NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
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ONONDAGA;
OB
EEMINISCBNCES
OF
EAELIEU A^^D LATER TIMES I
BEING A SERIES OF HISTORICAL SKETCHES RELATIVE TO ONONDAGA; WITH
NOTES ON THE SEVERAL TOWNS IK THE COUNTY,
AND
OSWEGO.
By JOSHUA V. H. CLARK, A. M.
CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
SYRACUSE:
}^f^\v:y7^\^
STODDARD ANDBABCOCX.
1849.
Entered according to Act of CougresS; in the year 1849, by
JOSHUA V. H. CLARK, A.M.
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the
Northern District of New- York.
STEREOTYPED BY
BAKEE & TIERNAN.
BVRACCSE, N. Y.
CONTENTS, VOL. II.
CHAPTER XII.
ONONDAGA SALT SPRINGS.
When First Visited by the French. Salt made by the Indians. Owned by Sii
William Johnson. First Manufacturers. Federal Company. First Laws in
respect to Salt Springs, passed 1797. First Superintendent. Powers and Di>
ties of Superintendent and Lessees. Rules observed in Making and Packing
Salt. Coarse Salt. Progress of Manufacture. Borings. Table of Statistics.
List of Superintendents and Inspectors. Modes of Manufacture. Onondaga
Lake. Formation of the Onondaga Valley. Illustrations. Dr. William Kirk-
patrick. ........ .7
CHAPTER XIII,
ERIE CANAL.
Biographical Sketch of Hon. James Geddes. Origin of Internal Improvements.
Inland Lock Navigation Company. Erie Canal. Hydraulic Cement 45
CHAPTER XIV.
SYRACUSE.
Biographical Sketch of Hon. Joshua Forman. The City of Syracuse. Its Rise
and Progress. ........ 6&
CHAPTER XV.
NOTES ON THE SEVERAL TOWNS OF ONONDAGA COUNTY.
ONONDAGA. Asa Danforth, Esq. Thaddeus M. Wood, Esq. Jasper Hopper,
Esq. Antiquities. - - - ' - - - 108
SALINA, - ....... 138
GEDDES, ...-....- 149
Great Alarm, 1791. ........ 153
LYSANDER. Dr. Jonas C. Baldwin. Baldwinsville. - - 159
CICERO. Brewerton. Fort. Frenchman's Island. - - - 171
CLAY, 190
IV CONTENTS.
Page
MANLIUS, Hon. Azariah Smith. Nicholas P. Randall, Esq. Manlius Vil-
lage. Anecdote of Baron Steuben. Fayetteville. Deep Spring. Green
Pond. -...-.... 194
DE WITT. Moses De Witt, Esq. Jamesville. Orville. Messina Springs. 232
POMPEY. Hollow. Delphi. Antiquities. - - - .241
LA FAYETTE, - 282
MARCELLUS, -------- 289
SKANEATELES, Daniel KelJogg, Esq. Village. . - - 301
CAMILLUS. Plaster. Coal. Col. John Dill. - - . - 313
ELBRIDGE. Jordan. Cave. Antiquities. - . - - 320
VANBUREN, -------- 328
FABIUS, .--.-... 330
TULLY, - - - 335
OTISCO. Wyllys Gaylord, 339
SPAFFORD, ........ 348
CHAPTER XVI.
OSWEGO.
Erection of a Trading House and Fort, by Governor Burnet. Gen. Shirley. Col.
Mercer. Operations of Col. Bradstreet. Oswego Falls. Bone Hill. Oswego
Taken by Montcalm. Incidents. Attacked by the British 1813. Early Set-
tlement. •-...... 354
Conclusion, - - . - . ... 393
BIOGRAPHICAL iXOTICES WITH PORTRAITS, VOL. 11.
Hon. James Geddes, . . . • .
Page
. 45
Hon. Joshua Forman, ....
69
Thaddeus M. Wood, Esq., . . ...
. 118
Jasper Hopper, Esq., ....
124
Doctor Jonas C. Baldwin, ....
. 159
Hon. AzARiAH Smith, . • . .
194
Nicholas P. Randall, Esq., ....
. 201
Daniel Kellogg, Esq., ....
300
Other Biographical Notices.
Hon. William Kirkpatrick,
39
Asa Danforth, Esq.,
. 115
Moses De Witt, Esq., ....
280
Dan Bradley, Esq.,
. 296
Col. John Dill,
317
Mr. Wyllys Gaylord,
. 339
ILLUSTRATIONS, VOL. II.
Page
Diagram, showing the geological position of the differ-
ent strata of rocks in the county, with their dip, . 38
Transverse section of the ancient Onondaga valley
and Lake, 39
Old Fortification, near Greenpoint, . . 147
Old Fort Brewerton, 181
PoMPEY Monumental Stone, .... 265
Ancient works near Delphi, .... 269
Old Fort, on Isaac Keeler's farm, . . . 277
Crucifixes, Medals, &c., 280
Ancient works at Elbridge, . . 325, 326, 327
View of Oswego as it appeared in 1755, . . 353
Old Fort at Oswego Falls, 365
SALT SPRINGS.
CHAPTER XII.
ONONDAGA SALT SPRINGS
When first visited by the Fkench — Salt made by the Indians — Owned bt
Sir William Johnson — First Manufacturers — Federal Company — First
Laws in respect to Salt Springs, passed 1797 — First Superintendent —
Powers and Duties of Superintendent and Lessees — Rules observed in
Making and Packing Salt — Coarse Salt — Progress of Manufacture —
Borings — Table of Statistics — List of Superintendents and Inspectors —
Modes of Manufacture — Onondaga Lake — Formation of the Onondaga
Valley. — Illustrations— Dr. Wm. Kirkpatrick.
As an object of Natural History, tlie Onondaga Salt
Springs are among the most singular and valuable productions
with which bountiful nature has enriched our country.
As an object of Chemistry, they are equally interesting, as
affording an accurate analysis of the waters, ascertaining the
various heterogeneous substances which they hold in solution,
and the just proportions of each.
As an object of political interest, they deserve particular
consideration, as affording a vast revenue to the State, giving
employment to thousands of .her citizens, and supplying our
extensive country with salt of its own manufacturing.
On all these points, they are of increasing interest and of
the highest importance, not only to our country, but to the
State at large.
These springs are centrally situated in the county of On-
ondaga, on the banks of the Onondaga Lake, from the village
of Liverpool, around, the southern end of the lake to the
8 ONONDAGA.
outlet of Nine Mile Creek, a circuit of about nine miles.
The springs formerly issued naturally from a black muck,
which composes the surface of the marsh, by small orifices,
apparently in a perpendicular direction.
The marsh from whence they issued, in most places, was
destitute of grass and other vegetables, except samphire, and
when the sun shone the water was evaporated from the sur-
face of the mud, leaving it covered with chrystalized salt.
Other substances which happened within the reach of the
salt water, were frequently covered with oxide of iron, giving
them a reddish brown color. These appearances may be said
to be annually diminishing.
The salt springs at Onondaga, were well known to the In-
dians, at the time of their first intercourse with the wliites.
Father Jerome Lallemant, is the first French writer who makes
mention of the " Salt Fountains" at Onondaga, in his Rela-
tion of 1645-46.*
Father Le Moyne, a Jesuit missionary, who had spent some
time among the Hurons, and who first came to Onondaga in
1653, with a party of Huron and Onondaga chiefs, as an en-
voy to ratify a treaty of peace between the two nations, in
which the French of Canada were interested, is supposed to
be the first white man who first, personally, took notice of
the Onondaga Salt Springs. (See Le Moyne's Journal, page
138.) His discovery and declaration was an event so unex-
pected and surprising to the Dutch, to whom he afterwards
related the fact, at New Amsterdam, that the good people of
that city, without hesitation, pronounced it " a Jesuit lie"-\
Father logues, visited the Onondagas, some ten years ear-
lier, but makes no mention of these salt springs. It is possi-
ble, however, that he may have known of them. Francis
Creuxius, a latin writer and a Jesuit missionary, gives a very
* He speaks in these words : " La fontaine dont on fait des tresbon sel, coup-
pe una belle prairie environnee de bois de haute fustaye. A quartre-vingt ou
centaine pas de cette source sallee il s'en voit une autre d'eau douce et ces
deux contraires, prennent naissame du sein d'une mesme coUioe.
t Dr. O. Callag-han.
SALT SPRINGS. 9
minute description of the Onondaga valley, in 1665. (See
early history, page 149.)
Charlevoix, as well as others of the Jesuit Fathers, fre-
quently alludes to the salt springs at Onondaga.
In 1770, Onondaga salt was in common use among the
Delaware Indians, who in that year brought a quantity of it
to the house of the Father of the late Judge Bowker, of Cay-
uga, who then lived at a place called Papeconck, (now Col-
chester.) He says that it was common for the traders, at that
day, to bring small quantities of this salt to Albany, along
with their furs as a curiosity, and that they always spoke in
high praise of the salt springs at Onondaga.
He says, that at that period he has seen salt in the Indian
huts at Onondaga, and the Indian women engaged in making
it, and that it was sometimes sent to Quebec for sale.
In a letter of Colonel Comfort Tyler, to Doctor Jeremiah
Van Rensselaer, in 1822, which was published in an appendix
to his Essay on Salt, Colonel Tyler says, "I was informed
that Sir William Johnson had several vears before obtained a
deed from the Indians of a tract, one mile in width, adjoining
and including the entire lake, and that he made the purchase
on account of some salt water which had been discovered upon
the margin of the lake."
They were well known by reputation to exist, although not
explored prior to the American Revolution, and the Legisla-
ture of New-York, at an early day, duly appreciated their
rising value. By the treaty of "Fort Schuyler, formerly
called Fort Stanwix," held 12th September, 1788, the Onon-
daga Indians ceded to the State of New-York, " all their lands
forever," excepting certain " tracts reserved." (See Treaties,
page 348.)
At the time the Military Bounty Lands were ordered to be
surveyed, in 1791-92, the Surveyor General was directed to
make a sufficient reservation, to secure all the salt springs
around the Onondaga Lake. The first settlers commenced the
making of salt in 1788.
Colonel Tyler's letter before referred to, says, " In the
10 ONONDAGA.
month of May, in the same year, (1788,) the family wanting
salt, obtained about a pound from the Indians, which they had
made from the water of the springs upon the shore of the
lake. The Indians offered to discover the water to us. Ac-
cordingly, I went with an Indian guide to the lake, taking
along an iron kettle, of fifteen gallons capacity ; this he placed
in his canoe, and steered out of the mouth of Onondaga Creek,
easterly, into a pass, since called Mud Creek. After passing
over the marsh, then flowed by about three feet of water, and
steering towards the bluff of hard land, (since the village of
Salina,) he fastened his canoe, pointed to a hole apparently arti-
ficial, and said, there was the salt."
At this time Col. Tyler informs us that he made, in about
nine hours, thirteen bushels of salt of an inferior quality.
Asa Danforth, Esq., commenced making salt in that year,
by carrying a five pail kettle from his residence at Onondaga
Hollow. He placed his coat on his head, inverted the kettle
thereon, and it has been said, carried it the whole distance
without taking it off to rest. Comfort Tyler accompanied
him, carrying an axe, chain, and other necessary implements,
for the purpose of making a suitable erection to " hoil salt."
They set up two crotches, suspended their kettle on a chain
around a pole, between them, and thus carried on the business
of making salt. After a sufficient quantity was made for pre-
sent wants, the kettle, chain, &c., were hid in the bushes, till
wanted on another occasion. This practice was continued till
the following year. In the fall of 1789, Nathaniel Loomis*
came to Salt Point with a few kettles in a boat, by way of
Oneida Lake and River, and during the winter of 1789 and
'90, made from 500 to 600 bushels of salt, which he sold for
one dollar per bushel. f Mr. William Van Vleck, who was an
early settler at Salt Point, and Jeremiah Gould afterwards
made salt, in caldron kettles set in arches. In 1793, Moses
De Witt, Esq., and William Van Vleck, entered into a co-
* Mr. Loomis was living two years ago at Bridgewater, Oneida Co. N. Y.
t Col. Tyler's leUer to Dr. V. R.
SALT SPRINGS. 11
partnership, and erected an arch containing four potash ket-
tles and mauufactured quantities sufficient for the wants of
the inhabitants of the surrounding country. Other makers
of salt soon succeeded. For several vears the salt houses
were built of logs. The Federal Company, consisting of Asa
Danforth, Jedediah Sanger, Daniel Keeler, Thomas Hart,
Ebenezer Butler, Elisha Alvord and Hezekiah Olcott, was
organized, 1798. The object of the company was to manu-
facture salt on a stupendous scale. They erected a building
of large dimensions for that period, capable of containing
thirty-two kettles which were set in blocks of four kettles
each. "Water was then pumped by hand, from a single shallow
well, not thirty feet deep, into reservoirs made of dug out white
wood logs. Thus within a very fcAV years from the com-
mencement, the manufacture of salt acquired considerable
celebrity, and " Salt Point" became a placeof notoriety abroad.
James Geddes also commenced the manufacture of salt at
Geddes in 1793, '4; and very soon after, the manufacture was
commenced at Liverpool, by John Danforth. The business was
so much increased in 1797, that the Legislature in that year,
passed their first laws, in reference to the manufacture of salt
at the Onondaga Salt Springs. By this act, the Surveyor
General was required to lay out the salt springs reservation
into lots, not exceeding ten acres, with five acres of salt marsh
for the convenience of persons engaged in the manufacture
of salt. A lot of larger dimensions, might be reserved for a
public store house and other public uses. The Surveyor Gen-
eral was directed to make the survey in person, and to execute
a lease for three years, to any person, who had already erected
and occupied salt works, on any lot, at this time surveyed,
upon the following terms. For every kettle or pan, used or
to be used, the lessee should cause to be made at least, ten
bushels of salt annually, and pay as a rent for the premises
four cents, for every bushel of salt made thereon during the
time. And if the spring or springs, on any of the said lots,
should yield more water, from which salt could be extracted,
than was sufficient for the manufactories established or to be
12 ONONDAGA.
established on said lot, the lessees of any of the adjoining
lots, might lead the surplus waters to their manufactories,
and the remaining surplus water to the next, and so on till the
same should become exhausted. William Stevens was ap-
pointed the first Superintendent of Onondaga Salt Springs,
20th June, 1797, and continued in ofiice till his death.
The Superintendent, was authorized to settle all disputes,
and his award was to be final and conclusive. Makers of salt
were under penalty, required, at any time, either directly or
indirectly, not to ask, demand or receive more than sixty cents
a bushel, for salt made on their respective premises, and that
no salt should be sold on the leased premises ; but all salt made
should be put up into barrels or casks, upon each of which the
name of the maker, and the quantity of the salt contained, should
be branded, and then delivered to the Superintendent of the
Salt Springs, at the store or stores by him provided, and there
stored till the same was sold. Any proprietor of a salt lot,
who did not accept a lease on the foregoing terms, forfeited
his right to the same, and the Surveyor General was directed
to sell the same at public auction.
The Superintendent was authorized to assign at his discre-
tion, to each of the lessees, a certain proportion of the salt
marsh, to be improved by them, for the purpose of " cutting
grass or sedge" thereon ; and any lessee was allowed to cut
a canal from his works through the marsh to the lake. Any
occupant who did not choose to accept the terms of the new
lease, Avas allowed to remove his kettles and furniture belong-
ing to his works, and to receive pay from the State for any
works he had erected.
The duties of the Superintendent were defined. He was
directed to store all salt made at the several works, brand his
name, and the year when made, on each cask, and to deliver
the- same to the respective owners, as they sold the same, upon
their paying to him the lawful rent, and one cent per bushel
for storage ; always taking care to keep in store, at least two
thousand bushels ; and, after the first year, the quantity was
to be increased, by five hundred bushels for each year, which
SALT SPRINGS. 13
quantity was to be kept in store, to meet demands made by
the citizens of the State of New-York, who depended on ob-
taining their supply from these works. Superintendent was
required to sell to any citizen of the State, of the salt so stored,
sufficient for his own use, for sixty cents per bushel, reserving
for rent and storage, five cents per bushel, paying to the
maker, fifty-five cents per bushel. Owners of stores were al-
lowed to store salt in their own stores, but the keys were to
be left with the Superintendent, that he might have the sole
care and custody thereof. In such case, the owner was not
chargeable with storage. The Superintendent was charged
with the wood on the reservation, in the vicinity of the salt
springs. The first store-house, or the building used for that
purpose, was the old " Block-house," built for defense in 1794.
The sum of two thousand dollars was authorized by the
Legislature, for the purpose of building a wharf and store-
house at the salt springs, as the Surveyor General should di-
rect. At the expiration of the leases, the Legislature re-
served the right, to take any of the works by paying the
owners the true value thereof, to be ascertained by competent
persons, appointed by the Legislature, or to grant new leases
on like terms, for the term of seven years. Individuals were
made punishable for occupying any part of the reservation
without a lease from the Superintendent, who was to receive
a salary of eight hundred dollars per year, and was not to al- ,
low the duties, to be done by another. It may be worthy of
remark, that it was sometimes customary for the Superintend-
ent to give certificates, for deposites of salt in the public store-
house, and these certificates passed from one to another, as
cash, so that the public store-house in substance became a
Bank. The manufacturing of salt steadily increased. The
business, except sufiicient to pay the rents and duties was
mainly carried on by exchanges of the productions of the
soil for salt, and not much more was made, than to satisfy
the demands of home consumption. Some, however, made
its way to Canada, by water carriage, and to Utica, through
Oneida Lake, and through the Seneca River, to the villages
14 O NO N D A G A .
on the lesser lakes. In winter, the store-houses and works,
in seasons of sleighing, were nearly emptied ; the article
having a demand in the southern counties of Tioga and Che-
nango. The business of manufacturing salt became more ex-
tensive than the Legislature had anticipated, and it was found
impossible for the Superintendent to store all the salt that
was made, and charge the rents and duties thereon, accord-
ing to the provisions of the statute. It was therefore enacted,
30th of March, 1798, that lessees should account to the Su-
perintendent, under oath, for the quantity made, and lessees
were allowed to pay rent, according to the capacity of their
kettles, at the rate of two cents per month for every gallon
of the capacity of their pans or kettles, instead of the rent
of four cents per bushel, as provided for in the several leases.
All persons who complied with this new regulation^ and
accounted punctually, once a week to the Superintendent,
for the quantity made, were permitted to sell the same on the
premises, but only in quantities less than three bushels, unless
the same was put up in casks, boxes or barrels, well made, of
seasoned timber, and branded with the initials of the first
names, and the surname in full, and inspected by the Super-
intendent. All salt made at any manufactory, should be sold
by weight, at the rate of fifty-six pounds per bushel. The
Superintendent was authorized to lease lots to new applicants,
and whenever they had erected a sufficient manufactory, with
kettles or pans, with a capacity of three hundred and forty
gallons, the lease was to be confirmed.
In 1799, an act was passed, requiring all salt, manufac-
tured at the salt springs, to be deposited in the public store-
house, for inspection, and if necessary, sort it into two quali-
ties. The first quality to be free from dirt and filth, with the
bitterns properly separated therefrom, and fully drained from
brine. The second quality, to be free from impurities, dry,
and not more that twenty-five per cent, inferior to the first
quality. All salt so manufactured, was directed by law, to be
packed in good, seasoned white oak casks, water tight, well
hooped with twelve hoops, three on each head and three on each
SALT SPRINGS. 15
bilge, to be thirty inches long, and the diameter of each head
to be nineteen inches. The Superintendent was directed to
mark the tare on each barrel, and after the whole was weighed,
deduct the tare, and brand the weight and quality, and put
on the number of cents, he should adjudge the salt to be
worth per bushel, and brand his name on the same. The
Superintendent, on receiving and inspecting any salt, as afore-
said, in the public stores, gave the manufacturer a certificate
for the same, and he delivered the same salt to the bearer of
the certificate, on his paying five cents for rent and storage,
for every fifty-six pounds weight. The Superintendent was
authorized to inspect salt, ready for transportation by water,
and no salt was to be shipped, but from the public wharf, on
penalty of five dollars, for every bushel so shipped, to be paid
by the shipper, or the person receiving the same in any boat
or vessel, besides the forfeiture of the salt, which was to be
seized for the benefit of the people of the State of New-York.
It was made the duty of the Superintendent, to seize any
salt on board any boat, wagon, sleigh, or other carriage, and
remove the same to the public store-house, for the benefit of
the people of the State. Any person packing any unin-
spected salt, was to be fined five dollars. The Superintend-
ent was required to provide and keep for every manufacturer,
a separate bin for his salt, previous to its being inspected and
sold. A penalty of five dollars vras forfeited by any person,
who should buy or sell any uninspected salt. Settlements
were required to be made quarterly with the lessees, and
arrears of rent were allowed to be paid in salt. The Super-
intendent was allowed this year, one hundred dollars for the
hire of an assistant, and pay for stationery, brands and im-
plements, necessary for the inspection of salt. Heavy penal-
ties were enacted against any who should cut or carry off wood
from the reservation, without consent of the Superintendent.
He was required to settle all accounts with each lessee or man-
ufacturer on the first day of January in each year, account
with the comptroller yearly, and report to the Legislature the
state of the Onondaga Salt Springs.
16 ONONDAGA.
In 1801, the act relative to the Superintendent's keeping a
quantity of salt in store was repealed, and the one cent duty
"was not to be demanded.
William Kirkpatrick was appointed Superintendent of On-
ondaga Salt Springs, April 8, 1806. His is the first report
to which we have had access. On the first of January, that
year, he reports 159,071 bushels as made during the year end-
ing January 1, 1806 ; and the year following, he reports 154,-
760 bushels as manufactured at the salt springs. About this
time, John Richardson, Esq. erected a frame salt works and
ten kettle block in a rude arch, which was thought to be almost
a miracle, far exceeding any thing before erected.
The first well of any note was at Salina — a large hole twenty
feet square and about thirty feet deep — sunk during the su-
perintendence of Dr. Kirkpatrick. Each manufacturer then
aet his own pumps ; the water was pumped by hand and con-
ducted in spouts to the several works. The introduction of
Hathaway's patent hand pump was considered a vast improve-
ment.
John Richardson was appointed Superintendent, February
16, 1810. While in ofiice, he conducted the water of Yellow
Brook from Syracuse to Salina, for the purpose of driving a
wheel for the elevation of brine. This is believed to be the
first machinery erected for that purpose. Pumps were soon
after worked by horse-power.
From 1812, after the reinstatement of Dr. Kirkpatrick, we
have nearly all the Superintendent's reports. First of Janu-
ary, 1813, Dr. Kirkpatrick reports 221,011 bushels, besides
one hundred bushels delivered to the Onondaga Indians ; and
the duty of three cents per bushel, then collected, yielded a
revenue of $6,630 33. •
In 1812, an act was passed directing that the Superintend-
ent should be appointed by the Legislature, and hold his ofiice
during their pleasure, having been previously appointed by the
Governor and Senate. He was required to give bonds within
thirty days after his appointment, in the penalty of $25,000,
for the faithful administration of his office, and to make a full
SALT SPRINGS. 17
report of the condition of the salt springs on the first of Jan-
uary in each year — a duty which Dr. Kirkpatrick faithfully
performed during the long period of his holding the office.
He was required to appoint a deputy for each of the villages
of Salina, Liverpool and Geddes. A duty of three cents per
bushel was to be paid by the purchaser or seller, at the time
of inspection. If any lessee did not elect to pay the duty,
then he was bound to pay five cents per quarter on each gal-
lon of capacity of pan or kettles used in the manufacture of
salt. The Superintendent was required to lay out two acres
of land on such part of the reservation as he should think
proper, for the purpose of making salt by evaporation, other
than by fire ; and he was further authorised to lease the same,
free of rent or duty, as he should think proper, to encourage
the experiment of making salt by such evaporation. His sala-
ry was continued at $800 per annum, and he was allowed $850
for the salaries of his three deputies, with allowances for in-
struments, stationery, &c. necessary for the performance of
his duties. January 1, 1814, he reports 226,000 bushels of
manufactured salt ; revenue, from duties, $6,780 00.
In 1813, an act was passed providing for the appointment
of an assistant deputy superintendent, to keep the office of
inspection, which office was to be kept open from the rising to
the setting of the sun ; and no deputy or assistant deputy was
to have any interest whatever in any salt works.
January, 1815, Superintendent reports 295,215 bushels as
the amount of salt manufactured at the several salt works in
the town of Salina, and the revenue at three cents per bushel,
$7,856 45
Other sources, 940 00
Whole revenue for year ending 1st. Jan., 1815, $8,796 45
In 1816 the office of Deputy Superintendent was abolished
and the salary of the Superintendent increased by $250 per
year.
In 1816, for the increase of the canal fund a duty of twelve
and a half cents per bushel was laid upon Onondaga salt, to
b2
18 ONONDAGA.
be collected as heretofore, the three cent duty being set aside,
and the Superintendent instead of making a yearly report
to the Legislature, was required to make a quarterly report, to
the Commissioners of the Canal Fund, and pay into the treasury
of the State, all monies collected, except satisfaction for sala-
ries and expenses, on the first Tuesdays of February, May,
August and November, in each year.
First of January 1816, Superintendent reports 322,058
bushels manufactured and the revenue at three cents per
bushel, $9,661,74. The annual reports of Superintendent
from 1818 to 1823 have not been obtained and the statistics
for those years are necessarily omitted.
In 1820, the Commissioners of the land office were author-
ized, to survey and lay out lots on the salt spring reservation,
like other unappropriated lands in the State, and sell them
for the convenience and furtherance of the growth of the vil-
lages on said reservation, and to lay out so many village and
manufacturing lots, with such additional streets, squares, &c.,
as the wants and future growth and accommodation of the
villages, and the extension of salt manufactories on said tract
might require. These lots were to be sold and the proceeds
handed over to the Commissioners of the Canal Fund and
$20,000, arising from the first of said sales, was to be applied
and appropriated, to the improvement of the navigation of
Oswego river. Additional caution was used in the manufac-
ture and inspection of salt.
The use of lime or ashes was prohibited in the manufacture
of salt, under a penalty of fifty dollars for each and every
offense, and manufacturers were required to keep in use two
good bittern pans, for every three kettles, employed in the
manufacture of salt, under penalty of twenty-five cents for
every case of neglect. The effect of these seemingly arbi-
trary laws and their Avholesome administration was the means
of improving the quality of the Onondaga salt, which for
years had been mingled with impurities incident to careless-
ness and neglect.
The term reservation, was construed to mean and be, all
SALT SPRINGS. 29
the territory, which was originally set apart and reserved for
the salt springs of Onondaga County. Privilege was given
to every individual or company, to erect works for the manu-
facture of coarse salt, by evaporation in the sun, or by arti-
ficial heat in vats or pans, on any of the public lands, reserved
by the commissioners of the land office, for the purpose of
manufacturing coarse salt only, for the term of twenty years.
Such individuals or companies, erecting manufactories of
coarse salt, were allowed to pump and use any surplus water
from any of the salt springs at Salina, and carry the same in
aqueducts, to reservoirs, to be erected at proper elevations,
and from the reservoirs to these manufactories, and to use so
much of the surplus water of the Erie Canal on the Salina
level, as might be necessary to pump the same; subject to the
supervision of the canal commissioners, and they were oblio-ed
to pump for any other manufactories at a rate not exceeding
two mills per bushel whenever there was sufficient water in the
Erie Canal, for driving macliinery and sufficient surplus brine
in the springs at Salina. The State might take and occupy
the same at any time by paying the owners a fair value for
the same.
Major Benajah Byington, who for a number of years had
been engaged in the manufacture of salt at Salina, was au-
thorized by an act of the Legislature, passed in 1820, to bore
for rock salt, at any point on the reservation. In case of dis-
covery within three years, the State was to give him a premium
of two cents per bushel of fifty-six pounds, on all salt dug,
used or manufactured from such rock salt, for the term of ten
years ; at the same time, reserving the right to take back, into
their own hands, any works, pits, mines, or erections, at any
time, by paying three times what the same should cost the
proprietor. This act was renewed and strenuous efforts were
made to find rock salt, but without success ; and it is now ge-
nerally conceded that rock salt is not to be found, by borinf^
in the immediate vicinity of the salt springs. Ilis borings
and explorations were mostly made on the high grounds east
of Salina.
20 ONONDAGA.
To prevent frauds on the revenue and for the interest of
the State, it was enacted, in 1821, that the Superintendent
might charge duties on the salt water manufactured in vats
or pans, according to the quantity of salt they were capable
of producing, after making due allowance for waste and im-
purities. Duties were to be paid quarterly, on the first days
of January, April, July and October. In case of non-pay-
ment, the Superintendent was authorised to enter on and sell
such manufactory at public auction. The commissioners were
directed to lay out and set apart, on and near the bank of the
Erie canal, between the village of Salina and the Erie canal,
and elsewhere in the town of Salina, suitable lands for the
erection of manufactories of coarse salt, according to the pro-
visions of the statute. This may be considered the origin and
commencement of our solar evaporating salt works. Soon af-
ter this were organized the Onondaga and Syracuse Salt Com-
panies, who erected suitable vats and apparatus for the manu-
facture of coarse salt.
As an encouragement for the manufacture of coarse salt,
an act was passed in 1822, offering a bounty of three cents
per measured bushel on all coarse salt which should find its
way to the banks of the Hudson River or Lake Erie, or that
should be shipped from Oswego to Lower Canada, for the tenn
of five years. This bounty was to be paid to the two first
manufactories of coarse salt, owned by individuals or compa-
nies, who should first and within five years manufacture 100,-
000 bushels of coarse salt each. As a further inducement,
these coarse salt manufactories were allowed the first privilege
of salt water from the springs. The wilful destroying of any
coarse salt erections by fire or otherwise was made a felony.
All laborers engaged about the coarse salt works were exempt
from serving on juries and from ordinary military duty.
Four thousand five hundred dollars was appropriated for
the purpose of lowering Onondaga Lake. The canal com-
missioners were instructed to cut a channel, of such width and
depth as in their opinion would be necessary to permit the
waters of the lake to subside to a level with Seneca River.
SALT SPRINGS. 2]
This operation was considered quite an improvement in the
navigation of the Onondaga River, and in laying bare a wide
surface of the salt marsh, which at high water was inundated.
Previous to 1822, the manufacture of salt by boiling had
been confined by law to particular portions of the reservation,
called salt lots, at the villages of Salina, Geddes and Liver-
pool. This year an act was passed, allowing salt to be man-
ufactured on the east bank of the Salina canal and elsewhere.
There seemed to be a settled opposition to this law and to its
going into practical operation, by certain people who clamor-
ously opposed it. The first demonstration towards extending
works along the Salina canal was made by John Wilkinson,
Matthew Davis, George Davis and Henry Gifford, who pro-
ceeded to erect their salt works. The Superintendent remon-
strated, stormed, scolded and threatened to tear it down ; order-
ed all workmen to keep clear of it, or they might bring them-
selves into trouble. Amidst all the turmoil and confusion the
work Avent vigorously on, till in due time it was completed, and
directly their works went into successful operation. They
were supplied with brine from the coarse salt company's works.
Mr. Wilkinson sold his interest to Mr. Gifford, and the re-
maining partners carried on the manufacture of salt, the first
out of the original salt lots of Salina. After a while opposi-
tion ceased. Others seeing these works going on in success-
ful and unembarrassed operation, erected salt works all along
the Salina canal, which have since continued, without opposi-
tion, in uninterrupted prosperity.
In 1823, an act was passed for the closer inspection of salt,
and provision made for the appointment of an Inspector, with
necessary assistants ; one to reside at each of the villages of
Salina, Syracuse, Liverpool and Geddes. Heavy penalties
were enacted against every species of fraud, and against the
waste of water. Amount of salt inspected in 1824 was 827,162.
bushels.
In 1825, an act was passed providing an engineer for the
salt works at Salina. Simeon Ford, Esq. was appointed by
the Governor and Senate, and to him was assigned the whole
22 ONONDAGA.
possession and supervision of pumps, aqueducts, reservoirs,
wells, conduits and machinery, and with the distribution of
the salt water, at a salary of one thousand dollars per year.
His first report was made to the Legislature on the 7th of
February, 1826.
His first movement was to take possession in behalf of the
State, of all the buildings and machinery of the Onondaga
and Syracuse Coarse Salt Companies, and for the purpose of
compounding with said companies for the reasonable value
thereof, the whole matter was submitted to Azariah Smith
and Sylvanus Tousley, of Manlius and Robert Richardson, of
Vernon, who, after due examination, awarded the companies
$8,700, which sum was paid them by the treasurer of the
State.
The property, thus taken into the possession of the State,
consisted of a well and reservoir with two chambers sixty feet
long by twenty-five wide, each six feet deep, with about twen-
ty-five miles of wooden tubes for conveying salt water. In
his report he states the following observations : —
" There can be no doubt that there are large beds of fossil salt
in the neighborhood of Salina, and recommends the carrying
down a shaft to a considerable depth. The probability is, that
the fresh water which enters into the salt pits enters the ground
on the oak hills back from the lake, and passing over the rock
becomes more or less saturated, according to the quantity ad-
mitted and the time taken up in passing over the rocks. The
reason why the water is supposed to come from the oak hills
is, that whenever the present Avell is cleansed, acorns, hickory
nuts, leaves, sticks and pieces of oak wood will be found rising
through the orifices in which the salt water appears, from the
bottom of the well. A large mandrake rose through one of
the crevices at the bottom, and was taken out in a complete
state of saturation."
Under the direction of the engineer, a new well was sunk,
thirty feet deep and twelve feet in diameter. This was done
as follows : staves were dressed out thirty-two feet long, well
fitted together Avith grooves and tongues, and then set up in
SALT SPRINGS. 23
the form of a cylinder and strongly banded with iron. By
means of a pile driver these staves were driven about two feet
at a time to the depth of thirty feet, after which the earth was
taken out from the inside. This and other erections and fix-
tures cost the State over $30,000.
Mr. Henry Burden, Superintendent of the Troy Nail Fac-
tory, was applied to, to visit the salt springs, in order to de-
vise plans for new pumps, and such erections as might be
thought necessary. An expensive outlay was made for the
construction of machinery at the Cold Spring foundry, near
West Point, and extensive reservoirs were erected for the
convenience of the coarse salt fields.
The number of bushels of salt manufactured and reported
for the year 1825, was 768,188. The superintendent received
a premium of six cents per baiTcl, on all Onondaga salt going
as far east as Albany; tolls on canal being fifteen cents,
which gave the State a nett profit of nine cents.
The Superintendent's report, February, 1826, says, " there
are now on the reservation, 150 manufactories of fine salt, con-
taining 2,275 kettles, viz. : at Sulina, ninety-seven blocks, of
1,412 kettles ; at Geddes, twenty blocks, of 274 kettles ; at
Liverpool, twenty-three blocks containing 311 kettles ; and at
Syracuse, seventeen blocks, containing 278 kettles ; and there
are three manufactories of coarse salt by artificial heat, at
Salina. The Syracuse Company have erected 36,416 feet in
length of vats, for solar evaporation ; the Onondaga Salt Com-
pany, 35,800 feet; and Henry Gifi"ord, 2,784; making in all,
74,700 feet in length, by eighteen feet in width, exposing a
surface of 1,354,640 superficial feet. When in a proper state
for evaporation, the vats contain at least 3,000,000 gallons of
brine. There have been inspected on the reservation, 816,000
bushels. The whole works now erected, are competent to
manufacture two million bushels." This year a pump was
borrowed from the State Prison at Auburn, and set up and
put in operation at Geddes. It proved unavailable, and the
Messrs. Townsend, of Albany, furnislied a new pump in the
month of December. This year a well was sunk at Liverpool,
24 ONONDAGA.
which promised a supply of good strong brine. This well was
dug in what Professor Eaton terms "saliferous rock." It is
the only well dug on the marsh, which did not require a curb.
A substantial double forcing pump was erected here to raise
the water a sufficient height to run to Liverpool. The Super-
intendent reports the works to have been greatly improved
and enlarged, some of the blocks containing from sixteen to
twenty kettles each, of the capacity of from ninety to one
hundred gallons.
In 1827, borings were made at Geddes, Salina, and one
mile north of Salina, where an abundance of brine was found,
of a quality equal, if not superior, to that of the old well at
Salina. The office of Engineer of the Onondaga Salt Springs,
was this year abolished. Report for Junuary, 1828, states,
that 1,103,172 bushels were manufactured and inspected
at the several salt works on the Reservation, including the
month of November of the previous year.
In 1829, Superintendent reports improvements in the various
salt works, and the amount, inspected, 116,888 bushels ; the
duties of engineer devolving upon him. That borings have
been extended to the depth of from sixty to two hundred feet,
with a great increase of quality. Number of blocks, 139 ;
number of kettles, 3,065. Principal part of the salt made at
Syracuse, is by the Syracuse and Onondaga Salt Companies,
by solar evaporation.
In 1830, the first iron tubes were sunk by boring, at Syra-
cuse. Tubes twelve inches in diameter, in sections three and
a half feet long, strongly clamped together, proved entirely
successful. At a depth of sixty feet, a brine was found of
from twenty-five to thirty per cent, greater strength, than
that of the Salina well. Six perforations were made in dif-
ferent directions, of the same depths, with the like results.
The consequence was, that the well at Green Point was aban-
doned, the new borings afi'ording a far better quality.
During the year 1831, there was manufactured 189,000
bushels of coarse salt; and, there were also 1,333,024 super-
ficial feet of vats, 135 salt blocks, containinij 3,076 kettles.
SALT SPRINGS. 25
The public works for raising salt water in 1831 were re-
ported to consist of seven erections, four of which were car-
ried by water power, and three by steam.
The pumps most in use were three, propelled by water
power, two of which were located at Salina, the other at Ged-
des. The two mill duty on every bushel of salt made for the
purpose of defraying the expenses of pumping, (fee, was
strongly urged to be repealed.
In 1832, reported as manufactured 187,653 bushels of coarse
salt, and 679,183 bushels of fine salt ; total, 866,836 ; and the
amount collected for raising salt water, $3,305 97 ; amount
expended during that time for tending pumps and keeping
the same in repair, was $1,992 51.
In 1834, the sum expended on public pumps, during past
year, was $2,897,27 : collected for raising salt water, $3,677.
All the manufactories in Liverpool, Salina and Geddes, drew
their water from the Salina spring.
In 1831, Mr. Stephen Smith, an agent of the Onondaga
Salt Company, and other persons, had bored to the depth of
one hundred and sixty feet, and obtained water, which the
proprietors of the spring claimed to be equal in quality and
quantity to the best spring at Salina. They requested the Su-
perintendent to take possession and charge of it according to
law, to which he consented, if the manufacturers there would
agree to relinquish the use of the water from the spring at
Salina. The Syracuse and Onondaga Salt Companies de-
clined acceding to this proposition. For the purpose of test-
ing the quality of the waters at this well, the Superintendent
contrated with Mr. Gilford to put in operation a pump near
the spring. Upon a thorough experiment, it was found equal
if not superior to the well at Salina, and was taken in charge
by the Superintendent for the State.
Whole amount of superficial feet of salt rats for this year^
was 1,473,494 ; Onondaga Salt Company, 618,000 ; Syra-
cuse Company, 668,488; Gifi*ord's, 119,808; Brewster's at
Geddes, 67,198.
In 1835, the best pump at Salina, was insufficient to afibrd
26 "ONONDAGA.
water for the works. In consequence, most of the manufacto-
ries at Liverpool were suspended for several weeks.
Amount paid into the treasury this year, $121,856 80.
Expenses of pumping, &c., - - 6,130 60.
Collected for pumping by two mill tax, 4,445 77.
In 1836, the Superintendent reported 297,009 bushels less
than the previous year. The uncommon depth of snow broke
down the salt vat roofs ; consequently the best part of the
season passed, before they could be repaired. The deep snow
also prevented the banking of wood, and the unparalleled
spring freshets, seriously injured the works on the banks of
the lake, and greatly retarded the commencement of opera-
tions. A new well was sunk at Liverpool, and new pump
works erected, capable of raising 400 gallons per minute.
In 1837, cost of pumps reported for the year past, in-
cluding pump houses, reservoirs, and all other fixtures, to-
gether with the expense of supplying the Liverpool level of
the Oswego Canal with water to propel machinery, $5,319 32.
The whole expense of the engineer's department was $9,660.
Collected from manufacturers, the sum of $4,322 36 for
pumping water for their use, and $3,450 for ordinary repairs
of making and tending the same. $6,208 99 was expended on
canals and new structures. The report says that the present
erections are capable, under favorable circumstances, of pro-
ducing 4,000,000 of bushels, annually. Amount paid into
the Treasury, $115,081 83 ; amount collected for duties,
$129,677 26.
In 1838-39, was expended in the engineer's department,
$7,762 02 ; paid by manufacturers for pumping, $4,849 79 ;
building machinery for horse power, at Liverpool, $500 ; open-
ing wells for better supply of brine, $1600 ; for instruments
to test the strength of brine at different wells, $112 94;
leaving the sum of $3,643 08 for ordinary repairs. $8000
was appropriated to enable the Superintendent to sink a shaft
or well six hundred feet deep, in the vicinity of some of the
salt wells at Salina, unless fossil salt, or a brine of maximum
strength, should be sooner found near the present pump house.
SALT SPRINGS. 27
A well was sunk to tlie depth of 600 feet, and specimens of
the rock preserved for examination. The sums expended,
amounted to about $4000, without any satisfactory results.
Complaint was made of the depreciation of the quality of the
brine at Geddes, of from three to seven per cent.
In 1840, the ordinary expenditures amounted to $7,750,
part of which, was appropriated to the erection of a steam en-
gine, pump house and fixtures at Liverpool, and deepening
and tubing the well at Geddes. A new well at Syracuse, was
sunk and tubed, to the depth of 220 feet. This well has been
abandoned. The well at Geddes was deepened to 200 feet,
and a copper tube inserted to the depth of 80 feet, without
improvement in the quality of the brine.
In 1841, wooden tubing was substituted for iron and copper,
and reported as preferable to either, being much cheaper and
better than iron, which on account of its great weight, was
apt to sink below the point intended. A tube of iron, 245
feet long, 14 inches diameter and eight inches bore, weighed
18,000 pounds. There can be no danger of rot in wooden
tubes. Reservoirs were erected at an expense of $15,000.
The followino; table will show the number of bushels of salt
inspected in the town of Sahna, from the several reports of
superintendents, being all that have come to our hand :
Salt inspected
for the
year 1805,
154,071 bushels.
1807,
159,563 "
1808,
165,448 "
1812,
221,011 "
1813,
223,712 "
1814,
226,000 "
1815,
295,215 "
1816,
322,058 "
1817,
348,234 "
Duties, previous to 1817, 3 cents per bushel, after which the
duties were increased to 12| cents per bushel. From 1817
to 1825, reports were made to the Commissioners of the Canal
Fund.
Salt inspected for the year 1824, 827,162 bushels.
28
ONONDAGA,
Salt inspected for the year 1825,
1826,
1827,
1828,
1829,
1830,
1831,
1832,
1833,
Duties 6 cts. per bush, from 1834,
1835,
1836,
1837,
1838,
1839,
1840,
1841;
1842,
1843,
1844,
1845,
1846,
Duties 1 ct. per bush, from 1847,
— 1848,
ii
ii
a
a
a
a
n
a
a .
ii
ii
a
ii
ii
li
a
a
a
ii
ii
((
ii
a
ii
ii
a
ii
a
ii
ii
ii
a
a
ii
ii
a
li
ii
a
768,188
827,508
983,410
1,160,888
1,291,280
1,435,446
1,514,037
1,652,985
1,838,646
1,943,252
2,209,867
1,912,858
2,161,287
2,575,033
2,864,718
2,622,305
.3,340,769
2,291,903
3,127,500
4,003,554
3,762,358
3,833,581
3,951,351
4,737,126
ii
ti
li
ii
li
ii
a
a
((
li
a
ii
li
a
11
ii
ii
ii
a
ii
ii
II
ii
ii
The several Superintendents of the Onondaga Salt Springs
and their periods of office, are as follows, viz. :
William Stevens, appointed 20th June,
Sheldon Logan,
Asa Danforth,
William Kirkpatrick,
Thomas H. Rawson,
Nathan Stewart,
John Richardson,
William Kirkpatrick,
Nehemiah H. Earll,
Rial Wright,
Thomas Spencer,
ii
a
a
li
a
a
a
u
a
February,
October,
April,
March,
June,
Februarv,
March,
February,
1797
1801
1801
1806
1808
1809
1810
1811
1831
1835
1841
SALT SPRINGS. 29
Rial Wright, appointed 1843
Enoch Marks, " 1845
Robert Gere, " 1848
Deputy Superintendents : Orris Curtis, Cyrrel Hunt, from
1797 to 1801 ; Thomas Wheeler, John Rogers, 1801 to 1806 ;
Thomas Wheeler, Arick Southcrland, 1806 to 1808 ; Peter
Lynes, 1809 ; none in 1810 ; Thomas Wheeler, David Stew-
art, Michael Mead, 1811 to 1823. After 1823, inspectors
were appointed by the Governor and Senate, and are as fol-
lows: Simeon Ford, Engineer from 1824 to 1826 ; Inspect-
ors: Augustus Wheaton, 1823 to 1826 ; John Maynard, 1827
to 1828 ; John Grinnell, 1829 to 1830 ; Matthew Van Vleck,
1831 to 1833 ; Thomas Rose, 1834 to 1835 ; James M. Allen,
1836 to 1840 ; Henry W. Allen, 1841 to 1843 ; H. G. Beach,
1844 to 1845 ; Jesse McKinley, 1846 to 1847 ; after which
this office was abolished.
It requires about thirty gallons of the brine now used, to
produce a bushel of salt ; it formerly required over forty.
One cord of wood used as fuel, will produce forty bushels of
salt. Thirty bushels was considered a good yield, with brine
formerly obtained. We are informed by the present Super-
intendent, that the present erections and conveniences pos-
sess the capability of furnishing over 6,000,000 of bushels an-
nually.
The whole number of salt works in operation at this time,
(1848) on the salt springs reservation, is 170 ; number of men
engaged in boiling, about 400 ; in packing, 200 ; on coarse
salt fields, 75; different offices, 34; sinking wells, &c., 15;
getting out and boring logs, 20 ; engaged in procuring wood,
about 900 ; for other purposes, 600 ; total, 2,414 ; besides at
least 1000 horses. An average of over 1000 cords of wood
are daily consumed in the several works when in operation.
There are now in operation, about 1,493,000 superficial feet
of vats for solar evnporation. AVe are informed by the late
Superintendent, Thomas Spencer, Esq., that the steam works
are generally abandoned.
An experiment is now (1848) going on, in the trial of hard
30 ONONDAGA.
coal, which is likely to succeed. It is estimated that good
coal can be delivered at the several works, at less than five
dollars per ton ; and that a ton of cOal, if the experiment
should prove successful, will exceed two cords of wood as fuel.
Wood being worth about three dollars and fifty cents, makes a
saving of about two dollars for every forty bushels of manu-
factured salt.*
About one hundred and twenty acres of land are occupied
with vats, which produce annually about 200,000 bushels of
coarse salt.
Measures are in prospect for enlarging this branch of busi-
ness, which for want of room cannot at present be very much
extended.
Originally the salt springs reservation comprised an exten-
sive tract of land, exceeding 15,000 acres. It was supposed
that this tract was more than would ever be needed for the
manufacture of salt. Accordingly an act was passed March,
1820, directing the Commissioners of the Land Office to cause
the reservation to be surveyed into lots and sold, providing
that they should reserve such lands as in their opinion should
ever be necessary and useful for the future extension of said
manufactories. Pursuant to this law, two public sales were
held of those lands, one in the year 1822, and the other in
1827, at Avhich the entire reservation was disposed of, except-
ing about five hundred and fifty acres. Of this quantity
remaining, about eighty acres are occupied with fine salt works.
One hundred and fifty acres were afterwards set apart to
individuals, who have made arrangements to cover it with
coarse salt vats, so that there is at present only about one
hundred to one hundred and fifty acres unappropriated and
eligible for salt works, the remainder being too broken or
* Since the above was prepared, Mr. Spencer has erected a new buildinc;
two hundred and fifty-six feet lonj, forty-four feet wide, with eighty kettles of one
hundred and twenty gallons each, with express reference to using coal instead of
wood, in manufacturing salt. Between the chimney and kettles are placed three
large pans, twenty feet loiiir, ten iieet %vide. and f mr leet deep, fir the purpose
of precipitating impurities before the brine is admitted mto the kettles.
SALT SPRINGS. 31
swampy for manufacturing purposes. It is to be regretted
that the great magnitude of the salt business could not have
been foreseen, as more of public land ivill soon become neces-
sary for the increasing wants of the public.
There are three modes of manufacturing salt practiced at
the Onondaga Salt Springs :
First, and by far the largest amount, is made by rapid boil-
ing in kettles. Second, by solar evaporation in wooden vats.
Third. By evaporation with artificial heat, (lately abandoned.)
By the first process from twenty to eighty iron kettles are
set in long arches in two parallel rows, firmly fixed in brick
work, constituting what is usually termed a '•'' block." These
kettles are usually of the capacity of about one hundred gal-
lons each. Between the two rows of kettles thus set, on top
of the arches above the level of the kettles, runs a long
wooden tube, from which is a conduit to each separate kettle.
This tube connects with a reservoir, with which each manufac-
tory is provided, out side the salt house. From the reservoir,
the kettles are filled with brine, which is made to boil.
So soon as ebullition commences, the water changes color,
becomes turbid, and the impurities begin to precipitate. These
are repeatedly removed by large iron pans, covering the bot-
tom of the kettles, called bittern ladles, with one of which
each kettle is now provided. A portion of these calcareous
impurities, however, adheres to the sides and bottom of the
kettles, which soon forms a solid coating called pan scale, and
at intervals, from six to ten days, has to be ''^pecked out," for
if allowed to remain, it essentially impedes the boiling process.
Very soon after this calcareous matter is deposited, crystals
of salt begin to shoot out and sink to the bottom, and this
continues till a greater part of the water is evaporated. The
salt is now scooped out into baskets, with one of which each
kettle is supplied, -where it remains over the kettles to drain
ofi" the brine it contains, till quite dry. From the baskets it
is removed to bins, where, after cooling, it is ready for the
hands of the packer. This concludes the work of the manu-
facturer.
?,9 ONONDAGA.
o^
The second process is by solar evaporation. A series of
vrooden vats are constructed about four feet from the ground,
elevated on piles. They are about eighteen feet wide, carri-
ed to any convenient length, and about one foot in depth.
This first described tier receives the brine, conducted to it by
wooden tubes from the great reservoirs near the wells ; here
it is allowed to remain till the impurities have subsided. The
brine is then drawn off into another tier of vats of similar
size and construction, which are about a foot or foot and a
half lower than the former.
In this second tier, the brine is left to chrystalize. The
whole process is extremely simple. By exposure, the water
evaporates, and as soon as saturated, small crystals of salt
begin to shoot out on the surface. Their first appearance is
not unlike a drop of melted tallow, let fall upon a surface of
cold water. These particles accumulate and precipitate them-
selves to the bottom of the vats in large quadrangular and
hexangular crystals, which are the purest salt, and when the
process is completed, is hard, dry, and of a beautiful white
color. From fissures in the vats are formed stalactites and
stalagmites, of the most perfect whiteness, sometimes several
inches in diameter. Of course the greatest quantity of this
salt can be made in the driest seasons, and the principal sea-
son is from May to September. The process of evaporation
is greatly retarded by a humid atmosphere. To prevent em-
barrassment which would ensue from rain, roofs are construct-
ed to cover the vats, which may be removed as occasion re-
quires. Consequently it requires a space with frames to sup-
port them, a little more than equal to the vats. Like all the
operations of nature, this is perfectly simple and produces the
purest salt, and the nearer all artificial modes for the separa-
tion of water from salt can approximate to this, the better ar-
ticle will be manufactured.
The third process, which has been carried on to some ex-
tent, but which on account of its too great expense, has been
discontinued, is like this ; large iron vats were employed, into
which brine was conducted and subjected to a moderate degree
SALT SPRINGS. 33
of heat, ■either applied -dii-ectly to th« vats or by means of
tubes through which steam was made to pass. In this way salt
of great purity can be made, little if any inferior to that ob-
tained by solar evaporation.
Besides the above named modes of manufacturing salt, are
the works for preparing and grinding table and dairy salt.
These are four in number, carried on by William A. Porter,
Warner H. Porter, and J, P. Haskins, of Salina, and the
Hope Factory at Syracuse. They are all arranged on much
the same plan, and the machinery of each is driven by a steam
engine. The best of salt is selected for grinding, and when
prepared for market, is thought by good judges to be inferior
to none. The operation and process of the manufacture of
ground salt is perfectly simple, and scarcely needs illustration.
The salt in the first instance is wheeled on to an elevated
platform or way, to a spacious hopper, raised some eight or
ten feet above the ground. From the hopper it falls down
upon the " drier' or vat, about twenty-five feet long by eight
or ten feet broad. Underneath the drier is a flue leading from
the fm-nace by which the boilers are heated, and here the salt
is drawn forward by a "ra^g," and thoroughly dried. It is
then carried up by elevators emptying into a hopper, and
ground ; afterwards it is again carried by another string of
elevators to a convenient bin, where two boys receive it as
fast as it falls, and who weigh and pack it in small bags which
contain each twenty pounds ; formerly each bag contained
twenty-eight pounds. The salt is now ready for market, and
is inspected and carried to all parts of the country, as the de-
mand requires. The ground salt is packed while warm, and
as it runs from the stones is lively like dry sand. If allowed
to become cold it takes a much larger bag to contain the same
quantity by weight. For the dairy and for culinary purpo-
ses, salt is considered to be greatly improved by grinding.
Lime is the principal ingredient made use of in accelerat-
ing the precipitation of impurities. It is sometimes cast into
the kettles, but oftener it is sprinkled in the reservoirs where
ii3
34 ONONDAGA.
it mixes with these heterogeneous ingredients, and the impure
mass subsides to the bottom.
There are about twenty-five miles of aqueduct logs from the
several wells and reservoirs, for conveying brine to the seve-
ral works and vats. There are about 1,600,000 gallons of
brine daily used in the manufacture of salt. There are seven
wells, from one hundred and eighty to three hundred and
twenty feet deep, from which water is drawn by as many
pumps, six of which are driven by water power, and one at
Liverpool by steam, capable of throwing up at least 45,000
gallons of brine per hour.*
The expense of a salt block and fixtures entii'e for fifty ket-
tles is about three thousand dollars, and the expense for erect-
ing an acre of vats is about fifteen hundred dollars.
The boiling works are carried on from one hundred and
fifty to two hundred and fifty days in the year, though some
few are conducted through the whole year.
The following is from Dr. Beck's "Brine Springs of Onon-
daga." (N. Y. S. Nat. His. Mineralogy, page 106.)
" The temperature of the brine at the Syracuse well as it
passes from the tube into the reservoir, is 51*^ F. It has a
sparkling appearance as it discharges itself, changing the
color of iron.
The specific gravity of brine taken from this well is 1.10499,
at 60* F. The amount of dry solid matter in 1,000 grains
of the same brine, is 139.53 grains. The following are the
results of his analysis:
Carbonate of lime, 0,14
Sulphate of lime, 5,69
Chloride of calcium, 0,83
Chlovide of niao;iiesium, 0,46
Chloride of sodium or common salt, 132,93
Oxide of iron, 0,02
Carbonic acid, holding in solution carbonate of lime, 0,07
* A new well was sunk ia 1848, at Liverpool, which is said to be about three
per cent, stronger than any water yet found.
SALT SPRINGS. 35
Water, with a trace of organic matter and bromine, 860,40
From another well of stronger brine, he remarks: "The
following will express, with sufficient minuteness, for all practi-
cal purposes, the composition of this brine in 1000 parts, viz :"
Common salt, 173,50
Various impurities, 8,50
Water, 818,00
This Avill not essentially vary from the brine now in com-
mon use throughout the reservation.
The pumps, when in full operation, will force up each from
one hundred to one hundred and fifty gallons of brine per
minute.
The foreign substances or impurities are composed princi-
pally of sulphate of lime, slightly colored by oxide of iron,
which any one can see in its mixed state by visiting the coarse
salt fields, where beautiful specimens are sometimes found to
adorn the cabinets of the curious. These constitute also the
bitterns of the boilers.
The quality of brine is greatly increased by recent borings
so that the constant supply is now 75° to 80*^, allowing pure
water to be 0, and saturated brine 100°, without apparent
diminution from use.
The shores of the Onondaga Lake, at an early period of
the settlement of the country, were composed of soft, spongy
bog, into which a pole could be thrust to an almost intermina-
ble depth. Since the clearing up of the hills in the neigh-
borhood, sand, gravel and other substances, have been wash-
ed down, and by the action of the waves, have become so
solid, that loaded teams can now be driven along the beach,
without making scarcely any indentation, while but forty
years ago, the same ground could only be traversed by flat
bottomed boats. There are indisputable evidences all along
the western banks, that at some previous time, the surface of
the lake must have been some sixty or eighty feet higher than
it is at present.
The marl in which this lake is situated, is continually accu-
mulating. Myriads of shells of the Family, LimniaDuE, Ge-
36 ONONDAGA.
nus, Planorbis, are yearly gathered for the construction of
ornaments to grace the boards of the wealthy.
There is a singularity about the "salt lake," which has,
we believe, hitherto been unnoticed. The water along the
shores, for the distance of from twenty to thirty rods from
its margin, is very shallow, so that in most places a person
can wade in nearly the whole distance without any considera-
ble inconvenience, after which, there is an almost perpendicu-
lar descent of from thirty to fifty feet ; then the bottom as-
sumes a basin -like form, deepening towards the center. The
common depth is about eighty feet, but towards the outlet it
is said to be over two hundred feet deep. It is singular that
this lake, although surrounded almost entirely by salt springs,
should itself be perfectly fresh.
The most prevalent opinion is, that somewhere in the
vicinity of this lake, or perhaps under it, is a vast body of
fossil salt, from which the brine springs proceed. Some are
of opinion that nature has some vast and inexhaustable labora-
tory constantly at work, sending forth this valuable mineral,
for the good of man. Others again, are of opinion, that
crystals are constantly forming in the porous saliferous rock,
common in this vicinity ; and others again, that salt may be
existing in insulated cavities, in the surrounding hills, through
which the fresh water percolating, dissolves it, and at length
makes a deposit in the great salt basin around and beneath
the lake. Some have supposed that at some ancient period,
while the sea yet covered the earth, a volcanic eruption burst
forth which formed the chasm of the ancient Onondaga val-
ley, and by its great heat evaporated a vast quantity of sea-
water, by which large bodies of fossil salt were deposited
leaving the fixed and solid materials in accumulated heaps, which
have ever since been wasting away, and are now continually
supplying our country with salt. We are inclined to no particu-
lar theory. Whether the heat of a volcano has volatilized
and dissipated a large body of salt water, and left mountains
or smaller insulated bodies of fossil salt ; or whether some still
undiscovered chemistry of nature, is at work elaborating salt
SALT SPRINGS. Z%
from the various substances in the earth ; or whether some
subterranean passage connects with the ocean, is not for us to
inquire. It is enough that it is here^ and that for untold ages
it has probably impregnated the copious streams which flow
through the Onondaga valley, and our only fear is, that it will
not always be proof against the wastes, depredations and
ravages of time, and its quality and quantity remain forever
undiminished. Mr. Vanuxem, (Nat. Hist. N. Y., Geology, 3d
District, page 241,) says of the Onondaga Lake — "It is the
remains of an ancient and deep excavation in the Onondaga
salt group, of which Onondaga valley forms the southern part ;
all of which has been filled up with sand, gravel, etc., except the
part occupied by the lake. The bottom of the lake, and its
sides, are covered with lake marl, showing a thickness of more
than six feet, the marl of the lake insulating the salt water
of the reservoir from the fresh water of the lake. The
greater part of the surface portion of the lake is excavated
in the red shale, the lower part of the whole of it, extending
into its mass."
The primary formation of the Onondaga valley, as compa-
red with its present surface, is of vast importance. The bot-
tom of this ancient valley is composed of red sandstone, which
"erops out" in the vicinity of Lake Ontario. Over this is a
tenacious clay or hard-pan, which retains the salt water. Above
this, are the several strata of alluvion composed of gravel, sand,
chocolate colored clay, marl and black swamp muck ; and it
is not till the lowest stratum is perforated that the salt water
is found in its greatest purity and strength, running in sub-
terranean rills, sometimes forcing itself to the surface of the
marsh by numerous orifices. The purest brine is found in the
deepest borings, for the reason that the particles held in solu-
tion are of greater specific gravity. The rocks composing the
several strata of this region all have a southern "cZzp," and
will be best illustrated by the accompanying diagrams, which
give a perceptive view of the Onondaga salt basin and the
Onondaga Lake.
38
ONONDAGA.
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SALT SPRINGS. SO
TRANSVERSE SECTION OF THE ANCIENT ONONDAGA VALLEY
AND THE PRESENT LAKR ALSO, THE DIFFERENT STRATA OF
ALLLmON, AS EXHIBITED BY BORING A WELL AT SYRACUSE.
1. Black muck, five feet. 2. Marl, five feet, 3. Blue clay, five feet. 4. Fine
sand, three feet. 5. Gravel, alternating from coarse to fine, one hundred and
forty feet. 6. Dark brown s-and. one hundred and fifty-five feet. 7. Gravel, com-
pact and cemented, twenty feet. S. Hard-pan, the primary formation or bottom
of the valley. A, A, A. Sides and bottom of ancient valley excavated in red
shale. B. B. Alluvion filling up the valley. C. Lake marl, isolating the salt wa-
ter from tlie fresh. D. Onondaga Lake. E. Surface of the lake.
In this vast basin, without an outlet, lies our immense brine
reservoir; a wonder to the world, an unbounded source of
wealth to the State, and of utility to its inhabitants.
Dr. "William Kirkpatrick, who held the office of Superin-
tendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs, twenty-two years, twen-
ty of which were consecutive, and who was noted for his vigilance
as a public officer, and for his honesty, capability, and punctu-
ality as a business man, deserves in connection with this me-
moir, a passing notice. William Kirkpatrick, was born in
the town of Amwell, Huntingdon County, New-Jersey, in
November, 1768. He was a son of the Rev. William Kirk-
patrick, a Presbyterian minister, who died soon after the birth
of his son. The son was a graduate of Princeton College,
New- Jersey, and studied medicine with Dr. Rush, of Phila-
delphia. He commenced the practice of medicine at Whites-
town, 1795, and continued there about ten years. In 1806, he
came to Salina as Superintendent of the Salt Springs.
Although it was generally understood when Dr. Kirkpatrick
commenced the practice of medicine in the county of Oneida,
40 ONONDAGA.
tbat his professional education Avas of the highest order, and
that nothing stood in the "way of his attaining a commanding
position as one of the most scientific and skilful physicians of
the age in -which he lived, if he had devoted himself to the
practice, with that assiduity and enthusiasm, which are so es-
sential to success in any of the learned professions ; yet, it
was unfortunately true, that his nervous temperament was of
such a peculiar and sensitive character, as to unfit him in a
great degree,, for the practical duties of a physician. Al-
though he had pursued the study of medicine with great dili-
gence and effect, and had attained in the closet, all the know-
ledge which could very well he acquired by reading and
thought ; yet, when he was called upon,, standing by the sick
bed, to apply his skill and learning to cases of actual suffering
and disease, he soon discovered that his feelings of sympathy
for the afflicted patient were so acute, as in many cases to
materially affect that self possession and calm observation of
the symptoms so vitally essential in determining, as well the
true nature of the disease itself, as the mode to be adopted
for its cure or alleviation. The effect of this peculiarity of
temperament was, (as might be expected) to cause in the mind
of Dr. Kirkpatrick, at an early period of his medical practice,
a dislike of the profession, which not only continued through
the remainder of his life, but after a few years, led to its total
abandonment as a means of living.
The society at Utica and Whitesboro during the period in
which Dr. Kirkpatrick resided there, although small, was in
many instances, of a refined, intellectual and literary charac-
ter ; and he was never more happy than in those days, when
in the company of his intelligent friends and neighbors, he had
an opportunity to converse on the literary topics of the day,
and to impart and receive that intellectual instruction, in which
he so greatly delighted. Although he still continued to prac-
tice as a physician, yet he rather declined than sought an
increase of business, and gradually withdrew from the active
duties of his profession, except in cases of a few private friends
and families, who would not consent to surrender their claims
SALT SPRINGS. 41
upon his skill, as occasion required, and for whom he con-
tinued to prescribe so long as he remained in that county.
Dr. Kirkpatrick commenced life, and continued until his
death, a Republican, (or as it is now termed, a Democrat,) in
politics. As he posessed a very active mind and ardent tem-
perament, he soon embarked in the political controversies of
the day, and ever afterwards took a deep interest in such
matters. Whilst living in Oneida County he was elected a
member of the tenth Congress, (1808 and 1809,) for the
eleventh district.
Although he made no pretensions to parliamentary speak-
ing, and did not therefore assume a prominent position before
the public, yet he was greatly respected at Washington, as an in-
telligent, educated and high-minded man, and during that period
formed an intimate acquaintance and friendship with many of
the most distinguished men of the day, who then occupied
places in the National Councils, and with some of whom he
continued to correspond for many years afterwards. As an
illustration of this, a little reminiscence maybe given. When
in Congress, Dr. Kirkpatrick became the intimate personal
and political friend of Wm. H. Crawford, of Georgia, then a
Senator from that State, and afterwards Secretary of the
Treasury, under Mr. Monroe, and a prominent candidate for
the Presidency in 1824. Whilst Mr. Crawford was Secretary,
an application was made by many of the prominent citizens
of this State, for the establishment of a branch of the Uni-
ted States Bank at Albany, and among other names appear-
ing on the application, was that of Dr. Kirkpatrick. This
paper was transmitted in the first instance to the Secretary of
the Treasury, with a request that he should send it forward
to the directors of the parent bank at Philadelphia. Mr.
Crawford, in doing so, wrote upon the application, in substance
as follows : " Among the many names to this application, I
find that of Dr. Wm. Kirkpatrick. I can say with great
pleasure, that I know him well, and a more honorable, high-
minded and intelligent gentleman I am^ not acquainted with."
He closed his Congressional term in 1809,. and was reap-
42 O NO N D A G A .
pointed Superintendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs, 1811,
and held his office till 1831. Upon his reappointment, he
removed to Salina, where he continued to reside, until his
death, in 1832.
The few adventurers, who up to this period had dared the
inhalation of the pestilential miasma of the marsh, and were
willing to wade through its mud and water, in attempting to
earn a scanty pittance for themselves and families, had usu-
ally but little pretension to that intelligence or refinement of
intellect and manners which so peculiarly distinguished the
individual who had been chosen to protect the public interest
and collect the revenue to be derived from this invaluable
fountain, which in its subsequent and still extending develope-
ments, has already caused the building up of a wealthy and
populous town.
As it respects Dr. Kirkpatrick, it might well be supposed
that the singular and strongly marked transition which had
occurred in his life, from the polished and intellectual society
in which he had previously moved, to the cheerless and almost
semi-barbarous condition of things then existing at Salina,
would have had the effect of producing disgust and despon-
dency on his part. But this was not so — he entered upon the
discharge of his new duties with alacrity of spirits and kind
feelings. He lost no time in making himself acquainted, not
only with the present state of the manufacturing operations,
but also with the persons employed in the business, and he
took early measures to increase the State revenue, by judi-
cious improvements, whilst he was disposed in every way in
his power to aid the worthy and industrious manufacturers.
During the whole life of Dr. Kirkpatrick, after his remo-
val to Salina, he continued to cultivate his literary taste, by
an intimate reading of all the standard works of the day, and
particularly of the English and Scotch Reviews, for the great-
er part of which he was a regular subscriber; indeed, to
■works of this character, he devoted a large portion of his
leisure time. He was of a joyous and pleasant temperament,
and delighted to sit down with friends of his own habits of
SALT SPRINGS. 43
thought and reading, and converse upon the current topics of
the day. He continued also through his life, to be an ardent
politician of unswerving fidelity to party obligations, and de-
nounced the least violation of party faith, as a crime of al-
most unpardonable magnitude. He was in mind, thought and
feelings, a gentleman. In his manner, he had an easy, digni-
fied and graceful address, by which the most casual observer
would have distinguished him in a crowd, as a man who, from
habits and association, had always moved in refined society ;
and still, he was free from haughtiness or pride, and as ac-
cessible at all times to the most humble laborer, as to the
highest dignitary of the land.
As one of the remarkable traits in the character of Dr.
Kirkpatrick, it may be added, that with the renowned Dr.
Johnson, he had a morbid and awful horror of death. He
has frequently remarked to the -writer of this brief sketch,
that the thought of dying and of death — of passing from this
sublunary state to the mysterious world beyond the grave — of
the body instinct with with w'armth and life — and all its compli-
cated and beautiful machinery becoming cold and inanimate,
— placed in the earth as food for worms, —
" To lie in cold obstruction and to rot,'" —
filled his soul with dismay and terror.
In the summer of 1832, and with but very few hours of
premonition, the dread king of terrors, by his most terrible
vicegerent, the cholera, approached his bed-side, and beckoned
him away. He looked upon the face of the pale spectre with
composure and apparent fearlessness, and seemed to have
summoned in the last hour, a fortitude of mind which he did
not before know he possessed. When he became assured of
the presence of the pestilence in his own person, and that he
could not live but a few hours, he summoned his beloved wife
to his bed-side, and with the composure of one about to enjoy
a peaceful sleep for a time, or take a short journey, gave her
a brief history of a few matters of business resting in personal
recollection, and a few words of aifectionate condolence, and
then resigned himself to his fate with apparent submission.
44 ONONDAGA.
He died on the 2d day of September, 1832, in the 65th year
of his age, and was buried at Salina. He left t"win sons, Wil-
liam and Donald, now (1849) nineteen years of age, who re-
side with their mother, in Cato, Cayuga County.
Such is a very brief and imperfect notice of a good and
worthy man. He had no enemies ; it is impossible he should
have had any ; for, he never entertained an unkind wish in
respect to any human being.*
* For the above sketch, the author is obhged to J. G. Forbes, Esq., an intimat •
friend of Dr. Kirkpatrick.
^\\ \^v
Ijag^ llvF.Hiapiia.
ERIE CANAI^JAMES GEDDES. 45
CHAPTER XIII.
ERIE C AN A I^ J AMES GEDDES,
Biographical Sketch of the Hon. James Geddeb — Erie Canal — Hydraulic
Cement.
James Geddes was born on the 22d clay of July, 1763, near
Carlisle, in the State of Pennsylvania. His father and mother
were both descended from Scotch families, and the first ac-
cents of his infant lips were uttered in broad Scotch.
His father was a farmer in very respectable circumstances,
and gave his children all the advantages of education that the
country then afTorded ; and every means at the command of
the subject of this memoir, was made the most of, in storing
his mind with useful knowledge.
While a youth, following the plow, he carried in his pocket
a book ; and when his team stopped to rest, he perused its
contents. In after life he frequently observed, that this read-
ing in the field was of great advantage to him, as he had full
time to digest all that he read while holding the plow, and
later in life could draw from these stores treasured up in his
juvenile years, with pleasure and profit. He studied mathe-
matics under the charge of a Mr. Oliver, who was a thor-
oughly educated man.
Languages he studied without masters, and he became a
belles letter scholar of the first order. In fact few men ever
acquire a knowledge of the English language that equalled his.
At an early age he visited the State of Kentucky. It was
46 ONONDAGA.
then necessary to cross the Alleghany Mountains in large
companies, for protection against the Indians ; and unburied
human bones were seen at various places along the path they
followed.
In Kentucky, slavery had already established itself; and
having an insuperable repugnance to that institution, he de-
termined not to locate himself where it appeared that this evil
was long to exist. From the time of arriving at his majority
until the age of thirty, he employed himself in teaching school,
traveling, and improving his mind.
In the year 1793, the fame of the salt springs induced him
to visit the county of Onondaga, (then Herkimer.) So well
was he pleased with the prospects this region offered, that he
returned home and organized a company for the manufacture
of salt ; and the next year, 1794, came by the way of Seneca
Lake, with the necessary kettles, and early in the spring com-
menced the manufacture of salt, at the place now known as
the village of Geddes. He lived there four years. In 1798
he moved to lands he had purchased of the State, in the pre-
sent town of Camillus, where he lived the residue of his life.
In May, 1799, he married Miss Lucy Jerome, daughter of
Timothy Jerome, Esq., of the town of Fabius, who survives
him.
Soon after becoming a citizen of this county, the public de-
manded his services, and he filled most if not all of the im-
portant stations in his town at various times. He was ap-
pointed a Justice of the Peace in 1800, by the Council of Ap-
pointment. In 1804 he was elected a member of the Legis-
lature.
Soon after his coming into this country, he was employed
by the Surveyor General, as one of his assistants, and he de-
voted himself to the profession of surveying and engineering,
until age disqualified him from the fatigue of out-door labors.
His maps, plots and field books, deposited in the Surveyor Gen-
eral's OflBce, show him to be a man of great accuracy, and his
accompanying remarks, the sagacity and penetration of his
mind.
ERIE CANAL— JAMES GEDDES. 47
It was as an engineer that he became most known to the
public, and it was as such that he did the State most service.
The project of connecting the waters of Lake Erie with the
Hudson River, became an important one. Mr. Weston, a cel-
ebrated engineer from England, had examined the Oswego
River, and other water courses, with a view to improving their
navigation ; and among men of enlarged views the scheme be-
came an engrossing topic. Mr. Geddes, at an early period,
enlisted in the matter, and commenced with ardor the gather-
ing of facts. In 1804, the Surveyor General said to him,
that Gouverneur Morris had mentioned to him the project of
"tapping Lake Erie." The Surveyor General considered
this "a romantic thing,"* but not so the man to whom he com-
municated the crude, undigested thought. He kneAv that Mr.
Weston had reported the Oswego River, from the falls to Lake
Ontario, as " hardly susceptible of improvement, by means of
canaling," and if there was a way that the waters of the up-
per lakes could be led across the country without going down
to the level of Ontario, and then rising to the summit again
at Rome, that vast results must grow from it, and at once his
untiring industry and energy was put in requisition.
Maps were examined, surveyors were enquired of, and every
means within his reach resorted to, to ascertain the topography
of the country through which, since has been constructed the
Erie Canal.
In 1807, Judge Joshua Forman was elected to the Legis-
lature from this county, upon the express understanding that
he would try to procure the appropriation of money to make
examinations of the country. No man could have been better
qualified than was Judge Forman to succeed. A man of elo-
quence, ardent, and peculiarly calculated to make men think
as he himself thought upon any subject, he did succeed, and
as was understood, the Surveyor General, who had the selec-
tion of the man to make the surveys, (if he did not himself
do it,) appointed Mr. Geddes. He " entered with enthusiasm
See Canal Laws, vol. 1, page 39.
48 ONONDAGA.
upon the task assigned him by the Surveyor General," and
made surveys, not only of the Oneida and Oswego Rivers, and
around the Falls of Niagara, but he reported a route, which
was, in the language of the Surveyor General, in his letter to
Mr. Darley, of February 25th, 1822, " almost precisely in the
line, which, after repeated, elaborate and expensive examina-
tions, has been finally adopted."
To quote further from Mr. De Witt's letter, " the favorable
light in which the report of this year's work presented the
projected enterprise, after encountering prejudices from differ-
ent sources, and oppositions made for various reasons, induced
the Legislature, in 1810, to organize a board of commission-
ers, with powers and means to prosecute the business."
This survey furnished the necessary information to justify
prudent men to commit themselves in favor of a canal ; and
Mr. Clinton, grasping with his powerful intellect at once the
vast advantages of the scheme, embarked in it with uncom-
promising zeal, and by his elevated position in the State, was
enabled to render such assistance as ensured success.
After the war with England was ended, the Canal Com-
missioners sent to that country to secure the services of Mr.
Weston, or some other engineer of reputation, to take charge
of and lay out the canals, but they failed entirely, and it be-
came necessary to rely upon their own inexperienced coun-
trymen. In 1816, they appointed five principal engineers,
placing Mr. Geddes at the head of the list, who throughout
the progress of the work, maintained a high standing as a
civil engineer, and whose labors and opinions were most fa-
vorably estimated by the Canal Commissioners, as their reports
in various instances will show.
In 1822, the State authorities of Ohio applied to Governor
Clinton to select a proper person to make the necessary ex-
plorations for their canal from the Ohio River to Lake Erie ;
and he, in the most flattering manner, recommended Mr.
Geddes as the most competent man in the service of the State.
Mr. Geddes accepted proposals from Ohio, and assumed the
responsibility of Chief Engineer of the Ohio Canal. This
ERIE C AN AI.— JAMES GEDDES. 49
duty he discharged to the perfect satisfaction of the authori-
ties of the State of Ohio.
In 1827, Mr. Geddes was employed by the general govern-
ment, (associated with Mr. Roberts,) in the location of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. In 1828, he was engaged in lo-
cating the Pennsylvania Canals, and in the same year he was
appointed by the general government, to examine the coun-
try in reference to the connection of the waters of the Ten-
nessee and Altamaha Rivers, in the States of Tennessee, Ala*
bama and Georgia. This appointment he declined, on account
of distance from home, and his advanced age.
In 1809, Mr. Geddes was appointed an associate Justice,
and in 1812, a Judge of Onondaga County Common Pleas.
In 1813, he was elected a member of the 13th Congress, and
in 1821 he was again elected a member of the Legislature of
this State. He was elected to Congress by the Federal party,
but belonged to that branch of the party who favored the
vigorous prosecution of the then existing war, and it is pro-
per to say, that he voted for every appropriation that was
made during his term, for carrying on the war with vigor.
The infirmities of age crept upon him apace, and during
the last year of his life, his constitution gave way rapidly,
and he closed his earthly career at his residence, in the toAvn
of Camillus, on the 19th of August, 1838, being a little more
than seventy-five years of age. He was the father of seven
children, only one of them surviving him — all the rest having
died without issue. The Hon. George Geddes, of Fairmount,
now a member of the Senate of this State, is the survivor.
Perhaps it is safe to say that no man who had been as much
in public service, and who had come in contact with so great
and conflicting interests, represented by men so dijBferent in
capacity and character, ever died, leaving fewer enemies.
His reputation for integrity, probably was never questioned,
even by those whose opinions diff'ered from his own. To be
just in all his ways, was apparently a part of his nature, and
the least lack of moral integrity, once detected by him in a
man. dpstrovf^d bis ponfidonce in that man forever. It was
b4
50 ONONDAGA.
his good fortune to lire to great age, and enjoy almost unin-
terrupted good health. All his time was most dilligently im-
proved ; and such was the extent of his knowledge, that he
was greatest in the estimation of those who saw him most, and
who had the best means of observing him critically. Integ-
rity, industry, perseverance and sound judgment, were pro-
minent traits of his character.
Although a self educated man, relying entirely on his own
resources, without the aid of artificial helps, he became emi-
nent in the profession of his adoption, and by his talents and
zeal for the public Avelfare, secured for himself a reputation
that might well be envied.
He early stood forth among the hardy and honorable pio-
neers of our county, as one of the main pillars of its sup-
port, and by his acts has largely contributed to its advance-
ment and prosperity.
His name will ever be associated with the noblest works
of the age, and his fame will descend with admiration to those
who shall succeed.
Eeie Canal. — The subject of connecting the navigable
waters of Lake Erie with the Hudson River, by improving the
inland navigation of the State of New-York, and of the fea-
sibility of a chain of water communication from the western
to the eastern portion of the State, was discussed in private
circles at a period prior to the American Revolution ; and
during that time, the measure was considered of vast import-
ance to the country, by those who foresaw her future great-
ness. General Washington alludes to this subject in his official
letters, and again in a letter to the Marquis^ of Chestallux, in
1784, says : " I have lately made a tour through the Lakes
George and Champlain as far as Crown Point, thence returning
to Schenectady, thence up the Mohawk to Fort Schuyler,
crossed over to Wood Creek which empties into Oneida Lake,
and afterwards communicates Avith Lake Ontario ; I then
traversed the country to the head of the east branch of the
Susquehanna and viewed the Lake Otsego and the portage
ERIE CANAL. 51
between that lake and Canajoharic. I was struck with the
vast inland navigation we possess — would to God we may have
wisdom to improve those benefits with which Providence has
so kindlj favored us." It was a matter that began seriously
to attract and engross the attention of sagacious, enlarged
and liberal minds during the years from 1784 to 1800.
Christopher Colles, a native of Ireland in moderate circum-
stances, who settled in New-York before the revolution, was
probably the first man who started suggestions with respect to
canals and inland improvements in Western Xew-York. De
Witt Clinton himself declares this fact, saying : " He was
an ingenious mathematician and mechanician. His memorials
to the Legislature were presented in 1784, '85, and met with,
a favorable report, although some thought his scheme visiona-
ry. The Legislature appropriated one hundred and twenty-
five dollars to enable him to prosecute his examination of the
Mohawk river." He again appeared before the Legislature and
the public with a proposition to form an association to im-
prove the inland navigation between Oswego and Albany.
Although these propositions were sensible and well founded,
yet no public action crowned his efi"orts. He published a
pamphlet in 1785, entitled " proposals for the speedy settle-
ment of the frontier of Western New- York, by which the
internal trade, will be increased ; the country will be settled
and the frontier secured." As an earnest of what was con-
templated, the Legislature of the State of New- York passed
an act, March 24th, 1791, directing the commissioners of the
land office to cause to be explored, and the necessary survey
to be made of the ground between the Mohawk River at or
near Fort Stanwix and Wood Creek, in the county of Herki-
mer, and to cause an estimate to be made of the probable ex-
pense of making a canal, locks, &c., and report to the Legis-
lature at its next meeting. The sum of one hundred pounds
was voted to defray the expense of this and of a similar sur-
vey in the northern part of the State.* The commissioners
* Abraham llardcnburgh surveyed the route under tlie celebrated Engineer
Wiliiam Weston, around the Little Falls and from Fort Stanwix to Wood Creek
52 ONONDAGA.
reported favorably, and in March, 1792, incorporated the
Western Inland Lock Navigation Company, for the purpose
of opening a canal and lock navigation from the navigable
waters of Hudson River, to be extended to Lake Ontario and
to the Seneca Lake.
The work was to be completed throughout in fifteen years,
making the waters of Wood Creek, the Oswego River, and the
Seneca River, navigable. The State reserved the right of
taking it to themselves at any time, by paying the cost of
construction and a reasonable compensation. By some of the
restrictions and limitations of the act, those who were most
anxious in the matter were dissatisfied ; and, at the next ses-
sion of the Legislature, petitioned for an amendment of the
charter, which was granted, allowing the company to construct
a canal of any size they saw fit, not less than ten feet on the
bottom. And the locks should be at least seventy feet long;
and their charter was not to be forfeited, if water was not at
certain seasons of the year, two feet deep. And the company
were authorised to erect mills or other hydraulic works at
such places as the water was not needed for the canal. Not-
withstanding these favorable terms, the corporation did not
flourish, nor the work progress. Nearly one-half of the share-
holders forfeited their first instalments of stock ; and, although
the remaining shareholders were willing, yet they were unable
to prosecute the work ; and in order to do so with vigor and
energy, they again prayed legislative relief. Accordingly,
the Legislature in 1795, authorized the Treasurer of the State
to subscribe for two hundred shares of the stock, with the
privilege of voting on shares like individuals and to receive
dividends of Stock, tolls, &;c. Under these provisions, the
ia 1788; expenses thirty-nine pounds seventeen shillings and eight pence. The
instrument first used in leveling the route of the Inland Lock Navigation Con>
pany was the same used by Judge Geddes in exploring the Erie Canal route,
made by David Riltenhouse, of Philadelphia, and is now in possession of Hon.
G«orge Geddes, Camillus.
ERIE CANAL. 53
work was commenced, and the canal and locks completed
axound the Little Falls.*
Again in 1796, the sum of fifteen thousand pounds was
loaned them by the State, and a bond and mortgage taken on
their real estate at Little Falls, for securing the payment, at
an interest of six per cent, per annum. In 1797, the com-
pany required a further sum of two hundred and fifty thou-
sand dollars, in order to prosecute the plan, which sum was
granted, and in 1800 the work was completed.
Although this improvement gave relief for the time being,
and greatly aided the facilities for transportation, still as busi-
ness increased with the population of the country, it was
found quite insufiicient for the requirements of the public.
Further improvements were thought to be necessary ; a canal
direct from Lake Erie to the Hudson River soon became a
theme of conversation and finally of serious consideration.
In a casual conversation with the Surveyor General Simeon
De Witt ; Gouverneur Morris in 1803 remarks, " Lake Erie
must he tapped, and the waters carried across the country to
the Hudson." With thousands, the idea of a canal was scout-
ed as wild and chimerical ; still there were those, and men
of comprehensive minds, who could believe and advocate the
plan as feasible and worthy of adoption. But the minds of
the mass of community had first to be prepared for it. With
this view, Jesse Hawley, Esq., of Ontario, produced those
valuable papers signed Hercules, and in 1810 Dr. Hugh Wil-
liamson, of New-York, produced several able papers, all
strongly urging the merits of the canal and setting forth, in
the ablest manner, the most substantial reasons why such a
measure should be speedily accomplished, considering the
ability of the State of New-York to successfully consummate
so magnificient a project. Judge Joshua Forman, of Onon-
daga, became enlisted in the cause, and in 1807, was elected
* The locks around the Little Falls were constructed under the superintend-
ence of General Philip Schuyler, whose memory, for services rendered his coun-
Uy, will long be cherished with affection. He was, after the completion of tho.
work in 1795, appointed tlie first president of the company, and superintendent.
54 ONONDAGA.
a member of tlio Legislature by the people of Onondaga, with
express reference to moving in that boclj the grand project of
a canal.* In 1807, President Jefferson proposed to Congress
to devote a part of the public revenue to making roads and
canals, and Mr. Gallatin made an able report on the subject.
On the 4th of February, 1808, carrying out the views of
his constituents, Judge Forman rose in his place and called up
a resolution, which had been previously submitted and ordered
to lie on the table. This resolution proposed, that a joint
committee should be appointed to take into consideration the
propriety of exploring and causing an accurate survey to be
made of the most eligible and direct route for a canal to open
a communication between the tide waters of the Hudson Ri-
ver and Lake Erie, to the end that Congress might be enabled
to appropriate such sums as should be necessary to the ac-
accomplishment of that great national object, and in case of
such concurrence, that Messrs, Gold, Gilbert, German, Hoge-
boom and Forman, be a committee on the part of the House.
The Senate concurred in the resolution, and appointed, on the
part of the Senate, Messrs. Taylor, Nicholas and Ward, a
committee to confer with the House. The resolution, says
Judge Forman, was adopted on the ground, as expressed by
several members, " that it could do no harm, and might do
some good." The proposition was startling, and it is said was
at first received by the House with such expressions of sur-
prise and ridicule, as are alone due to the most wild and fool-
ish projects. It was fortunately, however, firmly sustained by
Mr. Forman, who, on all occasions, stood foremost with a few
friends the fearless champion of the work. But the joint
committee, prepossessed in favor of the Oswego route, direct-
ed the Surveyor General to cause a survey to be made of the
rivers, streams and waters, in the usual route between Hud-
son River and Lake Erie, and such other route as he might
deem proper, thus shifting upon the Surveyor General the re-
sponsibility of countenancing a project deemed by them ab-
surd.
* Thos. Wheeler's letter, Onondaga Democrat, dated 14th September, 1846.
ERIE CANAL. 65
April 11th, 1808, a law was passed authorizing the Survey-
or General to draw upon the Treasury of the State, for such
sum or sums as he might require to prosecute the survey con-
templated in the resolutions of the joint committee, not ex-
ceeding in the whole, the sum of six hundred dollars, and this
was all that was appropriated for the first survey and explora-
tion of the grand Erie Canal. Upon this, the Surveyor Gen-
eral appointed James Geddes, Esq., of Onondaga, to make
the survey, and in his commission and instructions to Mr.
