USA > New York > Monroe County > Gates > From the wilderness : town of Gates sesquicentennial, 1813-1963 > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00063 9044
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From the wilderness
4-90
FROM THE WILDERNESS
TOWN OF GATES Sesquicentennial 1813-1963
Allen County Public Library Ft. Wayne, Indiana
TOWN OF CATES
NAMED NT 1813
JABT REMNANT OF OLD TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON
Thomas v une - From tre with ....... 7030979
TOWN OF GATES
NAMED IN 1813 LAST REMNANT OF OLD TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON
This historic Monroe County marker, located at the Gates Town Hall, commemorates the creation of the Town of Gates on April 1, 1813.
This book presents the story of People, Places and Landmarks- all part of the history of the Town of Gates - and is dedicated to all those who, down through the years, contributed to the develop- ment of our fair town.
XOXARD HIUMI
1
Town of Gates 11813
11963 Sesquicentennial
TOWN
OF
GATES
MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK STATE
ESQUICENTENNIAL
1813 - 1963
The STAGE Was Set ...
The stage coach was chosen as the emblem of the Town of Gates' sesqui-centennial celebration because it played such an important part in the town's his- toric past.
By 1816 the westward trend was in full swing and in that year the Buffalo Road, which ran di- rectly through Gates Centre, was opened as far as Batavia. The Lyell Road was opened shortly after and both soon became the regular stage coach routes to the west. Taverns and inns did a thriving busi- ness.
Among the most notable of these was the How- ard House which stood for nearly 133 years at the southeast corner of Buffalo and Howard Roads, and a reproduction of which is incorporated in the sesqui- centennial emblem. Eleazer Howard, for whom How- ard Road is named, built the Howard House in 1823. The emblem was designed by Gordon E. Cole, a resident of the Town of Gates.
The first tavern in Gates was built of logs in 1806 and was located a short distance east of the junction of the state line (B&O Railroad) and the New York Central Railroads. The first proprietor is believed to have been William Jameson. Later Joshua Beaman was proprietor. Another tavern was erected about 1823 on Buffalo Road, a mile or so to the west of Howard Road and was operated by Lindsley Sturgis. In 1832 Chester Field opened a hotel on Buffalo Road two miles east of Gates Centre. Directly north of the centre E. Macauley opened a tavern in 1844 which was later made into a private residence. Still another tavern was built in 1844 at the corner of Howard and Lyell Roads by Robert Currier. The brick part of this building still stands today and has been incorporated into the restaurant and hotel now known as Ackerman's.
HISTORY
OF A TYPICAL AMERICAN TOWN ... RICH IN TRADITION BUILT BY THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF GATES
Without the enthusiastic interest and generous help of many Gates residents, this book could never have been written. Many thanks and deep apprecia- tion are extended to those pioneer residents whose recollection of an earlier Gates helped immeasurably in compiling this history, and to all those who have loaned manuscripts, documents, records and pic- tures.
This book was compiled by volunteers who have drawn on historical records, personal interviews and planning board studies for their material. Illustra- tions are symbolic and where facts were not always available, poetic license was sometimes used to tie together the missing links in the chain of historical information. It is an exciting story - as factual as possible - laid in a land of rustic beginning.
This history is dedicated to the residents of the Town of Gates, some known and some unknown, whose contribution through the years to the civic and community life of their town has made it the thriving community it is today.
Town of Gates Sesquicentennial Celebration Days AUG. 8.9.10.11
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Congratulations
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES JOHN F. KENNEDY
Town of Gates 1813 1963 Sesquicentennial
On the occasion of the Sesquicentennial of the Town of Gates, I am delighted to extend my congratulations and best wishes to all your citizens. Your community celebration - highlighting both the cultural and historical traditions of Gates - will, I am sure, prove most rewarding to all par- ticipating in this memorable event.
With every good wish to the Town of Gates and its citizens for a future full of prosperity and progress.
JOHN F. KENNEDY
PRESIDENT
Congratulations
FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK STATE NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER
Town of Gates 1813:1963 Sesquicentennial
I am exceedingly happy to send warm greetings and congratulations to the people of the Town of Gates on the occasion of your Sesquicen- tennial. The celebration you are about to hold on this significant anni- versary is fitting and proper.
You have much to be proud of in the progress that your community has made in a century and a half. It is interesting to recall that the City of Rochester was once part of your town which was named after the pic- turesque, courageous General Horatio Gates, who defeated Burgoyne at Saratoga. But you have many things to be proud of besides your historical background. The progress achieved in 150 years is what might be expected from a community of live, dynamic Americans such as those who have inhabited Gates since it was founded. It reflects also the vision and sound American spirit of successive generations of civic leadership. Gates is known today as one of our most attractive neighborhoods.
