USA > New York > Jefferson County > A history of Jefferson County in the state of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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A
HISTORY
OF
JEFFERSON COUNTY
IN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK,
FROM THE
EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME.
BY
FRANKLIN B. HOUGH, A. M., M. D.
AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PLEAS
JEFFERSON
COMMON
First County Seal.
ALBANY: JOEL MUNSELL,, 78 STATE STREET. WATERTOWN, N. Y .: STERLING & RIDDELL. 1854.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by FRANKLIN B. HOUGH,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of New York.
PREFACE.
1136988
Sixty years ago, the territory now embraced in the wealthy and popu- lous County of Jefferson, was an unexplored wilderness, and so little was known of its geography, that in a statistical work of that period,* Black River is said to rise " in the high country near the sources of Canada Creek, which falls into the Mohawk River, and takes its course north west, and then north east, until it discharges itself into the Cataraqui or Iroquois River, not far from Swegauchee; it is said to be navigable for bateaux up to the lower falls, sixty miles, which is distant from the flourishing settlement of Whitestown twenty-five miles." On none of the early French or English maps is this important stream represented. The period embraced in the following pages, is therefore mostly within the memory of those still living.
The important duty of preserving local history, and recording the minor events that attend the origin of institutions and communities, is too often neglected until a period when truth becomes blended with fable, and the original materials one by one disappearing, leave the analysis of events involved in an impenetrable mist of conflicting tradi- tions. In collecting the materials for this work, original sources of in- formation have been sought, where these could be reached, always pre- fering to rely upon written or published statements, rather than unaided memory. In the course of these inquiries, the records of the county, and the several towns; of religious and other societies; the files of local papers, and the correspondence of prominent public citizens, the records and documents of land offices, and the archives of the state at Albany, have been consulted. Every town and village has been visited by the author, and personal interviews obtained with great numbers of promi- nent citizens and pioneers. The relative value to be attached to these several sources of information, has been carefully examined, with the earnest desire to arrive at a correct knowledge of the varied subjects that make up the following volume. While sectional, political, or personal interests have been carefully avoided, it has been our highest ambition
* Winterbotham's View of the American United States, 1796, vol ii, p. 300.
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Preface.
to give prominence to every department of industry that constitutes the present wealth, and promises the future welfare of the county. That errors may have occurred in so great a number of names and dates as are here given, is probable. The indulgence of the reader is solicited, in marking such as had been observed in the subsequent reading of the proofs, and which are noted at the close of the volume.
Our acknowledgments are tendered to the serveral editors of the Jef- fersonian, New York Reformer, Democratic Union, Northern State Jour- nal, Jefferson Democrat, and Jefferson Farmer, for the uniform kind- ness which has been evinced in calling public attention to these inquiries. To the Hon. Wm. C. Pierrepont, Elijah B. Allen, and Wm. T. Searles, for traveling facilities in collecting these data, and to the above named gen- tlemen, and the following citizens of the county, for essential aid in fur- nishing materials for the work, viz: To Messrs. J. Mullin, R. Lansing, T. C. Chittenden, J. F. Starbuck, J. Clarke, Wm. Smith, O. V. Brainard, S. and E. S. Massey, J. C. Sterling, J. Fairbanks, P. G. Keyes, L. Pad- dock, J. L. Marsh, County Clerk; Alvin Hunt, Daniel Lee, Clark Rice, Drs. A. Trowbridge and R. Goodall, and the Rev. Messrs. J. Brayton, G. M. Hill, P. Snyder, J. H. Stewart and J. S. Holme, of Watertown; Col. E. Camp, Rev. L. A. Sawyer, Rev. J. Burchard, Messrs. T. S. Hall, E. Fields, E. M. Luff, Capt. A. Ford, Capt. Wm. Vaughan and Capt. S. McNitt, of Sackets Harbor; Dr. F. A. Knapp, of Smithville; E. Burn- ham, Dr. L. Barney and Rev. P. Morse, of Henderson; J. R. Bates, of Ellis Village; J. D. Houghton, S. Hackley, D. Ellis, C. Littlefield and W. L. Cook, of Belleville; D. Wardwell, of Mannsville ; S. D. Hungerford, W. Benton and Rev. P. C. Headley, of Adams; Rev. D. Spear, of Rodman ; M. Eames, C. Hopkins, Dr. C. P. Kemball and J. Felt, of Rutland; N. Hubbard and A. Lathrop, of Champion; P. S. Stewart, Dr. E. West and T. S. Hammond, of Carthage; Wm. McAllaster and Rev. C. B. Pond, of Antwerp; R. Ormiston, Jr., of Ox Bow; Wm. Fayel, of Theresa; J. Clark, of Plessis ; E. G. Merrick and Rev. J. P. Jennings, of Clayton; J. N. Rottiers, of Orleans; S. D. Sloan, of Evans' Mills; O. Child, of Phila- delphia; J. B. Kirby, J. E. Brown, Wm. Lord, G. Brown, Col. J. Brad- ley, Rev. G. B. Eastman and Rev. S. Holmes, of Brownville; C. V. R. Horton and Wm. Dewey, of Lyme; and John B. Esselstyn, of Cape Vin- cent. To Dr. T. Romeyn Beek, of Albany, are we indebted for the use of the several cuts of fossils, and to H. E. Pierrepont, of Brooklyn, I. H. Bron- son, of Palatka, Fl., S. A. Abbey, of Cleveland, O .; A. Morton, of Monroe, Mich .; D. Merritt of Salem, Mass. ; and J. H. Lord of Oswego, for interest- ing communications, and to 1. W. Bostwick, of Lowville, for access to the land papers of the Low Purchase.
