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Gc 974 701 Os9c 1242617
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01152 7816
GENEALOGY 974.701 OS90
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/landmarksofosweg00chur
LANDMARKS
OF
OSWEGO COUNTY,
1
NEW YORK
EDITED BY
JOHN C. CHURCHILL, LL.D.
ASSISTED BY H. PERRY SMITH AND W. STANLEY CHILD
SYRACUSE, N. Y. D. MASON & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
1895
iv
PREFACE.
period, has been the object aimed at in the "Landmarks." Its results we have in admirable schools; in well established churches; in manufacturing enterprises of which we may well feel proud; in the patriotic feeling which gave sixty-five hundred men to the army and navy of the Union in the late war, and two and one-half million of dollars in bounties to volunteers; in a population which in char- acter, intelligence and public spirit need not fear comparison with any in the State.
The facts showing this development have been sought by personal inquiry throughout the county, which work has been mainly per- formed by the assistant editors, Messrs. H. Perry Smith, and W. Stanley Child, for the correctness of which they are responsible, and for which they are entitled to credit. The matter found in Parts II and III of the work was collected by agents of the publishers, and has been submitted for correction to the parties most likely to be able to ensure its accuracy.
It is impossible to name all from whom valuable information and suggestions have been received, but among such it is desired to men- tion Dr. E. A. Sheldon of the State Normal School, William P. Judson of the United States Engineer's Office at Oswego, Col. Ward- well G. Robinson, Bradley B Burt, Theodore Irwin, Hon. S. M. Coon, F. W. Squires, Hon. John A. Place, John A. Barry, Lawson R. Muzzy, Henry Humphries, Joshua M. Williams, Frank M. Cornell, and gener- ally the custodians of city, village, town and county records, the pastors of churches, principals of public schools, and officers of banking and other business corporations. To Johnson's History of Oswego County, written when many sources of information were open which are now closed, frequent reference has been made and valuable assistance obtained therefrom.
Hoping that it may help to preserve the record of the origin and growth of Oswego County, this work is submitted to its citizens.
JOHN C. CHURCHILL,
OSWEGO, July 1, 1895.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
The Original Divisions of New York State-Act Erecting Oswego County- Boundaries and Physical Features of Oswego County-Geological Notes- Geological Map-Indian Cessions of Lands-Scriba's Patent-Townships of Scriba's Patent-The Military Tract-Boylston and Other Tracts-Map Showing Military Tract 1
CHAPTER II.
Original Occupants of New York State-The Nations of the Iroquois-The Iroquois Confederacy-Indian Characteristics and Habits-Their Hospitality-Rela- tion of the Iroquois to the Territory of Oswego County. 23
CHAPTER III.
The First French Explorer into New York State Territory-Champlain's Attack upon the Indian Fort-Discovery of the Hudson River-The Plymouth Company and Its Grant from King James-Arrival of the Jesuits in the Western World-Notes from the "Relations"-Their Journeys up and down the Oswego River-Expedition of Du Puys-Its Failure
29
CHAPTER IV.
Accession of the English to the Dutch Possessions in America-Peaceful Rela- tions of the English and the Indians-Conflict between the French and the English-French and English Efforts to Secure Alliance of the Iroquois- Operations of the French under De la Barre-Council at La Famine- Arrival of the Marquis de Nonville 40
CHAPTER V.
Efficient Action of De Nonville-Campaign Against the Senecas-Destruction of Montreal by Indians-Burning of Schenectady-Repair of Fort Fronte-
CONTENTS.
nac-Campaign Against the Iroquois in 1696-Consequences of French War- fare on the Indians-Close Alliance of the Indians and the English-Peace of Ryswick-Beginning of Queen Anne's War-Extension of English Fur Trade-French Post at Niagara-Governor Burnet Protests-Establishment of Military Post of Chouaguen-Its Effect Upon the French-Plan of Oswego in 1727-Approaching War-Mismanagement at Oswego-Declaration of War-Military Importance of Oswego-Treaty of Aix-la-chapelle-Sir Wm. Johnson-His Management at Oswego
46
CHAPTER VI.