My best wishes for a glorious celebration.
NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER
GOVERNOR
1
Congratulations
FROM THE SUPERVISOR OF THE TOWN OF GATES
FRANK F. KIPERS
Doin of Gates 18135 1963 Sesquicentennial
If I could speak for all those who have served as Supervisors of the Town of Gates since its founding in 1813, I am sure they would feel as I do, that it is a very great honor to be Supervisor of this progressive town, and to receive the trust and confidence of its residents.
I feel especially fortunate to be serving as Supervisor during this Sesquicentennial year when the gratifying achievements of the past 150 years are celebrated.
We all have reason to be proud of our fine heritage and of our present town. We have grown from a handful of settlers, braving the wilderness, to a thriving, modern town and will continue to gain in stature in years to come.
On the occasion of our Sesquicentennial I should like to extend my very best wishes to every resident of Gates and my sincere thanks to all those who have devoted their time and efforts to making this a successful Sesquicentennial celebration.
Trouk & Dipers
SUPERVISOR
Congratulations!
The Rochester Gas and Electric ex- tends heartiest congratulations to the Town of Gates on the occasion of its Sesqui-Centennial, marking one hundred and fifty years of steady growth and progress.
Today, Gates is a pleasant place to live in-a pleasant place in which to do business. The whole Rochester area should take pride in this friendly neighbor.
We at the R.G. and E. are particu- larly happy to have served this com- munity for so many years!
E
B
E
ROCHESTER GAS
SERVICE
RG:E
AND ELECTRIC SAFETY
r.
CP
COSTANZO J. CARUSO
NELSON DENNIS
CO-CHAIRMEN
GATES SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION DAYS COMMITTEE
The Gates Sesquicentennial Celebra- tion Committee, Inc. was formed to or- ganize and manage the celebration ac- tivities commemorating our Town's 150th anniversary. The preparation of the celebration program (see back page) and the publication of the historical book are designed to provide an interesting and entertaining program. The commit- tee's purpose was to inspire residents of our town to an awareness of their heritage and to develop a continuing program to keep alive this re-vitalized civic pride. The committee is a non- profit organization, and any revenue derived in excess of expenses will be made available to the Executive Com- mittee for future programs.
The Committee wishes to express sincere appreciation to the many resi- dents of the town who have given so generously of their time and energy in helping to plan this celebration.
C
FRANK F. KIPERS Honorary Chairman
NEIL BUBEL Legal
MRS. ANGELO MORTICELLI Recording Secretary
WILLIAM ELSER Treasurer
GORDON E. COLE Public Relations Historical Book Design
MRS. GORDON E. COLE Co-author Historical Book
MRS. LYLE THOMAS Historian and Co-author of Historical Book
HARRISON KELLY Historical Book Advertising
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ANTHONY QUATTRONE Parade
THEY BURNED THE MIDNIGHT OIL
To these chairmen of our Sesquicentennial com- mittee we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for the many hours of time and effort that went into the planning of the 150th anniversary celebration of the town of Gates.
REGIS MOONEY Revenue
HAROLD BEAM High School Co-ordinator
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APRIL 1, 1963 Sesquicentennial DEDICATION
OF
WN
FOUNDED IN 1813
County Cornerstone
COUN'
TOWN SEAL
NROE
Y
of
As befitting a town which through the years has grown and prospered, which has developed an ex- cellent school system, and an enviable record as a progressive community, the Town of Gates at a cere- mony held April 1, 1963, adopted an official flag, seal and colors. The flag, which was raised for the first time at the ceremony, and which now flies in front of the Town Hall, is blue and gold, adopting its colors from the United Nations. The seal signi- fies the growth of Gates and the county (two acorns), and the manner of growth-the evolution of Rochester and other towns from Gates ("County Cornerstone"). Both the seal and the flag were de- signed by Richard Ramsauer, art instructor at Gates- Chili High School. Historical research was done by Mrs. Norman F. Murray.
Town of Sates Sesquicentennial
TY
OF
TOP PHOTO: Members of the Gates Town Board, left to right - Costanzo Caruso. Councilman, William Forbes, Councilman; Mrs Mary Murray, Councilwoman; Frank F. Kıpers, Supervisor, Nelson Dennis, Council- man
MIDDLE PHOTO: Dedication ceremonies at Town Hall, April 1. 1963
BOTTOM PHOTO Councilwoman Mary Mur- roy and Supervisor Frank Kipers display the Town Flag.
