Full text of "History and directory of Yates County : containing a sketch of its original settlement by the Public Universal Friends, the lessee company and others, with an account of individual pioneers and their families ; also of other leading citizens ; including church, school and civil history, and a narrative of the Universal Friend, her society and doctrine"

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HISTORY

AND

DIRECTORY

YATES COUNTY,

CONTAINING A SKETCH OF ITS

ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT BY THE PUBLIC UNI

YEESAL FEIENDS, THE LESSEE COMPANY

AND OTHERS, WITH AN ACCOUNT

OF INDIVIDUAL PIONEERS AND

THEIR FAMILIES ; ALSO.

OF OTHER LEADING

CITIZENS.

INCLUDING CHURCH, SCHOOL AND CIVIL HISTORY,
1 AND A NARRATIVE OF

The Universal Friend,

HER SOCIETY AND DOCTRINE.

BY STAFFORD C. CLEVELAND,

EDITOR OF THE YATES COUNTY CHRONICLE.

VOLUME ONE

"WITH EIGHTEEN ILLUSTRATION*.

PENN YAN, N. Y.
PUBLISHED BY S. C. CLEVELAND,

CHRONICLE OFFICE.

1873.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873,

BY STAFFORD C. CLEVELAND,
In the office of the Librarian of CoDgress, at Washington.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF VOLUME ONE.

I.— FRIEND'S LOG MEETING HOUSE Frontispiece.

II.— THE UNIVERSAL FRIEND, 38

III.-FRIEND'S HOUSE, ERECTED 1790 48

IV.-FIRST RESIDENCE OF THE FRIEND IN JERUSALEM 66

V.— FINAL RESIDENCE OF THE FRIEND 82

VI. -MRS. ELIZABETH BARDEN 186

VII.— ABNER WOODWORTH 228

VHI.-ELIJAH SPENCER, 256

IX.-WILLIAM T. REMER , 278

X.-LEWIS B. GRAHAM, 394

XI.-NATHANIEL SQUIER, 430

XII.— ISRAEL COMSTOCK, 460

Xm.-PETER H. BITLEY, 532

XIV.-MAUSOLEUM OF THE FRIEND 585

XV.— VINE VALLEY, 586

XVI.-SENECA POINT, 632

XVII.-DR. JOSHUA LEE 648

XVIH.-OUTLINE MAP OF YATES COUNTY, End op Volume.

Illustrations to Volume One.

I — Friend's Log Meeting House.

fT was to satisfy their religious aspirations that the Friend
and her disciples left their homes in Rhode Island, Con-
necticut and Pennsylvania, to found a new settlement far away
from the comforts and privileges of long settled communities.
That Religion was uppermost in their minds, is evinced by the
fact that one of the first acts of the society was to erect a
structure for public worship. They did not wait for the con-
struction of a costly temple, but made with logs an edifice very
similar to their own rude dwellings. The sketch of the Log
Meeting House, which serves as a frontispiece to this volume,
was drawn from a very minute and careful description of the
building by Henry Barnes, who often attended meeting in it
in his childhood, and retains a very vivid recollection of its
figure and appearance. He was able to tell just how many
logs could be counted between the ground and the roof, the
number and position of the windows, and the number of panes
in each ; the way the doors were hung, how they opened, and
how they were latched. He also described the chimney and
how it was built, and the roof covered with puncheon, and the
pine tree standing near. According to Mr. Barnes, the picture
is a faithful reproduction of the actual structure, which was
about thirty by forty feet in its dimensions. It was in this
house that the meetings of the Friends were held for eight or
nine years, except when occasions rendered it more convenient
and suitable to hold them at the house of the Friend. The
seats for the congregation were rude benches made of slabs.
The fire place was a large open one in which large wood was
burned. In cold weather a huge blazing fire was kept up to

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

warm the room. Frequently the attendance was so large that
the meeting house was very much crowded. The same building
was also used as a school house, and the first public school, as
well as the first public worship, was under its shelter. After
the career of the Jesuits in Acadie, there is no doubt this cheap
and simple edifice devoted to religious worship and education was
the first one for either purpose erected west of Fort Stanwix.
It well deserves to be held in honorable remembrance, not only
for its sacred and beneficent uses, but for the sake of the pious
and earnest people who fashioned it from the trees of the forest
and sought religious consecration under its roof. It stood very
near the site of the Buckley mansion, now owned by James M.
Clark, and close by the eastern line of the Gore proper; in
other words the New Pre-emption Line.

II — The Universal Friend.

The portrait of the Friend, presented at page thirty-eight, is
affirmed by the few aged persons who have seen it, and who
were also familiar with the features of the original, to be a
good and expressive likeness. It represents the Friend as she
appeared in middle life, before the bodily infirmities of her later
years had wrought any tendency to coarseness in her physique ;
while yet her fine personal symmetry was perfect, and the
delicate bloom of healthy tissues was unclouded in her com-
plexion. The original work of the artist who had the living
form for his inspiration was somewhat marred by his incompe-
tence, and probably still more by those who rendered it in the
printed engraving. These defects have been well overcome
by hands more deft with the pencil and a brain endowed with
higher capacity to idealize the various descriptive testimonies
and traditions, oral and written, which have been gathered up
with much care, relating to the personal presence of this noted
woman. Every picture is at the best but a striking suggestion
of its subject ; and this one has proved so perfectly suggestive
as to reveal itself at once to those who have seen both it and
its prototype. It will be a source of pleasure to thousands of

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

persons to find in this book an illustration that represents
" The Public Universal Friend "; the woman whose career
has been so widely bruited and so much distorted by the
voice of ungenerous prejudice; — prejudice formed in sources
of cotemporary bitterness, and echoed with subsiding force
along the years which compass nearly two generations
since her departure from the world. If there is not
in this delineation the most marked suggestion of that regal
quality of her character which gave her ascendancy and
authority over others by force of moral pre-eminence ; there is
at least an affluent expression of benevolence and philanthropic
feeling which confutes the old detractions and justifies the
generous title she assumed for herself and the assemblage of
her faith.

Ill— Friend's House— Erected 1790.

That this was the first framed house built in Western New
York, has been confidently asserted, and that it was the first
after the purchase of Phelps and Gorham, is probably true.
Framed houses were not unknown among the Senecas, due to
their long intercourse with the French and the advance in
civilization, awakened among them by the Jesuit missionaries.
Several framed dwellings were destroyed by Sullivan's soldiers
at Canadai-que and on the Genessee during his destructive raid in
1779. This house was a remarkable edifice, considering the
time and circumstances which produced it. An antiquated
relic, it belongs to a time to which we look back, as if to a very
ancient period, although a few living persons remember it and
its mistress when she had but just moved away from it to the
dense wilderness of Jerusalem, which she did in 1794. Many
curious recollections cling to this old building. Its architect
and builder was Elijah Malin, an eminently pious Friend, who
was almost as much identified with the household of their leader
as were his sisters, Rachel and Margaret. He married the
Friend's sister, Deborah, after she became a widow by the
death of her first husband, Benajah Botsford. The house was

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

not finished when the Friend arrived in the settlement, and
while the work was going forward, she resided in a temporary
structure called the " Shingle House " somewhat nearer the
Lake. The Friend's house when finished, was like a palace in
comparison with the humble domicils built with logs, which
dotted the surrounding wilderness, over which the Friend's
Settlement extended. The farm on which this house belonged
was the property'of the Friend as long as she lived. The
house has usually been kept in tolerable repair, and while its
framework and siding has remained the same, its roof has been
once or twice renewed. Its first siding was of plank nailed
vertically. It is situated on lot one, of the Friends' lands or
Potter Location.

IV — First House of the Friend in Jerusalem.

Till 1803 the Friend's Settlement, including the lands known
as the Gore and eastward to Seneca Lake, belonged in Jerusa-
lem. Since that period Jerusalem must only be understood to
embrace the town bearing that name. "When the Friend first
established her residence in the " Second Seventh,"^it was in
the valley east of her final residence. There she moved into a
log house of humble pretensions. To this was added another,
and then a third. Still later the first part was raised a story
higher and sided over, when it presented the appearance of a
frame building as rendered in the picture presented at page
sixty-six. The entire building is drawn precisely as described
by Henry Barnes. In this abode|.the Friend and her family
resided twenty years, during which period their fortunes were
shaken by many important events. This house stood on the
south side of the road, was flanked on the east by a very fine
garden ; a few rods south of it bubbled up a noble spring of
excellent water, and still farther in the rear were log barns for
farm uses. On the north side of the highway was a log build-
ing used as a workshop by the women, where the spinning and
weaving and much of the sewing was done. The flat on the
north was covered by as fine a sugar camp as ever stood in the

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

county. Within the space of a half mile square 2,000 maple
trees could be counted. These were large and thrifty and
yielded sap in the sugar making season in wonderful abundance.
Henry Barnes relates that he tapped 636 trees in this camp in
one day with an axe and gouge. It was while the Friend lived in
this residence that repeated attempts were made on one pretence
and another, to arrest her, but without success. From this
house, Eliza Richards, a giddy girl, the ward of the Friend,
elcped with Enoch Malin, bringing by this and subsequent acts
of hers, a long train of vexatious evils on the Friend and her
society. In this house the worship of the society was conducted
when the meetings were held in Jerusalem ; though frequently
the Friend accompanied by some members of her household
and others of the society went down to the original settlement
and preached on their Saturday-Sabbath at the house of Adam
Hunt, or that of Isaac Nichols. These journeys they usually
made on Friday afternoon on horseback, and sometimes they
formed quite an imposing cavalcade. When the meetings were
to be at the Friend's house, Silas Spink, some of the Nichols
family, and also the Hunts, and other steadfast Friends would
go in solemn horseback procession to Jerusalem on the preceding
day. With their broad-brimmed hats and peculiarly staid
demeanor, riding excellent horses, they always made a notable
and highly respectable appearance. Scarce a sign is left of the
domicil which for so many years was the favorite rendezvous
for their devotions. Some years after the Friend's decease the
building was destroyed by fire.

V — Final Residence of the Friend.

A house designed for a permanent home was not erected by
the Friend till a late period of her life. It was commenced by
Thomas Clark, in 1809, and not till five years later was it
finished. The work done slowly, was also done well. Thomas
Clark, the architect and builder was from Philadelphia, and his
wife was a sister of Rachel and Margaret Malin. He was not
a Friend, but a Free Will Baptist of the strictest faith, and

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

aided in excommunicating James Parker from that denomination
when Mr. Parker had grown too liberal in his faith to find the
doctrine of endless misery congenial with his sentiments.
Thomas Clark was a good mechanic and builder, and whether
he builded better or worse in his theology is not in question
here. The house he erected for the Friend is a structure of
historic interest. ;It was her abode but little more than five
years, and during a considerable portion of that time she was
a declining, suffering invalid. Many interesting meetings of
the society were held there, and some of the most touching in
their history. There the Friend died ; and there died Rachel
and Margaret Malin ; also several other devoted members of
the society. There the hapless sequel of the Friend's will had
its melancholy development. There the society, deprived of
its head, lost its steadiness and unity of purpose and came to
its end. Most mournful of all, the needy Friends had not the
life long home secured to them, which by right, and by the
terms of the Friend's will, was their due. The place with its
sadly interesting memories, will always have associations to
challenge the regard of the thoughtful. It was well chosen for
a pleasant home. The west arm of Lake Keuka lies in view,
and the surrounding country forms a beautiful landscape in all
directions. Located on lot twenty-three, of Guernsey's survey
it was eligible as a central situation on the Friend's domain.
Could she have perpetuated her vigor and equity of judgment
in those who followed her in the control of affairs, it might
have long remained a home of interest and happiness for the
household of the Friend's faith. It remains simply a historic
landmark, which will probably last much longer in the memory
oi the people than the strong framework will resist the ravages
of time.

The sketches of these residences of the Friend, together with that
of the Log Meeting House and Mausoleum of the Friend, were
drawn by Mrs. S. C. Cleveland, and engraved by her sister, Mrs.
Olive Fraser Ingalls, of Glenora.

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

VI — Mrs. Elizabeth Barden.
In the subject of this illustration we have an excellent repre-
sentative of the pioneer women ; more than that she represents
in her ancestry as the daughter of .lames Parker, a conspicuous
force in the pioneer movement, and of the early period of the
Friend's society ; — in her descendants a very prominent Benton
family. She was of Rhode Island birth and training, a model
of the industrious and thrifty housewife, and possessed of sound
religious and moral characteristics. It was her lot to find, with
her sisters, a home in the Friend's settlement at a very early
period, and soon after to be wedded to Otis Barden, a young
pioneer just opening to the sunlight a home in the dense forests
of township number eight in the first range of Phelps and
Gorham's purchase. How well this home was established from
humble beginnings, and enlarged to competence and independ-
ence, is eloquently described by her son, Dr. Henry Barden,
in the text accompanying the portrait. It is due to the good
sense of the Doctor, and his profound regard for his excellent
mother, together with his high appreciation of local historical
records, that the fine portrait of his mother graces this work.
There ought to have been several of her contemporaries to
represent the femenine element of the pioneer period. No
better class of women ever labored in the cause of civilization.
It was theirs to meet great hardships with heroic patience, and
to preserve, amid their trying labors and severe privations, the
sweet amenities of life, and the blessing of pure moral senti-
ments to restrain vice and license. The daughters of James
Parker were all good women in the best and broadest sense of
the word, and did well their part in the several allotments of
lite which fell to them. They deserve, with all the admirablo
women of their period, to be held in long and grateful remem-
brance.

VII — General Abner Woodworth.
One of the most noted families among the earlier residents
of Benton, was that of the Woodworths. They were from
Connecticut, and people of sterling worth. Abner Woodworth,

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

the grandfather of the late General Abner Woodworth, and
two of his sons and two of his daughters became citizens of
Benton. The prominent place they filled in their day is alluded
to in its proper place. Molly was the wife of Levi Benton,
Sr., and Hannah, of Gideon Wolcott, Sr. Dyer Woodworth
was a very useful man in the Barden neighborhood, and Elisha
Woodworth's family cleared the farm of John Merrifield, on
Flat street. They were widely connected with the leading
families of Benton. Polly, the oldest daughter, was the wife
of Dr. Calvin Fargo, whom she outlived over half a century.
She died in 1873, upwards of ninety-six years old, the last of
her father's family. General Abner Woodworth reached the
age of eighty-three, though during a few of his later years
confined to his house by paralysis of one side of his body. He
was long a prominent and popular citizen, genial in his manners
and a man of genuine kindness of heart. In the later period
of his life he resided in Penn Yan. His military title was
derived from an organization of the veterans of 1812, kept up
to secure the claims of that class of the public defenders from
the State. To that work General Woodworth devoted several
of the later years of his active life. As a representative of
that class of citizens who succeeded the immediate pioneers of
the country he is well chosen. Few men in his day were
equally well known to all the people of the county, and there
were very few toward whom there was such universal good
will and kindly feeling. His portrait will recall very vividly to
many citizens an epoch that is receding into the past. It is by
the liberality of our fellow-citizen, Samuel S. Ellsworth, that
General Woodworth's portrait is numbered among the illustra-
tions of this book. He was the last of his name, and the last
of the male line of his family in the county.

VIII— Elijah Spencer.

One of the justly honored names in the annals of Yates
county, is that of Elijah Spencer. In his lifetime he received
frequent expressions of the high esteem of his fellow-citizens

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

and the confidence they reposed in him. He began life with
empty hands, accepting hard labor as his means of livelihood.
With vigorous resolution and robust energy, he overcame all
the difficulties that obstructed his advancement. He wrought
his way by simple industry, and inofficial station served the
people with the same fidelity that he regarded his own interests.
He belonged to the period when honorable service was the rule
in public life, and mercenary aims the rare exception, and even
in that time his public career was one to be mentioned with
special respect. Mr. Spencer was a leading citizen and
belonged to a family of exceptional strength and ability as well
as social prominence. His brother Captain Truman Spencer
was not only one of the first settlers of Benton, but for a long
period one of its first citizens. And the brothers, Martin,
Horace, James, Simeon and Justus P., were all men of more
than common ability and force of character. The sisters, too,
were women of exceptional worth. James Spencer who was
Supervisor of Jerusalem, in 1797 may have been the father,
rather than the brother of Elijah Spencer, as stated on page
260, and the latter hypothesis is the most probable. The
portrait of Elijah Spencer is engraved from a photograph taken
rather late in life, and the effort to relieve the features a trifle
from the marks of age and infirmity, has, perhaps, been rather
too successful. He was, till past middle age, a man of remark-
ably fresh and youthful appearance, and his portrait, painted
on ivory while he was a member of Congress, depicts him with
a clear and ruddy countenance and a luxuriant head of bright
red hair. The later picture has been followed in the production
of the portrait presented in this work. Tbe Spencer family
once so numerous in Yates county, still has numerous descend-
ants, but in the male line has for its only adult representatives
George W. Spencer, the present County Clerk, and Newton
B. Spencer, Printer and Editor, of Penn Yan.

IX— William T. Remer.
Native born to Yates county, William T. Remer represents

ILmSTKATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

pioneer families of prominence on both lines of his ancestry.
His father was a man of remarkable energy of character and
extended influence. Politically he was a power of no common
significance during the active period of his mature life. Aaron
Remer as a member of the Legislature was chiefly instrumental
in securing the organization of Yates county, and afterwards
was repeatedly its representative in the Assembly. His son,
William T. Remer, has since held the same position and others
of public responsibility. Another son, Lawrence T. Remer,
was a member of- the last legislature of Michigan. William
T. Remer is a liberal citizen, a good farmer, and generously
responsive to every duty that belongs to a kind neighbor and
a well-wisher of the public good. As a grower of fine
wooled sheep he has taken a leading rank with the farmers of
the county. As a representative of the family name no more
appropriate selection could be made. But it is proper to add
that if any portrait of his father had ever been taken, he would
have preferred such picture as an illustration for this work.

X — Lewis B. Graham.

There could not be selected for the town of Italy a more
representative man than Lewis B. Graham, though he has resided
without the precincts of the town during the past seventeen
years. He is a native of Italy, and the most conspicuous
representative of an extensive family of its early settlers. His
early education was such as the town afforded, yet his remarka-
ble quickness of apprehension enabled him to become well
qualified as a business man for promptness, accuracy and
efficiency. After serving as Justice of ihe Peace and Super-
visor in his native town, he was chosen County Clerk, and made
one of the best clerks the county ever had during two
terms. He is an apt and ready man, and an intelligent and
valued citizen. Earnest and sincere in his convictions, he is
never lukewarm in affairs that concern the political and social
welfare of the community. Instinctively he espouses the moral
right of public questions and adheres tenaciously to his views

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

of what is just and consistent with the public good. His
portrait represents him at a somewhat earlier period of life
than his present appearance indicates, but is correctly rendered
from a photograph.

XI — Nathaniel Squier.

Slender opportunities of early culture do not repress the
better aspirations in every case, nor quench the ambition to
excel in the honorable struggles of life. Nathaniel Squier was
one of a large family whose chief inheritance was poverty and
its hard conditions. Means of education and culture were
scanty, almost wholly absent in the surroundings of his early
life. While his father was a man of easy and passive nature with
little ambition to strive for better conditions of life, his mother,
a woman of the kindest affections was zealous to elevate the
lot of her family and secure their moral and social improvement,
but she struggled against the fate of adverse circumstances.
She died of consumption in Benton, in 1826, at fifty-two and
her husband nine years later in Michigan, whither the family
had moved. There two of the sisters are still living. Nathaniel
Squier never had any school education, but the winter after
gaining his majority, he took to the study of arithmetic, and
made a conquest of the old Daboll text book in thirty-one days.
The next winter he studied grammar, and then taught school
several winters following. While young he states that he
scarcely ever had a pair of shoes, and almost invariably went
with bare feet, especially during the milder months of the year.
The first pair of shoes he ever had, he says, were made by a
local Methodist minister, called " Thundering Mars," who went
from house to house shoemaking. Shooting was as great an
accomplishment then as • now, and Nathaniel Squier in his
young days could out-shoot any and all competitors with whom
he tested his markmanship. He could also excel in most of
the rougher sports, and gamble with such dexterity that he
was never worsted in games of chance. All these diversions he
resolutely put aside when he assumed the sober business of life.

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

Among the friends of his early days, he mentions Edward Hall,
of Seneca, with high respect. When he went to Italy Hill in
1833, the land was nearly all covered by its native forest, and
was so heavily timbered with pine, that had it been left standing
it would now have been worth $200 an acre. One Tyler kept a
tavern there and was a tenant of Abraham Maxfield. The
amount of work accomplished in getting out lumber and
clearing the land was prodigious. With his adroitness for
management, and the influence inspired by his generosity of
character, Nathaniel Squier soon became a leading citizen of
his town, and his alliance was sought by those who bore sway
in county affairs. No one could be more skillful nor more
successful in keeping the upper hand in that wrestle of tact
and strategy known as local politics ; reticent and cautious in
his steps, his purposes were accomplished before his opponents
were awake to the occasion. In 1852 he was chosen sheriff,
and thereafter was less active in political contests, though
frequently taking a part to help old friends or gratify some
feeling other than general politics. Naturally social and
sympathetic and endowed with a strong sense of justice,
Nathaniel Squier is a character worthy of study, and entitled to
earnest respect. His native shrewdness gives him a ready
insight into the character and motives of others, and his lenient
feeling leads him to a kindly judgment of his fellow-men.
Kind himself, he waimly appreciates kind treatment from those
who grant him aid or favor, and what is rare in men of advanced
years he has a generous and comprehensive sympathy with
human nature. He speaks in high terms of William M. Oliver,
Eli Sheldon, and Abraham V. Harpending, men whose friendship
he tested, and who in all pecuniary transactions gave him his
own time and terms, and trusted implicitly, as did Martin Gage,
to his integrity and memory of facts. Though he has rounded
off his three score and ten he is still robust and in the full
enjoyment of his faculties. After a life of much severe toil
and many embarrassments it is pleasant to see that he is still
taking life zestfully, and finding genuine enjoyment in the care

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

of his broad acres and his fine wooled sheep. The past he
lives over with serene satisfaction, and finds the present cheerful
and happy.

XII — Israel Comstock.

With the early immigration connected with the Friend's
Society came Achilles Comstock, whose wife was a daughter of
Elnathan Botsford, Sr., and herself a devoted Friend, while he
was a Methodist. But the family never had a jar on account of
theological difference. He was a citizen of sterling worth and
manhood, and transmitted to his children the excellent traits of
his own character. His son Israel followed his father in
religious convictions, while his two daughters* Apphi and
Martha, like their mother, were devout unwavering Friends to
the end of their days. Israel Cornstook was a good and useful
citizen. His life was one of industry and probity, and he
always took a lively interest in all questions that concerned the
public welfare. He was always ready to do his part as a
neighbor and citizen. Born a few years before the close of the
last century, he was familiar with all the early history of the
Friend's Settlement and of Jerusalem. In taking an active part
in the Historical Society, he brought to the work a full knowl-
edge of the work to be done, and a cheerful willingness to do
it. No one contributed more fully nor with more accuracy to
the records of that society. His extended relationship among
the Friends and his intimate knowledge of the long strife and
litigation over the Jerusalem lands, made him a good authority
on all subjects connected with the Society and its troubles.
His testimony was never in anywise unkind or disparagiug in
regard to the character and worth of the Friend. Israel
Comstock was a man so just and true, and withal so kind and
benevolent that he enjoyed universal respect and esteem. His
sons occupy the parental homestead, Botsford A., with his
mother and sister residing on the same spot when Achilles
Comstock established his home.

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

XIII— Peter H. Bitley.

Men of enterprise and vigorous capacity for large business
operations, like Peter H. Bitley, are not a numerous class.
For such men to begin life with slender means is but to stimu-
late them to large and successful achievements. Obstacles that
seem formidable, and resources that are diminutive, only act
on such men by way of discipline and as agencies of qualifica-
tion for the work they have in hand. Peter H. Bitley was too
well fitted for an independent and successful business man to
remain for any long period the employee of others. As a timber
dealer he was for many years largely engaged with profitable
results. He became a citizen of Branchpoint soon after the
place was founded, and made his fortune there, and he has been
one of its most valued and worthy citizens. He is a man of
liberal heart and generous in a large degree. His feelings are
very strong and his purposes fixed and resolute. Popular
opinion has very little to do with his opinion, and when once his
stand taken, lie is not easily changed. This quality of his char-
acter rendtrs him an uncomfortable opponent and a very
valuable ally. Of strong religious prepossessions he is a firm
adherent of the Universalist faith ; and it has been chiefly due
to his liberality that a church of that denomination has been
sustained in Branchport. He has also been a generous contri-
butor to the educational interests of the Universalist church at
large and to its publications. As a citizen he is a zealous sup-
porter of local improvements, and ready to bear his part of all
necessary burdens for their prosecution. Equally strong in his
likes and dislikes, he is a friend that sticks like a brother, and if
thoroughly hostile not easily placated, though a quiet man with
no disposition to interfere with the concerns of others. And
his thorough sense of justice and fair dealing make it impossible
for him to perform any act that will operate to the perceptible
harm of his fellow-man. Although Peter H. Bitley has drifted
aw?y from the popular current in politics since the days of the
"irrepressible conflict" begun, and has been extreme and

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUMNE ONE.

radical in his opposition to the overwhelming .tide of public
sentiment, he has always retained the good will of his fellow-
citizens who have conceded the honesty of his convictions, and
have respected him for the sincere manliness of his character.

XIV — Mausoleum of the Friend.

Monumental vanity had no place in the Friend's theory of
human duty. She held that the living owed their best expen-
diture of love and labor to the living, and that the dead could
be best remembered in the fragrance of lives consecrated to
j righteous endeavor. The earliest graves at City Hill are not
marked by so much as the simplest head stone. And in the
Friend's burying ground in Jerusalem there are no graves
designated by monuments of any kind. Many members of
the Society were there consigned to their final rest ; but no'
inequalities of their temporal fortune can be inferred from
anything that appears above the common sod under which they
repose. At an early date in the present century, under the
direction of the Friend, a vault for the reception of the dead
was placed in the verge ot the bank bordering the valley west
of the residence she then occupied. That vault wae built by
James Hathaway, with brick, and was an arched structure. In
that vault were deposited the bodies of Thomas Hathaway, Sr.,
his brother, James Hathaway, and General William Wall. It
came to need repair, and on commencement of the work the
arch fell in. The bodies there were then taken to the general
burying ground ; and at a later period the burial vault was
constructed near the final residence of the Friend, the figure
of which is given at the end of Chapter IX. This was built
by a mason whose name was Jayne, and was designed as a
sepulchral deposit for the Friend. For reasons elsewhere indi-
cated, the body of the Friend was never placed in that recep-
table, nor were those of either Rachel or Margaret Malin.
The bodies of the three rest together in a hillock on that
beautiful domain once presided over by the pious leader of
the " Public Universal Friends." It is most probable that

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

they will never have any other monument than that afforded
by the memory of their lives. It is perhaps as well so. Shafts
of marble and granite are, at the best, transient and illusive
memorials of human worth. Moral rectitude and faithful
devotion to an exalted ideal of duty will reach higher in the
esteem of the future and perpetuate their grateful halo longer
than the chiseled rock will challenge the credulity of posterity.
The Friend has better chances of a place in the recollection of
the coming generations than can be traced on the polished stone.

XV— Vine Valley.

This excellent sketch ot natural scenery was photographed
by Alanson Beers, of Rushville, and engraved for Moore's Rural
New-Yorker, as one of the illustrations of an article on
Canandaigua Lake, by Richard H. Williams. It presents a
fine view of Vine Valley as it skirts the base of Bare Hill, with
a considerable section of the hill itself; also a glimpse of the
Lake lying in its quiet beauty like a gem that irradites its
modest sheen to embellish the rougher surroundings, and unite
with swelling hills and green forests to form a most enchanting
landscape. * The Bristol hills west of the Lake which rise to a
towering altitude (2,000 feet above sea level), and overlook all
the adjoining country, are well defined in this perspective, and
and the picture gives a good delineation of a well chosen rural
scene that fitly represents the picturesque elements of the Lake
country. It is a notable success in sketches of that character.
The point of view is well chosen and the engraver has rendered
the scene with good effect. Vine Valley is a recent designation
for the Boat Brook opening from the Lake to the fertile back
country of Middlesex. It was the original gateway of the
town to all comers by way of the Lake, and many of the early
settlers made their advent by that route. The valley extending
back to Overackers Corners has a gradual elevation of 300
feet from the Lake, and in this depression so advantageously
sheltered by the headlands of Bare Hill and South Hill was
early found the best locality in all the country round for the

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

cultivation of wheat and all the choice fruits of our climate.
This suggested it as a superior situation for grape culture, and
Azariah C. Younglove commenced the experiment about 18G5,
and gave the valley the name it now bears. Hezekiah Green,
Edward and Woodworth N. Perry and Drs. Seeley and Nichols
soon embarked with others in vino culture in this iavored
locality. Their success has been highly satisfactory. Bare
Ilil! is guessed an altitude of 000 feet above the Lake. No
accurate measurement is recorded. Canandaigua Lake is 0G8
feet above the sea level, 437 feet above Lake Ontario, 221 feet
above Seneca Lake, and fifty feet below Lake Keuka. It
gives a lake line of about seven miles including the sinuosities
of the shore for the west boundary of Middlesex, and against
the hills the shore is extremely abrupt and precipitous.

XVI — Seneca Point.

Opposite and a trifle below Bare Hill on Canandaigua Lake
j lies Seneca Point, one of the most attractive situations which
adorn the shores of that beautiful sheet of water. From Bare
Hill and its Lake side environs this point is a striking and de-
lightful feature of the landscape. It thus becomes a goodly por-
tion of the scenic value of the Middlesex shore ; and this is the
excuse for giving it a place in this book, together with the fact
that it accompanied the Vine Valley sketch as an illustration of
Lake scenery in Mr. Williams' article in the Rural New-Yorker.
The picture given here is a reproduction of Mr. Moore's. The
view is taken from the water side and is a good one. Seneca
Point has become a place of much fashionable resort.

XVII— Dr. Joshua Lee.

For the town of Milo and its early history, Dr. Joshua Lee
stands forth a conspicuous representative. His father's family
was one of the earliest among the pioneers on the outskirts of
the Friend's Settlement. When he was but seven years old
they made a home in a log house not far from the Friend's
mill. There he was a pupil of Benajah Andrews, and later of

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

John L. Lewis, Sr., traveling as far as Benton Center every
school day for the valued tuition of that noted teacher, and not
deeming it a hardship. He commenced his adult life as a
practitioner of medicine, and was one of the most successful and
popular of his class. His ride as a physician extended nearly
over the whole county, and he was a friend and confidant in
nearly every family. Though he passed away over thirty years
ago he is still remembered by many of the living, and always
spoken of with kindly feelings. He was a man of sunny
temper and mirthful and genial in his social intercourse. It is
due to his nephew and son-in-law, Dr. Lewis A. Birdsall, that
his portrait is added to this book. The picture was photo-
graphed from an oil painting and reproduced by what is called
the Bierdstadt process, a recently discovered method of photo-
lithography.

XVIII— Outline Map of Yates County.

The map presented here is simply an outline exhibiting the
boundaries of Yates County and its several towns, the principal
thoroughfares and streams, and the location of villages.

In 1829 a map of Ontario and Yates counties, prepared by
David M. Burr, was published by Simeon DeWitt, Surveyor
General of the State, pursuant to an act of the Legislature. It
was drawn on a scale of one-half inch to the mile,and is a map
of general accuracy. The lots by the original surveys are given
with numbers, except on Ryckman's Location, and two or three
other patents of minor consequence. It indicates a westward
deflection of the old Pre-emption Line at the southeast
corner of township number eight, a bend which in fact does
not exist. By this map the meridian of Washington from
which our longitude is reckoned, runs a trifle east of the village
of Rock Stream, strikes the Lake directly east of Eddytown,
and passes about two miles east of Geneva. The extreme south
boundary of the county is forty-two degrees and thirty minutes
north latitude ; the north boundary forty-two degrees and forty-
six minutes ; Penn Yan forty-two degrees and forty-one minutes.

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

Seneca Lake is traversed by the initial meridian of longitude
and the west boundary of Italy is in twenty-five minutes west
longitude. A stage road is designated running from Geneva
southward by way of Livingston (now West Dresden), thence
lo Eddytown southward to Elmira, but no stage route is indi-
cated as passing through Penn Yan. A conspicuous road pass-
es through West River Hollow, another through the valley of
Flint Creek. These two converge at Bethel and pass on to
Geneva. Another passes from Head street, Penn Yan, by way
of Larzelere's Hollow to Italy Hill and Prattsburg. Another is
the Bath road from Penn Yan through Barrington. These are
distinguished as "County roads." On this map Barrington has
a post effice but no village, Benton has the villages of Bellona,
Hopeton and Livingston, and post offices known as Benton
(Bellona), Hopeton and Benton Center. Italy has Italy and
Italy Hill post offices : Jerusalem has the Jerusalem post office
(at Larzelere's) and no village ; Yatesville is the only village of
Middlesex, but there is a Middlesex as well as a Yatesville post
office; Rushville is designated as "Burning Spring;" Milo has
Penn Yan and Milo Center post offices, and a village with no
name is indicated at Himrods. The only Starkey village is
Eddytown, which has no post office, but post offices are indica-
ted at Rock Stream, Reeder's Corners (now Starkey Corners),
and Harpending's Corners. Barriugtou has one grist mill and
five saw mills. Beuton three grist mills and six saw mills.
Italy one grist and six saw mills. Jerusalem one gristmill and
eight saw mills. Milo ten grists mills and fifteen saw mills, an
oil mill and seven fulling mills and carding machines. Benton
two fulling mills and four carding machines. Italy one fulling
mill and two carding machines. Middlesex one fulling mill and
four carding machines. Milo two trip hammers, seven distil-
leries and two asheries. Barrington one distillery. Benton
seven and five asheries. Italy one distillery and three asheries.
Jerusalem one distillery and one ashery. Middlesex three dis-
tilleries and five asheries. Copies of this old map are now
very rare.

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

The first separate map of Yates County was published in
1852, by F. W. Keenan, who made his own survey, traversing
the county with his apparatus for taking bearings and measur-
ing distances. Before disposing of many copies of his map he
sold it to James Burns and Howard R. Miller, then partners in
the book trade in Penn Yan. They soon found that the map
was inaccurate in some respects, chiefly in the location of dwel-
lings, some of which were placed on the wrong side of the high-
way. They had these errors -corrected by their lithograper, R.
II. Pease, of Albany, added a map of West Dresden, and enlarged
those of Penn Yan and Dundee already belonging to the map.
L. & S. Denton were admitted to an interest in the publication,
but soon withdrew. This re-publication was in 1854. Owing
to the original discredit of the map Burns & Miller never suc-
ceeded in disposing of enough copies to reimburse them for
their investment. Keenan's map is plotted on a scale of one
inch and a half to the mile, and is quite correct in its geograph-
ical delineations. The southward line of the county is placed
at forty-two degrees, twenty-six minutes and ten seconds north
latitude ; the north line forty-two degrees, forty-four minutes
and ten seconds, the meridian of Washington passes by this
map about two miles west of Rock Stream, is nearly coincident
with the east boundary of Dundee village, runs about. eighty
rods west of Hopeton, and at Kashong runs half a mile west of
the Lake. Tke eastern extremity of Long Point is in about four
minutes of east longitude, and the west line of Italy twenty-
three minutes west. The Old Pre-emption Line is indicated,
the new one is not, except on the Dresden map. The names
of residents are given both on the county and village maps.
The statistics of population are given, and the map is embellish-
ed by a diminutive sketch of the residence of John N. Rose.
There must be <1 considerable number of these maps in exis-
tence, and they are well worth preserving.

The latest map of Yates county was published in 18G5, by
Stone & Stewart, 600 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, from actual
surveys by S. N. & D. G. Beers, assisted by A. B. Prindle and

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

H. A. Hawley ; scale one and one-half inch to the mile. No
attention is given on this map to latitude and longitude, but
other lines are given with commendable accurracy Lots by the
original surveys with their numbers are laid down the same as
on Burr's map. The names of principal residents are given at
their proper location, and there is an excellent table of distances
between the chief places within the couuty. Separate plots are
given of Penn Yan, Duudee, Kushville, Dresden, Branchport,
Bellona, Eddytown, Rock Stream, Ilimrods, Milo Center, Ben-
ton Center, Potter Center and Middlesex Center, with partial
business directories for each place. The map is embellished by
excellent views of the residences of James A. Belknapp of Jeru-
salem, and Darwin S. Peck of Benton. There is also a list of
the Post Offices in the county, twenty-three in number. This
map of the county is decidedly the most useful one yet pub-
lished. It was issued under the direction of J. H. French, who
edited the State Gazzetteer of 1860.

In 18.57 a map of the town of Milo and village of Penu was
published by J. II. French, surveyed and drawn by Frank
French, which is an elegant and creditable work. Its scale is
three hundred feet to an inch for the village, and four hundred
rods to three and three-eighth inches for the town. It is far
the best representation of both village and town that has been
given. The original lots are designated by numbers, the Gar-
ter is delineated, and so are the purchases of "Walker, Vreden-
burg and Lansing, and the Potter Location, and Little Gore,
so far as contained in Milo. The names of residents are given,
and separate plots represent Milo Center and Ilimrods. The
south line of the town is placed in north latitude forty-two de-
grees, thirty-six minutes and fifteen seconds, and the north line
forty-two degrees, forty-one minutes and ten seconds; and twen-
ty seconds west longitude is indicated on the east, and nine min-
utes, thirty seconds on the west verge of the town. This map is
handsomely embellished by a fine landscape view of Penn Yan,
also views of the Court House and yard, and Clerk's Office, the
Penn Yan Malt House, Mill of Casner & Scheetz, Mill and res-

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

idence of Jeremiah S. Jillet, Rice & Tunnicliff 's Store House,
and the residences of Ebenezer B. Jones, Nathaniel R. Long,
Oliver Stark, Henry Welles, Benedict W. Franklin, William M.
Oliver, John Rice, Nelson Tunnicliff, Job T. Smith, Darius A.
Ogden and Henry N. Wagener. There is also added a plot of
the new Penn Yan Cemetery, which was previous to the last
enlargement extending west of the rivulet that now divides the
burial grounds. Finally, there is the following table showing
the elevation of Lake Keuka compared with other lakes of the
State and noted points :

LAKE KE'UKA IS

,50

feet higher

than

Canandaigua Lake.

153

a u

Lake Erie.

271

Seneca Lake.

831

u tc

Caynga Lake.

343

u cc

Oneida Lake.

348

C( t<

Cross Lake.

398

Onondaga Lake.

487

Lake Ontario.

625

Lake Champlaiu.

71S

Level of the Ocean.

.52

lower

Owasco Lake,

122

Skaneateles Lake.

182

Cazenovia Lake.

47.5

'•

Otsego Lake.

573

Chautauque Lake.

1782

Source of Genesee River.

308G

«'

Highest of the Catskills.

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME ONE.

The following are added to those on the map.

I , A K E K F. U K A I S

Little and Mud Lakes.

Crystal Spring.

Dundee.

Himrods.

Milo Center.

Barrington Summit.

Bath.

Bluff Point Summit.

Prattsburg.

Italy Summit.

Rose Hill, Jerusalem.

The Barrington and Prattsburg elevations are not known to
be actual measurements.

390

ftet below

315

" "

236

(C t(

153

880

it l(

372

707

776

(i (C

1324

u a

572

it a

The wood enslaving for portraits in this work was performed by P. Ti. B. Pierson,
in accomplished Engraver, 7 Beekman street, New York.

The portrait of ihe Universal Friend was lithographed and printed by the Graphic
Company of New York, by the patented process by which the illustrations of the
Graphic Newspaper are produced.

PREFATORY

JOUR years have passed since Rodney L. Adams pro-
posed to the writer hereof, the enterprise of publishing a
Gazetteer of Yates County ; a work of some four hundred and
fifty pages, which should be more thorough and complete in its
facts, and contain more local history than such works ordinarily
furnish. Mr. Adams was to print the book at his office in
Geneva, his associate to prepare the material, or the chief part
of it for publication, and it was to be finished and disposed of
in the year 1869. With a vague and inadequate conception of
the work, yet with grave misgivings, so far at least as one of
the partners was concerned, the task was commenced. And
had it been skimmed as first proposed, and compressed within
the pages first promised, as perhaps would have been better,
it would have been completed and on the way to its destined
oblivion long ago.

One who has already more work that presses every day for
performance than he can possibly accomplish, is rash if not
foolish to take still more. And few persons have less time for
other work than one who has sole charge of a weekly country
newspaper. So much to apologise for the lapse of these four
years. The work expanded, the time flew. To frame local
history required much enquiry, and delay was often necessary
for that. Any reqivsite fulness of statement it was found,
would require much enlargement of the dimensions originally
assigned to the book. Still more delay and more work grew
out of the desire to do whatever should be done as well as pos-
sible, and make as good a local history as the accessible facts
and circumstances would allow. Hence, month after month,
and year after year has glided away, and the work still lingers.
Its esteemed projector, Mr. Adams, after printing four hundred

pages withdrew from the enterprise, and transferred his interest
therein to his partner. He, along with many others who took
a lively interest in the work in its inception, has since passed
to his final sleep. It is proposed to give him a kindly word of
remembrance in connection with the newspaper history of
Penn Yan.

After reaching more than twelve hundred pages, with ex-
tended additions yet requisite, it has been reluctantly determin-
ed as a necessity of the situation, to issue the work in two
volumes, either of which will be about double the size of that
originally promised. This enlargement has been undesirable,
yet apparently unavoidable. It has grown chiefly out of the
desire to make the local history as complete as possible by giv-
ing some account ot the pioneer families, and that to be worth
anything, in a historical point of view, must be somewhat ex-
plicit and genealogical. These family sketches, with few
exceptions, have been confined to the pioneer class. Seldom
have any been noticed of a later date of settlement than 1820,
though a number have been omitted of whom it would have
been well, had there been information collected for the purpose,
to have made more or less note. But none except those who
undertake the task can appreciate the labor and difficulty of
making the researches essential to fulness and accuracy. Those
who had fears that some pecuniary gain would accrue from the
work can quiet their apprehensions. It will not be possible to
avoid severe loss by the publication, andjoss which less effort
at thoroughness would have avoided.

That grave defects mar the work none can be more'painfully
sensible than he who is to be responsible for its character.
While far too much time has passed in its preparation, too little
has really been devoted to its careful elaboration. Many literary
blemishes might have been pruned out by more thoughtful
attention. For some typographical errors it would seem that
no valid excuse could be given. Yet they exist in spite of the
most anxious and diligent endeavor on the part of the writer to
avoid them. Proof readers and printers are wonderfully fallible,

and what is worse, often careless if not willfully, lazily negli-
gent. Their blunders are among the most trying tests of
human patience. But there are numerous other sources of
error. No power short of omniscience can write human history
devoid of inaccuracies. Every step is attended with multiplied
chances of misconception and misstatement. Every event
paints a different picture on the memory of every witness that
beholds it ; and human memory, with all its untold worth to
man, has many caprices and tendencies to false impression. It
need not be strange then that in our local annals, depending
chit fly on oral information, there appear occasional mistakes of
fact, as well as mistakes in rendering facts. Some of them
are provoking, and all are to be regretted ; but they can only
be satisfactorily corrected by going over the work with a view
to a new edition with more lull and accurate information.

But with all the faults and shortcomings of this work, the
pernuasion is strong in the mind of the writer that it has con-
siderable value to the present generation, and must have more
as the years pass by. It deals with names, events and local
interests that must always have a curious charm for every intel-
ligent dweller in Yates county, and every descendant of the
pioneer families whose plane of thought rises above mere animal
existence. To all such it makes accessible a stock of informa-
tion which would otherwise have been lost in hazy traditions,
or so scattered and overlaid with forgetfulness as to be of little
value.

No reasonable effort has been spared to make a faithful • in-
vestigation of facts, and to collect everything that would illus-
trate the early annals of the territory to which our work refers.
In accomplishing what has been done, essential assistance has
been rendered b}r a number of persons. Valuable papers of
James Parker have been furnished by Dr. Henry Barden, who
also prepared a history of his branch of the Barden family.
Important papers of Benedict Robinson were furnished by Dr.
John Hatmaker, who also tendered additional information. A
number of papers of considerable value were put in the hands

of the writer by James M. Clark, found by him in the Buckley
Mansion, which came into his possession by purchase. Special
credit is due to Job L. Babcock for assistance in gaining in-
formation in relation to the early history of Barrington ; also
to Peter H. Crosby, for aid of the same kind in that town.

In Benton much information was gathered by Edward J.
Fowle, in the first instance, and a series of articles written by
him for the Yates County Chronicle awakened a lively interest
in matters pertaining to the early history of our locality. David
H. Buell was also a zealous friend of the enterprise, and did all
in his power to forward its success. It is a source of painful
regret that he did not live to see it completed. . Martin Brown
should also be mentioned as a kindly assistant in gathering in-
formation in that town.

To Lewis B. Graham is chiefly due the collection of facts for
the history of the towrl of Italy, and in some particulars it is
better than that of other towns.

In Jerusalem assistance of value was rendered by Botsford
A. Comstock, and also in a special manner by Albert R. Cow-
ing ; also to some extent by Bartleson Shearman, Jackson
Wright and Miles A. Davis.

What is furnished in regard to Middlesex and Potter was
chiefly contributed by Richard H. Williams, who also did much
to gather up material from nearly all the other towns, and
especially in Milo, Benton and Jerusalem. He entered into the
work with zeal and a just comprehension of its value, and
made full endeavor to do his work faithfully and well The
sketches of John Race and Jacob Conklin are from his pen.

The collection of materials for the history of Starkey is
chiefly due to John D. Wolcott, who did his work well. The
history of that town owes much to the preparation and consid-
eration given to the subject by Mr. Wolcott, who also, by his
wide early acquaintance there was able to offer many timely
and judicious suggestions, and make the work more thorough
and comprehensive.

Acknowledgments are due to Squier B. Whitaker and Adam

Clark, of Torrey, for assistance and information. Quite a num-
ber more should be named for the aid they have gladly render-
ed, among whom are Joseph Remer, Luther Sisson and Isaac
Lanning.

But the most serviceable among living witnesses was Henry
Barnes, who as a member of the Friend's Society from his boy-
hood had an acquaintance with facts which it was important to
understand fully and correctly. Mr; Barnes at eighty years of
age had a memory of wonderful accuracy. His simple and
temperate habits of life seem to have kept his memory and his
mental perceptions exceedingly clear, and no other person met
by the writer had a tithe of his knowledge respecting the fam-
ilies embraced within the range of the Friend's Settlement and
the pioneers of Jerusalem. Of everything that happened with-
in that scope during the first thirty years of the present century
he was almost a perfect encyclopedia, and such is his integrity
and simplicity of character that his truthfulness cannot be ques-
tioned. This rare old man is what has remained to this day to
represent the teachings and moral fruits of the life and doctrine
of the Universal Friend. And no unfavorable judgment of
their value can be passed upon them from the evidence of either
his life or personal testimony. What creed or phase of chris-
tian theory better demonstrates its claims to the respect of
mankind than that which points to its disciples as examples of
unpretending piety faithful to the domestic and social virtues,
truthful, trustful and charitable ? Such is the character of Henry
Barnes and the devotees of the Friend who conformed their
lives with perseverance and fidelity to the religious inculcations
of their remarkable leader.

Of the Friend and her following, the first comers, as abiding
residents of this new world, as it was then regarded west of
Seneca Lake, an account of some fulness is given in these pages.
Still more would have been desirable in view of the fact that
this most exceptional woman and her work must always furnish
the most interesting and conspicuous chapter of our immediate
history. It was hers to create the foundation of our annals,

and she will be known the widest and remembered longest.
Not only, nor chiefly will this be, because she was first and
foremost on the scene ; nor yet because so many of the best
people of the county have descended from her disciples; but
for the reason that she was a distinct and peculiar being ; a
vigorous moral force : a person who made a vivid impression on
the society in which she moved, and one who must remain to
those who study the singularities of human development a
character worthy of profound and respectful consideration.
It is time to redeem such a character from that moral exile to
which she has long been banished by unjust obloquy, merciless^
bigotry and vulgar misinterpretation of her motives and her
deeds. More than half a century has elapsed since her personal
career was closed, and that time has sufficed, without any formal
or effective vindication that could reach the public ear, to mel-
low the asperity of many prejudices once rife and acrimonious.
Founded as most of these unkind prepossessions were in irrita-
tions and selfish controversies arising in the earlier years of pio-
neer life, it is but the natural result of time to sweep them away
with the memory of the causes that brought them into being. It
is possible therefore, to present at this time a more tolerant and
just appreciation of that rare and singular woman who sum-
moned so large a constituency to her support by a purely spirit-
ual authority, who was at once a prophet and a ruler, and who,
if not worthy to be accredited to the full extent of her claims,
was at least a sincere religious teacher, whose life and character
were not at variance with the spirit of her inculcations.

Of that early feud, which broke out so soon after the Friend's
Settlement was formed, between the Friend and two of her
most powerful adherents, James Parker and William Potter,
enough has been indicated to show that it was highly disastrous
to the interests of the society ; but the writer is not well satis-
fied that the causes of that bitter alienation occurring, where the
most extraordinary trust had previously prevailed, have come to
the light. Traditions which have come down from both sides of
the controversy are equally obscure as to its origin. If it all be-

gun in the disagreement about the disposal of the land purchased
by the joint action of the society it is a history by no means dis-
creditable to the Friend. The fact that she maintained with
heroic firmness, against the influence of wealth and power, the
rights of the poor among her followers, and never swerved from
her position, will always redound to her credit. There is how-
ever, a lingering doubt whether the whole story has been un-
raveled. There may be something back which, without incul-
pating the integrity and justice of the Friend would yet give a
color of reason and moral soundness to the action of those who
changed their attitude of friendship and patronage to one of
hostility toward their previous leader and her teachings. They
were men of character who had proved their title to the confi-
dence and esteem of their fellow men, and, in changing their
homes in Rhode Island for a home in the New Jerusalem could
not have changed in any essential regard their manhood.
There was some powerful motive that swayed their minds, and
one that has not been well accounted for. It is not improbable
that future investigation will throw further light on this appar-
ently unremembered history.

The persona], biographical and genealogical sketches which
occupy so much space in this work will have a varying interest,
as readers are more or less remotely connected or acquainted
with the groups, families and localities presented. That which
reaches nearest to us by consanguinity or by the experience
j and scope ot our lives, quite naturally and justly has the most
ready and absorbing claim upon our attention, and awakens
the most lively response of our feelings. Hence, it will perhaps
occur that some will find but little directly interesting to them-
selves in these local records. The more will this be true of
those most restricted in acquaintance and sympathy within the
boundaries to which our work extends, and least connected with
those of whom it treats. It might also be true of such as live
most in themselves and project their existence least into the
life of humanity. The most narrow and ill informed creature
is the most certain to feel himself the grandest product of time,
and to sum up the world and all it contains in his own empty
personality. To such a being ancestry is nothing, relationship
is nothing ; and even less than nothing to him will be ancestry
or relationship not of his immediate line.

That must indeed be a dwarfed and shiiveled existence into
which there enters no aspiration to know what may be known
of the chain of human life to which it belongs. Aside from the
question whether man begun high in personal perfections and
fell to a low estate, or begun low in the scale of animal life and

8 PREFACE.

ascended by gradual development to his present place of com-
parative exaltation ; — aside from this there is mnch to claim oar
interest embraced within the very few generations with which
human memory and tradition can make us acquainted. Like
transmits its like, not without variation, but so nearly true that
the real stamp of all character may be read in its pedigree. It
has been well said that the individual man is a bundle of his
ancestral peculiarities. It does concern us then, to know the
past, even to furnish information of ourselves as well as others.
We can hardly be sufficiently impressed with the pregnant fact
that the past is the architect of the present and the future. To
learn the past is the only way to comprehend the present, or
gain any sound prevision of the future. In this, as in all other
things, the knowledge of what is nearest to us and most con-
nected with our daily life is of more value than that which
is more remote. The geography, history, and traditions of our
own home, are the environment of our lives and enter into the
web and woof of our entire being. If "the proper study of
mankind is man," it must include the sum total of all that aids
to fashion his nature. The sky above his head, the earth
beneath his feet, the landscape, lake and forest, not less than
the social surroundings and moral and intellectual atmosphere
breathed in the plastic age of man, go to form his character
both in its external and internal lineaments. If we unfold this
wonderfnl scroll of a human existence we shall find it an epit-
ome of the universe.

Memory is that precious capacity of the mind which gives us
the large inheritance of the past that is one of the chief glories
of civilized man. With all its limitations and errors, it is an
attribute of God-like power and beneficence. It rebuilds the
past, and repeoples it with vital and ambitious forces. It makes
each succeeding generation the inheritor of the intellectual
wealth, the moral progress, and the material improvement of
its predecessors. Memory ties the past to the future and pre-
serves the continuity of historical succession. History is the
cumulative memory of ages and the storehouse of human wis-
dom and experience. It gives a unitary life U> the race, rank-
ing the individual as but a leaf on the great tree of Humanity,
of which the trunk and spreading branches are represented by
the past and present of the entire human evolution.

Penn Yan, February, 1873.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

CHAPTER I.

OXF. HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

fIGIITEEN Hundred Sixty-Nine looks back one hundred
years and inquires of Seventeen Hundred Sixty-Nine.
No living actors of that time report the answer. It must be
gathered from the traditions, the accessible records, the history,
so far as any has been written.

Of the little county of Yates, or the space now bounded and
defined with fixed lines and so called, we know it was then a
part of the land of the Senecas. It belonged to the Indian
Paradise of the Genesee country. As it lies now between the
great thoroughfares of eastern and western travel in this State,
so it did then between the east and west trails of the Iroquois.
The great Ganundasaga trail passed on the west side of Seneca
Lake from Tioga and Chemung to Kanaclesaga, Kanadarq and
the west ; but probably then as now the most frequented route
from the Susquehanna valley to the western bounds of the Sene-
ca dominion, was by way of the vale of Canisteo.

We are not aware that any villages of national importance
among the aborigines existed within the boundaries of our
county. Their most important towns were on the great central
trail which connected their Long House from east to west.
Rich and inviting as this region must have been, and bountiful
in the products of the chase and the spontaneous fruits of the
forest, it does not seem to have been a focal point for tribal

10 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

gatherings or a seat of authority and power. The Senecas,
however, traced their supernatural origin to Bare Hill in our
northwestern town on Canandaigua Lake.

Going back one hundred years, we find these remarkable
children of the forest in full and undisturbed possession of this
blooming land. It was yet ten years before the irruption of
Sullivan carried desolation to their settlements and ruined
their budding industries. That hard and cruel blow would
then have seemed an event impossible to anticipate. Ten
years before, the French had been driven from their beautiful
Acadie, of which, in their liberal geography, western New
York was a part. For one hundred and fifty years they had
struggled with pertinacious and almost indomitable energy to
establish their sway. Their admirable foresight in the selec-
tion of their posts, and their wise alliances with the western
tribes of the wilderness had seemed certain to place the destiny
of the continent within their grasp. But the fatal hostility of
the Iroquois, added to the military power of England and her
Atlantic colonies, turned the scale against them. The French
were driven out, and the English took possession of what
would otherwise have been, perhaps to this day, a part of the
French empire. Had the English been vanquished, the result
would probably have been a far happier one for the natives. The
French and Indians meeting on peaceful terms, assimilated
readily. Not so the English. Their contact with the Indian
was fatal to the feebler race, who melted away from the pres-
ence of the Anglo Saxon as if pursued by the hand of fate.
And rum, the Englishman's constant and powerful ally in deal-
ing with the simple denizens of the forest, was the most des-
perate and deadly fiend that ever interfered with their social
and national well-being. The French did not resort to this
wicked device for success with the Indians, .until the British
had gained such advantages by it as to drive their rivals to the
same expedient. Besides, let it be told to the lasting honor of
the Jesuit Missionaries, that for a long period they Avholly pre-
vented the French traders from dealing in spirituous liquors

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY. 11

with the Indians, and that so long as the French occupancy
lasted, they greatly restricted this terrible traffic among them.
The labors of these missionaries are among [the brightest
examples of devotion and self-sacrifice. They penetrated to
the deepest recesses of the wilderness, and cheerfully endured
all manner of toils and hardships to plant the germs of the
Christian faith among the untutored natives. Their records
show that they planted considerable missions among the Iro-
quois, and but for the fell influence of recurring wars, they
undoubtedly would have achieved a lasting and highly civiliz-
ing influence among those progressive and teachable tribes.
They were zealous and untiring ; and if white men anterior to
one hundred years ago, trod the soil of what is now Yates
county, they probably belonged .to the emissaries of the ever
active and indefatigable Order of Jesus.

They passed away, and no marks remain to testify of their
labors, except a few scattered fruit trees, called Indian Apple
trees, which are said to have been planted or sprung from seed
introduced by these Catholic Missionaries. More than a hundred
years ago their work in this part of Acadie was ended. Their
proselytes among the Indians were not numerous, but their
influence on the thought of the rude savages was very consider-
able, and is said to be still apparent among the scattered rem-
nants of these, once formidable tribes.

The powerful league of the Six Nations had given their aid
to the King of England in the expulsion of the French and
had become his firm allies, much to their ultimate cost. The
support they had rendered in the French war, they put forth again
when the colonies rebelled, to uphold the King; and this fatally
erroneous policy cost them their very national life, and the
possession of the Long House in which they and their ances-
tors had flourished for centuries. They delighted to call their
admirable political fabric, which extended from the Hudson on
the east to Lake Erie on the wTest, the Long House, of which
the Mohawks guarded the eastern door and the Senecas the
western. Their friendship toward the British was powerfully

12 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

promoted by Sir William Johnson, whose home was among the
Mohawks, and who was a virtual monarch in that tribe and
held a great ascendancy throughout the league. He was the
dispenser of royal favors among the aborigines, and by liberal
and conciliatory conduct, secured an influence with the Six
Nations far greater than any other man of the white race ever
enjoyed. His power with the Senecas was less conspicuous
than with the eastern nations, but on most questions he carried
the Senecas with the rest, and attached the entire league to
the interests of his master, the King.

Thus stood matters one hundred years ago. The colonial
settlements were gradually crowding into the borders of the
wilderness. The colonists and the Indians were at peace. A
very few Protestant Missionaries had penetrated among the
Indians, and some advances toward civilization had developed
among them ; enough to show that could they have been pro-
tected from rum and the absorption of their lands by the
a<ro-ressive race, they would have risen gradually but certainly
to the civilized state in the course of a few generations.

Let us contemplate for a moment the wide gap that divided
them from us, even in the external conditions of life. On the
territory now embraced within the county of Yates, laced with
highways at regular and convenient distances for travel in all
directions, supporting twenty thousand people, many of them
in homes of lavish bounty and luxury, and all in respectable
comfort, with more than three-fourths of the land under good
cultivation, with abuudance of first-class domestic animals, and
all the fruits and grains of our latitude in profusion, with daily
railway connections with the sea-board and towards every point
of the compass, with the lightning ready to leap with intelli-
gence to every corner of the earth, at our command, — on this
favored ground there lived, a century ago, perhaps five hundred
of the Red race — certainly not more than a thousand — if the
estimates of the native populations which have been preserved
. are correct. The Senecas, the most formidable of the Iroquois
nations, weie never supposed to number more than twenty -five

HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY. 13

thousand, and some careful authorities have placed them as
low as ten thousand. Their territory, embracing both banks of
the Seneca Lake, extended to Lake Erie. Hence it will be seen
that our estimate of the number that found homes on our little
space of 320 square miles, is large enough. For roadsthey had a
few trails or paths leading through the forest to their favorite
haunts. Their dwellings were mostly made from the bark of trees,
with a few poles for their principal support. The skins of animals
furnished them with much oi their bedding and clothing. Their
only domestic animal was the dog. The squaws raised little
areas of corn, beans and squashes. Near some of the larger
villages at the time of Sullivan's invasion, there were large
fields of corn and fine orchards. Some of their dwellings
were also framed buildings, tastily painted, but there were few
of these. The most of the Indians still followed the habits of
their ancestors. Intercourse with Europeans had furnished
them with powder and fire-arms, which added greatly to their
potency as hunters and warriors.

The principal part of their education consisted in woodcraft,
which, in its full sense, embraces much that is real wisdom and
would be a proud acquisition to the most learned. They had
social laws and a political system that seemed to be wisely
adapted to their needs, • and by no means inconsistent with
moderate and wholesome progress. In religious ideas and
practices, they were like others, with no more light than they
possessed, crude and illogical. Feeling about in the dark for
a road to the light, they had a child-like solution for the mys-
teries of life and death, the past and the future.

Compared with his white brother, the Indian was but a
child. Of what avail was his subtle comprehension of the
hunter's art, of the secrets of the woods and waters, of the
habits of the animal kingdom, and the virtues of plants, and
all that forms a well trained native of the wilds, against the
far higher culture and more extended resources of the Cauca-
sian? The attrition of European enterprise and thought
| against the comparatively inert or rather undeveloped Indian,
I

HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

with the little conscience that too generally actuated the strong-
er race, could bring only fatal results to the weaker. Neither
seemed capable of accurately and justly estimating the other.
The Indian could not feel the advantage which long centuries
of civilized training had given to the white man ;■ and the
white man judged the Indian by modes of thought to which
the Indian had not approached. Besides, English civilization
has always been selfish and absorbing. With a few honorable
exceptions, the desire to possess the soil on the part of the
settler, has been a sufficient excuse to take it, without a thought
of the wrong to those who had owned it, perhaps when Europe
was the property of the Roman Empire.

Yet it ill-becomes us to sit in judgment on our ancestors.
They followed the drift of their time, and acted as well as its
average moral sentiment required. They found the forest and
the Indian both in their way, and pushed both before them to
establish their own social system. The axe and the rifle in
their hands were powerful agencies of civilization, but they
did not stimulate the most refined speculations on human rights
or human duties. They served the pressing wants of their
day, and gave the descendants of the pioneers an unimpeded
theatre for the grandest national experiment in the long train
of the ages. It was due to human^ and far-seeing rulers to
protect weak peoples and see that no vital wrong was done to
natives of western wilds. But Europe sent us rulers who
were charged with other aims, and did their work so badly on
the whole, as to quicken the germs of self-government budding
everywhere in the new world. They neither protected the
aborigines nor cherished the loyalty of the colonists.

The Indian perished. It is mournful to contemplate his exit ;
but it seems to be in harmony with the course of nature and
the teachings of history. The new and beautiful growths
spring up from the mould of the decayed organisms of the
past. There is a grand continuity in the march of Humanity.
Though individuals drop away like leaves from the trees, and
nations flash up and disappear like the shifting scenes of a

HISTORY OF YATES COTJNTY. 15

dramatic parade, Man endures. The dust of one proud race
fertilizes the plain on which a succeeding race erects the monu-
ments of its industry and pride. Yet the Human Family is
one : one in flesh and blood, one in emotion and aspiration,
one in helpless submission to the fiat of a common destiny, one
in the hopeless struggle to solve the riddle of existence.

One hundred years ago the Indian seemed secure of this
part of his Eden, at least so far as his vision might prognosti-
cate the future. This was a region claimed by England as it
had been by France. The war of the revolution was yet in the
future, but its preliminary vibrations were beginning to shake
the colonies. In the lapse of the next five years it boiled up
into the final eruption. With short-sighted loyalty to the
King, the Six Nations sided with the British. They aggravated
the struggle by falling on the border settlements, and urged on
by Tory hate ami Tory assistance, they perpetrated many bar-
barous horrors in these incursions. And fearful was the retri-
bution which folloAved. Cherry Valley and Wyoming were
terribly avenged. No doubt it was a gala-day for the ferocious
Butler and his Indian allies in 1778, when they proceeded
from Fort Niagara and launched their canoes on the Canisteo,
to move down on the devoted valley of Wyoming. It is said
they were joined by Catharine Montour, who left her lodge
just beyond the head of Seneca Lake, and by a motley host of
warriors from all the Six Nations, with a large number of Tories,
who added fury to the flame of barbarous cruelty that inspired
the forest warriors. They did their bloody work and returned
in triumph. But their triumph was brief and dearly atoned
for. Washington heard the wail of the border settlements and
resolved upon energetic retaliation. The next Summer Gen.
Sullivan was sent into the wilderness with orders to lay waste
and destroy without reserve or pity. He entered the land of
the Senecas by the gateway of the Chemung Valley. Brant
headed the warriors of the league for a determined stand on
the Chemung river ; but it was in vain. They were driven
from the field, and flew before the thunder of his artillery till

16 . HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

his vindictive march was ended. They were only able to keep
their wives and little ones away from immediate harm, to suffer
the agonies of starvation the following winter. Queen Catharine
fled from her lodge never to return. Sullivan's men destroyed her
home and laid waste its pleasant surroundings. They marched
down the eastern shore of Seneca lake, and the echo of their
cannon from the western bank of that beautiful water, was like
a reverberating prophecy of the new order of things shortly to
follow in their train. It is said they gazed across with delight-
ed eyes, viewing, as they most justly believed they did, a good-
ly land. The summer sunshine reflected to their vision no
deceitful images. They had a glimpse of the glorious land
that soon became famous as the Genesee Country. The garden
of the Lake country inspired them with a warm admiration for
its beauty and fertility ; and they carried back to their homes
such stories of its natural wealth and singular attractions, that
the emigration of a few years' later time was greatly stimulated
by the impression which had thus gone abroad at the east.

The punishment inflicted on the Senecas and Cayugas by
Sullivan, sufficed for the purpose it was intended to serve. The
Indians were thoroughly broken and depressed, and were never
afterwards led into a hostile attitude on the soil of New York.
The war soon after closed, and the ill-starred Iroquois were
left at the mercy of the victors. It was much to the credit of
the authorities that they did not exact the conditions which the
laws of war might have claimed from the vanquished. The
right of the Indians to the fee simple of the soil was recognized.
In fighting with the British they had done themselves a griev-
ous wrong. But they had stood by friends whose battles they
had fought in a previous war. They had evinced fidelity, and
were far less culpable than those vindictive Tories who had
planned and led on the most bloody forays, which had rendered
both the Indians and their allies a by-word of terror through
all the border lands. It was well that the principal weight of
hatred and wrath on the part of the colonists fell on the Tory
outlaws.

HTSTOKY OF YATES COUNTY. 17

CHAPTER II.

THE NEAV JERUSALEM THE PIONEERS.

S^T is now just ninety years since the vengeful incursion of
ot^R Sullivan broke the spirit and destroyed the political fabric
of the Iroquois. It was on the 9th day of September, 1779,
that a detachment of 400 of his riflemen was sent up from
Kanadesaga, on the west side of Seneca Lake, to Kashong
Creek, where they destroyed a large Indian village, with exten-
sive fields of corn and great numbers of apple trees. The wig-
wams, and all means of subsistence on the part of the Indians,
were completely annihilated. A portion of the apple trees
only remained. This is the only recorded vestige of war that
ever occurred on the soil of Yates county. It was connected
twith the perishing throes of the Great Confederacy of Red
Men, which had dominated with an imperial sway from the
St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. It was preliminary to a
new invasion of powerful arts, of cunning industries, of anoth-
er system of social and political laws, of new religious concep-
tions.

The war of the revolution closed in 1783. Immediately on
the consummation of peace, the colonies settled their disputed
boundaries and rival claims to the interior wilderness. With
little actual knowledge of the geography of the country,
British monarchs had granted charters which conflicted in their
outlines. New York and Massachusetts finally settled their
differences by a convention of commissioners, who agreed to
give to the State of Massachusetts the pre-emptive right to
purchase of the Indians all of Western New York, west of a

18 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

meridian line, to start from the eighty-second milestone, on the
State line of Pennsylvania ; the civil jurisdiction to remain
with New York. If the State of New York had purchased
this claim of Massachusetts, and then setting apart a liberal
reservation for the Indians, and settling with them on equitable
terms, had presented the entire residue of the country to actu-
al settlers in restricted areas, it would have accomplished an
untold amount of good for the commonwealth, and prevented
a vast amount of injury and suffering on the part of the settlers.
This would have cut off that system of outside and foreign
ownership, which is the blight and depression of most new
communities. But it had not then entered into the conceptions
of men, that such a procedure would not only be the most
rapid means of enriching the State, but a measure of actual
justice to the primitive settlers.

The State of Massachusetts sold to a company, of which
Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham were the principal repre-
sentatives, its pre-emptive right to Western New York, for the
insignificant sum of £300,000, payable in the depreciated bonds
of that State. This was in 1788. The prospect of the forma-
tion of a Federal Government soon brought these bonds to
par, and Phelps and Gorham finding themselves unable to pay
as they had stipulated, on petition to the Legislature of Massa-
chusetts, were released from their contract to purchase, except
so much as they had already bought of the Indians, embracing
2,600,000 acres, and extending from the Pre-emption Line to
the Genesee River, for which £100,000 was paid.

The purchase of the Indians had been accomplished with
much difficulty, owing to the interference and intrigues of
the celebrated Lessee Company. This company was what
would be called in modern phraseology, a formidable Ring,
composed of men with means and influence to forward
their operations. Dr. Caleb Benton, John Livingston, and
Jared Coffin, were their principal managers. They were called
the "New York Genesee Land Company," and their seat of
operations was at Hudson. An auxiliary company, styled the

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 19

"Niagara Genesee Company," was organized On the Canadian
border, with men of known influence with the Indians, such as
John Butler, Samuel Street, John Powell, and Benjamin Barton.
With such influences, and aided with the usual stimulating
appliances in such cases, a lease was obtained of the Indian
Lands for 999 years, for a yearly consideration of 2,000 Spanish
milled dollars, and a promised bonus of $20,000, the Indians to
retain certain hunting and fishing privileges.

The State authorities, headed by Governor George Clinton,
fought the Lessee claims with energy and decision, and fm:illy
baffled the whole scheme so completely, that the Lessees eventu-
ally accepted a compromise which shut them off by taking
ten miles square on the military tract.

The five townships deeded by Phelps and Gorham to Dr.
Caleb Benton, three of which, in the first range, are now em-
braced in Yates county, were also ceded as a part of this com-
promise.

While these events were in progress, movements for settling
the country were awakening in various quarters, the most im-
portant of which at this early day was that of the Universal
Friend. This remarkable personage had for fourteen years
preached in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. She
had a numerous body of adherents, including families of char-
acter and influence, and considerable possessions. She had
conceived the idea of founding a community of her disciples
where they might stand as a support to each other, and a light
to the surrounding world This proposition had been discussed
in their councils with earnestness, and in 1786 they held a
meeting in Connecticut, at which they resolved to send forth a
committee of exploration to select some place, far from towns
and cities, where they might live in peace, and establish with-
out interference the peculiar faith and social tenets of their
new religion, under the direct control of its living founder and
apostle. Like many other migrations before it, this was initia-
ted under the impulse of religious sentiment, and it had the
fervor and thoroughness of purpose which accompany such

20 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

movements. A new and somewhat singular body of people,
under the leadership of a gifted and striking character, they
naturally sought an unrestricted field for the development of
their society and one from which the pressure of existing or-
ganizations, and their unbending prejudices would be removed.
They desired to plant the new society outside the shadow of
older and better organized creeds, where its roots might strike
into a new and virgin soil, and its branches reach forth to the
heavens without hindrance or compression.

The ministry of the Friend had enlisted an earnest and devo-
ted band of followers and believers. Under the inspiration of
her zeal, they had lighted the lamps of their faith by the fire
of the old Hebrew prophets. Dreams of millenial peace float-
ed through their minds. Visions of the New Heaven and the
New Earth appeared before them. As all things are possible
to religious enthusiasm, in the plenitude of their ardent faith
they saw the New Jerusalem descending from the sky to be-
come the tabernacle of men. This was no longer a vague
presentiment of another world, but a glorious reality within
their reach. It was a grand inspiration that nerved their souls
to the self-denial and toil necessaiy to fix their abodes in the
woods of Western New York. They came to found a pure
social order under a new religious conviction. It was to such
an impulse that the first settlement of Yates county owed its
beginning.

Among the nobler nations of our race, the aspirations for a
better social state, and dreams of their realization, have prompt-
ed many grand attempts to found new communities. Many
wrecks of these broken and abortive schemes are strewed along
the pathway of human history, as well as many glorious suc-
cesses. That they have helped forward the improvement of
human nature can not be reasonably doubted. Crude as many
of them are, they point to a principle in man that bespeaks his
fitness for an exalted destiny ; and the fact that he will contin-
ue to translate his dreams of perfectibility into schemes of
actual life, indicates the possibility of even a terrestrial destiny

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 21

for the family of man, so rich in its fruitions as to surpass all
that visionaries and prophets have been able to portray in their
most glowing raptures as the allotment of the future.

The Universal Friend but followed the example of many
before her, when she sought the depths of the wilderness to
gather about her the flock her ministry had attached to her
standard. Utopias had been seai*ched for in both the old
world and the new, and in the islands of the distaut seas.
Her's was another, in which the behests of an unseen world
wTere to blossom into beauty and sweetness in the common af-
fairs of life. It was a great undertaking, and it had for a lead-
er one who did not lack the boldness, courage and genius for
the task. She had not only the confidence, but the reverence
of her disciples..

At the meeting in 1786, they delegated Richard Smith,
Thomas Hathaway and Abraham Dayton, to search for some
fertile location suited to their wants. They set out the follow-
ing year on their errand. They passed on horseback through
the interior of Pennsylvania. In the valley of Wyoming
they met a backwoods explorer by the name of Spalding, who
gave them some account of the Seneca Lake region, and di-
rected them how to reach it, as they did by following the track
of Sullivan's march seven years before. It is said they kept on
Sullivan's track to the foot of Seneca Lake, from whence they
came to Kashong, where they found two French traders, Domi-
nick De Bartzach, and Pierre Pondre, from whom they also had a
good account of the country. They informed the explorers
that they had traveled through Canada and the Western Terri-
tory, and had nowhere seen so fine a country as this. A few
days exploration satisfied them fully, and they returned by the
route they came to report to the Friend the result of their mis-
sion.

In 1788, the first settlement was made. A party of twenty-
five persons, among whom were Abel Botsford, Peleg and
John Briggs, George Sisson, Isaac Nichols, Stephen Card, John
Reynolds, James Parker, and some of their families, came by

22 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

way of Albany, making their way to Geneva on batteaux.
At Geneva they found but a solitary log house, still unfinished
and inhabited by Clark Jennings. The story of their travels
is that they went up the east side of the lake to Apple-
town, and searched there for a mill site. The noise of falling
water, it is said, finally drew them to the west shore. Consid]
ering the size of the cascade, which must have made this noise
and its distance within the forest, many deem this account in-
credible. Joseph Remer, however, who has passed all his life
near the lake, assured the writer that he deemed it a truthful
statement. With a full stream and a quiet atmosphere, the
sound of rushing waters, over even a moderate precipice, can be
heard a great distance.

So the New Jerusalem was located on the west bank of
Seneca Lake. This little band arrived in August, and erected
their cabins close by the Indian trail leading from the Chemung
Valley to Kanadesaga, a mile from the lake and about a mile
south of Dresden. They sowed a field of wheat of about
twelve acres the same' fall, and, so far as known, were the only
actual and permanent settlers that passed the following winter
west of Seneca Lake. They, were, in truth, the pioneer party
of the pioneers. They were the boldest of the bold. While
the country was still tremulous with fear of Indian hostitities,
which were not fully allayed till half a dozen years later, by
Pickering's treaty at Canandaigua, they ventured directly upon
their choicest territory, before they could hardly have been
aware that the Red Man's title had been eliminated. They were
the first to confront as actual neighbors on this beautiful ground,
both the Indian and the still wilder inhabitants of the forest.
Now that their work has loomed up into historical importance,
it would be deeply interesting to know the minutest particulars
of their history during that first fall and winter. They were
completely shut out from the world. No mail could carry mes-
sages to their friends in New England, or bring them a lisp of
what was transpiring there. Their sole society outside their
own little colony, Avas the Indian and the wild beast. Their

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 23

intellectual comforts were drawn almost solely from their Bibles
and the dark pervading forest. Would that we might have a
record of that winter, of their thoughts and activities, of their
comforts and distresses, of the hopes that inspired them to
labor and to patience. But they were not literary and made
no recorded statement that is known to the writer of these
pages. Perhaps they did not conceive that their advent to
these unbroken wilds, was to be thought in after time a matter
of curious scrutiny to the compiler of history. They deemed
themselves but humble workers in the advance line, to prepare
the ground for the building of the New Jerusalem ; and expect-
ed only, that like other builders, their glory would be lost in
the beauty of tbe structure to grow up under their hands.

Reserving for another chapter the further details of this
movement, we will look to what was going forward in other
quarters. Phelps and Gorham completed their purchase of
Massachusetts, April 1st, 1788. It is claimed by one of our
surveyors in this county, Israel H. Arnold, that the old Pre-
emption Line was surveyed in 1787, deducing his opinion from
tree markings which he has seen on that line. It would hardly
seem probable, however, that the survey could have been made
before the purchase was consummated. As the Lessee Com-
pany expected to have the land that might lie between the
Military tract and the Massachusetts Lands, they took a lively
interest in this survey. So two surveyors were employed ;
Hugh Maxwell, on the part of Phelps and Gorham, and a Mr.
Jenkins, (another authority says a Mr. Allen,) on the part of
the Lessees. The following account of their work is taken
from O'Reiley's "Incidental Notices of Western New York,"
incorporated with his "Sketches of Rochester."

"These surveyors started from a point on the Pennsylvania
line, and proceeded together till the provisions were nearly ex-
hausted. When within about twenty miles of Geneva, and a
few miles below Hopetown, near to the creek by which the
Seneca Lake receives the waters of the Crooked Lake, one of
the surveyors, (Maxwell,) went to Geneva for supplies. Jen-

24 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

kins, meanwhile, continued surveying the line ; and it was
while he was thus alone that a slight jog occurred in the line,
the prolongation of which northward, threw Geneva, the settle-
ments at which had already attracted some attention, on the
east side of the boundary ; that side whereon it was most
agreeable to Jenkins' employers it should continue. Maxwell
returned and resumed the survey when within about ten miles
of Geneva, and, unconscious of the deviation which had oc-
curred in his absence, he aided in running the boundary so
that it passed somewhat westward of Geneva. The present
site of the village of Lyons, and the whole of Sodus Bay were
also thrown eastward of the line thus run out. The variation
of the compass was, however, the cause of a far greater error
in running this line, than resulted from the covetousness of
possessing Geneva, &c. One of the surveyors of the Holland
Company, informed Maude in 1800, that they put no depend-
ence now on Mariner's compass in surveying land, that it will
frequently give an error of sixty rods, or three hundred and
thirty yards in ten miles'; that it gave an error of eighty-
four thousand acres in running the east line of Captain Wil-
liamson's purchase, which was not discovered till after the
deeds were signed and the money paid. It is added that the
difference was generously yielded up by Mr. Morris, the
purchaser of Phelps and Gorham's title, to Mr. Williamson,
(for the Pultney Estate,) who otherwise would not only have
lost this quantity of land, but would have been cut off
from Sodus Bay, Seneca Lake, with Geneva, and the excel-
lent situation of Hopetown Mills, on the Outlet of Crooked
Lake, a little eastward of what is now called Penn Yan."

Whether by mistake or design, the line diverged to the west,
and it was early suspected that it was not correctly surveyed ;
but the new survey, it appears, was not made till 1793.

The old Pre-emption Line, from which Phelps and Gorham's
purchase was surveyed into Ranges and Townships, constitutes
the town line between Starkey and Barrington, passes through
Milo Centre on the highway to the outlet of Keuka Lake, and

HISTOEY OP YATES COUNTY. 25

thence on the road leading north beyond the residence of Caleb
J. Legg, in Torrey, and so on northward crossing the Kashong
creek some two hundred rods or thereabout east of Bellona.
What is called the Pre-emption road, is nowhere on the Pre-
emption Line till we pass north of Cromwell's Hollow, in the
town of Seneca. Thence the highway is on the Pre-emption
Line as far northward as Geneva, and the old stage road from
Geneva to Bath, was undoubtedly called the Pre-emption road
from that fact, although it diverges from the line through the
town of Benton, and more than a mile at the south line of the
town.

Soon after the Pre-emption Line was surveyed, the whole
purchase was surveyed into Ranges and Townships, under the
charge of Hugh Maxwell, who begun the work in 1788, and
completed it in 1789. The Ranges were six miles wide run-
ning north and south, counting from east to west ; and the
Townships six miles square, counting from south to north.
Hence it is that the town of Barrington falls in township num-
ber six in the first range ; the town of Milo, so much as lies
west of the old Pre-emption Line, in township number seven,
first range ; Benton number eight, first range ; Jerusalem,
number seven, second range, &c.

It will be seen, therefore, that the Friends must have come
before they could have been aware that the Indian title had
been extinguished, or surveys of the country entered upon.
Other settlers followed close upon the heels of the surveyors,
and in 1789, not only a large reinforcement to the Friends'
settlement aFrived, but others began to push in. The door
was opened and the fame of the country as one of earth's
choicest allotments to man, soon made it a popular point for
the tide of emigration.

Phelps and Gorham having completed the purchase and
survey of their tract of land, covering what now constitutes
Ontario, Wayne, Yates, Steuben, Livingston, and parts of Mon-
roe and Allegany counties, proceeded at once to make every
exertion to people it with settlers. Mr. Phelps superintended

26 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

the business in person. Their first sale was township number
eleven, third range, now the town of Farmington, to a compa-
ny of Massachusetts settlers, mostly Quakers. In 1791, these
settlers carried grists on horses to the Friends' mill in Jerusa-
lem, where Joy's Oil Mill is now located.

Of the time now about to open, when emigration was to
pour into the Genesee country, Mr. Turner in his history of
Phelps and Gorham's purchase says : "At Geneva, (then called
Kanadesaga,) there was a cluster of buildings occupied by In-
dian traders, and a few settlers who had come in under the aus-
pices of the Lessee Company. Jemima Wilkinson with her
small colony, was upon her first location upon the west bank of
Seneca Lake, upon the Indian trail through the valley of the
Susquehanna, and across Western New York to upper Canada,
the primitive highway of all this region. One or two white
families had settled at Catharine's Town, at the head of Seneca
Lake. A wide i-egion of wilderness separated the most north-
ern and western settlements of Pennsylvania from all this re-
gion. Within the Genesee country other than the small settle-
ment at Geneva, and the Friends' settlement, there were two or
three Indian traders upon the Genesee River, a few white fami-
lies who were squatters upon the flats, one or two white fami-
lies at Lewiston, one at Schlosser, a Negro with a Squaw wife
at Tonawanda, an Indian interpreter and two or three traders
at the mouth of Buffalo Creek, a Negro and Indian trader at
the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek, Fort Niagara was a British
garrison. All else was Seneca Indian occupancy."

About thirty Townships were sold or contracted in 1788 ;
but the most of these very early sales were to those who held
small shares in the association of which Phelps and Gorham
were the principal shareholders. Benedict Robinson and
Thomas Hathaway were original shareholders, and Township
number seven, in the second range, now Jerusalem, was deeded
to them ; which accounts for the comparatively small price at
which it was sold, $4,320, or eighteen pence per acre. In the
first range, township number six, Barrington ; number seven,

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 27

Milo ; number eight, Benton; number nine, Seneca; were
deeded by Phelps and Gorham to Caleb Benton, in behalf* of
the Lessees ; and by Caleb Benton to John Livingston, also of
the Lessee Company.

The deed of Phelps and Gorham to Caleb Benton, bears date
January 16, 1789, and is for the expressed consideration of
£3,000. The deed of Caleb Benton to John Livingston for
the same townships, 6, 7 and 8, bears date April 27, 1789, for
the expressed consideration of £4,000. John Livingston deed-
ed to Levi Benton, December 24, 1789, lot 37, in township
number 8, first range ; and August G, 1790, half of lot 13 of
the same township, the place whereon he resided.

On the 28th of November, 1788, Caleb Benton, by virtue of
a resolution of the Lessee Company, set off to James Parker
and his associates of the Friend's Society a belt of land on the
east side of township number 7, to extend westward far enough
to be equal in value to three and one quarter shares of the
Company, the west line to run parallel with the Pre-emption
Line. This location is six miles long, contains 1104 acres and
is the strip since known as the Garter.

In the year 1789, the wilderness was dotted with pioneer
commencements in many directions. The Friends had a large
accession to their colony, and the Friend herself arrived a year
later to give life and direction to the new movement. On
the east side of Seneca Lake several settlers made beginnings.
In that year, Levi Benton, the first settler of the town that
bears his name, and a cousin of Dr. Caleb Benton, of the
Lessee Company, settled at the north termination of Flat street,
on the farm since occupied by Henry Hicks, and now by Dan-
iel Sherwood. Around Levi Benton, clustered in the next few
years a very interesting neighborhood of pioneers.

At this time the Lesees were operating at Geneva, though
toward the end of that year they abandoned their most impor-
tant pretensions. Says Mr. Turner : — "The little village of
Kanadesaga at the foot of Seneca Lake, had been going ahead
under the auspices of Reed, and Ryckman, and the Lessees."

28 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

"In the Fall of 1788," says a manuscript in the author's pos-
session, "number 8 was divided into lots and balloted for at
Geneva." He further says, that the lots drawn were over a
hundred in number, and that the manuscript referred to gave
the numbers of the several lots, with the names of the parties
who drew them. It would seem to have been for the most
part a distribution by lottery to the members of the Niagara or
Canada Lessee Company, and Benjamin Barton and Mr. Bird-
sail drew for their associates.

The following picture of Geneva is given in the same con-
nection. "In the Fall of 1788, about the time the pioneer
movements were making at Canandaigua, Geneva had become
a pretty brisk place; the focus of speculators, explorers, the
Lessee Company and their agents, and the principal seat of the
Indian trade for a wide region. Horatio Jones, an Indian in-
terpreter and early pioneer, was living in a log house covered
with bark, on the bank of the Lake, and had a small stock of
goods for the Indian trade. Asa Ransom, the afterwards pio-
neer at Buffalo, occupied a hut and was manufacturing Indian
trinkets. Elark Jennings had a log tavern on the bank of the
Lake. The Lessee Company had a framed tavern and trading
establishment, covered with bark on the lake shore, which was
occupied by Dr. Caleb Benton. There was a cluster of log
houses all along on the low ground near the lake shore. The
geographical designations were "hill and bottom." Peter
Ryekman and Peter Bortle were residing there. Col. Seth
Reed was residing at the Old Castle. Dominick De Bartzch,
an Indian trader from Montreal, was rather the great man
of the country. His principal seat was at the Kashong
which lie claimed as an Indian grant, and where he had a
trading establishment, though his trade extended to the west-
ern Indians, among whom he went after selling his claim to
the Kashong farm, to the late Major Benjamin Barton.

It, is further stated, that John II. Jones witnessed this bar-
gain ; and that Major Barton, in part payment, pulled off his
overcoat and f?ave it to De Bartzch. On the other hand it is

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

'29

affirmed, by James L. Barton, a son of Major Barton, that the
farm was bought of Pierre Poudre. He made this statement in
an address before the Young Men's Association of Buffalo, in
1848, and his testimony ought to be conclusive. Both De
Bartzch and Poudre had Indian wives.

The Lessees at this time were strenuously claiming all the
lands east of the old Pre-emption Line, that had not been dis-
tinctly ceded by the Six Nations, expecting to secure a profita-
ble compromise ; and Reed and Ryckman's large tract of 16,000
acres on the west bank of Seneca Lake, grew out of this claim,
and for services in negotiating Indian treaties, they being mem-
bers of the Lessee Company. It was their grasping effort to
get the Indian lands, that was supposed to cause so large a di-
vergence of the Pre-emption Line west of its true course. All
that was done at Geneva previous to the Spring of 1793, was
under the auspices of Reed, and Ryckman, and the Lessees.
It was principally a trading point for the Indians and the very
few settlers that had penetrated the country in various direc-
tions.

Phelps and Gorharn, after having sold rather less than one-
half of their extensive purchase, in townships and half-town-
ships, conveyed the entire remainder to Robert Morris, of
Philadelphia, the patriotic friend of Washington, whose purse .
had aided so essentially in the success of the Revolutionary
War. The price paid was thirty thousand pounds, New York
currency, (175,000.) Mr. Morris undertook large preparations
for the settlement of his purchase, but before he had accom-
plished anything of importance, his agent in London, Wm.
Temple Franklin, a grandson of Dr. Franklin, sold his entire
purchase of Phelps and Gorham, to Sir Wm. Pultney, John
Hornby, and Patrick Colquhoun. These were men of wealth
and eminence. The price they paid was thirty-five thousand
pounds sterling ($170^000) for about one million two hundred
thousand acres of land. The conveyance was made by Robert
Morris to Charles Williamson, agent of the London Associa-
tion, by deed bearing date April 11, 1792. Mr. Williamson

30 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

became naturalized for the purpose of holding this title, as his
principals, being aliens and non-residents, could not under then
existing laws, hold real estate. No better man than Mr. Wil-
liamson could have been delegated to the important work of
opening up the new country to the advance of the pioneers, so
far as the interests of the pioneers themselves were concerned.
He was kind and forbearing ; a man of dash and enterprise ;
liberal to a fault, and sanguine of results. In the end his em-
ployers found him too expensive in his outlays for the safety of
their fortune ; but they did not withhold their personal esteem
for him as a man of integrity and the highest personal worth.

Mr. Williamson, in the prosecution of his great enterprise,
reached this country early in 1792, landing at Baltimore. It
was toward Baltimore and Philadelphia that he expected to
establish the principal routes of ingress and egress to and from
the Genesee country ; and during the nine- years that he re-
mained at the head of affairs as the agent of the Pultney title,
he never abandoned that idea. It may sound strangely to many
now, but that was then the only conclusion to which a man of
Mr. Williamson's breadth of judgment could arrive. The route
by way of the Mohawk and Seneca Rivers, was difficult and
tedious, and seemed likely never to become a thoroughfare
suitable to the transit to eastern markets of the productions of
so rich a country as the Genesee lands. On the other hand,
the Susquehanna and Cohocton seemed to offer a natural high-
way to the seaboard, over which could be carried all that the
country might yield. This was no mistaken view. Some of
the early annalists state that in 1800 a bushel of wheat was
better worth one hundred cents at Bath, than sixty cents at
Geneva. And it was confidently predicted that this difference
would grow wider every year, for little if any additional im-
provement could be made in the water communication with
New York, while that to Baltimore would admit of very exten-
sive and advantageous ones. It was with this view that Mr.
Williamson founded Bath, expecting it to become the entrepot
of trade for one of the richest countries in the world, and a

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY. 31 I

city of metropolitan greatness. Looking at this view as the san-
guine Scott regarded it before the Erie Canal was dreamed of,
there was method, not madness in his plans.

In February, 1792, Mr. Williamson made a flying visit to the
Genesee country by way of New York and Albany. He wrote
to Mr. Colquhoun that he passed through an uninhabited wil-
derness of more than one hundred miles before reaching Gene-
va, which consisted of a few straggling huts. There is not a
road, he added, within one hundred miles of the Genesee coun-
try, that will admit of any sort of conveyance, otherwise than
on horseback or on a sled, when the ground is covered with
snow. He further stated that the price of land had in a few
instances exceeded twenty-five cents per acre. Some few farms
of first rate quality, had been sold on a credit for fifty cents
per acre.

Returning to Baltimore he resolved to open a communication
with the Genesee country from the south. A colony of very
worthless Germans from Hamburg, accompanied his ax-men
while cutting a road from Northumberland, by way of what is
now Williamsport, over the mountains to Painted Post, and
thence to the Genesee River. This road ran by the present site
of Blossburg, and was for many years the principal route by
which emigrants reached Western New York from Pennsylva-
nia, New Jersey and the South.

By this road provisions were sent from Northumberland to
sustain Capt. Williamson's new city at Bath, and the neighbor-
ing settlers during the first years of their occupation. They
had no other resource of any importance, except the Friend's
Settlement, which had five years the start of them, and was a
large and comparatively thrifty community, that acted like a
sustaining Providence to the destitute pioneers of the surround-
ing wilderness. Says Guy H. McMaster, in his history of
Steuben County: "Captain Williamson transported his first
flour from Northumberland, and a quantity of pork from Phila-
delphia. After these luxuries were obtained, as best they could
be, flour was brought on pack horses from Tioga point, now

32 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Athens, Pa., and a treaty of commerce was entered into with
Jemima Wilkinson, the prophetess, who had established her
oracle on the outlet to Crooked Lake, where her disciples had
a mill and good farms. The first navigators of Crooked Lake
carried their cargoes in Durham boats of five or six tons bur-
den, which they poled along the shores, or when favoring
breezes filled their sails, steered through the mid channel.
These primitive gondoliers have lived to see the end of their
profession."

In 1790 a national census was taken. A return of the depu-
ty Marshall of New York shows that there were 1047 inhabi-
tants on the seven Ranges of Phelps and Gorham's purchase,
and west of the Genesee River. Hence the statement has
frequently appeared in local histories, that this number of peo-
ple included all residing at that time west of Seneca Lake. If
we add, however, the Friend's Settlement east of the Pre-emp-
tion Line, numbering 260 persons, Geneva and its surrounding
settlers 1 00, also east of the old Pre-emption, and Culver's at
the head cf Seneca Lake, 70, we have 1477 for the whole re-
gion west of Seneca Lake, then known as the Genesee Country
and comprised in Ontario county.

Of these inhabitants, there were in Township number 7,
first Range, Milo, 6G ; number 8, Benton, 25 ; number 8,
second Range, then Augusta, now Potter, 33. This would
give us 388 for the population of what is now Yates county,
in 1790. It will be seen that the Friend's Settlement was at
that time much the largest and most important community
west of Seneca Lake, and even west of Fort Stanwix and the
Susquehanna River. It is spoken of in one of Mr. Wil-
liamson's earliest letters as "a very industrious community who
have already made considerable improvements, having comple-
ted an excellent grist and saw mill sometime since. It is ex-
pected there will be double their present number before a
twelvemonth." They were considerably reinforced after this,
but to what precise extent we have no means of stating. It is
said that the disappointment in regard to holding the land by

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 33

the Society prevented, to a large extent, additions to their
number from among their eastern friends. Before this check
occurred their gain was rapid, and their prosperity all that
could be expected from the conditions of their position. They
had established themselves in a beautiful and advantageous sit-
uation, they had a good name with the people around them,
and numerous sympathisers in the communities from which
they had emigrated in New England and Pennsylvania. It is
not wonderful that they indulged in bright anticipations, and ex-
pected to be the founders of a city Hence their beautiful
cemetery ground was called City Hill, the title it has continued
to bear.

Another of these early letters, speaking of the Friend's Set-
tlement, says, "there are 80 families in it, each has a fine farm,
and they are a quiet, moral, industrious people." This was
the best of testimony in behalf of the good character of those
who adhered to the Friend, and who led the van in the settle-
ment of Yates county.

Of the natural condition of the country, a few remarks will
be in order. It was a country for the most part very heavily
wooded, a few ridges forming exceptions, where it is said
the Indians had repeatedly burned the land over, for the double
purpose of securing open spaces in the forest, and furnishing
by the new growth the food most eagerly sought for by the
deer and elk. These open spaces were supposed by the early
settlers to be worthless barrens, and were shunned in selecting
lots for permanent locations. They have since been found as
good land as the best. The land for some distance east and
northeast of Penn Yan was of this character. That the timber
was dwarfish and scattering, was evidently due to some other
cause than lack of fertility in the soil. The trees which pre-
vailed almost everywhere, and often the chief occupant of the
forest, was the Hard Maple, which afforded one of the princi-
pal resources of the country, that of sugar making. White
oak, of the finest quality, was very abundant, and there was
besides an abundance of all the varieties known to this region,

34 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

such as hickory, black walnut, along the Seneca Lake chiefly,
chestnut on dry ridges, ash of different kinds, elm, butternut,
basswood or linden, poplar, pine, in some parts of Jerusalem,
very largely in East and South Barrington, and all along Big
Stream. The Dundee locality, however, was one of the open
plains regarded in the early days as nearly worthless. A strik-
ing characteristic of the heavily timbered land, was the remark-
able density of the undergrowth. The hazel bushes, shrubs
and young trees of all kinds, made a thicket almost impenetra-
ble on most lands covered by a good forest growth. Mr. Wil-
liamson speaks of the wild fruits with great enthusiasm, and
among them mentions the plum, cherry, mulberry, grape, rasp-
berry, blackberry, huckleberry, gooseberry, cranberry, straw-
berry, and black haw. The older citizens now speak of
some varieties of the wild plum with great admiration, regard-
ing it as an -excellent fruit. Near the lakes and streams it was
quite prevalent, and was much sought after. The stream now
known as Jacob's Brook, emptying into the Keuka Lake out-
let, in Penn Yan, was a famous locality for the wild plum.
Some of the wild grapes are also spoken of by the older resi-
dents as hardly surpassed by the best cultivated varieties.
Doubtless the absence of a good variety of fruits, sharpened
their appreciation of the native products. It is a happy spirit
of accommodation in human nature, that we learn to relish the
best we have, and regard it as the best the earth affords.

To those who understood the indications of good land, there
was evidence enough that this was a country of abounding fer-
tility. The pioneers judged of this largely by the timber and
the large and towering forest trees, with trunks almost as large
at an altitude of fifty to sixty feet, as at the root, afforded an
index of deep and excellent soil, which could not be mis-
judged.

Wild animals were for a time a source of fear and trouble to
the early settlers. The wolf, a great coward by day, set up his
frightful howl at night, and made the deep recesses of the for-
est resound with his discordant chorus. During the first few

HISTOKY OV YATES COUNTY. 35

years, and even as late as 1815, in the pine woods of East
Barrington, there was a fastness from which the wolves made
frequent raids on the sheep-folds of the farmers. Thousands of
sheep were destroyed by these ravenous depredators during the
early years of the pioneer occupation. Only those who folded
them with the greatest care could be secure of their flocks
Avhile the wolves remained. But they were hunted without
mercy, and bounties were offered for their scalps; and thus
they were finally driven off to wilder and less inviting -egions.

The bear was perhaps a still more common denizen of the
woods, but less hurtful and less feared. This animal frightened
more people than he harmed, but was not considered a pleasant
companion in the woods. His attentions towards the civilizees
were mostly directed to the swine, for which he had a re-
markable fondness. It would not be difficult to fill a moderate
volume with incidents relating to the raids of the bears upon
the swine of the early settlers, many of them quite tragic so
far as the animals, one or both, were concerned. Unlike the
wolf, the bear often afforded savory food and sustenance for
the flesh eating pioneers. It was in this way that Bruin often
settled for the damages he had inflicted on the growing pork
or corn field of the backwoodsman. David II. Buel informs
the writer that tame bears were very common about the coun-
try, as cubs were often caught and kept as curiosities, but they
were dangerous pets, and always required to be held by a chain
to prevent casualties. Like most of the natives of the woods,
they did not harmonize Avith civilization, and were crowded
away by its advancing waves. Their exit is not deplored.

Deer were very numerous and sometimes troublesome, but
furnished excellent food for the pioneer larder, which helped
greatly in some instances to eke out the scanty supplies other-
wise obtained. About the only damage these animals did was
to the growing wheat in the fall. This was sometimes a little
grievous, but the venison they supplied no doubt afforded am-
ple compensation for that. The deer lingered in the country
much longer than the wolf and bear.

36 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Mr. Williamson in his enumeration of the animals of the
Genesee district, speaks of moose, deer and elk, but no tradi-
tion of these have come to the knowledge of the writer. He
also speaks of beavers, otters, martins, minxes, rabbits, squir-
rels, racoons and wild cats, many of which, said he, furnish
excellent furs and pelts. Of game birds, he mentions wild
turkies, pheasants, partridges, pigeons, plovers, ' heath fowls,
and meadow hen, besides waterfowl. Among the fish, especial
note is made of salmon of two kinds, besides the varieties now
so well known. That the salmon were plenty in the lakes and
rivers of the country, while the Indians were the principal fish-
ermen, is well attested, but that wild turkies abounded does
not seem to be confirmed by the traditions that have come to
the knowledge of the author.

It was a country in which the hunter's life could be as well
maintained as almost any other that ever answered that pur-
pose for a savage population, and the white hunters who fell
into that sort of life, found a rich field for the exercise of their
prowess.

The rattlesnake was one of the most dreaded of the native
occupants, and in some localities was a scourge of the most
formidable character. They had a geographical distribution
restricted to certain limited districts, beyond which they were
very rare if found at all. The places they inhabited were gen-
erally contiguous to rocky ledges, which formed the best refuge
for these venomous serpents. In some places they were so
abundant as to be exceedingly pestilent as a foe to the settler.
The hog in such localities was very useful in the war he waged
upon the snakes. Impervious to the reptile venom, he followed
the snake to his last retreat, and was as sure on the trail as a
dog in pursuit of a deer or fox. The swine killed more rattle-
snakes than the people, and by their industrious aid these ter-
rible ophidians were finally driven from the land.

The pioneers were not mistaken in their most sanguine and
exalted estimate of the country. The sun shines on few better
if any. But it was a savage wilderness, remote from the

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 37

abodes of civilized life. Its wild estate required an incalcula-
ble amount of labor to subdue it and make it the pleasant
abode of peaceful industry and social culture it has become.
The obstacles before the early settlers were numerous and for-
bidding. The Indian left his trail a mere pathway through
the dense and overhanging forest. He left also the wolf and
the rattlesnake, and the mighty and deep-rooted forest itself to
be removed, so that the sunshine of the coming years might
light up the beautiful meadows and waving grain fields that
distinguish it as a land of rare beauty and overrunning bounty.
The early settlers found also the ague and fever, which was
often worse than all other discouragements and despondencies.
Some of the richest lands were the worst afflicted with this
scourge. The highlands of Steuben and Alleghany were even
sought by some to avoid the sickly vapors which covered the
fruitful and inviting region of the lakes to the northward.
Their descendants in after years often expressed the most pro-
found regrets at the loss of what "might have been" in the
possession of rich lands, their fathers had shunned to escape the
fever and ague. This scourge too, though it lingered long in
various localities, was finally quelled. It did not impede the
rapid settlement and clearing up of the country, though it en-
feebled many a stalwart arm, sometimes for more than a whole
year, and sometimes illness of the most fatal character was its
accompaniment.

All these obstacles and drawbacks, were but the shadows of
the wilderness and its barbarities passing away to give place to
what we must all esteem a more benign and superior condition
of social existence, to the softened ray of modern civilization.
It was the Genesee country, it was better still the New Jerusa-
lem, and the ground was wisely selected. The pious disciples
of the new faith had chosen as wisely as the "children of this
world" could have done with all their shrewdness.

38 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

CHAPTER III.

THE UNI VERS AT, FRIEND.

jjfHATEVER conclusion may be reached by the historian
upon a fair and patient investigation of the character
and career of the woman who planted the first settlement in
the Genesee country, and made the soil of Yates county the
seat of her remarkable influence and power, it must be acknowl-
edged that she was an extraordinary personage. It has been
common to class her with those who have made deception the
study of their lives, and to dismiss her from honorable consid-
eration as a vulgar mystagogue. She has been relentlessly
written down as a cheat and impostor, who by artful assurance
made others subservient to her unscrupulous designs. It is
now fifty years.since she closed her earthly mission, and though
the tongue of detraction, has grown somewhat sluggish in that
long interval, it has never been silenced. The public mind is
full of misconceptions engendered by a vigorous and long re-
peated statement of the malign story that has gone forth, with-
out efficient contradiction, as her life. It is time that story
was confronted with, at least, a just statement of accessible
facts.

Though it may not belong to such a work as this to enter
upon a close analysis of character, it is proper to make it the
medium of correct estimates of the principal actors who have
preceded us, so far as it may be accomplished by presenting the
truth unwarped by prejudice. The space we have will not ad-
mit of extended reflections or carefully studied deductions.
These must be left to the elaborate biographer. What is aimed

Sfke. HLrLLU££MiL Sfiiend.

Entered according to act of Congrexs, in the year 1873, by S. ('. CLEVELAND,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, «t Washington.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 39

at here, is a truthful summary of the leading events of a singu-
lar and impressive life.

Jemima Wilkinson was born in the town of Cumberland,
and county of Providence, Rhode Island, in the year 1758.
Her father, Jeremiah Wilkinson, was a farmer of moderate
estate, good character, strong native ability, and firm purpose.
He married in early life Amy Whipple, a member of the Socie-
ty of Friends, and a young woman of excellent character and
amiable disposition. Twelve children were born to this couple
the eighth of whom was the subject of this sketch, and the
personage who has given celebrity to the family.

Of her earlier life there is but little known of an authentic
nature. When she was eight years old her mother died, leav-
ing her to the charge of her elder sisters. It is said she was
not remarkably plastic to their control, and that she become
rather the ruler than the ruled in the domestic realm. Her in-
tellectual culture was that common to the children of New
England at that day, and was limited to reading and the more
moderate common school accomplishments. She was favored
with personal beauty, and took pleasure in adding to her good
appearance the graceful drapery of elegant apparel. It is not
strange, therefore, that she was a punctual attendant of public
worship. Until about sixteen years of age her mind was most-
ly engrossed with external things, and her reading, which was
considerable, was that of poetry, romance, current news, and
light literature.

About this time there appeared in her vicinity a new sect of
religious zealots, who rejected church organization and insisted
upon constant and direct guidance from Heaven. They awak-
ened much interest, and among the most regular attendants of
their meetings was Jemima Wilkinson, who became very serious
and gave evidence of a great change in her thoughts. Social
gaiety gave place to gravity and sedateness. The Bible was her
constant study, and other reading was rejected. Yet she did
not enter into the enthusiasm of the separatists, as they were
called, and consequently was not regarded as one of their

40 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

members. As usual with such spasmodic growths, bound by
no external organization, they soon dissolved away ; but while
they lasted they had the constant attendance of Jemima at
their meetings, and apparently her most profound regard. She
continued remarkably serious, betook herself to solitude and
seemed to be absorbed with studious and melancholy reflec-
tions. Her mood was indulged by her family until she grew
averse to social intercourse, and finally in the summer of 1776,
secluded herself wholly, kept in her room, and complaining of
ill health, become pale and enfeebled in physical tone. A phy-
sician was called who pronounced the malady mental, and be-
yond his skill to counteract.

In the Autumn her illness seemed to increase, and she was
not only confined to her bed, but required nightly watchers.
The solicitude of her friends was greatly excited, but the phy-
sician insisted that her disorder was the result of no bodily
debility, but rather the outgrowth of a morbid imagination,
and the gloomy tendencies of solitude. Her attendants were
startled by her repeated stories of sights and scenes not obvi-
ous to their senses. She described heavenly landscapes, beauti-
ful visions, angelic forms, and seemed to rejoice in the society
of a brighter world. These remarkable visions were minutely
portrayed by the invalid girl and solemnly stated as real and
vital to her senses. No contradiction or reproof had the slight-
est effect to diminish her assurance of their actual existence.

Finally, late in October, she fell into a deep trance, or almost
lifeless state, during which she scarcely breathed, and her pulse
almost subsided. For about thirty-six hours or more she re-
mained in this state, motionless and apparently hovering on the
boundaries of life. She was watched with intense anxiety by
her friends, but no perceptible change occurred till about mid-
night of the second day, when she raised up as if awaking
from a profound refreshing sleep. Her attendants were more
than ever surprised by the sudden change in her state and de-
meanor. She called for her clothing with a mien of authority
which admitted of no refusal, and would no longer be treated

H3ST0KY OF YATES COUNTY. 41

as an invalid. She dressed herself and went about as if fully re-
stored, though still pale and reduced in flesh. She insisted that
Jemima Wilkinson had passed to the angel world, and that her
body was reanimated by a spirit whose mission was to deliver
the oracles of God to mankind.

As might be supposed, these declarations were received with
surprise and concern by her relatives and friends. To them
her conduct was exceedingly strange and unaccountable, and
they could not believe she would persevere in claims which
seemed so untenable and absurd. Let it be remarked here,
that this girl of eighteen not only did maintain her claims then
and there in the face of all expostulation and argument, but
steadily and with unshaken firmness to the hour of her depart-
ure from the world, at the age of sixty-one.

Her solitary life and weary vigils were passed, and a new- ca-
reer was about to open before this remarkable woman. On the
Sunday succeeding her trance, she went to the place of public
worship. After morning service she repaired to a tree near by,
and in its shade delivered a discourse of considerable length to
the crowd who assembled about her. Though late in Autumn,
the weather was fine, and there was a large attendance of peo-
ple, who were greatly impressed by such an address from the
lips of a young woman who thus broke upon them like a mete-
or from the sky. Her discourse consisted largely of moral
maxims and scriptural quotations, and she evinced a familiarity
with sacred topics which astonished the oldest experts in theo-
logical lore. After this, her public addresses were frequent,
and she soon received invitations from far and near, many of
which she accepted. She rapidly became famous as a preacher
of remarkable power, and the fruits of her labors were appa-
rent in a large number of disciples who were converted by her
appeals. She visited various places in Rhode Island, Connec-
ticut and Massachusetts ; and at New Milford, in Connecticut,
and South Kingston, in Rhode Island, meeting houses were
erected by her converts for their own worship.

42 HISTOBY OF TATES COUNTY.

She accepted the principal doctrines of the Christian faith,
but rejected the formalities and ceremonies generally practiced.
With more zeal for the spirit than the form of faith, she incul-
cated sobriety, temperance, chastity, all the higher virtues and
humility before God as necessary to the new life, and entrance
into a better world. She continued her work with a good de-
gree of success for about six years in the region of her acquaint-
ance, visiting the several localities where her disciples lived,
confirming them in the faith, and consolidating her work.
Among the more important of her adherents in Rhode Island
was James Parker, a man of high character and wealth, who
aided her greatly in her labors, and was strongly attached to
her cause. She made her home at his house a share of the
time, and also at that of Wra. Potter, another influential and
wealthy adherent.

In the summer of 1782, a new mission was entered upon.
Accompanied by a small band of her disciples, she went to
Philadelphia, where she was cordially received by the Quakers
and others. A church was procured for her use, and she
preached for some time to large audiences. She then removed
to Worcester in the county of Montgomery, about twenty
miles from Philadelphia, where she received an enthusiastic
welcome and met with much success. It was here that David
Wagener and other important additions were made to her
society. She remained but a few weeks before returning to
Rhode Island, where she tarried till the summer of 1784,
when she visited Worcester again, and remained till the Spring
of 1785. She established a society during this visit, and in-
stalled her attendants in a home set apart to her use, consist-
ing of a fine farm with an elegant stone mansion.

Leaving the place under competent management she returned
to Rhode Island, and remained till her final leave of that State
about two years later. The idea of bringing her disciples to-
gether into one community had been cherished for some time,
and was much discussed among them. As early as 1786, Eze-
kiel Sherman, one of the Society, made a visit of exploration

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

to the Lake Country, spent some time at Kanadesaga with two
Indian traders, the only white men there, gathered what in-
formation he could of the. country and returned. His journey
to the country was by the way of the Susquehanna Valley to
Newtown, and he was five days working his way in a deep
snow from Newtown to Kanadesaga, sleeping at night on cedar
boughs laid on the snow. On his return he reported that the
hostile attitude of the Indians would make it useless to venture
on making a settlement in the Genesee Country. Notwith-
standing this, a meeting of the principal members of the Soci-
ety was held the same year at New Milford, in Connecticut,
and a committee was appointed to make further exploration.

This committee, consisting of Thomas Hathaway, Richard
Smith and Abraham Dayton, set out in pursuance of their ap-
pointment in 1787. They went to Philadelphia and traveling
on horseback, explored the interior of Pennsylvania, and in
the Valley of Wyoming heard glowing accounts of the region
in the vicinity of Seneca Lake. Following the track of Sulli-
van's army they reached Kanadesaga, and from thence proceed-
ed to Kashong, where they were entertained by DeBartzch and
Poudre, the French Traders, who informed them that there
was nowhere so fine a country as the one they looked upon
here. By a brief sojourn they became satisfied this information
was correct, and returned to give an account of what they had
learned. It does not appear that this committee fixed upon any
precise location, but emigration was resolved upon by the Socie-
ty, and the region of Seneca Lake was the locality where they
resolved to settle. The exact place was left for determination
by those who came as the advance guard. In June, 1788, Abel
Botsford, Peleg and John Briggs, Isaac Nichols, George Sisson,
Ezekiel Shearman, Stephen Card, and others to the number of
twenty-five, embarked from Schenectady for the land of promise.

In August they reached the spot where they made their set-
tlement at City Hill. The sound of falling water heard across
the broad expanse of the Seneca at that point, it is said, deter-
mined the location of the New Jerusalem. Though late in the

44 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

season, they made a clearing in the forest and sowed, it is said,
about twelve acres of wheat. Who staid and who remained
during the first winter, does not seem to be clear in the mist of
all the traditions. But that some remained is quite certain,
for some of the pioneer families were in that company. Nor
does it appear that they had any distinct notion of whom the
lands were to be purchased. Application was made, however,
to Gov. George Clinton, at an early day, for a grant of land.
But they were not ignorant of the operations of the Lessee
Company, and James Parker very early became interested in
the claims advanced by that organization. There is reason to
believe that Thomas Hathaway and Benedict Robinson also ac-
quired some interest in the Lessee Company.

The Spring of 1 789 brought large accessions of the Society
to the new settlement, both from Connecticut, and Rhode
Island, and from Pennsylvania. It is quite clear, however,
from a careful examination of all the accessible evidence. on
that subject, that the Friend herself did not come till 1790.
She remained at Worcester in charge of the interests of the
Society, and raising from the farm permitted to her use
means, which were afterwards employed to purchase lands
and found a home in the New Jerusalem. It was designed
on the part of the Friend to come in 1789, and the journey
was undertaken, but owing to a casualty which occurred about
fifty miles from Worcester, she returned, and postponed her
coming to the new seat of her influence and labor till the fol-
lowing year. The accident which caused this delay, resulted
from a perilous attempt to ford the Bushkill Creek, which, swol-
len by recent rains, had a^deep, swift current. The driver of
the carriage, Barnabas Brown, asked a man standing near, if
they could ford the creek. Misunderstanding his answer, they
drove in, and soon found that the horses were obliged to swim,
and the carriage was afloat on a violent currrent. Mehitable
Smith, who accompanied the Friend, escaped with very little
harm, as did the driver, but the Friend, herself, came near be-
ing drowned, and was so much enfeebled by the shock, that her
health was not restored for some time.

HTST0KY OF YATES COUNTY. 45

Instead of coming that year to join her colony on the banks
of Seneca Lake, she sent Sarah Richards, who had become her
most important counsellor and associate, to observe how affairs
were progressing, and make report to her of the state of things
in the distant settlement. Sarah came and visited the strug-
gling pioneers, and the writer learns from the last member of
the Society able to recount its traditions, that she was not alto-
gether pleased with the doings she saw. One night in very
warm weather she refused to sleep within the log tenement
where the larger number abode, and made her lodgment out-
side under a tree. During the night a heavy thunder storm
arose with a fearful display of lightning and an incessant roar
of thunder. Sarah availed herself of the occasion to go inside
the dwelling and give a very earnest and impressive lecture, in
reproof for unseemly proceedings, the nature of which is hap-
pily forgotten. This is the most that is known of Sarah Rich-
ard's first visit to the New Jerusalem. She did not come again
till two years later.

The year 1789 was a trying one to the settlers. They har-
vested a small crop of wheat, but the wild animals had preyed
upon it so much that it afforded a light supply. They had to
subsist principally on provisions brought with them, eked out
with such additions of game as the forest afforded to hunters
who had their skill to acquire in the boundless wilderness
around them. Some families subsisted for days and even weeks
on milk and boiled nettles. Castle Dains and his family lived
in this way for six weeks, with no other nourishment except
nettles and a little bohea tea they had brought with them.
John Lawrence finally discovered their situation and furnished
them with a small supply of Indian meal. Jonathan Dains
to obtain relief for his family, went to Newtown, and worked
by the day until he obtained two bushels of wheat, which he
had ground, doubtless at the mill at Tioga Point, (now Athens).
He carried it on his back to the head of Seneca Lake, thence
by a boat to Norris' Landing, and then on his back again to
his house, near the Log Meeting House. Such were the straits
of pioneers.

4:6 HISTORY OF YATES COTINTY.

That year some corn was raised, and about forty acres of
wheat sowed by joint effort, which gave them abundance the
next year, and famine never afterwards visited the Friend's
settlement. The same year, Richard Smith, James Parker
and Abraham Dayton, erected a Grist Mill Avhich was put in
operation about the first of January, 1790. Before the Grist
Mill was built, wheat and corn were prepared for cooking by
pounding in a pestle. This consisted of a stump hollowed out
on the top, with a cavity into which a small quantity of grain
would be placed and pounded, with a mallet or large round
stone until pretty thoroughly pulverized. Sometimes an appa-
ratus like a well sweep would be used to expedite the work and
render it lighter. Henry Barnes states that a white oak stump,
which had been used for this purpose, was standing near the
Friend's house, in Torrey, as late as 1814. Adam Clark remem-
bers another which stood near the present four corners, just
west of Claries J. Townsend's, near where Elnathan and Jona-
than Botsford first settled. The Mill soon put this primitive
system of manufacturing meal out of use. Indeed the Mill was
a great achievement, humble as it was, and added largely to
the wealth of the young settlement. It was the first structure
of the kind by at least two to four years west of Seneca Lake.
The only one that could have preceded it west of Fort Stanwix,
was that at Tioga Point, before alluded to. The pioneers come
to it with their little grists for a distance of thirty to fifty and
even seventy miles. This mill was located on the south bank
of the point where the Oil Mill now stands, and a cascade is
formed by the waters of the outlet of Keuka Lake, falling over
the Tully Limestone. It was a well selected point for a good
mill site, and it was that waterfall that determined the location
of the New Jerusalem. That the Saw Mill just below it was
built a little sooner, is inferred from the fact that the grist mill
probably could not have been constructed without some sawed
lumber, for which there was no other resource. The mill-stones
were brought, like most of the supplies of the early settlers, on
batteaux, to Norris' Landing, and on ox sleds from the land-
ing to the mill seat.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 47

An anecdote was long current in regard to the mill-stones,
to the effect that Richard Smith transported them in his leather
apron. The fact was that, in putting them into place, by some
accident one was allowed to slip from the platform on which it
rested, and it fell to the story below. This was looked upon
as a very discouraging situation, as the means of raising it were
not apparent. While the rest of those engaged in the work
went to dinner, Friend Richard remained, and when they re-
turned from their repast, greatly to their astonishment, he had
the stone, which seemed so difficult to move, almost back to its
place. He had accomplished alone, by ingenious leverage and
industrious prying, in a single hour, what they had supposed
would be a much longer task for a large number of men.
Hence the jest arose that Richard Smith had picked up the
mill-stone and carried it in his apron.

In March, 1790, the Friend left Worcester, in Pennsylvania,
for the Genesee Country, accompanied by a number of her fol-
lowers, and greatly rejoiced the new settlement by her arrival
among them early in the Spring, the journey occupying but two
weeks. Many of the Society had not seen the Friend for
about three years, and her coming, on which they had earnestly
relied, added greatly to their confidence in the success of their
arduous enterprise. Doubtless it would have been better for
the unity and stability of the Society, had she come still earlier.
It was now a community of two hundred and sixty persons, as
proved by the census report of that year ; and a more orderly,
industrious and well-disposed body of people than these, were
never brought together for the foundation of a new communi-
ty. They were held together by a common bond of religious
sentiment, in which they were peculiar and alien to the world.
Their apostle and head was present with them. They had every
moral and material element of success within and ijbout them.
This year they erected a Log Meeting House, a sketch of which,
as described by Henry Barnes, is herewith given. It was loca-
ted very near the present residence of James M. Clark on the
road from Norris' Landing to the Friend's Mill, as the road

48 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

then run direct by the head of Brace's Gully, or Lander's
Gully, as it was then called, and cutting off the angle since
made. It was in this rude edifice that the Society held its
public worship, for about nine years, except when it was held
at the residence of the Friend. A domicil was also erected
the same Summer for the Friend and her household, which
still stands on the farm of Charles J. Townsend. A sketch of
the original part of this structure is also given. It was built
by Elijah Malin, who was at that time an inmate of the Friend's
family, and Avas the first framed house erected in the new set-
tlement, or in the whole Genesee Country, as all west of
Seneca Lake was called. Anna Wagener furnished much of
the means to erect this building. It was a quaint structure,
and for so small a building accommodated a large household.
Mr. Townsend states that when he remodeled it internally,
after it came into his possession, he found it to contain nine
fire places, all attached to one chimney. This house was also
on the road from Norris' Landing to the Mill, about a mile
from the lake, and when it was built that highway was the only
one in the country ; Other roads at that time were quite infor-
mal and without system.

The Friend was now located with comparative comfort in
the midst of her flock. She was thirty-two years old and had
labored fourteen years as a religious teacher and evangelist.
Early in her apostleship she had dropped the name of Jemima
Wilkinson, and adopted that of Public Universal Friend. By
this title she was ever called by her disciples, who always spoke
to her and of her as Friend, or The Friend, and never used
pronouns to designate their mistress. That they regarded her
with great reverence and affection, is an unquestionable fact.
A large share of those who had given credence to her teach-
ings, were now with her in a separate community, and nothing
was needed but unity and industry to make it a great power in
the land. That unity, however, was the difficult thing to pre-
serve, though the most needful for the perpetuity and prosperity
of the Society, we shall soon see how dissensions disturbed

■KL

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

-i'.l

this admirable community, and greatly circumscribed its influ-
ence.

At this period, the Indians, although they had sold to Phelps
and Gorham the great tract, reaching from the Pre-emption
Line to the Genesee River, still had hunting and fishing privi-
leges in the country, and were still very ill-disposed toward the
State authorities and white people generally. They had been
incited to hostility by the wiles of the Lessee Company, who
had intended to get control of all the Indian lands under their
long lease, but had been successfully thwarted by Gov. George
Clinton. The bewildered and demoralized natives were also
influenced to hostile action by British agency on the Frontier,
which still dreamed of repossessing the country. The Indians
of the west were also full of warlike feeling and costing the
Government much trouble. The boldest warriors of the Six
Nations were mingling with the contest against white encroach-
ment, and it was but natural that those who remained on the
glorious territory of the Senecas, should regard with sullen
discontent the settlement of these lands by the hated race.
The powerful settlement of the Friend's Society would have
been easily exterminated by an onslaught of the native war-
riors. They felt the critical nature of their position, and the
well known vindictive attitude of the Indians, gave them much
concern. It prevented many from coming to the new country,
and gave those who were on the spot much solicitude to avoid
all occasion of offence toward their red brethren of the forest.
The Friend succeeded in making a favorable impression on the
natives, who always treated her with great respect, and none
of her followers ever had reason to complain of their aggres-
sions. In the summer of 1791, when Col. Pickering, on behalf
of the U. S. Government, held a treaty at Newtown, about
five hundred Senecas on their way thither, encamped at Norris'
Landing. Red Jacket, Corn Planter, Good Peter, an Indian
Preacher, Rev. Mr. Kirkland, the Indian Missionary, Horatio
Jones and Jasper Parrish, the celebrated Indian Interpreters
were in the company. The occasion was improved for an in-
terchange of civilities. The Friend preached, and the Indians

50 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

listened to her interpreted words with attention and respect.
She did not claim to be Christ nor his substitute, but rather his
messenger, and the story afterwards reported that Good Peter
turned away in disgust, because she had not the supernatural
power to understand the address he made after her's in the In-
dian dialect, was a wanton fabrication. The Indians were cor-
dial and sincerely friendly, as all their subsequent conduct to-
ward the Friend and her Society most clearly proved. It is
true they were always treated with hospitality and generosity
at her abode. They were never turned away hungry, and
they never made unreasonable requests. Singly, and in larger
delegations, they often called at the Friend's house, and were
always treated with the same unvarying kindness and respect.
They did not fail when hunting in the vicinity, to keep the
Friend's larder well supplied with venison, and they never
missed a suitable reward for their thoughtful attention. When
the great treaty was held in Canandaigua, in 1794, which ended
all the Indian troubles in Western New York, the Friend at-
tended and preached to a large concourse of the Indians and
pioneers, from the text : " Have we not all one Father ?
Hath not one God created ns all f

The Indians were greatly pleased with this discourse, and
pronounced the Friend — Squaw Shinnewaivna gis taw, ge —
"A great Woman Preacher." Nor did they forget ever after
to manifest their respect for the personage whose benevolence
toward them was so earnest in both word and deed, thus prov-
ing that the native heart was prompt and true in its response
to just and generous treatment.

J In 1791, Sarah Richards, who had remained at Worcester
to close xip affairs at that place, came to the New Jerusalem
with a number of others. Sarah was the prime minister, so to
speak, of the Friend, and the household and Society were now
fully consolidated. The following memorandums made by
Sarah Richards, which have been preserved, are interesting
scraps of this early history : m

HTSTOEY OF YATES COUNTY. 51

First of the 6th Month, 1791.
I arrived with Rachel Malin, Elijah Malin, E. Mehitable
Smith, Mariah and the rest of the Friend's family, together
with the Friend's goods, which the Friend sent Elijah to assist
in bringing them on. We all safe arrived on the west side of
the Seneca Lake, and reached the Friend's house Avhich the
Universal Friend had got built for our reception, and with
great joy met the Friend once more in time and all in walking
health as well as usual.

SARAH EICHARDS.

Jerusalem, 7th of the 6th Month, 1791.
Then reckoned and settled up with Thomas Orman, the boat-
man, for bringing up the Universal Friend's goods. Settled, I
say, to his full satisfaction, being in trust for the Friend. The
Friend has paid him ten dollars and a half, which is his full
demand.

SARAH RICHARDS.

In the year ninety-one, settled with Elijah Malin, being in
trust for the Universal Friend at this time, reckoned and set-
tled with him for building the Friend's house, and passed re-
ceipts 24th of the 6th Month, 1791.

SARAH RICHARDS.

Reckoned and settled with Richard Hathaway, being in
trust for the Universal Friend, for goods which the carpenters
took up at his store for building the Friend's house in Jerusa-
lem. Settled, I say, this 3d of the 7th Month, 1791.

SARAH RICHARDS.

19th of the 7th Month, 1791.
This day the Universal Friend sent me with Rachel Malin to
Benedict Robinson to deliver one hundred dollars in silver, for
which he promised and agreed with the Friend to let the

52 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Friend have land out of the second seventh township, in the
Boston Pre-emption at the prime cost, and necessary expenses,
for which he gave me his receipt.

SAEAH EICHAEDS.

About the 26th of the 7th Month, 1791, I and Rachel Malin
were taken sick, about the time of wheat harvest, and never
were able to go out of the house until the ground was covered
with snow, but entirely confined to our chamber, which finished
up the year 1791.

SAEAH EICHAEDS.

16th of the 6th Month, in the year 1792.
Then reckoned and settled with Jacob Wagener, in trust for
the Friend, and he has reoeived twelve pounds of the Friend
in full of all demands whatsoever.

SAEAH EICHAEDS.

26th of the 6th Month, 1792.

Asa Richards departed this life 28th. The Friend attended
his funeral. He said he had a hope in his death, that he was
going into a better world. The Friend spoke from these
words': "The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but
the righteous hath hope in his death."

Asa Richards came to the Friend's house sick with consump-
tion nearly two years before his death. He gave the Friend
the receipt which he held from Robinson in proprietorship to
draw land in his stead at the prime cost and necessary expen-
ses. This he delivered to the Universal Friend sometime be-
fore his death, to make remittance for the care of all his sick-
ness and funeral charges to the amount of fifty pounds lawful
money of the State of Connecticut.

SAEAH EICHAEDS.

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY. 53

7th of the 7th Month, 1792.
Then reckoned and settled with Benjamin Brown, for driving
the Friend's cattle from New England, by delivering him ten
dollars in trust for the Friend, being in full of all demands.

SAEAH KICHABDS.

5th day of the 1st Month. 1792.
This day I received a deed of Benedict Robinson, to hold in
trust for the Universal Friend, for which the Friend sent me
with a hundred dollars in silver, and then sent two yoke of fat
oxen to Phelps and Gorham, to make out the payment for the
land, which he said would not be more than one shilling per
acre, and the deed contains five lots which makes sixteen hun-
dred acres.

SAEAH EICHAEDS.

10th of the 3d Month, 1793.
First day morn. This day, Mehitable Smith left time after
about four month's illness. She joyfully met death, giving
glory to God and the Lamb. The Friend attended her funeral.
Text — "The righteous perisheth, and no man Layeth it to
heart, and the merciful are taken away, none considering that the
righteous are taken away from the evil to come.

2d of the 5th Month, 1793.
This day I received a deed from Thomas Hathaway, to hold
in trust for the Friend, and the Friend has paid all the consid-
eration money to Hathaway.

SAEAH EICHAEDS.

1st of the Gth Month, 1793.
This day I have received another deed from Thomas Hatha-
way to hold in trust for the Universal Friend, bearing date 1st
of the 6th Month, ninety-three, lot number 47th, which the
Friend purchased for Mary Bartleson, widow, and has paid the
consideration money.

SAEAH EICHAEDS.

54 HIST0KY OF YATES COUNTY.

24th of the 10th Month, 1793.
Being in trust for the Universal Friend, then settled with
Barnabas Brown, by delivering him a pair of oxen valued at
forty dollars.

SARAH EIOHAEDS.

The old Pre-emption Line which was run in 1788, indicated
that the lands on which the settlement made its start, were to
be obtained of the State of New York, though the operations
and claims of the Lessee Company, very actively prosecuted
at that time, involved the question in some confusion. Early
measures were adopted to make interest with that company, by
James Parker and his associates, as papers of Mr. Parker very
clearly show. As soon as November, 1788, a portion of town-
ship number seven, first range, now Milo, was set off to James
Parker and several others, his associates, by Caleb Benton on
behalf of the Lessee Company. The amount thus taken was
eleven hundred and four acres, and is the belt since known as
the Garter, and shows that the Friends built their mill on their
own land, though a trifle west of the old Pre-emption Line.

Early application was made to Gov. George Clinton, for
land by James Parker and his associates, and they were invited
by the Governor to attend the land sales in Albany, and make
such purchases as they wished. They did so, and secured
14,040 acres, afterwards called the Potter Location, lying on
the west bank of Seneca Lake, bounded on the north by Reed
and Ryckman's location, west by Lansing's location, and other
lands already granted, and extending south far enough to in-
clude the number of acres before specified. This deed Avas
signed by George Clinton, the Executive of the State, and the
grantees were James Parker, William Potter and Thomas
Hathaway, as Tenants in Common, and not as Joint Tenants, for
themselves and their associates, with no consideration expressed
except the requirement that there shall within seven years be
one family located on each six hundred and forty acres of the
land. This deed was dated October 10th, 1792. It would

HISTORY OP YATES COUNTY. 55

seem, that while waiting on the operations of the Lessee Com-
pany, some lands occupied by the Society, had been located by
others.

At what precise time the New Pre-emption Line was run,
has not come to the knowledge of the writer, but probably as
early as 1793. That line run through the Friend's settlement
more than a mile eastward of the Old Line, and the space be-
tween fell into the possession of Charles Williamson, then act-
ing agent for the London Association, who had become suc-
cessors, through Robert Morris, of Phelps and Gorham.
Thus the State grants west of the New Pre-emption Line, be-
came void, and the settlers were obliged to look elsewhere for
their source of title. The following letter shows that those re-
siding on the Gore, or space included between the two Pre-
emption Lines, had become satisfied that they were on Phelps
and Gorham' s Purchase.

Jerusalem, 13th of the 1st Month, 1794,

Friend Williamson : — We take this opportunity to let thee
know our wishes, who are now on thy land at the Friend's Set-
tlement, in Jerusalem, in the county of Ontario, and in the
State of New York. We, the subscribers, wish to take deeds
from friend Williamson for the land our improvements is on,
rather than any other person. Our desire is, that thee would
not dispose of the land to any other person but to us who are
on the land.

BENAJAH BOTSFOKD, ASAHEL STONE,

ELEAZEE INGEAHAM, SAMUEL DOOLITTLE,

SOLOMON INGEAHAM, JOHN DAVIS,

EICHAED SMITH, BENEDICT EOBINSON,

ABEL BOTSFOED, PHILO INGEAHAM,

ENOCH MALIN, SAMUEL PAESONS,

WILLIAM DAVIS, JONATHAN DAVIS,

JOHN BEIGGS, ELIJAH MALIN,

ELNATHAN BOTSFOED, THOMAS HATHAWAY,

DANIEL INGEAHAM, MEECY ALDEICH,

EICHAED MATHEWS, ELISHA INGEAHAM.
ELNATHAN BOTSFOED, Jr.

56 HIST0KY OF YATES COUNTY.

Other letters from Benedict Robinson and others of the
Friends, are of similar import. James Parker says to Mr. Wil-
liamson : "It is my desire to settle the several branches of my
family near me ; for that reason we began where we now are,
with the intention to buy of the right owner when I could see
him. The 1,000 acres may seem too much for one man, but
when it is divided between myself and son, and three sons-in-
law, it, I think, will not be deemed extravagant ; especially,
considering I know not how soon I may have two more sons-
in-law. A man like myseif, who was one of the first settlers,
and began our settlement, which would have been elsewhere
had it not been for me ; and also encouraged many emigrants
into this country, may claim to be indulged in having the sev-
eral branches of his family settled near him."

Satisfactory arrangements were made with Mr. Williamson,
who was a man of remarkable fairness and liberality in his
dealings with all the settlers, and their titles were confirmed as
they desired. The space known as the Little Gore, lying in a
triangular form between the New Pre-emption Line and Walk-
er and Lansing's locations, was released to Mr. Williamson in
1797, by Arnold Potter and Eliphalet Norris. It was stated
in the deed to contain eleven hundred and forty-seven acres ol
land, and the consideration of six thousand three hundred
eight dollars and fifty cents, is also expressed. Why this re-
lease was necessary, after the new Pre-emption Line was estab-
lished, is not understood by the writer.

Before the Universal Friends left New England, they had,
according to their means, contributed and pledged them-
selves to contribute to a joint fund for the purchase of land, in
which each contributor was to share in proportion to his or her
investment, the land to be valued at prime cost. The land pur-
chased of the State was entered upon by the Society in com-
mon. It was early surveyed into lots, and the members of the
Society took up locations, some larger and some smaller, accord-
ing to their ability, confidently expecting to be secured in their
several titles, by a faithiul execution of the original compact,

HISTOKX OF YATES COUNTY.

in pursuance of which the deed from the Land Office of the
State had been granted. They were, however, to undergo a
painful experience. Where unity of interest and action should
have prevailed, there was to be severance of interests and bitter
discord.

Up to this time, James Parker had been the most important
member of the Friend's Society, as well as the most active and
valuable man to its interests, as a negotiator for land, and a ready
and efficient man of business. His force and activity were felt
in every direction. He had been a magistrate for twenty years
in Rhode Island, and was a man of substance and high consid-
eration. Besides he was an enthusiastic devotee of the Friend
and one of her most useful and trusted counsellors. It was
through him that interest was obtained in the Lessee Company
and at the Land Office. He was appointed a Justice of the
Peace almost as soon as Oliver Phelps was appointed Judge of
Ontario county, and held the office sometime after 1800, and
did a large amount of business as such magistrate. For rea-
sons not fully brought to light, Mr. Parker and the Friend
came to a parting of the ways. Whether he felt that just con-
sideration was not permitted him in the councils of the Society,
or his religious sentiments had undergone a change, or whether
the Friend had just cause of any character for impugning his
fidelity to the faith, is now enveloped in too much of the mists
of oblivion to be distinctly traced. Let it suffice to say that
there was a separation, a schism. Mr. Parker was no longer a
member of the Friend's Society, and the Friend no longer
countenanced Mr. Parker.

That this was a great misfortune to both sides is most evi-
dent from all the subsequent history of the Society. Whether
the alienation of James Parker carried that of William Potter,
or not, it is evident that they were simultaneous seceders.
From having been friends they became opponents of the Socie-
ty, and very damaging opponents. Mr. Potter, who had also
been a very prominent man in Rhode Island, and Treasurer of
the State, had been the largest contributor in the purchase of

58 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

the land, having paid $2,000, or more than half the entire cost
of the 14,040 acres patented by the State at twenty-five cents
per acre. That a convulsion in the Society should be the re-
sult is not to be wondered at, and that both "sides should insist
on all the law would allow, is perhaps the most natural result
of the passions engendered.

A suit was tried at the Ontario Circuit in June, 1800, in which
William Potter was the plaintiff in the action, for ejectment,
against George Sisson, who held lot No. 16 in the Parker, Pot-
ter and Hathaway patent. Potter claimed the sole title, by a
deed from Parker and Hathaway to himself, their common title
resting on a deed from the State. The defendant showed by
letters of James Parker, addressed to the Society, and the peti-
tions of the Society addressed to the Commissioners of the
Land Office, the nature of the compact by which the purchase
of lands had been effected, and the just rights of its members.

In Johnson's reports of cases, volume two, the report of this
case goes on to say :

"The contract with the Commissioners was fulfilled by the
Society, of Avhich James Parker appeared to be the principal
member, on the 29th of February, 1792. By another letter of
James Parker, addressed to the Commissioners on the 15th of
September, 1792, he stated his former contract with the Com-
missioners for 12,000 acres of land, (finally 14,040,) for himself
and his associates, and named the other two patentees and de-
fendant."

"The community of Friends met on the 27th of October,
1791, among whom was William Potter, one of the lessors of
the plaintiff. They came to sundry resolutions, by which they
appointed the other two patentees above named, a committee
to receive the contract from Parker, and to indemnify him for
his contract with the Commissioners of the Land Office, and
compensate him for his trouble, and directed the members of
the Community to pay their proportion of the expense of the
lands, and that they should receive land in proportion to their
advances."

BTST0KY OF YATES COUNTY.

It was made to appear that George Sisson had paid thirty-
seven dollars and fifty cents, while William Potter had paid
two thousand dollars. Upon these facts a verdict was taken
for the plaintiff, by consent, subject to the opinion of the court.
That opinion was rendered by Justice Kent, to the effect that
no legal estate was created by the patent, but what vested in
the three patentees named, Parker, Potter and Hathaway, and
that an equitable titls cannot prevail in ejectment against the
legal estate, especially if such equitable estate be dubious. In
other words, that the equitable title was too indefinite for a
court of law, and the only remedy was by an action of equity.
This was one of those fine legal discriminations so glorious for
the profession, but so wearisome to justice, and oppressive to
those seeking the aid of courts to redress their wrongs.

The remedy indicated by the opinion of Judge Kent, was
attempted with very unfortunate results. Richard Smith, John
Briggs and George Sisson, Trustees of the Society of Friends,
consulted one William Stewart, a pretentious lawyer, who gave
them encouraging advice, and exacted of them a note of fifteen
hundred dollars, as a modest retaining fee, before commencing
an equity suit. With a remarkable lack of wise foresight, they
gave the note, which Stewart sold, and went his way without
doing anything for the relief of his clients. No step was taken
to initiate the equity suit. But payment of the note was ex-
acted to the uttermost farthing. The Society had not sanc-
tioned the action of the trustees, and declined to be held ac-
countable for their loss. Being comparatively poor, the conse-
quences were quite disastrous to them. George Sisson and
John Briggs had all their property sold by the Sheriff to the
last and least of their household goods, and Sisson was taken
to Canandaigua and confined within the jail limits, according
to the stupid law of those days which allowed imprisonment for
debt. His wife made a weary pilgrimage on horseback every
week, to carry him provisions and carry some word of home,
or what should have been home, until he was in some way re-
leased. His fellow trustees were greatly straightened and dis-

60 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

tressed by this procedure, and the Society could but feel it as
a deep injury.

At the time when these troubles begun, Abraham Dayton
was sent to Canada to negotiate with Governor Simcoe
for a grant of land for a new location, and partly from
fear of Indian troubles. The Governor made a grant in the
township of Beauford, Canada West. But after some prepara-
tions had been made to remove thither, the Governor annulled
his grant. He exculpated himself by the statement that he
had supposed the society to be Quakers, of whom he entertain-
ed a high opinion, but learning that this was a new sect, he did
not wish to encourage their emigration to his territory. He
made the grant, however, to Mr. Dayton, individually, who re-
moved to it with his family, and died there in early years. The
Dayton family, it would seem, was one of the best in the Socie-
ty, and one desirable to retain. They were besides sincere
Friends, and it must have been a strong temptation that led
them away. Possibly the troubles of the Society may have
influenced them somewhat to leave. Mrs. Dayton is said to
have been the first Cheese maker in the Genesee Country. Her
curd was laid in a hoop on a stump, and stones laid on to press
it. Mrs. Dayton was always mentioned with great affection
for her kindness in affording relief in the season of great scar-
city, 1789, from the stock of provisions her husband brought
into the country. The Dayton family lived near the primitive
mill, and Mrs. Dayton had one day rather a thrilling adventure
with a snake. Near the bank she saw a large black snake en-
twined about the limb of a tree projecting over a stream.
Taking a stick in her hand, she stepped on a pile of boards
and gave the snake a blow, which loosened its hold and it fell
into the stream. At the same time the boards gave way and
precipitated Mrs. Dayton down the bank about thirty feet,
along with the snake and the boards. When her husband
came to her aid, he found her standing in the water, the bones
from a broken leg protruding through the skin and stocking,
while she was beating off the snake with a stick in her hand,
his snakeship having concluded to give battle under the new

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. Gl

turn of affairs. She was rescued, and the bones were set and
the limb dressed by the Friend in the absence of a surgeon,
and the fracture was as speedily cured as if managed by the
most skillful expert in surgery. She married a second husband,
(Col. Stone,) and died at the age of ninety-three years. A
daughter of Mrs. Dayton married Benajah Mallory, who was a
trader in the settlement at a very early day, and died at an ad-
vanced age at Lockport a few years ago.

The interest of Mr. Dayton in the Pioneer Mills, he sold to
David Wagener, another very important adherent of the
Friend, from Pennsylvania, on the "27th day of ye 12th Mo.,
1791." The consideration for grist and saw mill, was one hun-
dred and fifty pounds ; and for improved lands adjoining, fifty
pounds. The deed was witnessed by Daniel Guernsey, a sur-
veyor, and Barnabas Brown.

Among the early sales of Phelps and Gorham, was that of
township number seven, second range, (now Jerusalem,) to
Thomas Hathaway and Benedict Robinson, September 2, 1790.
Consideration, $4,320 for thirty-six square miles. The Senior
Hathaway, who was Mr. Robinson's associate in this purchase,
does not appear to have retained for any length of time an* in-
terest in the 14,040 acres patented to himself and Parker, Pot-
ter and others on Seneca Lake. Neither did he become alien-
ated from the Society, but retained his standing therein till his
death, and was ever regarded by the Society Avith the highest
respect.

Benedict Robinson was another prominent man in the New
Community. He, too, was at first an enthusiastic adherent of
the Friend, and the design to have the Friend's abode in his
township was very early entertained, as appears by the follow-
ing letter, which it is supposed was addressed to Sarah Rich-
ards :

New Settlement, 13th of the 12th Mouth, 1789.

Friend Sarah : — I arrived here after a fatiguing journey
of twelve day's travel ; am kindly received, have explored the
second seventh township, two days and three nights successive-

62 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

ly together, and find it not as report says altogether. We are
satisfied with our purchase altogether, one thing excepted, that
is, the land does not lay so compact as one would wish for every
convenience we want. "Would the Friend accept the offer of
such a piece as I have mentioned in thy hearing ? I think it
would well accommodate our first intention. The land most
of it that we have seen, is good enough, and I do not want bet-
ter. The timber exceeds any I have ever seen in this or any
other country. The Sugar Maple aboundeth in plenty, the
Oak, the Pine and Walnut, with divers sorts makes it complete.
I think there is a pleasant brook from the North to the Northwest
branch of the Crooked Lake, from the distance of one mile to
one and a half miles from the east line, where is a good place
for sheep, which we call Shepherd's Hill, where one may view
almost all the township. With some good timber, good springs,
and some runs of water, all which is very advantageous to the
situation of said hill, descending to the aforesaid brook, which
Thomas saith must be called the brook Kedron. Two very fine
mill seats thereon, and a third if wanted can be had ; then as
excellent an interval, as good as is desired, or can be, from one
quarter to one mile wide; from thence ascending until we
come to the west side of said town, except about one and one
half miles, &c, * * * I thought I would mention my de-
sire— if may be — to be assisted in making the payment, where
I have had encouragement from. As circumstances is with
us, I can not say what is or will be right, but do mean to do
right as far as can be. Desiring to be remembered to and
by the Friend in supplication and intercession for a remnant
off a remnant, and by all those to whom the spirit of prayer
is given, not forgetting my love to thee and all those who
were and are my friends. As the bearer can inform more
particulars of affairs, I shall omit it, and subscribe with my
hand that I mean to be thy sincere friend.

BENEDICT EOBINSON.
That the township was bought in consultation with the Friend
and by her concurrence appears from the fact that Robinson
and Hathaway, under the Friend's advice, resigned their oppor-

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

tunity to buy the township where Geneseo is now situated. It
was a rule at that period in selling picked townships to re<fhire
the purchasers to draw for another township at the same price.
In this way the purchasers of Jerusalem drew the rich and valua-
ble township afterwards owned by the Wadsworths. The
Friend objected to her people "trading and buying property at
a distance," and they prevailed on Mr. Phelps to release them
from the. bargain, which he was not unwilling to do, as he
had learned the value of the township. Possibly the Friend
was wiser than most worldly minded people would be willing
to concede.

In January, 1792, Benedict Robinson conveyed by a deed,
witnessed by Ruth Pritchard and Lucy Brown, lots 23, 24, 25,
26, and the north half of lots 22 and 27, in township num-
ber seven, second range, supposed to contain 1,400 acres, to
Sarah Richards on behalf of the Friend. Thomas Hathaway,
by a deed witnessed by Susannah and Temperance Brown, had
conveyed his interest in the same land to Benedict Robinson
for this purpose in September of the previous year. The con-
sideration expressed in Hathaway's deed was twenty pounds,
and in Robinson's forty pounds. June 28th, 1793, Benedict
Robinson conveyed to William Carter for £1,000, all his inter-
est in the township except 550 acres.

August 4, 1795., Thomas Hathaway made a like conveyance
to William Carter for £6,000,'of all his interest in the township
except 3,960 acres, a part of which he had before sold. Four-
teenth of July, 1795, William Carter conveyed to Rachel Ma-
lin, lots 45 and 46 — 640 acres. Consideration, £56, received
by Benedict Robinson of Asa Richards, deceased. August
14, 1785, William Carter conveyed to Rachel Malin, for £140,
lots 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 45, 46, 47, 50, 51 and 52.
This would show that the full proportions of the Friend's estate
in Jerusalem, were in extent 4,480 acres, allowing each lot to
contain 320 acres as stated in these deeds ; and generally they
contained more.

The selection of the Friend's location in Jerusalem, was
made in 1791, by herself and Sarah Richards, and others who

64 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

accompanied Benedict Robinson to his township for that pur-
pose ; George Brown, afterwards Supervisor of the town, serv-
ing as a guide ; and in 1792 some work was done by way of
clearing and making preparations for the erection of a house
in the valley eastward of the final residence of the Friend

The question whether the first conveyance of lands by Bene-
dict Robinson to Sarah Richards on behalf of the Friend was
a gift on his part, was a subject of much dispute. The follow-
ing covenant, witnessed by Lucy Brown, would seem to set the
question at rest :

"This agreement witnesseth, that whereas I have this day
received a deed of several lots of lands lying and being'' in the
town of Jerusalem, county of Ontario, and State of New
York, in township number seven, second range of towns, as
they were surveyed and numbered throughout the county,
twelve hundred acres of which is made a present, on the East part
the remainder of which I have at the averaged price as said
township may be apprized, and given one hundred Dollars in
part pay thereof or if said sum of one hundred dollars doth
purchase more land than what's contained in the deed, I am to
have it added on the west part adjoining by the grantor there-
of. In witness whereof, we have set our hands and seals in
presents of this fifth day of the first Month, in the year sev-
enteen hundred and ninety-two. (1792).

SAEAH EICHAEDS, ) r -,

BENEDICT EOBINSON. f LL- S,J

Lots 45 and 46, called the Mile Square, or Asa Richards lot,
was granted for money, £56, paid by Asa Richards to Bene-
dict Robinson, the receipt for which on his death was given to
the Friend, in compensation for care extended to him in his
sickness, and to pay his funeral charges.

The north half of lot 47, (160 acres,) was deeded to Mary,
the wife of Ezekiel Shearman, by Rachal Malin, in 1797, for
payment, in part, of money loaned to pay the expense of trans-
porting the property and effects of the Friend from Pennsylva-
nia to the New Jerusalem ; another hundred acres was added

HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY. 65

from lot 48 by David Wagener, it is said to pay Ezekiel Shear-
man for his pioneer explorations for the Society of Friends in
1786.

In 1793, Sarah Richards directed in person further improve-
ments in Jerusalem, on the new location. Ten or twelve acres
were enclosed and a log tenement erected. Her health, which
had been poor for some time, and which the hardships of the
wilderness did not renovate, continued to decline, and she died
late in that year. Her attending physician was Moses Atwater,
of Canandaigua, who wrote her will, committing her trust to
Rachel Malin, who from that time forth held the Friend's prop-
erty, as sole trustee, while the Friend remained with her disci-
ples. Sarah Richards left one child, a daughter, Eliza, which
she committed to the care and tutilage of the Friend. Her
subsequent career had a less favorable influence on the destinies
of the Society, than her mother would have wished.

In the Spring of 1794, after a residence of four years in the
original settlement, near Seneca Lake, the Friend removed her
household to her new abode in the vale of the "Brook Kedron."
It would seem that no ordinary inducements could have im-
pelled such a removal. Most of her people were settled on
and east of the Gore, in a region of rare beauty and natural
wealth, where they had already made a goodly beginning. On
the other hand, the new location was in the midst of a dense
unbroken wilderness. It was not less than ten or twelve miles
away from those on whom she depended for assistance and
sympathy. There can be no doubt that a desire to be removed
from hostile influences, which had become bitter and intolerant,
was largely a motive for this early removal. That the Friend
sided with those of her Society who deemed themselves injured
in the disposition of the lands, is well attested : and she did
not change her attitude on that question when the worst results
of the situation wei-e experienced. While this intensified the
attachment of one class toward their beloved leader, it greatly
embittered others whose powers were much to be dreaded by
reason of their position and power.

66 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Whatever the intention may have been in granting a tract
of land in the "second seventh," there is no doubt that its ori-
ginal impulse, was to a large extent to provide a home and
nucleus for the Society. If <& desire to bring settlers to the
township was mixed with this purpose, it was not an unwise
design, for it produced the desired effect. Members of the So-
ciety actuated by a wish to be near the Friend, gathered about
in the same vicinity. A number of the poorer ones were
granted homes on the Friend's own land, and for several years
the larger portion of the settlers in this township, were Friends
or attracted by some influence connected with the Friend's
Society.

The Friend retained a farm of about three hundred acres in
the original settlement while she lived. Anna Wagener occu-
pied the house for a few years after the Friend removed to
Jerusalem. A room was kept in it for the Friend when she
visited there, and a bed which no other person ever occupied,
till about 1812, after which she seldom if ever came there.
Meetings were held not only at the Friend's house in Jerusalem,
but at her house in what is now Torrey, at the Log Meeting
House, and at the residences in later years of Isaac Mchols and
Adam Hunt, who after a few years had commodious framed
dwellings. The Log Meeting House was only used for worship
till 1799. Henry Barnes, still living, remembers the last ser-
vice in that primitive temple. It was a warm summer day,
and a heavy thunder shower arose, the rain come down like a
flood and the roof leaked badly. Some of the women held a
blanket or shawl over the Friend for protection, while she con-
tinued her discourse, which was one of the most impressive and
eloquent of her life, and was listened to with profound atten-
tion by a large congregation, who crowded very compactly into
the leaky structure. The Log Meeting House served as a
school house as well as a meeting house for some time. Here
Sarah Richards commenced teaching a few weeks before she
died, another proof of her rare excellence of character. Here,
also, Ruth Pritchard taught a school in 1796, and John Briggs

jjjllijj;:^ , f««^^

HISTOBY OP YATES COUNTY. 67

not far from the same time. The old Log Meeting House fiud-
]y became a dwelling. It is remembered by very few who
still survive.

The Friend gradually improved her surroundings in the deep
forests of Jerusalem, by the co-operation of her society, of
whom she retained a large number in spite of all hostilities and
persecutions. The single log house had added to it another,
and afterwards a third. The first and east part, of somewhat
the largest dimensions, Avas finally raised a story higher and
covered with clapboards, making a very comfortable abode.
Her own room was above stairs in the east portion. The mid-
dle building was used as a room for the meetings of the Society.
This triple log house was the home of the Friend and her
household till about 1814. Thomas Clark, whose wife, Eliza-
beth, was a sister of Rachel and Margaret Malin, commenced
the erection of the large dwelling since known as the Friend's
House, in 1809, and finished the principal part in 1814. He
was evidently not a rapid builder, but his work was exceeding-
ly well done, and all the materials used were of the most sub-
stantial quality. The building is still in a good state of preser-
vation, and when new was a marvelous advance upon the cur-
rent ideas of architecture. The rooms are high and commodi-
ous, and well arranged for a patritiate residence. After twenty-
four years of hard sacrifices and doubtful struggles, this resi-
dence, in the midst of her own domain, afforded a home of
comfort commensurate with the wants of her family and its
relations to the Society. Here, after the erection of this dwel-
ling, the meetings of the Society were held. Here the career
of the Universal Friend came to a close five years later and
here the Society held its shrine after that sad event, until its di-
minishing votaries had mostly passed away.

The influence of this remarkable woman continued unabated
with a large body of her followers throughout her life and after
her death, notwithstanding all adverse circumstances, all the
litigations, personal asperities, and the repugnance of many to
tfle strictness of the faith held by the Society, That this won-

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

derful ascendancy was the result of mere religious credulity
and superstitious awe, is not to be tolerated as an explanation
of the fact, when we take into account the intelligence, consci-
entiousness and independence of character, that prevailed with
a large share of these people. The secret of her power rested
in her sterling humanity, far more than any peculiarity of doc-
trinal teaching. She had a lively and zealous concern in all
that affected the welfare of her people She was truly a nurs-
ing mother to her flock. Her ministrations were first and
foremost in sickness and sorrow. Her affectionate hand was a
sure support in every trouble ; and her sympathy was unfailing.
All funeral services within the Society, and many without, were
attended by her. When called upon for aid to the poor, or
comfort to the sorrowing, whether within or without her own
fold, it was never withheld.

The life of the Friend, therefore, was one of manifold cares
and labors. For many years frequent visits were necessary to
the neighborhood of the first settlement, sometimes to attend
the burial of the dead, or visit the sick, and often for religious
service at the public meetings. These journeys, until the later
period of the Friend's life, were performed on horseback, al-
ways with one or more attendants, and often with a dozen,
more or less, of whom Rachel Malin was usually one, and fre-
quently Margaret. Saturday was the Sabbath day of the Socie-
ty, and when meetings were to be held in Milo, the cavalcade
went down on Friday afternoon, and would go back on Sunday
afternoon.; although Sunday, which they did not hold as a
Sabbath or sacred day, was generally observed as a day of rest
by the Society, from deference to other people whose Sabbath
it was. To the public meetings in Jerusalem, there would
usually go up a company from Milo on horseback, many of
them remaining two nights at the Friend's house, and the hos-
pitality of that mansion was never at fault. A dinner was
always provided for those who attended the public meetings,
free to all who would partake. This liberal hospitality was
always a feature of the Friend's abode, and was especially ex-

HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

tended to all strangers or persons from a distance who happen-
ed to be present from motives of interest or curiosity.

At the meetings, the Society usually gathered promptly at
the proper hour, and sat in silence. The Friend would enter
soon and sit for a few moments, lay off her hat, kneel and pray
aloud fervently for some time, then after remaining seated in
silence for a few moments arise and speak, generally from an
hour to an hour and a half. These discourses were always list-
ened to with the utmost quiet. The voice of the speaker was
musical and pleasant to the ear. The gestures, mostly an easy
waving motion of the hand, were always graceful. The eyes
black and highly expressive, seemed to animate the language of
the Friend, and add intensity to her eloquence. After her dis-
course closed others sometimes spoke. Of these were Richard
Smith, Asahel Stone, Benajah Botsford, Elnathan Botsford,
senior, Deborah Malin, Mercy Aldrich, Abigail Barnes, Lucina
Goodspeed, Experience Ingraham, Lucy Botsford and others.
When all speaking was closed, the meeting was dismissed by
shaking hands. The Friend commenced usually by shaking-
hands with Rachel Malin, when all would arise and the hand
shaking would become general. Every member present would
make it a point to shake hands with the Friend. There was
no singing in public worship, but a profoundly devotional spir-
it was cultivated, and a more reverential body of worshippers
it would be difficult to find.

The separation of James Parker from the Society, occurred
very soon after the new colony was planted near Seneca Lake,
and bore bitter fruits on both sides. Mr. Parker lost his relig-
ious home, and was very much afloat in spiritual relations there-
after. For a time he was somewhat zealously identified with
the Free Will Baptists, afterwards strongly inclined to the
Universalists, and finally died at a very advanced age, a mem-
ber of the Methodist Church, by which people he was cor-
dially received and kindly regarded in his later years. For a
time after his breaking off from the Society, he was a leader in
the hostilities which raged against the Friend and her Society.

70 HISTORY. OF TATES COUNTY.

As a magistrate, he issued a warrant on the complaint of Wil-
liam Potter, against the Friend, for blasphemy. The event
proved this to be a grave error, but the prosecution was urged
with an earnestness which showed that strong and passionate
feeling was enlisted in the work, and that many prominent per-
sons in the community gave it countenance and support. This
was in the Autumn of 1799. The warrant was placed in the
hands of an officer, who met the Friend on horseback accom-
panied by Rachel Malm, a short way from Smith's Mills, on
the road to Noras' Landing. He made a dash to seize his in-
tended prisoner, who being an accomplished horsewoman, was
not easily caught. She turned her horse about instantly and
galloped swiftly down the hill, and her pursuer not being able
to follow so rapidly, was left considerably in the rear. She
reined up at the house of Richard Smith, a little west of the
Mills, dismounted and took refuge among those who were ready
to protect her. The officer found the door barricaded and
threatened to break it down, but met with so much resolute re-
sistance, that he desisted and went his way.

Shortly after, another officer made his appearance in Jerusa-
lem, armed with his warrant. The Friend was in a little house
opposite her then residence, on the north side of the road,
used as a shop for weaving. Here the Friend, with several
women of her household, was engaged when the constable
walked in, his attendant, Enoch Malm, remaining outside.
His mission was at once understood, and no time was given
him to make explanations or commence offensive operations.
He found himself outside the door in such precipitate haste,
that he could hardly comprehend what was going on. The
women handled him with so little care, that some of his gar-
ments were badly torn, and a renewal of the onslaught was
impossible Avithout a repair of his breeches. Thus ended the
second attempt at arrest.

The next was much more formidable and more craftily man-
aged. A posse of about thirty men was collected, some of
them the most prominent men in the new settlement. They

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 71

took along a cart and oxen to convey their prisoner away, and
hearing that the Friend was reported sick, they had a physician
in their company to decide whether she was in sufficient bodily
health to endure the proposed arrest. Sometime after midnight
they surrounded the house, which was soon in a state of alarm.
Stout resistance was made to their entrance, but they broke
down the door with an ax, and took possession of the premises.
The physician soon informed them that an attempt to carry the
Friend away would not be advisable. A man from the outside
of one of the windows called out "throw her in the cart and
carry her off." This was a man, too, who had been one of her
warmest adherents. And the same man, in after years, when
disease reminded him of his mortality, was glad to be recon-
ciled to the Friend, and become the subject of her sympathy
and her spiritual consolation.

Finding that their third attempt at arrest must prove abor-
tive, a parley was held. An attorney representing the Friend
was on hand, as it happened ; a recognizance was entered into
for her appearance at the next Ontario Circuit, and the idea of
a trial before Justice Parker was abandoned.

In the following June, the Friend and her accusers were in
attendance at the Circuit Court in Cananddigua. The venera-
ble Ambrose Spencer was the presiding Judge. The Grand
Jury listened to all the evidence presented ~on the charge of
blasphemy against the Friend, and unanimously agreed that
there was nothing on which to base an indictment. When
this conclusion was announced, the Friend was respectfully in-
vited to preach before the Court and the people in attendance.
She did so, and was listened to with the deepest attention.
Judge Spencer, on being asked his opinion of the discourse re-
plied : "We have heard good counsel, and if we live in harmony
with what that woman has told us, we shall be sure to be good
people here, and reach a final rest in Heaven.."

On another occasion, a woman who had been one of the So-
ciety, made affidavit that she had reason to fear for the safety
of her life, on account of the Friend. That a warrant of arrest

72 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

was issued in this case is probable but not quite clear. But
the woman who made the affidavit, accidentally confronted the
Friend sometime after at the house of a sick neighbor. "Chloe,"
said the Friend, "did thee think I would kill thee ?" "No,
Friend," she replied. "Then why did thee swear so wickedly?"
continued the Friend. There was no answer for some time,
but she finally declared that she had been "put up to it."

These incidents serve to show the extreme intensity of hos-
tile feeling that prevailed for a time on the part of some, which
was none the less bitter from the fact that it was led by those
who had been personal adherents of the Friend.

The long litigation which hung like a cloud over the affairs
of the Friend in the last years of her life, and which did not
reach its conclusion till some years after her death, was another
source of ill-feeling toward her and the Society, and doubtless
laid the foundation for much of that venomous detraction which
pursued her fame and character [through the lifetime of more
than one generation after her departure. Sarah Richards, the
first trustee of the Friend, and one of the early and firm adher-
ents of the Society, and its founder, dying in the latter part of
1793, left an only child, Eliza, in charge of the Friend to be
reared in her family, doubtless with the expectation that she
would remain a permanent member of the household, and at-
tached like her mother to the Friend. Sarah, by a will execu-
ted a short time before her death, devised her trust to Rachel
Malin, including all the land she held in Jerusalem, and among
the rest lots 45 and 46, held by virtue of Asa Richard's will,
leaving to Sarah the receipt (for money paid to Benedict Rob-
inson,) by which the land was obtained. To her daughter,
Eliza, she left nothing except a remnant of property, which she
owned at Watertown, Connecticut, before joining the Friend.

Eliza seemed to be more disposed to follow the fortunes of
a husband than adhere to the faith of the Friend. In 1796,
about three years after her mother's decease, while she was still
veiy young, she eloped from the house of the Friend, leaving
through a window, in the hour of public meeting, met Enoch

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 73

Malin, who was waiting for her by previous arrangement, at a
house near by, and was wedded to him. It does not appear
that claim was immediately made to any of the Friend's land
by inheritance from Eliza's mother. But in 1799, Eliza and
her husband conveyed by deed, a strip of land one hundred
rods in width, off the north side of lots 24 and 25, two miles
long, containing four hundred acres, to Elnathan Botsford, jr.,
and Benajah Botsford, his brother, and the husband of Deborah,
the youngest sister of the Friend. It was afterwards testified
by Elnathan Botsford, senior, that he obtained the assent of
the Friend to this purchase ; and whether such assent was giv-
en in explicit terms or not, it appears that the purchasers held
undisturbed possession of it for twelve years, and lived on and
improved it. Whether the Friend regarded their source of
title just or not, she was probably willing that parties holding
their relations to herself and the Society, should hold the land
thus taken, so long as no farther loss to her domain was in-
volved. There were other and subsequent sales, however, by
Enoch and Eliza Malin, which could not bo so tamely acqui-
esced in. These were to Asahel Stone, jr., Asa Ingraham and
Truman Stone. It Avas now perceived that all the Friend's
estate might be taken away in the same manner, and legal re-
dress appeared to be required to establish her rights. Measures
were accordingly taken to prove the title of the Friend, through
her trustee, Rachel Malin, to all the land that had been con-
veyed to her from Robinson, Hathaway and Carter.

In 1811, Rachel Malin filed a bill in Chancery, against Enoch
and'Eliza Malin, and the purchasers under their assumed title.
The defendants by their answer, denied the trust claimed by
Rachel, and alleged that one thousand acres of the land con-
veyed to Sarah Richards was a gift, and, therefore that no result-
ing trust was conveyed. The cause was brought to a hearing
on the pleadings before Chancellor Kent, in 1816. After per-
mitting the bill to be amended by inserting the name of Jemi-
ma Wilkinson as a party complainant, he directed a feigned issue
to be tried by a jury in the County of Ontario, to ascertain

74 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

whether Jemima Wilkinson had advanced any money or other
valuable consideration for the lands, or any other part thereof
contained in the conveyance from Benedict Robinson to Sarah
Richards ; whether the will of Sarah Richards had been altered ;
whether the whole or any, and if any, what part of the lands
conveyed by Robinson to Sarah Richards, passed by that con-
veyance ; and whether the Botsfords and others were bona-fide
purchasers, without notice of the trust. This feigned issue was
noticed for trial at the Ontario Circuit in June, 1817, but was
put off for want of a material witness by Rachel Malin.

Enoch and Eliza Malin both died before this stage of the
case was reached, he in Canada and she in Ohio. They left two
sons, David H. Malin and Avery Malin, who were substituted
for their parents as parties to the suit. Elisha Williams, their
attorney and guardian, brought actions of ejectment against
parties occupying the lands in dispute, and upon the trial, a
verdict unfavorable to the Friend and her claims was rendered,
and the case was at once carried to the Court of Chancery,
where it was tried before Chancellor Kent, in 1823, the feigned
issue, having been set aside as the evidence adduced on the tri-
al of the ejectment suits, supplied the information sought by
that issue. The decease of the Friend in 1819, left Rachel and
Margaret Malin, under her will, the representatives of her in-
terests in the suit, and John C. Spencer was their counsel. The
Chancellor made a decree affirming the trust, and upholding
the title of the Friend, and the defendants took their appeal to
the Court of Errors. A final decision was reached in that
Court in 1828, nine years after the decease of the Friend, and
seventeen years after the commencement of the suit.

A full statement of the case is given in the first volume of
Wendell's reports, by which it appears that the litigation was
one that must have enlisted the best energies of both sides,
and the best legal talent of the period. Thomas R. Gold, of
TJtica, was the counsel for the respondents, Rachel and Margar-
et Malin, in the Court of Errors. The question of the trust
was the main point of attack, and it was triumphantly sustained.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 75

The memorandums of Sarah Richards, given a few pages back,
were offered in support of the trust, and were assailed as for-
geries, several good witnesses affirming that they were written
by Ruth Pritchard, and not by Sarah Richards. The similarity
of handwriting on the part of these persons, no doubt led to
an honest difference of opinion on the subject. The ultimate
conviction of all unprejudiced minds, must have been in favor
of their authenticity. And the following letters, which could
have presented no stronger claims to verity, were much less
questioned, and helped materially the cause of the Friend.

Jerusalem, 3d of the 6th Month, 1793.
Deak Ruth : — I take this opportunity to inform thee further
about the situation of earthly concerns. The Friend has also
taken a deed of Thomas Hathaway, containing south of that
which Robinson deeded to me to hold in trust for the Friend.
And this deed is witnessed by William Carter and Abel Bots-
ford. I hope we shall get together before long. This is from
thy affectionate friend,

SARAH RICHARDS.

Jerusalem, 12th of the 3d Month, 1793.
Dear Ruth : — This is to be a messenger of my love to thee.
Hold out faith and patience. Thy letter was very welcome to
me. I want thee should make ready to come where the Friend
is in this town. The Friend has got land enough here for all
that will be faithful and true. Dear Ruth, I will inform thee
that Benedict Robinson has given the Friend a deed of some
land in the second seventh, in the Boston Pre-emption, wdiich
deed contains five lots, and the Friend has made use of my
name to hold it in trust for the Friend, and now I hope the
Friend will have a home, and likewise for the poor Friends,
and such as have no helper, where no intruding foot can enter.
Farewell. From thy affectionate friend,

SARAH RICHARDS.

Justice Sutherland, who wrote an able and exhaustive opin-
ion in the cause, was sustained by a concurring and still more
emphatic opinion, by William M. Oliver, then a State Senator,

76 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

and member of the Court for the Correction of Errors, and a
majority of the Court decided in accordance with their opin-
ions, establishing the trust and confirming the title of the
Friend, but affirming a valid title on the part of the Botsfords,
whose purchase it was decided had been made without notice
of the trust. A life estate only was granted to Rachel and
Margaret Malin, in lots 45 and 46, the title to which was de-
rived from Asa Richards, on the ground that the title to these
lots was the personal estate of Sarah Richards, and that her
will conveyed only a life estate thereto to Rachel Malin, leav-
ing the remainder in fee to her own heirs. It was also held
by the terms of Benedict Robinson's original deed to Sarah
Richards, that a consideration was expressed which precluded the
idea of a gift, and that what was paid covered the whole con-
veyance, as the consideration could not be limited to any par-
ticular portion. It was also held by Justice Sutherland, that
the settlement on the land by the Friend, drawing others as it
must, was a very valuable consideration, and probably a suffi-
cient one for the land.

This unhappy litigation, although it resulted in the end fa-
vorably to the Friend and her associates and supporters, was a
great misfortune to all concerned. It alienated from the Friend
and her Society, some who had been early and warmly identi-
fied with it. It was tedious, expensive and embarrassing. For
many years it was an impending peril that threatened to engulf
them. On the other hand, the contestants who gained the four
hundred acres, admitted that they had better never entered the
struggle, for they lost the whole more than once in the finally
successful effort to gain it. Yet, though this tedious litigation
cost so much in harmony and good will as well as money, it
was the fruit of too much confidence and good will, as the
writer interprets the facts, and no desire on the part of the
Friend to do more than vindicate her just rights.

The adverse fruits of the litigation were manifold. Owing
to its cost, the erection of a meeting house was given up, even
after the timber for the frame was hewed and drawn on the

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 77

ground, whereon the edifice was to stand. Lands which had
been given by David Wagener, on condition that snch a house
should be built, went back finally to his heirs. Old calumnies
were revived and strengthened and new ones propagated, and
if it were possible for personal fame to be utterly trampled
down, the Friend must have been overwhelmed. Yet through
it all the Friend bore her way to the last with firmness, patience
and unswerving tenacity of purpose. Preachers of opposing
sects often wielded their theological clubs against her, with
such denunciation as the spirit of the times seemed to warrant,
and weighty words of opprobrium often passed for conclusive
argument But the Friend retorted not. She yielded no pre-
tension or proper right of her own, but taught her flock the
essential virtues of the Christian life with assiduity, and with
exemplary consistency.

Her house and grounds were always models of order, neat-
ness and thrifty life. Those who belonged to her household
were neither drones nor idlers. The work of her domain went
forward in season, and those who performed the labor, whether
members of the family or hirelings, were always treated with
kindness and respect. Sometimes the members of the Society
did the Friend's work as a voluntary contribution. But this
was principally in the earlier years, and was always much more
than repaid by the generous hospitalities of the Friend's man-
sion. She personally directed and controled the operations of
the farm, and would often ride from field to field on horseback,
and point out the work to be done. Henry Barnes states, that
when a lad, he has often accompanied the Friend about the
farm to let down and put up bars.

In the later years of her life, when disease impaired her en-
ergies, she ceased riding on horseback, and the running gear of
a carriage she had in Pennsylvania, which had been laid away
for many years while roads were bad, was taken to Canandai-
gua and fitted up with a comfortable body. In this she rode
during the years of her decline. That carriage is still occa-
sionally seen in our streets, the property of Wm. T. Remer.

78 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Her final illness was long and painful, and for sometime pre-
vious to her decease, she was borne to the room where the
meetings were held by her attendants, and would address her
flock while keeping her seat in a chair. No one could be more
devotedly beloved and tenderly cared for than was the Friend
by the members of her household and Society. She had
proved herself a devoted and heroic leader. She had been
their trusted guide and counsellor in all difficulties and trying-
straits, and her ministrations had sufficed for their sorrows
and sufferings. It was but natural that her prospective
departure should be a source of the keenest grief. Through
all her painful struggle with a dropsical disease, the solicitude
of her people was unsleeping and most touching in its tender-
ness. It has been alleged that they did not believe the Friend
subject to the conditions of mortality. If any such views were
held by them, it was in direct contradiction of her own solemn
and repeated assurances, and does not seem at all probable.
Death finally visited her on the early morning of July 1st,
1819, at the age of sixty one years. Lucy Brown and Rachel
and Margaret Malin, were her attendants in the last hours, which
were peacefully and gently breathed away.

It has been said that the grief-stricken Society were unwil-
ling to bury their dead, and that they deposited the body of
the Friend in an apartment of the cellar, which was carefully
walled up. This is true. They had been informed, either mis-
chievously or earnestly, that some of the physicians had deter-
mined to secure the body for dissection. This they determined
to prevent ; and hence the conduct so curiously regarded by
the public. The burial was finally made on a hillock, where
Rachel and Margaret were afterwards laid by her side, but no
headstone or monument marks the grave. True to her princi-
ples and teachings, she bequeathed her estate to Rachel and
Margaret Malin, who were to succeed her as guardians of the
poor of the Society, and continue to make the Friend's house
the home of those who belonged to the faith, which they did.

Thus terminated the career of one of the most singular
and remarkable characters of modern history. She has been

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

treated as an impostor. A conscious imposter she could not
have been ; for sincerity, earnestness, probity and undeviating
consistency, were the conspicuous elements of her character.
Her ministry of forty-three years was an unvarying assertion
of the same claims, without a lapse or single act or expression
that could be construed into an indication that she was actuated
by purposes of chicanery. She confronted her fellow beings
with counsel and warning in relation to their spiritual interests,
with a manner that always impressed serious minds with the
highest respect for her devotional sentiments, and the transpa-
rent integrity of her convictions. It is worthy of remark, that
those who adhered with the most fidelity to her teachings,
were, without exception, people of pure and upright lives. On
the other hand, without casting unkind reflections upon any
who left the Society, it may be said with all truth, that those
who found delight in vicious ways, no longer found a congen-
ial home in the Friend's Society. No pi-eaching could be more
pointed and emphatic than the Friend's against the popular
vices of her time. Intemperance, licentiousness, and like mor-
al irregularities, were never winked at by her. "John," said
she to one of the early settlers who proposed to erect a distil-
lery, "it will prove a snare to thee." And the sequel proved
that her prediction was true.

A man who had been an early member of the Society, and
afterwards left it and united with another religious body, said
to one of his former brethren in later years, "The Friend was
all love." The very name she assumed — Public Universal
Friend*-indicated a sentiment of broad and generous philan-
thropy, worthy, in this too selfish world, of the most profound
respect. It may be said that there was ambition and a desire
to lead and to rule, mingled with this zeal for the welfare of
the human family. All this may be admitted without diminish-
ing the nobility and integrity of her chai'acter. If she ruled, it
was by virtue of characteristics that made her a ruling mind.
If there was too much of unquestioned submission to her rule,
that could hardly be deemed a fault of hers. Like all real
rulers she elected herself, and proceeded with her work.

80 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

That the Friend was largely endowed with benevolence,
there is abundant proof, for no charitable appeal was ever
made to her in vain. This was also manifested in her uniform
kindness to the poor residents, whether of her own flock or
not. William Hencher, a settler who lived at Newtown Point,
when the Friend came into the country, helped her on with
his teams through the woods to the head of Seneca Lake. His
son accompanied the expedition, and in after years related to
Mr. Turner the impression it made upon him. He was struck
by the singular dress of the Friend, and still more by the
strangeness, as it appeared to him, of a woman directing men
in all things relating to the journey. Yet he remembered most
gratefully her kindness and hospitality when his father's family
came through the wilderness, and stopped at her residence on
their way to the Genesee River.

In one instance, her hospitality was greatly abused. A
French Duke, Liancourt, visited the Friend's Settlement in
1795. He was very hospitably entertained by Benedict Robin-
son, Arnold Potter and others and by the Friend herself, at
whose house he was a guest with his travelling companions.
It is said that Louis Phillippe, afterwards King of France, was
in disguise, a member of this party. The Duke, in a work
giving an account of his travels, repaid the kindness of the
Friend very shabbily, by retailing gossip and giving currency
to slanders he should have been ashamed to endorse. He list-
ened with too ready credulity to the partizan animosities of
those who at that time were at variance with the Friend and
her Society ; and it is said she was not slow to express her dis-
approval of some gallantries imputed to the Duke, by which
she incurred his thorough dislike. His revenge was taken in
his book, which is now out of print and rarely seen. Another
book, written two or three years after her death, was too evi-
dently the work of embittered malice and uncharitable bigotry,
to be anywise fair or truthful in its statements. It contains so
many wanton, unfounded calumnies, and averments clearly
false, as to be utterly unworthy of the least historical credit.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

The Friend has usually been represented as an ignorant per-
son. This is by no means just. That she was a person of re-
fined literary culture we cannot pretend. But no mind like
hers observes the panorama of life without gaining an educa-
tion. She had great respect for education, and a strong prefer-
ence for the society of those who possessed more than com-
mon intelligence and accomplishments. This was particularly
manifest in her later years, after the buffetings of a hard experi-
ence had taught her the value of legal information as»well as other
general knowledge. The visits of people of note and intelli-
gence were not unfrequent at her residence, and they were al-
ways cordially entertained. She had a considerable library,
mostly of religious and historical books. Her familiarity with
the Bible was truly wonderful. She always quoted it largely
and with accuracy, from memory, in her discourses and was able
to give the chapter if not the verse of her quotation. She was
therefore too much learned, and too sharp and practical an ob-
server of human life to be accounted ignorant.

Space does not permit us to hunt down all the derogatory
and scandalous stuff, founded in rumor and senseless gossip,
which has been kept alive these many years by the same power
that gave it birth. It can be said, however, with the utmost
assurance of truth, that the Friend never pretended to be able
to walk on the water, and therefore could never have appointed
a time and place to do it. She never claimed to be able to
work miracles, and never made any pretense of attempting
such a thing. She never claimed to be the Messiah nor a sub-
stitute for the Messiah, but simply a minister of truth sent by
divine authority to preach a better life to the world. She never
appropriated the property of her disciples by saying, "the Lord
hath need of this," nor exacted anything more than they volun-
tarily and freely granted. She never made one of her followers
wear a bell as a punishment for impertinent curiosity. Sarah
Richards did something of that sort while she was at the head
of affairs in Pennsylvania in the absence of the Friend, and

that was as much a matter of hilarity as otherwise.

82 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

In personal appearance, the Friend was, till late in life, when
sadly afflicted by dropsy, decidedly prepossessing. She had a
good figure, with black, lustrous eyes, and black hair, which,
combed without parting, fell in beautiful ringlets about her
neck. She always dressed with good taste, and in such a man-
ner as to heighten the impressiveness of her appearance. She
wore a fine silk neck cloth, with a loose fold falling in front
with graceful negligence ; and a comely broad brimmed hat
of fine texture was worn on her head, and laid off when preach-
ing. This, with, her style of dress, gave her a singularly mas-
culine look. Her portrait was painted a year or two previous
to her decease, by an artist at Canandaigua, whose name is not
known, but this was after her figure had lost its finest tone.
It is said, however, to be a good likeness. The picture is now
in the possession of Peter S. Oliver.

"Who that shall justly estimate this courageous and large-
hearted woman, in her remarkable force of character, in her
devotion and constancy, in her benevolence and generosity, in
her power to rule, in her wealth of affectionate feeling, in her
love of justice, in her persevering fidelity to her convictions
and personal claims, can deny her genius and originality, and
that sincerity of heart and greatness of mind which shed lustre
on the history of her sex ?

llliiii,

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 83

CHAPTER IV.

THE FRIEND'S SOCIETY AND DOCTRINE.

fIKE all religious organizations of the Protestant order, the
Friend's Society had its nucleus or core of thoroughly
committed, earnest and devoted members, with a further belong-
ing of those who were vacillating and periodical in their attach-
ment. Some run well for a season, and dropped off into indif-
ference or positive hostility. Others yielded to the adverse in-
fluences caused by the land troubles ; and the doctrine of celib-
ate life inculcated by the Friend, was not one that could be
popular with the youthful and ardent, whose lives were yet un-
scarred by disappointments and sad experiences. Hence it oc-
curred that comparatively few of the second generation united
with the Society, and of those who did there were not many
who lived through life quite up to the rigid requirements of
the faith. The list of members given herewith, includes only
those whose names were actually enrolled at their own request,
and who remained throughout devoted and firm adherents of
the society. Some of these never came to the New Jerusalem,
but the most of them belonged to the pioneer families, and
they were, as a body, people of the highest moral and personal
worth. They were as follows :

William Aldrich, [1]

Samuel Barnes, junior,

Joseph Ballou,

Elizur Barnes,

John Bartleson, [2]

Henry Barnes,

Samuel Barnes, senior,

Jonathan Botsford, senior,

1. The husband of Mercy Aldrich.

2. Husband of Mary Bartleson, afterwards wife of Ezekiel Shearman.

84 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Jonathan Botsford, junior.

Eleazer Ingraham,

Jonathan Botsford, Bro. of Elijah

Elisha Ingraham,

Abel Botsford,

John Ingraham,

Elijah Botsford,

Nathaniel Ingraham,

Benajah Botsford, [3]

Remington Kenyon,

John Briggs, senior,

Ephraim Kinney, senior, [8]

John Briggs, junior,

Beloved Luther,

Peleg Briggs, senior,

Elisha Luther,

Benjamin Brown, senior,

Sheffield Luther,

Benjamin Brown, junior,

Stephen Luther,

George Brown, [4]

Elijah Malin,

James Brown, junior,

Meredith Mallory, senior,

Abraham Dayton,

Isaac Nichols

j Castle Dains,

George Nichols,

Jonathan Dains,

Joseph Niles,

John Davis,

Israel Perry,

Samuel Doolittle, [51

Samuel Potter,

John Gardner, [6]

Abraham Richards, [9]

Amos Guernsey, senior,

Asa Richards,

Amos Guernsey, junior,

Richard Smith,

Jonathan Guernsey,

Silas Spink,

Spencer Hall, i

Asahel Stone, senior,

Arnold Hazard,

George Sisson,

David Harris,

Gilbert Sisson,

Nathaniel Hathaway, senior, [7]

Joseph Turpin,

Nathaniel Hathaway, junior,

John Tripp,

Thomas Hathaway, senior,

David Wagener,

James Hathaway,

Jacob Wagener,

Jedediah Holmes, senior,

Jared Weaver,

Jedediah Holmes, junior,

John Willard,

Adam Hunt,

Eleazer Whipple,

Silas Hunt,

Benoni Wilkinson,

Abel Hunt,

Simon Wilkinson,

3. Son of Elnathan Botsford, and first husband of Deborah Wilkinson.

4. Brother of James Brown, junior.

5. Was found a confirmed lunatic by the Friend, and after her discourse
■with him became rational, and lived an inmate of the Friend's family
about fifty years, and until he died at about seventy years of age.

6. Supposed to have been the husband of Mary Gardner.

7. Supposed husband of Susannah Hathaway.

8. Supposed husband of Elizabeth Kinney.

9. Supposed husband of Sarah Richards, and brother of Asa Richards.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Joseph Turpin was an early adherent of the Friend in New
England. He never came here as a settler, but went to South
Carolina where he amassed a fortune. He visited the Friend
in 1802 and afterwards ; and the Society several times after the
decease of the Friend. He left thirteen thousand dollars by
his will to the Society — six thousand to Rachel Malin, and
seven thousand to poor Friends. He was never a married man.
Before he died he liberated all his slaves and gave them good
homes.

Eleazer Whipple and Simon Wilkinson were probably rela-
tives of the Friend's family. Stephen Wilkinson was the only
brother of the Friend known to have settled here with the
Friends. He came very early and started a nursery on the op-
posite side of the road from the Friend's house in Torrey. The
trees in the Friend's orchard were all from this nursery and
these were all ",slugg sweets," a good sweet apple of small size.
About half the original orchard still stands. The reason they
were all of one variety, is said to have been that the young
trees were all suckers brought from New England, and not
seedlings, which seldom reproduce the original fruit, or any
number of a single variety. Stephen Wilkinson after two or
three years returned to New England, came back about 1805,
sold out his nursery, married for his second Avife, Lucy, the
daughter of Elnathan Botsford, an amiable and interesting avo-
man, and then settled in Genesee county. A son of Stephen
Wilkinson by a former wife, Preston P. Wilkinson, now resides
with John Comstock, in Jerusalem, at an advanced age. He is
an intelligent man and has always lived unmarried.

Solomon Ingraham was the son of Nathaniel Ingraham, who
commenced living in the Friend's family near Philadelphia, and
remained with that family a very devoted adherent till 1814,
when he seceded and turned against the Friend. He was
about to join Daniel Bracket, an eccentric religious zealot,
when he was accidentally buried in a well he was digging and
lost his life.

The most of the male members of prominence were heads of

86 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

families, and are noticed in their order, chiefly in the towns of
Milo, Jerusalem and Torrey, as pioneer settlers.

THE FAITHFUL SISTERHOOD.

There was a remarkable feature in the Universal Friend's
Society, and probably the most effective result of her spiritual
ministrations, in the number of respectable and truly excellent
women, who, as persistent celibates, adhered to her teachings.
Some of these lived on her domain and some in her family,
and all were true and consistent representatives of her doctrine.
Representing chastity and purity ol life, they proved not only
their own faith by their life, but that the affective sex are the
best examples of morality if not of religion. In this respect
they were the jewels of the Friend's coronet. They justified
the faith she reposed in female integrity and character, and the
partiality it is claimed she manifested for women as controlers
of all social and domestic concerns. Their record, as abiding
and conscientious devotees of the faith they adopted, is certain-
ly much brighter than that of the masculine portion of the
Society ; for few of the latter adhered with like fidelity to the
Friend's doctrine to the end. Perhaps this may be met by a
wicked sneer to the effect that celibacy or its opposite was not
equally a question of choice with the gentle sex as with the
brethren of the fold.

It is quite clear, from all the facts within our reach, that
there was very little if any constraint to single life, other than
voluntary choice among these worthy and true hearted women.
Besides, temptation is common to all, and there is no such thing
as a life of persevering, indomitable virtue, without un waver -
ing.devotion to a lofty ideal, and the constant cultivation of
the purest and sweetest sentiments of the heart. That sexual
asceticism is essential to the best results of spiritual culture, is
not a question to be discussed here. The Bible inculcates it
very distinctly, and the Friend and her earnest disciples en-
deavored to be faithful exponents of the Bible teaching. The
following members of the Society belong to the group, which
may properly be ranked as the Faithful Sisterhood .

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 87

Sarah Richards, whose maiden name was Sarah Skilton, was a
woman of superior mind and pure character. She and her hus-
band became members of the Friend's Society in Connecticut,
or interested in her religious teaching. Whil e they were on a
visit to the Friend in Rhode Island he died, and Sarah at once
became an inmate of the Friend's household, and while she
lived, the Friend's most intimate and confidential associate. As
the Friend desired to keep aloof from direct responsibility for
worldly affairs, Sarah Richards became her agent to hold in
trust her property. She co-operated faithfully with the Friend
in all their works, whether of religious propagandism or family
and society support, and the final great enterprise of founding
a new society in the wilderness. It was to her that all the pos-
sessions of the Friend were deeded in the New Jerusalem, and
by and through her that most of the business was performed
till the period of her death, which occurred in 1793.

Mehitable Smith was the sister of Richard Smith. She was an
inmate of the Friend's family and a person of pure and estima-
ble character. She was very affectionately regarded by the
Friend and Sarah Richards, and much esteemed by the Society.
She lived unmarried, and died at the Friend's house in 1792.

Anna Wagener was a sister of David Wagener. She was in-
telligent, well educated and wealthy. She aided with her
means in the construction of the Friend's house in the first set-
tlement, and lived there some time after the Friend moved to
Jerusalem. Afterwards she became the owner of several hun-
dred acres of land in Jerusalem, and lived on the place where
Watkins Davis now resides, and died' there unmarried a few
years later than the Friend, at an advanced age. She was re-
markable for her sincerity of character and strong religious
sentiment, and was highly respected by all that knew her.

Lucy Brown was the sister of Susannah and Temperance
Brown, and of Daniel Brown, senior, of the Friend's Society.
She was a person of the highest moral worth, and one of the
first characters in the Society. She lived on the corner a little

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

south of the residence of Watkins Davis, where her house,
built by herself, still stands. Her residence was on the Friend's
land, where she led her single life and supported herself by-
making butter and cheese and other little industries. She lived
to be quite aged and survived the Friend several years.

Rachel and Margaret Malin, two sisters, were members of
the Friend's family after coming to the New Jerusalem till they
died, and inheritors by will in behalf of the Society, and in
trust for its benefit, of all her estate. Rachel, after the
decease of Sarah Richards, was the agent by whom property
was held in trust for the Friend and all business transacted.
Both were fully devoted to the Friend, whom they survived
many years, and both were women of irreproachable character.

Mercy Aldrich, an elder sister of the Friend, came early to
the country, a widow without children. She had a respectable
property, and lived north of Anna Wagener's, and beyond the
residence of Benoni Wilkinson, afterwards the place of Ashbel
Beers. Lucina Goodspeed for a time made her home with
Mercy Aldrich, who was a very prominent character in the So-
ciety. She took part in speaking and praying in the meetings,
always with ability and pertinence. She bore an excellent
character, and died well advanced in age, surviving the Friend
several years.

Patience Wilkinson, an elder sister of the Friend, married
Thomas Hazard Potter, a brother of Judge Arnold Potter.
Her husband died about 1804, and she afterwards resided with
her son-in-law, Job Briggs, of Potter. She survived her hus-
band about a dozen years. Her body, at her own request, was
placed in the old vault of the Friend. Her funeral discourse
was preached by the Friend, and it was the last funeral at which
she officiated. Patience was a highly estimable woman and
was greatly devoted to the Friend.

Alice Hazard was generally called Elsie Hazard. She was a
daughter of Judge William Potter, and married George Haz-
ard. She visited the Friend several times in Pennsylvania,
and in 1790 arrived there again a few days after the Friend,
and her retinue, including Mrs. Hazard's daughter, had left for

HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY. 89

the Genesee country. She followed on horseback, making the
whole wilderness journey alone, on the track of the company
of which she was in pursuit, and arrived simultaneously with
them. They had but barely reached their destination, when
speaking of her, some one of the party remarked "we have
come to a place now where Elsie can't find us." Almost at
that instant she made her appearance, to their intense astonish-
ment. They could hardly believe their senses when she stood
before them. She made the same journey on horseback three
times, the last time bringing her son, eight years old, behind
her. Dr. Brinton W. Hazard, and Mrs. Asa Russel were her
children. Her husband died in Rhode Island before her first
visit to the New Jerusalem. She was a very warm adherent of
the Friend, to whom she was always true, and she was a tal-
ented, intelligent and highly respected woman. For a time
she lived with her two daughters, Martha and Penelope. Mar-
tha married Asa Russell, and Penelope died. Mrs. Hazard then
lived some years in Larzelere's Hollow, with her nephew, Wil-
liam Potter, and finally made her home with her surviving daugh-
ter, where she died well advanced in years.

Lucina Goodspeed had a home on the Friend's domain, a
short distance south of Lucy Brown and Anna Wagener, be-
low the highway. She was a maiden lady, an excellent woman
and a zealous Friend. She took part in the public meetings,
was a person of intelligence and active life, and died at an ad-
vanced age.

Susannah Spencer came early to the country with the Friends,
a widow, and sister of the elder Peleg Briggs. She had a house
in the valley north of the Friend's, a little southwest of Moses
Hartwell's residence, and west of the valley road. She was a
mother in the Society and greatly esteemed. In the course of
the struggle in regard to the land titles, she wras ejected from
her home and her house was burned. She outlived the Friend
a short time, and died upwards of ninety years old.

Martha Reynolds was another faithful spinster of the Friend's
Society. Martha and her sister came with the earliest migra-
tion and lived at Nichols' Corners till Sarah married Enoch

90 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Shearman. Then Martha went to Jerusalem, and built a
house on the Friend's land, about forty rods west of Lucy-
Brown's, on the south side of the road, as it now runs. She
made butter and cheese, and supported herself quite indepen-
dently. She was an estimable person of very capable mind, and
much beloved in the Society. She lived to be quite old, and
became palsied, after which one John Kritson worked the land
for her. She died about 1844.

Patience Allen was from New London, Connecticut, and came
with the first settlers, was greatly respected in the Society, and
was a diligent, intelligent and worthy woman. She kept house
a few years for Samuel Barnes, jr, and was afterwards a member
of the Friend's household. She survived the Friend about
fourteen years and died an unmarried woman.

Hannah Baldwin, was also an early member of the Society,
who came with the first tide of settlement. She was distantly
connected with the Comstocks, and was a devoted, consistent
and good woman, living singly through life. She was very
prominent in the Society and much respected. She maintained
herself on the Friend's land by her own industry, making butter
and cheese, with little farming operations. Her house was east-
ward of the creek from the Friend's house, on the north side
of the road. She survived the Friend about twenty-five years,
and died at a very advanced age. She was remarkable for her
youthful and fresh appearance even in old age.

