Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York, Part 1

Author: [Pike, Elizabeth T., Mrs.] [from old catalog]; Frisbie, W. J., Mrs. [from old catalog]; Edic, E., Mrs. [from old catalog]; Conant, E. H., Mrs. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Utica, N.Y., Press of T. J. Griffiths
Number of Pages: 590


USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > 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 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40



1500


Class


Book


COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT


V


C


THE


AUTHOR


)


Fing Elizabeth H Pike Mrs. W. J Hubie my & Edic. More E. V. Conant


1


PIONEER HISTORY


-OF-


CAMDEN,


ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


/


J.


To


1


-


2.000


26. Concert.


1


PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORS.


Otric


1898


UTICA, N. Y.


PRESS OF T. J. GRIFFITHS, 131 GENESEE STREET.


1897.


TIVO COPIES RECEIVED


73980C=2


2973


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1997, by MRS. E. T. PIKE, MRS. E. EDIC, MRS. W. J. FRISBIE AND MRS. E. H. CONANT, In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.


F129 CIMPO


TO THE SONS AND DAUGH- TERS OF CAMDEN, NEW YORK.


PRESENT AND ABSENT, AND TO THE DESCENDANTS OF FORMER RESIDENTS, THIS RECORD OF ITS SETTLEMENT AND OF THE TRIALS


AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THEIR ANCESTORS IS RESPECT-


FULLY COMMENDED WITH THE HOPE THAT IT


MAY MEET AN APPRECIATIVE WEL-


COME FROM ALL, AND


STRENGTHEN THEIR


LOVE FOR THE OLD TOWN.


"Believe us, we count ourselves in nothing else so happy, as in our history remembering our good friends."-Shakespeare.


1


INTRODUCTION.


HE object of this volume is to record the early settlement of the town of Camden, and bring the same to the knowledge of its readers. No doubt many have questioned, like ourselves, why they selected this part of the country? When it was first settled? By whom? and just where did this or that one reside in those early days? We seek to answer these questions, and many others-to tell you something of the trials that beset these pion- eers, to show that their lives were not "downy beds of ease" and pleasure, but full of earnest toil and endeavor, privation, and often times suffering. It is well to know how the foundation of our now beautiful village and town was laid, that we may the better appreciate it-how it has grown from the primitive forest of pines to its present state of improvement-with what persistent labor they wrought to clear ground for their habitations, to the end that we may the more fully understand how great is the debt of gratitude we owe to the early builders of our community. We assume no superiority of authorship, nor shall it be our effort to embellish these pages with flowery descriptions; but a plainly related history of each family as we have gathered facts relative to it, will be our pleasure. This required years of patient labor. We have met with many encouragements, and but very little that tended to dishearten, and have found a more than ordinary interest manifest in the minds of all to whom we have turned for information and aid in our work. And now, kind read- ers, remember, we are sensible of defects, but court no criticism. With Dr. Arnold, "We can not see how the public mind can help bearing anything we have the honest courage to publish."


It is our earnest hope that the labor will not have been in vain -that this book will not fail to interest its readers, and that it will lead them to feel a deeper pride in, and love for, the dear old town of Camden.


ILLUSTRATIONS.


PAGE.


George Scriba's residence,


17


George Scriba, IS


Primitive Log House,


26


Mrs. Concurrence Parks, 35


Cemetery on the Seventh, 36


Residence of Dr. Joel Rathburn,


45


Residence of Amos Davenport Mix.


48 49


Mrs William Bird,


55


Home of Samuel Wood,


Home of Ibri Curtiss,


Stream at foot of Main Street,


Dead Level Diagram.


Site of first Tannery now Knitting Mill,


Cemetery Grounds,


Israel Stoddard,


Judge Stoddard's Place,


S2


John Wilson House,


90


Jehiel Higgins' Residence,


Brick School House, District No. 5, 1816-1890.


