A history of the purchase and settlement of Western New York and of the rise, ... of the Presbyterian church ...

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Preface

dividual churches, in reply to questions proposed in the Circular. Five hundred copies of this Circular were distributed. It was the intention of the author that one of these Circulars should be placed in the hands of the pastor or some other individual of each Presbyterian and Congregational church. The number of churches, the history of which is given in this work, is about 430. The author has received answers to his Circular relating to about 130 of these churches. The history of the others has been gathered from other sources, and the information in most instances was very scanty. He has in many instances found difficulty resulting from the change of names. The original church of Aurelius is now Springport. The original church of Geneseo is now Lakeville. The present church of Pittsford was originally Northfield, then Boyle, and subsequently, Pittsford. Very many such changes have occurred in the progress of time, and in many instances the change is not noticed on the Records of the Presbyteries. From these circumstances the author cannot be positive that he has not, in some few instances, been led into mistakes. He can only say, that he has endeavored to be accurate, and has intended to rely on no doubtful testimony. Where the author has expressed an opinion which he knows is in conflict with the opinion of many others, and especially concerning subjects which have elicited strong feeling, he has intended to exhibit his views with kindness, and in conciliatory language, and he believes that his work will not be characterized as a mere partisan performance, but will be read with satisfaction by those who may differ with him in opinion. It has been his wish to produce a work which should impart profitable instruction, and be read with pleasure by different classes, and which in the clergyman's study and gentleman's library should constitute a valuable book of reference for many years to come. How far he has succeeded in his enterprise must be left for a candid public to judge.

The author's History relates to Western New York. This term may be somewhat ambiguous. As the author employs the term. Western New York embraces all that part of the State of J\ew York which is bounded on the east by the eastern bounds of the counties of Broome, Chenango, and Madison: on the. north by the northern boundary of the county of Onondaga, and Lake Ontario ; and on the north-west, west, and south, by the boundaries of the State.

In conclusion, the Author would commend his work to God, and to the kindness of an intelligent Christian Public, hoping that the reader will find in it matter of thanksgiving and praise to God, and benefit to his own soul.

August 1st, 1848.

Chapter I

Western New York. Its Importance : its original Inhabitants. The Iroquois: Sketch of their History. Conflicting Claims of different States to the Territory of Western NewYork. Settlement with Massachusetts : with Connecticut Indians the sole Inhabitants of Western New York, prior to the War of the Revolution : the part which they took in that War. Sullivan's Expedition. Treaty of Peace between the United States and the Six Nations. Purchase by the State of New York, of the Oneidas, of the Onondagas, of the Cayugas. The Military Tract: its Survey and Distribution. Commencement of Settlement. Sale of the Massachusetts Ten Townships. Sale of the Genesee County by Massachusetts to Phelps and Gorham. Phelps's Treaty with the Indians at Canandaigua. Boundaries of the Purchase described: Survey of the Purchase, and Commencement of Settlement. Sale to Robert Morris, Charles Williamson, and Sir William Pulteney. Sale of Massachusetts to Robert Morris. The Holland Purchase. Sale by the Indians to Robert Morris. Indian Reservations. Present Condition of the Indians. — Page 1.

Chapter II

The Genesee County Settled at an earlier period than the Military Tract : Reasons for this. Commencement of Settlement on Phelps and Gorham's Purchase. Organization of Ontario County. Settlement of the Military Tract. Settlement of the Territory west of the Genesee river. Rapidity of Settlement; Causes for it. Some Hindrances, Sickness, Disturbance with the Indians. Treaty between the United States and the Six Nations. Construction of Roads State Road from Utica to Genesee river. First Stage from Utica westward. Road from Genesee river to Buffalo. Ridge Road from Rochester to Lewiston. Some other Roads. Cayuga Bridge. Erie Canal. Railroads. Civil Divisions of Western New York. Notice of Whitestown, Geneseo, Northampton. Table respecting the Progress- of Population. — Page 13.