Sarah and Mary Briggs, sisters of Peleg Briggs, jr., were al-
ways great favorites of the Friend, and devotedly religious
women. They inhabited a log house about a mile south of the
Friend's, in Jerusalem, and afterwards built a frame house on
the west side of the road which still stands. That house was
built for them by Abraham Prosser, the father of David B.
Prosser. These were excellent women and lived to be very
aged. Sarah, who outlived her sister a long while, was very
old at her decease. They, too, exalted the doctrine of celibacy
by lives of industry, piety and devotion.

Lydia and Phoebe Cogswell, two spinster sisters, came with
the pioneers to the New Jerusalem, living near the Friend's

HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY. 91

Mills in the early settlement, and were pious and devoted
Friends. Lydia, the most talented, was a leading woman in
the Society. She died before 1800 in the Friend's Settlement,
and Phcebe, after the death of her sister, lived near Mary
Holmes, in Jerusalem, and still later in the Friend's family.
She survived the Friend several years, and died at the age of
one hundred.

Mary Gardner came with the earliest settlers ; was a widow,
a sister of Martha Reynolds and Mrs. Stephen Card, and the
mother of Abner and George Gardner. She was the mother
of an important family, a devoted Friend, and a woman of re-
markable and excellent traits of character. She lived with her
sons, and finally with her grand-daughter in Jerusalem, where
she died in 1848 at the age of ninety-four.

Mary Hunt was the daughter of the elder Adam Hunt ; lived
unmarried, and was a devoted adherent of the Friend. She
was housekeeper for Silas Spink for many years, and died at
his house. She was an excellent and highly esteemed woman.

Lydia Davis was a daughter of John Davis, and a sister of
Jonathan Davis. She came early with the Friends from Pennsyl-
vania, and lived with her parents in Jerusalem. She died at
about sixty years of age, her death preceding that of her pa-
rents. She was a good woman and a steadfast Friend.

Eunice Hathaway was from New Bedford. She and her
mother, Freelove Hathaway, came early and lived in the log
part, that then was, of the Friend's house, now standing in
Torrey, and there the mother died. Eunice, for some time,
lived with Mary Holmes, and was afterwards a member of the
Friend's household. She was a much respected woman, and
survived the Friend a few years.

Susannah Hathaway was a widow Avho kept house for Jacob
Wagener, on Long Point, till about 1800. She then lived with
her son Nathaniel, a shoemaker, in the Log Meeting House,
and afterwards in a house belonging to Benedict Robinson.
The son, under the ministration and counsel of the Friend, had
a very bright religious experience, and died about 1811. The

92 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Friend preached the funeral discourse at the house of Benedict
Robinson. The mother was a devoted and worthy woman,
and died soon after.

Mary Hathaway was the widow of James Hathaway, a broth-
er of Thomas Hathaway, senior. They settled near the west
branch of Keuka Lake, on the east side, where he erected a log
house and made considerable improvement. They had a son,
an only child, named Hunnewell, a young man who was cap-
sized in a canoe on the lake in a violent wind. He called
"Help !" "Help !" As the dog's name was help, it was sup-
posed to be a call for the dog. When rescued he was so chilled
he could not be restored. This was in 1794, and the first death
in that township. The father died two years later, after build-
ing the first vault for the Friend, in which his own body was
laid. The widow remained a protege of the Friend, whom she
survived a few years. She lived in the old house of the Friend
after the removal of the Friend to the large mansion. She
was a woman of excellent character.

Lavina Dains was a daughter of Jonathan Dains, senior.
She came with her father in 1784, and was a thoroughly devoted
adherent of the Friend, always remaining single. She was for
a long time an inmate of the Friend's family, and finally lived
with her nephew, John Dains, of Jerusalem, where she died at
the age of ninety. It was Lavina that pitehed the constable
out doors with his raiment somewhat tattered, when he at-
tempted to arrest the Friend for blasphemy.

Elizabeth Carr was a widow and a relative of the Havens
family of Benton. She came with the earlier settlers, making
her home with the Friends. Was an 'inmate of the Friend's
family most of the time, and died about 1833. She was called
"Mother Carr" in the Society, and was very kindly regarded
by all.

Anna Styer was a relative of the Wageners and Supplees,
and resided at first with Anna Wagener, and afterwards with
the Friend, and other families of the Society. She was an
agreeable person, but subject to an occasional alienation of

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 93

mind, and fits of melancholy and self-reproach. She died
about 1815, while living with Lucina Goodspeed, upwards of
sixty.

Sarah Clark was from Boston, a widow lady of character and
ability, with no known relatives in the Society or settlement.
She was one of the earliest comers, and kept house for Thomas
Hathaway, senior. At his death, he left her by will, 300 acres
of land, of which Beloved Luther bought a part just east of
Simeon Cole's. She lived for a time in the house where Thomas
Hathaway died, and finally in one part of the double log house
where Hannah Baldwin resided. In old age she resided with
Beloved Luther, and died at the age of ninety-six. She, too,
was one of the most faithful of the Friends.

Mary Holmes was a sister of Jedediah Holmes. She was
quite independent in property, and lived at first in the early
settlement of the Friends, and afterwards till she died, a little
way south of Moses Hart well's, just east of the creek, where
she kept house mostly by herself, always living singly. She
died at a very advanced age, some years after the Friend, of
whom she was a devoted adherent. She was regarded as one
of the best of women.

Catharine White, generally known as "Aunt Katy White,"
was a widow, and kept house for a time for Jacob Wagener.
She was a kind, matronly woman, and much beloved. Her fu-
neral was attended at the Friend's house about 1815.

Mary Bean was a near relative of the Supplees. She became
an inmate of the Friend's family in early life and continued so
while she lived. She was mistress of the dairy, and a very in-
dustrious and worthy person. She died about 1840, over sixty
years old.

Eunice Beard dwelt on the Friend's land in a log house built
for her, about fifty rods northeast of the residence of James
Brown, jr. She was a single woman and a person of very
amiable character, much respected by the Society. She sur-
vived the Friend.

94 HISTORY OF XATES COUNTY.

Lydia Wood was a widow, and lived in the next house north
of Anna Wagener, of whom she bought her land. When she
became feeble with age she lived with her daughter, the widow
of Beloved Luther. She was an estimable woman and much
respected. She died later than the Friend at a very advanced
age.

Mary Ingraham was the daughter of Nathaniel Ingraham,
and lived with her parents while they survived. She was a
steadfast Friend and a worthy woman, and died at an advanced
age, firm in the Friend's faith, and an unmarried woman.

Rachel Ingraham, who still lives a single woman at the age
of eighty-eight, is the daughter of Eleazer Ingraham. She has
led a blameless and pious life, and was a member of the Friend's
family for several years with her father. Henry Barnes, who,
with her, are the only survivors of the Friend's Society, relates
that he and Rachel, almost unassisted, in the Spring of 1816,
made over 1,500 pounds of sugar in the Friend's sugar camp.

Chloe Towerhill was the daughter of an African slave, stolen
from his native country, and she too was a slave. She was
bought by Benjamin Brown, an uncle of James Brown, jr.
The Friend would not tolerate slavery, and Benjamin Brown
becoming a member of the Society, gave Chloe her freedom.
She voluntarily joined the Friend's family, was devout and faith-
ful, uneducated but intelligent, and a very sweet singer. She
was mistress of the kitchen and laundry, over which she presi-
ded with industry and system. She was devotedly attached to
the Friend, and lamented her death very tenderly. She died
at about seventy.

Elizabeth Kenyon and her daughter Hannah came early to
the Friend's Settlement from Rhode Island, leaving her hus-
band, Remington Kenyon, behind. The daughter married
George Nichols, son of Isaac Nichols, and the mother, on re-
moving to Jerusalem, lived on a little spot on the Friend's land
that was cleared for her, about half-way between Hannah Bald-
win and Mary Holmes. It is related of her that on one occa-
sion she was lost in the woods at nio-ht. She took refuge in a

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 95

hollow tree. She hung an apron before her for protection from a
violent thunder storm, and remained there till morning. Her
husband came about 1806 and lived with her. After a bright
and sincere religious experience, he joined the Society and died
a year or two after. His wife survived him several years, and
was called "Mother Kenyon." She was greatly respected in
the Society.

Elizabeth Kinney came from Connecticut a widow, with the
earliest of the Friends. She was the mother of Ephraim, Isaac,
Samuel and Mary Kinney. The daughter married a man by
the name of Butler, and the sons went west in after years.
The mother became a member of the Friend's family, where
she remained several years. She was a pious and devoted woman,
and greatly esteemed. She died in 1S17, and her funeral was at
the Friend's house.

Rebecca Hartwell was the mother of Samuel Hartwell, who
married Elizabeth Wilkinson, one of the sisters of the Friend.
She came early to the New Settlement, and lived with her
daughter, the wife of Abel Botsford. She was a faithful
Friend and a woman of excellent character. She died at the
age of about ninety years.

Elizabeth Luther was the mother of the Luther Family.
Coming with the first settlers. When her family dispersed
by marriage, she lived with her son Reuben many years, and a
few of her last years with her son Beloved. She was a woman
without reproach, pious and faithful, one of the most devoted
Friends. She died upwards of eighty years old.

Elizabeth Ovett, the sister of Abel, Jonathan and Elnathan
Botsford, was a widow who came with the first settlers, and
lived alone in the Friend's Settlement, near the Friend's house,
till late in life, when she had a home with her brother Abel.
She lived to be quite advanced in years, and was a woman of
the most amiable and cheerful character, and a favorite with all
who knew her, and especially with children. She was a true
Friend and deeply pious.

HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

Susannah Potter was a daughter of Judge William Potter.
She never married, and never came to this country. The
Friend bore strong testimony to her worth of character' and
religious sincerity.

Rebecca Scott came a widow to the New Jerusalem in 1790,
with her two daughters, Orpha and Margaret. Orpha married
Perley Gates and died atninety-seven. Margaret married Elijah
Botsford, and still lives with her son Samuel Botsford, at the
age of ninety-five. Mrs. Scott was a woman of rare energy and
virtue of character, and one of the most steadfast Friends. Her
home was for a considerable time in the Friend's family. None
could be more highly esteemed. She died well advanced in
years.

Aphi and Martha Comstock were sisters of Israel Comstock,
and women of rare excellence of character. They lived to-
gether a little north of the Friend's Mansion, and remained
single women. They died in 18G7 within a few days of each
other, Aphi eighty-one and Martha seventy-seven years of age.
They were firm adherents of the Friend, and were among the
best of her disciples. Their nephew, Botsford A. Comstock,
cared for his worthy aunts in their old age, and was greatly
beloved by them. Their names were always mentioned with the
highest respect. Aphi, in early life, was one of the pioneer
school teachers.

This closes our record of the devoted sisterhood. Perhaps a
few others should have been included, but the testimony within
reach does not warrant it, and guess-work will not pass for his-
tory. There was a noble array of devoted women not of this
select band, who, as wives and mothers, and true exponents of
the highest morality and social virtue, illustrated the pioneer
life with examples worthy to be held in honored remembrance,
and gave the Friend's Society a name for virtue, industry and
matronly worth, of which no pen can speak in adequate praise.
They were as follows :

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Sarah Alswortli
Huldah Andrews,
Susannah Avery, [1]
Abigail Barnes, [2]
Experience Barnes, [2A-]
Mary Bartleson, [3]
Elizabeth Botsford, [4]
Elizabeth Botsford, [5]
Lucy Botsford, [6]
Lucy Botsford, [7]
Mary Botsford, [8]
Mary Botsford, [9J
Elizabeth Briggs [10]
Esther Briggs, [11]
Anna Briggs,
Margaret Briggs,
Lavina Briggs,
Buth Briggs, [12]
Anna Brown,
Anna Brown,

Abigail Brown,
Catharine Brown, [12 J]
Charlotte Brown,
Desiah Brown,
Bachel Broun, [13]
Sarah Brown, [14]
Susannah Brown.
Zeruah Brown, [15j
Hannah Buckingham,
Mabel Bush,
Susannah Clanford, [16]
Sarah Corustock, [17]
Bathsheba Cohoon,
Abigail Congol,
Eunice Crary,
Phoebe Carr,
Mary Dains, [18]
Joana Dains, [19]
Abigail Dayton, [20]

1. Wife of Daniel Brown, jr., a cousin of James Brown, jr. ; lived in
Benton, now Torrey.

2. Mother of Henry Barnes ; a much beloved member of the Society.
2+. Daughter of Nathaniel Ingraham ; wife of Eleazur Barnes, now

eighty six years old.

3. Mother of Isaac and Bartlesou Shearman.

4. Wife of Jonathan Botsford, jr. ; mother of Elijah.

5. Daughter of Jonathan Botsford, jr., and wife of Abel Hunt.
G. Wife of Elnathan Botsford.

7. Daughter of Elnathan Botsford ; second wife of Stephen Wilkinson.

8. Wife of Abel Botsford.

9. Daughter of Abel Botsford ; first wife of Robert Buckley.

10. Wife of Peleg Briggs, senior.

11. Sometimes called Esther Plant ; had a fine estate at Norris' Landing.

12. Wife of Peleg Gifford.

12+. Wife of David Fish ; daughter of Benjamin Brown, senior.

13. Daughter of Thomas Clark ; wife of Henry Brown, of Benton.

14. Daughter of Benjamin Brown, sn'r, and wife of Judge Arnold Potter.

15. Mother of James Brown, jr.

16. Sister of David Wagener ; married first Peter Supplee ; was the
mother of Rachel, wife of Morris F. Sheppardand Peter Supplee, jr ; after-
wards married Clanford, lived a second time a widow, at; first in

a part of the Friend's house, now in Torrey, and subsequently on the
place now owned by John R. Hatmaker, where she died.

17. Mother of Israel, Aphi and Martha Comstock.

18. Wife of Jonathan Dains ; lived to be very old.

19. Wife of Castle Dains. 20. Wife of Abraham Dayton.

98 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

Dinah Dayton,

Mary Malin Hopkins, [29]

I Anice Dayton,

Abigail Holmes, [30]

Anna Davis, |21]

Elizabeth Holmes, [31]

Leah Davis, [22]

Margaret Holmes,

Rachel Davis, [23]

Lucy Holmes,

Sinah Davis, [24]

Mary Hunt, [31*]

j Anice Dayton,

Sarah Hunt, [32]

Anna Fannin,

Anna Ingraham, [32*]

Hannah Fisher, [25]

Abigail Ingraham, [33]

Frances Gardner,

Experience Ingraham, [34]

Mary Green,

Lydia Ingraham, [35]

Kesiah Guernsey,

Lydia Ingraham., [36]

Mary Guernsey, [26]

Elizabeth Jacques,

Mary Guernsey,

Ruth Jailor,

Fear Hathaway, [27]

Hannah Kenyon, [37]

Deborah Hathaway,

Candace Kinney,

Freelove Hathaway,

Eunice Kinney,

Mary Hathaway,

Martha Luther, [38]

Mary Hall,

Mary Luther, [39]

Mary Hall, [28]

Lydia Luther,

21. Mother of Jesse Davis; wife of William Davis.

22. Wife of John Davis.

23. Wife of Jonathan Davis.

24. Daughter of John Davis ; wife of Stewart Oohoon.

25. Wife of Silas Hunt.

26. Wife of Amos Guernsey.

27. Daughter of Susannah Hathaway, and wife of Bruce, from

whom Bruce's Gully took its name.

28. The two Mary Halls are not remembered as residents here ; proba-

bly mother and daughter.

29. Daughter of Mary Malin, whose second husband was James Beau-

mont ; wife of Jocob Rensselaer.

30. Believed to be the wife of Jedediah Holmes ; buried at City Hill.

31. Daughter of Jedediah Holmes ; wife of Elisha Luther.

31+. Wife of Adam Hunt.

32. Daughter of Adam Hunt ; married Mapes.

32+. Wife of John Ingraham ; sister of the wife of Jonathan Davis.

33. Daughter of Eleazer Ingraham.

34. Wife of Nathaniel Ingraham.

35. Wife of Eleazer Ingraham-

36. Daughter of Eleazer Ingraham.

37. Wife of George Nichols.

38. Sister of Beloved and Reuben Luther, and wife of George Brown,

the brother of James Brown, jr.

:j 39. Sister of the Luthers of the original family ; wife of Reuben Hud-

|| son.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Sarah Luther, [40]
Elizabeth Miller,
Sarah Negers,
Annie Nichlos, [41]
Margaret Palmer,
Mercy Perry,
Sarah Potter,
Hannah Potter,
Susannah Potter,
Armenia Potter,
Penelope Potter, [42]
Ruth Pritchard, [43]
Elizabeth Rose.
Orpha Rose,
Bethany Sisson, [441

Lydia Sisson, [45]
Mary Sisson,
Tamar Stone, [46]
Elizabeth Stone,
Elizabeth Shearman,
Rhoda Shearman,
Rachel Supplee, [47]
Lydia Turpin ,
Mary Turpin,
Lydia Wall,
Mary Wall,
Rhoda Westcott,
Almy Wilkinson,
Deborah Wilkinson,

[IS]

The Friend's Doctrine as Stated by Henry Barnes.

The Friend believed that there are three persons in the God-
head— Father, Son and Holy Ghost ; and that the three are
eternal. The Father is the Judge of all ; Christ the Mediator ;
and the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, promised by Jesus to his
disciples. These three form one tribunal.

God created man upright and holy, and gave him a law by
the breaking of which he shall surely die ; and the Friend held
that where there is a law, there is liberty to keep it or break it.

Man broke the law given by his Maker, and thus caused
death, both spiritual and temporal, to enter the world. As a
consequence of the broken law, there was required an infinite
sacrifice of atonement for man so that the favor of God might
be regained. Christ, therefore, was made an Offering for the

40. Wife of Beloved Luther ; daughter of Lydia Wood.

41. Wife of Isaac Nichols.

42. Daughter of Judge William Potter, and wife of Benjamin Brown,
j unior.

43 Wife of Justus P. Spencer, one of the first school teachers.

44. Wife of George Sisson, and sister of the Luthers.

45. Daughter of George Sisson ; wife of Isaac Prosser.

46. Sister of John Davis; lived in Pnltney; husband's name, Stone.

47. Daughter of Peter Supplee ; wife of Morris F. Sheppard.

48. Youngest sister of the Friend ; wife first of Benajah Botsford, and
after his decease of Elijah Malin.

100 HISTORY OF YATES COTOTY.

redemption of the Human Family from their lost estate, and
hence no other name is given by which man can be saved, ex-
cept Christ, the Universal Savior, who atoned for All.

All souls that God has introduced on earth to dwell in human
bodies, came perfect and pure from God their Creator, and
have remained so till they reached the years of understanding,
and became old enough to know good from evil. At the age
of responsible discretion, they enjoy Free Will, or the choice
of good and evil.

If human beings, with full understanding, and the free
choice before them, do that which they know to be evil, they
realize the just condemnation of a broken law, and consciously
forfeit their title to Heaven and happiness.

The only remedy for this forlorn estate is to repent and pray
to God for pardon through the merits of the Redeemer; and
not only to be sorry for sin and the forfeiture of Heaven and
happiness, but to be sincerely sorry to have grieved the Holy
Spirit. This is a repentance unto life and not to be repented
of.

It is also essential, as the Friend taught, to persevere in the
humble service of the Lord through life, and labor for a growth
in grace, and the knowledge of the Lord and Savior. The'
just man's path is a shining light which grows brighter and
brighter till he arrives at the perfect day of peace.

In regard to the resurrection, it was held by the Friend that
"flesh and blood cannot enter into the kingdom of Heaven,"
and that consequently there is no reappearance of the natural
or carnal body. The resurrection is spiritual, and consists in
the separation of the soul from its earthly tenement.

The Friend endeavored always to expound religious doctrine
in perfect harmony with the Bible.

This creed, it will be observed, is substantially the common
Trinitarian Creed of Christendom, with the doctrine of natural
depravity omitted. As a doctrine, it is certainly entitled to
very respectful treatment at the hands of Orthodox people.
The apostle of this creed was a woman, a product of New

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 101

England in the days of its rigid devotion to a rigid theology.
She softened its harshest feature, and taught a simple doctrine
of duty, repentance and upright living. It cannot be denied
that she and the faithful portion of her Society honored the
doctrine by consistent, pious lives. Their remarkable longev-
ity as a body of people, is one proof that they shunned the
vices and excesses which shorten life ; and their quiet, uni-
form demeanor and daily habits, with avoidance of all strife
and improper excitement, at once extended their 'days and
afforded a proof of the general correctness of their motives.

The only printed or recorded discourse, or summary of doc-
trine or sentiment ever given by the Friend, that is now known
to be in existence, is the following, copied from a little printed
book, now in the possession of Peter S. ■ Oliver. The same
book contains, on otherwise blank pages, the names of those
who belonged to the Society, as probably recorded before the
decease of the Friend : —

THE UNIVERSAL FRIEND S ADVICE,

TO THOSE OF THE SAME RELIGIOUS SOCIETY,

RECOMMENDED TO

BE READ IN THEIR PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR DIVINE
WORSHIP.

Philadelphia : — Printed by Thomas Bailey, at Yorick's
Head, Market Street, MDCCLXXXIV.

The Public Universal Friend adviseth all, who desire to
be one with the Friend in spirit, and to be wise unto salvation,
that they be punctual in attending meeting, as many as con-
veniently can. That they meet at the tenth hour of the day, as
near as possible. That those who can not go to meeting, must
sit down at their several homes, about the time meeting begins,
in order to wait for and upon the Lord.

102 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

That they shun, at all times, the company and conversation
of the wicked world, as much as possible. But when any of
you are under a necessity of being with them do your business
with few words, and retire from them as soon as you can get
your business done ; remembering to keep on your watch, and
pray for assistance, especially when the wicked are before you.

That you do not enquire after news, or the public reports of
any one, and be careful not to spread any yourselves that are
not of the Lord.

That you deal justly with all men, and do unto all men as
you would be willing they should do unto you, and walk' order-
ly that none occasion of stumbling be given by you to any.

Let all your conversation, at all times, be such as becometh
the Gospel of Christ.

Do good to all as opportunity offers, especially to the house-
hold of faith.

Live peaceably with all men as much as possible ; in an espe-
cial inanner do not strive against one another for mastery, but
all of you keep your ranks in righteousness, and let not one
thrust another.

Let none debate, evil surmisings, jealousies, evil speaking,
or hard thinking be named among you, but be at peace among
yourselves.

Take up your daily cross against all ungodliness and worldly
lusts, and live as you would be willing to die, loving one anoth-
er, forgiving one another, as ye desire to be forgiven by God
and his Holy One.

Obey and practice the divine counsel you have heard, or may
hear from time to time, living every day as if it were the last,
remembering you are always in the presence of the High and
Lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, and
without holiness, no one can see the Lord in peace. There-
fore, be ye holy in all your conversation, and labor to keep
yourselves unspotted from the world, and possess your vessels
in sanctification and honor, knowing that ye ought to be tem-
ples for the Holy Spirt to dwell in ; and, if your vessels are

HISTORY OF. YATES COUNTY.

103

unclean, that which is holy cannot dwell in you. And, know
ye not your own selves, that if Christ dwells not in you, and
reigns not in you, ye are yet in a reprobate state, or out of favor
with God and his Holy One. Therefore, ye are to shun the
very appearance of evil in ail things, as foolish talking, and
vain jesting, with all unprofitable conversation, which is not
convenient, but flee from bad company as from a serpent. Be
not drunk with wine or any other spirituous liquors, wherein is
excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit, building one another
up in the most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

Keep yourselves in the love of God, and when you come into
meetings or evening sittings, make as little stir as possible, that
you may not disturb the solemn meditations of others, but con-
sider you are drawing near to approach the holy, pure, eternal
Spirit, that cannot look on sin with any allowance.

Endeavor to meet all at one time, and keep your seat until
meeting is over, except upon extraordinary occasions.

Gather in all your wandering thoughts, that you may sit
down in solemn silence, to wait for the aid and assistance of
the Holy Spirit, and not speak out vocally in meetings, except
ye are moved thereunto by the Holy Spirit, or that there be a
real necessity. Worship God and his Holy One in spirit and
in truth.

Use plainness of speech and apparel, and let your adorning,
not be outward but inward, even that of a meek and quiet
spirit, which- in the sight of God is of great price. Thus saith
the Psalmist — It is most like the King's daughter, all glorious
within, her clothing is of wrought gold.

Consider how great a thing it is to worship God and the
Lamb acceptably, who is a spirit, and must be worshipped in
spirit and in truth. Therefore, deceive not yourselves by in-
dulging drowsiness, or other mockery, instead of worshipping
God and the Lamb. God is not mocked, for such as each of
you sow, the same must ye also reap. If ye sow to the flesh,
ye must of the flesh reap corruption ; but if ye are so wise as
to sow to the Spirit, ye will of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

104: HJSTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Rom. viii, from the 6th to the 19th verse. "For to be carnally
minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So, then,
they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not
in the flesh but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God
dwell in you. Now, if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ,
he is none of his. And, if Christ be in you, the body is dead,
because of sin ; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead
dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also
quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live
after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die ; but
if ye, through the spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body ye
shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they
are the Sons of God. For, ye have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit of adop-
tion, whereby we cry Abba Father. The Spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God, and
if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ ;
if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together with him. For I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory
that shall be revealed in us.

Ye cannot be my friends, except ye do whatsoever I com-
mand you. Therefore be not weary in well-doing, for, in due
season, ye shall reap if ye faint not."

Those whose mouths have been opened to speak, or to pray
in public,* are to wait for the movings of the Holy Spirit, and
then speak or pray as the Spirit giveth utterance ; not running
without divine authority, nor speak nor pray any longer than
the Spirit remaineth with you, nor linger when moved to speak
as mouth for the Holy One, or moved to pray by the same pow-
er.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 105

Let not contention, confusion, jarring-, or wrong speaking
have any place amongst you. Use not whisperings in meetings,
for whisperers separate chief friends.

Above all, give all diligence to make your calling and elec-
tion sure, and work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
redeeming your time, because the days are evil. Forget the
things that are behind, and press forward towards the mark
and the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, that
ye may be found without spot or rebuke before the Lord, that
ye may be delivered from the bondage of corruption, and
brought into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, where
the morning stars sing together, and all the Sons of God shout
for joy ; having oil in your vessels with your lamps, like the
wise virgins, trimmed and burning ; having on your wedding-
garments, that when the Holy One ceaseth to intercede for a
dying world, you may also appear with him in glory, not hav-
ing on your own righteousness, but the righteousness of God
in Christ Jesus.

You, who are parents, or intrusted with the tuition of child-
ren, consider your calling, and the charge committed unto you,
and be careful to bring them up in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord, and educate them in a just and reverend regard
thereunto. And whilst you are careful to provide for the sup-
port of their bodies, do not neglect the welfare of their souls,
seeing the earliest impression, in general, lasts the longest, as
it is written — "Train up a child in the way that he should go,
and when he is old he will not, easily, depart from it," and let
example teach as loud as your precepts.

Children, obey your parents in all things, in the Lord, for it
is right and acceptable in the sight of God. Honor your fath-
ers and your mothers, and the way to honor father and mother
is not to give them nattering titles, or vain compliments, but
to obey the counsel of the Lord, and them, in the Lord. Thus
saith the wisdom of the Lord by the mouth of the wise King
Solomon. My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep

my commandments, for length of days, long life, and peace,

106 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee,
bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thine
heart, so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the
sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,
and lean not to thine own understanding ; in all thy ways ac-
knowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise
in thine own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil. Hear,
ye children, the instruction of your Father, and attend to know
understanding, for I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not
my law. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the
instructions of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy
mother, for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head,
and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee,
consent thou not ; if they say, come let us lay wait for blood,
let us lurk privily for the innocent without a cause, let us swal-
low them up alive as the grave, and whole as those that go
down into the pit, we shall find all precious substance, we shall
fill our homes with spoil, cast in thy lot amongst us, let us all
have one purse. My son, walk not thou in the way with them,
refrain thy foot from their path, for their feet run to do evil,
and they make haste to shed blood. They lay in wait for their
own blood, they lurk privily for their own lives, so is every
one that is greedy of gain, that taketh away the life of the
owners thereof. All of you be careful not to grieve away the
Holy Spirit that is striving with you, in this the day of your
visitation, and is setting in order before you, your sins and
short comings. But, turn ye at the proofs of instruction,
which is the way to life.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is lawful and
right, and deal with other people's children as you would be
willing others should deal with you, and your children also, in
your absence, knowing, that whatsoever ye would that others
do unto you, ye ought to do likewise unto them, for this is the
law and the prophets.

Servants, be obedient to your masters according to the flesh,
in fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ,

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY. 107

doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing
service as unto the Lord, and not unto man, knowing that
whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall be re-
ceived of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And you,
Masters, do the same thing unto them, forbearing threatening,
knowing your master is in Heaven. Neither is there respect
of persons with Him, but he is merciful and kind even to the
unthankful, and to the evil.

And all of you, who have been or may be so divinely favored,
as to be mouth for the Holy One. I entreat you, in the bonds
of love, that when you are moved upon to speak in public, that
ye speak as the Oracles of God, and as the Holy Spirit giveth
utterance, not withholding more than is meet, which tendeth
to poverty ; neither add to his Avords lest he reprove thee, and
thou be found a liar. But do all with a single eye to the glory
of God, that God and the Lamb may be glorified by you and
through you, for he that winneth souls is wise, and the wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that
turn many to righteousness, as the stars, for ever and ever.

The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand. Re-
pent ye, and believe the Gospel, that the kingdom of God may
begin within you.

He hath shewed thee, O, man, what is good ; and what doth
the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, love mercy, and
walk humbly with thy God 1 AMEN.

Will of the Universal Friend.
The Last Will and Testament of the person called the Uni-
versal Friend, of Jerusalem, in the county of Ontario, and
State of New York, who in the year one thousand seven hun-
dred and seventy-six, was called Jemima Wilkinson, and ever
since that time the Universal Friend, a new name which the
mouth of the Lord hath named. Considering the uncertainty
of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory,
blessed be the Lord of Sabaoth and father of mercies therefor,
I do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament.

108 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

1st. My will is that all ray just debts be paid by my executors
hereafter named.

2d. I give bequeath and devise unto Rachel Malm and Mar-
garet Malin, now of said Jerusalem, all my earthly property,
both real and personal, that is to say, all my land lying in said
Jerusalem, and in Benton or elsewhere in the county of Onta-
rio, together with all the buildings thereon, to them the said
Rachel and Margaret, and their heirs and assigns forever, to be
equally and amicably shared between them, the said Rachel
and Margaret; and I do also give and bequeath to the said
Rachel Malin and Margaret Malin, all my wearing apparel, all
my household furniture, all my horses, cattle, sheep and swine,
of every kind and description, and also all my carriages, wagons
and carts of every kind, together with all my farming tools and
utensils, and all my moveable property of every nature and
description whatever.

3d. My will is that all the -present members of my family,
and each of them, be employed if they please, and if employed,
supported during natural life by the said Rachel and Margaret,
and whenever any of them become unable to help themselves,
they are, according to such inability, kindly to be taken care of
by the said Rachel and Margaret ; and my will also is that all
poor persons belonging to the Society of Universal Friends,
shall receive from the said Rachel and Margaret such assistance,
comfort and support during natural life as they may need ; and
in case any, either of my family or elsewhere in the Society,
shall turn away, such shall forfeit the provisions herein made
for them.

4th. I hereby ordain and appoint the above named Rachel
Malin and Margaret Malin, Executors of my Last Will and
Testament. In witness whereof, I, the person once called Je-
mima Wikinson, but in and ever since the year 1777, known
as and called the Public Universal Friend, hereunto set my
name and seal the 2oth day of 2d mo., 1818.

John Collins, ) THE PUBLIC UNIVEESAL FEIEND.

Ann Collins, I

Sakah Gkegoky. ) [l. s.]

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 109

Be it remembered, that in order to remove all doubts of the
execution; of the foregoing Last Will and Testament, being the
person who before the year 1777, was known and called by the
name of Jemima Wilkinson, but since that time as the Univer-
sal Friend, do make, publish and declare the within instrument
as my Last Will and Testament, as witness my hand and seal
the 7th day of the 7th mo., 1818.

Her

JEMIMA + WILKINSON.

cross mark.
Tho's E. Gold,
John Beiggs,
Jajies Brown, Jim'r.

In pursuance of the Friend's will, her mansion and home-
stead, under the control of Rachel and Margaret Malin, con-
tinued to be the home of the Friend's family, the place of
meetings and focus of the Society. All things went on as
before in peace and quietness, till some elements of division
were introduced, after the arrival among them of Michael H.
Barton, who was originally an Orthodox Quaker from Dutchess
county, and came to Jerusalem in 1830. He was a man of
engaging address, and had the friendship of Rachel and James
Brown, jr., but had not the favor of Margaret and others of
the Society. He preached at the meetings, and had more or
less connection with the Society for several years. In the me-
morable political canvass of 1840, he took the field as a canvas-
ser for General Harrison, addressed a number of Mass Meetings
in Ohio, and gained a friendly recognition from the old Gener-
al himself. The early death of the new President cut off his
expectation of an important appointment at his hands. Mr.
Barton died in 1857, at the age of fifty-nine. His widow,
Sarah F. Barton, still survives. His son, George F. Barton, is
a citizen of Jerusalem, and his daughter, Angeline S. Barton,
who was a school teacher, died in 1864, at the age of twenty-
two.

110 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

George Clark and Osa Hymes, came a little later than Mich-
ael H. Barton, and united in engrafting new features on the
steady going Society that cherished the faith and tradition of
the Friend. They claimed to give a fresh inspiration of the
Friend's doctrine, but the results were a notable departure
therefrom. The strictness of the Friend's faith and discipline,
was not maintained by the new infusion. Hymes attempted
to prepare a history of the Friend and the Society, with abort-
ive results so far as the writer has been able to learn. He was
shortly driven off. George Clark, after a few years' residence at
the Friend's house, brought there his daughter Maria, who by
her amiable character became favorite of the family. After
his marriage, he made little if any pretence to religious charac-
ter, and his career was not favorable to the interests of the es-
tablishment or his own welfare. He died a few years ago in
New York. Margaret Malin died in 1844, leaving by will her
estate and interest to James Brown, jr., with the purpose to
place him in her own position toward the Society. He was a
life-long devoted disciple of the Friend, had been for a long
period a member of the Friend's household, and was an impor-
tant member of the Society. After the death of Margaret, and
at sixty years of age or upwards, he married Maria Clark, who
was still under twenty, and accepted a division of the estate,
taking for his portion seven hundred acres of land, and several
thousand dollars of personal property. He lived to be eighty-
six years old, a much respected citizen. He served the town of
Jerusalem as Supervisor in 1838 and 1S39, and made a good
officer. Peter S. Oliver afterwards married his widow, and she
died in 1868, leaving in Mr. Oliver's possession such memen-
toes of the Friend's Society as had been preserved by James
Brown, jr., including the portrait of the Friend, which -was
framed by John Malin in very elaborate style, from a number
of different varieties of wood that grew on the Friend's domain.

In 1848 Rachel Malin died, after conveying to descendants
of her brothers and sisters a large share of the Friend's estate.
This was a departure from the will of the Friend, and doubt-

HISTORY OP YATES COUNTY. Ill

less proved moi-e so than Rachel designed. She was nearly
eighty years old and Avas surrounded by those who had selfish
purposes to subserve. What they did not appropriate, she
gave chiefly to her relatives. John A. Gallett obtained fifty
acres of land, it is said, in consideration of money advanced
by his grandmother, Lydia Wood, to the purchase of the land
originally bought of the State for the Friend's Settlement on
the shore of Seneca Lake. The Friend's mansion, with one
hundred and fifty acres of land, was bequeathed to Mary Ann,
the wife of George Clark. James Harvey and William T.
Clark, his sons, each had farms given them. William died a
soldier in the war of the rebellion, and James Harvey still sur-
vives ; but the Friend's place, which became his inheritance,
has been for some years out of his possession.

It was purchased at the close of the war by John Alcooke,
who claimed to be an English Quaker, for a home for disabled
soldiers. He collected a considerable number of these unfor-
tunate men and made them a comfortable abode in the old
residence of the. Friend. By appeals to the charity of the
people, aid from the Sanitary Commission, and other contribu-
tions, he was supporting his crippled veterans and paying for
their home, when he suddenly died in 1866. Leaving no heirs
, known to the authorities, his property fell to the State. It
was discovered that his charities were coupled with some du-
plicity, but it is to be hoped his general intentions were good.
The Friend's place has since passed through the hands of
Charles C. Sheppard to his sou, Morris F. Sheppard, by whom
it was considerably improved and renovated. It is now the
property of Thomas J. White. It is no longer a shrine of re-
ligious worship, nor a centre of great social interest. The fifty
years that have elapsed since the Friend departed, have brought
their mighty changes, and still tho old mansion stands a subject
of curious interest and enquiry. The engraving which repre-
sents it will be readily recognized by those who have seen the
building. The tall fir trees which stand before it were planted
by Henry Barnes, whose pious hands wrought so much and so
willingly there in the earlier years.

112 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Rachel Ingrahara, Henry Barnes and Experience Barnes, are
still surviving members of the Friend's Society. In contra-
vention of her just and straightforward will, iii which kin and
consanguinity were disregarded, and spiritual and social ties
alone recognized, Henry Barnes is dependent in his declining
years on the generosity of others. They should all have had
an assured and liberal competence to the latest day of their
lives, as they would, but for the perversion of trusts designed
and undesigned, which accompanied the distribution of the
Friend's estate.

The longevity of these worthy persons, is carrying the life
of the Friend's Society almost to the end of a century from its
inception in that wonderful Trance in 1776, when the mind of
a young girl was impressed with the conviction that the efful-
gence of a brighter and purer order of existence was disclosed
to her vision. She was thus prompted to a life-long effort to
bring others as near as possible to the better and higher state,
as she interpreted the vision. It was a noble essay, whatever
its errors, against long and weary discouragements, and was
not without its fruits. The best successes of life, are not
always its most showy and apparent triumphs. A few, won to
the side of self-denying virtue, weigh more in the best results
of life, than crowds led by acquiesence in the baser tendencies
of perverted humanity.

The Friend's Society belongs to the past. That it could not
perpetuate itself must have been evident to its founder long
before her own decease. Perhaps it was no part of her final
purpose that it should. It was an interesting social and relig-
ious experiment, that can be studied with profit by those who
would read aright the structure of human character and antici-
pate its developments in the future.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 113

CHAPTER V.

SOME FAMILIES OF THE FRIEND'S SOCIETY.

fHE preceding chapter gives a sketch cf tho Friend's Socic-
*p ty, pruned of all dissenters and seceders. This does not
include all of that notable emigration that came to found the
New Jerusalem, some of whom after arriving here did not re-
main followers of the Friend. Most of those original founders
have representatives, both in the Society and out of it. It re-
mains to trace them as families without regard to their affilia-
tion with the Society, except as coming with it.

TnOMAS HATHAWAY AND FAMILY.

One of the early patriarchs of the Friend's Society, was
Thomas Hathaway, who belonged to the committee of pioneer
explorers, and was one of the historical three, to whom the
deed from the State was granted for the 14,040 acres, on which
the Friend's Settlement was first made. He was a native of
New Bedford, Massachusetts, was an inheritor of wealth, and
had such social connections as led him to the Tory side in the
Revolution. An elegant private residence erected by him in
New Bedford, before the Revolution, is still standing in its
original style. He joined the Friend's Society in 1784, and
remained a faithful and devoted member while he lived. His
son Thomas, then a lad of fifteen, traveled with the Friend on
some of her religious journeys, riding by her side on horse-
back. In a journal, still in the possession of his descendants,
he recorded proofs of the Friend's industrious study of the

Bible, and the interest and attention she excited on the part of

114 HI STOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

many of the foremost people far and near. "When the Friends
resolved to form a community by themselves, Thomas Hatha-
way parted with all his property at New Bedford, and came to
the New Jerusalem, bringing his four children — Thomas, Maiy,
Elizabeth and Gilbert. His wife had died shortly after the
close of the war. He was an active member of the Society,
and one of its trusted leaders. He and Benedict Robinson
purchased, with the advice and concurrence of the Friend,
township number seven, in the second range, of Phelps and
Gorliam. And it appears that his interest in the Gore, so
called, as well as that of James Parker, soon passed, or princi-
pally so, into the hands of Win. Potter. He sold most of his
interest in what is now Jerusalem, to Wm. Carter for £6,000,
August 4. 1795, reserving 5,960 acres, a part of which he had
before sold. He commenced the erection of a saw-mill on the
place now occupied by Simeon Cole, in 1798, having previ-
ously erected a log house. Before his mill was finished he
contracted a fever, and died in 1798, at the age of 66 years,
and his body was placed in the Friend's vault. As one of the
early pillars of the Friend's Society, his name was always held
in reverence by that body of people; and nothing to his
reproach has mingled with the traditions that relate to his name.
Thomas and Gilbert, his sons, were active young men in the
pioneer settlement, and built the first sail boat on Seneca Lake,
a vessel in which they transported supplies for the new settle-
ment. Thomas also built two flat boats to navigate the Mo-
hawk river, and invented a rack to suspend between two horses,
one in advance of the other, to transport merchandize along
the Indian trail between Utica and Seneca Lake. By this line
much of the goods for the primitive settlement was brought
for a few years from Albany.

Thomas Hathaway, junior, married Mary Botsford, the
daughter of Elnathan Botsford, and resided fifty-nine years on
his place in Milo, now Torrey, where for a long period he kept
the principal public house in all this region. He was a popu-
lar public man, a surveyor and an accurate business man.
Many maps, deeds and contracts exist that were drawn in his

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

115

beautiful hand writing. He held various military commissions,
the last, that of Major, being from Governor Tompkins, in
1810. He was also one of three commissioners, who, by ap-
pointment of the Governor, divided the town of Benton,
which then included what is now Milo and Torrey, into school
districts. His house was the principal place of public resort
for a large circuit of country, and town meetings, trainings, and
all public gatherings were held there within the recollection of
many now living. He died there in 1850, at the age of eighty-
four, and his was the first death under hi3 roof. His wife sur-
vived him thirteen years and died in 18G6, at the age of ninety-
six. She came to the Friend's Settlement in 1792, a year later
than her father's family, and was married the following year.
She was a person of eminent social qualities and remarkable
memory. Their seven children were Lucy, George, Susan,
Thomas and Gilbert, (twins), Mary and Caroline. Lucy mar-
ried Oliver Hartwell and had four children, Mary, Susan, Caro-
line and Thomas. George married Louisa Mc Math and had
two children, Anna and William. Susan married Henry A.
Wisner, a talented young lawyer and a son of Polydore B. Wis-
ner, a noted lawyer and legislator of Western New York.
Their children were Polydore B., Sarah, Henry A., and Freder-
ick. The father died early, and Mrs. Wisner is still a resident
of Penn Yan. Her son Polydore, married Miss Hodge of
Trumansburg, and has two children. Sarah married first, Rev.
James Richards, and for her second husband, M. Shoemaker,
of Jackson, Michigan. A daughter was the fruit of the first
marriage, and two children of the subsequent union. Henry
A. Wisner commands the passenger steamer, A. W. Langdon,
on Seneca Lake. He married Eliza, daughter of Hiram Bell,
of Dundee, and has two children, Walter H. and Harry.

Thomas Hathaway of the third generation, married Mary,
the daughter of Samuel Headly, and their children Avere Eliza
Antoinette, Elizabeth, Electa and Emma. Eliza married Ezra
Longcor ; Elizabeth married George Downey, and both live in
Michigan. Antoinette married James S. Tuttle, and died leav-
ing one child. Electa married J. Slawson.

116 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Gilbert married Mary, the daughter of Gen. Timothy Hurd.
Their children are Henry, Rebecca, Timothy, Ann and Fran-
ces. Henry married ■, daughter .of Benjamin Youngs.

The others are mostly out of the county.

Mary married her cousin, Capt. Wm. Hathaway, junior, of
New Bedford, and has three children, Wm. B., Mary and
Thomas. She is a person of superior personal endowments,
and has written the family history.

Caroline married John Tims Raplee, and has two daughters,
Cornelia and Frances. Cornelia married Otis Haggerty, and
Frances married James C. Lanning. Each has one child.

Gilbert, the brother of Thomas Hathaway, junior, married
Mary, the daughter of Richard Hurd, of Rock Stream. He
was a large land owner, and for many years kept a public house
at Rock Stream, formerly known as Kurd's Corners. It was a
popular resort for a long period, and the Military Musters
known as General Trainings, were sometimes held there. Mr.
Hathaway lived to be eighty-seven years old. His children were
Gilbert, junior, Deborah, Bradford G. H., Richard H., Maria,
and Charles.

Gilbert, junior, married a daughter of Allen Boardman, and
had a farm of 500 acres in Barrington when he died. His
children were Roderick N., Mortimer H., Adelaide, Allen and
Edward. Adelaide married Joseph L. Bellis, of Eddytown.
All of them are said to be prosperously situated at the west
and their mother with them.

Deborah was the first wife of George W. Simmons, a noted
merchant at Dundee, Rock Stream, Big Stream, Eddytown,
and finally at Dresden, where he died. Mr. Simmons was a
man of great force and energy of character, and did a large
amouut of business. His children are John, Mary E. and
George. John died during the war ; Mary E. married Wm.
Newcomb aud lives at Rock Stream ; George A. is the active
General Agent of the Hahnnemann Life Insurance Company.

Bradford G. H. married Catharine Shears, and resides at
Rock Stream. He is a remarkably ingenious inventor and pat-
entee of numerous machines, especially Reapers, Mowers and

HISTORY OP YATES COUNTY. ' 117

Threshers. His children are Mary, Estella M , George M., and
Frank. Mary married James Archer and lives at Rock Stream.
The others are single.

Richard H. married first, Mary, daughter of John Hetfield,
of Rock Stream. He formerly resided at Rock Stream and
Penn Yan, and now resides in Torrey on a farm. He has a
second wife, Mary Higley, daughter of the late Elijah Higley,
of Penn Yan. The children are Thomas B., Hannah A.,
Gertrude and Deborah, by the first marriage, and Albert
"W. by the second. Frances B. married Alonzo S. Nichols and
lives in Michigan. Hannah A. married Wm. Baker and lives
in Rochester.

Maria married Abner Gilbert and died early, leaving no
children. She was distinguished both for personal beauty and
exce^ence of heart, and was much lamented.

Charles married Ann Basil, lives at Rock Stream and has
three children, Charles, Thomas and Mary.

This concludes a brief sketch of one of the most famous
families of the pioneer class.

JAMES PARKER.

One of the principal spirits engaged in the great enterprise
of founding the new community of Friends, was James Par-
ker. He was a man of great energy of character, religious ex-
citability and liberal views. He was a native of South King-
ston, Rhode Island. His father, George Parker, and his moth-
er, Catharine Cole, were from London. James was their sev-
enth child. They had but one younger, who became Sir Peter
Parker, of the British Navy, and with the rank of Admiral,
commanded the fleet which attacked Charleston without suc-
cess early in the Revolutionary war. While he was earning
his advancement among the English nobility in the service of
the crown, his brother, James Parker, was Captain of a milita-
ry company in Rhode Island, employed in the cause of Coloni-
al Independence. James was a staunch Whig, and although of
a Quaker family, deemed the cause of the Colonies worth fight-
ing for. He became early and enthusiastically identified with

US HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

the Society and the aims of the Universal Friend. Late in
the same year (1787) that t!te committee of exploration visited
this region, he was at Niagara negotiating for land with the
Canadian branch of the Lessee Company. He was here again
the next year when the Garter was set off to him from the east
side of township number seven, first range, on behalf of the
Society ; and in 1789 he came on with his children, his wife
having previously died. The application to the Land office for
the territory finally granted to the Society in the name of Par-
ker, Potter and Hathaway, was in the name of James Parker
and his associates, a settlement of Friends.

On an old map of the Gore in the writer's possession, James
Parker's place, (413 acres,) was a little eastward of Smith's
Mills, and his first residence was in a log house on the road to
Norris' Landing. He afterwards erected a fine framed house,
near the outlet and close by the location of the large mill he
built about 1816, where he also had a saw mill. The mill was
situated where the Henderson mill is now. Mr. Parker's mill
was in after years destroyed by fire, and his house is no longer
standing. The first Justice of the Peace in what is now Yates
County, was James Parker, and probably the first west of Sene-
ca Lake. In 1793, a party of three young couples crossed
Seneca Lake from Ovid to find a Justice of the Peace to marry
them, and James Parker was the magistrate that performed the
ceremony. The last of that wedding party, Abram A. Covert,
was till quite recently among the living. Mr. Parker held the
office of Justice of the Peace by appointment of the Governor,
for several years, and his docket, still in the hands of his grand-
son, Dr. Henry Barden, shows that suing was a very popular
employment of the people in those days, though it would ap-
pear that few of the prosecutions resulted in trials. The sep-
aration of James Parker from the Friend's Society, occurred
very early in the history of the new settlement, and whatever
its cause, was the root of much hostility and ill-feeling between
the seceding and adhering portions of that community. For
about twenty years thereafter Mr. Parker was identified with

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 119

the Free Will Baptists, and a popular and influential preacher
in that denomination. Upon his revolt from the doctrine of
eternal punishment, they withdrew their fellowship from him,
and in his last years he was a member of the Methodist church.
His death occurred in 1829, at the age of nearly eighty-six,
and he was buried in the family burying ground of Otis Barden
in Benton.

James Parker Avas a man of ability and a natural leader
among men, and it is much to his credit, that the embittered
controversies and animosities growing out of his changed atti-
tude toward the Friend, did not chill the warmth of his heart
nor diminish his faith in human nature. He led an industrious,
cheerful, ambitious life to the end. His first wife and the
mother of his children, was Elizabeth, the sister of Ezekiel
Shearman, the original explorer of the country, and father of
Bartleson Shearman of Jerusalem. Their seven children were
Henry, Mary, Alice, Oliver, Elizabeth, Nancy and Catharine.
Henry died young, Mary became the wife of Griffin B. Hazard,
Alice of Thomas Prentiss, Elizabeth of Otis Barden, Nancy of
Levi Benton, junior, Catharine of James Whitney of Hopewell.
Oliver married his cousin, Hannah Shearman, and had a large
family of children. He resided on the Gore for a time, and
afterwards in Barrington, from whence he removed to Steuben
county. The Prentiss family were connected with James Par-
ker in the erection of the large mill before alluded to, which
proved a disastrous enterprise financially. One of the sons,
Oliver Prentiss, a member of the celebrated Shaker Societv, at
Mt. Lebanon, N. Y., has recently written a number of inter-
esting sketches of early history in this county for the Yates
County Chronicle. They afford evidence that the ancestral
fire has not expired. James Parker married for his second wife
Esther Whitney, the mother of Jonas Whitney. After her
death he married a third wife, Miriam, the widow of Jonathan
Hazard, and sister of Reuben Gage. She survived him, and
drew his Revolutionary pension till her death. Numerous
descendants of James Packer will be noticed in coming chap-
ters, as connected with the families to which they belong.

120

BTSTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

THE MAUN FAMILY.

The Malin family were from Philadelphia, and there came
here Elijah, Rachel, Margaret, Enoch, Mary, John and Abi-
gail. Of these Rachel and Margaret became members of the
Friend's family, where they lived and died, devoted to the
Friend, and faithful, personal and doctrinal adherents. They
were women of attractive presence, mild and gentle manners,
and kind hearts.

Abigail lived unmarried, and did not come to Jerusalem till
sometime after the decease of the Friend, but afterwards lived
there with her sisters, dying at eighty years of age.

Eliiah married Deborah, the widow of Benajah Botsford,
and youngest sister of the Friend. He was a skillful carpen-
ter and built the Friend's house which still stands in Torrey.
He was for some years an inmate of the Friend's family. After
his marriage to Deborah, they had a place on the north border
of the Friend's premises in the valley, where they lived to be
aged persons. Fifty acres now owned by Moses Hartwell, was
willed to him by Deborah, who was his aunt, Moses being a
eon of Elizabeth Hartwell, another sister of the Friend.

Enoch married Eliza Richards, the only daughter of Sarah
Richards, who eloped from the Friend's house in the hour of
meeting, making her exit through a window, to become his
wife. Enoch, too, was a carpenter and mill builder, and erect-
ed the first mill in Penn Yan by contract with Lewis Birdsall,
and for him. At an early period he kept a tavern for a time in
a log building about a mile north of the Hathaway place, in
what is now Torrey. He died in Canada long before the law-
suits were ended which grew out of the sales he and his wife
made of the Friend's domain, claiming the right of inheritance
from Eliza's mother, who owned the property in trust for the
Friend. Eliza also died early in Ohio, and they left two sons,
David and Avery.

John, another brother, came about 1820, and he too was an
ingenious worker in wood. He had two sons and two daugh-
ters. The sons were George W. and David. George W. was

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 121

a physician. He married Rosetta Hyers from New Jersey, and
practiced medicine in Jerusalem, living several years where
William Blanshard now resides. David became a distinguished
minister of the Presbyterian faith, and married a daughter of
Judge Porter of Prattsburg. Both George and David reside
now in Philadelphia. The daughters of John were Rebecca
and Sarah. Rebecca married William S. Hudson, lately de-
ceased, of Benton, leaving four children, Susan, Margaret, Mary
and William. Sarah married John Gardner, of Potter, and
left one daughter, Sarah, now married to Newton G. Genung.

Mary Malin married a man by the name of Hopkins, and
bore him two children, a daughter Mary and a son James.
She married for a second husband James Beaumont, and her
children by the second marriage, were Joseph H. Beaumont,
of Penn Yan, Sarah, the wife of Elijah Spencer, and George,
who lived unmarried. Mary, her daughter by the first mar-
riage, became the wife of Jacob Rensselaer, whose daughter
Mary Ann Rensselaer, married George Clark.

Elizabeth married Thomas Clark ; they were not among the
first comers, but arrived about 1795. Clark was a superior
mechanic, and the builder of the Friend's house in Jerusalem.
He settled at Hopeton, where he purchased a village lot, and
moved from there after he finished the Friend's house, about
1S15, to Eddy town. They had two daughters, Nancy and
Rachael, and one son Thomas. Nancy married John J. Smith,
a wealthy resident of Hopeton, who moved to Starkey.
Rachael married Henry Brown, a brother of James Brown,
junior, of the Friend's Society. They had a daughter Zeruah
and a son Harrison. Zeruah married Anthony Ryal, of Tor-
rey. Harrison lives in Jerusalem. Thomas Clark, junior, mar-
ried Jane Pluramer, of Starkey, and moved west.

A few of the descendants of Mary and Elizabeth Malin, are

all that remain of that rather remarkable family in Yates

County.

122 v HISTORY OF XATES COUNTY.

THE BOTSFORDS.

Three brothers, Elnathan, Jonathan and Abel Botsford, were
among the earliest settlers of the Friend's Society, coming in
1789. Elnathan was a British soldier in the French war previ-
ous to the Revolution, but was a staunch defender of the Colo-
nial cause when the time of separation from England arrived.
He was also a very prominent and influential member of the
Society, which sought to build a new social system in the west-
ern wilderness. He married Lucy, the sister of Asahel Stone,
senior, and had six children — Benajah, Sarah, Mary, Lucy,
Ruth and Elnathan. He and his brother Jonathan had a large
farm on the Gore, some part of which is now known as the
Embree farm. Elnathan, junior, his son, came with the first
company of settlers, and remained over the first winter, when
he went back to New Milford for the rest of the family.

In the Spring of 1798, Elnathan, junior, his brother, Bena-
jah, and his brother-in-law, Achilles Comstock, agreed with
Charles Williamson for a tract of land near the present site of
Dundee. They built a log house and chopped a large fallow
before the land was surveyed. The surveyors, in running the
lines of lots, placed the corners of four lots about the middle
of their falloAV, two of the lots belonging on one location,
and two on another The fire in the meantime broke out
in the woods, burnt over their fallow and burnt up their house
and its contents. They then went to Jerusalem, and made
that purchase of Enoch and Eliza Malin, of a strip of land on
the north side of the Friend's domain, one hundred rods wide
and two miles long, (400 acres,) out of which grew the long
and embittered litigation, which has been described in a pre-
ceding chapter, and which resulted in sustaining their title,
and confirming that of the Friend to the rest of her lands.
Elnathan Botsford and his family were by this unfortunate issue
forever alienated from the Friend, and sundered from the So-
ciety, a loss of grave importance.

Elnathan Botsford, senior, was one of the venerated patri-
archs of the land, and his name is held in high regard by his

HISTORY OP YATES COUNTY. 123

descendants. He was hale and cheerful, and a great favorite
with his grand-children. His later years were passed in Jeru-
salem, where he died at the age of eighty-eight, after sustain-
ing a very active and prominent part in the early settlement of
the country. His son Bonajah, married Deborah Wilkinson,
the youngest sister of the Friend, and died in 1801 by falling
from a load of hay. His daughter, Sarah, married Achilles
Comstock ; Mary married Thomas Hathaway, junior ; Lucy
married Stephen, a brother of the Friend.

Elnathan, junior, married his cousin Aurelia, the daughter of
Asahel Stone, senior. His children were Anna, Lucy, Aurelia,
Lorenzo and Elnathan. Anna married Daniel Sutton, of Ben-
ton ; Lucy married Amos Genung, and has one son, Newton
G. ; Aurelia married James Olney, and has two children, Lucy
Ann and Floyd ; Lorenzo married Elizabeth, daughter of Bal-
tus Wheeler, and has two children, Asahel and Martha Jane.
These are both married, Asahel to Elizabeth, daughter of Na-
thaniel Keech, and Martha Jane to Edwin Thomas, both of
Jerusalem.

Elnathan Botsford, of the third generation, married Mary,
the daughter of Baltus Wheeler, and has three sons, Arestes,
Miles and Millard. .

Ruth, the fourth daughter of Elnathan Botsford, senior, mar-
ried first, Daniel Comstock, brother of Achilles, and had a son
Daniel, who died in Texas. Her second husband was Rufus
Gale, who lived first in Middlesex and afterwards west.

Jonathan Botsford, of the original family, had two sons and
four daughters. Elizabeth, one of the daughters, married
Abel Hunt, son of the elder Adam Hunt. Abigail married
Jacob Nichols ; Achsa married John Supplee ; Peace married
John Fitzwater. Of the sons, Jonathan died young, and Elijah
married Margaret Scott, who still survives at the age of ninety-
six. Elijah bad two sons, Elijah B. and Samuel ; the first was
an indefatigable traveler, and died of cholera in 1832, at Plaque-
mine, on the Mississippi river. Samuel married Hester Spang-
ler, and has three children. He is a prominent citizen of Jeru-

12-1 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

salem, and was elected County Clerk in 18G1, and served a
term in that office. His mother, almost a centenarian, still re-
counts the early incidents of the new settlement. She came in
1790, with her mother and sister Orpha, and a company which
included Adam Hunt, Isaac Nichols, Silas Spink, Seth Jones,
Nicholas Briggs, John Briggs, and Esther Briggs. Silas Spink
and Isaac Nichols, she says, were expert rowers, and it took
twenty days to reach Geneva from Schenectady. Mrs. Bots-
ford made her husband a coat the year they were married,
carding the wool herself, spinning and weaving the yarn and
coloring the cloth. It was sent to Geneva for fulling. Her
sister Orpha, who was one of the earliest school teachers, mar-
ried Perley Gates, and died at the age of ninety-seven. Her
husband was one of the steadfast Friends, like his father before
him, and a very worthy man. He died in 1829, upwards of
sixty.

Abel Botsford had a fine estate next to the Friend's place, in
what is now Torrey, where he died in 1817 a man of wealth.
The inventory of his personal property, made by George Sis-
son and James Brown, junior, was over $3,500 in the moderate
valuations of that day. Abel Botsford has no living descend-
ants except those of his daughter Mary, who married Robert
Buckley, whose son, Samuel Botsford Buckley, is the present
State Geologist of Texas.

ASAHEL, STONE.

Asahel Stone was from New Milford, in Connecticut. He
was married to Anna Sherwood in 17S0. She died in 1852 at
the age of ninety-two, and he in 1833 at the age of seventy -five.
They early became members of the Friend's Society. He was
one who came with the first company of settlers, and helped to
clear the ground for the first crop of wheat, and brought his
wife and three children in 1789. Mr. Stone was one of the
pillars in the Society, firm and steadfast through life, was a
speaker in the meetings and a man highly regarded by his fel-
low men. His children were Aurelia, Mary and Asahel. The
youngest was named by the Friend herself after his father and

HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY. 125

grand-father. After a few years residence in the Friend's Set-
tlement, Mr. Stone bonght a farm in what is now Potter, which
he subsequently sold to Abraham Lain, and since known as the
Lain farm. He then returned to his former home near Seneca
Lake, and after a few years settled on a homestead about a
mile south of Yatesville, and east of the Friend's premises,
where he died. Mrs. Stone did not adhere to the Friends in
her later years.

Aurelia, their eldest daughter, married Elnathan Botsford,
junior. They settled on the homestead of his father in Jeru-
salem, where she still resides a widow at the age of eighty-
nine, with her son-in-law, Amos Genung. Her memory is re-
tentive, and her mind clear and active. Aside from deafness,
she appears to be in the full enjoyment of her natural powers,
and full of interesting recollections.

Mary married Dr. Nathan L. Kidder of Benton, and still
lives a widow at the age of eighty-seven, on what is known as
the Dr. Kidder farm, enjoying great physical and mental vigor
for her years.

Asahel Stone, junior, married Rebecca, the daughter of South-
mit Guernsey, of Gorham. They settled in Italy Hollow,
where he built the first saw and grist mill. He was the first
Supervisor of Italy. After selling out there he built mills at
Naples, where he pursued an active business for some years,
when he sold to James L. Monier, and returned to the old
homestead in Jerusalem. Finally he emigrated to Athens,
Michigan, where he was an extensive and successful farmer.
He left three daughters who all reside in Michigan. Ann
married Alfred Holcomb of Naples ; Sabra, Benjamin Ferris
of Naples ; Laura, Norton Hobart, a son of Baxter Hobart of
Yatesville.

RICHARD SMITH AND HIS DESCENDANTS.

Richard Smith was a native of Groton, Connecticut. His
wife was Elizabeth Allen, descended from a family of that
name who landed in the May Flower on Plymouth Rock in
1620. Mr. Smith became early identified with the Friend and

126 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

her Society, and came with the earliest emigration to the New
Jerusalem, leaving his family and possessions to unite his des-
tinies with his religious brethren. The first grist mill as well
as the first saw mill was in part his property when first built,
and his labor and means contributed largely to their erection.
A memorandum in the old family Bible read as follows : "4th
of July, 1790. I have this day completed my grist mill, and
have ground ten bushels of Rye." Again — "July 5. I have
this day ground ten bushels of wheat, the same having been
raised in the immediate neighborhood last year, (1789.)"

His children were Russell, David and Jonathan, twins, Avery
and Sarah. When about fourteen years of age, Avery sudden-
ly left the homestead in Connecticut, and unknown to the family,
found his way to the home of his father, who, on his application
for work, hired him without knowing him to be his own son.
He soon influenced the other members of the family to join the
father, and after ten years of separation, they were thenceforward
residents here. The oldest son, Russell, died in Connecticut,
and Jonathan was drowned in a tan vat. The house of Friend
Smith, as he was usually called, was a little west of the Mills
on the north side of the stream. Hannah Baldwin and others
of the Society kept house for him during the early years. A
fine property, consisting of mills, tannery and real estate, in-
herited from wealthy ancestors, was disposed of when they
came here. Of the children who came, David died early of
what was called yellow fever, and his is one of the earliest
graves in the Penn Yan cemetry. His headstone reads — "Born
1778, died 1805."

Avery, who was two years younger, married Lament, the
daughter of David Wagener, some years his junior. He set-
tled at the mill, and from that time had chief charge of the
property, consisting of the mills and about two hundred acres
of land adjoining. The father, who remained a steadfast and
Faithful Friend to the last, lived in the same log house he first
built, nearly forty years. Both parents resided with the son at
the time of their decease, his house being on the hill just above

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 127

and south of the mills. Richard Smith died in 1836, at the
age of ninety, and his wife died in 1838, at the age of eighty-
four. In 1818 Avery Smith sold the mill property to James
Lee, and took up his residence on the opposite farm, known as
the Griffin B. Hazard place. Avery Smith held the rank of
Colonel in the wa~ ->f 1812, and served with the 103d Regi-
ment, under General Hugh Brady, through the war. Joshua
Lee was Surgeon of this regiment, and Jeremiah B. Andrews
an attendant. In 1826, Avery Smith represented Yates county
in the Assembly, and he was always a prominent and influen-
tial citizen. His family numbered twelve children.

Elizabeth A became the wife of William Armstrong. She
is now a widow at her home in the town of Seneca, Ontario
county, and has three children, Berian, Rebecca and William.
David W. married Sarah A., the daughter of George V. Hazard,
of Milo, and is a farmer in Jerusalem. His children are Eliza-
beth, Frank, Sarah, Avery and Anna.

Richard M. is a well-known citizen of Penn Yan, and has
been employed as a subordinate and principal in the United
States Indian Agency in Michigan for nearly twenty years,
and until a recent date, where his work has greatly tended to
the protection and regeneration of the natives. Mr. Smith
married Elizabeth A. Beach, of New Windsor, Orange county,
and settled in Penn Yan, where they have since resided.
Their children are Helen Augusta, the wife of Charles Strow-
bridge, and Mary Castuer.

Rebecca W. married Zenas P. Wise of Benton, where she
died, leaving one daughter, since dead. Jackson J. married and
resides in Minnesota, near St. Anthony. Sarah L. married
Thomas Briggs of Milo, and died leaving no children. Mary
M. married for her second husband, Thomas Briggs, and also
died leaving no children. Avery A. is a resident of Eugene
City, Oregon, where he married. George S. emigrated to
Texas, Rachel J. married Mr. Dunn of Dundee, and went to
Kansas. Charles T. also married and went to Kansas.

128 HISTOEY OF TATES COTJNTT.

Sarah, the only daughter of Richard Smith, the elder, was
born January 15, 1780,' married in 1803 James Lee, the broth-
er of Dr. Joshua Lee. She became the mother of a large
family, and died in 1858, at the age of seventy-seven,

SOME OF THE BROWNS.

Benjamin Brown, senior, came from New London, Connecti-
cut, with the earliest settlers and with a large family, and loca-
ted just eastward of the Friend's house in the original settle-
ment, where he lived and died very aged before the close of
the last century. Among his brothers were' James, Micajah,
Elijah and Daniel, all early settlers. Among his children were
Benjamin, Sarah, Catharine, Desiah and Frances. The father
was one of the best of men, and was held in high estimation.
He was one of the devout and abiding Friends.

Benjamin, junior, married Penelope, the daughter of Judge
William Potter. They had one child, Penelope, who became
the wife of Israel Arnold.

Sarah became the wife of Arnold Potter, the most distin-
guished of William Potter's sons. She and her husband were
both early disciples of the Friend, and belonged to her retinue
on her first visit to Philadelphia. The wife remained a faithful
and firm adherent while she lived, and her husband fell off with
the early schism in the new settlement.

Catharine was the wife of David Fish, the Nimrod of the
New Jerusalem. He was celebrated for hunting and fishing,
and it is said built upwards of thirty huts in the woods, and
about the lakes and streams of the new settlement, for his
convenience in the pursuits which absorbed his principal atten-
tion. He had followed the life of a sailor, and has been termed
"Commodore Fish." The children of this family were Daniel,
David and Charlotte. It is said some of their descendants still
live in Torrey.

Desiah was the wife of Rows Perry of Middlesex.

Frances married her cousin, Joshua Brown of Potter, a
brother of James Brown, junior.

HISTORY OP YATES COUNTY. 129

The children of James Brown, senior, were Joshua and Jesse
twins, James, junior, George and Henry. Jesse married a
daughter of David Culver of Culverstown, at the head of
Seneca Lake, and lived in Benton where he has descendants.

Henry married Rachel Clark, a niece of Rachel Malin, and is
now an aged resident of Benton. His second wife was Eliza-
beth Carrol. Of his first wife's children, Zeruah married An-
thony Ryal, and had four children Lucy A., Rachel, Mary
and John H. Lucy A. married William Kress, and Rachel
married Starkey Kress. Both live in Reading. John IT. is
married and lives in Torrey.

Henry H., the son of Henry Brown, married Amanda Hnzle-
ton, and they reside in Jerusalem. They have four children,
Maria, Henry, Mary and Oliver. Henry H. has a second wife.
His daughter Mary married Peter Blakesly.

James Brown, junior, the Friend, was born in Connecticut
in 177C. From about 1810, till long after th'e decease of the
Friend, he was superintendent of the estate and a member of
the household. His oldest daughter Margaret, is the wife of
Charles L. Townsend of Jerusalem.

George, the brother of James Brown, junior, married Martha
Luther, and settled on the homestead in Benton, where she died,
leaving two children, Cephas and Anna. He then married
Sarah, the sister of Dr. Nathan Kidder of Benton, and died
leaving three children by the second marriage, Dennis, Anna
and Martha. Cephas and Darius emigrated to Cold water,
Michigan.

BARNES FAMILY.

Samuel Barnes was of Puritan descent, the third in the
genealogical line of the same name, and a Connecticut farmer
when he and his family united with the Friend's Society. His
wife was Abigail Dains, sister of the Dains brothers of the
'Friend's Society. Their eldest son Parmelee came to the New
Jerusalem with the settlers of 1789, and Elizur, the next son,
in 1791. The parents came with the remaining children,

130 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Julius, Samuel and Henry, in March, 1793, with a sleigh
and horses, driven by Daniel, a son of Eleazer Ingraham, by
way of Albany, a jom-ney of sixteen days. They contracted
for land of Charles Williamson, near Himrods, where they
cleared 22 acres, and remained till 1800, when they sold
out and removed to Jerusalem. They took up a home in what
was then a dense wilderness, on the "Asa Richard's lot," where
the wild animals made it very difficult for years to rear those
of the domestic species. After clearing a little space, they
moved on a homestead near by of 21 acres, deeded to his pa-
rents by the elder son, Parmalee Barnes. Here the father died
in 1809 at the age of sixty-six. His wife, a most estimable
matron, died in 18-42, at the age of ninety-two.

Parmalee Barnes died in 1820 without children. His widow
married Peter Kinney of Benton, whose son Jonathan Kinney,
married Almira, a daughter of Samuel Barnes, junior.

Ehzur Barnes married Experience, a daughter of Nathaniel
Ingraham, and lived in Jerusalem, west of Larzelere's Hollow,
where he died. His widow still survives at the age of eighty-
six. Their children were Huldah, Amy, Mary and Ira. Hul-
dah became the second wife of Jesse Davis ; Amy married
Cornelius Van Scoy. The others died unmarried.

Julius Barnes became the third husband of Mis. Keturah
Updegrove, and had two children, Alvira and Samuel. Alvira
was a school teacher nearly foi'ty years ago in Jerusalem and
Italy, and still lives unmarried. Samuel married Saloma Tor-
rance, and moved to Wisconsin. Two of his sons Ay ere killed
in battles of the Rebellion fighting for the Union.

Samuel Barnes, junior, married Rachel Meek, sister of Charles
Meek, and lived and died on a farm of 110 acres, a mile west
of Larzelere's in Jerusalem, bought of Jacob Wagener. His
children were Abigail, James, Almira, Mary Ann, George,
Daniel D. and Rosetta. Abigail married first, Lewis Finch,
and still lives in Pultney with John Waterous, her second hus-
band. James married Submit Rogers and lives in Allegany
county. Almira is the widow of Jonathan Kinney, before

HISTOKY OP YATES COUNTY. 131

mentioned, and has five children — Elizabeth, Samuel, James,
Henry and Melaucthon. Of these, Elizabeth is the wife of
John H. Robson of Geneva ; Jane, of George Huie of Sene-
ca, and Charles married Eliza Mc Gonegal of Geneva. Mary
Ann, the fourth child of Samuel Barnes, married Peter Finger,
a farmer of Jerusalem, and has one son and one daughter.
George and Samuel are unmarried, and David D. married Mar-
garet, the daughter of John G. Lown of Jerusalem, and lives
in southwest Benton. They have two children. Rosetta mar-
ried Andrew Finger of Benton, and they have three children.
Mary Ann, Almira and Rosetta have been school teachers of
Yates county.

Henry Barnes, the youngest of the original family, is now
eighty years old. He was born and reared in the midst of the
Friend's Society, and has been true to his early education.
For sixty-eight years he has led a religious life in conformity
to the doctrine and precepts of the Friend, with whom he was
a favorite from a child. He was a member of the Friend's
household for many years, and regarded that place as his home,
until counsels not congenial to his views obtained an influence
there. In early life he was a farmer and a cooper. In 1814
he settled with Abraham Dox, at Hopeton, for 1,600 flour bar-
rels he had made for him. He commenced school teach;
ing in 1823, almost wholly self-prepared, having enjoyed but
fifteen weeks schooling in his childhood. He proved a very
competent and popular teacher, and taught thirty terms of
school in Jerusalem, Milo, Potter, Benton and Italy, the last
one a very successful term in Italy, at the age of seventy-six.
Twelve years he served as Inspector of Schools in Jerusalem,
and once as Town Superintendent in Wheeler, where he resided
twelve years. He was accurate, painstaking and conscientious
in all his labors. He was married at the age of forty-six to
Sarah Whitney, sister of Dr. David Whitney of Jerusalem,
and after her decease to Elizabeth Mills, the widow of David
Mills of Benton, who also died several years ago, leaving him
no children. He has lod a devout, upright and industrious life,

132 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

and now in his eighty-first year is a subject of remarkable
interest as the last male survivor of the remarkable Society of
Public Universal Friends, and the only one now competent to
give a clear account of its history from personal experience and
observation. His excellent memory and conscientious state-
ments, have aided greatly in furnishing information for this
work.

THE DAINS FAMILY.

Jonathan, Castle, Jesse, Ephraim and Abigail Dains, were a
family of Connecticut birth, who came to the New Jerusalem
with the earliest pioneers, and all but Ephraim were at first of
the Friend's Society. Their Father was Henry Dains, who
married Margaret Bates of Rhode Island, and this matron lived
to be one hundred years old. Abigail, her daughtei*, became
the wife of Samuel Barnes, senior, of the Friend's Society, and
the mother of the Barnes family.

Jonathan Dains married Mary Green of Connecticut, and had
six children, Margaret, Francis, Lavina, Stephen, Jonathan and
Mar}% The father, who was an industrious man and useful
citizen, died in Jerusalem, in the ninety-third year of his age,
a firm adherent of the Friend to the last. The oldest
daughter, Margaret, married John Weston of Connecticut, and
lived to be eighty-six years old. Francis was never married.
Lavina lived unmarried, and was an exemplary member of the
Friend's family. She died in 1850 at the age of eighty-six.
Stephen, after the loss of his first wife, who was the mother of
a daughter, Eliza, that died a young woman, married Rachel
Fitzwater. They had several children and removed to Michi-
gan, where he died advanced in years. George Dains of Jeru-
salem, is a son of Stephen Dains. George married Mary Hop-
kins, and for his second wife, Elizabeth Hopkins, and has four
children. Mary Dains, the youngest of the children of Jona-
than Dains, senior, married Ephraim Kinney, and settled in
Potter, afterwards going west.

Jonathan Dains, junior, married Nancy Mc Graw, and had
eight children, John, Jesse, Francis, Cyrus, Orilla, Perry, Rich-

HIST0KY OF YATES COUNTY. 133

ard and Ezra. Of these, John married Catharine Saunders of
Jerusalem, and has two sons and one daughter. Jesse, who
also resided in Jerusalem, married Chloe Stark, and died leav-
ing two daughters. Francis, who is a well-known shoemaker
in Penn Yan, married Mary Jane Lewis, daughter of George
Lewis, who established the Seneca Patriot, a newspaper at
Ovid, in 1815, and has two children, Henry Clay and Libbie.
Henry Clay is a graduate of the U. S. Military Academy at
West Point, and a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Artillery
service. Libbie is the wife of Francis M. Gifford. Cyrus
Dains married Jane Stout of Potter, is a merchant at Potter
Center, and has one child, a daughter. Orilla Married Jose-
phus Barrett of Jerusalem, and has three children, one of
whom, George, perished in the rebel prison at Andersonville.
Perry Dains is a thrifty gardener of Penn Yan. He married
Ann Sherratt and has no children. Richard is another shoe-
maker of Penn Yan. He married Sarah Tucker and has one
daughter. Ezra is also married and resides in Michigan.

Castle Dains married Joanna Barman, in the State of Con-
necticut. He was a revolutionary soldier, and in the Census of
1840 was returned as ninety-one years old. He died three
years later at the age of ninety-four. He was a carpenter and
made ox yokes and plows. He and his brother Jonathan were
both very ingenious mechanics, the latter being a tanner ; and
they were both noted cattle and horse doctors. Castle was also
famous for his efficiency in curing the bites of rattlesnakes,
which he did by means of some plant known to him which
grew in the woods. His children were Salmon, Elizabeth,
Abel, Saloma and Simeon. Salmon left home about the age of
twenty-five, and it was reported that he was seized in New
York by the Press Gang and forced on board a British Man
of War. He was not afterwards heard from. Elizabeth mar-
ried Benjamin Durham, celebrated as an excellent mill-wright
of the early days. Their descendants are numerous in Jerusa-
lem. Abel Dains married Mrs. Clarissa Baker, who had been
Clarissa Bellonge, and had four sons, not known to the writer.

134 HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

Saloma married William Torrance. They have several chil-
dren and live in Steuben county. Simeon married Kitty Bel-
longe, and .lives, advanced in years, at Branchport. He has
had a large family, few of whom are known to reside in Yates
county. One of his sons died from service in the war of the
rebellion. A daughter, Eliza, married first, Chester Lamb, and
for a second husband, James Paris, lately deceased.

Jesse Dains married Chloe Thompson of Connecticut. He
was a shoemaker and a farmer, and lived in Milo. For many
years he did the shoemaking for the Friend's family, and was a
superior workman. He and his family did not adhere to the
Friend's Society after the divisions occurred in the Friend's
Settlement. His children were David, Jesse, Orilla, Therza
and Eli.

David married Sarah, a sister of Aaron Remer, and his chil-
dren were Mahala, Rebecca, Thompson, Richmond, Abram R.,
Chloe, Jane, Esther and Bryant. Mahala married Silas Rider.
Rebecca married Arnold Raplee, near Himrods, and has two
daughters living, Susan and Sarah. Thompson married. Susan
Peters and lives in New Jersey. Richmond married Polly
Burtch, resides in Torrey, and has four children, Antoinette,
Clarissa, Francis and Clark. Abram R. married Matilda Tay-
lor, resides in Torrey and has four daughters. Chloe married
Myron IT. Durham of Jerusalem. Jane married Andrew Hew-
itt, and lives west with two children. Esther died single.
Bryant was a soldier in the army of the Union during the late
war, and died in the service.

Jesse Dains, junior, married Mary, a sister of George and
Benjamin Youngs, and had the following children : Avery,
Josephus, Nancy, George, Aaron, Mary and Fanny. Avery
married and took up his residence west, as did Josephus.
Nancy married Alexander Hodge, and lives in Italy Hollow.
George married Eliza, daughter of Samuel Headly. Mary is
the widow of the late Stephen H. Cleveland of Milo. Fanny
died single. Orilla married Ezra Raplee, lives at Himrods,
and has five children, all of whom are married. Therza died

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY. 135

young. Eli resides in Pennsylvania. Aaron married Acbsa, a
sister of Timothy Supplee, resides at Himrods and has a family
of children.

Ephraim Dains was not of the Friend's Society. He mar-
ried Jane Stedman, and was a farmer and hunter. He was
celebrated for deer and wolf hunting, and among his children
were Henry, Ira, Samuel, Orpha and others. The whole fami-
ly emigrated west many years ago.

This is a brief sketch of one of the most extensive of the
early families, and an important one in the early history of the
country.

THE LUTHER FAMILY.

Elizabeth Luther came from Rhode Island with the first set-
tlers of the New Jerusalem, accompanied by her children,
Sheffield, Reuben, Beloved, Elisha, Jonathan, Mary, Bethany
and Martha. She was a woman of excellent character, a devo-
ted Friend and a good mother. The family lived at first in the
Friend's Settlement, and afterwards in Jerusalem. Sheffield
married and lived on the Gore, where he died an aged and
much respected man. Reuben was never married, but lived
with his mother and died in advanced age a highly respected
Friend. Beloved was another man of sterling character and a
firm Friend. He married Sarah, a daughter of Lydia Wood.
Their children were Peleg, Stephen and Lydia. Of them,
Stephen and Lydia died before reaching middle life ; and of
Peleg, little is known.

Elisha Luther married first, Elizabeth, a daughter of Jede-
diah Holmes, and they had two children, a son and a daughter.
The daughter married Aaron Van Marter, and lives in Hector,
Schuyler county. For his second wife, Elisha married Sidna
Barrett, a widow, and the mother of Azor Barrett, of Jerusa-
lem. By this marriage there were five children, David, Debo-
rah, Mary, John and Elisha, junior. David married Eliza
Smalley and moved to Michigan. Deborah become the wife of
Jeremiah S. Burtch of Jerusalem ; and Mary, the wife of

136 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

McDowell Boyd of Jerusalem, and died in 1867. She was
the mother of five sons and two daughters.

John Luther married Mary, the daughter of George Briggs
of Potter, and lives in Jerusalem on his father's homestead.
They have two children, Elisha and Sarah. Elisha married a
Miss Elvoy and lives in Chicago with three children. Sarah
is the wife of Charles Waterous, and resides in Jerusalem.

Jonathan Luther went to the west many years ago, and
Mary married Reuben Hudson ; was a firm Friend and died on
her homestead in Jerusalem. Bethany was the wife of George
Sisson, a very worthy woman and the mother of a large family.
Martha married George, the brother of James Brown, junior,
of the Friend's Society, and had two children, Cephas, a wagon-
maker, and a very lovely daughter who died at the age of ten
years.

The original Luther family, except Jonathan, were all mem-
bers of the Friend's Society, and exemplary people, whose
lives were a credit to their religious pretentions.

THE INGRAHAMS.

Two brothers, Elisha and Eleazer Ingraham, and their cousin,
Nathaniel, were among the early settlers of the Friend's Society.
They were all married and had families, and lived in the
Friend's Settlement. Elisha's children were Jerusha, Asa and
Lament. The parents died when Lament was an infant, and
she was reared in the family of Asahel Stone, senior. She
married first, William Pearce, and after his death Daniel Sutton.
They both live now in Jerusalem at an advanced age. Asa
lived with the Friend till he grew up, learned the shoemaker's
trade and moved to Canada,

Eleazer Ingraham's children were Daniel, Philo, Eleazer,
junior, John, Abigail, Lydia, Rachel, Lament and Patience.
Daniel moved the Barnes family to the Friend's Settlement,
but never came here to live. Philo married early and went to
the Wabash region. Eleazer, junior, married Dorcas Gardner,
sister of George and Abner, of the original family, and settled
in Pultney, where they reared a large family. He died at a

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

137

very great age. One of his daughters married Rowland Cham-
plin, junior, and reared a large family in Jerusalem. Another
daughter of Eleazer, junior, married John Sisson, a grandson
of George Sisson. They live now at Branchport.

John married Anna Updegrove, sister to the wife of Jona-
than Davis. They had one son who married Esther Boyd, and
reared a family, some of whom now live in Jerusalem. Among
the names of John's children are Elisha, Mary Ann, Semanthn,
Rachel and Eleanor. Three of the daughters are school
teachers.

Rachel still lives, one of the last of the Friends, at the age
of eighty-eight.

Lament married Samuc' Davis, son of Malachi Davis.

Patience married Asa Brown, son of Micajah Brown.

Nathaniel Ingraham lived at first in the Friend's Settlement,
and afterwards on West Hill in Jerusalem. His children were
Mary, Huldah, Chloe, Nathaniel, Solomon, David and Experi-
ence. The descendants are mostly out of the county. The
father was a good man and a staunch Friend.

His daughter Experience, became the wife of Elizur Barnes,
and still survives, a widow, at the age of eighty-six, one of the
three remaining members of the Friend's Society.

Among the early Friends were two or three families of the
name of Guernsey, of whom little trace seems left. Daniel
Guernsey was an important surveyor, and surveyed township
number seven, second range, into lots, and made the first map
of that township for Benedict Robinson and Thomas Hatha-
way. Daniel Guernsey went west in 1812. Southmit Guern-
sey settled near Rushville, and had a son whom he named Ra-
phael ; and Raphael had a son Elijah, who married a daughter
of Elijah Hart well. William Guernsey settled in Potter at an
early day. A daughter of his was an early school teacher. Little
more is now known of the Guernseys.

Jedediah Holmes was an important member of the first set-
settlement, and a man of some property. His wife was the
first that died, and hers was the first grave in the City Hill

138 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Cemetery. They had no boards of which to make a coffin,
and were obliged to hollow out a log for that use, first splitting
off a slab which was afterwards laid on for the coffin lid.
Elizabeth, the daughter of Jedediah Holmes, was the first wife
of Elisha Luther. Mary, another daughter, is named among
the devoted sisterhood.

William Robinson was one of the Friends who came from
Pennsylvania. At first he lived at John Supplee's, and made
the first Fanning Mill in the Friend's Settlement, which was
consequently the first in the country. He Avas always a single
man ; lived afterwards with William Davis in Jerusalem, and
was the first person buried in the Friend's burying ground.
That burial occurred in 1806. The next was that of Mary,
the wife of Jonathan Dains, senior.

TOWN OF BARRINGTON. 139

CHAPTER VI.

BARRIXfJTON.

§HE town of Barrington is formed of so much of township
^p number six, in the first range of Phelps and Gorham's
purchase, as lies east of Keuka Lake. Lots 73, 74 and 75 of
the original survey of that township are west of the lake, and
included in the town of Jerusalem. This township was one of
those ceded by Phelps and Gorham to the New York Genesee
Company, otherwise known as the Lessee Company, in the
final settlement of their claims ; and like townships seven and
eight was "draughted," as it was called, after being surveyed
into lots, and drawn by lot, by those holding stock in the Lessee
Company. The map of what purports to be the original sur-
vey of the township by B. Allen, in the writer's possession,
gives the names of those by whom the lots were drawn. James
Parker drew lot 64. William Potter drew lot 27, and Benja-
min Birdsall drew lots 17 and 52. B. Allen, the surveyor, drew
lots 23 and 36. H. Tremper, lots 53 and 46. L. Tremper, lot 13.
A. Latting, lot 34. As these lots are all designated on the latest
county map, (that of 1865,) they can be easily traced. Some
of the land was afterwards bought by Charles "Williamson, and
passed to the Pultney estate. Some fell in some way to the
Hornby estate, and little if any of it was bought by the settlers
directly from those who drew the several lots on behalf of the
Lessee Company. The origin of the strip or parallellograin,
called the Gore, on the south line of Barrington, is not ex-
plained by the map of B. Allen's survey, and how it occurred

140 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

has not been elucidated by any reseai-ches that have been made
in the preparation of this work. It has been conjectured that
it arose from the survey of lots from north to south, by which
a remnant was left on the south side. If this is the true explana-
tion, it occurred from a re-survey, made after that of B. Allen,
ns nothing of the kind was noted on his map.

The land was heavily timbered in the east and south part
with a dense growth of pine, and on the westeim slope more
with oak and other hard wood. The ascent from Keuka Lake
to the ridge in the middle of the town is quite steep, and is
said to be not less than four hundred feet higher than Braff
Point, though no actual measurement of either elevation is re-
corded. The descent eastward to the Big Stream valley, is
even more steep, for a considerable distance, and these abrupt
elevations and depressions, extending to what is called "East
Hill" in the southeast corner of the town, invest it with a de-
cidedly rugged appearance, which no doubt aided to give it an
unfavorable repute with the early settlers of the country.

For nearly twenty years after the first settlement by the
Friends on the west bank of Seneca Lake, the now fruitful and
populous town of Barrington was a dense and uninviting wil-
derness, and the valley of that branch of Big Stream; known
as Chubb Hollow, was the favorite refuge for wolves for nearly
thirty years after the occupation of civilized men had begun
to make inroads upon the forests. It was an upland which
looked to the early settlers like a hard and unpromising tract
of country, and the wolf and deer were left in undisturbed
possession until what were thought the better lands of Milo
and Benton had become pretty well occupied. In 1800, Jacob
Teeples, called Col. Teeples, erected the first habitation on the
spot where about 1804 he commenced keeping a public house,
which continued to be kept as a tavern by himself and after-
wards by Daniel Raplee, Levi Knox, and others for many years,
and until the village, since known as Warsaw, became the cen-
tre of affairs in that town. It would seem that Jacob Teeples
for several years occupied a very isolated position. He was on

TOWN OF BABKINGTON. 141

Capt. Williamson's road leading from Geneva to Bath, and that
became an important highway in later years, but before 1810 it
was not a route largely traveled. But Jacob Teeples could not
have been an unsocial man, for he provided cheer for his fellow
men when they began to pass his door in sufficient numbers to
make it an object. And a few years later he was sent to the Legis-
lature as a member of Assembly from Steuben county. He
served two terms in 1812-13 ; and was also Sheriff of Steuben
county from 1808 to 1810. He sold his place finally to Daniel
Raplee, and removed from that town. He was evidently a
man of considerable prominence, but is remembered now by
few of the living. After abiding alone in that township half a
dozen years, there came in 1806 a number of neighbors; peo-
ple were neighbors then for a dozen miles around. That year
William Ovenshire bought and located on the place now owned
by Erasmus Wright. Thomas Bronson took up his residence
on the place afterwards owned by John Spicer. Oliver Parker,
the only son of James Parker, on lot 27. William Coolbaugh,
near the same valley, on land now owned by John Miller.
Joseph Finton came the same year and located where Joseph
S. Finton, his son, now resides. James Finley also located in
1806 on the Bath road, on the town line of Barrington and
Milo. James and Nehemiah Higby, brothers, and sons-in-law
of Joseph Finton, settled the same year adjoining Joseph Fin-
ton, and the same year John Carr located near the lake, on the
place where Job L. Babcock lived about thirty years. John
Carr built the first and only grist mill in that town, till the
past year, when one has been started by Clinton Raplee on
Big Stream, near the east line of the town. Carr's mill was a
moderate affair, and was long since discontinued. Mathew
Knapp soon settled near the old Teeple's tavern, and Peter
Retan and Janna Osgood in the same neighborhood. A man
by the name of Granger was the first settler on the farm now
owned by Erasmus Wright. Granger raised his house on the
day of the total eclipse of 1806. Eclipses were probably not
as well advertised then as now, for the people at the house-
raising were much frightened, till a young man who had read

142 HISTORY OP YATES COUNTY.

of it in a newspaper, told them what was causing the untimely
darkness, when their fears were allayed,

It was a region of very abundant game. William Ovenshire
states that he has seen fifteen deer in a single drove, and has
known them to come familiarly among his cattle to browse on
trees cut down for them to feed upon the tender twigs in the
absence of hay. Every Fall, for several, years, the Indians
came and occupied their wigwams along Big Stream, and
hunted through most of the winter. In 1807 a snow fell four
feet deep in the month of April ; and an immediate thaw,/ol-
lowed by a hard freeze, left such a crust on the surface of the
snow, that the wolves could run on it while the deer broke
through. The consequence was a terrific slaughter of the poor
helpless deer by the ravenous wolves. A wolf would seize a
deer, insert his nose in the jugular vein, suck up its blood and
pass on in pursuit of another. The bodies of slain deer were
thick in every direction.

The west side of the town was thickly infested with rattle-
snakes. Joseph S. Finton relates that his brother and brother-
in-law, killed nine of these serpents in one half day. But bad-
ly as these creatures were feared they did but little actual harm,
and were far less dangerous than the whisky bottles that were
cherished so warmly by many of the early settlers. They had
other foes to contend with more difficult to drive away than
the snakes. Money was hard to get, and ashes were sometimes
the best commodity they could sell. Peter H. Crosby states
that he sometimes cut down trees in the woods, and burned
them for no other purpose but to get the ashes to sell to raise a
little money. It is not strange that people who stood their
ground against these hardships, have held a goodly inheritance
in the land since, and made it smile with plenty.

WILLIAM OVENSUIRE.

Almost alone among the primitive settlers of Barrington, is
William Ovenshire, a native of the State of Delaware, who is
still among the living, at the age of eighty-six. When but six
years old, his father moved to Sheshequin, Pennsylvania, and

TOWN OF BAliRINGTON.

143

died there a few years later. At the age of twenty he was
married to Mary Cole, about four miles below Elmira, where
he then lived, nnd in the Spring of 180G, came to Barrington,
(then Yfayne,) and bought a farm now owned by Erasmus
"Wright. He states that at that time there was no road along
Big Stream, but an Indian trail, and he was obliged to work
his way as best he could through a dense forest, and around
fallen trees, which made the route almost impassable. There
were no inhabitants except a few who were just penetrating
that region to make a beginning. An old man by the name of
Doty lived near the present site of the Wayne Hotel, who was
a manufacturer and vender of counterfeit money, and was
afterwards sent to the State Prison. After two years residence
on his first purchase, he found his land extended on the Gore,
and that its title was doubtful. This induced him to sell his
interest there, when he bought a place afterwards owned by
Ezekiel Blue, and now by Joshua Raplee. This he soon ex-
changed for the one where he has lived sixty-one years, a short
distance from the Methodist Church. He states that in trading
for his farm when he left the Gore, the property exchanged
paid for all but thirty-eight dollars on the new place. A cow
paid twenty dollars more, and the remaining eighteen dollars
he raised by selling wheat at fifty cents a bushel. The wheat
was taken to Melchoir Wagener's mill, at Penn Yan, three
bushels at a time, on the back of a horse, by a path only recog-
nized by blazed trees through the woods. Near where the
Second Milo Baptist Church now stands, there was then a very
steep place, where steps had been dug in the bank to enable
travelers to climb it. Up this steep ascent the horse clambered,
stopping two or three times to get breath. In this way thirty-
six bushels of wheat finally made the last payment on the farm.
The land was bought of the Pultney estate at four dollars per
acre. Mr. Ovenshire was for many years a constable, and
traveled over all parts of Steuben county, then quite a state of
itself, in his official capacity. As a constable, and afterwards
Justice of the Peace, he did a large amount of business for the
Penn Yan merchants. In those days Penn Yan was "Egypt"

144 HISTOEY OP YATES COUNTY.

for Barrington, and many debts had to be collected by legal
process. As Justice, he sometimes had 30 to 40 precepts
returned in one day.

Mr. Ovenshire is the patriarch of the only Methodist Church
ever organized in Barrington. His own conversion occurred
in 1809, and he immediately held meetings among his own
neighbors, and had a class of fifteen organized before any
preacher could be obtained. Rev. B. G. Paddock gave them
the first preaching and took them into the Church. Arnpng
the first admitted to church fellowship in 1810, was William
Ovenshire and Mary, his wife, Joseph Gibbs and Mary, his wife,
Joseph Kanaan and wife, Peter Putnam and wife, Mrs. Mary
Norns, Mrs. Dean, Mrs. Shoults, Mrs. Barnes, and James Tay-
lor and wife. Among the early preachers were George Hor-
man, Palmer Roberts, P. Bennett, Reuben Farley, Loring
Grant, James Gilmore, William Snow, William Kent, Friend
Draper, Robert Parker, John Beggarly and others ; and of a
later period there were Asa Story, J. Chamberlain, Ira Fairbanks,
Allen Steele, Jonas Dodge, and others well known on most of
the former Methodist circuits of this region. Mr. Ovenshire
had preaching in his own house about fifteen years. After-
wards the meetings were held in the nearest school house till
1842, when the present church was erected in sight of his own
residence. He was himself the class-leader about thirty years.
His son, Samuel Ovenshire, with whom the old patriarch now
lives, is the present class-leader. The church has had one
hundred and fifty members at one time, and has sixty now.
The present trustees of the church are Samuel Ovenshire, Cran-
ston Hewitt, Lewis B. Ovenshire, Myron Ovenshire, and
Charles Swartz. The second class-leader was Jonathan Young.
Mr. Ovenshire married a second wife, after the loss of his first
in 1816. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Gibbs, who is
still living. He has had fifteen children four of whom were
children of his first wife, and eleven of the second. Paulina,
the oldest, born in 1806, married Meli Todd, and lives in Jeru-
salem. Mi. Todd first married Lydia, the third daughter, who

TOWN OF BARBINGTON.

145

died early. They have one son and other adopted children.
Nancy married Orlando Skiff, had two daughters and died in
middle life.

Samuel, the fourth child, and only son of the first wife, born
1812, married Sophronia Beebe. They have had six children
Samuel owns the homestead, and takes his father's place in
business and in the church. William, the next son, married
Almira Jane Gray, lives near Dundee, and has had four
ehildreu, cno of whom Sarah Jane, at the age of 22, was killed
by an accident on the Northern Central Railway in the winter
of 18G8. Isaac married Matilda Snook. He is now dead,
leaving six children, who reside in Barrington. Mary married
first, Rev. Charles W. Barclay, and Gilbert Lamb for her sec-
ond husband; has no living children. Lewis married Sophro-
nia Hyatt, and lives in Barrington. They have two children
living ; one was killed by a horse running away. Morris mar-
ried Matilda Finton, and lives in Michigan. John married
Druzilla, daughter of Peter H. Crosby. They live in Barring-
ton and have three children. Albert married first Sarah Miles,
and second Mary Lord, and had two children. Susan married
Thomas Bardman, and lives in Schuyler county. Mr. Ovenshire
has of sons and daughters, with their wives and husbands, twen-
ty-two ; grand-children, thirty-one ; great-grand-children, five,
and two of the fifth generation among his descendants. His
house has been one of hospitality, and hislife without reproach.

THE FINTONS AND CF.OSBYS.

Joseph Finton was a revolutionary soldier, and came with
his family into Barrington, (then Wayne,) from New Jersey in
the Spring of 1 806, and settled on land in the northwest part
of the town, which, for some unexplained reason, was not run
into lots and numbered with the original survey. There was
enough of this land for about five lots, and it was marked
on an early map as "very poor." Mr. Finton chose this
location rather than land more heavily timbered in Milo, because
in the open, less wooded land, there seemed a prospect of soon-
er getting food for stock, which wras an object of great impor-

146 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

tance to the pioneer settler. The Bath road at that time was a
crooked way through the woods, and Mr. Joseph S. Finton.
who lives now on the spot where his father settled, thinks it
was not opened as a highway till after the lake road. Their
first school for that neighborhood, was in a log house, north of
the Barrington line, near the present residence of Job. L. Bab-
cock, on land long owned by Jonathan Bailey. The house was
warmed by a huge old-fashioned fireplace, capable of holding
almost a cord of wood. School was principally attended Jo in
the winter ; and Mr. Finton says that on all the pleasant days
they had to stay at home and break flax. Cotton was not king
then, and flax wrought by home industry, was the most impor-
tant element for clothing the family.

Joseph Finton's children were Mary, Phoebe. Eleanor, Steph-
en, Charity, Isaac R., Joseph S., Catharine, Susan and Amelia.
The last was the only one born in Barrington. Mary married
James Higby. Phcebe married Samuel Carr. Eleanor married
Nehemiah Higby, and moved to Ohio, where she died. Stephen
married Mary Ann Maring, and went to Michigan, where she
died. Charity died at thirty-six unmarried. Isaac R. married
Esther, a sister of Peter H. Crosby, for his second wife, and
removed to Steuben county. Catharine married Peter H. Cros-
by. Susan married John Gibbs, the father of Joseph F. Gibbs.
Amelia married Samuel Wheaton.

Joseph S. Finton; Avho resides at the age of sixty-nine, on
the original homestead, married Mary Porter, and has a second
wife, Emerancy Gleason. His children are Susan, Mary Ann,
George W., Joseph, William W. and Druzilla. Susan married
David Lockwood, and after his decease, George Kels of Bar-
rington. Mary Ann married Peter S. Bellis. George W.
married Martha Ann Bailey, and lives in Barrington. Joseph
married Minerva Spink, and lives on the homestead farm.
William W. married Amanda Castner, and lives in Michigan.

Nathan Crosby came from Putnam county in 1812, and set-
tled near the Crystal Spring in Sunderlin Hollow ; lived there
two years and went back to Delaware county. A year

TOWN OF BAEKINGTON.

147

later he returned to Milo and lived three years, and then went
to Barrington, then Wayne, and settled where his son, Peter
H. Crosby, now resides, on land adjoining Joseph Finton on
the south. He died in 1825. His children were Selah, Mari-
am, Sarah, Esther, Abigail, Peter H. and Cyrus. Selah Crosby
was one of the early school teachers of Barrington. He taught
in 1815 and 1816 near the residence of Lodowick Disbrow, on
the Parker farm, near the Shoemaker place, and taught winters
for a number of years. Selah Crosby married Fanny Wortman,
sister of Andrew and Joel Wortman ; has raised a large family
and lives now, well advanced in years, near where his father
first settled in Barrington. Few of his descendants remain in
this county. Mariam, the oldest daughter of Nathan Crosby,
married David Bennett and went to Michigan. Sarah, the next
sister, married Thomas Tuttle and also emigrated to Michigan.
Esther became the second wife of Isaac R. Finton, and died
sixteen years ago. Abigail married Daniel Holmes, and moved
to Pennsylvania where she died. Cyrus married, lost his wife
and went to Texas.

Peter H. Crosby, now sixty-seven years old, is one of the
most substantial citizens of Barrington. He married Catharine,
the daughter of Joseph Finton, and their children are Emillia,
Alanson, Joseph F., Selah, Druzilla and Isaac. Mr. Crosby
has long been a leading man in the Baptist Church in Barring-
ton, a firm supporter of temperance, and prompt and ready in
the aid of benevolent and reformatory measures. He has held
numerous town offices, and as commissioner of highways laid
out many of the roads of the town. His life has been one of
industry and good example. His recollections are good of the
early years, when Barrington was principally a forest, and when
James Finley's tavern on the town line, was but one of ten
between Penn Yan and the present line of Wayne. His sec-
ond wife is widow Hair, daughter of Andrew Raplee. Of his
children, Emillia married John, son of William Mc Dowell, and
Alanson married Catharine, daughter of William Mc Dowell,
both living near by in Barrington. Selah married Elsie, anoth-

148 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

cr daughter of William Mc Dowell, and lives on the lake road
in Harrington. Druzilla married John Ovenshire, and lives on
the place formerly known as the Putnam farm. Isaac married
Druzilla Eddy, and lives on the Carr farm, long owned by
Job L. Babcock.

Joseph F. Crosby married first, Amanda Ketchum, and for a
second wife, Phoebe Swarthout. He is an enterprising and
successful grape grower, at Point Pleasant on the lake ; is an
active business man, and was Sheriff of Yates county three
years, beginning with 1865.

WTLKIAM MC DOWEIX.

John McDowell came from New Jersey, and \vr 1795 settled
in Jerusalem, on the west branch of Keuka Lake ; he bought
land of John Greig, agent of the Hornby Estate, and lost a
large part of it by the re-survey of the line of Steuben county,
throwing most of his farm into Ontario instead of Steuben,
where it was before. He left there about 1808, and lived for a
time at the foot of Keuka Lake, where he worked land for
Abraham Wagener. After living there about six years, he set-
tled on the farm now owned by James M. Lewis, where he
died in 1814. Among the children he left, were William,
Sarah and Esther. Sarah married David Hall, and they made
the fivst beginning where Alfred Brown now resides, on the
south boundary of Penn Yan ; they moved to Steuben, where
he became a leading man. Esther married Wallace Finch,
who lived near David Hall. Esther died early leaving two or
three children.

William Mc Dowell, now in his seventy-eighth year, married
Dorothea Decker in 1813, who still survives with her husband.
Mr. Mc Dowell remembers well the incidents of his father's
early labors in the wild region where he settled. He has seen
the wolves devour their sheep almost before their eyes, and
bears testimony to the manifold hardships of the pioneer life.
The enterprise of Gen. Wall, who attempted to found a village
at the foot of Keuka Lake, was entirely familiar to him. The
streets, he says, were surveyed and lots numbered, and it was

TOWN OF BAEBINGTON. 149

confidently expected a village would grow up on the west side
of the outlet. A mill was built on the east side by John Ca-
pell for Meredith Mallory, and there was a bridge across. The
failure of the mill and the death of Gen. Wall, put an end to
that embryo town. In 1825 Mr Mc Dowell bought 250 acres
of land on lot 46 in Barrington, one mile south of Warsaw,
where he has lived forty-four years. He paid four dollars an
acre for his land, and cleared it all himself, and it is now worth
$100 an acre. Eleven of their thirteen children are still living.
Among them are William, John, Matthew, Catharine, Elizabeth,
Nancy and Elsie. William is married and lives in Barrington.
John married Emillia, daughter of Peter H. Crosby, and is also
a citizen of Barrington. Matthew was for a time a citizen of
Barrington, and moved to Wayne, where he died. Frank and
George Me Dowell of that town are his sons, and the widow of
the late Samuel Hallett is his daughter. Catharine Mc Dowell
married the late Henry Cronkright of Tyrone. Elizabeth was
the first wife of Jonathan Taylor of Barrington. Nancy mar-
ried Caleb Hedges of Bradford, a brother of Daniel Hedges of
Milo. Elsie married Selah, a son of Peter H. Crosby.

William Mc Dowell was a member of the Presbyterian
church, organized in Barrington in 1830, of which George
Kels, Andrew Fleming, David Putnam, Elam Stebbins and
Roscius Morse were also members. They erected a meeting
house at Warsaw, but the church was disbanded in a few years
and the edifice became a private residence.

MATTHEW KNAPP.

At the age of eighty-eight years, this primitive settler of
Barrington still survives. When he went to that town he says
there was but one house between Penn Yan and Col. Teeples',
and that was Finley's tavern. He is a native of Orange coun-
ty, and his wife was Mary Knapp, (not a relative,) who died at
the age of eighty-seven. He had a brother Charles who lived
in Barrington, and John, another brother, who lived and died
there. Mr. Knapp was largely instrumental in organizing a
Free Will Baptist Church, near the old Teeples place at an

150 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

early day, and was one of its earnest leaders. His children
are Hannah, Sally, Christiana, Eliza, William, Levi C. and
Jesse C. Hannah married John Pratt, and had four sons and
two daughters. Sally married James Bignall, a Free Will
Baptist preacher, had seven children and died in Pultney.
Christiana married David Randolph of Milo, and has four
children. Eliza married Ira Derring, lived in Barrington till
recently and now in Elmira. She has several children. Wil-
liam married Eliza Osborn and moved to Steuben county.
Levi C. Knapp married Maria Turner of Jerusalem. They
have had five children of whom but two are living ; both
are married and living in Wayne. Jesse C. Knapp married
Rachel Hopkins, and has had seven children, of whom two
are married. He is a prominent citizen and has held various
public positions.

FREE COMMUNION BAPTIST CHURCH.

Elders Zebulon Dean and John Mugg organized a Free
Will Baptist Church of eleven persons, on the first day of May,
1819. The members were Matthew Knapp, John West, John
Swain, Joseph B. Retan, Mary Knapp, Margaret Swain, Han-
nah Knapp, Sarah Knapp, Christiana Knapp, Electa West, and
Catharine Soles. At that time John West was chosen clerk,
and Matthew Knapp elected deacon. The records previous to
1827 were destroyed by fire. At that time Elder John Stew-
art was their preacher. In March, 1828, Cyrus B. Feagles was
expelled for drunkenness and profanity. Mathew Knapp,
James Bignal and David F. Randolph, appear to have been the
leading members at this time. In 1829 Zebulon Dean was
their pastor, and John Pratt and Miss Benton became members.
In 1830 Henry Wisner and wife, Thomas Tuttle and wife, El-
kanah Feagles and others united with the church. In 1831,
Mary Ann Patterson, Samuel Delong, George Soules, D. Os-
borne, Jacob Stewart and others became members. Elder
James Bignal, Thomas Tuttle and Elkanah Feagles and David
F. Randolph were the delegates to the Quarterly Meeting. In
1833 the Society erected a meeting house. In 1834 the church

TOWN OF BAKRINGTON. 151

voted that Matthew Knapp have license to preach. Thomas
Tuttle, William Knapp, Matthew Knapp and Elkanah Feagles,
were the delegates to the Quarterly Meeting held in Gorham.
Nathan Bailey was expelled for falsehood and drunkenness. In
1835 the Society voted that John Pratt have license to preach
the gospel ; and this year Elder James Bignal baptized several
members. In 1837, Elder Ezra F. Crane preached and baptized
several persons. In 1841, Elder Beebe was their preacher, and
the regular meetings were kept up in 1847. Soon after the
church was wholly disbanded, and the meeting house has been
turned to other uses.

SUNDERLIN HOLLOW.

This locality, that has become so famous by reason of the
Crystal Springs, was settled about 1812, by a cluster of settlers
who came from Putnam county, of whom the Sunderlins were
the most numerous, and it took the name of Sunderlin Hol-
low. David Sunderlin followed his son Dennis to this locality
in 1814, having visited it the previous year. The children of
this family were Dennis, Joseph, Daniel W., Tippett, Ira, Eli,
Anna, Lydia, Elizabeth and Polly, all of whom came to this
place. Eli, Ira, Tippett and Dennis settled in Barrington. —
Tippett and Ira have no children. Eli had two, of whom Lew-
is Sunderlin of Rochester is one, and a daughter Alice the oth-
er. Eli married Minerva Kendall, sister of Abel Kendall. —
Tippett married Almeda Beach. Anna married Edmund Ba-
ker and lived in Tyrone. Lydia married John Wi*ight. Polly
married Elijah Wright, and settled in Barrington, afterwards
going to Michigan. Elizabeth married Lodowick Disbrow.

Dennis Sunderlin married Nancy Finch and had two child-
ren, Alonzo and Delazon J. Alonzo has been a noted minis-
ter of the Baptist faith, preached a number of years in Milo,
and lives now at Wayne. He married Mary Ann Wortman
and had five sons, some of whom reside in Yates county. Del-
azon J. Sunderlin is a capable lawyer of extended reputation
and large practice, as well as a farmer and grape grower. He
was admitted in 1833 in the Common Pleas, under the old

152

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Chancery forms, and three years later in the Supreme Court,
and has always maintained a leading position in the Yates
county bar. His success has arisen from his innate ability and
energy, as his education was derived wholly from early and
slender opportunities in the common school, except Avhat he
has gained at home, including his legal acquirements. He was
District Attorney one term, and has been for many years a
leading man in the county. As a conspicuous member of the
Democratic party, he has stood firmly by all its fortunes, and
has always been honored by its confidence. In 1856 he was
chosen a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In
early life he attended school with Francis Kernan, in a log
school house on the border of Tyrone. He resides where his
father originally settled, and the road that passes his house, is
the one which was early laid out from Seneca Lake to Bath, by
way of Eddytown. Mr. Sunderlin married Louisa, daughter
of James A. Swarthout of Harrington. Their children are
Ursula, Emily Ann, Martin J., Edward D., John Lewis, Nan-
cy E. Ursula married Erastus Swarthout, and lives in Wayne.
Emily Ann married first, Nathaniel Berry of Dutchess county,
who died in 185G. She afterwards married Edward Kernan, a
son of Gen. William Kernan, formerly of Tyrone. He left
her a widow again in 1867, with four daughters. Martin J.
Sunderlin is also a lawyer, admitted in 1856, but omits the prac-
tice of his profession and engages in the labors of agricultural
life. He married Eliza Sharpe, and has no children. Edward

D. married Augusta Sleeper, and died a few years ago leaving
one son, Edward. John Lewis married Emeline Putnam, and
lives on the homestead. He is also without children. Nancy

E. married Hiram Murdock, a hardware merchant of Dundee,
now of Rochester.

The first of the numerous saw mills on Big Stream, in Bar-
rington was built by Tippett Sunderlin and his father at the Crys-
tal Spring. Dennis Sunderlin built another just below in 1817.

JOHN WEIGHT,

In 1812, John Wright and Joseph Sunderlin, his brother-in-

TOWN OP BAKEINGTON. 153

law, came from Putnam county to Barrington. They bought
a wagon in partnership, and each owning one horse put the
two together, and brought their possessions to the new country.
Both had been to view it the year before, on foot. John
Wright married Lydia Sunderlin of the family just mentioned,
and from the most humble beginning acquired a large estate
by industry and good management of his affairs. He died at
the age of seventy in 1858. His children were Maria, Martha,
Lydia, Erasmus and Alzada.

Maria married first, James Swarthout, and after his decease
Joseph Merritt. Some of her children reside in Barrington.
Martha married Samuel Bailey, and lives in Barrington. She
has two children. Lydia married Joel Wixson, and lives in
Wayne. Alzada married Baxter Kinne, and lives near New
York.

Erasmus Wright married Sally, the daughter of William
Wortman. They have had ten children, of whom but four are
living. The oldest, a daughter, married Henry Armstrong,
and resides at the Crystal Spring. Erasmus owns the home-
stead of his father, (500 acres,) and one-half the Crystal Spring
property, and has lost none of the hereditary qualities by which
it was acquired.

LODOWICK DISEROW.

This Barrington Octogenarian, also came from Putnam
county in 1813, at the age of twenty-four. He too made a
very humble beginning in the woods, having married in 1814
Elizabeth Sunderlin, of the family herewith noted. Their cab-
in was provided with scarcely more furniture than his axe could
supply, but they had courageous hearts and industrious hands,
and soon ameliorated their circumstances. After two years'
residence on another place, Mr. Disbrow bought the farm he
still owns, and where he has resided over fifty years. He
bought the land of Israel Arnold, to whose wife, Penelope
Brown, it had been given by her grand-father, Judge William
Potter, who drew the lot, (No. 27,) in the original draft of the

154 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

township. James Parker had an interest in it, and Oliver
Parker, his son, was given 100 acres, 150 going to the Potter
interest. Oliver Parker lived on his land for several years, but
did not prosper, and the family is not now in the county. By
industry, temperance and frugality, Mr. Disbrow became one
of the most substantial and prosperous citizens of Barrington.
He has dealt with great .liberality towards his children, and
still retains his premises at home, which he considers, perhaps
with good reason, the most desirable situation in Barrington.
His children are Dennis W., Watson, Ira S., Daniel and Anna
Maria and Mary Ann, (twins.) Dennis W. married Dorcas
Rapalee, lives in Starkey and has three daughters, two of whom
are married. Watson married Anna, daughter of Alexander
Patten. He was accidentally drowned at Big Stream in sheep
washing. He had one posthumous child, a daughter, who mar-
ried Oliver Plurd, District Attorney of Schuyler county. Ira S.
married Mary Jane Hause, lives in Rochester and has two chil-
dren. Daniel married Hannah Secor, lives in Barrington near
his father, and has four children, one of whom is married and
lives west. Anna Maria married Charles Hause, had three chil-
dren, and died in 1840. Mary Ann married Oliver Snook, lives
in Barrington and has five sons.

Lodowick Disbrow relates that he paid less than four dollars
an acre for his land, and that when he first settled on it the
wolves continued to howl frightfully in the dense forest about
the Crystal Spring. Before Barrington was taken from Yates
county, he was three times a grand juryman at Bath, where he
served without a cent of pay. He never used tobacco, never
went to a ball or a circus, never belonged to any society, never
used profane language, is a thorough cold water man, and was
one of the first to quit the use of liquor for work hands. His
life and vigor of frame have evidently been prolonged by his
good habits. He was always popular with his fellow citizens,
and has held many town offices. In 1862 his first wife died,
and he subsequently married the widoAv of Julius Stanton,
the mother of George and Julius Stanton of Barrington. He
has a brother in Tyrone two years his senior.

TOWN OF BABEINGTON.

155

Mr. Disbrow states that Thomas Bronson, who settled in the
valley in 1806, sold his place to Elisha Booth, a Baptist clergy-
man. Cyrus Booth, a son of this minister, was the founder of
the Dundee Record. Booth sold his place to Eli Northrop,
and he to John Spicer, who lived there forty years and did a
large business both as a farmer and mill-wright. He and Julius
Stanton, his partner in the mill-wright enterprise, built a large
number of mills; among others, those in Penn Yan were re-
built by them. They made their labors highly profitable. Mr.
Spicer finally emigrated to Kansas, where he died. One of his
sons, James Spicer, is a lawyer at Dundee.

On the Daniel Rapalee farm, John Shoemaker, the father of
Smith Shoemaker, was the original settler. Richard Eddy, the
first Supervisor of Barrington, was the first settler on the Allen
Bassett place. Mr. Eddy was a man of great personal worth,
and was a severe sufferer by the famine which pervaded the
country in 1817. A number of the early settlers were dispos-
sessed by Herman H. Bogert, whose title from Livingston pre-
vailed where mistakes or carelessness had made any lapse in the
titles of the settlers. He acquired the Gore on the south line
of Barrington in this way. The lot on which Joshua Raplee
now resides was taken from a Mr. Dean in this way, and one
from a Mr. Cuyler, near Mr. Disbrow. There was a distillery
near Mr. Disbrow at an early day, run by one Bishop, and an
ashery run by Isaac P. Seymour, now keeping a store at the
Crystal Spring. Thomas Bronson carried the mail for many
years on horseback from Eddytown to Wayne once a week,
and there was then a Post Office at Spicer's, called East Bar-
rington. The only Post Office in Barrington since that was
discontinued, has been at Warsaw, under the name of Barring-
ton, and Cranston Hewitt is the present Post Master.

ALLEN BASSETT.

The father of Allen Bassett was Justus Bassett of Connecti-
cut, and his mother Beulah Tuttle of the same State. In 1800
the father died in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where
they had taken up their abode, leaving their children, Polly,

156 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Julia and Allen. The widow afterwards married John Boyce
of Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, whither tlie family
removed. They came to Barrington, (then Wayne,) in 1812.
Three children were added to the family by the second marriage.
Clorinda, Chauncey and Harriet. They settled on lot 16
where Mr. Boyce died three years later, leaving the mother's
oldest son, Allen, the dependence of the family. He has there-
fore had a large experience of life in a new country, and has
borne himself bravely and well in the battle of life.

Polly, the elder sister, married Hiram Bishop of Hillsdale,
settled in Barrington and had seven children, who reached
adult age and married : Sally, Betsey, Louisa, William, James
S., Emily and George W. Emily married Alexander Patten,
and resides at Kornellsville. They all reside beyond the limits
of Yates county. Julia Bassett married Orrin Bishop of Hills-
dale, and settled near her mother and brother in Barrington,
where he died, leaving four children, Philemon, Mary A., Beu-
lah E. and Harriet. Philemon married Caroline Big_elow of
Barrington, and died, leaving his widow and one child, Charles
P. This boy was a drummer in the 33d regiment of N. Y.
Volunteers, enlisting at the age of twenty, and serving in the
Army of the Potomac, through all its campaigns and all its
principal engagements, until Grant conquered at Richmond,
after which he was honorably discharged. Mary A. Bishop
married George P. Lord of Barrington. They reside at Urba-
na and have seven children. Beulah E. Bishop married Joseph
Westcott of Dundee, a son of James M. Westcott. They have
four children, Mary, Corinne, Ella and Ruth. Harriet D.
Bishop married Martin R. Westcott, a brother of Joseph,
resides in Urbana, and has two children, William W. and
James M.

Allen Bassett married Druzilla W. Eddy, and settled near
the maternal homestead, where she died in 1829, leaving four
surviving children. Mr. Bassett' s mother died the same year.
The children of the first marriage were Zenecia F., Palmer H.,
Julia and Richard A. Zenecia F. married James Thayer of

TOWN OF BAEKINGTON.

157

Milo. Palmer H. married Susan J. Smith, and resides in Dun-
dee. They have had two children, Charles E. and Fred P.
Charles E. was a member of the Brass Band of Dundee, and
though but a lad of fifteen accompanied them when they en-
listed, and went to Norfolk, Va., during the war of the Rebel-
lion, where they were stationed as a Post Band. He there
died and was much lamented by his associates and friends, to
whom he was greatly endeared both by reason of his personal
and musical accomplishments. He was a proficient with several
musical instruments, but his favorite was the tenor drum. His
monument stands in the Dundee Cemetery, a broken column,
with his drum and the flag of the Union, representing his un-
timely death and its accompaniments. Palmer H. Bassett can-
vassed the county of Yates for the sale of this book. Julia mar-
ried Andrew Wortman of Barrington, in 1845. They have three
children, Huldah A., Eugene A. and Cassie L. Huldah mar-
ried Henry Freeman, and they reside in Steuben county.

Richard A. married Mary A. Hendrickson, and has two
children, Edward P. and George W., and resides at Warsaw,
Indiana. He entered the military service during the late war
as First Lieutenant of Company B, 126th Regiment N. Y.
Volunteers, of which he was subsequently Captain. He shared
the hard fortunes of that regiment through the war, and after
the battle of Gettysburg was Captain of the Provost Guard
before Richmond, where he participated in the closing scenes
of the war.

Allen Bassett married for his second wife, Jemima C. Mann,
of Truxton, N. Y., and they have eight adult children, Ansem
L., Druzilla J., Erasmus E., George W., Helen C, A. Carlton,
Charles M. and Frances A. Ansem L. is a fur merchant at
Cleveland, Ohio, where he married Angia Cook. He has no
children. Druzilla J. lives at home single.

Erasmns E. was unmarried, and was a volunteer in Company
B, 126th regiment, and fell at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, at the
age of twenty-seven, while bearing the colors of the regiment,
which he had taken from the hands of a falling comrade a few

158 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

moments before, while making a charge to recover a piece of
artillery. He was Sergeant while his brother was acting Cap-
tain in this battle. He was buried in the Cemetery of the
Methodist Church in Barrington, near his brother George, who
fell at Antietam.

George W. enlisted at the opening of the war in the 33d
regiment. He was Sergeant Major, and followed all the for-
tunes of the Army of the Potomac till he was killed at Antie-
tam, September 18, 1862, by a fragment of a bursting shell,
while making a charge. He died at the age of twenty-four,
and was a young man of much promise, having nearly com-
pleted his law studies in the office of Judge Henry Welles,
when he responded to the call of his country.

Helen C. Bassett, born in 1842, is a Preceptress in Starkey
Seminary, and Charles M. and Frances A. are students in that
institution. Archibald C. resides with his parents. The father,
at the age of seventy-three, is still a man, of vigorous habit,
and one of the most useful and respected citizens of his town.
It remains to speak of his mother's children by her second
marriage.

Clorinda Boyce married James Longcor, and settled in Bar-
rington. They had two children, Beulah Ann and Harriet A.
Beulah Ann married Cyrus Sunderlin, and died in Pennsyl-
vania. Harriet A. married Clinton "Walling of Starkey. They
moved to Rockford, Illinois, where she was left a widow with
three children, Emma, Sarah and Clinton. She is the matron
of the Female Seminary at Rockford.

Harriet Boyce married Asa Wortman of Barrington. They
have seven children, Emily, William, Ezra, Chauncey, Andrew,
Charlotte and John A. Of these, Emily married James Baskin
of Starkey, and resides in Tyrone. William married Susan
Huson of Starkey, and lives in Barrington. Ezra married
Mary Horton of Barrington, and died, leaving three children,
Samuel, Herbert and Ezra. Chauncey married Anna Cole and
lives in Barrington.

TOWN OP BAKBTNGTON. 159

Ckauncey Boyce married Betsey Bunce of Barrington, set-
tled at first on the maternal homestead, and afterwards moved
to another location. He was a man of ability and note in his
town, and was Supervisor when he died in 1850. His term
was filled out by Lodowick Disbrow. His children were Maria
A., John, Edmund, Melissa and Margenia, two of whom are
not married. Maria married Mr. Fletcher of Otsego, lives
in Tyrone and has four children. John married Lucretia
Baskin of Starkey, and moved to Iowa, Edmund married
Susan Baskin of Starkey, and lives in Barrington. They have
two children, Francis E. and Helen. John Boyce was the first
settler where Lodowick Disbrow lives.

Daniel Husted owned one of the original lots in Barrington,
and one in Milo. He was a remarkably capable and efficient
business man, and established a woolen factory near the east
line of Barrington, on Big Stream, where Clinton Raplee has
a mill. Mr. Husted did not prosper, although he was fruitful
in enterprises of great public benefit. He died some years ago.
He has a son in Chicago.

east mix.
The southeast corner of Barrington was some years later in
being occupied than the valley below. Daniel Winters came
from Putnam county in 1820, bought 80 acres of Daniel Hus-
ted on lot 30, where he built a log house and commenced to
clear away the forest. He has been a valuable and prosperous
citizen, added much to his original purchase and made valuable
improvements. His wife was Mary Roblyer, (or Raplee as
modernized,) and they have a very worthy family of children.
They are William, Alonzo, Augustus C, Emily, Olive, Addie
and Annette. William married Mariette Mather, and resides
near his father. Alonzo married Ann Eliza Peck, and also re-
sides in the same vicinity. Augustus C. married Hetty Paine.
He and his wife are both teachers of celebrity and rare acquire-
ments, and have since their marriage spent some time in Europe
perfecting their studies. Emily Winters is also a superior
teacher, now at Nyack, N. Y.

160 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

Julius Stanton was from Connecticut. He also bought land
in the woods on lot 29. He was a very industrious man, a
good citizen and skillful mill-wright, and was for many years a
partner of John Spicer in mill building. His son Julius lives
on the original homestead. One brother, Lorenzo, lives in
Starkey, and another, George, in Barrington.

Benjamin Osborn was another settler in the same neighbor-
hood about the same time, and also a man of worth and a good
citizen.

Isaac H. Maples was another settler of the same date on lot
20. His youngest son, Josiah, who married Jane Coykendall,
lives on the place his father redeemed from the wilderness.

Orange Hollister, the father of Ashbel Hollister of Dundee,
was a settler on East Hill in 1814. When Mr. Winters came,
the road from Eddytown to Bath was the only road in the
neighborhood.

Jonathan Taylor of Barrington is a son of Francis Taylor,
who moved into Milo in 1810, near the Luther Spooner place,
from Otsego county. Jonathan, the oldest of the family, mar-
ried Elizabeth, a daughter of William Mc Dowell. Of their
children, Hiley E., the oldest, married Joel Wortman of Milo,
and died leaving two children. Nancy married Truman Goble,
and lives in Orange, Schuyler county. George W. Taylor mar-
ried Mary, a daughter of Reuben Horton, and resides on lot 48
in Barrington. On his place, formerly known as the Crow
farm, it is said the first framed barn in Barrington was erected
in 1813. Matilda married John Bailey and is now a widow
without children. William M. is single. Sarah Elizabeth
married John Johnson, now of Penn Yan. Jonathan Taylor
married for a second wife, the widow of Chauncey Boyce.

The Bailey and Fish families were later in the town than
those we have mentioned. Sylvenus Bailey has held the
office of Justice of the Peace more years than any other person
in the town.

The first saw mill in Barrington was erected by William
Cummins, near the present residence of George J. Lazear, od
lot 14, and remained many years.

TOWN OF BABKINGTON. 161

John Kress was the predecessor of William Ovenshire on
the same place, and Henry Spring was near the same location.

Elijah Townsend had the first store in Barrington, near the
location of the Methodist Church. The older residents say he
was a man without hair on his head or beard on his face. He
had an ashery at the same place. Near the old Coolbaugh farm
there was a distillery run by Norman Wells.

Abraham Freeland, a blacksmith, made the start for a village
at Warsaw. William H. Lamport and James Holmes, had the
first store there, about 1825. After them was Horace Holmes,
John Moore and Sylvauus Barden, and now J. C. (xiithrie.
Oliver P. Wolcott was the first physician at Warsaw. He suc-
ceeded Lewis A. Birdsall, who began near where the Methodist
Church stands. The place was named during the Polish revo-
lution of 1830, and hence was called Warsaw from the Metrop-
olis of Poland.

Major Coolbaugh, a grandson of William Coolbaugh, one of
the original settlers, is still a resident of Barrington.

BARRINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH.

In 1S15, Elder Simon Sutherland commenced holding meet-
ings in Sunderlin Hollow, A revival followed which led to
the organization of a Church, called the "Second Baptist
Church of Wayne," in the Spring of IS 19. A council was
called to organize the church March 24, 1819, and met at Fred-
erick Townsend' s for the purpose of constituting a church.
The following churches met, namely : There were present
from

Wayne — Elder Ephraim Sanford, Gersham Bennett, Asa
Yeoman.

Pultney — Peter Powers, Samuel Drew. ^

Second Milo— Elder Sutherland, John R. Powell, Thomas
Bennett, Isaac Hedges, Samuel Sherman, and others.

Elder Powers was chosen Moderator, and Elder Bigelow

Clerk. The following names are those of the constituent

members of this Church when thus organized :

lf?2 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Brethren — Jaima Osgood, Ephraim Wright, Joseph Sun-
derlin, Eli Northrup.

Sisters — Deborah Baker, Anna Baker, Susan Sunderlin,
Catharine Sutton, Esther Hause, Clarissa Brown, Martha Kirk-
ham, Hannah Townsend, Lydia Sunderlin, Lydia Wright, Olla
I'oblyer, Bethiah Burr, Pothena Walker, Lana Osgood, Miriam
Bennett, Sally Demond, Betsey Booth, Elizabeth, wife of Lo-
dewick Disbrow.

On the 27th of March, 1819, the first regular Church Meet-
ing was held ; and at this meeting Janna Osgood was chosen
Moderator, and Joseph Sunderlin, standing Clerk. And
amongst other things, they voted to hold their Church Meet-
ings on the first Saturday of each month at John Wright's.

Elder Sutherland was invited to supply the church with
preaching; and on Wednesday, April Gth, 3 819, he preached,
and the following were baptized : William Wortman, John
Wright, Charles Knspp, Selah Crosby, Eunice Knapp, Lydia
Chase, Elizabeth, the mother of Anthony Rarick, and Fanny
Wortman. Wednesday, May 12th, 1819, there was a meeting
held at Frederick Townsend's ; preaching by Elder Sutherland,
and James A. Swartkout and Miss Jacoby were baptised.

June 6th, 1819, Jane Sutton and Nancy Brown were baptised
into the church.

Sunday, August 1st, 1819, Elder Sutherland preached, and
the following were baptised by him, namely : Daniel Sunder-
lin and his sons, Dennis, Daniel W., Tippet, Ira and Eli Sun-
derlin, and three of their wives, Nancy S., Hannah and Fanny
Sunderlin, Azariah Finch and his wife, Hannah Silsbee, Polly
Dakin, Nancy Lang and Polly Burr. Elder Sutherland said
he baptised fifteen persons that day in sixteen minutes.

fcsptember 5th, 1819, the following were baptised : Stephen
Robinson and wife, and Almeda Sunderlin. Jonathan Ketch-
urn joined the church by letter April 8, 1820, and in October,
1821, the "Church voted that Brother Jonathan Ketchum have
the privelege of preaching in the bounds of the church." They
erected their meeting house in 1821, in Sunderlin Hollow, on

TOWN OF BAPKINGTON.

163 j!

the north side of the east and west road, nearly opposite John
Wright's. The first meeting was held in this meeting house
April f.th, 1822. In February, 1822, they chose Ephraim
Wright and Charles Knapp deacons. When the town of
Wayne was divided, the greater part of the church society fell
in Barrington,. hence the name was subsequently changed to
"The Barrington Baptist Church," which name it now bears.
The dilapidated remains of this meeting house still stand.
The Barrington Baptist Church have a house of worship in the
village of Wayne.

The second minister that served this church was Daniel Sher-
wood, and he was followed by Jonathan Ketchum, who preach-
ed for them over twenty years. Jonathan Ferris was also a
preacher for them at an early period. Elder Ferris was killed
by lightning in his own house in the south part of Milo. A
daughter of Elder Ketchum is the wife of Sackett B. Wixson,
the present Supervisor of Barrington.

WARSAW BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was organized at a meeting held at the house of
John Moore March 20th, 1838, the following persons, mostly
from the Barrington and Second Milo churches, constituting
the original membership: Tippett Sunderlin, Peter H. Crosby,
Abraham Hopkins, Elam W. Hopkins, Thomas Hopkins,
Samuel B. Seymour, John Moore, William Freeman, Robert E.
Baker, Stephen Robinson, John Smith, jr., Janna Osgood, Jo-
seph Finton, James Baker, Stephen. Smith, Loranee Chubb,
Susan Smith, Lucretia Kenyon, Rebecca Smith, Eliza Osgood,
Thankful Finton, Almedia Sunderlin, Grace A. Beach, Naomi
Hopkins, Rachel M. Hopkins, Rebecca Miles, Mary Oakley,
Sabra Moore, Lucy Freeman, Aliva Robinson, Sally Miles,
Deborah Baker, Julia Baker, Mary A. Moore, Charity Baxter,
Mahala Kinne.

A meeting house was built in 1838, at a cost of §1,200. The
church was supplied by Simon Sutherland the first six months,
until the house was erected. Reuben P. Lamb was the first
pastor, and he served three years. The next was Horace Spencer,

164 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

and after him David B. Olney preached for this church twelve
years. Then J. S. Webber, one year : Reuben P. Lamb,
three and one-half years ; A. J. Buel, one year ; George
Baptist, nine months ; Lewis Brasted, now serving. The
first deacons, were Stephen Robinson and Abraham Hopkins ;
and subsequently Tippett Sunderlin, Peter H. Crosby, John
Wilkins, Richard Lawrence and Sackett B. Wixson, have filled
that office. John Moore was clerk three and one-half years.
Peter H. Crosby, twenty-one years, and Sackett B. Wixson
seven years. The trustees have been — Tippett Sunderlin, eight
years. ; Philo Chubb, twenty-three years ; William Kinne, ten;
Peter H. Crosby, fourteen ; Henry Kinne, three ; Samuel Wil-
liams, twelve ; Robert E. Baker, one ; John Gibbs, two ; Dar-
win Sunderlin, three ; Jesse C. Knapp, eight; Martin Wixson,
five ; Daniel Tattle, three years. The present house of wor-
ship was erected in 1867, and dedicated April 17th, 1868. Its
cost, with lot and furnishing, was $5,000. This church has had
several important revivals during the thirty-one years of its
history.

A Presbyterian Church was organized at Warsaw, September
21, 1830. It had fifteen members in 1832, twenty-nine in
1837, and ceased to exist in 1840. The clergymen of that
faith who labored with them, were Benjamin B. Smith, John
S. Reasoner, Samuel T. Babbitt and George T. Everest. The
American Home Missionary Society aided in their support.

ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN AND TOWN OFFICERS.

When Steuben county was organized, all that now forms
the towns of Tyrone, Wayne, Reading, Starkey and Barring
ton, was included in the town of Frederickton, so named in
honor of Frederick Bartles, a German, who built a mill at the
outlet of Mud Lake in 1793, under the patronage of Charles
Williamson. Afterwards Reading was cut off, and the town of
Wayne organized, including what is now Barrington. Finally
in 1822 the town of Barrington was created with its present
boundaries, and in 1826 it was added with Starkey to Yates
county. The first town meeting was held February 24th, 1823,

TOWN OF BAEKXNGTON. 165

at the house ot Daniel Rapalee, (the old Teeples place.) Rich-

ard Eddy was elected Supervisoi

• ; Daniel Rapalee, Town Clerk ;

Joseph Mc Cain, Collector ;

James A. Swarthout, Jeremiah

Shaw and Lodowick Disbrow

Commissioners of Highways ;

Ephraira Bennett, Matthew Mc Dowell and Robert Armstrong,

Commissioners of Schools ; Ira Church, Matthew Knapp and

Tippett Suhderlin, Assessors ;

Ezekiel Blue and Victor Put-

nam, Overseers of the Poor ;

Joseph Mc Cain, Elijah Baker

and Peter Putnam, jr., Constables ; Dennis Sunderlin, Richard

Eddy and Ira Sunderlin, Inspectors of Common Schools; Dan-

iel Rapalee, Pound Master. The subsequent Supervisors have

been —

1824 Alexander Patten,

1847 John Wright,

1825 Alexander Patten,

1848 Archibald Campbell,

1826 Alexander Patten,

1849 Archibald Campbell,

1827 Alexander Patten,

1850 Chauncey Boyce,

1828 Ephraim Bennett,

1851 Daniel Disbrow,

1829 Asker Spicer,

1852 Daniel Disbrow,

1830 James A. Swarthout,

1853 William Kinne,

1831 James A. Swarthout,

1854 Martin Holmes,

1832 Stephen Bobinson,

1855 Samuel V. Miller,

1833 Stephen Bobinson,

1856 Daniel Disbrow,

1834 Ezekiel Blue,

1857 Joseph F. Crosby,

1835 Ezekiel Blue,

1858 Samuel Williams,

1836 John Spicer,

1859 George N. Wilson,

1837 John Spicer,

1860 Abel Ward,

1838 Levi Knox,

1861 Peter H. Crosby,

1839 Levi Knox,

1862 Jonathan Taylor,

1840 Lodowick Disbrow,

1863 Asa P. Fish,

1841 Lodowick Disbrow,

1864 Asa P. Fish,

1842 Lodowick Disbrow,

1865 Delazon J. Sunderlin,

1843 George W. Wolcott,

1866 Delazon J. Sunderlin,

1844 George W. Wolcott,

1867 Benson Smith,

1845 Martin Holmes,

1868 Jesse C. Knapp,

1846 John Wright,

1869 Sackett B. Wixson.

The town meetings were hel<

I for many years at the Daniel

Rapalee tavern, afterwards kep

t by Levi Knox, and finally by

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

James Ketchum, until Warsaw became a centre of sufficient
importance to eclipse this ancient stand. The place is now
owned by Lewis Mc Connell.

Amos C. West, it is said, was the first school teacher in Bar-
rington, and taught in 1810, a school not far from the Teeples
neighborhood. West afterwards kept a tavern at the foot of
Keuka Lake. James A. Jackson, a stammering man, and the
father of Gen. Daniel Jackson, now of Watkins, taught a term
quite early, attended by children from Barrington, in the log
school house, on Jonathan Bailey's old place in Milo. Ezra Win-
ship, who lived in Jerusalem, taught in 1815, near the Teeple's
tavern, called the Knapp district. Richard Eddy, Enoch De
Camp, Selah Crosby, Ira Sunderlin, Elder Jonathan Ketchum,
James L. Seeley, George W. Simmons, Sarah Lounsbury,
Semantha Robinson, Daniel Bateman, Mr. Van Croft and Lizzie
Stewart were also early teachers in that town.

The population of Barrington decreased four hundred in the
twenty-five years included between 1840 and 1865, and in
1825 it was larger by 630 than in 1865. From 1840 to 1850
the decrease was 338.

THE CRYSTAL SPRING.

In the Spring of 1865, when the country was crazy with oil
speculation, indications of petroleum were believed to exist
wherever gases of an inflamable character escaped from the
earth. A " deer lick " on lot 50 in Barrington affording rich
appearances of this sort, a company was formed in the vicin-
ity to bore for oil. At a depth of forty-three feet the water came
up so abundantly it was difficult to go farther. This was soon
found to have medicinal virtues, for which it has acquired a
great fame. Erasmus Wright and Benson Smith, becoming
proprietors of the location, erected, in 1867, a house of four
stories, one hundred feet long, and forty-two wide, with a two
story wing seventy by thirty-two feet. The place has become
a very popular resort, and very many people who have tested
the virtues of the water have believed themselves much bene-
fitted by its use. The flow of water is sufficent to fill a two

TOWN OF BAEKINGTON. Ifi7

inch tube constantly. A house was opened at the Spring by
Sylvester Bowers in 1866, before the larger structure was
built,

No account has been furnished to the writer of more than
five distilleries that ever existed in Barrington. One of them
was on the Gore operated by John C. Bodine ; another by
John Carr near his grist mill.

Lorenzo D. Snook, of Barrington, a young man of twenty-
four, a son of Oliver Snook, and grandson of Lodowick Dis-
brow, is an industrious and prolific writer for agricultural publi-
cations, a regular contributor to the Rural New Yorker and
other papers. He adds interest and value to his articles in the
use of his pencil by giving ingenious and tasteful illustrations
of his subjects. He has received many commendations
from the agricultural papers for his contributions.

Joshua Raplee is one of the largest land owners of Barring-
ton, and a farmer who has taken much interest in the cultiva-
tion of stock, especially sheep and horses of the best quality.

Near the Lake within the past few yea' s grapes have been
extensively planted with good success. The leading cultiva-
tors are Joseph F. Crosby, Amos Egleston, Isaac Crosby,
Alanson Crosby, Selah Crosby, George W. Finton, Arthur O.
Kane and Ogden Wortman. Delazon J. Sunderlin, and his
sons have also been very successful cultivators of grapes on
their premises near the Crystal Spring.

Chubb Hollow, a valley which forms the bed of the north
branch of Big Stream, was so named from Philo Chubb, who
was for many years a resident in that locality. He is no long-
er a citizen of the town.

Barrington has now but two churches, one Baptist and one
Methodist.

William Ovenshire states that Barrington was so named, by
residents of the town who came from Great Barrington, Massa-
chusetts, in honor of the place from which they emigrated.

168 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

CHAPTER VII.

BENTON.

tS originally constituted, the town of Benton embraced,
in addition to its present territory, all that is included in
Milo and Torrey. It was taken from Jerusalem, February 12,
1803., and named Vernon. A town was formed with the name
of Vernon the previous year in Oneida county, and the incon-
venience of having two towns of the same name was remedied
in 1808, by an act of the Legislature passed April 6, changing
the name of the Ontario County Vernon, to Snell, in honor of
Jacob Snell, at that time a State Senator from Montgomery
county. The people were dissatisfied with the new name, and
early in 1810, a meeting was held at the Inn of Luman Phelps,
on the corner of Main and Head streets, in Penn Yan, at which
it was resolved to petition the Legislature to change the name
of the town to Benton, in honor of Levi Benton, the first set-
tler in township number eight, first range, and a justly popular
and prominent citizen. Nathan P. Cole, was one of the com-
mittee to draw the petition, to which the Legislature responded
by the act of April 2, 1810, giving the town the name it very
properly retains. Milo was taken off in 1818, leaving to Ben-
ton all of township number eight, and all that lay eastward
thereof to Seneca Lake. Its fine proportions were marred in
1851, by the creation of Torrey, which took from Benton six
entire lots of number eight and a corner from the seventh by
a northeastward line to the lake, then including what was east
of the old Pre-emption line within these boundaries.

TOWN OF BENTON.

169

The land between the old Pre-emption line and Seneca Lake
was on Reed and Ryekman's location, and township number
eight was one of those ceded to the Lessee Company by Phelps
and Gorham. Of course the territory between the two Pre-
emption lines fell under the control of Charles Williamson, as
part of the Pultney estate, and titles thereon are all derived
from him, or from the State in his stead, to indemnify him.
The disposition made of number eight by the Lessees, is ex-
plained by an old document in the hands of the writer, which
gives the "draught," as it was called, of the lots. The numbers
in the schedule following are arranged consecutively, and not
according to the original order. The change is made for the
convenience of the reader.

NAMES OF THE PERSONS WITH THE NUMBER OF THE LOTS ANNEXED
TO THEM IN TOWNSHIP NO. 8, AS DRAWN AT KANADESAGA.

2 James Parker,

3 James Dean.

4 Annanias Cooper,

6 Henry Trernper,

7 Henry G. Livingston,

8 Colton M. Smith,

10 Hugh Walsh,

11 Henry B. Livingston.

13 Charles Mc Kinstry,

14 Ezra Reed,

16 Bazalean Seeley,

17 Abraham Cuyler,

18 Hezekiah Olcott,

19 James Bryant,

22 Dominick De Bartzch,
25 Morris Graham,

27 Peter Bartle,

28 Jeremiah Jahin,

29 Abraham Schuyler,

30 John McKinstry and Garrett

Ryckman,

32 Sarah Reed,

33 John Collins,

34 Robert Troup,

35 Henry Platner,

36 Obadiah Gore,

38 Matthias Visscher,
40 John Mc Kinstry,
42 Shepherd and Shaw,

47 Andrew Latting,

48 Lawrence Trernper,

49 John Bartle,

53 Benjamin Chase and Jarei

' Coffin,

54 William Badcliff,

55 Ezekiel Gilbert,

56 Simeon Spalding,

58 Peter Loop,

59 William H. and Peter Lud

low,

60 Peter Ryckman,

61 John Bay,

63 Elark Jennings,

64 Nathaniel Jeribu,

65 Daniel Niven,

66 Benjamin Allen,

170

HJSTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

70 John D. P. Douw,

71 Jacob J. Shaver,

72 William Hopkins,

73 William Whiting,

75 John and Andrew White.
76,Seth Jenkins and Panl Hus-
sey,

77 Peter Bishop.

78 Henry Livingston,

79 David Collin,

81 Caleb Benton,

82 John Graham,

83 John Livingston,

84 Wm. Wall,

85 Benjaman Birdsall,

86 Richard D. Cantling,

87 Stephen Hogeboom and Hen-

ry Trempcr,

88 Joseph Baruard,

89 William Pearce,

90 Benjamin Brown,
92 William Potter,

96 Jacob H. Wendle,

97 Peter Schuyler and Henry

Tremper,

98 Prince Bryant,

99 Joseph Hamilton,

100 Eleazer Lindley,

101 Walter Wemple,

104 Henry J. Van Renssalaer,

105 Isaiah Paris,

106 Peter R. Livingston,
110 Ebenezer Husted,
112 John Mai lev,

Nos.

"Blank lots, left in township No. 8 for surveying, viz :
95, 5 and 9."

"Lots said to. be sold to Joseph Smith, to discount his bond
given by the agents for the sum of £1,000, or an equivalent in
lands, and taken up by John Livingston for the five lots of
land in township No. 8, viz : Nos. 39, 41, 43, 45 and 62."

"A disposition of five lots of land in said township No. 8,
given to Nicholas Rosecrants to discharge his bond for £1,000
dues given to him by the said agents, viz : Nos. 67, 69, 94, 91
and 93."

"Lots No. 1 and 26 in said Township No. 8, sold to Caleb
Benton, for which the company have credit in his private ac-
count."

"Lot 37 sold to Levi Benton, for which the company have
credit in the agent's account."

"Lots 44 and 50 said to be disposed of to surveyors "

"The remaining 24 lots in township No. 8, viz : — 12, 15, 20,
21, 23, 24, 31, 46, 51, 52, 57, 68, 74, 80, 102, 103, 107, 103,
109, 113, 114, 115, 116, are balloted for this 20th November,

TOWN OF BENTON. 171

1789, in township No., 9, to make the division equal, as refer-
ence being thereunto had, will more fully appear. Done by us.

WILLIAM H. LUDLOW,
STEPHEN HOGEBOOM,
JABED COFFIN.

It is probable that the disposition of the several lots in town-
ship number eight, mentioned by Mr. Turner as occurring in
1788, was not carried out, as it varies widely from the forego-
ing schedule.

To whom the balloted lots fell does not appear. The lots
are somewhat singularly numbered in pairs, and two lines of
lots are taken together across the township, from north to south
beginning on the east side. No. 1 falls in the second tier of
lots, and No. 2 is the northeast corner lot of the township.
The lots were designed to include two hundred acres each, ex-
cept four in the centre of the township which were to contain one
hundred and sixty acres each, embracing together just a square
mile. These were intended to be set apart for school purposes,
but the design was abandoned. The lots are said to have
mostly overrun the original survey in the quantity of land.

The earliest white occupation was at Kashong, by the French
traders De Bartzch and Poudre, but they could not be called in
any just sense settlers. Levi Benton and his family were the
first who came to stay and stand by civilized ideas of life. His
cabin was erected on lot 37, the next year after the beginning
made by the Friends near City Hill. Dr. Caleb Benton, the
cousin of Levi Benton, and the indefatigable operator of the
Lessee Company, had his saw mill in operation on Kashong
Creek, where the Tully limestone forms a cascade, in the pres-
ent village of Bellona, nearly or quite as soon as the Friends
had theirs, where the same rock forms a similar cascade on the
Keuka outlet. Dr. Benton, it would seem, either by purchase
or agency, became the vendor of much of the land, as many of
the present titles rest on his deeds. More, however, are de-
rived from John Livingston, who succeeded Dr. Benton in the
direct capacity of agent for the company.

172 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Kashong was the gateway by which settlers entered that
part of the country. It was known for many years as "Ben.
Barton's Landing." It was a beautiful point where a fine In-
dian village had been destroyed by Sullivan's men. Some of
the Indian apple trees it is said remained over fifty years after
the first settlement of the country. Major Barton was inter-
ested in the Niagara Lessee Company, and agent for it. In
1787, he aided in driving a drove of cattle and sheep from New
Jersey to Niagara, to simply the British garrison and Indian
department. He bought of Dominick De Bartzch a farm of
seven hnndred acres at Kashong. ' It has been stated by Major
Barton's son, that the purchase was made of Poudre ; but John
H. Jones, an early surveyor and Indian interpreter, who wit-
nessed the confirmation of the bargain, does not so relate. He
states that Poudre was the servant of De Bartzch, and assisted
him in the Indian trade. He says De Bartzch made the sale
and Major Barton afterwards had some difficulty to get it rati-
fied by the State, as it was strenuously opposed, probably by
Reed and Ryckman. He succeeded by the kind assistance of
Gov. George Clinton.

It has been said, and it is not improbable, that a Catholic
priest from Oswego visited Kashong while De Bartzch and
Poudre were there, and held religious service, the red men and
women of the vicinity forming the principal audience. Such a
visitation, if it occurred, was in the footsteps of the Jesuit
fathers who had done so much' more than a century before to
convert the Iroquois to Catholicism.

Major Barton resided at Kashong about twenty years. He
married the daughter of James Latta, an early settler in the
town of Seneca. From 1802 to 1806 he was Sheriff of Ontario
County, by appointment of Gov. George Clinton, and was a
man of high consideration in the country. He was a surveyor,
and was long employed by the Surveyor General in the survey
of the Military Tract. As his son, James L. Barton, related,
in an address at Buffalo, in 1848, he became "forehanded," and

TOWN OF BENTON.

173

determined to build a better house than the log cabin he at first
inhabited. He proceeds with the narrative as follows :

"He commenced in 1796 or 1797, the erection of a large
square two story frame house, and from its peculiar and favora-
ble locality and beautiful site, on the traveled road from Gene-
va to Bath, in Steuben county, supposed it might be wanted in
time for a tavern, and had a large ball-room made in it. Owing
to adverse circumstances, one of which was the failure of the
contractor, he lost three hundred dollars, a large sum at that
time. Another was, that his lumber after being well dried and
fit for use, caught fire in the kiln and was destroyed. These
retarded its completion for several years. At length it was
finished, and being the only house for several miles around of
a suitable size for the purpose, the master workmen and his
joiners, together with some other young men, were desirous of
having a house warming and spinning bee. That year he had
grown an extraordinary crop of flax, and the young men said
if he would let them have the frolic, they would hackle and
dress the flax, get the'fiddlers, collect the girls, and do all they
could to lighten the burthen on him. He gave his permission
— they turned in, dressed the flax, and then making up seventy-
two half pound bunches, put them in bags and scattered them
round the country for several miles, amongst the girls as cards
of invitation.

"In those days there were no pianos nor guitars in the coun-
try, and the girls made music on spinning wheels, and the
notes they practiced upon were flax and wool. The flax was
to be spun into threads of a certain number, and on the even-
ing of the party, each girl was to bring her skein of thread.
Those who lived on roads leading direct, came in wagons.
Others, who lived in the woods, where some of the prettiest
girls were found, mounted a horse behind a young man, with a
blanket to sit upon, dressed in their every day apparel, with
woolen stockings and strong shoes on. They would dash
through the woods on some trail, through brooks, and over
every obstacle in their way, carrying their ball dress and skein

174 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

of thread in a bundle in their hand. A few minutes at the
toilet put them in a condition for the ball room. Others living
only a mile or two away, thought it no great task to come on
foot. In the ball room, their rosy cheeks, their sparkling eyes
and blooming health, gave pleasure to all who beheld them ;
and their vigorous systems, strengthened by hard daily labor,
enabled them to dance and enjoy it, and with life and spirit
would they skip through the dance, like the young fawns of
their own woods. The supper was prepared by my mother,
and well, too, from the products of the farm, and with the ad-
dition of coffee, tea, sugar, and some light wine, was all that
was necessary or desired. Information reaching Geneva of
the party, about thirty of the elite of that place came down
and joined heartily in the pleasures going on. As no barn
could hold the horses, they were picketed around the wagons
and fences, and plenty of hay spread before them. As daylight
began to appear, the girls would doff their ball dresses, and
having again donned the homespun, disappear for their homes
in the woods."

In 1809 Major Barton removed to Lewiston. The roads
during the first few years were quite provisional, and run in any
convenient direction through the woods. When farms were
somewhat cleared, regular roads became necessary. The earli-
est record that exists of any in Benton, is that from Benton
Centre to Penn Yan, surveyed by Joseph Jones and Joshua
Andrews, Commissioners, in 1799, "beginning at the centre of
No. 8, first range, running south through the middle of said
town 940 rods, thence south 40 degrees east, 150 rods to the
northeast corner of Robert Chissom's lot." The same day they
recorded a road running from the southwest corner of lot 58,
eastward to Perley Dean's, or near there, intersecting a road
said to run from Levi Benton's to township No. 7. So it would
appear that the Flat Street road was then a recognized highway.

Blazed trees marked the corners and lines of lots, and finally
roads were made to follow these lines, except where other
routes had become so much established that they could not be

TOWN OF BENTON. 175

conveniently changed. December 3, 17Q9, Joseph Jones and
Daniel Brown, jr., as Commissioners, surveyed a road "begin-
ning at the east line of Township No. 8, in the second range,
38 rods north of lot No. 9 in said town ; thence north 40 de-
grees east, to the north line of township No. 8, in first range,
being about two miles." This road passes through Ferguson's
Corners, and was formerly called the "Potter road." The Pre-
emption road was surveyed in 1802, Nov. 18th. Levi Benton
was Commissioner of Highways most of the time till 1812,
and by him nearly all the more important roads in Benton and
Milo were laid out. His son, Joseph Benton, is frequently
mentioned in the record, as the surveyor by whom the roads
were run out. Levi Benton had as associate Commissioners
during the time he served, Joseph Jones, Daniel Brown, John
Lawrence, Robert Downey, Thomas Howard, Griffin B. Haz-
ard, Morris F. Sheppard, Charles Roberts and Stephen Whita-
ker. After them came Isaac Hedges, Abner Woodworth,
Joshua Way, Jonathan Whitaker, Robert Buckley, John Re-
iner, Meredith Mallory, Avery Smith, David Briggs, Robert
Patterson Jared Patchen, Stephen Purdy and Abel Peck.
These were all previous to 1819. Of surveyors mentioned in
connection with the laying out of these roads, there were Bene-
dict Robinson, Joseph Jones, Joseph Benton, Robert Patterson,
Ephraim S. Kidder and Seth Clark.

The earliest roads or pathways through the forest, were those
which led to Kashong as one important point, to Smith's mills
and the Friend's Settlement, to Dr. Benton's saw mill, and to
Geneva. Dr. Benton, when he built his mill, must have owned
lots one and two entire. The mill was on the spot Avhere the
grist mill owned by George R. Barden and his son Ashley now
stands in Bellona. He reserved the timber on four hundred
acres for the use of the mill, and rented the whole tract and
mill to Thomas and James Barden, for four years at ninety
dollars a year. The Bardens, during their lease, furnished the
lumber for Mr. Williamson to build the Geneva Hotel and
Mile Point house. It was shipped from the mouth of Kashong

176 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Creek and was a profitable contract. They received one cent
per foot, running measure, for all sizes and widths of lumber,
the whole amounting to four thousand dollars, a large sum in
those days, which was promptly paid by Mr. Williamson in
silver coin.

After the expiration of the Barden lease, the entire tract and
mill were sold to Joseph Loughead from Pennsylvania, for
four thousand dollars, and he built a grist mill on the north
side of the creek opposite the saw mill of that day. The mill
was provided with two run of stone. The first pair was
wrought from boulders of granite found in the vicinity, and
were fashioned by Dyer Woodworth, and by him ironed and
hung, he being both a blacksmith and stone cutter. One of
the rocks from which an upper stone was split, is now to be
seen on the Buel Mariner farm. The bed stone was taken
from a boulder found by the roadside, on Thomas Barden's
premises. These rude fixtures were used for many years, and
made flour that was thought good enough in those days. To
bolt the flour was a separate operation, for which it was carried
by the miller from the lower to the upper story. The old mill-
stones may now be seen, one covering a well at Mrs. Slater's,
and the other at the north end of the bridge in Bellona.

Loughead owned the property about fifteen years, in which
time but little more than the mill and blacksmith shop were
added to the place. He lived in a framed house built- by Dr.
Caleb Benton, which was only removed from its location a few
months ago. In this house Thomas Barden was born March
11, 1793. He was a grandson of Levi Benton, and the second
birth in the town. John Pembroke, an early settler, died in
the same house a few years ago. About 1815, Thomas Wood,
from Ulster county, bought the mill and two hundred acres of
the land. Jacob Whitney and Robert and Henry Oxtoby
bought the remaining two hundred acres and occupied it long
after. From this period the village began to grow, and it was
variously called Slab Hollow, Pinkneyville, Wood's Hollow,
and finally Benton, which name it retained as a Post Office

TOWN 'OP BENTON. 177

designation till 1868, when it was changed to Bellona, the
name given to the village by Samuel G. Gage, in 1818. Tra-
dition says the name was suggested by a fierce fight which oc-
curred in the place, under alcoholic inspiration, between John
McDermott and his wife, in which the lady was triumphant.

The village is located where the valley widens, at a point
where another and smaller stream comes in from the northwest,
and the banks have a moderate inclination, and where the Tnlly
limestone forms a cascade of twenty-seven feet. There is a
descent of one hundred and sixty feet to the lake from this
point, through a deep ravine, with some smaller cascades. The
elevation from Bellona south to the point where the waterSow
turns to the Keuka Lake outlet is thought to be not less than j
one hundred feet. The waters are found to divide on the prem- i
ises of Lewis R. Peck, on lot No. 40.

It is related that in 1791, Caleb Benton builta barn 30 by 40
feet, beginning on Monday morning with the trees standing in
the woods. The trees were felled, hewed and framed, and the '
barn enclosed so that wheat was drawn into it on Saturday of \
the same week. This barn is supposed to have been the first
erected west of Seneca Lake.

About half a mile east of Bellona, by the creek, there was a
deer lick. Here Archibald Cole, in one of the early years, shot
John Taylor, supposing by the motion through the bushes that j
he was taking aim at a deer. He carried the wounded man to
his home, where the stone house of David Barnes now stands ;
in Seneca. Here he was kindly cared for till he was able to
leave, and Dr. Henry's bill of fifty dollars was also cheerfully
paid by the man whose hazardous shot had proved so near a
homicide.

The first blacksmith at Bellona was Robert Longhead, who
manufactured sickles, and whose shop stood in 1805 where the
hotel shed now stands. Joseph Reynolds was the first cooper,
and his shop in 1805 stood near the location of the present
stone building of George G. Gage & Co. William Bridges

178 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

was a tanner whose shop in 1808 was the building which Dr.
A. B. Sloan now lives in and owns.

John Dye, the father of a noted family, bought the Kashong
farm of Benjamin Barton, and made it his homestead for many
years. He built a grist mill, it is said, as early as 1805, or
sooner, on the Kashong, about midway between Bellona and
the lake. A saw mill had been built at the same place some
years before, it is thought, by Thomas Gray, a bachelor, who
owned the north part of the Peacock farm, the next south of
Jephthah Earl, on the lake road. This saw mill was owned
by the Dyes. The grist mill was constructed by John Lafever,
millwright, and was afterwards known as the Barnes Mill.
The decease of Jchn Dye occurred about 1820, and both he
and Thomas Gray were buried in the Indian cemetery on the
Kashong bluff. After this the Dye farm was sold to Andrew
Brum, a showman, who exhibited the first elephant in this
region, previous to his purchase of the farm. His two sons,
Alexander and John, and his son-in-law, Augustus J. Batten,
came from New York city and lived with him on the farm.
He and both his sons died there and were buried in the Indian
burial ground. Batten then emigrated west. The Dye family
removed to Geneva, or near there. One of the daughters mar-
ried William Lilly, of the firm of Lathrop & Lilly, merchants
of Geneva. Benjamin, one of the sons, died in Geneva, un-
married, a lawyer. Peter married Maria Shepherd of Benton,
lived for a time at the mills owned by the family, then moved
to Geneva where he died. Sears, another son, is now a tanner
at Seneca Falls. William is supposed to have died at sea,
Eleanor married a relative by the name of Dye, and lives in
Seneca county. There were others of whom no information
has been obtained for these chronicles.

The Kashong farm, originally purchased by Barton, is now
owned as follows : 200 acres by Egbert Hurd, 325 by Jephthah
Earl, 100 by Arthur Earl, and 44 by Ebenezer Holcomb. The
creek runs through Mr. Holcomb's land, which also includes the
sacred burial place of the Senecas, but little of which remains
undisturbed by cultivation.

TOWN OF BENTON. 179

Egbert Hurd has been a resident here since 1847. He was
born in Dutchess county in 1804, married in 1839 Eliza Lacey,
who was born in Saratoga county in 1815. After living a few
years in Chemung county, he purchased 244 acres of the Ka-
shong farm, of James Simons at $30 per acre. He has been a
successful farmer, and has made a specialty of rearing stock
and fattening for market. He has commenced the grape cul-
ture and has a vineyard of eight acres in bearing. His house
is the one built by Benjamin Barton before 1800, in the erec-
tion of which only wrought nails were used. It was inhabited
by the Dye family and has since been remodeled, but the frame
and siding are still well preserved. The yard about the house
is fenced with red cedar posts from the banks of the Kashong,
which have stood more than sixty years without apparent
decay. Several yellow locust trees in the yard will measure
two and two and one half feet in diameter. '} ;5They have but
one surviving child, Albert R., who married Hannah, the
daughter of Owen R. Swarthont of Torrey, and they have one
child, Egbert S. Both parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Hurd have
deceased at their house since they have lived on this place.
Ebenezer Hurd, aged 94; Rebecca Hurd, 91 ; Edward Lacey,
nearly 90; Huldah Lacey, 91.

THE EARL FAMILY

Jephthah Earl, senior, was from Wilkesbarre, Pa., where he
married in 1789 Bridget Arthur, he being twenty-two and she
fifteen years old. They settled soon after on two hundred
acres bought of Charles Williamson, about two miles south-
west from Geneva, in the town of Seneca. At that time Gene-
va consisted of a few log habitations, and the young pioneer
followed an Indian trail to his location in the unbroken wilder-
ness. He paid four dollars per acre for his land, and it was a
struggle of long years to accomplish it, as shown by his deed
given in 1810 by Robert Troup, a successor of Mr. Williamson
in the control of the Pultney estate. He worked for Samuel
Latta sometimes for four dollars a month, to raise money to
make payments. Latta was deemed a man of great wealth, as

180 HTSTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

he was able to hire, and was estimated as worth three or four
thousand dollars. Their family numbered thirteen children,
of whom ten reached adult age, viz : Jesse, Clarry, Zeruah,
Susan, Fanny and Stephen, twins, Jephthah, Arthur, Matilda
and Laura. Of these, only Jesse, Jephthah and Arthur became
residents of Yates county.

In 1821, Jephthah Earl, senior, purchased the mill property
and sixty acres of land at Bellona, which he put in charge of
his son Jesse, who had married Janet Hooper of Seneca. They
afterwards purchased a farm east of the mill property, known
as the Lynn lot, where they removed and remained till 1836,
when Jesse disposed of his interest to his brother Jephthah, and
removed to Michigan, where he and his wife died, leaving four
children, survivors of a family of twelve, Susan J., Amelia,
John and George.

Jephthah Earl, the present resident at Kashong, was born in
1806. When about seventeen, he came to Bellona and worked
on the mill property with his brother Jesse, of which they be-
came joint owners by gift of their father. In 1827 he became
sole owner by purchase of his brother. In 1829 he married
Eliza Hutchinson of Bellona, who was born at Chittenango in
1804. They remained at Bellona till 1830, when he sold the
property there and purchased the farm on which he now resides
at Kashong. His original purchase was 210 acres, to which he
has added the farm originally owned by his brother Jesse, of
125 acres. These premises were then but little improved, sixty
acres only being cleared, and there was only a log house and
a frame barn. This barn was one of the oldest if not the first
built in the town. He erected a distillery on an extended scale
and run it for several years, and also built a store house at the
Kashong landing and established a grain market, which has
proved a great benefit to that region. His brother Arthur was
for several years associated with him in the distillery and pur-
chase of grain. They have frequently purchased seventy-five
thousand bushels of grain in one season, which has been
shipped at Kashong, and the Earls have ever been regarded as
dealers of probity and responsibility.

TOWN OF BENTON. 181

The farm is now in a high state of cultivation, well stocked
with cattle and sheep of superior quality which are fed for the
winter market, thus consuming the products t>f the land. The
mansion is a fine structure of cobble stone of generous dimen-
sions without extravagance. The barns and outbuildings are
ample, and well provided with all needed conveniences for
stock feeding and protection. They have had seven children,
of whom there survive, George W., Edwin L. and Xvaty A.,
all unmarried and residing at the homestead.

Arthur, the youngest son of the family, born in 1810, mar-
ried Sybil Conklin of Canaudaigua. She was born in New
Jersey in 1825, and died in 1860. His farm was a part of the
Barton tract. They had seven children, of whom are now
living, Frances A., Jesse, Albert and Dewitt C. The daughter
married W. Sterling Gunn, a hardware merchant at Grand
Rapids, Michigan. They have two children, Charles and
William.

Arthur Earl has also a highly improved farm productive of
both grain and grass, and devoted largely to the production of
the best grade of fat stock, principally sheep.

The Kashong place or old Barton farm, is chiefly contained
in lots 41 and 44 of Ryckman's location, but never belonged
to Reed or Ryckman, as Barton's purchase of De Bartzch, was
confirmed to him by the State. The word Kashong is said to
be of Indian deriviation, signifying absence of frost, or a spot
where frost is rare.

AVALTER ANGUS AND FAMILY.

Charles Williamson never failed to engage his brother
Scotchmen in his employ when opportunity offered, and seldom
made a mistake in so doing. He employed Walter Angus to
build his mill at Hopeton. The young Scot was a millwright
who had been but a short time in America, having landed in
New York in 1793. He lived at Hopeton, and worked for
Captain Williamson there and at Bath till 1800, when he
bought a firm of 114 acres of Benjamin Barton, on which he
settled the next year. He went to New York once with a

182

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

sleigh to get castings for the Hopeton mill. His son John re-
lates among reminiscenses given by Mr. Angus, that of a bear
hunt, in which he and his neighbor, with several dogs, chased
a bear up the Kashong creek to Bellona, through the saw mill,
and was only diverted from running into a house by a woman
in the door. He ran a mile or two further before he •took
refuge in a tree. They killed this one and the dogs treed
another which they shot at sixteen times ineffectually, and only
secured by cutting down the tree. Walter Angus was noted
for fruit grafting, and for having the best apples in any of the
orchards of his day. On one occasion he took a single bushel
of his greenings to the Salt Works at Syracuse, and received
quite a load of salt for them. He lived on his farm till 1855,
when he sold it to his son David. He went afterwards to
Michigan and lived with his daughter Agnes one year, and
died there in the ninety-first year of his age. He was buried
on the old farm where he had lived over half a century. His
wife was a Miss Davis, who died in 1855 at the age of seventy-
eight. They had ten children, Lydia 1st, Lydia 2d, Ann, Mary,
David, Charles, John, Andrew, Agnes and Maria. The first
two died in infancy as did the fourth.

Ann married Elijah Shaw, and lived and died in Barry,
Orleans county, N. Y., without children.

David, the fifth child, was born in 1800. He married Mary
Burge, lived for a time in Hornby, Steuben county, and after-
wards in Benton. He was a carpenter and builder of thresh-
ing machines. He owned one half the Bellona mill property a
number of years, and had charge of it. For some years he
was a miller at Branchport. He finally built a steamboat at
West Dresden, on a plan of his own invention, which did not
prove successful. His children were Phebe J., Andrew B., Delia
D., Elihu W., Maria E., Melissa, David H, William H., Jonathan
and Aner. Phoebe J. married, first, Barney Campbell, and after-
wards, on his decease, John Ames. She had two children by
the first marriage, Mortimer and William, and four by the sec-
ond. They live now in Indiana. Andrew B. has been three

TOWN OF BENTON.

183

times married, has one child, lives near Buffalo. His first two
wives were Mary Ann and Susan Slingerland, sisters, and his
third Louisa Pearce, the mother of his child. Delia D,
married John White, lives in Buffalo and has three or four
children. Maria married Arthur Tucker and lives in Indiana.
Melissa married a Mr. Bartholomew, has one child and lives in
West Dresden. Jonathan died a young man, and David and
William died young. Aner is not married.

Charles Angus, born 1802, married Mary, daughter of Thom-
as Barnes. Their children were George W., Maria E., Mary J.,
Charles T. and William D. He was a farmer in Benton, many
years a deacon in the Baptist church, and died in 1854. His
sons, George W. and William D. live on the farm with their
mother, and are not married. Maria E. married James Dorman,
and lives on a place near her fathers old home. Charles T. was a
volunteer in the 50th N. Y. Regiment of Engineers, and served
through most of the late war. He married Jennie Nares of
Geneva, has one child, and lives near his brothers.

John Angus, born 1804, married Deborah M. Smalley, of
New Jersey. He is a joiner and has made that his avocation
through life. He resides now in the town of Seneca. His
children are Andrew A., Walter W., Ellen M., Phoebe A.,
Mary E., Luther W., Jane S. and Julia E.

Walter W., now thirty-nine, became deaf at the age of
seven, by reason of scarlet fever. He learned the language of
mutes in New York, taught there several years, afterwards in
Michigan, and is now a teacher in the State Institution for the
deaf and dumb in Indiana. Phoebe A. lives at homeunmarried.
Luther W. enlisted in 1861, at the age of twenty, in the 74th
N. Y. Volunteers, was in nearly all the great battles of the
Army of the Potomac, and was wounded at Gettysburg. Jane
S. married Anthony Jackson of Seneca, and has two children,
Minnie and George Walter. Julia E. lives with her father
unmarried.

Andrew Angus died in 1828, at the age of twenty-two.

184 HIST0HY OP YATES COUNTY.

Agnes, born in 1809, married Horace G. Holcomb, lives in
Michigan and has two children, Walter and Isabella, each of
whom has been married, and each has one child.

Maria died at eighteen in 1831.

Agnes Angus, the sister of Walter Angus, married Angus
Mc Donald, and had one daughter, Agnes. On the death of her
parents, her uncle Walter sent for her 'and had her brought to
this country. She married Cornelius Hood of Seneca Falls,
and had a daughter Agnes and two sons, one of whom is sup-
posed to have died in a rebel prison. David, a younger broth-
er of Walter Angus, married a Miss Downs and had ten chil-
dren. Among their names are Euphemia, Margaret, Janette,
Mary, Agnes, Ann and Maria, twins, William and Isabella. On
the death of their mother, they were also sent for by their
uncle, Walter An ejus, and brought from Scotland. The most
of the family are in Minnesota. Euphenr a, Margaret and Ann
arc deceased.

THK BAKDEXS.

Otis Barden, then a young man of nineteen, and his brother
Thomas, six years older, in the Autumn of 1789, journeyed on
foot from their home in Attleborough, Massachusetts, to the
wilderness of the then far west, arriving at Caleb Benton's
saw mill, September 29th. Thomas had served in the war of
the Revolution, on the side of liberty, as had his brother George,
his father and grandfather, the latter having been killed in bat-
tle. His brother George also died in the service. They work-
ed for Dr. Benton and aided in getting out the lumber for the
Geneva Hotel, completed by Charles Williamson in 1794.
Having the first choice, they selected places to suit themselves
and bought land of Dr Benton — Otis on lot 50 in number eight
and Thomas near by in number nine. Their commencement is
so well described by their family historian, Dr. Henry Barden,
that we copy from him.

"In North Benton the surface of the land was rolling, and
watere d with brooks and springs, the ridges of gravel or loam
soil, some clay, interspersed with intervals of flat lands of

TOWN OF BENTON. 185

muck soil ; a heavy, tall growth of timber, consisting largely
of sugar maple, oak, elm, ash, basswood, beach, hickory, &c,
with .thick undergrowth, some swamp white oak that would
hew from 60 to 65 feet, with scarcely a limb ; hard maple from
two to three feet, and basswood frcm three to four feet through,
were specimens of the vast woodlands that determined their
choice in selecting farms.

In 1789 they struck the first blow and made the first clearing
for their future home, changed works with each othtr in chop-
ping down the heavy woods and cleaving the lands, kept bach-
elor's hall, and ground and pounded their corn to samp on the
top of a stump. "Samp and milk," and "milk and samp" were
principal articles in their bill of fare, and "they used to take
a dish of samp and milk very often, about every log, when
they got on a large tree," as they said when recounting their
early toils.

Otis revisited his New England home and returned with his
brother James. His arrival is stated in his journal, — via "Day-
ton to No, 8, thence to No. 9 in the first range, where I got
home February 21, 1792." In the mean time his brother
Thomas had happily found a help-mate, and wao married to Olive
Benton, a worthy daughter of Levi Benton, February 2d, 1792.
Polly Benton, an elder sister of Olive's, married Ezekiel Crock-
er, in 1791. This was the first marriage in the town, and it
was often said at the time and afterwards, "that everybody in
town was at the wedding."

It was a valuable discovery in those early days, that "blazed

trees" showed not only the laud-marks, but the path that led

from one neighbor to another, and by the light of these, Otis

often found his way to the Friend's Settlement and made

the acquaintance of James Parker and his amiable daughters.

What came of that happy adventure and acquaintance, is duly

recorded in the early chronicles of the following year, viz : —

that in January the faithful Elizabeth became his wife —

"Fly to the desert, fly with me."

186 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

But the poetry of desert life was never fully realized, until
they occupied the log cabin 12 by 12 feet square, in the clear-
ing on the south 100 acres of lot No. 50. A delightful spot,
hemmed in on all sides by a dense living forest, the song of
wild birds, the swift foot of the deer, with an occasional glance
from old Bruin to break the monotony, constituted their daily
surroundings, and their morning or evening calls.

They bought, at Geneva, March 10, 1793 of Captain Timothy
Allen one pot, fourteen shillings ; tea kettle, twelve shillings ;
broken kettle, four shillings ; skillet, three shillings sixpence ;
bowl two shillings, and began housekeeping in their solitary log
cabin, two to three miles distant through the woods, to their near-
est neighbors, Levi Benton, Thomas Barden, Truman Spencer
and Caleb Rice, toward Geneva. The next year they built a
larger log house on the north bank of the brook opposite the
cabin (which stood for nearly twenty years after, and much re-
spected, though rather dilapidated,) next another house of hewn
logs, two stories high, was added to the south side and extended
to the brink of the hill, with a space of ten or twelve feet be-
tween the houses, which was enclosed and served as entry, or
hall, with a double door on the east side, and a west door to
the deep cool well about ten feet distant from the door, with
the iron bound bucket hanging in the curb at the end of a long
pole and sweep that overlooked the premises.

Still an additional log room was annexed to the first on the
north side, and afterwards a house on the west side of the two
story house was built. By this time the log mansion began to
present an aspect as a model of the rustic architecture of the
times ; the doves cooed and built their nests in the sunny end
of the garret, the bees hummed and swarmed in the door yard
and garden, the children played on the side of the hill and
gathered wild flowers and touch-me-nots on the banks of the
brook ; while currants, cherries, apples, rareripes and grapes
were yielding their abundance in this fruitful Eden.

New settlers yearly came in. Enterprising men, stimulated
with hope and working with courage, took hold. The farming

MRS. ELIZABETH BARDEN.

TOWN OF BENTON. 187

operations went bravely on. The women were equally, if not
more prompt and skillful in their department ; never were
neighbors so kind and happy.

In some few years the forests were transformed, as if by
magic, to cultivated fields, waving with grain, and orchards
bending with fruit ; diligent and fair hands had planted seeds
that budded and blossomed in the wilderness in common with
the native stock ; a healthy generation of children had
sprung up.

Dyer Woodworth owned the farm and lived in a log house
situated a few feet in front of the present residence of Homer
Mariner, and his shop was four or five rods to the south of his
house.

Dennis Dean was the first school master, and taught in the
Tubbs log school house in 1803. The first school mistress was
CI any Smith, who taught in Dyer Woodworth's blacksmith
shop, fitted up in the summer of 1802.

Otis Barden took an active part in the early military organi-
zations, and as Sergeant received orders from Lieutenant Tru-
man Spencer to warn all the men within his bounds to appear
at the house of John Crow, in Geneva, on the twelfth day of
June, 1799, "complete in arms as the law directs." Thomas
Barden was Captain. Under a Lieutenant's commission, he re-
ceived the following note :

"Lieutenant Otis Bakden :— You are hereby notified to ap-
pear at Powell's Hotel, Geneva, on Wednesday, the fifth instant
precisely at one o'clock P. M., in uniform and with side armg,
for military improvement, and have with you your commission.
By order of LIEIT'T COLONEL.

Joseph Hall, Adj.

Dated, Phelps, October 2, 1805.

He was promoted to the rank of Captain, but resigned in
favor of his neighbor, Stephen "Wilcox.

The north 100 acres of lot No. 50, was purchased by his wife
of Dr. Benton for $300, November 14, 1805, and they added
other farms until they found themselves the owners of about
600 acres.

188 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

The following names of inhabitants were taken about 1804,
by Otis Barden, overseer of the highway, extending from the
north town line, below the centre road to the road running
east from Benton Centre, by Levi Benton's and were mostly
the first settlers and purchasers of the farms :

Joseph Richie, Joseph Corey, Rilish Woodworth, Dyer
Woodworth, Elisha Smith, Elihu White, Timothy Goff, Silas
H. Mapes, Abraham Florence, James Springstead, Jesse Lamer-
eaux, Isaac Horton, Stephen Wilcox, Enos Tubbs, Lyman
Tubbs, Jcseph Smith, Richard Wood, James Davison, Arteme-
dorus Woodworth.

Sluman and John Wattle previously owned the farm of Jo-
seph Richie in 1802. It is now owned and occupied by John
W. Williams.

Persevering industry and economy, with a desire to help
those needing assistance, were the strong traits of Oris Barden's
character. Many a pool family found a house and support in his
employ, and some even grew forehanded in working his lands.
He lived in the days Hushed with cider, cherry bounce, pure
rye, and good cheer generally, and neighbors participated freely
thereof for years. But when the Reform came, the decanters
and glasses were gradually cleared from the board, and there is
not a member of his family at this day but what is strictly
temperance, and for many years before his death, he adhered
to the principles and practice of temperance.

During the years of 1818 and 1819, he built his large man-
sion east of the old site, to be nearer the road, which still
stands. Some three or four years previous to his decease, he
divided and apportioned all his real estate among his children;
granting and conveying to each their portion by his warrantee
deed, which deeds were confirmed after his death by a de-
cree in chancery.

He died in January, 1832*, at the age of sixty-two, and
Elder John Goff preached his funeral discourse. He was kind,
affectionate and just in his relations as husband, father and

TOWN OF BENTON.

citizen, and respected by all. His ever faithful and aged wife
survived him upwards of twenty years, and died in 1855 at the
age of eighty-one.

They had eleven children, who all lived to adult age, viz : —
Betsey, Sally, Charlotte, Susan, Otis, James P., Henry, Ira P.,
William M., Eleanor C. and Lois E.

Betsey was born December 16, 1793, and is single ; she resides
on the homestead, which she owns in common with her sister,
Mrs. Susan Carpenter. She remembers distinctly the names
of the first settlers, and many interesting events of that early
day. Sally remained single*. She died in 1849, aged fifty-four
years.

Charlotte was born June 17, 1799. She married Aaron Dex-
ter, merchant. They moved to Albany, and thence to New
York. He purchased, and removed with his family on the
homestead in Benton, thence to Elmira, N. Y., where he died
October 20, 1865. They had three children : Hamilton
P., Caroline E., and John M. Mrs. Dexter, Caroline and John
M., reside at Elmira ; Hamilton P., in New Jersey.

Susan was born March 14, 1801. She married George Car-
penter, son of Daniel Carpenter of Ontario county. They
have no children. They moved to Greece, N. Y, where he died
May 2, 1864. Mrs. Carpenter removed to Benton, and resides
on the homestead with her sister Betsey.

Otis was born January 28, 1803. He was a farmer; he mar-
ried Cata Butler, daughter of Stephen Butler of Perinton N.
Y., October 25, 1827. They resided on the homestead and had
eight children : Willafd F., Orin, Stephen B., Otis, Catha-
rine, Henry P., Elizabeth and Myron. Otis, Catharine and
Myron died when young. He moved with his family to Man-
chester, N. Y. ; thence he emigrated with his family to Eureka,
Wis., where they now reside. Orin Barden was a member of
a Wisconsin regiment, and participated in numerous engage-
ments in the south west, during the rebellion.

James P. was born November 4, 1804. He was a farmer.
He married Charlotte C. Gage, daughter of Isaac D. Gage of

190

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Benton, April 14, 1827, and resided in Benton. They have two
children, Almeda and Melvin G. He moved with his family
to Jerusalem N. Y., thence to his residence near Havana, K Y.,
where they now reside.

Henry was born September 11, 1806. He is a practicing
physician and surgeon, a pupil of Prof. Valentine Mott, and
a graduate in medicine and surgery at the college of Physi-
cians and Surgeons of the University of this State. He has held
offices under the state and general governments, but has devo-
ted his life ably and successfully to the improvement of popu-
lar medicine, in establishing a syste'm of protective and cura-
tive specifics, He married Caroline Purdy, daughter of Steph-
en Purdy, March 26, 1836. They have two children, Helen J.
and W. Wallace, the last a graduate in medicine and surgery at
the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia, in 1867 ; and also
of the Homoeapathic Medical College of Philadelphia, in 1869.
They reside in Penn Yan.

Ira P., was born October 17, 1808. He was a farmer, and mar-
ried Susan, daughter of Samuel Hanley of Hector, N. Y., and
resided in Benton. They had one child, Elizabeth. They
moved to Hector. Elizabeth survives both her parents. She
married Reading B. Lefferts, and resides in Penn Yan.

William M. was born February 14, 1812, and married Olive,
daughter of Samuel Hanley of Hector. They resided in Ben-
ton and had six children : John M., Oliver P., Aaron,
Levi and Louisa, twins, and Samuel H. Olive and three of
her children died while living at Benton. He moved with the
remainder of his family, John M., Oliver P. and Samuel
H., to Mansfield, Pa., where he is a practicing Homoeopathic
physician of good standing.

Oliver P. has an honorable war record. He enlisted in Co. F,
11th Regiment Pa. V. Cavalry and served during a three
years' term. He is a graduate of the Homasopathic Medical
College of Philadelphia. He and his brother John are prac-
ticing physicians in Tioga county, Pa.

TOWN OF BENTON. 191

Eleanor C. was born February 10, 1815, and married Daniel
Ryal of Milo. a farmer ; moved to Faraiington, Michigan,
thence to Milo, N. Y., and occupied her residence on the
Prentiss farm. She had one child, Otis B., who died in his
infancy in 1840. He was adopted and brought up by his aunts
Betsey and Sally Barden and Mrs. Carpenter to adult age. He
enlisted in Co. I, 148th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, and died
in the service at Yorktown, in 1863, aged twenty-three. He was
beloved by his comrades and officers, who sent his body to his
northern home for burial. Rev. Frederick Starr, jr., preached
the funeral discourse, and a long procession of friends and
neighbors followed his remains to the grave, his coffin draped
with the national flag.

Lois E. was born February 14, 1817. She married Henry
H. Gage, a farmer.

Capt. Thomas Barden, who married Olive Benton, as before
stated, February 2, 1792, had the following children : Thomas
4th, Ezekiel C, Levi, Otis B., Olive, Isaac, Richard and Polly.
Thomas 4th served in a cavalry regiment in the war of 1812,
making four generations of Thomas Bardens that resisted Brit-
ish agression. Capt. Thomas Barden was killed on the 11th
of June, 1813, by one John Decker, a blacksmith, of Potter
Centre, at or a little north of the Old Castle, on his march
from the lines with his company, in Major Huie's regiment.
In the hurry and crowding of the march, the horse of Capt.
Barden, pressed and jostled Decker. Fearing that Decker
might think it intentional, he rode back, dismounted his horse,
and while putting out his hand with an apology for the collis-
sion, Decker dealt him a violent blow under the left ear and
felled him dead at his feet. Decker was tried for murder, at
Canandaigua, convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to
State Prison for a term of four years. Thomas 4th, Levi and
Otis, reside on the homestead in No. 9.

Susannah remaiued in New England, and married Nebediah
Smith.

James Barden married Olive Wolcott, a sister of Elisha and
Walter Wolcott, and resided in Seneca. They had four children:

192 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Chauncey, Olive, Harriet and James. Harriet is the only
survivor. She married Samuel Wheeler, son of George Wheel-
er of Benton, and resides in Green Valle3r, Sonoma county, Cali-
fornia. In the fall of 1807, Olive, relict of James Barden,
married for her second husband, Dr. Erastus B. Woodworth.

Thomas Barden and his wife, the father and mother of Otis,
afterwards emigrated to this country with the remainder of
their children : Sylvanus, Milly, Eunice, Lois and George.
They prepared two ox-sleds of capacious dimensions in which
they packed their household goods. They put before each sled
a yoke of large oxen, and one horse before each yoke as leader.
They arrived with much joy and cordial welcome at the heme
of their son Otis in March, 1799. A new log house was soon
built on a lot of fifty acres, appropriated by their son Thomas
as their homestead, on the north side of his lot, and they all
moved there.

Sylvanus married Patty Atwater, and resided on the home-
stead. They had one child, Sylvanus Perry, who owns and oc-
cupies the homestead.

Milly married Rufus Smith of Seneca, a farmer, and had
sons and daughters.

Eunice married Elijah Witter of Seneca, Ontario county,
who owned the mills north of Bethel.

Lois married Calvin Benton, a son of Levi Benton.

George Barden was born February 26, 1788, and named
after his brother, who died as before stated, and came with his
father to the town of Seneca, N. Y., in 1799. In August,
1808, he married Dolly Witter, daughter of Elijah Witter of
Seneca. She was born at Lackawaxen, Pa., February 22, 1789,
and in 1810 they moved on the farm where they now reside,
in the town of Benton, it being the south half of lot No. 49.

Here they raised their large family of thirteen children, all
of whom reached adult age : Dolly, Hannah, George R.,
Elizabeth, Sylvanus, James, Levi, Philo, Lucy A., Minerva,
Mary J.. Martin W. and Tilson C. James, Philo and Lucy
died single.

TOWN OF BENTON. 193

Dolly married George Whitney of Seneca, and emigrated to
Wheatland, Michigan, where they now reside with their family :
Jane, Barden, Emma and Levi M.

Hannah married William L. Mitchel of Benton, and resides
at Bellona. They had no children.

George R. married Elmira Southerland of Potter, daughter
of James Southerland. They settled in Benton, where he now
lives, and where she died, leaving four children : Ashley R.,
Lucy, Jennie and Theda H. Mr. Barden married for his sec-
ond wife, Jennie Wilkinson, of Penn Yan. George R. Barden
represented the county in the Legislature in the session of
1860.

Elizabeth married William Nichols of Seneca. They settled
in Benton, where he died, leaving his widow and four children :
Marian B., Mary E., Hannah and George.

Sylvanus married Jane Hedges of Barrington, and settled in
Seneca, where she died leaving five children, : James, George,
Alice, William and John J. Mr. B. married a sister of his
first wife, Lucinda.

Levi married Jane Corning of Ohio, and settled at Portage
City, Wisconsin. They have three children : Willie, Mary E.
and Marshal, twins.

Minerva married John W. Mapes of Gorham, N. Y., where
they settled. They have two children, Ella and Arley.

Mary J. married William Barnes of Seneca, and resides on
the Barnes homestead. They have four children : Grace, Albert
W., Arthur L. and Freddie C.

Martin W. married Margaret Brice of Gorham, N. Y. They
reside on the Barden homestead in Benton, and have seven
children : Leolan P., Llewellyn J., Archey B., Cassie L.,
Jennie, Delfield and Lilly.

Tilson C. married Ruth, daughter of Samuel G. Gage. They

emigrated to Portage City, Wis., where she died without children.

He joined the 2d Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, and served

through the wtir, being promoted from Lieutenant to Colonel,

Judge Advocate, &c, and was commissioned in the regular

194 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

army as Major at the close of the war. He now resides in
Texas, where he is engaged in his profession as a lawyer, and
is a judge of the court of his locality. For his second wife he
married Eva Louis of Chicago.

The Barden family is a numerous one, and was so at an early
day. It is said that many years ago, the Bardens joined farms
in Seneca and Benton for more than three miles in extent on
the roads.

ELIPHALET HULL.

This pioneer was one of the noblest of the early settlers of
Bento*;, a good man with endowments and acquirements that
made him useful to his own generation and doubly so to the
youth of the new settlement. He was the first school teacher
in what is now Benton, the first Methodist class leader Avest of
Utica, and a teacher of singing, capable of writing musical
note books with his pen, hardly surpassed in beauty by the
neatest print. His zealous labors in behalf of education and
religion, no less than the long line of his descendants, mark
him as a noted father in the land. He was a native of Con-
necticut, and married Huldah, the sister of Jared Patchen.
They first settled in 1771 at Ballston, K Y., where they lived
till after the Revolutionary War, being twice obliged to flee to
Connecticut for safety during that period. He was largely en-
gaged in the war, and in his absence his wife and children
sometimes fled to the woods for safety. With his team of two
yoke of oxen, he aided in placing the great chain across the
Hudson, below West Point, by which British vessels were to
be kept from passing up the river. Receiving no pay from
the government, he found his reward in the blessings of that
independence, in which he and his children's children have
rejoiced. In 1788, he and his brother-in-law, Ezra Cole, moved
with their families to Unadilla, N". Y., where they lived four
years ; and in the spring of 1792, united with the family of
Samuel Buell, whose son, Cyrus Buell, was already Mr. Hull's
son-in-law, and formed a company of thirty for emigration to
the Genesee Country. There came first seven to spy theout

TOWN OF BENTON.

195

land, Eliphaiet Hull and his son Daniel, Samuel Buell and
his sons Samuel, Cyrus and Ichabod, and Mathew, a son of
Ezra Cole. They made judicious locations for settlement, and
all but Ichabod Buel and Mathew Cole returned to bring their
families and possessions to their wildei'ness home. The two
who remained took care of a field of corn planted by the com-
pany at Kashong, and worked what other time they had in
Dr. Benton's saw mill. The entire colony arrived in July.
The women and children were placed in four large canoes,
lashed in pairs, and covered over, making two respectable bar-
ges, and carrying the household goods, while the men and boys
drove the stock by land ; and thus they followed the Susque-
hanna to Owego. There taking sleds and a cart, they reached
Ithaca, a distance of twenty -nine miles, in four days, and found
not a single house on the road. They found the people cele-
brating the Fourth of July at Ithaca, and it is worthy of re-
mark, that Mrs. Cyrus Buell was present at a celebration at
Ithaca just fifty years after that date, in 1842. They descended
Cayuga Lake in boats to a point opposite their destination,
crossed the peninsula between the lakes with their ox cart and
sleds, and again taking water passage, crossed the Seneca to
Kashong, the stock being driven around by Geneva. Elijah
Spencer stood on the shore at Kashong, and was the first to
welcome theni to the new country.

Mr. Hull located at first on what is now the homestead of
the Joseph Ketchum family, but on account of the frostiness
of the valley, he soon removed and made his home on lot 58
where David L. Becker now resides, which Avas long known as
the "Hull Farm." Here he was the first settler, and here he
died.

They had eight children : Salmon, Hannah, David, Sarah,
Martha, Anna, Eliphaiet and Seth. Salmon married Aletha
Fox. Settled at first on the homestead, and finally moved to
Erie county where he died. They had seven children : Sam-
uel, Mary, Harriet, Eliza, John, David B. and Lewis. Of these,
Mary married David Botsford, then of Canada West. They

196 HT3T0EY OF YATES COUNTY.

reside now at Rochester and have no children. Eliza married
David Ream of Canada West, and finally removed to Roch-
ester where both died, leaving several children, among whom
were, George, John, Mary, Harriet and Eliza. Harriet Hull
married Clinton True, who is the present IT. S. Consul at St.
Thomas, in the West Indies.

Hannah Hull married Jacob Baldwin, of Ballston, N. Y., and
settled on the north part of the Hull homestead, where both
died well advanced in years. Their children were, Mary, Dan-
iel, Alfred, Delorville, Eliza, Emeline and Huldah. Mary mar-
ried Wakeman Burr of Ballston, who bought the farm first
ocoupied by Salmon Hull, and resided there till the death of
Mr. Burr, when she moved with one of her sons to Italy, where
she died. Their children were Mary A., George, Nelson, Hul-
dah, Hannah and John. Mary A. married Lyman Griswold of
Italy. George did not marry, was a soldier in the late war
and did honorable service. Nelson married and resides in
Italy. Huldah married Simon Stevens and moved west.

