USA > New York > Livingston County > Conesus > History of the town of Conesus, Livingston Co., N. Y. : from its first settlement in 1793, to 1887, with a brief genealogical record of the Conesus families > Part 1
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HISTORY
OF THE
Town of Conesus BY
WILLIAM P. BOYD.
ic 974.702 C758b 1180145
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01179 0273
P.
17.50
1
/
1
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofc00boyd_0
William J. Boyd
HISTORY
-OF THE-
TOWN OF CONESUS
LIVINGSTON CO., N. Y.,
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT IN 1793, TO 1887, WITH A BRIEF
GENEALOGICAL RECORD
OF THE
CONESUS FAMILIES.
BY WILLIAM P. BOYD. Author of " The History of the Boyd Family," Etc ..
.
CONESUS, N. Y .: BOYD'S JOB PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. 1887.
Southern BA. Co - 17.50
1180145
THIS VOLUME IS TENDERLY INSCRIBED TO THE MEMORY OF OUR FOREFATHERS AND MOTHERS, WHO SETTLED THE LITTLE TOWN
OF
CONESUS.
Author.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
PAGE.
INTRODUCTION,
7
CHAPTER I.
The Description of the Town,
9
CHAPTER II.
The Indian Settlements,
13
CHAPTER III.
The Sullivan's Campaign,
21
CHAPTER IV.
The Wild Animals, Etc. Etc.,
39
CHAPTER V.
The Original Land Owners,
47
CHAPTER VI. The First Settlements of the Town, .
.
51
CHAPTER VII.
The Log Houses, Customs and Manners of the
Early Settlers,
59
CHAPTER VIII.
The Routes of the Early Settlers,
66
CHAPTER IX.
The Original Names of the Town, and the
First Town Meeting,
70
CHAPTER X.
The Villages of Conesus,
75
CHAPTER XI.
The Churches and Religious Denominations, 83
CHAPTER XII.
The Schools and School Districts of the
Town, Etc.,.
90
CHAPTER XIII. The Cemeteries and Epidemics of the Town, 93
CHAPTER XIV.
The Storms, Floods, Fires, Etc.,
104
CHAPTER XV.
The Railroad and Railroad Accidents, . 109
CHAPTER XVI.
The War Records of Conesus, Etc.,
.
115
CHAPTER XVII.
The Narratives and Historical Events,
127
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Genealogical History of the Town,
139
INTRODUCTION.
HIS volume is designed to be a his- tory of the Town of Conesus, and to gather up the fading memorials of the past, and transmit them to the gene- rations that will succeed us. A dozen years more, and a faithful history of the town can not be written, simply because the most of our pioneers will be gathered to the home of their fathers, and as there is no effort being made to preserve their recollections, they will soon pass into oblivion.
This history-I must say-has been under my consideration since the year of 1868. At that time, I gathered together many sketches of the past, from those that have gone before us. These, I have preserved, while at the same time, have added other items with them, and now present the whole to you, for your kind consideration.
This volume, which now goes before the pub- lic, is a simple record, woven from such ma- terial as could be gathered after no little labor, though in a manner somewhat desultory. Fidelity to truth, and justice to the character of individuals, has been my conscientious aim. It has been my intention not to give anything in this work, to reflect upon the char-
actor of persons, or hurt the feelings of their de- scendants. Should there be an instance of that kind in the book, I humbley ask their pardon from unintentionly doing them an injury.
When I commenced this work, it was only my intention to give a simple history of the events of the town. But as I advanced, I was requested by a number of the town's peo- ple, to include a chapter of the different fam- ilies of the town. So, after due consideration, I consented, and prepared one, and give it in the back part of this book. This is not com- plete in every respect, for a perfect one would make a volume of itself. But what I have given, is mostly from my memory, or from items I have come across from time to time, and in many instances may be-from the source they are obtained,-incorrect.
Nearly two years I have been engaged in preparing this book. I would have you bear in mind, that within this time, I have set every letter, transposed every line, formed them into pages, printed them from presses of my own make ; and therefore, with- out doubt, there may be many mistakes, words spelled wrong, sentences discomposed, and many other typographical errors (as most of the
7
8
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
work has been done after dark, and a hard days labor on the " old farm,") yet it will give a history of our early pioneers, and hold their names in the memory of the living, for years to come.
ACKNOWLEDGEMEMTS.