98


Mr and Mrs. Martin Cook, 109


Julius Cook, IIO


Birthplace and Home of Julius Cook.


111


Curtiss Johnson,


117


First Home of Benjamin Phelps,


120


Mrs. Benjamin Phelps,


121


Second Home of Benjamin Phelps,


122


Phelps Bros.


124


Home of Albert Phelps,


126


Home of Ranney Phelps, I34


Old Bridge leading to Distillery, 135


Old Distillery-R., W. & O. RR. Bridge,


I36


Site of First Cemetery. 145


Home of Enos Blakeslee,


147


Parke Cemetery,


148


Home of Honuel Gifford, 149


Home of Harvey Parke, 151


Bridge over Fish Creek, 155


Home of Dr. Joshua Ransom,


157


Daniel Parke's Powder Horn,


Daniel Parke Place, . 92 96


59 61 63 64 65 79


Residence of Amos Mix, Jr. .


ILLUSTR.ITIONS.


PAGE.


Mir. and Mrs. Giles Sanford.


150


Fortune C. Sanford.


Lyman Matthews House.


163


Preston Hill School House.


Mrs. Caleb Preston.


170 172


Mr. and Mrs. Seth Dunbar.


177


Andrew Craig's House,


176 152


Lewis Preston's House,


1.55 156


Uri Hill House.


Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Sanford.


187


Home of Ephraim Sanford.


155 192 103 195


Home of Anthony Lathers.


Home of John Lambie Sen.


197 200


Mrs. William Ford-Home of Rev. William Ford.


201


Baptist Church.


202


Andrew Crawford.


203


Mr. and Mrs. Abram E. Johnson.


205


Mr. and Mrs. William Swanson.


205


The Grove Mills.


213


Home of Heman Byington.


215 216


Gerrit Smith's Home.


247


Wolcott Hill School House.


220


Riley Root Farm, house built by Ephraim Meeker.


221


Home of S. D. Castle.


222 ¢


Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Castle.


223


Home of Deacon Stephen Bryant.


225


Ilome of Tillotson Barnes,


220


Deacon Cobb.


235


Home of Deacon Cobb,


236


Home of Philo Scoville.


ote 212


Mabie Place.


244


House built by William Stevens for his son Sylvester.


247


Miss Sally Porter- Mrs. Byington in her teens.


250


Mr. and Mrs Ambrose Byington.


251


House built by Ethel Higgins, 1527


255


Home of A. Smith Johnson. 250


The Skinner Neighborhood Burial Spot.


263


Robert Allen Farm House,


26S


Mr. Leonard West.


273


Mrs. Leonard West.


274


First Tavern in Camden. .


278


View of Railroad Bridge from Mexico Street. 275


View from Mexico St. Bridge.


2-1)


Caleb Preston.


Jesse Blakes Home,


Temple School House.


Home of Chester Wilcox.


Rev. William Ford.


Rev. Elijah Gaylord.


Ebenezer Doten.


9


ILLUSTRATIONS.


PAGE.


Old Cemetery on Mexico Street.


231


Milo Pond's Home, 286


The Dunbar Mill.


289


Deacon David Osborn and wife, .


291


Deacon Osborn's Home.


292


Home of Bartholomew Pond,


294


Dr. Torbert House.


295


Andrew Tuttle's Home.


297


Manning Barnes' Residence,


312


Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Smith,


317


Home of Elias Chapman, 322


Hamilton Gifford's Home,


323


Eastern View of Hamilton Gifford's Home, 324


Presbyterian Church, West Camden, 326


M E. Church, West Camden, 327


Mrs. Clorinda Miller. 334


Falls on Mad River above Old Mill site, 335


336


Wilson Baldwin's Home, built by Ransom Barnes,


340


Home of Edward Goodyear,


341


Norman Castle Home,


342.


Mr. Ashbel Upson,


343


Calvin Johnson's Early Home,


345


Martin Smith's Home.


347


Mr. George Elden.