Chapter III

Settlers in Western NewYork: their Origin. Motives for Emigrating. Character; Obstacles to the speedy establishment of Religious Institutions. First Organization of a Congregational Church, and Administration of the Lord's Supper. Rev. Zadoc Hunn, his Death and Character. Church organized in Palmyra: in Oquago : at Sherburne: at Newtown: at Charlestown : at Geneseo:. at East Bloomfield : South Bristol: North Bristol: West Bloomfield: Victor: Canandaigua: Middletown: Pittstown : Augusta. Manner of Organization: Confession of Faith and Covenant. Settlement of Rev. John Rolph at South Bristol ; Rev. Reuben Parmele at Victor ; Rev. Timothy Field Ordained and Settled: at Canandaigua : Rev. Joseph Grover Settled at North Bristol: Rev. Eleazer Fairbanks at Palmyra: Rev. Jedidiah Chapman at Geneva, a Standing Missionary: Rev. John Lindsley

X

CONTENTS.

at Ovid : Rev. James H. Hotchkin at West Bloornfield : Rev Ahijah Warren at South Bristol. Harmony between Congregationalists and Presbyterians. Circumstances contributing to the Formation of Churches and Settlement of Ministers. Missionaries. Revival. Dr. Williston's Letter. Mr. Bushnell's Letter. Manse used to promote the Revival : its Character and Results. Ontario Association. — Page 24.

Chapter IV

Early Settlers on the Military Tract : their Character. Early Missionaries : Dr. Williston and others. Revivals of Religion. Organization of Churches. Milton, Aurelius, Skeneatoles, Pompey, Homer, Marcellus, Locke, Camillus, Ovid, Romulus, Ulysses, Junius. Rev. John Lindsley settled at Ovid: Rev. David Higgins at Aurelius: Rev. Hugh Wallis at Pompey: Rev. Nathan B. Darrow at Homer. Mr. Higgins's Letter. Presbytery of Oneida organized. Middle Association. — Page 42.

Chapter V

Territory in Western New York East and South of the Military Tract. Chenango Country. The Massachusetts Ten Townships. Governor's Purchase. Col. Lincklaen's Purchase. Thomas's Patent : Bingham's Patent : Hooper and Wilson's Patent : Coxe's Patent. Extinction of Indian Titles. Settlement of the Country. Mission to the Indians at Oquago. Progress of Settlement. Major Buck's Ordination.— Page 51

Chapter VI

Difficulties attending the compilation of a Religious History. Different character of different Settlements. Organization of a Church in Sherburne. Labors of Missionaries. Dr. Williston located at Patterson's Settlement. Revival. Organization of a Church or House of Worship at Union, and Reformed Dutch Church. Rev. Mr. Palmer : Rev. Mr. Manly. Church organized at Owego and Jericho. Rev. Joel Chapin. Church organized in South Bainbridge, in Newark Valley, in Coventry, Rev. Joseph Wood: Rev. David Harrowar : Rev. William Stone: Rev. Joel T. Benedict : Rev. Seth Sage. Character of the Ministers and Churches in the Chenango County. The Susquehannah Association Organization of two Churches in Sherburne. Rev. Joshua Knight : Rev. Roger Adams. Settlement of Oxford : Church organized at Oxford : at Cazenovia. Rev. Joshua Leonard. Church of Candor. Newtown. Dr. Amo3 Parks. Influence of the Revival of 179y. Exertions of Infidelity. Rev. John Camp.— Page 61.

Chapter VII

State of the Country in 1S00. Territory West of Genesee River. Joseph Ellicott ; effect of his influence. Scotch Settlement at Caledonia. Organization of a Church. Rev. Alexander Denoon. Division of the Presbytery of Albany. Organization of the Synod of Albany Presbytery of Geneva constituted. Rev. David Higgins and Rev. Hezekiah N. Woodruff became Members of the Presbytery. Are to have pious and orthodox Ministers. Strictness in examining Members for the Church. Proposal of a union of the Middle Association with the Synod of Albany : plan of Union proposed by Synod: approved by the General Assembly. Union consummated. Presbytery of Geneva and Middle Association constituted three Presbyteries, Geneva, Cayuga, and Onondaga. Synod of Geneva constituted. Plan of union

CONTENTS.

xi considered as establishing a general principle. Adopted as such in other parts of the Presbyterian Church. Difference between Churches received on the accommodating plan, and strictly Presbyterian Churches. — Page 77.