I would express my deep obligations to all who have so kindly seconded my efforts by cor- respondence, words of encouragement, and per- sonal assistance.
To Messrs Bigelow & Brothers of Buffalo, N. Y., (Publishers,) for their kindness in al- lowing me the privilege of publishing the Journal of Major Norris on Sullivan's Cam- paign, found in this book.
To Frank P. Shafer, for loan of papers and for other information from records kept by him.
To my father-Hiram Boyd-for papers and statements taken in 1860, from the pio- neers then living.
To the Town Clerks for the year of 1884, and '85, for the privilege of searching the Town Clerk's office for records, and loan of books.
To my wife,-Mary R. Boyd-for her assis-
tance in the publication of this work. And in conclusion, I can but express the hope that the perusal of these pages may afford others as much pleasure, as their preparation and publi- cation have afforded me.
WILLIAM P. BOYD.
CONESUS, Jan. 1, 1887.
.
1
3
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
- CHAPTER I.
The Description of the Town.
ONESUS is a small township, in the eastern part of Livingston County, N. Y. Bounded on the north by Livo- nia : east by Canadice, (Ontario Co.); south by Springwater and Sparta; west by Groveland, and contains an area of nearly six miles square, or thirty-six square miles, with ahnost twenty-thousand acres of fine agricul- tural lands, and a population in 1884 of about 1300 human souls.
The surface is broken by ranges of hills, with valleys running north and south across its sur- face. The largest of these hills, are the Mar- rowback in the eastern part of the town. This range of hills is very steep upon its eastern slope, and along the shore of the Hemlock Lake is covered with timber, which is fast giving away to the strong arm of civilization in being converted into "Summer Resort," by tourists from the small villages in Western New York. The western slope is not so steep, and the soil is of a clayish loam, and furnishes some of the finest grazing lands, that are found in the State.
Marrowback Hills derived its name in the following singular way. In the early days of the town, the settlers had for amusement, gen- er I trainings, lasting several days at a time.
One of these gala days as being held near the present village of Livonia Centre; and among the artistic sport:, they formed a ring, and in the same, placed twoof their most noted wrestlers, in "hors-de-combat." One of these lived near Lima, the other was from Conesus or Marrow- back hills. After a severe struggle, the man from Marrowback threw his opponent, and to the merriment of all, a gentleman in the circle clapped his hands and exclaimed : " That mall has to much marrow-in-his-back for you." The black junk bottle was then passed around, and these hills were christened " Marrowback hills."
In the western part is found what is called the " Turkey hills ;" running about half way across the town. This hill is quite steep as it slopes westward towards Conesus lake. Along its base is found some of the most productive lands in the town. The eastern slope is not so steep, still it is composed of a fine soil, on the top it is more of a wet nature. This range of hills, are said to have derived their name from turkeys being stolen there, by or from the early settlers. In the south part is a large hill in form of a flat-iron, with its point extending t - wards the centre of the town. This hill is ! t steep, except on its western slope, as t
10
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
extends toward the Head of the Lake flats. The soil of this hill, is of a clayish nature, and generally good for spring grain.
Through the eastern part, is a large valley, known as the Calabogue Hollow. This valley was given that name many years ago, by John C. Coe of South Livonia, N. Y. His meaning was "a heedless place." The valley is quite narrow, and extends from the south line, down to Conesus Center, and intersects with another small fertile valley running to the northern line of the town.
In the western part of the town is the Head of the Lake flats. This valley extends from Scottsburgh to Conesus Lake. The center of the valley is covered by a large swamp, which is impenetrable only in the winter or a dry sum- mer time, and is covered with timber.
The valleys are of a black muckey loamy soil very deep and productive for grass or grain.
In the center are two large gulls running from north and south east toward Conesus Lake. The north one being the largest, af- fords drainage for all the lands in the northern part, and the south one, the same for the waters of. Calabogue Hollow. These Gulls are known as the "Mill " and " Purchase Gulls;" the south one being the former, and the north one the latter. The Purchase gull, is deep and narrow, and many places the banks are nearly 100 feet, perpendicular in highth. It took its name from the original owner, who owned a grist-mill near its center. This gull is very winding, and at its mouth, it spreads out and forms the Foot's Corners flats.
The Mill Gull, is also very deep, with high and steep banks. The narrowest place is at its head, where it spread out into the Calabogue hollow. Near the Grist-mill, the banks is nearly one hundred feet high.