349


The Jamieson "Cottage,"


354


Home of Henry Bacon,


355


Fort Newton,


359


Col. Richard Empey,


361 362


Mr. Aaron Stone,


364


A. Stone & Son's Drug Store,


365


Mr. Thomas Stone, 364


377


Mr. Francis H. Conant, 379


Mr. John Bettis,


382


First Congregational Church,


386


Rev. Henry Smith,


395


Grave of Rev. Henry Smith,


397


Old Town Hall, M. E. Church and Parsonage, tot


Rev. Eliakim Stoddard. 407


436


First Presbyterian Church,


439


Old Fire Engine and Old Town Hall Bell,


451


Two Fire Buckets. 453


The "Eldorado," built by Warren Mix,


454


Park Hotel, burned 1867.


465


West side Main Street, burned IS92,


456


West Side of Main Street, burned in 1882, 457


The Empey Homestead,


Mr. Thomas DeMilt Penfield,


Priest Smith House, 396


New Trinity Episcopal Church,


Nathan Kinnie Home,


10


ILLUSTRATIONS.


PAGE.


Mr. George Trowbridge, .


464


Trowbridge Homestead,


465


Mr. Truman Spencer and Spencer's Exchange,


Store built by H. J. Miner, 466


46S


Major J. D. Cavarly, 469


Cottage Store, .


471


Reed's Hotel.


475


Mr. and Mrs. Ranney Parke,


476


Colton Tavern, 1835.


477


Horatio Gates Torbert, M. D.,


490


Dr. John A. Seewir, 492


Dr. Robert Jamieson,


494


Dr. Robert Frazier, 496


506


Approach to Forest Park,


541


Entrance to Woodland Avenue,


542


Drive at foot of Hill east of Cemetery.


543


East Side Drive.


544


Camden Brass Band,


"The Pines." 545


CONTENTS.


PAGE. GEORGE SCRIBA 17 LAY OF LONG AGO 20


HISTORIANS' OPINION OF THE SETTLEMENT OF CAMDEN 21


CHAPTER I.


THE TOWN OF CAMDEN 23


CHAPTER II.


SEVENTH TOWNSHIP


31


CHAPTER III.


SEVENTH RELIGIOUS SOCIETY 5I


CHAPTER IV.


PLANK ROAD 63


CHAPTER V.


CONTINUATION OF PLANK ROAD 76


CEMETERY-1840 76


CHAPTER VI.


CONTINUATION OF PLANK ROAD IO2


CHAPTER VII.


JOSEPH SCOVILLE


. 128


CHAPTER VIII.


PHELPSVILLE


.131


F


CHAPTER IX.


PRESTON HILL


156


12


CONTENTS.


PAGE.


CHAPTER X.


HILLSBORO 190


CHAPTER XI.


WOLCOTT HILL


......


.213


CHAPTER XII.


TABERG ROAD


.228


CHAPTER XIII.


TABERG ROAD CONTINUED


CHAPTER XIV.


262


SKINNER SETTLEMENT


TABERG ROAD ACROSS TO WOLCOTT


HILL


SCHOOL HOUSE 265


DINGLE STREET 276


STATE ROAD 276


MEXICO STREET 277


ROAD LEADING 3 FROM MEXICO STREET TO


HILLSBOROUGH ROAD 309


WEST CAMDEN 3II


PARNASSUS STREET 331


CROPPER STREET 333


MAIN STREET NORTH 351


CHAPTER XV.


FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CAMDEN 385


METHODISM IN CAMDEN 404


WESLEYAN METHODIST 431


MILLERITES 432


TRINITY CHURCH 432


ROMAN CATHOLIC 438


FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 439


. 234


13


CONTENTS.


P'AGE,


EARLY SCHOOLS 441


INCORPORATION OF CAMDEN VILLAGE 449


FIRES IN CAMDEN 454


CAMDEN WATER WORKS 460


MERCHANTS 460


CHAPTER XVI.


