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F 129 S693 M9
Early Years in Smyrna and
Our First Old Home Week
BY
GEORGE A. MUNSON
6 - 38545
1905
Chenango Union Presses
5129 S673 Ma
Gin I. R. Willcox 0 26 '06
ASA WILBUR.
اصيب
SMYRNA FALLS.
-
A SONG OF THE HILLS.
BY CLINTON SCOLLARD.
By special permisssion of the Author, and of Robert Webster Jones, Editor of the HOUSEHOLD, Minneapolis, Minn.
The green hills, the clean hills, without a stain upon them, When little vernal whispers breathe, and woodsy attars pass- When all the glory of the spring's rekin- dled life is on them, The beauty of the burgeoned boughs, the glamour of the grass.
The fair hills, the rare hills, what sight hath blither seeming,
Than they reveal when summertide sets seal upon the earth !- The meads below them gleaming, the sky above them dreaming, And not a tune save those that throb with melody and mirth!
The old hills, the gold hills, with orient autumn o'er them-
The autumn with her wonderloom whereto she turns her hand, And low, straightway upon them and about them and before them A web no mortal skill may match, not e'en in Samarcandi
The glad hills, the sad hills-how joy and sorrow blended
Engirdle evermore the paths where boy- hood's feet have clomb! Ah, how affection clings to them, and will till life is ended. The grand hills, the free hills, the dear hills of home 1
EARLY YEARS SMYRNA
The inhabitants who first peopled our hills and valleys, were Oneida Indians, with an occasional member of the Tuscarora tribe, though it is said that in the early days there were traces of still another race who lived here before the red men came, but if so it was many centuries ago.
It is also well known by all that the early history of the In- dian race comes to us only in legends and traditions, and their most interesting stories of love, courtship, hunting, warfare and other matters are not the most reliable.
The tribe of Oneidas referred to were descendants of the Onondagas, and was organized two hundred and forty years be. fore the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Philadel- phia.
They were noted as a quiet and inoffensive race, and were good friends of the Colonies during the days of the Revolution.
· In the history of our neighboring town of Sherburne, written by the late Joel Hatch, Esq., (All honor be to his memory) he told us the "Valley of Chenango" had from time immemorable, been the "red men's hunting and fishing grounds," and that they continued it as such, "until agricultural improvements had ban- ished the deer, the wolf and the bear from the valley."
Indian relics have been found within our own borders, and there is no question but that our town furnished as attractive resorts as any. Most surely no more alluring places could have anywhere been found for either hunting, fishing or trapping than
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Early Years in Smyrna and
Pleasant Brook, Cold Brook, Wolf Gorge or the Quaker Gulf, and "Nigger" Hill to be seen for many miles away, has always been the gunner's paradise. Many will remember the Antone family who once lived on the Bonney place just west of our vill- age also Peggy, the good wife, who trudged around through all this section of country with her bundle of handsome baskets which always found a ready sale. Many of the boys of by-gone days will remember Old Abe Tuschnuck with his famous bow and arrows, shooting pennies and securing all he could hit at a certain distance. Bands of traveling Indians were frequent visitors at the old Munson distillery, and while their visits usually caused consternation and fear among those employed at the still, they always departed within a few hours, peaceably and with no mo- lestation. Occasionally a half dozen of the leaders would be invited to dinner at the old log house of the proprietor and they were always courteous and civil. Companies of Indians were also said to have visited frequently a small distillery kept by one George Bixby, an early resident, whose house was the site of the present house of Walter Sexton and whose distillery was but a few rods north on the same side of the road. Here they were wont to camp, with their squaws and pappooses, on the hill near by for days at a time.
Clark, in his history of our county, states that on one occasion fifty Indians came down the Chenango River in canoes, to visit a party of Indians who resided at an Indian castle below the present village of Norwich, and it is stated by others that they were frequently to be seen going up and down the river in canoes during the early settlement of the valley.
The headquarters of the Oneidas was near the site of the present city of Rome, then called Fort Stanwix and later Fort Schuyler, and that was the point of portage from the Mohawk River to Wood Creek, at Oneida Lake, and by this route pas- sengers then journeyed to Oswego and Montreal.
The handsome Oneida Lake, so well known by all the people of this and surrounding vicinities, was as well, if not better, known
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Our First Old Home Week
by the Indians, in the days when this entire section of the country was their home.
