Annals and recollections of Oneida County

Front matter

ARY

3 1833 02411 9015

Gc 974.701 0n2j Jones, Pomroy

Preface

i 1 oo<;7j

It is now sixty-seven years since James Dean and Hugh White became permanent settlers in Oneida County. Although lectures have been delivered, and half century sermons preached, containing valuable reminiscences of particular localities ; yet the great body of the county has had little done for the preservation of its annals.

During a protracted illness of his father in 1838, while the Author's attendance was required near the sick bed, he wrote a few chapters of early incidents, which were published. At the time, the Author was strongly solicited to write an extended and connected history of the County. His duties, as a member of the County courts, and to his family, then prevented it. After the adoption of our present Constitution, by which one, instead of five Judges, was made to constitute and hold those court's, — the Author was left free from his public duties, and he at once set about collecting the materials for the following work.

When commencing, if he could have foreseen the amount of labor with which he was about to tax himself, possibly he

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FREFACE.

might have quailed ; but the pleasure experienced in Lis researches^ added to the little native perseverance he possessed, entirely precluded the idea of an abandonment of his purpose.

It has been endeavored to have every portion correct. In all instances, the most accurate information has been sought. It is not, however, to be presumed but that minor inaccuracies are contained in the work. There has been frequently a very great discrepancy in the relation of the same transactions, by different individuals : and it has been no slight task to reconcile these different statements ; but in most cases the Author has been enabled to do so, to his own satisfaction.

In relation to the military operations that occurred during the Revolutionary contest, there is a very great diversity in the statements made by different Authors. Col. Marinus Willett, a prominent actor in these operations, published a iiarrative detailing them, soon after the close of the war. This narrative has been considered the best evidence, as to the matters it contains. He was an eye witness, and wrote them out while fresh in his memory, while other authors have but compiled the recollections of men far advanced in life, or the still more unreliable evidence of tradition.

The Author has found himself too late by a quarter of a century, in looking up the materials for a full and perfect notice of " Men and events," in the early settlement of the County. Even since he commenced, death has closed many

PREFACE.

V.

lips, from which much valuable information was expected. An interview was had with the late Philo White, youngest son of Judge White, the pioneer of Whitestown, and valuable information elicited and notes taken. Another interview was promised ; but ere it was had — his tongue was forever silent !

Joseph Blackmer, Esq., one of the earliest settlers of the County, and whose obituary will be found in the history of Westmoreland, a man of great observation and memory, and whose recollections of the early days of Oneida were more perfect and vivid than that of almost any other individual, and to whom it was intended to apply, was in his grave before the opportunity was had !

L}'dia Parkman, a maiden lady, who moved into Y\restmoreland in 1790, and whose memory was such that her mind was a perfect record of whatever came to her notice in the first half century of her residence, died the past winter, aged seventy-five ! The distance to her residence was so brief, that it was supposed that whatever she could impart, could be had at almost any time; and while looking to more distant sources, " the wheel was broken at the cistern," and this vast reservoir was beyond our reach.

These cases are but mentioned to show how fast all that is unwritten is being lost. A oumpiler, twenty-five years hence, would find little left but vague and unreliable tradition.

Much aid has been rendered by very many individuals in

PREFACE.

different towns in the County. The names of Amos 0. Osborn, Esq., of Sangerfield, William C. Brewster, of Annsville, and Clift French, Esq., of Western, should be mentioned, who left but little to be done for their towns, other than arranging and transcribing their manuscripts.

The names of all his friends, who have kindly furnished valuable information, would swell the list too long for this place ; they will please accept our most grateful acknowledgements.

Joshua V. H. Clark, Esq., of Manlius, very politely gave permission to transcribe from his rich history of Onondaga, all that was requested, relative to Oneida County.

The two lectures of William Tracy, Esq., before the Young Men's Association, of Utica, containing :c Notices of Men and Events in Oneida County," comprised much that is valuable and useful, and rendered essential aid.