VROE
GATES
SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION DAYS
AUGUST 8, 9, 10, 11, 1963 Fun Days
Part of our sesquicentennial celebration is the fun of turning the clock back 150 years to re-live for a few days the lives of the pioneers who founded our town. The men in beards - the ladies in old fashioned gowns - the stocks - the old-time policemen, all serve to bring back memories of the nostalgic past. "You were there".
GATES, NEW YORK Gaten Besquicentennial
Celebration
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1963
SHAYER'S PERMIT TOWN OF GANEL SESQUICINISHMAI GLIMLATION
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APPLICATION
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1813
GATES
SESQUICENTENNIAL BELLES
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TOWN OF GAMES MLOUICHWITHHLAL CINEAT ......
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Here is the crack, immaculately uniformed squad of "Keystone ** Cops" who enforce law and 'disorder' during the · sesquicen- tennial celebration.
Culprits who disobey sesquicentennial law end up like this - in the stocks.
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TOWN OF GATES SESQUI CENTENNIAL 1013 1963 Celebration Dates AUGUST 8 .9 10 :11
A great attraction during celebration days - the Town of Gates "Kangaroo Court", complete with jail and stocks.
KANGAROO COURT NOW IN SESSION
The "Judge" administers sesquicentennial law and rida.
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TOWN OF GATES ALQUICINTHIAAL CIIMANON
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TOWN OF GATES MEMORIAL
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GATES SESQUIBELLES
These lovely Town of Gates SesquiBelles, wearing the finery of by-gone years, set the style for Sesquicentennial Celebration Days. With the SesquiBelles is Oscar A. Haase, who is wearing the same suit in which he came to Gates 50 years ago.
NS SHOES
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DAY PARADE 1963
GATES "BEARDED BROTHERS"
No finer crop of whiskers than those worn by the loyal "Bearded Brothers" of Gates, could be found even in great, great Grandad's day. They put The Smith Brothers to shame.
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THE PRUDENTIAL
We're making history, too!
Yes, the buildings we erect today and those planned for tomorrow, will become part of the history of the Town of Gates in years to come. Farash Construction Corporation, builders of the new Prudential Insurance Building at 2115 Chili Avenue, extends congratulations to the Town of Gates on its 150th anniversary. We are proud to have had a part in the continuing business growth of Gates, and extend thanks to Town Officials for their gracious cooperation, and to the Prudential Insurance Company for their confidence in us.
Farash CONSTRUCTION CORP.
895 WINTON RD., SOUTH - ROCHESTER
18, NEW YORK CH 4-1886
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN
OF GATES
PROLOGUE . . . . 1808
It was getting on toward 4 o'clock and, although it had been an unusually warm day for March, the air had grown chilly as the sun disappeared behind the trees. Abel Rowe straightened up from the pile of logs he had been splitting and rubbed his cold hands together.
"That would do for today", he decided. "Besides it was almost supper time and there was to be a meeting tonight. He would have just time enough to wash up, eat his dinner and get to the meeting."
He could see the smoke rising from the chimney of his cabin as he walked toward the clearing, now covered by a blanket of snow. As he walked, he thought about how the feeling had been growing among the people of the town that the time had come to adopt a new name for this last portion of the Town of Northampton. Three other towns had re- cently divided themselves from Northampton and were now distinguished as Murray, Parma and Riga, and it seemed high time that what was left of old Northampton be dignified by a name of its own.
"He for one, was in favor of it. He would vote 'yes' at the meeting tonight and he hoped all the others would too."
He was still mulling over what a suitable name might be when he reached his cabin and found sup- per waiting.
*
It must have been at such a meeting that the petition requesting the legislature for permission to change the name of our town from Northampton to Gates, was drawn up. And it is likely that one Abel Rowe was one of those who had a hand in this work, for he was among the town officers to be elec- ted at a meeting held a year later on April 4, 1809 at the house of Jeremiah Olmstead.
According to McIntosh's History of Gates, the officers were: Supervisor, Zaccheus Colby; Town Clerk, Hugh McDiarmid; Assessors, John Williams, Thomas King, Richard Clark; Road Commissioners, Matthew Dimmick, Moses Clark, Nathaniel Tibbles; Overseer of the Poor, Abel Rowe, Moses Clark; Col- lector, Richard Clark; Overseers of Highways, Thom- as Lee, Charles Harford, Fred Rowe, Erastus Robert- son, Ashael Wilkerson, Moses Clark, Nathaniel Jones; Fence Viewers and Pound Keepers, Abel Rowe, Augustus B. Shaw, Thomas King and Samuel Latta.
