained in very limited quantities and
occupies but a small space between the other strata.

The lower strata, or Portage Shale, crops out largely in
various localities but principally along the border of the lake,
and in some places forms the bed of the lake for a considerable

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 35

distance. This stone is worthless for building purposes,
crumbling into fragments after a short exposure to tlie atraos
phere. Of the thickness of these strata little can be told, and
it can only be determined accnrately by drilling.

An occasional limestone boulder is found upon the surfaci'
or imbedded in the soil, but not in sufficient quantities to be
made practically available.

Drift, including loose deposits of boulders, gravel, sand and
clay, is found in most parts of the town, and in some parts the
rocks are covered with it to the depth of many feet. The
peculiar chai'acter of this drift, the forms in which it is found,
and the j30sition it occupies, all give evidence of some great
general moving power which existed after the stratified rocks
were lifted from their original beds, ages before the present
order of things was instituted. It is evident that in this
town and also along the whole southern shore of lake Eiie the
whole lake country, as it is termed, at some remote period
formed a part of the bed of the lake or some vast inland sea.
and that the action of the waters of this lake had much to do
in the formation of the various drifts now fomid ; but in
many places, evidently, they have been formed more recently
by the agency of streams, atmosjDhere and frost.

Oas Springs. — A 'very peculiar geological feature of the
town is the springs of carburetted hydrogen gas found in
several places along the border of the lake. This, however, is
not a feature at all confined to this town, but the springs are
found over the whole lake region from Erie, Pennsylvania, to
Cattaraugus creek on the east. These springs have their origin
in the strata of shale of the Portage group of rocks, tlie gas
being evolved through the fissiu-es. In various places along
the beach it bubbles up through the water <f.the lake from
twenty tc^ sixty feet from the shore. But one spring of this
character in town has been utilized. Some years since, J. E.
Harris, living on lot thirty-two, T. 5, obtained a supply of this
gas from the rocks on the bank of Dunham's creek, conveyed
it to his house but a few feet distant, and it was used for

36 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

lighting the house for several years- Rev. T. L. Harris pro-
poses to utilize a large spring coming iij) from the bed of the
lake thirty or forty feet from the shore and directlj^ oj^posite
his residence on lot twenty-two, T. 5. From unmistakable
indications there is no doubt but a large supply, sufficient for
illuminating purposes, might be obtained with but little
expense at any point along tlie lake, and possibly for heating-
purposes also.

Sulphur Springs. — These are found at various points in
town and undoubtedly come up from the same source as thj^
gas — the shales of the Portage group of rocks. Some are
vei*y strongly im^Dregnated with sulphur and have been
resorted to by invalids for the medicinal qualities they are
supposed to possess. The strongest spring is one upon the
farm of Charles H. Warner, on the southeast part of lot twenty-
one, T. 5, a little north of Brocton and not far from the railroad
station of that name. The peculiar scent may be detected for
many rods from the spring.

At many places along the lake the gas and water emanate
from the steep surface of the rocks, the water trickling in rivu-
lets to the lake, lea^^ng a sulphiuy deposit upon the stones
and gravel the whole distance.

Harbors. — The waters of the lake are shallow for some dis-
tance from the shore the whole extent of the lake border in
town with the excejDtion of the northeast corner, rendering all
safe approach by vessels impossible. The east line of the town
strikes the lake about half a mile east of VanBuren Point,
leaving about one-third of the bay of that name within the
limits of the town of Portland. Within this bay the water is
sufficient in depth to float any lake craft very near the shore.
In the winter of 1836-7, during the speculation mania of those
years that so largely joervaded the whole country ami proved
the ruin of so many who " made haste to be rich," a pier was
built from the central portion of the bay, about two hundred
feet long, by a company of capitalists and others having then-
place of business at Fredonia, in this county. A warehouse of

. THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 37

ample dimensions was also erected and every facility for the
transaction of business] secured. But within the next two
years the excessive pressure fi-om exaggerated and inflated
business transactions brought back the good sense ot the peo
])]e and the prospect of a near realization of the advantages of
the harbor and the facilities for business it seemed to afford
had to be abandoned, and the whole transaction faded away
almost as rapidly as it had been brought into existence. The
harbor is good, and with a little expense might be made a
slielter from nearly every wind ; but from the nearness of
Dunkirk on the east and Erie on the west with the facilities for
business and transit by railroads, it is not at all pioljable that
it will ever be made useful or subserve the purposes of com-
mercial transactions.

Forest Trees. — Previous to 1805 the entire surface of the
town was covered with a heavy growth of timber, and particu
larly was this so from the lake to tlie foot of the liighlands, a
distance of about three miles. The first encroachment uj)on
that wilderness was made that year by Captain James Dunn,
and the warfare continued with unceasing energy until within
the last few jears. The anxiety of the early settlers to burn
and destroy the timber from the surface, and by every means
in their power free the land fi'om the encumbrance, is only
equaled by the anxiety of the present occupants to preserve the
remains of this stately growth fi'om entire destruction.

After tlie erection of sawmills and for many years thereaftei',
lumber was sold for from three to five dollais per thousand
feet and was often a drug at that. Lumber at the above prices,
and black salts manufactured from the aslies of burnt timber,
were for many years almost the only means of liquidating
claims and furnishing the necessaries of life ; the lattei' being
the only means of obtaining money to satisfy the demands of
the tax-gatherer on his annual rounds.

Cypi'ess or whitewood, cucumber, hemlock and l)each ]>re
dominated, while many other varieties usually found growing
in connection with the above were in ^eat abundance. The

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

first three varieties often grew to a very great size. Walnut
maple, chestnut, birch, cherry, oak and elm were also found in
some localities. The indigenous plum tree was found in pro
fusion, that yielded a fruit of very agreeable flavor riiiening
late in the fall. No pine timber grew within the limits of the
town. Upon the side hill or uj^on the ridge very little of
cypress was found, but the whole was covered with a heavy
growth, similar to that of the lake belt, yet somewhat lighter
with a thick underarrowth.

THK TOWN or PORTLAND. 39

CHAPTER VI.

Natural Geography continued — Natural Curiosities and Scenery — The Oa-sca den— View
from the Highlands — View from the I;ake, South — Natural Scenery.

There are very few attractions in this town that would
appropriately range under this head- There are no yawning
caverns or fi'iglitful gulfs, precipices steep or silver lakes to
attract the attention oi' charm the sight. Two cascades, how-
ever, are found in Slippery Rock creek that present a beautiful
appearance during high water. One is half a mile noith of
Brocton. on tlie northwest ])art of lot twenty-one, T. 5, on
lands of T. L. Harris. The water falls over rough and craggy
rocks a distance of twenty feet, forming a perfect sheet of
snowy foam. The other is at the mouth of the creek, the
water falling a distance of fifteen to twenty feet over a steep,
nigged rock, then rushing with great force in a sheet of foam
down a rock}- declivity to the lake, a distance of eighty feet.
The high overhanging bank on the west side of the fall and
below is overgrown with evergreens and a thick growth of
small shrubs, while on the east side a tree of rugged growth
stands upon the brink with outstretched and ujolifted branches
as if to catch with grateful emotions the health-giving mists
that j'ise from the stream below. It is a beautiful retreat, and
the traveler looks out as well upon the lake vtdth its sailing
craft and towering steamers dotting the crystal waters.

Fair stream, thou call'st me from the busy cares
With which I am surrounded, and bid'st me
For the time forget this fleeting life is
J Full of evU. Thou makest me forget

That all is not as bright and beautiful
A.8 thine oyra fairy form, whilst thou in haste
Art passing on to join old ErieS- tide.

40 HiSTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

View from the lllghlands. — From the summit of the
hills oji the south the view of the lake and the intermediate
counti-y is exceedingly beautiful. I^rom this elevation in
the west part of the town may be seen tlie borough of
Westfield, the village of Barcelona, the two villages, Brocton
and Centerville, in the town of Portland ; and from a point
farther east the boroughs of Fredonia an<l Dunkirk, and
in a favorable state of the atmosphere the position and a
dim outline of the city of Buffalo may be discerned in the
far distance. The view of the lake dotted with vessels ol'
various sizes and thei]- sails trimmed to the favoring breeze,
the Lake Shoi-e lailroad for a distance of twenty miles with its
trains of living fi'eight. or perhaps at intervals one or more
laden with the commei'ce of the west or the oil}^ pioducts
from the sonth, like Imge saurians moving their liiilky forms
iu the distance — the Buffalo, Corry & Pittsburglj railroad
winding its way amongst and over the hills — the busy scenes
of an active and stirring population engaged in the A\aiio\is
duties of farm life, is at once beautiful, charming and
elevating. Its equal is seldom seen. The view from the lake
border south, with the hills as a backgroimd, is scarcely less
admirable and fascinating. These views, however, are not
confined exclusively to the town of Portland, but extend, with
variations, from the state line on the west to Cnttaraugus
creek on the east. The inhabitants of the town, from their
familiaiity, scarcely appreciate their favorable locality or the
beauty and charm of the scenery with which they are sur-
rounded.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.

CHAPTER VII.

Natural Geography eontiTiued — Native \nimals found in the Town at the First
Seftlemeut.

We propose to barely mention the Dames of the native
animals, those found here by the early settlers, saying nothing
by way of description or with respect to their habits, as these
are all well known by every one, if not from observation, from
books of natural history. The immense and dense forests
were highly favorable to the production of animal life, and
they were the residence of a great variety and number of
animals. They were fed by the production of a fertile soil,
and unmolested except by a few armed only with a bow and
aiTow. The principal of those found existing in the wilds of
the now town of Portland were bear, wildcat, beaver, deer, fox,
rabbit, porcupine, woodchuck. raccoon, muskrat, skunk, mink,
weasel and squin-el. The first five of these have entirely
disappeared, whilst the remainder are on such terms with civ-
ilization as they are able to prociu'e.

42 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER VIII.

View of the Town jirtWous to Settlement by the Whites — JCo Traces of Cultivation —
No Traces of Indians or of Indian Life— The whole- Country Abandoned by them
— Evidences of Early Civilized Life, Fortiticatious, &c.

At the period of the advent of the earliest settler that
portion of teiiitory now within the town of Portland was a
wilderness of dense, heavy forests. *' No traces of cultivation
enlivened the di-eary waste," and we suppose that it had
remained, thus for a long succession of ages. When Capt. James
Dunn explored the town in 1804 with a \-iew of settlement
a;nd making for himself and family a home in the wilderness,
this heavy growth of timber along the northern border, and<
deep ravines made by the streams near theii- mouth, deteiTed
him from locating near the lake, and he was of the opinion
that the whole section could never be made available for agri-
cultural purposes. He said to his wife before they anived on
their new purchase in 1805 that they should always have
plenty of land for their cows to browse over, as the whole of
the land near the lake was covered with the richest herbage
and could never be made use ot for anything else. Mr. Diuin
made a good location for himself, but his estimate of the lake
shore land was greatly at fault, as the many excellent farms
along our northern border will attest.

It is quite probable that oiu' forests were the haunts of
savage life more or less, but there was not the least trace of
aboriginal life within our borders found by the settlers, or
the least evidence that the soil in any locality was ever occu-
pied as planting ground by earlier inhabitants. It is tiaie
that Indians were often seen by the settlers, and perhaps

THK TOWN OF PORTLAND.

some of them had temporally lodgments \\-ithiii the to^vn,
but they wei'e only wandering bands in search of game,
having their piincipal location to the east or to the south ot
Portland. The great aversion of the Indian to habits of
industry, the heavy growth of timber upon our soil and the
fact that the women performed the entire labor of cultivating
the soil, are perhaps sufficient i-easons why the town was never
a favorite resort for the red man except for the pTirjDoses of
the chase. Those that occasionally visited the settlements,
and on several occasions greatly alaimed A\'omen and childieu
while alone in their cabins far away in the recesses of the
forest were of that division ot the Iroquois confederacy
called the Senecas, a poweiful tribe whose principal villages
were on the Genesee river not far fi'om Irondequoit bay on lake
Ontario. Their territoiy extended over the whole of the west
ern part of the state. They were a constituent of a powerful
nation and wielded a large intiuence in the confederacy in the
days of its greatest glory ; but like the dew before the rising
sun they are fast melting away and disaiDpeaiing before the
influence of civilization. But a remnant remains and they
are located upon the Cattaraugus and Alleghany Reservations
and a few elsewhere. Those occasionally visiting Portland
were inoffensive and harmless and disposed to ctdtivate the
good vein of the settlers : came and went as they pleased and
always manifested the most fiiendly intentions. The whole
county also seems to have been abandoned by them or nearly
so previous to the first settlements, or only used as hunting
gi'ounds. " When the first white man. Col. James ]M^'Mahan,
passed through the county in 1795, with a view to a I'esideuce,
tliere was a small settlement of Indians on the Conevvango
creek, in the present town of (Jarroll, on a farm since
owned and occupied by Judge Preiidergast. This, it
is believed, was the cmly settlement within oui' piesent
limits— at least it is the only one of which we have any
authentic account. There we)-e other tracts of smaller
extent whirli bore marks of cultivation, and wliich had

msTOHICAL SKKTCHES OF

been occupied as planting grounds at more remote periods.
According to tradition derived from the Indians their ances-
tors had nsed them for purposes oi tillage, but at what
time is left entirely ,to conjecture. The forest trees which have
since overgrown them furnish us no satisfactory answer to the
inqiiiry. The cultivation, of which there arc only faint traces
nearly obliterated by the hafid of time, was evidently resorted
to merely for the purj-)oses of subsistence, as evidences of
tillage for otht-r purposes, either in the traces which are left or
in the character of the pe<jple who drew them, are wholly
wanting. '" — W akren.

But there are evidences within our borders, the remains of
fortificatious bearing marks of gi-eat antiquity, that indicate
the remote existence of nations far more civilized than the
present races or any of the known tribes of North America.
These fo7"tilications, or their remains, are found in various parts
of our state, particularly from the ijiteriorto the western border.
" There is a large olie in the town of Onondaga, one in Pompey
and another in Manlius ; one in Camillus, eight miles from
Auburn ; one in 8ci]>io, six miles, another one mile, and anothei-
about half a mile from that village. Between tbe Seneca and
Cayuga lakes there art- several — three within a few miles of
each other. Near the village of Canandaigua theie are three.
Ill a word, they ai'e scattered all over that country. These forts
were, generally speaking, erected on the most commanding
fj-roiinds- The walls or breastworks were earthen and the
ditches were on the exterior of the works On some of the
parapeirs oak trees were to be seen, which from the number of
concentric circles must have been standing from one hundred
and fifty to three hundred years ; and there were evident
indications not only that they had sprung up since the
creation of these works, but that they were at least a second
growth. Thejienches were in some cases deep and wide, and in
others shallow and narrow, and the breastworks ot various alti-
tude from three to eight feet. They sometimes had one and

sonietuaes two entrances, as was to be inferred by there being

THK TOWN OF POltTl.AND. 4")

no ditches at those plaees. When the works were protecte<l by
a dee]) ravine, or a large Ktri-aai of water, no Jitcli was to be
seen. The area of those forts varied fiom two to six acres, and
the form was genernlly an irreu'ular elHpse : and in some of them
fragments ot earthenware and jtnlverized substances siTp])osed
to have been originally human bones w^ere to he found. These,
fortifications, thus diffused over the interior of our countryj
have been generally considered as supassing the skill, patience
and industry of the Indian race, and various hypotheses have
been advanced to prcjve them of European origin." — CriisiTON.

" On the south side of lake Erie are a seiies of old fortifica-
tions, fiom the Cattaraugus creek to the Pennsylvania line, a
distance of fifty miles- Some are fi-om two to four miles
apart, otliers less. Some contain five acres. The walls or
breastworks are of earth, and they are generally on ground
where there are appearances of creeks having once flowed into
the lake, or where there was a l)ay. Hence it is inferred that
these works were on the former margin of lake Erie, whence it
has retreated from two to five miles north vrard." — [Mottltok.

These old forts afford a certain evidence of a large and
crowded population, settled in towULS which were defended b}'
these forts, cultivating agriculture and commerce, and much
further advan<-ed in (dvilization than those inhabiting the same
regions at the time of the disco vej-y by Eiu'opeans.

" They may be viewed as connecting links of a great chain
which extenils beyond the (jo'nfines of this state, and becoming
more magnificent and curious as we recede fiom the northern
lakes, passes through Ohio into the great valley of the Missis-
sippi, thence to the Gulf of Mexico, thi-ough Texas and SoTith
America. In this vast range of more than three thousand
• miles the monuments of ancient skill giadually become more
remarkable for their number, magnitude and interesting vaiiety,.
until we are lost ill admiration antl astonishment to find in a
wo)ld we call new, ancient institutions, religious ideas and forms
of edifices similar to those in Asia, which there seem to go back
to the dawn of civilization." — [E.astm.vn.

HiSTOKiCAi, ski;tchks of

This same scheme of a Kne of forts exteiKhiig across the con-
tinent, along the great lakes and folh^wing the course of the
great rivers to the gnlf of Mexico, was attempted b_v the f'rench
diuing the seveiiteentli and eighteenth centuries : hut the
gigantic enter])rise was brought to a sudden collapse by the
fortunes of the conflict on the plains of Abraham Ix'tween the
French and English on he 13th of September. l7o9. when
the latter under Gen. Wolfe defeated the fornier imder Gen.
Montcalm and force<l the cession of Canada and all the French
possessions contiguous, to England by a definite treaty made
in 1768.

Concerning the authnis of these old fortifications we have
not the least account. Conjecture only is busy with the
question. Tiieir origin, their fortunes and the tremendous
visitation tliat wrought their ruin have alike been consigned to
oblivion.

But the evidence referred t(^ as existing within the borders
of Portland is the remains of an old fort on the west bank of
Fay's creek, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Margaret D.
Leach, on the central part of lot 88, T. 5. The main, or north
Erie road, runs through tlie northern border, lea\ ing but tlie
ancient wall or breastwork at the side of the carriage way. the
balance being on the south of the road and including the
garden and a part of the dooiyavd of Mrs. Leach. It was
evidently built on the boi'der of some great inland sea, the
waters of which then extended to the bluft" a short distance to
the north of it. wliile a stream emi^tied into the sea within a
few rods on the east. It was a heavy earthwork slightly ellip-
tical in form and containing abcMit one acre. The breastworks
have been so often subjected to the leveling influence of the
plow and other imijlements of husbandry that it is now difficult
to determine anything definite respec^ting them beyond the
fact ot their existence. A large ma])le tree in the highway
stands upon the northern wall. Various and curious specimens
of earthen and stone pipes and utensils of various forms
have been found within and around the walls. It is to be

THK TOWN OS' PORTLAND. 47

regi-etted that the fort and its suiToundings were not more
thorouglily studied before the almost desecrating and destroying
hand of the pioneer had so nearly leveled its walls and blotted
its existence fi'om the tace of the earth.

Old roadways are found in various i:)laces that evince a good
degree of engineering'skill. They are well thrown up, and no
doubt were important thoroughfares leading to and from large'
towns or centers of jiopulation. Two of these no doubt have
an antiquity coeval vidth the old fort, whilst those nearer the
lake are evidently of more recent origin. The road leading from
the site of the old stoue school house on tlie old Erie road, in
S. Dist. No. 3, south to the foot of the hill, occupies the bed of
an old road thrown up and occupied by a busy multitude, pos-
ibly, two thousand years ago or more. Another roadway is
found leading fi-om near the residence of A. B. Post on lot 4,
T. 5, in a westerly direction to the creek near the saw mill of
Earl Bacon. Another is found crossing the road leading to the
lake from the brick church in West Portland, on Icrt -ll, T. 5.
also in a westerly direction and intersecting one in the east
border of the town of Westiield leading from the main or Erie
road on lot 29, T. 4, R. 14. nearly to the lake. Excavations for
the L. S. R. R. made it evident that these two were of artificial
make. One of shorter extent is seen northwest of the village of
Brocton, and between that village and Brocton station on the
L. S. R. R. on a farm commonly known as the Budlong farm.
Excavations in this have shown a bed of large stones covered
deeply with earth and gravel. The course of this roadway was
nearly due north and south. Another may be seen ranning
from a point on the south road a few rods west of the former
residence of Timothy Judson on lot 19, T. 5, in a northwesterly
direction across the farm of William Becker and partly across
the farm of J. L. Hatch. These two last named may be
Bections of the same road.

Of their origin and of the people who erected them, as with
the origin of the old fort, we know nothing; but the mind nms
back in wonder and amazement to the time when the town of

48 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

Portland was jierhaps even more densely populated than now.
with an intelligent people engaged in the cultivation of the soil,
in commerce and the arts and sciences, and with the means of an
education for the masses as complete as at the present ; when
towns and villas were interspersed here and there with a stir"
ring population and the seat of many a happy home ; when
"perhaps the lake was dotted as now with the white sails of a
large inland commerce : its shores lined with marts of trade,
and its promontories bristling with the means of defense.

"We are prone to speak of om'selves as the inhabitants of a
new world, and yet we are confronted with such evidences of
antiquity ! We clear away the forests and speak familiarly of
subduing a 'virgin soil,' and yet the plow upturns the skulls of
those whose history is lost ! We say that Columbus discovered
a new world. Why not say he helped make two old ones
acquainted with each other ? Our advent here is but one of the
changes of time. We are consulting dumb signs, inanimate
and unintelligible witnesses, gleaning but unsatisfactory know-
ledge of races that have preceded us. Who, in view of earth's
revolutions and the developments that are made by the ' rapidly
progressive science of geology,' will fail to ' reflect that our own
race may not be exempt from the operations of what may be
regarded as general laws ?' Who shall say that the scholar, the
antiquarian of another far off century may not be a Champol-
lion deciphering the inscriptions upon our monuments, — or a
Stevens wandering among the ruins of our cities to gathei'
relics to identify our existence '?"

•' Since first the sunlight spread itself o'er earth ;
Since chaos gave a thousand systems birth ;
Since first the morning stars together sung :
Sines first this globe was on its axis hung,
Untiring change, with ever moving hand,
Has waved o'er earth its more than magic wand."

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.

CHAPTER IX.

Title — Grant of James 1st to Loudou Company in 1606 — Extent of the Grant — Plymouth
Company Grants to North and South Virginia — New England — Attempts made to
Settle New England — Given np as a Failure — Attempts Renewed — New Charter and
New Company — Extent of its Charter — The tirst Absolute Transfer — The Puritan
Fathers — Tht ir Claim under the the Council of Plymouth — Their Settlements, &c.

Before proceeding fuiiher, or giving an account of the first
and subsequent settlements of the to>vn of Portland, we propose
to go back for a brief space and trace the title to the lands of
the Holland Purchase, and of course of the town of Portland
it being a part of that purchase, its origin and changes, and
under which we as citizens claim and hold the homes we and
our ancestors have reclaimed from the wilderness.

James the first, King of England, claiming by right of discov-
ery and otherwise a large proportion of the North American
continent, granted letters patent in the year 1606 to the London
Company, composed of " noblemen, gentlemen and merchants,"
and mostly lesidents in London ;' and to the Plymouth Com-
pany, composed of " knights, gentlemen and merchants," and
residing mostly in the west of England, all that portion of the
(continent extending on the south from the mouth of Cape Fear
river, in North Carolina, to Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia,
embracing eleven degrees of latitude, fi"om the thirty-fourth to
the forty-fifth, inclusive, and from the Atlantic to tlie Pacific
ocean. The operations proper of the London company were to
be confined within the first four- degrees of latitude, fiom the
thirty-foTU'th to the thirty eighth ; and the Plymouth com])any
to the last four named degrees, or from the forty-first to the
forty-fifth : nnd the intermediate territoiy was to be occupied

50 HISTOiaCAL SKETCHES OF

by both compauies, but each was prohibited from forming
settlements or building forts within one hundi'ed miles of each
other. This was an immense transaction, sinking into insigni-
ficance the land grants by congress for railroad purposes of
which so much has been heard. It is not at all probable that
King James or any member of either company had the remotest
idea of its extent. The area was but little less than two
milUons six hundi-ed and fifty-six thousand and five hundi-ed
square miles, or one billion seven hundi'ed millions and one
hundred and sixty thousand acres ; including extensive plains,
vast mountains, mighty livers, nearly the whole of our great
inland seas, and the homes of himdreds of thousands of human
beings.

The two portions of this grant were named respectively North
and South Virginia, but the northern portion was subsequently
named Xew England by Captain John Smith of early Virginia
notoriety, who sailed along the coast in 1G14 and penetrated
some distance into the interior. For fomleen years after the
date of the grant by King James in April, 1006, very little and
in fact nothing was done toward settling the territory ceded to
the Plymouth Company.

Several attempts were made by the company and by others
acting by their permission to establish a colony, each resiilting
in failure, until the company became disheartened and refused
to pursue ftirther tlie tlms far fruitless enterprise. Vast siuns
of money had been advanced and lost, and the company, as
such, abandoned the scheme of colonizing the new world. But
notwithstanding all this, and that the affairs of the company
liad come to a standstill, by the almost sui>erhuman exertions
of the indefatigable John Smith their attention was again
excited and turned toward their western possessions, and on
Nov. 13th, 162U, a new charter was obtained for tlie piu'pose of
settling the cormtry. "The original Plymouth Comjjany was
superceded by the Council of Plymouth, to which was conveyed
in absolute property all the territory lying between the fortieth
and forty-eighth degrees of north latitude, extending from the

THE TOWN l)F PORTLANI>. 51

Atlantic to the Pacific ocean and comprising more than one
milHon of square miles." That the extent of this grant may
the better be understood by the reader, let him spread the map
of ^the United States before him and examine carefully the
various states and territories lying between the parallels named.
It will be found to contain within its limits a large portion of
Canada, New Brunswick, all of the New England states, New
York, three-fourths of New -lersey, nearly the whole of Penn
sylvania, one-half of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, all o{ Michigan,
Iowa and Wisconsin, one-eighth of Missouri, seven-eighths of
Minnesota, and then sweeping onward over vast plains and
mountains to the Pacific, including one-fourth of California,
three-fourths of Washington Territory and all of Oregon. This
was the first absolute transfer of title in the new world north
of the parallel of forty degrees, and the land titles within the
state of New York and that jtortion known as the Holland
Purchase, which includes the county of Chautauqua and of
course the town of Portland, in a certain sense may l>e said to
be derived from this patent.

The exclusiveness granted to this company or council occa
sioned many disputes, strong contentions and of coiu'se delays,
until it seemed that this comjiany also was doomed to be a
faihu'c and their acquired territories to remain as a sealed b<Jok
for all time. But w^hile the council and those to whom lands
had been granted were engaged in disputes and conflicts,
mostly on account of conflicting or snp[>osed conflicting claims,
the Puritan Fathers, moving no doubt under the guidance of
an allwise Providence, after various delays and being refused
permission to emigrate to South Virginia, obtained the tacit
consent of King .lames and some sort of privileges under the
council, pecuniarily severe and exacting but liberal with respect
to tolerance of opinion and rights and liberties of conscience.
l)lanted the colony of Xew PlyuKjuth and the germ, of an
emjjire.

The Puritans having obtained a fii-m footing in the new
world, an impetias was at once given to emigiation. and in due

52 HISTOJIICAI. SKKTCHES OF

timt' other colonies, from or on account of it were foiined in
various parts of New England and were rapidly pushed west
ward until they reached the Hudson river, where they were
intercepted by the Dutch operating from New Netherlands,
now New York. Here the English settlements were perraa
nently inteiTui>ted and stayed by the Dutch, who claimed the
territory in opi)osition to the Plymouth Council until the year
1664, when they ceded their territory to the English crown.
Chai'les II., who was then king, granted the same to his brother,
the Duke of York, and it thereafter took the name of New
York. This grant included also New Jersey. We will not
stop to define the boundaries of this grant ; suffice it to say
that they were sufficiently indefinite bnt inchided the territory
known as the Holland Purchase. Here then were two con-
flicting claims to the same territory : Massachusetts, by virtue
of the grant to the Plymouth Council, still claimed title as
against New York, and the result was a proh^nged controversy
respecting the rival claims which was not finally compromised
until after the revolution.

In 1781 the state of New York, and in 1785 the state of
Massachusetts, granted to the United States certain lands in
this state, — a part of the lands in dispute, — but these grants,
though they diminished the extent, did not cover the whole
territory in dispute as between these states ; there still remained
about nineteen thousand square miles. The dispute was
settled, however, very soon after the revolutionary war by a
convention of commissioners appointed by the parties and held
in the city of Hartford, Connecticut, December 16. 1786.

" According to the stipulations entered into by the conven-
tion, Massachusetts ceded to the state of Ncav York all her
claims to the government, sovereignty and jiTrisdiction of all
the territory lying west of the present east line of the state of
New York : and New York ceded to Massachusetts the pre
emption right or fee of the land, subject to the title of the
natives, of all that part of New York lying west of a line begin
ning at a point on the north line of Pennsylvania eighty-two

THK TOWN OF POHTLAND. 53

miles west of the northeast corner of said state, and running
from thence due nortli through Seneca lake to lake Ontario ;
excepting and reserving to the state of New York a strip of
land east ot and adjoining the eastern bank of the Niagara
river one mile wide and extending its whole length.

" The land the preemption light of which was thus ceded,
amounted to about six millions of acres."

Tracing the origin, history and final settlement of the various
differences and claims with reference to these earlier land titles,
it appears that the title of nearly the whole of western New
York never vested in this state, but in the state of Massachu-
setts, and dating back to 1620.

Early in 1 788 a comj^auy was fonned of several gentlemen
of wealth and eminence, for the pui chase of these lands fi'om
the state of Massachusetts. Nathaniel Gorham of Charlestown,
Middlesex county, and Oliver Phelps of Granville, Hampshire
county, of that state, were members of that company and
authorized to 'act as agents. In April of that year a contract
was entered into by these agents, acting, however, in their own
names, and a committee appointed by the general comt or
legislature of Massachusetts, by which that state conveyed it?
preemption right to all lands in western New York, amounting
to over six milli(jns of acres, for one million of dollars. It
should be borne in mind that the Indian title had not as yet
been extinguished, but every conveyance up to this time con
tained a proviso looking to the extinguishment of the aborig
inal interests.

, After this purchase the pnjprietois j)roceeded at once to the
fulfillment of this portion of their contract; and in .Inly of that
same year (1788), within three months Irom the date of their
contract, they obtained by treaty with the Indians their title
to two millions six hundred thousand acres of the eastern
portion of the purchase from Massachusetts. This ctmvention
was held in Buffalo, then an inconsidei-able town of two or
three log houses. It was then called Buffalo Creek. Mr.
Phelps, accompanied by Mr. Hugh Maxwell as survoyoi-. had

o4 HIST()l;i(!.\l. SKKTCHKS OF

made an attempt at iieyxjtiatioii with tho Indians on the 12t]i
of May previous at KaiiadasaL^a, now Geneva, but as the Indians
were not fully and in fact Imt in part represented, an adjourn-
ment was agreed ujxm and tlu- council above named was held
in pursuance of such adjouinTnent.

TIIK TOU'N 01' POKTI.ANO. 55

CHAPTER X.

Title coutiuued— Indians refuse to sell all their title— Purchase of Mill-site Tract—
Rochester built on that Tract — Indian Name of Mr. Phelps— Description of the
Tract — Failure to meet Engagements by Phelps and Gorham — Eeconveyance to
Massachusetts — Purchase of the same by Robert Morris.

Mr. Phelps proposed the purchase of all the lands of
the Indians, conveyed by Massachusetts, but they were
unwilling to sell their interest west of the Genesee liiver,
giving as a reason that the Great Spirit had indicated to
them that that river was forever to be a boundary line
between them and the whites. Mr. Phelps resorted to
every form of argument to induce them to withdi-aw
their objections, but finding them immovable he pro
posed that as he could not jDrevail on them to part
with their lands west of the river as a whole; they
should sell him a small tract on that side, at the great
fall, large enongh for a mill seat and the conveniences of
such an estabhshraent ; rej^resenting that it would not
only be convenient to the whites coming into the country,
but to the Indians themselves. "The Indians then asked
him how much land he wanted for his mill seat. He
replied that he thought a piece about twelve miles wide,
extending from Canawagus village on the west side of the
river to its mouth (about twenty-eight miles) would answer
his purpose. To this the Indians replied that it seemed
to be a good deal of land for a mill seat, but as they
supposed the Yankees knew best what was required, they
j would let him have it. After the treaty was concluded
the Indians told Mr. Phelps that it being customary for
them to give the man with whom they dealt, a name, they

56 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

woiild give liim one. They also said they should expect
from him a "treat," and a walking staff, (meaning spirits)
to hel}) them home. The name they gave ^Ir. Phelps on
this occasion was that by which he was afterward known
among them, viz., 8caw-gun-se-ga, which translated is, the
'Great Fall.' Upon this piu'chase is situated the city of
Rochester." [Judge Porter.

The western boiuidary of this territory ^ to which the
Indian claim was thus extinguished, was the Genesee
River from the mouth to the mouth of the Cannaseraga
Creek, thence by a line running due south to the
Pennsylvania line. To this was to be added the mill seat
tract. In consequence of a failure on the part of ]Mr.
Phelps and Mr. Gorham in 1789 and 1790 to fulfill the
terms of their contract with the state of Massachusetts,
for causes not necessary to mention here, that state com-
menced a prosecution of the company of which Phelps and
Gorham were agents, and their securities, which resulted in
a compromise and a reconveyance March 10th 1791, by
them to the state of Massachusetts of all the territories
conveyed to them except that of which they had extin-
guished the Indian title, which conveyance amoimted to
about two-thirds of the original j^iu-chase.

In the winter of 1791, Robert Morris, of the city of
Philadelphia, bemg desirous of piu'chasing the interest of
the state of Massachusetts in the lands in the state of
New York that had been reconveyed to that state by
Phelps and Gorham, engaged the services of Samuel
Ogden as his agent in the matter of such a purchase,
Mr. Ogden held a conference with a committee of the
legislatui-e of the state of Massachusetts, specially appointed
for the purpose of such negotiation, and on the 12th
day of March of the year 1791, the committee contracted
to convey to the agent of Mr. ]Morris all their lands in
the state of New York except the tract of about two
millions six hundi-ed thousand acres ceded by ]Massa-

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 57

chiisetts to Phelps and Gorbam, and the mill seat tract
before spoken of. This was simply a contract, and in
conformity with its stipulations the state of Massachu-
setts by its committee conveyed to Mr. Morris on the
11th day of ^Nlay 1791, the whole of said tract of land,
and the acts of the committee were, ratified by the Leg-
islature on their assembling in the following June.

The conveyance of this land was by five separate deeds
and it will be well to give a descrij^tion of each tract,
that a more definite idea may be obtained of the real
extent of the original Holland Purchase in the state, and
that a better understanding may be had of the trans-
actions that followed.

The first of these deeds included all the land on the
said tract east of a line running due north from the
north line of Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, commencing
twelve miles west of the southwest corner of ' the Phelps
& Gorham tract. This tract contained* or Avas supposed
to contam about five hundi'ed thousand acres.

The second deed included a strij) of land from the
north line of Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, and west of
the last named tract, sixteen miles wide.

The third deed included a strip of land fi'om the
north hne of Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, sixteen miles
wide, and lying west of that included m deed number two.

The fourth deed included also a strip of land fi-om
the north line of Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, sixteen
miles wide, and lying next west of that included in deed
number three.

The fifth and last deed included all the land west of
that described in deed number four, in the state of New
York and owned by ^lassachusetts. The number of acres
included in the last four deeds was about three millions
three hundi-ed thousand. ^Massachusetts reserved of these
one luidivided sixteenth part, to satisfy a demand of Mr.
John Butler, who had contracted for the whole tract i^re-

58 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

vions to the reconveyance by Phelps & Gorham to Massa-
chusetts. Mr. Butler however assigned his right to Mr.
Morris before the execution of the deeds, thus making the
pui'chase of jVIr. Morris complete. In the subsequent trans-
sactions of SIi'. Morris with the Holland Company he
reserved all the lands embraced in the fii'st of the five
deeds before spoken of, as executed by Massachusetts to
him, and it thereafter took the name of Morris' Reserve.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 59

CHAPTER XI.

Title coutiuiied — Title iu Mr. Morris — Lauds conveyed by Mr. Morris to the Hol-
land Company — Various clianges referred to — Another conveyance of the whole
Tract — Title again in the Original Company — Four seiiarate Interests — The
Extinguishment of the Indian Title — Beservatious — Last transfer of Lauds in
Chautauqua County.

We have now come to a point where the preemption
title of what is familiarly known as the Holland Company's
lands in New York vested in Robert Morris. These lands
were within the next two years conveyed by Mr. Morris
and wife by four separate deeds to five distinct companies.
The names of those named in the first conveyance were
Heiman Le Roy and John Linklaeii; second, Herman Le
Roy, John Linklaen and Gerrit Boon ; third, Herman Le
Roy, John Linklaen and Gerrit Boon ; fourth, Herman Le
Roy, William Bayard and Matthew Clarkson. These persons
however were but trustees of the interests of certain cap-
italists in Holland, Europe, who furnished the funds for
the several purchases made. This was made a necessary
proceeding, as they were aliens, and according to the laws
of the state could not hold real estate in their OAvn
names.

After various changes of trustees and several transfers
of portions of land of more or less magnitude, which it
is not necessaiy to repeat, and all of which from time to
time received thie sanction of the legislatm-e of the state ;
another conveyance of the whole tract was made by the
trustees by three separate and distinct deeds, to three
comj^anies or individuals who represented the three branches
of the Holland Company. Again several conveyances, trans

60 IIISTOKICAL SKETCHES OK

fers and assignments followed, until tlie title settled in Dec.
1798 into the five original Dutch trustees, by assignment of
Paul Busti, who had acted for some time as general agent
of the company. These gentlemen were ever afterward
kno^ii as the Holland Comi)any. Their names were as fol-
lows : Wilhem Willink, Xicholaas Van Staphorst, Pieter Van
Eeghen, Hendriek Vollenlioven, Kutger Jan Schimmel-
penninck.

The interests of the three separate divisions of proprie.
tors before spoken of, were so intimately united or
blended that their affairs were placed under the control
of one general agent, as though there existed no separate
interests ; in fact none did exist, practically, as far as the
purchaser was concerned, the books of the company
being the only means of distinguishing the amounts of
the separate interests.

At the time of the sale of these lands by Kobert
Morris to the Holland Company in 1792-3, the Indian
title had not been extinguished. The transaction, how-
ever, was accompanied by an agreement on the part of Mr.
Morris to extinguish that title ; the company exerting its
influence and lending its aid to bring about the result.

After due notice and agreement, a council of the
Seneca nation was held at Genesee on the Genesee River,
in September 1797, at which the aboriginal title to the
lands in question was transferred to the com})any except
eleven reservations specially desig-nated and described,
amounting in tlie aggregate to three luindred and thirty-
eight square miles; and amongst which were the Catta-
raugus and Alleghany Peservations, each containing forty-
two square miles. These two are mentioned as being of
more interest to the local reader.

One other transfer of a part of the company's lands we
will refer to before leaving the matter of title. Forty-one
years from the time the title fully vested in the Holland
Company, in the year 1838, the company by their agent, John

THE TOWN OK rOKTI. AND. 61

J. Van Derkemp acting under a power of attorney, conveyed
all their imsold lands in the county of Chautauqua to
John Duer, Morris Robinson and Wni. H. Seward, in
wlioni the title remained till recently, exce^tting sucli
parts and parcels since sold and conveyed. At this ui-iting
there are less than eight hundred acres raisold in the
county, and none iii the town of Portland.

It is not the design of the compiler to pursue farther
the investigation with reference to title; the only object
of thus far pursuing it being to make plain the prominent
facts with reference to the general changes that have taken
place fi'om the time of tlie grant by James I. King of
England, in 1606, to the vesting of title of lands in wes-
tern New York in the Holland Company ; that the reader
may have a knowledge of what is not very generally
imderstood with reference to these titles, and wherein
rests the title and security of the many happy homes in the
town of Portland and of all western New York.

62 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OK

CHAPTER XII.

Surveys— Joseph EUicott Surveyor— His fitness for the work— Augustus Porter
Surveyor for Eobert Morris — Lines run around the whole tract — Eastern boundary
determined in 1798 — Eauges and Townships, Lots and Kesorvations Surveyed
— Size of each — Chautauqua Surveyed into Townships and Lots — Laud Olfice
located at Mayville— No. of Ranges and Townships in this county.

We shall not enter into a description of the ' surveys
of the lands of the company which followed immediately
upon the extinguishment of the Indian title, excej^t so
far as it may seem necessary, and to a fair understand-
ing of the same in our own county and town. We will
however notice some of the more prominent facts with
reference to them, and as fast as is consistent with the
original design narrow downi our investigations.

In 1797, Theopholus Cazenove was the general agent
of the Holland Company, and resided in the city of Phil-
adelphia. In July of that year, and preceding the
exting-uishment of the Indian title, he engaged the ser-
vices of Mr. Joseph Ellicott as chief surveyor of the
company's lands. Mr. Ellicott had been engaged more or
less in the service of the U. S. Government, and had
under the direction of the Secretary of War in 1791 run
the line between Georgia and the Creek Indians, and
was a man eminently fitted for the position he was des^
fined to occupy v^dth reference to the company and its
affairs for the remainder of his life, or until disease com
pelled him to relinquish the active duties of life and
seek in retirement to recuperate the worn out energies of
his active mind and body.

As soon as the result of the treaty held at Geneseo

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. G3

was known, Mr. Ellicott in compjuiy witli Augiistus Porter
as suiweyoi- on the part of ^Ir. ^lorris, commenced a
survey to ascertain the amount of land, in tlie whole
tract secured to the comj^any, beginning at the northwest
corner of the mill seat tract, twelve miles west of the mouth of
the Genesee lliver, and following the shore of Lake Ontario to
the mouth of the Niagara River, thence along the east
bank of that river to Lake Erie, thence along the soutli
shore of Lake Erie through the now towns of Hanover,
Sheridan, Dunkirk, Pomfret, Portland, Westfield and Rip-
ley in the coimty of Chautauqua to the line between the
state of Xew York and Pennsylvania ; this being a meridian 79^
50^ west from Greenwich and numing diie south from the west
end of Lake Ontario. The survey was successfidly accomplished
thus far by the loth of November following. In the sum-
mer of 1798 the eastern boundary line of the tract was
determined by Mr. Ellicott. Owing to various difficulties
and the necessity of accuracy in establishing this line, but
eighty-one and a half miles were surveyed and established
on the 22d day of November, at the close of operations
for the season. There are no known data by whicli to
determine the time when this line was completed. AVlien
this line Avas being run and afterward, other parties oi
surveyors were engaged under the direction of Mr. Ellicott
in siirveying the tract into ranges, townsliips and lots,
and determining the boundaries of the various Indian res-
ervations, necessarily but very imperfectly defined at the
execution of the treaty in September 1797. This work was
accomjdished or nearly so at the close of the season in
1800. The ranges of townships were run fi'om south to
north, and nimiber fifteen ; the townships run from east to
west. Tliey were six miles square or as nearly
so as it was possible to make them considering the various
offsets, and streams that were encountered, and each
was divided into sixty-four lots each of which was intended to
contain three hundred and sixty acres though varying often

64 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

for the same causes given for varying the size and form of
some of the toAvnships. There is a large diiference in the
size of the lots 'in the town of Portland, as may be seen
by referring to the table on page 29. The territory now con-
tained in the present county of Chautauqua was surveyed
into townships in the year 1800, and between that date
and 1810 the various townships were surveyed mostly
into lots by \\'illiam Peacock, who at the latter date
received the appointment of local agent and established
an office in Mayville. Within the county of Chautauqua
there are six ranges of townships containing twenty-seven full
and six parts of townships, the last formed by
the irregularities of the bomidaries on the northern border.
The first office for the sale of lands by the
comjjany was opened at liatavia in the year 1801, and
those' locating within the county previous to 1810 were
obliged to make their application there.

TIIK TOWTs' 01' POUTLANl). 65

CHAPTER XIII.

8ettlemeuts — First Settlenieuts in the County — Settlement of each town in the
County in their order.

Before proceeding to notice the first and eai'ly settle-
ments of the town of Portland specially, it will be neces-
sary in order to a full and fair understanding- of their
progress, or at least interesting, to consider in brief the
progress of settlements in ihe various portions of the
county. The settlement of the coiuity was rapid, almost
unprecedented, from the first attempt to the outbreak of
the war of 1812 and for many years after its close.
The western part of the Purchase had gained a reputa-
tion for richness of soil and salubrity of climate, long
before it was placed in market or even surveyed, second
to no region of equal extent. This was the earliest per-
sonal recollection of the writer, and on his removal to the
comity in 1827 he found his early impressions and expec-
tations more than realized. Strong ai'ms and earnest hopes
exercised for long years ; jtrivations and sufieiings of
which their descendants have faint conce})tions however,
were necessary before the full fruition of their hopes could
be realized by the hardy pioneers. Many of them with
whom he has since become acquainted removed with their
own teams from some of the New England states, and the
slow plodding ox-team at that, driving a cow or two, a
few sheep, and possibly other stock, grown upon the old
homesteads where their fathers aud perhaps theii* grand-
fathers lived and died: and the childi'en, sous and daugh-

<)6 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

ters, and possibl}' tlu'ir wives relievini^ tlie uver-<lnveii
team by tnidgiiig along on foot.

The whole country was covered by a dense forest of
gigantic trees witli luxuriant undergrowth, and of necessity
the ))rogress of improvement by the settler was slow
and toilsome : but by a ligid course of industry and
economy his success as a general rule was certain, and
he obtained a title to liis land and siuTounde<l liimself
and family with the comforts of life, and often with luxu-
ries that wealth only can bestow. With some he has
conversed who were pioneers of the town of l*ortland who
spent their last dollar in reaching the land of i)romise,
and entered their laud at the office "by the payment of
a single Spanish quarter, their open," honest countenances
being theu" only endorsers." A certain amount of improve-
ment however Avas required in each case, which was sure
to be made in diie season. It is gratifying that such
men succeeded. Through their exertions hterally the "wil-
derness Avas made to blossom as the rose;" and those
who have not passed to "that bourne whence no
traveler returns," are enjoying the fruit of their labors
smroimded h\ an abundance of the good things of life,
and are going down at last with the honest and com-
forting reflections of a well spent life.

It is proposed to refer next to the first settlement of
the comity at Westtield, and afterward briefly to the first
settlement of each toym in the county, asking the reader
to remember that at the time of such first settlement not
one of the towais had its present boundaiies or was
knoAvn by the name it now bears : but they are given in
order that the mind may the more readily take in a
knowledge of the various locations. In some instances it
has been extremely difficult to ariive at the facts with ref-
erence to names and dates, but it is believed that the
statements are are all of them coiTCct. James McMahan
was the first white settler of the coimty of Chautauqua-

THE TOAV?^ OK PORTLAND. 67

He was a native of Xovtlnimberlantl county, Pennsylvania,
and first passed tlirongh this county in 171)5, having in
\ie\\ a residence somewhere on the lake border. lie event-
ually located a tract in Haibor Creek, Erie county, Penn-
sylvania, farm now owned and occuj^ied in |)art by
Joseph Y. Moorehead, and returned to his liome in Noith-
uniberland county. The next jeav he came to his new
purchase, cleared a piece of ground of a few acres in
extent, sowed it to wheat, built a log hoi;se, and again
returned. The next year, 1707, he left his old home, and
with Iris family, a wife and one child, after days of toil
and hardship took possession of his "Settler's Palace" in
the midst of a then almost unbroken ^\dlderness. Two
other families came with him, Joseph McCord, a brother-
in-law, and Thomas Robinson. The log house of Mr-
McMahan stood very nearly on the groimd now occupied
by the brick house of Mr. Moorehead. He remained on
this purchase until qiute early in the spring of 1802,
when from some defect in title he felt obliged to leave
it and again commence a home in the wilderness. In
anticipation of the result of the controversy in regard to
title then going on in respect to lauds in western Penn-
sylvania, he had previously selected a tract of land a little
west of the present village of Westfield, land in ])art now
owned by \Vm. Vorce, which he eventually contracted for
and occupied early in the spring of 1802. In the fall he
removed his family to this ne'V purchase. Edward
McHenry, also from Northumberland county, Pennsylvania,
moved his family on to an adjoining tract of land the
same season, in fact before the family of Mr. Mc^Mab.an
removed from Harbor Creek, but McMahan had himself
been upan the ground for some months, erected a log
house, cleared a piece of land and planted it to corn;
thus fairly earning the honor of being the founder of a
republic now numbering nearly sixty thousand soids. John
^McMahan, an elder bj-other of James, and who was

68 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OE

aftei-\vard the first supei-visor of the old town of Chau-
tauqua, came to Chautauqua Creek in 1803 ; and Arthur
Bell and James Montgomery the same year. The fore-
sroiner is a coiTect statement in few words with reference
to the first settlement of the county. The facts have
been obtained from the most reHable soui-ces ; in fact
most of them were obtained fi'om "Mr. McMahau himself
many years since by Hon. E. T. Foote, and at the time
placed upon record by him, and to him the wiiter is
indebted for many of the facts mentioned. Mr. McMahan
died at Westfield, Dec. IS, 1846, aged 76 years.

Note. — The story that in 1794 a few families from Permsylvania, and among
them the "Lowry brothers" came to this county and sojourned for a few years ;
and which gained considerable credence and found a place in the statements cf
two or three writers, has no foundation in fact. It is well known that Georgt-
Morrow and Alexander Lowry came into the county much later than the McMa-
hans, as late as 1809. The statement made in Turner's History of the Holland
Purchase, and repeated by some other writers, that Amos Sottle was the first
settler of the county, on the Cattaraugus bottoms, has as little foundation in
truth. The facts are simply these : In 1798, Sottle or Sawtell, was engaged as an
axman and attached to the surveying party running the Range lines of the Pur-
chase. He was a resident of Chenango county, this state. The returns of the
Surveyor show his residence and his occupation. The Pay KoU shows the same
facts. After leaving the surveying party in 1799 or 1800 he went to the Xorth-west
Territory, where he remained several years. After his return to Cattaraugus he
married a very dark squaw and lived among his dusky friends. His name can-
not be found in connection with any land sales of the HoUand Company imtil
1806. It is more than probable that he did not return from the Northwest
Territory until about that date. It is to be hoped that that important event,
the first settlement of the county, will no longer rest in the public mind in con-
nection with the parties named in this note. The stories have no foundation
in facts. [Hon. E. T. Foote.

Pomfret: — Was settled at Canidaway, now Fredonia. in
1804, by David Eason and Thomas McCKntock fi-om
Pennsylvania. In that and the following year a number
of familes settled there, and amongst them Low ^Nlinegar.
Zattu dishing, Samuel Gear and Hezekiah Barker.

Dunkirk: — The western part of the town of Dunkirk
was settled as early as 1804 or 'o by two or three famihes
that came in by way of Canadaway, and amongst them
that of ]Mi'. Cole. No settlement was made near the
harbor until 1S08. when Timothy Gouldino: located one

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 69

mile west of the harbor. The next year, 18U'J, Solomon
CliaJwick located at the harbor, and for many years the
settlement was called Chadwick's Bay. Daniel Pier and
Luther Goiilding and others, in 180!)-! settled at and
near the harbor. Timothy Goulding is still li^'ing, in his
93d year.

Ripley — was settled at Qiiincy in ISO-l, by Josiah P'ains-
worth. The same year Perry G. Ellsworth, Samuel Trues-
dale, Alexander Cochran and Wm. Alexander located in
to'mi, and Silas Baird and Oliver Loomis in 1806.

Chautauqua. — The fii'st settlement was made by Dr.

Alexander Mclntyi'e, at May%'ille, in 180-4. Jonathan

Smith settled the same year on the AVest side of the

lake, and Peter Barnhart on the east side. Two years

later, in 1806, William Prendergast and others settled

in town.