Geddes, makes these remarks : "As the provision made for
the expenses of this business is not adequate to the effectual
exploring of the country for this purpose, you will in the first
place, examine what may appear to be the best route for a
canal from Oneida Lake to Lake Ontario, in the town of Mex-
ico, and take a level and survey of it ; also whether a canal
cannot be made between the Oneida Lake and Oswego, by a
route in part to the west of Oswego River, so as to avoid those
parts along it, where it will be impracticable to make a good
navigation. The next object will be, the ground between Lakes
Erie and Ontario, which must be examined with the viev/ to
determine what will be the most eligible track for a canal from
below Niagara Falls to Lake Erie. If your means will ad-
mit of it, it would be desirable to have a level taken through-
out the whole distance between the lakes." The Surveyor
G^eneral refrains from instructing Mr. Geddes to make an in-
terior survey, because of the inefiiciency of the appropriation
for that purpose.* Mr. Geddes entered with zeal and ear-
nestness upon his duties, and in 1809 submitted his report of
three diiferent routes. The first, a communication between
Lake Oneida and Lake Ontario. Second, the Niagara River
route ; and third, an interior route, without descending to, or
passing through Lake Ontario.
* Mr. Geddes' expenses exceeded the appropriation by seventy-three dollars,
which sum was afterwards allowed by the Legislature, so that the whole engi-
neer's expenses for this exploration cost the State of New- York only six hundred
and seventy-throe dollars, an investment made by the State, which for profit and
importance, will probably never be exceeded.
56 ONONDAGA.
In comparing the Ontario with the interior route, the re-
port is strongly in favor of the latter. In addition, Mr. Ged-
des was directed to examine by inspection, a canal route from
Lake Erie to Genesee River, and thence to the waters run-
ning east to the Seneca River, and gather all the information
in his power, for the prosecution of the great work, should
the Legislature think fit to provide for it. The report was
favorable on the practicability of an interior route from Lake
Erie, and it is worthy of remark that Judge Geddes' plan
and route was mainly followed in the final location of the
canal.* The country from the Seneca River in the Cayuga
valley, to the Mohawk River at Rome, and thence to the Hud-
son River, was so well known as to leave no apprehensions of
insuperable difiiculties. Thus by the operations of 1808,
through the instrumentality of the true men of Onondaga,
the fact was satisfactorily established that a canal from the
Hudson River to Lake Erie, was not only practicable but
practicable with uncommon facility. In January, 1809, in
company with Wm. Kirkpatrick, then member of Congress
from Oneida County ; Judge Forman waited on President
Jefferson, and informed him, that in view of his proposition
to expend the surplus revenues of the nation in making roads
and canals, the State of New-York had explored the route of
a canal from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, and had found
it practicable ; and when Mr. Forman had laid all the esti-
mates, plans, surveys, descriptions and anticipated advantages
before Mr. Jefferson, and portrayed its commercial prospects
and the profits which would accrue to the United States, as
well as to the State of New-York, the President very coolly
replied, " It is a splendid project, and may be executed, a
century hence. Why, sir," said he, "here is a canal of a
few miles, projected by General AVashington, which, if com-
pleted would render this a fine commercial city ; which has
languished for many years, because the small sum of two hun-
dred thousand dollars, necessary to complete it, cannot beob-
See letter to William Darley, Canal Documents, Vol. I. page 42..
ERIE CANAL. 57
tained from the general government, or from individuals — and
you talk of making a canal of 350 miles, through a wilder-
ness — it is little short of madness to think of it at this day."
(Hosack's life of Clinton, page 347.)
In 1810, so favorable and satisfactory had been the report
of the engineer, James Geddes, and so much in favor was
this grand project with discerning men, that the Legislature
passed an act for the appointment of a Board of Commis-
sioners composed of Gouverneur Morris, Stephen Van Rens-
selaer, De Witt Clinton, Simeon De Witt, William North,
Thomas Eddy and Peter B. Porter, to which were afterwards
added Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton. These gen-
tlemen were instructed to explore the inland navigation route,
and they reported favorably the next year. It is worthy of
remark that the canal commissioners in casting about for com-
competent engineers for laying out the Erie Canal, were at a
loss where to apply. Supposing there was not a man in
America of sufficient science and ability to accomplish the
task, they opened a correspondence with an American gentle-
man at that time in London, authorizing him to engage Wil-
liam Weston, Esq., then considered the most accomplished
engineer in Europe, to come over and survey the route of the
canal, and proposed as a maximum salary seven thousand
dollars per year. Fortunately Mr. Weston's engagements
were such that he thought proper to decline. In this dilem-
ma Benjamin Wright and James Geddes, Esqrs., held a con-
sultation and agreed to go before the board of canal commis-
sioners and offer to survey the canal route provided they would
give them their confidence. The proposition was accepted ;
to them the work was assigned, and they were engaged at a
salary of fifteen hundred dollars per year.*
It may be considered a fortunate circumstance that Mr.
Weston did not accept the ofi"er of the canal commissioners.
Because from the ostentation usually displayed by foreign
engineers and the great expense attending their movements
* Correspondence of James Geddes.
58 ONONDAGA.
the people of this frugal and republican country would have
become discouraged, and it is more than probable the work
would have been abandoned or at least indefinitely deferred.
It is worthy of remark that the engineers employed on the
Erie and Champlain Canals were Americans, except in two
instances, where a French, and an Irish gentleman were em-
ployed in subordinate stations for less than a year.
Gouverneur Morris and De Witt Clinton were commission-
ed to proceed to Washington and present a memorial to con-
gress, but were unsuccessful in their application to that body
for assistance. In March, 1812, the commissioners again
made a report " that now sound policy demanded that the
canal should be made by the State of New- York on her own
account." This year the commissioners reported estimates of
the cost of building and completing the canal, cost of trans-
portation on it Avhen completed, probable amount of tolls to
be received, revenue, importance to the State, individual op-
position, the procuring and application of funds for construc-
tion, and every thing that could have a bearing upon the great
question ; congress was again solicited for aid, some, of the
States were addressed for assistance, Mr. Morris and Mr.
Clinton, waited on President Madison, who, though an en-
thusiast personally in the matter, Avas nevertheless embarrass-
ed by scruples derived from his interpretation of the consti-
tution. Although favorable mention of the matter was made
in his next succeeding message to Congress, and that body at
one time entertained favorable views, still, a few days of de-
lay was sufficient to produce a change of opinion, and the
subject was dismissed. The war of 1812 caused a suspension
of the project and it was not again resumed until after its
close. In 1815, the subject was again revived. During the
session of 1816 a memorial was presented to the Legislature
signed by more than one hundred thousand individuals from
New-York, and the counties through which the proposed canal
should pass, calling upon its members to pass laAvs for the
commencement and execution of the proposed canals.
A large meeting of the citizens of Onondaga County, was
ERIE CANAL, 59
held at the Court House on the 23d of February, 1816. A
preliminary meeting had been previously held, at which Judge
Forman had been appointed a committee to prepare a memo-
rial to the Legislature. This memorial was read by Judge
Forman at this meeting, and approved by acclamation. A
committee was appointed to circulate it throughout the county,
consisting of Daniel Kellogg, of Marcellus ; Gideon Wilcox-
on, Camillus ; Jonas C. Baldwin, Lysander ; Ashbel Kellogg,
Salina ; John Leach, Cicero ; Sylvanus Tousley, Manlius ;
Barnet Mooney, Hannibal ; Daniel Wood, Pompey ; Marcus
Adams, Fabius ; Asahel Roundy, Spafford ; Garret Van Hoe-
sen, Tully, and Joshua Forman, of Onondaga; adding the
Chairman and Secretary. Signed, James Geddes, Chairman,
Jasper Hopper, Secretary. Over three thousand names were
subscribed to this memorial. The memorial was lucid, con-
cise and forcible, and drawn up with great ability. It contem-
plated $10,000,000, for the cost of the canal, covering every
possible contingency. This memorial contemplated also, that
the State of New- York should be charged with $2,500,000 ;
the United States with $2,500,000 ; the State of Ohio with
$1,000,000; the city of New- York and counties contiguous
to the canal $2,000,000, and private stock holders $2,000,000.
The Le2;islature authorized a loan on the credit of the State
for a million of dollars, and the section from Rome to Seneca
River, was fixed upon as the first to be commenced. In 1816
Judge Geddes made another report, of the state and gene-
ral view of the country, from Black Rock rapid to the Cay-
uga marshes, and Benjamin Wright, Esq., upon the same
subject, from the Cayuga marshes to Rome, and from thence
through the Mohawk valley to Albany. De Witt Clinton, Ste-
phen Van Rensselaer, Samuel Young, Joseph Elliott and My-
ron Holley were appointed Canal Commissioners, and were
directed thoroughly to explore the route of the proposed ca-
nal, make estimates of expenses, calculations, surveys, maps,
fieldbooks, plans, drafts, models, &c., and to present the same
to the Legislature, within twenty days after the commence-
ment of its next regular session, and a sum not exceeding
60 ONONDAGA.
twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for that object.
Accordingly the whole was carefully surveyed and estimates
were made for the construction of a canal from Lake Erie to
the Hudson River, and finally set down at five millions of
dollars.
Early in the year 1817, as a last resort, Congress was again
memorialized upon the subject of the New-York canals, and
solicited to construct them on the authority and patronage of
the United States, but without success. Thus the State of
New-York was thrown entirely upon her own resources. The
commissioners were every where active in gathering informa-
tion. No point was left unexamined. The route was divided
into three sections. The levels and surveys of the previous
years were reviewed, and in order to test their accuracy and
correctness, it was deemed expedient that Mr. Geddes should
start at a given point on the canal line at Rome, and carry
a level along the road to the east end of Oneida Lake, thence
to the west end along the southern shore, and connect this
level with the Onondaga Lake, and thence to the canal line,
thence working east, laying off sections on said line. This
was accomplished, and nine miles thus laid ofi" into sections.
Mr. Wright had carried a level along the canal line, and the
commissioners remark, that when the level of Mr. Wright had
been carried to the place where Mr. Geddes had terminated
his line, the levels of these two engineers, which embraced a
circuit from the place of departure to the place of conjunc-
tion, a distance of nearly one hundred miles, difi'ered from
each other less than one inch and a half. This result, so
satisfactory, exhibits in the engineers, a degree of care, skill
and precision in the delicate process of leveling, which has
perhaps never been exceeded.
All things were now ready for a commencement and rapid
prosecution of the work. The first contract was dated 27th
June, 1817, and the remaining part of the whole middle sec-
tion was under contract very soon thereafter, and on the 4th
of July following, the excavation was commenced at Rome
with appropriate ceremonies. The first contract was given to
ERIE CANAL. 61
Judge John Richardson, of Cayuga. At the commencement
of the ceremony, Judge Hathaway, of Rome, gave the spade
to Commissioner Samuel Young, who placed it in the hands
of Judge Richardson. Each presentation of the spade, was
accompanied by a short and pertinent address. Judge Rich-
ardson broke the first ground, and was soon followed by sev-
eral citizens and laborers, accompanied by the acclamations of
thousands of spectators who had congregated, and the dis-
charge of cannon from the United States Arsenal. It is per-
haps a singular coincidence, that the first movement in the
Halls of Legislation, relative to the Erie Canal, was made by
a member from Onondaga, — that the first exploration was
made by an engineer of Onondaga, — that the first contract
was given to, and the first ground broken by a contractor, who
had been several years a resident of Onondaga, and all of
whom had been Judges of our County Courts, and member?
of the Legislature from Onondaga County. The work pro-
gressed with unusual rapidity. The zeal and perseverance of
the commissioners, and the activity and industry of the con-
tractors, was every where exerted.
In 1819 the middle section from Utica to Seneca River, in-
cluding a lateral canal to Salina, about ninety-four miles, was
reported by Governor Clinton, in his annual message of 1820,
as completed. The animation which the completion and use
of this section gave to our internal trade and intercourse, and
the revenue which promised to be derived from it, inspired all
the advocates of the work with renewed vigor, and many who
had been its stern opposers, or silent witnesses of its progress,
acknowledged the incorrectness of their views, entered hear-
tily into the measure, and readily consented that the western
and eastern sections should be completed. By the opening
of this portion of the canal, the resources of Onondaga were
more fully ascertained and developed. Her salt, gypsum and
lime found their way to a ready market, and the produce of
the agriculturist an outlet, affording more ample remuneration
for his labor ; a new and vigorous impulse was given to her ad-
vancement and prosperity which placed her among the first
62 ONONDAGA.
counties of the Empire State, a position which she is destined
long to enjoy. Notwithstanding these favorable results, there
were still, narrow minds and selfish spirits actively employed
to defeat the further progress of the work. Many judged
that the income of the whole canal would not equal the por-
tion already completed. Local feelings had to be combated^
and prejudices overcome, indignities to be borne, and every
species of contumely and perverseness tampered with by the
friends and supporters of the plan. With a devotion above
all praise, the commissioners and advocates of the work stay-
ed not their hands, till finally, in November,^ A. D. 1825, a
period of only eight years and four months, it was proclaimed
to the world that the waters of Lake Erie were connected with
those of the Hudson River, without one foot of portage,
through one of the longest canals in the world ; and the cost,
according to the books of the Comptroller, including the
Champlain Canal, was ^8,273,122 60, and is considered one
of the most stupendous and magnificent works of this or any
other age. Middle section of the canal cost at the rate of
about $13,000 per mile. The eastern section about $28,000
per mile ; the western about $20,000 per mile. The illustri-
ous Jefferson, who lived till after it was completed, declared
that " it exceeded even calculation itself. New-York has an-
ticipated by a full century, the ordinary progress of improve-
ment." If the canal benefited the people of Onondaga, the
men of Onondaga were principal promoters of the undertak-
ing in all its incipient steps. " To the honor of originating
the project of connecting the waters of the Hudson with the
lakes, Mr. Clinton never made the slightest pretension. His
was not the mind so narrowed by sordid envy as to claim or
desire the credit belonging to others. He knew that many
powerful minds had been directed to this subject, and that all
these had contributed their quota to the development cind per-
fection of the original idea of a water communication through
the valley of the Mohawk to the lakes. He was aAvare that
Washington, in his letters, Hawley, in his essays, and For-
man, in his introduction of the subject into the Legislature,
ERIE CANAL. Q
o
had preceded him in his inquiries, and that the united efforts
of many more distinguished men, had assisted to bring forAvard
and mature the vast enterprise."* " Although others claimed it
for him, yet Mr. Clinton never claimed for himself the origi-
nal idea of the canal.""]:
Althoug;h Gouverneur Morris said in a casual conversation
with Simeon De Witt, that ^^ Lake Erie must he tapped,'"
and had traveled and seen canals in other countries, and no
doubt had bright visions of the future improvements in this
country and occasionally astonished his friends by detailing
them in conversation, but it was no wise probable that he
viewed them as works to be accomplished in his day, or as a
patriot lie would have proposed the subject himself to the Le-
gislature, of which he was a member, and brought the project
into favorable notice. It was James Geddes, of Onondaga,
who traversed the wilderness of western New-York, and
gathered all the materials, and reported all the facts upon
which statistics were based, and Joshua Forman, of Onondaga,
who from the beginning was the uncompromising, unflinching
defender and eloquent advocate of the great work ; and it was
not till after these men had labored long and faithfully in the
cause, that the giant intellect and master mind of De Witt
Clinton was aroused to a sense of the importance of this mag-
nificent undertaking. These two men of Onondaga, from the
beginning to the end, were intimately connected with the work,
in fact, identical with it, and indispensable to it. They la-
bored faithfully and effectually throughout ; Judge Geddes as
an able engineer. Judge Forman as the unwavering promoter of
its utility. These two men furnished more solid information
relative to the canal, than all others put together. Till they
took hold of it, the whole matter was considered by most men
but an idle dream, a delusion, a false, unfeasible project.
The first ground broken on the Erie Canal, in the county
of Onondaga, was by Mr. Elias Gumaer, in the town of Man-
* See Hon. J. R. Lawrence's Clinton Monument Report, Assam. Doc. 1839,
Tol. 4, No. 215.
t Hosack, p. 304.
64 O N O N D A G A .
lius. Oliver Teall, Esq., took several contracts in the eastern
part of the county. Messrs, Northrup and Dexter, and Jere-
miah Keeler, built a section or two through Syracuse. Haz-
ard Lewis, of Binghamton, built the locks. The first locks
were built of Elbridge sand-stone. Commissioners, engineers,
builders and masons, had no idea that the Onondaga lime-
stone could be cut for facing-stone for locks, so little was this
valuable material then understood. After the canal was com-
pleted, all things were ready, and the water was let in. For a
long time it would not flow further west on the Syracuse level
than the Stone bridge ; the water all disappeared in a bed of
loose gravel. Many despaired of ever making the canal tight ;
but after a deal of perplexity, this place was stopped, and the
water ran on to the Raynor Block, and there performed the
same freak, and it was several weeks before this level could
be filled.
The first boats used on the canal, were the Mohawk boats,
with wide walking boards for poling up the Mohawk River.
Oliver Teall was appointed the first Superintendent on the
Erie Canal, and Joshua Forman, the first Collector ; office at
Syracuse.
In 1819, the Canal Commissioners recommended the con-
struction of a water communication from the Erie Canal to
the salt works at Salina, which work was completed simulta-
neously with the middle section of the Erie Canal. The fol-
lowing year, the Legislature directed the canal commissioners
to open a boat navigation between the village of Salina and
Onondaga Lake, and the Seneca River. This was named the
Salina Canal ; but afterwards, when the improvement was
continued to Oswego ; the whole was designated as the Oswego
Canal, which was completed in 1826-7, and is now the great-
est avenue for the exportation of Onondaga salt.
Hydraulic Cement. — Intimately connected with the Erie
Canal, is the discovery and history of water lime, or Ameri-
can Hydraulic Cement. The first works of masonry on the
Erie Canal, were contracted to be done with common quick-
ERIE CANAL. 65
lime. Mr. Mason Harris and Mr. Livingston, of Sulli-
van, Madison county, entered into a contract to furnish a quan-
tity of this lime for the construction of culverts, aqueducts,
&c., on the middle section of the canal, between Rome and
Salina. They burned a large kiln and commenced the delivery
of it. The purchasers, upon trial, found that it would not
slack ; all were greatly surprised who heard of the facts, and
wondered at the singularity. The circumstance became com-
mon talk among all classes, in any way engaged in canal mat-
ters, and finally became known to the engineers, of whom
Canvass White was one, and Judge Wright another, who took
an interest in the affair. The article was examined, and the
ledge from whence it was taken. Dr. Barto, a scientific gen-
tleman from Herkimer County, was called upon to make ex-
periments, to prove what this new substance should be. He
came on, took some of the rough stone, and in the trip ham-
mer shop of John B. Yates, at Chittenango, burned a parcel,
pulverized it in a mortar, and in Elisha Carey's bar-room, (the
present Polytechny,) in the presence of Messrs. Wright, White,
and several others, mixed it with sand, rolled a ball of it, and
placed it in a bucket of water for the night. In the morning
it had set, was solid enough to roll across the floor, and by Dr.
Barto pronounced cement, not inferior to the Roman of Pu-
teoli, or the Dutch Tarras of the Rhine. Mr. White had re-
cently returned from England, where he had been to examine
bridges, canals, aqueducts, culverts, &;c., of that country, and
the materials of which they were made.
At considerable expense, and by repeated experiments, he
found this to be an excellent substitute for the Roman cement,
and he sought for and obtained a patent right of the United
States, for this discovery. Notwithstanding the patent, four
hundred thousand bushels was made and used on the canal,
which might subject the manufacturers to the payment of six-
teen thousand dollars, if prosecuted. Mr. White devoted con-
siderable time and money in making experiments, and in in-
troducing this cement, amidst the doubts and fears which
essentially operated against the general use of it. It was at
jb6
60 ONONDAGA.
first used with great reluctance and caution ; commissioners,
builders, and particularly masons, were entirely opposed to its
use. In 1819, abutments, culverts, aqueducts and locks, be-
a:an to be constructed. At first the face work of the locks
only was laid in water-lime, and the arches of the aqueducts ;
the other work was laid in common lime. No provision had
been made by the Canal Commissioners, for the importation
of cement ; the expense was dreaded. They appeared to think
that under the circumstances, common lime would answer for
the work, although Tarras or Koman cement had been recom-
mended by Judge Wright.
All mason work on the canal, was laid in water-lime after
1819. The discovery was considered of immense importance
to the State, and all ag;reed that Mr. White ought to be lib-
erally rewarded for his persevering eiForts in bringing it into
general use. Water lime was every where used in the face of
the patentee. At length Mr. White, finding no other means
of redress, resolved to test the validity of his right. He ac-
cordingly brought a suit in the District Court of the United
States, against Timothy Brown, of Sullivan, for an infringe-
ment of his patent, and obtained a judgment for seventeen
hundred dollars. Other contractors were equally liable ; the
article had been manufactured extensively in Madison, Onon-
daga and Cayuga Counties, and Mr. White held a claim against
them, which could be legally enforced, to the amount of up-
wards of twenty thousand dollars. These contractors, with
Mr. Brown at their head, petitioned the Legislature for re-
lief. Whereupon a committee was appointed to investigate
the matter and report. In 1825, a compromise was effected,
by the State paying to Canvass White, the sum of ten thousand
dollars, on condition of his assigning and assuring to the peo-
ple of the State of New-York, the full right forever, to man-
ufacture and use this said cement, and of his discharging the
said judgment and all claims against the petitioner, and all
and every citizen of the State, for or on account of any in-
fringement of the said patent right. By mutual agreement
the whole motterwas thus amicably arranged, and all persons
ERIE CANAL. 67
were thereafter allowed to manufacture and use water lime.
The article was first burned for market in the town of Sulli-
van, Madison County, one mile and a half west of Chittenan-
go, in the fall and winter of 1818-19, on large log-heaps.
John B. Yates fitted up a mill for grinding it. j\Ir. White
had the exclusive right of manufacturing and vending the ar-
ticle. The price ordinarily charged, was from three dollars
fifty cents to five dollars per barrel of five bushels. The
barrels were lined with oiled paper, and were made perfectly
water tight.
It has ever been considered a truly fortunate circumstance,
that so valuable an article for the permanent construction of
locks, aqueducts, &c., for our canals, was found at the very
time at which it could hardly be dispensed with.
J -^ if-L^ -fvff
-^
Eoig-rjiwfl iy IJ. f - Ilimuti
//^^"^^^^ )
SYRACUSE— JOSHUA FORM AN. 69
CHAPTER XIV.
SYRACUSE— JOSHUA FORMAN.
BiOGE.\PHicAL Sketch of Hox. Josuua Formax — City of Syracuse.
Joshua Formax. — To give any thing like a perfect biogra-
phical notice of this distinguished individual, would require a
person more familiar "with his public acts, more intimate with
occurrences which transpired at the period in which he was
most active, and one who knew better the public worth and
private excellence of his character than the author. But as
he, for a period of more than a quarter of a century, was a
leader in the affairs of this county, and became identified
with all the majestic projects of State policy, we cannot pass
him by without an attempt to do justice to his merits.
Joshua Forman was born at Pleasant Valley, in the county
of Duchess and State of New- York, th^ 6th of September,
1777. His parents were Joseph and Hannah Forman, who
previous to the Revolution, resided in the city of New-York.
Upon the breaking out of the war and the approach of the
British to that City, Mr. Joseph Forman with his family, re-
tired to Pleasant Valley, where the subject of this sketch was
born. At an early age he evinced a strong desire for learn-
ing, in which he was encouraged by his friends. In the fall
of 1793, he entered Union College, at Schenectady, and in due
time graduated with honor. Directly after his collegiate
course was completed, he entered the law office of Peter W.
Radcliffe, Esq., of Poughkeepsie, where he remained about
70 ONONDAGA.
two years. He then went to the city of New- York and com-
pleted his law studies in the office of Samuel Miles Hopkins,
Esq. Soon after the close of his professional course, he was
married to Miss Margaret Alexander, a daughter of the Hon.
Boyd Alexander, M. P. for Glasgow, Scotland. In the spring
of 1800, Mr. Forman removed to Onondaga Hollow, and
opened a law office on the cast side of the creek, where he
began early to manifest his public spirit and enterprise. At
the time he settled at Onondaga Hollow, the village was
mainly situated on the east side of Onondaga Creek, and he
being desirous of building up the village, and of extending
its boundaries, soon located his father and his brothers John,
Samuel and Daniel W., near the west end of the present
village, on the north and south road passing through the
same, and rapidly built up the western part. This left
a space in the middle, comparatively unoccupied. Here,
Judge Forman soon after erected a large Hotel, and after-
wards a fine residence for himself, which was occupied many
years after Judge Forman left the Hollow, by his brother-
in-law, the late Wm. H. Sabin. He was also mainly instru-
mental in procuring the location of the academy, church, and
two or three stores in the same vicinity, before he removed
from Onondaga, thereby connecting the whole into one tol-
erably compact settlement.
By his integrity and strait forward course in the practice
of his profession, he soon became distinguished as a lawyer
and by his talents and gentlemanly deportment became fami-
liarly known throughout the country.
In 1803, William H. Sabin, Esq., joined him as a partner
in the practice of laAV, and for several years they did an ex-
tensive business. The subject of the Erie Canal became a
theme of deep interest to several of the leading men of On-
ondaga, and to none more so than to Judge Forman. Con-
versations were held by those who were friends to the project,
and measures were early taken to bring the great question be- '
fore the public. Mr. Forman's talents as a public speaker,
and as a man of influence and character, eminently distin-
SYRACUSE— JOSHUA FORM AN. 7]
guished him to be the individual who shouki be foremost In
moving in the matter. Accordingly in 1807, a union ticket
was got np, headed by John McWhorter, Democrat ; and
Joshua Forman, Federalist. This ticket was carried with
trifling opposition. It was headed "Canal Ticket," and as
such received the cordial support of a large majority of the
electors of Onondaga County.
As was anticipated by the friends of Judge Forman and
the great work which he was designated to advocate, he brought
forward the ever memorable resolution in the House of Assem-
bly, which alone would render his name immortal, directing a
sui'vey to be made "of the most eligible and direct route of
a canal, to open a communication between the tide waters of
the Hudson and Lake Erie."
Mr. Forman had studied the subject of canals as construct-
ed in foreign countries. His mind had been applied intently
to their construction, utility and cost, and these labors had been
brought to bear and have weight upon the subject now under
investigation. He had well considered all the advantages that
would accrue to the United States and the State of New-
York, if this important work should be completed- He had
prepared an estimate of the cost of construction, based upon
statistics of the Languedoc Canal.
While discussing this subject in Albany, during the session,
Judge Wright and General McNeill, of Oneida, became con-
verts to the plan, through the instrumentality of Judge For-
man, and Judge Wright agreed to second the resolution about
to be offered whenever it should be brought up. Judge For-
man had no confidence that the general government would
assist New-York in the construction of a canal, but the reso-
lution framed and offered by him was so worded as to give
President Jefferson an opportunity to participate in the mea-
sure if he would. Fired with the novelty and importance of
this project, and somewhat piqued at the manner of its re-
ception by the members of the House, the advocate took pains
to prepare himself thoroughly upon the subject, and when
the resolution was called up, he addressed the House in a for-
72 ONONDAGA.
cible and eloquent speech in its favor. Fortunately the reso-
lution was adopted, and for this he was for years called a
"visionary projector," and was asked a hundred times if he
ever expected to live to see his canal completed ; to Avhich he
uniformly answered, that " as surely as he lived to the ordi-
nary age of man, he did ; that it might take ten years to
prepare the public mind for the undertaking, and as many
more to accomplish it, nevertheless it Avould be done.*"
Had not Joshua Forman brought forward the subject as he
did, it is not easy to conceive who would have had the moral
courage to meet the ridicule, of proposing in earnest, what
was- considered so Avild a measure. Had it not been for this
timely movement, the subject might have lain idle for years,
so far as Legislative action was concerned. But by it, the
ice was broken and an impetus given to a direct canal, by the
discoveries made under it, and to Joshua Forman must ever
be accorded the high consideration, as the first .legislative pro-
jector of the greatest improvement of the age.
During all the times of darkness, discouragement and doubt,
he boldly stood forth the unflinching champion of its. feasi-
bility, utility and worth, till the day of its completion.
On the occasion of the grand canal celebration, 1st of Nov.,
1825, Judge Forman was selected by the citizens of Onondaga
County, and as President of the village of Syracuse, to ad-
dress Governor Clinton and suite, on their first passage down
the canal, accompanied by various county committees along
the line. He had but three hours to prepare his address, and
it thus appears in the Syracuse Gazette of Nov. 2, 1825. —
"Gentlemen : The roar of cannon rolling from Lake Erie to
the ocean, and reverberated from the ocean to the lakes, has
announced the completion of the Erie Canal, and you are this
day witnesses, bearing the waters of the lakes on the unbroken
bosom of the canal, to be mingled with the ocean, that the
splendid hopes of our State are realized. The continued fete
which has attended your boats, evinces how dear it was, to the
* Hosack, page 350.
c
SYRACUSE— JOSHUA FORM AN. 73
hearts of our citizens. It is truly a proud day for the State
of New-York. No one is present who has the interest of the
State at heart, who does not exult at the completion of a
work fraught with such important benefits, and no man with
an American heart, that does not swell with pride that he is
a citizen of the country which has accomplished the greatest
work of the age, and which has filled Europe with admiration
of the American character. On the 4th of July, 1817, it
was begun, and it is now accomplished. Not by the labor of
abject slaves and vassals, but by the energies of freemen, and
in a period unprecedently short, by the voluntary efforts of
its freemen governed by the wisdom of its statesmen. This,
however, is but one of the many benefits derived from our free
institutions, and which marks a new era in the history of
man — the example of a nation whose whole physical power and
intelligence are employed to advance the improvement, comfort
and happiness, of the people. To what extent this course of
improvement may be carried, it is impossible for any mere
man to conjecture ; but no reasonable man can doubt, that it
will continue its progress, until our wide and fertile territory
shall be filled Avith a more dense, intelligent and happy peo-
ple than the sun shines upon in the wade circuit of the globe.
It has long been the subject of feai^ful apprehension, to the
patriots of the Atlantic States that the remote interior situa-
tion of our western country (for want of proper stimuli to in-
dustry and free intercourse, with the rest of the world) would
be filled Avith a semi-barbarous population, uncongenial with
their Atlantic neighbors. But the introduction of steamboats
on our lakes and running rivers, and canals to connect the
waters which nature has disjoined, (in both which this State
has taken the lead, and its example has noAv become general,)
have broken doAvn the old barriers of nature, and promise the
wide spread regions of the west all the blessings of a sea-board
district. But Avhile we contemplate the advantages of this
work, as a source of revenue to the State, and of wealth and
comfort to our citizens, let us never forget the means by which
it has been accomplished ; and after rendering thanks to the
74 ONONDAGA.
All-Wise Disposer of events, who has by his own means and
for his own purposes brought about this great work, we
would render our thanks, to all citizens and statesmen, who
have in and out of the Legislature sustained the measure from
its first conception to its present final consummation. To the
commissioners who superintended the work, the board of na-
tive engineers, (a native treasure unknown till called for by
the occasion,) and especially to his Excellency, the Governor,
whose early and decided support of the measure, fearlessly
throwing his character and influence into the scale, turned the
poising beam and produced the first canal appropriation, and
by his talents and exertions kept public opinion steady to the
point. Without his efforts in that crisis, the canal project
might still have been a splendid vision — gazed upon by the be-
nevolent patriot, but left by cold calumniators to be realized
by some future generation. At that time, all admitted that
there was a high responsibility resting on you, and had it fail-
ed, you must have largely borne the blame. It has succeeded,
and we will not withhold from you your due meed of praise.
Gentlemen, in behalf of the citizens of Syracuse, and the
county of Onondaga, here assembled, I congratulate you on
this occasion. Our village is the offspring of the canal, and
with the county must partake largely of its blessings. We
were most ungrateful if we did not most cordially join in this
great state celebration."
Judge Forman having concluded his address, Governor
Clinton replied in a very happy and appropriate manner; in
the course of which he adverted to the important views pre-
sented in the address, and observed that they w^re such as he
had expected from an individual who had introduced the first
legislative measures relative to the canals, and had devoted
much thought and reflection to the subject. His Excellency
also adverted to the prosperous condition of Syracuse, and of
the county, and concluded by expressing his congratulations
on the final accomplishment of this great work.
As one of the committee from Sj^racuse, Judge Forman at-
tended the ceremony of mingling the waters of Lake Erie
.'
SYRACUSE— JOSHUA FORM AN. 75
with those of the Ocean, off Sandy Hook. He had now pas-
sed through all the stages in the progress of the great work,
from its first announcement in the Legislature, to its final con-
summation in uniting the waters of Lake Erie with the At-
lantic Ocean. His efforts in this great undertaking will over
be an enduring monument of his wisdom, and to future gene
rations will his fame extend.
It is not to be supposed that Judge Forman had employed
all his time and talents upon this single object. As a lawyer,
he became distinguished ; and, on account of his integrity
and legal acquirements, was appointed First Judge of Onon-
daga County Common Pleas, in 1813. He filled the station
with credit and ability for ten years ; in fact, he elevated the
character of this tribunal to the pitch, which gained for it the
high reputation which it has since enjoyed.
He took an early and active interest in the establishment
of churches in this county. " The First Onondaga Religious
Society," at Onondaga Hill, in 1806, and the "Onondaga
Hollow Religious Society," in 1809, owe their early organi-
zation mainly to his efforts. The Onondaga Academy, found-
ed in 1814, owes its existence to the interest he manifested in
the cause of education, and to his fostering care. He was
also one of the most active in promoting the organization of
the first Presbyterian society in Syracuse, in 1824, and was
one of its first Trustees.
In 1807, he took a lease of the Surveyor General for a
term of years, of a part of the reservation lands at Oswego
Falls, for the purpose of erecting a grist mill in that wilder-
ness country, at which time not a horse was owned by an in-
habitant between Salina and Oswego. This was the first mill
erected on the Oswego river in modern times, and it greatly
facilitated the settlement of that region.
In 1808, he founded the celebrated Plaster Company of
Camillus, for the purpose of more effectually working the ex-
tensive beds in that town. (See Camillus.) In 1813, Judge
Forman built the canal and excavated ground, for the pond
76 ONONDAGA.
at Onondaga Hollow, where he erected a grist mill, which was
then considered one of the best in the county.
In 1817, while there was yet a strong opposition to the Erie
Canal, and its friends were in the greatest anxiety, and even
doubt as to the final result, Judge Forman furnished a series
of articles, which were published in the Onondaga Register,
signed X, in defense of the work. These papers were writ-
ten with great ability, and are said by competent judges, to
be inferior to none that had been written upon that subject.
In 1821, Judge Forman obtained the passage of a law,
(drawn by his own hand,) authorizing the lowering of Onon-
daga Lake, and subsequently the lake was lowered about
two feet. The great difficulty had been caused by the high,
water in the Seneca River, rising to a certain height, which
obstructed the channel of the Onondaga outlet ; and such
was the nature of the obstructions, arising from the narrow-
ness and crookedness of the passage, that when the Seneca
River subsided to its proper limits, the water of Onondaga
Lake was retained, and in rainy seasons did not fall so as to
make dry ground around it, till late in summer, which was the
cause of much inconvenience to the people living in the vi-
cinity of the lake. To obviate this, the lake was lowered,
and by it the lands around Salina and Syracuse were im-
proved, leaving bare a beach about the lake, in some places
of several rods in width. For the cause of philanthropy and
humanity, this was a most important measure. The country
around became more healthful, and although previously in-
fested with a fatal miasma in August and September, from
that time to this, the country about Syracuse and Salina, has
been considered as healthy as any other section in the State.
In 1822, Judge Forman procured the passage of a law
authorizing the erection of fixtures for the purpose of manu-
facturing coarse salt by solar evaporation, with a three cent
per bushel bounty on salt so manufactured, for a given num-
ber of years. He went to New Bedford, in company with
Isaiah Townsend, Esq., to make inquiries relative to solar evap-
oration of salt water, from persons interested in this mode of
SYRACUSE— JOSHUA FORMAiM. 77
manufacturing salt from sea-water on Cape Cod. They en-
gaged Mr. Stephen Smith, to come on to Syracuse "with them,
to manage the salt fields, he having had experience in this
mode of manufacture. Mr. Smith was appointed agent of
the Onondaga Company, and Judge Forman of the Syracuse
Company, and these two proceeded to make the necessary
erections for the manufacture of coarse salt.
At this time the Salina Canal terminated at the mill on the
southern border of the village of Salina, and there was no
"water to be had, available for purposes of carrying machinery
in the immediate vicinity of the principal salt spring. With
a view of accomplishing this object. Judge Forman accompa-
nied Governor Clinton to Salina, pointed out the ground, and
proposed to have the Salina Canal extended so as to commu-
nicate with Onondaga Lake, and the following j'-ear this plan
was carried out, the canal was continued to the lake, and ar-
rangements made for the erection of pump works. This grand
improvement in the elevation of brine, was made at the ex-
pense of the Syracuse and Onondaga Salt Companies, under
the direction of Judge Forman. Afterwards the State bought
the fixtures, aqueducts, &c., as they had reserved the right to
do. To no individual so much as to Judge Forman, are we
indebted for a modification of our salt laws, and for the sub-
stitution of water power, for hand labor, in the elevation of
brine, for the reservoirs, and all the apparatus connected with
those improvements, and for the introduction of the manufac-
ture of coarse salt by solar heat. These were measures in
which the public were deeply interested, which particularly
absorbed his attention, and which have greatly improved and
increased the manufacture of salt in the town of Salina.
Judge Forman was emphatically the founder of the city
of Syracuse. He came to this place when there was but a ,
small clearing south of the canal, and lived in a house which
stood in the center of Clinton street ; since removed. 'When
he came to Syracuse it was deemed a doubtful and hazardous
enterprise. His friends earnestly desired him to withdraw.
But at no time did his courage, energy or faith, fail him. He
78 ONONDAGA.
foresaw and insisted, that it must eventually become a great
and flourishing inland town, and in spite of much determined
opposition, and amidst a variety of obstacles and almost every
species of embarrassment, he persisted in his efforts, till he
had laid broad and deep the foundations of this flourishing-
city.
The most prominent obstacles were found in the rival villa-
ges in the vicinity, which were likely to be affected by the
building up of a larger one in their midst, and in the extensive
swamps and marshes which every where in this region prevail-
ed, and in the consequent unhealthiness of the locality.
His work being accomplished, circumstances required his re-
moval from this scene of his usefulness, and the theatre of his
labors. In 1826, he removed to New Jersey, near New Bruns-
wick, where he superintended the opening and working of a
copper mine, which had been wrought to some extent prior to
and during the Revolution. Soon after his departure from
Syracuse, the State of New-York became sadly convulsed and
deranged in its financial affairs. Our banking system was ex-
tremely defective — reform was demanded by an abused and
outraged community. All saw and admitted the evil, but no
one was prepared with a remedy. At this crisis, Judge For-
man came forward with a plan for relief, and upon the invita-
tion of Governor Van Buren he visited Albany, and submit-
ted his plan to a Committee of the Legislature then in session.
At the suggestion of the Governor, he drew up the bill which
subsequently became a law, and is known as the Safety Fund
Act, the great objects of which were, on the one hand, to give
currency and character to our circulation, and on the other,
to protect the bill-holder. At the special request of Gover-
nor Van Buren, Judge Forman spent most of the winter in
attendance on the Legislature, in perfecting the details of this
important act.
This ' plan operated well for many years, and the Safety
Fund Banks of this State sustained themselves under some of
the severest and heaviest revulsions, which the monied insti-
tutions of the country have ever experienced. And it may
SYRACUSE— JOSHUA FORM AN. 79
be safely affirmed that no system in practice on this side the
Atlantic, has better stood the test of experience, or secured so
extensively the popular confidence as this. The Safety Fund
system was exclusively the plan of Judge Forman, and al-
though modifications have since been made, and others pro-
jected, in our Ijanking laws, it may be questioned whether the
system has been materially improved.
In 1829-30, Judge Forman bought of the government of
the State of North Carolina an extensive tract of land, con-
sisting of some three hundred thousand acres, in Rutherford-
ton County. He took up his residence at the village of Ruth-
erfordton, greatly extended its boundaries, established a
newspaper press, and was considered the most enterprising in-
dividual in that part of the State ; became quite distinguished
as a public man, and noted for his exertions to elevate the
character, and improve the mental and moral condition of the
inhabitants in that region.
In 1831, after an absence of about five years, Judge For-
man visited Onondaga. He was every where received with
unqualified demonstrations of joy and respect, and every voice
cheered him as the founder of a citv, and a benefactor of
mankind. The citizens of Syracuse, through their commit-
tee appointed for that purpose, consisting of Messrs. Stephen
Smith, Harvey Baldwin, Amos P. Granger, L. H. Redfield,
Henry Newton, John Wilkinson, and Moses D. Burnet, avail-
ed themselves of the opportunity to present to him a valuable
piece of silver plate as a tribute of the high respect and es-
teem which was entertained for his talents and character, and
in consideration of his devotedness to their interests, in the
early settlement of the village. The plate is in form of a
pitcher, and bears this inscription :
A Tribute of Respect
Presented by the SYRACUSE.
Citizens of Syracuse XI^^^Tf^
to the i^^^bi^M.
Honorable Joshua Forman, 1831.
Founder of that Village.
80 ONONDAGA.
At the ceremony of presenting the plate, mutual addresses
were delivered ; on tlie one hand, highly expressive of the
affection and regard of a whole community, to a distinguished
individual, who had toiled and exhausted his more vigorous
energies for their welfare ; and on the other, the acknowledg-
ment of past favors at the hands of his fellow-citizens and co-
adjutors, thankful that he had been the humble instrument of
contributing to their prosperity, hoping that the bright visions
of the future importance of Syracuse, which he had so long
entertained, might be realized, he bade her citizens an affec-
tionate farewell.
On his return to his home, in North Carolina, Judge For-
man took with him this token of the gratitude of his fellow-
citizens, and it remained with him till the year 1845, when he
presented it to his daughter, the lady of Gen. E. W. Leaven-
worth, of Syracuse, then on a visit to her father who was
in feeble health, remarking, that it constituted a part of
the history of Syracuse, and that after his death there it
should remain.
While his health permitted, Judge Forman's business was
principally that of making sales of the lands he had purchased
in North Carolina.
In 1846, this venerable man re-visited his former friends
and acquaintances of his earlier years, and found in each full
heart an honest welcome. To all it was apparent that the ad-
vances of time had made sad inroads upon his physical and
mental powers. Seventy winters had shed their snows upon
his devoted head. He had heard much of the growth and
prosperity of his cherished city, and of his beloved Ononda-
ga. He had fixed his heart upon again treading the soil of
his revered county. He had earnestly desired to return to
the land of his fathers, before his course on earth should be
closed, to witness the result of those wonderful improvements
in the accomplishment of which, he had taken so deep an in-
terest, and so active a part, and to see the fulfilment of those
predictions which had sometimes acquired for him the name
of a visionary projector and enthusiast, and once again for the
SYRACUSE— JOSHUA FORMAN. 81
last time to behold in the body, the few surviving friends of
his earlier years. He could not bid adieu to the world in
peace, till this last and greatest of his earthly wishes should
be gratified.
On this occasion a public dinner was tendered to him, by P.
N. Rust, Esq., of the Syracuse House. A large number of
the most distinguished gentlemen of the county were present,
together with the few gray- headed pioneers, who still lingered
in the land. Nearly all the company were the personal friends
of Judge Forman, many of them having been sharers or at-
tentive observers of his early and patriotic public efforts, for
the social, mental and moral improvement of this county. Few
indeed are the instances, where an individual, mantled in the
hoary locks of age, after an absence of twenty years, returns
to the scenes of his primitive usefulness, with so many demon-
strations, on the part of friends and former neighbors, of joy
and thankfulness, as in the one before us. It was also a sea-
son of peculiar gratification to him. Here he beheld the re-
sults of his labors in early active manhood. Here he beheld
the progress of a thriving town founded by his fostering hand.
Here he received the warm greetings of the friends of his
early life, and here he met with them, to bid them a kind, af-
fectionate and last adieu.
Moses D. Burnet, Esq., presided on this very interesting
occasion. A formal address of congratulation, on account of
the great success of his early labors, and the remarkable ful-
filment of his bopes and predictions, was made by the Hon.
Harvey Baldwin, which was replied to, in- behalf of Judge
Forman, (he being then unable to articulate distinctly, on ac-
count of a paralytic shock,) by his son-in-law, E. W. Leaven-
worth, Esq.
Gen. Amos P. Granger, Hon. George Geddes, Lewis H.
Redfield, Esq., and several other gentlemen of note, address-
ed the party in a very felicitous manner.
The proceedings of this very interesting meeting may be
found in the Onondaga Democrat of the 3d of Oct., 1846, and
other city papers of that date.
bG
82 ONONDAGA.
From Syracuse, Judge Forman retired to his mountain
home, in the milder climes of the sunny South, carrying with
him the most vivid recollections of the kindness and hospitali-
ty of his friends ; looking back upon a well spent life, much
of which was devoted to the service of his country, without
refi^ret : and forward, without a fear to the hour when he will
be called away from the scenes of society and earth.
Judge Forman is still living, (1849,) at his home in North
Carolina, having bid adieu to the cares and business occupa-
tions of life.
The character of this distinguished man may be summed up
in a very few words. His mind was of no ordinary cast, and
whether we view him as a fellow-citizen, a neighbor, a legisla-
tor, a jurist, a judge, or as a man, we find nothing that we
cannot respect and admire. Full of life and energy himself,
he infused with uncommon facility the same spirit into others,
and wherever he was found, in him was the master spirit of
every plan. He possessed a mind of uncommon activity, never
wearying with the multiplicity of his labors and cares; it was
stored with an unusual variety of knowledge, extending far
beyond the boundaries of his professional pursuits, and he pos-
sessed a rare felicity in the communication of this knowledge
to others. This fund of solid and general information, upon
every variety of topic, and his forcible and happy manner of
communication, joined with the most social and cheerful dis-
position, rendered him on all occasions a most agreeable and
interesting gentleman in conversation, and the delight of every
circle in Avhich he moved. He greatly excelled in the clear
perceptions of the results of proposed measures of public im-
provement, and in a capacity to present them forcibly to oth-
ers, carrying along with him individuals, communities and pub-
lic assemblies, by his easy flowing language, and a manner at
once most clear, captivating and persuasive. His whole life
was characterized by the most public spirited efforts for the
general good, and the most disinterested benevolence, — al-
ways comparativeh' forgetful of his own private interest, in his
zeal for the accomplishment of works of public utility. Through
SYRACUSE— JOSHUA FOR MAN. 83
the long period of his stirring and eventful life, he sustained
a character without stain and without reproach, and now stand-
ing on the borders of the grave, is most justly entitled to the
admiration and gratitude of his countrymen.
It was the happiness of the author, in his youthful days, to
spend several months in the family of Judge Forman, at On-
ondaga Hollow, and he takes pleasure in this opportunity of
testifying to his domestic virtues and private worth.
City of Syracuse. — The ground upon which the city of
Syracuse now stands, was originally a part of the Salt Springs
Reservation, and at the time the county was organized, in
1794, with all that part of the reservation east of Onondaga
Creek and Lake, was included in the town of Manlius.
The first locality which received a name within the limits
of the present city of Syracuse, was called Webster's Land-
ing, from Ephraim Webster, who kept a few goods for the
Indian trade, on the bank of the creek, a little south of its
outlet. Mr. Webster was succeeded by Benjamin Newkirk,
in 1793 ; at which time, there was quite a number of In-
dian cabins, ranging along the west bank of the creek, enough
to form a respectable Indian village. The dark, gloomy and
almost impenetrable swamp, now occupied by the city, was
then a favorite resort for wolves, bears, wild-cats, mud-turtles,
and swamp rattlesnakes. The western portion of the valley
about Syracuse, was originally timbered with hemlock, birch
and soft maple ; the eastern portion with cedar and pine.
Near the west bank of the creek, was an extensive Indian
burying-ground, where skeletons have frequently been disin-
terred, and are occasionaly to this day — two having been ex-
humed during the past year. At the time the Avest locks
were constructed at Syracuse, in 1819, over one hundred were
taken up. In excavating the canal for the red mill, on the
east bank of the creek, several skeletons were found. In
1843, one of extraordinary size was disinterred ; one of the
lower bones of the leg being set beside the limb of a tall man,
reached far above his knee. The skul! v.as covnparatively
84 ONONDAGA.
large, and the jaws were surrounded with a full set of double
teeth, all around. They were perfectly sound, covered with
a beautiful enamel of the most perfect whiteness. Such oc-
currences are not uncommon, at the several Indian burying
grounds throughout the county. In one grave was found a
large skeleton, on each side of which was a gun, with flints
in the locks, having the appearance of being loaded at the
time they were buried. In this grave was also a brass kettle,
two pairs of shears, three razors, a tomahawk, and a number
of bullets. A large pine tree had recently been cut, which
had grown over the grave. In 1842, Mr. Henry Young dis-
covered a paint box, seven inches square, around which clay
and gravel had firmly cemented, some four inches in thick-
ness ; with it was a brush. The box contained a red pig-
ment, which from the description, must have been vermilion.
The gravel had become firmly attached, and a portion of the
box petrified. In 1808, while Mr. Young and others were cut-
ting a large hemlock tree, over four feet in diameter, for hew-
ing-timber, after cutting in about a foot and a half, they
found near a hundred bullets, which had been deposited in a
box, cut in the tree. The number of concentric circles from
the bark to the bullets, was one hundred and fifty two ; which,
taken from 1808, leaves the time at which they were deposi-
ted, 1656, at which time the French had established colonies
and missionaries at Onondaga.
In 1795, a feud broke out between a clan of the Ononda-
gas and another of the Cayugas, which raged violently for
a long period, during which, at sundry times, several indi-
viduals of both nations were killed. . The last one who fell
in this deadly strife, was an Onondaga, called Handsome
Harry. Ho had been followed by a party of Cayugas, from
Tuscarora and back, and was overtaken at the sand bank
now owned by Mr. Henry Young, not far from the Syracuse
pump house. When he found his pursuers hard upon him,
he made no effort to escape, but quietly kneeled down, bared
his bosom, and was instantly shot dead with an arrow. He
was counted the handsomest man in the nation. He Avas bu-
SYRACUSE. 85
ried on the spot where he fell, and two favorite sisters for a
a long time daily visited the spot, and moui'ned the death of
their brother with the deepest sorrow.
In 1804, an act was passed directing the sale of two hun-
dred and fifty acres of land, of the Salt Springs Reservation,
the avails of which were to be expended in laying out and
improving a road running from lot forty-nine, Manlius, to
lot thirty-eight, Onondaga, east and west through the reser-
vation. Simeon De Witt, the Surveyor General, directed
James Geddes, Esq., to locate and lay out the land, and he
did so. The land was advertised for sale, with the announce-
ment that upon it was a good mill site. Mr. Geddes having
ascertained that fact, laid out the land in reference to it.
The lot was laid out in rather an irregular form,* and the
reason assigned for so doing, was that as much dry land might
be secured as possible. But notwithstanding all the precaution
of Mr, Geddes, he found it impossible to locate the ground
in such a manner as to avoid entirely the swamp, some con-
siderable portion of which was covered with water most of
the year ; a doleful place indeed, for the site of a future city.
While the subject of this land sale was under discussion,
certain persons at Onondaga Hollow, and at Salina, denied
the possibility of a water power, and so influenced the Sur-
veyor General, that he put a spirit level into his gig and came
out from Albany, expressly to examine the premises. He,
assisted by Mr. Geddes, took a level of the creek, and found
the power even better than had been represented, as made
by the imperfect instrument Mr. G. had used in taking the
first level.
It is sometimes curious to see how simple circumstances and
events, trifling in themselves, will operate to direct a man's
whole life. The knowledge acquired by Mr. Geddes, in the
use of this instrument in leveling this mill power, was the in-
citing cause by which he became qualified to make the survey
and levels on the Erie Canal.
* See old Map of Syracuse at the Coiuity CJerJi's office.
86 ONONDAGA.
The two hundred and fifty acres laid out and advertized, were
sold at auction in June, 1804, and bid off by Mr. Abraham Wal-
ton, for the sum of six thousand five hundred and fifty dollars,
or about twenty-six dollars twenty cents per acre,* and the lot
was thereafter called the "Walton Tract.
The commissioners to receive and disburse the money aris-
ing from the sale of this tract, were James Geddes, Moses
Carpenter and John Young. Mr. Geddes was appointed trea-
surer, and being absent from home during the construction of
the road, Mrs. Geddes became the acting treasurer, and paid
out the money, upon the order of the individual who built it.
Although the avails of this sale Avere to be appropriated to-
wards the laying out and improving a road, there was a stipu-
lation in the terms of sale, that the purchaser should, within
a specified time, erect or cause to be erected a suitable build-
ing for a tavern, or house of entertainment, for the accommo-
dation of travelers. The same season, Mr. "Walton laid out
lots for a village, and, agreeably to the stipulation, sold to
Henry Bogardus, for the consideration of three hundred dol-
lars, half an acre of ground, binding him, Avithin a reasonable
time to erect a suitable house for a tavern, and to keep or
cause one to be kept. His house was erected in 1806. It
was two stories high, and thirty-five by forty-five feet on the
ground, and stood on the site of the present Empire Block.
Mr. Bogardus was succeeded by Mr. Burlingham, in 1808 ;
Joseph Langdon, in 1810 ; James Ingalls, in 1812 ; and by
Sterling Cossit, in 1815.
At the time of this laying out of a village, it was called,
^'^ South Salina," and the tavern the ^^ South Salina Hotel."
A Mr. Merrill erected a small frame house the same year that
Mr. Bogardus built his hotel, nearly opposite, east, but there
was so much sickness in the neighborhood, that he became dis-
couraged, pulled it down and carried it away. Before this
purchase was made by Mr. "Walton, several persons had erect-
ed log cabins in the vicinity of the spot where Mr. Bogardus
MS. of Judge James Geddes.
SYRACUSE. 87
put up his hotel. The names given of some of them are, Mr.
Hopkins, in 1797 ; Mr. Butler, in 1799. These were located
a little west of the Oswego bridge, north of General Gran-
ger's residence, near a spring of fresh water.
In the spring of 1800, Mr. Calvin Jackson came to this
place, who lived in a small log house a little south of where
the rail-road crosses Genesee street, and there was born Albi-
on Jackson, on the 28th of December, 1800, supposed to be
the first white child born within the limits of the city of Syra-
cuse, out of that part heretofore known as Salina. Mr. Jack-
son is still living, near the Indian Reservation, and is a grand-
son of Jeremiah Jackson. William Lee and Aaron Cole,
blacksmiths, opened a shop in 1805. In 1805, Amos Stanton,
father of Rufus Stanton, and Mrs. Wales, now residents of
Syracuse, located near the Salina Bridge. Dr. Swan put up
a small frame house in 1807. Jonathan Fay settled near the
Court-House in 1808. Rufus Stanton kept a tavern near the
Salina bridge in 1811 — building now standing, and occupied
as a public house.
The mills were erected in 1805, by Mr. Walton, James
Sayles being the master builder. The first dam was erected
where the Seneca Turnpike bridge crosses the creek, and the
road at that time passed over it. The dam stood only about
a year, when it was swept away by a heavy spring freshet. It
was re-built several rods further up the stream, but has recent-
ly been torn away on account of the supposed unhealthiness
of the mill pond.
The name South Salina, was not received with general ap-
probation, and after a time it was changed to " 31ilan." This
name it bore for several years, and marriages, deaths, and
other incidents, were announced in the ^^ 31anlius Times,"
then the only paper in the county, as having taken place at
Milan.
The Walton Tract, was a portion of it sold to Michael IIo-
gan and Charles Walton, and they, with the original proprie-
tor, held it in common. After some unimportant changes, it
was transferred to Forman, Wilson & Co., in 1814, for about
88 ONONDAGA.
nine thousand dollars. From these proprietors, it passed into
the hands of Daniel Kellogg and Wm. H. Sabin, in 1818, who
sold it in 1823 to Henry Eckford, Esq., the celebrated ship-
builder of New- York. In May, 1824, the Walton Tract was
transferred to the Syracuse Company, for the consideration of
thirty thousand dollars, which Company consisted of Messrs.
William James, Isaiah and John Townsend, and James Mc-
Bride. The same was deeded in trust to Messrs. Moses D.
Burnet and Gideon Hawley, since which, village lots have been
extensively sold.
At the time the purchase was made by Forman, Wilson &
Co., they erected a large slaughter house in a pine grove, a
little in rear of Gen. Granger's dwelling, north of Church
street. They continued the business of packing beef and pork
on a large scale, till 1817, having had during the war a heavy
army contract.
After the transfer of the Walton estate to Messrs. Kellogg
and Sabin, Judge Forman was appointed agent for them, and
had the sole management of affairs.
In the spring of 1819, Mr. Owen Forman, a younger brother
of the Judge, and John Wilkinson, Esq., then a young law-
yer, came down from Onondaga Hollow, under the direction
of Judge Forman, to lay out the Walton Tract into village
lots. The old survey of a village by Mr. Walton was thrown
aside and disregarded. These young men proceeded to the
work in the month of June, and such was the indefinite posi-
tion of the ancient land marks, that it was with the greatest
difiiculty that they could ascertain with any degree of cer-
tainty, the starting point. Although in possession of an ex-
cellent description, made by Judge Geddes, but for a certain
wild plumb tree therein mentioned, it is thought doubtful
whether the precise lines as originally run could have been
traced. After near a fortnight of hard labor, the village was
again laid out, so far as related to the Walton Tract ; and
what was not included in the village, was laid out into farm
lots of from five to ten acres each.
After the survey was completed, Judge Forman named the
SYRACUSE. 89
village " Corinth," the name of Milan having been relinquish-
ed in consequence of an ineffectual attempt to obtain a Post
OflBce, there being already one of that name in the State. For
several years the place went by the name of " Cossit's Cor-
ners," after Mr. Sterling Cossit, who succeeded Mr. Ingalls
in the South Salina Hotel. Mr. Cossit kept the house from
1815 to 1825, after which it was kept for some time by Mr.
Williston.
When this last survey was made, there was but a small
clearing in the village of Corinth. The extent of it was from
the canal, near Clinton street, south to Fayette street, and east
to Warren street. On the north side of the canal, the clearing
extended as far back as Church street, and east to Warren
street. The rest of the dry ground was a pine grove inter-
spersed with oak bushes.
The first burying ground in Syracuse was on Fayette street,
very near where Clinton street crosses it, if any thing a little
west. At this spot were buried some fifteen or twenty per-
sons, whose remains have never been removed, and hundreds
daily pass over them unconscious that in so public a place
lie the remains of individuals who were once as active in life
as any now upon the stage. The old burying ground near the
west Rail-Road Depot, was laid out by Owen Forman and
John Wilkinson, at the time they laid out the village.
Purchases were now somewhat rapidly made, and the busi-
ness of clearing went vigorously on. Very much of the pre-
sent city was, however, a dreary waste of swamp, approached
only by means of " corduroy" and " gridiron" roads. All
along where now is located the beautiful park, was then a fa-
mous shooting ground for partridges and rabits, and further
back, were plenty of wood-cock, snipe, owls and mud-turtles.
In spring, the water did not usually subside sufficiently to
allow people to pass with any degree of comfort, till late in
May or June, and those going from Onondaga to Salina, were
obliged to pass around on the high ground east of Syracuse,
over by-roads, which were cut in every direction through the
reservation, for the purpose of collecting wood in winter for
90 ONONDAGA.
the salt \Yorks. A person passing over the present improved
roads, can have no conception of their impassable condition in
spring and autumn, at that period. In fact the only time
when they were endurable was in winter, when perfectly fro-
zen and covered with a good body of snow.
In the fall of 1819, Judge Forman removed to Syracuse
with his family, and occupied a house a little west of the
Townsend Block. At this time there were but two frame
houses in the village, besides the tavern. Log houses, and
plank, and slab cabins, were scattered over the dry ground, most
of which latter had been tenanted by laborers on the canal.
The pasture of the Judge ran back some fifty rods and east
to Salina street ; most of it was a pine grove. Another lot
of twenty acres commenced where the Syracuse House now
stands, and there was a set of bars and passage-way to this
lot, where the western front door of that building opens to the
street. In 1816, Rufus Stanton raised on this ground an
abundant crop of rye. It was afterwards occupied as a pas-
ture until 1820. So dense was the forest about Syracuse in
1819, that two young ladies, the present Mrs. E. W. Leaven-
worth and Mrs. M. D. Burnet, in taking a morning stroll over
"Prospect Ilill," became bewildered among the thick brush-
wood, and finally rambled about till the day was far spent,
when they found themselves in the vicinity of the Lodi Locks,
greatly fatigued Avith their labors, and not a little rejoiced at
the prospect of deliverance from the terrors of passing a
gloomy night in the wilderness. Here they recognized fami-
liar ground, and returned home in safety, after a day of much
anxiety and no little inquietude of mind.
Previous to the arrival of Judge Forman, Sidney Dole and
Milan C. Taylor, owned and occupied the mill, and kept a store
next west of where the late William Malcolm first kept ; this
was in 1814. They were the first merchants in Syracuse.
Northrup and Dexter had a job on the Erie Canal in 1817,
and set up a store in place of Dole and Taylor, and conduct-
ed business till 1821. In 1821, General Amos P. Granger
came down from Onondaga Hill, and set up as a dry goods
SYRACUSE. 91
merchant, on the north-east corner, by the present Salina
Btreet bridge. At this time there was no other store in Syra-
cuse, except two or three small groceries. Mr. Henry New-
ton opened a store in 1822 ; Mr. Archy Kasson opened a
hardware store in 1822 ; Kasson and Heermans, dry goods,
groceries and hardware in 1823; Mr. G. M. Towlc opened a
commission and forwarding store in April, 1823 ; Geo. Davis
& Co., in July, 1823 ; Henry W. Durnford, groceries, drugs
and medicine, 1823 ; John Rogers & Co., from New- York,
November, 1823 ; William Malcolm, 1823 ; Haskell & Wal-
bridge, saddlers and furnishers for the trade, 1824. In 1824,
J. Vanderheyden, Mead &; Davis, A. N. Van Patten, and
H. & W. Dowd, established themselves as merchants at
Syracuse. Hiram Judson, watch maker and jeweller, 1824 ;
H. Hyde & Co., established themselves as forwarding mer-
chants in 1824. Since this period merchants have become so
numerous it is impossible to follow their history with preci-
sion.
Messrs. Buell & Safford bought the lot where the Syracuse
House now stands, and commenced the erection of the " Syra-
cuse Hotel." While the building was in progress of erection,
Mr. Safford fell from a scaffold, and was killed by the fall ;
after which, the property passed into the hands of Mr. Eck-
ford, who completed the Syracuse Hotel in 1822. It was three
stories high, and the first brick building of any considerable
dimensions, erected in town. It was kept several years by
Mr. James Mann. After the Syracuse Company came in
possession of the premises, the house was rebuilt, and has
since been enlarged and improved to its present ample di-
mensions and style. It was at the time of rebuilding named
the " Syracuse House ;" after which, it was kept by Mr.
George Rust ; afterwards, by Daniel Comstock and H. T.
Gibson ; and for a long period thereafter, it was kept by
P. N. Rust, Esq. He was succeeded by Gillett & Knicker-
bocker, in 1848.
In 1822, Syracuse had not more than two hundred and fifty
inhabitants, and no place of worship ; the whole church-going
92 ONONDAGA.
community was only from thirty to forty ; no school-house,
only two taverns, and the stores before mentioned.
The first physician was Dr. Swan, who located at Syracuse
about the year 1807.
Dr. Basset was the physician during the building of the
canal, and did a vast amount of medical business ; for, almost
every man engaged on the canal was sick. Eye witnesses ob-
serve, that the scenes of suffering and distress at that period,
were beyond conception. Dr. Colvin succeeded Dr. Basset,
and still resides at Syracuse. Dr. Day came in afterwards,
and died of Cholera, in 1832. Dr. M. Williams, and other phy-
sicians, came in soon after, and the number has become so
numerous, that it would be difficult to trace them.
John Wilkinson, Esq., in 1819, was the first lawyer who
established himself in Syracuse. He erected an office on the
corner where the Griobe Buildings now stand, and was heartily
ridiculed for setting his office out in the fields. This locality
at that time, was quite out of town ; but circumstances, and
the advancing prosperity of the place, have brought it into
the centre of business.
Alfred Northam, Esq., established himself as a lawyer at
Syracuse, in 1824. Messrs. Harvey Baldwin and Schuyler
Strong, were the next lawyers who located at Syracuse, in
1826, and were soon followed by Messrs. Wheaton and Davis,
E. W. Leavenworth, Esq., B. D. Noxon, Esq., James R. Law-
rence, Esq., and others, some of whom came with the removal
of the Court House from the Hill.
Mr. John Durnford, established the first printing press at
Syracuse. He was induced to locate at Syracuse, from repre-
sentations made to him of the growing importance of the vil-
lage. He issued the first number of the " Onondaga Ga-
zette," 2d of April, 1823 ; it was of the Clintonian school
of politics. The first number contained but one merchant's
advertisement, viz. : Kasson k Heerman's, Other advertise-
ments were of "Lee's Billions Pills," " Pomeroy's Razor
Strop," " Clark's Commentary," and " Morse's Geography."
The name of the paper was changed after the first year, to
SYRACUSE. 93
"Syracuse Gazette, and General Advertiser," and -was
continued by Mr. Durnford until 1829, when Lewis II. Red-
field moved to Syracuse from Onondaga Hollow, bought out
Mr. D., and united the " Onondaga Register" to it, under
the name of "The Syracuse Gazette and Onondaga Re-
gister." Mr. Redfield continued the publication of the " Ga-
zette and Register" until the close of 1831, when it was trans-
ferred to Messrs. J. H. Clark and J. de Blois Sherman ; Mr.
R. having had charge of the "Register" at Onondaga Hol-
low, afterwards, " Gazette and Register," at Syracuse, for a
period of eighteen years ; during which time, J). D. Spencer
editor of the "Ithaca Chronicle," Lewis Gaylord Clark, Edi-
tor of the Knickerbocker, and E. Russell Webb, of New-York,
served their several terms of apprenticeship in the "Register"
office ; all of whom occupy distinguished positions in their re-
spective occupations. Messrs. Clark and Sherman, changed
the name of the paper to " The Syracuse Argus," and gave
the "Jackson party" a warm support for a short time, when
it was finally discontinued.
In 1825, ^Messrs. Barnum and John F. Wvman estab-
lished the "Syracuse Advertiser," a "Jackson" paper.
Mr. Barnum, however, soon withdrew, and was succeeded in
his interest by Mr. Norman Rawson. Messrs. Rawson &
Wyman, continued the " Advertiser" until the autumn of '26,
when Mr. Wyman, who continued alone in the publication of
it, until the spring of 1829, The " Onondaga Journal,"
published at Onondaga Hill, by Mr. Y. "W. Smith, was then
united with the Advertiser, under the name of " The Onon-
daga Standard," and published by Wyman and Smith.
The Standard has since been continued by V. W. & T. A.
Smith, Wm. L. Crandali and A. L. Smith ; A. L. Smith and
Marcellus Farmer ; A. L. Smith and P. Agan ; and is now
published by P. Agan and Moses Summers. The " Morning
Post," the first daily established in Syracuse, was issued
from the Standard office, about four months in 1835.
In 1830, the " Onondaga Republican," an Anti-Masonic
paper, was established by Mr. W. S. Campbell, and was con-
94 O N O N D A V, A .
tinued about three years. " The Syracuse American" —
National Republican — was established in 1831, by Mr.
Adams ; continued through the campaign of 1832, and then
discontinued.
In 1834, Messrs. Clark k Patterson, commenced the publi-
cation of "The Constitutionalist," a Whig paper, -which was
continued about two years. This was succeeded by " The
Syracuse Whig," edited by John K. Barlow, who continued
it about two years, when it was merged into a new paper, the
"Western State Journal," by \. W. & S. F. Smith; the
latter of whom, in 1846, commenced " The Syracuse Daily
Journal," in connection with it. In the Spring of 1847,
these papers passed into the hands of Henry Barns, Augustus
S. Smith, and Edward Cooper, by whom they Avere continued
until the destruction of the establishment by fire, 6th of Jan-
uai'v, 1849. The Daily and Weekly Journal are now con-
tinued by Marcellus Farmer, Yivus W. Smith and Seth Ilaight.
In 1835, "The Onondaga Chief," by Miller and Burdick.
was commenced and continued about two years. The Chief
was succeeded by the "Empire State Democrat," by Hi-
ram Cummings ; afterwards by the "Freeman," Abolition,
by Tucker & Kinney. The "Syracuse Daily Star," neu-
tral, succeeded the Freeman, by the same publishers in 1845,
Avho soon after commenced the publication of the " Weekly
Star." Both papers are now continued by Kinney & Mas-
ters. The "Religious Recorder" was established by Terry
& Piatt, in 1844.
On the first of January, 1849, the following entitled pa-
pers were published in the city of S}' racuse, viz : Syracuse
Journal, daily and weekly ; Star, daily and weekly ; Stand-
ard, Aveekly ; Democrat, weekly ; Religious Recorder, weekly ;
Reveille, daily ; and Onondaga Sentinel, weekly ; and in
March, 1849, was established the "Central City," by an
association of Printers.*
* For the above brief notice of llie Press of Pyrr.cnse. the author is niainlj
iadebted to ^lessrs. L. IL lledlield, S. F. Smith and Ili-nrv I'arns.
SYRACUSE. 95
Others have at different periods, been started, but their ex-
istence has been short.
A stereotype foundcry was established by Messrs. Baker &
Tiernan, from Philadelphia, March 1849.
The first religious society organized in Syracuse, was of
the Baptist denomination. At first, a Conference was organ-
ized in the winter of 1819-20, by Elder John G. Sternes, who
officiated as minister a portion of the time. Thomas Spencer,
Braddock Dart, David Johnson, James Wilson, Alvin AValker
with their wives, and AYyllys Brown, B. G. Avery and Mrs.
Wales, were the members. Arrangements were made with
the Baptist Madison Theological Seminary, to send out every
Saturday, a young man to preach. The arrangement was
not perfect, and services were not regularly held. The peo-
ple of all denominations at that time attended the Baptist
meeting in a little low school house, scarcely capable of con-
taining sixty persons.
Elder Nathaniel J. Gilbert came to Syracuse as a mission-
ary, 16th of February, 1821, and became the first stated
preacher, in June, 1823. Ilev. Mr. Gilbert, united with the
Church and became their regular pastor, in November, 1824.
He continued in the faithful and laborious performance of the
duties of his office, until July, 1832, when he was suddenly
cut off by Asiatic Cholera, deeply lamented by the whole com-
munity.
On the 29th of August, 1833, Rev. Orsamus Allen became
the pastor of the Church, and so continued until October 20,
1834. In November following, Rev. Stephen Wilkins became
the pastor, and continued until December 1st, 1837. He was
then succeeded by Rev. John Blain, who remained with the
Church four years.
December 1, 1841, Rev. Joseph W. Taggart was installed
pastor, and remained until August, 1847. He was succeeded
by the present pastor, Rev. Robert R. Raymond, who entered
upon his duties on the first day of September, 1847.
Their first house of worship, (being also the first erected in
Syracuse,) was built in 1824, at a cost of two thousand three
96 ONONDAGA.
hundred dollars, and enlarged in 1839, at a cost of two thou-
sand three hundred dollars. In the spring of 1848, the so-
ciety made an exchange with Capt. Joel Codj, of their house
and lot, for a lot more eligible, situated a few rods east of their
old location, and erected on the new site, a brick edifice af-
ter the Roman Ionic order of architecture. This building is
one hundred and thirty-two feet long, (including the porch
in front and lecture room in rear,) by seventy feet in width,
estimated cost, about fifteen thousand dollars, making the
whole property worth about twenty thousand dollars.
" The First Presbyterian Society of Syracuse,'' was organ-
ized December 14th, 1824, and the following persons elected
trustees, viz : Moses D. Burnet, Miles Seymour, Rufus Moss,
Jonathan Day, Heman Walbridge, Joshua Forman and Jo-
seph Slocum. Their house of worship was built in the sum-
mer of 1825, and dedicated in January, 1826. Rev. D. C.
Lansing preached the dedication sermon. The Church was
organized with twenty-six members, on the 6th of April,
1826. Elders, Frederick Phelps and Edward Chapman ;
Deacon, Pliny Dickinson. On the 28th of June, 1826, Rev.
John Watson Adams was ordained and installed pastor over
this church, and has continued so until the present time,
(1849,) a rare instance of the true relation which should be
sustained between people and pastor. It is believed there is not
another instance of so long continuance of a minister with
his congregation in Western New- York. Previous to the erec-
tion of their house of worship, meetings were held in the vil-
lage school house.
^'■Park Ghiircli" (second Presbyterian) was organized 1847,
building completed 1848. Rev. W. W. Newell, pastor.
'•''St. PauVs Churcli' was organized 22d of May, 1826,
Rev. John McCarty presiding. At this time were chosen,
John Durnford and Samuel Wright, Wardens ; Amos P.
Granger, Archy Kasson, James Mann, Matthew W. Davis,
Mather Williams, Barent Filkins, Othniel Williston and
Jabez Hawley, Vestrymen. In 1825, the Syracuse Company
gave the Episcopal Society a lot of ground for a church, and
SYRACUSE. 97
in September the frame was raised, and covered during the
autumn of that year, and in 1827, it was completed. It stood
on the ground lately occupied by the Granger Block, now in
ruins. The church building was subsequently sold to the Ro-
man Catholic Society, who removed it. On the 12th of July,
1841, the corner stone of the present St. Paul's Church was
laid, and the building completed early the following year.
Previous to the erection of the first church edifice, services
■were held in the school house, and occasionally in the Baptist
house. Clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who
officiated previous to the organization of the society, were
Rev. ]\Iessrs. Lucius Smith, Wm. B. Thomas, Wilcox,
Wm. J. Bulkley, Augustus L. Converse, and afterwards, Rev.
Messrs. John McCarty, William Barlow, Palmer Dyer, Rich-
ard Salmon, John Grigg, Francis Todrig, Clement M. Butler,
Charles H. Halsey, William Walton, Isaac Swart, John B.
Gallagher and Henry Gregory. Dr. Gregory was succeeded
in St. Paul's by the Rev. Wm. B. Ashley.
"aS'i?. James Gliurcli" (Protestant Episcopal,) was organ-
ized August, 1848. Rector, Rev. Henry Gregory, D. D.
The " Cliurclh of the 3Iessiah" (First Unitarian Congrega-
tional Society of Syracuse,) was organized 3d of September,
1838. First trustees, Hiram Putnam, Nathan Flint and
Charles F. Williston. Their first house of worship was a lit-
tle chapel on Genesee street, dedicated in December, 1838.
The new edifice was erected in 1843, and consecrated in De-
cember of that year. Clergymen have been Rev. J. P. B.
Storer, who commenced with the consecration, and continued
till within one week of his death, at which time he preached
his last sermon. He died 10th of March, 1844. Rev. Sam-
uel J. May has officiated since, to 1849.
First Roman Catholic Church of Syracuse, was organized
Christmas day, 1842. It was purchased from the Protestant
Episcopal Society, and fitted up for the Roman Catholics.
In 1848, it was considerably enlarged and improved. Rev.
Michael Haes, the only minister.
The '"'■First Methodist Episcopal Society" erected a substan-
98 ONONDAGA.
tial brick cliurch in 1836. Statistics from this society have not
been furnished. It is, however, one of the oldest in the city.
A new society has recently been organized.
A '■'■Dutcli Reformed Society" was organized in 1848. The
Rev. J. H. Cornell, minister.
There is an African Church, and several German societies,
of different protestent persuasions.
The Onondaga County Bank was incorporated in 1830 ; Sa-
lina Bank, 1832 ; Bank of Syracuse, 1838, under General
Banking Law. Syracuse and Utica Rail-road went into ope-
ration 3d July, 1839 ; Auburn and Syracuse, 1841 ; Oswego
and Syracuse, October, 1848. Telegraph from Albany to
Syracuse established 1846. Townsend Block was erected in
1842 ; The Granger Block in 1844 — destroyed by fire on 6tli
January, 1849; Empire Block erected 1845; Globe Build-
ings, 1846-7 ; Malcolm Block, 1847 ; Market Hall, 1845.
The first packet-boat on the canal, named the Montezuma^
arrived at Syracuse on the 21st of April, 1820. It was built
and fitted up by a company of gentlemen at Montezuma, from
a model furnished by Comfort Tyler. It was seventy-six feet
long, and fourteen feet wide. Its arrival created great excite-
ment ; hundreds of anxious spectators lined the banks of the
canal, to witness this mighty wonder. This practical illustra-
tion of the benefits of canal navigation was not without its
use. It hushed the hostility of canal opponents, and subdued
the fears of the more timorous : visionary theory yielded to
simple fact, and wild speculation to the test of experiment.
The canal was now navigable from Montezuma to Utica, nine-
ty-four miles, and at once business received a new and vigor-
ous impulse.
The 4th of July, 1820, was a glorious day for Syracuse.
The canal was in practical operation, the prospects of the fu-
ture city began to brighten ; a most brilliant day dawned
upon a land heretofore a swamp and bog. It was hailed as a
day of joy, festivity and rejoicing. Invitations had been ex-
tended to the friends of the canal throughout the State, par-
ticularly in the Western District. Thousands of guests fi-om
SYRACUSE. 90
the surrounding counties came in to witness the novelty of
canal navigation, and to celebrate the day. Some of the most
distinguished men in the State were present, among whom were
Gov. Clinton and suite. General Van Cortland, Myron Hol-
ley, Thomas J. Oakley, and John C. Spencer. Judge Van
Ness adjourned the Circuit, then in session at the Court-House,
and the Court and Bar attended in a body. Thaddeus M.
Wood, Esq., presided on the occasion. The Declaration Avas
read by N. P. Randall, Esq., and the Oration delivered by
Samuel Miles Hopkins, Esq., to more than two thousand peo-
ple. The numerous procession was formed in front of Mr.
Cossit's tavern, escorted by the Salina Band. They proceed-
ed to a pine grove directly in rear of the Townsend Block.
The platform on which were seated the orator, reader and dis-
tinguished guests, was under a large spreading pine, which
has long ago bowed its towering head to make way for the
rapid and substantial improvements which have since been
made. This was the first celebration of our national inde-
pendence at Syracuse, and those who were present number it
among her proudest days.
A Post Office was established at Syracuse in February, 1820,
and was thus announced in the Onondaga Register — " A new
Post Office has been established at Syracuse, (formerly Corinth)
in the town of Salina, and John Wilkinson, Esq., appointed
Post Master. The name of this village was necessarily chang-
ed, there being a Post Office of the name of Corinth previ-
ously established in the State." The advertising list in 1823,
at the time of the first appearance of the Onondaga Gazette
had increased to eight. The Post Office for a time was kept
in the store of Gen. Granger, but for the greater convenience
of the inhabitants of the village, it was thought advisable to
move it to the printing office of John Durnford, Esq. He at
first objected on account of the lack of room, but finally con-
sented. In due time Mr. Wilkinson came on with the whole
contents of the Post Office, mail matter, letter bags, boxes —
the whole concern, on his shoulders, without having occasion
to go for a second load ; upon which Mr. Durnford conclud-
100 ONONDAGA.
ed he had plenty of room to accommodate all the requisite
wants of the department at Syracuse.
On the 9th of June, 1825, the Marquis de La Fayette visit-
ed Syracuse. He was escorted from Onondaga Hill, by a
large body of citizens on horseback (by way of the Hollow)
to the Mansion House, where he received the cordial greet-
ings of the citizens of Syracuse and the surrounding country.
Judge Forman, as President of the village, addressed the war-
worn veteran in behalf of his fellow citizens, in an appropriate
address, replete with generous affection, tendering to the il-
lustrious guest, the heartfelt hospitalities of a grateful people.
During the delivery of Judge Forman's address, the illustrious
hero stood with his hat in hand leaning on his cane, with the
other on his hip, giving his undivided attention to what was
said. The gallant general responded in the following words :
(Rep. Onon. Reg.)
" The names of Onondaga and Syracuse, in behalf of whose
population you are pleased so kindly to welcome me, recall to
my mind at the same time, the wilderness that, since the time
I commanded on the northern frontier, has been transformed
into one of the most populous, well cultivated and enlightened
parts of the United States ; and, the ancient Sicilian city,
once the seat of republican institutions, much inferior, how-
ever, to those which in American Syracuse, are founded upon
the plain investigation, the unalloyed establishment of the
rights of men, and upon the best representative forms of
government. No doubt sir, but that among the co-operators
of the Revolution, the most sanguine of us could not fully an-
ticipate the rapidity of the improvements, which on a journey of
many thousand miles, (the last tour alone, from Washington
to this place, amounting to five thousand miles,) have delighted
me, and of which this part of the country offers a bright ex-
ample. Be pleased to accept my personal thanks, and in be-
half of the people of Onondaga and Syracuse, to receive the
tribute of my sincere and respectful acknowledgments."
This address was received with the most rapturous applause.
Salutations were exchanged, a bountiful repast was furnished
SYRACUSE. 101
for the guests, and all passed off to the greatest gratification
of every one present.
After breakfast, the General and suite, together with the
Onondaga committee of escort, left Syracuse in the packet
boat Rochester, for Utica, to which place the committee ac-
companied him.
The conclusion of the great work in which the people of
Onondaga had borne so prominent a part, was undoubtedly a
primary cause of the improvement of Syracuse. The village
was incorporated by Legislative enactment, 13th April, 1825,
with the usual powers granted to like incorporations. The
charter was amended in 1829 and in 1834, increasing the pow-
ers of village officers regulating water works, fire depart-
ment, &c.
In 1835, the bounds of the original village were considera-
bly enlarged. (See Records.) In 1839-41, the charter was
again amended so as to enable the Trustees to hold real estate
for the purposes of a village cemetery, which Avas subsequent-
ly purchased, laid out and beautified. In 1842 and in 1845,
the charter was again amended for improvement of water
works, to empower the Trustees to borrow money on the cre-
dit of the corporation, to purchase a lot for a market and other
public buildings, and for other purposes.
The first meeting for the election of officers of the village
of Syracuse, was held at the School House in said village, 3d
of May, 1825, at which Joshua Forman, Amos P. Granger,
Moses D. Burnet, Heman Walbridge and John Rogers, were
elected Trustees, (Joshua Forman, President ;) James Webb,
Alfred Northum and Thomas Spencer, Assessors ; John Wil-
kinson, Clerk ; John Durnford, Treasurer ; Daniel Gilbert,
Justice Peace, presiding.
The Trustees proceeded at once to lay out road districts, to
organize a fire department, and to purchase engines and ap-
paratus, and other things for the welfare of the village.
The second Board of Trustees was elected 3d of May, 1826.
Only fifty-six Azotes were polled. The Board consisted of M.
J). Burnet, H. Gilford, Alfred Northum, Andrew Van Patten
102 ONONDAGA.
and Henrj Young, (M. D. Burnet, second President ;) Peter
Van Olinda, Clerk. For officers in succeeding years see vil-
lage records.
The city of Syracuse justly prides herself upon the supe-
riority of her common schools, which may be deemed the
model schools of the county, and are scarcely equalled by any
in the State. Districts were formerly laid out when the pop-
ulation was scanty and scholars few. Districts that once con-
tained only a small number of inhabitants, have recently be-
come populous, and where the school was attended by a score
of children, it has increased ten fold. Within the memory
of many, there was only a single square hopper-shaped roof
building, used for schools, religious meetings, town hall, and
for almost every public purpose.
Through the exertions of Messrs. Harvey Baldwin, Oliver
Teall, Aaron Burt, and some others friendly to the cause of
education, a charter was obtained for the Syracuse Academy.
Mr. Baldwin gave the lot, and under many discouraging em-
barrassments, the building now occupied as the Orphan Asy-
lum was erected and completed for an Academy, which was
supplied with competent teachers, and supported by the bene-
factions of the before named individuals, and a few others.
After the Academy went into operation, the enterprise of the
people began to be aroused, jealousies in reference to the Aca-
demy being a speculation, were awakened, and district school
houses sprung up and were patronized. The cause of educa-
tion profited by the efforts of these first actors, but the foun-
ders were, and continued to be losers, and finally the Academy
was abandoned, and the house designed by its originators to
subserve the cause of education, providentially became the
home of the helpless orphan, and the abode of charity.
On the evening of Friday, the 20th of August, 1841, oc-
curred the ever memorable explosion, at which time twenty-
six of our fellow-citizens were launched unwarned into eter-
nity, and ten others dangerously, and forty-three others se-
verely wounded. A fire originated in a joiners shop, on the
towing path side of the Oswego Canal. Here had been stored
SYRACUSE. 103
some twenty-five kegs of powder, which exploded with the
most terrible consequences. A gloom was cast over the village
and the county, which betokened sorrow, and mourning was
manifest upon every countenance ; sadness pervaded every
dwelling, and melancholy every heart. The effects of this
explosion were felt for more than twenty miles around. A
man upon the deck of a packet boat at Fulton, twenty-six
miles distant, heard the report. At De Witt and Jamesville,
five miles off, persons were started from their sleep, supposing
their chimnies had fallen down. At Manlius, ten miles dis-
tant, the earth trembled, and crockery upon a merchant's
shelves rattled for the space of several seconds, like the shock
from a clap of thunder. At Camillus it was compared to the
crash of falling timber. At Onondaga it was supposed to be
an earthquake. Although the concussion was tremendous at
Syracuse, the report was not so loud as might have been sup-
posed. Glass in the windows a hundred rods distant, were
broken. Papers in the County Clerk's Office were thrown from
their places upon the floor, and several buildings were more or
less injured. The instant the explosion took place, the air was
filled with fragments of the building, bits of lumber, &c.,
which lighted up the heavens with the brightness of day ; but
in a twinkling it was total darkness. The explosion had ex-
tinguished every particle of fire. The scene at this moment
was horrible beyond description ; men, women and children,
screaming in horror ; none knew the extent of the calamity,
and all were anxious to learn the fate of their friends. Quickly
some three thousand persons were gathered, anxiously looking
for those whom they most regarded. Very soon lamps were
brought, the wounded were carried off, filling the air with
sighs and groans. The dead were sought and found, many of
them so much disfigured that they could be recognized only
by their clothes or the contents of their pockets. For a long
time clumps of persons could be seen with lights in all direc-
tions, carrying either the dead or the wounded, to their homes.
The scenes of that fatal night will long be remembered by the
citizens of Syracuse and the county of Onondaga. The next
104 ONONDAGA.
day the village was shrouded in mourning. The stores were
all closed, and business was out of the question. On Sunday
the unfortunate victims were consigned to the tomb amidst the
sympathies and tears of an afflicted community. The Clergy
were most solemn and impassioned in their addresses, and the
deepest sadness prevailed, as the several processions wended
their way to the lonely tomb.
During the year 1846, Syracuse had so wonderfully in-
creased in size and population, that the subject of securing
for it a city charter, began seriously to be discussed. Meet-
ings were held during that and the following year, without
coming to any definite conclusion, till in the winter of 1847-8,
the matter was brought before the Legislature. There was
considerable difference of opinion among the inhabitants, as
to the extent of territory which should be embraced. Some
were for including the whole original Salt Springs Reserva-
tion ; others, for only the village of Syracuse. Some for more
territory, others for less. Several spirited meetings were held
in reference to the subject, which finally resulted in the grant
of a charter, including the villages of Syracuse and Salina,
with the name of Syracuse. At the first election of city offi-
cers, in May, 1848, Harvey Baldwin, Esq., was elected
Mayor ; James Lynch and Elizur Clark, Aldermen for the
first ward ; Alexander McKinstry and John B. Burnet, for the
second ; William H. Alexander and Gardner Lawrence, for the
third ; and Henry W. Durnford and Robert Eurman, for the
fourth.