Daniel Baldwin married Anna Peck of Benton, and settled
at Italy Hill, where both died. Their children were Alfred,
George, Amanda and Julia. George married Mary Taylor and
resides in Gorham. Julia married Thomas Sanders of Jerusa-
lem, where they reside. Amanda married O. Guernsey of Jeru-
salem, and emigrated to California.

Alfred Baldwin was a physician, and long a prominent citi-
zen of Benton. He was a man of strict integrity, and noted
for his settled disbelief in revealed religion. He married
Mary Jacobus, and settled on a portion of the George Wheeler
farm, on lot 57. His wife died leaving one son, Mason L., and
he subsequently married Nancy Whitehead of Saratoga, who
survives him. He died in 1865, in the seventieth year of his
age. Mason L. Baldwin married Catharine, daughter of Jacob
Meserole, and resides on the homestead. He has been Assist-
ant U. S. Assessor several years, and is now engaged in bank-
ing in Penn Yan. They have one child, Mary T.

TOWN OF BENTON. 197

Delorville Baldwin married Lydia, daughter of Nathan
Wheeler, and emigrated to Lake county, Illinois. Eliza mar-
ried Sherwood S. Ball of Penn Yan, where she died without
children. Emeline married Peter C. Anderson, and they reside
on the Jacob Baldwin farm in Benton. Their children are,
Mary T., Isadore A. and Charles A. Huldah died unmarried.

Daniel Hull married Nancy Chapman, of Urbana, Steuben
county, where he settled and kept a public house many years.
They have one surviving son, Wakeman Hull of Wayland, N Y.

Sarah Hull was the wife of Cyrus Buell.

Martha Hull was the wife of George Wheeler, jr. They
settled on the farm now owned by Mason L. Baldwin, which
was long known as the "Wheeler Place." Their children
were, Huldah, Eleanor, Ephraim, Samuel, Henry C, Catharine
and Martha. Huldah was the wife of James S. Lansing. They
lived near Benton Centre, and had several children, of whom
Abraham is married and is a merchant at Palmyra, Missouri,
and Eleanor married Lansing Koon, and resides in Virginia,
near Washington.

Eleanor Wheeler married Jabez Card of Potter, and both are
deceased without children.

Ephraim Wheeler married Fanny, daughter of Joshua Brown
of Potter, and settled on the Brown homestead. Their child-
ren are Martha E., Horace B., James IL, George C, Francis,
Charles W., Joshua B., Edwin G. and Mary E. Martha E.
married George W. Spencer, and after her decease, Mary be-
came the second wife of Mr. Spencer. Horace B. married
Elizabeth, daughter of Silas Lacey. They reside on the Brown-
Wheeler homestead in Potter, and have two children : Glennis
and Bradley. James H. married Janett Boswell of Jerusalem,
and settled on the homestead in Potter, where he died leaving
one child, Daniel W. George C. resides at Bloomsburg, Indi-
ana. Francis J. married Bertrim Semple of Oxford, Indiana,
where she died leaving no children. Charles W. resides in
Iowa. Joshua B. resides at Coldwater, Michigan, unmarried.
Edwin G. resides on the homestead in Potter, unmarried.

198 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Samuel Wheeler married Harriet Barden, daughter of Olive
Wolcott and her first husband and James Barden, and step-
daughter of Dr. Erastus Woodworth. They lived in Benton for
a time and emigrated to Michigan, and thence to California,
where they reside. Their children are Sarah, George and
Erastus.

Henry C. Wheeler married Mary, daughter of Elijah Spencer,
engaged for some time in the book trade in Penn Yan, was
County Superintendent of Schools several years, and a farmer.
He finally emigrated to Minnesota, and moved thence to Chi-
cago, where they reside. Their children are E. Spencer, Frank
and Caroline. Frank is married and was connected with the
army during the rebellion, and engaged in the recent Indian
campaigns.

Catharine Wheeler married Alva Buckbee of Benton. He
died, leaving one daughter, and his widow married for her
second husband, Stephen, a son of Peleg Briggs of Potter
Peleg and Stephen Briggs were born of the second marriage.

Martha Wheeler married Mr. Crittenden, and moved to
Allegany county, from whence, after his death, she has removed
to Virginia, near Alexandria with her family.

George Wheeler, jr., when married, was a man of the world.
His wife led him to think of religion, and he was converted
and became an ardent Methodist and defender of the faith with
tongue, heart and soul, and especially against the Unitarian
heresies of a certain brother, Reuben Finley, who, though a
Methodist, leaned toward the Unitarian interpretation of the
mysteries of the Godhead. He ultimately became a local
preacher, and for many years officiated in the neighborhoods
about, in barns, private houses and elsewhere, as circumstances
demanded. Was active in causing to be erected the first
Methodist Meeting House built exclusively for that purpose,
within the bounds of this county. It was located on his home-
stead farm, near the Elisha Wolcott residence, on the road run-
ning west from the South Centre road, a short distance west of
the school house that used to stand on the three corners.

TOWN OF BENTON. 199

It remained a standing monument of Mr. Wheeler's and his
neighbor's energies and devotion to the Christian cause for
many years. It was a frame building, clapboarded and rudely
seated, without steeple, paint, lath or plaster, and no means of
warming, except through the use of coals in iron kettles dis-
persed about the floor. It was furnished with a pulpit of re-
markable altitude, but circumscribed in dimensions, which was
reached by a straight, narrow stairway from each side, repre-
senting the "straight and narrow path," doubtless, while it was
surrounded by a circular chancel for penitents and members to
kneel and pray for and receive blessings. Robert Patterson
was the architect and builder, in 1807.

A circumstance occurred during one of the many exciting
seasons this house and neighborhood were blessed with, and
still remembered by the believing faithful, and runs in this
wise : A worthy brother, Rev. Samuel Rowley, was holding
forth in strains of exhuberant exhortation to the surrounding
mourners, such extatic visions of the future, that he became so
spiritual and etherial, during one of the singing intervals as at
a single impulse, to leap over the high front of the pulpit and
land in the midst of the vocal group surrounding the altar be-
low, without the least harm to himself or others, and at once
joined with them in raising the choral strains to the highest
pitch.

Richard H. Williams, who contributes this paragraph, says
he well remembers this old house, as it stood vacant long after
it was abandoned as a place of worship, and its shelly, dilapi-
dated character, and also seeing Dr. Erastus B. Wolcott, (who
was an expert with a bow and arrow,) shoot a blunt or square
ended arrow through its siding from a bow once belonging to
the celebrated Indian Chief, Red Jacket, a distance of twenty
rods.

This bow was lost in the burning of the residence of George
W. Wolcott, of Barrington. It doubtless was one of the most
remarkable and powerful articles of the kind, and it is well
authenticated that it was long the prized and favorite bow of

200 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

that noted chief, and that with it he had slain many a deer and
other large wild game, even to the buffalo. The wood of which
it was made was of the most dense and perfect hickory, and of
marked and unusual weight. The bow was backed with sinew
from the back of the deer, most ingeniously and perfectly at-
tached to the wood, and in such manner as to add to it all the
elasticity and strength of that material, while the union of the
wood aDd sinew was perfect and even closer than the natural
bark.

Thus in this brief note do we transmit to posterity four im-
portant and well authenticated facts. George Wheeler, jr.'s
christian energy and devotion; the old and first Methodist
Meeting House, with some of its leading incidents and spiritual
scenes ; the remarkable bow of Red Jacket, the more remarka-
ble Indian Chief, and the consummate skill of Dr. Wolcott in
the use of the bow — for it may be remarked and remembered,
that not one man in a thousand could draw that bow to its
maximum power ; to which should be added the remarkable
feat of muscular Christianity here related.

Anna Hull married Elisha Wolcott, who came from Litch-
field county, Connecticut, in 1795, and settled on lot 59, where
they resided till 1834, when they removed to Barring! on, with
their youngest son, where both died, he nearly eighty, in 1856,
and she in 1857. They were a pair happily united, and lived
to improve and enjoy life, for others as well as themselves.
The gentle and kindly amenities of social intercourse, were
beautifully illustrated by their example, in which a frank
and generous sociability triumphed over selfishness. Their
children were Gideon, Hannah, Oliver P., Erastus B. and
George W. Gideon was born November 7, 1798. He mar-
ried Anna, daughter of Daniel Brown, jr., of Jerusalem, Jan-
uary 22, 1825. They settled in that town and resided there
till recently. Mrs. Wolcott died in 1864, and Mr. Wolcott re-
sides in Brooklyn with his daughter, Mary, an only child, the
wife of Gen. C. L. Kilbourn, of the U. S. Army.

TOWN OF BENTON.

201

Hannah Wolcott was born August 21, 1800. She married
Dr. Mason Laman of Benton Centre. He followed his pro-
fession for a short time, and died leaving one child, Mary, who
became the wife of Henry N\ Wagener of Penn Yan. Mrs.
Laman married a second husband, James Mc Auley of Seneca,
and they reside in Barrington. They have had one child, Mar-
garet, not now living.

Oliver P. Wolcott married Sophia Stewart of Penn Yan.
He commenced his practice as a physician, at Warsaw, in Bar-
rington, and afterwards removed to Benton Centre, where he
had a large practice for seventeen years. In 1857 he removed
to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his wife died ten years later.
He resides there still, and is eminent in his profession. They
have two surviving children, Jane S. and Hubert. The daughter
married Joel K Jillett of Benton. They reside in Milwaukee
and have two children, Frank and Harriet. Hubert married
Anna Swift of Milwaukee, and resides there.

Erastus B. was born in 1806, also became a physician, joined
the United States Army as Assistant Surgeon, and served
through the Cherokee campaigns, was afterwards stationed at
Fort Snelling, in Minnesota, and for a time at Mackinaw, where
he married Jane, daughter of Michael Dousman, long associa-
ted with the army, and connected with the fur trade, and one
of the founders of the city of Milwaukee, where the Doctor
finally located. He has been identified with the growth and
prosperity of that city. He is regarded as the head of his
profession in that State, especially as a surgeon. During the
late war he was Surgeon General of Wisconsin, and is one of
the commissioners for founding and locating soldiers' homes in
several of the States. He is also surgeon in charge of the
Wisconsin Soldier's Home, at Milwaukee.. They have two sur-
viving children, Marian and Douglass. The daughter is the wife
of Major Yates of the United States Army, residing at Milwau-
kee, and in charge of the Soldiers' Home at that place. The
son is unmarried. Jane Dousman, the first wife of Dr. Erastus
B. Wolcott, died several years ago, and he married in 1869,
Miss Ross, a celebrated lady physician of Milwaukee.

202 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

George W. Wolcott was born in 1811. He married Flora
Shaw and resides on the homestead in Barrington. He has
been an active and successful farmer, and he represented the
county in the Assembly in 1846. Their children are Saxton S.,
Grurtha, Emma and Arthur.

Eliphalet Hull, jr. married Mary, daughter of Moses Van
Campen of Benton. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, be-
longing to Captain Stanley's Rifle Company. The heavy can-
nonade at the storming of Fort Erie, with sickness that fol-
lowed, caused him to become deaf. He removed west where
he died, and where he has numerous descendants, widely
scattered.

Seth Hull was thrice married. His third wife and the mother
of his children, was Mary Brown, a widow, of Benton. They
resided some time in Italy, from whence they removed to
Michigan, where he died. Their surviving children are Cyrus
and Emeline. Cyrus did honorable service under Gen. Sheri-
dan in the war of the rebellion.

In reviewing the Hull family, it is proper to say, that how-
ever praiseworthy the male members of the several families
were as men and citizens, Grandmother Hull, the wife of Eli-
phalet Hull, was a woman of remarkable capacities and worth.
Her experiences covered the whole period of the Revolution
and many years thereafter, buffeting the trials and perils inci-
dent to pioneer life, which involved hardships and privations
inconceivable to our time, and made her an oracle of her period
among a wide circle of acquaintances. Her four daughters
who settled near her, Mrs. Cyrus Buel, Mrs. Jacob Baldwin,
Mrs. Elisha Wolcott, and Mrs. George Wheeler, jr., all partook
largely of her characteristics, and each filled the station of an
intelligent and exemplary mother and citizen so conspicuously,
as to receive unusual consideration and respect from all who
knew them. The social favor of Grandmother Hull and her
daughters, was proudly sought and rejoiced in by those who ap-
preciated an elevated womanly standard, assumed in early life,
and maintained with increased dignity and a loving spirit to

TOWN OF BENTON. 203

the end of a long life, as was the case Avith each. Such moth-
ers deserve the kindest regards of history.

SETH IIULI,.

This was a brother of Eliphalet Hull. He was a soldier un-
der Gen. Montgomery at the siege and storming of Quebec.
He came to township No. 8 about 1800, and located on the
South Centre road near his brother. His wife was Sarah, the
sister of Jared Patchen, and their children were Jared, Nathan,
Polly, Milley, Seth, Daniel and Laura. Polly became the wife
of Artemas Buel. Nathan married a Miss Lamb of Barring-
ton and settled in Benton, where she died leaving three chil-
dren, Abel, Dillis and Sarah. The sons emigrated to Chautau-
qua county, and Sarah married Reuben Wells and settled at
Italy Hill. Milley married Dr. Archibald Barnett, and settled
in Potter. Laura married Rev. Mr. Chandler, a Methodist
preacher, and moved to Illinois. The other children of Seth
Hull did not become married residents of Yates county.

THE COLES.

Ezra Cole was born April 26, 1751, in Litchfield, Connecti-
cut, and married the sister of Jared Patchen December 21,
1774. They and their children were of the little colony of
settlers who came from Unadilla in 1792. It is said that Ezra
Cole, who was at that time an itinerant minister of the Metho-
dist church, had gained some previous knoAvledge of the coun-
try, and set on foot the expedition. They settled on lot 113,
at the centre of No. 8, and he became the proprietor of four or
five hundred acres of land. He built a respectable log house
at first, a little west on the northwest corner, which he opened
as a public house before 1800. In 1804 he built a frame house
30 by 40 feet, two stories high, with four large rooms below,
and two above, besides a long ball room the whole length of
the house, which was located a few rods west of the corners, on
the north side of the road. The building had a large wing and
wood house. Here Ezra Cole flourished as dispensor of refresh-
ments for man and beast, till his death in 1821, at the age of sev-
enty, He did not, however, abide with the church. Their chil-

204

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

dren were Matthew, Delliah, Lois, Nathan P., Daniel, Asa,
Smith M., Sabra and Ezra. Only the last two were born after
they settled in Benton, (then Jerusalem.) Matthew married
Martha Gregory, a widow, in 1797; her maiden name was
Whitehead. They settled on the homestead north of the Cen-
tre, where they died, she March 2, 1841, aged seventy-four, and
he May 6, 1841, aged sixty-five. They had two children,
Martha and Polly. Martha became the wife of the late Samuel
G. Gage, and Polly married Anthony H. Lewis of Benton, still
residing on the old homestead, the parents of a large family.

Their children are Lucy Jane, Louise, Martha, Erasmus D.,
George, Charles, Mary and Myron. Lucy Jane married Nor-
man, son of Ezra Cole, jr., and was his second wife. He and
his oldest son were killed by Indians on a buffalo hunt in Kan-
sas, leaving her a widow with one child, a son. Louise mar-
ried Mr. Smalley and has several children. Martha married
Daniel Millspaugh, a merchant of Benton Centre. Erasmus D.
married Charlotte, daughter of Dr. John L. Cleveland. George
married Martha Mott of Montezuma. They have three chil-
dren : Elizabeth, Charles and Clarence. Charles is unmarried
and Mary is dead. Myron married Jane Bedell. They have
one child, Estella, and reside on the homestead.

Delliah Cole married Jonathan Bateman, and settled at Lodi,
Seneca county, where he died in 1806, leaving four children,
Fletcher, Nancy, Amy and John. She subsequently married
William Petti* of Benton, and settled near Bellona. They
had three sons, Warren, Paris and Norman.

Lois Cole married Lewis Morris in 1800. They moved to
Indiana where he died, and she afterwards removed to Nan-
kin, Michigan, where she still lives at the age of eighty. Her
children are David, Delilah, Polly, Robert, Sabra, James and
Fanny.

Nathan P. Cole was a prominent and active citizen in his
day, and married Sally, daughter of Elisha Woodworth, in
1808. They settled on a part of the homestead next south of
Matthew, where they lived and died, she in 1844, at the age of

TOWN OP BENTON.

205

sixty-one, and he in 1852, at the age of seventy. Their chil-
dren were Elisha W., Caroline, Pamela, Elizabeth W., John B.,
Polly and Piatt. Elisha W. married Louisa Van Tuyl of Wa-
terloo, and resides in Chicago. Caroline is dead and Pamela is
unmarried. Elizabeth W. married Abraham W. Shearman of
Milo. John B. died single. Polly married Josiah Elliott, and re-
sides at Union City, Iowa. They have three children. Piatt
married Martha Scott, and moved to Elmira, where he died in
1862, leaving his widow and one son, Ross.

Daniel Cole died single, at the age of fifty-six, in 1840.

Asa Cole was born May 25, 1788. He married Sally Sprague
of Benton, December 31, 1810. They settled on Head street
in Penn Yan, where the Birdsall Machine Shop now stands,
and where he was engaged in keeping a hotel and staging for
many years. He was identified with the activities of the vil-
lage when Head street was Penn Yan, and stages were the
chief means of traveling. He maintained a high character as
a business man, and finally moved on a farm a short distance
north on the Benton Centre road, where his wife died in 1836,
leaving one son, Myron. Subsequently he married Lydia Fran-
cis, a widow, whose maiden name was Wilkinson. They had
one son, Richard F. Mr. Cole died in 1860 at the age of
seventy-two. For several years he was President of the Yates
County Bank. As a prominent member of the Methodist
church, he was noted for benevolence and sympathy with all
religious and philanthropic movements. His widow survives
and resides with her son. Myron married Susan, daughter of
Morris F. Sheppard, who died without children. His second
wife is Caroline, daughter of Dr. John L. Cleveland. They
reside in Elmira and have two children, John A. and Sabra C.
Richard F. married Mary J. Lazear of Barrington, and resides
on the homestead.

Smith M. Cole married Betsey Scofield of Benton. They
settled in Penn Yan, and for many years kept a tavern where
the present tavern is kept, and afterwards on Flat street, on the
place now owned by Charles B. Shaw, and where he died in

206 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

1864, at the age of seventy-four. He was a unique and rather
remarkable character. For keeping a tavern he had a singular
proneness, and yet no man detested the taste of liquor or the
smell of tobacco more than he. A low drunkard or smoker
was his horror, and he always refused to sell liquor to an intoxi-
cated person. Yet he seemed to prefer to associate himself
with the class most addicted to these evils, and their influence
doubtless poisoned his life. He was remarkable for his accurate
and almost encyclopedic memory of all early events in this re-
gion. His wife survives him. They had three children, Mat-
thew, Harriet and Calvin. The daughter died young. Mat-
thew married Susan' Crawford of Penn Yan, and has long resi-
ded in Iowa. Calvin emigrated while young to Warsaw, Illi-
nois, where he resides.

Sabra Cole married Dr. John L. Cleveland.

Ezra Cole, jr., was born in 1799. He married Betsey Maker
of Benton, in 1818, and emigrated to Three Rivers, Michigan,
where they reside. They have had five children, Herman H.,
Norman, Susan and Lydia.

DR. JOHN L. CLEVELAND.

Dr. Cleveland was born September 21, 1792, in Schoharie
county, and came to Penn Yan in 1814, where he taught the
first select school, and soon resumed the study of medicine
under Dr. Joshua Lee. He had previously studied with anoth-
er physician. After receiving his diploma, he married Sabra,
daughter of Ezra Cole, and began his practice at Eddytown,
early in 1816. They remained there two years and moved to
Benton Centre, where he was a popular practitioner for a long
period, and acquired a considerable estate in land. He was
acting Under Sheriff under Samuel Lawrence, who was Sheriff
of Ontario county when Yates was set off, and subsequently
served as Associate Judge of the Yates County Courts for nine
years, by appointment of Governors Marcy and Bouck. His
wife died in 1855 at the age of fifty-nine, on the premises where
she was born. Four of their children reached adult age and
were married. Susan A. married Israel H Arnold. Charlee

TOWN OF BENTON. 207

D. married Louisa A., daughter of John Payne of Potter, and
lives west. They had five children, John W., Caroline, Charles,
Catharine and Myron C. John W. was a successful school
teacher and enlisted in the army on the first call when the
rebellion broke out. He made an honorable record as a soldier,
and died of disease contracted in the service, January 7, 1864.
Caroline M. Cleveland married Myron Cole. Mary C. married
Erasmus D. Lewis. They have one child, Sabra.

Dr. Cleveland married a second wife, Caroline Lewis of Ge-
neva, and resides now in that village. He has long been a firm
adherent of the Methodist church. He relates that among the
pupils of his Penn Yan school, still living, are George and
Charles C. Sheppard, Charles Wagener and James Dwight
Morgan. He has been a very firm Democratic politician all
his life.

THE BUELL FAMILY.

William Buell, who emigrated from England, and landed at
Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1630, is said to be the common
ancestor of all the Buells in this country. Samuel Buell, senior,
the Benton pioneer, was of the fifth generation from William
of Dorchester. He was born at Hebron, Connecticut, in 1740,
was a soldier in the French war, and captain of a militia com-
pany in the Revolution, called out for the public defence in the
vicinity of Fort Edward. His son, Cyrus Buell, at the age of
fifteen years, was serving as a soldier within Fort Ann when it
fell into the hands of the British. The young prisoner was
taken to Canada, spent a winter among the Indians, and fell
into the hands of a British officer, who kept him three years at
Montreal and Quebec, and sent him to school. At the end of
the war he returned to his father's family at Fort Edward.
The family then removed to the Susquehanna valley, stopping
one winter on Schoharie creek. Cyrus Buell built the first
cabin at Great Bend. A freshet swept away his corn the first
year, and he then removed to Unadilla. In 1792 the family
came with that of Eliphalet Hull and Ezra Cole to this county,
and settled around the centre of township No. 8 ; Cyrus Buell
and his young wife on lot 115, and his father with the residue

208 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

of the family, on lots 78 and 76, where Henry C. Collin now
resides. There Samuel Buel, senior, died, seventeen years later,
in 1809, at the age of sixty-nine. His first wife was Sarah,
daughter of Peleg Holmes of Kent, Litchfield county, Con-
necticut. She died at Fort Edward in 1772, at the age of
thirty, leaving six children: Sarah, born in Connecticut in
' 1761, and Samuel, Cyrus, Paulina, Betsey and Ichabod, born at
Fort Edward, the latter the same month that his mother died.
The second wife was Susan Morse, and the children of this mar-
riage were Henry, Catharine, Anna, Hannah, Esther, Artemas,
Mary and Matilda. The birth of Matilda Buell, in September,
1792, was among the first in that town.

Sarah Buell, the oldest of the children, married Amaziah
Phillips, and settled in Cayuga county about 1792.

Samuel Buell, jr., married Jerusha Griswold, and settled on
the west part of lot 115. The store of Oliver P. Guthrie
stands on a corner of his farm. In 1816 they removed to
Vevay, Switzerland county, Indiana, with their seven children,
Elias, Anna, Henry, Mary, Eliza, Cyrus and Samuel.

Cyrus Buell, who married Sarah Hull October 1, 1791, set-
tled immediately on the arrival of the little colony, on the spot
where David H. Buell now resides, on lot 115. They lived till
the approach of cold weather in a hastily erected bark cabin.
Then a good log house was built, which afforded them a com-
fortable residence more than twenty years. It had a good
shingle roof, nailed on, and glass windows. The glass and
nails were happily brought with them, and these were unusual
luxuries for the period. In 1814, the present mansion of
David H. Buell was erected on nearly the same ground where
the log house and bark cabin stood. Here Cyrus Buell died in
1835, at the age of seventy, and his wife in 1866, at the pre-
cise age of ninety-one and one-half years. Their only child
was David H. Buell, born September 3, 1795, and now living
at the age of seventy-four. He is one of a very small number
native to this county born before the close of the eighteenth
century, and few now living represent so worthily and perfectly

TOWN OF BENTON.

209

the early life of Yates county. His residence on the same spot
where his father settled in the unbroken thickets of a dense
wilderness in 1792, illustrates that noble principle of social
continuity which imparts the greatest value and power to all
human society. It represents permanence and stability, as
opposed to that ever changing dispersive tendency so common
to American life, and so hurtful to the best features of social
growth. We find too few examples of this family and local
continuity in Yates county history. David H. Buell is the
President of the Yates County Historical Society, worthily
and wisely chosen. He is a personal embodiment of a large
scope of early history. His mind is a valuable magazine of
facts, and his memory is seldom at fault in regard to early
events that came within his knowledge, and few appreciate so
well the value of historical accuracy, and the wrong of allow-
ing oblivion to cover, past redemption, the pioneer history of
our locality. Mr. Buell has in his house a fine black walnut
book case made from a tree of his father's planting. In the
fall of 1792 when they drew home from Kashong the corn
planted the spring before, they threw in some black walnuts.
From one of these grew the tree which stood sixty-seven years
near the residence of Mr. Buell. It began to decay, and he
had it cut down, and a book case made from the lumber in
memory of his fiither, and the tree he planted so early in the
settlement of the country.

When the company came from Unadilla, one of the most
precious boxes of their baggage contained 600 young apple
trees, all of which were planted out, and became in a few years
a source of luxury and income. A cider mill was erected at
an early date, and people came from far and near, and especially
from the hills of Steuben for supplies of apples and cider. Men
that could not pay with money, would pay in labor for the
cherished fruits of the orchard. Some of those trees are still
standing on Mr. Buell's farm.

The character of the forest no doubt impressed the early
settlers with the high quality of the soil that produced it. Mr.

210 HISTORY OF YATES COtTNTY.

Buell still has twenty acres of original wood divested of its
undergrowth, and finer timber cannot be found. The tall trees
running from sixty to eighty feet, with trunks almost as large
as at the base, indicate a remarkable soil for trees to grow in.
The prevalence of the Sugar Maple, made the sugar making
business every recurring spring, imperative, and never to be
omitted until more recent years.

The cattle, during the early years, found their living in the
woods in summer, and at the first subsisted chiefly on browse
in the winter. Every settler knew his own cow bell, and many
of them were very clear and sweet toned bells in those days.
Mr. Buell says that his father often traced his cattle a long dis-
tance in the woods by the sound of his bell, and that he some-
times heard and distinguished it as far as three or four miles.

George Bennett, who married Betsey Buell, settled where
Samuel B. Gage now lives, and was an excellent blacksmith,
and manufactured these bells of all sizes, and of the most superior
qualify. No such bells are to be had now.

David H. Buell married Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua An-
drews. Their children were Sarah E., Anna M., Mary A.,
Emily and Cyrus. He has a second wife, Margaret, daughter
of Stephen A. Wolcott of Le Roy. Of his children, Mary mar-
ried Robert S. Edmonds, and died leaving one child, Elizabeth.
Cyrus married Elizabeth, daughter of Caleb J. Legg, and both
died without children. Mr. Buell was elected County Clerk in
1843, and filled the office one term. In early life, he and his
cousin, Gideon Wolcott, and some of their associates, were ac-
complished musicians, playing on the fife and clarionet with
remarkable skill. He was a Fife Major in the old 42d Regi-
ment of Militia, to which office he was appointed by Colonel
James Bogert. They afterwards joined Captain George Shear-
man's famous company of cavalry, where they played on the
clarionet. It was their pride to attend the grand reception
given to La Fayette at Geneva in 1825, where they were high-
ly complimented. The full band was David H. Buell, Gideon
Wolcott, Mordecai Ogden, Erastus B. Wolcott, Nathaniel

TOWN OF BENTON. 211

Finch, bugler, and George W. Wolcott, key bugler. Their
playing was everywhere praised as the best anywhere known.
Mr. Buell's family represents the culture and advance of the
times. The homestead is a delightful place, and the ancient
domicil is the abode of kind and cheerful inmates, who regale
their friends with artistic music and intelligent conversation,
affording the visitor pleasing recollections of this life of change,
hurry, toil, and too often bluff hospitality.

Paulina Buell married John Coleman, and settled in St. Law-
rence county, N. Y.

Betsey Buell married George Bennett, and they, after a short
residence where Samuel B. Gage resides, moved to Aurelius,
Cayuga county, where she died about 1805. The husband and
family subsequently removed to Switzerland county, Indiana.

Ichabod Buell was born July 10, 1772. He married Phoebe
Butler, and settled on a portion of the homestead, where they
remained till 1837, when they moved to Jerusalem. Their
children were John, Samuel, Robert, Lorenzo, Sally, Huldah,
Harriet and Matilda. John moved to Pennsylvania, and died
at Altoona, in that State, in 1867, leaving a widow and family.
Samuel born November 30, 1800, married Jane A. Mun-
ger of Jerusalem in 1837. He kept a public house for some
time in Shearman's Hollow, and afterwards returned to Benton,
where he has held the office of constable for many years, and
has long been known throughout the county in that capacity,
having done a large share of the business for the Penn Yan
magistrates. He is usually so much a popular favorite that lit-
tle if any opposition is made to him. Robert born in ] 802,
married Phoebe Drew in 1843. He was twelve years a Justice
of the Peace in Benton, residing at Penn Yan ; and moved to
Plainfield, Michigan, where he died in 1854, leaving no chil-
dren. Lorenzo born in 1807, married Amy Widner of
Chili, K Y, in 1838. They lived in this county till 1853,
when they emigrated to Howell, Michigan, where she died
leaving three children, Huldah, Henry C. and Dewitt C. Polly
married Michael Fisher, and lived in Gorham, removing to

212 HISTOEY OF TATES COUNTY.

Michigan in 1835. They have a large family. Sally married
Selah Randolph of Clarkson, N. Y., settled in Benton and
afterwards in Potter, where she died leaving several children,
among whom were Jane, Sarah, Harriet and John. Huldah
married James Milhollon, settled in Benton, and moved to
Michigan in 1836 with three children. Harriet married James
T. Pearce of Jerusalem, and afterwards moved to Penn Yan,
where her husband died in 1863, leaving one daughter, Sarah,
who married A. Shepherd of Jerusalem. Matilda married
James C. Denio of Perry, Shiawassee county, Michigan.

Henry Buell died young at Unadilla.

Catharine Buell married William Hilton, jr., and settled on
the north part of the Hilton homestead, now the property of Dr.
John L. Cleveland, where he died leaving 'five sons : Orman,
Samuel, Ai-temas, Berget and Ariel. She afterwards married
Clark Hilton, a brother of her first husband, and moved to
Clarence, Erie County. They had several daughters by the
second marriage.

Anna Buell married Russel Youngs of Benton, and settled
on a new farm in Benton about 1801, where he died in 1832,
leaving six children : Alma, Polly, Maria, Milan, Oliver and
Fanny. Alma died young, and Polly became the wife of Eze-
kiel Clark of Jerusalem. Maria married John W. Cornwell, a
tailor, of Benton, and settled near the homestead, where he
died, leaving his widow and two children, John and Ann.
Milan Youngs is unmarried, and resides with his mother on the
homestead. Oliver married Miss Scott of Seneca, and emigra-
ted to "Wisconsin. Fanny married Samuel H. Chapman, and
resides on the Youngs homestead. He is a school teacher of
note and thirty year's experience, and the present Crier of the
Yates County Courts. Their children have been Charles E.,
Mary Jane, Henry O., Alson, Russel, Eugene and Fred.
Charles was a soldier of Company I, 33d Regiment New York
Volunteers, and died in a hospital, September 5, 1862. Henry
O. died young, and Alson is a teacher in the Penn Yan
Academy.

TOWN OF BENTON. 213

Hannah Buell married Newell Mount, and settled in Clarence,
Erie county, N Y.

Esther Buell married Mr. French, and also settled in Clarence.

Mary Buell married Luther Youngs, and likewise settled in
Clarence.

Matilda Buell, one of the first born of Benton, married Levi
Bunnell, and settled in Clarence.

Artemas Buell married Mary, daughter of Seth Hull, and
settled on the Buell homestead, about 1800, near the present
residence of Henry C. Collin. In 1816 they emigrated to
Ellery, Chautauqua county, and subsequently removed to Sugar
Grove, Warren county, Pennsylvania, where he died and sev-
eral of the family still reside.

THE HILTON FAMILY.

William Hilton was a native of Connecticut, and married
Ruth Butler in 1772, he at the age of thirty and she twenty-
one. They settled in Benton in 1794, on lot 56, moving there
from Unadilla. He bought the whole of lot 56 of a man who
had straggled into the country, had become homesick, and was
returning to Connecticut. He accepted an eld horse for the
premises, describing the place as rough, stony and forbidding,
and declaring he would never go back to it. Mr. Hilton, who
made the purchase as a dubious venture, was greatly surprised
as well as pleased to find it all he could desire, and not as it
was painted by the homesick Yankee who sold . it. They had
a family of five hardy sons and three daughters, who in the
earlier years were among the most sprightly and active of that
muscular age. William Hilton died in 1828, at the age of
eighty-six, and his wife in 1826, at the age of seventy-five.
Their children were William, Daniel, Ruth, Benjamin, Clark,
Eli, Hooper, Mary and Phoebe. William married Catharine,
daughter of Samuel Buell, senior, and after his. decease, his
widow became the wife of Clark Hilton. Daniel married Mary
Williams of Seneca, and settled in Benton. She died leaving
three children, Orange and Olive, who reside in Steuben county,
and Paulina, who married Brown Davis of Benton, and moved

214 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Davis married a second wife, Mary
Hovey of Benton, and their children were William, Eli, Emily
and Daniel, all of whom are west except Daniel, who resides
at Benton Centre.

Benjamin, Eli and Hooper Hilton, enlisted in the United
States Army, about the period of the embargo, 1810, for five
years, and served in the war of 1812. They marched on foot
from Geneva to Albany, and only Benjamin ever returned
home. He soon after went west and was not further heard
from. Mary and Phoebe also emigrated west, and the family
seems to be extinct in Yates County.

GEORGE WHEELER.

One of the earliest Benton pioneers, who is represented by
a numerous line of descendants, was George Wheeler, senior.
He and his wife, Catharine Lyon, were natives of Dutchess
county, and of the same age, the birth day of one being Christ-
mas, and the other New Years. He died in 1824 at the age of
seventy-nine, and she three vears later. He purchased at an
early day lot 37, of township 7, first range, 276 acres, the north-
west corner lot of Milo, embracing so much of Penn Yan as
lies north of the Keuka outlet, and west of a line nearly coin-
cident with Benham and Sheppard streets. This tract he gave
or sold to his two sons-in-law, Robert Chissom and James Sco-
field, who settled on it in 1791. Chissom had the northwest
and southeast quarters of the lot, and Scofield the southwest
and northeast quarters ; and theirs is the first recorded title of
the land on which Penn Yan stands. George Wheeler himself
was one of the settlers of Benton in 1791. He was a quiet
man and became a large land owner, giving each of his chil-
dren farms of liberal dimensions. From old maps of No. 8, it
would appear that he, owned lots 57, 43 and 45 of that town-
ship. Some of his early purchases cost him but fifty cents per
acre. Two of his sous, Ephraim and Samuel, young lads, died
in 1791 of what was called Canker Hash They were the first
calls of mortality among the settlers of that town, and were
buried on the premises of Levi Benton, where the cemetery

TOWN OF BENTON. 215

east of Benton Centre still remains. The other children of
the Wheeler family were, Eleanor, George, jr., Nathan, Susan,
Margaret and Zachariah. Eleanor married James Smith, and
remained at Greenbush, N. Y.

George, jr., married Martha Hull, and settled on the south
half of lot 57, and his descendants are included in the Hull
family record. He was noted as a preacher.

Nathan married Mary Sherman of Utica, and settled on the
north half of lot 57, where she died, leaving two children,
George S. and Elizabeth. His second wife was Betsey Miller,
a widow. He died, and his widow emigrated west with sev-
eral children. Lydia, the oldest daughter of the second mar-
riage, became the wife of Delorville Baldwin. George S.
Wheeler married Elizabeth, daughter of Griffin B. Hazard.
They settled in Benton, where she died, leaving one surviving
daughter, Dorcas, the wife of Dr. Wemple II. Crane. The
second wife of Mr. Wheeler was Jane Scott, who left three
children, Hadley, Arthur and Scott. His third wife was widow
Middleton, with whom he emigrated to Michigan.

Elizabeth Wheeler married Henry Sayre of Benton. They
settled in Starkey where he died. Their children were Job,
Nathan, Mary, George and Henry. Job married Ann Rey-
nolds of Starkey. Nathan married Emeline Sickles of Barring-
ton, Mary married Asbury Harpending of Dundee. George mar-
ried Harriet Gifford of Dundee, and moved to New York,
where he died leaving one son, Wheeler. Henry married
Mary, daughter of William S. Hudson of Benton. They re-
side in Starkey and have two children, William and Ferdinand.

Susan Wheeler married Robert Chissom.

Margaret Wheeler married James Scofield of Hillsdale,
Columbia county. They first built a small log house near the
little brook running through the Penn Yan cemetery. One of
the apple trees that sprang from seeds planted by him, is still
in the field a little west of Sucker Brook. They removed soon
after to the farm in Benton, since known as the Samuel Ran-
dall farm, now owned by the Joseph Ketchum family. From

216 HISTORY OP YATES COUNTY.

there they removed to the locality where Rochester now stands,
and left there because the land was poor and the place unheal-
thy? going first to Chautauqua county, and thence to Ohio,
and finally to Illinois. Their children were Elizabeth, Samuel,
Phoebe, James, George, William, Hiram, Catharine, Robert
and Margaret. James is a Baptist minister at Bristol, Illinois,
and the father of Gen. John M. Scofield, a distinguished soldier
during the rebellion, and late Secretary of War. Wheeler,
another son of James Scofield, jr., was a Brigadier General
during the war, and Charles, another, is now a Cadet at West
Point. Elizabeth, one of the daughters of James Scofield,
senior, married Smith M. Cole, and still survives at the age of
nearly eighty. She came here before she was six months old,
has been an eye witness of all the transformation that has
come since, and is able to give many interesting reminisences
of the early years. One day, going on a visit to her aunt, Mrs.
Robert Chissom, where Stephen B. Ayers now resides, she was
confronted by a large bear and two cubs. She was startled by
a deep growl and turned for home, followed by Bruin who
came very near, but turned back as she sprang, greatly fright-
ened, over a fence. She proceeded home, on the Randall farm,
and the men and boys with dog and gun, hunted down the old
bear and one of the cubs the same day, and the other the next
day. She was then fourteen years old. She relates also how
one Robert Lennox lived in a log house on Jacob's Brook, not
far from the place where the Benham House now stands, in
Penn Yan. One day a bear entered their hog pen and com-
menced depredations on their only porker. Lennox was fright-
ened, and it is said even climbed a ladder, but the brave little
wife assailed the bear with her frying pan, the first offensive
weapon she could seize, and broke it over his head. She suc-
ceeded in driving away the ravenous beast, and long kept the
handle of her frying pan to exhibit as a memento of her
prowess.

Zachariah Wheeler married Margaret Weaver of Deerfield,
N. Y., and settled on the place known as the Asa Cole farm,
and afterwards moved to Jerusalem. Their children were

TOWN OF BENTON. 217

Susan, George, Samuel, Elizabeth and Zachariah. George
married Ethalinda, daughter of Lyman Tubbs of Benton, and
all moved west.

ROBERT CHISSOM.

The pioneer settler on Head street was Robert Chissom, a
native of Dover, Dutchess county. He married Susan, daugh-
ter of George Wheeler, senior and located where Dr. Uri
Judd lived many years, now the residence of Stephen B. Ay res.
There they erected a log house, which became a tavern as soon
as such a house was needed, and very naturally started a distillery.
He died on the day of the great eclipse in 1806, at the age of
thirty-five. Their children were Catharine, Peter, Ephraim,
Hannah and George.

Peter married Elizabeth Baldwin and emigrated to Indiana.
Ephraim married Sally Mills and settled in Cameron, Steuben
county. George married Ruth Williamson and also settled in
Cameron.

Hannah married William, a son of Judge Arnold Potter,
who died early, and she subsequently married Fisher W. Hew-
son, and returned to the Chissom family homestead, where she
still lives surviving her second husband. Her children are
George A., Robert C. and Susan A., all by the second marriage.

George A. Hewson is a physician of Penn Yan. He mar-
ried Sabra, daughter of John Ellsworth. Robert C. has been
admitted as a lawyer, but does not practice, is unmarried and
resides with his mother on the homestead in a residence
a few rods west of the place where the log house of
Robert Chissom was erected in 1792, in the midst of an unbro-
ken wilderness. Susan A. married Lyman W. Gage, formerly
a railway conductor, and now of the firm of Armstrong &
Gage, hardware merchants of Penn Yan.

Catharine married Horatio Crane of Hartford, Connecticut,
and settled in Penn Yan on the homestead. He died at Ben-
ton Centre in 1867. Their children were Alma, George,
Charles, William and Wemple H., all of whom reside in Michi-
gan except Wemple H., who is a physician, heretofore of ex-

218 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

tended practice, but now a farmer on the old Elisha Wolcott
place, lately owned by George S. Wheeler, whose daughter,
Dorcas E., is his wife. He is a valued and prominent citizen.
Mrs. Catharine Crane, now residing with her son, Dr. Crane,
was the oldest of Robert Chissom's children, and the first white
child born within the boundaries of Penn Yan. She is now
seventy-six years old. She relates that her father's residence
was a double log house, with a hall in the centre large enough
for setting a table. He afterwards erected a frame part in the
rear. He obtained some lumber at Dr. Benton's saw mill to
make a shanty to live in while putting up his log houses.
Blankets were tacked oyer the windows before sash and glass
were put in. One night a wolf put his paws on the window
sill and pushed his nozzle against the blankets but did not
push his way in. In the absence of better vehicles, the early
settlers made what they called drays. This rig was a sapling
with a crotch and boards fastened across the extended branch-
es, with the single end fastened in the ring of the ox yoke, they
were ready to go to mill or elsewhere as might be required.
Mrs. Crane states that bears were very numerous, and no less
than fifty were killed in one season around the lower part of
Keuka Lake. Her father and Nathan Wheeler killed one in
Sheppard's Gully that weighed 500 lbs. She says the first
dry goods she ever saw were in the store of John Lawrence,
where her father sent vher on horseback for a loaf of sugar.
The first General Training was at her father's house in 1803.
The field where they trained extended from Main street to
Sucker Brook, and south to about the south line of the Acade-
my lot. Some two or three hundred people were present in-
cluding women and children. They trained all day with a
slender supply and quality of music, and some stayed and trained
all night. One Colonel French commanded.

MOSES CHISSOM AND PHILEMON BALDWIN.

Moses, an older brother of Robert Chissom, was a native of
Columbia county, born in 1764, and came to this county at the
age of thirty a single man. He owned twenty acres of land

TOWN OF BENTON. 219

on lot 45, which was afterwards purchased by Joseph Ketcbum
and became the nucleus of his large estate. He purchased of
James Scofield in 1801, fifty acres more, afterwards embraced
in the Samuel Randall farm, on lot G2. In 1800 he married
Mary, daughter of Philemon Baldwin, senior, then living at
the foot of Keuka Lake. She was then seventeen and still
survives with the living and enjoys remarkable health and vigor.
Her husband died in 1840 at the age of seventy-six. About
1800 they moved to the premises now occupied and owned by
their son, Philemon Chissom on the South Centre road, on lot
59. They had eleven children, eight of whom reached adult
age, Robert, Israel, Philemon, Samuel, Rachel, John, Aloah B.,
and Lester B. Robert married first, Amanda Wagener, and
they had two children, Hannah and James H. His second
wife was Louisa McCann. He died at Kinney's Corners, leav-
ing his widow and two children, of the second marriage, Mary
and Henrietta.

Israel is a physician and resides in Italy. His wife was Jane
B. Mc Callup of Hammondsport. They have a daughter Mary
E., who married Samuel Hayes of Italy, and emigrated west.

Philemon is a bachelor, with whom his mother resides on the
homestead, which is owned by him.

Samuel married Margaret Ward of Rochester. They have
two daughters, Mary E. and Sarah A.

Rachel married Daniel B. Tuthill, the present Superintend-
ent of the Poor of Yates county. They reside in Jerusalem
and have two children, Mary J, and George M.

Alvah B. married Margaret Hoffman of Indiana, resides at
Kinney's Corners, and has three children, Israel B , Jennie C.
and John M.

Lester B. married Mary J., daughter of Elipha Peckins, and
resides in Benton. Their children are Philemon and Charles E.

Philemon Baldwin was a miller and a farmer, and engaged
somewhat in both vocations. He settled at an early period on
Flat street, and on what afterwards became the Weed farm. He
was a man of shrewd and pointed wit, and greatly addicted to

220 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

jokes and sarcasms. He was a lover of fun and joviality, and
was regarded as a man of more than average intelligence, and
remarkable for quick perception and keen repartee. The nam-
ing of Penn Yan is attributed to him. It was a vexed question
for some time, and other names came near being fastened on
the nascent village. Finally, on one occasion, when the con-
gregated wisdom of the place had grown somewhat mellow
over the subject, as the liquor flowed and the discussion warmed,
Baldwin said, "Let it be called Pang Yang." This was deemed
a compromise by the Pennsylvanians and Yankees of the
locality, and though received with repugnance at first, was
finally adopted after being improved into Penn Yan. Mr.
Baldwin, while living one year at the foot of Keuka Lake,
killed twenty-five bears, mostly in the lake while they were
crossing from one side to the other, and many deei besides. His.
children were Asa, Philemon H, Amos, Caleb, Rune, George,
Mary, Sally Ann, Elizabeth and Esther, only one of whom, Mrs.
Mary Chissom, now remains in the county. His son, Philemon
H., was for several years a steamboat captain on Keuka Lake.
He died in Penn Yan about fifteen years ago.

FAMILY OF PHILLIP KIGGS.

An interesting and important family in the early settlement
about Benton Centre, was tbat of Phillip Biggs, who came a
widower from Pennsylvania in 1795, and settled on lot 116,
nearly opposite the residence of David H. Buell. His children
were David, Reuben, Benjamin, John, Mary, Hannah, Anna,
Betsey and Susan. They were a family of intelligence and su-
perior qualities of character. David married Betsey Jayne of
Pennsylvania, and settled on the east side of the homestead lot
where he remained till 1819, and then moved to Indiana. He
was a prominent member and deacon of the Baptist Church.
One of his sons, William S, married Eunice, a daughter of
David Brown of Benton, and emigrated to Michigan.

Reuben and Benjamin emigrated while single to Angelica,
N. Y., and became prominent in that locality. John married
Nancy, daughter of Levi Benton, and settled about 1800 en

TOWN OF BENTON. 221

the south side of lot 116, now known as the Judd farm. They
also moved to Angelica where they kept a public house several
yeai's, and afterwards returned to Benton, where he died, leav-
ing one child, Saluvia. His widow married Ezra Rice. They
emigrated to Michigan, and returned and died in Benton.
Mary married Robert Patterson.

Hannah married George Armstrong and settled in Seneca.

Betsey married Joseph Jones, the Quaker, and early surveyor
and hatter. They settled near the Friend's mill, and afterwards
in Penn Yan, where he pursued his trade as a hatter. He was
much employed as a surveyor, and as a referee in regard to
disputed lines and landmarks, and in the division of lands. He
also surveyed several townships in Allegany county, and the
Indian Reservation at Tonawanda when it passed out of Indian
ownership. He was held in high respect. Their children were
Mary, Rachel K., Elizabeth R., Samuel K., Joseph R. and
Richard M. Mary married Richard Snell of Lockport. Their
children are Rachel, Elizabeth, Martha and Caleb. Rachel K.
married Dr. Stephen Dean of Hamburg, N. Y., where she died
leaving three children, Sophia L., John W. and Arthur M.
Elizabeth R. married Isaac Baker of Hamburg, where she died
leaving two children, Charles and Mary J. Samuel K. married
Mary A. Buckley of Milo, and finally emigrated to Sparta, Wis-
consin, where both died leaving one child, Mary E. Joseph R.
was a physician, and married Anna Baker of Hamburg, and
both are deceased.

Richard M. Jones married Rachel Kester of Hamburg, lived
there for a time and moved to Penn Yan. He joined the
148th Regiment in the war, served usefully and faithfully as a
soldier, and died in 1865, at the age of fifty-two, in the Point
of Rocks hospital, Virginia. Their children are Joseph, Au-
gusta M.j William K. and Sophia E. Joseph is a graduate of
Genesee College, and is entitled to high credit for working his
own way through. He was principal of theDansville Seminary
for some time, and was associated for one or two years with O.
A. Bunnell, in the editorial and business control of the Dans-

222 HISTOKY OF YATES county.

ville Advertiser. He married Susan A. George of Dansville,
and emigrated to Waterloo, Iowa, where he is principal of an
important school, and a local preacher of the Methodist fiith.
They have two children Lewis B. and Winnifred. Augusta M.
married Royal G. Kinner of Penn Yan. Their children are
Josephine L. and Royal E.

Joseph Jones, the surveyor, married in 1819 a second wife,
Susan Atkinson, of Junius, N. Y., and they had three children
Joshua W,, Susan A. and Ann N. Joshua W. married Corde-
lia Webster of Hamburg. They have one child, Sarah A.
Susan A. married Leverett Holbrook, now a physician in Chicago.
Ann N. married Samuel Jennings and also resides in Chicago.

Anna Riggs married Moses Van Campen of Pennsylvania, a
tailor, and lived for a time on the present premises of Samuel
B. Gage, and afterwards moved to Fairview, Erie county,
Pennsylvania. Their children were Mary, Hannah, Benjamin
and John.

Susan Riggs married Armstrong Hart of Benton, a hatter.
They removed to Farmington, N. Y., where she died leaving
four daughters, Mariah, Eliza, Emma and Susan A. Mr. Hart
removed to Missouri, where he married a widow Murphy, and
died leaving three sons, Albert J., Joseph F., and Epenetus.
Maria married William Shattuck of Penn Yan, a lawyer, whose
house and office stood on the present premises of B. W. Frank-
lin. Shattuck was a Quaker, and he had a partner by the name
of John Willey. He was one of the earliest lawyers in Penn
Yan, and about 1825 moved to Prattsburg and thence to
Warren county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged largely in
land speculation. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the old 103d
Regiment of Infantry, his commission bearing date June 3,
1820. This was no doubt before he became a Quaker. He
now lives at Steamburg, Cattaraugus county. Their children
were Sophia, Ann, Susan, John, Lydia, Emma, Philinda, Ellen,
Clara and William. Eliza Hart married Dr. James Heermans
of Milan, N. Y., long a noted citizen of Potter.

TOWN OP BENTON.

223

Phillip Riggs, the father of the foregoing family, died in
1821 at the age of seventy-seven. His first wife was Polly
Pierce, the mother of all his children. He was afterwards
married four times : to Hetty Smith, widow Ingles, Polly Smith,
and widow Radley. His grand-daughter, Mrs. Orrin Shaw,
daughter of Mary Patterson, relates that she had five grand-
mothers on the maternal side ; and as her father's father had
two wives, her husband's father two, and her husband a grand-
mother on the maternal side, she recognized ten grandmothers.

THE SHAW FAMILY.

Jeremiah Shaw was a native of England, and came to this
country in 1760 with two brothers, one of whom died on the
passage. He married and settled near Sheshequin, Pennsylva-
nia; was a Captain in the Revolution and is supposed to
have participated in Sullivan's campaign against the Indians.
He lived to a great age and several of his children have reached
the longevity of nearly one hundred years. His descendants
are still numerous where he first settled, and it is said that at
the second election of Abraham Lincoln, there were twenty-
one of his sons, grandsons and great grandsons, who voted for
Lincoln at the same poll or in the near vicinity.

His family consisted of five sons and four daughters, but three
of whom, Benjamin, Jeremiah and Hannah, wife of Hezekiah
Townsend, the pioneer blacksmith, beoame citizens of Yates
county. Benjamin married Margaret, sister of John Powell of
Dutchess county, at Sheshequin, and came to this county in
1805. They located first on the farm now owned by Caleb
Hazen, just east of Lawrence Townsend's, where he worked as
a blacksmith, and subsequently purchased the place known as
the Griswold farm, between the South Centre road and Flat
Street, where he died in 1827, leaving three children, and his
widow who died in 1866. Their children were Orrin, Eliza M.
and Stephen P. Orrin married Adelia A., daughter of Robert
Patterson, and settled on the Patterson homestead farm, where
they still reside, and together with their son, own most of the
original farm. They have had two childeren, Wilson B. and

224 HISTORY OF YATES coxintt.

Charles B. The first was a promising boy who died at eigh-
teen. Charles B. married Ellen Reed of Hammondsport ; was
for several years very popular and successful as a teacher,
especially at Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where he was for a con-
siderable period principal of a graded school of several
hundred pupils. He is now the agent of the Northern Central
Railway at Penn Yan.

Eliza M. married Elijah G. Simonds of Vermont, settled in Ben-
ton, and now resides at Milo Centre. They have three chil-
dren, William G., Susan F. and Margaret. William G. married
Hannah Mangus, and lives at Northville, Michigan. Susan
married John R. Davis of Milo, and lives at Manistee, Michigan.
Margaret married Joseph Wolfe, and resides at Milo Centre.

Jeremiah Shaw, born in 1780, married Betsey Fitch of She-
shequin. They settled on what was known as the Ryres' tract
in Milo, where they lived about fifteen years, and as much long-
er in Barrington, whence they removed to Gorham where he
died in 1843, and she in 1846, leaving eight children : The-
resa, Fitch, Lydia, Lucy, Gore, Laura, Guy, Martha and Ed-
gar. Theresa married Job Pierce of Middlesex, and died there
without surviving children. Fitch married Mary Kinney of
Benton, and emigrated to Battle Creek, Michigan. Their chil-
dren are Charles and Mary. Lydia died single and Lucy mar-
ried Stephen Ferguson of Gorham, where they reside. Their
children are George, Ellen, Charles, Gertrude, Frank, Monroe
and Adelbert. Gore Shaw married Adaline Beacon of Jerusa-
lem, and settled at Hornellsville, where she died leaving three
children, Olive, Laura and Cornelia. Laura married Hiram
Thomson, and settled in Constantine, Michigan, where she died
leaving two children, Josephine and Adelaide.

Guy Shaw born in Barrington in 1820, married Laura L.,
daughter of John Pearce of Middlesex. They lived for a time
in Gorham, from whence they moved to Benton, afterwards to
Middlesex, and finally back to Benton, where they now reside
on the original Thomas Lee farm, lot 23, where the old three
story house built by Thomas Lee stood, and where one of the

TOWN OF BENTON. 225

earliest stores in Yates county was opened, before there was
one at Peun Yan. The original mansion was erected with
three stories ; it is said to afford a place in the third story for
a Masonic Lodge Room, and it was here that the old Vernon
Lodge was organized in 1809, and held its meetings for many
years. The farm is noted for its fertility and beauty, and
the place was long a point for public gatherings of various
kinds, such as general trainings and horse races. The first
race course in the county was on these premises, where there
were annual races continuing three days, while they were oc-
cupied by Samuel Wise ; and some of these races were memo-
rable trials of equine speed. Many of the best horses of the
times tried their powers on this course, among which were
Sleepy John, Lady Vixen and other eminent racers. These
races were in their glory from about 1825 to 1832, and drew
together great crowds of people of all classes, and especially
the leading sportsmen from long distances.

Mr. Shaw has erected a new mansion of modern and attract-
ive style in the place of the old, and improved and enlarged
the farm buildings. He is an enterprising farmer, and in 18G8
made sales of his farm .products to the amount of $4,700. In
1863 Mr. Shaw represented Yates county in the Assembly.
They have thi'ee children, Wealthy, Elizabeth and Marvin B.

Wealthy, the daughter of Jeremiah Shaw, married Orris B.
Wager of Gorham, and emigrated to Constantino, Michigan,
where they reside. They have four children, Floyd, Annette,
Edgar and Luella.

Edgar Shaw is by profession a lawyer. He married Clarissa
Brown of Middlesex, and emigrated to Iowa. They have five
children.

ROBERT PATTERSON.

Robert Patterson was of Irish birth, and married Mary,
daughter of Phillip Riggs, at Lower Smithfield, Northhampton
county, Pennsylvania, in 1788. He was an ingenious and
noted mechanic, working with facility at most sorts of handi-
craft, but principally as a carpenter. As early as 1795 he

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

worked on the Hopeton Mill, but did not bring his family to
this county till a year or two later. They abode temporarily on
Robert Chissom's place until he could erect a house on his own
wilderness farm, on lot 43 in No. 8, where they moved soon
after with their family of five children, subsequently increased
to tea. They all reached adult age, and all married except the
youngest, Hiram R., who died at the age of twenty-four. The
others were Elizabeth, John, William, Rhoda, Mary, Reuben
R., Robert, Ira S. and Adelia A. Elizabeth married William,
son of Thomas Howard of Benton, (now Torrey.) where she
died, leaving one daughter, Sidna, who emigrated with her
father to the Maumee Valley, Ohio. John was a carpenter and
married Sarah Halsted. They settled at Niagara Falls, and he
was a soldier throughout the war of 1812, during which his
property was destroyed by fire. He received a land warrant
for his military services, and afterwards resided at Hopeton,
where he died.

Rhoda married Daniel Shay and settled in Barrington, after-
wards moving to Italy Hill, where he died leaving his widow
with four children.

Mary married Salmon Smith of Bradford, Steuben county,
and settled adjoining Daniel Shay, in Barrington, after-
wards moving to Dansville, N. Y., where he died. His family
emigrated west.

Robert went to New Orleans, where he married and died.

Ira S. married Phoebe, daughter of James Scofield of Ben-
ton, resided on the homestead a few years, and emigrated with
their family to Johnsonsburg, Pennsylvania.

Adelia A. is the wife of Orrin Shaw of Benton.

THE WOODWORTHS.

Abner Woodworth, born at Little Compton, Massachusetts,
in 1725, married at the age of twenty -three, Hannah Dyer, of
Norwich, Connecticut, and settled at Salisbury, in that State,
where they reared a family of nine children, of whom Molly,
Hannah, Elisha and Dyer became residents of this county.
The father came here a widower, and although then about

TOWN OF BENTON. 227

seventy years old, made his way on foot carrying a kit of shoe-
maker's tools, and driving a cow. He lived on Flat street, and
the last year of his life in the family of his daughter Molly,
the wife of Levi Benton, senior. His death occurred at the
age of eighty -four, in 1809.

In the summer of 1798, Elisha Woodworth came on with
his two sons, Erastus B. and Elisha, jr., and cleared eight acres
on the farm now owned and occupied by John Merrifieid, on
lot 41, and sowed it with wheat. He returned in January fol-
lowing, and brought his wife and seven remaining children,
Polly, Sally, Abner, Amy, Ariel, Anna and Amelia. The
mother's name was Ann Bradley, a native of Dutchess county.
For four weeks, while Mr. Woodworth and his sons erected a
log house, they lived in the house of Daniel Brown, whose five
children added to the rest made a household of eighte:n. By
the aid of the saw mill in what is now Penn Yan, they were
able to floor their new house with oak plank. Elisha Wood-
worth died in 1808, at the age of fifty-seven, and his wife in
1828, in her seventy-fourth year.

Polly, the oldest child of Elisha Woodworth, married Dr.
Calvin Fargo in 1809. He had been several years in the town
and was at first a school teacher. He settled on Flat street and
practiced as a physician till 1817, and had a very extensive ride,
going to all parts of the country from Geneva to Bath. He
then moved to Indiana where he died very suddenly in 1818.
The family returned, and his widow still survives at the age of
ninety-three, residing with her daughter, Mrs. Hiram Weed of
Benton. Their children were Hiram S., Russel R., Julia, Eliza-
beth, Abigail R., John C. and Elisha W. Hiram S. died single in
1830. Russel R. married Mary, daughter of Hugh Chapman
of Ovid, N. Y., and settled in Penn Yan, a cooper, where his
wife died, leaving two children, Ann and Mary. His second
wife was Mary St. John, a widow of Pultney, where they re-
side and have one child, Sarah. Russel R. Fargo was elected
Clerk of Yates county in 184G, and served three years. Julia
married Hiram Weed of Benton, and settled finally on the old

228 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

John Weed homestead in Benton, where he died and his widow
still resides. Elizabeth is unmarried and resides with her moth-
er. Abigail R. married William H. Gage. John C. is a phy-
sician, married Irene Smith, removed finally to Council Bluffs,
Iowa, where she died and he still resides. They had one child,
William. Elisha W. married Harriet N., daughter of Samuel
Wise of Benton, resides in Brooklyn, and is a commission mer-
chant in New York. Their children are Julia and George.

Erastus B. Woodworth, born in 1779, was a physician, and
married Olive, widow of James Barden, and sister of Elisha
and Dr. Walter Wolcott. They settled at Flint Creek, where
both died leaving three children, John L., Hector T. and Ann
H., none of whom survive. They were married in 1807, by
his father, Elisha Woodworth, who was a Justice of the Peace.
Dr. Woodworth studied his profession with Dr. Jareb Dyer of
Middlesex, and Dr. Goodwin of Geneva. He was Surgeon of
the old 42d Regiment of Infantry, on the Staff of Colonel
Thomas Lee, his commision bearing date March 27, 1819. His
brother Abner was a Captain in the regiment at the same time.
Dr .Gavin L. Rose was Surgeon's Mate. James Bogert, famous
as the old Editor of the Geneva Gazette, was Lieutenant Colo
nel, and Lansing B. Misner, a talented young lawyer of Geneva,
Adjutant. Dr. Woodworth was himself Justice of the Peace
several years, and Post Master at Flint Creek for some time.

Elisha Woodworth, jr., born in 1781, was an early school
teacher in Benton, married Sarah Kelsey in 1805, and settled
on the Pre-emption road near Bellona. Their children are
Harriet, Jane, Catharine and Ariel. Harriet is the wife of
Edward Perry of Middlesex. Jane married Rowland Perry
and emigrated to Grand Blanc, Michigan. Catharine married
Mr. Bates of Middlesex, and went to Grand Blanc. Ariel mar-
ried a sister of Catharine's husband, and also moved to Michigan.

Sarah Woodworth, born in 1783, married Nathan P. Cole of
Benton, in 1808.

Abner Woodworth, 2d, born in 1785, married in 181G, Isa-
bella Black, of Seneca, and settled on the paternal homestead

ABNER WOODWORTH.

TOWN OF BENTON. 229

where they resided many years and finally moved to Penn Yan,
where they died within a few weeks of each other in 18G8, he
at the age of eighty-three, and she also quite aged. He was a
genial, social and popular man, was a Justice of the Peace
twenty-four years in Benton, County Clerk three years, elected
in 1837, and candidate of the Whig party for Representative
in Congress in 1842. In the war of 1812 he was captain of a
company drafted from Benton, then embracing Milo and Tor-
rey. In later life he was active in endeavoring to obtain from
the State a proper remuneration for the soldiers of that war.

Ariel Woodworth, born in 1787, was a physician, and died
single, at Canandaigua, in 1812.

Amy Woodworth, born in 1789, married Joseph Williams,
and settled at Sodus, N. Y., where she died in 1869, at the age
of eighty. They had three children, Susan A , Andrew C,
Alexander B. and Charles O.

Anna Woodworth, born in 1792, married John Shearman of
Penn Yan.

Pamela, born in 1794, married John Means cf Seneca, and
settled in that town. Their children are Elizabeth, Ada B. and
Francis.

Hannah, daughter of Abner Woodworth, 1st, married Gideon
Wolcott, senior.

Dyer Woodworth was a blacksmith, and a man of general
handicraft. He settled on lot 52, where Homer Mariner now
resides. Their children were Mehitable, Hannah, Charity, Al-
mira, Riley and Artemedorus. Mehitable married Amos, a son
of Philemon Baldwin of Benton. Hannah married Phillip
Shay of Benton. Almira married Joseph Shay, a brother of
Phillip. Artemedorus married Polly Stull of Seneca. Riley
married Keturah Newkirk of Seneca. They '#11 emigrated
about 1814 to the west fork of the Whitewater River, Indiana.

WEED FAMILY.

John Weed came to this county in 1808. He had previously
married Rhoda Anderson, and their five sons were all born at

230 HTSTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

Walkill, Orange county. They settled where the family home-
stead remains on Flat street.

John, the oldest son, died single at twenty-one.

William married Harriet Gambee, and settled on the north
part of the homestead, where he died in 1868, leaving six chil-
dren : Bradley S., John, Charles, Margaret, George and Rhoda.
Margaret married Tobias Southerland, and resides in Benton.
Rhoda married James Carrol, and also resides in Benton.

Hiram married Julia Fargo, and settled on the south part of
the homestead, where he died in 18G5, leaving his widow and
two daughters, Rhoda A. and Ruth T. The first married Wil-
liam H. Clawson, and resides at Harrisburg, Texas. Ruth T.
married Tobias Holloway of Toledo, Ohio, and resided on the
homestead in Benton, where he died. Charles married Ellen
Tuell of Penn Yan, where she still resides.

James married Emma, daughter of Martin Brown jr., of Ben-
ton, and settled in Italy, where he died.

Thomas died single at twenty-nine.

The wife of John Weed died in 1818, and in 1820 he mar-
ried Anna Gambee, widow, of Benton. He died in 1832.

THE GAGE FAMILY.

• Moses Gage was a native of Rhode Island, and moved early
to Dutchess county, N. Y., where he mai-ried Sarah Buckbee.
They resided in the town of Southeast during the Revolution.
Their children were Mariam, Buckbee, Reuben, Aaron and
Isaac D., all of whom with their parents came to this county in
1801. The parents and one son, Aaron, settled on a farm of
two hundred acres, at Spencer's Corners. Moses Gage died
there in 1812, at the age of eighty-three, and his wife the fol-
lowing year at the age of eighty-six.

Mariam Gasjp became the second wife of Jonathan J. Hazard,
senior, neaivCJity Hill. He died within a year after the mar-
riage, and subsequently in 1811, she became the third wife of
James Parker, the distinguished pioneer leader. He died six-
teen years later, and she survived him twenty-five years, reach-
ing the advanced age of ninety-six.

TOWN OF BENTON. 231

Reuben Gage married Azuba Hoyt of North Salem, N. Y.
They settled on the farm west of Bellona, now owned by
Charles Coleman, and subsequently exchanged farms with
Aaron Gage, and moved to the paternal homestead, where they
died, he in 1845 at seventy -seven, and she in 1840 at sixty four.
Their children were Jesse T., Horace, Martha, Aaron, William
H. and Reuben P. Jesse T. Gage, who was a prominent citi-
zen of Benton, married Mary, daughter of Jonathan J. Hazard,
2d, and settled on a portion of the homestead in Benton. He
died in 1858, at the age of sixty-one, leaving his widow and
eight surviving children, Murray, Arnold C, Martha, Daniel,
Albina, Susan Ann, Patience and Charles. Of these, Murray
married Ann Travis, and occupied the homestead in Benton,
where she died. Their children are David, Remoin, Lewis and
Sabra. Arnold C. married Mary, daughter of Josiah Page of
Benton. She died leaving two children, Isadore and Byron.
He resides on a part of the homestead, and has a second wife,
Amanda Linkletter of Torrey. Martha married Lewis Randall
and resides in Benton. Their children are George and Sarah.
Albina married Thomas J. Vanderlip. They reside in Penn
Yan. Daniel married Caroline Utter, and settled on the home-
stead. He volunteered during the war of the rebellion, but
sickened and died in the recruiting camp at Rochester, leaving
three children, John, Sarah and Jeese. Susan Ann became the
second wife of Lewis P. Holmes of Benton. They have two
sons David and Bradley. Patience married Solomon Bates,
and resides in West Benton. They have several children.
Charles married Emma Bennett of Milo and resides on the
homestead. They have one child.

Horace Gage, born in 1800, married Sarah, daughter of An-
thony Trimmer, senior, of Benton, and settled near Lima,
Michigan. He died in 1851. Their children are Anthony,
Sylva and Heman.

Martha Gage married Lewis Gregory of Dutchess county, in
1837. They settled on the Pre-emption road adjoining the
homestead of Moses Gage, where she died in 1859, leaving

232 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

three sons, George W., Aaron Y. and Ezra E. George W.
married first, Asenath B., daughter of Lewis D. Gage, who
died soon, and his present wife is Caroline- E., daughter of
George Larham of Seneca. Ezra E. married Mary E., daugh-
ter of Benjamin Bush. Aaron Y. was a soldier, and died in
the service in 1862.

Aaron D. Gage, born in 1808, was educated a physician, emi-
grated to North Carolina, married Mary M. Young and resides
there. They have a daughter, Sarah.

William H. Gage, born 1810, married Abigail R., daughter
of Dr. Calvin Fargo, settled on the Kidder farm, and resides
now in Penn Yan.

Reuben P. Gage emigrated to Marshall, Michigan, where he
married Fanny Parker and settled.

Aaron, the next son of Moses Gage, born in 1766", married
Delilah Francis of Benton, and settled on "West street,"
about two miles northeast of Benton Centre, where his wife
died leaving six children, Clarissa, Franklin, Benjamin, Eliza,
Ruth and Ambrose. The father moved with his family to
Marshall, Michigan, where he died.

Isaac D. Gage, the youngest son of Moses Gage, born March
8, 1773, married Huldah Benedict of South Salem, N. Y.,
born March 19, 1779. They settled in 1805 where they lived
thereafter and died, on lot 30. Their family of fourteen chil-
dren all reached adult age, viz : Sally, Betsey, Moses B., Mari-
ana, Isaac N., Nancy M., Charlotte C, John M., Seneca II.,
Henry H., Huldah A., Lewis D., Armida J. and Augusta D.
Sally, born in 1798, married Samuel Townsend of North Salem,
where he died and she now resides on the homestead, a widow,
without children. Betsey, born in 1800, resides on the home-
stead unmarried.

Moses B., born in 1802, married Ann M. Davis of Church-
ville, Monroe county, and resides there, a physician. They
have five children, Texas B., Ann M., Frances, Emma and
Homer.

TOWN OF BENTON. 233

Ann M., the oldest daughter, married Maurice Welch, who
was a Sergeant in the 108th Regiment of N. Y. Volunteers,
was wounded at Antietam, fought at Chancellorsville, and fell
at Gettysburg in the thickest of the fight. Frances M. mar-
ried Mahlon Balcom, of Orleans county, and resides in Chili,
N. Y. Texas B., the oldest son, died young.

Mariam, born .in 1803, married Thomas Vartie of Seneca,
and settled near Hall's Corners, where both died, she in 1864,
and he in 1865, without children.

Isaac N., born in 1804, married Helen A. Quick of Benton,
and resides on the homestead, a prominent and useful citizen.
Their children are Robert Bloomer and Helen Arabell.

Nancy, born in 1806, married Jewett Mariner. They lived
in Penn Yan, where she died, leaving one child, Olive. He
resides now in Jerusalem, and married for his second wife, Ar-
minda Jane, sister of his first wife, born in 1820. Their chil-
dren are Elizabeth, Francis, Ida and Charles Z.

Charlotte C. born in 1808, married James Parker Barden.

John M., born in 1810, married Martha, daughter of Jesse
Cook of Potter. He died at Branchport leaving one son,
Franklin. His widow is now the wife of Michael Gage of
Middlesex.

Seneca H., born in 1811, is a physician at Belleview, Michi-
gan. He married first, Julia Harris, who died leaving no chil-
dren. His second wife was Amanda Hewes, and they have six
children.

Henry H., born in 1813, married Emeline, daughter of Otis
Barden, and resides adjoining the Barden homestead. Their
children are George G., Henry Hazard, Emma and Carrie.
The two sons are merchants at Bellona. Henry Hazard Gage
married Mary Schoonmaker, and they have one child, Gene-
vieve.

Henry Harrison Gage represented Yates County in the
Assembly in 1856.

Huldah A., born in 1815, married James Burgess of Benton,

and emigrated to Janesville, Wisconsin, where they reside.

Their children are Gage and Texa.

234 HISTORY or YATES county.

Lewis D., born in 1817, married Abigail Pembroke of Ben-
ton. They settled on the homestead, where she died, leaving
four children, James P., Asenath B., Oliver K and Abigail M.
Eliza Balls of Benton, was his second wife, and they moved to
Janesville, Wisconsin, where he died in 1862. The children
of the second marriage are Mary and Albert. James P., the
oldest son, married Mary, daughter of Thomas Hall of Seneca,
and removed to Wisconsin. Asenath B. married George W.
Gregory, and died soon after. Oliver 1ST. married Janette Quick
of Penn Yan, and settled at Roso Hill, Wisconsin. Abigail
was the adopted daughter of Thomas Vartie of Seneca, mnr-
ried George, son of James Southerland of Seneca, and resides
on the Vartie homestead.

Augusta I)., born in 1822, married Alvah, son of Jonathan
Ketch urn, a harness maker at Bellona. Of this remarkable
family it will be seen that all were married except two, and ten
are still living. Isaac D. Gage died in 1854 at the age of
eighty-one, and his wife in 1833 at the age of fifty-four.

Buckbec Gage, the oldest son of the senior pioneer, Moses
Gage, born in 1765, married Ruth Truesdell of Greene county,
and came to this county in 1801. They settled on a new farm
southwest of Bellona, where they reared two sons, Martin and
Samuel Governeur. The parents subsequently lived at Bellona,
where Buckbee Gage died in 1837, at the age of seventy-two.
His wife lived thereafter with her sons, and died in 1856 at the
age of eighty-six.

Martin Gage, born in 1790, married Abigail Rockwell. He
was a merchant at Bellona very early, and the first at that
place ; was also a tavern keeper there and the first Postmaster.
He had a large and prosperous business, advertising extensively
and in a quaint style. He said his goods were usually received
by the boats Dread and Driver, Captain Rummerfield, Master,
at the Port of Kashong. He offered cash, and what he said
was better, lottery tickets, for all kinds of grain. He had the
fortune to draw on one occasion half of a $6,000 prize. His
trade included all branches of the business, hardware and drugs

TOWN or BENTON. 235

as well as dry goods and groceries, and for many years an ex-
tensive supply of liquors. But when tbe great evils of the
traffic became apparent to his mind, he espoused the cause of
Temperance, abandoned the whisky trade, exposed all its frauds
and wickedness, took strong ground for total abstinence, and
became noted as a writer and lecturer in behalf of the Reform.
As a business man he was active and diligent, established a
high reputation for intelligence and honorable dealing, and ac-
cumulated a large property. He was a highly respected mem-
ber of the Baptist church at Benton Centre, and one of its
deacons for several years, and died of apoplexy in his fifty-
first year, leaving six children, De Witt C, Rockwell, Mary A.,
E. Darwin, Charles and Webster. De Witt C. married Catha-
rine A., sister of Justus S. Glover of Penn Yan, and moved to
East Saginaw, Michigan, where he is a lawyer, a leading citizen
and Postmaster. Their children are Glover, Henry and James.
Martin R. is a physician, married first, Martha, daughter of
David Barnes of Seneca, who died a few years after, and his
second wife is a lady of Beloit, Wisconsin. He now resides
at Sparta, Wisconsin. Mary A. married Stephen M. Whitaker.
E. Darwin married EmelineFarrington of Bellona, and resided at
Geneva. He was a captain in the 148th Regiment, and died
of wounds received in battle ; was hurried at Geneva. He left
several children. Charles was a lawyer and Settled at La Crosse.
Wisconsin, where he recently died, a young man of noble
qualities of character and much promise. He was unmarried.
Webster is a resident of California 5 unmarried.

Samuel G. Gage, born at Greenville in 1795, married Martha,
daughter of Matthew Cole, in 1823. She was born in 1801.
They settled on a part of the paternal homestead, where they
lived ten years and then moved to Benton Centre. Mr. Gage
was early appointed a Justice of the Peace, and held his pouri
at Bellona. After he made his residence at Benton Centre, he
was several times re-elected and held the office over twenty years
in all, making a magistrate seldom equaled for his fairness, in-
tegrity and discriminating judgment. The office of Supervisor

236 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

he held seven years, and in all public positions, as in private life,
he was a diligent, correct and methodical man. Ilis work was
always performed well, seeking to give and impart useful
knowledge, and he had a rare appreciation of the value of exact
statistics. For many years he compiled annual tables of mor-
tality for the town of Benton, which were published in the
Yates County Chronicle, and for a considerable period monthly
statements of fires throughout the United States, and the loss
of property thereby as gathered from the published accounts.
It was his pride to make clear and accurate record of all mat-
ters of public importance. In 1841 he united with the Baptist
church at Benton Centre, and was one of its deacons. He was
man of good example, frugal, temperate and thrifty, and died in
1867, at the age of seventy-two. The last six years of his life
he was afflicted with paralysis. Their children were Helen M.,
Ruth M., Samuel B. and Francis G. The ycungest died in
childhood. Helen M. married Lewis P. Holmes of Benton,
and died in 18o8 leaving three children, Bradley, Alice and
Ada. Bradley was a soldier of Company I, 33d Regiment.
He was a determined and enthusiastic soldier, and kept the
field till his captain, (Edward E. Root,) took his ai'ms away and
sent him to the hospital at Hagerstown, Maryland, where he
died December 17, 1862, at the age of nineteen. Ruth M.
Gage married Tilson C. Barden, and moved to Portage City,
Wisconsin, where she died in 1860, at the age of twenty-eight.
Samuel B. Gage, born in 1833, married Louise A. Bennett of
Benton, and settled on a farm adjoining the homestead, where
he resides. He is the only surviving member of his father's
family. They have one surviving child, Samuel Granger Gage.
The mansion and premises of Samuel G. Gage are still occu-
pied by Mrs. Gage, his widow, who survives him.

DR. ANTHONY GAGE.

It was at quite an early day that Dr. Anthony Gage located
at Bellona, and built a log house near the town line, where he
afterwards, built a fine residence and died about 1826. He
came from Herkimer county, was a graduate of the Fairfield

TOWN OF BENTON. 237

Medical College, a physician of celebrity and popularity, and a
warm hearted, excellent citizen. He was a cousin of the chil-
ren of Moses Gage, the head of the numerous and notable
Gage family of Bellona. In politics he was a zealous Democrat,
unlike most of his relatives of that name. His wife was Rhoda
Evans, and she was a woman of fine appearance, much spirit and
taste, and in every way a person ol superior character. Dr.
Gage died at the age of fifty-five, and his wife is said to be still
living. Their children were Caroline, George, Mary and La
Fayette. Caroline married De Witt C. Lawrence. George
died from injuries caused by a land roller, by which a leg and
arm were broken. La Fayette resides in Michigan, and Mary
at Washington with her sister.

K1DDEK FAMILY.

Ephraim Kidder was from Spencertown, Columbia county,
born about 1754. He settled in Benton on the farm opposite
the Dr. Nathan L. Kidder farm, in 1S00. His wife was Sarah
Spencer, an aunt of Truman and Elijah Spencer, born in
Columbia county, in 1763. All their children, except one, was
born previous to their coming to this county. They were sev-
enteen in number, fourteen of them reaching adult age. The
father died in 1836, at the age of eighty-two, and the mother
in 1821, at fifty-eight. Their children were David, Ephraim,
Amos, Nathan L., Louisa, Sarah, Charlotte, Olive Anice, Isaac,
Erastus, Abel, Cyrus and Horace.

David married Miriam Stanton of Columbia county. They
settled in Benton east of the Pre-emption road, where he died
in 1853 at the age of seventy-five, and she in 1856 at the age of
eighty. Their children were Samuel S., Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth,
Olive and Nancy. Samuel S. married Elizabeth Bell of Ben-
ton, and settled on a farm adjoining the paternal homestead,
where his wife died leaving three children, Milan, David and
Miriam. Milan married Susan Carr of Milo, and moved to
Saline, Michigan, where they live and have three sons, Albert,
Amos and Frank. David married Elizabeth Sheridan, and re-
sides on the homestead. They have three children, Samuel,

238 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Bessey and Anna. Miriam, the daughter of Samuel S. Kidder,
married Clement W. Kidder of Benton. Sarah, daughter of
David Kidder, married Dr. Henry Pettibone, and settled at
Naples, where she died, leaving three children, William, David
and Harvey. Mary, the daughter of David Kidder, married
Joseph, a son of Samuel Hartwell, and moved to Memphis,
Tennessee. Elizabeth, the next sister, married Robert Shear-
man of Penn Yan, settled on the farm now owned by John
Hutton, and finallv moved to the village, where he died in 1852,
leaving eight children : Joanna, Francis, Henry, Robert, Jane,
Elizabeth, David and George. Joanna married George Howell,
a saddler of Penn Yan, and moved to Indiana, where both died,
leaving two sons, Charles and Jonas. Francis married Mary
Knapp and moved to Minnesota. Henry married Harriet
Hartwick, and resides at Mishawaka, Indiana. They have two
children, Mary and Dora. Robert resides in Penn Yan, single.
Jane married Edward Kimble, and moved to Des Moines,
Iowa. Elizabeth married Miles V. Bush, moved to Indepen-
pence, Iowa, and died there. David lives in Penn Yan single.
George married Virginia Barker of Branchport, and resides in
Penn Yan. Olive, daughter of David Kidder, died young,
and Nancy married Henry Winters of Benton, where he died
leaving seven children : William, Mary J., Samuel, Adaline,
Frank and Edwin.

Charlotte Kidder, born in 1787, married Amasa Kneeland, of
East Haddam, Connecticut, at Benton in 1807, and settled in
Marcellus, Onondaga county, where he died leaving ten survi-
ving children : Stella, Ellen, Stillman, Spencer, Mary, John,
Adoniram Judson, Jane, Ann, Benjamin and Adolphus. El-
len married Seymour Tracy, who settled near the Hopeton Mills,
and was there engaged in the Milling business as agent first,
and subsequently on his own account. About 1849 they
moved to Penn Yan where they still reside, and where Mr.
Tracy and his son William are largely engaged in the purchase
and shipment of grain and wool. Mr. Tracy is a prominent
citizen and was recently President of the village. Their chil-

TOWN OP BENTON. 239

dren are William C, Morgan D., Stella, Spencer S. and John.
William married Adella Gould. Morgan D. married Emma,
daughter of Daniel Morris. He was for some time a Special
Detective in the United States Revenue service, and is now a
merchant in this village. Jane Ann Kneeland married Martin
Spencer, for many years a resident of Penn Yan, and now
a resident at Galva, Illinois. They have one son, Judson.
Adoniram J. Kneeland married Esther Griswold of Homer, N.
Y., was a resident of Penn Yan some years, and held the office
of Police Justice, and other positions. He is now a resident
of New York City, where he is an able officer in the Revenue
service. Mrs. Charlotte Kneeland survives with the living at
the age of eighty -three, and resides with her daughter, Mrs.
Seymour Tracy, in Penn Yan.

Ephraim Kidder, jr., married Mary Bottghton of Columbia
county, and lived on the Pre-emption road north of Dr. Kidder.
They had four children, Hiram, Desdemona, Nathan B. and
Calista* Hiram married Mary Brown of Bristol, Ontario
county, and moved to Michigan, near Adrian, where he engaged
largely in the lumber business. Desdemona became the wife of
Abraham H. Bennett, senior. Nathan B. married Miss. Strow-
bridge of Geneva, where he was a lawyer and banker ; was previ-
ously a school teacher of note, and now resides at Chicago.
They have two daughters. Calista married Spencer Booth, who
was an important business man at Branchport for many years,
and is now a resident of Syracuse. Mr. Booth died at Branch-
port, leaving four children : William S., Virginia, James and
Kitty. William S. married Frank, only daughter and only child
of Robert Ferrier of Dundee, and is cashier of Harvey G. Staf-
ford's bank in that village. Virginia married Pratt Hamilton
and resides in Illinois. James is unmarried and a merchant at
East Saginaw, Michigan. Kitty married Robert, a son of Tomp-
kins W. Boyd, who is a partner of her brother James in trade
at East Saginaw.

Nathan L. Kidder was a physician, and married Mary, daugh-
ter of Asahel Stone, senior, of the Friend's Society, and settled

240 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

in Benton on what has since been known as the Dr. Kidder
farm, where he died in 1847. They had five children, Almon
S., Asahel S., Addison, George and Aurelia. Almon S. mar-
ried Maria, daughter of Job Briggs of Potter, and settled on a
part of the Asahel Stone homestead in Jerusalem, where he
still resides. They have two children, Susan Ann and Frank.
Susan Ann married Hiram Sprague, and resides on the home-
stead. Asahel S. married Anna Lacey, and settled in "Warren,
Pennsylvania. They have one child, Nathan H. Addison
married Mary A. Pearce, and lived in Penn Yan, where he died
in 1868, leaving five children : Adaline, Mary E., Caroline, Ann
and Amorette. Adaline married Mr. Winants, and moved to
Iowa. Caroline married Peter Mead of Penn Yan. Ann mar-
ried Homer Wheeler of Jerusalem. George married Hansey
Quick of Benton, and moved to Michigan. Their children are
Mary, Helen and Emma. Aurelia A., daughter of Dr. Nathan
L. Kidder, married Charles Ketchum of Benton.

Amos Kidder married Anna Moore, a widow, and settled at
Lewiston, N. Y., where he died leaving seven children : Wil-
liam, Benjamin, Ephraim, Amos, Joseph, Jane and Susan.

Louisa died single on the homestead.

Sarah married George Brown, brother of James, the Friend,
and resided on the family homestead during his life. They had
two children, Darius and Ann.

Olive married Abraham Oldfield of Benton, and settled in
that town where both died. Their children were, Orson, Sa-
brina, Charlotte, Maria, Valentine and Nelson.

Anice married Simeon Hurd of Benton, and they now re-
side near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Abel married, and resides in the town of Flint, Michigan.

Isaac was a physician, married Betsey Haxton of Benton,
settled at Liberty, Steuben county, and removed thence to
Pekin, Niagara county, where he died, leaving three children.

Erastus married and resides in Michigan.

Cyrus, born in 1799, married Maria Waldron, and settled on
the homestead where he has lived since he was six months old,

TOWN OF BENTON. 241

and where his wife died about 1858. They had twelve chil
dren, eleven of whom reached adult age. They were Welling-
ton, William, Caroline, Ephraim, Emily, Charlotte, Oliver C,
John, Edwin, Clement W., Ann and Marietta. Wellington
resides in Michigan. William married in Tennessee and set-
tled in southern Illinois, where he died leaving two sons. Caro-
line married Jeremiah Rapalee of Milo, and died leaving five
children. Ephraim is married resides in Prattsburg, and
has two children. Emily married Albeit Enos and settled in
Benton, where she died leaving one son, Cyrus. Charlotte
married Leonard Bohall of Benton, where she died leaving
two children. Oliver C. is a physician and emigrated to Ten-
nessee. John emigrated west. Clement W. married Miriam
Kidder. Ann is unmarried. Mariette married Mr. Moore of
Benton. They moved to Michigan with three children.

Horace Kidder married Lydia Rippey, and settled in Benton,
where she died leaving one son Henry. His second wife was
Rachel Jones of Seneca, and they reside at Honeoye Lake, On-
tario county, and have three children, Mary J., Henriette and
Horace.

S AMD EI. JAYNK

Samuel Jayne, senior, was a native of Florida, Orange coun-
ty, born in 1763. Near the close of the Revolutionary war he
served nine months, and was stationed in the Minisink country
as a guard against the British and Indians, for which service
he received a pension, and ultimately a land warrant was issued
to his widow. He came to the Genesee country in 1792, stop-
ping at Geneva, where he wrought for a time. Geneva was in
embryo then, and had but one framed house. Mr. Jayne built a
rail fence about a lot on which the Methodist church in Geneva
now stands. He was present at the raising of the old Geneva
Hotel, now Water Cure, and the Mile Point House. To raise
the latter building, Mr. Williamson hired men by the day, and
it was a job of three clays. Mr. Jayne came to Benton, then
Jerusalem, and in 1797 bought the farm still owned by his son

Samuel, the east half of lot No. 8, of Nathaniel Norton, then

242 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Sheriff of Ontario county. After a commencement at clearing
his land, he returned to Orange county, where, in 1802, he
married Eleanor Van Zile, originally from New Jersey. In
1803 they came with an ox team to their home in Benton, by
way of Albany and the Mohawk Valley. The Indian trail
from Kashong to the foot of Keuka Lake, passed over Mr.
Jayne's farm. Samuel Jayne, jr., says that he well recollects
seeing and traveling this path, which was a hard and thorough-
ly beaten track, and so remained until broken by the plow.

Samuel Jayne, senioi, after a very iudustrious and useful life
of ninety years, died in April, 1853, and his worthy consort
died in 1858, at the age of eighty-three They had three sons,
Samuel, Henry and William. Samuel, born March 3, 1804,
married Elizabeth Bacon, a native of London, England, born
February 26, 1806, and married April 12, 1828. Mr. Jayne
applied himself for some years to the trade of a mason, and
assisted in that capacity in the erection of the Dox mansion, in
Torrey, but for many years past he has been a farmer, fruit
culturist and nursery grower. He has on his place a pear
orchard of six hundred trees in good bearing condition. He
has occupied many of the official positions of his town, and
represented Yates county in the Assembly in 1851. He was
also a candidate on the Grant and Colfax Electoral ticket in
1868. He and his wife are held in high esteem by their neigh-
bors. They are without children.

Henry Jayne married Sarah, daughter of John Johnson, jr.,
of Benton, emigrated to Grass Lake, Michigan, in 1834, where
he was a farmer for some time, and is now a druggist. They
have three children, Elizabeth, John E. and Ella L.

William died unmarried in 1831.

THE MC MASTERS.

John Mc Master was a native of Ireland, and came to Ameri-
ca in 1792, landing at New Castle, Delaware. In 1795 he mar-
ried Jane Barnes, in Little Britain, Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
vania, and in 1797, located on what is still known as the Barnes
farm in Seneca, on the Pre-emption road, a short distance north

TOWN OF BENTON. 243

of Bellona. In 1806 he bought a farm on the west side of
the Genesee river, within or near the present bounds of Roch-
ester, but before moving his family he was cut off by death.
The family remained in Seneca till 1810, when Mrs. Mc Master
purchased two separate parcels of land in Benton, on one of
which she moved with her family, and both were afterwards
owned by her sons. She died in 1829. Their children were
James W., David J., Mary, Jane and Sarah. James W. mar-
ried Jemima, daughter of Stephen Haight. She is a native of
Fishkill, N. Y., born in 1797. They settled on the premises
west of the mother's homestead, where he died in 1863, at the
age of sixty-six. He was a man of energy and thrift, and left
his family a good estate. He filled various public stations and
was several years one of the Loan Commissioners of the county.
His widow survives him. Their children are Mary J., Sarah C,
John J., Edwin R., George W., Laura E., James M., Jemima E.
and Nancy E.

Mary J. Mc Master married David Wilson of Seneca. They
have two children, Caroline and Mary C. Laura married
Arthur Edie, of York county, Pennsylvania, and resides in
Seneca. They have one child, James A. John J. married
Elizabeth Crozier of Seneca, and resides in Benton. They
have had six children, James W., Eliza J., George C, Arabell,
Charles and John J. The mother died in 1869. Edwin R.
married Cynthia Smith of Connecticut, and resides in
Benton. They have one child, Mary. George W. married
Margaret Rippey of Seneca, and resides near his brother John,
on what is known as the Watson farm. They have three chil-
dren, John R., William and Fred. James M. is unmarried, re-
sides on the homestead and owns it. Sarah C, Jemima E. and
Nancy E., are unmarried and reside on the homestead.

David J., the second son of John Mo Master, born in 1799,
married Martha Black of Seneca, and settled in that town
where she died in 1828, leaving five children, Elizabsth, Erne-
line, John R., Aaron B. and Martha. His second wife was
Laura Hulbert, widow. They settled in Potter where she died

244

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

in 1859, leaving four surviving children by the second marriage,
Mary, Sarah J., Laura and David M. His third wife, now liv-
ing, was Eleanor Davis, widow, of Grand Rapids, Ohio. He
has been a prominent citizen of Potter, held various local offi-
ces and was six years a Loan Commissioner of the county. His
oldest daughter, Elizabeth, married Alfred Page of Seneca,
and resides on the old David Benton farm. Their children are
Lucetta, wife of Rev. Newell S. Lowrey of Gorham, and Emma.
Emeline married William Cronkhite of Sandy Hill, N. Y.
They have six children, Augusta and five sons. John died sin-
gle. Aaron married Sarah Harlow of Grass Lake, Michigan,
and resides near Detroit. Martha married Dr. Alexander B.
Sloan of Bellona. Mary married Daniel W. Dinturff of Potter,
now of Fowlerville, Michigan. Sarah is unmarried and resides
at Fowlerville Michigan. Laura married Ashley Thomas, 2d.,
of Potter, and resides at Ada Michigan. David M. married
Emma, daughter of the late Charles Bordwell of Potter. They
reside on the Mc Master homestead, in Potter, and have one
child, Nellie.

Mary Mc Master, born in 1802, married Moses Black of Sene-
ca, and settled near the "No. 9 Church," where they have re-
mained. Their children are Aaron, John, Elizabeth, James and
Mary.

Sarah Mc Master born in 1806, married Fletcher C. Bateman
of Benton, and emigrated to Centreviile, Michigan. They
have three sons, Emery J., David and Fletcher C.

MCFARREN FAMILY.

Samuel Mc Farren was a native of Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, and married Susannah Campbell of the same place
in 1800. He died in 1828 at the age of sixty-eight, and she in
1856 at the age of seventy-five. They came to the Genesee
country in 1806, and landed at Long Point, south of Dresden,
on the day cf the Great Total Eclipse. After a year's sojourn
on the farm where Herman S. Barnes now resides, they pur-
chased and removed to the farm where they died, which is still
owned and occupied by their son Samuel, on lot No. 10 in

TOWN OP BENTON.

245

Benton. Their children were James, William, Nancy, Samuel,
John, James, Andrew C. and Robert N. James died single in
1864, at the age of sixty-two. William died single in 1827, at
the age of twenty -three. Nancy, born in 1 807, married Aaron
B. Munn in 1830, and in 1838 they emigrated to Eaton Rapids,
Michigan, where they reside. Their children are Mary J., Wil-
liam, Andrew N. and Asa.

Samuel, born in 1809, married Olive Baker of Benton, in
1855. They have two children Samuel A. and Olive Adelia.

John born in 1811 married Caroline Johnson of Benton in
1833, and settled finally in Shiawassee county, Michigan. They
have had twelve children, of whom nine survive.

James, born in 1813, married Emily Biggers of Wayne, N. Y
in 1833, where they remained till 1854, when they emigrated
to Kite River, Ogle county, Illinois. Their children are Sarah,
Marietta, Nancy J. and Susannah. Andrew C, born in 1815,
married Mary Huber of Geneva. They reside at Painted
Post and have one son, William R.

Robert N., born in 1818, married Harriet A., daughter of
Linus Bates of Benton, in 1843, and settled on the "Stokoe
farm," lot No. 34, in Benton, where they still reside. ' This farm
was originally owned by William Earl, an uncle of Jephthah
and Arthur Earl, and Mr. Mc Farren found on the outer bark
of a beech tree in 1865, on his premises, the plain and legible
inscription — "W. E., 1808," and the tree still alive and grow-
ing, but since uprooted by the wind. Mr. Mc Farren is an ac-
tive and prominent citizen of his town, and held in high esteem
as a neighbor. He has recently had charge of a store in Penn
Yan, and is now Deputy IT. S. Revenue Assessor for Yates
county. Their children are Cassius N., S. Runette and Wendell
R. Cassius N., born in 1845, married Helen A. Rosenkrans of
Benton, and has been a merchant in Penn Yan. He was a soldier
in the Pennsylvania militia in 1863, drafted from Williamsport,
where he then resided, to meet the rebel army at Gettysburg ;
and afterwards enlisted in the company of Captain Morris F.

246 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Sheppard in the 16th 1ST. Y. Heavy Artillery, where he served
till the end of the war.

JOHN COLEMAN.

John Coleman was a native of Fishkill, N. Y., and while he
was a child, his father, also John Coleman, emigrated to Ly-
coming, Pennsylvania, where the son at the age of twenty-five,
•married Christiana Rine. He came to this region as an explor-
er in 1798, and bought fifty acres of what is now known as the
old Purdy farm, on the second road west of Seneca Lake in
Benton, where he built a house and sowed wheat preparatory
to bringing his family. The following spring they came, the
father driving his yoke of oxen and two cows. From the head
of Seneca Lake the wife and three young children were rowed
down by Moses Hall. A violent wind made a portion of the
voyage terrifying if not perilous to the timid mother. After
one year they sold their first location, and purchased at what is
now Bellona, where their son, Henry R. Coleman, now resides.
The place then included seventy acres of land, entirely wild.
There John Coleman died in 1832, at the age of sixty-two, and
his wife in IS 59 at the age of eighty-six. Their children are
John, Margaret, Henry R., Elizabeth, Daniel, Sarah and
Charles. John, born in 1796, married Julia, daughter of Wil-
liam Ansley of Seneca. They settled finally at Perry, Wyo-
ming county, N. Y., and their children are Sarah, Caroline,
Mary and George.

Margaret, born in 1797, married William Taylor of Benton.

Henry R. Coleman born in 1800, married Caroline Squier of
Seneca. They settled on the Coleman homestead, where she
died the mother of six children: Mary C, Charlotte A., Caro-
line E., Henry D., Charles S. and John W. Mr. Coleman's
second wife was Laura Miles, widow, of Millport, N. Y.
He greatly enlarged the original homestead and improved it.
Some of it has been appropriated to village lots in Bellona, and
otherwise sold off. He has been identified with nearly the
whole history of Belloua, and has seen the country around re-
deemed from its native wilderness. In fruit culture he has

TOWN OF BENTON. 247

taken considerable interest, and is noted for his success in pear
growing. Mary, his oldest daughter, married George Voor-
hees of Romulus, Seneca county, where they reside. Their
children are Caroline A. and Laura J. Charlotte married John
Wilkie of Seneca. Their children are Henry D., William C.
and Frederick S. Caroline married Henry McAlpine of Ben-
ton, and resides on the James Smith farm. Their children are
George, Charles and one other. Henry Dwight, a young man
of much promise, emigrated to Centre Creek Mines, Missouri,
where he died'in 1868. Charles S. resides with his father
unmarried.

Elizabeth, born in 1803, married William Bamborough of
Lyons, N. Y., and lives now in Michigan. Their children are
Caroline, Flora, Thomas, Wesley and Daniel.

Daniel Coleman, born in 1800, married Esther Ansley of
Seneca, and located early at Jackson, Michigan, where his wife
died. He married a second wife, Miss Blake of Livonia, N. Y.,
in 1836, and was soon after killed by the running away of his
horse. He left a fine estate and no children.

Sarah, born in 1808, married James Johnson of Benton,
emigrated to Indiana, and thence to Watervliet, Missouri, where
he died leaving three children : Christina, Coleman and Charles
H. She married a second husband, Mr. Crossman.

Charles Coleman, born in 1801, married Mary A. Seeley of
Milo, and settled about one mile southwest of Bellona, on lot
No. 3, where he now resides, and where his wife died in 1869.
They had three children : George S., Edward and William
H. Mr. Coleman was elected Justice of the Peace in 1849,
and he was re-elected for his sixth term in the spring of 1869,
thus affording the best proof of the high regard in which he is
held by his fellow citizens. His son, George, became a prin-
ter, and under a strong sense of patriotic duty, enlisted in the
161st N. Y. Volunteers, accompanied the expedition of Gen.
Banks in 1864, was wounded at the battle of Sabine Cross
Roads, and finally died in hospital at New Orleans, at the age
of twenty-one. He has a fine monument erected over his

248 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

grave. Edward married Alice, adopted daughter of Charles
Coe of Benton, where they reside. They have one child Mary.

JARED PATCIIEN.

This early settler of Benton, was a native of Norwalk, Con-
necticut. He settled on lot 70 of No. 8, in 1807, and died
there just fifty years later, at the age of eighty-four. His wife
was Nancy Nash, of Connecticut. She died in 1852 at the age
of seventy-three. They redeemed their farm from the wilder-
ness, and made a highly cultivated and productive homestead.
He was a man of positive character and great energy, and his
wife a woman of high moral and social standing, widely known
and much esteemed. Their children were Abel, Levi, Sabra,
Emily and Nancy. Abel married a daughter of the late Judge
Aaron Younglove of Gorham, and emigrated to Washtenaw
county, Michigan.

Levi Patchen married Harriet Adkins of Benton, where she
died leaving three children : Yolney, Emily and Harriet. He
married again and died in Michigan. Emily mai'ried Rezie
York of Benton, and moved to Michigan.

Sabra Patchen married Joseph Wheeler of Waterloo, and
settled at Brighton, Monroe county, where she died leaving
three children : Jared, Jesse and Fanny. Jared is a physician,
and was a surgeon in the army during the late war. He mar-
ried Miss Baldwin and resides in Brighton. Jesse was a sol-
dier in the war and died in hospital at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Emily Patchen, became the wife of Daniel Gilbert of Benton,
where he died without children. She married a second hus-
band, John Powell of Penn Yan, where she died leaving one
son, John J. Powell.

Nancy Patchen married Peter York of Benton. They re-
side in Geneva and have had three children : Delos, Frank and
Ella.

JOHN POWELL.

John Powell was a native of Dutchess county, and came to
Penn Yan about 1816. After having worked at his trade as a
blacksmith, for some time with Benjamin Shaw, his brother-in-

TOWN OF BENTON. 249

law, whose apprentice he was, he married first, Almira, a sister
of Carlton Leggy and they had two children : James S. and
Mary J. His second wife was Emily, the widow of Daniel
Gilbert, and daughter of Jared Patchen. They had one son,
John J. His third wife was Jane Bellows of New Hampshire.
They had five children, Charles F. William, Emily, Sarah and
Lewis B. John Powell was a leading Methodist, and a man
of sterling, upright character. For about twenty years he was
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Yates county. His
shop on Head street, was where his son, James S., subse-
quently followed the same trade for many years. He died
in 1852 at the age of fifty-eight. Only his oldest two
children remain in the county. James S. married Maria daugh-
ter of Enos Easton of Middlesex, and resides on the old home-
stead. They have four children : George K., Cornelia B.,
Mary J. and Charles. George K. is a graduate of Genesee
College, and a teacher of celebrity. Pie was a clerk on the
II. S, "War Steamer Wateree, when it was stranded on the coast
of Peru in 1863, being carried high on shore by a mighty earth-
quake wave and left by the returning tide.

Mary J. is the wife of Henry M. Stewart, a lawyer of Penn
Yan, and a man of rare intellectual and moral characteristics.
Their only son, John P, was an amiable and promising young
lad who died while an apprentice in the printing office of the
Yates County Chronicle in 1858.

John J. Powell married Harriet Marble of Augelica, and re-
sides at Bellaire, Ohio, a merchant. They have two children,
Mary and Hattie Bell.

Charles F. Powell married Juliette Alven and resides at
St. Cloud, Minnesota. They have one child, Mary.

William Powell married Annette Marvin and resides at St.
Cloud where the two brothers are partners in the hardware
trade. They have two children, James and Gertrude.

Sarah Powell married Jesse Butterfield of Piqua, Ohio. He

died at St. Anthony, Minnesota, and she resides at Scranton,

Pennsylvania.

J 32

250 HISTORY Or YATES COUNTY.

Lewis B. Powell is unmarried and a successful dealer iu music
and musical instruments at Scranton, Pennsylvania.

THE SPENCEKS.

One cf the earliest and most important families who peopled
Yates county, was that of James Spencer, whose descendants
have been numerous, and some of them conspicuous and emi-
nent citizens. The Spencer family is of Welsh origin. Their
progenitor came to this country in 1650, and settled in East
Haddam, Connecticut. James Spencer moved from there to
Columbia county, 1ST. Y. He and his wife, Anna, were the
parents of twelve children, and his sister, Sarah Spencer, mar-
ried Ej)hrairn Kidder, from which pair the Kidder family of
Yates county have descended. The children of James and
Anna Spencer, were David, Truman, James, Martin, Elijah,
Abner, Justus P., Simeon, Rhoda, Lovina, Anna and Angelina.
David did not come to this country. Truman at the age of
seventeen became a soldier of the Revolution, and for his ser-
vices in that arduous struggle received a pension during the
later years of his life. His wife was Lois Pattison, and in 1788,
when he was twenty-four years old and she nineteen, they set
out for the Genesee country, inspired with that noble courage
Avhich made them prosperous and successful pioneers ; though
their resources werje little more than their own healthful ener-
gies and buoyant hopes. Ke brought his wile and her father
and mother as far as Newtown, where they remained till the
spring of 1789. In the meantime he came on with his knap-
sack to township No. 8, first range, and selected his farm which
he purchased, it is ascertained, of Levi Benton, on lot 13, for
fifty cents per acre. The next spring they moved on it. Coming
down Seneca Lake in a boat to Norris' Landing, they found
some sort of conveyance thence to Levi Benton's, something
more than a mile west of their own premises. It is hardly con-
ceivable how they could have reached Mr. Benton's by that
route at that time, as there was no sort of a road, unless the
tracks of surveyors had opened some lines that could be fol-
lowed through the dense undergrowth. They reached Mr.

TOWN OP BENTON. 251

Benton's just before nightfall, and remained under bis roof tbe
first night. The next day Mr. Benton sent his sons to assist
Mr. Spencer to put up a cabin. They erected a rude log struc-
ture, making use of split basswood for a floor, and basswood
bark for a roof. This dwelling stood about two rods north of
the present house, on the premises ever since known as Spen-
cer's Corners. At this time there were but two other families
in what is now Benton : that of Levi Benton, and the family
that resided at Dr. Benton's saw mill, where it was pretty cer-
tain there was one, though not the Doctor himself. There was
a dense forest in every direction, full of wild animals, and little
familiar to any human presence except that of red men.

James Pattison, the father of Mrs. Spencer, after viewing the
premises with his son-in-law, selected a place for his final repose,
now a little west of the Pre-emption road, and south of the
house, which was long used as a family burying ground. He
cheered them with words that seemed to have a prophetic in-
spiration, assuring them that "they would live to see the coun-
try cleared and thickly settled, and a church on either side of
them." How literally his prediction was fulfilled, will be real-
ized by all who remember the old Baptist church northeast of
Benton Centre, and the old Presbyterian Church on the ridge,
east of Spencer's Corners. The old man died in the autumn
of 1792, at the age of seventy-seven. His wife, Betsey Patti-
son, thirteen years his junior, was a woman of great energy,
whose precept and example gave life and encouragement, not
only to her own family, but all the surrounding pioneer settlers.
She had courage, knowledge, experience and address, which
made her one of the most useful residents of the region ju.it
peopliug with new beginners. In the absence of professional
doctors, she was widely employed as a physician and midwife.
She was as successful and no doubt as useful as the most accom-
plished graduates of the schools, and being a skillful and sensi-
ble horseback rider, made her visits promptly, while her fee of
one dollar, was adapted to the slender purse of the early settler, j

If any ambitious and talented young woman waits for a prece- i

............ I

252 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

dent before engaging in a profession to which her sex is admi-
rably adapted, she will find in this worthy pioneer mother an
example which sets the argument of propriety forever at rest,
and a sanction three generations ago by an excellent communi-
ty of New England people. Mrs. Pattison died in 1821, at the
age of ninety-three.

They brought provisions and clothing which would have suf-
ficed until they could have replenished their stock from their
own land, but Mr. Benton, whose supplies were short, prevailed
on Mr. Spencer to divide with him, taking what he received as
a payment on the laud: This reduced their resom*ces so much,
that in the early summer of 1790, they had nothing left for
food except a few nubbins of corn raised the previous year by
scratching with a hoe among the stumps. In this straight,
Mr. Spencer went on foot to a Mr. Stevens, about one mile and
a half west of Geneva, of whom he bought one bushel of corn
for which he paid a French crown. He carried it home by a
path marked by blazed trees through the woods, and from
thence to Smith's Mill on Keuka Outlet. In recounting after-
wards the story of this dearly earned corn meal, he related that
on returning home with his corn, he sat down on a log to rest,
and while waiting there saw some rinds of pork thrown away
by other travelers who had eaten a lunch on the same spot.
These he picked up and ate, as he always said with more relish
than anything he had fiver eaten before or after. t While he
was on this trip for corn, Mrs. Pattison gathered up the nub-
bins of corn, washed off the smoke stains and parched the
corn for coffee which they drank. These famishing times were
in marked contrast with the generous abundance which after-
wards crowned their board, when scores at a time were fed at
their table.

An early and valuable acquisition was a fine sow, which rang-
ing in the woods near by, was one day attacked by a huge bear.
The terrified squeal of the hog soon drew her owner to the
spot. He shouted, waved his hat, and made such demonstra-
tions as attracted Bruin's attention for a moment, and the hog

TOWN OF BENTON. 253

was not slow to improve the diversion by making a sally for
home. Her owner covered the retreat, and the bear followed
so closely after as to tear away one of his coat skirts, but con-
cluded to retreat in time without securing any further spoil.

On one occasion, an Indian stole his iron kettle in which
he boiled his maple sap for sugar making, and carrying it to
the Kashong Flats, hid it. Procuring the company of Samuel
Jayne, senior, Captain Spencer, went to Kashong, and
after diligent search, found the kettle buried in the mud,
much to the chagrin of the felonious red skin, and the merri-
ment of the other Indians, who ridiculed the thief for his lack
of craft in hiding his booty.

Mrs. Spencer would occasionally go on horseback to visit the
family of Samuel Taylor, living about one mile north of Ka-
shong, where the lake road now runs. She followed an Indian
trail which ran to Kashong, crossing the premises now occu-
pied by Samuel Jayne. Often, as the shades of evening gath-
ered on her return, the wolves would keep even with her up
the ravine of the Kashong, which she could well understand by
their dismal howl. This was an escort not unlikely to make a
solitary woman nervous, and anxious, to say the least.

The deed of Truman Spencer's land was executed in 1792,
signed by Levi Benton, witnessed by Martin Spencer and Seba
Squiers, and acknowledged in 1807 before John Nicholas.

Their first child, David, was born September 8, 1790, and
was, beyond all doubt, the first white child born in Benton, if
not in Yates county. He died of "canker rash," March 18,
1793. The father rode to Geneva for a physician, but when he
returned his child was dead. The inscription on the headstone
of his grave, denoting his age and date of decease, proves the
date of his birth.

Levi Benton, jr., was the mechanic who framed Truman
spencer's first barn, and at the supper when the barn was raised,
every man, woman and child, in what is now Benton, was pres-
ent. So few were the inhabitants that they had great difficulty
in getting up the frame. These early difficulties were rapidly

254 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

vanquished, and they lived to witness great changes. Mr.
Spencer was soon followed to his new»home by his parents and
all his brothers and sisters but one. Offices civil and military
were conferred upon him. He was elected a captain in the
militia, and was evpr afterwards called Captain Spencer. At
the second election of Jackson in 1832, he was one of the
Presidential Electors. When Martin Van Buren visited Gene-
va, on his tour through the State, while President, he was sta-
tioned in front of the old Geneva Hotel to receive the usual in-
troductions. Captain Spencer's name being announced, the
President recognized him at once. "Ah!" said he, "one of the
old Electors." Mr. Van Buren was chosen Vice President by
the Electoral College of 1832.

Mr. Spencer and his wife made their first visit to their old
home in Columbia county in the fall of 1804, going on horse-
back. While absent, their youngest child, James, died of
croup. He was a little prattler of eighteen months, whose loss
was a sore affliction to them.

Captain Spencer was ' an ardent politician, and made it a
point to be the first man to vote on election days. The liber-
ties he had fought for he was eager to maintain. He and his
brother Elijah were much attached to each other, but in Jack-
son times they differed politically, and their differences were
sometimes acrimonious. He opened a public house at an early
period, and there for many years the Benton town meetings
and other public gatherings were held.

The children of this family, other than those already men-
tioned, were Nancy, David P., Laura and Olive. Mrs. Spencer
died in 1830 at the age of sixty-two. He afterwards married
Martha, widow of George Wheeler, jr., daughter of Eliphalet
Hull. His death occurred in April, 1840, at the age of seventy-
six. His name should be held in honorable memory, as one of
the first and most distinguished pioneers of this county. A
graceful obituary notice was penned by Elijah Spencer on his
death, and published in the Yates County Whig of that date.

TOWN OF BENTON.

255

Nancy, the oldest daughter, born in 1792. married Henry,
son of Elijah Kelsey of Benton, and settled near the homestead.
Their children were Caroline, George W., Charles R., Heth,
Arabell, Olive, Laura and Myron. Charles R. married Eliza-
beth Sawyer. They had a son, Charles, with whom the mother
now lives in Michigan. Heth married Olive Barden of Seneca.
Their children are George and Sarah. His widow married
John Williams of Seneca, where the children reside. Arabell,
the only survivor of her mother's family, married William
Scoon of Seneca, where they now reside. Their children are
Margaret A., Charles K., Helen A., Laura J. and William.

David P., born in 1795, married Abigail Wood of Bellona,
and their children were Truman, Isabell, Thomas, Lois, Andrew
J., Augusta and Herman. They emigrated to Michigan.
Truman married Susan A. Fisher of Benton, and afterwards
moved to Ingham county, Michigan. Their children are
Charles, George D. and James H. Isabell married Emory Lamb
of Benton, and moved to Carrol county, Illinois. Their chil-
dren are Theresa, Susan, Lucy, Bellina, Joanna and Laura.
Thomas married Caroline Dennison of Torrey, and resides at
Oaks Corners, Ontario county. Their children are George E.
and Mary. Lois married Paschal P. Pettengill of Torrey.
They moved to Ingham county, Michigan, and their children
are John, Isabell and Catharine A. Andrew J. married Harriet
Gage of Phelps, N. Y., and moved to Ingham county, Michi-
gan. Their children are Mary Jane and Laura. The widow
of David P. Spencer still survivesin Michigan. She is a daugh-
ter of Thomas Wood, who moved from Ulster county in 1808,
and bought a farm of Longhead, at Bellona. At that time
there were but three families in Bellona : the Longheads, J.
Reynolds and John Carr.

Laura, born in 1798, married James Barnes, jr., of Seneca.
She still survives with her natural powers of body and mind
well preserved. Their children are Herman S , Augustus T.,
Mary E. and Charles P. Herman S., is a prominent citizen of
Torrey. He married Deborah Goundry of Torrey. Their

256 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

children are Wellington A., Josephine, James F. and Margaret.
Augustus T. married Amelia Scott of Seneca. They have one
son, Clarence Eugene. Mary E. married William T. Beattie
of Seneca. Their children are Charles A., Laura, Mary and
Herbert. Charles P. married first, Sarah Hewlett of Benton,
and a second wife, Esther Hope of Benton. They reside in
Seneca and have one child, Gertrude.

Olive, born January 1, 1800, married David Barnes, brother
of James. Their children were Martha and James W, neither
of whom survives. James Warren raised a company of volun-
teers during the rebellion, aud served as a captain for some
time. He returned home and died of camp fever near the
close of the war. His wife was Caroline Johnson of Benton.
He left one child, Martha Lucinda. Martha, only daughter of
David and Olive, married Martin R. Gage of Benton, and
moved to Iowa, where she died.

Elijah Spencer, then fifteen years old, came with his parents
and the rest of the family to Benton, then Jerusalem, in 1791.
The family located on what is now known as the Phelps farm,
where the father died in- 1805, at the age of seventy, and the
mother in 1806, at the age of sixty-four. Elijah was early in-
ured to all the hardships of pioneer life. On one occasion, he
and one of his brothers when searching for the cows were lost,
and took refuge at nightfall in one of the huts of David Fish,
on the Outlet of Keuka Lake, not far from Hopeton, (not yet
founded.) The night seemed long and they found it impossi-
ble to sleep. So they concluded to go home at all hazards, and
proceeded to the lake, which they followed to Ivashong, and
thence found their way home by an Indian trail early in the
morning. In his early manhood Elijah Spencer was an enter-
prising laborer, and for some years cleared land by the acre for
the early settlers. In 1808, at the age of thirty-two, he mar-
ried Sarah Beaumont, a niece of Rachel and Margaret Malin,
who was ten years younger. They settled on lot 21 in No. 8,
where they remained through life.

ELIJAH SPENCER.

TOWN OF BENTON. 257

Mr. Spencer early became a prominent and influential citi-
zen, enjoyed the fullest confidence of the people, and was fre-
quently called to important public stations. He was Supervi-
sor of Benton, then including Milo and Torrey, in 1810, if not
earlier. That year the county bounty for wolves was ten
dollars, and Mr. Spencer's allowance for his services as Supervi-
sor was twenty-eight dollars. In 1811 Elijah Spencer was
again Supervisor, and the wolf and panther bounty was fifteen
dollars. He had thirty-three dollars for his services. He was
Supervisor in 1812-13-14, and again in 1816-17-18. In 1818
he was chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Ontario coun-
ty. That year Milo was set off from Benton, and Elijah Spencer
was the first Supervisor of Benton as thus formed ; and after
Yates county was set off from Ontario, he was again Supervi-
sor, in 182C-27-28. In 1819 he was one of the seven members
representing Ontario county in the Assembly. In the Seven-
teenth Congress, (1821,) he and William B. Rochester, repre-
sented the twenty-first district of this State, embracing all the
State west of Seneca Lake, except Steuben county. Finally,
in 1846, he was honored with a seat in the State Constitutional
Convention of that year. His name was always a tower of
strength with the people. It has been the lot of few citizens
to be so much favored by public honors, and few men have so
well deserved them by lives of equal probity and usefulness.
He transformed hi3 homestead from total wildness to a beauti-
ful and productive farm, accumulated a good estate, and died
in 1852, at the age of seventy-six. His wife died in 1856 at
the age of seventy. Their children were Harriet, Mary, James,
Caroline, George W., Benjamin, Elijah P. and Sarah Jane,
twins.

Harriet became the second wife of Thomas H. Locke and
died in 1858 at the age of forty-eight leaving one son, Charles
S. Mr. Locke still resides in Penn Yan, is a book-binder and
Justice of the Peace of Benton. Various other offices have
been held by him. He has a daughter, Cornelia, by his first
marriage, who resides with her father.

258 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

Mary, bora in 1814, married Henry C. Wheeler. They now
reside in Chicago. Their children are E. Spencer, Frank and
Carrie.

James died unmarried in 1849, at the age of thirty-three.

Caroline died single in 1851 at the age of thirty-three.

George W., born in 1821, married Elizabeth M., daughter of
Ephraim Wheeler, in 1852. She died in 1860 leaving one son,
Frank Elijah. Iq 1862 Mr. Spencer married Mary E., also a
daughter of Ephraim Wheeler, and they have one son, Charles
P. They reside on the paternal homestead which has always
been retained by the family. George W. is a prominent and
much respected citizen.

Benjamin F. died single in 1855 at the age of thirty-one.

Elijah P. married Elizabeth Hyer of Philadelphia, in 1852,
where he died in 1860 at the age of thirty-four, leaving three
children, Alexander H., Beaumont and Annie.

Sarah J. married John Mc Niel of Penn Yan, and died soon
after, in 1856, at the age of thirty.

Martin, brother of Truman and Elijah Spencer, married
Sybil, daughter of Stephen Richmond of Columbia county.
Their children were Rhoda, Truman, Eliza Ann, Horace, Mar-
tin, Corintha, Theresa and Louise. The father of this family
came here when young, but returned to Columbia county, and
married and died there. The children all came here except
Rhoda. Truman, jr., married Christina Becker in Columbia
county, moved to Prattsburgh and thence to Penn Yan, where
he died in 1839, leaving two sons and two daughters, now living
at Clyde, K Y.

Horace was a Baptist clergyman, who preached at Reed's
Corners, in Gorham and other places. He died leaving three
children, Emily, Newton B. and Caroline. Emily died a young
woman. Newton B., is editor and co-proprietor with Harrison
De Long, of the Pomeroy, (Ohio), Crescent. Caroline lives
with her uncle Edwin Williams at Galva, 111. He married
Margaret Beyea, of Penn Yan. Their children are Albert and
Martin.

I?OWN OF BENTON. 259

Eliza Ann married Henry Hicks, in Columbia count}'. He
was a native of Long Island and moved to this county in 1833.
He lived some time on Bluff Point, and about twenty years
owned and occupied the farm first settled by Levi Benton,
senior, at the intersection of Flat street and the east Centre
Road in Benton. He is now a prominent citizen of Penn Yan,
and has a second wife, Marietta, daughter of Jonathan Whita-
ker. The surviving children of the first marriage are Mary
Elizabeth, Martin S., Cordelia, Henry Augustus, George N,
Ellen R., James E., Alice and Maleen. Mary Elizabeth mar-
ried Andrew Chapman of Benton. Their children are Ida,
Eddington, Hobart, Henry and Grace. Martin S. married
Ellen Talmadge of Massachusetts. He was captain of company
B, in the 148th Regiment, and performed honorable service in
the war of the Rebellion. Cordelia married Thomas B. Morrell
of Williamsburg, 1ST. Y., who died there leaving one child,
Cornelia M. Mrs. Morrell resides in Penn Yan. Henry
Augustus married Lucy, daughter of John O'Brien, of Penn
Yan. He was a Second Lieutenant in the Ninth Battery
of Wisconsin Volunteers during the war, and served in the
Soivth-West. George N. married Lucy Sophia, daughter of
Elisha H. Huntiugton, of Penn Yan. Ellen married Daniel
Adams, of New York, a leather dealer residing at South
Orange, New Jersey. James E. is unmarried. Alice mar-
ried Emile A. Riege, a merchant of Y/illiamsburg, N. Y.
They have one child. Maleen is unmarried. The children
of Henry Hicks by the second marriage are Ruth Ann, Wil-
liam J., and Henrietta.

Martin Spencer, jr., married Jane Ann, sister ot A. J. Knee-
land. They were for many years estimable residents of Penn
Yan. They now reside at Galva, Illinois, and have one son,
Judson.

Corintha married Edson Williams, and resides at Galva,
Illinois, and Theresa married Edwin Brown, a Baptist preaher,
and resides also at Galva.

Lauar married Morris M. Ford, for many years a successful

260 HISTOKY Or TATES COUNTY.

merchant in Penn Yan, and now a prosperous citizen of Galva,
Illinois. They have three surviving children, Florence, Jane
and Dyer.

James Spencer, jr., married Lizzie Philips, and died in 1801,
leaving no children. He was Supervisor of Jerusalem, T(then
embracing Milo and Benton,) as appears from old records of
1797.

Abner Spencer married Hannah Macomber. They had two
children, Ceressa and Chester. They moved early from Ben-
ton, and settled in the Black River region.

Simeon Spencer married Martha, daughter of Elijah Town-
send, lived with his father on the old Phelps place in Benton,
and died in a few months after his marriage, in 1805. He had
a posthumous child, named Lydia, who became the wife of
Aaron F. Carpenter and the mother of a large family, in
Weschester county. The widow of Simeon Spencer became
the second wife of Abraham, Prosser and step mother of
David B. Prosser, of Penn Yan.

Justus P. Spencer, born in 1774, was an active and conspi-
cious citizen during the early years of the new settlement. At
the age of twenty-three, he married Ruth Pritchard, of the
Friend's Society, thirteen years his senior. She was born in
1761, in Rhode Island, was an early and firm adherent of the
Universal Friend, and for some time her secretary and
amanuensis. She was a woman of intelligence and devoted
piety, and for many years was a successful school teacher.
Her hand-writing was clear and beautiful, and resembled that
of Sarah Richards so much, that an attempt was made in the
litigation relating to the Friend's estate in Jerusalem, to prove
that certain memorandums signed by Sarah Richards had been
fabricated by Ruth Pritchard. All the evidence we have re-
lating to her character renders it quite certain that she was
incapable of any such fraud. If her marriage was opposed to
any injunction of the Friend, it did not interrupt their harmoni-
ous relations, as she continued a steadfast Friend, and an at-
tendant of the Friend's meeting. They resided in Penn Yan,

TOWN OF BENTON.

261

where she taught school after her marriage for many years.
She died in 1816, leaving two daughters, Almira S. and Ruth.
Almira S. married Samuel Danforth, and died in 1830, at the
age of thirty-two, leaving one son, Augustus, who followed
ocean-life for many years, and once sailed round the globe. He
was a gallant soldier in the Mexican war, during which he suf-
fered indescribable hardships. He afterwards went west, and
is supposed to be dead.

Ruth Spencer, born in 1800, married Joseph Shepherd in
1826. They had one son, J. Wesley Shepherd, who resides on
the old homestead in Jerusalem, a thrifty and intelligent far-
mer. He married Mary L., daughter of Thomas Blansett, and
they have two surviving children, Ella J. and Minnie A.
Joseph Shepherd died in 1831, and his widow survived him
twenty-nine years, dying in 1860.

Justus P. Spencer married a second wife, Betsey Crawford,
a widow, and they removed to Oakland county, Michigan, in
1831, where he died in 1850, at the age of seventy-four. They
had two children, Norman C. and Mary Jane.

Rhoda Spencer married Roswell Woodworth, and lived in
Columbia County.

Anna Spencer married Nathaniel Frisbie, and they resided
in Benton. Their children were Phillip, Sophronia, James,
Laura and Martin. All the survivors moved to Michigan
many years ago.

Angelina died in 1801 unmarried.

Of this extensive family it only remains to speak of Lovina,
who married Luraan Phelps. He became the owner of the
homestead where the family of James Spencer, senior, settled
in Benton, which is still known as the Phelps farm, but kept
a public house many years in Penn Yan, where the machine
shop of H. Birdsall, Son & Co. now stands. He was a promi-
nent and influential citizen, and died in 1823, at the age of
fifty-five. His widow survived him twenty years. Their
children were Mary, Rhoda, Angelina, Thomas J. and David. L.
Mary married John Brooks, who was several years a merchant

262 HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

in Perm Yan, and moved to the town of Richmond, Ontario
county, where he died. Rhoda died single. Angelina mar-
ried Lewis Vanderlip, a tailor of Penn Yan, who died at Tole-
do, Ohio. Their children were Lewis 1ST., Sarah E., Thomas J.,
Mary J., Lovina P. Lewis N. was a lawyer, and married
Sarah C* Cornwell. He died at Havana. N. Y., at the age of
twenty-seven, leaving one son, Charles C, now an active
mercantile clerk in Penn Yan. Sarah E. died single at
twenty-one. Thomas J. married Albina, daughter of Jesse
T. Gage, and is a resident of Penn Yan. Mary J. married
first Patrick H. Graham, of Rochester. They had two
children, Edward and Nora, of whom Nora alone survives.
The second husband of Mary is James Graham, brother
of the first. They reside in Rochester. Lovina P. died
in 1856, at twenty-one. Laura S. married Michael Ray,
of Rochester, and died about one year after her marriage.

Thomas J. Phelps was killed in 1816, by a tornado which
passed over Benton one summer day, prostrating trees and
carrying destruction in its path. The young man was return-
ing home from the farm in company with Jonathan Coleman,
of Jerusalem. They were struck down by a falling tree, and
Coleman was able with returning consciousness to extricate
himself, but could not relieve his companion who was held
down by a limb which had struck his head. Pie ran for help
and a party was soon raised that carried the sufferer home alive.
Dr. Joshua Lee was sent for and by relays of horses a physi-
cian arrived from Geneva in three hours. The skull was
badly crushed, and the surgeon could do nothing to save the
life of the young man, who shortly died. This catastrophe
caused a great sensation at the time, more probably than a
railway crash in these days that should destroy a dozen lives.
David L. Phelps owned the homestead and married Mary,
widow of Lewis Crawford. He died in 1859, at the age of
fifty.

LEVI BENTON.

The New York Lessee Company had its origin and principal

TOWN OF BENTON.

263

seat of operations at Hudson, N. Y. Caleb Benton, of that
place, was one of its most prominent and efficient members
and managers, and through his patronage and influence, his
cousin, Levi Benton, became a settler on the territory that
finally fell into the possession of that ambitious organization
of land speculators. The first man that made an English
white man's home in No. 8, first range, and eastward to Seneca
Lake, was Levi Benton, who came from Canaan Connecticut,
where he married Molly Woodworth, a daughter of the elder
Abner Woodworth of our history. Levi, jr., the oldest of their
sons was about eighteen years old, when, in 1789 they came
to the Genesee country, and erected their log house, on lot 37,
in No. 8. To conceive that they were there far beyond even
the borders of civilized life, on ground still trodden by the
Red Men, and hundreds of miles beyond the line of their sav-
age warfare, which but a short period before had reddened the
border with slaughter and destruction, the wrongs and enmities
of which were still cherished by the sanguinary warriors of
the forest ; to conceive that for hundreds of miles in every di-
rection, from the spot where their home was fixed, there was
absolutely little more than the dark over-hanging woods, just
beginning in a few directions, and at wide intervals to be dot-
ted by the intruding cabins of the pioneers, is to gain some
perception of the strong courage and resolute faith which in-
spired Levi Benton and his family to make their residence, at
that time near the centre of Number Eight. Kanadesaga
was but an Indian trading post, the Friends were just rallying
near City Hill, Caleb Benton was erecting his saw mill where
Bellona stand3, and all the rest was the vision of hope. But
it was a hope born of well grounded confidence, in the fertility
of the country, and its manifold allurements to the hardy sons
of the Atlantic border.

Levi Benton was a man worthy of high regard. His char-
acter was a personification of genial manliness. David H.
Buel, who knew him, in a communication to the Yates County
Historical Society, gave the following picture of this worthy

264 HISTORY OP YATES COUNTY.

pioneer : " Esq. Benton was of medium higkt, stout built,
square features, with even rows of good teeth, fitting squarely
together ; he had lost one eye. He was cheerful and indus-
trious and constitutionally benevolent ; had a keen relish for a
good joke, a loud and hearty laugh, which his family of four sons
and five daughters inherited of him. Through the long and
misty past, I can best recollect Esq. Benton as I have so often
seen him with his long ox-whip at the side of two good yoke of
oxen before the plow, with a loud " haw buck." His motto
seemed to be to either hold or drive." Mr. Buel very happily
proceeds: "As a just tribute to the memory of Mrs. Benton,
the write will bear witness that she was in all respects a good
pattern of New England housekeeper. The family was large, the
farm and business were large, and all were trained up in the strict-
est habits of industry and economy. Her form and features are
engraved on my memory. Her cheerful smiles of welcome
were brighter than the heavy gold beads she wore. All were
happy in the aid and comfort she bestowed. ISTor was she en-
tirely singular in this regard, for how many homes are held in
lasting remembrance by their association with the presiding
angel of the homestead. Their house was for many years one
of the social centres of that part of Jerusalem, afterwards Ver-
non. Religious meetings of the Methodists and Universalists
were occasionally held there. The 4th of July celebrations
were held at their house and barns. In the broad shade of
the butternut trees that stood in the rear of the barns the
leng tables of refreshments were spread, and the orations de-
livered— the platoons of muskets were fired in honor of the
patriotic toasts that were drank, and at evening a nice contra-
dance to the music of the shnll fife or violin was enjoyed, and
"all went merry as a marriage bell."

In the miscellaneous records of Ontario county, there is this
entry "Universalion Society of Vernon," organized 1808, Trus-
tees, Levi Benton, of Vernon, Joshua Van Fleet, Farmington,
Seldon Williams, Augusta, George Hosmer, Hartford, Martin
Dudley and Samuel Gould, Canandaigua, Samuel Babcock,

TOWN OF BENTON. 265

Gorham. This would seem to have covered a large share of
Ontario county, yet it was called the Society of Vernon and
Levi Benton was the first named trustee, showing that there
was its principal focus. This society afterwards had a church
in Gorham, and long maintained an important influence in
Benton, where its impress is still palpable. Not only as first
comers in the land, but as people of more than common use-
fulness, intelligence and moral worth, were Levi Benton's
family held in high esteem. The sons and daughters were all
men and women of more than average character and capacity.
Levi Benton was Supervisor of Jerusalem in 1800, and was
Justice of the Peace several years. As commissioner of high-
ways, he aided in laying out most of the principal roads in
what is now Benton and Milo. His son, Joseph, surveyed
many of them. It seems sad that this venerated pioneer felt
irapeled in his old age to leave the town to which he had given
his name, and move to a still farther western home. He was
led into embarrassment by becoming surety in compliance with
his too great generosity of feeling, and in 1816 sold out his
beautiful Benton home, and emigrated to Indiana, where he
and his wife died a few years later, upwards of seventy. The
dust of this noble pair should have reposed in Benton soil, in
the cemetery which he set apart for public, use on his own farm,
instead of a far distant state. They have a lasting monument
in the name which the people so wisely and justly conferred on
No. 8. Their children were Polly, Olive, Levi, Luther, Calvin,
Joseph, Nancy, Hannah and Ruby. Polly married Ezekiel
Crocker in 1791, the first wedding in the town. She became
a widow at an early period, and afterwards married Ezra Rice.
She died at Prattsburg, and Mr. Rice subsequently married
her sister, Nancy, widow of John Riggs. David H. Buell,
who learned the alphabet, under the tuition of Ezra Rice, says
of him that " he was a man of marked ability, that he taught
a good winter school, was a good teacher of music, a good
church chorister in the log house or barn, and later a good Jus-
tice of the Peace. Light, firm and agile, in person he was expert

in the various kinds of labor, and a good man in sickness. Mr.

266 HJSTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

and Mrs. Rice (Polly) were renowned for Biblical knowledge
as well as for controversial talents, both being good speakers.
The right passage seemed always to flow from their lips at the
right time. In those days religious discussion was inevitable
and irrepressible, far more than political questions of the pres-
ent day."

Olive Benton married Thomas, brother of Otis Barden, Feb-
ruary 21st, 1792. Their oldest son, Thomas Barden, was born
in the first house built by Caleb Benton, where Bellona stands,
in 1793. He still suiwives with a good degree of bodily and
mental vigor, and from him many particulars of early history,
near Bellona, have been gleaned. Hannah married Robert
Havens, and moved to Franklin county, Indiana.

Joseph Benton, born in 1783, was a man of ability, and a
surveyor. He married a Miss Reynolds, of Benton, and moved
to Franklin county, Southern Indiana, in 1815. His oldest
son, Mortimer M., studied law in Cincinnati, became eminent
in his profession, and settled at Covington, Kentucky, where
he resides, a wealthy citizen, and the president of a railway
company. One of his brothers, John, it is said, became a dis-
tinguished physician at Covington. Joseph Benton is still
living at the age of eighty-seven with his son, Mortimer.
Little more is known of this family by their relatives in
this region. Luther Benton went to sea and was not
afterwards heard from. Calvin married Lois, a sister of
Otis and Thomas Barden, and resided in Seneca, where
they had two sons, Alva and Abner. She died early, and
he afterwards married a sister of Enos T. Harford, of
Benton, and moved to Indiana, finally settling in the north-
ern part of the State. Ruby, the youngest of the family,
married Dr. Webb, a practicing physician of Benton, who
basely left her, and went to Ohio. She died in Benton some
years after.

Levi Benton, jr., inherited the noble qualities of his father,
and was a man of superior mechanical ability. Before the
family came to Jerusalem he had learned the trade of mill-

TOWN OF BENTON. 267

wright, which Avas his principal business through life. He had
an iron constitution and was a model of sobriety, integrity and
industry. Yet it was not his to accumulate property, and he
died poor. He married Nancy, daughter of James Parker,
January, 24th, 179G. His wife was one of those excellent
Rhode Island daughters, whose numerous children rise up and
call them blessed. Their first house, built by himself, was
where the residence of John W. Mc Alpine now stands, just
opposite his father's home, and was made of white wood plank,
three inches thick, laid up like a log house with the corners
dove tailed, a very becoming structure and a nent house.
Moses Hull bought that house in 1810, and moved it near
Benton Centre. David PI. Buell finally took it down and hr-s
some of the plank for scaffolding in his barn to this day. In
the pursuit of his trade, Mr. Benton moved from place to place,
where he had jobs of mill building, and he accordingly resided
at Perry, Wyoming county, Forestville, Chautauqua county,
Bethel, Ontario county, and other places, and finally died at
Honeoye Falls, NT. Y., in 1850, about seventy-nine years old.
His wife died at Forestville in 1329, and he afterwards married
a widow, whose name has not appeared in these researches,
who survived him. He built a saw-mill in North Benton, a
grist-mill at Bethel, and one of his enterprises was the con-
struction of a stave factory on the Keuka Outlet, just below
Penn Yan, near the present location of the paper mill of Wm.
H. Fox, which has long since disappeared. The machinery
of this stave factory was ingenious and effective for its purpose,
and was one of the inventions of his son, Ezra R, Their chil-
dren were Henry Parker, Ezra Rice, Luther B., Hiram, Olive,
Ruby and Eliza,

Henry P., born December 2, 179G, relates that his education
commenced in the first school house erected at Benton Centre,
which he describes as built of split basswood logs with the split
side inward, the cracks filled with chinks and daubed with im-
tempered mortar. This at that time was the style of the best
houses, not framed. He proceeds :

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

" Those split logs had begun to season-crack before I com-
menced my educational career, and at that time we had a ped-
ao-o^ue who used to keep me with others of the little A-be-ab
scholars, a good part of the time on a bench against the wall,
with the hair of the head wedged into the cracks of the logs
to keep us out of mischief. As near as I can now recollect, I
made little or no progress under this teacher, but did better
afterwards when my uncle Ezra Rice, and others had charge
of the school."

He afterwards, while attending a mill, built by his'father at
Perry, studied grammar, having the best of all teaching, where
there is will, and penetration of mind, because self-taught.
The burning of a school house with his books and instruments,
did not deter him from becoming an accomplished surveyor.
In 1819 he went down the Ohio River, met his grand parents
and other relatives in Indiana, soon joined a party of surveyors
and spent five years in that employment. He aided in the
survey of some of the large national reserves in Indiana, and
finally while engaged in subdividing townships, during a rainy
season, was attacked with fever, one hundred miles from any
settlement. By riding a pack horse, two to five miles a day,
he finally reached friends and assistance, and recovered. After
teaching school a few months he returned to his native state,
and was employed fourteen years on the Erie Railway as a sur-
veyor. His computation of areas, with plans and descriptions
of lands, taken for the road, were copied into the title deeds of
the company. He resides at Elmira aud, although in his sev-
enty-fourth year, takes the highest jyide in his accuracy and
skill as a surveyor. He declares if he cannot make a survey
close to the nine hundred and ninety-nine thousandth part of
an inch, he cannot sleep nights ; and adds that though he has
to use both hands to wield the pen, because his right hand was
disabled by being ran over by a hand-car, he writes better than
he did before. In 1841 he married Clarrissa T., daughter of
Andrews A. Norton, of Angelica. Their children have been
four, Henry Norton, Ezra Levi, and a daughter and son who

TOWN OF BENTON. 269

died young. Henry Norton fell at the battle of Fair Oaks, in
18G4, and Ezra Levi, served a full enlistment in the war, and

Ezra Rice Benton, born in 1801, was an eminent millwright,
built some of the best flouring mills at the west, invented much
valuable machinery, and patented a World Challenging Bran
Duster, which proved a lucrative invention, and made him in-
dependent. He married Jane Lokin in 1827, and she died ten
years later, leaving two children, William W. and Eliza Ann.
The son died single, and the daughter married a man of wealth
and influence, and is the mother of an interesting family in
Michigan. Ezra R. Benton married a second wife, Martha
Holliday, of Cleveland, Ohio, who survived him.

Hiram Benton, born at Bethel, in 1807, was a young man of
promise, who taught school and studied medicine, and was cut
off by pulmonary disease at the age of twenty-three. Olive, also
born at Bethel in 1809, married Reuben Griswold at Forest-
ville, N. Y. He died, leaving her with two young sons Lever-
ett and Walter, whom she educated by her own exertions.
Leverett is a noted machinist in the city of New York, and
Walter is a competent civil engineer, who has done considera-
ble service in that capacity for the U. S. Government, and has
retired from business on Grand Island, in Niagara River. The
mother resides at Westfield, and is again married.

Ruby Benton, born at Bethel, in 1813, married James Har-
rington at Forestville. He is a tanner and boot and shoe
dealer. They reside at Westfield, N. Y., and are the parents
of three daughters, Anna, Ammie E. and Amelia. Anna became
the wife of Jefferson Fraser, then of Elmira, and died a few
months after. Mr. Fraser subsequently married Ammie, E. the
second daughter in 1855, and they have an interesting family
of children, Arthur C.,Anna, M. George H. and Charles K. They
reside in Brooklyn, and Mr. Fraser is a noted and successful
patent solicitor, and a man of cultivated artistic tastes. Amelia
married George W. Holt a wealthy citizen of Buffalo, and re-

270 HISTOKT OF YATES COUNTY.

sides in affluent circumstances, at Westfield, N". Y. They have
one surviving child, William Elijah.

Eliza, the youngest daughter of Levi Benton, jr., born in
1816, married Greene Isham, of Westfield, who died, leaving a
son and daughter.

Luther B. Benton, horn in 1804, was like most of his family,
an ingenious mechanic and inventor, a man of acute intelli-
gence, amiable character, and industrious life. He married
Henrietta Lake, and resided during the later period of his life,
a mile south-east of Penn Yan, where he and his son-in-law,
William H. Oliu, cultivated a nursery, and established a fruit
plantation of considerable value. He died in I860. Their
children are Mary and James F. Mary is the wife of Wm. H.
Olin, a fruit culturist, and a man of wide and varied informa-
tion. They have one son, Benton. James F. Benton, who is
the only representative of the family name left in Yates
county, is also an inventor, showing that he inherits the ruling
trait of the Benton blood. He has invented a new form of
landside for a plow, which is regarded as a useful improvement
on that valuable implement. He married Elizabeth Lovejoy,
and they reside in Penn Yan.

LAWRENCE TOWNSEND.

One of the earliest and most noted public houses in this re-
gion was that of Capt. Lawrence Townsend, a short distance
east of Penn Yan, and just beyond the late residence of Amzi
Bruen. That tavern was a famous resort and a central place
for town meetings and all public gatherings long before Penn
Yan had its beginning or a name in the land.

Lawrence Townsend was born in Greenbush, near Albany,
in 1740. He married Phebe Green, a cousin of the celebrated
Gen. Green, of Revolutionary fame, in 1767. He Avas a Cap-
tain in the army of the Revolution, and achieved distinction as
a soldier by bravery, at the battle of Stillwater. He was at
Saratoga when Burgoyne surrendered, and had charge of a
portion of the prisoners, some of Avbom he took to his own
home, aud kept there till they were exchanged. When the

TOWN OF BENTON. 271

In 1790, having six ohildren, he resolved on emigrating to the
West. Leaving his family, he came to the Lake Country, as
this was then called, bought a large tract of land in the district
of Jerusalem, a part on lot 48 of township No. 8, and a part on
lot No. 17 of township No. 7. He built a log house near the
centre of this tract on the present roadside, south of the ceme-
tery, on the corner next the Boyd farm, made a little clearing,
sowed some wheat, and returned to his eastern home.

The following winter, John, his oldest son, went forward
with the household goods, and the family soon followed to
their new home in the wilderness. Their way was on the line
of Indian settlements, with bears and wolves on every hand.
The traveling was not of the most inviting character. At
Geneva there was nothing but two or three log houses, and
little more than an Indian trail from there to their log shanty
in the woods. It is hard to imagine how utterly wild and for-
bidding was the wintry landscape that met the vision of these
pioneers on their entrance to this now beautiful and cultivated
land.

The first parading done on the site of Penn Yan was by the
Captain's peacocks. They would stray down in the valley, and
there remain contented until driven home. A few years after
he came, and when settlers were more numerous, he built a
public house, the first after that of David Wagener near Smith's
Mills. It stood across the ro ad from his old log house, a trifle
east of the Hazen Cemetery. Here was the centre of public
business for many years. The Captain drew his supplies for
his tavern from Albany, and this house in its day was a popu-
lar resort. Dr. Calvin Fargo made his home there for a long
time. Dr. Henry, of Geneva, used to come there and spend
several days at a time. A few old pear trees still remain, that
were planted by the Captain's own hand ; but there is little else
except the h ead-stones in the adjoining cemetery to remind his
descendants of his pioneer labors. Mrs. Townsend was a kind
and benevolent woman. Their children were John, Anna,
Henry, Phebe, Jairus and Abraham.

272 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

war closed he returned to his farm, and was successful in his
agricultural pursuits.

John married Hannah, daughter of Randolph Fox, a wealthy
farmer of Penn Flats. They had eleven children, Phebe,
Stephen, Elizabeth, Pamela, Obadiah, Nancy, Hannah, John,
Cyrenus, Mary Ann and Emma. Phebe married Christopher
Chase, and resides in Jerusalem. Stephen married Abigail
Ross, and lives in Iowa. Their children are Pamela, Mari-
etta, John, Charles and Hobart. Elizabeth married George
Conklin, and resides in Italy. Their children are George L.
Caroline, Almina, Philo H. and Perceival. Caroline married
Alonzo Fessenden, and lives at Naples, 1ST. Y. Obadiah Town-
send married Eleanor Mc Auley, of Seneca, and resides in Mich-
igan. Their children are William, Charles, George and Jane.
Nancy married John Brown, and lives in Prattsburg. Their
children are Arnold, Harriet, Sarah, Mary Jane, Charles, James
and Frank. Charles is married. Arnold was a soldier and
was killed in one of the battles of the Wilderness. Hannah
married James Emory and lives in Illionis. John married
Mahala, daughter of Sewell Shattuck, and resides in Jerusalem.
They have one son, William Henry. Cyrenus married Mary
Jane, daughter of Amos Perry of Jerusalem, where they re-
side. Mary Ann married Charles Heydecker and lives in 111.
Emma married John Johnson of Penn Yan, and their children
are Mary and Alice. Anna died in her twentieth year un-
married.

Henry Townsend, born in 1781, married Anna, daughter of
John Lawrence, senior, of Milo. They resided where Major
George A. Shepherd now lives on lot 16 in Milo. He was an
enterprising and prosperous citizen, and bid fair to become
a man of large wealth, but died in 1821, at the age of forty.
His death was the result of an injury received on the high-
way, by being thrown out of his wagon. His afterwards be-
came the second wife of Martin Kendig, jr., and died in 1860,
at the age of seventy-four. The children of Henry Townsend
were John, Lawrence Sabra, George N, Reliance W., Mary

TOWN OF BENTON.

273

Jane and Olive D. John L., born in 1804, married Susan, daugh-
ter of Martin Kendig, jr. Their children were Leah Ann, Nan-
cy, Sarah and Ada. Leah Ann died young. Nancy married
John L. Mercer a merchant of New York. Sarah married Mr.
Hart of Chicago. Ada is single. Sabra Townsend, born
in 180G, married Dikens Chase of Jerusalem, and both are
dead, leaving no descendants. Reliance W., born in 1812,
married Ludlow E. Lapham, in 1830, and died in 1855. Geo.
N. died at Peoria, Illinois, in 1838 at the age of twenty-three,
unmarried. Mary Jane, born in 1817, married Merritt Boyd,
of Benton, who died leaving no children. She subsequently
married James Armstrong, now a hardware merchant of the
firm of Armstrong & Gage, and a leading citizen of Penn Yan.
Their surviving children are Fred. S. and II. Kendig. Fred.
S. is a graduate of Genessee College. Olive D. Townsend,
born in 1819, married Job T. Smith in 1838, and died in
1854.

Phoebe Townsend was the wife of Aaron Renier.

Abraham married Sabra, daughter of John Lawrence,
senior. Their children were Anna, Mary, James, Watson L.
and Joel who died at twenty-one. Anna was the wife of Ben-
jamin M. Remer. Mary married William H. Lamport, late
Sheriff" of Ontario county, and one of its foremost citizens.
Their children are Charles, William, Cornelia and Caroline.
Charles married Susan Lamport, his cousin, and is a prosperous
merchant in New York. William was a soldier in the 126th
Regiment, and died in the service in 18G2. Cornelia married
Edward C. Huntington, of Penn Yan, who died at Galesburg,
Illinois, leaving his widow and a daughter, Gertrude. James
H. is single, and lives in Jerusalem. Watson L. Townsend
married Arabell Crane, of Penn Yan, and resided in Pultney.
Their children were George A., Elizabeth E. and Sophia I.
George A. married Louisa V. Breemer,' and resides in Steuben
county. They have one child, Charles. Elizabeth E. married
Edwin A. Amsbury, a machinist of Penn Yan. Their chil-
dren are George T. and Fred G. Sophia I. married Jason T.
Parker, of Pultney. Their children are Edwin L. and Harry.

274 HISTOET OP XATES COUNTY.

Captain Lawrence Towsend died in 1821, in the eighty-first
year of his age. His son, John, who has numerous descend-
ants in Jerusalem and Italy, resided on Head street, and at
one time kept a public house where Luman Phelps afterwards
was an inkeeper. Abraham Townsend resided on what is now
known as the Boyd farm, a little west of his father's place in
Benton.

THE REMERS.

George Remer, of New Jersey, descended from a family of
German Lutherans, that came across the Atlantic in the ship
Caledonia, to escape religious persecutions. The vessel which
landed these emigrants was worn out condemned and sunk in
Raritan Bay. George Remer had six sons and three daugh-
ters. All the sons participated in the War of the Revolution,
and fought for independence. Two of them, John and Bryan,
were early settlers of this county. John, born in 1744, came
with his family in 1800, and first settled on the farm now
owned by Griffin B. Hazard in Torrey. His wife was Leah
An ten, of New Jersey, and their children were Rebecca,
George I., Polly, Aaron, Sarah, John, Jane V. and Abraham.
They afterwards purchased a farm near the Hopeton Mills,
where they died, he in 1819 at seventy-five and she in 1817 at
sixty-three. They were buried at City Hill.

Rebecca was the wife of James Pitney, who settled in
1796, and afterwards moved to a farm adjoining the paternal
homestead. Mr. Pitney died in 1845 at eighty-three, and his
wife in 1853 at eighty. Their children were Jonathan, May,
Rebecca, Phebe and Aaron R. Jonathan died single, in 1854,
at the age of sixty. May married Jacob Ellis, of Orange Co.,
N. J., and settled near the homestead, where he died in Janu-
ary, 1870, at the age of eighty-one. Their children were
James P., Rebecca P.,- Phcebe H., Lawrence R., Abram R.,
David D., and George T. David D. was killed at Petersburg,
Va., while a soldier, by a shell, and died single. James P. mar-
ried Hannah Rodman, of Milo. They had one son, Isaiah, who
died single, and one daughter, Phebe Ann, who married John

TOWN OF BENTON. 275

Lamphier. They all reside in Torrey. Rebecca P. married
Frederick Poynear. They have three sons, George E., Law-
rence E. and Norton, all residing in Penn Yan. Phebe H.
married Elijah Scofield. They live in Milo, and have one son.
Lawrence R. married Miss Knickerbocker, and moved to Iona,
Michigan. Abram R. is single, and lives with his mother in
Torrey. George Y. married Mary Rodman. They have child-
ren now living in Torrey. Rebecca Pitney was the wife of
George Youngs, and Phcebe was the wife of David Hender-
son. Aaron is a bachelor, and resides on and owns the home-
stead.

George I. Remer married Rachel Van Arsdol, of New
Jersey. They resided on a farm west of and near Thomas
Hathaway's old place in Torrey, where both died. They had
three sons Abraham V., Daniel and George N. George I.
Remer had a second wife, Arabella, sister of the late William
Babcock, of Penn Yan. He died in 1845 at the age of sev-
enty. His sons, Daniel and George N., died single, and Abra-
ham V. married Sarah, daughter of Ransom T. Olney, of Milo,
now Torrey, and settled on the farm of his father, in Torrey.
Their children are Ransom O., George N., William H., John S.,
Charles H., Catharine and Henrietta. He married a second
wife, Adelia Eldred, of Milo. Ransom O. married Jane Brown,
of Geneva, and resides with his father. George N. married
Mariette Lewis, of Orange Co. They have two sons and two
daughters, now living in Orange Co. John S. married Mary
Woolover. They reside in Dresden, and have one daughter.
William H. married Harriet Spooner. She died in I860, leav-
ing two sons. He married a second wife, Widow Uhl, of Bel-
lona, where they reside. Catharine married Reuben Thayer,
of Milo. Charles H. married Mary Sherman, of Benton. They
have one son. Charles H. is a merchant at Dresden. Hen-
riette is single, and resides with her father.

Polly Remer, born in 1766, died in 1803. She married John
Anton, senior, of New Jersey. They had one son, John.
She subsequently married Stephen Dains, and removed to Je-

276 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

rusalem. John 'Anton, jr., born in 1801, married Catharine,
daughter of Bryon Remer. They had two sons, Joseph R. and
George R. Joseph R., born in 1826, married in Illinois, and
has three children. He was a volunteer in the wai', and marched
with General Sherman to the sea.

Aaron Remer, born in Somerset county, New Jersey, mar-
ried Phoebe, daughter of Lawrence Townsend in 1804. They
located, for a time, at the Lawrence Mills, on the outlet, then
embracing a distillery, carding machine, and cloth dressing, in
which he was interested. Subsequently they settled on a farm
now owned by Thomas Gristock, on the Penn Yan and Dres-
den read and adjoining what became and is still known as his
homestead farm, where he died and his son, William T. Remer,
now resides. He was also interested in building the Mosher
Mills.

In accordance with the custom of his German ancestors, and
indeed with many of the present families of New Jersey, Aaron
learned a trade, and served his apprenticeship as a shoemaker
in the city of New York. After coming to this county he di-
rected his mind and energies to other pursuits, soon attained
the ownership of land and pursued the avocation of a farmer.
He was early inclined to politics, and being active and ener-
getic, soon made his influence felt. Associating with such men
as Elijah Spencer, the Lawrences and others of that day, then
young men, he became conspicuous as a leader. His first as-
sociations were with the Federal party like most of his family.
But the war of 1812 aroused his patriotic spirit, and he pro-
ceded to the fron>t as Captain of a Compauy of Cavalry, organ-
ized in Benton. This company did three months of stirring
service near the close of the war. From that time he was iden-
tified with the Democratic party, and adhered to it till 1840,
when he espoused the cause of Gen. Harrison, the Whig candi-
date for President.

He was one of the five members of Assembly that repre-
sented Ontario county, in the session of 1822, and one of the
six, of the following year, when Richard Hogarth, of Seneca, and

TOWN OF BENTON. 277

Philetus Swift, of Phelps, were also members. During that
session he succeeded in procuring the organization of Yates
county. He was also honored with, the first election to the
Assembly from the new county. Again in 1831 and 1832, he
filled the same position, making five terms that he served as
Member of Assembly. In obtaining the construction of the
Crooked Lake Canal, and the Charter of the Yates County
Bank, he was largely instrumental. In 1832 (March 2,) a spe-
cial committee of the Assembly was appointed to examine and
put before the Committee of the whole House, such bills as in
their judgment should receive the consideration of the House,
as of the greatest public importance. This committee con-
sitted of nine of the leading members, and Aaron Remer was
its Chairman. With public men and leading citizens he held
an extensive correspondence, and was for a long time sole
agent of Henry Tremper, a wealthy citizen of Philadelphia,
owning extensive tracts of land in Ontario county. Mr. Trem-
per had an early interest in the operations of the Lessee Com-
pany. In 1831 " Peter Gansevort, James Stevenson and John
Webb, of Albany, Charles L. Livingston, Mordecai Myers and
James Monroe, of the city of New York, and Aaron Remer, of
Yates county," were associated in the purchase and sale of the
village plot of Little Falls, Herkimer county. Mr. Remer was
largely interested and furnished the principal means for the
purchase of the Wagener Mill and the village property in Penn
Yan.

Among his personal correspondents were such men as Mor-
decai M. Noah and William M. Oliver. In all his business re-
lations he was prompt, active, generous and reliable, and he
accumulated a fine estate. He was regarded as a man of tried
fidelity, socially and politically, was affable and kind, made
friends easily and kept them. It followed that he was a popu-
lar and influential citizen. He died in 1811, of consumption,
at the age of sixty-one, and his decease was regarded as a pub-
lic calamity. His excellent wife died in December, 1867, at
the age of eighty-three. Both were buried at City Hill-

278 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Their children were Lawrence T., Ann, Phoebe, Mary, Jane,
William T. and Sarah.

Lawrence T. married Sarah, Sears, of Penn Yan, and was
foi some time a merchant at Dresden. Subsequently he occu-
pied a farm near the homestead, and finally moved to St. Clair,
Michigan, where he resides, a farmer. His wife died leaving
one child, Phoebe J., and he married a second wife, Sarah J.
Gage, of St. Clair. They have two daughters, Francis E. and
Anna F.

Ann is unmarried and resideson the homestead.

Phoebe married Ray G. Wait, a lawyer, who settled on a
place in Milo, known as the Vosbinder farm^ where both died
leaving three children : Aaron B., Mary E. and Francis E.
Aaron B. was accidentally drowned in Keuka Lake, in 1854.
Mary E. married John Fish of Kentucky, and resides at Moors-
ville, Missouri. Francis E. is unmarried.

Mary married Bradley Shearman. They lived on a farm in
Benton, where she died. Mary, their only surviving child, is
the wife of Charles H. Remer, a merchant of Dresden.

Jane and Sarah died single.

William T., born in 1822, married Mary H. daughter of An-
thony Trimmer, jr., of Benton. They reside on and own a portion
of the homestead, on lot 46. He has erected a fine mansion
and greatly improved the premises, making his home one of
the most desirable country residences in the county. He is an
intelligent and progressive farmer, and his wife is*a genial and
efficient helpmate. In all public affairs he has been active and
prominent, and has held various public stations : was Sheriff
one term, having been elected in 1858, and Provost Marshal
of the 25th Congressional District, from April, 1863, till the
close of the war, and is now (1870) Member of Assembly.
They have three sons : Melville W., William A. and George A.

Sarah Remer, born in 1789, married David Dains of Jerusa-
lem, and died at the age of eighty Their children were Maha-
la, Rebecca, Thompson, Richmond, Abram R., Peoebe, Chloe,
Jane, Bryan and Esther. These are all mentioned in a preced-

WILLiAM T. REMER.

TOWN OF BENTON. 279

ing sketch of the Dains family, except Phoebe, who married Wil-
liam Mariner, and resides, a widow, on his former homestead,
on the Pre-emption road, lot 42, in Benton. Samuel S. Mari-
ner, a son of the* late Miles and nephew of William Mariner,
occupies with her and has charge of the old homestead.

John Renier, jr., went to Cincinnati, where he married and
had two sons. He removed thence to Davenport, Iowa.

Jane V. Remer was the wife of John A. Mc Lean of Benton,
now Torrey.

Abraham Remer, born in 1794, died in 1832 married Anna
Terrey of Milo, now Torrey. Their children were David D.,
Oscar, Leah, Rebecca P., Mary Ann and Sarah Jane. The
family lived on the old homestead of John Remer. After his
death the widow re-married, and moved to Springwater, Liv-
ingston county, N. Y. Leah Remer, their oldest daughter,
married Edward Quick of West Bloomfield, and they now re-
side in Bristol, Ontario county. David D. married Mary Pea-
body of Naples, and moved to St. Joseph county, Michigan.
Oscar married Cordelia Adams of West Bloomfield. Margaret
married Shubael Barber of Springwater, and they reside in
Ontario county. Rebecca married William Chase of Ontario
county. Sarah Jane married William Stacy of Ontario county.
Mary Ann married Homer Hill, of Ontario county. All these
families have children except that of Leah.

Bryan Remer was born at Bridgwater, New Jersey, in 1762,
and married 'Mary^Runy an of the same place, born in 1770.
They came to this couDty in 1804, and soon settled at Hopeton.
He was a shoemaker and worked at and conducted the busi-
ness until 1812. They moved to a farm for a short period,
where Mrs. Remer died in 1813, after which he returned to
Hopeton, and resided there till he died in 1825. Their children
were Joseph, Maria, Catharine, Benjamin M. and Enos S.

Joseph, born at Princeton, New Jersey, in 1793, married
Mary, daughter of Rowland Embree, in 1820. She was born
in 1795, at Stillwater, Saratoga county. They were married by
Elijah Spencer. They lived at Hopeton, where he followed

280 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

the trade of his father. He says the folly of fashion, then as
now, compelled women to submit to the excruciations and dis-
tortions of high heels, and the fashionable "knot heel," which
then prevailed, was made of a hard knot of wood, and was
often as high as one and -a half or two inches, and tapered until
a quarter of a dollar or an old fashioned cent, cut in two, would
face the bottom, and one or the other was applied as a finish,
according to the grade and means of the wearer. Such was
the power and rule of the autocrat, fashion, that even the meek
followers of the Universal Friend, mounted upon them on all
occasions of form, and he made them for both Rachel and
Margaret Malin, and others, and they cost, in those days, from
two to five dollars per pair. The Friend, herself, wore the low
'•'court heel," on account of her infirmities. This note is made
to show how very little we change, in fact, from generation to
generation, where folly is the rule. Mr. Remer finally changed
his shoe business to that of a general mercantile trade, and in
1830 moved to Dresden, and there conducted a forwarding and
shipping business, established the Dresden Hotel, kept
it about ten years, and also was interested in the manufac-
ture of wagons and carriages. Briefly, he may be said to have
been an industrious and busy man.

He was called out several times on alarms and emergencies
during the war of 1812, and aeted as Ensign in his company.
He stood every requsition by draft during the war, and drew
clear each time, to the number of nine.

He was the first Post Master of Hopeton, in 1819, and
served as Collector on the Crooked Lake Canal, at Dresden,
several years.

In his advanced years he is a well preserved man of much
intelligence and highly social nature, and is able to relate many
incidents of the earlier history of Yates. He helped with his
own hands to cut the road from Hopeton to Penn Yan, the only
previous road having been by way of Smith's Mills. He states
that until 1812, it was an unbroken forest at Dresden. When
his father's family moved to Hopeton, there was no clearing

TOWN OF BENTON. 281

from the Mile Point house, in Geneva, to Samuel Taylor's), a
mile north of Kashong. He remembers well the great Indian
trail leading from the Chemung to Kanadesaga. The Friend
settled at first almost directly on this trail. At Dresden he is
confident there was an important centre of Indian population
for a long period, and especially one of their favorite burying
grounds. In digging the canal at that point, and in other ex-
cavations, hundreds of skeletons have been exhumed. He has
taken not less than a bushel of arrow heads from his own gar-
den, and cleared off at an early period what seemed to have
been an ancient council ground of the Aborigines, on the flat
near the lake. This wTas shaded by about thirty old and very
large butternut trees, which had apparently been planted with
remarkable regularity. The enquiring mind of Mr. Remer,
has made him a careful observer of all these evidences of the
Indian occupation in that locality.

The children of Joseph and Mary Remer are Susan, Bryan,
John L., Mary E., Catharine F. and Nancy A. Susan married
Dr. Charles A. Bogart. They reside at Bay City, Michigan.
Bryan is single and resides at Dresden. John married Rachel,
daughter of Moses A. Legg of Torrey, and resides at Dresden.
Their children are Charles B., Frederic A., Gilbert Y. and
Mary C. Mary E. is single and resides with her parents.
Catharine is unmarried and resides at Bay City, Michigan.
Nancy A. died in 1868 unmarried.

Maria married Hosea Palmer. They resided in Geneva, and
both died leaving three children : Catharine, Helen and Napo-
leon B.

Catharine married John Auton, jr., of Milo, and died at Dres-
dren, leaving one child, Joseph R., who resides at Copperas
Creek, Illinois.

Benjamin M. married Anna, daughter of Abraham To wnsend
of Benton. He was a merchant and forwarder in Penn Yan,
and afterwards moved to Albany, where his wife died leaving
five children : Charles L., Ellen M., Theodore, Clarence and
Josephine. He married a second wife, Catharine Fonda, and

282 HISTOKT OF TATES COUNTX.

died leaving his widow and one child, Mary E., by the second
marriage. The son, Clarence, was a soldier in the war of the
Rebellion, and died from disabilities contracted in the service.
Enos S., the only member of the family born at Hopeton,
married Catharine Blood of Rushville, where he was for some-
time a merchant. He moved thence to Canton, Illinois, from
there to Ottawa, and finally to California. His wife died in
1868 at Canton, Illinois. Their children were Charles B., Har-
riet, Caroline and Henry.

THE WHITAKER FAMILY.

Stephen Whitaker was the owner of an iron forge in New
Jersey, which he traded for five hundred acres of forest land
in the town of Jersey, now Bradford, Steuben county. He
had not seen his land, but attempted to reach it in 1798. There
being no road leading to it, he stopped on Mud Creek, and
hired a farm one year, and in the autumn came to No. 8, and
purchased the premises where he thenceforward resided through
life, on lot No. 20, now in Torrey, where he was the original
settler. He was a man of sterling character, sustaining good
morals and endeavoring to promote religion. It was by his
labor and influence that the first Presbyterian church was
formed in Benton, from which have descended those at Penn
Yan, Bellona and Dresden. He had the highest respect and
confidence of his fellow citizens, and held various local offices.
His death occurred in 1827, at the age of eighty. Stephen
Whitaker married Susannah White, in 1772, Ruth Conklin in
1779, Mary, widow of John Cross, in 1803, Agnes Van Court,
widow of Daniel Potter, in 1816. The first wife had one child
which died in New Jersey. The second wife was the mother
of all his remaining children, as follows: Jonathan, Mary,
Deborah, Stephen, Ruth, Isaac, Phcebe and Ann.

Jonathan Whitaker, born in 1780, inherited his father's vir-
tues, and his religious tendencies, and was a citizen of true
worth. He was a young man when the family came from
New Jersey, and participated in the arduous labors of pioneer
life, working out by the month, clearing land, and putting

TOWN OF BENTON. 283

forth every energy of his life to secure by industry a compe-
tence and honorable independence in the land. With but six
months of early schooling he was yet well educated for the
practical affairs of his day, ready in computation, able to write
a good hand and a competent business man. In 1806 he mar-
ried Mary Bailey, of Sussex county, New Jersey. They united
with the Presbyterian church of Benton, in 1825. He was
soon made an elder of the church, and honored his office over
thirty years, and until his death in 1856, at the age of seventy-
six. His name was identified with all the religious and benev-
olent movements of his time, and he Avas a man whose life
was squared by his principles. He was frequentl}r elected to
office in his town, and was supervisor several times. The
implicit trust of his fellow men in his integrity, led him often
to be chosen as arbritrator, referee and administrator, the
duties of which positions he always discharged with fidelity.
Of his iron muscle and unyielding energ3T, it is related that,
when the nearest wheat market was at Mud Creek, he set out
on one occasion with forty bushels on a sled drawn by two
yoke of oxen. The day proved warm, the sled sunk in the
snow and the oxen became so tired and discouraged, that at
the foot of a hill they would not draw at all. So he would
carry the most of his load up the hill on his shoulder before
his team would move. This he was obliged to repeat several
times, and when he reached the mill where he disposed of his
grain, he had to carry it again up two flights of stairs to empty
it. After all this he received the meager pittance of twenty-
five cents a bushel for his wheat. Late in his life there was
an attempt made to rob his house. A villain wearing a mask
entered the bed room where he and his aged consort were
sleeping, while a confederate stood at the door. The robber
lighted a candle which awakened Mrs. "VYhitaker, and a scream
from her awakened her husband, who asked the intruder what
he wanted. He replied, money, and held a pistol in his hand
to enforce his demand. In getting up as if to comply, the
room being narrow, the robber was backed up to the doorway

284 HISTORY OF YATES COTJNTY.

where he stood, a pistol in one hand and a candle in the other.
By a sudden movement, Mr. Whitaker pushed the door against
him and shut it, upon which the two inside held it, against
the best efforts ol the two outside to crowd it open. The en-
raged and baffled burglar threatened to shoot, and when he
found his threats ineffective did shoot, the bullet passing
through the door between the pair inside. The noise aroused
others of the household and the scoundrels soon deemed it wise
to decamp. It is said that Mrs. Whitaker never recovered
from the shock caused by this attempted robbery, and that her
life was shortened by it. She died in 1854 on her seventy -
first birthday. Their children were Squier Bailey, Stephen M.,
Alexander F., William H., Ephraim M., Ruth Ann, Marietta
and George W., who died young.

Squier B., born in 1807, married first, Mercy Amsbury,
second, Lydia C. Amsbury, third, Mary L. Olmsted. He has
one son, James S., the child of his second wife, resides on the
old Stephen Whitaker homestead, and is a useful citizen.

Stephen M., born in 1809, married Mary Ann, daughter of
Martin Gage, and resides in Gorham. Their children are
Ephraim S., George H., Mary V., Stephen E., Emma F. and
Hattie L. Ephraim S. married Lizzie Thayer, of Ohio. They
have one child. Virginia married Dr. Obadiah Rogers, of
Gorham. They reside at Charles City, Iowa, and have one
child.

Alexander F., born in 1811, married Louisa P. Torrance.
They resided in Benton many years, and now live in Penn
Yan. Their surviving children are Helen, Lucinda and
Mellville Torrance. Alexander F. Whitaker was long con-
nected with the old Rifle Corps under the military laws, pre-
vious to 1849, and attained the rank of Major General in that
finely equipped and well drilled organization. He was raised
at one promotion from the rank of Sergeant to Lieutenant
Colonel, and from that passed to the highest rank, which he
resigned in 1849.

William Harlow, born in 1813, married Ann Eliza Mc

TOWN OP BENTON.

285

Do well, and liyes on the old homestead of Jonathan Whitaker
in Benton. Their children are William Henry, Jonathan,
Augustus, Marietta, Frank, Alice, Kate L. and Charles F.
William PI. married Emily A. Hewlett, and resides at Harri-
sonburg, ^Virginia. Their children are Emily A., Mary L.
Mattie and Ella Bertha. Jonathan married Phoebe E., daugh-
ter of Wm. Woolly, of Jamaica, Long Island. Their children
are Clarence A., Cornelia and Anna. Augustus was a soldier
of the company of Captain Martin S. Hicks, 148th Regiment
and died in 1865, of disabilities resulting from the service.

Ephraim M., born in 1816, married Eliza W., daughter of
Linus Bates, of Benton, and resides in Washington, D. C.
He was a Colonel in the Rifle Corps. They have had two
children, Greenville Adelbert and Herbert B., of whom the
first is the only survivor, and is engaged in the book and sta-
tionery trade in Washington.

Ruth Ann, born in 1818, is unmarried.

Marietta, born in 1820, is the wife of Henry Hicks, of Penn
Yan.

Mary, daughter of Stephen Whitaker, born in 1781, married
Moses Hall, and lived in Geneva.

Deborah, born in 1783, married William Roy, jr.. and lived
in Benton, now Torrey, on the farm where her son, Charles
Roy, now resides.

Stephen, born in 1784, married Mary Hall, sister of Moses
Hall, and lived in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ruth, born in 1786, married, first, Ephraim Mallory, and
lived on the farm where John Ross now resides ; second, Ja-
cob Vandeventer, and died where Stephen W. Vandeventer
now lives, in Torrey.

Isaac, born in 1792, married Achsa Cushman, and lived on
the farm where Peter Meserole now lives, for a time, and then
moved to Michigan.

Phoebe, born in 1789, married Moses Hall, after the death
of her sister, and lived in Geneva.

Anna, born in 1796, married Jonathan A. Hall, and lived on

2S6 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

the farm where Dr. R. R. C. Bordwell now lives in Milo.
Their children were Mary Ann, Deborah, Moses and Stephen
C. Mary Ann married Rev. Luther Littell, of New Jersey, a
Presbyterian clergyman at Goshen, Orange counry. Deborah
married John, a brother of Luther Littell, a farmer at New
Providence, New Jersey. Moses married a Miss Clark, and
Stephen C, a sister of fche si me lady. Moses lives at Whitehall,
Michigan, and Stephen C, at Muskegon, Michigan, where he
is a prosperous and successful man.

TUBES AND HARFORD FAMILIES.

Enos Tubbs was a native of Connecticut, and a soldier of the
Revolution. He married Molly Earl, a sister of Jephthah Earl,
senior, and settled for a time at Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania,
They came to what is now Benton almost as early as Levi Ben-
ton, and purchased a farm of one hundred acres on lot 31, wThere
Mrs. Tubbs died in 1815, at the age of fifty-three. He married
a second wife, Sarah, widow of James Jackson of Seneca. She
died in 1861 in Benton, at the age of ninety, leaving no children.
The children by the first marriage were Lyman, Anna, Seman-
tha, Amos, Roswell, Dorcas, Roxa and Alpha.

Lyman married Phoebe Springstead of Benton, and settled for
a time on part of the homestead, and afterwards emigrated to
St. Joseph, Michigan. Their children Avere Ethalinda, Delia,
Nelson and Lyman. Ethalinda married George, a son of Zach-
ariah Wheeler, and Delia married Mr. Gallagher of Benton.

Anna Tubbs married Joshua Smith of Seneca, and settled
there, but afterwards emigrated to Ohio, near Cleveland. They
had several children.

Semantha married Ayers Raymond of Benton, and settled at
Benton Centre where he died, leaving two children: Charlotte
and Ayers. She married next, Mr. Hopkins, and settled on the
lake road in Barrington, where they kept a tavern several years,
and finally emigrated with their family and her's to St. Joseph,
Michigan.

Amos did not many. In the war "of 1812 he volunteered as
a substitute for his uncle, William Earl, and belonged to a rifle

TOWN OF BENTON.

287

corps. He was sent, along with his cousin, as sharp shooters to
guard against Indian scouts, at the battle of Queenston Hights,
and fell, mortally wounded, by the shot of an Indian, who fell
the same instant from the well aimed rifle of his cousin, who
stood by his side.

Roswell married Sally Sackett, and settled on the farm now
owned and occupied by Robert N. Mc Farren, then owned by
William Earl. He died while on a journey of observation at
the west, leaving his Avidow and one child, Alvira.

Dorcas married Ziba, son of Joseph Smith of Benton, and
finally emigrated to St. Joseph, Michigan. They had two sons,
Conklin and Amos.

Roxa married Colville Pearce of Benton, and emigrated to
Ohio, near Cleveland.

Alpha married Jane Low of Benton, settled on the Tubbs
homestead, and subsequently moved to St. Joseph, Michigan.

The Tubbs family were among the primitive settlers of Ben
ton, and improved a fine farm, which put them in good circum
stances. In his old age the father followed his children, who
had gone to St. Joseph, Michigan, and died there quite aged.
The farm is now mostly owned by Jacob Watson.

Enos T. Harford was an adopted son of Enos Tubbs, was
reared with the family, and is now its only representative in this
county. He still resides in the immediate neighborhood of the
Tubbs homestead, on lot 33. Mr. Harford married Sally Jack-
son, daughter of Enos Tubbs' second wife. Then- children are
Diana J., Marcus H, Sarah E., Calvin J., Susan C, Richard J.,
Francis A. and Charles.

Diana J. married Philip Schuyler of Benton, and settled at
Mitchelville, Steuben county, where he was accidentally killed.
His widow and one child, Sarah E., reside in Benton.

Marcus H. married Mary Barnes of Benton, and resides at
Bellona. They have eight children: Arnieda J., Eunice M.,
Horace E., Frank, Walter, George, Lillie E. and Bertha L.

Sarah E. is single.

Calvin J. married Susan Baker of Benton, and resides in that
town. They have two children : John and Jay C.

288

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Susan married David, son of Murray Gage, and they reside in
Benton.

Richard J. married Mary E. Hoose of Prattsburg, and resides
at Bellona. Their children are Minnie J., Ida May, Alice and
James H.

Francis A. was a volunteer in Company A, 126th Regiment,
shared the perils and hardships of that regiment, and finally
died in hospital at Union Mills, Virginia, January 10, 1863.

Charles A. is single, residing with his parents.

The Tubbs and Harfords were near neighbors and friends of
Elder John Gough. All their marriage ceremonies and funeral
services were performed by him while he remained in Benton.

Mrs. Harford says that she well remembers many of those oc-
casions, and that the Elder occupied from three-fourths of an
horn- to a full horn- at a wedding, and two hours at a funeral.

THOMAS HAVENS.

Thomas Havens, a native of Wickford, Rhode Island, was a
soldier of the Revolution, and served from the beginning to the
end of that memorable conflict. He fought at Bunker Hill, and
was a militia man, minute man and volunteer, at call, but not
belonging to the regular army, never received a pension. He
married Mary Smith of Wickford, in 1770, and after the war
they moved to Ballston, Saratoga county, where their family was
mostly reared. Some of the older children came to this county
before their parents, who came in 1810. Then- children were
Joseph, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Stephen, Robert, John, Polly,
Nancy and Susan.

Joseph, born in 1773, married Mary Weed of Ballston, in
1800. She was born in 1780, on the day Cornwallis surrendered,
October 17th. They moved to this county early in 1806, and
first settled on the farm now known as the Lamport place, which
he sold to William Lamport and his son Robert. He then pur-
chased in 1812, the farm on the four corners, since known as the
Joseph Havens farm, on lot 76, where he lived the remainder of
his days. He died in 1856 at the age of eighty-three, and his
wife survives at the age of eighty-eight. Here they reared their

TOWN OF BENTON. 289

family of twelve children. Mr. Havens was a carpenter, and
worked at the building of the first hotel and spring house at
Ballston Spa, After coming here he devoted himself to farming,
and kept a public house from 1822 to 1832, which was noted as
a good country tavern. Becoming disgusted with the traffic in
whisky, he quit the business. He served in various official sta-
tions in his town with credit, was an ardent' f politician, and
especially warm admirer of General Jackson, to whom he pre-
sented soon after his election to the Presidency in 1828, a sulky
made entirely of hickory saplings with the bark on. It was a
unique vehicle, and attracted much attention as he rode in it to
Washington to witness the inauguration. It was received by
the old hero as a handsome compliment. The children of this
family were Hiram, John H., Ephraim S., Fanny, Horace, Mary,
Harriet, Minerva, J. W. Harrison, Nancy, Caroline and Eveline.
Hiram married Louisa Stetson of Boston, and settled in Buffalo,
where both died leaving one son, Joseph S., a resident of that
city.

John H. married Elizabeth, daughter of Nehemiah Cole of
Benton, and moved to Hudson, Michigan, where they reared a
family.

Ephraim S. married Mariette Moore of Alexander, Genesee
county, and they reside in Buffalo.

Fanny married Hezekiah Ferguson of Seneca, and moved to
Dansville, Michigan, where she still resides with a second hus-
band, Mr. Blake. There were several children of the first
marriage.

Horace married Emeline Bachelor of Perry, N. Y., and moved
to Lansing Michigan. They had three sons, two of whom Egbert
and Edgar, were soldiers during the rebellion. Egbert inarched
with Sherman to the sea, and afterwards died in hospital in
New York, after the close of the war. He was three or four
years in the wTar, and left a widow and one child at Grand Rap-
ids, Michigan. Edgar was six months in the rebel prison at
Belle Isle, wTas in all the battles of the Wilderness, at Gettys-
burg, and many others. He resides at Skaneateles, N. Y., and

is married.

290 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Mary married Philander "VVinslow of Marion, N. Y., where
both died, leaving three sons.

-' Harriet married James Hunt of Gorham, and settled at Perry,
N. Y., where he died leaving four children. They had two sons
in the war of the rebellion : George and Marriot, who both died
in hospital. The widow married Edward Richards of Perry.

Joseph W. H. married Louisa Wagener of Fort Plain, N. Y.
They reside on and own the homestead; and then children are
Mary, Jennie and Charley.

Nancy married Peleg Gardner of Potter, and resided at Yates-
ville, where she died leaving four children : Mary, Kate, Hiram
and John.

Caroline married Bleecker L. Webb of F airport, N. Y. They
now reside at Coldwater, Michigan, and have four children.

Eveline married William Penfield of Buffalo, and resides at
St. Joseph, Michigan. He was engaged as a contractor in the
construction of the first Pacific railway.

Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Havens, born in 1780, mar-
ried Griffin Sweet, and moved to Chautauqua county.

Benjamin, born in 1777 married Lovina Phelps, of Auburn,
N". Y. She died leaving one child, Calista. He married a sec-
ond wife, Paulina Adkins of Ballston. They settled in Benton
in 1807, on the farm known by his name near the Lamport
farm, where both died, leaving two additional children : Lusilva
and Morgan S. Calista married Daniel Miller of Auburn, near
which place they settled, and where he has since died. Lusilva
married Wellington Secor of Benton. They reside in Bath,
N. Y., and have one son and two daughters. Morgan S. marriad
Marietta Bates of Potter, owns and resides on the homestead
and has five sons: Byron, Emmet, Benjamin, Frederic and Charles.

Stephen, born in 1774, married Phoebe Sprague of Ballston,
and settled in the neighborhood of his brothers in Benton.
Their children were James, Stephen and TJretta. James mar-
ried Ruth Coleman of Jerusalem ; Stephen married Mary Crane
of Penn Yan ; Urefcta married Henry Hutchinson of Benton, and
all emigrated west.

TOWN OF BENTON. 291

Robert, born in 1786, married Hannah, daughter of Levi
Benton, senior, and emigrated with him to Indiana.

Polly married Mr. Northrup, and moved to Detroit at an early
day.

Nancy, born in 1788, married Jacob Briggs, of Potter, where
they settled, and he died leaving four children, Miles, Elizabeth,
Susan and Perry, with wdiom the mother emigrated west.

THE LA3IPORTS.

William Lamport was a native of Wickford, Ireland, ran
away from a master to whom he was apprenticed, and whom he
disliked, and came to America while a lad. Landing at New-
port, Rhode Island, he learned the trade of blacksmith, and
was engaged in the Revolution as a minute man, and as a black-
smith for the army. In one case of emergency he was sent on
horseback for powder, and returned with two kegs suspended
across the back of his horse. He wras accosted by British ma-
rauders, who demanded what he had. He replied that it was
"black pepper," and was allowed to pass and reach the American
camp in safety. He married Mary, sister of Thomas Havens.
They moved first to Rensselaer county, N. Y., where their fami-
ly grew up. Their children were William, John, Robert and
Mary. William, jr., settled at Troy, N. Y., as a merchant.
John and family located in Gorham, Ontario county. Mary
married John Palmer and also settled in Gorham. William
Lamport, senior, and his son Robert, with their families, came
to Benton in 1812. The wife of Robert was Abigail Sisson of
Swanzea, Rhode Island, and they were married in 1810.
The father purchased of Joseph Havens about three hundred
acres of land, one mile and a half north of Havens' Corners,
Avhere they all settled, and where the parents died well advanced
in years. Robert also finished his life on the same premises in
1865,, in his eightieth year, and his wife still survives at the age
of eighty-one. Their children were Erastus, Caroline, Emeline
C, May S. and Edwin. Erastus married Racelia Ware of
Trumbull county, Ohio, and settled on the Jared Patchen farm.
They have two children, Grace S. and Franze W,

292 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Caroline married Aaron Crittenden of Gorharn, where she
died leaving two children : Emily J. and James L. Mr. Critten-
den afterwards married Martha, daughter of George Wheeler of
Benton, and removed to Allegany county.

Emeline C. married George B. Stanton, of Benton, and set-
tled on the James Havens farm, south of the Lamport farm.

May S. married George B. Cook of Gorham, and they reside
at Bethel, where he is a merchant. Their children are Caroline
M., Mary A., Nathaniel B. and Eliza.

Edwin married Mary J., daughter of Benjamin Stanton, of
Benton, and resides on a portion of the old homestead. Their g
children are Olive E., Elizabeth S. and John 11.

ABEL PECK.

One of the noted citizens of Benton in the early days, was
Abel Peck, a native of Newtown, Connecticut. He learned the
trade of shoemaking, and lived at Fishkill, N. Y., in the family
of Hezekiah Peck, till he became of age, when he established
himself as a shoemaker, tanner and currier, at Kent, Putnam
Co. There he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Randall, in
1798. She was a native of Westchester Co., born in 1776. In
1813 they moved with sleighs, taking ten days for the journey,
to Benton, with their family of five children, and located on
what is known as the Samuel Randall farm, between Flat street
and the South Centre road. In the autumn of 1814 they pur-
chased the Eli Kelsey farm, on the Pre-emption road, where
they permanently settled. Here they pursued chiefly the busi-
ness of farming, Mr. Peck working at his trade only for his
own family and a few preferred neighbors. He occupied offi-
cial positions for many years in his town, and as school com-
missioner, aided in the organization of most of the early school
districts in Benton, then embracing Milo and Torrey. He was
appointed one of the Judges of Yates county, and hefd the
office until exempt by age (at sixty), under the constitution of
1821. He sustained a high character for integrity, and his wife
was a worthy aid in upholding the family name and credit.
She died in 1856 at the age of eighty, and he in 1859 at the

TOWN OP BENTON.

293

age of eighty-three. Their children, three of whom were born
in Benton, were Lemira, Mary, Sarah, Emeline, Mercy, Eliza,
Lewis R. and Darwin S.

Lemira became the third wife of Robert Boyd, of Benton,
and they resided on the Boyd homestead, where she died.

Mary is single, and resides on the homestead.

Sarah married Henry Riley, of Herkimer Co. They remained
on the homestead until his death, leaving one child, Elizabeth,
who became the wife of George Long. They are both dead.
Mrs. Riley married a second husband, Andrew Ross, of Pult-
ney. She is a second time a widow, residing in Penn Yan.

Emeline married Romulus Gildersleeve, of Scipio, N. Y.
They reside in Penn Yan, and have one surviving son, Fred-
erick P. He married Mary, daughter of Samuel Street, of
Yatesville, and resides in Chicago, where he is engaged in the
stationery trade. They have two children, Grace and Nellie.

Mercy married Harvey C. Boyd, of Benton. They emigrated
to Sylvan, Mich., and have four children, Darwin W., Orlando
A., Merritt and Homer.

Eliza died single.

Lewis R. married Olive Vandemark, of Junius, N. Y. They
reside on the Pre-emption road, adjoining the old homestead
on the south, and he is a thorough and prosperous farmer.
Their children are Henry A. and Elizabeth.

Henry married Elvira Wheeler, of Bath.

Darwin S. married Rebecca E. Miller, of Seneca. They re-
side on the homestead, which, nnder his enterprise, thrift and
taste, is one of the finest places in Benton. Their children are
Alice E., Mary L. and Walter D.

THE RANDALL FAMILY.

John Randall was from Frederickstown, Dutchess Co., where
he married Elizabeth Buckbee. He was born in 174G, and
died at the age of eighty-six. They came to this county and
settled between Flat street and the South Centre road, bringing
but one unmarried member of their family, their daughter
Mercy, who married Joseph Ketchum, in 1812. Their sons

294 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

were Elijah, John, James B., Lewis and Samuel ; their daugh-
ters, Esther, Elizabeth, Anna and Mercy,

Esther, born in 1771, married John Ganung.

Elizabeth was the wife of Abel Peck.

Anna, born in 1781, married Robert Boyd.

Mercy, born in 1790, became the wife of Joseph Ketchum.

James B., born in 1778, married Eunice Crosby, of Putnam
Co., and settled near and west of Milo Centre. Of their thir-
teen children, eleven reached adult age, and married. They
were Darius C, Orlin, Orson, Emily, Eliza, Eunice, James H.,
Jarvis W., Angeline, Louisa, and Lewis B. Darius C. married
Eliza J. Soverhill, of Wayne Co., and emigrated to Michigan.
They had one child, Joseph. Orlin married Loana Main, of
Milo, and moved to Michigan where she died. His second
wife was Eliza J. Diltz. They now reside near Maumee, in
Ohio. Orson married Laura J. Gilbert, of Benton, and settled
near Cold Water, Michigan. They have five children. Emily
married Samuel Linkletter, of Howard, N. Y. They have two
surviving children, Amanda and Orson. Eliza married New-
man, son of David J. Bennett, of Milo, and settled in Tyrone.
Their children are Matilda, Lucius B., Emma E., Sarah, Amelia
D., and Myron C. Of these, Lucius B. married Sophronia
Phelps, of Dundee. He was drowned in Seneca Lake in 1869.
Emma E. married Charles C. Gage, of Benton, and resides on
the homestead of Jesse T. Gage. They have one son, Hobart.
Sarah R. married Charles, son of Caleb J. Legg. They reside
in Penn Yan, and have one son, Albert H. Amelia D. mar-
ried Robert McVean, who was also drowned at the same time
with Lucius B. Bennett, while crossing in a skiff from Ovid
Landing to Dresden, with a third person, who was also drowned.
Myron C. is married and resides in Penn Yan. Eunice, the
third daughter of James B. Randall, married Calvin Linkletter,
brother of Samuel, and died in Michigan, leaving two children,
Charles and Homer. Homer was a soldier in the war of the
rebellion, and died in the service, of fever. James H. married
Martha, daughter of Jesse T. Gage. They have two children,

TOWN OF BENTON. 295

George and Sarah. James W. married Mary Enos, of Benton,
and resides in Torrey. Their children are Frank, Frederick
and Ella. Angeline married Stephen Lozier, of Dansville.
She resides there a widow with three children, Rockwell, Mi-
ner and Kate. Loana married Walter P. Hobart, of Potter.
They have one child, Arthur. Lewis B. married Harriett
Corey, of Jerusalem, and resides at Bellona. They have one
child, Rolla.

Lewis Randall, born in 1783, married Sally Maples, of Milo,
and settled on the Bath road. Among their children, were
Palmer, George, John W., Amos C, Elizabeth, Purdy B., and
Charles C. Mr. Randall married a second wife, Rachel Mon-
roe, of Benton. They resided in Starkey, and finally in Read-
ing, where he died, leaving one child by the second marriage,
Lewis A. His sons, Palmer, George and Charles, died single,
after reaching adult age. John W. married Keziah, daughter '
of Thomas Raplee, of Milo, where he died, leaving five child-
ren, Ceylon, Edwin, Byron, Sophia and Norton. Byron mar-
ried Catharine Hendrickson, of Penn Yan, and emigrated to
Michigan. Amos C. married Sophronia Anderson, of Milo, and
moved to Michigan. Their children are Cedrick, John D.,
Llewellyn and Lewis (twins), and Elizabeth. Of Lewis Ran-
dall's daughters, Elizabeth married John D. King, of Seneca
Co., and resided at Farmer, where he died. Purdy B. married
Louisa Drake, of Starkey, and settled in Jerusalem, where he
died, leaving three children, Myron, Purdy, and one other.
Lewis A. married May E. Nichols, of Reading. They have one
daughter, Esther.

Samuel Randall, born in 1785, married Irene, daughter of
Dr. Partridge Parsons, of Litchfield, Conn., who was an
early resident of Penn Yan. They lived on the Randall
homestead in Benton, where five of their six children reached
adult age, Edwin R, Albert P., Homer W., Charles H., and
Francis H. The father died in 1836, and the mother resides
with her son, Albert P. Edwin R. married Annette, daughter
of Uriah Hanford, and resided in Penn Yan, where he died in

296 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

1869, leaving three children, Louisa, "Willie and Mary J. Al-
bert P. married Emeline Mc Alpine, of Benton, and resides on
the outlet, a short distance below Penn Yan, where he has a
saw mill and an establishment for the manufacture of flax straw
into tow for upholstering purposes. Their children are Frank
K., Henry, John and Alida. Homer W. died single. Charles
II. married first, Jane Smith, of Bellona, and for a second wife,
Sarah Hayes, of Prattsburg, where they reside. They have
one son, George. Francis H. married Eunice, daughter of
John H. Lapham, of Penn Yan. He died in California, and
his widow returned to Penn Yan. She is now the wife of
Ralph T. Wood, Deputy U. S. Revenue Collector for the
Twenty-fifth district, of New York, residing in Penn Yan.

KETCHUM FAMILY.

Locey Ketchum married Susannah Scofield, and lived in the
town of Kent, Putnam (then Dutchess) Co. The family was
originally from Long Island, and of German descent. Their
children were Elias, Jonathan, Joseph, James and Sarah. Elias
settled near Hammondsport, where some of his descendants
still reside. The others became residents of this county about
1812. r

Jonathan, born in 1788, married Matilda Cushman, of Fred-
erickstown, Dutchess Co. She was born in 1789. They came
to this county with one child, Charles, and settled first on Flat
street, but subsequently'located on the Pre-emption road, where
he died, leaving five children, Charles, Darius, Rhoda, Alvah
and Charlotte. Mrs. Ketchum is still living, and resides with
her daughter Charlotte, in Prattsburg. She is a daughter of
Consider Cushman, of Duxbury, Mass., who was of the sixth
generation from Robert Cushman, born in England in 1580,
and one of the Plymouth colony of 1620, coming in the second
vessel that brought over the liberty seeking Puritans. He was
prominently associated with the leading characters of the colo-
ny, and preached the first sermon printed in America, in the
English tongue. This sermon was preached from the text,
" Let no man seek his own, but every man another's worth."

TOWN OF BENTON. 297

This was a discourse of two parts ; the first proposition of the
text a dehortation, and the second an exhortation. It was
a pointed hcmily, and has become memorable, having been
printed in London, in 1C22, re-published in Boston in 1724,
and several times since at Plymouth and other places in New
England. It is reprinted entire in the " Historical and Bio-
graphical Genealogy of the Cushmans," descendants of Robert
Cushman.