FARLY TAVERNS OF CAMDEN 475


CHAPTER XVII.


FACTORY VILLAGE 483


F. H. CONANT'S SONS' CHAIR MANUFACTORY


487


CHAPTER XVIII.


PROFESSIONAL MEN 489


DOCTORS 489


LAWYERS 498


CHAPTER XIX.


CAMDEN SAXHORN BAND . 503


CHAPTER XX.


NEWSPAPERS . 509


POSTMASTERS 516


CHAPTER XXI.


MASONIC LODGE 517


ANCIENT LODGE I. O. O. F. 518


ROYAL ARCANUM .518


ORDER OF AMERICAN MECHANICS


518


KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 518


KNIGHTS OF MACCABEES 518


IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN 518


CORALLINE SOCIETY 519


CAMDEN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION


520


CURTISS HALL


.522


14


CONTENTS.


PAGE.


CAMDEN OPERA HOUSE 523


524 CAMDEN BANKS


CHAPTER XXH.


MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS


.526


REVOLUTIONARY PATRIOTS AND DATE OF


DEATH 532


SOLDIERS OF 1812, AND DATE OF DEATH 536


MEXICAN SOLDIERS 536


LIST OF SOLDIERS IN THE LATE CIVIL WAR, EN-


LISTED FROM CAMDEN, TOGETHER WITH


THEIR REGIMENT . 537


CHAPTER XXIII.


FOREST PARK


. . . . . 540 ..


CHAPTER XXIV.


SUPERVISORS 547


CHAPTER XXV.


GLEANINGS .551


CONCLUSION 554


FRENCHMAN'S ISLAND .556


GEORGE SCRIBA.


I HE name of George Scriba occurs in nearly all of the deeds which have come under our notice as conveying land to very many of the early mien in this locality, and it may interest some, as it did us, to see a portrait of the man,and learn a bit of his career. He was born in Holland in 1752, and came to America probably, when so many of his countrymen were seeking homes and fortunes here. In 1793 Mr. Scriba came to Constantia, and established himself a home on the picturesque shores of Lake Oneida, the locality then called Rotterdam. Mr. Scriba came there a man of wealth-estimated to have been worth from


George Seriba's Residence.


$1,000,000 to $1,500,000. He invested largely in new, uncul- tivated territory, owning much of Oneida Co. Rotterdam was a place of larger business importance than Syracuse at the time. He was prominently interested in all measures for the ad- vancement of the locality, giving liberally to the establishment ot the .Episcopal Church, its building and equipment, and also a plot of ground for a burial place. The church was built in 1829, and still stands in fairly good condition, and is one of the children of Old Trinity, New York. The residence of Mr. Scriba was built in 1794, and the illustration is a very good


2


18


PIONEER HISTORY OF


one, though time has made inroads upon its beauty-is of Dutch colonial style in structure, two stories high in front, sloping from the ridge to a half story in lieight at the rear. We entered a door at the west end of the house, leading into a fairly wide hall, riin- ning through the entire length of the house to an outside door opposite.


In this hall, of the ancient furnishings, was a grandfather's clock, In the center of the house, at the front, is the door, where no doubt many a welcome guest has entered in the years of Mr. Scriba's prosperity and ownership. It opens into a wide hall, which extends through the center of the house and joins the other longer hall. Large square rooms open out of this on either side, in which are old-fashioned fire-places, with capacity for a good sized log. We could imagine the Scribas, Roosevelts. Staats, and many another kindred spirit assembled about these cheerful firesides, smoking, as is the Dutchman's wont, and oft- times enjoying the beer, brewed by the thrifty burghers. Into the western of these two front rooms we were ushered by Miss King of Constantia, who kindly accompanied us to the spot, and intro- duced us to Mrs. Louisa, widow of Frederic, who was a son of George Scriba, the subject of our sketch. Mrs. Scriba is a most inter- esting lady, though advanced in life to 86 years, somewhat infirm in body, but strong in intellect. She exhibited sev- eral family relics, curious and of value. Among them was some of the Scriba silver, heavy and substantial, the spoons engraved. on medalions. with the initials "C. S .: " portraits in miniature wrought in wax from one of which - the accompanying copy was taken. George Scriba A pair of Dresden vases are standing on the mantel, which Mrs. Scriba told us were considerably over one hundred years old. On this same mantel is a marvelous allegorical representation of the grave of Washington. It is executed in wax, colored.


