USA > New York > Jefferson County > A history of Jefferson County in the state of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 11
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
In December 1816, preparations were begun under direction of Parish, for the erection of a forge, on Indian River, a mile above Antwerp Village. A road, a dam, a forge, and a house, were built soon after, and the forge continued two or three years with no profit. In 1824 a distillery was commenced at the same place, and kept in operation from 1825, till the death of George Parish in 1839, running mostly during the fall, winter and spring months, and consuming from Jan. 1826 till May 1839 (except 1829, 30, during a part of which years it was not run) 72,114 bushels of corn, 40,074 of rye, 4,423 of rye malt, 2,370 of rye flour, 663 of barley malt, 108 of crushed barley, and 4,899 pounds of hops, and making more than half a million of gallons of proof whiskey. From 50 to 125 head of cattle were fattened here annually during the winter months, and in the summer sometimes a large number of swine. Corn and rye were purchased at from 56 cts. to a dollar a bushel, the average being about 63' cts., and barley at from 75 cts. to a dollar. These works were erected and superintended by Wm. McAllaster, as agent for Geo. Farish, and afforded a home market for grain and cattle, which enabled farmers to pay for their lands much sooner than would otherwise have been possible, although the pernicious influence of this business upon the public morals, has doubtless been much greater than the benefits conferred.
In 1834 a grist mill was built by Mr. Parish, near the distillery. which with the adjacent property was purchased by James Ster- ling, in 1846, and a furnace erected 28 feet square, and 32 feet
91
Antwerp.
high, which was at first fitted for the hot, but which has since 1849 been run with the cold blast. It has been run upon ore from the Sterling mine in this town, only so much of other qua- lities of ore being used as is necessary for its proper reduction. Castings have not been made at the furnace, but a foundry has been got in operation near by, under the direction of other parties. This locality is about four miles from the mine, from which ore is drawn at 50 cts. per ton. A small village has grown up around the premises, which has acquired the local name of Sterlingburgh. There are, besides the furnace and mills, a plaster mill, and a few shops and dwellings.
Antwerp Village is 6 miles from Philadelphia, 10 from The- resa, 7 from Ox Bow, 7 from Somerville, 16 from Carthage, 8 from Sterlingville, 13 from Great Bend, and 22 from Watertown. The Potsdam and Watertown rail road, now building, passes through the village, and it has plank roads leading to Gouverneur, Rossie, Great Bend, and Carthage, each of which connect with others.
The Village of Antwerp was incorporated under the general act, in pursuance of an order of the court of sessions, and con- firmed at a special election, held July 30, 1853, by a vote of 53 to 3. The limits of the corporation embrace 660 acres of land. There are in the village, churches of the Baptist, Catholic, and Presbyterian orders, three hotels, six or seven stores, a great va- riety of mechanics, and about 500 inhabitants.
The village of Ox Bow, near the north line of the town, is pleasantly situated on a remarkable bend of the Oswegatchie River, which gives name to the place. The first settler here was Peter Vrooman, from Johnstown, who located on the old state road, in the north part of the village, about 1803. From its being at the convergence of several important roads, which the natural features of the country compelled to pass here, it has, without other advantages, become a small village of two inns, two stores, a few mechanic shops, and forty or fifty families. It has a church, belonging to the Associate Reformed order. The scenery around this village is remarkably fine, and the shores of neighboring lakes, possess a romantic interest from the numerous problems in geology that they present. As an inviting field for the collection of minerals, this vicinity is unrivalled, and in our chapter on the mineral resources of the county, the species and varieties found here, will be enumerated. This village is on the plank road, between Antwerp and Hammond, and is the terminus of one leading to Evans' Mills and Watertown. It is 7 miles from Rossie, 10 from Theresa, 16 from Evans' Mills, 11 from Philadelphia, 7 from Antwerp, 4 from Somerville, and & from Gouverneur, by way of Wegatchie, or Church's Mills. About half a mile from the
92
Antwerp.
village, on the plank road towards Evans' Mills, [is a singular precipice of gneiss rock, sixty or seventy feet high and quite perpendicular, upon the face of which is the section of a remark- able excavation, similar to the pot holes found in lime stone rocks, and worn by the rotation of pebbles in water. The fol- lowing figure from Prof. Emmons's report on the geology of the 2nd district, represents accurately the shape of the excavation, but fails to impart an adequate idea of the grandeur of the as- sociated scenery.