Poland — was lirst settled by Dr. Thomas \l. Kennedy

from Meadville, Pennsylvania, at a point now called Fal

coner, on the Conewango Creek, in 1805. Dr. Kennedy

erected the first saw mill in 1 805 : and the first grist

mill in 1806. Many others soon settled about "the

mills." J. C. G. Kennedy, for many j^ears superintendent

of the census bui'eau at Washington, was a son of Dr.

T. R. Kennedy.

Ellicott. — The first settlement was made on the outlet

of Chautauqua Lake, at Jamestown, by William Wilson,

in 1806. The next year Edward Works located upon

the outlet and built the first saw mill in 1808, and the

first grist mill in 1809.

Ellery. — The first settlement was by Wm. l^emus and
Jeremiah Griffith, fi'ora Rensselaer county, X. Y., in 1806.
Mr. Bemus located at Bemus Point. Others came in
soon after.

Harmony. — The first settlement was in 1806, by Reu-
ben Slayton fi-ora Otsego county, X. Y. Darnel B. Car-
penter fi'om Washington county, X. Y., located in town

7U lUSTOIilCAI. SKETCHES OF

the same year ; Jonathan Cheney in 1 807, and Theroii
Bly and others as early as 1811.

Arkwright. — The first settlement made in this town
was in the northwest corner by Abiram T. Orton, Ben
jamin. Perry and Augnstns Burnham from some of the
eastern counties of this state, in 1807.

Carroll. — The first settlement was by Joseph Akins
from Rensselaer comity, X. Y., in 1807. Several others
came in the same year, and possibly at the same time,
and amongst them Laban Case and Wm. Akins.

Kiantone. — Ifobert Russell was the first settler in this
town, in 1807. James Hall came in 1810. Mr. Russell
built the first saw-mill on Kiantone Creek.

Charlotte. — The first settlement was made at the Cen-
ter by Robert W. Seaver and Wm. DiA-ine, fr'om Oneidix
county, N. Y., in 1809.

Stockton. — It is stated that the first settlement in this
town was by Jonathan Bugbee from ^Madison coiuity, N.
Y., March 1st. 1810. About the same time Ebenezer and
Solomon Tyler from (4reene comity, John West, Josepli
Greene and Bela Todd from Herkimer county, N. Y..
settled in the same vicinity, near the south line of the
town. In October of the same year Samuel Waterbnry.
Shadrack Scofield and Henry Walker from Saratoga
county, settled in the west jmrt of the town. James Hay-
wood opened the first store at Delanti, in 181 6. Icha-
abod Fisher kept the first tavern at Casadaga.

Busti. — Was first settled in 1810 by John L. Frank,
fr'om Herkimer county, N. Y. Heman Busli and
Theron Plumb settled on lot 60, in 1811.

Villenova. — First settlement was made in 1810, by
Daniel Whipple fr"om New England. Daniel Wright, Yil-
leroy Balcomb, Jolm Kent and Eli Arnold were early settlers.
Gerry — was first settled by Jolm Love, Jun., and Stephen
Jones, in the north-west part, in 1811. Hugh B. Patterson.
David Cobb, Jesse Dexter and others came in soon after.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 71

Chen-y Creek. — The tirst settltr was Josliua Bentley, who
came from Kensselaer Co., N. Y., in 1812. He settled on lot
15. Josei)li Kent settled on lot 9 in 1815. Willard Cheney
and others settled in town in ISIG.

Fieiic/i Creek. — The tirst settlement was made on lot 44,
in 1812. by Andy Nobles, from Oswego Co., N. Y. John
Cleveland settled on lot 81 the same year. Others settled in
to'wai about that time.

. EUliigton. — In 1814 Joseph Bentley made the first settle-
ment in this town, on lot 7. James Bates, f'iom Mass., Samuel
MeConnell, fi-oni Cayuga Co., N. Y., and others settled hi town
in 1816.

3Iina — was settled in 181G by Alex. Findley, from Pa., but
originally fi-om Ireland. Aaron AMiitney settled on lot 5i).
Zina Rexford on lot 28 and Roger Haskill on lot 50, in 1821.

Clynxer. — The first settlement was made on lot 58, in 1820.
by John Cleveland. AYm. Rice settled on lot 59 in 1821. In
1822 a number of families from New England settled m town.

Sherman. — Alanson Weed was the first settler in this
to-wn, locatmg on lot 31 in 1824. In the same year Harvey
W. Goff. Le.ster R. Dewey, Otis Skinner and Hiram N. Cleason
became settlers.

Hanover. — David Dickinson contracted for a section of land
covering the site of the present village of Silver Creek, August
1 , 1803, agreemg to build upon it a saw mill by the first of
Apiil, 1804, and a giist mill by the first of AprH, 1805. The
original papers, witli reference to this land and the conditions
of purchase, are now in the hands of the writer. The article
was finally given to David Dickinson and Abel Cleveland Feb.
20, 1805. Wm. Sydnor settled at Cattaraugus village in 1804.
Jesse and John Skinner settled on lot 73, T. 6 ; John Tyler on
lot 60 and David Marsh on lot 7 in 1805. Chavies Aveiy.
John Mack, Amos Sottle. I^zekiel Lane and Henry Johnson
at Cattaraugus village. Aaron Dolpli on lot 4(5 and Abrani
Cooley on lot 61. in 180(5. Jeliial ]\foore and Jonas Greene at
Forestville, in 1805.

72 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF

Sheridan. — The first settlement was made at the Center on
lot 17, by Francis Webber, from Mass., in 1804. Orsamus
and Alanson Holmes and Uriah Lee settled in town in 1805.
Jared Griswold, from Conn., on lot 35, in 1805, and Rev. John
Spencer in 1807.

Portland. — Although the town of Portland was among tlie
first settled in the county, we have purposely placed it last on
the list. The first settler of tliis town was Caj)t. James Dunn,
from near Meadville, Pa. He located about eleven hundred
acres near the center of the town, in 1804, before the town was
siu'veyed into lots. The next year, 1805, he built a shanty
near a spring of water, not far from the present residence of
Edward B. Taylor, on lot 31, T. 5, and into this he moved his
family, which consisted of himself, his wife and six children —
eight persons in all. This was the first beginning in the
wilderness of Portland, and was the germ fr-om which has
grown a community of about two thousand inhabitants. A
few months later he built a hut or shanty on the east side of
the road leading from school house No. 8, near the junction
with the Main road (though at this time no roads had been
laid) on land now OAvned by John Dudley. In this he lived
until the next year, 1806, when he built a larger log house on
the rise of ground very near the present residence of Mr.
Dudley, on lot 30, T. 5, and in 1808 opened a tavern, the road
sui-veyed by James McMahan in 1805, and the first road laid
in the county, rimning immediately south of it. During this
year, 1806, the following persons settled in town :

Nathan Fay, on the farm now owned by Lmcoln Fay, lot
25, T. 5 ; Elisha Fay, on the farm on which he so long resided,
east part lot 25, T. 5 ; Peter Kane, on fai-m now owned by
Mrs. Leath, part lot 38, T. 5 ; John Price, on farm now
owned by Edward McGarrall, part lot 38, T. 5 ; Benj.
Hutchins, on farm now owned by heirs of Geo. W. Arnold,
part lot 41, T. 5 ; David Eaton, on the farm he occupied at
his death, a part of lot 37, T. 5 ; Nathaniel Fay eventually

THE TOWN- OF PORTLAND. 73

settled on part lot 12, T. 5, now occupied In' F. Fay. Of this
number Elisha Fay only is liiaug.

In 1 807 James Parker settled on part of lot 37, T. 5 -.
Josej)!! Correll on east part of lot 29, T. 5 ; Nathan
Crosb}- on part of lot 38, T. 5.

In 1808 Erastus Taylor settled on part of lot 34, T. 5 ;
land now owned by Willard Turk, Callen Burr, John
Fleming and otliers ; afterward on south part of lot 35,
T. 5.

In 1 809 Roe (Toldsniith located on the northwest part
of lot 7, T. 5. ami in 1814 parts of lots 5 and 6, T. o, which he
sold in 1815 to llezekiah and Barzilla Barker; Jeremiah Klumph
on lot 19, T. 5 (the Judson farm,) but the next year on
lot 62, T. 4 ; Kufus Pen-y on lot 38 T. 5, afterward on
west part of lot 33, called since the Bowdish
farm ; David B. Granger on lot 37, T. 5, now owned
by Darwin Holenbeck : Andi-ew Kelsey on lot 55, T. 4, farm now
owTied by Elisha Tower ; David Joy on east part of lot 33, T. 5,
land now owned by M. J. Munson and others ; Peter
Ingersoll on lot 41, T. 5, now called the McKenzie farm;
Parsons Taylor bought of Erastus Taylor, (See 1 808) ;
Jared Taylor eventually settled on part of lot 63, T. 4,
farm now owned by X. F. Stowell ; afterward on part of
lot 62, T. 4.

In 1810 Perry Hall located part of lot 62, T. 4, near
Deloss Hall; in 1816 on part of lot 32, T. 4; Leonard
Yibbard on lot 62, T. 4, near Perry Hall ; Daniel Barnes
on east part of lot 3, T. 5, land now o^vned in part
by A. B. Post ; Jeremiali Potter settled on lot 29, T. 5.
afterward east part of lot 33, T. 5, now owned in part
by J. S. West, H. S. Mimson and M. J. Munson ; Wm.
Hutchins located west part of lot , 29, T. 5 ; the next
year on part of lot 41, T. 5; Absalom Harris east part
of lot 33, T. 5, selling the same year to Jeremiah Potter.

In 1811 Wilder Emerson settled on part of lot 55, T.
4, farm now owned by S. M. (Tranger ; Jonathan Burch

74 H1:?T0KICAL SKE'i"( lli:S DV

<ju lot 02, T. 4r, buying a claim of Benj. Hntchiiis, farm
now oAvned by liis son Oliver W. Bnrcli ; Elijah Fay all
of lot 20, T. 5, where liis family still lives ; Wm. I^eiTy
on part of lot 25, T. 5, farm now owned l^y Lincoln Fay ;
llollis Fay came to Portland this year Vmt located no
land until 1813, when he located north part lot 13, T.
5, the cast part of the village of Jirocton, but sold the next
year and located on west part of lot 42, T. 5, farai owned
by him at the time of his death ; John Quigley on lot 30,
T. 5, faim now owned by IVIi's. Meiicle : Cahdn IJanies on
lot 88, T. 5, now owned by J. S. West and others.

In 1812 (Chester Buslmell located on lot 53. T. 4. west
(jf Prospect Station ; and Sanford Haines on part of l<jt
62, T. 4, near O. W. Burch.

Tn 1813 Hiram Fish located on south pai-t lot 54, T. 4,
sold and bought on lot 53, T. 4, where he now lives.

In 1814 John R. Gibson located on southeast part of
lot 1 3, T. 5, southeast of Brocton ; Lemuel Munsou on part
of lot 55, T. 4, where he lived luitil liis death ; Cephas
Brainard on part of lot 29, T. 5, faim now owned by A.
T. Mead; John R. Coney northwest part of lot 19, T. 5, on
fami commonly known as the "Coney faiTn."

In 1815 John T. Mclntyre located on soutliwest part
of lot 55, T. 4, fai-m since owned by Warren Couch ; Wm.
Stetson on the same lot, fai-m now owned by A. B. Ililler :
Moses Sage on the northwest part of lot 13, T. 5, occu
pying a house standing where the house of H. . C. Taylor
now stands ; Heman Ely on part of lot 62, T. 4, farm now
owned by Deloss Hall ; Zimn Hill on north part of lot
12, T. 5, farm now known as the Samuel Brown farm,
south of Brocton ; Ahira Hall on the southwest part of
lot 4, T. 5, faiTQ until recently owned by Henry Patcli,
afterward on part lot 3, T. 5, on I*omfi-et town line.

Tn 1816 Thomas Klumph settled on the west part of
lot 47, T. 4, on the "Titus road;" Jei-emiah Klumj^h occupied
his land this year, part of lot 47, T. 4; Jacob Klumph

THK rOWN OK POltTI.AND. 75

on the same lot ; Timothy Cai-penter <m paii of lot 48,
T. .5. farm uonv owned by G. M. .Vmolcl; Samuel (iear on west
part of lot 8, T. .5, farm now owned by ^Vlvaro Wilson ; Solomon
Coney on part of lot 21, T. o, at the u]»per falls on Slippeiy
Rock Creek, north of JJrocton; Richard Williams on land
ijought of Heniy Abell, west part of lot 2o, T. o, farm
now owned by Lincoln Fay; Wm. Dunham on lot 27, T.
o, and part of lot 32, T. o, near the montli of Dun-
ham's Creek; Simon liurton on northeast pait of lot 27,
T. 5, near the mouth of Slippeiy Rock ( 'reek : John
and Silvester Churchill on west part <jf lot o8, T. 5,
now owned by A. L. Blowei's and E. P. Wilson ; William
CoiTell on the north part of lot 36, T. 5, at the mouth
of Correll's Creek ; Isaac Baldwin on jiart of lot 36, T. 5,
faiTu now owned by Samuel Arnold ; John Druse on part
of lot 41, T. o, land bought of Benj. Hut chins; Luther
Crosby on part of lot 29, T. 5, farm knowji as the Ded-
erick farm ; M. P. \'angaasbeek on northwest part of lot
27, T. 5, fann his family still occupy ; Zadoc Martin on
northwest part of lot 3, T. o, faim oA^Tied and occu]iied by
liis son Jason until his death.

Brewer Hubbell settled on lot 40 T. 4, fann now known
as the Woleben farm : Reuben B. Patcli on southwest
part of lot 61, T. 4, near the Westlield toA\Ti line; after-
ward on lot 3, T. .5; Jedediah Thayer on northwest part
of lot 6i, T. 4, near Deloss Hall: Asa Brooks on west
part of lot 2, T. 5, near Burr's ^lill ; afterward on lot 40,
T. 5 ; Oliver Sj^afford on west jjart of lot 22. T. 5 . the
location of '"Vine ( liflf ot the "Hams community :" John
Conner on noilh part of lot 26, T. 5. farm now
owned by AVni. Dogan ; Martin Smith on west part of lot
34, T. 5, farm now occupied by M. S. Xoxon and others :
Jesse Baldwin on part of pui-chase of Isaac Bakh\'in,
]»art of lot 36, T. 5. now owned by Samuel
Arnold; Felix Menitt on northeast j^art of lot 48 T. 4,
farm now owned by Geo. M. Arnold; Martin (^^igley on

76 UlSTOHICAI. SKETOHKS OK

northwest part of lot 48, T. 4, farm nov. owned by
Abram Woleben; Peter Vangaasbeek on no tli part ot lot
27, T. 5, recently owiied by Joseph Shaver : I'harles F.
Arnold on northeast part of lot 40. T. 5. faini now
owned by Samuel Caldwell : afterward on lot 3(5,
T. 5. For date of settlement of the last twe 've named, see
Biograiihical sketches. From 1804 to 1825 many otheis than
those mentioned settled in town, while otheis located
land but sold their claim and eventually located else-
where. Amongst the fonner may be classed the follow-
ing: (those net foimd here will be found amongst the
Biographical Sketches as far as it has been possible to
obtain them.)

In 1805 Thomas McClintock located all of lot 18, T. 5, on
the south side of the Erie road and extending fi-om the farm
of W. A. Strong on the east to that of Haiwey Hulbiu't on
the west, but he never settled on it.

In 1807 Zattu Cushing located the northeast part lot 3, T.
5 ; Eliza Crocker part of lot 4, T. 5 ; Wolcott Moore the west
j)art of lot 19, T. 5, faim now owned by R. Reynolds and
others.

In 1808 Jonathan Brigham located pait of lot 53, T. 4.
near Prospect station ; Samuel Richardson on east part of lot
29, T. 5, land since owned by Simeon Dederick : Josiah Hart
on north part of lot 41, T. 5, on road leading fi'om the brick
church to the lake : Lemuel C. Wolcott on middle part of
lot 33, T. 5.

In 1810 Alfi-ed Hodge located on middle part of lot 41.
T. 5 ; Daniel Dodge on lot 55, T. 4, land lying east of farm of
the late J. H. Webster ; Jeny BartholomeAV on part of lot 63.
T. 4 ; Joseph Waldo on lot 19, T. 5, including the fai-m of T.
Judson and others ; Elisha Babcock on east part of lot 53, T.
4 ; Silas Babcock on east j)art of lot 61, T. 4 ; Josiah Gibbs
on south part of lot 14. T. 5, where Lyman Skinner now
lives : Bradley Biu-t on middle part of lot 53, T. 4, south of
Prospect station.

TIIK TOWN <»|- I'OKTI.AXI). 77

In 1815 Etlian A. Owen located on middle part of lot 53, T.
4 ; Perry Ilillard on middle part of lot 61, T. 4.

In 1816 A. Luddiugton located on part of lot 46, T. 4, near
Jason Bigelow's ; Asa Fuller on part of lot 48, T. 4 ;
Augustus Soper on middle part of lot 12, T. 5.

In 1817 Erastus Andrews located on east part of lot 40, T.
4, neai- Charles Taylor's ; Gideon Jones on east part of lot 45,
T. 4, laud now owned by Beimett Swetland ; Lewis Macomber
on east j)art of lot 46, T. 4 ; James Lee on part of lot 47, T. 4 :
AVm. Cotton on part of lot 47, T. 4 ; Stephen Smalley on east
pai-t of lot 48, T. 4 ; Elisha Rogers on west part of lot 60, T.
4, and Seth Ensign on southwest part of lot 32, T. 5, land now
ownied by J. S. Weld.

78 H1BTORICA.L SKETCHES OF

CHAPTEU Xr\',

Settlements, &c., coiitiuueil.^Rate of Settlement.— Number of I'itmiii^-s ill Towu at
Outbreak of War of 181-2, aud at its Close.— Centers of Poinilatiou, fee.

From the fiist the settlement of the town wai^ ahnost
unprecedented. Some idea may be formed of its rapidity
by refen-ing to the previous chapter. By the year 1823
scarcely a corner of the territory of the town remained
unexplored ; the larger portion was located and the inevitable
log cabin erected. On the lake country and along the
two piincipal roads there had been the gi-eatest influx.

The settlements were commenced in 1805. and at the
outbreak of the war of 1812 thirty -eight families had
settled in town. A few others came and went. Diu'ing
the war the population was nearly stationaiy. bnt thirteen
families coming in diu'ing its continuance.

We have made a list of all settling ill town previous to
the close of the war. v.hich we call the ^>?'o??eers" list, and
shall attempt to give a historical and biographical sketch of
each, with his famih'. near the close of the work. Many
incidents of interest vriih reference to early life in tovm by
the settlers are given, which will be embodied in those
sketches to which the reader is referred.

At the close of the war the center of population seemed
to point to no particular locality, though it seemed quite
probable that a point would be made at the location of
Richard Williams, where Lincoln Fay now hves, or one and
one-half miles further west, at the forks of the roads near
the residence of J. S. West ; in fact, for years this point
was called Portland Center. There were no mills yet

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. T'J

erected, aroiuid wliicli a population is apt to center, and the
settlers located njiou lots as their fancy or judgment
dictated. AVe have given the names of those locatmg
previous to the close of the year 1817, though a few of
them never become settlers.

Efforts were made by the settlers along the Erie road
and that next surveyed, known as the Sout/i road to
induce settlers to locate in that part of the town and
nearer the foot of the highlands, with a view to some
permanent point for a center of population ; but it was
soon evident that the drift of settlements was fiuther
north and that the facilities for the manufactiu-e and sale
of lumber were greater than at points further from the
more direct communications through the town east and
west, and that the center, wherever it might be, would be at
least north of the then traveled route. In addition to this
the indefatigable pei severance of Elijah Fay and a ftw
others of like stamj^ in causing the location and cutting out
of roads, had its influence no doubt in determming
attention to the more northern portion of the town. Then,
as now, local interests determined the actions of men. On
the 11th of May, 1811, Elijah Fay located all of lot 20.
T. 5, which included all of the west poition of the village
of Brocton, with the groiuid on winch the residence of
Chester Skinner stands, and erected Ins log cabin. HoUis
Fay located IGO acres of the northwest part of lot 13, T. 5.
including the east part of Brocton, Dec. 11, 18l;5: cleared
three or four acres and erected a rude log house. No road
was then laid out nearer than the one called the So>ith road:
nothing but a trail served the piupose of tlie settlei'. A
" dismal swamp " of l)lack asli occupied the site of the now ^
center of the village.

James Dunn located all of lots i^') and 'Ah T. 5, in ls04.
Calvin Barnes tlie southeast part of lot 32. T. 5. in 181(i.
and Abner B. Beebe the nortliwest part of lot 25. T. 5, in
1822, these three purchases ct)veriug the whole plot of tlie

80 MISTOUIOAI. SKKTCHES OF

village of Centerville. No road was laid out tlnotigli the
village mitil 1815. At this date, says an old 'settler, •"the
houses were scattered all through the woods and we foiuid
our way by marked trees, and there was but one framed
house within three miles of me. Where Centerville is now
was the thickest woods I ever saw. It was a dismal
looking place." After making these statements it is
proposed to combine the further consideration of settlements
with that of roads. This is done that the readers at this
day may get a better understanding of the various locations.

rilK TOWN or rOKTI>ANl). 81

CHAPTER Xy.

Roads — Paiiie's Koad — Roatl Described — Ouly oue Used by Settlers.

The first road or trail used as a road in or tliroiigli the
town of Portland was made in 1802 by Gen. Edward
Paine, the founder of Painesville, Ohio. The state of
Connecticut OAmed a large tract of land within the state
of Ohio, usually known as the " Western Bestrve," but in
earlier times the " Connecticut Fne Lands," or "New
Connecticut." The state was anxious to settle this territory
and offered inducements to actual settlers, and employed
Gen. Paine, of that state, with a small party of men to
open a road through the almost impenetrable "wilderness
from Buffalo as far west as was necessary, to enable the
colony of emigrants that accompanied him to reach theii'
destination. Little else was done than remove obstructions
too large to be sru-moiuited or " get round " by a loaded
team and cutting a narrow strip of underbrush. This road
was cut out to Chautauqua creek, at some point not far
fi'om the village of Westfield, and it is said that the settlers
afterward continued it to the state line of Pennsylvania.
It has ever since been known as " Paine s road." Gen.
Paine was a brother of Timothy Paine, one of the early
settlers of Aurora in this state.

This road or trail passed near the foot of the hills, that
bemg the best place to cross the streams. It was never
surveyed but cut out at random, looking only for
the best ground. According to the testimony of old settlers
it intersected the east line of the town near the northeast
corner of lot 4, T. 5, but two or three rods south of the

S2 mSTOKICAL SKETCIIKS OK

})i't'seiit South road, and on land now occupied by the barns
of David P. Benjamin, ])assing a little south of the soutli
road across the famis of E. B. ^Yalden, A. B. Post and
others and to the rear of the house of A. E. Thompson on
the south-west j^art of lot 4, T. .5, and intersecting the
road running east from the residence of Franklin Vxy on
northeast part of lot 13, T. 5, near the bridge east of
Mr. Fay's house ; thence westerly following the course of
the present road to a point a few rods Avest of the
railroad crossing of that road; thence to the right of
the road, keeping on the level land on the farm of the
heirs of Timothy Judson, south part of lot 10, T. 5,
thence south-westerly to the level plot of groiuid a few
rods north of the present residence of Erastus Denison,
(m north part of lot 24, T. 5, thence to the track of
the road as now located near the corner east of the
farm until recently owned by S. V. R. Wells, on northwest
part of lot 24, T. 5, and fi'om this following nearly the
route of that road with but slight variations to the
town line, west, where the main Erie road is now located,
near the residence of Mrs. Mary Arnold, southwest part
of lot 41, T. 5. This Avas the only road in use by the
settlers coming into town fi'om the east, for two or
three years. Nothing like a bridge was to be found ui)on
the whole route, and travelers were obliged to ford the
streams however much swollen.

The Erie Road. — The towTi was siuweyed into lots in
1804 by Wm. Peacock, and a road six rods Avide was
left by order of "the company," to be improved and
used by the settlers as a public highAvay. This road is
called on the Land Office Maps the Erie Road, but the
people always called it the Ellicott Road. It is the
road that conunences on the east line of the tOAvn
betAveen lots 3 and 4 near the residence of Simon Biu"-
lon and continues in a Avesterly course until it unites
Avith the south road in fi"ont of the residence of J. S.

TIIK TOAVN Ol' I'OUTLAXl). 88

West on lot -VS, T. o, and follows tluit road to the
town line of Westfield. It forms the boundary between
lots 3 and 4, 12 and 18, 18 and 11), 24 anil 25. 29 and
80, 33 and :U, 37 and 38 and crosses lot 41, T. 5, leaving
the town at the south west corner of that lot and the soutli-
west corner of T. 5, R. 18, running a distance within the town
of seven miles, nearly, it bein^- three sixteenths of a mile longer
than the south line of the town.

iiist<)K1(;al sketches of

(CHAPTER XVI.

Itoiids Coutiuiied — The '"South Road'" when aud by whom surveyed — Its course
described — Comniissiouers laying it — "North Road" when and where laid, and
by whom — Its course described — Work done — The first team di-iven over the
road — The tirst stage team driven over it.

James McMahaii siuveyed a road through the "town of
Chautauqua and coiuity of Genesee," m August 1805; the
to^Yn then comprising the whole coiuity by that name,
except the eastern tier of toAvnships or Range lo. The
survey commenced at the northeast corner of T. (>, R. 11.
on the east line of the jiresent town of Sheridan, and
has in its course to the Pennsylvania State line 122
angles— sufficiently crooked to satisfy the caprices of the most
devoted disciple of Bacchus. Its termination at the Ime was a
few rods west and north of the railroad station. The
length of the road was thirty-three and one-eighth miles.
It was the first road surveyed through or in the county,
and is the first on record. The commissioners ordering
the siu'vey, and laying the road, were Thomas McClin-
tock of Canadaway, now Fredonia, and James Dunn the
first settler of Portland. The third commissioner was
Artluu' Bell, li\dng west of the Cross Roads now West-
field, but did not take part in this enterprise, though it
must be supposed he had an interest in it equal with
the others. This road intersected the now east line of
I'ortland on the northern portion of lot 4, T. 5, on
lands of David P. Benjamin, and followed the general
course of the road usually known as the "south road."'
crossino- lots 4, 13, 19. 25. 3u, 33, 34, 38 and 41, to the

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 85

west line of tlie town Avhere the jn-esent ]\Iain or Erie road
intersects the east line of the town of Westtield. ^lauj changes
have been made and many of the "crooked places made sti-aight"
since. It substantially followed the present road from
the east line of tlie town to a point on the western
portion of lot 19, T. 5, near the present residence of
Richard Reynolds ; at one point however beai-mg a little
to the soiith over land now owned by (^rrin Brainard,
crossing the ravine in the reai- of his lionse by a log
bridge the remains of which were to be seen a few years
since. P'rom Mr. Reynolds' it passed to the north, nearly
over the ground where the corn Imm of Charles Fay
stands ; in front and near the stone house of Geo. Smith,
intersecting the i)iesent road near Lincoln Fay's dwelling
on lot 25, T. 5 ; bearing to the south of the present
road at the angle south of the churches at Portland
('enter, and passing a few feet south of the house of
John Dudley, on tlie "old Dunn farm" south i)art of lot
;50, T. 5, crossing the creek west of the house, fifty feet
south of the present bridge. The remains of the old
roadway are still to be seen at this point and on the
bank on the east side of the creek. After rising the
hill near the cemetery it passed to the north of the
present road near the residence of Matthew Seeley, and
through the grove west of the house of ]Mr. Seeley, and
reaching a point near the forks of the roads nearly in
fi'ont of the residence of J. 8. West, on the line between
lots 33 and 34, it passed to the soutli on lot 33, in the
rear of the dwellings of Henry S. ]\Iims(Ui and Jerome
Burhans and crossing the i>resent road a few rods west
of the residence of J. McFadden, cm the south-west corner
of lot 34: ; thence bearing to the north of the present
or old "'Erie Road, " across the south part of lots 38 and
•41, until it reached a point in the present road near
the parsonage of the West Bajitist church, passing over
the ground upon which stands the schoolhouse in district

80 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

No. 3 aucl tliti ground where stands the church editicc
on the south part of lot 4J, thence westerly along the
line of the present road to the town Ime of Westfield,
near the southwest corner of lot 41 and the southwest
corner of T. 5, R. 13.

2. The '■'•JSrorth Road' — or road leadmg west from the
town hne of Pomfi-et near Lemi Barber's, northeast coiner
of lot 5, T. 5, through Brocton and Portland Center to
the forks of the road near the brick church in West
Portland on south part of lot 41, T. 5, was laid by the
Judges of the county, Philo Orton, Matthew Prendergast
and Wm. Alexander, Jiuie 29, 1815. The commissioners of
Pomfret had laid a road from the forks of the road,
half a mile east of the town line of Portland, near the
northeast corner of lot 5 in Portland, but the commis-
sioners of Portland refused to lay the i^ortion asked for
in that town, and an appeal was had to the Judges
who laid the road on the day above named. Mucli spirit
was manifested by the few settlers along the line of the
proposed road, with reference to the matter, and a spuit
of rivalry sprang up between them and those living along
the then main road or road surveyed by McMahan in
1805. Those living along that road proposed to make
it the principal thoroughfare through the town, and those
living along the line of the proj)osed road, or now north
road, claimed that a large population of the settlers
would be better accommodated by this route and that it
was necessary for the development of the towai. ^Vmong
those who manifested the greatest energy and sj^irit in the
matter were Elijah Fay and Barzilla Barker. Tlie roa<l
was not opened or made passable for teams to any extent
until 1816, in which year a large amovuit of work was done
upon it. Elijah Fay opened it the entire length for $15 ;
and Barzilla Barker worked twenty days and gave twenty
dollars. This would not be a large amount at the present
day but the settlers then had but little to give. The

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 87

settlers west of Portland Center, as now located, entered
also into tlie strife to make the road better and more
convenient for emigrants and for general transit than the one
farther sonth. At that time Portland Center was nnder-
stood to be at the now forks of the road near the resi-
dence of Calvin Barnes, now J. S. West. Centerville was
a wilderness and Brocton a black ash swamp. In this
stiife the settlers along tlie new or north road trinniphed,
and sncceeded in diverting the travel in a measure from
the sonth road or one surveyed by McMahan. The first
loaded team driven over the eastern portion, or fi'om the
toAvn line to Salem X Roads with its two or three log
hirts, was by Henry Sage in the spring of 1816, and the
first public conveyance or stage was driven over it by Thomas
Quigley in 1827.

3. The Old Chautauqua Jloacl — crossing but a corner of
lot No. 1, T. 5, and lot 8, T. 4, was surveyed and laid in 1808;
Thomas Bemus, Siuveyor; Abijah Bennett and Matthew
Prendergast, C-ommissioners.

4. The Lake Road — was first surveyed and laid in 180! »
by James McMahan, but was not opened mitil after a
resurvey from Barcelona to the Pomfret town line near
the lake, on Aiigust 7, 1817.

5. Ihe Town Line Road — between Port'and and West-
field, was surveyed by James Mc^NIuban, and laid in July
1810.

(). Road from Charles Fay's to the north road or to
the north line of lot 10, T. 5, was surveyed by Wm.
Berry the 23d of June 1812. It was resurveyed on Jan-
uary 3d, 1816, and ended at tlie intersection with tlie
north Erie road.

7. Road from the site of the old stone schooUiouse
south, on soutlieast part of lot 41, T. 5. was surveyed and
laid May '25th, 1813.

8. The road leading from the Brocton Mill on lot 13,

88 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

T. 5, south, to the south Erie road, was laid in October
1817.

9. The road leading from Franklin P'ays on northeast
comer of lot 1'2, T. 5, northeasterly to Poinfret town line,
was resui-veyed on May 8th, 1818. (a section of tlie Erie road.)

10. The Town Line Road, between Portland and Pomfi-et,
commencing at the northeast corner of lot 3, T. 5, R. 13,
where the road Xo. 9 intersects the towii line and nmning
south one and one fourth miles to the residence of Jonas
Farnham, was laid in Febniary, 1819.

11. The road leading fi'om Brocton north to lake Erie
was laid October 2, 1819. Originally this road varied fi-oni
its present course, leading westerly to the mill of Solomon
Coney at the falls of Slippery Rock creek on lot 21, T. 5,
but returned to its lirst or due north course, which it held
to the lake road.

12. The road leading from the town line of Westfield
east to Prosj)ect station, was laid May 15. 1816, and was in
after years called the Fish & Barnes road. This road
was continued from this point to the town line of
Portland and Chautauqua two or three yeais later.

13. The road from the Lake road to Portland Center,
[tassing the residence of J. E. Harris, on lot 32, T. 5, B.
F. Pecor cm east part of lot 32, and the Portland station
L. S. & M. S. R. R., was laid October lo, 181G.

11. The road kno\\Ti as the Titus road, rimnmg from the
towTi line of the io^\Ti of AVestfield one mile and fifty tlu'ee
chains across the northern portion of lots 02. 51. 17 and 39,
T. 4, was laid out October IG, 1816.

This was continued east to the road leading from Portland
Center to May^Hlle. near the house of A. H. Billings, on
Aprd 12, 1820.

15. The short road leading fi"om the corner near the
school house in school district Xo. 1, on the line of lots
Xo's 13 and 19 to the old Erie road, was laid Ajiril
12, 1820.

Tin-: TOAVN OF I>01JTL.\ND. 80

Ifi. Tlie road south from the former residence of Elisha
Fay (stone liouse) to the foot of Chautaiiqiia hill lay across
tlie swamp nearly in front of the residence of Mr. Fay
to the Erie road, and thence south betweerf the houses of
Harvey Hulburt an<l Erastus Denison on lot 24, T. 5.
intersecting the j)resent road near the foot of the first hill
That portion of this road south of the Erie o-oad was
removed on the north end 3 chains and 30 links to its
present location October 1, 1820.

Tlie north part of this road was removed farther west
of its present location now leading south from the corner
near S. S. Jones", on lot 25, T. 5, to the Erie road, August
23, 1823.

17. The road running along the township line of T's 4
and 5 froin the corner a few rods west of the house
of Abram Woleben. on the northwest part, of lot 48, T. 4,
to William Thayer's, the northeast part of lot 32, T. 4,
was laid October 1, 1819.

18. The road leading from the moiith of Slippery Kock
creek to the corner west of school house No. 9 on the
road north of Brocton, was laid, the first portion in April
and the balance in October, 1820.

19. The road from tlie Lake road, on lot 27, T. 5, and
running southerly through the farm of E. F. Underhill
to "Fletcher's Mill," near the center of lot 26, T. 5, near
Portland Center, was laid October 16, 1820.

20. Eoad from the mouth of Canadaway creek to the
town line, south, was laid March 1, 1821.

21. Road fi'om the lake road due north of Brocton,
on lot 16, T. 5, running easterly to the Pomfret town
line on northeast corner of lot 7, T. .5, was laid October
17, 1820. This road was resurveyed and largely altered
March 19, 1822.

22. Road leading from the lake road on lot 42, T. 5.
to the main or Erie road, near the brick church in West
Portland, was laid May 29, 1821.

90 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

23. Road leading from tlie lake road on nortli part of
lot 36, T. 5, to the north Erie road on north part
of lot 30, near the residence of Thomas Qiiigley, and
passing the residence of Clark Walker, was laid September
26, 1821.

24. The road leading from Brocton to the lake was
resurveyed and the northern part straightened in May,
1822.

25. Road leading fi-om the South to the North road,
near the residence of David Skinner, through the central
portion of lot 84, T. 5, was laid October 17, 1816.

26. The road fi-oni Brocton to the S(nith road on line
of lots 13 and 19 was laid May 10, 1827.

27. A • road was laid in 1827 on the line between
Nathaniel Fay and Zadoc INIartin to the road near Isaac
Howe on lot 10, T. 5, but never opened.

28. A road was laid from the Erie road on the line
of lots 12 and 18, south, to the road crossing lot 10,
easterly. May 11, 1827. This was never opened.

Many others, and some of them prominent roads, were
projected and some of them opened, whilst others were
never opened. Those that were oj^ened were afterwards
subjected to so many changes at the hands of the
commissioners that they are nearly past recognition and
it would be of little interest to the local reader even to
peruse the record. The main featiu-es of the lines given
above remain as at first surveyed, though many clianges
have been made for more convenient ground, to shorten
distances, &c. The South road., or the one siu'veyed by
James McMahan in 1805, has been changed for more
than half the distance, hnz the North road fi'om the east
line of the town through Brocton and Centerville remains
as at first surveyed with but one exce])tion, near the
house of Ledyard Douglass on lot 26. T. 5. From the
above statements with the dates the lines of settlement
in the town may be easily inferred.

TIIK lOWN OK I'OKI'I.ANI*. 91

Niagara and Chautauqua Turnpike Com^Kiny. — Tlie
ulmost impassable condition of the roads from Buffalo
along the soiith shore of Lake Erie and tlie iiial)ility of the
settlers alone to make tliem at all passable, induced the
application by certain citizens along the route, to the
Legislature of the state, in the winter of 1817, for a
charter for a Tnrn2)ike Company, to construct a sufficient
turnpike road from the village of Buffalo in the county
of Niagara to the east line of Pennsylvania, through the
town of Portland.

The Legislature passed an act dated February 28, 1817,
incorporating a comj^any for the above pm'pose, to be
known as "The President, Directors and Comj^any of
the Niagara an<l Chautauqua Turnpike and Bridge Coni
pany." The act recites as follows: "Tliat Zattu Gushing,
Jonathan S})rague, Henry .Vbell, John E. Howard, Nathaniel
Bird, David Eaton. Eobert Dickson. John Mark, Ozias
Hart, John French, David Royce, Richai'd Williams, Zenas
Barker, Ebenezer Goodrich, Daniel Camp, Jonas Harrison,
John G. Camp and Charles Townsend, and such other
persons as shall associate for the purpose of making a
good and sutficient turnpike road to begin at the village
of Buffalo, in the county of Niagara, and running from
thence to Cattaraugus Creek as near the mouth as may
be, in reference to the fitness of the groimd and straight-
ness of the road, to the village of Canadaway, fi-om
thence on the best ground and most direct course to the
cross roads in tlie town of Portland, and from thence
on the best ground and most direct course to the easterly
line of Pennsylvania, at or near the house of Samuel
Truesdale, with the privilege of erecting three toll bridges,
viz : one across the Buffalo Creek, one across the Catta
raugfus Creek, and one across the Eighteen Mile Creek."
The stock of the company was to consist of four thou
sand shares of fifty dollars each, and Jonathan Sprague,
Henry Abell, Nathaniel Bird, Daniel Camp and Jonas Har

92 IIISTOUICAL SKETCIIKS OF

lison were appointed Coiumissioiiers to receive subscrip-
tions. The road "svas to be completed ■\\-itliin live years
from tlie ])assing- of the act.

That no favoritism or i)aitiality be shown in the locatino-
of tlie road. Ehjali Leacli. Wm. Hodg-e and Simeon Fil-
more were appointed Commissioners to "lay out ami
establish" the road mthin the ccninty of C'haiitauqna ; and
Ebenezer Johnson. Robert Montgomery and ,.'ames McMahan
were appointed to "locate and establish'" the road witliin
the coimties of Cattaraugus and Niagara. Toll gates were
to be placed not less than ten miles ai)art. Nothing-
farther was accomi:)lished .

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 93

OHAPTEE XVII.

^lail Rotites^Post Ofiices — Stages aud Stage Ivoutes—Cliantanqua Post Office — No
JIail Route until ISOG — First Mail Route— First Contractor— First Carrier— First
Post Master iu the county— Cauadaway Post Office— Pomfret Post Office-
Name changed to Fredonia— Mayville Post Office— Burgettstowu Post Office— Express
MaU— Richard WUlianis Contractor— Mrs. Williams— !Mead\'iUe Post Route— Dan-
kirk Post Office— The old Chautauqiia Office again—Portage Road— First Cemetery
iu the county.

In speaking of the mail service, post offices and stage
roiites, we shall not be confined to the town of Port
land simply, bnt extend our description to most of the
iiortli part of the county. This seems to be necessary to
a fair iiiiderstaiiding of this part of our work. No apol-
ogy tlierefore is needed. For most of the information
furnislied I am indebted to the politeness of Hon. E. T.
Foote, now of New Haven, Connecticut, formerly county
Judge of this county for twenty years. Tlie facts were
tirst pul:)lislied 1)}' him in 1863, in tlae Fredonia Censor.
I have been permitted to extract facts and phraseology,
as seemed siifficient to answer the purpose in hand,
changing and abbreviating to suit the circumstances of
the case.

To tlie early settler, the mail Service of the United
States was one of the '-institutions."' Hardly could half a
dozen families locate themselves at any pomt in the wilds
of the west, ere an aiTa of that service was thrust out
for their benefit.

Chautauqua county was first settled in 1802, and the
first post office estabRshed in the county was at the old
cross roads, one mile west of the center of the present

94 iirsTOHi(;AL skktchbs of

village of Westfield, May 6, 1806. There was no mail
route in operation through the countv until that date,
though one was estal)lished in 1805. Previous to this,
the settlers in the territory now included in the county
were obliged to go to Buftalo or Erie tor their mail
matter. The office at Erie was established in 1798, and
John Hay appointed postmaster. Erie at that time was
called Presque Isle. This first mail route was between
Pres(iue Isle and Buftalo, a distance of ninety miles. Jolni
Metcalf of Canandaigua, had the contract for carrying the
mail once a week over the route, and commenced as
stated, in 1806. The mail was at first carried, by a
footman, in a hand-bag or rolled up in a handkerchief
and placed in the hat. John Edwards was the first
carrier on this route. How long he held this import-
ant position is not kno\\'H. As stated above, the first
postoftice on this route was established in 1806, by the
name of Chautauqua. James McMahan was the first
})0stmaster. Mr. McMahan was the pioneer settler of the
county, and at that time lived on his farm, one fourth
of a mile west of the old cross roads and now owned
l)y Wni. Vorce. He held the office luitil 1818, when it
was discontinued. The mail route through the present
town of Portland was at first over Paiue's road, after-
ward the one surveyed by McMahan in 1805.

Canadaioay Postojfice — four miles east of Fredonia, at
a point for many years laiown as the Poberts stand,
was the second office in the county, and established June
18, 1806. Deacon Orsamiis Holmes was the first post-
master. This whole section at that time was in the
town of Chautau(pia and coimty of Genesee. These two
offices were the only ones in the county for three years,
and this route the only mail route for several years.

Farafret Postoffice — was established at Canadaway, now
Fredonia, May 6, 1809. This was fhe third office in the
county. Samuel Berry was the first i)()stmaster. The

•IIIK TOWN OP I'OIMI.ANU. 95

office was in a biiildmg on the pix'iiiises of the late
Charles Burritt. The buihling is still standing but removed. The
nauie of the settlement at Canadaway was clianged to Fredonia
at a }inblic meeting of the citizens, January 1. 1817.

Mayville Postoffice — was established as a private oHfice.
July 1, 1812. Casper Kouse Avas the postmaster and con-
veyed the mails from the ancient cross roads, or Chautauqua
office, once a week, for the emoluments of the office. Mr.
Rouse was kille<l in the battle of Black Kock, afew months
afterward, and his brother, Charles B. liouse, was
appointed postmaster Februarj^ 12t}i. 1813. This office was
the only one south of the ridge until January 1. 1817,
and nearly the entire population of the south part of the
county obtained from it their mail matter, some of
them going or senthng thirty miles.

BKr(/efMoii')i Poxfojflce — now North East, Pennsylvania,
was established on this route May 10. 1812.

In tlie time of the war of 1812, to facilitate the trans
mission of intelligence, the postmastei' at IJuftalo was
directed by the goA'ernment to (hspatch an express mail
twice a week fi-om Buffalo to Cleveland, '"to go and
return as soon as the roads will permit." This was the
tirst express tlirough the count}', and the route through
the town of P(^>rtland was substantially the south road.
or the one surveyed b^^ James McMahan in 1805. At this
tiine. 1812. Richard Williams, afterward a citizen
of the t(jwn of Portland, and who died here, was a
siib-contractor in conveying the mail over this route. It
was carried on horseback by his son Abner Williams,
until late in the season of 1813. when he joined as a
volunteer the crew of the Lawrence, one of the vessels of
the fleet of C^ommodore Perry, on Lake Eiie, and was
killed in the action of the lOth of September of that year.
The service was afterward performed by a yoimger brother
for the greater part of the time, Mrs. Williams some
times making a trip as it seemed to be necessaiy.

96 JIISTOKIOAI, SKETCHES OF

Mrs. Williams in many respects was a i-emarkable
woman. Few women of the early settlers possessed a
more robust and hardy constitution or so energetic and
iinpelding a disposition. She was peculiarly fitted in all
respects for the duties of a pioneer woman. On various
occasions she performed, by her imyielding energy, what
seemed almost impossibilities. On one occasion during
an excessive snow storm when the male members of the
family dared not venture tliemselves up(jn tlie road with
the mail, Mrs. WilHams insisted that it must go through
if she had to carry it herself: and to make lier threat
good, liad her horse saddled, and taking the mail in a
small bag tied to her saddle, actually made her way
through the heavy fall of snow to Fredonia and Buffalo,
and returned in good order. On another occasion she
swam her horse aroimd a point of rocks in Lake Erie
to reach her destination rather than turn back. Many
other facts are mentioned of her, that show a hardihood
and a determination of character possessed b}' few women
even at that day. She was sister of Tliomas Morton.
Esq., an early settler of Fredonia. [See Biog. Sketches.
R Williams.]

In 1814, Mr. Williams became a (contractor for carrymg
the mails from Buffalo to Erie by way of Mayville, on
horseback, once a week for $650 a year ; commencing
January 1st, 1815, and continuing the service to January
1st, 1818. In 1816 a post route was established from
Meadville, Pennsylvania, by way of Warren to Mayville.
X. Y. The contractors were Brawley and Johnson. Their
contract terminated November 1 st, 1 819. This
was the first and only route established south of
the ridge in Chautauqua coimty for several years. Soon
after the establishment of this route it was extended to
the cross roads, now Westfield.

Dunkirk Posto(fice — was established as a pri^■ate office
in February 1818. though not opened for several montlis.

THE TOWN OF POIITLAND. M7

Klias Doty was the tirst postmaster and icceived the
einohmients of the office for his services. Dunkirk was
then hardly a point in the wihlerness.

Tlie old Cliautauqua office, the first established, was
near the old cross roads west of Westfield. Tlie old
I*orta|(e road crossed the IJuffalo and Erie road at tliat
place. fbnnini>- the cross roads. It was th(i intention
of Mr. Mc^lahan to bnild np a villag'e at that point,
which he wished to call Northumberland, aftei- the name
of the county of his nativity in Pennsyh ania. It was h\
this old Poitage road that the vast quantities of salt were
drawn iTi earlier «lays from Lake Erie at llarcehma to
Cliautauqua I.ake. to be sent by boats to the Ohio Iviver.
Some years after, a new route was surveyed on the east
side of the creek through the present village of Westfield.
crossing tlie ci'eek on a high log bridge very iiearh'
where the road now jiasses ; ami from this the old cross
roads gradually declined. The first cemetery for whites
in the county was established a little north of this old
center in 1802. The location is now known to hut few.
In the coming years possibly the b(mes of these the first
to pay the debt of nature in the wilds of Chautau<]ua.
b}' some casual circumstance may become exhumed and
become the stud}' of some savan in regard to the race
to which their owners belonged. The postoffice here was
kept in a small store near one of the corners. Eliphalet
L. Tinker and Jona:han Cass were deputies under Mr.
McMahan.

98 lllSTOillCAl. SKK'IVIIKS Ol'

CHAPTER XVIIT.

Westtiekl Postoffice — Portliud Poftoffice — Calviu Barues Postmaster — North Portland
Postoffice aiid changes — Salem X Roads Postoffice aud chauges ju the village ol
the "corners." — Name of Salem X Roads originated — Col. Nat. Bird as mail
contractor aud stage proprietor — Route through Portland — First mail stage —
Improvements in 1824-26 — Post coaches from Buffalo to Erie — Route through
Portland — Withdrawal of coaches.

West field Postoffice — was establisbod iii the })resent
village of Westfield, June 15, 1818, superceding the okl
Cha^itauqua office. Dr. Fenn Deming was the lirst post-
master. Those following in order were Orris Nichols.
Calvin Rumsey, Wm. Sexton, Orris Nichols again, Win. Sexton
again, Rev. Hiram W. Beers, Dr. I>. M. Kenyon, David
Mann, Byron Hall, Arc. Szc.

Portland Postoffice — was established December 7th, 1814.
(■alvin Barnes was the first postmaster occupying that
2)osition until September 2d, 1829 when the office was
discontinued. The commission of ^Ir. Barnes is in the
possession of the writer and is signed by Reuben J.
Meigs, jim., '•Postmaster (reneral of tlie U. S. of America."
and bears date December 13, 1814, registered by Samuel
Iloit December 2!), 1814. This office was on the old
Erie road, called by the settlers the Ellicott road, on
the north part of lot 33, T. 5. The farm of Mr.
Barnes is now owned in pai't by J. S. West Esq. wlio
also occupies tlie liouse for some years occupied l)y ^Ir.
Barnes. At the time of the establishment of this office
Portland included all east of Chautaiupia creek to the

Till': •i()\\'N OK I'oirri.AM). 99

Pomfret line on the east. Westlield office was in the town of
Portland, but Portland office was the first established
within the bounds of the present town of that name.
This office was the only one between Westtield and
Fredonia, or the Pomfret office as then called, and
was a ])oint of considerable importance to the
settlers. Mr. Barnes was an ardent and outspoken
abolitionist, and of course never fully in harmony with
the administration for the time being', but was never
disturbed in tlie administration of the office during tlie
fifteen years of its continuance.

JVorth Portland Postoffiee — was established September
3d, 1828. Moses Sage was the first postmaster. It was
kej)t in the tavern house of Mr. Sage east of Brocton
on north part of lot 13. T. o, in the house now owned
and occupied by J. X. Porter. ilr. Sage removed
to Fredonia in 1830, but removed the office in the spring
of that year to the tavern liouse of John R. Coney on
the Coney farm west of Brocton. on north\\est part of
lot 19, T. 5. and recommended Mr. Cone}- for postmaster,
and that the name of the postoffice be changed fi'om
Xortli Portland to Portland. .Air. Coney became post^
master and ke])t the office at his liouse until the si:>ring
of 1835, when he removed it to a tavern house he had
built at Portland Center; now owned and occupied by
R. D. Fuller as a wine house. The name had been
changed to Portland in accordance with the mshes of
Mr Sage. ]\Ir. Coney held the office until 1849, when
he sold his property to Curtis AVilbur. who was
api^ointed postmaster. Those holding the office after Mr.
Wilbur were, Philip Mericle, Amos Barton, Isaac Shaft uck.
Thomas S. Uolpli. Dr. T. V. Wilson: and it was kept at the
places of business of the various occupants. The builchng
in which the office w-as kept has been twice biu'ned : once
imder the administration of T. S. llolph. and once under
that of the present occupant. Dr. T. C\ Wilson.