In those days the village of Vernon was known as the "Place of the Fox," Clinton the "White Field,' Oriskany as the "Oriska," the St Lawrence as the "River of Islands," and Ni- agara as the "Thunder of Water."
The Indian Camp, near the handsome Smyrna Falls, on the west bank of Cold brook, which is still remembered by a few of our old residents, was a famous resort for our Indian brethren, and here they were welcomed from all the country round, and their visits numerous. Here, some fifty years ago, the squaw of the camp was stricken with consumption, and in the early hours of a calm September morning, a horse and wagon was secured, and she was taken northward to die and be laid at rest among her own people.
At her departure, the occupants of the camp each left in a different direction, forever deserting the camp, the last home of the Indians in our town.
The State of New York, named in honor of the Duke of York of England, was established in 1777 and its first constitution then adopted.
Chenango County, taken from Herkimer and Tioga Counties was organized March 15, 1798. It takes its name from the hand- some river which flows through it, Chenango, an Indian name meaning beautiful and we can truthfully say it was happily and rightfully named. It is twenty-five miles long and twenty-eight miles wide. Herkimer and Tioga counties were taken from Mont- gomery county, then known as Tryon county. Chenango county therefore traces her lineage back to Montgomery, the original Tryon county, so famous in revolutionary history.
Smyrna known as the Eighth Township of the Governor's Purchase, or Chenango Twenty Townships, was taken from Sher- burne, March 25, 1808, and first named Stafford, but the name was changed April 5th of the same year to Smyrna, named it is said from the Ancient City of Asia Minor.
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Early Years in Smyrna and
Its early history is somewhat connected with that of the town of Sherburne, yet its history forms no inferior part in that of our county or state. Much of it is lost forever, as its early history, so well known by our early settlers and pioneers, who have long since passed away, is now only known by what is remembered from the lips of the early inhabitants handed down to their decendants, who are now but few.
It is a matter of much congratulation today that the larger part of our town history has been placed on paper and can be read by the present generation, thereby securing a knowledge of the lives and character of our early pioneers, which are worthy of example. Our original inhabitants came from New England, and Mas- sachusetts Rhode Island sending a goodly number, but Con- necticut the most. They were mostly men of strong minds and determined wills, and usually reliable and trustworthy.
With them came their puritanic ideas which were strictly fol- lowed and even at the present their good example and influence may be safely traced in the lives of their descendants.
Our first settlers were Joseph Porter and wife, who came here from Conway, Mass., in August, 1792. They located on the pres- ent Chapman farm, long known as the Talcott tarm, where a log house was erected and where they began the settlement of the town, then Sherburne.
A few months after their arrival Mrs. Porter sickened and died and was buried on the farm by the side of an Indian family, and while the place is known, her own grave can not now be identi- fied. Soon after her decease Mr. Porter sold his farm to Joshua Talcott, forever reserving the grave of Mrs. Porter. Discouraged and disheartened Mr. Porter moved westward and never again returned to the town.
THE SECOND FAMILY.
The second family in town was Joseph Tobey and wife, who reached here March 3, 1793. ' With them came the late John P. Tobey, then three years of age. It is related that on arriving at Pleasant Brook which was very high on account of a spring
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Our First Old Home Week
freshet, Mrs. Tobey sat down on a log and wished that she might die. She had left a comfortable home for a hut in the wilderness and what wonder was it that she thus murmured.
The 7th of May following Jerusha Tobey was born, the first white child born in the town.
Mr. Tobey settled on the east end of the Talcott farm, but after a year or two removed to the farm now occupied by his great-great-grandson, Edmund P. Tobey. Joseph Tobey and wife are buried on this farm.
John P. Tobey, son of Joseph Tobey will be well remember- ed by many of our people as well as his devoted wife, Temperance Wing Tobey, whose labors were not confined to her own family or to her own church or community as many poor boys and girls at Five Points Mission at New York could testify during the days of her health and usefulness.
Edmund P. and John F. Tobey, sons of John P. and Tem- perance Tobey, both now deceased, were former well known and respected citizens, and like the father and mother, faithful mem- bers and earnest workers in the Methodist Church, and in fact the entire Tobey family are members of that organization. A daughter is Mrs. Antoinette Brown now of Hesperia, Mich.