Pulpit Rock, near Ox Bow.
When the settlements were new, meetings were, it is said, held at the foot of this cliff, the cavity serving as a pulpit, from whence was derived the name.
For mineral wealth, Antwerp stands unrivaled in the county. Being underlaid mostly by primary rock, and the border of the lowest sedimentary formations, it affords at several points, mines that are wrought with great profit, and at others, strong indica- tions of ores which have not been yet explored. Of minerals in- teresting to the man of science, but without practical value, the number is large. So much as relates to the history of these mines will be given here, while their geological relations will be detailed in our chapter on that subject.
93
Antwerp.
A quarry was opened in a ledge of gneiss, on the old state road, between Mr. Cook's place, and Ox Bow, in 1805, by David Cof- feen, and James Parker, for the manufacture of mill stones. The business was followed more or less, a part of each year, till about 1828, during which time nearly 100 pair were made, and sold in adjoining counties, or sent westward. The price of a pair ready for hanging, was generally $100. Boulders of gneiss, were often used in making mill stones in the county, at an early day, some of which were found to answer a good purpose.
Specular iron ore, had been wrought in the adjoining town of Rossie, since 1812, and many unsuccessful expenditures had been made in this, when, in 1836, a locality was reported to have been found on an island in the midst of a swamp, on the farm of Hope- still Foster, 3 miles north of Antwerp Village. This was covered by the landlord's reserve, but from the unsuccessful issue of all former trials in this town, Mr. Parish attached but little import- ance to the discovery, and for $200 sold his interest to James Sterling, and others. This, upon opening, has proved a mine of immense value, yielding ore of rich quality, and in unknown amount. The statistics of this mine can not be accurately ob- tained, but it has mainly supplied the furnace at Sterlingville since 1837, that at the distillery, since '1846, and for a year or two another at Sterlingsburh (Louisburgh), Lewis County, be- longing to Mr. Sterling. The ore is wrought by men hired by the month, and the mine is opened to the day. It is drained by horse pumps, but from its being surrounded by swamp, will always be incommoded by water, especially when the mine is sunk to a considerable depth. It has not hitherto been necessary to elevate the ore by machinery. About a half a mile south of this, is another mine, belonging to Parish, known as the White ore bed, from the owner of the farm where it occurs. One mile from Antwerp Village, on the farm of Nathan W. Ward, is another, which has been known to exist many years, but has been only worked since 1852. From 700 to 800 tons have, it is said, been taken from this mine.
On the farm of Hiram B. Keene, a short distance from the county line, and in the same range with the great mines in Ros- sie, and Gouverneur, there were found about 1837, indications that led to the discovery of a mine, on land not covered by reserve. It was traced into a neighboring field, of which the land holder held the reserve, and heavy mining operations have been since conducted on both sides of the line but most extensively on that owned by Parish. The ore here dips at an angle of about forty five degrees, and is overlaid by a coarse sandstone, that is sup- ported by huge masses of ore, left by the miners. This mine is the only one of iron in this section of the state, that is wrought
94
Antwerp.
under ground by lamps. The portion first discovered, has been lately sold for $3000.
Marble of a coarse texture, but suited for many purposes of architecture, occurs in vast quantities in Antwerp, but no effort has hitherto been made to turn it to a useful account, further than as a material for lime, and a flux for iron ores. Black and variegated Rensselaerite, and Serpentine, of fine quality, occur in town, and may hereafter be brought into use as ornamental marbles. Indications of copper ore have been found, but none in profitable quantities. Potsdam sandstone of a quality suited for the lining of furnaces, has been wrought extensively for this purpose on the farm of Mr. Keene, near the north line of the town. This town has three post offices, viz: Antwerp, Ox Bow and Bentley's Corners, the latter being on the Ox Bow and Evans' Mills Plank Road, four miles from the former place.