Charles, the eldest son of Jonathan Ketchum, born in 1813,
married Amelia A., daughter of Dr. Nathan L. Kidder, of Ben-
ton, and is a resident of Penn Yan. He is a Machinist, In-
ventor, and Patent Solicitor. They have one son, George A.,
who married Ida Haviland, of Middlesex, and also resides in
Penn Yan. They have a son, Charles. Darius was a physician,
married Clarissa Vandenburg, of Jackson, Mich., and died in
Penn Yan in 1854. Rhoda, born in 1818, married Erastus'B.
Miller, of Pultney. They reside near Seneca Lake, in Milo, and
have four children, Lee, Jonathan, Adelaide and Mary. Alvah,
born in 1821, married Augusta D., daughter of Isaac D. Gage,
of Benton, and resides at Bellona, a mechanic. Charlotte, born
in 1824, married Lucas Voorhees, of Benton. They reside in
Prattsburg, and their children are Matilda, Augusta, Emma
and Horatio S.

Joseph Ketchum, born in 1790, married Mercy, daughter of
John Randall. She was born in Dutchess Co., in 1790. They
settled on lot 45, on Flat street, where he died in 1860, at the
age of seventy. They had thirteen children, of whom eight
reached adult age ; Abel, Norman, George R , Celina B., Anna
M., Oliver J., Caroline E. and Charles H. Norman and Oliver
C. died in early life. Abel married Phebe Ann, daughter of
Lewis Boyd, of Michigan, formerly of Benton. He was a mer-
chant in Penn Yan, and afterwards lived on the Jonathan
Ketchum farm, in Benton, where he died, leaving five children,
Henry W., Sophia, Frank, Emma C. and Edward. Norman
and Oliver, sons of Joseph Ketchum, died single, and the re-
maining children are unmarried, and reside on the homestead

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

with their mother. The sons are enterprising farmers, and
noted for raising choice and thorough-bred stock, especially
short horn cattle. Charles H. is the present President of the
Yates County Agricultural Society.

Joseph Ketchum was by trade a tanner and shoemaker. He
served his apprenticeship with Abel Peck, and came to this
county under his patronage, two years before Judge Peck. He
started a tannery, and established the shoe and leather business,
which, on becoming twenty-one, he assumed on his own ac-
count, and conducted prosperously for many years. His indus-
try and economy were such, that wealth could not resist his
grasp, and he had the sagacity to invest his gains chiefly in ad-
joining lands, sometimes at prices that others thought high,
until his home farm embraced five hundred acres ; and he was
the owner of other farms of much value, amounting to twelve
hundred acres. He was elected Sheriff of Yates county in
1834, and served three years in that office ; and in the militia
rose from corporal to colonel. His life was remarkably busy
and laborious, and left him but little time to mingle in political
excitements, though he was identified with the Democratic
party, and finally with the Republican. Religiously, his ten-
dencies were toward the Quakers, having been reared within
their influence. He was a man of integrity, and highly honor-
able character. His wife, who has survived him ten years, is
still in the enjoyment of health and vigor of body and mind,
and has evidently been a strong stay to her husband and family
in their remarkable history.

James Ketchum married Clarrissa Dean, of Putnam Co , set-
tled first in Benton, and subsequently in Barrington, where he
owned the Old Teeples place, and kept a tavern many years.
His widow still resides on the homestead. Their children are
Susan, Harriet, Joseph and Tyler. Susan married Joshua D.
Corey. They reside on part of the Ketchum homestead, in
Barrington, and have one child, Hattie. Harriet married
Lewis McConnell, of Barrington, and resides on the homestead,
occupying the house long used for a hotel. Joseph married

TOWN OF BENTON. 299

Angelina DeGraw, of Barrington, and resides near Hammonds-
port. They have two children, Edmund and one other. Tyler
married Miss Ellis, of Barrington, and emigrated to California.

Sarah Ketchum died single at Prattsbnrg.

The Ketchums were noted for patriotism in the revolutionary
struggle. In August, 1775, an association was formed in
Dutchess and adjoining counties, for prosecuting the war.
Twenty-eight of this name signed the compact "of this league,
in the counties of Dutchess, Orange and Suffolk. (See Appen-
dix to Cushman's Genealogy.)

BOYD FAMILY.

Robert, Lewis and Phebe, were children of Ebenezer Boyd,
of Kent, Putnam county, and came to this county in 1814, and
located in Benton. Robert Boyd married Anna, daughter of
John Randall. They settled in Benton, about one mile east of
Penn Yan, on lot 48, where he died. They had three children,
Salina, Pamelia and Merritt. Salina died single. Pamelia
married Samuel F. Curtis. Merritt married Mary Jane, daugh-
der of Henry Townsend, and settled on the homestead, where
he died. His widow married James Armstrong.

Lewis Boyd married Sophia Cushman, a sister of Mrs. Jona-
than Ketchum, and settled on the Pre-emption road, and finally,
in 1834, emigrated to Washtenaw Co., Michigan, where he
died, in 1848, and where his widow has since died. Their
children are Emeline, Harvey, Phebe A., Mial, George, Sarah,
Ebenezer, Robert, Almira, Mina and Adaline.

Phebe Boyd married Archibald Crawford. They settled in
Benton. He died leaving several children, Coleman, Maria,
Susan, Lewis, Barger and Sarah. The widow married a second
husband, Nathaniel Huson, of Starkey, and the father of Dr.
Richard Huson, of Lawrence, Kansas. He is dead, and his
wridow still survives.

JOHN GANUNG.

John Ganung was a native of Dutches Co., where he married
Esther, daughter of John Randall. They settled on the Pre-
emption road, and afterwards moved to the town of Richmond,

300 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Ontario Co. They had several children, but three of whom
were identified with Yates county. These were Edward, Han-
nah and Anna. Edward married Celia, daughter of Allen
Eggleston, of Potter, and settled in Canadice, where he died,
leaving three children, Mary, William and Asa. Hannah
resided with her father, and died single. Anna married An-
thony Trimmer, jr., of Benton.

ANTHONY TRIMMER.

During the last year or two of the eighteenth century,
there came a colony of settlers from Pennsylvania, who located
in east Benton, some of them in what is now Torrey. Among
them was Anthony Trimmer, who was descended from Scotch
or Irish people, who had settled an early colony in Northum-
berland county, Pa. His wife was Sarah Howard, a sister of
Thomas Howard, also an early settler and noted citizen, who
resided about one mile north of Hopeton. The Armstrongs:,
Harts, McLeans, Howards and Trimmers were all members of
the same colony. The Trimmer family located on a farm, near
the old Presbyterian Church, where they continued until the
parents died. Anthony Trimmer died in 1838, at the age of
eighty-four, and his wife in 1832, at the age .of seventy -three.
Their children were David, Isaiah, Betsey, Amy, Epcnetus,
Anthony, Polly, Sally and Thcmas. David married Susan
Reading, who died in Benton. He married a second wife,
Mary Kelly, a widow, and moved to Kent Co., Michigan, where
they reside. Isaiah married in Benton, and moved to North-
eastern Ohio. His children are Chester, Frances and Amy.

Betsey married Frederick Backenstose, a tailor of Geneva.
He died there leaving three children, Frederick, Eliza and
Sally. She married^a second husband, Leonard Smith, of Sen-
eca, of whom she was the second wife. Their children were
George, Hiram and others. They afterwards moved to Angel-
ica, where both died.

Amy was the first wife, of Leonard Smith, of Seneca.

Epenetus married Rebecca, daughter of William Ellis, and
settledon the Trimmer family homestead, where he died. Their

TOWN OF BENTON.

301

children were Jemima, Mary, Ellsworth, Eliza, Sally, Thomas,
William and Ruth. Jemima married Aaron E. Swarthout, son
of John Swarthout. They reside on and own the old Trimmer
homestead, and have one son, Ray. Mary married Vincent
Swarthout, a son of Anthony Swarthout, and resides in Torrey.
He is a farmer. Ellsworth married Ellen Perine, and resides in
Dresden. They have a son named Ellsworth. Eliza is the
wife of Luther Harris, a resident of Dresden, and a boat builder
and farmer. Their children are Ella and William. Sally mar-
ried Lewis Cuddeback, a carpenter at Dresden. Their children
are Vincent and Ida. Thomas died single at the age of eighteen.

William married Mary Harris, of Dresden, and resides there.
They have one son, Epenetus. Ruth died single, at eighteen.

Anthony Trimmer, jr. married Anna, daughter of John Ga-
ming, of Benton. He was constable and collector of that town
many years, and was crier of the courts in Yates county,
from the organization of the county, for a period of about
twenty years. His immediate successor in that office was John
D. Wolcott. Their children are Betsey, John C, Harriet,
George, Edward M., Rebecca E., Mary H., William H., Charles
M. and Anna E. Betsey married Joshua Swan, of Canadice, 1ST.
Y., where they reside. Their children are Albert and Rosetta.
John C. married Mary Baldwin, of Lapeer, Mich., and resides
in Benton. They have one child, Anna E. Harriet married
Sylvester Simmons, now residing in Milo. George married
Sarah Swan, of Canadice, where they settled, and where he
died. Edward M. married Ellen Patten, of Richmond, Ontario
county, and resides in that town. Their children are Ida M.,
Charles and Horace P. Rebecca E. married Van Rensselaer
Van Scoy, of Milo. They reside in Benton. Mary H. is the
wife of William T. Remer. William H. married Emeline
Gould, of Richmond, Ontario Co., where they now live. Then-
children are William, Alice and Fanny. Charles M. married
Rosetta Lundy, of Canada. They reside in Rockton, 111., and
have two children. Anna E. married Niel Gould, of Richmond,
Ontario Co. They have two children.

302 HISTORY OF XATES COUNTY.

Polly married William Gates, who was a merchant at Spen-
cer's Corners. He died leaving two daughters, Sally and Amy.
Mrs. Gates died in Orleans, K Y. Sally married William
Lamb, of Benton. They reside at Orleans, Ontario county.
Their children are Epenetus, Isadore, Austin, Avery, Gena and
Charles. Amy married William Hosier, son of Davison
Hosier, of Hilo. They reside in Iowa, and their children are
Harvey, Mary, John and Davison.

Sally Trimmer married Horace Gage, son of Reuben Gage,
of Benton. They reside in Michigan, and their children are
Anthony, Heman and Azuba.

Thomas Trimmer never married, and was for many years
celebrated in Benton as a school teacher. He was one of the
early pupils of John L. Lewis. His death occurred in 1858, at
the age of fifty-seven.

BENJAMIN DEAN.

Another contributor of Dutchess Co. to Benton, was Benja-
min Dean, who married Zilpha Harrington, of that county,
and came from Shepherd's Creek, Pa., in 1798, a widower,
locating at first near Norris' Landing. Of his family by the
first marriage, there were Eliakim, Zebulon and William, and
their daughters Abigail, Hannah and Lucy, who had preceded
the father to the Genesee country. He married a second wife,
widow Martha Blake, at Norris' Landing, and in 1804 pur-
chased the farm now owned and occupied by George B. Stan-
ton, on lot 74, where he died in 1815, at the age of sixty -four,
leaving by the second marriage one daughter, Polly. The
mother died in 1821. Polly Dean married Benjamin Stanton,
of Gorham. They lived on the Dean homestead, and had three
children, Martha E., George B. and Mary J. Martha E. mar
ried Norman Holmes, of Benton, who died leaving one daugh-
ter, Harriet E. She married a second husband, Charles Lloyd,
of English birth. They have one child, Mary E., and reside
on the homestead.

George B. Stanton married Emeline C. Lamport. They have
two children, Richard B. and May C.

Mary J. married Edwin Lamport.

TOWN OF BENTON. 303

Zebulon Dean married Sarah, sister of Russell and Elijah
Brown. They settled in East Benton, near Seneca Lake,
where their son, Daniel Dean now lives, about two miles
north of Hopeton. Their children were Benjamin, Daniel,
John, Alexander and Ira. He married a second wife, Nancy
Scritchel, and they had seven children, Jarvis, George, Julia,
Hannah, Eliza, Zilpha and Sarah. Zebulon Dean was a man
of note in his day. In 1807, he and his neighbor John Mugg,
by mutual concert became religious men, and were soon ac-
tively engaged as preachers of the Free Will Baptist Faith.
They found their reward for their religious labors in the work
itself, and the hopes that reached beyond the present life.
They wrought willingly with their hands for the daily bread of
their families, and went long distances to preach on Sunday,
without accepting a farthing.for their spiritual service. Their
names are blended with the organization of numerous churches
of that faith in this and surrounding counties. They travelled
in this work as far as Sodus, and at that day their disciples
were neither few nor lacking in zeal ; but for some reason, few
of these churches are left in the land. For twenty-five or thirty
years, John Mugg lived in Jerusalem, a little west of Penn
Yan. It is said he still lives at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, at the
age of nearly one hundred. His spiritual brother, Zebulon
Dean, died at the age of fifty-four, in 1832. Of his children,
Benjamin married Eliza Randolph of Milo. She died leaving
four children, Sarah M., Elizabeth, Jephtha F. and Mary Jane.
He married a second wife, Fanny Marriner, of Benton, and
moved to Jerusalem, where he died in 1869, at the age of
seventy. The children of the second marriage were Amanda,
William M., Albert and Persis A. Persis A. married William
Griswold, of Jerusalem, and they have one child.

Daniel Dean resides on the paternal homestead. He married
Diana Lamb, of Benton, and moved to Wayne county, where
she died, and he re-married ; afterwards he returned to Yates
county. The children of the first marriage were Hannah F.
and Harvey C. ; of the second, Diana E., Avery C, Jennie S.

304

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

and Deborah. The land where Daniel Dean resides, was
bought by Zebulon Dean, of Charles Williamson, in 1798. Of
Daniel Dean's Children, Hannah married Adin Gauntt, of
Chaggrin Falls, Ohio. Harvey C. married Eveline, sister of
Charles V. Bush, of Penn Yan. They reside at Benton Cen-
tre, and their children are Florence M. and Decora D. Diana
is unmarried. Avevy C. married Mary E., daughter of Levi
Speelman, of Torrey. Jennie S. married Edwin L. Swarthout,
of Torrey, where they reside; and Deborah A. married Charles
M. Speelman, of Torrey,

John married Maria Titus, and resides in Torrey. Their
children are James, Harriet E., Lewis and David.

Alexander married Lois Griswold, and resides in Jerusalem.
Their children are Julius Z., Ezra, Sarah A., Abraham V., Di-
antha and Elizabeth. Ira married and emigrated to Louisana.
Jarvis married Almira Dean, of Newfield, where they reside.
George married Maria Houghtaling, and emigrated to California.

Julia married James P. Winants, of Benton. They reside in
Potter, and their children are David, Augustus, Orville, Julia
A., Adelia, Adora and Kate. David married Hannah Church,
of Benton, and resides in Steuben county. Augustus was a
soldier in a western regiment, was taken prisoner at Pittsburg
Landing, and died in a rebel prison at Macon, Georgia. Orville
married Mary Bergstrsser, of Potter, where they reside. Ju-
lia married Sheldon Slaughter, of Potter, and they reside in
that town.

Hannah married Russell Thurber, of Owego, N. Y. They
reside in Elmira, and have two children, Nancy and Helen.

Eliza married Orville Allerton, a merchant of Newark, N. Y.
They have one child, Harry.

Zilpha married Eliakim Bailey, of Newfield, N. Y., where
she died, leaving two children, Helen and George F.

Sarah married George Casterline, and emigrated to Wai'saw,
Wis., where they reside, and have one child. Margaret.

Eliakim Dean, the elder brother of Zebulon, was the father
ol Jefferson Dean, of Newfield, Tompkins Co., whose daughter

TOWN OF BENTON. 305

Kate Dean, is a cultivated and noted concert singer. William
Dean, the remaining brother of Zebulon, was a millwright.
He went west and remained there several years. Hearing that
his brother Zebulon was near his death, he came back to see
him, but arrived too late. Fatigue and depression of mind
produced illness, which soon resulted in his burial by the side
of his brother.

PERLEY DEAN.

The first settler on Flat Street, where Augustus Stewart re-
sides, was Perley Dean, a native of Ashford, Connecticut, who
was a good farmer, and an excellent and much esteemed citi-
zen. His wife was Abigail Baxter, a daughter of Col. Baxter,
of Revolutionary fame. They were married in 1788, and
shortly made a home at or near Newtown, which they left on
account of unhealthiness, and in 1793 located permanently on
lot 39, buying the land of Levi Benton. He died in 1811, and
his wife in 1813, after the most discouraging impediments of
pioneer life had been overcome. Their children were Arminda,
Perley, Leonard, Anna, Betsey and Danford. Arminda mar-
ried Israel Brown, from Norwich, Vermont. They died in
Penn Yan, leaving five children, Amandn, Eliza, Oliver, Mary
and Abner. Amanda married Cyrus Russel, and Eliza married
William Keeler, and both went west. Oliver also married and
emigrated to Illinois. Mary married a Mr. Barber, who died
at Troy, N. Y., and his widow and children emigrated to Mar-
shall, Michigan. Abner was blind, but was educated and intel-
ligent, and lived to the age of thirty -two, dying at Marshall,
Michigan.

Perley Dean jr. married Phebe, a sister of Israel Brown.

They emigrated to Tekonsha, Michigan. They have five
children, Eliza, Nelson, Leonard, Chester and Jane, all of whom
are married, and settled in good circumstances, about their
parents.

Leonard was a soldier through the war of 1812, after which
he died at the west, single. Anna married Mr. Tubbs, nephew
of Enos Tubbs. They reside at Cleveland, Ohio.

306 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Betsey married Frederick H. Rohde, a native of Germany, and
a shoemaker. They lived on grounds now occupied by the Penn
Yan Academy. He was a good citizen, and died suddenly at
Geneva, while there on business, at the age of fifty-two. His
widow resides in Penn Yan. Their children were Caroline,
Lewis S., Henrietta, Adelia, Frederick, Maxwell and John.
Caroline married Hugh Joint, and resides at Oil City, Pa.
Henrietta died single. Lewis S. married Helen Mc Lean, of
Penn Yan, and she died leaving one child, Carrie. He mar-
ried a second wife, Caroline, daughter of Daniel Hedges, of
Milo. They have two surviving children, Frank and Spencer.
He is a boot and shoe merchant and manufacturer, of the firm
of Corey & Rohde, of Penn Yan, and an exemplary citizen.
Adelia married Peter Shaw, of New York, and resides in
Brooklyn. They have four children, Christopher, William,
Carrie and Hetty. Frederick ia single, and resides in Australia.
Maxwell married Lucy Green, and is a shoe dealer and manu-
facturer at Dundee. They have two children, Lucy and Mary.
John is a machinist at Owego, and married Amelia Robertson,
of Binghamton.

Dandford Dean was a farmer, and died unmarried, in Ben-
ton, in 1868, about fifty-four years of age.

ELISHA, DANIEL AND MARTIN BROWN.

These were three of seven brothers, sons of Elisha Brown,
who were born at Bolton, Connecticut, whence their family
moved to Vermont, where their father died in 1802, at the age
of seventy-nine. Elisha jr., and Daniel, were soldiers of the
Revolution. They emigrated quite early from Vermont to
Newtown, where in April, 1790, Elisha jr. married Jemima,
sister of Perley Dean. In February, 1793, they moved to
Benton, then Jerusalem, and settled first on lot 31, on land now
occupied by Jacob Watson, afterwards a little west of Benton
Centre, on land now owned by Dr. John L. Cleveland. He
was a mechanic, and assisted Levi Benton, jr., in the construc-
tion of several mills, built at an early period about the country.
He was also employed by the Potters, and was an industrious

TOWN OF BENTON. 307

and useful man. He died in 1815, at the age of sixty-seven.
His wife died in 1819, at the age of forty-eight. Their child-
ren were Pamela, Almira, Polly, Tamasin, Sarah, Harriet, Eph-
raim and Elisha. Pamela became the wife of Luther Winants.
Almira married Daniel Van Tyne. He was a prosperous mer-
chant at Cleveland, Ohio, from whence he moved to Racine,
Wis., where he died, leaving three children, Ann Eliza, William
and Kate. Polly married Peter Moon, and resides in Perm
Yan, with her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Holliday. Tamasin
married William Moon, a nephew of Peter, and lives west, a
widow. Sarah married Jonathan Russel, and is a widow at
Marietta, Onondaga Co., X. Y. Harriet married Robert Mead,
a nephew of Daniel Van Tyne. He has also been a business
man of note, and resides at Racine, Wis. They have two
children, Frank and A.nn. Ephraim died single. Elisha mar-
ried Margaret, sister of Daniel Van Tyne, and died in Ohio, in
1869, at the age of fifty-nine, leaving no children.

Daniel Brown, born in 1750, married Anna Hall, at New-
town, and moved to Benton (then Jerusalem), in 1797, settling
on the place now owned by Mrs. Susan C. Sherman, on Flat
Street, lot 39. Daniel Brown was employed many years as a
mail and newspaper carrier, having a route that extended from
Geneva and Canandaigua, to Bath. As this was the only
means of circulating intelligence for many years, his weekly
advent in each neighborhood with the local papers, with news
perhaps a month old, was an event of the greatest importance.
He carried the Geneva Gazette and Ontario Repository, through
what is now Yates county ; his package consisting most largely
of the Gazette. He was also constable and collector of the town
many years. He and his wife both died on their homestead,
leaving five children, Samuel S., Eunice, Olive, Clorinda and
Eliza. Samuel S. married Elizabeth Newman, of Benton. He
was a captain of militia, and wTas familiarly known as "Capt.
Sam Brown." He was a good citizen, and died very suddenly
in Penn Yan, about fifteen years ago, and his widow and four
children have moved west. Eunice became the wife of William

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Riggs, and moved to Monroe, Michigan. Olive resides at Mon-
roe, Michigan, single. Clorinda married Isaac Newton, of Ver-
mont, and moved to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where he died leav-
ing several children. Eliza died single, in Benton.

Martin Brown, born in 1761, married at the age of nineteen,
Sarah Hammond, of Windsor Co., Vermont. He came to Ver-
non in 1803, and purchased 107 acres of land on Flat Street, lot
41, of Elisha Wood worth, at nine dollars per acre, now the south
part of John Merrifield's estate. He put up a log cabin, and
accompanied by his brother Elisha, returned to Vermont for his
family and effects. With two loaded wagons, one drawn by
three horses, and the other by two pairs o£oxen, and driving six-
cows and thirty sheep, they started on the first day of June,
1803, and in twenty-six days arrived at their log cabin on Flat
Etreet. Their domicil, until the following winter, had neither
door, window nor chimney, and only some loose boards for a
floor. There they lived and aided in the steady work of pioneer
improvement, until Mr. Brown died, in 1824, at the age of sixty-
three. His wife survived him till 1852, dying at the age of
eighty-eight. Their children who reached adult age, were Ebe-
nezer, William S., Martin, Daniel, Deborah, Lora, Lydia and
Emma.

Ebenezer married Hannah Shay, and resided for a considerable
period in Penn Yan. He was sheriff of Yates county one term,
to which office he was elected in 1825, and postmaster at Penn
Yan several years. He emigrated to Goshen, Indiana, where
he died in 1853, leaving four daughters, who reside there: Sa-
rah, Emma, Henrietta and Janette.

William S. married Eliza Sweet, of Benton, and emigrated to
Plymouth, Indiana, where his widow survives, with three child-
ren, Charlotte, Martin and Hatley N.

Martin jr. married Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Rector, of
Benton, in 1824. They had four children, Charles H., Andrew
M., Charity C. and Calista E. In 1849 he married a second
wife, Mary Finger ; and in 1859 a third, Epha Millspaugh. He
has always resided in Benton, where he has been a useful and

TOWN OF BENTON.

309

respected citizen, and survives at the age of sixty -eight. He has
filled numerous offices in his town, and was eight years a Justice
of the Peace. He resides in south-west Benton, where Clark
Winans was the original settler, on lot 83, though he lived about
thirty years on Flat street. His son Charles H. married Lydia
Wagner, of Benton. They reside at Ada, Kent Co., Mich., and
have two children, Eleanor A. and Haley N. Andrew M.
married Caroline Benedict, of Jerusalem, where they reside.
Charity C. married Jacob Schenck, of Potter, and resides at Ada,
Kent Co., Mich. Their children are Martin, Fred, Eleanor and
Elizabeth. Calista married Jacob N. Jones, of Benton, where
they reside. Their children are Hannah E., Mary E., Flora J.,
Alice and James M.

Daniel died single, while on a journey west, at Cleveland.
Cause not known.

Deborah married Bela Richards, who came with her father's
family from Vermont. They lived on Flat street, on land now
belonging to the Ketchum estate. He died while on a journey
west to view the country, and his widow resides in Jerusalem.
Their children were Maria, Sarah, Eliza and Almena. Sarah
married Augustus L. Cookingham, of Jerusalem. They have'four
children, Marietta, Dallas M., Eliza and John P. Dallas M.
married Nancy Robinson, of Middlesex, and resides in that town.
Eliza Richards married Abraham Beyea, and resides at Tyrone,
N. Y. Their children are Frank, Fanny and one more. Alme-
na married Alexander Keech, of Jerusalem, and resides at Rock-
ford, Michigan. They have two children. Maria married
Milton S. Buell, adopted son of Cyrus Buell, of Benton, and
settled on Bluff Point, where he died leaving three children,
Ann, Helen and Frank. Ann married Perry Dains, of Jerusa-
lem, where they reside. Helen married Augustus A. Chidsey, a
printer of Penn Yan. They reside at Detroit, and have one
child, Charles. Frank died single.

Lora married John L. Lewis, the early and highly distin-
guished school teacher.

Lydia became the second wife of James Sherland, the father

310 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

of William H. Sherland, now residing in Benton. They emi-
grated to Plymouth, Indiana, where she died, leaving four child-
ren, Ebenezer, George, Madama and Sarah.

Emma married James Weed. He died without children, and
she married Andrew Lamereaux. They now reside in Michigan.

JACOB WINANTS.

Jacob Winants was from eastern New York, and married Re-
becca Talmadge, an aunt of Nathaniel P. Talmadge, at one time
U. S. Senator from this State. They came to this county in
1800, and settled in east Benton, where he died in 1814, and
she in 1828. They had eleven children: James, Josiah, Fanny,
Asenath, Abraham, Sybil, Martha, George R., Pamela and Lu-
ther. Six of these were never residents here. Fanny married
John Suylandt, of Seneca Falls, and emigrated to St. Joseph,
Michigan. Asenath married Col. Thomas Lee, of Benton.
Abraham married Lucinda Keeler, niece of Dr. Joshua Lee.
He died near New York, leaving two children, George and Jane,
and his widow became the wife of Judge John Knox, of Water-
loo, the father of Judge Addison T., and William Knox.

George R. Winants married Mary Swarthout, of Barrington.
They settled in Potter, near Rushville. He has been a man of
prominence in the town, and held various civil stations. Their
children are Marietta, Martha J. and Edward J. Marietta mar-
ried Timothy Blodgett, of Potter. Their children are Helen.
George and Grace. Martha J. married Henry Chesebro, of
Naples. They reside on the Winants homestead in Potter, and
their children are Henry and Mary. Edward J. married Bella
Noble, of Detroit, granddaughter of Col. Thomas Lee. They
reside in New York.

Luther Winants married Pamela, daughter of Elisha Brown,
of Benton. They were married July 19, 1812. He was in the
early years a school teacher, and a shoemaker. They resided
in Oneida county about ten years, and returned in 1823, resid-
ing thereafter in Penn Yan, where he died in 1864, at the age
of seventy-four. He was village clerk eighteen years, and at
one time Justice of the Peace in Benton. Their children were

TOWN OF BENTON. 311

Alvin, Herman H., Mary Ann, George M., Caroline A., Harvey
L., Sarah Jane, Charles V., Margaret M., Roderick N. and
Susan S. Alvin was a lawyer, and for some time a partner of
David B. Prosser. His wife was Saiah A., daughter of Samuel
Wise. He was several years in California, and died in Kansas
in 18G0, at the age of forty-seven. His widow married Judge
Wm. H. McGrew, of San Francisco, and resides in that city.
His only son, Samuel N. Winants, married Sarah Shumway, of
San Francisco, and resides there. They have one daughter,
Daisy.

Herman H. was a printer, and married Ann Bannister, of
Newark, N. Y. They had one son, Henry W. He afterwards
married a widow Seely, in Pennsylvania, and died in Illinois,
at the age of forty-seven.

Mary Ann married Abraham Miller, a highly respected me-
chanic of Penn Yan. Their children are Susan C, Frederick
M. and Maiy A.

George M. was a painter, and married Marian A. Nash, of
Penn Yan. He died in Louisville, Ky., in 1859, leaving a son
George H.

Caroline A. married Homer M. Townsend, and died in 1852,
leaving a daughter, Mary Jane, now resident in Penn Yan.

Harvey L. was a printer and editor. He learned his trade as a
printer with one Gilbert, in Penn Yan, and was editor of a third
paper in Penn Yan, called the Democratic Organ, in which
his brother Alvin was associated with him. They also con-
ducted a paper at Newark, N. Y., for some time. Harvey was
afterwards associate editor of the Rochester Advertiser, for a
brief period. He married Cornelia Z., daughter of Stephen
Elmendorf, of Penn Yan, and died at Cincinnati, in 1866, at
the age of forty-four. His only son, William H., is a bank
clerk at Kansas City. He is married, and his mother has a
home with him.

Sarah Jane married James McLean, of Benton. They lived
at Lima, Mich., where she died at thirty-four, leaving five child-
ren, George H., Morris L., Fanny C, Sophia S. and Charles J.

312 HTSTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Charles V. was a blacksmith, and married Mary Gay, of
Aurora, N. Y. He died in California, leaving one daughter,
Anna, who married west.

Margaret M. married Ephraim S. Fletcher, a Methodist
preacher, living at South Hansom, Mass. He is a man of worth,
and held in high esteem. Their children are Albert, Frank and
George. ,

Roderick N. is a printer, and remarkable as a rapid compos-
itor. He married Cornelia W. Wood, of East Mendon, N. Y„
and lives at Bloomington, 111. Their children are Cora and
Frank.

Mrs. Pamela Winants survives at the age of seventy-seven,
with a clear and accurate recollection of the early years. She
attended the school taught by Olivia Smith, at Benton Centre,
and remembers all the pioneers of No. 8, so few of whom are
yet numbered with the living. It was her lot to assist Daniel
Goff, a tailor, who boarded at her father's house, in making the
dress coat, vest and pants, all of pure white dimity, worn by
Master John L. Lewis, as manager, in a play written by himself,
and performed in one of the earliest years of the present century,
at the house of Ezra Cole. When a few more like her have
passed away, nobody can relate from personal recollection the
primitive scenes of this county, then so new, now so old in
comparison with the larger portion of our land.

JACOB MESEBOLE.

The forefathers of both Jacob Meserole and his wife, Ann
Remsen, were among the first settlers of Long Island. The
paternal ancestors of Mr. Meserole were French, and the ma-
ternal Hollanders, and the parents of Mrs. Meserole were also
French or Flemish Hollanders. He was born in 1783, and she
in 1801, and the homes where both were born have be-
longed to their respective families for a long period, and are
now both embraced within the city of Brooklyn, and divided
into city lots. The Meserole farm originally contained sixty
acres, and the taxes thereon in 1800 amounted to one dollar ;
in 1801 to one dollar and fifty cents, and were thought to be

TOWN OF BENTON. 313

excessive or erroneous. The same territory is now judged to
pay not less than $100,000 of annual tax. The Meseroles
were the first settlers in Bushwick, now known as Green Point,
and the Remsens and Schencks on the Wallabout ; and the
first white child born on Long Island, was on the Schenck
farm. The paternal farm of Mrs. Meserole and her ancestors,
of about seventy-two acres, lies east of the U. S. Navy Yard,
and borders on the Wallabout Bay. Thus are these two per-
sons representatives of great changes and developments, the
period of their lives having witnessed the growth of the great
city of Brooklyn, on the ground whereon they were born in
rural seclusion. In about the same period Yates county has
merged from the wilderness and reached its present fruitful
condition. They were married in 1829, and in 1831 purchased
and settled on the place known as the Jonathan Hall farm, on
the East Centre road leading to Seneca Lake, and about one
mile west of the Lake, now in Torrey, where they lived till
1863, since which time they have resided in Penn Yan. Their
children were Jeremiah Remsen, Peter, Elizabeth, Catharine
and Matilda. Jeremiah died single, in 1845, at twenty-two.
Peter married Louisa Stone, of Trumansburg, was a hardware
merchant in Penn Yan from 1851 to 1857, and then moved to
Red Wing, Minnesota, where he engaged in the forwarding
and commission business. His health failing he returned to
Trumansburg, and died in 1867, at the age of thirty-eight.

Elizabeth, born in 1833, married John P. Banks, a son of
Summers Banks, of Benton, in 1853. They resided on the
William Hall farm, near her father's homestead, where he died
in 1856, leaving one child, Fanny Loella. The widow subse-
quently married a second husband, William Roy, and they
reside in Penn Yan. Their children are Elizabeth, Ann and
William.

Catharine, born in 1837, married Mason L. Baldwin, of Ben-
ton.

Matilda, born in 1840, married Silas Kinney, of Ovid, a son
of Cyrus Kinney, and a lawyer. They have one child, Elsie.

314 HJSTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

BUSH FAMILY.

Lodowick Bush, born in 1762, married, in 1787, Laney
Visshee, who was born in 1771. They were natives of New
Jersey, and had fourteen children, twelve of whom become
adults, and nine were married. They were Margaret, Bernard,
Peter, John L., Andrew, Francis C, Hannah, Catharine,
Henry, Mary, David and Maria Jane. They were all born in
New Jersey, near Bergen, and in 1817 came to this county, and
located where Bernard Bush now lives, near the old Presbyte-
rian Meeting House. The father bought about six hundred
acres of land, intending one hundred for each son. He subse-
quently moved to a farm on the Pre-emption road, where he
built a saw mill, and made other improvements. Here his son
John L. Bush settled and resided while he lived. The parents
finally removed to Romulus, Seneca county, where they died
within a few weeks of each other, in 1839. Margaret, born in
1788, married Albert Van Winkle, of New Jersey, where he
died. She afterwards resided with her parents. She had three
children, none of whom survive.

Bernard, born in 1790, married Mary Forshee, of New
Jersey. They settled on the first home of Lodowick, in Benton,
where he resides, a widower. Their children were Ellen, John,
Peter and Rebecca. Ellen married Palmer Ellis, residing in
Torrey. John married Huldah Benedict, and resides in Milo.
Peter married Julina Hall, and resides in Potter. Rebecca
married Joseph Mapes, and resides on the homestead.

Peter, born in 1794, married Ellen Denniston, of Geneva,
where they reside. They have three children, Alexander H,
Hannah and Caroline. Alexander H. was a volunteer in the
12Gth regiment, and died while they were encamped at Chicago.

John L., born in 1797, married Hannah H. Coddington, of
Benton, and settled on the paternal farm on the Pre-emption
road, where he died in 1865. Their children were Mary, Ben-
jamin, Stephen, Catharine, Sarah, Charles D. and George. Mary
married Henry L. Green, and resides at Baltimore. Benjamin
married Margaret Turner, of Benton, and resides near the old

TOWN OF BENTON. . 315

homestead. They have two children, Elizabeth and Harriet.
Stephen married Elizabeth Turner, and resides at Baltimore.
Charles D. married Martha Lynn, of Newburg, N. Y. They re-
side in Benton, near the homestead, and have one child, Bell.
George married Althea Rosenkrans, of Benton, and emigrated
to Fowlerville, Michigan. They have one child, Helen. Cath-
arine and Sarah are single, and reside with their mother, at
Bellona.

Andrew, born in 1799, married Elizabeth Ackerman, of New
Jersey. She died in Benton, leaving three sons, James, Peter
and one other. He married a second wife, and emigrated to
Salone, Michigan, where he resides with a third wife, Elizabeth
Carbon, of Fayette, N. Y. There is one daughter, Francis, by
the second marriage, and two children, Andrew and Elizabeth,
by the third.

Frances C, born in 1801, married John Van Gieson, of Var-
ick, N. Y., and emigrated to Lodi Plains, Michigan, where both
died, leaving seven children, Andrew, John, Peter, Catharine,
Henry, Jane and Mary A.

Hannah married David Dennison, and lived in Orleans Co.,
New York.

Henry, born in 1808, married Margaretta Lacey, of Benton,
and emigrated to Cottage Grove, Wis., where they reside.
Their children are Asahel, Anderson, Silas, Mary and Dora.

David, born in 1813, married Rachel, daughter of William
McLean, of Benton (now Torrey), and emigrated to State Line,
Indiana, where he died, and his family resides. Their children
are William, Hatley, Peter and Harriet.

Catharine and Maria Jane are unmarried, and reside at
Geneva.

JOHN MERRIFIELD.

John Merrifield, senior, was from Columbia county, where he
married Catharine Simmons. They came to Benton with then-
then family of six children, after 1820, locating at first in the
neighborhood of the Carroll school house, and removing to Pot-
ter in 1832, Avhere they lived on a farm now belonging to the

316 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Charles Bordwell estate. The parents finally emigrated to
lona, Michigan, where the father died in 1851, at the ag f
sixty-four. The mother still smwives at the age of eighty-one,
residing with her children in this county. Then- children who
reached adult age were John, Robert, George C, Charlotte, Ja-
cob, William H., Elizabeth, Sarah A., Peter S., Hannah C, and
Thomas. J.

John, jr., born in 1809, married Sarah, daughter of John
Crank, of Benton, in 1832. They remained for a time on the
home farm in Potter, of which Mr. Merrifield was joint owner
with his father ; subsequently he returned to Benton, residing on
various farms till 1848, when they purchased the Abner Wood-
worth farm, of one hundred and sixty acres, on Flatt street,
where they still reside, having added other acres to the original
purchase, till then- farm embraced nearly four hundred acres.
Mr. Merrifield began with nothing, and seconded by his wife,
has gained a handsome competence, by industry and frugality,
the only trusty keys of fortune. Happily they are well preserved
for the enjoyment of then- well-earned abundance, in their ad-
vancing years. He is a leading citizen of his town, en-
joys in the fullest degree the confidence of his fellow citizens,
and has been several times supervisor, serving with credit to
himself and satisfaction to the public. They have two surviving
children, John W. and Mary D. John W. married Elvira,
daughter of Wm. M. Crosby, of Benton, and resides at Vine-
land, New Jersey. They have one child, Sarah A. Mary D.
married James M. Lown, of Jerusalem. They reside on the pa-
ternal homestead, and have two children, Jennie and John M.

Robert married Eliza, daughter of Josiah Rudd, of Italy. .
They reside in Michigan, and have six children.

George C. married Mary A. Parks, of Benton, and resides at
Mishawaka, Indiana. They have four children. He is a teacher
and fruit culturist ; has represented his county in the State As-
sembly, and holds the office of U. S. Revenue Assessor.

Charlotte is the wife of Culver S. Barber, of Potter.

Jacob married Emily, daughter of James P. Robinson, of Pot-

TOWN OP BENTON.

317

ter, and emigrated to Mishawaka, Indiana, where she died, leav-
ing three children. He is now living with a second wife, at
Decatur, Michigan, and is a Universalist Clergyman and fruit
cnlturist.

William H. married Emily Paul, of Coloma, Michigan, where
they reside. He is a farmer, and they have five children.

Elizabeth married Ira Barber, of Potter.

Sarah A. married Charles Bostwick, a physician of Colon a,
Michigan, and resides at New Troy, Michigan.

Peter S. married Sally A. Dayton, of Welshfield, Granger Co.,
Ohio. He is a farmer and teacher. They have one son.

Hannah C. married Charles Reading, of Colona, Michigan,
where he died, leaving three children. She is now the wife of
Franklin Vinton, and resides at Carlisle Hill, Indiana. They
have one child.

Thomas J. married Paulina Skinner, of Valparaiso, Indiana.
He is a lawyer, and has been Mayor of the city. He has also
represented his county (Porter) in the Legislature, They have
six children.

IIENRT COLLIN.

Henry Collin, born in Dutches Co., in 1792, married Maiy
McAlpine, at Hillsdale, in 1814. She was born in Dutchess Co.,
in 1793. They came to Benton, April 26, 1814, and settled on
a farm then new, in the pine woods of West Benton. They
subsequently moved to the premises originally settled by Samuel
Buell, senior, in 1792, on lot 78, where they remained through
life. Mrs. Collin died in 1832, and her husband in 1835. Their
children were Harriet A., Henry C. and Emeline.

Harriet A., born in 1816, married Alfred G. Bid well, of Hills-
dale, Columbia Co., N. Y., and resides in Hudson City, New
Jersey. They have several children.

Henry C. Collin, born in 1818, married Maria L. Park, of
Burlington, Otsego county, N. Y. They reside on the family
homestead, which they own, together with the premises first
settled by the father of Mr. Collin. By successful industry, they
have added largely to their estate in land, having now 880 acres
in Benton. Mr. Collin wras born on his present homestead, and

318 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

has always resided there. His remarkable thrift and pecuniary
success is due to unremitting toil and sagacious attention to bus-
iness, which has borne its usual result of independence and
abundance. They have eight children, and some of their sons
have graduated at Yale College, and entered upon successful
professional pursuits. Mr. Collin is a progressive farmer, and a
highly useful and respected citizen, and was the supervisor of
Benton in 1869-70.

Emeline, born in 1822, married Dr. William W. Welch, of
Norfolk, Connecticut, and died there in 1850, leaving two child-
ren. He still resides there.

PECKENS FAMILY.

David Peckens was a native of Massachusetts, and married
Experience Pierce, of that State. They came to this county in
1810, and finally settled on a farm known as the Seeley farm, in
Jerusalem. Their Children were Hannah, Elipha, David, Lydia,
James, Alexander, Sabra, Elisha, Martha, George and Samuel.
Of these, but three remain in this county, Martha, James and
Elipha. Martha never married. Elipha married Patty Ray-
mond, of Benton, and settled on what was known as the Sher-
wood farm, on the Potter road, where they lived many years.
He pursued the trade of a carpenter and joiner, having served
his time as an apprentice, with James Sherwood. By means of
unwearied industry and economy, they gained a generous com-
petency, securing a fine homestead on the South Centre Road
for themselves, and other farms for then- children. They two are
examples of the infallible success of thrifty integrity and careful
economy, engrafted on a life of earnest labor. Their children
are Myron, Arabell, Charles R. and Jane.

Myron married Sarah J., daughter of Alva Taylor, of Benton,
and resides on the farm long owned by the Buckbee family, on
lot 84. Their children are Jane and Byron E.

Arabell married Daniel Sprague, of Benton, and resides
on the original family homestead. They have one child,
James E.

Charles R. married Eleanor A., daughter of Seth B. Briggs,

TOWN OF BENTON.

319

of Benton, and resides on what is known as the Nathan Lacey
farm, on the South Centre Road in Benton, Their children are
E. Burnett and Martha J.

Jane married Lester B. Chissom, of Benton.

James Peckens married Matilda Briggs, of Marcellus, N. Y.
They settled in Jerusalem, near Sabin town, and on a part of
the tract that went by that designation at an early day, where
they still reside. They had nine children, of whom seven sur-
vive : George, Edward, Olive, Sabra A., Mary, Amanda and
James. Four of these are married. ■

George married Ellen, daughter of Elisha West, of Jerusa-
lem, and emigrated to Bureau county, Blinois. Their children
are Ellen, DeWitt and Ida.

Edward married Caroline Ayres, of Michigan, and resides
near Lyons, in that State. Their children are Jennie, James,
Eleanor and Oscar.

Olive married Daniel W. Benedict, of Jerusalem, and resides
in Prattsburg. Their children are Frank and Carrie.

Sabra Ann married David Clark, of Jerusalem, where they
reside. Their children are Wilson and James.

TAYLOR FAMILY

James Taylor was a native of Ireland, born in County Down,
and came in 1755, at nineteen years of age to America. He re-
sided in the town of New Windsor, Orange county, and enlisted
in 1776 in the army of the Revolution. He was in New York
when it was captured by the British. After his enlistment ex-
pired, he was often engaged as a militiaman for occasional ser-
vice. He was in the engagement at the battle of Whiteplains,
and shared in much of the irregular but trying service along
the Hudson River. Although entitled to a pension, and in
moderate circumstances, he never applied for it. The poverty
of the nation deterred many of the old patriots from asking
that just recognition of their services. After his death, his
widow presented his claims, which were at once allowed, and
afforded her a small income in the closing years of her life.
His wife was Elizabeth Thompson, of Plattskill, N. Y., and

320 HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

they were married in 1781. Their family of eight children
were born in Orange county. They were Joseph, Ann, Han-
nah, Mary, Elsie, William, Margaret and Alva. In 1816 they
came to Ontario county, leaving behind Ann and Mary, who
were married and remained in Orange county. They stopped
in Seneca, and the following spring moved into Benton. In
1821 they took up their residence in South West Benton,
en lot 112, where they remained till the parents died. The
father died in 1832, and the mother in 1840. Their son Joseph
died single, in 1831, and Hannah, one of the daughters, died
single at an advanced age.

Elsie married Gillett Kelsey, a son of Elijah Kelsey, of Ben-
ten, in 1819, and settled in Benton, where she died leaving
five children, Elijah, Ann E., Helen M., James F. and Alexan-
der. Elijah married Lucretia Stanton, of Prattsburg, and emi-
grated to Michigan about 1867, with their family. Ann E.
married Edward R. Briggs, of Benton. Helen M. is single.
James F. emigrated to Havana, Illinois, where he married Lu-
cinda Connet. They have two children, James and Fanny.
He has been highly successful in business ; has become a lead-
ing railroad man in that locality, and is Vice-president and
principal manager of the Peoria, Pekin and Jacksonville Rail-
road. Alexander married Georgiana Grott, of Butler, Wayne
county, and resides on the homestead in West Benton.

William Taylor, born in 1793, married Margaret, daughter
of John Coleman, of Benton, in 1821, her age being twenty-
three. They settled where they still reside, on the Potter
road, on lot 87, never having moved except from the old house
to the new. They have enjoyed the prosperity that is the nat-
ural fruit of industrious lives and frugal habits, and have the
satisfaction of seeing their children inheritors of the parental
virtues. Their children are Charles W., James F., Sarah E.,
Henry R., John C. and William M. Charles W. married
Francis, daughter of Abraham Rapelyea, of Seneca county, and
is a prosperous farmer and esteemed citizen of Jerusalem. Their
children are Sarah Lorain, Harriet N. and Mary Agnes. James

TOWN OP BENTON. 321

F. married Mary A., daughter of Wra. L. Porter, of Perm
Tan. He is pastor of the Congregational Church at Sauga-
tuck, Allegan county, Michigan. They have two children,
William A., and Grace M. Sarah married Firman R. Rapelyea,
of Farmer, Seneca county, a^brother to the wife of Charles
W. Taylor. They reside near Bellona. Their children are
Helen L., Kitty 11., Elizabeth T. and James F. " Henry R.
married Adelia C, daughter of James G. Barnes, of Seneca.
They reside near the family homestead in Benton, and their
children are Sarah E., Henry S., Margaret A. and Ralph
B. John C. married Sarah J. McCarrick, of Prattsburg.
They settled at Groton, Tompkins county, where she died,
leaving one child, George W. He is pastor of the Congrega-
tional Church at Groton. William M. married Mary E., daugh-
ter of Co). William Carroll, of Benton, and resides on the
the homestead. James F. and John C. are both graduates of
Union College.

Margaret married Moses L. Rugar, of Benton, and resides
on the Thomas Rugar farm in Potter. Their children are
Francis H., Lewis M. and Mary E. Francis H. married Eliza-
beth Beers, of Dauby, Tompkins county, and emigrated to
Galesburg, Elinois, where he was a merchant. He was a
quarter-master in the army, through the war, and died at
Nashville, in 1865, before being discharged. Lewis M. mar-
ried Mary Comstock, at Galesburg, Illinois, and resides in Pot-
ter. His children are Margaret, Francis, Cornelia and Moses
L. Mary E. married Milton, son of Isaac Lain, of Potter, and
resides near the Isaac Lain homestead.

Alya Taylor married Artelissa, daughter of William Genung,
of Jerusalem. They settled on the homestead of James Taylor,
in Benton, where they still reside. They have three children,
Sarah J., Mary E. and William J. Sarah J. is the wife of My-
ron Peckens. William J. married Harriet, daughter of Elna-
than R. Hunt.

THE BELLKNAPS.

Briggs Bellknap settled in 1819 where his son, Isaac J. Bell-

322 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

knap now resides, in South West Benton, on lot 112. He
bought the land of one Cuyler, and it was then all forest, except
three acres. Mr. Bellknap was captain of a sloop on the Hud-
sou River, and had not previously been a farmer. He married
Miama Drake, of Orange county, and they came through the
" Beech Woods," a journey of ten days, bringing their family
and possessions in a lumber wagon. Mr. Bellknap was a good
citizen, and a good parent, and his wife, who was one of the
early members of the Presbyterian Chui-ch in Benton, was a
truly excellent woman. They went six miles to attend church
in the coldest weather, and would remain at two services, nei-
ther of them brief, in a meeting house not warmed with fire.
It is not strange that such a mother impressed her religious
convictions on her children. The father died in 1841, at the
age of fifty-nine, and the mother in 1863, at the age of seventy-
three. Their children were Lydia, Francis A., James A., Sarah
A., Mary E., Isaac J. and George.

Lydia, the eldest, married Ira Barber, a brother of Jeremiah
Barber, of Potter. Francis A. married Robert P. Shepherd,
and resides on a part of the original homestead. They have
three children, Sarah A., George B. and Stephen C. Sarah A.
is the wife of William Larzelere, of Jerusalem.

James A. is a prominent, energetic farmer of Jerusalem. He
married Submit C. Green, *of that town. Their children are
Mary E., Adaline B., Charles C. and Francis A. Mary E. mar-
ried Morrison Chase, a school teacher of Jerusalem, and they
have one child, Submit. Adaline married Melmcuth Davis, a
carpenter of Jerusalem, and the*y have one child.

Isaac J., a substantial farmer and good citizen, and his sister
Sarah A., both single, retain the old home, which has belonged
to the family fifty years. Mary and George died early.

THOMAS AND NOAH DAVIS.

These were sons of Thomas and Eleanor Davis, who were
born and married in Wales, and came to America in 1800.
They settled at Newport, Herkimer county, N. Y., with their
family of three sons and two daughters. Two of the sons,

TOWN OF BENTON. 323

Thomas and Noah, married wives who were half sisters, and
came to Benton, Noah, in 1813, and Thomas in 1814. Tho-
mas, born in 1778, married in 180G, Irene Perry, a widow, born
in 1774, whose maiden name was Watkins, and who was also
a native of Wales. They settled on the farm now owned by
their son, Stephen N. Davis, one mile west of Penn Yan, on lot
87, where they were the original settlers. Their children were
Hannah, James T., Stephen N., Mary J., Watkins and Eleanor.

Hannah, born in 1808, married George W. Hopkins. They
reside on the farm lately owned by Gideon Wolcott, in Jeru-
salem, and their children are Janette, Mariette and Ezra B.
Janette married John Hankinson, of Potter. They have one
child, Mettabell. Mrs. Hankinson resides with her parents.
Mariette married Daniel M. Hulse, and resides in Canandaigua.
They have two children, Ferdinand and Metta Isabella. Ezra
B. is unmarried.

James T. Davis, born in 1811, married Nancy Millspaugh, of
Milo, and settled adjoining the homestead, where his wife died
in 1860, leaving two children, Mary J. and Sarah A. Mary J.
is the wife of William Blanshard, a native of England. They
reside in Jerusalem, on the farm formerly owned by Dr. George
W. Malin. He is noted for rearing choice thoroughbred stock.
They have one child, Eda J. Sarah A. is the wife of George
W. Hobart, son of Walter P. Hobart, of Potter. They reside
on the town line road in North Jerusalem. James T. Davis
married a second wife, Emeline J. Stewart, widow, and daugh-
ter of John Merritt, of Jerusalem. They reside in Penn Yan.

Stephen N. Davis, born in 1814, married Hannah R., daugh-
ter of Peleg Briggs, of Benton. She died, and he subsequently
married Sarah S. Coons, of Jerusalem. They have two sons
by the second marriage, Thomas N. and William J. Stephen
N. Davis owns and resides on the paternal homestead.

Mary J., born in 1816, married Seth B. Briggs, son of Rob-
ert Briggs, of Benton, and died in 1866.

Watkins Davis, born in 1819, married Emeline, daughter of
Joshua Beard, of Milo. They own and reside on the Anna

324: HTSTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Wagner homestead in Jerusalem. He is an enterprising far-
mer, and a noted breeder of short horn cattle. They have three
children, Ida J., James and John.

Eleanor, horn in 1824, married William J. Rector, of Benton.

Noah Davis, brother of Thomas, born in Wales, September 4,
1702, married at Newport', Hannah Edwards, also born in
Wales, in 1793. They settled in Benton, and afterwards
moved to Jerusalem, where he was keeper of the county poor
for several years. Subsequently they removed to Pultney,
where they both died, he in 1855, and she in 1856. Their
children were Edward, Sarah, Mary and Harriet. Edward,
born in 1815, married Philinda Townsend, of Benton, and re-
sides at Parma, Monroe Co., N. Y. Their children are Will-
iam, John, Albert, Sarah, Rosetta and Susan.

Sarah, born in 1816, is the wife of Jephthah A. Potter.

Mary, born in 1819, married John C. Miller, of Milo, and
they reside at Branchport.

Hannah, born in 1824, married Ephraim Miller, of Milo.
His wife and two children reside with Jephthah A. Potter, at
Penn Yan. The children are Sarah and Mary.

THE WEST WOODS.

In one of a series of articles contributed in 1869, to the
Yates County Chronicle, concerning the " Yates County Gazet-
teer," Edward J. Fowle, wrote as follows :

"After the earlier settlers of Benton, about 1816, there came
a colony from Livingston's Manor, Columbia county, who lo-
cated in the west part of the town, which for many years was
designated as the West or Dutch Woods. They were an hon-
est, frugal and industrious people. The ' Old Folks' are nearly
all departed, as are most of the log houses they built. Many
of the descendants reside there, possessing the virtues of the
parents. They are well-to-do farmers, and good livers. Among
them will be found the family names of Crank, Rector, Finger,
Wheeler, Simmons, Carrol, Hoos, Moon, Miller and Niver. In
the young days of the old people, the winters afforded good
times for visiting and social enjoyments. Every week, if not

TOWN OF BENTON.

325

oftener, at the log residence of some one of them, the families
would all congregate, coming in sleighs or sleds, when there
would be music and dancing, story telling, refreshments and
smoking, while the huge logs blazed away in the good large
fire-places ; and so the evening or night passed away. There
was usually one double log house, with only one room below,
which had two fire-places, two looms, two beds, and other fur-
niture, and occupied by two families. And those primitive
times were happy times with them, with few artificial wants,
with no heed to fashions, no class distinctions, no envyings nor
jealousies, their lives glided along smoothly and pleasantly.
Their spiritual wants were supplied occasionally by an itinerant
Dutch or Methodist minister. They were always kind to one
another, at house raisings and logging bees, at marriages, in
sickness and at death and burial. The large and small wheel,
the reel and the loom, have nearly disappeard from among
them, but agriculture, the dairy, poultry flocks and herds, and
general household duties, now claim the attention of both men
and women, old and young, conducing to health and compe-
tence. They have rarely if ever been engaged in law suits,
and never has one of them been before the courts for wrong
doing. It would be hard for our friends in high life to frame
for themselves a more exalted eulogy."

THE RECTOR FAMILY.

Andrew Rector was a native of Copake, originally Taghka-
nick, Columbia Co., N. Y., and was born in 17G2. He married
Charity Rockefellow, of the same place. He died in Benton,
in 1S42, at the age of eighty, and she in 1838, at the age of
seventy-two. They came to Benton in 1817, bringing most of
their family of nine children, and settled in the West "Woods,
on lot 104, where there was no house or clearing, buying the
land of Samuel Colt, of Geneva, who was a considerable land-
holder in that vicinity, and paying ten dollars per acre. Here
they tarried the remainder of their days. Their children were
William, Hannah, Mary, Teal, Andrew, Eva, Christiana, Cath-
arine and Elizabeth.

326 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

William, born in 1782, married Hannah Simmons, in Colum-
bia county. They settled its Benton, in 1810, and on lot 101,
in 1813, coming with Henry Simmons previous to his father.
Hannah, his wife, was bom in 1786, and died in 1870.
Their children were Elizabeth, Andrew W., Conrad, Jacob,
Charity, David. Catharine and William J.

Elizabeth, daughter of William Rector, born in 1806, married
James Jennings, of Benton, where she died. Her children were
Hannah, Thomas, William J., Nelson, Sarah and Jerusha.
Hannah married Jesse Tiers, of Benton. They reside on the
Pottertown road, and have one child, Hannah. Thomas mar-
ried Anna Wheat, of Benton. They reside in Naples, and have
six children. William Married Cyntha Kirkham, of Benton.
They settled in Naples, and have three children. J. Nelson
married Ursula Wheat, of Benton, a sister of the wife of Tho
mas, and has resided with his father. He has a second wife,
Annie E. Washburn, of Naples. They reside now in Penn
Yan. Sarah married John Miller, resides in Michigan, and has
one child. Jerusha married William Washburn, of Naples, and
has one child.

Andrew W., son of William Rector, born in 1806, married
Elizabeth Coons ,of Benton, and settled in Potter. He has held
the office of justice of the peace in that town several years. Their
children are Nelson, Hannah E., Sarah C, Emily J., Amelia
M. and Julia A. Nelson married Caroline Coons, of Naples,
and resided in Benton, where she died, leaving two children,
Elizabeth and William. He has a second wife, Harriet Shaw,
of Benton, and there are two children of the second marriage,
Caroline and Andrew. Hannah E. is unmarried. Sarah mar-
rien Orson Linkletter, of Steuben county. They reside in Na-
ples. Emily married Daniel Reynolds, of Middlesex, and
resides in Michigan. They have one child, Llewellyn. Amelia
M. married Daniel Olcott, of Naples, where they reside. They
have one child. Julia married Addison Hawley, of Potter,
and resides with her father.

Conrad Rector, born in 1809, married Mary Wheeler, of Ben-

TOWN OF BENTON.

327

ton, and settled in Naples. They have one child, Caroline.
Jacob, born in 1812, married Maria Coons, of Benton, and
resides in Naples. They have one son, John. Catharine, born
in 1822, married Seymour Wheeler, of Potter, and resides in
Naples. Their children are Werder, Malcom and Hannah.
Charity, born in 1815, married John Rector, of Benton. Da-
vid, born in 1815, married Susan Bates, of Potter, and resides
in Naples. They have one child, Hannah. William J. born
in 182G, married Cataline Kelsey, of Benton, and resides with
his father on the homestead. He is an enterprizing and thrifty
farmer. He has a second wife, Eleanor, daughter of Thomas
Davis, of Benton.

Hannah, daughter of Andrew Rector, senior, married Henry
Simmons.

Mary married Christian Niver, of Columbia county. They
did not come to this county. Their children were Andrew,
Elizabeth, Henry, Charity, Hannah, Catharine, Mary A. and
Norman. Elizabeth and Catharine only became residents of
this county. Elizabeth Niver married Col. William Carroll,
and settled in Benton, where she died, leaving seven children,
James, Peter D., Alfred, Ann, William, Worthy and Mary E.
Col. Carrol married a second wife, Catharine Niver, sister of
his first wife. Their children were Adelaide, Hannah J., Mer-
cena and Frank. William Carroll was the successor of Col.
Gilbert Sherer, as colonel of the old 103d regiment of Militia.
He died in 1860, at the age of fifty-one. His son James Carroll
is a Methodist clergyman. He is married, and resides in Con-
necticut. Peter D. married Mary J. Miller, of Columbia Co.,
and resides on a portion of the paternal homestead, on lot 10G.
Their children are Jane, Deloss, Seneca, Gazelle and Floyd.
Alfred married Sarah Doremus, of Penn Yan, and resides on
the place known as the Lovejoy farm, south of Cranks Corners.
Their Children are Grace, Charles and Fred. Aaron married
Mary, daughter of Simon Forshay, of Penn Yan. They reside
in Torrey, on the Penn Yan and Dresden road, and their children
are Job and Will. William married Alice Niver, of Columbia

328 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

county, and resides there. Mary E. is the wife of William
Miner Taylor, of Benton. Worthy is single, and is one of the
firm of S. J. Larham & Co., grocers, and resides in Penn Yan.
Adelaide married Charles Swarthout, of Torrey, and resides on
the Swarthout family homestead. They have one son, Henry.
Hannah J. married Dudley Olney, of Torrey. They reside at
Ypsilanti, Michigan. Marcena and Frank are unmarried, and
reside in Penn Yan.

Teal Rector, born in 1789, married Eleanor Finger, of Co-
lumbia county, and settled on the homestead in Benton, where
he died, in 1859, leaving eight children : Charity, John, Jacob
T., Eliza, William T., Simeon, and Lucetta and Lewis, twins.
Charity, born in 1812, married David Lovejoy, of Benton, and
they reside in Ohio. Their children are John, Albert and Sim-
eon. John, son of Teal Rector, born in 1813, married his
cousin, BCharity, daughter of William Rector. They reside in
Naples, and their children are James and Hannah. Jacob T.,
born in 1815, married Catharine Baker, of Benton, and resides
in Milo, on the Conrad Shattuck farm. Their children are
Madriff, May and Stephen. Madriff married Sarah Gordon, of
Barrington, and resides with his father. Mary married Holly
Snyder, of Barrington. Eliza, born in 1817, married John Fin-
ger, jr.* and settled in Benton, where she died, in 1839, leaving
one surviving child, McKendric. William T., born in 1820,
married Mary Church, of Benton, and moved to Conhocton,
N. Y., where she and her four children died within one month,
the children of diptheria, and she of pulmonary disease. He
married a second wife, Catharine Harris, of Conhocton, and
resides there. Simeon, born in 1822, married Hannah Elder,
of Benton, and resides at Iona, Michigan,. They have two
children, George and Oscar. Lewis married Catharine Potts,
of Benton, and resides in Jerusalem. Lucretia was the first
wife of^Freeman G. Wheeler, of Penn Yan, and died in 1864.
Eleanor, wife of Teal Rector, died in 18G6.

Andrew Rector, jr., born in 1792, married Dorothea Finger,
of Columbia county, and settled in Benton, with his father.

TOWN QF BENTON. 329

He died in 1842. Their children were John II., Andrew, Ed-
ward and Henry, twins, Elizabeth, Jane, Jeremiah, Norman
Polly, William F. and Jacob. John H., born in 1814, died
single, in 1833. Andrew, born in 181G, married Elizabeth
Finger, of Benton. Their children are John and Helen. Ed-
ward, born in 1820, married Diantha Sbaw, of Benton, and
moved to Rockford, Michigan. Henry married Harriet Gilbert,
of Benton, and resides in that town. Their children are Will-
iam W., Charles, Albert, Madison, John and Rosa, of whom
William W. married Margaret Shaw, and resides in Naples.
Elizabeth, born in 1828, married Freeman Carroll, and resides
at Benton Centre. Their children are James and Anna. Fan-
ny Jane, born in 1825, married Jefferson B. Briggs, of Totter,
and they reside at Potter Hollow, Michigan. Jeremiah, born
in 1827, married Artimetia Shaw, of Benton, and resides on the
old Andrew Rector family homestead, on lot 104. Their child-
ren are Dorothea, Miner and George. Norman married Har-
riet, daughter of Baltus Wheeler, of Jerusalem, and resides
in that town. They have one .son, Jerome. William F., born
in 1834, married Phebe Jane, daughter of Theron R. Finch,
of Potter. They have one child, and reside at Cascade, Michi-
gan. Jacob T., born 183G, married Esther J. Corey, of Jeru-
salem. They reside at Birchtown, Michigan.

Eva Rector, born in 1794, married Jeremiah Finger, of Co-
lumbia county, and settled in the "West Woods." Their
children were John J., Andrew, Mary, Catharine, Charity, Han-
nah and Norton. John J., born in 1813, married Sally Coons,
of Benton, and resides in that town. Their children arj Emily,
Hannah, Jane, William and Sidney. Emily married Charles
Owen. Their children are Wilkie and Florence. The others
are single. Andrew married Rosetta, daughter of Julius
Barnes, jr., of Jerusalem, and resides in Benton. Their child-
ren are Samuel, Rachel and Margaret. Mary was the second
wife of Martin Brown, jr., of Benton. . Hannah married Abra-
ham Bain, of Benton, and resides there. Their children are
Theodore, Andrew and Martin. Catharine died single. Char-

330 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

ity is unmarried. Norton married Emily Hainer, of Benton,
and resides on his father's homestead. Their children are
Oliver, Mary, Alice, Margaret, Irene and Eva.

Christiana Rector, born in 1789, married Garnet Crank, of
Columbia county. They settled near her father. He was a
blacksmith, and gave the name to Crank's Corners, where they
reside. Their children are Andrew, Amy, Charity and John
M. Andrew married Mary A. Simmons, of Schoharie county,
and resided in Benton, at the old Mclntyre blacksmith stand
on the Pottertown road, where he died, leaving three children,
Emma, Catharine and Bradford. Emma married George Samp-
son, of Benton. They reside in Penn Yan, and have one son,
George. Catharine married William Barringer, of Benton,
where they reside. They have two children, Lizzie and Minnie.
Bradford married Delia Hatch, of Penn Yan, and resides in
Benton. Amy Crank died single. Charity married Clinton
Chrysler, of Benton, where she died, leaving one child, Charity.
John M. married Samantha Simmons, sister of the wife of An-
drew 3d, and settled on the homestead with his father. He
died, leaving two children, Christina and Maria.

Catharine Rector, born in 1802, married William H. Simmons.

Elizabeth Rector, born in 1806, was the first wife of Martin
Brown, jr., and the mother of his children.

HENRY SIMMONS FAMILY.

Henry Simmons was born at Taghkanick, near Copake, Co-
lumbia county, in 1780, and married Elizabeth Bogert, of the
same place, in 1300. They came to this county about 1804,
and lived one or two years on the farm of Robert Chissom,
where Penn Yan now stands. They then purchased two hund-
red and forty acres, which afterwards became the farm of Col.
William Carroll. His wife failing in health, they returned to
Columbia county,. in 1808, and she died there, leaving three
children, William H, Catharine and Peter. Mr. Simmons
married a second wife, Hannah, daughter of Andrew Rector,
senior, and in 1810 returned to Penn Yan. At first he worked
the Sp eel man farm, north of the Centre, but afterwards pur-

TOWN OF BENTON. 331

chased a farm of 120 acres near his first purchase, and at the
Crank four corners, from which a few acres immediately at the
corners were sold to Garnet Crank, who established his black-
smith shop there at an early day, and still resides there. This
farm was then entirely new, except that a small house had been
erected, and a few acres about it partially cleared. Here Henry
Simmons died, in 1858, at the age of eighty, and his wife in
1862, at eighty-two. Their children were Andrew, Betsey,
Sylvester and Mary.

William H. Simmons, born in 1801, of the first marriage,
at Copake, married Catharine, daughter of Andrew Rector,
senior. They finally settled on the premises where they now
reside, near Potter Centre. Their children are Charity, Justus
M., Christiana E., Henry M„ Catharine A., James M. and
Charles M. Charity, born in 1823, married Samuel Van Zandt.
Justus M., died single, in 1850, at the age cf twenty-five. Chris-
tina, born in 1827, married Samuel C, son of Samuel Boots.
They reside on the Boots homestead, in Potter, and have a
daughter, Mary. Henry M., born in 1829, died of lockjaw in
in 1847. Catharine A., born in 1837, married in 18G8, John
H. Price, of Livonia, Livingston county, N". Y. They now
reside in Springwater, Livingston county. Their children are
George E., Dexter E. and Leola B. James M., born in 1839,
married Frances E. Hotchkiss, in 1861. They reside with his
father. Charles M., born in 1848, married in 1869, Alice E.,
daughter of John S. Knapp, of Penn Yan.

Catharine Simmons, born in 1803, married George Lown, of
Columbia Co. They lived first in Benton, then Potter, and
afterwards removed to Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1853, where they
reside. They have one son, Henry, who married in Potter,
Amanda Stearns, who died there, leaving two sons, Edwin and
Worthy. They went to Wayne, Michigan, with their father,
who married a second wife, Delia Barber, of Cattaraugus Co.
There are two children of the second marriage, Irene and
George.

Peter Simmons, born in 1805, married Sally Perry, of Ben-

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

ton, and moved to Independence, Alleghany county, where she
died, leaving four children, William, Charles H., Joseph P. and
Deliverance. He married a second wife, Cyntha Lilly, of In-
dependence. They reside at Greenwood, Steuben county, and
their children are Leonard, Peter, Wilbur, Lafayette, Elizabeth
and Tryphena.

Andrew Simmons, born of the second marriage, married
Hannah, daughter of Baltus Wheeler, of Benton. They set-
tled at Naples, where he died, leaving four children, Henry,
William, Jane and Delilah.

Betsey Simmons became the second wife of Clinton Chrysler,
of Benton, and resided in that town, where he died, leaving
three children, Henrietta, Marietta and Hannah. Marrietta
married David L. Becker, jr., and resides in Benton.

Sylvester Simmons married Harriet, daughter of Anthony
Trimmer, jr., of Benton. They now reside in South Milo, near
Chubb Hollow, and have one son, Justus M.

Mary Simmons married James, a son of Thomas Carroll,
of Benton. They settled on the Simmons family homestead,
where she died, leaving a daughter, Emma. He married a
second Avife, Jane, daughter of Andrew Simmons. She died,
leaving a sdn, James. Mr. Carroll married a third wife, PJioda
Weed, of Flat street, Benton. The mother of James Carroll
is now the wife of Henry Brown of Benton Centre.

SAMUEL ALLEN.

Gideon Allen was a native of New Jersey, a nephew of Col.
Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame, and was married in Orange
county, N. Y., to Sophronia Ayres, in 1797. Samuel, their
oldest son, was born in 1799. Gideon Allen was a miller, came
to Penn Yan 1810, and was the first miller in the mill built by
Abraham Wagener, on the north side of the outlet, where the
mill of Casner & Scheet now stands. In less than a year he
died of typhoid fever, leaving six children, Samuel, Catharine,
David, Abigail, Martha and Gideon, the last born a few weeks
after the death of the father. The mother kept the'family to-
gether, and moving into what is now Benton, reared them in a

TOWN OF BENTON. 333

highly creditable manner by the aid of the elder children. The
oldest, now Col. Samuel Allen, went to service at the age of
twelve years, and worked five years for Levi Benton, senior,
at three dollars a month. Mr. Benton paid him better than the
contract required, and Col. Allen holds his old employer in the
highest esteem, and regards him as a man of great personal
worth. After serving his time with Mr. Benton, he learned the
trade of chair maker with Joseph Safford, of Penn Yan. Af-
terwards he worked with a Scotchman, named Robinson, as a
carpenter and joiner, which trade he followed eighteen years.
He worked with Miles Lefever, in the erection of the Court
House and Jail in Pcnn Yan, and also in the construction of
the Presbyterian church in Penn Yan. When twenty-five
years old, he married Charity Perkins. They have four child-
ren, Smith, Valentine, Catharine and Mary. Smith married
Nancy, daughter of Josiah Voak, and resides in Benton. Val-
entine married Harriet Waddel, and lives on the homestend.
He was a soldier in the 11th Pa. cavalry, and served four years
in the war of the rebellion, a large part of the time on patrol
duty in East Virginia, under Col. Speer. His duties were diffi-
cult and dangerous, and he was engaged in many critical skir-
mishes, but no large battles. Catharine is unmarried. Mary
married Wilbur Sharpstien, a farmer ot Cayuga county.

Catharine, daughter of Gideon Allen, married James Mc-
Carter, and moved to Reading, Pa., where she died.

David married Elizabeth, daughter of Clark Winans, and
moved to Ohio, thence to Iowa.

Abigail married Granville Hawkes, and moved to Ohio,
thence to Michigan. Martha died single, at twenty-two.

Gideon married Laura Snook, and moved to Ohio He wh
an accomplished architect, and supplied the design for the St ite
capitol at Columbus, Ohio.

Col. Samuel Allen, the only representative of the oiig'mal
family left in Yates county, bought a farm on lot 65, in north-
west Benton, near Ferguson's Corners, where he has resided
fifty-four years. His mother made her home with him till she

334 HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

died, in 18-17, at the age of seventy-five. Like her, Col. Allen
has always been a universalist in his religious faith. He aided
in building a Universalist church at Rushville, and in former
years sometimes attended meetings there. He was supervi-
sor of Benton in 1860, and has held the office of assessor
sixteen years. In the old rifle corps he rose from the rank
of sergeant, to be colonel of the regiment, which embraced the
county of Yates. Col. Allen states that he remembers hearing
James Parker preach, when a Universalist, at Benton Centre,
and at Truman Spencer's, and always thought him a man of
much ability.

Col. Allen states that he is the first man that held a cast iron
plow Avest of Cayuga Lake. It was one of Wood's patent man-
ufactured at Aurora. One Towsley, the real inventor cf the
plow, was an acquaintance of Levi Benton, senior, and at his
request Mr. Benton went to Aurora and brought home one of
the plows, in 1815, the first they informed him, that came west
of the Lake. Col. Allen was then a lad in the employ of Mr.
Benton. Soon afterwards, Mr. Benton brought a number of
these plows to that neighborhood, and they were sold to most
of the principal farmers thereabouts. They were steel pointed,
and sold at the price of twenty-five dollars. Even at that price,
the farmers were not slow to learn that they were a great im-
provement on the old "Bull Plow."

THE EERGUSONS.

Peter Ferguson was from Orange county, and settled in the
town of Seneca in 1807. Two of his sons, John S. and Walter
S.. settled in Benton, in 1833, buying the tavern property at
what is now known as Ferguson's Corners, which they pur-
chased of John Buckley, a son of Major Robert Buckley. Both
have resided in that vicinity for the most part since that time.

John S. married Mary, daughter of John Reed, and sister cf
Melancthon S. Reed, of Seneca. They have two daughters,
Melissa and Ellen. Ellen is the wife of George Dinehavt, of
Potter.

Walter S. married a daughter of Andrew W. McAlpine, of

TOWN OF BENTON. 335

Benton. Their children are Marion, Rosetta B., Sarah Alice,
Jane and Colton. Sarah Alice is the wife of Walter Fjjch of
Potter.

John S. and Walter S. Ferguson are both farmers. Martha,
a sister of theirs, is the wife of John Southerland, of Potter.

JAMES SMITH.

It was in 1812 that James Smith and his family moved from
Goshen, Orange county, and settled on the farm on which he
lived and died, on lots 59 and 60. The land is now occupied
by Henry and David McAlpine, and Frederick Spooner was
the first settler on this place. The family arrived at their new
home in the Spring, and were delighted by the gorgeous bloom
of peach trees, which spangled the road sides with objects of
beauty most refreshing to the wearied travellers. The peach
trees in those days seldom failed to yield them delicious fruit.
Mr. Smith paid from six to eighteen dollars per acre for his
land, and finally owned three hundred acres, and one of the
best farms in the county. He was drafted in the war of 1812,
and supplied a substitute, but when the British landed at Sodus,
he shouldered his gun and went with many of his neighbors to
meet the foe. When they reached Sodus, they found the ene-
my had decamped, and they were soon discharged. Mr. Smith
and his family cleared up the fine homestead, and gained a good
competence. He delighted in a good horse, a fancy which re-ap-
peared in his son, Job T. His wife Ruth, died in 1820, and he
survived till 1861, dying at the age of eighty. Their children
were Job T., Julia Ann, Mary, Sophia H., Emily T. and
Susan T.

Job T. married Olive D., daughter of Henry Townsead, and
resided in Penn Yan. Both are deceased. Their children
are Susan A., Olive T. and Eva S. Susan A. is the wife of
Capt. Edward E. Boot, formerly of Penn Yan, now of Kansas.
Capt. Root performed brave and honorable service in the war,
and was captain of company I, 33d regiment, the first raised in
Penn Yan, in 1861. They have one child. Olive T. married
Theodore O. Hamlin, a prominent merchant of the firm of Ham-

336 histoky or YATES county.

lin & Sons, Penn Yan. Eva S. is a boarding school student,
at Pelham Priory, New Rochelle, N. Y.

Julia Ann Smith is the wife of Edward J. Fowle. They
were married in the Spring of 1827, Mr. Fowle being then the
publisher of the Yates Republican. They have had three
daughters, Ruth Ann, Sophia, and Julia S., who died young.
Ruth Ann is the wife of John J. Wise, and Sophia is the wife
of Joshua L. Andrews, a farmer of Milo.

Mary Smith married Nelson Tunnicliff, of Penn Yan. Mr.
Tunnicliff was for many years in partnership with John D. Stew-
art, heavily engaged in selling merchandize in Penn Yan, and
as extensive dealers in produce. They still reside in Penn Yan,
and have two sons, John James and George. James married
Kate L. Burrows, of Gambia, Ohio, and is a prominent lawyer
of the firm of Frost & Tunnicliff, at Galesburg, Illinois. George
is appointment clerk of Gov. John T. Hoffman, in the Execu-
tive Chamber at Albany.

Sophia H. was the first wife of Eli Sheldon.

Emily T. married Augustus Stewart, then a merchant of
Penn Yan, now a farmer in Benton, on Flat street, where Per-
ley Dean was the original settler. She is dead. Their child-
ren were Frederick, Helen, George and Henry *Clay. Frederick
married Hattie Smith, of Syracuse. She died leaving a daugh-
ter, Hattie, Frederick is a dentist at Ithaca. Helen and
Henry Clay reside on the homestead with their father, and the
daughter of Frederick.

Susan T. Smith was an engaging young lady, and died in
1839, at the age of nineteen.

THE WISE FAMILY.

Samuel Wise was the son of John Wise, of Columbia county.
He married there, Lovica Newell, and about 1823 came to
Benton, where he bought of Elisha Williams the old Thomas
Lee farm, now owned by Guy Shaw, and resided there about
twenty years. Zenas P. Wise, his brother, purchased a farm
of 150 acres adjoining him on the east. They laid out a fine
race course, partly on both farms, which for many years was

TOWN OF BENTON. 337

a very popular track, and drew multitudes of people on
various occasions to witness the races, some of which Avere
quite memorable. The house was an important tavern in those
days ; trainings and other gatherings were often held there.
After selling that place, he kept the American Hotel in Penn
Yan, about five years, after which, he resided on Flat street, and
finally moved to New York, where he died at the age of sixty-
four. His children were John J., Adaline, Augustus, Charlotte,
Harriet N., Nancy and Mary.

John J. kept a hotel in New York for some time. He is now
a hardware merchant in Penn Yan, and postmaster. He mar-
ried Maria, daughter of Wm. H. Stark. She died leaving two
children, William and Harriet M. He has a second wife, Ruth
Ann, daughter of Edward J. Fowle, and they have a daughter,
Sophia.

Adaline married Benjamin B. Stark. They moved west,
where he died, leaving a large family.

Augusta married Alvin Winants.

Charlotte married William T. Scott, formerly president of
the old Bank of Geneva, and now cashier of the First Na-
tional Bank of that place. She died leaving two children,
Frances and William.

Harriet N. married Elisha W. Fargo, who is a commission
merchant in New York, and resides in Brooklyn. Their child-
ren are Julia and George.

Nancy died unmarried, in Benton.

Mary married Edwin Hyatt, a commission merchant in New
York, also residing in Brooklyn. Their children are Harriet,
George and Caroline.

THE GUTHRIE FAMILY.

Joseph Guthrie was born in the city of New York, in 1784.
His father died while he was a child, and his mother took
him to the province of New Brunswick, where he grew to man-
hood, and married Eleanor Grant, who died leaving two sur-
viving children that reached adult age, Jane and Eleanor. He
afterwards returned to New York, removed thence to Dutchess

338 HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

county, and thence to Benton, in 1819. He settled at Benton
Centre, where he married Rhoda, daughter of Ezra M. Cole.
He was both a shoemaker and a farmer, and for two years kept a
tavern on the south-west corner at Benton Centre. Not relish-
ing that business, he abandoned it and pursued his former avoca-
tions. He died in 1861, and his widow still survives. The
children of the second marriage were Henry A., Oliver P., Jo-
seph O, Rhoda A., John C, Horace C. and Myron A. Henry
A. married Harriet, daughter of Josiah Young, of Benton, in
January, 1 870, and resides at Benton Centre, a farmer.

Oliver P. married Mary, daughter of Nahum Rugg, of Potter,
and resides at Benton Centre. He is a tailor, and is now en-
gaged as a merchant. He is town clerk and postmaster. He
owns and resides on the property lately owned by John PI.
Haight. They have two surviving children, Henry W. and
Edward F.

Joseph married Mary McDowell, of. Barrington, and is a
merchant at Warsaw, in that town. They have a daughter,
Jane.

Rhoda A. married George A. Ringer, of Dresden. They
reside at Watkins, N. Y. Their children are Clarence, Susan
A., John, Willie and Emma.

John C. went to California in 1850, and died after returning
home, unmarried.

Horace C. is a book and Stationery dealer in Penn Yan. He
married Albina Benedict, of Schoharie, N. Y. They have one
son, Charles.

Myron married Louisa Robinson, of Watkins, where he is a
mercantile clerk. He was a soldier in the 148th regiment, en-
listing in 1862, and serving till the end of the war.

Of the children of Joseph Guthrie by the first marriage, Jane
married, Horace Holmes, of. Benton. He was a merchant at
Warsaw, in Barrington, several years, and emigrated thence to
Three Rivers, Michigan, where he died. His widow resides at
Warsaw.

Eleanor married James G. Bailey, of Barrington. They emi-

TOWN OF BENTON. 339

grated to Macon, Lenawee county, Michigan, where she died,
leaving two son.*, Joseph and Martin.

WIDOW FOX.

Among those who escaped the massacre by Indians and To-
ries in 1778, in the ill-fated Valley of Wyoming, was a Mr.
Fox, who left the burning fort and swam the river, while his
wife and two or three children, unknown to him, escaped by
some other means. They resided some years after in Pennsyl-
vania, where he died. She came with her children, seven
in number, to what is now Benton, in 1800, and lived near the
Centre many years. The children were Worthy, Althea, Fully,
Brentha, Lee, Phineas and Chauncey. Worthy mairied Elijah
Clark, son of Col. William Clark, the pioneer of Naples. Al-
thea married Salmon Hull, son of Eliphalet Hull. Polly mar-
ried Mr. Davidson, one of the earliest residents of Rochester.
Brentha married a Mr. Wright, and the two families of Wright
and Davidson were afterwards settlers on what was known in
Genesee county as "The Triangle." Lee married Cyntha
Wadsworth, of Potfer. Phineas married Fanny Lennox, of
Benton, and moved to Michigan. Chauncey married Rosana
Lennox, sister of Fanny, and also moved to Michigan. Mrs.
David Botsford, of the Waverly House, Rochester, and David
B. Hull, of Buffalo, are her grand-children.

THE CKOZIEIl FAMILY.

On the 14th of July, 1801, at the end of a voyage of seven
weeks from Glasgow, the families of Thomas Robinson, Thomas
Robinson, jr., John Renwn-k, George Gri.y, Robert Stratighan
ham, Mr. Cowin, and Adam Crozier, senior, landed in New
York, all but the Cowin family on their way to what has since
been known as the English Settlement in the town of Seneca,
where they had been preceded two or three years, by Edward
Stokoe, Mathew and John Robinson, Edward Birrell, and
George Renwick. From New York they continued their water
passage to Albany, and after a land carriage to Schenectady,
took a boat, which conveyed them in three weeks more to Ge-
neva. The boat was tediously propelled by poling, except in

340 HISTOKY OF TATES COUNTY.

passing from Wood's Creek to Oneida Lake, and across the
lake. Down the small stream passing into the lake, they
floated by means of dams, which were drawn off as each was
reached, to make a sufficient volume of water to carry the boat.
A sail was used to cross the lake, but a storm carried it away
and greatly imperiled their lives. But they effected their pas-
sage, passed into the Oswego river, thence into the Seneca, and
followed it to Geneva. At Seneca Falls they had to unload
their boat, and reload above the rapids.

Adam Crozier, senior, was a Scotch shepherd, born in 1751.
He married Isabella lien wick, in 1780. She was of Scotch and
English descent, and was born in 1759. After their marriage
they lived in one of the northern counties of England, where
six of their children were born. Upon arriving in Seneca, they
lived in a house with another family, until a house was pro-
vided on what is now the Vartie farm near Hall's Corners.
Before winter, however, they took up their residence on the
farm where George Crozier, their son, now lives, in Seneca,
and where no improvement had then been made. Their dom-
icil was a log structure, with a hole cut in one side for a door,
and another for a window, which was unprovided with glass.
The fire-place had no back but the logs. The fire was built on
the ground, and a stick chimney conducted the smoke from the
upper floor upwards. In such a tenement as this they passed
the winter. In the spring, the logs back of the fire were nearly
burned through. How they escaped burning up may well be
regarded as a puzzle. In the same house they lived several
years, and until the front part of the house now standing on the
premises was built.

In 1817, Adam Crozier, senior, purchased of Samuel Colt
and Ezra Cole, for $1,774, the farm on lot 51, in Benton, where
Adam Crosier, jr., now lives. After the purchase, John Ren-
wick and family lived on it, and also George Crozier and wife.
Adam Crozier moved on it in the spring of 1821, and has since
resided there. Adam Crozier, senior, died in 1829, in his sev-
enty-eighth year. His wife survived him till 1853, reaching

TOWN OF BENTON.

341

the remarkable age of ninety-four years. At the time of her
death her children were all living, the eldest seventy-two, and
the youngest fifty years old. Their children were Robert,
George, Margaret, Elizabeth, Adam, Isabella, John and Elea-
nor, twins, born in America, in 1803. Robert, the eldest, born
in 1781, married Eleanor Stokoe, and moved in 1818 to South-
ern Indiana, about forty miles below the falls of the Ohio river,
accompanied by the family of his father-in-law, Edward Stokoe.
He still lives there, surrounded by numerous descendants, to
the third generation. Two or three years after he moved west,
he came all the way back on foot to visit his parents.

George Crozier, born in 1783, married Abagail Crawford, of
Saratoga Springs, in 1820, and resides on the old family home-
stead, in Seneca. They have had eight children, Jefferson,
Adam, Elizabeth, Henderson, T. Wilson, George W., Isabella and
Mary Jane. Jefferson, born in 1821, married Helen Blodgett,
of Gorham, in 1849. They have three sons and two daughters.
Adam, born in 1823, married Gertrude Haug, and has two
daughters. Elizabeth, born in 1825, married James J. McMas-
ter, of Benton, in 1851, and died in 1869. Henderson, born in
1827, married Sarah Ann Clark, of Seneca. They have three
sons and a daughter. T. Wilson, born in 1830, married Matil-
da Fiero, and has one son. George W., born in 1 835, died in
1865, from infirmities contracted in the war. He was orderly
sergeant in company L., of Merrill's Horse, a regiment of dra-
goons with the army at Little Rock, Arkansas. Isabella, born
in 1837, married Edward S. Dixon, of Hall's Corners, in 1860,
and they have three sons. Mary Jane, born in 1840, married
Myron C. Southerland, of Seneca. They have one son, Frank.
Margaret, the eldest daughter of Adam Crozier, senior, born
in 1787, married John Charlton. Their children were Thomas,
Elizabeth, Adam, Isabella, John, Margaret, William, Anna and
George. Thomas married Catharine Nixon. They had an
infant son, and the three died within a day or two of each
other, and all were buried together. Elizabeth married Samuel
Cook. They have six children, and reside in Michigan. Adam

342 HTSTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

married Anna Westfall. They reside at Battle Creek, Michi-
gan. Isabella married Ezra Wilbur. They reside in Gcrham,
and have one son. Margaret married Alvin Mead. They have
three daughters, and live in Michigan. William married Sarah
Hutchinson, in 1869, and lives on the homestead in Seneca.
George married Snsan Youngs. They have two children, and
reside in Gorham. The others died young.

Elizabeth Crozier, born in 1793, married Thomas Wilson, of
Seneca. Their children were Sarah, Adam, John, Mary Jane
and Isabella. Sarah married John Wheeler, and has four chil-
dren. Adam married Elizabeth Cool, and has three children.
John married Catharine Burrell, and has three children. Mary
Jane married Edward N. Hall, and has four children. Isabella
died in 1845, at the age of seventeen.

Adam Crozier, born in 1797, married in 1821, Amy, daughter
of Joseph Southerland, and grand-daughter of that noted pioneer,
David Southerland, of Potter. They have had four children,
Elizabeth, John W., David S. and George E. Elizabeth and
John W. died in infancy. David S., born in 1826, married
Dolly Whitney, of Seneca Castle, in 1844. He resides on the
homestead, and is a prominent citizen. George E., born in
1833, married Fannie H. Becker, of Benton, in 1855. They
have one son, Frank W., born in 1857. He also resides on the
homestead. The farm on which Adam Crozier, jr., and his
sons live, was willed to hi in and his brother John, in 1829, by
their father. Adam bought his brother's interest for eleven
hundred dollars. When first purchased, seventeen acres were
partially cleared on the farm. George, John and Adam cleared
the first fallow of seventeen acres, and the rest was mostly done
by Adam, who also helped to clear a considerable portion of
the original family homestead.

Isabella Crozier, born in 1800, married Walter Renwick.
They have two sons, Robert, unmarried, and John, who married
Harriet Seeley, of Allegany county. They have two daugh-
ters, and all live in Gorham.

Eleanor Crozier resides in Seneca, unmarried.

John Crozier died in Seneca, unmarried, in 1867.

TOWN OF BENTON.

343

THE WATSONS.

Robert Watson was an early settler in the town of Seneca.
He was an Englishman, and was born in Northumberland, in
1708. His wife, Jane Sinclair, was native to the same place,
born in 1766. They were married in 1790, and afterwards
emigrated direct to the farm where their subsequent lives were
spent, about one mile and a half north of the Benton line, on
the first road eastward of Benton Centre, leading north. He
died at the age of seventy-three, and his wife at the age of
ninety. Six of their children were born in England, and three
in America. They were Jacob and Sarah, twins, Isabella,
James, Robert, Foster S., Jacob, Ebenezer and Joseph. Of
this family, but two became residents of Yates county. The
eldset son, Jacob, was killed when a child by the fall of a tree,
and a subsequent son took the same name.

Foster S. Watson, born in England, in 1801, married Jane
A. Walker, of Caledonia, N. Y., in 1838. She was a native of
Delaware county, and was of Scotch descent. They first settled
near Seneca Lake, and subsequently moved to his present home
on lot 35. They have no surviving children.

Jacob Watson, born in 1804, married Maria Shaw, of Cale-
donia, N. Y., in 1834. They first settled on the farm now
owned by George McMaster, and afterwards at their present
home on lot 31, where Elisha Brown was the original settler,
about one mile north of his brother. Their children are Will-
iam, Henry, James, Samuel and Jane, two of whom are mar-
ried. William married Ann E. Litchfield, daughter of Rev.
Daniel W. Litchfield, at one time pastor of the Baptist Church
at Benton Centre. They reside near and north of the paternal
homestead in Benton, and have four children, Franklin, Har-
riet, Albert and Clement. Henry Watson married Elizabeth
Bushnell, of Columbia county, N. Y. They reside in Bar-
rington.

Joseph Watson married Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua Mead,
of Benton. They reside on and own the original Watson
homestead, in Seneca. They have one surviving child, Phebe Ann.

344 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

JAMES SHERLAND.

The first settler on the farm now owned and occupied by
William Taylor, on the Pottertown road in south west Benton,
was James Sherland. He was a native of Massachusetts, born
in 1785, and married there, Maria Moore. They moved to
Chenango county in 1812, and a year later to Penn Tan. In
1814 they moved into the woods in Benton, where the family
remained till 1825, when they removed to Wheeler, Steuben
ccunty, and afterwards to Indiana, where James Sherland still
lives, at the age of eighty-five. His first wife died in Benton,
in 1816, leaving four children, William H., Nancy M., Nathan-
iel M. and Luther M. He married a second wife, Lydia, daugh-
ter of Martin Brown, senior, of Benton.

William H. Sherland, the oldest son, born in Massachusetts
in 180G, married Ann G. McLean. He is a skillful mechanic
and inventor, an ingenious artificer in wood, and a successful
grape grower. They have resided on lot 23, in No. 8, on the
Penn Yan and Dresden road, sinoe 1832. They have two
children, George F. and Charlotte E. The daughter is the
wife of David S. Kidder, and they have three children, Samuel,
Betsey and Anna.

Nancy M. Sherland married John Wagener, and moved to
Pennsylvania. Nathaniel M. and Luther M. were both early
pioneers in California, from whence Luther M. returned with a
fortune, married and settled at South Bend, Indiana, where he
died.

JOHN R. TOWNSEND.

An early improvement made by David Squier, on lot 86, in
Benton, was bought by John R. Townsend, the father of Tho-
mas M. Townsend, now a prosperous farmer residing on lot 85,
on the Potter road, and also owning the land of his father's first
purchase. John R. and his brother Thomas Townsend, came to
Benton about 1811, from Greene county. Thomas sold out and
moved west in a few years, and John R. died in 1825, at the age
of forty. His wife, who was Abagail Mead, of Greene county,
is still living with her children, at the age of seventy-eight.

TOWN OP BENTON.

345

Their children were Amanda, Hannah, Philinda, Susan, Tho-
mas M. and Deborah L. Amanda married Joseph Merritt, and
moved to Illinois, about 1850. Their children are Emerson, Ab-
agail, Jane, Ilnldah, Philinda, Electa, Daniel, Stephen and Ed-
win. The mother died a few years since.

Hannah married Sheldon W. Munger, a tailor, residing- in
Penn Yan. Their children are John, Deloss, Amanda, Mary
and George. John is married and resides in Chicago, and
George is married and resides in Buffalo.

Philinda married Edward Davis, of Pultney. They reside
near Rochester, and have six children, William, John, Albert,
Sarah, Rosetta and Susan.

Susan Townsend married John Wixson, a farmer of Wayne,
Steuben county. Their children are Florence and Clarence.

Thomas M. Townsend, born in 1821, married Sarah, daughter
of Abram Rapelyea, of Farmer, Seneca county. He has a farm
of two hundred and eighty acres, including the premises first
owned by his father, and his uncle, Thomas Townsend. Their
children are Abram R., Sarah A. and Thomas I. Abram R. is
a student of Cornell University.

Deborah L. is the wife of John P. Scofield, of Benton. Their
children are Arthur, Herbert and Hattie.

CHURCH HISTORY.

Ezra Cole was a local preacher of the Methodist faith, when
he first came to Benton, and held meetings in the barn, of Levi
Benton, in the summer of 1792. The Philadelphia Conference
of 1795, framed a district with four circuits, Northumberland,
Wyoming, Tioga and Seneca Lake, Valentine Cook, Presiding
Elder. Seneca Lake circuit extended from Onondaga county to
Canandaigua Lake, and from Lyons to the head of Seneca and
Cayuga Lakes. Ezra Cole attended the Philadelphia Conference
of 1793, and on his return a class was organized, consisting of
himself and wife, Eliphalet Hull and wife, George Wheeler, jr.,
and wife, Mathew Cole, Lois Cole, Delila Cole, and Mrs. Sarah
Buell, mother of David H. Buell. Eliphalet Hull was the first
class leader, and George Wheeler, jr., succeeded him. James
4*

346 • HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Smith was the preacher on the Seneca Lake circuit. The second
and third Quarterly Meetings of the circuit were held in the log
house of Eliphalet Hull, who then lived on Flat street, near the
present residence of Orrin Shaw. This class was the first Meth
odist Society of western New York, and after the Friends, the
first religious organization within the boundaries of Yates
county. Meetings for preaching and prayer were held at the
house of George Wheeler, jr., and quarterly meetings and other
large gatherings in his barn. Rev. William Colbert visited
Seneca Lake circuit in November, 1793. In his journal he says:
"Nov. 18, I preached in Geneva, at the house of Mr. Anning.
Nov. 19, Smith, Cole and myself were well used at the house of
Mr. Manning, where we lodged last night," This was James
Smith, in charge of the Seneca Lake circuit, and Ezra Cole.
Mr. Cole did not long continue a preacher. The iron strictness
of early Methodism did not agree with his views of life, and he
gradually fell away from the faith. In 1794, Al ward White was
preacher on Seneca Lake circuit, and Thornton Fleming Presid-
ing Elder. This Jerusalem, afterwards Vernon church, was ,
part of the Seneca Lake circuit till 1806. The preachers were,
in 1795, Joseph Whitby, John Lackey; 1796, Hamilton Jeffer-
son, Anning Owen; 1797, Anning Owen, Johnson Dunham;
1798, Jonas Stokes, Richard Lyons; 1799, Johathan Bateman,
who located the next year and married Delila, daughter of Ezra
Cole ; 1800, David Dunham, Benjamin Bidlack ; 1801, David
James, Josiah Wilkinson; 1802, Smith Weeks, John Billings;
1803, Griffin Sweet, Sharon Booth ; 1804, Roger Barton, Syl-
vester Hill; 1805, Thomas Smith, Charles Giles. The Presid-
ing Elders diu-ing this time were, Valentine Cook, Thomas
Moore, Freeborn Garretson, William McLanahan, William Col-
bert, and Joseph Jewell, jr. May 1796, at George Wheeler, jr's.,
Rev. Valentine Cook held a quarterly meeting. It is said that
on these occasions every board in the floor of the house accom-
modated a lodger, and "field beds," probably little more than
the floor itself, were offered for their repose. The people flocked
to these meetings from long distances, sometimes thirty to forty

TOWN OF BENTON. 347

miles. At this meeting in 1796, Polly and Anna Chambers,
aged respectively fourteen and sixteen years, came from Bath on
foot, traveling the Indian trail along the lake. They reached a
log tavern at the place now known as Kenka Landing, jnst at
dusk, and were there overtaken by their brother. They were
kindly entertained, the mistress of the house being an acquaint-
ance of their father. The next night they stayed at the house of
Robert Chissom, after crossing the outlet at the foot of the lake
on floating logs and fallen trees. Anna Chambers afterwards
became the wife of David Briggs, and the mother of William S.
Briggs, the present judge and surrogate of Yates county ; and
Polly Chambers became the wife of Alexander Nichols.

In 1797, Rev. William Colbert preached in this region, and
his public journal speaks of a quarterly meeting and love feast
at the house of David Benton, in Seneca, and of being enter-
tained at the house of Ezra Cole, also at Squire Parker's, (James
Parker, no doubt,) and of preaching at Mr. Parker's, and at the
Townsend school house. He relates that in riding from Elijah
Townsend's to Michael Pearce's, in Middlesex, he encountered
a thunder storm that was truly alarming. The wind and rain
were so blinding he could not see the trees falling around him.
The Lyons circuit was formed in 1806, and Lawrence Riley was
the preacher in charge, followed the next year by James Kelsev
and George McCracken. In 1807, a meeting house was erected
on the corner of the farm of George Wheeler, jr., now owned by
Mason L. Baldwin, one mile south of Benton Centre. This was
the first meeting house erected within the boundaries of Yates
county, after the log meeting house of the Friends, near City Hill.
A Genesee conference wras formed in 1809, and a Crooked Lake
circuit in 1814. The preachers until 1825 included such names
as Benjamin Bidlack, Benjamin G. Paddock, George Harmon,
Palmer Roberts, William Snow, James Gilmore, Reuben Farley,
Jasper Bennett, Ralph Lanning, Loren Grant, John Baggerly,
William J. Kent, and Robert Parker. Reuben Farley became
a dissenter from the Trinitarian creed, and joined the Christians.
He was a man of talent, and wielded so much influence, that the

848 HISTOJIY OF XATES COUNTY.

Methodist society at the Centre was greatly weakened. But
preaching was kept up, and in the winter of 1825-6, there was a
revival, and Dr. John L. Cleveland, and Joseph Guthrie and
wife joined the class. In 1828, the Benton circuit was formed,
and by the joint efforts of the class at the Centre, the class at
Y oak's, and another in the south-west part of the town, a meet-
ing house was erected at Havens' Corners, one mile west of the
Centre, which became an important appointment, A parsonage
was bought a little north of the church, in 1833. The trustees
of the church in 1833, were William Scofield, Hubbell Gregory,
Henry Collin, Martin Brown, and "William Rector. The preach-
ers from 1825 to 1833, were Denison Smith, Nathan B. Dod-
son, Jacob Early, Jonas Dodge, R. M. Everts, C. Strong, Israel
Chamberlain, Calvin S. Coats, Ira Fairbanks, William Jones, and
Allen Steele.

The church at Benton Centre was built in 1855, with a steeple,
and provided with a bell. After this there was no more preach-
ing at Havens' Corners.

The circuit preachers and presiding elders until 1841, when
Benton Centre became a station, were Ira Fairbanks, Orrin F.
Comfort, William Osband, Friend Draper, Jonathan Burton,
Asbury Lowrey, Zenas J. Buck, Abner Chase, Joseph Jewell,
James Herron, Jonathan Heustis, George Low, Robert Burch,
J. Hemmingway, Manley Tooker, J. W. Nevins, David Nutten,
F. G. Hibbard, Moses Crow, J. H. Kellogg, J. K. Tuttle, A.
Southerland, J. G. Gulick, T. B. Hudson. Among the preachers
since that time have been Robert Parker, Asa Adams, Nathan
Fellows, James Dunham, E. Latimer, Ralph Clapp, Luther
Northway, E. H. Cranmer, J. M. Bull, Delos Hutchins, A. S.
Baker, D. Leisenring, Charles Z. Case, and Samuel McGerald,
now serving.

A notable camp meeting was held on the Benton Centre
charge in 1855, commencing September 12th. On the 14th and
15th, it rained nearly all the time. Saturday the 17th was a
pleasant day, followed at night by a memorable thunder storm.
The rain fell like a deluge, the lightnings kept up a constant

TOWN OF BENTON. 349

and terrific blaze, and the thunders echoed with an unceasing
roar. The scene was at once awful and sublime. As the storm
rolled past, the light of four burning buildings, kindled by light-
ning, could be seen from the camp ground. The next day being
Sunday, the camp ground was thronged by an immense crowd
of people. On Monday, wiiile all was still, a large oak tree fell
a few rods from the camp ; where, had it fallen the day before,
it would have crushed a number of teams, and probably persons.
From the 14th to the 20th, it is said the volume of water that
fell, was two feet in depth, making frightful floods, and raising
the lakes and streams almost beyond precedent.

In 1859, the church was remodled and much improved. Dr.
Wemple H. Crane, George B. Stanton, and Homer Mariner,
serving as building committee. The latest board of trustees is
Ebenezer Scofield, Homer Mariner, George B. Stanton, Harrison
Hyatt, and Daniel Millspaugh. The board of Stewards is Eben-
ezer Scofield, Homer Mariner, Edwin Lamport, William Best,
Dr. W. H. Crane, James Carroll, George B. Stanton, Oliver P.
Guthrie, and Gains Truesdell.

METHODIST CHURCH AT BELLONA.

Henry Oxtoby invited local ministers of the Methodist faith
to preach at Bellona, in 1805, and they held meetings in the log-
school house. In 1809 a preaching place was established there,
and Benjamin Bidlack and Samuel Rowley, preachers of the
Lyons circuit, Susquehanna district, visited them, and preached
in their regular rounds, each once in four weeks. Mr. Bidlack
was a preacher of note, who, previous to his conversion Avas an
intemperate man. He was a fine singer, and aided in starting
the tunes at the meetings, sometimes when too much intoxicated
to stand on his feet. He was converted under the preaching of
Rev. Anthony Turck, and became himself an efficient pioneer
preacher. He was a tall, strong, broad-shouldered man, of large
proportions, and a man of great physical energy. He died in
1843, at the age of eighty-seven. He formed the first class at
Bellona in 1809. Henry Oxtoby, Jacob Wood, John Davis, and
their wives, E. Mather, William Pettit, and others were mem-

350 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

bers of this class, and Jacob Wood was the first class leader.
His successors have been Thomas Griswold, James Hitchcock,
William Watkins, Oliver Pettibone, and Henry A Coleman. In
1810, a meeting house was raised, and the frame enclosed, twen-
ty-eight by thirty-six feet in dimensions, on the hill a little north
of the village. For some years the society worshipped in this
house without any regular floor or desk, with slab benches for
seats, and a carpenter's bench for a pulpit. The house was fin-
ished in 1820. The preachers who served at Benton Centre,
also preached at Bellona, until each was made a separate charge.
In 1841, a new church was erected, thirty-six by fifty-six feet on
the ground, surmounted by a steeple, and furnished with a fine
toned bell. This was centrally located in the village. Henry R.
Coleman, Summers Banks, J. W. Wood, George Waite, and
Charles Coleman were the trustees and building committee. In
1843, Bellona was made a separate charge, and Seth Mattison
was the first stationed preacher. The subsequent preachers have
been E. Hitchcock, D. F. Parsons, D. Ferris, A. Plumly, J. Ed-
son, A. E. Chubbuck, D. Crow, Ralph Clapp, J. E. Hyde, A. G.
Laman, E. Latimer, Nathan Fellows, J. H. Day, James Land-
reth, and Charles L. Brown. In 1866, the church was much en-
larged, and a fine stone basement placed under the entire building,
which was finished in an elegant and attractive manner, making
it a neat, commodious church. The building committee were
Charles Coleman, Summers Banks, C. Lazenby, J. H. Huie,
George H. Banks, William Barnes, and George H. Brooks.

The most efficient contributors towards the erection of the first
church edifice in 1810, were Henry Oxtoby, John Coleman, and
Joshua Dunbar, a colored man. Robert Patterson was the
builder. This society has had numerous and marked revivals
during its history, and it has a strong and flourishing organiza
lion.

R ARTIST CHURCH AT BENTON CENTRE.

Deacon Samuel G. Gage, who had a special taste for histori-
cal accuracy, and authentic records, was clerk of the Baptist
church at Benton Centre, about eighteen years, beginning in

TOWN OF BENTON. 351

1847. He made a careful and studied research into the origin
of that church, and stated that there was good reason to be-
lieve it was constituted in 1797, but that that there was no
extant record of a date earlier than 1800. The first record that
remains, is an account of the ordination of Elder John Goff,
which took place on the 12th of November, 1800. Elder Goff
had previovsly lived in Frederickstown, now Wayne, and had
visited the people at Benton Centre, then Jerusalem, and
preached for them. A council was called, consisting of Elder
Ephraim Sanford, from Frederickstown, John Trimmer, from
Canandaigua, Elder Jonathan Finch and Jeremiah McLouth,
from Farmington, Abner Hill and Abram Spear, from Palmyra,
and Jesse Warren from Phelps. The meeting was held in the
log school house at the Centre, and the ordination sermon was
preached by Elder Finch, from Farmington. The same eve-
ning, Elder Goff received the unanimous call of the church to
become its pastor, an office he filled for thirty-six years. At
the same time two of the members, David Southerland and
Moses Finch, were elected deacons. David Southerland was
also licensed to preach, and served as a minister within the
circuit of his acquaintance in various neighborhoods as oppor-
tunity offered, and his public and private cares permitted.
During the month following his ordination, Elder Goff held
meetings at the house of Anna Wagener, the Friend, in Jeru-
salem, which resulted in a number of conversions, including
Mrs. Martha Cole, the mother of Mrs. Samuel C. Cage. In
1801, this church passed a resolution adopting the Bible as the
only standard of faith and practice. In 1802, after a faithful
effort at correction, they expelled Mrs Phebe Smith, for intem-
perance. Elder Simon Sutherland was licensed to preach by
the Benton, then Vernon church, in 1803. There were numer-
ous revivals under the preaching of Elder Goff during his ser-
vice with this church, and it is believed that he baptised not less
than three hundred, persons, although there is a record of but
one hundred and fifty-eight in existence. He was a plain,
faithful preacher, and sometimes held his congregation during

352 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

a discourse of three hours, an evidence of remarkable patience
on the part of his hearers. His honesty and sincerity of char-
acter gave him a strong hold upon the people, not only of his
church, but the community at large. No doubt his unaffected
goodness of heart, and genial social qualities, added to his pop-
ularity. He married a widow Johnson, old enough to have
been his mother ; indeed his mother attended the first wedding
of Mrs. Johnson, carrying her son John in her arms, a mere
infant. Roxana Goff, their only child, married Henry Ander-
son, of Benton, and emigrated to Michican. Elder Gofi* con-
tinued his ministrations at Benton Centre until 1836, when he
moved to Michigan, where he continued to preach for many
years, and died in 1861, upwards of ninety. He remarked on
leaving Benton, that he had done all the good he could there.
" I will go," said he, "into a new country, collect a flock and
preach to them as I have done here, in barns, log dwellings
and log school houses." He was very firm in the technical
faith of his church, and remarkable for the prolixity of his ser-
vices. His funeral discourses were usually two hours in length,
and marriage ceremonies were extended to forty-five minutes.
And at an early day when clergymen were few and far between,
he had many calls to join the living in wedlock, and bury the
dead. It may well be admitted that all joined heartily iD his
final Amen.

After the departure of Elder Gofi", the church was two years
without a pastor, and in 1838, Elder Elias Burdick was called
to that position, and held it#twD years ; William H. Delano in
1840, and served four years; John W. Wiggins in 1845, and
served two years; Daniel W. Litchfield in 1847, and was the
pastor four years. In 1851, Elder Almon C. Mallory was con-
stituted the pastor of the church, and has held the position
nineteen years, still serving with great acceptability. During
the seventy-three years since the organization of this church, it
has been six years without a pastor, three years of which time
were the first years of its existence,

Among the earlier members of the church were Samuel Buell,

TOWN OF BENTON. 353

grandfather of David II. Buell, and Samuel Buell, now citizens
of Benton, Moses Finch, one of the first deacons, William Gil-
bert, David Riggs, David Southerland, a minister and a deacon,
and an eminent pioneer of Augusta now Potter, Benjamin
Fowle, Dennis Dean, an early school teacher, Isaac Lain, sen
ior, Simon Sutherland, Joseph Southerland, Smith Mapes,
Isaac Whitney, Elisha Benedict, Ephraim Kidder. The first
appointment of delegates to an association was in 1803, but
there is no record of the name of the association, nor the place
of its meeting. David Biggs was elected deacon in 1805.
Among the prominent members after 1810, were Benjamin
Dean, Buckbee Gage, Robert Watson, Samuel Raymond, David
Kidder, Jesse Brown, Jonathan Brown, and Stephen Wilkins.
Robert Watson was elected deacon in 1819, and served until
his death in 1841. He was also elected clerk in 1822. He
was the father of Deacon Joseph Watson, and has three sons,
one daughter, and seven grand children, including Robert Tel-
ford, now a missionary in Siam, who are respected and useful
members of this church After 1820, among the leading mem-
bers were Stephen Coe, David Holmes, David Trimmer, John
L. Swarthout, Heman Chapman, James Southerland, Joel Jil-
lett, Charles Jillett, Jacob Watson, Henry Nutt. David Holmes
was elected Deacon in 1822, and filled the office nineteen
years. He is spoken of as an estimable man. He died in 1841.
Jacob Watson was elected clerk in 1833.

After 1 830, we find among the more efficient members of the
church, Foster S. Watson, Horace Kidder, Daniel Lovejoy,
Charles Angus, Martin Gage, John W. McAlpine, and Joseph
Watson. Martin Gage was elected deacon in 1838, Charles
Angus and John W. McAlpine in 1841, and Joseph Watson in
1849. After 1840, among the prominent members are Samuel
GG. age, George R. Barden, John Church, James Southerland,
David S. Croziei", Charles and William Becker, and since 1850
Daniel Sprague, James H. Newcomb, Zadoc B. St. John, Will-
iam D. Swarthout, James Balls, Peter Oakley, John Truesdell,
Walter W. Becker, James S. Williams, Walter S. Marble, and

354 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

David Armstrong. Samuel G. Gage was elected a deacon in
1841, and James Balls in 1856.

In 1828, a resolution was adopted by this church, requiring
all their brethren who were connected with the Masonic frater-
nity, to withdraw therefrom, and refusing to fellowship Masons
unless they renounced the institution. This rule had a strong
influence on the church for many years. Under the preaching
of Elder Elias Burdick there were seventy-seven baptisms in
the church : one hundred and sixty by Elder William H. De-
lano, and seventy-six by Elder Daniel W. Litchfield. The
clerks of the church in the order of their service, have been :
David Southerland, David Riggs, Jesse Young, William Gil-
bert, Stephen Coe, James Wilkins, Jacob Watson, Horace Kid-
der, Samuel G. Gage and David S. Crozier.

The first house of worship was erected in 1818, a short dis-
tance north of the East Centre road, on the next road leading
north, eastward of Benton Centre. The Universalists contrib-
uted towards the construction of that building and for some
time held occasional meetings in it. The present church edifice
at the Centre, was built in 1848, by J. L. Van Winkle, of Mos-
cow, Livingston county, N. Y. ; and the lumber was brought
from that town. The large timber was brought over by land,
and the small timber and lumber came by water to Earl's
Landing at the month of Kashong Creek. The cost of the lot,
house and fixtures was about four thousand dollars. The build-
ing committee were the trustees of the church, Samuel G. Gage,
George R. Barden, James Southerland, John Church and
Charles Gilbert. A parsonage house and lot was bought in
1856, at a cost of $1200. A fine toned steel composition bell
was presented to the church in 1861, by Deacon Samuel G.
Gage. The number of members in 1865 was 205, in 1869, 208.
The present trustees are David S. Crozier, James S. Williams
and Walter W. Becker.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OE BENTON.

The father of the Presbyterian church in Benton was Stephen
Whitaker, who, within tws or three years after his first set-

TOWN OF BENTON. 355

tleraent in the town, and as early as 1802, commenced holding
prayer meetings and induced his neighbors to meet and listen to
the reading of sermons. Occasionally a missionary would visit
them, and one of them, John Lindsley, organized a Presbyterian
church of sixteen members, in Stephen Whitaker's log house,
Nov. 7, 1809. The members were Stephen Whitaker, and
Mary, his wife ; John Armstrong, and Susannah, his wife ; John
Hall, and Sarah, his wife ; John A. McLean, and Sarah, his wife ;
George Armstrong, and Elizabeth, his wife ; Solomon Couch,
William Roy, Terry Owen and wife ; William Read, and Re-
becca, wife of Robert N. Boyd. Five days later Stephen
Whitaker, John Hall and Solomon Couch were ordained elders,
and the following members were added : Jonathan A. Hall,
and Ann his wife ; Ephraim Mallory, and Ruth, his wife ;
Waitstel Dickinson and wife ; David Morse and wife ; Mr. Wi-
nants and Mr. McMullen. For several years they had no
preaching except by missionaries. In 1815 Rev. Ebenezer
Lazell began to preach as a stated supply, but no pastor was
installed till Sept. 13, 1820, when Rev. Richard Williams be-
came the first regular pastor of the cliurch. The committee of
Presbytery met the day before at the house of William Babcock,
in Penn Yan, and was constituted as follows : Rev. John Ev-
ans, of Canandaigua, Rev. Renry Axtell, of Geneva, Rev. Jo-
seph Merrill, of Gorham, Rev. Samuel Brace, of Phelps, Rev.
Moses Young, of Romulus, and Elder Moses Hall, of Geneva.
Mr. Williams preached half of the time in a log house near the
spot where the church was afterwards erected, and the other
half in a dilapidated school house in Penn Yan. In 1821, the
society commenced the erection of a house of worship on the
rising ground east of Spencer's Corners, which they occupied
about fifteen years, when they purchased the Dutch Reformed
church edifice in Belloua, which they enlarged and improved,
and still occupy. This church was taken under the care. of the
Presbytery of Geneva in 1825. In 1825 it numbered fifty-five
members; in 1832, one hundred and twenty-five; in 1843, one
hundred and seventy-nine ; in 1846, one hundred and sixty-

356 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

eight. Rev. R' chard Williams officiated as pastor till 1825,
when he was succeeded by Rev. Alfred E. Campbell. In 1827,
l.e was succeeded by Rev. William Todd, since a missionary
in India. In 1830, Rev. Stalham Clary succeeded as a stated
supply, and preached until his decease, in 1831. Rev. Michael
Carpenter followed as pastor in 1832, and continued one year.
He was followed by Rev. Mr. Ingersol, and he by Rev. William
Johnson, who served from 1834 to 1837. He was followed
by Rev. William W. Backus, who continued until late in the
year 1839. Rev. Alfred Eddy followed, and was installed pas-
tor in 1841, remaining about ten years. Rev. Benjamin M.
Goldsmith was settled as pastor of the church in 1852, having
preached two years previously as a stated supply, and he is the
pastor still, maintaining a strong hold upon the respect and con-
fidence of his congregation, and all who share his acquaintance.
There was a revival in this church in 1826, which added
quite a number to its connexion. Another in 1831 added about
thirty. In 1837 twenty-three were added by another revival,
and forty-two more by a revival in 1840. It has always been a
self-supporting church, and is now a wealthy and influential
organization. It has been the mother of two others, one at
Penn Yan, and the other at West Dresden.

The congregational organization of this church was effected
June 17, 1816. After due notice, "a meeting of the male
members" was held on that day at the house of Stephen Whit-
aker, at which three trustees were elected, and a name adopted,
"The First Presbyterian Congregation of the town of Benton."
The trustees chosen were Jonathan Whitaker, William Roy,
and Waitstel Dickinson. The certificate of organization was
acknowledged before Judge John Nicholas, July 8, 1816, and
recorded the 8th of April, 1817.

The initial steps for a church edifice were taken at a meeting
held January 25, 1821. It was decided to circulate subscrip-
tions " to obtain funds to build a Presbyterian ohurch on the
height of ground north of the road, opposite to John Johnson's
barn." The location thus specified was in the lot now known

TOWN OF BENTON. 357

as theM ount Pleasant Cemetery, on the southwest corner of
lot 12 of No. 8. The work was begun in less than one month.
Niram Crane was the builder, and the church members and
other citizens lent such aid to the work by their labor and
other contributions as their means and liberality prompted.
The house contained forty pews on the ground floor, and
twenty-eight in the galleries. The date of its completion is
not clearly ascertained. The regular services were transfered
to the Bellona church in January, 1839. The latter edifice was
enlarged, and the whole interior remodled in 1850. The
ruling elders of the church since the first chosen in 1809, have
been William Roy and Jonathan A. Hall, chosen in 1817; John
Hatmaker, M. D., Henry Snapp, Amzi Bruen and Josiah Ja-
cobus, in 1821 ; Jonathan Whitsiker, Moses Munn and Silas
Lacey, in J825 ; Cornelius Hood, Henry L. Bush, and William
L. Mitchell, in 1838 ; Eli Wood, Ashahel Clark, M. D., Philip
Rupert, and Horace B. Taylor, in 1840 ; James M. Pow,* in
1841 ; Squier B. Whitaker,* Hiram Ansley, John K. Crom-
well,* in 185G; Alexander B. Sloan,* M. D., Augustus T.
Barnes,* Jacob I. Denman, and Christopher Spinkj in 1869.
It will be noted that the continuity of Stephen Whitaker's in-
fluence has not been broken from the first, in this church. Its
pious founder in the pioneer period, he has been worthily repre-
sented in its labors and its councils by his son, Jonathan Whit-
aker, and by his Grandson, Squier B. Whitaker, now one of
its ruling elders. Rev. Andi-ew Oliver, Rev. James South worth,
and Rev. Prince Hawes, are mentioned in the records as tran-
sient missionary laborers with this church, in its earlier years.
Its average membership for thirty years has been upwards of
one hundred and fifty. The old Cemetery connected with the
church has been set apart as a public burial ground under the
laws of the State, and is still used for burial of the dead. Ma-
ny of the older residents have been interred there.

DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH AT BELLONA.

In 1833, Rev. Mr. Mandeville, of Geneva, organized a church

' Members of the Session at the present time.

358 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

of the Dutch Reformed denomination at Bellona, of which the
original members were Jacob Meserole and wife, William
Bloomer and wife, A. J, Batten and wife, Alexander Holliday
and Mrs. John L. Bush. Jacob Meserole and John Pembroke
built the church at their own expense in 1?33, for which the
sale of the pews nearly re-imbursed them. Hubbell Gregory,
of Benton Centre, was the builder. Mr. Pembroke withdrew,
and Lodowick Bash took hold in his place. The deacons and
elders forming the Consistory were Messrs. Meserole, Batten,
Bloomer and Holliday. The church numbered over one hund-
red members at one time, and about sixty when the organiza-
tion was broken up. The first pastor was Rev. Charles Walk,
of Pennsylvania, who remained about four years. Rev. Mr.
Ivison was his successor, and remained two years. In 1839,
the church edifice was sold to the Presbyterian church of Ben-
ton, and the members and congregation were chiefly merged
in that organization. When the building was afterwards en-
larged, it was mainly at the expense of Mr. Meserole, who was
again reimbursed by the sale of the pews, sixteen of which were
added by the enlargement. Charles V. Bush, of Penn Yan,
was the builder.

It will be seen by the foregoing sketch of church history in
Banton, that the Methodists, with their admirable system of
itinerancy, were the first to sow the seeds of religious tftought
among the log cabins of the pioneers. Their preachers were
men adapted to their work. They made the wilderness ring
with their admonitions and exhortations, by which the people
were greatly swayed, and the church enlarged Their ablest
men penetrated to the remotest recesses of civilization. Men
like Valentine Cook and William Colbert, were no common char-
acters. They were men of ability, learning and eloquence, and
they had many colleagues in their work, of whom as much
could be said. Their glowing earnestness w is imparted to
their adherents, and Methodism was everywhere known as the
religion of zeal and enthusiasm. Their classes were large, their
meetings fervent. Camp meetings were very popular with the

TOWN OF BENTON. 359

Methodists of the early time, and were occasions of great
interest.

The Baptists made a very early beginning in Benton, and
have held their ground with great success. The same may be
said of the Presbyterians of East Benton. The Free Will
Baptists had many early adherents, but no organization in
that town of which any record remains. The Christians, who
could perhaps be more sharply defined as Unitarians, had some
strength for a time, and disorganized other denominations, es-
pecially the Methodists, to a considerable degree, have passed
away from Benton, and left but little impress.

Levi Benton, the first settler of the town was a Universalist,
and was forward to promote the fortunes of that faith, which
has had numerous adherents in that town, as well as still more
liberal forms of free thinking. The Universalist society of
Vernon organized in 1808, had among its trustees the celebra-
ted George Hosmer, of Hartford (now Avon), the father of the
poet Wm. H. C. Hosmer. He was a leading lawyer of his day,
and a judge of Ontario county. Other leading men in the
various towns of the broad old county of Ontario were num-
bered among its trustees. But Levi Benton was evidently its
leading spirit, and among the people of his town Universalism
had a strong hold. They had frequent meetings, and among
their earlier preachers were Dr. Michael Coffin, Rev. Mr. Mur-
ray, Rev. Mr. Fisk, and others, able men. The leaven of this
influence is still palpable in that town. But for some reason,
men that have a hell to shun work with more zeal and efficiency
for the advancement of their faith, than those who see no ter-
rors beyond the grave. The consequence has been that the
Universalists have nothing in the form of church organization
to show as the fruit of their eai-ly start and large advantages at
an early period in Benton. The ground is occupied by those
who preach a radically different faith.

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL TEACHERS.

Incidentally some mention has already been made of the
earlier teachers, and little more remains that can be added.

360 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Schools have been permanent and generally well sustained, but
school teachers have been mostly transient, and not well re-
membered. Eliphalet Hull was the first teacher. The old log
school house which stood on the highway near the present
Baptist church, was first opened for a winter school ; in just
what year no one remembers, but before 1800. From the log
houses for two miles or more around, the young people and
little ones gathered to be taught to read and write and spell,
and Ct cypher." Perhaps no log structure of its kind performed
a grander service in its day, than did this unpretending school
house. It was dedicated to its benificent purpose by " grand-
father Hull," whose children's children were among his pupils.
The same building, with its four little windows, one door, and
huge fire-pkce, was also a house of worship for many years, fjr
the Methodists, the Baptists, Universalists, and others, though
private houses were much used for religious meetings. The
second teacher was John Coats ; the third, Titus V. Mun-
son ; the fourth, Ezra Rice, the worthy son-in-law of Levi Ben-
ton. The first summer school was taught by Ruth Pritchard,
of the Friend's Society. She was brought to the house of Cy-
rus Buell, where she boarded, by Richard Smith. She was a
teacher of no little note in her day, and continued to teach for
years after she became the wife of Justus P. Spencer. Olivia
Smith taught a summer school in 1801, and her sister Clara
taught a school the same season in the Tubbs district, the first
one there. Then followed John L. Lewis, and after him Na-
than P. Cole, Ezra Rice, Walter Wolcott, Elisha Woodworth,
Calvin Fargo, Joseph Benton, and an Irishman whose name is
not remembered. Mrs. Sarah Knapp taught many years at her
own house, where the late Samuel G. Gage afterwards resided.
James Wilkins, James Winkler, Gurdon Badger, and others
followed. The most distinguished among these was John L.
Lewis. Some of the incidents of his career in that locality are
so well described by David II. Buell, that we quote from him :
" I will recall one other reminiscence of the olden times, for I
love to dwell upon the scenes of my youth, with the friends of my

TOWN OF BENTON. 361

youth, in those happy, primitive days, as it seems to be identi-
fied with the old Benton home. In the spring of 1802, a young
man by the name of John L. Lewis, some twenty years of age,
came to Squire Benton's in company with and recommended
by Capt. Thomas Howard, from the Gore, as a good school
teacher. The young man proposed to teach the Centre school.
He being a graduate of Yale, it seemed a good show of ability.
Squire Benton introduced him to my father, Uncle Ezra Cole,
Uncle Perley Dean, Uncle Daniel Brown, Squire Wood worth,
and other neighbors. The young man was employed, and
commenced his school April 19, 1802. I well recollect that
day. I was in my seventh year. I sat on the little boys' bench
in the northeast corner of the house, north of the fire-place,
which extended nearly across the east end of the old log school
house that stood in the road about opposite the west end of the
Baptist church shed at Benton Centre. After sitting awhile,
my nerves became restless, and I turned my face to the logs,
and began picking at the dry mortar between them. Master
Lewis gently reversed my position with the remark that I
' would appear better facing the company.' The school was
successful, and continued three years. We lived together night
and day the whole time, after which Master Lewis commenced
teaching on Flat street, near the pine tree on the Patterson place.
" The ordinary routine of the school was spiced up with many
little pleasantries not found in the text books of Dilworth,
Dwight or Webster. They were both pleasing and profitable,
giving a zest to the whole never to be forgotten by Master
Lewis' pupils of 1802 to 1805. There was one rich passage
that occurred during the school that I will allude to, as it
formed a marked epoch in the history of those early, happy
years. Master Lewis ' got up' a play, a comedy brim full of
original character, humor and fun, with many a well pointed
moral. It embraced a good many characters, and carried the
evenings into the large hours to complete the rehearsals, which
frequently occurred at Squire Benton's. Joseph Benton was
the ' Mother Fret' of the play. I can see her now with her

plain, close cap, her sleeves rolled above the elbows, with her

362 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

scissors and thimbles jingling in her huge pocket, as sltfi storms
about the house, ordering ' Silas' to ' tumble the swill barrel
up against the door, prop it up at the bottom with the lever,
and make it tight as Bunker Hill — do you hear — budge.' The
play finally culminated in a grand exhibition, in full costume,
of character all through, the manager appearing in a dress coat,
vest and pants, all of pure white dimity ; the pants were fitted
to the ankle and foot in the form of a white stocking, enclosed
in neat pumps of the same material. The exhibition came off
at Uncle Cole's new ball-room, not yet quite finished, but fitted
up expressly for the occasion, with stage, curtains, rooms, seats,
&c, in the fall of 1804."

This is believed to have been the first theatrical exhibition
that had ever occurred in Ontario county, and possibly west of
Albany. The audience were delighted, and Master Lewis' ex-
hibition was often quoted, and once or twice re-enacted before
the first elephant was exhibited at Zachariah Wheeler's barn,
Head street, Penn Yan, and prior to the war of 1812.

Many of these scholars have been prominent actors, filling
useful positions on the stage of life. Among the scholars of
that period were the Bentons, Woodworths, Coles, Buells,
Hulls, Spencers, Wolcotts, Browns, Deans, Wheelers, Riggses,
Hiltons, Gilberts, Van Campens, Hobarts, McManes, Knapps,
Bennets, Smiths, Griswoulds, Couches, Bardens, Pearces,
Spooners, Powers, Utters, Stevens, Sweets, Dormans, Kelseys,
Safibrds, Posts, Rices, Ingrahams, Towers, Tubbses, Budds,
Bottsfords, Hartwells, Foxes, Gregorys, Jaynes, Howards, &6.

Of all that group of joyous faces, but one remains within the
large bounds of the old Centre school district. " Like the last
member of the annual banquet, the broken silence is only an-
swered by the echoing walls." "Like the last leaf on the tree
in the spring." Many rest in early graves that have been lost
for more than half a century. A few yet remain in the wide
world, bending, furrowed wrecks, seeking rest.

" Back on the misty track of time by memory's flickering light,
I see the scenes of other days light meteors in the night."

TOWN OF BENTON. 363

The first school at Bellona was taught in 1805, by William
Worlan, an Englishman, whose school was in a log house a
little north of Bellona, on the northeast corner of the present
farm of Firman Rapelyea. The names of subsequent teachers
have not been given to the writer. Among others of note in
Benton from time to time, may be mentioned Thomas J. Kev-
ins, David H. Buell, Dauiel Gilbert, Hallet Dean, Erastus B.
Wolcott, Heman Chapman, Luther Winants, Horace Kidder,
Simeon Goss, Coe B. Sayre, Henry Barnes, Reuben Crawford,
Mr. Newtown, Enos Tubbs, Joseph Bloomingdale, Richard
Taylor, Henry S. Chapman. Henna Jewett has been a noted
lady teacher in that town for thirty years, and is still engaged
in that calling.

CIVIL HISTORY.

By an act of the Legislature in 1789, the Courts of General
Sessions in the several counties, were authorized to organize
towns, and under this act Jerusalem and Augusta were organ-
ized ; Jerusalem in 1792. Thomas Lee was the first supervisor,
and the town embraced townships 7 of both the first and second
range ; No. 8 of the first range, and all eastward of both 7 and
8, to Seneca Lake. There is reason for stating that James
Spencer, a brother of Truman and Elijah, was supervisor in
1797. In 1799 Eliphalet Norris was supervisor, and Levi Ban-
ton in 1800, Benjamin Barton in 1801, Daniel Brown, senior, an
early settler in Jerusalem, in 1802. In 1803, Jerusalem was
restricted to its present limits, not including Bluff Point, and
the name of Vernon given to the rest of the old town. An
effort was made at an early day to have a town erected to in-
clude No. 8 alone, as the following petition to the court will
show :

To the Honourable, the Spfcial Court of Sessions to be held at
Canandaigua, the 3d Tuesday in February, instant :
The petition of many of the inhabitants of Jerusalem humbly showeth
that whereas many of the reputable inhabitants of No. eight in the first
Range in this town do wish to be incorporated into a town by themselves
— and to prevent disputes and preserve friendship among us, we pray this
Honourable Court to set off said No. eight into a separate town by the

364

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

name of Wilton, with all the liberty and privileges which other towns
in the State of New York have and enjoy — and your petitioners in duty
bound will ever pray.

February 1st. 1799.

Griffin B. HAzaRD,
Enoch Shearman,
Benjamin Durham,
Silas Hunt,
James Parker,
John Plympton,
Benj. Briggs,
william ardery,
James Scofield,
GeorGe Wheeler,
Nathan Wheeler,
Elisha Wolcott,
Elisha Woodworth,
Ezra Rice,
Samuel Buell, Jr.,
Eliphalet Hull,
Joel P. Sawyer,
Daniel Stull,
Daniel Brown,
Perley Dean,
Francis Dains.
Jesse Dains,

Joshua Andrews,
Levi Benton,
Enos Fuller,
Silas H. Mapes,
Smith Mapes,
Dyer Woodworth,
Otis Barden,

JEREMIAH JlLLETT,

John Knapp,
James Springsted,
William Gilbert,
William Hilton, Jr.,
William Hilton,
David Biggs, first,
Elisha Brown,
Ichabod Buell,
Samuel Buell,
George Bennett,
Cyrus Buell,
David Riggs,
Philip Riggs,

Wheeler, Jr.,

M. Lawrence,
Thomas Lee, Jr.,
James McCust,
Thos. Hathaway,
Daniel S, Judd,
Daniel Larzelere,
Dennis Shaw,
James Allen,
Thomas Clark,
James Beaumont,
John Neil,
James Brown.
Ellis Pearce,
Henry Mapes,
Simeon Lee,
Wm. Cunningham,
John Muckelnane,
John Bruce,
Hezekiah Townsend,
Matehew Cole,
Reuben Riggs,
Ezra Cole.

This petition, drawn by James Parker, and so respectably
signed, it appears was not granted by the court. Whether it
was opposed by any portion of the people, is to the writer un-
known. Aside from the erection of Jerusalem in 1803, the
town was preserved in its large proportions as Vernon, Snell
and Benton, till 1818, when Milo was erected. And during
that time there is no record in existence, in either Benton or
Milo, so far as has become known in the researches for this
work, to show who were town officers. From records of the
proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of Ontario county, it
is ascertained that Samuel Lawrence was supervisor of Vernon
in 1808, and beginning with 1810, the supervisors of Benton
were as follows :

1810, Elijah Spencer, 1815, Joshua Lee,

1811, Elijah Spencer, 1816, Joshua Lee,

1812, Elijah Spencer, 1817, Elijah Spencer,

1813, Elijah Spencer, 1818, Elijah Spencer.

1814, Elijah Spencer,

TOWN OF BENTON.

365

In 1819, after the separation from Milo, the first town meet-
ing was held at Truman Spencer's. They had previously been
held at the house of Lawrence Townsend. The following ticket
was elected :

Supervisor — Elijah Spencer; Town Clerk — Jonathan Whit-
aker ; Assessors — Jared Patchen, Meredith Mallory ; Overseei'3
of the Poor — John Crawford, William Roy ; Collector — An-
thony Trimmer, jr. ; Commissioners of Highways — Stephen
Purdy, Reuben Gage, Joseph Havens ; Constables — Anthony
Trimmer, jr., John Powell, Joseph Whitney; Commissioners of
Common Schools — John L. Cleveland, Nathan P. Cole, Martin
Gage ; Inspectors of Common Schools — William Shattuck,
Thomas J. Nevins, Abner Woodworth, Samuel G. Gage, Gur-
don Badger, Anthony Gage ; Fence Viewers — Joseph Smith,
Abraham Townsend, Samuel Randall, Walter Angus, Otis Bar-
den, Thomas Howard ; Pound Master — Ezra Cole.

The subsequent Supervisors have been :

1820, Meredith Mallory,

1821, Abner Woodworth,

1822, Abner Woodworth,

1823, Jonathan Whitaker,

1824, John L. Cleveland,

1825, Jonathan Whitaker,

1826, Elijah Spencer,

1827, Elijah Spencer,

1828, Elijah Spencer,

1829, Jonathan Whitaker,

1830, Aaron Remer,

1831, Abner Woodworth,

1832, Abner Woodworth,

1833, Anthony Gage,

1834, Samuel G. Gage,

1835, Samuel G. Gage,

1836, Heman Chapman,

1837, Heman Chapman,

1838, Samuel G. Gage,

1839, Samuel G. Gage,

1840, Samuel G. Gage,

1841, Samuel G. Gage,

1842, Samuel G. Gage,

1843, Abner Woodworth,

1844, Aaron Edmonds,

1845, Hatley N. Dox,

1846, Hatley N. Dox,

1847, Hatley N. Dox,

1848, James Simons,

1849, Alfred Baldwin,

1850, William S. Hudson,

1851, Edward E. Briggs,

1852, Henry Hicks,

1853, William Taylor,

1854, Isaac N. Gage,

1855, George W. Spencer,

1856, William T. Remer,

1857, George A. Sheppard,

1858, John Merrifield,

1859, John Merrifield,

1860, Samuel Allen.

1861, Homer Mariner,

366 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

1862, Homer Mariner, 1867, John Mernfield,

1863, Caleb Hazen, 1868, Samuel Jayne,

1864, Caleb Hazen, 1869, Henry C. Collin,

1865, John Merrifield, 1870, Henry C. Collin.

1866, Joliu Merrifield,

Jonathan Whitaker was town clerk four years before being
supervisor, and after him Coe B. Sayre and Heman Chapman,
each one year; Jesse T. Gage, seven years; Heman Chapman,
four years, beginning in 1832 ; John A. Haight, four years ;
Ezra B. Potter, two years ; Daniel Foster in 1842, followed two
years by Ezra B. Potter ; Jesse T. Gage, one year ; Nathan P.
Cole, one year ; Isaac 1ST. Gage, one year ; Henry Hicks, two
years; Garret V. Scott, in 1850 ; Oliver P. Guthrie, in 1851,
followed three years by Mason L. Baldwin ; one year by Robert
S. Edmonds; Oliver P. Guthrie in 1855 : Isaac N. Gage, one
year; Joseph J. Hollett, two years; Daniel Millspaugh, two
years, then Oliver P. Guthrie, ten years, including 1870.

There is no record of the election of Justices of the Peace
before 1830, in which year Abner Woodworth was elected, and
again in 1834. Samuel C. Lyon was elected in 1831, and 1835.
John A. McLean in 1831, 1836 and 1847 ; Jesse T. Gage in
1833, 1837, 1841 and 1853 ; Edward Young, in 1838 ; Samuel
G. Gage, in 1839, 1847, 1848 and 1851 ; Robert P. Buell, in
1842, 1846 and 1850 ; Levi Patchen and James Young in 1843;
Alpheus Veazie, in 1844 ; Josiah S. Carr, in 1848 ; Charles
Coleman, in 1849, 1857, 1861, 1865 and 1869 ; George B. Stan-
ton, in 1852 ; William Comstock, in 1854, 1858 and 1862 ;
William S. Hudson, in 1855 ; James Durham, in 1856 and
1860; Martin Brown, jr., in 1859 and 1863 ; Edwin Lamport,
in 1862 and 1864 ; Thomas H. Locke, in 1866 and 1870 ; Henry
R. Taylor, in 1867 ; James S. Williams, in 1868.

Previous to 1818, town meetings were held at the house of
Lawrence Townsend, and after that for three years at Truman
Spencer's ; in 1822, at Mathew Cole's ; again two years at Tru-
man Spencer's; in 1825, at Z. P. Wier's ; in 1827, at Alfred
Gully's ; in 1829, at Truman Spencer's. They have for many

TOWN OP BENTON. 367

years been held at Benton Centre, and with little or no opposi-
tion since a part of the town was taken off to form Torrey.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

A post office was established at Benton Centre in 1825.
Joel H. Ross was the first postmaster. David H. Buell was
appointed in 1828, and served through both terras of General
Jackson's Presidency. John A. Haight, Isaac N. Gage, Asahel
Savage, Myron Cole, Edwin Lamport, and Oliver P. Guthrie
have since held the office.

A post office was established at Fergeson's Corners in 1842.
This was on the old stage route between Canandaigua and
Penn Yan. Edward L. Jacobus, now of Penn Yan, then a
tailor at that place, was the first postmaster. He was succeeded
by Walter S. Ferguson, and he by Col. Samuel Allen. George
Partis was the next and last, the office having been discon-
tinued in 1865.

At Bellona, a post office was established in 1813. Martin
Gage was the first postmaster, and held the office till 1839. Dr.
Anthony Gage was his successor in 1839, and died the same
year. Frederick T. Backenstose was appointed December 31,
1839, and he was succeeded by Dr. Henry Barden in 1841 ;
DeWitt C. Gage, in 1844 ; Stephen Garrison, in 1845 ; Reuben
M. Gage, in 1849. Benjamin Coddington was the postmaster
for some years, and after him John L. Lewis, senior, and Amasa
Smith. George H. Brooks was appointed in 1861, and held
the office a few years. He was succeeded by Charles W. Cof-
fin, and he by George G. Gage, the present postmaster.

Among the merchants at Bellona, besides Martin Gage, are
Robert Johnson, William Huson, A. J. Batten, Stephem M. and
Ephraim M. Whitaker, George H. Brooks, .Amasa Smith,
Charles W. Coffin, and George G. and Hazard Gage. The
stone mill was erected by David Hudson and David Angus,
about thirty years age. The population of Bellona in 1855,
was 205, and in 1865 it was 270.

The first store in Benton was that of Luther Benton and
James Stoddard, opened in 1791, on the first corner east of

368 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Benton Centre. They were succeeded a few years later by
Joshua Andrews, at the same place.

John A. Haight, who was for a time a partner with Martin
Gage, in trade at Bellona, was for some years a merchant at
Benton Centre, and he has been followed by Isaac N. Gage,
Asahel Savage, Myron Cole, Edwin Lamport, and Oliver P-
Guthrie. Joseph J. Hollett, who was prosperously engaged in
the place as a wagon maker, was burned out with heavy loss,
in 1864.

The stream known as Sucker Brook, in Penn Yan, running
from Sheppard's Gully, was once a mill stream. Morris F.
Sheppard built a grist mill a short distance up the ravine, about
1818. The mill did very well for a few years ; but as the back
country was cleared of its forests, the water failed, and the mill
had to be abandoned. Stone have been quarried to some ex-
is tent in this gully, and some nagging has been obtained, but is
not of the best quality. Morris F. Sheppard built his residence
now owned by Jephthah A. Potter, on Main near Head street,
of stone from these quarries.

A fulling mill was erected about 1818, on Jacob's Brook,
east of the residence of Major Asa Cole, by Caleb and Samuel
Clark, who continued the business of wool carding and cloth
4 dressing several years. " The building," says Mr. Fowle, " has
long since passed away, and the tuneful notes of the whippoor-
will that used to animate that neighborhood with his song, are
heard no more."

Vineyards are cultivated in Benton with success, by Henry
M. Stewart, Win. H. Sherland, Thomas H. Locke, and Alfred
Rose, near Penn Yan, and J. J. Mead, near Bellona.

By the census of 1820, Benton had ten school houses, and
thirteen school districts, and public monies for schools in 1821,
to the amount of $238 43. The town had 1050 children be-
tween five and fifteen years, 957 of whom were taught in the
schools of 1821. The number of farms in the town was 687 ;
mechanics, 151 ; traders, 5 ; taxable property, $304,757 ; elect-
ors, 633 (the property qualification existed then) ; improved land

TOWN OF BENTON. 3G9

14,741 acres; cattle, 3,565; horses, 819; sheep, 8.602; yards of
cloth made in families in 1821, 22,292. There were three grist
mills, five saw mills, two fulling mills, two carding machines, nine
distilleries, which made 54,000 gallons of whiskey in 1821, and
three asheries. Bellona is spoken of by Spafford's Gazetteer in
, 1824, as having a meeting house, a school house, two mills, a
store, two inns, a small library, a number of mechanic's shops,
an ashery, and a distillery.

In 1800, the town of Jerusalem, which then included the en-
tire original district of that name, numbered but 1219 inhabit-
ants. Restricted to its present limits, less Bluff Point, it num-
bered but 450 inhabitants in 1810, while Benton had 3,339.
Hence the gain in the two towns had been 2,570 in ten years.
Benton reported three slaves in 1810, and the manufacture the
preceding year of 35,352 yards of cloth. By the State census
of 1814, Benton had a population of 3,403. Milo was taken off
in 1818, and by the census of 1820, there was still left to Ben-
ton a population of 3,357, while Milo had 2,602. The gain for
the two towns in six years had been 2,564. In 1N25, Benton had
gone forward to a population of 3,730. In 1 S30 it reached
3,957 ; in 1835 it was 3,851 ; in 1840, 3,911 ; in 1845, 3,681 ;
in 1850, 3,456. Torrey took off a portion of the town in 1851,
and in 1855, Benton had a population of 2,500; in 1860, 2,462,
and in 1865, 2,400. Of the 2,500 inhabitants of Benton in
1855, those who were natives of the town numbered 1199, and
2011 of the State, 2224 of the United States, 127 cf England,
98 of Ireland, 12 of Scotland, and 13 of Canada.

In 1865, Benton, had 466 male citizens between the ages of
18 and 45. She furnished 131 soldiers to the war of the Rebel-
lion, of whom thirty-eight sacrificed their lives in the service.

By the census ot 1865, Benton had 20,371 acres of improved
land. The cash value of farms reported, was $1,753,525 ; of
stock, $199,028; of tools and implements, $55,681. Acres
plowed in 1864, 5001; acres of pasture in 1865, 4,672; of
meadow, 3,759. Tons of hay harvested in 1864, 4,319 ; acres
wheat sowed in 1864, 2,814; bushels of wheat gathered the

370 HJSTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

same year, 36,400, on 2,779 acres of land. In 1854 Benton
harvested 22,911 bushels of wheat on 1,765 acres of land. In
1864, 31,292 bushels of oats were harvested from 1,475 acres of
land; 22,045 bushels of barley from 1,179 acres; 56,006 bush-
of corn from 1,607 acres; 1,787 barrels of apples were gathered
from 17,809 trees, and 499 barrels cider made. For 1865, only.
3,535 pounds of maple sugar were reported, which must have
been but a trifle compared with the amount made forty years
before ; 2,498 pounds of honey were reported; 921 milch cows;
103,245 pounds of butter, and 4,439 pounds of cheese ; 848
horses; 1,101 pigs; 205,611 pounds of pork; 10,966 sheep;
66,805 pounds of wool ; 36 yards of fulled cloth, and 45 yards
of flannel.

By the tax roll of Vernon in 1808, there appears to have
been twelve distilleries in the town, owned respectively by John
Nicholas, Joseph Benton, Gilbert Dorman, Thomas Lee, jr., John
Lawrence, John Midtorn, Charles Roberts, David Roy, John
Supplee, Henry Townsend, David Vosbinder and Melchoir
Wagener. But one ashery is mentioned, and that was owned
by Armstrong Hart. One fulling mill is reported, owned by
Samuel Lawrence. The assessors were Truman Spencer, Ben-
edict Robinson and Ezra Rice.

Distilleries in the earlier years were not generally large af-
fairs, but they seem to have been rather numerous. Whiskey
was one of the great forces of the age, and although its ravages
were quite as appalling then as now, it was felt to be an indis-
pensable lever in promoting the rugged industries by which the
early improvements were made. " Chopping bees," " logging
bees," and other " bees," were devices by which the early set-
tlers aided each other largely in getting forward work, which
single handed it would have been hard to accomplish, and often
impossible. Whiskey added nerve and social spirit to these co-
operative labors, and without it, no such combined efforts could
then have been possible.

John Coleman built a distillery in 1805, at Bellona, and run
it about two years. Another was erected about 1812, where

TOWN OP BENTON.

371

Charles Coe's blacksmith shop now stands. About 1818,
another was located just below the grist mill, by Jephthah Earl
and S. Turner. Mr. Earl sold out afterwards, and in 1823
built another on the lake shore. Joseph Benton's distillery-
was a shortdistance eastward of the present residence of Alfred
Crosby, on Flat street. There were many of these little facto-
ries of liquor at various times, in different parts of the town.

Martin Gage was largely interested in the manufacture of pot-
ash, at Bellona, and used the old distillery building for that pur-
pose, about 1814. He also built an ashery below the grist mill,
which was destroyed by fire. About 1815, George Benton &
Co., built an ashery half a mile south of Bellona, on land now
owned by John H. Plattman. There were several of these es-
tablishments near Benton Centre, and other parts of the town,
at various times. Potash was a large product for a considerable
period. It was exported to England in large quantities, and be-
fore the period of canal transportation, was marketed to a large
extent at Sodus. .

The town book of Benton contains the following record of the
birth of a slave : " This will certify that Harriet, an infant
slave, belonging to me at this time, was born the 20th of Sept.,
one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two. Certified by
Matthew Cole. Benton, 18th March, 1823."

People now living, speak of a time when there were nine
taverns between Penn Yan and the north line of Benton, by way
of the Pre-emption road, and all doing well. This was a period
when this was a great thoroughfare, not only for stages from
Geneva to Bath, and farther on, but when merchandize and pro-
duce were chiefly transported by wagons, and a great outlet for
emigration westward was by way of Olean, down the Allegany
and Ohio rivers.

Among the early settlers of Benton, of whom no history has
been traced, are appended a few names. David Clark was the
first settler where John P. Scofield resides, on lot 88 ; James
Sherratt, where Daniel Sprague resides, on lot 87 ; John Jaqua,
where William Taylor resides, on lot 85 ; Allen Wilkinson,

372 HIST0BY OF YATES COTJNTY.

where Samuel Fullager occupies, on lot 110 ; Gilbert Ireland, on
the place of Daniel Sutton, lot 111 ; Jabez Lamb, Jasper Hoos,
William Wheeler, Clark Winans, Daniel Lovejoy, Jehiel Gris-
wold, in West Benton ; Nathan Lacey, Elisha Pierce, Frederick
Spooner, John Gilbert, John Knapp, John West and Robert
Lennox, on the south centre road. On Flat street, Caleb Clark,
Ezekiel Newman and Mr. Tinkham. On the east and west
centre road, William Norton, Archibald Meeker, Andrew and
Hugh Rippey, William Hedges, and William Erwin. Haines
and Smith Mapes where George R. Barden and William Wal-
dron reside. On the north centre road, David Mapes, Timothy
Green and Michael Coffin. On the road north of Havens' Cor-
ners, Gideon Scott, Russell Youngs, Solomon Millard, John
Crawford, Isaac Slaughter, David Smith, Mr. Waite, and Isaac
Thompson. North of Ferguson's Corners, Oliver Hoxter, Ne-
hemiah Cole, John Halsted, John Slaughter, Joseph Corey, Tim-
othy Goff, Cato Hounson, and James Reynolds. Where Wm.
T. Reiner resides, Levi Macomber was the first settler, and Will-
iam Oldfield, on the premises of Lewis R. Peck.

TOWN OF TTALY. 373

CHAPTER VIII.

§HE southmost of the two western towns of Yates county is
Italy. It embraces township number seven of the third
Range of Phelps' and Gorham's purchase, and in its natural fea-
tures is extremely rugged. It is drained by two important
streams, running in opposite directions, through narrow valleys,
Availed in by high and abrupt hills, which form some of the most
elevated land in the county. One of these stream?, known as
West River, and originally called Potter's Creek, has its source
in the town of Gorham, and running southwest through Middle-
sex, cuts off the northwest corner of Italy, and empties into Na-
ples Creek, about one mile above the head of Canandaigua Lake,
into which its waters are thus conveyed. The other, known
as Flint Creek, the Ah-ta-gweh-da-ga of the Senecas, takes its rise
in the southeast part of Italy ; running west to the valley, it takes
a northeasterly direction and leaves the town near the northeast
corner. It has several tributary rivulets which drain all the
south and southwest part of the town. The vales bordering
these streams are called respectively West River Hollow and
Italy Hollow. The Ah-ta-gweh-da-ga was a favorite fishing
ground of the Indians, and when first' visited by the whites,
speckled trout were so abundant in that stream, that all a man
could carry could be taken in a short time with his naked hands.
From a dividing ridge in the south part of Italy, water flows
to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, by way of Flint Creek, Seneca

I —

374 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

River and Lake Ontario ; on the other, to Chesapeake Bay, by
way of the Conhocton, Chemung and Susquehanna Rivers.

The town for the most part has an excellent soil, that of the
valleys being especially rich and productive, abounding in a
gravelly loam, while the hills are covered with a gravelly drift
well adapted to the staple crops of the country. Although the
hills are precipitous and difficult to cultivate, they yield good
crops, and there is little absolutely poor land in the town. The
elevations of the town have never been measured, nor have the
differences of level between the West River and Flint Creek
valley been ascertained. The steep West Hill between Flint
Creek and West River can hardly ascend less than 800 feet from
either stream, and the two creeks are said to be no more than
three miles apart, at the space measured between the Big Elm of
Italy Hollow, and the north line of the town on West River.
The East Hill rises, it is thought, three or four hundred feet
higher still, making the highest land of the county, but slopes
off more gradually to the east and south from the higher points
of the ridge.

The land was originally covered by dense forests ; in some lo-
calities with pines of large and beautiful growth, and in others
with much excellent oak, interspersed with ridges of chestnut.
Beech and maple were plentiful, and hickory to some extent.
There was fine" basswood and some butternut in the valleys.
Both hollows when first penetrated by white men, were so filled
with fallen trees and dense undergrowth, and so overflowed by
the winding streams, that it was almost impossible to thread a
passage through them even on foot ; and being abundantly pop-
ulated with rattlesnakes, they were by no means inviting places
to visit, except to the most hardy and daring woodmen. Yet in
a state of nature, this was a wild a beautifnl region. The lus-
trous evergreen of the towering hills was a perpetual picture of
the grandest beauty. The rich and matted jungle of the valleys,
surmounted by grand and graceful elms, gigantic basswoods and
maples, was in its season of verdure, equally beautiful and capti-
vating to the poetic eye. Artemas Crouch, now an aged man,

TOWN OF ITALY. 375

but always alive to the beauties of nature, on being questioned
by the writer in regard to the appearance of the country when
new, replied with much animation, " it was a pretty place," and
proceded to speak of the grand landscapes, and the majestic
trees, among which the chestnuts ranked very high, both for their
beauty and their productiveness. He says they bore profusely,
and the chestnuts could be gathered up by bushels from the
ground in the autumn. The town is well supplied with springs
of the finest quality ; and there is a fine salt spring in the Flint
Creek valley, on the northwest corner of lot 19, of the north
survey. The settlement of the town wTas commenced in West
River Hollow as early as 1790; but it was very little inhabited
for twenty years thereafter. It was long the refuge of wolves,
panthers, bear and deer, and the point where they held then-
ground after they were driven out of the less rugged portions of
the country. Italy was originally part of the town of Naples,
which wras organized in 1789, as Middletown. It was changed
to Naples in 1808. In 1815, Italy was set off. Naples con-
sists, since the division, of township No. 7, of the fourth range
of Phelps' and Gorham's purchase, bounding Italy therefore on
the west. It does not appear that any part of Italy was sold by
Phelps and Graham, and it was included entire in their convey-
ance to Robert Morris, and by him to the London Association,
part of the lands going to the Pultney estate, and part to the
Hornby estate, each taking alternate lots.

The land of this township was surveyed in separate parcels,
somewhat singularly. The first survey was made in 1793 by
Alexander Slot, and designated at Slot's Survey. It was an
irregular tract, and consisted of thirteen lots of unequal size,
eight of which bordered on Potter's Creek, two being on the
west side. Another survey of about ten thousand acres of the
south side of the township wras made in 1795, by John Biles and
David W. Patterson, and designated as the South Survey.
This survey numbered sixty-five lots, of one hundred and sixty
acres each, or half mile squares. This tract was re-surveyed in
1826, by Jesse Stevens. Another tract, embracing the north-

376 history or YATES county.

east corner of the town, extending to the South Survey, and
west to the middle of the town, was surveyed in June, 1795,
by John Smith. This was designated the Northeast section,
and contains forty-eight lots, of 160 acres each. This section
was partially re-surveyed in 1826, by Jesse Stevens. Another
tract of thirty lots was surveyed by Valentine Brother, and
designated Brother's survey. It embraces the middle section
of the town west of the North East Survey, and extending
in the form of an L, about a portion of Slot's survey. Still
another survey was made by Jeffrey Chipman, which has not
been traced on any public map ; and the marsh about the head
of Canandaigua Lake is known as an unsurveyed tract.

The office for the sale of the Pultney estate lands was located
at Geneva, where Robert Troup succeeded Charles Williamson
as agent, and after him Joseph Fellows. The office for the sale
of the Hornby lands was at Canandaigua, and John Greig was
the agent for this estate during his life, and after him William
Jeffrey, his executor. Mr. Greig became the owner in person of
a large portion of the Hornby lands. The primitive settlers of
Italy were almost without exception, men of very limited means,
who bought their lands upor. contracts by which they stipulated
to pay in small instalments, extending over a series of years.
The agents with whom they dealt have always been kindly re-
membered by the original settlers for their uniform forbearence
and lenity, when hardships, ill-paid toils, sickness and privation,
incident to the first settlement of the country made it often im-
possible for them to make the stipulated payment. Most of
them had families to support ; crops were small and uncertain ;
prices low, and markets nearest and best at Canandaigua and
Geneva. Many acres of Italy land Avere paid for with money
procured by the sale of wheat at from thirty-one cents to seventy-
five cents per bushel. No honest, industrions man was dispos-
sessed of his land, and no man in that town ever sympathized
with the " Anti-Pultneyites" in Steuben county. The last of
Hornby and Greig land in Italy, was purchased by Lewis B.
Graham, in 1859. It was in part the North East Survey.

TOWN OF ITALY. 377

Italy was neither early nor rapid in its settlement, bnt it is said
that John Mower settled in West River Hollow^, as early as
1790. As he was at that time but nineteen years old, and not
married till five years later, it is not probable that he made an
abiding foothold at that early period. He was a chain bearer in
the survey of the New Pre-emption Line, and also acted as cook,
and had charge of the pack horse for the surveying party.
He received a dollar a day for his work, and paid a dollar an
acre for his land, which was conveyed by Charles Williamson in
two deeds, both of the date of December 16, 1793, and acknowl-
edged in 1812, before Moses Atwater. His land embraced lots
6 and 7, of Slot's survey. No. 7 embraced 160 acres, and No.
6 132 acres. Commencing with his land paid for, he had advan-
tages as a pioneer not generally enjoyed by the first settlers.
He was an industrious man, and a good citizen, dying in 1855,
at the age of nearly eighty-four. His son, John W. Merwin,
still owns ane occupies the same premises, the only instance in
Italy in which continuity of ownership has been retained by
father and son through twTo generations. The first frame build
ing erected in Italy was built by John Mower. He was mar-
ried three times, fiirst in 1795, to Anna Watkins, who wTas born
in 1771, and died in 1802; in 1803 to Polly Williams, who died
in 1813, at the age of thirty-five; in 1813, to Judith Larned
Torrey, who died in 1856, at the age of seventy-four. The
children of the first marriage were Polly, Simeon and John W. ;
of the second, Mary Ann, Huldah and John W. ; of the third
marriage, Sally and Mary Ann. Polly died single in 1869, at
the age of seventy-two. Simeon, born in 1799, died at the age
of nine months, in 1800, and this was the first decease of a
white person in that town. John W., born in 1801, died the
same year. Mary Ann, born in 1805, died in 1863. Huldah,
an infant, born in 1807, died in 1809. Huldah 2d, born
in 1809, died in 1833. John Warner, born in 1811, is the
present proprietor of the homestead, i e married in 1837,
Betsey Folsom. Their children have been William H., Byron
H. and Alice Elizabeth. The sons died young, and the daugh
ter, born in 1813, survives, residing with her parents.

378 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

John Mower, the pioneer, related as one of the startling
reminiscenses of the settlement of the country, that on one oc-
casion while "baiting" his oxen at dinner time, in early spring,
he killed three hundred and fourteen rattlesnakes. This was
on the west side of the creek, and not far from the rocky ledges
where these venomous creatures had hibernated. Mrs. Pedee
Hooker, an early resident of the'same locality, related that she
had on more than one occasion seen a mass of rattlesnakes in
a pile as large as a bushel basket ; and among these at one
time was a blacksnake.

William Dunton settled in 1793, on what was then called
lot 14, but which was afterwards lot 30, of Valentine Brother's
survey. He resided there till his death in 1806. Lucina Dunton,
his widow, and Edward Kibbee, Administrators of William Dun-
ton deeded the farm to Huram Sabin in 1808 ; and by Sabin it was
sold in 3 813, to Jeremian B. Parish, from whom it passed to
his son, Edwin R. Parish, whose mansion stands on the same
lot. "William Dunton, jr., lived some years in Italy, and after-
wards in Middlesex, where he kept a public house many years.
He married Judith Slayton, and their children were William,
Esther, Carry, Lorenzo, Henry, Bingham and Helen. Some of
these were married and still reside in Yates county, but the
father resides in Michigan. The wife of William Dunton, sen-
ior, was Lucina Kibbee, and her second husband was Levi
.Watkins.

William Clark settled on lot No. 8, Slot's survey, in 1790,
and lived there till his death, at the age of eighty-one in 1851.
His son, Erastus G. Clark, lived on the same place till his
death, in 1803, at the age of fifty, and the son's widow, Mrs.
Silas Wiley, still resides on the same premises. A barn of the
elder Mr. Clark was the third frame erected in Italy. The
wife of William Clark was Fanny Metcalf, who died in 1845/
at the age of sixty-nine. Their children were Nancy, Orisa,
Bathena, William, J. Metcalf, Fanny, Aaron B., Erastus G.,
Submit, Solon and Clarissa. Nancy married Jared Watkins,
and lived in Italy. Orisa married Benoni Green. Bathena

TOWN OF ITALY.

379

married Russel Slayton, and lived in Middlesex. William mar-
ried Eunice Williams, and died in 1829, at twenty-eight.
Jabez M. married Miss Ferguson, and moved west. Fanny
married Barlow Bartow, and they moved west. Aaron mar-
ried, first, Miss Dennison, and, second, Louisa Watkins. Sub-
mit married, first, James Harkness, and had a second hus-
band, Mr. Grimes. Solon married Miss Nellis, and moved to
Michigan. Clarissa married William Wyckoff, and resides
west. Erastus G. married Hannah Green. Their chil-
dren were Helen, Emma, John and Mary. Helen married
Orville Chaffee, and they have one child. John married Miss
Jaycox.

Edward Low settled, in 1796, on lot No. 1, of Slot's survey.
He died in 1806, and his son, Edward, resided on the same
premises for many years, and sold to William Dunton and
Charles Becket. They afterwards sold to Joseph L. Green.
Mr. Low moved to Middlesex, where he died, in 1862. Ed-
ward Low, jr., held the office of Justice of the Peace in Italy,
during several terms, and was a prominent well-known citizen.
The farm first settled by Edward Low, senior, in Italy, is
now the property of William Clark Williams. The first mar-
riage, in what is now Italy, was that of Adelman Johnson, and
Deborah, sister of Edward Low, senior, in 1798. Edward Low
jr., married Lucy Williams, and their children were Adaline,
Minerva, Pamelia and Priscilla, twins, Elizabeth, Mary and
Lucy. Adaline married Morey Philipps of Middlesex. Min-
erva married Henry Hobart of Middlesex, and they emigrated
to Michigan. Pamelia married George Nutten, jr., and they
also reside in Michigan. Priscilla married first Job Pierce, of
Middlesex, and a second husband, Mr. Case. Elizabeth is the
wife of Abraham Mather, of Middlesex. Mary and Lucy are
unmarried.

Fisher Whitney settled in 1800 on lot No. 4, of Slot's sur-
vey, where be died in 1805, at the age of twenty-nine. His
wife was Patty Watkins and they were married in Partridge-
field, Mass., in J.799. They had two children, Patty and James.

380 HISTOKY OF YATES COTJNTY.

Jabez Metcalf settled in 1807 on Lot No. 5, Slot's survey,
and resided there till he died in 1859, at the age of seventy-
L-ight He was a man of rare excellence and nobility of char-
acter. His intelligence, pure morals, and simple character*
made him a leading and influential citizen. He was a Method-
ist, and his house was the home of the early itinerants of that
faith. He was the first Town Clerk of Italy, and several times
Supervisor. The office of Justice of the Peace he held by
appointment when the town was erected and continued to hold
it long after the office was filled by popular election. His wife
was Nancy Torrey, who died in 1843 at the age of sixty. Their
children were Chester, Fanny, Henry A., Jabez H., Mary,
Hiram and John A. Polly Torrey, the sister of Mrs. Jabez
Metcalf, taught the first school in Italy, in 1804.

Fisher Metcalf setttled in 1805 on forty 4ive acres of the
unsurveyed tract. At the age of twenty-eight, in 1815, he was
drowned in Canandaigua Lake. He, with William Dunton,
Elias Kinney and William Wiley, were upset in a skiff. All
wei-e good swimmers, but he was chilled and disabled by cramps,
which caused him to drown. His wife was Pedee Watkins, and
they had two children : Kuby and Lucretia. The widow mar-
ried a second husband, Richard Hooker. They resided on
the same premises till his death in 1832, at the age of sixty-one.
The children of the second marriage were Fisher M., Elizabeth,
Rachael, Martha and Samuel.

Jason Watkins, born in Berkshire, Mass., in 1768, settled on
lot No. 2 of Slot's survey, in 1807, and died there in 1844. He
married Polly Ide, also a native of Berkshire, and she died in
1833, at the age of sixty- three. Their children were Vesta,
Jared and Jason, twins, Lucinda, Polly Asahel and Orren.
Vesta born in 1792; married Charles Clark. Jared born in
1794, married Nancy, daughter of William Clark. She died at
forty-five, in 1841. Jason Watkins, jr., married Electa Abbey,
and moved to Michigan. Lucinda born in 1796, married Pitts
Parker. Polly born in 1798, was not married. Asahel born
in 1799, married first, Sally Crouch, and a second wife, Hannah

TOWN OF TTALY. 381

Wing, and moved to Michigan. Orren married first Amanda
Wing, who died in Italy in 1853. Their children were Maria,
Orrin E., Jane, Vesta and Charles. Orrin E. married Martha-
Sprague and resides in Italy. They have a daughter, Helen
Maria and Jane died young. Vesta married Floyd Robinson,
and they reside in Michigan. Charles is unmarried and resides
with his father, who has a second wife, Jane Ketchum, widow,
and still resides in Italy.

THE PARISH FAMILY.

The following brief skstch of the Parish family is furnished
by Seymour H. Sutton of Naples :

In February, 1791, Samuel Parish, his wife and two sons,
Reuben and Levi, were the first to emigrate from Berkshire,
Massachusetts, to the Genesee country. Coming all the way
in the dead of winter through a new and sparsely settled
country pathless forests, and untrodden snows, crossing rivers
and lakes upon ice, with twoox teams hauling the goods of the
family upon ox sleds, they arrived late in the still cold evening,
hungry and cold, in the Valley of Kojandaga, (meaning at the
head of Canandaigua Lake, now Naples,) and unyoked their
tired oxen to feed on the wild grass, while the pioneers sought
shelter in an Indian wigwam, where the dusky savages with
sullen silence beheld their white intruders partake of the frozen
food that was once warm in the kitchens of Berkshire. Living
in the smoky hut until a log house was erected, using the sled
boards for a floor and table, and split basswood for a floor
while the roof was made of such bark as could be found on
dead trees, and split hollow trees. While in this lonely
abode, far from friends and neighbors, they were visited
by the Indians in great numbers. The tall Indian chief
Hointoula, and the venerable ex-chief Canesque, often visited
the Parish family, talking in a language that the pioneers did
not understand. The Parish family endured many hardships
and dangers, until other emigrants came on.

Samuel Parish, the great-grandfather, had three sons, Reu-
ben, Levi and Elisha, and one daughter, Susannah, who taught
the first school in the new settlement.

382 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Elisha Parish married Louisa Wilder, daughter of Gamaliel
Wilder, the first pioneer and proprietor of South Bristol, in
Ontario county.

Reuben married a Miss Bishop, and had four sons, Jere-
miah B., Oris, Erastus and Fielden, and three daughters, Al-
mira, Fanny and Polly. Almira married Lemuel Metcalf, and
Polly married Dr. Dillis Newcomb.

Jeremiah B. Parish married Clarissa, daughter of Col. William
Clark, one of the first settlers and proprietors of the town.

Jeremiah B. Parish, the subject of this history, was born in
Massachusetts, in 1785, studied law in Mr. Saltonstal's office in
Canandaigua, and was a successful school teacher in Middle-
town, now Naples, was elected Supervisor, Justice of the Peace,
and to various other offices for many years in the town of Na-
ples. He was elected a member of the Assembly, also elected
one of the associate judges of Ontario county. He was engaged
in the service of his country in the war of 1812, and was a
captain of a rifle company after the war.

He had four sons and three daughters. His son Bishop, re-
moved to Kankakee, 111., and died there. William and Cory-
don removed to the same place, and have become wealthy. The
other son, Edwin P. Parish, now lives in the town of Italy,
Yates county, and is the owner of a large estate of several hund-
red acres of land. He embarked early, raising the best breeds
of sheep that could be obtained in Vermont and elsewhere, and
has obtained fabulous prices for his best breeds of sheep, in the
State and some of the western States. Also the wool grown by
him is allowed to be among the best in the United States. His
sheep barns and sheds are elegant in finish and model in con-
struction for convenience and comfort. The three daughters
of Jeremiah B. Parish were Mary, Emily and Caroline. Mary
and Emily were married to gentlemen by the name of Higgins;
they are both dead. The youngest daughter, Caroline, married
a Mr. A. J. Byington, and now lives in the village of Naples,
New York.

TOWN OF ITALY. 383

Fanny married Tomer Stetson, and now lives in Kankakee
county, 111.

Oris Parish removed to Columbia, Ohio, became a lawyer
and circuit judge.

Erastus Parish married Charlotte Kent, and removed to Ash-
tabula county, Ohio.

Fielden Parish volunteered in the war of 1812.

Levi Parish married Miss Durphy, had four sons, Hardin,
Ephraim, Russel and Levi H. Parish, and four daughters, Laura,
Betsey, Chloe and Sylvia.

Levi H. Parish, son of Levi Parish, married Mahala Lyon.
He was in the war of 1812, was wounded at the battle of
Queenston, drew a pension, was a clerk in the P. O. Depart-
ment in Washington, and died there in 1858 or '59.

Laura Parish married Calvin Clark, a celebrated hunter, hav-
ing once shot a panther with the last ball he had, in the town
of Italy.

Betsey Parish married Jacob B. Sutton, who volunteered in
the war of 1812, and held office a long time in the town of
Naples.

Chloe Parish married Eli Watkins.

Sylvia Parish married Eli Brown, a celebrated schoolteacher,
and lives west.

Edwin R. Parish, the principal representative of the family
in Yates county, is the owner of one thousand acres of land in
the town of Italy, bordering on Naples, and is one of the most
thoroughly enterprizing men in the country. As a stock grower
he has few equals. His work is not only personally superin-
tended by himself, but engaged in with his own hands. It
consequently moves with expedition and efficiency. His lands
overlook the valley of Naples, and include a beautiful view
of Canandaigua Lake.

Josiah Bradish settled en Slot's survey, in 1793, remaining
till 1806, when he returned to Naples. Among his children
were John, Josiah and Luther Bradish, and Mrs. John Lyon,
Mrs. Davis Dean, and Mrs. Jacob N. Hannah.

384 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

John Bradish settled with his father, Josiah, in 1793 but
lived with John Mower until he was twenty-one, when he mar-
ried and settled on the unsurveye'd tract where he lived till
1830. He moved to Mendon, Monroe county, N. Y., where he
died in 1863. His wife was Martha, daughter of Benjamin
Bartlett. She died in 1862. Their children were Lorenzo
Dow, Judith, Henry, Nancy, Lydia, William, Benjamin and
Francis. Lorenzo D. married Lydia, daughter of William
Fisher. They have one son, and reside in North Bloomfield.
Judith and Francis died unmarried at Mendon. Henry and
Nancy died young. Lydia married Mr. Brown, and they live
at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and have children.

Seth Spragu^ settled on lot No. 2, Slot's survey, in 1793,
and remained till 1805. His daughter Olive, was the first white
child born within the boundaries of Italy. He sold his place to
Mr. Cone, by whom it was sold to Jason Watkins. Isaac
Whitney settled on lot 4, Slot's survey, in 1800, and moved
away in 1806.

Elias Lee settled on lot No. 3, of Slot's survey, in 1800. He
married in 1806, the widow of Fisher Whitney (Polly Wat-
kins). They opened the first public house within the limits of
Italy, and kept it until his death in 1826, at the age of forty-
eight. His widow continued to keep it till 1840. For many
years it was the only inn between Rushville and Naples. Their
son, Roswell R. Lee, continned to own and occupy the same,
with enough adjoining for a very large farm, till 1869. He is
now a resident of Lima, Livingston county. The children of
Elias Lee were Betsey, William D., Esther, Clark, Polly Ros-
well R., Diana, Phebe and Olive. Betsey married Jason Gris-
wold, who died in 1842, at the age of forty-five. She still lives
on a part of the old homestead. Her children are Sophronia,
Fisher W., Lucia Ann and Mary Ann, twins. Sophronia mar-
ried Adolphus R. Flint, and they reside in Italy. Fisher W.
married Jane Styles, and they reside with his mother. Lucia
Ann married Thomas Claik. They reside in Italy. Mary Ann
married Gilbert Graham. They reside at Lima, N. Y.

TOWN OF ITALY. 385

Roswell R. Lee married first, Roxana, daughter of Charles
Clark. She died leaving one son, Clark. His second wife was
a sister of Robert Shay, and they have several children.

ITALY HOT. LOW.

William S. Green states that Nathan Clark, an old surveyor,
told him that a man by the name of Flint was the first settler
in Italy Hollow, and that from him Flint Creek took its name.
No other account of the origin of this name has ever come to
the knowledge of the writer, and no other account of the man
Flint.

Archibald Armstrong settled in this hollow in 1794, on lot
No. 11 of the North Suiwey, or northeast section, and resided
there till 1817, when he sold to Philander Woodworth, and
moved to Middlesex. He belonged to the advance guard of
civilization, and was in some respects a rough character. Ow-
ing to his great physical strength, he was seldom worsted in
his pugilistic contests, which were very frequent, and gave him
the name of the "Old Algerine." His brother-in-law, Alexan-
der Porter, was however, sometimes able to thrash him very
soundly, and no doubt with salutary effect. Armstrong was of
Scotch descent, and was very familiar with the Indians, under-
standing their language perfectly, and speaking it fluently.
His wife was buried in the orchard on the farm on which he
settled in Italy Hollow, and her grave is still enclosed with a
picket fence. Philander Woodworth sold this place in 1818,
to Elder Amos Chase, by whom it was again sold in 1822 to
Jeremiah Keeney, and by him in 1853 to William S. Green,
who again sold it in 1869 to Spencer Clark, 2d.

Alexander Porter settled on lot No. 15, North Survey, in
1794, where he lived till 1808, when he moved to Middlesex,
where he resided many years, and again moved to Naples,
where he died.

John Armstrong, cousin of Archibald, settled on lot No. 3,
North Survey, in 1795, remaining there till 1806.

Stephen and Isaiah Post settled near the Armstrongs in 1796,
and left about 1801.

HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

Sylvenus Hastings and John Morris settled in the same vicin-
ity in 1798, and both left before 1805.

John Card Knowles, and a man named Van Ness, settled in
the same neighborhood in 1798, and left before 1806.

Jacob Virgil settled on lot 7, North Survey, in 1798, remain-
ing thereon till 1815, when he sold to William Green, and
moved away.

THE ROBSON FAMILY.

Andrew Robson was a native of England, and married
Phillis Straughan. They both came across the ocean in the
same vessel while children, but were not aware of the fact till
many years later. They settled on lot 38, North Survey, in
1806, and their deed for the lot bears date in 1809. He died
there in 1852, at the age of seventy-three, and his wife in 1865,
at the age of seventy-five. The old homestead is still owned by
their son, Joseph S. Robson. Their children Avere fourteen in
number, and thirteen of them in 1870 are still among the liv-
ing, probably an example without a paralel in Yates county.
Their names are Nancy, Thomas S., Robert, Mary, Timothy,
Helen, Hannah, Amy, James, David, Joseph S , Charles, Jane
and Ann Grace. Nancy married Asahel Harris. They settled
in Goshen, Stark county, 111., five miles distant from all neigh-
bors, where they now have a homestead of six hundred and
forty acres, in a rich community, besides owning much other •
land in Kansas and Missouri. They have eleven children, Jo-
seph, James, Isaac, Charles, Almeron, Thomas, Phillis, George,
Mary, David and DeWitt.

Thomas S. married late in life, Abigail Hodge, and they have
one son, Flagg.

Mary married first, Rufus P. Cowing, and they had one son,
Warren, now living in Lucas county, Iowa, Mr. Cowing died
in 1849, at Toulon, Illinois, and his widow married in 1852,
Henry A. Metcalf, son of Jabez Metcalf. They reside at Hall's
Corners, Ontario county, and have one child, Alice.

Helen married George G. Hayes, and they reside on a por-
tion of the old homestead. Their surviving children are War-
ren H. and Roy.

TOWN OF ITALY. 387

Hannah married Daniel Howard, and tliey reside at Watkins,
N. Y. Their children are two daughters.

Robert married first, Theresa Maria Kipp. She died in 18G5,
at the age of forty-nine, and has one surviving son, Seward.
Mr. Robson married a second wife, Almira Kipp, cousin of his
first Avife. He is a man of acute intelligence, noted as a bee
culturist, nurseryman and grape grower.

Amy married Alden D. Fox, the present county clerk.

James married Mary Mathe,ws in 1818. They reside in
Illinois, and have a large family.

David married Sarah Johnson. She died leaving one daugh-
ter, residing with her father at Watkins.

Joseph S. married Elizabeth Williamson. Their children are
Emma O., Andrew, Alice, Isabella, Grace A. and Elizabeth.
Emma O. is the wife of Robert Kennedy.

Charles married Esther Williamson. They reside in Illinois.

Jane married George Geer. Thev live in Italy, and their
children are Charles M., Mary Jane, George LeRoy, Emma F.,
Hubert D., Nellie and William B.

Ann Grace married Champion K. Green, and they live at
Saxon, Henry county, Illinois.

NATHAN SCOTT.

In 1809, Nathan Scott settled on lot No. 30, North Survey,
which he owned till 1814, when he sold to Henry RofF, jr.
Nathan Scott, born in Peterborough, New Hampshire, in
1782, w&i a remarkable example of Yankee pluck and per-
severance. Born with club feet, he found it difficult to walk,
yet he made his way on foot to the Genesee country and by
his unaided industry, achieved a home and independence for
his family. With rare generosity he gave up to an elder
brother, his paternal inheritance, to enable that brother to gain
a collegiate education, and enter the profession of law. The
early death of his brother left him empty handed, and he was
robbed of a little store of cash that he had when he reached his
new home. In 1812 he married Lucy Graham, sister of John
Graham, jr., and Mrs. Daniel Smith. The ceremony was per-

388 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

formed by George Green, of Potter, then Middlesex. After
1814, they resided on lot 42, of the North Survey, where he
died in 1864, at the age of eighty-two. His widow still resides
on and owns the place, now at the age of eighty-two. Their
children were William, James, John, Sarah, Frank, Mary Ann,
Azubah, Franklin, Nancy, Henry and Robert.

William is a prominent citizen of Italy ; is a merchant in
Italy Hollow, and postmaster. He married first, Fanny M.
Geer, who died in 1847, and his second wife was Sophronia E.
Fish. By the first wife there were two daughters, Marian and
Lucy ; and by the second, two daughters, Frances M. and Sarah
Jane. Marian died young, and Lucy married Chaides H. Grow,
and resides on the homestead with her grandmother.

James died at Sacramento, California, in 1849.

Sarah, who never married, died in 1868. Her father's prop-
erty was willed to her, possession to follow her mother's death.
She left her inheritance to her sister, Azubah, who with her
mother still occupies the property.

John married Cornelia Kipp, who died at Naples, leaving
three children. He still resides at Naples.

Franklin is unmarried, and resides with his mother.

Nancy died at twenty-one, and Robert and Henry in infancy.

ARTEMAS CROUCH.

John Crouch, who married Elizabeth Agard, settled in Italy
in 1813. They were two of the constituent or first members of
the Baptist Church in Italy Hollow, and died members thereof.
Their son, Artemas Crouch, who was born in Vermont, also
settled in Italy the same year, and relates that when he came
into the town there was no clearing from Potter Centre to
Armstrong's. Silas and Caleb, his brothers, came about four
years eailier. Artemas Crouch is a character worthy of note.
He is now seventy-seven years old, and his wife seventy-five.
They have been married over half a c ntiuy. and have had
twelve children Two of his sons died in the war of t :e rebell-
ion, leaving a good record as soldiers ; and two are in Califor-
nia,. He has borne the load of poverty through a lonu' life,

TOWN OF TTAT.Y. 0»y

without crushing the elasticity of his spirit, or diminishing his
trust in religion and its concomitant virtues. At an early
period he became a convert to the Free Will Baptist faith.
He soon became an exhorter, and was afterwards licensed to
preach. His circuit extended through the towns of Wheeler
and Pultney, and eastward to Seneca Lake. Unable to own a
horse, he was obliged to go to his appointments on foot, and
receiving little or no pay, he was finally obliged to desist from
preaching. Endowed with lively poetic sensibilities, and a
passionate love of nature, he would with better advantages have
made a preacher of distinction. But the hard pressure of pov-
erty kept down his spirit, and cramped his culture Some of
his discourses are remembered now by the older people as ex-
ceedingly moving and eloquent. His talent has been like a
diamond unpolished, but a diamond still.

Caleb Crouch married Eunice Graham, and settled on lot 42,
North Survey, in 1810. In 1815 he sold it to Nathan Scott.
He then purchased a part of lot 34, South Survey, and remained
on it till 1831, when he sold to Samuel Graham, and removed
to Venango county, Pa. He returned to Italy in 1836, settling
on a part of lot 53, South Survey, inherited by his wife from
the estate of her father, Robert Graham. He died there in
1855, at the age of sixty-six. She died in 1862. Their child-
ren were Robert G., Maiy Ann, Clemy Jane, Electa, David M.,
Sophia, Valentine, John, Edward, Ayres, Francis and Eliza.

Asa Ellis, who married Olive P., daughter of John Graham,
senior, and sister of Mrs. Nathan Scott and Mrs. Daniel
Smith, settled in 1810 on lot 34, North Survey. Their child-
ren were Asa, Gideon, Joseph, John, Mary, Daniel P. and
Laura. The family moved early to Ohio. Asa Ellis had been
a sailor, and on account of his rolling gait and old look, was
nick-named "Old Wither." He was the subject of many anec-
dotes, of which not a few are still remembered. It was his
boast that he could carry a bushel of corn on his back to mill at
Geneva, nnd return quicker than he could go without, as the
weight balanced him for steadier motion. His prowess at fist-

390 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

cuffs was often tested. At a militia training at Naples on one
occasion, he subdued a boasting, blackguard bully, by thrusting
his fore-fingers into the fellow's eyes, by way of explaining to
him how even larger men than he had been whipped with two
fingers.

Robert Straughan settled in 1808 on a part of lot 34, North
Survey. His deed for eighty acres bears date August 1, 1809.
He sold his land in 1816, to James Scofield, who built a framed
house, and resided there till 1819, when he sold it to Andrew
Robson, who remained on it till he died. A part of this land
belongs now to Mrs. Daniel Smith, and the rest to G. G. Hayes.
Mr. Straughan was a brother of Mrs. Andrew Robson.
They came from England.

Joshua Stearns settled on a part of lot 11, North Survey, in
1806, remained there till 1810, and then moved to Middlesex.
The land then became the property of Thaddeus Parsons. It
is now owned and occupied by Jacob Smith. Mr. Stearns, who
was a prosaic man, had a vision in his dreams which occurred
three times. A stranger of foreign aspect appeared before him
and related how he and others had come from distant climes
and buried treasure and built a fort, and returned home to lose
their lives. It is said the directions were followed, the fort
found on the hill west of Italy Hollow, on ground that bore the
outlines of a fort overgrown with trees. They found also a
trench and stream of water that had been described. But
much digging did not reveal the buried treasure. The fort
was probably one of those curious earth works, which have been
found in all parts of the country, and have been referred by
archasologists to a race of people who preceded the Indian oc-
cupation. It was located directly west of the residence of
Ansel Mumford, on lot 21

John Brown settled in 1800, on a part of lot 19, North Sur-
vey, and remained there ten years, when he moved to Ohio.
He was the father of Arza Brown, a noted Methodist preacher
of Ohio.

John Hood settled on ten acres of the northeast corner of lot

TOWN OF ITALY.

301

23, North Survey, in 1800. A few years later he sold it to Joel
Cooper and moved away.

THE GRAHAMS.

Robert, William and John Graham, were brothers, and sol-
diers of the Revolution. Robert died in Windham, Vermont,
and William in Scipio, Cayuga county. John Graham married
Olive Prouty, and they settled on lot 30, South Survey, in 1811.
His deed for twenty-six and one-half acres, on the southwest
corner of the lot was given in 1819. The brothers were of
powerful physical development, and it is said William was able
to knock down a horse with his fist. John died in 1834, at the
age of seventy-seven, and his wife in 1824, at the age of sixty-
seven. Their children were Olive P., Betsey, John, Mary,
Lucy, Nancy, Azuba, William and David.

John Graham, jr., born in Vermont in 1784, settled in 1812
on thirty acres of the southwest corner of lot 39, South Survey,
and still resides there with his daughter-in-law. He sold it in
1835, to his son, William D. Graham, who died in 1861, at the
age of fifty-three. The wife of John Graham, jr., was Rachel
Dean, born in Vermont in 1785. She died in 1845. Their
children were Elizabeth, William D., Alura, Jeremiah, Adaline,
Phebe, Nancy, John B., Rachel and Edward B.

William D. married Adaline Fisher, who is still living. Their
children are Homer A., Francis M., Rachel A., Susan M. and
Azora A.

Elizabeth married John Fox, jr., and died in Italy in 1849,
at the age of forty-four.

Alura was the second wife of George C. Elliott, and they re-
sided in Michigan,

Jeremiah married Harriet Barker. They reside in Italy,
and have two children.

Adaline married Joshua H. Burk. She died in 1852, at forty-
six, leaving children.

Phebe married Henry Barker, and died in 1848, at the age
of thirty, leaving three children.

Nancy married Jeremiah Van Riper, and died in 1848, leav-
ing children.

392 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

John B. died in 1850, and Rachel in 1848. Edward B. mar-
ried Rhoda Cornish, and they reside in Michigan.

Robert Graham, the oldest son of Robert Graham heretofore
mentioned, married Mary j^nn Ayres, of Chester, Vermont, and
in 1811 settled on lot 34, South Survey, where he died in 1835,
at the age of sixty-three. He was the first Methodist class
leader in Raly Hollow, and remained the leader of the class
while he lived. He was a man of piety and personal worth,
and his house was the home of the itinerant preachers. Their
children were Eunice, Valentine, Samuel, Abagail and Mary
Ann. The mother of this family was a woman of remarkable
industry and business capacity. She was particularly distin-
guished as a knitter. Several times a year she would fill a large
pair of saddle bags with socks and mittens, and hanging another
large bundle on the horns of the side saddle, she would visit
Geneva and Canandaigua, where she would exchange her work
for merchandize, some of which would be again exchanged for
more knitting material. In this way she contributed largely to
the family income. She died in 1836, at the age of sixty-five.

A remarkable incident is related concerning a " bound boy,"
reared by this family, named Robert Razee, and familiarly
called " Hardshell." Finding the rats very numerous in a pile
of unthreshed wheat he moved it, one day ; the rats scudding
one by one as he proceded, to a dove-cot near by, the outside
entrance of which was closed. His method of destroying them
was to reach his hand into the box, and seize one at a time and
kill it. In this way he actually destroyed ninety of the black
rascals. This was before the gray or Norway rat invaded the
country. It may well be credited as related, that the lad pre-
sented a bloody spectacle when his work was done and bore nu-
merous and severe wounds.

Valentine Graham came into the town with his father Robert,
in 1811. He married Fanny Pierce, and they settled on a part
of lot 34, South Survey, where he erected the first distillery in
tnat town, about 1818. That was burned down, and he built
another on a different site. He was the first postmaster, and

TOWN OF ITALY.

393

was .appointed in 1824. The office was then called Italy, and
was changed to Italy Hollow in 1833, when the Italy Hill office
was established. He was Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk
several years. He sold his original residence in 184-1, to William
Griswold, and moved on lot 49, South Survey, which he had
previously owned. He died there in 1864. His son-in-law,
William Bookstaver, then became the owner of the place, and
afterward sold it to Uretta L. Mann, the present owner and
occupant. They had twelve children, Fidelia, Amy, Lydia,
Electa, Valentine, Jane, Mary, Thankful, Guy D., Martin P.,
Eliza and one that died in infancy.

Samuel Graham, brother of Valentine, came in 1811 with his
father, after whose death he occupied the same premises, and
still resides thereon with his son-in-law, Bradford S. Wixom,
who owns with his wife the homestead. He married first Elea-
nor Gilbert, who died in 1833, at the age of twenty-four. His
second wife was Mrs. Lydia Fox. By the first marriage there
were three children, Gilbert, Semantha and Washington ; by
the second, Elisha B. and Helen. Gilbert married Mary Ann,
daughter of Jason Griswold, and they have two children, Mer-
ita and Emma. They reside at Lima, N. Y. Washington
married Phebe Pelton. They reside at Kanona, Steuben Co.,
and have children. Semantha is unmarried, residing with her
father. Elisha B. married Miss Hutchinson, and is a physician
at Three Rivers, Michigan. Helen is the wife of Bradford S.
Wixom.

Jonathan Graham married Hannah Arnold, and settled on a
portion of lot 34, South Survey, in 1812, where he resided till
1828, when he sold to James Aiken. The children of Jonathan
Graham were Huldah, Seba Ann and Gorton. Huldah married
Roswell Lord, and moved to Ohio. Seba Ann married David
D. W. Foster. They reside in Springwater, Livingston county.
Gorton was a soldier in the war, belonging to the 12th Mich.
Volunteers. He was wounded at Pittsburg Landing and
Shilo, and again at Hatchie Run, and died at Middlebury,
Tennessee, in hospital in 18G2, leaving a widow and several

394

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

children at Marshall, Michigan. Jonathan Graham died in
Italy, in 1855, at the age of seventy, and his wife in 1845, at
the age of sixty-five. The premises whereon he first settled
were sold by James Aiken in 1832, to A. C. and J. H. Sabin,
by them in 1838 to Daniel and William Waterbury, who again
sold in 1849 to James Fisher, and he in 1851 to Stephen Mum-
ford. After several other transfers, the place is now occupied
by John Fish.

Orison Graham, born in Windham, Chester county, VermoDt,
in 1794, came to Italy Hollow in 1813, and December 10, 1815,
married Phebe, daughter of Benjamin Bartlett, who was born
in West Hampton, Mass., in 1795. They settled on the west
half of lot 25, South Survey, but moved in 1817 on a part of lot
34, South Survey, where they resided till 1848, when they re-
moved to Lima, N. Y., where Mrs. Graham died in 1866, just
fifty-one years after the day of her marriage. She was one of
the early school teachers in Italy, and a woman of rare excel-
lence of character. Orison Graham is a carpenter, joiner and
millwright, and has been a man of laborious industry all his
life. He built the Baptist Church in Italy Hollow, in 1823,
which was the first church erected in the town. He also built
and assisted in the building of most of the mills erected in Italy
previous to 1848. He still lives, at the age of seventy-six, at
Honeoye Falls, and delights in the labors of his trade, which
his good health and active bodily powers enable him to pursue.
The children of this pair were eleven in number : Lewis B.,
Emily M., Francis S., Oracy S., Sally A., Orison E., Andrew
J., Phebe L., Robert H. and Ira S., besides one that died in
infancy.

Lewis B. Graham, born in Italy in 1816, has been one of its
most noted sons. At an early day he was active in local affairs,
and with his ready aptitude for business, held almost every
town office. He was supervisor four terms, and was postmas-
ter in Italy Hollow several years, while doing business there
as a merchant. In 1855 he was elected county clerk, and held
the office through two terms. For some time he was a Lieut.

LEWIS B. GRAHAM.

TOWN OF ITALY.

395

in the eighth Kansas Infantry, a regiment of which his brother
Robert H. Graham, Avas Colonel. He was honorably dis-
charged from this service for physical disability. Afterwards
he was Assistant IT. S. Assessor for three years, and is now en-
gaged in the insurance business in Penn Yan, where he has
resided since his first election as county clerk. He married
first in 1838, Maria Gillet, of Italy. He married in 1849 a sec-
ond wife, Pamela S., daughter of William S. Green. She died
in 1860. By each of these marriages three children were born.
Those of the first, Emily M., Alice A. and Lewis C, are all
dead. The children of the second marriage were Orison W., O.
Lucretia and P. Theodocia, In 1862 Mr. Graham married a
third wife, Sarah, daughter of James NcNair. They have one
son, Robert Henry.

Emily M. became the second wife of Martin R. Pierce. They
reside at Honeoye Falls. Their surviving children are Martin,
Seymour, Emily L., Maria J., Fanny C. and Ella W.

Francis S. married first, Lucy Markham. She died in 1853,
in Italy. Their surviving children are Susan A., and Francis
P. He married a second wife, Amanda Miller, and they now
reside [at Sherman City, Cherokee county, Kansas. Their
children are John J. and Robert H.

Orison E. died of consumption in 1848, at the age of twenty-
two.

Andrew J. married Helen Wilcox. They live at Leonidas,
St. Joseph county, Michigan, and have three children.

Robert H. Graham married Elizabeth Kuck, of Orleans Co.,
and died of consumption in 1862, at the age of twenty-nine.
He was a young man of remarkable ability and personal worth.
Beginning life with few resom'ces except his capacity and cour-
age, in his twentieth year he edited and published the Genesee
Valley Gazette, at Lima, which he continued to conduct for two
years, while pursuing his academical studies. Owing to ill
health, he left that position, and afterwards graduated at the Al-
bany Law School, in 1857. Taking up his residence at Moline,
Illinois, he conducted there the Moline Independent, and prac-

396 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

ticed law till 1861. In the summer of that year he raised a
company of cavalry at Moline, and repaired to Leavenworth,
where his ability and judgment at once made him a prominent
military leader. He had command at Lexington, Mo., kept a
large rebel force at bay, and performed other valuable services.
Major General David Hunter, appointed him Colonel of the 8th
Kansas Volunteers, Provost Marshal General of Kansas, and
commander of a camp of instruction at Leavenworth. Failing
health compelled him to a reluctant resignation, and he died
soon after. His was a light of no common brilliancy.