The former married Lucy Pope, and to them was born one son, Charles S., now of Norwich, whose wife was Nettie, the youngest daughter of the late Alonzo L. Bennett, by whom were born three children, Merton L., who married Grace Whitcomb of Norwich, and Maud, who became the wife of Clarence Cran- dall also of Norwich, and Edmund P., who married Lucy Conley, who as has been stated still remains upon the Tobey farm.
John F. Tobey married Miranda Tuttle but early in the seventies they moved to Delphi, Onondaga County, where they spent their last remaining days.
Harriet L., the little five-year-old daughter of Edmund P. and Lucy Conley Tobey, has the distinction of being a great- great-great-granddaughter of the original purchaser of that farm.
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Early Years in Smyrna and
David Wilber, Joseph Billings and Joseph Collins joined the settlement in 1793, the first named coming from Dutchess County on foot, his wife and little son on horseback. He first purchas- ed a farm, which he soon traded for a hotel, soon after selling this and buying the farm so many years occupied by his son Platt Wilber, who became a prosperous farmer and influenced citizen, in late years becoming a leading member of the Metho- dist Church of Smyrna and one of the chief promoters of the plan to improve and remodel the church edifice in the year 1871. Wesley D. Wilber, a grandson of David Wilber, is now the owner of the farm, residing near by. The little son on horseback was Thompson Wilber, the father of the large and well known Wilber family so long residents of our town, a family looked up to and respected by all, and one which had many warm friends in our community.
Of Thompson Wilber's family there were eleven children, as follows: Harlo, who became a physician; Orlando, a prosperous farmer; Mira, who married Owen Manwaring, Clarissa, the wife of A. D. Sargent of Norwich; Harriet, the wife of Thomas Morris; Jane, a maden lady; Elijah, a long time respected citizen of Earlville; Talcott who married the oldest daughter of the late Solomon Brown; Cortland, a school teacher, who lost his life by drowning; Charles, who spent the most of his life on the Wilber farm, his wife Lavina, the daughter of the late Simon A. Chapman, a most estimable woman by whom were two sons now grown to manhood; Cortland A., now a resident of Bing- hamton, and Victor A., a citizen of Yellville, Ark. Charles was an extensive dealer in cattle and sheep and favorably known through all this section.
Asa Wilber was a popular citizen, and like his brother Charles an ardent Republican and a leader of his party in the'town. He married Mary, a daughter of the late Francis E. Dimmick, by whom were two children, Arthur, who was taken from them by death in his fourteenth year, a sad loss to his parents, and Lillian R., who still survives them making her home with her uncle Duane D. Dimmick of Earlville.
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Mr. Wilber was a hard working man and also like his brother an extensive dealer in cattle and sheep.
He was an excellent business man holding many offices of trust and was supervisor of the town of Smyrna more years in succession than any other man, with the possible exception of the late Andrew Shepardson. Not one of this once large and prosperous family now resides here, all having passed on to the great beyond.
JOHN BILLINGS of Somers, Tolland County, Ct., bought one thousand acres of goverment land for his children in the north part of the town but did not come here in person. His oldest son, Joseph W., was born in 1773, and when he became of age married AbilPomeroy of his native town, and during the following winter (1794) immigrated to Smyrna with his sister Betsey and her husband Joseph Collins.
They came with a yoke of oxen, two cows and a sleigh load of goods. The cows, causing much annoyance by running into the woods, were finally put ahead of the oxen and made to as- sist in drawing the load. Arriving here they settled on the hill west of the creek, as they feared to locate in the valley on ac- count of fever and ague, a disease in those days much to be dreaded, usually affecting newly settled regions.
Billings was said to have been handy with tools, could fix wagons, shoe horses, and do almost any kind of work.
At first they built a log house which was superseded by a framed structure in 1812, a portion of which is still standing, and also a small grist mill on the site of the present saw mill, and as the nearest mill was in Oneida County, nearly forty miles away, they did quite a business for their neighbors and friends until a larger mill was built at the village. It is stated that the bolt through which the flour was sifted, was the result of the handiwork of Mrs. Collins, and while no doubt the color of the flour was not the very whitest, nor its quality the finest, we are willing to guarantee its sweetness of taste was never surpass- ed. by that of any flour made by any modern appliances.
