USA > New York > Wyoming County > Warsaw > History of the town of Warsaw, New York, from its first settlement to the present time; with numerous family sketches and biographical notes > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
1800
Glass
E129
Book: M 2 Yy
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF WARSAW,
NEW YORK,
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME;
WITH NUMEROUS
FAMILY SKETCHES
AND
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
ANDREW W. YOUNG,
Author of " Science of Government," "American Stat sman," " Citizen's Manual," " National Economy," dc., de.
EMBELLISHED WITH PORTRAITS. AND VIEWS OF RESIDENCES AND CHURCHES.
BUFFALO : PRESS OF THE SAGE, SONS & CO. LITH., PRINTING AND MANU FACT'U CO.
1869.
F129 .W2 Y7
. Justone W. Young.
1
INTRODUCTION.
ONE year ago I came to Warsaw to visit old friends before my departure for my new home in the West. While here, I was solicited to write a history of this town. Having formed plans and purposes which I was desirous to pursue, I hesitated to make an engagement.
It was suggested that there was no citizen of the town in a situation favorable to his engaging in such an undertaking; and, further, that a personal knowledge of the principal events to be recorded, and a personal acquaintance with the inhabi- tants during a period of more than fifty years, including an almost continuous residence in the town for forty years, com- mencing about twelve years after its first settlement, would afford material advantages in writing its history. A number of the older and more prominent citizens met for consultation, and decided in favor of the proposition. Considering the pro- ject a patriotic and a commendable one, and being myself' desirous to see a written history of the town, I consented to engage in the undertaking, and proceeded immediately to the task.
It may be asked, " Why fill so large a volume with the his- tory of a single town ? Why devote so much space to stories which have become familiar from their frequent recital by our parents and grand-parents ?" These questions admit of ready answers.
iv
INTRODUCTION.
There is scarcely a town settled for fifty years that can not furnish the material for such a volume. Many remember with what interest they listened to the tales of pioneer life from the lips of their ancestors. Before the present generation shall have passed away, not an individual will be left to relate the experiences of the early settlers which have so deeply inter- ested us. This interest will not abate with the lapse of time. The written narrative of the incidents of "life in the woods," will be no less grateful to those who come after ns, than was the oral relation to ourselves.
Hence, to commemorate the events and occurrences of the past-to transmit to our descendants a faithful and true history of our own times-is a duty. And many who shall receive such history will esteem it as the most valuable portion of their in- heritance. Without it, little will be known except what shall have come down to them by tradition, always imperfect and unreliable. Nor should we overlook the consideration, that works of this kind will prove a source of valuable information to future historians.
Some of the events noticed may be deemed unimportant. As isolated facts, perhaps, they possess no great importance. A man's character is formed, in great part, by a combination of numerous traits scarcely noticeable, separate and alone. So the aggregate of the many minor incidents constitutes a material part of the most valuable histories. Yet nothing has been ad- mitted into this work that was not designed to contribute to its interest or value.
I respectfully invite the attention of the reader to some of the chief characteristics of this work.
This is not simply a history of the town of Warsaw. A large portion of its matter is of general interest. It traces the title of the Holland Land Company back to the crown of Great Britain, through the conflicting claims of States and grants of
V
INTRODUCTION.
British kings. The early settlement of this town, the priva- tions and hardships of its first settlers, its progress in wealth and in social and intellectual improvement, and the general character of its inhabitants, find a counterpart in nearly every town on the Holland Purchase; and its history will be read with scarcely less satisfaction in other towns than in our own.
Ecclesiastical History is a conspicuous feature of the work, and can not fail to interest a large portion of its readers. It comprises historical sketches of all the churches and organized religious societies in this town, including the dates of their respective organizations, the names of their ministers and church officers, the building of their houses of worship, and other matters of interest.
The War History also occupies a prominent place in the work. It records the acts and proceedings of the citizens in aiding the war for the Union, the names of all who enlisted in the service from this town, the dates and terms of their enlist- ment, and the wounds and other disabilities, death, imprison- ment, or discharge of each. No part of the work, it is believed, will be read with greater or more general satisfaction.