19


THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.


On the base of the monument which supports a lofty column, o!namented by Masonic devices, appear the various emblems and trophies of war. In front stands the American eagle holding a wreath of laurel. On the left of the monument is Minerva, the Goddes of Wisdom and of War, in the attitude of sorrow, leaning upon a shield, and weeping at the remembrance of uncommon greatness departed. Ncar her, Ceres, the Goddess of Plenty, pours from her cornucopia the riches of the earth, and an Indian struck with admiration and grief rests upon his bow. At the foot of the monument is seen an infant whose moistened eyes bespeak no common loss. On the right, America, represented by a female clothed in mourning, holds the annals of the country, the sacred and everlasting record of the high achievements of him whose loss she deplores. Near her appears the beautiful figure of Char- ity and a seraph admiring the mysteries of redecming love, em- blematic of the hero's moral and Christian virtues. Above, an angel commissioned from the skies to conduct the sublime spirit to the heavenly abode, is seen flying towards the earth, holding in one hand a torch just extinguished, indicative of the close of life, and in the other an unfading garland, expressive of immortal fame. At the foot of the monument is lying a skull, near which stands a flower stalk, with the flower broken off, and falling on the small skull, denoting death. At the extreme left of the pic- ture stands a vase with initials, "G. W. Raufchner, 1800."


It is likely the smaller portraits of the Scriba family were wrought by the same artist. They were hung in 1805, where they have ever since remained. An old piano, manufactured by Wm. N. Bebee of Vernon, stands in the room, and Mrs. Scriba, feeble though she is, told us that but a few days before our visit she had sat at the instrument and played over some of the tunes she loved, which had cheered and gladdened her heart, making her feel younger. There were candelabra which would contain three cardles each. This was considered a princely abode in its day, and no doubt its portals swung wide to admit visitors who came to enjoy the genial hospitality of the host and hostess. Mr. Scriba carried on a busy traffic with the Indians, who found a loyal friend in him, and he often entertained these strangers within the


20


PIONEER HISTORY OF


broad halls, giving food and rest to their wearied bodies, East of the house is a spacious elm tree, planted there years ago by the son, Frederic William Scriba. The brick used in the fire- places and chimneys were imported from Holland. George Scriba died August 14, 1836, aged 84 years. He is buried at Constantia, in the enclosure contributed by him for burial pur- poses. An unpretentious stone marks his grave.


[From the Camden Journal February 1873. LAY OF LONG AGO.


BV W. H. C. HOSMER.


In the good old days of pioneer ways, How full of fun were we, When neighbors all obeyed the call To meet at the "logging bee ;" When flax was spun, and every one In stout tow cloth was drest, And the spinning wheel, with its humming zeal, Was music that pleased the best.


Log houses stood where the grand old wood On their roofs of bark threw shade, And loud was mirth round the spacious hearth, When the roaring fire was made; When Christmas came, the best of game, Smoked on the settler's board, And streaming hot, from the iron pot, The golden mush outpoured.


The hardy girls, with their sun-burnt curls, Were brides for stalwart grooms, Whose coats, home-made, of butternut shade, Were wove in rustic looms; Brown came the loaves, in our land of groves, From oven out of doors, And well I ween, with rushes green, Were scoured the rough oak floors.


In clearings rude dwelt a brotherhood Of bold, united men, Who slew the bear, in his dangerous lair, The wolf in his brambly den :


21


THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.