Chapter VIII

Territory West of the Genesee River. Phelps and Gorham's Purchase ; the Mill Seat; the Triangle; the Connecticut Tract; the Cottinger Tract; the Church Tract; the Patterson Tract; the Starrett Tract. The Holland Purchase. Rapid Settlement of the Country. Peter Shaffer and Scottsville. Infidel Club. Ganson's Settlement. Almond. Rev. Andrew Gray. Organization of a Church. Settlement of Angelica. Town of Northampton divided. County of Genesee erected. Other Civil Divisions. Rev. David Perry, the first Missionary to this Region. "Father Spencer," his Labors, Character, Death, Monument. Church of Bergen, Riga. Rev. Allen Hollister. Church of Warsaw, Attica. Rev. Silas Hubbard. Church of Ogden, Fredouia, Buffalo, Lewiston, Hamburgh. The War with Great Britain, its effects on the Holland Purchase. Rev. Samuel Parker. Rev. Robert Hubbard. Church of Almond, Angelica. Mr. Hubbard ordained and installed ; his Labors, Character, and Death.— Page SS.

Chapter IX

Ontario Association. Convention of Delegates from Associations in the State of New York at Clinton. Deliberations in the Convention ; different opinions ; failure of forming a General Association. Reason for a Union of the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations. Dissolution of the Ontario Association. Union of the Ministers and Churches with the Presbytery of Geneva: favorable results of this Union. Harmony of Ministers and Churches in Doctrine and Practice. Character of the doctrines generally preached. Labor of the Ministers of the period. Benefit of Ministers having much labor. Harmony between Resident Ministers and Missionaries. Presbytery of Geneva divided into four Presbyteries, Geneva, Ontario, Bath, and Niagara. Enlargement of the Presbyteries. Presbytery of Rochester constituted. Presbytery of Genesee formed. Synod of Genesee erected. — Page 98.

Chapter X

The Luzerne Association. Union Association. All Congregational Associations in Western New York defunct. Great increase of the Presbyterian Church. Increase of Population. Rochester, Buffalo. Presbytery of Cortland erected. Presbytery of Chenango. Presbytery of Delaware detached from the Synod of Geneva and connected with the Synod of Albany. Presbytery of Angelica organized, detached from the Synod of Geneva, and connected with that of Genesee. Presbytery of Chemung constituted. Presbytery of Pennsylvania. A Contrast. Presbytery of Tioga erected Presbytery of Ithaca. Church at the Pawnee Mission Station. Statistics of the Synod of Geneva. Alterations in the Boundaries of its Presbyteries. Synod of Genesee. Presbytery of Niagara erected. Presbytery of Buffalo. Changes in the Presbyteries. Statistics of the Synod of Genesee. General Remarks. — Page 109.

Chapter XI

The Holy Spirit : the manner of His Operation. What constitutes a Revival. Revival of 1799. Revival in West Bloomfield : in Ulysses : East Groton : Homer : Sherxii

CONTENTS.

burner Pompey: Otisco : Onondaga: Coventry: Sherburne : Windsor. Extracts from the Minutes of the General Assembly, the Presbytery of Geneva, and Synod of Geneva. Revivals of 1816 and 1817 ; in Cazenovia, Manlius, Sherburne, Norwich, Homer, Ontario, Auburn, Elbridge, Genoa First Church, Cayuga Village, Locke, Ithaca, Nevvfield, Binghampton. Revival in Romulus, Lyons, Palmyra, Geneva, Middlesex, Gorham, East Bloomfield, Victor, Phelps, Richmond, Livonia, Mount- Morris. State of the Church west of the Genesee River. Revivals. Ministers laboring in the Region. Character of the Revivals of this period. Means and Measures. — Page 121.

Chapter XII

History of Revivals continued. Synod of Geneva, 1819. Prattsburgh. From 1822 to 1825: 1826. Presbytery of Cayuga, Cortland Village, Marcellus, Genoa, Groton, Cayuga, Auburn, Ithaca, Danby, Candor. Character of the Revival, and means used. From 1827 to 1830. Revivals of 1831. Minutes of the General Assembly. Narrative of the Synod of Geneva, of the Synod of Genesee, of the Presbytery of Chenango, Cortland, Tigoa, Cayuga, Geneva, Bath, Angelica. Revivals in Onondaga Presbytery. — Page 134.

