History of the town of Conesus, Livingston Co., N.Y.

Introduction

^|||PJ|HIS volume is designed to be a his- Js#% toi'y of the Town of Conesus, and to jjt-ij'/' t gather up the fading memorials of the J past, and transmit them to the gene-

rations that will succeed us. A dozen years more, and a faithful history of the town can not be written, simply because the most of our pioneers will be gathered to the home of their fathers, and as there is no effort being made to preserve their recollection.^, they will soon pass into oblivion.

This history — I must say — has been under my consideration since the year of 1868. x\t that time, I gathered together many sketches of the past, from those that have gone before us. These, I have preserved, while at the .same time, have added other items with them,, and now present the whole to you, for your kimi con.sideration.

This volume, which now goes before the public, is a simple record, woven from .such material as could be gathered after no little labor, though in a manner somewhat desultory. Fidelity to truth, and justice to the character of individuals, has been my conscientious aim. It has been my intention not to give anything in this work, to reflect upon the charactor of persons, or hurt the feelings of their descendants. Should there be an instance of that kind in the book, I humbley ask their pardon from unintentionly doing them an injury.

When I connnenced this work, it was only my intention to give a simple history of the events of the town. But as I advanced, I was requested by a number of the town's people, to include a chapter of the different families of the town. So, after due consideration, I consented, and prepared one, and give it in the back part of this book. This is not complete in every respect, for a perfect one would make a volume of itself. But what I have given, is mostly from my memory, or from items 1 have come across from time to time, and in many instances may be — from the source they are obtained, — incorrect.

Nearly two years I have been engaged in preparing this book. I would have you bear in mind, that within this time, I have set every letter, transposed every line, formed them into pages, printed them from presses of my own make ; and therefore, without doubt, there may be many mistakes, words spelled wrong, sentences discomposed, and many other typographical errors (as most of the

THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.

work has been done after dark, aud a hard days hibor on the " ()ld ftirm,") yet it will give a history of our early pioneers, and hold their names in the memory of the living, for years to come.

ACKNOVVLEDGEiMEMT^^.

I would express my deep obligations to all who have so kindly seconded my eiforts by correspondence, words of encouragement, and personal assistance.

To Messrs Bigelow & Brothers of Buffalo, N. Y., (Publishers,) for their kindness in allowing me the privilege of publishing the Journal of Major Norris on Sullivan's Campaign, found in this book.

To Frank P. Shafer, for loan of papers and for other information from records kept by him.

To my father — Hiram Boyd — for papers and statements taken in 1860. from the pioneers then living.

To the Town Clerks for the year of 1S84, and '85, for the privilege of searching the Town Clerk's office for records, and loan of books.

To my wife, — Mary R. Boyd — for her assistance in the publication of this work. Aud in conclusion, I can but express the hope that the perusal of these pages may afford others as much pleasure, as their preparation and publication have afforded me.

WILLIAM P. BOYD, CoNESus, Jan. 1, 1887

Ill iisf ill Of iiiiiiii.

CHAPTER 1. §he §e^ct;iiiUon of th^ §awn

•' ;ir7:^^NESUS is a small townshi]), in tho

. (f^. oastcrn part of Livingston County, N. i' ' "■■ . V. I'ciuided on the nortli by Livo-

' ;• " nia : o;ist I13' (^iiiadice, 'Ontario (!n.); south by Si>riiig\\ater and Sparta; wpst by (xrovelnnd, and contains an area of nearly six miles square, or t':i;rty-six square miles, with almost tweuty-tl.ousand acres of fine agricultural lands, and a ] opulation in 1884 of about 1800 human souls.

The surface is broken by ranges of hills, with valleys running north and south across its surface. The largest of these hills, are the .Marrowback in the eastern part of the town. This range of hills is very steep upon its eastern slope, and along the shore of the Hemlock Lake is covered with tiuiber, which is fast giving away to the strong arm of civilization in being converted into " Summer Resort," by tourists from the small villages in Western New York. The western slope is not so steep, and the soil is of a clayish loam, and furnishes some of the finest grazing lands, that are found in the State.