100 lllSTOinCAL SKETCHES OF

Salem A" Roads Postoffice — was established Febniary
16th. 1835. At that time the territory where now stands
the village of Broeton w:is little else than a swamp.
The store building now occuj)ied by C O. Fiu'man on the
southeast corner was then occuj)ied by B. F. Post as a
store. Dr. Lagalls lived on the east side of south Div. St. :
two small dwelhngs stood on the southwest corner noM'
occuijied. by the hotel of T). Morey, one of them now
occupied as a dwelling l)y Mrs. Louisa Bowdish on east
Main St., and the other forming a part of the dwelling
of L. W. Skinner, one-half mile east of Broeton ; a black-
smith shop stood on the north side of Maiti St. west ot
the corner ; the main ])-Avi of the house of C. S. Ogden
on the northeast comer, occuijied its present j)osition;
two small buildings graced the west side of North Div.
St., and iive or six small building;-^ occupied positions on
East Main St. and amongst them a log houso^ where
now stands the house of the waiter ; and a frame house
where uow stands tlie house of T. S. Moss. This
house is now occupied b}^ M. P. Barber. It was built in
1817 by Solomon Coney. Elijah Fay lived a little west
of the Corners, where the family still reside. For a
description of the village of (^enterville see Biog. Sketches
Xo. 179. There was little about the Corner h to invite
settlers or make it a center of population, yet through
the TUijdelding £'nergy and persevei'ance of those particularly
interested it was soon made a j)oint of interest and the
business center of the town.

The Portland post office it was expected would be removed
to the Center, and it seemed important that another should
be established at the Corners. To inaugiu'ate the enter-
prise a name for the village and postottice was necessary,
and a meeting of the citizens was called at the shop
of Mr. Landais Lathrop. a little south of the Corners.
Some 8 or 10 were present. To settle the all important
(piestion each one present wrote a favorite name on a ])iece

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. ID I

of itJiper and c;ist it into :i luit, mticI a son of Mi\
Latbrop was directed to di"a\v a single slip. The name
apj)eariiig was Salem, which for tlie reason that another
oitice of that name existed in the state, was changed to
Salem X Roads and adopted. This was in the fall of 1 834. The
village and office retained that name until September 7.
I85(, when at a meeting of citizens it was changed to
Brocton.

D. Howell was the first P. M. at Salem X Roads and
the office was kept in the building now owned and occupied
by C. S. Ogden on the northeast corner of Main and
North Division streets. Those occupying the office thereaftei-
were Samuel Hall, Wm. L. Clinton, Milton Clements,
Wm. L. Minton agjun, Di\ A. Mclntyre, R. S. Morriscm.
Stephen May, Edwin Elmore, Charles O. Funnan.

Qo\. Nathaniel Bird, wIkj avIII be remembered by some of
the older citizens of Portland, was a veteran mail conti'actor
and the pioiu'cr stage proprietor of Chautauqua county.
He emigrated to Westfiehl in 1 Si.") and settled on a farm
one and onedialf miles east of that \illage (now owned
by Thomas Prendergast). In 1820 he contracted with
the P. O. Department to transport the mails from Buffalo
to Eri(^ on horseback once a week, to connnence January 1.
1821. It will be remembered that in the contract with
Richard Williams and others the route inciludtid the Mayville
office, but in the contract with Mr. Bird that office was left
out, nnich to the dissatisfaction of the people there, who
at (jnce petitioned for a restoration. This seems t(^ have
been proper, for more than half the mail matter was
taken from the Itag at that offici. The reader must
not suppose that the hoy used then was in hardl}- any
sense like those used now in the mail service : it was
a hand bag no larger than a small hand satc^hel. Aftfsr
the route fi'om Meadville was e.vtended to Westlield
Mayville \\^as agam dropped from thi' Buffalo & Erie roTite.
The route throu<>-h Portland (continued to be the South

102 HISTOKICAI. SKETCHES OF

road, or the one surveyed b_y Mr. McMalian. and tlie stopn
were at tlie McKenzie ]>]a(*e, the postoifice and the Old Joy
Tavern on the o-round where stands the house of Wni.
AV. Pettit. Mr. Bhd originated the tirst mail stage
Hne in tlie coiuity and transported the mail in a stage
wagon, with one sjjan of horses, fi-om Buffalo to Erie, and
carrying besides passengers, such things as were sent
hy him from Buffalo. This was a great acconunodation
to tlie iiublic, though at this day a trip to Buffalo in
such a vehicle and over such roads would l)e considered
anything but agreeable. The road was anytliing but good
except in the winter when the ground M'as frozen, and
the people along the route and esjoecially the inn lvee2:)ers
donated largely by Avay of labor to improve it and aid
the enterprise. Tlie writer has been informed that a
large amount of labor was done in the town of Portland
by the citizens from time to time, to facilitate the
passage of the stage, in addition to their regular rates.
The stage was an ordinary two horse wagon with can-
vas covering and with seats on wooden springs. There
were no bridges over Huftalo, CattaraiigiTs or Eighteen
Mile Creeks. The road through Portland Avas comjiara-
tively good ; that from CattaraugTis Ci'eek to Buffalo at
times almost impassable. "No one unacquainted with these
I'oads can api>reciate the difficulties of staging over them,
especially in the spring and fall, or of the mud holes
through which they had to pass. The only lireathing
j^lace was while rising out of tme mud hole to plunge
into another." The writer can rememl^er when
passengers traveled much of the distance from Cattaraugus
Creek to Buffalo on foot for the jiri-vilege of ha^dng a
trunk carried. Any man with ordinary powers of loco-
motion could pass over the road from Westfield to
Buffalo more rajadly than the stage team in some
seasons of the year. We refer to all this to show the
difficulties of locomotion in those days, because Portland

rilK lOWN OK rOKTI.ANI). 103

was ill a maiinei- intevested. the route passing through
the town; in fact Col. Biixl was himself a citizen of tlu-
town of Portland. The "four mile woods" was the dread
of all travelers, by stage or otherwise. Tliis Syrtis of
the west the reader will find often referred to in the
i)iog-. Sketches of the early settlei-s. It was in the
height of its popularity at the commencement of 1823.
At this date Col. Bird associated with him Mr. Marvin
of Bufialo in the stage business, and they commenced
transporting the mail twice a week fi'om Piuft'alo to Erie
for a compensation of $750 per year; previously it had
been but $550 a year. They were granted thiity eight
hoius time between Butialo and Erie, ninety miles. The
same year a better class of stages was put on the route
between Erie and Cattaraugus Creek; but the old lum-
bering covered wagon was used the 1)alanee of the way.
Most men would have failed in tliis enterprise. The
difficulties to be overcome and the smallness of the com-
pensation would have driven them from the undertaking -.
but Mr. Bird seems to have been bom to this destiny:
at all events he seemed to have had a monomania for
stagmg, and he followed his particular "bias " until age
compelled liim to leave the active duties of life. Early
in 18:^1 lie associated with him Ira E. Bird, his son, and
two years later, in 1826, he associated with him T. G.
Abell of Fredonia, B. 1>. Coe and others of Buffalo, and
commenced running a daily line of stages over the route.
This was an epoch in the lustory of staging in Chautauqua
county, and an epoch -ftdth the inhabitants along the
route. The first opposition line was put on the route
this year, 1826, but after a few months it withdrew.
Thomas Quigley of l*ortland was the first to drive a post
coach through Salem X Roads and over the north road
in Portland, in the fall of 1827.

Post coaches were not run over the entire length of
the route from [juffalo to l^^rie until 182!>. wlien Kufus S.

104 HI8TORU;Ar. SKK'nilKS (>1

Reed, Thomas G. Abell and Bela 1). Coe placed thera
upon the route and I'un a daily line between these points
and delivered daily mails. This year, at the age of 76
years, Col. Bird retired from business. He removed to
Hamburg, Erie county this state, and died thei-e Januar}-
8th, 1847, aged 84.

Previous to 1827 the route through Poi-tland was on
the south road substantially as now located, leaving
the north road half a mile east of the Pomfret town
line on the farm of Edwin Hall, and reaching the
.south road a few rods east of the towTi line on lot 62, T.
5, R. 12, on the farm of D. P. Benjamin; coaches stopping
at the taverns liefore named, and the post-office of Calvin
Barnes. In the fall of 1827 the route was changed in
part, to the noi-th road, tln-ough Salem X Roads or the
Corners as then called, to Portland center as afterwai'd
located, then crossing to the south road. The next year,

1828, the north road became the permanent route fifom the
east to the Center, and fi-om there to the south road imtil
the discontinuance of the Portland office in Septembei-

1829, when it was divided according to the state of the
roads. This line of stages was continued rmtil 1852 ; and
for the most part of the time a single coach each way was
sufficient to transport the traveling ]»ublic, about five thou-
sand a year. What would staging do now towar<ls trans-
porting the two millions of passengers and move that pass
over the Lake Shore Raih-oad per year? In 1852 the
Buffalo & State Line Railroad commenced cairying tlie
mails and the stages were withdrawTi ; the last three passing
through Portland together, with single teams, and without
a passenger: like old and faithful ser^•ants, in solemn
procession, retiring from the active scenes ot life to make
way for the more active and efficient agents of modei-n
enteri>rise.

Too much praise cannot be awarded the citizens of the
town along the principal thoroughfai-e east and Avest. f<n

'niK TUWN OK I'OIill.ANS). 105

their liberality in aiding the proprietors, by labor upon
tlie higliway, in their determiuation to maintain their line
of stages. In this they but manifested the spiiit of public
enterprise tliat existed among them, and without which the
public highways of the town might lia^e remained years
longiT before becoming passable.

lOG inSTOllICAl. bKKTt lll>

CHAPTEK XIX.

Schools — The Pioneer Schools — Schoolhoiisus and tirst DistrictK.

Scarcely had the first pioneer of the wilds of Portland,
C-apt. James Dnnn, become fairly settled npon his purchase
ere he began to cast about him for the means of" ediicating
his children, lie liad left older and more fiivored regions
for tliis home in the forest, where he had learned to prize
the benefits of knowledge and the blessings that flow from
its dissemination amongst tlie i:»eople, and although now
shut out from iurmediate intercourse wdth these more
favored localities, he did not propose to allow his oflspring
to grow up in ignorance. They must be tauglit the
rudiments of an education at least.

In 1808 or '9 he had erected a small log buihling near
his dwelling on lot 30, T. 5, very near tlie present dwelling
of Mr. John Dudley, for what definite pui-pose is not now
known; but in the spring of 1810 it Avas dedicated to the
interest of science, a teacher hired and a school oj^ened
consisting of some six or seven scholars, all th(! cliildi'en
of the foundei-, proj^rietor and i'of a time the sole
patron and sui)porter. Soon a few others wei"e allo\\'ed
to send their cluldren by paymg a proi)orti()n of tlie
teacher's wages. This school (rontinued for a teim of three
ov four months and was tlie first taught witliin tlie
limits of the town. Whether it was I'evived and (;oiitinued
"huing the next summei- is not known to the widter,
l>\it it is qtrite }irol)able that it was not. for a school-

THE TOAVN OF PORTLAND. 107

house was built tlie same siimmei- ov fall — the first one
built in town. This first schoolhouse was built by vol-
untary eiFort on the pai-t of the settlers and stood opposite
the site of the "old stone schoolhouse" in District No.
8, nearly in the I'oad now running south at that })omt.
on lot 41. T. .5. It was quite a small, low, log building
witli a small door in one end and a window of tour lights
in the side. It had a dutch tireplace and a hole through
the i-oof of shakes for the smoke. A tew years since
some of the logs deeply imbedded in tlie soil yet
remained. IVIiss Anna Eaton taught the first school in
town, at Captain Diums ; and ^h: Augustine Klumph
taught the first and only school in the new schoolliouse
in tlie winter of 1810-11. The locatiim of this house
did not prove convenient for the settlers and it was
abandoned and one built in 1811. of logs of course, near
a spring on land now occupied bj' the orchard of Cvdleu
l)Urr, a little west of his dwelling on lot 34, T. 5, and
in front of the residence of J. S. West. In this house a school
was legulaily kept, le. a summer and a winter term, until
the winter of 1817-18. During the summer of 1817 a fi-ame school-
house was erecte<l on the farm noAV owned by Daniel Britcher,
commonly called the Bowdish farm. <m lot 3o, T. •>, on
the northeast coiner where tlie i-oad leads south fi'om the
old P^rie roa<l, opposite and Avest of the residence of
Milton J. Munson : which was occupied for school purposes
until the winter of 1828-9. This house was a good deal
primitive in style, with but few of the conveniences noAV
deemed necessary, but it answered the purpose of the
settler well, and in it some of the men that now stand
liigh in the estimation of the public, laid the foundation
of an e<lucation and of their usefulness. The same may
be said of most of these early sti'uctures. A school was
kept in the smnmer of 181 1 in a small log house on
lands of John Price, southeast part of lot 88. T. .'). nearly in
front of the residence of the late I )avid Katon. bv IMiss Pollv

108 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

Price ; tlie family of Thomas Klumpli occupying the pioneer
schoolhouse bviilt the year before.

Alxnit 1820 a log schoolhouse was biiilt on the farm
of Mr. L. Woods, on the central portion of lot 55, T. 4.
a little south of the house of E. Saunders and on the
opposite side of the road, .in which a school Avas kept
more or less imtil the winter of 1828-9, when it was dis
continued, as also the one last spoken of. and both distncts
united in one. commonly called tlie "stone schoolhouse
district." or No. 3.

A log" schoolhouse was built in tlie year 1814 on ground
now^ occupied by the orchard of Wm. Becker on the southern
part of lot 19. T. 5, Avhich was burned down two or three
years later and a school was kept for a tej'ui in a back room of the
tavern house of David Joy standing where the house of
Wm. W. Pettit now stands. These early schoolliouses
were models in their way though the hand of the accom-
plished architect was not 2:)articularly visible in their
construction. Very little imi:)rovement was visible for many
years. "Whenevei- the people of any distiict or neighbor
hood could agree upon a site, they went to work in earnest
and built the schoolhouse A\dtliout any tax or any compulsoiy
process whatever, but each one did or gave what he pleased ;
and the teachers were paid by voluntary subscription."

These early schools were in general well attended, con-
sidering the sparseness of the population ; and the elements
of the various branches of an English education taught
with good success. In those early times little was taught
but readuig, spelling, writing and arithmetic, with a
smattering of geograjDhy; but these branches were more
thoroughly taught than at the present day, in the esti-
mation of some of the old pioneers at least, with the
exception of arithmetic ; in fact old people claim that they
had more good readers and sj)ellers in pro))oi-ti(m to the
number taught, then than now.

Many anecdotes are told tlie Avriter, of early school life

THE TOAVX OF PORTLAKD. 109

in Portland : ancl many a heart beats }"<)ung again, and
many an eye kindles with renewxl brightness as those
early scenes are talked oA^'r, and a pleasure enjoyed in
their recital far beyond the reality of later interests, sur-
roiTnded as they wei-e with toil and care. What a blessed
thing to the old is memory ! How the exercise of that
faculty so impressible in tlie early years of life, like some
magic wand pictru'es to the mind with most vivid distinct-
ness the scenes and events of childhood and youth, and
wells up in the soul the most pleasui'able emotions ; and
yet how ofti'ii are they tinged with a shade of melancholy
or sorrow.

For further particul;u's with reference to st-hools and
schoolhouses, see History of Districts.

Prio)' to 1814 no schools were established by law in the
town of Portland. Several acts had becji passed by the
Legislature for tlie encoiTi'agement of schools, but on June
Kith. 1812, an act was passed d(!signed to embody the
benefits of t»ther state systems and tlie benc^fits of experience
of former years, and establish a system that should bring
an education in common scliools \\'ithin the reach of all.
This act was in force at the erection of the town of l*ortland.
April i)th, 1818: yet it was lett for each town to adopt or
reject its jn'ovisions as tlu-y should see fit in their individual
capacity, by action at their ammal town elections. Kach
town accepting the proA-isions of tlie law would be entitled
tf» a portion of tlie benefits of a fiuid provided by the
state for the support of schools, imder certain regulations.

The act provided for tlie appointment of a Superintendent
of Common Schools by the council of appt)intment, to have
his ofli(.-e at the seat of government and with a salary- of
•iSoOi*: but the salary not to commence until there should
be a <listribution of the iutei-est accruing upon the school
fund. ;mil no distribution to take pla(*e until the interest
shimld amonnt to sr>!),Ol>0 a year. In order that any town in
the state i-eceive a pi'oportion of s;iid sum. it was necessary

110 IMSTOiacAL SKKTCllES OF

tliat a like sum or any sum equal and not more tlian t^^ice the
amount be raised by tax upon the taxable property of the town in
like manner as other taxes were levied and collected; in
Avluch case they were entitled to a sum from the public
school fund i»roportioned to the number of inhabitants in
said town, which was to be divided amongst the several
districts according to the niunber of childien in each district
from live to fifteen years of age, inclusive. Ilie inhabit-
ants of each and every town proposing to comply with the
provisions of the law, were to elect at their annual town
meeting on the first 'Tuesday in April of each and every
year, thi-ee School Commissioners ''to superintend and
manage the concerns of the schools within said town, and
to perform such service relative to schools as they shall
be directed to perform.'" And to receive for their services
"so much as the inhabitants shall direct." Their powers
extended to the division of the town into districts and the
alteration of the same, oi- the formation of new ones as
the interests of the town seemed to demand ; and they were
to api^ortion and distribute all school moneys of the town.

The inhabitants were in like manner to choose three and
not exceeding six persons, who with the school commis
sioners were to be inspectors of schools of tlie town,
which inspectors were to examine teachers, visit the schools
quarterly or oftener as they should deem it necessary. Two
or more were to form a quorum. No i^erson was to be
allowed to teach a school in any district "without being
in possession of a valid certificate of qualifications, and of
good moral character." They were to examine schools
with reference to the proficiency of the scholars, good
order and the regularity of attendance : and ad\'ise with
the trustees with reference to government Sec.

Three trustees were to be chosen in each district, who
were to select a teacher and manage the immediate concerns
of the district ; make an annual report to the commis-

THK I'OWX OF I'OETI.AM). Ill

siouei's, who were to report to the county clerk, who in
turn was to report to the state Superinteiuleut.

The provisions of the law did. not extend to the city
and coiuitj^ of New York until March l2th. 1813, when
an act was ])assed bringing them also under the same
regulations and directions with reference to the disbiu'sement of
the school fund : the children however were tt) he numbered from
four to fifteen years, instead of from live to fifteen as
throughout the rest of the state.

Such are the main features of the law of 1812. It has
since been largely altered fi-om time to time as was
thought to l)e for the interests of the cause of a general
education of the masses: principally with reference to
school officers, and making property the basis for a
fund foi- the education of the people. The office of county
Superintendent of Common Schools was created by act of
May 2()th. 1841. and c(mtinired itntil the act of Nov. 13th
1847. 'vhen it was abolished. In 1843 the Board of Town
School Insjiectors and School Commissioners was abolished
and tlie office of Town Superintendent substituted, which
in turn was abolished l)}^ act of the Le,'{islatiu"e dated April
]2th. 186(). Bv the same act tlie office of Commissioner
of Common Schools was created: one to be elected for each
assembly district and holding for three years. His dirties
are nearly the samt^ as the 'i'oM'u Superintendent of
Common Schools, with the exceptiim of the disbursement
of the school funds, which is niade the duty of the Super
^'isor oi each town. "^Fliis was su1)stantially returning to
a coiuity siTperintendency.

The ancient town of Tortland. including the i)resent
town, Westfield and IJipley. was erected l)y act of Legis
latiu'e dated ^Vpril 9th, 1813, and the first to^ii meeting-
was held at the house of Jonathan Cass in the now
village of Westfield on the first Tuesday hi April 1S14. A
jiortion of the record of that town meeting reads as
follows: "'N^oted to comply ^vith tiie common school act.

112 mSTOKICAL SKKTCHKS OK

:md ordered the Su})ervisor to cause tlie inhabitants oi
the town to be assessed in that way wliich may raise
double the sum for the support of common schools which
the town may receive from the state." "Chose Jabez Ilul-
burt, Robert Dickson and David Eaton, Commissioners
(-)f Common Schools. Voted that Elijali Hayden, Amos
Atwater and James l^arker be Insj^ectors of Common
schools. '

Tlio sum authorized to be raised by the above A'ote
was a little shoi't of thirty dollars, and of course the sum
appropriated by the state could have been but about fit-
teen dollars. A wnall begiuning (-onsiderina; the extent
of the territory.

On the 7th of May tollowmg, the school commissioners
met at the house of Jonathan Cass and resolved that the
town of Portland be divided into seven school districts.
The first five of these were entirely Avithin the ])resent
towns of Rij^ley and Westfield. except a small portion of
No. 5 ; and the description so miintelligible to all Imt those
whose memories run back to those early yeai's. that I pass
them by without a notice and describe the last tu^o only.
No. (i jjegan oiU3 fourth of a mile east of the town line
road between Portland and Westfield. "passing easterly,
ended at the east line of .lames Dunn's farm," ncnv the
east line of John Dudley's tann, on lot 80, T. 5. No. 7
extended from the east line of No. 6 to the line of the town of
PomtVet : thus dividing the town ft-om south to north into twc^
districts. Most of the settlers Avere then living along
what are now termed the main roads east and west: but
those living north and s<juth were include<l in these
divisions.

No. 6 occupied the house built in IS 11. l)efore spoken of.
and No. 7 the house ret'eired to as standing near the
present house of Win. Becker o?i lot li>, T. 5.

In 18!5. May 27th, another district was fornied from the
east part of NVestfield an<l the west part of Portland,

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 1 13

the eastern line being a line iiumiug north and south

near the center of the western tier of lots in Range 13.

On the division of the toANai and the erection of the

town of Eiplev. Mai eh 1st. I81(i. owing to the increase

of the population and for convenience, it became necessary

to re-district the town and increase the number. At a

meeting of the commissioners of schools May 9th, 1810.

present Ethan A. Fay, James Parker and lleuben Stetson,

it was ordered that District No. 1 extend fi'om Chautauqua

Creek to Nathaniel Bird's west line, lands now owned

by Thomas Prendei-gast, on soixth part of lot 27, T. 4.

1{. 14. including all inhabitants north and south of said
line.

No. 2. beginning at the east line of No. 1, and extending
to a line running noi'th and south near the center of the
western tier of lots in Range 13, including all north of
said line tmd all south of said line as iiu' as a line drawn
fi"om Alexander Lowry's to .Tared Taylor's, land now owned by
Ozni N. Stowell, southwest part lot (53, T. .4, R. 13.

No. 3, begimiing in the center of west tier of lots in Range
13 and extending to the west line of John Quigley's farm, now
ownt'd by Mrs. Mericle. northeast ])ai-t of lot 30, T. .5, R. 13,
including all north and south of said line. This (Ustrict
was veiy nearly the sami' as the No. (> of -the tu'st division.

No. 4, beginning at the east line of No. o and extending to
the P<^>mfret town line, inclutling all inhabitants south of a
line draw] I from the dwelling of John R. Coney on the
northwest part of lot 19, T. T), to Moses Sages house, north
pai-t of lot 13, T. "). noAv owned and occupied by J. N. Porter.

No. 5 included all inhabitants south of No. 2, including
Jared Taylor on southwest ]>art of lot 63, T. 4. R. 14.
;, No. 6 included all inhabitants fi'om the line of Pomfi-et to J.
R, Coney's west line, or line; between lots 19 and 2(5. T. 5. and
all north of district No. 3 to the lake shore.

The houses in districts No. 3 and 4 were the same as those
occupied after the tirst division in 1814. Nothing detinite can

114 Illi?T<.)i;U;AL SKKTCIIES OF

now be determined with reference to the place of holding
schools in districts No. 5 and 6.

On March 2."). 1817, a new district was fcn-med (No. 7) from
all that i^art of district No. 3 north of James Dmms north
line. The present school district No. 7 is a part of the distiict
then formed.

At the same date all territory south of lots 40, 48 and 55, T.
4, R. 14, was annexed to No. 5, as above defined. [See second
division.]

Nov. 19. 1817, No. 8 was fonned entirely witliin the town of
Westfield.

May 22, 1818, the entire toAvn was again districted by
commissioners Parsons, "J^iylor and Jabez Hnlbnrt, adding
two new districts: No. !> on the lake shore in Westtield and
No. 1 including all the sonth part of No. 1 in Westfield to the
town line south. This, however, Avas reannexed to No. 1 Nov.
SO, 1818. The other changes were not so material that we
will note them here.

On May 21, 181!), the. town was again districted and llie
bounds of each district made definite by town lines and lots, a
rhing that had not ))efore been done. Twelve tlistricts were
formed but as Ihey wer(3 some of them diAdded within a
few months and the boundaries of others very materially
changed if mil serve no good purpose to define them here.

No. 13 was formed March 15, 1820, by a division of No. 1 in
Westfield, nearest to Mayyille.

No. 14 was formed May 10, 1820. fi-om territory' about
Prospect station on the B. C. & P. R. R. and lots or parts of
lots 55, 54,* G2 and 03. T. 4, R. 13. The school house stood
about sixty rods east of the station on the north side of the
road but was afterward moved to the south side.

No. 15 was erected March 25, 1823. and was very nearly the
same as the present No. 2. It included lots 24. 32 and 40
and that part of lots 23 and 31 in Pt)rtraTi<l in T. 4. R. 13. and
lots 23, 28 and part of lot 33 in 5th T.. 13th U.. and the present
joint district No. 8.

riiK TOWN (M r(»i;ii,\\i). 115

No. IG was forjiTKHl M:iy 17, 1S28. substantially the No. 1 of
the present, in the northeast part of the town, with a part
of tlie north part of the jtresent No. \). This district was
discontinued within the next few months l)ut was eventually
I'elVn'nied with changed boundaries.

No. 1(1, in tlu^ soutliAvcist portion of the town, was atiain
formed April 1(». 1S24, and included the eastern ]iortion of
lot :J2. T. 4. 1{. U.

The abo\e will sulHc(^ to sliow the earh' formation and
changes of school <hstricts and as far :is is necessarj^ for our
]>urpose. though the i-ecords of the doings of the school
officers are numerous and extensive enough to till a small
volume.

il<) H J. STOIUCAL SKETCHES OF

(HAl'lKR XX.

Si-boul Districts, coutiuiu-d.

Changes havt' been contmiially taking plaet' horn the
tirst division of tin- tt)wn into districts, but less fivqiiently
since about 18:K). The numbers Avere\ also changed from
time to time until about 1S88. since which time they
have remained tlu- same with but slight alterations. No,
10 having been changed in 1843 from 18. its first number
in 1S38. and No. 12 to that of No. 5 in l8Gi). When
the major jjait of the districts as they now exist were
numbered, or wlien tlie many clianges in boundaries tlun
must have taken place between I8'ir) and 1838 were made,
it is now impossible to detennine. as there does not exist a
trace of th(.' records of the acts of s(;hool officers betAveen and
including t\\v years named. Incidentally and from other
lecofds a few facts haxf l)een gleaned and are made to
suffice. Since January 1. 183(1. a book ot records has
l)een kept separate from tlie other town records by the
school officers, and full caiougli for practical jDUiposes.

The present numl)er of school districts is eleven, as
follows :

No. 1 is substantially the N(j. 1 1 of the division
made May 2, 1819, and the No. 1(5 of the division made May
17, 1823, with some changes on the west, and occupies the
northeast corner of the town, it was organized May (!. 1880.
and on May 13th Roe Goldsmith. Samuel Kvertlen and
John Odell were chosen trustees. At this meetiui^- it was

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 1 1 7

" voted to build a school house, which was uccomplished thi'
same j'ear at a cost of $12*>.")0. 'I'liis liousc stood on the
northeast corner of the cross-roads iieai- tlie lesidence of Win.
.Martin in that district, on tlie west |tart of lot 7, T. 5. It was
used until 1.S52, when the present liouse was built which stands
on the northwest part of lot 7.

Xo. 2. This is the old Xo. 15 chanoed soniewliat in
boundaries and occupies the side hill along the line between
T's 4 and o. It was forme. 1 .March 2o. 1 S2.3. Tlie first
house was a log- house built hi IS2o or "24 and stood on the
northuest cornei- of lot 32, T. 4, ver^- nearly upon the site of the
present one. In 1887 a Irauie house Ava.s built neai-ly cm the
site ot the old (me at a cost of $181. including- the expense of
the lot. The ju-esen^ house was built in 18(51 on tlie site of
the old one at a cost of about $250.

No. 8 is a joint district. \V(>stfield and Portland, occupying
the west part of Portland and the east part of ^^'^estfield,
mainly along the Main road, and is commonly known as the
•• st(me school-lumse district." It Avas formed on -May 9, I81f>,
though since it lias been lai'gely change<l and shorn of its
original proportions. As elsewhere stated the first school
house in toAvn was built in this district in ISK) aud the first
frame school house in 1S17. In 1828 a stone house was built
a few rods east of the present house and on the old Erie road
at a cost of %)W(). This stone lu)use was used tor scliool
l>urposes until 18(59 when the present bnc^k house was V>uilt on
a site purchased of II. A. iJlowers a few rods farther west, at
a cost of s52.()()(). IJotii these houses were ci'ccted (m the
s(mtheast(!rly ]iart of lot 41. T. 5. R. 18.

Xo. 4. This district is the remains of Xo. 7 of tlie tirsi
divisi(m in 1S14 and the Xo. \ of the di\ision of .May U. LSKL
though like No. 8 it has suffered largely in regard to bomida.
ries. Tlie tirst school Iiouse in this district was a small log-
one built in 1S(|4 ;nid stood on ground lu-arly opposite the
house of \\\i\. IJecker. south ])art of lot 1*.>. 'I\ 5. It was
burned in two or three years, probably iu 181(;. and a sc1h)o1

11(S iiisTOi;i(Ai, sKi;i( ni;s or

was kept for a lenu in the back room of a ta^•c'nl liouse
vstanding wlicre the house of Win. W. ]*ettit now stands, on
south part lot ID, T. 5. .\ \o<x house was bnilt hi the fall of
1816 or sprhig of 1817 on the sontliwest comer of the cross-
roads east of the first house, which was also burned in 1SH>.
Another loLf house was at once bnilt iijion the same site, which
was occupied until 1827. when the present one was erected.
In 1850 it was remo\ed a little liirther south, enlarged and
otherwise improved. It is still occupied.

No. 5 was erected t)n April 17. 1823. and is a part of No. (^
of the diAdsion of INtay^T, 1814. and ihe northern part of No.
3 of the division of May 1>, 181 G. Its No. was 12 imtil
1860. when it was changed to No. 5. It occupies the
northwest coiner of the town and along the lake road as
far east as the east line of lands of John Springstead oi" a
line a few rods west of tlu* line between lots 32 and 3G.
The first school house built in this district was upon lands of
Hollis Fay in 1827 and stood upon tlie north side of the
road at the south edge of a grove of young trees east of the
house so long occupied by Mr. Fay on lot 42, T. 5. The next
house Avas built in 1 833 : was a frame, planked and shingled
on the sides as well as on the ■•oof, and stood a few rods east
of the present residence of Samuel Caldwell on north pait lot
40. T. .'). The present house was built in 1855 on a site
one-eighth of a mile east of the site of the house of 1833.

No. G was erected substantially with its present boundaries
May 21, 1810. But slight alterations have been made. It is
the Brocton district and occupies territory immediately
around that village, including Brocton station and all Ij'ing
south of the main track of the Lake Shore R. E. as far east as
the west line of Jolm Flanders' land : east on the Main roa<l
as far as the town line of Pomfret ; west as far is the west
line of the "Coney farm," or the line between lots 10 and 26;
T. 5, and south to the line of district No. 4, Xo. 1 being on
the northeast. The first school taught in this district was by
a Miss Kimball. It was opened in a small sluinty made of

TiiK TOWN <>i roirn^AXi). Hi)

rough boards with a board chimney, standing on the east side
of the Slippery Rock creok, ou the north side of the Main
road and on a knoll l)ut a hundi'ed feet east of tlie bridge.
It was bnilt foi' a d\\elling- but hired for a school for the
sunimer of 181!). On the first day of school it took tire and
l>unied down. A log house was at once put up by the district
on the same sjiot, the school continued and a school taught in
it dining the winter of 1819-20 by Jewett Prime. Miss Mary
Ann Drake, now Mrs. Edmiuid Day, of the town of Dunkirk,
taught school in this house in the summer of 1 823. It was used
luitil the tall of 1823 when a frame house was built a few rods
further east on the corner of a lot immediately m fi-ont of
the present residence of Mrs. Caroline Hall, north part lot
13, T. 5, and used in winter of 1823-4. It was burned in
1824 and on December 4th following the district resolved to
rebuild the house but on a new site, one now occupied as a
yard immediately east of the present dwelling of James li.
Haight in Brocton. It was completed the first of Decembei'
the next year but was used for a school during the summer of'
1825. This house is still standing and is the back part of
the store of R. A. Hall, hardware merchant in Brocton.
The present house was built nearly op[iosite the old (me in
1844 by Josiali Hall at a cost of $349 ; $7.5 Avere raised to
pay for the site. An addition was built in 18-55 at a cost
of $400.

No. 7 was erected May 21, 1819. It was first erected in
1 817. It suffered largely at the hands of the school officers
of the tovni but it maintained its identity and number
through the whole. It lies immediately north of
Portland Center and is commonly called tlu; •' Harris
District." The first school house was built in l81i) or "20
and stood about ten to twenty rods north of the present
residence of J. E. Harris on the northern ])art of lot 32,
T. ."). It was used but a short time. It was of coiu'se
built of logs. A frame house was built by voluntar}^ laboi-
on the same site but was never finished. It was used

120 HlbTOinCAT. SKJETCHES OF

until 1838 wlien another frame was biiilt on a site
adjoining the site of the present house on the nortli, which
was used' until 1855 \\-hen the i^resent one was built on a
site adjoining on the south, on the easterly part of lot
32, T. 5. Tlie site was pm-chased of B. F. Pecor for $50.

No. 8 was elected Apiil 28, 1827, and is usually known
;is the •' old biick school hoiise district," and occupies
territory south and west of No. 10, north of No. 2, east of
No. •"! and soutli (^f No. 5. It includes territory tirst settled
in town and the second school house built in town (in 1811)
was in this district. Like the rest its proportions have been
largely changed. The first school house built in No. 8 proper
was a brick one in 1827. Cephas Bi-ainard. Klisha Fay and
Wm. Dnnn were the first trustees. It was situated on the
western part of lot 80, T. 5. The present house was built in
1 853 : $50 wMs raised to enlarge the site.

In 1832 a district was ibnned from a part of No. 8 and
tcn-ritory along the Main I'oad and the west portion of
Centtaville and extending north <jf tlie Main road at that
point. :md a house built on the corner opposite and in fr^mt of
ihe house of Tliomas (^uigley on the northwest corner of lot
30, T. 5. It was discontinued after a few years and the house
removed to the southeast corner near the house of Stei)hen
Weld and fitted uj) for a dwelling, and afterward to Center-
A'ille, and is now a part of the dwelling of Mrs. Delia Gator.
There are no records of this district and its number has ])asse(l
from memory.

No. was erected into a district May 17, 1823. It occupies
territory north of Broctcm district. No. G, having No. 1 on the
east and No. 7 on the west with the lake on the north. Most
of the property of the •' Hariis Community,' so called, lies in
this district. 'I'he rii-st school was taught by a Miss
Willoughby and was continued for two or three seasons. It
was a private school, kept in the house of Simtm Burton and
iiiterwards in the house oi Oliver Spalford previous to the
fonnatidu <>( tlie district. Immediatelv after the formation of

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 121

the district a house was built on land of Willard Burton, now-
owned by T. L. HaiTis, the central portion of lot 22, T. 5,
which was occupied until the present one was buih on thf
northeast corner of lot 21, T. 5, in 1853.

No. 10. This district was formed in 1838 and was then
called No. 13, bnt was changed in 1848 to No. 10. It is the
Oenterville district and has No. 7 on the north, No. (5 on the
east and No. 8 on the south and west. The first school house
erected in this district was in 1838 at a cost of $225 including
site. It stood on the site of the house of G. W. Mimger on
the northwest part of lot 25, T. 5. It was removed to the
site of the present house in 1 843, and is still standing near
the I'oad on the farm of Mrs. Mericle south of Centerville.
The present one was built in 1854 upon the site of the
old one.

No. 11, commonly called the ''Howe district," was fonned
on the 21st of February, 1 832, and was piincipally taken from
the No. 4 of May 9, 181(>. It occupied territory un the south-
easterly section of the towTi east of No. 2 and south of No. 4
The first hoiise was built in 1832 at a cost of $125, and
occupied a site a few rods west of "Howes corner" on the
north side of the road uvav the center of the faim then owned
by Loren Shattuck but now by H. Parmetei'. It was
removed to its present site on the "corner" near the residence
of Isaac Howe a little south of the center of lot 10. T. 5, and
re])aired, in 1 800.

Joi7it School Districts. — No. 3, a joint district with West
field, has been described as district 3.

No. 5, joint with Westfield, occupies territory south of
No. 3. The house stands in Westfield on northeast corner of
lot 31. T. 4, R. 14,

No. 8, joint with Chautauqua, occupies territory on the
•'Chautauqua hill," the house standing in Chautauqua near
the "church on the hill," on the northeasterly part of lot ^-O.
T. 4, R. 13.

No. 20. j(,)int with Chautauqua, commonly called the "Elm

122 IiryTORTCAL SKKTCIIi:^ OF

Flats district. The house stands in Chautaiiqita near the
church of the ''United Brethren," a little west of the center of
lot 45. T. 4. K. 13.

No. 19, joint with Pomfret and usually known as ''Harmon
Hill district." The house stands in Pomfret on the south line
.»f lot 61, T. 5. R. 12.

Salem Academy. — In 1832 Jacolj Whitman purchased of
Closes Joy the farm now occupied by J. L. Hatch and II. A. S .
Thompson, north pari of lot ID, T. 5. Having a son at college
at Clmton, N. Y., whom he wished to establish as a teacher, he
eoncieved the idea oi the establislnnent of a liigh school to be
located u])(ni his own ))remises and placed under the care
of his son when he should return home.- This plan was
successfully cariiod out and in 1884 a building was erected
and completed at his o^\^l expense upon a site a few rods west
of the wine house of Ryckman, Day ct Co.. where for some
years stood the residence of ^SEilton Clements, noAv
i-emoved and owned hy iVIi's. I). A. Baker. The Vmilding was
occupied the following winter by Mr. Whitman and afterward
by Charles H. Lallatt. son ot Rev. Chajles Lallatt, pastor of
the Uaptist church at Salem X Ivcnids. now Brocton, an<l
still later by S. H. Shaw, now a practicing ])hysician in Ripley,
this county, and jjossibly by others, and the school obtained
some degi-ee of notoriety and efficiency. Although midertaken
as a private enterprise the citizens of the town soon became
interested, and for a better and more thorotigh organization
and to secure a greater degree of efficiency, a board of tiaistees
was elected at a meeting held for the j^nrjiose, of which boanl
Barzillai IJarker was president, and the school became
established on a good Avorking basis. The success lor a few
yeai's was flattermg but from causes not known to the writer the
interest died out and the enterprise cmne to an end. There ai-e
now no records to be found of the transactions and nearly every
thing definite seems to have faded from the minds of the
people with reference to it, the above meagre statement
being all the writei' has been able to glean. The building was

THE TO^^'N OF POBTLAND. 128

tjvtTLtnally removed by Hubbuvd Wells to a site on tlie west
]>ortion of the same t'avin, and is now the main portion of the
dwelling of" Jose] ill L. Hatch.

This mnch for school districts and school houses. The
system of education by means of common schools has been
ap})reciated by the peojDle of the town fi-om the first introduc-
tion in 1814, and a good degree of pride and good judgment
manifested in the erection of suitable houses for the use of the
districts. This was as manifest in the earlier days of the
settlements before the introduction of the school system as at
the present; considering the few facilities then at command
schools have been maintained with great promptness and
I'egularity and a standard of education attained second to no
town m the county away from the larger educational
institutions, and the town may well congratulate itself upon
the position it (occupies in this respect. In proportion to
the population and the facilities for education no town in the
county has iiiniislied a larger number of first-class school
teachers or those tliat have obtained a better reputatit)n in
their calling.

In searching the records of the various school districts in
town, a large amoimt of shi'ewdness is seen to have existed and
shai-p practice resorted to in detei'mining the site for their
houses, that might have been no discredit, as far as ability
was concerned, to the titled representatives of the same rural
constituency. 15ut it is agreeable to know that the right and
the liest interests of the <listricts iTSually prevailed. The
houses at this writing a.re in the main siifficiently commodious
and convenient and are a credit to the districts and the town.

124 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER XXI.

I'ublie School Fund. — Froiu what lonued and how applied— Town Fund of Poitland —
How Created and how Apportioned.

The pride and glory of the State is its system of common
school educational interests. By it an education to some
extent is brought within the reach of every family w ithin the
State. The State is divided into eleven thousand districts of
greater or less extent, to suit the necessities or tlie convenience
of the inhabitants, and iii each a school is taught diuing some
portion of the year, and is accessible to all from four to
twent}- one years of age. The State lias made large pro \4sions
for the support of these schools, in part from a fund created
tor the purpose, and in part by a tax u]>on the taxable property
of towns. It will be at least interesting to note some of
the earliei' appropriations by the State for the formation and
increase of the School Fund :

In 17!M). seven-eighths, of foiu- lotteries of $100,00 $87,o00.00
1801, one-half of lotteries of $100,000. aggregate 50.000.(»<)
1805, Proceeds of land sold, 5o0,000 acres.
1805, Stock in Bank, and increased in 1 807 an<l "8
1816, Half of proceeds of Ci'umhorn Momitain.

tract of land 6,944 acres, 5,20s

1810, Half the arrears qmtrents. 26,690

1810, Exchange of Securities between general

and common school funds, by which the

school fund gained 161,641

Proceeds of escheated lands in Military

tract were added to the school fund.
1822, By the provisions of the constitution all

public lands, amoimting to 901.659 acres

were oiven.

THE TOWN OF PORTL.\ND. 1 25

1 827. Balanf-e of a loan in 1 786, amonnting to '}3,61().(.)0
'• Bank Stock given, 100.000.00

C^anal Stock owned by the State, 150,000.00

1888. Eovenne of U. S. deposit fund, annually, 1 10,000.00
From tlie revenvie of the V. S. deposit
fund .i«25,000 was annually added to the
capital ("f the common school fund, and by
the provisions of the constitution the
capital of the fund must remain inviolate.

By various sul)sequent acts of the legislatiu-e, the capital of
the school fund became changed in form, and is at present
composed as follows :

5 pel' cent. State stock issued on account of the

Astor debt, redeemable at pleasui'e. $41,758.91

■') pel' cent, issued on account of deficiency in the
(leneral Fund Del)t Sinking Fund, redeemable at
pleasure, 1S8.2«0.00

<i per cent, issued on account of the deficiency in
the (leneral Fmid Debt Sinking Fimd, redeem-
able at pleasure, !>05,041.3:-?

7 i)er cent, issued in pursuance of chapter 325 laws
of 1805, and chapter 20i) laws of 18(56 redeemable
Apr. 7, 1877, 80,000.00

( dmptroller Bonds. 6 per cent. I'edeemable at

pleasure, 36,000.00

Uank Stock. lOOO shares in Manhattan Ccmipany, 5().000.0{t

7 per sent. Oswego city bonds, issued in piu'suance
of chapter 500 laws of 1867. and chapter 21 laws
of 1 868, redeemable from Jan. 1, 1871. to Jan.
1, 1870, 51,4:00.0((

Bonds for laud. 2 14,820. IK

Bonds for Loaus, 2 1 5.43 1 .69

^lortgages for loans luider the act of 1840, in
cliarge of the connnissioners of the V. S. deposit
fund 49,326.00

Money in the Treasury. 1,277,547.36

Total, $8,004,513.55

The revenue arising from this fiimU together with nearly
two an<l a half millions; of dollars obtained yearly by tax upon
the assessfnl property of the towtis of the State, comprises the
amount (listiilmted by the State Superintendent to distiicts

IJISTOKICAL SKETCJIES OF

and counties for the support of schools m accordance with
provisions of tlie statute as follows:

After deducting the salaries of school commissioners-
a specified sum for each of the Assemblymen from cities; the
library money; a contingent fimd ; and for support of
Luhan schools, the remainder is divided into two parts, one
part being one-third and the other part being two-thirds.
The one-tlurd is divided equally among the school districts
in the btate including cities imder certain regulations, from
which reports have been received acc.rdh.g to law; and the
two-tlurds are distributed among the coimties of the St-tte
accordmg to theii- respective populations, excluciing Indians
on their reservations. The school commissioners of each
county alter deducting small smns fo. certain specified
objects distribute one-half the money apportioned to the
county by the State superintendent, among the various school
districts and parts of districts in ti.e co^m.^ according to the
number of childi-en in said district between the ages of four
and twenty-one years, and the other half they ^ distribute
among districts and parts of districts in proportion to tlie
average daily attendance of pupils residing therein, betwee.
the ages of four and twenty-one years, at their respective
schools during the last preceeding school year. There Z
some other tlungs taken into account of which I will make
no mention. l>eing of minor consideration, as the onlv
mten ion is to give a general view of the maimer Jf
distribution.

In the school law of 18U the s^-stem adopted for the raisin.-
of any deficiency for teachers' wages was bv Jiate Bill which
system was continued m.der every change of the code for 5S
years. It was the occasion of more disputes and bickerin..-s in
comiection with the affairs of schools, than all other thino.
combined. By the 2(;th section of chapter 40(1, laws of 186^7
his feature was abolished, and all defic-iences ordered collected
by tax upon the taxable property within the district This was
an important change and one that ought to have 'been

Tin: TOWN OF poKri.ANo. 127

Ijrouglit about inanj^ yeiirs earlier. Tiiiis the principle.' was
faiily acknowledged that as the education of the gi'eat body
of the people by means of common schcwls is the only
security of oui" free institutions and the rights to property,
that the property should be made to pay the expenses of its
own security and enjoyment.

Union Schools were allowed to be established under
certain conditions, hy act of April 13th, 1853.

N'ormal and Tralnirty Schools, have been establislied at
vaiToiis points in the State for the education of teachei's ; the
first at the city of Albany, May 7th, 1844, and the first session
was opened December 1 8th. of that year. The others are
situated at ( )swego, Pt^tsdam. Brockport, Geiieseo. Fredoiiia.
Cortland and lUiftalo.

TeavJiers Institutes were legally established in 1847, although
held as voluntary associations for some years previous, "^riie
first was held at Tthaca, Toui])kins county. April 4, 1843, and
lii other counties soon after. They were not recognized liy the
State until they had become a fixed fact."

The town of Portland accepted the provisions of the school
law in April 1814, and claimed a portion of the public IHuid.
and or<lered the assessment of a school tax. That year the
tax was tliirty doUars, twice the amount of the public fund
fi'om the State. The nmomit for I8l."> is not stated, but for
181G and 1817 i: Avas thii-ty dollars each year, and in I8P>
sixt}' dollars. The tax upon tiie town for school purposes in
1829, the year the to\\ai assumed its present proportions, was
$84.76, and in 18G7 it was $448.21.

The amoruits raised each year by tax will be found in tiie
table of taxes, under the head of "Schools."

For the past thirty-eight j'^eai'S the town has liail a small but
permanent school fund, in addition to the above, tlie interest
of which is yearly drawn and applied as other funds are
applied. This fund was created in 18:^3 from the poor fluids
in the hands of the overseers of the poor in town, by a vote at

128 HlSn/KK Al, SKKTr'HKS OF

a special town tiieetiiig- lielil at the house of llobeit K. liavnes.
inn-keeper, iioav owned and occui>ied !>> ( ) Jennev Greene,
on January 29. 1H83. The meetino- had heeii called for the
express ]Hirpose. The act of the Legislature} of April 21), l'^29.
din^ctiiig that every to\«i abolishing the distinction between
town and county poor, should by vote designate how and for
what purposes they would apply the poor funds of the town
if any in the hands of the overseers. At this meeting it \va^ deter-
mined by a large majority to apply it for the support of
eonnnon schools, and at the annua! town meeting following,
it was resolved that the --poor fmid. amounting to $-460.54 be a
ptMinanent fund, the inttn'est only applicable for the support
of schools." The amount w;i.s immediately loaned by the
commissioners of schools and the payment secured by mort-
gage upon real estate. The interest is apportioned as oth(^r
funds are apportioned for the districts of the town, yet
separately.

The amount of pn1)lic funds apportioned to the tc^wn from
all sources for school purposes in 1871 was $1,886.13.

Edvli/ School, Ti'iii'lu-rn. The first school taught in t()\Mi
was by Miss Anna l'>at<m. a sister of David I^^.aton, Esq.. on
the premises ol" Capt. James Dunn, in IS 10. INIiss Katon
came to the wilderness of Portland with her brother and
mother in 180(). (See biographical sketches). She Avas an
estimal'le yomrg lady and was long remembered by those
amoiiL;" wlmm she spent tlte early years of her pioneer life.
Previous to this she had taught at the Crossroads, now
Westfield. and one term ;;t ••Colt's Station. ' scmie seven miles
south of Nortli-lvist. Pa., and one term at what is now Ripley.
She followed teaching until 181.5. when she married Solomon
Xichols, removed to ( >neida county, tliis State, and died
therein December. l.S;U.

AiKU'sriM: Ki.rvrpii : Mr. K. tnught the tii'st and only school
in the small log s("hool-hons'^ built in 1810. th(> Hrst built in
the town, ariil i-efcrjcd to as stauthng nearly o])posite the ••old

Tim TOWN OF POUTLAND. 12'.>

stone school -house" ill tiic winter of 1 SI 0-11. (See bioyraph-
ical sketches).

Poi.r.v Price : Tanijfht oiu- termina small log lmildin<;, stand-
ing- in the field nearly in front of the residence of the late
David Eaton, in the suniniei- of 1811. She also taught in
Salem X Koads, (Brocton) one term and in District No. 4 one
t(?rm. She Avas the daughter of John Price, the first settler of
the farm now owned and occupied by Edward McGaiTall.
She is supposed to he. still livdng in Iowa.

D.vvii) Eaton: Taught in the log school house referred to as
standing in the orchard o1" Cullen Uurr. on lot 34, 'V. 5 in
part o1 the house of J. S. We.-;t. in the ^raiter of 1813-14.
He (Himmenced his school in Dcccjmber, tanglit one
month, then volunteered for a campaign on the (Janatlian
frontier iii the war of 1S12: w^as absent two uionths,
retui-niiig in March, when he resumed his place in the
school and kept through the term. He kept a second
term in this house. He was a successful teacher.

Eru A\ A. Fav: Came from White Hall. N'ermont, in
181 I. and taught school in the log house on the Cullen
J>uiT farm, in the winter of 1814-1.^. He returned to
Verjuont in 1817 oi- '18.

Sn.As DiNSMoin;: Taught schoool in the log house that
b^aton taught in. in the winter of 18li)-'l(i. He was
nineteen \ears of age, a \v(^ll educated, shrewd and more
than commonly intelligt'iil young man. and a litth; eccentric
withal. The next wintei- he taught in Cauadaway, now
Fredonia ; and was afterward emploj^ed by the United States
(xovernment as a surveyor of public lands in Alabama and
sent to that state with a l>arty equipped lor the work to
be accomplished, and for a long sojourn in those inhos
pitable wilds. He was a young man miyieldingly strict with
reference to his language, both in sp(;aking and Avriling.
ami indisposed to tolerate in any one no mattei- what

130 HisToracAL sketches of

his position, the least departure from the rules of syn-
tax, oi- a strict construction of iiwt. While enga^-ed in
the discharge of his duties, he received a letter from the
head of one of the departments at Washington, under
whose direction the survey was l:)eing conducted, asking
for information with reference to th.e progress of his work,
and some facts with reference to the country, its soil,
surface, streams etc, and amongst other things the secre-
tary saiil: •■In yoiir reply to this please be kind enough
to inft)rm me with reference to some of the larger
streams of that portion of the comitry, and in particular
how far the ''r<)mbigl)tH' runs u}t into the state.' In the
reply of jVIi-. Dinsmore he said : "I have the honor to
acknowledge the receijit of j'ouis of the — iilt, and to
inform you thjit the Tombigbee does not )'t(n up at all."'
For this considered to be tlisrespectfril reply, though
dictated with no such si)irit. he lost his place as surveyor
for the government. The secretary wrote him by return
mail as follows : "I have the honoi' to infonn you that
the L'^nited States Government has no further need of
yoiu' services." The above inci<lent has been related
of that inveterate wag Lieut. Derby, alias Jolm Plienix ;
but the older settlers of Portland well remember the
circumstance, and the actor to have heeu no other than
the Poitland pe<lagogne.