Ira S. married Maria Wells. They live at Hampton, 111., and
have two children, Lewis W. and a daughter.

Oracy S. resides with her father, unmarried.

Lucretia died of consumption .in 1848, at eighteen. Sally
died young, in 1823.

One summer evening in 1812, John and Valentine Graham
watched a deer lick , near the bank of a ravine, on the place af-
terwards owned by Amos Arnold. Each climbed a tree to be
above the keen scented animals when they came to the lick.
After waiting somewhat late, and the moon had gone down, they
heard the sniffing of some animal which seemed to suspect their
proximity. After some time its fears seemed to subside, and it
commenced sipping the water. They fired simultaneously, and
a shriek so human in its tone echoed through the woods, that
they supposed they had shot an Indian. The wounded creature
struggled to escape, and they heard it fall down the steep bank
into the ravine below. They carefully descended and went
home. Early the next morning they procured of Robert Gra-
ham an Indian dog, and returned to rescue the Indian they be-
lieved they had shot. Samuel Graham, a brother of Valentine,
accompanied them, and the dog pursued the trail till they found
a large bear at bay, instead of the Indian they were looking for.
Bruin had tried to climb the sides of the ravine, but could not,
had finally slipped from the body of a fallen tree on which he
was trying to cross the stream, and was found in deep water.
He taspt the dog aloof by his offered embraces, and the hunters

TOWN OF ITALY.

397

fired nearly all their bullets into his head without any apparent
effect. One finally severed the jugular vein and finished him.
They found their previous bullets had all flattened on his skull.
The bear was a fat one, weighing about four hundred pounds,
and the meat was considered a valuable acquisition.

In the fall of 1816, Orison Graham, who lived near to where
the Italy Hollow churches are located, had a hog taken from his
pen at night by a bear. Mr. Graham's gun was lent, and his
axe was not in its place, but he soon found it and pursued the
feloniousHbear, but too late. Bruin bore off his booty in triumph.
A trap set by what remained of the hog after the bear's feast,
caught the old Indian dog, but the bear did not return.

Benjamin Bartlett, born at North Hampton, Mass., in 1774,
married Martha Montgomery, of the same place, born in 1775.
They settled on a part of lot 30, South Survey, in 1811, and
lived there till 1850, when they moved to Castile, Wyoming
county, where he died in 1857, at the age of eighty-three. He
was a man of large reading and superior intelligence, and his
memory wTas an inexhaustible treasury of incidents and anecdotes,
especially of revolutionary times. Then- children were Phebe,
Martha, Benjamin, Marian, John M., Jane, Nancy, Elizabeth,
Silas, George W. and Sybil. The mother died in Italy, in 1852,
at the age of seventy-seven. Phebe was the wife of Orison Gra-
ham, and Martha of John Bradish. Benjamin and Marian died
young. John M. married late in life, Mary Montgomery, a
widow. They had one son, George W., who was killed in
Tennessee while in the Federal -service, during the recent war.
Jane married Benjamin Dumbolton, and lives at Mt. Carrol,
Illinois. Nancy married Martin R. Pierce, and died at West
Mendon, N. Y., leaving two children, Francis and Byron.
Elizabeth married Leonard White, and had two children, Martha
and Morris. They reside at Honeoye Falls, N. Y. Silas mar-
ried Hannah Preston. They had three children, Morris, James
and Clinton. Morris was killed in the battle at Peach Orchard,
Tennessee, while in the Union service. James served three
years as a soldier, and married Octavia Barker. They reside at

398 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Prattsburg. Silas Bartlett died in Italy, in 1866, at the age of
fifty-two. His widow has since married Justus H. Simpson,
and they reside at Prattsburg. George W. Bartlett is still
single. Sybil married Benjamin F. Taylor. They reside at
Prattsburg, and have four children.

George McMurphy married Eunice, sister of Robert and Ori-
son Graham. He was a man noted for ingenuity, activity and
enterprize. They settled in 1812, on a part of lot 30, South
Survey, and remained there till 1823, when the family emigrated
to Rock Island, 111. Going to Olean, he constructed with his
own hands, a flat bottomed boat with which he reached St.
Louis. He was restless and changable, and had owned land
where Rochester, Seneca Falls and Waterloo are respectively
situated. In Illinois he was made county surveyor and swamp
commissioner. He and his wife both died at Rock Island.
Their children were Solomon, Betsey, Sophia, Eunice, Margaret,
Mary, George R. and Irene.

James Aiken, who bought the place of Jonathan Graham in
1828, on lot 34, South Survey, afterwards purchased a farm of
Amos Dean, on lot 30, where he lived till 1850. He married
first, a sister of Ezekiel and John M. Page, and Mrs. Jesse Mc-
Allaster. His second wife was the widow of Josephus Wood-
ruff, and his third, Mrs. French, of Naples, with whom he re-
moved to Michigan. Of the children of the first marriage, Lois
married Eldridge R. Herrick, and died in Italy. Loretta died
unmarried. James M. married Philena Arnold, and moved to
Michigan. Erasmus also married and moved to Michigan.
Olive married Landy Corey. Sarah married John Thomas, and
resides in Rushville.

ISAAC BABKER.

One of the most peculiar characters of the early period of
Italy history was Isaac Barker, who came from North Hampton,
Mass. He married Martha Mc Niel, and they settled on lot 30,
South Survey in 1810; and there they lived till he died. He
was an intense lover of wild sport, a great deer and bee hunter,
and fisherman. He and his "Chum Ben," as lie called Benjamin

TOWN OF ITALY. 399

Bartlett, after both were past middle age, delighted in fine "bee
weather," and pickerel fishing, long after most of the brook trout
had disappeared. Italy was chiefly a wilderness yet, and the
deer lingered in its solitudes. The doe with lively maternal in-
stincts would lead her speckled fawns into the clearings at dusk
or early dawn to crop the tender herbage, and no one was so
cruel as to raise the murderous rifle to destroy them. But when
the hoar frost had killed the verdure, the leaves had fallen, and
the slightest noise could be heard, the hunter felt that all his ad-
dress and craft, were required to hunt down the fleet-footed deer,
and the chase was all life and strategy.

Italy was for a long period a perfect Gibraltar for the Democ-
racy, and Isaac Barker was an unfaltering Democrat. lie looked
with disdain on a Federalist, and in his eyes a Whig was scarcely
better. When Dr. Doubleday was in the zenith of his power,
and " Uncle Ike" and all his sons were his backers, the Whigs
made a light shoAV of strength in Italy. But the old traditional
story was hardly true, that Italy would keep on voting till the
exigencies required by the canvass at Penn Yan were fully sat-
isfied. "Uncle Ike" was an ardent politician, and true to his
convictions, but not insensible to acts of kindness, and therefore
not impregnable to the wiles of politicians. Mordecai Ogden
was a candidate for re-election to the Assembly in 1836. He
had grievously offended his Italy friends by voting for a tax on
dogs, and something had to be done to placate them. Mr. Og-
den was a man of tact and ready resources. He and " Phil
Baldwin," John Thomas and other men of political diplomacy,
visited Italy, a grand deer hunt was organized, and the boys
were well paid to drive the deer. Always thereafter, a favorite
deer gun of Mordecai Ogden's hung on " Uncle Ike's" gun hook,
and was known as " Old Ogden." The election which soon fol-
lowed was satisfactory in its results. Italy discomfited and dis-
appointed the Whigs very sorely. The children of this family
were Isaac, Enoch, Nelson ("Nub"), Hiram, Judith, Moses,
Henry, Martha, Almira, Whitman H., Nancy, Ichabod B. and
Lydia.

400 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Amos Arnold, whose wife was Eliza, daughter of Rufus Ed-
son, senior, settled on lot 38, South Survey, in 1812. He con-
tinued to reside there while he lived, and his wife some years
later, till her decease, when it became the property of their son-
in-law, Philip C. Wetherby, who still resides on it. Their
children'were Henry G., Mary, Cephas H, Philena, William,
Louisa, Rufus E., James and Lucy. Henry G., Rufus E. and
James married and moved to Michigan. Mary is married and
resides in Ontario county. William married and died at Naples.
Cephas and Louisa died unmarried. Philena is the wife of
George R. Youngs, of Penn Yan, and Lucy is the wife of Philip
C. Wetherby, of Italy.

THE FOX FAMILY.

James Fox, born in Vermont, married Jane Dean, and they
settled in 1813, on lot 30, South Survey. He was the first mili-
tia captain in the town, and was always known as Captain Fox.
He was a school teacher, and held various town offices, including
that of Justice of the Peace, from 1819 to 1843. He was a
widely known and highly respected citizen, and died in 1868,
at the age of eighty -two. His wife died in 1852, at the age of
sixty-seven. They had nine sons, Thomas J., James L., Amos
D., William H., Ira S., Lewis M., Alden D., Charles H. and
Jeremiah F. Thomas J. married first, Jane Cameron, and a
second wife, widow Mary Fuller. A son, Melvin, was the fruit
of the second marriage. James L. married first, Judith Barker,
and they had two children, Ira and Alden. He married a sec-
ond wife, Mary, daughter of Judge John Crawford, of Dix,
Schuyler county, where they reside.

Amos D. Fox married first, Mary McConnell. Their children
were Holden, Braman, Jane, Freeman, Eugene and Alzina.
He has a second wife, widow Hannah Burk.

William H. married Elizabeth Gillett, and they have three
children Rosalie, Osbert and Celestia. Ira S. died young.

Lewis M. married Emeline Ingraham, and both are dead,
leaving one son, Harlan.

Alden D. Fox married Amy Robson. They have two child-

TOWN OF ITALY.

401

rep, Anna and Elmer. He is the present Comity Clerk of Yates
comity, and has been oftener supervisor than any other citizen of
Italy.

Charles H. married Maria Fuller, and their surviving child-
ren are Oscar, Merrill and Irving. Both parents are dead.

Jeremiah F. married Mary Smith. They had one daughter.
He died in 1854, and his widow married again.

Josiah Barker settled on Lot 30, South Survey, in 1813, and
died there soon after, when the farm went into the possession
of Asahel Stone, jr., who sold it to Asa Cooper, who also died
in 181G. Cooper's administrators sold the land to Asahel Stone,
jr., again, who re-sold it to Whitman Reynolds, who settled on
it in 1810, and died there in 1819 at the age of twenty-seven ;
the third young and active citizen who died in the same house
within six years, all married men. The wife of Whitman
Reynolds was Pamelja White, and she continued to reside on
the same premises till her death in 1842, at the age of forty-
nine. Their children were Laura, Minerva, Sally and Whit-
man H. The widow married a second husband, Joseph Cole,
and they had a daughter, Roxana. Laura married Hiram Ca-
rey, and both are dead, leaving children. Minerva married
Charles G. Maxfield, and they reside in Italy. Sally married
Ansel Treat, and their children were Whitman R. and Eunice.
She obtained a divorce from Treat, and married Ambrose Bur-
den. There were four children by the second marriage. Whit-
man H. Reynolds married Ruth Pelton. They have had four
children, and reside in Italy. Roxana Cole married Albert
Baxter, and died in Steuben county, leaving children.

Elisha Barker settled on lot 63, South Survey, in 1814, and
lived there till 1846, when he sold to his son Elisha D. Barker,
who sold it a few years later to Isaac Barclay, from whom it
passed to Edwin R. Potter, and from him to Lorenzo D. Fox,
the present owner and occupant. Mr. Bai'ker built a saw mill
on this place in 1820. His wife was Thankful Strong, and their
children were Orlando, Moses, Lydia, Joseph S., Thankful,
Eliza, Elisha D. and Anna. Orlando married Fidelia, daugh-

402 HISTORY OF XATES COUNTY.

ter of Samuel Barker, senior. They lived many years in Italy
and Naples, and finally moved to Michigan, where both died
in 1869. Moses died unmarried in Italy. Lydia married first,
Dudley Fox, a brother of James and John Fox, and they had a
daughter, Thankful, who died in Michigan. She afterwards
became the second wife of Samual Graham, and they had two
children, Helen and Elisha B.

Joseph S. married a Miss McConnell, and moved to Michigan.
Thankful died young. Eliza moved to Michigan, and is dead.
Anna married her cousin, Samuel Barker, jr., and they had
three children. Elisha D. married Clarissa, daughter of Jere-
miah Fisher, and they reside in Italy, on her father's home-
stead.

Elisha Barker was several times supervisor of Italy. He had
twelve brothers, of whom Isaac and Samuel were two, and one
sister. It was a favorite conundrum of his father to state that
he had twelve sons, and each son had a sister. The common
response to his query, " How many children have I," was
" twenty-four."

Henderson Cole, settled in 1810, on lot No. 8, north east
section, remaining there till 1837, when he sold to John Haga-
dorn, who lived on it till 1851. He sold it to David Servise,
who died in 1856, and his executor, Henry Servise, sold it to
Inslee McLoud. Mr. Cole, who removed from the county in
1837, was one of the Justices of the Peace by appointment, pre-
vious to the election of Justices by the people.

Daniel Ensign settled on lot 44, South Survey, in 1812, and
remained there ten years, when he removed to Bristol, Ontario
county, and thence to Ohio. His wife was Sally, a sister of
Robert, Jonathan and Orison Graham, and they had nine
children. A small stream, tributary to Flint Creek, on his land
was formerly known as " Ensign Gully."

James Slaughter settled on the east part of lot 11, South Sur-
vey, in 1812, and lived there till 1820. He sold to Thomas
Smith, a colored man, who died suddenly in 1823, and whose
body was " snatched" by the physicians, as was proved by

TOWN OF ITALY. 403

opening his grave. His widow sold the land in 1830, to Alex-
ander Southerland, by whom it was again sold in 1846 to Dr.
Israel Chissom, who sold it the following year to Isaac D. Ells-
worth, the present owner.

John Craft settled in 1812, on lot 36, North East Survey.
He sold to Philip Buckhout, in 1823, who sold to William C.
Keech. The land is now owned by Peter Pulver.

Rufus Edson, jr., settled on lot 16, South Survey, in 1809.
He took a deed from Robert Troup in 1814, for lots 16 and 21,
and March 5, 1816, deeded lot 16 to his father, Rufus Edson,
senior. He soon after moved away.

Rufus Edson, senior, settled on lot 16, South Survey, in 1816,
whei-e he lived until his decease. He was killed by lightning
in 1828. The land then passed into possession of his son,
Bazaleel Edson, who held it during his life time, and it is now
owned and occupied by his son, Elisha B. Edson. Rufus Ed-
son, senior, was an early Methodist, having joined that church
in Vermont, with John Graham, senior, and Robert Graham
and wife. John Wesley, another son of Bazaleel Edson, married
Miss Gillett, of Naples. She is dead, and he still lives in Italy.

James Tourtelotte settled on lot 29, South Survey, in 1818,
and resided there many years. His wife Lucy, was a sister of
Mrs. William Smith. Their children were Adam, Lucy and
Abraham. Mr. Tourtelotte was an excellent nurse, and was
long remembered for his care of the sick during an " Epidemic
Fever" in 1820. Adam Tourtelotte married first, Amy Gay,
and his second wife was Miss Wing. The children of the first
wife were Joseph, Amos, Lucy and others. There was one
child by the second marriage. Joseph, son of Adam Tourtelotte,
married Almina Wood. They liver at Liberty, N. Y. Amos
married Octavia Barker, and they reside in Italy. Lucy is
the second wife of Walter D. Green.

Abraham Tourtelotte moved away, and Lucy married Amos
Tanner, residing in Steuben county.

William Douglass, whose wife Betsey, was a sister of Arte-
mas Crouch, was the first Quaker in Italy. He settled on lot

404 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

17, South Survey, in 1816, and moved elsewhere after a few
years.

Amos Fowler was the first man of African lineage who set-
tled in Italy, and he took up his residence on lot 7, North Sur-
vey, in 1815. He was an industrious man, a good citizen, and
much esteemed. He gained a considerable property, which he
lost through the knavery of white men. He and his wife still
live in Michigan.

THE GREEN FAMILY.

William Green settled on lot 7, North Survey, in 1815, and
on land previously owned by Jacob Virgil. He there erected
the first ashery in town, which he carried on for several years.
He lived on the same place until his death, in 1860. He was
one of the constituent members of the first Baptist church in
Italy, and his widow, who died in Potter, in 1868, was the last
one of that original number. William Green was a man who
honored his christian profession, and of him it could truly be
said, he had no enemy. His first wife was Pamila Sanger,
and their children were William S. and an infant that was
buried with its mother, in 1810. Mr. Green's second wife was
Polly Hutchins, and their children were Lyman H., Henry, Pa-
mila S., Charles H., Semantha, Harriet, George W. and Esther
A. Lyman H. Green died in Middlesex, in 1849, from injuries
by a fall from an apple tree. His wife was Bathena Christie,
and their children were William, Franklin J. and Ella.
Pamila S. married Eldridge R. Herri ck.
Charles H. married first, Nancy Markham, and his second
wife was Miss Blair. He lives in Gorham, with a third wife,
Miss Blair, a sister of the second. One child was born of the
first, and one by the second marriage, and there are also child-
ren by the third marriage.

George W. married Clarissa, daughter of Truman Reed. They

reside in Middlesex, and have children. Semantha married Eli

Quick, and they also live in Middlesex. Esther A. married

John S. Phelps. They reside in Potter, and have children.

William S. Green, the oldest son of William Green, and still

TOWN OF ITALY.

405

a prominent and estimable citizen of Italy, married Theodosia
Keeney. He came into the town with his father, and settled
on lot 23, North Survey, where he now resides. He has been
a careful, upright, industrious and religious citizen from his
earliest manhood. He has held numerous offices in the town,
and is in the quiet enjoyment of a well-earned competence.
His first wife died in 1856. Their children were Lucy L., Pa-
mila S., Walter D., Champion K., Emily A., Laura J. and
Charlotte A.

Lucy L. married Spencer Clark, 2d. They have two child-
ren, Charles W. and Edwin, and reside in Italy.

Pamila S. was the second wife of Lewis B. Graham, and
died in Penn Yan, in 1860, at the age of twenty-nine.

Walter D. married first, Frances Blair, in 1855. His second
wife was Lucy Tourtelotte, and they reside at Canandaigua.

Champion K. married Ann Grace Robson, and they reside
in Illinois. Emily A. married Charles Bell, and they reside at
Rushville. Laura J. married Elzor B. James, and they reside
in Italy. Charlotte A. marrietl Robert McGilliard. They have
one child, and reside at Saxon, Henry county, Illinois.

William S. Green has a second wife, Elmina Colton.

William Green, the head of this family, was a son of Captain
Henry Green, one of the pioneers of Rushville, and who died
there in 1849, at the age of eighty-six. His children were
William, John, Clark, Henry, Erastus, Bingham, Hezekiah,
Esther, Jerusha and Sally. The sons all became fathers of
families. William and John settled in Italy, and some of their
descendants remain there still.

John Green settled on lot 28, Brother's Survey, in 1825.
His wife was a sister of Mrs. William Green, and Harvey, Hez-
ekiah and Asahel Green were their sons. John Green died in
1865, at the age of seventy-seven. His son Harvey has been
twice married. Hezekiah married Miss Geroulds, and has a
surviving daughter, Alice. They reside in Middlesex. Asa-
hel H. married Miss Bennett, and also re sides in Middlesex.
A daughter of John Green married Erastus G. Clark. She is

406 HISTOKY OF TATES COUNTY.

now the wife of Silas Wiley, and resides on the old William
Clark homestead. Another daughter of John Green married
Alanson L. Parsons, and resides in Middlesex.

Charles Hutching was the father of the wives of William and
John Green. He settled in Italy in 1815, and lived on lot 3,
North Survey. He died of sunstroke by the roadside, unat-
tended, on the 4th of July, 1828. He was the first revolution
ary pensioner in Italy, and is well remembered by the people
of Italy as the man who always had a kernel of corn in his
mouth instead of a quid of tobacco.

Thadeus Parsons settled on lot 11, North Survey, in 1809,
and lived there many years, when he sold it to his son, Alanson
L., who afterwards sold it to Charles H. Green, and he to Wash-
ington Graham, by whom it was again sold to its present owner,
Jacob Smith. Warham Parsons, the father of Thadeus, came
to the town with his son, and resided with him while he lived.
Thadeous Parsons is still living, in the town of Phelps. His
wife was Sophia Read, and their children were Alanson L.,
Elisha, Orrin, Elzor B., Truman R., Franklin, Emeline, Ange-
line and Caroline. Alanson married a daughter of John
Green. Elisha married Sally Phelps, and they reside in the
town of Phelps. Orrin is a physician, and resides in Wayne
county. Franklin died in Italy, unmarried. Emeline married
Charles Bell, and died on the birth of a daughter. Caroline
died unmarried.

Charles Mumford settled on a part of Lot 18, North Survey,
in 1819, and lived there till 1837, when the place became the
property of his son, Ansel Mumford, who occupied it till 1863,
and then sold it to H. U. Garrett, who lived on it till his death, in
18G9. His widow still retains it. Charles Mumford was a quiet,
dustrious citizen, and served many years as constable and col-
lector. He reached the age of eighty-nine, and died in 1869.
He married three times, and by the first marriage, with a Miss
Curtiss, the children were Ira, Stephen, Elijah, Curtiss and An-
sel. By the third, with Miss Bell, there was one child, Alsina.

TOWN OF ITALY. 407

Ira married Uretta L. sister of Russell A. Mann, and removed
to St. Joseph, Michigan.

Stephen married Mary Ann, daughter of Robert Graham,
and their children were Jane, Mary Ann, Semantha, Charles,
Adaline, Martin V. B., Thales L., Stephen and Adelaide.

Stephen Mumford was many years a class-leader in Italy
Hollow ; was a supervisor several times, and a man of activity
and importance in the community. He was celebrated as a
veterinary surgeon, and in late years as a homoeopathic phy-
sician. He died in Naples, in 1863.

Elijah married Clarinda Gilman, and their children were
Lavina and Emory. He has been dead many years.

Curtiss married Amanda Cole, and they reside in Rushville.
Their children are Josephine, Julia and Ella.

Ansel Mumford married Mary, daughter of William Green.
Their children are Mary, Ira and Ella. They are residents of
Italy. Mary married Elzor B. Lindsley, of Middlesex, a noted
farmer of that town. Ira married Emma Jones, of Middlesex.
Ella married James W. Kartsough.

Alsina Mumford married Lorenzo Herriok.

Joel Cooper settled on lot 26, North Survey, in 1818, and
lived there a number of years, finally selling his land to Charles
Clark, and removing to Allegany county. A daughter of his
married Doctor Allen, of Middlesex.

Charles Clark, whose wife was Vesta Watkins, settled on
the north half of Lot 26, North Survey in 1818. He purchased
other lands, and resided there through life. He died in 1862,
at the age of seventy -two, and his wife in 1863, at the age of
seventy-one. Their children were Pharez, Spencer, Roxana,
Jason W., Arza B., Orrin W. and Mary.

Pharez married first Olive P., daughter of Daniel Smith, and
a second wife, Jane Rathburn. By' the first marriage the
children were Lucy and Daniel C, and by the second, one son.
They reside in Italy.

Spencer, generally known as Spencer Clark, 2nd, married
Lucy L., oldest daughter William S. Green. They have two

408 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

children: Charles C. and Edward K, and reside on the Keeney
homestead in Italy.

Roxana married Roswell R. Lee, and bore him one son,
Charles. She died in 1850, at the age of thirty.

Jason W. lives in Oswego, N. Y., where he has been twice
married.

Arza B. married Mary Cotton. They live in Italy and
have one son, Orison.

Orrin W. married Margaret Wing. He died leaving two
children, and she married a second husband, Alvin Dexter.
They reside on her paternal homestead.

Mary married Stephen Merritt. He died, and she married a
second husband, Shepherd Rowell.

Spencer Clark, a brother of Charles Clark, came to Italy in
1819, and resided with his brother. He was a prominent citi-
citizen, and held the office of supervisor and assessor a number
of years. He died in 1869, at the age of eighty -four.

Jeduthan Wing settled on the south half of lot 26, North
Survey, in 1817, where he remained through life. He died
within a few years, while/m a visit to his son, Holden T. Wing,
in Michigan. His widow occupied the place some years later.
It is now the home of his son-in-law, Alvin Dexter, who mar-
ried their daughter Margaret, the widow of Orrin Clark. Sa-
rah, the first wife of Jeduthan Wing, died in 1829, at the age
of thirty-nine. His second wife was Mrs. Cyntha Odell, who
died in 1834, at the age of forty-three. His third wife was
Mrs. Hubbard. By the first marriage the children were Hol-
den T., Minerva and Jeduthan ; and by the third, George,
Samuel J., Margaret and Robert. Holden T. Wing was a
prominent citizen of Italy, and a candidate in the election of
1844 for Member of Assembly. He was a native of Italy, and
was one of the early school teachers in that town. His defeat
as a candidate for the Assembly was caused by the " Hunker"
Democrats, he being an ardent Anti-slavery man. He moved
to St. Joseph, Michigan, where he is a leading citizen.

James Scofield settled on lot 3, South Survey (Italy Hill),

TOWN OF ITAIiY. 409

in 1812, and lived there four years, when he sold his place and
purchased of Robert Straughan a part of lot 31, North Survey,
where he erected a framed house which h still standing, and is
known as the " Scofield House." He was a Methodist, and the
grandfather of Major General John M. Scofield, late Secretary
of War. In 1819 he sold his place to Andrew Robson, and
moved away.

Samuel H. Torrey settled on the south half of lot 15, North
Survey, in 1812, and lived there till 1821. He then moved on
lot 45, North Survey, and continued to keep the public house
previously kept by Charles Graves, with whom he exchanged
land. In 1825 he sold the place to Abraham and Michael
Maxfield. While he owned this place, he sold from it the site
of the Baptist church in Italy Hollow, acd the Society built on
it the house of worship they still occupy. The Maxfields sold
the place to Pelton, Pelton to Nickerson, and he to Obadiah
Geer. It is now owned by his son, George W. Geer.

The wife of Samuel H. Torrey was Mary Straughan, sister
of Mrs. Andrew Robson. Their children were Jane, Samuel
II., Nicholas, Lucy, Olive and Henry. Samuel II. Torrey, jr.,
married Elizabeth, daughter of Michael Maxfield. He repre-
sented the western district of Ontario county in the Assembly,
in 1868 and '69.

Samuel Dean, senior, settled in 1820, on let 34, North Sur-
vey. He was from Taunton, Mass., and first settled in Jeffer-
son county, moving thence to Italy. His first wife was Electa
Chamberlain, who died in Jefferson county, and his second
wife, widow Pierce, of Italy. Among the children of the first
marriage were Mrs. James Fox, and Mrs. John Graham, jr.
Besides these there were Rachel, Hannah, Hepsabah, Samuel J.,
Amos, Davis, Increase, Freeman and Nancy. By the second
marriage there were three children, Harry, Eliza and Harriet.
Samuel Dean, jr., married Miss Haynes, and settled on lot 56,
South Survey, where he died. They had six children. Davis
Dean married a sister of John Bradish. He settled in Italy as
early as 1820, where he has lived since, except while a portion

410 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

of the time residing in Naples. Amos Dean came with his
father, bought land of Isaac Barker, and married Betsey Lud-
low. Their children were Amos, Nancy and Darius. Nancy
married Jeremiah Laflin. She had one child, and died in Italy.
Samuel Dean, senior, sold his property in Italy, and moved to
Michigan.

Charles Graves settled on the east half of lot 45, North Sur-
vey, in 1813, where he erected and kept the first inn in Italy.
He remained there till 1821, when he exchanged farms with
Samuel H. Torrey, senior. In the mean time, he had sold
parcels of his first purchase to his brother, Eli Graves, Austin
Graves, Joseph Brownell, Michael Maxfield and Truman Cur-
tiss, and a cluster of houses had been erected near the carding
and cloth dressing works of Michael Maxfield. While Mr.
Graves owned the land, he also erected the saw mill which pre-
ceded the one now owned by Aaron Matthews. He next
moved on that part of lot 15, obtained of Samuel H. Torrey,
and lived there till 1828, when he sold to Geoi-ge Nutten, and
moved to Howard, Steuben county. Nutten sold the place in
1851 to Salmon Burtch, who afterwards sold it to Henry W.
Smith. By him it was again sold to Charles H. Green. It is
now owned by David Schuyler, the present occupant.

On this lot stands the celebrated Big Elm of Italy Hollow,
by far the largest tree in the county. Tradition says the In-
dians met in council under its branches. A lew rods from the
northwest corner of this lot, a boring for oil was made in 1865
to the depth of six hundred and eighty feet. An excellent salt
well was the result, and many barrels of a fine quality of salt
Avere manufactured from this brine, in 1867.

Eli Graves settled on a part of lot 45, in 1814, and resided
there till 1828, when he sold his place to Russel A. Mann, by
whom it was sold to his daughter, Uretta L. Mann. She sold
it to Henry Williams, who still owns and lives on it.

Truman Curtiss settled on a part of lot 31, North Survey, in
1810. He afterwards moved on lot 45, South Survey, where
he lived many years. But two of his children remained in the

TOWN OF TTALT. 411

county, Joshua B., who moved away some years ago, and Mrs.
Reuben Wheaton.

Rufus Razee settled on a part of lot 42, North Survey, in
1814. He was a small, lithe and irascable man, concerning
whom many anecdotes are rife. He was plaintiff in a law suit,
in which occurred the first jury trial in Italy. Israel Mead, the
defendant, was charged with killing the plaintiff's horse.
Asahel Stone, jr., was the justice before whom the trial took
place. This was in 1816, and every freeholder in town, twelve
in all, was summoned and in attendance. The jurors drawn
and sworn were Jabez Metcalf, Henry Roff, jr., Elias Lee, Silas
Crouch, Edward. Low and Benjamin Bartlett. It was proved
that on a certain night, defendant and others watched at a deer
lick, and that during the night, defendant discharged his gun at
something he heard, but found nothing as the effect of his shot.
It was also proved that the horse in question was found shot
and dead near the deer lick. The jury found no cause of action.
David. Mead settled on lot 29, South Survey, in 1815, where
he lived four years, and. left without the cognizance of his
neighbors, to avoid imprisonment for debt. Some of the living
remember yet the excitement caused by a story that he had
been murdered. Search was even made for his body, and it
was reported that his ghost had been seen. Parties were set
to watch in the haunted house, who gave account of strange
sights and noises. Mead afterwards returned, and thus spoiled
the ghost story.

William J. Kinney settled on a part of lot 34, about 1815.
He sold to Robert Graham, and left the town.

RusselA. Mann settled in 1824, on the farm purchased of
Eli Graves, and died there in 1854. He deeded the property
to Uretta Louisa, his daughter, who resided on it till 1866.
Mrs. Mann was a Miss Bull, of Prattsburg. She still resides in
Italy with her daughter, Uretta. Their children were Elisha
G. A., Uretta L., Charles, Edward, Harmon and Emily. Eli-
sha G. A. married Sarah Abbey, and moved west. Uretta
never married. Charles, Edward and Harmon died unmarried.

412 HISTOKY OF XATES COUNTY.

Emily married Fenton Coville. She died in Italy in 1869,
leaving children.

William E. Smith settled on a part of lot 29, North Survey,
in 1813. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Rufus Edson,
senior. After his death she married Moses Bardeen.

William Smith came from Vermont, but was a native of
Hartford, Ct. He settled first in Prattsburg, came into Italy
in 1814, and settled on lot 29, South Survey. He was the
father of Daniel, Chester, William E., Newman S., Abagail and
Sally. He lived with his son Daniel, until his death.

Daniel Smith came into Italy with his father, and took title
to a part of lot 29, South Survey. His wife was Nancy, daugh-
ter of John Graham, senior. He sold his place to Newton Bax-
ter, and purchased the farm owned by Robert Tait, where he
resided till his death. His widow still occupies the farm. He
was commissioner of highways, and supervisor of Italy many
years. Their children were Olive P., Henry W. and Elisha D.
Olive married Pharez Clark, and had two children, Lucy and
Daniel C. She died in Italy, in 1854. Henry W. Smith mar-
ried first, Ann Markham, and she bore him two children. She
died in Rushville, in 1868. He married a second wife, Miss
Borden. He is a homoeopathic physician, and resides again in
Italy Hollow, after several years residence at Rushville. Elisha
D. married Helen Henderson, who died in 1866. He married
a second wife, Miss Rowell, and they have one child. He is
also a practising homoeopathic physician.

Chester Smith settled in Italy with his father, and lived on a
part of lot 30, South Survey. His wife was Lora, daughter of
Thomas Treat, and she survived her husband many years, resid-
ing where they first settled. Their daughter Sally, married a
Mr. Wheaton, and died in Prattsburg. Clarissa, another
daughter, married Charles W. Brown, residing at Dresden, in
this county. They have three children. Emily, another
daughter, married Andrew J. Barker, a son of Orlando Barker.
She was the mother of three children, and died in Italy. Mary

TOWN OF ITALY.

413

Jane, the fourth daughter, married Andrew J. Ferguson. They
reside in Torrey, and have had three children.

Newman S. Smith married Eunice Blackrnan, and both died
in Italy. Their children were George E. and Reuben B.
George E. married and died in Michigan, and his brother went
to Illinois with his mother's family.

Abagail Smith married a Mr. Latimore.

Sally, the remaining sister, married a Mr. Prouty. They live
in Ontario county, and have several children

Elisha Pierce settled on lot 3, South Survey (Italy Hill), in
1816, and remained there till 1823. He sold it to Moses Locke,
who lived on it till 1828, and sold it to Dr. Elisha Doubleday.
Mr. Pierce was a constable many years in Italy.

Holden Stone settled on a part of lot 4, South Survey, in
1816, and resided there till his death, in 1843, at the age of
seventy-six. His wife, Sally, remained on the same premises
till her death, in 1857, at the age of seventy-nine ; their son,
Leonard, lived on the same land till 1860, when he sold it and
moved from the county.

THE REEDS.

Truman Reed, born in Windsor, Mass., in 1790, settled on
lot 3, North Survey, in 1815, and still resides on a portion of
the same land in 1870. His first wife was Sally, daughter of
John and Sally Brown. They were married in 1821. They
made their home in the woods when they first settled in Italy.
There was no road through the Hollow, except as the brush
had been cut away, and the trees blazed. A road had been
partly cut through by Charles Williamson, who had designed to
make a highway in that direction from Bath to Canandaigua
and Geneva, and after a part of the work had been accomplished
abandoned the project. The Indians made their annual hunt-
ing visits to that locality, some years after Mr. Reed settled
there. He states that one day they came to his place with five
young wolves they had just caught east ot his house, for which
they obtained a large bounty. It was impossible for some time
to keep sheep, and the second season he settled there, a bear

414 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

came down from the hill and carried off a hog. It was also a
remarkable locality for rattlesnakes, large numbers of them
being killed every year. They are now nearly extinct. JSfr.
Reed and his family supported themselves by the most unre-
mitting industry and careful economy. His father, Joshua
Reed, came with him, and died in Italy, at the age of sixty -five.
He was the second person buried in the cemetery in Italy Hol-
low. Truman Reed's mother, Judith, also died in Italy, in
1821, at the age of sixty-five. She was one of the constituent
members of the Baptist Church organized in Italy Hollow in
1816. Mr. Reed was a member of the first grand jury called
in Yates county. He was also a constable before the town was
set off from Naples. He has always been an estimable citizen.
He married a second wife, Rebecca Henneberg, in 1842. The
children of the first marriage were Wealthy, Clarissa, Calvin B.
and Mary ; and by the second marriage, Jane and Henry F.
Wealthy married James Stebbins of Middlesex. Clarissa mar-
ried George W. Green, of Middlesex. Calvin B. married Miss
Reynolds, and lives in Michigan. Mary married George Hun-
ter, and resides in Itaiy. Jane married Harvey Storm, and
resides in Naples. Henry T. is married, and occupies the
homestead with his father.

Henry Henneberg, father of Mrs. Truman Reed, was born in
Dutchess county, in 1780, and resides in the family of his daughter,
at the age of ninety. He states that he saw the first steamboat
of Robert Fulton, launched in 1801. He had the yellow fever
in 1804, and came to this county with Dr. Uri Judd, in 1820.
His mental powers are well preserved and he still leads an in-
dustrious life.

Josiah Reed, a brother of Truman, and youngest son of Joshua
Reed, settled on a portion of lot No. 4, North Survey, in 1814.,
After living there many years he sold his farm and moved to
Potter in 1851, where he died in 1859, at the age of sixty-three.
His wife was Betsey, a sister of Henry Roff, jr. They were
married in 1818, and she died in 1864, at the age of sixty-three.
They had thirteen children, eleven of whom reached adult age:

TOWN OF ITALY.

415

Harriet N., Eliza, Caroline, Josiah, Austin, Ahnon, Alanson,
Laura C, Janette, Emma and Frank M. Harriet married Wil-
liam S. Bostwick of Potter, in 1839. They moved to Clifton
Springs in 1864, where she died in 1868, just twenty-nine years
from the day of her marriage. Eliza married Robert Merrjfield,
late a resident of Benton, and now of Niles, Michigan. Caro-
line married William E. Johnson of Michigan, now residing at
Addison, N. Y. Josiah Reed, jr. married Mrs. Mary Finch in
1866, and lives in Potter. Austin Reed married Elizabeth
Irwin, of Mies, Michigan, in 1851, and resides in Potter. Al-
mon Reed married Harriet, daughter of Moses A. Legg, of Tor-
rey, in 1853, and resides in that town. Alanson married Emma
W. Irwin of Niles, Michigan, in 1856, lived in Potter till 1866,
and then moved to Torrey, where he died in 1869. Laura mar-
ried Sanford G. Strowbridge of Potter, in 1858, and resides in
that town. Janette married George Irwin of Berrien, Michigan,
where they live. Emma married Benjamin Gleason of Potter,
in 1861, and died there in 1869. Frank M., the youngest
daughter, is single.

Stephen Johnson settled on lot No. 11, Chipman's Survey, in
1819, and there died. His widow still occupies the same place.
They had several children, among wrhom were Piatt, John and
Jesse, twins, and Hollett.

Stephen Hendrickson settled no lot 12, Chipman's Survey, at
an early date, and afterwards moved away.

Asahel Stone, jr., settled on lot 39, South Survey in 1815,
and built the first saw-mill and the first grist-mill in Italy, in
1817. He sold the property in 1818 to Timothy Burns, who
again sold it in 1827 to William L. Hobart. Mr. Stone moved
to Naples and lived there several years. He was a son of Asa-
hel Stone of the Friend's Society, and was the first supervisor of
Italy.

Pannuel Cady came into the town with Asahal Stone, jr.,
lived with and worked for him and left the town with him.

Hugh Burns came to Italy about the same time that Henry
Roff, jr. settled there. His wife was a sister of Mrs. Roff and

416 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Mrs. Josiah Reed. In 1830 he purchased a part of lot 6, Broth-
er's Survey, where he resided till 1844, when he sold to William
L. Hobart, and moved to Wisconsin.

William Griswold settled in 1815 on the west part of lot 9,
North Survey, and remained there till 1838. He sold to Peter
Dagan. He then purchased of Valentine Graham a part of lot
34, South Survey. He afterwards sold to John Fisher, and then
moved on a part of lot 54, South Survey, which he soon sold
and left the county.

Erastus Griswold settled in 1815, on the east part of lot 9,
North Survey, and remained there many years. He sold to
David Burk, and he to Hiram Doubleday, who again sold to Dan
Swift. John Kennedy, a native of Scotland, bought it about
1845, of Dan Swift. He still owns that and adjoining lands.

James Kennedy, a brother of John, came to Italy about 1845,
and lived first on lot 32, North Survey, and afterwards purchased
a part of lot 48, South Survey, where he still resides. Francis
M. Kennedy, his son, married Phebe Fisher and resides in Italy.
He has other sons and daughters, as also has John Kennedy.

David Burk settled in 1820 on a part of lot 9, South Survey.
He afterwards sold to Hiram Doubleday, and settled on the west
part of lot 38, South Survey, where he lived till his death, in
1853. The land is still owned by his widow who resides on it
with her son Edward M. Burk. David Burk was an honest,
careful man. He held the office of supervisor several times, and
that of assessor. He was one of the chain-bearers for Jesse
Stevens in his surveys in Italy in 1826, and Dennis Frost of
Sparta was the other. He had six children: Joshua H, Albert,
Lurania, Harvey H., Horace, Edward M. and Jane. Joshua H.
is still a resident of Italy, living on a part of lot 37, South Sur-
vey. He married first Almira A., daughter of John Graham jr.
She died in 1852 at the age of thirty-six. He married a second
wife, Miss Mack. Children were born of both marriages. Al-
bert married first Miss Shaw, and a second wife, Hannah Foster
and children were born of both unions. He died in Italy.
Lurania married George H. Hayes, and died leaving no child-

TOWN OF ITALY. 417

ren. Horace married Miss Noble. They live at Wallace, Steu-
ben county. Harvey married Jane, daughter of Stephen Mum-
ford. They reside in Italy, and have children. Edward M.
married Miss Rogers. They occupy the homestead and have
children. Jane married George A. Gelder and resides in Italy.

Worcester Burk settled in Italy in 1817. He was a black-
smith and a character of note. He was a Methodist and a man
of remarkable truthfulness and integrity. His besetment was
strong drink by which he was sometimes hired from his religious
rectitude. But he always broke the bands of his enemy, and on
these occasions expressions of penitence, and his calls on his
brethren for forgiveness and aid, were most eloquent and mov-
ing. He died a christian's death. His wife was Eunice Treat,
and their children were William P., Lyman and George W.

Philip Cool, Jr., settled on a part of lot 3, South Survey, in
1820, where he kept a public house a number of years, and in
1834 sold to Nathaniel Squier, who still owns the same land.
He also purchased fifty-six acres of the northeast part of lot 4,
South Survey, and sold the same to Nathaniel Squier and Martin
Gage. Mr. Cool kept the first public house at Italy Hill. In
this house, in 1824, was organized the only Masonic Lodge ever
established in Italy.

John Packard settled on a part of lot 39, South Survey, in
1S19. He started a tannery, or put down vats outdoors, and
curried the leather in a part of his dwelling. This was the first
enterprise of the ki,nd in town. He sold his place in 1827, to
William L. Hobart, who soon erected a large building and
ground the bark with water power ; Packard having done so
with a horse and sweep.

Alanson Packard, a brother of John, was a cloth-dresser by
trade, and lived many years in Italy. His wife Avas Abigail,
daughter of Robert Graham. Their children were Lydia L.,
Jeremiah, Mary A., Thomas B., Sterry, George W., and
Otis. Mrs. Packard died in Italy in 1839, at the age of thirty-
five, and he removed to Ohio.

Jesse McAllaster settled in 1821 on a part of lot 39, South

418 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Survey, on the corner of the highway leading to the grist mill.
He was a blacksmith and worked at his calling there several
years, when he sold to George C. Elliott, also a blacksmith.
He moved to Italy Hill and there continued his business for
some years. He was the father of George McAUaster, late a
well known merchant of Penn Yan and now of Rochester. He
was also the father of William D., Ezekiel P., Edward G., Mc
Allaster, former business men of Penn Yan, who died in that
village. Harriet and Mary were daughters of the same family.

John Hopper came from Middlesex and settled on lot 50,
North Survey, in 1820, residing there till 1836. He was ad-
dicted to " Coon hunting " and fishing and was a particularly
thriftless and improvident citizen. He was the poor man of the
town. His children were ill fed, ill clad, and almost unschool-
ed, liviug two miles from a school house and unable to attend
school except in summer. Fortunately for the children, the ill
mated father and mother separated when the youngest was an
infant, and the mother was no doubt the redeeming angel of
the family. William the oldest son is a wealthy farmer in a
neighboring county. John the second son is a farmer and me-
chanic ; is also well off and blessed with an interesting family.
Samuel is a prosperous farmer. The daughters, Deborah, Car-
oline and Lydia, all married wealthy husbands of character and
position in society. All are members of the Methodist Church
and men and women of sterling worth.

George Nutten settled on lot 11 North Survey in 1823. His
wife was a sister of Mrs. Jeremiah Keeney. He bought the land
on lot 3, which he cleared and occupied with other lands till
1843, when he sold his land to Alfred Brown and moved to
Hinsdale, Michigan. He was a quiet, industrious man and a
prominent citizen while he lived in Italy. Rev. David Nutten,
of the Methodist Church is his son. Another son, Jonathan, mar-
ried Susan, a sister of John Underwood. She died at Hinsdale,
Michigan. His third wife was Sarah, daughter of James Jenn-
ings of Benton. Warren married a daughter of Thomas Storm, of
Italy. They reside in Michigan. Gecrge Nutten, jr., married Pa-

TOWN OF ITALY. 419

melia, daughter of Edward Low. They also live in Michigan. A
daughter married Weston Tinney and lives also at Hinsdale,
Michigan.

Edward Markham settled in Italy and bought the farm first
owned by Joshua Stearns, and died there in 1854 at the age of
seventy-five. His wife was Armenia, si&ter of Mrs. George
Xutten. Of their children, Samuel lives in Michigan, and Ed-
ward and Charles in Steuben County. Kcziah married David
Henderson and died in Italy leaving children. Eliza
married Elzor B. James, and died in Italy, leaving one son,
Frankliu. Helen married Elisha D. Smith, and died in Italy.
Lucy N. Markham married Francis S. Graham, and died in
Italy, leaving four children. Nancy was the wife of Charles
H. Green, and also died in Italy, leaving one son, Emory, who
married Miss Tourtlott. They have one son and live in Gorham .
George lives in Saxon, Henry Co., Illinois. Ann Markham
was the first wife of Dr. Henry W. Smith.

David Fisher settled on lot 50, South Survey in 1820. He
was not a highly esteemed citizen and left in a few years for
other parts.

Felix Fisher settled on lot 55, South Survey in 1821 and died
there. His land became part of the estate of William L. IIo-
bart.

Jeremiah Fisher settled in 1823 on lot 44, South Survey. In
1830 he moved en lot 48, South Survey, and died there. His
wife was Eunice Storm, and their children were Deloss,
James, John, and Clarissa.

James Fisher Settled in 1820 on the east part of lot 48 where
he died after 1850. His widow still resides on the same place
Avith her son-in-law, Francis M. Kennedy, who owns it. She
was Rachel Gillett, and their children were Samuel J., James,
Rachel, Jeremiah, Hiram, Abigail, Hannah and Phebe.

William Fisher settled in 1821 on a part of lot 48, South Sur-
vey, and lived there many years, when he sold to Daniel Ser-
vice, and bought a part of lot 42, South Survey, which he after-
ward sold to Samuel J. Fisher, who continues its owner.
William Fisher is still living.

420 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Deloss, a son of Jeremiah Fisher married Phebe, daughter of
Israel Hobart, of Potter, and they emigrated to Jackson, Mich-
igan. James, another son, married Lucy, daughter of Benja-
min Lafler, of Italy, where they reside. John, another broth-
er of this family, married his cousin, Eunice Storm, of Italy,
and they reside in Italy. Clarissa, the sister of these brothers,
married Elisha D. Barker.

John Chase came into Italy in 1830. He was a shoemaker
and stone mason, and lived in Italy and Jerusalem until his
death in 1869, at the age of seventy-six. His wife was Ada-
line Robinson, and the children were Leonard, Eliza, Allen B.,
Amanda and Sarah. Leonard went West and was not after-
ward heard from. Eliza married Hezekiah Smith, and they
moved to Illinois. Allen B. married Sarah M. Genung. They
live at Italy Hill and have one child, William G. Amanda
married John Robinson, and their children are Addie and Car-
rie. They reside in Middlesex. Sarah married William Brown
and their children are Mary and Frank.

Dr. Elisha Doubleday settled in 1820 on a part of lot 2,
South Survey. He was the first physician that lived in the
town. He at once took a high rank in his profession and held
it till his death in April 1863, at the age of sixty-seven. For
many years while the roads were rough he kept and used three
and sometimes five horses, exclusively under the saddle. His
practice took him from Penn Yan on the east to Conhocton on
the west, and from Hammondsport south to Rushville north.
His vigorous constitution and great power of endurance ena-
bled him to perform a great amount of labor. He was a lead-
ing Democratic politician and held an almost unlimited person-
al influence in Italy for many years. He was an associate Judge
of the Yates County Courts, Commissioner of Deeds, Supervi-
sor, and for thirty years Justice of the Peace, in which office he
was a model magistrate, always discouraging litigation, espe-
cially among his neighbors. Pie was the first postmaster at It-
aly Hill and held the office for many years, and held it again at
the time of his death. In 1836 he was a Presidential Elector.

TOWN OF ITALY.

421

In 1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln. His first wife was
Sally Stewart, and their children were Sophia, Gavin E., Guy
L , Semantha, Livonia, Jerome and Everett, twins. Mrs. Dou-
bleday died in 1858, at the age of sixty-one. The Doctor mar-
ried a second wife, Mrs. Williams, who survives him.

Sophia died young, and Gavin married Elrnira, daughter of
John Gload, of Pultney. They reside on a part of the home-
stead and have no surviving children.

Guy L. married Caroline, daughter of William L. Hobart, of
Potter, and they have the old homestead and residence at Italy
Hill. He is a practising physician and Justice of the Peace.
Their children are Leander, Floyd, and Charles.

Semantha married William Wixom. He is a practising phy-
sician residing at Italy Hill. They have one son, Guy.

Livonia married Egbert Gulick, formerly resident of Pultney,
and now a maltster doing a large business in Starkey. They
have two sons, Elisha D. and Dwight E.

Jerome married Mary Neff. He died a soldier in the Union
service during the war of the rebellion.

Everett married Sarah A., daughter of John Gload. They re-
side at Chicago.

Hiram Doubleday, a brother of Elisha, came to Italy in 1830
and lived many years on a part of lot 9, North Survey, which
he finally sold to Dan Swift, and moved to Michigan.

Dan Swift, whose wife was a sister of Dr. Doubleday, settled
in Italy in 1830 and lived on lot 9, North Survey. In 1840 he
sold out and left the town.

Christopher Corey settled in 1820 on lot 18, South Survey,
soon after moved on lot 11, and in 1823 purchased of Thomas
Treat a part of lot 6, North Survey, which he still owns and
where he lived till 1866. It is now occupied by his son Le-
man, and the father lives in Penn Yan. His first wife was a
daughter of Truman Washburn, and their children Avere Diana,
Truman and Leman. He married a second wife, Mary Cotton.
One child, Francis, of the second marriage, died in Italy.

Diana married Andrew J. Robson. Truman married first,

422 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

Eveline Gillett, and they had one daughter Calista, who married
Elisha A. Durfee, and resides in Toledo, Ohio. Truman Corey
married a second wife, Robetta D. Byram, and they live in
Penn Yan and have one son, Freddie.

Leman Corey married Hannah, daughter of Nathaniel Squieft
Their children are Harriet, Olivia, Carrie, and Charles.

Luther Washburn settled in 1819, on lot 18, South Survey.
He afterwards removed to Herkimer County.

Thomas Treat settled in 1817 o*h lot 6, North Survey, and
moved to Italy Hollow in 1823, settling on lot 25, South Sur-
vey, where he lived till 1834. He then sold and moved to
Wayne County where he died. He and his wife Rachel were
among the first members of the Baptist Church in Italy when
first organized. Mrs. Treat died in 1857 at the age of eighty-
six. Their daughter Eunice married Worcester Burk. Nancy
married a Mr. Mace, who died leaving one son, Thomas T. She
married a second husband, Alamander Powers, and they had a
large family and moved to Wisconsin. Lora married Chester
Smith. Lovina and Russel married in Wayne County. An-
sel married Sally Reynolds. Alva left the town unmarried, and
Jared, the oldest son, married early, became a widower, and re-
mained single.

Randall Hewitt settled on lot 5, South Survey, in 1818, where
he remained some years.

Solomon Hewitt settled in 1820 on lot 19, South Survey, and
remained there a few years when he sold to Smith McLoud,
who resided there many years, when the property passed into
the hands of Inslee and Smith, sons of Smith McLoud, senior.
It is now owned and occupied by Smith McLoud, jr.

Smith McLoud came to Italy from Starkey. His wife was El-
anor Reynolds, and their children were Inslee, Emily, Smith,
Elanor, Ithiel, Henry, Lydia, Diana, Sophia, and Ida. Inslee
married first, Eliza, daughter of Joshua B. Curtiss ; and his sec-
ond wife was Ada Brundage. He had children by the first mar-
riage.

Smith married Sarah Hopkins, and their children are Irving,
Deliphine, and Grant.

TOWN OF ITALY. 423

Emily McLoud married Edward Culver, of Milo. Elanor
married Martin Finch, of Milo. Ithiel married Dorcas Shoe-
maker, of Starkey. Their children are William and Francis.
Henry married Huldah Shoemaker, of Starkey. The others
are unmarried and reside in Milo.

Daniel Baldwin settled on lot 44, North Survey, in 1813 and
died there in 1849, at the age of fifty-seven. His son George
W. Baldwin, lived on the same premises several years later,
when he sold out and moved to Gorham. It is now the resi-
dence of Charles Conley. The Baldwins, father and son, were es-
timable citizens, and both held the office of assessor. The wife
of Daniel Baldwin died in Italy in 1852 at the age of fifty-eight.

Leonard White came into Italy in 1820, with his father, Ne-
liemiah White, a very deaf man. Leonard married Elizabeth,
daughter of Benjamin Bartlett, and purchased a large share of
lot 12, South Survey, on which he made the first improvement.
He finally sold his farm to William Sisson, who still owns and
resides on it. This lot and lot 13 were taken by John Smith,
in 1795, when he surveyed the tract.

Alexander V. Dean settled on lot 13, South Survey, about
1825, and made the first improvement thereon. He built a
very notable barn. He sold a part of the lot to a Mr. Deerlove
and a part to Deacon John Raymond. Deerlove, after several
years sold to John and William Wilson, who still own and live
on it. Deacon Raymond's portion is now owned by David O.
Tiers. Mr. Dean is now a resident of Jerusalem, and is a son
of Zebulon Dean.

Michael Maxfield, a clothier, settled in Italy in 1819. He was
from Little Falls, K Y., and purchased lots 40 and 4G, of Charles
Graves and Samuel EL Torrey, senior. He erected the first full-
ing mill, carding machine and cloth-dressing establishment in
Italy. An energetic business man, he gained a good property,
and sold to his brother Abraham Maxfield in 1829, his shops
and machinery. The lands he sold to William Pelton in 1833,
and then removed to Naples, where he afterward died He was
an associate Judge of Yates County in 1825 His wife was

424 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Lucy, sister of Nathan Scott. She died in Naples in 1868.
Their children were Emeline, Hiram, Catharine, Elizabeth and
Frances. Hiram is a very prominent and leading citizen of Na-
ples. Catharine is the wife of Emory B. Pottle, another dis-
tinguished citizen of Naples. Elizabeth was the first wife of
Samuel H. Torrey, jr.

Abraham Maxfield settled in Italy in 1821. He came from
Albany and was a merchant. He erected the first store in the
town and conducted the business until his death. A man of
extraordinary business ability, he became the leader of large in-
dustrial operations. Careful, methodical, prompt and energetic,
he amassed for that time a very large property. He erected a
grist mill, a distillery and two potash manufactories and had
two stores, a saw mill, and the carding and cloth-dressing
works purchased of his brother, all of which were under his
personal supervision and profitably conducted He had more
men in his employ and rendered more aid to other men of
small means than any other man that has lived in Italy. He
was strictly honest and a notable example of a true busines man.
Though a Whig in politics he was repeatedly elected supervi-
sor of Italy. He died a bachelor, of consumption, in 1837 at
the age of forty-four years. His fatal illness was superinduced
by incessant labor and exposure. He commenced in Italy with
three thousand dollars he had saved from his salary as a clerk,
and left an estate of fifty thousand dollars. From his known
method and remarks he had made it was supposed he had made
a will devising his properety to the town to found a school, but
no will was disclosed and the property went to his heirs at law,
and was as soon dissipated as it was accumulated, except so
much as became the share of his brother Michael, who already
had a competence of his own.

It was in the grist mill of Abraham Maxfield in 1829 that
Jeremiah W. Nichols met his death. He entered the large
over-shot wheel to cut out the ice by which it was impeded, and
by some means the wheel started and crushed him. He was a
man of superior personal worth, and forty-three years of age.
His son Samuel married Mary Ann Gilbert, and is now an ac-

TOWN OF ITALY. VI')

ceptable preacher of the East Genesee Conference of the Meth-
odist Church. Clarissa, a sister of Samuel, became the sec-
ond wife of Thomas Peck, a local pioneer preacher of the Meth-
odist faith, and moved West. Pamelia A. married James
G. Arnold, son of Amos Arnold, and moved to St. Joseph Co.,
Mich., where both died. The widow of Jeremiah W. Nichols,
married a second husband, becoming the second wife of Will-
iam Griswold. They moved from Italy many years ago. Mr.
Griswold had sons by a former marriage, William, Lyman EL,
and Alonzo. William, jr., married Mary Ann, daughter of Tru-
man Curtis, and died in Italy, leaving children. Lyman II.
married Miss Burr, and also died in Italy, leaving children.
Alonzo married and moved from the town.

Ichabod B. Randall came to Italy with Michael Maxfield, for
whom he worked as a clothier several years and removed to
Venango County, Pennsylvania about 1830.

Reuben Durkee, another clothier, worked for the Maxfields
several years and for some time kept the tavern started by
Samuel II. Torrey, sen. He left Italy in 183G.

Asa Butler was a saddle and harness maker. He lived many
years near the Maxfields and moved to Naples.

Joseph Brownell, a clothier, was also a resident of the same
neighborhood many years.

Bradley Woodworth, a clothier, worked many years for the
Maxfields. He was a son of Dr. Woodworth of Flint Creek.

Amos Peabody was another clothier who worked for the
Maxfields some time.

John B. Young settled on lot 47, North Survey, in 1823, and

lived there till 1837, when the place became the property of

Chauncey W. Beeman. He was considerably deaf and a man of

harmless eccentricities. Mr. Beeman also purchased a part of

lot 43, adjoining, making a farm of about three hundred

acres which he has cleared and improved mostly with his own

hands. He is a prudent and estimable citizen. His children are

Louisa, William, Chauncey, Sumner, Adaline, Charles, and

George. Louisa married James Kirby. They live on the

426 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

homestead with her father, and their children are Eugene and
Edward. William Beeman married Elizabeth Fisher, and
moved to Michigan. Chauncey lives West, unmarried. Sumner
died in 18G0, aged twenty-five, Adaline married Terry Pelton
and lives in Illinois. Charles married Margaret Williams.
They live in Jerusalem and have one child, Catharine. George
was a soldier in the 50th New York Regiment of Engineers,
and died at White House Landing, Virginia.

David Elliott settled on lot 22, South Survey, in 1821 and re-
mained there till 1834, when the land passed into the hands of
Isaac D. Ellsworth. In 1845 it was purchased by Henry
Hutchinson who sold it in 1850 to Egbert Hard, the present
owner. The Elliott brothers, David and Peter, were stalwart
men who had cleared with their own brawny arms many acres
of land in Scipio and adjoining towns in Cayuga County.

Peter Elliott settled on lot 23 in 1821 and lived there till
1833 when the land was bought by Nathaniel Squier. It is
now owned and occupied by George W. Gelder. Nelson, a son
of Peter Elliott, married and died in Italy. Six other sons and
daughters moved West.

Joseph Squier settled on lot 28, South Survey, in 1822, where
he remained a few years. In 1830 the land was purchased by
Lewis V. Albro, who lived on it till his death in 1844. It is
still the property of his widow and children. The first wife of
Mr. Albro was Miss Shaw. She died in 1840. His second
wife was Lois, daughter or' William Guernsey, of Potter.
Emily, a daughter by the first marriage, became the wife of
Oscar Burnett, and died in Italy in 18G0. Mary Veliette, a
daughter by the second marriage became the wife of Charles
Grow and still resides in Italy. Mr. Albro and his wife, Lois,
were both early school teachers in Italy.

Heman Squier settled in 1810 on lot 10, North Survey, and
remained there till 1832, when the place passed into the hands
of his son Gideon, from whom it passed to others. Heman
Squier was the father of Heman Squier, jr., for many years Jus-
tice of the Peace at Kinney's Corners, in Jerusalem.

Joseph Galup settled in 1810 on lot 59, North East Survey,

TOWN OF ITALY.

and lived there until 1822, when the land went into the pos-
session of James L. Monier, of Naples, to whose estate it still
belongs. Mr. Galup died in Venango County, Pennsylvania,
whither he had moved. His children were Weldou, Ann, Je-
rusha, Ruby and Charles.

Weldon Galup, son of Joseph, settled on lot GO, North East
Survey, in 1822, remaining there till 1830, when Joseph S.
Barker purchased it and resided there till 1846, when the land
was purchased by James L. Monier, to whose estate it still be-
longs. Mr. Barker emigrated to Michigan, where he still re-
sides. He was a son of Elisha Barker.

Elisha D. Barker, the youngest son of Elisha Barker, was
born in Italy and resides there still. His wife, Clarissa, only
daughter of Jeremiah Fisher, owns and occupies part of Fish-
er's homestead. Of their children Amarette is the wife of John
Kennedy. Ahvilda married John Hiler, Ida married Edward C.
Barker, Gerolda married Mr. Covill, Clarissa and Frederick are
are single.

Orlando Barker came to Italy with his father Elisha, and set-
tled on lot 50, South Survey, in 1830 ; lived there ten years and
afterwards moved to Michigan, where he died in 1869. His
farm passed into the hands of Azariah Phelps, in 1840, from
whom it passed in 1860 to John McConnell, its present owner.

Samuel Barker, senior, settled in 1817 on lot 63, South Sur-
vey, lived there many years and died there. The land then
passed to his son-in-law, Jeremiah Graham, who sold it a few
years later to Charles, son of Samuel Barker, senior, whose
widow still owns and lives on it. The children of Samuel Bar-
ker, senior, were Samuel, Fidelia, Henry, Charles, George W.,
and Harriet.

Samuel Barker, jr., came to Italy with his father and in 1830
settled on a part of lot 63, South Survey. He commenced and
continued keeping a public house there several years. His wife
was Anna Barker, and their children were Electa, Samuel, and
Rhoda.

Charles Barker, son of Samuel, senior, was a native of Italy.

428 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

His wife was Ann Clark. He died leaving children and she
lives on the homestead left by him

Henry Barker (Tall Henry) was born in Italy, son of Samuel
senior. His wife was Freelove Peck. They had one child. She
became a widow and married Orson A. Parsons and moved to
Michigan.

George W., another brother, was born in Italy and lived
there till 1854. He married first Wealthy Tyler, and they had
two children. He married a second wife, Mahala, daughter of
John Eggleston, of Italy, who with Mr. Barker and their fami-
lies emigrated to Michigan, where Mr. Barker has since mar-
ried a third wife.

Enoch Barker settled in 1820 on lot 43, South Survey, and
lived there till 1849 when he sold to James Fisher and Amos
Fox and moved to Michigan where he died. His wife was
Harriet Gillett and their children were Sally, Harvey, Sophia,
Orren, Mary, Martin and Martha, twins, and Charles. Sally,
who was born in Italy, married James Servis, son of David
Servis, of Italy, and they moved in 1855 to Michigan. Sophia
married Wilder M. Wood, and they reside in Italy. Orrin al-
so married in Italy and resides there.

Sherman Stanton settled on lot 2, North Survey in 1821, and
lived there many years. He was an early member of the Bap-
tist Church in Italy Hollow. His daughter became the second
wife of Timothy Barnes. Sherman E. Stanton was his son.
The father moved to Pennsylvania and there died.

Timothy Barnes purchased in 1S18 the saw and grist mills of
Asahel Stone, jr., and kept them till 1827, when he moved to
Sheffield, Pennsylvania, where he died. His first wife, Almira,
died in Italy.

Reuben Wheaton settled on lot 18, South Survey, in 1821,
buying the land of Christopher Corey. It finally passed to his
son, Justus Wheaton, who afterward sold it to his brother,
David R. Wheaton, its present owner, who had a son killed in
battle while in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion.
Simon P. Cookingham settled on lot 31, North Survey, east

TOWN OF ITALY,

part, in 1830. He remained there some time and the land
passed to Augustus L. Cookingbam, from him to Isaac Owen,
and from him to Isaac Wilcox, its present occupant.

John Pulver came into Italy about 1840 with his father. He
bought lot 28, North Survey, and afterwards parts of lots 27
and 32, making a homestead of about three hundred acres. He
died in 1 869. His wife was Mary Fitzwater. Their children
were Janette, Alvira, Nelson, and George. Janette married
Isaac Wilcox, and has two children. She is his second wife.
Alvira married Oscar Conley. They have two children, Mary,
and Freddie. The others are single. His property was divided
during his lifetime. He was a man of remarkable thrift.

Peter Pulver, jr., brother of John, also came with his father and
purchased lot 30, North Survey, formerly belonging to William
C. Keech. He still resides on it. Peter Pulver, jr., married
Jane Harris. Their children are William, James, Francis J.,
Elias, Alice, and Ida. They are all single. The farm belong-
ing to Peter Pulver contains about three hundred acres, upon
which he has built a fine mansion.

George Pulver, another brother, purchased lot 10, North
Survey, of Thomas Griffiths. It previously belonged to Martin
Gage. Mr. Pulver still resides on it. The Pulver brothers are
noted as quiet and industrious citizens, diligent and prosper-
ous. George married first, Eliza Crosby, and second, Nancy
Griswold. Two sons by the second marriage, survive, Willard
and Morris.

Avery Herrick settled in Italy in 1819, on lot 49, South Sur-
vey ; lived there till 1830, and moved to Naples. He was
drowned in Canandaigua Lake in 1831.

Eldridge R. Herrick, son of Avery, came to Italy with his
father. He married first, Lois Aiken, and they had three chil-
dren, Marion. Lorenzo, and Lydia L. She died in 1831, and
he married a second wife, Pamila S., daughter of Deacon
William Green. The children of the second marriage are
William A.., Harriet S., E. Lucretia, and Lyman E. Eldridge
R. Herrick has been forty-six years a member of the Italy Hoi-

430 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

low Baptist Church. His son Marion died young. Lorenzo
married first, Alsina, daughter of Charles Mumford, and then-
children were, Elmer, (dead) and Charles. His second wife was
Laura, daughter of Danforth C. Grow. They live on the Nutten
farm in Italy. Lydia S. marrie dGeorge Stever and lives in Jeru-
salem. William A. married a daughter of William R. Webster,
of Italy. The other children are unmarried residing with their
parents.

Garret Van Riper settled on the South part of lot 49,
South Survey, in 1830, where he lived till his death. His wid-
ow still resides on the same premises at the age of eighty-eight.
She was widow Stratton before she married Mr. Van Riper,
and had two children, Samuel and Sarah by her first marriage.
Her children by the second marriage were Jeremiah, Amy,
William, and Abraham.

Jeremiah married first, Nancy, daughter of John Graham, jr.,
and their children were Margaret, Mary Jane, James, and
Nancy. His second wife was Laurilla, daughter of John Fox,
and their children are John E. and Emma. Margaret married
Charles Pelton, and has two children. Mary Jane married
Warren A. Wager, and has one child. James married Frances
Haynes. The others are unmarried.

Amy Van Riper married James Totten. William married Lu-
cinda Manning. They have several children and live at Liber-
ty, Steuben County. Abraham Van Riper married Mary,
daughter of Levi S. Wood. They have a surviving daughter,
Jane.

NATHANIEL SQU1ER.

Seba and David Squier were brothers and among the earlier
settlers of the town of Seneca. They were natives of Connect-
icut, where David was born in 1772. Seba came first to the
Genesee country, by way of the Susquehanna and Chemung
Vallies when there was but a single settler on the route ; and
he a short distance below Newtown (now Elmira). He settled
a short distance from Kanadesaga, afterwards Geneva, and the
.first road cut in bis vicinity was from Geneva^ southwest, four

NATHANIEL SQUIER.

TOWN OP ITALY.

431

miles to his house. He attended the raising of the first mill
erected by the Friends, coming through the woods a distance
of twelve miles to be present on that occasion. He was one of
the first town officers elected in Seneca, and died in that town
a few years ago, over ninety years old.

David Squier came two years later than Seba, and married
Mercy Lay, at Geneva, in 1794. They settled about two miles
west of Bellona, in Seneca, and afterwards he was the first set-
tler in Benton in 1811, on lot 85, where Thomas M. Townsend
now resides. Their children were Jesse L., Polly, Ezra, Nathan-
iel, Judah, Abby, Sally, Albert, Alpha, Thursday, and Clarissa.

Jesse L.j born in 1795, married Tamar Youngs. He spent
much of his life in Penn Yan, where in early life he learned the
trade of tanner and shoemaker with one Bordwell, who had a
tannery and shop on Jacob's Brook, near where it is crossed by
Clinton street. Their children were William Deloss, Minerva,
Murray and CharlesY. Their mother died early and William D.
became a clerk with Daniel S. Marsh, jr., a merchant of Penn
Yan. Subsequently he was in business as a partner cf Stephen
B. Ayres, and afterwards of Darius W. Adams. He married a
daughter of Dr. James Hermans, of Potter, and died while still a
young man. Murray went West and Charles Y. became a print
er, and pursued his trade for many years at Syracuse, where he
was Foreman in the office of the Syracuse Journal. He was
also a soldier of the Federal army during the rebellion. Jesse L.
Squier died upwards of seventy years old.

Nathaniel Squier was born in 1800, in the town of Seneca.
He married Phebe Wells in 1825, and in 1833 they took up
their residence at Italy Hill. In the enterprise at Italy Hill Mr.
Squier was a partner of Martin Gage. They bought a large
tract of land formerly owned by Philip Cool and others, and
also a lot from the Beddoe tract. Mr. Squier states that he
took twenty-one hundred dollars of his own money and seven
thousand of Mr. Gage to commence operations, and that there
was not •' the scratch of a pen " between them as a record or
memorandum of account. It was several years before they had
any settlement, and large transactions in labor and lumber had

432 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

taken place, and in the meantime Mr. Gage was stricken with
paralysis. He recovered and they finally closed up their ac-
counts in the most amicable manner. Mr. Squier had previous-
ly made a statement for Samuel G. Gage, showing the state of
their accounts. In Italy Nathaniel Squier soon became a lead-
ing and influential citizen and a recognized power in the Dem-
ocratic party in the county. He was repeatedly chosen super-
visor of the town and in 1852 was elected sheriff of the county,
which office he filled three years. Few men have been equally
generous and large hearted in dealing with others who* needed
aid and lenity ; and he is highly respected for his kindness and
ready sympathy for those who ask for help. His laborious life
has not impaired the vigor of his constitution, and at the age
of three score years and ten, he is still an able-bodied and well-
preserved man. Their children have been Henry, Harriet, Ezra,
Hannah, and Martin G. Martin died young and Harriet at
twenty- one, much deplored. Henry, who was Under Sheriff
while his father was Sheriff, married* Cordelia French. They
reside in Wheeler, Steuben County. Hannah married Leman
Corey, and they have four children. Ezra married Ellen Ken-
nedy. They live at Italy Hill and their children are Nathaniel
and Jennie.

James Shepherd settled on a part of lot 17, North Survey, in
1835, and continues to reside there, having added to his origin-
al purchase. He is a native of England and a citizen of enter-
prise and personal worth. A son of his was killed by an inju-
ry caused by a threshing machine in 18G0. His sons are
worthy, industrious, and prosperous citizens.

Levi Wolvin settled on the south half of lot 17, South Sur-
vey, in 1830 and lived there many years. After the death of
his wife he lived with his son Levi Wolvin, jr., who resided
on lot 17, North Survey. The wife of Levi Wolvin, jr., was
a daughter of David Elliott. On this land white wheat was
grown that received a first premium at the World's Fair in
London in 1852

Joseph De Wick, also a native cf England, is a recent pur-

TOWN OF ITALY. 433

chaser of a part of lot 16, North Survey, known as " Hall Broth-
ers' Farm."

Lucian Amiable settled in 1830 on the north part of lot 1,
North Survey, and after many years sold* it and purchased a
part of lot 3, Brother's Survey, and a steam saw mill belonging
thereto. This he again sold and purchased lands from lots 21
and 22, North Survey, where he still resides. He has been Jus-
tice of the Peace in Italy many years.

Benjamin Dumbolton settled in Italy Hollow in 1823. He
was from Albany and married Jane, daughter of Benjamin
Bartlett. He was a cooper, an ardent Whig in politics, a Free
Thinker in religion, and a man of superior intelligence. The
second Fourth of July Oration in Italy was delivered by Mr.
Dumbolton in 1821 at the Baptist Church in Italy Hollow.
The first was given in 1822 by Elder Amos Chase at Torrey's.
Mr. Dumbolton died at Rushville in 1848. His widow and
children are now residents of Illinois.

Henry Kirk settled in 1822 on a part of lot 25, South Survey
and after several years moved to Chautauque County. He was
a shoemaker and his wife was a sister of Amos Arnold.

Stephen Marsh settled on let 25, South Survey in 1817,
and afterwards lived in several places in Italy. His wife
was another sister of Amos Arnold. They moved away in
1830. Thev were constituent members of the Free Will Bap-
tist Society, organized in Italy in 182G.

Ebenezer Arnold, a brother of Amos, settled on lot 22, South
Survey, in 1820, and resided there till 1830. He and his wife
were also constituent members of the Free Will Baptist Church.

Adolphus Howard settled in 1820 on a part of lot 22, South
Survey, and remained there till 1830. His wife was also a con-
stituent of the Free Will Baptist Society.

Alfred Pelton came soon after Howard and Arnold left and
occupied the same land till 1846, when it became the property
of Martin Gage.

George W. Horton settled on lot 18, North Survey, in 1835.
He is an industrious blacksmith, and a worthy, upright man.

434 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Andrew J., his son, served faithfully in the army of the Union
during the war of the Rebellion, and died in 1860 from disa-
bilities incurred in the war. Lewis, another son, died in the
service.

Cornelius Basset settled in 1835 on lot 1, Brother's Survey,
and lived there many years. The land passed into the possess-
ion of Mr. Schlegelmilk, Lorenzo Herrick and others, and is
now owned by John Andrews and Joseph De Wick.

Ira Bassett settled in 1835 on lot 33, North Survey, and lived
there several years. About 1845 the land passed into the own-
ership of Jesse Cook, and was occupied many years by William
McKnight. Jesse Cook sold it to Thomas Catterson, who still
occupies the west part while George G. Hayes has the east
part.

Theodorus Northrup settled in 1830 on a part of lot 20, North
Survey, and resided there till his death. The same land is
now owned by John E. Wager, of Middlesex.

Jacob Thomas settled in 1835 on the east part of lot 20,
North Survey, and lived there about ten years when he sold a
part of it to Sewall Chapman, who lived on it till 1865. It is
now owned by Thomas W. Teall and Mrs. Lafler.

Thomas W. Teall, a native of England, settled in 1840 on
lot 25, North Survey, and has added to his original purchase.
He is an industrious citizen and has become somewhat noted as
an attorney in Justice's courts.

Martin N. Flowers settled on lot 12, Brother's Survey, in
1838, and afterward purchased a j>art of lot 13 of the same Sur-
vey. He cleared the farm and still lives on it. He has been a
Justice of the Peace and held other offices in the town. His
wife was a Miss Parsons and they have two sons.

Henry Crank settled on lot 0, Brother's Survey, in 1836.
He continued to live on a part of the lot till 1854. James
Fisher bought a part of it in 1846. Mr. Crank, who was from
New York city, moved to Mt. Morris, Livingston County,
where he died in 1860. The fifty acres sold to Fisher, passed
into the ownership of Lewis B. Graham, who sold it in 1863 to

Towx or italy. 435

i Martin Stanton, by whom it was sold to Philip Porter, who
still owns it. The fifty acres owned by Crank was willed by
him to his widow who sold it to Mr. Williamson, by whom it
was sold to its present owner, Mr. Fisher.

William Bassett settled in 1882 on a part of lot 4, Brother's
Survey, and lived there till he died. The same land with ad-
joining land on lot 5, is now occupied by his son Isaac Bassett
and one one owned by another son, William P. Bassett, now
of Rushville.

Abraham I. Van Nordstrand settled in 1832 on lot 5, Broth-
er's Survey, and also took a part of lot 10. He cleared the
land and lived on it many years, but devoting his gains to im-
provements rather than paying for the land, the accumulation
of interest finally compelled him to sell at great loss. He re-
moved from the town about 1855, and his lands became the
property of Henry Squier, who sold them to William P. Bassett.

Russel Burnett settled in 1832 on a part of lot 4, Brother's
Survey. He cleared the land and lived on it till his death.
His widow still owns and resides on it, her son cultivating it.

James G. Williamson first settled on lot 3, Brother's Survey.
It passed into other hands and a steam saw mill was erected on
the place, which had a succession of owners until the timber
was mostly sawed and taken off. Mrs. Williamson still resides
in Italy. Their children were Julia Ann, Catharine, Cornelia,
Henry, and Frank. All but Cornelia are married. Frank lives
in Illinois and Henry in Italy.

Jabez Gillett settled on lot 46, South Survey, in 1832 and
continued to reside there till his death in 1862 at the age of
sixty-nine. He came into Italy from Prattsburgh and was the
eldest son of Jabez Gillett, senior, a Revolutionary soldier and
a native of Connecticut^ who settled first in Ontario County,
and afterwards on the highest land in Prattsburgh, guided in
his choice by the timber which was similar to that of Connect-
icutt, where he was reared. The wife of Jabez Gillett, jr., was
Mary, daughter of Capt. Beebe, also a Revolutionary soldier.
She still lives in Italv on the old homestead. Their children

436 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

were Maria, Jeremiah T., Elizabeth, and Harmon M. Maria
who was the first wife of Lewis B. Graham, was the mo-
ther of three children. Jeremiah married Sophia Fish. They
reside in Italy and their children are Eugene, Evelyn, Isabella,
Osbert and Sophia.

Elizabeth Gillett married William H. Fox. They reside in
Italy, and their children are Rosalie, Osbert and Isabella.

Harmon M. Gillett married Laura Ingraham. Their surviv-
ing children are Francis and Frederick. They reside on the
old homestead.

Charles G. Maxfield settled on lot 41, South Survey, in 1834.
His wife was Minerva Reynolds, and the land came to her from
her mother who purchased it from the Geneva (Pultney estate)
Land Oflice. Mr. Maxfield is a son of Elias Maxfield, who was
a brother of Abraham and Michael Maxfield. They still reside
on the same land and are the parents of several daughters.

Moses W. Bardeen settled on lot 30, South Survey, about
1840. His wife was Hannah, daughter of James Fisher. Mr.
Bardeen purchased his land of the Pultney estate, and lived
there until his death in 1867. His wife resides on the land
with her son. One son, it is supposed, was killed in one of the
battles of the Wilderness, under Gen. Grant.

Anson Clark settled on lot 51, South Survey, in 1835, and
lived there many years. His eon Joel M. Clai'k, married
Lucelia Fosket, and they live in the house built by Lewis B.
Graham in 1845. Their surviving children are Ann Eliza, Ira,
Harvey, Lewis, Ethard, Arthur and Judson. Ann Eliza mar-
ried William C. Beeman. Mr. Clark is a Justice of the Peace.
John Mower, the first settler in Italy, was a native of Part-
ridgefield, was born in 1771, and his wife, Anna Watkins,
was born the same year in the same town. Of their children,
Polly married Earned Torrey, in 1814. Their children were
Hiram, Nancy, Henry, Huldah, Mary, Larned and John. Sally
married Oliver Williams in 1816. Their children were Anna,
John, Ephraim, Judith, Ira, and Huldah.

Polly Williams, the second wife of John Mower, was a na-

TOWN OF ITALY.

tive of Ccnnecticutt, born in 1782. Mary Ann, a daughter by
the second marriage, was the wife of Reuben W. Slayton.
They were married in 1827. Huldah, another daughter, born
in 1809, married William D. Lee in 1829. John Warner
Mower married Elizabeth Folsom in 1837. They have a sur-
viving daughter, Alice.

The third wife of John Mower was Judith Larned, widow of
Samuel H. Torrey.

Luther B. Blood settled at Italy Hill in 1832 and has been a
merchant there thirty-four years, and a portion of the time
post master. In 1837 he married Esther Genung. They have
two sons, Mortimer L., and Herbert C. Mortimer L. married
Ella Sturdivant, and they have a daughter, Lulah May. Her-
bert C. married Helen Van Scoy. Luther B. Blood was a na-
tive of Massachusetts, and served while young as a clerk in
Rushville and Penn Yan, and two years with Richard H.
Williams, in Potter. He is now a farmer, and has been a local
preacher of the Methodist faith.

William C. Keech settled in 1823 on lot 3G, North Survey,
where Peter Pulver resides. He was a native of Ulster county,
where he married Rachel Lemunyan of New Paltz. Their
Ulster county neighbor, Aaron Craft, had come a few years
before to the Italy wilderness and made the first settlement on
lot 36. His death occurred from running a rye straw under
his thumb nail ; and Mr. Keech bought the land and went en
from the slight beginning made by Craft to clear up the place.
He remained there thirty-four years , when he moved to Shear-
man's Hollow, and in I860 to Kent County, Michigan, where
he still resides, at the age of seventy-seven. His wife died in
1858, at the age of sixty-one. Their fourteen children were:
David who died young, Benjamin R. who died at twenty-two,
Alexander, Nathaniel, Joseph, Julia Ann who died at fifteen,
Eliza, Stephen, William, Hiram, Susan Ann, Andrew J., Sarah
E. and Lydia. Alexander married Almena Richards of Jeru-
salem. They live at Rockford, Michigan, and have two children,
Frank and Emma.

438 HISTORY OF YATES COLTNTY.

Nathaniel Keech, born in 1820, married Sarah E.. daughter of
John Fitzwater. They lived several years on the Green Tract,
in 1854 moved to Shearman's Hollow, and now reside at Branch-
port. He relates that in his boyhood he helped to chop out
every road east of Italy Hill, in that town. Their children
were Abigail Jane, Elizabeth, George W.,' and Alice V. They
had a son James Emmett, who died at sixteen. Abigail Jane
married John'W., son of Elisha Otis Almy. Elizabeth mar-
ried Asahel Botsford, son of Lorenzo Botsford, a carpenter.
They reside at Branchport and have one son Berlin N".

Joseph married Hannah, daughter of David Turner. They
reside at Cannon, Kent Co., Michigan, and their children are
David II. and William.

Eliza married Edward Miner, son of Deacon Butler Miner,
'of Prattsburgh. They reside in Walker, Kent Co., Michigan.

Stephen married Mary Brown, and resides in Jerusalem.
They have five children.

William married Margaret, daughter of William Sanders.
They live in Kent Co., Michigan, and have two children.

Hiram married Eliza Francis, of Jerusalem. They reside in
Ocean Co., Michigan and have five children. He was a sol-
dier of Company F, 11th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, Capt- George
Brennan, was wounded in Virginia and finally recovered after
years of disability.

Susan Ann married Alanson Merritt, who died in June 1870,
a resident of Milo, leaving one son.

Andrew J. and Sarah E. are unmarried, residing with their
father.

Lydia J. married Henry Ward, of Steuben Co. They re-
side in Kent Co., Michigan, and have three children.

CIVIL HISTORY.

The town of Italy was erected by act of the Legislature Feb-
ruary 15, 1815, through the efforts of David Southerland, then a
Member of Assembly from Ontario County. Why or how it
came to be named Italy, no person now living; seems to know.
The town of Naples, from which Italy was set off, had a popu-

TOWN OF ITALY.

439

lation in 1800 of only 259, which had increased in 1810 to 037.

By the census of 1814, Naples had a population of 1128.

Italy

Hollow had just begun to fill up with settlers in 181.5, when the

town of Italy was formed, and the census of 1820 found- 728

! people in that town and 1638 in Naples. Italy grew to *

i pop-

ulation of 995 in 1825, and 1092 in 1830 ; 1245 in 1835, 1634 in

1840, and reached the maximium of 1698 in 1845- It was 1627

in 1850, 1506 in 1855, 1605 in 1800 and 1452 in 1865.

The

supervisors of Italy have been :

1815 Asahel Stone, jr.,

1843 Lewis B. Graham,

1816 Asahel Stone, jr.,

1844 Stephen Mumford,

1817 Jabez Metcalf,

1845 Stephen Mumford,

1818 Jabez Metcalf,

1846 David Burk,

1819 Jabez Metcalf,

1847 Henry Hutchinson,

1820 Jabez Metcalf,

1848 Henry Hutchinson,

1821 Eandall Graves,

1849 David Burk,

1822 Eandall Graves,

1850 Nathaniel Squier,

1823 Randall Graves,

1851 Nathaniel Squier,

1824 Jabez Metcalf,

1852 Daniel Smith,

1825 Elisha Doubleday,

1853 Lewis B. Graham,

1826 Henry Eoff,

1854 Lewis B. Graham,

1827 Jabez Metcalf,

1855 Lewis B. Graham,

1828 Elisha Doubleday,

1856 Daniel Smith,

1829 Abraham Maxfield, '

1857 William Scott,

1830 Abraham Maxfield,

1858 William Scott,

1831 Elisha Barker,

1859 Alden D. Fox,

1832 Elisha Barker,

1860 Alden D. Fox,

1833 David Burk,

1861 Alden D. Fox,

1834 David Burk,

1862 Alden D. Fox,

1835 Elisha Barker,

1863 William S. Green,

j 1836 David Burk,

1864 Alden D. Fox,

1837 David Burk,

1865 Alden D. Fox,

1838 Nathaniel Squier,

1866 Alden D. Fox,

1839 Nathaniel Squier,

1867 Alden D. Fox,

1840 Elisha Barker,

1868 Bradford S. WTixom,

1841 Spencer Clark,

1869 Bradford S. Wixom,

1842 Elisha Doubleday,

1870 Bradford S. Wixom,

Among the town clerks of Italy previous to 1834 were

Jabez

Metcalf, Timothy Barnes, Valentine Graham, Michael Maxfield.

440 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Orison Graham was Town Clerk in 1834, Dan Swift in 1835,
Orison Graham five years thereafter, and Lewis B. Graham in
1841 and 1842. Stephen Mumford in 1843, then William S.
Green two years, James Fox two years, Thomas Robson two
years, Alden D. Fox three years, Thomas S. Robson in 1857,
then James Fox five years, and Joel M. Clark five years ;
Thomas J. Cornish in 1868 and John H. Durham in 1869.

Jabez Metcalf, Asahel Stone, jr., Henderson Cole, Henry
Roff, jr., and James Fox were Justices of the Peace in Italy by
appointment previous to the election by the people. James
Fox was elected Justice of the Peace in 1830, 1831, 1835, and
1839, Orison Graham in 1830, Elisha Doubleday in 1831, and
held the office till he died in 1863, Jabez Metcalf in 1830, Val-
entine Graham in 1834, Edward Low in 1834, 1838, 1842,
Holden T. Wing in 1838 and 1842 ; Henry A. Metcalf in 1843,
Lewis B. Graham in 1844 and 1848, Mar-tin X. Flowers in
1846, George W. Barker in 1848, William Scott in 1849, 1853,
1860, 1864, 1869, Phillip Paddock in 1851, Edward H. Beals
in 1852, Israel Chissom in 1852, Gilbert Graham in 1855,
Erastus G. Clark in 1855, 1859, and 1863, in which year he
died, Charles G. Maxfield in 1857, Lucian Annable in 1858,
1862, 1866, Guy L. Doubleday in 1864 and 1868, John W.
Mower in 1864, Joel M. Clark in 1868, William C. Williams
in 1868.

The tax collected in Italy in 1819 was $413.90, in 1822 it
was $370.35. In 1824 IchabodB. Randall was collector and the
tax was $504.25. Charles Mumford was collector for six years
thereafter and again in 1832 and the largest tax collected by
him was his last $508.25. Russel A. Mann was collector in
1831, William C. Keech in 1833, William S. Green in 1834.
Samuel Barker, jr., collected a tax of $741.53 in 1836, the
largest up to that time. Reuben Wells was collector in 1837
and 1840, both taxes being less than $600. Nathaniel Squier
collected $783 in 1841, and Lewis B. Graham $637.50 in 1842,
From this time the tax of Italy was enlarged till 1857 when
Lewis B. Graham collected $1,000. In the mean time Thorn-

TOWX OE ITALY.

441

as J. Fox had been collector two years, and Ansel Mumford,
Whitman H. Reynold*, William H. Fox, Charles G. Maxfield,
and Thomas B. Manning, each one. William S. Green col-
lected $1170.40 in 1852, Stephen Mumford $992.50 in 1853,
and Leman Corey $1,500 in 1855, Jeremiah Van Riper $2,200
in 1856, Charles S. Pledger next collected #1,900, in 1857, $3,000
in 1858, and $2,000 in 1859, David A. Lare $2,000 in I860,
Charles Bell $4,250 in 1863, Rufus J. Bush $5,000 in 1864,
Charles Bell $9,000 in 1865, David Kennedy $3,000 in 1867,
John T. Johnson $3,890.35 in 1868.

The following list of original settlers in Italy embraces a
few who have not been previously named in this chapter :

South Survey. — Lot 1, Gideon Cole in 1819 ; lot 1, Hender-
son Cole 1810, Clark Stanton 1819 ; lot 5, Randall Hewitt 1818 ;
lot 6, Thomas Treat 1817 ; lot 7, Ebenezer Jennings in 1819,
now occupied by. Chester Stoddard ; lot 8, Henderson Cole
1819 ; lot 9, Erastus and William Griswold 1815, Daniel Bur-
roughs 1819; lot 11, James Slaughter 1811, Luther Washburn

1819 ; lot 12, John Smith 1795, Leonard White 1835 ; lot 18,
Luther Washburn 1817, Reuben Wheaton 1821 ; lot 19, Solo-
mon Hewitt 1820 ; lot 23, Peter Elliott 1821, Lemuel Peterson
1822 ; lot 25, Orison Graham 1815, Henry Kirk 1819; lot 26,
Cephas Hayes 1822, Peter Elliott 1820; lot 27, David Elliott

1820 ; lot 33, Drayton Hayes ; lot 54, Levi H. Bement ; lot 59,
John T. Dunn, John Andridge ; lot 60, David Taylor 1825.

North Survey. — Lot 2, Luther Brown 1819, John Arm-
strong 1795 ; lot 4, Jeremiah Bebee 1810, Ephraim Tyler 1819,
lot 6 ; Weston Tinney, Jacob Virgil 1811 ; lot 9 ; Jason Watkins
1819, Jared Watkins 1819 ; lot 10, Samuel Stancliff 1819, Sam-
uel Stewart 1819; lot 11, Amos Stancliff 1819, Joshua Stearns
1818; lot 12, Frederick Amsterburg 1819; lot 18, Consider
Chesebro 1819, John Gowdy 1822; lot 19, John Gowdy 1822;
lot 22, Jesse Chesebro 1819, Joel Cooper 1820 ; lot 25, Joel
Cooper 1815 ; lot 29, Theodore Anthony, Jacob Thomas ; lot 33,
Cornelius Bassett, Ira Bassett; lot 40, Gabriel Frier 1820,
James Cooley 1819 ; lot 44, Ezra Cummings 1819, Daniel Bald-
win 1819 : lot 48, Solomon Downing 1819. 56

442 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Chip.aian's Survey. — Lot 7, R. C. Rathbun ; lot 8, Abraham
Slover, lot 10, Stephen Johnson 1822 ; lot 11, Stephen Johnson
1822 ; lot 11, Stephen Johnson 1816. The widow of Stephen
Johnson still lives at a very advanced age on the same land.

Brother's Survey. — Lot 3, A. B. Mower, lot 4 ; Russel Bur-
nett, A.I. Van Nordstrand; lot 5, William Bassett, A. I. Van
Nordstrand ; lot 6, Joseph Segar; lot 7, Stephen Johnson ; lot
8, Ansel Treat ; lot 9, Henry Crank ; lot 14, James Kimball ;
lot 16, Joshua Ross, Philander Powers ; lot 17, Joshua Ross ;
lot 18, Alanson Carey ; lot 23, A. B. Mower ; lot 30, William
Dunton 1790.

By the census of 1840 Italy had two revolutionary pension-
ers, William Smith, aged seventy-five, and Thomas Treat, aged
seventy-eight ; one person between ninety and one hundred
years old.

In 1824 Italy had but five school houses ; in 1821, but $93.95
of public school money and 289 children between five and
fifteen ; taxable property $36,700; 183 farms, eight mechanics
and six free blacks ; 150 voters ; 1858 acres of improved land,
which was increased to 15,552 acres in 1865; 894 cattle, 127
horses, 1508 sheep; 5654 yards of cloth made in families ; one
grist mill, five saw mills, one fulling mill, two carding machines,
one distillery and two asheries.

By the census of 1855 Italy had 289 families in 159 framed
dwellings, 101 of logs and two of stone ; 276 native voters and
eleven naturalized. In 1854 there were harvested on 992
acres 6,766 bushels of wheat, and 3,020 bushels of rye on 467
acres ; 5,903 bushels of apples were gathered, and 662 cows
produced 65,540 lbs. of butter, and 23,470 lbs. of cheese.

In 1865 Italy had 302 families, 262 owners of land, 364 vo-
ters, four stone dwellings, valued at $4,900, and 248 framed
dwellings, valued at $84,270, also 54 log dwellings, valued at
$4,030. The cash value of farms was $694,982, of stock $144,-
746, of tools and implements $24,287; in 1846, acres plowed,
3,605, in pasture 5,584, and 5,336 in 1865 ; acres of meadow
3,552, spring wheat harvested in 1864, 3,152 bushels from 584

TOWN OF ITALY. 443

acres, winter wheat 2,336 bushels from 301 acres, rye 428
bushels, barley 2,795 from 304 acres, buckwheat 3,738 bushels
from 349 acres, Indian corn 10,552 bushels from 344 acres, ap-
ples 8,883 bushels from 13,855 trees, maple sugar 3,305 lbs.,
cows 630, butter 80,785 lbs., cheese 4,944 lbs., pork 110,420
lbs , sheep 11,630, lambs raised (1864) 3,177 and (1865) 3,834,
wool 43,447 lbs. (1864) and 21,490 lbs. (1865), fulled cloth, 40
yards, flannel 190, linen 38. Italy had six blacksmiths in 1865,
one wagon shop with a capital of $100, two workers in leather,
269male citizens between eighteen and forty-five. Ninety-two
men went to the war to fight rebellion from Italy ; twenty-one
died in the service and but one was buried in the town.

William E. Chittenden had a store at Italy Hill about 1828.
Luther B. Blood went there as a clerk in the store of Abraham
Maxfield at that place and became a partner after the first year,
and on the death of Maxfield, the sole proprietor. Isaac N.
Gage had a store there for some time, and Blood and Gage be-
came partners in 1837 and continued together two or three
years. George Johnson is the present merchant at Italy Hill.

The postmasters at Italy Hill have been Elisha Doubled ay,
who was succeeded by Luther B. Blood in 1836; he was fol-
lowed in 1856 by Dr. Israel Chissom, who was again succeeded
in 1861 by Dr. Elisha Doubleday, after his decease in 1863
Luther B. Blood was again appointed and held the office till
1868 when he resigned and was succeeded by Absalom C. Lare,
the present postmaster.

CHURCH HISTORY.

As early as 1813 the Methodists had a class in Italy Hollow,
ot which Robert Graham was the leader. The preaching was
at private houses and school houses for several years by the
itinerants who traveled the large circuits of those days. The
same preachers mentioned in the preceding chapter had ap-
pointments once in two or four weeks in Italy, and their meet-
ings then were characterized by the same fire and fervency that
was common to the Methodism of the early days. The early
members of the class in Italy Hollow were Robert Graham and

444 HISTOFAr OF YATES COUNTY.

Mary Ann, his wife, Caleb Crouch and Eunice, his wife, Henry
RofF, senior, Philena Edson, Bazaleel Edson, Amos Arnold aud
Lucy, his wife, Mrs. David Burk, Adolphus Eaton and wife,
Mrs. Abigail Packard, Mrs. Fanny Graham, Orison Graham,
Worcester Burk, Benjamin Bartlett, and James ScoGeld. These
were all members before 1823; afterwards Jeremiah W.
Nichols and Clarissa, his wife. After the death of Robert
Graham in 1835 Adolphus Eaton was class leader several years,
and John Andridge and wife, Mrs. John F. Hob art, Potter
Card aud wife, Israel Hobart and wife, Stephen Mumford and
Mary A., his wife, and Fidelia and Amy Graham were mem-
bers of the class. After Adolphus Eaton, Stephen Mumford
was class leader till 1848. Among the members of this period
were Mrs. Lois Albro, Joel Guernsey, Enoch Barker and Maiy,
his wife, Isaac Barker and Martha, his wife, Lewis B. Graham
and Maria, his wife, and Mrs. Jeduthan Wing. Lewis B. Gra-
ham was class leader from 1850 to 1856, and after him Daniel
Howard, whose wife Hannah, together with Gilbert Graham
and Mary Ann, his wife, Charles Clark and Vesta, his wife,
Aaron Mathews and Mary Ann, his wife, were members of this
period. After Daniel Howard moved away, Gilbert Graham
was class leader till 18G7. The Church edifice was erected in
185G. The old bell in the first Methodist Church in Penn Yan
is in its steeple.

The Baptist Church in Italy Hollow was organized in 1816,
by Elder Jehiel Wisner. The constituent members were Will-
iam Green and Polly, his wife, Judith Reed, mother of Tru-
man and Josiah Reed, Mrs. Henry RofF, Henry Roff, jr., and
his wife, John Crouch and Elizabeth, his wife, Olive P., wife
of John Graham, senior, Rachel, wife of John Graham, jr., and
others. The original records are unfortunately lost. The first
minister settled over the Church was Amos Chase, who remain-
ed with them from 1817 to 1823. He gave the first Fourth of
July Oration in Italy in 1822 at the house of Samuel H. Tor-
rey, senior. He was succeeded by Elder Stephen Wilkins,
who occupied the new church. Before this meetings had been

TOWN OF ITALY.

445

held in school houses. During the year of Elder Wilkins ser-
vice many new converts were added to the church, among
whom were Deacon Eldridge R. Ilerrick, Hugh Burns and Jo-
nas Harris. He was succeeded by Elder Lamb, and under his
ministrations William S. Green and others were added to the
church. Elder Isaac D. Hosford became their minister in
1826, and remained three years. He and his wife were both
distinguished school teachers and both taught schools in Italy.
Elder Libbeus Wisner, son of Elder Jehiel Wisner, was pastor
of the church from 1829 till 1832, and was succeeded by Dr.
Caleb Lamb who remained till 1835. Elder William Moore
followed and remained till 1837. Elder William Dye was the
pastor till 1841, and was followed by Andrew Wilkins who re-
mained till 1845. His successor was Norman B. James, who
was pastor of the church till 1849. Elder Charles C. Parke
followed and remained till 1856. After him Elder Albert De
Groat remained till 1861. William Brooks followed and left
in 1863. Vincent L. Garrett served three years and left in
1867. James G. Moore followed and served two years. Among
official members have been James Fox, William Green, George
Nutten, Jeremiah Keeney, William S. Green, Alden D. Fox,
Nathaniel Olney, John Crouch, Thomas Treat, Eldridge R.
Herrick. They had important revivals in 1816, 1823, 1829,
and again in 1842, under the preaching of Elder Thomas
Sheardown ; another in 1854 under the preaching of Elders
Parke and Forbes; another in 1857 under Elder De Groat ;
another in 1866-7 under Elder A. C. Mallory and V. L. Gar-
rett. The church numbered sixty members in 1869.

A Free Will Baptist Church was organized in Italy
in 1826, by Elder Samuel Wire. Ebenezer Arnold and wife,
Stephen Marsh and wife, Adolphus Howard and wife, James
Fisher and wife, William Fisher and wife, William Douglass
and wife, and Artemas Crouch and wife were among the orig-
inal members. This organization lasted six or seven years.
Its meetings were held in private dwellings and school houses.

The Methodist class at Italy Hill was organized in west Je-

446 IIISTOllY OF YATES COUNTY.

rusalem in 1828 and the first class leader was John Coleman.
Among the earlier preachers were Manly Tooker, Palmer
Roberts, Thomas Wright, James L. Lent, and Elder Heustis.
In 1842 the location of the class was moved to Italy Hill. The
church edifice was erected in 1845, by William Foster ; the
cost of the building $2,200. The first trustees were Joel An-
sley, James Haire, Stephen Mumford, Albert R. Cowing,
Elisha Doubleday, Benjamin Stoddard, Rowland Champlin, jr.,
Bazaleel Edson and Nathan Benedict. The principal contrib-
utors to the construction of the Church were Albert R. Cowing,
Elisha Doubleday, Luther B. Blood, Joel Ansley, William P.
Hibbard, William Runner, Benjamin Stoddard, Nathan G.
Benedict, Bazaleel Edson. Chauncey W. Beemau, Meli Todd,
Rowland Champlin, jr. Among the preachers in charge have
been George Wilkinson, G. Banning, Carlos Gould, J. N.
Brown, Chandler Wheeler, Martin Wheeler, E. H. Cranmer.
J. Chapman, Samuel Parker, Charles Davis. A. H. Shurtleii',
William Pindar, U. S. Hall, E. Tinker, T. Jolly, W. Bradley,
A. G. Laman, J. W. Putnam, N. N. Beers. Among the pre-
siding Elders who first visited this church were William
Burch, Mr. Hemingway, and Asa Abell. Albert R. Cowing
was for some years class leader in this society, and has been
followed by R. Thayer, William Genung, Joel Ansley, and Lu-
ther B. Blood. The present trustees are William P: Hibbard,
George Pulver, and L. B. Blood. The class numbered ninety
members in 1835 and has now about forty.

At a meeting held May 15, 1841, in the district school house
at Italy Hill, Rev. William Dye was chosen chairman, Jesse
McAllaster, clerk, and John Raymond and John Watkins,
Deacons. There were also present William Green, Clark
Stanton, Levi Wolvin, William Knapp, Ezra Squier, Jacob
Marks, and others. A branch of the Italy Hollow Baptist
Church was then established. In the autumn of 1841 Elder J.
H. Stebbins held a meeting of eighteen days and fourteen per-
sons were baptized and united with the church. In February
1842, nine trustees were chosen to select a site for the erection

TOWN OF ITALY. 4-1/

ot a church. These trustees were Hiram T. Stanton, Levi
Wolvin, Ezra Squier, Joseph Sturdivant, Asa B. Miner, Abel
Genung, Christopher Corey, Thomas B. Smith and Luther B.
Blood. The church was built in 1844, and dedicated in the
fall. Among the constituent members were Christopher Co-
rey and his wife Mary and daughter Diana, Butler Miner and
wife, Joseph Sturdivant, Clark Stanton, James Wilcox,
and John Raymond. Among those who joined afterwards,
Abraham Watkins, son-in-law of Wilcox, James and John
Watkins, his brother. The pastors have been Sherman Decker,
H. Hustecl, Norman B. James, A B. Chase, Peter Colegrove,H.
R. Dakin, Abel Patch, A. C. Agor, W. P. Omans, V. L. Gar-
ret, T. R. Clark. Preaching is at present supplied by Elder
George W. Abrams, pastor at Italy Hollow. The present
trustees are Christopher Corey, Absalom C. Lare and Isaac Wil-
cox. The number of members from the first have been 180 ;
present number 21. Abraham W^atkins is the present clerk.
William Raymond, son of Deacon John Raymond, became a
Baptist preacher.

BIG ELM OF ITALY HOLLOW.

The large Elm Tree of Italy Hollow, on lot 15, North East
Survey, by the bank of Flint Creek and the side of the high-
way, was famous among the Indians as one of the wonders of
the forest, and it is said was honored by them as a Council
Tree. Since their occupation it has continued its growth, and
its dimensions largely exceed those of the historical Big Tree
at Geneseo which perished a few years ago. It is now one
hundred and twenty-five feet high, twenty-nine feet in circum-
ference, two feet from the ground ; and its top spreads one
hundred and four feet in one direction and eighty-six feet in a
transverse direction, covering a superficial area of thirty-three
square rods. An experienced woodman estimates that the tree
would make forty cords of wood. Its roots have frequently
been torn up by the plow in an adjoining field at a distance of
thirty rods from the tree itself, and on the opposite side of
the creek. It is claimed that this tree has no equal in size in
the State of New York.

448 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

CHAPTER IX.

JERUSALEM.

,HEN the district of Jerusalem was organized in 1789 it
|& embraced all that is now included in Jerusalem, Ben-
ton, Milo, and Torrpy, if its boundaries were distinctly defined.
So much of Bluff Point as lies south of the seventh townships
in the first and second ranges was included in Steuben County
when that County was set off" from Ontario in 1796. The
name Jerusalem was bestowed in deference to the Friend and
her Society, she having named the land settled by her disciples
the New Jerusalem. As early as the autumn of 1791 a bush
house was erected and a little clearing commenced on the
Friend's place in the valley on lot 23, Guernsey's Survey, where
her residence was established in 1794. Her own household
were therefore nearly if not quite the first settlers in the town
of Jerusalem as now bounded. In 1803 a town was erected,
consisting of township number seven of the second range, and
so much of township number seven first range as lies west of
Keuka Lake and lot 37. This town retained the name of Je-
rusalem and the residue of the original town was named Ver-
non. To Jerusalem was added in 1814, by act of the legisla-
ture, that part of Bluff Point which had previously been
included in Steuben County. This is an elevated ridge em-
braced between the arms of the Lake and extending nearly five
miles southward of townships number seven, a part of which
belongs in township number six of the first range and a much
larger part in township six of the second range. Such is the
town of Jerusalem, including about 36,000 acres or 13,000 acres
more than one full township.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 449

From the Italy line eastward there is a descent. of about
| nine hundred feet to the level of the Lake and the valley of
j the west branch inlet. On the north side of the town this in-
| clined plane is broken by Shearman's Hollow, from which a
ridge rises to the eastward separating it from the valley of the
inlet creek. From this creek to the east there is a steep ac-
clivity through most of the town, extending about two miles to
the summit, which is considerably lower than the elevation on
the west side of the town. From this ridge there is a rapid
slope eastward to Penn Yan and the east branch of the Lake.
The continuity of this ridge southward is broken by a deep de-
pression, extending across from the head of the west branch to
the east branch of the Lake. It is a reasonable inference that
at some geological period the waters of the Lake covered this
depression, uniting the two branches of the Lake and forming
an island of Bluff Point.

x\lmost the entire town of Jerusalem in its natural state was
a densely wooded region. Much of it was very heavily timber-
ed with pine of the finest quality, especially in the west part of
the town. Valuable as the land has become under eighty
years of gradual improvement, the town would probably be
worth more money if it could be now restored to its precise
state as it stood when Daniel Guernsey traversed it with his
compass and chain in 1790 to survey township number seven
of the second range into lots. So thickly was the valley of the
inlet creek covered with hard maple of the largest and most
thrifty character that it was proposed by Gideon Wolcott to
call the brook Sugar Creek. No name, however, has been per-
manently affixed to this stream, which rises in southwest Ben-
ton, crosses a corner of Potter, and forms the west boundary of
the east tier of lots in township number seven of the second
range. It is the only mill stream in Jerusalem, except one or
two of its tributaries which have had saw mills erected on
them.

The vicinity of Branchpoint, the inlet valley and Shearman's
Hollow afford abundant evidence that the Indians had through

450 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

that region a favorite abode. Their burial places have fre-
quently been found and their bones disturbed in the improve-
ment of the land. The earlier settlers threaded their trails
along that historic valley, extending north from the west branch
of the Lake and across the hills in various directions. They
had an important burial place near the "Old Fort" in Shear-
man's Hollow. But the so-called " Old Fort " itself was prob-
ably not an Indian work. It was situated near the district
school house on lot 48, and was an earthwork enclosing about
two acres of ground, and an excellent spring. It belonged no
doubt to that class of works which competent investigators have
ascribed to a race anterior to the Indian tribes swept away by
European civilization.

Red Jacket, the distinguished native Orator, who figured as
a chief of the Senecas during the later and more disastrous
years of the Indian occupation, was born on the shores of the
west branch of Keuka Lake and probably within the boundaries
of Jerusalem. For this statement we have the authority Of Red
Jacket himself. On a journey with other chiefs to Washington
not far from the period of Gen. Jackson's first inauguration to
the Presidency, Red Jacket addressed a public meeting called
to give him a reception at Geneva. In that speech he stated
that his birthplace was near the west arm of the Keuka, so-
called from its resemblance to a bended elbow. He further
stated that he lived here with his parents till he was about
twelve years old, when they removed to the Old Castle near
Kanadesaga, and several years later to Conewagus. A sketch
of that speech Avas reported by Roderick N. Morrison, for the
Penn Yan Democrat, and Alfred Reed, then an apprentice in
that office, was the printer who put it in type. These corrob-
orating facts are given because it is alleged by Col. William L.
Stone, in his Life of Red Jacket, that his birthplace was Cano-
ga, on the west bank of Cayuga Lake ; a statement rendered
improbable, not only by the facts already stated, but by the
further fact that Canoga was on the territory of the Cayugas.
In Col. Stone's Avork, the Avord Keuka has probably been trans-

TOW?T OF JERUSALEM.

151

formed by some error into Canoga. Red Jacket, (Sagayewatha
in the Seneca dialect,) was an illustrious character, whose place
of nativity we may well be proud to claim. He was not a
great warrior, and was denounced by Brant as a coward. But
he saw what Brant could not or would not see, that war Avas
the extermination of his people. He was gifted with rare elo-
quence and was an able reasoner. Men of the highest capacity
and accomplishments, who shared the acquaintance of this
noted chief regarded him as a marvel of his race and a truly
great man.

The sale of township number seven second range, by Phelps
and Gorham to Thomas Hathaway and Benedict Robinson was
negotiated in 1789, though the conveyance was not executed
till September 1790. Daniel Guernsey surveyed the township
into lots in the summer of 1790. Forty-seven years thereafter,
when he was seventy-seven years old, his deposition was taken
at Monroe, Indiana, with regard to this survey, to be used as
evidence in a suit, involving the title to lot 9, wherein Rachel
Malin and David B. Prosser, were plaintiffs and Joseph Ketch-
um was defendant. Mr, Guernsey stated in his deposition that
he and Noah Richards made a contract in March 1790 with
Benedict Robinson for the survey in question, and that the
work was begun June 30th. He proceeds to say " Abram
Burdick, and Nathan Burdick, his son, assisted me as chain-
men, and Benedict Robinson and Thomas Hathaway accompa-
nied us four days in traversing and establishing the exterior
lines cf the township. Benedict Robinson erected a cabin near
the Lake and employed Nicholas Briggs, Seth Jones, Peter
Robinson, Jabez Brown, and a negro bDy named Zip, to assist
in surveying and clearing a lot for improvement. Here we all
resided and were supplied with victuals, and directions both as
to surveying and clearing, by Benedict Robinson, who resided
with us, except when he was called abroad on business, till
about the twentieth of September, when we all left the place on
account of sickness. During this time Thomas Hathaway vis-
ited us but seldom."

452 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

The township was found to overrun its six-mile boundaries,
by seventy -two rods north and south, and sixty rods east and
west. This overplus was equally apportioned to the several
lots which were otherwise one half mile from north to south
and one mile from east to west, containing three hundred and
twenty acres each. The first tier of lots was numbered from
north to south, beginning with number one at the north east
corner of the township. The second tier commenced on the
south at number thirteen and was numbered northward to
twenty-four. It will thus be seen that the township contained
seventy-two lots by this survey. By agreement of Hathaway
and Robinson the inlet creek was made the west boundary of
the first tier of lots, owing to the difficult ground over which
the line had to be traced. This made the first tier much larger
than the remaining lots, and the second tier correspondingly
small. The east line of township number seven, second range,
is the line that separates Potter and Benton and is the east
line of the Rose estate.

Finding themselves unable to meet their engagements in
paying for the land, Hathaway and Robinson re-conveyed to
Oliver Phelps seven thousand acres on the south side of the
township, a strip about two miles wide, as the water of the
Lake was not included. This tract was sold by Mr. Phelps to
James Wadsworth, the pioneer of Geneseo, and by him it
was sold in London to John Johnson, for £4,300 sterling, a
price greatly above its value at that time. By Johnson it was
conveyed to his brother.in-law, Capt. John Beddoe, who settled
upon it. After taking off two thousand acres from the east end
of this tract the residue of five thousand acres was subsequent-
ly re-surveyed into lots of one hundred and sixty acres each, or
half a mile square. These lots are numbered from one to
thirty-two, beginning at the south west corner, the first tier
numbering northward, the second southward, and so on.

Another tract of 4,000 acres extending from the Beddoe
Tract northward across the west side of the town, was re-con-
veyed to Oliver Phelps by William Carter, whose title was

TOWN OF JURSALEM. 453

derived from Benedict Robinson and Thomas Hathaway, on
the first of October 1794. On the 9th of February Mr. Phelps
deeded the same to De Witt Clinton, who mortgaged the land
the same day to Phelps, who in the following January assigned
the mortgage to Henry Champion. Clinton deeded to Peter
B. Porter, April 5, 1790, and Porter back to Phelps seven days
later. Mr, Phelps conveyed portions of the tract to William
Ogden and Heman Ely, by whom it was re-conveyed to him.
On the 5th of April 1801, Mr. Phelps mortgaged 2,000 acres to
the State of Connecticutt, by whom the previous assignment of
De Witt Clinton's mortgage was held. In 1807 Mr. Phelps
sold 1350 acres to Stephen B. Munn. In 1814 the mortgage of
1801 was foreclosed by the State of Connecticutt, and the land
sold to Gideon Granger, of Canandaigua, who received a quit
claim deed of the State of Connecticutt for the entire tract, a
release of dower from Mrs. Phelps, and a conveyance from
Stephen B. Munn, of 1,350 acres. The Connecticutt quit
claim was dated May 8, 18 Hi. June 30, 181G, Henry and
Oren Green purchased for $12,000 the entire tract of 4,000
acres. They also became the owners of lot 56, Guernsey's
Survey, which they disposed of with their principal tract,
thenceforth known as the. Green Tract.

This was also re-surveyed by the Greens, making three tiers
of lots from north to south of one hundred and fifty-four acres
each, numbered from oue to twenty-seven. Number one is in
the north west corner of the town and the lots number south-
ward on the first tier, northward en the second, and south
again on the third.

This explanation will show why the lots as surveyed and
numbered by Daniei Guernsey, are not recognized on the maps
in that part of the town covered by the Beddoe and Green
tracts. Otherwise they stand as originally numbered.

Thomas Hathaway and Benedict Robinson when they pur-
chased the " Second seventh " were both firm and devoted ad-
herents of the Friend, and it was with her advice and concur-
rence, and with a view to promote the interests of the Society

454 HISTORY OF YATES COTTNTY.

that the purchase was made. This motive at least had much
to do with it, as all the facts that come to view go to prove.
It was iu compliance with previous understanding that the
Friend was given a large tract of what appeared to be the most
desirable land within the township. The Friend really led the
way in the settlement of the town, and led many of her Socie-
ty and their connections to join in the pioneer movement that
opened that wild region to civilization. The town settled very
slowly, and was for a long period overrun with the wild ani-
mals of the native wilderness. But its settlement would have
been still longer postponed and more tardy, but for the early
nucleus planted there by the Friend and the ties attached
thereto by religion and kindred.

The story of her people has already been briefly related. It
only remains to speak of pioneer families generally, some few
of whom were more or less connected with the Friend's Soci-
ety, and many more who were not. Among the former is that
now most conspicuously represented by

BARTLESON SHEARMAN.

Among the Rhode Island adherents of the Friend was
Ezekiel Shearman, brother of the first wife of James Parker.
In 1786 at the age of twenty-six he came alone to the Genesee
Country to look out a place for a new home for the Friend's
people, and afterwards was one of the first company that come
to stay. He married in 1790, Mary, sister of John Supplee,
and widow of John Bartleson, who came to the New Jerusa-
lem with the first company of Friends from Pennsylvania,
where her first husband and their two children were buried.
They settled on fifty acres in the Friend's Settlement and lived
there four years. Finding that the Society were not to have
the anticipated advantages of the original purchase near Sene-
ca Lake, they removed in 1794 with the Friend to Jerusalem.
There, for eighty dollars in silver, that Mary Bartleson had ad-
vanced to aid in moving the Friend's effects to the new
settlement, she received from Rachel Malin, on behalf of the
Friend a deed fcr one hundred and sixty acres of land, the

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

455

north bait of lot 47. David Wagener also deeded to Ezekiel
Shearman one hundred and fifty acres on lot 48, of which one
hundred was a payment for his early explorations for the Soci-
ety and fifty for the improvements made, ($150 in value,) on
their first purchase in the Friend's Settlement. This land is
still owned by Bartleson Shearman and a hundred acres more
adjoining. A cluster of apple-trees, still thrifty and vigorous,
stands near his house, planted there in 1794, before the sur-
rounding forest had been cut down. The seed from which they
grew was brought by Mary Bartleson from Pennsylvania. She
explored the land herself and selected their Jerusalem location,
making a beautiful and advantageous choice, in which she was
particularly attracted by a most excellent spring, which is one
of the finest features of this old homestead. Ezekiel Shear-
man died in 1824 at the age of sixty, and his wife in 1843 at
the age of eighty-three Their children were Isaac, John, who
died young, and Bartleson.

Isaac born in 1792 married Susan, daughter of Thomas
Prentiss, and lived in Jerusalem till 18GG, when he moved to
Michigan, where he resides with his son George I. Shearman.
His wife died in 1861 at the age of sixty-two. Their children
were John, Mary, George I., Rachel, Sarah, Elizabeth, and an-
other daughter. John married in Michigan and died leaving
two children. Mary married James Lynn, of Jerusalem, and
moved to Michigan, where they have a family. George I.
married Mary, sister of John Underwood. They have a daugh-
ter. Rachel married Martin Henshaw. They live on the Isaac
Shearman homestead in Jerusalem, on lots 51 and 52. They
have a daughter Elizabeth, and a son. Elizabeth Henshaw
married George Horton and has two children. Sarah Shear-
man married Jesse Howard, and her second husband is Mason
Wheeler, of Potter, where they reside. Elizabeth Shearman
married Mr. Wetherby, in Michigan, and died leaving one
child. The youngest daughter of Isaac Shearman married a
brother of Elizabeth's husband and lives in Michigan.

Bartleson Shearman, born in 1797, married at the age of

456 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

forty-eight, Hannah Potter, grand-daughter of Elder John
Potter, a minister of the Christian faith. They have two sur-
viving children, Uriel and Mary. Uriel married Francis,
daughter of Abraham Watkins. Bartleson Shearman has led a
life of activity and is still at the age of seventy-three, blessed
with a vigorous constitution. He attended Courts at Canan-
daigua both as a petit and grand juror before Yates County was
erected. His recollection of early events is remarkably clear
and accurate. He has held various town offices and the office
of Justice of the Peace nine years. He says the first military
training he attended was at Kinney's Corners in 1815, and that
Peter Althiser then kept a tavern at that place, He finally
became a Second Lieutenant under Capt. Allen Cole, in the
103d Regiment, Col. Avery.

He relates that the Friends when they started in Jerusalem
cut hay on an open swamp in the southwest part of the
town near the present residence of Albert 11. Cowing. This
coarse hay by the aid of browse kept their cattle alive during
the winter. The Potters also resorted to the same swamp for
hay ; and the Friends during their first years near Seneca Lake
cut hay on the marsh at the head of the Lake which they
brought down in boats to subsist their cattle. Of the extreme
wildness of the country within his recollection, Mr. Shearman
says the wolves were very numerous in their vicinity. He re-
members on many occasions listening to their discordant cho-
rus when in every direction one or more wolves was making
night hideous with frightful howls. Sheep could only be kept
when carefully penned. One Sunday when they returned from
meeting the sheep were let out of the pen, and shortly an old
brown wolf, which he knew as well as their dog, then absent,
seized one of the sheep and disemboweled it within a few feet
of the house door. With the fire-poker Mrs. Shearman made
such an attack on the ravenous beast as to drive him off. The
brown wolves were deemed more ferocious than the black ones.
In 1801 Jacob Arnold was attacked by wolves near the Old
Fort early one evening. Ezekiel Shearman and others ran to

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

457

his relief, knowing from his cries and the noise made by the
wolves what was going on. A large number were pressing
upon him and he was backing away, when the new comers
frightened them off". The wolves killed many cattle and sheep
and were troublesome many years.

The bears were very numerous and quite troublesome too.
One day the hogs ran home from the woods in great fright,
closely followed by a bear, which killed one of them. He
seized the dead hog and was making off with it, using his hind
legs for locomotion while he carried his booty in the embrace
of his fore paws. Mr. Shearman pursued him with his ax, and
made Bruin abandon his porker. A man by the name of Clark,
the first settler near the present residence of Hiram Keeney,
heard his only hog squeal in the night, and knowing what was
up, ran out in his shirt, seized his ax, followed up the bear, and
buried the ax in his skull, thus saving his hog.

John Holton finding that the bears made very destructive
ravages in his corn, made a scaffold in the edge of his field, and
laid down on it with his gun one night to watch for the bears.
Being very tired he fell asleep, and during the night was
aroused by a noise. Looking about he espied a bear close by
him tearing away in the corn. He almost reached him with
the muzzle of his gun, and banged away. The bear seized the
post at one corner of the platform, and down it tumbled, di-
rectly on the back of Bruin himself, who was a very large
member of the bear family. Holton was greatly frightened,
picked himself up, and without thinking of his gun, made for
home as fast as he could, expecting the bear to follow in hot
pursuit. When daylight appeared he went back to the scene
of the night's performance, and found that the bear- Avas dead
and had never stirred after pulling down his scaffold. Bears
were very destructive in cornfields, and were very plenty till
1812, some remaining till 1820.

Deer were also exceedingly plenty, and were killed in great
numbers by the wolves, as well as by the inhabitants. Bartle-
son Shearman says he has seen twenty -seven deer come into a

45S IIISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

field of wheat at one time. They never troubled a wheat field
except in the fall. They frequently had tame deer, on which
they put bells. These deer would go and come at their pleas-
ure, and when in the woods mingled with the other deer, and
were a great assistance in hunting, the sound of the bell show-
ing where the herd might be found. These tame deer were
very familiar where they were wonted, but would not be teased
or trifled with. They would eat up all the tobacco they could
get access to, — and this refutes a statement often made that no
animal has a relish for or will eat tobacco.

Squirrels were for many years very numerous and destructive
to wheat and corn fields. Mr. Shearman recollects shooting
one hundred and three squirrels, five hawks and six Avood-
peckers in one day, at a squirrel hunt in 1811. The captain of
his party was William Potter, son of Arnold Potter, and Alex-
ander Southerland was the captain of the other side. The
Potter side beat by 1,500.

In 1815 there was a grand squirrel hunt, in which the town
of Jerusalem hunted against the town of Middlesex, then em-
bracing Potter. A Mr. Bassett was captain of the Middlesex
party, and a" Mr. Fox, at Kinney's Corners, was captain of the
Jerusalem party, and all the people of each town belonged to
the respective sides. They hunted for a week, and the woods
roared incessantly during that week with the sound of fire-arms.
The squirrels had been very troublesome, and the people were
thoroughly enlisted. They were notified by handbills circula-
ted through all parts of the country, and met at Rushville at
the end of the week, and such a crowd of people has seldom
been seen in any rural hamlet." They must have numbered
several thousands. The hunters carried nothing but the heads
of their game to the place of rendezvous. There were so many
of these they did not attempt to count them, but measured
them in large baskets. Jerusalem beat Middlesex about four
or five baskets of heads. Rushville had made great prepara-
tions to feed the multitude, but was eaten to a perfect famine
by the immense crowd that came together to celebrate the con-
clusion of the ereat hunt.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

459

After this the squirrels were never very troublesome. The
wolves were driven off by a great hunt, in which a line of men
posted at about five rods distance from each other, extending
from Penn Yan a distance of eighteen miles, reaching into
Steuben, drove the vagabonds before them far into Ontario.
Very little was ever heard of the wolves after that. This wolf
hunt was in 1811.

A still lower branch of the animal kingdom also furnished a
dangerous foe to the early settlers, in the rattlesnakes, which
Avere very numerous; and but for the hogs, Mr. Shearman
thinks the early settlement of the country would have been dif-
ficult if not impossible, on account of those venomous serpents.
He has known a half dozen or more to be killed in a day. Per
sons were frequently bitten as were the cattle. Castle Dains
performed many remarkable and effective cures of these bites,
by means of a weed in the woods with which he was acquaint-
ed. If called in season, he would effect a cure in an hour. Old
hogs would eat these snakes and track them as well as a dog
would a fox, and the virus of the snake had no effect on the
hog. By the aid of the swine the snakes were kept down and
finally exterminated.

Bartleson Shearman relates that the first school he attended
was taught by Nathan Kidder, an excellent teacher, whose
school was in a log house near the residence of Walter P. Ho-
bart, about two miles west of Yatesville. Among the pupils
who attended this school were William, Arnold, and Penelope,
children of Judge Arnold Potter, Israel Comstock, Polly and
Betsey Holsinger, Joseph Chambers, Stephen Wyman, Joseph,
Baxter, Hannah, Walter P., and Israel Hobart, Jacob, Joseph,
John, Isaac, Alraham, and Rachel Lane. Another school he
attended was at Larzelere's Hollow in 180S, taught by James
Jackson who was also a good teacher, and afterwards taught in
Penn Yan. Jackson was a stammering man. At the school at
Larzelere's, Israel Comstock also attended, also Peleg Luther,
Henry Larzelere, Alfred Brown, Stephen Luther, Rebecca and
Ann Durham, Ann Brown, afterwards Mrs. Gideon Wolcott

460 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Ann and Susan Ingraham, and others. He attended a school
taught by Israel Arnold, near where Jareb D. Bordwell now
lives, and another taught by William Guernsey, a Methodist
Class Leader, near Nettle Valley, in 1813. His school educa-
tion was finished at a school taught in a log school house just
above Simeon Cole's residence, in the. woods, four and a half
miles distant from his home. The school was taught by David
Bailey, an accomplished teacher, and a relative of Rev. Mr.
Farley. The Browns and Luthers and Henry Larzelere attend-
ed this school. Mr. Shearman boarded with Beloved Luther,
and chopped wood for three large fires, and paid Si. 25 a week
besides for his board. Two nights in a week they had writing
school, and improved very rapidly.

The Friend was the religious teacher of those days, and the
Shearmans attended her meetings regularly. Mrs. Shearman
was a devout believer in the Friend's doctrine all her days, and
never fell away from the Society or the observance of their
worship. Her husband dropped away when Elnathan Botsford
was alienated by the unhappy litigation which involved the
Friend and her Society for so long a period.

Bartleson Shearman has on his farm the finest grove of su-
gar maples in the county, and manufactures every year a large
amount of excellent sugar on his own grounds.

His house is one of the finest and best built residences in the
County and cost $11,000 to erect it in 1859.

THE COMSTOCKS.

Achilles, sou of Samuel Comstock, was born in Connecticutt
in 1757. He was a soldier of the Revolution and one of the
rangers employed in the irregular warfare of the border, which
was fraught with thrilling excitements. The tories and refugees
were accustomed to drive away the cows and other stock and
this property was carefully watched to save it from pillaging
bands. To thwart the cowboys led to many daring adventures
and narrow escapes, in which Mr. Comstock was a participant.

After the close of the war Achilles Comstock married Sarah,
daughter of Elnathan Botsford, senior. They had one son,

ISRAEL COMSTOCK.

TOWN OF JURSALEM. 461

Israel, and two daughters, Apphi and Martha. The family came
to the New Jerusalem in 1797. After abandoning an attempt
made in company Avith his brothers-in-law, the Botsfords, to
make a settlement near Dundeg, they made a purchase in 1799
of four hundred acres on the north side of the Friend's estate in
Jerusalem, which was a strip of land two miles long and one
hundred rods wide. Their title to this land was involved in
the long litigation which commenced in 1811 and ended in
1828, which caused them much trouble and cost and kept them
in a long and wearying suspense.

Achilles Comstock was a prominent citizen and most of the
time in the early years from 1803« to 1815 held some town
office, usually Commissioner of Highways. He was an early
adherent of the Methodists and his wife was firmly attached to
the Friend and her Society. The wife had her sabbath on Sat-
urday and the husband on Sunday, a circumstance which never
produced the least inharmonious result in the family. He died
in 1832 at the age of seventy-five, a much respected citizen.
His wife died in 1845 at the age of seventy-nine. Their daugh-
ters belonged to the sisterhood of the Friend's Society.

Israel Comstock, born in Connecticutt in 1794, was like his
father a very worthy and examplary citizen. He was eight
years a Justice of the Peace, and held many town offices ;
was always a liberal and progressive man, and at the time of
his death was President of the Yates County Historical Soci-
ety. He was deeply interested in the objects of that organiza-
tion, and resolutions expressive of high respect for his memory
were published by the Society. For thirty-four years he was a
consistent member of the Methodist Church, and most of the
time an official and leading member. He married in 1821
Jane, daughter of Thomas Sutton, of Jerusalem. Their children
were Botsford Achilles, John J., and Sarah L. Botsford A.
born in 1823, is unmarried and occupies the homestead on
which Achilles Comstock settled in 1799, on lot 25. He is a
worthy scion of the old stock, representing his ancestry with
credit in the church and in civil society. Sarah Letetia, born

462 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

in 1831, is unmarried. John J. married Mary, daughter of
Robert Miller, of Pultney, and grand-daughter of Melchoir
Wagener. They occupy a portion of the original homestead.
Their children are Robert Israel, John Achilles, George Bots-
ford, and Wilbur. Israel Comstock died in 1866 at the age of
seventy-one, and his widow survives at the age of seventy-one,
sprightly and active to a remarkable degree for her years.

DANIEL BROWN FAMILY.

Daniel Brown and Anna York, were descendents of early
English Colonists, and were born near Stonington, Ccnnecti-
cutt, where they were married. They were early members of
the Friend's Society, and with tneir sons, Daniel, George, and
Russel were among the earliest residents of the New Jerusalem
Later in life they did not remain members of the Society, but
held the Friend in high respect and continued to cherish the
most friendly relations with her and her disciples.

By the appearance of the land still more by a remarkably
clear and cold spring of water, lie was attracted to the spot
where he settled in the midst of the wilderness, erecting first a
log house on lot 5, where De Witt C. Cole now resides. Here
they made an opening in the woods, one of the earliest in Je-
rusalem if not the first permanent settlement. This was thence-
forward their home through life, and they made it one of the
most noted and hospitable resorts of the early days. The wild
animals beset them very sorely, often carrying off their sheep
and pigs, sometimes before their eyes. The Indians, too, were
numerous and sometimes mischievous. On one occasion the
senior Brown had reason to believe the salvation of his life was
due to his ability to speak in some degree the Indian dialect.
He discovered an Indian watching him with an evident evil
purpose and boldly approaching the red man addressed him as
a brother. In this way he disarmed the hostile feeling of the
savage.

It was long a lonely place in the woods where they settled.
In one direction they could reach the Friend's house and Judge
Arnold Potter's, a distance of two to three miles away, and

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 463

eastward K obert Chissom and Lawrence Townsend were on the
road to Benedict Robinson's and tbe Friend's Settlement.
These were their neighbors as were the Gilberts at Rushville,
and John Pierce on West River. Their roads were Indian
trails. Sometimes the underbrush would be cut away and an
occasional tree to allow a sled drawn by oxen to pass. The
Browns held on and conquered the obstacles of the wilderness.
They cleared an excellent farm of four hundred acres and en-
joyed its benefits ; and here the parents died well advanced in
years. Susannah Brown, the wife of Benedict Robinson, Lucy
Brown, a leading member of the Friend's Society, and Tem-
perance Brown, were sisters cf Daniel Brown, senior. Russel,
his youngest son, died early.

Daniel Brown, jr., born in Stonington, Connecticut!, in
1773, was sixteen years old when the family came to this
County. In 1797 he returned to Stonington and married Lu-
cretia Coates, who was one year his junior. They first settled
where Hiram Cole resides, on lot 5, and a part of the paternal
homestead. They sometimes resided at this place and some-
times at the residence of his father, known to his children as the
"Grandfather house." Daniel Brown, jr. died at the age of fifty
two at his own house, and his wife at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. Gideon Wolcott, in Jerusalem, at the age of seventy. Daniel
Brown, jr., was an energetic man and thorough in labor and
business. He kept a tavern at the " Grandfather house " sev-
eral years which was for some time the only inn on the
road to Prattsburgh after leaving Townsend's or Chissom's.
He also established a distillery and made additions to the
homestead extending to the road west of the creek, and south
including the site on which his brother George had built a saw
mill and grist mill, long known as Brown's Mills and now
owned by George Adams, on lot 18. The war of 1812 em-
barrassed his expanding operations and somewhat depressed
his fortunes. He was the first Justice of the Peace in Jerusa-
lem, as now organized, and held the office as long as it wa
filled by appointment. Having a fine physical form, he was

464 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

noted for strength and activity and was conceded the best man
of his time as a wrestler, especially at a side hold. His wife
was a woman of warm attachments in social life and full of re-
sources as a pioneer wife and mother. Their children were
Alfred, Anna, and Mary.

Alfred Brown, born in Jerusalem in 1798, was in his active
years a man of nerve and energy. He was a surveyor and a
noted deer hunter, as well as an efficient business man. He
was elected Sheriff of Yates County in 1831, and was the first
citizen born within the precincts of the County, elected one of
its officials. He still lives at Penn Yan, a bachelor.

Anna, born in 1805, was the wife of Gideon Wolcott. Their
only daughter Mary, born in 1827, married in 1858, Charles
L. Kilbourn, a graduate of West Point, and an officer in the
U. S. Army. He is a native of Tioga County, Pennsylvania*
born in 1819, served with credit and efficiency under General
Zachary Taylor in the Mexican war ; was breveted First Lieu-
tenant at Monterey, and a Captain at Buena Vista for merito-
rious conduct. Captain Bragg's famous battery, to which he
belonged was entitled by General Taylor to the credit of saving
the day at Monterey. He was in all the battles of Taylor's
campaign. Afterwards he was appointed a commissary of sub-
sistence and served in a Florida campaign against the Indians.
In the great war of the Rebellion he Avas most of the time
stationed at Cincinnati where he disbursed thirty millions of
dollars for army supplies, without the discrepance of a dollar in
his accounts. He has since been established in New York and
Philadelphia and stands only third in rank in the commissary
department of the regular army. General Kilbourn is the only
surviving officer of the Battery to which he belonged, and ex-
cepting General William T. Sherman, the only officer remain-
ing on duty that belonged to the batteries of General Taylor's
Mexican Army.

Mary, daughter of Daniel Brown, jr., born in 1818, married
Moidecai Ogden, of Penn Yan. They subsequently moved to
Elmira where he was largely interested in real estate, and

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

4G5

where lie died. Their children were Alfred B., J. Lorimer,
and Louise. Mrs. Ogden resides with her brother Alfred
Brown, at Penn Yan. Alfred B. married Sarah Carpenter, of
Missouri, and resides in the city of New York. J. Lorimer
married Josephine Goundry, of Dresden, and resides at Penn
Yan. They have a daughter Mary. Louise married Smith H.
Mallory, son of Smith L. Mallory, former Sheriff of Yates
County. They reside at Chariton, Iowa, and have one daugh-
ter, Jessie.

George, brother of Daniel Browu, jr., married Sarah, daugh-
ter of Judge William Potter. They bought six hundred and
forty acres of the Beddoe Tract west of the Lake, including the
site of Branchport, where they settled, and where he died in
1820. His widow died in 1840, in Milo, now Torrey. George
Brown was renowned for his physical power and prowess. He
was many years Supervisor of Jerusalem. Their children were
Theda, Harriet, and John R. Theda married Jonathan Perry,
and they settled on the Esther Briggs' farm at jSTorris' Landing.
Here he died leaving several children. John R. married Jane,
daughter of Isaac Bogert, of Dresden. He lived some years in
Jerusalem, and afterwards moved to Chemung County, where
he died. Their children were Sarah, Martha, and Isaac. Sarah
is single. Martha is the wife of Wilson Rickey, ofHorseheads.
Isaac is married and resides in Chemung County.

JOHN BEDDOE.

Capt. John Beddoe was born in West Wales in 17G3, and
there married Catharine James Soon after their marriage in
1798 they emigrated direct from Wales to Jerusalem. In May
they landed in New York. He there bought a little three ton
boat which he brought all the way with him by way of Albany,
Geneva, and Seneca and Keuka Lakes to his destination, having
it carried over places where navigation was impossible. This
boat was an object of note and curiosity for years. Capt. Bed-
doe left his fatnily at Geneva and procured five young men to
begin clearing and preparing a home on his tract in South
Jerusalem. They landed their little boat on the east shore of

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

the west branch of Keuka Lake in a beautiful coye, where the
fine residence of R. Selden Rose now stands. Depositing their
effects in the hollow of a large sycamore, they proceeded to
erect a camp and commence a clearing. On this well chosen
ground Capt. Beddoe fixed the site for his buildings, marked
reserves of fine trees and laid out a garden, giving the place
the appearance of an English country seat. Henry Barnes,
whose memory of the place goes back to 1802, states that they
first had a framed house ; that Capt. Beddoe erected a house of
hewed logs in 1807, and that he and his brother Julius attended
the raising, he helping to cut the notches to fit the ends of the
logs. This house was built by Benjamin Durham, and the
logs were so nicely squared that no chinking was required.

Capt. Beddoe cleared forty acres and had it sow^d with
wheat the first season, besides finishing his house for the
reception of his family. It was a wild home for a family ac-
customed to the better conditions of English country life. In
later years they erected a framed house which is still standing,
some distance further back from the Lake. There was a fine
grove of chestnut trees which he left standing on the bank by
the Lake. They were very productive, and Capt. Beddoe cut
them all down, in vexation at the pilferers "who carried oft* the
fruit of his beautiful group of trees. A chestnut grove still
adorns the same ground, sprouts from the original trees. Mrs.
Beddoe died in 1815 where they first settled, and her husband
in 1835 at the residence of his son, west of the Lake, at the
precise age of seventy-two. Their children were John Stone,
Charlotte II., and Lynham J. John Stone died single on the
west side homestead.

Charlotte H. married George Stafford, of Geneva, where she
died leaving one child, John B., who resides with his uncle at
Branchport, unmarried.

Lynham J. Beddoe, born in 1807, married Eleanor, daughter
of Col. Elias Cost, of Phelps, who was born in 1811. They'
settled on the homestead, west side, and subsequently moved to
a residence in Branchport, built by George Brown, as his farm

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 467

house. He is a hardware merchant. They have four children,
James C, William C. J., Mary Cammann and Eleanor Cuyler.

At an early day Capt. Beddoe sold one mile square of his
land to George Brown, a part of which reverted to him. This
tract was west and north of the head of the west branch. Ten
hundred and fifty acres lying east of the Lake was afterwards
sold to John N. Rose.

David Morse accompanied Capt. Beddoe in his first settle-
ment iu Jerusalem and remained with him several years. Ue
subsequently married a daughter of Hugh Boyd and settled on
a farm in that town. He and his wife both died there. Their
children were John, Joshua, David, Joseph and Mary. David,
who remains in the County, married a daughter of William
Culver, of Bluff Point, and resides near Kinney's Corners.

James Sherratt, was hired by Capt. Beddoe in New York,
and came with him to Jerusalem. He was a noted carpenter
and builder, and the original settler on the farm of Daniel
Sprague, in Benton, on lot 87. His grand-daughter is the wife
of Perry Dains, of Penn Yan.

THE DAVIS FAMILIES.

Jonathan Davis, who died nearly ninety-three years old, in
1870, came to this County in 1792, at the age of fifteen, along
with David Wagener and a company of eight to join the
Friend's Settlement. After remaining a few years he went
back to his native abode, about fifteen miles from Philadelphia,
and there married Rachel Updegraff in 1801. After a short
j residence in South Milo they moved to Jerusalem and settled
about half a mile west of Larzelere's Hollow, where they re-
mained. Mrs. Davis died in 1858 in her eightj'-first year.
Tijcy bought their land of Jacob "Wagener, who owned lots 20,
30, 31, and 42, in all over twelve hundred acres. Jonathan
Davis was a peaceable, cjniet citizen, whose old age was green,
and blessed with a vivid memory of the early years of the Set-
tlement. He adhered to the Frieuds for many years and after-
wards inclined toward a sect known as Miehaeiites. He origin-
ally belonged to the Quakers. The children of this family

468 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

were Mary, Isaiah, Leah, and Lydia. Mary married Joseph
Cogswell and they resided in Jerusalem, where she died in
1869, aged sixty-eight. Her husband survives her.

Lydia married John Brockway. They lived in Allegany
County, and their children were Hannah and Isaiah D. Han-
nah married Abraham V. Dean, of Dansville, a son of Alexan-
der V. Dean, of Jerusalem. Isaiah D. was a soldier of
Company L, 14th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and died in the ser-
vice. He was a good soldier and a worthy young man. His
funeral discourse was preached at Branchport by Rev Fred-
erick Starr, jr., in August 1864.

Leah and Isaiah Davis are unmarried and reside on the
homestead. John Davis, the father of Jonathan Davis, died in
Jerusalem at the age of ninety-two. His wife was Leah Rog-
ers. The grandfather of Jonathan Davis, also John Davis, em-
igrated from Wales, and he and his son John were each
respectively the only sons of families to which they belonged.
The family of Jonathan Davis consisted of himself and his sis-
ters Sinah. Anna, and Lydia. Sinah married Stewart Cohoon,
brother of Jared, and Lydia died single.

Anna, sister of Jonathan Davis, was the wife of Jared Co-
hoon, who was one of the earliest pioneers and who still lives
with his son Charles in Michigan, at the age of ninety-two.
He came with his father, Nathaniel Cohoon, when but few of
the early settlers had arrived. He was the first settler on the
place now owned by Thomas C Sutton, of Jerusalem. He re-
members the Indians well and says he killed hundreds of rattle-
snakes in Milo. The only live wolt he ever saw was in the
path directly before him, where Main street now runs in Penn
Yan. He was a hard-working man, laboring by the day and
making shingles for a livelihood. He states that he worked
many a day for Anna Wagener, and at the Friend's. His
physical power was such that on one occasion he carried three
and one half bushels of wheat on his back across the Big Gully,
a great feat of strength. His sister, Jerusha Coho6n, was the
wife of Dennis Dean, one of the early school teachers.

TOWN OF JUBSALEM.

469

FAMILY OF MALACHI DAVIS.

Malachi Davis, a native of Wales, was a settler about 1720,
some fifteen miles from Philadelphia, where he owned and oc-
cupied a mile square of land till his death. His son Malachi
was born there in 1745, and married Catharine Gilkerson, eight
years younger. He was a Quaker in sentiment and did not
take part as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. In 1798 he
moved with his family to Milo, then Jerusalem, with a train of
forty immigrants with four-horse teams, a journey of one month,
by way of Capt. Williamson's road. He settled on the Gore
north of the south line of Torrey, where he bought his land of
Charles Williamson and resided till his death in 1832, at the
age of eighty-seven. The children of this family were Tacey,
Mary, Jonathan, Eleanor, Hannah, Samuel, Rachel, Malachi,
Jesse, John, and Nathaniel. Tacey and Mary died in Philadel-
phia, quite wealthy, both upwards of seventy. Mary was
unmarried and Tacey was the wife of Jacob Stout.

Samuel was the only one that moved to Jerusalem. He was
born in 1784, and in 1805 married Menty, daughter of Eleazer
Ingraham. They settled the same year on the east part of lot
42, and some years later moved to the west part of the same lot
where he still resides on a farm of thirty acres. His wife died
in 1863 in her seventy-eighth year. She was a woman of re-
markable industry and great benevolence. Samuel Davis has
been an expert shingle-maker, and his shingles were eagerly
sought for as being of superior quality. He has had the full
experience of the pioneers with the wilderness and the early set-
tlement. To keep the wolves from devouring his sheep and
the bear the swine, was sometimes more than could be accom-
plished. He has his share of incidents that he relates in this
connection. He is a hale, robust, large chested man of rotund
figure, enjoying with zest, the comforts of life, at the age of
eighty-six. The children of this pair are Rachel, Rebecca,
Joseph N., Jesse II., Eliza, George W., and Lydia Ann. Ra-
chel, born in 1800, married George Shattuck, of Jerusalem.
Rebecca, born in 1808, married Elias Chase. They reside

470 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

where Samuel Davis first settled. Their children are Melissa,
Levi D., Emeline, Morrison L., and Melinda. Melissa married
Daniel Sherwood of Jerusalem. Levi D. married the only,
daughter of Judge Jacob La Rue, of Hammondsport, and is a
minister of the Methodist Church. They have a daughter.
Emeline became the second wife of Henry W. Harris, of Jeru-
salem, deceased. She has one son Eddie. Morrison L. married
Mary E., daughter of James A. Belknap. Melinda married
Elwyn Haire, son of Ezra Haire, of Jerusalem.

Joseph N., born in 1809, is a local preacher, of the Metho-
dist faith, and resides near his father. He married Rachel
Ccrwin, and their children are Edgar E., Harriet J., (deceased,)
Miles A., Melvin J., and George. Melvin J. married Adaline,
daughter of James A. Belknap. The others are single. Edgar E.
owns and occupies a handsome farm of about sixty acres on lotol .
Miles A., is a printer and a contributor to the press, for which
he writes with ease, taste, and ability.

Jesse H., born in 1810, married Polly Corwin, sister of
Joseph's wife. They reside in the same vicinity. Their child-
ren are Joel L., Emergene, and Ann Janette. Joel L. married
Sarah Crane, of Wellsville, N. Y., and resides atBlossburg, Pa.
Emergene married Joseph Lewis, of Prattsburgh, and resides
there. Their children are Franklin L., William, and Jennie.

Eliza, born in 1816, married Henry Lewis, a surveyor, of
Prattsburgh. She died in 1866. They had one son, Joseph,
who married his cousin Emergene.

George W., born in 1821, married Loretta Rose, of Jerusa-
lem, where they reside on lot 12. Their children arc Margery
Albina, Charles E., and Margaret Adellie.

Lydia Ann, born. in 1827, married Samuel Stryker, of Jeru-
salem. They reside in Larzelere's Hollow, and have ono son,
Henry.

William Davis, brother of Malachi Davis, jr., born in 1748.
married Nancy Davis, (not a relative) in Montgomery Co., Pa.
They moved to the New Jerusalem in 1792. His name was on
the first tax roll. He died in 1818 and his children were Israel,

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 171

Nathan, Jesse, Lydia, Anna, and William. Israel, born in
1772, was a Baptist preacher and a man of excellent character.
His wife was Nancy Gould. He died in Indiana at the age of
ninety-two. Nathan, born in 1774, died in Rochester at the
age of seventy-seven. He was a carpenter and his wife was
Martha Grey. He was the builder of many of the early school
houses, and of the third house erected in the city of Rochester.
Lydia, born in 1780, married James Anway, and died in Ohio,
at the age of fifty-nine. Anna, born in 1786, is still living in
Jerusalem. She was the wife of John Critison, who died in
I860, upwards of seventy.

William Davis, jr., born in 1782, married Sarah Tolbert, of
Milo, and resided in Jerusalem, where he died at the age of
thirty-nine. He was a farmer, and on the day of his death
went to Penn Yan with a load of ashes, and on his return,
about two miles beyond Larzelere's Hollow, his ?led caught
fast between two trees in the woods. Being unable to ex-
tricate it without an ax, he unhitched his oxen and let them
proceed homeward while he followed on foot. Benumbed with
cold, in sight of his house, he crawled on his hands and knees
across the field, eager to reach once more his own fireside, but
finally sank down unable to move but crying out to his wife,
who heard his voice and went out to the barn. Not finding
the oxen, which had strayed away to a neighbor's barn, she
concluded the noise she had heard was that of wolves, and re-
turned to the house and retired for the night. The morning
revealed the lifeless body of her husband a few rods from his
own door. William's only child was Sarah Ann, who married
William Carey, of Jerusalem, and died in Michigan.

Jesse Davis, born in 1778, married first Rebecca Yates, of
Montgomery Co., Pa., who died in 1826, and in 1827 he mar-
ried a second wife, Huldah, daughter of Elizur Barnes. He
came to the Genesee country in 1791, with the family of David
Wagener. He and Abraham Wagener were companions in
eating, sleeping, and labor three years before he was eighteen.
At that age he assisted Joseph Jones in a township survey where

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

the village of Dansville now stands, and no settlement was yet
begun there except two houses. Panthers screamed on their
track, and the wolves were so voracious that one night they
barely kept them at bay by beating them off with firebrands.
Jesse Davis was a Quaker in sentiment and a just and upright
man. He settled in Jerusalem on a place adjoining that of
Jonathan Davis, in 1815, where he was the first settler, and
died there in 1862 in his eighty-fourth year. The children of
his second marriage were William, Nathan, Charles, Sophia,
and Joanna.

William married Mary, daughter of John Dorman, of Jerusa-
lem; and resides on the old homestead. They have three child-
ren, Bertha F., William S. and Morris W.

Nathan married Amanda Hose, of Torrey, and resides in
Iowa. Their children are Charles, William, and Nora E.

Charles married Elizabeth Thorn, of Rochester, and resides
in Iowa. Their children are Franklin, Ella, and Alice.

Sophia married Riley Wells, son of George Wells, of Pot-
ter. They reside in California. Their children are William,
Charles, and George.

Joanna married Oscar Stever, son of Peter Stever, of Jerusa-
lem. They reside in California, and have one child, Genevra.

BENJAMIN DURHAM.

Among the most noted of the early settlers of Jerusalem, was
Benjamin Durham, an excellent millwright. His ancestors
were English, and early settlers on Long Island. He was quite
early a resident of the Friend's Settlement, coming with Rich-
ard Henderson, of whom he learned his trade. He was never
of the Friend's Society, having early united with the Metho-
dists and remaining through life a devout, consistent and ear-
nest believer. In 1798 at the age of twenty-three, he married
Elizabeth, daughter of Castle Dains, who was two years young-
er. The marriage ceremony was performed by Benedict Rob-
inson. In 1799 he purchased land of Mr. Robinson about one
mile north of what is now Branchpoint, where William II.
Decker now resides, on lot 17. There they at once made their

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 473

home in the woods and erected a log bouse, which was their
abode upwards of twenty years. In the absence of churches and
the scarcity of school-houses, their house was long a place for
Methodist preaching and always the cordial home of the itin-
erant ministers. When meetings were not held at their own
house they did not hesitate to go a long distance to attend re-
ligious service. Mr. Durham and his wife would frequently go
on foot to Arnold's Hollow, (now Yatesville,) a distance of five
miles, to attend prayer meeting. They also frequently went to
Nettle Valley, in Potter, with an ox team to attend preaching.
The religious enthusiasm of these days would hardly induce
such efforts to reach the ministrations of the Gospel.

For some time after they settled on their place, the Indians,
who held the occupation of the valley for a long time, had wig-
wams on their premises and sometimes were quite annoying.
Their trusty dog, understanding the opinions of the household
concerning the red-skins, was very adroit in driving them off
and keeping them at bay. He did not hesitate to lay hold of
them, and they finally regarded the courageous mastiff with
mortal fear, a circumstance which had a notable effect in the
improvement of their manners. The faithful dog had other and
more ferocious enemies to ward off, in the multitude of wolves
that roamed through the dense surrounding forests and made
the nights terrific with their discordant howls. If no more
than a small company of three or four made their appearance,
the old dog would drive them off, but some nights they would
come in such numbers as to compel him to take refuge in an
out-door oven, from the mouth of which he defied their assaults
and admonished them with his best tones. It was impossible
to keep sheep for some years, and finally when they begun to
do so, they were very carefully penned at night. With all their
care, however, the wolves intruded into the fold over a formid-
able enclosure, and killed upwards of forty, nearly the whole
flock, at one time.

Mr. Durham wrought at his trade, a good share of the time
away from home, and built mills at Batavia, Niagara Falls, and

474 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

other places. He paid for his land and finally owned about
two hundred acres. His first wife bore him nine children, and
he married in 1818, a second wife, Mary K. Bates, of Potter.
By the second marriage there were five. Those of the first
marriage were Ann, Rebecca, George, John, James, Joanna,
Abel, Albert, and Elizabeth. Of the second, Lucy C, Myron
H., Benjamin, Mary C, and Charles M. Ann born in 1799,
married Samuel Griswold ; they still reside in Jerusalem. Re-
becca, born in 1800, was the first wife of Henry Larzelere, and
died in 1860. George, born in 1803, died single in 1829.

John, born in 1804, married Elizabeth Hungerford, and was
drowned in the Hudson River, near Troy. He left four child-
ren, James H., Mary M., Delia A. and John A. His widow has
since married a Mr. Johnson, and resides in Ontario County.

James, born in 1809, married Alma Hamilton, and resides in
Norwich, Chenango County. They have had five children,
Dwight, Cyrus, Helen M., George, and Emma A. The sons are
all dead.

Joanna died young, and Abel, born in 1812, went to New
Orleans in 1833, and has not since been heard from.

Albeit, born in 1814, married Lucinda M. Sciples, and re-
sides in Jerusalem. They have six children, Elizabeth A., Hen-
ry L , John W., James H., Harriet L., and George A. Elizabeth
A. married John A. Miller, of Branchport, and they have bad
five children, Henry L., John W., James H., Harriet R. and
George A. Henry L. died young. John W. married Emma
Lounsbury, and resides in Italy. They have one child. He
served in the army, first a full enlistment in the 33d Regiment,
N. Y. V., re-enlisted in the 178th, and was wounded at Peters-
burg. A ball striking his right breast passed to his spinal col-
umn, and the wound has caused his right arm to wither and
become useless. His brother James H.. was a soldier in the oOth
Regiment of Engineers, and died at Alexandria, Va.

Elizabeth Durham, born in 1816, married first Wolcott Cole.
They had one daughter, Rebecca Ann, who became the wife of
Chauncey Millspaugh, and is the mother of three children, Ed-
ward, Emma, and one other.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

Mrs. Cole married a second husband, Linus Dickinson, of
Jerusalem. They have two children, Dwight W. and Mariette,
both single, residing with their parents.

Lucy O, the oldest of Benjamin Durham's children by the
second marriage, was born in 1319, and married William II.
Decker, of Jerusalem, in 1838. They retain the old Durham
homestead and reside on it, having remodeled the old farm
house built by Benjamin Durham in 1820. They have had
three children, George IL, Anna E., and Charles D. George
H. is a graduate of Hamilton College, and late Principal of the
public schools at Middletown, Orange County, now a student
at law. He has a high reputation as a teacher. Anna E. died
in 1865, and Charles D. resides with his parents.

Myron PI. Durham, born in 1821, married Chloe M., daugh-
ter of David Dains, and resides in Jerusalem. Their children
are Henry C, Mary C, Annette, and Sarah R. The oldest two
died young. Annette married Henry L. Griswold, and resides
at Naples, N. Y. The remaining daughter resides with her pa-
rents.

Benjamin, born in 1823, married and resides in Michigan.
He has one child. Mary C, born in 182G, died in 1845.

Charles M., born in 1830, married Plelen Cameron, and re-
sides at Independence, Iowa. Their children are Maude A
and Charles H.

Benjamin Durham, senior, died in 1832 ; his first wife,
Elizabeth, in 1817, and his second wife, Mary K., in 1845, at
the age of forty-six.

Benjamin Durham had a brother John who resided in Che-
mung County. Unlike Benjamin, he was a Presbyterian, but
his son James became a noted minister of the Methodist church
and a presiding elder. He was bred a printer, and at an early
period was editor of the Elraira Whig. He passed the later
years of his life at Benton Centre, where he served as Justice
of the Peace, and died in 1861, aged sixty-one, and his wife,
(Sophia De LaBarr,) two years later, at fifty-six. Of their ten
children, four survive. Thomas, formerly a sailor and now a

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

farmer, moved recently from Benton to Seneca Falls, where
Elizabeth, his sister, also resides. Mary is the -wife of Alfred
Crosby, of Benton, and Ella is a Milliner in Penn Yan.

HENRY LARZELERE.

Daniel Larzelere, born in 1757, married in 1786, Elizabeth
Brazier, nine years younger. They moved from New Jersey
in 1796, and settled near the Hopeton Mills. Their children
were Abraham, Jacob, Sally, William, Julia Ann and Henry.
The mother died in 1799 and was buried at City Hill. The fa-
ther was a merchant at Hopeton, and soon after the, death of
his wife, moved to Geneva and thence to Detroit where he con-
tinued a merchant some years ; returned to Seneca Falls, and
again went to Michigan with his son William and died there in
1842 at the age of eighty-five. He married a second wife at
Seneca Falls, Mrs. Palmer, and they had two sons Hiram and
Daniel, both now residents of Michigan. Abraham, the oldest
son, married and lived in Buffalo, a jeweller. Jacob married
and lived in Geneva, a tailor, fifty years and then moved to
Ypsilanti, Michigan. Sally married Thomas Moshier, of Seneca
Falls, where both died leaving five children. William married
Mahala Burras, of Seneca Falls, whence they emigrated to
Michigan. Julia Ann married William Dobbins, of Geneva.
They resided in Waterloo where both died leaving seven
children.

Henry Larzelere, the youngest son of this family, was born in
1798, at Hopeton Upon the death of his mother he was
adopted into the family of Elijah Botsford, and he still resides
near the Botsford homestead. At the age of twenty-three he
married Rebecca, daughter of Benjamin Durham. In 1826 he
commenced keeping a public house at the Corners in the Val-
ley where he still resides, since known as Larzelere's Hollow.
He kept a popular house on the principal road leading to
Prattsburgh and westward from Penn Yan, at a time when it
was a much traveled route. The town meetings were held
there several years and were finally voted to Branchport after
a very hard straggle. They had two children, Sarah A. and

TOWN OF JURSALEM. 477

William B. Sarah A. is the wife of Erastus Cole, now residing
near Kinney's Corners. William B. married Sarah A. Shep-
herd, of Italy, and resides in Gorham, near Rushville. Their
children are Helen M., Florence A., Herbert and Herman,
twins, and Adelia May.

Henry Larzelere has a second wife, Susan A., widow of An-
son Wyman, and daughter of San ford Coates. He still enjoys
health and strength, the fruit of an industrious and temperate
life.

SAIUNTOWN.

During the later years of the eighteenth century a little set-
tlement on the first road leading into Jerusalem, on lot 58 of
township seven of the first range, was made which took the
name of Sabintown, because the principal families were Sabins.
Henry Barnes, who passed through Sabintown in f800, states
that there were about a dozen log houses of humble pretensions
within a small space, forming a little hamlet in the wilderness.
The road led from the Friend's Settlement, by way of Lawrence
Townsend's and Moses Chissom's to Daniel Brown's. At Sa-
bintown a branch forked off to the right leading to the Friend's
place in the valley of Keuka Lake inlet. The road was a
rough, stumpy highway almost wholly bordered by the woods,
in 1800, and Sabintown was therefore a point of importance, on
the road between the Friend's Settlement and the Friend's
home in the wilderness of Jerusalem. The houses were first
roofed with bark but afterward were well covered with pun-
cheon. Among these early settlers were Asa and Burtch Sa-
biu, and their nephew Huram Sabin, who purchased about a-
mile square of land, now owned in part by John Dorman, James
Peckens, Nathan Coleman and heirs of Hosea Williams. Hu-
ram Sabin in after years moved to Naples, where he became a
prominent citizen. Asa and Burtch Sabin and their wives died
and were buried at Sabintown. Of the family of Asa Sabin an
only remaining daughter was the widow of Frederick Pierce,
and died the wife of David B. Prosser, of Penn Tan. Anna,.
daughter of Burtch Sabin, married Gideon Burtch, of Pawling,

478 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Dutchess County. They came with her parents and were
permanent settlers of this little colony. They both died the
same year at the age of eighty-two. Their children were Pol
ly, Jeremiah S., Joel, and Daniel. Polly was the first wife of
Deacon Stephen Raymond, and died leaving five children, Ja-
son, Betsey, Anna, Mary A., and Jeremiah B.

Jeremiah S. married Deborah, daughter of Elisha Luther.
They settled first near the homestead, and now reside on lot 4,
of Guernsey's Survey. He is a carpenter, a farmer, and a wor-
thy citizen. Their children are Mary J., Joel, and Allen.
Mary J. is the second wife of Dr. Samuel H. Wright. Joel
married Emma Mc Guinn, of Penn Yan, and they reside on the
homestead.

Joel Burtch married Clamana Hulberl, daughter of a Baptist
minister, and died in Jerusalem, of consumption, leaving a
daughter, Elizabeth, who married Francis Davison and moved
to Michigan where she lives a widow with two children.

Daniel Burtch went West, where he married. He lives now
near Chattanooga, Tennessee. His wife is dead, leaving two
children.

Braman Burtch, a cousin of Gideon Burtch, was also an ear-
ly settler at Sabintown, and died a very aged man where John
Dorman now resides. One of his sons died in Penn Yan about
1855, after living West.

Another early resident of Sabintown was Hezekiah Dayton,
whose wife was Sally, sister of Mrs. Gideon Burtch. He died
in Geneva, of consumption.

Zephenia Bri'ggs was the first settler on the Deacon Ray-
mond place on lot 69 of the first seventh. He lived there about
twenty years and kept a tavern at quite an early day. When
he opened his tavern there was a great gathering to raise the
sign post, and the occasion was notable for the large number of
young men who became hopelessly drunk. Another legitimate
fruit of this tavern was frequent pugilistic encounters, even be-
tween prominent citizens. The tavern was kept up but a year
or two after the property passed into the possession of Deacon

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 479

Raymond. Zephenia Briggs was a member of the Free Will
Baptist Church, and frequently fell from grace through his love
of liquor and the rough amusements of his time, but was as fre-
quently restored to church favor by penitent confession.

The descendents of the early settlers of Sabintown are only
represented in this County now by Jeremiah S. Burt eh and
family.

ELIZABETH KINNEY.

One of the Friends who came from Connecticutt, was Eliza-
beth Kinney, a widow who was one of the earliest immigrants
to the New Jerusalem and lived at first in the Friend's Settle-
ment, afterwards moving to Jerusalem. Her children were
Samuel, Isaac, Ephraim, Statira, and Mary. Samuel married
and made a clearing where the County Poor house now stands
and built a log house there. He moved from theie to Larze-
lere's Hollow, where he had the care of the saw mill of Daniel
Brown, jr., for some years and then moved from the County.
Isaac married Mercy, daughter of George Bates. ' He was a
miller and attended the mill where that of George Adams now
stands for several years, afterwards moving to Ohio. He was
a leading Methodist and a Class Leader. Ephraim married
Mary, daughter of Jonathan Dams, senior, and settled in Pot-
ter, afterwards moving West. Statira lived with her sister
Mary and died unmarried. Mary married a Mr. Butler and
settled in Potter where they reared a family.

THE IIARTWELLS.

Samuel Hartwell was a native of Connecticutt, and married
Elizabeth Wilkinson, a sister of the Universal Friend. They
came very early to the Friend's Settlement, lived in the Hen-
derson neighborhood north of Silas Spink's, and about 1800
moved to No. 8, just south of Havens' Corners, where they
erected a log house. From there they moved to Canada and
when the war of 1812 broke out were driven away, by an act
of the British Parliament, allowing none to remain who were
not loyal to the Crown. They came back and lived some years
in Jerusalem and moved thence to Conhocton, where Samuel

480 iiistoby or yates county.

Hartwell died at the age of ninety-one and his wife at about
the same age. Their children were Samuel, Elizabeth, Amy,
Stephen, Joseph, Elijah, Mercy, Moses, and Aaron. Samuel
was supposed to have been drowned in Niagara River. He and
his brother Stephen were taken prisoners at Hull's Surrender
of Detroit, and tried for high treason as British subjects. They
were condemned to be himg, but during a respite of the sen-
tence, each separately escaped, and endured great hardships
and suffering in getting back to the protection of their coun-
try's flag. The mother made the most heroic efforts to save
her sons from the hard fate which seemed to await them, but
did not succeed in getting a reprieve for them. Samuel broke
jail at Kingston, Stephen passed his guards at another point,
and both had noteworthy adventures in eluding a recapture.

Elizabeth Hartwell married Abel Lent and lived on Lent's
Hill in Couhocton. They had several children. Rachel Lent,
one of the daughters, married William Rynders, now a citizen
of Branchpoint. Rosetta, her sister, Avas the wife of the late
Caspar Hibbard, of Jerusalem. Another sister, Maria, who was
a school teacher, married John Atwell and resides near Blood's
Corners. After the death of his wife Elizabeth, Mr. Lent mar-
ried Abigail Wilkinson, a daughter of Jephthah Wilkinson, and
sister of Mrs. John Potter, thus a cousin of his first wife.

Amy Hartwell was the mother of Samuel Street, jr., long a
resident of Jerusalem. She died in Jerusalem at an advanced
age. Her son Samuel married Charity Baker, and they have
three children, Mary, Emma, and Samuel. Mary is the wife of
Frederick P. Gildersleeve. Emma married William Wolver-
ton, and they reside in Missouri with her parents. Samuel
married a Miss Mattice, and is a carpenter at Liberty, Steuben
County.

Stephen Hartwell married Catharine Lambert, in Canada.
They lived many years at Blood's Corners, had a large family,
and are now at the West,

Joseph married Polly, daughter of David Kidder, and moved
West where it was reported he became wealthy.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 481

Elijah married Triphena Bramble at Conhocton and died
there leaving a number of children. His daughter Deborah
married Elijah, son of Raphael Guernsey, now living in Jeru-
salem Elijah Hartwell, while a young man, resident in Jeru-
salem, was a very prominent and active citizen.

Mercy married John Lambert, a cousin of Stephen's wife, in
Canada. She died near Rochester many years ago, leaving
three children, now residents of Canada.

Moses Hartwell, born in 1798, married Honor, daughter of
Stephen German, of Jerusalem, and resides on land of the
Friend's tract, on lot 1, Guernsey's Survey, formerly owned by
Elijah Malin. Samuel Street had fifty acres that belonged to
Deborah Malin, another sister of the Friend. The children of
Moses Hartwell have been Mary and Olive. The latter died in
her sixteenth year, and Mary is the wife of James K. Harris.

Aaron Hartwell, born in 1800, married Almira Fowler, of
Blood's Corners, and after some years moved to Michigan,
where his sons and daughters are married and living near him.

DAVID CLARK FAMILY.

Samuel and David Clark were sons of David and Abigail
Clark, of Walkill, Orange County, Samuel married Sarah
Newman, of Saratoga, and moved to the locality since known
as Penn Yan, in 1799. They finally settled on lot 50, of the
first seventh, or township seven of the first range, on the farm
now owned by Daniel B. Stevenson, where he built the first
framed house in the town. He purchased the land of Levi
Benton, senior, and after twenty years residence thereon, lost it
from defective title after a bitter litigation with Herman H. Bo-
gert, who claimed by a deed from John Livingston all lands
not conveyed by Livingston and his associate Lessees previous
to 1815. In many cases where parties had been negligent or ill
informed in regard to the preservation of their titles, their lands
were wrested from them by Bogert. Mr. Clark then moved
on the farm since known as the Benedict place, about a mile
west of Penn Yan, on lot 41 of the first seventh, where they
continued through life. He was a carpenter and millwright )

482 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

and aided in the construction of Melchoir Wegener's Grist Mill
where the Jillett Mill now stands in Penn Yan, also the mills
built by Arnold Potter and various others. He aided in the
erection of the first mill at Niagara Falls, for one Judge Ann-
ing. He with Nathan Warner, of Potter, were the builders of
the Potter mansion under Robert Jordan, an architect brought
from Rhode Island by Judge Arnold Potter for that purpose.
Both Samuel Clark and his wife were brave and sterling people
meeting the hardships of the new country with industry and
fortitude. They cleared two farms, and she while her husband
was absent, as he was much of the time in the pursuit of his
trade, was the sole director of home affairs at a time when In-
dians, wolves, bears and rattlesnakes were plentiful objects of
terror to the pioneers ; and none could have acquitted them-
selves better. Their children were Emma, Abigail, Laura,
Ezekiel, AuriUa, and Sally. Emma, bom in 1794, married
Daniel Benedict, of Jerusalem, and lived on the Clark home-
stead. Abigail, born in 1797, was the wife of Amos Perry,
whom she survives.

Laura married Garret Martin, of Jerusalem, and settled where
they now reside on lot 44, Guernsey's. Survey, and their locality is
known as the Martin neighborhood. Their children are Joel
D., George W., Margaret, Melvin, Laura, Sarah, Caroline,
Henrietta, and Mary. Joel D. married Caroline Stiles, of Pot-
ter, and emigrated to California and thence to Australia.
George W. married Emilia, daughter of Orrin Stebbins, of
Middlesex, and resides on the homestead. Margaret married
Elisha Briggs, of Jerusalem and lives in Rock County, Wiscon-
sin. Melvin married Mary, daughter of John A. Gallett, of Je-
rusalem, and emigrated to Rock County, Wis. Laura married
Abraham Moshier, of Jerusalem, and emigrated to Wisconsin.
Sarah is single, and Caroline married William Wheeler, of Je-
rusalem, where they reside. Henrietta married Charles E.
Evans, of Jerusalem, and moved to Wisconsin. Mary married
A. Fisher, of Prattsburgh, and moved to Dundas, Canada West.

Ezekiel Clark, born in 1802, married Mary, daughter of Rus-

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

48.3

sel Youngs, of Benton, and settled on the Boyd Tract in Jeru-
salem, a new farm which he cleared and improved, but has
ever since resided on the Dorman Tract, lot 54, of the first
seventh. He has led a life of industry and gained a handsome
competency. Forward and efficient in good works, he has the
character of a good citizen and has been often charged with
public responsibilities denoting the confidence of his fellow
citizens.

Aurilla, born in 180.5, married Raphael Guernsey, of Gorham.
They had two children, and after his death she married William
Perry, of Jerusalem, and emigrated to Illinois, where both died
leaving two children.

Sally married Aaron Scolield, of Benton, and resides in Je-
rusalem. Their children are Lorenzo, Emma, Phebe, Newman,
George, Perlina, Henry, and Sarah. Lorenzo married Martha
"Walker, of Jerusalem. Emma married Stewart Wilcox, of Je-
rusalem. Phebe married John Sinclair, of Potter. George
was a soldier in the war of the rebellion three years was
severely wounded and in several battles. He married Isabella,
daughter of John Dains, of Jerusalem, and resides in that town.
Perlina married Robert N. Coons, of Jerusalem, and resides in
Penn Yan. Henry was an early volunteer in the war, and
served to the end ; was in many battles through the wilderness
campaign with Grant and at the surrender Lee. Bullets
often rent his clothes, but he escaped with no serious injury.
Newman and Sarah are single.

David Clark, jr., born in Orange Co., married Milly Light, of
Shawangunk. They settled on lands of his brother Samuel, in
Jerusalem, where he died. Their children were Stephen, Jere-
miah, Keziah, Betsey, David, Milly, Samuel, and Rebecca.
David married Ann Peckens, and resides in Jerusalem.
Jeremiah married Catharine Crank, of Benton. Rebecca
married B. Franklin Enos, of Jerusalem. The others are not
citizens of Yates County.

AMOS PERRY. .

Amos Perry was a native of Massachusetts, and came to this

4S1 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Count}' at the age of thirteen. He married in 1823, Abigail,
sister of Ezekiel Clark, and they settled in 1830 where they
have since resided through life, north of the farm of Ezekiel
Clark, on lot 55. Mr. Perry was a wagon-maker, and made the
first one-horse wagon ever used in Yates County. He followed
that trade in Potter (then Middlesex) a number of years ; built
a saw-mill in Allegany County, and afterwards was a farmer.
He was a just and upright man, and in all respects was a good
citizen — was inclined to the Quakers in religious faith. Their
children are Samuel, Alma, Semantha, Mary Jane, Ezekiel C,
and Elilzabeth. Samuel married Mary, daughter of Peter J.
Dinehart, and resides on a farm adjoining the homestead. Alma
is the wife of George T. Millspaugh, of Jerusalem. Semantha
is the wife of Abner Gardner Champlin, of West Jerusalem.
Mary Jane is the wife of Cyrenus Townsend, of West Jerusa-
lem. Ezekiel C. married Sarah Ann, daughter of Isaac Adams
of Jerusalem. They have one child, Anna Bell. Elizabeth is
the wife of Daniel Playsted, ofMilo. They have three children,
Daniel, Frederick, and Eva. Amos Perry died in 1870, aged
seventy, his wife surviving at the age of seventy-three.

THE BENEDICTS

Wallace, Daniel, and Thomas were sons of Daniel and Mary
Benedict, of Warwick, Orange Co. They were originally from
Connecticut^ and she was Mary Wood, of Limestone, Ct.
These sons cnme to this County in 181G, and settled with their
families on lot 56, of the first seventh. The farm consisted of
three hundred acres, entirely new, which they divided, each
woi king his own land. After a few years of hard labor they
found their title was so much encumbered by judgments against
the original owner that they decided to give it up and abide
the loss of all they had paid and their improvements In 1822
Daniel and Thomas bought the place known as the Elder Mugg
farm and some land adjoining, from which each carved home-
steads for themselves, on lot 41, a short distance west of Penn
Yan. Wallace, the older brother, born in 1776, married Ra-
chel Depew, in Orange Co., and after losing their place in Je-

TOWN OV JURSALEM.

rusalem, removed to Wheeler, Steuben Co., and afte. wards to
Indiana. Their children were Mary, Peter, Sarah, David, Ruth
and Rachel.

Daniel, born in 1783, married Mary Mead, of Bergen, N. J.
She died soon after they came to Jerusalem, leaving one child,
Zilla, afterward the wife of Lewis Sayre, who moved to Ver-
non, Mich. The second wife of Daniel Benedict was Emma,
daughter of Samuel and sister of Ezekiel Clark. Their children
were Sarah, Daniel W., Mary, Ezekiel C, Deborah A., Eme-
line, and Caroline. Sarah married Ephraim Wheeler, of Fre-
mont, Steuben Co., where they reside. Daniel W. married
Olive, daughter of James Peckens, of Jerusalem, and resides in
Steuben Co. Mary married Jonathan Pierce, of Jerusalem, and
resides there. Ezekiel C. married Martha J., daughter of
Thomas C. Sutton. Deborah A. is single, and Emeline married
Lewis, son of Thomas C. Sutton. Caroline married Andrew,
son of Martin Brown, jr., of Benton, and resides in Jerusalem.

Thomas Benedict, born in 1785, married Lydia Mead, of
Bergen, N. J., five years younger. She died in 1852 at the age
of&ixty-two. Their children were James B., Mehetabcl, Sally
A., and Hannah, two of whom were born in this County, and
the oldest, James, never resided here, but married and settled
at Warwick. Mehetabel married John Davidson, of Jerusalem.
lie died in 1847 leaving three children, Hannah, Francis, and
Lydia. Hannah Davidson married William Blouin, a French-
man of Canada, and died in Jerusalem. Frances Davidson
married Elizabeth Burtch, of Jerusalem, where she died. He
resides in Michigan. Lydia Davidson married George Smith,
of Jerusalem, and moved to Holland, Mich. He was a soldier
of the Second Mich. Cavalry, and was killed in battle in Ken-
tucky. He left two children, Hannah and Ann. His widow
married John Weedman, of Mich., also a soldier and resides
there. They have two children.

Hannah, daughter of Thomas Benedict, married James Mil-
ler, of Urbana, N. Y. They reside on the Benedict homestead,
and her father resides with them. - Mr. Miller is a good farmer,

486 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

and supplies Perm Yan with milk. Their children are Thomas
B., Andrew C, and Susie A. Thomas B. married Mary E.
Sprague, of Urbana. They live on the Daniel Benedict home-
stead and have two children, Thomas E., and Elizabeth H.

Thomas Benedict, the grandfather, at the age of eighty-five,
retains his faculties well, enjoys life and awaits the future with
a serenity that bespeaks a clear mind and a brighter hope. He
relates that when he and his brother were negotiating for the
Mugg farm, they found it needful to obtain some money of
their friends east. He made the journey to Orange Co., and
back on foot, carrying his provisions in his knapsack. His
lodging cost six pence per night. His drink was water taken
from a cup at the brooks and springs by the way, and his total
expenses for the entire trip including ferriage and toll gates,
was four and six pence each way. He returned with just
enough money to secure the land which has since been home.

JOHN RACE.

A character akin to that of Cooper's Leather Stocking, was
that of John Race, who was a native of Columbia County and
the Livingston Manor ; and born of ancestors who lived under
the " One or more life system " of that feudal family. He was
subject to duty during the Revolution as a minute man though
but a lad when it commenced. He married in 1795, at the age
of thirty-six, Eleanor Cornick, then but eighteen. Her ances-
tors belonged on the lands of the patrocn of Rensselaerwyick
where leases held " while grass grew and water run," subject
to a specific annual rent payable in kind with forfeiture. Thus
this pair were educated under the tenant system which they de-
cided to leave, and in 1807 emigrated to the free and inviting
country of the Lakes, locatiug on the bank of the Keuka about
two miles from Penn Yan, where Isaac S. Purdy now resides,
on lot 50. Here they erected their domicil of logs, the prem-
ises entirely wild, and for years lived and enjoyed the fruits of
their labors and the bounties of the Lake and forest. In front
of their happy home, lay the crystal waters of the Keuka, and
back upon the hillsides and tops stretched extensive forests, the

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

487

former inviting the angler with his hook and line to loll on its
bosom in easy waiting for the nibble and bite, or the more ac-
tive troller with his sweeping oar to skim its surface with dang-
ling line, concealed hook and treacherous bait floating astern or
swept over the waters by the strong arm of the oarsman. The
forest teemed with the deer, wolf, and bear, and the stealthy
Indian, all loving the vicinity of the Lake, as affording extra
charms over the more remote and only wooded districts ; thus
doubly securing to John Race the joys and profits of the trap,
the hook and the chase. Dearly did he love and appreciate the
haven of his anchorage. Indeed he was a happy man, for he
loved the sports of the line and the spear, and dwelt with ec-
static pleasure in the scenes of promise and participation that
the placid Lake held out to him ; while in the chase he never
tired and always seemed ready for and equal to its toils and
dangers without regarding them else than the charms of life.

John Race was more than an expert in both of these life du-
ties of these days, and rare indeed did the finny aquatic nibble
at his hook or glide along the pebbly bottom under the blaze of
his torch-light within the range of his spear, and escape cap-
ture ; nor could the lithe deer, wily wolf, or cunning fox venture
within the range of his vision without detection by his keen,
far-seeing eye and still finer sense of hearing. The sure aim of
his unerring rifle never allowed them to escape the mark of his
bullet. So perfect was his marksmanship that at the age of
seventy-five he could center a twenty-five cent piece at a dis-
tance of thirteen rods, three times out of five, and often better,
with his favorite rifle which he had purchased of Aaron Remer,
and was reputed the " crack gun " of the County, while it was
also the pride of "Uncle John."

Gradually they cleared about seventy acres and tasted the
fruits of their own planting. The country merged slowly from
the wilderness state and became a rich agricultural region.
Penn Yan became a place of business and note.. The steam-
boat puffed and paddled through the Lake to the terror of the
trout and white fish, to the annoyance and disgust of John

488 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Race and those of his ilk who had so long enjoyed its tranquil
waters. Men of new and more efficient views of agriculture in-
vaded the land, and in the whirl of the tide John Race was in-
duced or necessitated to part with portions of his two hundred
acre homestead till it all passed into the hands of strangers. He
removed farther up the hillside though not beyond the sight of
his beloved Lake, to a small farm once owned by Elder Stead,
a Free Will Baptist preacher, and now included in the
farms of John Dorman and that recently owned by Gideon
Wolcott. Here where his son Henry now lives, he died in
1849, at the age of ninety. His wife, a mcst sympathetic com-
panion, for fifty-four years survived him till 1361, when she
died at the same humble homestead at the age of eighty-four.
Both retained their vigor and enjoyment of life without sensi-
ble dementation from age.

John Race had a strong, well-knit frame, with a uniform
weight of about one hundred and sixty pounds. He was tall
and muscular, with a very straight spinal column, rather flat
than full abdominally, broad and deep in the chest, limbs rather
short and light than large, yet sinewy and obedient to the will
with a quickness and elasticity in his step that made him the
observed of all who knew him. He could lay himself on his
back on the ground and no man was strong enough to raise his
head from its rest by taking a strong hold of his ears and lifting
with all his power. He would permit the effort with seeming
impunity as to pain or inconvenience, so strong was his muscu-
lar powrer and so perfect his control of both his nervous and
muscular systems. His skin was as smooth as that of a child,
and old age scarcely wrinkled it. He loved society, and like
most men of his day, frequented public gatherings, and occa-
sionally participated in the custom of the times by wray of
spiritual indulgence, but rarely to intoxication ; nor did he use
tobacco until he was an old man. In his home habits he was
industrious, frugal and kind to a fault, to his family and neigh-
bors ; indeed, this together with his love of nature's sports and
scenes, was the prime cause of his never growing rich, for both

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 489

he and his companionable wife were industrious and reasonably
economical, — and a kindly and loving spirit pervaded the
household of John and Eleanor Race. In short, they were each
of that temperament and organism fitted to float through this
life bearing its vicissitudes with equanimity and enjoying its
joys and comforts with a zest little known to fashion enslaved
moderns. They both had received the advantages of the com-
mon schools of their time and were therefore enabled to enjoy
the reading of the news of their day without worrying their
minds and hearts with modern sensations or " Ledger stories."
She wore no high-heeled shoes, trailed dresses dragging in the
mud, nor dead women's hair in "waterfalls." And he delighted
in the simplest garb that furnished covering and comfort, and
never indulged even in the luxury of a shirt collar or neck-tie
to suppress the glorious inhalation of the free pure air.

John Race was a perfect type of the earlier races of the Hud-
son and the pioneer of the Lake country, and justly denomi-
nated the "Leather Stocking" of his day and locality, for he
was intimately acquainted with every avenue and recess of his
section and was always ready to devote himself to the aid of
any or all who needed and appreciated his services. Whether
to his profit or loss, pecuniarily, it mattered not, so that it tend-
ed to the pleasure and gratification of those he called friends.
His spirit knew no narrow self, nor conventional formality. His
wife was a consistent Methodist from her early womanhood — •
and John leaned in that direction in his religious preferences,
doubtless through the force of her example ; but upon religious
subjects he' was never regarded especially orthodox, in the
broadest interpretation of the term, and indeed, it was even be-
lieved by some and currently reported by the many, that John
Race — like the Chinese — deemed it quite important to concili-
ate the " evil one " as possessing powers not reached, or if so,
not peremptorily stayed by the better god whom they worship.
He, therefore, stood in great superstitious awe of his Satanic
majesty, from, as they assert, having on a certain occasion en-
tered into a league and agreement with him to save his life.

490 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

As the story runs, be was attacked most violently with some
disease by wbicb he was greatly distressed for breath, and very
naturally reasoned that no really merciful power would thus
afflict him, a-nd came to the grave conclusion that the " subtle
enemy " had a special design upon him. He imagined that
Satan was in person setting on his breast and closely buttoning
around his neck his shirt collar, thus agonizing him in a most
effective and distressing manner. He, therefore, besought his
potency to show a little mercy in relieving him just for that
time, by tearing off the button and departing, pledging himself
to acknowledge his right and supremacy over him forever as
soon as he should fully recover and resume his collar and but-
ton. Thus did many credulous people assume to account for
John Race's persistent opposition ever afterward to anything
resembling a shirt button or collar — and certain it was that no
winter's blast or summer's sun made any change in his fixed
custom for all of his after days — and it was thus he died, with-
out subjecting himself to the claim of his soul's adversary, and
to his own great joy, for his only hope of happiness in the "life
to come " centered, as they believed, in his successfully cheat-
ing the devil by this strictly legal quirk. So reasoned these
garrulous judges of John Race's soul vision of the future, while
it is well attested by a large circle who knew him in his last
moments, that a most peaceful and benignant smile encircled
his countenance, and no pang of dread or resistance escaped
him when he was authoritatively summoned to the spirit land.

Politically, he was reared in the Jeffersonian school, and later
in life served with the Jackson Democracy, and it is well-
known that all Golconda could not have purchased his vote.
Yates County had but one John Race, therefore may there be
peace evermore to his ashes, while his memory and this imper-
fect pen portraiture of our " Leather Stocking " can only re-
main to us.

Their family of seven children were William, Jonathan, Jo-
seph, Catharine, John Henry, Phebe, and Andrew Jackson.
William married Mary, daughter of Elder Samuel Wire, an

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 491

early Free Will Baptist preacher. They emigrated to Ohio,
where he died leaving five children, Esther, Susan, Emily, Phi-
lander, and William.

Jonathan married Jane, daughter of Caleb Tyler, of Potter,
and father of the late Benjamin and Henry Tyler, of Penn Yan.
They resided in Woodhull, Steuben County, and had two child-
ren, Amanda and Alonzo.

Joseph married Almira German, of Jerusalem, and resides
there. They have four children, George N., Charles, Levi, and
Henrietta.

Catharine married Joseph Barnhart, of Jerusalem, and re-
moved to Pultney, where she died leaving one son, William.

Phebe married Joseph Long, of Benton. She died leaving
several children. He with his family went west.

John Henry married Susan Hiscock, of Jerusalem. They
live on the last homestead of his father and have seven child-
ren, Helen A., William, Julia J., Georgiana, Henrietta, Charles
and Ida May.

Andrew J. married Sarah M. Mitchell, of Milo, and resides
in Penn Yan. They have two children, Henry H. and William.

JACOB CONKUN.

About twenty years later than John Race, came Jacob Conk-
lin to the same locality ; and Jacob was also a character. He
and his wife Catharine Brazie were also reared under the life
lease system of the Livingston Manor, of an ancestry moulded
by generations inured to that condition of social existence.
They were natives of the Copake Pond or Lake vicinity, and
near the Livingston Manor seat. " Uncle Jake " was a favor-
ite with his Manor Lord, receiving special favor and liberal
bounties for obsequious compliance with his demands and at-
tention to his wants. He made frequent visits to the Manor
house with generous contributions of game and fish which his
cunning craft procurred from the surrounding hills and moun-
tains and the prolific waters of the Lake ; and often accom-
panied the younger members of the family as guide and director
in their hunting and fishing excursions. He was therefore quite

492 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

a lion among the Copakers, and thus being in the good graces
of both the landlord and tenantry, it seemed that he might be
most content of all his associates, but such was not the fact.
Like Nerval in the play who had heard of wars, he had heard
of the country of "the Lakes" and longed to breathe their
free air and angle in their limpid waters, and own free from
landlord's claim for rent the soil on which his domicil might
stand and his children should sow and reap their daily bread.
The t;tle to their Copake home was fast running to its end in
the uncertain lives of two old people just ready to step into the
grave, and he and his good wife " Catarene " held frequent and
deeply interesting consultations upon the subject of leaving
their early and long cherished home and friends to seek their
heart's desire in that " far distant west " among the Lakes of
New York.

Their first born son,." Cornalus," as the father always called
him, had already accompanied some of their adventurous neigh-
bors to that country and sent back glowing accounts of its rich
soil, beautiful waters and game-stocked hillsides. They pon-
dered well and long, and finally determined to cast their for-
tunes into the scale and try what emigration would do for
i them. Hence the homestead farm bordering the famed " Co-
pake Pond," and within view of the rugged sides and tops of
old " Tagconic," was offered for sale and brought the full sum
of five hundred dollars for their right and title to one hundred
acres of "Lease Land," with the improvements of a hundred
years. This point reached and the crisis passed cf selling and
starting, they soon wended their way by the Erie canal and
partly by wagon, with their fimily of eight children, to this
country. Stopping for a short season on Ketchum's Point on
the Iveuka Lake, they soon purchased what was known as the
" Father Townsend farm," on the Lake road, just two and a
half miles south of Penn Yan, on lot 50, then pretty well
cleared, with a double log house, orchard in bearing, with a
narrow front of some fourteen rods on the Lake, and extending
west to the next road, with a width to contain 114 acres, for

TOWN OF .TURSALEM. 493

the sum of one thousand dollars. This was 1828. Since, 25
acres has been sold and the balance is still retained in the fam-
ily, and by will belongs to the oldest son of his son Peter, he
being a namesake of the grandfather. Thus did he practice
the odious system of entail, a part and parcel of the tenantry
system, that he so hated as to flee from at the sacrifice cf early
home and life long associates. And here did this old couple
with their offspring plant themselves and long rejoice in their
escape from the thraldom of lease land tenantry.

Uncle Jacob was never suspected of having an undue attach-
ment to the labors of the farm, and therefore contented him-
self to wear out the debt which he had incurred in its purchase
by the annual wages on hire, of his son Peter, while he and the
younger members endeavored to feed and clothe the family
from the products of the farm and what could be gleaned from
his fishing and hunting recreations. His love for those sports
clung to him through life, and nothing suited him better than
to share them with his many friends. He therefore spent much
time with his gun and skiff; and the old homestead shows to
this day the influence of early and long established habits, de-
scending from father to son, in its dilapidated and antiquated
appearance, and it must await the promised energies and mod-
ernized views of the grandson when he shall come into possess-
ion to redeem it from the Van Winkleism of the tenantry
system.

Uncle Jacob was a man over six feet in his stockings, broad-
shouldered and rather bony than muscular in his build ; his gait
was that of a man never in a hurry, and in his hunting excur-
sions he preferred to watch the runway rather than follow the
track of the game. On the Lake he rejoiced in still fishing
rather than trolling and well did he know the bedding places of
the salmon trout and the white fish that so richly abound in
the waters of the Keuka. Most heartily did he curse the
splashing paddle-wheels of the first steamer that disturbed her
placid bosom, for in that, to his prophetic mind, was foreshad-
owed the dispersing of the best schools of his finny pets that he

494 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

had long fed and bated in certain localities known only to him-
self, and from which he could promise with great certainty a
splendid fry to his special friends on short notice. Penn Yan
was a favorite resort and often during the week he could be
found of an afternoon seated in a bar room or on the more
cheery front steps of some social resort, surrounded by eager
listeners as he recounted in his good-natured and rollicking
style the adventures of the past, with his predictions of the fu-
ture, in which would be lost as he verily believed and taught.
much of the valuable knowledge of his day and generation.

But Jacob Conklin's was not a murmuring spirit — far from
it — for he and his good wife Catharine always seemed to think
that their lives were cast in happy times and pleasant places,
and that they were specially favored. They were therefore al-
ways thankful, and their anxieties for those who were to follow
them were tinged rather with apprehension than envy. It was
here that the mother died leaving eight children, Cornelius,
Mary, Peter, John, Hannah, Elias, James, and Helen.

Uncle Jacob married a second wife, Hannah Anderson, wid-
ow of Beecher Anderson, of Jerusalem. She died some five
years previous to his death, and he died in 1853, aged seventy-
eight years, and with his wives lies buried in the cemetery at
Penn Yan

Cornelius married Ann Bevins, at Copake, and preceded his
father to this County, stopping in Potter for a time but finally
settling near his father in Jerusalem, where he died leaving six
children, Isaac, James, Jacob, Catharine, Cornelia, and John,
most of whom reside out of the County. Catharine married
Osborne Moore, and resides at Kinney's Corners, in Jerusalem.
They have two children, Orman and Frederick. John married
Jane Stevens, of Milo, and resides there. They have several
children.

Mary married John Benjamin, of Copake, N. Y., and settled
for a time in this County, but emigrated to Illinois with their
family of nine children, Sally, Porter, George, Emily, Catha-
rine, Helen, Adelaide, and Mary J.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 495

Peter married Lavina Shriner, of Penn Yan. They reside
on and have a life interest in the homestead, and have eight
children, Jacob, Henry, John, William, Charles, Catharine,
Emma, and Mary. Jacob, the oldest son, is sole heir by will to
the homestead from the grandfather.

John died single. Hannah married Jeremiah Conklin, and
went to Flint, Michigan, where they now reside and have three
children, Walter, Elias, and George H.

• Elias married Lydia Finger, of Penn Yan, and both are dead,
leaving two children, James and Frank.

James married Lydia Carr, of Jerusalem, and resides in Penn
Yan. They have two sons, Charles O. and William H.

Charles married Mary Mantel, of Milo, and resides there.
They have one child.

Helen married John Whitbeck, of Copake. He died in the
hospital in the Federal army in Virginia, and she has since died
leaving two children, Foster and Conklin.

SANFORD COATES.

Sanford Coates was born at Stonington, Connecticutt, in
1799, and married Jerusha Miner, of the same place. They
emigrated to Brookfield, Madison County, N. Y., and from
thence to the town of Jerusalem in 1817, with their family of
five children, which was increased to nine who reached adult
age, Gilbert, Anner, Sidney, William S., Susan A., Lucretia,
John L , Russel, and Minor.