Chapter XIII

History of Revivals continued. Revivals of 1832. Synod of Geneva. Presbytery of Bath. Synod of Genesee. Revivals of 1833. 1834, Synod of Genesee. 1835, Spiritual drought. 1836, not remarkable. 1837, a year of Revivals. Synod of Genesee, Presbytery of Buffalo, Genesee, Angelica. Synod of Geneva. Revivals of 1333. Continuation of Revival till 1837.— Page 151.

Chapter XIV

Character of Revivals in Western New York, and means employed during the last twenty years. Testimony of the General Assembly, Synod of Geneva, Presbytery of Geneva. Three and four days' meetings. Protracted meetings. Evangelists, Leaders in protracted meetings, character of their preaching, Doctrine advanced. Rev. Charles G. Finney; Rev. Jedidiah Burehard ; Rev. Samuel G. Orton ; Rev. James Boyle ; Rev. Augustus Littlejohn. Resolution of the Presbytery of Angelica respecting Rev. David Slie. Presbytery of Genesee testify against the "American Revivalist and Rochester Observer." Presbytery of Ontario against the course pursued by Mr. Littlejohn. Presbytery of Cayuga against Mr. Myrick. Testimony of the Presbytery of Chenango ; of the Synod of Geneva respecting the Central Evangelical Association of New York. Conclusion. — Page 159.

Chapter XV

History of Missionary operations in Western New York. The General Association of Connecticut sends Missionaries to Western New York. Specimen of their labors. Becomes the Missionary Society of Connecticut : its operations in Western New York. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church: early condition of the Presbyterian Church. Incipient steps with reference to Missions. Appointment of Missionaries to Western New York. Committee of Missions: Board of Missions. Change in the mode of employing Missionaries. Massachusetts Missionary Society, Berkshire and Columbia Missionary Society; Hampshire Missionary Society. So-

CONTENTS.

Xlll ciety for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others of North America. New Hampshire Missionary Society. Morris County Associated Presbytery. Reformed Dutch Church. — Page 176.

Chapter XVI

Genesee Missionary Society, its organization, operations ; Funds derived from Female Associations, Indian School, Dissolution of the Society. Female Missionary Society of the Western District; Young People's Missionary Society of Western New York; the Western Domestic Missionary Society, Auxiliary to the American Home Missionary Society. Young Men's Missionary Society of New York. The New York Evangelical Missionary Society. United Domestic Missionary Society. American Home Missionary Society, its Object, its Auxiliaries, and Agencies; Western Agency, Central Agency • Mode of Operations. Field of Labor : Amount of Service. Operations of the Society in Western New York: Result of these Operations. — Page 190.

Chapter XVII

History of the Theological Seminary of Auburn. Action of the Synod of Geneva ; of the General Assembly. Seminary located at Auburn : Labor commenced. Act of Incorporation. Corner-Stone laid. Seminary Buildings. First Meeting of the Boards of Trustees and Commissioners. Dr. Richards elected Professor of Theology, but declined. Dr. Mills, Dr. Perrine, and Dr. Lansing elected Professors, Inaugurated. Instruction in the Seminary commenced. Ordinances of the Seminary. Course of Study. Anniversary. Vacations. Results of twenty-three years. Professorship founded by Arthur Tappan. Dr. Richards elected Professor. Dr. Lansing's Resignation. Bellamy and Edwards Professorship. Dr. Cox elected Professor. Death of Dr. Perrine. Dr. Halsey elected Professor. Dr. Cox's Resignation. Dr. Dickinson elected Professor. Death of Dr. Richards. Dr. Halsey's Resignation. Dr. Hickok elected Professor. Dr. Dickinson's Resignation. Mr. Hopkins elected Teacher of Ecclesiastical History. Mr. Smith elected Professor. Funds of the Seminary.— Page 203.