Family Sketches and Biographical Notes fill a large space in the volume-larger than was originally intended. The limit prescribed to these sketches was from time to time extended, until the number of families noted-including the original fam- ilies and their branches - is about fifteen hundred, and the number of names about four thousand. Yet there are many others whose sketches would have been cheerfully inserted had the necessary facts been communicated.
Among the prominent characteristics of this history is the religious feature. It has been my purpose to present to our descendants a correct view of the moral and religious character of their ancestors. Many will regard the " savor of a good name " transmitted by parents, as the most valuable portion of
vi
INTRODUCTION.
their patrimony. Considering a public profession of religion as an honorable act, and, when adorned by a corresponding deportment, as the best expression of moral excellence, I have, in the sketches of this class of our people, gener- ally noted the fact of such profession and the name of the church with which each is or has been connected.
The interest in this enterprise manifested by the citizens of this town, and by many in other towns of this county, gives promise of a favorable reception of the work. Many have long been anxiously awaiting its appearance. Dependent upon a hundred persons for information, much time was spent in col- lecting material. The statements of different persons did not in all cases agree; and much inquiry often became necessary to ascertain the facts. Of the adult settlers of the first three years, only three remain in town. From them much valuable infor- mation has been obtained. Among those who came a few years later, are many to whom my acknowledgments are dne for the numerous important facts which they have communicated, and for the interest taken in this enterprise.
Special mention should be made of the assistance of Hon. AUGUSTUS FRANK. ITis interest in the work from the begin- ning has been unabated; and he has aided essentially in gath- ering material. His knowledge of the business interests of the town enabled him to furnish many facts relating to this branch of our history; and many of the most interesting subjects have been introdneed at his suggestion. And the whole expense in- curred in the preparation and publication of this work, has been assumed by himself and his fellow-citizen, JOSHUA II. DARLING, Esq .*
There are many other citizens who deserve favorable notice. Regarding the enterprise as creditable to the town, and appre-
* Since the foregoing " Introduction " was written, Mr. Darling died at his residence, in Warsaw, March 21, 1869.
vii
INTRODUCTION.
ciating the patriotism and liberality of the gentlemen who were carrying it forward, they have not been content with the pur- chase of single copies for their respective family libraries, but have subscribed for a number of copies each. Many, not among the more wealthy class of our citizens, have given their names for three to five, others for ten or more, for distribution among their children and other friends.
The work is unusually well supplied with Tables of Refer- ence, the want of which, in many books, is a serious defect. Besides a copious TABLE OF CONTENTS in the usual place, and a GENERAL INDEX in the latter part of the volume, there is an INDEX OF NAMES, with references to the pages on which each name occurs. This enables any person whose name is in this Index to see readily with what subjects in the body of the work his name is connected.
Not the least important characteristic of the work is the style in which it appears. Its mechanical execution-printing, binding, the portraits, (except the few on steel,) the views of churches and residences, and the Warsaw Falls, have all been done by the Lithographing, Printing and Manufacturing Com- pany of Messrs. Sage, Sons & Co., of Buffalo, and compares favorably with similar work done in eastern cities.
Great pains have been taken to present this History to the public without errors. Perfect accuracy, however, in works of this kind, has perhaps never been attained; writers being ne- cessarily dependent for information upon others whose memo- ries are not in all cases correct. It is not strange, therefore, that, among the thousands of names and dates in this work, there should be some errors.
There may be persons who, on looking for sketches of their families, will be disappointed. After a large number had been written, the material of which had been procured only at the expense of much time and labor, notice was given in the vil-
viii
INTRODUCTION.
lage papers, that sketches would be prepared by the writer for persons desiring them, if furnished with the necessary informa- tion. No applications have been rejected.
Notice was also given, that the Portraits of all who would furnish them at their own expense, would be inserted. A greater number than was expected have accepted the proposi- tion, and thus contributed to the embellishment of the work, and to the gratification of their friends and descendants.