Extension of French Dominion in America-Irrepressible Causes of Conflict- Beginning of Hostilities in 1754-Braddock's Campaign and Defeat-English Operations at Oswego-Consternation of the French-Building of a Fleet at Oswego-Col. Mercer and the New Oswego Forts-Description of the Works-Abandonment of Campaign Against Niagara-Council at Albany- Shirley's Advice-Capture of Fort Bull-French Activity under Montcalm- Operations of De Villers against Oswego-The Mohawk Valley-Attack on Oswego-Arrival of Bradstreet at Oswego-The Fight at Battle Island-Ac- tivity of Montcalm-Capture of Oswego by the French-A National Misfor- tune-Campaign of 1757-Wm. Pitt and the Colonies-Energetic Operations of the English-Capture of Fort Frontenac-Campaign of 1759-Capture of Quebec
CHAPTER VII.
The Garrison at Fort Ontario under English Rule-Major Duncan's Peculiarities- Mrs. Grant's Description of the Post-Clearing of Lands-Pontiac's War- Arrival of Sir William Johnson-His Efficient Management-A Council at Oswego-A Reign of Peace-Establishment of the Property Line-Encroach- ments of New Settlers-Indian Alliance with the British
94
CHAPTER VIII.
Approach of the Revolution-Discouraging Condition of the Colonists-Adher- ence of the Johnsons to the Royal Cause-Guy Johnson at Oswego-The Campaign of 1776-Preparations of the British for the Campaign of 1777- St. Leger's Expedition-Brant at Oswego-Alarm of the Colonists-Invest- ment of Fort Stanwix-Its Gallant Defense-Surrender of Burgoyne-De- struction of Fort Ontario-Expedition Against the Onondagas-Sullivan's Expedition-John Johnson's Mohawk Valley Raid-Willett's Winter Expedi- tion to Fort Ontario
103
CHAPTER IX.
The Reign of Peace-England Retains Possession of American Forts-Provision Made for the Indians-State Reservations-Causes Contributing to Early
63
vii
CONTENTS,
Settlement-Formation of New Counties-The Romance of Frenchman's Island-Settlement in Constantia-Exploration in Oswego County-Agents of the "Castorland Company "-Formation of Onondaga County-War with the Western Indians-A Block House at Brewerton-Conditions at Fort On- tario-Organization of Mexico-Final Surrender of Fort Ontario to Ameri- cans -Progress of Settlement in Oswego County- Assessment Roll of Mexico
113
CHAPTER X.
Beginning of the Century-Inception of Lake Commerce at Oswego-First Set- tlements in Various Towns-Causes of the War of 1812-The President's Message to Congress-Anxiety at Oswego-Declaration of War-Attitude of the Indians-Appointments at Oswego-Fort Ontario Garrisoned-Be- ginning of a Naval Squadron-Hostilities on the Northern Frontier-Build- ing of the Oneida-Attack on Sackett's Harbor by the British-Perry's Vic- tory-Campaign of 1814-Operations on Lake Ontario-Capture of Oswego by the British-Details of the Battle-Carrying Stores to Sackett's Harbor- Battle of Big Sandy Creek-Close of the War
127
CHAPTER XI.
Suffering from the Cold Season of 1816-Settlements in Oswego County-The. First Steamboat on Lake Ontario-Discussion of Canal Projects -- Their Im- portance to the Future of Oswego County -- Policy of Improving River Navi- gation-The Erie Canal Begun-Other Public Improvements -- Canal from Oswego to Syracuse-Its Influence on this County-Alvin Bronson and his Work-The First Church Building-The First Congressman-Beginning of Harbor Improvements-Opening of the Canal-The Welland Canal -- Effect . on Agriculture-Speculative Period 1836-37-The Patriot War -- Appropria- tion for Restoring Fort Ontario-County Agricultural Society-The First Propeller on the Lakes -- Coming of the Railroads-Plank Roads and their Influence
147
CHAPTER XII.
