History of the town of Warsaw, New York, from its first settlement to the present time

Front matter

Book-JL

HISTORY

Tovx of Warsaw,

Introduction

Oxe year ago I came to Warsaw to visit old friends before my departure for my new home in the West. While here, I was solicited to write a history of this town. Having formed plans and purposes which I was desirous to pursue, I hesitated to make an engagement.

It was suggested that there was no citizen of the town in a situation favorable to his engaging in such an undertaking; and, further, that a personal knowledge of the principal events to be recorded, and a personal acquaintance with the inhabitants during a period of more than fifty years, including an almost continuous residence in the town for forty years, commencing about twelve years after its first settlement, would afford material advantages in writing its history. A number of the older and more prominent citizens met for consultation, and decided in favor of the proposition. Considering the project a patriotic and a commendable one, and being myself desirous to see a written history of the town, I consented to engage in the undertaking, and proceeded immediately to the task.

It may be asked, " Why fill so large a volume with the history of a single town ? Why devote so much space to stories which have become familiar from their frequent recital by our parents and grand-parents ? " These questions admit of ready answers.

IV INTRODUCTION.

There is scarcely a town settled for fifty years that can not furnish the material for such a volume. Man}- remember with what interest they listened to the tales of pioneer life from the lips of their ancestors. Before the present generation shall have passed awa}-, not an individual will be left to relate the experiences of the early settlers which have so deeply interested us. This interest will not abate with the lapse of time. The written narrative of the incidents of "life in the woods," will be no less grateful to those who come after us, than was the oral relation to ourselves.

Hence, to commemorate the events and occurrences of the j)ast — to transmit to our descendants a faithful and true histoiy of our own times — is a duty. And many who shall receive such history will esteem it as the most valuable portion of their inheritance. AVithout it, little will be known except what shall have come down to them by tradition, always imperfect and unreliable. Nor should we overlook the consideration, that works of this kind will prove a source of valuable information to future historians.

Some of the events noticed ma}' be deemed unimportant. As isolated facts, perhaps, they possess no great importance. A man's character is formed, in great part, by a combination of numerous traits scarcely noticeable, separate and alone. So the aggregate of the many minor incidents constitutes a material part of the most valuable histories. Yet nothing has been admitted into this work that was not designed to contribute to its interest or value.

I respectfully invite the attention of the reader to some of the chief characteristics of this work.

This is not simply a history of the town of Warsaw. A large portion of its matter is of general interest. It traces the title of the Holland Land Compairy back to the crown of Great Britain, through the conflicting claims of States and grants of

INiKODLCTION. V

British kings. The early settlement of this town, the privations and hardships of its first settlers, its progress in wealth and in social and intellectual improvement, and the general character of its inhabitants, find a counterpart in nearly every town on the Holland Purchase; and its history will be read with scarcely less satisfaction in other towns than in our own.

Ecclesiastical History is a conspicuous feature of the work, and can not fail to interest a large portion of its readers. It comprises historical sketches of all the churches and organized religious societies in this town, including the dates of their respective organizations, the names of their ministers and church officers, the building of their houses of worship, and other matters of interest.

The War History also occupies a prominent place in the work. It records the acts and proceedings of the citizens in aiding the war for the Union, the names of all who enlisted in the service from this town, the dates and terms of their enlistment, and the wounds and other disabilities, death, imprisonment, or discharge of each. jNTo part of the work, it is believed, will be read with greater or more general satisfaction.

Family Sketches and Biographical Notes fill a large space in the volume — larger than was originally intended. The limit prescribed to these sketches was from time to time extended, until the number of families noted — including the original families and their branches — is about fifteen hundred, and the number of names about four thousand. Yet there are many others whose sketches would have been cheerfully inserted had the necessary facts been communicated.

Among the prominent characteristics of this history is the religious feature. It has been my purpose to present to our descendants a correct view of the moral and religious character of their ancestors. Many will regard the ' ' savor of a good name " transmitted by parents, as the most valuable portion of

VI INTRODUCTION.

their patrimony. Considering a public profession of religion as an honorable act, and, when adorned by a corresponding deportment, as the best expression of moral excellence, I have, in the sketches of this class of our people, generally noted the fact of such profession and the name of the church with which each is or has been connected.

The interest in this enterprise manifested by the citizens of this town, and by many in other towns of this county, gives promise of a favorable reception of the work. Many have long been anxiously awaiting its appearance. Dependent upon a hundred persons for information, much time was spent in collecting material. The statements of different persons did not in all cases agree ; and much inquiry often became necessary to ascertain the facts. Of the adult settlers of the first three 3'ears, only three remain in town. From them much valuable information has been obtained. Among those who - came a few years later, are many to whom my acknowledgments are due for the numerous important facts which they have communicated, and for the interest taken in this enterprise.

Special mention should be made of the assistance of Hon. Augustus Frank. His interest in the work from the beginning has been unabated; and he has aided essentially in gathering material. His knowledge of the business interests of the town enabled him to furnish many facts relating to this branch of our history; and many of the most interesting subjects have been introduced at his suggestion. And the whole expense incurred in the preparation and publication of this work, has been assumed by himself and his fellow-citizen, Joshua H. Darling, Fsq.*

There are many other citizens who deserve favorable notice. Regarding the enterprise as creditable to the town, and appre-

* Since the foregoing " Introduction "' was written. Mr. Darling died at bis residence, in Warsaw. March 21, 1809.

INTRODUCTION. VII

dating the patriotism and liberality of the gentlemen who were carrying it forward, the} T have not been content with the purchase of single copies for their respective family libraries, but have subscribed for a number of copies each. Many, not among the more wealthy class of our citizens, have given their names for three to five, others for ten or more, for distribution among their children and other friends.

The work is unusually well supplied with Tables of Eeference, the want of which, in many books, is a serious defect. Besides a copious Table of Contents in the usual place, and a General Index in the latter part of the volume, there is an Index of Najies, with references to the pages on which each name occurs. This enables airy person whose name is in this Index to see readily with what subjects in the body of the work his name is connected.

Not the least important characteristic of the work is the style in which it appears. Its mechanical execution — printing, binding, the portraits, (except the few on steel,) the views of churches and residences, and the Warsaw Falls, have all been done by the Lithographing, Printing and Manufacturing Company of Messrs. Sage, Sons & Co., of Buffalo, and compares favorably with similar work done in eastern cities.

Great pains have been taken to present this History to the public without errors. Perfect accuracy, however, in works of this kind, has perhaps never been attained ; writers being necessarily dependent for information upon others whose memories are not in all cases correct. It is not strange, therefore, that, among the thousands of names and dates in this work, there should be some errors.

There may be persons who, on looking for sketches of their families, will be disappointed. After a large number had been written, the material of which had been procured only at the expense of much time and labor, notice was given in the vil-

Till INTRODUCTION.

lage papers, that sketches would be prepared by the writer for persons desiring them, if furnished with the necessary information. No applications have been rejected.

Xotice was also given, that the Portraits of all who would furnish them at their own expense, would be inserted. A greater number than was expected have accepted the proposition, and thus contributed to the embellishment of the work, and to the gratification of their friends and descendants.

From the peculiar nature of this History, its preparation has required an amount of labor, and been attended with difficulties not anticipated at the commencement. It is hoped that it may meet the reasonable expectations of its patrons.

AVars aw, March, 1809.