From the peculiar nature of this History, its preparation has required an amount of labor, and been attended with difficulties not anticipated at the commencement. It is hoped that it may meet the reasonable expectations of its patrons.
WARSAW, March, 1869.
A. W. Y.
CONTENTS.
CIVIL HISTORY.
IIOLLAND PURCHASE.
Preliminary History, 17. British grants to the Plymouth Company, 17. Massachusetts and New York cede their western lands to the United States, 17, 18. Conflicting claims of these States, 18. Phelps and Gorham's Pur- chase, 18. Sale to Robert Morris, 19. Morris's sale to Holland Land Com- pany, 19, 20. Indian Reservations, 20, Holland Company's survey by Jo- seph Ellicott, and the Transit instrument, 20-22. Erection and division of Genesee county, 22, 23.
TOPOGRAPHY OF WARSAW.
Situation, location and bounds of the town, 23, 24. Its roads, soil, surface, productions, streams, &c., 24, 25.
SETTLEMENT OF WARSAW.
Eliznr Webster explores the township, 25. His purchase and settlement, 26, 27. Original land sales, 27-36. Progress of settlement; first burial, 36, 37. Amos Keeney's experience, 37-40. Five immigrants carried into the town by other four, 38. Seth Gates and Truman Lewis, 40, 41. Description of log-houses, with stick chimneys; pole bed-steads, &c., 41-43. The first saw- mill and grist-mill, and store, 43-45. Want of a physician; labors of Mrs. Palmer, and advent of Dr. Sheldon, 45-46. Town of Warsaw formed, 46. Household labor; cooking, 46-48. Making cloth in families-spinning, dye- ing, &c., 48. Itinerant tailoresses, 49. Shoemaking in families, 49-50. Wild animals and bounties, 50, 51. Wolf and bear stories, 52, 53. Artemas Shattuck, who cut off his foot to save his life, 53-55. Enjoyment of the early settlers, 56, 57.
POLICY OF THIE LAND COMPANY.
Settlers charged with "Increase;" cattle received on contracts, 58. Partial reduction of debts, 59. Opinions respecting the Company's policy, 59. Causes of the adversity of the settlers, or the settlers vindicated, 59, 60. Partial relief, within doors, 60, 61. Ashes, as a source of money, 61.
ix
X
CONTENTS.
THE VILLAGE.
Its condition in 1816, 62. Cumings' purchase-streets and lots laid out, 62, 63 Growth of the village, 63-65. Isaiah Kenyon, 66, 67. The Mckay purchase, and its results, 67, 68. Improvements since 1841, 68. Great Fire of 1867, and its effects, 69. Frank & Farman's purchase, and improvements, 67, 70.
POST-OFFICES.
First Post-Office in Warsaw, 70. Where and how mailing had been done; post- age then, and now, 70, 71. Levi Street, the mail-carrier; first newspapers, 71. List of Postmasters, 72.
AGRICULTURE.
Early tillage and farming implements; Wood's cast iron plow, 73. Mode of harvesting, 73, 74. Stock raising, 74, 75. Fruit culture, 75, 76.
TRADE-MERCHANTS.
The early stores; purchasing goods, 77. System of trade, 78. Warsaw as a center of trade, 78. Maple sugar, 78. Ashes, a chief article of trade, 79. Cattle and pork, and their prices, 79. Dry Goods merchants, from 1813 to 1869, 80-84. Hardware merchants, 84. Druggists, 85, 86. Booksellers, 86. Grocers, 86.
MANUFACTURES.
Saw-mills and Grist-mills, 87, 89. Woolen manufactures; Seymour Ensign, first carder and cloth-dresser, 89, 90. Hough & Norton, and Norton & Hough; Conable & Moss and their successors, 90. Gardner, Utter & Co., 91. Carriage manufacture, 91, 92. Tanneries, 92, 93. Map-roller factory, 93, 94. Foundries, cast iron, &c., 94, 95. Planing-mills, 95, 96. Patter- son Manufacturing Company, 96, 97. Cabinet-making, 97. Carpet fac- tory, 98.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Manner of laying out Roads, 98. Old Buffalo Road, 98. State Road from Canandaigua, 99. Gulf Road, 99, 100. Bridges, 101.