Marrowback Hills derived its name in the following singular way. In the early days of the town, the settlers had for amusement, general trainings, lasting several days at a time.

One of these gala days as being lield near the present village of liivonia (Centre : and among the artistic sports, they formed a ring, and in the same, placed two of their most noted wrestlers, in "hors-de-combat." Oneof these lived near I^ima, the other was from Conesus or Marrowback hills. After a severe struggle, the man from Marrowback threw his opjMHient, and td tlie merriment of all, a gentleman in the circle clapped his hands and exclaimed ' "That man has to much marrow-in-his-back for you." The black junk bottle was then passed ariunid, and these hills were christened" Marrowback hills." In the western part is funid what is called the "Turkey hills:" running about half way across the town. This hill is quite steep as it slopes westward towards Conesus lake. Along its base is found some of the most productive lands in the town. The eastern slope is not so steep, still it is composed of a fine soil, on the top it is more of a wet nature. This range of hills, are said to have derived their name from turkeys being stolen there, by or from the early settlers. Li the south part is a large hill in form of a flat-iron, with its point extending towards the centre of the town. This hill is not very steep, except on its western slope, as it

THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.

extends towai'd the Head of the Lake flats. The soil of this hill, is of a clayish nature, and generally good for spring grain.

Through the eastern part, is a large valley, known as the Calabogue Hollow. This valley was given that name many years ago, by John C. Coe of South Livonia, N. V. His meaningwas "a heedless place." The valley is quite narrow, and extends from the south line, liowsi to Conesus Center, and intersects with another small fertile valley running to tlie nortlieni line of the town.

In the western part of the town is the Head of the Lake flats. This valley extends from Scottsburgh to Conesus Lake. The center of the valley is covered by a large swamp, which is impenetrable only in the winter or a dry summer time, and is covered with timber.

The valleys are of a black muckey loamy j soil very deep and productive for grass or grain. ;

In the center are two large gulls running from north and south east toward Conesus Lake. The north one being the largest, affords drainage for all the lands in the northern part, and th" sontli one, the same for the waters of Calab;)gUvi Hollow. These (juUs are known as the 'Mill" and "Purchase Gulls;" the s )ut]i one being the former, and the north one the latter. The Purcliase gull, is deep and narrow, and many places the banks are nearly 100 feet, perpendicular in higlith. [t took its name from the original owner, who owned a grist-mill near its center. This gull is very winding, and at its mouth, it spreads out and forms the Foot's Corners flats.

The Mill Gull, is also very deep, with high and steep banks. The narrowest place is at its head, where it spread out into the Calabogue hollow. Near the Grist-mill, the banks is nearly one hundred feet high.

These two gulls, as they verge into the head of the lake flats, run side by side for many rods forming a narrow strip of land, about sixty or seventy feet high, nearly perpendicular, with only room on top, for a single foot path, which if the weary pedestrian, should lose his foothold, would soon launch him into eternity, on the rocks below. The top of this ridge is covered with timber; clinging to what little earih, aiid crevices in the rocks that i(s roots can penetrate. At the west end is formed a flat j)iece of land about half way up, of nearly an acre in extent. Covered over with second growth timber, and to-day bears the legion of being an old Indian burying-ground. The upper end of the ridge expands out in a broad strip of flat land, towards Conesus Centi-e ; and this spot is called by the town people "Hogback."

The rocks of these gulls are of a shallow slate which crumbles freely when exposed to the air. Thev are lined with layers of black stone, which is highly pregnated with carbon : and was used by the early settlers for back-st( nes in the chimneys of their dwellings.