Hon. 0. S. Williams delivered two lectures to the Clinton Lyceum, on the history of that place, which have been of great use in preparing the notices of Kirkland.

The Rev. Dr. Asahel S. Norton, of Clinton, preached a Thanksgiving sermon ; the Rev. Israel Brainard, of Verona, a New Year's sermon ; the Rev. Messrs. Walter R. Long of the Presbyterian, and Jireh D. Cole, of the Baptist church of Whitestown, and 0. Bartholomew, of Augusta, half century sermons, that contained valuable statistics of the towns where delivered. The addresses, and a portion of the sermons have been published, and those not published, the

PREFACE. VII.

authors have kindly furnished their manuscripts, which have essentially lightened the labors of compiling the annals for those towns.

A native of Oneida County, born in the year 1789, and not once having changed his place of residence — his own recollections of the earlier and later times in the County, has enabled the Author, as he believes, to a&d something to the interest of the book.

The work has been extended to a much greater length than was at first anticipated ; for as the compilation progressed, materials have accumulated entirely beyond our expectations. This necessarily has caused delay. Other causes, over which the Author and Publisher had no control, unnecessary, and perhaps improper to be mentioned here, have effected further delay ; but at length every obstacle has been surmounted, and the public have the results of years spent in the research.

It is believed no higher desire need be extended to the readers, than that each will derive as much pleasure from the perusal, as has been experienced in the compilation.

THE AUTHOR*

Lairdsville, 1851.

Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Page t.

Terra Incognita, or unknown land— all of the country west of Albany. Formation of Counties and Towns, including and included in Oneida County. Tryon county, changed to Montgomery, Its limits defined. Whitestown and its boundaries. Town of Chemung. Ontario, Tioga, Otsego and Herkimer Counties. Onondaga County formed. Oneida County formed; its boundaries. Three terms of Common Pleas and General Sessions. The Towns ' in Oneida County in 1801. Jefferson and Lewis Counties formed, Oswego County formed. Formation of all the towns in the County, up to the present time.

Chapter II

ONEIDA COUNTY. Pagk 14.

Its location, latitude and longitude. The courses of the streams of water that drain the several sections of the county. Geolog}'. Minerals. Elections. Town Meetings in Whitestown. Courts, &.c. Judges of Common Pleas and County Courts. Tables giving the votes for Governor for fifty years. A table giving the population in 1800, and each tenth year to 1850. Members of Assembly. Sheriffs and County Clerks. District Attorneys and Surrogates. Capital trials and punishments. County organizations. Political. Coxe's Patent.

Chapter III

ANNSVXLLE. Page 61.

Geology. Fish Creek and branches. Probable Lakes. Miller's Creek. Fall Brook. Its Falls. Kocks. Water Power. Furnace at Taberg. Geographical description. Soil and productions. Indians. History. Antiquities. Anecdotes of Joseph W. Bloomfield. Mr. Gere, the well-digger ; his death by the caving in of a well. Elias Brewster. Bringing the cows. A Panther. A Bear. William Lord drowned in the Bum Hole. Anecdote of going to School— and Snow in June. Names of early settlers.

X.

CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

AUGUSTA. Page 84.

Situation. Peter Smith leased New Petersburg!) . Other Patents. Oneida Reservation. First settlement of the Town, and first settlers. Anecdote of Amos Parker. Francis O'Toole. Cassety's Mills at Oriskany Falls. Washington Street. Town Organized. Name. First Town Meeting. Failure of second meeting. First and other Merchants. Presidential Electors and Members of Assembly. First death — marriage and deaths. Clergymen buried. Deaths by fire-arms. Murder by an Indian, and the murderer executed by the avenger of blood. Accidents. Academy. Large families. Elisha Shephard. Bear stories. Villages. Religious societies. First sermon. Col. Thomas Cassety.

Chapter V

AVA. Page 113.