RAILROADS.
Warsaw and Le Roy Railroad, 102-104. Attica and Hornellsville Railroad, 104-106. Purchase of the N. Y. Central to Buffalo, 106.
CEMETERIES.
Old Ground, how selected; first burials, 106, 107. Now Cemetery; Associa- tion incorporated, 107. Dedicated, 108.
WARSAW LIBRARY.
Library incorporated, and names of the corporators, 108. Names of Trustees; Dissolution of the Association, 10 ).
xi
CONTENTS.
EDUCATION-SCHOOLS.
First School in Warsaw, 110. Description of early School-houses, 110. Course of Study, 111. Manner of conducting Schools, 111, 112. Select Schools, 112, 113. Union School instituted, 113. Union Free School established, 114. Names of Principals and Assistants, 115, 116. Sketches of School Districts, 116-122.
PHYSICIANS.
Names of Practicing Physicians in Warsaw, and their respective Terms of Practice, 123, 124.
LAWYERS.
Names of Attorneys, and the times of commencing and discontinuing Prac- tice in this town, 125, 126.
BANKS.
Wyoming County Bank, 127. Wyoming County National Bank of Warsaw, 128.
NEWSPAPERS.
First Paper, Genesee Register, by L. & W. Walker, 128. Warsaw Sentinel, by A. W. Young, 128, 129. American Citizen, by the Antislavery Society, 129. Western New Yorker, by Barlow & Woodward, and their successors, 129, 130. Wyoming Republican, 130. Wyoming County Mirror, 130. Wyo- ming Democrat, and the Masonic Tidings, 130.
WYOMING COUNTY.
Formation of the County, 131. Commissioners to fix the site for the County Buildings, 131. Building Commissioners, 132. First Courts, where held, 132. First Election of County Officers, 132. Reasons for the Division of Genesee, 132. Annexation of towns from Allegany County, 133.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Organization of the Society; Election of Officers. 133, 134. First Fair; Pur- chase of Fair Grounds, 134.
OLD FOLKS' FESTIVALS.
Meeting at Dr. Frank's in 1850, 136, 137. Meeting in 1860, 137. Remarks of Dea. Samuel Salisbury, 138; of William Webster, Elam Perkins, Julius Whit- lock, 139; of Chester Hurd, Henry Hovey, Hiram Porter, 140; of William Smallwood, Job Sherman, Newbury Bronson, 141; of E. B. Miller, Frank Miller, S. M. Gates, 142; of J. A. McElwain, Eli Merrill, 143; of G. W. Morris, Peter Young, Rev. Mr. Buck, 144.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
ON EXTRAORDINARY OCCASIONS.
Death of President Zachary Taylor, 146. Death of President Abraham Lin- coln in 1865, 147-149.
xii
CONTENTS.
TEMPERANCE.
First Temperance Society in Warsaw, 150. Kittridge's Address and Lyman Beecher's Sermons, 150. Adoption of Tee-total Pledge, 150. Drinking Customs, 151. Early Friends of Temperance, 151, 152. Washingtonians, 152. License Question, 153. Decline of Temperance, 153. Prohibitory Laws, 154. Order of Good Templars, 154, 155.
ANTISLAVERY.