Albany, January 12th, 1854.
FRANKLIN B. HOUGH.
CONTENTS.
-
CHAPTER I.
ABORIGINAL TRACES, FRENCH HISTORY.
Ambiguity of relics left of ancient occupation-Traces less ancient than those of the west-The several traces described-Bone pits-Metallic relics- Aboriginal names-The Iroquois dominion-Negotiations of the Dutch English and French-De La Barre's incursion and defeat by sickness-Ta- lented speech of Garangula, the Onondaga orator-French work on Six Town Point-Post at mouth of Sandy Creek-Carlton Island-Its history 9 and description,
CHAPTER II.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, &C.
Current of immigration-Previous divisions of counties-Division of Oneida County and strong local interests-Convention at Denmark-Origin of name-Act erecting Jefferson and Lewis Counties-Boundaries changed- County Buildings located-Proceedings of Supervisors-Jail limits-Court house burnt and rebuilt-Maintenance of prisoners-Poor house built and site changed-Poor house system-Health law expenses-Bounties for nox- ious animals-Courts-Convivial excesses of first Court-Supervisors meet-
ings, .. 25
CHAPTER III.
HISTORY OF LAND TITLES.
Primitive Indian titles-Oneida treaty-Land Commissioners-Macomb's purchase-Penet's title-French purchase-Constable's sales-Scheme of a French Colony occasioned by political troubles-Articles of Association- Ageney of Tillier-Surveys and incidents connected therewith-Death of Pharoux-Letter describing French settlement from the work of Hector St. John de Crevecoeur-Agency of Morris-Antwerp company-Sales by Le Ray-Bonaparte's purchase-Bolyston's and Black River tracts-Title of the Islands, . 38
CHAPTER IV.
TOWNS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
List of, with dates of organization-Original names-History of each town in alphabetical order-supervisors-Early settlers-Incidents-Religious Socie- ties, &c., of each, . 69
CHAPTER V.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
First movement by Steuben-Road opened by Tillier-Oswegatchie road- Letters of Judge Ford-Lotteries-Legislative acts-State roads-Turn- pikes-Plank roads-Rail roads-Telegraphs-Black River canal-Origin of Steam Navigation-List of steam boats-Steam boat companies, ... 307
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Contents.
CHAPTER VI.
STATISTICS OF POPULATION AND RESOURCES.
Statistics of population-Agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial resour- ces, from the several censuses-Nativity of citizens-Pensioners-Post routes and post offices, . 357
CHAPTER VII.
LISTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS.
Congressional districts - Members of Congress - Assemblymen - Assembly districts-Clerks-Sheriffs-Surrogates - Treasurers-Circuit and county judges-Assistant justices-Justices of Sessions-District Attorneys-Cor- oners-Loan Commissioners-Votes at elections for governor, ....... 365
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PERIODICAL PRESS.
Black River Gazette at Martinsburgh-Papers published at Watertown -- at Sackets Harbor-at Adams-at Theresa-at Carthage, ... 372
CHAPTER IX. HISTORY OF ACADEMIES.
Early movements towards founding-Watertown Academy-Black River Insti- tute-Name changed to Jefferson County Institute-Union Literary Society -Orleans Academy-Brownville Female Seminary, . . 378
CHAPTER X.
SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS.