Chapter XVIII

The Exscinding Act of 1837. Terms, " Old School" and "New School." Alleged Reasons for the Act. Plan of Union, its Origin. State of the Churches in Western New York. Examination of the Plan of Union : Examination of the Reasons alleged for the Exscinding Act. Manner in which the Synods and Presbyteries were constituted. Charge of " Gross Disorders" examined. " Great errors in Doctrine" charged on the Exscinded Synods, or vague expression. Testimony and Memorial. List of errors. Extracts from the Minutes of the Synod of Geneva, the Synod of Genesee, the Presbytery of Buffalo. Report of the Convention of Auburn.— Page 222.

Chapter XIX

The Subject continued. The real Reasons for the Exscinding Act, Difference in Doctrinal Views, Difference in Judgment, how to conduct the Benevolent Operations of the Church. Determination of the Old School Party to secure a Majority in the Assembly. Measures adopted. Plan of Union abrogated : Committee of Ten, and their Report: Excision of the Synod of the Western Reserve : Declaration against xiv

CONTENTS.

the American Home Missionary Society, and American Education Society. Excision of the Synods of Utica, Geneva, and Genesee. Dissolution of the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia. Organization of a Board of Foreign Missions. Testimony against Doctrinal Errors. Order to the Synods of Albany, New Jersey, Michigan, Cincinnati, and Illinois. State of feeling produced in Western New- York in view of the Exscinding Act. Fourth Resolution of the Assembly, how understood. Strictures on this Resolution. Attempt of the General Association of New York to divide the Churches ; these attempts abortive. Auburn Convention, Resolutions passed, Committees appointed, and their Reports ; unanimity of the Convention. Results of the Meeting. Commissioners of the Exscinded Presbyteries attend the Meeting of the General Assembly of 183S : their Commissions rejected. Assembly organized. Statistics of the New School Presbyterian Church : Statistics of the Old School Presbyterian Church in Western New York. Formation of Presbyteries and a Synod. Increase of the New School Church in Western New York. —Page 241.

Chapter XX

Course of Congregational Ministers and Churches after the Dissolution of the Associations. Rev. John Taylor. Genesee Consociation : the Monroe Association : the Consociation of Western New York. Attention paid by the New School Churches to the Benevolent Enterprises of the day. Home Missions : Foreign Missions : Bible Societies : Cayuga Bible Society : Female Bible Society of Geneva ; Cortland Female Bible Society : other Societies Auxiliary to the American Bible Society : the Monroe County Bible Society. Education of Poor and Pious Youth for the Ministry : Recommendations of the General Assembly on this Subject. Action of the Presbyteries. Western Education Society; Tract Societies: Tract Distribution. Colporteurs. Sabbath Schools : Genesee Sabbath School Union : County Unions. Sabbath School Statistics for 1833.— Page 253.

Chapter XXI

Biographical Notices of Deceased Ministers. — Rev. Jedidiah Chapman: Rev. David Higgins: Rev. Henry Axtell, D.D. : Rev. Matthew L. R. Perrine, D.D. : Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, D.D. : Rev. James Richards, D.D. : Rev. Beriah Hotchkin — Page 264.

Chapter XXII

History of Individual Churches, Synod of Geneva, Presbytery of Chenango : — Sherburne, Smyrna, Otselic, East Lincklaen, East Pharsalia, Pharsalia First Congregational, Plymouth, South New Berlin, Norwich, Preston, M'Donough, Smithville, Oxford, Guilford, Bainbridge, South Bainbridge, Bainbridge and Nineveh, Harpersville, Coventry First Church, Coventry Second Church, Green, Masonville, Colesville, Windsor, Barker, Triangle, Rockdale. — Page 288.

Chapter XXIII

Presbytery of Onondaga. — Nelson, Peterboro' or Smithfield, Cazenovia, Canaseraga, Lenox, Wampsville, Oneida Lake, Ridgeville, Chittenango, Matthews's Mills, Manlius, Manlius Centre, Oran, Pompey, Pompey Centre, Delphi, Tully, Otisco, La Fayette, Jamesville, Fayetteville, De Witt or Orville, Britton Settlement, Cicero,

CONTENTS.