The Antwerp Delphic Library was formed March 13, 1832, with Charles B. Hoard, Wm. McAllaster, R. N. Randall, Sam'l Gains, and Levi Miller, trustees. It has, like most others of the class, been given up, since the formation of school district libraries.
Religious Societies. The first house of worship in town, and the second one in the county, was built of brick, in the village of Antwerp, at the sole expense of Mr. Parish, in 1816-17, and was for many years occupied by different denominations. In March, 1849, it was sold to the Catholics, for $600, and has since been used by them alone. Our statistics of the denomina- tions in town is defective, from failure to receive facts that had been promised .* The first Presbyterian Society was formed April 29, 1819, with Silvius Hoard, John C. Foster, Wm. and Samuel Randall, Smith Copeland, and Luther Conklin, trustees. A church had been formed previously, and in June, 1819, had been received into the St. Lawrence Presbytery, on the applica- tion of Rev. Ziba Tuttle, their minister. The society was re- organized October 5, 1824, with Hiram Murdcok, Benajah and William Randall, Zebina Smith, Jeremy Stimson, and Josiah Drake, Jr., trustees. Among the clergy, here, have been Cal- vin Wait, Rufus R. Deming, and others. Charles B. Pond is the present pastor. In 1850 the society erected, in the north part of the village, an elegant church edifice, that will compare favorably with any in the county. The Ox Bow Presbyterian Society of Antwerp and Rossie, was formed May 15, 1820, with Abraham Cooper, Abraham Lewis, Reuben Streeter, James Ormiston, James Douglas, Orren Matthews, Percival Hawley, and Abner Benton, trustees. A church was formed the same
* See note in appendix.
95
Brownville.
summer, at first having about 40 members, which soon united with the St. Lawrence Presbytery, then embracing this county. It has since united with that of Ogdensburgh. - The Rev. James Sandford was installed Sept. 5, 1820, and has been employed many years. The society have no house of worship. The Methodist Chapel of the first society in Antwerp, was formed Nov. 2, 1832, with Samuel Cook, Isaac Sprague, Wm. Chalor, Daniel and Wm. Shepard, Theodore Cross, George Lum, Asher Seymour, and Daniel Brown, trustees. The Sprague's Corner Methodist society was formed Jan. 12, 1837, with Elijah Steele, Jr., Abel Goodnough, Isaac Sprague, John Brown, Wm. Howe, Martin Mitchel, and Samuel Kelsey, trustees. They the same year built a chapel, at a cost of about $1,000. A Methodist society was formed at Ox Bow, May 14, 1833, with A. Lewis, Ira D. Shepherd, Wm. H. Collar, Samuel Bonfy, and Ebenezer Birdsley, trustees. They have never erected a church.
A Baptist society was formed February 23, 1836, with David Manning, Obadiah Chamberlain, and Joseph Palmer, trustees, and has a church, edifice in Antwerp village. An organization had been formed previously, which, in 1825, united with the Black River Association, and has since regularly reported. The Antwerp and Fowler Union Society (Baptist), was formed Sept. 11, 1838, with Amos Sheldon, Alexander Wright, J. H. Boz- worth, Leonard Pike, Ansel Clark, and Moses Burge, trustees, and soon after built a church near the county line, at Steele's Corners.
A Wesleyan Methodist society was formed Sept. 1, 1845, at Sprague's Corners, with Allen Woodward, Emor Bell, and Abel Goodnough, trustees. They have a small chapel.