Miss Wii.i.orc.iii'.v: Taugiit school in the now district

No. I) before its organizatiim. in the house of Simon l>nrton
ami Oliver Spattbrd in the years IS 17-' IS and "i!>.

Miss Ktmi'.ai.i. : Taught the first school at Salem X

Roads, no\v Brocton in the summiT of IS 19. [See
Description of .School Districts. No. (>.] She was the

daughter (»f Jviinball. a slioemaker. living in u small

house not fai' from the ])resent house on the "Coney
Fai-m." on northwest part of lot 1!>. T. 5. The family
movetl west soon after.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 131

LrivK DiiiR'^' : (./lime from Eastern New York, taught
school ill the frame school house, the first built in towi^
oil the "Ijowdish P'arui," iu the winter of 1817-'IH. [See
l>iog. Sketclies, P. Kane.] lie was the first teacher
oecu])ying that house.

GiLi.KTi' Uacon : [See Biog. Sketches.] Mr. Jiacon
taught school in the frame house on the "Bowdish Farm"
in the winter of 1818-'19: the third teacher occupying
the house.

Jkwhtt I'liniE: Taught school in tlie log school house
on the east side of the creek at Brocton in the winter
of 1810 "20. [See i)escrii)tion of District No. fi, also Biog.
Sketches.]

John Nevins : Taught school in the frame house on
tlie "Bowdish Farm" on lot 3o, T. o, in the winter of
ISlO'.iO. He came from Forestville in this county.

Hrciii Low If v: Taught in the schoolhouse near E.
Saunders' house standing on the northwest part of lot 55,
T. 4, nearly in front of the hoiise of Mr. Saunders, in
the winter of 1 822-'2:i.

Mm'h.da Ilii.iiiKr: Taught in the log schoolhouse on
lot 55. T. 4. (See No. 13) in the summer of 1822.

]Mai;v Ann Dkaki. : Tauglit in the log liouse on the
east side of the creek at Brocton in the summer of 182o
Slie was the daughter lt)f Eli Drake, w4io lived in one
of the very few log houses between Fredonia and Dunkii-k
on Central Avenue, on the east side and nearly in fi-ont
of tlie hotel of A. M. Hunt. She is now tlie wife of
Kdimmd Day, of the town of Dunkirk.

John Bk i:: Taught in the log house (m lot 55. T. 5,
(See No. 13) also in District No. 4, in Judsoii District.
The date is not remembered. He came from WestHeld.
where his father lived.

132 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

Nathanikl Lowrv : Taught iii District No. 4, "Judsous,"
but the year is not remembered. He was the son of
Wm. Lowry; came from Peinisylvania and lived in Westiield.

Betsey Thayi:k : Tauglit for a term in town quite
early, but the date and the district are not remembered.
She was a sister of Mrs. Reuben B. Patcli.

Austin Stone : Taught in the " old frame house " on the
"Bowdish farm,"' but the date has passed fi'om memory.
He was a son of Deacon Stone and a brother of Lester Stone
of Westiield.

Julia Ann Towek : Daughter of John Towei'. taught in the
•'old frame house"' on the "Bowdish farm" in the summer of
1 824 or 1 825.

Watekm.^n Dalee : Son of .1 . AV. Dalee. taught m No. 4.
Judson's district, })rol)ably in 1820 or "27. or both. He was a
brother of INIrs. T. Judson.

Alexandek Montgomery : Timght half of a temi m the log-
house on lot 55, T. 4, [see No. 13] and half a term in the "old
frame house"' on the Bowdish farm, the last school tauglit in
that house, in the winter of 1827-28. He was a sou of Deacon
James Montgomery of AVestlield. H<' became a clergyman
and died some years later.

l^ELEG Whittekidge : Tauglit in district No. 4 in tlie wintei
of 1820-21.

Most of the teachers above noted did not belong to tlie
town of Portland, but came liere for the piupose of teaching
and when relieved left town. There were several others who
taught within the time included in the above but very little is
remembered of them.

The late Dr. S{[uire \\ lute ol" Predonia. is said )iy hi.s
biograjihei' to havi- taught the tirsl school in the comity of
Chautauqua in the Aviuter of 1808-9. Tliis is i undoubtedly a
mistake. A school was taught tor two or three months at the
micieiit crossroads in the summer oi" 1800 by a young lady
whose name it is to be regretted cannot now be called to

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 138

mind, and one also in tlie summer of 1807 at the same place
l)y Anna Eaton, a sister of the late David Haton, Esq.. of
Portland.

Eiirli/ Library Assocudfon. — After due notice a meeting of
the inhabitants of the to\vn of Portland was held at the school
house in south district No. 3, standing on lands now owned
by Daniel Uritcher, Nov. 1), 1824, to consider the propriety of
forming a Libraiy Association. Da\ad Eaton was called to
the chair, when the following resolutions were presented, dulj-
(hscusse<l and unanimously adopted:

That we proceed to organize oruselves into a society
agreeably to the provisions of an act entitled "An act to
incorporate sucii })ers(nis as may associate for the piu'pose of
procuring and erecting public libraries in this state.," passed
April 1. 17<»fi.

Tljat the society sliall be known by the name of '• Portland
Lihrarij."

Tlie followii^g persons tlien signed the act, viz.: Robert K.
Barnes. Frederick Uaile. Elisha Fay. John R. (Vmey, Joseph
Taylor. Walter Mmnford, Luther Crosby, John Potter, Joshua
S. West. David Dunn. Horace Clough, Ahira Hall, David
Carpenter. Reuben W. Toweiv David Eaton, Cephas Bramard.
Nathaniel Fay. Calvin Barnes, William Dmm, Elisha Arnold,
Samuel Anderson, jr.. Pars<ms Taylor, Erastus Price, Ebenezer
Harris. Justin Taylor. Reuben Taylor, jr., and Jesse Baldwin.

One hundred dollars was then subscribed for the purchase

of books.

The folhjwing were elected as trustees of the association-
viz.: Cephas Brainavd. Nathaniel Fay, Jt'sse Baldwin.
Parsons Taylor. .John R. Coney, Ebenezer HaiTis. David
Eaton.

This act was ai-knowlcdged Xovembei' 10. 1 824:. before
Isaac HaiTQon. one of the judges of tlie county, and recorded
iu the county clerk's otTfice December 28. 1824, by John Dexter,
countv clei-k.

134 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER XXIT.

Churches — First Religious Meetiug — Subsequent Meetings — Congregational Churoh
When Formed, by whom and where, where meet — Second Church formed, its
'Officers, Preacher.i, &c. — Houses built — -Societies formed, &c.

The fii'st public religious meeting held in toAvn was at the
tavern of Capt. James Dunn, on the well known Dimn farm, now
owned and occn])ied by Jolm Dudley, part of lot 30. T. '). some
time in 1810. Tlie preacher. Rev. John Spencer, discoursed
from the text: "For my yoke is easy and my burden light."
Not over half a dozen were present besides the family of Mr.
Dunn. Previous to this for a year some two or thi'ee were hi
the habit of meeting- for prayer in some of the veiy few
shanties then in town.

Mr. Spencer preached hi town occasionally for some years
after this, sometimes on the Sabl)ath but usually on a week
day evening-. These services with an occasional evening
lecture by some traveling minister were the only public
services for some three oi- tVnir j^ears. The first regular
meetings for religious Sabbath worship were instituted at the
log tavern house of Peter Ingersoll on the McKenzie
farm, on the opposite side of the road from the present
dwelling on lot 41, T. .5, in 1814. They were usually
conducted by Mr. ^\masa West, then a teacher at the
ancient cross roads, now Westtield. who afterward becaiiK
a jjreacher and labored in the soirtli part of the count},
and afterward in the west. "Some one would read a
printed sermon, and a small choir of singers would perform
that part of the service in leal Billings style of mxTsic :
and sang- such good old tunes as Ocean, Lenox. Bridgewater.

THE TOWN OK I'OHl'I.ANl). 135

and others of tlie same stamp. Tliese meetini-s were
iisually well attended, and conducted witli order and
decency." They were continued with some interruption
until 1818, and were the germ from which spnmg the
Congregational churcli in Portland, which was instituted
in that year. Many are the amusing anecdotes related of
the mistakes and ])lundors of some of those taking pai"t in
these early meetingvS, some of which it might suit our purpose
to report had we space to spare.

iVs above stated the first Congregational church in
Portland was formed in 1 8 ' 8. This was accomplislied on
January Slst of that year, by Eev. Ji)hn Spencer, at tlie
house of John l^h archill, a log house standing iinmediately
in front of the {)resent residence of Dea. A. L. Blowersj
on lot 38, T. 5. This house was removed and the
present one built by Dea. Dana Churcliill in 1855. The
names presented of those to become original members,
were John House, Wm. Couch, Augustine Klumph, Jabez
Ilulbiu-t, David Eaton, Jolni Chm-clull, Sylvester Churchill,
Zachariah H. Price, Joanna House, Abigail Couch, Wilson
Andrews, Andrew Kelsey, Frederick Couch, Mary
Eaton, Lovisa Hulbui't, Mercy Eaton. Keziah Andrews,
Nancy McClintock. Eighteen in all. For sometime no
stated preaching was had, but about once a year Mr.
Spencer came to the settlements and preached and admin
istered tlie sacrament. For one or two years, or about
1820, Rev. Phineas Camp, then i:>reaclung at the cross
roads, preached once in three or foiu' weeks. Rev. iVIr.
Oaks some years later preached at Westfield and divided
his time witli the Poi-tland church as Mr. Camp had done.
There were several additions to the church during the
first }'ears of its existence, the number being thirty-eight
in 1823, and fifty-two at a later period; but from causes
not easy to define or express, it was not a prosperous
church, but after eight or ten }'ears and after experi-
encing many trials and passing through troubles of

136 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OT

various chai-actei', to all intents and jtuiposes as a chiircli
it ceased to exist; some of the iiiembers uniting Avith the
Westlield eliurch. and otiiers losing tlieir standing entirely
as membei's of any clnncli.

A society was formed in connection with tliis church
at the house of Jolm Churchill, and tlie act of incoipo-
ration bears date June 211h. 1S22, and is ivcorded in the
county clerk's office aiul attested by John Dexter, clerk,
two days after its exetnition. The act is signed and
sealefl by \N'm. Couch and Wm. A. Stetson, :ind witnessed
l)y David Kalon and Krastus I'rice. Tlu! iicknowledgment
was taken by Hon. Jolm C^riuu! of l<'i-edonia. The society
was known as "The first Ccmgregatifnial society of the
town of Portland." The first trustees "vere Frederick
Couch. Wilson ^Indrews an<l Wilder Emerson.

No decided eft'ort \v;is made to reorg;niize the church
until the year 188H. The moial element during these
intermediate years cttmoared favorably with that of any
conununity under like circuinstances. The population had
increased rapidly, and the (;hiisti.iu element fidly kept
pace with tliis influx. In duo time the propriety of a reorgan-
ization was entertained. ;ind according to notice and previous
arrangement a meeting was heUl foi' that purpose at the
•'stone school house'" in school (hstrict No. o, Marcli Kitli.
lS;i8. liev. 1). 1). (iregory of Fredonia. and TIev. Timothy
Stillman of Dunkirk, had been appointed a committee l>y
liuttalo I'leshytery. for the purp(»se of such oiganizati(Ui.
whicli was to be (tlecteil u])()n t]u- ••accomuiod.ifiou
plan — a (Jongregatiomd <-iiurch under rare of P|■esb^ tery-
liev. '1'. Stilhnan was appptnuted modei-ator and Clark
(touUI (derk of the present meeting. After a sermon l)y
the niodei-ator trom Philemon, first clause of the tweidietli
\erse. the following persons presented themseh es t'oi' mem-
bei'ship and were duly organized into a churcdi by the
usual ceremonies, under the name of --The tii'st Congre
i:-ati(mal chui'cli of I'orthuiii. Tiuiotliv Judsou. Samue

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 137

Hall, Abigail Thompson and Pliebe Mathewson with letters
from the Presbyterian cliuivh at Fredonia ; (^lark (ionld,
Klisha Cook, C'larinda ('ook, Alvin Cook, Catharine Cook,
Kliza Cook and Aiisoii Driygs witli letters from the Pres-
byterian church at Westtield: Nathan G. Jones and Mary
Eaton, members of the church tbrmed by Mr. Spencer in
1818; and Samuel Walker, Dana Chiirchill and Minerva
Churcliill. formerly members of clnux-hes at a distance, who
imited on jjrofession. Dana Cluirchill and Alvin C'ook were
chosen deacons and ^vere set apart to that otHce. Clark
Gould w IS cliosen clerk. Maria Chiuchill was received on
profession, and was the first accession. A resolution was
then jjassed placing the church under the care of the
Buffalo Presbytery. Of the sixteen original members but
two remain : 'Mrs. Eliza Cook of Girard, Pennsylvania, and
Mrs. ^linerva Churchill, still living in Portland. Some
have emigrated, but most liave gone to Iheir I'est.

It would be interesting to trace the membershii^ from
the organization to the jsresent. but such a research would
rfnjuire more time than we have at command. The whole
membership the iirst of" November 1869, was eighty —
'uales twenty eight, females fifty-two. The greatest mem-
iiership at any one time was eighty-eight.

For some years after its organization the church was
feeble and the members few. Meetings were held with
occasional j)reaching in tlie brick schoolhouse, some years
since removed, in school district Xo. 8, sometimes in the
schdolhouse standing on the coiner of John Fleming's
bind on lot 30. opposite the present resilience of Thomas
(Viiigley. now removed and occupied by Mrs. Delia (rator
as a dwelling ; and for S(tme time in a store building
on the southeast corner at tlie Center, opposite the
tavern building of E. D. Fuller, and nov\' occui^ied by the
family of Mr. Asahel Peck as a dwelling : and for a time
in the M. E. Church by permission. The following clergy
men labored with the church for the terms s[)ecitied: Rev.

138

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

A. W. Gray half the time for one year, from October
1833 to October 1834 ; Calvin Gray from February to June
1838; W. J. Wilcox from June 1838 to February 1839;

A. W. Gray from spring of 1841 to July 1, 1845;
X. H. Barnes one year, or to July 1 84G ; L. F. Laiue from
July 5th, 1846. to June 1800; I. I. St. John for three years,
or to spring of 1864; Courtney Smith fi-om May 1st, 1865,
to May 1st, 1869. The labors of these pastors were in the
main acceptable.

The society formed in connection with the churcli \vas
reorganized on the 30th day of April 1833, about six weeks
after the organization of the churcli, under the name of
"The fii-st Congregational society in the town of Port
land," agreeably to the act for the incorporation of religiou><
societies, passed .Vpril 5th, 1813. The act of incorpora-
tion bears date as above, and was recorded in tlie county
clerk's office on the 31st of December following, in Liber 2 of
Miscellaneous Records, at page 259. It was organized at
the schoolliouse in distiict No. — in the west ])''>rtion of
Centerville, the deacons of the church, .\lvin Cook and
Dana Churchill, presiding. The first trustees were Samuel
Hall, Asa Andrews, Timothy Judson, Wm. Curtis, Clark
Gould and Anson Driggs. The act was witnessed by
David Eaton, and the a<;knowledgment taken by Hon. Thomas

B. Campbell.

Up to 1840 the churcli and society had held meetings
at various places as before stated, and mnch to their dis-
advantage. During that year the pi'oject of the erection
of a house of worslii}) was agitated and a subscription
was circulate<l for the purpose of raising fmids for tliat
object. Although the church and society were poor, such
was tlie success of those having the matter in charge,
iliat they were authorized to enter into contract with
James Quigley to erect the house so long since occupied by
the church and society, for the sum of $l,<)i)0. About
Iwo-thivds of this sum was to be paid in lumber and

THE TOAVN OF PORTLAND. 13')

material foi' building, tlie rest in cash. A portion of that
old subscription is here given as a relic of hard times with
the society: Timotliy Judson $100, one half in material an<l
labor; Hubbard S. Wells, $100; Thomas Quigley, $100,
half in labor and material ; James Quigley, $10o ; Dana
Churcliill, $100, one-foui'th m lumber and one fourth in
labor; Anson Driggs, $50, one-fourth in labor, one-fourth
in stone, one-fourth timber, one-fourth himber ; John
Chxirchill, $60 ; Luther Clark, $50, one-half m lumber and
labor: Henry Reynolds, $40 ; Alfred W. Gray, $100; J. H.
Hulburt, $5 ; Chaunccy Hulburt, $5 in lumber ; David Hul-
hxat, $5 in lumber ; J. M. Brown, $15 in painting; Wm.
Clark, $30 in pine lumber ; Christopher Brown, $10 ; Mar-
tin Quigley, $30 in joiner work; 8. M. Granger, $1 in
work ; Daniel P. Bowdish, $1 ; Abram Bowdish, $10 in
lumber ; John Tower, $3 in work laying stone ; D.
B. Granger, $2.50 in lumber; Orson Reynolds, $3;
Daniel Tabor ; $1; Wm. Gary, $15 in labor and lumber;
Tames Pratt, $5 in carpenter work ; Samuel Hall, $20, half
in lumber ; Samuel Brown, $10 in lumber ; Isaac Mills,
$3 in labor and lumber; R K. Barnes, $20 in leather and
shoemaking; John R. (^oney, $30 m boarding and lumber;
John Wilber, $2.50; H. G. Crossmond, $3; Simeon Whit-
comb, $30 in labor and lumber; Abner B. Bebee, $15 in
lumber and timber ; R. S. Morrison, $5 -, — Kelley, $5 in
blacksmithing ; Persons Taylor, $10; Almc Taylor, $3; B.
F. Pecor, $15 in luml)er ; and for bell J^10 ; Austin D.
Haines, $50 ; ^V. W. Condar, $10 ; Hiram A. Haight, $50.

From the reports lo the society from time to time by
tlie trustees, it is seen that notwithstanding the appar-
( ntly liberal subscription, there was a sufficiently trouble-
some finale to the financial concerns of the enterprise.

The land upon which the church stands was pui'cliase<l of
James Quigley for the sura of $100. Mr. Quigley com-
menced the house in the spring of 1811 and completed

140

HISTORIOAL .SKETCHES OF

it in September of the same year. It was dedicated the
same fall.

The society were the better able to biiild their house
through tlie munificence of the Holland Land Company,
who granted one hundi-ed acres of land to the first relig-
ious society organized in each town on the Purchase.
This grant was made by Mr. Paul Busti, the general
agent of the Company at Philadelphia, while on a visit to
the land office at Batavia, N. Y . in the fall of 1820. This
grant however was so modified afterward that the land was
divided in most instances, between the several religious
societies in town. The Congiegational society in Portland
received 33^ acres, part of lot 11, T. 5. which was
afterward sold to Channcey Hill for ^17(5. This sum with in-
terest fi-om the time of sale to 1841, amomited to $217 — at
that time quite an item considering the stiingency of the
times and the povei-ty of the society. The (56^ acres
was divided between the Methodist and Baptist societies
then organized.

The sheds in the rear of the chui'ch edifice were erected
in the fall of 1841 by private enteiprise. and as private
property. The tiiistees at this time were Luther Clark.
Henry Keynolds and Timothy Judson.

The church and society were never strong — never
attained to a vigorous groAvth, yet maintained a healthy
existence up to the siimmer of 18G8. the last year of the
pastorate of IJev. C. Smith, when an unfortunate differ-
ence of opinion resulted in a di^dsion. For some years
previous a quiet yet earnest discussion had been going
on among many of the members with reference to the
propriety of a change of church polit}'. from that of the
Congregational t-i that of the Presbyterian — a ch.ange of
the government of the church from that of a iDiu'ely
democratic to a I'epresentative form, withoiit in any way
affecting the doctiines, sacrament, or forms of worship.

After due notice, at a meeting of the church on the

THE TOWN' OF PORTLAND. 1 + 1

lltli of Noveinl)er. ISfJS. ;i cliange was effected l)y :i
decisive vote of 88 to 22. A portion t)f tlie cliun^i, liow
evei-, dissented ana refused to acknowledge tlie validity of
the change : lience tlie separation. It is a matter of
sincere i-egret. ttiat, after passing tlirongh so many trials
and hardships as a chin'ch. and after lalioi'ing so many
years and expending so mnch toil and treasnre in estab-
lishing a l)ranch of Zion. it should become divided from
so trivial a cause, and its usefulness impaired and nearly
dcstroved.

142 HISTOKICAI. SKETCllKS OI"

CHAPTER XXni.

Rev. John Spp:icer.

Rev. Jolui Spencer was in some resj^ects a remarkable
man, and a& he was the founder of the first church
formed in Portland, and the pioneer missionary to the
Holland Pui'chase, it is proposed to devote a brief space
to a notice of his life and 8er\'ices. He was born at
SpencertoMai in the town of Ansterlitz, Columbia county
in this state, in 1758. "The first settlers in that region
came fi-om southern Massachusetts and northern Connect-
icut. Among them the Spencers were prominent, and
gave their name to the principal settlement, where a
flotu'ishing Congregational church was formed, o%er which
several doctors of divinity have presided. It is now a
Presbyterian church. Mr. Sjiencer was of the same family
with Hon. Ambrose Spencer, and more nearly related to
the late Joshua A. Spencer and Dr. Ichabod S. Spencer.
His early education was only tliat' of the common scliool.
He arrived at manhood in the stirring times of the revo-
lution, and was a participant in the events of tliat period.
He served earl}- and long in our armies, first in the
troops of Massachusetts and afterward in those of his
native state. He entered a private, rose to be an officer,
and served some time as the aid of the gallant Col.
Willetts. He used to say when interrogated about his
education, that he was educated in the continental army.
Although his education was so limited, he wrote and spoke

THE XOWN OF PORTLAND. 143

English with gi-eat accuracy. He had much intellectual
acuteness, and was noted for the keenness of his wit."

The author is not able to say at what time Mr. Spencer
became a professor of religion, but it is probable that it
was not until he was past twenty-five years of age. Foi'
many years thereafter he was in the "habit of assisting
in public worship by leading- in prayer and reading ser-
mons. There were but few ministers in that region, and
it was believed by his friends that he would be useful
as a preacher of the gospel. Such was his love for the
work of his Master, the proposition was at once enter-
tained, and with great promjitness he set about prejtaration
for the arduous duties of the jiosition. He was living
at that time in that part of the, town of Worcestei',
Otsego county, which is now Maryland, then a new settle-
ment. After spending a little time in theological studies
with the Rev. Dr. David Porter, then pastor of the
church at Spencertown, he presented himself for license to
the Kortliern Associated Presbytery, and was licensed by
that body on the 20th of October, 1800. His certificate
of license is still in existence, signed by Dr. Porter. He
was ordained by the same body at Stillwater in October,
1801. Although imiting with the Presbyter3% Mr. Spencer
was a decided Congi-egationalist, and for some time before
coming to this county in 1807, he was a member of the
Oneida Association; but at tlie formation of the Niagara
Presbyter}' he , became a member of that body, cousideiing
tlie plan of union adopted by the General Association of
Connecticut and the Presbyterian General Assembly for
the care of churches in the new and sj)arsely settled
regions of the west, binding on him as a missionary from
Connecticut. Most of the churches founded by him, and
all in Chautauqua county, became connected with that
body, retaining, howe\'er, their own forms of government
and modes of procedure." Mr. Spencer was forty-two
years of age when he was licensed to preach. Some years

144 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

after his licensure he accepted a commission from the
Missionary Association of t'onnecticut, and removed witli
his family to this comity in ' 807, and settled in the now
town of Sheridan. He at once commenced tlie duties of
his missionary life. He was not above the medium size,
but very strong and muscular and capable of great endur-
ance. His ''continental' education no doubt fitted him for
the service he })erformed in this wilderness. He was
plain and simple in all liis habits, and could readily adapt
liimself to all circumstances. Dui'ing liis missionary life
he uniformly wore a black coat and brown corduroy
small clothes. His coat was strong but ratlier coarse
material, and always of tlie same cut. Soon after he
began to travel in this county, he visited Olean, then a
small place and far removed fi'om any other white settle-
ment, and preached there. Some ten years after he again
visited the place and preached. At the close of tlie service
a man partially deranged accosted him: "Mr. Minister,"
said he, "you preached here ten years ago," naming the
time and place. "I think I was here about that time," said
]\Ir. Spencer. "I knew you was," said the man, "and you
wore the very same coat and breeches you have on now."
"As a preacher lie was remarkably clear and logical,
always making himself distinctly luiderstood. He used to
l^reach a sermon on the Divine sovereignty, which was a
very compact and logical argument. A gentleman who
lieard it, said to him, "JVIi-. Spencer, I heard your seimon ;
it is very able ; I cannot answer it, but I do not believe
a word of it." "I am soriy to hear you say so," said
Ml-. Spencer, "very little of it is muie; nearly all of it
was taken from the Bible." It was in fact a skillful
arrangement of texts l)earing upon the subject with apt
illustrations from scripture history. At times he was
tpiite impressive and appeared to feel deeply. I shall
always remember the impressive manner in wliich he
administered the Lor<rs Supper, and tlie last ])ublic prayer

THK TOAVN OK PORVT.AND. 145

I lieai'd him offer. I had supposed him rather formal hi
prayer, but on that occasion he was exceedingly solemn
and his utterances peculiarly appropriate and felicitous.
A minister present remarked to me, 'Father Spencer is a
giant.' "'

David Eaton. Esq., one of the first settlers of Portland,
thus writes in regard to him : "At first his labors were
conthied to the main road from Batavia to Buffalo, and
thence to Westfield. As new settlements were formed off
the main road, he was sure to penetrate there and preach
an evening lectiire, and preach on the Sabbath wherever
that day overtook him. He was very formal in his
devotional exercises, in words but not in manner. His
prayers were uttered \iith. a great deal of earnestness and
unction. He di'essed in the antique style of Revolutionary
days, wore short breeches, with knee buckles, long stock
ings and boots quite up to the knees. His di-ess being
so peculiar, everybody knew him, bitt after many years
his short clothes being pretty well worn, he foimd it
necessary to refit and concluded to dress as others chd.
and when he came ai'ound he was as a stranger amongst
his fiiends. He was ver}- fond of social intercoui'se, loved
a good joke and was full of anecdotes in conversation
but not in his sermons. I have heard many people say
that they never heard him relate the same anecdote more
than once. In such a wide field of labor, there can be
no doubt but he preached the same sermon many times,
yet I never heai'd a person saj- they had heard that sermon
before. He traveled on horseback, was indefatigable in
penetrating every new settlement, and if any missionar}-
ever earned his wages, he was the one. His salary was
thi'ee hundi'ed dollars a year. He preached the fu'st
sermon ever dehvered ui the present town of Port-
land. His text was. '-For my yoke is easy and my burden
is hght." He formed the first chixrch in town in 1818. He
continued his labors as a missionarv until 1821 but the

146 HISTORICAT> SKETCHES OF

infirmities of age overtook him at last, and he was forced to
resign. He settled for a time over a church in the present
town of l^iisti, where he died, Aiigiist 24th, 1826. His
remains were brought to Sheridan for burial, and the
tombstone mai-king the spot stands near the road in a
• •emetery two miles west of the 'Center.'

"Many are the anecdotes which are told of him in his
missionary days, but reference will be made to but lew. He
was not only a good horseman, but an excellent judge of
horses. Except his first engagement in this comity, which
he 2)erformed on foot, he always traveled on horseback.
His daughter Lydia, his (jnly sui-viving chihh thus writes
respecting his labors: 'His only, or liis chief chance for
study was wlien he was riding along in the woods.
That he used his Bible and hymn l)ook much in all weathers,
their soiled appearance will, attest. He always earned
them in his coat pocket, and they are badly stained tlu'ough
more than half the depth of their leaves. I have heard
him say that beside all his other reading, he had read the
Hible through by course eight times, while riding alone.'

"For uiany years he rode a very large, poweifiil liorse
which he obtained fi-om Mr. Goo<U"ich who kept tavern near
Eighteen Mile Creek, on the road to IJuffalo, where Mr.
Spencer often had occasion to stop. On one of these
occasions, when he was about lea\'ing, liis horse which
was a fine animal, attracted Mr. Goodrich's attention, who
said, 'Mr. Spencer your horse is a fine one, and if you
ever trade I shoiild like to exchange one I have for him.'
.A[r. Spencer replied, 'I will look at joxir horse, Mr. Good-
rich." The horse was produced, and Mr. Spencer rem:u'ked
at once -How do 3'ou jjropose to trade, Mr. Goodi'ich ?'
The answer was, *! think I ought to have yonr horse
and twenty dollars for mine.' To which Mr. Sj^encei-
replied, 'AVill yon take foi'ty dollars and never
complain that the old minister cheated you !' 'I
will,' said Mr. (Toodrich, and the exchange was made.

THE TOAVN OF PORTLAND. 14:7

Some time after Mr. Spencer again passed tliat way, and
stopped as usual. Mr. Goodrich was unusually ])leasant
and remarked, d thought I was smart in a horse trade, h\\t
you are a great «leal smarter than I am, Mr. Spencer: T lind
no fault, jow are welcome to call as often as you please.'
h'rom that time he made no charge against Mr. Spencer
— a courtesy never extended before.""

Mr. Spencer foiuidedtliirteeii churches during his missionary
life, and among them one in Sheridan in 1816, ouv in Ellicott
in 1810, one in Portland in 18 1 8, o\w in Fred(mia and one in
Sherman.

He preached to and fostered tliesc clnu'ches as he had
opportunity in his rounds until the close of his missionary life.
He was miwavering in his faitli and indefatigable in sowing
the seed <if the Kingdom. No man succeeded in laying a
foundation for a larger religious interest and success on the
"Purchase," but the full extent of this may never be kiunvn iii
time. Eternity only will unfold it to view.

Note. — For niauy of the lacts in the aliove sketch the writer is iiiilebtHd to
the politeness of .Judge Hazcltine of .lamestowu, tliis eomity.

14:8 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OK

CHAPTER XXIV.

Methodist Church.

The writer is exceedingly sorry that he is obHged to present
so meagre an accovmt of epaly Methodism in Portland. There
is not the least trace of records of the chtu'ch or society
for many years and he is obliged to pass the early liistory
almost in silence. There were doubtless many facts and
incidents of interest that it would be profitable to record that
will never be knowTi. For what he has given as occurring
previous to 1 838 he has been obliged to di'aw upon the memory
of the onl}' sui-viving member of the first class formed in
town, M];. Simon Bui'ton.

The M. E. church was the second church formed in town.
The first member of the order was William Dunham, who
settled on lot 32, T. 5, a little west of the present residence of
J. E. Harris, in 1816. Hardly had he become settled in his
log cabin ere he began holding meetings on the Sabbath at his
house, and soon called about him a few of like spirit who were
fonned into a class the next year (1817), June 9, by Rev. —
— Godard, whose circuit extended from Cattaraugus creek to
Erie, Pa., and was called the Chautauqua circuit. The
members of that first class were William Dunham, Lucy
Dunham, Isaac Bakhvin, Parthena Baldwin, William Correll,
Barbara CoiTell, Abial Flint, Mary Flint, Simon Burton.
Mr. Dunham may l)e called the father of Methodism in
Portland. The first additions to the class were Elisha Fay
and Mrs. Sophia Fay, Parsons Taylor and Mrs. Taylor and

THE TOWN OF I'OKTLANl). 149

Mrs. Thompson, sometime early in 1818. In that year

(1818) a protracted meeting was commenced nnder the
charge of Rev.'s Summerville and Hatton, in the log barn of
"Father Dunham," that continued for two or three weeks and
resulted in a large ingathering, insomuch that the old settlers
still sj)eak of it as the "great reformation." Not long after
its close another class was formed on the south road and large
additions were made during the season. The classes met foi'
the larger portion of the time at private houses, occasionally
in one of the two or three schoolhouses accessible. The first
class-leaders in town were William Dunham, Isaac Baldwin,
Elisha Fay. The oldest members of the church in town have
no recollection of the formation of a church, as such, by any
ceremony. 'S hey report tliat some time late in 1818 or early
in 1819 the two or three classes, for the better accommodation
of preachers, were united in one class, "and the work was
done ; " a very sim)»le and primitive style, but who shall say
that it was not just as efficient for good and as binding on the
heart and conscience as though they had given their assent to
creeds, covenants and articles of faith. Tliere was no regular
preaching to the church for several years. The circuit was
large and the preachers sent to the charge were obliged to
occupy from one to two ^veeks in filling their appointments.
But such are the efficient workings of the system of Methodism
that its influence was felt and appreciated by the settlers
through the employment of the gifts of the laity. They held
their meetings at various points as they Avere able to obtain
the privilege, and for three or four years previous to the
building of the first cluirch edifice, in the large hall of the
house now OAvned by ( ). Jerome Greene, on south part of lot
84, T. 5, experiencing many vicissitudes of fortrme in this
respect mitil 1835 when the first church edifice was built.
We have no means of knowing anything definite in regard to
the earlier preachers or the earlier members except the first
class, so we pass them by. From the small beginnings we
liave seen they grew to be a large and strong church,

150 HISTOBICAL SKETCHES OF

considering tbe porei-ty of the settlers. From its eai'liest'l
bistorr to the present it has occupied a conimandiug position
and numbered among its member's a fail- share of the
l>rominent and inHuential citizens of town. The number ot:
members now in the original ehm-ch at Portland Center is
males. 28 : females. 41 : total. 69.

In 1853 a portion of this chru'ch imiting vrith a class ot:
'•Hannon Hill" foimed a chtirch at Salem X Eoads now
Brocton. Eev. T. D. Blinn being then in charge, which at
tliis date. April. 1873. nimibers males. 25: females. 50; total. 7."

The fii"st society/ foimed in connection ^vith this chiu'ch wa-
in 1822 at the house of James Bennett, on the farm now
owned by J. 8. "Weld, on lot 31. T. 5. under the direction of
Eev. Nathaniel Header, a local preacher. li\'ing on part of lot 83.
T. 5. land now owned by INIrs. Bush. This society was foimed
for the pmi^ose of seeming and holding real estate gi-anted by
the Holland Company to religions associations in 1820. The
act of incorporation was probably recorded bnt the ■niiter has
not been able to find it. It seems to have had an existence at
least as late as 1828. as the deed of the land spoken of was
dated December 12. that year, and given to James Bemiett and
others, tiiistees.

This society, however, was reorganized Febmaiy 3. 1834.
imder the name of the "Fust M. E. Society in Portland." the
former having lost its identity and its acts become illegal fi-om
some infoimality in the choice of officers. The meeting for
such reorganization was held at the schoolhouse in district Xo.
10. Darius "Williams and Asahel Peck presiding and Josepli
Morley being clerk. The fii'st trustees were John A.
Showeiman. Hiram Banett and Nicholas Lake. The act was
acknowledged before Hon. T. B. Camj^bell on the 17th of the
same month and recorded the 21st. The fiist church edifice
was built at Portland Center in 1835. The lot was pmx-hased
of A. B. Bebee by David Showennau ajid Joseph Lockwood
and donated to the society. The house is still standing and is
the dwelling of William Clark, which with the lot was sold to

' THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 151

him in 1 868 for ^600. It was used as a place of worship rnitil
the present house was dedieated. wliich was built in 18G8 at a
cost of s"-' >'*•>• The lot upon which it stands was jjiu-chased
of Ledyaid Douglass for 8300. the deed bearing date May 12.
18(58. The parsonage at Poiiland Center was built by
subscription in 1^4:3. The chiuch at J5rocton. a i>art of the
original cluux-h. was organized in 1853. Theii- house of
worship, standing in the eastern poilion of the village, was
built in 1 853 by ^Ir. Samuel Crandall at a cost to the society
of S2,5()0. The lot was pru'chased of OKver B. Elmore, the
deed beaiing date May 18. 1854. The sheds in the re:u- of
the house were built ia 1871 at i^rivate expense.

The chiuch and society have been hu-gely prospered and
have enjoyed the labors of a class of preachers that would
do no discredit to any section. Their names are given
here very nearly in the order in which they came to the
circuit, though possibly not strictly so. One or two names
also may be omitted, but the hst is sufficiently accurate for
the purpose intended. — Godard. 1817-18 : J. Siunmeiwille.
1818-1!>: E Ilatton, 1819; J. Hill, 1820: — Bronson. 182u :
Xath. Keeder. 1821: R. Hattou, 1821: — Keyes. 1822: —
Kent, 1825: — Knapp. 1826; — Wright. 1827: A. Plimpton.
1828 : J. Filmore. l82i> : W. B. Mack. 1829 ; J. iJanis. 1830 :
—Preston. 1830: — Babcock, 1831: — HaUeck. 1S32 : —
St owe. 1833: D. Williams, 1834: —Luce. 1835: — Kinney.
1836: L. Eogers. 1837: J. Flowers, 1838-30: I. II. Tackett.
1838-31): — Himter, 1841; J. E. Chapin, 1843-44-: J. S. Baker,
1845-46: — Browning. 1847 : J. Uncles, 1848: J. O. Kick
18-49: T. D. Bhnn, 1850-51; J. Peet. 1852-53: — Burgess.
1854-55: — Wrigglesworth. 1856-57 ; P. Burroxighs. 1858; T.
D. Blinn, 1859-60: A. Tibbitts, 1861-62: J. LesHe, 1863-64;
G. \V. Gray. 1865-66-67 ; E. B. Ciunmings, 1868-6!i : J. Hill.
1870: J. C. SulHvan. 1871-72. The preachers usually came on
to the gTOund in July of the years named. Probaby no
other order in tovvn has a more efficient system, or one

152 HISTORICAL SKETCHKS (iF

better adapted tn the work it has in hand, ov for reaching
the great mass of the people.

The lionor of having first pubhcly introduced Methodism
to Chatxtaiiqua coimtj^ was without doubt due to Dr. Lawtoii
Richmond, for some yeaxs a practicing physician at the (Jross
Hoods, he having preached the first sermon of any clergy
man of tliat oi'der as early as 1809 or If). Where this sermon
was preached the writer is not able to say. but Dr. Rich-
mond was living at the time near the head of Chautauqua
Lake, having settled there in the summer of the former year.
1809.

rnK TOWN (»!' i'oki'i.anh. 15o

CHAPTEK XXV.

fJhurcUeii Coutinued — First Baptist Church — Its t'orinatiou — First members — The
Council — Articles of Faith — Deacons — Members — Places of worship — Westiield
members withdraw — Colony of 1842 — Settlement of Eld. LaHatt &c.— His Sermon
— The Parsonage &c.

The fii'st Baptist cliurcli in Portland was organized un
September •20th, 1819, and was composed of eleven members,
as follows : Wm. Harris, John Light, Sylvestei' Andi-ews.
Krastiis i^ndrews, Charles Morse, Rachel Ilanis, Deborah
Light. Anna Taylor. Phebe Fay, Sally Sage and Sarah Mixm-
ford. The meeting was held at the school house standing
on the southwest corner of the Cross Roads in school dist.
Xo. 4, where the school house now stands, near the resi
dence of the late Bela BuiToughs.

The council called to set them apart as a church was
composed of Revs. Joy Handy, Pearson Crosby and Jonathan
Wilson. Elder Joy Handy was chosen moderator, and Elder
Wilson, clerk. The usual forms and ceremonies of the order on
such occa.sions were observed, and the charge to the church and
the light hand < f fellowship given by the moderator-. The
ni-ticles of the ■•Dansville Association" so called were adopted.
These however were re%d8ed in 1836 by a committee of the
church app(nuted for the purpose, consisting of Elder (.".
LaHatt. J. Whitman, Elijah Fay. A. Gill and Isaac Sage.

There Avere added to the chiu'ch the first year of its exist
euce. fifty-two members : forty-three by baptism and nme
by letters ivoia other churches. Polly Andi'ews was the Hrst
accession, uniting on the day of the formation of the cluirch.

i54 jiiSTORiCAr. siacTciiKS or

During the first month, eight imited, o.nd amongst them
Elijah and ^Irs. Lucy Fay. Sylvester Andrews was the
first clnuch clerk. Th(^ tirst deacons were, Elijah Fay and
Sjdrester Andrcnvs, elected April 8th. 1820, and ordained
t u the following day. Elder Jonathan Wilson was the
first pastoi'.

Of the sixty -three members comprising the chui'ch at
the close of the first year of its existence, but tliree are
li-sTing, as fai" as is now known : Orrin X. Sage, living in
Cincinnati, Ohio; James .Vndiews, living at or near Waverly.
Iowa, and Philip -Kane, liAdug at Littleton, Iowa. Having
no stated jjlace of worship, meetings were held for rriost of the
time at the house of Dea. E. Fay, until September 2()th.
1820, when it was "voted that we hold meetings half of
the lime at the house of Dea E. I"ay. and lialf of the
time at the house of Bro. John Price," on the Dr.
\Vill>ur farm northeast corner of lot 38, T. 5. In January,
1822. it was :'voted to lu)]d meetings half the time at
the house of Dea. E. Fay. and half the --time at the school
house near I). Eaton's." This was the frame school liouse
on the coiner east of Mr. Eaton's, on lot 3:3, T. ~y. For
some time meetings were held in a house belonging to
John H. Coney, :md as there is no farther record with refer-
ence to the matter, we rely upon the memory of the "oldest
inhabitant, " Avhich is to the effect that meetings were held
at vaiious points as convenience or necessity dictated, until
about 1830 to '32, when they came to be held pretty reg-
ularly at the school house at Salem X Roads, now Brocton.
Previous to this date, March, 1831, there being no Baptist
chiu'ch at Westfield, those of that faith there had united
with the Portland church ; but the inconvenience of attendance
at so great a distance induced them to ask a coimcil for the
purpose of -forming an independent body," and place them in
position to assume the duties and responsibilities of a chiu-ch.
-Ifter due consideration the petition was granted. Those
thus leaving the church, were. Elias Mallory. Joshua Tinker.

rilK vows Ol" I'ORTI.ANI). 15o

Joshua 'J'inker, jim.. \Vni. N'lixndeibiirg, Sarah ^^rantlerbul■g,
.Mavy^ Tiice, KiiUi Wilcox, Sally Sexton, Sally Ludlow and
Sarah Ovorton.

In 18-1:2 another cctlony left the church to assist in forming
a church of tlie order at West l*ortland ; (See notice of that
church,) since Avhich time the course of the church has been
marked by ''lights and shadows," and they have come up to
their present strong and influential position through much of
difficulty and trial; often necessary in order that a church
be the better fitted for the work it has to do.

The membership at this date, March, 1873, is IV) : males
<)<), females, 89. They enjoyed the ministerial labors of Elders
.1 onathan Wilson and Pearson Crosby up to October, 1822.
when it was "voted to emjDloy Elder Charles LaHatt, to
preach for one year upon the following terms:" to "find him a
liouse and garden and firewood ; move his family and pay him
$15i) ; 1^ in produce at the country price, proportioned to
wheat at 75 ct;nts per bushel ; the remaining ^ in cash." This
will indicate pretty clearly the poverty of the church, the low
price of })roduce and the scarcity of the circulating medium of
the comitry. Perhaps, however, the Elder preferred produce
to the "rags" circulating as money ; for the writer very
distinctly remembers hearing liim discourse on a Sabbath in
18o(), very vehemently against all banks and banking institu-
tions, as so many means in the liands of the devil to lure men
to destruction ; and the United States government and the
State government cliartering ;uid ujtholding them woidd be
lield responsible for the e%dl done ; that this curse was but
marking the downfall of the "model reimblic." "Father La
Hatt" remained with the churcli as pastor imtil 1838, when
he Avas dismissed, but i»reached more or less mi til the
time of liis death, which oc^curred August 3d, 1850.
He was a German, born in the city of St. Goar, and
was educated at the University of l>onn, and emigrated to
this country before (he Revolution. He was a man ardent
in temperament, and outspoken with reference to his impres-

15G IllsroHK' \1. .SbLKTCHKS OK

sions. and unyielding in all his conAdctions of duty ; a good
man, no doubt a christian, but better fitted to command than
to lead.

Elder CorAvin preached to the chuich alxnit 1838 ; Eli
Dodge in 1839. Elder Sanderson was emjiloyed in October, _
1839, ordained in .September, 1840, and dismissed in 1841 ;
since that time they haA'e had the serA'ices of Elders Chas. La
Hatt, Howard, Wilson, Marble, Keyes. Eathbun, Roberts, Alden.
Mace, Smith, Dickinson, Connellv, J. H. Miller and G. W.
Divoll, the present pastor. Others were employed for short
periods, but it is impossible to determine the precise time o1
each, or the term of their services.

•• The Eu'st Baptist Society of I'oitland." formed an<l acting
in connection Avitli the church, was organized A])ril 6, 1822.
under the act of 1813, lor the incorporation of religious
societies. The meeting was. held at the house of John Piice.
on 'the farm now owned by Edward McGarrall : IClijah Fay
and Charles Morse presiding. The first trustees chosen were
Isaac Sage, Charles Moise and Elijah Fay. Isaac Sage Avas
clerk of the meeting. The act was signed by the ofticers, and
the acknowledgment taken by Hon. Zattu Gushing. April 15.
1822. and recorded April 24, :822. On the consummation of
the organization of the society, they receiAcd 33^ acres of the
one hundi'ed acres donated to religious societies in the toAvn
by the Holland Company in 1 820 ; the C 'ongregational and
Methodist Societies haA'ing received a like number of acres.
In May, 1831, the Society, luider the direction of the court,
sold the land to Chamicey Hill for $176. This land was a
•part of lot ll. T 5, \i 1 3. and a j^art of the farm now OAA^ned by
•John Hardenburg.

The first house of worsliip was commenced in 1834, a few
rods west of the center of the A-illagc of Brocton, then "the
comers" on the site of the present house. The finishing of
the audience room was done by A. S. jMoss and J. B. Fay
in 1837. and the house was dedicated the same fall. The
first meeting held in this house was a covenant meeting of

THE TOVvN OF PORTLAND. 157

the church, October 7, 1.S37. The first marriage in t>ie house
was that of .Tosejih B. Fay and Maiiah M. Sa'je, October 8,
1887. The lot on which the liouse was located was donated
b}' Dea. Iv Fay and conveyed to the society by deed bearing
date Octobei' :^6, 1838. This honse was occupied liy the
(church and society nntil ISfn when it Avas sokl to G. E.
Rycknian for $250. It is now owned by Josiah Hall as a
joiner and machine shop in Brocton. It was intended to
introduce the (jiiginal subscription list obtained to defray the
expense of building, but it is now nowhere to be found. Tha^
it was not adequate to defray the expense incurred is shown
by the records of an occasional assessment upon the jjroperty
of the male members of the church to pay a balance for a
specified object.

I'he 231'esent tasteful and commodious brick ediiice was
erected the same year (18(i7) and is at <jnce a credit to the
society and the vilage and town in which it stands. The
subscription for the purpose of raising fluids for that object
was circulated first in July and August of 1 8(56 a.>^d with a
success that determined at once the action of the society, anil
they proceeded in the latter month to elect a building
committee and make arrangements for the commencement of
the house early in the following spring, which arrangement
was caiTicd out and the house was completed in December of
the year 1867, "for the people had a mind to work." The
architect was Atron Hall of Jamestown, N. Y. Thomas
Walker of Westfield, had charge of the mason work. The
fi'escoing was <lone by V. Boloni of Buffixlo. It was dedicated
December 18, 1867. The sermon preached an the occasion
was by Rev. B. D. Marshall of Buffalo, fi'om I'rov. xxx : 26:
•• The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses
in the rocks." The entire cost of the house was nine
thousand dollars.

Much difficulty seems to have been experienced by the
society with reference to a pf/r.sonage. rhey had resolved to
build but could not definitely fix upon a location. On the 12th

158 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

of Jiily. 1823. it was •'voted to purchase an acre of land of
Deacon Fay and erect a commodious house on the same for
the use of a minister." On the 23d of Aiigust of the same year
it was again ''voted that the church and society build a liouse
lor oiu' minister." "Voted to raise money by subscription
to build said house, and that the deiiciency, if any there be, be
made up by assessment on the property of the male members
of the church." In January, 1824, "voted, first, to reconsider
the vote of tlie 12th of July : to purchase land of Deacon Fay.
Second, to build a house on brother Price's land ' (Dr.
Wilbur's farm). '-Third, to have a committee of three to
superintend the building. Fourth, that Dea. Fay, J. Saiford
and James Andi'ews comjjose said committee. " On the 9tli of
February following -'voted to erect a house for th*.- use of our
minister on John B. Coney's land. Voted tliat Deacons Fay
and Andrews and J. E. Coney serve as a committee to
superintend said building." The records sht)w no lurther
action in the case, but from other soiu'ces it is known that the
acre of land was purchased of Mr. Coney, part of lot 20, T. 5.
on the North Erie road, place now OAvned and occupied by
Hiram Biu-ton. on which a j)arsonage was commenced the
same year (1824), and which was occupied by "Father LalTatf
imtil his death in 1850. In the winter of 1850 '51 it was
exchanged with Milo A. Driggs for the place in the east part
of the village of Brocton now owned and occupied by the
society as a parsonage, the society paying a difference of $650.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 159

CHAPTEK XXVI,

West Baptist Church.

About 1831 the meetings of the first Baptist clmrch of
Portland had come to be " regularly held at Salem X Roads,
now Brocton; and a church edifice completed in 1837. Some
of the members lived in the west part of the town— five
miles fi'om their place of public worship. With them the
task of a regular attendance at Salem was felt to be
extremely difficult, and many times from stormy weathei'
and other causes, almost impossible. Under these circum-
stances they petitioned the church at Salem X Roads to be
allowed to meet for worship in their locality, as a branch of
the Portland church. A meeting of the church was called
March 12th, 1842, at the place of worship, to consider the
above petition, and the folloAving resolution was ofiered, fully
considered and passed: "That all the members of the Baptist
church in Portland who can be better accommodated for
worship at the stone school house in said town, shall have the
privilege of being a 'branch' of the cluu-ch, possessing the
power of receiving and dismissing members, and doing all other
business that may come before the church, except the retm^ns
to the association, which shall be made by the clerks
of tlie church and the branch, as the Baptist chiu'ch in
Portland ; and also the exception of employing a minister,
which business shall be done by tlie church and the 'branch,'
as the Baptist clnirch in Portland. Done by order and in
behalf of the churcli. Aetiuu; B. Post, Ch. Clerk."

In Jrme following, at a meeting of "the mother church,"

160

mSTOEICAL SKETCHES OF

H request was received from the "brancli" in West
Portland to the effect that the -branch" be allowed to
become a distinct and separate chmx-h. .\fter a discussion of
the request the followiug was offered aud passed: -That
the branch of this churcli be and is a separate body
from tliis bod}- when recognized as such, and receives the
fellowsliip of sister chmches." A. B. Post, Ch. Clerk.