XV

Liverpool, Salina, Syracuse, Syracuse Congregational Church ; Syracuse Second Presbyterian Church: Onondaga West Hill, Onondaga Hollow, South Onondaga: Camillus, Camillus Third Church : Van Buren, Amboy, Baldwinsville, Lysander. — Page 307.

Chapter XXIV

Presbytery of Cayuga. — Victory, Ira, Cato, Weedsport, Mentz, Montezuma, Elbridge Jordan, Marcellus First Church, Marcellus Second Church, Skeneatoles, Borodino, Sennett, Auburn First Church, Auburn Second Church, Cayuga Village, Aurelius, Springport, Fleming, Scipio Second Church, Scipio First Church, Aurora, Moravia, Summer Hill, Milan, Genoa First Church, Genoa Second Church, Genoa Third Church, Lansing, Genoa Free Congregational, East Groton, Kingston. — Page 333.

Chapter XXV

Presbytery of Geneva : — Wolcott Second Church, Wolcott, Huron, Sodus, Wayne,Williamson, Pulteneyville, Ontario, Walworth, Marion, Rose, Savannah, Clyde, Lyons, Newark, Port Gibson, East Palmyra, Palmyra, Farmington, Vienna, Phelps, Junius, Tyre, Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Canoga, Fayette,- Geneva, Castleton, Hopewell, Chapinsville, Rushville, Gorham, Romulus, Ovid, West Dresden, Bellona, Pennyan, Branchpoint, Pontiac, Canandaigua. — Page 363.

Chapter XXIX

Presbytery of Chemung : — Reading, Havanna, Catlin, Mead's Creek, Campbell, Hornby, Millport, Fairport, Elmira, Elmira Congregational, Chemung, Athens, Southport, Big Flats, Corning, Painted Post First Church, Painted Post Second Church, Painted Post Village, Erwin, Addison, Thurston, Woodhull, Troupsburgh, Greenwood. — Page 441.

Chapter XXX

Presbytery of Bath :— Starkey, Dundee, Rock Stream, Barrington, Wayne, Tyrone, Pulteney, Prattsburgh, Naples, Conhocton, South Dansville, Howard Second Church, Howard, Kennedyville, Wheeler, Hammondsport,Bath, Cameron, Hornellsville, Jasper. — Page 45S.

xvi

CONTENTS.

Chapter XXXI

Synod of Genesee. — Presbytery of Rochester : — Webster, Penfield, Bushnell's Basin, Pittsford, Brighton, Rochester First, Rochester Brick Church, Rochester Third, Rochester Free, Rochester Washington Street, North Rochester, Parma and Greece, Parma, Parma Corners, Clarkson, Murray, Holley, Brockport, Sweden, Ogden, Adams's Basin, Gates, Henrietta, Chili, Churchville, Riga, North Bergen, Bergen, Wheatland, Rush, WestMendon, Mendon. — Page 484.

C HAPTER XXXII.

Presbytery of Niagara :— Carlton, Yates, Somerset, Wilson, Porter, Lewiston, Cambria, Lockport First, Lockport Second, Royalton, Middleport, Medina, Knowlesville, Gaines, Albion, Barre Centre, Millville, Pendleton, Chalmers, Niagara Falls. — Page 507.

Chapter XXXIII

Presbytery of Buffalo: — Newstead, Clarence, Black Rock, Buffalo First, Buffalo Free Congregational, Buffalo Pearl, Buffalo Park, Buffalo La Fayette Street, Buffalo German, Buffalo French Church, Indian Stations, Lancaster, Alden, Wales, East Aurora, West Aurora, Hamburgh, Evans, Eden, Boston, Colden, Holland, Concord, Springville, Collins, Hanover, Forrestville, Silver Creek, Sheridan, Dunkirk, Fredonia, Villanova, Lodi, West Otto, East Otto, Ashford, Franklinville, Ellicottville, Cherry Creek, Charlotte, Stockton, Chautauque, Portland, Westfield, Ripley, Mayville, Ellery, Ellington, Connewango, Napoli, Great Valley, Randolph, Waterboro', Ellicott, Jamestown, Ashville, Mina, Panama, Busti, Carroll.— Page 518.

