USA > New York > Chemung County > A brief history of Chemung county, New York > Part 3
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A strong member of this church in those early days was John Hughes, an Irish Catholic, and one of the Irish "1798 patriots." He came to Newtown in 1803, and became a Methodist. He was, without doubt, the first Irishman to settle in the valley. He did so much for the church that he was affectionately called and remembered as "Father Hughes." One of his sons, George, born in Newtown, was an officer in the United States Army, and made a gallant record in the Mexican War. Another son, Aaron Konkle, named for his uncle, the son of John Konkle, was an officer in the United States Navy, served in the Civil War, and became a Rear-Admiral.
38A pathetic incident connected with the building of the church has a melancholy interest in the annals of the Society. John Kline, a son of Isaac Roe, mentioned, was preparing himself for the ministry. He fell sick at the institution where he was studying, and died. He was brought home to Elmira to be buried, and the funeral services were held in the yet unfinished church. They were the first services of any kind held in the building, and a carpenter's bench was used for a pulpit and a bier. The circumstance had an impressive effect, and a revival followed that gave a great impetus toward the upbuilding of the church.
A well-remembered member of the church, Elias S. Hunt- ley, who came to Elmira in 1828, made a remarkable record in the service of the church. For sixty-four years he was a class leader, and for nineteen years the Sunday-School superintendent.
39Some of these deserve to be recalled. The Rev. John N. Maffit, a famous evangelist, made a number of visits, and his revivals were very greatly blessed. In the year 1823 came to the church the Rev. Edmund O'Flyng, a peculiar man, full of eccentric actions and speeches. The raftsmen of the period might be called picturesque in their profanity. Once one of these vessels on which he was riding somewhat for pleasure, more to try and reach the attention of some
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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N. Y.
The Methodist Church in the township of Che- mung had its origin in a revival in 1819. There was a class of thirty members. The first meeting was held in an old log school-house, the first resi- dent pastor being the Rev. William H. Pearne. In 1849 the present church was built and occupied in 1850. In Horseheads the Methodists depended on Elmira for their church privileges, and one was not organized there until 1839. John Vaughan held meetings at Pine Valley in Veteran Township; in 1825; but there was no society organized until 1858. Local preachers held meetings in the town- ship of Erin earlier than 1828, but there was no organization until long after.
Baptists were early in the field. A society was formed on May 16, 1829, called the Southport and Elmira Baptist Church. In 1831, it was legally recognized and became the "Baptist organization of the towns of Southport and Elmira." The early
of the men, got entangled in a jam. The event unbottled the speech of the raftsmen and it flowed out with unusual volubility. Mr. O'Flyng was greatly disturbed by it, and referring to it afterward averred that he thought they were all "going to hell by water!" His eccentricities annoyed the conference, and once he was given a sharp reprimand by the bishop. Nevertheless he was eloquent and popular, and retained the charge for four years. In 1834 came to the church the Rev. Allen Steele. His son, who became Dr. J. Dorman Steele, arose to great distinction as an author of school text-books, achieved a national, if not an European, reputation, becoming one of the most distinguished scholars of his day, in whom and whose memory the country has a right to take great pride.
As showing the method pursued in those old times in building churches, it might be stated that on a subscription list, still extant, appears not much money but twenty perch of stone, value $120, from one; 1,000 feet of lumber from another; and from others store goods, $20; blacksmithing, $5; hats, $10; teaming, $10.
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church was indebted to the labors of the Rev. P. D. Gillette, who formed other organizations through- out the county, and to Jeffery Wisner, who gave the plot of ground on which the church was built in 1830.
Baptist preachers came to Horseheads as early as 1805. In 1827 a church was erected about two miles north of the village. About April 22, 1840; a church was organized which in the latter part of the year united with the Elmira organization and was known as "The Elmira and Fairport Church." A church edifice was erected in 1841. In Big Flats a church was organized on August 30, 1807. The first services were held in a barn, and then in school- houses. The Rev. Roswell Goff was the first pas- tor. A church edifice was built in 1827, and occu- pied in January; 1828. The Ridge Free Baptist church was organized in Veteran, November 19; 1836. The first pastor was the Rev. Samuel Dean.