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Early Years in Smyrna and
Later in life Billings became a prosperous farmer and also a Captain in the State Militia. He attended church at Sherburne West Hill, but never seemed to have a home interest in the new church at Smyrna, though his wife united with the same.
Their children were Joseph, Timothy, Lauren, Diana, Harlow, Pomeroy, Amanda and Abi. The first three settled in Western New York then a wilderness. Amanda married Julius Wood, of whom more will be written later. Harlo was the last member of the family to live at the old homestead which is now owned by George S. Record.
Among the sons of John Billings, the original purchaser of the Billings farm, was John, the father of John F., who built the cobble stone house on the Earlville road, and among his daugh- ters were Betsey, who married Joseph Collins, and Flavia who became the wife of John Parsons. Among all the numerous Billings family once in our town, now only remain J. Munroe Billings, a long and much respected citizen, his son Edwin S. Billings and his grandson, Robert H. Billings, a great-great-great- grandson of the original purchaser. Eloise M. Briggs, a daughter of William P. and Emma Billings Briggs is a great-great-great- granddaughter of the said original purchaser. Joseph Collins and wife settled on the present Brooks farm, a clothier who built a cloth dressing establishment on Cold Brook just below the pres- ent saw mill. The ruins of the old flume are still discernible.
They were frugal, industrious people, much interested in church and society affairs, greatly respected by all.
Their children were Betsey, Grace, Warren, Myron, Marcia, Loren, Levi B., Alonzo and William, each growing up under the teachings of parents who firmly believed in the old puritanic doctrines and all seemed to profit by their thorough discipline, all having a deep regard for all things pertaining to the moral and spiritual welfare of the community.
They were said to be a musical family and William became a preacher.
The name of Levi B. Collins stands out most prominently to the people of our time, as his whole life was spent among us, a
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DEA. LEVI B. COLLINS.
Our First Old Home Week
christian man of sterling character, faithful to his church and community, a musician of rare ability and a most excellent citizen, a deacon and choir leader in the Congregational Church for many years and a very successful teacher of music in this and adjoining towns for more than sixty years.
Levi B. Collins was born in Smyrna, February 27, 1810, and on March 20, 1834, married Evaline Ransom of Skaneateles, a sister of the late James O. Ransom, a former citizen, rearing a large family of children, though but three remain in town; Genora, the oldest, greatly respected by all; Loren, who married Mary, a daughter of the late Horatio N. Powers and Harvey, whose wife was Jennie, a daughter of our former esteemed citizen, William H. Congdon, and they have an interesting family of five children-two sons and three daughters. Of the rest, who have removed from the town, we mention Janett, the highly esteemed wife of the late Herbert M. Dixon, now at Malden, Mass. Adelia, wife of our former townsman, Hendrick Goodrich, now of Elm- wood, Illinois; Ida, who married Lewis E. Purdy of Sherburne, their family consisting of one daughter, Evelyn, and three stal- wart sons-Harvey, who resides at Minneapolis, Minn., and Clyde and Reuben who remain at home.
Myron and Levi are both worthy scions of the family, the former who first married Anna Hunt, and at her decease Ruth Reynolds, a daughter of the late Van Rensselaer Reynolds, and at her decease her sister Julia, (Clarence, his son, married Flora A., a daughter of Casher and Amelia Taylor and they have two young sons and an infant daughter, the older son named Myron, who we trust will live to ever hold up the high standard of good cit- izenship established by the grandfather from whom he is named. )
Levi, the youngest of the family, 'has been well and favorably known here and at Sherburne for many years, and at present is a prominent business man in the latter place, where he is held in high esteem. He married Edith, a daughter of the late Richard Buell, and they have one young son named Earl.
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Early Years in Smyrna and
The death of Deacon Collins took place July 8th, 1887, his excellent wife surviving him till June 19, 1894, when she was called to her reward. They sleep their last sleep in the old West Burial at Smyrna, where many others are laid, whose life work, like theirs, was passed in the promotion of the welfare of the entire community.
The following song was a great favorite of the late Deacon Levi B. Collins, and often sung at the Congregational Church, where Mr. Collins was a most efficient leader of the choir for many years It was also sung on many occasions by the Dixon and Collins Quartette. The memory of this song will awaken many thoughts of sacred associations to scores of people who have listened to it in the days "gone by."
MEMORIES OF GALILEE.