Antislavery Societies formed, 156. Proslavery Mobs; Antislavery Meeting at Utica broken up, 156. Antislavery Meeting at Batavia, 157-160. Meeting of Batavians, 157. Antislavery Meeting entered by citizens, 158. Report of Antislavery Committee, 159. Meeting adjourned to Warsaw, 160. Pro- ceedings of Warsaw Meeting, 161. Nomination of James G. Birney in 1839, for President, and its effects, 162. Buffalo Free-soil Convention in 1848. Nomination of Van Buren and Adams, 163.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Organization of the first Church in Warsaw, (then Congregational, ) 165. Early Preachers, 165. Installation and resignation of Rev. Silas Hubbard, 166. First House of Worship, 167. Action on Sabbath Schools, 167. Ac- tion on Slavery, 169. Death of Rev. Daniel Waterbury, 170. Division of the Church, 170. Semi-Centenary Meeting, 171. New Church Edifice; Laying of the Corner Stone, 172, 173. Dedication, 174, 175.
FIRST LEGALLY ORGANIZED RELIGIOUS SOCIETY .- Formation of Union Soci- ety, 176-178. Objects of Association, 178. Action on building a Meeting- house, 179. House built, 179, 180. House bought by the Presbyterians, and finished, 180. First Church Bell, 181-183. A Bugle used for a Bell 181. Bell purchased; Copy of Subscription, 182, 183.
METHODIST CHURCH.
Early History of the Church, 184. Society legally organized, 185. Houses of Worship, 186. Action of Quarterly Conference on the Traffic and Use of Ardent Spirits, 186. Action on Secret Societies, 187, 188. Action on Mis- sions, 187. Names of Presiding Elders and Preachers, 189, 190.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Early History of the Church; names of its first Members, 191. Name of the Church changed, 191, 192. Dismission of Members in 1827 to Gainesville Church, 192. First house of worship built. 192. Masonic Troubles, and their settlement, 193. Union with the Genesee Association, 193. Society legally organized, 193. Change of Site, and the Building of a new House, 194. Names of Church Officers, 195.
xiii
CONTENTS.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Organization of the Church, 196. Constitution and Rules, 196. Building of a Church Edifice, and Dedication, 197, 198. House enlarged, 198. Action on Secret Societies, 198. Building of a new Meeting-house; laying of the Corner Stone, and Dedication, 198, 199. Pastors and Officers of the Church, 199, 200. Quarter Centennial Anniversary, 200-202.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Antecedent History of the Church, 203, 204. Legal Organization of the So- ciety, 204. Erection and Dedication of a House of Worship; bequest of a Parsonage by Mrs. Watson, 205. Names of Rectors, 205.
FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCHI.
Preliminary History, 206. Orgenization of the Church; building of a Meet- ing-house, 207. Names of Ministers, 207. Action on Slavery and Intem- perance, 208. Contributions for Benevolent Purposes, 208.
GERMAN PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC CHURCHIES, 208. -
GOSPEL LAND.
History of Land Grants by the Holland Land Company to Religious Societies, 209, 210.
WAR HISTORY.
WAR OF 1812.
Declaration of War against Great Britain, 211. Names of Citizens of War- saw who served therein, 211.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Bombardment and Fall of Fort Sumter, 212. Proclamation of President Lin- coln, and Call for 75,000 Volunteers, 212. Meeting in Warsaw, and the Raising of Money, 212, 213. Sums subscribed by Citizens, 213. First Com- pany of Volunteers; their Departure, 213, 214. Another Call; Companies of Captains Stimson and Bentley, 215. Call of 1862; Companies of Cap- tains Knapp, Jenks, and Harrington, 215, 216. A Touching Scene, (case of Charley Bills, ) 216, 217. Return and Reception of Company K, 217, 218. Call of 1863, 218. Sanitary Fair and Aid Societies, 218, 219. Three more Calls for Men, 219. Bounties and Taxes, 219, 220. Close of the War, 220, 221. List of Volunteers from Warsaw, with Dates and Terms of Enlist- ment, Casualties, Discharges, &c., 222-231.
xiv
CONTENTS.
FAMILY AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES,
ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED, 232-361
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES.
The Starved Ship, 362. Scotch-Irish Family captured by Pirates, 363. "Under- ground " Escape of a Slave Mother and her Child, 364, 365. Crystal Brook and its Cascades, 365-367. " Indian Allan," 367. Sketch of Indian His- tory, 368, 369. Old Modes of Travel, 369, 370. Wyoming County Insur- ance Company, 370, 371. Late Fire, 371. Warsaw Gas Works, 372. Ad- ditional Family Sketches, 372-377.