OSWEGO COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION,
War Meetings-Prompt Response to Lincoln's Call for Volunteers-The 24th Regiment-The 81st-The 110th-The Soldier's Relief Society-The Threat- ened Draft-The 147th Regiment-The 184th-Other Military Organiza- tions-The 21st New York Independent Battery-Draft of August 4, 1863- Action of the County Respeeting Bounties- Filling the Quotas-Money Raised by the County and Towns for War Purposes
171
viii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
After the War-A New Era of Prosperity-Local Improvements-Construction of Railroads-Oswego and Rome Railroad-Midland Railroad-Syracuse and Northern Railroad-Lake Ontario Shore Railroad-Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg System-Oswego Harbor Improvements-Bonding of the Towns-Decline of the Commerce and Milling Interests of Oswego-Canal Tolls 211
CHAPTER XIV.
Congressional Districts-Congressmen-Presidential Electors-State Senators -Assemblymen -- Sheriffs-County Treasurers- County Clerks -- Superin- tendents and Commissioners of Common Schools-County Officers, 1895- Court Houses and Public Buildings -- County Poorhouse and Farm -- Old Set- tlers' Association-Agricultural Societies-Oswego Falls Agricultural So- ciety -- Sandy Creek, Richland, Orwell and Boylston Agricultural Society -- Phoenix Agricultural Society -- Town Agricultural Societies -- Oswego County Bible Society 219
CHAPTER XV.
THE BENCH AND BAR OF OSWEGO COUNTY.
Comparison of the State Law with the Common Law-Evolution of the Courts- The Court of Appeals-The Supreme Court-The Court of Chancery-The County Court-The Surrogate's Court-Justices' Courts-District Attorneys- Sheriffs-Court Buildings-Judicial Officers-Personal Sketches-Miscel- laneous 241
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Medical Organizations-The Medical Society of the County of Oswego-Its Mem- bers and Principal Officers-Homœopathic Medical Society-Eclectic Med- ical Society-Early Physicians-Biographical Sketches 274
CHAPTER XVII.
OSWEGO AS A VILLAGE AND CITY
286
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE TOWN OF ALBION 462
CONTENTS. ix
CHAPTER XIX.
THE TOWN OF AMBOY 474
CHAPTER XX.
THE TOWN OF BOYLSTON 481
CHAPTER XXI.
THE TOWN OF CONSTANTIA 488
CHAPTER XXII.
THE TOWN OF GRANBY .512
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE TOWN OF HANNIBAL 533
CHAPTER, XXIV:
THE TOWN OF HASTINGS -+ ---- , : 550
CHAPTER XXV.
THE TOWN OF. MEXICO 570
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TOWN OF NEW HAVEN 606
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE TOWN OF ORWELL 626
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE TOWN OF OSWEGO 637
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE TOWN OF PALERMO
649
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE TOWN OF PARISH - -- -- 659
CHAPTER XXXI.
. THE TOWN OF REDFIELD
670
CHAPTER XXXII ..
THE TOWN OF RICHLAND
681
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE TOWN OF SANDY CREEK
£11
1
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE TOWN OF SCHROEPPEL 733
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE TOWN OF SCRIBA 758
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE TOWN OF VOLNEY AND THE VILLAGE OF FULTON 773
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE TOWN OF WEST MONROE
826
CHAPTER XXXVIII
THE TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN
833
PART II.
BIOGRAPHICAL
1-72
-
CONTENTS.
xi
PART III.
FAMILY SKETCHES 1-309
INDEXES:
PART I
311-341
PART II
341
PART III
342-347
ILLUSTRATIONS 347-348
-
Landmarks of Oswego County.
CHAPTER I.