Erom the returns of a census made for the city of Syracuse,
first of January, 1849, it contained a small fraction short of
16,000 inhabitants.
In May, 1849, E. W. Leavenworth, Esq., was elected Mayor ;
Thomas Feagan, of the first ward, Silas Titus, of the second,
Amos Westcott, of the third, and Edward B. Wicks, of the
fourth. Aldermen ; — Messrs. Lynch, McKinstry, Lawrence,
and Durnford, holding over.
The opening of the canal in 1820, may be set down as the
real commencement of the city of Syracuse. Erom this time
SYRACUSE. 105
it began to be looked upon as a place inevitably destined to
become the grand emporium of the county. There was, how-
ever, one continual drawback. During the building of the
canal from 1817 to 1820, the sickness had been terrible. No
estimate can be made of the fatality of disease at that time.
To the foreseeing mind of Judge Forman, something was to
be done to improve the health of the place, or his plans would
fail ; accordingly, during the winter of 1821-22, he procured
the passage of a law, in connection with one authorizing the
lowering of Onondaga Lake, by which the Commissioners of
the Land Office were to draw a map of the swamp and marsh
about the villages of Salina and Syracuse. This map was to
designate the route of several ditches or drains through the
swamp and marsh lands, with an accompanying estimate of
the sum necessary to be raised to effect such object. The
judges of the county courts were authorized to appoint three
discreet freeholders of the county, who should assess the
amount of money necessary to be raised on the owners of the
lands contiguous to the drains, in proportion as they were
supposed to be benefitted. In case of the non-payment of
any assessment, the lands could be sold, after being adver-
tised four weeks for the payment, and if not redeemed within
six months, with interest at ten per cent., with all costs, the
sale was valid and unchangable.
The citizens Avere allowed to build their own ditches on
their own lands, according to the prescribed rules of the com-
missioners, and the plan laid down on the map. In case they
would not, commissioners were authorized themselves to build
them, and charge the owners with the cost, and cost of col-
lection. This law at the time, was considered highly arbi-
trary ; but, it was the only feasible project by which the lands
could be drained.
In the summer of 1822, the lands Avere brought under sub-
jection by draining, the place assumed an air of healthfulness^
disease and sickness kept at a distance, a marked difference-
was manifest at once, confidence was placed in the futui-e, and
106 ONONDAGA.
the past was quickly forgotten. Since the draining of these
lands, they have been as healthy as any in the country.
The same year, a considerable portion of the Onondaga
Salt Springs Reservation was sold under the direction of the
Surveyor General. It was parcelled into small lots and sold
to individuals, several of which were taken by Messrs. Kel-
logg & Sabin, which eventually passed into the hands of the
Syracuse Company. A large portion of the present site of
the city, and which is now covered with costly buildings, was
included in these sales. Very much of this land brought only
nominal prices. For instance, the lots on which now stand
the stately mansions of Messrs. Lester, Colvin, Woolworth,
Minard, Coggswell, Sedgwick, Wilkinson, Burnet, Davis,
Forbes, Leavenworth and others, together with a large tract,
including the cemetery, brought at the sale, only from eigh-
teen to thirty dollars per acre. The lands east of Fayette
Park, including L. H. E-edfield's and other lots, sold for six
dollars per acre.
General Granger took several of the lots in the swamp,
near Lodi, between the canal and turnpike, at ten dollars
fifty cents per acre. Citizens agreed not to bid against him,
on condition of his clearing the land immediately. This was
done at great expense, the same season, and put into a crop
of wheat. Most of this ground is now covered with fine
buildings.
Another sale of State lands was made in 1828, embracing
the lots in the vicinity of the Court-House, and on other por-
tions of the reservation.
Directly after this, roads were improved and made substan-
tial and permanent, low places were filled up, logs and stumps
were removed, durable stores and tasteful dwellings were
erected, churches with their lofty spires glanced upwards,
magificent hotels, and massive rows of buildings appeared in
all directions, canal basins were crowded with boats, lading
and unlading, at the spacious warehouses upon the wharves,
and wheel carriages loaded with agricultural products lined the
extended and well paved streets. All these places have within
SYRACUSE. 107
a very few years, become thronged -svitli people full of busi-
ness, life and activity. The change is like a vision, an en-
chantment to the many who have lived to witness in so short
a time, the wonderful transition. But a few years ago, the
wild flowers grew in spontaneous profusion, all along where
are now lofty stores and hotels, and wild berries were gath-
ered abundantly on grounds now occupied by the older churches
of the city, and the reaper, as he bound his yellow sheaves,
little thought that so soon, his stubble land would become
the great thoroughfare of steam and electricity. The time
has been so short, that it is difficult to realize that so great a
change has been wrought. In less than a quarter of a cen-
tury, a city has sprung up from a loathsome swamp, where
least of all, the traveler would dream of such an event.
There has never been anything like extra exertion to increase
the size of the town — its growth has been steady, healthy and
uniform. Through all periods of pecuniary adversity, it has
passed its onward career, with a greater demand for dwellings.
Its business, from year to year, has increased with great reg-
ularity. As new stores were opened, customers increased, and
as trade extended itself, the country became more dependant
upon Syracuse as a market. Although this has been the
course and consequent increase of business and population for
near twenty-five years, the same characteristics still exist, and
it is no unreasonable prediction to remark, that the growth may
be even more rapid for the succeeding twenty-five years, than
it has been for the last twenty-five. " Westward the star of em-
pire lies." The Capitol of the Empire State, will undoubt-
edly, within that period, be removed to the Central City, and
there may be many now living, who will witness the inaugu-
ration of Governors, and the organization of Legislatures, in
the city of Syracuse.
108 ONONDAGA,
CHAPTER XV.
NOTES ON THE SEVERAL TOWNS OF ONONDAGA COUNTY.
Onondaga — Salina — Geddes — Ltsandee— Cicero— Clay— Manlius—De "Witt—
Cajsiillus — Elbridge — Van Bcres — Marcellus — Skaneateles — Pompey —
La Fayette — Fabius — Tully — Otisco — Spaffoud
Towx OF OxoNDAGA. — Tliis town was incorporated in the
year 1798, and was made up of parts of the two tracts of
land known as the Onondaga and Salt Springs Reservations.
The first permanent settlers, after Ephraim Webster, were
Messrs. Asa Danforth and famil}^, and Comfort Tyler.
In the month of February, 1788, Mr. Webster, in company
with two Indians, proceeded on a hunting excursion into the
lower part of Montgomery County. Late one afternoon they
came to a small clearing in the town of Mayfield. They here
met a man who lived at no great distance, and desired a night's
lodging in his barn. He refused them this privilege, but in-
sisted they should accompany him to his house and spend the
night by the fire. They consented, threw off their snow shoes
and were soon partaking of a hospitable meal prepared by the
lady of their host. During the evening's conversation, Web-
ster remarked, that he lived at Onondaga, a much more fruit-
ful and invitincr country than the one where he was located,
and finally so much was said in praise of Onondaga, and so
effectually each won the confidence of the other, that it was
agreed Webster should solicit permission of the Indians for
his host to settle on their lands, and if successful, Webster
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA. 109
Was to return or send an Indian to inform him of the fact.
The man Avhom Webster so accidentally visited at this time,
vras Mr. Asa Danforth, who became emphatically the pioneer
of Onondaga County. An Indian was dispatched in due time
with information that Mr. Danforth could settle at Onondaga
Hollow, and it was so arranged that he should come out im-
mediately. Early in May, Mr. Danforth embarked with his
family, house-hold goods, and farming utensils, in two flat-
bottomed boats, accompanied by three boatmen, and after a
tedious voyage up the Mohawk River, through Oneida Lake
and River, and Onondaga Lake, landed at the mouth of On-
ondaga Creek. Here they met Mr. Webster, and Mr. Dan-
forth's son, Asa, a young man, who with Comfort Tyler had
been sent across the country with the stock intended for the
new settlement, and who had arrived some time in advance of
the boats. The boats were here lis-htened of their freight and
pushed up the creek to the place where Mr. D. settled, a little
south of Onondaga Hollow, ^lay 22d, 1788. The head civil
chief of the Onondagas at this time, was called Ca-whic-do-
ta, and the second, Ta-whis-quanta. The family of Mr. D.
were treated with great kindness by these chiefs, notwithstand-
ing which they were subject to many privations, and at times
were much alarmed for their personal safety by the vindictive
spirit manifested by the baser Indians, brought on by the free
use of intoxicating drinks. There were two traders, Adam
Campbell, and Alexander Mabie, who sold goods to the Indi-
ans, and also strong drink, who resided at the Hollow. And
it was a practice with many of the Indians to indulge in ex-
cessive drinking, and while under the influence of the poison,
were boisterous and ugly. Instances were not uncommon
among themselves, to quarrel, fight, and kill each other upon
the slightest provocation. Murders were not unfrequent, caus-
ed by the use of intoxicating liquors, sold by the two white
men. The chiefs and sober portion of the tribe wished hear-
tily to be rid of them, for they were the cause of all quarrels,
affrays and blood-shed. At one time, in the dead of night,
the Danforth family were roused from their slumbers by the
110 ONONDAGA.
yells of tlie Indians, and before they reached the scene of
strife, one lay dead, murdered by the hand of his own brother.
The head chief, Cawhicdota, an excellent man, remonstrated
■with the traders for selling liquor to his people, and engaged
Major Danforth and Comfort Tyler to use their influence to
have them desist, but all to no purpose, the traffic was still
continued ; and what was worse, the villains offered the Indi-
ans a barrel of rum, and every Indian a new knife and toma-
hawk, if they would drive Hatecolhotwas, (Major Danforth,
the man who plows the ground,) and his family away. Upon
this promise, a large number of Indians prepared themselves
to carry the designs of the traders into execution. They had
assembled at the castle, armed with their rifles and tomahawks.
One seized a burning brand, and all were soon on their way
to the house of Major Danforth, bent on the destruction of
the family and their habitation. The good old chief, Cawhic-
dota, found means of communicating the alarm to the family,
boldly interposed his authority in their behalf, and finally suc-
ceeded in quieting their rage, and in inducing them to relin-
quish their unhallowed design. Long and faithfully the old
chief watched these nefarious traders, and his faithless clans-
men. He kept continually advised of any hostile movements,
and as often conveyed the evil intelligence meditated against
his white friends ; and it Avas entirely owing to his authority
and kindness that the whites were preserved from destruction.
Such was one of the many instances of peril and alarm "with
which this family were frequently visited. Amid such scenes
of trial and sufi'ering, it is not unnatural to suppose that a
wom-an, who had been bred among the comforts and luxuries
of civilized life, should have a desire to visit her once cheer-
ful home, surrounded as it was by friends and companions,
made delightful by former social intercourse. Still she mur-
mured not, nor did a syllable of regret escape her lips. Seven
long and dreary months had passed and she had not so much
as seen the face of a white woman. It is true, the Indian
women showed her no little kindness, but they could not be
her companions, they spoke not her language ; their conver-
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA. Ill
sation was by signs ; there could be no kindred sympathy nor
congenial spirit. In December a visit was proposed to their
former home. Major Danforth, with his wife and child, set
out on a sled, with an axe-man before to clear the way. The
first night they lodged " on board" at Chittenango. The next
night they Avere the honored guests of the hospitable Skenan-
doa, at Oneida Castle ; the third night they lodged with their
esteemed friend. Judge White, their nearest white neighbor
at Sadaquate. The greeting was a joyful one, old tales were
revived, the cheering smile of welcome was heartily extended,
their hearts were made glad, their ages were renewed, old
things were done away, and all things became new ; and none
but those who have experienced like privations can appreciate
or realize their joy. After a short stay, they proceeded to
Brookfield, Massachusetts, the home of her childhood. About
the middle of March, their visits being completed, they set
out for home, and arrived after an absence of about three
months. During their absence the male portion of the family
had provided for themselves ; their household duties had not
had the assistance of female hands, nor their wardrobe felt
the touches of female dexterity. It was a time of universal
rejoicing ; even the savages most heartily welcomed them
back.
The spring of 1789 opened propitiously. Active prepara-
tions were made for the cultivation of spring crops. Pota-
toes were brought from Whitestown for seed. Their own crops
were put in ; the lands of the Indians were prepared, sowed
and planted after the fashion of the whites. The young men,
Tyler and Danforth, Jr., now thought it expedient for them to
visit the land of their birth, for they had left behind them at-
tachments of the tenderest kind. Matrimony was intended,
and it would have been most cruel to interpose objections.
They departed in high spirits, and in due time returned Avith
their wives, and Mr. John Brown and family. In the course
of events Mr. and Mrs. Asa Danforth, Jr., became the father
and mother of the first white child born in the county, the
late Mrs. Amanda Phillips, wife of the late Col. Phillips, of
X12 ONONDAGA.
Syracuse, and mother of Mrs. Cutwater. She was born 14th
October, 1789. Prospects became more cheering, these were
additions that made society — society happy, cheerful and gay.
The former gloominess of their situation was in a good degree
dispelled. But upon all this there was a draw-back. These
pioneers suffered severely for want of a variety of food. The
nearest place at which flour could be obtained was at Herki-
mer, seventy-five miles distant, no mills as yet having been
erected nearer. The first substitute for a mill, was made by
Major Danforth, in a white oak stump, near his house. It
was dug out about three feet deep and two feet in diameter.
Half a bushel could be ground at a time, by means of a huge
wooden pestle, worked with a spring pole, in appearance not
unlike an old fashioned well-sweep. After the grain had been
pounded awhile, it was the custom to sift the finer particles
out, and return the coarser to undergo a further grinding.
Wheat was sometimes pounded in this way, but could not be
converted into flour ; it was used for puddings and coarser
cookery, not for bread. Yfheat flour brought from Herkimer
was used sparingly, and in cases of sickness. ' Not long after-
wards, Major Danforth purchased a small hand mill, with
which to grind his wheat. It was not much larger than a good
sized coffee mill ; the hopper would hold perhaps half a peck ;
with this they converted some wheat into ordinary flour, but
it had all to be sifted.
About this time Major Danforth, journeying eastward,
stopped at a public house on the Herkimer flats. The land-
lord's name was Shoemaker. A colored man came to him and
said, " wont you buy me, massa ?" " "What is your name ?"
"Jack Shoemaker, sir." "Do you think you can learn to
grind corn in my stump mill. Jack, and grind wheat in my
hand mill ?" " yes, massa, me learn quick — me knoAV how
to Avork in mill now, massa." He concluded the bargain with
Jack's master, procured some provisions for him, and sent him
on to the Hollow, giving him a letter to carry to his new mis-
tress. You must go in. Jack, and tell her you belong to mas-
sa Danforth, and ask her where is the mill in which you are
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA. 113
to grind corn. Jack made all possible diligence, and in due
time arrived at the Hollow. He stood a long time and looked
at the house, doubting whether it could be the right place ;
every thing answered the description exactly, but there was
no building towering up, to Jack's notions of a mill. He
therefore trudo^ed on eighteen miles further, to the house of
Mr. Josiah Buck, then the nearest neighbor west. He show-
ed the letter to Mrs. Buck, who quickly judged his mistake,
kindly kept him till morning, and set him on the road back
again, charging him to stop at the house by the creek, wliich
was the right one, and ask his mistress where his master's mill
was ; all of which Jack good humoredly performed. But the
reader must judge of the poor fellow's consternation when
told, that the only mill in the country was in that large oak
stump, in front of the door, with a huge pestle attached to a
sweep. At that early day many of the ablest inhabitants,
held colored persons as slaves, whose duty it was made to
pound the corn, a task of no ordinary accomplishment. Hence
the origin of the term " niggering corn' — now obsolete. Not
satisfied with this mode of doing things, Major Danforth's
mind was bent on erecting mills of his. own, which he thought
would prove a great inducement to people to settle in the
country. Accordingly, in 1792, he went to Utica, employed
hands and commenced building a saw-mill. He had in 1791,
became possessed of the lot number eighty-one, township of
Manlius, (now De Witt,) moved there temporarily in the spring
of '92, and during that summer, erected the first saw mill iu
the county, on the Butternut Creek, about a mile north of
Jamesville, (now Dunlop's Mills.) The workmen brought on
foot all the necessary gearing for the mill, and Indians were em-
ployed to bring nails from Utica. The mill was first covered
with bark. Major Dauforth brought the saw from Old Fort
Schuyler on his shoulder. No boards were used in the county
till they were sawed at this mill. In 1793, Major Danforth
erected his grist mill, near the saw mill. This work progress-
ed much more expeditiously than the first, for much of the
timber, and all other lumber, was readily prepared at the saw
b8
114 ONONDAGA.
mill. One of the greatest inconveniences was, that there was
no road by which to bring on the stones, bolt, and other
bulky and heavy articles ; however, all obstacles were over-
come. Hands were hired as far off as Utica and Whitestown.
It took over a week to accomplish the raising, which was at-
tended by able bodied representatives from every settlement
within twenty-five miles around. Bark huts were erected for
their accommodation, and so great was the anxiety of the
scattering inhabitants of the surrounding country, to have
these mills completed, that several men labored faithfully many
days without pay. After the raising, the whole number pre-
sent were formed in line, by the master builder, Mr. Abel My-
rick, and mustered sixty-four all told, including Indians. At
the raising of these mills, the old fashioned practice of using
strong drink on public occasions, was followed. The article
used at this time, was St. Croix rum ; the beverage, whiskey,
at that early day, was not known. The flowing bowl had
passed freely, and the spirits of all were buoyant. At the
conclusion of the labors of raising, it was resolved to have the
sharpness of the liquor modified, by the addition of sweeten-
ing. Molasses and sugar were eagerly inquired for, but
neither were to be found, and such was the scarcity of these
commodities, that they were most diligently sought for in vain.
Black-strap, sling, toddy, punch and egg-nog, were not to be
had in their usual forms. Nothing daunted, they determined
on employing a substitute. A consultation was held as to
what it should be, — the result of their deliberations was, that
as neither sugar, molasses or honey, could be procured, Indi-
an meal, being the sweetest known substance in the country,
it should be the substitute. Accordingly the rum was mixed
with Indian meal — the improved beverage flowed merrily
around — all declared it was the very best the country afforded,
as it served a three-fold purpose, viz. : drink, victuals, and
if too freely used, it provided lodgings also. From this time
forward Major Danforth's reputation became established as a
thorough-going business man, ever ready and willing to em-
bark in all the important improvements of the country, and
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA.— ASA DANFORTH. 115
henceforth became identified with every thing interesting and
useful. The adventures, trials and labors of Major Danforth
and family, would of themselves furnish materials for an in-
teresting volume.
Asa Danforth, was born at Worcester, Massachusetts,
July 6, 1746. lie early evinced a desire for military distinc-
tion, and enrolled himself in the militia, at the age of four-
teen. At the commencement of the war of the RevolutLon,
he entered upon the service of his country with a captain's
cO'mmission, in command of a company of militia. He be-
longed to the regiment of Col. Danforth Keys, and was en-
gaged in the battle of Lexington. The ofiicial papers of Capt.
Danforth were preserved by him to the close of the war, and
have since been placed among the archives of the Historical
Society, at Worcester, Massachusetts, where they still re-
main.
At the instance of General Israel Putnam, Capt. Danforth
joined the army of the United States, and served through the
war as we have been informed, with a Major's rank and com-
mission.
At the time he entered the army, he was the owner of ex-
tensive iron works, which property he sold, and received his
pay for, in Continental money, which soon after depreciated ;
and, at the close of the war, he found himself destitute of
property. This was the cause of his leaving Massachusetts,
and of his seeking a new home, whereby his shattered fortune
might be repaired.. He located himself in the town of May-
field, Montgomery County, where he spent a few years, and
where he had his first interview with Mr. Webster.
General Danforth occupied a wide space in the early his-
tory of Onondaga County. His whole life was one of event-
ful interest. He passed through all the trials and sufferings
incident to a patriot and soldier of that " mighty period which
tried men's souls" — the American Revolution ; and, after
having lost the means of securing for himself and family, a
•ompetent support through life, by his earnestness to ser\:e
116 ONONDAGA.
his country, lie was forced, as it were, penniless upon the
world. In this hour of his adversity, his fortitude and cour-
age never forsook him. These traits, with which in a re-
markable degree he was endowed, enahled him successfully to
stem the torrent of disappointment and misfortune, and ex-
emplified in a remarkable manner, the steadfast resolution and
indomitable perseverence of the man. Nothing daunted, he
pushed far beyond the abodes of civilized men, and voluntarily
shared all the toils and dangers attendant upon the life of a
forester, isolated from the blessings of civilization, in a land
inhabited only by savages. With a character, bold, deter-
mined, independent and uncompromising, where his own inte-
rests and the good of his fellow men were to be advanced ;
with a physical constitution capable of enduring every vicissi-
tude of climate and fatigue ; with a mind thoroughly imbued
with every lofty sentiment of courtesy and honor comporting
with the dignity of a citizen and a soldier, he was most ad-
mirably calculated to assume the high responsibility and posi-
tion of a pioneer in a wilderness land.
Upon his arrival at Onondaga, he found himself and his
family the only white persons (except Webster) in the country.
Judge White at Sadaquate, (Whitesboro) fifty miles distant,
was his nearest neighbor on the east. A British garrison
was still kept at Oswego, which took every occasion to foment
discords and jealousies between the Indians and their new
neighbors, which was a source of continual annoyance to them.
The tide of emigration had not then set towards the wilds of
western New- York. Single-handed and alone, he encountered
the hardships, privations and discouragements of a frontier
settler, and prepared the way for others less bold and adven-
turous than himself ; and, as the lonely woodmen, one by one
wended their way into this land of promise and prospective
plenty, this fatherly man kindly took them by the hand, wel-
comed them on, and pointed out to them the most favorable
places for habitation.
He was a striking example of pure and disinterested be-
tievolence. No man who passed his hospitable threshold, but
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA.— ASA DANFORTH. 117
was received with kindness and- affection, and none retired
from it but with feelings of regret. During a long and gloomy
period, his house was the seat of hospitality, the resting place
of the traveler, the home of the stranger, and the abode of
charity. The bounties of his cabin were freely dispensed to
all who entered ; and, although thousands shared the bles-
sings of his board, it was always without money and without
price.
From his early sojourn here, and for a long period, he was
personally and intimately known to every individual on the
Military Tract. He was looked up to as a father, and enjoyed
for many years, the high consideration of bearing paternal
sway among the primitive settlers of this favored country.
He knew and was known of every one ; bis counsel and ad-
vice were sought and received with respect and deference, and
none had occasion to regret their solicitations or confidence.
His capacity and enterprise fitted him for almost every sta-
tion and duty in active life ; hence, he became identified with
every interest which tended to promote the welfare of his fel-
low-men, and advance the prosperity of the country.
He enjoyed in an eminent degree the confidence and esteem
of his fellow citizens. Consequently, he was often called upon
to fill the most important offices of trust and honor in the
county, and he performed the duties assigned him, with credit
to himself and with satisfaction to his constituents.
For a number of years he was a Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas ; was one term a Senator for the Western
District ; and Superintendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs,
and held numerous other offices of less imoprtance, in all which
stations, he exhibited a high degree of capacity and manly
bearing. Besides, he was for many years, from the first or-
ganization of the militia, the highest military officer in Onon-
daga County ; ascending the several grades from Major to
Major General ; at a period too, when a military commission
implied worth, and conferred distinction.
He was a man possessing a large fund of general intelli-
gence, was remarkable foi? his social conversational powers,.
118 ONONDAGA.
for the kindness of his disposition, his readiness to oblige his
neighbors, and those refined and Softer feelings which adorn
the human heart.
After a long and active life, more than thirty years of
which was spent at Onondaga ; during the whole period of
which he was a leading man in all the most important enter-
prises of the day, he ceased from his labors.
He may be with propriety (as he often has been) styled the
father of the county ; an appellation well deserved.
He died at his residence, at Onondaga Hollow, September
2d, 1818, in the seventy-third year of his age, universally la-
mented and mourned by an extensive circle of friends.
Thaddeus M. Wood, was born 9th of March, 1772, at
Lenox, Massachusetts. He was a graduate of Dartmouth
College, with the class of 1790. He entered upon the pur-
suit of his legal studies, with Thomas R. Gould, Esq., and
closed them in the office of Joseph Kirkland, Esq., of Utica,
immediately after which, in 1794, he came to Onondaga Hol-
low, and opened a law office, being the first lawyer who es-
tablished himself in the county. He soon became distin-
guished for his legal capacity, and during his life exercised
a prominent influence throughout the county.
He became widely known as a military man, was Lieuten-
ant Colonel Commandant, in 1809, in which capacity he was
extremely active and useful during the war of 1812. He
was elevated to the rank of Brigadier General in 1818, and
to the rank of a Major General, in 1820.
. General Wood was a gentleman of marked and well defined
characteristics, both of mind and manners, and no one could
be much in his society without understanding many traits of
his character, while others were not so readily disclosed to
the public gaze.
In his manners he was often abrupt, sometimes even blunt
and perhaps rough, but his thoughts flowed with great rapid-
ity and power, while he often gave to them a sudden and im-
pulsive expression.
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA.— T. M. WOOD. 119
As a lawyer, it is perhaps sufficient to say, that in the early
part of the present century, when Kellogg, and Forman, and
Sabin, were in the height of their practice and the zenith of
their powers, the Onondaga bar had no man superior to Gen.
Wood, and perhaps not his equal, in all things. If the laws
of real property and the action of ejectment, (which then em-
braced the most important suits tried in the county,) were
better understood by Forman and Kellogg, Gen. Wood fully
equalled them in his general acquaintance with the common
law, in the investigation and preparation of his causes, and
especially in the sagacity and astuteness which he brought
into exercise on the trial of his suits. He omitted to present
no favorable view of his clients case, no point which fortified
his action or his defense. And on the other hand, he watch-
ed his opponent with an eagle eye, never failing to discover
the weak points in his case, or to make every needful objec-
tion in the progress of the cause. His client's rights were
safe, not in his learning and abilities only, but also in his re-
markable care and his unwearied devotion. He looked upon
his clients as his wards, and extended his guardianship to the
protection of all their rights. At about the age of fifty, Gen.
Wood's large real estate, and the necessary cares of increas-
ing property and other pursuits, began rapidly to withdraw
him from his profession, and he gave but little attention to its
duties, except so far as was necessary in his own business.
For twenty years and more, during most of which time he
was in company with the late Hon. George Hall, Gen, Wood
had a very extensive practice. The firms of Wood & Hall,
who were Democrats, and Forman & Sabin, who were Feder-
alists, doing the most business by far, of any then in the coun-
ty, unless their practice may have been equalled by that of
Daniel Kellogg, at Skaneateles. The Hon. Samson Mason,
the Hon. Philo Gridley, and the Hon. Asher Tyler, are some of
the many students who laid the foundation of their legal learn-
ing under his instructions.
During the war of 1812, he was a Colonel, and within
twenty-four hours after notice of the threatened descent of
120 ONONDAGA.
the British at Oswego, he was on his way to the scene of dan-
ger, with most of the regiment under his command. And
again, Avhen the alarm of an invasion at Sackett's Harbor
was given soon after, Gen. Wood, at a moments warning, dis-
patched messengers throughout the county, aroused the slum-
bering warriors of the Onondaga nation, and with his regi-
ment and Indian allies, at once repaired to the north. As
an oflScer, he was in appearance, remarkably fine looking, ac-
tive and energetic, and had an opportunity presented, those
who knew him, will not doubt but his conduct would have
commanded the approbation of the public, and the admiration
of his friends.
As a politician, Gen. Wood was ardent, active, untiring and
honest. He embraced the principles of the Democratic par-
ty in early life, and supported them with ability and vigor.
When the Democratic party was divided, he became a Clin-
tonian, and continued such till the death of Mr. Clinton, and
with most of the leaders of that party, supported Gen. Jack-
son, in 1828; and left him in 1832, or before. He took an
active interest in public affairs till the close of his life, and at
all times judged and spoke of public men and public affairs,
Afith all that acuteuess and discrimination, for which he was
remarkable.
Gen. Wood was celebrated throughout the State for the
pungency of his wit, and quickness and severity of his retort.
He was never at a loss for a reply, either at the bar or in pri-
vate conversation, and the opponent who escaped from his wit
and his satire uninjured, was fortunate indeed. Onondaga was
almost as well known in the State, by the wit of Gen. Wood,
as by the sarcasms of Gen. Root, or the enterprise and fore-
sight of Forman and Geddes.
As a neighbor, Gen. Wood was kind and obliging, ready
at all times to grant those little daily kindnesses which good
neighborhood so constantly require.
As a father, no man was more indulgent or more affection-
ate. With something of a rough exterior and an austere
manner, fountains of the warmest affection for his children,
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA.— T. M. WOOD. 121
ever flowed from his heart. In speaking of them at the age
of half a century, he would often melt down to tears. Though
some of them sometimes annoyed him by their indiscretions,
and perhaps even irritated his rather impulsive nature, still,
perhaps the most marked characteristic of Gen. Wood was
his fondness for his children, and his acute susceptibility to
all that affected their happiness or their fame.
Gen. Wood's fondness for real estate was quite a passion.
He was ready to buy, but never to sell. He, at an early day
became a very large landholder in the county — at Manlius, at
Liverpool, Salina, Onondaga Hollow, and between the Hol-
low and Syracuse, and at various other places. This passion
also may have led to, or sprung out of another — a decided fond-
ness for agriculture — at least its theory and study. Gen. Wood
was not a good practical farmer. His lands were far too
extensive, and his other pursuits were far too numerous and
pressing. But he took a great interest in agricultural pur-
suits, the introduction of improved breeds of cattle, and in
the meetings and discussions of Agricultural Societies.
Gen. Wood was never idle. If not engaged in the active
duties of life, with which he was generally overwhelmed, he
was storing his mind with those funds of knowledge, which
combined with his wit, and a happy and joyous disposition,
made him a most agreeable, entertaining and instructive com-
panion. He knew the history of Onondaga, from its early
settlement till his death, in all the minuteness of its detail —
had been himself a prominent actor in all its stages, and by
the aid of a careful observation, and a most retentive memory,
was furnished with an amount of knowledge on this subject-
not now possessed by any of his survivors. This, he was at
all times ready and happy to impart, and whoever drew from
that fountain would be pleased to repair to it again.
Gen. Wood was truthful in all his intercourse, moral in his
habits, and possessed of a nice sense of honor. When se-
verely pressed for money, and most anxious to raise it, and
willing to give his own note, Avell endorsed, to obtain it, he
122 ONONDAGA.
has been known to refuse to promise on Ms honor to meet the
note when due, as that would compel Mm to pay it.
General Wood had his faults, as well as his virtues, and the
truth of history requires that they should not be passed over
in silence. He was never popular. Lawyers are, from the
nature of their profession, almost obliged to make enemies ;
but General Wood had more than the usual number. There
were many of them made no doubt in the ordinary course of
legal proceedings — some perhaps by the pungency of his wit
or the bitterness of his sarcasm, but more, probably from other
causes. His resolute determination not to sell his real estate
added to a most deeply seated habit of procrastination, eventu-
ally very much embarrassed him in his pecuniary affairs. He
was at an early day sued more or less, and finally he paid a
large amount of his debts in executions. These suits he often
delayed, by pleas or demurrers, using the means which the
Courts then furnished to obtain time ; sometimes, perhaps, by
technical objections to obtain a bill of costs, or defeat a just
cause of action. This was one ground of complaint. Being
pressed by his own debts, it is also said that he sometime?
pressed his own debtors more severely than he should have
done, and that his conduct was unkind and oppressive. This
may have been so, but the state of his own private affairs must
be his apology, not his justification. He also had more or less
litigation with his father, and perhaps with some other of his
relatives, and with former partners in business, particularly
with George Hall and Benajah Byington. The suit with Hall
was commenced about the year 1825, and was a bill filed by
Hall for the settlement of their partnership accounts. This
suit was more than twenty years in the Court of Chancery,
and was finally brought to a close by the Executors of Hall,
on the one side, and the surviving Administrator of Wood on
the other. The history of the Byington suit is very much the
same. He was considered litigious in the community, but he
did not bring needless suits, nor was he greatly in the habit
of resorting to the law ; but being often sued himself by oth-
ers, and defending many of the suits for delay or otherwise,
TOWNS. — ONONDAGA.— T, M. WOOD. 123
he acquired a reputation in the popular mind which did not
justly belong to him. Whatever may have been the respect-
ive merits of these various controversies, the effect no doubt
was to make General Wood unpopular in the community, and
to injure his reputation to a certain extent. But they did not
destroy the confidence of his friends in the native kindness of
his heart, the goodness of his disposition, and the general in-
tegrity of his character. While they regretted his imperfec-
tions, as Ave all should, and might more profitably our own,
they admired him for his talents, his learning, and his wit,
and they loved him for his many social virtues. And when
the grave finally shut him from our view, few among us but
felt that a great man had fallen, and that many kind, and
generous, and noble qualities Avere buried in his tomb. He
died at his residence, at Onondaga Hollow, January 10th,
1836, aged sixty-four years.*
In connection with the distinoruished members of the bar of
Onondaga County, the names of William H. Sabin and George
Hall, Esqrs., deserve a place.
Mr. Sabin commenced the practice of laAV at an early pe-
riod, in company with Judge Forman, and may justly take
rank among the leading men of the profession. Without go-
ing into extensive detail, we would mention that Mr. Sabin
was remarkable for his minute historical knowledge of men
and events connected with the American Revolution, which
eminently qualified him for the management of ejectment suits,
which in his time were most numerous and important, and re-
quired the utmost skill, talent and knowledge, successfully to
conduct. The principal witnesses in these suits were soldiers
of the Revolution. Many of the suits were brought, upon
fraudulent claims, Avhich were supported by corrupt Avitnesses,
and it required no ordinary tact to arrive at the truth. For
all emergencies connected Avith the management of those suits,
Mr. Sabin Avas fully adequate, and if a false witness came
*For the above delineation of the character of General Wood, the author is
imder obliiration to the Hon. E. W. Leavenworth.
124 ONONDAGA,
upon the stand, he was sure to be detected by the scrutiny
and historical knowledge of Counsellor Sabin, and fortunate
indeed would be the delinquent who escaped the lash of his
censure. Instances might be multiplied to an indefinite ex-
tent relative to the sagacity and abilities of Mr. Sabin as a
lawyer. For a long time he held a high position at the Onon-
daga Bar, and will long be remembered there as one whose
place can scarcely be supplied.
Honorable George Hall held a prominent place at the Bar
of Onondaga County, and was noted for his high legal attain-
ments, for the solidity of his judgment, his sterling sense, and
many of those commanding attributes and characteristics which
have ever been pre-eminent at the Onondaga Bar.
He was for a long time a partner of General Wood, held
many of the most important offices in the county, and was one
who, in every position in which he was placed, received the
confidence and esteem of his professional cotemporaries and
fellow-citizens.
Jasper Hopper was born in the city of New- York, on the
10th of June, 1770. His father then owned and occupied a
house on the corner of Ann street and Broadway. The family
of Jasper Hopper are of Dutch descent.
Two brothers, Andreas and Matthias, emigrated from Hol-
land to New-York, about the year 1620. Andreas, settled
in Bergen County, New-Jersey, and Matthias on the Island
of Manhattan, where he purchased a farm ; and to him grants
of lands were made along the Hudson River, including Green-
wich. Andrew Hopper, father of Jasper Hopper, had four
brothers, viz. : John, Wessel, Yellis and Matthew. The ori-
ginal Dutch name was written Hoppcn.
There was a settlement in New- Jersey named Hopperstown.
The name of the father of Andrew Hopper, was John, who
was a Lieutenant in Gen. Harmor's campaign among the In-
dians ; was severely wounded in the battle in which that gene-
ral was defeated, and left for dead upon the field, but finally
recovered.
1 ■'■'■''■'fy'-^'S
w
Ena* iy i-.Hia-piii,"5r.Y.
c/a^he4J^vfrfie^
TOWNS.—ONONDAGA.— JASPER HOPPER. 125
Andrew Hopper removed to Bloomingdale, to a place
bought of his brother Yellis, having previously sold twenty
acres which he had inherited from his father, on the bank of
the Hudson. The subject of this sketch, was a son of Andrew
Hopper, and was " christened" by Dominie Ritzena, by the
name of " Casperas." Jasper Hopper was married to Char-
lotte Newcomb, October 4, 1800. The Newcomb family were
one of the oldest and most respectable in Duchess County.
They are now in possession of a farm which has been handed
down through several generations, now occupied by John Hop-
per Newcomb, near Pleasant Valley-
Jasper Hopper received his education in the city of New-
York. At the age of eighteen, he left the city and entered
the office of the Secretary of State as a Clerk, where, by his
diligence, assiduity, strict integrity, and his urbanity of man-
ner, he won the respect and confidence of the Secretary, and
all others with whom he became acquainted or had intercourse.
While in Albany, he was for two winters. Clerk of the House
of Assembly ; both of which sessions, the House unanimously
voted him the extra allowance of two hundred and fifty dol-
lars. The duty was very laborious, and he was frequently
obliged to write all night to keep up with the business.
On the third of November, 1791, Jasper Hopper was ap-
pointed Deputy Secretary of State, Lewis Allaire Scott at
that time being Secretary. He was then only twenty years
of age, and continued to hold the office till the death of Mr.
Scott, which occurred in the winter of 1798. Upon the death
of Mr. Scott, the friends of Mr. Hopper exerted themselves
in his behalf, to procure for him the appointment of Secretary
of State. Many prominent names appear on his petition. Mr.
Scott himself, before his death, drew up a memorial to that effect ;
but, owing to his youth, rather than his inexperience and want
of ability to perform the duties of the office, his claims were
rejected by the Council of Appointment, and Mr. Thomas
Tillotson was appointed. Mr. Hopper's services were however,
considered indispensable to the office, and he was retained as
Deputy Secretary, till he left for Onondaga, in 1802. For
126 ONONDAGA.
the first three years, while in the office of the Secretary, he
served for such compensation as the generosity of Mr. Scott
dictated, of which, however, no complaint was made. For the
two succeeding years, he received the small allowance of fifty
pounds per annum from the State. After 1795, he had the
whole charge of the office, as Mr, Scott's health did not per-
mit him to perform any of the duties, and received a reason-
able compensation. He was the immediate predecessor of
the venerable Archibald Campbell, as Deputy Secretary of
State.
In 1799, Jasper Hopper was appointed and admitted an
honorary member of the Law Society of the city of Albany,
in which was included many of the most distinguished gentle-
men of the bar, in the State.
In the spring of 1802, he was appointed Clerk of the county
of Onondaga, to which place he immediately came with his
commission in his pocket, and entered at once upon the du-
ties of his office. He located at the east end of Onondaga
Hollow, and kept the office there in his dwelling house for
several years. Afterwards, the office was removed to the west
end of the Hollow, where it remained till its removal to the
Hill.
In 1803, he received the appointment of Supreme Court
Commissioner, and in 1804, the appointment of Commission-
er for taking affidavits to be read in Chancery. In 1810, he
was superceded in the office of County Clerk by G. W. Olm-
sted, and in 1811 was re-appointed, which office he held till
the year 1818.
Jasper Hopper was appointed a Marshal for taking the
United States census of 1810, when the county of Onondaga
comprised the present counties of Cortland, Onondaga, and
a part of Oswego. This laborious duty, he performed in his
usual prompt and energetic manner, to the entire satisfaction
of all.
He was appointed keeper of the military stores at the arse-
nal, located at Onondaga Hollow, during the war of 1812^
and afterwards so long as they remained in that location.
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA.— JASPER HOPPER. 127
He -was also a United States Commissary for the procur-
ing and distributing of rations to the army, on their marches
to and from the Frontier.
For a period of nineteen years, he was Post Master at On-
ondaga HolloAV, and enjoyed the confidence of the different
heads of the Post Office Department, to such a degree that
he was retained in office under every administration, without
distinction of party. The office at that time was quite an
important one, being a distributing office for the county and
parts adjacent.
Mr. Hopper was a sincere friend to the cause of education ;
he took an active part in procuring the charter for Onondaga
Academy, was a liberal subscriber to the endowment fund for
that institution, and aided every way in his power, to estal>-
lish it on a firm foundation, and to make its condition flour-
ishing and prosperous. He was one of the Trustees named
in the original charter of the Academy, and continued to be
one of the Board up to his decease, and was always remarkbly
prompt and punctual in his attendance at all their meetings.
He was for a lona; time connected with the leaders of the
Democratic Republican party in this county, remained stead-
fast to its principles to the end of his life, and was associated
with Gen. Wood, Hon. Reuben Humphreys, Dr. Rawson, Jo-
nas Earll and other distinguished leaders of the party, in all
its affairs.
As has been before stated, Mr. Hopper came to Onondaga
in 1802, at which time our county was comparatively a wilder-
ness, and he may be set down as one among many, who were
with the early pioneers, most instrumental in opening and im-
proving the way of our county's prosperity.
Mr. Hopper died at his late residence, at Onondaga Hol-
low, June 30th, 1848, aged seventy-nine years.
He was a man of remarkable kindness and docility of dis-
position, very amiable, courteous, social and obliging. Few
men who have been as much in public life, escape with so lit-
tle censure, or expose themselves to fewer assaults from politi-
128 ONONDAGA.
cal opponents. His wliole course was marked by a strict ad-
herence to principle, dictated by an honest heart.
Entering very early in life upon public duties, he enjoyed
throughout a long and well ti'ied political course, the entire
confidence of his friends, and even his political adversaries
respected and admired his unflinching integrity and stability
of purpose. Personal enemies, it is presumed he had none,
and those who held political opinions different from his, which
might have engendered animosities, were ready to bury them
with the close of his official career. At his death, none
could rise up and say he was not a pure patriot — an upright,
honorable man.
Although for several years, age and infirmity had in a mea-
sure deprived him of the privileges of promiscuous society ;
still, in the social circle in which he was enabled to move, he
was highly esteemed ; and, in domestic life, he fully sustained
all of its most tender relations. His memory will long be
held in grateful remembrance throughout the county, while
his name and character will be cherished and revered by his
numerous relatives and intimate friends.
The engraved likeness of Mr. Hopper accompanying this
sketch, was taken from a miniature picture executed while he
was Deputy Secretary at the age of twenty.
The name of Nicholas Mickles, is one which deserves to be
remembered among the pioneers of Onondaga. He estab-
lished himself at the Hollow at ah early day, and was distin-
guished for his public spirit, benevolence and liberality, which
tended to promote the best interests of community and the
public at large. He established the Onondaga Furnace, and
carried it on till his decease, v/hich occurred at the Hollow,
in August, 1827. During the war of 1812, he was employed
by the Government to cast shot and shell for the army and
navy. It was with regard to the Government property at
this place, that Mr. Secretary Armstrong committed a most
laughable mistake, which was noticed at the time in most of
the public prints in the Union. A large amount of shot and
shell was lying at the Onondaga Furnace, which was wanted
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA. 129
by the fleet on Lake Ontario. Secretary Armstrong directed
one of the naval commanders then at Oswego, to proceed
forthAvith with an armed vessel, via. the Oswego River to
Onondaga Hollow, and remove the Government property from
that place to Oswego. The obstructions at Oswego Falls
were found to he quite too formidable to allow of the execu-
tion of the Secretary's order, and the project was abandoned.
The joke was too good to be kept a secret, and its publication
created much merriment at the Hon. Secretary's expense.
After the Danforth family, Comfort Tyler and the Brown
family, there settled at the Hollow, the Pattersons, Job Tyler,
Peter Tenbroeck, General Lewis, Cornelius Longstreet, Peter
Young, Joseph Forman, John Adams, George Kibbe, Drs,
William and Gurdon Needham, Nicholas Mickles, Wm. H.
Sabin, Jasper Hopper, Aaron Bellows, George Hall, Joseph
Swan, and others.
In the summer of 1796, John Cantine, assisted by Gideon
Seely, under the direction of the Surveyor General, surveyed
the Onondaga Reservation, and in the fall of that year, Gid-
eon Seely and Comfort Tyler bid off, at the sales in Albany,
twenty-one lots, of two hundred and fifty acres each, at two
dollars per acre. Mr. Seely made the road from Samuel A.
Beebe's to the south line of the town, including a bridge
across the west branch of Onondaga Creek. The first saw
mill built in town was by Turner Fenner, on the west branch
of Onondaga Creek, in 1793. General Danforth erected a
saw and grist mill, in 1794, on what is now called the Kirk
Farm.
The first town meeting for Onondaga, was held at the house
of Asa Danforth, who presided, April, 1798. Ephraim Web-
ster was chosen Supervisor, and Jabez Webb, Town Clerk ;
Samuel Searing, Daniel Earll and Sicr Curtis, Assessors ; and
Elisha Alvord, Neheraiah Earll, Jr., and Elijah Lawrence,
Commissioners of Roads. At this meeting swine were voted
to run at large, provided they were yoked and rung. The
meeting was adjourned to the house of Dr. Allen Beach.
Annual town meeting for 1799, James Geddes was chosen
b9
*#
130 ONONDAGA.
Supervisor, and Orris Curtis, Town Clerk ; John Ellis, Cor-
nelius Sclioutcns, and Sieur Curtis, Assessors. Meeting ad-
journed to the house of William Laird. Town meeting for
April, 1800, Sieur Curtis was chosen Supervisor, and Orris
Curtis, Town Clerk.
George Hall, Esq., opened a law office at Onondaga Hol-
low, in 1802. Joshua Forman and William H. Sabin, com-
menced the practice of law in partnership, 1803. ]\Iedad
Curtis was a law student with Thaddeus M. Wood, and Daniel
Mosely with Forman and Sabin. Dr. William Needham lo-
cated at the Hollow as a physician, in 1793, and his brother,
Gurdon Needham, in 1795. He kept the first school at the
Hollow in 1796. Dr. Bissell practiced medicine a number of
years at the Hollow. Rev. Samuel Kirkland is- believed to be
the first reformed minister who ever preached in the county
of Onondaga. He frequently officiated at Onondaga HolloAV,
to the white people and to the Indians.
It should have been mentioned in another place, that the
building of the new church edifice for the Onondagas was
greatly aided by a generous donation from " the society for
the propagation of the Gospel among the Indians," of which
Hon. Lemuel Shaw, Chief Justice of Massachusetts, is Presi-
dent, .and Rev. D. Parkman, of Boston, Secretary. A rep-
resentation having been made to them of the need of assist-
ance, the Society promptly voted an appropriation of three
hundred dollars towards the completion of the church. We
may add, as an interesting fact in this connection, that an ac-
tive member of the Executive Committee of the above named
Society, is the Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, of Boston, a grand-
son of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland. (See page 242, Vol. I.)
For more than twelve years Mrs. Danforth was the only
communicant in the country. She was afterwards joined by
the wife of General Lewis and others. Rev. Daniel Nash
and Davenport Phelps, (Episcopalians,) were the next minis-
ters who officiated here. Others, of the Presbyterian denomi-
nation soon succeeded. Rev. Messrs. Wallace and Woodruff
were missionaries, who occasionally officiated.
TOWNS— ONONDAGA. 131
" The First Preshi/terian Society/" was established on the
"Hill," but the people, finding it rather fatiguing to climb
up there every Sunday, resolved to have a society and church
nearer home. Accordingly in November, 1809, the " Onon-
daga Hollow Religious Society'' was organized. John Adams,
Aaron Bellows, Nicholas Mickles, Thaddcus M. Wood and
Joshua Forman, were chosen Trustees, George Hall and Jo-
seph Swan, presiding. Joseph Swan was chosen Secretary,
■which office he has held to this day, (1849.) Rev. Mr. Da-
venport ofiiciated at this time. In February, 1810, the Rev.
Dirck C. Lansing was called to the charge of the church, and
remained with them as pastor to May, 1814. He was suc-
ceeded in the following order, by Rev. Ebenezer J. Leaven-
worth, Rev. Samuel T. Mills, Rev. James H. Mills, Rev. Wash-
ington Thatcher, Rev. Elijah Buck, Rev. Moses Ingalls, Rev.
Abel Cutler, Rev. Mr. Howell, Rev. Geo. H. Hulin, and
Rev. Wm. W. Collins. The church edifice was erected in
1810-11.
A Post Ofiice was estahlished at Onondaga Hollow in the
year 1794, and Comfort Tyler appointed Post Master. This
was the first Post Ofiice established in ' he county. One however
was established at Cayuga, then in Onondaga County, the
same year. George Kibbe was Post Master at the Hollow in
1801 ; George Hall succeeded him in 1802, and Jasper Hop-
per in 1803. So late as 1812, letters were distributed from
the' Post Ofiice at " Onondaga Valley," to people living in the
towns of Camillus, Pompey, Marcellus, Otisco, Spafiord, Ly-
sander and Manlius.
George Kibbe was the first regular merchant who sold goods
in the town of Onondaga, in 1800.
In 1803, there were but eight frame houses in the Hollow.
In 1809 a frame school house was erected ; the same is still
occupied as a school house, in good repair : previously a log
one had been built and occupic'd near where the Academy now
stands.
Onondaga Academy was incorporate*! and organized in
1813, and the building erected in 1814. It was endowed by
132 ONONDAGA.
the State, by the gift of a lot of land, (number nine,) town-
ship of Lysander, belonging to the Literature Fund. It has
held its way Avith other Academies, and many of the distin-
f'uished men of our county, owe to it their obligations for the
advantages they have received in its halls. . Rev. Caleb Alex-
ander was its first principal. Although he had been educated
for the ministry, he devoted most of his long life to teaching,
and may be said to have been the founder of several institu-
tions of learning. To his exertions and influence, were the
public greatly indebted for the establishment of Onondaga
Academy, of which he was the Principal for many years. It
was through his influence that Fairfield Academy was estab-
lished. He was elected first President of Hamilton College,
but declined the appointment. He was a man of great learn-
ing and varied acquirements, and the author of several sys-
tems of education, translations, &c., and excelled in conver-
sational powers. He was a man greatly respected and be-
loved. He died at Onondaga Hollow, in April, 1828, aged
seventy-two years.
In 1808, an act was passed authorizing the Governor of the
State to deposit five hundred stand of arms at Onondaga, for
the defense of the frontier, and such quantities of ammuni-
tion and military stores, as in his opinion would be necessary,
in case of an invasion. The Governor was also authorized
and empowered to provide, at the expense of the State, a suita-
ble place for the keeping of said arms and military stores," in
good order, and fit for immediate service, and to appoint keep-
ers of said places of deposit. Accordingly, in 1812, was
built, under the direction of the Governor, the Arsenal on the
hill east of the Hollow, where for a number of years was a
large deposit of arms, &c. As a military store-house, it has
long since been abandoned ; it is now fast falling to decay.
A newspaper was first established at Onondaga Hollow by
Thomas Crittenden Fay, in December, 1811, entitled The
Lynx, having for its motto, " Liberty and my native coun-
try." Published every Wednesday, and delivered to subscri-
bers in the village of Onondaga Valley, at two dollars per
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA. 133
annum. In closing his prospectus, he says, " I shall endeavor
to promote the nation's interest, with the industry of the
Beaver, while I watch its enemies with the eyes of a Lynx."
It was in this office (The Lynx) that the subsequent distin-
guished editor of the Albany Evening Journal made his debut
in the art of arts. Mr. Weed, in the short space of about
twelve months, became devil, printer, journeyman, editor and
proprietor of the memorable Lynx.
The "Onondaga Register" made its first appearance at On-
ondaga Hollow, in September, 1814, edited by Lewis H. Red-
field, Esq., and was continued to May, 1829, when the Regis-
ter was transferred to Syracuse, and brought out in a new
dress, under the title of " Onondaga Register and Syracuse
Gazette." It is believed that the first iron press introduced
into the county, was by Mr. Rcdfield, who also introduced the
first composition roller, one of the most valuable improve-
ments connected with printing ever invented.
Russell Webb and James S. Castle, published a paper at
Onondaga Hollow, in 1832, entitled the " Citizens' Press."
It was discontinued after a publication of six months.
The "Onondaga Gazette," by Evander Morse, was estab-
lished at Onondaga Hill, in 1816. Mr. Morse sold the estab-
lishment to Cephas S. McConnell, and in August, 1821, title
was changed to Onondaga Journal. McConnell sold out to
Vivus W. Smith, in 1826, who continued it till 1829, when he
removed to Syracuse and joined Mr. Wyman in the Onondaga
Standard. Since 1829, there has been no paper published on
the Hill.
One of the first settlers at Onondaga West Hill, was Wil-
liam Laird, in 1795. He became the first purchaser of lot
number one hundred and fourteen, and kept a log tavern, the
first kept on the Hill. He committed suicide, by hanging, in
October, 1802. Nehemiah Earll, Daniel Earll and Jabez
Webb, settled on the Hill in 1796. Jabez Webb was killed
by the fall of a tree, in 1806. l\e was the first purchaser
from the State of lot one hundred and eighteen. Simeon and
Reuben West, moved to the Hill in 1805-6. Judge Strong
134 ONONDAGA.
took up his abode on the Hill in 1802. He kept the first
school ever kept on the Hili, from November, 1802, three
■winter terms of four or five months each, in a log building,
which stood near -where the old Court House used to stand. A
frame school house was erected near the same place in 1807.
He was a Deputy under High Sheriff Col. Elijah Phillips, four
years, and Under Sheriff to Sheriffs Earll and Rust, during
their periods of office. Dr. Salmon Thayer was the first Phy-
sician on the Hill in 1800, succeeded by Dr. Stewart.
The first Agricultural Society formed in the county of On-
ondaga, was at Onondaga Hill, in the spring of 1819. The
Legislature passed a law during the session of 1818-19, by
which a large fund was raised for the benefit of Agricultural
Societies throughout the State. Of this fund Onondaga Coun-
ty became entitled to three hundred dollars, on condition that
the county should raise an equal amount, and an Agricultural
Society should be organized. The first meeting was held on
the 4th of May, 1819, at which a constitution was adopted,
and the following officers chosen, viz. : Dan Bradley, Presi-
dent, Squire Munro, INIartin Cossit, Augustus Wheaton, Vice
Presidents ; Job Tyler, Recording Secretary ; Geo. Hall and
A. Yelverton, Corresponding Secretaries ; Leonard Bacon,
Treasurer ; H. L. Granger, Auditor ; L. H. Redfield, D. W.
Forman, 0. W. Brewster, Committee of Publication. The
first Fair was held at Onondaga Hollow, November 2d, 1819 ;
an address delivered by the President, and Premiums amount-
ing to over two hundred dollars, were awarded.
St. John's Church, Onondaga Hill, was organized by Rev.
Davenport Phelps, 26th November, 1803. It was succeeded
by Zion Church, which was organized in the summer of 1816.
The Clergy have been, Rev. Messrs. Ezekiel G. Gear, Milton
Wilcox, Thomas K. Peck, Augustus L. Converse, John Mc-
Carty, Geo. L. Hinton, John W. Cloud, S. W. Beardsley and
Marshall Whiting. Since 1839, only occasional services have
been held.
The ^^ First Preshyterian Society of Onondaga^''' was form-
ed on the Hill, at the log tavern, kept by Daniel Earll ; pre-
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA. 135
sent, Joshua Forman, Jasper Hopper, John Ellis, Jonah Ellis,
Jonas C. Baldwin, John Adams, and Oliver R. Strong. Min-
isters previous to 1806 were Rev. Messrs. Higgins and Hely,
Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, was ordained and settled in 1806 ;
Rev. Jabez Chadwick, in 1811 ; since succeeded by Rev.
Messrs. Burbaok, Prentiss, Bacon and Machin. Their church
edifice was erected in 1819. A Post Office was established
about the year 1800, Nehemiah Earll, Post Master. Daniel
Mosely established himself here as a lawyer in 1809. Medad
Curtis, B. D. Noxon, and several other members of the Bar
of Onondaga, resided here previous to the removal of the
Court House to Syracuse. With the completion of the Erie
Canal, and the removal of the public buildings, its prospects
were abridged, and it has since rapidly declined.
Rattlesnakes were every where numerous at the time of the
first settlement of the country, and were subjects of continual
dread. It was no uncommon occurrence for these poisonous
animals to insinuate themselves into the houses of the early
settlers, and coil themselves snugly in the corners of the fire
places, and beneath the beds, for the purpose of gathering
warmth. They seldom did harm unless irritated and pro-
voked.
Among the antiquities of this town may be noted, that on
the farm of Mr. Hessy was the remains of an old fort. When
the first settlers came, there were some of the pickets still
standing, and the places visible where others had stood. At
the corners were evident marks of a chimney and fire places,
and also the ruins of a blacksmith's shop. Cinders and a va-
riety of tools belonging to the trade have at times been plow-
ed up. A portion seemed to have served for a burying ground,
as human bones were frequently disinterred by the plow. A
large and excellent anvil was also plowed up.
Major Danforth once received a letter from an old French-
man, stating, that not far from his (Danforth's) house, in the
bank of the creek, he would find a complete set of black-
smiths' tools as ever were used. Search was made for them
but they have never come to light.
136 ONONDAGA.
In the year 1798, on the west part of the farm, afterwards
occupied by Gilbert Pinckney, could be seen a trench, about
ten rods long, three feet deep, and about four feet wide at
top, on the border of a steep gulf and parallel with it, appa-
rently a place of defense. Arrow-heads, spear-points and
knives of flint, also stone axes, and other Indian implements,
have been found, and several burial places were known to the
early settlers. In the spring of 1815, on the farm of Dea-
con Joseph Forman, at Onondaga Hollow, an oaken pail was
plowed up containing about four quarts of leaden bullets, sup-
posed to have been buried during the Revolutionary war. There
is every appearance of an extensive burying ground on Judge
Strong's premises, indicated by the following circumstances :
In excavating a cellar to his house in 1816, a full grown skele-
ton of a man was thrown out. Another was disinterred by a
Mr. Carpenter, while digging post holes back of Judge S's
house. Six other graves were opened, having in them the
skeletons of full grown persons. The bones were in an ad-
vanced stage of decay. They were found about a foot and a
half below the surface, and those thrown out were gathered
together and buried. From appearances this spot must have
contained several hundred graves. Webster informed Judge
Strong, that the Indians had a tradition, that in one of their
battles with the French in the Hollow, which had been pro-
tracted and severe, the French removed their wounded to this
spot, and here buried such as did not survive. On Avest hill,
a mile south of the village, was a clearing called the Webster
orchard. Another called the Lewis orchard. The Youngs
farm had a clearing of one hundred and fifty acres. There
were several other smaller clearings at the Hollow, some of
them covered with grass and clumps of wild plumb and cher-
ry trees. At the Hollow, south of the village, was an Indian
burying ground.
In earlier times, when the great annual councils of the Five
Nations, were held at Onondaga, and the affairs of this distin-
guished confederacy were of consequence, after continuing
for several days, they were usually closed with great rejoicing
TOWNS.— ONONDAGA. 137
and a war dance. After the breaking up of these councils,
the Senecas and Cayugas would set out for their homes early
in the morning. As early as nine o'clock, the open ground
from the turnpike to the Court-IIouse, would become literal-
ly crowded with Indians. To this place, a large party of the
Onondagas invariably accompanied their friends, for the pur-
pose of taking leave. It is said that on these occasions the
adieus were extremely affecting. An aged chief would grasp
the hand of a friend, hold it in his own, for the space of sev-
eral minutes, without uttering a single syllable, with eyes
cast upon the ground, with the most unaffected gravity, and
solemnity of countenance, and after a long time, retire silent-
ly, as if the bitterest grief pervaded his heart in consequence
of the separation. What was practiced by one was practiced
by all. The whole scene is represented as being truly solemn
and affecting.
Large quantities of horn stone arc found imbeded in the
slate rock of the Hamilton group, in the south part of the town
of Onondaga, along the road to Otisco from South Hollow. —
Alons: the banks of the Onondao;a Creek are found a number
of sulphur springs. In the town are numerous hopper-formed
depressions, in shape like a potash kettle, from two to four rods
across at top, and from ten to forty feet deep. These are on
the south part of Mr. Thomas Dorwin's farm.
There are abundance of petrifactions in this town, north to-
wards the town of Camillus, and along the Onondaga valley,
and several deposits of calcareous Tufa.
In the West Hill, is forming, at the present time quite per-
ceptible, large bodies of conglomerate rock.
Split Rock quarry, furnishes an inexhaustable material for
building purposes, commencing near Mickles' furnace, running
westerly into the town of Camillus.
Onondaga South Hollow is a small village on the Avest
branch of the Onondaga Creek, with two meeting-houses, iwo
grist-mills, saw-mills, clothing-works, post-office, &c. Sojae
of the first settlers in this quarter, previous to 1800, were
Gideon Seely, Phineas Sparks, Ebenezer Conklin, Turner
138 ONONDAGA.
Fenner, Gilbert Pinckney and Amasa Chapman; from 1800
to 1804, Obadiah Nichols, John Clark, Henry Frost, John
Carpenter, Zebulon Rust, Joseph Warner, Oliver Cummings,
Daniel Chaffe, Isaac Parmenter and others,
Near tliis village is a singular elevation of land, about two
hundred feet above the creek. The sides are steep except on
the west, and not easily accessible. On the top is a beautiful
plateau, perfectly plain and level, containing about one hun-
dred and fifty acres of excellent land, under a high state of
cultivation. There are other similar elevations in this branch
of the Onondaga valley, but none so deserving of notice as
this.
Navarino is a small village, west of South Hollow, on very
high ground. It has a church, post-office, &c.
Statistics of Onondaga, taken from the census of 1845 :
Number of inhabitants, 5142. 441 subject to military du-
ty, 1050 voters, 152 aliens, 79 paupers, (poor-house and all,)
1324 children attending common schools, 30898 acres of im-
proved land, 5 grist-mills, 8 saw-mills, 1 fulling-mill, 1 card-
ing-machine, 1 woolen-factory, 1 iron-foundery, 2 asheries, 1
Tannery, 2 Baptist churches, 1 Episcopal do., 1 Presbyterian
do., 1 Congregational do,, 5 Methodist do., 34 common
schools, 8 taverns, 8 stores, 2 groceries, 609 farmers, 8 mer-
chants, 4 manufacturers, 129 mechanics, 11 clergymen, 7
physicians and 2 attorneys.
Salina.* — The old town of Salina, in point of importance
may be ranked as inferior to no other in the county. The
name was given by the Commissioners of the Land Office.
In 1797, a law was passed, authorizing the Surveyor General
to lay out a portion of the Salt Springs Reservation, for the
purpose of making provision for the manufacture of salt.
A portion of the marsh and upland was laid out on a map,
and named Salina. Afterwards, in 1798, a village was laid out
and called Salina, and when the town was organized in 1809,
that was also called Salina. At a very early period, the terri-
— - - ^_^
* Salina, Latin, a place where salt is made.
TOWNS. — SALINA. 139
tory embraced in the town of Salina, attracted the attention of
travelers and settlers, on account of the anticipated value of
the salt springs ; and, as the country advanced in resources
and population, the predictions of the most sanguine were
more than realized. At the organization of the county in
1794, the town of Salina was comprehended in the original
towns of Manlius and Marcellus ; and, after Onondaga was
set off in 1798, and the township of Camillus was organized
as a town, that portion of the reservation not included in
Onondaga, on the west side of the lake and creek was at-#
tached to Camillus. At the organization of the town in 1809,
a triangular piece of ground containing nine and a half lots,
were taken from the north-west corner of the township of
Manlius, which, with the Salt Springs Reservation, made the
town of Salina.
In August, 1790, Col. Jeremiah Gould and family, con-
sisting of a wife and three sons, Jeremiah, James and Phares,
and an only daughter, the eldest of the children, moved from
Westmoreland to Salt Point, and found there, Deacon Loomis,
Nathaniel Loomis, Hezekiah Olcott, John Danforth, Asa
Danforth, Jr., and Thomas Gaston, with their families, who
had settled there a year or two previous, and had commenced
the manufacture of salt. In 1791, Mr. Samuel Jerome came
to Onondaga to look land, and visited Salt Point, took a hand-
ful of the salt, went through Pompey, Fabius, Homer and
Manlius ; and, on his return to Saratoga, his place of resi-
dence, he reported that he had found " the land of promise,"
and persuaded a number of his friends to come out and settle
upon it.
In 1791, two families of the name of Woodworth and Stur-
ges, settled near the marsh. On the 2d of March, 1792, IMr.
Isaac Yan Vleck and family, came to Salt Point, and the fol-
lowing year, came Thomas Orman and Simon Phares.
Frame houses were built at Salt Point at an early day.
The manner of building was peculiar, and hardly deserved the
name of frame ; it was like this : sills were laid, and posts set
up at proper distances, and the beams and plates put in.
140 ONONDAGA.
Grooves were cut in the posts, two inches wide, and sticks lai'd
in horizontally, and the whole plastered up with mud, tem-
pered with straw, which made very comfortable dwellings.
Chimnies were made of sticks and clay, and the fire places
had no jams, only a plain stone wall on the back. Mr. Jere-
miah Gould, erected the first frame house at Salt Point, and
the first in the county of Onondaga, in 1792 ; John Danforth
erected the second, in 1793 ; Mr. Van Vleck and Asa Dan-
forth, Jr., built frame houses about the same time, of superior
.construction. Provisions were brought from Tioga, and from
Whitestown and Herkimer, and exchanged for salt. In 1792
and 1793, the settlers in this county sufi"ered severely for want
of provisions ; and, on several occasions, boats were sent from
Salt Point to Kingston, by way of Oswego, to procure pro-
visions ; and the old people inform us, that they at different
times procured bread, biscuits, salted meat and fish, that were
made and cured in England, which, though of inferior quality,
were nevertheless accepted with a relish which hunger never
fails to give. Captain Canute, of a trading boat from Salt
Point to Albany, brought provisions, groceries, &c., and often
received his pay in young bears, wolves, 'coons, foxes, fawns,
&c., all of which at that time were very plenty. Deer were
80 plenty and tame, that they frequently herded with the cows,
and would enter the yards with them at night, with as much
unconcern, as if they had been completely domesticated. The
young bears, &c., were furnished to the white people by the
Indians, for the merest trifle ; and, numbers of these animals
have been known to be confined in chains, awaiting the arri-
val of Captain Canute, who always found a ready sale for
them at a fair profit in Albany.
So common were wolves and bears at this time, that it was
not unusual for these animals to be seen passing along the
path leading from Cicero to Onondaga, as fearless and uncon-
cerned as if entirely among the wild beasts of the forest, or
completely domesticated. And from the frequency of these
recurrences, these paths were named the bear and wolf paths,
and two of the streets running north from main street, in the
TOWNS.— SALINA. 141
first ward of Syracuse, from this circumstance, are now called
Wolf and Bear streets.
The country about Onondaga Lake, up to the year 1800,
during the summer season, was extremely unhealtll3^ Fevers
began to appear early in July, and cases followed each other
in such quick succession, that oftentimes there were scarce
well persons enough to minister to the necessities of the sick,
and it seemed as if man and beast were alike afflicted with the
same dread scourge. Numbers of the inhabitants perished
duiing the sickly seasons, and cattle and horses were not ex-
empt from sickness and death. It seemed to be the chosen
abode of pestilence and death.
In 1793, there were but thirty persons at Salt Point all
told, and nearly every one was sick at one time, except a man
named Patrick Riley, a generous hearted fellow, who carried
on Mr. Van Vleck's salt works. He drew all his own wood
for salt-block, boiled salt every day and half the nights, and
every alternate night watched Avith the sick, for a period of
two months, without a single night of intermission. Dr. Hol-
brook, who had then settled near Jamesville, and the first
physician in the county, came over every day to visit the sick,
and was considered a successful as well as skilful physician.
Dr. Burnet is said to have been the first resident physician at
Salina, in 1797. During the sickly season the Indians were
exceedingly kind and attentive, and furnished liberally to
every family a supply of venison and fish, which added great-
ly to their comfort.
One of the peculiar characteristics of the Indians was often
displayed at their drunken frolics. During the early settle-
ment of Salina, whenever they had resolved upon a carousal,
they almost invariably divested themselves of all deadly wea-
pons, and deposited them in some safe place, in the keeping of
a confidential person, and went to the work of excessive drun-
kenness with all their might and main. Not unfrequently on
these occasions, one of their number would be set apart, ex-
pressly to keep sober, and to see that no one injured another
in any outbreak of uncontrolled passion.
142 * ONONDAGA.
At the period of the first settlement of the county, rattle-
snakes were numerous in the vicinity of Salina, and if mo-
lested, were extremely dangerous ; but on the contrary, if
suffered to pursue their own way, were considered harmless
and inoffensive. On a time, a little son of Mr. Isaac Van
Vleck, named Abraham, was out at play. His mother became
much alarmed by the violent cackling of the fowls, which were
in the highest state of excitement. Mrs. Van Vleck, being
in earnest to learn the cause, passed round the house, and
there found her little son fondling in his hands and arms an
enormous rattlesnake, which twined and writhed around the
tender limbs of the child, in the fondest manner, looking de-
fiance at the fowls that had gathered around in a circle, and
by their noise and bustle, expressed the utmost fear and agi-
tation. The frightened mother ran to her nearest neighbors,
who soon gathered at the scene. The snake seemed to in-
crease his fondness for the child, and no one seemed disposed
to meddle with his snakeship for fear of increasing its danger
or their own. At length tlie mother seized a favorable op-
portunity, snatched the child, and ran away with it. The
snake seemed angry with the removal of his little friend, coil-
ed himself in a hostile attitude, and was instantly dispatched
by those present. On another occasion an Indian was acci-
dentally bitten severely by one of these poisonous reptiles.
Knowing that he must die, he instantly killed the snake, and
bit the reptile's head, that he might die the sooner. Within
twenty-four hours he was a corpse, having swelled to an enor-
mous size and burst.
The first licensed tavern keeper wo find in the town of Sa-
lina was Mr. Gilchrist, whose house stood near where the in-
spector's office is now ; others of the same business soon fol-
lowed, and Salina became noted for the excellency of its
taverns. A Mr. Carpenter was the first merchant of any con-
siderable note, and was connected with the Federal Company.
Mr. Ryal Bingham was the first Justice of the Peace at
Salt Point, '96 or '97 ; he moved there from Three-River-
Point. It is related of this Justice, that a man was brought
T O W N S .— S A L I N A . 143
before him on a charge of stealing. Upon being satisfied of
his guilt, he ordered him to be whipped a certain number of
lashes on the bare back. There being no one willing to exe-
cute the sentence, the Justice undertook it himself, and to the
great discomfiture of the thief, succeeded too well.
Abraham Van Vleck is supposed to be the first male child
born in the county of Onondaga — born in the year 1792.
About the time of his birth, an Indian had been drowned at
the Oswego Falls, by the upsetting of his canoe, and the
event bore so heavy upon the friends of the deceased, that the
son of Mr. Van Vleck was named by the Indians Ne-un-hoo-
tah, which being interpreted, means sorrow for one departed,
and by this name he was known among the Indians, who al-
ways entertained for him a remarkable friendship, and gave
to his father in trust for him a mile square of land, at the
outlet of the lake. The title was not recognized by the State.
It was customary in those days for the Indians to call all the
principal families by their own names. Mr. Van Vleck Avas
called Ka-hunk-a-ta-wah, meaning, one spry enough to skip
over water. Mrs. Van Vleck was called Con-o-roo-quah, one
of pleasant disposition, and the present Mrs. O'Blennis, a
daughter of Mr. Van Vleck, was named Jo-an-te-no ; and
other members of the family had also Indian names, as well
as others of the settlers.
The town of Salina was incorporated in 1809, and the first
town meeting held at the house of Cornelius Schoutens, 11th
of March, the same year. At this time -Elisha Alvord was
elected Supervisor, and Fisher Curtis, Town Clerk ; Rufug
Danforth, Martin Wandle, Richard C. Johnson, Henry Bo-
gardus, Assessors ; Michael Mead, Wm. Buckley, Jr., and Jon-
athan Fay, Commissioners of Highways, &c. 1810, Cyrel
Hunt was elected Supervisor, and Fisher Curtis, Town Clerk ;
Rufus Danforth, Daniel Wheadon, Nathan D'Lamatter, As-
sessors.
In 1798, the Surveyor General was directed l)y law to lay
out the village of Salina. The act is in the following words,
viz. : " Be it enacted, that the Superintendent shall, on the
244 ONONDAGA.
ground adjoining to the south-east side of Free street, so
named on the map of the Salt Springs, made by the Surveyor
General, lay out a square for a village, consisting of sixteen
blocks, each six chains square, Avith intermediate streets, con-
forming to the streets laid down on the said map, made by
the Surveyor General, and divide each lot into four house lots,
and deliver a map and description thereof to the Surveyor
General, who having approved thereof, shall thereupon pro-
ceed to advertize and sell, not exceeding thirty of the said lots
in the manner prescribed by law for the sale of the lots laid
out at Oswego. Provided, that none of the said lots shall be
sold for a less sum than forty dollars, and provided also, that
no lot on which there is a building of the value of fifty dollars,
shall be liable to be sold, if the owner or occupant thereof
shall agree to secure a deed therefor, and pay for the same,
at the average price of other lots sold as aforesaid."
The village was laid out, and lots sold on credit, in 1799,
and those who had not paid up in 1801, had the time of their
payments extended by law.
Tl village of Salina was incorporated March 12th, 1824.
At the election under the village charter, Fisher Curtis, Hen-
ry C. Eossiter, James Shankland, Jonathan R. Beach, were
elected Trustees ; Fisher Curtis was appointed President ; Ash-
bel Kellogg, Clerk ; S. R. Mathews, Collector ; Horace Brace,
Treasurer ; and J. G. Forbes, Attorney. Among the first
acts of the Trustees was to procure a fire engine, and ladders,
hooks, and other apparatus for the extinguishment of fires,
laying out and improving streets and other things for the pros-
perity of the village. By the Book of Records it appears
that the first Board of Trustees were not unmindful of their
duty, but went zealously into the work assigned them, and
made many improvements which have had a lasting tendency
to perpetuate the prosperity of the village. In 1825, Thomas
McCarthy, Wm. Beach, B. F. Williams, Sylvester F. Peck,
and E. M. Knapp, were elected Trustees. 1826, Thomas
McCarthy, E. M. Knapp, B. F. Williams, S. F. Peck, Wm.
H. Beach, were elected Trustees ; Thomas IMcCarthy, Presi-
TOWNS.— SALTNA. 145
dent. The village of Salina is now the first ward of the city
of Syracuse.
The Presbyterian Society at Salina, was organized on the
20th day of March, 1810, as the " United Church of Onondaga
Hollow and Salina," by the Presbytery of Geneva, and Rev.
Dirk C. Lansing minister of the Church. There were but
nine members at this time. Previous to this the Presbyteri-
ans attended divine worship with the Methodists, and had oc-
casional services of their owtt, by the Rev. Caleb Alexander and
Samuel T. Mills. On the 23d of January, 1822, the United
Church was divided, and a separate church organized, called
the First Presbyterian Church at Salina. The Rev. Hutchins
Taylor was installed in March, 1822. A new house of wor-
ship was erected in 1823, and Mr. Taylor continued as pastor
to September, 1826. Then succeeded the Rev. Mr. Hotch-
kiss, one year and a half ; Rev. Hiram H. Kellogg, two years ;
James J. Ostrum, three years ; Joseph J. Foot, two years.
In July, 1836, Rev. Hutchins Taylor was re-called, and re-
mained till some time in 1839. Rev. Joseph Myers preached
from December 1st, 1839, to May, 1844. The Rev. Elias
Clark during the winter of 1844, and the Rev. Thomas Cas-
tleton from 20th of August, 1845, to the present time.
The next religious society were the Methodists, who were
organized at an early day, and who erected their house of
worship, 1829.
St. John's Roman Catholic Church, in the village of Sa-
lina, now Syracuse, was commenced and enclosed in 1829, by
the exertions of Thomas McCarthy and James Lynch, and a
few Roman Catholics, and the liberal donations of their Pro-
testant fellow-citizens in the villages of Salina and Syracuse,
and by collections made by said McCarthy and Lynch, from
their friends in Utica, Albany and New- York. Rt. Rev. John
Dubois was then Bishop of the Diocese of New-York, and for
the two succeeding years, the congregation being small, was
visited by clergymen only once a month. The first resident
clergyman that attended the church, was the Rev. Francis
O'Donoghue, who was the pastor for about six years, and was
146 ONONDAGA.
succeeded by Rev. James O'Donnell, wlio remained in charge
of the church and mission some four or five years. After him
the Rev. Mr. Haes, now of the Syracuse Church, had charge
for several years, and the present pastor. Rev. Mr. Geaurdetty
for about three years. Others who have officiated are Rev.
Messrs. Drummond, Chartier, Rolf and Cummings.
St Mary's German Catholic Chui-ch was erected during the
winter of 1844-5. Clergymen, Rev. Messrs. Adelbert, Ina-
ma, Xavier, Roth and Theodore Noethen.
About a mile north of Green Point, were formerly the re-
mains of a fortification, probably erected by the French, in
some of their visits to the Onondaga valley. This may be
the ruins of the fort erected by Mons. Dablon, in 1665, (see
page 174, Vol. I.)
In the account given by the Jesuit Fathers, of the location
of the French fortification, and the colony and mission estab-
lished at the same time, there are many striking coincidences
with this ground, and the locality described by them. " The
spring of fresh water, and a salt fountain, eighty or an hun-
dred paces distant," &c. (seep.250,Vol.I.) Although there is
now no salt spring "issuing from the same hill," yet, fifty
years ago there was one, which circumstance, with the old
fortification, goes far to identify them as one and the same
place, and as no other ruins were noticeable by the first set-
tlers, we set it down as the ground upon which Mons. Dablon
established his fort. The prospect described by the several
missionaries, as being surpassingly beautiful, is still entitled
to the same praise, and "the spring of pure, fresh water"
bubbles up with the same freshness now that it did two hun-
dred years ago, and is as useful at this day to slake the thirst
of the weary ploughman, as it was then to cool the lips of the
tented soldier, the pilgrim priest, or the wandering savage.
At even a much earlier date, it may have been the strong
hold of the Iroquois in the Onondaga country, and may be
the same attacked with so much vigor by Mons. Champlain
in 1615, (see page 252, Vol. I.)
When the white people came to settle in the neighborhood
TOWNS. — SALINA
147
of Salina, this ground was covered -with small trees of a uni-
form size, indicating that at no very distant period, it had
been destitute of timber.
Judge Geddes in a manuscript now in hand, says : " In
the summer of 1797, when the Surveyor General laid out the
salt lots, I officiated as a deputy surveyor, and when travers-
ing the shores of Onondaga Lake, I found between Brown's
pumpworks and Liverpool, the traces of an old stockade,
which I sun^eyed and made a map of. Our opinion was, from
the truth of the right angles, and other apparent circumstan-
ces, that it was a French work. A fine spring of water, rises
near bv."
The accompanying cut, is a copy of the survey, made by
Judge Geddes at this time. The original is now in the Sur-
veyor General's office, at Albany.
AAA A-Parapets. B B-Gateways. C-Spring and Well -Palisade*
On this ground have been ploAved up, brass kettles, guu
barrels, musket balls, axes, grape shot, &c. Burnt earth and
calcined stones, and broken bricks, where their fires had been
kept, are to be seen even to this day. In 1794, the ditch
148 ONONDAGA.
was easily to be traced, and some of the pickets were standing.
The work embraced about half an acre of land, and from its
location, was a place of beauty, convenience and strength.
This work is situated on the farm of Mr. Myrick Bradley,
on the bank of the lake. An old deserted house now stands
on the site. Cultivation and time have removed all traces of
its being.
There was an ancient burying ground at Green Point.
Liverpool was laid out as a village by the Surveyor Gene-
ral, and named Liverpool by the Commissioners of the Land
Office.
Previous to this, it was called Little Ireland, and was early
a place of considerable notoriety as a salt manufacturing lo-
cality.
Jonathan Danforth was the first settler at Liverpool, in
1794, and commenced the manufacture of salt. He was soon
followed by Patrick Riley, Joseph Gordon, James Armstrong
and Charles Morgan.
John O'Blennis made salt at Green Point in 1J94. There
were many salt springs which issued all along the high bank
of the lake, north of the point, at which, works have at diifer-
ent times been erected. The first school kept at Liverpool,
was by a man named Conner, in his salt works, and the schol-
ars were taught, while he carried on the business of making
salt. His school was then considered the best in the county,
and was denominated '■'■the high school," and was patronized
by the inhabitants of Salina and Onondaga Hollow.
^^ Ascension Clmrch,'" Liverpool, was organized in 1840,
and their church edifice erected in 1841. Rev. Messrs. George
D. Gillespie, S. G. Appleton and Samuel Goodale, Cler-
gymen.
Statistics of the town of Salina, from the State census of
1845 :—
Number of inhabitants, 15,804 ; subject to military duty,
1,8G4 ; voters, 3,533 ; aliens, 1,101 ; children attending Com-
mon Schools, 2,353 ; acres improved land, 14,012 ; grist mills,
T O W N S .— S A L I N A . 149
4; saw mills, 4; iron works, 4; trip hammer, 1; aslieries,
2 ; Tanneries, 2 ; Churches, Baptist, 1 ; Episcopalian, 3 ;
Presbyterian, 3 ; Congregational, 1 ; Methodist, 6 ; Roman
Catholic, 3 ; Universalist, 1 ; Unitarian, 1 ; Jews, 1 ; Com-
mon Schools, 26 ; wholesale stores, 4 ; retail stores, 103; Gro-
ceries, 78 ; Farmers, 297 ; Merchants, 130 ; Manufacturers,
147 ; Mechanics, 1003 ; Clergymen, 21 ; Physicians, 33 ; Law-
yers, 41.
Geddes. — In 1793, Mr. James Geddes visited Onondaga,
with a view of selecting a location for his future residence,
and the next year he came on, and arrived on the bank of
the lake, in April, 1794. He had previous to this, formed a
company in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of manu-
facturing salt. The other members of the company came on
the following month of June. The members of this company
composed the village, which received its name from the presi-
dent of the company, and entered at once into the manufac-
ture of salt. The Indians took offense at this, contending,
that inasmuch as they had sold to the state of New- York an
undivided half of the salt water ; and, as the white people had
already taken possession of the salt springs at Salina, that
therefore, the springs on the west side of the lake must be-
long to the Indians. They did not at all understand the
white man's phrase, "tenants in common." Mr. Webster,
who lived among the Indians and knew their feelings, and
who had considerable influence over them, came to the new
works, and advised Mr. Geddes to meet the Indians in coun-
cil, and have the matter satisfactorily adjusted.' This advice
was followed ; but, the Indians at first refused to treat, re-
jected all advances, and refused to accept his presents. The
council was dissolved for the time being without any satisfac-
tory result. But he took the precaution to leave with Mr.
Webster the presents to be given, whenever they m' ould be re-
ceived. The Indians smoked and deliberated upon the mat-
ter a long time. The presents were enticing, and the salt
springs they did not like to yield. Finally this Gordian Knot
was severed, by adopting him into the nation, thus making
150 ONONDAGA.
him one of them ; and then, as an Indian, he could lawfully
use the water. This was rather nice maneuvering, and shows
the regard these red men had for their laws, and that there
were men of sagacity in those days as well as now. The name
given to the newly adopted member of the nation was, Don-
da-dah-gwah, which signified, the place where canoes dis-
charged their freight, by which name he was always addressed
by the older Onondagas, while he lived.
This is the foundation of the village of Geddes. At this
time, the salt works were accessible only by a road from Onon-
daga Hollow, passing through a swamp, which is now Syra-
cuse. It became necessary for the company at Geddes to
connect with this road, and by the aid of monies, from a road
fund in the hands and under the control of three county com-
missioners, and by large contributions, Mr. Geddes made
the road from his village, to the road from Onondaga Hollow
to Salt Point, cutting a part of the timber with his own hands.
The owners of the salt Avorks at Salt Point, were not at all
friendly to their neighbors, whom they considered in the light
of rivals, and carried their resentment so far, as to withhold
assistance in raisino; a brido;e over Onondaga Creek, and to
throw out hints, that it covild not be raised without them.
But necessity became the mother of invention, and made the
resources of the directors more fruitful than their most san-
guine friends anticipated. The first bent was put together,
and shoved off the bank of the creek, the mud sill placed at
the foot of the bank ; and by levers, was so managed, that
one man could exercise the power of many, applied in the or-
dinary manner. The bent was set upright, the stringers from
the top of the bank to the bent being placed, so much was
planked, and thus a foundation was made from which the next
bent was raised, and so on, until the bridge was finished, and
the road completed.
Mr. Geddes continued at his first landing place but a short
time, (about four years,) when he located on the farm now oc-
cupied by his son, Hon. George Geddes, Fairmount. The
next person who tried his fortune at this place, was Mr. Free-
TOWNS.— SALINA. 151
man Hughs, from "Westfield, Massachusetts, who located there
in March, 1799, at 18 years of age. At that time, there was
not a single house in what is now the town of Geddes, except
Geddes' Salt Works, which had been abandoned. Here he
took up his abode three days and three nights, all alone, and
not an individual nearer than Salt Point — a lonely time in-
deed, considering the state of the country, the dark and
dreary swamps, the wolves, bears and wild cats, by which he
was surrounded.
Mr. Hughs has occupied during his residence at Geddes,
almost every station connected with the salt business. He
has bored for salt, pumped the brine, built pumps, made and
laid aqueducts, tubed wells, boiled salt, made barrels, packed
salt, inspected it for six years, was a receiver of duties for
two years, boated salt, and as a Justice of the Peace, tried
those who had evaded the payment of duties.
At one time, Avhile boring for salt, about half way from
Geddes to Harbor Brook, the workmen struck a pine log, 86
feet below the surface, and cut through it with their drills.
Several borings have been made along the western shore of
Onondaga Lake, but owing to the rock, none has been found
as highly impregnated with salt as the wells at Salina and
Syracuse. The strongest water is invariably found where the
ancient valley is deepest, and in the lowest deposits of gra-
vel. One of the earliest and greatest improvements about
the village of Geddes, was the making a road from that place
to Salina. The ground over which the road was to pass, was
a perfect quagmire, filled with thick cedar timber and low
brush wood. It was so miry, so thick with underbrush, and
so much covered with water, that it was completely impassa-
ble, and could not be surveyed by the ordinary methods. In
this case, the Surveyor set his compass at the house of Sam'l
R. Mathews, at Salina, and took the bearing of Mr. Hughs'
Chimney, above the trees, and from this observation the route
of the road was commenced, by cutting brush and laying them
crosswise on the line of the road, and covering them with
earth. The process was slow, but time and perseverance has
152 ONONDAGA.
accomplished the work, and an excellent road, perfectly
straight between the two villages, is the result. Clearing of
the swamp lands has cost, ordinarily about one hundred dol-
lars per acre. Logs cover the ground, mixed with peat to
the depth of six feet, and in some instances stumps are found
far below the surface.
James Lamb, built the first frame house at Geddes, about
1803, and kept a tavern.
The first school house was built of logs, near where the
church now stands, in 1804, and afterwards the present brick
school house.
The first physician was Dr. Thayer, and lawyers, E. W. Cur-
tis and R. S. Orvis, Esqrs.
" Apostolic Gliurcli^' Geddes, was organized January, 1832,
and the church edifice erected the same year. Rev. Richard
Salmon and Rev. M. Whiting, clergymen. Religion has made
but slow advances at this place, and most of the church-going
people attend worship at the city of Syracuse.
In 1848, Geddes was erected a town by itself, including all
that part of Salina west of the lake, not embraced in the city
of Syracuse.
Although the author is in possession of no recorded histo-
rical or documentary proof of a party of about two hundred
men proceeding from Fort Schuyler through this country, to
aid General Sullivan in his Indian expedition of 1779, yet
from several revolutionary soldiers, and particularly a Mr.
Hobart, late of Salina, who was one of the expedition, there
is no doubt but such was the fact. They were burdened with
supplies and baggage. The road which was cut through by
them, was easily traced at the time the first settlements were
made in the county. They crossed the Onondaga valley at
Geddes, and from there to the Seneca River, below Montezu-
ma, traces of their march were plain to be seen, trees had
been cut close to the ground, and young bushes had filled the
path.