The beginnings of the Episcopal Church were made in 1833, a clergyman coming to the village of Elmira and holding services in a school-house.40
40 Among its rectors were the Rev. Andrew Hull, who served as such seventeen years; the Rev. B. W. Whitcher, whose wife wrote the celebrated "Widow Bedott Papers," and the Rev. William Paret, who became the Bishop of Maryland. One of the characters of the early times who had much to do in organizing the church, was "Aunty Hill," a Protestant Irish woman, who kept a garden in the western part of the village. She herself went to Trinity Church, New York City, and secured a contribution sufficient to justify the beginning in 1840 of the Trinity Church. Hervey Luce was a very active man in organizing the church. He was a hatter. He served as Senior Warden for many years. His son-in-law, the Hon. William T. Post, became a promi- nent man. He served one term as Member of Assembly and was postmaster of the village of Elmira four years.
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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N. Y.
The Church was regularly organized on March 31; 1834.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church was organized in Big Flats in 1830, and an edifice erected in 1834. The first rector was the Rev. E. T. Gilbert. The church became partially disorganized in 1843, ser- vices being held occasionally by rectors from Corn- ing and Elmira.41
During the time of the construction of the canal a number of those connected with and attached to the Roman Catholic faith came into the valley; many taking up their residences and making their homes in the county. These were ministered to by priests from other places. In 1848 was begun a small but convenient wooden chapel where now stands the church of SS. Peter and Paul, at High and Market Streets, Elmira. Father Sheridan was the first resident pastor.
Burial places .- Very early in the century the subject of locations where the dead could be laid away called for attention. On many of the farms throughout the county are still to be seen by the roadside or under the trees some distance there- from; well kept always and surrounded by white palings; small plots of ground in which are stand- ing headstones bearing dates very early in the last century as well as more recent ones. Whether or not any of the families of the early settlers occupy the lands about, it is not at all likely that these sacred spots will ever be disturbed.
41The Tuttle family was largely interested in this church. one of its members, the Rev. Daniel S. Tuttle, becoming the Bishop of Missouri and the presiding bishop of his church.
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The first public cemetery was located nearly at the corner of what is now East Water and Sullivan Streets, in Elmira. Long since; every vestige of the existence of such a spot there disappeared, and it is said that the bodies were never removed there- from. Very recently, in excavating for the founda- tions of a large manufacturing establishment; the location of this ancient burying-ground was dis- covered. In 1802 Jeffrey Wisner gave the land for a cemetery where Wisner Park is now located, on Main Street, in Elmira. In 1838 the Second Street cemetery was opened, and that is now occa- sionally used.
Big Flats also early provided for a public burial- ground. In 1809 a plot of land was set apart for the purpose. The first burials therein were Amos Rowley; who died on June 5, 1809, and Robert Miller, who died on July 14, 1809.
Public houses and halls .- Tradition; with little of memory or record to sustain it, is always busy with the public houses of any locality. For many rea- sons they are the most prominent spots in any town,' new or old, and what they are is often taken to be what the town itself is. Away down on Water Street; in Elmira, was located the first public house or tavern in the county. No one knows the exact spot upon which it stood. Not a vestige of it remains. Then there were the "Kline House" and "The Black Horse Tavern," already spoken of. The two Mansion Houses, at different times and in different locations, and the "Elmira Hotel,"42 built
42 Among the landlords controlling the destinies of this hostelry was Henry Potter, who came from Renssalaer
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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N. Y.
on the banks of the canal soon after its completion. There was the old "Eagle Tavern," which burned in 1849, and was succeeded by the "Brainard." The inns contained the halls used for balls and for entertainments, theatrical and musical. There were other halls, "Temperance Hall," "Mechanics Hall," Pattinson43 Hall, and Concert Hall.
Determining more geographical divisions .- There was much shifting and changing as regards the town- ships in the early part of the century. On April 6, 1808, a portion was taken from Chemung Town- ship, made into another township; and called Elmira.44 The name applied to the township, not to the village which remained Newtown until April 21, 1828; when it, too, became Elmira. Another township called Erin was sliced away from Che- mung Township on March 29, 1822. The first
County, N. Y. He held the place from 1839 to 1848. He held a number of offices both in civil and military life. His oldest son was William C. Potter, who possessed many extraordinary qualities, chief of which was his talent for painting. Some of his portraits possessed great merit. He died at the early age of thirty-four, having hardly begun his life.
43 In the hall of the Elmira house mentioned was given the first dramatic representation ever undertaken in the valley, the company being that of Gilbert and Trobridge. The Gilbert was John Gilbert, who afterward attained great distinction in his profession.
The Pattinson brothers, Thomas and George, were mer- chants. They were descended from the famous George Stevenson, who invented the locomotive.