Gilbert died single at Vicksburg, Miss Anner married
Pratt Barney, of Wheeler, Steuben County, and settled there.
They have two daughters, Candace and Ella B.

Sidney married Sarah Decker, of Milo, and died in Penn Yan.

William S. married Matilda B. Wyman, of Potter, and re-
sides in Jerusalem.

Susan A. married Anson Wyman, of Richfield, Otsego
County. They settled at Penn Yan, where he died leaving one
child, Mary F. Mrs. Wyman married a second husband Henry
Larzelere, of Jerusalem.

Lucretia married Albert Larrowe, of Wheeler, Steuben Co.,

496

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

where they now reside. They have five children, Janette,
Robert, John, Frederick, and George. Russel married Theo-
dora Bowman, of Rochester, where they now reside. John died
single at Coventry, 1ST. Y.

Minor married Eliza Davis, of Rochester. They reside on
the homestead, lot G, Guernsey's Survey, and have three chil-
dren, Russ R., Jessie L., and Guy.

Sanford Coates was a second cousin of Mrs. Daniel Brown,
jr. She was Lucretia Coates, of Connecticutt.

MATTHEW COLE AND FAMILY.

Timothy Tyler, Calvin, Erastus, Ezra M., and Milo Cole,
were sons of Matthew Cole, of Shai-on, Ct. He was a commis-
sary in the Revolutionary army, and afterwards moved with his
family to the vicinity of Unadilla, N. Y. He and his son Eras-
tus came to this County in 1S17, and his other sons at subse-
quent periods. He died here at tlie age of seventy-three and
was buried on the James Peckens farm, then known as Sabin-
town. His wife died in Chenango County. Timothy T., born
in Connecticutt, married Hannah Stewart, for a second wife.
They settled near Branchport and shortly after moved to Steu-
ben County, where he died. Among their children were Thank-
ful, Lois, John, Erastus, Lydia, and Sutton.

Calvin Cole married Miss Whittlesey, of Broome Co., and
settled near Painesville, Ohio, where she died. He returned
and died in Italy. His daughter, Eliza, is the widow of Deacon
Joshua Titus, of Milo.

Erastus Cole, born in Connecticutt, married Lois Dickinson,
of Chenango County, and settling first in Cayuga County,
moved thence to Jerusalem in 1817, and located in Sabintown,
on what is known as the Luther farm. He was a contractor in
the construction of the Erie Canal and a man of energy occu-
pying official stations in his town. He died in 1860 at the age
of sixty-seven, and his wife in 18G5. Their children were .
Hiram, Wolcott, Elizabeth, Cordelia, Mary A., Erastus, and
Harris.

Hiram Cole, born in 1808, and now a prominent citizen of

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 497

Jerusalem, married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Cole, of Jerusa-
lem and resides on the old Daniel Brown farm. His house is
the frame erected by Daniel Brown, senior. Their children are
Allen N"., Edwin A., Hiram, and Sarah J. Allen N., barn in
1833, is a druggist at Virginia City, Nevada. Edwin A., born
in 183o, married Susanna Spangler, of Jerusalem, and resides
on the homestead. They have one child, Mary. The ethers
are single. Hiram Cole, jr., was born in 1845, and Sarah Jane
in 1848.

Wolcott Cole married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Dur-
ham, and died leaving a daughter, Rebecca Ann, now the wife
of Chauncey Millspangh. Elizabeth is the wife of Alanson S.
Dunning, who resides on Bluff Point.

Cordelia is the wife of George A Parker, of Jerusalem, re-
siding on lot 67, of the first seventh, in Jerusalem. Their chil-
dren are George and Hattie.

Erastus Cole, jr., married Sarah, daughter of Henry Larze-
lere. They also reside on lot 67, near Kinney's Corners, and
their children are Sarah L., George, and Ward.

Mary A. is the wife of Miles B. Andruss.

Harris Cole married Mary Dunning, of Steuben Co., and re-
sides on lot 9, Guernsey's Survey. His wife died leaving four
children, Henry, Emma, Fanny, and Frederick.

Ezra M. Cole married a Miss Cole, of Chenango Co., and set-
tled near Benton Centre. Their children were Maria, Ursula,
George, Rhoda, Polly, Israel, Charles, Amarilla, Julia, and
Caroline. Maria married Israel Crittenden, of Ontario Co., and
Ursula married John Wheat, of Benton. Both are now dead.
George is married and resides in Ontario Co. Rhoda married
Joseph C. Guthrie, of Benton. Charles married Semantha
Tubbs, of Benton. They resided at Kinney's Corners. He
was killed by the caving of a gravel bank. Their children were
Ezra, Charlotte, and George. Ezra married a widow Raplee,
of Milo, and emigrated to Michigan. Charlotte married a Mr.
Drew, and resides in Steuben Co. George resides with his
mother near Branchport.

49S

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

JOSEPH COLE AND FAMILY.

Joseph Cole and his wife, Hannah Whitaker, natives of
Rhode Island, settled for a time near Rome, in the vicinity of
Oneida, where the first earth was removed at the commence-
ment of the Erie Canal. From thence they moved and settle'd
in Jerusalem on the Benedict Robinson Tract, which included
a large portion of lots 8, 17, and 32 of Daniel Guernsey's Sur-
vey. Mrs. Cole died before they went on their new homestead
at the house of Castle Dains, in 1819, at the age of forty-four.
He survived till 1860, dying at the age of ninety. Their chil-
dren were Allen, John, Laura, Lydia, Simeon, Maria, Peleg,
Sarah, Thomas, and James.

Allen died a bachelor in 1829, at the age of thirty -four. He
was an active, efficient man in his day, a captain in the militia.
and a prominent citizen. He owned the saw-mill now-belonging
to Simeon Cole.

John, born in 1797, married Rebecca Multer, of Herkimer,
Co., and settled on lands of Jacob Wagener, in Jerusalem. He
died in 1802, leaving two children of his first wife, Elisha and
Mary, and two of his second (Jane Gilmore), named Wolcott
and William. The widow still survives in Jerusalem. Elisha
married Maria Lewis. Mary married William Carnes, and both
reside in Michigan. Wolcott married Emma Smith, of Seneca
County, and William is single.

Laura, born in 1802, married Mr. Harvey, of Chautauque Co.

Lydia, born in 1800, married Aaron W. Shattuck, of Jerusa-
lem, and moved to Chautauque Co., where both died leaving
one child, Margaret.

Simeon Cole, born in 1804, married Jane Albro, of Jerusa-
lem. He owns a saw mill in Larzelere's Hollow, and a farm
adjoining. He has been two terms County Superintendent of
the Poor, and is a man widely and favorably known. Their
children are De Witt C, Hannah, Edward, Delia, James A.,
Gilbert, David and Frank. De Witt C. married Harriet
Wheeler, daughter of Nathan G. Wheeler, of Jerusalem. They
reside on the old Daniel Brown farm, more lately known as the

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

499

Gould farm. Their children are Adelaide, Walter, and Ralph.
Hannah married Noah Davis, son of Thomas R. Davis, of Jeru-
salem, and emigrated to Geneseo, Illinois. Edward married
Mercy M., daughter of Willis Pierce, and resides near Kinney's
Corners. He was a soldier in the 148th Regiment, and became
a captain, serving till the close of the Rebellion. Delia married
John Spangler, who resides on the Cronls farm in Jerusalem
James A. married in 1867, Bethany, daughter of I >avid Sii son,
and is now a merchant in Chico, California. The othersreside
with their parents.

Maria, born in 1806, is the wife of Joseph Gardiner, a clergy-
man at Joliet, Illinois. They have four children.

Peleg, born in 1808, married Louisa, daughter of Russel
Brown, of Benton, and lived in Penn Yan, where she died
leaving three children, Albert, Harvey, and Sarah. He married
a second wife and for some time conducted a newspaper at
Warren, Pa.

Sarah, born in 1810, is the wife of Hiram Cole, of Jerusalem.

Thomas, born in 1812, went west, married and died in
Missouri.

James H. Cole, born in 1817, emigrated to Missouri, married
a daughter of Judge Thurman, and soon after lost his wife and
only child. He then went to California, returned to Missouri,
married again and with his wife and a drove of cattle crossed
the plains and mountains to Chico, Butte Co., Cal., where he
and his nephew, James A. Cole, are in business together.

THE PURDY FAMILY.

John Purdy was born in Philipstown, now Putnam County,
in 1765, and. married Esther Barton, one year younger, of the
same place. They resided in Fishkill, N. Y., where their ten
children grew up. They were Abijah, Mary, Elizabeth, Isaac
S., Joshua, Ann, Francis, Hannah, Abigail, and Miriam, most
of whom came to Western New York, and some to Yates
County. The father with his son Francis, and daughter Mary,
and their families, settled on the Green Tract on the south-west
corner at what was designated Lightning Corners. He after-

;J00 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

wards moved to East Bloomfield and thence to Sand Lake,

Mich., where he and his wife died in 1846, upwards of eighty.

Abijah married Mary Chatterson, of Fishkill. They settled

in 1834 on the Hart farm, on lot 67, first seventh, formerly

known as the Moore farm, where his son Isaac now lives. He

died there in 1856, and his Avife still survives. They had three

I children, Cornelia J., Isaac, and John P. Cornelia J. married

I Hiram Depew, of Connecticutt, and now resides in Geneva,

J They have four surviving children, Isaac P., Mary A., Abijah,

and Julia.

Isaac Purdy, born in 1814, married Sarah, daughter of Capt.
William II .Stewart. He has been an active and prominent cit-
izen of Jerusalem. They reside on the paternal homestead, and
own it. Their children are Isaac O, Francis II., Stephen C,
Georgiana, Stewart A., and George D. Isaac C. married
Amelia St. John, of Pultuey, and resides on a part of the Capt.
Stewart farm in Jerusalem. Their children arc Harvey and
Frederic. Francis II. married Emma, daughter of Henry
Husted, of Potter, and resides near Kinney's Corners. Stephen
C. married Paulina Ray, and resides in the city of New York.
They have one child, Vinton. Georgiana married Oliver Dick-
inson, of Rochester, in 1869. John P. Purdy resides a
bachelor with his brother Isaac.

Mary, daughter of John Purdy, married Henry Mills, of
Dutchess County, and settled on the Green Tract, afterwards
moving to Bolivar, Ohio, where he died. She now resides at
Saginaw, Mich., with a son. Their children, mostly born on
the Green Tract, were Elizabeth, John, Esther, Ann, Sarah,
Isaac, William, Francis, and Kilbourn.

Elizabeth married Samuel Wyckoff, of Hopewell, Ontario
County, and resides there. Their children are Joseph, Samuel,
John P., and Isabel J.

Isaac S. Purdy, born in 1793, married Ann, daughter of

Thomas Owen, of Bedford, Westchester County, in 1817, she

I being nearly three years the older. They settled in 1827 on

j the farm now occupied by Reuben Turner, on the Green Tract.

TOWN OF JURSALEM. 501

They removed from there in 1833 to the old homestead farm of
John Race, buying first sixty-two acres to which fifty. acres
have since been added. Their children are Thomas O., Sarah
A., and Joseph. Thomas O. married Biancy A., daughter of
Thomas Bennett, of Benton. They reside on lot 50, on the
Hill farm and Lake road, and their children are Sarah A., and
Alice F. Sarah A., daughter of Isaac S. Purdy, is the wife of
Samuel T. Lazear, of Barrington. Joseph Purdy, born in 1825,
married Elizabeth Lazear, of Barrington, now deceased. His
second wife was Margaret E. Bennett, sister of his brother's
wife. They reside on the homestead and their children are
Ella E., John, Ida G., Mary C, and George O.

Joshua married and lived at Cold Spring, N. Y. Ann mar-
ried Robert Whitaker, of Hopewell. Upon his death she
married a second husband, James Washburn, and moved to
Jackson, Mich.

Francis married Ann Griffith, of Connecticutt, settling first
on the Green Tract, they moved from there in 1833, to Sand
Lake, Mich., where he and both his parents and wife all died
within eighteen months after they settled. Their children were
Lucinda, Hannah, Arametha, Mary A , and William F. Lu-
cinda married William Wright," of Middlesex. Hannah was
the first wife of Samuel Wyckoff, of Hopewell, and her sister
Elizabeth, the second. Abigail married Lemuel Wager, of
Gorham. They settled on the Green Tract and afterwards
moved to Constantine, Mich., where both died. Their children
were John, Esther, Cornelia, Ephraim, Francis, Joshua,
Stephen, Abijah, and Elizabeth A. Mariam Purdy died single.

John Purdy, the head 6f this family, was a soldier of the
Revolution, though but a lad, and his sons, Abijah, Isaac S.,
and Joshua, were soldiers in the war of 1812, stationed at Har-
lem Rights, near New York, for some time. John Purdy was
one of the first two white children born in Westchester County,
the other being Thomas Lyon. Both were born in one night.
An Indian chief had promised a tract of land to the first child,
and the Lyon family received it, theirs being a few hours the
oldest baby.

502 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

STEAVART FAMILY.

Captain William Henry Stewart, born in Inverness, Scot-
land, in 1780, followed a sea-faring life over twenty years and
navigated most of the seas and oceans of the globe. For some
years he was a captain in the packet service between Liverpool
and New York, and in one of his trips occurred a romantic ad-
venture. George Ragg, a wealthy merchant of New York,
commissioned the captain to bring from England a daughter he
had left there. During the passage she was washed overboard
by a wave dashing across the deck. Captain Stewart bravely
rescued her by plunging into the perilous deep, and she repaid
him with gratitude that ripened into love which became a re-
ciprocal passion. They were married in New York in 1817,
and soon after in the same year settled on lot 50, near Keuka
Lake, about three miles from Penn Yan, on land given them by
Mrs. Stewart's father. They purchased an additional lot of
thirty-one acres to reach the Lake and erected a house where
La Fayette Merritt has just finished an elegant mansion, taking
the place of the old structure. They received an annual allow-
ance from the estate of George Ragg and continued to reside
thoi-e while they lived. She died in 1835. Their children
were Ann E., Sarah W., Hannah, Abbie, Bethulia, Rachel, and
Charlotte. Ann E. married Francis B. Shearman, of Penn
Yan. Sarah married Isaac Purdy, of Jerusalem. Hannah is
single, residing at Prattsburgh. Abbie is the wife of'Deloss
Porter, of Canandaigua. Bethulia married Dr. Jacob Runner.
They reside in Wayne, Steuben Co., and their children are
Olive F , and Hattie E. Rachel married Addison Chapin, of
Prattsburgh. Their children are Bell, Stewart, Freddy, Eddie,
and Nellie M. Charlotte married John Waldo, of Prattsburgh.
They emigrated to Quincy, 111., and their children are Charles,
Lottie, Lucius, and Harvey.

Captain Stewart married a second wife, Emma J., daughter
of John Merritt, of Jerusalem. He died at the age of seventy-
two, in 1852. Their children were John W., Eliza, William
H., George B.. Bell, and Saunders C. Though married young

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 503

the mother proved a capable woman and guided the affairs of
her farm and family with ability and discretion. She is now
the M'ife of James T. Davis. Her son John W. married Helen,
daughter of Caleb Hazen. He is a teacher in the Penn Yan
Academy and makes a special study of Botany. They have a
son, Willie. Eliza is the wife of Joseph N. Kenyon, residing
on the farm lately owned by William S. Hudson, on lot 82, in
Benton. Their children are Herbert, Sarah, and Freddy and
Eddy, twins. William II. died at twenty-two. George resides
single at Pittsburg, Pa. Saunders C. resides single in Penn
Yan Bell is the wife of Edward Hopkins, jeweler, of Penn
Yan. They have one child, Freddie.

MERRITT FAMILY.

John Merritt, born in 1771, in Amenia, N. Y., married
Elizabeth Hill, fourteen years younger. Most of their children
were born at Amenia. They came to this County in 1827, and
both died in Jerusalem, he in 1850 and she in 1857. Their
children were Chauncey. Sarah A., Eliza, Emma J. Rensselaer,
John, Alanson, and La Fayette. Chauncey married Sarah
Westcott, of Dundee, and resides at Prattsburgh. Their chil-
dren arc Birney, Marietta, Daniel, and William.

Sarah A. married Thomas Blansett, and died leaving six
children, Eliza, Triphena, Emma, Mary, Isabella, and John.
Eliza is the wife of Ira O. Sprague, of Penn Yan. They have
a son Oliver. Triphena married Willis Bartholemew, of Shef-
field, Massachusetts, where they reside. They have two chil-
dren. Emma married John Wheeler, of Jerusalem. Mary
married J. Wesley Shepherd, of Jerusalem. John married
Adele Cooper, of Trumansburg, and Isabella is single.

Eliza Merritt married D. Y. Teets. They reside at Naples
and have two sons, Volney, and William S. Emma J. married
first Capt. William H. Stewart, and has a second husband,
James T. Davis. Rensselaer married Julia Perry, of Potter.
They reside in Kansas and have four children. John married
Jane Osgood, of Penn Yan, and settled in Harrington, where
she died leaving one child, Josephine. He married a second

504 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

wife, Phebe Dean, of Barrington, and now resides on the Beal
farm on Bluff Point. Alanson married Susan, daughter of
William C. Keech, of Italy, and lived on the Arnold place on
the Garter in Milo, where he died in 1870 leaving one son,
William. La Fayette Merritt married Hannah, daughter of
Thomas Bennett, of Milo. He owns and resides on the Capt.
Stewart homestead, of Jerusalem.

HARTS UO UN FAMILY,

Samuel Hartshorn, born in Amherst, Mass., in 1772, was a
blacksmith. About 1800 he married at Exeter, Otsego County,
Sarah Genung, of Newark, N. J. In 1817 they moved to Bar-
rington and five years later to Jerusalem, settling on lot G8, of
the first seventh, where Charles W. Taylor now resides and
where they lived mostly thereafter. Samuel Hartshorn died at
the age of eighty-two, in 1854, and his wife nine years later, at
the same age. Their children were Hiley, Betsey, Abigail,
William W., Isaac W., and James H. Hiley married Hosea
Williams, of Exeter. They settled in Jerusalem where he died
in 1857, leaving three children who arrived at adult age, James,
Sherman, and Abby. Sherman married Salena, only daughter
of Joseph Abbott, of Jerusalem, and resides near the home-
stead.

Betsey married Robert Brown, son of Russel Brown, of Tor-
rey, and after living some time in Jerusalem they moved to
Dresden where he died. She now resides in Penn Yan.

Abigail married Azor Barrett, of Jerusalem, and they resided
in Jerusalem till 1869, when they moved to Penn Yan.

William W. Hartshorn, married Mary, daughter of Abiel
Thomas, of Potter. They emigrated to Flint, Mich., where he
died in 1868, leaving one son, William G.

Isaac W. Hartshorn, born in 1810, married first Sarah,
daughter of Ashbel Beers, who died leaving no children. He
married a second wife, Sarah, daughter of Amzi Bruen. They
reside on his homestead in Jerusalem, where he has a large es-
tate in land on lot G8, of the first seventh. They have one
child, Wendell Phillips.

TOWN 01' JERUSALEM. 505

James II. married Emily Williams, of Jerusalem, where they
lived and where both died.

JONATHAN B1SSON.

Jonathan Sisson was one of the sons of George Sisson, of the
Friend's Society. He was a cavalry soldier under Aaron Re-
iner in the war of 1812, for which he received a warrant for
one hundred and sixty acres of land. He married Catharine
Vosbinder, of Milo, and they settled first near City Hill, where
most of their children were horn. In 1827 they moved to Je-
rusalem and settled on lot 4, Guernsey's Survey, where both
died in 1857, he at the age of seventy-three and she at seventy.
Their children were William, George, Joshua, David, Harrison,
and Bethany.

William married Melissa, daughter of William Genung.
They settled in Italy about one mile west of Italy Hill, and
have two surviving children, Sarah M., and Esther J. Sarah
M. married Elislia Champlin.

George Sisson is a resident of Addison, N. Y. Joshua died
in 1867, unmarried, at forty-six.

David married Charlotte, daughter of Zachariah Coons, of
Jerusalem. He died in California in 1850, leaving a daughter,
Bethany, now the wife of James A. Cole. His widow became
the wife of his brother Harrison.

Harrison Sisson, born in 1829, married in 1852, Charlotte,
widow of his brother David. They have a son David H.
Harrison Sisson resides on a portion of the paternal homestead
and is a tidy and prosperous farmer.

Bethany was the oldest of the family. She married William
Genung, jr. They reside in Italy and have three surviving
children, Sarah M., Esther A., and Carrie. Sarah M. is the
wife of Allen B. Chase, of Italy. Esther A. is the wife of Ma-
jor George W. Waddel, of Penn Yan. They have two children.
Carrie married a son of William Sisson.

THE BOYD FAMILY.

Robert M. Boyd, was a native of Lancaster County, Pa.,
born in 1772. and was a blacksmith. He came to Bath in.1799

50(3 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

by way of the Susquehanna, Chemung, and Conhocton rivers,
bringing his kit of tools with him. lie worked at Geneva one
year and then moved to Hopeton, where he married Rebecca,
daughter of Tompkins Woodhull, one of the earliest settlers of
East Benton. She was born in 1783 and they were married in
1804, They lived in Hopeton till ] 824. Both their house and
shop were on the' north-east Corner, at the road crossing in
Hopeton. The school house remembered by the sons of Robert
M. Boyd, was on the south-east Corner of the Public Square
and was a log house. John L. Lewis, the old teacher, lived on
the north-east Corner. Mr. Boyd pursued his trade at Hope-
ton, except during two years he lived at Newark, N", Y., where
he sharpened tools at his forge for workmen on the Erie Canal
then in process of construction. He owned twelve acres of
land at Hopeton, and seventy-five where Anthony Ryal now
lives, about a jnile west of Hopeton. In 1824 they moved to
Jerusalem, near the present residence of Ezekrel Clark, on lot
54, of the first seventh. Robert M. Boyd died on this place in
1839 at the age of sixty-seven. His wife survived dying at the
age of seventy-one. She resided with her son, Tompkins W.,
in her later years. Their children were Alexander M., Tomp-
kins W., Margaret, Robert McDowell, Martha R., Arabella R.
M., and Mary E. Alexander M., born in 1806, married Rachel
daughter of Samuel Fitzwater, of Jerusalem, in 1836. They
resided in Penn Yan till 1850, when they moved to Livingston
County, Mich. Their children are Margaret and Stewart.

Tompkins W., born in 1807, married Rebecca, daughter of
Timothy Yan Scoy, in 1835. He had early bought twenty-five
acres of land in Jerusalem, of Daniel Husted. They resided in
Penn Yan at first and in 1839 moved to Harmonyville, iuPult-
ney, where he kept a public house twenty years and was a
prominent and influential citizen. His wife died there in 1866.
Their children are Elizabeth, Robert, Elmira, Theodore P ,
Timothy V., George B., and Harrison Y. Elizabeth is the wife
of James L. Taylor, a lawyer of Branchport, Robert married
Kitty, daughter of Spencer S. Booth, of Branchport, and resides
a merchant at East Saginaw Mich. The others are single.

TOWN OP JERUSALEM. 507

Margaret Boyd died single at the age of twenty -three, in 1832.

Martha R., born in 1816, became the second wife of Louis
V. Durand, a native of France and a physician of ability at Ro-
chester. They were married in 183-1. He died in 1857 and
she still resides at Rochester. Their children were Adolphus,
George and Robert. Adolphus died a soldier in the army
during the war of the Rebellion. George is married and resides
at Buffalo.

Robert McDowell Boyd, born in 1814, married Mary H.,
daughter of Elisha Luther, in 1840, and resides on the Friend's
Tract, lot 44, Guernsey's Survey, in Jerusalem, on land once
owned by the Luther family, and is a farmer. His wile died in
1866, at the age of forty-five. Their children are Sidney, Bar-
rett A., Martha, Tompkins W., Charles, Albert, Ellen M., and
Fred. Sidney married John Waterous, jr., of Pultney, and
died in that town in 1866. Barrett A. married Jane, daughter
of Joseph Briggs, of Potter, and lives in that town. The rest
reside with the father, single.

Arabella R. M. Boyd, born in 1819, married Thomas B. V.
Durand, a son of Louis V. Durand, by his first marriage. They
were married in 1839 He is a superior physician, and they
reside at Fairport, Monroe Co., N. Y. Their children are Su-
san Ann, Louis, and Rebecca.

Mary Elizabeth Boyd, born in 1825, married LeviDildine, of
Pultney, and moved to Wayland, N. Y., where he died in 1854
leaving three children. She afterwards married Sampson Dil-
dine, brother of her first husband, and died in 1864, leaving a
son Frederick, by the second marriage.

Robert M. Boyd was in the war of 1812, going as a minute
man to Buffalo. He was also drafted and hired a substitute.

SUTTON FAMILY.

Thomas Sutton was a native of Eavesham, Burlington Co.,
New Jersey. He married Letetia Haines, of New Jersey, and
they settled in 1805 in Ulysses, N. Y., near Taghkanie Falls.
He was a farmer for some time and a part of the time in busi-
ness as a hatter. In 1816 they moved to Jerusalem and settled

508 niSTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

on lot 56 of township seven, first range, where John I. Durry
now resides, buying the land of Samuel Seeley, a merchant of
Penu Yan. Here they resided through life. Their children
were Jane, Daniel, John, Thomas C, Lewis, William, Keuben,
Albert, Hannah, Ann, and Erneline. Jane, born in 1799, was
the wife of Israel Comstock, and survives with well-preserved
faculties and powers.

Daniel, born in 1801, married first, Ann, oldest daughter of
Elnathan Botsford, jr. Their children were Almon S., Aurelia
Jane, and Lucy Amaretta. He married a second wife, Menty
Pieree. They reside in Benton. Almon S. Sutton married
Juliette Mather, of Benton. He died leaving two children,
Almeda A., and Daniel. Aurilla Jane married Oliver Perry, of
Potter, and died leaving a son Daniel. Lucy Amaretta married
John Dinehart, and resides near Sparta, Wisconsin. John
Sutton died single at twenty-three.

Thomas C. Sutton married Betsey Barrett, resides on a
part of the paternal homestead, and is a thrifty farmer and a
good eitizen. Their children are Lewis, Martha Jane, Thomas
C, and Frank. Lewis married Emma Benedict. They have
two children, Daniel C, and Emma E. Martha Jane married
Ezekiel C. Benedict. They have a son Fred. Thomas C. Sot-
ton, jr., married Ellen Coons. They have one child.

Lewis Sutton studied medicine with Doctors Hermans. Oli-
ver, and Spence, and died suddenly in 1828.

William 8. married Maria, sister of John B. Harris, and
died in 18.it at the age of forty.

Reuben Sutton was a young man of much ability and prom-
ise. He studied law at Kalamazoo, Michigan, with Charles E.
Stuart, afterwards U. S. Senator from that State. He died at
the age of twenty-two. Albert, also a law student, died while
attendiugthe Seminary at Lima, N. Y., at the age of twenty-one.
The others died young.

FAMILY OF ELIJAH TOWNSEXD.

The first settlers at what is now known as Kinney's Corners,
were the family of Elijah Townsend, who made a beginning

TOWN OF JUESALEM. .309

there in 179;}. Elijah Townsend was a blacksmith and made
cow-bells for the early settlers. He was from Susquehannah,
Pa., and his children were Uriah, llezekiah, Mary, Henry,
Isaac, Phebe, Martha, Sarah, and Lydia. llezekiah was (he
first blacksmith in Yates County, and has a record in the history
of Milo. Mary married John Cole, and moved to Angelica.
Henry died single. Isaac married Lucinda Slater, lived near
the Corners, and afterwards moved west. Phebe married Clem-
ent Earl and had four children ; after his death she married
Gilbert Sutphen, and other children were born of the second
marriage. Sarah married Timothy Plyrnpton, who owned at
one time lot 32, in Milo (27G acres) on which all the eastern
part of Penn Yanis located. He died poor and his descendants
are scattered. Lydia married Stephen Bagleyi They lived at
Kinney's Corners and had five children.

Uriah Townsend married Dolly Fox, one of a family of fifteen
children of Randolph Fox. His family escaped from the Wy-
oming Massacre in 1778, and Dolly was at that time eleven
years old. They afterwards returned to the scene of the mas-
sacre and found their house burned and the place desolated.
Uriah and Dolly had five children when they settled at
Kinney's Corners and five more were born into their family
thereafter A part of the farm cf Uriah Townpend is now the
property of Mrs. James Carr, and the orchard on that place was
planted by Uriah Townsend. Their children were Isaac, Eliz-
abeth, Mary, John, Phebe, Daniel, Dolly, Catharine, Uriah P.
and Henry M. Isaac married Pamelia Guernsey, and moved to
Ohio. Mary married Whipple Streeter, and had three children.
She had a second husband, Squier Driggs. They had two chil-
dren and resided in Benton. John married Celesta Ferris and
moved to Ohio. Phebe died at fifteen. Daniel married Han-
nah Owen, Dolly married Henry Ferris, and Henry married
Eliza True, and all three moved to Ohio. Catharine married
Terry Arnott, and Uriah married Miss Beal, of Bluff Point.
Martha married Simeon Spencer, who died a few months later.
His posthumous daughter Lydia married in Westchester Co.,

510

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

and her mother became the second wife of Abraham Prosser.
Elizabeth married Ashbel Beers, who was born at, Long Hill,
Conn., in 1783, and came to this County in 1800. They were
married in 1812, he twenty-nine and she nineteen. For seven
years they lived about three miles below Penn Yan, where he
wrought at wool-carding in summer and at his trade as a tailor
in winter. They afterwards lived three years on the farm of
Uriah Townsend near Kinney's Corners, five years near the
foot of the Lake in Milo, and thereafter on the farm in Jerusa-
lem where he died and the family still reside on lot 2, of
Guernsey's Survey. Ashbel Beeis died in 1865, aged eighty-
one. His wife survives at the age of seventy-seven. He was
fifty-one years an irreproachable member of the Methodist
Church, and his wife has been sixty-three years an acceptable
member. Their children were Harmon L., George T., James
M., Benjamin F., Major A., Joel D., Elizabeth J., Sarah A.,
and Mary S. Harmon L. died single. George F. married Me-
hetabel Minor, and has a second wife Mary Grainard. They
live on the Adsit farm two and one half miles south-west of
Branchport. There were four children by the first marriage.
James married Emma Barnes. They had one child and he died
about one year after his marriage. Benjamin F. married
Louisa Hart, in Florida, where he went to improve his health.
She died leaving one child, and he died in 1870. Major A.
married Rachel Quick, and has a second wife, Mariette Grain-
ard. They reside on the homestead. Joel D. died single in
Florida. Elizabeth married Rodney Taylor, and died in 1847,
leaving one child. Sarah A. was the first wife of Isaac W.
Hartshorn. Mary S. married Rodney Taylor, the husband of
her deceased sister, Elizabeth, and died leaving one child.
kinney's corneks.
This place was first called Fox's Corners, Abraham Fox be-
ing an early settler there and for some time keeper of the public
house at that point. He lived there many years and both the
first and second wives of James Willett, were his daughters.
Ehenezer Slawson was an early settler in the same neighbor-

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 511

hood, and was Overseer of the Poor in Jerusalem many years.
The Corners was a place of popular resort for many years, and
the settlers from the surrounding clearings made it a uniform
practice to gather there on Saturday afternoons to race horses
and engage in all sorts of athletic sports, and occasional fights.
Whiskey was freely dispensed and wrought its usual effects.
Two or three families of the name of Althizer were among the
early residents and one of them kept the public house for a
time. There was for some time a saw-mill near the Lake, the
little creek being much more of a creek than now. John
Townsend, son of Lawrence Townsend, owned the public house
some years and the farm connected therewith. He rented the
tavern at first to Giles Kinney. The place finally took the
name of Kinney's Corners from Giles Kinney. His father,
Stephen Kinney, was from Connecticutt, and a Revolutionary
soldier. His mother was a sister of Sanford Coates, who died
recently in Jerusalem. The family settled in 1815 on the land
afterwards owned by John N. Rose. Their children were
John, Giles, and Rebecca. John and his father and sister em-
igrated to the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio, where they became
wealthy as distillers. Giles remained and married Polly Bur-
ton, of Connecticutt, She died leaving two children, Albert,
and Burton, and he again married in 1824, Mira, daughter of
Samuel Cornell, of Jerusalem. He conducted the tavern at the
Corners, and had a store, ashery, and distillery besides. In
1838 the family moved to the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio, and
now live at Xenia. The children by the second marriage were
Lester B., Sarah A.. Coates, Mary G., George, John C, An-
drew G., Charles, Frances, Emeline, Helen, and Eliza. Coates,
John, George, and Andrew served in the army during the Re-
bellion. George and Andrew were in different regiments of
the same army corps, of the army of the Potomac, often in the
same battles, and neither knew of the near presence of the
other till their return from the war. Coates Kinney was a pay-
master. He transported $2,000,000 in gold from New York to
Cairo, 111., early in the war, and paid it out to the army, an en-

512 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

terprise of much risk, which he accomplished satisfactorily.
The coin was carried as freight in nail kegs.

Coates Kinney was born in Jerusalem and has gained a fair
share of celebrity in the world. He has an ardent, impulsive
temperament, is an able writer and editor, and a man of su-
perior literary taste and capacity. He was at the head of an
advanced institution of learning in Ohio before the war, and
since that period has conducted the Xenia Torch Light, a
spirited weekly paper, noted for its incisive editorials and its
poetic effusions. He is the author of the popular and beautiful
ballad entitled " Rain on the Roof."

Since Giles Kinney left, the Corners have become a place of
less business. The public house has generally been kept up,
with a frequent change of proprietors, and very little else be-
sides a blacksmith shop has kept up any show of village life.
Hixon Anderson is the present tavern keeper, with no whiskey
to attract the idle and tippling class of patrons.

THE ANDEIISONS.

Alexander Anderson was a native of Scotland, and a Revo-
lutionary soldier. His. wife, Elizabeth Holmes, was from
Westchester Co. They settled on Bluff Point in 1813, and
moved after a few years to Kinney's Corners, and later still to
the Benedict neighborhood where he died in 1835, at seventy, and
his wife a few years earlier. Their children were Beecher, Ra-
chel, Sarah, Hixon, John, Nancy, Augustine, Mary Ann, Dow
F., and Susan. Beecher died in 1840 at the age of fifty. He
married first Rebecca Vosburg, and second Hannah Butler.
Isaac and Hixon F. were born of the first marriage. Hixon F.
married Patty Hollowell, and resides at Milo Centre. The
children of the second marriage were Orcela, Albert, William,
and Sophronia. Albert was a soldier of the recent war and his
widow lives in Steuben Co. Orcela married Mr. Slingerland,
in Jerusalem, and lives in Michigan. William lives in Mich.,
and Sophronia married Amos Randall and lives in Milo.

Hixon Anderson, born in 1794, lived at an early period in
Rochester and helped to build the famous Carthage Bridge.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 313

In 1828 he came to Jerasalem and started a store at Kinney's
Corners. He has since owned several farms in that vicinity,
and now lives at the corners. He married first, Rebecca Gra-
ham, and has a second wife, Eleanor Carter. The children of the
first marriage were Dow F., William W., Anjanette, and
Martha E. Dow F. died early. William W. resides at Ro-
chester. Anjanette married William T. Moore. Martha E.
married Alfred Dickinson, and both reside at Rochester. By
the second marriage the surviving children are Sarah, Rosol-
pha, and Alvin W. Sarah married John G. Graham. They
reside with her father, and have two children, Caroline and
Nellie. Rosolpha married her cousin, William Anderson. Al-
vin W. married Hattie Hayes. They also live with the father,
and have one child, William. Another daughter married
Charles Carnes, and died at twenty, leaving a daughter, Mary
Ellen, now seventeen.

John Anderson married Sylvia Kingsley, resides in Penn
Yan, and has a number of children. Augustine was a Metho-
dist clergyman, formerly resident in Jerusalem.

Mary Ann married Joshua Simmons, of Jerusalem. He still
lives. Their children are scattered. Susan married Worthy
Payne. They also had several children, and now reside at
Phelps.

BLUFI- POINT.

The two arms of Keuka Lake divide around a bold promon-
tory rising quite abruptly from the level of the surrounding
water upwards of seven hundred feet at the southern extremity.
The ridge which thus separates the two branches of the Lake
is called Bluff Point. It varies a little in width but is hardly
more than a mile and a half from shore to shore for a distance
of about five miles. The land on this ridge is for the most
part of good quality and it has become the abode of many
thrifty farmers and the theatre of an extensive grape culture, on
the slopes next to the Lake. The west line of township num-
ber six, first range, strikes the point about one mile north of
the south end, and at the northern verge of the township

514 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

reaches nearly a mile west from the Lake, thus including from
five hundred to seven hundred acres of the Point in the first
sixth. The rest of the Point falls in the second range. So
much of it as belonged to the first sixth of course became the
property of the Lessees. That in the second sixth was reserved
by Charles Williamson from the Pultney estate as his own
property and descended to his heirs. It was a favorite locality
with Captain Williamson. He was charmed with its beauty as
viewed from beyond the head of the Lake and all sides ; and
with the grand picture presented to the eye from the elevation
at the end of the Point itself. It is seldom that one beholds a
more enchanting panorama of natural scenery. Mr. Williamson
caused one hundred acres to be cleared at the end of the Point
and had a tenant there at an early period. Who that early res-
ident was is now unknown. The improvement was not kept
up, and the Point being a fine place for game, the land was
sometimes burned over to drive the deer to the water's edge
for the convenience of hunters. It is said that Mr. Williamson
sometimes on his way from Geneva to Bath, would ride to his
place on the Point and swim his horse across to one or the
other shore and continue his journey. The Williamsons fre-
qently visited the Point for fishing and hunting. Charles A.
Williamson had the land surveyed in 1814, by John N. Hight,
whose map and field notes are now in the possession of George
Wagener, the present Sheriff of Yates County. The whole
tract embraced about 3,500 acres. Beginning at the north line
of township six, second range, the first six lots extended across
from the first sixth to the west branch cf the Lake. They seem
not to be uniform in width. Lot 3 contains 159 acres, 4 con-
tains 154 acres, lot 5 has 90 acres, and 6 contains 221 acres.
From lot six southward they are nearly all of the uniform width
of 100 rods, and divided by a nearly central north and south
line. On the surveyor's map they are numbered from 7 to 18,
each division having the same respective numbers east and
west. On the County map the west division numbers from 7
to 17 from north to south, and the east division from 19 to 29
from south to north, and number 18 disappears. This is per-

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

haps an error in engraving the map. The surnames of the
I original owners or occupants are neatly traced on the survey-
or's map, and that is the most that can now he known of many
of them. They are as follows: Lot 1, Thomas; 2, Thomas ; 3,
Mills ; 4, Tracy ; 5, Curtis ; 6, Hall, Curtis, and Weed. On the
west division, 7, Lane ; 8, Alberton ; 9, Andruss, and Andruss ;
10, Brown ; 11, Brown ; 12, Carpenter; 13, Scutt; 11, Snooks;
15, Craudall ; 16, Crandall and French ; 17, French ; 18, Olm-
stead. On the east division, 7, Pond Curtis ; 8, Osman ;
9, Beals ; 10, Andruss ; 11, Owen, and Owen ; 12, Phelps ; 13,
blank; 14, Curtis ; 15, French ; 16, French ; 17, Templar ; 18,
Olmstead. Surveyor Hight's map embraces the whole of the
Point included in the second sixth, but his Field Book begins
with lot 7, and he makes mention of the quality and form of
the land and timber, giving it for the most part a good charac-
ter. Lots 8, and 9 of the west division, he says are " middling
good lands — the hill tolerably moderate ; " of lot 10, "the hill
not very steep, but lengthy — soil good." Lot 11, "soil only
middling. Hill steep and lengthy." Lot 14, " this lot is more
than half hill." Lots 15 and 16 "take in part of the old clear-
ings,— soil middling." Lot 17 "includes the old buildings and
takes in the Big Spring of water, — soil middling good quality."
Lot 18, which included the end of the Point, and contained 90
acres ; the surveyor says, " lays on the side hill, the soil toler-
able good and the greater part may be cultivated with the
plow. No doubt but a ferry house will be erected on this lot
of land. The timber on this tract is chiefly oak, chestnut, hick-
ory, maple, ash, &c." Of the lots of the east division the
surveyor speaks in good terms for the most part, and stales
that 15 and 16, which are 20 and 21 on the County map, "take
in part of the old clearings, and very hilly." Lot 17 he says is
"chiefly hill and most intolerable." It is now deemed good
land for grapes. His final observation is, " the land on the
north end of this Tract is as good as any oak lands in our part
of the country, but the south end towards the Point are not as
good but would make exceeding good farms if it were not for

")16 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

the bills which make them inconvenient." The surveyor speaks
of Jonathan Finch as having possession of lot G.

It would seem that as soon as the survey was completed the
Point filled up with settlers, many of whom never succeeded in
paying for their land. It was a long time before Charles A.
Williamson succeeded in getting it entirely off his hands. As
late as 1828 Abraham Wagener paid for one hundred acres on
the end of the Point with a span of horses. He bought other
lands of Mr. Williamson, some of which he paid about six dol-
lars an acre for and finally owned about 1,000 acres on the
south part of the Point, of which about one third belonged in
the first sixth, and extended down the east branch of the Lake
to near the present homestead of Alanson S. Dunning, where
Melchoir Snapp was the first settler. George Wagener moved
on the Point to live in 1831, and remained till he was elected
Sheriff in 1849. He says it bore a very wild, uncultivated
aspect on his advent there. In 1833 his father built a fine stone
mansion there, now standing. It is a structure of solidity and
taste, and cost $6,000. Abraham Wagener went there himself
to live in 1837 and remained four years. Two hundred and
eighty acres at the end of the Point still belongs to George
Wagener, and is a good productive farm.

John Beal was an early settler on the Point, locating on lot 0,
of the east division of flight's Survey, number 27 on the
Couuty map, in 1813. John Beal was a man of note in his
neighborhood. He was Justice of the Peace twenty years in
Jerusalem, and was a leading member of the Baptist Church.
He was a Presidential Elector in 1828. The family came to
this county from Galway, Saratoga County. The parents bcth
died on the Point. Their children were Elisha, Nicholas, Reu-
ben, Edward, Moses, Sarah, Sabra, Eliza, Beula, and Alrnira.
No members of the family are now living in this County, since
the death of Mrs. John Moore, and only one grandson, Almon
Beal, son of Edward who married Martha, daughter of Ira
Smith, and resides in Milo. They have a family of seven chil-
dren, viz : Almeda, Ella, Lois, Sarah, Charles, George, Milly,

TOWN OF JURSALEM.

and Emily. Ella married in 18G9, William Hatmaker, of
Milo, and resides near Milo Centre.

Two of the sons, Elisha, and Edward, with their families, re-
side at Bloomington, Illinois. Sarah married Hiram Nash, of
Peim Yan, where he died. She removed with her family to
St. Anthony, Minnesota. Their children were Zebyron, Ed-
gar, Mariam, Adaline, and Zarlino. Mariam married Myron
"Wynants, of Penn Yan, and went to Minnesota. Adaline mar-
ried Mr. Van Blunt, of Geneva, and went to Minnesota.

JOHN MOORE.

John Moore, born in Schoharie in 179-5, came to this County
in 1815, and in the following November, married Sabra, daugh-
ter of John Beal. They settled on one hundred acres of land
now owned by Eli Stever, east of what was known as the "Red
School House," and about four miles from Kinney's Corners.
They subsequently bought the Beal homestead and made that
their home as long as they resided on the Point. They after-
wards lived some years at Warsaw, in Barrington. Mrs. Moore
died at Penn Yan, in 18G3. Deacon Moore is a prominent and
active member of the Baptist Church at Penn Yan. They had
eight children, all born on the Point, Mary Ann, Phebe
A., Beal, Lydia, Obera, Jane E., Sabra G., and George D.
Deacon Moore married a second wife, Margaret M. Dow,
widow, of St. Anthony, Minnesota. She was originally from
Calais, Maine, and her maiden name was Margaret Dyer.

Mary A. married Richard B. Shepherd, of Jerusalem, and
settled in Rathbun, Steuben Co.. where he died. His widow
now resides at Bethel, Ontario County.

Phebe A. married Oren Curtis, of Bloomington, PL, where
they settled, but removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he died
in 1869, leaving his widow and thier children, Aggie, Henry,
Carrie, Charles, and William.

Beal died single at the age of thirty-four, at New Orleans.

Obera married Charles Cohoon, and resides at Lake City,
Iowa. They have six children, Emma, John, Ida, George,
Henrv, and Abbie.

518 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Jane E. married Daniel Rouse, of Jerusalem, and emigrated
to Hart, Oceana Co., Mich. They have five children.

Sabra married John Rogers. She died leaving four children
at St. Cloud, Minn., Clayton, Eddie, Minnie, Charles.

Sabra Genette married John Rogers, of Bluff Point, as his
second wife. They reside at St. Cloud, Minn., and have one
child, Nellie.

George D. married Abbie D, Dow, of Little Falls, Minn ,
daughter of his father's second wife. They resided till recently
on a part of the old homestead farm on Bluff Point, and have
three children, William, John, and Frank.

Lydia married John Summers, of Illinois, and settled at
Washington, in that State, where she dierl.

Deacon Moore says that when he came to Bluff Point in the
spring of 1815, there were more settlers on the Point than
now. Many were squatted on small farms which were subse-
quently bought up by their more thriving neighbors, until those
left were landholders of considerable extent.

Other prominent early settlers on the Point were Anthony
Rouse in 1813, and Timothy Rouse in 1816. Rev. Elnathan
Finch moved there as early as 1812. He was a Baptist preach-
er and held the first religious meetings on the Point. A log
school house was built near the present residence of Freeman
Fitz water, and a Baptist church was then organized, which is
now mergsd in the Church at Branchport.

BENJAMIN WAITE.

This family was from Saratoga County, and settled on the
Point in 1816, on lot 75, of the first sixth, where Green Ken-
yon afterwards lived. There both parents died. Their chil-
dren were Polly, Ray G., Alfred, Albert, William, Stephen,
Eliza, and Mercy. Ray G. is connected with the Remer family
history. Eliza married a Mr. Howe. Stephen lives in Ken-
tucky. William, Mercy, Sarah, Polly, Alfred, and Albert died
single. The Waite family were excellent citizens, and much
respected.

William Culver and family were prominent among the early

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 519

inhabitants of the Point. They settled on the east branch, east
of the Lake road. Frank Culver, a son of William Culver,
married a daughter of Daniel Morse, and resides on lot 03, of
the first seventh. Their children are Amanda, Harriet, Julia,
John, and Franklin.

John Dykeman resides ou lot 64, of the first seventh, where
he and his father settled early. He has one daughter, Nancy,
who married Mr. Castaline, and resides on the homestead.
They have one child.

Howland Hemphill was an early settler and resides near his
first location on lot 4, Plight's Survey. His first wife was Ma-
riettel daughter of Ira Smith. They have two daughters,
Lois, and Alice. Lois is the wife of Edward G. Hopkins, of
Penn Yan. They have two children, Ella G., and Bertha L.
Alice married George Stever, of Branchpoint.

The Herrick families were early residents and sold to Dr.
Henry Rose. Jacob moved to Wisconsin, and Nathan to On-
tario Co. His son. Cyrus E. Herrick, married Mary Haight, ot
Bluff Point, and now resides on lot 73, of the first sixth. They
have two children, Isaac, and Chloe. Isaac married Mary Co-
hoon, and resides on the Haight farm. They have one child.

George Heck was an early settler and has been a most indus-
trious and prosperous farmer. His wife was Hannah Hofl-
strater, of Fayette, Seneca Co. They reside where they first
settled, on lot 64, of the first seventh, at the forks of the roads
leading on the Point, and the place known as Heck's School
House. Their children are William, John, Aaron, Henry,
George, and Stephen. William and John are married and set-
tled in Michigan. Aaron married Ellen Hunt, of Branchport,
and resides near the father.

DAVID THOMAS FAMILY.

David Thomas came to Bluff Point from Cayuga County,
settled on the farm now known as the Valentine farm, and re-
moved to near Shearman's Hollow. Their children were
Frank, Eliza, Emily, Mary Ann, Sarah, David, and Loren.
Frank married Lucinda, daughter of William L. Hobart, Eliza

020 HISTORY OF VATES COUNTY.

married John F. Hobart, son of William L. Hobart. Emily
married Rev. Valorous Beebe. They reside in Pennsylvania.
David married Hannah, daughter of Samuel Wyman. Loren
married a sister of Mrs. Bartleson Shearman, and resides in Je-
rusalem. Mary Ann married Mr. Decker, and resides in Penn-
sylvania. Sarah became the second wife of John F. Hobart.

IRA SMITH.

Ira Smith was a brother of the late Eben Smith, of Penn
Yan. His wife was Betsey Rice, ot Saratoga Co., from whence
they came in 1834. Their farm was near and south of the
Heck School House, where he died in 1867, and she in 1859.
Their children were Morgan, Rosalinda, Mary, Jane M., Eben
S., William H., Eleanor, and Martha. Morgan married Anice
Johnson, of Potter, and resides in Jerusalem. They have three
children, Ira, Ebrel E., and Josephine. Rosalinda married
Richard Henderson, jr., of Milo. Mary married Howland
Hemphill, of Saratoga County. Jane M. married Elias F.
Chase, son of Rev. Abner Chase.

Doctor Eben S. Smith, married Mary, daughter of Henry
Hunt, of Milo. They reside in Torrey. He is a farmer and
physician, and represented this County in the Legislature in
the sessions of 18G5 and 18G6. They have four children, Frank
H., Charles, Mary, and George. Frank H. married Mary
Emma Peterson, of Wilmington, Delaware, and is a physician
in Penn Yan.

William H. married Jane Hemmingway, of Buffalo, and re-
sides on the homestead farm on Bluff Point. Their children
are Morgan, Dewitt, Willie, Emma, Newel, Herman, Alta, and
Allen. Morgan married Anna Spangler, of Branchport, and
resides in that village.

Eleanor married John Shepherd, jr., of Jerusalem, and resided
on Bluff Point where he died in 1866, leaving his widow and
four children, Rosalinda, Jane, Lucy A., and Ellen.

Martha married Almou Beal, and resides in Milo.

Among other early residents of Bluff Point. were Reuben
Cornwell, John Hosmer, Enoch Chapman, Bela Richardson,

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 521

now at Naples, Mr. Clough, a Dutchman, Samuel Kingsley
father of John Kingsley, of Penn Yan, who was on the farm
afterwards owned by Capt. James Harris ; a Mr. Boyd who
lived at what was called the Block House, on lands afterwards
owned by David Thomas, next by Mr. Mills, and then by Mr.
Hastings. Judah Chase was another citizen of the Point, some
of whose descendeuts are now residents of West Jerusalem.
Leman Dunning, father of Levi O. and Alanson S. Dunning,
was an early resident on the Point. So was David Morse, who
came with Capt. John Beddoe, and Rouse Lamb, who lived on
the Haight place. On the east road were Elisha Phelps, Daniel
Earl, Melchoir Snapp, and a Mr. Ross. On the west, John
Shoul, Nathan Cothern, who was a Justice of the Peace and a
leading citizen ; a Mr. Weed, and Nicholas Bennett, who was a
farmer and a school teacher. Some of his pupils it is said came
barefooted to school even in winter.

John McDowell grandfather of William McDowell, the pres-
ent Supervisor of Barrington, settled in 1795, on the west
branch of Keuka Lake, buying his land of John Greig, agent of
the Hornby estate. When a new line was surveyed for the boun-
dary of Steuben County, which then included Bluff Point, it
was found that the township line established by Hugh Max-
well, where it crossed the Lake, was inaccurate. This threw a
large part of Mr. McDowell's land into Ontario, instead of
Steuben, where he had supposed it to belong, and his title did
not cover it. His loss was not made good to him and he left
there in 1803. Some graves of the family are still to be recog-
nized in the woods on the land of R. Selden Rose.

BENAJAII ANDKUSS.

Benajah Andruss was born in 1770, and married Abigail
Nash, of Otsego Co., six years younger. In 1813 they settled
on Bluff Point, on lot 5, of Hight's Survey, and land now own-
ed and occupied by John C. Fitzwater, then entirely new. But
one or two other families then lived on the Point. Here they
resided till they died, he suddenly in his wagon while returning
from a visit to his son, Zabina C, in 1838, at the age of sixty-

522 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

eight, and she a few months later at the age of sixty-two.
Their children were James, Zabina C, Orra, Jason, Henry G.,
Rosson, Esther, Nancy, Emily, and Almira.

James and his wife, Sally, after living some time in Hornby,
Steuben Co.," moved to Amboy, Lee Co., 111. They had three
children, Abigail, Sarah, and Jay.

Zabina C, born in 1794, married Almira Garlick, of Nor-
wich, N. Y., in 1818. They settled on a farm adjoining the
homestead on Bluff Point, and afterwards moved to Kinney's
Corners, on a farm which included the tavern which he kept
two or three years and lived on the farm about fifteen years.
In 1841 he removed to Canadice and died there in 1868. His
wife died in 186G. During his residence in Yates County he
was a prominent citizen, and at one time Associate Judge of
the County. Their children were Miles B., John P., George,
and Charles Y. Miles B. married Mary A., daughter of Eras-
tus Cole, senior. They reside at Branchport, and their children
are Zabina G, Thera L., and Loretta J. Zabina C. married
Amanda Armstrong, of Pultney, and lives at Irvington, Iowa.
John P. Andruss, son of the elder Zabina C, married Thersa
Mills, of Canadice. George married Sarah T. Bush, of Cana-
dice, and died recently on the homestead in that town, holding
the office of Supervisor. Charles Y. married first Ann Louisa
Brizee, a widow, and daughter of M. Bills, of Rochester. She
died leaving a child, Ann Louisa. He subsequently married
Lavina C, daughter of Dr. John B. Norton, of Springwater.
They have two daughters, Jane A., and Hattie A. The oldest
daughter, Ann Louisa, married John Holt, of Livonia. Charles
Y. Andruss is a druggist and grocer at Livonia.

Jason Andruss, born in 1804, was twelve years old when his
father came to Bluff Point. He became a teacher and a sur-
veyor, and taught schools in Jerusalem, Middlesex, and Penn
Yan. He was a law student with Oliver & Wisncr, cotempo-
rary with Nathan B. Kidder, Levi Lyman, Patrick Quinn, and
Kay G. Waite. He abandoned law and practiced surveying
with Jabez French. In 182G he married Lydia, daughter of Jo-

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

523

seph Herrick, and remained till 1833 on Bluff Point, when he
purchased five thousand acres entirely wild in Elk, Warren
Co., Pa. The land had been purchased by William Mi Oliver,
at a tax sale, for nineteen dollars. On this tract he has since
remained, a surveyor, speculator in lands, and a public charac-
ter of prominence. His wife died in 1862. Their children
were Dwight, Nancy, George W., Lydia A., and Abigail. The
daughters are married residing at Pine Grove, Pa. George W.
died in 1867, leaving a widow and two sons. Dwight, the
oldest, born on Bluff Point, married and emigrated to Wood-
stock, 111. He served four years in the war of the Rebellion,
in the 95th Illinois Volunteers, and was noted as a remarkable
sharp shooter, whose bullets were always fatal. He participated
in many battles and in the siege of Vicksburg. His comrades
alleged that " Dwight Andruss never missed his mark." His
Colonel, Thomas W. Humphrey, one of the bravest men in the
service, killed by a rebel bullet, was a native of New York and
once lived on Bluff Point, and served as a constable in Jerusa-
lem. Jason Andruss married a second wife, Jane Williams,
widow, of Warren, Pa., in 1865, and still retains seven hundred
seres for a homestead. It is related of his school teaching
days that when he was seventeen his father hired him out for a
winter term for twelve dollars, the amount of public money,
and ten bushels of wheat per month. The wheat sold in the
spring for twenty-four cents a bushel.

Orra married Betsey Davidson, of Jerusalem, and finally died
at St. Louis. They had six children, Perceival, Charles, James,
John, Elizabeth, and Sarah.

Henry G. married Pamelia Weed, and lived near Branch-
port on land now owned by Charles II. Vail, where his wife
died leaving two sons, William B., and Henry G. With a
second wife, Polly Williams, he moved to Pittsford, N. Y., and
there died. William B. married Dolly Bell, of Gorham, and re-
sides at Amboy, Lee Co., 111., an enterprising and prominent
citizen. They have a son, Virgil. Henry G., jr., married Mar-
garet Williams, of Pultney, and moved to Battle Creek, Mich.
He was a merchant.

524 HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

Rosson married Pamela, daughter of John Townsend, and
emigrated to Wisconsin. Their childi>en were Esther, George,
and two others. Esther married Joseph Summers, of Butter
nutts, N. Y. They died there leaving three children, Emily,
Melissa, and George.

Nancy married Jonathan Osrnan, of Jerusalem, and died at
Ogden, N. Y. Their children were Edwin, Alonzo, and Me-
linda.

Emily married John Gload, who was an early mechanic and
house and bridge builder in Jerusalem. He built a number of
the first framed houses on Bluff Point, and the first frame bridge
across the inlet at Branchport. They finally settled in Pultney
and gave the name to Gload's Corners, where he still lives.
Their children were Eliza, Almira, Sarah Ann, Emily, John,
James, and Frank. Two of the daughters, Almira, and Sarah
Ann, married sons of Dr. Elisha Doubleday, and Eliza married
Augustus Paddock, of Italy.

Almira B. married Alfred Brown, brother of Asa Brown, of
Bluff Point, and moved to Michigan.

ROSE FAMILY.

Robert Selden Rose, who married Jane, daughter of Gavin
Lawson, in Virginia, emigrated from Stafford County, in that
State, to Ontario Co. in 1804, and settled on eleven hundred
and twenty-six acres of land opposite the village of Geneva, on
| the east side of Seneca Lake. The family were accustomed to
the easy methods of plantation life in Virginia, and learned
through some hardships the more rigorous exactions of a north-
ern climate and northern modes of life. Their homestead soon
became celebrated as a seat of genuine hospitality aud refine-
ment, and Mr. Rose was a prominent and leading man of his
time. He represented Seneca County in the Assembly in 1811,
1820, and 1821. He was also sent to Congress in 1823, 1825,
and 1829. He died very suddenly in 1835, while attending
Court at Waterloo, at the age of sixty-three. Mrs. Rose sur-
vived him till 1849. Their farm has since been apportioned
among noted men, including John Delafield, Mr. Swan, son-in-

TOWN OF JURSALEM.

law of John Johnson, James G. Stacey, and the Maxwells, of
Geneva, all more or less famous agriculturists, or nurserymen.
Their children were Gavin Lawson, John Nicholas, Henry,
Robert L., Charles A., Mary S., and Susan A. John N. and
Henry Rose became citizens of Yates County, and in more re-
cent years Robert Selden Rose, a son of Robert L. Rose, pur-
chased a pert of the farm of John N. Rose, and resides thereon.

John N. Rose, born in Virginia in 1799, married in 1829,
Jane E. Macomb, of the city of New York, neice of General
Alexander Macomb. They made their home where he had pre-
viously purchased of John Beddoe, and lived since 1823. His
estate was so much of the Beddoe purchase as lies east of the
west branch of Keuka Lake, including ten hundred and fifty-
eight acres. Then the Beddoe Tract west of the Lake was a
wilderness, and Branchport was in the future. Mr. Rose paid
eight dollars an acre for his land. His title to two hundred
and fifty acres on lot 9, of Guernsey's Survey, was found inval-
id by a trial at law, and the rest he retained. He has been a
farmer of enterprise and taste, and a citizen of the highest per-
sonal worth. In 1838 he erected his fine stone mansion over-
looking the Lake. Of the land he sold three hundred and six-
ty-two acres to his nephew, Robert S. Rose, from the south
side of the place ; and he has since given one hundred and
eighty-five acres to his wife's nephew, John N. Macomb, jr.,
who has been from infancy an inmate of their family, and is
now the chief director of affairs on the premises. The old home
of John Beddoe is on his land. Another hundred acres is deed-
ed to O. J. Camman Rose, the oldest son of R, Selden Rose,
leaving but one hundred and ninety-five acres of the old home-
stead. John N. Macomb, jr., is a grandson of Gen. Alexander
Macomb, who commanded the United States troops at Platts-
burg in the war of 1812, co-operating with the fleet on Lake
Champlain. His father is now a Colonel in the regular army.

Henry Rose was born in Virginia in 1802, and married in
1832, Sarah L., sister of Mrs. John N. Rose. She was born in
the city of New York in 1801. They took up their residence

526

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

in Jerusalem in 1836, on lands (500 acres) adjoining those of
John N. Rose on the east. He purchased several smaller farms
originally owned by Israel, Jacob, and Nathan Herrick, and
Ezra Witter, whose place included the location of the mansion
of Dr. Henry Rose. He sold to Jasper Travel- sixty acres in-
cluding the tavern property at Kinney's Corners. Henry Rose
was educated a physician but has been a good farmer instead,
a successful wool-grower and fruit culturist. Both John N. and
Henry Rose have been men of retiring and modest character
who have aimed to discharge well their duties in society and in
home life. They have eschewed ambitious participation in pol-
itics and preferred the quiet enjoyment of a refined social life.
In their advanced years they have the undivided respect of all
who share their acquaintance.

Robert S. Rose, son of Robert L. Rose, was born in 1827 at
Allen's Hill, in Richmond, Ontario Co. His mother was a
daughter of Nathaniel Allen, one of the early Sheriffs of Onta-
rio County. His father was two terms a Member of Congress,
elected first in 1847. He purchased of his uncle John N. Rose
three hundred and sixty-two acres of his original homestead,
closely adjoining the beautiful spot where John Beddoe first
settled. It is a fine location fronting on a picturesque land-
scape of Lake and hills beyond, with Branchport at the right
on the corner of the Lake. He married Frances T., daughter
of Oswald J. Cammann, who was born in the city of New York
in 1830. Their children are O. J. Cammann, Robert L., Ed-
ward N, Frederick D., George S., Catharine N. M., John
Henry.

SOLOMON D. WEAVEK.

Josiah Weaver and his son James moved" from Saratoga to
Dryden, N. Y., and thence in 1823 to Reading, now in Schuyler
Co., each with their families, and both died there, the father at
the age of eighty-eight, in 1832, and the son at the age of nine-
ty-two, in 1 864. The children of James Weaver were Solomon
D., James, Elizabeth, Hugh, Ransom, Nancy, Josiah, Davis,
Moses, Lydia and Orville, (twins), and Alonzo. Solomon D.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 527

alone of this family became a resident of Yates County. He
was bcrn at Saratoga, near the Springs, in 1797. While yet
young and ' previous to his marriage he worked for Way &
Brown at cloth-dressing in Penn Yan, near Head street, the
works being located on Jacob's Brook. Afterwards lie took
charge of what was known as the Factory Mill, owned by John
Lawrence, Benjamin Shaw, Aaron Remer, Abner Wood worth,
Dr. Joshua Lee, and others, at whose solicitation he took charge
of the business. This Mill was located where the Mill now own-
ed by R. S . Halsey is now. Mr. Weaver took charge of it,
leasing the concern and run it one year as he found it, with a
complete loss of his time. He was encouraged to proceed by
the men above named, on his own account. He made a large
outlay for improvements and made it pay. To the unfaltering
friendship of the men who then aided him he attributes his suc-
cess in life. He married in 1820, Elizabeth Gamby, born at
White Plains, Dutchess Co., in 1800. She was the daughter
of widow Gamby, afterwards Mrs. John Weed, of Benton. In
partnership with George Shearman he purchased one hundred
acresj of land of John Hall, embracing a fine water power on
Keuka Lake outlet, some distance above the Factory Mill, for
which they gave sixteen dollars per acre. They erected two
saw mills and one grist mill, with three run of stone, long
known as the Shearman and Weaver Mill, located where the Pa-
per Mill of William IT. Fox now stands. They moved on suc-
cessfully two or three years when, they added two distilleries,
and soon commenced to recede in prosperity, reaching the
verge of bankruptcy in about six years.

In 1S32 he moved to Branchport and engaged in the timber
business, buying land on the Beddoe Tract, shipping away the
timber and selling the land. He engaged largely in the timber
business for many years with successful results, leaving him a
good competency in his old age, after a life of hard labor
and anxious responsibility in business. His first wife died in
1862. Their children were Myron II., Llewellyn J., Sherrel
S., George S., and Helen E.

528 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Myron H. married Mary E. Briggs, of Pittsburgh, and lived
for several years a merchant at Branchport. He resides now
at Havana, Schuyler Co., where he is also a merchant. They
have three children, George, D wight, and Durham. He was
one of the Presidential Electors of 1864.

Llewellyn J married Almeda, daughter of James P. Barden.
They resided in Brooklyn where he engaged in the lumber bus-
iness and died there in 1861.

Sherrel S. and his wife Viola, settled in Saginaw, Mich.,
when he removed to Kansas, where they reside.

George S. married first Eliza Lansing, of Greenbush, N. Y.
She died leaving two children, Catharine, and Elizabeth. His
second wife was Annetta Thatcher, of Brockport. They now
reside at Albany, and have two children, George, and Corey.

Helen E. married Rev. George N. Cheeney, in 1854, an
Episcopal clergyman of worth and promise. Both are dead
and also their two children.

Solomon D. Weaver married a second wife, Mrs. Julia L.
Righter, of Lakeville, Conn., who died in 1870.

CtAMBY family. ,

Anna Gamby was the wife of Hugh Gamby, of Dutchess Co.
He died there in 1812. Mrs. Gamby, with several members of
her family, came to this County in 1817, and resided for a time
in the Lawrence Townsend House on the road leading from Penn
Yan to Dresden, and on the corner where the burying ground
now is. She was a Van Louven. Their children were Betsey,
Sally, Harriet, Laura, James IL, Seth, and Isaac, that came to
this County. Betsey married Solomon D. Weaver. Sally
married William B. Lucas. She still resides in Benton, on the
Weed farm. Harriet married William A. Weed, and resides
on the Weed farm on Flat street. Laura married Daniel S.
Lee, son of James Lee, and went to Michigan. James H. mar-
ried Elizabeth French, of Jerusalem, and resides at Branchport.
He is a drug and grocery merchant ; was associated with John
H. Lapham in the drug business at Penn Yan, many years
since. They have one child, James. Seth resides in Steuben
County.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 529

Isaac was the oldest of the brothers mentioned. He married
Mary Sears, of Connecticutt, and came to this County about
the time of the mother or soon after. He was a blacksmith and
tool maker. Having learned his trade in Connecticutt in one
of the shops of the once celebrated Seth Harris & Sons, scythe
manufacturers, of Pine Plains, in Dutchess County, and also at
Salisbury, Conn. He in connection with John Durfee, who
came from Connecticutt with him, established a Scythe Factory
on the outlet below Penn Yan, and near the old " Factory
Mill," since known as the Davison Moshier Mill. Their estab-
lishment was on the east side of the stream, and the remains
are still visible. Here they conducted that business from 1818
to 1822 ; sold and removed to Sodus, where Mr. Gamby died,
leaving his widow and two children, Emily and Mary. The
Scythe works passed through several hands, and finally were
conducted by one Hendricks, and attained considerable celeb-
rity for the quality of the scythes. It was continued to about
the year 1832 or '33, when it was finally abandoned. The last
man who conducted it was one Ashley. Mr. Gamby was in
those days celebrated as an ax-maker, and it is said made in one
day sixteen axes with the help of one man with the ordinary
fire and tools of a blacksmith, and his partner made the same
number at another fire.

Mrs. Gamby, the mother, married a second husband, John
Weed, of Benton, and resided on Flat street until they died.

WYNANS BUSH.

Dr. Wynans Bush was born in Florida, N. Y., in 1799. His
father was William T. Bush. The family was from Holland,
with the original name of Terboss. The grandfather, William
Bush, was an Adjutant in the Revolutionary army. Wynans
Bush graduated a physician at the Medical College in Barclay
street, New York. In 1824 he married Ann Loomis, of Coven-
try, Conn. Her mother who was a daughter of Martin Dens-
low, a Revolutionary Captain, of Windsor, Conn., lived with
Mrs. Bush at Branchpoint, and died there in 1869, at the age of
eighty-seven. In 1825 they moved to Vienna, now Phelps,

,330

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

where Dr. Bush began his practice as a physician. In 1832
they moved to Branchport, a village just merging from the
wilderness, and there they still reside, the Doctor continuing
his practice to the present time, with active powers of body and
mind. Their children are Elliott N., Henry M., Irene, Caro-
line, Ellen, Harlem P., Frances., Robert P., and Julia G.

Elliott N., born in 1826, married Sarah Lindley. They
moved to Belvidere, 111., in 1854. He was a soldier of the 95th
Illinois Infantry, and Captain of Company G. He served at
the siege of Vicksburg, under Banks on the Red River expedi-
tion, and fell at the battle of Germantown, Miss., June 10, 1864.
His children are Clark J., Carrie, and Elliott N.

Henry M., born in 1829, married Mary Van Benthuysen,
dopted daughter of Joshua Hall, of Pultney. They also set-
tled at Belvidere. He was a teacher, and a volunteer in the
95th Illinois, serving as First Lieutenant under his brother, the
Company having been chiefly enlisted by them. He also serv-
ed as an Engineer, and became Captain on the death of his
brother. He aided in the pursuit of the rebel General Hood,
and the capture of Mobile. He settled near Montgomery, Ala-
bama, where his wife died in 1866. He has since married
Charlotte H. Follensbee, of Montgomery.

Irene, born in 1831, married Stephen W. Clark, of Naples,
brother of Gov. Myron H. Clark, a teacher, and author of a text
book of Grammar. They reside at Parma, Monroe Co. He is
now a farmer and fruit culturist. Their children are Clara B.,
Anna B., and Ralph E.

Caroline, born in 1833, married in 1857, Henry H. Jessup,
missionary in Syria. She died on shipboard in 1864, near Al-
exandria embarked for a return voyage, and was buried there
in the Missionary burying ground. Her children were Anna
H.3 William, and Henry W., all born at Beyrout, in Syria.

Ellen, born in 1835, married Ralph "VV. Hopkins, a miller of
Prattsburgh, who with his brother Henry, owns the mill one
mile below that village. Their children are Arthur W., Nellie
I., and Ralph H.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 531

Harlem P., born in 1837, married Semantha L. Ingraham, in
18G3, and resides in Jerusalem. He was a soldier in the 15th
X. Y. Engineers, and was at the surrender of Lee. Their chil-
dren are Fred W., and Warner C.

Frances, born in 1840, is single.

Robert P., born in 1842, is a teacher and a physician. While
a student at the Cortland Academy in 1861, he enlisted in the
12th N. Y. Regiment, and served two years. He returned to
the Academy one year and re-enlisted in the 185th, for which
he raised Company E, and was commissioned Captain. He was
soon after, in December 1864, promoted to the office of Major.
He was in numerous battles, finally a prisoner at Richmond
and exchanged at the close of the war.

Julia G., born in 1845, married in 1864, Samuel C. Bradley,
of Kings Ferry, 1ST. Y., a nephew of Henry Bradley. He was
a private soldier of the 111th N. Y. V., finally promoted to the
position of First Lieutenant of Company I. He was woundod
at Gettysburg and Petersburg • and finally discharged for disa-
bility. They reside at Mandeville, Carrol Co., Missouri, and
their children are Dora, Wynans, and Edward G.

PETER H. BITLEY.

Henry Bitley and his Avife Elizabeth Donaldson, were natives
of Moreau, Saratoga Co., and their son Peter II. Bitley, was
born in 1801. They were both of Dutch descent, except that
the grandmother on the father's side was Irish.* Peter II.
Bitley came to this County early in 1833, employed by Pad-
dock & Nichols, of Yonkcrs, N. Y., in the lumber business, on
lands they had bought on the Beddoe Tract. He soon com-
menced furnishing them square timber and spars by contract,
delivering the timber at their docks "at Yonkers. After 1842
he operated independently, buying timber in Yates and Steu-
ben and other localities, and buying timber ready for transport
by way of the Erie Canal to the eastern markets ; also dealing
in all varieties of lumber and operating largely till 1867. He
sent to market in a single year three hundred thousand cubic
feet of hewn timber, and averaged for many years two hundred

532

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

and fifty thousand cubic feet, or two and one half million feet
of board measure. This business has required large outlays of
money and labor, and Mr. Bitley by care, prudence and
economy has accumulated a substantial fortune. He has five
hundred acres of land in Jerusalem, and still more in various
portions of Steuben Co., from which he has taken the most val-
uable timber. He also owns the homestead farm of his father
in Saratoga Co., (100 acres) which he prizes for its early associ-
ations. His business cares near home, at Branchport, require
now the most of his attention. His excellent physical organ-
ization bespeak for him many years of life and vigor. He mar-
ried in 1839, Mary J., daughter of Benjamin Laird, and sister
of John Laird, of Branchport, who came to this County from
Onondaga, N". Y. They had a daughter, Mary E., an aimable
and accomplished young woman, who married in 18G8, Henry
B. Howell, of Niagara Co., N. Y. She died in 1870. An
adopted daughter, and niece, Ella Rozell, married in 1870,
Frank L. B. Kidder, son of Almon S. Kidder, of Jerusalem.

Thomas S , a bachelor brother of Peter H. Bitley, came
about the same time with him to Jerusalem, and has always
lived in his family.

Mary, a sister, married Nathaniel G. Hibbard. They reside
in Jerusalem, on lot 27, of the Bcddoe Tract. Their children
arc Caspar, Henry, William, Peter H., Sarah, Hiram, George
P., Harvey, and Eveline. Caspar married Rosetta Lent, and
died in Jerusalem in 1862, leaving one child. Lizzie. Henry
was a ship carpenter and lived several years on the Island of
St. Helena, where he married his wife Louisa. He returned in
1865 after a nine year's absence, a part of the time in the Brit-
ish service in India. His children are Charles L. and Eliza-
beth. William married Lucy Woodhull, of Chi-mung. They
reside at Addison, N. Y., and have four children. Peter H. is
single. Sarah married John Bell, of Italy, a native of Scotland
and a mason. They live at Branchport and their children are
Ella, Charles, Lida, and one other. Hiram married Ellen Owen,
and lives at Muskegon, Mich. George is a Universalist clergy-

PETER H. BITLEY.

TOWN OF JURSALEH. 533

man at Hornellsville, N. Y., and is single. Harvey and Eve-
line are single.

THE GREENS AND THE GREEN TRACT.

Capt. Henry Green, who with Orrin Green, was the purchas-
er of the Green Tract and other lands in Jerusalem, was an
early settler in Gorham near Rushville, and he died there in
1849 at the age of eighty-six. His children were William?
John, Clark, Bingham, Hezekiah, Henry, and Erastus, besides
three daughters, Esther, Jerusha, and Sally. John, Clark, and
Henry were early settlers on the Green Tract, near Benjamin
Stoddard. Ira Green, son of Hezekiah, (brother of Captain
Henry,) also settled early in the same locality. Clark Green
settled on lot 25, near the corners known as the locality of the
"Green School House." His widow, now Mrs. Pettebone, still
resides there at the age of seventy-six, with her grand-daugh-
ter, Mrs. M. L. Chase. Ira Green kept a tavern about twenty
years where Thomas Sanders now lives, on lot 11. John Green
settled on the farm next south of Ira Green, where George W.
Champlin now lives, on lot 9. John Green married Anna,
daughter of Henry Hutchins, a Revolutionary soldier. Of his
family there are five surviving children, Harvey, Alvira, Han-
nah, Hezekiah, and Asahel II. Harvey married Sarah Teach-
out, of Italy. They live in Italy and have one child William
A. Alvira married Alanson L. Parsons, son of Thaddeus Par-
sons, of Italy Hollow, and resides in Middlesex. They have
four children, John H, Anna S.. Sabin A., and Wellington.

Hannah married Ersstus G. Clark, son of William Clark, of
Italy. Their children are Helen, Emma, John W., and Mary.

Hezekiah married Betsey Ann Gerould. They reside in Vine
Valley, in Middlesex, on the farm lately owned by Roswell M.
Lord, engaged in grape growing and farming. They have one
daughter, Alice V., who married William R. Perry.

Asahel married Mary E. Bennett, and resides in Vine Valley
Middlesex. They have two children, Eva O., and Herbert.

Clark Green married Abigail, daughter of Joseph II. Will-
iams, of Rushville. He died at the homestead in 1804. They
have four children, Esther, Submit, Huldah, and James S.

534

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Esther married Rev. Abel Haskell, of Canandaigua, and they
settled in Penfield, where she now resides a widow, with her
family. They have four children, Sarah, Mary, James, and
Franklin.

Submit married James A. Belknap, of Benton. Their daugh-
ter, Mary E., married Morrison L. Chase, and resides on the
grandmother Green farm. They have one child, Mitt.y R.

Huldah married William N. Benedict.

James S. married Helen Smith, of Angelica, and resides
there. He is a lawyer. They have one child, Mary C.

Mrs. Clark Green married for her second husband, Dr. Har-
vey Pettebonc, of Naples.

Henry Green, jr., married Betsey, daughter of Elisha Kelley,
an early settler of the town of Totter. They settled on the
farm now owned by Walter Henderson, on the " Green Tract,"
but removed to No. 9, town of Canandaigua, Ontario County,
where he died in 1835, leaving seven children. His widow
died in 1869. Their children were Lydia. Erastus, Eliza. Kel-
ley, Miles and Henry, (twins.) and Mary.

BENJAMIX STODDAK.D.

The first settler on lot 12, of the Green Tract, in Jerusalem,
was Benjamin Stoddard ; and he and Daniel Turner are all
that remain of the original settlers on that entire Tract. He
was born in 1796, in Cherry Valley, Otsego County. Henry
and Oren Green had the Tract re-surveyed by Jabez French
into lots of 154 acres, or half a mile from north to south and
lot rods from east to west. Benjamin Stoddard, and his
brother Cyrenus, took lot 12, the latter living there twenty
years when he moved to Michigan. It was then a complete
wilderness, and Mr Stoddard paid six dollars an acre for his
land. He was then twenty-one years old, had pretty good
clothes, an ax, a gun, a watch, and six dollars in money.
Armed with youthful courage and a strong constitution, he
entered upon the work of subduing the wilderness and earning
on his land the wherewithal to pay for its title. His first crop
of wheat, gathered in 1818, he sold for five shillings per bushel

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 535

and his second crop for two and six-pence. He built the first
frame barn on the Green Tract, in 1818, trading away his gun
to get lumber. That barn still stands, as good as ever, with a
new roof. He built first a log house, and married Hannah
Kelly, in 1818. She also was from Otsego County, and few
women have been a better support to a husband than she in the
arduous labors of pioneer life and the care of a large family.
In her advanced age of seventy-one, she is still a vigorous
woman, intent on the industries of a thrifty home. They have
been an industrious couple, and their labors have been reason-
ably rewarded. Mr. Stoddard has been a useful and prominent
citizen. He held a Captain's commission in the 103d Regi-
ment of Infantry, granted by Gov. Enos T. ThroQp, in 1828,
and a Lieutenant's commission previously given by Gov. Yates.
He also held various town offices. At the age of seventy-four,
he is still a man of strong and robust habit. Their surviving
children are Chester, Survina, Charles, Philo K, Susan Ann,
and Thomas.

Chester married Catharine, daughter of Abraham Van Tuyl.
Their children are Alice and Ann. Alice married first James
Miller, of Italy, and after his death, Ebrel E. Smith, son of
Morgan Smith, of Jerusalem. She has two children, Alida
Miller, and Chester Smith. Ann married William Ansley, of
Jerusalem. Their children are Clarence, Alice, and Lansing.

Survina married Thomas Van Tuyl, son of Abraham Van
Tuyl. Their children are Benjamin, John, Eva, Ella, Ernest,
and Mary. Benjamin married Kate Cheeney, of Prattsburgh.

Charles married Diana Cookingham. They had a daughter,
Hannah, who married James Wright, and lives in Jerusalem-
Charles married a second wife, resides west and has two chil-
dren by the second marriage, Ida, and Charles.

Philo K. married first, Sarah Lewis, of Prattsburgh. They
had one son, Lewis. His second wife was Sarah, daughter of
Albert R. Cowing. He is a popular physician at Prattsburgh.

Susan Ann married Richard Lewis, of Prattsburgh. Their
children are Mary, Esther, William, and Jennie.

536 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Esther married Vroman B. Lewis. They live in Wheeler,
and their children are Charles, Benjamin, Clara, and Chester.

Thomas married Frances, only daughter of Daniel Johnson.
They reside on the Stoddard homestead, and have one child,
Kate.

Although the wolves had left before Mr. Stoddard settled in
Jerusalem, other wild animals still roamed about. The deer
were very plenty, and Mrs. Stoddard relates that one actually
entered her house on one occasion. It had been tired in the
chase, and she opened the gate to let it in. An occasional
panther would stroll into the neighborhood, and one came al-
most to the house of Aaron Craft. Mr. Stoddard states that he
followed one as far as Daniel Baldwin's, in Italy, as late as
1820. He was led on by the cry of a voice which he supposed
was that of a woman that had left his house shortly before.
When he reached Mr. Baldwin's he found that the lady had
reached there before nightfall, and the cry then recognized as
that of a panther, had passed still further on.

In 1817 there was no direct road from the head of the west
branch of Keuka Lake to Italy Hill and Pratt sburgh. The
road passed around by Larzelere's Hollow. In 1817 the people
of Prattsburgh expended $300 in building log bridges on the
road from Italy Hill to Shearman's Hollow.

They had no schools in Mr. Stoddard's neighborhood till
1820, when a school house was built nearly on the same ground
where the present one stands. The first school teacher was
Sophia Parkman, from near Rushville. She afterwards married
Staats Green. The next was Alice Whitman, and the next
Polly Williams.

An early preacher at the school house was John Potter, a
Christian, and grandfather of Mrs. Bartleson Shearman. One
of the earliest Methodist preachers there was Gideon Banning.

Cyrenus Stoddard, the father of Benjamin Stoddard, settled
in the edge of Potter, next to the Green Tract, in 181G, where
he died at the age cf seventy. Philo, a brother of Benjamin
Stoddard, settled near his father and afterwards moved to Ohio.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

537

Henry B. Stoddard, (not a relative,) married Orra, sister of
Benjamin Stoddard. He was a mason, and his death was
caused by a fall from a building in Rochester. He was buried
in the private cemetery of Benjamin Stoddard, where the father
and mother of the latter are also buried.

Benjamin Stoddard belonged to the first Grand Jury called
in the County of Yates. His neighbor, Jonathan Weldon, the
first settler where Nathan G. Benedict resides, was another.
Jonathan Weldon was an important citizen and the brother-in-
law of Samuel Blackman, the first settler on the Amsey Horton
place.

THE WRIGHT FAMILY.

Joseph Wright and his wife, Lucy Woods, were natives of
Massachusetts. She was a daughter of a Revolutionary General
whose brother boarded the ship and threw overboard the tea in
Boston harbor when the quarrel with England begun. They
settled in West Bloomfield in 1808, and in 1817 moved where
Jewett Mariner now resides, on lot 27, of the Green Tract. He
died in Middlesex at the age of seventy-three. Their children
were Lucretia, Lucy, Jackson, Joseph W., William, and Cath-
arine. Lucretia married William B. Culver, of Reading, and
died in that town. Lucy was the first wife of Michael Gage,
of Middlesex. They had twelve children, of whom four sur-
vive, Myron, Loraine, Lucretia, and Henry H.

Jackson Wright married Maria Babcock, of Jerusalem, and
resides there. Their children are Maria A., Lucy L., Phebe F.,
Adaline C, William and Lyman S. Maria A. married
Chester French, and becoming a widow married a second hus-
band, Thomas J. White, the present owner and occupant of the
Friend's place in Jerusalem. Lucy L. married William Culver
of Reading. They have two children, Chester, and Alice.
Adaline C. married S. Martin French, of Jerusalem.

Joseph W. married Adaline Secor, of Benton, and lived
most of his life in Jerusalem, but now resides in Benton. He
has two surviving sons, James B., and Philetus. James B.
married Hannah, daughter of Charles Stoddard.

o3S HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

William married Lucinda, daughter of Francis Purdy. They
resided in Middlesex till recently, and now live at Canandai-
gna. Of their children, Edward, Mary, and Frank, Edward
only survives. Catharine died single at twenty-one.

DAVID TURNER.

David Turner, born in 1792, in Greenbush, Rensselaer Coun-
ty, married in 1812, Margaret Passage, a native of the same
place, born in 1798. They moved to Benton in 1S15, and in
1818 took up their residence on lot 14, of the Green Tract,
where they lived over half a century and where Mrs. Turner
died in 1S70. They won their livelihood in this locality by
unremitting industry and most self-denying economy, and their
lives have been upright and blameless. Their children were
Reuben, Maria, Hannah, Catharine, Susan M., Sarah Ann, and
David H. Reuben, who resides near the homestead, married
Esther Jane Drake, and their children are Hannah Margaret,
Maria, and Catharine.

Maria married Levi C. Knapp, son of Matthew Kuapp, of
Barrington, and they have two surviving children. Hannah
married Joseph Keech. They live west and have two children,
David and Daniel. Catharine married Daniel Albee. They
live at Addison and their children are Eva, and Henry. Susan
M. married George W. Stever, and died in 1858. David H.
married Diana, daughter of Abraham L. Robinson, and resides
on the Smith place on lot 4. Sarah Ann is single.

NATHAN G. BENEDICT.

Nathan G. Benedict, now eighty-one years old, was from
Saratoga County, and married Polly Towner, of Seneca, in
1812. She died at the age of seventy, in 18G7. They settled first
in Reading, and lived eleven years in Troupsburg, Steuben Co.
In 182G they bought out Jonathan Weldon, on lot 24, of the
Green Tract, where the family still resides. Their children
have been Anna Maria, Ezra, Florence, William N , Lucy P.
Harriet A., Laurana, Nathan G., and Catharine E.

Anna Maria married Ira C. Williams. She died leaving
several children, Francis A., Ezra B., Mary I., Forrest H.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

5.30

Amanda, Theodore, Ira, and Charles. Francis A. married
Jennie Clark, and lives near Hammondsport. They have three
children. Forrest H. married Lucy Babcock, of Prattsburgh,
They have one child, Anna Maria.

Amanda married Edward Van Housen, of Prattsburgh. Their
children are Malcomb and Maude.

Ezra Benedict was a school teacher of much distinction.
His first school was taught in Yates County at the age of six-
teen. He taught six years in Alexander, Genesee County, and
afterwards twenty-one years in the public schools of Buffalo,
where he was very highly esteemed. His death was very sin-
cerely mourned. He married Olive Loomis, and their children
were Mary T., Sarah, Florence, and Charles. Florence married
Frederick Paine, of Buffalo, and Charles married Martha Ber-
nard, of Le Roy. Mary died soon after her father.

William N. Benedict married Huldah, daughter of Clark
Green, is a blacksmith and resides in Jerusalem. Their chil-
dren are Clark, x\bigail, Warren, Frank. Willie, and Edward.
Abigail died at twenty-one, and Clark at sixteen.

Lucy P. married Daniel C. Crane. They reside in Michigan.

Harriet married Asher T. Stevens, who died in Kentucky
during the Rebellion, a soldier of a Michigan regiment. He
left four children, Helen E., Nathan D., Harriet L., and
Richard.

Nathan G. Benedict, jr., is also a teacher of high worth, and
has been thirteen years at the head of one of the city schools of
Buffalo, equally esteemed with his deceased brother. He mar-
ried Gracia Smith, a teacher of Buffalo, and they have one
child, Nathan L.

Laurana and Catharine are unmarried and reside at the home-
stead with their father. His place at one time included three
hundred acres. Mr. Benedict has been a firm advocate of
Temperance and Anti-Slavery sentment, which he supported
when they were not popular doctrines.

CHA3IPLIN FAMILY.

Rowland Champlin was a native of Rhode Island, where he

540 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

married Susanah, daughter of Jonathan J. Hazard, and sister of
Griffin B. Hazard. They emigrated to Vermont, and from
thence to this County in 1810, settling on the place where Ab-
ner Gardner now resides, on lot 22, in Milo, where he became
the owner of three hundred acres, much of which he afterwards
parted with, leaving finally but seventy-five acres. One hun-
dred acres was sold to Jeffrey Champlin, his brother. He died
in 1848 at the age of seventy -four, and was buried at City Hill.
His first wife died many years earlier. Their children were
Patience, Mary, Rowland, Jonathan J., and Mariana. Patience
married Eli Crane. They kept a public house in Bath, where
he died. She afterwards lived in Italy, and died in Michigan.
Their children were Daniel C, and a daughter who married a
Mr. Vosbinder. Daniel C. married Lucy P., daughter of Na-
than G. Benedict. They live in Michigan and their children
are George, Eugene W., Susan P., and Ely. Mary married Ab-
ner Gardner.

Rowland Champlin, jr., married Mary, daughter of Eleazer
Ingrahara, jr. They lived thirty-six years in Jerusalem, on lot
10, of the Green Tract, where he died in 1868, upwards of
seventy. His wife survives at the age of sixty-eight. Their
children were Jonathan J.,. George W., Abner G., Mary S.,
Susannah, and Elisha. Jonathan J. married Julia Ann Brown,
and resides, on part of the homestead. George W. married
Araminta Henderson, and resides on part of the homestead.
Their children are William, Rowland and Melvin. Abner G.
married Semantha, daughter of Amos Perry, and resides on the
homestead in the house erected by his father, on lot 10, of the
Green Tract. Mary S. married Robert Colegrove, and lives in
Wheeler. Susannah married Charles, son of William W. Wy-
man, and died leaving no children. Elisha married Sarah,
daughter of William Sisson, and resides on a portion of the
homestead.

Jonathan J. Champlin died at Natchez, Mississippi, many
years ago, unmarried.

Mariam married Isaac Owen, of Jerusalem. Their children

TOWN OF JURSALEM. 541

were Mary S., Sarah, Helen, and Ira. Mary S. married Isaac
Wilcox, of Italy, where she died leaving six children. Helen
and Ira are single.

THE ALMY FAMILY.

James T. Almy and his family moved into Benton in 1817,
and settled on lot 19, of the Green Tract, near the Potter line,
in 1823, buying their land of Abraham Wagener. There
James T. Almy died in 1869, at the age of seventy-eight. His
wife survives at the age of seventy-six. His mother resided in
his family from his first settlement in this county, and died in
1853 at the wonderful age of one hundred and three years ; her
mind remaining good till the last year of her life. Abigail, a
sister of James T. Almy, lives now on the old place with her
nephew, Charles W. Almy, at the age of eighty-eight. The
children of James T. Almy were John S., Elisha O., Perlona
A., Clarinda A., Charles W., and Hannah Maria. John S. mar-
ried Sarah Ann Trask, and lived in Potter, moving after some
years to Canadice where he died in 1867 at the age of fifty-
three. His family now reside in Starkey. Their children are
Hannah R., and James E.

Elisha O. married Nancy Trask, sister of Sarah Ann. They
reside in Starkey, and their children are Esther P., James,
John W., George, Clarinda, Jane, and Stephen. Perlona A.
married Bartholomew Conley. Clarinda A. married George W.
Fitzwater, and died early. Charles W. married Amanda,
daughter of Orren Stebbins, of Middlesex. They reside on the
Almy homestead, and their children are Orpha J., and Willie
C. Hannah Maria married Jacob J. Smith, of Jerusalem. They
have two children, Clarinda J., and James T.

SAMUEL P. CARVEY.

William Carvey was from Goshen, Orange County. His
wife was Elizabeth Hawley. They settled in 1825 on the Green
Tract, making their home on lot 18, where he died in 1848, at
the age of seventy. His wife died the previous year at the age
of sixty-eight. Their children were Hiley, Ellen, John, Jane,
William, Isaac, Samuel P., and Francis. Ellen married Charles

542 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Bell. Both died in Jerusalem leaving five children: William
C. Bell, one of their sons, married Sarah Champlin, and lives
at Himrods. Charles Bell, another son, married a daughter of
William S. Green, of Italy, and resides at Rushville.

Jane married Isaiah, son of Jared Cohoon,- and died in Jeru-
salem. Her children were William, Jared, Charles, and Mary.
William married Mary Spangler, and lives in Jerusalem. Jared
married a daughter of John G. Lown.

William Carvey married Eunice Thomas, and moved west.
Isaac married and is dead.

Samuel P. Carvey married first, Hannah Robinson, of Spring-
port, N. Y., and has a second wife, Phebe, daughter of Abra-
ham Youngs. He is a very industrious, enterprising, and
thrifty farmer, owning three hundred acres under excellent cul-
ture, with good buildings, located on lot 20, of the Green
Tract. The surviving children by his first marriage are Emily,
and Lewis : by the second marriage, John, Judson, and Alice.
Mr. Carvey commenced first on the north verge of the Green
Tract, and has lived fourteen years where he now resides. He
has gained his estate by energetic industry and economy.

NATHAN HARRIS.

The original settler on lot 10, of the Green Tract, where
Rowland Champlin, jr., afterwards lived, was Nathan Harris.
He and his wife, Hancey Benton, were natives of Connecticutt
and were married at We*»hersfield. In 1819 they made their
home in the woods on the Green Tract. In their later years
they made their home with their son, John B. Harris, where
the father died in 1860, at the age of eighty-two, and the
mother in 1864, at the age of seventy eight. Their children
were John B., Henry, Marcia, Otis, Sally, Nathan, Maria,
James K., Jane, and Charlotte. Henry married in Oneida Co.,
and lives in Minnesota. Marcia married Stephen I. Torrey, of
Italy. She lives in Potter, a widow, and her children are Al-
son D., Addison, Violette, and Ncthan.

Otis married Rhoda, daughter of Eleazer Ingraham, jr., and
lives on the Ingraham homestead in Pultney. Sally died single.

TOWN" OF JERUSALEM. 543

Nathan married Phila, daughter of Henderson Cole, and died
at St. Joseph, Indiana, leaving two sons, Dwight and Charles.
Maria married William Sutton, and after his death became the
second wife of Michael Gage, of Middlesex. James K. married
Nancy Irwin, lives in Pennsylvania and has four children.
Jane married Alfred Brown. Charlotte died at sixteen.

John B. Harris, the oldest of the children,' born in Oswego
Co., in 1801, married Abigail, daughter of Asa Brown. They
first kept a tavern at Italy Hill, where they had been preceded
by Elisha Pierce, Philip Cool, and Seth Baker. After two
years he started a store and kept a tavern, a short distance be-
yond Rowland Champlin's, on the road to Italy Hill, and there
remained three years. They afterwards lived on the Friend's
Tract, and now reside on lot 28, Guernsey's Survey. Their
children have been Nancy S., Amanda M., Jane M., Rebecca,
Harriet M., Charles B., and James K. Nancy S. married first,
David Baker, who died leaving one child, William E. She
married next, James Crouch, who was a soldier in Company of
Capt. Martin S. Hicks, 148th Regiment. He was wounded at
Cold Harbor, and died soon after. Their children were Charles
A., Emily A., and John J. Nancy is also dead. Amanda
married George M. Baker. They reside in Woodhull, and
their children are Ida May, Irene Hattie, Floyd, and Francis.
Jane married George T. Stevens, son of Oliver Stevens, of
Penn Yan. They have one child, Fred. Rebecca married
John Y. Brown, and has two children, Minnie, and Charles.
He was a soldier in a Pennsylvania Regiment of Bucktails and
served through the entire war of the Rebellion. Harriet mar-
ried Horace R. Wheeler, and has one child, Perley. James K.
married Mary, daughter of Moses Hartwell. They have one
child, Olive G.

Asr. Brown, the father of Mrs. John B. Harris, was a son of
Micajah Brown, who formerly lived near Dresden, moved West
a few years ago and died at a very advanced age. Mica-
jah Brown was a son of Benjamin Brown, senior, of the
Friend's Society. Asa Brown, still living in Pultney at the

544 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

age of about ninety, married Patience, daughter of Eleazer
Ingraham, senior. Their children were Abigail, Rachel W.,
Chester, Alfred, John, Rebeca, and Ann. Robert W. married
Jemima Maiden, resided in Jerusalem many years and finally
moved to Michigan. Chester S. married Julia Ann Sage, lived
many years in Jerusalem, and died in Penn Yan several years
ago. Alfred married Jane, a sister of John B. Harris, and liv-
ed in Jerusalem till quite recently. His daughter Phida married
Marshall Babcock and lives in Middlesex. Rebecca Brown is
single, and Ann is dead.

OTHER SETTLERS ON THE GREEN TRACT.

Capt. William Thrall a Revolutionary soldier w^s the first
settler where Cyrenus Townsend resides, on lot 7 of the Green
Tract. He died there and the family moved West.

Zadock Bass settled on a part of Albert R. Cowing's farm,
lot 27 of the Green Tract. His wife committed suicide, and
the family moved away.

Silas Cook settled where James Campbell lives, on lot 10
of the Green Tract, and Israel Rogers where the Champlins
are on lot 10. John Green, settled where Geo. W. Champlin
lives on lot 9.

Benjamin and William Lafier were the first settlers where Jo-
siah White resides on lot 11. Some of the family now live in
Middlesex.

Joseph Gay first settled where Mathew Henderson lives on
lot 8. He was a Justice of the Peace by appointment. Some
of the family are now residents of Steuben county.

Enoch Remington was the first settler where James Mc Key
lives. He moved to Illinois.

Seth Hanchett settled first where James B. Wright resides.
His was a talented and leading family. They enjoy good for-
tunes elsewhere in the world.

William Simmons was the first settler where Reuben Turner
now lives ; and where John Turner lives on lot o, David Con-
ley was the first settler.

Where Mrs. Julane Dinehart resides on lot 3, the oi-iginal set-
tler was John Purdy, the father of Isaac S. Purdy.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

545

Henry Dennis settled and staid a short time where Mr. Hoos
now lives north of David Turner.

William Folsom, husband of Jerusha, daughter of Capt.
Henry Green, was an original settler in the same vicinity.

Reuel Rogers, husband of Sally, daughter of Capt. Henry
Green, settled on a part of the place where Walter Henderson
resides.

Horton Rounds settled on lot 17 on the road from the pres-
ent residence of George W. Robinson on lot 2.

Lewis R. Carvey and Ira Carvey settled on lot 18, on land
now occupied by Lewis R. Carvey.

David Page was the first settler where Samuel P. Carvey re-
sides on lot 20.

Jaocb Coddington, a fine scholar and school teacher,- settled
on the corner south of Samuel P. Carvey's on land now own
ed by him.

Benjamin Washburn, now of Gorham, settled on lot 21
where Abraham Watkins now resides. Abraham Wager also
settled in the same vicinity. Everhart Wager, the father of
Abraham Wager, was the first settler where James W ilcox lives
on lot 22. James Wilcox was comparatively early on the
Tract and has been a successful farmer by dint of industry.

Jacob Youngs, father of Abraham Youngs, was the first set-
tler on the place afterwards owned by Thomas W. Smith, and
previously by Thomas Owens, on lot lo. On another portion
of the same place Edmund Robinson a Quaker was the first
settler. His son Jeremiah Robinson was a remarkable deer
hunter. Jeremiah, a brother of Edmund Robinson, was the
first settler on land where Isaac S. Fox now resides on lot 14.

Samuel Weldon was the first settler where Eberle E. Smith
resides, and his father, Jonathan Weldon, where Nathan G.
Benedict now resides on lot 24.

John Blackman was the first settler where Amsey Horton late-
ly resided on lot 25.

Piatt Kinney of Ovid settled next south of Seth Hanchett

546 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

and after a few years returned to Ovid. William Paul and
Peter Simmons were early settlers on the Green Tract.

THOMAS B. SMITH.

Thomas B. Smith was a native of the town of Seneca. His
father was Rufus Smith, who married Milly, sister of Otis and
George Barden. He married Betsey Marks of Seneca. They
settled in 182G on the Green Tract, where he owned three hun-
dred acres, and in 1833 built a commodious framed house, one of
the earliest and best on the Tract, on lot 4. In 1844 he moved
back to Seneca, and ten years later returned ; but died in Sene-
ca in 1868 at the age of sixty-three. Their children are Milly
J., Rufus A., Jacob J., Thomas W., and Lewis M. Milly J.
married James Windnagle of Gorham. They reside in Pratts-
burg and have five sons. Rufus A. married Esther, daughter
of E. Otis Almy. They live in Potter and have two children.
Jacob J. married Hannah, daughter of James D. Almy. They
live in Italy Hollow and have two children. Thomas W. born
in 1834 married Emily, daughter of Samuel P. Carvey. He
was a prosperous farmer in Jerusalem, a Justice of the Peace,
and resides now in Penn Yan. Their children are Charles,
Jasper, Ella, Willie, and Lewis. Lewis M. married Janette Haw-
ley of Middlesex and resides in Canandaigua. They have two
children.

The early settlers on the Green Tract were justly regarded
as having a hard prospect for gaining a livelihood and still
worse for the accumulation of property. After the first crops
were taken off much of the land seemed cold and unproduc-
tive. It was hard to till and rendered a poor return for the la-
bor bestowed upon it. But it has rewarded the diligence
of those who persevered, quite as well as most other sections. The
tenacity of the Turners, Stoddards, Benedicts, Carveys, Smiths
and others who might be named, has given them goodly pos-
sessions, and the qualities of character which have triumphed
over the natural obstacles of their location, are such as belong
to the highest order of manhood.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

54'i

THE SHATTUCK FAMILY.

Ebenezer Shattuck was a son of Jonathan Shattuck and was
born in Pepperell, Mass., in 17(50. In 1781 be married Lucy
Woods, daughter of Aaron and Rebecca Woods, of Pepperell.
He was a farmer- in his native town, moved to Mason, New
Hampshire, in 1788, and to Jerusalem in 1816, where he was
an original settler on lot 56 of Gurnsey's survey, buying his
land of the Greens. Here he died in 1840 at the age of sev-
enty-nine, and his wife in 1844 aged seventy-eight. Their
children were Ebenezer, Sewall, Lucy, Mahala, Hepzibah, Aaron
W. and George Wheeler, (twins,) Rebecca, and Clarissa.

Ebenezer born in 1785 came with his father to Jerusalem.
He was a mason and married Cynthia Sweetland of Oneida
Co. He died in Mendon, Monroe Co., in 1840. Three of his
children are residents of Chicago.

Sewall Shattuck born in 1787, was a blacksmith. He mar-
ried in 1820, Rebecca, daughter of Jacob Updegraff, four years
his junior. She was a native of Berks county, Pa., and with
her sister Eleanor came in a gig, by way' of Captain William-
son's road, to Jerusalem, a very few years later than her sisters
Rachael, the wife of Jonathan Davis, and Nancy, the wife of
John Iugraham who came with the Friends. Her father was
buried very early in the Friend's burying ground in Jerusalem.
Sewall Shattuck remained on the land bought by his father in
Jerusalem and died there in 1866 at the age of seventy-nine.
His wife survived till 1870, dying at the age of seventy-eight.
Their children were Darwin, Sewall, Emerson and Sarah Ma-
hala. Darwin born in 1822 married in 1847 Christiana, daugh-
ter of James Henderson. She was born in 1827 They reside
on the land originally owned by his grandfather, Ebenezer
Shattuck. Their children have been Charles Emerson, Sarah
Abigail and Mary Isabella, (twins), Lucy, and Hattie A. Mary
died young. Sewall E. Shattuck born in 1S25 is, a prosperous
physician at Hornellsville, N. Y. He married in 1850 Har let
J. Hinman. They have two surviving children. Sarah Maha-
la born in 1827, is the wife of John Townsend of Jerusalem.

548 HISTORY OF YATES COTJNTY.

Lucy, daughter of Ebenezer Shattuck, born in 1789, married
Joseph Baker, a farmer of Pompey, Onondaga county.

Mahala Shattuck born in 1792, married Nathan Baker, broth-
er of Joseph. Both had considerable families.

Hepzibah Shattuck born in 1794, married first her cousin,
David Shattuck. He died of consumption in Jerusalem in
1820 at the age of twenty-six, leaving two children. She next
married Thomas Phinney in 1823 at Rushville. They moved
from Jerusalem to Bedford, Michigan.

Aaron Woods Shattuck, born in 1799, married in 1824 Lyd-
ia, daughter of Joseph Cole of Jerusalem. They moved to
Jamestown, N. Y.

George Wheeler Shattuck, twin brother of Aaron W., mar-
ried in 1824, Rachel, daughter of Samuel Davis of Jerusalem.
He was a farmer and bricklayer. They moved in 1843 to
Farmingtou, Michigan, and thence to Muskegon where they
now reside. Their children are George K., Orin B., Joel D.,
Harrison W,. Guy A., Caroline A., Angeline C, and William.

Rebecca Shattuck born in 1802, married first, Zadock Bass,
an original settler on lands of Albert R. Cowing on the Green
Tract. Her second husband was Calvin Cole, brother of Eras-
tus Cole, senior.- She died at Porto Rico in the West Indies,
leaving a daughter, Anna by her first husband who married a
Spanish gentleman in New York.

Clarrissa Shattuck born in 1804, married Joseph Fitch of
Fayetteville. Onondaga county, and was the mother of six
children.

When Ebenezer Shattuck settled in Jerusalem he purchased
one hundred acres of land off the east end of lot 56, and his
son Aaron forty acres of the same lot, for which they paid six I
dollars an acre.

The Shattuck family is an extensive one, and Lemuel Shat-
tuck, one of the most eminent of its members, published in
1855 a well-prepared book of memorials of the family, embrac-
ing very full and valuable genealogical tables tracing their de-
scent from William Shattuck of England, Avho settled early in

TOWN OF JURSALEM. 549

the Colony of Massachusetts ; and including the subsequent
generations to the date of publication. The author belonged
to various historical, antiquarian, statistical and genealogical
societies and was well qualified for his work. He quotes the
sentiment of Burke, that " Those only deserve to be remem-
bered by posterity who treasure up the history of their ances-
tors." He adds , " A knowledge of those who gave us form,
brought us into existence and made us what we are, seems re-
quired to satisfy the promptings of our nature." He also
quotes Daniel Webster as follows : " There is a moral and phi-
losophical respect for our ancestors, which elevates the char-
acter and improves the heart. Next to the sense of religious
duty and moral feeling, I hardly know what should bear with
stronger obligation on a liberal and enlightened mind than a
consciousness of an alliance with excellence that is departed."

THE BEDDOE TRACT. ALBERT R. COWING.

James Cowing born in 1740, in Old Rochester, county of
Plymouth, Mass., was the father of twenty-one children, of
whom Albert R. Cowing was the twentieth. He learned the
trade of shoemaker, but followed the ocean as a whaler a num-
ber of years, after which he married a Miss Cottle and followed
his trade. During the Revolution he was largely employed in
making shoes for the soldiers and took his pay in continental
money. The Government not redeeming its paper he lost all ;
but he was content as the cause of liberty triumphed. His
first wife and the mother of seven of his children died and he
married a second wife, Sarah Randall, with whom he moved to
Saratoga county, where they purchased a farm and improved
it. He was again reduced to bankruptcy by becoming security
for a merchant. In the fall of 1803, with his son Caleb and
his nephew Jacob Hackett, he travelled on foot to Canandaigua,
a distance of more than two hundred miles. They located on
a farm five miles west of Geneva, where he brought his family
the next spring. In 1807 his wife died of typhus fever, a fatal
disease for many that year. The children by the first marriage
were David, Oliver, James, Hannah, Eunice, and Mary ; by the

550

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

second, Phebe, Celinda, Caleb, Ruby, Sally, Asenath, Permelia
Betsey, Cynthia, Sophia, Marshall J., Sophronia, Albert R,
and John P. James first settled in Oneida county, and had a
family of eleven children. He moved to this county in 1830,
and died in 1840 at the age of seventy-two. Mary, in 1822 in
middle life, married John Ayres of Phelps, a Catholic and a
farmer, owning one hundred acres. The marriage was unhap-
py and he willed his property to the Catholic Church in Gene-
va. She, disgusted with the unequal laws in regard to woman,
as early as 1830 circulated a petition to the Legislature for a
grant of equal property rights. The petition was twelve to
fourteen feet long, and was signed by many influential citizens.
It was at that time made a subject of laughter and honored
with an adverse report. But Mrs. Ayres wras a pioneer in a
just cause, which has since gained the triumph she did not live
to see.

Phebe the oldest of the children by the second marriage,
married Luke Whitmore and died at the age of eighty in Mich-
igan, the mother of five children.

Celinda married Gen. Parkhust Whitney. They commenced
in 1814 keeping the Cataract House at Niagara Falls, and con-
tinued there many years, when it passed into the hands of
their children. She died in 18G0 nearly seventy-eight.

Caleb Cowing, now living in Starkey, is eighty-five years
old and it is believed has chopped over and cleared more new
land than any man now living in this State. He was ninteen
years old when the family arrived at their new home in the
woods, and soon commenced chopping by the job. The year
he was twenty-one years old he cleared off thirty-six acres of
land, heavily timbered, and fitted it for the harrow. He has
frequently cut and put up six cords of wood in a day. He
married Rhoda Royce of Reading, two years his senior, and
settled and improved two farms in that town, now Starkey.
He sold out and returned to Seneca where he improved two
other farms and built a large brick house. Twenty-one years
later he moved back and still lives in Starkey.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 551

Four sons of Sopbronia, who married Enos Clark and moved
to Michigan, were soldiers, three with Shearman and one in
the Army of the Potomac. She had ten children. Cynthia
married Asher Torrance, and died at fifty-eight in Lockport,
the mother of five children. John P. Cowing, the youngest of
the family, married Elizabeth Mallory and is an extensive man-
ufacturer of Fire Engines, Pumps, &c, at Seneca Falls. No
others except Albert settled in this county.

Albert R. Cowing born in 1804, married in 182;>, Sally,
daughter of E. B. Torrance, and in the fall of that year moved
to Jerusalem, where he became the first permanent settler on
the Beddoe Tract, or the 5000 acres separately surveyed by
Jabez French and advertised by John Beddoe. The tract was
then a dense wilderness of pine and oak timber, as good as the
State could afford, with a mixture of other timber. A man by
the name of Burchard had squatted on lot 13, built a log house
and sowed a little wheat, which the deer gnawed so close that
it never amounted to anything, and he soon left the town.
The principal product for a number of years was pine shingles
styled by the people north and east " Jerusalem Currency."
The mints for the manufacture of this currency were common
in the woods, and sturdy workmen applied themselves late and
early in producing it, the shavings serving for fire and light.
The outfit for one of these mints was an axe, a cross-cut saw,
shaving knife and froe, and a wood horse. The shingle maker
could take them all on his shoulder and establish himself in
business anywhere in the woods. He had no license to pay
and his shingles sold for one dollar per thousand — an article
now worth six dollars. For some years the best markets were
Seneca and Phelps, until the Keuka Lake canal was opened.
Then lumbermen from tho east bought timbered land, stand-
ing trees and lumber, and paid the people currency they could
carry in their pockets. This soon destroyed the shingle cur-
rency, and the once beautiful pine forests shortly became ugly
looking clearings.

Mr. Cowing never engaged in the shingle business farther

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

than to peddle the currency in hi3 native town, but applied
himself to chopping, and clearing his farm, and erecting
buildings. In 1831 he built a barn 34 by 50 feet in size.
James S. Royce was the Carpenter, and it was the first build-
ing raised in the county without spirituous liquor. Some came
with a jug, but Mr. Cowing ordered them away. They left
taking others with them, and played ball at a neighbor's near
by, while a small and determined band of Temperance men,
working with a will put up the frame of heavy timber. Re-
freshments were served more expensive than whisky, and the
fashion afterwards prevailed throughout the country. Since
then he has had seven raisings, and at each one a supper but
no liquor. Their children have been Maria, Sophronia, Rhoda,
Sarah, Eliza, Caroline, Mary. Albert A., Helen, and Celinda.
Maria married Alfred Baldwin and has one child, Oren R.
Sophronia married Charles Bellis, had two children, Cornelia
S,j and Albert C, and died at twenty-one. Rhoda married
Granger Gates and has two children, Mary S., and Grove C.
They reside in Illinois. Sarah married Dr. Philo K. Stoddard
of Prattsburg. Eliza died single at twenty-three. Albert A.
married Alice, daughter of Luther Myers of Watkins. They
are living in Omaha and have one child, Fred M. Helen mar-
ried Abram N. Slaght of Lodi, and is living on the old
homestead. The others are single.

Albert R. Cowing has led an active and laborous life, and
his activity has been mental as well as muscular. At the age
of twenty-six he united with the Methodist Church of which
he Avas a leading member upwards of twelve years, much of
the time a class leader and steward. Afterward, having Anti
Slavery views and regarding the Bible as an authority for slav-
ery, he gradually became a Free Thinker, and repudiated the
Bible as a Divine Revelation. He has since been as zealous in
his opposition to theological opinions as he was before in his
support of orthodox sentiments. He has frequently wielded
his pen in support of his views on religious subjects and other
topics, andm any of his articles have been printed in the news-
papers.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

5d3

ORIGINAL SETTLERS ON THE BEDDOE TRACT.

William Runner moved from Pultney in 1825 and settled on
the south side of the Beddoe Tract. He married Eveline Par-
ker, and by honest industry gained a good property. They had
five children, James, Lovina, Lois, John, and Eliza. She died
in 1842, and he in 1865, aged sixty-two years. John, now
living in the town of Seneca, is one of the most prominent citi-
zens there, and a thorough business man.

John Runner, the lather of Win. Runner, settled near his
son in 1826, and had a family of nine children, Margaret, Wil-
liam, Hannah, Christiana, Jacob, Eliza, Lovina, John, and Ar-
minda. His wife, " Mother Runner," as she was called, was
one of the most useful women of her day. She served both
as doctor and nurse, in hundreds of cases, many preferring her
to the best physicians. Her strong constitution enabled her to
live many years, and she died at the home of her daughter,
Eliza Townsend, widow of the late Remer Townsend, in 1870,
aged eighty-seven years, having survived her husband twenty
years.

Ezra Loomis moved from the town of Seneca in 1826, and
settled on and improved the farm now owned and occupied by
his son, Ezra, and daughter, Jane, on lot 12. He enlisted in
the war of the Revolution at the age of sixteen, and served
two years, until the close of the war. A more resolute and
persevering man of his age, is seldom seen. He had a family
of thirteen children by two marriages and died in 1839, aged
seventy-four years, his last wife surviving him eleven years.

John Coleman moved from Benton in 1826, settled on the
farm now owned by Daniel Johnson, about the year 1831, sold
out to James Cowing, and moved to Genesee Co., where lie
now lives.

Henry Nutt, in 1826, settled on lot No. 30, on what was
then called the Oak Flat, remained there a few years, then
traded farms with George Critchel of Torrey, where he now
resides. At that time the road from Branchport to Italy Hill
was not laid out and the first settlers had to cut their own roads.

554 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Benjamin Rogers settled on the farm now owned by Seneca
Badger in 182G, lived there a few years then sold out and
bought the Hayt farm, afterwards sold to Joel Townsend, and
left the town.

Morris Ross came in the town in 1826, settled and improved
the farm now occupied by Win. Herries and Thomas Schull,
on lot 22. He was a blacksmith, remained there a number of
years, sold out and moved to Wisconsin.

Meli Todd came to this county with his father, Benajah Todd,
in the year 1811, in his eighth year, from the State of Ver-
mont, The family consisted of a father, mother and four
children, one older than himself, Truman, and two younger.
Benajah Todd took up a lot of land and built a log house about
two and a half miles south of where Dundee now is. He lived
eighteen months there and died. The reader can have but a
faint idea now of the privations and hardships a family left
fatherless and surrounded by a wilderness filled with ferocious
animals, had to endure. In 1812 they had their only pig
caught by a bear in the day time, which carrying it ten rods
from the house, took a good meal and covered the remainder
with leaves. The rattlesnake was the most to be dreaded.
Meli has stepped over them many times barefooted when they
were curled up under small bushes. The family bought in
1814 the farm where Lodowick Disbrow now lives in Barring-
ton. Truman and Meli cleared it mostly and paid for it. *They
frequently went to Bennett's Settlement, a distance of three or
four miles, and worked for eighteen pence and a shilling a day ;
took their pay in wheat and backed it to mill. Meli married a
daughter of William Ovenshire, of Barrington, and in 1830
came to Jerusalem and settled on the Beddoe Tract. He built
a log house and commenced chopping and clearing his land,
converting the pine into shingles, of which he has rived, shav-
ed and bunched as many as four thousand in one day, one
thousand being considered a day's work. In 1840, he bought
the farm now occupied by Daniel Johnson, built a frame house
and barn, and in 1850 sold out and bought where he now re-

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

sides, one and a half miles west of Branchpoint. They have
reared two children, Benajah and Lydia. Benajah is a well-to-
do farmer living half a mile north of his father. Lydia married
Frank Stover, and lives on the homestead with her father and
mother. Mr. Todd has been in very poor health for a number
of years, in consequence of chopping with too heavy an ax (otic
of six pounds) in his younger days. The strain of his chest lias
affected him through life.

Rochester Hurd moved from Stnrkey in 1826, improved to
some extent what is now known as the French farm, on lot 29 ;
remained there two or three years and traded farms with John
French, of the town of -Reading. The farm has been owned
ever since by some of the French family, until 1869 when Fer-
ris P. Hurd purchased it of the French heirs, Chester, the
youngest son of Johu French, and the owner of the premises,
having died without issue. John French's family consisted of
nine children, Amasn, Lewis, Charles, Ann, Philemon, Robert,
Betsey, Maria, and Chester.

James Royce moved from Starkey in 1827, improved a
part of the farm now owned by William P. Hibbard, on lot 20,
stayed there two or three years, sold out to James Haytand
went back to Starkey. James Hayt subsequently sold to Ben-
jamin Rogers, who afterwards sold to Joel Townscnd, a local
preacher. He with his son-in-law, William P. Hibbard, have
made additions until the farm now numbers nearly two hun-
dred acres, the original purchase being only forty acres.
Father Townscnd, as he was known, died in 1860, aged seven-
ty-eight years. His wife survives him at the age of eighiy-
two years. They had four children, James, Remer, Betsey A.,
and Sarah M. James died single. Remer married Eliza Run-
ner, had one son, Wilber F., and died in 1858, aged forty-three
years. Sarah M. married Alexander Parker, of Pultney, where
they now reside. Betsey A. married William Philo Hibbard.
Their children were Sarah E., James R., Elizabeth, Pliebe A ,
Charles, Schuyler, and Hattie. Phebe A. married William,
brother of Ferris P. Hurd, and has two children. The others

556 HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

are unmarried. James R. enlisted in the 126th Regiment, N.
Y. S. V., and died of typhus fever while in service with the
Union army, at Harper's Ferry, in 18C3. He was an active,
intelligent, and liberal-minded young man.

Rufus Henderson came from Starkey in 1827, purchased the
Burchard lot, now owned by Ferris P. Hard, near the white
school house. He remained on the farm two or three years,
sold out to Joseph Long and went back to Starkey.

Dexter Lamb moved from Wayne in 1826, settled and im-
proved the farm now owned by his son Franklin, on lot 28.
He married Sarah Pierce, and they had nine children. He died
in 1857, aged sixty-three years. Their children were Esther,
Chester, Franklin, Charles, Emily, Aveiy, Martha, Sarah, and
Henry 11. Franklin and Sarah are the only surviving children.
Franklin married Christine Francisco, and they have one child
Mercer. He is a prosperous farmer and a good citizen.

THE CORWINS.

Stephen Corwin was born near Newark, New Jersey, in the
year 1764. He married Betsey Drew, of New Jersey, and
their children were John, Noah, Isaac, Nathan, Anna, Polly,
and Abigail. He enlisted at the age of fourteen, in the Revo-
lutionary army, and did good service. He died in 1849, at the
age of eighty-five. Anna moved to Pennsylvania where she
resides and has several descendants. Isaac lives in Michigan.
Nathan lives in Chautauqua County. Noah, who many years
ago lived in Jerusalem, is now living at Townsend Settlement,
Schuyler County.

John Corwin, born in New Jersey, in 1786, remained there till
the year 1814, when, at the age of twenty-eight, he came to
Starkey. He married Elizabeth French, in 1808. He lived in
Starkey from 1814 to 1826, during which time he pursued his
trade — that of a carpenter — and in 1826 came to Jerusalem and
settled on lot 27, of the Beddoe Tract, now owned by
Peter H. Bitley and occupied by Nathaniel G. Hibbard.
His wife, Elizabeth French, born in New Jersey, 1791, mar-
ried at the age of seventeen, and died in Jerusalem in 1847.

TOWN OF JURSALEM.

557

John Corwin first bought a farm consisting of 118 acres, a
largo part of which he cleared and put under a good state of
cultivation ; but being of a restless disposition, sold out at a
loss of several hundred dollars and moved on a farm on lot 41,
Guernsey's Survey, which he again cleared and upon which he
has ever since resided. Most of his elder children, including
Rachel, now living in Jerusalem, and one or two other of the
girls, assisted in the arduous labor of clearing the lands. The
children of John and Elizabeth Corwin were Ezra, Sarah,
Rachel, Phebe, Noah, Miranda, Polly, Harvey, William, Amos,
Lyman, Harriet, John and Lucelia.

Ezra married Jane Wycoff, and their children were Almina,
Lucretia, Delila, Elizabeth, and Theresa. He moved to Mich-
igan where his wife died, then married Jane Gordon, and
they have children. Sarah married, first, John Rouse, of Bluff
Point, who died, and she married Jacob Herrick, of Bluff Point,
then moved to Elkhorn, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, where he
died and she subsequently married Aaron Eelbeck, of Wisconsin.
Rachel married Joseph N. Davis, and resides in Jerusalem.
Phebe married Godfrey Chase, of Penn., and their children are
Permelia A., Cordelia L., Fidela J., Mary J., and Almeda.
Noah married Eliza Jane Buck, of Dix, Schuyler County, and
their children are Delila Epitome, John, and Gideon. They
reside in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Miranda married Elijah
Dean, and resides in Newfield, Tompkins County. Polly
married Jesse H. Davis, and resides in Jerusalem. Harvey
married Amanda Barrett, and is a shoemaker in Penn Yan.
William went to Michigan and married there. Amos married
Eliza J. Chase, of Jerusalem, where they lived many years ;
afterward moved to Tioga Co., Pa., where they reside. Their
children were Perry W., (who died while in service of the
Union army,) Charles, Henry, and Mary. Lyman married
Adaline Drake, and moved to Elraira, where he died. His wife
married again. Harriet died young. John married Olive Tin-
ney, of Jerusalem, and their children are Flora, Libbie, and Eb-
cnezer. They live in Ontario Co. Lucelia married Hiram Tin-

558 IIISTOItY OF YATES COTJKTY.

ney, of Jerusalem, and their children are Rose, Archibald,
Herbert, and Charles. Each of the three brothers of John
Corwin, learned the trade of carpenter with him, he being
the eldest. He has been a hard-working mechanic and a thor-
ough farmer.

THE STEVERS.

Peter D. Stever was born in 1802, in Columbia County, N.
Y., came into this County in 1830 and settled on the Beddoe
Tract. He had at that time about four hundred dollars and
&trugglcd alone for two years when his brother James and fam-
ily moved in and they worked in partnership for five or six years,
in the meantime purchasing the farm where James now lives.

In 1837 he married Ann B?ker, and dividing the property
each took his share, he taking the farm where he now resides.
Peter D. Stever was one of the first who pulled stumps by
machinery. He has a farm of 140 acres mostly fenced with
stumps, and is one of the best farmers in the town. He has a
great abundance of fruit, plenty of good buildings, and much
to make him comfortable in his declining years. He and his
wife have had nine children, Hannah, Ruth, Franklin, Hester,
Oscar, David, Cecelia, Annette, and Rupert. Hannah, Ruth
and Cecelia died single. Franklin married Lydia, daughter of
Meli Todd, and resides near Branchport. They have one child,
Llewellyn. Oscar married Joanna, daughter of Jesse Davie,
and moved to California. Hester married Russell Carr, ai:d
lives near lier father. They have one child. Annette married
William Lacy and lives in Potter. The others are single.

James Stever married Desire Gcodsell and like his brother
Peter is a first class farmer, independent in means. He started
with a small capital and has now a competency. They have
six children, Leonard, Peter. Elizabeth, George, Joseph, and
Jennie. Leonard married Susan, daughter of Robert Miller of
Pultncy and lives in Jerusalem Hollow. They have three chil-
dren, Lora, Elbert and Frederick. Peter married Jane Ann,
daughter of James Paris, and resides in Branchport. They
have four children, Celista, Arthur, and another besides an in-

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 559

fant. Elizabeth married Robert Miller, jr., of Pultney, and
lives on the Beddoe Tract. They have one child. George
married Olive, daughter of Ilowland Hemphill, and lives in
Branchpoint. Joseph and Jennie are unmarried.

Eli R. Slever, born in Columbia county in 1812, married
in 1840 Louisa Goodsell, a neice of James Stever's wife. They
lived seven years in Chautauqua county, from whence they
moved to Bluff Point, and have since resided there. Mr. Ste-
ver has about 500 acres ci the land formerly the property of
Capt. James Harris. He is a thrifty farmer, and a successful
stock and grain -grower. He has now on his premises a prom-
ising young vineyard of fifty-two acres, the largest on the
borders of Keuka Lake. Mr. William II. Olin is his partner
in the grape culture. George and James Stever were the only
children of Eli and Louisa Stever. George married Elizabeth,
daughter of Gilbert T. Stewart, and died in 1869.

George W. Stever who married Susan M., daughter of Da-
vid Turner, first settled on the Beddoe Tract, but has recently
moved into Pultney. The Stevers are remarkable for their
peaceful disposition and industrious habits. TLcy were sons of
David P. Stever of Columbia county.

FAMILY OK JA5IKS TAYLOR.

James Taylor born in 1798 in Ireland, married there Rebec-
ca Taylor, (not a relative) born in 1801. They settled in Star-
key in 1827, and two years latter on the Beddoe Tract, where
they lived till 1850, when they bought the Beddoe homestead
in Branchport where he died in 1869 at the age of seventy-
one. His wife died in 1856 aged fifty-five. They belonged to
the Episcopal Church. Their children who became adults
were Mary, John, William D., James L., Thomas, Charles, Su-
sanah and Eleanor E. Mary, Eleanor E, John an& Charles are
single residing at the homestead. William D. is a Methodist
clergyman of the East Genesee Conference, a graduate of
Union College, and formerly a teacher of eminence. He mar-
ried Harriet, daughter of Dr. Chauncey Hayes of Prattsburg,
and they have a son Charles.

560 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

James L. is a successful lawyer residing at Branchport, and
one of the Loan Commissioners of Yates county. He married
Elizabeth V., daughter of Tomnpkins W. Boyd of Pultney.
Thomas is a farmer, owning the farm purchased by his father
on the Beddoe Tract. He married Caroline, daughter of John
Dorman of Jerusalem. Their children are Luna, Alice, Jen-
nie, Minnie and Dora. Susanah married Loren B. Smith.
They reside at Lawrenceville, Pa., and have two children, Ed-
ward and Frederick.

THE CHASE FAMILY.

Judah Chase was a native of Saratoga and came to Bluff
Point in 1820, buying a considerable tract of land where
George Heck now resides on lot 04 of the first seventh. His
wife was Hannah Baker. He was a leading and important
citizen in the town and resided many years on the Point. Af-
terwards he moved to west Jerusalem, where he died about
1850, at the age of eighty-seven, having enjoyed almost perfect
health to day of his death. The children of this family were
John, William, Judah, Ira, Christopher C, Elias, Levi, Han-
nah and Jane. John, William and Ira were all ministers of
the Baptist Church. Ira is still living in Urbana, N. Y. Levi
•was a teacher of note in Jerusalem and Pultney, and died while
yet a young man. Christopher C. married Phebe, daughter of
John Townsend, and is a farmer in Jerusalem. Elias mar-
ried Rebecca, daughter of Samuel Davis, and is a farmer in
Jerusalem. Their children are Melissa, Emeline, Levi, Morri-
son L. and Melinda. Melissa married Daniel Sherwood. They
reside in Jerusalem. Emeline was the second wife of Henry
W. Harris, whom she survives with one son, Eddie. Levi is a
Methodist minister of the East Genesee Conference. He mar-
ried Emily, only daughter of Judge La Rue of Hammondsport.
Morrison L. is a carpenter. He married Mary E. daughter of
James A. Belknapp. Melinda married Elwyn, son of Ezra
Hair, aud they reside in Jerusalem.

Jane, daughter of Judah Chase, married Daniel Sherwood,
senior, father of Daniel Sherwood, the present Class Leader in

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 561

the Methodist Church at Branchport. Hannah married an
army captain who was killed in the war of 1812,

SAMUEL IIAKT WRIGHT, M. »., A. M.

Dr. Samuel H. Wright, born in 1825, now a citizen of Jeru-
salem, is a native of Peekskill, N. Y. His father is a minister
of distinction in the Methodist Church. His mother was Zil-
lah Hart, and died at Geneva in 1 865. He followed farming-
till he was twentv-five years old, and in his boyhood had no
educational aspirations, learning but little at the district schools.
At twenty he was electrified by two carpenters who at the end
of a day's work took from their tool chest books on mathemat-
ics and philosophy for study and discussion. This lighted up a
new ambition; he resolved to be his own educator, and made
rapid advancement in the most solid acquirements. While
plowing he carried on his studies, stopping occasionally to
draw a diagram on the fresh upturned soil. He declined his
father's offer of academical opportunities, which he said would
be soon enough sought when he found a science too difficult to
master without aid. In 1845 he married Joana, daughter of
William McLean. In 1848, the third year of his study, he
made his first set of astronomical calculations, which he sold in
Rochester for fifteen dollars, getting cheated out of his pay, a
loss which he afterwards deemed a profitable one, because it
gave him an idea that business had its importance as well as
theoretical knowledge. In 1849 he made a set of astronomical
tables for the four principal latitudes of the United States. In
attempting to sell them in the city of New York, he was re-
pulsed and disheartened till he applied at the Tribune Office,
where he sold his manuscript. Ever since that time the Whig
and Tribune Almanacs have made use of his calculations.

In 1850 he moved to Dundee and assisted Richard Taylor
one term as teacher in the Dundee Academy. The next winter
he taught a district school at Big Stream. David Young who
had long been almost the sole collector for almanacs in this
county, died in 1822, and thenceforth Samuel II. Wright took
his place, and has done much of the same work for Cuba, Can-

562 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

ada, Mexico, the countries of South America, China, Persia
and Australia. He bids fair to hold a profitable business
through life in working calendars alone. Speaking of his work
he says :

"The great solar eclipse of May 26, 1854, afforded me the
first opportunity of testing and witnessing the confirmation of
my calculation of solar eclipses, which is conceded to be a
problem of no easy dimensions. It was watched with anxiety
and palpitation, as my reputation and possibly my fortune de-
pended upon the result. The great solar eclipse of 1869 gave
me no such feelings ; my reputation was established, and had
it failed it would have done mo little damage, as ten thousand
men would have sought some reason to excuse the blunder in
me, but would instantly consign to obscurity a novice who
might make such a mistake. So unfair is mankind."

He commenced the study of Medicine in 1854 with Dr.
Henry Spence, attended a course of lectures in New York and
in 1865 received from the Geneva Medical College the degree
of Doctor of Medicine by diploma. He has practiced in this
profession to some extent. In May, 1855 his wife died leaving
three children Sarah Janett, Berlin Hart and Delia Bloomer.
"Sarah Janette is the wife of Ezra Tinker, A. B., B. D., a Meth-
odist preacher of the New York Conference. Their other
children reside with their father. Dr. Wright in November,
1855, married Mary Jane, daughter of Jeremiah S. Burtch, of
Jerusalem. They have a daughter Florence.

In 1856 Dr. Wright engaged in the study of Botany and in
three years collected an herbarium of over three thousand speci-
mens, added to which sixteen hundred species from Europe, and
others from the South and West, gathered by exchange, con-
stitute a collection of nearly six thousand plants, valued at
twelve thousand dollars. This has been the cause of an ex-
tensive correspondence with all the native botanists of the
country. In 1866, Yv'illiams College conferred on Dr. Wright
the degree of Master of Arts. In April, 1865, he was drafted,
and promptly informed the Provost Marshal he was ready ; but

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 563

as the war soon closed, the conscripts of that draft were no*}
ordered forward. In I860 he sold his home in Dundee, and
has since resided at the home of his father-in-law in Jerusalem
Among his pursuits is that of land surveying. He has an ad-
mirable zeal as a student of nature and science, and has col
lected a fine scientific library.

BRANCHPOINT.

Samuel S. Ellsworth and Spencer Booth erected the first
store in Branchpoint, in 1831. Previous to that time no village
aspirations took root in that locality. The store of Ellsworth
& B ooth was on the southwest corner, at the principal street
crossing, and they occupied it many years, Mr. Booth remain-
ing till after 186 G. Solomon D. Weaver built the hotel on the
southeast corner in 1832. William D. Henry built the store
and dwelling on the northwest corner, and Samuel S. Ells-
worth the store on the northeast corner, now occupied by
Lynharu J. Beddoe, with hardware.

Before the title of Branchport was given to the village, it
was called Esperanza by some of its more polished neighbors.
This name, the Spanish equivalent of Hope, was too poetical
for a new country full of pine stumps, and in view of its loca-
tion at the head of the west branch of Lake Keuka, it Mas
called Branchport — a name conferred by Spencer Booth. The
block of stores next the hotel, known as the Weaver block, was
built by Solomon P. Weaver in 1850. The place was incor-
porated as a village in 18C7, with about a mile square of terri-
tory. The population in 1865 was 304, and in 1870 it was
309. The present stone school house was built in 1868. The
first school teacher in Branchport was Mary Williams, and the
next Mr. Henneberg. The principal merchants of the place
have been Spencer S. Booth, Samuel S. Ellsworth, William D.
Henry, Peter Youngs Senior, Lawrence & Smith, Harry I.
Andrus, Goodrich, Easton & Co., Myron II. Weaver, Solomon
D. Weaver, Bradley Shearman, Frederick Paris, James II.
Gamby, John Laird, Asa E. Pettengill, Peter II. Bitley and
Clark Rioditer.

564 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

John Van Ness and Cyru3 C. Crane built a foundry, which
was continued by Van Ness and Johnson, and afterwards by
the Paris brothers. It was afterwards turned into a spoke fac-
tory.

The blacksmiths of the place have been, Andrew Slinger-
land, John Van Ness, D. H. Bennett, Riggs & Bennett, R. N.
Bennett, William Derrick, John A. Miller, Frederick Paris,
Wilson Mattison, William A. Pelton, Stever & German.

Wagon-makers : Gage & Mariner, Henneberg & Quick, S. H.
Storms, C. B. Quick, John Middleton, Levi Millspaugh, Robert
Henries, Henies & Paris.

Druggists : Bush & Andrews, Elliot Bush, Lynham J. Bed-
doe, Myron II. Weaver, Robert Boyd, Tomer Brothers, Theo-
dore B. Boyd, James II. Gamby.

Hardware Dealers : James T. Durry, James C. Hathaway,
Lynham J. Beddoe, Joel Dorman.

Cabinet-makers : John C. Miller, Cyrus C. Crane.
Joiners : William D. Henry, Henry & Vail, and Charles II.
Vail.

Harness-makers : William D. Henry, N. G. Pettingill, Henry
& Vail, Charles H. Vail, James Spencer.

Boot and Shoe-makers : Pelton Brothers, William D. Henry,
Charles H. Vail, Charles F. Dickinson, N. Dickinson, John Sis-
son, E. J. Morgan, Cornwell & Teets, Waterous & Kinner,
James Paris, Jr., C. H. Grow.

The finest residences of the place are those of Rev. B. W.
Stone, Solomon D, Weaver, Peter II. Bitley and John Laird.
The health of the locality is sometimes seriously affected by
the exhalations of the adjoining marsh, which are found to be
a prolific source of fever and ague. The scenery, viewed from
the Branchport side of the lake, is beautiful, taking in a view
of Bluff Point and the high ridge east of the inlet.

CIVIL IIISTOKY.

Thomas Lee was Supervisor of .Jerusalem in 1792, and with-
out doubt the first one. There is no record or recollection on
the part of living persons showing who followed him till 1797,

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 565

when James Spencer was Supervisor. From 1799 and onward

the record is complete.

1799, Eliphalet Norris.

1835, Henry Larzelere.

1800, Levi Benton.

1836, Spencer Booth.

1801, Benjamin Barton.

1837, Lynham J. Beddoe.

1802, Daniel Brown, Sr.

1838, James Brown.

1803, George Brown.

1839, James Brown.

1804, George Brown.

1840, Spencer Booth.

1805, George Brown.

1841, Spencer Booth.

180G, George Brown.

1842, Sainuel Botsford.

1S07, George Brown.

1843, George Wagener.

1808, George Brown.

1844, Spencer Booth.

1809, George Brown.

1845, Albert Wait.

1810, John Beddoe.

1846, Simeon Cole.

1811, John Beddoe.

1847, Samuel Botsford.

1812, John Beddoe.

1848, Myron H. Weaver.

1813, George Brown.

1849, Peter H. Bitloy.

1814, George Brown.

1850, George Crane.

1815, George Brown.

1851, Samuel Botsford.

1816, George Brown.

1852, Hiram Cole.

1817, John B. Chase.

1853, Uriah Hanford.

1818, Joel Dorman.

1854, Peter H. Bitley.

1819, Joel Dorman.

1855, John C. Miller.

1820, Joel Dorman.

1856, Ferris P. Hurd.

1821, Joel Dorman.

1857, Ferris P. Hurd.

1822, Joel Dorman.

1858, Henry W. Harris.

1823, Jacob Herrick.

1859, Bradley Shearman.

1824, Elisha Mills.

1860, Samuel Botsford.

1825, Elisha Mills.

1861, J. Warren Brown.

1826, Elisha Mills.

1862, J. Warren Brown.

1827, Jacob Herrick.

1863, Daniel B. Tutbill.

1828, Alfred Brown.

1864, Daniel B. Tuthill.

1829, Alfred Brown.

1865, Ferris P. Hurd.

1830, Alfred Brown.

1866, Pbiueas Parker.

1831, John Phelps.

1867, Morgan Smith.

1832, Aza B.Brown.

1868, Harrison H. Sisson.

1833, Asahel Stone, Jr.

1869, John Laird.

1834, Henry Larzelere.

1870, John Laird.

Town meeting was held

at the house of Lawrence Town-

send till 1802, when it was

held at the house of Abraham

566 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Wagoner. After Jerusalem was set off from the original dis-
trict, town meeting was held at the house of Daniel Brown till
1816, when it was held at the house of Stephen Kinney ; the
two following years at George Brown's ; in 1819 at Giles Kin-
ney's; in 1820 at the house of Elisha Mills, near Daniel
Brown's mills, and also the next three years ; in 1824atBrenton
W. Hazard's mills ; and thenceforward till 1830 at Henry Lar-
zalere's. In 1841 town meeting was held at the house of Solo-
mon D. Weaver, in Branchport ; in 1842 at Larzelere's ; in 1843,
at Branchport ; in 1844 at Larzelere's ; 1845 at Branchport ; in
1846 at Larzelere's, and thenceforth at Branchport without
change. It was a hard struggle to wrest the town meeting
from Mr. Larzelere, who seemed to have a strong hold on the
people.

The first Justice of the Peace in Jerusalem of whom any
record has been traced, was Daniel Brown, Jr., who appears to
have held the office from 1800 onward for ten or twelve years
if not longer. He was, perhaps, appointed still earlier. After
him, Giles Kinney, John Beal, Thomas Sutton, Joel Dorman,
Joseph Gay, Nathaniel Cot-hern, Nicholas Bennett, Erastus
Cole, Senior, Ezra Pierce, Elisha Mills and Allen Cole. Eras-
tus Cole Sr. was elected Justice of the Peace in 1830 and 1834.
Uriah Hanford in 1830, 1831, 1S32 and 1837. Jonathan Tal-
madge in 1831. Bartleson Shearman in 1832 and 1835. Hix-
on Anderson in 1833. Martin Quick in 1836, 1843 and 1845.
William Culver in 1838. John A. Gallett in 1838. Israel
Comstock in 1839 and 1843. Henry Hicks in 1840. Hiram
Cole in 1841. George Wagener in 1844. Benedict R. Carr in
1846. Almon S. Kidder in 1847 and 1851. James P. Barden
in 1848. Heman Squires in 1848. Samuel S. Millspaugh in
1849 and 1853. Benjamin Colegrove in 1850. Isaac Purdy
in 1852. Josiah White in 1854 and 1858. Jeremiah S. B'urtch
in 1855. Miles B. Andrus in 1856, 1860, 1864 and 1869.
Charles II. Vail in 1857. Watkins Davis in 1859 and 18G3.
Levi Millspaugh in 1861 and 1865. Thomas W. Smith in 1862
and 1866. J. Warren Brown in 1867. Botsford A. Comstock
in 1868 ; and James Henderson in 1870.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 567

The first Post Office in Jerusalem was established in 1824,
located near the mill now owned by George Adams, and called
the Jerusalem Post Office. A tavern was kept there at that
time by Stephen Havens. Nathaniel Cothern was the first
Postmaster. In 182G Henry Larzelere having started his tav-
ern in the valley, took charge of the Post Office as Deputy.
The next year he was appointed Postmaster, and held the office
till 1852, when it was discontinued. In 1832 the Post Office
was established at Branchport. Spencer Booth was the first
Postmaster, and held the office till 1849, when he was succeeded
by Myron H. Weaver, who was followed by William S. Booth,
son of Spencer Booth, in 1853. In 18G1 Bradley Shearman
was appointed Postmaster. He was succeeded by Peter Youngs
Jr., whose wife, Almeda Youngs, is now Postmistress, and has
been, much to the public satisfaction, for the past fjw years.
William C. Van Tuyl was Postmaster a few months in 18G6.

A Post Office was established at Kinney's Corners in 1850,
and Robert Chissom was first appointed Postmaster. He was
succeeded by John Bishop, who was followed by Dr. Alva B.
Chissom, and he by Heman Squiers. Stephen Wood, Miles B.
Andruss, John Vaughn and J. Warren Brown have also held
the office. The present Postmaster is Osborne Moore.

A Post Office was established at Shearmau's Hollow in 1841.
The first Postmaster was Isaac Haight. Delanson Munger was
afterwards appointed, and he was succeeded by Nathaniel
Keech, who resigned, and the office was discontinued in 1866.

In 1800, Jerusalem, still including what is now Benton, Milo
and Torrey, had but a population of 1219. In 1810, reduced
to its present limits, omitting Bluff Point, its population was
450, and the census gave report of 5,162 yards cf cloth made in
the town the previous year. By the census of 1814, the popu-
tion had reached 776 ; in 1820 it was 1,610 ; in 1825 it reached
2050; in 1830 it was 2,783; and in 1835 it reached 2,843;
and in 1840 the maximum of 2,935, and 508 families. In 1845
the census fell back to 2,710, and gained in 1850 enough to
reach 2,912. Again reduced in 1855 to 2,797, it raised in

568 1IIST0RY OF YATES COUNTY.

1860 to 2,873, and in 18*5 fell back to 2,682. 1870 gives a
population of 2,612. Of the population of 1865, there were
1,519 who were natives of the town, 2,272 of the State of New
York, and 2,454 of the United States, 56 of England, 127 of
Ireland, and 207 in all, foreign born.

In 1865 the town contained ten stone dwellings, valued at
$49,500; one of brick, worth $1,000; 480 framed, worth
$319,000; 46 of logs, worth $2,000. In 1855 the dwellings
were : seven of stone, worth $30,400 ; one of brick ; 438
framed, worth $223,974 ; 95 of logs, worth $5,415.

In 1840, Jerusalom had three persons between 90 and 100
years old, and four Revolutionary soldiers — John Beal, 84, Ja-
cob Fredenberg, 81, Castle Dains, 91, Elisha Benedict, 80.

In 1855, Jerusalem had 26,294 acres of improved land, and
the census reported the cash value of farms at $1,422,184; of
stock, $176,064^ tools, $46,518. The winter wheat har-
vest of 1864 was reported at 28,159 bushels, from 3,049
acres; Oats, 22 819 bushels, from 2,045 acres; Rye.
5,395 bushels, from 508 acres ; Barley, 17,710 bushels, from
1,459 acres ; Buckwheat, 2,149 bushels, from 678 acres; Pota-
toes, 7,878 bushels, from 151 acres; Butter, 106,673 lbs.;
Cheese, 8,062 lbs. Horses, 1,035, sheep, 9,047, pounds of wool,
41,845, yards of fulled cloth, 22, yards of flannel, 197, cotton
and mixed cloths, 35.

The same census gave account of three blacksmith shops,
one furnace, one steel spring manufactory, two wagon shops,
one grist mill, one cooper shop, two boot and shoe shops, one
tannery, one cabinet-making shop, one tailor shop.

In 1865, the value of farm lands was reported at $1,722,290 ;
stock, $279,359; tools, $168,144; acres plowed, 7,305 ; acres of
pasture, 8,130; meadow, 6,481 ; tons of hay in 1864,7,338.
Bushels of winter wheat harvested in 1864 from 2.369 acres,
24,512. Bushels of oats from 2,772 acres, 42,281. Bushels of
Rye from 804 acres, 3,807. Bushels of Barley from 748 acres,
8,047. Buckwheat from 482 acres, 8,742 bushels Corn from
1,443 acres, 35,447 bushels. Potatoes from 188 acres, 24,133,

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 569

bushels. Apple trees, 15,223. Apples in 1864, 11,310 bush-
els. Milch cows, 1,101. Butter, 128,527 lbs. Cheese, 5,758
lbs. Pork, 203,354 lbs. Sheep, 22,360. Wool, 105,573 lbs.

Jerusalem had 152 soldiers in the war for the Union, of
whom 33 died in the service, and five were buried in the town.
The census of 1865 reported 511 males in the town between
eighteen and forty-five.

In 1820 the town had 383 farmers, 28 mechanics, five free
blacks ; taxable property, $115,065 ; electors by property qual-
ification, 329 ; and 6,814 acres of improved land ; cattle, 1,705 ;
horses, 273 ; sheep, 4,025 ; yards of cloth made in families,
9,810. Jerusalem had 639 votes by the census of 1855, and 552
families, 456 owners of land, and 64 inhabitants over twenty-
one years old unable to read and write.

In 1865 the town had 729 voters, 75 aliens, 551 families, 407
owners of land, and 41 over twenty-one unable to read and
write.

THE EARLY ROADS.

Until 1803 there was but one Road District in what is
now Jerusalem. Two principal highways, meeting at Robert
Chissom's, one leading to Potter's Mills in Augusta, and the
other to Daniel Brown's, were the chief roads of that section.
At Daniel Brown's the road passed in one direction across the
valley to the Davis and Ingraham neighborhood, in another
direction, to the Friend's.

In 1803, George Brown and Achilles Comstock, Commission-
ers, and Benedict Robinson, Surveyor, laid out the road from
Isaac Townsend's (Kinney's Corners) to John Beddoe's. It is
described as a road leading from Steuben County (Bluff Point)
to David Wagener's Mills in Vernon (now the mill of Jillett &
Longwell).

In 1804 the road was surveyed by way of Daniel Brown's,
from Potter's Mills (Yatesville) to the south line of the town.
This road was not all kept up The same year a road was laid
out from John Ingraham's southwesterly to the town of Mid-
dletown (Italy). Aso a road from Ezekiel Shearman's to Pot-
ter's Mills.

570 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

In 1805 the following division of road districts was made in
Jerusalem :

First, beginning at the town of Vernon, running westerly
by Samuel Clark's to the road running from Daniel Brown's to
Potter's Mills.

Second, beginning at the forks of the road, about a mile wes-
terly of Robert Chissom's, running southwesterly to or near
Samuel Keeney's.

Third, beginning at the town of Vernon, running up by the
Crooked Lake by Isaac Townsend's to the County line ; also
the road running from said Townsend's to No. 7 in 2d range.

Fourth, beginning at the town of Augusta, running southerly
to the corner of Daniel Brown's orchard ; also a road from
Asabel Stone's school house running westerly and northerly to
the town of Augusta.

Fifth, beginning at or near Samuel Keeney's house, running
west and south by Daniel Brown's, and all the roads south of
said Brown's and east of the mill creek in No. 7 in second range.

Sixth, beginning on the bridge near Sarah Clark's old house,
running westerly and southerly by John Ingraham's to the
County line ; also the road by said Ingraham's to the town of
Middletown.

Seventh, beginning near Daniel Brown's, running northerly
and westerly by Ezekiel Shearman's to the town of Augusta, as
divided by George Brown and Achilles Comstock, Commis-
sioners of Highways, and Daniel Brown, Town Clerk,

In 1812, Joseph Benton surveyed a road from near George
Brown's Mills to the road leading from Daniel Brown's to Eze-
kiel Shearman's ; Achilles Comstock and Ezra Rice, Commis-
sioners.

In 1814, John N. Might surveyed a road described as fol-
lows : Beginning at the ridge road on the line between town-
ship six in the first range, and township six in the second
range ; then northerly to the great road leading by John Bed-
doe's to Penyang. The other roads on the Point were surveyed
by John N. Hight the same year, and the name of David Morse

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

571

appears with that of Richard Winship and Achilles Comstock
as Commissioners. Achilles Comstock was Commissioner of
Highways from 1803 to 1816. His son, Israel Comstock, wag
Commissioner of Highways in 1819, with Judah Chase and
Joel Babcock. His grandson, John Comstock, is sole Commis-
sioner of Highways for the town in 1870. Daniel Brown ap-
pears on the record as Town Clerk from the first organization
of the town till 1816. In the division of road districts in Jeru-
salem in 1817, one road was described as leading from Daniel
Brown's to " Morrisville." (Penn Yan). George C. Shattuck
was a Surveyor of Roads in 1817, and James Brown Jr. and
George Brown Commissioners. Alfred Brown was a Commis-
sioner in 1819. Alfred Brown was a Surveyor of Roads in
1818, and Judah Chase, Erastus Cole and Thomas Sutton Com-

missioners.

OVERSEERS OF

HIGHWAYS IN 1819.

1, Jonathan Coleman.

17, John Anderson.

2, Wallace Benedict.

18, Sully Herrick.

3, George Palmer.

19, Leman Dunning.

4, Elnathan Botsford Jr.

20, James Brown Jr.

5, Henry Barnes.

21, Horton Bounds.

6, Job Babcock.

22, Seth Hanchett,

7, Elijah Botsford.

23, Benjamin Bonney.

8, John In graham.

24, Justus Hatfield.

9, William H. Torrance.

25, Ebenezer Shattuck

10, Elizur Barnes.

26, Samuel Williams.

11, Samuel Sampson.

27, Jesse Ide.

12, Nathan N. Herrick.

28, Bussell Briggs.

13, Stephen Babcock.

29, John S. Bowley.

14, William Hewson,

30, Joseph Cole.

15, Kichard Winship,

31, Daniel Earl.

16, John Beal.

32, Nathaniel Cothern

In 1820, Alfred Brown surveyed the road on the town line
next to Benton and Middlesex. Erastus Cole and Jasper Cole
were Commissioners in Jerusalem, A. Swarthouse and Stephen
Chase in Benton, and Israel Arnold and fit Putnam in Mid-
dlesex.

572 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

On Israel Comstock's authority it is related that the road
from Italy Hill to Shearman's Hollow was cut through the
woods at an early period in one day. A gang of choppers be-
gun at each end of the route and met about half way. This
road was for a long period a very important thoroughfare,
by which great quantities of lumber were taken to the towns of
Seneca and Phelps, and plaster and other supplies taken back
to Prattsburg and Wheeler, and the far back regions that de-
pended in former days on the earlier settled and more fruitful
towns of Ontario. The most accustomed track was by way of
Shearman's Hollow, Israel Comstock's, the Potter place, Voak's
and Ferguson's.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

In 1814 Jerusalem was divided into eight school districts,
by Elijah Botsford, Achilles Comstock and Ebenezer Slawson,
Commissioners of Schools. In 1823 the town had fourteen
school districts and $297.19 of public money for schools. Henry
Snapp, Jonathan Weldon and John B. Chase were Commis-
sioners of Schools. Joel Dorman, Ebenezer Shattuck, Jonathan
Weldon, Dr. Ezekiel B. Pulling, Jacob Herrick, Zabina C. An-
druss, Benjamin Stoddard, John Coleman, Albert R. Cowing
and William Moore were Commissioners before 1830.

A partial survey of Col. Williamson's land on Bluff Point was
made by Peter C. Loop in November, 1813, for the Williamson
heirs. The surveyor describes the lots to No.' 8, and mentions the
owners. Beginning on the Beddoe line, lot 1 (Silas Nash), of
77 acres, '-is a very good lot ;/ Lot 2 (Azor Nash), 114 acres,
"also a good lot;" Lot 3 (William Boyd), 159 acres, "very fine
grass land ;" Lot 4 (Hugh Herrick), the south line striking the
school house or log church, 154 acres, much like No. 3; Lot 5 (Wil-
liam Grant), 105 acres ; Lot 6, east part (John Finch), 117 acres,
" about the best land on the Bluff;" Lot 6, west part (Jonathan
Finch),189 acres, "a part very steep, the residue very good land;"
Lot 7, east part (Calvin Cole and Isaac Hewitt), 116 acres, "a very
good lot ;" No. 8, east part, 28 on county map (John Beal), 204
acres, "a very good lot of land, mostly level, about 80 acres im-

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

573

proved and well fenced." A 6inall marsh is noted as covered
with ''black alder and Tamarag."

In 18G0 Daniel Lynn while engaged in pulling stumps on the
Ellsworth farm, west of the inlet near Branehport, raised one
under which was found a collection of boulders of moderate
size, which had been gathered with care to form a mound or
burial urn. It was found by a careful examination that the
body had been walled about and a fire burned over it. The
ashes and coal of the wood and the charred remains of the sub-
ject were clearly distinguishable. A portion of the skull and a
thigh bone were in a fair state of preservation. It is most prob-
able that this was the burial place of some chieftain among the
red men. The tree which had grown on this spot was thirty-
two inches in diameter, and must have been growing five hun-
dred years ago, judging from the concentric rings of its trunk
and adding the period since it was cut down. The locality was
a wonderful thicket of over one hundred large trees, standing
on a single acre, and several acres being thus thickly wooded
with pine. As pine only starts in open ground, the place was
perhaps once an open plain or an Indian cornfield.

GRAPE CULTURE.

The following represents the extent of the grape culture in
Jerusalem in 1870 :

ON BLUFF POINT.

H. P. Sturtevant,

Patrick Gregg,

Frank A Wagener,

Harvey D. Pratt and Jere-
miah S. Jillett,

Frank M. McDowell,

Thomas Van Tuyl,

Hess & Smith,

Eli E. Stever and William
H. Olin,

James R. Stever and J.
Lloyd,

Alanson S. Dunning,

ACRES.

ACRE?

Isaac Herrick,

Isaac Haight,

John Haight,

J. & R. Sanderson,

S. Horton & Co., "

Frank Kenyon,

Abraham Taylor,

Benjamin Kenyon,

John C. Fitzwater,

Morris Brown,

Erastus W. Parker,

Jacob Herrick,

John W. Huff,

574

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Lawson Rogers, 4 Gilbert T. Stewart, 2

George and Aaron Heck, 2 William Culver, 8

Charles Hewius, 2 Franklin Culver, 3

Edward Kenyon, 1 John Castaline, 1

David S. Wagener, 4

AT KINNEY'S CORNERS AND VICINITY.

J. N. Gillett and Dr. F. M. John C. Dinehart, 2

Hammond, 15 Thomas Barrow, 2

Gen. E. Swift, 15 Daniel Austin, 1

Gen. Eli Long, 10 Jacob West, 2

S. B. Coe and F. B. Pat- Oren Penfield, 1

terson, 10 Henry R. Sill, G

Isaac and Frank H. Purdy 3 Charles Moore, £

Isaac Purdy, 3 John Merritt, £

Dr. Alvah B. Chissom, 3 Nancy Bennett, 1

J. Warren Brown, 3 Levi Northrop, 4

John Moxcey, 2

NEAR BRANCIIPORT.

S. S. Ellsworth, 8 George Edwards, 12

Harris Cole, 10 Joel Dorman, 3

Samuel Botsford, 1 Moses Edgett, 3

Fred. Paris, 1£ D. H. Bennett, 4

Solomon D. Weaver, 1£ Levi Millspaugh, 6

George Stever, 3 David Wright, 7

Peter Stever, 7

Total acres, 438|

The only distilleries known to the history of Jerusalem are
that of Daniel Brown Jr., and one at Kinney's Corners, which
was kept up there by Giles Kinney and others. No distillery
was ever erected on the Friend's Tract.

The line separating the Beddoe Tract from the rest of the
township was surveyed by Augustus Porter in 1794. He states
that the Tract is two miles in breadth from north to south, or
G40 rods. He also states that the township contains 24,661
acres, showing that he had re-eurveyed its boundaries. His
map shows a jog in the township line across the lake, which
was aftenvards corrected. By the correction, 103 acres were
added to the Beddoe Tract on the east side of the lake.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 575

A subsequent survey by Jabez French for the Greens gives
24,914 acres for the township.

At an early period Anna Wagener owned lots 2 and 53, and
Jacob Wagener lots 29, 30, 81, 48, and the west half of lot 4,
and 100 acres of the east end of lot 44, Jonathan Davis having
the east half. David Wagener also had lots 49, 50, 51 and
52 and 48 ; Asahel Stone, lot 1 ; Daniel Brown, lots 5 and 20,
and 60 acres of the east end of lot 29 ; Benjamin Brown, lots
6 and 7, and one of the Ingrahams lot 42.

William Carter, who had a considerable interest in the own-
ership of Jerusalem lands, was a Shaker and a very worthy
man.

The first brick made in Yates county were manufactured in
the brick yard of Benajah Botsford, on what is now culled the
Street farm, on lot 1, Guernsey Survey.

The first saw mill on the inlet creek was that of Arnold Pot-
ter, erected on the town line of Potter (then Augusta,) and
Jerusalem. The next was the Friend's mill, erected where
Silas S. Champlin's mill now stands, on lot 22. This was built

about 1797.

Richard Smith, of the Friend's Society, commenced at an
early day improvements on lot 29, where he built a saw mill.
His grandson, David W. Smith, still owns the same place and
has a saw mill on the same ground.

The first grist mill in Jerusalem was erected where that of
George Adams now stands, on lot 18, by George Brown, about
1812. For some years it has been in part run by steam. The
mill was once burned, when Elisha Mills was the miller.

The second was the steam mill at Branchport, erected by
Peter II. Bitley in 1847.

The Plank Road from Penn Yan to Branchport was made in
1850. The use of pla nk has been abandoned several years, and
a solid road has been constructed by the use of gravel and
broken stone. It is still maintained as a toll road, and has
sometimes been a source of no little irritation on the part of
the people, but there is no doubt the road in its present condi-
tion is one of decided public value.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

CHURCH HISTORY.

Uriah Townsend, who became a resident near what is now
Kinney's Corners in 1793, was a Methodist and the first class
leader in Jerusalem. Authentic account is given of Methodist
meetings in that vicinity in 1807. No doubt they were held
there some years earlier, and probably it was one of the points
visited by William Colbert in 1797. The founders of the Sen-
eca Lake, Lyons and Crooked Lake Circuits made it one of
their places for holding meetings, and their names are chiefly
mentioned in the Benton history. Uriah Townsend and wife,
Isaac Townsend, Peter Althizer and wife, Stephen Bagley, and
Eleanor, wife of John Race, were members of the first so-
ciety of which any record remains. Meetings were held at the
log house of Uriah Townsend, which stood near the site of the
present residence of James II. Carr. In 1807, Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Uriah Townsend, then fourteen years old, was converted
at a camp meeting near Oaks Corners, in Phelps. She still lives,
a member of the church. In 1828 the Benton Circuit was
formed, in which Kinney's Corners was included. About that
time Denison Smith and Jonas Dodge were the circuit preach-
ers. From 1833 to 1835 many of the meetings were held in a
log house still standing on the farm of Isaac Purely, then owned
by William Moore. In 1838 the first effective society organi-
zation was made. Jonathan Benson and Asbury Lowrey were
circuit preachers, and Abner Chase Presiding Elder. At a meet-
ing held on the fifth of February, Abner Chase and William II.
Decker were chosen to preside, and John Dorman, James Fred-
enberg, William II. Decker, Rufus Evans and Robert C.
Brown were elected trustees of the society, called ,; The First
Society cf the Methodist Episcopal Church in Jerusalem." The
trustees were designated as a building committee for the erec-
tion of a church edifice. Hubbell Gregory, of Benton, built
the church for eight hundred dollars, and added a porch for fifty
dollars.

Robert C. Brown, of precious memory, bore the largest
burden in the construction of the church, and labored against

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

many discouragements. He superintended the building, col-
lected the subscription, and paid the debts. He worshiped in
the church he struggled so hard to build about ten years, when
he moved to the vicinity of Dresden, where he died about
twenty years ago. The lot for the church was given by Hixon
Anderson, who was also a good contributor. John Dorman
was the first class leader in the new society. In 1842 Abner
Chase and Rev. Mr. Stacey preached on the Jerusalem circuit,
which included Prattsburg, Harmony ville, South Pultney,
Stewart's Corners, Bardeen School House in Italy, Block
School House, Italy Hollow, Italy Hill, Ingraham's School
House, Fort School House, Nettle Valley, Yatesville, Larze-
lere's, North Italy Hill, Branchport, Kinney's Corners, and
Bluff Point. In 1842 William T. Moore was class leader. In
1843 and 1844 Enoch Cranmer and William Sanford were the
circuit preachers. In 1845 Isaac Purdy was appointed class
leader, which position he held till 1867. A. J. Brown is his
successor. Chandler Wheeler and George Wilkinson were the
circuit preachers that year and the next. In 1847 Joseph Chap-
man supplied the circuit ; in 1848 and 1849 James Hall and
William Bradley, and A. II. Shurtleff.

The stewards in 1849 were Dr. Elisha Doubleday, Robert
Miller, Henry Larzelere, Isaac Purdy, Joseph Abbott, J. F. Ho-
bart, Jephthah A. Potter, and Albert R. Cowing. The class
leaders, William C. Dean, William Genung, Alexander L. Par-
ker, George G. Wyman, Amos Genung, John Ardell, Abraham
Palmer, Enoch Barker, Isaac Purdy, and Isaac Adams. In
1850 James Durham was circuit preacher; in 1857 Jordan
Ashworth and James Durham ; 1852, Joseph Ashworth ; 1854-
5, Charles Gold and Henry Boardman; 185G-7, A. D. Edger ;
1858-9, James Hermans ; 1860, D. Leisenriug ; 1861-2, Robert
Parker; 1863, John Knapp ; 1864, Myron Depew ; 1865-6,
Schuyler Sutherland ; 1867, Solomon D. Wetzel; 1868-9, C.
Dillenbeck ; 1870, Philo Cowles. In recent years the charge
has only included Branchport and Kinney's Corners.

The Methodists had a class at George Brown's Mills as early

578 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

es 1815, aDd Isaac Kinney was class leader. Reuben Farley and
Elder Potter were local preachers. Isaac Kinney left in 1817,
and Daniel Brown was made class leader. Benjamin Durham
was afterwards class leader. The class was kept up in this place
many years, and finally moved to Branchport. In 18G6 the
first regular church organization was effected at Branchport.
The first Trustees were Solomon D. "Weaver, James Gamby,
Henry Larzelere, Henry W. Harris, William H. Decker, Nelson
Bennett, Elias Madison and James Spencer. A building com-
mittee consisting of Schuyler Sutherland, William H. Decker
and Joseph Abbott, purchased the Methodist Church edifice at
Nettle Valley, which they moved to Branchport, where they
have fitted up a comfortable house cf worship, at a cost of
twenty-five hundred dollars. The present class leader is Daniel
Sherwood. Isaac Adams was many years the Branchport class
leader. He was followed by David Miller, and he by John C.
Raymond, who was the leader when the church was built.

BAPTIST CHURCH AT BRANCHPORT.

In the early years of the present centuiy, when Simon Suth-
erland was a young evangelist of the Baptist faith, there were
occasional meetings at private houses in Sabintown and else-
where in East Jerusalem. There were in that section mem-
bers of the Baptist Church, in the Second Milo Church,
among whom was the father of Jeremiah S. Burtch and others.

As early as 1815 a Baptist Church was organized on Bluff
Point by Elder Elnathan Finch, one of the early settlers there.
Deacon John Moore settled there in 1815, and found the
Church fully organized, with a log meeting house for public
worship. This church edifice was located a little south of
Hugh Herrick's, who occupied lot 4, now the place of How-
land Hemphill. The church was warmed by two fire-places,
and was used for meetings, and sometimes for schools, for about
seven years. John Finch, who was a brother of the minister,
and a resident on lot G, was one of the first deacons, and Silas
Nash, who occupied lot 1, was the other. After a few years
the meetings were held at the school house near the residence

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 579

of Judah Chase (one of the early members), now known as
Heck's School House. Jacob Haight was one of the mem-
bers, and the church was quite respectable in numbers. Wil-
liam Slawson, a son of Ebenezer Slawson, was clerk. John
Moore joined the society in 1815, and was afterwards ordained
a deacon at Branchport. John Beal was a Baptist, but belonged
with the Milo Church, where he usually attended meeting. Af-
ter about ten years a Mr. House succeeded Mr. Finch as pastor.
These preachers were themselves laborious farmers and received
but little pay for their ministerial work. Elder E. D. Owen
succeeded Mr. House.

The first meeting to organize a Baptist Church in Branch-
port was held in the Presbyteriam meeting house, January 21,
1834. Rev. E. D. Owen and Henry G. Andruss presided. It
was on that occasion resolved to incorporate the First Baptist
Societv of Branchport, and the following trustees were chosen :
Benajah Andruss, Erastus Cole, William Richardson, Israel
Ilerrick, Benjamin Runyan and John French. The first dea-
cons were Erastus Cole, Benjamin Rogers aad John French.
Mr. Rogers moved away in 1839, and the others served as dea-
cons while they lived. The trustees held a meeting at the
house of Solomon D. Weaver, January 29, 1834, and resolved
to erect a house of worship, thirty-eight by fifty feet in size,
with twenty-fiour feet posts, a gallery, belfry and steeple, at a
cost not to exceed two thousand dollars. Ezra Witter, Jacob
Ilerrick and Benjamin Rogers were the building committee, and
the house was built by Roswell H, Hall, for the sum voted.
Elder Owen remained pastor till 1836, and was followed by
A. B. Winchell, who remained three years. S. S. Haywood
followed one year, and William Frary two years, leaving in
November, 1842. Elder Reuben P. Lamb preached upwards
of three years for the church, leaving in April, 1846. Elder
Mosher followed, remaining about five years, and Peter Cole-
grove two years, leaving in April, 1853. M. W. Holmes fol-
lowed one. and Vincent L. Garret? two years. Then for two
or three years William II. Shields, a theological student, and

580 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

others, supplied the pulpit, except for a short time that Daniel
Delano served as pastor. Elder Levi Hicks served about a year,
and in January, 1863, Elder Vincent L. Garrett again took
charge and staid one year. Elder George Balcom held a three
weeks revival meeting in the autumn of 1856, and served as pas-
tor from March till November, 1866. Elder V. L. Garrett became
pastor for the third time in March, 1867, and remained two years.
Ho was followed by Rev. John C. Rooney, who remained uDtil
September, 1870. This year the house has been remodeled,
modernized and furnished anew, at an expense of $1825. It
was rededicated August 30, 1870. A Sabbath School has been
maintained with few interruptions by this Chnrch.

When Elder Samuel Wire and John Mugg were Free Will
Baptist preachers in this region, there were numerous adherents
of that faith in East Jerusalem, but no record exists of any or
ganized society.

BRANCHPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

On the 24th of July, 1832, Rev. Samuel White of Pultney,
Rev. Stephen Crosby of Penn Yan, and Rev. William Todd of
Dresden, organized the Presbyterian Church at Branchport.
The place of meeting then and for a few weeks afterwards was in
a barn still standing near the Branchport House. A room in the
tavern was used for some time to hold meetings in, and for one
year the old Red School House, now between the Baptist and
Methodist Churches. That old structure has been successively
the cradle of the Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal and Metho-
dist societies. Two years before the organization of the Pres-
byterian Church, Rev. James Rowlette, of Irish birth, the first
pastor, preached in the school houses of West Jerusalem and '
on Bluff Point. It was due to his labors, in a large degree, that
the church was founded. The first church edifice in Jerusalem
was erected by this society in 1833, at a cost of $1890, and ded-
icated in October of that year. In 1851 it was moved from the
hill where it stood to its present location near the center of the
village. The galleries were also taken out, and it was rebuilt
with a basement. The eighteen original members were Dr. Wv-

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 581

nans Bush and Julia Bush, his wife, Ira Green and Mrs. Abi-
gail Green, Dexter Lamb and Mrs. Sarah Lamb, Mrs. Lydia
Titts worth, David Rumsey, Mrs. Sophia Rumsey, Miss
Jane Rumsey, Mrs. Eliza Rumsey, Mrs. Betsy Hoffstrater, Mrs
Mary Morse, Miss Mary Morse, Mrs. Leman Dunning, Mrs. Polly
Dunning, Mrs. Pamelia Jagger, and Hopestill Hastings. These
were previous members of the Penn Yan, Pultney, Rushville
and Vienna Churches. Mrs. Harriet Green, and Miss Olive
Carr were also received on the day of organizing. Dr. Bush
and wife and Mrs. Abigail Green are still members of the
church. Dr. Bush and David Rumsey were chosen Ruling
Elders. The present Elders are Dr. Bush, John G. Lown, Wil-
liam Hemes and Matthew Henderson. Others who have held
the office are Lewis Stebbins, Morris Ross, Dexter Lamb, Abra-
ham Slingerland, Harvey Hoffstrater, Spencer Booth, William
D. Henry — the latter now a Congregational minister in James-
town, 1ST. Y. Mr. Booth was for a long time the principal trus-
tee, and from the first the treasurer of the society. The pres-
ent number of members is forty-two. In 1836 it was fifty; in
1843, fifty-four. The number who have been members is two
hundred and twenty. The present pastor remarks that "this
church, like the State of Vermont, has been a good place to emi-
grate from." Many of its former members have been founders
or prominent members of other churches in distant parts of the
country, and some have been missionaries, among whom is the
daughter of Dr. Bush, who died at Alexandria, Egypt.

The ministers have been as follows :
James Rowlette, 1830 to 183G L. M. McGlashan, 1S53 to 1856

Eobert L. Porter, 1838" Fitch, 1857"

Lewis Hamilton, 1839 " A.T.Wood, 1858 " 1860

John C. Morgan, 1840 " ■ S. Ottman, 1860 " 1861

Samuel Porter, 1841 " Theodore O. M^rsh 1863 " 1864

Horace Fraser, 1842 " 1845 ■ McLain, 1864 "

A. Foster, 1845 " Judson, 1865 "

LswisM. McGlashan 1846 " 1818 Chaunc'y Francisco 1868 " 1869

Horace Fraser, 1849 " 1S51 Charles T. White, 1S70 "

Richard Woodruff', 1852 " 1853

582 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Mr. Todd, who preached the sermon at the organization of
the church, after serving a short time at Bellona, Dresden and
Tyrone, was one of the founders of the Madura Mission in
South India, where he arrived in 1834. The present pastor is
a son of Rev. Samuel White, one of the founders of the church,
and he too was thirteen years a member of the Madura Mission.

BRAKCHPORT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

In 1855 those families residing at or near Branchport, who
had previously attended religious worship at St. Mark's Church,
Penn Yan, began to hold services in the north room of a
house then occupied by Col. William Kreutzer's select school.
This was a house built by George Brown about 1820, near the
Lake, and moved in 1829 by John N. Rose to its present posi-
tion near his residence. Lay readers and visiting clergymen
continued to conduct services in this house till the next year,
when the Baptist house of worship in Branchport was rented
for a part of each Sunday. Services were kept up in the Bap-
tist, Presbyterian or Universalist edifices until St. Luke's Church
was erected. From 1856 to 1863, Reverends William B. Otis,
John Long and Timothy F. Ward well were rectors successively
of St. Mark's, Penn Yan, and missionaries at Branchport,
holding services on Sunday afternoons at Branchport. In 1863
St. Luke's Church, Branchport, assumed the responsibili-
ties of an independent parish, and called Rev. George N. Chee-
ny, of Trinity Church, Rochester, to be the rector. He offici-
ated but once, and died in less than a month, of typhoid fever.
In November, 1863, Rev. Henry B. Barton became rector, and
remained till the following May. The parish was vacant till
the autumn of 1865, when Rev. William B. Otis took charge
for six months. In 1863 the church was erected, and
Rev. B. W. Stone was called as Rector, and the parish was or-
ganized undg- the State law. The first officers were Henry
Rose and Joseph Axtell. Wardens ; John N. Rose, Solomon L>.
Weaver, Harris Cole, James C. Wightman, M. D., Lynham J.
Beddoe, John Haire, Henry R. Sill and John N". Macomb Jr.,
Vestrymen ; John K Macomb Jr., Clerk ; James C. Wight-
man, Treasurer.

TOWN OF JERUSALEM. 583

The corner stone of St. Luke's Church was laid with appro-
priate ceremonies by the Rev. S. F. Dunham, Assistant Rector
of Christ Church, New York city. In 18G7 the Right Rev. A.
Cleveland Coxe, Bishop of the Diocese, consecrated the church
to the service of God, assisted by Dr. Stone, the Rector, Abner
Jackson, D. D., President of Hobart College, who preached
the sermon, and by Reverends D. C. Mann, Timothy F. Ward-
well, Gustavus W. Mayer and S. F. Dunham. In 1868 the
parish was admitted into the Convention of the Diocese of
Western New York. John N. Macomb Jr. has been a delegate
each year to the Diocesan Convention. Henry R. Sill in 1867,
Clark Righter in 1868 and 1869, and Harris Cole and Dr.
James C. Wightman in 1870. The present officers are, Henry
Rose and Joseph Axtell, Wardens ; John N. Rose, Solomon
D. Weaver, Harris Cole, Clark Righter, John Haire, Henry R.
Sill, Robert German and John N. Macomb Jr.. Vestrymen ;
J N. Macomb Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. Gideon P. Hoard
has also been a Vestryman. The church is built of stone, is 28
by 54 feet, with a recess chancel 14 feet deep. Levi Millspaugh
was the builder, and the cost of the church was §4,000.

ALTITUDES.

By arrangement of Josiah White, Albert R. Cowing, Dar-
wiD Shattuck, Jackson Wright, and other citizens of Jerusalem,
Israelii. Arnold, on the 13th of October, 1870, made observa-
tions with his Transit Instrument, from which the following
measurements ar« deduced. The summit in Italy, on Peter
Pulver's land, Lot 36, North-East Survey, less than half a mile
west of the Italy line, is 1525 feet higher than Canandaigua
Lake, 16 miles due north:

Bristol Hills 14 miles northwest, below Italy Summit, - 7 feet.
Bristol Hills, above Pulver Cemetery, 00 rods west of

Italy line, - - - - - - 43 "

Italy Summit above Seneca Lake, 16 miles distant, - 1597 "
Italy Summit above Lake Keuka, G miles distant, - 1324 "

Italy Summit above Yates County Poor House — Lot a,

Guernsey Survey, - - 690 "

County Poor House above Keuka Lake, - 634 "

584 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Keuka Lake above Seneca Lake, - - 273 "

Italy Summit above Ansley's Stone House, 3 miles distant,

on Lot 14, Beddoe Tract, 120 roads east of the White
School House Corners, on Branchport and Italy Hill road, 507 "
Ansley's, above William P. Hibbard's House, distant 660

feet, .___----- 30 "

Hibbard's above top of ridge 100 rods east, - - - 72 "

Top of ridge above Schull's northeast corner, 76 rods

east, _____---- 62"

Schull's above Keuka Lake, distant 3 miles, - - 655 <;

Schull's above Nathaniel G. Hibbard's Carriage House,

distant 176 rods, ------- 160 "

N. G. Hibbard's above base of Keuka Hotel, Branchport,

distant 400 rods (1^ miles), ----- 462 "
Keuka Hotel above Lake Keuka, distant 40 rods, - 29 "

Keuka Lake above Tide Water, - 740 "

At the White School House or Hurd's Corners, corner of
lots 11, 12, 13, 14, Beddoe Tract, the descent westward to the
line between lands of Albert R. Cowing and Ezra Loomis was
found to be 25 feet, distance 990 feet, or about 61 rods. From
the latter point west to the Italy line, 440 rods, the elevation
was 69 feet. So the Italy line at this point was found to be 6
feet below the White School House, and 811 feet above Lake
Keuka. And the Italy Summit appears to be 2,064 feet above
Tide Water.

THE BIG GULLY.

One of the most striking natural features in Jerusalem is the
great ravine known as the Big Gully. Its bed is the course
of a rivulet having its source high up on the Green Tract,
and running in almost a straight direction eastward to the
inlet creek, which it joins in Larzelere's Hollow, on lot 19.
Draining a considerable extent of eountry, when freshets occur
it becomes a mighty stream, bearing along immense collections
of debris gathered in its course, even to trees of large size and
rocks weighing tons. The last three miles of its way is a deep
rocky glen, which in the lapse of long ages has been hollowed
out by this torrent. Ordinarily, at the present day, it is but a

TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

585

modest and beautiful little brook of clear and sparkling water.
The glen is wild and romantic in the highest degree. Rocky
ledges three hundred feet in hight form its precipitous walls,
and the dark evergreen foliage of the pine and hemlock adds
to the wild and picturesque beauty of its craggy scenery.
This dark retreat was long a secure fastness for the untamed
beasts of the wilderness. To the lover of bold, inspiring
scenery or the student of nature it must ever be a delightful
resort, and it could with little difficulty be made accessible to
all. This ravine has been made the subject of a highly cred-
itable poem by Miles A. Davi3, entitled "The Shaded Stream."

BURIAL VAULT.

Soou after 1800, the Friend caused a Burial Vault to be
erected in the bank a short distance west of her residence in the
valley. The bodies of Sarah Richards, Gen. Wall, and several
others, were deposited there. Not being well constructed, this
vault was broken down and destroyed. Subsequently another
was built, near her final residence, of which a sketch is given
below. It has not for many years been used as a place of se-
pulture.

■:- ..:--v<":'. • "w^

MAUSOLEUM OF THE FRIEND.

586 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

CHAPTER X.

MIDDLESEX.

mz Y a deed dated July 15, 1789, Thomas Maxwell conveyed
(gfrf to Arnold Potter township eight of the first range, and so
much of township eight of the third range of Phelps and Gor-
ham's Purchase as lies east of Canandaigua Lake ; amount of
land by estimate, 35,010 acres; consideration, £991., 9s., 3d.
To obviate all question of Maxwell's title, Oliver Phelps,
April 21, 179S, gave Arnold Potter a quit-claim deed affirming
Maxwell's title, acknowledging the receipt of $10,000 as a con-
sideration, and stating that according to a survey of the town-
ships, the amount of land conveyed was 42,230 acres. This
territory was part of Canandaigua district until 1797,
when the town of Augusta was organized. Another town by
the name of Augusta having been formed in Oneida Counly in
1798, the name of the Ontario town of Augusta was changed
in 1808 to Middlesex. It was very currently known as
" Potterstown," from the earliest period, and in 1832, was di^
vided, the east part taking the name of Potter, in honor of
Arnold Potter, its most famous citizen, and the founder of its
settlement, the west part retaining the name of Middlesex. The
division left to Middlesex one tier of farm lots half a mile wide,
on the west side of township eight of the second range, extending
thence west to Canandaigua Lake. In 185G six lots in the
southeast corner of Middlesex were annexed to Potter, for the
convenience of citizens. Three of these lots were on the range
of farm lots belonging in township eight of the second range,
originally set off to Middlesex, two in the first range of farm

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX.

587

lots in the third eighth, and one in the second, embracing the
steep hillside descending to Flint Creek, which was thus
wholly shut off from Middlesex.

The creek known as West River passes through the (own in a
southwesterly direction, forming its only water course of any
importance. Entering the town at its northeast corner, it passes
into Italy at a point about four miles further west. The val-
ley of this creek, early known as Potter's Creek, narrows as
it goes southward, and the land rises on both sides steep and
abrupt to a considerable elevation. The East Hill, as the ridge
in the direction of Flint Creek is called, is estimated at not less
than seven hundred feet above either valley. The west ridge,
skirting Canandaigua Lake, rises still higher, and Bare Hill, one
of its loftiest elevations, is said to be nearly one thousand feet
above the level of the Lake, and South Hill nearly 200 feet
higher. This ridge is broken at the base of Bare Hill, by Boat
Brook, a little stream which becomes nearly dry in the sura
mer, and which drains a beautiful little vale on Canandaigua
Lake, now known as Vine Valley, lying between Bare Hill and
South Hill. The name of Boat Brook was given this stream
by the early surveyors, who when they came from Canandai-
gua made it a harbor for their boats while they were at work
in the surrounding country. The town is quite uneven in its
surface, though less broken on the north side. The soil is ex-
ceedingly good, both on the hills and in the valleys, and few
towns are more productive, though much is due to an excellent
class of farmers who cultivate the soil, as well as to' the good
quality of the land. It was well covered with timber when
first touched by civilization, consisting largely of oak of fine
quality, hickory, maple and elm.

Indian tradition invested Bare Hill with great interest. Ac-
cording to the myth cherished by the Senecas, their tribe sprang
out of the ground at Nundawao, the site of their oldest village,
on the high hill near Canandaigua Lake. At a certain period
the tribe was threatened with destruction by a mighty snake
with two heads, which wrapped its lengthened folds around

588 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Bare Hill, encircling the last that remained of their race. As
the story is told in Schoolcraft's Notes, drawn from a native
source, " all were devoured but a warrior and his sister. At
length the warrior had a dream, in which he was showed that
if he would fledge his arrows with the hair of his sister, the
charm would prevail. He was warned not to heed the fright-
ful heads and hissing tongues, but to shoot at the heart. Fol-
lowing faithfully the directions given in his dream, he boldly
shot at the serpent's heart. The instantaneous recoil of the
monster proved the wound was mortal. He rolled down the
hill uttering horrid noises, and plunged into the Lake. Here
he slaked his thirst, and tried by water to mitigate his agony,
dashing about in great fury. At length he vomited up all the
people he had eaten, expired, and sank to the bottom. The
council fire was thereafter fixed at Kanadesaga." The timber
was destroyed on the top and sides of the hill by the great
snake, and as the tradition goes, the heads of the vanquished
Indians, changed to stone, thickly strewed over the earth in
that vicinity, accounted for the large number of concretions
found on the surface and in the slaty formations of that local-
ity. The story of the snake is thought to be an allegory, sig-
nifying that intestine feuds produced hatred and murderous
war, by which the nation was nearly exterminated. At length,
by the affectionate interposition of woman, harmony was re-
stored and a new era of prosperity introduced by removing the
council fire to a new place. The Senecas called themselves
Nunduicao, or NunJaicagas — People of the Hill. Both sides of
the Lake afford abundant evidence that its shores were long a
favorite abode and burial place of the aboriginal tribes. Then-
arrow heads and implements and the bones of the dead are
thickly strewed in the soil The traces of an ancient fort, cov-
ering about an acre, and surrounded by a ditch, and formerly by
a formidable wall, are still to be seen on the top of Bare Hill.
They indicate defences raised by Indian hands, or more probably
belong to the labors of a race that preceded the Indian occupation.
The wall is now about tumbled down, the stones seem some-

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 589

what scattered, and the ground is overgrown with brush. The
hill was literally bare when the white race took possession of
the country. But since that time the forest has sprung up
thickly wherever it was allowed to grow. Arnold Potter, it is
said, raised wheat there by simply dragging it in, before he
could make clearings elsewhere. Edward Perry relates that
after his father, Capt. Rows Perry, and John Collins purchased
the Bare Hill Tract, they sowed nine bushels of grass seed on
ground already clear, for purposes of pasturage. South Hill
was found heavily covered with timber. It is good tanning
land where not too steep.

This was an inviting region to the eaily settlers, and Judge
Potter's purchase was quickly followed by the advent of nu-
merous pioneers. A survey was made of the land by Perley
Howe in 1789, and his neatly drafted map was called "A Map
of Potterstown." There was a division of the land into ranges,
extending north and south, one mile in width, numbered from
I to XI. Westward, east and west lines at half mile distances
divided the land into lots, called "farm lots." The lots of each
range were numbered separately from one to twelve, counting
northward. This system in the final disposition of the lands
was followed in township eight of the second range. In town-
ship eight of the third range, there were two subsequent sur-
veys, with a re-arrangement of lots. A tract two miles wide off
the south side of so much of the township as lies east of the
Lake, was sold in 1794 to Judah Colt, and by him to one Irving
of New York city. It was mortgaged to the State of Connect-
icut in 1797, and by the foreclosure of this mortgage, became
in 1801 the property of Cortland Van Buren of New York. It
was afterwards owned by Ebenezer Hale of Canandaigua,
Catharine Paulding of Westchester, and Herman II. Bogert of
Geneva, jointly, and in 1817 re-surveyed by Joseph Jones and
divided between the respective owners, the map of the survey
as recorded indicating the lots belonging to each. There wras
a reservation nearly equal to two lots lying on both sides of
West River, about half a mile north of the south line cf the

590 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

town, including the old Reuben Slayton homestead. The lots
of this survey by Joseph Jones are numbered from 1 to 46.

North of this tract, bounded west by Canandaigua Lake, an
lying chiefly west of the road running northward through
Overacker's Corners, was a tract re-surveyed by Jabcz French
into lots of irregular size, with somewhat irregular numbering
from 1 to 70. Some portion of this land belonged at an early
day to Judah Colt, but much of it belonged to the estate of
Arnold Potter at the time of his death. Why it was re -sur-
veyed has not been ascertained by the writer.

JOHN WALFORD.

Among those who settled on the Potter Purchase in 1789
was John Walford, a native of Rhode Island. His wife was
Lucy, sister of Michael Pierce. They settled first on what is
now known as the Savage farm, near Warfield's in Potter,
which, after making some improvements, they traded with Ar-
nold Potter for the lot of 163 acres embracing what is now the
hamlet of Middlesex Center. Mrs. Walford died in 1791, and
hers was the first burial in the town. John Walford died in
1813, on the Potter farm, where he then lived, while his son
John occupied the home farm in the West River Valley. Their
sons John and James were the only children. James married
Lucy McNair, widow. They are both deceased, and their chil-
dren are scattered elsewhere.

John Walford Jr., born in 1787, married Elizabeth Cole of
Gorham in 1808. She was born in Dutchess county in 1790.
They resided on his paternal homestead, where she died fifty
years after their marriage, and where he still lives on a part of
the original farm. Of their ten children, eight lived to marry
and have families.

Lucina married Nathaniel Francis of Middlesex. They had a
large family. Phebe married Sprague Smith of Middlesex, and
emigrated to Wisconsin. Julia Ann married John Blanchard of
Potter, and emigrated to Wisconsin. Elizabeth married Harvey
Boggs of Steuben county, and resides in Prattsburgh. Nancy
married Wells Green of Schuylerville, N.Y. Sarah married Enos

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 591

B. Hard of Gorham. They now reside at Middlesex Center at
the old tavern stand — a part of the homestead — and have two
children, Edith and Minnie. David married Ellen Spears of
Middlesex, where he died leaving a widow aud three children.
Thomas married Zilpha Brown of Middlesex, and emigrated to
Grass Lake, Michigan, where they live and have three chil-
dren.

The south line of the Walford farm was the north line of the
tract known as the Connecticut Tract.

MICHAEL PIERCE.

Coming with the Walfords, Benjamin Tibbetts and others,
was Michael Pierce, a native of Rhode Island, where he married
Sally Allen. They bought four hundred acres of Arnold Pot-
ter, including lot 9 of the seventh farm range, and both died
on the homestead, he at the age of eighty-four, and she at sev-
enty-five. Their children were Job, Thomas, Samuel, John,
Sally and Lucina. Job, born in 1786, married Lucite Wicoff of
Hopewell, and settled on a part of the homestend, where he
still resides on the 9th lot of the eighth farm range of the Pot-
ter Purchase. His first wife died leaving two surviving chil-
dren, Mary and William W. His second wife, Theresa Shaw,
is also dead. Mary married George Becket. They reside on
the homestead and have two children. William W. married
Lora Christie, and resides in Potter.

Thomas Pierce, born in 1788, married Olive Garrison of
Gorham, and settled on the east end of the original homestead,
where his wife died and he still resides. Their children were
Wylie. Michael A., Almira, Elsie and Ireland. Michael A. mar-
ried Miss Dimock, and resides on the homestead with his
father. The daughters are married and reside west.

Samuel, born in 1790, married Betsy Lamed of Phelps.
They lived several years on the homestead, moved thence to
Clifton Springs, and then to Chicago, where they live with
their children, William, Myron and Irvin.

John, born in 1792, married Candace Chase. They settled
on a part of the old homestead, where he died leaving three

592 niSTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

children, two of whom are now living in this county, Daniel C.
and Laura. Daniel C. married Sarah Fisher and resides in
Rushville. Laura married Guy Shaw of Benton.

Sally married Rev. James Harris, a Methodist preacher.
They are both dead, leaving four children in the Western
States.

Lucina married Daniel Patton of Middlesex, where he died
and she now resides.

Michael Pierce helped in the survey of the town, the survey-
ors being Capt. Perley Howe, John P. Allen and Jabez French.
The understanding was that Potter should first select his land
for a homestead. He chose the Potter farm (mile square), after
which the surveyors were to select each for himself, to pay for
his services. Howe took two plots at what is nowknown as the
" Pine Corners," or the late " Daniel B. Lindsley farm ;" Al-
len two lots adjoining and east of Howe's, known as the Nathan
Loomis farm, and Jabez French chose his land east of that and
where he lived and died. Mr Pierce's nearest neighbors were
at first the Gilbert family at Rushville, Chester Adams near
Middlesex Center, Capt. Perry east, and settlers at Naples.

They came into the county by boat up the Mohawk, Wood
Creek, Seneca River and Lake, to Kashong, thence by Indian
trail and by cutting their way through the woods to where he
settled. On landing at Kashong they found DeBartzch sur-
rounded by Indians. He demanded a "colt tail" of all new
comers, but the company fearing a drunken pow-wow among
the Indians, were reluctant to comply until the trader agreed to
guarantee their safety, when they paid their "colt tail" in three
gallons of New England rum. Capt. Pierce had been into the
the country the year before, and knew the practice and de-
mands of the Indians, and the trader assured them that it was
better to comply. They went into the woods bare-handed, and
with only about a barrel of Indian-meal and fourteen shillings
in cash, without a shelter or means of protection or support
except their naked hands and stout hearts. Capt. Pierce had
planted a patch of corn in ground assigned him at Kashong by

T0WX OF MIDDLESEX.

593

the trader, to find on returning that the hens had destroyed it,
and the second planting was killed by frost. He often traveled
with a grist on his back to the Friend's Mill below Penn
Yan, or to Wilder's Mill on the west side of Canandaigua Lake,
crossing in a canoe, and has backed his plow-share to a black-
smith at the Friend's Settlement, to be sharpened and mended,
when his land had reached a condition to use that implement.
They suffered long and much, yet outlived it all, and saw them-
selves and family comfortably settled and provided for many
years before their death. Mr. Pierce occupied the position of
Justice of the Peace and other offices of the town for a long
period, and was justly regarded one of the fathers of the
country.

CORNELIUS SAWYER.

In 1802, Cornelius Sawyer settled where he lived and died,
on lot 10 of the seventh farm range. He was born in Stafford,
where he married a Miss Husk. Their children were Sybil,
Betsey, Nancy, Olive, Thomas, Cornelius and Prescott. Sybil
married Reuben Fowler of Gorham Betsey, Cornelius Bas-
sett of Middlesex ; Nancy, John Buckley of Middlesex ; Oli-
ver married Artice White, and settled on the homestead.
Thomas married Miss Blair of Middlesex, and Prescott Zemo
Lamb of Middlesex, and moved to Wisconsin.

Cornelius Sawyer Jr. was born in 178S, and married Marga-
ret, daughter of Gideon Salisbury. She died in 1802, and lie
died July 8, 1863. They had seven children that lived to be
married, Louisa, Samuel, Nancy, Seymour, Mahala, Semanlha
and Cuyler. Louisa married John Ilalsted of Potter and set-
tled in that town, where she died in 18u8, leaving six children,
Lewis, Cornelius, Sybil. Mary, Margaret and Warren. Samuel
married Prudence, daughter of William McNair of East Hill,
Middlesex. They moved to Blooiniield, where he died. Nancy
married Charles Oldfield and lives in Michigan. Seymour
married Jane Fisher of Gorham, and moved to Hornellsville,
N. Y., where he died. Mahala married George Salisbury, son
of John Salisbury, and now lives in Gorham. Semantha mar-

594 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

ried Stephen Styles of Canandaigua, where they live. Cuyler
married Mary Davis of Almond, N. Y. They now reside in
Canandaigua.