Religious Societies-Watertown Presbytery-Black River Association-Me- thodist Episcopal Associations - Black River Baptist Association - Free Communion Baptist yearly meeting-Black River Association (Universa- list)-Le Ray Monthly Meeting-Lutherans-Benevolent Societies, &c .- Bi- ble-Sabb ith Union-Temperance-Educational-Aid to Greeks-Irish re- lief Medical Society-Agricultural Society-Town Agricultural Societies- Associations for Mutual Benefit-Masons-Odd Fellows-Sons of Temper- ance-Good Samaritans-Knights of Jericho-Jeff rson County Industr al Association, . 390
CHAPTER XI.
BANKS-CORPORATIONS.
Jefferson County Bank-Sackets Harbor Bank-Associated Banks-Individual Banks-Insurance Companies, . 415
CHAPTER XII.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
General remarks-Amos Benedict, Ethel Bronson, Jacob Brown, Peleg Bur- chard. I. B. Crawe, Timothy Dewey, Robert B. Doxtater, Dyer Hunting- ton, Orville Hungerford, Perley Keyes, Edmund Kirby, Le Ray de Chaumont, Hart Massey, John Paddock, Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, Augustus Sacket, Micah Sterling, Egbert Ten Eyck, George White, Benjamin Wright, 419
Contents.
CHAPTER XIII.
WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 1812-1815.
Embargo-Smuggling-Seizures - Declaration of war-Attack on Sackets Harbor-Affair of Julia-Attack on Gananoqui-Cruise of Chauncey-Tale of Tom Garnet-Plans of attack discussed in Cabinet-Dearborn appointed commander-in-chief-Descent upon York-Battle of Sackets Harbor-Pri- vateering on the St. Lawrence-Exploits of Gregory, Vaughan and Dixon -Wilkinson's expedition-Battle of Sandy Creek-Naval armaments on
the lake, 458
CHAPTER XIV.
EVENTS OF 1837-1840.
Excitement from burning of the Caroline-Affair of Hickory Island-Burning of the Peel-Affair at Prescott-Sympathy for prisoners-Release of Minors -Attempt to burn the Great Britain-Patriot Bank, 519
CHAPTER XV.
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, &C.
Importance of classification-Primary rock-Potsdam sandstone-Calciferous sandstone-Birdseye, Black River, and Trenton limestones-Utica slate- Lorraine slate-General observations-Black River-Lake Ontario-Min- eral localities-Meteorological table, .. 529
APPENDIX.
Letter of Charlevoix-Petition of Joseph Bonaparte, Count Survilliers-Ro- mance and poetry of the Thousand Isles-Notes on Presbyterian church in Antwerp, Associate reformed church of Ox Bow and Baptist church of Henderson-Jason Fairbanks-Report on the petition for a tax for Union Literary society-Brigadier General Pike-Correspondence between Gene- ral Brown and Governor Tompkins concerning the war of 1812-Von
Schoultz the Patriot leader, . 563 INDEX,
593
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
ABORIGINAL TRACES, FRENCH HISTORY.
A passing tribute, to the memory of a race who have left but few traces of their sojourn in the territory now embraced in Jefferson county, may not be deemed inappropriate before entering into the details that make up our authentic history. There are pro- bably few who have not dwelt with peculiar interest upon the glimpses we catch through the mists of the past, of whole tribes of men that have vanished from the earth, leaving no heirs or representatives to inherit the richer blessings of our age; of nations whose part in the great drama of human life must always be the theme of conjecture; whose sages are forgotton, and whose warriors sleep unhonored in the dim obscurity of oblivion. Few are the monuments we may interrogate, and doubtful the interpretation of the enigmas which the scattered traces of their existence offer, nor can these furnish the basis of a well-founded conjecture of the people, or the period, or in some instances the object with which they were related. At most, we can but offer a few facts, and leave the field of conjecture open to those who may have more ample means of comparison, and the leisure and talent to devote to this deeply interesting field of inquiry. The general inference which has been reached by those whose re- searches have been especially devoted to this study, is that none of the remains of art in this section of the state, can pretend to the antiquity that belongs to the mound builders of the Ohio valley; that they indicate at most but a slight attainment in civilization; that they denote no further object than self defense, or simple sustenance; and that they evince no general plans, no organized system, beyond what the necessities of the moment suggested. Further than this we know nothing. The enclosures hereafter described exhibit that similarity that leads us to believe them the work of the same race, for a common object-pro-
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Aboriginal Traces.
tection against a cotemporary foe; thus showing that wars are, if not inherent in human nature, at least coeval with the first dawnings of civilization.