44 The name is said to be derived from the Spanish, El Mira, "the view," or "the fine view." It was brought into the language by one of the early English novelists of the 18th century. It was the name of a daughter of Nathan Teall, who kept the tavern where Judge Coryell, the Member of Assembly, always stopped, and he was very fond of the child.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF
town meeting was held in May at the house of John Bandfield.« In April of the same year the town- ship of Elmira suffered two losses. A strip on the north became the township of Big Flats, and on the south the township of Southport.+6 Still further, on April 16, 1823, two more townships were formed from the southern end of Catherine; Veteran on the east half and Catlin on the west half. Veteran was named in honor of a revolutionary soldier, Green Bentley, and Catlin from Phineas Catlin, an active, energetic man; a farmer with some knowledge of surveying.47 The northern half of Catlin was, on April 17, 1835, taken to form another township named Dix, after Gen. John A. Dix. And then the divid- ing, for the time being, ceased.
Another Court House .- In 1824 the new Court House was built on Lake Street in Elmira to take
45One of the strong names of the county. This one men- tioned was at one time Member of Assembly.
46 Its first town meeting was held on May 14, 1822. Solo- mon L. Smith was the first Supervisor, and he served in that capacity for five years. John Wormly was an early settler in the township and was active in its affairs. By his efforts the first school-house was erected there in in 1838.
47 What was left of the Township of Catherine is now in Schuyler County. The village of Millport is in the Township of Veteran. It grew very rapidly on the completion of the Chemung Canal. A. F. Babcock, a stirring politician of the county, was a merchant there many years, and became County Clerk. The county is also indebted to the township and village for the Hon. Gabriel L. Smith, who at first prac- ticed law in Millport with Judge Theodore North as partner. for five years, and then came to Elmira. He was a promi- nent officer in the Civil War, and became County Judge. He celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his wedding day on November 7, 1904, and died two years later at the advanced age of 84 years. The county and State are also indebted to this township for another able lawyer, the Hon. Sylvester S. Taylor, who was District-Attorney of the County, County Judge, and an Assistant Attorney-General of the State.
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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N. Y.
the place of the old one on Sullivan Street. It was esteemed quite a pretentious building and com- manded the admiration of all. It served its pur- pose for almost forty years.
At last, the new county .- All this was looking toward an important and distinctive event; the formation of the county of Chemung. This was accomplished by act of the Legislature of March 29, 1836. It comprised the following-named town- ships: Chemung, Elmira, Big Flats, Erin, South- port, Catlin, Veteran, Catherine, Cayuta, and Dix.48 The first Assemblyman for the county was Jacob Westlake, of Horseheads; the first District-Attor- ney, Andrew K. Gregg; the first County Judge, Joseph L. Darling; the first County Clerk, Isaac Baldwin; the first Sheriff, A. A. Becknith. Hiram Gray49 was the first Congressman taken from the county. The population of the new county was 17,465.
48The three last named are now a part of Schuyler County and form no part of this story.
The first Supervisors of the county were: Big Flats, Samuel Minier; Catlin, Timothy Wheat; Cayuta, Jacob Swartwood; Catherine, John G. Henry; Chemung, Isaac Shepherd; Dix, Green Bennett; Elmira, John W. Wisner; Erin, Robert Stewart; Southport, Albert A. Beckwith; Vet- eran, Asahel Hulett.
49 HIRAM GRAY was doubtless the most eminent jurist ever produced by the county. He came to Elmira in 1825, from Washington County, N. Y., and remained one of the fore- most citizens of the valley for more than sixty years. He held many official positions in the county, city, and State. serving a term in the Supreme Court of the district, and on the Commission of Appeals of the State. He died in 1890.
This period developed in the county many lawyers of ability and learning, enjoying, as they had earned, a State reputation. Some of these not elsewhere mentioned were: Theodore North, Jr., Elijah P. Brooks, Erastus P. Hart,
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The river .- The river was always, in these early days, the most attractive, interesting and valuable portion of the valley. On its swollen waters in the spring and fall were borne the rafts and arks that bore the lumber and produce of the locality to a market at Baltimore, Md. The beauty spot of the valley was a large island almost two miles in extent that lay just in front of Elmira. It was covered with primeval trees, and had a profuse green turf. Here it was that picnics assembled and gatherings of all sorts celebrated festal days.50 No effort was made to preserve the spot in its pristine loveliness, and it is now a mere waste of sand and gravel un- comfortable to look at.5 1
One of the earliest thoughts about the river was how to get over on the other side. Steps were be- gun in 1817 to build a bridge at Elmira, but the effort had no fruition until seven years later, and it was not until 1824 that the first bridge was thrown over the stream at Elmira. The second one was built the next year, near the village of Chemung.