Cornelius Sawyer Jr. married a second wife, Esther Henry,
widow, who now resides on the homestead with her son
Charles Henry. She was born in Italy (then Middletown)
in 1804, and was the daughter of Alexander Porter,
who settled about a mile east of Middlesex Center, in
1804. He first settled in Flint Creek Hollow in 1798, near
Archibald Armstrong, the first settler in that hollow. His
nearest neighbor west was the Low family on West River, and
the William Hobart family east, in Potter. He was surround-
ed by Indians, who made that valley their home and resort for
some years after. Armstrong was a celebrated drummer, and
served through the war of the Revolution with three brothers.
The following incident is related on good authority : a hostile
Indian was killed and skinned and his hide given to Uncle
Arch., as he was called. He tanned and made a drum-head of
it, and on La Fayette's visit to this country in 1825, Uncle
Arch, took his drum to Canandaigua, and showed it to him.
The General recollected the circumstance, and at once recog-
nized Mr. Armstrong, with whom he was acquainted in the
army.

Alexander Porter was a brother-in-law of Armstrong — hav-
ing married his sister Catharine on the German Flats near
Rome, N. Y. Both Porter and Armstrong were of Irish ori-
gin. Porter came to this country at the age of fourteen, about
the close of the Revolutionary war, and married his wife, who
was born in America, and had been taken prisoner near Fort
Stanwix, now Rome, and was in the hands of the Indians du-
ring the Revolution. She was taken to Canada, and there re-
deemed by a relative who was a British officer and knew her.
After her release and return, she and other prisoners were
provided with a dinner by General Washington, while
on a visit at Albany. This was at or after the close of the
war, for she had been retained in Canada nearly three years

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 595

aiter her purchase from the Indians as a war prisoner. Both
Porter and Armstrong suffered all the inconveniences and pri-
various incident to the early settlement of the country, such as
traveling many miles with a grist on their backs to mill at one
time from Middlesex to Tioga Point ; at another to the Friend's
Mill, and sometimes to Waterloo.

Mr. Porter and his wife had a family of twelve children, De-
lany, Archibald, Thomas and William (twins), Henry, Eliza-
beth. Hannah, Robert, Martha, Esther, Mary and Charles. Dc-
lany married Spencer Turner of Naples, who died there leav-
ing two children, Jonathan and Eliza, who reside in Iowa,
where their mother died. Archibald was a volunteer in the
war of 1812, and was killed at the battle of Queenston. Thomas
died single. William married Elizabeth Ford of Pa., and set-
tled near Pittsburg, where they reared a large family. Henry
married Ruth Watkins of Naples. He was a prominent citizen
there for many years, and had a family of fourteen children,
ten of whom are living. He and his wife celebrated their gold-
en wedding at Naples on the 15th of January, 18G8, where his
widow and four of their children still live — Edward, Charles,
Robert and Mary. Eliza, Nancy, Abigail, William, Joel and
Thomas are scattered in the Western States, and are all mar-
ried except Thomas, who died of starvation in Andersonville
prison, in the late rebellion. Elizabeth married George Laurens
of Canada, where they settled near Fort Niagara. They had
one son Robert, who enlisted in the war of the rebellion from
Lockport, and was killed at the battle of Nashville, leaving a
widow and two children. Hannah married Luther Hammon,
of Canandaigua, where both died leaving one son, Luther.
Robert married Minerva Gates of Gorham, and emigrated to
Kankakee, 111., where they reside. They have two sons living,
Archibald and Alexander. Orson, another son, was killed in
battle at Nashville, in the war of the rebellion. Martha mar-
ried Samuel Clement. They moved to London, Canada, where
she died leaving one child, Martha. Esther married Martin
Henry of Gorham, where they settled, and where he died leav-

596 IIISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

ing two children, Oscar and Charles. She married for her sec-
ond husband Cornelius Sawyer, and resides on his old home- !
stead, a widow. Mary married Martin Foster of Middlesex J
where they settled and she died without children. Charles
married Helen Hartican of Lockport, and removed to St. Law-
rence, Missouri, where she died leaving six children.

While Mr. Porter lived in Italy Hollow, he had occasion to
go to mill below Penn Yan (the Friend's Mill), with a grist on
a horse which he led. Returning late and in the night, he was |
beset by wolves. His horse tiring out, he was obliged at last
to hang his giist in a tree, leave his horse and seek the house
of Rev. William Hobart, where he procured fire-brands, and
thus fought his way home. In the morning he returned to find
only the bones of the horse eaten clean by the wolves, but his
grist safe.

About the year 1885, they sold their farm in Middlesex and
removed to Naples, where both died a i'aw years after, he at the
age of 89, and she 77, he surviving her about five years.

WAEUAM WILLIAMS.

One of the earliest settlers in Potterstovvn was Warham Wil-
liams, a native of Windsor, Connecticut, where he married Sa-
r-ih Carr. They settled first on lot 10, farm range four. There
she died, leaving three children, Huldah, Betsey and Anna. Me
married a second wife, Patty Cone, and moved to the West
River Valley, on the farm next north of John Walford. There
both died, he in 1840, aged eighty, and she in 1837. He was
a blacksmith. The children of the second marriage were, John
W., Oliver S., Lucy, Meiinda, Eunice, Valoaa and Caroline.
John W., born in 1792, married Permilla Briggs of Middlesex
in 181 G. She was then at the age of seventeen. They settled
where they still reside on lot G, of farm range seven, in 1817.
Six of the children have 'had families — Warham B., Viola O.,
Oliver S., William C. and Wala C. (twins), and John W. The
father was early drafted in the war of 1812, in which he en-
dured hard service and much suffering. He participated in the
battles of Lundy's Lane, Stony Creek, Chippewa, Stony Point,

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX.

Burlington Hights, Lyons Creek, and others. He was taken
prisoner at the battle of Fort Erie, and confined in prison at
Halifax and Mellville Island between four and five months. His
prison was akin to death itself, and one of his fellow prisoners
died daily during the one hundred and thirty-six days of his
confinement. Warham B. Williams married Caroline Adams
of Middlesex. She died in that town, leaving one son, Davis.
He moved to Watsburg, Pa., practiced as a physician, married
again, and died there. Viola C. married Samuel Salisbury oi
j Middlesex, now residing on lot G, farm range 7 Their chil-
dren are Olive C. and Charles S. Olive C. married Edwin D.
Warner, and died leaving two children.

OliverS., son of John W. Williams, married Marian, daugh-
ter of Eli Foote of Middlesex. They reside at Middlesex Cen-
ter, and have two surviving children, Lewis and Lucy F. Oli-
ver S. Williams has been Supervisor of Middlesex and was a
Member of Assembly in the session of 1868.

William C. married Adaline Brown of Galena, III., and finally
settled in Italy on the old Edward Low farm. They have three
children, William W., Frank and Clark. Wata C. married An-
drew J. Cadmus of Potter. They have two children, Imogene
A. and Inez O. John W. Jr. married Jane G. Twitchcll of Mid-
dlesex, and settled on the homestead where they reside and
havcj three children, Lona C, Loyal O, and Emmett T.

Oliver S., son of Warham Williams, born in 1793, married
Sally, daughter of John Mower of Italy, in 1810. They settled
in Middlesex, on the farm now occupied by David G. Under-
wood, and moved from thence to the one now owned by Ed-
i ward Carr, where his wife died leaving six children, Anna,
I John, Ira C , Ephrairn, Huldah and Judith. He married a sec-
ond wife, Delilah Watkins, and moved to Naples. They have
one child, Thomas II.

Lucy, born in 17S8, married Edward Low, of Italy, and set-
tied on the old Low homestead in Italy, where they reared
their family of seven girls. They subsequently moved to Mid-
dlesex, on the farm known as the Foot farm, where he died and

598 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Iris widow now resides. Their children are Adaline A., Miner-
va M., Clementina P., and Percilla C. (twins), Elizabeth, Mary
and Lucy. Adaline A. married Morey Philltps of Middlesex.
They settled in that town and had two daughters, Juliette D.
and Angeline, who married Franklin Green of Middlesex, and
died leaving one child, Carrie. Mr. Phillips is also dead, and
his widow has since married and resides in Canandaigua. Mi-
nerva M. married Henry Hobart of Middlesex, and resides
near Grass Lake, Mich. They have three children. Clemen-
tina P. married George Nutten of Italy, and emigrated to Mich-
igan, where they have a famity of four girls. Percilla C. mar-
ried Job Pierce 2d, of Middlesex, and removed West. They
had four children. She married a second husband, Mr. Case.
They had a son Charles. She has a third husband. Eliz-
abeth married Abraham Mather and lives in Middlesex on the
John Hobart farm. They have two children, Rufus and Jane.

Mel inda Williams, born in Middlesex (then Augusta) in 1802,
married David G. Underwood of Middlesex. They settled on
the old Warhani Williams homestead, where they now reside
and have four children, Thomas, Eunice H., Can dace and Ira C.
Thomas married Lucy F., daughter of Oliver Harrington, and
resides at Middlesex Center, a farmer, heretofore a merchant.
They have two children, Lucy M., and Henry C. Eunice II.
married Richard F. Kilpatriek of Middlesex, and removed to
Grass Lake, Mich. They have seven children, and now live at
Cedar Falls, Iowa. Candace C. married Wesley Wager of
Middlesex, and settled on the Wager homestead, where they
reside. They have three children, Julia M., Elmer H. and
Agnes. Ira C. married Sarah S.Warner of Potter, resides on the
Underwood homestead in Middlesex, and has three children,
Lona T., Corda A., and Oliver S.

David G. Underwood represented this county in the Legis-
lature in the session of 18.54. He is a leading member in the
Methodist Church, and a good citizen. He has filled various
offices in the town, and that of Supervisor three years. He
settled in Middlesex in 1826, and was born in Shrewsbury,

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 599

Rutland Co., Vt., in 1806. His father, David Underwood, set-
tled in Middlesex in 1S24, and died there at the age of sixty-
eight. Adams Underwood, a brother of David G., was a mag
istrate in Middlesex many years, and his son Adams is still a
citizen there.

Valona, born in 1806, married Erasmus D. Nichols and moved
to Ann Arbor, Mich., where thay have a family of four chil-
dren, Theodore, Erasmus D., Lucy and Ella.

Eunice, born in 1801, married William Clark of Italy, where
they settled, and where he died, leaving his widow and one
child, Almira, who married Lafayette Adams and resides in Cat-
taraugus county. She married a second husband, Heriick Ad-
nms of Middlesex. They have one son, Erastus, who married
Valvana L. Avery and lives at Middlesex Center.

Caroline, born July 10, 1807, married Joseph Cheeny of
Middlesex, and moved to Cattaraugus county. They have two
children. Celeste and Ellen.

W'arham Williams came to this town in March, 1796, with
his family of five children, including three by his first wife.
These three marrk d as follows : Huldah, born at Hoosac, N.Y.,
in 1784, married John Blair of Middlesex, and moved to
Bloomfield, Ohio, where both died leaving a family of
three children, Selden, Anna and Ira. Betsey, born at Hoosac,
1786, married Otis Pierce of Naples. They settled in Conhoc-
ton, N. Y., and have two children, Huldah and Milan. Anna
bo:n at Hoosac in 1788, married James Hoard of Potter, and
died without children.

JOHN BLAIR.

In 1791, John Blair settled on the '■ Surveyor Howe" lot at
Pine Corners, on lot 11, seventh farm range. He married Miss
Halbert of Chester, Mass. They moved with ox teams from
Oneida county, where they h id lived for some time. She died
in 1805, and he in 1814, aged seventy-two. Their children
were John, James, Na'han, Warren, Amy and Sally.

John married Huldah, daughter of Warham Williams.
They emigrated to Ohio, where both died leaving three chil-
dren, Selden, Ira and Betsey.

600 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

James married Betsey Smith of Canandaigua. They had
three children when she died, John, James and Amy. He mar-
ried again and emigrated to Ohio.

Nathan married Lydia Sterling of Westmoreland, N. Y.,
and settled on a part of the homestead, where they reared their
family and he died leaving his widow and eight children, Elvi-
ra, Amanda, Sally, Lucy and Sterling N. (twins), Polly, Betsey
A. and Fanny. Amanda*married Ezekiel Dayton of Middle-
sex. They have one child, Judson D. Sally married Eli In-
graham of Middlesex Center. They have twc children, Enge-
nius R. an J Frank. Lucy married Oliver Buckley and moved
to Canandaigua. Sterling 1ST. married Lucina Bates of Middle-
sex. They reside on a part ot the homestead and have three
children, Dementha A., Myron E., and Chester 0. Polly mar-
ried Charles Green of Italy. She died, and he married her sis-
ter, Betsey A., and resides in Gorham. Fanny married Walter
T>. Green of Italy, where she died leaving four children.

Warren married Betsey Ashley of Phelps, and emigrated to
Plymouth, Michigan, where he died leaving several children.
Amy married William T. Bassett of Potter.
Sally married Thomas Sawyer and emigrated to Ohio, where
both died leaving several children, Oliver, Orson, William,
John, Anna and others.

John Blair and wife were among the first members of the
ltushville Congregational Church, and his sons John, James
and Warren were in the war of 1812. James was one of the
oarsmen who conveyed Commodore Oliver II. Perry to his flag
ship from the shore, on his embarking for the battle of Lake
Erie. He also had a remarkable adventure with a wolf in the
gully known as the "Corey Galley," on the farm now owned
by Abram Mather in Middlesex. He was hunting for bees and
in attempting to pass a root of a large upturned tree on the
bank of the gully he met a full-grown wolf which was in the
same path, and neither could retreat, therefore they must have
an encounter. The wolf, ready for battle, sprang for him, and
receiving him in his arms, both went down the bank together,

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. G01

Blair luckily landing on top. lie firmly held the wolf until
with a pine knot that was within his reach, he beat him to
death.

WII.UA M FOSTJSfi.

William Foster was born in Rhode Island, married Susan
Miles of Mass., emigrated to this town in 1806, and settled on
the farm where they died, on lot 7 of the seventh farm range.
Their family consisted of thirteen children, seven of whom lived
to be married — Alanson, William, Julia, John, Ira, Martin and
Susan.

Alauson married and entered the army in the war of 1812 ;
was taken prisoner on the Canadian frontier, and died while in
prison at Kingston..

William married Marcia,daughter of Samuel Cole of Middlesex,
and settled on a farm near the homestead where they still live.
They have four children, William, Susanah, Calvin and Clarissa.
William Jr. married Adelia Allen of Middlesex, and resides on
a part of the homestead farm. They have three children. Su-
sanah married Deroy Walters and emigrated to western Penn-
sylvania. Calvin (unmarried) lives on the homestead as man-
ager. Clarissa, unmarried, is residing with her parents.

Julia married Joseph Rose of Middlesex, and both are dead.

John married Anna Ireland of Benton. They settled on the
old homestead in Benton, where she died leaving five children,
Alansou, Nehemiah, Luther, King and Risby. He married a
second wife, Asenath Foster, of Middlesex, and they have five
children, Edward, John, Ann, Gertrude and Emily. Of this
family, Alanson married Ann Cadmus and resides in Potter.
They have five children. Nehemiah married Miss Salisbury of
Middlesex, resides in Prattsburg, and has two children. Luther
married Martha Allen, resides in Prattsburg and has five children.
King married Miss Salisbury of Middlesex and resides in Gorham.
They have three children. Risby married Joseph Fisher of
Gorham. They live in Prattsburg, and have one child.

Edward married Elizabeth Blackford of Middlesex. They
live on the old homestead and have four children. Gertrude

G02

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

married Mr. Aldridge of Farmington, N.Y., and resides in that
town. John, Gertrude and Emily are unmarried, and live in
Farmington with their mother.

Ira married Hannah Baker of Potter, and emigrated to Salem,
Michigan, where both died, leaving one child, Samuel.

Martin married Mary, daughter of Asa Porter of Middlesex,
and settled on a farm near the homestead where she died and
Martin afterwards lived with his nephew Samuel, who moved
from Michigan with four children, Ira, Martin, Ida and Mary.

Martin has since died, and Susan married Freeman S. Kelsey
of Butternuts, N. Y. She died leaving five children.

ANDREW CHRISTIE,

Born at Hackensack, N. J., married Miss Hopper of N. J.
They had four children, none of whom ever lived in Yates
county. He married a second wife, Mary McWhorter, near Go-
shen, N.Y., and after the Revolutionary war they moved to Min-
nisink ; remained there some years, during the Indian wars fol-
lowing the Revolution, in which that section suffered severely.
In 1812 they came to Middlesex, and settled on a farm then
owned by Rufus Gale, who had made a beginning, and remain-
ed on the premises during their lives. This was on lot 3 of the
eighth farm range. Their children were Gilbert, Abigail and
James.

Gilbert, born in 1788, married Sarah Miller of Auburn ; set-
tled on the homestead, and subsequently emigrated to Indiana
with his sons Elijah and Lewis.

Abigail married Burnett Cook, and resides at Trumansburgh,
N. Y.

James, born in 1791, married Lydia, daughter of Chester
Adams of Middlesex, who was a very early settler and a cotem-
porary of Deacon David Southerland, but really preceding him
in actual settlement by one or two years. He probably raised
the first wheat in the town. He located about half a mile north
of Middlesex Center and purchased about two hundred acres of
land, and was a prominent man in the early settlement. He
and his wife died on the farm, and his family are all scattered

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 603

or dead. Mrs. Christie's family and one sister of hers, Mrs.
John Salisbury, now living in Gorham, are the only remaining
members of Chester Adams' family in this town.

On one occasion Chester Adams' dog was chased by a wolf
so closely that a daughter opened the house door to admit the
dog, and the wolf attempting to follow, she caught him by the
neck with the door, but he succeeded in throwing it off its
hinges, and making his escape.

Mrs. Christie was born at the homestead in Middlesex, then
Augusta, in 1793, and was married in 1813. They had ten
children, Mary A., David, Burnett, James A., Berthena, Armin-
da, Sarah, William F. and Amelia A. Mary A. married Oliver
Harrington. David married Mary Sturtevant of Auburn, N. Y.
They reside at Grass Lake, Mich., and have one son, James.
Burnett died single.

James A. married Martha Powers of Rushville, and settled at
Horseheads, N. Y., a lawyer, where he resides with his second
wife, Phebc Townsend. Each wife had one child, William and
Carrie. Berthena married Lyman II. Green of Middlesex,
where they settled and she died leaving two children, Ella and
Franklin. Arminda is unmarried and lives at the homestead.
Sarah married William Holbrook of Potter. They reside in
that town and have two children, Franklin and Eugenia. Wil-
liam married Ann M Foster of Middlesex, who died. lie went
to Australia in 18.53, and has for several years been unheard of.
They had one child, Anna. Amelia is unmarried, and is a teach-
er at Rushville.

Andrew Christie, bought his land of the commissioners of
the Putter estate, John C. Spencer, Stephen Bates and Joshua
Brown, appointed by the Legislature to dispose of the lands,
who signed the deed. The farm on which James Christie Sen-
ior settled and now lives is naturally one of the best in the
town. ' The West River Valley, and particularly the west side
slope and benches, are among the very Lest lands in the county,
or perhaps it may be said with truth, in the State. This farm
was first settled by Ozias French, a brother of Jabez French.

604 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

the surveyor, but slightly improved when Mr. Christie pur-
chased it. The flats were heavilv timbered with elm and maple
mostly, with considerable poplar, where all was forest, but
which died out very soon after clearing was commenced near it.
The hill-sides and slopes were covered with a growth of large,
scattering oaks of both varieties, red and white, and a younger
growth of oak and hickory, and were and still are the very
best wheat lands, the soil being a marshy, reddish clay loam
and gravel intermixed with sand and gravel drift.

Even as late as 1814, when James Christie came on his farm,
wolves, deer and bear were plenty, and wolves often prowled
near the house, and would chase the dog to the door. Wild
cats or catamounts were very common on the hills and near
the lake.

DANIEL HAWLEY.

Daniel Hawley Tmd his wife Judah Dea came from their na-
tive Canterbury, Orange county, in 1806, and settled on the
west end of lot 8, farm range six, purchasing the improvements
of Henry Farout, and obtaining his title from Arnold Potter.
They had a son Josiah, who married Sarah Taylor, of Orange
Co., and five children were the issue of the marriage, Charlotte,
Daniel, Abigail, Josiah and Thomas J. Josiah Hawley was
called in 1808 to Ohio as a witness in a law suit involving a
land title, he being a subscribing witness to a deed. On this
journey he disappeared mysteriously, and was nevermore heard
from. It was believed he was foully dealt with. The suit was
between Matthew Van Warner and Adam Francisco, Avho had
been residents of Augusta. Francisco accompanied Hawley
to Ohio, where Van Warner then lived. The care of the young
family of Josiah Hawley devolved en his father Daniel Haw-
ley and his widow. Charlotte married Henry Wood of Gor-
ham. They kept a tavern at Reed's Corners in that town, and
subsccjuently emigrated to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where they died
leaving nine children.

Daniel married Betsey Parker of Middlesex and settled in
Rushville, where he died leaving five children, Amanda, For-

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. . 605

rest, James, Augustus and Clarissa, none leaving families except
Am inch, who married Charles Ford of Rushville. He volun-
teered in the army of the rebellion, in the 126th regiment, was
wounded in the capture of Harper's Ferry, and died. His two
sons, George and Augustus), both as volunteers, entered the
army; George in 1863 served in the 148th regiment ; was
wounded at Coal Harbor ; served through the war ; now resides
at Middlesex Center. Augustus volunteered in 1864; was dis-
charged after the close of the war, and resides at Middlesex
Center. James, the second son, entered the army a volunteer
from Detroit, Mich., and was killed at Davis' Mills.

Abigail Hawley married Samuel Wheeler of Middlesex. They
had two children, Sarah and Naomi. Sarah married George W.
Caton and lives at Canandaigua. Naomi married John B. Sav-
age of Potter, with whom the mother now resides.

Josiah Hawley Jr. married Catharine Dusler of Potter, and
settled near Potter Center, where his widow now lives. They
had five children, Nancy, Jane, George, Addison and Myron.
Nancy mar-ried Samuel Boots of Potter. They now live in Je-
rusalem. Jane married William Coon of Jerusalem. They
emigrated to Iowa. George married a daughter of John F.
Hobart of Potter, and resides there, a substantial farmer of that
town. Addison married Julia, daughter of Andrew Rector of
Potter, and resides in the town of Italy. Myron enlisted in the
148th regiment, under Capt. Gardiner. He served his time,
participating in several battles. He married Hester Horton of
Italy, and now resides in Middlesex.

Thomas Jefferson, born on the homestead farm in Middlesex,
in 1808, married Deborah A. Bodel of Romulus, Seneca coun-
ty, in 1826. She was born in Florida, Orange county, in 1809.
They settled on the homestead which they now own. Their
surviving children arc Louisa, David, Thompson, William, Sa-
rah A. and Jane. Louisa, born in 1829, married William Rey-
nolds of Middlesex, and they reside on the Reynolds home-
stead. They have three surviving children, Ida, Erbin and
May. David, born in 1832, married Mary A. Wilson of Mid-

606 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

dlesex, and in 1868 emigrated to Allegan, Mich. Tbey have
five children, Franklin, Emmett, Mary ,T., William N., and
Adelbert, Maxwell T., born in 1836, married Rebecca A. Em-
ory of Midddlesex, and now resides in that town, where they
have one son, Fcrrest. William T., born in 1844, married
Christina E. Ma pes of Gorham, N. Y., in 1868, and now resides
with his father on the homestead. William volunteered in
the 148th regiment, and participated in all the perils and bat-
tles of his regiment up to the battle of Coal Harbor, where he
was severely wounded and was never able to enter upon active
duty afterwards. He was but twenty years old when dis-
charged. Sarah A., born in 1849, married Marvin Gage 2d, of
Gorham, in 1857. They have one child, Ann M. Deborah J.,
born in 1855, resides with her parents.

Thomas Jefferson Hawley was a posthumous child of Josiah
Ilawley. He grew up under the care of his mother and
grandfather on the old homestead, and while yet a buy of four-
teen assumed the cares and labors of a man of family ; his
grandfather being an old rain, he mostly cired for him and his
mother until their decease. She died in 1826, and the grand-
father in 1836, since which he has bought out all the heirs
except one, and has reared his family and settled them com-
fortably, most of them within the town. He and his wife are
members of the M ethodist Church at Rushville, to which they
have long been attached.

VINE VALLEY AND BOAT ttllOOK LANDING.

Mrs. Clariuda Fuller, now an aged widow, states that she
and her husband, Henry Fuller, settled in this valley in 1816,
moving from the town of Saratoga. They settled on the west j
side of Boat Brook, near the lake, where she still lives, and paid
seven dollars an acre for twenty-five acres of land. No fami- j
lies reraah! of those who resided there when the Fullers came, j
Their children were Orrin, Mary Ann, Amanda, Harriet, Jane
Orinda and Sarah. Onin married Sally Kilpatrick, and resides j
in Middlesex. Harriet married George Breg, and resides in

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX.

GOT

Middlesex. They have six children. Jane married Corydon
Tinney and resides in Middlesex. They have one child. The
others are unmarried.

Mrs. Fuller relates that one year there were eleven rattle-
snakes killed in a field below the house, and one child
(Mr. McNair' s daughter) was bitten, who survived but was
a long time a cripple. A young man was also bitten and
cured without much injury by a poultice of wandering milk-
weed, tli3 tops of fennel and wild indigo, equal parts pounded
into a pulp and applied to the wound.

Among those who were the earliest settlers here were Hiram
Collins, brother of John Collins. He lived on what is now
known as the vineyard farm, in a log house, near where stands
the residence of Foster A. Ilixson, who owns a portion of the
premises. Mr. Collins left many years since, and died at West
Troy, N. Y., rather mysteriously. His widow survives. They
had a large family of children, who are scatteied in the West-
ern States.

John McNair was probably the first settler in this neighbor-
hood. He lived in a log house on the premises and near the
present residence of Azariah C. Younglove. His farm stretch-
ed along the lake shore and contained about one hundred
acres, a portion of which was afterwards owned by Jacob Pe-
ters, long known as the "Peters farm," and early celebrated for
its fruits, for which this neighborhood claims precedence over
all other locations, either in the town or county, to this day.
McNair emigrated west with his family a long time ago. While
here he was noted for his fishing and hunting and driving deer
into the Lake. His wife was an Allen, sister to the blind Al-
iens, Thomas and Joshua, who were noted among the early set-
tlers for thei.i remarkable capacity to get about and work with-
out being able to see. Mrs. McNair was also blind. It seemed
to have been a hereditary defect.

David Spike lived next east to the Fuller farm, sold to Jesse
Kilpatrick, and removed to Steuben county. The Kilpatrick
family are all scattered, except the daughter, who married Or-

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

rin Fuller. Robert Carpenter then owned the farm now owned
by Levi Fountain, whose wife is a daughter of Jacob Peters.

Samuel Fisk first settled on the farm now owned by William
and Charles Berry after 1815. That family have all left except
one daughter, who married Myron Gage and still lives in the
valley. One David Farout, brother to Henry Farout of Pot
ter, settled here early, but left long since. Samuel French set-
tled on the farm owned by Alexander Bassett. Christopher
Briggs settled the farm now owned by Hezekiah Green, subse-
quently owned by Ephrairn Lord, who sold to Mr. Green.

Captain John Smith lived on Bare Hill. He was conspicuous
for his leadership among the rollicking rowdies of the day, at
wedding hornings and also at town meetings and elections,
furnishing the music for the one and the votes at the other, and
drinking the whiskey of both in generous potations. He was
an active specimen of the Anti-Renter from the North River,
and stood six feet four barefoot, and was broad, bony and
swarthy. Indeed, he boasted of being the blackest white man
in town. At the zenith of his glory, a fired brush heap from
the hill top and a blast from his long boat horn would call
around him a devoted band within an hour, ready for his lead-
ership and bidding. He figured largely in the Whig and Anti-
Masonic excitements from 1824 to 1832, and was a gene ral ter
ror to all except his friends or liberal patrons. Yet was "Spinks-
ter John" a clever old fellow when one knew his soft side and
approached it with the right appliances.

REYNOLDS FAMILY.

Thomas Reynolds was born in Monroe, Orange Co., in 1780.
He married Sarah Benedict of Lodi, Seneca Co. She was born
in 1795. They settled on a farm in Middlesex originally occu-
pied by Nathaniel Weston, in 1818, where both died, she in
1852, and he in 1854. Their family consisted of ten children,
Phebe A., Eleanor, Joseph B., William, Andrew J. and Ange-
line J., (twins.) Sarah E , Hannah M., Daniel L. and Thomas
B. Phebe A., born in 1818, married Peter Lamoreaux of Pot-
ter. Eleanor, born in 1821, married Dyer Elwell of Middlesex,

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. G09

where she died leaving one child, Eleanor. Joseph B., born in
1S23, married Theda Savage of Potter. They live in Middle-
sex and have five children. Eugene, Lewis, Bassett, Fremont
and Almond. William, born in 1825, married Louisa Holley
of Middlesex. They occupy the old homestead and have three
children living (having lost four within a few weeks of each
other, by scarlet fever, in 18G4). Those surviving are Ida, Er-
bin and May. Andrew J., born in 1828, married Helen Bas-
sett of Livingston Co., N. Y. They emigrated to Otto Co.,
Nebraska. Angelina J., born in 1828, married James Delvin
of Utica, N. Y. They emigrated to Manlius, Allegan Co., Mich.,
where they reside. He enlisted in the army of the rebellion
and was in Sherman's campaign through Georgia. They have
six children, William S., Francis M., Charles S.. Sarah, Eliza-
beth and Hannah. Sarah, born in 1830, married James Sav-
age of Middlesex. They settled in Hornellsville, N. Y., where
they now reside and have two children, William H. and Sarah
L. Hannah M., born in 1832, married Lot W. Rogers. They
emigrated to Manlius, Mich., and have three children, Henry
D., Franklin and Lucy H.

Daniel L., born in 1838, enlisted in the war of the rebellion
in 18G1, in the 28th Regiment of New York Infantry, and
served his time. He married Emily Rector of Potter, and emi-
grated to Manlius, Mich. They have one child, Louella.

Thomas B., born in 1841, owns part of the homestead, but
now resides in Manlius, Mich., unmarried. He was drafted into
the army for three years, and served under Gen. Butler ; was
taken prisoner in Butler's raid upon Richmond, and held a
prisoner at Libby and Andersonville, and thence moved to vari-
ous places on the approach of Sherman, but finally exchanged
near the close of the war, hiving suffered all the pains and pen-
alties of rebel vindictiveness by starvation, vermin, nakedness
and disease.

SALISBURY FAMILY.

Gideon Salisbury came to Middlesex from Pennsylvania, on
the Susquehanna river, and settled on the farm since known as

610

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

the Salisbury farm. His wife was Elizabeth Shields. Their
family consisted often children, four of whom are living, Phebe,
John, Semantha and Alfred. Phebe married Rensselaer Lu-
core of Middlesex. Semantha married Alexander Arnold of
Gorham, and resides there. Alfred married Brezena Barnes
of Middlesex, and reside in that town. John manied Eliza,
daughter of Chester Adams, and resided many years on the old
homestead. Their children were Chester, Samuel, George,
Charles, John, Caroline and Cornelia.

Samuel married Viola, daughter cf John W. Williams, and
is a prominent citizen of Middlesex.

John Jr. married Mary Adams of Michigan, and lives in
Middlesex.

John Salisbury with several members of his family now lives
in Gorham, where they moved several years since.

ASAI1EL ADAMS.

Asahel Adams, born in Canterbury, Conn., in 17G5, married
Polly Lowell and emigrated to Augusta from Vermont in 180G,
and settled on the farm on West River now owned by Wil-
liam Wright, and subsequently purchased and removed to a
farm near Overacker's Corners, where both died. Their family
consisted of ten children, Betsey, Chauncey, John, Alt a, Cyrus,
Polly, Sally, Asa P., Lovell and Cynthia.

Betsey married Isaac Adams of Middlesex. They emigrated
to Ohio, where she lives a widow with her family. Chauncey
married Susan daughter of Chester Adams of Middlesex. They
settled in that town, where she died, leaving one child, Eleanor,
who married George Turner of Rushville. John married Re-
becca Millington, of Vermont, and settled in Middlesex on the
farm where he died and his widow still lives. They had sev-
en children, Sarah, Rufus, Randilla, Malvina, Lester, Manila
and Olive. Sarah married Minor Secor of Benton, and settled
in Blinois, where she died, leaving one son, Ianthas C. Rufus
married Adelia Hixson of Middlesex, where they settled and he
died, leaving one child, Sarah E. Randilla married Joshua
Jones of Middlesex, and died leaving three sons, Rufus P., Mar-

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 611

chenas and Frank. Malvina married George Mather oi Mid-
dlesex, and moved to Canandaigua, where they reside, and have
five children. Lester married Emma, daughter of Alexander
Bassett, resides on the old family homestead, and is a success-
ful farmer. His wife is a lady highly respected for her private
worth and poetic and literary talent. Manila is unmarried and
lives on the family homestead with her mother and brother.
Olive married Virgil Hixson of Middlesex and they resides on
a part of the Edward Perry farm, which he purchased. They
have two children, Rufus and John.

Alta married Solomon Hancock, of Sodus, fmd moved !o
Ohio, where both died, leaving several children.

Cyrus, born in 1801, married Jane Dorrance of Paris, N. Y.,
and settled on the homestead, where she died and he still lives
with his family, which consists of seven children, Polly, Jane,
Cynthia D., Louisa, John C, Melissa and Elmina W. Po'.ly
married Jeptha C. Robinson, of New London, Ohio, and emi-
grated to Adams county, Iowa, where both died, leaving three
children, Carl, Rosa J. and Cyrus. Jane is unmarried, and lives
at the homestead. Cynthia D. married Samuel Sheppard of New
London, Ohio. He died, and she married James C. Jordan of
Desmoines, Iowa, where they reside and have three children, Eila,
Calvin and baby. Louisa married Rev. Aaron C. Agor, of
Carmel, Putnam county, N. Y., and settled in Jerusalem, near
Italy Hill, where he preached. He died in 1864, leaving one
child, Ircna J. She resides at the family homestead. John C.
married Diana Pritchard of Hopewell, and entered the army as
a volunteer in Co. K, 126th regiment. He shared the fate of
that regiment, and received a wound before Petersburgh, which
caused his death in 1864. Melissa married Aaron Van Bussum
and settled in Gorham. They have two children, Emma S. and
Jennie. Almina married George A. Whitman of Italy and set-
tled in Gorham.

Polly married Chauncey Curtis of Connecticut, and removed
to Grand Rapids, Mich. They have a family often children.

612 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Sally married Paul D. Easton of Middlesex, and emigrated
to Dexter, Mich., where he died and she resides with her fam-
ily of six children.

Asa P.* married Esther Lee, of Italy, and moved to St. Louis,
Mo., where he died and left a widow and two children.

Lovel married Lucina Curtis, of Middlesex, and settled on a
farm in that town, where he died, leaving his widow and one
child, Allen" Z., who now occupies the homestead with his
mother.

Cynthia married Seth Easton of Middlesex, and emigrated
to Oak Grove, Livingston county, Mich., where they reside,
and have two children, Lucina and Charles M.

Asahel; Adams married a second wife, Cynthia French.
Their children were Chauncey II., Caroline C, Giles F., La
Fayette, Theodocia and Ozias F. Chauncey II. married Mrs.
Eunice H. Clark, and their children were William C. and Eras-
tus D., who married Valvana L. Avery. Caroline C. married
Warham B. Williams. |jThey had a son Davis, who married
Patty L. Perrine. and they have a son Warham B. Giles F-
married Anna M., daughter of Sardius Underwood. They had
one child, Alfie. La Fayette married Elvira A. Clark. They
have two children, Eunice E. andXriles.1 §iTheodociaT married
Zacharia Mather. They have one child, Lucius C. Ozias F.
married Eliza Boardman. They moved to Wisconsin and have
three children.

JAMES HAUKINGTON.

In 1818 James Harrington settled at Overacker's Corners,
on lot 9 of farm range eight. He was a native of Providence,
R. I., and married Polly Bates, of Connecticut, in Vermont.
They lived near Bennington, and there theira eleven children
were born, five of whom came to Middlesex with them, to-wit :
James, Arvin, Patience, Oliver and/)Iive. The father died in
1832 at the age of seventy-five, and the mother in 1846. He
was a soldier through most of the Revolutionary war, and drew
a pension. While he lived in Vermont he was a judge of the
courts.

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 613

James Harrington Jr., born in 1791, married in Vermont
and settled with his father'on the Middlesex homestead. He
was killed in 1832, by the kick of a horse.

Arvin, born in 179G, married Theodocia French of Middle-
sex, settled on the homestead, and subsequently emigrated to
White Pigeon, Indiana. They have four children, Stephen,
James, Cynthia and Erastus. Erastus was in the army of the
rebellion, and was lost on his way home about the close of the
war, after he had been regularly discharged.

Patience, born in 1801, married Elijah Kilpatrick of Middle-
sex. They emigrated to Peoria, 111. They have six children,
Olive, James, Warren, Jesse, Mary and Franklin. Jesse was
in the war of the rebellion, and died of starvation in Libby
prison.

Oliver, born in 1803, married Lucy Pratt ofRushville. They
settled on the homestead, where she died, leaving three chil-
dren, Lucy F., Charles O., and James P. He married a second
wife, Mary A., daughter of James Christie. They have one child,
Oliver C. Lucy F. married Thomas Underwood of Middlesex,
where they now live. He is a farmer, heretofore a merchant.
They have two children, Francis A. and llenrv. Charles O.
married Caroline Gould of Middlesex, where they reside and
have one child, Charles. He was a volunteer in the 5th Wis-
consin regiment, which he accompanied as color-bearer through
the uhole period of the war. lie was in the battles of the Wil-
derness and the campaign before Richmond : was wonnded on
the second day of the battle of the Wilderness, and re-
mained in hospital until the close of the war, receiving an hon-
orable discharge after four years service, having been in thirty-
five battles, bearing his flag, at one time, until every star but
two was shot out of it, picking the last one from his breast as
it fluttered in the breeze and lodged on his bosom, which he
pocketed and passed on. This was at the battle of Rappahan-
nock Station. He participated iu nearly all of the hard fights
of the Army of the Potomac under its various heads, including
Fredericksbursrh, where he and the color-bearer of the Sixth

614 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Maine planted their colors on the hightg, only to be recalled for
want of efficient support. He was twice wounded. James P.
is not married. He is a teacher at TJtica, and is highly suc-
cessful in his profession. Oliver C. is not married. lie is a law
student at Horseheads.

Oliver Harrington has filled various offices in his town, and
is a substantial citizen. He held a commission and served for
eighteen years as Colonel in the 26th Regiment, 5th Brigade
and 3d Division of Riflemen in this State, and resigned in 1839.
It thus appears that this family had a constitutional predilection
for military service and glory, and \vevc always found loyal to
duty and country.

LINDSLEY FAMILY.

Samuel Lindsley and his wife Rachel were the progenitors
of the following Lindsley family. The parents came to this
county after some of their children, and the father died here in
1819, at eighty-one, the mother in 181G, at seventy-six.
Their children were Daniel, Samuel, Elizabeth and Benjamin.

Daniel married Miss Barstow. and emigrated to this county,
preceding his father several years. They settled on the farm
about one mile south of Rushville, on lot 12, farm range seven,
since known as the Luther Ilarwood firm, and in part now
owned and occupied by Philo F. Ayres. They had eight chil-
dren, six of whom lived to have families — Daniel B„ Ruth, Na-
omi, Allen, Lavina and Clarissa.

Daniel B., born in 1797, in Connecticut, married Amy Ash-
ley of Phelps. They first settled on a portion of his father's
farm (now the Auson C. Lindsley farm, in part). Subsequently
they settled on the farm originally settled by Gilbert Christie,
where Ik* resided several years. They had one child, Margaret.
She married Rev. Asa Adams. Mrs. Lindsley died on the Asa
Foot farm, at "Pine Corners," where they had settled after sell-
ing the Christie farm. He subsequently married Jane Paul,
widow of Col. Svlvanus Paul, of East Bloomfield, and they re-
sided at his homestead in Middlesex until his death in 18GG.
His widow survives him, and resides at Meadsport with her

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 615

son Sylvanus Paul Jr. In 1846 Daniel B. Lindsley was a
Liberty Party candidate for Member of Assembly and received
1 1 1 votes.

Rath married Mr. Blair, and settled east on'tbe North River.
They had two sons, now living, William and Sell). Naomi
married Mr. Herriek, and went west to Michigan. They had
two daughters. Allen married and settled in Monroeville,
Ohio. He has two children, Margaret and Lewis. Lavina
married Mr. Buckingham of Norwalk, Ohio, where they settled.
He died there, and she with her children emigrated to Salem,
Oregon. Clarissa married Henry Hill of Rushvillc. They went
to Geneseo. where she died leaving four children.

Samuel, born in Rensselaerville, N. Y., married and. settled
in Gorham, and had six children, Solon, Philo, Eunice, Ruby,
Rebecca and Minerva. Solon maried Rachel Lee, of Pennsyl-
vania. Philo married Elizabeth French, of Middlesex. Eunice
mariied William Lafler, of Italy. Ruby married Benjamin
French, of Potter. Rebecca married Paul Wheeler, of Potter.
Minerva married George Shipman, and went to Michigan.

Elizabeth married Mr. Lee, of Pennsylvania, settled in New
Albany, Pa., and had eight children, viz : James L., Joseph S.,
William S., Polly, Betsey, Rachel and .

Benjamin, born in 1732, married Hannah Barber in 1808,
at Truxton, N. Y. She was born in 1785 They had three chil-
dren, Philena, and Orrin and Ryal, twins. She died in 1812.
He married a second wife, Margaret Murphy, in 1813, at Pen-
field, N. Y. She died in 1815. He married a third wife, Re-
becca Curtis, who was a widow lady, at Dalton, Mass., in 1816.
She was born in 1781, and died in 1860. They settled perma-
nently in the town of Middlesex alter the birth of their first
child. Mr. Lindsley Laving buried his second wife here, re-
turned to Massachusetts and married. Mrs. L. had one child
when married, Bersheba Ladd, and by this marriage they had
four children, viz : Thales, Adaline S., Anson O, and Myron
P. The whole family of children, including those by the first
wife and the last wife's daughter, were therefore eight.

616 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Philena, born in 1809, married Rev. Philo E. Brown, a Meth-
odist clergyman. They reside in Iowa, at McGregor, and have
one child, John E.

Orrin, born March 2d, 1811, married Dernaris Davis of Sodus,
N. Y. They live in Hamlin, Michigan, and have nine children,
Janette, Emery, Watson, Rosa, Laura, Adaline, Myron, Lucinda
and Oscar.

Ryal, born in 1811, died in 1864. He married Sarah Wood,
of Middlesex. They settled on East Hill in Middlesex, and
had two children, Elzer B. and Mary.

Mary married Orin Lane, of Potter, and moved to Jessup,
Iowa.

Elzer B. married Mary Mumford, of Italy, and settled on the
homestead. He has since moved to Potter, on the Denton
Bostwick farm.

Bersheba Ladd, the wife's daughter, married Henry Fake, of
Gorham, where they settled. They have six boys and four
girls, Irwin, Philinda, Orin, Carlton, George, Adaline, Fayette,
Myron, Emma and Ida.

Thales, born in 1818, married Caroline S. Pierson of Le Roy
in 1852. They settled at Rock Island, 111., where most of
their family were born, Thalia, Pierson, Charles and Rebecca.
They now reside at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He studied the pro-
fession of law, and is engaged in inventing and manufacturing
mining implements. He was formerly Superintendent of
Schools in Yates County, and is a man of remarkable intellec-
tual activity.

Adaline S., born in 1820, married Rev. Joseph Cross, went
to New York, and finally to Lexington, Ky , where she died
in 1847.

Anson C, boin Nov. 5, 1821, married Eunice C. Halsted of
Medina, N. Y., in 1852. They settled on and now own the
family homestead in Middlesex, and have one child, Myron B.

Mr. Lindsley is a thoroughly successful and pattern tarmer.
His farm contains three hundred acres of land, very highly im-
proved and beautifully situated about two miles southwest from

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 617

Rushville. He makes farming his practice as well as profes-
sion, and keeps a debt and credit account of all his doings from
year to year, and can show a balance sheet for twenty years.
He says he means to know just what it costs to manage a farm
and to rear a boy.

Myron P., born in 1825, married Francis A. Ingalls in 1854.
They reside at Green Bay, Wis. He is a lawyer, and pursues
the profession. They have two children, Thales and Lizzie.

UNDSI.EY FARM.

On Mr. Anson C. Lindsley's farm on which he resides, there
are three sets of barns and necessary appendages for the sto-
ring of crops and care of stock, three tenant houses and his
family residence, and from ten to twelve acres of apple orchard,
besides the fruit around his dwellings. He had constructed on his
home farm previous to 1869 seventeen and one-half miles of tra-
der-drain, of stone and tile, 5,000 rods, at a cost averaging
about fifty cents per rod, $2,850. His fences are all either
staked and carped or board fence, and amount to not less
than six and a half miles, yet his fields are large. The trader-
drains have taken up all loose and surface stone, and the soil is
so thoroughly drained that there is no necessity for furrows or
other surface drainage, and he experiences no inconvenience or
loss from winter-killing on fall-sown crops, or from drowning
in summer, and can often work his land two weeks earlier in
spring than his neighbors.

From his records he shows that he has planted spring crops
as follows : barley from the 25th of March to the 15th of April,
and corn from the 1st to the 15th of May, for several years.

He keeps a regular account of all crops sold and the amount
received, and the aggregate is footed up and stated for each
year in his books, as for instance :

BARLEY. WINTER WHEAT.

1830, he sold 1347 bu., and rec'd $ 727 09 I860, he sold 797 bn., and rec'd $ 8.37 91

1861, " 1870 - " 1103 88 1861, " 1339 " " 1425 48

1S62, " 1706 " " 181104 1862, " 1056 " " 1120 38

1863, " 1147 " " 1438 46 1863, " 1634 " " 2154 87

1864, " 1862 " •' 3722 92 1864, " 1081 " " 1457 25
18fi5, " 1154 " " 1154 94 1865, " 739 " " 1572 70

1866, " 914 " " 1012 90 1866, " 1410 " " 2936 40

1867, " 915 " " 1488 11 1867, " 1220 " " 2974 88

618

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Corn, oats and hay he feeds largely to stock on the farm.
Yet his sales of corn for 1863 to 1867, inclusive, ranged from
183 to 1547 bushels, and realized from $157.88 in 1867, to
$1497.49 in 1864. The winter of 1868-9 he fed 500 sheep,
and has annually fattened and sheared about that number for
several years, and his sales of wool from 1860 to 1867 has run
from $340, the lowest, to $1226, the highest.

His account of cash paid for labor and taxes is as follows :

Labor. Tax.

$747 00 $274 46

1438 56 S36 34

2416 91 047 29

1353 66 565 19

Thus are his accounts a complete index of the markets and
the fruitfulness of the season ; and when the fall exhibits for
each year, for twenty years in succession, are compared, the
ups and downs in farming are exhibited in graphic figures, and
he is the only man known to the writer who can show them.

Labor.
$ 694 15

Tax.

$ 76 20

76 14

S7 16

150 66

1S61

1011 06

858 42

535 05

1865

1866

1S63

1867

JOHN J. JOHNSON.

Born in Otsego, N, Y., in 1804, John J. Johnson married
Hannah Sabin, whose family settled in Gorham. He was edu-
cated to the calico-printiug business, and for several years fol-
lowed that trade, with weaving and other labors of a cotton
factory, in his native county. In 1830 he moved to Middlesex
and located on a lot of new land purchased of Augustus Tor-
rey, in the southeast part of that town. Here he cleared his
farm and his wife died leaving two children, E. Darwin and
Elizabeth. He married a second wife, Almina Galusha cf Ot-
sego Co., residing on his farm till his death in 1867. His widow
and children still retain and reside on the same place. Mr.
Johnson was noted for consistent honesty, persevering industry
and excellent social qualities. He was many years a magistrate
in Middlesex, and several times Justice of Sessions, and always
enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. By
his second marriage there is one surviving son, DamondD., who
has chame of the homestead.

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX.

019

SEAMANS FAMILY.

Oliver Seamans, an emigrant from Vermont, settled in Mid-
dlesex on the Jacobus Wcstbrook farm, lot seven of the seventh
farm range, in 1820, where he thenceforth resided. He had
three sons, William, Thomas and James. William married
Berthena, daughter of Chester Adams, and moved to Michigan.

Thomas married Mary Stratton of Vermont, and resided on
the parental homestead. He was a Member of Assembly in
1844. His son La Fayette, left in possession of the homestead,
has since sold it and moved into Italy.

James was twenty-two years a resident of Texas and the
South, and now resides with his nephew, La Fayette Seamans,
and is still a bachelor.

JOHN MATHER.

John Mather was a son of Lucius Mather, formerly of Mid-
dlesex. He was a farmer at Middlesex Center, and was a Mem-
ber of Assembly in 1858. He was a prominent member of the
Congregational Church at Rushville, and a worthy citizen. He
died in 18G5, at the age of forty-eight. His wife was Polly
Slayton, and she still resides on the homestead.

CIVIL HISTORY.

Old town records show that the first town meeting was held
in Augusta, April 4, 1797. 'Arnold Potter presided. David
Southerland was chosen Supervisor ; Nathan Loomis, Town
Clerk ; Assessors, Benjamin Loomis, Joshua Brown and John
Blair ; Commissioners of Highways, Arnold Potter, Jabez
French and Joshua Brown ; Constables and Collectors, Jona-
than Moon and Jesse Brown ; Overseers of the Poor, Chester
Adams and Abraham Lane. The town had five road districts,
and the Overseers of Highways were : District No. 1, Abra-
ham Vought ; No. 2, Jesse Brown ; No. .°>, Chester Adams ; No.
4, William Bassett ; No. 5, Warham Williams. John Sheffield
was made Poundmaster. Arnold Potter, William L. Hobart
and David Southerland were made a committee to draft rules
and regulations, which were adopted, as follows : A post a::d

620 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

rail fence, to be lawful, was required to be four feet and eigbt
inches high, the two bottom rails to be no more than four
inches apart. A worm fence well staked and ridered, or other
fence equivalent, five feet high, two feet and a half of which
was not to exceed five inches apart at the bottom. Horses,
cattle, sheep and hogs were allowed to run at large, except
stallions one year old. Ear marks were 'registered for sheep
and cattle, thirty in number, for as many citizens of Augusta,
They are described as "swallowtails," "holes," "half-pennies,"
"crops," "slits," "fore gads" and "hind gads," "brands,"
" square crops" and " forks." Subsequently there were still
others added to the list, as more settlers came into the town. "
Elias Gilbert killed a wolf in May, 1797, another in Nov-
ember and James killed one in October of that year.

In 1798, Town Meeting was held at the house of Nathan
Loomis. The officers elected were, for Supervisor,'' David
Southerland ; Town Clerk, Nathan Loomis ; Assessors, William
Holton, Michael Pierce, William L. Hobart ; Commissioners of
Roads, Benoni Moore, Jabez Fiench, Jonas Wyman ; Commis-
sioners of Schools, Edward Craft, William Hobart, Job Card,
Jabez French, Warham Williams ; Overseers of Poor, Jesse
Brown, Elias Gilbert ; Constables and Collectors, Jonathan
Moon, Abraham Vought ; Overseers of Highways, Isaac Lane,
Edward Craft, Jesse Brown, Solomon Lewis, Edward Craft Jr.,
Henry Van Wormer, Elias Gilbert. The town officers were
sworn before NathanjXoomis, Justice of the Peace.

In 1799, David Southerland was again chosen Supervisor, and
the same names for the most part appear among the town offi-
cers. John Sheffield was one of the Commissioners of Schools,
John Sheffield, Solomon Lewis and William Hobart Fence
Viewers, Benjamin Loomis, Pound Master.

The following was the assessment of highway labor:
First District — William Hobart, Overseer, 8 days ; Isaac
Kinnc, 20 ; Joshua Brown, 5 ; Isaac Brown, 5 ; Jonas Wyman,
12 : John Wyman, 1.

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 02 1

Second District — Thomas Hazard Potter, Overseer, 8; Moses
Parsons, 2 ; Benjamin Parsons, 1 1-2 ; Varnum B. Bates, 2 ;
Francis Briggs, — ; Arnold Potter, 30 ; John Card Knowlcs,
1 ; Nathan Lewis, 1 ; Rouse Card, 1 ; Abraham Lane, 7 ; Asa
Chaddock, Sylvanus Chaddock, Job Card, 2 ; Nathan Warner,
1 ; Edward Craft, 2 1-2 ; William Gaddin, 1 1-2.

Fourth District — Warham Williams, Overseer, 5 ; Willam
Holtcn, 3 1-2 ; Edward Cress, 2 ; Rows Perry, 8 ; Robert
Perry, 2 1-2 ; Robert McNair, John Stone, Robert Carpenter,
1 ; Selden Williams, John Sheffield, 4 1-2 ; Calvin Loomis, 1 ;
John Craft, 4 ; Edward Craft, 5 ; Edward Craft Jr., Good-
win, Amaziah Keyes, 2 ; Peleg Thomas, 2 ; Caleb Clark, 2 ;
Jonathan Moon, 3 1-2 ; Robert Moon, 1 ; Benoni Moon, 3 ;
Benoni Moon Jr., 1.

Fifth District — Jabez French, Overseer, 7; Elias Gilbert 14 ;
William Bassett, 3 12; Nathan Loomis, 18 ; Joseph Taylor,
John Tucker, 3 ; Henry Van Wormer, 5 ; John Walford, 4 ;
Nathaniel Weston, 4 1-2; Asa Chaddock, 3 ; Nathan Webb,
1 ; Selden Williams, 2 ; Thomas Sawyer, 1

District — Solomon Lewis, Overseer, 9 ; Samuel Walker,

1 1-2 ; William Lewis, 1 1-2 ; Chester Adams, 9 ; John Blair
Jr., 1 1-2; James Lewis, 4 ; George Johnston, 2 1-2 ; Oldman
Johnson, 2 1-2 ; John McNair, 2; Thomas Allen, 2; Rufus
Gilbert, 3 ; Joshua Allen, 2 ; Michael Pearce, 14 ; Francis
Gale, 1 ; John Blair, 6 ; Robert Fish, 2 ; Robert McNair, 3 ;
Benjamin Loomis, — .

District — Jacob Sherman, Overseer, 4; George Boots,

4; Peleg Briggs, 3 1-2 ; David Southerland, 11 ; William Hall,
5 ; Abner Hall, 3 ; Jesse Hall, 3 ; John Vought, 2 ; David Pow-
ell, 2 1-2 ; Abraham Vonght, 5 ; Joseph Mack, 2 1-2 ; Nicholas
Higler, 2; Jacob Lane, 3 1-2; Jonathan Luther, 2; Thomas
Smith, 11-2; Francis Briggs, 11.

In 1800, David Southerland was again chosen Supeivisor,
Nathan Loomis, Town Clerk ; and much the same names ap-
pear among the other officers. It was voted that $50 be raised
for use of the town, and that the next Town Meeting be held
at the house of Abraham Lane.

622 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

In 1801, Arnold Potter Chairman. David Southerland was
chosen Supervisor ; Nathan Loomis, Town Clerk ; Joshua Brown,
John Sheffield find Benjamin Loomis, Assessors ; Francis Briggs,
Collector; Joshua BroAvn and John Sheffield, Overseers of Poor ;
Joshua Brown, Arnold Potter and William Bassett, Commis-
sioners of Highways. Next Town Meeting voted at Rows
Perry's.

In 1802, Arnold Potter was Moderator and chosen Supervi-
sor, Nathan Loomis, Town Clerk. With some variations, most
of the former names appear among the town officers. Jareb
Dyer Avas made one of the Commissioners of Highways. Next
Town Meeting held at Jareb Dyer's. Among new names on
the road districts are Josiah Butler, Dorothea Hobart, Hannah
Wyman and Phillip DinturffT

In 1803, Arnold Potter was again chosen Supervisor, and
also Commissioner of Highways with William Holton and Wil-
liam Bassett. Next Town Meeting voted at Colonel Luther
Bingham's.

In 1804, Arnold Potter was elected Supervisor and Overseer
of the Poor, and Commissioner of Highways ; Nathan Loomis,
Town Clerk ; Joshua Brown, Hezekiah Wadsworth and Ches-
ter Adams, Assessors ; Jesse Gilbert, Collector ; Abraham
Lane and John Walford, Pound Masters. Voted that hogs
after six months old be free commoners ; and that former by-
laws respecting fences be still in force ; also, respecting stall-
ions ; that bulls be not free commoners, and rams not after the
first of September ; that the Pound Masters furnish yards for
Pounds ; that hogs of other towns shall not be free commoner:,
in this town. Next Town Meeting at Col. Luther Bingham's.

In 180.5, David Southerlaud was elected Supervisor and
Overseer of the Poor with John Sheffield; Luther Bingham,
Town Clerk. It is noted that the statute law concerning hogs,
cattle, fences, &c, is to be the law for the ensuing year.

In 1806, Town Meeting- was held at Luther Bingham's, and
David Southerland was elected Supervisor and Nathan Loomis
Town Clerk. David Southerland and Rows Perry, Overseers
of the Poor.

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX.

623

In 1807, Town Meeting was held at Luther Bingham's. Ar-
nold Potter was chosen Supervisor, and Nathan Loomis Town
Clerk; Joshua Brown, William Basiett and Itufus Gale. As-
sessors ; Enoch Bordwell, Abiel Thomas and Warham Will-
iams, Commissioners of Excise ; Jesse Gilbert, Collector ; George
GreenandJabezFrer.ch, Overseers of Poor; Jonah Butler,
Constable. Yoted that a fence five feet high, well staked and
ridered, shall be a lawful fence against all horses aud neat cat-
tle and sheep. Next Town Meeting voted at Hezekiah Wads-
worth's.

In 1808, David Southerland was chosen Supervisor ; Nathan
Loomis, Town Clerk; Enoch Bordwell, Edward Craft and
Ozias French, Assessors ; Arnold Potter and Abiel Thomas,
Overseers of Poor ; Benjamin Loomis, Constable and Collector,
and Enoch Bordwell, Pound Mister. Voted to build a Pound,
to be placed near where Col. Luther Bingham now lives, and
Fence Viewers to regulate fences.

In 1810, Town Meeting at Hezekiah Wadsworth's. David
Southerland was elected Supervisor, John Griffin, Town Clerk.
Voted that Overseers of Highways be Fence Viewers. Five
dollars fine for rams at large after Sept. 1st ; for boars at large,
20 shillings fine.

List of persons qualified to serve as jurors in the town of
Augusta in 1798, certified by the Supervisor, Town Clerk and
one Assessor :

J. Lane,
A. Vouglit,
J. Latham,
William Bassetr,
N. Weston,
J. Craft,
Joshua Brown,
William Hobart,
J. Thicker,
M. Holton,
Moses Parsons,
Abraham Lane,

J. Sherman,

G. Bates,

P. Briggs Jr.,

Francis Briggs,

Jabez French,

J. Walford,

E. Cross,

David Southerland,

Jesse Brown,

Jonas Wyman,

Warham Williams,

Job Card.

James Lewis Jr.,
II. Van Wormer,
Rows Perry,
John Sheffield,
Chester Adams,
Michael Pierce,
John Blair, Senior,
Elias Gilbert,
Benjamin Loomis,
E. Craft Jr.,
Benoni Moon, Sen.

621

HISTORY OF YATES COT7NTY.

Added names in 1800 :
John Blair Jr., Jonathan Moon

Jonah Butler, John Card Knc

John Black, John Wyman,

Jesse Gilbert, Peleg Thomas,

Added names of jurors in 1803 :
Luther Bingham,
Abiel Thomas,
Isaac Secor,
Isaac Whitney,
J. Hoard,
D. Hoard,
William Chambers,
Nathan Warner,

Added in 1804 :
John Potter,
Reuben Holmes,

Added in 1807:
John Wyman,
George Howard,
Job Pierce,
Waterman Janes,
Lindsley Warfield,
Thomas A. Sawyer,

rles,

David Parsb.aU,
J. Westbrook,
John Vought,
Selden Williams.

Philip Dinturff, Job Briggs,

Thomas Sanders, Cornelius Sawyer,

Frederick K. Dutch, Robert McNair,

William Hall, Jno. McNair Jr.,

A. Keyes, Abner Hull,

Joseph H. Williams, Jesse Hull,

Nathan Lewis.

Simeon Gilbert,

Joshua Green,
Samuel Wyman,
John Clark,
William Foster,
Robert Moore,
Asa Pierce,

Hezekiah Wadsworth,

Hezek'h Wadsworth Jr.
William L. Hobart,
George Howard, Sen.,
Daniel Guernsey,
Job Briggs Jr.,
Russel Briggs.

" These may certify that Betty, a black woman who lives
with Arnold Potter, Esq., was delivered of a male child, named
Charles, on the 28th day of April, 1805 ; the service of which
child is claimed by said Potter. "Luther Bingham,

" Augusta, August 3, 1805." Town Clerk.

From 1810 to 1830, the town records appear to be lost. The
Supervisors have, however, been as follows:

1818 David Southerland,

1819, David Southerland.

1820, David Southerland.

1811, David Southerland.

1812, David Southerland.

1813, David Southerland.

1814, David Southerland.

1815, Richard M. Williams.

1816, David Southerland.

1817, Richard M. Williams.

1821, Selden Williams.

1822, Selden Williams.

1823, Philip Robinson.

1824, Selden Williams.

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX.

025

1853,
1854,
1855,
1856,
1857,
1858,
1859,

1825, Selden Williams.

1826, Seklen Williams.

1827, Selden Williams.

1828, James Christie.

1829, James Christie.
IS.'jO, James Christie.
1831, James Hermans.
1S32, Jamos Hermans.
1833, Forest Harkness.
1831, Adams Underwood.

1835, Adams Underwood.

1836, Daniel B. Lindsley.
1S37, Daniel B. Lindsley.
1S3S, Alexander Bassett.

1839, Alexander Bassett.

1840, Alexander Bassett.

1841, Henry Adams.

1842, Henry Adams.

1843, Daniel B. Lindsley.

1844, Daniel B. Lindsley.

1845, Alexander Bassett.

1846, Ephraim Lord.

1847, David G. Underwood.
Job Pierce was a Justice

1821 and thereafter, and was elected in 1833. Adams Underwood
was elected in 1833 and 1838. Iltrvey French in 1833. Michael
B. Van Osdol in 1834, in 1839 and 1845. Ephraim Lord in 1830,
1840, 18.52, 1850, 1803 and 1801. Thorn is Seamans in 1830 and
18.53. Oliver Harrington in 1838. James Christie in 1840. Lorenzo
Iloyt in 1812. Eli Foote in 1842, 1840, 18.53, 1850, 1801, 1804
and 1808. David Christie in 1814 and 1848. Daniel Bostwick
in 1840. William S. Bostwick in 18 47. Henry Adams in
1847. John J. Johnson in 1848, 1850, 1855, 1850, 1858 and
1802. Francis Crakes in 1849. John Cole in 1851. Rufus J.
Adams in 1852. Edward Low in 1802. Sterling N. Blair in
1805 and 1809. Elzer B. Lindsley in 1800. Azariah C. Young-
love in 1800 and 1807. Levi B. Morey by appointment in 1809.
and elected in 1870. David L. Hobart in 1809. Wood worth
N. Perry in 1870.

1848, David G. Underwood.

1849, Alexander Bassett.

1850, David Chiistie.

1851, John Mather.

1852, John Mather.
David G. Underwood.
Oliver S. William'.
Norman Collins.
Richard H. Williams.
Richard H. William*.
Oren G. Loom is.
Oren G. Loomis.

1S60, Alexander Bassett.
1861, Alexander Bassett.
1S02, Daniel Bostwick.

1863, Daniel Bostwick.

1864, Thomas Underwood.

1865, Thomas Underwood.

1866, Thomas Underwood.

1867, James Stebbins.

1868, James Stebbins.
1889, John L. Dintnrff.
1870, John L. Dinturff.

>f the Peace by appointment in

62G HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Thomas Seamans and Forest Harkness were appointed Com-
missioners of Deeds in 1837. Oliver S. Buckley was Town
Clerk from 1852 to 18G7. Martin Walder is the Clerk in 1870.
By the census of 1800, the town of Augusta had a popula-
tion of 483. In 1810, in the same town changed to Middlesex,
the population had increased to 1078, in 1814 to 1225, in 1820
to 2718, in 1825 to 3161, and in 1830 to 3428. The town was
divided in 1832, and in 1835 what was left to Middlesex had
a population of 1440, while Potter had 2256, showing that the
increase of population had still continued. In 1840 Middlesex
had 1839 and Potter 2245. In 1845, Middlesex 1433 and Potter
2374. In 1850, Middlesex had 1385, and Potter 2194. In
1855 Middlesex had 1305, and Potter 2148. In 18G0, Middle-
sex had 1303, and Potter 2151. In 1865 Middlesex had 12S7
and Potter 2137. In 1870 Middlesex had 1314, and Potter 1970.

By the census of 1855, the town contained 295 native voters
and one naturalized, 40 aliens, 263 families, 223 owners of land,
and eleven persons unable to read or write. By the census of
1865, the number ot voters was 323 native and 11 naturalized,
17 aliens, 267 families, '204 owners of land, 14 unable to read
or write. 754 were natives of Yates county, and 1060 of the
State of New York.

Middlesex had one stone dwelling in 1855, worth $500, three
brick, worth §2800, 193 framed, worth $89,890, 61 of logs
worth $4420. In 1865, the town had two stone dwellings, worth
$2000, three brick, worth $3200, 206 framed, worth $08,860,
49 of logs, worth $3450.

By the census of 1855, Middesex had 13,472 acres of im-
proved land, and 5,172 unimproved. Cash value of farms,
$814,035 ; of stock, $96,540 ; of implements, 125,080 ; of winter
wheat sowed in 1854, 2,406 acres; bushels harvested, 22,080.
Acres of Rye, 66 ; bushels harvested, 502. Acres of Barley,
1,332 ; bushels harvested, 9,445. Acres of Buckwheat, 231;
bushels harvested, 1,941. Acres of Corn, 1,154 ; bushels har-
vested, 7,923. Number of Wool fleeces, 7,412 ; pounds of
Wool, 25,347. Yards of fulled cloth, 96 ; of flannel, 151 ; of
linen, 28 ; cotton and mixed cloths, 137 yards.

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX.

627

In 1865, Middlesex had about the same relative amount of im-
proved land as ten years before. Cash value of farms, $850,073 ;
of stock, 113,602 ; of implements, $26,060. Acres of Winter
Wheat, 1,900 ; bushels harvested, 20,8S6. Acres of Barley,
1,186 ; bushels harvested, 18,678. Acres of Buckwheat, 43 ;
bushels harvested, 863. Acres of Corn, 859 ; bushels harvested,
32,054. 8,753 Apple Trees produced 9,36 £ bushels of apples.
529 Milch Cows produced 53,305 lbs. of butter. Sheep shorn,
9,995 ; pounds of wool, 47,951. Yards of fulled cloth, 1 ; li.tn-
nel, 35 ; linen, 10; cotton and mixed, 10.

Middlesex had 47 soldiers in the Union armies during the
Rebellion. Of these, 14 died in the service, and 5 were buried
in the town. In 1865 the town reported 244 males between
the ages of eighteen and torty-five.

By the census of 1810, two slaves were reported in Middle-
sex, and the manufacture the preceding year of 14,124 yards of
cloth. By the census of 1820, the town had two asheries, three
distilleries, one grist mill, seven saw mills, one fulling mill, two
carding machines ; persons engaged in agriculture, 721; in
manufactures, 49 ; taxable property, $216,191; school districts,
14 ; school money, $193,91 ; children between five and sixteen
years old, 800 ; electors, 465 ; acres improved, 10,476; cattle,
2,488; horses, 541 ; sheep, 5,133 ; yards of cloth made 1899,
I 1S,505. This was twelve years before the town was divided.

In 1840, Middlesex had three surviving revolutionary sol.
diers, John Cole, eighty-one, Robert McNair, eighty-five, and
Michael Pierce, eighty-four.

In 1817, the total assessed valuation of Middlesex, then em-
bracing what is now Potter, was, real estate, $284,733 ; personal,
$27,270 ; total, $312,003. Lindsey Warfield was Collector, and
the amount of tax was $1,114.57.

In 1821, the real estate assessment was $231,083 ; personal,
$9,009 ; total, $240,092 ; tax, $731,89. Assessors, Lindsey War-
field, Enoch Bordwell and Michael Pierce.

In 1812, the total assessed valuation was $80,810, and the

tax $238, of which $50 was for roads
expenses, and $151 for county tax.

d bridges, $85 for town

628

IIISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Middlesex as now constituted had in 1867 an assessed valua-
tion ot real estate amounting to $457,869 ; personal property,
$46,250 ; total, $504,119; total tax, $7,982.12.

In 1869, the assessed value of real estate was $457,139 ; per-
sonal property, $34,550; total, $491,689. Total tax, $5,496.29.

The assessors report about 19,000 acres as the total area of
the town.

GRAPE GKOWEUS OF MIDDLESEX.

VINE

VALLEY.

Acres.

Foster A. Hixson,

. 4

Yine Valley Grape Co

., . 25

A. C. Younglove,

Hezekiah Green,

. . 8

Ganundawa Grape Co.,

. 10

Walter Grape Co.,

B. Gates,

A. A. Smith,

Levi Fountain,

Susan Wakefield,

Eev. N. Snell,

. 6

Myron Gay, 2d,

C. H. Perry, .

. 10

Harriet Crosby,

Ferris & Underlain, .

. 12

Bradford Claw^on,

Alexander Bassett, .

. 3

Ernst Becker,

Stephen Underbill, .

George W. Green,

David Harkness,

. 3

Jude Hastings,

Laurie Fuller,

Cuyler F. Green,

Nichols & Seeley,

. 13

Lovel Holmes,

MIDDLESEX VALLEY.

Orren S. Itecidout,

Hiram Elvvell, .

Total acres,

141

BEAU HUNT.

A notable Bear Hunt occurred in December, 1801. Four
hunters, Capt. Elijah Clark, Calvin Clark, Jonathan Pierce and
Otis Pierce, all of Naples, took the track of a bear near the
head of Flint Creek, followed him to Loon Lake, Steuben
county, thence northwest to Conesus Lake, thence by way
of Hemlock Lake to Honeoye Lake, and east around the head
of Canandaigua Lake to the great gully in Italy, near the for-
mer residence of Erastus G. Clark. Bruin plunged into the
dark recesses of this ravine, after a weary tramp of nine days,
in the hope of escaping from his ruthless pursuers and finding
repose. But the hunters were indefatigable. Their number had
increased from four to thirty, and even the boys from the

TOWN OF MIDDLESEX. 629

school house near by joined in the clamorous chase. The bear
with many indignant growls, was routed from the ravine and
took to the adjoining swamp. Hard pressed, he climbed a tree
after crossing the Middlesex line, about sixty rods north of the
house of Oren G. Loomis. After wounding many a poor dog
in this long chase, Bruin was at length at bay. The hunters
surrounded the tree. It was agreed that all should fire at the
word of Capt. Clark, but one eager man anticipated the order,
and the brute fell, a huge fellow of six hundred pounds- All
then fired, but only the first shot hit the game.

CIIUKCII IIISTOUY.

The first Methodist preacher that visited the West River
Valle}', so far as any record exists, Avas William Colbert, who
preached at the house ol Michael Pierce as early as 1797.
Other preachers officiated there for many years, and a class was
formed, to which the wife and daughters of Warham Williams
belonged. The first meeting house built in the town was erected
by the Methodists at Overacker's Corners in 1836. at a cost of
about one thousand dollars. The principal men belonging to
the class there at that time were Harvey French, Samuel Fisk,
Nehcmiah Beers, Nathaniel Emory, Ezra Fuller, Mr. Webb,
Jonathan Hawley, Cyrus Adams, Jesse Kilpatrick. Harvey
French is supposed to have been the first class-leader. No class
is kept up there now, and there is preaching only occa-
sionally.

There was a class at Middlesex Center as eaily as 1820, if
not sooner. Nathaniel Emory was an early class-leader there,
and was followed by Uurfee Allen. Among the earlier mem-
berg of this class were Robert McNair and wife, Chauncey Ad-
ams and wife, Patty, Lucy, Pamelia, Melinda, Eunice II. and
Valona, daughters of Warham Williams, and Mrs. Wentworth.
The church is a brick structure, erected in 1811, at a cost of
three thousand dollars. The society was regularly organized
the previous year by Abner Chase. The Trustees in 1839
were David G. Underwood, R. E. Aldrich, Thomas Seamans,
M. B. Van Osdol. Daniel B. Lindsley, John E. Wager and Ja-

630 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

bez Metcalf Among others since have been Durfee Allen,
Chauncey H. Adams, Michael Gage, Edward Low, Joseph L.
Green, Michael Martin, C. Allen, S. T. Sturtevant, C W Claw-
son, James Stebbins. Among stewards and clerks and other
official members have been Wesley Wager, Cyrus Adams,
Abraham Van Houten, Lewis Dunning, Levi Fountain, Sam-
uel Fisk, Francis Francisco, David G. Underwood, Marvin
Gage, P. D. Peters, R. D. Peters, P. Fisk, G. 13. Whitman,
E. B. Fuller, P. Dinturff, Levi B. Morey, S. Chaffee, John W.
Williams, G. Bennett, N. Foster, O. C. Chaffee, J. W. Cole.
David G. Underwood has been the longest and most uniformly
an oflicial member in one or more capacities, of any one hero
named. The Middlesex circuit was formed in 1849. Among
the preachers at that place have been, Joseph Chapman in 1841
and 1842; George Wilkinson in '44, with a revival ; John Wi-
ley in 1848, with a revival ; John Spink in 1851, with a great
revival. This year the church was enlarged and a bell fur-
nished. In 1833, K. P. Jei'vis ; 1854, John Knapp ; 1855,
Delos Hutchins ; 1857, A. F. Morey, with a revival; 1865,
Henry Harpst, and a revival ; 18G8-9, A- F. Countryman ;
1870, J. W. Putnam.

A small class was formed in 1831, in the Wager neighbor- j
hood on East Hill, and was kept up till the church was built at
the Center. Michael Martin was class-leader. Elias Wager
and wife, Jacob E. Wager, a local preacher, John E. Wager
awd wife, and Mrs. Michael Martin, were members of this class.

The Free Will Baptists have a church at Middlesex Center.

Their meeting house stands on the west side of the creek, and I

I
was erected in 1845. To all inquiries of the writer concerning |

the organization, names of members, &c, no response has been

returned.

The Baptists have a brick church at Middlesex Center which

was erected in 1840. The writer has been equally unfortunate

in his efforts to obtain a history of this organization. John

Perryman, a native of Rhode Island and a man of sterling in-

tem-itv, is one of its oldest and best members.

TOWN 01' MIDDLESEX. f>ol

THE SLAYTON PLACE.

About two miles south of tlie Center is the point of tlie early
settlement of Reuben Slnyton and Asahel Tyler, who came into
the town at an early day and bought a tract of land together,
which was originally settled on by one Smith. The spot where
Slayton located was long known as the Reuben Slayton Tav-
ern, and for many years since occupied by Chauncey Slayton,
who now resides a portion of the time with Mi's. Mather,
widow of the late John Mather of Middlesex, who is his
daughter, and the old homestead is occupied by Horace Bab-
cock, George Mack and Mr. Dunton. The Tyler homestead is
now owned by the widow and heirs of the late Roswell R.
Tyler.

These two points weie long rivals as the business center of
the town, and in an early day had each their ardent and almost
uncompromising supporters.

MIDDLESEX CENTEK

lias at last fairly eclipsed its competitor, and is fully inau-
gurated as the village of the town ; and to the honor and eter-
nal credit cf its people, it should he known that although a
comfortable public house is usually kept open at this place for
the accommodation ■ of the traveler and necessary sojourner,
there has been no licensed tavern or other liquor-selling depot
in the town for the past twenty years. The poor tax is next
to nothing and universal comfort and competence reward the
whole community.

This is the spot where John Walford and Warham Williams
first settled, and has been the place where tlie town business for
many years has been generally transacted, as the most central
point. It is situated in West River Valley, on the east side of the
stream, and about six miles southwest of Rushville. In Janu-
ary, 1869, it contained one store, Thomas Underwood, mer-
chant ; two physicians, Drs. F. C. Hawley and William Al-
len. William Prouty had a harness shop ; Mai tin W alder and
John Van Osdol each a slice shop ; S. T. Sturtevant a
wagon shop; Pritchard & Chrysler and William C. Peck are

632 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

blacksmiths, and occupy two shops. Within the past year a
large cider mill and press have been erected by Oliver S. Will-
iams and Edward Warner. A new district school house of
ample dimensions and capacity for the accommodation of the
place and vicinity, has been built at a cost of three thousand
dollars.

A grist mill was built on Boat Brook at an early day, and
was owned by Verus Henry. It did not last long.

Russell Slayton was the first Postmaster at Middlesex Cen-
ter, and was appointed in 1841. He was succeeded by David G.
Underwood, Eli Foote and Thomas Underwood. The office is
now held by John Perry man.

There is a Post Office at Vine Valley, recently established,
and Azariah C. Younglove is Postmaster.

John Walford Jr. built the first saw mill in Middlesex at a
very early period.

MEMORANDA.

The following is the substance of a paper submitted to the
Yates County Historical Society by Edward Low :

Michael Pierce settled in Augusta in 1791, on West River.
Soon after, the solitude of the wilderness was broken by the
arrival ot John Blair, Chester Adams, Thomas Allen, Joshua
Allen and their two sisters, called the blind Aliens, as they
were all blind, James Westbrook, Solomon Lewis, John C.
Knowles, John McNair, Cornelius Sawyer, Benjamin Loomis,
Daniel Lindsley, N. Weston, Nathan Smith, John Wal-
ford, Davis and Warham Williams, who erected their log cab-
ins. The first Justice of the Peace was Michael Pierce, who
was also the first Postmaster. The first school was kept by Will-
iam Bassett, in 1798. The first Methodist preacher was Will-
iam Colbert, who first found his way to Michael Pierce's on the
13th of June, 1797, and established preaching, which was con-
tinned at Mr. Pierce's until the first M. E. Church was erected,
about the year 183G. In 1839 two new churches were built,
one Baptist and the other Methodist, and lour years afterward
a Free Will Baptist Church was erected. The first framed
house in Middlesex was built by Daniel Lindsley, the first framed

|!JjfM|iH

(iiiiipi

111

H'''iiiiiii

1 11

III III

'"III I

TOWN OF MIDB-LF.SEX, 683

barn by Chester Adams, the first saw mill by Elias Gilbert, the
first grist mill by Mr. Fisk (a horse mill). The first tavern was
kept by "Warham Williams, the first blacksmith shop by Davis
Williams, the first shoemaker's shop by John C. Knowles. The
first marriage was that of Seth Low of Middletown (now Italy),
to Lois Williams of Middlesex, which was solemnized by Will-
iam Clark, Justice of the Peace, in 1803. The first white child
born was Samuel Pierce, in 1792. About the year 1805, Na-
than Smith built a cider mill, and made cider from crab apples.
The first brick building was a house erected by Daniel B.
Lindsley, and the first store was kept by Eli Foote.

Middlesex Center is located on the farm first taken up by
John C. Knowles. On the John Blair farm are a wagon shop,
blacksmith shop, school house, cemetery, and some ten dwell-
ing houses. On the John McNair farm are a steamboat land-
ing, a storehouse, which furnishes facilities for the ship-
ment of a considerable quantity of grain, and a number of
dwellings. On the farms of Benjamin Loomis and Cornelius
Sawyer are gas springs. On the Loomis farm the gas is con-
veyed to the house, furnishing every room with light and
warmth, and supplying all the heat for the culinary purposes
of the family.

EAGLES AND ANGELS.

Henry Bradley relates that in 1824, when the first Boml of
Supervisors organized in Yates County, Selden Williams, who
represented Middlesex, made a very earnest rq)eech in the de-
bate on the que-stion of equdizing values and fixing the rate of
taxation upon the several towns. He reached the climax of his
argument by stating that Middlesex, which then included Pot-
ter, was so poor that nothing but Eagles and Angels could sub-
sist there ! The present inhabitants of those wealthy and pro-
ductive towns would hardly be flattered by such a statement
now. Indeed, they can but poorly realize the excuse that actu-
ally existed for such a flight of rhetorical fancy, after nearly
half a century of industrious cultivationjias mellowed the soil
aud beautified the landscape.

634 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

CHAPTER XT.

M I L O .

©AMUEL LAWRENCE was one of the seven members
^uy representing the County of Ontario in the Assembly in
1818. He procured a division of the town of Benton, forming
a new town of so much of township seven in the first range as
had not been incorporated in Jerusalem, and the territory east-
ward of township number seven, extending to Seneca Lake.
This new town he proposed to call Milan. The same name
had been incorporated in a bill for the erection of a town in
Dutchess County, passed ten days later, and he very happily
changed his to Milo. "Whether it was Milo, the Greek athlete, fa-
mous for his wonderful strength, Milo, the Roman tribune, or the
island of Milo, that suggested this name, or none of these, is not
recorded ; and tradition is dumb on that subject. The name is a
good one, and no one has ever expressed a wish to chauge it.
The town was a good one, and had large and fair proportions
and great capacities of production and wealth, which have
been handsomely realized.

Township number seven of the first range was one of the
townships ceded by Phelps and Gorham to the Lessees, and
was disposed of like the rest of their land, by lot, to satisfy the
claims of their stockholders. Before it was surveyed into lots,
Caleb Benton on behalf of the Lessee Company, conveyed to
James Parker, for the Society of Friends, a strip twenty-three
chains in width ou the cast side of the township, extending its
entire length and ^embracing eleven hundred and four acres.
This area was called the '; Friends' Location," and has since

TOWN OF MILO. 635

been known as the "Garter," Thus the Friends received their
proper dividend from the assets of the Lessee Company, and
obtained laud adjacent to that they proposed to buy of the
State. After this strip was set off, the rest of the township was
surveyed by Benjamin Allen, a member of the Lessee Com-
pany, into lots of two hundred and seventy-six acres, or two
hundred and forty rods north and south, and one hundred and
eighty-four rods east and west. These lots were numbered from
one to seventy-one, beginning at the northeast corner of the
township and numbering south on the first tier, north on the
second, and so on. For some reason unknown, this regular or-
der is not followed in the fifth tier, as No. 37, on which the
best portion of Penn Yan is situated, should have been No. 33.
The Lake seems to have caused other irregularities in number-
ing, but the ninth and tenth tiers of lots, lying wholly in Jerusa-
lem, follow the same order as the first four. These lots were dis-
posed of by draft, like number six and number eight, and the
names of the original owners are still to be seen on some of
the old maps left by the surveyors. No. 1 fell to A. Cooper ;
No. 7 to L. Tremper ; No. 8, Peter Loop ; No. 10, E. Husted ;
No. 13, A. Latting ; No. \o, John Livingston; No. 17, It.
Troop ; No. 18, Benjamin Birdsall ; No. 19, M. Graham ; No.
20, H. G. Livingston ; No. 21, H. B. Livingston ; No. 22, Ca-
leb Benton ; No. 23, Henry Livingston ; No. 24, W. H. Lud-
low ; No. 25, Benjamin Allen ; No. 29, Henry Tremper ; No.
30, II. Plattman ; No. 31, T. T. Shaver ; No. 32, W. Whiting;
No. 37, T. Bryan ; No. 38, Peter Schuyler and Henry Tremper,
and so on. The names of these original owners seldom appear
in the existing records of title. Most of them disposed of their
claims for trifling sums; and the land was sold by Caleb Benton
and John Livingston to the early settlers.

Eastward of the Old Pre-emption Line and the Lessee lands,
a breadth of land something more than three miles in average
width contained the primitive settlement of Western New York.
Hereon the Friend's Society made their lodgment in the wil-
derness and made the first application to the State for a grant

638 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

of land. Four thousand acres were first purchased, at two shil-
lings an acre. This was bounded on the north by Reed and
Ryckman's Location, and west by Lansing's Location, extend-
ing south one hundred and ninety-seven chains, or seven hun-
dred and eighty-eight rods. They made an additional purchase
of ten thousand acres, at one shilling and sixpence per acre, ex-
tending directly south of the first four thousand, along the
Lake, five hundred and twenty-six chains, or something over
six miles. The two tracts extended nearly nine miles along the
Lake. They were included in one deed executed by Gov. George
Clinton, October 10, 1792, and described as containing fourteen
thousand and forty acres, granted to James Parker, William
Potter and Thorns Hathaway as Tenants in Common, and not
as Joint Tenants, for themselves and their associates. Gold
and silver mines were reserved, and five acres of every hundred
for highways. That notable deed, to which is affixed the
Great Seal of the State of that period, is still preserved by
Samuel J. Potter, grandson of William Potter. The tract of
land covered by this purchase is now known on the maps as
Potter's Location, Judge William Potter having become the
principal owner of the territory on the breaking up of the origi-
nal compact. From him the subsequent titles have been chiefly
derived.

Lansing's purchase was a tract granted by the State to John
Lansing Jr., lying west of the tract purchased by the Friends,
about two hundred rods wide, extending south of Ryckyman's
Location about five miles And lying directly west of Lan-
sing's Purchase was Vredenburgh's Purchase, extending west
to the Old Pre-emption line, and coincident at its southern ex-
tremity with Lansing's Purchase. South of both theYredenburg
and Lansing tracts was James Walker's Location, embracing
over five hundred acres. The survey of the New Pre-emption
Line brought the Vredenburg, Lansing and Walker tracts
within the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, and even cut off
eleven hundred and forty-seven acres from the Potter Location,
a triangular tract lying between Lansing's Location and the

TOWN OF MILO.

631

New Pre-emption Line, known as the Little Gore. The State
was compelled to make good the loss of their lands to the own-
ers of those several Patents, by giving them lands elsewhere,
and Judge William Potter also received compensation for the
loss of the Little Gore. The space between the Old and New
Pre-emption Lines passed into the possession of Charles Will-
iamson, and became known as the Gore, a designation finally
applied by the public to the entire territory oast of the Old Pre-
emption Line. Before the fact of Mr. Williamson's ownership
was known, the Gore proper had been fully occupied and set-
tled, chiefly by members of the Friend's Society.

By the first disposal of the Gore lands there was the follow-
ing arrangement of farms : The first tier east of the Old Pre-
emption Line, commencing on the north, gave Richard Smith
214 acres, James Parker 413, Otis Barden 200, Perley Gates
200, Oliver Parker 200, J. &. M. Reynolds 199, Isaac Nichols 200,
Silas Hunt 184, Beloved Luther 199, Mrs. Susannah Spencer
131, Samuel Barnes 201, Eleazer Ingraham Jr. 90. Mr. Ingra-
ham was presented with fifty acres of land by Capt. Wlliamson,
and sold it on his removal to Jerusalem.

The second tier of farms commenced at the north with Ar-
nold Potter, 329 acres, and directly east and alongside,William
Potter, 300, Hezekiah Townsend, 199; and directly east of
him, Benedict Robinson, 219, Ezekiel Sherman, 198, Benedict
Robinson, again, 102, Lucy and Temperance Brown, 135, Jesse
Davis, 200, Castle Dains, 245, John Snprlee, 200, Silas
St.ink, 104.

The third tier, reaching to the New Pre-emption Line, com-
menced with Abel Botsford. 1S4 acres, Nathaniel Ingraham, 46,
Jonathan Dains, 92, Benajah and Elnathan Botsford, 275,
Enoch and Elijah Malin, 291, Eleazer Ingraham Senior, 140,
John Davis, 41, Wlliam Davis, 34.

Some of these paid Mr. Williamson for their land, and some
did not. Those who did not, chiefly moved to Jerusalem. These
farms were all closely surveyed (pi obably by Benedict Robinson)
and the odd roods and rods are noted on the original maps. Old

i 638

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

documents show that the Gere land?, if not the entire district east
of the Old Pre emption Line, were to a large extent disposed of
by draft, and the names of James Parker, William and Arnold
Potter, Thomas Hathaway, BencdictRobinson, John Lawrence,
David "Wegener, Richard Smith and Thomas Lee, appear as
having chiefly officiated in transacting the public business con-
nected with the disposition of the lands.

The principal water course of the town is the Keuka Lake
Outlet, called Mnneseta by the Indians. This affords fine ad-
vantages of water power, and has been largely employed for
saw mills and grist mills, and very little for other species of
manufacturing. Leaving Lake Keuka a mile from the north
line ot township seven, it bears northward, and enters Seneca
Lake more than a rai!e further north. Plum Point Creek, at
Himrods, was formerly a mill stream of some importance, but
is so no longer. The brooks entering Keuka Lake have formed
two or three considerable ravines ; and the land on the south
of the town rises to an elevation of five or six hundred feet
above Seneca Lake, if not higher. In the direction of Bar-
rington it was formerly called Huckleberry Hill, and was not
esteemed very valuable land. It has been found much better
than was supposed. The amount of really poor land in the
town is quite small, and most of it it is highly fertile. Heavy
pine forests covered the south part of the town, aud furnished
much excellent lumber. Scarce anything remains to mark the
character of that original forest.

Of the Red Men who preceded the white settlers, but slight
traces remained when they departed. Aside from the Great
Trail along the banks of Seneca Lake, one passed westward,
south of the Keuka Outlet, and crossing near Penn Yan, passed
over the hill into the valley of the inlet creek in Jerusalem.
Traces of this path were visible for a long period. An impor-
tant burial place of the Indian dead was situated near Lake
Keuka, on the south bank of the lavine on the Thayer place, on
lot 43, incorrectly numbered 45 on the county map. About forty
years ago a heavy freshet washed away a portion of this ground,

town of milo. 639

wrested a vast quantity of bones from their sepulture, and car-
ried them into the Lake. At a later period, Jacob Thayer Senior,
while plowing in an adjacent field, discovered an Indian grave
which contained an iron kettle and other curiosities, indicating
that the burial had taken place after the Indians had commenced
commercial interchanges with the French and learned the use of
their domestic implements. The grave was covered with a flat
stone, which one of the plow horses broke through when his
weight pressed on it ; and at the sides were also stones on
which the covering rested, showing that it was a sepulchre on
which more than ordinary care had been bestowed ; probably
to mark it as the last resting place of some distinguished leader
among the red warriors of the forest.

JOHN I.AWKKNi X.

A noted pioneer was John Lawrence, whose name has long
been honored in the land, and whose family is still well repre-
sented in Milo. lie was a Quaker from New Bedford, where he
became interested in the preaching and doctrine of the Friend.
His wife, Anna Hathaway, was a relative of Thomas Hatha-
way, the pioneer Friend. John Lawrence himself was a rela-
tive of Commodore James Lawrence, who distinguished him-
self so nobly in the naval annals of the American Revolution.
A ship builder in easy circumstances, it must have been a strong
motive that led him so far into the wilderness with a young
family. -After coming here they remained on good terms with
the Friend and her Society, but did not identity themselves
fully therewith, in later years becoming indeed quite lukewarm
in that regard. John Lawrence however always wore the garb
and spoke the speech of the Quakers. lie bought for forty
cents an acre lot 3 in township seven of the first range, and on
the third day of July, 1789, they erected their tent thereon,
and made their home on the place now owned by Harvey S.
Easton, formerly the farm of James Lawrence, A part of the
same lot is still owned by Melatiah II. Lawrence, the grandson
of the old pioneer, who resides on it. The family lived six
weeks in their tent, and then moved into a log house.

640 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

With the sober, simple and economical habits of his sect,
coupled with industry and enterprise, he soon became a thrifty
and even a wealthy citizen and a large land owner. He started
a store at an early day, perhaps the first in the county, a short dis-
tance northeast of his residence, in a log building. He built
what was long known as the Lawrence Mill, on lot 16, the sec-
ond or third mill on the Keuka Lake Outlet. The same struc-
ture has been employed as a distillery for several years. The
house standing near it was erected by John Lawrence, and he
lived there a number of years, keeping his store in a part of
the building. Afterwards he built a frame house on the pres-
ent site of Henry F. Howe's fine mansion, on lot 15, where the
log store had stood. The mill proved a lucrative property,
and when a rival mill was constructed a short distance above,
he bought it at the extravagant price of twelve thousand dol-
lars, to avoid a dreaded competition. An attempt was made
to turn the rival properly into a cotton factory, with quite poor
success. John Lawrence was a man of solid character and
commanding presence. His manners were somewhat staid, with
an air of austerity, but his impulses were kind and benevolent.
His wife, who was an excellent pioneer mother, died in 1830,
at the age of seventy-five. He survived her three years, and
died at the age of eighty ; residing in his later years with his
daughter, Mrs. Anna Kendig. Their children were Melatiah,
Mary, Samuel, Reliance, Anna, Olive, John, Sabra and Silas.

Melatiah, born in 1774, had the advantages of a fair New
England education, became a very important aid to Ins father
in his exteusive business, and a good business man on his own
occount. He married in 1811 Mary Alford, widow of Jesse Al-
ford, who settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Stephen II.
Cleveland, on lot 30, in 1807, and died there in 1810, leaving
a daughter, Rebecca. After his marriage Mr. Lawrence lived
where the residence of Morris Brown now stands, on Main
street in Penn Tan. There he died in 1824, at the age of fifty.
Their children were Melatiah II. Judith A., James and
Sabra. The family were left the owners of lot 32 in Milo, em-
bracing the most of Penn Yan east of Jacob's Brook. Some

TOWN OF MILO.

641

little incumbrance deprived them of part of it, and some is still
owned by the daughters. The mother is still living, at the age
of eighty-two.

Melatiah IT. Lawrence, born in 1812, married Margaret II.,
daughter ot Isaac Bogart of Dresden, and settled on the home-
stead of his grandfather, where lie still resides, an enterprising
farmer. His wife died in 18G4, at the age of forty-eight, leav-
ing four children, Maria, Melatiah II., John B., Margaret V.,
and James D. Melatiah II. Lawrence is a prominent and influ-
ential citizen ; was a member of Assembly in 18.50, and of the
Constitutional Convention of 1807. He was the Democratic
candidate for Senator in 18,51 and 1833, on both occasions re-
ceiving much more than his party vote in Yates County, and
was only defeated by a factional defection of his own party in
Tompkins County. He was a delegate to the Republican Na-
tional Convention in 185G, and again in 18G 4. His daughter
Maria married James C. Wood, a lawyer of Jackson, Michigan
Melatiah II. Lawrence Jr., born in 1840, entered the army in
18G2, as Second Lieutenant of Co. B, 126th Regiment X. Y. Y.
He shared in all the glories and disasters of that regiment, was
severely wounded in the leg at Gettysburg, and again in the
foot in one of the b ittles of the W ilderness. He was Captain
of his Company after the battle of Gettysburg. He is now in
the service of the government in the Treasury Department at
"SYashington, John B. is a student of Cornell University.

Judith A. Lawrence, born in 181"), is the wife of Darius A.
Ogden.

James Lawrence, born in 1817, married Mary, daughter of
John Armstrong, of Milo They settled on a portion of the
John Lawrence homestead, where she died in 18.58, and he in
1859. Their children were Mary, Alice and Sabra. Mary is
the wife of Marsden Henderson of Milo. They have two chil-
dren, Ella and Charles. Alice is the wife of James Thayer of
Milo, and Sabra resides in the family of her grandfather, John
Armstrong, unmarried.

Sabra, daughter of Melatiah Lawrence, born in 1820, is the

wife of Oliver Stark of Penn Yan.

642

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Rebecca Alford, half-sister to the children of Melatiah Law-
rence, born in 1808, married William L. Way of Milo.

Samuel Lawrence was a leading citizen in the early history
of the county, and a man of force of character. lie was one
of the early Supervisors, was a member of the Assembly in
1818, and was appointed Sheriff of Ontario County by Gov.
Do Witt Clinton in 1821, which office he held when Yates
County was erected. He married first Anna, daughter of widow
Susannah Clanford of the Friend's Society. She died early,
leaving a daughter, Mary, now the wife of John Sqnier of
Grand Rapids, Mich., formerly of Penn Yan. He married a
second wife, Polly Kidder, widow, of Benton They resided
near Penn Yan, where both died. Their children were De Witt
C, Samuel, Ann and Laura. De Witt C. married Caroline,
daughter of Doctor Anthony Gage. They reside at Washing-
ton, and have a daughter, Virginia. Samuel married W. Anna
Clute of Schenectady. He died at Washington, leaving his
widow and several children. Ann married John Thomas, and
both died at Lansing, Michigan, leaving several children. Laura
married Daniel D. Van Allen of Penn Yan. He died on a jour-
ney overland to California, and his widow resides near San
Francisco, with three daughters, Calista, Helen and Augusta.

Mary Lawrence married James Stokes of Maryland. He died
leaving seven children, Ann, Mary, James, John L , Olive,
Elizabeth and Clement. The widow and children returned
from Maryland, and finally moved West. Ann married Will-
iam Griffin, and Mary married Asa A. Norton, and both moved
to Goshen, Indiana. James married a Miss West of Milo, and
was a shipbuilder at Sandusky, Ohio.

Reliance Lawrence was the wife of Joshua Way.

Anna Lawrence married first Henry Townsend, and after his
death, Martin Kendig. They had two children, Martin H. N.
and Heniy L.

Olive Lawrence was the wife of Joel Dorman.

John Lawrence Jr. married Hannah Corn well in 1817. They
lived near the Lawrence Mill, and he died iu 1833, at the age

TOWN OF MILO. 643

of thirty-seven, and she in 18G0, at the age of seventy. Their
children were Charles F., Adaline and Orraond. Adaline mar-
ried Stephen Dorman. Ormond died unmarried in 1860, at the
age of thirty-six, leaving a good estate. He was a man of good
business capacity, and had many friends.

Sabva, daughter of John Lawrence Senior, was the wife of
Abraham Townsend, brother of Henry Townsend.

Silas Lawrence married Caroline, daughter of John Corn-
well. They settled on the old John Lawrence homestead, where
Henry F. Howe now resides. Their children were Amna, Henry,
Elizabeth, Silas and Sabra. Anna married Nathan T. Madden.
She died in New York, leaving three children. He now re-
sides in Iloboken, New Jersey. Henry married Sarah Mack of
Geneva, moved to California, and was there employed in the
U. S. Mint at San Francisco. They had five children. Elizabeth
married Valentine Reimann, a worthy tradesman and good oiti-
zen. They reside at Greenwood, Steuben County. Silas Law-
rence Jr. married Miss Briggs, aud resides in Milo. Sabra mar-
ried George Ludlow of Milo. They reside in Penn Yan, and
have one child, Lydia.

JOSHUA WAY.

A native of Pennsylvania, Joshua Way came to this county
with Joseph Jones as soon as 1800. He established himself in
the business of wool carding and cloth dressing near the
Friend's .Mill, owned by Richard Smith. The place became
known as Way and Andrews' Hollow. The business was profit-
able, and Joshua Way became a prosperous citizen. He mar-
riedJRelianoe, daughter of John Lawrence Senior. She died
leaving four children, Anna, Mary, William L. and Eliza.

Anna married Benjamin Brown of Milo, and emigrated to
McIIenry Co., 111., where she died. Their children were Henry,
William, Horace, Reliance, Susan, and Mary E. He died
in 1868, at the residence of his daughter Reliance in Missouri.

Mary Way was the wife of Dr. Jeremiah B. Andrews.

William L. Way married Rebecca, daughter of Jesse and
Mary Alford, and went with his brother-in-law Benjamin
Brown to McIIenry Co., 111. He died there before moving his

614

HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

family. His widow died soon after. Their children were
Helen and Mary, twins, and Alford. Helen married David B.
Asnell of Milo. Mary is the wife of Chester M. Bridgman of
Jackson, Michigan Alfred is single, residing in Illinois, near
St. Louis.

Joshua Way married a second wife, Sarah, daughter of Amos
P. Chase, a Baptist clergyman. He died on his homestead in
1831. The children of the second marriage were Joshua, ■Car-
oline, Jane, Sarah, Joseph, Spencer, and one more. Joshua
Way Jr. is a popular physician at Naples, N. Y., where he
married a Miss Cleveland. They have one daughter.

THE LEE FAMILY.

Thomas Lee, an early pioneer of this town, was a son of Na-
thaniel Lee, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who died at the age of
ninety-eight in 1793. He married a wife of German descent
near Fishkill, N. Y., and there lived about sixty years. His
oldest son, Thomas, born in 1739, married in 1760, Waty Sher-
man of the same place, and in 1790, with a large family, they
moved with some of their Quaker friends to the NeAV Jerusa-
lem, having become somewhat interested in the preaching of
the Universal Friend. They located on lot 2 in Milo, at first
in a log house near a little stream on the east side, and the
next spring moving to the location on the same lot where Dr.
Joshua Lee afterward resided and erected his mansion. Thomas
Lee Senior died in 1814, at the age of seventy-five, and his wife
in 1833, aged ninety. The children of this couple were Abi-
gail, Mary, Elizabeth, Waty. Joshua, Nancy, Patience, Thomas
Jr., James and Sherman.

Abigail married Joseph Ross. They lived on and owned a
part of lot 45 in Milo, which lot was originally the property of
Benjamin Birdsall. She finally moved, a widow, with her fam-
ily to Illinois, and Lewis F. Ross, a member of Congress from
that State, is her grandson. Her children were Sally, Joseph,
Ossian, Eliza, Nathan and Thomas. Sally married Ira Kil-
bourn. They settled at Lawrenceville, Pa , and had six chil-
dren, Ann, Harriet, Ralph, Wells, Adaline and Charles L.

TOWN OF MILO. 615

Harriet married first Mr. Mann, and afterward James L. Barton
of Buffalo, a son of Benjamin Barton, the pioneer at Kaskong.
Charles L. was educated at West Point, married Mary,
daughter of Gideon Wolcott, and holds the office of Brigadier
General in the United States Army.

Nancy married Ilezekiah Keeler of Hudson. They settled at
Waterloo. Her daughter Lucinda married Judge John Knox,
father of the late Judge Addison T. Knox and William Knox
of Waterloo. Her grandson, Septimus Watkins, married Eliza,
daughter of James Taylor of Penn Yan.

Mary became the wife of Joshua Andrews, an early surveyor
and pioneer in Yates County, and died in 1831, at the age of
sixty-four.

Patience was the wife of Lewis Birdsall.

Elizabeth married Lambert Van Alstyne. Her daughter Anna
married George Elliott and had two children, Lambert V. and
Jane. She died in Penn Yan in 1869, aged seventy-three. Jane
resides in Penn Yan. Lambert V. married Sarah Spelman and
has one son, Edward. He is superintendemt of the gas works
at Lyons, N. Y.

Thomas Lee Jr. was a man of much enterprise and force of
character. He married Asenath, daughter of Jacob Winants,
and settled on lot 23 in Benton, the present residence of Guy
Shaw. He conducted a hotel, a store and distillery. His
place was much more of a resort than Penn Yan at that time
His largely extended business, in the prostration of monetary
affairs following the war of 1812, led to his failure, and his land
became the property of Elisha Williams, the noted lawyer, who
sold it to Samuel Wise. He was a prominent citizen, and bis
name appears as Supervisor of the town when the first tax was
collected in 1792. In 1816 lie was cue of the Members of As-
sembly representing Ontario County. In 1822 he emigrated to
Michigan, and was a delegate to the Convention which framed
the 'first Constitution of that State. He and his wife died there,
well advanced in years. They had seven children, lie was a
Colonel in the War of 1812.

j 646 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Waty married Jacob Chamberlain, and lived and died in
Waterloo, leaving several children .

James Lee, born in 1780, married Sarah, only daughter of
Richard Smith of the Friend's Society, in 1S03. They settled
first near his brother Thomas, and moved in 1806, near the
Keuka Lake in south Milo. In 1818, he purchased the mill
property of his father-in-law and Col. Avery Smith, and lived
on the farm adjoining, thereafter leading a quiet, exemplary
life. He died in 1868, at the residence of his son-in-law Robert
Roberts in Milo, aged eighty-eight. His mill, was burned in
1825, the fire, it is said, originating by the firing of the militia
in the vicinity the night before a grand rendezvous at Geneva,
to pay honor to Gen. La Fayette. Their children were Eliza-
beth A , Daniel S., Mary A., Avery S., Sarah J., David 11., Su-
san W., James B., Russell J., and Sophia P. Elizabeth A. mar-
ried Lorenzo Pratt of Geneva. Their children were Sarah J.,
Lucy and Chauncey B.

Daniel S. married Laura Gamby, and became a merchant
at Brighton, Mich., where he died. lie was once a member of
the Michigan Legislature. His children were George and So-
phia. The latter is the wife of George W. Peck of Lansing,
Mich., a leading Democratic Editor, former Secretary of State
of Michigan, and Representative in Congress. Mary Lee mar-
ried John Clark and settled in Livingston County. They have
two sons, James and George. Avery married Sarah Look of
Steuben Co., and settled in Michigan. Their children are Sa-
rah J., Eliza, Victoria, and Augusta. James B. married Seman-
tha Chadwick, and is a prosperous merchant and large land-
holder at Brighton, Michigan. He also has been a Represent-
ative in the Michigan Legislature. They have five sons, Her-
bert, Charles, Walter, William and Llewellyn. Sarah J. is the
wife of Robert Roberts of Milo Center. David R. married
Elizabeth Wells, and resides in East Groveland, Livingston Co.
Their children are Bradner, Frank and James A. Susan W.
married Charles Sidway. They reside at Canandaigua, and
their children are Mary J., George, John, Cornelia and Kate

TOWN OF MILO. 647

Joshua married Elizabeth Clute of Mount Morris, N. Y., and
resides there. Their children are Elizabeth, Sophia and George.
Sophia P. married Mortimer Hopkins of Penn Yan, and emi-
grated to San Francisco, where he is a citizen of prominence.
Their children are Lucy and Morris II.

Sherman Lee married Rachel W. Seelcy, and lived and died on
lot 45 in Milo. He was a Major in the War of 1812. He died
in 1830, at the age of forty-four. Their children were Thomas
and James. Thomas married Melinda Russagee, and settled
in Seneca Co., Ohio, where he was a man of wealth and consid-
eration, and died in 1SG8, leaving a large family. Jane was the
wife of Samuel Kendig.

Dr. Joshua Lee was born at Hudson, N. Y., in 1783. It seems
most probable that he returned to his native town to study his
profession, for at the age oi twenty-one he was licensed to prac
tice "in the art of Physic and Surgery" by Jared Coffin, Judge
of the Court of Common Pleas of Columbia Co. He immedi-
ately commenced practice, and soon took a high rank in his
profession, and was especially eminent as a skillful surgeon. In
1809 he married Sophia, oldest daughter of Col. Perley Phil-
lips of Geneva. She was born in 1790, and her father, an early
pioneer, established a tannery and erected the first brick house
in Geneva, which is still standing on Water street and still a
good house. Dr. Lee was one of the most popular men that
ever resided within the boundaries of Yates County, and his
popularity was the result not only of his skill as a physi-
cian, but his great kindness of heart and unceasing efforts to
minister to the wants of rich and poor alike. It was his lot
to visit the scattered cabins of the pioneers, over a wide and
thinly settled district, over roads that often were scarcely more
than paths through the woods. He went at every call, whether
by night or day. It was often the case that no compensation
followed, but he gained the grateful regard of the people, and
held an influence inferior to no other man in the region of his
acquaintance. In 1811 he was commissioned by Gov. Tomp-
kins Surgeon of Col. Avery Smith's Regiment of Infantry, and

648 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

served in that capacity in the War of 1812, being present at
the battle of Queenston, and one of the first to cross the river
in the discharge of his duties. In 1817 he was elected to the
Legislature, defeating his brother Thomas, who was an oppo-
sing candidate. During that session he voted for the act abol-
ishing Slavery in this State and the act, for the construction of
the Erie Canal. For the former act he was especially zealous,
and aided materially in securing its passage, which was effected
by only two majority. His Quaker parentage no doubt had a
large influence in giving him a correct bias on that question.
In 1833 he was again elected to the Assembly without opposi-
tion, and was Chairman of the Medical Committee. In 1834 he
was elected to Congress from the district embracing Yates and
Steuben counties. In 1839 he was the Democratic candidate
for Senator in the old eighth district, and received a flatter-
ing vote.

During his last term in the Legislature, a presumptuous em-
piric presented a petition asking a patent, with a bonus of
$10,000, lor a pretended medical discovery and compound,
which he claimed possessed universal healing powers. The
Medical Committee, to whom the petition was referred, in-
structed its chairman to draw up a report setting forth their
reprobation cf the swindle. The petitioner, when he learned
its reference, called on Dr. Lee and urged his claim, offering
mercenary inducements for its favorable consideration, and
leaving a gold watch and chain as an earnest of his generous
intentions. He was assured that a satisfactory report would be
made, and invited to call at the Doctor's room at a certain time
to hear it read. When the time arrived he was regaled with a
report which exposed the fallacy and charlatanry of Ids claim ;
and as its reading was concluded, the Doctor handed back to
the modest quack his watch and chain, and proceeded to flag-
gelate him with a rawhide as a punishment for the insult he
had offered to a representative of the people, sworn to protect
their interests. The universal healer made his exit as soon as
possible. What a refreshing contrast this conduct of Dr. Lee,

TOWN OF MIlLO. 649

nearly forty years ago, offers to the unblushing effrontery
of legislative corruption and lobby swindling at the pres-
ent day !

Dr. Lee was the first Master of Vernon Lodge, organized in
1809, and continued its Master about ten years, always re-
mained a firm adherent of the fraternity, and received the higher
honors of the craft. He was a generous, genial, warm-hearted
man, and a public-spirited and useful citizen. He had a familiar
personal acquaintance with almost every citizen of the county,
and every road and by-way was well known to him. It was
his lot while vet a mere boy to aid in chopping the road ihat
led from his residence to Penn Yan, though no Perin Yan
existed then, nor anything but a place to go to mill. The land
his father bought of John Livingston he owned through life,
about three hundred acres in all, and erected on it at an early
period the large and elegant residence afterwards occupied by
Thompson Bray, and now by Robert F. Conklin. He died Dec.
29, 1842, in the GOth year of his age, and his wife in 1853,
aged sixty-two. Their children were Mary Jane, Charles, Ja-
nett and George.

Mary Jane was the wife ef Dr. Lewis A. Birdsall.

Charles married Mary M.. daughter of Ambrose Hall of Pal-
myra, in 1835. He was a number of years a farmer, residing
on the old Clanford place, on lot 18. He was Supervisor of
Milo in 1847. Sergeant-at-Arms of the State Senate in 1852-3,
and one of the original Trustees of the People's College. Their
children are Clara, Fannie, Mary, Llewellyn and Charles.
Clara married in 1860 Dr. Albert C. Hall of New Yoik. They
reside in Canada, near the Vermont border, and have one child,
Fannie L. Dr. Hall is a graduate of Dartmouth College, and
a physician of note. Fannie married Col. Isham S. Fannin of
Madison, Georgia, in 1861. He is Collector of Internal Rev-
enue in the 5th district of that State, and was recently sup-
ported for Congress by the Republicans. Mary married Ephraim
W, Leonard, late Recorder of the city of San Francisco, in
1861. They have a son Charles. Llewellyn has been several

650 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

years Deputy Recorder of the Fourth District Court of San
Francisco, and st ill resides in that city.

Janett married Samuel R. Fish in 1844, and has subsequently
resided in Penn Yan. Mr. Fish was a successful men hant,
and many years Cashier of the Yates County Bank, and was a
kind-hearted, liberal man. He died in 18G7, at the age of
fifty-two.

George married Laura Prentiss of Grand Rapids, Mich.,
where he was a bank clerk. He enlisted early in the War of
the Rebellion, and served as Adjutant under various command-
ers. In 18GG he received a commission in the regular army,
and served as Assistant Adjutant General on the staff of Gen-
eral Philip Sheridan. He fella victim of yellow fever at New
Oilcans in 18G7, at the age of thirty seven. He was much be-
loved and respected.

THE BIEDSAI.I.S.

Benjamin Birdsall was a prominent citizen of Columbia Co.
several times a member of the Legislature, and a leading char-
acter in the Lessee Company. He drew lots in all the Lessee
townships, and in Milo was the owner of lots 18 and 45, though
the latter was drafted in the name of Jeremiah Sabin Jr. His
son Lewis Birdsall, who married Patience, daughter of Thomas
Lee Sr.j settled on lot 18 in 1792. He bought of Robert Chis-
som, at four dollars per acre, one-fourth of lot 37, and in 1794
employed Enoch Malin to construct the first saw mill and floom
and dam, not far from the present Guard Lock at the foot of
Main street in Penn Yan. The contract for this work, which
is still preserved, allowed a compensation of fifty-five pounds
to Malin, to be paid as follows : — one red cow, valued at eight
pounds, fifteen pounds in good wheat at cash price, one yoke
of oxen, twenty-one pounds. Malin to have ten shillings and
his hands five shillings a day ; Birdsall to board and lodge them
and furnish five gallons of whisky while the Avork was in pro
gress, besides furnishing the timber, plank, &c, and doing the
necessary digging. Shortly alter building this, Lewis Birdsall
sold his mill property and adjoining land to David Wagener,

TOWN OF MILO.

651

and moved to Seneca County, where he was a prominent citi-
zen. He was three times Sheriff of Seneca County, which in
those days extended from Ithaca to Sodus Bay.

His son Lewis A. Birdsall, born in 1801, at the old home
stead of Dr. Joshua Lee, came at the age of nineteen to study
medicine with his Uncle, Dr. Joshua Lee. He commenced prao-
tice almost as soon as he commenced study, and was a success-
ful and popular physician. In 1825 he married Mary Jane,
oldest daughter of Dr. Lee, a lady who inherited largely the
features and native talent of her father. He continued his
practice till 1831, when he entered the U. S. Army as a Sur-
geon, and remained nine years in the sprvice, going from post
to post with his regiment. After leaving the army he practiced
his profession a short time in Penn Yan, and then removed
west, going soon after to California, making a journey of five
months overland, as Surgeon of a military train, accompanied
by his oldest daughter. In California, after a brief experience
at the mines, he held the office of Recorder for the city. and
county of Sacramento, a very lucrative office, to which lie
was elected on self-nomination ; and was afterwards Superin-
tendent of the TJ. S. Mint in San Francisco, by appointment of
President Pierce. He is still an active and vigorous man. His
wife died in 1851. His oldest daughter, Sophia, who was a
woman of rare intelligence and accomplishments, married
Milton S. Latham, former IT. S. Senator from Califor-
nia. She died recently, in middle life. His only remaining
child is his daughter Kiamesia, born in the Cherokee Coun-
try. While Dr. Birdsall resided in Penn Yan he built the
house on Jillett street now owned and occupied by John II.
Lapham.

ADAM HUNT.

This venerable pioneer was a native of Rhode Island, as was
his wife, Mary Austin. They were steadfast members of the
Friend's Society, aud came with the earliest colony to found
the New Jerusalem. They settled on the Garter, near Milo
Center, taking first a deed of twenty-five acres from David

652 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Wagoner, "on the thirteenth day of the tenth month," in 1791 ;
acknowledged Feb. 20, 1800, before Timothy Hosmer, Jndge,
Samuel Castner, witness. Their family were favorites of the
Friend, and meetings were held at their house many years.
Adam Hunt died in 1306, at the age of seventy. Their
children were Sarah, Silas, Mary, Abel, Hannah, Lucy and
Lydia. One of the earliest deaths in the Friend's Settlement
was that of Lydia, who died very suddenly at the age of fifteen.
Her grave is in the family burying ground.

Sarah married Silas Mapes. They lived and died in Milo,
leaving no descendants.

Silas Hunt, born in 1704, married Hannah Fisher in the
Friend's Settlement. She was born in 176«. They settled ad-
joining the parental homestead, to which they added several
hundred acres. Silas was a man of great industry and thrift. It
is related that his father offered him a log chain, which he greatly
needed, if he would go to Rhode Island. He went and returned
on foot, bringing with him the chain. Plis wife died in 1830, at the
age of sixty-two, and he in 1834, aged sixty-nine. Their chil-
dren were Silas, Russell A., Henry, Lydia and Lucy.

Silas Hunt Jr., born in 1793, married Nancy, daughter of
daughter of Deacon Isaac Maples of Milo. They resided on the
homestead, where he died in 1838, and she in 1834, aged thir-
ty-three. Their children were Adam, Adaline and Charles L.
Adam Hunt, born in 1820, is a prosperous farmer, retaining the
homestead inherited from his father, and first settled by his
great grandfather. To the one hundred acres left him by will he
has added more, and has a farm of three hundred and thirty-six
acres. On the spot where his ancestors first erected their home
in the woods, and early built a farm house in which the Friend
often preached, he built a new mansion in 1848. He married
first Mary Jane, daughter of James H. Norris. She died in 1850,
aged twenty-four, and her infant son also died early. He mar-
ried a second wife, Maria C, daughter of David Long well, born
in 1828. Their children are Larissa, Mary J., Adaline A., and
Lelia C. Adaline, daughter of Silas Hunt Jr., born in 1827,

TOWN OF MILO.

653

married Henry Armstrong of Milo, and died in 1858, leaving
thiee children, Charles, Maria and John. Maria is ihe wife of
George Millard. Charles L. Hunt, born in 1831, married first
Sarah L., daughter of James Carr. They had one son, Frank
L. She died in 1853, at the age of nineteen. He married next
Mary A , daughter of Daniel Brennan, and died in 1862.

Russell A. Hunt, born in 1795, married Rebecca, daughter of
Samuel Castner. She died leaving two children, Castner and
Mary Ann. He marrried a second wife, Ann, sister of the first.
The fruit of the second marriage was a daughter, Elizabeth. He
died in 1803. Castner Hunt married Elizabeth, daughter of
Archibald Strobridge. They live at Euclid, Ohio, and have three
sons, Henry S. II., Lyman and Russell A. Mary Ann married
Homer W. Dunn, now of Himrods. Their children are Re-
becca A., Theron T., Florence II.. Willie C, and Carrie. Eliz-
abeth is the wife of J. Wells Taylor, bred a lawyer, but resi-
ding on the old homestead of Russell A. Hunt, an enterprising
farmer. They have a son, Frank.

Henry Hunt, born in 1798, married Charlotte, daughter of
Charles Roberts. They settled on lot 1 in Milo, where they
still reside, and are among the most aged residents of the
county. Their children are Mary, Hannah, Louisa, Adelaide,
Charles, Lucy and Silas. Mary is the wife of Dr. Eben S.
Smith. Hannah is the wife of Clayton Semans. Louisa was the first
wife of Rowland J. Gardner. Adelaide is the wife of Griffin B.
Hazard. Charles married Anna, daughter of Rev. A. N. Fill-
more. They reside near the paternal homestead, and have sev-
eral children. Lucy married James Sprague, son of Jeremiah
Sprague, and resides in Milo. They have one child. Silas is un-
married, residing with his parents.

Lydia, daughter of Silas Hunt senior, born in 1800, married
Ira Fisher of Milo, settled in Barrington, and died in 1830,
leaving a daughter Hannah, who is also dead.

Lucy married James Carr. They reside near Kinney's Cor-
ners, and their children are Lydia, Maria, Hannah D., Silas II.,
James, Henry, George, Russell, Sarah and Lucy. Hannah D.

654 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

is the wife of Alva Moore of Penn Yan. Silas H. married a
Miss West and lives in Jerusalem. Sarah was the first Avife of
her cousin Charles L.

Mary Hunt, daughter of the senior Adam Hunt, died unmar-
ried, a true disciple of the Friend.

Abel Hunt, brother of Silas Hunt Sr., married Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Jonathan Botsford, who died in 1831, aged fifty-nine. They
located on a part of the old Adam Hunt homestead, and by in-
dustry and frugal habits acquired additional land till they had
five hundred acres. They had one son, Abel B. After he was
sixty years old, Abel Hunt married a second wife, Abigail
Jaqua, and two daughters, Hannah E. and Patience, were born
of this marriage. He died in 1848, at the age of seventy-three.
Abel B. married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Abner Chase. He
resided on a part of the homestead, and subsequently moved to
Penn Yan, where he died in 18G0, at the age of fifty-five.
His widow still survives. Their daughter Mary Elizabeth is
the wife of Peter J. Seeley of Torrey. Mr. and Mrs. Seeley
have two surviving children, Frances E. and George. Hannah
E. Hunt is the wife of Schuyler Sutherland, late School Com-
missioner of this county. Their children arc Herbert, Wilmer
and Louise. Patience married Charles, son of David Wagener.
They reside west.

Hannah, daughter of the elder Adam Hunt, was the wife of
William Hollowell. They lived and died on a farm in Milo.

Lucy married John Arnold of Fairfield, N. Y., and was the
mother of a large family.

Like their parents, Silas andx\bel Hunt were faithful adherents
of the Friend, and the meetings of the Society were kept up at
their incidence some years after the decease of the Friend. It
will be observed that the fact of their becoming married after
their residence here did not interrupt their kindly relations
with the Friend nor alienate her esteem for thorn. This is one
of many facts which go to prove that the intolerance of the
Friend toward matrimony was greatly exaggerated.

TOWN OF MILO.

JOHN BR1GGS.

Coming from North Kingston, R. I., with the first settlement
of Friends, were John and Peleg Briggs, relatives and staunch
Friends. They located on the Garter, immediately at Milo Cen-
ter, purchasing a lot jointly, Peleg taking the north and John
the south part. The wife of John was EJizabeth Bailey of Rhode
Island, and their children were John, David, Ruth, Ann and
Esther. John Briggs junior married Ardery Place in Rhode
Island, and located in the Friend's Settlement with his iather,
afterwards moving to the place now owned by Charles J. Town-
send in Torrey, then on the Friend's domain. Still later he
moved to the vicinity of the Friend in Jerusalem, and was
agent for her and clerk of the Society many years. He died at
the age of seventy, about 1825, in the Friend's old house. His
children were Thomas P. and Mary. Of Mary it is related that
about 1810, while living at Benedict Robinson's, she spun in
one day one hundred knots of woolen yarn, which was woven
into cloth and exhibited by Mr. Robinso-.s at the first Agricul-
tural Fair in Ontario County. The cloth received a premium.
Mary married Ezekiel Blue, at one time a noted resident and
extensive farmer in Barrington. They emigrated to the vicinity
of Marshall, Mich. They had four children. Thomas P. mar-
ried Hannah, daughter of James Moore and sister of Mrs. Adam
Clark of Torrey. They also reside near Marshall, Mich. Their
children were Dr. Joseph Briggs, John W., Thomas J. and
George W. (twins), and Hester Ann.

David Biiggs, brother of John Briggs Jr., born at East
Greenwich, Rhode Island, in 1776, came with his father to the
New Jerusalem at the age of thirteen. lie married Anna, daugh-
ter of John Chambers, born in 1779, and they settled on his
father's first location, where they remained through life. He
was a highly respected citizen, and was during a long period a
commissioner of highways. He died in 1857, and his wife in
1869. Their children were Esther, John, Polly, David, Thomas,
Ann, George B., lleiman and William S. Esther was the wife
of William W. Aspell, and survives, a widow.

656 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

John married Aun, daughter of John Green of Milo. They
moved to Naples, where she died and he still resides with eight
children. Polly married William P. Sands of Milo, and resides
a widow at Milo Center. Their surviving daughter, Elizabeth,
is the wife of Summers Banks of Benton. David Briggs Jr.
married Elizabeth, sister of David B. Aspell. They moved to
Naples, where she died and he resides with nine children.
Thomas married Sarah, daughter of Avery Smith. Her sister
Mary became his second wife, and he finally married a third
wife at Schoolcraft, Mich., who is left a widow, he being killed
by the kick of a horse. George B. Briggs married Fanny, sister
of Jeremiah Sprague. He has retained and resides on the pa-
ternal homestead. Their children are Mary, wife of Henry
Armstrong of Milo, and Adelaide, wife of Orrin Lee of Wayne
County. Herman married Hannah Lester of Benton. They
settled on the old Avery Smith farm. He died in 18G7, leaving
his widow and two children, Hattie, wife of Charles L. Nich-
ols, and Henry.

William S. Briggs born in 1820, was first a school teacher
and afterwards became a lawyer. He wras elected County
Judge and Surrogate of Yates County upon the organization of
the Republican Party in 1855, and has since held the office
without interruption, a period of four full terms — a fact which
amply attests the public estimate of his personal worth. He
married Elizabeth S., daughter of Joel Dorman, in 1843. They
own and reside on the premises formerly owned by George
Shearman senior, on lot 31, near the village of Penn Yan. Their
children are Frances O., Juliette, Anna and William S. Fran-
ces O. is the wife of Wilson W. Quackenbush, druggist, of
Penn Yan.

Ruth, daughter of John Briggs senior, married Pelog Gifford
from Cape Cod. They resided in Milo, and their children were
Lydia, John, Phebe, Isaac, Margaret and Stafford, all of
whom have emigrated elsewhere. Ruth was a Friend, and she
and her husband both died at the Friend's house.

Anna married Abraham Prosser, who was born in Pennsyl-
vania. They settled at Nichols' Corners, and afterwards moved

TOWN OF MILO. 657

to lot 19, where she died in 1808, leaving live children, Mary,
Jacob, Jonathan, Anna and David B. Mary married Samuel
Jaqua. They emigrated to Posey, Indiana. Jacob married
Phebe Hacket, and emigrated to Indiana. Jonathan emigrated
to Indiana, a single man.

David B. Prosser, born in 1805, learned the trade of a car-
penter with his father. He commenced the study of law in
1829, with Evert Van Buren, and was admitted to practice in
1836. He became a lawyer of eminence and large practice.
His tenacity of memory and grasp of legal principles have
made him particularly successful in questions of real estate, and
given him celebrity in the profession. He has been thrice mar-
ried, and was wedded to his present wife, Maria Watson (widow
of John Root) in 1843.

Abraham Prosser married a second wife, Martha, widow of
Simeon Spencer, and seven children were born of the second
marriage, Benjamin P., Margaret, Abraham, Elizabeth, Will-
iam, David and Phebe. Benjamin P. married Jane Arnett. Mar-
garet married James Lee, and all moved to Huron Co., Ohio,
where the rest married. Abraham Prosser died in Ohio in
1848, at the age of seventy-eight.

WILLIAM W. ASPEIX.

William W. A spell was born in County West, May the, Ire-
land, in 1793, and was brought to America at the age of five
years. He married in Orange Co., N. Y., where he then lived,
Miss Finch, and they settled at Milo Center, just east of the
Old Pre-emption Line, in 1S16. His first wife died early, and
he married a second wife, Esther, the oldest daughter of David
Briggs. Their children are David B., Mary A., and Elizabeth
S. He died in 18G5, at the age of seventy-two, and his wife
still lives at the age of seventy-one. David B. Aspell married
Helen, daughter of William L. Way, and their children are
Elizabeth, Ella, Jesse and William.

Mary A. married John C. Fiero. They live on the former
homestead of Abel Hunt, and their children are William H,
Frank and John.

658 HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

Elizabeth S. is the wife of Jacob H. Shepherd, a prominent
citizen of Milo Center. They reside on the old homestead of
William W. Aspell.

William W. Aspell was a noted Methodist, and long an active
member cf the church at Milo Center and leader of the class,
and his life was consistent with his prafession.

NICHOLS FAMILY.

Isaac Nichols was born near Newport, Rhode Island, in 1748,
and married Anna Boon of that State. She was born in 1754.
They were among the earliest immigrants to the New Jerusa-
lem, and settled on the Garter at the point long known as Nich-
ols' Corners, now known as Milo Center. Their grandson,
Johnson A. Nichols, now occupies the same premises. They
were most exemplary and steadfast devotees of the Friend, and
the meetings of the Society were often held in their house.
Isaac Nichols died in 1829, at the age of eighty-one, and his
wife in 1838, at eighty-five. Their children were George, Alexan-
der, Benjamin and Jacob.

George Nichols married Hannah Green. They had one son,
George B., who married Rebecca, daughter of Richard Hen-
derson. He died leaving two children, Rebecca and Hannah,
and his widow is now the wTife of Nehemiah Raplee of Dundee.

Alexander Nichols married Polly, daughter of John Chambers.
Their children were Josiah G., Johnson A., Alexander and Loring
G. Josiah G., born in 1800, married Betsey, daughter ot Mel-
choir Wagener. They resided at Milo Center, where he died
in 1860, and his wife at the age of forty-one in 1846. Their
children were Joel D., Charles L. and Susan M. Joel D. died
unmarried in 1850, in California. Charles L., born in 1829,
married Hattie, daughter of Herman Briggs, and resides on
the Avery Smith farm,*near the oil mill. He was a soldier of
the 102d N. Y. V., in the War of the Rebellion, enlisting with
Captain Peter K. Deyo. Susan M. was the first wife of Darius
Allen, a lawyer, and resided several years at Janesville, Wis-
consin, where she died in 1868, at the age of thirty-one, leav
ing one son, Louis. Mr. Allen has a second wife, Mary, daugh-
ter of John I). Stewart.

TOWN OF MILO. 659

Johnson A. married Mary, daughter of Richard Henderson.
They reside on the old homestead of George Nichols at Milo
Center, and have had four children, Mary Ann, Cynthia J.,
Alonzo II. and Samuel B. Mary Ann married Leonard Spooner.
They have one son. Cynthia J. married Myron De Puy, a
Methodist minister. They reside in New Jersey and have two
daughters. Alonzo H. married Amanda Nichols, and is a farmer
at Milo Center. They have one daughter. Samuel C. was a
soldier of the 148th Regiment, and was killed at Gettysburg.

Alexander Nichols Jr. married Deborah Gardner. The fam-
ily resided at Milo Center, and now reside at Mason,
Mich. They have one son, Alexander S., who married Frances
B., daughter of Richard H. Hathaway, and also resides at
Mason.

Loring G, born in 1822, married Charlotte, daughter of
Libbeus B. Guile of Milo, and is a farmer and a good citizen,
residing on the old Alexander Nichols homestead. Their chil-
dren arc Libbeus, Andrew, Minerva and Dora.

Benjamin Nichols lived unmarried, and died about eighty
years old in Milo.

Jacob Nichols married Abigail, daughter of Jonathan Bots-
ford. They lived first near Himrods, afterwards at Milo Center,
and died quite aged nearPenn Yan. They were both Friends,
and persons of genuine moral worth. They had a daughter
Ann, who married Joel Davis. An only daughter of theirs
was adopted by Jacob Nichols and wife, and died in early
womanhood.

MARY GARDNER.

Mary Reynolds became the wife of George Gardner of North
Kingston, Rhode Island. She also became a disciple of the
Friend, and remained one of her firmest adherents personally
and doctrinally through life. Leaving her husband behind, she
came with her children, Dorcas, Abner and George, with the
early settlers of the Friend's colony to the New Jerusalem.
She settled first near the Friend's residence, on land now be-
lonmno- to Charles J. Townsend. She was a valued member of

660 IIISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

the Friend's Society, and often interchanged visits with the
Friend, and subsequently with Rachel Malln. She died in 1845,
almost ninety-five years old She was a sister of Martha Rey-
nolds, of the Friend's Society, and Mrs. Stephen Card.

Dorcas Gardner, born in 1779, married Eleazer Ingraham Jr.
He lived some years in the Friend's Settlement, and subse-
quently moved to Pultney, where both died in advanced years.
Their children were John, Abigail, Mary, George, Rhoda, Ra-
chel and Nancy.

Abner Gardner, born in 1781, married Mary, daughter of
Rowland Champlin, in 1814. She was born in Vermont in
1795. They lived and died on lot 22, and their children were
Mary S., George W., Rowland J. and Abner. The father died
in 1860, and the mother in 1858. Mary S. died single in 1839,
at the age of twenty-four. George W., born in 1817, married
Mary, daughter ot Daniel Husted. They reside in Torrey, and
he has been several times Supervisor of that town. Their chil-
dren are Melville G., Hannah, Charles and Mary. Rowland J.,
born in 1821, married first Lydia L., daughter of Henry Hunt
and has a second wife, Emma, daughter of Stephen Bennett.
He is a thrifty farmer on lot 21, on the old Champlin home-
stead, specially noted for breeding fine-wooled sheep. They
have three children, Rowland J., Jonathan J. and Mary L. Ab-
ner, born in 1825, married Sarah, daughter of John Stone of
Milo. They own and reside on the paternal homestead. Their
children are Rowland J. and Abner E.

George Gardner, born in 1783, married Lydia A., daughter
of Peleg Gifford. They settled on a farm adjoining that of his
brother Abner on the south, and there died, he in 18GG, aged
eigty-two, and she in 1854, aged fifty-nine. Their children were
Mary, Ruth, Abner, Phebe, George and Lydia. The home-
stead is now owned by Hiram M. Lewis. Mary married John
Bartholomew of Milo, and died leaving three children, Celecia,
Lewis and Sarah. Ruth married Perry Bills and .moved to
Ohio. They have one child. Abner married Miss Warner of
Cohocton, where they settled. They have four children. Phebe

TOWN OF MILO. 661

mavriod Peter French of Naples, and died leaving five children.
George married first Agnes Welker of Barrington, and has a
second wife, Miss Doming of Barrington. Two children were
born of each marriage, Almeda, Byron, Ulysses G., and one
other. Lydia is single, residing with her brother George.

STEPilEN CARD.

One of the company of Friends who made the first en-
trance into the wilderness for settlement in 1788, was Stephen
Caid, born at Little Rest, Rhode Island, in 1761. His wife was
Hannah Reynolds, who was born in 1758, and was a devoted
adherent of the Friend. Stephen Card and his brother-in-law
John Reynolds aided in the work of making the first clearing
in the woods near City Hill, and sowing there the first wheat
sown in Western New York. The seed, as stated by Mr. Card,
was brought by himself and others on the backs of horses from
Fort Stanwix. After the wheat was sown, Stephen Card, John
Reynolds and some others returned to their eastern homes.
John Reynolds did not come on the next year with the rest,
and only made another visit to the new country a i'ew years
later. Stephen Card was disinclined to try the hardships of the
wilderness, but his wife, desirous to come with the Friend and
her Society, prevailed, and they made him bid good bye to
Rhode Island. They settled first near City Hill. Having
brought a good stock of substantial provisions, they were bet-
ter provided for the trying times of the first year than were
many others. After a time they moved to a farm of two hun-
dred and forty-four acres near Himrods, where they remained
through life. This land was obtained from the Friend's
Tract, as partitioned to member?, at cost price. Here they
planted apple trees grown from seeds they brought from Rhode
Island. They planted them near stumps for protection, and at
a very early period they had a famous bearing orchard, which
it is said still furnishes some varieties of seedling fruit of excel-
lent quality. Their farm was selected on account of a living
stream of spring water running through it. Their first resi-
dence was a double log house, and a very good one, which was

662 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

early succeeded by .1 square frame house, one of the first in the
county, and here for a long period they kept a public house, on
the main road leading from Newtown and Culver's on the west
side of Seneca Lake to Geneva. Mrs. Card always remained a
Friend, but her husband grew indifferent in that regard, and
opened his house to all denominations. Preaching at his house
or barn was very common ; and the Indian preacher Ylalba, a
Free Will Baptist, often held forth there. While the Indians
remained they always kept a peeled stick standing at the door,
a sign the Indians respected. Stephen Card died in 1836, at
seventy-five, and his wife reached the age of ninety-three, dy-
ing in 1851. They had two children, John and Sarah.

John married Jane Brown of Steuben Co., and settled in
Harrington. Their children were La Fayette and Hannah.
La Fayette married Julia Dunn, and died on the homestead.
Hannah married Richard Wood, and they reside on her pater-
nal homestead. They have four children.

Sarah Card was the wife of George W. Hazard.

JOHN suppi.ee.
One of the earliest that came to abide on the Friend's Tract
was John Supplee. It is said that he was at the head of Seneca
Lake among the Indians and traders, cue or two years before
he became a settler in the New Jerusalem. John Supplee was
the thirteenth of a family of fourteen children, sous and daugh-
ters of Hans Supplee and Marg iret, daughter of Peter De Ha
ven, who resided near Philadelphia. He was a blacksmith's
apprentice during the Revolution, near the battle field of Ger-
mantown, and the wounded of both armies were sheltered in
the shop where he wrought, on that memorable occasion. He
was himself a Whig, and sympathized strongly with the Amer-
ican ca;i33. Among the Indians he was popular anl influen-
tial, and one occasion was a' le to divert their intended wrath
toward some traders they CDnceived had injured them. Through
his mediation the difficulty was composed. He settled first
within the present boundaries of Tcrrey, on lands now owned
by D miel F. Rindolph. A year or two later he purchased the

TOWN OF MILO. CG3

place since known as the Supplee Farm at Himrods. In 1790
he manied Aehsa, daughter of Jonathan Botsford. At an early
day he was himself a member of the Friend's Society. While
land was cheap, he invested all he could in the expansion of
his domain, and finally owned about eleven hundred acres of
excellent land. The frugal and industrious character of both
himself and wife tended largely to their material prosperity.
Eight pounds of maple sugar in some instances bought an acre
of land. At first they pounded corn in the hollow of a white
oak stump, to fit it for cooking, and afterwards he carried many
a grist on his back to mill. At an early day he erected a
distillery, which though a profitable enterprise, financially con-
sidered, was one he afterwards regretted. A better enterprise
was the erection of a grist mill in 1H15 on the Plum Point
Creek, about half a mile east of Himrods. lie also built two
saw mills on the same stream. In 1S25 he constructed two
small river boats, called respectively Trader and Farmer, on
which he transported lumber, flour and other products to Al-
bany. Religious meetings were often held at his house, and he
was himself much given to religious speculation, liku many
others of his day. I lis wife died in 1829, and he at.the age of
eighty-three in 1841 Their children were Peter, John and
Jonathan.

Peter was born in 1793, and being one of the earliest births
in the Friend's Settlement, the event was duly celebrated, the
Indians taking part and making presents in honor of the occa-
sion. Peter was a Lieutenant in the War of 1812, and was
engaged under Gen. Scott, then a Colonel, at the battle of Fort
Erie. He married Abigail Jones, and settled near Himrods.
Their children were Daniel, Rebecca,Timothy and Aehsa. Dan-
iel married Mary, daughter of Silas Spink. They reside in
Starkey, two miles north of Dundee. They have two daugl -
ters, Sabelia and Frances. Sabelia married Cyrus McLean of
New York, now a merchant at Dundee. They have a daugh-
ter Anna. Frances married Byron Wightman, a merchant at
Providence, R. I. they have a son, Byron S. Rebecca, daugh-

661 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

ter of Peter Supplee, married Daniel Sprowls. They reside in
Starkey, two miles south of Him rods, and have a daughter
Mary, the wife of John R. Beardslee of Starkey. Timothy,
born in 1819, married Catharine Van Lew of Starkey, and set-
tled on the paternal homestead, where he has recently erected
a fine residence. He is a farmer of enterprise and thrift They
have a daughter, Alwilda, the wife of Frank E. Beltzhoover, a
lawyer at Carlisle, Pa. Achsa is the wife of Aaron Dains, a
thrifty farmer residing near Himrods, on the original property
of John Supplee. They have one son, Nelson.

John Supplee Jr. married Julia Longcor of Starkey, settled
on the paternal homestead, and died leaving two children, Mary
and Willie. Mary married Thomas Davis, and resides at Milo
Center. He died leaving one child, and she married a second
husband, Joseph Lurnm. Willie is single.

Jonathan married Anna Wisner of Milo, and settled on lands
left by his father. They had three childien, John, George and
Achsa J. John married Henrietta Foster of Seneca County,
and resides in Starkey. Their children are Anna and Albert,
twins, and another. George married Sarah Smith of Starkey,
and finally settled at Ovid, Michigan. They have two chil-
dren. Achsa J. is the Avife of Daniel F. Randolph of Torrey.

Rebecca, a sister of John Supplee, was the wife of David
Wagener, from whom the notable family of Wageners in Yates
County have descended.

Mary, another sister of John Supplee, married first John Bar-
tleson, and afterwards was the wife of Ezekiel Shearman, and
the mother of another noted family of Yates County.

Rachel, daughter of Peter Supplee, a brother of John, was
the wife of Morris F. Sheppard, and the mother of another
family distinguished in the annals of Yates County.

sir, AS SPINK.

One of the Friends who came in 1790, rowing their passage
up the Mohawk and Seneca Rivers, was Silas Spink. Amoug
the little company that thus toiled their way to the New Jeru-
salem at that time were Margaret and Orpha Scott, and their

TOWN OF MILO.

mother and several others, elsewhere named. Of that little
company, Margaret is still among the living, now the aged
widow of Elijah Botsford and mother of Samuel Botsford of
Jerusalem.

Silas Spink was born at Wickford, Rhode Island, in 1757.
He was an honest and faithful adherent of the Universal Friend,
and it is said, in deference to her teachings, remained a single
man till he was upwards ot sixty. He settled en the Gore,
taking about one hundred acres of what was originally pur-
chased for the Friends, which he must have afterwards pur-
chased of Charles Williamson. He largely increased his pos-
sessions by an industrious, frugal life, and at his decease had
about seven hundred acres of land and a large personal estate.
In 1818 he married Marbra Briggs, widow of Joseph Hall, born
in Rhode Island in 1784. He died in 1830, and she survived
him forty years. Their children were Mary and Silas W.

Mary is the wife of DanielaSupplee. Silas W., born in 1825,
married Mary A., daughter of David Henderson. They reside
on the old homestead of Silas Spink, and have one adopted
child, Sabelia F.

The wife of Silas Spink by a previous marriage was the
mother of Oliver R. Hall. She died in 1870, at the age of
eighty-six. Oliver R. Hall, born in 1803, -married Abigail,
daughter of John Fitzwater. They resided formerly on Bluff
Point, now live in Starkey, and have one sou, Nelson.

ELIPIIAT,ET NORMS.'

One of the noted men of the early settlement was Eiiphalet
Norris, who was born near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in
17G3. lie was a merchant, and resolved to try his fortune in
the Genesee Country. Starting with a small stock of goods,
he reached Fort Stanwix, and found his purse exhausted. Here
he was overtaken by Charles Williamson, avIio, ascertaining his
destination, with characteristic generosity loaned him money to
• proceed. This must have been in 1792, the year that Mr. Will-
iamson first visited the country. Mr. Norris came on with his
little store by means of batteaux, and finally landed at the

66G HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

point thereafter known as the Norris Landing, where he opened
his store in a log structure of primitive character. His trade
was largely with. the Indians, of whom he bought furs, giving
them powder, lead, clothing and "fire water," in exchange. His
trade was profitable, and he soon paid the loan of Mr. Will-
iamson, who was his warm friend. It is related that the Friend,
who was doubtless incensed by the bad influence of his whisky
on the Indians, sent some members of her Society to remon-
strate with him. The story goes that he very adroitly avoided
the subject, knowing their errand, and setting before them some
of his best spirits, they were so much mellowed as to forget then-
mission, and he escaped the threatened wrath.

In 1793 Eliphalet Norris married Mary, daughter of Thomas
Hath way, senior, a beautiful young woman of twenty-three.
He continued prosperous many years, and was a leading man,
becoming an extensive landholder. He was one of the early Su-
pervisors of Jerusalem, and was a very active business man.
But owing to bad luck in trade and habits that blighted him,
like many others, he finally failed and moved to Maryland, liv-
ing first at Havre de Grace and afterwards in Baltimore County,
where he died in 1821. The next year Mrs. Norris returned
with her four surviving sons and settled on two hundred acres
left her by her father, on" the^ Friend's Tract, about two milts
north of llimrods. There she died in 1847, at the age of sev-
enty-six. Their children were Thomas II. , Benjamin G , George
W., James II. and Joshua F.

Thomas II., born in 1795, marriedtElecta, daughter of Thomas
Raplee. They settled on the mother's homestead, and now own
his and two other shares of that estate. Before dividing with his
sons he had three hundred acres, mostly adjoining. Their chil-
dren are John W., Thomas R., Mary Ann, Myron, Helen and
Caroline. John W., born in 1830, married Sarah, daughter of
George W. Hazard. They reside on a part of the homestead.
Thomas R., born in 1835, married Sarah, daughter of Abra-
ham W. Shearman. They live near and north of Thomas R.
Mary Ann, born in 1833, is the second wife of Griffin B. Hazard

TOWN OF MILO.

661

ofTorrey, Myron, born in 1839, is unmarried and resides with
Ids father, as do Helen and Caroline.

Benjamin E., born in 1797, married Orilla, daughter of Ezra
Raplee. They resided in Milo till 1850, when they moved to
Hay ward Co., Maryland. All their children married and set-
tled there except Oliver, the youngest son, who returned with
his parents to Milo in 18G8. Their children are George R.
Charles W., Amarillis, Ann, Almira, Mary J., Susan M., and
Oliver G. George R. married Eliza A. Aler, and they have
three children. Charles W. married Elizabeth A. Hunger, and
they have two children. Amarillis married George Cress well,
and they have four children. Ann married John J. Brown, and
they have three children. Almira married John T. Smith, and
they have three children. Mary J. married Washington Gor-
such. Susan M. died single, and Oliver G. is unmarried.

George W. died single in Maryland.

James H., born in in 1801, married a daughter of William
Baskin of Starkey. lie settled in that town, and died there in
1819. They had one daughter, who was the first wife of Adam
Hunt, and died early.

Joshua F., born in 1808, married Semantha Kress of Star-
key. They reside in Barrington, and their children are Nel-
son, John, James, Mary and Susan. John is married and re-
sides in Barrington. The others are single.

Elizabeth, another daughter of Thomas Hathaway senior,
and sister of Mrs. Eliphalet Norris, married Judge Joshua Fer-
ris of Tioga County, a man of note and high public consid-
eration.

SAMUEL CASTNER.

This highly respected pioneer of Yates County, was born in
1762, in Montgomery Co., Pa. His father, also Samuel, came
from Holland with two brothers, and though a mechanic,
worked at farming. He was a man of fair culture for his day,
and of excellent character. His son Samuel preserved a
number of his letters, which are still kept by his descendants,
and express the sentiments of a pious and affectionate parent.

688 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Samuel Castner, the subject of our history, married in 1795
Mary Magdalene, oldest daughter of David Wagtner, who was
four years his junior. She had previously been to the New Je-
rusalem with her father, making the journey through tbe wil-
derness on horseback. While her father was clearing land on
which Penn Yan is located, with a large number of hands, she
was matron for the whole company. She returned to Pennsyl-
vania with her father for a short stay, and remained to marry-
The newly wedded couple moved the same year iuto a rude log
house in what was called Smith's Hollow, not far from the
present location of the oil mill. In 1805 they moved into a
small new frame house on the road leading from the Hollow to
Nichols' Corners, on the Garter, where J. Lockwood now re-
sides. In 1816 they built a larger house, in which they re-
sided through life. They were among the first to enjoy the
luxury of fine fruit, for which they became quite noted. Samuel
Castner was an honored member of the Methodist Church, and
a citizen held in the highest esteem. lie died at the age of
seventy-five, and his wife at the age of eighty-two. Their chil-
dren were Rebecca, Mary Ann, Rachel W., Ann M., Elizabeth
and Susan S.

Rebecca, born in 1796, was the first wife of Russell A. Hunt, j
She died in 1826.

Mary Ann, born in 1798, was the wife of Deacon Alfred Ar-
nold. She is still living with her daughter, Mrs. Seth Jones, in
Geneva. Her husband, who was long a citizen on the Garter,
adjoining the Castner homestead, died in 1865, leaving five
children, Lenderman, Samuel, Julia, Rebecca and Rachel.

Rachel W., born in 1801, married Nathaniel Draper in 1824.
They resided at Rochester, where she still lives, a widow.

Ann M., born in 1807, was the second wife of Russell A.
Hunt. They were married in 1827. She is now a widow, liv-
ing with her only child, Elizabeth, wife of J. Wells Taylor.

Elizabeth P. was the wife of Charles G. Tuthill, and died in
1865, leaving five children.

Susan S., born in 1815, married Thomas Gibbs in 1840. They
settled on the homestead, and moved thence to Rochester,
where she died in 1849.

TOWN OF MILO. G69

THE FITZWATERS.

George Fitzwater was born at Whitepain, Montgomery Co.,
Pa., in 1759, and there married Hannah Davids, born in 1758.
He was of English and she of Welsh descent. In 1799 they
came with all their children to what is now Milo, bringing all
their effects, including a round mahogany table, in one four-
horse Pennsylvania wagon. One chair Avas also brought, which
is still an heir-loom in the family. Some of their relatives ac-
companied them the first day, reluctant to part, as they never
expected to see them again. The mother of Mrs. Fitzwater pre-
dicted their massacre by the Indians. From^Torthumberland they
came by the celebrated road of Charles Williamson to Painted
Post, camping out sometimes at night, and nearly wearing out
their horses in the rough and toilsome journey. Their road was
by way of Conhocton Valley to S.i.vona, where a tav ern was
kept by one Corbett, thence by way of Mud Creek and Bar- j
tie's Hollow to Teeple's tavern in Fredericktown. At that place
the teams gave out, and John, the oldest son, was sent to get j
help of Samuel Castner, who went to their aid with two yoke of
oxen. Under his roof they ended, June 11th, a tedious jour-
ney of three weeks. The mother had ridden on horseback, and
the children, except the youngest, had walked most of the way.
Mr. Castner was at that late period in the midst of corn
planting. They remained with him till the folloAving spring,
when they moved on a farm of four hundred mid forty acres
they had purchased of Silas Spink for twenty shillings an acre.
This was one mile north of Himrods, and there they remained
through life. They settled in the midst of old neighbors
and relatives who had preceded them. During the first sum-
mer Mrs. Fitzwater and her daughter Sarah rode on horseback,
and George followed on foot, through the woods to attend a
meeting in a log house near the present residence of Melatiah
H. Lawrence. The preacher was James Smith, a Methodist
from Pennsylvania. The father returned to Pennsylvania in
the fall of 1799, for supplies, bringing back dried fruit, seeds for
orchard planting, a cow, and a tin plate stove, which was a

HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

great curiosity in the new settlement. Some of the fruit trees
they planted in the early years are still in bearing The house
of Stephen Card and that of Mr. Eddy, at what is now Eddy-
town, were the only habitations in 1803 between George Fitz-
water's and the head of Seneca Lake. John Supplee built the
first saw mill in that vicinity, but in what year is not recorded.
In 1803 a log school house was erected, and Abigail Botsford,
afterwards Mrs. Jacob Nichols, was the first teacher. Two
frame school houses have succeeded the log structure, on the
same spot. In 1806 Bishop Asbury preached at the house of
George Fitzwater. He was attended by Uev. David Ilitt. A
great crowd of people collected to hear the Bishop, many com-
ing long distances. Stewart Cohoon and Charity Culver pre-
sented themselves to be married by the Bishop, and were dis-
appointed by having the duty assigned to his assistant. The
Bishop, however, graced the occasion with his presence. For
many years the neighbors would unite in making up a boat
load of wheat, cheese and pork, and with a pine bush for a
sail would proceed to Catharine. Thence they would draw the
produce with teams to Newtown, and exchange it for family
supplies. The Fitzwater family were Methodists, but were
sometimes visited by the Friend. Mrs. Fitzwater died at the
age of seventy-five in 1833, and her husband in 1841 at the
advanced age of eighty-two. Their children were John, Sarah,
George, Hannah and Thomas, twins, and Rachel.

.lohn, born in 1782, married Peace, daughter of Jonathan
Botsford. They first lived on a portion of the homestead, and
subsequently bought the John S. Underwood farm in Jerusalem
and resided there through life. He died at seventy-two. Their
children were John C, Abigail, David, Achsah, George, Sa-
rah and Elijah. John C, born in 1800, married Jane Irwin of
Milo, and lives on Bluff Point, They have five children, David,
Firman, Peace R., Charles II. and John. David married Har-
riet Matigus. They reside at Dresden, and have one son, Clay.
Firman married Delia, sister of Harriet Mangus. They live on
Bluff Point. Peace R. married John Finnegan. They live in Milo

TOWN OF MILO. 671

and have a daughter Etta. The others are single. Abigail is the
wife of Oliver R. Hall. David married Cornelia Pulver of Italy
and resides south of Italy Hill. They have one child, Henrietta.
Achsah married Hartshorn Bennett of Milo. They reside at
Hastings, Mich. George married first Clarinda A. Almy, sec-
ond, Olive Hazleton, and has a third wife, Caroline Janes.
He has three children by the third marriage. Sarah is the wife
of Nathaniel Keech. Elijah married Esther Chapman of Jeru-
salem. They reside in Potter, near Shearman's Hollow, and
their children are George and two others.

Sarah, daughter of Georgp Fitzwater, born in 1786, died un-
married on the homestead.

George Fitzwater Jr., born in 1789, also lived unmarried. He
was a thrifty, estimable citizen, and died at the age of eighty
in 1869.

Hannah, born in 1794, also led a sirgle life, and died on the
homestead iu 1869, at the age of seventy-five.

Thomas, born in 1794, married Hannah Owen of Milo. They
reside on lot 23 in Milo, where they settled in 1837. Their chil-
dren arc George T. and Mary Ann. George T. married Abigail
Eldred and resided on the homestead of his grandfather, where
he died in 1842 at the age of twenty-four, leaving two children,
Thomas G and Mary E. Thomas G. married Mary, daughter
of Joshua Raplee of Barrington, and resides there. Mary E.
married Hiram Raplee, brother of Mary. The widow of George
T. Fitzwater is the fourth wife of Joshua Raplee.

Rachel, born in 1796, was the wife of Seth Jones.

JOSIAII JONKS.

In 1806 Josiah Jones emigrated from his native Rhode Island
to the town of Vernon, and settled near Himrods. His wife
was Sarah Ellis, also a native of Rhode Island. He died
advanced in years, and she in 1851, aged eighty-eight.
Their children were Timothy, Seth, Nancy, Abigail, Eunice
and Lydia, twins. Timothy married Rachel Davis, and died at
the age of sixty. Their children were Silas E., Russell, Josiah,
Catharine and Joshua L. Silas E. married Fanny Eldred, lived

672 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

a number of years at Himrods, and moved to Clinton, Mich.
His surviving children are George N., Mary, Adelia and Will-
iam. Mary married Ralph Hollister in Michigan. Russell died
single in 1856. Josiah resides with his brother Silas, single.
Cathaiine married a Mr. Boyce in Michigan, who died leav-
ing one child, Chauncey. Joshua L. is single, residing at
Himrods.

Seth Jones, born in 1786, married Rachel Fitz water, and lived
near Himrods, dying in 1867. Their children were George
L., Asa L , Loring G., Seth N., and Allen. George L., born
in 1825, owns the old homestead of the Fitzwaters, and is a
leading citizen of the town. lie married Mary, daughter of
Samuel Embree, in 1867. Asa L. and Loring G. are unmar-
ried and reside on the same farm in Starkey. Seth K. mar-
ried Margaret, daughter of Miles G. Raplee in 1858. They
have one child, Herbert. Allen C. married Eliza, daughter
of Moses Raplee, in 1835.

Nancy married Jonas Perry of Otsego Co. They have ten
children.

Abigail was the wife of Peter Supplee, son of John Supplee.

Eunice was the wife of Jesse Davis, and died in 1851.

Lydia married Nathaniel, brother of Jesse Davis. They
resided in Milo till recently, and had eight children. They are
all now west except Josiah, who married Catharine Coykendall
and resides at Shingle Point. They have one daughter.

RICHARD IILXDKRSOX.

A native of Ireland, Richard Henderson was born in 1766,
and came at seven years of age with his parents to Pennsylva-
nia. In the Revolutionary War he drove a baggage wagon
for the American Army. He was a surveyor, and came with
David Wagener to the Genesee Country, where he was much
employed by Charbs Williamson and others in the survey of
land. On one occasion h,e was offered a township in payment
of his services, and refused it. The land would have made him
a large fortune. While surveying in Cayuga County, some In-
dians stole his compass, and but for the good fortune of meet-

TOWN OF MILO.

ing other friendly Indians, lie could not have found his way
hack to camp. He married Maria, daughter of David Wagerier,
in 1795, and they settled on a large tract of land midway be-
tween Milo Center and Ilimrods, and there remained while they
lived. They moved directly into the woods, conveying their
property on an ox sled. They were early and ardent Metho-
dists; their house was the home of hospitality, and the itine-
rant preachers of the early days always had a cordial welcome
under their roof. In fact it was the place for holding quarterly
and other meetings for many years. Their old mansion, which
was a house of fine pretensions in its day, was built in 1811,
and is still in good preservation. It was improved by James
C. Longwell, who subsequently owned it. He died in 1850,
aged eighty-four, and his wife in 1864, aged eighty-seven. Their
children were Samuel, David, Maria, Mary, Rebecca, Elizabeth,
Richard, Anna, Jane, Harriet, James W. and Rachel W. Sam-
uel, born in 1797, married Henrietta Arnold of Herkimer Co.,
N. Y.j and lived on the Bath road, on the farm now owned by
Richard Jillett. Their children were Lucy, James A. and
Harriet, Lucy married Richard Jillett. James A. married
Mary Abbey, and resides in Milo. They have threes children.
Harriet married John Smith, son of John J Smith of Starkey,
and died leaving one child.

David, born in 1798, married Phebe Pitney. They had two
children, Caroline and Mary Ann. Caroline married William
Eldred of Milo. They live near Ilimrods and have two
sons, Le Grant and George. Mary -Ann is the wife of Silas
W. Spink.

Maria, born in 1800, was the wife of Samuel Jillett. Mary,
born in 1803, is the wife of Johnson A. Nichols. Rebecca, born
in 1805, married George B. Nichols, and is now the wife of Ne-
hemiah Raplee. Elizabeth, born in 1807, is the wife of Caleb
J. Legg.

Richard, born in 1810, married Rosalinda, daughter of
Ira Smith, aud died a few years since, leaving five sons, Sam-
uel, Charles, Marsden and Marvin (twins), and Allen. Samuel,

674 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Charles and Allen are single, residing on portions of the fath-
er's homestead on the Gore, north of Milo Center. Marsden
married Mary, daughter of James Lawrence. Marvin married
Irene, daughter of Peter Meserole. and resides on a por-
tion of the paternal homestead.

Jane, born in 1814, married Smith L. Mallory. Anna, born
in 1815, married Barnum D. Mallory.

Harriet, born in 1816, married Lewis Millard of Starkey.
They emigrated to Loudon Co., Va., and since the war
have returned to Milo. For a time he was confined in Libby
Prison by the rebels, and was finally released through the ef-
forts of his wife. Their children are Myron, Jane, George,
Willis, Frank, Stacey, Anna and Ilersey.

James W., born in 1819, married Martha A., daughter of
Philip Drake of Milo, and is a substantial farmer in Milo. They
have two children, Marion and Josephine.

Rachel A., born in 1821, is the wife of James C. Longwell.

GEOlJGE GOUNDHY.

Wyckliffe, England, was the birthplace of George Goundry
and his wife, Elizabeth Ileslop. Ho was a miller, as had been
his ancestors for three preceding generations, and tenants of
the same mill at Wyckliffe. His son preceded him in coming
to America, and in 1798 the family followed with a son-in-law,
Ralph Wood, and a servant man, William Bain. Coming to
Geneva, Charles Williamson employed Mr. Goundry to take
charge of the Hopeton Mill, and they remained there three
years. In 1802 they bought of Micajah Brown a tract of one
hundred and fifty acres at the south end of the Garter, which
was thereafter their home. George Goundry died in 1838,
aged eighty-five ; his wife in 1830, aged seventy-seven. Their
children were Thomas, Elizabeth, Catharine, George, Ann,
Julia A., Matthew II. and Cornelius, all born in England ex-
cept Matthew.

Thomas married Roxa Lawrence of Big Tree (Geneseo). He
was employed in the Pultney Land Office, and died in Geneva,
leaving four children, John, Thomas, Maria and Eliza.

TOWN OF MILO.

Elizabeth married Thomas Barnes of Seneca. Their children
were Julia, Jane, James, George, Betsey, Polly, Catharine
anci John.

Catharine married Ralph Wood of England, a blacksmith.
They lived at Geneva, and their children were Betsey, Janet te,
John, George, Tunstel and Catharine.

William married first Agnes Wood. His second wife was
Margaret Fnlkerson, and they resided in Benton. Their chil-
dren were George, Deborah, Caleb, Agnes aud Margaret.
George died single at twenty-one. Deborah married Henry S.
Barnes of Torrey. Caleb married Electa, daughter of Gen.
Timothy Hard of Eddytown, and emigrated from Dresden,
where they first settled, to Michigan. They had two children.
Agnes married Dr. Abijah E. Perry, and they resided at Dres-
dren, where she died leaving one child, Agues. Margaret mar-
ried Clement W. Bennett of Penn Yan. Caroline married Dr.
George W. Brundage of Dresden.

George married Margaret Mc Donald of Geneva. They resided
at Geneva, where he was engaged in the Pultney Land Office,
and where he died.

Ann married Thomas Wood, nephew of Ralph Wood, and
they resided in Geneva, where he died leaving two children,
Agnes aud Eleanor. She married a second husband, Loria
Barnes, and they resided in Starkey, where she died leaving
two sons, Nathaniel and Thomas. Agnes married William
Sprowls of Starkey, and they now reside nearWatkins. Eleanor
married Cyrus Chubb of Barrington, and resided in Chubb
Hollow in that town, where both died leaving one son, Philo.
Nathaniel married Miss Millard of Starkey, and lesides in that
town, near Dundee. They have one child. Thomas married
Augusta Bigsby of Chubb Hollow, and emigrated to Michigan.

Julia Ann married Joseph Welker of Germany. They set-
tled in Barrington, where both died leaving three children,
Cornelius, George and William. Cornelius married and moved
to Michigan. George married Miss Reywalt of Milo. They
went to Michigan, where she died leaving one child. He mar-

676 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

ried.a second wife in Michigan, and resides there. William
married Adaline Iiaplee of Starkey. They live on the home-
stead in Harrington and have three children.

Matthew II. married Amy, daughter of Andrew Castner.
They settled on his paternal homestead in Milo, where he died
leaving his widow and five children, George, Thomas, Catha-
rine, Jane and Castner. George married Mary Stone of Milo,
and resides near the homestead in Milo. They have one child,
Flora. Thomas married Elizabeth Brazee cf Milo, and resided
near the homestead, where he died and where his widow now
lives. Catharine married Jonathan Champlin of Milo, and re-
sides near the second Baptist Church in that town. They have
one child. Jane died single. Castner married Amelia A., daugh-
ter of Deacon Henry Douglass of Peun Yan. They reside on
the homestead in Milo with his mother.

Cornelius Goundry, born in 1795 in England, resides a bach-
elor on a part of the original homestead. He lives almost a
hermit, entirely by himself, though a man of intelligence and
sociability, with ample means. Three cats are the living beings
that afford him his principal company. With admirable candor
and good sense he observes that he ought to have married fifty
years ago. There is said to be a curious romance interwoven
with his history.

JOHN BUXTON.

In May, 1801, John Buxton landed in New York, emigra-
ting from England, where he was born. Bridget Wiseman
came by the same vessel, and both came almost directly to this
county. He purchased fifty acres on the Garter, east. of lot 7,
in the woods, and they were married there in 1802, by James
Parker. There they spent their days, he dying in 1843, aged
seventy-seven, and she in 1858, aged seventy-eight. Their
children were Catharine, Bridget, John, Thomas and Mary A.
Catharine, born in 1803, married Alfred Newland, and died in
Jerusalem leaving one child. Bridget married John Cairns
and emigrated to Kalamazoo, Mich. They have two children.

TOWN OF MILO. 677

John Buxton Jr., born in 1S0G, married in 1830 Lois Lord,
born at Sharon, Ct., in 1793. Ho lived on the homestead, a
highly respected citizen, and died in 18G5. He enlarged the
homestead to two hundred and forty acres. Their children were
John J., Lois L. and William W. John J. married Sarah A.
Youug of Sciota, 111., and resides there. They have a daugh-
ter, Martha L. Lois L. married Christopher Metcalf, a native
of England. They reside on the homestead, on lot 7, and have
a son Eddie Jay. William W. married Sarah Babcock of Sher-
burne, Chenango Co., N. Y. They reside on the old grand-
father farm, and have one son, John Gardner.

GILBERT BAKER.

In 1811, Gilbert Baker settled on lot 8. He had bought the
entire lot the previous year of Mathias and Henry Hoffman,
supposed to contain two hundred and seventy-six acres. By a
j survey it was found to contain four hundred and forty-eight
acres, the lots at the south end of each tier taking the overplus
lands of the township. The land was then entirely wild. Gil-
bert Baker was a native of Kinder hook, was a familiar acquain-
tance of the Van Burens, and always a warm supporter of
Martin Van Buren. He married Margaret Comer of White
Plains, who belonged to a family that escaped from the Wyo-
ming massacre in 1778. They experienced the hardships of
pioneer life, and made their way in the world by hard work
and careful economy, and thus accumulated a goodly estate. In
the War of 1812 Mr. Baker served both as a drafted man and
as a volunteer. He was a prominent man in the history of the
town, several times Supervisor, and sixteen years consecutively
Commissioner of Highways. He died in 1862, nearly eighty
years old, and his wife in 1868, upwards of eighty. Their chil-
dren were John C, Semantha, Jane, Darius, Lucinda, Eliza,
Jonathan G., Cynthia and Gilbert D.

John C. married Sarah Perry of Milo, moved early to Michi-
gan, and thence to Missouri where he died. Their children were
Daniel, Margaret, Clarissa, Eleanor, Isaac and Henry. The

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

two last were soldiers of the War against Rebellion. Isaac was
killed at the second battle ot Bull Run, and Henry died in a
hospital.

Semantha married Thomas F. Crane of Kalamazoo, Mich.
Their children are Rosallha and Noah. Rosaltha married
James B. Smith of Reading, and resides in Michigan.

Jane married Stephen S. Banning, a Free Will Baptist min-
ister. They settled in Benton, where she died in 1841, leaving
one son, Edward B., who married Mary Watrous of Pultney.
His wife died in 1864, and he married a second wife, Mary
B razee of Jerusalem. They have a son Frederick He was a
sergeant during the Rebellion in the 15th N. Y. Engineers.

Darius born in 1818 married Waity Eldred, and is a promi-
nent citizen of Torrey, residing on lot 24 of township number
eight. Their children are Myron and Eugene. Myron married
Eliza Norman of Torrey, and has one child.

Lucinda is unmarried, residing on the homestead with her
brother.

Eliza married William S.Ellis of Milo. They moved to Mich-
igan, and returning, settled in Harrington. The Crystal Spring
was discovered on his farm. Their children are Emeline, Helen
and Llewellyn. Emeline is the wife of Delanson La Fever of
Starkey. They have a son Ilerbeit.

Jonathan G. born in 1826 owns one hundred and forty acres
of the homestead, and is a civil engineer. Most of the time
since 1850 he has been in the employ of the Erie Railway, a
portion of the time as agent at the Elmira station, and for
sometime as agent at Ilimrods. He mirried Miriam Ellis of
Starkey, and lives at Ilimrods. Their children are Mary,
Frances, Charles, Lola and Maggie.

Gilbert D. born in 1832 owns one hundred and eighty acres
of the homestead and is a highly intelligent and successful
farmer. He married first Lizzie Wilder of Painted Post. She
died in 1865, and he has a second wife, Eliza Hedges, of
Tiffin, Ohio, a grand-daughter of Samuel Wagener. The
children by the second marriage are Lizzie and Gilbert II.

TOWN OF MILO. 679

Cynthia married John B. Miller of Harrington. Their chil-
dren are Ida, Byron, Willie, Minnie, Elmer and Glen. Ida
married Alden Horton of Barrington.

JAMES PERRY FAMILY.

James Perry was born in Warwick, Orange Co., in 1779. He
with his father David Perry, located in Ovid in 1797. They
subsequently moved to Bennett's Settlement in Starkey, and
remained there until the father's death in 1805.

The son James married at Ovid, Elizabeth Morse, in 1802.
She was born in New Jersey in 1787. They settled at Shingle
Point, now Severne, in 1805, and were the first settlers there.
They leased land of Pelham Potter, youngest son of Judge
William Potter. Here they lived about seven years, and then
bought a new and wild farm near the Lake, wheie Ezra Raplee
now lives. On this they stayed three years, but changed about
somewhat, removing for a time to Ohio, and returning to Milo,
have lived at Himrods about fifty years. Their children were
Thomas, Lewis, Phebe, David, Enos, Abigail, Amarillis, Delila
and William. The parents, though respectively ninety-two
and eighty-four, are both in possession of vigorous bodily and
mental powers.

Thomas, born in 1802, married Catharine Arwine of Milo.
They settled in Tyrone, where she died leaving Matilda, Bet-
sey, Ellen, Catharine, Harriet, Jenamy, David, James and
Thomas, eight children. He is living with a second wife in
Tyrone.

Lewis, born in 1801, mimed Mary Ayres of Milo, and set-
tled there. He died in Tyrone, leaving seven children, Hani-
son, James, Miner, Matthew, George, Martha and Mary.

Phebe, born in 1S0G, married Cornelia Smith of Starkey.
They went to Illinois and settled at Fort Hill, where he died
leaving five children, Catharine, David, James, Ilemy and
Delila.

David, born in 1808, married Catharine Ross of New Jersey
and settled in Milo. He is again married to Almeda Alderman
of Tyrone. They reside at Himrods.

680 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Enos, born in 1810, married Deborah Terry of Milo, and
settled in Tyrone, where she died leaving seven children, Louis,
William, Thomas, George, Julia, Catharine and Alvira. He
married a second wife, Rebecca Mowers of Starkey, and resides
at Wilseyville, Tioga Co., a Baptist clergyman. There are four
children by the second marriage.

"Abigail, born in 1812, married Mark Shannon of Starkey,
and resides at Houeoye Falls.

Amarillis, born in 1814, died at twenty-three, unmarried.

Delila, horn in 1316, married Levi Ellis of Orange Co. They
both died in Tyrone in 1556, leaving two surviving children,
Daniel and Thomas.

William, born in 1826, married Sally Ann Moore of Himrods.
They settled in Starkey, where she died leaving one child,
Mary, who married Edward Mangus of Benton in 1869. Wil-
liam Perry married a second wife, Eleanor Stout of Starkey,
and resides at Honeeye Falls. They have three children, Abi-
gail, Sally Ann and Lilly.

THE HAZARDS.

In the history of Rhode Island the Hazard family is one of
great prominence. They have descended from Thomas Hazard
who emigrated from Wales in 1639. They became a numerous
family in Rhode Island, including governors of the colony,
lieutenant governors, judges, legislators, owners of large plan-
tations cultivated by slaves and laboring Indians, and other
men and women of celebrity. One historian says, "Mrs. Maria
Hazard of South Kingston, R. I., mother of the Governor,
died in 1739, at the age of one hundred years, and could count
up five hundred descendants ; and a grand daughter of hers had
already been a grandmother fifteen years."

Jonathan J. Hazard, from whom the Hazards of Yates
canity descended, was of the fourth generation from the first
settler. He was a very active and influential Whig in the
Revolution, served throughout in the General Assembly of the
colony, was paymaster of theContinental battalion in 1777 and
joined the army in New Jersev. After the war he was twice

TOWN OF MILO. 681

a delegate to the Confederated Congress. He was a politician
of great tact and ability, and was the leader of tha paper
money party whicli beat down the hard money or mercantile
party in Rhode Island. A fiery Anti Federalist he opposed
the adoption of the federal constitution in the Rhode Island
convention, and it was defeated by seventeen majority. Its
friends obtained an adjournment, and finally neutralizing his
opposition carried its ratification by one majority. This over-
threw Mr. Hazard's influence, though he was afterwards a
member of the General Assembly. He was a natural orator
and an influential legislative debater. His wife was Patience
Hassard, of Scottish birth. Their children were; Jonathan J.,
Griffin B., Joseph IT., Thomas, Susanah, and Abigail. In 1805,
following his son Griffin B., who had settled near Milo Center,
he moved to the Friend's settlement, near City Hill. Here
his wife died in 1810, aged seventy-six. He then married
Hannah, sister of Wright Brown who also died a few months
later. He next married Mariam, daughter o Moses Gage. He
died in 1812 aged eighty-four, and his third wife afterwards
became the third wife of James Parker. Jonathan J. Hazard
started in life a poor boy and was apprenticed to the tailor's
trade. He bolted the contract, chose a guardian for himself,
studied law and became a man of eminence in his native state.
His brother Thomas under the law of primogeniture inherited
a large estate, was a Tory in the Revolution, and owed to
Jonathan an offer of pardon and restoration of his confiscated
estate, which he proudly refused. The British government gave
him five thousand acres of land at St. Johns in the prov-
ince of New Brunswick.

Jonathan J. Hazard, Jr., was a sea captain and died on the
ocean. He was a soldier in the Revolution, and taken prisoner
by the British, was rescued at great peril by his father who bore
the young man several miles on his back. The wife of Jona-
than J. Hazard, Jr., was Tacy Burdick, and their children were
Jonathan, George V. and David S., commonly known as

682 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Shearman Hazard. He married Susan Meek and moved to
Allegany county. Jonathan also died at sea.

George V. Hazard married Mariam, daughter of John Potter
of Rhode Island. She was a relative of Judge William Potter's
family. They moved to the Friend's settlement soon after
1800 and received from his father one hundred acres from the
City Hill farm. He lived there most of his life and died at
Dresden at the age of about sixty-five. Their children were
Jonathan J., Vernon, Arnold, Franklin, Elizabeth, Patience,
Sarah Ann, Julia, Mary, Maria, Margaret, Alice and Theda.
Jonathan J. married a daughter of Russel Brown, and their
children wrere Jonathan J., Adaline and Susanah. The son is
a single man. Adaline married Samuel Mawney and resides
in Chubb Hollow. Susanah married a Mr. Vandeventer. Ver-
non is married and resides at Dresden. Arnold is married re-
si ding near Auburn. Franklin died single. Elizabeth married
Mr. Whiting and died early. Patience died a single young
lady. Sarah Ann married David W. Smith of Jerusalem.
Julia married Chauncey Graves a blacksmith at Diesden. Maria
married John Vandeventer, Jr. Margaret mairied Jacob Van-
deventer, son of John, Sr. Alice married Luther Hayes. Mary
married John H. Townsend. Theda married at the West,

Griffin B. Hazard was born in Rhode Island, and there mar-
ried Mary, the oldest daughter of James Parker. Mary had
been to the Friend's settlement at the first with her father's
family, and returned on account of her health. She came
again with her husband and their elder children in 1797. They
were the original settlers where Jacob H. Shepherd resides at
Milo Center, buying their land of John Livingston, at ten
shillings an acre. Griffin B. Hazard was the driver of an army
wagon in the Revolutionary war though but a mere lad. He
was a man of energy and enterprise and a prominent and lead-
ing citizen among the early settlers, and was much employed
in public affairs. They resided at Milo Center till about
1817 and built the two story house which still stands on the
premises. They moved thence to Starkey (then Reading) hav-'

TOWN OF MILO. 683

ing built mills near Dundee, a saw mill in 1811 and a grist mill in
1812. He died in 1822 at the age of fifty-seven leaving a large
estate including seven hundred acres of land. His wife sur-
vived till 1845, dying at the age of seventy-nine. Their chil-
dren were James P., Patience, Penelope, Jonathan J., George
W., Elizabeth, Joseph II., Thomas J. and Catharine.

James P. married Pamelia Little and resided in Starkey
through life. He died in 18G6, at the age cf seventy-two,
J leaving a large estate of nearly six hundred acres.

Patience born in 1795, married first John Walton. He died
in 1829 leaving two sons William II. and Griffin B. Her sec-
ond husband was Nicholas Yost who died in 1862 aged sev-
enty-two. By the second marriage two children were born,
Elizabeth and Nicholas J. Mrs. Yost survives residing at
Dundee, and evinces remarkable force of mind and excellence
of memory. She relates that when her brother James was
drafted in the war of 1812, no one was left to run the grist
mill. The people insisted upon having their breadstuffs ground
and she acted as miller several months with entire success,
doing all parts of the work even to dressing the millstones.
She was then under eighteen. This was an example of effec-
tive industry worthy of high praise. Her son Williamll. mar-
ried Elizabeth Brassington of New York and lives in Cameron,
Steuben county. Their children are Elizabeth, Jonathan J.,
James P., Jennie and Jacob. Jonathan J. died at twenty-two
by bleeding at the nose. James P. married Sarah Smith and
has one son, John. Griffin B. Walton married Betsey Ann
Churchill, and resides in Starkey. Their children are Griffin
B. and Franklin. Elizabeth Yost married Dr. Cyrus B. Knight,
a practicing physician at Tyrone. Their children are Nettie L.,
Cyrus C, George W. and Elizabeth. Nichelas J. Yost mar-
ried Mary Jane Ellis of Dundee. Their children are Hattie,
Frank, Mary and Nicholas.

Penelope Hazard died young unmarried.

Jonathan J. born in 1799, married Elizabeth Lake. He re-
sided several years on lot 52 of Guernsey's survey in Jerusa-

684 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

lem, and now resides with his son, Griffin B. Hazard, in
Tovrey. His wile died in 18G8, at the age of sixty-one.
Their children are Griffin B. and Catharine. Griffin B. mar-
ried first Adelaide, daughter of Henry Hunt, and has a
second wife Mary Ann, daughter of Thomas II. Norris. There
were four children by the first marriage, Charlotte E.. Catha-
rine A., Mary Jane and Jonathan II. Charlotte E. died at
sixteen. Catharine, daughter of Jonathan J. Hazard, is the
wife of George Dusenbury, residing on the Hazard homes'. cad
in Jerusalem.

George W. born in 1801 married Sarah, daughter of Stephen
Card, in 1822, and settled near City Hill. In 1840 he sold out
to George W. Gardner and occupied two hundred and fifty
acres of the old Stephen Card farm near Himrods, where he
died in 1844. He was a thrifty active citizen, a zealous mem-
ber of the Whig party, an early advocate of Temperance, and
a man of benevolent sympathies. His wife survives at the
age of sixty-nine. Their children were Hannah, Esther,
Emmett, Mary P., Sarah, George, .lames II. and Jonathan J.
Hannah is the wife of William A. Rudnian of Milo. Esther is
single, and Emmett also single is the proprietor of a livery
establishment in Penn Yan. Mary P. was the first wife of E.
Darwin Tuthill. Sarah married John W. Norris. George W.
Jr., married Sylvania, daughter of George Miller of Milo. They
They reside at Himrods and have one son, George "VV. James
II. is single residing with his mother on the homestead. Jon-
athan J. died young.

Elizabeth was the first wife of George S. Wheeler.

Thomas J. married Susanah Champlin. They lived first on
the homestead of Griffin B. Hazard at Eddytowu, and moving
thence to City Hill, afterward to Bath and thence to Michigan,
resides now at Alpine, Schuyler county. Their children were
Jonathan, Thomas, Eldred, James, Franklin, Mary and Amy.

Joseph H. son of Jonathan J. Hazard married Amy Williams
of Oneida. They settled on land now owned by Samuel Embree
in Torrey, and after a few years moved to Oneida county and

TOWN OF MILO.

685

there died. Their children were Amy, Daniel, Joseph II.,
Abigail, Patience and Sarah. Thomas, son of Jonathan J.
Hazard, senior, died at twenty.

Susanah was the wife of Rowland Ghamplhi.

Abigail was the third wife of Enoch Shearman. Their chil-
dren were Patience and Elisha W. Patience married George
Yosbinder and died early. Elisha W. married Pamelia, daugh-
ter of Lewis Sutherland. Enoch Shearman married first
Sarah, a sister of Martha Reynolds and Mary Gardner : second,
Esther, sister of Aaron Plympton.

JOSHUA ANDREWS.

Two early comers to the Friend's settlement were Benajah
and Joshua Andrews, brothers. Benajah was a school teacher
and in 1793 taught a school near the Friend's Mill in a log
house on lot 2, of township seven. Joshua Lee, George Nich-
ols, Daniel Briggs and many other boys and young men of that
lime attended there and received a principal share of their
early education. Benajah Andrews died while yet a young
man. Joshua was principally engaged as a merchant. He
married in 1792, Mary, daughter of Thomas Lee, senior. He
was an early partner of Thomas Lee, Jr., in establishing the
store on lot 23 in township No. eight, where Guy Shaw now
resides, a place then thought to be a coming town. Afterwards
about 1800 he conducted a store near the corners east of Benton
Center, in a double log house used for both domicil and store-
A few years later he moved to Lawrenceville, Pa„ and again
returned to this county, whence he finally removed to Seneca
county, locating near Lewis Birdsall's between Waterloo and
Seneca Falls, and died there still a merchant. The widow moved
with her children again to this county and lived on a small farm
near Elijah Spencer's. She finally died in 1831 in Penn Yan
on the premises now owned by Edward J. Fowle. Their
children were Jeremiah B., Elizabeth, Sarah and Maria.

Jeremiah B. Andrews studied medicine with Dr. Joshua Lee,
and accompanied him in the war of 1812 as Assistant Surgeon.
He married Mary, daughter of Joshua. Way. They settled

686 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

first on the Zenas P. Wise farm in Benton, lived afterwards in
Penn Yan, and then prosecuted a large business in Way and
Andrews' Hollow, with a mill and distillery, where the oil mill
now stands. He also had an extended practice as a physician.
In 1839 he was elected sheriff and served one term. He died
in 1866, aged seventy:two, and his wife in 1868, aged
sixty-four. Dr. " Jerry " Andrews, as he was familiarly call-
ed, was widely known and regarded with popular favor in
Yates county. Their children were Ann Eliza, Byron, Oscar,
Joshua L and Morris B. Ann Eliza married Stephen W. Van-
deveuter. Byron married Caroline, daughter of Jesse Holmes
of Penn Yan. They moved to Canada and she died there
leaving two children, Jeremiah B. and Harry. His second wife
was Anna Walters of Clinton, Canada, and they now reside in
Barrington. Oscar married Elizabeth, daughter of Adam
Clark, and died in Torrey leaviug one son William. Joshua L.
married Sophia, daughter of Edward J. Fowle, and resides on
the paternal homestead. Morris B. is single residing on the
homestead.

Elizabeth Andrews was the first wife of David II. Buel.

Sarah born in 1801, married in 1825 Elisha Delano, and they
have long resided in Penn Yan. He is a cabinet maker and
one of the old standard citizens. Elisha Delano was born in
1798, at Wilksbarre, Pa , and came to Penn Yan in 1824. His
mother was one of those whot escaped from the massacre in
the valley of Wyoming. They have two daughters, Mary and
Anna. Mary married Henry Cook, son of the late Charles A.
Cook of Geneva. He died at Geneva leaving a daughter,
Anna, and his widow and child reside with her father. Anna
Delano is a teacher of drawing and painting and is an Artist
of merit.

Maria Andrews married Charles P. Babcock formerly a
prominent citizen of Penn Yan and Postmaster. They moved
to Grand Rapids, Mich., where she died leaving a son Charles.
The son was educated in the U. S. Naval Academy, was em-
ployed in the IT. S. Coast Survey before the war and during

TOWN OF MILO.

687

that struggle had important commands. He has the rank ot
Lieutenant Commander. lie married Jessie Lyman of Grand
Rapids and they have a son, Simon. Charles P. Babcock is
employed in the Treasury Department under the Government.
Pie married a second wife Catharine Wynne of Rochester.

HEDGES FAMILY.

Isaac Hedges, born at Madison, N. J., in 1794, manied
Elizabeth Sayre of Orange county, in 1794. He was a black-
smith and farmer. They moved to Otsego county, and in
1807 settled in the town of Vernon. He and his brother-in-
law, Josiah Maples, bought the whole of lot 27, he taking the
north part where John P. Castner now resides, and where lie
was the original settler. The Maples family subsequently em-
igrated to Erie Co., except a son Isaac, now a resident of Har-
rington, and a daughter Nancy, who married Silas Hunt, Jr.
The children of Isaac Hedges were Thomas, Daniel, John,
Sally, Caleb, Hiley, Charles M. Charity and Margaret. Thomas
born in 1796 married Phebe Wamsley. They finally settled at
Cameron, Steuben county, and died there leaving two chil-
dren, Isaac and William.

Daniel Hedges born in 1798 married in 1820 Polly Wilkius
of Jerusalem. They settled on the Bath road near the Bab-
cock tavern stand, where she died leaving five children, Caro-
line, Morris J., George W., Lucy A. and Mary J. He married in
1813 a second wife, Elizabeth Emery cf Seneca, born in Eng-
land in 1812. A daughler, Matilda A., was born of the second
marriage. In 185G they moved to their present residence on
lot 18, near Pern Yan. Deacon Hedges is a citizen of high
moral worth universally respected. Caroline is the second wife
of Lewis S. Rohde. Morris J. married Henrietta Converse
and resides in New York. George W. served three years a
soldier in the War of the Rebellion, and has emigrated to Cal-
ifornia. Lucy A. married Oscar Kenyon. They reside in Penn
Yan and have a daughter Minnie A. Mary J. is the wife of
Franklin L. Wentworth. Matilda A. is single residing with
her parents.

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

John Hedges born in 1801 married Mary A. Hoogland.
They finally settled in Otto, Cattaraugus Co. Their children
Daniel and Church. The latter was one of the unfortunate
soldiers who died of starvation at Anderson ville

Sally born in 1803 married Benjamin Youngs.

Caleb born in 1804 married Nancy McDowell. They reside
in Bradford Hollow and their childien are William, Catharine,
Margaret, George, John, Benjamin, Sarah and Delia, all settled
near the homestead.

Hiley born in 1807 married John P. Castner and died in 1851.

Charles born in 1808 married Phebe Hoogland, sister of
James' wife. They finally emigrated to Prairie du Lac, Wis.,
where he died in 1864, leaving several children. A son Dayton
served three years in the war of the Rebellion, and returned
home with an arm disabled by a wound. Another son, John,
was killed in one of the battles of the Wilderness.

Charity born in 1811 married William Baxter of Milo. Their
children were George, Harriet, Helen and Gilbert. George
married Henrietta daughter of Charles Wagener, and died
leaving no children. Harriet married Charles Shearman of
Penn Yan. Helen and Gilbert are single.

Margaret born in 1814 married John R. Green of Milo. She
died in 1853 leaving one son Charles who married and emigrat-
ed to Kansas with his father.

THE BENNETT FAMILY.

Thomas Bennett was a native* of Orange Co., and married in
1789 Charity Hedges of New Jersey. They first settled at
Walkill, moved from there to Otsego county and thence in 1812
to this county, settling on lot 29. They lived there many years
and cleared and improved a farm, which they sold, and moved
to Starkey, settling on lot 10 of Potter's location, where Thom-
as B. Curtis now resides. At this place Mrs. Bennett died in
1845 aged seventy-four, and her husband in 1860 aged ninety-
two. Their children were David J., Polly, Elizabeth, Jerusha,
Abraham H, Esther, Thomas, Sally, Samuel, Nancy, Stephen,
Mehitable, Sophia and Charity. Polly and Sally died young,
and Elizabeth died unmarried.

TOWN OF MILO. 689

David J. born in 1790 married Dorothea Morse. They set-
tled adjoining the father's farm in Milo, and there lived till
1833 when they moved to Tyrone where she died in 1842.
Their children were Newman M., Lester B. and Sally. New-
man M. married Eliza Randall and resides at Dresden. Lester
B. married Hannah Hause of Tyrone and resides at Dundee
with his father. They have two children Dorothea and Carrie
A. Dorothea is the wife of Milton W. Derring of Addison,
N. Y. Sally married Freeman Whitehead, of Altay, who died
leaving three children, David J., Lester B. and William F.
She married a second husband and emigrated to Amboy, 111.
Two children have been born of the second marriage, Cornelia
and Alvira.

Jerusha born in 179-1 married Rosweil Curtis and moved to
Michigan where both died, she in 1869. They had one son,
Thomas B. Curtis who married Alvira, daughter of William
R. Briggs. They have two children, Frank and Lydia A.

Abraham H. Bennett born in 1796 in Otsego county, mar-
ried in 1817 Desdemona, daughter of Ephriam Kidder, Jr.
and step daughter of Samuel Lawrence. They resided in Penn
Yan where he died at the age of forty- five, and his wife at the
same age in 1846. They were buried in the old cemetery es-
tablished by Lawrence Townsend in Benton.

Abraham II. Bennett was trained a printer at Canandaigua
under John A. Stephens in the office of the Ontario Messenger,
receiving there his bias toward the party of Thomas Jefferson
and Daniel D. Tompkins. In May 1818 he started the first
newspaper in Penn Yan, called the Penn Yan Herald. In
1822 he changed the name to Penn Yan Democrat, a title it
has carried ever since. He conducted the paper till 1841, the
last five years in company with Alfred Reed. The book and
bindery business he purchased of Thomas H. Locke in 1840,
he continued till his death. He was chosen the first County
Clerk of Yates county in 1823 and was twice re-elected. He
was appointed Deputy Marshal and took the first U. S. Census
after the organization of this county. In 1834 he was appointed

690 HISTORY OF YATES COTJNTY.

Postmaster succeeding Ebenezer Brown, and held the office
till 1841. He was a warm hearted, faithful, trustworthy man,
and had many friends as he deserved, being himself a true
friend. His habits of life were frugal and temperate and he
was perseveringly industrious. As a parent he was kind and
devoted, and as a member of the Baptist Church, consistent
with his profession. His children were Clement Welles, Ade-
laide G., Henry B., Mary A., Abrham H. and William W.

Clement W. born in 1820 married Margaret M., daughter of
William Goundry in 1843. He succeeded his father in the
publication of the Penn Yan Democrat, associated with Alfred
Reed till 1847, when he was appointed to an office in the
Treasury Department at Washington. He resigned in 1850
and has since practiced as Attorney and Claim Agent. The
profession of law he had previously studied with Henry A.
Wisner. A portion of each year he spends with his family at
Dresden, making their home otherwise at Washington. Their
children are Adele M., Alice B. and Clement G. Adele M.
married in January, 1871, Henry C. Bingham, Editor of tli3
Talladega (Alabama) Sun.

Adelaide G. born in 1822 married in 1841 Oliver I. Sprague,
a Baptist clergyman. She has a second husband, Dr. B. II.
Colegrove of Sardinia, Erie county.

Henry B. born in 1824 married Cornelia B. daughter of
Henry Bradley, in 1849. He succeeded his father in the Book
trade and afterwards bought the Bank cf Bainbridge which
was brought from Chenango county, and located in the present
Banking Office of Oliver Stark. His career as a banker was
successful until the failure of Nathan B. Kidder, at Geneva in
1855, made it necessary to close the business. Mr. Kidder was
a partner in the ownership of the Bank of Bainbridge. After
this he was a broker in New York and died of consumption in
1859. He was a young man of fine abilities and much esteem-
ed. His wife died the same year. Their children were Henry
B. and Rhoda B.

TOWN OF MILO. 691

Mary A. Bennett born in 182C, has always resided in Penn
Yan, and is a faithful and valued teacher. Abraham II., Jr.,
born in 1828 is married and resides in Chicago. William W.
born in 1840, was a Druggist in Washington and died in 1870.

Esther, daughter of Thomas Bennett, born in 1799, died
single. Sally also died young.

Thomas Bennett, Jr., born in 1801 married Elizabeth Link-
lighter in 1824. They settled adjoining his father in Milo, and
there his wife died in 1833 leaving four children, Harriet J.,
Hannah, George L. and Phebe. He married a second wife,
Elizabeth Dusenbury, and they have one son, Walter II.
Thomas Bennett, Jr., died in 1850. His widow survives him
residing in New Jersey with her son. Harriet J. born in 182.5,
married in 1846 George Dusenberre of Warwick, Orange Co.
They reside in Milo on lot 2G, and their children are Alice,
Flora and Carrie. Hannah born in 1827 married La Fayette
Merritt. George L. born in 1828 died in 1849. Phebe born
in 1830 married Dr. Henry Smith of Tyrone and emigrated to
Blair, Berry county, Mich. Walter H. is a mercantile agent in
New York.

Samuel born in 1806, married Martha A. May. They now
reside at Iona, Mich. Their children were Cordelia, Neheraiah,
Thomas and Hester. Cordelia married Mr. Comstock of Can
andaigu. Thomas married Lucy Rose. They have one child
and reside at Canandaigua.

Nancy born in 1807, married Mr. Walling. She is now a
widow residing in Starkey.

Stephen born in 1808 married Betsey, daughter of Thomas
Baxter, lived in Milo on lot 21, and died in 1856. Their chil-
dren were Lavina, Emily, Isaac and Dell. Lavina married Mr.
Shepherd. They reside in California. Emily is the second
wife of Rowland J. Gardner.

Mehitable born in 1810 married Lewis Wilkin. They reside
in Starkey and their children are Esther, Minnie and Sylvester.
Esther married Mr. Horton, and Minnie Mr. Angel, both of
Starkey.

692 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Sophia born in 1812 married Robert Logan Shannon, of
Starkey, and died in 1845.

Charity born in 1814 married Edward Baskin of Starkey,
and moved to Tyrone where he died leaving four children,
John, Henry, Edward and Scott.

ISAIAH YOUNGS.