In the town of Le Ray, a short distance below the village of Black River, and on the road to Watertown, was formerly the trace of a trench enclosure. The work was irregularly semi- circular, inclosing about one and a quarter acres of ground, and a short distance from the bank of Black River, the side towards which was open, the ends of the embankment extending a short distance down the slope, and curving inward " as if to prevent the flank from being turned by an enemy."* A portion of the bank and ditch outside may still be traced in the road, but the greater part has long been leveled by cultivation. In the fields adjacent, are the traces of hearths, numerous fragments of rude pottery, bones of animals, and stone chisels .; Human bones have also been found in the vicinity. Although the banks have been mostly leveled, yet their locality may be traced without much difficulty.
About a mile north of this, is another and larger one, which, like the first, contains in and around it the usual Indian relics. It occupies a plain but little elevated above a flat that was once flowed by a beaver dam, making a shallow pond several acres in extent. The remains of the dam may still be traced on West Creek, which has its source not far distant.
Two trench enclosures formerly existed near Sanford's Cor- ners in Le Ray, but no trace of the original works remains. When first seen, the bank, measured from the bottom of the ditch, was six feet high. An unusual amount of relics have been afforded by the adjacent fields, and several human skeletons, all buried in the sitting posture, have been exhumed. Like most others, they were built near the banks of a stream of water, and had at irregular intervals, gateways or passages. The ground within and around was formerly a pine forest, which extended many miles in the direction of Carthage.
On both sides of Perch Lake and on Linnel's Island in an ad- jacent swamp, there were, when the country was first explored, a great number of mounds or barrows, supposed by some to be burial places. They present much uniformity in appearance, being circular, from two to four rods across, from two to four feet high, and uniformly having a depression in the centre, as if a vault had formerly existed there, which has since fallen in. When dug into, they are said to contain burnt stone, charred corn,
*Aboriginal Monuments of New York, by E. G. Squier, Smithsonian Contributions, vol. II, art. vi, p. 23, fig. 3, pl. 3.
t See Third Annual Report of Regents of the University on the Condition of the State Cabinet, p. 101.
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Aboriginal Traces.
broken earthen, &c .; but no opportunity was afforded to the author to examine their structure. Most of them have been plowed down, but a few are said to remain on the west side of the Perch Lake in their primitive state. In Houndsfield, on the shore. of Black River Bay, between Muskellunge Creek and Storrs' Harbor, is said to have existed formerly a trench enclosure of the ordinary form. We have not learned whether it is wholly or in part preserved, nor is its extent known. Some of the largest trees of the forest grew upon and within the bank. In Water- town, on lot No. 29, about two and a half miles south-west from the village, may still be seen in an open wood, and in a fine state of preservation, the outline of a work consisting of a bank thrown up from a surrounding ditch, and evidently intended as a de- fensive work. It is on the summit of a gradually sloping terrace of Trenton Limestone, and commands a delightful prospect. Elms, three feet in diameter, are found growing upon the bank, and the decaying remains of others still larger, within and upon it, carry back the date of its construction to an ante-Columbian period. In the same range and lot, on premises owned by Anson Hungerford, Esq., and about forty rods east, there was formerly another enclosure, with gateways, the position and extent of which cannot now be ascertained, as the bank has long since been leveled by cultivation. The one first mentioned, is semi- circular, the open side facing upon the bank .* Half a mile east of Burrville, on lot No. 31, was formerly a defensive work, con- sisting of a mound and ditch, running across a point between two streams near their junction, and forming by the aid of the natural banks a triangular enclosure. The plow has long ago filled the ditch and leveled the bank, leaving no trace of the work. The soil has afforded a great abundance and variety of relics, and the vicinity indicates that it had been occupied as an Indian village. Within the enclosure is a boulder of gneiss, worn smooth and concave in places by the grinding of stone implements. On a point of land opposite, the author found an iron ball weighing eight ounces, and others have been picked up in the vicinity, indicating that the place must have been passed, at least, by those who knew the use of small ordnance, probably the French, on some of their expeditions against the Iroquois.f Mr. Squier, in his work on the ancient monuments of New York, mentions the trace of an Indian village a mile north-east of this.
Near Appling post office, on the land of D. Talcott, in Adams, near the line of Watertown, is still to be seen the trace of a
*Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, vol. II, art. vi, p. 20, fig. 2, pl. 2. See also N. Y. Senate Document No. 30. 1851, p. 105, plate 7. These plates are from independent surveys but are very similar.
¡Senate Doc. 1851, No. 30, p. 107. Smithsonian Contrib. II, part vi, p. 21.