Solomon B. Tomlinson, E. H. Benn, James L. Woods, John W. Wisner, William H. Patterson, James Dunn, Peter Van Der Lyn, Ariel S. Thurston, Thomas G. Spaulding, who served as County Judge for ten years, Edward Quinn, James A. Christie, H. Boardman Smith, Archibald Robertson, Aaron Konkle, Newton P. Fassett.
50 Anson C. Ely, one of the most active merchants of the time, offered to contribute $10,000 toward the preservation of the spot, but there were no other persons found to second him in his endeavor.
51 As showing the large amount of trade carried on on the river, it may be stated, as a matter of record, that in the spring of 1829 there were sent down nineteen arks loaded with wheat, carrying 1,800 bushels each, in all 35,000 bushels, and that representing only one interest. It seems small figures now, but then!
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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N. Y.
The next thought was to make the current use- ful for driving mills in the building of dams. It was a curious idea the public had in opposing such projects on the ground that it "obstructed naviga- tion." Nevertheless, on January 27, 1824, Isaac Baldwins2 was given authority by the Legislature to construct a dam opposite the foot of what is now College Avenue. It was not, however, completed until 1828.53 Two years before, in 1826, Asa and Isaac Parshall had constructed a dam just below the village of Chemung. It was the first one built in the valley. Another one was built in 1827, at Big Flats, by David Reynolds, near his own land.
Strong organizations .- An organization called the "Elmira Mechanics' Society," extraordinary because of its methods and its vitality, was formed in 1834, and was regularly incorporated on May 26, 1836. It was somewhat after the order of the present day "Building Associations." There were fifty mem-
52 ISAAC BALDWIN Was easily one of the first men in the val- ley all through this period. He was a member of a large and active family that did very much to improve the valley and the county. His home, standing where the Rathbun House is now located, was one of the most notable residences in the county, his farm extending far to the north. His name, attached to the street that was a road through his fields, vividly recalls his memory.
Another one of the family was a distinct character by himself, Waterman Baldwin. He was one of Washington's most trusted scouts, a great hunter and Indian fighter. He had a favorite and famous horse which he named "Roanoke," and for whose use Washington gave a silver mounted saddle. Once each year, and until Washington died, Waterman dined with the General at Mount Vernon.
53 In the spring following the construction of this work occurred the most destructive ice freshet ever known in the valley. It swept away the dam and covered the fields for
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF
bers, almost entirely made up of carpenters, saddle and harnessmakers, tailors, s+ hatters, blacksmiths, and members of other callings and trades. The society built, in 1840, the first public hall in the valley, and established therein the first public library. It was, a large wooden building. It burned in 1866, and was never rebuilt.ss
Medical .- The Chemung County Medical Society was organized on May 3, 1836. Its first president was Dr. Leonard Hudson. Dr. Nathaniel Aspin-
miles about with huge cakes of ice, remnants of which were to be seen in retired spots for months. Numbers felt that it was a judgment on the builders for "obstructing navi- gation."
54 Its first officers were: Charles Orwan, a gunsmith, president; Abram Riker, a carpenter, vice-president; Ran- som Birdsall, a printer, secretary; Francis Collingwood, a jeweler, treasurer. Some of the Society's officers made remarkable records. John C. Roe, a tailor, was a director for thirty-three years. Josiah Bartholomew, a carpenter, served as president twenty-one years. James S. French served as treasurer for twenty-two years, dying on May 4, 1881, long past his eightieth year.
ssThe strength of a community lies in its workingmen, the producers, and as such the names of those who contrib- uted in large measure during this period toward the up- building of the valley, deserve to be recalled. Here are some: Abram Riker, a carpenter and the largest building contractor in the county. He acquired much wealth. He gave the land on which the first Methodist Church was built. He was of the family of the famous Recorder Riker, of New York City. Samuel Jones, Robert F. Hylen, Joseph P. Burt, Josiah Dunham, David Wightman, Jabez Beers, all carpenters, William Williams, a tanner, Job A. Smith, prin- ter, Daniel Stephens, blacksmith, Archibald Heggie, hatter, Francis Smith, saddler, and harnessmaker, Peter Ten Broeck, a wagonmaker, Robert Hill, also a wagonmaker, R. K. Wallace, painter, P. A. La France and Washington Marsh, also painters, Norris North, tinner, Ephraim P. Davenport, tinner, D. S. Hamilton, jeweler, W. B. Berry, shoemaker, Seth Kelly, baker.