The youngest town in the county. Ebenezer Harger the first settler. Names of early settlers. First saw-mill. Grist mill. Hardships. Head waters of the Mohawk, Black river and Fish Creek emanate from it. Is well watered. Horace Hoyt the only merchant. Lumber dealer and manufacturer of Potash. A society of Friends. Professional men. Common schools. School fund. Soils. Ponds. French road. German settlers. First supervisor.

Chapter VI

BOONVILLE. Paob 116.

Its territory first in Whitestown, then in Steuben, then in Ley den, and was organized as a town in 1805. Kortnaer first name proposed. Andrew Edmunds the first settler in 1795. First grist and saw-mlll. In 179G, large accessions to the settlement, and store and tavern erected. First death, birth and marriage. Lies elevated. Egypt. Limestone. Lumber. Canal feeder. Religious societies. Boonville village. Alder creek. Williams ville. Number of mills. First town meeting. Supervisors.

Chapter VII

BRIDGE WATER. Page 122.

Location. Bridgewater Flats. Their fertility. Head waters of the Unadilla. Line of property. Its history. Lime-stone. Coal — small vein of. Dissimilarity of the east and west hills. Joseph Farwell first settler— came in 1788. Other early settlers. First tavern. First saw-mill — store — blacksmith's shop and grist-mill. A boy captures a young bear. Religious societies — Presbyterians — Friends — Baptists— Universalists. Academy. Bridgewater Female Seminary.

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XL

Chapter VIII

CAMDEN. Page 131.

Composed of the 7th and one-half of the 8th townships of Scriba's Patent. Taken from Mexico. First town meeting. First Supervisor and town clerk. Soil. Building stone. First settler. First saw-mill. By whom raised. Early settlers. Mrs. Bacon and infant drowned ; they were the first deaths in the town. Camdeu village. West Camden. Mills. Religious societies. Incidents.

Chapter IX

DEERF1ELD. Page 139.

The east line of Oneida county. Deerfield organized. First town meeting. First settlers in 1773. Driven off by the Indians and Tories in 1776. Timely notice by an Oneida Indian. All escaped. After incidents of the first settlers during the Revolutionary war. Removed back in 1784. Soil. Deerfield hill. Deerfield corners. Religious societies. Baptists. Eld. John Leland. Methodists. North Deerfield and South Trenton Baptists. Mills.

Chapter X

FLORENCE. Pagk 14(5.

First settlement of the town. First settlers. Soil. Anecdote of a boy. Quarries. Streams of water. Organization of the town. — First town meeting. Description of the place, List of Supervisors. Florence village. Its business and tanneries. Religious societies— Congregational — Methodist — Baptist. Reminiscences. Mills.

Chapter XI

FLOYD. Page 155,

Named from Gen. Flo}^d, who owned lands in its bounds. Probably when, and by whom first settled. Early settlers in the different parts of the town. The Moulton family. Their sufferings in the Revolution. William Allen, Esq. Samuel Dyer, Esq. Anecdote of Capt. Nathan Townsend. Geology and Soil. First Deaths. Sickness. List of Supervisors. First tavern. Religious Societies and houses for public worship. Union House, erected underpeculiar articles of agreement. Baptists. Welsh Methodists. Schools. Floyd Corners. Nine-mile Creek. Obituaries of early settlers. - • - ' ' ' '

Chapter XII

KSRKLAND. Page 165.

Settlement commenced. Names of early settlers ; had visited the place the previous fall ; disagreement and settlement as to the place to commence ; their first domicils. First female who arrived. Building lots. Clearing. Washington and Clinton land-holders.

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CONTENTS.

The nearest mill. Going to mill. Saw mill. First religious meeting. Contentment. Death by drowning of Miss Tuttle, Thomas Faneher killed by a falling tree. Mercy Stebbins, third death. First marriages. First birth. Accessions. Famine in 1789. Relief by Isaac Paris. First framed houses and barns. Thomas Hart. Bears. Local names. Dreaming match. Hart's store robbed. Religious Societies. Geology. Manchester. Hamilton Oneida Academy. Hamilton College. A. M.Stowe's address. Biography of Samuel Kirkland. Notice of Moses Foote. Jesse Curtiss and his obituary; his ancient Bible.