There are several smaller <.ulls in tlietoAvn; yet we liave not space to give a cduiplete description of them in this work. All of them have a small stream of pure clear water running

through them, which has diminished in size

except in a rainy time since the country

has come under the hands of civilization. These gulls furnish some of the finest scenery that can be found in the state. The soil of the town is of various formation. The top of the hills — as we have said — is of a clay loam ; often wet, and hard to till. Some of the smaller hills — mostly in the northern part — is a sandy loam, forming fine beds of gravel, and under the same, a eray sand, which is uiuch sought aftei- foi building purposes. On the flat-ircn hill, in several places the rock conies near to the surface of the ground, and is covered with a few leet of soil.

THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.

n

"Conesus has upon the east and west side, two small lakes, called Conesus and Hemlock. The foimer is upon the western and tlie latter on the eastern border.

Conesus Lake is about nine miles loJig, and in many places, nearly a mile wide. The Indian name lor the same is " (jra-nc-a-sos," signifying "always beautiful." This lake is a fine sheet of water, cold, clear and deep. li< shores are hold and wide with a fine gravelly bottom. Vet they are cleared of tlio dense forest that once surrounded them. The tuwn furnishes its inlet by a small stream through the swamp at the head of the lake, in connection with Mill and Purchase gull creeks, which empties intu it at its head. Since its early discovery by the white-man, it has diminished in size, and several acres of valuable land has been secured by owners along its shores. Its water has sent several of our town people to their last home, of which we will speak more of hereafter.

The Hemlock, like its sister lake is also a fine sh(!et of water, about seven miles long and three-fourhs (»r a ii.ile in width. It derived its name from the l;u-.;v number of hemlock trees that surround it. The water is very cold and clear. From this lake, the Rochester City obtains its water supply, which is carried from the lake to the city, in large iron pipes. Along the shore on the west side of the lake it is covered with forest, and a large number of summer cottages along the beach.

These lakes are well stocked with fish, such as Rass, Trent. Pickeral, liuU-heads Suckers, Perch, Mullets, and otiier fresh water fish, and are protected by the laws of the state. Seines and Gill-nets are prohibited, and other kind of fishing devices, through certain parts of the year. The lakes have been well stocked with fish by the State, in the last few years.

The timber of the town, arc of many species such as the Oak, Chestnut, Pine, Hemlock, Juniper, Hickory, Bass-wood, Elm, Sassafras, Poplar, Box-wood, Peppcrage, Cucumber, Maple, Beech, Burch, Ash, Cedar, Crab-apple, Thorn-apple, Butternut, Black-walnut, Cherry, and liutton-wood. The timber grows according to the soil. Upon the upland is founed the the Maple, Pine, Ba.ss-wood, Boi-ch, Beech, while in the northern part is found the Oak, Hickory, (Chestnut, Walnut, and the gulls and swam{is the Pine, Elm, Hemlock, and other sijecies of low-laud timber.

When the early settlers caaie hei'e, they found the country heavily timbered, witii now and then a small piece of ground, that was called by them " Oak openings." These openings was without doubt in an early day used by the Indians, for their tillable lands. \\ huu the while-man came here, these lands, had on them, oidy the big trees, the smaii timber and uuderbrusli had disappeared.

The timber has been a great blessing to our fore-fathers, yet it has be..'ii lo tiiem a great task in clearing their lands; aiiu to-uay where once stood a dense forest, inere can only be seen now and then a small belt of woodland that has been spared by tue woodmans ax.

There are many places to-day, where the blackened earth denotes the past sight of an old coal-pit, burnt by the^^early settlers, to procure coal, to purchase comforts of life with. Hundreds of cords of wood has been consumed this way, or rolled up into a log heap, and destroyed to clear the lands of its dense foliage. The largest piece of woodland in town, is along the west shore of the Hemlock Lake, which consists of about five-hundred acres.

'J he timber is of groat value in all kind of manufactured articles, especially the oak and hickory, which is considered to be of the finest

THE HISTOEY OP CONESUS.

quality. It grows very tall, and of times many feet to the first limb.

The mineral production of this town has never reached to any value. Iron ore has been found on top of the ground, but no bed has been discovered to warrant the investment of capital to bring it before the civilized world.