A council was called to set them apart as a church. Rep-
resentatives fiT.m the tolloTN-ing clmrches were invited: Cas-
adaga, Stockton, Demttville, Ripley. Mayville, Panama, West
field, and Northeast, Pennsylvania. The council convened on
the 22d day of June 1842, in the bam of Matthew Farington,
standing on the farm now owned by H. A. Blowers, on lot 41.
T. o, and now standing on farm of ]3arwin Holenbeck, on the
uorth part of lot 37, T. o. Elder J. (loing preached a sermon
fi-om 1. Thes. 3 ch. S v.. when the usual ceremonies were had.
and the "branch" declared a chui-ch in "Gospel order."
imder the name ot the "West Baptist church in Portland.
Lemi Bartholomew and James Andrews were elected deacons.
and Titus Roe. clerk. The names of the members of the
■•b)unch" have been lost. Tlie nmnber was twenty-three. At
the organization of the cliurch it mmibered eighty-seven ; males
thh-ty-live. females tifty-two. Their names wei^ as follows :
HoUisFay, Ed mn AV. Farington, Geo. Freeman, Alanson Jones,
Henry Hurist, Henry Herrick, Edwin Monfort, Ransom Peltou,
\\'m. Patton. Ctco. Munson, Frederick Herrick, Matthew Far-
ington, Lemi Bartholomew, Dai- win WHbur, Emery K. Woods,
Henry Fay. John Jai-vis. Calvin Andrews, Titus' Rop, Jared
Tayloi-, Daniel iSm-chaixl, Reuben Russell, Norman Brown.
Stephen Druse. Ichabod Russell, Ithamer Crouch, Joseph
Jai-vis, Lexino-ton Tayh.r, Za.loc Rogers, liobert Freeman.
James Andrews, Jonathan Wilscm, Alice Farington. Phebe
Farington, Charlotte Farington, Harriet, Farington. Ann Brown,
Harriet Delavarge, Roxana E. Fay, Louisa (Granger, Marv
.Icnes, Hepsihah Woods, Harriet Bennett. Ann Men-itt .llvira
Mimson, Elizabeth Freeman, Harriet Herrick, Maria Faiington,

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 161

J^Iary Pelton, Sally M. Bartholomew, Lodema Noxon, Elizabeth
McGregor, Vally M. Greene, Amanda Taylor, Mary Ann Taylor.
Jerusha Skidmore, Matilda Tayloi-, Liicinda Bart
lett, Serva Russell, Martha A. Wilbur, Jane E. Hulburt.
Mary F. Shuffi, Mary Jarvis, Emily Freeman, Phebe Fay, Mar
garet Farington, Jane Caldwell, Flora Sperry Jane Freeman,
Sarah Jane Munson, Sarah M. Brown, Hialdah McGregor,
Hannah Rouse, Ann Towser, Mary Ij. Woods, Polly Taylor,
Juline Greene.

The above list does not make the frdl munber, but the
footings by the clerk at the time, make the number as stated.
The church at its formation numbered more than at any subse
querit period. From emigration and from other causes, the
membership gradually diminished, and there being no special
manifestations of grace, their numbers have fallen to thirty
nine at this writing, (1873.) The whole number of its mem-
bership, from its organization to the present, is one hundred
and seventy-seven. The meetings for the most part were
held in the stone school hoiise in Dist. No. 3. until tlie com-
pletion of the church editice.

Rev. Jonathan Wilson preached to them until August 2Hth^
1842, in connection ^vith ''father Laliatt," who labored with
them more or less imtil 1850.

Rev. Levant Rathbun preached to the church two years:
from April 1844.

Rev. Malcom Roberts preached from July 14, 1841), to some
time in 1850. Since then they have had the ministrations of
Rev. C. B. Read, John Haladay, ( ). L. Ciittenden, W. R. Con-
nelly, Alonzo Frink, Maiion A. Wixon, Daniel E. Uurt and J.
W. Davis.

Others occupied the desk for short periods, and amongst
them Rev. C. B. Keyes. Lend Bartholomew was licensed to
preach by the chui-ch May 20th, 1843, and he "improved his
gift" at intervals ruitil 1860.

Immediately after the formation of the '"branch," the pro-
priety of building a place of worship was earnestly discussed,

162

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

and a subscription was drawn, March 17th, 1842, for the jrar-
pose of testing the feasibility of the enterprise. There being
no legally organized society, by the terms of the subscription
the subscribers were authorized to elect a biiilding committee,
who should act as trustees. On tlie 20th of April following
the subscription did not exceed $-475.00 ; but at a meeting held
that date, it was ''voted to build a meeting house according
to the plan subscribed to, and that Lemi Bartholomew,
Daniel M. Farington and Edwin W. Farington be a building
committee and trustees for the present year." No farther
advance seems to have been made until after the legal
organization of the society September 12th, 1842, which took
place at the school house in Dist. No. 3, their usual place
of worship, Ithamer Crouch and Ichabod Russell pre-
siding. The society there formed was to be known as
"The West Baptist Society of Portland, Chautauqua Co.,
N". Y." The first trastees were the same chosen in April
previous. The act of incoiporation was acknowledged
before Hon. F. H. Buggies of Fredonia, and recorded Oct.
4th, 1842, at page 28 of religious societies. At this meeting
it was again "voted tp build a meeting house on the con
templated spot." More than five himdred dollars were
yet needed, yet such was the anxiety manifest, and the
confidence of the society in their ability to build the
house, that they resolved as above stated and at once set
about the work. Notwithstanding the meager show with
reference to material aid, through the active and ener-
getic efibrts of the trustees and a few others, the present
brick edifice, standing on the southerly portion of lot 41,
T. 5, was put up the same fall, and the next season
finished and dedicated. The land upon which it stands
was purchased of Daniel M. Farington for $75.00. The
brick woi-k was done by iiodhj Bryant of Westfield, and
the carpenter and joiner work by Lemi Bartholomew and
E. W. Farington. The parsonage lot upon which was an
old frame building, was jim-chased of the heirs of Stephen

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 163

Pratt. The present parsonage wais built in 1867. The

sheds in the rear of the church edifice were bnilt at
private expense.

This church and society deserve to live and prosper,

and doubtless mil, if tliey but keep in view the great
end of their associated existence.

1()4 IIISTOKICAL SKKTCIIKS OK

chaitp:i; xxvii.

Fniversalist Church and Society.

A compact, or agreement by a number of members ot
this faith in towni. was made and signed at the house of
8imon Bin-ton. at the month of "Slipjiei-y PJock Creek"
on the 2 1st of September 1821. The paper then presented,
and signed by fourteen persons, infonnally creatino- a
society of the order, was as follows :

••We the undersigned, believing in the miiversal goodness
of God to man as revealed in the person of Jesus Chris ^
om" Lord, beHe%-ing also that it is essentially necessai-}- for
(>m immediate happiness and for the declarative glory of (iod
that we live sober, lighteous and godly lives, and for
which \ve have oiu* full reward in this world, but to
be saved fi'om sin is the work of God and not man. in
whom we have the strongest faith, and confidence in his
promises, that in the dispensation of the fulness of time
he will gather together in one all things in C'hnst. both
they which are in heaven and they which are on the
eai-th, even in Him : and as we feel desirox;s for the pro-
motion of brotherly love and fi-iendship among men.
and wishing to increase the upbuilding of the Redeemers
kingdom: and as we believe the preaching of the (Gospel,
which is glad tidings of gi-eat joy which the angels
declared should be to all iieople, is both necessary and
salutaiy: do for these pxu-poses nnite and associate om-
selves together bv the name and title of the Fii-st Univer-

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 165

salist Society in Portland, and pledge ourselves to adopt,
support and abide by the following ai'ticles, viz :

Art. 1. The first meeting of the soeie'y shall be on tlie
24th of tSei)tember 1821, and annually on the same day
h'ereafter at such places as siiall be agreed upon at a
previous meeting.

The business, when met, shall be to elect one or more
trustees, who are to take charge of the concerns of the
society : and a clerk who shall record the proceedings in
a book provided for that purpose.

' Art 3. The said trustees shall have power to i-all a
special meeting of the society at such time and place as
they shall think pi-opei' hj giving six days previous
notice. Poimland, September 21st, 1821."

(Signed)

Simon Burton. Willard liiirttm,

( )liver Spaftbrd. Hii'am Burton,

Harry Miimford, Moses Joy.

David Joy, Walter Mumford,

Ahira Hall, Zimri Hill.

Samuel Beach, 2d. Slapp Hovey,

Lyman Doolittle, James Charter.

In accordance vnth the pro\dsions of the above, a meeting
was held on the 24t]i of the same month, and a board
of tnistees and a clerk cliosen. Meetings for the next
year were occasionally held at the house of Simon Burton
or the house of some other member. Not far from one
year fi'om the date of the first formation of the society,
a church was formed with thirty live niemliers mostly from
the families of those first uniting in the compact, and
baptism, the adniinisti'ation of the Euchaiist, and other
rites and ceremonies, and ordei' of worship of a church
of the order, were practiced foi- a nnmher of years. The
society did not own a ]>lace of \vorshi]», but held their
meetings at first as stated above, in ])i-ivate hoiises, an<l
afterward in school houses in various sections of the town.

166 HISTOHICAL SlvETOHES OF

On March 4th, 1824, a society was formed iii accordance
mth the statute of April 5th, 1813, for the incorporation
of religious societies, to enable the order to purchase and
liold real estate, and for other pui'poses. The meeting was
held at the house of Simon Burton, Harry Miunford and
Simon Biu'ton presiding. The name by which the society
was to be known was, "The First Universalist Society in
Portland." The first trustees elected were Simon Bui'ton,
Harry Miunford, Moses Joy, Willard Burton, Walter Mum
ford, Wm. Dunham, jim., Hiram Btu'ton, Ahira Hall and
Oliver Spafford. The act was acknowledged before Hon.
Benjamin Evans, and recorded in the county clerks office,
March 5th, 1824.

After a few years, from neglect, the provisions of the
statute in such cases tailed to be complied with, and the
society, as such, and the chiu'ch also ceased to exist.
Some years since, an effort was made to reorganize the
chm-ch, but from causes not known to the ^^Titer the
enterprise was never completed. Meetings however hav(^
been held with more or less fiequency ; and tor the j)ast
eighteen years in the house of the M. E. Society at Brocton,
as preachers have come upon the field. This being the
state of things, the nimiber really, or nominally belonging
to the order in town, cannot be determined with any
degree of acciu'acy.

The early preachers of the order holding service in
town, as far as they can now be called to mind, were

Caleb Todd, Lewis C. Todd, Manly, T. C. Eaton, Joseph

Eaton. Those more recently holding service were Stephen
Korapaugh, C. C. Richardson and L. E. Rexford.

The efficiency of the order in towoi is much impaired by
the want of proper church and society organizations.

THE TOWN OF PORTL.\>sl). 1G7

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Protestant Methodist Church.

Ill the spring of 1858, a chuicli of the Protestant Meth-
odist order was organized at the school house in Dist. Xo.
11. near the residence of Isaac Howe, by Kev. O. C.
Payne of Fredonia. This movement was for the coiiA-e-
nience of members Hving in the vicinity, and at an incon-
venient distance fi'om any place of worship of the order.
The names of the original members were as follows :
Wolcott Colt, Chandler Colt. Mrs. Merab Colt. Joel S.
Famham, Mrs. Lydia Famham, Piatt A. Lathrop. Lucy
Lathi'op, Collins Haight, Sarah Colt, Mrs. Xancy Porter.
Cynthia Kelley and Mrs. Cornelia Howe. The preachers sent
to the charge were Eev. O. C. Payne, Rev. William A. Sharj).
Rev. A. S. Ostrand. Piatt A. Lathrop was elected leader of
the class. All the members are still li\-ing with the
exception of Joel S. Famham and Lucy Lathi-op. Xo
society was incoi-porated, and the church organization, after
two or tlu'ee years, was discontinued : not a single member
at this wiituig remains upon the field.

Roman Catholic. — The Roman Catholic chiux-h has a
representation in town of about tliiiiy members, mostly
Iiish, but vrith what particular chmch organization they are
connected is not known. They have no chuix-h organiza-
tion ia town. It is m. contemplation however to erect a
church edifice near Brocton Station, the present season.
1873.

168 . HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

Freewill Baptists. — A church of this order was formed
on the south border of the town many years smce, and a
house of worshijD built on "(.^hautauqua Hill," within the
town of Chautauqxia; but the writei" has learned very little
definitely with reference to it. It ceased to exist pr()V)al)ly
twenty fiA e to thirty years, since.

THE TOWN OK I'OKTl.AND. 16*,»

CHAPTER XXIX.

Brotherhood of the New Life.

Rev. Thomas Lake Harris, of Arnenia, Dutchess county. N.
Y., purchased, prmcipalty in 1867, nearly two thousand
acres of farm lands in Portland, mainly on the lake bordei',
for tlie purpose of establishing a branch of the order of the
'•lii'otherhood of the New Life," an order to some extent
known in Europe, but less in America. In this enterprise
Mr. Harris associated with himself a few chosen fiiends, who.
like their leader were enthusiasts in their belief. The asso-
ciation at present numbers above one hundi'ed, but sixty-
five or seventy however are no^v engaged upon their pur-
chase ; the balance finding their use in various sections of
this country and in Europe. They live by themselves as
far as })ossible, and are exceedingly reticent witli reference
to the association and its inner workings when approached
by those outside, and will hold no converse with the simply
curious. They are usually known as the "Harris Community,"
though they repudiate the idea of be'ing a "community" as
such. The fact of their being difficult of access excites
curiosity, and is the occasion of much impertinent inquiry
The air and charm of mystery hangs over and about them :
and what the world has learned of them is very little, and
that in such conflicting statements that it has been impos-
sible to form a correct opinion Avith reference to them or their
mode of life. The association has gained considerable noto-
riety and prominence from the fact of its numbering among
its members those "widely known in Theological. Literary

170 JIISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

and Political circles ;" and among these "Lady Olipliant and
lier son Hon. Lawrence Olipliant. Both are well known in
the literary ^vorld ; and Mr. Oliphant when he left England
gave np his seat in Parliameiit, where he was a prominent
and active member." "Mr. Harris is well known by his
wi'itings and otherwise. Fonnerly he was a successful and
]>oi>ular ITniversalist preacher in New York city; afterward
a thorough investigator of Spiritualism ;"' and for some time
a Swedenborgian. Some years since he visited England
where he became weW known as a preacher and writer ; but
eventually returned to America and established the "Broth-
erhood." Fearing that he miglit make statements entirely
inconsistent with facts in speaking of the order, the Avriter
addressed a letter to Mr. Harris, asking such infoiTnation
with reference to the association as he was willing to furnish
for historical purjjoses. and very j^romptly received the fol-
lowing in leply.

Salem-on-Ej!ie, N. Y., April 13, 1873.

Di;. II. C. Tayi.ok: — P^steemed Friend: — In response to
your recent favor permit me to reply as follows :

1. The piu'chase made by myself and friends ifi the town
of Portland consists of something less than tAvo thousand
acres ; }»rincipall}' of farm and vineyard lands, but inclusive
of the ))lat at the jimction of the Lake Shore and ^Vlleghany
\'alley Railroad, where Ave are layuig out a A-illage which we
have named Salem-on-Erie designing to make it an indus-
trial and business cente]'. These properties were secured
mainly in the month of ( )ctober 18G7 : about one half as
a personal investment, and the moiet}' in behalf of the
gentlemen interested witli me in the enterprise. These
lands, in part, compiise what is known on tlie old town
maps as "the Diamond," and extend in length two miles on
the shoi'eof Lake P'rie, being neaiiy contiguous to each other.'

(1) These lauds were purchased maiuly of T. S. Moss, Mark Haight, H. A. Biirtou,
Hiram Burton, .Johu Dudley, Owen Powell, Ogden Bradley, Reuben Ogden, John Har-
denburg. Simon Burton, Joseph Shaver, Henry Churchill, A. E. Lament, W. M. Hen-
derson, J. B. Fav, Chester Skinner. H. C. Taylor, Worthv Rolph, and Mrs. Caroline
Hall.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 171

Besides the iisual operations in agricultiu'e and vinecul-
tnre, we are engaged, 1st in the wholesale pressing and ship-
ping of hay ;' 2d in the general nnrsery business f in
the manufacture and sale of pure native wines, more espe-
(dally for medicinal use. Our product of wines is from
fifteen thousand to twenty-three thousand gallons annually.
Om' principal cellar is of stone, arched and fireproof, one
lumdi-ed and ten feet in length, and affording with the one
adjoinmg. storage for about sixty-five thousand gallons of
wine.^ At the village we also carry on a hotel and restaurant, and
have just enlarged our operations by erecting a steam grist mill
and opening an exchange for transactions in produce and gen-
eral merchandize. We are at present laying out and planting
a public park and gardens, and di'aining and improving as well
as fiom time to time adding to the fi'eehold estate. Thus far
in brief of the mere material question.

2. As the religious principles held by myself and asso-
ciates, and which form the grounds of our business relations
and social co-operations afford a subject of very natm-al inquiry
in the county, the more so, as we make no efforts to indoc-
trinate or i»roselyte, — a few words in reference to them may
perhaps be not wholly devoid of interest.

We are connected by sjanpathy and general xmity of pui'pose
with a society, better known in Europe than in America, whose
members have adopted the name of the "Brotherhood of the
New Life," and Avhose one object is therealization of the noble
christian ideal in social service. It is simply an effort to
demonstrate that the ethical creed of the Gospel is sus-
eptible of service as a working system, adapted to the com-
plex and cidtured nineteenth century, and contaming the prac"

<]) They cut and securecl iu 1872 about oue thousand tons of hay from their own
premises, aud purchased from outside parties about two hundred and fifty tons. Of
this amount eight hundred and lifty tons were pressed and sent to market ; the balance
used by them and sold to parties near home.

(2) The " Chautauqua County Green Houses aud Nurseries " situated at their village
at the " junction " are quite extensive, and being yearly enlarged. The grounds are
beautifully laid OTit, and the whole admirably conducted.

(3) This part of their Vmsiness is under the name of the " Lake Erie and Missouri
River Wine (.^ompany.'" The grapes manufactured are in part raised by them, aud in
part obtained by iiurchase,

172 HISTOHICAI, SKKTCIIKS OF

tical solution of the social prol)lems of the age. In one sense
the Brotherhood are Si:)iritualists ;' in the fervid and intense
conA-ietion that the individual man has no real life in himself :
that all life, and with it the virtues and energies of life
are the result of a divine inflowing. Considering, first, that
all real life is the continuous^ outgift of God, and second,
that our Lord is that one true and living God; (whether right
or wrong in their opinion) there is amongst them a practical
faith in him as the sole Rulei', Actuator and Dii'ector. They
are monarcliists w^lio I'ecognize the Di-vine Man for their
Sovereign.

In another sense the Brotlierhood are Socialists. They con-
sider that the practical fulfilment of the Gospel is in what
may be termed "Divine-natural Society." From the ])resent
civilization, the aggregation of self-interests, they would evolve
a noble form, "one piu'e and perfect chrysolite," — the associa-
tion of noble and cultured souls in every industrial and human
service. They hold most fully, most vitally that "the worship
of God is the service of humanity." If they revere in Cbrist.
the Lord, they also accept in Him the Artisan.

Marriage, the Family and Property, that triad of institutions
most menaced by the revolutionary and distinctive spirit of
the age, are held by them of infinite authority and universal
value. Of the first they belie^'e that man and woman, t^^'o in
one, made in the image of tlie Divine Spirit, perfect in eternity
that holy relation that finds here its fit and beautiful exj^res-
sion in Avedded love. Of the seccmd tliey hold that restored
to its divine purity and unselfishness, it builds the Home as
the microcosm and nursery of the lieavens. Of the third they
consider that while communism has its transient use in crisis
of reaction against a prevalent worldliness, yet that individual
possessions, to men who hold all things in God and for His
service in the neighbor, are indispensable, both as aids to

(1) But they reject the system of general mediumship aud constant intercourse with
the spirit world, as iwolitless, dangerous, and even profane. They accept Mr. Harris a&
their center, and believe that the will of Heaven is transmitted to them through him.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 173

individual growth and means of public usefulness. In a word,
the time-honored viiliies, Faith, Loyalty, Honor, Piuity and
Obedience are believed by them to be of infinite present and
real moment. ^Miile they do not )"eject the sacred observ-
ance of accustomed Religion, they believe in uplifting every
avocation of life into a permanent ReUgioiis Ministration.
Cherishing the faiiii of Scriptiu-e in individiial regeneration,
they hold that it is the function of regenerate man to regen
erate society ; that this work must be initiated and earned
out by the entrance of the cultured, the prosperous, the
gifted, as well as those of humbler state, into those employ-
ments which have been counted menial ; and that those labors
should be done from the inspiration of the Divine Love which
have heretofore been performed fi'om selfish greed or at the
mere spiu- of material necessity. "See," said the ancient
pagans, "how these christians love one another." It is the aim
of the Brotherhood in all its many fields of action to reinstate
that antique and eternal principle, not in demonstrative
jDreachment but in a most unobtrusive yet demonstrated social
fact. AVith kind regards, believe me respectfully yours,

Thomas Lake ILvkkis.
The members have no permanent homes but remove from one
place to another on their premises, as is best for their usex or
their employment for the time, each being placed in a position
for which he is best fitted. IVIi-. Harris lias fitted up a fine
residence near the lake which lie has named "Vine Cliff." It
is being tastefully surrounded by laAvnis, groves, gardens and
an almost endless variety of flowering shi-ubs, ^^nes and plants
that render a stroll about the grounds delightful. It is
beautifully situated and commands a lengthened view of the
lake on the north, the C'hautauqua hills rismg in partially
wooded slopes on the south, and seems to finely illustrate the
sentiment concealed in the name ch(jsen for their toAvn.
Sabbath service by Mr. Harris is usually held during tlie waim
season, but at other times or when he is absent they have no
public service, "but those who desire it observe Sam day with

174 IlISTOIUCAi. .sKKK MKS <»!•

singing- and prayer, those U'lio do not care to meet with tlie
others, work if they feel disposed, for, as they say, since they
neither work for themselves or for gain there can be no harm
in it." They j^rofess the "highest state of Christianity in
which each one will take more pleasnre in doing some nseliil
service for another. f7-om the love of it, than in serving
himself." *

It is but just to say of the Brotherhood in Portland that in
all respects they seem to be living out the principles of their
order in their every day life and regard their religion as
something to be ])ut on and worn as a garment. Their
dejDortment is most discreet and gentlemanly, and although
their interests seem to center to a large extent in their associa
tion, they are excellent citizens.

THE TOWN OK VORTI.ANI). 175

CHAPTER XXX.

Mills, Tanneries, Asheries and other Industries.

Du7ihams Saw-Mill. — Wm. Dunham is claimed to have
biiilt the first mill in the town of Portland, in the fall of ISIG-
Considerable discussion has been had whether this was the
first mill, or the one built at Brocton by Moses Sage. Both
parties seem to be sanguine in regard to priority of construc-
tion ; but there is little doubt that the mill of JMr. Dunliam was
commenced first, and as little that the one built by Mr. Sage
was the first put in running order and the first doing business.
Mr. Dunham's mill was built on Dmiham's creek on lot 32, T.
5. It was biu-ned in 1818, 1833 and 1861, and each time
rebuilt by the respective owners of the site. In 1850 it was
rebuilt uj)on a site a few rods north of tlie original site by J.
E. Harris. It is not now in operation.

Sages Saw-Mill— Was built by Moses Sage on Slippery
Rock creek at Brocton, near the west end of the dam of the
grist mill in tliat place, in the simimer and fall of 1816. It was
the first mill in town doing business. [See Dunham's Mill.]
Some years later it was sold to Dr. Daniel Ingalls, and in 1 834
to J. C. Haight, who, with Harvey Williams, nui it ibr two
years, when it was discontinued.

Burton's Saw- Mill — Was built by Simon Burton, sr., in
1817 at the falls at the mouth of Slippery Rock creek. It was
twice rebuilt by his son Hiram. The last is now standing but
going to decay.

176 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

Fays Saw-Mill — Was biiilt on Fay's creek, on lot 42, T. 5.
in 1817 by HoUis and Elijah Fay. The mud sill is said to be
still in place. In 181 !i it was removed to a point near the
lake by Ilollis Fay where it was run for a number of years.
Some remains of it are still to be seen.

Ogdens Sa^o-3Iill — Was built by Oliver SpaiFord about 1820
on SliiDj)ery Eock creek about half a mile from its mouth and
rebuilt by Willard Biu'ton and Samuel IMillett some years later.
It is now entirely remove^.

Burr'.s Saiv-Mill — Was built on lot 2, T. 5, by Daniel Vail,
in 1821. Mr. Vail settled on this lot in 1816. The mill
was located on the west branch of Slippery Rock creek and
on the site of the mill now owned by Lloyd Biu-r. Mi-. Biut
purchased the property in 1834 and still owns it. The mill
was biu-ned in 1830 and again in 1844 but at once rebuilt. It
is still in operation.

Taylors Saw-Mill — Was built by Heuben and ErastuB
Taylor in 1824 on Correll's creek, on part of lot 35, T. 5. It
was located twenty rods north of the track of the L. S K. K.
i»n land now owned by E. B. Taylor. It was in operation
eighteen to twenty years. Some remains of it are yet to be
seen.

Nathaniel Fays Saw-Mill — Was built on the farm of Mr.
Fay on the west branch of Slippery Rock creek, in 1 824. Its
location was a few rods south of the present residence of
Franklin Fay. It was in opeiation sixteen to eighteen years.
It is now entirely removed.

Evert' s S^aw-Mlll—S^'a^ built in 1826 or '27 on the farm
since owned for some years by Isaac Marsh, by Jesse Everts.
Cephas Brainard and Luther Crosby. It was located on the
head waters of Correll's creek. It was run but a few years.
In 1841 the frame was removed to a site on lot 40, T. 4, known
as Elhot's Mill.

Bacons Saw-3Iill — Was built on Slippery Rock creek sixty
rods above the Brocton grist mill, on lot 13. T. 5, by Dr. Daniel
Ingalls, in 1827 or '28. It was sold to Harvev Williams in

THE TO^VN OF PORTLAND. 177

1837, rebuilt in 1847, in 1848 sold to Russe] Furman and J.
Deland and some years latei- to John Furman. It is now-
owned by Earl Bacon, who some years sinee inlrodiu-ed
machinery for the maniifacture of hoi'se rakes which is still in
operation.

GoodseUs Saw-Mill — Was Ijuilt by Robert I.eavitt on Fay's
creek, southwest part of lot 30, T. 5, in 1S29. It was for some
years owned by Franklin Goodsell, who introduced a lathe for
turning broom handles. , It is now owned by Homer J.
Skinner.

Dalee's Saw Mill- — Was built by Field for Waterman Dalee
on Slippery Rock creek, on east part of lot 13. T. 5, above the
mill of E. Bacon, in 1829. It was an entire failure. The
heavy snows of the winter of 1829-30 broke in the roof and it
was never repaired. The entire cost was $400.

Elliott's Saw-3Till — Was built by Oliver Elliott in is]!) or
"20 on the head waters of Fay 'screek, on lot 40, T. 4. It was
rebuilt in 1851 by Henry Mosher. who sold it in 1S42 to
Hiram Arnold. Mr. Arnold removed it to south |)art lot 33?
T. 5.

Dalee s Saw-Mill i\^o. 2 — Was built in 1832 by Jolm and
Waterman Dalee on southeast part of lot 13, T. 5. on land now
owned by John Knickerbocker. It was built on the east
branch of Slip])ery Rock creek but run by water from the west
branch. It was afterward owned by various ]iarties and
among them Samuel, James and H. B. Crandall. It is now
entirely removed.

Fletchers Saw- Mill — Was built in 1832 by Robert Leavitt
<m Dimham's creek, on lot 2G. T. 5. It has since been <)wne<l
l)y various parties and now by C. A. Fletcher. It is still
in use.

Coney's Saw Mdl — Was built at the. upper falls on Slii)pery

Rock creek, north of Brocton. in 1H35, by Solomon ("oney. In

1847 it was sold to J. ('., .M. W. and G. H. Richardson: in

1851 to J. C. Richardson, by whom a steam power was intro

duced in 1854. In 1857 the steam i)Ower was removed and tht

178 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

property sold to John Dudley. The mill at tliis date (1873) is
entirely removed.

Jeivett's Saic-MiU — Was built one-lbui'th of a mile from the
mouth of C'orrells creek by George R. Jewett in 1836. It
was run from twelve to lifteeu years. Some years later it was
occupied by Thomas Judd as a manufactory for horse power
wood mills and afterward by Earl Bacon in the maniTfacture of
horse rakes. It is now in ruins.

Bigelow's Saio-Mill — Was built by La\vson T. Bigelow on
the east branch of Chautauqua creek, on lot 52, T. 4, in 1837.
A llax machine, a planing machine and a box factory were
added in 1843. It is not now in operation.

nairi< Saw 3Iill~Wiis built m 184i) by Perry. Delos and
Fer<linand Hall on the east branch of (liautaucpia creek, on lot
52, T. 4. It was afterward owned by Delos. then by Levi,
then by Ileniy L. Hall, and now by John Clark.

Jiichardson's /Saw-Mill — Was built near the mouth of Little
Canadaway creek m the northeast part of the town, on lot 8, T,
5. by J. C. Richai-dson in the winter of 1840-41. It was run
to 1847 when it was sold to Samuel Johnson. It is now
entirely removed.

Arnold's Saw-Mill — Was the Elliott smc-rmll removed from
l(jt 40, T. 4. to south part lot 33, T. 5, in 1 842. It was burned in
1844 but rebuilt the same year. It was run to 1 853 when it
was discontinued.

Robhins Steam. Sairi Mill — Was built l)y Daniel Bobbins on
lot 8, T. 5, in 1848. It was burned August 30, 1851, but
I'ebuilt in 1 854 by Willard Hobbins. It was afterward owTied
by various parties and about 1857 the steam }>ower was
removed to some point m Pennsylvania and the mill discon-
tinued.

■Fewett's Steam Saw -Mill — -Was built by George R. Jewett
in 1849. on the northwest part of lot 25, T. 5. at Portland
( "enter, in connection with a steam grist mill and run by the
same power. It was discontinued in 1852.

I'ai/ S Goodrich s Steam Saw Mill — AVas built by George

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 179

R. Jewett on lands of J. B. Fay and D. G. Goodi'icli, part of
lot 14, T. 5, in 1852. The motive power was a steam engine
removed from the steam grist and saw-mill at Portland Center-
The mill was burned a few months later and never rebnilt.

Wheeler's Steam Saw-Mill — Was bnilt by Elijah Wheeler in
18()8, on lot 26, T. 5, near I*ortland Center. It was run but a
few months. The boiler is still in place.

CrandaUs Steam Saw-Mill — Was built and pnt in operation
on North Division street, Brocton, by Samuel Crandall in 1871.
It is still running and doing a good business.

Whitchers SaiD-Mill — Was built in quite an early day on
the east branch of Chautauqua creek, on lot 60, T. 4, but by
whom built or when the writer has not been informed. It is
now in ruins.

Burtons Gi'ist-Mill — Was built by Simon Burton, sr., m
1817, at the mouth of Slippery Rock creek. The water in the
lake at that date was from three to four leet lower than at the
present and the beach could be traversed fr-oni the mouth of
the creek to Van Ihu-en point. Mr. B. set his mill on the
beach below the fiills on ground now covered by water, too near
for safety, and although a breakwater was built for its protec-
tion it was soon destroyed. While it was in operation it was a
great convenience to the settlers. It was the first of its class
in town.

Coney s Ch-ist-Mill — Was built by Solomon Coney a few
lods below the falls on Slip])er}' Rock creek, on northeast part
of lot 21, T. 4, in 1823. It was not a large mill but did good
business for the settlers for several years, how many is not
now remembered. Some of the remains of the building are still
to be seen, and near by the "native buiT stones."

Godfrey s Grist-Mill — Was built on Correll's creek, mi south-
west part of lot 31, T. 5, by .Manson and Stafford (Godfrey, in
1829. The mill proved a failure from lack of water and other
causes and was sold in 1 840 or '41 to George Stoning, who
converted it into a mill for the manufacture of coarse paper
and hook board. Some vears later the buildino- was removed

180 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OK

by E. B. Taylor to its present position near the line of the L.
S. R R. and the manufacture of. book hoard continued. A.
few years since a flax machine Avas placed in the building by
David Bacon and used for two or three j^ears only.

Vanlovens 31111 — Was originally built by Dr. S. Pomeroy
and — Lowell on lot 39, T. o, in 1829 or '30. It was a small mill
for grinding corn and feed. It was sold to Martin Everett and
rej)aired in 1845. G. M. Taylor bought it in 1848 but sold to
Mr. Vanloven in 1849. It is still in operation.

Broclon Grist-MUl — -The original mill was built by John
C. Haight and Harvey Williams in 1836, at a cost, including
the tannery attached, of $4,000. It was owned by various
parties until about 1853 when it was purchased hj R. S.
Morrison and in 1855 the building of the steam mill at
Portland Center was removed by him and placed as an
addition and the whole put in good order at a cost of $8, 000.
It is now owned by Wm. Whaland.

Portland Center Steam 3fW — Was built in 1848 by Geo. R.
Jewett, on northwest part of lot • 25, T. 5, near the present
residence of R. D. Fuller. It was discontinued in 1852 and
the steam power removed to a saw-mill of Fay & Goodiich's-
The building was sold to R. S. Morrison in 1855 and removed
by him and attached to the Brocton mill where it now stands.

^^Brotherhood'' Steam Mill — Was first set in operation at
Salem-on-Erie (Brocton station) in the winter of 1872-3 by the
■' Brotherhood," principally for grinding feed, which is
furnished in large quantities. It seems a fair investment.

TAHNEKIES.

Parker s Tannery. — The first tannery in town was built by
James Parker on the farm of David Eaton, northeast |)art of
lot 37, T. 5, in 1 807. It was but a small and rude afiaii" : the
vats were dug from the trimks of trees and placed in a ravine
southeast of the residence of Mr. Eaton and the beam hovse
was a log shanty. It was occupied less than two years, Mr. P.
remo^dng to the crossroads. Some remains of this tannery
with remnants of hides are still to be seen.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 181

Tower s Tannery. — Mr. John Tower '■ started a tannery " on
The southwest corner of lot ■^•4, T. 5, next west of the farm of J.
McFadden, about 1820. This also was a small affair but was
continued for several yeais.

Kinnes Tanneiy — Was built probably in 182G on lot now
owned by J. H. Ilaight and Linus Brnton, in Brocton. lie sold
to Joshua Jackson in 1830 or '31. Remains of the vats may
yet be seen.

Brocton Tannery — Was built by J. C. Haight and Harvey
Williams in 1836, on part of lot 13, T. 5, in connection with
the south portion of the grist-mill. It w^as occupied by them
but a few years, Mr. Williams selling his interest to Mr.
Haight. It has since been owned by various parties and at
present by J. N. Porter and J. H. Haight.

Carding Machine. — The first and only carding machine
of this town was put in operation at Portland Center, in
182'), liy Orrin Ford, the first proprietor of the
Laona Woolen Factory, since converted into a Paper Mill.
The building stood a few feet north of the residence of
R. D. Fuller, on lot 2o. T. 5, and is now occupied by George
Couchman as a barn. • The first roll was carded by Jared
Kisley that year. The establishment was afterward owned by G.
R. Jewett and occupied by Vincent Dunn. The motive
power was a sprmg of water now to be seen on the prem-
ises of S. S. Jones, a few rods north of his house. It was
conveyed a portion of the way in pump logs.

Cheese Factory — Was established by Dea. A. L. Blowers,
in West Portland, on lot 38, T. 5. in 1866, at a cost ot
12,000. [See Table of Agricultural Products.]

Cider Mills. — -The first mill of this class was built by
Calvin Barnes in 1824. on a rise of gromul southeast of the
residence of J. S. West, on lot 33. T. .5. The building is now
occupied by Mr. West as a horse barn.

The second of this class was built by Dea. Elijah Fay
in Brocton. in 1830. It is still standing.

Potteries. — [See Biog. Sketches No. 220.]

182 HISTORICAI. SKETCHES OK

Milliorights. — The first of this class settling in town was
Solomon Coney in 1815, the second Simon Burton in
1816.

Book Bindery. — A l^indery was established at Centerville,
by Vashni Millet in 1844, in the building now occuined by
G. W. Hunger as a blacksmith shop, and for some years by D.
Tallman as a tavern and dwelling. It was removed to Fre-
donia, tliis county, in 1848. Mr. Millet now lives in Wis
consin.

Blacksmiths. — The first mechanic of this class settling in
town, it is believed, was Luther Crosby, in 1816. He was
a gunsmith, but worked at blacksmithing for the accommo-
dation of settlers. [See Biog. Sketches No. 69.] As far as
known the second doing business in town was Simon Burton,
jun., also in 1816. His shop stood near the mouth of Slippery
Kock Creek. Wm. Cotton settled on lot 47, T. 4, in 1817,
and was a blacksmith. [See Biog. Sketches.]

Wagon Maker. — It is conceded that Cotton Nash, the first
settler of of Centerville, was also the first wagon maker
settling in town. [See Biog. Sketches.]

Shoemaker. — The first of this class in town was David
Eaton, though it was not engaged in as a business, being
made subservient to the great business of every settler,
clearing land. Many of the settlers kept a few tools and
did their own cobbling. The first doing a regular business
is not known.

ASHERIES.

1. Coney s Ashery. — Most of the settlers had their leaches
and kettles for the manufacture of Black Salts ft-om the
ashes made in their fallows, but as far as now remembered
but three establishments for the manufacture of pot or
pearl ashes were ever put in operation in town. The first
was by John R. Coney in 1818. This establishment
stood on the north side of the main Erie road in the
hollow betw^een Brocton and Portland Center, very near
the line of the B. C. & P. R. R. on southeast part of lot 26.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 188

T. 5. A pearling oven was attached, and Coney's Asliery was
the great center for the trade in ashes, until about 1828 or
'29, when the business was given up by him. A large
quantity of ashes is still to be seen there.

The products of this establishment were sold for the
most part to Walter Smith, at first of Fredonia, but
afterward of Dunkirk.

2. Abial Silver established an asherj^ for the manufactui"e
of potash only, on the south part of lot 34, T. 5, land
now owned by Henry S. Mimson, in 1830, which -he run
for two years. It was continued by Wm. Curtis for two
years, when it was allowed to "run down."

3. Morrisons Ashery — was es.tablished by R. S. &> O.
Morrison, on S. Div. St. Brocton, on the site of the present
residence of D. L. Brown, in 1843, and was run for about
ten years. A pearling oven was attached, and during the
last two years an eflbrt was made to manufacture saleratus
(Bi Carb. Pot.) but with imperfect success.

184 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER XXXI.

Distilleries.

In the early days of the comitry whisky seemed to be a
necessity. It entered into the economy of nearly evev\-
household arrangement, lentil 1817, most of it was
brought from Pennsylvania, and "Pittsbiu'g forty rod whisky"
was a cognomen in common use. The first distillery built in
the town, was by Ethan A. Owen, in 1817, on part of lot
53, T. 4. The track of the B. C. & P. If. E. passes over the
spot, a few rods south of Prospect Station, on the farm
now owned by Wm. Arnold.' It was but a small afi'air, i
but answered the piupose: was run but a few years. Elisha 1
Arnold who afterward owned the farm was a distiller, but
his place of business was in Westfielrl. The second distillery
built in town was by Simeon Whitcomb and Orris I*erkins
in 1 S19, on a farm now owned by David Granger on lot 4l, 1
T. 5, in the orchard north of the West Baptist church. This also
was a small affair, running but from three to five bushels
per day. It was in operation probabh' l^ut two yeai'S-
The third of this class was built in 1824 or "25 by Silas
Houghton near the falls in Slippeiy Rock Creek, on lot 21,
T. 5, which he run for two or three years, and sold to
Solomon ('Oney in 1827, who continued the manufacture
for a few years later, how long is not remembered. No other

(1) This spot was the scene of that fearfnl railroad accident, or "Prospect Hor-
ror'' of December 24th, 1872, where twenty perso.-is, possibly more, lost their lives
and others were seriously injured.

THK TOWN OF PORTI-AXD. 185

manufactory of this class was ever put in operation in
town, with the exception of a small one for the distilling
of brandy by Ryckmau, Day & Co.. in Brocton. This is not
at present in operation.

After the first few years of the settlement of the town
grain was plenty and cheap ; rye selling for fi-om fifteen
to seventeen cents per bushel, and com in proportion.
Wliisky sold for from twenty to twenty-five cents per gallon, a
strong contrast to the price for which it is now sold, $2.90.
But a small proportion of the grain raised was distilled or
Tised here; large quantities were conveyed to various
localities and exchanged for liquor or store-pay, very little
money entering into the arrangement.

186 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER XXXn.

Taverns.

In the "good old days of honesty and singleness of
heart," so often the subject of reference in these later
years, spirituous liquors were largely used by the whole
population. "Whisky was the rule and abstinence the
exception. Notwithstanding this freedom of use, it was
thought as necessary to restrict or regulate its sale then
as now. The license law in force at the first settlement
of Portland, and for many years after, was enacted in
April 1801. Its provisions were nearer the provisions of
the joresent law, with reference to the granting of licenses,
than any since enacted. AW licenses were granted by a
board in each to^\ni called Commissioners of Excise, com-
posed of the Supervisor and two justices of the peace.
The Supervisor could in no case be excused fi'om signing
a license if one had been granted by the board, other-
vfise it would be of no validity. The idea of a tavern
always carried with it the idea of a place for the
sale of strong diink. The requirements of the law
with reference to moral character, accommodations t&c.
were the same, nearly, then as now, and if a man propos-
ing to keep a tavern could satisfy the board with refer-
ence to these particulars, he was granted a license to sell
spirituous liquors under five gallons, and for which he
must pay fi'om five to thirty dollars at the discretion of
the board. In some of the larger cities from five to

THE TOWN OF POKTLAND. 187

fifty dollars was cliarged. Tlie applicant was obliged to
pay seventy-five cents to each of the commissioners for
granting the license. Safeguards Avere thrown about the
system and penalties attached to violations, but in most
cases they were practically disregarded.

1. James Dunns Tavern: 1808. — The first tavern opened
in town was by Capt. James Dimn, on the ground now
occupied by the house of John Dudley, on the Dunn
farm, part of lot 30, T. 5, in 1808. The road then
passed on the south side of the house. Mr. Dunn was
fi-om Pennsylvania and arranged his buildings in true
Pennsylvania style of those days, and in fact the present
to some extent, a separate building for each department,
dining, cooking, lodging and storeroom. In 1811 he added
a large log building for a bar room. His first license
was granted by Arthur Bell, as Supervisor, and John
McMahan and Perry G. Ellsworth as justices. IVIi-. Dium
was well fitted for an inn-keeper and provided substantial
if not luxiu'ious fare for those favoring him with a call.
Mrs. Dunn was well skilled in the culinary art of the
times, and acceptably catered to the appetites of her
guests. To the weary traveler "Dunn's Tavern" was in
fact an acceptable "lodge in some vast wilderness." It
was continued for many years, but the time of its dis-
continuance is not remembered. It was a rallymg point
for some years.

2. IngersolVs Tuverii: 1809. — Peter Ingersoll opened a
tavern in a large double log hoiTse on the McKenzie farm
on part of lot 41, T. 5, in 1800. His first license was granted
by Thomas Prendergast as Super-sdsor, and John MclMahan
and Perry G. Ellsworth as justices. This house was a rally
ing i^oint for that region. Mr. Ingersoll kept this tavern
until 1816, when he sold to Joseph Cass. Mr. Cass con-
tinued until 1818 when he removed to the house now on the
farm and continued it as a tavern until 1821. Afterward
it was occupied by various parties, and amongst them

18<S HISTORICAL SKETCHES OK

Leman Averill. J. Boardwell, — Blood, T. Klumph, and others.
When it was discontinued is not remembered.

o. Barnes Tavern : 1811. — Daniel Barnes opened a tavern
in 1811, in a log house a few feet east of the house now
owned and occupied by A. B. Post, on central part of lot
4, T. 5. It was kept open for several years after the close
of the war of 1812. The first license was granted by
Matthew Prendergast as Supervisor. The tavern was kept
by no other person.

4. Williams Tavern : 1811. — Wm. Berry piu'chased of the
administrator of the estate of Nathan Fay, the farm now
o^vned in part by Lincoln Fay, part of lot 25, T. 5, and
opened a tavern the same year in a log house nearly on the
ground occupied by the house of Mr. F&j. His first license
was signed by Matthew Prendergast as Supervisor. In 1812
]\rr. Berry rented his house to Da\dd Joy. Two months later
it took fire and burned down. By direction of Mr. Berry.
Mr. Joy bnilt a frame house the same season, the fii'st frame house
occuiiied as a tavern in town. This fi-ame is still standing
on the farm of Jonas H. Martin half a mile south of its original
site. Henry Abell purchased the property in 1814, and sold
it to Eichard Williams in 1815, who kept it as a tavern until
1822, the time of his death ; renting it however a portion
of the time to E. Goldsmith, — Nims, and possibly one other.
The family of Mr. W. continued the tavern until 1825, when
it was sold to widow Abigail Fellows, who kept it for a
year in connection with her brother Jacob Light, and for five
years by the aid of her sons, or to 1831, when it was discon-
tinued.

5. tTo't/'s Tavern : 1814. — David Joy erected a two-story
frame house on the ground now occupied by the house of
W. W. P-ettit on southwest part of lot 19, T. 5, in 1814, and
occupied it as a tavern the same season. He sold to Wm.
Harris, sen., in 1817. who kept the house imtil 1826, when it
was purchased by Jared Risley, and occupied for one year. It

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 189

was afterward occupied by Reuben Snow, Tliomas Ensign.
Andi'ew Matthewson and others.

6. Smith's Tavern: \^\o. — Martin Smith opened a tavern
in the frame house built by Jeremiah Potter in 181-2.
probably in 1815. (See Biog. Sketches.) How long it was
continued is not delinitely known, but probably to ISIO
or '20.

7. Joys Log Tavern: 1817. — Early this year David Joy
and his son Moses occupied a log house as a tavern, on the
groimd where now stands the house of H. A. S. Thompson,
north part of lot 19, T. 5. There was very little travel on
tliis route, but as an old settler said with reference to it.
••such a place was necessary, although in the woods, on account
of the many loggings and log hoirse raisings tlu'ough the
c-ountry. as a depot for whisky." How long it was kept is
not known. [See Biog. Sketches, David Joy.]

8. Coney s Tavern: 1822.— John U. Coney opened a tavern
in the house now standing on the "Coney farm."' northwest
part lot 19. T. 5, in 1822, which he kept imtil l83o. In 1834
he built the tavern house at Centerville, and occupied it the
next year. In 1 849 he sold to Cui'tis Wilbur. It was after
ward occupied by Caleb (Iriswold. S. C. liiley, and M. (t.
Barber. Town meetings have been held in this house since
it was opened. It was discontinued in 1863.

9. Sage's Tavern : 1824. — Moses Sage opened a tavern m
the house now owned and occupied by J. N. Porter, on north
part lot 13, T. 5, east of Brocton, in 1824, which he continued
until 1830. The town meeting of 1827 was helil liere.
and an exciting discussion and a closely contested vote
with reference to the place of holding the next meeting-
was had which resulted in the resoluticm -'to hold it al
the house of Henry Abell" at the Gross Roads. At the meet
ing in 1828 the old and vexed question was again discussed
and a vote obtained to hold it at a point where the house of O.
J. Greene now stands, on soiith part of lot 34, T. 5. (See
l)age 25). The exasperation occasioned V)y this vote was

190 HISTORICAL SKETCUKS OK

the occasion of the erection of the town of Westfield.

10. Martin Coneys Tavern: 1828. — The liouse now
owned by O. J. Greene, on south part lot 34, T. 5, was built
in 1828 by Martin Coney, opened as a tavern the following
winter or sj^ring, and which he kept until 1832. It was occu-
pied in 1833 by E. K. Barnes and by Wm. Curtis in 1834.
It was discontinued in the spring of 1835. The first town
meeting of the present town was held here in April
1829.

11. Williams Tavern: 1830. — Harvey Williams opened
a tavern in a building standing on the ground now occupied
by the dwelling of W. C. Warner, east of Brocton, which he
continued until 1835. It was afterward occupied by S. S.
Hawkins, C. D. Hadden, and lastly by (). D. Hadden.

12. Browns Tavern : 1830. — The house upon the farm of
E. P. Wilson, on lot 38, T. 5, was built in 1830 by Robert
Leavitt, and opened as a tavern by him. In 1832 it was sold
to Rodolphus Brown, who continued it to 1836 or '37 when it
was discontinued.

13. Tallmans Tavern: 1832. — The building now occupied
as a blacksmith shop at Portland Center by G. W. Munger, was
built in 1832 by Robert Leavitt and at once opened as a
tavern. Mr. L. sold in 1834. It was occupied by Oliver
Coney about 1836 ; and some years later by Darius Tallman
who kept it until 1855 when it was discontinued.

14. Mintons Hotel: 1833. — That portion of the building
now owned and occupied C. S. Ogden, on the northeast
corner of Main and N. Div. Sts. in Brocton, as a dwelling.
was built for a tavern in 1833 by Milton Jones and D. Howell,
and occupied by them in the fall of the same year. In 1836
it was sold to A. B. Holbrook, and occupied by Alfred
Holmes. It was occupied by various j)ai'ties up to 1868
when it was pui-chased by Mr. Ogden, and amongst them
Zadoc Martin, Darius Tallman, J. H. Minton, A. J. Mericle,
J. W. Crocker, Richardson and Ryan and others. IVIi-. Minton
owned and occupied it for several years.

THK TOWN OF POKTLANI). I'll

15. Exchange Hotel : I837.^riie north trout of tins tavern
building standing on the southwest corner of Main and S.
Div. Sts. Brocton, was built in 1835 by Samuel Hall and E. K.
Southwick for a store and dwelling and occupied by them as
sucli for one year. It was sold hi the winter of 1836-'37 to A. B.
Holbrook, who sold it to B. F. Post. Mr. Post enlarged the
house in 1837 and opened it as a tavern. In 1838 it was occupied

hj Wm. Benjamin and father ; in 1839 b}^ Langdon. and

in 1840 by Porter Pembertou. Mr. Post sold the property to
Kussell Fitch in 1841, who sold to A. M. Himt in January 1850.
Mr. Hunt sold to Z. L. (4(>odsell in April 18G5. The proprie-
tors following were, U. S. Ladue, Darius James, Wm. Ken
ouard, M. Francis, J. I). Love and D. Morey the present owner.
The house has been kept as a tavern thirty-six years. ■

16. Jones Temperance House: 1839. — The buildmg now
occu})ied by C. W. Haiglit as a store in Brocton, and the one
occupied by A. J. Mericle, also as a store, were converted into
a tavern from private dwellings, by E. L. Jackson and Milton
Jones in 1839. It was occupied by them for two years, when
it was discontinued until 1845, when it was kept by D. Tallman
for one year, after which it was closed.