Chapter XIII

LEE. Page 225.

First settlement and settlers of the town. Ideas of the Connecticut people of its location. Patents. Its territory : in what counties and towns, previous to its organization. Organized in 1811. By whom named. First town meeting. First supervisor and town clerk. List of supervisors. Soil and productions. Bears ; the two Cunninghams kill one. First death, birth and marriage. First saw and grist mill. First school-house. Course of discipline. Business. Religious societies. Schools. Early fishery. Lee Centre. Nisbet's Comers. Robert Nisbet. Delta ; its business.

CHAPTER XI Y.

MARCY. Page 237.

In 1740, an emigrant, by the name of Wilson, leaves Ireland, and comes to Connecticut, from thence to Vermont; eight of his sons in the Continental army . one of his sons the first settler in Marcy. who is soon followed by two brothers. Customs and anecdotes of the first settlers. A hunter. Healthy. Schools. Indians. Business. Religious societies. Named from Gov. Marcy, who visited the town.

Chapter XV

MARSHALL. Page 247.

Brothertown Indians. Land given them by the Oneidas. A part settled here previous to the Revolution; they mostly left just previous to that war ; Wampy and one or two others remained. Rencontre between Wampy and a hostile Indian. After peace the Indians returned; in 1831, commenced selling and removing to Green Bay. First settlement of the town by the whites. Names of some of the first settlers. Geology. Religious societies. Henrich Staring's escape from the Indians at this place; his Yankee pass and decision. Villages. Addenda. Book of Indian records discovered, Clerks. Lands assigned to them. Their town meetings. By-laws, Fugitive slaves. Proceedings in a treaty with the western Indians., Inscription on grave stones.

CONTENTS. xill.

CHAPTER XVI. NEW HARTFORD. pAGE 272

The settlement of the town was commenced in 1788 by Col. Sanger* moved his family the next spring ; he built the first saw and grist mill. Names of early settlers in different parts of the town. Construction of the Seneca turnpike in 1800 ; one cause of rapid growth ; its prosperity for a time, injured by the construction of the Erie Canal. Present business of the village. First child born. Religious societies. Incidents in relation to Mr. Johnson's ordination. First house for public worship in the county. Biography of Judge Sanger. Gen. Oliver Collins. Manufactures. Mills.

CHAPTER XVII. PARIS. pAGE 268

First settler and settlers in the town. Congregational Church in 1791 . Mr. Steele; his epitaph; persecutions of, in Shay's war. A chapter of crime. Monuments in the Paris Hill Cemetery. George Stanton burned in his house. Episcopalian Church at Paris Hill. Sauquoit ; first settlement of this section. Names of the early settlers. Incident in the life of Kirkland Griffin. Benjamin Merrills. First store and tavern. - Methodist and Union Presbyterian societies. Cassville; first settlers ; its churches. Business on the Sauquoit Creek ; a reminiscence of the supposed capability of the stream. Col. Gardner Avery; his obituary. Of Edward Scoville* Mills.

Chapter XVIII

REMSEN. Page 304.

Location, streams of water, soil and productions. Geology, rocks and minerals. From whom named. Patents. New stimulants for the settling of the north part of the town. First settlement, in 1792, by Barnabas Mitchell. Hardships. Reinforced in 1793. First death and birth. Arrival of W elsh emigrants in 1808 ; their characteristics. Religious societies. Schools. Remsen village ; its first settlement; its present business. Intemperance and temperance, Rechabite tent. Mills. First town meeting in 1798. List of supervisors. Obituary of John G. Jones.

Chapter XIX

ROME. Page 312.