In the Purchase gull, veins of Antiu-acite Coal has been fouud of nearly an inch in thickness. Salt is supposed to underlie the town, by its numerous deer-licks, that was found here at an early date.

Petroleum is thought to abound, by the strong odor of the same found in rocks in some of the gulls — this all remains a secret.

Agricultural pursuits are of first class; Oats, Wheat, Corn, Barley, and Beans are the principle grain. Hemp, Flax, Ilye, has been grown to some extent. Fruit — such as Apples, Pears Peaches, Plums, Grapes, Cherries, Rasberries,

Strawberries, Quinces and Mellons — are raised in large quanities. Garden fruit is extensively grown, in shape of Potatoes, &c.

The climate of the town, is considered as fine as any part of New York ; but in late years, as the forests are being destroyed, the seasons have changes; Winter seems colder, and Sunuuers are shorter. Springs that once were never known to fail, has through the dry seasons of the year, gone dry. Winters are very severe, as there is nothing to break the cold sweeping winds and storms, from sending forth their full blast over the town. The waters of the town, is principly hard, caused by coming from the different kinds of rocks, which some are of a lime-stone formation. As for health, there is no place, that has as little sickness, fVoui epidemic diseases, as are found within lier precinct, in which her sister towns, has been subject to endure in the past.

A Seneca Warrior.

CHAPTER II //^ Indidii ^ptthmcntfi Sc

^.^iONESUS, — like her sister towns — was J-i^P once the home of the red-man. Here ^ they roamed over her hills : hunted in her valleys ; plied their canoes on the blue waters of her lakes ; planted their corn and sang songs to the young papoose among the green trees of her forests. They are now gone. Yes, gone from here to the lands of their forefathers.

In giving this chapter, we do not' intend to go far back into Indian history, as it would take too much space ; but only back to the time when the white-man found them here. This was in the fore-part of the sixteenth century. Here they found a large tribe, which was named by them, ^' Iroquoits," composed of five smaller tribes, known as the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oiieidas and Mohawks, and was added to them the Tuscaroras of South Carolina, who had been defeated by the Carolinas, in the year of 1712, and had emigrated to the north, and became members of the; confederation in that year.

When this confederation was formed, it is not known to the white-man ; but was in exsistence, when the French found them here, in 1609. These are the proper Iroquoits ; and shdiild be distinguished as such from the Huron [i-o(|aoits. The name Iroquoit was given them liy the French. The Algonquins called tlicm .Alingos. They all occupied lands in the Middle and Western New York; and the names of towns and counties, denotes the places of their original settlement. Their great council-fire — where the leading men of each tribe met once a year-;-was held among the Onondagas, whose chief village was near the present sight of Syracuse, N. Y. These tribes were constantly in war-like excursions against the Savages in the east, south and west, whicli had reduced them to a state, that they were obliged to form this confederation, to protect themselves against their enemies.

In 1817, they are siid to have numbeied forty thousand; but, at the present time, do not exceed three or four thousand. The most of these have been removed west of the Mississippi river. A number of the civilized Indians, remains in New York, near the sight of their former home.

The largest of these tribes, were the Senecas. Their chief-capitol town, was upon the Genesee flats, in the western part of Livingston County, New York. They occupied a large

THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.

territory around them, and their chief village si said to have numbered over one-hundred houses. They had several smaller villages, in the country around them.

The town of Conesus came within their jurisdiction, and they had a fine village at the Head of Conesus Lake, but of how many houses it is not known ; this village seems to have been held for the purpose of fishing. The first that is known of this village is at the time of Sulli van's expedition against them in 1779: of which Major Norris in his Journal of Sept. 13, 1779, says : " Marched at 7 o'clock, (from Foot's Corners) proceeded two miles to a town called Kaneysas or Yucksea, consisting of 18 houses, situated on an excellent intervale near a small lake where we found a large quantity of Corn, Beans, Squash, Potatoes, Cucumbers, Water Melons, t&c. &e., and in about this town the army halted four hours to distroy the Town, the corn, and to build a bridge over a Creek. At this town lived a very great noted warrior called the Great Tree, who has made great pretentions of friendship to us, and has been to Philadelphia and to General Washingtoii's Ilead-Qiiarters since the war comuienced, and has received a number of presents fvom (Jeneral Wasliington and from (/ongress : yet we suppixse that he is with Butler against us."