Chapter XXXIV

Presbytery of Genesee: — Byron, Elba, Oakfield, Alabama, Pembroke, Batavia, Stafford, Le Roy, Caledonia, Pavilion, East Bethany, Bethany Centre, Alexander, Union Church of Alexander and Darien, Darien, Darien Village, Bennington, Bennington Second, Attica, Attica Centre, Wyoming, Covington, Perry First, Perry Second, Perry Village, Warsaw, Orangeville, Varysburgh, Sheldon First, Sheldon Second or Strykersville, Java, Weathersfield Springs, Weathersfield, Gainesville, Carlisle, Pike, China.— Page 544.

Chapter XXXV

Presbytery of Ontario : — Centrefield, East Bloomfield, Victor, West Bloomfield, Lima, Avon, Avon Free Church, York Second, York First, Moscow, Geneseo, Lakeville, Livonia, Richmond, Bristol, South Bristol, Canadice, Conesus, Groveland, Mount Morris, Mount Morris Second, Nunda, Sparta, Sparta Second, Dansville Village, Springwater, Conhocton Second. — Page 562.

Chapter XXXVI

Presbytery of Angelica: — Dansville Free, Ossian, Portage, Portageville, Eagle, Centreville, Hume, Grove, Burns, Allen, Caneadea, Rushford, Farmersville, Black Creek, Haight, New Hudson, Belfast, Angelica, Almond, Amity, Friendship, Cuba, Burton, Olean, Sico, Andover, Independence.— Page 587.

Chapter I

Western New York. Its Importance : its original Inhabitants. The Iroquois: Sketch of their History. Conflicting Claims of different States to the Territory of Western New York. Settlement with Massachusetts: with Connecticut Indians the sole Inhabitants of Western New York, prior to the War of the Revolution : the part which they took in that War. Sullivan's Expedition. Treaty of Peace between the United States and the Six Nations. Purchase by the State of New York, of the Oneidas, of the Onondagas, of the Cayugas. The Military Tract: its Survey and Distribution. Commencement of Settlement. Sale of the Massachusetts Ten Townships. Sale of the Genesee County by Massachusetts to Phelps and Gorham. Phelps's Treaty with the Indians at Canandaigua. Boundaries of the Purchase described: Survey of the Purchase, and Commencement of Settlement. Sale to Robert Morris, Charles Williamson, and Sir William Pulteney. Sale of Massachusetts to Robert Morris. The Holland Purchase. Sale by the Indians to Robert Morris. Indian Reservations. Present Condition of the Indians.

Western New York is, on many accounts, justly considered as a very interesting part of the United States. Its soil, climate, and productions ; the natural face of the country greatly diversified ; its lakes and rivers, with their application to the purposes of trade and manufactures ; the extent of its internal improvements, with the rapidity of their growth ; the immense increase of the number of its inhabitants, connected with their enterprise, and intellectual and moral character ; its civil, social, literary, and religious institutions, together with the circumstance that it constitutes the great thoroughfare between the East and the West, render it a peculiarly interesting part of the civilized world. Its history must be worthy of record and transmission to posterity. That its religious history may be understood and appreciated, it may be well to take a brief view of its settlement, the progress of its population, and civil divisions.

The aboriginal inhabitants of Western New York and owners of its soil were the people denominated by the French the Iroquois, and by the English the Six Nations, and sometimes, on account of their union with each other, the Confederates. Originally they constituted but five communities, viz. the Mohawks, whose principal towns were adjacent to the Mohawk river ; the Oneidas, in the vicinity of Oneida lake ; the Onondagas, near the Onondaga lake ; the Cayugas, on the Cayuga lake ; and the Senecas, whose territory in the State of New York comprehended all that part of the State which lies west of the Seneca lake, and which is denominated " the Genesee country." This name, or rather Geneseo, as it is pronounced by the aborigines, it is said, signified Pleasant

WESTERN NEW YORK.