We know that legislative action for the change of name was taken in 1808, but that it was not re- enacted until four years later when it was passed on June 10, 1812.
in
GENERAL HORATIO GATES
Chapter 122 Laws of 1812 An Act for Altering The Name of The Town Therein Mentioned
II Be it further enacted, that from and after the 1st day of April next, the Town of North- ampton (heretofore so called) in the County of Genesee, shall be known and called by the name of Gates.
The name of Gates was chosen in honor of Gen- eral Horatio Gates, American Revolutionary Officer who received the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga in 1777, and who died in New York State in 1806.
So it was that on April 1, 1813, our town be- came officially known as Gates.
In 1813 the boundaries of the Town of Gates extended North to Lake Ontario, East and South to the Genesee River, and West to Parma, for it includ- ed the village of Rochesterville (now the city of Rochester) and the Town of Greece. It was not until 1817 that Rochesterville was granted separation from the old Town of Gates, and the Town of Greece was not established until 1822.
But let us go back to the beginning-to the time when the first white settlers arrived and Indians roamed the banks of the Genesee River.
The Westward Trend
At the close of the Revolutionary War, when the westward trend began, and Gates was included in the large area extending from the west bank of the Genesee River to Lake Erie on the west and bounded by Lake Ontario on the north and State of Penn- sylvania on the south, we find that Massachusetts and New York were in controversy as to the title of this land.
It was through the Treaty of Hartford in 1786 that Massachusetts secured the right to sell all lands west of the Pre-emption Line (a division line which ran north and south across the state at Seneca Lake), subject to the title of the native Indians. The land, however, was to remain under the gov- ernmental jurisdiction of New York.
In 1788 Massachusetts sold the land to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham subject to the Indian title which Phelps and Gorham were to secure. This and the results of the same is known historically as the "Phelps and Gorham Purchase". Phelps and Gorham were to pay for the same, the amount of one million dollars in Massachusetts Consolidated Securities, the value of which was then below par. Preparations for the purchase from the Indians, ex- plorations and surveys were made. But difficulties arose. The Indians were willing to sell a part of their land, but refused the sale of any land west of the Genesee River, alleging that the stream was the final boundary between the whitemen and the redmen. Oliver Phelps, however, did not give up easily. In his opinion, the most valuable tract of land in the new territory was the portage on the west side of the Genesee River, including the navigable waters above and below the falls.
This then brings us to the story of Ebenezer (Indian) Allen, the first known white man west of the Genesee River, a cruel, unscrupulous and sav- age man, who mostly. made his home with the In- dians and was considered by them a friend. Smooth- talking Oliver Phelps convinced Allen to persuade the Indians to relinquish their rights to this land by offering to give him a 100-acre tract on the west side of the river on which to build a mill. Phelps painted a glowing picture of the many white fam- ilies he expected to settle along the river. Thus the Indians relented and gave title to the "Mill Lot", a piece 28 by 12 miles in size on the west side of the Genesee River near Lake Ontario.
The Treaty of Buffalo Creek, dated July 8, 1788, resulted in the passing of title from the Indians to Oliver Phelps and Company of 2,600,000 acres of land lying between the Pre-emption line at Seneca Lake and a line running due north from the Penn- sylvania boundary to the confluence of the Genesee River and Canaseraga Creek; thence following the river northward two miles beyond Avon, thence 12 miles to the west, "thence running in a direction northwardly, so as to be 12 miles distant from the most westward bends of said Genesee River to the shore of Ontario lake".
On November 8, 1790, Phelps and Gorham sold to a company of men of Springfield and Northamp- ton, Massachusetts, namely, Ebenezer Hunt, Robert Breck, Quartus Pomeroy, Samuel Henshaw, Samuel Hinckley, Moses Kingsley and Justin Ely, Township No. 1 Short Range which contained 20,000 acres, in consideration of 600 pounds.
Phelps and Gorham could not keep up their pay- ments to Massachusetts due to the rise in value of the consolidated securities, and thus relinquished title to Massachusetts of the unsold portion. Massa- chusetts in turn sold this portion to Robert Morris.
All of the State of New York between the Gene- see River and Lake Erie was then made into the Town of Northampton, Ontario County, so called because six of the seven grantees of the 20,000 acre tract lived at Northampton, Massachusetts.
C. A. BREWER CO. 308 BUELL ROAD
Rochester 24, New York
The Pioneers
It was into this country, densely wooded and known only to the Indians, that the first few white families, contrary to Ebenezer Allan's prediction,. began to trickle.