The name Harbor Brook, in this town, was obtained under
the following circumstances. At the time Sir John Johnson,
TOWNS. — SALINA. 153
with his Indian and Tory allies, made an incursion into the
Mohawk valley, in 1779, the party forming the expedition, had
proceeded from Niagara along the Ontario Lake shore to Os-
wego, and up the river to Onondaga Lake. For fear of dis-
covery, if their boats were left on the lake shore, they run
them up this small stream, among the thick bushes and brakes.
A party was sent from Fort Schuyler to destroy them, but
did not succeed in ascertaining where they were concealed ;
but were surprised during the search, taken prisoners, and
carried captive to Canada. On the first night of their depar-
ture, they encamped for the night at Three-River-Point, where
the prisoners were bound and tied to trees until morning.
Capt. Patrick McGee, was one of the prisoners, and was so
much pleased with the beauty of the place at this time, at
the junction of the rivers, that at the close of the war, he se-
lected it for his residence, spent the residue of his life there,
and was buried on the spot he had previously selected for
that purpose. These facts were related by him, during his life.
Great Alarm in 1794. — In the early part of the spring
and summer of 1794, there was a wonderful alarm and panic
among the settlers of Onondaga County. It was occasioned
mainly by the belligerent spirit of the Indians, manifesting
itself in the northern and western parts of the State of New-
York, and in the State of Ohio. The alarm was so great, and
immediate danger so apparent, that many prudent persons
buried their most valuable effects, and not a few were on the
point of hastily leaving the country. To such a height were
their fears excited, that it was thought the settlements in the
vicinity of Onondaga, would be broken up. A meeting of
the inhabitants of this part of the county was called at More-
house's tavern, to consult and devise means for the public
safety. Mr. Jonathan Russell was dispatched to Albany, with
instructions to lay the situation of the settlement before the
Governor of the State. After the return of Mr. Russell, a
subsequent meeting was called of the inhabitants, and Gover-
nor Clinton about the middle of May, dispatched General
154 ONONDAGA.
William North, General Stephen Van Rensselaer, and Adju-
tant General David Van Home, who were to call on the Baron
Steuben, then at his residence in Oneida County. They four
were to attend this meeting. These gentlemen, with others,
had been recently appointed commissioners by the Legislature
of the State of New- York, for the purpose of erecting such
fortifications, as in their judgment should be deemed necessa-
ry for the security of the western and northern frontier of
the State. Twelve thousand pounds had been appropriated
by the Legislature to defray any expenses thus made. The
military force of the county were assembled at Morehouse's,
and reviewed by the Baron and his associates, who proceeded
to Salt Point, examined the position, advised the erection of
a block Jiouse, and in company of a committee of public safe-
ty, consisting of Moses De Witt, Isaac Van Vleck, Thomas
Orman, Simon Phares, and John Danforth, proceeded to stake
out the ground near the principal Salt Spring. They made
sundry special military appointments, and gave directions for
its speedy erection. Major Danforth and Major Moses De
Witt, were commissioned to superintend the building of the
block house, which was soon completed, under the immediate
inspection of Mr, Cornelius Higgins, as master builder. It
was built of substantial squared call logs, with a high picket
work around it of large cedar posts. The commissioners rep-
resented to the people that there was great reason to appre-
hend an Indian war ; and at one time the people became so
much alarmed that they took refuge in what was then called
Thompson's sugar bush, near where Dioclesian Alvord now re-
sides, and there remained for three days and nights. Judge
James Geddes thus speaks of this aifiiir, in a MS. before us :
^' The commissioners informed us that they had come to for-
tify Three-River-Point and Salt Point. Myself and all my
hands were summoned across the lake to be reviewed by Ba-
ron Steuben. Having shook hands with all of us, and en-
quired the place of our nativity, the Baron informed us of our
danger, and admonished us to be on the look-out for Indians.
How it happened, I cannot now well account for it, but I par-
TOWNS.— SALINA. 155
took of none of his fears, and all my hands remained perfect-
ly tranquil. Not so with the people of Salt Point; for while
the block house and stockade was building before their eyes,
at the expense and by authority of the State, it seemed that
as loyal people they could be no less than afraid. And one
afternoon terror took such hold of them that all the houses
were emptied, and men, women and children all took to the
woods, and spent that night and the following there for safe-
ty. As none of my folks happened to go over to the Point
for two days, the conclusion there, was that the Indians hav-
ing found us, had proceeded no further, and that they owed
their safety to our being between them and the point of dan-
ger, for from the west they knew the Indians would come, and
the attack would certainly be upon us first."
On this occasion, Mr. Jonathan Russell, of Pompey, enlist-
ed an independent volunteer company, called the " Grena-
diers." Anson Jackson was his Lieutenant, and Jonathan
Bond, Ensign. This company manned the block house, and
were furnished with a field piece, (a six pounder,) with small
arms, ammunition, rations, &c., from the Commissary's de-
partment of the State of New-York, by order of Governor
Clinton. A depot was established at Jeremiah Jackson's Mills,
near Jamesville, and warlike implements and stores deposited
there, and all male persons over fourteen years of age, were
required to hold themselves in readiness for any emergency.*
In addition to the permanent force of Capt. Russell's com-
pany, which was to keep garrison, three men were drafted
from each militia company then organized on the Military
Tract, who were to arm themselves completely, from the de-
* Col. Jeremiah Jackson was at the taking of Quebec, under General Wolfe, iu
1759. He afterwards married and settled in Massacliusetts, and iu the struggle
for independence, entered the American army, with a Captain's commission, and
served with credit to himself and country through a great part of the war. He
had three sons with him. While in the army he made the acquaintance of Major
Danforth, through whose instrumentality he was induced to move to this coun-
ty in 1791, and become the purchaser of Danfiirth's mills. He subsequently
moved to the toM-n of Pompey, and died on his farm in what is since La Fayette,
in 1802, and was buried with military honors.
150 ONONDAGA.
pat at Jackson's Mills, and in case of any sudden assault or
attack, to proceed, without a moment's delay to the place to
be defended.* They Avcre styled '■''minute men,'" and kept
up a show of force, long after affairs had assumed a peaceful
aspect. On one occasion this alarm was greatly increased by
the rejoicing at Eort Ontario, (then in possession of the Brit-
ish,) on the 4th of June in that year, celebrating the birth-
day of King George III. The roar of cannon fired at Oswe-
go, was distinctly heard throughout the eastern part of the
county ; many were almost distracted with fear, and went run-
ning to and fro inquiring of every person they met whether
the enemy were in sight. Some were so much alarmed as to
bid their friends farewell, as if never to see them more. News
soon arrived of the true cause of the firing at Oswego, upon
which the agonies of terror and despair were succeeded by
the most frantic demonstrations of joy.
The immediate causie of the alarm which came so near an-
nihilating the Onondaga settlement, was this : It seems that
as soon as navigation had opened in the spring of 1794, Sir
John Johnson, agent of Indian Affairs in Canada, had or-
dered a boat-load of stores from Albany, consisting chiefly of
groceries, apple-trees, shrubs, &c., with a variety of articles
suitable for the comfort and advancement of the Mohawk set-
tlement, then recently made upon Grand River. On the re-
turn of this boat, a party of some thirty or forty men, way-
laid it near Three-River-Point, and plundered it of its entire
cargo, afterwards distributing it among themselves. Johnson
was highly incensed at this premeditated insult and robbery.
He hastened to Oswego, where the British garrison was still
kept, and there related the story of his wrongs. This at once
aroused the ire of the British officers, and it was forthwith de-
termined that Johnson and Brant should at once raise a body
* April 9th, ] 795, an act was passed granting to Jonathan Russell thirty pounds
fifteeu shillings, and to Comfort Tyler, three pounds four shillings, for services and
expenses in transporting arms, ammunition, and one piece of ordnance from Fort
Stanwix, to the Salt Springs, for the defense of the eastern part of the county of
Ououdaga.
T O W N S .— S A L I N A . 157
of soldiers and Indians in Canada, and in revenge, make a
sudden descent upon the Onondaga settlement, where it was
presumed most of the aggressors resided, Indians soon gath-
ered in considerable numbers, in the vicinity of Niagara and
Oswego, burning to revenge the wrongs of their favorite lead-
ers. It was reported that five hundred Messasagues were al-
ready on their way. At this time too, a number of disaffect-
ed Onondagas had joined the western Indians against General
Wayne. They had engaged some of these to co-operate with
themselves, and had calculated, as a matter of course, that
Wayne would be defeated as had been his predecessors. Gen-
erals Harmar and St. Clair. In case of that event, so confi-
dently expected, they were all to return, and with the remain-
ing Onondagas, assist the common enemy in the destruction
of the Onondaga settlement. One thing more perhaps excit-
ed these persons to commit the aggressive act complained of
upon the boat. The British garrison at Oswego had assumed
the right to levy and collect duties on all American boats
passing that fortress, and had employed persons as spies to
give notice of any boats which designed to '■^ run" the fort.
Several boats had been seized and confiscated. Two of these
renegades had previously been publicly whipped at Salt Point.
This state of things, as a matter of course, produced much
angry excitement throughout the county. However, after
some considerable tumultuous contention, satisfaction was ren-
dered, and as far as possible, restitution made to the injured
parties in the case, which had the efi'ect, in some degree, to
restore a better state of feeling.
The participators in this affair kept concealed for a long
time, fearing the vengeance of the laws ; for the aggression
was severely reprehended by a large majority of the inhabi-
tants.
The excuse ofiered for so flagrant an act, was this : the
British cruisers had continued the search and seizure of Ameri-
can vessels and the impressment of American seamen, after
the preliminary articles of peace were agreed upon between
the United States and Great Britain, in 1782. The subject
158 ONONDAGA.
of granting letters of marque and reprisal, was a measure
strongly advocated by many well disposed persons of that
day ; and a report had spread through this country, that the
Congress of the United States had already granted these pri-
vileges to certain individuals, and that several were already
commissioned in the privateering service. Under this belief,
and properly to resent the seizures made at Oswego, this
party commissioned themselves, and presumed the seizure of
British goods, would be sanctioned by the people and authori-
ties of the United States ; but in this they were sadly mista-
ken. However, the fears of ~ the inhabitants were quieted by
the successful and energetic campaign of General Wayne in
Ohio, and the destruction of the Indian settlements in that
quarter, the same year ; and confidence was fully restored
throughout the country, by the timely settlement of differ-
ences between the United States and Great Britain, by Mr.
Jay's treaty the following year, and the final removal of the
British garrison from Oswego ; since which, the alarm of war
has not interrupted the prosperity of Onondaga.
There is oftentimes a singularity in the closing scenes of
the lives of distinguished men ; and it may not be unworthy
of remark, that Frederick William Augustus, Baron de Steu-
ben, once an Aid-de-Camp to Frederick the Great, King of
Prussia ; and Quartermaster General, Chevalier of the Order
of Merit, Grand Marshal of the Court of Ilohenzollen, Colo-
nel in the Circle of Suabia, Knight of the Order of Fidelity,
Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the Prince of Baden,
Major General in the armies of the United States, and In-
spector General of the same — the fortunate soldier of fifty
battles, an admirer of freedom, the friend of Washington,
the man of virtue, fidelity and honor, performed his last mili-
tary service in reviewing a few score of unarmed, half clad
militia, and in selecting a site for a block house, for the de-
fense of the frontier of New-York, in the county of Onondaga,
at Salt Point, in 1794. The Baron died at his residence in
Steuben, Oneida County, November, 1795.
TOWNS.— LYSANDER.— DR. BALDWIN. 150
Dr. Jonas C. Baldwin, vras the second son of Captain
Samuel Baldwin, of Windsor, Berkshire County, Massachu-
setts, and was born in that town, on the 3d of June, 1768.
The name and family are among the most ancient in this
country. The name is of Saxon origin, and the family records
trace their genealogy as far back as the fourteenth centixry ;
at which time, some of their remote ancestors were settled at
a place known as Baldwinstine, on the River Rhine, in Ger-
many. Sometime during that century, they removed to Kent,
in England ; and from there emigrated with Davenport, AVhit-
field and others, in. 1639, to Milford, Connecticut, thence to
Hadley, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, thence to Wind-
sor, Berkshire County.
The immediate ancestor of Dr. Baldwin, was a Captain in
the Revolutionary army, and was distinguished for his gal-
lantry and soldierlike bearing. He was a man of eminent
piety and benevolence, and died at Windsor, at an advanced
age.
The grandfather of Dr. Baldwin, was a clergyman in Bos-
ton, with whom Dr. B. lived for several years, in the early
part of his life. He afterwards returned to Windsor, was
educated at William's College, Berkshire County, at which
place he commenced the study of medicine, and finished his
professional studies with the late Dr. Willard, of Albany, and
with whom for a time he practiced in his profession. While
in Albany, he received the appointment of Physician and Sur-
geon to the ''Inland Lock Navigation Company," who were
at the time engaged, with several hundred laborers, in con-
structing the canal and locks at Little Falls. At this place
he remained, until the completion of that work.
From Little Falls, Dr. Baldwin with his family, in 1797,
removed to the town of Ovid, Seneca County, where he owned
a Military Lot, on which he settled, and where he continued
until the year 1801 or 1802, when he removed to Onondaga
East Hill, at which place he resided, on a large tract of land,
most of Avhich he had purchased of the State. Here he re-
mained until the spring of 1807, when he removed to Lysan-
X60 ONONDAGA.
der, and founded the village of Baldwinsville, where he con-
tinued to reside the remainder of his life.
During his residence at Little Falls, Dr. Baldwin purchased
a farm, brought it under a fine state of cultivation, and erected
upon it a good house and other buildings.
While at Ovid, he cleared up most of his lot, erected a mill,
established a store, and put up several buildings. At Onon-
daga, he cleared up and improved several farms on his tract
of land, brought into the country from Connecticut, large
flocks of sheep, which, at that early period, were greatly
needed ; many of which, were put out among the less wealthy
class of farmers, who at that time, were unable to purchase
for themselves; and, in various other ways employed his
means (which at that period were more ample than those of
any other man in the county,) in promoting his own and the
public interests.
His efforts at Baldwinsville, are detailed in the history of
that place, and to which the reader is referred.
There was a service which he rendered during the war of
1812, which ought not to be overlooked. Baldwinsville be-
ing on the direct route to the frontier, and only twenty-four
miles distant ; he, perceiving the great want of effective fire-
arms, procured a loan from Governor Tompkins, of several
hundred stand, which he issued to such as were not provided,
and who were on their way to meet the enemy, Avho were daily
expected at Oswego, taking for each stand so delivered a re-
ceipt. This duty he continued to discharge without pay ; and,
at the close of the war, returned the arms to the Government.
He also built a large flotilla of boats, which were in the service
of the United States, during most of the war. He was in the
battle at Oswego, and commanded a body of men at the at-
tack upon that place, at which time he received a slight wound
in the head.
In stature, Dr. Baldwin was considerably above the ordi-
nary size, well built, compact, strong, muscular and active.
His complexion florid, his hair of a sandy tinge, his counte-
nance frank, open and benevolent, and his manners easy.
TOWNS.— LYSANDER. 161
Those "who remember him, before age and disease had com-
menced their ravages, speak of him as an uncommonly good
looking man. When occasion required, he was resolute, firm
and brave ; and, in his ordinary intercourse, was mild, bland,
sometimes playful, and always obliging. He was among the
early, most prominent, active and enterprising settlers of this
county.
He died at Onondaga East Hill, (whither he had gone from
Baldwinsville on a visit,) on the 3d day of March, 1827, in
the fifty -ninth year of his age.
There are many of the friends of Dr. Baldwin, who knew
him w«ll and intimaoeiy, who still survive him. The testi-
mony which they bear respecting him, is concurrent and uni-
form. All agree, that he was a man of indomitable energy,
great enterprise, and unbounded benevolence, ardent in tem-
perament, and strong in his attachments ; and that both he
and Mrs. Baldwin, who was a lady of uncommon endowments
and eminent piety, were admirably calculated for the severe
and arduous duties which devolved upon them in the settle-
ment of a wilderness country. Both were members of the
Baptist Church ; and dying within fourteen days of each other,
were buried in one grave, in the cemetery at Baldwinsville,
on the north side of the river.
Few persons leave the stage and scenes of their usefulness,
so universally beloved in life, and fewer are as much lamented
in their death.
Lysander. — This was one of the original eleven towns of
the county of Onondaga, at the time of its organization in
1794, and was number one of the Military Townships. It
then embraced the townships of Lysander, Hannibal and Ci-
cero, and the first town meeting was by law directed to be held
at the house of Ryal Bingham, then residing at Three-River-
Point. Hannibal, now in Oswego County, was taken from it
in 1806, and Cicero in 1807. In 1816, when the county of
Oswego was organized, thirty-three lots of the township of
Lysander were included in the county of Oswego, and town
Bll
162 ONONDAGA.
of Granby, which leaves but sixty-seven lots in the present
town of Lysander. It is situated in the north-west corner of
the county. The earliest settlers in this town are nearly as
follows : Ryal Bingham, near Three-River-Point, in 1793 ;
Jonathan Palmer, near the centre of the town, same year ;
Reuben Smith, Adam Emerick, Elijah and Solomon Toll, Col.
Thomas Farrington, Elijah Mann, John McHarrie, William
Lindsey, Ebenezer Wells, James Cowan, Abner and Manly
Vickery, Job Loomis, John P. Schuyler, all came in about the
year 1800, some of them a year or two previous. Jacobus
De Puy cleared off about fifty acres in 1805 and '6, on the
north side of the river at Baldwinsville, and put it into wheat.
This town at first, owing in a measure to the unhealthiness
of the location, was not very rapidly settled, but as clearings
were made, and improvements extended, its settlement in-
creased with greater celerity.
As the flourishing village of Baldwinsville, and its rise and
progress constitute what have been the principal business
events connected with the early history of this town, we shall
in a measure confine our remarks to the village and vicinity.
This important village is situated in the towns of Lysander
and Van Buren, on both sides of the Seneca River, five miles
west of the outlet of Onondaga Lake, about twelve miles
north-west from Syracuse, and in point of business, wealth
and population, ranks next to it. Its name is derived from
its founder. Dr. Jonas C. Baldwin, who commenced opera-
tions here in the spring of 1807 ; at which time it was named
*' Columbia," which name it bore until the establishment
of a Post Office in 1815, when the name was changed by the
Post Master General (in consequence of there being another
Post Town of the same name in the State) to ^'Baldwin's
Bridge." But the name Baldwinsville, being preferred by
the inhabitants, it was substituted by the Post Ofiice Depart-
ment, which name it has since continued to bear.
The site of that part of the village located on the north
bank of the river, was selected as a desirable place of resi-
dence by Mrs. Baldwin, in 1797, while the family were on
TOWNS.— LYSANDER. 163
their way to Ovid, Seneca County, by -way of the Mohawk
River, Wood Creek, Oneida Lake and River, Seneca River
and Cayuga Lake, to their newly selected home. At that
time this was the only route of communication between the
eastern and western portions of the State. Mrs. Baldwin,
having left her comfortable home at Little Falls with regret,
was assured by her husband that he would purchase the first
place on their route, which she might select. On their way
up the placid waters of the Seneca, rounding into the charm-
ing bay now just below the village, on a clear autumnal morn-
ing, they were charmed with the delightful prospect here pre-
sented. Every thing wore the air of solitude, yet there was
something, after all, exceedingly attractive in the scene. They
gazed upon it with admiration, and Mrs. Baldwin involunta-
rily exclaimed, "how beautiful;" then addressing herself to
her husband, remarked, " if our property lay here, remote from
settlements and lonely as it is, I should be willing to stop and
take up my residence for life." That day was employed in
getting their boat over the rapids. Their leisure time was
spent in examining more minutely the prospect they had so
much admired in the morning. The result was, that both
were confirmed in their first impressions relating to this charm-
ing spot. The following night they lodged with a Mr. Mc-
Harrie, who had then settled 'on the south bank of the river,
some forty rods above where the dam now joins that shore.
From Mr. McHarrie, Dr. Baldwin learned Avho was the owner
of the favorite lot on the opposite side of the river. The fol-
lowing year, (1798,) Dr. Baldwin went to Philadelphia to the
owner and purchased it ; since which he and his descendants
have continued its owners. After residing a few years at
Ovid, ho sold his property there and came to Onondaga. In,
the mean time, settlers had located in different parts of the.
town of Lysander, and north part of Camillus, now Van Bu-
ren, and finding themselves in need of mills, and knowing
McHarrie's rifts to be an excellent water power, these scatter-
ing settlers assembled, drew up a memorial, and sent it on by
a strong delegation, in the spring of 1807, to Pr. Baldwin^
164 ONONDAGA.
then residing at Onondaga, urging him, in the strongest terms,
to improve his water power in the erection of mills upon those
rapids. He had contemplated doing this at some future pe-
riod, but not so soon bj five or six years. Finally, yielding
to entreaty, he resolved forthwith to enter upon the work.
He immediately collected a mimber of laborers and mechan-
ics, and proceeded at once by way of Onondaga Lake and
Seneca River, (there being no roads,) to the place of destina-
tion. Previous to this, he had made arrangements for the
erection of a suitable log cabin for himself and workmen, but
upon arrival, he found only a couple of large cribs, without
roofs or floors. The site of these structures was on the bank
of the river, at the point where the canal above the pond
leads from it. They were soon converted into comfortable
dwellings. This double cabin was one of the first erected in
this part of the town.
Supposing that a small stream, which empties into the river
just below the site of the old lock, would, with the addition
of so much water as might be thrown into it, by a race and
wing dam extending into the river, be sufficient to drive his
mills, he commenced the erection of a grist and saw mill at
that point. All hands applied themselves most assiduously to
the work, and every thing moved prosperously on, till about
the middle of August, when wl«at has since been known as the
sickly season, commenced. Within one week every mechanic
and laborer was attacked with a malignant fever. Not one
escaped, except a Revolutionary soldier known as " Uncle Bill
Johnson," (recently deceased,) and Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin.
These were the only persons who left Onondaga in the spring
in health, who did not fall victims to that disease. The log
cabins Avere converted into hospitals, and the whole time of
those who escaped, was taken up in attending upon the sick,
and burying the dead. The work was of course for a time
suspended, but as soon as possible a new set of hands were
employed to prosecute it, and before they had been engaged
a fortnight, every man was attacked with this direful dis-
ease. The season was now too far advanced for further
TOWNS.— LYSANDER. 165
operations, and the work was abandoned till the following
spring, when it was again renewed with vigor, and before the
sickly season again returned, the mill, race and dams were all
completed. But here a new difficulty arose. A mistake had
been made in the level ; the water would not flow into the
race, and the only supply was to be obtained from the small
stream on which the mills stood, which at some seasons of the
year was limited and precarious. Thus situated, he resolved
to push his dam across the river, and at once set about the
work. It was again suspended on account of sickness among
the workmen, and it was not till late in autumn that Dr. Bald-
win finished his dam, saw his race supplied with water, and
his mills in successful operation. Desirable as this object was,
it did not compensate for the personal sacrifices already made.
Although but the second year since the first blow was struck,
the settlement had already assumed the appearance of a log
town in the wilderness. Many succeeding years the same dif-
ficulties were experienced. The same malignant disease vis-
ited this favorite spot, and many were brought by it to pre-
mature graves.
The Seneca River, being a public highway, and much used
as such, it became immediately necessary to provide for the
passage of boats around the dam. Dr. Baldwin therefore con-
structed a canal and lock for that purpose. In 1808, he pe-
titioned the Legislature for permission to erect a dam, locks
and a canal, at that point. The State having previously trans-
ferred its title to the '^Inland Lock Navigation Company,"
could not with propriety grant privileges to Mr. Baldwin. He
thereupon purchased of said company, their right and interest
to all the waters, between the outlet of Oneida River and
Cayuga Lake. In 1809, the Legislature granted his petition
for such erections and improvements. Indeed, such was the
difficulty in ascending those rapids, and danger in descending
them, and so great had been the loss of property on the hid-
den rocks in the channel, that it was considered by the State
and the Company, very desirable to have the improvements
made, inasmuch as the Company long before had ceased to ex-
166 ONONDAGA.
pend money for the improvement of those waters. This right
was granted to Dr. Baldwin, and his assigns, for twenty years.
The collection of certain tolls was authorized upon all boats
passing through said canal and locks. At first the amounts
collected were small, but with the growth of the country and
increase of business they increased, and in time would have
repaid the outlay, had not the State changed its policy and
taken the entire subject of internal improvements, under its
own control. The completion of the middle section of the
Erie Canal, rendered nugatory the business of the original
routes, since which this canal and the locks have been only a
bill of expense, instead of affording revenue. In 1809, the
dam across the river was swept away by a heavy spring freshet,
and such was the nature of the damage sustained, that it be-
came necessary to erect a new dam, which was not completed
till the following year, when six saw mills under one roof were
soon after put in successful operation by Dr. Baldwin. He
this year erected a toll bridge across the river under provi-
sions made by statute, upon the site now occupied by the free
bridge.
About this time, a new grist mill of enlarged dimensions
was erected by Dr. Baldwin, near the site of the present
woolen factory. The same was afterwards converted into a
woolen factory, and was subsequently burned down. He used
his efforts successfully to procure the laying out of the State
Road, between Onondaga Hill and Oswego, and also the act
to be passed, authorizing the construction of a turnpike from
Westmoreland to Sodus Bay, and expended considerable sums
of money in these enterprises. The village continued pros-
perous and flourishing until 1819, Dr. Baldwin being the
main-spring of all its principal movements. The diversion of
the business usually done on the Seneca River to the Erie
Canal, seemed for a time to paralyze every interest, and the
village continued to decline, until the growth of the surround-
ing country rendered its water-power more valuable ; when
new energies and new investments of capital, awakened new-
improvements ; since which time, it has been steadily, if not
TOWNS.— LYSANDER. 167
rapidly advancing, and is now the most populous and flourish-
ing village in the county. In 1819-20, such portions of the
village as had not previously been sold, passed into the hands
of Messrs. Stephen W. and Harvey Baldwin, the two eldest
sons of Dr. Baldwin, by whom it is still held. These enter-
prising gentlemen made many improvements about the village,
by rebuilding the toll bridge, enlarging the canal and locks,
and rebuilding the dam. They also made extensive purcha-
ses on the Van Buren side of the river, laid out village lots,
erected mills, and constructed a canal on that side of the river,
and thus identified both sides in one common interest. Since
1807, saw mills have been erected almost without number.
In 1808, Dr. Baldwin erected one with six saws and carriages.
In 1824, Messrs. Start and Mott erected a mill with two saws
and carriages. In 1826, Mr. James Johnson built a new mill
with four saws and carriages, and Messrs. Stephen W. and
H. Baldwin, a mill with a gang of fifteen saws. Start and
Mott's mill burned down in 1834, and was re-built in 1847
by Richard M. Beach. In 1839, Thomas P. Campbell erected
a mill with two saws and carriages. In 1848, Howard & Cook
erected a mill with two saws and carriages. All these mills are
furnished with buzz saws for cutting slabs into lath, and for
other slitting purposes. Several grist mills have been built from
time to time, but the best one was erected by Sandford C.
Parker, in 1836-7. It is one hundred feet long by sixty feet
broad, four stories high besides the basement ; is calculated
for ten run of stones, has six run in operation, and is capa-
ble of manufacturing two hundred barrels of flour, daily, be-
sides custom grinding. There is an extensive woolen factory,
called Kellogg's Woolen Factory, two tanneries, a set of
planing machines and sash factory, two furnaces, two plaster
mills, four carriage making shops, seven blacksmith shops, &c.
There are at present, (1849) over two thousand inhabitants
in the village of Baldwinsville, seven stores, four taverns, seven
lawyers, seven physicians, three clergymen, three meeting-
houses for the Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist societies.
A few years since, an attempt was made to effect a change
168 ONONDAGA.
in the name of the village ; but the older inhabitants and
early settlers who had been eye witnesses to the trials and
hardships encountered and endured by Dr. Baldwin and his
family, with a just appreciation of his services with a kind and
grateful remembrance for his memory, with singular unanimity
remonstrated against the measure, and defeated it.
The village was incorporated with the name of Baldwins-
ville, in 1848, under the provisions of the general law for vil-
lage incorporations. There is not within our knowledge a lo-
cality, which in its early settlement, was attended with so
many difficulties as this ; and perhaps there is no village with-
in our borders, where the improvements made by its first
founder, have resulted in greater benefits to the surrounding
country. A towing path on the north bank of the Seneca
River, extending from Mud Lock to Baldwinsville, connects
it with the Oswego Canal, and the rail road from Syracuse to
Oswego passing through the eastern extremity of the village,
is just completed. Having command of the whole volume of
the waters of the Seneca River with a fall of ten feet, it fur-
nishes one of the best sites for hydraulic works in this section
of the country, and being surrounded by a country of great
fertility and beauty, it must ever be a place of great and in-
creasing importance.
Betts' Corners is a thriving little village in this town, with
two churches, a tavern, one store, about forty dwellings, and
the Lysander Post Office.
The town of Lysander was not fully organized until 1798,
when the Supervisor, Mr. Asa Rice, who lived near Oswego, re-
ported for the town, including the townships of Lysander, Han-
nibal and Cicero, the number of ^^ fifteen' inhabitants, and the
valuation of taxable property for the town was estimated at
fifteen hundred dollars. Mr. Rice was supervisor till Hanni-
bal was erected a town by itself. The old records of the town
are not to be found. The records now in the Clerk's office,
go no further back than 1808 ; at which time we find some
of the principal town officers as follows, viz. : Elijah Snow,
Supervisor, and James Adams, Town Clerk ; Henry Emerick,
T O W N S .— L Y S A N D E R . 169
William Wilson, James Clark, Assessors. In 1809, Elijah
Snow, Supervisor ; and Cyrus Baldwin, Town Clerk. 1811,
Elijah Snow, Supervisor ; Williams, Town Clerk. 1812,
the same. 1813, Jonas C. Baldwin, Supervisor ; Wil-
liams, Town Clerk.
Dr. Baldwin opened a store at Baldwinsville, in 1807, and
continued to 1813. Judge Otis Bigelow commenced selling
goods in the village of Baldwinsville, in 1813, and still con-
tinues ; he is now the oldest merchant in the county. John
Hammill opened a store in 1816. Baker,& Wallace, in 1816 ;
Jonas C. Brewster, 1821 ; Luther Badger, 1823 ; Robins &
Wells, 1832 ; Sandford C. Parker, 1835 ; John H. Tomlin-
son & Co., 1838 ; and D. C. Lusk & Co., 1846.
Reuben S. Orvis, commenced the practice of law here first,
in 1816 ; Samuel H. Hammond, in 1826 ; afterAvards, Cor-
nelius Pugsley, and others. Dr. Jonas C. Baldwin, on his first
arrival at Baldwinsville, practiced medicine when necessary, till
other physicians arrived. Dr. Cyrus Baldwin, established as
a regular physician in 1814 ; Dr. Silas Wallace in 1816.
Post Office first established at Baldwinsville, in 1815; Jo-
nas C. Baldwin, P. M. He was succeeded by Stephen W.
Baldwin, Otis Bigelow, Austin Baldwin, and Daniel T. Jones.
The first Presbyterian society at Baldwinsville, was organ-
ized in 1813, and an Episcopal society, styled Grace Church,
in 1838. There is a Methodist church at Cold Spring, a
Dutch Reformed at Plainville.
Some of the ministers at Baldwinsville, have been Rev. Mr.
Davenport, in 1814, died 1821 ; Rev. Messrs. Wait, Moulton,
Baldwin, Morrell, R. Salmon, G. B. Engle, Willett, Beach,
Williams, Merwin, Brown, Wheeler, Walker, and others.
The first newspaper established at Baldwinsville, was pub-
lished in the spring of 1844, by Samuel B. West, and entitled
the " Baldwinsville Republican." In October, 1846, it
was transferred to C. Marks Ilosraer, and entitled the " ON-
ONDAGA Gazette." Since the 26th of January, 1848, it has
been conducted by Shepard k Hosmer.
The Seneca River is notable for its fish. Cat-fish are caught
f
170 ONONDAGA.
from ten to thirty-j5ve pounds weight, each, and eels from one
to six pounds, each ; sahnon were in former years abundant,
but since the erection of dams across the Oswego River, this
noble fish has entirely disappeared from the Seneca. Smal-
ler fish are numerous and various in kind.
The year 1816, is memorable throughout the country, as
^Hhe cold year." It is said that frosts occurred during
every month. Crops were much injured and the Indian corn
quite destroyed. That crop being the principal reliance of
the Indian tribes in this vicinity, and with no provisions for
the then approaching winter, they were in danger of being
cut oflf by famine. Under these circumstances, a deputation
of chiefs, from the Oneida nation, were sent to Dr. Baldwin,
(they knowing him to be a man of wealth and benevolence,)
to request him to furnish them with provisions for the winter.
After some inquiries as to their necessities and number, Dr.
B. agreed to furnish provisions for one-half of the nation.
Early in the winter, therefore, they came on, about 250 in
number, and encamped in a wood in the vicinity of the vil-
lage, and near where the railroad now crosses the road lead-
ing to the new bridge, and remained there until the next
spring, drawing their rations daily, like a small army.
This well timed benevolence of Dr. Baldwin, saved these
destitute people from starvation ; while the remainder of the
nation were fed and carried through the winter by the charity
of other individuals.
During the winter, Harvey Baldwin, (late mayor of Syra-
cuse,) second son of Dr. B., being on a visit home, permission
was asked by the chiefs to adopt him as their son, which re-
quest being granted, they assembled in grand council, and af-
ter great ceremony, such as is customary with Indians on oc-
casions of this kind, gave him the name of " Coliongoronto"
by which name he is still known among the Oneidas, and
which interpreted, signified a boat having a sharp prow, con-
structed for the navigation of rapid waters, and which was
intended as emblamatical of the profession of law, in the
study of which he was then engaged.
TOWNS.— CICERO. 171
At Cold Spring, three miles east of Baldwinsville, are the
remains of an old fort, circular in form^ and enclosing at
least, three acres of ground, with a gate way. When first
discovered by the whites, it had a ditch about it, four feet
deep, and an embankment outside and inside the ditch, the
outside one being a little the highest. Trees of large size
were found growing on the embankment, and also in the ditch.
At the time Dr. Baldwin constructed his canal, before re-
ferred to, many Indian relics, such as hatchets of stone, flint
arrow-heads, pipes, &c., were found several feet below the
surface, thus showing that this locality had at a remote period,
been a favorite resort of the red man of the forest.
Statistics for the town of Lysander, taken from the census
of 1845 : Number of inhabitants, 4506. 392 subject to
military duty, 1027 voters, Q6 aliens, 3 paupers, 1186 chil-
dren attending common schools, 23508 acres of improved
land, 2 grist-mills, 13 saw-mills, 1 fulling-mill, 1 carding-ma-
chine, 1 woolen-factory, 5 tanneries, 1 Baptist church, 2 Pres-
byterian do., 4 Methodist do., 1 Dutch Reformed do., 1 Uni-
tarian do., 21 common schools, 2 select do., 13 taverns, 7
stores, 4 groceries, 480 farmers, 11 merchants, 12 manufac-
turers, 198 mechanics, 10 clergymen, 9 Physicians, and 3 at-
torneys.
Cicero. — This was one of the original townships, (number
6,) of the Military Tract. At the organization of the coun-
ty, it was included in the town of Lysander. The township
"was set oS" into a town by itself, in 1807. It now contains
about fifty-one lots of the original township, or about three
hundred and twenty-six thousand acres of land.
A Mr. Dexter, a blacksmith, was the first white person who
settled in this town, in 1790, opposite to Fort Brewerton,
where he lived several years. Mr, Oliver Stevens settled
on the north side of the river, in 1789, and cultivated a gar-
den in the town of Cicero. A few years after, he moved to
the south side of the river, where he died in 1813. Ryal
Bingham settled at Fort Brewerton, 1791, and subsequently
172 ONONDAGA.
moved to Salina. Mr. Stevens kept wliat was called a Boat-
man's tavern, furnishing provisions and other necessaries, to
those who passed that way. He carried on quite a trade with
the Indians, in furs, peltry, &c., which at that early day, were
abundantly afiorded in all the country. Fort Schuyler was
the great mart at that time, for the sale of furs, &c., and
there, Mr. Stevens sold and exchanged his merchandize for
his stock in trade. Mr. Stevens sometimes spent his winters
at Salina, where in 1802, his son, J. L. Stevens, late Judge of
Onondaga County Courts, was horn. At that time there were
no wagon roads or physician, nearer than Dr. Needham, of
Onondaga Hollow. All the first settlements in this town
were made along the river and Oneida Lake. John Leach
settled at Cicero Corners, and for several years kept a tav-
ern in a small log cabin, about 1802.
The first settlers sufi'ered very much from fever and ague,
and other diseases common to new countries, and sometimes
they were not a little distressed for want of food. Elijah
Loomis, was the first settler at South Bay, on the lake shore,
in 1804. He and his wife now (1847) reside on the lot he
first purchased. They have lived together sixty-four years.
He was a Revolutionary soldier, and received a pension. Mar-
tin Woodruff settled near him the same year. Their near-
est neighbors were at Brewerton, five miles distant.
In 1791, John Thayer, an old acquaintance of Oliver Ste-
vens, came to Salina, and hearing that his friend had located
at Fort Brewerton, (twelve miles distant,) he determined to
make him a visit. It being winter, the undertaking was some-
what hazardous, but possessing a resolute mind and hardy con-
stitution, he thought he could overcome all obstacles. He
was directed to follow the Indian trail and blazed trees, but
during his journey, he became bewildered, lost his way, and
roamed about the woods three days and two nights, without
shelter or food. He at last struck the Oneida River, several
miles west of Stevens, and in attempting to cross the ice,
broke through, got his legs and feet wet, and before he arrived
at his place of destination, his feet were badly frozen. He
TOWNS. — CICERO. 173
suffered severely for several weeks, ■when his feet began to
mortify. He was then conveyed to Dr. White, of Cherry
Valley, on a sled by hand,•^vhere both limbs were amputated
above the ankle. He is now (1847,) living at Palermo, Oswe-
go County, hobbling about on his stumps, has some property,
and enjoys very good health for one so advanced in years,
comparatively cheerful and happy.
About the year 1811, sometime after the first settlement at
South Bay, two small girls of the name of Shephard, went
into the woods to look for the cows near night ; after searching
sometime in vain, they found themselves unable to trace their
way back. The neighborhood was alarmed, and arrangements
were speedily made for their recovery. The woods were
scoured for twenty miles around, the most vigilant search was
made day and night, and it was not till the third day at even-
ing, that the little wanderers were found, snugly ensconsed,
fast asleep, beside an old log, unharmed. Their only food
had been ground-nuts, wintergreens, &c., upon which they
had subsisted. Patrick McGee, settled at Brewerton, in
Cicero, in 1791, and that year erected the first frame house
in this town, which was occupied as a tavern by him, and af-
terwards by Jonathan Emmons. It was located near where
the Brewerton House now stands. It was a great place of
resort for boatmen and townsmen.
In 1813, Jonathan Emmons was authorized by Legislative
enactment, to establish a ferry across the outlet of Oneida
Lake, at Fort Brewerton, toAvn of Cicero, Avith exclusive priv-
ileges. A man, known familiarly as Tory Foster, first settled
in the east part of the town. He frequently boasted of his
cruelties towards his countrymen, during the Revolutionary
war. He was under Sir John Johnson and Brant at the Cher-
ry Valley and Wyoming massacres, and in their numerous in-
cursions into the Mohawk country. People became so exas-
perated at him, at a late period, on account of his hostile
relations and boastings, that he had frequently to flee andhido
in the woods for several days at a time, to escape the
vengeance of his neighbors. He one day went into the black-
174 ONONDAGA.
smith shop of the late Judge Tousley, at Manlius, and com-
menced relating his cruelties and exploits against the Ameri-
cans in the Revolutionary war. tf he Judge, then at the anvil,
sledge in hand, listened patiently for some time ; at length his
patience became exhausted, he seized a heavy bar of iron and
struck at him -with his full strength. As luck would have it,
the force of the blow was arrested by the iron striking a beam
overhead. The miscreant instantly left the shop, not caring
to continue his favorite theme in the presence of American
patriots, contented to escape with his life. His ears were both
cropped off before he came to this town. He wore his hair
long to prevent the exposition of his disgrace.
Formerly, fish were abundant and easily caught in the river
and lake ; they consisted of salmon, pickerel, pike, perch,
bass, catfish and eels, of a superior quality, all of which are
now taken in great abundance, except salmon, which since the
erection of dams across the Oswego River, have not made their
appearance. Fish and venison constituted a great proportion
of the provisions of the early settlers.
The distance of the first settlers to their nearest neighbors
was twelve miles, (at Salina,) where settlements were made at
an earlier period. The only means of getting there was on
foot, following the Indian trail, which was much used by the
natives, in passing from Onondaga to their fishing grounds, a
practice which they continue to some extent up to the present
time. What in 1791 was a low uninhabited wilderness, has
since become a thickly settled and populous town, and promi-
ses to rival the best towns in the county, in richness of soil,
variety of products, and wealth. There are some splendid lo-
cations for country seats along the river and lake shore, and
ere long will undoubtedly be eagerly sought for by the elite,
of our new-born city, for their country residences.
At the time the town was first settled it v^'as overrun with
bears, Avolves, panthers and wild-cats. Deer were numerous,
and the taking of beaver, foxes, muskrats and otters, formed
a chief occupation for the trappers, who made of it a lucra-
tive business. Two moose were killed by the Indians, near
TOWNS.— CICERO. 175
the north line of the town, in the year 1789, since which the
animal has not been seen in this part of the country.
After the farmers began to raise sheep to some extent,
wolves were very troublesome, often making serious inroads
into the flocks. In February, 1819, in order to exterminate
these vagrants, it was resolved, by some of the principal in-
habitants, to get up a wolf hunt, and scour the town of Cice-
ro, and root them out. Accordingly arrangements were made,
advertisements were published in all the county papers, hand-
bills were circulated throughout the county, the ^'■chasseur"
spirit of the county was on the qui vive. Many of the prin-
cipal men at Salina, Manlius and Onondaga, entered into it
with great spirit and glee. The author, then a mere boy,
joined in the great expedition. On the day appointed, about
sunrise, a line of men near ten miles long, about one rod apart,
was formed across the town, from east to west. At the ap-
pointed signal, the whole line moved northward, towards the
Oneida Lake, with a view of driving the wolves out upon the
ice and shooting them down at pleasure. The line moved on
in good order, amidst the blowing of horns, the hallooing of
boys, and cracking of rifles. After marching upwards of six
miles to the lake, the hunters found they had only driven a
few frightened deer before them, some of which were killed.
Some hunters had preceded the line for the purpose of killing
deer as they passed them ; not a wolf or bear Avas seen during
the whole route. But it seems to have had a good effect, for
the howl of a wolf has not been heard in town since.
In the Cicero swamp there are said to be a few swamp rat-
tle-snakes, much smaller than those occupying more elevated
situations. They seem to possess the same characteristics,
dispositions and poisonous qualities ; they are nearly black in
color, have a dull sleepy look, but seldom bite unless provok-
ed ; they usually give timely notice of their whereabouts by
shaking their rattles.
The intercourse of the early settlers of this town with the
Indians, Avas frequent and of the most friendly character.
They were usually honest, but rather slack pay-masters if
l>jQ ONONDAGA.
trusted. It was once quite a place of resort for tlie Oneidas
and Onondagas, on account of hunting and fishing.
The first meeting house in town was built of logs for the
Presbyterian Society, at Cicero Corners, 1819 ; a frame one
in 1830. The first settled minister was the Rev. Truman
Baldwin, a Presbyterian, who occupied the station several
years, afterwards went west, has recently returned, and taken
charge of his former flock. The next organized religious so-
ciety was a Baptist one, in 1832, at the same place, which
continued such, a few years ; but a majority of the congrega-
tion, embracing new views, called themselves Campbellites, re-
tained possession of the house, and in effect broke up the so-
ciety ; they never had a settled minister, but held their meet-
ings regularly. The society is small, and their increase not
very rapid. Afterwards, the Methodists built a church in the
east part of the town. Except the first named, these churches
are respectable frame buildings, painted and finished in modern
style. Previous to the erection of churches, the different re-
ligious societies held their meetings in the school houses usu-
ally built of logs.
The first school was kept at Brewerton, in 1792 ; the num-
ber of scholars was small. It was taught by Deacon George
Ramsey, a Scotch Presbyterian, of good education and quali-
fications as a teacher of youth. He was a man very much re-
spected and beloved. He continued his labor of teaching for
a number of years. He died but a few years ago, much la-
mented by all who knew him.
Isaac Cody was the first merchant in Cicero. He erected
a store at Cicero Corners in 1818, filled it with goods, and
did quite an extensive business. People frequently came to
trade with him from Salina and Onondaga. Samuel Warren
opened the next store in 1825, and did a flourishing business.
Daniel H. Orcott was the first regular physician who located
in this town in 1817, had an extensive practice. Alexander
Cook settled in this town as the first practising attorney, in
1841. Isaac Codey was the first Post Master, appointed in
1820. The mail was then carried once a week on horseback.
TOWNS.— CICERO. 177
Since then there have been as many as sixteen mails a week.
Now there are but six a week. Rev. John Shepard was the
first Justice of the Peace in 1804.
The first town meetino; was held at the house of Patrick
McGee, at Three-River-Point, 1807. Moses Kinne was
Moderator, and Thomas Pool was elected Supervisor ; Elijah
Loomis, Town Clerk. There are four public burying grounds
in the present town of Cicero.
There are no antiquities of note in this town, though fre-
quently along the shore of the river and lake, are found relics
of war, such as arrow-heads and axes of stone, and occasion-
ally an Indian's grave. In one of these a small brass kettle
was found, in which Avas a bunch of grapes ; at first appear-
ance, they were as fresh and good looking as if just gathered,
but upon exposure to the air, soon crumbled to dust. Mr.
Loomis, before named, in 1804, plowed up a musket of the
kind usually called Queen's arms ; the stock of which was al-
most entirely rotted away, and the barrel much decayed by
rust.
Frenchman's Island. — Eight miles up the lake, and in
full view of the village, is a small and beautiful island of cir-
cular form, containing about twenty-five acres of land, and is
still covered with a primitive forest, which renders the scene
beautiful and picturesque.
There is an incident connected with this island, true indeed,
and which adds greatly to its interest. About the year 1800,
it became the abode of a Frenchman and his wife, named De-
vitzy. The lady was one of the noblest and wealthiest in
France ; she became attached to a French gentleman, far be-
low her rank, and for this, had incurred her father's displea-
sure, who refused his assent to their alliance. An elopement
and marriage were the consequence ; and being pursued by
her angry parent, they fled to this country, and still fearing
his pursuit and vengeance, they left the city of New- York,
where they at first landed, and resolved to bury themselves,
far away from the haunts of busy men, in some dreary and
ul2
178 ONONDAGA.
uninhabited forest. Following the usual channels of com-
munication, they ascended the Mohawk River, and thence
along the Oneida Lake in a canoe, until they arrived at this
beautiful island, upon which they encamped for the night.
So pleased were they with the solitude Avhich everywhere sur-
rounded them, and with the grandeur of the scenery that here
presented itself, they at once resolved to make it the place
of their abode. He soon erected a comfortable hut ; and sub-
sequently, with the assistance of some boatmen, put up a log
house, in which they spent seven summers. His winters, he
usually spent in Albany. His cabin was graced with books
and musical instruments, and his beautiful garden was culti-
vated by his own hands. The remains of this house and some
fruit trees of his planting, are still to be seen.
At length, the day of their deliverance arrived — the angry
father had relented. Unwilling to relinquish his only daugh-
ter, he had continued his search ; and after an absence of
some seven years from her friends, he sought and found, and
forgave his child ; and taking her, her husband and three lit-
tle ones, returned with them rejoicing to his home, settled
upon them his immense fortune, and shortly afterwards died.
Those children, born upon that island, (which has ever since
been known as ^^ FrencJwian s Island,") are said to be at this
day, among the most distinguished personages of France.
This incident, and the beauty of the spot, attracts thither
many visitors, who not only gratify their curiosity, but enjoy
a delightful sail, and usually a picknick, upon tlie, Island.
Brewerton. — The villase of Brewerton, situated at the
outlet of Oneida Lake, on the southern bank of the river, was
laid out by Orsamus Johnson, Daniel Wardwell, Miles W.
Bennet, and Harvey Baldwin, Esqrs., into village lots in 1836 ;
and that portion Avhich remained unsold, is now owned by
Messrs. Johnson, Bennet and Baldwin. Its position at the
foot of the lake is remarkably beautiful and healthy ; and be-
ing surrounded by a fertile and thriving country, promises to
become at no distant day, a village of importance. It is con-
T O W N S .— C I C E R O . 179
nected witli Syracuse by a level plank road, which renders
access easy to either place, at all seasons. Brewerton is a
place very much frequented in the summer months, by plea-
sure parties from the city of Syracuse.
Fort Brewerton — the ruins of which are in the town of
Hastings, in Oswego County, on the opposite side of the river
from the village, deserves a passing notice.
There can probably at this late day, be but little that is
new gleaned, with which to give a full and authentic history
of this ancient fortification ; however, as this place was of
considerable notoriety at the time it was first occupied by the
English, we give a drawing as it now appcax-s, and the follow-
ing history, which is all we can gather respecting it.
Whether the French ever held the occupancy of this place,
is a matter of great uncertainty. It is possible, however,
that the Count de Frontenac, at the time he obtained permis-
sion of the Iroquois to build forts in their country, one might
have been erected here ; and it is also possible, that a fort
might have been erected here at an earlier period by traders,
who had their establishments far and wide through the coun-
try. But this matter relating to French occupancy, is in en-
tire obscurity, so far as the researches of the author of this
have extended.
During the old French War, from 1755 to 1763, there was
a great strife between the English and French, as to which
nation should secure to themselves the great thoroughfare
from Oswego to the Mohawk valley. The French had in-
gratiated themselves into favor with the savages, and had
been to some extent successful in gaining their afiections.
In 1758, General Stanwix had erected a strong fortress at
what is now called Rome, at the enormous expense of two hun-«
dred and sixty-six thousand four hundred dollars, to secure the
key at that important carrying place, and also a stockade en-
closure, as a defense against the Indians at the outlet of
Oneida Lake. After the reduction of Fort Frontenac by
Col. Bradstreet, in 1758, he re-took possession of the forts at
180 ONONDAGA.
Oswego, which were again garrisoned. It was at this period
that the design was formed by General Abercrombie, of erect-
ing a substantial fort, to command the entrance to Lake Onei-
da from the west, as it was already commanded on the east,
by Fort Stanwix. A detachment was sent from Oswego, the
following year, to co-operate with one from Fort Stanwix,
and an earthen fort completed on the plan as it now appears,
and named Fort Brewerton, in honor of Captain Brewerton,
whose name appears in the papers of that day, as an officer of
merit, and who was active on the frontier at Oswego, Oneida
Lake and Mohawk Valley. (See N. Y. Mercury, 1755-56.)
It was garrisoned during part qf the summer of 1756, by
Lieutenant Colonel Bull, and was made a depot for military
stores, several years, with a small garrison, till the close of
the French war in 1762 ; and during Pontiac's war, it was
again garrisoned by a company under command of Captain
Mungo Campbell, of the fifty-fifth Highlanders, was a place of
deposit for considerable military stores, and was considered a
place of importance. In the spring of 1764, we find Captain
Thomas Morris stationed there for a short time, who, during
the following summer, proceeded to Niagara and Detroit. It
was also a favorite resting place for the troops passing and
re-passing from Fort Stanwix to Oswego, Niagara and back,
and is often mentioned in the diary of Sir William Johnson,
and other English officers of that period. There are no ac-
counts extant of battles having been fought at this place ; but
from appearances, and the number of human bones found in
the vicinity, and which are frequently disinterred even at this
day, it is but reasonable to suppose, that severe battles have
at some remote period, been fought by Indians on this
ground. The fort when built by the English, was considered
of great consequence to the safety and protection of the fron-
tier.
It was a regular octagon, about three hundred and fifty feet
in diameter, surrounded by a wall of earth about five feet high,
above the interior area of the works. In front of this wall,
was a ditch about ten feet deep, from the top of the inside
TOWNS.— CICERO.
181
(9
VIEW OF FORT BREWERTON AND VICINITY— 1848.
ExPT.ANATio-vs. — A — Fort. X — Ditch. O — Wells. M — Covered Gnte-way.
2 — DitL'h six feet deep. G — T'lock House. E — TIaiik Road. K — Bridg^e. C
— Toll House. B — Brewertoii Hou.se and Sheds. D —Island. F — Ancient
Mole for Sentry-box. L — Colfer-dam. H — Sand-bank. 1 — Mound filled with
Human Cones.
182 ONONDAGA.
wall, encompassing the whole. In front of the ditch, encir-
cling the whole, was another embankment, not quite as high
as the interior one, corresponding to it in all its lines and an-
gles, with a covered gateway on the south side, facing the
river. In the interior embankment was set a row of pali-
sades, about twenty feet high, with loop holes and embrasures.
It is situated on a gentle elevation, about forty rods from the
river ; and when garrisoned and armed for war, could easily
command the passage of the river, and must have presented
a formidable barrier.
A little east of the fort, was built at the same time with
the fort, a mole of huge rocks, about ten rods into the river,
at the end of which was placed a sentry's box, where a senti-
nel was continually posted, to watch for enemies passing up
the river. From the extremity of this mole, the river could
be commanded by view for many miles, and the lake, as far
as the eye could reach. Time, and the continual dashing of
the waves have destroyed this mole, the ruins of which are
still to be seen under water. Its position is preserved in
the drawing. More than a hundred acres of the land around
the fort, was cleared of a heavy growth of timber, which gave
a clear prospect of the shore for more than a mile in extent.
In the sand bank east of the fort, are found in different
places, graves of men of extraordinary stature ; some of the
bones which have been disinterred, must have belonged to men
over seven feet high. The mound at the eastern extremity
of the bank, is full of human bones, and must have been the
place of sepulchre for thousands. Whether these Avere slain
in battle, or whether it has been a depository for the dead in
time of peace, it is not easy to determine ; but from the fact
that they are the bones of adult persons, and apparently all
of males, it is highly probable they are the relics of the vic-
tims of war.
Mr. Oliver Stevens was induced to settle at Fort Brewerton
in 1789, by the representations of two brothers who had been
in garrison there, in 1756-7-8. They represented to Oliver
the beauties and fertility of the spot, and without previous ex-
TOWNS.— CICERO, 183
amination, solely upon their statement, he came on, took pos-
session and opened a trader's store. During the exciting scenes
of 1790—1, 2, 3, 4, when the Indians were so troublesome on
our western frontiers, and while the British still held posses-
sion of Oswego, Mr Stevens was commissioned by Gov. Clin-
ton, to erect a block house at this place, a portion of which
is still standing in a dilapidated condition. It was afterwards
occupied as a dwelling till 1811. Here was made a large de-
posit of ammunition and warlike stores. A trench was dug
about it, and pickets, twelve feet long, erected, of heavy logs,
about four rods from the house. It had a substantial gate
and way, on the side towards the river. After the restoration
of peace, and the removal of the British garrison from Oswe-
go, the stores were removed, by order of the Governor, to Al-
bany, since which the fort and block house have gone rapidly
to ruin. Mr. Stevens has found about the fort a variety of
warlike implements. Upon one occasion, inside the fort, the
hogs rooted up a keg of wrought nails ; the remains of chim-
nies and blacksmith's forges were visible when he came on,
■and a curious kind of small red hard burned brick, with which
they were constructed, were found. This has ever been, and
still is a place of considerable interest. Some two years ago
a steamboat was started to run on the Oneida Lake. The Le-
gislature of the State of New- York appropriated a sum of
money to improve the navigation of the river, built a coffer
dam at Brewerton to deepen the channel and subdue the rift.
A commodious lock was built, four miles below Brewerton, and
another at Oak Orchard, nine miles below, to favor the navi-
gation to Oswego. An appropriation of twenty thousand dol-
lars was made last year, (1847,) for the improvement of the
navigation of Oneida River, and is soon to be expended.
The new bridge erected last season cost over two thousand
dollars, and is an excellent structure. The plank road from
Salina to Central Square, crosses the river at this point, and
has done more for the improvement of this country than all
things else put together.
Like many other of the pioneers of this country, Mr. Ste-
184 ONONDAGA.
vens endured many privations, and was a participant in many
startling incidents and adventures. On one occasion, in the
month of March, 1792, he resolved to attend the town meet-
ing of the town of Mexico, held that year at what is now Pu-
laski. He started off early in the morning, with his gun in
hand, and a knapsack of provisions on his back. There was
no road nor scarcely a path ; he relied mainly on his skill as
a woodsman, and his knowledge of the wanderings of the sun
to guide him safely through his journey. He traveled on,
unconscious of harm, till near the middle of the afternoon,
when he found himself in the vicinity of a pack of hungry
wolves. By their howling, he was aroused not only to a sense
of his danger, but to the fact that he had lost his way, and
that he had no means of recovering it. He set forward with
vigor, in hope of coming out at a '•'■clearing'' in the vicinity
of the place of his destination, but all to no purpose ; the more
he exerted himself, the more he became convinced of the peril
of his situation. The wolves drew nearer and nearer, and
seemed by their boldness, to be meditating an attack. At
length, one bolder than his companions, a large black one, ad-
vanced to within a few paces of him, upon which he fired and
killed him dead. The scent of the blood of the dead wolf,
seemed to increase the voracity of the survivors, and for a
time he thought he should in turn be slain. Nothing daunted,
he stood at bay looking them firmly in the eye, and after
awhile, they retired a respectful distance, sitting around on
their haunches, as if holding a council of war. During this
cessation of hostilities, Mr. Stevens struck a fire and kindled
it, reloaded his gun, and sallied forth, dragging the dead wolf
by the heels to his fiery fortress. At this stage of the war,
it seemed as if the fury of the wolves was ungovernable ; they
came very near, growling and snapping their teeth, in the
greatest anger. He cast burning brands among them, and
finally they dispersed. Upon this, he added more fuel to the
fire, got up a bright light, and began to feel somewhat secure.
His next business was to secure the skin of his fallen foe,
which was soon effected. By this time it became quite dark.
TOWNS.— CICERO. 185
A quantity of fuel was gathered. Here the solitary wanderer
stood all night, not daring to refresh himself with sleep, amid
the din and howlings of the hungry wolves. Towards morn-
ing he was relieved from his anxiety by the retreat of the
wolves, who left, and disturbed him no more. He now pre-
pared a hasty meal at the fire, partook of it, and concluded
to retrace his steps. Packing up his wolf skin, he pro-
ceeded homeward. The sun rose to meridian, and still he
traveled on ; night came, and for ought he could tell, he was
no nearer home than Avhen he started in the morning. Being
weary with his day's journey, he again kindled a fire, laid
himself down to rest, and slept soundly till morning. At early
dawn he again set forward in quest of home, and about ten
o'clock in the morning, to his indescribable joy, discovered the
British flag flying from the fort at Oswego. The officers of
the garrison, to whom he related his adventure, treated him
with great kindness. With them he spent the remainder of
the day, and next morning set out with a light heart for home.
The day following, being the fifth from his departure, he ar-
rived safely to the bosom of his family, who had already be-
come somewhat alarmed for his safety. The bounty then paid
by the State for a full grown wolf, was forty dollars, which
he in due time received. This in some degree proved a balm
for his suff'erings ; but for which, he would not again encoun-
ter the danger he had so greatly risked.
The following year, Avhile at dinner with his family, a man
came running to the door, almost breathless and dripping with
water, stammering out with a tremulous voice, that he and
his companion had been attacked by a bear in the river, and
driven from their boat ; he feared the bear would kill his
friend, and wished Mr. Stevens to go instantly with his gun
and kill him. He started at once, re-primed his gun, and
hastened with all possible dispatch to the scene of the disaster.
When arrived, they found the remaining man on shore wet
through and through, moaning in the bitterest anguish the
hardness of his lot. The fact was, as the two were proceeding
up the river, the bear at the same time attempted to swim
186 ONONDAGA.
across ; upon seeing the bear, the boatmen resolved to have
some sport and capture him. They rowed along side and
aimed a blow at Bruin's head, who evaded it, and before they
could recover themselves, scrambled over the side of the boat
and drove the astonished Frenchmen into the river. They
were forced to make a virtue of necessity, and one ran for
help, while the other watched the boat and its new occupant.
On the arrival of Mr. Stevens at the scene of action, his bear-
ship was majestically seated at the stern, calmly surveying the
scene, quietly floating down the current, as undisturbed as a
king upon his throne. A shot from Mr. Stevens' rifle, bereft
the monarch of his titles and liis life at once. The boatmen
swam to the boat and rowed up to the landing. When the
prize was dressed, it was found to exceed three hundred
pounds in weight. This seasonable trophy was placed to good
account, for it served as pork for the family and the hungry
boatmen who passed that route, for many a day.
About five miles north of Salina, in the town of Cicero,
near the old State road, was a place where, at some early pe-
riod, either during the old French war, or during the war of
the Revolution, a prisoner fell a victim to savage cruelty.
The tradition of the affair is like this : a party of Indians,
in some of their incursions to the then western settlements
of New-York, probably Schenectady, or perhaps Wyoming
or Clierry Valley, returned through this region, and brought
with them prisoners, and at this point resolved on having
an auto da fe. One poor fellow bound hand and foot, was
compelled to run the gauntlet, with the promise, if success-
ful, of being restored to liberty. Two parallel lines were
arranged, and the prisoner started to run, as best he could, be-
tween them. He made several surprising leaps, bound as he
was, and finally succeeded in passing amid sundry blows, be-
yond the lines, to the goal of promised safety. At this mo-
ment a young warrior drew up his rifle and shot him dead ;
who, for his treachery, was instantly pierced by more than
twenty balls from the rifles of his companions. For several
years, the Indians returned to this spot, renewed the tracks
TOWNS— CICERO. 187
made in the sand by the murdered prisoner, held a war dance,
and returned to their homes. This practice was continued
long after the white people settled in the neighborhood. The
last time they visited the spot, they got into a quarrel among
themselves, and it is said, two of the party were killed and
several badly wounded.
The first mills erected in the vicinity, were at Rotterdam,
by Mr. Scriba, from Holland, on the north side of the lake,
in 1800. The grist mill was sufficient to grind all the grain
in the country for a hundred miles around. Then, however,
there was but little grinding to be done. Previous to this,
those who could muster a grist of two or three bushels, which
was then called a very large one, would put it on board a boat
bound for the Bay of Quints, in Canada, and after three or
four weeks it would be returned. Others preferred pounding
their corn in stump mortars, thereby saving toll and risk of
loss.
At first there were no roads for many years. The people
used to follow the Indian trails, and marked trees, on foot.
Roads were first made from house to house, and place to place,
and through this toAvn were till recently proverbially bad, be-
ing cut through low and swampy ground, without even cause-
ways or bridges. In 1812, the Legislature passed an act to
cut a road from Salina to Brewerton, through the center of
the township. The expense was advanced by the State, but
a tax was laid on the lands contiguous, to defray it. The in-
habitants got a poor road for what a good one should have
cost. In 1825, an act was passed authorizing the building of
a turnpike road from Salina north, through the town of Cice-
ro, but the inhabitants, rather doubting the profitableness of
an investment, the stock was not taken, and the scheme fail-
ed. In 1830, an act Was passed providing for the construc-
tion of a timber or hard surface road. This failed also. In
1845, an act was passed by the Legislature, authorizing a
company to make a plank, timber or hard surface road, from
Salina to Central Square, through Cicero, from south to north.
In 1846, a plank road was completed, being the first of the
188 ONONDAGA.
kind constructed in the United States. The expense of build-
ing, grading and materials, was about fifteen hundred dollars
per mile. The situation of the country and soil, was such,
that it was almost impossible to make a permanent road of
any other material. There is, perhaps, no country road in
the State over which passes a greater amount of travel.
There are no streams of water in this town, of any note,
except the Chittenango Creek, lying all along its eastern boun-
dary. Isolated specimens of iron ore have been found in this
town, but none of consequence. There are some tolerable
limestone quarries, suitable for building and lime.
Salt springs or deer-licks, have been noticed in different
parts of the town, none of which have been worked. There is
here found, almost every variety of soil, the surface of which
is unusually level. All kinds of grain are easily raised. Ma-
ple sugar, in former years, was manufactured in large quanti-
ties, but since the clearing up of the forests, it has been dis-
continued. This town and Clay furnish a large proportion of
the barrels used in packing salt at Liverpool, Geddes and
Syracuse. Wild fowl are abundant in the vicinity of the lake
and river, which, with the excellent fishing grounds, make it
a favorite resort for sportsmen.
Previous to the construction of the Erie Canal, boats and
bateaux were constantly passing from the east, freighted with
goods obtained at Albany and Schenectady, for the western
and Canada trade ; but since the completion of that great work,
the business of boating through the Oneida Lake and River,
has almost entirely been discontinued. During the first years
of settlement, ague and fever and billions fever were preva-
lent, and the country was considered unhealthy ; but since
clearings have become extensive, there have been but occasional
cases ; and now, the town of Cicero may be considered quite
as healthy as any town in the county. In the north-west ex-
tremity of the town (now Clay) on a beautiful peninsula, formed
by the junction of the Oneida and Seneca Rivers, is a lot of
five hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, the income of
which is appropriated to the support of common schools.
TOWNS.— CICERO. 189
When Clay was set oiF from Cicero in 1827, two hundred and
seventy-five acres of this lot were retained for the town of
Cicero, the income of which is about one hundred and forty
dollars per year. Towards the south part of this town, is an
extensive swamp, containing about four thousand acres, with
but little timber. The surface is covered with very thick
moss, capable of bearing a man, who finds no difficulty in
walking over it when it is not covered with water. Wild cran-
berries are abundant here. A sharp pole can be thrust
through the surface, to the cW)th of seven or eight feet, the
whole being composed of black decayed vegetable matter, rest-
ing upon a bed of marl. It is not unlikely, that this at some
future day, will become the most valuable land in the country.
It lies some twenty-five feet higher than the lake, and presents
admirable facilities for di^aining. Twenty years ago, wood,
cut and corded, was worth but three shillings a cord ; it is
now worth five shillings a cord, standing. A scarcity of tim-
ber is already beginning seriously to be felt. The extensive
and beautiful forests have been cleared, and in their place
tasteful mansions have risen up, and the hum of business pre-
vails, where but a few years since, nothing was heard but the
howl of wild beasts, and the strokes of the woodman's ax.
Captain John Shepard, who served in the Revolutionary
war, drew lot number eleven, Cicero, lying at the outlet of
Oneida Lake. At an early day he took possession of his lot,
sold a part of it, cleared and cultivated the residue, and with
his family, lived happily upon it many years, till his death, in
1824. After the war, he became a Presbyterian preacher,
and officiated as such during a great part of his residence
here. He was the only man who occupied a lot in this town
for which he served. It has been related to the author by
geveral capable of judging, that he was a superior Latin and
Greek scholar, and excelled in the classical literature of the
ancients. He was a most excellent man, and his death was
much lamented by all who knew him.
According to the census of 1845, there are in this town :
number of inhabitants, 2651. 223 subject to military duty,
190 ONONDAGA.
597 voters, 23 aliens, 624 children attending common schools,
8192 acres of improved land, 1 saw-mill, 2 asheries, 3 tanner-
ies, 1 Baptist Church, 1 Methodist do., 1 Dutch Reformed
do., 16 common schools, 4 taverns, 6 Stores, 450 farmers,
7 merchants, 50 mechanics, 3 Clergymen, 2 physicians, 2 law-
yers.
Clay. — This town was originally a part of the Military
Township of Cicero, and was erected therefrom in 1827.
Much of its early history, tlwcfore, is comprehended in the
town of Cicero. The town oi Clay received its name in hon-
or of the distinguished statesman, Henry Clay. The name
was at first objectionable to a portion of the inhabitants, who
for several years after its organization, petitioned the Legis-
lature to alter it, but without eifect. At the time the town
was organized, it contained less than seven hundred inhabi-
tants. The first white settler in this town, then Lysander,
was Patrick McGee, at Three-River-Point, in 1793, and in
1798, Adam Coon settled in the north east corner of the
town, and Simeon Baker, on the Seneca River, in 1799. In
1800, John Lyme settled near the centre of the town, and is
now (1847) living, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years,
since which, the town has settled somewhat rapidly. Joshua
Kinne and family, settled in this town in 1807, Elijah Pinck-
ney and others, the same year, and soon after, Patrick Mc-
Gee erected the first frame house in town, at Three-River
Point, in 1808 or '9. When Mr. McGee first visited this
place, which was in 1780, while a prisoner to the British, on
his way to Fort Oswego and Canada, there was an extensive
clearing at this point, handsomely laid in grass, without a
shrub or tree for something like a mile or more along the
banks of each river. This spot was often appropriated to the
holding Of the great councils of the Iroquois confederacy.
Upon this spot, Dekanissora, Sadekanaghte and Garangula
have addressed the braves of the Hurons and Adirondacks, and
the Abenaquis. And here too, have the French and the Eng-
lish met, in these distinguished chiefs, orators and diploma-
TOWNS.— CLAY. 191
tists, equal to themselves, in all that pertains to sagacity and
skill.
Japheth Kinne settled in Cicero about the year 1809. The
first settlers, previous to clearing their lands, procured their
breadstuffs from Jackson's mills, near Jamesville. And after
they had been successful in raising grain of their own, went
there to mill, till the mills were erected at what is now Syra-
cuse. It was customary for men to carry a grist of a bushel
or a bushel and a half, on their backs, a distance of twelve or
fourteen miles, to these mills through the woods, guided only
by blazed trees, occupying tAvo or three days in the perform-
ance of the journey. After roads were cut through, a neigh-
bor would take the grists of a whole neighborhood upon an
ox sled or cart, and carry them to these mills. By general
arrangement and common consent, this service was perform-
ed by rotation, throughout the whole settlement, never taking
less than two days to perform the journey. Onondaga Hol-
low was then the only Post-OflBce at which letters were re-
ceived and delivered, and persons visiting the Post-Office,
brought the mail matter for the whole neighborhood in which
lie resided.
The first and most important article of trade was salt bar-
rels, large quantities of which are manufactured and carried
to the salt works, which bring a fair profit, and in many in-
stances have proved a source of individual wealth.
The first Post-Office Avas established in the west part of the
town, and called "West Cicero," about the year 1825, and
Nathan Teall appointed Post Master. Mr. Teall was suc-
ceeded by William Hale and James Little. Since the town
was organized it has been named " Clay."
A log school house, the first in this town, was erected at
Clay Corners about 1808, and a teacher named Hall, taught the
first school. At Clay, near the river, a log school house was
erected, in 1809, and a frame one in 1812 — Moses Kinne, the
teacher. He previously kept a school in his own house.
The first Physician in town, was Dr. Olcott ; the second,
Br. Church, and afterwards, Dr. Starling and Dr. Soule.
192 ONONDAGA.
The first town meeting for Clay, was held in April, 1827.
Andrew Johnson chosen the first Supervisor, and Jacob Ter-
rel, Town Clerk.
Post-Ofiice established at Euclid, in 1827 — Andrew Thomp-
son, first Post Master, to 1832, afterwards Nathan Soule.
Jefferson Freeman, the first merchant at Euclid, 1831.
Blossom & Dyckman, L. Soule, and Stone & Daniels, have
been merchants here.
The bridge across the Seneca River, was first built by the
Sodus Bay and Westmoreland Turnpike Company, erected in
1824, but not completed. The turnpike was not made, and
J. L. Voorhees, Esq., obtained a charter in his own name,
finished the bridge, which was a toll bridge till 1843, when it
was re-built as a free bridge. The State Legislature appro-
priated eight hundred and fifty dollars towards defraying the
expense, and the towns of Lysander and Clay, each one thou-
sand dollars. Whole cost, two thousand eight hundred and
fifty dollars.
The village at this point, is called Belgium, and is situated
on both sides of the Seneca River. There were only four
dwelling houses here in 1827. There are now twenty-eight;
and one hundred and sixty inhabitants, three dry good stores,
four grocery and provision stores, two taverns, three black-
smiths, one tailor and one shoe shop, and the famous " Orien-
tal Balm Pill" manufactory, which last employs a great part
of the year from thirty to fifty persons. James Little was
the only family in 1828, on the Lysander side, but others set-
tled there about that time, viz : Henry V. S. McMechan,
Oliver Bigsbee, Sylvenus Bigsbee, Garnett C. Sweet, who had
charge of the Col. Newkirk property. Rev. William M. Wil-
lett, a son of Col. Marinus Willett, of Revolutionary renown,
who occupied a lot drawn by his father, which was afterwards
transferred to Mr. John Stevens and others. Dr. Adams had
a store here, in 1838, and Phillip Farrington, in 1831. First
frame building was the toll house, on the east side of the riv-
er, erected in 1825. Japheth Kinne erected the first dwell-
TOWNS.— CLAY. 193
ing house, in 1825. James Little, the second, in 1829. First
school kept here, was by Perry Eno, 1827.
First merchant, Martin Luther, in 1828, Sylvenus Bigsbee
& Co., 1828. Jonas C. Brewster, succeded them in 1829.
James Little, 1830.
The Methodist "VVesleyan society erected their house of wor-
ship here in 1832.
Physicians here, have been, jBrst, Dr. A. P. Adams, second
Dr. Hays McKinley, third. Dr. James V. Kendall, fourth.
Botanic Dr. Daniel W. Bailey. There has never a lawyer
settled in this town.
At Oak Orchard Rift, near the bank of the river, are tlie
evidences of an extensive burying ground. This rift was a
common fording place for the Indians, and formerly was much
resorted to by them for fishing.
The first saw-mill was erected in the north east part of the
town, by Abraham Young, on a small stream which afibrds
water to drive the mill only in spring and fall. There are
no streams in this town of sufiicient capacity to be used to
advantage, for machinery of any kind. The only streams of
any magnitude, are the Oneida River, on the north, and Sene-
ca River, on the west.
The first house of worship, was erected in the north east
part of the town, in what is called the Dutch Settlement, by
a society of Dutch Reformed.
The Baptists have a society — Elders Warner and Lamb,
were the first clergymen who settled here. Their house of
worship was erected in 1838. Obadiah Morrell was their min-
ister for a time.
This, like the other towns in the northern section of the
county, is fast improving, and bids fair to take rank among
the first.
Statistics for the town of Clay, taken from the census of
1845 :— Number of inhabitants, 2789. 267 subject to mili-
tary duty, 619 voters, 29 aliens, 3 paupers, 531 children at-
tending common schools, 12776 acres of improved land, 4
Baw-mills, 1 Baptist church, 1 Dutch Reformed do., 18 com-.
Bl3
194 ONONDAGA.
mon schools, 1 select do., 4 taverns, 3 stores, 5 groceries,
435 farmers, 3 merchants, 9 manufacturers, 55 mechanics,
5 clergymen, and 3 physicians.
Manlius. — AzARiAH Smith. — The parents of Azariah
Smith, lived at Middlefield, Massachusetts, where the subject of
this notice was born, December 7th, 1784. His father, Mat-
thew Smith, was a farmer in moderate circumstances, and un-
able to afford a liberal education to a numerous family ; con-
sequently, this son received only the limited education furnished
by the common schools of that period, with the addition of three
months attendance at Westfield Academy. We have heard him
say, that much of his early education was acquired at the family
fireside, while his mother and sisters were diligently sew^ing or
knitting, and his father listening to the inquiries of his sons
and answering their questions, in the rudiments of their edu-
cation. His summers were spent at home with his father up-
on the farm, and his winters, after he was of suitable age,
were employed in teaching school, until he arrived at the age of
twenty-one years. The next spring after he became of age,
he was employed by a neighboring farmer, for whom he la-
bored six months. The succeeding winter, he taught a school,
as had been his practice for several years ; and about the first
of April, 1807, started on horseback for Onondaga Hill, with
the intention of becoming a clerk in the store of his cousin,
Calvin Smith. In due time he arrived at his destined place,
and entered upon the duties of a clerk as he had contemplated.
He continued with his cousin about eight weeks, when Mr.
John Meeker, then the proprietor of several stores in this
county, proposed to Mr. Smith to open another store at Man-
lius, to furnish all the capital, and give to him one-half the
profits, as a compensation for going there and taking charge
of the business. This offer was accepted, and on the 3d day
of June, 1807, they opened a store in Manlius village, in a
frame building on the south side of the turnpike, nearly op-
posite the brick store which he afterwards built and occupied,
and which is now occupied by his son Charles. Thus, after a
agiieirep^P
TOWNS. — MANLIUS.—AZARIAH SMITH. 195
clerkship of only eight weeks, Mr. Smith from a laboring
farmer, became a merchant, having charge of a large stock
of goods, and at once entered upon an extensive mercantile
career. His tact and capacity for the transaction of import-
ant business, manifested itself at once in his first intercourse
with the world, and a person had only to transact business
with him, to become satisfied of his competency for any branch
within the ordinary range of human aff'airs. He was ex-
tremely rapid in his arithmetical calculations and almost uni-
versally correct ; so much so, that few who were acquainted
with him, took the trouble to review or examine his compu-
tations. It was enough in the minds of most persons, that
business was done by him, and it seemed to be a guarantee
that it was done correctly. In the outset, he established a
character for strict honesty and integrity, characteristics
which were predominant throughout a long life of complicated
and laborious toil.
He continued in partnership with Mr. Meeker until the
16th of June, 1810 ; during which time, he amassed sufficient
capital to enable him to embark in business on his own ac-
count.
He was married to Miss Zilpha Mack, in August, 1811, by
the Rev. Jonathan Nash. He soon arranged his affairs, and
opened an extensive store for the times, and was unusualy suc-
cessful in all his undertakings. Subsequently, he entered ex-
tensively into the cotton manufacturing business, which he pur*
sued with varied success to the time of his decease. As he
became known abroad, his rare business talents developed
themselves, and ho was often called upon to exercise them in
the settlement of other people s affairs. There were few men
in the country who could keep pace with him in the various
combinations of numbers as they presented themselves in the
operations of business ; and the Hon. Silas Wright, (who was
ever acknowledged as a superior arithmetician) with whom he
once had occasion to come in contact in tlic settlement of a
long and complicated set of accounts, remarked, that he was
the only man he had ever met with, whoso rapidity of compu-
196 ONONDAGA.
tation was such, that he could not easily follow. It frequently
seemed as if he jumped at conclusions without an effort. He
would often take a bond upon which endorsements upon en-
dorsements had been made, in time and out of time, and com-
paratively without thought or mental effort, and with but an
occasional figure, set down the correct result.
While he lived, perhaps there was not his equal in the
transaction of business in the State, certainly not in our coun-
ty. Possessed of an iron constitution, he would sit more
hours at a table than any other person would be willing to ;
and if within the range of any reasonable time, would not
rise until what was to be done was accomplished.
Promptitude, dispatch, forecast, celerity and accuracy, be-
ing prevailing elements of his character, he would accomplish
more labor within a given time, than any one known to the
circle in which he acted.
He was remarkable for the versatility of his powers, and
could readily turn his attention from one kind of business to
another ; and, while some persons would spend hours in doubt
as to what should next be done, he would dispose of what pre-
sented itself, and again be in readiness for something new.
If there was a knotty, tangled set of accounts to straighten
and unravel, he was the man of all others selected to perform
the work, and the more complicated the affair, the more ac-
ceptable to him ; and what was very remarkable, he usually
settled difficulties of this nature to the satisfaction of all con-
cerned. From the integrity of his character and his acknowl-
edged uprightness of conduct, he was often called upon to ad-
minister upon extensive and complicated estates, and with the
most undeviating honesty, disposed of the several interests,
not only agreeable to the laws of the la,nd, but to the admira-
tion of all parties. As a business man, in all of his transac-
tions he was of the most uncorrupt and approved integrity ;
and during a great part of his life, was extensively engaged
in those multiform transactions, which test the character and
give its true image to the world. No man can rise up and say,
that he ever practiced deception or fraud, or sought to turn
TOWNS.— MANLIUS.—AZARIAH SMITH. 197
the necessities of others to his own advantage. This trait of
his character was understood wherever he was known. It se-
cured for him the confidence of all ; and it is but justice to
his character to say, that confidence was never abused. His
highest aim was to the utmost of his power to do what was
right between man and man. It is no extravagant praise to
say of him, that as a business man, he was not excelled ; but
it was not in this sphere alone, that his talents and character
shone most conspicuous.
For a period of forty years, he was a resident of Manlius Vil-
lage, and during all that time, he was strictly identified with
its growth and various improvements. His interest in the
general welfare was shown by his liberal pecuniary contribu-
tions to every worthy object, and he was unsparing of his la-
borious personal exertions to the accomplishment of the public
good. There is not a religious society in the village, but owes
him a debt of lasting gratitude, for sacrifices and personal ex-
ertions made in their behalf. In him the cause of education
always found a tried friend and ready supporter, upon all oc-
casions. The Sunday school found in him a teacher and ad-
viser — the district school, a promoter and active supporter —
Manlius Academy, a founder and a friend — colleges and theo-
logical seminaries, an admirer and patron ; and it is no com-
mon praise to say, that at the time of his decease, he was a
trustee of the district school where he resided, a trustee of
Manlius Academy, a trustee of Hamilton College, and a trus-
tee of Auburn Theological Seminary ; a circumstance which
exhibits the interest he took in the cause of education, and
the confidence placed in him by others. It is remarkable
that he was at the same time a trustee of an institution of
each grade in our educational system.
He was a man of the most untiring industry and energy
of purpose. Industry with him was a confirmed habit — a ne-
cessity of his nature, and no man ever practiced a more strict
economy of time, or turned it to better account. During his
evenings and leisure moments, he drew around him his family,
and engaged in the business of teaching or study ; and it was at
198 ONONDAGA.
intervals of leisure, in the bosom of his family, surrounded by
his sons, that he stored his mind with a tolerable knowledge
of the Latin, Greek and French languages, and those higher
branches of English education of which he had not gained a
knowledge at an earlier period of life. In fact, every mo-
ment of time was employed, about something useful ; hence
he became, without the aid of schools, a man of varied
knowledge, and although engaged in extensive business, he
found time to store his mind with the treasures of ancient and
modern literature and science. Distinguished by superior gifts
of mind — by a ready and retentive memory — by strength and
penetration of intellect, he would almost at a glance, mas-
ter the most abstruse subjects, with the readiness of an ac-
complished scholar, and often surprise the professed philoso-
pher, or divine, or lawyer, or scholar, with his familiar knowl-
edge, in their exclusive departments. In regard to these
qualities and acquirements, he was a shining example to the
youth who survive him, as illustrative of what may be accom-
plished by application and industry, not only in the common
affairs of life, but in those higher employments of literature
and science, which elevate individual worth, and tend to exalt
and magnify mankind.
In regard to his religious views, he was liberal and gener-
ous in his feelings towards Christians of all denominations,
and respected the character more than the name. Although
a living member of the Presbyterian Church, his mind was
fixed upon doing good to all men, without regard to sects or
creeds, and he cherished a far higher and stronger regard for
the essential doctrines and duties of Christianity, than for
professions and names. He rejoiced in the prosperity of all
denominations ; yea, the whole human race. All worthy be-
nevolent enterprises found in him a firm friend and ready
patron. Bible societies, tract societies, missionary societies,
and educational societies, were largely indebted to him for his
efl&cient and liberal support.
While he was liberal to others, he was frugal in regard to
personal gratifications, and a prominent trait in his character
TOWNS.— MANLIUS.—AZARIAH SMITH, 199
was self-denial, and few men ■with his means at command, and
so liberal for the comfort of others, expended so little for the
meat that perisheth. Few men had as strict and consistent
a regard for the Sabbath and holy institutions, as he had.
Alwaj'-s a regular attendant upon public worship himself, his
example was followed by those under his influence.
Mr. Smith, from his ability and eminent qualifications, was
often selected for important offices and trusts. In 1814, he
vras selected as one of the Trustees of the public lot of the
town of Manlius, and as such assisted in effecting its original
survey and sale. At this time the town lot was in a most de-
plorable state, and to his unwearied exertions is owing our
present flourishing town school fund, arising from the sale of
the lot. Although an adherent to the political party which
was usually in the minority in the town of Manlius, he was
often chosen Supervisor in opposition to the wishes of some
of his more numerous political opponents.
In 1824, he was elected one of the Presidential Electors,
and as such, cast his vote for John Quincy Adams. He was
a member of the State Legislature in the years 1838, 1839,
1840, and was associated with Victory Birdseye, Phares Gould,
James R. Lawrence, and James L. Voorhees, of our county.
In 1838, he was placed on the Committee on Claims. This
was considered the most arduous committee in the House. Mr.
Smith was charged with the laboring oar, and during all the
session was incessant in his labors, and contributed materially
in lessening the number of canal claims, which had not been
previously disposed of. He was also at this session appoint-
ed one of the Committee on Prisons and Penitentiaries, which
Committee visited the State Prisons and Penitentiaries
throughout the State, and suggested many valuable reforms,
which were adopted. In 1839, he was appointed Chairman
of the Committee on Claims. The business of the Committee
this year, was uncommonly arduous. Claims were still press-
ing for adjustment, the Committee Avere overrun with appli-
cants, and it required no common share of discrimination, to
do justice to the State and to the claimants. In 1840, he
200 ONONDAGA.
was on the select Committee for the extension of time for the
collection of taxes. He was also again Chairman of the Com-
mittee on Claims. He was also on the Committee on the in-
ternal affairs of towns and counties. He was also on several
select committees, on all of which he was actively engaged,
and bore, in all their transactions, a conspicuous part.
Throughout his long and active life, wherever he was found,
there was found a leading spirit. He was an example of
Christian morality, zealous in the cause of benevolence and
philanthropy, compassionate to those in affliction," and espe-
cially to the widow and the fatherless, who felt that they had
abundant cause to mourn the loss of one who had ever been
unwearied in their care. He was distinguished for his enter-
prise and liberality of character, and for his devotedness to
the public good. He was active and useful to the last, and
although for two or three years, he felt that his bodily powers
were giving way, and yielding to the insidious encroachments
of age and disease, he labored on, so long as his strength would
permit, and it was not till he was prostrate upon his bed, that
he released himself from active exertion. For several weeks
previous to his death, he was unable to transact business, but
at length rallied and resolved to visit physicians abroad. He
went to New Haven, his disease proved obstinate, and he ex-
pired in that city on the 12th of November, 1846, aged sixty-
two — full of years and full of honors. The news was commu-
nicated, by telegraph, to Syracuse, and from there directly to
Manlius by express. The entire community was overwhelmed
by the intelligence. It was a time of general mourning. The
Trustees of the village, of which board he was a member, and
the Trustees of Manlius Academy held meetings, and passed
appropriate resolutions of condolence and sorrow, and the vil-
lage, €71 masse, poured out their hearts in a. public meeting,
expressive of their sympathies and grief. A large committee
was appointed to escort the remains from the rail-road, which
was amply responded to, and hundreds availed themselves of
this opportunity to express their regard and respect for the
distinguished dead. As the procession approached the vil-
^^^^^fc^ ^fc^.^^:^^^
4^^^
.<Ji'
TOWNS.— MANLIUS.— NICHOLAS P. RANDALL. 201
lage, in the darkness of the night, hundreds of lights in the
hands of anxious expectants, lined the -walks, and were seen
moving around -with silent and moui-nful solemnity, and all
fell into the procession, presenting a scene which can never be
forgotten bj those who witnessed its peculiar effect. On Sun-
day the corpse was buried ; the procession formed amidst a
drenching rain, and a covering of umbrellas was made almost
without interruption, from his late dwelling house to the Epis-
copal Church, where the funeral services were held, after which
his remains were conveyed to the tomb, amidst the sorrows
and tears of an entire community. His bright example will
long live in the minds of those who knew him.