The Associate Reformed Church of Antwerp and Rossie, was formed at the Ox Bow, May 22, 1837, with Andrew Culbertson, John Barrow, Robert Darling, James Dickson, Wm. Turnbull, and Wm. Fleming, trustees. It was reorganized April 7, 1840. This society has a neat church edifice of stone, fronting on the public square in the village of Ox Bow. It is principally com- posed of Scotch emigrants, many families of whom are settled in this and the adjoining town of Rossie.
BROWNVILLE.
Was erected from Leyden, April 1, 1802, embracing all north of Black River, from a line running from the northwest corner of Champion, N. 45ยบ E., to the southwesterly bounds of the county of St. Lawrence. The first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of Jacob Brown. Adams and Rutland were erected by the same act. It was named after Jacob Brown, after- wards Major General of the army, the first settler and general land agent. The first town meeting was held at the house of
96
Brownville.
Samuel and Jacob Brown, and adjourned to Brownville Hotel, March 1, 1803, at which the following town officers were elected: Jacob Brown, supervisor; Isaac Collins, clerk; John W. Collins, Rich'd Smith, and Peter Pratt, assessors ;. J. W. Collins, Ozias Preston, Samuel Starr, commissioners highways; O. Preston, Richardson Avery, Henry A. Delamater, Samuel Brown, Benj. Brown, Wm. Rogers, Abijah Putnam, fence viewers; S. Brown, S. Starr, overseers of the poor; S. Brown, Sanford Langworthy, Caleb J. Bates, Sylvanus Fish, H. A. Delamater, Fred'k Sprague, Geo. Waffle, Ethni Evans, puthmasters; J. W. Collins, H. A. Delamater, and S. Brown, poundmasters.
Supervisors-1803, Jacob Brown; 1804, 5, John W. Collins; 1806, 7, Jacob Brown; 1808, J. W. Collins; 1809, 10, John Brown; 1811, 12, Josiah Farrar ; 1813, John Brown; 1814, Joseph Clark; 1815, John Brown; 1816, 17, Walter Cole; 1818, Geo. Brown Jr .; 1819, 20, Hoel Lawrence; 1821-28, Walter Cole; 1829-33, Geo. Brown (of Perch River); 1834, 35, Aaron Shew; 1836, 37, Walter Cole; 1838, Mahlon P. Jackson; 1839. 40, Alanson Skinner; 1841, Wm. Lord; 1842, 43, A. Skinner; 1844, 45, Chas. B. Avery; 1846, A. Skinner; 1847, Chas. B. Avery; 1848, Arba Strong; 1849, Cyrus Allen; 1850, Tho's. L. Knapp, C. Allen, special meeting; 1851, Cyrus Allen; 1852, Samuel Middleton, 2nd; 1853, Charles K. Loomis.
At a special meeting, Jan. 29, 1818, the town petitioned for a tax upon themselves of $2000, towards building a bridge at Wil- liamstown (Pamelia) Village, and another at Brownville Village. John Brown, Joseph Clark, and Thomas Loomis, were appointed commissioners for this purpose. In 1813 a law had also been passed for the erection of bridges, by a tax upon this and adjacent towns.
During 15 years a poor tax has been voted, making an aggre- gate of $5,790, and in 1835 the poor money on hand was applied to schools. "In 32 years, money has been raised for bridges, usually $250, per annum, and amounting to $9,050. In 1846 money was raised to build a bridge over Perch River, near its mouth, and in 1835, 1848, 49, 50, to build one at Fish Island, in the village of Dexter.
Bounties on wolves of $5, were offered in 1807-1818; of $8 in 1821; of $10 in 1806, 8, 9, 11, 12, 20; of $15 in 1804, 13, 19; of $20 in 18115, 16; and of $25 in 1814, 17. Fox bounties of $1, in 1815, 20, 21; of $2.50 in 1817, 19; and of 50 cts. in 1833, were offered. In 1806 a bounty of 10, and in 1807 of $5 was offered for panthers.