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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N. Y.
wall was its second president, and then56 came Dr. Erastus L. Hart. 57
Looking out for fires .- The protection provided against fires was in all hamlets and villages very meager and primitive. They had "bucket brig- ades," every householder being obliged by law to have on his premises a vessel long and slender made of leather. When there was a fire two lines were formed from the source of supply of water to the flames. One line passed the full buckets along to the fire, and the other line passed the empty buckets to the water. In 1830, Miles Covell, John Arnot, and Abram Riker were made "fire wardens" of the village of Newtown, and soon after a number of the most prominent citizens were named as "firemen of the village." In May, 1834, a fire- engine of a very primitive pattern, called "Old Goose Neck," was purchased, and a company formed to man it. It was known as "Torrent Fire Company, No. 1." A Hook and Ladder Company was organized in 1844, and Fire Company No. 2, called the "Neptune Company," was formed the
56The medical faculty in the county has long stood very high in the profession, not only in the county, but through- out the State. Among those very useful at this period were Dr. Theseus Brooks, Dr. John Payne, Dr. P. P. Concklin, Dr. Jotham Purdy, Dr. Hollis S. Chubbuck, Dr Nelson Winton, Dr. William Woodward, Dr. Uriah Smith, Dr. D. A. Towner, Dr. Elias Satterlee, Dr. Rulandus Bancroft, Dr. Nathan Boynton.
57DR. HART was probably the most highly thought of phy- sician of his time in the valley. He came to Elmira from Connecticut in 1823. He was very public-spirited and especially interested in educational matters. His son, William E. Hart, was one of the most enterprising merchants in Elmira for many years, and another son, Erastus P. Hart, became a lawyer of large practice and great distinction.
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same year. "Fire Company No. 3," known as the Red Rover Company, was organized on August 21; 1848. Its first foreman was John I. Nicks.58 These companies formed the "Elmira Volunteer Fire Department." Silas Haights was the first Chief Engineer of the Fire Department.
How the county got its news .- The county was always well provided with newspapers. The first one printed within its borders was called The Tele- graph, and published in 1815 by Prindle and Murphy. Its name was changed to the Vidette. It struggled along with such a name until 1816, one year, and then gave it up. In 1820 the Elmira Weekly Republican was started, but its name was changed in 1828 to the Elmira Whig, and in 1829 it was called the Elmira Republican and Canal Advertiser. The Elmira Gazette was first started in 1820 by Job A. Smith, a member of a numerous family, and he called it The Investigator. After two years he changed the name to the Tioga Register; and in 1828 to the Elmira Gazette. It still exists under
58MR. NICKS came to Newtown from Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1847. He was a tobacconist by trade. He became one of the most enterprising and popular citizens of the county, known far and wide as a generous, hearty man. He was very prominent during the Civil War. He served as Alderman a number of years, was Mayor of the city, State Senator, and an Internal Revenue Assessor.
59 MR. HAIGHT was one of the early merchants of the valley. He came to Elmira in 1836. He subsequently became an innkeeper, having in his charge the old "Mansion House," on Lake Street, the old "Eagle Tavern," and then back to the same location on Lake Street he had occupied, where he built an inn called "Haight's Hotel," a famous hostelry with a State-wide reputation. In his capacity as landlord for which he was especially fitted, he won and kept the regard of all the citizens of the county.
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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N. Y.
that name, having passed a long career of honor and prosperity. The Chemung Democrat was started in 1847. In 1831 there were two peculiar journals published in the county. The Fort Henderson Meddler, issued only semi-occasionally; was the work of two young lawyers, their personality long unknown, who stirred up the community with ac- counts of all the gossip and scandals going. Very yellow copies of this journal are still in existence. In the same year, J. Taylor Bradt published in Horseheads a newspaper which he called the Che- mung County Patriot and Central Advocate. It was established to advocate the making of Horseheads the county seat of the new county that was con- templated. The project failed, but if the smart town did not become the geographical capital it has become the political capital of the county; all the conventions of all the parties being always held there. A boys' amateur weekly; called The Young American, the first effort of the kind in this country; if not in the world; was published in Elmira during this period. The first daily published in the county was in 1847. It was called The Karlon; and was published by literary characters of considerable distinction of the time, the Rev. C. C. Burr, his wife Celia Burr, and "my brother Heman." It had "'telegraphic news," as the telegraph came into the county, the first line built from Ithaca, even before the railroad arrived. The newspaper did not last long; less than a year.
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