OFFICIAL REGISTER.
COUNTY OFFICERS .- Sheriffs, Clerks, Surrogates, Judges, and District
Attorneys, - 378-380
MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY, AND SENATORS, 380
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE,
380
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, -
381
MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS,
381
TOWN OFFICERS,
382-387
BUSINESS DIRECTORY,
387
CENSUS STATISTICS, 390
INDEX, 391
INDEX OF NAMES,
395
CORRECTIONS AND OMISSIONS,
400
HISTORY OF WARSAW.
CIVIL HISTORY.
HOLLAND PURCHASE.
PRELIMINARY IHISTORY.
THE tract of country called New England, granted in 1620 by James I., King of England, to the Plymouth Company, extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. This grant was substantially confirmed by William and Mary, in 1691, by a second charter specifying the territory granted as lying between 42 deg. 5 min. and 44 deg. 15 min. north latitude.
Previously, however, to the latter grant, Charles I. (1663) granted to the Duke of York and Albany the province of New York extending to the Canada line. Its eastern bound- ary was a line twenty miles east of the IIndson river; its ex- tent westward was not definitely stated. Under these con- flicting grants a dispute subsequently arose between Massa- chusetts and New York, as to the extent of their respective territorial rights and jurisdiction. This controversy was not settled until several years after the Revolution.
To those who are not familiar with our political history, it may be necessary to state, that, by way of aiding the General Government in paying the public debt incurred during the war, the states ceded to the United States their western lands. The states of New York and Massachusetts, the latter in 1785, the former a little earlier, ceded their right to all the
2 (17)
18
HISTORY OF WARSAW.
lands west of a line running south from the westerly bend of Lake Ontario. This left nearly 20,000 square miles of terri- tory still in dispute. In 1786, the controversy was submitted to a convention of commissioners. In accordance with their decision, Massachusetts ceded to New York all claim to the government, sovereignty, and jurisdiction of all the territory west of the present line of the state of New York, and New York ceded to Massachusetts the preemption right or fee of the land, subject to the title of the natives, of all that part of the state of New York lying west of a line beginning at a point on the north line of Pennsylvania, 82 miles west of the north-east corner of said state ; and running thence due north through Seneca Lake to Lake Ontario, excepting a mile's breadth along the cast bank of the Niagara river. The land, the preemption right of which was thus ceded, amounted to about (6,000,000) six million acres, for which the sum of ($1,000,000) one million dollars was to be paid in three annual installments.
In April, 1788, Massachusetts sold the preemption right to these lands to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham of that state, as representatives of an association of persons. In July, 1788, Gorham and Phelps purchased the Indian title to abont 2,600,000 acres of the eastern part of their purchase from Massachusetts. The western boundary of these lands was a line running from the north line of Pennsylvania north to the junction of the Canaseraga creek and the Genesee river ; thence northwardly along the said river to a point two miles north of Canawangus village; thence northwardly twelve miles distant from the river to Lake Ontario. This tract, the Indian title to which had been extinguished by Phelps and Gorham, was, in November, 1788, conveyod and quit-claimed to them, and is that which has been designated as the "Phelps and Gorham Purchase." The survey of the tract into town- ships and lots was immediately commenced ; and within the space of two years about fifty townships had been disposed of, principally by whole townships or large portions of townships,
19
THE COMPANY'S TITLE.
to individuals and companies. In November, 1790, the pro- prietors, reserving to themselves two townships only, sold the remainder of their tract, embracing about a million and a quarter acres, to Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, who soon sold the same to Sir William Pultney, an Englishman.
THE COMPANY'S TITLE.
A minute history of the acquirement of title by the Hol- land Company to the lands known as the "Holland Pur- chase," can not be given in this work. A few of the princi- pal facts must suffice :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.