Valley. In the year 1712, the Tuscaroras, a tribe of Indians whose residence was in North Carolina, being driven from their possessions by a hostile tribe, emigrated northward, and were hospitably received by the Confederates, and adopted as a sixth nation in the confederacy. A territory was given them by the Oneidas, adjoining that of the Onondaga tribe. The Six Nations anciently constituted a numerous and powerful confederacy. By patrimony or right of conquest, they formerly claimed as theirs nearly all of the State of New York west of the Hudson river. Northward, their possessions extended into Canada; westward, to the banks of the Mississippi; and, southward, far into the southern States. Many other tribes owned their sway, and paid them tribute. By their union among themselves and always acting in concert, they were powerful ; and by their ferocious courage in battle they were terrible to other hostile tribes, and not unfrequently to the European settlers. Their prowess was frequently felt with dreadful severity by the French in Canada, and by the Anglo-Saxons on the frontiers of New York, and others of the English colonies in America. From this statement it will be perceived that the territory to which the subsequent history relates, originally belonged to five of the Six Nations, viz. the Oneidas, the Tuscaroras, the Onondagas, the Cayugas, and the Senecas.

Although the Indians were the real proprietors of the soil, yet the different States, to a certain extent, claimed a property in the lands within certain boundaries, by virtue of original charters from the government of Great Britain, which claimed a title to dispose of the country, by right of prior discovery. These claims were considered as valid, so far, at least, as to entitle the party holding the charter, to the exclusion of all others, to purchase the domain of the Indians whenever they might be disposed to alienate it, and to colonize and exercise civil jurisdiction over the territory when purchased of the Indians. But, unfortunately, the charters of the different Companies or States conflicted with each other. At the period when they were granted by the crown of Great Britain, very little was known respecting the localities of the country. It was truly in Europe a terra incognita. Hence the boundaries which were assigned to the territories included in the respective charters were sometimes expressed in such vague terms as to be wholly unintelligible ; or what, perhaps, was more frequently the case, the same portion of territory was included in different charters. While the country was very new, the colonists few in number, and far the greatest part of the territory was occupied by the aboriginal inhabitants, these conflicting claims excited little attention. The ownership of the Indians in the lands was by the colonists acknowledged. The colonists were too few to occupy but a small portion of the land included in their respective charters. More than they needed for present occupancy they were indis-

ITS EARLY HISTORY.

posed to buy of the original owners. Fear of attacks from the Indians required that they should settle in compact bodies, and contiguous to each other. Hence they concerned themselves little about territory at a great distance, although it might be comprehended within the limits of their charter from the King of Great Britain. But when the number of inhabitants was greatly increased, and a much larger share of land needed for settlement, controversies concerning title necessarily resulted. This was particularly the case after the termination of the war of the Revolution, and the acknowledgment of our national independence by the government of Great Britain.

The original charters of Massachusetts and Connecticut included all the lands within certain parallels running due west from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. At the same time, the charter of New York covered all the land within the present limits of the State. That of Massachusetts particularly, covered a very large portion of the State of New York. That of Connecticut extended over a somewhat smaller territory within the State. It is supposed that Massachusetts, previous to the war of the Revolution, acceded to the claim of New York respecting jurisdiction and title to that portion of the State of New York, bounded east by the present dividing line between the States of New York and Massachusetts, and west by a line so far west of Hudson river as to include all the settlements made by the State of New York previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary war. As it regards that part of the State of New York which is embraced by the original charter of Massachusetts, and which lies west of a line which would include the settlements made previous to the Revolution, it does not appear that an understanding existed between the States. After the termination of the war of the Revolution and the circumstances of the country permitted the States to attend to their own individual interests, the claim of Massachusetts was revived, as it respected the right of pre-emption and jurisdiction over Western New York. New York resisted this claim. The parties pleaded their respective charters, and each considered its own claim valid in law and equity, and the matter in controversy of great importance, as it related to its own interest and honor. But instead of bringing the controversy to issue by an appeal to arms, the very common method of deciding disputes between rival States, when the matter at issue relates to boundaries, the parties at issue, realizing that they were brethren of the same grand confederation, possessing common interests, wisely determined to submit the matter at issue to Commissioners appointed by the States respectively. These Commissioners, so appointed, met at Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, and on the 16th of December, 1786, came to an amicable agreement on all the matters in controversy between their respective States. The sovereignty and right of jurisdiction over the