From the scenes of his useful labors, from all the tender
ties of consanguinity, he has passed away. The clods of the
valley cover all of him that was mortal, and his remains are
the silent tenants of the tomb. Although returning springs
may give fresh bloom to his memory, no earthly summer can
rekindle, with genial warmth, the vital spark. A heavenly
season will impart to them a living principle, and the flower
which Time destroyed, shall- flourish in unfading beauty through-
out Eternity.
Nicholas P., Randall. — The subject of this sketch, was
born at Stonington, Connecticut, July 25th, 1779.
At the age fifteen, he resolved upon securing the benefits
of a thorough education. His father not being in possession
of a fortune sufficient for securino; so valuable a blessing: to a
numerous family, he was by fortuitous circumstances, throAvn
entirely upon his own resources. By perseverance, applica-
tion and industry, he secured the means of acquiring a com-
plete classical education by his personal efforts, and finally
graduated with distinguished honor, at Yale College, in the
class of 1803.
Directly after the completion of his classical course, he en-
tered the law office of Messrs. Hotchkiss k Simons, at Clin-
ton, Oneida County, where he continued until his professional
studies were concluded, when lie was admitted to the Bar.
In 1807, he located at New Hartford, Oneida County, opened
202 ONONDAGA.
a law office and there continued the practice, till sometime in
1811, when he removed to Manlius village and entered into
partnership with James 0. Wattles, Esq., which partnership,
after a short period was dissolved.
From his activity of mind, acute legal penetration, pro-
found investigation and untiring devotion to the interests of
his clients, he soon became distinguished as a lawyer, which
drew to his office many of the most important causes which
were to be tried in the courts of the county, and in the Su-
preme Court, and Court of Chancery, of the State of New-
York, and perhaps no one labored with more assiduity, or
was more successful, in maintaining the causes in which he
was retained as counsel. Endowed by nature, with mental
powers of a high order, which were eminently improved by
study, industry and perseverance, he abhorred all deceit and
chicanery in business matters, incident to a lower order of
minds, and was entirely above the low ambition of securing
to himself a great number of clients, by misrepresentation
or artifice. His ambition, (if we may be allowed the expres-
sion,) was grounded in integrity, and in a desire to excel in
his profession. Mr. Randall excelled in that most exalted of
all qualities — sound, sterling common sense, which, with his
acknowledged candor and urbanity, gave him an uncommon
influence with the Bench and with juries ; which few men, how-
ever much they might have surpassed him in fluency of speech
or oratorical arts, attained.
The character of Mr. Randall's genius, was original. He
acted and thought for himself. With a mind, independent
and decisive, he copied after no man, and it is no mean proof
of the strength and solidity of his judgment, that his coun-
sel was so often sought, and received with so much deference,
and his professional celebrity stood so high. As he had abil-
ity to think, so had he also, the moral courage to follow the
convictions of his own mind. But these faculties in a man
actively engaged in the business of life, failed not to bring
him into collision with many, who had not the judgement or
discrimination to appreciate his motives, or honesty enough
TOWNS.— MANLIUS.— NICHOLAS P. RANDALL. 203
to commend his decided course. These transcendant princi-
ples, however, could not fail to impart to himself, and his im-
mediate friends, the highest sources of enjoyment, and he of-
ten had the satisfaction of receiving the gratulations of those
who from prejudice or ignorance, made erroneous estimates of
his motives.
The arduous duties of his profession, did not prevent his
engaging in agricultural pursuits. In his youth, he had been
inured to the labors of a farm, and in after years, from choice,
entered into both the theoretical and practical operations of
agriculture, with all the zeal and ardor of one depending en-
tirely upon its results, for profit and support. His farm,
though small, was a pattern of neatness, order and thrift, and
none knew better or practiced more perfectly the principles
of this science ; presenting an example in the highest degree
encouraging to useful industry. His garden was stored Avith
trees of choicest fruit, planted by his own hand, and the
sweetest flowers shed their fragrant odors around his dwelling,
nurtured by his care.
Mr. Randall was always among the foremost in aiding and
advancing the cause of education, in all its various branches,
and was active in effecting the incorporation of Manlius Aca-
demy, and was one of its principal founders.
In private life, Mr. Randall was social, amiable and agree-
able, and although the requirements of business occupied
much of his time, there were few men who could, with more
dignity and grace, contribute to the refined enjoyments of the
social circle, or afi'ord more rational and solid information,
upon the varied subjects with which he was familiar. He was
endowed with a vein of pleasantry, which occasionally evinced
itself in the humorous, yet never detracted from his dignity.
His friends always perfectly at ease with him, were never
known to treat him with degrading familiarity. Their regard
and respect for him equally forbade it. His conversation was
stately, instructive and delightful ; his deportment dignified
and gentlemanly, and his character without reproach.
In his Christian character, he was remarkable for his zeal, pru-
204 ONONDAGA.
dence and fidelity. He took not Ms creed upon trust. He
weighed the claims of Revelation, and the various branches of
the Christian family ; and in the preference which he gave to the
communion of his adoption, he acted upon the sober dictates
of an enlightened judgment and an honest heart. Hence, as
might have been expected, he continued without wavering,
steadfast unto the end.
For many years, he filled the stations of vestryman and
warden of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Manlius, the
latter of which he held at the time of his death. His reli-
gious experience, in view of his approaching dissolution, par-
took of the same rational nature. Harrassed by no fears
without, and an approving conscience within, he calmly resigned
his soul to the hands of his Maker, without any anxiety as to
the issue.
After a long and tedious illness, which he bore with truly
Christian fortitude, he died at his residence, in jManlius Village,
on the 7th of March, 1836, in the fifty-seventh year of his
age. The mournful intelligence was every where received
with feelings of sorrow and regret. The Bar of Onondaga
County, called a meeting, and passed the following resolutions
of condolence and respect :
" At a meeting of the members of the Bar of the county
of Onondaga, held at the Court-House, in the village of Syra-
cuse, on the 29th day of j\Iarch, A. D. 1836, for the purpose
of paying a tribute of respect to the memory of K'icholas P.
Randall, Esq., one of the members of said Bar, recently de-
ceased, the Hon. Daniel Moseley, Judge of the Seventh Cir-
cuit, was called to the Chair, assisted by their Honors, John
Watson, George Petit and Otis Bigelow, Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas of said county, and J. G. Forbes, Esq.,
was appointed Secretary.
James R. Lawrence, Esq., from a Committee appointed by
the Chair, consisting of Messrs. Lawrence, Watson, Birdseye
and Jewett, reported the following resolutions, which were
unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the members of the Court and Bar of the
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 205
county of Onondaga, have received, with painful emotions, in-
formation of the death of Nicholas P. Randall, Esq., for many
years a prominent member of the Bar of this county.
Resolved, That the high legal and scientific attainments,
and the uniform fidelity and ability which Mr. Randall devo-
ted to the maintenance and protection of the rights and inter-
ests of his clients, and to the elucidation of law and equity,
have deservedly gained for him a high standing, in a useful
and honorable profession ; and while we deplore his death as
a public loss, we sympathize with his family and friends, that
they have been called upon to part with one long endeared to
them, not only by eminent public usefulness, but by high moral
qualities, and an amiable domestic character.
Resolved, That these resolutions be signed by the Chair-
man and Secretary of this meeting — that by permission they
be entered upon the minutes of the Court, and a copy be trans-
mitted by his Honor, the Circuit Judge, to the family of the
deceased, and also that they be published in the newspapers
of the county. DANIEL MOSELEY, Chairman.
J. G. Forbes, Secretary."
The loss of so distinguished a man, necessarily created deep
sensations in the community in which he had lived, and to
whom he had become endeared.
The house of mourning was surrounded by his neighbors
and numerous friends, who could scarcely credit the reality
of his death. The funeral obsequies were prepared, and his
remains conveyed to the tomb, amid all the solemnities that
respond to the deepest sorrow, with which every heart was
aiOflicted by this dispensation of Providence. His career has
left us a splendid and animating example, which points the
way to usefulness and fame, and shows how great are the ac-
quirements which well directed perseverance and industry are
able to achieve, and what honors and rewards are the happy
results.
Manlius. — The first white settler within the township of
Manlius, was Mr. Benjamin Morehouse, in 1789 ; and accord-
ing to the best information that can be obtained, the first ia
206 ONONDAGA.
the present town of Manlius, was Mr. David Tripp, who came
here with his family from Ballston, Saratoga County, in 1790.
He lived in a log house, about a mile north-west from Manlius
Village, not far from where Mr. Salmon Sherwood now resides.
Far from the abode of any white man, it was with the great-
est diihculty he could procure a sufficiency for subsistence till
he could raise it from the soil by his own labor. At one time
it is said, the only article of food which his family had for
three months, excepting wild roots and milk, was a bushel of
corn which he procured at Herkimer, and brought home on
his back. The father of David Tripp died at his house in the
spring of 1792, and was buried on the rising ground west of
Mr. Samuel Gregory's barn. This was undoubtedly the first
death of a white person within the township of Manlius.
The next settler was Mr. Conrad Lour, who located near
Mr. Tripp, and erected the first frame house in town, in 1792.
He brought the floor boards from Palatine, and other boards
from Danforth's mill. Not having a sufiicient quantity of
nails, his son was sent to Oriskany, thirty-three miles, after
some, and returned with forty-six pounds on his back. The
house then erected, constitutes part of the dwelling now oc-
cupied by Salmon Sherwood.
Mr. Caleb Pratt came to the town of Manlius in 1793, and
when living remarked, that the inhabitants were so destitute
of provisions and the common necessaries of life, that the
lank, lean sided, long necked mice, would come peeping into
the crevices of the log houses, and shed tears of sorrow at the
poverty of the inmates, and retire without finding a crumb to
satisfy their longing appetites.
Capt. Joseph Williams came to Manlius in 1795, from Con-
necticut. He cut, cleared and fenced, five acres of land the
first summer entirely alone. He bought his land at twenty
shillings per acre. The next year he removed his family on
a sled, with a yoke of oxen, and was eight days coming from
Galway, Saratoga County, one hundred and twenty miles. He
had erected a rude cottage beforehand. When he arrived, he
had but fifty cents cash. Wheat was worth three dollars and
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 207
a half per bushel, corn one dollar and a half, and common
calico seventy-five cents per yard. But industry and frugali-
ty soon increased the domestic store ; the wants of the family
were not only supplied, but an abundance was raised to spare
to the needy settlers as they arrived, and plenty crowned their
board. Mr. Williams lived long to enjoy the fruits of his la-
bor and toil.
Colonel Elijah Phillips, at an early day, occupied the farm
now owned by Mr. Peter R. Reed, and held a distinguished
position among the early pioneers of the county.
Mr. Wm. Ward settled on lot ninety-seven, in the spring
of 1793, and ho was sole owner and proprietor of that lot in
1794 ; and that year he was appointed a Justice of the Peace.
He erected grist and saw mills on the Limestone Creek. This
was the first grist mill built in the town of Manlius, as now
organized. A saw mill was built earlier, at the old mills.
Joseph Woodward was the master builder of Ward's mills. At
an early day, before dams impeded the streams, salmon, salmon-
trout and pickerel were very plentiful. The Limestone Creek
was a favorite resort fOr them, and many instances like the
following, are still related with great glee by the early settlers.
To give an idea Avith what facility they were taken, as we have
been informed, it was not unfrequent to run them into shoal
water, and dispatch them with clubs. One of the Mrs. Tripps,
while assisting her husband in making hay near the creek,
struck her pitchfork through a very large salmon, and held
him fast till her husband came to her aid and killed it with a
stone. A man in the employ of Mr. Wm. Ward, on going to
the creek one morning to wash, saw a large salmon flounder-
ing in shoal water, and dispatched him with a club. Col. John
Sprague, now of Fayetteville, then a youth, on a walk from
his residence in Pompcy, on an errand to Manlius Village,
drove a shoal of salmon into a hastily constructed enclosure,
and secured a back-load of them with liis hands, and carri-
ed them home in triumph.
Manlius was at first number seven of the Military Town-
ships. At the organization of the county, in 1794, the town
208 ONONDAGA.
of Manlius was bounded north by the township of Cicero ;
east by the Oneida Reservation ; south by Pompey, and west
by Onondaga Creek, Lake and River, including all the Onon-
daga and Salt Springs Reservations, north of the old Genesee
road, and east of Onondaga Creek, comprehending all the
present towns of Manlius, De Witt, part of Onondaga, and
part of Salina. It was finally reduced to its present territo-
rial limits in 1835. Let it here be observed, that the origi-
nal townships were intended to contain each one hundred lots,
and each lot at least six hundred acres of land. But by an
error in the calculations of the Surveyor General, the town-
ship of Cicero, as originally laid out, contained but ninety-
nine lots, which error was not detected till the commissioners
had commenced the drawing. It so happened that lot one
hundred, township of Cicero, was drawn by a soldier, and lot
number seven, township of Manlius, adjoining ninety-nine, Ci-
cero, was drawn for the Literature Fund. In order to do the
soldier justice, lot number seven, ManliuS, was transferred and
registered as lot one hundred, Cicero. By this maneuver,
Manlius was shorn of one lot of its territory, and Literature
of so much of its fund, but the soldier's land was saved to
him. The first town meeting was held at the tavern of Ben-
jamin Morehouse, in the town of Manlius, 1st of April, 1794.
Although scattering families had located in difi'erent parts of
the town during 1791-92 and '93, it was not till the following
years that Manlius acquired a name abroad, and settlers look-
ed towards it as a suitable and desirable place of residence.
The first and earliest inhabitants of this town were mostly
from New England, though many respectable families came
here from the Mohawk River. A reference to the first town
meeting will serve to show who most of the principal inhabi-
tants of the town were at that time.
At the meeting held at Benjamin Morehouse's tavern for
the first election of town officers, Cyrus Kinne, Esq., was
chosen Chairman, and Levi Jerome, Secretary. It was re-
solved to choose the Supervisor and Town Clerk by ballot,
and the remaining officers by holding up the right hand.
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 209
The ballots being handed in, the Chairman declared Com-
fort Tyler duly elected Supervisor, and Levi Jerome Town
Clerk. There were but forty-two voters present at this meet-
ing. Overseers of the Poor, were David Williams and Ben-
jamin Morehouse ; Commissioners of Roads, Charles Mer-
riam, Elijah Phillips and Ryal Bingham ; Assessors, Reuben
Patterson, Ichabod Lathrop, Isaac Van Vleck, William Ward
and Timothy Teall ; Constables and Collectors, Caleb Pratt
and David Baker ; Overseers of Roads, Libbeus Foster, Wil-
liam Ward, Ichabod Lathrop, Reuben Patterson, Cyrus Kin-
ne, Ryal Bingham, Jeremiah Jackson, Gershom Breed and
Lemuel Hall; Fence Viewers, Aaron Wood, Elijah Phil-
lips, John Danforth, Jeremiah Jackson. At this meeting, a
bounty of four pounds was ordered for any person presenting
to the Supervisor of the town, the scalp of a full grown wolf,
and thirty shillings for the scalp of one under one year old.
At this early day, with neighbors from three to five miles
apart, hogs running at large were considered troublesome,
and the inhabitants passed a good old New-England resolu-
tion in the following words : " that no hog shall go at large
without a stout ring in his nose, and a yoke about his neck, ex-
tending above the depth of his neck, and half the depth below."
The first common school commissioners for the town, were
chosen in 1797, and Charles Moseley, Daniel Campbell and
Isaac Van Vleck, took upon them the charge of regulating
common schools. A special committee was chosen to co-ope-
rate with the commissioners, and were directed to proceed to
a division of the town into school districts. Gershom Breed,
Elijah Phillips, Jeremiah Jackson, and Caleb Pratt, were said
committee. No regular proceedings of these commissioners or
committeemen is to be found on record ; and the first organi-
zation of school districts was very imperfectly made in the
years 1810 and 1811. They have since, in 1835, been more
systematically organized.
In 1798, a vote was taken at the annual town meeting, to
ascertain the propriety of having the Gospel and School lot
settled. Lot seventy-four, Manlius, had been set apart by the
Bl4
210 ONONDAGA.
Surveyor General, for Gospel and School purposes. The vote
was decided affirmatively. In 1800, John Sweeting, Super-
visor, and Timothy Teall, Town Clerk, were directed to take
charo-e of the town lot. From this time till 1810, the public
lot was most shamefully pillaged and plundered, and was en-
tirely unproductive. Notwithstanding all that could possibly
be done by the Trustees, it was found next to impossible to
collect rents ; and finally the occupants began to think them-
selves the real owners. At the time of its sale, some three
hundred acres had been stript of its timber and left without
fence, or the means and materials of which to make one,
notwithstanding pine, oak and elm timber enough had been
wasted to build a town. In 1811, Abijah Yelverton was cho-
sen Commissioner of the public lot, who, with the Supervisor
and Town Clerk, were directed to make such discretionary
arrangements for its preservation and safety as they should
see fit. It was leased or farmed out for three or four years,
and finally was sold by the town. May, 2d, 1814, for twelve
thousand one hundred and fourteen dollars forty-two cents.
When De Witt was set off from Manlius, the school fund was
divided, and Manlius received for its share, seven thousand
seven hundred and fifty-two dollars forty-two cents. The
annual income of this fund, which is five hundred and forty-
two dollars and sixty-seven cents, is annually divided among
the districts within the present town of Manlius.
Manlius Village. — Without doubt, Mr. John A. Shaef-
fer was the first settler in Manlius Village. He commenc-
ed his residence here in 1792, built a log house, very near
where the Episcopal church now stands. He, like many
other of the early settlers of this county, soon after opened
a tavern and sold a few goods, to satisfy the very limited
wants of the scattered inhabitants. In the year 1794, a son
was born to Mrs. Shaeffer, which was undoubtedly the first
birth in the village. He was named Baron Steuben, in honor
of the famous General of that name, who about this time,
spent a night at the house of Mr. Shaeffer, on his way out to
Salt Point, with Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer and Gen. Wm.
TOWNS.— MA NLIUS. 211
North. The circumstances of this visit have been related to
the author as follows :
On the return of the party from Salt Point, -whither they
had been to select a site for a block house ; they spent the
night at the house of John A. Shaeffer, Esq., " inn keeper," at
Manlius. The guests Avere considerably fatigued with their
journey, and the labors of their important trust, and retired
early to rest. During the night, there seemed to be an unu-
sual stir about the house, and as the hour of midnight ap-
proached, it still increased, and before morning, transpired
one of those unpostponable events incident to all prosperous
and increasing families. The Baron was greatly annoyed du-
ring the night, so that he scarcely slept a wink. The fre-
quent shutting of doors, continual tramping of busy feet, and
hushed sounds of female voices, which were greatly magnified
by the Baron's nervousness and the importance of progress-
ing events, kept his mind in a continual tumult.
The house was built of logs, only one story high, with two
rooms below ; the chamber being the whole size of the house,
with only loose boards for a floor, and accessible by no other
means than a ladder. This chamber was occupied by the dis-
tinguished guests of Mr. Shaefi'er. The companions of the
hero of this tale slept soundly, but not so the Baron. He
often turned himself on his bed of straw, seeking rest and
finding none, continually wondering what on earth could ex-
cite such wonderful commotion, and he finally worked him-
self into an almost uncontrollable passion, which could scarce-
ly be restrained till morning. On the earliest approach of
light, the Baron rose, still in his rage, vowing vengeance on
all below. He approached the redoubtable landlord in not
the most agreeable humor, saying, "your house is full of gos-
sips and goblins, sir ; I hav'nt slept a wink all the blessed
night ; you have a pack of dogs about you noisy enough to
deafen one. Sir, I repeat ; your house is full of gossips and
goblins. Sir, your house isn't fit to stable swine. Give us
breakfast, let us be off, and we'll not trouble you again." The
Baron's rage was at its height. Mine host was perfectly
212 ONONDAGA.
dumb-founded before liis enraged and angry guest, and dared
not lift his head, or hint the cause of the disturbance during
the night. But soon, to give relief to his troubled mind, a
woman approached 'the angry Baron, who was still breathing
forth threatenings and storm, bearing in her arms an infant,
who had not yet witnessed the setting of a single sun, saying,
" here. Sir Baron, is the cause of all the trouble and noise
last night." The gallant old soldier instantly felt the impro-
priety of his conduct, his habitual good humor was instantly
restored, his accustomed gallantry prompted him at once
handsomely to apologize, at the same time begging ten thou-
sand pardons of those around him. He tendered his most
hearty congratulations to Mr. Shaeifer and his wife, and offered
to bestow his own name on the new visitant, which offer was
accepted, and forthwith the Baron drew a deed of gift for two
hundred and fifty acres of land, from his domain in Oneida,
and after breakfast, with his friends, went on his way rejoicing.
Mr. Charles Mulholland, was probably the next settler after
Mr. Shaeffer. He lived first in a log house very near Mr.
Ewer's present residence. Mr. Mulholland owned a consid-
erable share of lot ninety-eight, and a Mr. Leonard came in
possession of the greater part of lot eighty-seven, which was
occupied by Aaron AVood, Esq. The south-east corner of lot
eighty-six was occupied by Mr. Cunningham, who lived a lit-
tle east of the late Sumner Whitney's residence. William
Ward, owned the whole of lot ninety-seven, and resided near
Perry's mill. These four lots, be it observed, corner in the
village of Manlius, in the house now occupied by Mrs. Perry,
oppcfite and south of Charles Smith's store. Afterwards,
Mr. Jabez Cobb, came in posession of one hundred and fifty
acres of land in the south-west corner of lot eighty-seven,
and kept the tavern after Mr. Shaeffer for a number of years.
Charles Mosely came to Manlius, in 1796, purchased of Mr.
Cobb,.in 1802 or 1803, and sold a great part of the village
lots on Pleasant and Seneca streets, east of the line of the
original lot. The first permanent store opened in i\Ianlius
Village, was kept by a Mr. Dickout, in 1795, in the first frame
T O W N S . — M A N L I U S . 213
building erected in the village. It stood about where the
ditch is now, in front of the south-east corner of Charles
Smith's store. Ebenezer Calkins sold goods from a tempora-
ry building, near the Limestone Factory boarding house. He
traded principally with the Indians. Samuel Edwards kept
the first school in the village, in Mr. Calkins' shop. The first
school house was built of logs, in 1798, and stood just north
of Midlar's mill. The first name given to the settlement was
Liberty Square, by Charles Mulholland, in 1800 or 1801 ; it
was at the raising of Mr. McLaren's barn. After the frame
was up, those who assisted at the raising, paraded themselves
on the front plate, named the village Liberty Square, gave
three hearty cheers, and threw ofi" a corked bottle of spirits.
This is what, in those days, was called the christening of a
place or building. There were but six dwellings here, at that
time, one store and one tavern. The name Liberty Square,
was retained but a short time, and soon became more gener-
ally known by the name of Manlius Square. The distin-
guished Ornithologist, Alexander Wilson, in his journal of a
tour through western New-York, in November, 1804, mentions
having spent a miserable night at a village called Manlius
Square, of about thirty houses. There, he says, he was obliged
to sing nearly the whole night, to drown the melancholy groans
of his disconsolate companion, who could scarcely make his
way through the snow and mud. He spent a day here, col-
lecting specimens of birds, and other information. The an-
nual meetings of the town of Manlius, after Onondaga was
set off, were held at the house of John Delany, in Manlius
Village, for three years, and afterwards, at the house of Cyrus
Kinne, at the Corners, now Fayetteville.
Alvan Marsh settled here as a lawyer, in 1798, and Doct.
Sturtevant, as a physician, in 1796. The next lawyers after
Mr. Marsh, were R. R. Phelps, Abijah Yelverton, James 0.
Wattles, N. P. Randall, S. L. Edwards and others. Physi-
cians, James Jackson and Walter Colton, who all became re-
sidents from 1802 to 1806 ; afterwards, H. L. Granger, Wm.
214 ONONDAGA.
Taylor, H. B. Moore. Dr. Deodatus Clark resided in Manli-
us, in 1812.
Sylvenus Tousley, commenced blacksmithing in 1800, and
the Mullhollands were considered the principal land holders
in the neighborhood. jNIerritt Clark and Moses Johnson, were
merchants here, in 1806 ; and Azariah Smith, in 1807, com-
menced the mercantile business, in company with John Meek-
er, in the building now occupied by E. E. May as a dwelling.
Mr. Meeker was an extensive trader at that time, having stores
in different sections of the country, was then considered both
prudent and sagacious, and the greatest merchant in western
New-York. Mr. Meeker subsequently carried on a flourish-
ing business in the old block, formerly standing a little west of
the Episcopal church. Messrs. James & Cummings commenced
trading in the building now occupied by Elijah Tryon, in 1805,
and pursued a lucrative business for several years. The late
Wm. Malcolm, of Syracuse, was a clerk to them. This build-
ing was erected by Moses Johnson. Previous to 1806, Messrs.
Ellis, Livingston, McDougald, McLaren and Dennison, were
merchants on a small scale, in addition to those already before
mentioned, and a man by the name of John Smith, kept a
small assortment of wares about this time. The formidable
name of John Smith was rather more common then than
now. Manlius Village and vicinity, could boast of no less
than four, and they were distinguished by the appellations of
long John, blind John, cross John and John stout.
Mr. JohK-^^on built the Red Mills in 1804, which were then
consideired a stupendous work. His interest in the mills and
other property passed into the hands of Mr. William Gardner,
well known to many of our citizens as Deacon Gardner, father
of the late Lieutenant Governor, and Mrs. Elijah Rhoades.
He prosecuted business on an extensive scale, purchased a
patent right for the manufacturing of nails, and erected a
nail factory at considerable cost. He was afterwards suc-
ceeded by his sons, William and Charles.
Luther Bingham was appointed Post Master for Manlius in
1800 ; he kept the office at his house, which stood on the ground
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 215
now occupied by Lyman Spear. He was succeeded by Rob-
ert Wilson* in 1803, who kept the office for a number of
years in the house which once stood where the widow Wil-
liams now lives. Mr. Wilson was succeeded by Doctor Heze-
kiah L. Granger, Nathan Williams, D. B. Bickford, Joseph
Rhoades and John Grinnell, Esqrs.
The first knowledge we have of any thing like a congrega-
tion of Episcopalians in this vicinity, is in the years 1798-99,
&c., at which time the families of JMessrs. David Green, John
Roberts, Jonathan Hurd, Ward, Dodge and others,
residents of the townships of Pompey and Manlius, used to as-
semble at each others dwellings and conduct worship after the
Episcopal manner. The Rev. Mr. Nash first preached twice
as an Episcopalian clergyman at a private house (David Hib-
bard's) in Pompey.
Rev. Davenport Phelps came on directly after, a jMission-
ary, and often preached at Manlius, Eagle Village, Morehouse's
Flats, and Onondaga, 1802, 1803, 1804, and 1806. In Janu-
ary, 1804, the Episcopal Church was at first organized under
the Rev. Davenport Phelps, Missionary. Rev. A. G. Bald-
win, Missionary, 1809, Kev. Parker Adams, first Rector 1810,
Rev. William A. Clark, 1811 ; church building erected 1813,
since which the following clergy have had charge over it : Rev.
Messrs. Clark, Pardee, Bulkley, Dyer, Hickox, Selkrig, Hol-
iister, Pound, Appleton, Davis, Pise, and Gay.
* During the war of the Revolution, Robert Wilson accompanied his uncle,
Captain Gregg, to Fort Schuyler, and was desirous of accompanying him at the
time he was shot and scalped, but on account of his youth, (only thirteen years of
age) and the apparent danger, was not permitted. He was appointed an ensiga
at the age of eighteen, and soon after received a lieutenant's commission, and
served through the war — was at the taking of Cornwallis, and was ordered to su-
perintend the receiving of the British standards, forty-eight in number. When
the officers of the British army were drawn up to present their colors, as many
American sergeants were directed to secure tlicm. The British officers refused'
to deliver them into the hands of non-commissioned officers, and Colonol Hamilton,
seeing the confusion and delay, ordered Lieutenant Wilson to receive them and
pass them to the hands of the Serjeants, which he did by passing between the
two ranks from one end to the other, to the satisfaction of all. (Wilson's own re-
iation to E. W. Clarke.)
216 ONONDAGA.
Several Congregational, Presbyterian and Baptist societies
were organized in the town of Manlius, during the years 1798,
1799, 1800, 1801, 1802 and 1803 under the Rev. Hugh Wallace,
Rev. Seth Williston, and Elders Campbell and Breed. The
citizens of Manlius A^illage during those years, many of them
attended meeting at the " Old J\Iills." The Presbyterian So-
ciety in the village was organized at an early day, and erected
their house of worship in 1816.
Their ministers have been Rev. Messrs. Davenport, John-
son, Reed, Olds, Hopkins, Woodruff, Cushman, Kellogg, In-
gersoll. Bates, Smith, Benedict, Slocum, Piatt and Hastings.
Baptist Society erected their house of worship 1827. Clergy,
Rev. Messrs. Morton, Bellamy, McCarthy, Spalding, Smith.
The Methodist ministers in this place have been numerous,
and subject to annual and biennial change, are not named.
The first wedding in the present town of Manlius, and in
the village of Manlius, was Mr. Nicholas Phillips to Miss
Caty Garlock, January 14, 1793. They were married by
Moses De Witt, Esq.
Fayetteville. — Joshua Knowlton and Origen Eaton came
here in 1791, and made some clearing. Cyrus Kinne, Esq.,
settled here the year following. Mr. Kinne was the first black-
smith who carried on the business in the township, and for
several years was quite a distinguished man.
In 1801, Carey Coats opened a tavern, and when he appli-
ed for a license to the Board of Excise, stated upon oath, that
he had two spare beds, and stable room for two span of hor-
ses or two yoke of oxen. A license was rather reluctantly
granted him. But it was afterwards positively ascertained
that he had not beds sufficient comfortably to lodge even his
own family. The presiding ofiicer of the Board of Excise,
remonstrated with the new tavern keeper on the impropriety
of his conduct. He asserted that he had told nothing but the
truth, and referred the oJQBcer to his father-in-law, who said he
was sure his son-in-law had two spare beds, for on the morn-
ing on which he applied for a license, he saw him make two
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 217
beds in his garden, and they must be spare, as he could not
borrow seed in the neighborhood to sow them.
John Delamater opened a store at this place in 1802. Cy-
rus Kinne, Esq., built the first frame house in 1804. The set-
tlement was for a long time called the Corners, or Manlius
Four Corners, but after a Post Office Avas established, it re-
ceived the name of Fayetteville, and was extensively known
for several years to the traveling public as the village of four
taverns, but no meeting house.
The first scattering settlers of this neighborhood were of
the Baptist denomination. A Church of this Society was
formed as early as 1800. Rev. Father Campbell was one of
the first Baptist ministers who officiated here. Rev. Elder
Breed was also a devoted laborer on this ground. The usual
place for religious meetings w^as the school-house, in what is
commonly called the Upper District. The Presbyterian was
the first house of worship, erected in the year 1829, by the
combined efforts of all. The session-room was first finished
and used for religious purposes by all denominations. The
Presbyterian house of woi'ship was dedicated in the winter of
1830, and admitted into the Presbytery the same year, with
the name and title of the " Presbyterian Church at Fayette-
ville." The Rev. Mr. Cushman, of Manlius, was untiring in
his efforts to build up the Society in this place, usually offi-
ciating on Sunday evenings. The same room was frequently
occupied by Elder Breed, who at an earlier day had preached
statedly at the school-house.
The Methodist Society also held their meetings at the
school-house, and at the session-room of the Presbyterian
house. The several houses of worship, as they now exist, were
erected and completed during the years from 1829 to '33, ex-
cept the Methodist Episcopal Society, which was built in 1S3C,
in exchange for the building first erected by them, and subse-
quently sold to the Trustees of the ^icadcmy.
The Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in the year
1830 ; a building erected in 1831, and consecrated in 1832.
Settled Clergymen have been, Rev. Messrs. Northrup, Engle»
218 ONONDAGA.
Windsor, Fenner, Bartlett, Hickox, Pise. These four reli-
gious denominations are very well sustained.
A work of considerable magnitude has been commenced by
the citizens of Fayetteville, and is nearly completed, which,
when finished, may be the means of making that village a
large manufacturing town. A dike or canal has been formed
to receive all the water flowing in the Limestone Creek. It
commences at Hall's mill, and leads to the village. A reser-
voir surrounding a beautiful artificial island, has been exca-
vated sufficient to contain a large body of water, near and
above the projected mill sites. A small but very durable
stream, called the Bishop Brook, has been turned from its
natural channel, and led into the village by means of logs of
large bore, which will yield a power capable of turning ma-
chinery of considerable magnitude.
Fayetteville, for many years, has been an excellent location
for the purchase of grain, particularly barley. In former
years it was not excelled by any place in the State in the first
purchase of that staple article. For the last two or three
years there has been some falling off, owing to the partial fail-
ure of the crop in this and the adjacent towns,
Satan's Kingdom — once eminently distinguished for the
belligerent, litigious and pugnacious character of its inhabi-
tants, took its then very significant name from a man who was
continually at variance with his neighbors. After a long course
of law proceedings with another neighbor, in which both had
the worst of the case, one declared he would be king of the
country. The other told him he was no more fit for a king to
eign over that place, than Satan himself. The bystanders
spontaneously declared the first. King Satan, and the settle-
ment, from this time forward, was called Satan's Kingdom,
which appellation it richly merited, and by which it was ap-
propriately designated for a number of years. In 1814, the
inhabitants called a meeting at the school-house, and resolved
to change the name of Satan's Kingdom, to Pleasant Valley,
and it was further resolved that the proceedings should be
published in the Manlius Times, and that Mr. Smith Burton
1
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 219
should be requested to accompany the same with a suitable
poetic exposition of the reasons for changing the name. Ac-
cordingly the proceedings were published with the following
verse :
" Since the King- no longer sits on his Throne,
We, his name no longer will owH;
But around the standard, we will rally,
Of peace, and call the place Pleasant Valley."
KiRKViLLE. — The settlement at Kirkville was commenced
with the building of the canal. Mr. Cunningham opened a
tavern there, and others gradually clustered around. In 1822,
Edward Kirkland, a son of the late Hon. Joseph Kirkland,
of Utica, settled on a large farm half a mile north-east of
this settlement, and in 1824, was appointed Post Master. The
settlement and Post Office were named Kirkville, in honor of
him. Mr. Kirkland built the basin at his own expense, on the
heel path side of the canal, put up a large store, and did con-
siderable business there for a time.
Bridgeport. — Messrs. Isaac and John Delamater made a
settlement at the Chittenango Rifts or Rapids, as the place
was then called, in 1802. Judge John Knowles, John Adams,
Esq., and others, settled in that neighborhood about the same
time. There is a sudden fall in the Chittenango Creek here
of about ten feet, which yields an immense water power, which
is very little employed. It is a ftimous place for taking suck-
ers and other fish, early in the spring, and from this circum-
stance has been denominated the sucker bank. It was once
a great place for taking salmon. It was not uncommon to
take them from the nets weighing from twelve to twenty-five
pounds. Before bridges were erected they were taken as high
up as the Chittenango Falls, twenty miles above the outlet.
Schooners of two hundred tons have been built and launched
for the lake trade at Bridgeport, previous to the building of
the canal.
Hartsville — received its name from a Mr. Hart, who made
a purchase of the water power at that place in 1811. He
contemplated erecting glass works, flouring mill, &c., but
220 ONONDAGA.
finally sold to James A. Sherwood, who did not carry out the
contemplated improvements.
Eagle Village. — James Foster settled at this place on lot
eighty-eight, in 1790, and directly opened a tavern, the first
in the present town of ]\Ianlius. It was very early resorted
to by others as a desirable place of residence, and once ear-
nestly contested the palm for superiority Avith Manlius Village.
Eagle Village could once boast of four physicians, three mer-
chants, and two lawyers. Charles Mosely set up a store
in 1793, where Giles Everson now lives. Elias Stilwell
owned quite a large tract of land in the neighborhood at this
time. A Mr. Staniford opened a tavern there soon after.
Finally the store was abandoned, and Mr. Mosely traded awhile
at Eagle Village, and eventually settled at Manlius Village,
having spent a short time as clerk in Mr. Calkins' store near
where the Limestone Factory now stands. Dr. "Ward was the
first settled physician in the present town of Manlius, and a
Dr. Moore soon after. Dr. Smith Weed was then a very re-
spectable physician, and had an extensive practice. Dr. Fisk
and Dr. Washburn once did a respectable business, and re-
sided here ; and the facetious Dr. Jonas Fay once purchased
a lot here with intent to reside upon it, but did not. Charles
B. Bristol commenced trading here as a merchant in 1804,
and did a very extensive business. During the war of 1812,
he acted as a distributing commissary, built the stone distille-
ry in 1809 ; put up the first threshing machine in town or
county ; kept the finest garden in the county ; drove the best
team of eight horses known on the road, and for five or six
years was considered one of the first merchants in the county.
Amos P. Granger first commenced business at Eagle Villa,ge.
Mr. Walker opened a law ofiice in 1804. Asa Rice, a lawyer,
kept an ofiice there. Hon. James R. Lawrence was a clerk to
him. A Mr. Smith afterwards kept a law ofiice here for a
short time, and also a Mr. Townsend. Jared Ludington open-
ed a shoe shop in 1800. Libbeus Foster opened a tavern in
1794, in the house now occupied by Gershom Sherwood. It
soon became one of the most celebrated taverns in western
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 221
New-York. It contained a grand masonic hall, a grand danc-
ing hall, and many other things to correspond.
In 1811, the Eagle Village Library \Yas incorporated ; about
two hundred and fifty volumes were purchased, and afterwards
some additions were made. This is one of the oldest circulat-
ing libraries in the county, and probably contains as good a
collection of rare and valuable standard works, considering its
numbers, as can be found in the English language. It was
here that the first school was kept in the town of Manlius, by
Samuel Edwards, in James Foster's barn. He had eight shil-
lings per quarter per scholar, and boarded among the inhabi-
tants. At this place occurred one of the most singular wed-
dings on record. It was upon a training day, first Monday
in June, 1795. A company training was held at Foster's ta-
vern. The company were paraded in the open yard in front
of Foster's house, a hollow square was formed, within which
the wedding party marched and stood, and Cyrus Kinne, Esq.,
united, in the bonds of holy wedlock, ]Mr. Billy McKee and
Miss Jenny Mulholland. Considering the simplicity of the
times, the rare occurrence of such an event, the elevated posi-
tion of the high contracting parties, and the practices then
prevalent on such occasions, we cannot but infer, that the wit-
nesses and all present must have had a most splendid jollifica-
tion.
Old Mills.— In 1792 or '93, Elijah Phillips leased the
property known as the old mills, the common, &c., of a Mr.
Hamilton of Albany, for the term of sixty years. In '93,
Mr. Phillips, David Williams, Aaron Wood and Walter Wor-
den, erected a saw mill here, the first built in the present
town of Manlius. David Williams soon sold his share, one-
fourth, to Phineas Stevens, for sixty acres of land. In 1796,
Butler & Phillips erected a grist mill, a little above the bridge,
the stones and gearing having been previously provided by
Mr. Hamilton. Clothing works and an oil mill were put in op-
eration by Deacon Dunham afterwards, and a Mr. Jones kept
a small store there, and Wm. Warner another, in 1811.
The first newspaper printed in the county of Onondaga,
222 ONONDAGA.
was entitled the " Derne Gazette," and was published by
Abraham Romyen, in the village of Manlius. The first num-
ber was issued in the spring of 1806 ; but not receiving suffi-
cient patronage and support, it was discontinued, after it had
been published a little more than a year. The cause of the
failure of the "Gazette" was mainly owing to the fact, that
at the time it was established, there being no other paper in
the county, its editor refused to publish any political arti-
cles, except those of his own particular partizans of the old
Federal school. Party feeling ran high in those days, and
those who took sides with the Democrats, refused to patron-
ize the paper at all, because its columns were not open to free
discussion. The whole reading community then being small,
one-half of it could not sustain Mr. Romyen. Another cir-
cumstance undoubtedly contributed to hasten its downfall.
In the violence and bitterness occasioned by party feeling,
and in taking a reckless course in wilfully vilifying and scan-
dalizing respectable candidates for office of the Democratic
ranks, Mr. Romyen subjected himself to libel suits, which
were decided against him. These things brought the " Ga-
zette" into bad repute, it became odious to many ; and to cap
the climax, it was sarcastically styled the '* Darn'd Cf-azette."
At the time the " Gazette" was established, an effort was
made to change the name of the village of Manlius to that of
Derne. At first the citizens acquiesced in the plan ; but
owing to circumstances just related, and the fact that Mr.
Romyen proved to be a blustering swaggering sort of man,
his paper became unpopular, as did the name by which it was
known. It is thought by those few now living and acquainted
with the circumstances, that had he proved himself a man of
stamina and been liberal in his views and to his patrons, the
village of Manlius would now be called ^^ Derne." A news-
paper called the " Herald of the Times," was next published
by Leonard Kellogg. The first number was issued Tuesday,
May 24th, 1808 ; terms two dollars per annum, or one dollar
and fifty cents in advance. The size of the sheet was about
ten by seventeen inches. One whole page of the " Herald of the
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 223
Times" was open to the essays and effusions of the Democrats,
and another to the Federals, allowing each party a fair chance
in the strife. Four or five years afterwards, a newspaper was
published at Onondaga called the "Lynx," when Mr. Kellogg
changed the name of his paper, and it was called " The Man-
lius Times.'' Mr. Kellogg was a Federalist, and his paper
after this was conducted under Federal principles. Mr. Kel-
logg's was a well conducted paper, its politics were high toned
of the Pickering School.
Mr. Kellogg commanded an independent rifle corps, which
was ordered into service in 1812 or 1813. This company was
at the battle of Queenston, and were among the few brave
militia who crossed the river. This company behaved with
great gallantry during the engagement, and received the ap-
probation and thanks of the commanding general.
Lieutenant William Gardner, and Ensign Grosvenor were
his associates. The rank and file were mostly from Manlius
Village and vicinity.
After a lapse of time, James Beardsley was admitted a part-
ner with Mr. Kellogg, who afterwards had the principal man-
agement of it.
After Mr. Kellogg retired from the office, Seneca Hale be-
came a partner. The interest in the ofiice was soon after
transferred to Daniel Clark, who changed the name to " Onon-
daga Herald," first number issued October 28th, 1818. It
was afterwards called "The Times," published weekly. It
was continued about three years, after Avhich the " Onondaga
County Republican" was edited and published by Thurlow
Weed, now editor of the Albany Evening Journal. The first
number was issued June 27th, 1821. Mr. Weed continued
his paper about three years. The " Onondaga Republican was
next published by Laurin Dewy, first number issued 27th
October, 1824. The "Manlius Repository" succeeded it
and reached its fifth volume under the direction of Luman A.
Miller, and for a time under Mr. Stillson. Mr. Fonda pub-
lished the " Onondaga Flag" a very short time.
The only stream of water of any magnitude in this town is
224 ONONDAGA.
•
the Limestone Creek, whieli runs from south to north across
its whole extent, till it forms a junction with the Chittenango,
at Matthews' Mills. Upon this stream are many saw mills
and grist mills, one woolen factory and two cotton factories,
the only ones of the kind in the county. It may be said of
this stream as of many, others, that during the summer months,
the quantity of water passing through its channel, is not near
us great as it was twenty years ago, owing probably to the
clearing up and draining of numerous little swamps at its
source, which once acted as reservoirs, and fed it by gradual
drainage during the heat of summer, and the soil is not as re-
tentive of moisture since it has been cleared as it was when in
a state of nature.
There are two incorporated academies in town for male and
female pupils, both enjoying their proper proportion of the
Literature Fund, and subject to the visitation of the Regents
of the University. Considering that these academies are lo-
cated in country villages, they are well sustained by the com-
munities which surround them.
There are twenty-foui* school districts and joint districts in
town, and from reports of Common School Superintendents,
the attention which is paid to this important branch of edu-
cation, is highly creditable to the inhabitants, and much im-
proved within the last few years.
Deep Spring. — (Indian name, Te-ungh-sat-a-yagh.) — This
is a curiosity which once possessed considerable notoriety. It
is situated on the county line, near the Seneca Turnpike, east
from Manlius Village, about three and a half miles. The
cavity is circular, about sixty feet in diameter at top, drawing
nearly to a point at bottom, tunnel shaped, and about thirty
feet deep. A copious stream of water issues from the rock
on the east side, except in seasons of severe drought, when its
size is much diminished. It glides along the bank, from half
way down the side, and looses itself at the bottom. Large
trees have grown on the side, forming an impenetrable shade
in summer. These are literally covered with the.names, and
initials of names of persons who have visited it from the time
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 225
of its first discovery, till post coaches were witlidra-wn from
the road ; since which time, visitors have been far less frequent,
and now have almost entirely disappeared. One of the dates
on an ancient beech tree, is 1793. The Indian path from
Oneida to Onondaga passed near it, as did the first laid out
road through the county. It is noted on all the old maps,
published by the Surveyor General, and was the starting
place of all the old surveys of the Oneida Reservation, and
was a noted watering place for persons moving to the western
country, as well as for those who settled near it. Thousands
visited this spring in early times as a curiosity, and to taste
its pure and sparkling water.
It has been often related by an Oneida Indian called Peter,
that in the time of the Revolutionary war, a small party of
Indians surprised six white men at this spring, who had de-
scended it to drink. They are supposed to have been a scout-
ing party from Fort Schuyler. They were much frightened at
the appearance of the Indians, who found them perfectly de-
fenseless, having left their arms on the bank above. As the
Indians approached for the same purpose, and neither mis-
trusting the presence of the other, it may be supposed that
both parties at first, were not a little surprised. The Indians,
however, having every advantage, instantly recovered them-
selves, gave a terrific yell, encircled the brink of the spring,
and as the terrified soldiers attempted to pass them, they were
struck down with tomahawks and scalped. This catastrophe
had such an effect upon the mind of Peter, who was one of
the party, that it never ceased to haunt him while he lived.
He used to say with peculiar emphasis, " It is the only deed
I ever committed which the Great Spirit has never forgiven
me." At the time, he felt so much remorse that he buried
his shirt, which had been sprinkled with the blood of one of
the victims. Many tragic scenes have undoubtedly been en-
acted in this vicinity, for it was no uncommon occurrence to
find arrow heads, hatchets, bullets, bayonets and other war-
like implements in the immediate neighborhood of this spring.
There is a tradition that a severe battle was fought there be-
B 15
226 ONONDAGA.
tween the whites and Indians during the Revolution. (See
life and writings of De Witt Clinton, by W. W. Campbell,
page 185.) It is now owned by Mr. Thomas A. Clark. Wm.
W. Sayles kept a tavern near it, in 1794. There is a tradi-
tionary account of the passage of a detatchment of General
Sullivan's army through the Onondaga country, south of the
Onondaga castle. It is said that a sharp skirmish was fought
between this party and the Onondagas, near La Fayette, where
a small Indian settlement was destroyed, and that they passed
a night on the fiat near the deep spring.
During the period of the early settlement of the country,
foolish and infatuated men conceived the idle notion that near
this spring, large treasures of gold and silver had at some pre-
vious time been secretly buried. Several places were selected
as imagined depositories of hidden wealth. Hundreds of
holes were dug in different places where their mysterious min-
eral rods pointed out the identical spot where the precious
metals were hid. Their work was always conducted in the
nif^ht. One of the grand secrets of their art was, that in
digging, the person at work must not look from the place
where the supposed treasure lay, and dui'ing all their opera-
tions must keep the most profound silence. If a word was
spoken, or an eye lifted from the spot, the treasure was sure
to vanish.
Ice Hole. — There is a large cavity in the rocky ledge,
north of the residence of David Moulter, near the south-west
corner of lot sixty-nine, which becomes filled with ice during
winter. Owing to the depth at which the congealed mass lies,
(being some fifty or more feet below the surface,) and the
rocky precipice facing to the north, the sun and warm weather
make but a faint impression upon it during the summer sea-
son. Tavern keepers and others from Manlius Village, in old-
en times, used frequently to resort to it for the purpose of
obtaining the cooling crystal, wliich was often removed in large
quantities, for use, on public occasions. Many a tumbler of
punch has been cooled on fourth of July celebrations with ice
procured from this cavern. There is a similar '■^ Ice Sole"
TOWNS.— MANLIUS. 227
north-west from the old church, east of Jamesville, on lot
eighty-two, some sixty feet below the surface of the earth,
where ice of excellent quality may be always obtained.
Water Falls. — There are two considerable falls of water
in this town, one on the east and the other on the west branch
of the Limestone Creek, south from Manlius Village, about
one mile. The fall on the east branch is somewhat larger and
affords excellent sites for mills and machinery, and has been
more or less improved since the first settlement of the town.
Now owned and occupied by Samuel L. Edwards, Esq. The
channel at the edge of the precipice, is about forty-five feet
broad, and the breadth of the rocky chasm below, is about
one hundred and sixty feet ; the water falls somewhat broken,
about sixty-five feet, and above the falls, the rapids fall some
twenty feet more, making in all, about eighty-five feet. The
chasm widens to the north-west. The banks are rocky and
precipitous, formed of different strata of limestone. These
falls are considerably resorted to by parties of pleasure during
the summer months.
The falls on the west branch of the Limestone, are nearly
of the same height as those on the east branch. The stream
is not as wide, nor does as much water flow over the preci-
pice. It is a place of considerable resort for visitors, for pic-
nic parties, and frequently for large religious meetings.
Green Pond. — There are two bodies of water called by
this name in the town of Manlius, three and a half miles north
from the village, on lot fifty-six. The upper one is nearly
circular, about one hundred rods in diameter, surrounded by
hills varying from fifty to a hundred feet in height. In some
places approaching the lake abruptly ; at others, with a beau-
tiful slope. A dense evergreen Avood skirts it on all sides, the
shadow of which is beautifully reflected from the soft green
mirror like appearance of the water. It is said the waters
of these lakes differ from those of Scotland, Switzerland and
other elevated portions of Europe. There, the surface is said
always to present a bright silver like appearance. This dif-
ference may be accounted for, in the different qualities of tho
228 ONONDAGA.
waters. The depth of the lake may be from one hundred to
two hundred feet. Its surface is about six feet below the sur-
face of the Erie Canal. There are deep sinks or caverns in
the surrounding hills in all directions, varying from ten to
thirty feet in depth. These hills are all filled with gypsum,
which may be dug at any place in any quantity. The sides
of this lake are formed in a secondary deposit of red shale,
covered with a greenish white marl. The trees that have fal-
len into it are whitened by a limelike deposit. The bottom is
covered with a dark brown marl, and the waters at the bottom
are said to be highly charged with sulphureted hydrogen,
without any saline properties. It is excavated in the lower
part of the second deposit of the Onondaga salt group, and
the red shale below that deposit. This lake is forty-four feet
above the level of Onondaga lake, and is of importance, show-
ing that deep excavations exist along the range of gypseous
deposit, and that the excavation of Onondaga valley is not
an anomalous one. Professor Silliman, in one of his journals,
thus speaks of this lake : " The bottom is a grass green fer-
riferous slate ; the sides white shell marl, and the brim black
vegetable mould ; the waters perfectly limpid. The whole
appears to the eye to be a rich porcelain bowl filled with lim-
pid nectar. But to the taste it is the true Harrowgate water,
and readily convinces the visitor of the correctness of its
name — Lake Sodom."
The shores are remarkably bold. There is no inlet above
ground to this lake, and but a very small outlet at the east
side, which connects it with the other green pond, about half
a mile below. There are several kinds of fish found in these
ponds, but they are so scarce and shy, that the taking afibrds
but little sport ; various aquatic plants, and many perfect pet-
rifactions of plants and leaves, are found along its shores. It
is a place of considerable resort in the summer season, and
well repays the visitant for his pains. The lower Green Pond
so nearly resembles the one just described, that a description
of it would be a mere repetition. Dr. L. C. Beck, (Nat. His.
St. N. Y.)thus speaks of this lake: "Water drawn from the
TOWNS. — MANLIUS. 229
depth of one hundred and sixty-eight feet, was found to be
strongly charged with sulphureted hydrogen. On being af-
terwards tested, it blackened silver powerfully, and gave co-
pious precipitates, with solutions of oxalates of ammonia and
muriate of barytes, indicating the presence of sulphureted hy-
drogen and sulphate of lime. Its specific gravity was scarcely
above distilled water, and contained not even a trace of oxide
of iron. Thus we have here a spacious sulphur bath, a fact
which exhibits, in a most striking manner, the extent and
power of the agency concerned in the evolution of this gas."
MiNEKAL Springs. — There is a sulphur spring of consid-
erable power, a short distance south of Manlius Village. It
has a strong surphurous taste ; the water is perfectly limpid,
emitting a strong sulphurous odor. It has been analyzed, and
is said to contain sulphureted hydrogen, a small portion of
carbonic acid, sulphate of soda, sulphate of magnesia, carbo-
nate of iron and carbonate of lime, and is considered beneficial
in cutaneous diseases and highly diuretic. Tufa and excel-
lent specimens of petrifactions, are found in the vicinity of
this spring.
About a mile north-west of Manlius Village are three springs
very near each other, all of which are feebly charged with
sulphureted hydrogen ; have also a slightly saline taste, and
contain sulphate of magnesia. Temperature usually about
forty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. A milky deposit is apparent
where the stream passes ofi". Many persons are said to have
received benefit from bathing in the waters. They cleanse
and purify the skin, and are considered useful in many cuta-
neous diseases. They have, at a former period, been consid-
erably resorted to, and have acquired some reputation in the
vicinity. Sometimes called Elk Horn Springs and Balsley's
Springs.
According to the census of 1845, Manlius has the following
statistics : —
Total population, 5,602 ; persons subject to military duty,
520 ; number of voters, 1,243 ; aliens, 128 ; number of chil-
dren attending Common Schools, 1,150 ; acres of improved
230 ONONDAGA.
land, 20,483 ; grist mills, 7 ; saw mills, 14 ; fulling mills, 2 ;
carding machines, 2 ; cotton factories, 2 ; iron works, 1 ; Ash-
eries, 1 ; clover mill, 1 ; tanneries, 4 ; Churches — Baptist, 2 ;
Episcopalian, 2 ; Presbyterian, 2 ; Methodist, 4 ; Roman Cath-
olic, 1 ; Academies, 2 ; Common Schools, 22 ; Select Schools,
3 ; taverns, 19 ; stores, 14 ; groceries, 21 ; farmers, 633 ;
merchants, 25 ; manufacturers, 15 : mechanics, 309 ; lawyers,
11 ; clergymen, 16 ; physicians, 9.
De Witt, — Moses De Witt. — The subject of this sketch
was a descendant from an ancient, illustrious and honorable
family of Holland, who at an early period emigrated to New-
York, a branch of which settled in Orange County. Moses De
Witt, was born on the 15th day of October, 1766, in the town
of Deer Park, anciently called Peempack, on the banks of the
Neversink, in the county of Orange. His father was Jacob
Rutzen De Witt, a brother of the mother of De Witt Clinton.
The family mansion of the De Witts, had been built as a sort
of castle, for defense against the Indians, and during the old
French war, and the war of the Revolution, had been strong-
ly fortified by rows of palisades and other defenses, the walls
being of stone, and of immense thickness. It was occupied
by a garrison during the Revolution.
Moses De Witt received a part of his early education with
his distinguished counsin, De AVitt Clinton, (being two years
his senior,) under the instruction of Thomas White, an Eng-
lish gentleman, of liberal education, and an excellent teacher,
with whom his favorite pupils made rapid advances in their
studies. This gentleman was always particularly attached to
his early friend and pupil, Mr. De Witt ; was with him much
of his life, and closed his eyes in death. Moses D. Burnet and
Thomas Rose, of Syracuse, were relatives of Moses De Witt.
At the time General James Clinton, (who was an uncle of
Moses De Witt,) and David Rittenhouse, Esq., were appointed
commissioners, on the part of the States of New- York and
Pennsylvania, for running the boundary line and settling the
boundaries between the two States, Moses De Witt was se-
TOWNS.— DE WITT.— MOSES DE WITT. 231
iected as one of the Surveyors, to assist in establishing that
line. This work engaged the commissioners about three years,
during which time young Mr. De Witt proved himself a skil-
ful surveyor and engineer, and retired from that service, with
the approbation and high encomiums of his employers.
When the Military Tract was ordered by law to be laid out
and surveyed, he was appointed one of the principal assistants
of the Surveyor General, Simeon De Witt, (his uncle who had
been a distinguished engineer in the army of the Revolution,)
in plotting and laying out the said tract, who, with Abraham
Hardenburgh, laid out and surveyed the' several townships,
and afterwards surveyed and subdivided the townships into lots,
with the assistance of sundry surveyors.
For his important services to the State, as a surveyor, he
received several thousand acres of land, scattered throughout
the Military Tract, and along the southern tier of counties,
bordering on Pennsylvania. At the time of his death, he was
considered one of the greatest individual landholders in west-
ern New- York.
He was appointed Surrogate of Herkimer County, at its
organization in 1791 ; was appointed a Justice of the Peace
for Herkimer, at the same time, and was the first man who
exercised the duties of that office on the Military Tract.
In 1793, he was appointed a Major of militia with Major,
afterwards General Danforth ; the two had charge of a bat-
talion. At the organization of Onondaga County, in 1794,
he was appointed a Judge of the Courts, Surrogate and Jus-
tice of the Peace, and was chosen the first Supervisor of the
town of Pompey, in April, 1794. He resided on lot number
three of Pompey, (since La Fayette) which lot had been drawn
by his uncle. General James Clinton, and he also purchased
fifty acres adjoining, in the present town of De Witt, in or-
der to secure a valuable water power, on the Butternut Creek,
where he had contemplated making extensive improvements.
But before the development and accomplishment of his plans,
his hand was stayed. He was cut down like an untimely
flower before its fragrance had been shed, or its beauty and
232 ONONDAGA.
excellence admired. He was arrested in his prosperous ca-
reer, in the midst of activity and usefulness. He had scarcely
attained the age of manhood, when the last dread summons
called him from the flattering prospects which were before
him and already within his grasp, to scenes of higher reward-
He died at his residence, south of Jamesville, of billions fe-
ver. The angel of death, with an aim,
'• Sure and steady as the eye of destiny,"
claimed him for his own. He had acquired an extensive rep-
utation for honesty, integrity and virtue, combined with a rare
capacity and talent for business. The few who yet remember
him, speak of him as a young man of uncommon promise, and
it has often been remarked, that " in him, western New- York
lost her pride, and the county of Onondaga, her ablest man."
He was borne to his grave followed by an immense concourse
of citizens and friends, leaving a reputation unspotted, and a
character untarnished. His remains were buried with mili-
tary honors, in a small family burying ground, about a mile
south of Jamesville, and are covered with a marble slab, bear-
ing the following inscription : —
" Here lie the remains of Moses De Witt, Major of Mili-
tia, and Judge of the County Courts ; one of the first, most
active, and useful settlers in the county. He was born on the
15th day of October, 1766, and died on the 15th day of Au-
gust, 1794," — being only twenty-eight years of age.
The same stone bears this further inscription : " Also of his
brother Egbert De Witt, born 25th of April, 1768 ; died 30th
of May, 1793.
Jacob R. De Witt, Esq., died Dec. 18th, 1821, in the forty-
sixth year of his age."
De Witt. — This town was originally a part of the town-
ship of Manlius, and was set off from it in the spring of
1835, and named after Moses De Witt, Esq. The first set-
tler in this town was Benjamin Morehouse from Freder-
icksburgh. Duchess County, New- York. He arrived 26th
April, 1789, with a wife and three small children, following
the Indian trail from Oneida to Onondajra. Soon after his
TOWNS.— DE WITT. 233
arrival he erected a log house on the flat, a few rods west of
the old church, three and a half miles west of Manlius Village.
At that time it was called the Kasoongkta Flats ; but soon
after his arrival, it received the name of Morehouse's Flats,
by which name it was for a long time known. Mr. More-
house here opened the first tavern kept in the county, in 1790.
From his dignified deportment, he soon received the distin-
guished sobriquet of Governor, from travelers and the few
surrounding inhabitants. Mrs. Morehouse is supposed to be
the mother of the second white child born in this county. Sa-
rah Morehouse was born at her father's residence on the 16th
day of February, 1790, and is now living a maiden lady at
Lockport, Niagara County. Mr. Morehouse's nearest neigh-
bors were Asa Danforth and Comfort Tyler, at Onondaga
Hollow, seven miles distant. In 1791, he carried a plow-
share on his back to Westmoreland, to be sharpened, and
while the blacksmith was doing the work, he proceeded to
Herkimer, purchased thirty pounds of flour, and returned on
foot, with flour and plowshare on his back. This was the first
wheat flour introduced into his family after their first arrival,
except a small quantity brought along at that time. This
small grist of flour which had been procured at so much la-
bor, from necessity, lasted near a year. The lack was eked
out at the stump mill.
Jamesville and vicinity was settled during the years from
1790 to 1800, by Moses De Witt, Daniel Keeler, Dr. Hol-
brook, Jeremiah Jackson, William Bends, Stephen Angel,
Stephen Hungerford, Jeremiah and James Gould, Roger Mer-
rill, Caleb Nortrup, Benjamin Sanford and others. The vil-
lage was at first called Sinai.
Jeremiah Jackson erected the first dwelling entitled to the
name of frame, in 1797. Joseph Purdy opened the first black-
smith's shop about the same time. In 1798, Matthew Dum-
frie built a distillery, malt house and brewery, and manufac-
tured the first beer and whiskey made in the county. Oliver
Owen erected a saw mill in 1795. Mr. Trowbridge kept the
first tavern at Jamesville, in 1804, afterwards kept by David
234 ONONDAGA.
Olmsted, in 1806, then considered the best tavern west of
Utica. Benjamin San^ord built the mills in 1803. Mr.
Hungerford started clothing works about the same time.
" The Jamesville Iron and Woolen Factory'' was chartered
in 1809, and a Post Office established same year, Thomas Rose,
Post Master. Moses D. Eose succeeded him. The name of
Jamesville was adopted at the time the Iron and Woolen Fac-
tory was incorporated ; the name was given by the Legislature,
and was first published and proclaimed at a great fourth of
July celebration, held at Jamesville, 1810. First school-
house for Jamesville was erected east of the village in 1795,
Polly Hibbard, Teacher, succeeded by Susan Ward. The
first school in Jamesville, was in 1806.
Congregational Church erected in 1828 — Ministers, Rev.
Daniel Marsh, Rev. Seth J. Porter, Rev. Messrs. Beach,
Smith, Myrick, Day, Morse, Buck, Folts, Lewis, Terry, Ham-
lin and Vail. Methodist Society erected their church 1831,
Rev. George W. Densmore and William W. Rundell, Preach-
ers at that time.
Protestant Episcopal Church edifice, erected 1829, Rev.
Bui'ton H. Hickox, Missionary. Sundry clergymen from
Manlius, Fayetteville and Syracuse, have officiated there.
The parish has never had the exclusive services of a clergy-
man for any stated time.
John Post, from Utica, was a merchant one mile east of
Jamesville, in 1802 ; Robbins & Callighan, 1804 ; Keeler,
1805.
Esquix'e Eager opened a law office at Morehouse's Flats,
ut an early day ; Moses D. Rose and Luther Badger were
students in his office.
Dr. Holbrook was the first physician at Jamesville, and
was the first physician who located on the township, 1791.
It is said, the Doctor presided at the first public meeting held
in that section of the country, convened at Morehouse's tav-
ern, for the purpose of taking preliminary measures for the
division of Herkimer County.
Mr. John Youngs settled at Orville, 1791, and was there
TOWNS.— DE WITT. 235
alone for some time ; but soon inhabitants settled near him.
He kept the first tavern in that part of the town. The set-
tlement first went by the name of Youngsville. Mr. Youngs
erected the first frame house there — was for a long time a Jus-
tice of the Peace, and the first in the township of Manlius.
The falls below Jamesville are somewhat interesting as a
curiosity. The water falls about thirty feet perpendicular ;
the breadth of the creek at the fall is about forty feet. Its
rocky chasm and sublime scenery, connected with the immense
and inexhaustible beds of gypsum and water lime, and the ex-
tensive works for their manufacture, render this a very desi-
rable place for the researches of the geologist, or the rambles
of the tourist. There is a tradition alive, that at the time the
French colony, located a little south of Jamesville, were mas-
sacred ; one escaped, and was pursued, overtaken and killed,
near these falls. The first gypsum discovered in the township
of Manlius, (now in De Witt,) was on lot eighty-one, in 1811.
The first discovered in the United States was in the town of
Camillus, 1792. (See Camillus.) It had previously been
brought from Nova Scotia, and was called Nova Scotia plas-
ter ; and before this, it had been brought here from France
and Germany, in limited quantities, under the name of Plas-
ter of Paris. Dr. Franklin first introduced it into the United
States, as a vegetable stimulant. Robert Livingston first in-
troduced it into the eastern part of the State of New- York,
in 1805. The use of gypsum as a dressing for vegetable pro-
ductions, was first made known in Germany, about the year
1767. Plaster is now an article of trade which brings to this
county, yearly, a large amount of money. It is sold at the
mills, ground, for one dollar and fifty cents per ton ; and de-
livered in the rock, on the canal, at from seventy-five cents to
a dollar per ton. It is estimated that there are annually sold,
from the several beds in Onondaga County, from eighteen thou-
sand to twenty thousand tons. Water-lime was discovered in
this town, first in the county, 1819, or '20, and is now pre-
pared for market, in large quantities, principally in the towns
of Manlius and De Witt.
236 ONONDAGA.
Nathan Beckwith, in sinking a well about a mile east of
Jamesville, in 1807, 'discovered a large cavern. It has been
explored to some extent in a south-westerly direction from the
entrance at the well. The depth at the entrance of the ca-
vern, may be about twenty feet ; height of the cavern at the
entrance, about seven feet ; width near five feet. These di-
mensions continue six or eight rods, when the space becomes
contracted to a width just sufficient for a single person to pass
through. It soon becomes broader. The size is very far from
being uniform, the top in some places being not more than
three or four feet from the bottom. Dog-tooth spar, stalactites
and stalagmites, are numerous. A small stream of water runs
along the bottom. The man who dug the well, while in the
net of drilling a hole of some ten or twelve inches, his drill
suddenly sunk into the cavity up to the bulge. Upon with-
drawing the drill a strong current of air came up and contin-
ued until the hole was sufficiently enlarged for the purposes
of a well. The stream of air would instantly extinguish a
lighted candle, and after it was enlarged, Avould keep coals
alive and in a glow. A melancholy circumstance is connect-
ed with the discovery of this cave. A young gentleman and
lady, residing in Cazenovia, and newly married, came out on
a pleasure ride to see the cave. It was on a very warm day,
in the month of August. They descended into the cave and
remained there near three hours. They became completely
chilled ; both were taken suddenly ill, and both died within
one week from the day they entered the cave. The entrance
is now closed, so that there is no admittance to it.
There is another cave, about two miles west of Jamesville,
on the farm of the late Mr. Brown, which is several hundred
feet deep, and which has never been thoroughly explored. The
opening from the top is through a fissure about three feet
broad by eight feet long. After descending some twenty feet
there is an extensive opening to the great valley below. It is
supposed this cave extends all along the great ledge of lime-
stone rock, from the western part of De Witt, nearly to James-
ville. The ledge is usually about two hundred feet high. The
TOWNS.— DE WITT. 237
cave itself is a great singularity if not curiosity, and its ex-
ploration might lead to interesting discoveries. There is a tra-
dition that at the time Col. Van Schaick invaded the Onon-
daga country, in 1779, the native women took refuge in this
cave till the former had retired and left their nation free from
danger.
When the first settlements were made at Onondaga, this
cave and the vicinity became an early object of attraction. It
was reported and generally believed that a silver mine existed
in the neighborhood, which belief was based upon the follow-
ing facts : At the time this cave was first made known to the
settlers, tools which had been used for mining purposes were
found at its mouth, and also a bar of solid silver, two inches
square and eighteen inches long, having a point of steel. It
is also reported that a kettle of money was found about twenty
rods from the cave, which was supposed to have been coined
there. While workmen were engaged in excavating a trench
near the house of Dr. Baldwin, for the purpose of conducting
water, they were saluted by a stranger passing along the road,
who told them that not many feet from the spot where they
were then at work, lay the skeleton of a man, and remarked
that whoever owned that land should never part with it, for it
contained treasures they knew not of. In the progress of
their work, they discovered the remains of the man, but the
treasure has never been found. For several years the neigh-
borhood was explored by money-seekers, with torch-lights by
night, but nothing of consequence beyond what has been men-
tioned, has come to light.
Green Pond. — About one mile and a half west from the
village of Jamesville, in this town, is perhaps one of the most
singularly located bodies of water in Western New-York. It
is situated, as it were, in a vast natural well or cavern. The
banks are composed of different strata of limestone ; the
southern and western portions, are nearly perpendicular, and
in many places, project over the ground below. The northern
portion is not as steep, but it is too much so to be easily ac-
cessible. These banks are over one hundred feet high, from
238 ONONDAGA.
the surface of the water, and are richly decked on all sides
•with evergreen shrubs ; the forms of which are beautifully re-
flected, from the soft, green, mirror-like surface of the waters
which they surround. The shape of this lake is circular, and
about sixty rods in diameter. It has no outlet, but upon the
eastern side, is a low marshy ground, through which the water
might flow, but does not. From the brink of the lake, the
shore in many places is perpendicular, apparently shelving be-
neath, and every where extremely abrupt, except on the east.
The interior of this vast basin is lined with a greenish white
marl ; and trees which have fallen into it, are whitened there-
by. In several places near the centre, a lead has been low-
ered, by one hundred yards of line, without reaching bottom,
and within fifty feet of the shore, the water is over a Hundred
feet deep. The water towards the bottom, is highly charged
with sulphureted hydrogen, and is usually at an even temper-
ature, of about forty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. Although the
water at the surface has no very disagreeable taste, yet, when
drawn from any considerable depth, it is scarcely endurable.
With this singular locality is connected an Indian tradition,
which gave rise to its aboriginal name, which is still preserved
among the Onondagas. The Indian path, leading from Onei-
da to Onondaga, passed in former times along the bank of
this pond. Here an Indian Avoman lost her child in a mar-
vellous manner, and in order to have it restored to her again,
made application to the ^'■Prophet,'' for advice. He told her
the wicked spirit had taken her child from her, but if she
would obey his injunctions, the Great Spirit would take charge
of her child, and it would be safe, although it could not be re-
stored.
In the autumn of every year, the woman and her husband,
and after them their children, were required to cast a quanti-
ty of tobacco into the pond, as an oblation for the spirit's guar-
dian care. This ofiice was religiously performed, and was
continued till after the first settlement of the white people at
Onondaga ; since which it has been discontinued. The name
TOWNS.— DE WITT. 239
given, on account of this circumstance, "was Kai-yah-kooh,
signifying, satisfied ivith tobacco.
Messina Springs. — These springs, three in number, and
twenty feet apart, are situated about three and a half miles
east of Syracuse. The name was given spontaneously by the
inhabitants, in the vicinity, in 1835, on account of its conti-
guity to Syracuse, carrying out the coincidence of locality, of
the places bearing the same name in Sicily. They are loca-
ted on the farm of Dr. David Merrill. It is believed they are
inexhaustible, and the waters, so far as observation has been
extended, are unchanging. They emerge from a limestone
rock, on the surface of which, are found specimens of calca-
reous substances. The temperature is uniformly fifty degrees
Fahrenheit. The water is strongly impregnated with sul-
phurous particles, yet not very highly charged with gas. Ex-
posure to the atmosphere for a short time, gives it a milky ap-
pearance, no doubt in consequence of the decomposition of
the sulphureted hydrogen, and the subsidence of some of the
less soluble salts. The whitish crust, usually found near springs
of this class, is observable here, and the tufa so abundantly-
met with, undoubtedly owes its formation to waters similarly
constituted. The waters from these springs are used with
beneficial results, in many cases of disease, especially in those
of the skin. The springs were discovered by Mr. Lewis Sweet-
ing, some fifty years since ; are easily accessible from all parts
of the country. There is a convenient house near, which was
erected 1833, where are cold and warm baths, and other ad-
vantages for health. Invalids are furnished with comfortable
board and lodging, and medical advice, by Dr. Merrill.
The first religious society organized in this town, or the
township of Manlius, was under the following style and title :
^^ First Presbyterian or Church of Bloomingvale,'' (one
mile south of Jamesville) " under the care of the General As-
sembly of American Presbyterian Divines, composed of pro-
fessors of the Christian religion of the townships of Manlius
and Pompey, organized at the house of Daniel Keeler, 29th
December, 1795. Daniel Keeler, Comfort Tyler, Jeremiah
240 ONONDAGA.
Gould, William Hasken, Captain Joseph Smith and John
Young, Trustees thereof, &c., Jeremiah Jackson, presiding."
The next was the " Union Congregational Society," at More-
house's Flats. It was organized and incorporated under that
style and title, in September, 1805. The society erected
their church edifice in 1806, and finished it in 1809. The
following ministers have ofiiciated there either statedly or oc-
casionally : Eev. Messrs. Atwater, Davenport, Phelps, John-
son, Chadwick, Harrison, Marsh, Cutler and Leavenworth.
The society were very much embarrassed by the building of
their edifice, and finally suffered it to be sold under a decree
of the Chancellor, for considerable less than enough to satisfy
the demand against it, and it is now fast going to decay. It
is at present used as a ham.
The house of worship at Orville, was erected in 1819, by
'■'' The Orville Presbyterian Society,'' (Congregational.)
Post Ofiice established at Orville, 1814. Name of the vil-
lage then changed from Youngsville to Orville ; and when the
town of De Witt was erected, the name of the post office was
changed to De Witt. Zebulon Ostrom, the first Supervisor ;
William Eager, Town Clerk ; William Eager, David G. Wil-
kins, Adam Harrowen, Justices of the Peace. Esquire Eager
was the first lawyer who located in this toAvn, then Manlius,
and Dr. Holbrook the first physician.
According to the last census, we have the following statis-
tics : —
Number of inhabitants, 2,876 ; number subject to military
duty, 267 ; number of voters, 645 ; number of aliens, 98 ; num-
ber of paupers, 27 ; children attending common schools, 705 ;
acres of improved land, 13,076 ; grist mills, 3 ; saw mills, 2 ;
fulling mills, 1 ; carding machines, 3 ; tanneries, 1 ; Church-
es — Episcopal, 1 ; Presbyterian, 1 ; Congregational, 2 ; Me-
thodist, 3 ; Dutch Reformed, 1 ; common schools, 15 ; tav-
erns, 6 ; stores, 3 ; groceries, 6 ; farmers, 282 ; merchants, 6 ;
manufacturers, 3 ; mechanics, 110 ; clergymen, 6 ; physi-
cians, 7 ; lawyers, 2.
TOWNS.— POMPEY. 241
PoMPEY. — This was one of the original towns, formed at
the first organization of the county, in 1794, and number ten
of the Military Townships. At that period it comprised the
townships of Pompey, Fabius and Tully, with that part of
the Onondaga Reservation, lying south of the Great Genesee
Road, and east of Onondaga Creek. The boundaries and
area of this town, have been materially diminished since the
period of its first organization ; so that at the present time,
it contains but sixty-eight lots of the one hundred, as laid out
in the original township. This township obtained great ce-
lebrity abroad, at a very early period, and was principally set-
tled by people from New-England, many of whom took up
their residence here, while the township was a part of the
town of Mexico, Herkimer County. Mr. John Wilcox was
the first white settler on the Township, who came out in the
spring of 1789, with an Indian chief from Oneida, for the
purpose of exploring the country. He made selection of
the lot on which he settled, known as the Haskins farm, two
miles north of La Fayette village. Here was an extensive
Indian orchard, and with a view to its improvement, Abel 01-
cutt came out the same spring, and made arrangements for
pruning it. He spent his nights at the Onondaga Castle,
three miles distant, there being no white people nearer than
Danforth's or Morehouse's. He lodged in the cabin of Ca-
whicdota. In the prosecution of his labors in pruning, he
was surprised that in the center of each and every tree was a
collection of small brush, about the size of a bushel basket.
Wondering at the singularity of such a circumstance, he in-
quired of his Indian friend and host the cause, who explained
after the following manner : He said, that after the war of
the Revolution, the Indian settlement at that place was aban-
doned, in consequence of the destruction of the corn fields,
and a part of the great orchard, by Col. Van Schaick, in
1779 ; that the Onondagas had become completely discouraged,
in consequence of the severe losses they had sustained during
the war ; consequently the Indians, since the war, had not oc-
cupied or cultivated any of their lands in that quarter, and
ul6
242 ONONDAGA.
the brush he had found collected in the apple-trees, was the
work of bears, who ascended the trees in autumn, gathering
in the slender branches loaded with apples, with their paws,
leisurely devouring the fruit, at the same time depositing the
branches under them, between the larger diverging limbs, for
a more comfortable seat. Sometime after Mr. AVilcox had
settled in his new place of abode, his harvests had been abun-
dant, and his stacks of hay and wheat numerous ; (for as yet,
he had no barns,) every thing seemed to prosper in his hands,
but lo, in a single night his cherished hopes were blasted, for
some ruthless hand had lighted the torch, and applied it with
complete fatality to the gathered treasures of the year. He
awoke in the morning only to behold the desolation, and the
smoking ruins of his labors, his sustenance and wealth. The
Indians were suspected as guilty of the outrage, and com-
plaint was at once made to the principal chief at Onondaga,
who upon investigation, remarked to Mr. Wilcox with the
most perfect non cJtalanoe, without palliation or denial, " You
dig up no more dead Indian, no more will your stacks be
burned." The admonition was sufficient, for although it had
been a common practice to rob Indian graves, for the brass
kettles and trinkets buried with the bodies ; it was from this
time discontinued, and the harvests of the farmers were
henceforth unmolested.
The first settlers in the present town of Pompey, were Eb-
enezer Butler, from Harrington, Connecticut, who located on
lot number sixty-five, in 1792. His brother, Jesse Butler,
and Jacob Hoar, came on in the spring of the same year.
Sally Hoar was the first white child born in this town, and
Orange, son of Jesse Butler, the first male child. Ebenezer
Butler died in 1829 ; he has descendants still living in Ohio.
Directly after these first, came James Olcott, True Worthy
and Selah Cook, Noadiah and Epiphas Olcott, the Holbrooks,
Jeromes, Hibbards, Hinsdales, Messingers, Westerns, Aliens,
Burrs and others, so that neighborhoods began to be formed
in many places, as early as 1793 and 1794. The first settlers
obtained flour from Whitestown, many of whom went there on
TOWNS.— POMPEY. 243
horseback to mill, and some on foot. True Worthy Cook took a
bushel of wheat on his back, to Herkimer, and brought back
the flour, and Jacob Hoar brought his seed potatoes, half a
bushel, on his back from "Whitestown to Pompey Hill. The
corn made use of in families, was pounded in stump mortars,
and one good stump mill answered for a whole neighborhood.
Marketing and trade was mostly done at Whitestown, old Fort
Schuyler and Herkimer, and the transportation was mostly
done by ox teams, in the winter season. The first town meet-
ing for Pompey, was held at the house of Ebenezer Butler,
April 1st, 1794, Moses De Witt was chosen Supervisor, and
Hezekiah Olcott, Town Clerk ; Allen Beach, Wm. Haskins,
George Catlin and Ebenezer Butler, Jr., Assessors ; Thomas
Olcott, Jeremiah Gould and John Lamb, Commissioners of
Highways. A special town meeting was held, 20th Septem-
ber, 1794, at the house of Ebenezer Butler, at which Wm.
Haskins Avas chosen Supervisor, in place of Moses De Witt,
deceased. The second annual town meeting was held at Ebe-
nezer Butler's tavern, 7th of April, 1795. The first resolu-
tion passed by this meeting is in the following words, "Voted
that the mode of choosing Supervisor and Clerk be, to speak
and mark against his name, and the remainder by nomination."
Ebenezer Butler was chosen Supervisor, and Hezekiah Olcott,
Town Clerk. At this meeting it was voted that " hogs be
free commoners," and "that a bounty of five dollars be paid
for the scalp of any full grown wolf." At the third annual
town meeting held at Butler's, 1796, Ebenezer Butler was
chosen Supervisor, and Hezekiah Olcott, Town Clerk. For
several years, town meetings were held at Manoah Pratt's,
and John Lamb was chosen Supervisor. Afterwards, town
meetings were again held on the Hill, until lately, they have
been held at Pompey Center.
The first religious society organized in the town of Pom-
pey, and in the county of Onondaga, when it comprised the
whole Military Tract, was under the title of the " First Pres-
byterian society of the town of Pompey," 16th June, 1794.
Ebenezer Butler, Jr., and Allen Beach, presided at the meet-
244 ONONDAGA.
ing, which was held at Mr. Butler's tavern. Moses De Witt,
Ozias Burr and Ebenezer Butler, were chosen Trustees. The
same year, 29tli December, 1794, the first Presbyterian soci-
ety was formed at Scipio, Silas Ilolbrook, Zceb Taylor, John
Richardson, Daniel Mark, Benjamin Tracy and Abram French
Trustees. Next year, September 22d, 1795, the Baptist Church
in Scipio, was formed, David Irish, Thomas Lapum, Asa Har-
ris, Jeremiah Bishop, Jr., Alexander Yv'eeks and Timothy
How, Trustees. Others were organized in diifcrent parts of
the county soon after. The first house of worship in town,
was built at '■'•Butler's {Pompcy) HilV' of logs, about the year
1798. The Rev. Mr. Robins, a missionary from Connecticut,
first preached at Pompey Hill, 1793, and assisted to organize
the Church, 1794. Rev. Hugh Wallace was the first settled
preacher — a Congregationalist. Mr. Wallace organized " The
First Religious Congregational Society," of the town of Pom-
pey, 8th April, 1800. Ebenezer Butler, Jr., ]Manoah Pratt,
John Jerome, Timothy Cossit, Daniel Dunham, and John Red-
der, Trustees. They used to meet in barns, houses, and at
school houses. A Union Congregational Society, was formed
near Capt. Moltrops, Pompey, May 18th, 1809. Trustees —
Manoah Pratt, True W. Cook, Joseph Wadsworth, Josiah
Ilolbrook, Benjamin Davis and William Dean. Rev. Joseph
Gilbert, Rev. tlugh Wallace and Rev. ]Mr. Rawson, preached
in this town during the years from 1793 to 1808. After-
wards, the Rev. Joshua Leonard, who had charge of the Acad-
emy, and Rev. Mr. Chadwick and Rev. Mr. Barrows. In
1817, the present house of worship was erected, on Pompey
Hill, and consecrated first Sunday in January, 1818. Soon
after, a Baptist house of worship was put up, and a Metho-
dist, and more recently, a society of Campbellites have been
organized. " The First Methodist Episcopal Society in the
town of Pompey," organized 1810. Rev. James Kelsey pre-
sided, Aaron Chapin acted as Clerk. Reuben Clark, Thom-
as Grimes, Enoch Wilcox, Joel Canfield, Chester Truesdale
and William O'Farrell. Trustees. Methodist Episcopal Church,
Pompey, organized at the house of Phineas Barns, James
TOWNS.— POMPEY. 245
o
Scoville, Phineas Barns, Shubal Safford, Simeon Sutherland
and Luther Buel, Trustees. Zion Methodist society organized
at Delphi, January 22d, 1822, and Central Congregational
society. Green's Corners, 5th Feb., 1822 — Eli Hubbard, Gil-
bert Jackson, Roswell Sutton, Daniel Candee, Jr., and Seth
White, Trustees. A Protestant Episcopal Church was organ-
ized in 1823. The Rev. Mr. Rolf, a Roman Catholic minis-
ter, oflSciated in this town in 1836, and James O'Donnel, an
Augustinian afterwards. Mr. David Dodge and family, are
the principal, if not the only persons of this denomination in
town. He has a private chapel in his house, in which the dai-
ly worship of his household is conducted, and mass and other
offices of devotion are performed on the first Tuesday of every
month, by a Roman Catholic priest.
The first lawyer who settled in this town was Samuel Miles
Hopkins, who made but a short stay, and boarded at the house
of Oliver Sweet. He afterwards moved to Geneseo and be-
came quite a distinguished man. Daniel Wood, Esq., next
settled as a lawyer on Pompey Hill, about the year 1800.
Victory Birdseye, Esq., settled as a lawyer in 1807. Daniel
Gott, Esq., afterwards.
Dr. Samuel Beach, first physician in town, 1798. Dr. Jo-
siah Colton settled two miles east of Pompey Hill, 1801. Dr.
Deodatus Clark practiced medicine a short time in this town.
He died not long since, at Oswego, aged ninety years. Dr.
Tibballs came in soon after and settled on the Hill, and passed
all the prime of his life there. The first school teacher Avas
Mr. J. Gould. The first person who taught any thing beyond
the rudiments of an English education, was Mr. James Robin-
son, who taught the classics and higher English, at the Hill,
in 1805, 1806, 1807. Schools in this town have taken an
elevated stand, owing mainly to the importance attached to
instruction, by the New England settlers, who, at an early
day, procured the erection and endowment of an excellent
Academy at Pompey Hill, 1811. In 1813, the commission-
ers of the Land Oflice were directed by the Legislature to
grant letters patent to the Trustees of Pompey Academy, and
246 ONONDAGA.
their successors in office, the fee simple of lot number fifteen,
in the township of Camillus, Onondaga County, with the privi-
lege to sell and invest the proceeds in landed security, and
appropriate the interest, arising from such investment, to the
support and maintenance of instruction in said Academy, from
which a fund of about four thousand dollars was created, which
with the annual appropriations from the Regents of the Uni-
versity, enables the Trustees of this institution to afi'ord am-
ple means of instruction, to all who may desire it, at a rea-
sonable rate. This Academy has had the happy effect of dis-
seminating intellectual improvement, much more generally in
its vicinity, than it possibly could have been without the aid
of this, or a similar institution. The first mills erected in this
town were at Pratt's Falls, by Messrs. Pratt and Smith ; a
grist mill in 1798, and a saw mill a year or two earlier.
On the west branch of the Limestone Creek, near the mills
of the Messrs. Pratt, about two and a half miles north-east
of Pompey Hill, is a remarkable waterfall, of about one hun-
dred and sixty feet, which at high water, presents a very grand
and imposing appearance. This fall is almost perpendicular,
yet enough broken to add beauty to its general character.
The chasm below the fall is narrow, deep, abrupt, and the sides
much worn. The rock is brown shale. Several years ago a
young woman in search of raspberries, then abundant on the
brink of the precipice, near where the water takes its final
leap, fell off a distance of about sixty feet, before encounter-
ing any object to obstruct her fall. At this distance, she
struck upon a projecting rock, and rolled in every variety of
attitude, over one hundred feet further ; the whole distance
from the place from which she fell, to the place at which she
finally landed, and from which she was taken up, was ascer-
tained by actual measure, to be over one hundred and seventy
feet. She was taken up senseless, but after awhile was re-
stored to consciousness ; and although severely bruised, no
bones were broken, and she finally recovered. Another young
woman, of rather romantic turn of mind, descended a perpen-
dicular part of the precipice of some twenty-five feet, and
TOWNS.— POMPEY. 247
when discovered by her companions, who formed a large plea-
sure party, she was very composedly walking on a narrow
shelf, but a few inches broad, with a yawning abyss, of over one
hundred feet below, and a projecting cliflf twenty feet above
her. After considerable exertion, by means of a rope, she
was recovered in safety, much to the joy of her companions,
although for herself she manifested no surprise or regret.
Henry Seymour, Esq., built a wind mill on Pompey Hill in
1810 ; it proved a failure, and another was erected soon after,
which did business several years. It was built mainly for his
own convenience in the preparation of grain for distilling.
Daniel Wood, Esq., was the first Post Master at Pompey Hill,
1811; previously the place went by the name of Butler's
Hill.
There are several stone quarries in this town, used for build-
ing purposes, mostly dark shale, which are not considered of
the most durable or desirable kind. Among these are found
petrifactions of oyster, clam and scollup shells, and specimens
of trilobite, and other extinct species of Crustacea, found in
the earliest fossiliferous strata.