192 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Temperance and other Societies

No public expression upon the subject of temperance in the
county, in the foi'ni of a society, was had until the summer of
1829, when a county society was formed. In the fall of the
same year the first society formed in the territorj* of the old
town of Portland, and a correspondent thinks the first local
society in the county, was formed at Westfield. Lincoln Fay,
Isaac Durand and Robert K. Barnes fi-om this toAvn were
present and became members. This movement aroused strong
opposition and many honest minded persons held the whole
movement to be an encroachment upon the liberties of the
people and a step toward the union of the church and state.
Societies soon formed in other sections and a town society for
Portland in the winter of 1830-31, Lincoln Fay president, R.
W. M. Dalee vice president, R. K. Barnes secretary, J. W.
Morgan, Isaac Durand and others executive committee.
Meetings were frequently held dui'ing the ^\dnter and spiing
and addi-esses delivered by H. L. Richmond of Westfield, now
of Meadville, Pa., and member of congress fi'om that
district, Sylvester Randall of Fredonia, late Judge Randall of
Illinois. Austin Smith of AVestfield, David Eaton and others
of Portland. The societj^ was made auxiliaiy t(j the countj'
society. A remarkable revival of religion in 1831 gave a fi-esli
impulse to the temperance movement and a large amoitnt of
work was done. The society continued with varied success
and one or two reorganizations until the inauguration of the
Washinotonian movement. In this effort the kev note to

THE TOVrS OF PORTL.iXD. 19;^>

success seems to have been struck. Throiigliout the coimtj- a
gradual change in an incredibly short space of time came ovei-
the peoi)le and the masses not only adopted the practice of total
abxthtence but "publicty arrayed themselves on the side of
temperance, integrity and virtue." In 1832 while the excite-
ment occasioned by the eflbits against the ruling spirit of the
countr}- was greatest Mr. E. K. Barnes attempted a temperance
raising of a large barn at the then center of Portland, the
barn now owned by (). Jerome Greene. Predictions were rife
that not a stick conld be moved without firstly a moving of the
spirit. Such an eftbrt was an encroachment ujjon old
established customs and was met b}- strong opposition. "But
the day of raising came, refreshments were ample, friends
rallied in large numbers, and luider the management of Martin
Quigley the work was done and the company went home with
steady steps." — \_Mrs. M. B.^ This was the second temperance
raising in the county, the first taking place in' Sheridan a few
days previously. That or the next year a Iburtli of July cele-
bration on temperance principles was had in the grove near
the school house in district Xo. 8. David Eaton was president
of the day and Grant Goodrich of WestfiekL now Judge
Goodiich of Chicago, orator. By these and othei' means a
healthy public sentiment was established \\'ith reference to the
use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage. Of the pioneers of the
temperance reform in town a correspondent writes : " There is
one feature very marked in regard to them — they were true to
the pdeclge. Many of them have passed away but they have left
a record untarnished. Those Avho remain are nearly all true to
the caitse they espoused." Temi)erance efibrts have taken varied
shape fi'om time to time from causes hard to define. One of
the most efficient agents for good in this direction was a secret
organization instituted in the hall of the house of O. J. (rreene,
on lot 34. T. .5, on the 2d of April. 1849. It was known as

Portland Division Sons of Temperance N'o. 510 of the State
of JV^eiv Ybi'k: Theii' jDlace of meeting was changed in the
following June to an upper room now o^^oied b.\- Mrs. Traverse

194 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

in Brocton, and soon after to a hall in the building opposite
the school house in Brocton, furnished by Mr. Linus Burton,
which they occuj)ied until the discontmuance of the Division
in 1853. The charter members were Darwin G. Goodrich, M.
P. Vanleuven, A. J. Abrams, Thomas Gushing. G. H. To^Tisend,
O. X. Fay, Oscar Eaton, O. J. Coats, L. Clark, A. Bowdish,
(xeo. Wells. The first W. P. was O. N. Fay. The membership
reached 1 20. Some of the best temperance work in town was
done by this order.

Social Circle. — For the purpose of admitting females to a
full participation in the duties and privileges of an organization
of this class a new secret temperance order was instituted at
Albany, this state, in July, 1850, called the "Order of Social
Circles." A subordinate was instituted at Salem X Roads in
Temperance Hall May 5, 1853. The first C. G., or presiding
officer, was H. C. Taylor. The Circle was niunbered ten. The
following were charter members : J. B. Haywood, L. L.
Lathrop, L. W. Richardson, C'. W. D. Lathi-op. C. W. Bm-ton.
A. E. Ogden, S. Burton, E. Elmore, O. L. Ogdeu, Alf. Bui-ton,
M. L. Ogden, James Thompson, J. W. Bowdish. John OHara,
H. C. Taylor, Julia Haywood, M. R. Lathroi^, Maiy Haywood,
C. 0. Thompson, Harriet Bowdish, EHzabeth Elmore. Frances
Taylor. Its membersliip reached sixty. It was a working
order, but existed less than two years.

Good Templars. — A lodge of this order (another seci'et
temperance organization) was instituted at Portland Center in
the fall of 1854, but was discontinued after a few months'
existence. J. E. Harris was the first W. C. T. Their place
of meeting was the hoiise opposite the tavern occupied by
Asahel Peck. A second lodge of the order was instituted at
the same place in the fall of 1868 wliich remained in working
order until the spring of 1872. Their places of meeting were
at the M. E. church, the hall of (). J. Greene, the hall of L.
Douglass and lastly in the hall of j\Ii\ Wm. Clark in the old
.M. E. church e<hfice. A Jodge of this order was instittited at
Brocton hi the fall of 1868 but ceased to exist in the fall o^

THZ TOVrS OF POKTLA>'D. 195

1871. These lodges munbered among their members some of
the best mateiial in town, and they were efficient agents
: the great work of temperancere form and are entitled to a
large share of credit in shaping pubhc opinion with reference
to it. but they failed eTentnally from the effect of those
-trong revulsions that invaiiably come over all associated
effoii; in moral enterprises. At the present wiiting there is not
a temperance organization in town other than so far as the
• aiions chnrches may be considered as such. 3Iost of the
members of the orders named, now liTing. as far as known,
remain tme to their obligations, and the town will compare
favorably with other towns in regard to the status of the
people on this question.

Masonic Order. — There are in town tliirty-six members of
this order belonging to lodges in other towns according to
location, a j^rt to "Forest" lodge. Fredonia. a part to
"Snmmit" lodge. Westfield. a part to "Peacock" lodge, ilay-
ville. and a few to lodges more remote. Xo lodge has as yet
been instituted in town, the neai* proximity to the lodges
named seeming to render it impractical.

Odd FeUoxcs. — ^A lodge of this order was instituted at Salem
X Roads, now Brocton. in the summer of 1S49. Thomas
Gushing was the first X. G. Its meetings were held in the
hall of the Sons of Temperance. Its members numbered 66.
Its charter was surrendered in 1852. It is not known that
there is now a member of the order in town.

Bible Stxieties. — ^A society of this class has been formed in

town on four occasions for the purpose of furnishing the

Scriptures to everv family in town not in possession of a copy.

The fiist society it is said was foimed in 1833. which as far as

emembered, as also the next two formed, accomplished

The object for which they were create^! The last was formed

in the summer of 1867. which, nominally at least, is stiU in exist-

nee. It was made auxiUary to the cotmty society. What has

eeu accomphshed by or through it the writer has been unable

•1 leani. The importance of such an organization it would

196 ursTOuiOAL sketches of

seem ought to jirompt the best mterests and energies of the
whole moral and christian element in its behalf.

Anti-Slavery and other Benevolent Societies have existed
in town at various times. No records were kept and nothing-
definite can be written with reference to them. Without
doubt they had their influence on the piiblic mind and the first
to some extent aided in establishing the great principles of
human liberty and civil and political equality that have since
so revolutionized the sentiment of the whole country and
wiped out the darkest stain upon om- national escutcheon and
the foulest blight upon the moral and christian sentiment of
Christendom.

Early JSFeiospapers. — Very man}- of the settlers on leaving
their early homes made arrangements with friends for the
family paper after its perusal there. Occasionally one received
it direct fi'om the office of publication. It was always a
welcome visitor. Until 1814 these papers were received
through the office at Canadaway or at the crossroads. The
fiist regular paper laiown to have been takeii in town and sent
from the office of publication, other than as above indicated,
was the l>uffalo Gazette, afterward called the Buffalo Patriot,
by David Eaton and three or four others in 1811. The first
county paper taken was the Chantaiique Gazette, first
published in Fredonia in 1817. In 1821, the year of its first
publication, the Fredonia Censor was taken by a few, more
largely the next year and afterward, until at the present (1873)
the circulation is about one hundred. Of the religious papers
the following only are remembered: The Gospel Advocate, a
universalist publication which was commenced in Buffalo in
1822 by Rev. Thomas Gross, circulated largely in town, one of
the proprietors, Mr. Simon Burtcm. an early settler, gi\dng it
his influence and earnest support. The Methodist Ma(jazine.
published in New York, was taken by Simon Burton, jr., and
Elisha Fay as early as 1820 or '21, and possibly by others.
From time to time other papers were taken but the names are
forg-otten.

TIIK TOWN OK I'OUri.ANl). 19'i

CHAPTEE XXXIV.

Physicians.

From 1805 to 1808 it is probable that no physician was
called by the few settlers witliin the present tovni of Portland,
in fact none were within reach, and fi-om 1808 to 1812 they
were obli^-ed to rely npon Canadaway, and from the latter
date to 1824 upon Canadaway and the Crossroads for medical
aid. Dr. Sqnire White came to Canadaway in the fall of 1808.
He was a brother of Dr. Asa White, of Sherbnrn, Chenango
comity, this state, in whose office he commenced the study of
his profession in the year 1800. He afterward went to Cherry
Valley, Otsego county, and for a year was a partner with the
celebrated Dr. "NMiite of that place, whose skill as a suigeon
extended throughout the state. Duiing his coru'se of study
he attended medical lectui'es three winters in New York city
and was licensed to practice by the Chenango Co. Medical Soci-
ety May 2, 1808. He taught school during the winter of 1808-9
in what is now the west part of Sheridan, this count}-. [See
Early Teachers.] From this time forward he practiced his pro
fession to the close of his life. The fact of his having practiced
for many years over our sjDai'sely settled region is well
remembered by the older settlers of Portland. He was a man
of excellent abilities and sliared largely the confidence of the
people. At this day he is ofteii referred to by those who
remember his eccentricities and his ability to divine tlie
peculiarities of human character. He commanded the respect-
ful consideration of the citizens of the to-wn. as elsewhere.

198 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

as a man and a i^liysician to the day of his death. He was
the first regnlarly licensed physician settling in the county
and was siu-geou of the first regiment of militia organized
in the count}'.

Dr. Laioton Richmond — AVas the second physician doing
business in and the first residing in the old town of Portland.
He was the second licensed physician settling in the county.
He was bom in Kent county. K. I., August 17, 1784, and
removed with his father and family to Herkimer coimty, X. Y.,
about 1704. By untiring energy he acquired a good EngHsh
education and mainly through his own unaided efforts, and at
his majority commenced the study of medicine and in due time
was licensed by the proper authorities. He married Sally
Townsend, May 23, 1809, and that summer removed to
Chautauqua coujity near the head of Chautauqua lake, in the
IDresent to^\Ti of that name. In 1812 he removed to the ancient
crossroads, now Westfield, and continued the practice of
medicine, and for five years traversed the entire region fi'om
the east line of Portland to the line of the state on the
west. In 1817 he was induced to "sell out" and remove to
southern Indiana, but owing to a series of hindiances and
severe misfortunes he did not arrive at his destination imtil the
fall of 1818. He eventually settled in the little \dllage of
^yiensville, Switzerland county, then consisting of but a dozen
log houses. The climate proving uncongenial and his health
failing liim he was obliged to seek again a location m the
vicinit}' of the lakes and in 1828 removed to Kock Hun, a
short distance fi'om Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1829 he returned
to Westfield. There he practiced his profession until 1831
when he purchased a fai-m near MeadviUe, Pa., to whicli he
removed. He died here in Nov. 1843. — [Hon. H. L. Richmond
M. (7., MeadviUe, Pa.'\ Dr. Silas Spencer, who was for some
time a partner -srith Dr. R., says : "As a man, a christian and
honest practitioner of medicine looking to the welfare of his
patients rather than to then- purses, he stood high above the
reach of reproach." Dr. K. was a local preacher of the M. E.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 191>

order, an easy speaker and of deep religious convictions. He
had the credit of ha\'ing preached tlie first Methodist sei-mon
ever preaclied in the county of Chaiitauqua. [See 31. E
Church. '\

Dr fenn Deming — Was the second physician settling-
within the old town of Portland and doing business witliin
the present town. Dr. D. was fi'oni Connecticut formerly; came
fi'om Oneida county, this state, to the crossroads about 1814.
He practiced but a few years, leaving the profession for the
less laborious business of selling drugs, opening the first drug
stove 2A ih.e crossroads some time previous to 1818. He was
for some time surgeon in the IT. S. army in the war of 1812.
He was the first postmaster of the Westfield }>ostoffice, estab
lished in 1818 He lived in Westfield but a few years,
removing to Illinois where he died.

Dr Silas Sj^encer — W^as a native of Connecticut but came
to the crossroads fi-om St. Lawrence county. X. Y.. in the fall
of 1817. He was a man of ability and very soon obtained a
good re})utation as a practitioner, and after the removal of Dr.
Simons in 1820 was the only pliysician in the old town of
Portland for three years and did an extensive practice. Many
of tlie older citizens of the present town of Portland often refer
to T)r. Si)encer a d his arduous, self-sacrificing labors among
the comparatively few settlers in town. He is still liA-ing at
Westfield in the enjoyment of a green old age. (ilay. 1873.)

Dr. Marchis Simons. — Dr. Simons was a native of Massachu-
setts, but in early life emigrated to Chenango coTinty. N. Y.
He studied medicine firstly in Norwich, tliat connty, afterward
with Dr. Valentine Mott in New Yx^rk city and a. tended
lectures there. He came to this coimty and settled in
Westfield in 1816. In 1820 he removed to Forestville. in
1 82- to Lodi, now Gowanda, but returned the same year to
Forestville. In 1S36 he removed to Buftalo. in 1838 to
Fredonia. in 1845 to Silver Creek and in February, 1849. ti-
Droctrm. While li-^dng at Westfield he built the first bricl^
house built in the county. He was one of the eai'ly pi'actitioners

:^00 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

ill tlie present town of Portland. A coteraporary says of him :
•'He was a man of good talents and acquirements and a good
practitioner of medicine." He was an esteemed citizen. He
died at Brocton April 6, 1 865.

Dr. Carlton Jones. — Dr. Jones came to Westfield abont
1823. He did less business in the present town of Port-
land than Dr Spencer, but was a man of skill, particularly
in surgical practice : and became eminent in the treatment of
inflamed eyes. He died in that place a few years since. His
widow and one son still live in Westfield.

Dr. Daniel Ingalls — Came to Portland fi'om Springville.
Erie county. N. Y., in 1824. lie was the first physician set-
tling in the present town He had a large practice and
became wealthy, but eventually failed, a victim of the specu-
latioii mania of 1836 and '37. He was a man of good skill in
his profession. [See Biog. Sketches.]

Dr. Silas Pomeroy. — Dr. Pomeroy came to Portland in
1S28, and settled on a part of lot 40, T. 5. He was what was
teixned a Botanic Physician, and was successful in the treat-
ment of chronic diseases. [See Biog. Sketches.]

Dr. Aaron Wilhtir.-^Y)Y. Wilbur came to Poitland fi-om
Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1828 ; and for many years occupied
the Price farm, now o^vned and occupied by Edward McGari-all.
Although a practitioner for many years in othei' parts of the
state, he never entered iipon the duties of a profession in
Portland. [See Biog. Sketches.]

Dr. James Ball. — Dr. Ball came to Portland fi'om xAlle-
gany county, N. Y., in the spring of 1S32. He at first
occupied a house standing on the j)remises now owned by
\Vm. H. Bell on lot 33, T. .5, afterward a house now
owned and occupied by Mrs. Salome Martin at Centerville ;
moving to Salem X Roads about 1835. In 1841 or '42 he
removed to Michigan, where he died a lew years later. He
was a man of average skill in his profession, and is often referred
to by the early settlers.

Dr. Saxnders. — ^D)-. Saunders came to Portland about

THE TOWK Ol' PORTI,A_NI). 201

1887, and for some time occupied the house on Main Ht.
Brocton, now owned by J. H. Haight. He remained in
town but a tew years. removiniTj eventually to some
point in Massachusetts. Although capable, he did not suc-
ceed well in his piofession. Very little, definitely, seems to
be remembered of him.

Dr. Swartwood. — Dr. S. came to Portland hi 1839, and set
tied at Centerville. He taught a select school in that village
in the winter of 183i)-'40. Not receiving patronage as he
expected, he left town within a year. "Whence he came or
whither he went" is not now remembered.

Dr. Barnes — Came to Portland about 1842 or '43 ;

and for a few months occui)ied a house standing where the
store of R A. Hall now stands in Brocton. He stayed less
than a year, leaving for "parts unknown.'

Dr. — Marcum — Came to Portland about 1841. He was
a practitioner of the Botanic system of medicine as then
understood, and was particularly successful in the treatment
of chronic diseases. He was a man of good ablHty. bul
unsteady habits. He removed to the south part of the
coimty about 1847, where three or four years later. foi-
causes not understood, he committed suicide.

Dr. Daniel Henn. — Dr. Henii came to Portland from Cherry
Valley, this state, in 1838. He was a young man, and com
menced here the practice of I lis profession. He boarder!
at the hotel of J. E. Coney. Early in 183!> he removed
to Westfield, where he continued tiie duties of his profession
until death, some years since. He was aii ambitious, energetic
man and a good physician.

Dr. Wm. G. Wolcott. — Dr. Wolcott came to Portland from
Whitehall, Washington county, this state, in 1838. He lived
after his marriage in the house now owned and oc^uipied by
Mr. E. Kandall in Brocton. In 1845 he sold his property to
Dr. James A. Hall and removed to Westfield. this county: but
after one or two years returned to Wliitehall where he
died of constmiption a few years latei-. He was Allopathic

202 IIISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

in medical sentiment, but while living here adopted Homeo-
pathy. He was an excellent man.

Dr. Austin — Came to Portland in 1843 or'4. He was

a yomig man and commenced here the practice of medi-
cine. He had no family but boarded at the liotel of R.
Fitch. He stayed but a few months. For causes not known
he committed suicide at some point in the vicinity of James-
town in this comity.

Dr. tTaines A. Hall. — Dr. Hall was a son of Ahira Hall, an
early settler of the town of Portland. He studied medicine
with his uncle, Dr. Albina Hall, in the state of Maine ; attended
medical lectures at Bowdoin College at Bninswick, that state,
and after practicing in Maine for six years removed to Salem
X Roads in 1844 and continued his profession. In 1845 he
]nu'chased of Dr. W. G. Wolcott the house and lot in tliat
village now owned by E. Randall, but sold some years later
and purchased the house and lot on Main street now owned by
J. H. Haight, and still later the house now occupied by the
family. Dr. Hall was an active, energetic business man, a
good practitioner and an excellent citizen. He died at Brocton
April 8, 1866. [See war of 1861.]

Dr. Lemuel Clarh. — Dr. Clark was born in Harbor Creek,
Erie comity, Pa. He studied the botanic practice of medicine
and commenced the duties of the profession in Salem X Roads,
now Brocton, in the spring of 1845, occupying the house and
store now owned by J. E. White on the corner of Main and
South Division streets. He attended medical lectures in the
winter of 1849-50 at the E. M. Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio. He
afterward practiced at P'redonia, ]May\ille and Summerville, in
this covmty, and is now living on his farm in the town ot
Chautauqua. He was a successful practitioner and a good
citizen.

Dr. 7?ose.— -Dr. Rose was an eminent practitioner of

tlie botanic school, and came to Portland from Harbor Creek,
Pa., with Dr. L. Clark in 1845. Being advanced in years, he
did not engage in the active duties of the profession, doing

TIIK TOWN OK PORTI-AND. 203

but an office business. One or two years later he returned to
Harbor Creek. Few men of any school were endowed with a
better faculty for the successful practice of medicine than Dr.
Rose. He was a man of excellent qualities. He died many
years since.

Dr Tlio^nas Ciishing. — Dr. Cashing came to Portland from
Cazenovia, this state, in the winter of 1848-9. He attended
medical lectui'es at the Albany Medical College. He was a good
practitioner and succeeded well in his profession. He bought
and occuj)ied the hoiise in Brocton now ow^ied by D. T.
Taylor. Dr. Cushing removed to North East, Pa., in 185-
and after a few years to Orleans county, N. Y., where he still
resides.

Dr. Horace C. Taylor. — Dr. T. is a native of Franklin county,
Massachusetts. He commenced the study of medicine at
Fredonia, N. Y., in 1845: afterward studied at Salem X Roads,
now Brocton, and attended lectures at the Eclectic Medical
Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, classes of 1848 and '49. He
commenced the practice of the profession at Salem X Roads
in July, 1849. He has ever shared in a reasonable degree the
confidence of the people and is still engaged in the duties
of the profession. He occupies the property on East Main
street, Brocton, located by Hollis Fay in 1813.

Dr. ■ Mclntyre. — Dr. Mclntyre came into Portland in

185- firom . He pui-chased the house on South

Division street built by T. S. Moss some years since and
now owned by Mrs. 11. Kelley. He remained, however, but
two or three years, removing to Wisconsin in 18 5-.

Dr. 'William, Skinner. — Dr. Skinner was originally from
Chenango county, this state; came from Shennan, in this county,
to Portland in 1861. He was a cousin of Capt. Chester
.Skinner of Brocton. He was educated at Columbia College,
New York city, and was engaged in the practice of medicine
many years before coming to Western New York. He was a
man of fair talents lint infirm health. He died of eonsumi:)tion
in 1866.

204 lUSTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

Dr. Herman J. Dean. — Dr. D. is a native of Lockport. New
York, and completed his medical education at the Ohio Medical
College at Cincinnati. He commenced the pi-actice of the
profession in INIichigan but removed to Centerville, in this
town, in May, 1857. He is a man of good abilities and
succeeds vrell as a physician. He married Eda, a daughtei- of
Mr. Lincoln Fay, and now owns and occupies the premises in
Brocton so long owned and occupied by Capt. James Budlong.

Dr- Nathaniel H. Barnes — Came to Portland fi-om Michigan
in 186^ and for one year practiced in town, afterward
removing to Jamestown, this county. He is a member of
the Homeopathic school of practitioners. Dr. Barnes is also a
clergyman and some years since relinquished medical practice
for the pulpit.

Dr Thomafi C Wilson. — Dr. W. is a native of New York
city. He commenced the study of medicine at Stockton, in this
county, in 1866. He attended lectui-es at Bellevixe medical
college in New York city and commenced the practice of the
profession at Centerville. this town, in 1869. Dr. W. was foui-
vears in the U. S. army, war of 1861. He is a young man but
by perseverance cannot fail of success.

Note. — It was the iutention of tlie wTiter to give a short sketch of each clergymau
that at auy time marie Portland a home, in a manner similar to that of physicians,
but it has been found impossible to obtain the information necessary except in
comparatively few cases, and the effort is reluctantly abandoned. They have been
named however, as far as possible in connection with the churches to whicli they
belonged.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 205

CHAPTER XXXV.

Merchants.

The first store opened within the bounds of the present town
of Portland was by Thomas Khimph, a son of Aiignstus
Klumph, in 1817, on the farm now owned by Chester Mimson,
north part of lot 37, T. 5. It was kept in a small room in one
i'orner of his father's log house. Very few goods were kept
and these were mostly of the Yankee notion class. A corres-
pondent says that " a few yards of cloth, a handful of groceries,
tobacco and pipes comprised the stock mostly." A perambu-
lating German peddler might have carried away the whole
concern upon his back. Mrs. Samuel Munson says that the
first looking glass she ever owned she bought at this store. A
glass was a luxury in those days. This store was but a small
affair but was the first attempt at selling goods in town and
was often a convenience to the settlers. It was discontinued
after about two years.

The second store in town was opened in 1830 by Abial and
Frank Silver, in the west room of the house now owned and
occupied by Cullen Burr as a dwelling, south part of lot 34.
T. 5. The stock consisted of such goods as were usually found
in pioneer stores. A good trade was established here. In
1832 they sold to VVm. (Hirtis and K. Tinker. The Silvers
lemoved to Michigan. The store was kept by the new
proprietors until 1 834 when it was discontinued.

The first store opened in Brocton was by Dr. Daniel Ingalls
and Joseph Loekwood in 1830. The building is still standing

206

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

on the southeast corner and owned by J. E. Wliite and occupied
by C. O. Furman. In 1832 or '33 the property was sold to B.
F. Post, who also bought the goods belonging to Dr. Ingalls
and continued the trade for a few years later. Mr. Lockwood
removed liis portion of the goods to Centerville. Various
parties have since sold goods in the building- and among them
Chauncey Hulbnrt, H. A. S. Thompson, Thompson & ^Vhite,
Thompson & Wells and C. S. Ogden. A store was also opened
here in 1836 or '37 by a firm fi-om Rochester, but failing, the
goods were sold to Harmon Smith and the trade continued for
about one year later.

The north part of the hotel of D. Morey at Bro cton was
built in 1 835 for a store and dwelling. The east room was
used for the sale of goods by Samuel Hall and E. R. Southwick.
the owners of the building, for about one year, when the
building was sold and converted into a tavern. \^iSee Taverns.']

The building now owned and occupied by J. B. Haywood as
a store, on the northwest corner at Brocton, was built by E. E
Southwick in 1836 and occupied by him as a store. In 1837
it was sold and occupied by A. S. Moss and J. B. Fay as a
store. In 1839 it was purchased by Ransom S. Morrison and
occupied by him for the sale of goods to 1 840 ; by R. S. & O.
Morrison to 1845 ; by R. S. Morrison to 1846 : by Morrison &
Moss to 1858, and by R. S. Morrison to 1860. Various parties
have sold goods in this building since and among them Rufus
Haywood & James A. Hunt ; J. A. Hunt, C. O. & G. Furman ;
G. Furman & J. B. Haywood ; J. A. H. Skinner, and by the
]U'esent owner in 1866 to tlie present.

In 1844 H. A. S. Thompson opened a store in the room so
long occupied as a bar room in Ogden's building at Brocton.
but removed to the southeast, corner m 1848.

J. H. & W. L. Minton opened a store in Brocton in 1847 in
a buildmg standing west of the hardware store of R. A. Hall
and now occupied by G. W. Thompson, on the north side of
the street, as a market. They removed to the store now
occupied by C. S. Ogden in 1849. After 1852 it was continued

THE TO\\TSf OF POETl-ANI). 207

by W. L. IVIinton, by Minton & Richardson and by W. L.
IVIinton to 1863, when it was discontinued.

T. S. Moss & Mark Haight opened a store in Broeton in
1858 ; C. S. Ogden & J. A. Hnntiii 1866 : C. S. Ogden in 1867 :

D. Baker in 1867 : Baker & Furman in 1868 ; C. 0. Fm-man
in 1870; A. J. Mericle in 1867 ; Mark Haight in 1870; Moss
& Haight in 1871: E. Elmore, hardware, in 1864; Ehnore &
Thompson in 1866; Hall & Thompson in 1870; R. A. Hall &

E. C. Ball in 1870, and R. A. Hall in 1873.

Thomas Klumph was the pioneer merchant of Centerville as
he was of the town, opening a store in 1832 in the west room
of the house on Main street owned by R. D. Fuller and nearl}-
opposite the M. E. church. He continued the business until
the fall of 1837 when he removed west. This house was built
by two brothers by the name of Goodwin m 1831 and '32.

Joseph Lockwood opened a store at Centerville in a building
a few feet east of the tavern house now owned by R. D. Fuller,
in 1833. This building was afterward removed to the hollow
east of Centerville and some portions of it eventually foimd a
place in the house of George Couchman.

In 1835 Joseph Lockwood and David Somerman built the
store building on the southeast corner at Centerville now
occuiDied by the family of Asahel Peck, deceased, and occupied
it as a store for about one year, when the goods were bought
by Horace Lockwood and the trade continued for a year later.
Lockwood sold to Hannon Smith, who sold to A. Abrams.
S. C. Riley opened a store in 1 845 ; S. C. Riley & Amos Barton
in 1846 ; Amos Barton & Brother in 1850 ; Amos Barton in
1851 ; Curtis Wilbur in 1849; R. D. Fuller in 1850 ; P. Mericle
& S. C. Riley in 1855, followed by A. Andrews and others, as
— Griswold, F. Tower, P. Barber, Fuller & Townsend, Fuller
& Barnhart, Fuller, Mericle & Barnhart, A. J. Mericle, J.
Diinliam, T. Rolpli & Dodge. T. Rolph, I. Shattuck, Dr. T. C.
Wilson, di-ugs, E. T. Harris and some others.

Various small grocery establishments have existed at various
times but are hardly worthy of note.

208 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTEE XXXVI.

Fruit — Fruit-Growing aud Wiue-making.

Portland occupies the center of one of the most impoi"t-
ant fruit-growing regions of the state. Its whole
extent is well fitted for the growth of the apple, pear
and peach ; and all but a narrow strij) on the south and a
section in the southwest corner, admirably adajDted to the
cultivation of tlie grape and a large variety of the smaller
fruits. It stands prominent in the front rank of towns,
when considered with reference to the amount, variety
and quality of the fi'uit grown.

Capt James Dunns Orchard. — This was the first orchard
of any kind set in town. Early in the spring of 1807 Mi'.
Dunu visited his former home in Pennsylvania, and on
his return brought a small bundle of young apple trees
from two to three feet in length. To save them he wat-
ered them in the small streams by the way as often as
he watered his horse. Mrs. Dunn with her own hands set
the first of these young trees in the place where it now
stands, on the well known Dunn farm, and tradition has
it that in after years she gathered the first fiaiit grown
upon it, and the first of its kind matured in town. The
balance of the orchard, very nearly as now standing,
was set from those sprouts, and from trees grown from
seeds then planted by Mi*. Dunn.

David Batons Orchard. — In 1807 Mr. Eaton planted a
nui'sery from seeds brought fi'om his eai'ly home in Mas-

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 209

saehusetts. In 1809 he puvcliased one dozen young apple
trees and commenced an orchard around his dwelHng on
lot 37, T. 5. A few of these are still standing: but the
larger portion of the orchard as now seen was set from
trees grown from the seeds planted in 1807. That
year he planted pear seeds fi-ora which were grown trees
that thirteen years after produced their first fruit, the
hrst of the kind grown, not only in the present town,
but in the county. "David Eaton's Pears " were both a
novelty and a luxury. Four of these trees are still standing
and producing fruit. These pears were of three kinds,
the Harvest Bell, Harvest Pear and Madeline.

Elisha Fay's Orchard. — This orchard was set in part
Irom a nui'sery planted by Mr. Fay from seeds brought
by him fi-om Massachusetts in 1807, and in part from
one planted in 1813. Pear trees were also set, but few
ot them matured. This orchard is now owned by Geo.
Smith, and stands on lands first settled by IVIi-. Fay, part
of lot 25, T. 5. Ml'. Fay claims the honor of introducing
to Portland those standard varieties of apples, since
become so famous, the Iloxbury Russet, the R. I. Greening,
and Spitzenburg; also the Baldwin and Sopsovine a little
later, all fi'om Massachusetts.

In 1820, Inman & Timiey, two men out of town,
and largely interested in fruit growing, planted sev
eral nurseries on shares with landholders. Some of
these were well cared for, while others grew up a mass of
worthless sprouts. The one planted on the farm of
John Quigley a- as one of the latter. One planted on the
farm of Nathaniel Fay was one of the former, and fiunislied
trees for some of the best orchaixls in the countiy. In
1824 and '25. fruit trees of various kinds were largely
introduced from the nurseries of Wm. R. Prince of Long-
Island, tlu-ough his agent, Rev. Charles LaHatt. The
enthusiasm for nursery and fi'uit cultui'e. since so
})rominent in the life of Mr. Lincoln Fay. began to be

210 nrsTOKiCAL sketches op

manifest at this date. In liis communication Mr. Fay says :
"I read much on the subject, and introduced all the val-
uable varieties until I had tested one hundred and fifty
varieties of aj^ples, one hundi-ed of peaches, besides all the
other varieties adapted to a northern latitude. Most of
them were a total loss, not more than one in ten of all
tested have been propagated for sale." Mr. Fay has been
a life-long market fmiit-grower, has raised and sold trees
on a small scale for forty years, "twenty five thousand trees
being as many as he had growing at any one time." Of
the variety and quality of fruit grown by Mr. Fay and
also by all the principal fruit growers in town an estimate may
be formed fi'om the following extract fi'om the letter of
Mr. Fay: "I swept all the first premiums on fi'uit at the
first U. S. Pomological Fair at Buifalo. Twelve states were
represented. I really had, so said the judges, the best
selected varieties found in any lot fi-om any of the states,
and they Were obliged to award me the first premiums."
Mr. Fay is still engaged in fiaiit growing, and although
his nurseiy is on a limited scale, it is in fact, one of
the finest in western New York.

Elijah Fays Orchard — Was set from seeds planted in
1813. It was set in part in 1815 and in part in 1817.
The orchard was in bearing condition in 1821 ; seven-
teen and one-half bushels of apples being sold that
year to thirteen of the settlers, no one ventimng to
purchase more than two and a half bushels. A large
proportion of the trees in this orchard are still standing
and in bearing condition, in all about ten acres. Pears
were planted at the same time.

Nathaniel Fays Orchard. — The nursery of Mr. Fay was
planted fi'om seeds in 1815, on the farm located by him,
part of lot 12, T. 5, and largely increased in 1820. (See
EHsha Fay's orchard). He fiu'nished trees to settlers for
many years. The orchard upon the farm, nearly as now
seen, was set in 1820 or '21. A few trees were set before.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 211

Pear trees were set at the same time, some of which are still
hving.

The orchard about the residence of the writer was set by
Moses Sage in 1816. A few trees of the orchard of A. B.
Post, by Daniel Barnes in 1814. A part of the orchard
of Corington Barker in 1816. A few trees on the farm
of H. A. Blowers, by Thomas Khimph as early as 1812; and
a part of the orchard of Edward ' IVtcGarrall, by John Price
in 1812 or 13.

Orchards rapidly increased, and new varieties of fniit were
introduced, so that at the present the town in this par-
ticular stands second to none in Western New York. A
congenial soil and climate with proper manipulation have
made the apple crop one of the most important raised in
town, and large quantities are yearly sent to market,
mostly to New York, Boston or other cities. The variety is
large, but those relied upon for market are those already
named.

Cherries and Plums were introduced very soon after the
apple and pear, and are still grown extensively, and in their
season are largely sent to the oil territory of Pennsylvania.

Since 1855 Strawberries have been largely cultivated,
and have proved a soui'ce of large profit. Wilson's Seedling
is the variety principally cultivated and upon which reliance
is chiefly placed. Other varieties are largely cultivated,
but less extensively. The oil territory of Pennsylvania,
Buffalo and other eastern localities furnish a ready market.

Raspberries have been largely cultivated since about
1 860, and find a ready sale in various localities, principally
in the oil territory of Pennsylvania.

Peaches were first cultivated fi-om the pits, planted in
1807 by Captain Dunn and others. Veiy little effort was
necessaiy, the trees growing almost spontaneously and yielding
prolifically. The fiiiit was at first small and inferior in
quality, hwi was soon improved. It was usually the first
fiiiit raised, and the crop was seldom a faihire The writer

212 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

well remembers that as late as 1827 the yield was so
extensive that there was not even a nominal value in the
market and hogs were turned into the orchards to fatten.
Some of the earlier varieties were the Heath, Sergeant's Yel-
low, Early York, Kensington, Prince's Rareripe. These have
mostly given place to improved varieties, as Hale's Early.
Crawford's Early, and Hill's Chili. The Early York is still
a leading variety.

For some years the peach has been a very uncertain crop,
from a disease of the trees, called the Yellows. Of its nature
nothing is known. Its aiDproach is insidious, and as yet no
certain remedy has been found. It is, however, less preva
lent than formerly. Other causes doubtless have theii-
influence in rendering the crop uncertain, as the change in
the climate and the blasting winds of early spring. Not-
withstanding, there is seldom a year but some part of a
crop of this luscious fiTiit is gathered.

Fays Vineyard. — Dea. Elijah Fay has the honoi- of
introducing to our climate and town that incomparable
fruit, the grape. In 1818 he made an effort to introduce
the native Fox grape from Massachusetts, but was not suc-
cessful, the soil ])roducing large vines but little fruit. In 1822
he obtained a few roots of Miller's Borgimda, Sweetwater and
Hamburg varieties then ]»opular, but with no better sue
cess. In 1824 he introduced the Isabella and Catawba,
which proved to be well adapted to the soil and climate.
The vines of these two varieties, covering a plat of ground no
more than two by eight rods, were the only ones in town
for many years, with perhaps an exception of a few on two
or three farms or gardens. They were largely productive.
The first wine made by Dea. Fay, was from grapes grown in
1830. from five to eight gallons, and was the first made
from the cultivated grape in western or even central New
York. Each year an addition was made until 1859. when the
wine house of Fay. Ryckman & Haywood was built and put
in operation. Until the winter of 1872-3 the old stocks of

THE TOWN OV I'OKXr.ANI). 213

these pioneer vines were strong and healthy, and each year
sent forth a vigorous growth and have tailed but twice of a
crop of fruit since their first one in 1825. One of them
had been trained a distance »>f one hundred and ten feet,
and in 1871 yielded one hundred and sixty pounds of fruit.
The severity of tlie jjast winter, l872-'3, materially injiu'ed
them and they are in ])art removed. The tamily have still a
fcAV gallons of the vintage of 1 847. Probably three hundi'ed
gallons per year were made by Mi\ Fay for the last foui*
years of his life. His cellars contained one thousand five hun-
dred gallons at the time of his death.

Wine House of Foi/, Rychman & Haywood — Was built in
1859 by Joseph B. Fay, Garrett E. Kyckman and llufus
Haywood on gromid obtained of Dea. E. Fay at Broctou,
consisting of a wooden structure one and one-half stories high,
80x50 feet on the ground, and with a double cellar, one
beneath the other, of ten feet each in height. Facilities for
the successful manufacture of wine were at once introduced
and 2,000 gallons made the same fall. The success of Dea. Fay
in the manufacture of wine had given an imj^etus to the
cultxu"e of the grape, and at that date twenty acres would be a
fair estimate of the area set and in bearing condition. Not
imtil a few years later was it supposed that the heavy clay soil
of the lake country or the shaley soil of the '■ side hill " was at
all adapted to the culture of the grape and thus fai' it had been
confined to the gravelly belt. The increase of fruit enabled
the company to increase their manufacture from year to year
and in 18G5 the amount was 16,000 gallons. Tlieir wines
found a ready sale and from their excellent quality laid the
foundation of the popularity of the present wine house of
Kyckman, Day Sz Co. Mr. Fay retired from the firm in June,
1862, Ryckman & Hayw^ood continumg the business itntil
I860. Their cellars had a storage capacity of 3O.o<i0 gallons.
The expense of the concern, exclusive of storage, was $2,400.

Lahe Shore Wine Compmiy. — The establishment of the
wine house of Fay, Ryckman &, Haywood gave a strong

214 IHSTOEICAL SKETCHES OF

iinpeti;s to the planting of vines and at the close of the war of
1861, when the minds of the inhabitants were relieved of the
strain of anxiety consequent upon the war, the impulsiveness
of the American character became strangely manifest in the
avidity with which the people seized uj)on the idea of large
profits and great and sudden wealth in the cultiu-e of the
grape. The fact of the adaptability of the heavier lands of the
town for grape culture had been demonstrated and vineyards
of from one-half to two acres or more were set on nearly every
farm and a plat of cuttings for new vines became a necessity.
At the close of 1864 there were at least 400 acres of vines in
tovni. The profits and fortunes of the speculation mania of
1836 and '37 bid fair to become manifest on a small scale on
every hand, so strangely the spirit of speculation runs riot in
men when the balance wheel of cool calculation has lost its
influence or been overcome by the force of impulse. During
this state of things, in the spring of 1865, a jDroject was started
at Brocton for building a wine house of more extended
proportions and still further encoiu'aging the growth of the
grape. With very little difliculty a company was formed with
a capital of $100,000 fully subscribed nnd fifty jyer cent. j)aid
in, which went into operation April 1, 1865, with Timothy
Judson president, J. B. Fay secretary and Albert Haywood
superintendent. By jDrevious agreement the comjiany ]diu--
chased the stock of 17,000 gallons of wine of Ryckman &
Haywood and their entire wine interest, real and otherwise, for
$38,000. The present wine liouse of Ryckman, Day & Co. was
built the same season by the company at a cost of $6,500,
consisting of a brick structiu'e 40 feet by 70, two stories high
of ten feet each and a cellar to compare with the old one. It
was supplied with all the modern conveniences for an estab-
lishment of the kind, but from a series of mismanagements
and a strange fatuity the enterprise did not seem to prosper.
The comjDany became involved, a general derangement of its
aifairs occui'red and stockholders became disheartened. At
this juncture two prominent stockholders, G. E. Ryckman and

THE TOWN OF PORTI..VKI). 215

R. B. Da}', who held the paper of the company for large
amoimts, commenced j)roceeding8 for collection, and on Jiuie 2.
1868, sold the entu-e personal property' of the company, much
of which was purchased by themselves, and in June, 1869, to
satisfy a balance yet due, sold the real estate, which they also
purchased for the remaining indebtedness of the company.
Thus tenninated an entei-prise that ought to have been a
success. The same inflated ideas of large profits and sj)eedy
wealth were carried into the purcliase of grapes and the manage-
ment of the manufactui'e that existed at an earlier date in
regard to \due culture, and the result was but a natural finale
of such a coiu'se.

Wine Souse of Hyckman, Lay S Co: — This firm commenced
business the first of Jtme, 1868. The wine jDurchased at the
sale of the Lake Shore Wine Company's j)roperty was 24,000
gallons. The storage capacity was but 40,000 at that date.
It is at this date (1872) 90,000 gallons. The storage capacity
of the cellars is 120,000 gallons. In 1870 about 200 tons of
grapes were manufactured and a like number in 1871.
IVIr. Ryckman fiu-nished 30 tons, 100 to 125 tons were
fuinished by the ^^neyards of town and the balance tVom other
towns and fiom northern Ohio and central New "ixjrk. In
1870, 45,000 gallons of \nne were made and in 1871, 42,000.
The varieties of grapes used were Catawba, Isabella, Concord.
Clinton, lona, Delaware ; the larger proportion were of Isabella
and Catawba. They have now in their cellars about 85,000
gallons. Energy and judicious expenditure of capital has
placed the business of the company on a lii'm footing, the
enteiprise lias become one of lai-ge profit to the firm, and their
■wines now rank equal if not superior to those of other wine
houses in western or central New York. Champagne is also
largelj^ manufactured. A brandy distillery is also attached to
the establishment but is not in operation.

Empire Vineyards. — The vineyards of Ralph D. Fuller, of
Portland Center, were commenced in 1862, increased to six
acres by 1867 and now consist of twelve acres. The fruit was

216 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

sent to market until 1867 when the manufactui'e of wine was
commenced, 200 gallons being made that year. In 1871
10,000 gallons vv^ere manufactured, and at this writing (1873)
he has in his cellars 14,000 gallons. The varieties of grapes
grown ai'e Isabella, Catawba, Clinton, Delaware and Concord,
the first in excess of the otliers. These wines find a ready
sale in every locality where known. Mr. Fuller occupies the
cellars of the tavern house built by J. li. Coney in 1834. This
wine house is but an instance of individual enterprise in this
direction and is a credit to the business energies of the
proprietor.

Wine House of Thomas Quigley. — The raising of grapes for
market was commenced by Mr. Quigley in 1858. The first
wine made by him (20 to 30 gallons) was in 1863. The
amount made in 1871 was 3,000 gallons. He occupies cellars
imder his own residence in the west part of Centerville. This
is but another instance of enterprise in this direction among
the citizens of town. A few others have occasionally made
from ten to three or four hundred gallons, but only as a
necessity fi'om the low price of fruit.

The number of acres now (1873) set to grapes in town is
about 600. From the low price of the fruit possibly a hundred
acres have been torn ui^ the present season.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.

217

CHAPTER XXX YI I.

Railroads — Bwftalo & Erie Railroad.

Mayvilh tC' Portlarul Maihoad. — The act incorporat-
ing- a companj- for the construction of this road was
passed Marcli 29. 1832. with a capital of $150,000. The
incorporators, names were ''Wm. Peacock and those that
shall subscribe to the capital stock." The commissioners
named to secure subscriptions to the stock, were : Wm.
Peacock, Martin Prendergast, T. B. Cam})bell, James McClurg,
E. L. I'inker, Gilbert Knapp. The extent of the charter
was tifty years, and eight years were allowed for construc-
tion. The intention was to construct a road from I'oi't-
land Harbor on Lake Erie to Mayville. or to (%autauqua
Lake near ^layville. From various causes the design was
never carried out. It is quite probable that some portion
of the present town of Portland would have been crossed
in the construction.

The special act chartering the B. & E. R. R. Company
was passed April 14. 1832. The road was expected to unite
the city of Buftalo. this state, and the borough of Erie. Penn-
sylvania. The company was allowed four years to commence
the work and ten in which to complete it. Tlie charter
extended fifty years. The capital stock was $(550,000. A
I'oute was surveyed and located nearly the entire lengtli
in tliis state, sixty -eight miles, but nothing further was done.
The stock was taken, but from disagreement in regard to
route at certain points, tlie four years wer*.' allowed iu

218 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

expire, and the enterjirise failed. The route through Port-
land was south of the present road, at Brocton Station
from twenty to thirty rods.

Fredonia t£- VanBuren Railroad. — During the sj^ecu-
lation mania of 1836-37, when the city of VanBiu-eii, situated
partly in Portland and partly in the town of Pomfret, was rapidly
coming into existence, it was proposed to construct a rail-
road from Fi'edonia to that place ; and a companj' was
formed for that purpose, May 21, 1836, with a capital of
$12,000. Before operations Avere conunenced, the inevitable
collapse consequent upon the excessive inflation of busi-
ness and prices came on, the ephemeral city subsided and
nothing further with reference to the road was done.

Dunkirk <& State Lhie Railroad. — After the location of
the B. & S. L. R. R. by way of Fredonia in 1849, a project
«'^as formed for building a railroad from Dunkirk to the state
line of Pennsylvania, nearest .the borough of Erie. This
was to be virtually a continuation of the N. Y. «fc Eiie
Railroad. A company was organized April 15, 1850, with a
capital of $500,000. Nothing further was done, the object
for which the iH'oject was originated — the diversion of the
B. & S. L. road from the route by way of Fredonia to one
by way of Dmikirk, being accomplished. The gauge was
designed to be the same as th<^ N. Y tfc E., and the same
as the E. & X. E. R. R., then in process of construction.
[See B. & E. R R.]

Lake Shore ck MieMgan Southern Railroad. — This great
thoroughfare passes through the town of Portland nearly par-
allel with the shore of Lake Erie, and at an average dis-
tance from it of one and a half miles, and across lots 7, 6, 1 5,
li, 21, 27, 26, 32, 31, 35, 31, 39, 38, 41, T. 5, R. 13 ; a distance
of seven miles and sixty-two and one one-hundredth rods.
The average cost of construction tlirotigh town was $33,000
j)er mile. The road from Buffalo to the Pennsylvania state
line was constructed by a company formed June 6th, 1849,
under the name of the B. <fc S. L. R. R. company. The

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 219

ronte was first located by way of Fredonia, and passed
through Portland from fifteen to twenty rods south of the
l)resent line at Brocton Station. By a subsequent act of
the company the route was changed to one passing
tliroiigh Dunkii'k. The road was constructed on this route
in 1850 and '51, the first train passing over it from Dunkirk
to near the state line January 1st, 1852, and from Buffalo
to Dunkirk on the 25th of February following. The
Erie & North East R. R. was purchased by this company
under the act of April 18th, 1857, and the road oper-
ated under the name of the B. & E. R. R. The three rail-
road companies between Erie and Chicago were consolid-
ated imder the name of the Lake Shore & IMichigan Southern
Railroad company, the last act taking effect in May 1860.
In August following the B. & E. R. R. was consolidated
with the last and under its name, making a continuous line of
railway five hundred and forty miles in length. An addi-
tional track was laid during the fall of 1872.

Portland Station at Portland Center was located on
west part of lot 26, T. 5. Buildings were erected in 1852.
Brocton Station was .located on the west part of lot 14, T.
5. To secure this the citizens conveyed water in wooden
pipes a distance of one mile nearly, for the use of the
company, at a cost of about $600. Of this sum $500 was
afterward refunded by the comj)any. Brocton Station was
discontinued in the fall of 1867, and the one at Port-
land a few months later. The present station is named
Brocton, and was located on part of lot 21, T. 5, in 1867, and
the buildings erected in the fall of that year. The real
estate oT\^led by the company in town is one hinidred and
ten acres. The assessors' valuation of railroad property for
the year 1871 was as follows : Real estate $3,500 ; Super-
stractiu-e of road $75,000 ; embankments and culverts,
$45,000: buildings at Brocton $5,000, and at Portland
$1,000. Tax paid on this valuation aside from school
district taxes, in 1871 was $1,887.02.

220 HISTORICAL, SKETCHES OF

At a meeting of the assessors of towns along the line of the
road in the coimty, held on the 28th of June 1873. it was
resolved that all property of the road except land and
buildings be assessed at a uniform rate throughout the
county and that the superstructure be assessed at ,1540,000 per
mile for double tra»>,k. For the towai of Portland this is douV)le
the amoiuit heretoj'ore assessed. Brocton Station is at the
terminus of the B. C. & P. E. R. Nearly 36,000 passengers
were carried fi-om this station by the L. S. K. R. diu'ing
the year 1872: ov^er 33,000 going eastward. The fare col-
lected for this traffic was about $38,500. Freight received,
forwarded or delivered dm'ing the same period was in
round numbers 190.000,000 pounds: and the revenue for
this service was nearly $3o,000.

Buffalo, Carry ct Pittsburgh Railroad. — This road was
chartered under the name of the Buffalo ik Oil Creek Cross
Cut Mailroad. The articles of association were tiled July 19,
1865. At a later date the name was changed to the B., C. &
P. R. R. It is 43.20 miles in length and connects the city of
Corry. Peimsylvania, with Brocton, in the town of Poitland,
where it forms a jimetion with the L. S- & M. S. R. R. That
portion of the road in the state of New York is 37.20 miles in
length and terminates at the state line in the town of Clymer,
on lot 49. The company ]:)iiilding from this point to Corr}-
was chartered by the legislature of Pennsylvania aiid the two
were consolidated Apiil 24, 1867. A route was sui'veyed and
located in 1865 passing fi-om Brocton station across lots 21.
20, 26. 25, 10. 13. 12. 18, 24, 23, 28. T. 5. and 40, 48. 47. 54.
53, 61. 52. T. 4, R. 13. The capital stock of the company was
$1,000,000. to which the citizens of Brocton and vicinity
subscribed $25,000 on condition that the road terminate in
Portland. The average cost of the road through toAvn was
$33,000 per mile. To facilitate the building of the road those
interested within the comity procured the enactment of a \vL\y
April 7. 1866. authorizing the bonding of towTis along the
roiite under certain restrictions, and directing the super-sisov

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 221

to disp(^se of such bonds or any part of them, when obtained,
on such terms as he shall deem most advantageous to the town
but not less than par, and invest the proceeds in stock of the
B. & O. C. C. C. R. R. Co. for the construction of the road
and for necessary outiit, and receive a certificate of stock for
the same. Under the provisions of the statute a vote of the
town of Portland was obtained authorizing the bonding of the
town for $20,000. lionds were issued for the amount by the
supei-visor, J. B. Fay, bearing date July 24, 1866, with a tenure
of 30 years at 7 per cent. They were at once sold to the
following parties :- T. S. Moss and Moss & Haight, $10,000 ;
U. S. Ladue, $5,000; E. Elmore. $5,000, and the proceeds
invested as directed by the statute. This transaction was one
wherein the town loaned its credit to the company for a
specified object, receiving stock as seciuity. By agreement
the interest on the bonds was paid by the company for three
years, but on the fourtli year was refimded by the town. \_jSee
Session Lims 1866, Chajx 430, P. 957.] The right of way
through the town was guaranteed by 44 citizens of Brocton and
vicinity, but on the issuing of the town bonds that guaranty
was relinquished, the company assuming the responsibility,
which gradually rose from $4,000 to $11,000. A respectable
portion of the citizens were opposed to bonding the town for
the purpose named, raised the question of legality and
threatened an appeal to the courts. The legislature was again
appealed to and an act was passed April 2, 1867, declaring the
bonds legal and binding upon the towns issuing them. The
load was placed in nmning order in 1866 and the feasibility of
the enterprise at once made manifest l)y the amount of business
transacted. The number of passengers passing over the road
in 1871, which year is a fair, average, was 89,344. The I'evenue
for this service was $82,754.52. The amount of fi-eight for
the same term was 96 659 tons, and the amount of revenue for
this service was $159,635.68. The receipts for mail and express
service M^ere $6,577.23, and for miscellaneous service $474.78,
making a total of $249,442.21 for the year. Prospect Station

222 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

is the only one located on this road in town. It is situated on
lot 53, T. 4, at a point familiarly known as "Fish & Banies'."
A postoffice was established here soon after the road was
opened with Alpha Barnes as postmaster. For various
reasons, and especially the large debt incurred in building the
road which they were compelled to carry, some time in 1872
the company failed to meet their obligations to the Dondholders
and the employes, and on apjilication of some of the former it
was placed in bankruptcy. After due course of law the road
was sold to the bondholders and by them to the Allegheny
Valley R. R. Co., by whom it is now owned and run.