The siglit of this town was a little south of the present residence of R. F. & B. F. McMillen, upon an elevated piece of land, consisting <»f about one acre. The evidence is, that this was once a strong hold, or in other words, a stockade-fort. This may have taken place many years before Sullivan's expedition, and at that time, they may have moved nearer the lake. These forts were built by setting logs close togvtlicr with <iiio end in the ground, with the other extending ten or twelve feet out of the ground. Such forts were found in the eastern states, at the time of their first settlements, and no doubt they once existed here.

Inside of these palisades, were placed their huts, yet in no regular order ; and they occupied these villages for only a few years, on account of having no sanitary regulations, they soon became filthy, and they were obliged to move to some cleaner place.

At this place, they had their coni-tields on the flats below, which they planted in mounds of some four or five feet in diameter, and raised nearly a foot high, and in hills of the same distance apart. Of-times they would have ten or twelve acres under this state of cultivation.

They had a large apple orchard here which was distroyed by General Sullivan, September 1 :>th 1779. Not many years since, there were trees standing, that had sprouted, and grown from the mutilated stumps, left by tlie above General.

At this j)lace there were several Lidian trailrunning to different parts of the country. One leading to the north, up the hill, a little mirth of Henderson hill, — near the residence of G. Griswold, — to Foot's Corners ; then up the hill north-east out of the town, near the Hart's School-house. This trail conducted General Sullivan into their midst. From the village it went west across the flats, up the Grovelaud hill to their village near the residence of the late Colonel x\bel ; on the Genesee flats. They may have had another one across the Head of the Lake flats, nearer the lake. The second trail ran up the hill back of their village, near the residence of the late L. B. Richardson ■ then in a south-east direction past the residence of David Coleman ; then on up through the Calabogue Hollow south to the Cohocton Valley. No doubt they had other trails leading from their village, to other sections of the country, unknown to us.

THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.

Upon the main trail — near the present sight of Foot's Corners — no doubt they had a small village. This was near the present residence of Romeyne W. Cole. How large this settlement was, we have no knowledge of; and may have been kept here for the purpose (.f Iiunting through the level country north of their village. There could not have been any huts here, when Sullivan's army entered the town, as none of the Journals kept by the army, mentioned it: but, at the time of the first settlement here by the whites, they found several huts occupied by them, showing that this must have bcf'n one of the selected places.

There may have been at one time in the town, more small villages, of which we have no record. The Indians would ofttimes settle at a place for a few summer months, and when the the cold winds of winter came, they would move to their larger villages.

CusroM OK THE Sknkoa Indiana.

It may be of interest to many of cmr readers, for us to give a short sketch of the custom and manners of the Indians found at the Head of the Conesus Lake, by the early settlers.

After the invasion of G-eneral Sullivan's army, the Indians never returned and rebuilt up the town at this place, the same as it was before; but would come back through the summer months, and build their huts for the purpose of fishing, and when the cold winds of winter came, most of them would go to their village, near Mount Morris, N. Y .

The most of the history of the Indians around the Head of the Conesus Lake, I obtained from Mrs. Jame McNineh, who lived several years among them at the early settlement of the town. Ofttimes have I sat by her side in my younger days, and listened to her tales concerning the life of the red-man.

The Indians built their huts in two shapes, round and oblong. The round one was constructed by setting up poles, so as to form a peak at the top ; the oblong by laying a pole lengthway at the top, and then covering the outside with bark and skins of animals, while in some there was a hole left at the top to let the smoke pass out, and an opening in the side for an entrance. Ofttimes they built their fires in front of the entrance if the hut was too small. Their huts were of different sizes. Some was ten or tvvelve feet across, and generally largo enough to hold a dozen persons. Th^ir chairs was the ground, and their beds were made the same way. When they slept, they always laid with their heads toward the fire, with their forms enwrapped in an Indian blanket, or skins of animals killed in the chase.