There is one Revolutionary soldier, Mr. Conrad Bush, who
resides on the lot for which he served, number thirty-seven.
He came upon his lot in 1800, and had to eject settlers, who
had already appropriated it to themselves. He still holds the
same six hundred and forty acres entire, and although ninety-
four years old, (1848) his mind is clear, and his natural force
unabated. He and Thomas Dixon, of La Fayette, and Levi
Bishop, of Manlius, and Jeptha Lee, of Ithaca, are supposed
to be the last and only survivors of Colonel Lamb's regiment
of artillery, formed for the defense of the New- York frontier,
in 1781. Mr. Bush was at the battle of Long Island, with a
company of Pennsylvania militia. He was also at the battles
of Trenton and Princeton, and the taking of Cornwallis ; the
stirring scenes of which he delights to relate, entering into all
the minutiae Avith the fervor and zeal of youth. He states,
that at the time his regiment was discharged, so much and
often had they been disappointed by the promises of Congress,
248 ONONDAGA.
that when their certificates were made out, for their individ-
ual shares of land, a large majority had no confidence in the
allotment of these bounties, and many cried out, who will give
a pint of rum for mine ? Who will give a blanket for mine ?
A great many sold their shares for the merest trifle. But,
says he, with unmingled satisfaction, " I held on to mine, and
I am well off'." Mr. Bush is a German by birth, and was well
known to General La Fayette, who recognized him on his visit
to this country in 1825. He held a sort of impromtu secre-
tary-ship to Timothy Pickering, in cases of emergency. This
gentleman always sought opportunities to acknowledge his re-
gard for him.
It may not be uninteresting to the rising generation to be
informed, that less than fifty-five years ago, such a vehicle as
a horse wagon, was not in existence in this town or county, and
the visiting was done mostly in winter on ox sleds ; and hap-
py and rich indeed was he who could yoke a pair of oxen of
his own, make his way through the woods with his wife and a
child or two on the sled, on an evening's visit to a neighbor's,
several miles distant. In fact, such a man was considered in
rather opulent circumstances ; and too, it was no disparage-
ment for the belles and beaux of that day to attend the sing-
ing school or the spinning bee on the ox sled. After a few
years a change came over this scene, the woods in a measure
disappeared, the sun's rays began to kiss the naked ground,
and more comfortable dwellings were introduced in place of
the houses and barns of logs. At length a beautiful village
appears, and is called Butler's Hill, afterwards, Pompey Hill ;
and there was a time within the memory of many still living,
when this same village of Pompey Hill, Avas as prominent a
place as any in the county. It gave more tone to the sur-
rounding settlements, on account of its refinement and wealth,
its intelligence and learning, tlian any place in its vicinity.
People came here for legal advice, they came here for medical
advice, to do their trading, and they came here for fashions,
they came here for military parades, for political discussions,
and for general consultations of a public nature ; they came
TOWNS.— POMPEY. 249
here to engage in all the amusements and duties incident to
men of a public character.
Mr. Cobb, Esquire Beebe, Mr. Jones and the Newmans,
occupied Newman's Hill, east from Pompey Hill ; and upon
Pompey Hill were settled, Judge Butler, Captain Butler,
Lillej the blacksmith. Esquire Bowers, Colonel Olcott, two
or three families of the name of Hoar ; and around about
here were settled the Jeromes, the Durhams, the Pixleys,
the Wilcoxes, the Judds, the Coes, the Bishops, the Conklins,
the McEvers, the Fosters. Afterwards came the doctors,
lawyers, merchants, ministers, tavern keepers, who altogether,
formed the village. There was Parson Wallace, Col. Hop-
kins, Mr. Catlin, Esq. Wood, Dr. Tibballs, Dr. Colton, Kus-
sell Clark, Mr. Emmons, Seymour & Stone, Messrs. Bakers,
Esq. Birdseye, afterwards the Wheatons and Marshes, and a
host of others, whose names are equally entitled to respect.
As the country increased in population, and the forests were
prostrated by the woodman's ax, the beasts of prey yielding
the right of possession, retreated into the more unbroken re-
gions, where the dwellings of men were not as frequent. In
the town of Fabius, the next town south, an old bear lingered,
apparently disputing the right of occupancy, with more te-
nacity and boldness, than some of his more timorous associ-
ates. And not unfrequently did he sally forth in the night,
and make forcible entry into the pig pens and carry off some
of the younger branches of the swine family, much to the an-
noyance of the settlers. These depredations finally became
so frequent that the neighbors held a consultation upon the
means of ridding community of so obnoxious a visitor, and it
was resolved that the next time he should commit another of
his unlawful visits, it should be considered a just cause of ex-
terminating Avar. Soon after this, there was a heavy fall of
snow, and Bruin, probably considering this a serious admoni-
tion, that it would soon be time for him to burrow up for win-
ter, he sallied forth one night and entered the stye of a poor
man, and took therefrom a porker, which the owner had in-
tended to butcher in a fcAV days to supply the necessities of
250 ONONDAGA.
his own family. This was no sooner known, than the male
portion of the community, rallied to a man, and arming them-
selves with guns, axes and pitchforks, calling to their aid the
dogs of the neighborhood, set out upon the track, which in
the snow was visible and plain. They soon started his bear-
ship, who posted off, with all possible speed, towards Pompey
Hill. The chase Avas a hot one, and attended on the way with
frequent skirmishes, and more especially so between the bear
and the dogs. In most of these the bear had the best of the
battle, and had it not been for fresh dogs, that constantly
supplied the places of the wounded and delinquent, the pur-
suit would have been hopeless, for not a dog could be induced
to renew the attack that had received one single salutation
from this lord of the forest. The chase waxed warm, and
Bruin at last became so pressed, and so fatigued with running
in the snow, that as a last resort he threw himself into the
public highway, and took the beaten track towards Pompey
Hill. Among the citizens of Pompey Hill, who were engaged
in this affair, Avas a deputy sheriff or constable. He carried
in his breast pocket an enormous pocket-book, containing a
large package of papers. This officer, at the head of his
posse commitatus, stood ready to arrest the old bear as he en-
tered the village, but Bruin, either doubting his jurisdiction,
or disregarding the law against resisting the service of process,
rose upon his hind feet the instant said officer tapped him on
the nose with his stick, and seizing him with his fore paws,
brought him forthwith to the ground, then opening his huge
mouth, grabbed the officer in the side, and would no doubt
have killed him on the spot, had it not happened that when
the bear closed his ponderous jaws, he grasped this enormous
pocket-book, which completely filled his mouth. In the strug-
gle, however, the bear inflicted quite a severe wound, held on
to the pocket-book, and held the man fast, till another man
approached with a sharp ax, who with a single stroke settled
the edge deep into the brain of the enraged bear. Thus was
the ferocious beast slain, and a valuable civil officer rescued
from an unpleasant if not perilous situation. This occurrence
TOWNS .— P O M P E Y . 251
took place in 1802 or '3, and is still a story of interest to the
descendants of the participators in the scenes of that day.
Major Case, while at work on the highway, in this town, in
the month of June, 1800, was attacked by a large bear. Hav-
ing an ax in his hands, he made a pass with it at the enraged
animal, who dexterously knocked the weapon to one side with
his paw, and seizing the man by the breast brought him to the
ground inflicting several severe wounds on different parts of
his body. While thus engaged, another man came up and dis-
patched the bear with an ax. Major Case lingered for near
a year ; his wounds would not heal, and he at length died from
their effects.
PoMPEY Hollow, Delphi, &c. — This highly fertile and in-
teresting valley, which borders on the east line of the county,
is ten miles in length by about two in width, and contains near
twelve thousand acres of land. It was eagerly sought, at an
early period of the settlement of the town of Pompey, as a
locality suitable for the most extensive and profitable opera-
tions of the agriculturist. The uniform prosperity which has
attended the proprietors of the soil of this favored spot, is
sufficient evidence, that the judgment of those who first loca-
ted here, was not misplaced ; and the wealth, affluence and
comfort, which is now every where apparent, is a sure indica-
tion that industry, frugality and thrift, still hold a high place
among the present occupants of this beautiful valley. It is
watered its entire length by the east branch of the Limestone
Creek, Avhieh takes its rise in the towns of Cazenovia, De
Ruyter and Fabius, Upon this stream are numerous saw mills,
two grist mills, an extensive woolen factory, and clothing
works of smaller magnitude. The first settlers who came here
were Samuel Draper and James McClure, in 1792. They
were followed almost immediately by Ozias Burr, Messrs.
Wright, Cook, Atwell, Allen, Elihu Barber, John Lamb, Capt.
Peck, Daniel Thomas and others, most of whom were from the
New England States. The land of this valley, like much of
that in other parts of the town of Pompey, had to be cleared
of heavy timber, consisting of elm, oak, ash, maple, basswood,
252 ONONDAGA.
&c., interspersed with pine, cedar and hemlock. Like the pio-
neers of all new settlements, the first years of their sojourn
were spent under exceedingly great discouragements. They
relied, for the first year or two, entirely on provisions brought
along with them from the east. Among the first things ac-
complished, was the opening of a school the following season,
(1793) in a log school house, erected on the line between the
farm of Esquire Cook and Esquire Burr, and Mr. Charles
Merriman was engaged as a teacher. He continued his use-
ful vocation here for several successive years, with deserved
success and well-merited approbation. At a subsequent peri-
od, a log school house was erected near where the Baptist
house of worship now stands, in the village of Delphi, and
Shubal Marsh was engaged in teaching it. Hon. Joshua A.
Spencer, President Jesse Peck, of Dickinson College, Dr.
Amos Westcott, Professor of Dental Surgery, Baltimore Col-
lege, Eev. Albert Peck, the celebrated Methodist Preacher,
and Le Roy Morgan, Esq., District Attorney for Onondaga,
have severally, at different periods, taught this school.
The village of Delphi, at the south end of this valley, be-
gan to be settled quite early, say 1797 and 1798, by Mr.
Savage, Daniel Hubbard, William Shankland, David Sweet
and others. Dr. Ely kept a tavern here in 1804, succeeded
by Mr. Hubbard, who was the first mercha,nt in the place.
Schuyler Van Rensselaer, Esq., was the first lawyer, who lo-
lated here in 1805. Post Ofiice established 1809 ; Mr. Van
Rensselaer, Post Master ; afterwards succeeded by Col. Elisha
Litchfield. The first Baptist Church in Pompey, was organi-
zed here in 1803, Elder Baker first pastor. Their present
house of worship was completed 1819, and the Methodist house
of worship the same year.
James Scoville, Joseph Bartholomew, Roswell and Asael
Barnes, Avere among the first settlers at Oran before 1798.
Mr. Bartholomew built the first log house, a part of which
was formed by a large hemlock tree. He also erected the first
frame house in 1799, and in it kept the first tavern. A school
was soon established in a log school house, and missionaries
T O VV N S .-^P O M P E Y . 253
from Connecticut ministered to their spiritual wants. The
first was the E.ev. Mr. Perry, who preached in James Scoville's
barn, and in other barus in the neighborhood. Mr. Wallace,
Mr. Stoddard and Mr. Rawson, all Congregationalists, preached
here.
Rev. Hugh Wallace organized the society in Oran, 27th
January, 1806. The society was re-organized under the title
of the '"''Second Congregational Society of the town of Pom-
pey,'" 6th October, 1806, when Punderson Avery, Jedediah
Cleveland and Joseph Bartholomew, were elected Trustees,
Lemuel Hall and Jedediah Cleveland, presiding at the meeting.
The first frame house of worship in the town of Pompey,
was erected by this society in 1807 and '8, being the third
house of worship erected in the county. The following Rev.
gentlemen have occasionally or statedly ofiiciated here. Rev.
Messrs. Rawson, Davenport and Baldwin, were settled here ;
Rev. Messrs. Leonard and Chadwick, and several Baptist and
Methodist Clergymen, have occasionally officiated. The Uni-
versalist Society now hold and occasionally occupy the house,
and furnish a large part of the congregation. The building
is apparently fast going to decay.
Dr. Daniel Dennison first commenced the practice of medi-
cine at this place, in 1814, and is still at his post healing the
sick and comforting the dying. Previously, Drs. Ward, Weed
and Fisk, of Eagle Village, had officiated as physicians at this
place. No lawyer has ever resided at Oran. Messrs. Dela-
mater opened the first store of note here about the year 1810,
and did a flourishing business.
In 1798, this valley was visited by myriads of caterpillars,
which totally stript the forests of their foliage, and attacked
the smaller vegetables with great voracity, doing considerable
damage to the tender corn. They however disappeared in
the month of June, vegetation revived, and the crops were
plenteous. These insects were so numerous, that they con-
gregated in heaps, on the eaves and chimnies of the houses at
evening, and when fires were kindled in the morning, were
very troublesome, often spinning down the low stick chimnies
254 ONONDAGA.
into the cookery, and when their day was over, in such quan-
tities had they accumulated that the atmosphere was complete-
ly tainted with their decaying remains.
A little east of the village of Delphi, are two very beauti-
ful waterfalls, on the Limestone Creek. They are separated
by a deep rocky gorge, of some twenty rods in extent, about
thirty yards broad at the top, and not more than eight or ten
at bottom, through which the water rushes with great force.
The upper fall may be about forty feet in height, and nearly
perpendicular, very little broken, and situated as it is among
this wild mountain scenery, conveys to the mind an idea of
sublimity and grandeur, exciting both wonder and astonish-
ment. The lower fall is about fifty feet, and the water leaps
over the abrupt and rocky precipice, with a charming mixture
of the picturesque and sublime. The high banks of bare dark
brown shale, with occasionally an evergreen shrub growing
out of the perpendicular precipice, serves to vary the eflfect,
and give life to the boldness and imagery of the scene.
Statistics of Pompey from census of 1845 : —
Number of inhabitants, 4,112 ; subject to military duty,
257 ; voters, 977 ; aliens, 36 ; paupers, 6 ; children attending
Common Schools, 1,029 ; acres of improved land, 30,951
grist mills, 3 ; saw mills, 11 ; oil mills, 2 ; fulling mills, 1
carding machines. 1 ; woolen factory, 1 ; trip hammer, 1
asheries, 1 ; tanneries, 5 ; Churches — Baptist, 3 ; Presbyte-
rian, 3 ; Episcopal, 1 ; Methodist, 4 ; Universalist, 1 ; Roman
Catholic, private, 1 ; Academy, 1 ; Common Schools, 26 ; Se-
lect Schools, 1 ; taverns, 8 ; retail stores, 5 ; merchants, 9 ;
manufacturers, 26 ; farmers, 775 ; mechanics, 88 ; clergymen,
9 ; physicians, 6 ; lawyers, 5.
Antiquities of the Township of Pompey. — The antiqui-
ties of the township of Pompey, consist mainly of earthern
forts and defenses — mural remains, traces of villages, trading
establishments, burying places and sundry articles found scat-
tered among them. These things, it is our intention briefly
to notice.
One of the most noted localities of this kind, is the one on the
TOWNS.— POMEY.— ANTIQUITIES. 255
farm of Isaac P. Jobs, usually called " Indian Hill. ' ' Upon this
spot have been found, perhaps a greater variety of articles,
positively indicating the residence, at some early period, of
Europeans, than on any other in the vicinity. It is in the
town of Pompey, two miles south of iManlius Village, situated
on one of the most beautiful elevations, imaginable. As you
approach it on the road from the south, the ascent is gradual,
backed by an extensive level. On the west, is a deep gulf,
made by the west branch of the Limestone Creek. On the
east, is a deep ravine, through which flows a small stream, whose
banks are very bold. The whole length of this elevation,
bearing the strongest evidence of having been inhabited, may
be nearly a mile, and it is from one hundred to one hundred
and fifty rods wide. To the north, is a beautiful slope, ex-
tending some thirty or forty rods, when it takes a rapid fall
of fifty or more feet. Then a plain of some thirty or forty
acres, spreads itself out in full view from the hill. Upon this
level were several acres literally covered with graves.
A brass medal was found near this place, in 1821, by John
Watson. It was without date, on one side of it was a figure
of Louis XIV, king of France and Navarre. On the reverse
side, was represented a field, with three flowers de luce, support-
ing a royal crown, surrounded by the name of Naif Lanfar
& Co. It was about the size of a Spanish pistareen, had been
compressed between dies — characters and letters distinct. It
was given to the Hon. Samuel L. Mitchell, to grace his col-
lection of curious relics and coins.
When the first settlers came here in 1791, '92, '93, this
ground was covered with thorns, wild plumtrees and other
shrubs, indicating that it had been cleared and cultivated at
8ome previous time. When it was first cultivated in these lat-
ter times, gun barrels, sword blades, hatchets, knives, axes,
clay pipes, copper kettles, brass chains, beads of glass, pew-
ter plates, rings for the fingers, ear and nose jewels, lead balls,
iron gate hangings, copper coins, tools for working wood and
iron, and other articles used by civilized men and unknown to
savages, together with human bones, were frequently found on
256 ONONDAGA.
or near the earth's surface. Many of bur early settlers, now
living, distinctly recollect the appearance of the enclosure en-
titled "the fort," upon and about which, trees had grown to
a considerable size. Its earthern walls were then some four
or five feet high, having evidently been considerably lessened
by the ravages of time. It was circular, and from three hun-
dred to three hundred and fifty feet in diameter. There was
but one gateway, and that quite narrow. In 1801, Mr. John
Hatch ploughed up three muskets and a blunderbuss. They
were found near together, the stocks decayed, the barrels flat-
tened as if with the head of an ax, plainly bearing the inden-
tations of that instrument. There are traditionary notions
prevailing with some of the inhabitants in this vicinity, that
the mutilation of these arms in this manner was by the Indians,
who did it that the sound of the guns might not kill them. It
is supposed that they were ignorant of the true cause of the
weapon's power of destructiveness. This conclusion is prob-
ably erroneous, as nearly all the gun barrels have been found
flattened at their muzzles, and the more reasonable inference
is, that it was the work of victorious parties who were unable
to secure them by removal, and did it to prevent their again
becoming useful in the hands of their enemies.
The guns usually found, are of a heavy make, with large
bell-shaped muzzles ; those seen by the author were evidently
of English manufacture. The copper coins were French,
though so much corroded, that the marks and dates could not
be deciphered. Several pits where corn had been stored were
visible. In one of these pits a large quantity of charred corn
was found. Probably on the breaking up of the establishment,
the lodge which contained it was burned over it, and thus
prepared the mass for the state of preservation in which it
was found. At every plowing something new is brought to
light. Not long since a curiously wrought brass chain, two
and a half feet long and one inch and a half wide, was found.
Its appearance was as if it had recently been subjected to fire,
the most prominent parts newly polished. A curious brass im-
age was recently found there, probably a part of some Romish
T O W N S .— P O M P E Y .— A N TI Q U I T I E S . 257
priest's collection. Many of these relics were found by Mr.
Jobs or his workmen, and several are now in his possession.
The soil upon this ridge, where undoubtedly once flourished
an extensive Indian village, and European trading establish-
ments, has the appearance of rich garden mold recently ma-
nured. Large spots of very dark mold may still be seen at
regular intervals, a few yards apart, in which are mingled
ashes and charcoal, and these, probably, mark the site of the
cabins or houses once standing over them. De Witt Clinton
visited this place and others of a similar nature in 1815 or
1816, made many inquiries, and gathered a variety of relics,
some of which were presented to the New-York Historical
Society. Among them were a small bell without a clapper,
piece of a large bell, a gold finger ring, sword blade, bayo-
net, &c.
There is an extensive burying place contiguous, where sev-
eral acres were once covered with graves of men, women and
children. The skeletons were universally found buried in a
sitting posture, facing the east, with some domestic utensil or
weapon of war between the thigh bones. They are usually
found two or three feet below the surface. The skull and
bones of the body are uniformly sunk to a level with the legs.
From appearances, the bodies, after being placed in their
graves, were covered with brush previous to casting the earth
upon them. Trees of two hundred years growth, once stood
over some of these graves.
This and all the other burying places have been resorted to
by antiquaries and others, more curious than considerate, for
the purpose of obtaining Indian skeletons. To so great an
extent has this rude practice been carried, that perhaps at this
time it would be difficult to find one by seeking — as if it could
be no harm to rob an Indian's grave. These noble men have
(»one ; their generations sleep in our cultivated fields ; our har-
vests wave upon their hills ; we have robbed them of all else,
and we should at least spare their places of sepulchre. Many
years ago, when the settlements were first made, a man, whose
name deserves not to be remembered, made a regular business
Bl7
258
ONONDAGA
of disinterring the bones contained in the Indian graves, ta-
king whatever was found in them to himself. Hundreds of
skeletons have been removed for anatomical purposes, and to
enlarge the cabinets of the curious. In this unhallowed bu-
siness he amassed several hundred dollars' worth of property.
The Indians, who are remarkable for their regard for the dead,
who, though Pagan in their worship, are shining examples for
Christians to follow, in respect to the violation of these sacred
deposits, were at one time on the point of unceremoniously
chastising him in a most summary manner. He eluded their
vengeance and never dared visit the country afterwards.
There is another place of considerable importance, called
"the castle," near David Williams', Pompey, one mile from
"Indian Hill." In former years it was owned by Michael
Bourse, w^ho collected a great variety of trinkets, consisting
of beads, precious "stone ornaments," &c. In 1815, a brass
medal was found, on one side of which was an equestrian im-
ao-e with a drawn sword, and on the other, William, Prince of
Orange, with a crest or coat of arms ; the date was oblitera-
ted. William, Prince of Orange, flourished in 1689, and was
quite conspicuous in the aflairs of New-York for several years
previous. This medal may have been a present by him to
some distinguished chief. In that neighborhood, a bass wood
tree was felled, and an ineffectual attempt made to split the
first twelve feet into rails. It was found impossible to open
it at all, when, upon farther examination, a large chain was
found encircling it, over which one hundred and seventy-eight
concentric circles had formed, representing as many years.
A laro-e hemlock tree was discovered with three distinct cuts
of an ax, over which one hundred and seventy-nine of these
granular circles had formed. Now subtract one hundred and
seventy-eight from 1815, the time when these examinations
were made, and we have the date 1637, as the time when these
marks were supposed to have been made, at which time, it is
reasonable to suppose, the neighborhood was inhabited by
Europeans. A mortar dug out of solid rock may be seen at
the brook near by, holding nearly a peck. In the steep banks
TOWNS.— POMPEY.— ANTIQUITIES. 259
of this brook are numerous evidences of its having been the
scene of a hard fought battle. Articles of war, such as gun-
barrels and bullets, have been found, and also knives, axes,
&c., upon this particular spot. The regular appearance of
four laid out streets for a considerable extent, was once very
discernable, and small hillocks where corn had evidently been
cultivated could be traced for a long distance. Weapons and
implements anciently used by the Indians were frequently
found by farmers in plowing their fields, consisting of arrow-
heads, axes, hatchets, gouges, pestles, &c., made of flint, gran-
ite and hornblend, nicely cut and finely polished. David
"Williams at one time plowed up the skeleton of a man, and
found with it a small brass kettle filled with corn and beans,
in a tolerable state of preservation. The kettle was used in
his family for domestic purposes several years. A gun barrel
was found leaning against a tree, with two-thirds of its top
imbeded therein. Wood had made over it about twelve inches.
Fragments of the lock were found with it. A box was dis-
covered below the surface of the earth, supposed to have been
buried in a hurried manner. It was so far preserved as to show
plainly that it had been made of riven planks of ash, partial-
ly smoothed with an ax. It contained cloths' of red and
blue colors ; the folds could plainly be seen, and parts were
so sound as to admit of being raised without falling asunder.
Lead clasps, bearing French marks upon them, were contained
in the box.
Samuel Ilibbard and David Hinsdale at one time found a
gun barrel on lot number six. They were then boys, and
thought to have a little sport. For this purpose they placed
the butt end of the gun barrel in the fire, for the purpose of
burning oif the rust ; after a while the barrel exploded and
forced a ball against the stone jambs, which completely flat-
tened it. How long this weapon had been charged is unknown,
but allowing it to be at the date of other evidences of
French occupancy, it must have been near one hundred and
forty years. The barrel when found was standing upright in
a clump of bass wood bushet^, as if it had been leaned against
260 ONONDAGA.
a stump ■wliich had decayed, and the clump of shrubbery grown
up in its stead. Over thirty ivory combs were found near
the same place, many of them in a tolerable state of preser-
vation. Wagon loads of old iron have been taken from these
grounds.
Mr. Hinsdale of Pompey, at one time had in his possesion
three vises, one of which was very large, and the jaws alone
weighed forty one pounds. It was beautifully engraved all
over, with representations of dogs, bears, deer, squirrels, fishes,
birds, and was altogether a beautiful specimen of workman-
ship. Another, a hand vise of excellent quality, was sold to
Mr. Boylston, a silversmith of Manlius Village, who used it
while he continued in the business. Mr. David Hinsdale
found a nest of brass kettles, the largest of which would hold
two pails full, and the smallest about three pints. They were
all bailed, ready for use, and some of the smaller ones were
used in Dr. Western's family, and Mr. Hinsdale's family, for
several years. The larger ones, being on the outside, were
considerably corroded by time and exposure, and were unfit
for use. When found, they were nearly buried under the
roots of a large tree.
The bones of a man were found on the surface, partially
covered, and with them part of a case of surgical instruments,
much corroded by rust. On the late Dr. Western's farm,
could be distinctly traced the remains of a small fortification,
with a burying place. One grave was opened, in Avhich were
the remains of thirteen men. One of the skulls taken from
it had been perforated by a bullet, which was found within it.
Another skull found in this grave was very much larger than
its fellows ; the under jaw would fit completely outside of a
common man's, and it is said that the other bones were of cor-
responding gigantic dimensions. A vise and other black-
smith's tools were found here, as well as gate hinges and
many trinkets like those already enumerated. Not far from
this last, on the farm of the late John Clapp, at an early day
were plainly traceable, the lines of an earthern fortification.
Sundry articles, such as musket balls, gun barrels, axes, &c.,
TOW N S.— P O M P E Y— A N T I Q U I T I E S . 261
have been found upon this ground. Tlie axes were usually
made from a straight bar of iron, the eye formed by bending
it over, welding it down and hammering out an edge ; not at
all resembling any tool now in common use. Near this place
were plowed up, several years since, six large, very deep,
heavy, and broad rimmed pewter platters. They were found
several inches below the surface, one within another ; they are
in a very good state of preservation now and plainly bear the
impression of the British coat of arms ; probably were once
the property of a party of English traders and may have
been buried there as a place of safety.
In felling a large pine tree for shingles on Mr. Hibbard's
farm, in 1820, after cutting in about a foot, the mark of an
ax was found, and also a burned spot, the size of a man's
hand or larger. The probability is, that the tree had been
" boxed" to obtain turpentine, and when the ancient settle-
ment was broken up, the turpentine had been burned out.
From appearances, about one hundred and seventy years must
have passed away since the ax and fire had set their mark
upon this tree. All had grown up solid, and there was no
outward appearance of former work upon the tree. On Mr.
David Hinsdale's farm, under a large pine stump, was a heap
of ashes and cinders, from which the boys in the neighborhood
used to extricate almost every variety of Indian relic.
Near Mr. Hinsdale's house, when the land was first occu-
pied, and before the plow began its work, there were numer-
ous circular elevations made of stones, some twelve or four-
teen feet in diameter, and about eighteen inches high. They
were arranged in regular rows, some two or three rods apart,
and were probably the foundations of cabins, which had been
once erected on this ground, which must from their numbers
and extent formed a considerable village. Among the curi-
ous relics preserved by Mr. Hinsdale, is a pad-lock of trian-
gular shape, about three inches on a side. It is almost de-
stroyed by rust, but it is a singular piece of mechanism, and
must in its day have been quite a formidable opponent to the
progress of thieves. He has a knife which has withstood the
262 ONONDAGA.
rust and ravages of exposure and time better than any thing
yet found. The steel must be of the finest quality, and high
tempered, and might now be used as well as ever if it was
provided with a handle. He has numerous beads, specimens
of wampum, ornaments of red pipe-stone, medals, rings,
crosses, &c. &c., which are well worth the attention of the cu-
rious. Several brass crescents have been found bearing the
inscription, " Roi de France et Dieu." These were probably
used for nose and ear jewels. Corn hills were abundant near
all the places bearing the marks of occupancy before the plow
leveled them, and even now in the forests they are to be found,
but not so frequently as in former times. The art of making
maple sugar was undoubtedly known to the Indians, for the
early settlers all agree that the maple trees in this region bore
evident marks of having been tapped. Ax marks were often
found six or eight inches from the bark, many of the trees
being hollow, caused by frequent incisions. Even the marks
made by the rude gouges of the natives were sometimes made
visible in the operation of clearing off forests.
These places of defense and burial were very numerous in
the township of Pompey. There are not less than fifteen
which have been pointed out to us, and which we have visited.
They are scattered through several of the neighboring towns.
We might multiply accounts of these relics without end, but
enough has already been said, we hope, to attract the atten-
tion of searchers after antiquarian truth, and to show that this
interesting section was once partially peopled by Europeans,
(probably French, long since the discovery of America by Co-
lumbus,) whose history is obscure, and can only be imperfectly
unraveled by judicious comparisons and j^lausible conjecture.
Most of the grounds before noted, undoubtedly have been
the scenes of hard fought battles, after which the country was
probably deserted by the remnant (if any) of whites who once
kept their trading establishments here. Villages to a con-
siderable extent once covered these hills, and the fate of their
inhabitants is, and probably for ever will be wrapped in mys-
tery. When, or by what civilized men these fortifications
TOWNS.— POMPEY.— ANTIQUITIES. 26o
were built, it were vain for us to inquire ; obscurity draws her
doubtful veil over the whole, and we dimly see in the faded
traditions and chronicles of the past, that these were the works
of architects not barbarian, at a period not exceedingly re-
mote. Indian tradition still keeps alive the fact that these
grounds have been the theatre of blood ; and such is their ab-
horrence of scenes once enacted here, that except in a few
very rare instances, they do not visit the regions near the an-
cient forts and burying grounds. " Ote-queJi-sa-he-eli' is
their exclamation — " ' Tis the field of blood."
By comparing facts and circumstances as they have fallen
under our observation with other historical data, and consider-
ing the importance the early French colonists of Canada al-
ways attached to the Indian trade, the readiness with which
they adapted themselves to Indian manners and habits, and
the earnest desire of the Jesuits to establish the Romish reli-
gion among them, it may not be unreasonable to suppose, that
designing men pushed their way here, and made themselves
familiar with the country and its resources, long before colo-
nies were established, and individual enterprise may have
erected defenses for security, long before they were consider-
€d of sufficient importance to claim protection from their gov-
ernment. It should also be borne in mind, that the French
had always cherished the design of absolutely monopolizing
and controling all the trade of the Iroquois. Colonies and
military posts were established at Quebec and Montreal, du-
ring the first twelve years of the seventeenth century, and
these were considerably increased during the twenty-five
years immediately succeeding.
The Dutch also had opened a channel of trade with the
^'Maquas," during the period that they held possession of
New-Netherlands ; but it does not appear, that during their
ascendancy, their traders or people formed any permanent
residences among the Indian nations west of the Mohawks'*
country, although the trade was considered lucrative. And
the New-England people it is presumed, had troubles enough
to engage all of their attention at home, in the protracted and
264 ONONDAGA.
exhausting wars which occurred during the infancy of their
settlements. So that it is but reasonable to infer, that the
early French adventurers succeeded in so far winning the fa-
vor and aifections of the Iroquois, as to be allowed to intrench
themselves strongly within their territory, as early as 1640
or 1650, and that these ruins now so famous as antiquarian
relics in our county, were the works of their hands.
The most interesting and important relic of by-gone days,
and the one which has attracted the most attention, and eli-
cited the most speculative opinions in this region, undoubtedly
is the celebrated stone found by Mr. Philo Cleveland on his
farm, since occupied by the late Mr. Anson Sprague. It is
about fourteen inches long by twelve inches broad and eight
inches thick ; a very heavy, hard, oval shaped stone, evident-
ly a boulder, much worn,, and from outward appearances,
granitic, but perhaps approaching nearer to gneiss than gran-
ite : on it in the centre, is rather rudely engraved the figure
of a tree with a serpent climbing it. [See the annexed cut.)
Of course the interpretation would be materially dijQferent.
It was probably designed as a sepulchral monument, and may
have been executed on or near the place where it was found.
The following brief history of this singular relic may not
be wholly uninteresting. Mr. Cleveland was picking stones
in his field, preparatory to making a meadow, in the summer
of 1820 or 1821. It was on a moist piece of ground and to-
ward evening, at the close of his day's labors, he raised the
stone with his ii'on bar and turned it on its edge. Mr. C.
being weary, leaned against a stumj) near by, with his hands
resting on the top of the bar. While musing in that posi-
tion, with his eyes fixed upon the stone, he observed something
remarkable about it ; and upon taking a nearer view, dis-
covered some of the characters and letters above described.
He removed it to a pile of stones not far distant, and at the
time thought but little of it. Several days afterward he made
another visit to the stone, when he found that the rain had
washed the dirt clean from it, and the rude engraving was much
more distinctly to be seen. This induced him to invite some
TOWNS.— POMPEY.— ANTIQUITIES. 265
W 1^6 C
of his neighbors to examine it, "n-hereupon it was decided to
remove it to a blacksmith's shop at Watervale, a small set-
tlement near by. It remained there six months or more, and
became the subject of much talk and speculation at the time.
Every person who came to the shop, would of course ex-
amine the stone, take a horse nail or old file and scrape all
the cracks, seams and carvings, giving it somewhat the ap-
pearance of new work. The stone was found with the inscrip-
tion downward, about one-third ))uried. It is not at all pro-
bable that Mr. Cleveland or any of the persons who first saw
the stone in the field or at the shop, could have designed or
executed the carvings ; besides, there are many persons now
living who would bear testimony to its authenticity. It Avas
subsequently removed to Manlius A^illage, and was visited by
several distinguished gentlemen of science, most of whom
were disposed to admit that it was genuine. It remained in
this village nearly a year, and was finally deposited in the
266 ONONDAGA.
Museum of the Albany Institute, now under the care of Dr.
T. Romeyn Beck, where it still remains an object both of
speculation and curiosity ; and so far as the writer of this is
informed, it is admitted to be an authentic memorial of anti-
quity. The stone and inscription are subjects highly interest-
ing to the lovers of antiquarian lore, and to the curious stu-
dent.
An attempt to account for, decipher and satisfactorily ex-
plain so singular a relic, might seem arrogant in the extreme.
A few words will suffice, when we reflect that Mexico had
been fully explored and settled by Spaniards previous to 1521,
and that those people always manifested an insatiable thirst
for gold, Gaspar Cotereal, a Portuguese, had explored near-
ly the whole coast of North America, in 1501, The fishing
grounds of Newfoundland were well known and occupied by
the French, as early as 1505, The French navigator, Ver-
razzini, faithfully examined the shores of the United States, in
1525. De Soto's memorable campaign commenced in 1539
and ended in 1542. He penetrated as far north as the 36th
degree of north latitude, and explored both sides of the jNIis-
sissippi for several leagues. During his travels, it is said he
fell in with a party of northern Indians, who had with them
a Spaniard taken from the party of Narvaez, who had pro-
ceeded over much of Florida, ten years before. When these
facts are taken into consideration, and the extreme interest
then felt by all classes of men, in the development of the re-
sources of the new world, the avidity with which daring ad-
venturers sought the most distant and imaginary sources of
wealth; and the avarice, cupidity and desperation of these
men, it may not appear incredible, that a party of Spaniards,
either stimulated by the spirit of adventure, or allured by the
love of gold, or driven by some rude blast of misfortune, may
have visited this region, lost one of their number by death,
and erected this rude stone with its simple inscription as a tri-
bute to his memory, as early as the year 1520,
On the hill, about one mile and a half south of Delphi, on
lot number one hundred, Pompey, are the ruins of an old fort
TOWNS.— POMPEY.— ANTIQUITIES. 267
and burying place, occupying about eight acres of land. It
is situated on an elevated piece of ground, surrounded by a
deep ravine made by two small streams, which pass around it
and unite on the north, making the form of the elevation tri-
angular, or more in shape, like a flat-iron with its point to the
north. The principal gateway and entrance was at the north
point, and a smaller one on the south side. There was a
mound or bastion in front of it. The area of this place of
defense was enclosed with a ditch and pickets, which can now
be traced throughout nearly the whole circumference, as plain
and distinctly as if but recently abandoned. At every place
where a picket had stood, a slight depression in the earth is
distinctly visible. In one instance, a large tree had fallen,
and beneath its roots a cavity was exposed, which had every
appearance of having, at some previous time, been the recep-
tacle of a post over which the tree had grown, perhaps one
hundred and fifty or two hundred years, and left the artificial
post to decay beneath its trunk. The timber within this en-
closure was of smaller growth than that immediately contigu-
ous, consisting of dwarf plumb trees, thorns, small maple and
ash trees, bushes, &c. The ground was covered with grass.
In one corner of the fort, were evident marks of a blacksmith's
shop having been once in full operation there, for various tools
have been found belonging to the trade, and also a bed of cin-
ders and a deposit of charcoal. Beneath one of these piles
were found en cache, a quantity of corn, among which was a
quantity of pumpkin or squash seeds, charred, which almost
instantly crumbled to dust upon being exposed to the air. A
short distance to the south of the fort is the main burying
ground, which is quite extensive. One of the peculiarities of
this ground, from all others in which we have had knowledge,
is that the corpses are buried, one row with their heads to the
west, and the next row with their heads to the east, so that
the feet of the two rows were towards each other, and very
near together, with the arms folded across the breast. Many
of these skeletons have at different times been removed, dis-
entombed to illustrate science and adorn the cabinets of the cu-
208 ONONDAGA.
rious. The skeletons taken from here, have usually been of
a size averaging far above that of common men. Several
have exceeded seven feet. Many curious trinkets have been
disinterred with these bones, such as arrow-heads, axes, knives,
gun-barrels, beads, glass and earthen ware, &c. &c., similar to
like named articles found at other places of defense in this vi-
cinity. Under the head of one of these skeletons, which had
been removed from its resting place in 1814, was found a large
flat stone, and upon that a plate of lead, which had become
completely oxydized, and upon exposure to the air crumbled
to dust. Near this head was found an ink horn and a curious-
ly wrought pen, made of one of the small spurs of a buck's
horn, from which it was concluded at the time that the subject
must have been a man of education, and his occupation that
of a secretary or scribe. Within the fort Avas a large stone
about four feet square, upon which were several furrows in
regular lines, two or three inches apart, an inch deep, extend-
ing nearly across the stone, similar to those on a like kind of
stone near the fortification on lot number thirty-three, on the
east side of the Hollow. Whether these are significant of
any thing, or only the work of fancy, we have not been able
to determine. It is supposed by some to be a resort for shar-
pening tools, implements, &c., which would seem probable
enough, were it not that the stones contain no grit, and the
lines are perfectly regular and similar to each other. The
indentations denoting the position of the posts or pickets in
this work, are about four feet apart, and undoubtedly the in-
terstices were filled with saplings interwoven, so as to make
the whole a firm and substantial work of aboriginal defense.
The palisades were set in the bottom of a ditch, which the
early settlers say was in some places six feet deep, when they
first saw it forty or forty-five years ago. This work is mainly
now on land which has not been cleared. This work is rep-
resented by figure one in the cut. About a mile west from
this is the remains of another work of similar character, and
two miles north of Delphi, in the town of Cazenovia, on lands
owned by Mr. William Atwell, is another, which is represent-
TOWNS .—1" O xM P E Y .—A N T I Q U I T I E S .
269
ed in the cut figure two. So common are works of this de-
scription in this neighborhood, and so extensive are the deposi-
tories of the dead, that the most undoubted evidence exists
that a numerous population must have, at some prior period,
inhabited here.
55
There is another site of an ancient fortification on a farm
owned by a Mr. Sheldon, lately owned by Mr. Elihu Barber,
about one mile north of Delphi, on the west side of the Hoi-
270 ONONDAGA.
low. The position, appurtenances, &c., of this locality, so
nearly resemble the one just before mentioned, that a particu-
lar description of it is deemed unnecessary. It is said, how-
ever, that when the ground was first plowed a cart or carriage
wheel was turned up nearly entire, a circumstance which has
not occurred we believe in any other locality. Hills of corn
were once distinctly traceable at intervals from one of these
forts to the other, nearly the whole distance, which proves this
neighborhood to have been cleared up at an early day, as the
trees now occupying this ground are supposed to be at least
two hundred years old, large and unifoi'm in size, so close to-
gether as not to admit at all of cultivation between them.
Under a very large pine tree, which had been upturned by
the wind, on the farm occupied by Mr. James Scoville, was
discovered a large bed of charcoal, which must have been de-
posited there, judging from the size of the tree, at least two
hundred years before. On his farm, also, was an extensive
burying ground, where human bones of extraordinary dimen-
sions, have been exhumed.
Mr. William Haskins, who was the fifth inhabitant in the
township of Pompey, on lot number thirteen, in 1792, says
that in first plowing the lands, almost every variety of imple-
ment used in agriculture and the common arts, was found in
that neighborhood. They consisted of knives, supposed to be
of French manufacture, axes, with the English stamp, gun-
barrels, some of them with a portion of the stock remaining,
abundance of ship-spikes, pump-hooks, a spy-glass, trammel-
hooks and chains, &c. In one instance a large quantity of
musket balls were plowed up by the side of a rock. The re-
mains of a wheel barrow, with the irons entire, also anvils and
vises, unfinished gun-barrels and gun-locks, hand-saws and
files, fragments of church bells, &c. On this ground the graves
were arranged with great regularity, side by side, in rows of
ten or fifteen rods in extent ; in the vicinity were other groups
of graves, but not in regular order. Upon examination the
body appears to have been enclosed in a wooden or bark box.
In one grave was found two glass bottles. In plowing, frag-
TOWNS.— POM PEY.— ANTIQUITIES. 271
ments of glass bottles, earthen and china ware were found,
and a stone, cut in imitation of a watch.
There is a locality in the town of Cazenovia, Madison
County, near the line of Onondaga, on lot thirty-three, town-
ship of Pompey, called the '■'■Indian Fort.'' It is about four
miles south-easterly from Manlius Village, situated on a slight
eminence, which is nearly surrounded by a deep ravine, the
banks of which are quite steep and rocky. The ravine is in
shape like an ox-bow, made by two streams, which pass nearly
around it and unite. Across this bow, at the opening, was an
earthen wall running south-east and north-west, and when first
noticed by the early settlers, was four or five feet high, straight,
with something of a ditch in front, from two to three feet
deep. Within the enclosure may be ten or twelve acres of
land. A part of this ground, when first occupied in these
latter times, was called " the Prairie," and is noted now among
the old men as the place where the first battalion training was
held in the county of Onondaga. But that portion near the
wall, and in front of it, has recently (some six years ago) been
cleared of a heavy growth of black oak timber. Many of
the trees were large, and were probably one hundred and fifty
or two hundred years old. Some were standing in the ditch,
and others on the top of the embankment. There is a bury-
ing place tvithin the enclosure. The plow has already done
much towards leveling the wall and ditch ; still they can be
easily traced the whole extent. A few more plowings and
harrowings, and no vestige of it will remain. There are nu-
merous specimens of dai'k brown pottery found upon this
ground now, and almost every variety of Indian relic has been
found about here, some of which are held in very high estima-
tion by the owners. One fact will apply to this locality, that
does not we believe to any other of a similar kind. Two can-
non balls, of about three pounds weight, were found in this
vicinity, showing that liglit cannon were used, cither for de-
fense, or in the reduction of this fortification.
There is a large rock, in the ravine on the south, on which
are inscribed the following characters, thus, IIIIIX, cut three-
272 ONONDAGA.
quarters of an inch broad, nine inches long, three-fourths of
an inch deep, perfectly regular, and the lines straight. Whether
it was a work of fancy, or had significance, we have not been
able to determine. On the site of the village of Cazenovia,
we have been informed, there was a fort or embankment.
Some persons say it was ^'•roundish,'' others that it was " a7i-
gular ivith sides at right angles." Recollections respecting it
are very imperfect. Many relics have been found here, indi-
cating an earlier occupancy than those usually found in this
county. This was on the Oneidas' territory. There is a sin-
gular coincidence in the location of the fortifications enumera-
ted, which we have never observed until a recent visit. They
are nearly all, if not quite all, situated on land rather eleva-
ted above that which is immediately contiguous, and surround-
ed, or nearly so, by deep ravines, so that these form a part of
the fortifications themselves. At one of these, (on the farm
of David Williams, in Pompey,) the banks on either side are
found to contain bullets of lead, as if shot across at opposing
forces. The space between, may be about three or four rods,
and the natural cutting twenty or twenty-five feet deep. This
goes far to prove the care these architects had in selecting the
most favorable situations for defense, and the fear and expec-
tation they were in of attacks. We are of opinion that the
fortifications in this neighborhood are not more ancient than
the period of the French settlement of missionaries among
the Onondagas, during the early part of the seventeenth cen-
tury. But the more we investigate this subject, the more we
are convinced that there were many more of the French es-
tablished here among the Indians by far, than has been gen-
erally supposed, and their continuance with them longer, for
it was a leading feature in the policy of the early French
Governors of Canada, and of the French nation, not only to
christianize the natives by the introduction of missionaries
among them, but also to colonize their country. The nature
of the articles found, utensils of farmers and mechanics, hoes,
axes, horse-shoes, hammers, blacksmiths' tools, &c., go to
prove that agriculture and the mechanic arts, were practiced
TO WN S.— P O M P E V— A N T I Q U I T IE S . 273
somewhat extensively during their sojourn. The Indian name
by which the country in and about Pompey was anciently
known, we think goes to substantiate this fact, Ote-ge-ga-ja-
ke — an open place, with much grass, an opening, or prairie.
The timber in many places here, has a vigorous growth ; and
although large, there is a uniformity in the size and age, which
shows that it has all grown up since the occupancy, because
under the trees are not only found relics, but among them, in
many instances, corn-hills can be traced at considerable dis-
tances. That the appearance of corn-hills in a wilderness,
after a lapse of so many years may appear less strange, it
may be well to remark, that the Indian mode of planting, for-
merly, varied materially from that of the whites. Their man-
ner was to plant three hills near each other, and raise quite a
mound around them, and plant the same mound for a series
of years, and these mounds are the corn-hills noticed at the
present day.
The presentation of medals to the Indians was undoubtedly
a very common practice with the missionaries and traders. A
valuable cross of gold was several years ago found in the west
part of Pompey, and was sold for thirty dollars. The signifi-
cant "i. H. s."* was upon it. Numbers of crucifixes and
crosses have been found. Brass crosses are frequently found,
with those letters, and the initials of the latin title put upon
the cross at the crucifixion, "i. x. r. i.,"t and so are medals
of the same metal. One was recently found, on the farm of
David Hinsdale, about the size of a shilling piece. The figure
of a Roman Pontiff, in a standing position, in his hand a cro-
sier, surrounded with this inscription : " B. virg. sin. P. origi.
con" which we have ventured to write out, '•'• Beata virgo sine
Peccato originali concepta,'' or as we might say in English,
" The blessed virgin conceived without original sin." On the
other side was a representation of a serpent, and two nearly
naked figures, looking intently upon it. This one is very per-
* Jesus Hominum Salvator, or Jesus, the saviour of men.
t Jesus Nazarenu8> Rex Judeaorum, or Jesus ol* Nazareth, King of the Jews.
Iil8
274 ONONDAGA.
feet in all its parts, and the letters as plain as if struck but
yesterday. It was undoubtedly compressed between dies. It
is oval in shape, and bored that it might be suspended from
the neck.
A silver medal was found, near Eagle Village, about the
size of a dollar, but a little thinner, with a ring or loop at one
edge, to admit a cord by which it might be suspended. On
one side appears in relief, a somewhat rude representation of
a fortified town, with several tall steeples rising above its build-
ings, and a citadel from which the British flag is flying ; a
river broken by an island or two, occupies the foreground, and
above, along the upper edge of the medal, is the name Mont-
real. The initials J), c. F., probably of the manufacturer,
are stamped below. On the opposite side, which was origi-
nally made blank, are engraved the words canecya, Ononda-
goes, which are doubtless the name and nation of the red ru- '
ler on whose dusky breast this ornament was displayed, as a
valuable token of friendship of some British Governor of New-
York or Canada, to an influential ally among the Five Nations.
There is no date on this or any other of the medals. But
this must be at least older than the Revolution, and probably
more than a hundred and fifty snows have whitened the field,
where the plow disinterred it, since the chief, whose ^ame it
has preserved, was laid to rest with his fathers.
In July, 1840, was found, on the farm of Mr. William
Campbell, by his son, on lot number three, La Fayette, a sil-
ver medal, about the size of a dollar, and nearly as thick. On
one side is a device, surmounted by an angel on the wing,
stretching forward with its left hand, looking down upon those
below with a resolute, determined and commanding counte-
nance. Far in the background, is a lofty ridge of mountains.
Just beneath and aAvay in the distance, is seen an Indian vil-
lage or town, towards which the angel is steadily and earnest-
ly pointing. Above this overhangs a slight curtain of cloud
or smoke. Between the village and the mountain are scatter-
ing trees, as if an opening had just been made in the forest ;
nearer are seen various wild animals sporting gaily. In bold-
T O W N S .— i ' O il P E V .— A N T I Q U I T I E S . 275
er relief are seen Europeans, in the costume of priests and
pilgrims, with staves, exhibiting by their gestures and coun-
tenances, hilarity, gladness and joy, winding their way up the
gentle ascent towards the mountain, decreasing in size from
the place of departure, till lost from view. Among them are
wheel carriages and domestic animals, intermixed. On the
right is a fair representation of a cottage, and a spacious com-
mercial ware-house, against which are leaning sheaves of grain.
The whole is surrounded by the following inscription in Dutch :
GEHE AUS DEINEM VATTER LAND, 1 b. M., XII.,
V. 1, and at the bottom across, LASST HIER DIEGVTER.
On the opposite side there is a figure of the sun shining in me-
ridian splendor, casting its noon- tide rays over a civilized town,
represented by churches, stores, dwellings, &-c., with various
domestic animals, and numerous persons engaged in husband-
ry and other pursuits. In bolder relief stand Europeans in
the costume of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, engaged
as if in animated and joyful conversation and greetings, and
by various attitudes, manifesting happiness and joy. On the
right is represented a section of a church, at the door of which
stands a venerable man, with head uncovered, with his hands
extended, as if welcoming these persons to a new and happy
habitation. This side is surrounded by the following inscrip-
tion : VND DV SOLLT EIN SEEGEN SEYN, 1 b. Mos.,
XIL, V. 2, and across the bottom as follows: GOTT GIBT
SIEWIEDER.
The interpretation of the first side is — Get thee out from
thy country and friends, thou shalt be truly a blessing. On
the reverse side, which should be read in connection — Leaving
thy goods behind thee, God will restore them to thee again.
The small letters and figures on the right, refer to the Ist
Book of Genesis, XII chap., verses 1st and 2d, which inscrip-
tion on the medal was taken from those verses in the Dutch
Bibles. Our translation is very excellent, though perhaps not
strictly literal, (which see.) It is in this chapter that God
calleth Abram, and blesseth him with a promise of Christ ;
promiseth him the land of Canaan in a vision, to which he de-
276 ONONDAGA,
parted with his kindred and friends and servants, and there
builded an altar unto the Lord. Abram's first step was obe-
dience. He left all and took possession, with his household,
of the land of Canaan ; and it is remarkable that the first in-
stance of God's favor towards him was to renew his promise,
to give him the whole land of Canaan, in place of the posses-
sions he left behind him, and to make his posterity a mighty
nation.
This medal must have been none other than one given by
his countrymen in Father-land, to a devoted Missionary, with
a party of followers intending to spend their days in America,
the land of promise, the fruitful Canaan of modern times,
who in the goodness of his heart, bent on doing the work of
his divine master, at some early day wandered into the wilds
of the Onondagas, set up the cross, (the Bethel of Abram,)
and left this memento of his mission in the hand of some
Neophyte, which by some unaccountable circumstance has been
buried, we know not how long, but now comes to light to prove
to us, that the aborigines of our country were a people whose
spiritual welfare was regarded as sincerely by the Dutch as
by their more ambitious and ostentatious neighbors, the French.
It is much to be regretted, that on this and all the other med-
als, there is no date whereby to establish their particular pe-
riod of antiquity. This is by far the most singular and in-
teresting relic of the kind which has come under our notice,
and goes positively to establish a hitherto doubtful point, to
wit, the early establishment of missionaries by the Dutch
among the Onondagas.*
The fragments of a bell have lately come under our notice
found on the farm of Isaac Jobs, which when whole, would
have weighed probably one hundred and fifty or two hundred
pounds. The metal is very fine, and from appearance, this ar-
ticle must have been of considerable value. Time and expo-
sure have not changed it in the least. When found, some
* Quere. May not this medal be a relic of the Zeisberger mission of 1750.
T O VV N S . — P O M P E Y .— A N T I Q U I T I E S
27T
twenty years since, it was broken up, and the pieces found
"were enough to make it nearly entire.
On the farm of Mr. Isaac Keeler, were the remains of an
ancient fort and burying ground. When Mr. Keeler first
settled here, the site of the old fort was an extensive opening
of about fifty acres, bearing grass, with clumps of wild plumb
trees, and a few scattering forest trees. Mr. Keeler has left
some of these plumb trees standing, and has cultivated them,
and they yield fruit inferior to none. On this opening it is
said, was paraded the first regiment of militia that was organ-
E, ditch — B, parapet — A, mounds — C, lookout — D, pulisades.
278 ONONDAGA.
ized in the county of Onondaga, commanded bj Major Moses
Do Witt. This ancient remnant of a fort is on lot number
three, township of Pompey, and was formerly owned by Moses
De Witt. At that time the outlines of this fort were distinct-
ly traceable. It had been enclosed with palisades of cedar,
and contained some ten acres of land. The plan was a plain
parallelogram, divided across the shortest way through the
middle, by two rows of palisades running east and west. The
space between the rows was about twelve feet. At the north-
west corner was an isolated bastion and an embrasure. When
first brought under cultivation by a Mr. William Bends, he
plowed up many of the stumps of palisades of cedar which
had been burned off level with the ground. Within the south-
ern division of the fort were several mounds, the principal
one of which was about four feet high, rising oh a base of
about fifteen feet diameter, composed chiefly of ashes, in which
were found many beads of the size of bullets, and many other
trinkets of various sizes and patterns, made of red pipe-stone.
Several hundred pounds of old iron have been gleaned from
this spot, consisting of axes, hatchets, gun-barrels and locks,
coarse files, horse-shoes, large spikes, hammers and black-
smiths' tools. The smaller mounds principally contained
charred corn, many bushels of which have been plowed up.
At a distance of about forty rods north of the north-west
corner of the fort was a ditch perhaps forty rods long, running
north by west ; some parts of it three feet deep, others less ;
about six feet in breadth ; undoubtedly it originally was much
deeper. From present appearances, it was entirely discon-
nected with the fort ; but time has made such alterations with
it and the grounds around, that at this late da}-, it is impossi-
ble to conjecture for what purpose it was originally intended.
The situation of this ancient fort was on an elevation of land,
gradually rising for nearly a mile in every direction ; and at
the time of its occupancy, several hundreds of acres of land
in the vicinity must have been cleared, giving to the garrison
an extensive prospect. The grounds occupied by the fort are
about fifty rods east of Mr. Keeler's house, and are unsur-
T O W N S .— P O M P E Y .—A NTIQUITIES. 279
passed by any in the county for fertility and beauty of location.
Here in ancient times, undoubtedly have been marshaled with
nodding plume and rattling cuirass, the troops of the French
side by side with the dusky Onondagas, singularly contrasting
their polished European weapons with the hickory bows and
flint arrows of their allies ; and here too have they mingled the
war-whoop of the savage, with the Vive le Roi de France ;
while the Black Robes with their trembling neophytes, chaunt-
«d in ecstacy, Venite Exultemus and Jubilate Deo. Seasons
of joy and festivity, of worship and praise to God, passed for
years over this land : the trader gathered riches from the
wild forester, and the warrior fresh laurels wherewith to en-
twine his brow. At length a storm arises, the priest, the war-
rior and the chasseur foresee its portentious gloom, too late
to flee the tempest, and too feeble to withstand the shock.
Tl^y fell victims to its fury, and these few relics are the only
evidences of their fate. Fragments of broken pottery, appa-
rently used for culinary purposes, are abundantly found on
this location. Pipes, flint arrow-heads, stone hatchets, mor-
tars and pestles, gouges &c., are also found. In 1813, Mr.
Isaac Keeler felled an oak tree near the site of the fort, mea-
suring three feet in diameter. In preparing the tree for the
fire, a leaden bullet was found covered by one hundred and
forty-three cortical layers. It was about four inches from the
heart of the tree, which must have been small when the bul-
let was fired. From calculation, the time which has elapsed
since the bullet assumed its position, must be over one hund-
red and forty-five years, making the date of its lodgment, A.
D. 1G67.
Mr. Keeler had in his possession a portion of a brass dial
plate, plowed up by him on the site of this fort ; on it are en-
graved in fair Roman characters, I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII.
VIII. ; also a brass compass-box, from which the needle had
been removed, and its place supplied with vermilion, a pig-
ment highly prized by the Indians ; and another more per-
fect one beautifully wrought, having on one side a represen-
280
ONONDAGA.
tation of our Saviour, and on the other, Mary the mother of
Jesus as represented in the following cuts :
Also, an octagonal brass medal nearly an inch in diameter^
having a figure with the name " >S'^. Agatha,'" and the Latia
word " Ora,'' a part of the Gregorian chaunt. Also a silver
medal half an inch long, with a figure inscribed " *S'^. Lucia,'
and the same fragment of a chaunt. Mr. Keeler has also an
old balance beam eighteen inches long, which perhaps has
often tested the weight of the foot of a Frenchman against the
red man's pound of beaver ; for, like the ancient Dutch tra-
ders at Albany, it was said the French made a foot weigh a
pound. Also a medal of lead, oval shaped, an inch and a
half long, with the figure of a man suspended by his out-
stretched hands, supposed to be a representation of our Sa-
viour on the cross, and a figure of a serpent. On the oppo-
site side is a figure of a man in a sitting posture, resembling
the characteristic position of the native prophets ; or as some
interpret it, the devil — an emblem that Christianity will de-
stroy all evil. An iron horse shoe, steel corked, with three
elongated nail holes on each side. The peculiar workmanship
of this shoe, its clumsiness and spread, and the little skill
which it evinces in the making, denotes it clearly to be the
workmanship of a Canadian blacksmith, precisely like those
witnessed at the present day in that country, and intended
TOWNS.— POMPEY.— ANTIQUITIES. 281
only for the unfarrierecl hoofs of the Canadian horse. It is
the roughest specimen of the craft that can be imagined.
This is a specimen of several which have been exhumed in
this country, all of which are of the rudest workmanship.
Several years ago a curious brass plate probably used for a
shield, was plowed up ; it was oval shaped, and about eighteen
inches in diameter the longest way. Here are also found
sword guards, fragments of the blades, gun locks, surgeons'
instruments, saws, bracelets for the wrists three inches broad,
of brass highly wrought, and many other curious articles.
In many places within this fort and in its vicinity, were
found numerous pits for hiding en cacJie^ corn and other arti-
cles by the occupants from their enemies, or as a temporary
place of deposit during their hunting excursions. Skeletons
have been found in these places of deposit, some of them of
extraordinary size. The jaws of some of them would fit
easily over that of any common man. Mr. Keeler has a por-
tion of a jaw in which are double teeth at least one-third lar-
ger than those of an ordinary man.
On Mr. Samuel A. Keene's land, are mounds containing
human bones ; also burying grounds all along on the west side
of the creek, on Mr. Jeremiah Gould's land, upon which are
found almost every variety of Indian relic. On the grounds
of Mr. Keene have been found several strings of very fine
glass beads, of red, blue and white colors, and others striped
and variegated ; also numerous little bells, such as are some-
times used by the Romish priesthood. Fish hooks have also
been picked up in the vicinity of the old fort, and steels for
producing fire with tinder. Mr. Keene has a brass compass
box, screw top, and a little brass kettle which holds about a
pint, all plowed up on his land. Brass crosses have frequently
been plowed up, and some of the most perfect and highest
finished ones, have over the head of the Saviour, the letters
I. N. R. I. Most of the crosses found in other places have the
letters i. u. s.
But the most rare and singular relic which has come to
our observation, is an iron bombshell, about the size of a six
ogo ONONDAGA.
pound ball, weighing two and three-fourtlis pounds. This
was plowed up on the land of Mr. Keene, and is believed to
be the only article of the kind which has been found. Can-
non balls of small size have been found in the eastern part
of Porapey.
These relics certainly prove that light cannon were in use
at these places of fortification. From the great number of
gun barrels, crosses, axes, &c., found about here, it is certain
that armed bodies of men in considerable numbers, have oc-
cupied these grounds ; and that from the mutilated condition
of the guns, the broken axes, jammed kettles, and injured
state of every thing contributing to defense and comfort, they
must have been exterminated or forcibly driven away. That
these are the remains of the French Jesuits and traders of
the seventeenth century, there is not a doubt. Everything
goes to substantiate the fact. Enough of their history has
been related in the foregoing pages, to settle the question be-
yond dispute. The forts, relics, utensils, mounds, caches,
burying grounds, &c., are similar in every direction, and
bear marked evidence of former occupancy by man in a civi-
lized state, and in a former age. Like evidences occur also
in De Witt, Camillus and Manlius. Were all the records in
Christendom totally destroyed, there still remains the most
unquestionable evidences of the presence of civilization in this
land, in the metallic arms, implements and utensils of the sol-
dier, the artizan, the mechanic and farmer, succeeding a more
rude era, in which arts, agriculture and war were carried on
with implements of wood, stone, clay and shells.
La Fayette. — This town was organized in April, 1825,
and was taken from the towns of Pompey and Onondaga. It
was named after the Marquis De La Fayette.
That portion of La Fayette, taken from Onondaga, was
purchased by the State, of the Onondaga Indians, in 1817,
and in 1822 was sold to the white settlers. There are now, with-
in the bounds of the town, six thousand four hundred acres
of land, belonging to the Indians, not taxable. The town
TOWNS.— LA FAYETTE. 283
contains twentj-eight thousand two hundred acres. It has
an elevated ridge running north and south, nearly through
the center, with a valley on the east and on the Tvest, extend-
ing its whole length. The former is called Sherman Hollow,
after James Sherman, and the latter Christian Hollow, after
Michael Christian, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and drew
lot number eighteen, township of Tully, and Avas one of the
few who enjoyed the fruits of their suffering and toil, by ta-
king possession of the land, for which they served. It is
scarcely possible to find more beautiful scenery, than is pre-
sented to the view, by looking down upon this hollow, from
the high ground along the road, leading from Tully to La
Fayette. The distance is just sufficient to obscure imper-
fections, while its contiguity is such, that its peculiar beau-
ties strike the beholder with the fulness of its grandeur.
* Some of the first settlers and original inhabitants of this
town are as follows : John Wilcox, who lived a little east of the
Indian orchard, on " Haskins' Hill," was the first white set-
tler in town, came here in 1791, and located on lot number
thirteen, Pompey, and boarded the surveyors who " lotted''
the townships of Tully, Pompey and Manlius. When the
first settlement was made, there was on this lot, an extensive
Indian orchard, occupying some twenty acres or more of
ground. The trees were somewhat regularly laid out, and at
that time were very productive. At an early day, it was a
place very much resorted to for its fruit, it then being the only
orchard of any note in all the country. People came from
many miles around, in Autumn, to the " old Indian orchardy"
for its valuable produce, and the occupant made the sale of it
quite a profitable business. This orchard was located on a
commanding eminence, now owned by Mr. Cornelius Vanden-
burg, on the road leading from La Fayette to Jamcsville.
It overlooks a vast tract of country to the north, and affords
one of the most beautiful prospects imaginable. At this time,
The author is indebted to Rev. Geo. E. Delevan for valuable information re-
lative to La Fayette.
284 ONONDAGA.
the apple trees, once in so high repute, from which the red
man gathered his luxurious store in bountiful profusion, are
in a state of decay, and like the race who planted them, will
soon be numbered among the things that have been.
In 1792, Comfort Rounds settled in La Fayette, about two
miles north of the Center. In 1792, William Haskins came
on, and gave name to Haskins' Hill. In 1793, came Solo-
mon Owen, who built the brick house in Sherman Hollow,
now occupied by Calvin Cole. Ebenezer Hill, now living,
came into this town in February, 1795. In 1793, James
Sherman settled in, and gave name to the east hollow. He
soon after built a saw-mill, the first of the kind in this town,
on the Butternut Creek. The next year, Messrs. Isaac and
Elias Conklin, moved to this town, and very soon put up a
saw-mill, and directly afterwards, a small grist mill, on what
is commonly called Conklin's Creek. These mills are now in
operation, and owned by Mr. Elias Conklin, and the grist
mill is believed to be the first of its kind, in the township of
Pompey, erected in 1798. The small but durable stream, on
which are these mills, is considered a very valuable one, and
finds its way into the Butternut Creek. Below these mills,
are three distinct and successive falls, some sixty or eighty
rods distant from each other. They are enshrouded by a dense
hemlock forest, which renders the scenery somewhat sombre
and gloomy, yet it may be considered highly picturesque, if
not grand. The several falls are about seventy or eighty feet
in height, each ; not perpendicular, but just broken enough
to add beauty and variety to the rushing cataracts, as they dash
their vvhite foam against the ragged rocks below. The stream
is quite rapid and somewhat broken, above the mills. The
banks and bed of this stream are of brown shale, of little or
no use as a building material, and only used for fencing.
In 1794, John Houghtaling, Amaziah Branch, Benjamin
June and James Pearce, located in this town. Mr. June was
a soldier of the Revolution. His ancestors came from France,
he is still living, and receives a pension. Samuel Humph-
TOWNS.— LA FAYETTE. 285
rey, another Revolutionary patriot, also resides in this town,
and draws a pension.
In 1794, Samuel Hyatt, Amasa Wright and Reuben Bry-
an, settled in town. Mr. John A. Bryan, once a member of
the New-York Legislature, Assistant Post Master General,
under President John Tyler's administration, and ChargS des
Affaires to Peru, and Auditor of the State of Ohio, now liv-
ing at Columbus, was his son.
Among the early settlers in the west portion of the town,
were Samuel Coleman, Clark Bailey, Nathan Park, Zenas
Northway and Ozias Northway, who kept a tavern near the
Post Office, Archibald and John Garfield, Graudius Cudde-
back, whose widow is a niece of Major Moses De Witt ; Wm.
Sniffen, Hendrick Upperhousen, a Hessian who was captured
from the British army, and John Hill, also a Hessian.
Among the settlers in the south part of the town, were
General Isaac Hall, William Alexander, Amos Palmatier,
Jacob Johnson, Sen. and Jr., Obadiah Johnson, Elijah Hall,
Peter Abott, Rufus Kinney, Abner Kinney Capt. Joseph C.
Howe, who lived on the farm now occupied by H. Cole. Dan'l
Danforth, first located in Christian Hollow, in 1798, afterwards
bought the farm now occupied by his nephew, Thomas Danforth.
In the northern section of the town, in addition to the
names already mentioned, lived Asa Drake, who removed from
near Boston. He distinctly recollects hearing the firing at
the battle of Bunker Hill. He still survives and speaks of
the struggles of the Revolution, and the privations of the
wilderness, with a lively interest. Elkanah Hine and Noah
Hoyt, lived on the fixrm now occupied by George Bishop.
Joel Canfield, Ezekicl Hoyt, Job Andrews and Minnah Hy-
att, were early settlers here. Ebcnezer Carr, Calojius Vinell,
and Joshua Slocum, lived on the farm now owned by E. V.
W. Dox, Esq.; Col. Jeremiah Gould and Isaac Keeler, to-
wards Jamesville.
In the vicinity of La Fayette Square, were Thomas, Seth,
Erastus and Sydenham Baker, Joseph Smith, Mr. Paine, Je-
remiah Fuller and Dr. Silas Park. Dr. Park's ride as a phy-
286 ONONDAGA.
sician, was from Liverpool to Port Watson, Cortland County,
then Onondaga, and from Skaneateles to Cazenovia. Dan'l
Share, an early settler, is still living on a beautiful spot which
commands a view of the village and of the valley, stretching
towards Fahius. There were also Caleb Green, Joseph Ste-
vens Cole, Paul King, and Orange King, who kept a tavern
in a log house, and had for his sign, which was nailed to a tree,
" 0. King /" Joseph Rhoades, Gershom Richardson, Daniel
Cole and John Carlisle, were also among the early settlers of
this town.
The Columbian (Congregational) Society was organized in
1804. The greater part of the members who formed this so-
ciety, came from Berkshire and Hampshire Counties, Massa-
chusetts. At an early day, religious meetings were held in
private houses, by JMr. Amaziah Branch, a Congregationalist,
from Norwich, Connecticut. He had studied for the ministry,
but was not licensed to preach. As a man of piety and exemp-
lary deportment, he was greatly respected. The present Con-
gregational Church, was organized by Rev. Benjamin Bell,
in October, 1809. This interesting transaction took place at
the public house of Stoughton Morse, where the " Tempe-
rance House" is now kept. The Church, at this period, con-
sisted of fifteen persons — five males and ten females.
The following gentlemen have officiated as pastors and
preachers, since the time of the Rev. Mr. Bell ; Rev. Messrs,
E. J. Leavenw^orth, Hopkins, Martin Powell, Childs, Alexan-
der H. Corning, Seth Smally, Abraham K. Barr, Parshall
Terry and George E. Delevan.
The Congregational house of worship, was erected 1819
and 1820. In 1844, it was repaired and renovated in mod-
ern style. It is located on the plat of ground (one acre) gen-
erously given by Capt. Joseph Rhoades and Erastus Baker,
Esq. The Methodist Chapel, on the east hill, was erected
about the vear 1825. There is also a Methodist house of
worship, at Cardiff.
Ten or twelve years ago, a chartered high school was estab-
lished at La Fayette Square, in the brick house, built by Mr.
TOWNS. — LA FAYETTE. 287
Asael Smith, merchant, now occupied bj H. G. Andrews, as
a dwelling. It flourished a few years and was discontinued.
The first town meeting was held at La Fayette Square,
March, 1826, Charles Jackson, Supervisor, Johnson Hall,
Town Clerk.
Col. Jeremiah Gould erected the first frame house in the
township of Pompey, (now in La Fayette,) in 1800. Isaac
Hall built the next in 1801. A Mr. Cheeny kept the first
tavern, a little before Orange King. Messrs. llice and Hill,
are said to have been the first merchants at La Fayette Square,
1802 or 1803. In 1801, the State road from Cazenovia to Ska-
neateles, was laid out through this town. Col. Olcott, the
surveyor, was taken suddenly ill, while engaged in the survey,
and died at the house of Erastus Baker. About this time,
the inhabitants of this retired country, were visited with that
dreadful scourge, the small-pox, which in many instances
proved fatal.
The soil of this town, is calcareous loam, intermixed with
vegetable mold, and unlike many parts of the country the land
is arable on the highest hills, and very productive. The air is
pure, the scenery delightful, and access to markets and the
great thoroughfares convenient. The face of the country is
favorable to the enjoyment of health, activity of mind, com-
petence in worldly goods and domestic comfort. There are
here no stagnant marshes, no putrid exhalations, no over-
grown estates, and none so great temptations to vice as may
be found in more thickly settled localities.
No valuable mineral deposit has yet been discovered in this
town. Two miles south of Christian Hollow Post Office, a
variety of iron ore has been brought to light, but is not con-
sidered of much consequence. Lime has been somewhat ex-
tensively burned, and may yet prove valuable in agriculture,
and for other purposes. The rocks abound in shells and oth-
er relics of the diluvian age. On the farm of Dr. C. Wil-
liams is a deposit of corals. In the door-yard of Mr. J. G.
Doughty, are many petrifactions; similiar appearances have
been noticed in diiferent parts of the town. On the farm of
288 ONONDAGA.
Thomas Danforth, are chasms of great depth, supposed to
have been produced by an earthquake.
There are several sulphur springs in town emitting sulphur-
eted hydrogen gas, which can be collected in a tumbler and
burned by applying a torch. There is one on Chester Baker's
land near a pure spring, a few rods west of the centre. One
on the land of Elias Rider, in Christian Hollow, which is with-
in a few feet of a pure spring. One on the west side of the
Onondaga Creek, which is said to have been considerably
agitated a few years ago by an earthquake. AVithin a few
rods of this is a pure spring and a chalybeate spring. There
is a sulphur spring on the Indian road towards the council-
house, one on Dr. Williams' land, another near Alcott's saw-
mill, in Sherman Hollow, and another in a ravine near Cal-
vin Coles'. These springs are sometimes used medicinally.
There is a saline spring a few rods east of Ebenezer Hill's
residence. To these several springs at an early day, deer
used frequently to resort.
The east branch of the Onondaga River rises in Tully,
passes through Christian Hollow and Onondaga Village,
emptying into Onondaga Lake.
Through Sherman Hollow runs Butternut Creek, which
rises in Fabius and Pompey, passing through Jamesville and
Orville, uniting with the Limestone and Chittenango Creeks,
thence into Oneida Lake.
This town was remarkable for the abundance of its game.
Bears, wolves, foxes and wild cats, were every where numer-
ous ; and instances are still related of their having been fre-
quently destroyed. They often did mischief among the flocks
of the early settlers.
Deer were very numerous, and were often seen in herds of
twenty or thirty.
According to the last census, we have the following statis-
tics for La Fayette : —
Number of inhabitants, 2,527. Number of inhabitants
subject to military duty, 204 ; voters, 606 ; aliens, 36 ; pau-
pers, 2 ; children attending common schools, 737 ; acres of
TOWNS .— M ARCELLUS. 289
improved land, 16,857 ; grist mills, 4 ; saw mills, 18 ; fulling
mills, 2 ; carding macliines, 2 ; asheries, 1 ; clover mills, 1
tanneries, 2. Churches. — Congregational or Presbyterian, 1
Methodist, 2 ; common schools, 13 ; taverns, 5 ; stores, 4
farmers, 392 ; merchants, 5 ; manufacturers, 7 ; mechanics,
6Q ; clergymen, 2 ; physicians, 4.
Marcellus* was one of the townsliips number nine of the
Military Tract, and also one of the eleven towns formed at
the organization of the county, in 1794. It then compre-
hended all of the townships of Marcellus and Camillus, and all
of the Onondaga and Salt Springs Reservations west of the
Onondaga Lake and Creek. At present it contains but about
^ thu-ty lots of the original township, or about one-tenth of the
original town, as at first set off. The first settlements were
made in this town in 1794, by William Cobb, who settled on
the hill east of Nine Mile Creek. The same year , Cyrus Hol-
comb settled on the west hill, and two families by the name
of Bowen, and one by the name of Cody, settled near Clin-
tonville, and Samuel Tyler settled at Tyler Hollow. A family
by the name of Conklin, and one or two others settled the
same year in the southern part of the town. A family by the
name of Curtis settled at Nine Mile Creek in 1794, but did
not remain long. The first permanent settlement there, was
made by Dan Bradley and Samuel Rice, in the fall of 1795.
They were joined by Dr. Elnathan Beach, in the winter fol-
lowinfj, who erected the first frame house in town the follow-
ing summer. It stood near the late dwelling house of Curtis
Moses, The second was built by Judge Bradley, and the
third by Deacon Rice. In 1806 there were but nine dwelling
houses in the village.
These settlements made in different parts of the town
prepared the way for others ; so that wc find a rapid in-
crease of population almost immediately. Among the set-
* For the history of the first settlement of this town, the author has been great-
ly assisted by a manuscript of tlie Rev. Levi S. Parsons.
Bl9
290 ONONDAGA.
tiers on the west hill, were Nathan Kelsey and Thomas Mil-
ler. CqI. Bigelow Lawrence had eight sons who settled, four
on the east hill, and four on the west hill, all within sight of
each other. His sons were Joab, Peter, Bigelow, Rufus,
Calvin, Jeptha, Levi and Dorastus ; and subsequently, Martin
Cossit settled in the village, about the year 1798. Samuel
Wheadon moved to the south liill as early as 1800. A short
time subsequently, Josiah Frost, Philo Goddard, Nathan
Healy and Enoch Cowles settled in that neighborhood. At
an early period, there settled on the east hill, Caleb Todd,
Nathaniel Hillyer and Richard May ; and at a still later pe-
riod, Martin Goddard, Terrence Edson, Reuben Dorchester
and William F. Bangs. James C. Millen and his sons, were
the first permanent settlers in the north-east section of the
town. He and six sons, except one all died within a short
time afterwards. The settlement at the falls now called
Union Village, was commenced in the fall of 1806, and the
paper mill now owned by John Henry, was erected 1807, and
' the next year a grist and saw mill were erected.
When the early pioneers of this favored town first came on,
it was covered vdth a heavy burden of hard timber, with very
little underbrush. The leeks, nettles and wild grass afforded
excellent pasturage for cattle, on the upland ; but the low
land was covered with a gloomy hemlock forest, which pre-
sented formidable obstacles to the clearing of the land, and
bringing it to a state fit for cultivation. Hence the first settle-
ments were made on the more elevated portions of the town.
There was no evidence here as in some other parts of the
county, that any part of this town had ever been under culti-
vation. Here were no Indian fields, no traces of ancient occu-
pancy by a foreign people, or evidence that the soil had ever
been pressed by the foot of man, except as a rude hunter in
pursuit of his game.
Most of the early settlers of Marcellus were from Massa-
chusetts, some from Connecticut and Vermont. They paid a
high regard to religious duties, and great attention to the
training of their children in moral and intellectual pursuits.
TOWNS.—MARCELLUS. 291
The establishment of schools was among their first conside-
rations. Accordingly, we find in the winter of 1796-97, only
one year after the settlement had commenced, a school estab-
lished, and Dan Bradley the teacher. He took a deep inter-
est in the welfare of the young, and hence volunteered his ser-
vices as a teacher. He was the first male teacher in the town-
ship, and taught two successive winters in a log school-house.
The summer before, Miss Aseneth Lawrence, daughter of
Col. Bigelow Lawrence, taught the first school kept in the
town, in the same house. This house was on the east hill.
A frame school house was soon after erected on nearly the
same ground, and continued to be occupied until 1807 ; after
which, a school-house was erected in the village, and another
on the west hill. The early settlers were most of them fa-
vorable to religious institutions, and many of them prominent
supporters. The people were generally Congregational or
Presbyterian, with an occasional Baptist ; but all agreed to
worship together for a period of about twenty years. As an
evidence that the early settlers were favorable to religious in-
stitutions, it is worthy of notice, that in 1802, within seven
years after the first settlements were made in the village,
measures were taken, preparatory to erecting the present
house of worship. The building materials were set up at ven-
due ; and among the bidders, we find nearly all the names of
the inhabitants of that time. The church was organized Oc-
tober 13th, 1801, and the society was organized under the
style and title of the " Trustees of the Eastern Society of
3Iarcellus," in May, 1802 ; Dan Bradley, Martin Cossit, James
Millen, Martin Goddard, Thomas North and Nathan Kelsey,
Trustees. Their house of worship, still standing and in good
repair, was erected in 1803, and was the first house of wor-
ship erected in the county. By way of renown, it was then
remarked, that it was the only meeting Jiouse hetiveen Neiv-
Eartford and the Pacific Ocean, which was literally the fact.
Rev. Seth Williston was a Missionary here in 1800, and sub-
sequently, Bev. Caleb Alexander, who organized the society.
The following clergymen have filled the pulpit, to wit : Rev.
292 ONONDAGA.
Messrs. Jedediah Bushnell, Cram, Amasa Jerome,
Robins, Caleb Atwater, Levi Parsons, from 16th September,
1807, and continued with an omission of two years, to 1841 —
thirty-four years, and Rev. John Tompkins.
St. John's CJiurch, (Episcopalian) Marcellus, was orgajti-
ized in 1824, and their church edifice built 1832. A Univer-
salist Society was formed in 1820, under the style and title
of " The First Universalist Society of the town of Marcellus;"
Bildad Beach, Samuel Johnson, Chester Clark, Trustees.
'-^ First Zio7i Society in Marcellus,'" organized in 1822, at
the house of David Holmes ; William Newton, Joseph Gilson,
Andrew Shephard, David Holmes and Silas Bush, Trustees.
Dr. Elnathah Beach came to this town as a practicing phy-
sician, in the winter of 1795-6. He erected the first frame
house in town, a year or two after he came. He was born in
Cheshire, Connecticut, educated as a physician, and com-
menced the practice of medicine in his native town, where he
obtained the reputation of a judicious and skilful practitioner.
Possessing an enterprising spirit, he relinquished an extensive
practice, broke away from his friends and early associations,
and took up his abode in the wilderness, where he continued
the practice of medicine. He entered considerably into pub-
lic life, was appointed sheriiF of Onondaga County in 1799,
and held the office till the time of his death. He is repre-
sented as being a very active man and zealous in the pursuit
of what he deemed a worthy or important object. To his own
family he was peculiarly kind and indulgent, and to commu-
nity, afiable and obliging. He was extensively known, and
his merits appreciated throughout the county. He died in
1801, in the midst of usefulness, at the age of forty years,
affectionately beloved and sincerely lamented as an irrepara-
ble loss to the inftxnt settlement.
Nine Mile Creek is the principal and only stream of note
in this town. It drains the Otisco Lake, and passes through
this town from south to north. It received its name from the
fact that it is nine miles from Onondaga, which at the time
the first settlements were made at the Creek, was the nearest
TOWNS.— MARCELLUS. 293
settlement on the east, and nine miles to Buck's, the next set-
tlement west. It is supposed by many that it received its
name from its being nine miles long, but this cannot possibly
. be the case, as it is more than twice that distance in length.
This stream affords great facilities for water power, and is
capable of carrying a large amount of machinery. The first
erection on this stream was a saw mill, by Samuel Rice and
Dan Bradley, in the fall and winter of 1795 and 1796. It
stood a little above the present stone mill of Mr. Talbot. It
was built at great disadvantage and expense. The inhabitants
were so few that the proprietors of the mill had to send to
Camillus for help to assist at the raising. It was finally raised
after considerable labor, and proved a great help to the com-
munity in which it was located. For several years there was
no grist mill in the place, and the inhabitants had to go to
Manlius, fifteen miles, or to Seneca Falls, twenty-five miles,
which usually took two or three days. Mr. May and Mr.
Sayles erected a grist mill near the before mentioned saw mill,
in 1800, which greatly relieved the people, .and for several
years it did all the custom work of the town, and part of On-
ondaga and Camillus. Since this, the increase of machinery
and mills has been considerable, and this stream is capable of
much further improvement.
In 1796, Dr. Elnathan Beach opened a store in the village,
and kept for sale dry goods, groceries and medicines. He
continued in trade till the time of his death, in 1801. Lem-
uel Johnson succeeded Dr. Beach, and built a new store. Dea-
con Samuel Rice kept the first tavern in town soon after he
came on. He was succeeded by General Humphreys, and he
by William Goodwin. A Post Office was established at Mar-
cellus 1799, and Dr. Elnathan Beach appointed Post Master.
Samuel Tyler was a Justice of the Peace in 1799 ; perhaps
before.
The early records of this town have been destroyed by fire,
a thing to be regretted, so that there are no means of know-
ing who the earliest town oflicers were. They have no record
further back than 1830.
294 ONONDAGA.
By the act of 1794, we find the first town meeting, ordered
to be held at the house of Moses Carpenter, and it is presumed
it was so held. The house was about a mile east of the pres-
ent village of Elbridge. By the record of the Board of Su-
pervisors, we find William Stevens Supervisor from 1794 to
1797 ; Samuel Tyler, Supervisor in 1797, and Winston Day
in 1798. The voters of Marcellus thought it rather a hard-
ship to go down to Camillus, and finally, in 1796, rallied all
their available force, and by out-voting the Camillus people,
carried the next town meeting up to Marcellus, so that the
town meeting for 1797 was first held in this town, at the house
of Samuel Rice. The house was a log one, and stood nearly
opposite to the house now belonging to William Leonard.
Samuel Bishop opened the first law ofiice in town, 1801, and
B. Davis Noxon the next, in 1808.
Rachel Baker. — Perhaps the most remarkable case of
devotional somnium, on record, is that of Miss Rachel Baker,
formerly of this town. A full history of her case may be
found in the Transactions of the Physico-Medical Society of
New- York, vol. 1, p. 395.
Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, in describing her case, and who
gave it a thorough investigation, thus remarks. " The latter
of these remarkable affections of the human mind, somnium
cum religione, belongs to Miss Rachel Baker, who for several
years has been seized with somnium of a religious character,
once a day with great regularity. These daily paroxysms re-
cur with wonderful exactness, and from long prevalence have
become habitual. They invade her at early bed time, and a
fit usually lasts three-quarters of an hour. A paroxysm has
been known to end in thirty-five minutes, and to continue
ninety-eight. The transition from a waking state, to that of
somnium, is very quick, frequently in fifteen minutes, and
sometimes even less. After she retires from company, in the
parlor, she is discovered to be occupied in praising God with
a distinct and sonorous voice. Her discourses are usually
pronounced in a private chamber, for the purpose of deliver-
ing them with more decorum on her own part, and with great-
TOWNS.— MARCELLUS. 295
er satisfaction to her hearers. She has been advised to take
the recumbent posture. Her face being turned towards the
heavens, she performs her nightly devotions with a consistency
and fervor, wholly unexampled in a human being, in a state
of somnium. Her body and limbs are motionless ; they stir
no more than the trunk and extremities of a statue ; the only
motion the spectator perceives, is that of her organs of speech,
and an oratorical inclination of the head and neck, as if she
was intently engaged in performing an academic or theologi-
cal exercise. According to the tenor and solemnity of the
address, the attendants are affected with seriousness. She
commences and ends with an address to the throne of grace,
consisting of proper topics of submission and reverence, of
praise and thanksgiving, and of prayer for herself, her friends,
the church, the nation, for enemies and the human race in
general. Between these, is her sermon or exhortation. She
begins without a text, and proceeds with an even course to
the end, embellishing it sometimes with fine metaphors, vivid
descriptions and poetical quotations. There is a state of body
felt, like groaning, robbing or moaning, and the distressful
sound continues from two minutes to a quarter of an hour.
This agitation however, does not wake her ; it gradually sub-
sides and passes into a sound and natural sleep, which contin-
ues during the remainder of the night. In the morning she
wakes as if nothing had happened, and entirely ignorant of
the scenes in which she has acted. She declares she knows
nothing of her nightly exercises, except from the information
of others. With the exception of the above mentioned agita-
tion of the body and exercise of mind, she enjoys perfect
health. In October, 1814, Miss Baker was brought to New-
York by her friends, in hopes that her somnial exercises
(which were considered by some of them, s.s owing to disease)
might by the exercise of a journey, and the novelty of a
large city, be removed. But none of these means produced
the desired effect. Ilcr acquaintances stated that her somnial
exercises took place every night regularly, except in a few in-
fitanceSy when interrupted bj severe sickness, from the time
296 ONONDAGA.
they commenced, in 1812. In September, 1816, Dr. Spears,
by a course of medical treatment, particularly by the use of
opium, prevented a recurrence of her nightly exercises.
The parents of Miss Baker -were pious and early taught
her the importance of religion ; she was born at Pelham,
Mass., May 29th, 1794. At the age of nine years, her pa-
rents moved with her to the town of Marcellus, from which
time, she said she had strong convictions of the importance of
eternal things, and the thoughts of God and eternity would
make her tremble."
Bj degrees, her mind became more and more agitated, and
nightly had conversations in her sleep, till at length, these
assumed a regular devotional and sermonizing form, and none
who ever witnessed, doubted they were the genuine fruits of
penitence, piety and peace.