The Original Divisions of New York State - Act Erecting Oswego County- Boundaries and Physical Features of Oswego County -- Geological Notes -- Geological Map -- Indian Cessions of Lands -- Scriba's Patent -- Townships of Scriba's Patent -- The Military Tract -- Boylston and Other Tracts -- Map Showing Military Tract.
The original ten counties of what is now the State of New York were created November 1, 1683, and named Albany, Dutchess, Kings, New York, Orange, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester. On the 12th of March, 1772, Montgomery county, taken from Albany county, was erected under the name of "Tryon " (changed to Mont- gomery in 1784 in honor of the American hero who fell at Quebec), and embraced nearly the whole of the central and western parts of this State. From Montgomery county, on February 16, 1791, was erected Herkimer county, embracing all of what are now Onondaga, Oneida, Herkimer and Hamilton counties, and a part of Otsego county. Onondaga county, which was to give part of its territory to the forma . tion of Oswego county, was erected from Herkimer on March 5, 1794, and included within its limits the Military Tract, described further on. From Herkimer county was also formed Oneida county, March 15, 1798, which also contributed a part of its territory to the formation of Oswego county. From these two counties (Onondaga and Oneida) Oswego county was erected on the Ist of March. 1816, that part lying west of Oswego River being taken from Onondaga county, and that part east of the river from Oneida county. The Onondaga portion embraced the military township of Hannibal, one hundred lots; and thirty three lots of Lysander, all belonging to the Military Tract.
1
2
LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.
Following is the text of the act creating Oswego county :
I. Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That from and after the passing of this act, all that part of the counties of Oneida and Onondaga, included within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning on the shore of Lake Ontario, at the northwest corner of the town of Richland, and run- ning easterly on the division line between the counties of Jefferson and Oneida, to the northeast corner of the town of Redfield; thence southerly along the east line of the town of Redfield, to the north line of the town of Florence; thence west- erly on the said line to the northeast corner of the town of Williamstown; thence southerly on the east line of the towns of Williamstown and Constantia, to the division line between the counties of Oneida and Madison; thence westerly along said line, to the northeast, corner of the county of Onondaga; thence westerly along the division line between the counties of Oneida and Onondaga, to the south line of lot number thirty -three, in the town of Lysander; thence westerly on the south line of said lot, and of the lots in the same range, to the west line of the said town; thence north to the south line of the town of Hannibal; thence west to the west line of said town; thence north on the division line between the counties of Onondaga and Cayuga, to the boundary line between the United States and Upper Canada; thence easterly on said boundary line, to the southwest corner of the county of Jefferson ; thence east- erly on the south line of the county of Jefferson, to the place of beginning; shall be a separate and distinct county of the State of New York, and shall be known and dis- tinguished by the name of the county of Oswego; and the freeholders and other inhab- itants of the county of Oswego shall enjoy all the rights and privileges possessed by the freeholders and inhabitants of the respective counties of the State of New York, subject however to the limitations and restrictions hereinafter expressed.
II. And be it further enacted, That the part of Lysander included in the county of Oswego shall be annexed to the town of Hannibal, and the supervisors and overseers of the poor of the towns of Lysander and Hannibal shall meet as soon as conveniently may be after the passing of this act, and make an equitable division of the poor funds, and other public property, and of the poor of the town of Lysander, agreeably to the last assessment of real and personal estate in the said town of Lysander.
III. And be it further enacted, That the towns of Hannibal, Scriba, New Haven and Volney shall form one jury district, and be distinguished by the name of the western dis- trict ; and the towns of Richland, Mexico, Redfield, Williamstown and Constantia shall form one jury district, and be distinguished by the name of the eastern district: And it shall be the duty of the clerk, sheriff and other officers of the county of Oswego, to pro- vide that the freeholders returned to serve as jurors, shall serve as such only in the dis- trict wherein they reside.