Each cooing dove and sighing bough, That make the eve so blest to me,
Has something far diviner now, It bears me back to Galilee.
Each flowery glen, and mossy dell, Where happy birds in song agree,
Thro' sunny morn, their praises tell, Of sights and sounds in Galilee.
And when I read the thrilling love, Of Him who walked upon the sea, I long, oh, how I long, once more, To follow him in Galilee.
Chorus. Oh Galilee, Sweet Galilee, Where Jesus loved so much to be, Oh Galilee, Blue Galilee, Come sing that song again to me.
Hon. Isaac Foote was the son of Daniel Foote, of Colchester, Conn., where he was born January 4, 1746. He was educated in the common schools of that town, and in his early puritan
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(1832)
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Frite étoile Drugast 25 1835.
Our First Old Home Week
home received that sound but plain elementary instruction and that religious training which fitted him for a long life of practical usefulness, of strict integrity, and the most consistent piety. He was a soldier of the Revolution and before leaving the place of his birth, became a member of the Congregational Church. In 1794 he moved to Smyrna, (then Sherburne,) where he located on a farm and where he resided nearly fifty years, until his death on February 27, 1842.
The farm is now known as the Sternberg farm, and the log house he built was but a few rods north of the present farm house.
Mr. Foote was a tanner, currier, and shoemaker by trade, and had a log tannery a few rods north of his house.
In his new home his energy, discrimination, practical judg- ment and amiable disposition, found ample room for exer- cise. He did much to promote the welfare of the settlement, and the improvement of the country, by assisting to open roads, establish schools, organize churches, and lend a helping hand to many an immigrant in distress. He was not a strong partisan but had pronounced political opinions, his first votefor President being cast for George Washington, his last for William Henry Harrison.
He married Mary Kellogg, of Colchester, Ct., May 31, 1768, and her death occurred November 19, 1826, at the age of eighty- two.
Eight children were born to them but only six lived to maturity, these were Mary, Margaret, Isaac, Amasa, John and Hiram.
Mary married Joseph Adams of Hamilton, a school teacher, and a Deacon of the Second Congregational Church on Sher- burne West Hill, until its dissolution. Margaret married Henry Cady of Monson, Mass. Amasa settled on a farm just south of the present Sternberg farm, a deacon of the Congregational Church at Smyrna, frequently elected Supervisor and Justice of the Peace of his town, later in life removing to Hamilton.
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Early Years in Smyrna and
John was eleven years of age when the family came to Smyrna. He studied law, and became an eminent lawyer and a Solicitor in Chancery in the District Court of the United States.
Isaac 2nd, came with his father to Smyrna, in 1794, when nineteen years of age. He helped his father to clear the greater part of his farm, and at the age of twenty-six his father gave him a part of the farm, now owned by the Mulligan Estate, long known as the Powers farm, where he commenced life for him- self, working two years in clearing the land, building a small frame house, and soon after marrying Harriett Hyde of Lisle, N. Y. When he went to get married he rode one horse and led another for the use of the bride on their wedding trip. At the age of twenty-one he was chosen Collector and Constable of Sherburne, holding those offices six years in succession. At the age of twenty-three he was appointed Under Sheriff of the County, and was elected High Sheriff for three years, beginning 1810. In 1817 he was chosen agent for Daniel McCormick, who was joint owner with James Lawrence of New York City, for one-half of the town of Smyrna. He was also agent for other land holders, and at one time had in his care some thirty thousand acres of land in Smyrna, Norwich, Plymouth and Columbus and was said to have stood like a rock between the settlers and the landholders.
Isaac Foote 2nd was said to have been a man of great be- nevolence, not giving grudgingly, but from the conviction that it was a christian duty. Later in life he sold his farm and moved to Hamilton and thence to Norwich where his death occurred in February, 1859, at the age of eighty-four years, 1 ... wife surviving him but a few months.
There were seven children as follows: Justin, Harriet, Charle Henry, Daniel, Elizabeth, and Samuel Isaac. The latter " came one of our most excellent citizens. He removed in late years to Norwich where his declining years were spent, a.1 where his death occurred in 1883. To his letters, published i the Chenango Tribune in the winter of 1882, we are indebted
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for much of this very interesting data concerning the Foote family in Smyrna, a family standing high in the church, and in the community for many years, whose worthy descendants are now gone from among us.
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