Our land they made long dark with shade, Bears traces of their power,


For towns upsprang, where their axes rang, And the church upreared its tower.


Though tired with toil, to tame the soil, From morn till evening close,


Neuralgic moans and dyspeptic groans Disturbed not their repose ; Of iron mould, were these men of old, And honored they should be,


So we seek to tell, how they did so well, In our "Pioneer History."


THE OPINION OF THE HISTORIANS OF THOSE COMING HERE.


Col. Elmore's Regiment of 1776 was raised under authority of the Continental Congress, to serve for one year from April 1776. Col. Samuel Elmore had served in Hinman's Regiment in the Northern Department in 1775, and again as Lieutenant of Wooster Provisional Regiment in the winter of 1775 and 1776. Elmore and most of the company officers recruited their men in Connecticut, to some extent from the Regiment that served in the North. Some of the officers belonged to New York, and a few from Massachusetts. They took the field July, 1776, under Schuyler, and on August 25 marched from Albany to Tryon County, now part of Oneida, and the rest of their time were gar- risoned at Fort Stanwix.


They broke up in the spring of 1777. On the muster roll, as they stood January 13 to 15, we find these names: Aaron Mat- thews, Beriah Pond, Barnabas Pond, Benj. Curtiss, Joel Dunbar, Bartholomew Pond; in Col. Huntington's Company, Daniel Park; in another Company, Samuel Woods, Jesse Penfield, Da- vid Brown, Levi Munson; the last four were in the Connecticut records; Jonah Sandford and Jesse Curtiss. Most of these men emigrated to this vicinity in less than 20 years after they were discharged from the army. It is barely possible when garrisoned at Fort Stanwix they were among the foraging parties that were sent out in different directions, and many of them liked the lay of the land. They were young men when at Fort Stanwix.


22


PIONEER HISTORY OF


When they settled here they were men with families. Most of the settlers were from Connecticut, and at that time the desir- able farms of their native State were taken up, and they wished to seek a new country and home; and here the woods and cheap lands were inviting the tide of emigration.


There might have been an Horace Greeley, not by name, but of the same ambitions, who said, "Young man, go West," for in 1805 there was a great pouring in here from Connecticut. A few years found them with comfortable homes and well-cleared farms from the primeval forest.


There have been a number of cannon-balls found in this vicin- ity, and it has been a quandary how they got here, as in some places it would have been impossible to have dragged the heavy old cannon through the rough and wild woods, and especially without any particular object to do so. On inquiry we find that the early settlers used to go to Salt Point, now Syracuse, and get loads of salt, and in order to make it useful they would take an iron kettle, and put in a chunk of salt, and then a large cannon- ball, and keep rolling it around until the salt was pulverized. Some of the balls that have been found in this section were probably used for this purpose, and their being out of shape was by the rust from the salt, and lying so long imbedded in the ground, or against a rock.


PIONEER HISTORY OF CAMDEN.


CHAPTER I.


HE town of Camden, in the north-western corner of Oneida County, containing about 31,438 acres, lies close to the boundary line of Oswego County. The town of Florence lies north-east, while Anusville forms the eastern boundary. Little River divides it on the south from Vienna. The west branch of Fish Creek and Mad River are the principal streams; they unite just below the village, and empty into Oneida Lake. These streams have both been utilized extensively for manufacturing purposes. Throughout the village the land is nearly level, but undulating in the open country, especially so in the northern and western parts. The soil is a sandy loam in some places, gravelly and stony in others; there are also stone quarries which furnish good building material. Camden has been rightly called the queen village of Oneida County, for seldom can be found a more beautiful place than our village presents, with its magnificent shade trees and comfortable homes, with the well-kept lawns sur- rounding them, in many cases, the pride of the owner's heart. As early as 1794, five years before the town of Camden existed as a town, while yet it was a part of the "Mother of townships," Mexico people came here in search of desirable places to locate. The land was heavily timbered, and it was a laborious task to clear even a small portion, where they could build a home, and still harder to prepare it for the grain and other necessaries which they must raise to sustain life. But the tall pines gave them plenty of material for their rude homes. From one mon- arch of the forest we are told twelve logs were cut. Where the village stands to-day the pioneers found only a fine forest, which echoed long and loud with the sound of the pioneer's ax, ere houses were built, and they were surrounded with plenty. But they brought strong arms and brave hearts with them, and with undaunted efforts worked hard to provide homes for themselves