It is believed that the first settler was Peter Sheffer, who with his sons, Peter and Jacob, arrived here from Lancaster, Pennsylvania sometime in 1789. The Sheffer family purchased the farm land of Ebe- nezer Allan, who moved to the grist mill at the falls of the Genesee. In 1790 Peter Sheffer Jr. married Elizabeth Schoonhover, the daughter of a family that came in the spring of that year to Dugan's creek, a little south of Scottsville. Their first child, Nancy, was born in 1793. The first frame dwelling house was erected by the younger Peter Sheffer in 1797, the lumber coming from Allan's saw mill. Nails and other iron used was brought from Geneva.
After the Sheffer family the first settler on the west side of the river was William Hencher, a refugee from Massachusetts, where he had participated in Shay's rebellion. In August 1791 he came to the area of Long Pond where he built a hut.
Then in 1796 we find the name of Gideon King, and Zaddock Granger who came from Suffield, Conn. and to whom Oliver Phelps had conveyed six thous- and acres of land, on the west side of the Genesee, about four miles south of Lake Ontario. Although it was the dead of winter, the King and Granger fami- lies set about building several log cabins on the high bank of the river, obtaining the lumber for the roofs and flooring from Allan's mill.
These then are the first known white men to settle in the Town of Northampton. That they were of courageous stock is evidenced by the fact that in spite of the bitter weather and the so-called "Genesee Fever" which took the lives of many of the early comers, they stayed and proceeded to form the nucleous of our town government.
The first town meeting of Northampton was held on April 4, 1797 in the home of Peter Sheffer. Josiah Fish, another early settler, was elected supervisor and Eli Granger, town clerk. The following year in 1798 a school committee was formed, consisting of Mr. Sheffer, commissioner and committeemen Josiah Fish, Chapman Hawley and Joseph Morgan.
Genesee County Created
By an act of the State Legislature, dated March 30, 1802, the original County of Genesee was erected and subdivided into four towns, Northampton, Southampton, Leicester and Batavia. Again in 1808, the Town of Northampton was divided into four towns: Murray, Parma, Northampton and Riga. Gates was the last town to retain the name of North- ampton and as we know, by legislative action in 1808, re-enacted and passed June 10, 1812, it was named Gates beginning the first day of April, 1813.
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White Oak Dairy
1021 WEGMAN ROAD GATES, NEW YORK
IT IS OUR PLEASURE TO BE SERVING THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY
Congratulations
TO THE TOWN OF GATES ON THEIR SESQUI-CENTENNIAL
Becker's Restaurants
Compliments of
Geo. Tripp Construction, Inc. TO THE TOWN OF GATES ON THEIR SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
IED FOODLINER
Now At Our New Location ...
ENTRESS IGA FOODLINER
TRY OUR FRESH TABLE-RITE MEATS AND PRODUCE
3035 BUFFALO ROAD ESTABLISHED APRIL 1963
Early Gates Settlers
It was about 1800 when settlements began to be made in what is now within the boundaries of the town of Gates. John Harford, who at one time owned one-twelfth of the town, settled just east of the junc- tion of the Lyell and Spencerport roads, where he built a house, cleared the land, and sowed the first grain to be harvested in this area. About that time Isaac Ray cleared ground in the woods for a large farm east of Gates Centre. Isaac Dean, who came shortly after, and who must have been an enterpris- ing gentleman, realized the need for a saw mill and established one in 1810 about one mile south of Gates Centre.
About 1810 William Hinchey, for whom Hinchey road was named, and whose decendents still reside on the original Hinchey farm, settled south of Gates Centre. Here he built the first clapboard house in Gates. It is more than likely that Mr. Hinchey had a say in the naming of our town.
During the western boom, Mr. Hinchey sold his farm to the Frost Nursery Company and with his wife, Lucy Ann, moved to Michigan. Their son, Franklin, born in 1828, remained in Gates, attend- ing school here and later went to Riga Academy and Albany State Normal Schools. It was through Frank- lin Hinchey that the farm came back to the family. After being employed as superintendent of the nurs- ery company for a year or more, he borrowed $500.00 and made the first payment on a parcel of the orig- inal homestead. Later he acquired the balance and before he died in 1912, he had over 300 acres which he operated with his son, William, as a Holstein cat- the farm. For 50 years Franklin Hinchey was con- nected with the Law Department of the New York Central Railroad as Land and Tax Agent and trav- eled frequently to and from New York. The New York Central trains, crossing Howard Road, nearby, stopped for the single passenger, going and coming.
Franklin Hinchey's son, William, now in his 90th year, still resides in the century-old farmhouse with his son Harmon and his family.
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