These two gulls, as they verge into the head
of the lake flats, run side by side for many rods forming a narrow strip of land, about sixty or seventy feet high, nearly perpendicular, with only room on top, for a single foot path, which if the weary pedestrian, should lose his foot- hold, would soon launch him into eternity, on the rocks below. The top of this ridge is covered with timber; clinging to what little earth, and crevices in the rocks that its roots can penetrate. At the west end is formed a flat piece of land about half way up, of nearly an acre in extent. Covered over with second growth timber, and to-day bears the legion of being an old indian burying-ground. The up- per end of the ridge expands out in a broad strip of flat land, towards Conesus Centre ; and this spot is called by the town people "Hog back."
The rocks of these gulls are of a shallow slate which crumbles freely when exposed to the air. They are lined with layers of black stone, which is highly pregnated with carbon : and was used by the early settlers for back-stones in the chimneys of their dwellings.
There are several smaller gulls in the town ; yet we have not space to give a complete descrip- tion of them in this work. All of them have a small stream of pure clear water running through them, which has diminished in size -- except in a rainy time -- since the country has come under the hands of civilization. These gulls furnish some of the finest scenery that can be found in the state. The soil of the town is of various formation. The top of the hills- as we have said-is of a clay loam ; often wet, and hard to till. Some of the smaller hills- mostly in the northern part-is a sandy loam, forming fine beds of gravel, and under the same, a gray sand, which is much sought after for building purposes. On the flat-iron hill, in sev- eral places the rock comes near to the surface of the ground, and is covered with a few feet of soil.
11
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
Conesus has upon the east and west side, two small lakes, called Conesus and Hemlock. The former is upon the western and the latter on the eastern border.
Conesus Lake is about nine miles long, and in many places, nearly a mile wide. The In- dian name for the same is "Ga-ne-a-sos," signifying "always beautiful." This lake is a fine sheet of water, cold, clear and deep. Its shores are bold and wide with a fine gravelly bottom. Yet they are cleared of the dense forest that once surrounded them. The town furnishes its inlet by a small stream through the swamp at the head of the lake, in connect- ion with Mill and Purchase gull creeks, which empties into it at its head. Since its early discovery by the white-man, it has diminished in size, and several acresof valuable land has been secured by owners along its shores. Its water has sent several of our town people to their last home, of which we will speak more of hereafter.
The Hemlock, like its sister lake is also a fine sheet of water, about seven miles long and three-fourhs of a mile in width. It derived its name from the large number of hemlock trees that surround it. The water is very cold and clear. From this lake, the Rochester City ob- tains its water supply, which is carried from the lake to the city, in large iron pipes, Along the shore on the west side of the lake it is cov- ered with forest, and a large number of sum- mer cottages along the beach.
These lakes are well stocked with fish, such as Bass, Trout, Pickeral, Bull-heads Suckers, Perch, Mullets, and other fresh water fish, and are protected by the laws of the state. Seines and Gill-nets are prohibited, and other kind of fishing devices, through certain parts of the year. The lakes have been well stocked with fish by the State, in the last few years.
The timber of the town, are of many species such as the Oak, Chestnut, Pine, Hemlock, Ju- niper, Hickory, Bass-wood, Elm, Sassafras, Poplar, Box-wood, Pepperage, Cucuinber, Maple, Beech, Burch, Ash, Cedar, Crab-apple, Thorn-apple, Butternut, Black-walnut, Cherry, and Button-wood. The timber grows accord- ing to the soil. Upon the upland is found the the Maple, Pine, Bass-wood, Burch, Beech, while in the northern part is found the Oak, Hickory, Chestnut, Walnut, and the gulls and swamps the Pine, Elm, Hemlock, and other species of low-land timber.
When the early settlers came here, they found the country heavily timbered, with now and then a small piece of ground, that was called by them "Oak openings." These open- ings was without doubt in an early day used by the Indians, for their tillable lands. When the white-man came here, these lands, had on them, only the big trees, the small timber and underbrush had disappeared.
The timber has been a great blessing to our fore-fathers, yet it has been to them a great task in clearing their lands; anu to-day where once stood a dense forest, there can only be seen now and then a small belt of woodland that has been spared by the woodmans ax.