IV. And be it further enacted, That Parley Keyes, of the county of Jefferson, Ethel Bronson, of the county of Jefferson, and Stephen Bates, of the county of Ontario, shall be commissioners for the purpose of examining and impartially determining the proper sites, in the respective districts in the county of Oswego, for court-houses to be erected ; and when the said commissioners, or any two of them, having so determined, shall put their determination in writing, with their signatures and seals affixed thereto, and cause
3
ACT ERECTING OSWEGO COUNTY.
the same to be filed in the clerk's office of the said county of Oswego, such determina- tion shall be final and conclusive. And the said commissioners shall be entitled to re- ceive four dollars per day for every day they may be necessarily employed in said service, which sum shall be levied, collected and paid, as part of the contingent expenses of the said county of Oswego.
V. And be it further enacted, That there shall be held, in and for the county of Oswego, a court of common pleas and a court of general sessions of the peace; and there shall be three terms of each of the said courts held in the said county in every year, to commence on the first Tuesdays of February, June, and October, which may be held until the next Saturday inclusive; and that the first term of said courts shall be held on the first Tuesday in October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and six- teen, in the western district; and that all future terms of said courts shall be lield alternately in the respective districts of said county.
VI. And be it further enacted, That until further legislative provision is made in the premises, all courts of common pleas and general sessions of the peace, in and for the county of Oswego, shall be held at such places in the respective districts as the judges of said county shall appoint, as near as conveniently may be to the sites determined on for court-houses by the aforesaid commissioners.
VII. And be it further enacted, That it shall not be the duty of the justices of the supreme court to hold a circuit once in each year in the county of Oswego, unless in their judgment they shall deem it necessary ; anything in the act, entitled "An act for regulating trials of issues and returning able and sufficient jurors," to the contrary rot- withstanding.
VIII. And be it further enacted, That for all the purposes of prosecutions for crimes and offenses cognizable in the courts of oyer and terminer and gaol delivery and general sessions of the peace, the said county shall be connected with and constitute a part of the ninth district erected in the act, entitled "An act relative to district attorneys," passed April 9th, 1813 : And that it shall be lawful for all courts and officers, in tlie said county of Oswego, in all cases civil and criminal, to confine their prisoners in the gaol of the county of Oneida, or in the gaol of the county of Onondaga, at their discretion, until such time as there shall be a sufficient gaol prepared in the said county of Oswego ; and that all accounts for legal and reasonable expenses incurred in confining and keep- ing such prisoners shall be audited and allowed by the board of supervisors of the said county of Oswego, and shall be levied, collected and paid as part of the contingent charges thereof.
IX. And be it further enacted, That the first meeting of the board of supervisors, for the county of Oswego, shall be held at the house of Calvin Tiffany, in the town of Mexico.
X. And be it further enacted, That until further legislative provision is made in the premises, the electors and inspectors of elections in the respective towns of Oswego county, shall proceed as if this act had not been passed.
XI. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the freeholders and inhab- itants of the several towns in the county of Oswego, to hold their annual town meetings on the first Tuesday in March, anything in any former law to the contrary notwith- standing.
4
LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.
Oswego1 county borders the southeastern extremity of Lake Ontario, in northern-central New York, and is bounded on the north by Lake Ontario and Jefferson county ; on the east by Lewis and Oneida counties ; on the south by Madison and Onondaga counties; and on the west by Cayuga county and Lake Ontario. It retains its original area and con- tains 1,038 square miles. The surface of this county is generally level or gently undulating. A series of bluffs from twenty to forty feet high border immediately upon the lake, and from these heights the land stretches away in long and gradual slopes, broken by the valleys of the various streams. The general inclination is northerly, the drainage be- ing mainly to Lake Ontario, though the summits of the ridges within half a mile of the great lake have about the same altitude as those on the south border of the county. The watershed between Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake is formed by a low ridge extending easterly and westerly from three to five miles north of the last named lake. In the east part of the county this ridge turns northward and unites with the system of highlands which separate Lake Ontario from the Black River valley.2
The drainage of Oswego county, in the western and southern parts, is chiefly through the Oswego River; and of the northern and eastern parts through Salmon River and a large number of smaller streams that flow into Lake Ontario. Oswego River is formed by the combined waters of Seneca and Oneida Rivers, beginning at Three River Point, twenty-three miles distant from Oswego city ; it falls 128 feet in that distance, in several distinct falls, supplying almost unlimited water power. At Oswego Falls, in the town of Granby, the river makes a descent within a short distance of about twelve feet in a picturesque cascade, which is the principal fall on the river; but at many points along its course are turbulenc rapids.