Ancient carrying-place, with the Dutch and Indian names; first notice of it ; tradition. Fort Bull. Fort Williams ; destroyed by Gen. Webb. Itinerary ; description of the country. Pitt. Fort Stanwix erected. Roof and Brodock ; obituary of the former. In 1776, the fort repaired; in 1777, St. Leger sent to take it; invests it; events during the siege. Oriskany battle; Willett's sortie; death of Herkimer. Arnold arrives at Fort Dayton. Han Yost Schuyler. Siege raised. Various reminiscences. First settlement of the town. Early settlers. Old canal. Peter Colt. George Huntington. War of 1812. United States arsenal. Erie CanaL Syracuse and Utica rail-road. Academy. Schools. Religious societies. Old newspaper. Obituaries of Ebenezer Wright and Edward Potter. Addenda.

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CONTENTS.

Chapter XX

SANGER FIELD. Page 401

Number 20 of the twenty townships. Surveyed in 1769. Purchased 1790. First settler, Zerah Phelps, in 1792. Names of early settlers. A freshet. Early frost. Accident to Mr. Clark. Firstborn, a female. Included in Paris. Alarm from the Indians. Amusing Indian anecdote. First born male. Col. Norton. First marriage 1793 favorable. Large reinforcement of emigrants. Great use of bake kettles. First store. In 1795, the town of Sangerfield organized. First town meeting. First supervisor. First post office. Number of taxable inhabitants in 1796. The first physician. In 1798, Chenango County formed, including Sangerfield. In 1804, sot to Oneida. Religious societies. Newspapers. Location. Geology. Streams of water. Villages. Murder of Benjamin White. List of supervisors. Obituary.

Chapter XXI

STEUBEN. Page 428.

Organized in 1792. First town meeting near Fort Stanwix. In 1796, Rome and Floyd taken from it; and, in 1796, Western and Leyden. Elevated location. Steuben and Star's hill. Rocks. First settlers. First birth and marriage. Biography of Baron Steuben ; anecdotes of the Baron; the Baron's grave. Wonderful occurrence. No tavern. Longevity. Religious societies. Printing office.

Chapter XXII

TRENTON. Page 449.

First settler. Oldenbarneveld. Mr. Boon, agent for the Holland Laud Company. Service's Patent. Anecdote of Peter Smith'. Destruction of "the Johnson papers. Col. Mappa and Dr. Vanderkemp. Hardships at Oldenbarneveld. Other early settlers. First saw and grist mill. First town meeting. Geology. Agriculture. Trenton Falls. Moonlight Reveries. Accidents at the FalK Cavern. Villages. Holland's Patent ; its history. Religious societies.. Biography. Dr. Guiteau. Dr. Vanderkemp.

Chapter XXIII

UTICA. Pag it 486.

Earliest mention of its site. Indian name, Fort Schuyler. Notice of in Edinburgh Encyclopedia. Survey of Cosby's Manor. Notice of early settlers. Uriah and William Alverson ; the Moreys ; Francis Foster; Silyea ; Joseph Soule ; James S. Kip; Stephen Potter; John Post, the first merchant ; John Cunningham ; Jacob Christman ; Mrs. Petrie. Anecdotes of Saucy Nick and Brant. In 1794 inhabitants of. Dr. Carrington ; Peter Bellinger ; John BelliDger. First Bridge in 1792. Names and Notices of many of the promi! nent settlers and inhabitants. Amount of Taxes in 1800. Titles of the land. John Bradstreet. Western Sentinel. Whitestown Gazette and Cato's Patrol. Columbian Gazette. Erie canal. Packets,

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XV.

Missionary tour of J ohn Taylor. Meetings in behalf of the Greeks and Poles. Letter of LaFayette. Meeting of Abolitionists. Counter meeting. Record of prominent events. History of the corporation. Population at different periods. Churches. Institutions, Associations, Companies. &c, &c. New York State Lunatic Asylum. Forest Hill Cemetry. Banks. Globe mills. Steam cotton mills. Waterworks. Gasworks. Ancient Britons' Society. Mechanics'Associations. Schools. Academy. Female Seminary. Common Schools. Secret Societies.