There are many places to-day, where the blackened earth denotes the past sight of an old coal-pit, burnt by the early settlers, to procure coal, to purchase comforts of life with. Hun- dreds of cords of wood has been consumed this way, or rolled up into a log heap, and destroyed to clear the lands of its dense foliage. The largest piece of woodland in town, is along the west shore of the liemlock Lake, which consists of about five-hundred acres.
The timber is of great value in all kind of manufactured articles, especially the oak and hickory, which is considered to be of the finest
12
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
quality. It grows very tall, and of times many feet to the first limb.
The mineral production of this town has nev- er reached to any value. Iron ore has been found on top of the ground, but no bed has been discovered to warrant the investment of capital to bring it before the civilized world.
In the Purchase gull, veins of Anthracite Coal has been found of nearly an inch in thick- ness. Salt is supposed to underlie the town, by its numerous deer-licks, that was found here at an early date.
Petroleum is thought to abound, by the strong odor of the same found in rocks in some of the gulls-this all remains a secret.
Agricultural pursuits are of first class; Oats, Wheat, Corn, Barley, and Beans are the prin- ciple grain. Hemp, Flax, Rye, has been grown to some extent. Fruit-such as Apples, Pears Peaches, Plums, Grapes, Cherries, Rasberries,
Strawberries, Quinces and Mellons-are raised in large quanities. Garden fruit is exten- sively grown, in shape of Potatoes, &c.
The climate of the town, is considered as fine as any part of New York; but in late years, as the forests are being destroyed, the seasons have changes; Winter seems colder, and Summers are shorter. Springs that once were never known to fail, has through the dry sea- sons of the year, gone dry. Winters are very severe, as there is nothing to break the cold sweeping winds and stormns, from sending forth their full blast over the town. The waters of the town, is principly hard, caused by com- ing from the different kinds of rocks, which some are of a lime-stone formation. As for health, there is no place, that has as little sick- ness, from epidemic diseases, as are found within her precinct, in which her sister towns, has been subject to endure in the past.
1
N.ORR.
5
LUMLEY.DEL
A Seneca Warrior.
CHAPTER II.
The Indian Settlements dr.
KONESUS,-like her sister towns-was once the home of the red-man. Here they roamed over her hills; hunted in her valleys; plied their canoes on the blue waters of her lakes; planted their corn and sang songs to the young papoose among the green trees of her forests. They are now gone. Yes, gone from here to the lands of their fore- fathers.
In giving this chapter, we do not intend to go far back into Indian history, as it would take too much space ; but only back to the time when the white-man found them here. This was in the fore-part of the sixteenth cen- tury. Here they found a large tribe, which was named by them, "Iroquoits," composed of five smaller tribes, known as the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas and Mohawks, and was added to them the Tuscaroras of South Carolina, who had been defeated by the Caro- linas, in the year of 1712, and had emigrated to the north, and became members of the con- federation in that year.
When this confederation was formed, it is not known to the white-man ; but was in ex- sistence, when the French found them here, in 1609. These are the proper Iroquoits ; and
should be distinguished as such from the Hu- ron Iroquoits. The name Iroquoit was given them by the French. The Algonquins called them Mingos. They all occupied lands in the Middle and Western New York; and the names of towns and counties, denotes the places of their original settlement. Their great council-fire-where the leading men of each tribe met once a year-was held among the Onondagas, whose chief village was near the present sight of Syracuse, N. Y. These tribes were constantly in war-like excursions against the Savages in the east, south and west, which had reduced them to a state, that they were obliged to form this confederation, to protect themselves against their enemies.
In 1817, they are suid to have numbered forty thousand; but, at the present time, do not exceed three or four thousand. The most of these have been removed west of the Miss- issippi river. A number of the civilized In- dians, remains in New York, near the sight of their former home.
The largest of these tribes, were the Sene- cas. Their chief-capitol town, was upon the Genesee flats, in the western part of Livingstou County, New York. They occupied a large
13
14
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
territory around them, and their chief village si said to have numbered over one-hundred houses. They had several smaller villages, in the country around them.