In 1802 Isaiah Youngs settled in this county, moving soon
after to the farm where he thereafter lived on lot 21 of the
Potter Location near Seneca Lake. He was a r.ative of Sussex
county, New Jersey, and there married Mary Haggerty. He
died in 1829 at the age of eighty, and his wife in 1833 at the
age of eighty-three. Their children were Elizabeth, Nancy,
Experience and Temperance, (twins) Stephen, Peter, George,
Mary and Benjamin. Elizabeth died single in 1811 at the age
of thirty-four. Stephen died single in 1832 nearly forty-eight.
Nancy was the wife of Jesse Davis, Jr., who died in 1820, aged
thirty-six. Experience was the wife of Gilbert Dorman. Peter
married Hannah Green of Milo, and both died leaving three
children, George N., Peter and Waity. George N. married
Miss Pierce, resides atBranchport and has three children. Peter
married Almeda L. "Wcntworth. She is the present PostmiE-
tress at Branchport. They have a daughter, Mary Frankie.
Waity was the first wife of Horace Hazen of Dresden. She
died leaving a surviving son, Eddie.

George Youngs married Rebecca, daughter of James Pitney.
Her parents, James Pitney and his wife Rebecca, were early
pioneers in the Friend's Settlement, reaching advanced age, he
dying in 1845 aged eighty-three, and his wife in 1853 aged
eighty. George Youngs and wife settled on lot 28 near the
second Milo Baptist Church. He was a prominent and influ-
ential citizen, and many years a Justice of the Peace, doing a
large amount of business. As a Magistrate he was popular
having held the office by appointment as early as 1819. He
died in 1862 aged seventy-three. His wife survives upwards
of seventy. Their children were George R., Isaiah, Caroline,
Harriet, Rebecca and Phebe Ann.

TOWN OF MILO. 693

George R. Youngs born in 1817, married Philana Arnold.
He has been a prominent business man in Pcnn Yan many
years, noted for promptitude, accuracy and thoroughness.

Isaiah married Sabella Matthias and resides on lot 28.
Their surviving children are George, Helen and Agnes. Car-
oline was the second wife of Bradley Shearman whom she
survives. Their surviving children are Lottie and Heber.
Harriet married William H. Fiero of Milo. Both are dead
leaving a daughter, Ada, residing with her grandmother
Youngs. Rebecca married Andrew N. Ilaight, lived at Beaver
Dam, Wis., a number of years, and now resides with her moth-
er on the old homestead. Phebe Ann is the wife of Reuben
Sutherland.

Mary, daughter of Isaiah Youngs, married Aaron Olmstead
proprietor ot Olmstead's Landing now known as Keuka Land-
ing on Lake Keuka. They have a son, Aaron.

Benjamin Youngs married Sally, daughter of Isaac Hedges,
and settled on the homestead of his father where he still
resides. Their children, were Mary E., Nancy M., Margaret
and Catharine, (twins) Hiley, Charity and Caroline. Mary
E. married Elijah Swarthout of Torrey, and died in 1866 aged
forty-three years, leaviug five sons. Nancy M. is the wife of
Rufus E. Townsend of Torrey. Margaret is the wife of David
Prosscr of Torrey. They have five children. Catharine is the
wife of Henry Decker of Milo. They have four children.
Charity is the wife of Manchester Borden of Dresden. They
have one child. Caroline was the first wife of Franklin L.Went-
worth. She died in 18G3 aged thirty-one. Hiley married
Henry Hathaway, who died early leaving three daughters. She
has a second husband, George Omsted, who resides in Michigan

THE SUTIIERLAD FAMILY.

Stephen Sutherland of Stamford, Dutchess Co., N. Y., married
Sarah Mead, and died leaving eleven children. The widow
moved to this county with three sons, Mead, Lewis and William,
and died soon after. Mead who married Clarissa Mead of
Westchester county, settled on lot 35 on the Bath road. He

694 HISTOKY OF YATES COUNTY.

died in 1857 and his widow still survives. The place has pass-
ed into the possession of Albert Mc Intyre. The first settler
there was Simeon Thayer, senior.

Lewis married Judith Sutherland of Stamford and settled on
lot 29 where one Roger Sutherland, his cousin, Avas the origi-
nal settler. Their children were Pamelia, Walter W., Reuben
and Mary A. Pamelia married Elisha W. Shearman. They
formerly resided in Milo and moved to Clifton Springs. Their
children are Lewis H., Henrietta, Georgia II. and William S.
"Walter W. married Mary Ann, daughter of Archibald Stro-
bridge. He is a prosperous farmer on lot 10. Their children
are Albert, Dora, Frank, \nnette, Frederick, Helen and
Charles. Reuben married Phebe A., daughter of George
Youngs and settled on the paternal homestead. He is also an
independent and successful farmer. They have one daughter,
Rebecca. Mary A. is the wife of Lewis Sunderlin, formerly a
partner of Levi O. Dunning in the Jewelry trade in Penn
Yan, and now a partner of George McAlaster in the same
branch of trade at Rochester. They have three children,
Helen, George and Charles.

William born in 1800 married at the age of thirty, Pamelia,
daughter of Roswell Morse. He had previously settled while
he was still a minor on lot 40, and died there in 1S5G. His
widow survives advanced in years. Their farm originally
one hundred and fifty acres was increased to three hundred and
sixty-five. Their children were Helen S., Anice P. and Frankie
M. Helen S. married Dr. Alfred W. Hewitt, son of Walter
Hewitt of Milo. They moved to the town of Bradford where
she died. Anice P. is the wife of Dr. Job S. Stevens of Milo.
They reside on a portion of the homestead. Frankie M. mar-
ried John Thayer and resides on a part of the homestead.

JOSHUA BAYARD.

Aaron Bayard moved with his family from Sharpsbuig, Mary-
land, and settled on lot 59 on the James Smith farm in Benton
in 1798. He and his wife died there and were hurried in the
Benton Cemetery. They left two sons Joshua and Benedict.

TOWN OF MILO. 695

Joshua born in 178G, in Maryland, married Martha Blake of
Benton in 1809. She was born in 1790. In 1811 they moved
to lot 72 in Milo near the Barrington line and on the Bath road
where they were they were the oiiginal settlers and remained
through life. She died in 1852 and he in 18G4. Their children
were Allen, Seraantha, Martha Ann, Emeline, Marietta, Frank-
lin, Calista, Serepta and John B. Allen married Hannah
Arnett and emigrated to Antrim, Shiawasse county, Mich.
He had four children by his first marriage, and eight by a sec-
ond. Those that survive are Martha, Byron, Charles, Marietta,
Lincoln, Serepta, John and Ulysses. Semantha is the wife of
Joseph Thayer. Martha Ann is the wife of John P. Playstcd.
Emeline is the wife of Wat kins Davis. Marietta is the wife of
Henry LeAvis of Barrington. Henry Lewis is a son of George
Lewis who published a newspaper at Ovid at an early period.
They have a daughter Martha. Franklin married Susan Rey-
nolds of the town of Seneca, where they live. Their children
are Alice, John J., Franklin, Charles and Marietta. Calista
married Abraham V. Masten, and died in 18G7 aged forty-five.
Serepta married John Bulpin, and resides in Jerusalem. John
B. married Susan, daughter of Jacob Thayer, and resides in
Milo. Their children are Sarah, Jennie and John.

Benedict Bayard married Catharine Speelman, emigrated to
White Water, Wis., and died there leaving four children.

JOHN PLY3IPTON.

Medway, Massachusetts, was the birthplace of John Plymp-
ton and his wife, Rhoda Adams. They came to this county in
1795, and first settled on four hundred acres, embracing a part
of lot 17 and adjoining land, which was purchased at a very
low price. They built a leg house near the outlet and there
resided many years. He finally died in Deerfield, Oneida Co.,
and his wife at West Bloomfield in 1833, at the age of seventy-
four. Their children were Esther, Rachel, Moses A., Aaron,
Rhoda, John, Polly and Henry.

Esther born in 1782 married in 1807 EdocIi Shearman. They
settled near Nichols' Corners and had two children, Enoch
and Betsey.

696 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Rachel born in 1784 was the wile of Carlton Legg.

Moses A. born 1786 married Elizabeth Coldren of West
Bloomfield and settled there. Their Children were Ida, Rhoda,
Aaron, Edwin, Hiram, Rachel, John, Deborah, Moses and
Mary A.

Airon born in 1788 married Elizabeth, oldest daughter of
George Ileltibidal in 1820. They lived first on what is now
known as the Dake place, on lot 31, near Penn Yan, and moved
thence to what has long been known as the Plympton farm, on
lot 39, just above the foot of the Lake, where John Reywalt
was the original settler. There Aaron Plympton died in 1866 ;
and there his widow lives with her son George, at the age -of
eighty-two, with a mind clear and correct especially in its early
recollections. Their children are Daniel L , George TV., Ezra
W. and Mary E. Daniel L. married Bluma McConnell and re-
sides at the foot of the Lake. George W. married Miss Black-
man and they have two children, . Ezra TV. is single and
owns jointly with his brother George, the homestead. Mary
E. .is the wife of Andrew Thayer.

Rhoda born in 1794 married Robert Taft of West Bloom-
field and settled there. They had two children.

John born in 1796 married Harriet Holden of Lima, N. Y.,
and settled there. They have five children.

Polly born in 1801 married Chapin Taft of West Bloomfield
and there resided. They had five children.

Henry born in 1798 married Mary Ann Worden of East
Bloomfield and settled there. They had five children.

It is related by Mrs. Plympton that a great effort was
made to establish a village at the foot of the Lake, to be
called Elizabethtowm She mentions John Dorman, Abner
Pierce, Philemon Baldwin and Robert Chissom, as among the
parties who engaged in the rival advocacy of the two locations,
when there seemed more likelihood than at present that our
county capital would locate on the beautiful grounds surround-
ing the lower end of Lake Keuka.

TOWN OF MILO.

G97

She also tells a bear story, like many others of her age.
When a g'ul, in passing from her father's, on the farm now
owned by John Hutton on lot 81, to the house of her uncle
Philip Yoknm, on the farm now owned by Samuel J. Pot-
ter on lot 18, she discovered a large bear killing a hog. She
soon apprised her uncle, who shot (he bear while in the midst
of his feast. She met bears at other times, and often saw them
in pursuit of the swine.

(II AIJI.ES BABCOCK.

Charles Babcock was a native ot Stoniugton, Ct., and mar-
ried Catharine Smith of Nobletown, Columbia Co., N. Y., to
which place he had moved while a single man. In 1797 they
moved to Scipio, Cayug^a Co., and remained there till 1816,
when they moved again and took up their residence on the east
shore of Keuka Lake, on what has since been known as tho
Babcock homestead, on lot 45 on the Bath road. There they
remained till in 1827, with their son Abiram, when they moved
to Rose, Wayne County, with their sou Stephen, and both
died in 1829. Their children were Job, Eunice, Abiram and
Stephen.

Job, born in 1782, married Sally Jillelt of Cayuga County
in 1814, and the same year located in Jerusalem on the prem-
ises afterwards known as the Captain Stewart farm, remained
there about twelve years, moved to Milo and kept a public
hous3 on the Bath road, long known as the Babcock
stand, near the corner of lot 51. He moved thence to Bar-
rington, where he still lives. His wife died in 1868.

Eunice married James Bacon of Cayuga Co., came to this
county two years later than her father, and jointly with her
brother Stephen purchased and lived on the farm since known
as the Ketchum farm near Kinney's Corners. They moved
thence to Michigan.

Abiram married Susannah Lee of Sempronius in 1812, came
to this country with his father in 1816, and settled with him.
He died in 1830 aged forty-three, and his wife at a later

698 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

period. Their children were Job L., Charles S., William H.,
Diadamia, Morris P., Charlotte S., Abiram, Joseph F. and
John B.

Job L. Babcock, born in 1813, married Cordelia, daughter of
Joseph S. Ketchum of Barrington. They lived till 1867 in
Barrington, on the Lake road, on the south part of the unsur-
veyed tract. They then purchased the farm on the Bath road
first settled, and for fifty-five years resided on by Jonathan
Bailey, on lots 46 and 35 in Milo. There she died in 1868,
leaving five children, Abiram, Susan, Mark, John and Amanda.
He married a second wife, Sarah Gardiner (widow Fuller) of
Steuben Co. Abiram married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas
Spink of Barrington and resides in that town. Susanna married
Frank Longwell of Bradford, and resides in the town of Orange.
Mark married Mary A. Stamp of Milo and resides on the home-
stead with his father.

Job L. Babcock is a farmer of sound judgment, observant
and intelligent, and has often received flattering awards at
County Fairs for his stock and grain. In 1849 he grew
in Barrington a crop of wheat from which was manufac-
tured by Hecker & Brothers, New York, flour to which was
awarded the first premium at the World's Fair in London in
1850. The competition embraced fourteen samples from the
United States, seven from Austria, seven from England, five
from France, and others, and the report on that award stated
" Much of the flour was of very superior quality." All the sam-
ples from this country were from Genesee wheat. Thus Bar-
rington and its unpretending farmer led the world in the
quality of its wheat in 1850. It is a remarkable fact that
the town of Italy furnished the sample in the berry which re-
ceived the first premium at the same Fair. It was grown by
Levi Wolvin on lot 17, north-east survey. And again at the
World's Fair at the Crystal Palace in New York in 1853, Abra-
ham Cole of Middlesex received the first premium on wheat,
thus giving Yates County a significant pre-eminence in the
quality of its wheat.

TOWN OF MILO. 699

Charles S. married Sarah, daughter of Janua Osgood of Bar-
riugton. William married Cornelia Ilogeboom of Barrington,
and both emigrated to DeKalb Co., 111. Diadamia married Asa
Hopkins of Prattsburgh. They settled in Penn Yan, where
she died, and the family now reside in Prattsburgh. Morris
P. resides in Orange. Charlotte S. married James Holmes of
Barrington. They emigrated to Tecumseh, Mich. Abiram I),
married Mary, daughter of Russell Boardman of Barrington,
and resides in Waterloo. Joseph F. married and settled in
Michigan. John B. marrricd Almeda, daughter of Samuel
Williams of Barrington, where he died, and she removed with
her family to Tyrone.

Stephen married Betsey Blanc-hard of Vermont. They loca-
ted in Jerusalem with James Bacon, and subsequently moved
to Rose, Wayne Co., where he died. His widow and family
emigrated to near Geneva, Wis.

AUGUSTUS CIHDSEY.

Samuel and Augustus Chidsey, natives of Connecticut, set-
tled inScipio, Cayuga Co., in 1794, and Augustus moved from
there in 1817 and settled where Abraham W. Shearman now re-
sides, on lot IS. He had wealth for his time, and his premises
embraced a large farm. His wife, Anna Rathbun of Connecticut,
died in 1807, aged thirty-seven. Her father while she was young
joined the Shakers at Mt. Lebanon, and Mr. Chidsey seeing her
there prevailed on her to leave. He died in 1833, aged sixty-
nine. Their children were Freelove, Augustus C, Sarah, Sam-
uel B. and Joseph. He had a second wife, Sarah Bid-
lack, and three children were born of the second marriage,
Frank, Anna and Ambrose. Freelove was the wife of Peter
Cross of Cayuga Co. Augustus C. married Haicilla Harris,
and died in Chautauqua Co., leaving five children Charles, Dc-
Witt, Calfurnia, Rollin and Caroline

Sarah, born in 1800, married in 1817 Dr. William Comwcll.

Samuel B. married Mary Cook of Seneca Co., and died in
Penn Yan. Joseph died single at the age of thirty.

Anna married Jonathan Baker of Milo, and survives him.

TOO HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Ambrose married Almira Lewis of Penn Yan and lived in
Milo, where both died. Their children were Mary J., Augus-
tus A. and Elizabeth. Mary J. married Lewis Reynolds of
Milo. Their children are Anna, Augustus and Lewis. Augus-
tus A. Chidsey married Helen Buell, and resides in Detroit, a
printer. . They have a son Charles. Elizabeth married George
Reynolds, brother of Lewis, and emigrated to Kansas. They
have two children.

UliBKLS CLEVELAND.

In 1811 Libbeus Cleveland became a resident of Milo, then
Benton, and laboring at first by the day, then working land on
shares, soon purchased fifty acres on lot 80, and afterwards
increased his possessions to more than two hundred acres. He
was an industrious man, a good citizen, and a member of the
Baptist Church. He and his wife Comfort Booth were natives
of Vermont, and were married in 1810. She died in 1831 at
the age of forty-one, leaving four children, Hannah, Naomi,
Stephen II. and Harriet. In 1839 Libbeus Cleveland married
a second wife, Lavina Onderdonk, born in 1805, and now sur-
viving, a resident of Canandaigna. He died in 1852, at the
age of sixty-three. His daughter Hannah, born in 1810, mar-
ried Asher Campbell. They resided in Milo. She died in 1 845
and he in 1847, leaving two children, Libbeus and Mary. Lib-
beus resides in Pennsylvania. Mary married John Downey and
died leaving a daughter Mary Naomi, born in 1814, died
in 1832.

Stephen II. born in 181G, married in 1837, Mary, daughter
of Jesse Dains Jr. He owned what was known as the Stokes
place, on lot 30, and was a prominent aud popular citizen. He
died in 1865, and his widow occupies the homestead.

Harriet, born in 1822, married in 1836 James Nelson. They
became the owners of tho Libbeus Cleveland homestead, and
still retain it, though residing in Penn Yan. James Nelson
was born in Connecticut in 1807. He came to this county in
183G, and has been a substantial and prosperous citizen. They
have a son Oscar, born in 1843. He married Mary, daughter

TOWN OF MILO. 701

of William Watts of Penn Yan. They have two children, Willie
and Hattie.

ALLEN VOKCE.

In 1818 Allen Voice came to this county and settled on lot
. 51, where James M. Lewis now resides and where John Mc-
Dowell was the first settler. He was a leading citizen, was ap-
pointed one of the Associate Judges of the county soon after its
organization, and retained the position many years. He died
in 1833, aged fifty-two, and his wife (Lois Dunning) died the
same year. Their children were Periander, John V. R., Nelson,
Betsey, Adaline and Voluey (twins) and Clarissa.

Periander married Latia Pratt of Gorham. They lived in
Penn Yan, where he established a jewelry store, and Levi
O. Dunning, by whom he was succeeded, was his appren-
tice. He afterwards moved to Kushville, where he pursued the
same trade. He died there in 1851, deeply lamented as a ster-
ling citizen and an active, valuable member of the Methodist
Church. His children were Julia, Allen and William. Julia
is the wife of Dr. Seeley of Rushville. The sons reside in New
York and are sterling business men.

John V. R. married Betsey Sherman of Oneida Co., and set-
tled in the town of Wayne, where he died leaving three chil-
dren, Henry, Aaron and Almira.

Nelson married Hannah Drew, and resided in Virginia pre-
vious to the Rebellion. His wife died there leaving two
surviving children, William and John. The rebels took all he
had and obliged him to leave the South. He married a second
wife, Sarah A. Baldwin of Cayuga Co.. and emigrated to Te-
cumseh, Michigan.

Betsey married Morris Clark of Benton. They located at
Phelps, where both died, leaving eight daughters, Cornelia,
Julia A., Rosaline, Victoria, Cecilia, Clarissa, Belinda and
Elizabeth.

Volney married Polly Drew and settled on the homestead,
where she died leaving a daughter Mary. His second wife,
Sarah Burt, died leaving a sou, Henry V. He married a third

702 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

wife, Janette Dunn, and moved to Candor, Tioga Co. They
have a daughter Lois.

Adaline was the first wife of Samuel V. Miller, and Clarissa
died single.

SAMUEL V. C. MILLER.

Born in Warren, Somerset Co., New Jersey in 1781, Samuel
V. C. Miller married in 1806 Esther Cutter of Rah way, N. J.,
who was born in 1786. They moved to this county in 1822,
and settled on fifty acres of land on the Lake road, lot 51, pur-
chased of William M. Oliver, and the deed was the first recorded
in the Yates County Clerk's Oifice, Liber 1, Page 1. They re-
mained therethrough life, he dying in 1852 and she in 1858.
Their children were Maria, Isabel, John C, Sarah F., Samuel
V., Abram and Esther (twins), Susan C, Ephraim C, David,
Phebe A. W., Stephen W. and Robert F.

Maria married Levi Spangler of Jerusalem. Their children
were Esther, Augusta, Susanna, Catharine, Anna and Sarah.
Esther is the wife of Samuel Botsford. Augusta is the wife
of William Waddell, merchant of Penn Yan, and their chil-
dren are Willie and Louise. Susanna is the wife of Edwin Cole.
Catharine is single. Anna is the wife of Dr. Morgan Smith,
dentist, of Hammondsport. Sarah married John R. Green, and
died leaving no children.

John C. married Mary, daughter of Noah Davis, and is a
cabinet maker at Branchport. Their only son, John C, died
in the Union service during the Rebellion.

Samuel V., born in 1814, married Adaline, daughter of Judge
Allen Vorce. They settled first at Willow Point on Lake
Keuka, and moved thence to Barringtou, residing there six-
teen years, near the Lake, on lot 67. Mrs. Miller died there
in 1861, aged forty-six, leaving six children, Gertrude, Lois D.
Frank W., Esther C, Ella and Adaline. He married a second
wife, Druzilla Miles of Barrington, and three children are
born of the second marriage, Samuel M., Charles W., and
Lizzie B. In 1864 they moved from Barriugton to their pres-
ent residence, known as the Drew farm, on lot 51. Mr. Miller

TOWN OF MILO. 703

was Town Superintendent of Schools in Milo several years and
Supervisor of Barrington in 1856. He is a spirited and suc-
cessful farmer. His daughter Lois D. married Charles P.
Bishop of Barrington, and they reside at Monterey, Schuyler
Co. His son Frank W. is a graduate of Rochester University.

Abram, born in 1816, married Mary A., daughter of Luther
Winants, and resides in Penn Yan. Their children are Susie
C, Fred. W. and Mary A.

Esther married L. Sterling Newell of Columtus, Ohio, and
settled at Indianapolis, Indiana, where she died in 1859, leav-
ing four children, Alice II., Hugh, Samuel and Sterling.

Susan married Edward L. Jacobus of Penn Yan, a baker and
merchant. Their children are Minnie E., Edward L. and
William D.

Ephraim C. married Hannah, daughter of Noah Davis. Their
children are Ephraim C. and Mary J.

David, born in 1823, married Priscilla Haight of Jerusalem.
He resides on the old homestead where his father lived and
where James Goble was the original settler.

Stephen W., born in 1827, married Julia A. Baskin, and re-
sides in Starkey. He is a school teacher.

Robert F. married Victoria Clark of Phelps, and emigrated
to Lenawee Co., Mich.

Isabel is unmarried, and Sarah and Phebe A. W. died single.

ARCHIBALD J. MC INTXRE.

The native town of Archibald J. Mclntyre was Ancram,
Columbia Co., and he married there Esther Thomson in Janu-
ary, 1810. They moved to this county in 1823, and settled on
"Huckleberry Hill," on lot 9. After some changes of location
they finally settled on lot 35 on the Bath road. He was an en-
ergetic and a prominent citizen, holding various official posi-
tions iu the town. By industry and good management he at-
tained a liberal estate. He died in 1859 at the age of sixty-
eight, and his wife in 186-4 at the age of sixty-nine. Their chil-
dren were Albert, Sarah, John, Mariette, Betsey M., Esther
and Archibald.

704 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Albert, born in December, 1810, married Mary, daughter of
Cornelius Terbush of Barrington, and settled near his father on
a farm he still occupies, a substantial farmer. Their children are
William A. and Archibald C. William A. married Ellen M. Travis
of Penn Yan, resides with his father, and is now the owner of
the grandfather's homestead. They have a daughter Mary.
Archibald C. is single, residing with his father.

Sarah A., born in 1815, married Jacob Thayer.

John, born in 1820, married Eliza Ellis of Barrington,
and resides in the town of Wayue. Their children are Will-
iam, Eliza, Archibald, Samuel. Esther, Helen, Ada and Ben-
jamin.

Marietta, born in 1822, married Plugh Bain of Barrington.

Betsey M., born in 1825, married David Moshier of Copake,
N. Y., and settled in Barrington, where she died in 1869. Their
children were Jonathan, Martin, David H., Marietta and
Esther. Jonathan married Mary Millis of Penn Yan, and re-
sides in Barrington. They have two children. Martin mar-
ried Kitty Alrny and resides in Penn Yan. Marrietta married
William Freeman of Milo and resides in Bath. The others
are single.

Esther, born in 1828, married Benjamin Freeman of Milo,
and resides in Barrington. They have two sons, John and Ar-
chibald. John married Ann Swartz of Barrington, and resides
in that town.

Archibald, born in 1881, married Charlotte Bain, and resides
in Barrington on the Wortman farm. Their children are Bell
and John.

SIMEON THAYER

Was born in Hoosic, Rensselaer Co., in 1782. He lived some
years at Ballston Springs, going thence to Smithfield, Madison
County, where he married in 1805 Elizabeth Lucas, who was
born in 1786. They moved to this county in 1810, and settled
ou the farm now owned by Albert Mclntyre, on lot 35. Sub-
sequently they removed to a farm on the shore of Keuka Lake,
about five miles from Penn Yan, well known as the Thayer

TOWN OF MILO.

705

homestead, on lot 45, where both died, he in 185G, and she
in 18G2. Their children are Jacob, Joseph, James, Samuel,
Sally Ann, Simeon, David, William, Laura, Emeline, Reuben,
Andrew and John. Nine of the sons now live in the town of
Milo, and one sister, and the other brother at Warsaw in this
county. Two ot the sisters are living West.

Jacob married Sarah, daughter of Archibald J. Mclntyre.
They have seven children, Archibald, Susan, Simeon, Sylvester
N., Jacob W.j James K. and Amelia. Archibald married Mi-
nerva, daughter of George C. WTheeler. Susan N. married
John B. Bayard, and died in 18G9 leaving three children, Sarah,
Jennie Bell and John. Simeon married Elizabeth, daughter of
Joseph Rappelyea. They have two children, Ella and Lilly.
Sylvester N. married Minerva, daughter of John Longwell.
Jacob W. married Marieta, daughter of Joel Worttnan.
Their children are Annie and Willie. James K. married Helen,
daughter of John Freeman, and Amelia married Worthy
Carroll of Penn Yan.

Joseph married Semantha, daughter of Joshua Bayard of
Milo, and is the present Under Sheriff of Yates county. They
have one son, Joseph J.

James married Zencia, daughter of Allen Bassett of Barring-
ton. He is a substantial farmer on lot 33. They have four
surviving children, James A., Emeline, Laura and Fancelia.
James A. married Alice, daughter of James Lawrence.
They have one child, Mary A. Emma married John B. Haas
of Sunbury, Pa., and has a daughter, Eva P. Mary A. died
in 18G7.

Samuel married Anna, daughter of James Secor of Torrey,
and resides in Barrington. They have one son, Samuel J.

Sally Ann married Charles A. Wilbur of Penn Yan. They
emigrated to Howell, Mich., and have one child, Lucy. She
married William D. Murray of Detroit. Their children are
Willie and Lulu.

Simeon married Martha Youngs of Syracuse. They had six
children, David, Elizabeth, Simeon, George, Octavia and Frank.

706 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

David died a young man, and Elizabeth in early womanhood.

David Thayer, is a bachelor and lives on the homestead.

"William married Harriet E., daughter of the late Dr. Levi
Perry of Penn Yan. They have two daughters, Lucy and
Susan. Lucy married Delos, son of James Willelt and resides
in Milo.

Laura married Judge Ebenezer C.Winslow of Ridgway, Pa.,
and emigrated to Whiteside Co., Illinois, where he died leav-
ing a daughter, Ida. She has a second husband, James Harra.

Emeline married Ebenezer B. Bunnell of Oxford, Chenango
Co., N. Y., and they reside in Penn Yan.

Reuben married Catharine, daughter of Abraham V. Remer
of Torrey. They have two daughters, Minnie Bell and Kitty
May. They own and live on the homestead.

Andrew married Mary, daughter of Aaron Plympton. They
have two children, Georgianna and EzraB.

John married Frank, daughter of Wiiliam Sutherland of Milo.

This family is remarkable from the fact that the children are
all living, thirteen in number. The homestead is still in the
family, and all of the members are respectable citizens.

Simeon Thayer, Si\, came to this town a poor man. He and
one Moses Thompson, owned together a yoke of oxen, with
which they moved on a wood sled. When Mr. Thayer reach-
ed the Mc Intyre place, he had but one dollar in money. Half
a dollar paid for a bushel of corn, and the other half dollar for
a gallon of whisky to raise a log house. His children and grand-
children are now paying taxes on a thousand acres of land in
Milo.

THE AYKES FAMILIES.

Peter and Andrew Ayres and their sister Susan were chil-
dren of Thomas and Margaret Ayres, of New Lebanon, Colum-
bia county, and the only members of the family that came to
this county. Peter born in 1789, came in 1819 and purchased
about fifty acres where Judge William S. Briggs resides on lot
31, which he exchanged with Robert Shearman for a farm on
lot 30 where his son John now resides. He married Harriet

TOWN OF MILO. 707

daughter of John Capell. Their children were John, Sarah M.
and Harriet P. The parents died on the homestead, he in
1853, and she in 1869, aged sixty-eight. John married Mary
Miller of Milo, and retains the homestead. Their children are
Harriet and Jane. Sarah M. married Frank Beals of North-
ville, Michigan, where they reside. Their children are Frank
and Louisa. Harriet P. married James Reynolds, son of Jesse
Reynolds of Milo. They have two children.

Andrew Ayresborn in 1792, was a carpenter and mill-wright.
He came to this county in 1815, and wrought with Abraham
Wagener in the erection of the " Mansion House " in this vil-
lage. He also worked at Buffalo in rebuilding that city after
it was burned in the war of 1812. In 1816 he married Emeline
Babcock of New Lebanon, and settled in West Benton, on
land now owned by Henry C. Collin. He pursued his trade,
and for a few years moved to Allegany county. His wife died
in 1838, and the next year he married Sarah Ann Baldwin of
Penn Yan. They now reside at the foot of Lake Keuka. He
has been nearly blind about forty years, from effects of inna-
mation. His only daughter Lucy D. by his first marriage, be-
came the wife of George Graves of Dresden, and moved to
Sparta, Wisconsin.

Susan Ayres married Jeremiah Millspaugh of Gorham, and
moved to Perry, Wyoming county. Their children are Miran-
da and Jane.

JOHN CAPELL.

The county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, was the birth place
of John Capell, and he married there in 1801, Sally Blood.
They came immediately to this county, and he worked six
years at Hopeton at his trade as a mill-wright, being especially
engaged in the erection of the Mallory and Dresden Mills. He
pursued the tame trade many years and finally purchased and
moved on a farm about one mile south-east of Penn Yan,
where he died in 1849, aged seventy-one, and his wife in 1862,
aged seventy-nine. Their children were Harriet, Columbus,
John, Eliza Ann and Mary Ann, (twins) Daniel, Racelia,

T08 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

Henry, William P., Emily, Thomas A. Harriet born in 1862,
married Peter Ayres in 1829. They lived adjoining the Capell
homestead where he died in 1854, and she in 1870.

Columbus born in 1 804 married Sarah C. Hovey of the town
of Seneca, in 1825. They reside at Kalamazoo, Mich., and
their children are Alvira, Hattie and Byron.

John Capell, Jr., born in 1810, married Sarah Wheeler of
Hammondsport. They settled at Dansville, N. Y., where she
died leaving two children, Mary and Sophia A.

Eliza Ann born in 1813, married in 1837 William Schultz of
Milo. They moved to the town of Reading where he died
leaving a son John C ., now residing with his mother at Addi-
son, N. Y.

Mary Ann married in 1832, Benjamin Green of Milo.
They reside in Reading and their children are Ann Eliza,
Sarah J. and William.

Daniel Capell born in 1815 is a miil-wright and a respected
resident of Penn Yan. He married in 1836 Sarah A. Ayres of
Milo. Their children are Daniel S., Lorelta J., Charles A. and
William W. Daniel S. is a Printer and single. Loretta J.
married in 1869, Edward A. Gillett and resides at Watkins.

Racelia born in 1817, married in 1838 Andrew Stoddard of
Milo. They emigrated to Coffee Creek, Indiana. He was a
volunteer and artillery soldier under Gen. Rosecrans, and was
killed at the battle of Murfreesborough by a chain shot. His
wife has since died leaving a daughter Sarah E , who married I
a Mr. Wheeler.

Henry born in 1819, married in 1815 Sarah Wheeler of
Dansville. They reside in that village and their children are
Maria, Hattie E. and Henry.

WilliamP. born in 1822 married in 1816 Catharine E.,daugh-
of George C. Wheeler of Milo. They leside on lot 18 near
Penn Yan. He is a carpenter and joiner and practical builder.
Their children are George H. and Minerva. George II. mar-
ried Ella Ward of Milo, in 1870.

TOWN OF HILO.

1 09

Emily born in 1825, married Edward Simonds of Milo, in
IS J. 5. They emigrated to Northviile, Mich , and their children
are John C. and Ellen E.

Thomas A born in 1827, died single at twenty-three.

DAVID AXD DAVID I?. I.EE.

David Lee emigrated from Pntman Co. in 1812, and located
at the foot of Lake Kenka, where he purchased a farm of more
than one hundred acres. They lived in a small log house near
the Lake. After some years he moved to Pultney. His wife
was Patty Mead. Their children were Polly, Jacob, Robert,
Rachel, Joseph R„ Jehiel, Erastus and David B. Polly mar-
ried John Van Pelt, Jr., a merchant in Penn Yan. They had
four sons. Robert married Mary Ann Hall of Pultnev.
Joseph R. married Sarah, daughter of Melchoir Wagener.
Rachel manied Thomas Horton of Pultney, and was the mother
of a large family. Jehiel, Ernstus and David settled in Pullney.

David B. Lee horn in Putnam Co. in 179G, came to this
county in 1817 and married Sarah Van Pelt of Penn Yan. He
engaged in cloth dressing and wool carding, and resided on a
farm near Kinney's Corners. In 1844 he moved to Ohio, re-
mained there twenty years and returned. Their children were
Lester, Robert and Sarah. Lester married Salina Brundagc of
Uibana. Their children are Adelbert and Sarah. Robert
married Julia McBeth of Bath. He died in Ohio leaving one
son, Robert. Sarah married Alfred Brundage of Urbana.

GEORGE HET/riBIDAE.

In 1803 George Heltibidal with his father-in-law, Jonas
Yocum, Philip Yocum son of the latter, John Reywalt an-
other son-in-law, and Peter Coldren, with their wives and
children left Northumberland, Pa., in one company for the Lake
Country. They all had teams of three to five horses, with
large Pennsylvania wagons, and they brought along their sheep,
cattle and hogs. It took six weeks to accomplish the distance
of two hundred miles through the wilderness, and they arrived
on the 17th of June in the vicinity of Penn Yan. They came

710 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

by tbe Williamson road, their only available route by land.
They were people of German origin and neighbors at Northum-
berland. George Heltibidal was a man of considerable
wealth and enterprise, bringing with him seven thousand
dollars in silver, besides other property. Oue team that
brought his household goods and provisions consisted of five
Hack stallions large and well matched. There was another of
three bays, and the family team was also a pair of bays. All
were large and fat and the pride of the owner. He settled on
the farm now owned by John Hutton on lot 31. Jonas Yocum
settled where Abraham W. Shearman now resides on lot 18.
Philip Yocum, on the farm lately owned by Col. Gilbert Sherer,
and now by Samuel J. Potter on lot 18 ; John Reywalt, north
of the Yocums on the east side cf the road. John Van Pelt
who came later settled on the farm now owned by Deacon
George W. Shannon, on lot 31, and Peter Coldren on the Dake
place in tbe present outskirts of Penn Yan. Thus they located
again as neighbors and pioneers in a new country. Their land
was all new, very little having been previously cleared ; and
their subsequent history was like that common to the class of
initial settlers throughout the country. George Heltibidal died
in 1808 at the age olforty-four, and his wife upwards of ninety.

Their children were Elizabeth, Peter, Catharine, George,
Polly, Jacob, Margaret, Phebe and John.

Elizabeth born in 1789, was the wife of Aaron Plymptou,
whom she survives. Peter married Roxana, sister of Carlton
Legg, and moved to Indiana. Catharine married Alden Smith
and emigrated to Indiana.

George Heltibidal, Jr., born in 1793 married first Margaret
Worden of Ovid. She died leaving three children, Betsey,
Mary and George. He married a second wife, Maria Yan
Houten. Their children were Louisa, Annette, Henry and
Harriet. Betsey married Lyman T. Barrett of Barrington,
and emigrated to Canton, 111. Mary is the wife of Calvin
Carpenter. George married at Canton, Illinois, and there re-
sides. Louisa married Charles Brown of Penn Yan and

TOWN OF MILO. 711

and resides at Toronto, Canada. Annette married Charles
Nugent. Henry married Jane Light of Italy. He was a sol-
dier of the 118th Regiment, and was killed at the battle of
Coal Harbor. Harriet married Andrew Jobbett, a merchant
at Havana, N. Y. They have a son Charles.

Polly Heltibidal married Wallace Finch and moved early to
Ohio. Jacob married Polly Rhoades, and moved to Missouri.

Margaret born in 1798, married Augustus Knapp.

Phebe married Samuel Spangler and emigrated to New
Washington, Indiana. They had four children. John abo
went to New Washington, married and died there.

JAMES KNAPP.

James Knapp moved into this county from Cortland, then
Onondaga Co., in 1815, and was a prominent citizen and large
tax payer in Milo. He formerly belonged in Dutchess Co.,
and was six years a soldier in the war of the Revolution, a
drummer. He also accompanied Sullivan's raid against the
Indians in 1779. His wife was Lncy Y. Ball. He died in
1831 aged sixty seven, and his wife in 1831 aged sixty-six.
Their children were Anna B., Samuel C, Augustus and
Pamelia. Anna B. married Michael Waring. They had a
large family of whom Ezra Waring of Milo alone remains in
this county. He married Louisa Grinnell. They have a
daughter Adelaide, the wife of George Titus. Samuel C. mar-
ried in Tennessee and died there. Pamelia married first Isaac
Worden, and afterwards was the second wife of Coe. B. Sayre.
The children by the first marriage were Lucy Ann, Margaret,
Elizabeth and Isaac. Lucy Ann was the wife of John O'Biien.
Margaret was the second wife of Ariel Woodworth. Elizabeth
married Seneca Deuell, a blacksmith. Isaac married Mary
Rino and died at Flint, Michigan.

Augustus Knapp born in 1794, married in 1816 Margaret
Heltibidal. They have resided chiefly in this county and now
live inPenn Yan. Their children have been George II., Mar-
sena V. R., Aaron P., Samuel A., Mary L. Charles F., Oliver
C, William C. and Franklin. George II. married Magdalen

712 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Rosenkrans, moved to Allegany Co., and died there at the age
of fifty-two in 1870 leaving a son George M.

Marsena V. R. born in 1823, married Elizabeth Haight, and
is a substantial citizen of the town of Wayne. They have a
son, Adelbert.

Aaron P. born in 1826 married Abigail Shultz of Milo, and
resides in Penn Yan. Their childrenare John, McClellan and
William.

Samuel A. born in 1828, married Charlotte Jobbett of Ha-
vana, Schuyler county, and resides there.

Mary L. born in 1831, married first Isaiah L. Moore, and has
a second husband, Sackett Swarthout of Milo. Thay have a
son, Charles H.

Charles F. bsrn in 1834, married Matilda Nichols and resides
in London, Canada.

Oliver C. born in 1838, is the proprietor of the Mansion
House in Penn Yan. He married Fanny E., daughter of Shu-
bael Nichols. Their children are Jane and Charles.

William C. born in 1841, is single residing in Penn Yan.

Franklin born in 1844, married Frances A. Shepherd and
resides at Himrods.

JACOH EREDENBUltG.

It is claimed for Jacob Fredenburg that he was an earlier
settler than the Friends. But he- was a refugee rather than a
settler, and was hiding away from the arm of the law, when
early in 1787 he fled from Massachusetts and took up his abode
far in the wilderness among the Indians, when Shays' rebel-
lion was quelled. Some of the malcontents fearful of punish-
ment for treason took refuge beyond the borders of the colo-
nial settlements where the jurisdiction of the government
would not reach them. Jacob Fredenburg was one of these.
He threw himself on the mercy of the Senecas, and they gave
him a restricted hospitality. AVith his wife and one or two
children he occupied a cabin near the present residence of
Alfred Brown. The Indians permitted him to angle in Jacob's
Brook, which it is claimed received its name from him. He

TOWN OF MILO. 713

was not allowed to fish elsewhere, but could hunt within cer-
tain limits and raise a patch of corn. The brook being pro-
fusely stocked with speckled trout, he had all the fish he wanted.

Fredenburg stated that he found one Ilollenbeck with a
family living on land now owned by Uriah Hanford, and west
of the road, who was also closely restricted in his hunting and
fishing privileges by the Indians. Another man of French or
Spanish birth lived among a clump of yellow pines on the
bank at the foot of the Lake west of the outlet. Bemnants of
this copse of pines, are still remaining. This man was a gun-
smith and blacksmith, and therefore of great service to the In-
dians, with whom he was a special favorite, and wholly unre-
stricted in his privileges. He had preceded both Fredenburg
and Ilollenbeck and been adopted into the tribe. He repaired
their guns, made tomahawks and spears and was quite essential
to their welfare.

Fredenburg remained about three years, when settlers were
gathering in, and he then returned to the eastern part of the
State. In 1800 he came back a widower, settled near Kinney's
Corners and married Margaret Shaw, a widow whose family
was Scotch. She had a large family and they were thenceforth
known as Uncle Jake and Aunt Peggy. After his death he
lived with one of his children, the youngest daughter by the
last marriage. She had married Joseph B. Haviland and re-
sided near Rnshville. Her daughter Ida Haviland is the wife
of George A. Ketchum of Penn Yan.

Uncle Jake related the following story as a fact. While
occupying his first cabin, a squaw with her papoose lashed on
its board, came to their abode, and as usual deposited the baby
by the door, outside, leaning the board against the side of the
shanty. While chatting inside with his wife an old ferocious
sow belonging to Uncle Jake seized the little innocent and had
nearly devoured it before the mother or his wife made the dis-
coveiy. The old sow thus became a subject of Indian revenge
and sacrifice, and was freely surrendered by her owner to their
tender mercies. But from intuitive sagacity cr some myste-
rious premonition the old scavenger kept the woods so closely

714

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

that the Indians did not find her. Uncle Jake slaughtered the
savage old brute the next winter, but to eat the pork he said
brought to mind the sad fate of the squaw baby and spoiled
his dinner.

FOOT OF LAKE KEUKA.

The first settler at the foot of the Lake was John McDowell,
who located there on land belonging to Abraham Wagener in
1803. He built a double log house on the bank of the Lake,
east side near the outlet, which remained until a few years ago.

Impressed with the beauty and advantage of the situation
Gen. William Wall purchased at an early day a tract of land on
the west side of the outlet and took steps to found a village.
The ground was surveyed into lots, mapped and numbered, and
had the projector lived, perhaps the enterprise might have pros-
pered. But in 1804 Gen. Wall was prostrated by illness. At
his request he was carried on a stretcher to the Friend's House
and there died. His property fell into the possession of Abra-
ham Wagener, and his proposed village never made even a
start. Of the antecedent history of Gen. Wall the writer
knows nothing.

Afterward a village plot was laid out on the east side of the
outlet, and was named Elizabethtown. This title was chang-
ed to Summersite, and for many years it was persistently re-
garded as the natural site for the village to be located at this
point. The first tavern there was built by Wallace Finch. He
was succeeded by Peter Heltibidal, who made additions to the
house and it long remained a prominent public house. George
and Robert Shearman owned it once a«d were succeeded by
William Kimble in 1823. The building remained till quite
recently. It was noted for its fine ball room and numerous
dancing parties. George Youngs for many years held his
courts there as Justice of the Peace. Some mechanics were
established there, and there was a slight promise of business.
It was a great point for public gatherings, horse races, shoot-
ing at targets, and popular sports, and the consumption of
whisky was very considerable. Simpson Buck who once

TOWN OF MILO.

715

flourished as a tailor in Penn Yan, built a large tavern at that
point, but soon broke up and returned to Peun Yan, finally
going West. Nathaniel Owen built a tavern near the present
residence of Daniel L. Plympton, and afterward came the
Lees, David and David' B. John Campbell established a Pot-
tery and made red earthen ware for many years. The woiks
have since been conducted by James Mantel, who manufactures
stone ware, bringing his clay from New Jersey. The Simpson
Buck property passed into the hands of Abraham Wagener,
and his son David kept a tavern there many years and died
there. The same building emblazoned with large letters
" Steamboat Hotel " was recently moved within the corporate
limits of Penn Yan, and renovated by John C. Scheetz for a
private dwelling. David Wagener also kept a small grocery,
which was the only store ever kept at the Foot of the Lake.
At one time however there were four taverns there in {'nil
blast, and often overrun with travelers and emigrants on their
way to " Glean Point," thence to descend the Allegany and
Ohio rivers. In those days too the steamboat running on
Keuka Lake did not venture down the outlet to the present
Landing within the limits of Penn Yan.

There was an Indian burial ground on the west shore where
large quantities of human bones were interred in a mound of
conical shape, on the top of which grew an oak tree, eighteen
inches in diameter. Many of the skeletons were judged by Dr.
William Cornwell and others, to have belonged to very large
and stalwart men, some of them nearly seven feet tall. From
the shore of the Lake -there appeared a drain-like structure
about three feet in hight and width, running toward the mound.
A man could easily enter it but superstitious fears prevented
its exploration. It was carefully walled up with flat stones and
covered in the same manner. Indian relics abounded there
plentifully. George Heltibidal, Jr.. says that among such arti-
cles found there were brass and copper kettles, rifle barrels,
fragments of pottery, tomahawks of both iron and stone,
stone pipes, and spear and arrow heads. The guns were of large

T16 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

size. He also found grape shot and a six pound cannon ball.
Remnants of stone structures existed on the east side of the
outlet, which appeared to be furnaces of hard sand-stone three
to five feet in diameter, in circular form. Near Campbell's
Pottery seven of these were to be seen in one row paralel with
the Lake shore.

The Foot of the Lake was a great resort for wild animals. It
was a favorite runway for the deer, and thousands of them
were killed at that point and in the Lake. The wolves and
bears were also very numerons in the early years. From all
appearances It was a favorite resort and camping ground for
the Indians. Perhaps some of the works here mentioned were
constructed by other than Indian artificers. They may have
antedated the Indian occupation, or they may have been due
to Frenchmen dwelling among the Senccas.

The grounds on the west side were long the subject of su-
perstitious notions. Old John Fredenburg and others held
that great treasure was secreted there; and many a hard day
and even night's work was performed in digging for it under
the direction of divining rods, and second sight seers. Some-
how the treasure eluded all the searchers. The pots of gold
would move away when about to be seized, as if by enchant-
ment, or the industrious digger would strike a hidden sepulcher,
and fearful of angry ghosts would make a rapid exit. George
Heltibidal, Jr., relates that he and John Snyder and David
Wagener once made a search after the hidden wealth, by di-
rection of his wife who saw through a divining stone and de-
scribed the place in which to dig. Snyder a large heavy man
while hard at work struck something which reverberated like
the hollow echo of a vault. He dropped his tools instantly
and struck for the boat in which they had crossed the outlet.
The others followed at a double quick race. Snyder always
insisted that he saw an apparition the size of a lion, with his
tail curved over his back, and only escaped by tumbling head-
long into the boat.

The prospective city of Suramersite has faded away and the

TOWN OF JIILO. 717

orchards, and the Sulphur Spring of Calvin Carpenter are its
Foot of the Lake is simply rural. A few vineyards and
best attractions : hut it is not wonderful that the natural features
of the situation encouraged and long kept alive the expectation
of village growth.

THE KIMBLE FAMILIES.

William, Isaiah and Azor Kimble were sons of John Kimble
and his wife Charlotte Land who married in 1798 and settled
about twenty miles from Philadelphia in the town of Montgom-
ery. The father was of English and the mother of German
descent. Their other children, Sarah, Mary Ann, Martha and
John, did not become citizens of Yates county.

William born in 1800 came here in 1823, and the same year
married Sarah, daughter of Jeremiah Jillett, and settled at the
Foot of Lake Keuka, purchasing the tavern property of Rob-
ert Shearmim. He resided there and kept the public hoube
most of the time for thirty-seven years. He finally sold his
property to his brother Azor and emigrated in 1858 to Des
Moines, Iowa, where his wife died in 1S68, and lie in 1870.
Their children were Edwin, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Jackson,
Charlotta, Henriette, Charles and Susan. Edwin married Jane
daughter of Robert Shearman. They moved to Des Moines
and have two sons. Mary Ann married Seneca Gocdwin.
She emigrated to Des Moines where she died leaving one child, [jj
Frank. Elizabeth married John Randall of Hammondsport.
He died and she married a second husband and died at Des
Moines. Susan married Albert Sutherland of Penn Yan. Their
children are Edwin and Mary.

Isaiah W. Kimble born in 1805, married Julian, daughter of
Jeremiah Jillett, in 1834. They settled near Penn Yan and he
became greatly celebrated as a manufacturer of Augurs, a trade
he had learned in his youth. He brought the art to a high
state of perfection. Kimble's Penn Yan Augurs and Bits
gained a world wide celebrity, and were exhibited far and wide,
both in America and England, always receiving the highest
awards against all competitors. He was obliged to give up the

718 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

business because it too severely overtaxed his energies, and he
could find no mechanic who could acquire his skill in temper-
ing his work. Ho kept at the business from 1827 to 185G.
His wife died in 1814. and, after quiting his trade he moved to
Corning and resides there still. He has two children, Francis
and Susan, who reside with the the father.

Azor born in 18fl, came to this county in 1831, and in
1S38 married Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah Jillett, au in-
stance of three brothers marrying three sisters. He pursued
for some years the trade of carriage making at the Foot of
the Lake, moved thence to the Benajah Audruss farm on BluiF
Point, residing there thirteen years. He then returned and
bought the farm and property of his brother William, including
about seventy-five acres and the old Finch and Heltibidal
tavern stand ; that house remaining till 1870, Avhen he replaced
it by a handsome modern residence. He has never kept the
place as a public hcuse. The place is on lot 39 and partly
within the boundaries of Penn Yan Mr. Kimble is a suc-
cessful farmer and a good citizen. Their children are Mary E.,
Julia A. and George A., all residing with their parents.

THE DAVIS FAMILIES.

When the town of Milo was yet a wilderness, a company of
immigrants, numbering upwards of forty, came from the vicin-
ity of Philadelphia, Pa., by way of Captain Williamson's
famous road, and settled near what is now Himrods. Among
those pioneers of the town were Malachi Davis and wife, with
a portion of their family. The wife of Malachi Davis was
Catharine Gilkersou, and those of their children who came with
them to Milo, were Jonathan, Samuel, Rachel, Jesse, John,
Malachi and Nathaniel.

Jonathan born in 1775, married Rebecca Hendricks. Their
children were John, Elijah, Malachi, Joel, Jonathan and Han-
nah. Elijah married Rebecca Wilson. Their children were
Benjamin, Mary, John, George and Martha. Benjamin married
Mary A.. White, and they had several children. Mary married
Allen Spooner, and they have one child, Eliza. John married

TOWN OF MILO.

719

Angeline Poyneer, and they had several children. Malachi
married Rachel Freer. Their children were Elizabeth, Rebecca.
John, George, Isaac and Cyrus. Elizabeth married Austin F.
Collins, and they have one child, Minnie. John married Susan
Simons, and they have one child. Rebecca married Cyrus
Lee. Jonathan married Eliza Sanford. Their children were
Elizabeth, Henrietta, Hannah, Arthur and Benjamin. Hannah
married Joseph Lunn. Their children were James, George,
William, Caroline, Joseph, Hannah and John. James married
Martha Pedrick. Hannah married John Hagedy.

Samuel resides in Jerusalem, where his history is given.

Rachel born in 1786, married Timothy Jones.

Jesse born in 1792, married Eunice Jones, and lives at Shep-
pardsville, Clinton county, Mich. He is a man of exceedingly
joival temperament, and he and two brothers, Samuel and
John, who reside in Milo, are the only living members of the
family of Malachi Davis, senior.

John born in 1791, married Rachel Matthews, and they re-
side in Milo. Their children are Willminah, Mary A., Catha-
rine, Thomas, George, Henry, Emily, Rachel and Margaret.
Willminah married Thomas Rathbone, and they have one
child, Gracie C. Mary A. married Washington Barnes. Cath-
arine married Algernon Stout. Their children are Carrie and
Floyd. Thomas married Mary Supplee, and they have one
child, Wilmer. Rachel married George Merritt. Emily and
Margaret. are single.

Malachi born in 1789, married Catharine Kress. Their chil-
dren were Mary, Morris, Harriet, Nelson, Almira, Myron S.,
Miles E. and Sophia. Mary married Alvin Middaugh. Their
children were Ira, Mandana, Mariam II , Loretta C. and Jerome.
Ira is deceased. Mandana married Grove Jillett, and has one
child, Elmer. Mariam II. and Loretta C. are deceased. Morris
married Hester Ketchum. Their children are Freeman, Lati-
nus, and Lavina who married Marshal Middaugh. Harriet
married James Baxter, founder and principal of the Musical
Institute at Friendship, N. Y. Almira married William Ackley.

'•20

niSTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

They have one child, Alfred. Myron S. married Minerva Fitz-
simmons, and they have cne child, Marshal. Miles E. married
Martha Gay, and they have one child, Harry. Sophia married
Alfred Cooley, and they have one child, Lester

Nathaniel born in 1798, married Lydia Jones. He was a
school teacher for many years, and held various town offices.
Their children were Josiah, Sarah A., Hannah, Mary and Alice.
Josiah married Catharine Coykendall, and they had one child,
Anna. Sarah A. married John King, and they had one child,
Myron. Hannah married James Valentine. Their children
are Edgar and Theodore. Mary married Hiram Longcor, and
their children were Albert and Adelbert. Alice married Wil-
son Gilbert.

JO I IX COMER.

In 1812 John Comer moved from Dutchess county, with his
with Elizabeth Knickerbocker, and settled on forty acres of land
purchased of Richard Lines, adjoining the farm of Gilbert
Baker. He died there in 1824 at the age of fifty-nine. His
wife died in 1832. They had several daughters, four of whom
settled in Yates county. These were Annie, Margaret, Mary
and Jane. Annie married Hugh Gamby and settled in Benton
where he died and she next married John Weed. She died in
1852. By the first marriage she had children, of whom James
Gamby of Branchport is one. Seth was another. Elizabeth
was the first wife of Solomon D. Weaver. Amanda married a
Mr. Card of Tompkins County. Harriet married William
Weed of Flat Street, Benton, where she now resides a widow.

Margaret Comer was the wife of Gilbert Baker.

Jane Comer married John McLean and settled on the farm
now owned by Darius Baker in Torrey, where he died in 1832.
She died at Kanona, N. Y., in 18.59. Of their children Ann
is the wife of William Sherland of Benton. John resides in
Missouri. Henry, a lawyer, emigrated to Illinois, was instru-
mental in forming Mc Henry county, which was named after
him. He was chosen to both branches of the Legislature, and
was Lieutenant Governor of the State. Helen was the first

TOWN OF MILO. 721

wife of Lewis S. Rohde of Penn Yan, and Eleanor and Eliza-
beth married and settled in Steuben county.

Mary Comer married John Hanan of Barrington, and settled
at Conneaut, Ohio, where he died. She moved thence and
lived with her daughter in Wisconsin, and died in 18G4 leaving
a large family.

When he was five years old John Comer's father moved from
Connecticut to the Valley of Wyoming, and being a miller erect-
ed a flouring mill about six miles from Wilksbarre. When the
Tories and Indians invaded the Valley in 1778, they sunk their
valuables in the mill pond in iron pots, and uniting with six
other families erected a stockade fort about six miles from Fort
Kingston, where Col. Zebulon Butler commanded. John and
an older brother were sent every day through the woods to Fort
Kingston, and had many perilous adventures and narrow es-
capes from the savages. When Col. Butler surrendered and
the bloody slaughter began, a messenger apprized these isolated
families. Hastily packing what provisions they could on the
single horse within the fort, they fled to the mountains, from
whence at night they saw their homes burned and heard the
shrieks of their neighbors as they were dragged from their
hiding places and butchered by the ferocious enemy. After
three days concealment the departure of the foe enabled them
to return to the valley where desolation prevailed. The Comer
family and two others crossed the mountains on foot and re-
turned to their old home on the boundary of New York and
Connecticut, subsisting on game and sleeping on the ground.
On the second day of their journey the}' captured a little girl
five years old, famished and wild. Her relatives had all per-
ished in the massacre. They returned among their old neigh-
bors in a sorry plight, reduced by starvation, and almost naked.

PETER H. ISUOWN

Was born in New Jersey and married Margaret Coons of
Columbia county, N. Y. In 1816 they settled in the Buxton
neighborhood in the woods on a small farm of about thirty
acres. He wrought at his trade as a shoe maker, and improved

722 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

his land as best he could. He died in 1848 and his widow sur-
vives at the age of eighty, the only one remaining in that local-
ity of the original settlers. Their children were Elizabeth,
Henry, Sarah, Mary, John A., Philo, Laura, Julia A., Peter M.,
Jane, William, Angeline and Emeline. Elizabeth, William
and Emeline reside in Torrey unmarried. Henry married Mary
Baker. They reside in Illinois, and among the survivors of
their thirteen children, are John, Daniel, Louisa, Byron, Charles
and George.

Sarah married Alvin Bush, who died near Marshall, Mich.,
leaving seven children, Margaret, George, Emeline, James,
Sarah J., Laura A. and Alvin.

Mary married Daniel Decker who also died in Michigan,
leaving four children, Peter W., Clark, Elizabeth and Mary.
The widow married a second husband.

John A. married Margaret Coons of Barrington, where they
reside. Their surviving children are Mary and Peter O. G. Mary
married Charles Coons and they reside in Kansas. Peter O.
G. married Jane Kress, and resides with his father.

Philo married Ann M. Lain of Barrington. They resided
on the old homestead of his father, where his wife died and he
remains with his aged mother. The childreu are Sarah E.,
William II. and Mary.

Laura married Truman Bassett of Bradford. He died leav-
ing one son, Adelbert. She married a second husband, John
Green. They reside in Cohocton, and their children are James
and John.

Julia A. married Ezra Pulver, and resides with his father
Elijah Pulver, in Milo. They have two children, Lucy J. and
William E.

Peter M. married Catharine Huie of Benton. They settled
in Steuben county, where she died leaving two children, Salina
and Viola. He married a second wife, Matilda Anderson of
Barrington, and now resides in Torrey. She died leaving four
children, Clarrit, Sarah A., Loretta and Peter H.

Jane married Stephen Keyes of Jerusalem. They have four
children, Julia E. Dewitt, Ida A., and Francis.

TOWN OF MILO. 723

Angeline married Peter Coons of Barrington, and resides
at Himrods.

ADAM STKUBLE.

The ancestors of Adam Struble were from Holland, and he
was a native of New Jersey, where he married Mary Dean. In
1814 they emigrated from that state on foot, and bringing three
young children, came to this town, driving all the way a red
heifer which was their only property. They bought seventy-
four acres of wild land at four dollars per acre, one mile west
of Himrods, which was thereafter their homestead. He was
a very hard worker as was his wife, who aided him much in
out door labor. He made all the clearing, and split with his
own hands every rail that fenced his farm. Without an hour
of sickness in his life he continued an efficient worker till near
the end of his days, when his strength gradually failed and the
lamp of life ceased to burn. He died in 1867, nearly eighty-
four, and his wife in 1868, aged eighty. Their children were
Moses, Henry, Levi, Louisa, Dean, Sidney, Phebe, Ira, Hannah,
Elizabeth, Morgan, Fowler and Ellen.

Moses is a carpenter, and married first, Susan Mowers, who
died leaving a son, Adam. He married a second wife, Martha
Conklin, resides in Dundee, and the children by the second
marriage are Alfaretta, and another son and daughter. Alfaretta
married Freeman Beebe, and has one daughter. Adam the
oldest son was brought up by his grandfather. He is married
and resides in Dundee.

Henry Struble born about 1810, married in middle life, Anna
Wisuer, widow of Jonathan Supplee. He was a highly relig-
ious man and quite exemplary in his character, but a member
of no church. He died in 1870.

Levi Struble born in 1812, married Mary, daughter of Jacob
Mistier. She was born in 1819. They settled first in Stavkey
and a few years later near Himrods. A part of his farm is a
part of his father's homestead. Their children are Hanford,
Harrison and Henry Albert. Hanford born in 1842 is the
present District Attorney of Yates County. He was educated

724 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

at Genesee College. At the opening of the war ot the Rebel-
lion he was Principal of the Dundee Academy. In 1862 he
went to the war as First Lieutenant of Company B., 148th,
N. y. V. Forty-two soldiers of his company were his stu-
dents. After a few months he was appointed to a position on
the staff of Gen Egbert Viele, and served as Provost Marshall
of the city of Portsmouth, Va. Afterwards he served at Nor-
folk on the staff successively of Generals Potter, Wild and
Vogdes ; and was then detailed by order of Secretary Stan-
ton, as permanent Aid on the Staff of Gen. George F. Shepley.
In February, 1865 they were assigned to duty before Rich-
mond under Gen. Weitzel, and entered that city with Abraham
Lincoln on the third day of Apiil. In 1867 he received a di-
ploma from the Albany Law School. He married in 1868,
Laura Backus of Canandaigua. They have a son, Clinton B.
Harrison Struble born in 1844, and Henvy Albert born in 1848,
are both single.

Louisa married Thomas Mathews. They reside in Starkey.
Their children were Nelson, Anson, Mary and Alvira. Nelson
and Anson were both Union soldiers and killed in battle.
Alvira died at fifteen and Mary resides with her parents.

Sidney married Harriet Adams, a descendant of the Adams
family of Massachusetts. She was a teacher in Starkey. TheY
reside in Michigan and have several children. Their son
Lambert, is a Methodist Clergyman of collegiate training and
superior accomplishments.

Ira married a Miss Smith and lives in Michigan. They have
a family of children.

Elizabeth married Ahijah Raplee. He is a machinist and
resides at Coining. They have several children.

Morgan married Nancy Smith, sister of Ira's wife, and re-
sides in Starkey, a farmer.

Ellen married William Pettengill, a carpenter residing in
Starkey. They have seven children.

Dean, Phebe and Hannah died young, and Fowler at eight-

TOWN OF MILO. 725

een. Adam Struble the elder was twice a juryman at Canan-
daigua before Yates county was organized.

AVILSON AYRES.

Wilson Ayres was born at Winsor. New Jersey, and married
Agnes Schenck of that place. They settled in Starkey in
1826, and died there, he in 1853 aged seventy-two, and she in
1869 aged eighty-nine. Their children were James, Peter,
Garrett S., Margaret, Sarah Ann, Joan, Semantha and John.

James married Macy Helm and settled on the homestead.
They have two children, Martha and Jacob. Martha married
Halsey S. Kress. They have two children, Arthur and Ida.

Peter married Margaret Hilligus of Starkey. They settled
in Jerusalem and had two sons Frederick W. and John T.
Frederick W married, emigrated to Oregon and died at San
Franciso leaving three children. John T. married and resides
in Elmira. He has three children.

Garrett S. born in 1808 at West Winsor, N. J., married
Hester Bigger of Starkey. He settled at Himrods, a tanner
and subsequently built the first hotel there after that of Stephen
Caad. He kept the house himself about five years. He is
now a substantial farmer.

Margaret died unmarried residing with her brother.

Sarah Ann is the wife of Thomas J. Lewis of Benton.

Joan married Isaac Kress of Starkey.

Semantha married James D. Booth of Starkey. They lived
first at Dundee, and moved thence to Corning where he is a
practicing physician. They have two children. John died at
twenty-one.

WILLIAM VAN OSDOL.

In 1824 William Van Osdol came from Orange county and
settled near Himrods. His wife was Ann Thompson, sister of
Elizabeth Thompson, mother of the Taylor family of Benton.
He was a blacksmith as his father had been, and worked stead-
ily at the trade sixty years of his life. His wife died in 1850,
aged seventy-three, and he in 1870 at the age of ninety-three.
Their children were George and Jane. George born in 1805,

726 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

has always resided at Himrods since his parents moved there.
He has been a blacksmith and farmer, and is now an insurance
agent. He has been a Justice of the Peace, and was several
years one ot the Loan Commissioners of the county. He
married in 1828, Rachel, daughter of Amos Ellis. They have
one surviving son, Amos E. Another, William, died at twenty-
one. Amos E. married Jane Millard and lives at Crystal
Spring, where he keeps a store.

Jane Van Osdol born in 1807, resides with her brother un-
married.

HIMRODS.

This little hamlet is located on lot 6 of the Potter Location,
about two miles west of Seneca Lake, on land originally be-
longing to John Supplee and Stephen Card. It is on Plum
Point Brook, 313 feet above Seneca Lake. The first store was
established there in 1831 by Wilhemus M. Himrod, and the
p^ce was thereafter known as Himrod's Corners. Nine years
later he sold his store to Gilbert R. Riley, who conducted the
business some time and resold it to Mr. Himrod, who returned
and carried on a large trade and erected an Ashery, which he
also managed for some time. In IS 47 he again sold out to
Ellis & Baker. The Himrod store was on the north side of
the creek. John and Jephtha F. Randolph afterwards started
one on the south side. Other merchants there have been Mar-
shall & Sherman, William S. Ellis, Philip Drake, Jonathan G.
Baker, Miles G. Raplee, Peter Wyckoff, Cornelius Post, Win.
S. Semaus and Amos E. Van Osdol. Groceries are now kept
there by George Swartz, and by Covert & Chubb. Garrett S.
Ayres built the first tavern after that kept by Stephen Card in
1835, and kept it several years. It was opposite the present
hotel and where David Semans now lives. The present Eagle
Hotel on the sonth-west corner of Main and West streets, was
built by William S. Semans in 1861. A Post Office was first
established there in 1832. It was first called Himrod's Corners,
then Milo for many years, and has recently been changed to
Himrods. The first Postmaster was Wilhemus M. Himrod,

TOWN OF MILO. 727

the next Enos Marshal!, then Mr. Himrod again, then George
Van Osdol, who was succeeded by John Randolph. Cornel-
ius Post held the office under the administrations of Pierce and
Buchanan and was succeeded by William S. Semans the pres-
ent Postmaster. By the census of 1855 the village had 78
inhabitants, and in 18G5 the population numbered 12o. In the
ravine a mile west of Ilimrods there is a fine Mineral Spring,
called the Glen Spring, the water of which is agreeable to the
taste, sparkling and pure, and for it superior medical qualities
are claimed. The first distillery in this vicinity was started as
early as 1794, by Richard Mathews, on the farm of John Davis,
about a mile and a half north-west of Ilimrods. He used
buckwheat chiefly for distillation.

SEVERNR.

The promontory long known as Shingle Point in the south-
east corner of the town, with two hundred and ten acres of
adjoining land, was purchased in 18GG by an association under
the title of the " Seneca Lake Grape and Wine Company."
They were as follows: Judge Jacob La Rue of Hammondsport,
President ; Henry 11. Hull, Editor of the Steuben Courier ;
David Rumsey, Orange Seymour, William N. Smith, of Bath,
John H. Butler of Liberty and Stephen Chubb of Milo. The
Superintendent of the property is Lawrence La Rue, son of
the President. They have one hundred acres of vineyard, the
largest one in the State, and the planting has been done with
admirable regularity and system, and in the best manner. The
j lace appears to be singularly well adapted to the grape culture,
and well protected from frosts. In 1870 they had a vintage of
14,000 gallons of wine, their first. Their grape planting was
begun in 18G7. The name Severne was conferred by Judge La-
Rue and is of Swiss derivation.

THE RYRESS FAMILY.

Gozen A. Ryress who lived on Staten Island at an early day
became the owner of large tracts of land in various parts of
this State and other States. He had a large area of land in
Milo, probably obtained from an interest in the Lessee Compa-

728 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

ny, or of parties who held shares therein. He died in 1800,
bequeathing his " back lands " to his grandchildren, A. G.
Ryress, Elizabeth W. Ryress and Joseph W. Ryress. These
were children of John P. Ryress who settled in 1797 in Lind-
leytown, Steuben county, and died at the age of sixty-seven, in
1839 at Cainpbelltown. Joseph W. Ryress bought out his
brother and sister's shares, and the court construed the phrase
" back lands " to mean all lands away from New York. Joseph
W. Ryress died in 1868 in Philadelphia at the age of sixty-
four, leaving an only son, Robert W.,who has sold a large portion
of the land in connection with his father. Among the agents
who have acted for the Ryress family in the charge and sale of
lands here, are Henry Welles of Penn Yan, and Robert Camp-
bell of Bath. Mr. Ryress took a dislike to lawyers as his agents
and after 1857 .lames C. Longwell was his sole agent in this
State. Mr. Longwell did a large amount of business for the
Ryress and sold lands to the amount of a million of dollars,
always giving full satisfaction to his principals. The lands
sold by him were in Yates, Steuben, Livingston, Broome, Essex
and Clinton counties.

DAVID r,OHGWEU-.

David Longwell was a native of Dutchess County. His
twin sister, Sarah, married Samuel Townsend and died about
1830, the mother of, several children, now resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin, many of whom are citzens of wealth and prom-
inence. David married in 1807, Mehetabel Carver. They re-
sided six years in New Jersey, moved thence to Seneca county,
afterwards to Reading, now Schuyler county, and from there in
1823 to Urbana, Steuben county. There they remained till
1858, when they moved to Milo, where several of their chil-
dren had preceeded them. They resided on a small farm on
lot 14, where she died in 1869, aged eighty-three, and he in
1870, at the age of eighty-nine. Their children were Orrin,
John, Sarah, James C, Melinda, Nathan, Maria, Willis and
Emily.

TOWN OF MILO.

rl'J

Orrin married Rebecca, sister of Deacon Epliraim San-
ford, of Milo. He died in 18G7, at the age of sixty-two, leav-
ing two children, Andrew and Mary. Andrew married Rebec-
ca Miller and lives on the farm left by his father, on lot 29.
They have one child, Herbert. Mary married Lyman Cronk-
right, and they reside in Tyrone.

John born in 1809, married first, Catharine Jacobus, of Ur-
bana, and his second wife was Harriet Goodrich, of Inde-
pendence, Allegany county. His children by the first marriage
were Amanda Jane, Lydia, Alzina, Susan, Ann, Minerva,
Adella and Kate. By the second marriage the children were
Rose B., Hattie and John. Amanda Jane married George S.
White, and died in 1850, leaving an infant daughter, Flora,
now married to Theodore Harrigan, of Whitesvillc, Allegany
county. Lydia married Mr. Osborn, a Methodist clergyman of
Maryland. They have one daughter, Mell. Alzina married
Mr. Moore, a farmer of Bergen, Monroe county. Susan is
single. Ann married George S. White (his second wife) of
Whitesville, a place founded by the father of George S. White,
an early settler of Allegany county. Minerva married Sylves-
ter N. Thayer, of Milo. Adella is a music teacher in Mary-
land. Kate is also single, residing with her uncle Nathan
Longwell.

Sarah married James Hutches, a brother of Morris Hutches.
Both are dead, leaving two children, Mary and Ira. Mary
married James Depew, of Milo, and died leaving a daughter.
Ira married Cynthia King, and lives at Nunda, N. Y. They
have a son James.

James C. born in 1814, married Rachel, daughter of Rich-
ard Henderson, in 1844. Ho has been a successful farmer and
business man, buying first the Henderson farm in Milo, where
he lived many years, and now residing in Penn Yan a joint
proprietor with Jeremiah S. Jillett, of the old Jillet Mill. Their
children are Emma and Smith M. Emma married in 1870,
Byron F. Hobart, a banker of Oswego, Kansas.

730 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Melinda married Morris Hutches, a farmer of Milo. They
have one surviving child, Susan, who married recently Samuel
Mc Ehvee.

Nathan married Sarah Depew of Pultney, who died in 1870.
He is a farmer in Starkey, and has one son, Norton.

Maria is the second wife of Adam Hunt.

Willis married Olive Jacobus of Urban a. He is a farmer in
Torrey. Their children are Samuel, Ella, May, Libbie and Cora.

Emily Longwell married in 1869, Lewis Patrick, an ingen-
ious machinsit and inventor, of Rochester.

Few families present an equal condition of thrift and pros-
perity with that of David Longwell ; and it is fair to say that
it is by virtue of industry, frugality and prudence.

AMZI BRUEN.

Amzi Bruen was born at Newark, N. J., in 1799. He mar-
ried Catharine, daughter of John A. Hall, who owned the tract
of land embracing the present Bruen farm, and other land in-
cluding what was known as the Shearman & Weaver mill site,
in 1821. They settled on the farm on lot 17, which continued
to be their home. Mrs. Bruen died in 1833, leaving seven
children, John H., George, Sarah A., Horace R., Eveline H.
Austin H. and Augustus, twins.

Mr. Bruen was thrice married after the death of his first wife.
In early life he learned and pursued the business of a carriage
maker, but mostly followed the vocation of farming. He was
a man of ambitious views and possessed qualifications to have
made his mark in public life, had his early education and efforts
been directed in that channel.

In his religious and political and tendencies he may be class-
ed with the ai'dent and enthusiastic. He espoused whatever
cause attracted him with warmth and vigor. In his family he
was kind and ever proud of his children, and exerted himself
to educate and establish them in favorable positions in life, and
at his death had the satisfaction of knowing that they were
thus situated. He died at his homestead in 1868.

Of their family, John born in 1821, married Lucy D. Wright

TOWN OF MILO.

731

of Penn Yan. They reside in Elmira, and have one child, Lizzie.

George born in 1823 married Ann A., daughter of Rev.
William D. Henry. He is a merchant and resdes in Penn Yan.
They have two surviving children, George II. and W. Stanley.

Sarah A. born in 1825, married Isaac W. Hartshorn of Jeru-
salem. They have one child, Wendell P.

Horace R. born in 1827 is single residing on the home-
stead.

Eveline born in 1829 married E. G. Folsom of the Albany
Commercial College.

Augustus born in 1833, is married and resides at Rockford,
Illinois.

Austin, not married, is a hardware merchant in Toledo, Ohio.

SOLOMON FINCH

Was a native of New Jersey. His father was a soldier of
the Revolution and was killed in the service, leaving his chil-
dren to make their way unaided in the world. Solomon and
his older brother John came to this county with their families in
1808. John moved to Michigan many years ago and died there.

Solomon married Sally, sister of Jephtha F. Randolph of
New Jersey. They settled on a new farm on the shore of
Seneca Lake, consisting of one hundred acres now known as
the Finch farm. His wife died there after their children were
mostly grown to adult age. He married a second wife, Phy-
lura Markham and moved to Castile, Wyoming county, where
he died in 1855, aged ninety-six. The children by the first
marriage were Azariah, Nathaniel, David, Solomon, John II, ,
Betsey, Keziah, Catharine A., Caroline, .lefiry and Lewis.

Azariah married Jane Martin of Seneca county. They set-
tled on a farm near the homestead where he died leaving eight
children, Solomon, Angeline, Margaret, Sally, Azariah, Eliza,
Martin and Morris. Solomon married Lena Allen of Milo, and
emigrated to Illinois. Angeline married Iluie Hulse of Milo,
and moved to St Charles, Illinois. Margaret married Eman-
uel Longcor of Milo, who died leaving a daughter, Emma

732 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Sally married Henry "Welter of Milo, who died leaving several
children, Margaret, Eliza J., Henry, Azariah, Maria, Sophia,
Christina, Chester, Mary and Angelina. Of these Margaret
married Emery Brewer and resides at Geneva. Eliza J.
married Byron Longcor and resides at Geneva. They
have a daughter, Carrie. Azariah Welter married Ann Mar-
gerson of Barrington. Azariah Finch, Jr., married Polly
Lewis of Starkey and lives in that town. Eliza married Esther
Bragg of Illinois. She resides in Milo and has two sons, Mar-
tin and Zalmuna. Martin Finch married Ellen J. Mc Lond
and resides on his jraternal homestead near the Lake. Maria
married Samuel Brewer of Milo and resides at Geneva.

Nathaniel married Catharine Embree, and died in Milo leav-
ing two sons, Embree, and George who married "West and re-
sides there. His widow married and is again a widow.

David married Laura Rose. He settled in Milo and finally
died at Castile, N. Y. Their children were Hiram, Lydia A.
and Jackson.

Solomon Finch, Jr., married Esther Davis of Milo, and emi-
grated to Ohio where both died leaving a large family.

John R. Finch born in 1800, married Ruth, daughter of
James Meek, also born in New Jersey, in 1801. They settled
on the old homestead on lot 21 of the Potter Location and still
own it, but reside at Himrods. Their children are Lewis, Sa-
rah A.. James, Nathaniel, Rosetta A., John M., Martha and.
Mary. Lewis born in 1820, married Louisa Smith of Castile,
N. Y., and settled in that town. Their children were Ellen,
Charles, Clara and Alice. Sarah A. born in 1822 married
Charles Pratt of Milo and resides at Laporte, Indiana. They
had a son, Daniel. James born in 1825, married Mary A.
Long and resides in Milo. They have a daughter, Flora B.
Nathaniel born in 1828, married Hannah A. Campbell and re-
sides in Milo. Their children are Elma A. and Marvin V. Elma
A. married Micajah Dean of Milo. Rosetta A. born in 1834,
married Daniel Chase of Castile, N. Y. They have a daugh-
ter, Ella. John M. born in 1836, married Harriet, daughter of

TOWN OF MILO. 733

Avery Raplee, of Castile. They have a daughter, Adella.
Martha born in 1839 married David Raplee of Castile. Then-
children are Ida and John A. Mary born in 18-13, is single.

Betsey married German Yan Araburg of Rose, Wayne Co.
Their children are Caroline and Eliza J.

Keziah married Herman Barber and emigrated to Ohio.

Catharine A. married Ward Eastman, son of Peter Eastman.

Caroline married Dean Longcor of Castile, and emigrated to
Michigan.

Jeffrey married Margaret Longcor, emigrated to Minnesota
and died there.

Lewis married Abigail, daughter of Samuel Barnes of J, ru-
salem. They settled at Castile where he died leaving four
children, Ward, Elmira, Leander and Rachel A.

RANDOLPH FAMILY.

Azariah Randolph and his wife, Lizzie Jeffries, moved from
New Jersey to Orange Co , and died there ; he at the age of
sixty-eight. Their children were Lewis, Jeptha P., Reuben,
Elizabeth and Sally, who was the wife of Solomon Finch. The
Randolphs were of French descent.

Jephtha F. Randolph was born in New Jersey, near the New
York State line in 1768. He married Elizabeth, sister of Sol-
omon Finch. They came to this county in 1809, and settled
on a new farm on lot 15 of the Rotter Location, where now
stands the residence of their grandson, Daniel F. Randolph.
There they they remained through life ; she dying in 1828 at
the age cf fifty-six, and he in 1837, at the age of sixty-eight.

Their children were William, John, Daniel, David F., Finch
F., Eliza, Morris, Jephtha F. and Azariah. William married
Melincent Adams of Milo. They emigrated to Iowa and died
there leaving eight children, Betsey A., Maria, Mary, Jephtha,
James, David, Susan A.and Isabella.

John married Nancy Rey wait of Milo, and emigrated to In-
diana, thence to Canton, Illinoi*, and died there leaving a num-
ber of children.

734 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

Daniel married his wife, Eliza, in Indiana, and now resides
at Canton, Illinois. They have two children, Laura and Jephtha.

David F. married Christiana, daughter of Deacon Mathew
Knapp of Barrington. They lived a few vears in that town
and returned to his paternal homestead, where she died in
1847 at the age of forty. He married a second wife, Mary
Sands, widow, and daughter of David Briggs. They subse-
quently moved to a farm in the vicinity of Himrods, where he
died in 1863, at the age of sixty-four. His widow survives.
The children by the first marriage were Eliza, Daniel F., Ad-
alinc and Jephtha F. Eliza married John Long of Jerusalem.
They finally settled near the paternal homestead, where he died
leaving three children, Edwin R., Charles W. and David R
She married a second husband, William Coon, of Pultuey, and
resides near Milo Center, on the Richard Henderson farm.

Daniel F. born in 1831, married Achsa J. daughter of Jon-
athan Supplee, in 1855. They reside on and own the original
Randolph homestead, to which they have made additions, till
it now includes three hundred acres, extends to the Lake, and
is one of the best farms in the county. Adaline died at six-
teen, in 1850. Jephtha F. married Melissa, daughter of Isaac
Kress of Starkey, and they reside on the Kress homestead in
that town. They have a son Orville K.

Finch F. married Jane, daughter of Elder Simom Suther-
land. They settled near the paternal homestead, and had seven
children, Elizabeth. Mary, Tacey M., John F., Myra W,. Jennie
A. and Helen A. Elizabeth married Thomas Briggs, son of
John Briggs of Milo, and moved to Naples where he died leav-
ing five children, Mary II., Francis, Eugene R., Orson and
Lilian. The widow now resides near Milo Center. Mary
married John Ludlow. They moved to Daggett's Mills, Brad-
ford county, Pa., and their children are Herbert and Jennie.
Tacey M. married Charles Ludlow of Milo, and moved to Ed-
wardsburg, Mich., where she died in 1870, leaving two children,
Anna L. and Orville. John F. is single at Edwardsburg, Mich.
Myra W. died at eighteen. Jennie A. is single residing at

TOWN OF MILO. 735

Corning, N. Y. Helen A. married J. Emery McLoud of Star-
key. They have two children, Georgiana and Leland R.

Eliza married Benjamin Dean of Benton. She died at thirty-
four, in 1839. Their children were Sarah M., Elizabeth, Jeph-
tha and Mary Jane. Jephtha married Hattie E. Dean, and
Mary Jane married Elisha D. Ingraham. Elizabeth and Mary
Jane are dead.

Maria married Silas Van Tuyl of Jerusalem. They have
five children, J. Randolph, William, Lizzie J., Abram and
David M. William F. married S.Minerva Dean, in 1SG7.
They reside on Bluff' Point.

Jephtha F. married Jane, daughter of Andrew Raplee of
Starkey. They finally settled where his father Finch resided
and he died there in 18o0. His widow became the wife of
Uriah Bennett, and they own and reside on the same premises.
The children of Jephtha F. Randolph were Elizabeth and By-
ron. Elizabeth married John Moore. They settled in Torrey
where she died leaving one son, Nelson.

Azariah died at eighteen, in 1833.

BERIAH El. DEED

Was a son of Thomas Eldred, whose wife was Sarah, sister
of Silas Spink. They lived at North Kingston, Rhode Island.
Beriah came to this county a single man and married in 1821
Sarah Mathews, whose mother was a sister of George Fitzwa-
ter, Senior. They settled about two miles west of Hirarods,
where he still resides and where his wife died in 18G4. Their
children were William. Waity, George, Thomas and Sarah.
William married Caroline, daughter of David Henderson.
They reside half a mile north of Ilimrods, and their children
are Le Grand and George. George married in 1871 Amelia
McVain of Torrey.

Waity is the wife of Darius Baker of Torrey.

George married Sarah, daughter of John Eldred, of Rhode
Island. They reside on the paternal homestead and have one
son, Byron.

736 HISTOEY OF YATES COUNTY.

Thomas married Susan, daughter of Arnold Raplee of Milo.
They reside at Himrods and have one child, Eva M.

Sarah married John Spooncr of Milo and emigrated to Hick-
ory Corners, Barry county, Michigan.

STOXK AND I10LT.OWKM, FAMILIES.

Andrew Stone was born near Philadelphia, and he and his
two brothers, James and David emigrated from Pennsylvania
to the Lake Country at an early period. The brothers both
settled in Pultney. Andrew married Mary Davis, widow of
Thomas Hollowell and sister of the wife of George Fitzwater,
Senior, and a relative of the family of Malachi Davis. She
died in Chester county, Pa., leaving twelve children, three of
whom were of her first marriage. The children of Thomas
Hollowell were William, Joseph and Thomas. The children of
Andrew Stone were Jesse, Hannah, Sarah, John, Mary, Samuel,
Andrew, Ruth and Eliza. In 1799, Andrew Stone came a
widower with his numerous family to this county. They first
lived on a farm of Jacob Wagener's near Seneca Lake in the
Friend's Settlement, and moved next to a farm near Milo Cen-
ter, on lot 4, now owned by Henry Hunt. A few years later
he exchanged this place for one hundred and seventy-five acres
near by on lot 14, where he thenceforth resided and died in
1818. The Hollowell sons were married while he occupied the
Hunt farm.

William Hollowell born in 1774 married Hannah, daughter
of the elder Adam Hunt. They lived near Himrods.

Joseph Hollowell born in 177G married Eleanor, daughter of
John Smith of Milo. They settled one half mile west of Milo
Center, and were highly respected while they lived. She died
in 1859, and he in 18G7, at the age of ninety-one. They had
ten children, Mary, Thomas, Joseph, Hannah, Ann, Martha,
William, John, James and George. Mary died at sixteen.
Thomas born in 1804, married Nancy Cole of Benton Center,
and settled there a cabinet maker. They had two children,
John W. and Mary F. John W. spent several years at sea.

TOWN OF MILO. 737

He married iu Virginia, Jane, daughter of Adolplms Eaton,
formerly of Benton Center, and finally settled at Three Rivers,
Mich. They have four children. Mary married Charles Rap-
lee, son of Joseph Raplee, and emigrated to Troy City, Kansas.
Joseph Hollowell, Jr., born in 1808, married Jemima Osborne
of Milo. He was a soldier of Company B. 12Gth, N. Y. V.,
and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. His wife had died
previously. Their children were John N., Isaac and Louisa J.
Hannah born in 1810, married John Allen of Milo. He died
near Milo Center and his widow occupies the homestead. Ann
born in 1812, married Peter Rey wait of Milo. He was killed by
an accident. Their children were Mary J. Eleanor and Hannah.
Mary J. Rey wait married John C. Clark of Milo. They resid-
ed at Milo Center and both died there leaving two children,
John R. and Elva. John R. married Emma Crawford of Penn
Yan, and resides in that village. Eleanor married Henry A.
Ansley of Va., son of William Ansley, formerly of Potter.
They returned to Potter during the Rebellion, and she died
there leaving three children, Albert H., Ellen and William.
The father is now a farmer in Torrey. Hannah Reywalt mar-
lied John Dennis and resides at Oak Hill in Bradford. Their
children are David A., Peter R., Ann, Bianca, Henry and
Clarence. The widow of Peter Reywalt married J^ohn Havens
ot Bradford. They have a son George. Martha Hollowell
born in 1815, married Hixon F. Anderson of Milo Center.
Their children are Fanny, Helen J., George H., Josephine,
Mary A. and Martha. Fanny is the wife of Stephen C. Hat-
maker. William Hollowell born in 1818, married Mary J.,
daughter of Jeremiah Sprague, and resides in Penn Yan, a
harness maker. They have two children, William D. and
Florence J. John B. Hollowell born in 1820, married Mercy,
daughter ot Robert Sprague, and resides on the paternal home-
stead, three-fourths of a mile west of Milo Center. Their
children are Eleanor, John A., Alice and Francis. James G.
Hollowell born in 1822, married Adaline, daughter of Dr.
Austin of Canadice, and resides in Penn Yan a merchant tai-

738 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

lor. Their children are James A. and Carrie A. George L.
Hollowell born in 1824, married Mary, daughter of Solomon
Clark of Pultney, where she died. He emigrated to Winona,
Minnesota, and married Emily Snyder. Their children are
Mary L. and John D.

Thomas Hollowell, Jr., married Martha Gold of Milo, and
settled first on a portion of the Stone homestead, now owned
by Robert Roberts. They emigrated thence to Drewersburg,
Indiana, and finally died there leaving eleven children, John.
William, Mary A., Abigail, Peter S., Hezekiah, Thomas, Edith,
Benjamin, Joseph and Francis, all of whom are married and
well settled in one neighborhood.

Jesse Stone married Patience Yeaton of Milo, and settled on
fifty acres of the Andrew Stone farm, now owned by the heirs
of Joshua Titus. His wife died leaving five children, Andrew,
Maria, Cynthia, Margaret and Samuel. He married a second
wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Dennis Stewart of Milo. They
emigrated to Ohio, and nothing further is known of them.

Hannah Stone was the wife of Charles Roberts.

Sarah married Silas Young. They lived a few years at Big
Stream, and emigrated thence to Northern Ohio. They re-
side in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and are the parents of a
large family.

John Stone married Abigail, daughter of Richard Wiuship.
They settled on a part of the Andrew Stone homestead, where
Calvin H. Stone now resides on lot 14. His wife died in 184G,
and he still survives residing with his son in 1871, at the age of
eighty-six. Their children wereDelila, Calvin H., Charlotte, Re-
becca and Sarah. Delila born in 1812, married Ludim St John,
son of Moses St. John. He is a mechanic residing at Milo Center.
Their children are Sarah J. and John C. Sarah J. is the sec-
ond wife of Richard Lawrence of Barrington. John C. was a
soldier in the Company of Capt. George Brennan in the N. Y.
Heavy Artillery, and died in hospital at Alexandria,Va., in 1864.

Calvin II. Stone was born on the premises, where he resides,
in 1815, and married in 1849, Mary A. Keeler. He is a highly

TOWN OF MILO. 739

respected citizen. They have two sons, John A. and Charles
A. Charlotte born in 1823, was the first wife of Richard
Lawrence ot Barrington. They settled on a farm in Milo,
south of the second Milo Baptist church, where she died in
1861, leaving two children, Cyrus and Mary A. Cyrus mar-
ried Kate, daughter of John McDowell of Barrington, and
resides with his father, llebecca born in 182G, married Joel
Wortman. Sarah born in 1828, married Abner Gardner in 1848.

Mary Stone married Nehemiah Winship. They settled at
Kinney's Corners, where he erected a fulling mill and pursued
his vocation as a clothier, with very moderate success, lie
moved to Troupsburg, where he died leaving the following
children : Sylvester, Richard, Rosella, Sarah, Charlotte, Pame-
lia, Dugald C, Mary, Ezra and Hannah. The widow married
a second husband, Deacon John Kent of Woodhull.

Samuel Stone married Electa, sister of Ludim St. John.
They settled on the north part of the Stone homestead, now
owned by Ferrill Sheridan. Their children were Eber, Mary,
Naomi, Zerviah, Lucy and Martha. In 1855 Eber, then single
emigrated to Fort Dodge, Iowa. The sister, Lucy, then six-
teen, followed him alone in March 185G ; and in October of the
same year the parents followed after with their youngest daugh-
ter, Martha. The father died a few months later. Eber is
married and a farmer of large estate. He has one child, and
his mother and sister Lucy belong to his family. Martha mar-
ried there a Mr. Pingrey. Mary married George Goundry of
Milo. Naomi married Henry S. Ellis of Starkey. They emi-
grated to Ovid, Mich., and have a daughter Viola. Zerviah
married David A. Bissel of Milo. He is a mechanic residing
east of the second Milo Baptist church.

CHARLES ROBERTS

Was born in the Quaker Settlement near Philadelphia, and
belonged to a Quaker family. He came to this county in 1799,
and married Hannah, daughter of Andrew Stone. They set-
tled en lot 14 near Milo Center. He was a prominent and
popular citizen, and was Town Clerk in Milo from the first or-

740 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

ganization of the town in 1818 till 1837. He died in 1839 at
the age of seventy-six. and his wife survived till 1861, dying
at the age of ninety-three. Their children were Charlotte,
Charles H., Robert and Clarissa.

Charlotte born in 1803, married Henry Hunt. They settled
on a part of the Roberts homestead, where they still reside.
Their son, Charles II. born in 1834, married Lydia A. Fillmore.
Their children are Helen, Manning, Adelaide, Hattie, Charlotte,
and John Henry. Their other children are mentioned in the
record of the Hunt family.

Charles H. born in 1806, married Maroe Mann of Milo.
They reside at Columbus, Ohio, and their children are Clarissa
B., Hannah M., Oril, Charles II., Charlotte and Louisa.

Robert Roberts born in 1808, married Sarah J., daughter of
James Lee. They reside on the Roberts homestead.

Clarissa born in 1816, died at twenty-two.

JOHN ARMSTRONG.

John Armstrong of Milo, was a son of James Armstrong,
who emigrated at an early period from Somerset Co., New
Jersey, where their family were first established in this country
by the emigration of Martin Armstrong from Dublin, Ireland.
They were Irish of Scotch descent. James Armstrong was a
brother of Alexander Armstrong, the father of the family of
Armstrongs that settled in East Benton, on the ci Ridge Road,"
now in Torrey. James Armstrong purchased the land, now
the homestead of his son John Armstrong, on lot 12, in 1793.
Comiug the next year with his family, he purchased other land
and settled in the town of Seneca, on the Gore in the neigh-
borhood of William Ansley. John Armstrong, the oldest son
of James was the only one of the family who settled within
the boundaries of Yates county. He married Sarah, daughter
of Rowland Embree, in 1822, and settled on one hundred and
thirty acres, the east part cf lot 12, which his father had pur-
chased twenty-nine years before, but which was still in its wild
estate. They still reside on the same premises. He was born
in New Jeisey in 1793, and his wife at Stillwater, N. Y., in

TOWN OF MILO.

741

1799. Their children have heen Mary A. and Henry. Mary
A. born in 1823, was the wife of James Lawrence. She died
in 1858. Henry Armstrong born in 1824, married first Ada-
line, daughter of Silas Hunt. They settled on a portion of
his paternal homestead, where she died leaving three children,
Charles H., Marion and John. Marion married George Millard
of Starkey, now a merchaut at Milo Center. The sons are
single. Henry Armstrong married a second wife, Mercy J.,
daughter of George B. Briggs. They have a sou George.

rKTEK EASTMAN

Was born at Middletown, Orange county, N. Y., in 1774.
His father was Tilton Eastman, originally from Connecticut,
and of English descent, whose wife was Polly Owen, an aunt
of Terry Owen, one of the pioneers of Milo. Peter Eastman
married in 1797, Sarah, daughter of John Wisner of Florida,
Orange Co., a relative of Polydore B. Wisner, and from a fam-
ily of German stock. They lived in New Jersey, moved thence
to Onondaga Co., and again to Cayuga Co., thence to Canada
West, and afterwards, in 1818, settled on what was called the
" Pine Tract" of Terry Owen in Milo. Finally they moved in
1837 to Scipio, Seneca Co., Ohio, where they died advanced in
years ; he in 1858 at the age of nearly eighty-five, and she in
1862, nearly eighty-six. Their children were John W., Dan-
iel W., Polly, James T., Peter O., Moses W , William W.,
Henry M. and Charles L.

John W. born in 1797, married Cynthia, daughter of Wil-
liam Spooner. They emigrated to Scipio, Ohio, and had two
children, Ward and Elizabeth.

Daniel W. born in 1800, inarried Catharine A., daughter of
Solomon Finch. They also emigrated to Scipio, Ohio.

Polly born in 1803, married Luther Spooner Jr., of Milo,
in 1831, and died leaving two children.

James T. born in 1805, married Polly, daughter of John
Wood, of Milo, and also moved to Scipio, Ohio, where he died
in 1848, leaving a large family. He was a Free Will Baptist
clergyman. Seven of his sons and sons-in-law were soldiers
of the Union army during the Rebellion.

742 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Peter O. born in 1808, married at Scipio, Ohio, Rebecca
Long, and resides there a popular physician. Their children
are Adelaide and Charles F.

Moses W. born in Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1812,
married in 1836, Matilda A., daughter of Rev. Abner Chase.
They have continued to reside in Milo, formerly on lot 19, on
land now owned by Benjamin L. Hoyt, and now in Penn Yan.
He is a grain and wool buyer, and a citizen of energy and
prominence. He has held a number of civil stations in the
county, and has been noted as the head of a Sunday School for
the poor. Their children are Charles S., George Y., William W.
and Lauren C. Charles S. is single and a hardware merchant in
Penn Yan. George Y. is also single and connected with his
father in business. William W. was formerly captain of a
Company in the 59th Regiment of the National Guards. He
married Louise, daughter of John II. Lapham, and is also en-
gaged in business with his father. Lauren C. married Eliza-
beth, daughter of Stimpson Gardner, and resides at Clin-
ton, Iowa.

William W. born in 1815, was a Methodist Clergyman.
He married Salra Wallace in 1838, and emigrated to Scipio,
Ohio, where he died in 1841, leaving one son, David W. who
was a Lieutenant in a Michigan Regiment of cavalry in the
war of the Rebellion.

Henry M. bom in 1817, married at Scipio, Ohio, Minerva
Thayer, who died in 1846, leaving two daughters, Melissa
and Almeda.

Charles L. born in Milo in 1827, married Annette, daughtei
of Andrew D. Swarthout of the town of Wayne in 1866
He is a Dry Goods Merchant in Penn Yan.

SPOOXKR FAMILY.

Frederick, William, Luther and Sophia, were children of
Benjamin and Freelove Spooner of Williamstown, near Taun-
ton, Mass., and all married and emigrated to this county with
families and settled at an early day.

TOWN OF MILO.

:43

Frederick Spooner and bis wife Martha came first to this
county in 1800, and settled on a farm on lot 19, in Milo,
since owned by Joshua Titus, and subsequently on a farm near
Keuka Lake, now owned by George Shearman, on lot 32.
They had four children, Calvin, Benjamin, Polly and Berlin.
None of these were married here except Polly, who married
John Roback of Milo, and settled on a farm south of the
Spooner homestead. In 1821 the whole family, including the
son-in-law, emigrated to the State of Indiana.

William married and came to Milo soon after the brother
Luther, about 1805, and lived near Frederick, where he and
his wife died leaving six children, William, Elizabeth, Bennett,
Polly, Alanson and Cynthia. Of these the following named
four were married here :

Elizabeth married Nathaniel Owen of Milo, and owned and
resided on the farm now owned by Isaiah Youngs, on lot 28.
They had seven children, William, Bennett, Alanson, Charles,
Mary, and two others.

Bennett married Irene Alden of Milo. They lived near
Penn Yan and had two sons, Frederick and William.

Alanson married Alma, daughter of John Finch of Milo
Center, an early settler, and resided for a time in Penn Yan.
They had three children, Ellen, Harriet and Jane.

Cynthia married John W. Eastman, son of Peter Eastman,
and settled about one mile south of Penn Yan, on the premises
now owned by Benjamin L. Hoyt, on lot 19. They have two
children, Ward and Elizabeth. These families and the un-
married son, William, all emigrated to Tiffin, Ohio, about forty
years ago.

Luther married Hannah Allen. They first settled on the
farm now owned by Victor Owen, on lot 13 ; thence moved to
the farm where they remained during their lives, in the Hunt
and Hollowell neighborhood, and now owned in part by their
sons Benjamin and Leonard T., on lot 5. He died in 1846,
aged seventy-eight, and she in 1848, aged sixty-six. They
had six children, Luther, Allen, Freelove, Benjamin, Leonard
T. and James C.

744 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Luther Spooner, Jr., married Polly Eastman of Milo, and
settled in that town, where she died leaving two children,
Freelove and Mary Ann. Freelove married William Swart-
hout of Wayne. Mary Ann married Rufus Allen of Steuben
county, where they settled. She died leaving two children,
Edward H. and Mary E.

Luther Spooner, Jr., married a second wife, Julia Owen, of
and resides on a farm on lot 6. They have one son Alien.
Allen married Phebe Gardner of Milo Center and settled on a
farm near Dresden. He finally died on a farm on the Bath
road, at the old Babcock tavern stand. They had five children,
Hannah, Joseph, Benjamin, John and Harriet. Hannah married
William Swarthout and resides on the Bath road. They have
two children, Hortense and Harriet. Ilortense married Amos
Wortman, son of Joel Wortman, and resides in Barrington.
Joseph married Susan F. Litchfield of Benton Center. They
resided for a time at his paternal home and finally emigrated to
Hickory Corners, Kent Co , Michigan. He is a Baptist clergy-
man. They have cne child, Florence. Benjamin emigrated to
Illinois and died single. John married Sarah Eldred and emi-
grated to Hickory Corners, Mich. Harriet married William
Remer, son of Abram V. Remer of Torrey, and resided at
Dresden, where she died leaving two children, Ernest and
George.

Freelove married Jonathan Owen of Milo, and settled on a
farm, where he died and his widow resides. There are five
surviving children, Allen, Ira, Mary J., Minerva and Victor.
Allen married Amy, daughter of John Swarthout of Wayne,
and they reside in Torrey and have three children, Adelle,
Frank and Harriet. Ira married Diantha, daughter of Ezekiel
Swarthout of Wayne, and resides in Milo. They have three
children, Georgianna, Burt and Lola. Minerva married Wil-
liam Dunbar of Albany county. He is a Baptist clergyman,
and resides at North East, Pa.

Benjamin married Lucy, daughter of Rev. Abner Chase of
Milo. They reside on a portion of his paternal homestead in
Their only child is an adoj)ted son, Edward H. Allen Spooner.

TOWN OF MILO. 715

Leonard T. married Mary A., daughter of Johnson A. Nich-
ols of Milo Center. They reside on a portion of the Spooner
homestead, and have one child, Marvin L.

James C. married Lena, daughter of George Swarthout of
Milo, and they reside on a farm in Milo, on the Bath read.
They have one daughter, Bowena.

TEKRY OWEN FAMILY.

Terry Owen came to this county from OniDge Co. His wife
was Polly Finch of the same place. In 1810 they came to
this town, buying a tract of land near Seneca Lake, south of
and near Dresden, and settled there for a brief time, when
they sold that and purchased in the neighborhood of the Law-
rences, where they settled and remained during their lives.
He died in 1821, aged sixty-two years, and she in 1814, aged
seventy- three. He was a man of means, and owned here in
his homestead, and in what he called the " Pine Woods" tract,
near the Gilbert Baker settlement, five or six hundred acres,
which remained to their children. Their family consisted of
eleven children, nine reaching adult age and marrying ; Nathan-
iel, Hannah, Jonathan, William, Julia, Daniel, Ira, Isaac and
M aria. Nathaniel married Elizabeth Spooner.

Hannah married Thomas Fitzwater of Milo. They settled
on the " Pine Tract," on lot 23, and reside there. They have
two children, Mary A. and George. Mary A. married Sey-
mour Scutt. George married Mary Raplee.

Jonathan married Freelove Spooner, October 12, 1810.

William married Millie Dunn of Milo. They emigrated with
their family West, where he died leaviug a large family.

Julia married Benjamin Reywalt of Milo. They resided
here and had four children, John, Isaac, Ann M. and Sally Jane.
Reywalt died and the widow married a second husband, Lu-
ther Spooner. They have one son, Allen. Of the children
by her first husband, there are two living, John and Ann M.
John married Mary Jane Wood of Penn Yan, and emigrated
to Michigan. Ann M. married Martin Poyneer of Branchpoint
and resides there.

746

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Daniel married Delia Norton of Benton. They settled on
their homestead, and had two children, Melissa and Erastus.
Melissa died single at the age of twenty-one. Erastus mar-
ried Mary, daughter of Charles Wagener of Penn Yan.

Ira married Margaret Ayres of Milo. They settled on the
" Pine Tract," emigrated West, but returned to this county,
where they died leaving three children, Margaret, Sarah A.
and William, all of whom emigrated West while single.

Isaac married Mary Champlin of Milo. They settled in Je-
rusalem on the Green Tract. They have four children, Mary
S., Sarah J., Helen and Ira. Mary S. married Mr. Wilcox, and
settled in Jerusalem where she died leaving five children.
Sarah J. married John Mahan of Jerusalem, and resides there.
Helen and Ira are single.

Maria married Stephen Champlin of Milo. They had three
children, Jeffrey, Jonathan and Ira. The husband is dead, and
the widow resides with her son Jonathan, who married Cath-
arine Goundry of Milo. They have one child, Icy.

THOMAS BAXTER

Was born at Kinderhook, N. Y., in 1,776, and married La-
vina Benjamin in 1810. She was born in 1786. He traveled on
horseback to Covert, Seneca Co.,where he bought a farm, and re-
turned for his wife. They lived in Covert till 1830, and all
their children were born there. They then moved to Milo and
bought the farm on lot 29, previously owned by Thomas Ben-
nett, and now owned by Gilbert Baxter. He died there in
1861 at the age of eighty-eight. His wife died previously at
the age of sixty seven. Their children were Mahala, William,
Elizabeth, Isaac, Phebe, Caroline and Gilbert.

Mahala born in 1810, married William Kinne of Milo. They
lived many years in Barrington, and he was at one time Super-
visor of that town. They reside now at Bound Brook, New
Jersey. Their children are Baxter and Jane. Baxter married
Alzana, daughter of John Wright of Barriugton. Jane mar-
ried Ira Haggerty of New Jersey. They have one child.

TOWN OF MILO.

r47

William born in 1812, married Charity, daughter of Isaac
Hedges, in 1852. Both died in 1851, leaving four children,
Harriet, George, Helen and Gilbert.

Elizabeth born in 1814, married in 183o, Stephen Bennett,
whom she survives. Their children were Lavina, Lee, Isaac
and Adell. Lavina married James Coinstock of Oregon. Lee
died a young man. Isaac resides siugle with his mother as
does Adell.

Isaac born in 1818 married Matilda Ansley, ol the town of
Seneca, and died eight months later at the age of twenty-four,
in 1811. His widow married a Mr. Decker and died soon after.

Phebe born in 1820, is the wife of George Shearman Jr.

Caroline born in 1827, married Frank B. Simonds in lsi;o.
They reside at Eel River, Humboldt Co., California, and their
children are Fred and Emma.

Gilbert born in 1829, married in 1852, Emeline, daughter of
Joshua Titus. He owns and resides on the homestead, a farm
of one hundred and forty acres. Their children Gilbert C,
Ella L.v Eliza; George, "William and Louisa.

Thomas Baxter had a second wife, Delany Marion, (widow-
Adams) who is still living. He was a member of the Baptist
Church fifty years. His brother John who resided at Auburn,
lived to the age of one hundred. Jesse Baxter, a grandson of
John, is a competent Printer, and served as Foreman several
years in the Chronicle Office in Penn Yau, and afterwards in
the Express Office. Enoch, another brother of Thomas Bax-
ter, lived in Catlin, Chemung county, and reached the age of
•ninety.

WOIITMAN FAMILY.

William Wortmau was born near New Brunswick, New Jer-
sey, and at an early age he and an only sister were left orphans.
He came to the town of Hector, now Schuyler county, with
one of the pioneers of that town and there grew to man's es-
tate, and married Anna, daughter of Anthony Swarthout.
After a few years they moved to Wayne, and later, in 1812,
purchased a farm in what was afterwards Barrington, near the

HISTORY OF TATES COUNTY.

Bath road, and bounded south by the county line. There they
remained through life. He died in 1850 at the age of seventy-
one, and she in 18G0, aged seventy-seven. Their children
were Fanny, Amos, Charlotte, Mary A., Asa, Joel, Lavina,
Halsey, Sally, William, Andrew and David.

Fanny born in 1801, married Selah Crosby of Barrington.
Their children were John, Lucinda, Harvey, Amos, Mary, Rath,
Daniel W\, Nathan, Susan A. David, Martha, William and James.
John died a young man. Lucinda married Charles Peters, set-
tled in Steuben Co., and died there leaving two children, one
of whom, Susan, resides with Selah Crosby. Harvey died at
the age of thirty, single Amos married Mary Ann Miller, and
is a physician at Hart, Ocean county, Mich. They have one
son and two daughters. Mary married Richard Collier, a far-
mer residing in Thurston, Steuben Co. They have had three
sons. Ruth married Isaiah Jordan and resides in Tyrone.
They have a daughter, Mary. Daniel W. married Agnes
Colestock, and is a farmer at Hart, Mich. They have three
children. Nathan married Elizabeth White of Campbelltown,
and is a lawyer at Hart, Mich. Amos, Daniel W. and Nathan are
respectively, County Judge, County Clerk and District Attor-
ney cf Oceana Co. Daniel W. was formerly an Indian agent.
Susan A. died a young woman. David it a Theological Student
at Rochester. Martha married George Hill, a merchant at
Wayne. They have two children, Georgia and Lavina. Wil-
liam married Euphemia Gregg of Bath, and is a lawyer at
Lansing, Mich. ; also a clerk in the government land office.
They have ono daughter. James married Maria Clark of
Wayne, and is a farmer and vineyardist in Barrington.

Amos married Catharine Herrick of Wayne, and lives in
that town. Their children are Ogdeu, Eliza, William and Joel.
Ogden, who alone became a resident of Yates county, married
Jane Snyder of Milo, and resides in Barrington. Their chil-
dren are Phebe, Amos, Arvilla, Melissa and one other. Phebe
married Mr. De Camp, and resides in Tyrone.

Charlotte married Ogden Sherwood of Barrington and re-
sided there. Their children were Amos, Wortman, Gilbert,

TOWN OF MILO. 719

Nelson, Joel, Mary, Annn, Asa and Harriet. Amos married
Ann Eliza, daughter of Philo Chubb. He was a soldier of the
126th N. Y. V., and became a Captain. After the war he em-
igrated to Michigan where he is a merchant. Wortman mar-
ried Harriet Drake and died near Elraira. Joel married Anico
Elmer and is a merchant in Michigan. He too was a soldier
in the war.

Mary Ann married Alonzo W. Sunderlin, a noted Baptist
clergyman, residing at Wayne. Their children are Van Rens-
selaer, Lorenzo. William, Byron and Alouzo A. Van Rens-
selaer married Elizabeth Bissel of Milo, and emigrated to Mich.
Lorenzo died at Cincinnati. William married Sarah Misner.
Alonzo A. went to Michigau, and married there Anna Corey.

Asa married Harriet Boyce and resides in East Barrington.
Their children are Emily, William, Ezra, Chauncy, Andrew,
Charlotte and John. Emily married James Baskin of Tyrone.
They have one child. William married Susan, daughter of
Nathaniel Huson, and resides in Barrington. Ezra married
Mary Horton, and died leaving three children. Chauncy is
married and resides in Barrington.

Joel W"ortman, born in 1812 married tirst Martha A. Bailey
of Tyrone. She died in Barrington, where they first settled,
leaving three children, Mariette, D. Anna and Amos. He mar-
ried a second wife, Hiley T. Bunco a widow and daughter of
Jonathan Taylor. They moved to his present residence on
the Bath road on lot 44 in Milo, where she died leaving two
children, Ella E. and Martha. He married a third wive, Re-
becca, daughter of John Stone. His daughter Mariette mar-
ried Jacob W. Thayer. Amos married Hortense Swarthout,
and resides in Barrington.

Lavina married Charles, son of James A. Swarthout, and
emigrated to Palo, Iona county, Mich., with four children,
Louisa, Sarah, William and Betsey.

Halsey married Huldah Robinson of Barrington, and they
emigrated to Barrington, Cook Co,, Illinois, where he died and
his widow and children reside.

Sally married Erastmus Wright of Barrington.

750 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

William married Jane Jordan of Tyrone, and settled in Bar-
riugton where she died. He moved to Barrington, 111., where
he married Phebe, sister of Halsey Wortman's wife.

Andrew married Julia, daughter of Allen Bassett, and re-
sides in Barrington. Their children are Huldah, Eugene, C,
Loella and an infant. Huldah married Henry Freeman and
moved to Urbana. They have two children, Charlena and an
infant.

David married Louisa, daughter of Dr. Daniel Sunderlin of
Tyrone. They settled in Barrington and finally emigrated to
Palo, Mich , where he is a practicing physician. Their ehil- |
dren are Daniel, Charles and Frank.

The descendants of William Wortman number upwards of
one hundred and seventy, and one hundred and forty are still
among the living.

ELDER SIMON' StJTHEKLAXD

One of the notable characters of the early history of Milo,
was Simon Sutherland, a faithful and earnest preacher of the
Baptist faith. He was born in Stanford, Dutchess county, in
1779, and married in 1700, Tacey Lapham. They moved into
this county in 1803. He was licensed to preach the same year
and continued to preach without compensation many years.
Indeed it was on his part a firm resolve in the early period of
his ministry, to accept no compensation for his ministerial
labor. On one occasion when they had lost their cow, some
friends started a subscription to buy them another. Upon gel-
ting possession of the paper he threw it under the " forestiek,"
determined to allow nothing of the kind. He supported him-
self and family by the labor of his hands, and preached with
zeal and effect to the pioneers of the surrounding country,
sometimes going ten miles or more from home on foot to at-
tend his appointments. He formed the first and second Bap-
tist churches in Milo, and preached for the latter church about
twenty years. At the close of one year ten dollars was appro-
priated by the church to be divided between him and Elder
Amos Chase. In the war of 1812 his brother Roger was a

TOWN OF MILO. 751

captain. The Elder net willing he should go alone, went with
him and served several months on the lines. In the period of
his war experience he had a number of hair breadth escapes.
They had seven daughters, Be than a, Lorana, Jane, Polly, Mary,
Amanda and Judah ; also a son, who was the youngest, and
who was accidently killed by a horse while a small lad. Polly,
Judah and Amanda died about the same time of measles, in
Pultney, and were buried in the cemetery of the second Milo
Baptist church.

Bethana married Milton Finch and has three children, Mas-
silon, Sutherland and Lydia. Lydia married Mr. Corwin of
Pultney, who died in the army during the Rebellion.

Lorana married Russell Knowlton and moved to Ohio.

Jane married Finch F. Randolph of Milo. The mother now
ninety years old lives in Ohio with her daughter Lorana.

Elder Sutherland was instrumental in forming Churches in
Starkey, Barrington and Pultney. In the latter town he re-
sided twelve years a minister ; and in all was upwards of fifty
years a preacher. lie moved from Pultney to Starkey where
he lived several years, and finally died near his old home in
Milo. He was made of the stuff that belongs to heroes, and
was ever true to his faith and calling, while he was kind, gentle
and self-sacrificing in domestic and social life.

l'IRST UAPXIST ClIURCII Ol' MILO.

Elder Simon Sutherland, the pioneer preacher of the Baptist j
faith in Milo, commenced preaching in 1803 at Nichols' Cor
ners. He formed the first organization in the dwelling of
Thomas Ilollowell, in February, 1801. It was completed with
twenty-nine members in 180,"), March L3th, at the Raplee
school house in East Milo. Meetings were held there and at
the Potter school house, south of Ilimrods, for a number of
years. In 1833 the Society erected a church at Ilimrods at a
cost of fourteen hundred dollars, which they occupied till 18G8,
when it was rebuilt at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars?
It is the only religious organization and the only church in
that vicinity, and is well sustained, and has one hundred and

752 HISTOEY OF YATES county.

nine members. Over six hundred members have belonged
since its organization. They have had the service of fourteen
ministers as follows : Simon Sutherland, John B. Chase, Ben-
jamin R. Swick, Enos Marshall, Hezekiah West, James Pease,
J. Batchelder, A. Wells, J. Sabin, A. W. Sunderlin, J. Parker,
A. B. De Groat, M. Livermore, John Rooney and W. W. Holt.
The present pastor has addei thirty to the membership. Du-
ring the last forty years the church has had five deacons, but
one of whom Deacon Henry Smith, now serves in that capaci-
ty. The deacons have been James Hulse, George W. Shan-
non, Amos Ellis, Azariah Finch, Alfred W. Valentine and
Henry Smith. The first Clerk was John Matthews, the next
Azariah Finch, and the third John Beers. George Van Os-
dal was chosen Clerk in 1832, and held the place 21 years.

FREE WILT. BATTIST CHURCH.

Few people did more hard work at an early day in this coun-
ty in behalf of their religious convictions than the Free Will
Baptists, though but comparatively small results remain,
owing doubtless much to their lack of thorough organization,
and more to their lack of liberality in sustaining their ministry.
In 1838 Stephen S. Banning and Ezra F. Crane, ministers of
that faith, held meetings at the school house, and awakened a
religious interest in the neighborhood of Gilbert Baker.
They organized a church called the First Free Will Baptist
Church of Milo. Mr. Baker gave the land and made a liberal
subscription for a meeting house, and others added subscriptions
to an amount thought sufficient for the work. B. B. Beekman
of Dundee was the builder, the price twelve hundred and fifty
dollars, Gilbert Baker guaranteeing the subscriptions. The
house was located at the Baker Corners, on lot 8. The sub-
scription was somehow lost, and Mr Baker had a large share
of the work to pay for, and the house at length became his
private property. The church at one time embraced upwards
of one hundred members, but has become extinct as an organi-
zation. The trustees were Jonathan Owen, William Spink
and Gilbert Baker. The edifice is on the premises of Gilbert

TOWN OF MILO.

753

D. Baker and is open to all who choose to use it for religious
service. It is also the place of meeting of the Glen Spring
Farmers' Club, organized in 18G9, and now flourishing with a
Library of one hundred volumes.

SECOND MILO BAPTIST CHURCH.

Elder Simon Sutherland preached in the neighborhood of
this church as early as 1807, holding meetings in a school
house of poplar logs, on an opposite corner. Among the Bap-
tist families in the neighborhood were those of Isaac Hedges,
Josiah Maples and John R. Powell. A series of meetings was
held in the latter part of the year 1810, at the house of Isaac
Hedges, to consider the subject of church organization. Early
in 1811 the organization was effected under the name of the
the South Benton Church, Elnathan Finch acting as modera-
tor, and Josiah Maples as clerk; and the churches in Wayne
and Benton sending delegates to participate in the proceedings.
The names of those who constituted the church at first were,
Elnathan Finch, Sarah Finch, Isaac Hedges, Elizabeth Hedges,
John R. Powell, Polly Powell, James Russel, Anna Ilussel,
Richard Winship, Josiah Maples, and Esther Maples. Seven
more were added in April. Amos Chase was licensed in 1811
by this church to preach ; John R. Powell in 1819, and Epaph-
ras Thompson in 1824. Elder Chase was ordained in 1813,
and Simon Sutherland in 1814. Josiah Maples was the first
standing clerk, and he was succeeded in 181 6 by Francis Tay-
lor. Ephraim C. Gillett was elected clerk in 1821. The name
of the church was changed to Second Milo after the division
of the town. In 1824 a branch cf this church was established
in the neighborhood of Gideon Burtch in Jerusalem. Gideon
Burtch was chosen deacon in 1S27, and Stephen Raymond
assistant clerk.

In December 1828, at a church meeting in Jerusalem it was
resolved to hold a church meeting once in two months in Penn
Yan. One year later at a meeting held at the residence of Ar-
temas Enos in Penn Yan, it was voted to set off a conference
at Penn Yan with a view to forming a church at a future time.

754 IIISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

The following members were drawn off for this purpose : Ste-
phen Raymond Polly Raymond, Gideon Burtch, Anna Burtch,
Thomas Benedict, Lydia Benedict, Mehitable Benedict, Sam-
uel Raymond, Experience Raymond, Isaac Raymond, William
Freeman, Lucy Freeman, Pond Curtis, Pamelia Curtis, Eunice
Randall, Artemas Enos, Sister Youmans, Sally Nash, Mary
Talford, Sister Firman.

In 1830 Reuben P. Lamb became the Pastor of the church,
and in 1831 Richard Winship was appointed Deacon. June
8, 1831, at a council at the place of worship to ordain Elder R,
P. Lamb, Elder William Witter served as moderator, and John
B. Chase as clerk. After hearing the christian experience of
the candidate, his call to the ministry and his views of Bible
doctrine, the council proceeded to ordain him in the following
order: 1st, Sermon by Elder Jonathan Ketchum ; 2d, Conse-
crating Prayer by Elder Witter ; 3d, Laying on of hands by
Elders Witter, Sutherland, Chase and Thompson ; 4th, Charge
by Elder N. Lamb ; 5th, Right Hand of Fellowship by Elder
Chase ; 6th, concluding Prayer by Elder Moore ; 7th, Hymn
and Benediction by the candidate.

In 1832 a meeting house was erected at a cost of twelve
hundred dollars on the scuth-west corner of lot 21. In 1851
a new house was built on the same ground bv George Dusen-
bury of Milo, for twenty-eight hundred dollars. John Wilkins
was chosen clerk in 1831, and Darius C, Randall Assistant
clerk. Thirty -two members were added to the church in 1832.
Under the pastorate of Simon Sutherland sixty-six members
joined the church. Under Reuben P. Lamb who resigned in
1836, eighty-three. Thompson Ferris and Daniel Hedges were
appointed Deacons in 1833, and George C. Wheeler clerk in
1840, and he is still Clerk. In 1843 Allen P. Spooner and
Joshua Titus were elected Deacons and served as such while
they lived.

Elder A.W. Sunderlin assumed the pastorate of the church in
183G and continued in that capacity fourteen years, during
which time two hundred and seven members were added to

TOWN OF MILO.

the society. He was succeeded by Elder Philander Shedd,
who remained two and one half years, adding six members to
the church. John Smith became Pastor in 1853, and remain-
ed one year, adding two members. ]Sr, Ferguson assumed pas-
toral charge in 1855, and continued two years, adding five
members. George Balcom took charge in 1858, staid two
years and added seventy-three to the church. In 1860 S. S.
Bid well commenced preaching for the church, remained two
years and was ordained in 1861. At the same time William
It. Swarthout, Rensselaer Pulver and Richard Lawrence were
ordained as Deacons. Elder William Dunbar commenced his
service as Pastor in 1862, and remained one year and a half,
adding thirty-two members.

In April, 1864, Thomas Allen who had been a successful and
accomplished Missionary in India, took pastoral charge and
remained three years, adding forty members. In 1867 Moses
Livermore assumed pastoral charge, and still continues in that
relation, having added thirty members to the church. In 1868
James C. Spooner, Albert Townsend, and George C. Wheeler
were chosen Deacons. In 1S70 this church reported one hun-
dred and fifty-two members.

MILO CENTER METHODIST CIIUKCU.

Samuel Kress, Sr., was an early class-leader whose meetings
were held at the house of George Fitzwater, Sr., in the school
house north and at his own house south of Himrods, in what
is now Starkey. Belonging to his class were himselt and wife,
George Fitzwater, Sr., and wife, and daughters, Sarah and
Hannah, Richard Henderson and wife, Malachi Davis, Sr. and
wife, and Rachel Davis.

Samuel Castuer was the leader of another class, north of
Nichols' Corners, to which belonged besides himself and wife,
Sarah, daughter of Richard Smith, Mrs. Avery Smith, Morde-
cai Sweeny and wife, Anna and Polly Chambers, and their
brother John. Jesse Alford and wife joined in 1808, and she,
now Mrs. Mary Lawrence, is still a member.

HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

William Smith a local preacher who settled in 1797, near the
present residence of Metaliah H. Lawrence, gathered another
class of which Abraham Prosser was the leader. To this class
belonged Mrs. Prosser, Eleanor Smith, afterwards Mrs.
James Ilollowell, Polly, daughter of John Lawrence, Mrs. Joel
Dorrrian, and others who lived in the place since known as
Penn Yan.

There was preaching at the Spink school house, the log
school house in the Friend's Sattlement, at William Smith's
and later at Joseph Ilollowell's. Quarterly meetings were held
in Mr. Ilollowell's barn, and sometimes in the barn of David
Briggs. and also that of John Supplee. Often the crowd
would be so great that the woods near at hand would be occu-
pied for preaching. David Briggs, Joseph Ilollowell, and mem-
bers of their families, together with Daniel Owen, Ruth and
Priscilla Moore, and many others joined the church as fruits of
a revival, under Abner Chase and John Baggarly in 1821.
Another revival in 1825 under William J. Kent, added Wil-
liam W. Aspell, Benjamin Spooner and wife, and many more.
In 1833 the society was legally organized, and David Briggs,
Richard Henderson, William W. Aspell, James C. Robinson
and John Armstrong were chosen Trustees. A lot was
bought of Isaac Nichols for eighty dollars, on which a church
was erected for $2000 by Ilubbell Gregory. John Copeland
preached the dedication sermon in September 1833. A com-
munion service was presented by Mrs. Mary Lawrence, who also
furnished the altar with tabic and chairs. A noted revival soon
followed. The circuit was then known as Milo and Starkey.
In 1843 it was divided and called Milo and Dresden. At that
time a parsonage was purchased for $450, and Samuel C.
Adams an eccentric and noted local preacher, held a protracted
meeting, which added valuable elements to the church. In
1844 a camp meeting was held in the woods of Henry Hunt.
During its progress Bishop Hamlin preached to an audience
estimated at five thousand. In 1849 a fine toned bell was pur-
chased for the church through the labors of George L. Hoi-

TOWN OF MILO. 7.37

lowell and the pastor. A revival occurred in 1853 under the
preaching of A. N. Fillmore and Anthony Ryall ; another in
185G under Dexter E. Clapp, now Minister to the Argentine
Republic ; another in 18G5 under Charles E. Hcrnans, added
most of the Sunday School to the church. In 18G2 Jacob Al-
lington made repairs on the church to the amount of $450. In
18G9 upwards of $1000 was expeded in enlarging and improv-
ing the edifice. Nearly $1G00 of this was raised by B. I. Ives
at the dedication. The work was done by Jacob Allington
& Co. Adam Hunt was president of the Board of Trustees
and chairman of the building committee

The class leaders at Milo Center have been as follows : Sam-
uel Kress, Sr., Samuel Castner, Abraham Prosser, Win, W.
Aspell, Thomas Goundry, Benjamin B. Spooner, M. D. Jack-
son, John B. Hollowell, Archibald Strobridge, II. F. Anderson,
P. J. Seeley, Samuel Depew, II. T. Aspell, Win. Hollowell, L.
M. Millard, S. C. Hatmaker, Newton B. Raplee and A. II.
Ansley. The Sunday School Superintendents have been Dr.
John Hatmaker, William W. Aspell, II. F. Anderson, John B.
Green, Myron Depew, Charles F. Rappelyea, George L. Hol-
lowell, II. F. Anderson, S. C. Hatmaker, J. II. Shepherd, C.
E. Hermans, George W. Millard.

Among the early stewards were Samuel Castner, Richard
Henderson, David Briggs, William W. Aspell, and John Bux-
ton who held the position a large portion of their lives. Among
those of later date have been Abel B. Hunt, John B. Hollowell,
Samuel Depew, Adam Hunt, Levi Longcor, Peter J. Seeley,
George L. Hollowell, Daniel Randolph, N. Longcor, Schuyler
Sutherland, Seth Jones, Stephen C. Hatmaker, Samuel S. Hen-
derson, Caleb M. Perkins, Win. W. Buxton, H. F. Anderson,
J. B. Hollowell, B. B. Spooner, N. B. Raplee, George H. Ander-
son, J. Alden Henderson, W. II. Millard, William Coon, Silas
Hunt and A. II. Ansley.

Many of the same have been trustees of the church ; Daniel
Briggs, William W. Aspell and John Buxton for a long period,
and among others not named above, Daniel Owen, Archibald

758 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Strobridge, Richard Henderson, Jr.. Rev. Loren Grant, David
B. Aspell and L. M. Millard.

Abner Chase was repeatedly a pastor on this charge. In
1833 the preachers were Ira Fairbanks and E. McKcndrce
Crippen ; 1841, Calvin S. Coats and S. W. Wooster: 1843-1,
J. K. Tinkham; 1819, Edward W. Hotchkiss ; 1853, A. N.
Filrnore; 1860-1, David Crow; 1864-5, Charles E. Hemans ;
1866-7, Calvin S. Coats ; 1870, John J. Payne.

CIVIL IIISOIIY.

The first Town meeting in Milo was held at the house of
Isaac Nichols, April 7, 1818. It was voted to raise one hun-
dred and fifty dollars for the poor. The officers chosen, Su-
pervisor, Avery Smith ; Town Clerk, Charles Roberts ; Collec-
tor, George I. Remer ; Assessors, Benedict Robinson, George
Nichols and George Youngs; Overseers of the Poor, Richard
Henderson and Roger Sutherland ; Commissioner's of High-
ways, Isaac Hedges, David Briggs and Solomon Finch ; Com-
missioners of Common Schools, Isaac Nichols, Thomas Hatha-
way and Allen Vorce ; Inspectors of Common Schools, Sam-
uel Henderson, Joel Jillett, John Randolph, James N. Ed-
mondson, Peter Youngs and Luther Sisson ; Constables, Geo.
I. Remer, Stephen Youngs, David J. Bennett and Walter
Wolcolt. It was also voted as follows : " A fine of five dol-
lars is inflicted on the owners of rams, if they be found out of
the enclosure of the owner, from the first of September until
the first of November, by willful neglect. No cattlo or horses
shall be allowed to run within eighty rods of a public house,
under a fine of one dollar. A fine of one dollar is inflicted on
every pathmaster for every offence in neglecting to clear a cer-
tain noxious weed called 6tink tree, on his district."

OVERSEERS OF HIGHWAYS.
Luman Phelps, Abraham "Wagen or, William McDowell,

Benjamin Swick, Henry Townsend, John Stone,

Samuel Castner, John D. Castner Seth Jones,

Silas Spink, Benedict Bobinson, George Goundry,

Asa Bussell, Amos Y. Carr, Ariel N. Brown.

TOWN OF

MILO. 759

Ezra Eaplee, David Dean,

v James Sutphen,

John Lawrence. Jr., Levi Perry,

Josiah Maples,

Libbeus Cleveland, Thomas Fitzwater. Isaac Hedges,

George Spangler, Nathaniel Pay

ne, Charles Roberts,

John Van Pelt, Joshua Bayard

George Malin,

Abner Hathaway James Parker,

Nathaniel W. Hedges,

Peter Heltibidal, Micajah Dean,

Isaac Osborne,

Lewis Eaplee.

Voted that Overseers of flight

'ays be Fence Viewers.

The Town meetings were held

at Milo Center until 1855,

when they were voted to Penn 1

fan, where they have subse-

quently been held.

SUPERVISOHS

OV MILO.

1818, Avery Smith,

IS45, Samuel J. Potter.

1819, Avery Smith,

1840. Russell R. Fargo,

• 1S20, Avery Smith,

1847, Charles Lee,

1821, Avery Smith,

1848, Adam Clark,

1822, Avery Smith,

1849, Adam Clark,

1S23. Avery Smith,

1850, William Baxter,

1S24, Samuel S. Ellsworth,

1851, James .Lawrence,

1825, Samuel S. Ellsworth,

1S52, James Lawrence,

1826, SamuelS. Ellsworth,-

1853, Charles Hubbard,

1827, Samuel S. Ellsworth,

1854, John C. Scheetz,

1828, George Youngs,

1855, Charles Hubbard,

1S29, George Youngs,

1856, Stephen B: Ayres,

1830, George Youngs,

1857, Daniel W. Streeter,

1831, George Youngs,

1858, Nathaniel K. Beardslee,

1832, Jeremiah B. Andrews,

1859, Daniel W. Streeter,

1833, James C. Robinson,

18G0, John C. Scheetz

1834, Joshua Lee,

1861, Charles Wagener,

1835, Abel Buckley,

1862, Melatiah H. Lawrence,

183G, Samuel Stephens,

1863, John C. Scheetz,

1837, Gilbert Baker,

1864, John C. Scheetz,

1838, George I. Reiner,

1865, John C. Scheetz,

1S39, Jeremiah B. Andrews,

1866, John C. Scheetz,

1810, Jeremiah B. Andrews,

1867, John C. Scheetz,

1841, Smith L. Mallory,

1868, Charles Wagener,

1842, Smith L. Mallory,

1869, Theodore Bogart,

1843, Nelson Vorce,

1870, Theodore Bogart,

1S44, Bay G. Wait,

1871, Theodore Bogart.

760 HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

James Parker was the first Justice of the Peace within the
original limits of Milo, and was appointed by Gov. George
Clinton. The old records at Canandaigua are not well preserved,
but the writer has been able to glean from them a few dates.
Benedict Robinson was appointed Justice of the Peace in 179G.
Eliphalet Norris in 3 799. James Parker had his third ap-
pointment in 1799, and was again appointed in 1804. Ilezeki-
ah Townsend in 1808, and perhaps before. There is no record
oi Lis appointment in 1S20. He held the oflice many years.
Abraham Wagener in 1808, 1811 and 1820; Thomas Lee in
1813 ; Morris F. Sheppard in 1813 and 1816 ; George Youngs
and Henry A. Wisner. After the election of Justices was
given to the people, George Youngs was elected in 1829, 1833,
1837 and 1841 ; Avery Smith in 1830 ; Henry A. Wisner in
1831 ; Luther Sisson in 1832 ; George B. Nichols in 1834 ; Asa
A. Norton in 1835 ; Samuel J. Potter in 1836 and 1840; Ray
G. Wait in 1838; Samuel Stephens in 1839 ; Darius A. Ogden
to fill a vacancy in 1841 ; Amos Y. Carr in 1842, 1846 and
1S50 ; Thomas II. Locke in 1843 and 1847 ; Jesse Davis in 1844;
Archibald J. Mc Intyre in 1845 ; Peter Youngs in 1848 ; Green
Kenyon elected in 1849 did not qualify ; Benjamin L. Hoyt in
1850, 1853, 1857, 1S61, 1865 and 1869; James V. Van
Alen in 1851 and 1855 ; George Van Osdol in 1852 ; Hixon
F. Anderson in 1854, 1858 and 1862 ; William S. Semans in
1856, 1860 and 1864 ; John Sloan in 1859 ; John L. Lewis, Jr.
in 1863, 1867 and 1871 ; Jacob H. Shepherd in 1866 and 1870 :
Jephtha F. Randolph in 1868, and .1. Wells Taylor in 1871.

POPULATION AND CENSUS STATISTICS.

Milo by the census of 1820 had a population of 2612. In
1825 it had increased to 3278; in 1830 to 3610; in 1835 to
3824 ; in 1840 to 3986 ; in 1845 to 4559 ; in 1850 to 4791 ; in
1855, after Torrey was erected, it was reduced to 4301, and in
1S60 still lower, to 4028 ;. in 18G5 it advanced again to 4195 ;
in 1870 to 4781, almost what it was before the town was dis-
membered to form Torrey. Penn Yan had a population of 2114

TOWN OF MILO. 7G1

in Milo in 1855, and 21 60 in 18G5. This had increased so
much in live years that in 1870 Penn Yan had 3002 inhabitants
in Milo.

By the census of 1820 Milo had seven grist mills, fourteen
saw mills, one oil mill, three fulling mills, four carding ma-
chines two trip hammers, six distilleries and three asheries.
It had twelve school districts, in which schools were kept five
months in twelve ; public school money, $242,92 ; 71. 5 children
between five and fifteen years old, of whom 633 received in-
struction that year; taxable property $224, G17. Now the
same territory has more than twelve times that amount of tax-
ableestate. Its population consisted of 541 farmers, 142 mechan-
ics, 8 traders, 3 foreigners not naturlized, 7 free blacks, 418
electors, (the property qualification ruled then); 12,973 acres of
improved land; 2,6G1 cattle; G48 horses and G, 130 sheep;
17,239 yards of cloth were made in families in the town in 1821.

By the census of 1825 Milo had 1GG90 acres of improved
land and 8960 unimproved. The real estate was valued at
$349,750, personal $15,821 ; 578 persons subject to military
duly ; 704 electors ; 14 school districts ; $297 of school money;
729 children taught ; 858 between five and fifteen ; 3114 cattle;
858 horses; 7200 sheep ; 627G yards of fulled cloth in 1821 ;
9231 yards of woolen not fulled ; 11224 yards of linen ; 10 grist
mills ; 15 saw mills ; one oil mill ; 7 fulling mills ; 7 carding
machines, two trip hammers ; 7 distilleries and two asheries.

By the census of 1855 it was found that 2124 inhabitants of
Milo were natives of Yates county, 3414 of the State ; 3952 of
the United States, 25 of England, 24 of Scotland and 247 of
Ireland. The town had 3 stone dwellings worth $3,300 ; 23 of
brick worth $74,800 ; 733 framed worth $666,425 and 34 of
logs, valued at Si 339. There were 18,000 acres of improved
land and 471 G unimproved; value of farms, $1,371,314 ; of
stock, $153,820 ; of tools $42,849 ; acres of winter wheat 2203;
bushels harvested 23,880 ; acres of oat3 1349, bushels harvest-
ed 18,430 ; acres of rye 300 , bushels harvested 3468 ; acres of
barley 1345, bushels harvested 15,121; acres of buckwheat

762 HISTOBY OF YATES COUNTY.

600 , bushels harvested 1763 ; acres of corn 1235 , bushels
harvested 16,622 ; cows 970, pounds of butter 92,705: sheep
5394 ; pounds of wool 28.656 ; fulled cloth 8 yards ; flannel
818 yards ; linen 50 yards ; cotton mixed cloth 25 yards ; grist
mills 5, worth $50,000 ; saw mills 5, worth $40,000 ; one lime
manufactory ; one pottery ; two plaster mills ; 3 tanneries ; 3
cabinet shops producing $10,000 worth of articles ; one gun
shop, and one hat manufactory.

By the census of 1865, 2196 inhabitants of Milo were natives
of Yates county, 3295 of the State of New York, and 3706 of
the United States, 87 of England, 300 of Ireland, and 36 of
Scotland. There were three stone houses worth $17,000, 21 of
brick worth 83,900 ; 849 framed worth $898,000 ; 24 of logs
worth 2465 ; improved land 18,294 acres, unimproved 4,377 ;
value of farms $1,356,500; of stock $172,000 ; of implements
$42,218 ; acres plowed 5879 ; acres in pasture 4940 ; acres in
meadow 3489 ; tons of hay in 1864, 3573 ; acres of wheat
sowed in 1864, 2838 ; bushels harvested in 1864, 29,117 ; acres
of barley 878 , bushels harvested 11,588 ; acres of oats 1277 ,
bushels harvested 19,852; acres of buckwheat 274, bushels
harvested 4583 ; acres corn 1366, bushels harvested 62,275;
Apple trees 11,502 ; bushels apples in 1864, 14,711 ; working
oxen 14 ; cows 820 ; pounds of butter 75,335 ; cheese 760 lbs ;
horses 746 : pigs 937 ; pork 157,364 lbs ; sheep shorne in 1864,
11,838 ; wool 37,182 ; lambs raised 3201 ; flannel manufactured
107 yards ; one manufactory of agricultural implements with
a capital of $20,000 , xising raw materials worth $27,800, and
creating products worth $34,585 ; one carding establishment
worth $3000, using raw material of the value of $6,000, and
making a product worth $9,000 ; one flax mill, making upholst-
ering tow ; 3 manufactories of wagons and coaches ; one spoke
factory ; one planing mill ; one marble shop ; one tannery ;
three harness shops ; two cabinet shops, and one cigar factory.

Milo sent 170 men into the war to put down the Rebellion ;
46 died in the service. The town by the census of 1865 had
779 male citizens between the asres of 18 and 45.

TOWN OF MILO. 703

By the census of 1870 Milo had 77 manufacturing establish-
ments ; 228 farms ; 48 deaths reported in 1809; increase of
population from 18G5 to 1870, 580.

Milo had one Revolutionary soldier in 1840, Samuel Abbey
aged eighty. In 1846 on a vote taken in Milo on the question
of license for the sale of intoxicating liquors ; there were for
License 211 votes, against license, 455 votes. In 1817 the vole
on the same question was for License 331 votes ; against Li-
cense 304 votes.

From 1794 to 1829 there were recorded on the town book
210 Ear Marks for citizens within the territory of Milo having
sheep and cattle running at large.

THE EARLY SUKVEV OK ROADS.

The earliest record of a road in Milo is one 0 miles and 35
rods long, beginning not far from the Friend's Meeting House
and bearing south to the county line past Stephen Card's. This
road was laid out by Joseph Jones and Joshua Andrews, Com-
missioners, June 0, 1797. Many of the old roads have been
discontinued or changed in their direction. Among them is
one established by Stephen Whilaker and Martin Kendig as
Commissioners in 1804, leading from the vicinity of Lawrence
Townsend's to Enoch Shearman's, across Plympton's Bridge.
Another leading from the line of John Lawrence to the Foot
of Lake Keuka. Griffin B. Hazard and Thomas Howard were
among the early Commissioners, and a little later were David
Briggs, Isaac Hedges and Allen Vorce. David Briggs held
the office many years.

The road from Richard Smith's Mills to Robert Chissom's,
(now Head Street, Penn Yam) was surveyed by Benjamin Bar-
ton in 1801, Levi Benton, John Lawrence and Daniel Brown
acting as Commissioners of Highways. In 1800 the road
from the foot of Lake Keuka eastward 205 rods was surveyed by
Joseph Jones; Ezra Cole and John Plympton being Commis-
sioners of Highways. Samuel Lawrence surveyed several roads
in 1801. The road from the Lee place to Wagener's Mills was

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

officially established in 180G and extended south between lots
to the Steuben county line. The first mentioned part of this
road had then been in use a dozen years. In 180G-7 Join
Lawrence, Levi Benton and Morris F. Sheppard established a
number of Highways. Among those of 1807 was the Lake
Road on the east side of Lake Keuka, Charles Roberts being
one of the Commissioners and Joseph Benton the Surveyor.
In 1809 Charles Roberts and Morris F. Sheppard laid out a
road from " Moses Plympton's Bridge, 130 rods west to Abra-
ham Wagener's Grist Mill, and center of the road which runs
through Pea Yang to Abraham and Melchoir Wagener's
Mills," Benedict Robinson, Surveyor. The road beginning
six rods south of Melchoir Wagener's Mill, and running to the
Foot of the Lake, was laid out by Stephen Whitaker and Levi
Benton in 1811, Joseph Benton, Surveyor.

M1LO CENTEU.

This place was long better known as Nichols' Corners, from
the Nichols family who were the first settlers and long resident
there. The first Postmaster at this place was Isaac Nichols,
Jr., and the office was established before 1829. He kept the
office many years and was succeeded by his son-in-law, Wil-
liam Holden, who also kept it a long time. Among those who
have since been Postmaster at this place have been Hixon F.
Anderson, Moses W. Eastman, John C. Fiero, George L. Hol-
lowell, William Hollowell and George W. Millard.

Isaac Nichols, Jr., opened the first public house at this point
as early as 1S20, and among his successors in the same place
have been Philip Drake, Manchester Townsend, Finch F. Ran-
dolph, John Clark, Myron Depew and Patrick Byrne.

The earliest store at the Center Was kept by George B.
Nichols. He was associated with Hermon Smith. Among
their successors have been Joseph C. Stall, William Holden,
who was burned out, Devereaux Sc Fiero, Abel B. Hunt and
Moses W. Eastman, George L. Hollowell, Hixon F. Ander-
son, Schuyler Sutherland, who was burned out, George W. and
Willis II Millard.

town or MILO. 765

The first blacksmith in the place was William W. Aspell,
Avho was followed by Elijah G. Simonds, Daniel S. Chase,
James Miles, Jacob Wolfe and Patrick Mc GofF.

At quite an early day John King had a wagon shop there,
and he was succeeded by John A. Rooney who remains there
still. Ludim St John has also been engaged there in the same
trade as has Samuel C. Aspell. Aldrich Bissel was an early
cabinet maker at this point. He was succeeded in the same
business by William Holdcn and he by Amos Y. Can*.

The first tailor at the Center was Samuel Chard. He Was
| followed by Jeremiah Sprague who conducted a large and sue-
I cessful business for many years. lie is now a farmer, and was
i always a good citizen. Hermon Briggs succeed Mr. Sprague
i in the same business.

Milo Center had 150 inhabitants by the census of 1855, and

i 125 by the census of 1865. The cfliciai town business was

i chiefly conducted there till 1850, and previous to that timo the

place had more public importance than since. Milo Center is

I 421 feet above Seneca Lake.

Among the Grape Growers of East Milo on Seneca Lake
are R. B. Ayres, E. B. Miller, Monroe Fenuo, James Hazard,
i James Valentine, Jonathan G. Baker, Micajah Dean, J. Fenno, E.
! Porter, II. T. and J. D. Henderson who have from two to five
j acres each of vineyard. On Lake Keuka in Milo James Jayne
j has five acres of flourishing vineyard, and Frank A. Risdon,
I Isaac Hewitt, Reuben Thayer and David Miller have each
small vineyards.

THE OLD FORT.

What was called the Old Fort Farm is located on the Bath
Road, east side, on lot 31, on the north side of the ravine at
Jacob Thayer's. What was called the Fort was an enclosure
of about two acres surrounded by a very distinct earthwork,
the traces of which are now obliterated. It contained a num-
ber of large trees, and was evidently an ancient and long neg-
lected fortification or circular embankment, enclosing a place of
defence, or perhaps worship, for a race it may be older than
the Iroquois, and with a higher development in art and relig-
ious culture

76G

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Reported to the Y

EARLY SETTLERS IK HILO.

Election Bits'.

ttcs County Historical Society from

No. 3, by Samuel V. Miller and Job L. Babcocl; \

n 1869.

COMMENCING AT THE SOUTH LINE OP THE TOWN.— LAKE ROAD.

Present or fate Oc'pnt

First Settler. Present or late Oc'pnt

First Settler.

John Freeman, 18 G,

Jeremiah Decker. Jayne Farm, 1806,

Timothy Jayne.

Isaac Ilewitt, "

Henry Jacobus. Reuben Thayer, "

Simon Jacobus.

Jacob Thayer, "

Jonathan Gillis. Andrew Thayer, "

"Warren Smith.

David Miller,

James Goblc. Sylvester Thayer, "

Dr. E. Shattuck.

Samuel V. Miller "

Mr. 'Wilson. J. M. Lewi*,

John McDowell.

George Shearman"

T.Dixon &W. Helms. Willow Point,

George Lamb.

George Campbell"

John Haight. Moncll Flace, 1S02

ON ROAD SOVTII OF PENN TAN.

John McDowell.

| Dakc Farm, ISO

1",. Peter Coldren. Wm. S. Briggs, ISO'.

•3 Peter Althiser. j

Georgr W. Shannon

J. Hallenback. Abr'mW. Shearman

' Philip Yokum.

John R. Hat maker,

' Snsana Clanford.

ROAD EAST FROM LAKE.

John Ilutton,

•' Ephraim Althiser. Alfred Brown,

" David Hall.

! Azor Kimble.

Philemon Baldwin.

BATH ROAD.

riympton Farm,

John Key wait. W. R. Swarthont. "

Hiram Post.

Joel Wortman,

Joseph Quick. Richard Jillett, "

Samuel Boots.

Richard Thayer

J. W. Hedges. John Beard,

Wm, Hedges.

James Thayer, l

William Yager. John P. Castner, "

Isaac Hedges.

Mrs. Geo. Youngs, '

Levi Macumber. Old Fort Farm,

Ezra Cummings.

William Thayer,

Cha*s Lockwood. Rodman Stevens, "

Benj. Robinson.

John Thayer,

Charles Bundy. James Henderson "

Moses Thompson

Albert Mclntyrc.

' Sim" on Thayer Sr Job L. Babcock, "

Jonathan Bailey

Wm. Mclntyrc,

Wm. Bailey. Simeon Thayer Jr. "

John Seeley.

! .T P. Playsted,

Joshua Beard. Isaac Hewitt, "

ON THE EAST ROAD.

George Maring.

: Perry^A.Gjuile.

Thomas Ferris. James Decker, "

Jonathan Rector.

| Wm, Kiefcr,

Israel Ferris. Floyd Florrence, u

Abraham Ferris.

i Ezra Fulvci,

Jedcdiah Roycc, The's Fitzwater, "

James Randall.

1 Jeremiah Sprague,

Lewis Randall. George Travis, "

Absolom Travis. [

Hiram M. Lewis.

^ Samuel Lockwood Jonathan Champlin,

' < Abram Downing, Daniel Playsted, "

1 Deacon Maples. Reub'n Sutherland "

John Miners. |
John R. Powell.
Koger Sutherland

Gilbert Baxter,

Ezra Smith. JohnBassett.

Abraham Prosser.

James Nelson,

John Culp. John Ayres. '•

Benj. Downing.

j Cap ell Farm,

JohnCapell. Mrs. S. H. Cleveland Peter Heltibidal.

: I?. L. Hoyt farm.
j Titus Farm,

( *Rev. Mr. Ferris, Hiram M. Lewis. "
' - Reuben Ferris, Abner Gardner, 2d,
■ 'xoahfulsTge: Rowland J. Gardner

George Gardner. <
Abner Gardner.
\ R. Champlin,
( SlmonSuthei-rnd

*Mr. Ferris was a B

ajitist preacher who was killed bylightuin

rin his own house.

760

HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.

Reported to the Y

EARLY SETTLERS IN MILO.

Election Ills'.

itcs County Historical Society from

No. 3, hy Samuel V. Miller and Job L. Baucock, in 1869.

COMMENCING AT THE SOUTH USE OF THE TOWS.— LAKE ROAD.

Present or late Oc'pnt

First Settler. Present or late Oc'pnt

First Settler.

John Freeman, 18 0,

Jeremiah Decker. Jayne Farm, 1SD6,

Timothy Jayne.

Isaac Ilewitt, "

Henry Jacobus. Reuben Thayer, "

Simon Jacobus.

Jacob Thayer, "

Jonathan Gillis. Andrew Thayer, "

Warren Smith.

David Miller,

James Goblc. Sylvester Thayer, "

Dr. E. Shattuck.

Samuel V. Miller "

Mr. Wilson. J. M. Lewis,

John McDowell.

George Shearman-'

T.Dixon &W. Helms. Willow Point,

George Lamb.

George Campbell"

John Haight. Moncll Place, 1S02

OX KOAD SOUTH OF PEXN VAN.

, John McDowell.

| Dakc Farm, lSD

i-3, Peter Coldren. Wm. S. Briggs, 1802-3 Peter Althiscr. j

GeorgrW. Shannon '

J. Hallenback. Abr'mW. Shearman

' Philip Yokmn.

John R. Ilatmaker, '

' Snsana Clanford.

KOAD EAST FROM LAKE.

John Ilutton,

" Ephraim Althiser. Alircd Brown.

" David Hall.

Azor Kimble.

Philemon Baldwin.

T.ATH KOAD.

Plympton Farm.

JohnRcywalt. W. R. Swarthont, "

Hiram Post.

Joel Wortman,

Joseph Quick. Richard Jillett,

Samuel Boots.

Richard Thayer

J. W. Hedges. John Beard,

Wm, Hedges.

James Thayer,

William Yager. John P. Castner, "

Isaac Hedges.

Mrs. Geo. Youngs, '

Levi Macumbor. Old Fort Farm, "

Ezra Cummings.

William Thayer,

Cha*s Lockwood. Rodman Stevens, "

Benj. Robinson.

John Thayer,

Charles Bundy, James Henderson "

Moses Thompson

Albert Mclntyrc. '

1 Sim' on Thayer Sr Job L. Babcock, "

Jonathan Bailey

Wm. Mc In tyre.

Wm. Bailey. Simeon Thayer Jr. '

John Sceley.

\ J P. Physted.

Joshua Beard. Isaac Hewitt, "

OK THE EAST KOAD.

George Maring.

Perry A. Guile.

Thomas Ferris. James Decker, "

Jonathan Rector.

1 Wm. fetter,

Israel Ferris. Floyd Florrcnce. "

Abraham Ferris.

J Ezra rulvci,

Jedcdiah Roycc, Tho*s Filzwater, "

James Randall.

1 Jeremiah Sprague,

Lewis Randall. George Travis,

Absolom Travis. |

j Hiram M. Lewis.

\ Samuel Lockwood Jonathan Champlin,

' -; Abram Downing, Daniel Playsted, "

t Deacon Maples. Reub'n Sutherland "

John Miners.
John B. Towel 1.
Roger Sutherland

Gilbert Baxter,

Ezra Smith. JohnBassett. "

Abrah'm Prosser.

James Nelson,

John Culp. John Ayres. '•

Benj. Downing.

CapellFnrm,

JohnCapell. Mrs. S. H. Cleveland Peter Heltibidal.

! B.L.lloyt farm.
I Titus Farm,

( *Rev. Mr. Ferris, Hiram M. Lewis. "
' - Reuben Ferris, Abner Gardner, 2d,

• 'KSSSS: *-,and J. Gardner

George Gardner, i
Abner Gardner.
( R. Champlin,
( SlmonSutherrnd

".Mr. Ferris was a B

aptist preacher who was killed by lightning in his own house.

ATI >

WHDIH JASiOK

INDEX TO VOLUME ON

521,685

Adams, Chester, 602, 619, 633

Andruss, Jason,

'.'.!!! '522! 566, 567

Adams, Cyrus, 611

Adams, Henry, 625

Adams, Rodney L., 1

522

522, 572

181

Angus, David,

Animals, Wild,

182,367

34, 36, 716

433

Armstrong, Archibald,.

385,594

Aldrich, William, 83

740,756

Allen, Benjamin, 139, 169, 635

Allen, John P 592

Allen, Patience, 90

Aliens, the Blind, 607

400

583

670

Allen, Samuel, and family,.. 332, 365, 367

142

AspeU, Wil'liamW......

657, 756, 757, 765
644, 657

Altitude, Bluff Point 513

Altitude, Jerusalem and Italy, 583

1 Altitude, Himrods, 726

1 Altitude, Milo Center, 765

32,586

Augusta, Population of

626

707

Anderson, Hixon P., 512, 760,' 764

1 Andrews, Joshua, . . 174. 368, 645, 685, 763
Andrews, Dr. Jeremiah B., 127, 643, 685,759

725,726

706

725

759

436

Babcock, Job, 697

Bare Hill,

. 10, 587, 588, 608
398

Babcock, Charles P 686

401,439

427

Baker, Gilbert, 677, 720, 752, 759

Baker, Jonathan G., 678

Baker, Gilbert D 678, 752

427

428

Baldwin, Hannah, 90, 125

Barn, First in Benton, .
Barnes, Henry,... 5, 46
111,112,131.

177

47, 66, 77, 83, 94,

. . 69, 97, 129, 132

Baldwin, Dr. Alfred, 196,365

Baldwin, Mason L 196

Baldwin, Philemon, 218, 219, 696

Barnes, Elizur,

Barnes, Samuel

83, 130, 137

.. 83,90,129,637
130

Baptist Church of Barrington 161

Baptist Church of Warsaw, 163

Baptist Church of Benton Center 351

Baptist Church of Italy Hollow, 444

Baptist Church of Italy Hill, 446

Baptist Church of Brahchport, 578

Baptist Church, First of Milo 751

Baptist Church- Second of Milo, 753

Barden, Thomas, 176, 191, 192, 266

Barden, Otis 1 84, 637

Barden, Dr. Henry 184, 189 367

Barden, James P., 184, 566

Barnes, Experience, ...

. 97, 112, 130, 137
129

178

Barrington, Town of,. .

4, 26. 189, 164, 167
164

Bartleson. Mary

. . 53, 97, 454, 664
83

Bartlett. Benjamin,

Barton. Benjamin,. 19,
645, 763.

28, 172,' 178,' 665,
108

Bassett, Allen,

155

Bassett, Palmer H.,

157

Barden, George, 192

Barden, George R 175, 193, 353

'157

INDEX.

Bassett, Cornelius, 434

Boyd, Robert M 505

Boyd, Tompkins W 506

Boyd, R. McDowell, , 136, 506

Bassett, William, .of Middlesex, 622, 032

Bassett, Alexander, 625

Bath 30

Bradley, Henry 633

Branchport 563, 567

Branchport Stone Mill 575

Branchport Presbyterian Church, ... 580

Branchport Baptist Church, 578

Branchport Episcopal Church 582

Briggs, Peleg 21, 43, 84, 655

Briggs, John,. . . 21, 43, 59. 66, 84, 124, 655
Briggs, Job ' 88

Bayard', Joshua 694, 759

Beal, John 516, 566. 572, 573

Bean, Mary, 93

Bear Story, 182. 216, 218, 220, 252, 396,
457, 62S, 697, 716.

Brii^s. Elizabeth 97

Brings, Esther, . ....97,124

Beddoe, Captain John, 452, 465, 565

Beddoe Tract 452, 549. 551

Briggs. Margaret 97

Briggs, Laviua, W

Britras, Ruth, 97

Belknapp, Briggs, 321,533

Bellor.a 176, 179, 234, 365

Briirgs. Mary, daughter of John, Jr , 655
Bi iggs,David, 175, 347, 655, 756, 757,758,763
Briggs, William S., 347, 655, 656

Briggs, Edward R., 365

Brook Kedron, 62, 65

Bennett, Abraham H., 689

Bronson, Thomas, 141,155

Bennett, Henry B 690

Benton, Caleb,.. . . 18, 27. 28, 170, 171, 634
Benton, Levi,.. 27, 168. 171, 175, 227, 250,
253, 262, 359, 565, 763, 764.

Benton, Levi, Jr , 263, 266

Brown, Benjamin, St., 53, 84, 94, 12S, 170.

575.
Brown. George, 64, S4, 465, 565, 560, 570,

571, 575.
Brown, Lucy 64, 78, 87, 637

Brown, James, Jr.,. 84, 110, 124, 129, 565,

571.
Brown, Asa 137,543

Birdsall, Benjamin, 139, 170. 650

Birdsall, Lewis A 161, 649, 651

Birdsall, Lewis 645,650

Bitley. Peter H.,. . . . 531, 562, 563, 565, 575
Blair, John 599, 633

Brown. Desiah, 97

Brown, Susannah, 97

Brown, Zeruah, 97

Blair, Nathan, 600

Bloo:', Luther B., 437

Brown, James 128

Bluff Point, Early Residents of,. 51S. 520

Boat Brook 5S7, 632

Bogart, Theodore, 759

Booth, Elisha 155

Booth, Spencer 563, 565, 567

Brown, Joshua, 128, 619, 622

Brown, Henry, 129

Brown,' Daniel, Jr., 175

Brown, Elisha, Daniel and Martin, of
Benton, 306

Bostwick, Daniel, 625

Brown, Samuel S., 307

Botsford, Abel,. . . . 21, 43, 84, 95, 124, 637

Botsford, Jonathan, S3, 122

Botsford, Elijah, . . 84, 96, 122, 476, 572, 665
Botsford, Lucy 69,97

Brown, J. Warren, 565, 566, 567

Brown, Daniel, of Jerusalem,. 462, 565,

566, 575, 763.
Brown, Daniel, Jr.,. " 463,566,571

Brown, Alfred, . 464, 565, 571

Brown. Peter H., 721

Botsford, Beuajah 69, 73, 84, 575, 637

Botsford, Elizabeth, 97

Botsford, Elnathan. Jr 122, 1 25

Botsford, Samuel,.. 123, 124, 565, 665, 702

Boyce. Chauncey, 159. 165

Boyd, Ebenezer, 299

Boyd, Robert, ... 294

Buien, Amzi, ., 694

Buckingham, Hannah 97

Buckley, Abel 759

Buell, Samuel, 194, 208, 353

Buell. David H.,. 4, 35, 208, 263, 265, 267,
367, 685.

Buell, Cyrus 194,207,208

Buell, Ichabod, 211

Buell Family, 207

Burk, David 416, 439

Burk. Worcester, 417

Burnett, Russell, 435

Burtch, Jeremiah S 135, 478, 479, 566

Bush. Mabel, 97

Bush, Lodowick and Family 314

Bush, Dr. Winans, 529

Bush, Henry M., 530

Bush, Dr. Robert P 531

Buxton, John, 676, 757

Camp Meeting,. .
Cnnandaigua, Dis

348

tricLof, 5S6

Canaudaigua Lake, 10

Canandaigua Treaty 50

Capell, John 149, 707

Capell, Daniel 708

Capell, William P., 708

Card, Stephen, 21, 43, 661, 726

Card, Mrs Stephen, 91

Carr, Elizabeth, 92

Carr, Phebe, 97

Carr, Johu, 141

Carr, Benedict R., 566

Carr. Amos Y 758, 760, 765

Carter, William, ... 63, 73, 114, 452, 575

Carvev, Samuel P., 541

Castner, Samuel 667, 755, 757, 758

Cashier, John P., 687, 688

Castner, John D 758

Catholics at Kashong, 172

Chambers, Polly and Ann, 347,655,658,755

Charuplin. Rowland, 539

Chapman, Samuel H., 212

Chapman, Heman, 365

Chase, Abner, 576, 629, 756, 758

Chase, Judah, 521, 560,571

Chase, Johu, 420

Chase, John B 565

Chidsey, Augustus 669

Chissom, Moses 218

Chissoni, Robert, . 214, 215, 217, 650, 696

Christie, Andrew, 602

Christie, James 602, 625

Christie, James A 603

Christie, David 603, 625

Chubb Hollow, 140, 167

City Hill 33, 43

Clanford, Susannah 97

Clark, Adam 5,46.759

Clark, James M 4.47

Clark, Thomas, 67, 121

Clark, Sarah 97

Clark, George, 110, 121

Clark, Maria, 110

Clark. Anson, 436

Clark, William, 378

Clark, Seth 175

Clark, David and Satiuel, ... 481

Clark, Ezekiel, 482

Clark, Charles 407

Clark, Spencer, 407, 439

Cleveland, Dr. John L., 206, 348, 365

Cleveland, Libbeus, 700,759

Clinton, George 19, 172, 636

Coates, Sanford, , 495

Cogswell, Phebe and Lydia, 00

Cohoon, Bathsheba, 97

Cohoon, Jarcd, 468

Coldren, Peter, 709

Cole, Ezra 194, 203, 345, 346. 763

Cole, Nathan P., 168, 204, 228

Cole, Mathew, of Benton, 204, 345

Cole, Asa, J 205

Cole, Smith M., 205, 216

Cole, Henderson, 402

Cole, Abraham, 698

Cole, John (527

Cole, Mathew, of Jerusalem, 49(5

Cole, Erastus, 496. 566, 571

Cole, Hiram 496, 565. 566

Cole, Joseph, 49s

Cole, Allen, 456, 498 566

Cole, Simeon, 498, 565

Coleman, John , 246, 350

Coleman, Henry R., 246,350

Coleman, Charles, 247, 350, 366

Collin, Henry 317

Collin, Henry C 317, 366

Collins, Norman, 625

Colquhoun, Patrick 29 31

Colt. Judah, 589

Comer, John 720

Committee of Friends 19, 21, 42

Comstock, Achilles, 122, 460, 570, 571, 572
Comstock, Israel, 96. 97, 461, 566, 571, 572

Comstock, Aphi and Martha, 96, 97

Comstock, Botsford A., . . . 4, 96. 462, 566

Comstock, Sarah, 97

Comstock, John J., 462, 571

Congol, Abigail, 97

Conklin. Jacob 491

Cookingham, A. L , 429

Cool, Philip, Jr .... 417

Coolbsugh, William,.. 141, 161

Corey, Christopher, 421

Cornwell, Dr. William 699, 715

Corwin, Stephen, 556

Corwin, John 556

Corwin, Ezra 557

Cothern. Nathaniel 521, 566, 507

Cotton Factory, 640

Cowing, Albert R.,.. . 4, 549, 551, 572, 583

Cowing, Mary 550

Cowing. Caleb, 550

Cow Bells, 210

Craft, John, 403

Crane, Mrs. Catharine, 218

Crane, Dr. Wemple H., 215, 217

Crane, George, 565

Crank, Henry 434

Crarv, Eunice 97

Crosby, Peter H 4, 142, 146, 163, 165

Crosby, Nathan, 146

Crosby, Selah, 147, 749

Crosby, Joseph F 148, 165, 16T

Crouch, Artemas, 374, 388

Crouch, Caleb 389

Crozier, Adam and Family, 339

Crystal Spring 166

Culver, William, 51 8, 566

Curtis, Truman, 410

Curtis, Thomas B., 689

INDEX

Dains, Castle 45, 84, 132, 457, 637

Dains, Jonathan, 45, 84, 132, 637

Dains Family, 132

Dains, Lavina, 92

Dains, Mary, 97

Dains, Joanna, 97

Dains, Ephraim, 132,135

Dains, Jesse, 132, 134

Dains, Jonathan, Jr., 132

Dains, Jesse, Jr., 133

Dains, Aaron 664

Davis, Jonathan, 91, 467, 472, 575

Davis, John, 84, 91, 637

Davis, Lydia, 91

Davis, Anna, 98

Davis, Leah, 98

Davis, Rachel, 98

Davis, Sinah, 98

Davis, Jesse, 130,637

Davis, Samuel, 137, 469, 718

Davis Families 467,718

Davis, Malachi 469, 718, 755

Davis, Miles A., 4, 470, 585

Davis, William, 470, 637

Davis, Jesse, 471, 672, 717, 718, 760

Davis, Nathaniel, 672, 718, 720

Davis, Thomas and Noah Families, . . 322

Davis, Watkin 323,566, 645

Dayton, Abraham, 21, 43, 46, 60, 84

Dayton, Mrs. Abraham 60

Dayton, Abagail, 97

Dayton, Dinah 98

Dayton, Anice, 98

DeBartzch, Dominic, 21, 28, 43, 169, 171,
172,592.

Dean, Denais, 187,353,468

Dean, Zebnlon 150, 302

Dean, Benjamin 302

Dean , Perley, 305

Dean, Samuel, 409

Dean, Alexander V., 423

Decker, William H., 475

Deer 142,457,716

Delano, Elisha, 686

Dinturff, Philip 622

Dinturff, John L., 625

Disbrow, Lodowick, 151, 153, 165

Doolittle, Solomon, 84

Dorman, Joel, 565, 566, 572, 642

Dorman, John, 696

Doubleday, Dr. Elisha, 420, 439

Doubleday, GuyL 421

Doubleday, Hiram, 421

Dousrlass, William, 403

Downey. Robert, 175

Dox, HatleyN., 365

Drays 218

Dumbolton, Benjamin, 433

Dunning, Leman, §521

Dunning, LeviO., 521

Dunton, William, 378

Durham, Benjamin, >. 466/472

Durham, Myron H., 475

Durham, James, 475

Dutch Reformed Church, "557

Dye, John, 178

Dykeman, John, 519

Dyer, Jareb, 622

Eagles and Angels 633

Earl Family 179

Earl, Jephthah 180

Earl, Arthur, 181

Early Teachers, 166, 187, 194, 359, 459, 536,

670, 685.

Early Schools, 439, 670

Early Roads 174, 536, 569, 763

Early Settlers, 188, 371, 441, 442, 544, 607,

766.

East Hill, Barrington, 159

Eastman, Peter 741

Eastman, Moses W., 742, 764

Eastman, Charles L., 742

Eclipse of 1806 141

Eddy, Richard, 155,165

Edmonds, Aar»n, 365

Edson, Rufus, 403

Eldred, Beriah 735

Elliott, David 426

Elliott, Peter 426

Elliott, Lambert V 645

Ellis, Asa 389

Elm, of Italy Hollow 410

Ellsworth, Samuel S. , 563, 759

Elizabethtown, 696

Factory Mill 527

Fair, First in Ontario County, 655

Faithful Sisterhood, 86

Fannin, Anna, 98

Fargo, Dr. Calvin, 227, 271 , 360

Fargo, Russel R 227,759

Ferguson, Peter, and Family a34

Ferguson's Corners, 367

Fever and Ague 37

Finch, Rev. Elnathan, 518, 578

Finch, Solomon, 731, 758

Finch, Wallace, 714

Finger, Andrew, 131

Finley's Tavern 147, 149

Finton, Joseph,.... 141, 145, 163

Finton, Joseph S 142,146

Fi6h, David

Fish, Samuel R

Fish,AsaP.,

Fisher, Hannah,

Fisher, Jeremiah, James, William

Delos,

Fitzwater, John 123, 669

Fitz water, George, 669

Fitzwater Family,

Fitzwater, John C,

Fitzwater, Thomas 671 .

First Grist Mill, 46,48,67,111

First Settlement 21.

First Wheat Field, 22,

First Mill Seat,

First Justice of the Peace,

I INDEX.

First Mill in Penn Yan 120

French, Jabez 534, 575, 590

Friend's Settlement, 5,

Friend's House, 46. 48, 67

Friend's Mill

592, 619
26, 31, 32
111, 121
27

First Store in Barrington, 161

First Methodist Meeting House, 198

First Death in Benton, 214

First Race Course 225

Friend's Preaching

Friend's Character and labors, 5,

68, 78, 81
. 68, 654
70

First Cast iron plow, 334

Friend's Litigation,

.... 72
76

First Brick in Yates County 575

First Purchase of Lands by Friends, 636

Friend's Mansion and Grounds,

Friend's Carriage

Friend's Final illness and death

.... 77

First Newspaper in Penn Yan 689

Friend's Views of Temperance, 79

Friend's Knowledge of Bible, 81

Friend's Authority and religious claims 81

Friend's Personal appeaiance, 82

Friend's Portrait, 82.110

Friend's Society, 83

Friend's Society and doctrine, 83, 99 -

Friend's Advice, 101

Friend's Will 107

Flint Creek 373

Flour of World's Fair Premium 698

Foote, Eh 625, 632, 633

Fowle, Edward J., 6, 336

575

Fox, Family 400

.... 585

Fox, Alden D 400, 439

Friend's Lands conveyance of. .

.... 63
634

Fox, Widow 339

Free Will Baptist Church Barriugton, 150
Free Will Baptist Church Milo, 752

Gage, Samuel G., . . 204, 235, 350, 365, 366

.... 606

Fulling Mill,

368

Glen Springs Farmers' Club,. . .

Gload, John,

Goff, Elder John, 188

... 753

268, 351
. .. 74
. . 88, 89
. 55, 637
.... 139
674, 758
.... 675

Gage, Mariam 229, 691

Gold, Thomas R.,

Goodspeed, Lucina

Ga^e Jesse T 231,366

Gage, IsaacD., 232

Gage, Isaac N , 233,365,366

Gore in Barrington

Gage, Lewis D., 234

676

Ga^e, Martin, 234,353,367

.... 676

Gage, Samuel B 235

Graham, Lewis B 4, 376

394, 439
.... 391

Graham, Valentine,

... 392
393

Gallett, John A., Ill, 566

Gamby Family, 52S, 720

.... 393

Gamby, Isaac 529

Gaming, John;....: 299-

Gardner, Marv, 91, 659

Graham, Robert H.,

Grape Growers of Barrington,. .

.... 395
.... 167

Grape Growers of Jerusalem

Grape Growers of Middlesex,

.... 578
.... 628

. ... 765

Gardner, Dorcas 660

Gardner, Abner, 660

Gardner, George, 660

Gardner, Rowland J., 660. 691

.... 439

.... 410

Gardner, George W., 660

Green, William S., 385,

404, 439
404, 533

Green Family

Garter, 27, 54, 118. 634

Gas Springs, 638

. ... 405

Green, Henry and Oren,

.... 533
533

Gates, Perley, 96, 124, 637

Gay, Joseph, 566

Green, Asahel H.,

Green, Clark,.

Green, Ira

Green, Harvey,

Green Tract,

Green Tract, size of lots

Green Tract, First frame barn on

... 533
.... 533
.... 533
.... 533
452, 533
.... 534

... 535

Gillett, Jabez, 435

Glen Spring* 727 1

INDEX.

Green Tract, Early settlers,.

544

231

Guernsey, Jonathan, . .

623

416

Guthrie, J. C

Guthrie, Joseph and FaE

161

aily 337

Guernsey, Daniel, 61,

137, 449, 451
98

566

Henderson, Richard, 672

Hen derson, David

Henderson, Richard, Jr.
Henderson, James W.,..

755,756.757,758

673

Hall, Oliver R.,

.... 665, 67t
565. 566

287

674

414

.... 625, 626

612

Henry, William D.,

563

. . . . 613, 625

429

613

Herrick, Eldridge R

429

519

565, 572

543

217

Harris, Henry W.,

Hartshorn, Samuel

Hartshorn, Isaac W.,

.... 560, 565

504

217

Hibbard, William P.,.
Hibbard, Nathaniel G.,..

555

532

Hart well, Elizabeth,

120

95,479

27, 259, 365, 566
514, 570

Hight, John N.,

120, 480

Hilton, William,

213

Hart well, Oliver,

Hathaway, Thomas, Sr., 21,

54, 61, 73, 84, 113, 451, 636

Hathaway, Nathaniel

115

26, 43, 44, 53
, 638, 639.
84,91

726

History, Unremembe,red

607

Hathaway, Thomas, Jr.,

. .84, 114, 758

160

Hollowell, William,

Hollowell, Joseph

654,736

736, 756

736, 751

764

.. 92

84, 137

.... 91,93,138

... 98

98, 138

Hathaway, Gilbert,

Hathaway, Bradford G. H ,.

.... 114,116
116

117

Holmes, Margaret,

Holmes, Lucy

161

Hathaway, Mary (Mrs. Norris), 666

Hathaway, Elizabeth, 667

165

418

288

423

604

. . . 175, 300, 763

Hawley, Thomas J.,

605

589, 592

625

. 88

760

759

Hazard, Dr. Brirnton W.,. ..

Hazard, Griffin, B 175

Hazard, Jonathan J.,

Hazard, George W

Hazard, Jonathan J., Jr.,. . .

89,566

681. 682, 763
.... 230,680
.... 662, 684
681

Hnckleberrv Hill

638

Hudson, William S.,...

Hull, Eliphalet

Hull, Seth

121,365

194, 207, 345, 360
203

. 66, 84, 124, 651
.... 84, 637, 652

683

84, 124, 654

683

91, 654 '

... 366

519

652

Hedges. Isaac, 175, 687

753, 758, 763
687

Hunt, Russel A.,

653, 668

653

179

Heltibidal, George

709

555

565

159

. ... 519

.' 406

Hutchinson, Henry,

439

110

Indians, 9, 49, 142, 449, 587, 594, 638, 662,
713.

Indian Population, 12

rndian Trail 9, 22, 143, 281, 638

Indian Cemetery, . . 178, 281, 573, 638, 715

Indian Tradition, 5S7

Indian Relics, 715

Ingraham, Experience 69, 98, 1 12

Ingraham, Eleazer, 84, 136, 637

Ingraham. Elisha, 84,136

Ingraham, Nathaniel, 84,136,637

Ingraham, Solomon, 85

Ingraham, Mary 94,136

Ingraham, Rachel, 94. 112

Ingraham, Anna, 98

Ingraham, Abigail, 98

Ingraham, Lydia, 98

Ingraham Family, 136,

Inlet Creek, 62, 65,

Italy, 4,

Italy, Soil of

Italy, Native Forests of,

Italy, First Settlement of,

Italy, Surveys of,

Italy Democracy,

Italy, First Public House of,

Italy, Masonic Lodge of,. .

Italy, First Tannery in

Italy, Fourth of July Oration,

Italy, Civil History of,

Italy Hollow Baptist Church,

Italy Hill Baptist Church,

Italy Hollow PreeWill Baptist Church

Jacobs' Brook 34

Jacobus, Edward L., 367,703

Jacques, Elizabeth 98

Jailor, Ruth 98

Jayne, Samuel, 241, 366

Jennings, Elark, 22, 28,169

Jerusalem, Town of, 4, 448

Jerusalem, First Settlement of, . 65, 448

Jerusalem, Description of, 448

Jerusalem, Timber of, 449

Jerusalem, Survey of, 451, 574,575

Jerusalem Currency, 551

Jerusalem, Civil History of, 564

Jerusalem, First Post Office in 567

Jerusalem. Census Statistics of, 568

Jerusalem, Overseers of Highways of

1819, 571

Jerusalem, Early School Districts of, 572
Jerusalem, Grape Growers of, 573

Jerusalem, Distilleries of,

Jerusalem, First Grist Mill in,

Jerusalem, Altitudes of,

Jerusalem, Big Gully of,

Jesuits

Jillett, Richard

Jillett, Samuel,

Johnson, Stephen,

Johnson, John J., 618,

Jones, Horatio

Jones, Seth, of 1790,

Jones, Joseph 174, 175, 221, 5S9,

Jones, Richard M. ,

Jones, Seth, 671,

Jones, Josislh,

Jones, Timothy, 671,

Jones, George L.,

Jury Trial,

Kanadesaga, 27

Kashong 17, 21, 28, 43, 171, 172, 181

Keech, William C 437

Keech, Nathaniel 438, 567, 671

Keeler, Hezekiah, 645

Kendis, Martin 763

Kennedy. James 416

Kenyon, Remington, 84

Kenyon, Elizabeth, .*. 94

Kenyon, Hannah, 98

Kenyon. Joseph N 503

Keuka, Meaning of, 450

KeukaLake 638

Ketchum. Joseph 293, 297, 298

Ketchum, Locey, 296

Ketchum, Jonathan 276

Ketchum, Charles 297

Ketchum, James, 298

Kidder Family, 237

Kidder, Ephraim S 175, 237, 239, 250

Kidder, Dr. Nathan L 125

Kidder, David 237

Kidder, Nathan L 239

Kidder, Almon S 566

Kilbourn, Gen. Charles L.,. .. . 464, ('45

Kimble, William 714,717

Kimble, Isaiah, 717

Kimble. Azor, 717

Kinne, Silas, 313

Kinnej, Ephraim Sr 84. 95

Kinney,. Elizabeth, 479

Kinney, Candace, 98

Kinney, Eunice, 98

Kinney, Ephraim 479

Kinney, Isaac, 479

Kinnev, Giles 511,566

Kinney, Coates 511,512

Kinney, Stephen 566

Kinney's Corners, 510, 567

Knapp, Mathew 141,149

Knapp, Levi C, 150

Knapp, Jesse C, 150,165

Knapp. James, 711

Knapp, Augustus, 711

Knapp, Oliver C 712

Knowles, John Card, 386. 633

Kress, John, 161

Kress, Samuel, Sr., 755, 757

Laird, John, 565

Lamb, Dexter, 556

Lamport, William H., 161

Lamport, William, 291

Lane, Abraham, 622

Lanning, Isaac 5

Lansing's Purchase, 636

Larzelere, Henry,- • 474, 476. 565, 566, 567
Lawrence, John,.. 45, 175, 218, 638,639,
763, 764.

Lawrence, Samuel 634,642,763

Lawrence, Melatiah, 640

Lawrence, Melatiah H., 641, 759

Lawrence, Melatiah H., Jr., 641

Lawrence, John, Jr., 642, 759

Lawrence, Silas, 642

Lawrence, James 641 , 759

Lawrence, Mrs. Mary, 755, 756

Lawrence Mill, 640

Law Suit of Friends 58

Lee, Dr. Joshua,.. . 127, 364, 647, 685, 759

Lee, James 128, 646

Lee,Elias, 384

Lee, Thomas 564, 638, 644, 760

Lee, Thomas, Jr., 645, 760

Lee, Sherman, 647

Lee, Daniel S., 646

Lee, Colonel Charles, 649, 759

Lee, General George, 650

Lee, David and David B., 709

Legg, Carlton 696

Lessee Company, 18, 29, 44, 49, 54,634,650

Lessee Draft 635

Lewis, John L.,Sr., 360

Lewis, John L., Jr., 760

Lewis, Henry 695

Lianconrt, 80

Lindsley, Samuel 614

Lindsley, Daniel B., 614, 625, 629, 632, 633

Lindsley, Benjamin, 615

Li ndsley, Thales 615, 616

Lindsley, Anson C, 616

Lindsley Farm 617

Little Gore, 56,637

Livingston, John, ... 18, 27, 170, 171, 635

Locke, Thomas H 257,366. 760

Log Meeting House 47, 66

Log Store 640

Long House 11

Longwell, James C.,.. 673, 674, 728, 729

Longwell. David, 728

Loomis, Ezra, 553

Loomis, Nathan 620, 622

Loomis, Oren G 625

Loomis, Benjamin, 633

Loop, Peter C, 572

Lord, Ephraim, 625

Low, Edward, . . . : . 379, 597, 625, 630, 632

L<ughhead, Joseph, 176

Lumber for Geneva Hotel, 175

Luther, Beloved, 84, 1 35, 637

Luther, Elisha 84, 135

Luther, Sheffield, 84,135

Luther, Stephen 84

Luther, Elizabeth, 95

Luther, Martha, 98

Luther, Mary, 9S

Luther, Lydia, 98

Luther, Sarah 99

Luther Family, 135

Luther, John , 136

Luther, Jonathan, 136

Lynn, Daniel, 573

:m:

Malin, Rachel, 51, 65, 68,72, 78, 88, 100,

Malin, Margaret 68, 7S, 88, 110,

Maiin, Deborah,

Malin, Mary,

Malin, Elizabeth

Mali a Family,

Malin, Elijah 48, 51, 84, 120,

Malin, Enoch 70, 72, 74, 120,

Malin, David H. 74,120,

Malin, Avery 74,

Malin, John, 110,

Malin, George W.,-

Malin, David,

Mallory, Meredith, Sr., 84, 149,

Mallory, Meredith,

Mallory, Smith L.,

Mann, Russell A.,

Mantel, James

Maples, Isaac H.,

Maples, Ipaiah, 753,

Mariner, Homer,

Markham, Edward

Marriage, First in Benton,

Martin, Garrett

Massachusetts Pre-emption,

Mather. John, 619,

Maxfleld, Michael

Maxfleld, Abraham 424,

Maxfleld, Charles G

McAlaster, Jesse,

McAuley, James,

McDowell. William, 148.

McDowell, John,.. 148, 149, 521, 701,

McDowell, Francis M

McFarren. Samuel,

McFarren, Robert N.,

Mclntyre, Archibald 703,

Mclntyre, Albert,

McLean, John A 300,

McLean, John,

McLoud, Smith,

McMaster, Guy H

McMaster, John,

McMaster. David J

McMurphy, George

McNair, Robert, 627,

McNair, John, 607,

Merrifield. John, 315,

Merritt, John,

Meserole, Jacob, 312,

M etcalf. Jabez 380, 439,

Metcalf, Fisher

Methodist Church of Barrington, ...
Methodist Church of Benton Center,

Methodist Church of Bellona,

Methodist Church of Italy Hollow,..

Methodist Church of Italy Hill

Methodist Church Kinneys Corners,
Methodist Church of Branchport, ...
Methodist Church of Middlesex,

INDEX.

Methodist Church of Milo Center,. . 755
Middlesex, Town of, 4. 586

485

Miller, John C

Mills, Elisha,...

.... 565, 702
565, 566, 575
566-

.... 589

Middlesex, First Wheat in,

Middlesex, Best Land of, ....

602

.... 603
..... 619

566

. 27, 32, 634
635

Middlesex, Jury List of,

Middlesex, Census Statistics of.

.... 623
626

627

Milo, Numbering of Lots ol
Milo, Quality of Land in, . . .

Milo, Civil History of.

Milo. Population and Censn
Miio, Early Settlers of,

638

758

sof,.... 760

766

764

Middlesex, Area of 628

Middlesex, Grape Growers of, 628

Middlesex, FreeWill Baptist Church, 630

Middlesex, Baptist Church of, 630

Middlesex, First I'ost Office of, 632

Middlesex Center 631

638

Montour, Catharine,

163, 517, 578
625

Military Reminiscence

Mill, First in Barrington,

Miller, Elizabeth

Miller, Samuel V

187, 228

141

99
' 165, 702
702

Morris , Robert,

571

.... 467,570

Mower, John

. . . . 377, 436
303

Miller, Samuel V. C

Miller, Abraham,

Miller, David,...

703

... 703
. ... 703

406

.... 407, 439

Miller, Stephen W.,

Mumford, Ansel

407

658

]]>

700

659

17, 22, 23
. 55, 636
637. 659,

, 685, 758
99

Nichols, Benjamin,

Nichols, George B.,

659

.... 760.764
.... 658, 764

Nichols, Isaac,. . 21, 43, 66, 84,

758, 764.
Nichols, George, 84, 94, 658

Norris, Eliphalet

565, 665, 760
66£

, 659, 670
347. 658
347, 658
658, 659

Norris, Benjamin E.,

Norris' Landing,

667

666

27, 28

553

418

711

210, 399

641, 760

450, 765

23, 24, 54

270

160

.... 141, 142

Ovenshire, Samuel,

144

. . 95

Old Pre-emption Line,.

Olin, William H.,

745

Oliver, William M

277

349

Oliver, Peter S., 82

101, 110

. .. 417

Patterson, Robert,. 175,199

Peck, Abel,..

Peckens, David and Family,

221,225,350
.... 175, 292
318

417

Parish. Jasper,

Parish Family,

Parker. Jame*, 3, 6, 2], 27, 42, <

56,57.69,114. 117, 139,153.

454, 634, 636, 637, 638, 676, 68

.... 381
14, 46, 54,
169. 230,
1,760.
. 141,637
. . . . 565

176

570

Pen Yang,

764

689

126

220

Parkers Mill

Parsons, Dr. Partridge,

295

406

Perry, Captain Rows,

128, 589, 622
483

Patchen, Jared 175, 194

Patten, Alexander,

Pattison, James,

Pattieon Lois,

.... 165
250

Perry, James

679

630, 623

| INDEX.

Potter, Penelope 99

Potter, Samuel J., 636, 759, 760

Potter, Town of, 4,32

Potter Location 54, 636

Potter House, Builders of, 482

Phelps and Gorham, 18, 23, 25. 29

Phelps, Luman 168, 261, 758

Phelps, John, 565

Pierce, Michael, 591,627,632

Pottery 715

Poudre, Pierre 21, 29, 43, 171, 172

Powell. John,., 248

Powell, James S 249

Powell, Lewis B., 250

Prentiss, Oliver 119

Presbyterian Church, Barrington, 149, 164
Presbyterian Church, First in Benton,
282, 353.

Pritchard, Ruth, 66, 75, 99, 260, 360

Prosser, Abraham 90, 656, 756, 757

Plank Road.Pean Yan to Branchpoint 575

Playsted, John P 695

Plum Point Creek 638

Plympton. John 695, 763

Plympton. Moses 696

Plympton, Aaron, 696, 710

Porter, Alexander, 385, 594

Public, Universal Friend, 48

Pultenev. Sir William, 29

Pulver, John, 429

Pulver, Peter, Jr., 429

Pulver, George, 429

Purdy, Stephen, 175

Post Office, East Barrington, 155

Potter, William, 6, 42, 54, 57, 58, 70, 114.

139, 153, 170, 636, 637, 638.
Potter, Arnold, . 80, 128, 575, 586, 589, 61 9,

622, 638.

Purdy , John, 499, 501

Purdy, Isaac S 499, 500

Q,uick, Martin, 566

" Rain on the Roof," Author of,. . . . 512
Randall, John, 293

Reynolds, Martha 89, 91, 660

Reynolds, Thomas 608

Randall, Lewis, 295

Reywalt, John, 696, 709

Randall, Samuel, 295

Randolph Family 733

Rice, Ezra, 265, 360, 570

Richards, Sarah,. 45, 50, 61, 65, 66, 72, 75,
81,84.

Randolph, Jeptha P., 733, 760

Ranges, 23

Richards, Eliza 65, 72, 74, 120

Raplee, Clinton, 141

Raplee, Joshua, 143, 167

Richards, Abraham, 87

Riggs. Philip, 220,223

Raplee, Lewis, 759

Rattlesnakes,. 36, 142. 374, 378, 459, 754,

607.
Razee, Rufus 411

Roberts, Charles, . . 175, 739, 758, 759, 764
Robinson, Benedict,. 3, 27, 44, 51, 53, 56,

61, 73,86,114, 175,451, 472, 637,638,

758, 760, 764.

Robinson, William 138

Robinson, Edmund, 545

Robinson, Philip, 624

Rector, Andrew and Family, 325

Red Jacket. 49, 450

Red Jacket. Bow of, 199

Reed, Alfred, 689

Reed, Truman 414

Robson Family, 383

Roff, Henry 439

Reed Family, 413

Rose, Elizabeth, 99

Reed & Ryckman 27, 28, 29

Reed & Ryckmau's Location, 169

Rose, John N., 524

Rose, Dr. Henry, 525

Rose, R. Selden, 526

Ross, Joseph, 644

Remer, Aaron 273, 276, 365

Reiner, George 274

Runner. William, 553

Remer, William T 278.365

Runner, John, 553 j

Ryal, Anthony 129 i

Ryress Family, 727

Remer, Bryan, 279

INDEX.

Smith, Richard, 21, 43, 46, 4r
125, 575, 637, 638.

Smith, Mehitable,

Smith, Avery 126, 175,

, 59. 69. S4,

44, 51. 53. 37
758, 759, 760
127

Salmon 36

Saw Mill, First in Barrington, 160

Saw Mill, First at Kashong, 171, 175

Smith, James and Family,,

335

. . . . 165, 166

412

Sobeetz, John C 759

School, First in Barrington, 146

.... 412.439

Smith, Chester,

412

Scofield, General John M., 216, 409

Scott, Rebecca 96

Scott, Orpha, 96, 124, 664

Scott, Margaret 96, 123, 66-1

Smith, Morgan

Smith, Dr. Eben S

Smith, Dr. Frank H

. . . 520, 565
. . . . 590, 653
520

Smith, William H.,

520

Smith, Thomas W.,

.... 546,566

60S

Seamans, Oliver, Thomas, . . 619, 626, 629

Snell, Town of,

168

Southerland, David. 351, 619
South Hill

620,622,624
587, 589

702

Spencer, Susannah,

Spencer, Elijah, ..195,250
Spencer, James

99.6i7

254, 256, 364
250, 26C, 565
250

Sexual Asceticism, 86

Shattuck, William 222

250

250, 260

Shattuck, Ebenezer, 547, 572

Spencer, George W.,

.... 258, 365

155. 165

Shattuck, George C, 571

Shaw, Mrs. Orrin, 223, 226

155

Spink, Silas 84,124,

Spink, Silas W.,

637. 664, 758
665

172

Shaw, Guy, 224, 225

Shearman, Ezekiel, 42, 43, 64, 454. 637, 664

Shearman, Bartleson, 4.454,566

Shearman, Isaac, 455

Shearman, Elizabeth 99

Shearman, Rhoda, 99

Shearman, George, 210

Shearman, Bradley,.. . 563, 565,567,693
Shearman, Enoch, 685, 695

Spooner Family,

742

384

426

Squier, Nathaniel,

Squier, David,

.... 430, 439
431

431

Squier, William Delos,

431

Squirrels,

458

Shearman's Hollow, 567

Stanton, Julius,

160

Stark, Oliver,

641

Shepherd, Jacob H., 658, 760

Sheppard, Charles C, Ill

Starkey,

Statistics of Lindsley Farm,

617

Sheppard, Morris F 175, 368, 760, 764

Sheppard, George A 365

Sherland, James, 309, 344

390

Stebbins, James,

625

Stever, Peter D. ........... .

558

553

Shoemaker, John, 155

Stever, Eli R

559

Simmons, George W.,... ..116

Stever, George W

.. 559

Simmons, Henry and Family, . . . 330

Sisson, George 21, 43, 58, 59, 84, 124

Sisson, Gilbert, 84

Sisson, Lydia, 99

Stewart, William

. ... 59

Stewart, Captain William Henry ... 502
Stewart, John W., 503

. . . . 534. 572

Stoddard, Dr. Philo K.,

. . . . 535, 552
536

Sisson, Jonathan, . . 505

Stone. Asahel 22, 6f

Stone, Asahel, Jr., 125,

, 84, 124, 575
415, 439, 565
99

Sisson, Harrison H., 505,565

Sisson, Luther 5 75s, 760

Stone, Holden,

413

736

Slawson, Ebenezer,. . ... M0

Slayton, Reuben, ..... 631

Slayton, Russel, 632

138

Stone, John

. . . 738, 758
716

INDEX.

390

759

Supplee, Jonathan 664

723

Sapplee, Timothy, 663

Sutherland, Elder Simon, 161, 163. 351,

750, 751, 753, 758.
Sutherland, Stephen, 693

92,368

.... 714, 716

151

Sutherland, Walter W., 694

151

Sutherland, William, 694

rtunderlin, Alonzo W.,

151, 749, 754
.... 151, 165

Sutherland, Roger, , 694

Sutton, Daniel, 123,508

Sutton, Thomas, 508,566,571

152

152, 163

99,664

Swamp, Hay 456

Supplee,John 123,637

Tavern, First in Jerusalem,
Taylor, Jonathan,

662. 726, 756
463

Townsend, John(R.'and Family, 344

Townsend, Uriah, 509, 576

.... 160,165
246

Taylor, James and Family,.
Taylor, William and Family

319

Townships 23

Township Number Eight,. ... 27, 28, 169
Township Number Eight, Draft of,. . 169

Township Seven, Second Range, 61

Tourtelotte, James, 403

,.... 320,365
559

560

559

653, 668, 760
434

Trail, Ganunda6aga, 9,22

Treasure, Digging for, 716

Treat, Thomas, 422

Tremper, H., 139

140

704

705

Trimmer, Anthony, 300

519

623

Trimmer, Thomas, 302

.... 144.554

Tubbs, Enos, 286

. . 409

Tully Limestone 46,171

Townsend, Elijah,

Townsend, Lawrence,

.... 161,508
.... 270, 565
272

Turner, David 538

Turpin, Joseph, 84,85

Turpin, Mary, 99

Turpin, Lydia, ... r99

Tuthill, Daniel B., 219,565

272, 642, 758
.... 273,643

Underwood, David G.,. 598,

Underwood, Adams,

Underwood, Thomas,

Vail, Charles H

625, 629. 632
.... 599,625
598, 625, 632

566

J
Universal Friend, 5,19,21,38

Village at Foot of Lake Keuka 148

Vine Valley 587, 606

Van Alen, James V.,

Van Nordstrand, Abraham
Van Osdoll. William

760

[., 435

725

Vine Valley, Fruit of, 607

Vine Valley, Early Settlers of, 607

Vine Valley, Post Office, 632

Van Osdoll,:George,

725, 727, 760
430

Vorce, Allen, 701, 758, 763

Vorce, Periander, 701

Vorce, Nelson 701, 759

Varlie, Thomas,

Vernon, Town' of,

. . . 233, 234

168

225. 649

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