THE TOWX OF PORTLAND. 228

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Slavery- — Political Status of the Town — Tables of Valuation, Taxes, Productious,
Poijulation, &c.

Slavery. — It is i)robably known to but few. comparatively,
that the state of New York was formerly a slave state. Such,
however, was the fact, but the e\'il existed in but a mild foim.
Before the K evolution there was a slave market in Wall street,
New York city, where the "bulls" and "•bears'" now congregate
to speculate in gold and stocks instead of human flesh and
blood. It was forty years after the Revolution before the last
slave was free. The soil of the present town of Portland was
never cursed by the toil of the bondman, but like other portions
of the state it was no asylum for the slave. The law of March
31. 1817, passed by the legislatiu-e of the state, declared a
gradual abolition of slavery and its, final extinction by limita-
tion. At tlie time of the enactment of that law there were
eight slaves within the county of Chautauqua, belonging to
masters who resided here. But this stain has long since been
obliterated and not a vestige remains within the state. The
following is on record in the tow7i book of the old town of
Chautauqua, the only word tlie writer has foimd wherein
property seems to have been recognized in human beings :
Certificate of Slave Born in Chautaiique County: —

I, IMatthew Prendergast, one of the judges in and for the
coimty of (.>hauta\ique, do certify that on the sixteenth day of
February last past was born unto me a black boy slave by the
name of Jonas. John Dexter,

This 22d September, 1816. Town Clerk.

224 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF

Certificate of Freedom : —

Chatjtauque, Api-il 14, 1814.

To Whom it May Concern : — This may certify that William
Harris, of the county and town above mentioned, aged forty-
seven years, about five feet seven inches high, of black
complexion, born in the State of Ehode Island, town of
Scituate, of fi'ee parents, hath made before me such proof of his
freedom as to the pretence of any person to the contrary
notwithstanding. Given under my hand,

Matthew Pkendekgast,
One of the judges of the court of common pleas in said county.

John I^extee, Town Clerk.

Political Status of the town of Portland. — The political
complexion of the to\vn has been pretty unifomily Clintonian,
whig and republican respectively, since 181(). Cu-cumstances
have occasionally changed this, but the following statement of
the vote for governor of the state and president of the
United States "vill indicate the sentiment of the to"wn since
that date. The old town of Portland was erected in 1813. but
did not vote for governor before the erection of Ripley. The
reader is referred to these statements as furnishing all that is
practicable.

Vote of the Town of Portland for Governor — 1816 to 1872.

Tbe * indicates Clintonian, whig and republican; t, bucktail and democrat; %.
abolitionist ; g, freesoil ; II, knownothing ; U.. Union ; A. M., Anti-Mason.

1816.— Daniel D. Tompkins, 46 ; Rufus King, 32.
1 817.— DeW^itt Clint(m,* 29 : scattering, 1.
1820.— De Witt Clinton,* 26 : Daniel D. Tompkins,! 20.
1822.— Joseph C. Yates,t 195 ; scattering, 3.
1824.— De Witt Clinton,* 162 ; Samuel Young,t 68.
1826.— De Witt Clinton,* 185; Wm. B, Rochester,! 112.
1 828.— Martin Van Buren,! 108 : Smith Thompson,! 65 : Solo-
mon South wick, a. m., 174.
1830.— Francis Grange]-,* 178; Enos T. Throop,! 85.
1832. — Francis Granger,* 2l4 : Wm. L. Marcy,! 84.
1834.— Wm. H. Seward,* 226 ; Wm. L. Marcy,! 109.
1836.— Jesse Buell,! 189 : Wm. L. Marcy,! 124.
1838.— Wm. H. Seward,* 263 : Wm, L. Marcy,! 107.

rilK TOWT^ Ol'" I'OIITLANI). 225

1840.— Wm. H. Seward,* 290 ; Wm. C. Bouck,t 98 ; Gemtt

Sniith4 1.
1842.— Luther BradisL,* 248: Wm. C. Bouck,t 84; Alvan

Stewart, :j: 7.
184 k— Millard Fillmore,* 2(JU ; 8ilas Wright,! 101; Alvau

Stewart,! 51.
1846.— John Young.* 1!)5; Silas Wright,! 7<i ; Henry Brad

ley,! 50.
1848.— Hamilton Fish,* 2i9; Reuben H. Walworth,! 8H ; John

A. .Dix,§ 47.
1850. — Washington Hunt,* 228 ; Horatio Seymour,! 101.
1852. — Washington Hunt,* 275; Horatio Seymour,! 100:

Mintliorn Tompkins,! 22.
1854.— Daniel ITUman,! 299; Myi-on H. Clark,* 29 ; Horatio

Seymour,! 5 ; Greene C Bronson,! 4 ; Wm Goodell,! — .
1856. — John A. King,* 162 . Erastus Brooks,! 180 ; Amasa J.

Parker,! 41.

1858. — Edwin 1). Morgan,* 149; Amasa J. Parker,! 86; Lorenzo

Burroughs,! 60 : Gerritt Smith,! 5.
I860.— Edwin D. Morgan.* 216 ; Wm. Kelley,! 178 ; James T.

Bradley,! — .

1862. — James S. Wadsworth,* 190 ; Horatio Seymour,! 167.
1864.— Reuben E. Penton,* 264 ; Horatio Seymour,! 168.
1866.— Reuben E. Fenton,* 255; John T. Hoffman,! ^C^^>-
1868.— John A. Griswold,* 292 ; John T. Hoffman,! 165.
1870.— John T. Hoffman,! 134 ; Stewart L. Woodford,* 2^1.
1872.— John A. Dix,* 252 ; Francis Kernan,! 177.

Vote of the 2)resent Town of Portland for Presidents of the U. S.
1832. — Henry Clay,* 205 ; Andi-ew Jackson,! 84.
1836.— Henry Clay,* 187; Martin VanBuren,! 126.
1 840. — Wm. H. Harrison,* 309 ; Martin VanBiu-en,! 92 ; James

G. Birney,! 1.
1844. —Henry Clay.* 264; James K. Polk,! 102; James G.

Birney,! "^^-

226

HISTOKKML SKETCHES OF

1 848.— Zachary Taylor,* 209 ; Lewis Cass,t 87; Martin Van

Buren,§ 52.
1852.— Winfield 8cott,* 273; Franklin Pierce,! 104; John P.

Hale,! 28.
1856. — John C. Fremont,* 1G5 : James Buchanan,! 145:

Millard Fillmore, Cr 40.
1860. — Abraham Lincoln,* 22(5 ; Stephen A. Douglass,! — :

John C. Breckenridge,! 170 ; John Bell, U —.
1864.— Abraham Lincoln,* 259 ; Geo. B. McC'lellan,! 172.
1868.— Ulysses S. Grant,* 290 ; Horatio Seymour,! 167.
1 872.— Ulysses S. Grant,* 243 ; Horace Greeley,! 181.

Table showing the assessed valuation, the equalized valuation
and the equalized valuation per acre in town each jear from
1829 to 1871 inclusive. The number of assessed acres in town
is 20,510.

esessed
aluation.

o-'S

1 "tf •

ssessed
aluation,

a* c3

qualized
Br Acre.

H P.

1 <>

«>

« a

1829

^ 99,485
97,022

i 485
4.73

1851

$ 464,909
584,026

$ 627,126!$ 30.58
672,126! 32.77

1830

97,023

1852

1831

1853

527,122
554,046

684,053
679,053

33.34

1832

139,601

104,'934

'5.' 1*2

1854

33.10

1833

126,387

123,859

6.04

18.55

507,318

669,228

32.62

1834

130,509

150,390

7.33

1856

510,951

526,439

25.66

1835

139,400

157.903

7.70

1857

490.627

530,515

25.87

1836

172,422

272,423

13.28

1858

507,222

498,157

24.29

1837

207,460

19.5,911

9.55

18.59

503,301

497,252

24.24

1838

239,124

214,211

10.44

1860

506,338

492,9,55

24.04

1839

267,422

216,767

10.57

1861

50.'»,361

483,262

23.56

1840

259.701

220,746

10.76

1862

518,316

479,899

23.40

1841

259,691

225,344

10.99

1863

.527,136

478,679

23.34

1842

240,340

244,265

11.91

1864

525,197

490,165

23.90

1843

269,970

223,479

10.90

1865

549,583

.501,429

24.45

1844

263,849

220,516

10.75

1866 ■

.575,195

497,164

24.24

1845

255,930!

224.221!

10.93

1867

674,539

576,445

28. 1 1

1846

227,5781

224,2211

10.93

1868 :

691,011

576,445

28.11

1847

229,709

226,88li

11.06

1869 ;

682,603

612.816

29.88

1848

229,960;

227,881 i

11. n

1870 !

703,794

597.329

29.12

1749

230,7771

241,113:

11.76

1871 i

703,815

602,248

29.36

1850

233,948

268,430!

13.09

It is not possible to carry the table back of 1 829, as previous t,
to that date the town included a part of the present town of "

Till-: TOWN OF P0KT1>ANI).

227

Westfield, and previous to 1816 the whole of the present towns
of l*ortland, Westfield and Ripley after the organization as a
town in 1813. In earlier years, however, the board of
supervisors fixed the price per acre to be assessed on farm
l)roperty. In 1816 the to"wn was assessed as per resolution of
tlie board, for unimproved road lots, $2.75 per acre ; back lots,
$2.00 per acre: improved road lots, $8.00 per acre; back
improved lots, $5.75 per acre. This valuation was gradually
increased from year to year until it reached the sum of $99,48.5
in the aggregate for the year 1 829. In 1 821 the board raised
the assessment 2 per cent.: in 1822, 1 per cent.; in 1824,
$5,000: in 1826, 15 per cent.; in 1827, 3 per cent.

The personal property returned for taxation in town gradu
ally increased from $1,800 in 1820 to $70,027 in 1869. This
sum, however, fell off to $34,(526 in 1871.

The following statement will be of interest as showing the
difference between the assessed valuation on substantially the
same property in 1817 and 1871, with tax upon the same :

Owner iu 1817.

John R. Coney
David Eaton,....

Elijah Fay

Nathaniel Fay,.
Moses Joy,

Peter Kane,

A. Klutnph,

Zadoc Martin,..
Moses Sage,

James Wilder,.
Ahira Hall

■^ ;-( i -00

Owners in 1871.

100

117

169

200

137

100
56
65

155

90
66

« a

$943
1,161
1,583

1,280:
974

1 ^

: H

$3.71
4.57
6.22
5.03
3.831

jT. L. Harris,

Alfred Eaton,

The Family,

Franklin Fay

H. A.S.Thompson

IJ. L. Hatch and

I jChester Skinner,

799 5.11[Mrs. M.D. Leach,

362' 2.32 Chester Munson..

385 4.51 H.W. Thompson,

1,217 7.79 T.L.Harris, H.C.

Taylor and others
625 2.46N. pt. J.idsou Fa.
260 1.66Santord Martin,...

4,500
1,830
8,695
5,300
7,500

4,200
1,950
1,600
6,900

1,400
1,300

65.32
26.13
126.20
76.93
94.35

60.97
28.30
23.22
94.64

20.32
18.87

The above is not strictly correct owing to small pieces of
land being bought or sold, but it approximates the facts
sufficiently to show what was intended by it.

228

IIISTORICAX SKETCHES OF

The following table \\dll exhibit the amount of tax assessed
and paid by the town fi-om 1829 to 1 871, inclusive. It includes
all town expenses except collectors' fees :

"S & 1

«
^.E-

|«

$ 210.68

1H29

f 84.76

$ 26.37

$ 267.78

$ 592.49

18H0

194.27

84.76

96.79

875.35

750. 17

183]

265.61

169.51

21.05

526. 8h

983.06

l«.^2

175. 4U

193.77

84.71

563.82

1 007.7(1

1833

330 04

194.25

33.21

525.03

1,082.5:;

1834

148.8t.

194.25

197.37

697 06

1,237. 5-i

1835

219.04

190.25

61.85

769.8H

1,241.02

1836

213.39

190.25

128.86

729.79

1.262.2!!

1-37

126.94

231.98

26.32

835.17

1,220.41

1838

174.10

290.47

110,52

735.32

1,. 310.41

1839

271.9i

290.47

91,98

706.37

1,360.74

1840

299.88

301.00

66.31

733.27

1,400.46

1841

204.(19

2.= 4. 55

52.63

715.73

1,227 00

1842

177.9R

254.55

83.15

714.11

i,259'.i2

1.488.91

1843

109.40

249 45

849.02

1,23 3.31

1.441.18

1844

162.01

249 30

""46.'93

8(i9. 66

254.31

1,622.20

1845

186.96

241.83

26.31

758.18

I 36.99

1,349 47

1846

186 69

207.53

49.40

676.40

l.ll9.i)'J

184.

168 27

207,53

89.20

670 18

'""23'4"i6

1.369.34

1848

368.91

222.73

103.97

617.34

117.28

1.430.-^3

18A«

155.17

215.13

51.00

9S9.57

120.25

1,531.12

1850

168.25

215.13

123.51

892.89

137.12

1.536.90

1H51

202.34

.S42.41

126.99

879.91

326.32

1,877.90

1852

207.05

442.93

80.00

1,007.79

172 74

1.910,51

1853

210.81

453.52

150.00

975.91

713 86

2.661,09

1854

218 96

471.26

40.00

967.20

529. 3(,

2,226.iS

1855

?12.I3

447 71

1,249.67

876.41

2,786.97

1856

228.54

418.95

840 13

i 568 60

2,046.22

1857

229.15

439.12

901 52

i 1,293.3(1

2,855.16

185-

705.94

407.74

'""'50.60

1,071.74

1 951.38

3 l!i6,80

1859

496.27

390.71

70.00

1,026,87

1 911.16

2,895.51

18H0

287,98

360.99

150.00

896.44

i 1.607.39

3,331.80

18til

496.22

385.46

110.00

970.40

i 1.606. 1 (

3.568.1^

186-2

244.42

390.05

220.00

940.58

2,080.24

*4',2'oo".0(

8,075.29

1863

214.67

395.22

100.00

990.08

1 2,239.60

3,9.39.57

18H4

328.25

384.61

200.00

1,152.81

2,307.51

2'9*,2V8.'"'8

33,591.36

18K5

417. 6(

396.66

200.00

1.676.13

2,068.74

4,759.09

1866

315,24

399.80

200,00

1,706.70

•2.665.38

5.146,12

1867

380,71

748.21

250.00

2,894.09

3,920.06

i « i "ti

8,193.67

18(i8

l^oa-

1.X69

*6,433!96

"847.66

25b" 6<

3.132.96

2,'96(';!8("

l--«^

13,631.38

1870

*2,016.20

782. in

900.00

2.757.92

3,762.53

1' - _ t^

10,218.65

1»71

*2,084.24

XolA'l

1 2,050.01

2,692.46

3, 00 2 69

J OJ P

10.680.81

Rejected and returned taxes, a small item, are not included
in the above.

* Includes interest or railroad bonds.

THE TOWN OF POKTLA>rD. 229

The Population of the town at (liffei'ent periods since the
organization of the present town has been: In l8-'!0, 1,771 ;
1835, 2,181; 1840, 2,I8«): 1845, 1,966- 1850, 5,905: 1855.
1,936; I860, 1,984: 1865, 1,816; 1870, 1,887.

Population of Centerville in 1 872 was 233 ; ot Brocton, 308.

Sex., Civil Condition, <&c., of the population are shown by
the census of 1865 as follows :

Population, 1,887 (census 1870). Males, 8!)6; females. 991.
Single, 946 ; married, 783 ; widowers, 2-'5 ; widows, 64 ; others
not known. Voters, 462 ; natives, 424 ; natiualized, 38.
Foreign population, 182. No. of famihes, 409 (census 1870).
Owners of land, J 05. Over '1 1 years of age and not able to
read and wiite, 41 (census 1870).

Age and Sex of jjopulation Vjy census of 1 865 is shown as
follows :

Under 10 — males, 184; females, 195. 10 and under 20 —
males, 2V1 -, females, 20 1 . 20 and under 30 — males, 117:
females, 143. 30 and under 4(J — males, 112; females, 116.
40 and under 50 — males, 1 06 ; females, 1 08. 50 and under 60
— males, 78 ; females, 76. 60 and under 70 — males, 56 ; females,
49. 70 and under 80 — males, 24 ; females, 20. 80 and under
;»0 — males, 10 ; females. 9 Balance of population, ages not
kntjwn.

Places of Birth of the population of Portland according to
census of 1865 :

Chautauqua county, 948 ; other counties of this state, 436 :
Comiecticut, 36 ; Illinois, 3 ; Indiana, 3 ; Massachusetts, 44 :
Michigan, 5; Minnesota, 3; Maine, 1; New Hampshire, 19:
New Jersey, 2 ; Ohio, 15 ; Pennsylvania, 74 ; Rhode Island, S ;
Vermont, 50 ; Virginia, 2 : Wisconsin, 15 : Canada, 1 9 : Kng-
land, 45; France, 1 ; German states, 5; Ireland, 49; Scot-
land, 3 ; Sweden, 24 : balance unknown.

Dwellings in Town. — Census of 1865 shows that there were
4 stone dwellings, valued at JS^3,50() : 5 brick dwellings, valued
at $4,300: 362 frame dwellings, valued at *234,:^15; 2 log
houses, valued at $ 1 75 : 9 other dwellings valued at $f)60.

230 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

Total number given, 882 ; total value given, $242,950. There
are 32 dwellings the value of which is not given.

Agricultural and other Proch(cts-oi the town for the year
ending June 1, 1870, were valued and estimated as follows :
Assessed value of real estate, $703,798 ; cash, or real value of
real estate in tow^n, $2, 111, 394 ; personal property assessed,
$34,345; No. of horses, 460: No. of covins, 1,270; working
oxen, 44; young cattle, 689: No. of sheep, 1,789: No. of
swine, 467 ; value of all live stock in town, $157,325. Bushels
of wheat raised, 9,703: bushels of corn raised, 13,020; bushels
of oats raised, 25,328 ; bushels of barley raised. 4,196; bushels
of buckwheat raised, 130: bushels of peas raised, 15 ; bushels
of potatoes raised, 14,051 : pounds of wool clipped, 12,215.
Orchard products, in dollars, $23,695; wine made in gallons,
25,270 ; products of market garden, in dollars, $4,695 ; pounds
of butler made, 142,630: pounds of cheese made in families,
H,370 ; pounds of factory-made cheese, 22,001); gallons of
milk used in cheese factory, 27,500; ca}>itai invested in
cheese factory in dollars, $2,000 : value of clieese made in fac-
tory, $3,300. Tons of hay raised, 5,289 ; clover and hay seed
raised, in bushels, 58 ; pounds of maple sugar made, 2,500 ;
value of animals slaughtered or sold to be slaughtered, in
dollars, $27,227 ; total value of all farm products, including
betterments and additions to stock, in dollars, $234,545.

Till-: TOWN OK POliTI.AND. 231

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Towu Mtetiugs aud Special Electious.

Town Meetings of the Toum of Chautauqua were held, in

1 805, At the house of widow McHeury. at tht; ancient
ei'DSsroads, nov\' one mile west of the center of the i)resent
village of Westfield.

1806, Same as 1805.

1807, At Mrs. Perry's (Mrs. McHenry), same as 1806.

1808, At the house of Hezekiah Barker at " Caiiadaway
settlement," now Fredonia.

1809, At tlie house of John Scott, mn-keeper in the now
\'illage of Mayville.

1810, Same as 1809.

181 1, At the hoiise of Matthew B. Lawrie.

1812, House of John Scott. Same as 1809.

1813, Same as 1812.

On the erection of the towu of Portland town meetings were
held, in

I'^l^ At the house of Jonathan Cass in the now village of
Westtield, the house standing a little in the rear of the store
of H. J. iVIinton.

18^5, At the house of Mrs. Sarah Perry. Same as 1807.

181G. At the house of Martin Smith, house standing where
the house of Milton J. ^Muiison now stands, on lot 33, T. 5. E.
13; house built by Jeremiah Potter in 1812. the first frame
house built in the present town of Portland.

1817, At the house of Martin Smith. Same as 1816.

232 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

1818, At the house of Joseph Cass on the McKenzie farm,
part of lot 41 , T. 5. This year the present fi-ame dwelling was
built, but it is not known whether the town meeting was held
in this or in the old double log house aciross the way, in which
Mr. Cass lived two years.

1819, At the house of Joseph Cass. Same as 18 1 8.

1820, At the house of Joseph Cass. Same as 1 819.

1821, At the house of Perry (t. Ellsworth. Same as Joseph
Cass.

1822, At the house of Jonathan Boardwell. same as Joseph
( 'ass. on the McKenzie farm.

1823 and '24. Same as 1822.

1825, House of Lemon Averill. Same as Joseph Cass. [See
1 818.]

1826, House of Lemon Averill. Same as 1825.

1827, House of Moses Sage : house now owned and occupied
by J. N. Porter, east of Brocton. on part ot lot 1 3, T. 5.

1828, House of Henry Abell in the village of Westlield '•
house standing where the Brewer block now stands.

1829, At the house of Martin Coney in the present town of
Portland ; house now owned and occupied by (). Jerome
<Treene, on part of lot 34, T. 5.

1830, House of Martin Coney. Same as 1829.

1831, At the house of Andrew .Mathewson ; house standing
where the liouse of Wm. W. Pettit now stands, on central part
of lot 19, T. 5.

1832, At the house of John R. Coney; house standing upon
tlie " Coney fcu-m," northwest corner of lot 19, T. 5.

1 833, At the house of R. K. Barnes. Same as 1 829.

1834, At the house of Wm. Curtis ; house now occupied by
O. J. Greene. Same as 1833.

1 835, At the house of Jolm R. Coney, the tavern house built
by him at Portland Center in 1 834 on the northwest comer of
lot 25, T. 5.

From this date to the present (1873) the tovm meetings have
been uniformly held at the same place as in 1835. The fall

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 233

elections were held eacli year at the place of holding the town
meetings, according to tl\e provisions of the statute.
Special Ihinn Meetings have been held as follows :

1st, January 27, 1816, at the house of Mrs. Sarah Perry,
with reference to a division of the town. It was adjourned to
the house of Peri-j- G. Ellsworth. The vote was 4G in favoi-
and 51 against a <li\'isioM.

2d, May 12, 1818, at the house of Joseph Cass, for the
election of town officers failing to qualify.

3d. July 12, 1824, at the house of Jonathan Boardwell, for
the election of officers failing to qualify.

4:th. January 29, lSo3, at the liouse of R. K. Barnes, with
reference to the disposition of the poor finid. {See School

5th, May 2, 1836, at the house of J. W. Coney, for the
election of officers failing to qualify.

6th. May 6, 1839 ; same as 1836.

7th, May 19, 1846, at the house of J. R. Coney, with refer-
ence to the granting of licenses to sell intoxicating liquors.
[See act May 14. 1845.] Vote cast. 280. For license. 115;
opposed, 165.

8tli, May 1. 1847. at the house of J. R. Coney, with refer-
ence to granting of licenses, ms in 1846. ^\Tiole vote, 289. For
license. 160 ; opposed, 1 20.

9th. Ai>ril 10. 1851, at tlie house of C ileb Griswold, for the
election of town officers failing to qualify.

10th, March 8, 1804, at the house of S. C. Riley, wiih refer-
ence to tax for boiuity for veteran soldiers reenlisting — war of
1861. ISee Tfar o/" 1861.]

1 1 th, July 30. 1 864. at the office of Isaac Shattuck. with
reference to tax as bomity for those enlisting imder the call of
the president of July 18. 1804— war of 1861. \_See War of
1861.]

12th. January 7. 1865, at the house of S. C. Hiley, witli
reference to tax as bounty for vohxnteers under the call for

2'd-i HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

men made December 10, 1864 — war of 1861. \_'See War of
1861.]

Special General J^lectiontt have been held as follows :

1. A})ril 30, 1816, and two following days, for election of
member of the 1 4th congress. Y(jte cast as follows : Archibald
S. Clark, 44 : Daniel W. Lewis, 33.

•2. Jnne 19, 20. 21, 1821, for members of constitutional
convention, in accordance with act of March 13, 1821. Vote
cast as follows: Augustus Porter, 73; Samuel Riissell, 76:
Joseph AV. Moiilton. 21 : Philo Orton, 20 : Matthew Prender-
gast, I.

3. Held on the third Tuesday in January, 1822, and two
following <lays, with leference to the adoption of the new
constitution fiamed in 1821. Vote cast, 103. For, 102;
opposed. 1.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 235

CHAPTER XL.

Town Officers — Sui)crvisors.

1. John McMahan was the first supervisor of the old
town of Chautauqua, elected April 1805, and re-elected
in 1806 and 1807, and met with the board of Genesee

. county at Batavia. "He was the son of James, and bom
in Cliilisquaqua, Pennsylvania, about 1764. He came to
Chautauqua Creek in 1803, and purchased in the present
town of Westfield 22,014 acres of land, and erected mills
(.n the creek in 1804. He died at Mayville, September
22, 1831, aged 66 years."— [Hon. E. T. Foote.]

2. Arthur Bell — Was elected supervisor of Chautauqua
in April, 1808, and served with the Niagara county board
which met at Buffalo. "He was bona at Paxton, Dauphin
county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1753. He was a revolu-
tionary soldier. He was one of the founders of the first
Presbyterian church in the county. He died August 6,
1834, aged 81 years."— [Hon. E. T. Foote.]

3. Thomas Prenderyast — Was the fii-st sujDervisor of
the town of Chautauqua after its division, elected in 1809.
"He was the son of William, and bom in Pawling,
N. Y., September 14, 1758. He emigrated to the present
town of Ripley in 1806, where lie died June 3, 1842,
liged 84 years." He was the first supervisor of the ancient
town of Portland, elected in 1814. He was a patriarch on
the board, representing Ripley fi-om 1817 to 1S27 inclusive
excepting 1 826.— [Hon. E. T. Foote.]

236 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

4. Matthew Prendergast — Was supervisor of Chautauqua
in 1810 and 1811. "He was the eldest son of William,
and was born in PawHng, N. Y., and emigrated from Pitts -
town, N. Y., to Chautauqua in 1806. He was sixty years of
age when he came to this county." He was for some
years a judge of the comlt3^ He died at his residence on
the west side of Cliautauqua Lake, February' l'4. 1838, aged
83.— [Hon. E. T. Foote.]

5. Samuel Ayers — Was supervisor of Chautauqua in
1812. His residence was on the east side of Chautauqua
Lake. '"He was born at Killingw^orth, Connecticut, Nov-
ember 0th, 1769, and came to Chautauqua in 1808. He
removed to Mason county, Virginia, about 1825, where he
died August 29th, 1829."— [Hon. E. T. Foote.]

6. tTohn Scott — Was supervisor of Chautauq;aa in 1 813. "
"He was the son of William, and born in Taunton. Mass-
achusetts, January 1, 1770. He came to Canadaway settle-
ment in 1804, married Brilliant, a daughter of Dea. Orsa-
mus Holmes, and settled in Mayville in 1807. and opened
a public house. He removed fi'om Mayville in 1826, and
eventually settled* in Lee county, Illinois, where he died in

1 845."— [Hon. E. T. Foote.]

7. Thomas Prenderf/ast. — [See No. 3. ]

8. David Eaton — Was the second supervisor of the
ancient town of Portland, serving on the board for 1815
and for the second town of Portland for 1>^16 and 1817.
He was also a member from the present town for 1838.
'34, '35.— [See Biog. Sketches.]

9. Thomas B. Campbell — Is of Scotch descent. His
grandfather. Thomas, was born in Ai-jillshire, Scotland ; his
father in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and his mother
ill Bedford, same state. Judge Campbell was bom in
Alexandra, Grafton county, of that state. May 19th, 1788.
He came to the ancient crOvSS roads in March. '817, was
elected super\'isor in 1818. and for nine years in succession.
He was chairman of the board in 1820. "23. '24 and '25.

THE TOWN OF POBTI-AJND. 237

In his letter he says : ''I have been a resident of the
same homestead I now occupy fifty-five years, and there
.•ire but few of my former associates now remaining — some
have removed but many have died. I have lived to wit-
ness the contrast between the appearance and condition of
the county fifty five years ago, then almost a wilderness,
and now, one of the most prosperous and promising counties
of the Empire State."

10. Elis/ia Arnold — Was supervisor of the second town
of Portland foi' 1827 and 1828, and for the present
town for i8Jt), '31 and '32. Me was an active, efficient
member. — [See Biog. Sketches No. 2G1.]

I 1 . Nathaniel Fay — Was siipervisor for the year 1 83U.
He served his constituents well, and filled various posi-
tions in town tor many years. — [See Biog. Sketches.]

12. David Eaton. — [See No. 8, also Biog. Sketches.]

13. Asa Andrews — Was supervisor for 1836 and 1840.
He was an etticient officer. — [See Biog. Sketches.]

14. Timothy Judson — Was elected to nearly every
position in town, and to that of supervisor for the years
1837, '38, 39. '41, 42, '43, '4G, '47, '49. .52. '53, and 'o4. He
was chaii-man of the board in 1839, 1 852, 1853 aiid 1854.
[See Biog. Sketches.]

15. John R. Coney — Was elected supervisor of the
town for 1844, '45 and '51. He was a capable business
man. — [See Biog. Sketches.]

1(1 Rbenezer Harris — Was supervisor for the year 184s.
— [See Biog. Sketches.]

17. Asa Blood — Was supervisor of the town for 1 fS50.
He was the son of Comfort and Mary Morey Blood, and
was born in Vermont, April 8tli. 1808. He emigrated to
Mayville. in this county, in 1829, and to Portland in 1831.
and for thirty-five years lived on a farm near Portland Center,
part of lot 26. T. 5. He was an active business man and
large dealer in cattle. He now lives at WestHeM. this
oountv-

238 HISTOltlCAI, SKETCHES OK

18. Charles A. Marsh — Was suj)ervisor for the yeai'
1855, and was an efficient officer. He was the son of
Isaac and Polly Roby Marsh, and was born at Nashua, N.
H., and came with his family from Michigan io Portland in
June, 1836 ; settling with his father on northwest part of
lot 24, T. 5. By an accident some years since Mr. Marsh
became disabled, the motor nerves of his lower extremi-
ties became paralyzed, and he has since been unable to
walk. He now lives on his farm at Portland Center.

19. Darwin G. Goodrich — Was elected supervisor foi'
the years 1856 and 1858, and was an active, capable officer-
He was the son of Charles and Rebecca Brownell Goodrich,
and was born at Sinclairville, this county, December 25,
1824, and came with the family to Portland in 1835. He
was a dealer in wood and lumber. He now lives at Clermont,
Iowa, and is editor and publisher of a spirited weekly
paper at that place.

20. Halph D. Fuller — Was elected supervisor of the
town for the year 1857. He was the son of Ebenezer and
Hannah House Fuller, and was born in Cazenovia, this
state, Febmary 26, 1 820. He came to Portland in 1845. Mr.
Fuller is a merchant, and proprietor of the Empire Vineyards
at Portland Center.

21. Horace C. Taylor — Son of Bernice and Caroline Esta
brook Taylor, was born in Montague, Franklin county, Massa-
chusetts, November 26th, 1813. He came with his family t(>
Fredonia, this county, in the spring of 1827, and settled in
Portland in October, 1847. He was elected siipervisor of the
town for the years 1859, '61 and 62. He is a physician.
and has been in the practice of his i^rofession at I^rocton
since 1849. He was supervist)r during the first two years
of the war of 1861, and shared largely in the perplexing
duties of the position, with reference to raising men and
means to answer the calls of the government.

22. Gurdon M. Taylor — Was the son of Erastus and
Elizabeth Mathewson Taylor, and was born in Portland.

THK TOWN 01' r()RT[,ANI>. 239

May 10th, 1821. He was elected supei-visor in 18G0. He
was a man of sterling integrity and an esteemed citizen. He
was a farmer, and died March 4tli, 1861, on the farm settled by
his father in 1809.

23. Albert Hnywood — Son of Benjamin and Polly Sawyer
Haywood, was born in Jaffrey, Cheshire coimty, N. H., August
10th, 1825, and came to Portland from there in May, 1855.
He was elected supervisor for 1863 and '64, the last two
years of the war of 1861, when the duties of the office with
reference to raising men to till the quota of the town,
and money by taxation and otherwise, were jierplexing
and arduous, yet were acceptably discharged. Mr. Haywood
is a dealer in horses and cattle and resides in Fredonia.

24. Joseph B. Fay. — Mr. Fay for many years shared the
confidence of the people, and was often elected to office :
and for the years 1866 and '67 was a member of Assembly
from the first district of this comity. He was the son
of Elijah and Lucy Belknap Fay, and was born in Portland,
May 17th, 1817. He was elected supervisor for the years
1865 and 1866. Mr. Fay is a farmer and fi-uit grower, but a
year since sold his interest in town, and is now living at Toj^eka,
Kansas.

25. Alfred Eaton — Tlie son of David and Mercy Eaton,
was born in Portland, March 4th, 1815. He was elected
supervisor of the town for the years 1867 and '68, and dis-
charged the duties of the office acceptably. He is a farmer
and occupies the farm settled by his father in 1806. He was
elected a justice of the peace in 1869.

26. Joseph E. Harris — The son of Joshua and Clarissa
Scott Harris ; was born in the county of Windliani. Vermont,
oTuly 15th, 1809. He came to Portland in 1831. In some
capacity he served the town many years. He was elected
supervisor for the yaar 1869. Mr. Harris is a farmer and
occupies a portion of the land settled by Wm. Dunham in
1816.

27. Theodore S. Moss — Was elected supervisor for the

MO ■ HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

years 1870, '71, "72 and '73. He was the son of Edward
and Sally Sherwood Moss, and was born in Washington county,
this state, October 16th, 1822. He came from there to
Portland in 1839. He was elected a justice of the peace in

1 849. Mr. Moss was for many years a merchant, and now is
a member of the firm of Moss, Haight & Dmiham, bankers at
Brocton.

Town Clerks. — Town clerks of the town of Chautauqua,
county of Genesee: 1805, James Montgomery: 1806, James
Montgomery ; 1 807, John S. Bellows.

Of the town of Chautauqua and county of Chautauqua :
1808, John Scott: 1809, John Scott: 1810, Lazarus Caiy:
1811, Lazarus Cary ; 1812, John F. Cary: 1813, George McG.
Ogle.

Of the ancient town of Portland: 1814, Asa Hall; 1815.
Amos Atwater.

Of the second town of Portland : 1816, Jabez Hulburt :
1x17, Fenn Deming ; 1818, Fenn Deming ; 1819 to 1828.
David Eaton.

Of the present town of Portland : 1829-32, David Eaton,
1833-34, Timothy Judson ; 1835-43, John II. Coney ; 1844-45,
Asa Andrews; 1846-48. John R. Coney; 1849, Asa Audi'ews :

1850, Orlando Daily; 1851, Caleb Griswold : 1852, Asa
Andi-ews; 1853-56, Ralph D. Fuller; 1857, Wm. L. Minton ;
1858, H. J. Dean ; 1850, Isaac Shattuck ; 1860, R. D. Fuller:
1861, Isaac Shattuck; 1862-63, J. A. H. Skinner; 1864-65.
Isaac Shattuck; 1866, Thomas Rolph ; 1867, T. K. Bambrick.
1868, G. W. Marsh ; 1869, H. S. Woods ; 1870-73, T. C. Wilson.

'Justices of the Peace — Were appointed by the governoi-
and council of appointments until 1823, after which they
were appointed by the board of supeiwisors and judges of
the county until 1826, when they were made elective by
the people at the annual elections. The time of their
election was changed in 1829 to the time of holding town
meetings, the first Tuesday in April. In 1839 the time of
holding the town meetings was changed to the first

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 241

Tuesday in March; and again to the third Tuesday in
February in 1852.

Those appointed for the old town of Chautauqua county of
Genesee, were, in 180.5, Perry G. Ellsworth, David Kinkade and
Peter Kane; 1806, Perry G. Ellsworth, David Eason, and
•John McMahan : 1807 no appointments.

For the town of Chautauqua, county of Niag'ara : 1808.
John McMahan and Matthew Preudergast.

For the town of Portland from 1813 to 1823: 1813,
Jabez Hulbiwt; 1814, Guy Webster; 1815, Calvin Barnes;
181G, Calvin Barnes; 1818, Fenn Deming, T. B. Campbell;
1821, Fenn Deming, John House, Parsons Taylor, Lemon
Averill, Henry Mumford, Ahira Hall.

The whole number ap[)ointed for the territory of the
county up to 1823 was fifty-fom".

The writer searched diligently for a record of those appointed
by the judge and board of supervisors from 1823 to 1826 for
the town of Portland, but was able to iind but two, Henry
Mumford and Fenn Demmg, whose appointment bears date
February 19th, 1823. There are doubtless others, but then-
appointments are not now to be foxmd.

The first election of justices by the people was on the
5th of November, 1827; election at the house of Moses
Sage. This feature in elections was a novelty, and the vote
is given as a matter of curiosity. Thirteen candidates were
voted for. Elisha Ai'nold received 345 votes; Ahira Hall.
198; Wm. Dunn, 185; Harvey Newcomb, 179; David Mann.
172; Walter Mumford, 137; Samuel Hall, 119; G. W. Fowle.
39 ; David Eaton 1 ; Oliver Lee, 1 ; Parsons Taylor, 1 :
Lyman Redington. 1 ; John Mc\Vhorter, 1 .

The first foiu- named were declared elected, and classified
as follows : Elisha Aiuold held for 4 years : Harvey New-
comb for 3 years ; Wm. Dunn for 2 years, and Ahira Hall for
1 year. In 1828 Ahira Hall was I'eelected by a vote of 242,
against G. W. Fowle, 45 votes.

The first election of justices for the present town of Poii-

242

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

land was held on the second of November, 1829 and the
two following days. Foui- candidates were voted for although
))ut two were to be elected. David Eaton received 166
votes : Ebenezer Harris 1 43 ; Parsons Taylor 83, and Walter
Mumford 57 votes. David Eaton and Ebenezer Harris were
declared elected, and classified as follows : David Eaton to
hold for fom- years, and E. Harris for one year. The fol-
lowing is a list of those since elected. :

1830, Ebenezer Harris ; 1831, Elisha Arnold ; 1832, James
Aldrich ; 1833, Asa Andi-ews; 1834, Ebenezer Harris ; Timothy
Jiidson, vac. ; 1835, Samuel Hall; 1836, T. Judson; 1837, Z.
L. Goodsell ; 1838, Ebenezer Harris ; 1 839, Landais Lathrop :
184U, Z. L. Goodsell; 1841, Wm. Clark; 1842, Ebenezer Har-
ris; 1843, James Thompson ; 1844, Asa Andrews; 1845, T.
Judson ; 1846, Z. L. Goodsell ; 1 847, George Wells ; 1848,
Ebenezer Harris; 1849, T. S. Moss; 1850, J. S. West, Amos
Barton, vac.; 1851, T. Judson, and vac; 1852, Thomas Judd;
1853, T. S. Moss ; 1854, Amos Barton ; 1855, T. Judson; 1856,
J. S. West, and vac; 1857, T. S. Moss; 1858, Isaac Shattuck ;
1859, V. S. Ladue: 1860, J. L. Hatch; 1861, Rufus Haywood;
1862, Isaac Shattuck; 1863, U. S. Ladue; 1864, Edwin
Elmore; 1865, Thomas Flanders; 1866, J. G.Weld, and vac;
1867, Amos Barton; 1868, Edwin Elmore, U. S. Ladue, vac;
1869, Alfi-ed Eaton; 1870, H. S. Woods; 1871, J. A. H. Skin-
ner ; 1872, Edwin Elmore ; 1 873, U. S. Ladue.

Assessors. — Assessors have always been elective by the
people, and for one year <mly, until 1846 when they were
elected for three yeai's, one being elected each year, and
confined to three in number. Those elected for the old
town of Chautauqua, at the fu'st town meeting, 1805, were
James McMahan, Benj J^arrett, Wm. Alexander. The first
elected for the second town of Chautauqua, in 1808, were
David Eason, Alan son Weed, Wm. Alexander.

The first elected for the original town of Portland, in
1814, were Oliver Stetson, Jonathan Cass, David Eaton.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.

243

The first elected for tlie second town of Portland, in 1816,
were Elijah Fay, Reuben Slayton, Jonathan Harmon.

The first elected in the present town of Portland, in
1829, were Ebenezer Harris, Parsons Taylor, Hii-am Fish.

The first elected in 1 846, and classified, were as follows :
Hiram Fish to hold for one year : Daniel Webster for two
years, and M. P Vangaasbeek for three years.

Com?nissioners of Highvmys. — As in the case of assessors,
commissioners were elected but for a single year, until
the act of May lOth, 1845, when they were elected for
three years, and classified, one being ele.cted eacli yeai'
thereafter.

The fij'st elected for the old town of Chautauqua in 1805'
were Thomas McClintock, James Dunn, Ai'thur Bell.

The first elected for the second town of Chautauqua in
1808, were Alexander Cochran, Abijah Bennett, Matthew
Frendergast.

The fii'st elected for the old town of Portland, in 1814,
were John Post, Wm. Bell, and James Parker.

The first elected for the second town of Portland, in 1816,
were Jonathan Cass, Nathaniel Fay, David Eaton.

The first elected for the present town of Portland in 1829,
were John T. Mclntyre, John R. Coney, M. P Vangaasl^eek.

In 1866, luider act of December l4th, 1847, the town
voted to dispense with a board, and elect but a single com-
missioner, yearly ; and the first elected imder this arrange-
ment was Erastiis Deuison.

Collectors — Have always been elected yearly. The first
elected for the old town of Portland in 1814, was Samuel
Dickson.

The first elected for the second towoi oi Portland in
1816 was David B. Granger.

The first elected for the present town in 1829 was Asa
Andrews.

Inspectors of Elections. — The justices of the jDcace with
tlie town clerk of each town presided at general elections.

244 HISTORICAI, SKETCHES Or

as at town meetings, until 1843, since whieh inspectors
have been chosen by the people at their town meetings,
three being necessary ; two only upon the same ticket, the
highest upon an opposing ticket usually being appointed
by the board.

The first elected in town, in 1 843, were Ebenezer Harris
and WaiTen Couch : Zalmon L. Goodsell, appointed.

Common School Comm.lssioner. — By act of June 19, 1812-
this office was created, three being necessary to constitute a
board, and. were elected yearly. \_See Schools.']

The first elected for the old town of Portland (in 1814) were
Robert Dickson, Jabez Hulburt, David Eaton.

The first elected, fijr the second town of Poitland (m 1816)
were James Parker, Reuben Slayton, Ethan A. Fay.

The first elected for the present town (in 1820) were Aliira
Hall, Lemon Averill, "Walter Mumford.

By act of 1843 this office was abolished and that of town
superintendent created. David Eaton was appointed to the
office by the towni board until the next town election, in 1 844,
when Joseph Correll was elected and held the position fiar five
years in succession. This office was in turn abolished by act
of April 12, 1856, and that of school commissioner created.
\_See Schools.]

Inspectors of Common Schools. — This office was created by
the same act as that of commissioners of schools and was
abolished at the same time, 1843.

Those first elected for the old town of Portland (in 1814) were
Elijah Hayden. Amos Atwater, James Parker.

Those first elected for the second town of Portland (in 1816)
were David Eaton, Nathaniel Bird and Peter Kane.

Those first elected for the present town of Portland (in 1 829)
were Daniel Ingalls, Timothy Judson, David Eaton.

Constables. — The first elected for the old toAvn of Chautau
qua (in 1805) was John Lyons.

The first elected for the second town of Chautauqua (in

TFIK TOWN OK POBTI.AKI). 245

1808) were Daniel Cornwell, Hiigh AMiiteside, Alaiison Weed.

Those first elected for the old town of Portland were Samuel
Dickson, Asa Hall.

For the second town of Portland, in 1816, David B. Granger.

Those first elected for the present towTi of Portland (in
1829) were Asa Andrews, Oliver Coney.

Overseers of the Poor. — The first overseers elected for the
old towTi of Cliautauqua (in 1 805) were Zattu Gushing.
Abraham Frederick. IMi". Gushing declined and Orsaraus
Holmes was apj)ointed to fill the vacancy.

Those first elected for the second town of Chautauqua (in
1808) were Thomas Prendergast. Abijah Bennett.

Those first elected for the old town of Portland (in 1814)
were James Montgomery, John Brewer.

Those first elected for the second toMTi of Portland (in 1816)
were Low Minegar, John House.

Those first elected for the present town of Portland (in
1 829) were Gephas Brainard, Elijah Fay.

In the records of town meeting of 1 8 1 2 is the following :
'• Sun being down, adjoui'ned till the next morning, 6 o'clock.
Xext morning met agreeable to adjournment and proceeded to
business."

246 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER XLI.

War of 1812— Declaration of War— Call for Troops— The Response by the Coimty
and by the Town of Portland— The March to Buffalo and Lewiston— Battle of
QueenstowTi — Chautauqua Kegiment Engaged.

It is not designed to give an account of the causes of the
war of 1812. They long since passed into history and are
famihar to the most casual student. The particular scenes
in which the Chautauqua men were engaged will alone receive
attention. The war was formally declared June 18, 1812. At
that time the population of the whole county was not above
2,900, and that of the present town ol Portland, composed of
thirty-eight families, was not above two hundi-ed and fifty.
These thirty-eight families were located principally along and
near the south and Erie roads and the now town line road between
Portland and Westfield. On account of their scattered and
defenseless condition in the wilderness, the news of a declara-
tion of war was more than usually depressing, and during its
continuance they were subjected to numerous alarms that were
harrassing in the extreme. It is j^robable that an actual
invasion of tlie towoi would have produced no more of a
disturbance in the minds of the settlers than the continued
reports of the approach of the British and Indians, the burning
of houses and tlie flight or massacre of the inmates ; yet in no
section of the lilnion had the spirit of patriotism a deeper root.
A very few condemned the war, but the large body of
the settlers responded with promptness and enthusiasm to
the calls made upon them. "Early in June, 1812, Col,
John McMahan received an order fi'om Gov. Tomj)kins

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 247

to detach from his regiment a full company to consist of
one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants,
four corporals, one drummer, one fifer and one hundi'ed
privates. Col. McMahan immediately issued orders calling
the officers of the regiment together at Dunn's tavern in
the present town of Portland, on farm now owned by John
Dudley, and after an addi'ess read the order he had received
and expressed a hope that the Avhole number could be obtained
vnthout resorting to a draft. On calling for volunteers,
Capt. Jehial Moore, of Forestville, Lieutenant David Eaton, of
Portland, and Ensign Charles Biuritt, of Canadaway, now
Fredonia, offered themselves. Orders were then issued for
one battalion to meet at Mayville and the other at Canadaway
to ' beat up ' for vohmteers. Capt. Jehial Moore and Ensign
Burritt were to attend the meeting at Canadaway and Lieut.
Eaton the meeting at Mayville. On the day of the meeting
patriotic speeches were made by the colonel and others present,
and on ' beating up ' for volunteers the whole number assigned
to each battalion tmned out. The members of this companj^
wei-e to hold themselves in readiness to march at a
moment's warning and to serve six months. Within a few
days news was received that the 1 8 th of that month congress
had declared war against Great Britain. Scarcely had the
minds of the settlers become familiar with this fact ere an order
was received by Capt. Moore to collect his company and march
to Lewiston and join the 18th regiment of New York detached
militia, commanded by Col. Hugh W. Dobbin, of Geneva. Xon
commissioned officers were despatched to warn the men to
assemble, those from the western part of the count}^ at the
cross roads, now Westfield, and those from the eastern part at
Canadaway, on the 4th of July. Those from the west part assem
bled as per orders and the same day marched to Canadaway
and joined those assembled there, and on callmg the roll it was
found that every man was present, — 113 in all, — able-bodied
men. The next day the company commenced tlieir march and
arrived at Lewiston on the 9th and joined the regiment." —

248 HISTOBICAL SKETCHES OF

[^Eaton.'] Those from the present town of Portland who
served in this company were Davici Eaton, John IngersoU,
Hiram Burch, Erastus and Jared Taylor.

Great delay was experienced in collecting, equipping and
drilHng the army of the center and it was not imtil the 13th of
October that the commander decided to make a descent upon
C/anada. The time was jjerhaps somewhat anticipated by the
fact that the troops after remaining idle for three months,
became impatient of further delay and demanded to be led
against the enemy : many of them threatened to return home
unless their wishes were complied with. This enthusiasm was
the result of the capture by the Americans, under Lieut.
Elliott of the U. S. Navy, of two British brigs from Detroit,
laden with furs and militaj-y stores that liad arrived on the 8th
of October and anchored under the protection of the guns of Fort
Erie. After their capture they were run aground for want of
sufficient wind to bear them against the current of the river
and enable them to escape. One of them was burned : most
of the lading, however, was secured. •' But this was not the
order of veterans well acquainted with the dangers to be
encountered, and despising them; it was the inconsiderate
rashness of inexperienced men ready to anticipate the proper
moment but not possessing tlie firmness to persevere when
surroimded by unaccustomed terrors. After a conference with
generals Smyth and Hall, General VanRensselaer resolved to
make an attack on the heights -of Queenstown. From the
informaticm he C(3uld collect the enemy's force had been chiefly
drawn off for the defense of Maiden, as it Avas sui^posed, luider
the command of general Brock, \vh(j had left the territory of
Michigan under the direction of general Proctor, until he could
organize a force to return. Could this place be possessed by
our troops they would be sheltered from the apj^roaching
inclemency of the season and the operations of the western
army much facilitated. But of tlie sanguinary' conflict ui^ori
the heights of Queenstown on the 1 3th of October, its successes
and reverses, it is not proposed to speak. All these are

TIIK TOWN OK l'ORTI,ANr>. 249

familiar to the student of history. Had the whole American
army conducted themselves as heroically as those who crossed
the river the result might have been different : as it was, those
engaged 'covered themselves with glory,' while 1,200 men
under arms on the American side refused to cross and remained
idle spectators of the scene. Their ardor had become suddenly
cooled from witnessing the scenes on the other side. Every
officer who crossed the river, it is said, distinguished himself,
and all did their duty nobly. The Americans lost 60 killed
and 700 prisoners. The greater part of the prisoners were
taken to Montreal, except the militia who were [)aroled the
next day. Previous to the attack the question of the power of
the government to send state troops beyond the bounds of the
state was largely discussed and the ojiinion seemed to prevail
that such power did not exist, and a few planted themselves
upon this as a constitutional jJiivHege and intimated a refusal
to cross the river if an attack shoidd be decided upon. Recog-
nizing this construction as correct, or at least acting upon it as
such, in preparing for carrying out the attack uj)on Queens-
toAvn the officers relied solely on voluntary aid on the part of
the militia. Volunteers were called for and the 18th New York
detached militia, to which the Chautauqua company belonged,
was paraded by Major Morrison (Col. JJobbin being absent),
who proceeded to make a flaming, patriotic addi'ess, in which he
sought to inspire them with enthusiasm and zeal and expressed
the hope that the whole regiment would volunteer foi' the
enterprise and show their devotion to their country and theii'
willingness to defend its honor ; that they would not falter in
the hoiu" of danger but be true to the princij^les of patriotism
t hat should and did inspire every loyal heart. He did not ask
them to jeopard their lives unnecessarily, but hoped they would
be willing to go as far as he would go and he would ask them
to go no further. "All those willing to volunteer in the
enterprise against the enemy on the opposite side of the river
were requested to advance eight paces, and with the exception
of 50 to 60 the whole regiment advanced and formed a new

250 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

line. Those who refused to advance were formed into a
company under a lieiitenant, one of their number, and called
the " coward company." The Chautauqua company, as far as
is now known, all volmiteered and were among the first troops
embarked and the first to land on the other side of the river.
The five from Portland in that company, it is but just to say,
did their duty nobly and acquitted themselves like men as they
were. It is not beheved the others did less. On landing upon
the Canadian shore and while halting for a moment under the
bank, the enquiry went quickly aroiuid, "Where is Major
Morrison f " Who has seen Major Moi-rison ?" The redoubt-
able major was not to be found and was not seen on the west
side of the river that day. His patriotism very suddenly ran
out at the moment of embarkation, and he kept at a safe
distance. But the cowardly lieutenant who had been left in
command of the " coward company" seeing the peril of his
countrymen upon the other side, seized a musket, passed over
and fought like a hero through the fight to its close." [Eaton]
The company of Capt. jMoore were noted for their bravery and
daring and in common Avith all engaged did all that men
could do under the circumstances, and only yielded to superior
numbers. Lieut. Eaton was wounded by a ball through his
Aviist about ten in the forenoon and was ordered from the field
by Capt. Moore ; the wound proving severe, he was not able
to retiuii.