The town of Conesus came within their jur- isdiction, and they had a fine village at the Head of Conesus Lake, but of how many houses it is not known ; this village seems to have been held for the purpose of fishing. The first that is known of this village is at the time of Sul- li van's expedition against them in 1779 : of which Major Norris in his Journal of Sept. 1.3, 1779, says : " Marched at 7 o'clock, (from Foot's Corners) proceeded two miles to a town called Kaneysas or Yucksea, consisting of 18 houses, situated on an excellent intervale near a small lake where we found a large quantity of Corn, Beans, Squash, Potatoes, Cucumbers, Water Melons, &c. &c., and in about this town the army halted four hours to distroy the Town, the corn, and to build a bridge over a Creek. At this town lived a very great noted warrior called the Great Tree, who has made great pretentions of friendship to us, and has been to Philadelphia and to General Washing- tou's Head-Quarters since the war commenced, and has received a number of presents from General Washington and from Congress : yet we suppose that he is with Butler against us."
The sight of this town was a little south of the present residence of R. F. & B. F. Mc Mil- len, upon an elevated piece of land, consisting of about one acre. The evidence is, that this was once a strong hold, or in other words, a stockade-fort. This may have taken place many years before Sullivan's expedition, and at that time, they may have moved nearer the lake. These forts were built by setting logs close together with one end in the ground, with the other extending ten or twelve feet out of the ground. Such forts were found in the east-
ern states, at the time of their first settlements, and no doubt they once existed here.
Inside of these palisades, were placed their huts, yet in no regular order; and they occu- pied these villages for only a few years, on account of having no sanitary regulations, they soon became filthy, and they were obliged to move to some cleaner place.
At this place, they had their corn-fields on the flats below, which they planted in mounds of some four or five feet in diameter, and raised nearly a foot high, and in hills of the same distance apart. "Of-times they would have ten or twelve acres under this state of cultivation.
They had a large apple orchard here which was distroyed by General Sullivan, September 13th 1779. Not many years since, there were trees standing, that had sprouted, and grown from the mutilated stumps, left by the above General.
At this place there were several Indian trails running to different parts of the country. One leading to the north, up the hill, a little north of Henderson hill,-near the residence of G. Griswold,-to Foot's Corners; then up the hill north-east out of the town, near the Hart's School-house. This trail conducted General Sullivan into their midst. From the village it went west across the flats, up the Groveland hill to their village near the residence of the late Colonel Abel ; on the Genesee flats. They may have had another one across the Head of the Lake flats, nearer the lake. The second trail ran up the hill back of their village, near the residence of the late L. B. Richardson ; then in a south-east direction past the residence of David Coleman; then on up through the Calabogue Hollow south to the Cohocton Valley. No doubt they had other trails lead- ing from their village, to other sections of the country, unknown to us.
15
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
Upon the main trail-near the present sight of Foot's Corners-no doubt they had a small village. This was near the present residence of Romeyne W. Cole. How large this settle- ment was, we have no knowledge of; and may have been kept here for the purpose of hunting through the level country north of their village. There could not have been any huts here, when Sullivan's army entered the town, as none of the Journals kept by the army, mentioned it: but, at the time of the first settlement here by the whites, they found several huts occupied by them, showing that this must have been one of the selected places.
There may have been at one time in the town, more small villages, of which we have no record. The Indians would ofttimes settle at a place for a few summer months, and when the the cold winds of winter came, they would move to their larger villages.
CUSTOM OF THE SENECA INDIANS.
It may be of interest to many of our read- ers, for us to give a short sketch of the custoni and manners of the Indians found at the Head of the Conesus Lake, by the early settlers.
After the invasion of General Sullivan's army, the Indians never returned and rebuilt up the town at this place, the same as it was before; but would come back through the sum- mer months, and build their huts for the pur- pose of fishing, and when the cold winds of winter came, most of them would go to their village, near Mount Morris, N. Y.
The most of the history of the Indians around the Head of the Conesus Lake, I obtained from Mrs. Jame McNinch, who lived several years among them at the early settlement of the town. Ofttimes have I sat by her side in my younger days, and listened to her tales concern- ing the life of the red-man.
The Indians built their huts in two shapes, round and oblong. The round one was con- structed by setting up poles, so as to form a peak at the top; the oblong by laying a pole lengthway at the top, and then covering the out- side with bark and skins of animals, while in some there was a hole left at the top to let the smoke pass out, and an opening in the side for an entrance. Ofttimes they built their fires in front of the entrance if the hut was too small. Their huts were of different sizes. Some was ten or twelve feet across, and general ly large enough to hold a dozen persons. Their chairs was the ground, and their beds were made the same way. When they slept, they always laid with their heads toward the fire, with their forms enwrapped in an Indian blanket, or skins of animals killed in the chase.
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