Hon. Dan Bradley — was a son of Jabez and Esther Brad-
ley. He was born at Mount Carmel, (since Haddam,) New
Haven County, Connecticut, 10th June, 1767. He received
a classical education, at Yale College. He entered that cele-
brated institution in his nineteenth year. Four years after-
wards, on the 9th of September, 1789, he graduated with dis-
tinguished academic honors, and received his master's degree
out of course, at the age of twenty-three. In October, 1790,
he was licensed to preach the gospel, by the association of
New Haven County, and the same month, viz. 21st day of
October, 1790, was married to Miss Eunice Beach, On the
11th of January, 1792, he was ordained at Haddam, Connec-
ticut, to the pastoral charge of the Churcli at Whitestown,
New Hartford. In the month of February following, he re-
moved his family to that place, and took charge of this new
congregation and parish, and continued his pastoral care of
this flock nearly three years. He was succeeded by the Rev.
Mr. Johnson. On the occasion of the induction of Mr. John-
son to his pastoral office, and in honor of the event, was given,
(after the solemn services of the ordination at Church,) a grand
" Ordination Ball.'' Singular as this may appear at the pres-
ent day, it was a custom then practiced by our Puritan fathers.
TOWNS. — MARCELLUS. 297
who on any other occasion would have thought it exceedingly
sinful, and perhaps a mode of religious rejoicing, which in this
degenerate age of godly alienation, might be thought rather
questionable.
In January, 1795, Rev. Dan Bradley was dismissed from
the pastoral charge of the Church in Whitestown, at New
Hartford, and the 6th of September following, removed with
his family to the town of Marcellus, at the age of twenty-nine.
The country was then comparatively a wilderness. He en-
tered at once into the business of farming, with zeal and cheer-
fulness, and soon became noted for the purity of his taste, and
success of his undertakings, setting a beautiful example to
those around him, that education and refinement of mind were
essential attributes to happiness and prosperity. He was ap-
pointed a Judge of Onondaga County Courts, in 1801, and
by his display of legal knowledge, soon became somewhat dis-
tinguished as a Jurist. In 1808, he was appointed First Judge
of the County, which office he held with some degree of dis-
tinction, till the time of his resignation in 1813, when he was
succeeded by Joshua Forman. He was somewhat remarkable
for his ready classic humor, and on many occasions displayed
it much to the amusement and gratification of his friends. On
a time, during his official capacity as Judge, a certain colored
man, named Hank Blakeman, occupied, on the Oswego River,
just above Oswego Falls, a commodious place for landing, and
it was also a convenient crossing place. For the privilege of
landing on his dock, the colored man exacted a small fee.
This was thought rather oppressive by some of his neighbors,
who summoned the Road Commissioners of the town, who
laid out a road in such a manner as considerably to abi'irlge
his privileges. He feeling himself aggrieved, appealed to the
Judges of Common Pleas, who upon a proper representation
of the facts, took the matter into consideration. A day was
set for an investigation of the matter, and Judges Ilumplireys,
Bradley and Vredenburgh, accompanied by the present Judge
Moseley, then a student with Judge Forman, at Onondaga,
who went down as an advocate of the aggrieved party's rights.
298 ONONDAGA.
In those days tte roads were almost impassable in that region,
and the party made arrangements to go down in a boat from
Salina. A suitable store of provisions and other necessaries,
was laid in for the occasion, and the party set off in high
spirits, anticipating a delightful trip. The day was propi-
tious ; they glided down the river beautifully, and it required
but little exertion to ma'ke the desired progress. While pass-
ing along under the shady oaks and elms which crowned the
margin of the river, Judge Bradley languishingly remarked
how pleasant was their journey, and quoted the first verse of
Virgil's Georgics,
"Tityre, tu, patulae recubans sub tegmine fagi," &c.
On they went, enjoying the scenery beyond measure. They
examined the case in hand, and finally reversed the acts of
the Commissioners, restoring to the injured party his rights in
full, very much to his satisfaction, who was so much rejoiced,
that he gave, voluntarily, as a fee to his young lawyer, five
silver dollars, which he has since declared was his first and
richest fee, and gave him more pleasure, than any other re-
ceived in his life. Business done, they turned their faces to-
wards home. But with the fatigues of the day, and the op-
posing current of the river, their progress was in the beginning
rather slow. However, by dint of perseverance and hard la-
bor, they made respectable progress. It was work indeed,
and to add to their embarrassment, night was at hand ; the
musketoes, gnats, flies and bullfrogs, gave them no peace, and
some of the party began to murmur. In this state of affairs,
Judge Bradley was called upon to reverse his sentiment, re-
ceived with so much eclat in the morning, whereupon he rea-
dily replied—
" faciiis descensus Averni ;
Sed revocare grandum, superasque evadere ad auras,
Hoc opus, hie labor est."
Which, in the language of a familiar poet, may be rendered,
" Easy the fall to Pluto's dreary den,
But hard the scrabble to get back again."
The flagging spirits of the party were revived by this sally,
TOWNS.— MARCELLUS. 299
and the rest of the voyage was performed, if not with wished
for speed, with greater cheerfulness.
To return, it is not of his professional career that we de-
signed so much to speak, nor of his character as a man, a
christian, a parent and a friend, though in all these respects
the only language could be that of eulogy. But it is of him
and his influence as an agriculturist, that this sketch was
mainly designed.
Always correctly viewing agriculture as the great base of
national prosperity, he devoted himself with a well directed
zeal, (which some term enthusiasm,) to a thorough examination
of the principles on which the cultivation of the soil should
be conducted. His grand object was to reduce the process of
agriculture to a science, and to induce organization and order
where confusion and uncertainty prevailed. In his essays on
the various subjects which he discussed, he displayed a master
mind, deeply imbued with the principles of philosophy and ex-
perience, and his efforts have undoubtedly had a weighty influ-
ence in improving the agriculture of our county, as they have
greatly enriched most of the various agricultural publications
of the country. In the New England Farmer, the Baltimore
Farmer and the Plough Boy, are found numerous forcible ef-
forts of his sagacious and penetrating mind. The Genesee
Farmer owed much of its elevated character to his reflections.
It was for a long period the chosen medium through which for
a long series of years, the rich results and ample experience
of his mature mind were presented to the public. He was
one of the first to attribute the hoof-ail, which prevailed ex-
tensively in 1820, to the prevalence of ergot in the grasses,
and he collected a mass of facts on the subject, which set the
matter forever beyond question. He always strenuously op-
posed the heterodox notion of wheat turning to chess — and
showed conclusively by science and experiments, the absurdi-
ty of the idea. Indeed there is scarcely a subject connected
with scientific or practical agriculture, on which light has not
been thrown by his labors, a correct theory established, and
objections to innovations obviated. Evev^ subject that prom-
300 ONONDAGA.
ised to be an improvement in agriculture, received his atten-
tion, and if its claims were well founded, he did not hesitate
to adopt it himself, and urge its adoption by others. As a
patron and advocate of agricultural societies, he was among
the first, and to his opinions and influence, many of the prom-
inent advantages derived by the State from the law of 1819,
was unquestionably owing. He was appointed President of the
first Onondaga County Agricultural Society, in 1819. His
numerous a.rticles, published in the volumes of the State Agri-
cultural Society, and his contributions to most of the agricul-
tural journals of the day, establish conclusively, the interest
he felt in his favorite pursuit, and the zeal and intelligence he
brought to its support. It was the happiness of the author in
early life, to enjoy his acquaintance, and long will be remem-
bered his conversations and lessons upon this his favorite top-
ic. He died at his residence, at Marcellus, September 19th,
1838, aged 71 years. He died as he had lived, at peace w^th
the world, and with an unshaken confidence in his God. Such
men are an ornament to the age in which they live, and their
country owes them an incalculable debt of gratitude.
Statistics of the town of Marcellus, taken from the Census^
of 1845 :—
Number of inhabitants, 2,649 ; subject to military duty,
292 ; voters, 622 ; aliens, 48 ; Paupers, 00 ; children attend-
ing common schools, 648 ; acres of improved land, 16,169
grist mills, 9 ; saw mills, 10 ; paper mills, 3 ; fulling mills, 2
carding machines, 2 ; woolen factories, 2 ; tanneries, 4
Churches — Baptist, 1 ; Episcopal, 1 ; Presbyterian, 1 ; Con-
gregational, 1 ; Methodist 1 ; common schools, 13 ; select do.,
8 ; taverns, 3 ; stores, 6 ; groceries, 3 ; farmers, 514 ; mer-
chants, 11 ; manufacturers, 21 ; mechanics, 131 ; clergymen,
3 ; physicians, 6 ; attorneys, 2.
^v
t5^o*^
.^*
^>tt»***^
TOWNS.— SKANEATELES.— DANIEL KELLOGG. 301
Skaneateles — Daniel Kellogg. — Daniel Kellogg, one
of the early and most distinguished inhabitants of the county
of Onondaga, was born in Williamstown, Mass., April 19, 1780.
When quite young, he entered a student of Williams College
in his native town ; where it is supposed he remained about
two years ; as we find him, at the age of seventeen, a student
in the law office of Abraham Van Vechten, Esq., of Albany,
then, and for many years after, one of the most eminent law-
yers in the State. Here he laid the foundation of those high
legal attainments, for which he became so distinguished in after
life. He continued in Mr. Van Vechten's office until he had
completed his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar in
October, 1800 ; a short time before he had attained his major-
ity. His father, a farmer in comfortable circumstances, died
■when the subject of this notice was quite young; and left to
his son means barely sufficient, with rigid economy, to provide
for his support and education. Accordingly, when about to
enter upon the great business of life, he found himself desti-
tute of all resources, except the abilities with which nature had
liberally endowed him, — his profession and indomitable ener-
gies, — resources, however, which in the sequel proved more
valuable to him than wealth. M this time "the far West,"
as this part of the country was then deemed, held out alluring
prospects for young men of talent and enterprise ; and thith-
er he directed his course in the spring of 1801 ; and shortly
after commenced the practice of law in the village of Auburn,
then only a small hamlet of a few scattering houses. In 1802,
he was married to Miss Laura Hyde, of that place, who still
survives him.
His journey to western New York was performed on horse-
back, then the only means of conveyance, except the cumbrous
lumber wagon only used for the transportation of the house-
hold goods of the adventurous pioneers ; and a single pair of
saddlebags afforded ample accommodations for all his worldly
wealth, and that too without inconvenience to either horse or
rider. In after times, when in the enjoyment of the abundant
fruits of his industry and talents, he delighted to recount the
302 ONONDAGA.
amusing incidents of this journey, and to portray in lively
colors the vexations and difficulties that surrounded him in his
early career.
In the spring of 1803, he removed from Auburn to Skan-
eateles in the county of Onondaga, which thereafter became
his permanent residence.
Though always taking a lively interest in important public
questions, he never sought political preferment ; yet, besides
holding several offices of minor consideration, he was appoint-
ed in 1813 to that of District Attorney for the counties of Cay-
uga, Chenango, Cortland and Onondaga ; the duties of which
he discharged, with characteristic ability, for three years.
In 1818 he was elected to the Presidency of the Bank of
Auburn ; which elevated station he held at the time of his
death ; and which occurred at his residence at Skaneateles, on
the 4th of May, 1836.
For eighteen years he had the principal direction of the fi-
nancial affairs of the bank, which he found in a state of almost
inextricable confusion. His talents and ha.bits of business
were admirably suited to the duties of the station ; and he soon
succeeded in restoring its affairs to order, and in establishing
its credit on a sure and enduring basis. During this period,
there occurred seasons of extreme commercial embarrassment ;
but no one ever doubted the solvency of the institution over
which he presided. His mind, clear and comprehensive — te-
nacious of its convictions, and only yielding to the force of
reason — profound, rather than brilliant, was never satisfied
short of the most thorough and searching scrutiny. To a mind
thus constituted, he added habits of untiring industry, a love
of order, observable in the minutest details, and an integrity
almost proverbial. Such qualifications could not fail to raise
him to the first rank in his profession, to secure him an unlim-
ited measure of public confidence ; and, consequently, a large
and lucrative practice.
Mr. Kellogg seems early to have become impressed with the
most enlarged ideas of the transcendant dignity and boundless
extent of the legal science. With the almost unlimited re-
TOWNS.— SK AN EATELES.— DANIEL KELLOGG. 303
sources with which nature and persevering industry had en-
dowed him, it is not so much a matter of surprise that he
should grapple with enthusiasm the chaotic ambiguities and
subtle refinements of the laAV, which always found in him a
faithful expounder ; the client a candid counsellor, justice an
impartial dispenser, and though the judicial ermine never
graced his shoulders, none were more worthy of its folds.
But Mr. Kellogg's fame was not confined to the arena of the
Bar ; his skill as a financier was unrivalled. Carrying with
him into all the vocations of business, that methodical arrange-
ment for which he was so distinguished in his profession, he
triumphed over every obstacle, and reaped as the reward of
his labor, a most abundant harvest.
Few men in any station, have labored more assiduously, or
for a greater number of hours daily, than he did ; or who ac-
complished more. Still he was ever , ready to respond to the
calls of friendship, and no man took greater delight in the
social circle ; or could impart a larger share to the fund of
common enjoyment.
As an advocate, he addressed himself to the reason, rather
than to the imagination and passion ; and contenting himself
with the forcible and plain exhibition of truth, was careless of
oratorical graces and elegance of style. As might naturally
be expected of a mind thus constituted and disciplined, his,
was decidedly practical ; and theories, however specious and
imposing, seldom found favor with him, until subjected to the
searching ordeal and approval of his own judgement. With
him, a verbal promise or engagement was ever regarded as
obligatory, and if anything, more sacred than if reduced to
writing ; and the accuracy, considering the extent and variety
of his business, with which his memory retained such engage-
ments was almost unexampled.
His death, occurring as it did, at an age when his mental
powers were still in full vigor ; and when many years of ac-
tive usefulness might have been reasonably anticipated, was
regarded as a public calamity ; especially by business men,
who knew and could best appreciate his worth.
304. ONONDAGA.
The Court of Chancery for the seventh circuit, was then
in session in the village of Auburn, and on the announcement
of his death by Wm. H. Sev^-ard, Esq., the Court thereupon
adjourned to the next day. The members of the Bar then
formed themselves into a meeting, and appointing a commit-
tee to report what measures should be adopted, expressive of
their sentiments on the occasion. The committee consisted
of Messrs. Seward, Noxon, Lawrence, Bronson and Knox ;
and reported, among others the following resolutions :
" Resolved, That in the death of Daniel Kellogg, Esq., the
Bar of this State are called to deplore the loss of an individ-
ual, who, by the exercise of vigorous intellectual powers, labo-
rious and persevering studies, great urbanity of deportment,
and zealous devotion to the duties of his profession, connect-
ed with sterling integrity and a high sense of honor, had
justly secured to him, not only a distinguished rank among
them, and in their affectionate esteem, but also the confidence
and respect of the community at large."
The other resolutions embraced a tender to the family of
their " sympathy for the loss they had sustained in being de-
prived of a relative, who most faithfully and affectionately dis-
charged the duties arising from his domestic and social rela-
tions ;" and also to attend in a body, the funeral of the
deceased. The proceedings were signed by their chairman,
Elijah Miller, Esq. ; and secretary, S. A. Goodwin, Esq.
To these sentiments, a numerous class of friends and ac-
quaintances, to many of whom he was endeared by the
recollection of many acts of kindness, could most feelingly
respond.
The extent and variety of his business transactions, must
have often brought him into colision with adverse interests, and
it is but reasonable to suppose that hostile feelings may have
been at times elicited ; yet he departed, leaving few enemies,
and many ardent and devoted friends.
Though he made no profession of religion, he was far from
being insensible to the great value of its sacred truths ; and
duly appreciated its salutary influence upon society. Accord-
TOWNS.— SKANEATELES. 305
ingly he contributed freely to its support ; as well as to objects
of benevolence.
The intimate connection between the general diffusion of
knowledge among the people, and the perpetuity and healthy
action of our political institutions, he fully understood ; and
was consequently the efficient friend of popular education,
discharging for several years the duties of Commissioner
of Common Schools in his own town, visiting the several dis-
tricts, and taking a lively interest in whatever promoted their
usefulness.
In person, Mr. Kellogg was rather above the common height,
well formed and imposing, as well as preposessing in his ap-
pearance and address ; which was uniformly courteous and
engaging. These, together with an open and intellectual
countenance, and a disposition always cheerful, engaged the
respect and favorable regards of those who approached him.*
Skaneateles. — This town was taken from the western part
of Marcellus, and was organized in 1830. It lies mainly on
both sides of the northern half of the Skaneateles Lake, and
contains about forty lots of the original township. At the
period of the survey of the Military Tract, there was quite a
large Indian village on the lake shore, south-west of the pres-
ent village of Skaneateles ; they were of the Onondaga na-
tion.
The first white settler within the limits of the present town
of Skaneateles, was John Thompson, by birth a Scotsman, in
1793. He located on lot number eighteen, on the west line of
the township. He received his land as part compensation for
services rendered as chainman to the principal surveyor, Moses
De Witt, who laid out this part of the military bounty lands.
Mrs. Thompson was the first white woman who came to this
town, and lived here nearly a year v/ithout seeing a white per-
son except her own family. The farm is now owned by Mr.
Amasa Smith. A Mr, llobinson came in the following year,
and lived upon the lake shore. In 1796 we find to have set-
* For the foregoing notice, the author is under obligation to Phares Gould, Esq.
b20
306 ONONDAGA.
tied in this town, Lovel Gibbs, -vvho kept a tavern in a log
house, Jonathan Hall and Winston Day. In 1797, Warren
Hecox, James Porter, Dr. Hunger ; and soon after, Dr. Sam-
uel Porter, Elnathan Andrews, John Legg, Moses Loss, John
Briggs, Nathan Kelscy, William J. Vredenburg, Isaac Sher-
wood and Dr. Benedict. Then came the Kelloggs and Earlls,
so that by 1805-G-7, this part of Marcellus now Skaneateles,
was pretty generally settled. Daniel Earll with his brother
Nehemiah, came from Washington County, and settled at
Onondaga Hollow, in th year 1792. Nehemiah died in 1808 ;
he had one daughter. Daniel Earll had the following named
sons, viz. : Jonas, Daniel, Nathaniel, Bobert, Benjamin, Wat-
son, Nehemiah and Abijah. The two youngest, Nehemiah
and Abijah, came to Onondaga with their father. Robert
and Benjamin removed with their families to Onondaga, in
the winter of 1794-5, and remained there about a year. Af-
ter Robert, Benjamin, Watson and Abijah removed to Biar-
cellus, Robert and Abijah settled on lot number twenty-seven,
and the other two on lot number eleven, in the same town.
In 1802, Jonas Earll came from Washington County, and
settled on lot number nineteen, Marcellus. He had three
sons, viz. ; Solomon, Jonas, Jr., and David. Solomon died
several years ago. Jonas, Jr., died in October, 1846, and
Jonas, Sen., October, 1847, at the advanced age of ninety-six
years. David now resides in the town of Salina.
Jonas Earll, Jr. held several offices of trust in the county,
and for more than twenty years, was one of the leading politi-
cal men in it. He was a member of Assembly in 1820 and
1821, a Senator from 1822 to 1827, and a member of the
tw"entieth and twenty-first Congresses, 1826 to 1830, and for
several years, sheriff.
Robert Earll had six sons, viz. : Isaac, Robert, Nehemiah
H., Ilezekiah, Hii-am and Ira. Robert, Sen., died in 1834,
and his son Ira about the same time. The other sons still re-
side in this county, except Robert, Jr., who resides in Wyo-
ming County. Judge Nehemiah Earll has occupied several
important stations in the official history of the county, viz. ;
T O W N S .— S K A N E A T E L E S , 307
Judge of Onondaga County Common Pleas, from 1823 to
1831, Superintendent of Salt Springs, from 1831 to 1835,
memlfer of the twenty-sixth Congress, 1841 and 1842.
Daniel Earll, Sen., remained in the town of Onondaga un-
til 1810, when he removed to Marcellus, and lived near his
sons Robert and Abijah, until his death, which occurred in
1817, aged eighty-eight years. This numerous and influen-
tial family were of Massachusetts origin.
Lovell Gibbs erected the first frame house in town, in Ska-
neateles Village, 1796, and Dr. Hall, another the same year.
In 1797, James Porter erected a large house, in which he
kept the first tavern in town ; and the timber of which it was
constructed, was the first raft that was ever afloat on the
Skaneateles Lake. Winston Day the same year erected a
commodious frame building for a store, and in it kept the first
store of goods in the town. He was set up in trade by Judge
Sanger.
In these primitive times, the means of subsistence were
sometimes scanty and precarious. Provisions were obtained
mostly from the towns of Aurelius and Scipio, which had been
settled somewhat earlier, and were then in Onondaga County.
In 1799, Warren Hecox, who is still living, remarks, that
there was an uncommon scarcity of grain, that he had to send
to Scipio, twenty miles, and gave two dollars and fifty cents
for one bushel of wheat, and he could only raise money enough
to purchase a single bushel at a time. He hired a horse at
fifty cents a day, and sent a boy eighteen miles, to Montville,
in Sempronius, to get the bushel ground, which took two days.
The mills having stopped running at Auburn and Camillus
on account of the great drought of that season. His was not
a solitary case, his neighbors were in the same predicament,
and some even worse off"; for they could get neither money
nor wheat.
The markets for produce, after the people had prospered
BO as to procure a surplus, were Albany and Utica. It took
a horse team in those times, fourteen days to make the jour-
ney to Albany and back with a load, and often longer ; and
308 ONONDAGA,
an ox team the same time to Utica, taking a load of potash
down, and a load of goods back.
The first post office was established April, 1804, at Skane-
ateles Village, William J. Vredenburgh, P. M., succeeded
by John Teneyck ; Charles J. Burnett, P. M. from 1817 to
1843.
When the town was first settled, there was an Indian trail
through it, crossing the lake where the village now stands,
along which the Indians from Oneida and Onondaga used to
pass, in proceeding to visit their Cayuga and Seneca friends,
which at this time, was the only road. The old Genesee road
was first cut out and traveled a mile and a quarter north of
the village. Through the influence of Judge Sanger, who
was one of the commissioners to lay out the Seneca Turnpike,
and who had invested money in land and mill sites at the out-
let of the Skaneateles Lake, the turnpike was laid out along
the Indian trail, crossing at the outlet at the village of Ska-
neateles.
The Skaneateles Lake affords abundance of excellent trout,
some of which have weighed fifteen pounds ; perch are also
caught. Within the last two or three years, pickerel have
been put in, but as yet have not multiplied sufficiently to be
taken in great quantities. The region around the lake and
river formerly afforded abundance of game. Deer were often
seen swimming across the lake, when every skiff and canoe
was put in immediate requisition, and all hands prepared for
the chase. The older inhabitants have often joined in these
sports, and repeat to this day the anxiety and pleasure they
experienced in the pursuit.
The first frame school house in town was at Skaneateles
Village, erected 1798 ; Nicholas Otis was the first teacher.
There was a school kept in a private room in the village be-
fore the house was built, by Ebenezer Castle.
The Congregational Skaneateles Religious Society and
Church, was organized in 1801, by the Rev. Aaron Bascom.
There were but sixteen members at this time. Their first
church edifice was erected 1807, on the hill, east of the vil-
TOWNS.— SKANE ATE LES. 309
lage, which was subsequently sold to the Baptist Society, who
removed it down to a more central location, and fitted it up
for a house of worship for their society. A spacious and taste-
ful brick edifice was erected by the Presbyterian Society in
1830, The first missionary was the Rev. Mr. Osgood, after-
wards the Rev. Messrs. Seth Williston, Bushnell, Jerome and
Crane. The first stated preacher was the Rev. Thomas Ro-
bins. The first ordained minister was the Rev. Nathaniel
Swift, in 1811. Other ministers have been Rev. Messrs. Ben-
jamin Rice, Benjamin B. Stocton, (Congregational changed
to Presbyterian under Mr. Stocton, in 1818,) Alexander M.
Cowan, Samuel W. Bi'ace, Samuel W. Bush. St. James'
Church, Skaneateles, was organized 4th January, 1816, Rev.
Wilham A. Clark, presiding. This organization failed for
want of regular attention to legal requirements. In 1824,
the society was re-organized by Rev. Augustus L. Converse,
Jonathan Booth, Charles J. Burnett, were chosen Wardens,
and Stephen Horton, John Pierson, Charles Pardee, J. W.
Livingston, Samuel Francis and Elijah J. Rust, Vestrymen.
Rev. Davenport Phelps was the first missionary for this Church
1803-4, and the Rev. William A. Clark kept a select school for
boys in Judge Vredenburgh's house, and attended to parochial
duties. Church services were held at the houses of Mr. Vre-
denburgh and Charles J. Burnett. Rev. Lucius Smith suc-
ceeded Mr. Clark, and seats were fitted up in a store, for the
greater convenience of worshippers, w^hich was also used for
a school room. Rev. A. S. Hollister succeeded Mr. Smith.
Rev. A. L. Converse officiated next, and the Rev. Amos Par-
dee was pastor in 1824, Mr. Hollister again in 1827. The
first church edifice was erected 1827-8, and greatly enlarged
and improved in 1847. The late Rev. Joseph T. Clark was
the officiating minister of this parish from May, 1831, to Oc-
tober, 1844, more than thirteen years. He died at Jamaica
whither he had retired for the improvement of his declining
health, and died there, rector of St. Dorothy's Parish, 17th
July, 1845, in the forty-seventh year of his age. Rev. Mr.
Seymour, present rector. The author was unable to gather
310 ONONDAGA.
any statistics of the rise and progress of the Baptist Society
of Skaneateles.
An academy was established at Skaneateles in 1840, but
has since been merged in a consolidated school. Lydia Mott,
a Quakeress, established a boarding school for young ladies,
on the western shore of the lake, many years ago, which be-
came very celebrated. Mr. Mekeel was a teacher. It was
named " The Hive."
A newspaper was first published at Skaneateles under the
title of the "Skaneateles Telegraph," (Antimasonic,) edited
by William H. Childs. " The Columbian," (Whig,) was es-
tablished in place of the Telegraph, in 1830, by John Graves,
and now published by M. A. Kinney. Skaneateles Democrat
first issued 1838, by William M. Beauchamp, present publisher
William H. Jewett. The first Justice of the Peace in this
part of Marcellus, was Ebenezer R. Hawley, Esq., who was
afterwards Sheriff of the county. The records of this town
were consumed by fire in 1835. The first town meeting was
held in the Presbyterian meeting house, 1830.
The first grist and saw mills erected in this town were by
Judge Jedediah Sanger, of New Hartford, Oneida County,
in 1796, at the outlet of the lake.
The first bridge was built in 1800, by the Seneca Road
Company. It was twenty-four rods long by twenty-four feet
broad, and stood upon fourteen posts. It has been twice re-
built, the last time in 1842, reducing the length to twenty-
four feet.
There are no natural curiosities of note in this town. There
are some petrifactions on the banks of the creek, common to
limestone regions, such as branches of trees, leaves, insects,
&c. The banks of the creek exhibit the various strata of
rocks to great advantage, but as they are similar to those in
other parts of the county, in other places described, we for-
bear repetition.
A steamboat was first started on the Skaneateles Lake in
1831. It never worked well, and after awhile was converted
into an ordinary sail boat. On the 4th of July, 1848, a new
TOWNS.— SK AN E ATE LES. 311
steamboat ■was placed on the lake, wliich makes her regular
daily trips, to the head of the lake and back, with all desira-
ble speed. It is named " Skaneateles," a neat, commodious
and fast sailing boat, commanded by Capt. Hecox, who is said
to be the oldest native born citizen in the town, and Dr. E.
H. Porter, the next. The State have constructed a dam across
the outlet of the Skaneateles Lake, for the purpose of retain-
ing the water for the use of the Jordan level of the Erie Ca-
nal. This forms a vast reservoir, eighteen miles long, by
from one to two miles broadj and four feet deep, from which
to draw during the dry season. There is a peculiarity about
the stream which empties this lake. As it passes over a bed
of limestone some two or three miles north of the villa ore, a
large portion of the water, full one half, in dry seasons, seemed
to disappear among the fissures of the rocks, and no where
was it known to re-appear. In order to save the water, the
State have expended large sums of money. The channel has
been turned, and the bottom chinked with small stone, clay
and grout, so that at present there is but little waste. Man-
ufacturers speak highly of the softness of the Skaneateles
water for washing and cleansing wool and other ma,nufacturing
materials. The lake is the highest in the State, some two
hundred feet higher than Otisco, and one hundred higher than
Owasco, on either side of it, situated among the shale above
the limestone stratum, and is also mainly fed by streams which
are not impregnated with lime, which renders the water soft,
pure and limpid.
On leaving Skaneateles Village, passing down the outlet,
we come to Dorastus Kellogg's extensive woolen factory, a
large distillery and two grist mills. At Mottville is a grist
mill, woolen factory, machine shop and iron foundery. Then
is Weed's grist mill, a woolen factory and four saw mills. At
the Hart lot is a grist and saw mill and a distillery, using
over two hundred bushels of grain per day, and fattening twelve
hundred hogs.
There is a succession of falls at the outlet of the lake, none
exceeding twelve or fourteen feet. The principal one is on
312 ONONDAGA.
community farm, now owned by Samuel Sellers, about four
miles north of the village. Here the stream falls over a ledge
of limestone, from which are quarried excellent stone for build-
ing, window-caps and stools, door steps, &c. In fact this
stream is one of the most valuable in the county. In addi-
tion to its durability, the fall is so gradual, and yet so steep,
that the water may be used over and over again, once in fifteen
or twenty rods, all the distance from Skaneateles to Elbridge,
and might be occupied to triple the extent that it is at pres-
ent. Mottville is a smart little manufacturing place, between
Skaneateles and Elbridge, having a Church, Post Office, &c.
Other Post Offices in this town are Mandana and Rhoades.
The village of Skaneateles is one of the most lovely and
picturesque in western New- York. From this village the eye
measures about half the distance of the lake to the south, a
mile and a half in width. On the shores, are no bogs or
marshes to disfigure the prospect ; the rich velvet like green
of the gradually sloping banks of the lake, seem to be resting
on the water's brink. Villas and lawns give a charm which
distance lends to the view. The woodlands, clothed in the
richest green, rock and rustle their foliage in the wind, and
the golden grain of the cultivated fields waves in the breeze.
The herds and flocks graze in slothful competency over the
luxuriant pastures, and the light bark glides gracefully over
the sweet bosom of the water. The hum of prosperous busi-
ness is heard amid the rattling of rail road cars, the clinking
of hammers, the rumbling of machinery and the rushing of
water falls, and the happy faces and the happy homes of the
citizens, invite the settlement of many more among them.
The society, the schools, the scenery and the prospects of
business, are all wholesome and flourishing, and it may be said,
without fear of contradiction, that few if any villages present
so many great and desirable advantages. It contains about
fourteen hundred inhabitants.
Statistics of Skaneateles from census of 1845 : —
Number of inhabitants, 3,827 ; subject to military duty,
386 ; voters, 807 ; aliens, 96 ; children attending CommoQ
TOWNS.— CAMILLUS. 313
Schools, 703 ; acres of improved land, 20,483 ; grist mills,
4 ; saw mills, 4 ; iron works, 2 ; trip hammer, 1 ; ashery, 1 ;
clover mill, 1 ; Tanneries, 2 ; Churches — Baptist, 1 ; Presby-
terian, 1 : Methodist, 1 ; Universalist, 1 ; Quaker, 1 ; Com-
mon Schools, 18 ; taverns, 5 ; stores, 11 ; groceries, 4 ; far-
mers, 544 ; merchants, 10 ; manufacturers, 44 ; mechanics,
408 ; clergymen, 7 ; physicians, 6 ; lawyers, 6.
Camillus. — This was one of the original townships, num-
ber five of the military tract. It was included in the town of
Marcellus, at the first organization of the county, and was
erected into a town by itself in 1799. The first town meeting
was directed by law to be held at the house of Medad Curtis,
who was elected Supervisor, and Daniel Vail, Town Clerk.
The early records of this town were destroyed by fire several
years since, and there is no town record farther back than
April, 1829.
The first white settler of this town, was Capt. Isaac Lindsay,
about the year 1790, and directly after, his brothers James,
William and Elijah Lindsay. They bought their land for two
shillings per acre ; it was lot No. 80. Nicholas Lamberson
settled in this town in 1793, "William Reed, Selden Leonard,
Mordecai Ellis, a family named White and David Hinsdale
and others previous to 1806. Squire Munro settled on lot 81,
now in the town of Elbridge, in 1799. His sons John, David,
Nathan and Philip A. Munro were then young men, and have
since been known throughout the county for their enterprise,
industry, intelligence and wealth. Thomas Corey who was
killed by a fall from a wagon, was an early settler in this town,
as well as Isaac Brown, Nathaniel Richman, Jacob Chandler,
John Hess, John Paddock and two of the name of McCrackeu.
David Munro, settled at Camillus, where he now resides, in
1808. At this time the heavy labor was principally performed
by the settlers, by what was usually termed '■'■bees," to which
a general invitation was extended to all the able bodied men
of the town ; chopping bees, logging bees, husking bees, &c.,
were customary, and usually ended in a frolic.
314 ONONDAGA.
The first frame house was erected by Isaac Lindsay, on lot
No. 80, in 1795. There were but two frame houses, at the
village of Camillus, in 1808. David Munro erected a substan-
tial frame house in 1810, The White family had erected a
frame house at Amboy, about the same time, and Capt. Kim-
berly also ; none east, had been erected at this time till you
came to Judge Geddes, and none west to Elbridge. A log
school house was erected first, in 1808 ; previously there had
been no schools in town, and but little attention paid to edu-
cation. This was succeeded by a frame school house in 1813.
When the country was first cleared, crops of all kinds were
abundant ; there were no roads passable for loaded teams, and
no means of transporting the surplus produce to market, con-
sequently there was a great waste of grain ; much of it was
thrown to swine and other stock. As settlers arrived the de-
mand was more active, and in 1802, there was a great scarcity
of the necessaries of life. Wheat could scarcely be bought
at any price, and twenty shillings per bushel was the lowest
price it could be obtained for at all, and corn from ten to
twelve shillings a bushel. The first surplus raised for market
was in 1805, when it was carried to Albany, on sleighs. Thou-
sands of bushels of wheat have been since, annually transport-
ed to Albany from this town, by sleighs and wagons, previous
to the building of the Erie Canal.
The north branch of the Seneca Turnpike was incorporated
in 1806. And in 1807 and 1808, Squire Munro and his sons
built so much of this road as passed through the township of
Camillus, about eleven miles, and the stock is still oAvned by
them or their survivors, which they received as a compensation
for the work.
A Post Office was first established at Camillus in 1811, and
David Munro appointed Post Master. James R. Lawrence, P.
M,, 1824. Grove Lawrence and Robert Dickey, succeeded.
Bellisle, AVindfall and Wellington, are Post Offices in this. town.
The first Presbyterian Society and Church was formed at
Camillus, in 1817, and their house of worship erected in 1822.
Their clergymen have been Rev. Messrs. Spicer, Chadwick,
TOWNS.— CAMILLUS. 315
Taylor, Stockton, Harrington, Ward, Robinson and Williams.
Met}i(?dist Society organized in 1831. A Presbyterian Soci-
ety was organized at Amboy, 1846, and erected a house of
worship the same year — Messrs. Lathrop and Sherwood, min-
isters. A Baptist Society was organized at Bellisle in 1834,
under Elder Daniel D. Chittenden.
Post Office established at Bellisle in 1830, George Kimber-
ly, P. M. Isaac Lindsay kept the first tavern in town, in
1793, Thomas Corey in 1801. John Tomlinson opened a store
first in town, in 1808, at Camillus village. Munro & Benedict
in 1810. Gould and Hess, Hoar & Webber, William A. Cook,
John C. Ellis, &c. James R. Lawrence opened the first law
office in town, in 1815. Grove Lawrence another, in 1821.
Other lawyers have been, Samuel Hammond, Daniel Pratt,
D. D. Hillis, &c. Dr. Isaac Magoon established himself as a
physician at Camillus in 1808 ; succeeded by Dr. Richards.
The first gristmill erected in town was at Camillus village,
in 1806, by Squire Munro, William Wheeler and Samuel Pow-
ers, and a saw mill at the same time. A saw-mill was first
erected at Amboy, by Joseph White, in 1805, and a fulling
mill in 1801.
There is at present at Camillus village, a large grist mill,
owned by Phares Gould & Son, with three run of stones, and
a saw mill. In 1848, the new "Novelty Mills," by Weston
& Dill, were completed, and are driven by steam. There is
also a large steam saw mill in operation, a woolen factory,
turning machine, lath mills, &c. &c. There are about seven
hundred and fifty inhabitants in Camillus village.
The soil of the town of Camillus, is thought by the occu-
pants, to be inferior to none in the county, and judging from
the general appearance, the magnitude and multiplicity of
crops, their estimation is not overrated. In the hills south of
the turnpike, are inexhaustable beds of plaster, which is quar-
ried and sold in great quantities, and is unsurpassed in quali-
ty. The first plaster discovered in the United States, was in
this town, by William Lindsay, in 1702. His attention was acci-
dently arrested by a portion of the white semi-transparent rock
31G ONONDAGA.
projecting from the side hill, a little south of Camillus village,
on lot number ninety. A large block of it was taken lo his
house and examined by sundry persons, who at the time, were
unable to determine what it was. It was at length ascertained
that it was plaster, and equal to that brought from Nova Sco-
tia. De Witt Clinton, Samuel Young and other distinguished
individuals visited the spot, in 1809. Josiah Buck bought the
land at once, and the fame of the new plaster beds spread
abroad far and wide. Specimens of it were sent to Europe
to be tested or compared with the plaster of Paris, and it was
found to be equal to that. In 1808, a company of one hun-
dred and fifty shareholders, (shares fifty dollars each,) was
formed, for working the same. Judge Forman took two hun-
dred shares, and others, ten, five, three, two and one, each,
till the whole one thousand shares, were taken up. Judge
Forman was chosen president of the company, and Josiah
Buck was the principal manager. By 1812, the beds had
been thoroughly opened and explored, and large quantities in
the stone, were carried ofi" eastward, and to the southern tier of
counties. Since which, the trade has been flourishing and lu-
crative. Some of the finest specimens of the foliated trans-
parent selenite variety, have been obtained at these beds, which
from its transparency, is often termed alabaster.
In the recent excavations, made for the enlargement of the
Jordan level of the Erie Canal, were thrown out large bodies
of cemented gravel, or conglomerate rock, about two feet
thick ; underneath this, lies a bed of gravel uncemented. From
this, it appears that a change in the formation of the mate-
rials, which at present compose the earth, in this section, is
fast going on, and that ere long, what are now termed gravel
beds, will soon become solid rock, near the surface of the earth.
There are excellent quarries of gray limestone in this town,
and a stratum of sandstone intermixed, as noticed in the town
of Elbridge. Calcareous Tufa abounds in the hills, which
makes excellent lime, and is called " basstvood limestone." It
is considered the most obstinate material to grade of any
thing known. It being too porous to hold blasts of powder,
TOWNS.— CAMILLUS. 317
vnd yet so firm as not to "be easily broken. There are numer-
,us calcareous deposits all along the foot of the hills, an the
.'^ine Mile Creek valley. When the Erie Canal was excava-
ted through the farm of David Hinsdale, in this town, innu-
merable s'ea-clam and other marine shells, and bones of fish
were found, firmly embedded in the hardpan or tenacious clay,
about two feet below the surface. Upon exposure to the air,
they all crumbled to dust.
Recently, efforts have been made in this town, to explore
what has long been considered by some, to be a bed of coal ;
a shaft has been sunk to the depth of about twelve feet, on a
hill about two miles south of Camillus village. Detached
pieces of Anthracite coal are said to have been found. The
proprietor, Col. Bull, is at present (1848) making prepara-
tions for a thorough exploration for this desirable mineral, with
much assurance of success.
Col. John Dill, was a native of Shawangunk, Ulster
County, New-York. He was a son of Robert and Hannah
Dill, whose ancestors came from Holland. John Dill was
born 27th of November, 17-57. His early advantages for
school education were not liberal ; he however acquked a good
English education, was an excellent arithmetician, learned much
from observation and from the society of distinguished men of
those times, with whom his family were familiar. At an early
age he became a practical surveyor, and was noted for his accu-
racy and dispatch. On the breaking out of the Revolutionary
war, he entered what was then termed, the five months ser-
vice, as a volunteer Orderly Sergeant in the company of Capt.
John Graham, Col. Paulding's regiment, under Gen. Alexan-
der McDougall, and was in one of the battles in the vicinity
of New-York. In October, 1777, he was stationed at Fort
I^Iontgomery, in that portion called Fort Clinton. A small
creek'^separates the two. At this time it was taken by the
British. The battle continued until late at night, which en-
abled those at Fort Clinton to escape. He with others, swam
the creek, passing under the wall of Fort Montgomery. He
afterwards went up the North River with the Americans, m
318 ONONDAGA.
pursuit of the British fleet and army, to Esopus, now King-
ston, the capital of Ulster County, which the British burned.
After the surrender of General Burgoyne, he returned with
the army to the vicinity of New- York. After his first term
of service expired, he enlisted a second time (1777) in a corps
of artificers. He was of an ingenious turn of mind, could
turn his hand to almost any kind of mechanical labor, and be-
came very useful in this branch of the service. His command-
ing officer was Capt. James Young. Afterwards, the com-
pany was commanded by Capt. James Shephard. The follow-
ing is a copy of his discharge from this company :
" The bearer, John Dill, having served three years as an
artificer in Captain Shepliard's company, and the time being
fully expired that he did engage for, he is now discharged the
service, and has leave to return to Shawangunk.
Fishkill, Dec. 14, 1780.
J. BALDWIN,
Col. and Com. of Artificers."
At the time of his discharge. Col. Christopher Ming, who
had command of the Quarter Master's department in that di-
vision of the army, took a fancy to him, and invited him to
take a place in his staff, which offer he accepted in 1780.
After a short term of service under Col. Ming, he became ac-
quainted with Quartermaster General, Timothy Pickering ;
and through his influence, received a commission in his de-
partment. In this situation he remained to the close of the
war, being generally on duty in the vicinity of New- York,
West Point, and other places on the North River. After the
war, he was retained in the service by Gen. Pickering, at
Newburgh, assisting in the arrangement of the papers of the
Quartermaster General's department, which were finally
boxed up and deposited in Philadelphia. These papers con-
sisted of bills settled and unsettled, certificates and evi-
dences of debt. These certificates &c., were many of them
given for stock, grain, forage, &c., which had in many instan-
ces been forcibly taken from the owners, for the subsistence
of the army. The claims were to be adjusted, and Gen. Pick-
TOWN S.— C A M I L L U S . 319
ering was charged with this duty. The associates of Major
Dill at this time, were Henry Demblar, Peter Anspaw and
Peter Tenbroeck, the latter of whom subsequently settled at
Onondaga Hollow. These claims were generally satisfactorily
arranged by General Pickering and his assistants. After the
new Constitution was adopted, Dr. Cochran, a distinguished
surgeon of the army, was appointed loan officer, with powers
to settle these liquidated debts, and to his office Major Dill
was transferred. Many of the claims had been transferred
to the hands of speculators, who had bought them up, in many
instances for little or nothing. These claims were made at
length a funded debt, and Dr. Cochran and Major Dill finally
settled them to the satisfaction of all parties.
After the close of these affairs, he moved to New-York,
opened a broker's office, and continued there little more than
a year ; after which, in company with his old associates, Hen-
ry Demblar and Peter Anspaw, he set up a store of goods at
Middletown Point, New-Jersey, where they carried on an ex-
tensive business till 1808, when he again returned to his na-
tive county. Here he received the appointment of Brigade
Major and Inspector for the counties of Ulster and Orange,
which office was then both highly honorable and lucrative.
In 1812 he was chosen one of the Electors of Ulster County,
for President and Vice-President. He came to Onondaga in
1813, spent some time with his old associate, Peter Tenbroek ;
after which he joined his brother. Judge Samuel Dill, then
residing at Auburn, Cayuga County, where he was for some
time engaged in making sale of military lands of which he
was the owner. In 1828, the brothers removed to the town
of Camillus, where he lived very much respected and beloved.
He was never married. In personal appearance, he was lit-
tle above middling stature, Straight, well proportioned, pos-
sessing a keen blue eye, and rotund countenance. He always
had the air of a military man, always walked erect, with a
firm martial step. In his dealings with his fellow men, he
was never arrogant, but upright and generous to a fault. To
conclude, he was a perfect specimen of a gentleman of the old
320 ONONDAGA
school. He died at Camillus, 21st September, 1846, in the
88th year of his age, highly esteemed for his many virtues,
beloved for the amiability of his temper, and mourned as a
kind neighbor and estimable friend. This feeble tribute is
due to his memory as a patriot of the Revolution,
Statistics of the town of Camillus, taken from the census
of 1845 :—
Number of inhabitants, 2,967 ; subject to military duty,
329 ; voters, 679 ; aliens, 75 ; children attending common
schools, 806 ; acres of improved land, 15,847 ; grist mills, 3 ;
saw mills, 8 ; fulling mills, 1 ; carding machines, 1 ; woolen
factory, 1 ; ashery, 1 ; tanneries, 2 ; churches — Methodist, 1
Presbyterian, 2 ; common schools, 11 ; taverns, 7 ; stores, 5
groceries, 6 ; farmers, 505 ; merchants, 11 ; manufactories, 6
mechanics, 135 ; clergymen, 6 ; physicians, 6 ; lawyers, 3.
Elbridge. — This town was organized in 1829, and con-
tains about thirty-seven lots of the original township of Ca-
millus. The first settlements made in this town were in 1793.
Josiah Buck, who surveyed the township of Camillus into
lots, in 1791, came to this town 1793, with his family, in a
large wagon, and settled on the lot now owned by Col. John
Munro. A log, a large one of oak, by order of Squire Mun-
ro, was left without molestation for a number of years, as a
memorial of the place where the first settlement was made in
town. The large elm tree is still standing in the road, a lit-
tle west of Mr. Munro's house by the side of a clear running
brook, where Mr. Buck, with his family, took shelter till he
could erect a comfortable cabin. They lived several weeks with
no shelter but the forest, and the wagon served for parlor, kitch-
en, wardrobe and sleeping apartments. On this account the
tree was highly venerated by the people in the neighbor-
hood. Robert Fulton came in the same year a little after ;
and James Strong in 1794. Col. Chandler and Dr. Pickard
an Indian root doctor, came soon after. A Mr. Potter came
as the first blacksmith, 1795, and James Weisner and Nicholas
Mickles, settled in town in 1796. Isaac Strong erected a
TOWNS.— ELBRIDGE. 321
saw mill in 1795, and a grist mill in 1798. The inhabitants
who first settled in this town, had to go to Jamesville to mill.
William Stevens located here in 1794, and built a saw mill
about a mile west of Elbridge. He also built a store, now
standing, and set up Dr. John Frisbie in it, in 1797, the first
in town. Mr. Levi Clark built the first frame school house,
in 1801. Josiah Buck kept the first tavern in town, 1793.
Moses Carpenter another, soon after. William Stevens was
the first Justice of the Peace in this town, 1794.
First settlers in the vicinity of Jordan, were Zenas Wright
and Aaron Wright, in 1797 ; Martin Tickner, Reynalds Co-
rey, Isaac Smith, Jonathan Rowley and Jonathan Babcock,
came on the following year or soon after.
The first town meeting for Elbridge as a separate town,
was held April, 1829, at the house of Horace Dodge. Squire
Munro was chosen Moderator ; Seneca Hale, Secretary ;
Timothy Brown, Supervisor ; James McClure, Town Clerk.
Post Office first established 1825, Seneca Hale P. M. Suc-
ceeded by Frederick Benson, 1828.. Previous to the establish-
ment of a Post Office here the inhabitants received their mail
matter at Skaneateles.
Jordan is a place rapidly increasing in size and consequence.
Several large three and four story brick buildings, have been
erected within the last two years, on the banks of the canal.
There are 4 churches — 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, 1 Baptist
and 1 Episcopalian. There are 2 grist and flouring mills, 3
saw mills, pump and machine shop, 2 furnaces, an oil mill, 6
dry goods stores, 1 hardware and sheet iron shop, 2 drug stores,
5 groceries and victualing shops, 4 storage and forwarding
houses, 1 large distillery, consuming over 200 bushels of grain
per day, and fattening over 1,200 hogs. There is also a flour-
ishing academy here, which has been incorporated about seven
years. It is subject to the visitation of the Regents of the
University, and has drawn as much as $400 from the Litera-
ture Fund in a single year. A newspaper was published at
Jordan in 1831, entitled the Courier, by Frederick Prince ;
b21
322 ONONDAGA.
continued about three years. The village of Jordan contains
about 1,700 inhabitants.
Moses Carpenter, James Weisner, Squire Munro, Ezra and
John Brackett, and Joseph and Aaron Colman, first settled
at Elbridge village, in 1794 and 5. Mr. Munroe kept the first
tavern at that place soon after.
The Baptist Society was organized at Elbridge, as the first
Baptist Church in Camillus, 30th Dec, 1816, Squire Munro,
Nathan Munro & Lemuel Grossman, trustees. Elder Craw,
the first minister, first held meetings in a school house.
Their house of worship erected 1816. Upon the erection of
their house of worship, the conscientious Elder remarked that
now they were proud enough to have a church edifice, they
were too proud to keep him, and took his leave in an uncere-
monious manner. The clergy since, have been in the following
order ; Elder Fuller, Elder Everts, Elder Butterfield, Elder
Smitzer. The Presbyterian house of worship was erected 1830,
the Methodist house the same year, and the Episcopal church
was organized 1841. Edifice erected 1846. The first Pres-
byterian clergymen Avere, Rev. Mr. Ingersoll and Mr. Page ;
Baptist, Elder Eddy and Elder Davis ; the Episcopal clergy-
man, Mr. Rice. Congregational church organized in
1822, house of worship erected 1822-3. Jacob Campbell,
Hiram F. Mather, Levi Clark, Jedediah Richards, trustees.
Ministers have been in their order. Rev. Messrs. Jabez Chad-
wick, Seth Porter, Timothy Stow, Medad Pomeroy, Sidney
T. Mills, Lemuel W. Hamlin, Washington Thatcher, Charles
Matoon.
Gideon Wilcoxon first established himself here as a lawyer,
in 1813, Hiram F. Mather in 1818, afterwards Mr. Putnam.
Dr. John Frisbie was the first physician, in 1797, Dr. Sweet
in 1810, and Dr. Chichester after him. Post Ofiice established
1813 ; Gideon Wilcoxon, P. M. Hiram F. Mather succeeded
him, then Hendrick Wood, Mr. Munro, Wood and Munro.
The Munro Academy at Elbridge, was incorporated 1838.
Nathan Munro, Esq., gave the building, lot, apparatus, libra-
ry, and endowed it with a permanent fund of $20,000. It it
TOWNS.— ELBRIDGE, 323
subject to the visitation of the Regents of the University, and
has annually drawn from the Literature Fund, from $150 to
$500. Like other institutions of the kind it has had its sea-
sons of prosperity and adversity ; at present it is flourishing.
The Trustees have been enabled to lay by annually a surplus,
which now amounts to a sum sufficient to build a new, large
and commodious building, which the trustees contemplate do-
ing next season.
There are three saw mills at Elbridge, a large and excellent
grist mill, Miner's wooden ware factory, a large woolen factory,
carriage factory, cabinet ware shops, an oil mill, &c. &c. El-
bridge village contains about 800 inhabitants.
A little west of the village of Elbridge, between the Seneca
Turnpike Road and the Skaneateles Creek, on lands of John
Munro, is a large deposit of calcareous marl, but slightly
mixed with argillaceous particles. This bed is about fifty rods
long, from east to west, and about thirty broad ; its depth is
unknown. It has, however, been found to extend over twenty
feet in depth, and what is something remarkable, there is no
other deposit of the kind in the immediate vicinity. At no
distant day it will prove a valuable auxiliary to the farmers
of this neighborhood, as a manure.
South of this, about a mile above the plaster formations,
and below the limestone, is a layer of dark drab or brown
sandstone, about twenty inches thick, and is dug out in blocks
from one to two feet square, and makes an excellent building
material. It is slightly dotted with hydrate of iron, possesses
a sharp grit and fucoids sometimes present their appearance
on the upper surface, and contortions the result of concretion-
ary action, are observable on the lower.
East of Elbridge Village, about two miles, are extensive
deposits of calcareous tufa, which extend down'the brook and
valley to the town of Van Buren. It is used in place of stone
for fencing. The swamp south of the road abounds with it.
There are numerous plaster beds finely developed, all along
the Skaneateles Creek, below Elbridge to Jordan, of excel-
lent quality, and they are improved to a great extent. On
324 ONONDAGA.
the banks of the creek, for fifty rods back, and half a mile in
length, below the village of Elbridge, are numerous hopper-
shaped cavities, some of which have been recently increased
in size and depth. Some of them are fifteen or twenty feet
in diameter, and eight or ten feet deep. Dr. Wheeler, in dig-
ging a well not long since, found floating in, with the water,
particles or scales of plaster.
All along on the banks of the Seneca River, are found is-
sues of weak brine, and in some places are springs of consid-
erable volume, but none of sufficient strength to encourage
the manufacture of salt, or exploration.
In the limestone ledge, about a mile below the village of
Elbridge, on the bank of the creek, is a cave about twenty
feet long, by ten broad in the center, oval shaped, and about
seven feet high. In former years it was much visited as a cu-
riosity. It was a notorious den and hiding place for wild
beasts, and was first discovered in 1794, by Robert Fulton
and William Stevens, who had quite an adventure with a bear,
which they slew.
In this town are numerous evidences of ancient occupancy
by the French. On lot eighty-three, are the remains of an
Indian village, where have been found hundreds of stone axes,
all of similar pattern, about three inches broad by one inch
thick. Each implement had a groove around the center, by
which the handle was fastened in a peculiar manner, by thongs
made of the sinews of deer. Hundreds of flint arrow heads
have also been found on this ancient site. A peculiar stone
was found at this locality, about two feet square, which was
undoubtedly used for sharpening these axes. It was hollowed
out towards the center. In this hollow, water was probably
placed, and the instruments whetted backwards and forwards
till brought to proper shape. The lowest part of the concave
surface was about four inches at the center. In the vicinity
are appearances of coal pits, charcoal, &c.
On lot eighty-one, north-east part, on the farm now occu-
pied by Mr. John Munro, previously the Squire Munro farm,
was formerly a fort, situated on the high ground, back of Mr,
TOWNS.— ELBRIDGE.
325
Munro's house. When the first settlers came to this town,
1793, the ditch and embankment were easily traced, amid the
heavy timber, which stood promiscuously, not only on the em-
bankment, but in the ditch. This fort was square, except on
the west side, the line curved a little outward from straight.
Within the enclosure was about an acre and a quarter of
ground. The embankment was about two feet high all around,
except a gateway on the west, about twelve feet wide. It was
situated on a beautiful eminence, nearly surrounded by a deep
ravine on the west, and a deep valley on the remaining sides.
The whole area thus surrounded, contains about seventy-five
acres of first rate land. The timber was large, consisting
mainly of black oak, soft maple and small hemlocks. What
is singular, on this and some other localities in this town is,
that the ground was literally covered with pitch-pine knots,
which lay strewed on the ground in the same order they had
fallen, or as my informant, Col. John Stevens, remarked,
^'regular, like the ribs of a horse." Hundreds of wagon
loads of these knots have been gathered and removed, for the
purpose of making torches for fishing in the Seneca River.
But one pitch-pine tree was known to the early settlers to
exist in this town, and that was left standing for several years
on account of its singularity.
At Fort Hill, on what is called the Purdy lot, about half a
mile north-west from the last named, is another of these an-
cient works. This was of much larger dimensions, and con-
tained about four and a half acres of ground. There were
326 ONONDAGA.
two gateways, one on the east, the other on the west side.
goOOOUOOOO
This is situated on one of the hiirhest elevations in the town.
When first discovered, the embankment was nearly three feet
high, and on it was an oak tree, more than four feet in diame-
ter. On the south side were numerous holes, about two feet,
deep and six feet apart, as if an entrenchment or circumvallation
had been commenced and not finished. Large quantities of
dark brown pottery, have been picked up on this-ground, and
thousands of fresh water clam shells, such as are now abund-
ant in the Seneca River. Mr. Squire M. Brown gives the
following as the substance of a statement made to him several
years ago by the late Squire Munro. On this locality was
found an oaken box or chest, in a decayed state, which upon ex-
amination was found to contain a quantity of silk goods, of vari-
ous colors. The folds and colors were easily distinguished.
These, after a moment's exposure to the air, crumbled to dust.
Several copper coins were also found with the silks, which
were deposited in some of the Museums of New-York or Al-
bany. These were found about the year 1800.
On lot eighty-four, on the farm now owned by Caleb Brown,
Esq., about forty rods south of the road, was a circular fort
which covered over three acres of ground. Around this was
an embankment, about two feet higher than the interior area
of the fort, and outside of the embankment, was a ditch four
or five feet deep. There was a wide gateway on the west side,
and a smaller one on the north-east, which gave communica-
TOWNS .— E L B R I D G E
327
tlon to a spring a short distance from the fort. In digging
about the western gateway, were found several pieces of tim-
ber, having the marks of iron tools upon them. In a well
which was some fourteen feet deep, and had probably at some
previous time been timbered up, was found a quantity of
charred corn, of the variety called Virginia corn. Bushels
of fragments of earthen ware have been picked up on this
ground, and even to this day, there are multitudes of shells
and fragments of shells lying around. This locality, which is
at this time (1848) under the plow, can be easily traced by
the almost black appearance of the soil. Skeletons and hu-
man bones, some of them of extraordinary size, were frequent-
ly turned up by the plow in former years. All these locali-
ties were convenient to durable springs of excellent running
water.
On the site of Mr, Brown's house and garden, including a
portion of the highway, was an ancient circular fort, contain-
ing little over an acre of ground, within which were evidences
of a blacksmith's shop, such as cinders, charcoal, &c. Near
all these vestiges of ancient fortification were found many In-
dian relics, which have often been related of other localities,
and relics of those who had intercourse with them. From
what can be gathered from observation and from history, this
European occupancy was at, or nearly at the same time with
that of the French missionary and trading establishments at
328 ONONDAGA.
Onondaga and Pompey, and shows that large numbers of these
people must have sojourned in this region, whose minute his-
tory is unknown.
At Jack's Rifts, when the whites first settled this town, the
Onondagas had a large settlement, with an extensive clearing
and a valuable orchard. They had also cleared ofi" what is
called the salt fields, in the town of Cato, and had a small
settlement there. The country north of Seneca River and
Oneida River was their favorite hunting ground.
Statistics for the town of Elbridge from census of 1845 :
Number of inhabitants, 3,829 ; subject to military duty,
446 ; voters, 830 ; aliens, 170 ; paupers, 2 ; children attend-
ing Common Schools, 801 ; acres of improved land, 15,420 ;
grist mills, 3 ; saw mills, 20 ; fulling mills, 1 ; carding works,
1 ; woolen factory, 1 ; iron works, 1 ; ashery, 1 ; tannery, 1 ;
Academies, 2 ; Common Schools, 16 ; Churches — Baptist, 2 ;
Presbyterian, 1 ; Episcopalian, 1 ; Congregational, 1 ; Meth-
odist, 1 ; stores, 13 ; taverns, 9 ; groceries, 4 ; farmers, 648 ;
merchants, 18 ; manufacturers, 37 ; mechanics, 215 ; clergy-
men, 5 ; physicians, 9 ; lawyers, 5.
Van Buken. — This town was erected and organized in
1829. It was taken from the north part of the original town-
ship of Camillus, and received its name from the Hon. Mar-
tin Van Buren, then newly elected Governor of the State of
New-York. The first settlements were made in this town,
(then Marcellus,) in 1792, to 1794, first by Joseph Wilson,
and about the same time by William Lindsay, David Haynes,
John McIIarrie, Reuben Smith and James Wells. Soon af-
ter, at what is called the Warner settlement, Eleazar Dunham
and Heman Warner — and Benjamin Bolton, at Jack's Rifts.
Phineas Barnes, Jonathan Skinner, Isaac Earll, William La-
kin, Charles H. Tull and others, in different parts of the
town, previous to 1810. At this period the country was en-
tirely new and presented few attractions for settlement, most
people preferring the higher grounds of the townships of Ca-
millus and Marcellus, on account of their then, more airy and
TOWNS.— VAN BUREN. 329
healthy situation. In these early times, wolves were numer-
ous and troublesome, often doing immense damage to the
flocks of sheep. As a precaution against their depredations,
the farmers were obliged to erect high enclosures and fold
their flocks at night, and even then, they would occasionally
leap over and destroy them. Bears were common, and deer
very plenty, having been driven from the higher grounds
south, by the clearing up of the forests in that quarter.
The first settlement in this town, approaching anything like
a village, was at what is now called Ionia. Phineas Bates
erected the first frame house, in 1808, and Isaac Earll an-
other, soon after, and Charles H. Tull, another. The first
Post Office was established in town, in 1816, and called Ionia,
which gave name to the village ; Charles H. Tull, Post Mas-
ter. He was succeeded by Oliver Nicholls, and Oliver by
Job Nicholls. After the completion of the canal, business
was attracted to that quarter and the prospects of Ionia were
destroyed.
The first lawyer who established himself in this town was
Theodore Popell, in 1818. The second was Medad Curtis, in
1829. The first physician who practiced in this town, was
Jonathan S. Buel, in 1815, at Ionia. The first at Canton,
and second in town, was Wm. Laughlin, 1812. First town
meeting for Van Buren, was held at the house of Ebenezer
Dunham, 26th of March, 1829, at which, Gabriel Tappan
was chosen Supervisor, and Abel Tryon, Town Clerk.
The first religious society, formed in this town, was of the
denomination, termed " CJiristians," inclining to the Baptist
mode of worship, at Ionia. Presbyterian and Methodist so-
ciety at Warner's settlement, 1830. The Baptist society at
Canton, was organized 1832, or 1833. Obadiah E. Morrell,
the first minister in the Christian house of worship, and John
Guthrie and Benjamin Rider, succeeded him. Elder Rey-
nolds, first officiated as pastor in the Baptist society, at Can-
ton, and next after him. Elders Brown, Hough and Bates.
Canton is a smart little village, situated on the Jordan level of
the Erie Canal. It has grown up since the canal was completed.
330 ONONDAGA.
and contains about forty houses, and over two hundred inhab-
itants. The Post Office is called Canal, and was established
in 1828. There are two other Post Offices in town, called
Van Buren, and Van Buren Center.
The water power in this town is but slight, except on the
Seneca River, the streams being small, and the surface level.
Dead Creek is the largest stream, and is very sluggish. On
the banks of the streams in this town, is an abundance of
marl and calcareous tufa, which presents itself frequently, in
large quantities, and the time will soon come when these marl
beds, will be used as a dressing for the sandy soils in the
neighborhood, and may be made useful to the southern towns.
The town of Van Buren is rapidly improving. It is gen-
erally level, the soil alternating in sandy and clay loam, is
very productive. The dwellings are mostly new, and present
an air of comfort and taste, not so frequently displayed in
the older settled towns. One feature is particularly worthy
of notice — the barns are beautiful structures in their kind,
very many of which are handsomely clapboarded and orna-
mented with a heavy cornice and painted. These evidences
of prosperity and thrift, tell well for the industry, perseve-
rance and taste of the farming portion of the community.
Statistics of the town of Van Buren, taken from the cen-
sus of 1845 : —
Number of inhabitants, 3057 ; subject to military duty,
285 ; voters, G88 ; aliens, 35 ; children attending commo'n
schools, 766; grist mills, 2; sawmills, 6; carding machines.
2 ; iron works, 1 ; Tanneries, 1 ; churches — Baptist, 2 ; Con-
gregational, 1 ; Unitarian, 1 ; common schools, 16 ; taverns,
4 ; stores, 3 ; groceries, 5 ; farmers, 534 ; merchants, 5 ; man-
ufacturers, 27 ; mechanics, 157 ; clergymen, 8 ; physicians, 6 ;
lawyers, 4.
Fabius. — This town was taken from Pompey in 1798 and
included two military townships, viz ; Fabius and Tully, and
included all the present towns of Fabius, Tully, Truxton and
Preble, with parts of Spafford and Otisco, being ten by twenty
TOWNS.— FABIUS. 331
miles in extent. In 1803 Tully was taken from it, and erect-
ed into a toAvn by itself. In 1808, when the county of Cort-
land was set oflf from Onondaga, the town of Truxton was ta-
ken from the southern part of Fabius.
The forests of this town Avere heavy. The timber consist-
ed of hemlock, beech, maple, basswood, elm, ash and butternut,
with some pine and oak. The settlement of this town com-
menced at a somewhat later period, than the towns of Pompey
and Manlius. The first settlers erected their log cabins in the
dense forests, and the only guides to them were marked trees,
or the curling smoke, as it ascended from their rude chimneys
or open roofs. The first marks of civilization had not then
been made in this wilderness land. The noxious beasts roam-
ed in perfect freedom, and the wild deer bounded at will, un-
conscious of danger. The valleys were nature's pasture ground,
the domestic herds roamed at will and grew fat on the sponta-
neous herbage, libei'ally provided for them. The tinkling bell,
directed the anxious settler to the object of his search, and its
familiar sounds were joyfully followed, till the obedient ox,
and docile cow, were brought by the sturdy woodman to the
door of his humble dwelling. The one a welcome auxiliary
to labor, the other an indispensable help to sustenance.
The first settlers in this town, were Mr. Josiah Moore and
Timothy Jerome, who settled here in 1794, and were from
old Stockbridge, Massachusetts. They erected the first log
houses in town, and for the first year, were entirely alone.
During the following year, several other families removed from
Massachusetts to Fabius, among whom, were Colonel Elijah
St. John, now, (1847) upwards of eighty years of age, and
the only settler of that period living. The first town meet-
ing was held at the house of Joseph Tubbs, April 3d, 1798,
at which Timothy Jerome was chosen supervisor, and Josiah
Moore town clerk ; Benjamin Brown, Timothy Walker and
Elijah St. John, assessors ; Joseph Tubbs, James Cravath and
William Blanchard, commissioners of highways ; Ezekiel Dun-
ham, constable. These may be considered the primary settlers
of the town of Fabius. Second town meeting, was held at
332 ONONDAGA.
the same place, 2d April, 1799, Timotliy Jerome, chosen su-
pervisor, Benjamin Brown, town clerk. Mr. Jerome was the
j&rst, and for a long time the only Justice of the Peace in this
town, and for the surrounding country. The first frame house
was erected by Josiah Moore in 1800. Others were erected
soon after, and the inhabitants soon abounded in all the com-
forts and conveniences of life. In 1810 the population was
almost 1,900. The only means of subsistence, to which these
early pioneers were accessible, were provisions brought with
them from the east, for the first two years, except deer and
some kinds of small game which were found here in abundance.
Wild plums and blackberries were plenty, and these, with milk,
satisfied the wants, and furnished the luxuries of their boards.
The first mills to which they had recourse short of Herkimer,
were Danforth's on the Butternut creek.
The first school taught in this town, was by Miss Jerome,
wife of the late Judge James Geddes. She had received a
competent education before leaving Kew-England. The school
house was built of logs and the only one in town, and for a
year or two was the only seat of learning in that portion of
countr3\ The first house of worship erected in this town, was
the Baptist at Fabius Center, now Franklinville ; society or-
ganized, 21st November, 1806, imder the title of " the first
Baptist Society of Fabius." Richard Wheat, Simeon Keeny,
jr., Samuel Moray, Lewis Howell and Jasper Partridge, trus-
tees. The association was afterwards revived, and Elijah St.
John, Jonathan Stanley, Aaron Benedict, John Phelps, Ste-
phen Tripp, Simeon Keeny, Nathaniel Bacon, Benjamin Lucas,
jr., and George Petit, trustees. The first organized society was
in 1805, under the title of the First Society of Fabius, — Elijah
Miles and David Joy, trustees. In 1836, a newspaper Avas es-
tablished at Fabius, entitled the "American Pateiot," by
Joseph Tenny, and continued about three years.
The soil of this town is better adapted to raising coarse
grain and grazing, than wheat, although wheat has been raised,
enough ordinarily for home consumption. The marketing at
the earliest period of settlement for surplus produce, was main-
TOWNS.— FABIUS. 333
ly done at Utica, Wliitestown and Herkimer. It was not un-
common for a farmer to take a load of produce upon an ox-
sled, make his way to one of the above places, dispose of his
products, and lay out the avails for necessaries sufficient for
the year ; and many a noble matron of that period thought it
often enough to visit ^'■the Store" once in a year, to procure
the luxuries, and fashions for her daughters. The truth is,
necessaries then, were really so ; they kept soul and body unit-
ed. And luxuries were only another name for those articles
which could not possibly be dispensed with.
The streams in this town are small, most of which are trib-
utaries to the Susquehanna, through the Tioughnioga Creek.
On these small, but durable streams, numerous saw mills, four
grist mills and four tanneries have been erected, but are not
of sufficient power for more important machinery. The But-
ternut and Limestone Creeks, take rise in this town and afford
some water power. The first grist and saw mills erected, in
this town, were by Thomas Miles on the Butternut Creek west
of Apulia. Franklinville and Apulia, are post villages in this
town, and are brisk business places. The first Post Office was
at Truxton village, (then in Fabius). Established about 1803
or 1804. At a much later period Post Offices were established
at Apulia, and Franklinville. Elijah Miles was the first State
Senator from this town. The first Assemblyman, Jonathan
Stanley, in 1812. Josiah Tubbs was the first tavern keeper,
in 1797, near Tully, at whose house town meetings were first
held.
On the west side of the Limestone creek, two miles south
of Delphi, is an extensive deposit of calcareous tufa, rising
abruptly, some fifty feet from the valley below. Intermingled,
are various substances, of vegetable deposit, such as brush-
wood, leaves, herbaceous plants, &c. There are kilns at this
place, for the extensive manufacture of lime. At one of these,
the tufa is moistened and moulded into forms or large tiles,
about ten inches square, and four inches thick, and burned
similar to bricks. At another, it is burned without this prep-
aration. It produces a beautiful, perfect, unadulterated white
334 ONONDAGA.
lime, much sought for -whitewashing, and for hard- finish walls.
There are the three varieties found here, the earthy, the solid
or horse-bone commonly so called, and the ferraginous. There
are occasional instances, where the tufa assumes a semi-chrys-
talline appearance, like alabaster, and might be obtained for or-
namental purposes, similar to that beautiful substance.
Schools are numerous and flourishing. The interest felt for
the cause of education, is highly creditable, and laudable ef-
forts are put forth to sustain and improve it. Connected with
the early settlement of this town is a little incident, which,
though unimportant, happily illustrates the characteristics of
the hardy pioneers of this favored spot. It is a hunt for a
lost child. The family had erected their log cabin in 1799.
Col. St. John and Judge Miles, had just taken up their abode
here. This family had three or four small children, and among
them an interesting little girl, perhaps three years old. The
children had played about in the bushes near the house, as
usual, and when night approached they all came in, except the
little girl, who was missing. The mother called, but no voice
responded. Darkness came on, and the blackness of night
excluded every object from vieAv. It requires no effort to de-
scribe the keenness of the suffering and agony which pervaded
the bosoms of the bereaved family group. The alarm was
speedily given, to the scattering population, for miles around.
Each man with a bark torch in hand, repaired to the scene of
distress. The woods were thoroughly scoured by torch-light,
but no child could be found. During the night the whole
country had been alarmed, and by day-light the next morning
a large force was ready upon the ground, to proceed in search.
The men were marshaled under the command of officers cho-
sen on the spot, and the search was systematically renewed.
As the line swept around in a wide circuit, words could be
readily passed from one to another, so as to keep up a constant
and regular communication throughout the whole extent.
About ten o'clock in the forenoon, word passed through the
line — '■^ child found." This intelligence produced the most
frantic joy, and complete disorder. He that could leap the
TOWNS.— TULLY. 335
highest, run the fastest, or was nearest the house, got there
first. Judge Miles, now no more, was the fortunate finder.
The child had lain on a nice little bed of leaves, between two
logs, and when the Judge stepped upon one of them, the little
innocent was standing on her feet, and looking him full in the
face, with a smile of afiection upon her lip saluted him with
the endearing cry of papa. The child had apparently slept
well and exhibited no signs of sufi'ering, though the night had
been chilly and cold. When the child was restored to the
arms of its mother, sprightly and cheerful, her sighs of agony
were turned to tears of joy, Avhich flowed most copiously. In-
deed the sturdy hunters and hardy axmen, who witnessed it,
could hardly refrain from weeping.
According to the census of 1845, there are in the town of
Fabius : —
Inhabitants, 2,529 ; aliens, 8 : voters, 567 ; subject to mil-
itary duty, 135 ; paupers, 3 ; children attending Common
Schools, 742; acres of improved laud, 18,238 ; grist mills, 3;
saw mills, 12 ; fulling mills, 2 ; carding machines, 2 ; asheries,
2 ; tanneries, 4 ; Churches, — Baptist, 2 ; Methodist, 2 ; Con-
gregational or Presbyterian, 1 ; common schools, 20 ; taverns,
4 ; stores, 5 ; merchants, 10 ; lawyers, 2 ; clergymen, 5 ; phy-
sicians, 3 ; farmers, 361 ; mechanics, 91.
TuLLY. — This was one of the original townships of the
Military Tract. In the first organization of towns, it was in-
cluded in the town of Pompey. In 1803, the township of
Tully was set oil in a town by itself, and in 1808, when the
county of Cortland was erected, the towns of Truxton and
Preble were taken from the southern portions of Fabius and
Tully. A portion of the township was afterwards still further
divided in 1811, by adding a part to the town of Spafiford, so
that at the present time the town is but about five miles square.
Settlements were commenced in this town in 1795, by farmers
principally from the New England States, who hold their land
in fee simple. The first settler in this town was David Owen,
who came here in 1795. Directly after, came James Cravath,
386 ONONDAGA.
William Trowbridge, and others. The first log house in town
was built by David Owen, in 1795, and Timothy Walker built
the first frame house, in 1T97, and Moses Nash the second,
both in Tully Village. Peter Henderson was the first child
born in town, 1796.
In early times the people from these southern towns, and
from Homer, Solon, Cincinnatus, Marathon, &;c., used to come
down to Jackson's, Ward's and Sanford's Mills, with drays
loaded with wheat and corn, drawn by oxen, to get their grind-
ing done. These drays were made of the crotches of trees
hewed out and boards pinned across. Ten bushels was con-
sidered a pretty large load to drag along twenty or thirty
miles, on such a rude vehicle, with one yoke of oxen. The
first store in this town, and at Tully Village, was by Moses
Nash, in 1803. Previous to this, trading was done at Pom-
pey Hill, and what is now called Truxton Village, where small
stores had previously been opened. In 1805, John Meeker,
one of the most extensive merchants in the country, succeeded
Mr. Nash, and took the lead of business and trade in that
part of the country. Nicholas Lewis opened a tavern in Tully
Village in 1802, and Jacob Johnson succeeded him in 1807 ;
he was succeeded by William Trowbridge. The Hamilton and
Skaneateles Turnpike was laid out in 1806, from Richfield
through Brookfield, Hamilton and Fabius, to the outlet of
Otisco Lake, thence to the outlet of the Skaneateles Lake.
Lemuel Fitch, Samuel Marsh, ElisLa Payne, David Smith,
Elijah St. John, Comfort Tyler, Samuel Tyler, Thaddeus Ed-
wards and Elnathan Andrews, were the principal movers in
procuring the passage of the act of incorporation, and obtain-
ing share-holders, and getting the road laid out, worked and
finished. This enterprise opened through this town and others
in its vicinity, a way of communication, which added essen-
tially to the business and prosperity of the country through
"which it passed. It was not long before its advantages and
eflFects were realized and appreciated. It gave a spur to busi-
ness ; it gave confidence to community, and the results which
have flowed from it have been salutary and satisfactory. The
TOWNS.— TULLY. 337
first school established in town was kept in Timothy Walker's
barn, and taught by Miss Ruth Thorp, in 1801. We see here
what is not noticeable in every town, that a school was the
first public object to which the inhabitants turned their atten-
tion, thus placing before their children the means of making
themselves useful members of society and distinguished citi-
zens. A log school house was erected in 1804, at Tully Vil-
lage, and was succeeded by a frame one in 1809. Others
soon made their appearance in different parts of the town,
and education in the common schools, with its multifarious ad-
vantages, has always been well appreciated, and from first to
last has made commendable progress. From the commence-
ment of the settlement of the town, religious meetings were
held in several neighborhoods, at barns, and in cold inclement
weather, at people's houses. It was thought no hardship in
those days for a whole family to walk a few miles to meeting,
father carrying the baby, and the elder children trudging
along on foot, aided by the mother in crossing the small
streams and muddy places. The Rev. Mr. Riddle, a Presby-
terian missionary from New England, was the first clergyman
who ofiiciated in this town. A large proportion of the new
settlers were of that way of thinking, bringing with them
from New England, their high toned moral and religious sen-
timents and opinions, which were the ground work here in the
wilderness, of their spiritual prosperity. The meetings of
Mr. Riddle are represented by the few who yet linger here
and were witnesses of his labors, and have sat under his teach-
ings, as having been highly interesting. He organized a Pres-
byterian society in 1804. It was organized anew under the
Rev. Mr. Parsons. This society was kept up till about 1830,
when it was discontinued, so that now there is no society of
that denomination in town. A Baptist society was organized
at an early period of the history of the town, with but four-
teen members. Elder Abbot was their first spiritual teacher,
and also Elder Rufus Freeman. Meetings were held in barns
and at individuals houses, till their new house of worship was
erected in 1824. A Methodist society was organized in 1828
b22
338 ONONDAGA.
or 1829. Their first preacher "was Elder Sayres, a circuit
preacher, who succeeded well in his labors, and drew together
very respectable congregations. He was succeeded by Elder
Puffer, familiarly known, and to many perhaps better, by the
title of " Old Chapter and Verse," for in his discourses he
was remarkable for his numerous quotations of Scripture,
never omitting the chapter and verse where they might be
found. There is a Methodist church and society at Vesper,
and a society calling themselves Disciples, in this town. The
first Post Office was established at TuUy, in 1815 or 1816,
Mr. Nicholl Howell, Post Master. He was succeeded by Wil-
liam Trowbridge. Previous to this, mail matter was obtained
from Preble Corners, then the central point in the town of
Tully. The first and earliest settlers received their papers
and letters at Pompey Hill Post Office. Vesper Post Office
established in 1827, William Clark Post Master ; and Tully
Valley Post Office 1836, George Salisbury, Post Master. It
is said there is not now a single Revolutionary soldier or pen-
sioner in town. The first grist mill in town was erected by
Peter Van Camp, in 1810, about three miles west of Tully
Village, and a saw mill at the same place and time. The
number has since increased to three grist mills and eight saw
mills. There is here an almost perpendicular fall, of about
ninety feet, with only one break, which in high water presents
a very beautiful and picturesque appearance. There is a
swamp near the village of Tully, from which issue two streams,
one of which flows south, being the head of the Tioughnioga
Creek, the head waters of the Susquehanna, and Chesapeake
Bay. The other branch flows north, forming the head of the
Butternut Creek, flowing on to the St. Lawrence. Both these
streams are of sufficient capacity for driving mills and other
machinery, and are so employed. One branch of the Onon-
daga Creek rises in this town farther west, and the Tully lakes
also find their w\iy to the Susquehanna. The town is well
watered by springs and brooks, has high ridges of hills on the
east and west boundaries. But its valleys are extensive, rich
and productive. Tully Plats are much admired for their
TOWNS.— OTISCO. 339
beauty and fertility. This town is about eighteen miles south
of Syracuse. In 1810, it had a population of about one
thousand and one hundred inhabitants. At the organization
CD
of the town in 1803, the first town meeting was held at the
house of Samuel Trowbridge, on the first of May. Phineas
Howell was chosen Supervisor, Amos Skeel, Town Clerk, Ja-
cob Johnson, Samuel Cravath, Solomon Babcock, Assessors,
and Floyd Howell, James Cravath and Solomon Babcock,
Commissioners of Highways ; second and third years, the same
were re-elected. Job L. Lewis and JMoses Nash were Justices
of the Peace 1808 to 1812. Mr. Nash afterwards moved to
Indiana, became a distinguished man, and at a State General
Election, came within one vote of being elected Governor of
that State.
Amos Skeel first Justice of the Peace, 1803. Considera-
ble matter which would properly belong to this town has been
embraced in the town of Fabius, because from 1798 to 1803,
Tully was a part of Fabius. Eeader will therefore consider
that those five years of first settlement, the two towns were
one, and events identical.
According to the census of 1845, there was in the town of
Tully :—
Number of inhabitants, 1,621 ; subject to military duty,
125 ; voters, 378 ; aliens, 13 ; children attending Common
Schools, 435 ; acres of improved land, 10,909 ; grist mills,
4 ; saw mills, 5 ; carding machines, 2 ; woolen factory 1 ;
trip hammer, 1 ; asheries, 2 ; tanneries, 2 ; Churches — Bap-
tist, 1 ; Seven Day Baptist, 1 ; Methodist, 2 ; common schools,
9 ; taverns, 4 ; stores, 4 ; farmers, 190 ; merchants, 4 ; man-
ufacturers, 1 ; mechanics, 60 ; clergymen, 3 ; physicians, 3 ;
lawyers, 1.
Otisco. — Wyllys Gaylord. — Men compose a nation ; their
lives and transactions constitute its character and history,
and favored indeed is that people, when blessed with such a
man as the subject of this sketch. Such men leave the im-
press of their minds and of their deeds, not only upon those
340 ONONDAGA.
with whom they may become familiar, hut the world at
largo is improved, and succeeding generations reap the bene-
fit of their precepts and examples. Their character is stamped
upon all with whom they may chance to come in contact, and
their deeds elevate and improve mankind.
Wyllys Gaylord was born in Bristol, Connecticut, 1792.
In 1801, Lemon Gaylord, the father of Wyllys, moved to the
town of Otisco, he being the third settler in the town. At
that time his son was but nine years old. At this early age,
the deep shade of an almost unbroken forest, as the wander-
ing pioneers penetrated its dark recesses in the beginning of
summer, guided only by "blazed trees," made an impression
upon his mind and excited a passion for woodland scenery
which was never effaced. Admiration, and even enthusiam
filled his mind, as in after years he spoke of the scenes and
perils of early forest life. In a letter written but a short time
before his death, he says :* " When we entered these forests,
the heavy foliage wore its richest green, and the elm, the ma-
ple and the linden, were successively laden with flowers ; and
never shall I forget the rich, the indescribable perfume which
filled the air, as tree after tree was cut down ; and day after
day passed away before the blossoms had ceased to exhale
their odors from their withered cups."
At this early period, it was his misfortune to be necessa-
rily deprived from the advantages of schools ; for as yet, none
had been established in the town. But to compensate in a
measure for this, the father at intervals gave wholesome les-
sons of instruction. By these he was benefitted, and limited
as it was, it laid the foundation of his future usefulness. At
the early age of twelve years, he was violently attacked with
a rheumatic affection, which resulted in a curvature of the
spine, and completely unfitted him in all after life for any
active or laborious pursuit. His desire for knowledge and his
love for books was such, that physical infirmity presented no
obstacle to his researches after knowledge. Being unable to
* Cultivator, Vol. I, p. 137.
TOWNS.— OTISCO. 341
attend school, he studied such books as chance happened to
throw in his way. The catalogue at that early period was
small ; but such as he had access to, he mastered with great
avidity, aided in the more difficult portions by those to whom
circumstances gave him admission. He was remarkable for
his assiduity in studying all books which came within his
reach ; and at an early age his mind was stored with a fund
of intellectual wealth, from which in after years he could
draw with pleasure and profit. Often has he been known to
sit for hours under the shade of some wide spread tree, listen-
ing to the songs of the birds and the chirping of insects, pur-
suing his studies with pencil and note book in hand preserv-
ing the current of his thoughts. While thus anxiously en-
gaged in the quiet pursuit of knowledge, and in the enjoy-
ment of such a measure of health as permitted him to engage
occasionally in the lighter labors of the field, he met with an
accident, which entailed upon him a vast amount of suffering,
and rendered him nearly helpless until death. It was occa-
sioned by a fall, from which at the time, he noticed only a
slight bruise on the left arm. It afterwards swelled and be-
came a running sore inclining to scrofula, causing a slough-
ing off of the bone, rendering his arm ever after entirely use-
less. This affection of the arm continued for many years, and
when it healed, an abscess formed in one of his sides, which
was troublesome, with occasional alleviations till the day of
his death. Notwithstanding these bodily infirmities and ex-
cessive pain, he Avas remarkable for his cheerful and happy
disposition, and under the most acute suffering, was never
known to complain. His physical constitution was exceeding-
ly slight. His weight was less than one hundred pounds, low
in stature, and by no means prepossessing in personal ap-
pearance ; but when he opened his mouth, the melody of his
voice, the richness of his tones, and his happy manner of ex-
pression, immediately dissipated all preconceived opinions of
his inferita'ity.
His favorite resort was to the beautiful shore of the lake in
the vicinity of his house ; there, while gazing upon the charm*
342 ONONDAGA.
ing view, inhaling tlie balmy breeze, and contemplating the
works of a beneficent Creator, his mind was refreshed, his
imagination enlivened, and from these quiet resources have
flowed in uncontaminated streams the workings of his admira-
ble genius.
For more than twenty years he was a valuable contributor
to many of the scientific journals of the day, in this country;
and in several instances, to some of the most popular maga-
zines of Europe. His contributions to the newspaper press
of this country, on every variety of topic, literary, scientific,
religious, miscellaneous, and occasionally poetry, have been
numerous and of the highest order of excellence. He was the
author of several prize essays upon various subjects, published
in the magazines of New- York, Boston and Philadelphia. It
is believed, that in no instance where his talents were exerted,
has he failed in taking a premium. It has been remarked
by Judge Buell and other distinguished men, that he had not
his equal in the land as a ready prose writer. He composed
with wonderful facility and so correctly, that his first produc-
tions needed little or no criticism, extra embellishment or cor-
rection. He possessed the most fascinating colloquial powers,
and his conversations were marked for being highly intellect-
ual, exceedingly chaste, agreeable and instructive. He had
made the study of medicine an accessory to his pleasures and
pursuits ; and physicians who have enjoyed his acquaintance,
award to him the merit of being theoretically, a man of sci-
ence, well skilled in all the minutice of the 3Iateria Medica^
and second to few in the depths of investigation, and in cor-
rectness of judgment.
He was fond of music and possessed considerable mechani-
cal genius. He constructed a very fine toned organ, without
the aid of an instrument to look upon, solely from a drawing
and description given in the Edinburgh Encyclopedia. With
this he beguiled his leisure hours, and made that time agree-
able, which to many hangs irksome and heavy. Among his
early productions was a history of the late war ; he was then
quite young, it being in the year 1816-17. The manuscript
TOWNS.— OTISCO. 343
was offered to a publisher, who judging more from the personal
appearance of the author than from the merits of the produc-
tion, discouraged him and his father from proceeding with its
publication. This manuscript, since his reputation as a wri-
ter has been confirmed, has been sought for with great solici-
tude, but has never been re-produced. The refusal to publish
this his early production, fortunately was not a cause of dis-
couragement, but he pressed vigorously on, till he reached a
high elevation in the walks of literature and science.
His writings collected in a volume, would no doubt be re-
ceived by the public with approbation and delight ; and some
one who is competent to do justice to his merits, we trust may
yet come forward as his historiographer, and do honor to his
memory.