Erastus Taylor 'vas woimded in the last effort of the
Americans before the surrender, by a ball striking his leg below
the knee, breaking and shattering the bone in a shocking
manner. He was taken prisoner and placed in an old building
for two or three days, after which, with other wounded
prisoners, he was conveyed to the hospital at Lewiston. He
remained here until some time the next winter when his father
conveyed him to his home in Chenango county, a distance of
two hmidred miles, in an open sleigh. He was not able to walk
upon the fractured limb for three years, but finally recovered
and returned to Portland in 1816.

THE TOVVTSf OF PORTLAND. 251

Jared Taylor, brother of Erastiis, and John Ingersoll were
not wounded but taken , prisoners and paroled the next day.
Nothing is now known with reference to Hiram Burch, but
the presuraj)tion is that he was taken prisoner and paroled

Soon after the declaration of war the people of the county
were greatly exercised with reference to their exposed and
defenseless condition and a want of arms by the militia for
self defense. After a good deal of discussion and a full consid-
eration of the matter in a public meeting held for the piu'pose,
Robert Dixon of the now town of Ripley, was sent by the
people to Albany to procure anus. Mr. Dixon was successfid
in his eiFort, and in September of that year two hundred stands
of arms were forwarded from the state arsenal at Canandaigua
to this county

Directly after the battle of QueenstoNvn a second requisition
was made tor a company fi'om this county, which was promptly
met, but it does not appear that any from Portland were
members of it. Tliis was for the purpose of filling up the
ranks of the army upon the Niagara fi-ontier, prej)aratory to
another attempt at an invasion of Canada under Brig. Gen.
Smyth of the regular army, who had been placed in command
after the resignation of Gen. VanRensselaer on account of his
wo\mds. "Gen. Smyth had issued, on taking command, a
flaming addi'ess to the ' men of New York,' appealing to their
patriotism, calHng on them to retrieve the late disaster and at
the same time by this step secirre their wives and children from
tlie predatory and murderous inciu'sions of the savages. This
address was backed by an animated proclamation from General
Porter of the New York militia, and a force was collected at
Buffalo, organized, armed and equipped and deemed sufficient
for the enterprise." But after two or three ineffectual
attempts (in November) to carry out the plan, Gen. Smyth
ordered the abandonment of the effort for the season, and the
troops made arrangements to go into -winter quarters. There
seemed no good reason wliy this last attempt, on the 30th of
November, should not have succeeded. "The wliole body of

252 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OE

tlie troops, with the exception of two hundred men, were
embarked at four o'clock, the men conducting themselves witli
great order and obedience and affording every hope of success.
Nothing seemed Manting but the word to move when the order
came for debarkation." " One universal expression of indig-
nation burst forth : the greater i)art of the militia threw down
their arms and retuiTied to their homes, and those who
remained continually threatened the life of the general. Some
recrimination passed between General Smyth and General
Porter, the latter charging the former with cowardice and
unoificerlike conduct."

Nothing further was done toward the invasion of Canada
during the fall and winter or until the latter portion of the next
year, at least little in which the Chautauqua troops were
interested. The contest seemed to be one for posts.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 253

CHAPTER XLIII.

War of 1812 continued — Oi)erations on the Niagara Frontier from the taking of
Ft. George to the burning of Buffalo.

On the 27tli of May 1813, Ft. George on the Canadian
side of the Niagara, one mile above its mouth, was taken
by the Americans, but they were not allowed to remain
in possession many months, the fortunes of war placing
not only Ft. George but Ft. Niagara in the possession of the
British. Gen. McClirre had been placed in command of
Ft. George, and in December following, for no good reason
set lire to the village of Newark, situated at the entrance
of Niagara river, and reduced it to ashes. Two days after,
liearing of the approach of British troops, he abandoned
the fort and retired to the American side of the river.
The act of burning the village of Newark was promptly
disavowed and regretted by the government, but not sat-
isfied with this the enemy commenced a system of burning
and destruction of property and life disgraceful in the
extreme. On the 19th of the same month, December, Ft.
Niagara was surprised and taken, and the garrison nearly
tliree hundred, and mostly invalids, put to the sword.
This was quickly followed by the biu-ning of the villages
of ^^")ungstown. Lewiston, Manchester, and the Indian village
of Tuscarora. Very many of the inhabitants of these
pla(tes were inhumanly butchered Tlie enemy continued
the march up the river until they reached a point opposite
Black Rock on the ;iOth. Theii' force consisted of one

254 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

tlioiisand five hundred regulars and four liimdred Indians.
In anticipation of some such movement on the part of
the Britisli a call had been made early in December for
the militia to tui'n out to repel any attack that might be
made. "The Chautauqua militia were called out en masse
to rendezvous at the cross roads, now Westfield, and march
to Buffalo under the command of Col. John McMahan."

The call was promptly obeyed even at that inclement
season of the year, "without being provided with blankets,
knapsacks, tents, rations, camp equipage or transportation to
render them comfortable. The families of many of these
soldiers were left at home without a male adult, or any one
but females and childi'en to cut tlie firewood or browse
the cattle. It should be borne in mind that the comity
was then almost an entire wilderness, witliout any surplus
of provisions, and very little forage for the cattle, except
browse. The men on their march to Buffalo, and while
there, suffered much from cold and hunger."

The Chautauqua regiment was the I62d, "and numbered
about four hundred effective men, about two hundred of
whom responded to the call of the commander-in-chief.
There were four companies raider the command of Col.
John INIcMahaii and Majors Wm. Prendergast and Isaac
Barnes." On arriving at Buffalo "they were quartered in
log huts a little to the eastward of the village. The militia
force assembled at that point including those from this
county, amounted to about two thousand men, under the
command of Gen. Hall." Those in the regiment of Col.
McMahan fi"om the present town of Portland were David
Eaton, Elisha Fay, Nathaniel Fay, Ezra Joy, Moses Joy,
Calvin Barnes, Wm. Dunn, Andrew Kelsey, Hollis Fay,
Sanford Haines, Huram Haines ; the last as a substitute foi
Elijah Fay.

On the night of the 30th of December, between 1 1 and
12 o'clock the American camj) was alarmed by the receipt
of intelligence that the enemy were crossing Niagara river

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 255

at Black Eock. A portion of the militia from the comities
of Niagara, Genesee and Ontario, was immediately marched
down to oppose their landing. The main body of the
British had effected a landing at the mouth of Conjockity
Creek, a mile or more below the ferry. Efforts were made
to prevent their progress, though with but partial success.
The militia who had proceeded to the ground, not in a
body but in detached parties, wei-e easily routed by the
disci])lined troops of the enemy and driven back as fast
as they arrived at the scene of action.

The skirmishing between the hostile forces continued
during the greater part of the night, the firing of which
was distinctly heard at Buffalo where the Chautauqua
regiment had remained under arms, paraded in ft-ont of
Pomeroy's tavern, as a reserve. About fom- o'clock on the
morning of the 31st, Col. McMahan's regiment was marched
to Black Rock, posted opposite the ferry, in the rear of
the battery that had been erected at that point." A
good degree of enthusiasm existed amongst the Chau-
tauqua troops, but a slight incident occurring w^hile on the
march from Buffalo to Black Rock seemed to very mate-
rially dampen theii" ardor. Gen. Hall had been to the Mock
through the early morning directing the movements of the
troops as far as he was able, but was retui'ning with his
staff to Buffalo as the Chautauqua regiment was on its way
to the scene of action. The regiment was halted and the
General and Col. McMahan in an undertone held a hm-ried
consultation, which of course was not imderstood by the
men ; but on leaving the General said, sufficiently loud to
be heard by the whole regiment, "Colonel, do youi- duty,
but if you must retreat, the rendezvous is at Miller's." This
was said in a tone that evidenced to the men that the
contest was hopeless. Their enthusiasm went out at once,
and they moved on mechanically rather than with zeal
and ardor.

"Soon after daylight, six or seven boats, containing each

256 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

fifty or sixty men, were seen to pnt off from the Canadian
shore with the evident intention of landing. A firing was
kept up by the batteries at the ferry, and was retiu-ned
from the opposite shore. One of the enemy's boats was
struck by a cannon shot from the American side, and sunk
witli its hostile freight. About the break of day the Chau-
tauqua regiment was ordered to advance in the direction
of the enemy. They proceeded do^vn the river, nearly half
a mile, and met them in force, near the residence of Gen. Por-
ter. A sharp, though unequal contest ensued, when the militia
broke and fled, as those who had preceded tliem had done.
During the engagement, a part of the British force had
passed up under the bank of the river, and taken post in the
road leading from Buffalo to the ferry, with a view of cutting
off the militia in their retreat. Escape tlirough the avenue
by which they had arrived, being thus prevented, and
pressed as they were by the advance of the enemy, they
ATere compelled to take to the woods in the rear of tlie
terry for safety, through which many of the American
force, inc]uding a portion of the Chautauqua regiment, fled
precipitately ; and such of them as escaped the rifle and
tomahawk of the savages, who innnediately filled the woods
in pursuit, reached the main road at Buffalo, and at various
points for several miles to the eastward in the direction
of Batavia. The largest portion of the whole force returned
to their homes, among whom were the principal part of the
Chautauqua militia. The remainder who had sui'vived, were
afterwards quartered for several weeks at Miller's tavern,
about two miles east of Buffalo. Toward noon of the 31st
the British set fire to Buffalo and finally recrossed the
river to Canada, the second or third day after that
event."

"The loss to this county was severe in proportion to the
numbers engaged. James Brackett, a lawyer fi'om the village
of Mayville, was killed and scalped by the Indians, during
the retreat from Black Rock. Joseph Frank, from Busti,

TIIK TOWN OK PORTLAND. 257

Win. Smiley from Ellery, • Pease and Lewis from

Fomfi-et, Nash Bover, aud Hubbard shared the same

fate. Maj. Prendergast had several balls shot through
his hat and clothes, and narrowly escaped with liis life.
Capt. Silsby was severely woimded, and Lieut. Forbes had
one killed and five woiuided, of the twenty-one men under
his command. Of the killed, the bodies of those which
were found were buried in a common grave, near the road
leading from Bufialo to Black Rock, into which eighty-nine
were promiscuously tin-own. They were afterward disin-
terred and many of them claimed by their relatives and
taken away to be buried near the homes they had laid down
their lives to protect ; that their afflicted families might
weep over their prematiire graves, and protect them fr-ou)
desecration."

"The bodies of several others, who had been killed on
their retreat through the woods, and scalped ))y the Indians,
were found during the winter and sj^ring and committed
to the earth.

The only buildings remaining in Bufialo, were the jail,
which was built of stone, a small frame uouse, and an armorer's
shop. All the houses and almost every building between
Bufialo and Niagara Falls were destroyed, as were also many
of those on the Batavia road, for several miles beyond
Bufialo."

"At this period the fr-ontier presented a scene of des-
olation rarely witnessed. The inhabitants who had escaj)ed
the tomahaAvk, fled into the interior, in the depth of winter
■vA-ithout shelter oi- means of support, and subsisted on
the charity of friends. The panic was general, and per-
vaded this county, though in, a degree somewhat less than
in the section of country in the immediate vicinity of the
point of attack." — [Wakren.] Poiiland was no exception to
the general rule in this respect. The reports reaching the
settlements were of course greatty exaggerated, and the
imagination lent new terrors, until the whole town was one

258 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF

continued scene of excitement. The horror of Indian mas-
sacre, so vividly painted to the mind and impressed by the
events of the last two or three days, was the worst of all.
Mr. O. W. Burch, then a youth, li\dng with his father on the
town line road between Portland and Westfield, thus writes
of it, and this will serve as a sample of the distress in town :
"I recollect an incident in January 1814, a day or two after
Buffalo was burned. Our militia and some from our neigh-
borhood had gone to Black Rock to face the enemy, when
we were very much frightened by the report of a messenger
that Buffalo was burnt, and our militia were all shot or
taken prisoners, and that the British and Indians were
marching west and destroying people and property, all that
came in their way. As may well be supposed, in our thinly
settled country, there was a sensation. Old Mr. Haynes and
his son Huram were in the war, and the remamder of the
Ha}Ties family left their home and joined our family, and
there we all were, laying plans how to do in case of neces-
sity. Some said 'go to the mountains' as the hills were called,
but where were the teams to go with? Reports were con-
flicting, and there was but little sleep or rest for two days-
On the third day about nine o'clock at night we were all up
and wide awake as usual, old Mr. Haynes came to our door
and called for admittance, and he was welcomed as he never
had been before. After the salutations the inquiry was hur-
riedly made for Huram. The panic was ({uieted. The pres-
ence of the old man was like oil iipon the troubled waters.
As it proved, but comparatively few of the Chautauqua men
were hm-t. There was a tremendous letting down of the
feverish excitement of the last few days."

The volunteers fi'om Portland were in the company of Capt.
Ozias Hart. Calvin l^arnes was woiuided by a ball through
the knee joint, the ball entering tlu'ough the patella, or laiee-
pan, and emerging posteriorly, rendering him a cripple for life.
The rest escaped unhurt.

In June, 1814, a company from this county volunteered under

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 259

the command of Capt. John Silsby for one month's service and
served in Canada. Da\dd B. Granger, as titer, was the only
member of the company from the present town of Portland.
This company participated in the taking of fort Erie, nearly
opposite Black Rock, by the Americans nnder generals Scott
and Ripley, on the 3d of July ; the battle of Chippeway on the
morning of the 5th of July, and the battle of Lundy's Lane on
the evening of the 2oth. After the battle of Lundy's Lane the
Americans fell back to fort Erie, which, on the fourth of the next
month, (August) was besieged by the British 5,000 strong
under General Drummond. In July two full comjoanies of the
164th, or Chautauqua regiment, had been called for to assist in
defending the fi'ontier, as it was feared that another descent
would be made by the enemy fi'om Canada. The call was
promptly answered and the troops were marched to Black
Rock under command of Col. John McMahan. Those fi'om
Portland who served in this campaign were David Eaton,
regimental paymaster, and Wm. Ingersoll, ensign. These
troops were in no engagement diuing the whole campaign,
although cannonading fi"om Black Rock and fi'om the Canadian
shore of the liver was continually engaged in. Very little
damage was done. Occasionally, however, between the 4th of
August and the 1 7th of September a company was conveyed
across to fort Erie to assist in the preparations for the defense
of that point, but none of the Chautauqua troops were present
at the attempt of the enemy to storm the fort on the 1 5th day
of August, or at the sortie from the fort on the 17th of
September. The 385 prisoners taken at this sortie by the
Americans were placed under the care of Col. John jMcMahan
of the Chautauqua regiment and marched to some point in the
vicinity of Albany. There being no military necessity for
fui'ther holding the fort, in November it was abandoned and
destroyed and the American trooj)s crossed the river and went
into winter quarters at Black Rock, Buffalo and Batavia-
During the whole season, from the arrival of the ChaTitauqua
troops on the Niagara fiontier to the November following.

260 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF

when they i-eturned, they were subject to much suffering from
sickness, being stationed a few miles below Black Kock in a
low malarious district well calculated to engender ague and
fever, from which many of the men suffered and many others
after their return home. The duties of camp life, surrounded
by imknown and unseen dangers, were performed with as much
of cheerfulness as could be expected under the circumstances,
and they with patience kept " watch and ward '' over the great
avenue by which the British and their "northern hordes" in an
luiguarded hour might rush with fire and sword and the
barbarities of frontier warfare upon their defenseless families
and firesides, until the danger had passed away.

" Several incursions were made by the British at different
points in this county, doing, however, but little else than alarm
the inhabitants, lose their men by desertion and meet with a
warm reception by the settlers. Chadwick's Bay, now Diuikirk,
was visited by a British armed vessel of ten or twelve guns for
the purpose of landing some property that had been plundered
from Lay's tavern, long known as a house of entertainment
near the lake shore between (^attaraugus creek and Buffalo.
A boat manned for the purpose and carrying a flag of truce was
sent ashore to effect the object of their visit. Directly upon
landing, twelve of the boat's crew, relishing Britisli gold with
the restraints and dangers of a warfare against freedom less
than their prospects of success m a country which offered them
in exchange the novelties of a fertile soil and salubrious
climate with a degree of personal liberty to which they were
wholly unaccustomed, bade their commander adieu and " quit
the service." The officer in charge of the expedition was left
with a single sailor (a Frenchman) to aid his retuin to his vessel.
While they were parleying with the citizens resident at the
place the neighboring militia, whom a notice of the arrival had
attracted to the • spot, not observing the flag of truce but
having their attention principally directed t<i the red coats of
the officer and his remaining sailor, fii-ed upon them and broke
the leg of the latter. Tliis abrupt salutation terminated the

THE TOWN OF PORTI.ANl). 261

interview, and the officer, failing to obtain assistance from the
people to row his boat back to the vessel, picked iij) his
maimed Frenchman and made the best of his way on board."
— \^Warreti.'] This occurred some time m 1813.

"Some time in 1814 a British armed schooner carrying-
eight or ten gmis came into the mouth of Canadaway creek in
pursuit of some smaller ci aft laden with salt that were on their
way up the lake from Bufi'alo." (At that time the mouth of
the creek for fr-om 60 to 80 rods was sufficiently broad and
deep to float boats of several tons burthen.) "A boat with a
<letacliment of men wr.s sent ashore fr-om the schooner to capture
tlie salt boats. At the aj)proacli of the armed vessel the
neighboring- militia hastily assembled and gave their visitors a
reception quite too warm to make their stay agreeable and they
picked up their wounded companions and fled withont having
accomplished their object." — \^Warre7i.^

It is not i)robable that any attempt was made to invade any
portion of the territory now included in the tovvn of Portland,
but the settlers fiJly sympathized with other sections less
fortunate and willingly shared the hardships and privations
incident, to a defense of our extended frontier and oui- common
country. The news of a treaty of peace between the United
States and Great Britain, which had been concluded and signed
at Ghent, in Flanders, Europe, on the 24th of December of
this year (1814) was received with demonstrations of joy and
as the harbinger of better days and of a lengthened prosperity.
The great objects of the war were fitlly gained. We had
learned wisdom paid our national character had become
established. Sectional bickerings were in a great measiu-e
forgotten and factions ignored in the great effort iov common
weal.

The news of peace brought repose to the scattered population
of Portland as to all the frontier towns and counties. Althougli
not the scene of armed strife and murderous conflicts, Chau-
tauqua count}' " sliared largely in the benefits whicli resulted
from a cessation of hostilities. Prosi^erity such as the county

262 HISTORICAL SKETCHKS OK

had never known immediately succeeded. During the war not
only had emigration ceased but many who had removed hither,
selected lands and commenced improvements with a view to a
permanent residence, abandoned them altogether upon the
commencement of hostilities and the approach of danger and
returned to the more populous and, as was thouglit, secure
portions of the state.

At the return of peace the current of population set strongly
to the fertile region of Western New York, which has since,
through the enterprise of its citizens, become the garden of the
state. The rapidity of its growth has been xmexampled, and
its fame abroad for the patriotism and integrity of its popula-
tion, the richness and variety of its productions and the
salubrity of its climate have kept pace with its growth."

For many years Portland, in common with the other lake
shore towns, 'shai-ed more largely in the influx of population
and general improvement than some other sections, and the
various improvements, conveniences and accessories of civilized
life found a place with the settlers with unexampled raj)idity.
The wonderful advantages of a fi'ee government were largely
manifest in an incredible short space of time in a rapid rebound,
a characteristic of American energy, fi'om the depressing
influence of the war to a prosperity seldom witnessed with
respect to the intelligence of the population, their moral and
religious growth and their rapid advancement to the enjoy-
ment of the blessings of a well earned competency.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.

263

CHAt>TER XLIV.

War of 1861— First call for Troops — Second call — The response in Portland— Men
enlisted in town during the year 1861 — 9th N. Y. Cavalry— Their Services —
Services of the 72d, 49th and 100th Regiments.

It is not designed to enter into a detail of the causes
of the war of 1861 or particularize with reference to its
conduct or results; all these are yet fresh in the minds
of the people, and are passing into history : but the inves-
tigation will be confined to the part the town ot Portland
enacted in this carnival of blood. Whatever else may be
said of the town its patriotism cannot be called in ques-
tion. In this fearful conflict it poui'ed out its blood like
water, and handed forth its treasui'e with a lavish hand.
The first call for troops was issued by President Lincoln,
April 15th, 1861, the next day after the suiTender of Fort
Sumpter. This first call was for seventy-five thousand men
for three months for the immediate defense of the seat of
government, and to aid in subduing insun-ectionary com-
binations. Few at first responded. The people had lived
so long under the conditions of peace, that the call to the
conditions of war was answered but hesitatingly. The public
mind had yet to be educated to such a state of things. On
the third of May, twenty days after the first, a second call
was made, for forty-two thousand for three j'ears, and
besides this ten regiments to be enlisted for the regular
anny. In response to these two calls Portland fmnished
eighty men. Henry B. Taylor, son of the writer, was the
first in town to respond. He at once joined the 68th

264 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

regiment at Fredonia, which proposed to move en masse,
but being im])atient of delay, soon left for Jamestown,
and enlisted in Co. B. 3d Regiment, Excelsior Brigade,
Capt. James M. Brown, May 28th, 1861. Chautauqua
county furnished for this regiment, afterward called the
7 2d N. Y., five companies ; the to\vn of Portland furnishing
thirteen men, though not all for the same company, as
follows: For Co. B., H. B. Taylor, Edmund Barbei- ; For
Co. G., (Capt. Harmon C. Bhss), Melvin Himt, Frank Lilly,
Daniel E. Arnold, Walter Bowdish, Thomas B. Culver, Peter
Kinnish ; For Co. D., (Capt. Wm. O. Stevens), Redmund Riley,
.ilphonso Taylor, Theron D. Walden ; for Co. E. (Capt. P. Bar-
rett,) John Barry, Ovette Biut. Newell G. Burr enlisted
in Co. D., 21st Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, May 8th,
1861, for two years. Charles Grannis enUsted in the 44th
Regiment, N. Y. Infantry, or ''EllsAvorth Zouaves ;" a regiment
designed to be enlisted from the whole state, each town fur"
nishing one mau luitil the regiment was full. Warren Couch
enlisted in the Otli Regiment, U. S. Cavalry, Co. G., August
13th.

In the fall of 1861 the 49th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer
Infantry, was enlisted, the county furnishing four companies,
and the town of Portland three men as follows : Jaraes A.
Hall, Regimental Surgeon ; Walter Burch, John Linburgli.

In the fall of the same year and early winter, the 100th
Regiment N. Y. Volunteers was enlisted; this county fui'-
nishing one company, and Portland nine men as follows:
Jack Davis, Dan Jonas, Frank Peterson, Gilbert Potter,
George Shaver, Andrew Winters, William Whitney, Andrew
Anderson and Wm. Bradley. The command of this Regi
ment was given to Capt. James M. Brown of Co. B., 72d
Regiment N. Y Volunteers ; lie finally fell at the battle
of Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31st 1862, deeply lamented.

In August and September of the same year, a volunteer
ravah'v company was enlisted in this and adjoining towns.
Very little effort was made to this end, but in an incredibly

TlIK TOWN OK l'Oin'l,ANI>. 265

short space of time, or by the 25th of the latter month,
forty-six men were enHsted from this town alone, and the
balance from other towns. It seemed to be a spontaneous
movement on the part of the young men and the youngerly
married men. Those enlisting fi'om this town were, W. A.
A.dams, Elisha V. Arnold, Edwui Blinn, John Batchelder,
Walter Bowman, Alvah L. Billings, Chester Bradley, Frank
C. Bullock, M. G. Barber, Lewis IT. Bailey, John W. Bullock,
Frank C'. Brown, Charles K. Crosby, Wolcott Colt, Henry Colt,
W. H. Daniels, Wm. A. Douglass, ^^ares G. Farnham, Albert
A. Fay. Jehial M. Grant, Halsey ¥. Hakes, Mark Hamlin,
Oriin I). Iladden, Biruey Hull, J. C. HijDwell, John Johnson,
H. Wm. Mason, M. W. Bailey, Samuel Mills, John C. Martin.
Frank C. Nichols, James Z. Ogden, Lewis M. Ogden, David
H. liandall, W. H. Kolph, II. C. Rolph, M. M. Hansom, Geo.
W. Rolph, Thomas K. Titus, Charles B. W^illiams, Nelson H.
Whitney, Joseph G. Weld, Silas S. Williams, Charles H. WU
liams, Edwin W^right, John Y. Yoxmg.

The company elected Josej^h G. Weld captain and W. A.
Adams 1st lieutenant. It was made a part of the 9th N. Y.
Vol. cavalry, and with the regiment went into camp at West-
field. The regiment was mustered into the United States
service on the 2d of October and left for active duty the fore
part of November. A dinner and reception was given the
members of the company from town by the ladies and citizens
the day before they left camp for the seat of war. This part
of the company was composed m the main of the better
material in town, and large expectations were entertained
with reference to the service it woidd be able to perform in the
field in aid of the cause of human lights, and these expectations
were realized. They were in constant sei-vice fi-om the time
they were equipped until they were finally mustered out.
They participated in the second Bull Rim conflict, in August.
1 862 ; the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville, Va., the first of
May. 1863 ; the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., the first three days
of July, 1863 ; the battles of the Wilderness under Gen. Grant,

266 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

in May, 1864 ; the stirring scenes of the Shenandoah Valley,
under Phihp H. Sheridan, in October of the same year ; in
fact most of the conflicts in which the Ai-my of the Potomac
was engaged up to the surrender of Gen. Lee on the 9th of
April, 1865, except the battle of Antietam.

The 3d Excelsior, or 72d, and the 49th did no less efi&cient
sei-vice. They were with McClellan on the peninsula during
the seven days' fight and never faltered in the discharge of
duty and fully sustained their reputation to the moment of
discharge. Few, however, of the original members were left at
that period. The 21st and 44th N. Y. and the 11 1th Pa., in which
some fi'om town had enlisted, were as devoted to their country's
cause and as fearless in the discharge of duty. The lOOth
N. Y. did efficient service in many a conflict and nobly
sustained itself in that fearful battle of Fair Oaks, or Seven
Piues, May 31, 1862, in which fell its gallant commander. Col.
James M. Bro^vu, and many of the best and most intrepid of
its members. Of the regiment of regular cavalry to which a
single member from our town, Warren Couch, belonged, the
writer knows nothing definitely, or of the service performed.
All the men thus far named enlisted for three years or during
the war except those of the 21st and 100th regiments, whose
term of seiwice was but two years.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 267

CHAPTEK XLV.

War of 1861, continued — 1862 — The Gloomy OiJeuiug of the Campaign — The Call
for 300,000 Men in July— The Call for a like number in August— Military
Committee — Enlistments for the 112th Regiment — Enrollment for a Draft — The
Second Call Filled by Volunteering — Names of both Given — Capt. J. B. Fay
and ComiDany — Services of the 112th Regiment — Also the 154th

" The summer of 1862 was a gloomy period in the history of
the war for the suppression of the rebelHon. The disastrous
issue of McClellan's advance towards Richmond, the wretched
failure of Pope, the invasion of Maryland by the rebels under
Lee, and the mistake of McClellan in not pressing the advan
tage gained at Antietam so as effectually to cripple the
insurgents, all had their depressing effect upon the public
mind. But they had the effect also to reveal the desperate
earnestness of the rebellion and the necessity of putting forth
more gigantic efforts to crush it. The call of the president,
for 300,000 vohuiteers for three years, soon followed by a call
for a draft of 300,000 militia to serve nine months, electrified
the whole land. It was now evident that the government was
thoroughly awake to the magnitude of the crisis. Would the
])eople respond to this call ? The answer from every state was
cheering. Chautauqua county had honored every previous
call and fmmished ten full companies besides nearly the entire
i-egiment of the 9th cavaliy. Now she was called upon for
003 men, soon followed by a second call for an equal number,
or one out of every sixty-four of her entire population." A
military committee was formed of some of the best men of the
county, to whom was delegated the general supervision of the

268 HISTORICAI, SKETCHES OF

county with reference to the raising of recruits. This
committee consisted of A. F. Allen, G. W. Patterson, J. G.
Hinckley, Milton Smith, John F. Phelps and Chas. Kennedy.
At a meeting of this committee on the 12th of July it was
resolved to raise six full companies fi'om this county for a new
regiment, the four remaining companies to be raised b}'
Cattaraugus county. This was accomi:)lished by the 22d of
August and each company tilled. At a meeting of the committee
August 14 it was resolved to raise four more companies to
answer the call of that month for drafted men, and the quota
assigned to Portland under the two calls was sixty-one. The
quota under the call of July was 39, but the town ha^dng
furnished already seventeen beyond its full quota but twenty-
two were required to answer the call. The work of recruiting
was entered upon with vigor, and by the 31st of August the
requisite number for the town was obtained — twenty for the
112th or Chautauqua regiment and two as recniits for the 9th
N. Y. cavaliy. Fifteen of the enlistments for the 112th
regiment were by Capt. Phineas Stevens, as follows : Wm. A.
Judson. Alfi-ed O. Ellis, Thomas S. Rolph, John M. Wood,
AugustiTS Blood, Frank C. Birllock, Daniel L. Cumniings, Wm.
R. Laine, Charles Pecor, Hai-vey Potter, John R. Rolph, John
O. Warner, Daniel L. BuiToughs, Eleazar Swetland and John
E. White. Three were enlisted by Capt Frank Waters of
Westfield, viz.: Peter Lawson, Wm. F. Only, Douglass Only.
Two w^ere enlisted by Capt. W. H. Chaddock of Fredonia. viz.:
Wm. Chamberlain and John King Post. Capt. Stevens
company was mustered in as Co. "G" ; Capt. Waters' company
as Co. "E"; Capt. Chaddock's as Co. "B", ll2th regiment
N. Y. voluntee]" infantry. Of the above men John E. AMiite
was enlisted under the call for drafted men made in August.
Eleazar Swetland and Daniel L. Biuroughs were transferred in
September to the 154th regiment, the former to Co. "E " and
the latter to Co. "B. " Before the close of August these men
with their companies were in camj) at Jamestown, this county
The camp had been named Camp Broion, in honor of the

THE TOWN OF PORTLA^^^D. 269

lamented Col. James M. BroAvii of the lOOth N. Y. regiment,
who had been killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., on the
31st of the preceding May. The 112tli left camp for the seat
of wai* on the 11th of September. The record of the 112th is
a fearful yet honorable one. It participated in the battle of
Blackwater, Va., Nov. 17, 1862, and in the defense of Suffolk,
Va., when besieged by Longstreet. They were sent to Folly
Island, outside the harbor of Charleston, S. C, the 3d of August.
1863 ; fi'om there to Jacksonville, Florida, in February, 1864,
and returned to Virginia in the following spring. They were
engaged in the battle of Proctor's Creek, the battle of Cold
Harbor, the storming of New Market Heights, the assault on
fort Gilmore, the battle of DarbytoAvn road, the taking of fort
Fisher, the siege of Richmond, Va., and a large inimber of
engagements of minor importance. No regiment fought more
heroically to sustain the identity of the Union and the honor of
the old flag.

No bounties were paid those enlisting from town the first
year of the war, or up to July 1, 1862, but under this call the
men were paid a bounty of $35 each, raised by subscription in
part as follows : Wm. Barnhart, $20 •. R. D. Fuller, $20 ;
Clark Walker, $5 ; Lucy Correll, $1 ; Samuel Arnold, $5 : M.
P. Vanleuven, $3 ; Samuel Caldwell, $5 ; George Freeman, $5 ;
Samuel Gracy, $1 ; David Granger, $2 ; Careorge T. Brown, $3 ;
Hay Bentley, $1 ; Wm. S. Wood, $2 : G. B. Cattell, $5 ;
Addison Barringer, $5 : Geo. Churchill, $2 : C. W. GuHck: $2 ;
M. S. Cook, $1 ; John S. Hill, $10 ; Asa Blood, $10 ; Alfred B.
Mosher, $3 ; Minerva Chiu-chill,.$l : Eleazar Swetland, $1 ;
Sanford Swetland, $1 ; Fred. Nichols, $1 : Oscar Taylor, $2 :
S. M. Noxon, $5 ; J. S. Coon, $15 ; Mrs. M. Leach, $3 ; W. T.
Nichols, $5 ; G. M. Taylor, $5 ;: Samuel Brown, $2 ; Isaac
Shattuck, $20 ; J. J. Barber, $5 ; R. C. Blood, $5 ; Martin
Taylor, $2 : D. H. Randall, $2 ; John Spi-ingsted, $2 ; J. E.
Harris, $5 ; J. H. Webster, $5 ; David McGregor, $5 : M.
Francis, $5 : J. C. Haight, $5 ; Chandler Colt, $5 : Charles
LaBarr, $5; Isaac Howe, $3: Oliver Whitney, $1 ; Franklin

270 HISTORICAI. SKETCHES OF

Fay, $50 ; Lincoln Fay, $25 ; Charles Taylor, $10 ; Timothy
Judson, $10 ; J. H. Minton, $10 ; Wm. Haight, $1 ; V. G.
Farnham, $5 ; Milton Kelley, $2 : Loyd Burr, $5 ; Waldo
Brown, $5 ; Wm. Thayer, $5 ; Erwin Kelley, $3 ; W. Pi-att.
$5 : Kufus Haywood, $50 ; H. C. Taylor, $10 ; Stephen May.
$5 ; Asahel Peck, $10 ; J. B. Fay, $10 ; P. Bigler, $2 ; Hiram
Bui-ton, $5 ; C. Barker, $5 : Linns Bm-ton, $5 ; J. N. Porter,
$5 ; Lemi Barber, $5. $669 was raised, bnt the 7>aper contain-
ing the balance was lost.

This was in response to a resolntion passed by a meeting of
citizens held early in July. The committee having the matter
in charge were Rufvis Haywood, T. Jndson, J. H. Minton, R.
D. Fuller, Heniy Barnhart, Warren Conch, Alfred Eaton, J.
B. Fay.

Voluntary enlistment was bnt a slow process to fill the ranks
of the army, and as before stated a draft for 300,000 men for
nine months was ordered. The idea of conscription was one
particularly disagreeable to American fi'eemen and it was
resolved to fill this call also by voluntary enlistment. Thirty
nine men were needed. At a meeting of citizens it was resolved
to pay a boimty of $100 to each volunteer, the money to be
raised by tax upon the taxable property of the town, to be
collected when other taxes were collected and trust to the
legislature to legalize the act at its meeting in the following
January. Such an act was j)assed on the 21st of February,
1864. To procure the money for immediate use a note was
drawn, payable at the West field hank, for $4,200, which at this
and a subsequent meeting was signed by 81 citizens and the
money obtained. By the 31st of August the quota was filled,
the last two being credited fi'om the to"mi of Stockton. Thirty-
five of these men became members of Co. "E," 154th regiment
N. Y. volunteer infantry — Capt. J. B. Fay. The balance of the
company was enlisted fi'om the towns of Westfield and Ripley.
Energetic measures were resorted to. The people were
desperately in earnest and many of the best citizens of the
town enlisted for three years or duiing the war rather than

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 271

tuidure the odium supposed to attach to a drafted freoman.

That portion of tlie company enlisted in town numbered 33

men, as follows : Joseph B. J^^ay, John Wilson, Clinton L

Barnhart, Charles O. Fnvman. Hiram L. Skinner, Andiew

Hollister, Earl Z. Bacon, Geo. S wetland, Newell Biirch, -Jameg:

B. Haywood, Justus Cross, David T. Taylor, W. J. Osterhaut.

Mervin P. Barber. Wm. H. Reynolds. Stephen E. Greene, Elias

B. Skone, Charles Anderson, Theodore F. Hall. Blackman B.

Fitch, Geo. H. Richardson. Oscar M. Taylor. Wm. P. llaight.

Elial W. Skinner. Reuben R. Oy-den. I. Milton Slawson. Elisha

. . . *

B. Walden, Thomas K. Bambrick. A. A. Williams, Perry

Chapman, DaAdd S. Connally, Ira F. Burroughs, Robert Page.

The two from Stockton credited to Portland were F. W.

Denison and Christian A. Fandt. John E. White was enlisted

under this call but was attached to Co. "G," 112tli regiment.

•Josepli Cook enlisted in the navy at Erie, Pa. Myron F.

Hamlm and Wm. H. Tallman were enlisted but were attached

to Co. " D," Dtli N. Y. cavalry, volunteers. Eleazar Swetland

was transferred from Co. " G, ' 112th regiment, t<> Co. "'E,"

(Capt. J. B. Viij) 154th regiment, and Daniel Burroughs to Co.

•B," same regiment. This company was mustered in as Co.

• E " early in September, 1H62. and proceeded to the seat of

war on the 2r)th of the same month. It participated in many

bloody conflicts, and among them ChancellorsAdlle. \'a., and

(Tcttysbm-g, Pa. It was afterward sent south, and was a

portion of the army of Gen. Sherman in his memorable march

from Tennessee to the sea coast. It participated in the battle

of Lookout Valley, Tennessee, October 29, 1803 ; of Lookout

Moimtain and Mission Ridge, Tenn., November 23, 24 and 25.

1863 ; of Rocky-faced Ridge, Georgia, May 8, 1-64: ; of Resaca.
Georgia, May 15, 1864 ; Dallas, Georgia, May 25, 26, 27, 28
and 20, lJ-64 : Pine Knob, Georgia. June 15, 1864 ; Kenesaw,
Georgia, June 28, 1864 ; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia. July 20,

1864 ; the investment of Atlanta, Georgia, from July '2'2 to
September 2, 1864. They retmned from Savannah to Virginia
through Georgia and the Carolinas witli the army of Sherman

272 insTORiCAL sketches of

on its victorious march north from the 15th of January. 1865,
to the 30th of the following Mai-ch. The record of the 154th
is no less brilliant than that of the 112th.

THE TOVrS OK PORTLAND. 273

CHAPTER XLVI.

War of 1861 continued— Draft of 1863— The Enrollmeut— Names of those drafted-
Names of those commuting — Names of those furnishing substitutes — Names of
those otherwise excused — Money raised — Re-enlistments, &c.

The operations of the aniiy for the year 1862 were not
encouraging. To recruit the army which had become feai-
fuUy depleted the thii-ty-seventh Congress, on the 3d of
March 1863, passed an act "for the enrollment of the national
forces." This act provided for the enrollment b}^ Federal
Provost Marshals and enrolling officers, of all able-bodied
male citizens, (not white only) including aliens who had
declared their intentions to become natui'alized, between
the ages of eighteen and forty-five — those between twenty
and thirty-live to cqjistitute the first class ; all others the
second class — from which the President was authorized,
fi'om and after July 1, to make drafts at his discretion of
persons to sei-ve in the national armies, for not more than
three years ; any one drafted and not leporting for sei"vice
to be considered and treated as a deserter. A commutation
of $300 was to be received in lieu of such service ; and
there were exemptions provided of heads of executive
departments ; Federal Judges ; Governors of States ; the
only son of a widow, or of an aged and infirm father,
dependent on that son's labor for support; tlie father of
dependent motherless children under twelve years of age,
or the only adult brother of such children being orphans;
or the residue of a family which has ah'eadv two members

274 HISTOBICAL SKETCHES OF

in the sendee, &c., <&c." As before stated, it had been claimed
by the government that vohinteering furnished material for
the army too slowly, that the ranks mnst be tilled at a
more rapid rate if the rebellion was ever to be crushed,
and a conscription was the only means by which the object
sought could be <3btained. But in a certain sense it was a
failure. Commutation money flowed into the coffers of tlie
government, but men were not forthcoming. The idea of
conscription was an odiinis one. The draft, however, was
not in any way interfered with, very little attention was
paid to it, — it was allowed to '"go through" with little
concern, nearly every man finding in some feature of the
act a way of escape if he slioiild be so imfortunate as to
diaw a prize in this lotter}- for flesh and blood. The di-aft
failed largely of tilling the quota, and further drafts were
ordered, until the number of men, with commutations
should reach the number required, but was delayed from
time to time to allow towns to till the requirements by vol-
vmtary enlistments if they chose, or could do so. Between
that time and the fifth of January following, mostly in
December iS63, the quota of Portland was filled by sub-
stitutes obtained outside its limits, and the citizens
relieved from immediate apprehension. All subsequent calls
by the government for recriiits were tilled by enlistments
outside the town, with biit two exceptions, imder a sys-
tem ol bounties ofl:ered and paid by toAvn.

Under the call in August, 1862, an enrollment of those
supposed to be liable to draft, was made by the supervisor,
H. V. Taylor, and O. W. Burch, T. S. Moss and Rufus Hay-
wood, eonmaissioners appointed by the governor for the
pui-pose, and the number foiind to be two hunth-<«i and
fifty-six. From this enrollment, revised, the draft of 1863'
was made. August 25th. The (h-awing took place at Dun-
kirk, Isaac Shattuek Esq. amd A. J. Liyons attending in
behalt of the town. The call was for three hundred thou-
sand men. and the (piota for this toAvn was thii-ty-three.

THE TOWN OF PORTLAND. 'J75

Forty-seven names were ordered drawn, and if from that
number the quota conld not be tilled, another drawing
was to take place. The examinations were to take place
in the order of drawing, and if the quota was tilled short
of the forty-seven ordered drawn, those remaining were to
be discharged. The following is a list of those drawn, with
the age of each :

Geo. W. Marsh, 22 ; J. A. H. Skinner, 29 ; Andrew J. Mericle,
;34 ; Henry Martin, 30 : Allison N. Munson, 29 ; James Wood,
2() ; George Couchman, 36 ; Chnrles H. Warner, 21 ; Henry
E. Hill, 33 ; Thomas W. Baker, 23 ; Wm. A. Douglass — :
Harmon Bashee, 29 ; Andrew P. Huster — ; Dennis Quinland — ;
Thomas Cooper, 23 ; Geo. W. Stebbins, 35 ; Abel Skidmore,
21; Will. Correll, 21 ; John Lawson, 35; Salmon Burton, 28 :
Hemy Dobbins — ; Levi Hall, 33 ; Frank G. Arnold, 28 :
Carlton O. Wilcox, 33 ; Edward Clements, 27 ; Wm. Breen, 25 :
Richard Spicer, 33 ; C^hester W. Burton, 26 ; Walter Bui-ch,
25; James Sturgis, 30; Leroy F. Churchill, 21 ; Gideon Low,
23 ; Geo. R. Weaver, 29 ; Andrew J. Skinner, 33 ; Charles R.
Crosby, 23 ; James L. F. Andrews, 2-i ; Geo. Fitch, 26 ; Wm.
W. Billings, 35 ; Heury C. Rolph, 24 ; Wm. Dogan, 34 ; James
H. Burroughs, 31 ; Alfred J. Bmton, 29 : (^eo. W. Goldsmith.
43; Geo. M. Arnold, 29: Wm. Dederick, 22 : John Quayle, 31 :
Marvin G. Tenant, 27.

Of the above number, Wm. VV. Billings was the only oue that
rejjorted for duty. The balance were reheved, and for
causes specified, as follows :

Chester W. Burton and Andrew J. Skinner, furnished stibsti-
tutes : the former, James Kelley, and the latter John Casey.

Geo. W. Mai'sh. James Wood, Charles H. Warren, Abel Skid-
more, Levi Hall, P^'rank G. Arnold, Ricliard Spicer, Walter
Burch, (jreo. R. Weaver. Alfred J. Burton and Wm. Dederick
commuted by the payment of ii^300 each.

Geo. Couchman and John Lawson, from over ag'e.

Heni'v Martin and Wm. Breen. from being the only sons
of widows.

276 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

Edward Clements and James H. Burroughs, from being
the only sons ot aged and dependent parents.

Salmon Burton, J. L. F. Andrews, Geo. Fitch and Geo. M.
Arnold, on election by parent, or parents.

Marvin G. Tenant, from diseased lungs.

Geo. W. Goldsmith, father of motherless children under
twelve years of age.

Allison J. Munson and John Quayle, from tubercles in the
lungs.

Andrew J. Mericle, from bronchitis.

Wm. Dogan and Thomas Cooper, aliens.

J. A. H. Skinner, from anchylosis of left ankle joint.

Henry E. Hill, loss of index finger of right hand.

Thomas W. Baker, hernia.

Wm. Correll, deficiency in height.

Leroy F. Churchill, from deficiency of amplitude of tin-
chest.

Harmon Bashee, scrofula.

Geo. W. Stebbins, loss of sight of one eye.

Wm. Dobbin, fi'ostbitten feet.

Carlton O. Wilcox, prolapsus ani.

Wm. A. Douglass and James Stuigis, in service before
March, 1863.

Gideon Low, error in enrollment.

Charles R. Crosby, chronic inflammation of kidneys.

Henry C. Rolph, physical disability.

Andrew P. Huster and Dennis Qiiinland, never reported and
could not be found.

Thus it will be seen that the government obtained but
fourteen out of the forty-seven drawn, viz: three men and
$3,300 fi'om eleven that commuted. As before stated the
quota was eventually filled outside of town. — (See war
expenses.)

October 17th of this year, 1863, the fifth call of the presi-
dent was made. Under this there were due from Port-
land twenty -fom' men. xit a public meeting held Decembei-

THE TOWN OF PORTI.AJfD. 277

14th following, a "resolution was ofifered that the town
raise $7,200 by tax to pay $300 to each of twenty-four volun-
teers apportioned to the town under the last call of the
president." An amendment was offered to exempt from
tax those that had commuted by the payment of $300 under
the di-aft of August 25th last, which was accepted. At a
subsequent meeting on the 1 6th, the resolution as amended
was adopted, ayes ninety-eight, noes sixty-five.

In December 1863 and January 1864, fomteen veteran
soldiers fi'om town whose tenn of service would expire
in the following spring or summer, reenlisted under the
assui-ance that $300 bounty would be paid each. They were
credited on the next call, which was made Febniary 1st
1864. In answer to a resolution by a meeting of citizens, a
special town meeting was called, and held March 8, 1864,
to decide by vote whether $4,200 should be raised by tax on
the town to pay such soldiers reenlisting. The vote was
as follows : tax, one hundred and forty-five ; opposed, eighty.

No men seem to have been furnished under the call of
March 14th, 1864, but the effort was merged in that of
the next call, which was made July 18th, 1864, for five
hundi'ed thousand men. Under this call there were due from
the town twenty one men. A special town meeting was
called, and held July 30th, at the office of I. Shattuck, Esq.,
to decide by vote whether the town would raise by tax suffi
cient to relieve the citizens from the operations of a draft.
The vote was as follows: tax, one huudied and forty-four,
opposed sixty-five.

December l9th the same year another call for men was made.
The quota for Portland was seventeen. The question was again
submitted to the citizens at a special town meeting at the house
of S. C. Riley Januaiy 7th, 1865, whether a tax should be
assessed upon the town sufficient to relieve the citizens fi'om
the effects of a draft. The vote cast was two hundred and
seventy-six. For tax, one hundi'ed and eighty-two, opposed,
ninety-four; and the men obtained outside of town.

278 HISTORIC A I. SKETCHES OF

The men reenli sting, as stated above, were all from the 9th
cavaliy, as follows : Chester Bradley, John P. Martin, Willard
H. Daniels, Vares G. Farnham, Albert A. Fay, Wm. H. Rolph.
Marcus M. Ransom, Nelson H. Whitney, Charles H. Williams,
Edwin Wright, John M. \Yood, John W. Yonng, John Johnson,
John ^Y. Bullock.

CyiTis Benjamin enlisted January 4th, 1864, in the 15tli Reg-
iment, N. Y. Infantry, and John D. Buell on February 24tli.
1864, in Co. B., 112th Regiment.

Abrahara and Charles Williams enlisted early in the war,
but the writer has been unable to ascertain their company
or regiment.

Seven enlisted from Portland that were credited to other
localities, as follows : Lysander B. Vanleuven, in the 6th Regi-
ment, Wisconsin Infantry ; Levant M. Hakes, in the 104th
N. Y. Volunteer Infantry ; Alfred G- Vanleuven, W^m. Correll,
John D. Bentley and Ephraim K. Fellows, in the 111th Regi-
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers : Walter Quigiey in a Michigan
regiment.

Recap ihilation of Men tunmhed. — Portland fui'nished for
the army and navy that were credited to the town 137 men, as
follows : To the 3d Excelsior, or 72d regiment N. Y. volun
teers, 13 ; to the 49th regiment, 3 ; to the 2 1st regiment, 1 :
to the 44th regiment, 1 : to the regular aivmyj 1 ; to the lUOth
regiment, 9: to the 9th cavalry, 49; to the 112th regiment.
23; to the 154th regiment, 33; to the 15 thregiment, 1; to
regiments not laiown, 2 ; to the navy, 1 man. Foiu- substi-
tutes were fui'nished, fifty-seven enlisted from outside of town ;
14 reenlisted, and 11 commuted imder the di'afV act of March
3, 1863, making an equivalent in the aggregate of 223 men,
which with those fr'om towTi enlisting outside of the state, will
make a total of 230.

It was found difficult under the calls of .July 18 and Decem-
ber 1 9, 1864, to fill the quota at the price fixed by the people
on the morning of the special town meeting, January 7. 1865.
viz.: $300 for one year's men, $400 for two years' men and

TllK TOWN OF PORTLAND. 279

$500 for three years' men, and a number of citizens advanced
the extra sums necessary (on an average $300) for tlu-ee years'
men, and were relieved from the effect of any subsequent draft
by having a substitute in the field. The number as now
remembered was i 8, and the sum advanced was $5,400. Those
remembered were as follows : Franklin Fay, W. Tui'k, Wm.
Martin, A. W. Baker, Jonas H. Martin, David McGregor, G.
L. Townsend, Norman Goodsell, Elisha Fay, J N. Plill, J. N.
Porter, H. A. Burton, Salmon Burton

280 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER XL VII.

War of 1861 coutinued — Aid furuished Soldiers direct and through Hospitals, Sanitary
and Christian Commissions.

The most kindly feeling followed the citizen soldiery of
Portland, and their wants in their perilous wanderings were
carefully studied and often anticipated and supplied by private
contributions, but more liberally through organizations adapted
for such a mission. So intense the excitement and so great
the interest pervading every heart with reference to the issue
of the struggle and those engaged in it that every effort
possible was put forth through the various associations and
se^ving circles to furnish such aid and comforts for the sick,
the wounded and dying as the exigencies of the case demanded.
Nearly all the aid thus fui'nished to hospitals, sanitary or other
commissions was through associations of ladie^ of which there
were tliree in town : 1, the " Baptist Sewing Circle,