Their cooking was done by hanging a kettle susjiended from three poles, set up over the fire, and in the same, they placed all tlieir food at once.

Their bread — which they called " Equa," — was made from Indian meal (called Nathassell) and beans mixed together, and boiled hi the kettle, with their meat and potatoes. As soon as this was done, it was taken out in a dish made of bark, in shape of a sap-trough, placing the salt on one end, on a chip. When this was ready, the family would assemble on the ground around the dish, and commence eating, by now and then taking a little salt in their wooden spoons, and swallowing it with their food.

The Indians called wheat flour "Tassell"; pork " Cush ": butter " Wesaw." Anything they like " Cossh," and anything they dislike, " Tocossh." Money they ccmnted by holding up one finger, "One Shilling"; two fingers, "Two Shillings"; half a finger, a "Sixpence," &c.

THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.

The dress of the men, consisted of having leggings made of broadcloth, reaching down to their knees; then with a short dress belted to the body at the waist, and i-eaching down to the knees, with an Indian blanket, doubled and thrown over the shoulder, extending down toward the feet, with a belt around at the waist. When they did not need the blanket around the shoulders, they would throw it off', and let it hang by the belt, or they could raise it and cover the head. Both the males and females, wore the blanket the same way, and moccasins, made of deer-skin, on their feet.

While Mrs. McNinch was living in their midst, she was permitted to be present at several weddings, which the whites were seldom allowed to witness, as these ceremonies are considered by them sacred. Their dress is siujilar to their every-day life; differing only by the bride and bride-groom having one blue and one red legging on the feet.

The courtship is soine-what remarkable ; for when ever a young Indian wishes to call upon an Indian maiden, he goes to her hut, and in passing by, he throws his hat into the same, and if his hat is kept, he can enter, showing that his company is acceptable. If the hat is speedily returned, he is informed that his company is not acceptable, and lie must keep out .

As soon as a child is horn, it is taken and wrapped in bandages of cloth, placed around its body and limbs, and then woollen cloth placed around this, to keep it warm. The child is then taken and placed with its back to a board, a little longer than its length, and wider than its width, and then bound to the same by bands made from strings cut from deer-skin, and kept in this j)()sitioii, lor a couple months, that it may grow .'straight. In carrying the child, the female always straps it to her back.

In case of sickness, the Squaw done the medical services. Herbs were their chief medicine, and in the same, they seldom fail. In case of a fatal disease, or epidemic should break out among them, they held their Pow-wow to drive the evil spirit away. The hard labor and drudgery was all done by the females. They hoed the corn, planted the beans, and did the hoiisehold labor : the males did the hunting; went forth in wars; held the war-dances, and tortured the victim. Ardent liquors, were the root of all evil among them, and when under its influence the whites all feared them, as it turned them into demons. It is said that Esq. Henderson,, was once assaulted by an Indian who threw his tomahawk at him when he went to his log house, and he would not give him any more whiskey. The scars were shown "by Mr. Henderson" to persons living at the present time, where it passed his head, and stuck quivering in the logs behind him.

An Indian never forgot a kindness, but always sought revenge for an injury. 3Irs. Mc- Ninch said : "When she came among them, there were but a few whites living on the flats at the head of Conesus Lake." They caused them much fear and troi^ble. When she first came there, she feared them, but soon learned to love them. She found them destitute of kettles 'o cook their food in, and many of the whites would nut lend them, which grieved the Indians, and caused them to hate them. But she would always accommodate them, and when they had got through using, would return the kettle, cleaned in their manner of cleaning, highly pleased. By her kind deeds, the Indian-^ soon learned to love her, and when they killed a deer or bear, they would select the most choice piece, and bring her. Ofttimes she would have more fresh meat tli:in she cruld iise, tlif^ii she would salt it down, and in some parts of