Salmon River enters Oswego county from Lewis county, in the town
1 The rame given to this post by the French was " Choueguen," spelled sometimes by them with an "a "-Chouaguen. There have been several explanations of the derivation of the word "Oswego." Probably the most reasonable and authentic of these is that of the historian of Onon- daga county, J. V. H. Clark (vol. I, pp. 22, 326). He gives its derivation as from the Indian word "Ohwahkee," meaning, "I see everywhere and I see nothing." The old pronunciation of the word was often "Swago," or " Oswago," which might very naturally be a corruption or an abbre- viation of " Osh-wah-kee."
2 French's Gazetteer, 1861, p. 517.
5
GEOLOGY.
of Redfield, flows westerly through Orwell, into and across the northern part of Albion, and onward in a northwesterly course through Richland to the lake. This stream also supplies extensive water power at various points, and in the town of Orwell forms the beautiful Salmon River Falls.
The smaller streams of the county will be sufficiently noticed in the several town histories in later pages of this work.
Besides the two lakes, Ontario and Oneida, which form a part of the boundary of this county, there are no lakes of importance. Lake Neahtawantah, near Oswego Falls, in the town of Granby, is a small and beautiful sheet of water, which has become a resort of considerable popularity.
The rocks of Oswego county are embodied in four groups, each of which is clearly defined. The oldest mass is in the northeastern part of the county, and the latest on the southern border. The first. or lowest, are the Standstone Shales (Lorraine Shales), which are confined to the towns of Sandy Creek, Pulaski, the northern part of Richland, the northwest corners of Albion and Orwell, and the western part of Boylston. The succeeding rocks formerly extended over it, but have been denuded. These shales form a good soil, parts are highly calca- reous, as at Pulaski village, and they are the most valuable in that re- spect of any of the rocks of the county.
The Gray Sandstone overlies the shales to the east, extending into Lewis county, and to the south, covering the whole territory north of a line from near the northern waters of Little River, westward to a little north of Amboy Center ; the line then slightly curving to Mexico, and thence on westward by the south side of Oswego city to the lake. This is a valuable stone for building purposes, and has been used, with some success in past years, for grindstones. It is distinguished from the shale at Pulaski by the absence of fossils, and by its connection with the Red Sandstone, with which it is interlocked. While not generally very thick, it still forms the whole mass of the falls of Salmon River, which are 107 feet in height. It disappears under Lake Ontario about two miles west of Oswego River. The stone has been quarried to some extent in several places in this county, and at some points in the bed of Salmon River.
6
LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.
The Red Sandstone is the third rock in this county, and is coexten- sive with the Gray Sandstone, resting upon it in its order of succession, and covering the remaining southern portion of the county, with the exception of a strip along the southern border. It is narrow at the east end and broader at the west end, which is occupied by the Clinton group, the latter forming the last and most southern mass of the county. Besides this large area covered by the Red Sandstone, it appears as an insulated mass northeast of Redfield village. It makes its appearance in the towns of Palermo and Hastings, and has been quarried to some extent for building stone. Stone was taken from a ledge along Little River for a former furnace at Constantia, and other buildings. It also appears in the creek a little east of Colosse, and its greatest expo- sition is at Fulton, where, on both sides of the river, it forms the banks and the falls. This is the highest point up the river where it is seen, and the dam at Oswego is the lowest. It is geologically the lowest rock of New York which contains salt springs of sufficient strength and purity to be manufactured. Salt springs formerly existed in the towns of Hastings and Palermo, and many others in adjoining counties.
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