24


PIONEER HISTORY OF


and families, and gained good farm lands, which in many cases have descended to the third and fourth generation, which sons and grandsons have each improved, until large orchards, wide corn-fields, and acres of waving grain tell us what has been ac- complished during the last century in our beautiful town. The usual route over which our fathers came into this locality was a trail, which led up from Rome through Taberg, thence turning to the west, near the place where later the Smith Johnson house was built, through to the corner, where the brick school- house stands on the plank road, then on to Preston Hill, and then descending to the valley, through which the river flowed. Relatives and friends who remained in the homes, from which the more venturesome ones had emigrated, were led to believe this was a land flowing with milk and honey, and the good things of life were only waiting to be gathered. But sore was their dis- appointment when they reached their destination, and found while nature had beautifully showered her gifts over the land, the harvest could only be theirs by hard labor and many privations. But people continued to come-whole families-and soon the settlement was of sufficient importance to become a town. Re- ferring to the "Annals of Oneida County," by Pomeroy Jones, we find "the town of Mexico was divided. March 5th, 1799, and a new town erected from its territory, called Camden, including all of the seventh, and part of the eighth township of Scriba's Patent." Why it was given the name of Camden has never been fully determined. Many reasons have been given, one being that it was taken from the Indian name. The Oneida tribe called it "He-stä-yung-twa," meaning, lost. Perhaps our forefathers had reason to select such a name, feeling lost indeed, leaving nearly all traces of civilization so far behind them. Soon, how- ever, it must have lost its significance, if it ever had any for them. as homes sprang up, and neighbors became more plentiful.


Some are of the opinion it was named for the Earl of Camden, "on account of his liberal policy; during the Revolutionary War his name became very popular in the United States, and many towns and villages, and several counties, bore his name." The late Mr. Wager, Oneida County historian, is of a very different


25


THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.


opinion. In response to an inquiry if he believed the town to have been named for him, he says, "I have not the slightest idea it was ever named for the Earl of Camden, although he was a friend to the American cause in the Revolution, for this reason : The feeling was so bitter towards the British government, that for several years afterwards they would not designedly give a name to a town or a county that was borne or had been by a lord or anyone else, who belonged to England. Now I am quite sure it was named after Camden in New Jersey, for this reason, John W. Bloomfield came from New Jersey, not far from Cam- den, and settled at Taberg. All of the towns of Annsville, Flor- ence, Camden and Vienna were a part of the town of Mexico. Mr. Bloomfield was an agent for Mr. Scriba, the patentee of 500,000 acres of land in Oswego County, and then living in Con- stantia. Mr. Bloomfield's uncle had been Congressman, and Governor of New Jersey, and J. W. Bloomfield was a man of wealth and influence, and his word was law and gospel in that region, when Camden was named. I have no doubt but Mr. Bloomfield was influential in naming it after the city in his native State, more especially as Annsville was named Ann after his wife, showing he had power in that section." In the new history of "Our County and its People," edited by Mr. Wager, we find "in 1793-4 the Roosevelt purchase, or Scriba's Patent, was subdivided into twenty-four townships or great lots. Mr. Scriba gave a name to each township, but after the reorganization, only one, Florence, in this County, retained the name given it by him. Township No. 5 included the west part of Camden, and was named Linley. Township No. 8 included the cast part of Camden, and part of Annsville, and was named Bloomfield, after the late John W. Bloomfield."




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