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Aboriginal Traces.
work of great extent and interest. It is on the brow of the upper terrace of Trenton limestone, overlooking a vast extent of coun- try to the west and north. The bank has an average height of three and base of ten feet, with an external ditch of corre- sponding dimensions, and there were about seven gateways or interruptions in the work, which had an elliptical form, one side bordering upon a beaver pond, and bounded by an abrupt bank, about thirty feet high. Upon and within the work, trees of an enormous size are growing, and the decaying fragments of others carry back the origin of the work several hundred years. A great number of small pits or caches, occur where provisions were stored for concealment; as shown by quantities of parched corn. Several skeletons have been exhumed here, which had been buried in a sitting posture, and its relics are the same as those above mentioned.
Near the north-west corner of Rodman, on lot number two, on the farm of Jared Freeman, was formerly an interesting work, of which no trace remains,* except a boulder of gneiss, worn smoth by grinding. Before the place had been cultivated, it is said to have shown an oval double bank, with an intervening crescent-shaped space, and a short bank running down a gentle slope to a small stream, one of the sources of Stony Creek, that flows near. Several hundred bushels of burnt corn were turned out, over an area one rod by eight, showing that this must have been an immense magazine of food. On the farm of Jacob Heath, on lot No. 25, near the west line of Rodman, and on the north bank of North Sandy Creek, a short distance above the confluence of the two main branches of that stream, there formerly existed an enclosure of the same class. It included about three acres, was overgrown with heavy timber, and furnished within and without, when plowed, a great quantity and variety of terra cotta, in fragments, but no metallic relics. Under the roots of a large maple was dug up the bones of a man of great stature, and furnished with entire rows of double teeth.
On the farm of Wells Benton, half a mile from Adams Village, was an enclosure similar to the others, and affording the usual variety of relics; and another trace of an ancient work of a si- milar character is mentioned in Adams, two miles north of the village. On the farm of Peter Durfey, near Bellville, in Ellis- burgh, is still another, which, from the description given by those who have examined it, does not differ in age or general appear- ance from others, having gateways at irregular intervals, and being guarded on one side by a natural defense.
The present cemetry, a little above Ellis Village, presents the trace of a work that was crescent-shaped, and, by the aid of the
* Senate Do:un ent, 1851, No. 30, p. 105, where a plan is given.
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Aboriginal Traces.
natural bank on which it was built, formed an irregular enclosure of about two acres. On the south bank of South Sandy Creek, three miles from its mouth, was a similar work, defended on one side by an abrupt bank, and now entirely leveled by tillage. A considerable number of places occur in Ellisburgh, which must have been inhabited by the aborigines. The fertility of the soil, excellence of water, and vicinity to valuable salmon fisheries, and extensive hunting grounds, must have afforded many attrac- tions to the savages. Probably several traces of ancient works in this section of the country may have been leveled by tillage, without exciting suspicion of their nature. Besides these, one is mentioned as having occurred near Tylerville, and another in Houndsfield, two miles from Brownville.
One of the most conclusive evidences of ancient military occupation and conflict, occurs in Rutland, near the residence of Abner Tamblin, one mile from the western line of the town, and two miles from the river. It is on the summit of the Trenton limestone terrace, which forms a bold escarpment, extending down the river, and passing across the southern part of Watertown. There here occurs a slight embankment, and ditch irregularly oval, with several gateways; and along the ditch, in several places, have been found great numbers of skeletons, almost entirely of males, and lying in great confusion, as if they had been slain in defending it. Among these bones were those of a man of co- lossal size, and like nine-tenths of the others, furnished with a row of double teeth in each jaw. This singular peculiarity, with that of broad flat jaws, retreating forehead, and great prominence of the occiput, which was common to most of these skulls, may hereafter afford some clue to their history. There is said to have been found at this place by excavating, hearths, or fire places, with bones of animals, broken pottery, and imple- ments of stone, at two different levels, separated by an accumu- lation of earth and vegetable mould from one to two feet thick, as if the place had been twice occupied. So great has been the length of time since these bones have been covered, that they fall to pieces very soon after being exposed to the air. Charred corn, bones, and relics, occur at both levels, but more abund- antly at the lower. At numerous places, not exhibiting traces of fortification, are found fire places, accumulations of chips, of flint, and broken pottery; as if these points had been occupied as dwellings. In several places bone pits have been found, where human remains in great numbers have been accumulated. One is mentioned as occurring near Brownville Village,* where in a space of ten or twelve feet square and four deep, a great number of skeletons were thrown. Another deposit of bones occurs in
* Smithsonian Contributions, II, part vi, p 25.
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Traces of Indian Occupation.
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