The versatility of his talents, the rapidity with which he
wrote, and the variety of his productions, have excited the
admiration and astonishment of his friends. To him the ag-
ricultural portion of community more than any other, are
greatly indebted for his scientific and literary labors in their
behalf. In every department of his darling profession was he
thoroughly versed, and with Virgil, in truth might he say,
" Cecini j^scua, rura, duces." His essays on practical, sci-
entific and theoretical agriculture are the most valuable, and
will be the most enduring of his writings. The services he
has rendered his country in these departments are incalcula-
ble, and are a rich legacy, Avhich will endure to remote genera-
tions. His connection with the old Genesee Farmer and Albany
Cultivator, from 1833 to 1844, will long be remembered with
lively interest. He labored to elevate the condition of so-
ciety and to benefit mankind ; and the town of Otisco and
the county of Onondaga will feel the power of his influence
in the vista of future years ; and long will the dwellers in this
favored county deplore the loss of an eminent man.
He died without a groan or struggle after a short illness of
thirty-three hours, at Howlet Hill, town of Camillus, Lime
Rock Farm, on the 27th of March, 1844, in the fifty-first year
of his age. He had been for more than thirty years an ex-
344 ONONDAGA.
emplary member of the Presbyterian Cburcb, and expired in
the hope of a joyful resurrection.
Otisco. — This town was erected in 1806, from parts of
Pompey, Marcelkis and Tully. It is centrally situated, about
fifteen miles south of Syracuse. It is about five miles long and
little more than four broad. Settlements were commenced in
1801, five years before its organization, while the territory
was comprised in the townships of Tully, Pompey and Mar-
cellus. The first settler in the town, was Chauncey Rust,
from Massachusetts. In 1801, his son, Timothy Rust, was
the first white child born in the town. Other settlers came
in the same and the following years ; among the earliest of
whom, were Charles J. Merriman, from Connecticut; Otis
Baker, from Massachusetts; Josiah Clark, Lemon Gaylord,
Benjamin and Amos Cowles, Daniel Bennett, Elias and Ja-
red Thayer, Henry Elethrop, Samuel, Ebenezer and Luther
French, Jared and Noah Parsons, Rufus Clapp and others,
all from New England. The first settlement of the town was
very rapid. The first tavern kept in town was by Benoni
Merriman, in a log house near Otisco Center, in 1804; Michael
Johnson succeeded him. Jesse Swan was the first merchant
in 1808, and Josiah Everett, afterwards.
First marketing was done at Albany, with teams, and mill-
ing was done at Jamesville and Manlius, until a grist mill
was built in 1806, by Esquire Merriman. Saw mills were
erected by him and others, about the same time, in difi"erent
parts of the town. Elias Thayer built the first frame house,
1805, and Oliver Tuttle the next. A Post OflSce was estab-
lished, 1814, Dr. Luther French, first Post IMaster.
The first school was established in a log school house, 1804,
soon after was built a frame school house. The first practi-
cing physician, who settled in town was Dr. Jonathan S.
Judd, in 1806, and Dr. Luther French, in 1818. There has
never been but one lawyer residing in town, John Thomas,
Esq., and he remained but a short time, and moved to Cortland.
The " Washington Religious Congregational Society of
Otisco," at Otisco Center, was organized 1804j by the Rov.
TONWS.— OTISCO. 345
Hugh "Wallace. A house of -worship was put up but not com-
pleted, in 1807. The present meeting house was built in 1816,
a very neat and commodious house, with a long string of
sheds on the south, west and north, capable of sheltering
nearly one hundred vehicles. Rev. Geo. Colton officiated as
first pastor, in 1806-7. After him was ordained in the pa-
rish. Rev. William J. Wilcox, who remained about thirteen
years. Rev. Charles Johnson succeeded him a short time.
Rev. Richard S. Corning, was pastor from 1821 to 1833 ; he
"was succeeded by Rev. Messrs. Levi Parsons, Levi Griswold,
Sidney Mills, Thaddeus Pomeroy, Clement Lewis and Addison
K. Strong. This society, and its ministers, have had a very
healthful influence on the generation which has grown up un-
der its precepts and teachings. Otisco Center, is a lively in-
land village, of about one hundred houses, shops, stores, &c.,
and is deservedly noted for the hospitality, sobriety and in-
telligence of its inhabitants. There is no tavern in the place,
and but two in the town.
Amber, a snug, pleasant little village in this town, is sit-
uated on the north-east bank of Otisco Lake, of about the
same dimensions and character as Otisco Center. It has a
small woolen factory, a saw mill, a store and a Post Office.
The Amber religious society, was organized 6th of Septem-
ber, 1824, Miles Bishop, Robert Kenyon, Barber Kenyon,
Isaac Briggs and Samuel Steward, Trustees. The society
have since erected a convenient and tasteful house of worship.
There are two Methodist societies in town, but Avithout settled
or local preachers.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Daniel
Bennett, 1st of April, 1806. Dan Bradley, of Marcellus,
Chairman, and Dan Bradley and Timothy Copp, Esqrs,, pre-
siding Justices. Judah Hopkins was chosen Supervisor, and
Josephus Baker, Town Clerk, and Noah Parsons, Lemon Gay-
lord and Josephus Baker, assessors. An extra town meeting
was held in the month of August following, at the school
house, near Daniel Bennett's tavern, at which a committee of
346 ONONDAGA.
three, were chosen to ascertain the center of the town, in or-
der to centrally locate public buildings.
The principal forests of this section were heavy and con-
sisted, on the hills, mostly of deciduous trees. In the val-
leys, were hemlock, and some pine. After it was cleared,
(which was done at great lahor and expense,) the soil proved
productive, and yielded abundant crops of wheat, corn and
other kinds of grain. This town is well watered with abun-
dant springs and small streams, and is well adapted to dairy
and sheep husbandry. The face of the country is uneven, nev-
ertheless, the soil is fertile, and most of it arable. From what
has been generally related of this town, it is very much un-
derrated. Its present appearance would compare favorably
with any town in the county. Its inhabitants are hardy, in-
dustrious, frugal and independent, attentive to their own bu-
siness, out of debt, and have the means of sustaining them-
selves. Not a pauper or lawyer is there in town, nor a man
unable or unwilling to pay his school bills. Gospel and schools
are well supported, hard times are unknown. It is said a hun-
dred dollars could not be lent in this town. None are very
rich, and none are very poor. The condition of this town,
is very much of that desirable kind, so happily described in
the old Chinese aphorism, as follows :
" Where spades grow bright, and idle swords grow dull,
Where jails are empty, and where barns are full,
Where church paths are by frequent feet outworn,
Law court-yards weedy, silent and forlorn,
Where doctors foot it, and where farmers ride.
Where age abounds, and youth is multiplied,
Where these signs are, they truly indicate,
A happy people, and well governed State."
There is a richness and beauty unsurpassed, in the scenery
as one looks from hill to hill — the fields laden with the golden
harvest, and the woodlands giving shade and variety to the
prospect. The Otisco Lake bounds the town on the west. It
was called by the Indians, Otskah, sometimes Kaioongk.
This lake is about five miles long, and one broad — a beautiful
sheet of water, skirted by cultivated fields to the water's edge,
variegated with woodland and pasture grounds. The red man
TOWNS.— OTISCO. 347
anciently cast his lines and nets in the pure clear "waters of
the Otskali, and was rewarded for his labor, with abundance
of trout and smaller fish. Recently his successors have in-
troduced the perch and pickerel, which are becoming abun-
dant. In former times, the Onondagas had a path from their
village to this lake, whither they came to fish, and hunt the
deer, as he came to quench his thirst at the brink.
There is a small, weak salt spring on the vfest side of the
Otisco Lake, nearly opposite the village of Amber, on the
margin where deer used to frequent, to obtain the cooling con-
diment.
There are no quarries of good building stone in this town,
the ledges of rocks are mostly red and brown shale. In the
northern section of this town, on the road from Onondaga
South Hollow to Otisco, is one of the most extensive depos-
its of what is termed by Mr. Vanuxem, in the Geology of
the third district of New-York, ^'- Marcellus goniatite."
This singular deposit seems to be about ten feet deep, and
exhibits at the points exposed to the surface, millions of spe-
cimens of what are termed '■'•liorn rochs,'" from one to three
inches in diameter, and from two to twelve inches long, slightly
curved. These are isolated and can be picked up in any
quantities. They are of adulterated, dark brown limestone,
and are the remains of molusca deposited at some unknown
period, and are worthy the attention of the geologist. The
same strata appears in other parts of the town, though not as
prominent. They lie underneath the red shale.
Statistics for the town of Otisco, taken from the census of
1845 :—
Number of inhabitants, 1701 ; subject to military duty,
127 ; voters, 400 ; aliens, 11 ; children attending common
schools, 408 ; acres of improved land, 12899 ; grist mills, 1 ;
saw mills, 8 ; woolen factory, 1 ; Tanneries, 2 ; Churches —
Congregational, 1 ; Methodist, 1 ; common schools, 14 ; tav-
erns, 2 ; stores, 4 ; farmers, 269 ; merchants, 4 ; manufactu-
rers, 20 ; mechanics, 32 ; clergy 2 ; physicians, 3.
348 ONONDAGA.
Spafford — -was erected into a town in 1811, from portions
of the townships of Sempronius, Marcellus and Tully. The
boundaries have since been materially altered. At present,
it is comprised of eight lots lying east of Skaneateles Lake,
being part of the original township of Sempronius ; sixteen
lots of the north-west part of the township of Tully, and thir-
teen lots of the south part of the township of Marcellus. It
is about ten miles long by three broad, running from north-
west to south-east. This town received its name from Hora-
tio Gates Spafford, L.L.D., author of the Gazetteer of New-
York. The first settler within the present limits of the town,
was Gilbert Palmer, who located himself on lot seventy-six,
township of Marcellus, in the fall of 1794. He was a Revo-
lutionary soldier, and served for the lot on which he settled.
He came from Duchess or Westchester County, and died about
ten years ago.
In the fall of the year 1794, soon after his arrival, Mr.
Palmer and his son, a youth of some sixteen years of age,
went into the woods to chopping, for the pui-pose of making a
clearing. Sometime in the afternoon, they felled a tree, and
as it struck the ground, it bounded, swung around and caught
the young man under it. The father at once mounted the
log, cut it off, rolled it over and liberated his son. Upon ex-
amination, one of his lower limbs was found to be badly
crushed and mangled. He thereupon carried the/youth to
his log hut close at hand, and with all possible diligence made
haste to his nearest neighbors, some three or four miles dis-
tant, desiring them to go and minister to his son's necessities,
while he should go to Whitestown for Dr. White. The neigh-
bors sallied forth with such comfortable things as they thought
might be acceptable in such a case ; but amidst the confusion,
the dense forest and the darkness of the night which had just
set in, they missed their way ; and after wandering about for
a long time, gave over pursuit and returned home, leaving the
poor sufferer alone to his fate. Early the next morning all
hands again rallied, and in due time found the young man
suffering the most extreme anguish from his mangled limb, and
TOWNS.— SPAFFORD. 349
greatly benumbed with cold. They built a fire, made him
comfortable -with such palliatives as could be procured in the
wilderness, and waited in patience the return of the parent.
In the mean time he had proceeded rapidly on his journey on
foot, and found Dr. White at Clinton. Here he engaged an
Oneida Indian to pilot them through the woods by a nearer
route than to follow the windings of the old road. Dr. White
and Mr. Palmer were at sundry times fearful the Indian would
lose the way ; and upon every expression of doubt on their
part, the Indian would exclaim "we Icnow;'' and told them
he would bring them out at a certain log which lay across
the outlet at the foot of Otisco Lake. The Indian took the
lead, and within forty-eight hours after the accident had hap-
pened, the Indian brought them exactly to the log, exclaim-
ing triumphantly, "me know." Here Mr. Palmer arrived
on familiar ground, and at once proceeded to the cabin where
he had left his son, whom they found greatly prostrated, and
writhing under the most intense suffering. No time was lost.
The case was thought desperate — the limb was amputated at
once, half way from the knee to the thigh. The youth bore
the pain with heroic fortitude, recovered and lived many years
afterwards, always speaking in the highest terms, in praise of
Dr. White.
The first settler in that part of the town taken from Tully
was Jonatjian Berry, and is still living a resident of the town.
He first settled a short distance south of the village of Boro-
dino, in March, 1803. In April the same year, Archibald
Farr located himself on the south-west corner of lot number
eleven.
To facilitate the progress of Mr. Farr's imigration. Berry
sent his teams and men to clear out a road, that Farr might
proceed to his place of destination. This was the first road
attempted to be made within the limits of the town, and is
the same that now leads from Spafford Corners to Borodino.
The next year (1804) Isaac Hall settled on the farm now
(1848) owned by Asael Roundey, Esq., near Spafford Cor-
ners. This year the road was cleared out from Farr's on lot
350 ONONDAGA.
number eleven to the Corners, and the next year (1805) two
men from Scott cut and cleared a road from the town of Scott
to Spafford Corners. Their names were Elisha Sabins and
John Babcock. They moved their goods on sleds, over logs
and through the brush as best they could. The following
year, 1806, several families took up their abode in this town
and scattered themselves over its whole extent. On the road
from Borodino to the town of Scott, lived Peter Knapp, Isaac
Hall, John Babcock, Samuel Smith, Elisha Sabins, Otis Legg,
Moses Legg, Archibald Farr, Jethro Bailey, Elias Davis, Abel
Amadown, Job Lewis, Daniel Tinckham, Whiting, and
John Hullibut. In other parts of the town were Levi Foster,
Benjamin Homer, James Williamson, Cornelius Williamson,
Benjamin Stanton and John Woodward. James Bacon and
Asael Koundey settled at Spafiord Corners in 1807, by which
time the town became generally settled. In September of
1806, Isaac Hall drove a wagon from Spafford Corners to
Scott Corners for a load of boards, being the first wagon
that had passed over that road. Elias Davis first made his
way to his new home in this town from Skaneateles in a skiff,
by rowing up the lake. He located a little south of the cen-
ter.
The first frame dwelling was erected in 1807 by Samuel
Conkling, on lot seventy-six, Marcellus.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Elisha Sa-
bins, 1812, at which John Babcock was chosen Supervisor,
and Sylvester Wheaton, Town Clerk ; Benjamin Stanton,
Asael Roundy, Elijah Knapp, Assessors ; Asael Boundy,
Adolphus French, Jonathan Berry, Commissioners of high
ways. Annual meeting April, 1813, at the same place ; Asael
Roundy, chosen Supervisor, and Asa Terry Town Clerk.
A Post Office was first established at Spafford Corners in
1814; Asahel Roundy, first Post Master. James Knapp,
Joseph R. Berry, Thomas B. Anderson and Doctor Collins,
have been successors to the office, in the foregoing order. The
mail was first carried in a wagon through the town in 1827.
TOWNS.— SPAFFORD. 351
Contract held by James H. Fargo, the route, from Jordan to
Homer. Previously carried on foot and on horseback.
Jared Babcock was the first merchant in 1809, and Lanson
Hotchkiss the second, 1810. Dr. Archibald Farr was the
first practising physician in town, and also kept the first tav-
ern, on lot number 11, Tully, in 1808. Other physicians have
been Jeremiah B. Whiting, Zechariah Derby, John Collins,
and some others. Never a lawyer located in this town.
The first school house was built of logs on the north-west
corner of lot number seventy-six, Marcellus, in 1803 ; the
first teacher Miss Sally Packard. The first school at Spaf-
ford Corners was kept in a log house in 1808, by Miss Han-
nah Weston, (Mrs. Roundy.) There were no wagon roads at
that time from Skaneateles, and she came out from that place
and returned, after the close of her school, on horseback.
The first stated preacher was Elder Harman, who organi-
zed a Methodist Church and Society at an early day. The
Baptist Society and Church was organized in the Tully por-
tion of the town in 1816 ; this organization was broken up in
1832. A Society and Church was organized in the Ma.rcel-
lus portion of the town in 1800. Methodist and Universalist
Union Society house of worship, was erected in 1838, and
Freewill Baptist the same year ; both were dedicated in 1840.
Elder Kimberly, first preacher. Elders Benjamin AndrcAVS,
Boughton, Jacob W. Darling, &c., have been ministers. John
Babcock was the first Justice of the Peace in this town, and
Asahel Roundey, the second.
The first grist mill in town was erected by Dr. Archibald
Farr, in 1808, and a saw mill by Josiah Walker, in 1810.
Judo-e AValter Wood built a saw mill in 1811. The principal
stream is called Cold Brook, the largest tributary of the
Otisco Lake.
There is an excellent quarry of gray limestone in this town,
suitable for building. It is the highest elevation in the coun-
ty where that most excellent building material is found. This
town in the main, may be termed hilly. The central portion
has an extensive valley of fine fertile land, but the eastern and
352 ONONDAGA.
western portions are uneven. The soil is principally a strong
and productive loam. The timber consists of heavy maple,
beech, basswood, butternut, hemlock, and some pine. It is
■well watered by springs and small brooks, and is well adapted
to grazing.
In the north-east part of the town is a weak salt fountain,
on the shore of the Otisco Lake, where salt has been made.
There are extensive beds of what are termed horn rocks,
alone: the shore of the Skaneateles Lake. There are also
several sulphur springs in town, none of which afford any very
great quantity of water, although highly impregnated with
foreign substances. From the highest hills, the Skaneateles
Lake may be seen stretching itself far away in the distance,
on the west, to the north, and the Otisco on the east, both of
which are beautiful bodies of water, five miles apart, and bound
the town on the west and east. Borodino is the principal vil-
lage, containing a Post Office, two churches, several stores and
about eight hundred inhabitants.
Statistics from the census of 1845, respecting the town of
Spafford : —
Number of inhabitants, 1,977 ; subject to military duty,
220 ; voters, 484 ; aliens, 8 ; children attending Common
Schools, 498 ; acres of improved land, 14,560 ; grist mills,
1 ; saw mills, 7 ; carding machines, 1 ; tanneries, 1 ; Church-
es — ^Baptist, 1 ; Presbyterian, 1 ; Methodist, 2 ; common
schools, 10 ; taverns, 4 ; stores, 5 ; farmers, 278 ; merchants,
7 ; manufacturers, 6 ; mechanics, 46 ; clergymen, 8 ; physi-
cians, 3.
OSWEGO.
353
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354 ONONDAGA.
CHAPTER XVI.
OSWEGO.
Erection of a Trading House and Fort, by Governor Burnet— Gen. Shib-
LET— Col. Mercer— Operations of Col. Bradstreet— Ost,vego Falls— Bone
Hill— Oswego taken by Montcalm— Incidents- Attacked by the British-
Early Settlement.
At first it was not the design of this work to introduce the
history of this important place in a distinct and extended
manner. But at the suggestion of several gentlemen, who
are well qualified to judge in these matters, the author was
induced to visit Oswego, and other locations along the Oswego
valley, and collect materials for a more full and minute notice
of it than was originally intended.* This important and in-
teresting locality is situated on the southern shore of Lake
Ontario, on both sides of the Oswego River, in latitude 43<^
28' 03'/ north. It was called by the French, Chouaguen.
The French had established themselves in the Iroquois coun-
try at an early period, by the erection of fortifications at Ni-
agara and lerondequot, while the English had no semblance
of a fortification west of Schenectady. It soon became ap-
parent that something should be done to retain possession of
* The author is under great obhgation to E. W. Clarke, Esq., for the loan of hi»
valuable manuscript giving much interesting information relative to Oswego
Also to B. B. Burt, Esq., for books and papers upon the same subject, and also to
Mr. Matthew McNair, one of the oldest residents of Oswego, for valuable verbal
ioibrmation.
OSWEGO. 355
the country claimed by the English, and make a show of re-
sistance to overawe the French, and inspire the Five Nations
■with confidence, and to show them that the English were ca-
pable and willing to maintain their rights. Col. Eomer had
explored the country of the Five Nations in 1700 and 1701,
and reported that at the mouth of the Onondagas' River, was
the most suitable place for the erection of a fort.
Gov. Burnet, in his anxiety to secure the trade of the In-
dians in 1721, got an act passed by the Colonial Legislature,
prohibiting the sale of goods to the French, under severe pen-
alties, with the design of drawing all the Indian trade to New-
York. In order fully to carry out his designs, to keep the
French within their proper limits, and to inspire the Five Na-
tions with a becoming respect for the power of the English,
he commenced the erection of a trading house at Oswego in
1722, on the west side of the river. The benefits of this
policy were immediately apparent. In 1723, fifty-seven ca-
noes went from Albany to that place, and returned loaded
with furs and skins, among which were seven hundred and
thirty-eight packs of beaver and deer skins. The jealousy
and indignation of the French was aroused by the doings of
Gov. Burnet. They at once set about repairing the fort at
Niagara, and gathered materials for the erection of a trading
house at that place, thus securing the western entrance to the
lake, as they had the eastern, by the erection of Fort Fron-
tenac. In 1725, Baron Longueil, the Governor of Canada,
went in person to Onondaga, to obtain permission to erect
the store house at Niagara. He obtained their consent, but
the other nations disavowed the act, and sent messengers to
Niagara requiring the French immediately to desist. Gov.
Burnet remonstrated against these encroachments of the
French. He also called a council of the Five Nations con-
juring them to give an explicit declaration of their sentiments
relative to the French encroachments at Niagara. Their
answer is truly expressive, — " We come to you, howling, and
this is the reason why we howl ; because the Governor of
Canada encroaches on our lands, and builds tlicreon." Gov-
356 ONONDAGA.
ernor Burnet improved this season of disaffection towards the
French, to secure a grant confirming a grant made in 1701,
which had ceded to the English, the landsof the Five Nations,
south of Lakes Erie and Ontario. The grant conveyed all
their lands in trust from the Oswego to Cayahoga River. Not-
withstanding the remonstrances of Governor Burnet, the
French completed their works at Niagara with as little delay
as possible. . Governor Burnet still complained of the want
of faith in the French, in building Fort Niagara, and to keep
pace with them, obtained an appropriation from the Colonial
Assembly, in 1726, of three hundred pounds, for the purpose
of building a fort at Oswego, and on the 9th of May, 1727,
makes the following report: "I have this spring sent up
workmen to build a stone house of strength at a place called
Oswego, at the mouth of the Onondagas' River. I have ob-
tained the consent of the Five Nations to build it, and being
informed that a party of ninety French were going to Niag-
ara, I suspected they might have orders to interrupt this work.
I have therefore sent up a detachment of sixty soldiers, vdth.
a captain and two lieutenants, to protect the building from
any harm the French might offer." The Governor proposes
to keep an officer and twenty men in garrison to protect the
works against the French. Three hundred pounds had been
provided to build the fort, but it was not near enough, and the
Governor who had become warmly enlisted in the matter, fur-
nished the residue on his own responsibility.
On the 24th of August, 1727, Governor Burnet reported
the fort at Oswego as finished, and says, " this new house at
Oswego will make a stand that will embolden the Five Na-
tions, and one that cannot be_ taken without heavy cannon,
the walls being four feet thick, of good stone, and the French
cannot bring heavy cannon against it."
The trading house and fort built at Oswego, by Governor
Burnet, was situated on the west side of the river directly on .
the bank of the lake. The ground was elevated about forty
feet above the level of the lake ; the bank being of rock and
hard-pan, almost perpendicular. The building was of stone,
OSWEGO. 357
about eighty feet square, except that the eastern side was cir-
cular. It was provided with port holes and a deep well. The
ascent to it from the south, was by a flight of stone steps, the
remains of which have been visible till within a few years.
The earthen embankment of the fort, with its palisades, was
about two hundred feet west of the trading house, and slight
traces of it were to be seen till within a recent period. This
bluff, with its grassy surface, formed a favorite promenade for
the citizens of Oswego, until the hand of innovation and im-
provement, within the last ten years, has leveled it for useful
purposes. When the foundation of the flag staff at the old
fort was removed, there was found at the bottom of it a flat
piece of red sand stone, upon which was engraved this inscrip-
tion—" Gliuna, 1727." It lay exposed for a few days, and
was finally stolen by the captain of a lake schooner.
The French Governor was highly exasperated at what he con-
ceived to be an encroachment of the English, ordered the works
to be abandoned within fifteen days, and demolished. To this
the English Governor gave no heed, whereupon the Governor
of Canada sought to have the dispute settled by the two
crowns, and in the mean time to have the place abandoned,
but to this proposition Governor Burnet would not consent.
The French Governor, the Marquis Beauharnois, upon this,
sent a summons for the garrison to relinquish the fort within
a fortnight, with all arms, munitions and effects, and retire
within their own dominions, or his vengeance would follow.
In 1728, Governor Burnet was succeeded by Mr. John
Montgomery, a Scotch gentleman, who early held a treaty
with the Six Nations, for a renewal of the ancient covenant
chain. He gave them rich presents, and engaged them in the
defense of Oswego. The French had made their threats that
the fort at Oswego should be destroyed the ensuing spring.
This design becoming known, the garrison was re-enforced by
a detachment from the independent companies of the province,
and the Indians also prepared to render their assistance in the
protection of the fort. The French, no way desirous of com-
mencing hostilities or continuing them in time of peace, finally
358 ONONDAGA.
abandoned their intended invasion, and for a number of years
gave the garrison no further trouble. From this time until
the year 1754, the fort at Oswego was usually garrisoned by
a lieutenant and twenty-five men, besides traders, who usually
spent the summer in the vicinity of the fort, collecting furs, and
who returned to Albany in autumn, to make sale of them.
During all this time Oswego was considered the most im-
portant military post in the colony of New- York, and the only
one on the western frontier. Its support was an object of
great moment to the government, and annual appropriations
were made by the Colonial Assembly for that purpose. In
1732, Governor Cosby represented that the fort at Oswego
was in a ruinous condition, and requested that means might
be granted to put it in order. The House of Assembly insti-
tuted inquiries, and learned that the fort had been formerly
victualed by Harmanus Wendle, and that Capt. Jacob Glen,
in behalf of Capts. John Schuyler, John Depuyster and John
Junian Cast, had undertaken to victual his majesty's troops at
Oswego for three years, at the rate of four hundred and fifty-
six pounds per annum.
In April, 1733, a petition was presented from forty-eight
traders at Oswego, complaining of the commandant of the
garrison for laying improper restrictions upon their trade.
The House went into an investigation of the matter, and re-
quested the Governor to appoint David A. Schuyler, or some
other person who understood the Indian trade and language,
to reside at Oswego as a commissary.
Nothing of importance seems to have occurred during the
remainder of Governor Cosby's administration, which termi-
nated with his life, in March, 1736. His successor. Lieuten-
ant Governor Clarke, was no less impressed with the import-
ance of sustaining this military post, than his predecessor had
been.
So late as June 19th, 1743, the trading house at Oswego
was not fully completed, and Governor Clarke complains in
a letter to the board of trade, of the dilatory character of the
director of the work.
OSWEGO. 359
It seems duties were charged on goods passing at Oswego,
at this time, for in a letter it is stated that " the Assembly re-
fuses to pay the bateau men out of any other fund but the
Oswego duties."*
The French Governor of Quebec, Beauharnois, complains
bitterly in a letter to Governor Clarke, of Capt. Congreve, at
Oswego, on account of the detention of French boats, and
the Governor complains to Captain Congreve in the following
terms : " I am truly sorry to hear so many complaints of
your conduct at Oswego. I hope for better things, but am
now in fear that if some better care be not taken, that the gar-
rison will all desert or perish for want of provisions, of which
I am told there is no manner of economy. It behooves you
sir, to be very circumspect, and I earnestly recommend that
you keep good discipline, and to take care of the provisions and
for the security of the house and garrison."t
In 1744, new difficulties broke out between France and Eng-
land, upon which, the Colonial government turned their atten-
tion to this fortress. Cannon, ammunition and troops were
forwarded ; an interpreter was sent among the Indians, sev-
eral of whom were engaged as scouts, to watch the movements
of the French. The traders at Oswego entirely abandoned
the place, upon the first intimation of the war.
By the treaty of Aix La Chapelle in 1748, peace was
again restored between the two nations, and continued until
the breaking out of the " Old French War" in 1753. It was
during this contest of six years which terminated with the
conquest of Canada and the capture of Quebec, in 1759, that
the most important and interesting events in the history of
Oswego as a military post, transpired.
In 1755 Gen. Shirley conducted an expedition designed for
the capture of Forts Frontenac and Niagara. He reached
Oswego late in August with fifteen hundred men, of whom
one hundred and twenty were Indians and militia, and the
* London Documents, vol. 27, p. 81.
t Loa. Docs., VoL 25^ p. 262.
360 ONONDAGA.
residue Provincial regulars. General Shirley lost much valu-
able time in ascertaining the strength of these posts, and afe
length determined first to attack Fort Niagara. His spies
reported that the French were in great force at Fort Fronte-
nac ; and from this circumstance concluded, that it was their
design to make an attack upon Oswego during his absence to
Niagara. In this posture of affairs, a council of war was
called, which after weighing all the circumstances, unani-
mously resolved to defer the attempt upon Niagara until next
year, and to employ the troops while they remained at Os-
wego, in building barracks and erecting two new forts, one on
the east side of the river, four hundred and fifty yards distant
from the old fort which it was to command, as well as the
entrance of the harbor, and to be called Ontario Fort, and
the other, to be called Oswego New Fort.*
These things being agreed upon, General Shirley with the
greatest part of the troops under his command, set out on his
return to Albany on the 24th of October, leaving Col. Mer-^
cer with a garrison of about seven hundred men at Oswego.
Though repeated advice had been received that the French
had then at least a thousand men at Fort Frontenac ; and
what was still worse, the new forts were not near completed,
but left to be finished by the hard labor of Col. Mercer and his
little garrison, with the addition of the melancholy circum-
stance, that if besieged by the enemy in the winter, it would
be impossible for his friends to afford relief.
Early in 1753, we find the garrison at Osv^ego in command
of Lieut. Hitchen Holland, who is presumed to have continued
in command till succeeded by Col. I^Iercer, and the augmenta-
tion of the garrison by Col. Bradstreet and Gen. Shirley, in
the autumn of 1755.
Fort Ontario was built on the east side of the river, about
one hundred yards from the lake, commanding the ground
around it. Its circumference was about eight hundred feet,
being built of logs from twenty to thirty inches in diameter.
* SmoUett. Vol. II. p. 178.
OSWEGO. 361
and the outside wall about fourteen feet higli. Around it was
a ditch fourteen feet broad and ten feet deep. Within it was a
square log house to overlook the walls, and contained bar-
racks for three hundred men, and was calculated to mount
sixteen pieces of cannon.
The Oswego New Fort was a square of one hundred and
seventy feet, with bastions and a rampart of eai'th and ma-
sonry, which besides the parapet, was to be twenty feet thick,
twelve feet in height, with a ditch fourteen feet broad and ten
feet deep. This was to mount eight pieces of cannon, being
made more defensible, as it commanded a good landing place.
The barracks were to contain two hundred men. It will be
readily seen, that this is the work usually denominated the
Old French Fort, on the hill across which Van Buren street
has since been laid near its junction with sixth street, traces
of which were to be seen until recently.
Although there is no historical mention made of any other
fort than Ontario on the east side of the river, yet it is almost
certain that some kind of fort or redoubt had been erected on
that promontory several years previous. One evidence of
this is in the following fact. In the year 1818, the present
court house in East Oswego was erected. The stone for that
building were obtained from Fort Ontario, principally from the
walls of the bomb proof, which stood in the north-west angle.
One of these stone had a builder's name (Craunell) upon it,
and the date 1745. This stone was placed under the sill at
the north-west corner facing the north, where it may now be
seen. It can hardly be possible that the date, marks any
other event than the erection of some work near the site of
Fort Ontario. Besides, on an old map now to be seen in pos-
session of E. W. Clarke, Esq., two forts are laid down on the
east side of the river, about four hundred and fifty yards dis-
tant from each other.
The naval force of the French was considered respectable
for the times, and the English, consisted of the Oswego, Com-
modore Bradley, with only four four-pounderS and one three-
pounder, with forty-five seamen and soldiers. The Ontario,
362 ONONDAGA.
Capt. Laforoj, with four four-pounders, one three pounder,
and fortj-five seamen and soldiers ; a small schooner, Capt.
Farmer, with six swivels and thirteen men ; and a new brig-
antine and schooner nearly completed.
The garrison were almost continually annoyed by scalping
parties of French and Indians, and frequently complained of
the want of men to protect the works.
The year 1756 is truly memorable in the history of Oswego.
A convoy of provisions and stores for the garrison had been dis-
patched early in summer from Albany, under command of Col.
Bradstreet. The French being apprised of it, detached a par-
ty of soldiers and Indians to intercept it as it should pass down
the Oswego river, with directions to lay an ambuscade at some
convenient point. The party consisted of about 300 boatmen,
wholly unused to war, and their vessels consisted of a large
number of bateaux suitable for the navio-ation of the streams
through which they were to pass. The French designated for
this attack got lost and did not reach the river in time to in-
tercept Col Bradstreet, and thereupon resolved to retire a short
distance into the woods and await his return. On the 3d of
July, Col. Bradstreet left Oswego on his way back. He divi-
ded his boats into three divisions with directions to keep a lit-
tle distance apart, so as to be better able to support each other
in case of an attack. As he was slowly stemming the current,
himself in the foremost division, at a point some seven miles
above Oswego, at a place known as the Mann farm, he was
suddenly saluted by the war whoop of the savages and a heavy
discharge of musketry from the west side of the river. Rec-
ollecting that there was a small island just above him where
the enemy might ford the river and attack his rear, he instant-
ly rowed to it, and eflfected a landing with only six men, com-
manding the residue to land on the east side. He had scarcely
reached it when he was attacked by a party of the enemy
who had forded the river for that purpose ; but these were soon
repulsed.* Another body having passed a mile higher, he ad-
* Smollett, vol 2, p. 221.
OSWEGO. 363
vanced to them, at the head of two hundred men, and fell up-
on them with such vigor, that many were killed on the spot
and the rest driven into the river with such precipitation that
a considerable number of them were drowned. Having re-
ceived information that a third body of the enemy had passed
at a ford still higher, he marched thither without hesitation
and pursued them to the other side, where they were entirely
routed and dispersed. In this action, which lasted near three
hours, about seventy of the bateau men were killed or wound-
ed ; but the enemy lost more than double that number, many
of whom were killed in the river whose bodies floated down-
ward. In all probability the whole detachment of the French
amounting to seven hundred men would have been cut off, had
not a heavy rain interposed and disabled Col. Bradstreet from
following up his success, for that same night he was joined by
Captain Patten with a company of grenadiers, on his march
from Oneida to Oswego, and next morning he was re-enforced
by the arrival of two hundred men, detached to his assistance
from the garrison at Oswego. On the 29th of May the French
landed on the south-eastern side of Lake Ontario, about fifty
miles 'from Oswego, were joined by about three hundred Indi-
ans and set out the day following with the intention of cutting
off the convoy of provisions on the way from Albany to Os-
wego. But the Indians refusing to join in an expedition to
intercept them at Oswego falls, Capt. Vieliere consented to go
to Fort Ontario, where they surprised a sergeant's guard and
took a corporal prisoner. After firing at the fort and town,
they retired to the River La Planche, and next day to their
camp fifteen leagues from Oswego, when all the Indians except
fifteen left them. After a respite of eight days, being joined
by about one hundred Indians, proceeded with a force of three
hundred Canadians, ninety Marines and one hundred Indians,
to intercept Col. Bradstreet — with the results before stated.
The following letter, under date of June 28, 1756, from
Oswego, appears in the New York Mercury :
" On the morning of the 16th inst., about four o'clock, a
party of three or four hundred French and Indians made an
864 ONONDAGA.
attack upon forts Oswego and Ontario, and killed and scalped
five of the bateau guard sent from fort Ontario on that side
of the river. They took one prisoner, mortally wounded an-
other and slightly wounded a third ; were repulsed, but not
without considerable loss, as the cannon played upon them for
an hour and a half, and they went off about eleven o'clock."
Two whale boats were sent to make discoveries on the French
shore the same day, and after rowing about eleven miles, a
large French and Indian force was discovered in the woods, on
the lake shore east of Oswego, which was fired upon from the
fleet, and afterwards retreated.
From the prisoners taken by Col. Bradstreet, he learned
Montcalm's design upon Oswego, and that he was already on
this side of the lake, prepared to make an attack upon that
place, with a large army.
The island upon which the hottest of this battle was fought,
is now called Braddock's Island, (properly Bradstreet's,) and
at low water the boys frequently pick up bullets among the
stones, at the bottom of the river. The woods in the vicini-
ty, long bore the marks of the deadly strife, and it has not
been uncommon, until recently, to find bullets embedded in
the trees. A single French soldier was left upon a small
island, near the western shore, in the raj^ids called Braddock's
(Bradstreet's) Rifts, who lay concealed for some weeks, until
his friends had all left the country. He afterwards made it
his abode for years, leading a solitary life. It still bears the
name of " The Frenchman s Island."
In the vicinity of this affair, within the distance of two or
three miles, on both sides of the river are found remains of
ancient fortifications, the history of which is unknown. They
generally consist of embankments with ditches, and many of
them were overgrown with large timber.
About eighteen years since, Mr. Jacob Raynor dug up on
his farm, at the west end of the Free Bridge, an exquisitely
wrought ornament of gold, worth twenty dollars.
About forty years since, a large tree was cut near the
white house, on the cast side of the river, in which were found
OSWEGO.
365
a large number of musket balls, and an old blaze wliich had
evidently been the mark at which they were fired. There
was no external appearance of a wound on the tree, and
the blaze was overgrown by one hundred and twelve cor-
tical layers. The party who made this their target, must
have done so previous to the expedition of Count Frontenac
against the Onondagas, in 1696. Perhaps Dupuys encamped
here for a night, in 1656, or may be the original lords of the
soil, at a period still earlier, here tested the respective merits
of fire-arms, and bows and arrows.
Some eight or ten rods below the Oswego Falls, on the
grounds of Mr. Timothy Pratt, on the east bank of the Oswego
River, are the ruins of an old fort, which was probably erect-
ed by order of Col. Bradstreet or Gen. Amherst, at the time
Forts Stanwix and Brewerton were built, in 1758, for in a let-
ter from Albany, dated 20th August, 1758, after describing
Col. Bradstreet's force, and his meditated attack upon Fort
Frontenac, he says, "The remaining troops at the great carry-
ing place are employed in building a fort there." {See cut.)
DAM. MILLS
vr/cAtio
In 1759, a garrison of one hundred men was kept there.
It was certainly a place of no ordinary importance, as all mil-
itary stores had to pass that way ; were unloaded, and again
re-shipped, after ^^ running" the boats light over the falls.
366 ONONDAGA.
The necessity for a fort here was no doubt experienced long
before one was built. The confusion usually attending these
operations made it a point easily assailable, and frequent in-
stances of attack and delay are known to have occurred. Al-
though there are no historical records of battles fought, and
victories won upon this ground, yet the relics of arms, bullets
and hatchets, often found in the vicinity, plainly show that
the din of war and the clash of arms have been nounfrequent
occurrence or school-boy's play, around the " Fort at the
Falls." During the war of 1812, this point was made a de-
pot for munitions of war and naval stores, for the forts at
Oswego and Sackett's Harbor, and the fleet upon Lake On-
tario. It was also frequently used as a ground for the encamp-
ment of troops passing down to Oswego. The lower part or
section of this fort nearest the river, has been cut off by the
Oswego Canal. (See figure.) But the upper portion, although
it has the appearance of having been plowed over, is in a tol-
erable state of preservation. The bottom of the ditch is about
four feet below the top of the embankment. In its construc-
tion, the earth was probably thrown out on both sides alike,
forming a hia:h breast-work within the fort. The whole was
probably surrounded by palisades. It was a regular octangu-
lar work, of which both the exterior and interior angles were
very acute. Some fifty rods below the fort was formerly a
semi-circular enclosure, on the high bank of the river, about
ten rods across, and the embankment three feet high, within
the recollection of the early settlers. This, without doubt,
was a work of aboriginal origin, and has probably been the
look-out ground for the red warrior in by-gone years, as his
dingy foes crossed this fording place, or shot their light ca-
noes over the rushing cascade. This locality was pointed out
and explained to the author by Mr. Peter Skenck. Directly
opposite to this semi-circular enclosure, is a place known as
" Bone Hill.' ' This is on the west bank of the river, between
it and the highway. It was formerly some six rods in diame-
ter at the base, and about forty feet high from the surface.
By frequent plowings its height has been materially diminish-
OSWEGO. 367
ed. On this hill there formerly stood two large chesnut trees
about twenty feet apart. These were cut down at an early
day, by Mr. Van Valkenburgh, one of the earliest settlers in
that region. Mr. Skenck assisted in the digging up of one
of these stumps, and beneath it were found multitudes of hu-
man bones, some of which were perfect, others in an advanced
stage of decay, showing that it had long been the resting
place of the remains of the dead, and probably of those who
had been slain in battle. Pieces and fragments of bones were
formerly so plenty as to be seen in vast numbers from the
road, covering the whole surface of the hill, and are frequent
even at this late day, for we found scattered fragments of
them strewed over the surface, in the fall of 1848, though
crumbling and fast dissolving into their original elements. Mr.
Skenck, who visited the place with the author, remarked, that
in an arm bone of one that was disinterred, was found stick-
ing a flint arrow-head, firm and immoveable. Arrow-heads
of flint a,re still foUnd in considerable numbers, about Fish
Lake, a mile and a half west of Fulton. Six miles south of
the Oswego Falls, on lots twenty-four and thirty-two, of the
township of Lysander, now in the town of Granby, are two
circular enclosures. One of these is not far from the Oswego
and Syracuse Rail Road, on the State's hundred, of lot twenty-
four. These were partially surveyed by Mr. Skenck several
years ago, and were found to contain about two acres each.
They were nearly exact circles, a little elongated, and laid out
with great regularity. The earth had been thrown inward to
form an embankment, leaving a ditch some five feet below the
top of the bank. A gateway was apparent on the east side
of each. On both of these were found growing, heavy timber,
oak, maple, pine, and other forest trees. One of these an-
cient works has been cleared off, and the occupant has graced
the embankment with a row of apple trees. These works, ac-
cording to the opinions of our most experienced ethnologists
and antiquarians, are of a race who occupied here prior to
those who were in possession of the soil when the first white
people came to inhabit this land. It is the simplest form of
368 ONONDAGA.
military architecture in use among the most ancient and rude
inhabitants of our country.
We return to the interesting events of 1756. In this year,
the Marquis Montcalm succeeded Baron Dieskau, in the com-
mand of the military force of the French in Canada. He
was an experienced and energetic ofScer, no way inferior to
his distinguished but unfortunate predecessor. The first thing
which attracted his observing and experienced mind, was the
important English post at Oswego. lie at once resolved upon
its reduction, before the English should have time to consum-
ate their designs upon Niagara.
In the month of June, M. Montcalm with an army of five
thousand men, crossed the lake from Fort Frontenac. The
party which attacked Col. Bradstreet, on the 3d of July, was
a detatchm'ent from the army of I\Iontcalm, which was already
upon this side of the lake. The Colonial authorities at Alba-
ny, upon being informed of the approach of this formidable
force towards Oswego, ordered Gen. Webb to re-enforce the
garrison with one regiment, but the difficulties attending the
collection of necessaries, and the transporting of troops in
an uninhabited wilderness, delayed the detachment until the
post had fallen, the tidings of which met Gen. Webb at Wood
Creek. After obstructing the navigation of that stream, by
felling trees into it, to prevent the French from advancing by
that route with their boats, should they conclude to follow up
the success and make a descent upon the inhabitants at Schen-
ectady and Albany, he retraced his steps to the place of his
departure.
M. Montcalm landed his artillery and stores, at the Bay of
Nixouri, (probably Henderson,) and his first important step,
was to block up the river with two large armed vessels, and
post a strong body of Canadians on the road leading from Al-
bany to Oswego, within half a league of Oswego. He erected
a battery for the protection of his vessels ; and on the 12th
of August, at midnight, after his dispositions had been made,
he opened his trenches before Fort Ontario.
OSWEGO. 369
The following account of the seige and surrender of Os-
wego, is from the London Magazine, for 1757 :
" The works at Oswego, consisted at this time of three forts,
viz : The old fort on the west side of the river, and two forts
on the east side, situated on two eminences, which latter were
commenced the year previous, and were in an unfinished
state. These works were very weak, and the walls of in-
sufficient strength to resist heavy artillery. The English
relied for defense, upon having a superior naval force upon
the lake. Unfortunately, the naval armament, at that time
fitting out, was incomplete. On the 6th of August, Col.
Mercer, commanding officer of the garrison, which consisted
of about one thousand six hundred men, having received in-
telligence of a large encampment of French and Indians
about twelve miles distant, dispatched a schooner with an ac-
count of it to Capt. Broadley, who was then on a cruise with
a large Brigantine and two sloops, at the same time desiring
him to sail as far eastward as he could, and to endeavor to
prevent the approach of the French on the lake. The next
day, a violent gale of wind, drove the brigantine ashore, while
attempting to get into harbor. The French seized this oppor-
tunity to transport their heavy cannon within a mile and a
half of the fort, which they would not have been enabled to do,
had it not been for this disaster. On the morning of the
eleventh, some canoes were seen to the eastward, and the
schooner was sent out to make a discovery of what they were.
She was scarce half a mile distant, before she hoisted a jack
at mast head, fired a gun to leeward, and stood in again for
the harbor, and brought intelligence that they had discovered
a very large encampment close around the opposite point, on
which the two sloops (the large brigantine being still on shore)
were sent out with orders, if possible, to annoy the enemy.
They proceeded to within gun shot of the enemy's camp, when
they were fired upon from a battery of four twelve pounders.
This fire was briskly returned from both vessels, but to no
purpose, as their shot fell short of the shore, and the enemy's
cannon being large and well managed, hulled the vessels at
b24
370 ONONDAGA.
almost everj shot. After firing several broadsides, the ves-
eels returned.
The same day the French invested the place with about
thirty-two pieces of cannon, from twelve to eighteen pounders,
besides several brass mortars and hoyets, (among which ar-
tillery was included that taken from General Braddock) and
about five thousand men. About noon they began the attack
of Fort Ontario with small arms, which was briskly returned
with small arms and eight cannon from the fort, and shell
from the opposite side of the river. The garrison on the west
side of the river was this day employed in repairing the bat-
tery on the south side of the old fort. That night the enemy
were engaged in approaching Fort Ontario and bringing up
their cannon against it. On the 12th, the enemy renewed
their fire of small arms on Fort Ontario, which was briskly
retuimed. The garrison on the west side were employed as
on the day previous.
The French on the east side continued their approaches to
Fort Ontario, notwithstanding the continued fire upon the
enemy and the death of their chief engineer ; by ten o'clock
next morning they opened a battery of cannon within sixty
yards of the fort.
At twelve o'clock. Col. Mercer sent the garrison word to
destroy their cannon, ammunition and provisions, and to
evacuate the fort. About three P. M., the garrison consist-
ing of about three hundred and seventy men, eflfected their
retreat to the west side of the river without the loss of a man,
and were employed on the night of the 12th in completing the
works at the fort on the west hill. About four miles and a
half up the river was Fort George, the defense of which had
been committed to Col. Schuyler on the abandonment of the
first fort by Col. Mercer. About three hundred and seventy
of his men had joined Col. Schuyler, with the intention of hav-
ing an intercoui'se between his fort and that to which their
own commander retreated ; but a body of two thousand five
hundred Canadians and Indians, crossed the river in the
night of the 13th and 14th, and cut ofi" that communica-
OSWEGO. 371
tion On this night as well as on the night before, par-
ties of the enemy's regulars made several attempts to sur-
prise the advanced guards and sentries on the west side of
the river. On the night of the 13th the enemy were em-
ployed on the east side in bringing up their cannon and rais-
ing a battery against the old fort. A constant fire was
kept upon them from the west side. The cannon which most
annoyed the enemy, were pieces which were reversed on
the platform of an earthen work which surrounded the old
fort, and which was entirely enfiladed by the enemy's bat-
tery on the opposite shore. In this situation, without the
least cover, the train assisted by a detachment of fifty of Shir-
ley's regiment behaved remarkably well. At daybreak the
14th, the English renewed the fire of their cannon on that
part of the shore where they had the evening previous ob-
served the enemy erecting a battery. This was returned from a
battery of ten twelve pounders. About nine A. M., twenty-
five hundred of the enemy crossed the river in three columns.
Col. ]\Iercer who had been very careful to observe the move-
ments of the French, ordered Col. Schuyler with five hundred
men to dispute the passage of the river, but had scarcely de-
livered these orders, when going into the fort to give some
others equally necessary, he was killed by a cannon shot.
Upon this. Col. Scuyler was ordered back.
About ten o'clock the enemy had in readiness a battery of
mortars. All the places of defense were either enfiladed or
ruined by the constant fire of the enemy's cannon. Twenty-
five hundred French and Indians were in rear of the works
ready to storm, and two thousand regulars were ready to land
in front under cover of their cannon. At this juncture, Col.
Littlehales upon Avhom the command now devolved, called a
council of war, who were, with the engineers, unanimously of
opinion, that the works were no longer tenable, and that it
was by no means prudent to risk a storm with such unequal
numbers. The " Chamade' was accordingly ordered to be
beat. The soldiers throughout the seige showed great bra-
very, and it was with difficulty that they could now be re-
272 ONONDAGA.
strained from continuing their resistance. On beating the
chamade the firing ceased on both sides, and two officers were
sent to the French general to know upon what terms he would
accept a surrender ; upon which Montcalm replied, that the
English were an enemy he respected, and that none but a
brave nation would have thought of defending so weak a
place so long against such a strong train of artillery and
superior numbers, that they might expect whatever terms were
consistent with the service of His Most Christian Majesty.
He accordingly sent the following proposals, viz. :
" The Marquis of Montcalm, Army and Field-Marshal,
Commander-in-chief of His Most Christian Majesty's Troops
is ready to receive a capitulation upon the most honorable con-
ditions, surrendering to him all the forts. They shall be
shown all the regard the politest nations can show. I send
an aid-de-camp on my part, viz. : Mons. De Bougainville,
Captain of dragoons. They need only send the capitulation
to be signed. I require an answer by noon. I have kept
Mr. Drake for an hostage.
MONTCALM.
August 14, 1756."
The articles of capitulation were as follows : —
"Art. 1st. The garrison shall surrender prisoners of war,
and shall be conducted hence to Montreal, where they shall
be treated with humanity ; and every one in a manner suita-
ble to his rank, according to the customs of war.
Art. 2d. The officers and soldiers shall have their baggage
and clothes belonging to them as individuals ; and shall be al-
lowed to carry away their effects with them.
Art. 3d. They shall remain prisoners of war till exchanged,
on theii* giving up faithfully the fortifications, artillery, ammu-
nition, magazines, barks and boats with their appurtenances."
The English complained that the articles of capitulation
were not punctually observed. The British officers and soldiers
were insulted by the savages, who robbed them of their clothes
and baggage, massacred several men as they stood defenseless
on parade, assassinated Lieutenant De la Court, as he lay wound-
OSWEGO. 373
ed In his tent under the protection of a French officer, and
barbarously scalped all the sick people in the hospital. Final-
ly, Montcalm in direct violation of the articles, as well as in
contempt of humanity, delivered up above twenty men of the
garrison to the Indians, in lieu of the same number they had
lost during the seige, who were undoubtedly put to death by
the most excrutiating tortures.'^ The prisoners taken at Os-
wego, after having been thus barbarously treated, were con-
veyed in bateaux to Montreal, where they had no reason to
complain of their reception, and before the end of the year
were exchanged. The victors immediately demolished the forts,
in which they found one hundred and twenty-one pieces of
artillery, fourteen mortars, with a great quantity of small arms,
ammunition, warlike stores and provisions, twenty-three thou-
sand weight of powder, eight thousand weight of iron and
lead in balls and bullets, one hundred and fifty bombs, besides
two sloops and two hundred bateaux, a great quantity of cord-
age and naval stores, which likewise fell into their hands. Such
an important magazine, deposited in a place altogether inde-
fensible, and without the reach of immediate succour, was a
flagrant proof of egregious folly, temerity and misconduct.
After the destruction of the forts, the French quietly retired
without further demonstrations of conquest. Having no
use for the sloops of war, the Marquis Montcalm ordered
them to be set on fire, and they were sent adrift upon the lake.
Having burned to the water's edge, these vessels floated ashore
about thirty miles below Oswego. The wreck of one of them
lay embedded in the sand a little distance from the shore near
the mouth of Deer Creek, and was visible for half a century.
Capt. Archibald Fairfield, formerly a citizen of Oswego, about
the year 1807 or 1808 succeeded in getting out a small cannon
from the wreck. In the spring of 1809, Col. T. S. Morgan
in passing from Oswego to Sackett's Harbor in a skifl", (at that
time no uncommon way of communication) had his attention
attracted by some object beneath the sui-face of the water,
*SmoUt'U, vol. 2, p. 22-1.
274 ONONDAGA.
and upon approaching the spot discovered this wreck. The
charred timber-heads and stern-post reaching nearly to the top
of the water. The water was so smooth that he could mark
her dimensions and see her rudder irons. She is doubtless in
the same position yet, and probably covered with sand.
The capture of this important post was deemed of great
consequence by the French, though they could not occupy it
as a fortress themselves. The place of rendezvous of their
enemies, from which their own positions could be most easily
assailed was no more, and nothing was left to intercept their
free communication with their western posts. They were now
sole masters of all the lakes, and the Six Nations, the only
Indians who remained inviolably attached to the English inter-
est were left unprotected. The fortifications at the Mohawk
carrying place had been destroyed by the English and the nav-
igation of Wood Creek closed by fallen trees, and before the
close of the year 1757, the French laid waste several settle-
ments in the Mohawk valley.
In the month of August, 1758, Col. Bradstreet arrived at
Oswego with 3,340 men, on his route against Fort Frontenac,
which place he carried with a triflng loss. After demolishing
the fort, securing Avhat he could of the immense military stores
there deposited, and the shipping of the French, he returned
in triumph to Oswego. This brilliant exploit of Col. Brad-
street, was productive of valuable consequences to the English.
It made ample amends for the destruction of Oswego by the
French two years before. Col. Bradstreet set about repair-
ing the works at Oswego, and during this year, finished the
fort at the great carrying place.
From this time to its abandonment in 1798, Oswego was
occupied by the British, and became one of her most import-
ant posts.
Fort Ontario was rebuilt on a large scale and in a more
substantial manner. The other forts were not repaired, but
were suffered to go to decay. Major Duncan was left in com-
mand by Gen. Amherst. His regiment, the fifty-fifth High-
landers, composed the garrison for several years. This place
OSWEGO. 375
was the key of communication between Nevr-York and the
British posts in Canada, and the western lakes- A constant
intercourse was kept up with New-York by way of the falls,
Fort Brewerton, Fort Bull, Fort Stanwix, and the valley of
the IMohawk.
It was dui'ing the winter of 1760-61 and the following sum-
mer, that Mrs. Grant, then a child, resided here with her fa-
ther, an officer in the garrison. In her Memoirs of an Ameri-
can Lady, are narrated some circumstances of interest, which
served then to beguile the monotony of life in an isolated gar-
rison.
In the spring of 1761, jNIajor Duncan having a prospect of
being stationed at Oswego for a number of years, employed
his men in clearing out the stumps from the land which sur-
rounded Fort Ontario, from which the timber had been cut to
build the fortifications and for firewood for the garrison. He
laid out the same into large and tasteful gardens, from which
the garrison for many years raised an ample supply of vege-
tables. During the occupancy of the fort by the British, the
cultivated grounds were extended above Bridge street on the
south, and easterly to the alder swamp, lying in the vicinity
of Sixth street. Some fields were also cultivated on the west
side of the river. The labor was all performed by hand, as
there was not a horse or ox in Oswego, and but one cow, and
that was owned by the sutler.
The peace with France by the treaty of Fontainebleau, al-
though it secured the French North American possessions to
the English, by no means restored quiet among the power-
ful Indian nations who had been a long time faithful to the
French. The consequence was, that an Indian war broke
out, which rendered Oswego a military post of vast import-
ance. Col. Duncan with six companies occupied the place
till 1765.
Mr. Henry Van Schaack, an enterprising merchant wlio re-
sided at Albany from 1756 to 1769, had a trading establish-
ment during most of that period at Oswego, and another at
Niagara. After the capture of that post by Gen. Sir William
376 ONONDAGA/
Johnson, in 1759, he was extensively engaged in the fur
trade, which attracted the attention of a large proportion of
the most active business men of that day. He made frequent
journeys to Oswego, Niagara and Detroit, where he had an-
other trading house previous to 1764, which was suspended
during Pontiac's war. Mr. Van Schaack was often engaged
in the transportation of military stores and merchandise around
the carrying places at Oswego Falls, Fort Stanwix and Little
Falls.
So far as our limited knowledge extends, the liistory of Os-
wego, during the ten years previous to the breaking out of the
Revolutionary war, is unknown : and during all the time of
that eventful struggle, little of its coincidences and events are
recorded. It was however, garrisoned by a strong British
• force, and was a place of general rendezvous for the enemies
of freedom and their allies, the warriors of the Six Nations,
through the whole period of the war. Here were concocted
many of the schemes of conquest and slaughter which desola-
ted the settlements of the Mohawk, Schoharie and Cherry
Valley. Here St. Leger concentrated his forces preparatory
to his contemplated junction vdth Gen. Burgoyne. Hither
he retreated after his disastrous siege of Fort Schuyler ; and
here was the principal head quarters of the Butlers, Johnsons
and Brant, who with the Tories on the frontier and their sav-
age allies, sallied forth from this rallying point, scattering
death and desolation wherever their inclination led.
Oswego was not a battle ground of the Revolution. The
plan of a campaign for the year 1779, against Oswego, Ni-
agara and Detroit, and all the British posts on the lakes, was
proposed in Congress, and seriously discussed. But the com-
mander-in-chief being opposed to it, the design was relin-
quished, and the enemy were permitted to retain a position
which afforded them every facility for controling the Iroquois
and stimulating them to acts of hostility upon the defenseless
borderers.
The capture of Cornwallis in October, 1781, decided the
fate of the colonies. Little of importance was done either by
OSWEGO. 377
the English or Americans. A disposition for peace vras mani-
fested in every quarter, still it was not certain that the strug-
gle was over. The commander-in-chief used every exertion
to keep the army in a condition for active service, and the
country in an attidude of defense, in case the prospects of
peace should vanish and the alarms of war be renewed.
About the close of the war. General Washington conceived
the project of taking the fortress of Oswego by surprise. He
confided the execution of the plan to Col. Willett, who with
the utmost secrecy as to his destination, assembled his forces
consisting of about four hundred and seventy men at Fort
Herkimer on the 8th of February, 1783. His second in com-
mand was Major Van Bunscouten. He commenced his journey
immediately in sleighs, and proceeded along the northern shore
of Oneida Lake to Fort Brewerton, where the sleighs were
left in charge of a guard, and proceeded on foot. They first
struck the Oswego River opposite to Ox Creek, three miles
above the falls. They then marched down to the lower land-
ing, and arrived there about two o'clock P. M., (below Ful-
ton, near Waterhouse's now Dr. Lee's farm) where they made
seventeen scaling ladders. At this place the party again took
to the ice as far as Bradstreet's rift. At this point they took
to the woods to avoid discovery. By ten o'clock in the eve-
ning they were within four miles of the fort. After traveling
about the woods two hours longer and not coming in sight of
the place of destination, an investigation of the cause was
undertaken, when to the great surprise and mortification of
the commander and the whole corps, it was ascertained that
ty diverging from the river, their guide, a young Oneida In-
dian, had lost his way. Their situation was indeed awkward
and pei'plexing.
They had been at one time nearly within speaking distance
of the works, and the shout of victory was almost raised in
anticipation, when suddenly they discovered that they were
lost in a dense forest, amid mountains of snow. The march
had been one of great severity, and as their orders had been
peremptory, if the fort was not surprised, no other attempt
378 ONONDAGA.
should be made to take it. Tliey reluctantly concluded to re-
trace their steps upon the morrow. They kept in motion till
day break, although suffering intensely from the cold ; and as
the beams of day advanced, the fort was revealed to their
wondering eyes. They found themselves on the hill, since
known as Oak Hill, in the south-east part of Oswego Village,
in full view of the object of their toil, and within three-fourths
of a mile of the frowning battlements of the fort. Early in
the morning, some wood-choppers came near them from the
garrison, two of whom were taken prisoners, but a third es-
caped and fled to the fort. From their position they could
see that considerable excitement was aroused and that the sol-
diers were engaged in shoveling the snow from the cannon on
the ramparts. The expedition, however, was at an end, and
Col. Willett, with his party, who a few hours before were an-
ticipating an easy victory, were now forced to retire. They
threw down their ladders in the hollow, south-east of Oak
Hill, where the remains of them were found by the early set-
tlers of the place.
The party suffered immensely from the effects of cold. One
colored man was frozen to death ; another colored man, with
his fiddle and his song, did much to keep up the spirits of the
men, and to induce them to active exercise, by which they
were saved from the fate of their comrade. Several of the
party were badly frozen, their feet having been thoroughly
wet while passing on the ice along the river, which was par-
tially covered with water. Henry Blakeman, one of the party,
and Joseph H. Perrigo, another, both of whom afterwards set-
tled on the west side of the river, above the falls, were both
so badly frozen that they never recovered, and both lived to
a good old age, and died at their late residence, three-fourths
of a mile south of Phillipsville, on the river's bank. Capt.
Edward Connor, formerly of Oswego, commanded a company
in the expedition. On the return of Col. Willett to Albany,
he was met by the joyful news of peace.
The English continued to hold possession of Oswego and
other northern and western posts, from the close of the war,
OSWEGO. 379
until 1796, when by Mr. Jay's treaty, they •were to be sur-
rendered to the government of the United States. In point
of fact, they hehl these posts about two years longer, and did
not finally surrender them till the year 1798.' The reason
of their being held over, was this : Soon after the Revolution,
the State of Virginia passed a law in effect repudiating all
debts due from her citizens to' British subjects, or rather con-
fiscating all such debts to the Treasury of the State, into
which the same were directed to be paid. The British gov-
ernment thereupon refused to surrender the posts. The Su-
preme Court, upon the hearing of a case arising upon some
of those debts, declared the law of Virginia unconstitutional.
The money being then paid over to the creditors, the counter-
vailing measure v>'as yielded and the posts surrendered. The
fort on Carlton Island, however, not having been demanded
by a United States officer, was occupied by a sergeant's guard
until the war of 1812, when a party from Sackett's Harbor
went upon the Island, and made them prisoners of war.
Upon the surrender of Oswego, the Fort was occupied for
two or three years by a lieutenant's command, and subsequent-
ly until about the year, 1803, by a sergeant's guard. After
which the post was abandoned by the United States govern-
ment, till the war of 1812.
In 1797, an act was passed directing the Surveyor General
to lay out one hundred acres on the west side of Oswego Bi-
ver, into proper streets and house lots, so as to form in the
most convenient place, a public square or market place. The
principal streets to be one hundred feet wide, and the cross
streets sixty feet wide. The house lots to be laid out fifty-six
feet front and rear, and two hundred feet deep, and lots for
public buildings to be reserved on the square. A map of the
same was to be deposited in the Surveyor General's office for
inspection. These lots by law were ordered to be sold. The
Governor Avas authorized to reserve any lots he might think
proper for public purposes. By an act of the Legislature the
lands included in this survey were to be " called forever there-
after by the name of Oswego." West Oswego was laid out
880 ONONDAGA.
and surveyed by Benjamin Wright, Esq., in 1797, and East
Oswego by John Randall, in 1814. The principal sales were
made by the State in 1827. Mr. Matthew McNair, now the
oldest resident at Oswego, located here in 1802, at which time
there were some six or seven families living here and in the
vicinity. Among these was a Mr. Asa Rice, who lived three
miles west of the river. He was a Revolutionary soldier and
was at that time engaged in the Indian trade. His was the
only family within fourteen miles of Oswego. In 1802, Mr.
McNair found here two frame houses and a ware house, which
had been erected a short time previous, by Benajah Byington,
now living at Syracuse. These were all on the west side,
none on the east side. Archibald Fairfield was a forwarding
merchant, and stored salt and goods, and kept a small boat-
man's tavern, as did also Peter Sharpe. It was customary
with several of the earliest settlers at Oswego, to spend their
winters at Salina, and employ themselves in manufacturing
salt. There was no road cut through from Oswego to Salina
till 1804 ; the journey was usually made on foot through the
woods, guided by blazed trees, and in the depth of winter
upon snow shoes.
In 1802, there were only two or three old. miserable vessels
on Lake Ontario, belonging to the Americans. The British
had many more, and of far superior quality. The rise and
progress of commerce and steam navigation on Lake Ontario
since this period, is probably without a parallel in modern
times.
The principal forwarding business was done by Archibald
Fairfield, who owned two small vessels on the lake, and Messrs.
Sharpe & Vaughn, who owned a small vessel of about fifty
tons, called the Jane. Onondaga salt, formed then, as now,
an important item in the commercial business of Oswego.
Mr. McNair engaged in the forwarding business, in 1803,
bought the schooner Jane, and changed her name to Peggy.
A portion of the goods and merchandize arriving at Oswego,
was shipped by British vessels, owned at Kingston and by
the North-Western Fur Company, a branch of the Hudson
OSWEGO. 381
Bay Company, who then owned several fine vessels, and the
greatest number on the lake. Kingston, Toronto, Niagara
and Queenston, were flourishing villages, while Oswego had
but six or seven families, Genesee two or three log cabins
and Lewiston about as many more. All the trade, goods
and merchandize down the Oswego River, had to be unloaded
at the upper landing at Oswego Falls, and carted a mile,
while the boats were either drawn around the falls or returned.
Sometimes however, a larger class of boats received the mer-
chandize and carried it on to Oswego ; these last were not
calculated for the navigation above the falls. In 1804, Mr.
Wilson, a government contractor, built a fine schooner of
ninety tons called the Fair American ; in the fall and winter
of the same year, Mr. McNair built another of fifty tons,
called the Linda, and very soon after, with other gentlemen,
purchased a number of Canadian vessels. At this period,
no custom house had been established. All commercial inter-
course was free, no licences were required or ships papers to
be verified by oath. The keen scented custom house officer
had not yet smelt out the valuable and growing commerce of
the great lakes.
In 1808, Messrs. Eckford and Bergh, built a government
vessel, the Brig Oneida, mounting sixteen twenty-four pound
carronades, which was launched in the spring of 1809. Lieut.
Woolsey commanded at the station and superintended the build-
ing ; J. Fennimore Cooper and Thomas Gamble were stationed
here at the time, and were midshipmen under him.
In 1809, Messrs McNair & Co., built a fine schooner, and
in 1810, another. The same year, the House of Bronson &
Co., built one, and Porter Barton & Co., another. These ves-
sels ranged from eighty to one hundred tons burthen. Several
other vessels were built between this time and the breaking
out of the war of 1812.
Upon the declaration of war, in 1812, the United States
judged it not only prudent, but wise, to increase the naval
force upon the lakes. The only vessel on Lake Ontario at
382 ONONDAGA,
this period was the brig Oneida, commander Lieut. Woolsey,
and not a solitary one on Lake Erie.
At the commencement of the struggle, the American arms
had been unsuccessful on the ■western frontier ; but upon the
water, every where victorious. In October, 1812, Commo-
dore Chauncey, with a body of seamen, arrived at Sackett's
Hai'bor, for the purpose of carrying out the designs of the
government, relative to the establishment of a naval arma-
ment upon the lakes. He instantly purchased every trading
vessel, capable of being fitted up for the service and ordered
Lieut. Elliott to organize a naval force upon Lake Erie. His
preparations proceeded with great rapidity, and by the 10th
of November, considered himself capable of contending with
the whole British squadron, which then consisted of the Roy-
al George, of twenty-six guns. Earl Moira, eighteen guns,
Prince Regent, eighteen guns, Duke of Gloucester, fourteen
guns, Tarento, fourteen guns, Governor Simcoe, twelve guns.
The force of Commodore Chauncey erected in this short space
of time, was composed of the Oneida, sixteen guns, in which
himself sailed. Governor Tompkins, Lieut. Brown, six guns ;
Growler, Lieut. Mix, five guns ; Conquest, Lieut. Elliott, two
guns. Port Arundle, two guns, and the Julia Trant, carry-
ing one thirty^two pounder, making in all, thirty-two guns.
Being on the whole, a force much inferior to that of the enemy.
In a cruise soon after. Commodore Chauncey fell in with
the Royal George, at the Bay of Quinte. After a short re-
sistance she ran under the protection of the batteries on shore,
from whence she could not be drawn out. During this cruise
a British schooner was captured, which had on board twelve
thousand dollars in specie, and the baggage of General Brock,
and Captain Brock, a brother of the General, was made a
prisoner. The prize was safely carried into Sackett's Harbor.
The new ship of war Madison was launched at the Harbor,
on the 26th of November. The winter soon after closed in
and put an end to all further naval incidents for the season.
In 1813, was built at Oswego a large floating battery de-
signed for the lake service, and was dignified with the name,
OSWEGO. 383
" Cooper's Ark." Soon after its completion, it started for
Saekett's Harbor, and on its way, during an unexpected and
violent storm, went to pieces, and all was lost.
During the winter powerful exertions were made by both
the English and Americans to secure the supremacy on the
lake. And in the spring a formidable naval armanent was
arrayed on either side, and an interesting contest ensued be-
tween two skilful naval officers for the superiority. The Gen-
eral Pike, of twenty-two guns, and some smaller vessels had
been launched, and Commodore Chauncey was now fully equal
to his antagonist. Sir James Yoe, in point of strength. The
latter was a careful and vigilant officer, and on all occasions
avoided coming to a general action. On the contrary, to
bring him to action was the utmost Avish of Commodore Chaun-
cey, and a series of skilful movements grew out of it, unpar-
alleled in the history of naval tactics, the details of which are
too extended for our purpose.
For several years previous to the war, the fortifications at
Oswego had been suffered to go to ruin. A law was passed
by Congress, on the M of April, 1812, styled the embargo
law, which was to continue for ninety days. And soon after
another act was passed to prohibit the exportation of specie,
goods, wares and merchandize, during the continuance of the
embargo. To enforce the embargo, Captain Asa Wells, with
one company of militia, was ordered to Oswego, and during
the greater part of that year occupied what remained of Fort
Ontario.
The following July, Col. George Fleming, of Cayuga, took
the command, having under him nine companies of militia,
and made some movements towards repairing the works, which
amounted to nothing. At this time Charles B. Bristol, of
Manlius, was a large army contractor, and furnished the troops
at Oswego and other posts, with provisions. Mr. McNair, of
Oswego, was his commissary. Major Charles Moseley, Cap-
tains C. B. Bristol and Leonard Kellogg, of the riflemen, and
Captain Mulholland, of tlio artillery, with Lieutenants Me-
lancthon Smith, William Gardner, Scth Grosvener and Ilcze-
384 ONONDAGA.
kiah Ketchum, of the riflemen, and Lieutenants John Dela-
mater and Robert Cummings, of the artillery, all of Manlius
and Pompey, were ordered to Oswego, and there spent the
greater part of the season till the close of the campaign.
Several companies were present from other parts of the county,
viz : Capt. John Sprague, of Pompey ; Capts. Forbes and
Mead, from Onondaga ; Capt. Turner, of Marcellus, who died
during the summer, and Capts. Davidson and Dodge, from
Madison County. These were mostly volunteers of independ-
ent companies, some of whom volunteered for a year, and
were called to Queenston, and participated in the battle there,
on the 11th of October. In the month of November, Col.
Fleming left for home, and the command devolved upon Col.
Cleveland, of Madison County, who had just arrived with a
re-enforcement of militia. The terms of service of the militia
who had spent the summer, expired on the 1st of January,
1813, upon which they returned home, and during the next
summer the post was feebly garrisoned by new levies, who de-
pended mainly upon the naval force upon the lake for the
safety of the place.
Early in the spring of 1814, in anticipation of an attack
upon Oswego, Col. Mitchell was dispatched by General Brown
from Sackett's Harbor, with four companies of heavy and one
of light artillery, serving as infantry, with orders to occupy
and defend the old fort at the mouth of the river, so long as
would be consistent with the more important duty of covering
the naval stores at the falls. For the advancement of the pro-
ject of creating a superior naval force upon Lake Ontario, a
large amount of naval and military stores had been concentra-
ted at^ Oswego falls, waiting a fair opportunity to be conveyed
to Sackett's Harbor, the principal place of shipbuilding. In
obedience to these orders. Col. Mitchell began his march and
arrived at Oswego on the 30th of April. Finding the fort
in no condition for defense, with its stockade much broken
down and decayed, and only five rusty iron guns, two of which
had lost their trunions, and all without sufiicient carriages,
the Colonel had barely time to supply some of these defects,
OSWEGO. 385
when on the morning of the 5th of May, the British fleet con-
sisting of four ships, three brigs and a number of gun boats
appeared oft" the harbor. At one o'clock, P. M,, the Larger
vessels took a position for battering the fort, and soon after
opened upon it a heavy fire. At this time there were but three
or four small guns at Fort Ontario, and a one gun battery, on
the west side of the river, all of which were in a most miser-
able condition. The fire was returned with much spirit from
the fort and a battery on the beach. The firing on the part
of the British was evidently made to ascertain the strength of
the American garrison. After making considerable display
and doing some trivial damage without loss of life, the British
fleet hauled off". Early the next morning they again appeared
before the fort in nearly the same order as before, only a little
nearer the land, and opened a brisk cannonade, which lasted
near two hours. The little means of defense at the disposal
of the Americans Avas put in active requisition, but the artil-
lery being in such miserable condition was soon disabled by
use, except one twelve pounder. The firing from the British
was mainly directed to the woods surrounding the fort and vil-
lage, with the evident design of deterring the inhabitants of
the adjacent country from coming in to oppose the landing.
At that time, all East Oswego was a forest except around the
fort. Some idea may be formed of the cannonading, from the
fact that one individual gathered and sold to the United States,
a few weeks afterwards, about five tons of 18, 24 and 32
pound shot. About half past twelve o'clock, the enemy com-
menced a heavy fire of grape shot, under the cover of which,
a portion of the British force with General Drummond at their
head, effected a landing on the beach below the fort. Anoth-
er party consisting of sailors and marines under Capt. Mul-
caster. landed under the high bank in front of the gate of fort
Ontario. A third party landed on a high point north-east of
the fort. This latter party were unfortunate, inasmuch as sev-
eral were killed by the grape from the fleet, Avhich fell short
of the mark. Mulcaster's party rushed up the steep bank
under the muzzle of the redoubtable twelve pounder, the only
b25
386 ONONDAGA.
gun in condition for use, which continued to pour forth its
warnings to the last. As the British sailors reached the top
of the bank on which it was mounted, tAvo American sailors
were ramming down another charge. The two or three other
volunteers who had been managing the gun fled within the gate
as the red coats sprang upon the bank in front. One of the
men at the muzzle also effected his escape, but the other, an
old tar, insisted on having another shot. He was surrounded
by the enemy, who had possession of the gun, yet he seized
the linstock and struggled hard to fire the piece. The British
sailors not desirous of killing so gallant a man, seized and drag-
ged him away from the battery by main strength, rejoicing
that they were in possession of so brave a prisoner. The old
fellow however escaped the following night by stratagem. As
Capt. Mulcaster's party entered the gate of the fort, a few
men who had been engaged on the parapets, fled over the walls
on the opposite side.
The British now in full possession, instantly wheeled to the
north-west bastion, Avhere stood the flag-staff" to which Col.
Mitchell had nailed the stars and stripes. Two men success-
ively attempted to climb the staff for the purpose of cutting
off the flag. The fugitives from the opposite wall shot them
off. Capt. Mulcaster himself, then sprang up the staff and
ere his hand touched the fatal prize, fell pierced by three
balls. The fourth man was more successful, and bore it to the
ground.
Capt. Mulcaster, although he lived several years, never re-
covered from the effects of his terrible wounds. Col. Mitch-
ell, finding further opposition at the fort useless, and that any
further attempt to defend it would jeopard the naval stores
at the falls, determined in the spirit of his orders to retire
upon that point and avail himself of the defiles it presented.
Nor Avas this determination executed with less coolness and
courage than it was formed ; every foot of ground being well
contested with the head of the British column for half an
hour, after which no further annoyance was given to the re-
treat. Col. Mitchell on his way to the falls, destroyed the
OSWEGO. 387
bridges and filled the roads with timber. The British were
sadly disappointed in finding that the principal stores had
been removed to the falls, and that their only booty comprised
a few barrels of pork, whiskey and salt, which poorly compen-
sated them for the loss of two hundred and thirty men killed
and wounded. The American loss was reported at sixty men
killed and wounded.
After the battle was over, several of the citizens of Oswego
were taken prisoners and held as hostages, for fear the Ameri-
cans would wantonly kill the straggling soldiers of the Brit-
ish. Among these were Mr. Bronson, Mr. Beach, P. D. Hu-
gunin and Matthew McNair ; and on the whole the British
were not remarkably civil, for while these gentlemen were de-
tained as hostages at the fort without comfortable refresh-
ments, the British officers feasted themselves upon the fowls
obtained from McNair's roost.
A vast amount of provisions and salt were thrown into the
river by order of Col. Mitchell, and one vessel on board of
which were naval stores, was sunk. After making all the de-
struction of property in their power, before daylight on the
followinf' morning the British unceremoniously decamped.
This attack upon Oswego created a great alarm through-
out the country at the time, and the militia flocked there in
great force, but arrived too late to render assistance.
The alarms of war had now ceased upon our frontier, and
quiet again reigned in the land. But it took several years for
the villages along the lines to regain their wonted prospei'ity.
A small grist mill and saw mill was built by Forman &
Brackett, at the falls, in 1809. Those were the first mills
erected in later times, on the Oswego River, although it has
been often stated (and was probably true) that small mills had
been put in ojjeratiou by the English during their occupancy
of Oswego, about the year 1750.
Mr. James Lyon was the only forwarding merchant at the
upper landing, till after the war, and Falley & Crocker at the
lower landing. Through these two houses, was transacted all
the commerce which passed Oswego, by way of the river.
388 ONONDAGA.
The salmon fishery at the falls, formed an important busi-
ness. Hundreds of barrels of these delicious fish, were an-
nually taken, and found their way to a foreign market. An
experienced fisherman would sometimes take them as fast as
he could ply his spear. Since the erection of the State dam,
they have not visited the waters of the Oswego. With
the construction of the Oswego Canal, died the forwarding
and carrying business at the falls; but the village of Fulton
has since grown up, and contains several dry good stores, five
houses for public worship, three extensive grist mills, several
saw mills, and an almost unlimited water power. A wealthy
company has lately secured the valuable privileges on the west
side of the river, and contemplate soon to improve them, and con-
sidering what has been done at this place, within the last five
years, it would be nothing unwarrantable, to predict, that at no
very distant day, it will be connected with Oswego, and altogeth-
er become one of t he greatest manufacturing places in the world.
The county of Oswego was organized in 1816, taken from
the counties of Onondaga and Oneida. The towns of Oswego,
Hannibal and Granby on the Avest side of the river, were a
part of the iMilitary Tract in Onondaga County, including the
original township of Hannibal and thirty-three lots from the
north part of Lysander. The towns east of the river wert^
from Oneida County, constituting a portion of " Scriba's
Patent." These lands were originally granted to Nicholas
Roosevelt, of New-York, who not complying with the terms
.of sale, they were sold to George Scriba, a native of Germany,
and at that time a merchant of New-York. A part of the
lands included in Scriba's Patent were jointly purchased by
Gen. Alexander Hamilton, John Lawrence and John B.
Church. Several distinct grants Avere made along the bank
of the river from the falls, of from two hundred to fourteen
hundred acres each. The state also reserved a tract half a
mile wide and a mile long, securing the water power at the
Oswego Falls, which was afterwards sold out.
Further up the river is the village of Phoenix, in the town
of Schroeppel, about a mile or mile and a half below Three-
OSWEGO. 389
River-Point, and about fourteen miles north of Syracuse.
This is a flourishing village, with about nine hundred inhabi-
tants, and forms a sort of connecting link between Syracuse,
Fulton and Oswego.
In the Oswego River opposite to the village, is an island
called Baldwin's Island, and is owned by Harvey Baldwin,
Esq., of Syracuse. It contains, or rather the two contain
(being separated by a narrow channel) about ten acres of
land. There is a tradition extant, that at the time the French
Colony was broken up at Onondaga, in 1656-7, the colonists
pursuing their course down the river, and the Indians being
in full pursuit, the fugitives took refuge on this island, and
after relieving their boats of a small brass cannon, emptied
the contents of their military chest, (as the tradition goes)
containing a quantity of gold, which was buried in the sand,
and from thence they immediately fled down the river to Oswego,
and thence across the lake to Canada. Repeated attempts
have been made to recover the cannon and also to secure the
gold, but hitherto without eff'ect.
Excavations are continued even to this day to secure these
hidden treasures.
The employment of steam for purposes of navigation com-
menced on Lake Ontario, in 1816. In that year, the steam-
boat Ontario, Capt. J. Mallaby, of four hundred tons, was
built at Sackett's Harbor, and coiTimenced running in the
spring of 1817, being the first built upon the lakes. Gen.
Jacob Brown, Com. M. T. Woolsey, Hooker & Crane, Charles
Smith, Erie Lusher and Elisha Camp, proprietors. She was
the first vessel built Avest of the Hudson propelled by steam,
and the first sea vessel of the kind built in the country. At
the time, her construction was considered an experiment and
an enterprise of the first magnitude. She was received on
her first trip to Oswego by the people, with the most extrava-
gant rejoicings, which continued during the whole night and
till the boat left for Niagara tlie following day. She en-
grossed the attention of the whole people, and excited their
wonder and admiration. The steamer Frontenac, of seven
390 ONONDAGA.
hundred tons, was built by some Canadian gentlemen, in 1817.
Her machinery was imported from England.
In 1818, the Sophia, of seventy-five tons, was built at Sack-
etts Harbor, and ran between that place and Kingston, com-
manded by S. Thurston. In 1823, the Martha Ogden, Capt.
D. Ried, one hundred and fifty tons, was built at Sacketts
Harbor, under the directions of Albert Crane, Esq., of Os-
wego, which formed the line of American Steamers, till 1830,
when the Brownville, of one hundred and fifty tons, Capt. N.
Johnson, was set afloat. After these, followed the Charles
Carroll, 100 tons, Capt. D. Howe, built in 1831 ; Paul Pry,
50 tons, Capt. E. Lusher, 1831 ; United States, 450 tons,
Capt. Joseph Whitney, 1832; Black Hawk. 100 tons, after-
wards the Dolphin, 1833; Wm. Avery, 200 tons, Capt.
Vaughn, 1833; Oswego, 400 tons, Capt. Evans, 1834; Onei-
da, 300 tons, Capt. Child, 1836 ; Telegraph, 200, Capt. Ma-
son, 1837 ; John Marshall, 60 tons, Capt. J. F. Tyler, 1838 ;
St. Lawrence, 450 tons, J. Van Cleve, 1839 ; Express, 150
tons, Capt. H. N. Throop, 1839 ; Geo. Clinton, 100 tons,
Capt. Chapman, 1841 ; President, 60 tons, Capt. Isaac Green,
1841 ; Lady of the Lady, 450 tons, Capt. S. H. Hoag, 1842 ;
Rochester, 400 tons, Capt. H. N. Throop, 1843; Niagara, 746
tons, Capt. R. F. Child, 1845 ; Cataract, 620 tons, Capt. J.
Van Celve. 1847.
Besides these, have been launched upon the lake, numerous
sloops and schooners, cutters, &c., Avhich are doing an im-
mense business on the lakes, through the Welland Canal.
Messrs. Brunson and Morgan, erected the first mills at Os-
wego, in 1820, with five run of stone, Mr. Henry Fitzhugh,
built the second mill with six run of stone, in 1830, and Messrs.
Gerritt Smith and Richard L. De Zeng another ; soon after,
these were severally burned down and rebuilt. The Oswego
Canal was completed, 1.826-27, which opened an avenue to
trade, which has been vastly improved by the erection of fac-
tories and mills, carried by the surplus water. Mr. Varrick's
ditch, completed in 1834, one of the most extensive and val-
uable improvements for Oswego, bears upon its banks, on the
OSWEGO. 391
west side of the river, a great amount of manufacturing and
mill machinery, whicli adds very much to the business opera-
tions of the place.
Wonderful improvements have been made within the last
few years, in the construction of machinery for mills, at Os-
wego, and a single run of stone will turn out from one hun-
dred to one hundred and fifty barrels of flour, daily. Many
of the improved mills, have a separate water-wheel for every
run, which expedites the process of manufacturing flour, be-
yond anything of former invention. The spacious store-
houses, with their grain elevators, unloading a vessel contain-
ing thirty thousand bushels of wheat in a few hours, are
truly a wonder of the age.
Considerable additions have been made to the Oswefro flour-
ing mills during the past year. The mill of Henry Wright,
on the Varrick Canal, west side, is capable of manufacturing
four hundred barrels of superfine flour, daily, and his machines
for cleaning, screening and separating impurities, are decided
improvements upon any hitherto in use. The new mill of
Messrs. Mills, Whitney & Co., up the river, has five run of
stone, and his water power is improved, directly from the river.
Messrs. Merrick, Davis & Co., have just put in operation a
new and improved mill, with eight run of stone, capable of
manufacturing over eight hundred barrels of flour, daily.
The City of Oswego has now the facilities and power to
manufacture more flour than any place on the globe, and prob-
able does, independent of the mills at Fulton situated ten miles
above, Avhere this branch of business is rapidly increasing.
The great Pier at Oswego was commenced in 1827 and com-
pleted in 1830, by Messrs. Mc'Nair and Hatch, and has
since been annually improved by government agents, and now
afi'ords ample protection to the harbor.
The old light house, built on the north side of the fort, was
first lit up in 1822. The new one was erected on the pier in
1836, and first lit up in 1837. Mr. Steele has been their only
keeper.
Oswego was incorporated as a village, 14th of March, 1828,
392 ONOXUAGA.
the first village meeting was held in the school house, 13th day
of May, 1828, and Alvin Bronson chosen President, and Dan-
iel Hugunin, jr., George Fisher, Nathaniel Vilas, jr., David
P. Brewster, Theophilus S. Morgan, Joseph Turner and Orlo
Steele, Trustees.
Oswego contains now, 1848, about li^,000 inhabitants, 10
ministers of the gospel, 20 lawyers, 14 physicians, and trades-
men, millers, mechanics, machinists, &c., unnumbered. It re-
ceived its Charter as a City, in the spring of 1848.
It was our design at the commencement to have given a far
more extended notice of modern Oswego, than here appears,
but having greatly exceeded our limits in giving the interest-
ing details of events previous to the settlement of the country,
we reluctantly dismiss the subject, leaving those who shall suc-
ceed, to complete that important portion of its history.
CONCLUSION.
Gentle Reader ; these sketches and reminiscences have
been prolonged to an unwarrantable length. Imperfect from
the nature of things we know them to be. Correctness and
truth have been aimed at throughout every part : if these have
been departed from, it arises from false information, not from
a desire to mislead, or underrate, or overdraw. If they have
been the means of affording you the slightest gratification, the
object of the author is accomplished. Sixty years have rolled
around, since the first permanent white settlement was made
within our borders ; sixty years have added their periods to the
flight of time, since the ax of civilization has been successfully
applied to the tree of barbarism in this land ; sixty years have
gone by, and the face of things is entirely changed. What
unlooked for events in the great wheel of human life shall rise
before another sixty years shall succeed, it would be in vain
for us to inquire. But when that remote period shall come,
not one of us, not one of our children now on earth, except
as a gray and wrinkled relic of the past, shall be found among
the living. Our hills then, as now, will catch the first glim-
merings of the morning, and the last rays of evening will linger
on their bald and ragged brows, — but of all that our hands
have wrought, and our hearts have loved, not a vestige will
remain as we now behold it. What future good or ill, what
storms of civil violence may pass over this land, we know not;
but so may we live, that the inheritance we have received, of
freedom, truth, intelligence, virtue and faith, may be handed
down unspotted, to those who shall succeed us.
END OF VOL. II.
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