At the annual town meeting in 1820, which was held at Perch River, after electing a portion of the officers, the meeting ad- journed to the house of Edward Arnold, on Penet Square, till the
97
Brownville.
next day. This measure created much excitement, and those living in the southern and eastern portions of the town, rallied with all their forces, attended promptly at the earliest moment of the adjourned meeting, organized, and immediately voted an- other adjournment to the house of Elias Bennet at Brownville Village, on the afternoon of the same day, where the vote for town clerk was reconsidered, and the remaining officers elected. Being thus robbed of their town meeting, the settlers on Penet's Square and in distant localities, demanded a separate organization, which was readily consented to, and all parties having met at an informal meeting, or convention, at the village, agreed upon a petition to the legislature, which was acted upon, before another town meeting. The foregoing is a concise statement of the act of "stealing a town meeting," which gave rise to much talk at the time, and about which many fabulous stories have been re- lated. It is said that this heinous crime of robbery was made the subject of a painting, that formed a part of a traveling exhibition.
At the town meeting, in 1821, the clerk read three notices for the division of the town, which were not voted. The first was to annex a part of Brownville to Pamelia; the second, a part of Brownville to Le Ray, and the third to erect four new towns from Brownville and Le Ray. In 1822, a motion to annex Pa- melia to Brownville was defeated.
This town was first explored, with a view of settlement, by Jacob Brown, afterwards a distinguished citizen, who, while teaching a school in New York, had met with Rodolph Tillier, the general agent for the Chassanis lands, and was induced to purchase a large tract, and become the agent for commencing a settlement, at a time when the difficulties attending such an en- terprise were very great. Having engaged in this business, he repaired in February, 1799, to the location of the French com- pany, at the High Falls, and made several journeys to Utica, when, having completed his arrangements, and collected provis- ions at the Long Falls, he in March, 1799, passed down the old French road, in company with three or four hired men, and hap- pening to reach the river at the mouth of Philomel Creek, he was charmed with the prospect of a water power, apparently perennial, and at once decided upon stopping here. He com- menced clearing land, having sent for his father's family, who started on the 22d of April, from Bucks County, Pa., and after stopping a few days at New York and Schenectady, and hiring at Utica an extra boat, at length arrived at the location on the 17th of May, 1799, having been nearly three weeks on the road. George Brown, a relative, came on in the same company, with a part of his family, making, with the boatmen, a party of nearly twenty. The boatmen soon returned, leaving one boat
98
Brownville.
that served the means for communication with Kingston, from whence they derived most of their provisions, the stock left at the Long Falls having been sold. When this company had ar- rived, the first had cleared a small piece, and got up the body of a log house, twenty feet square, which occupied the site of the hay scales on the edge of the bank, in the village, and the same season they put up the body of a two-story log house, 25 by 30, on the ground now covered by the store of Wm. Lord. This was not, however, completed for occupation till the spring of 1801. In the fall of 1800 a saw mill was built at the mouth of Philomel Creek, the millwrights being Noah Durrin and Eb- enezer Hills, and late in the fall of 1801 a grist mill was built for Mr. Brown, by Ethni Evans, afterwards the pioneer of Evans' Mills. A few goods were brought on with the first family, but in the fall of the same year, Jacob Brown went to New York, on other business, and selected a small stock better adapt- ed to the market. In 1799, a great number came in to look for lands, many of whom selected farms on Perch River, and between that place and Brownville, where they commenced small clear- ings, and made arrangements for removal with their families in the spring. Among these were John W. Collins, Richardson Avery, Nathan Parish, Horace Mathers, and others. In the summer of 1800, a great number settled, and the clearings had extended from the bank of the river nearly half a mile. The first settlers on Perch River incurred an obligation to cleara cer- tain amount of land, and build a house.
The first bridge at Brownville was built at a cost of $1,000, on subscription, by Oliver Bartholomew, in the summer of 1802. It was below the present mills, at the mouth of Philomel Creek, and being swept off in a flood in 1806, was in 1807 rebuilt by the same person, at the present bridge. The village, in Sept., 1805, contained 25 houses, and was rapidly improving, and the next year a dam was first built across Black River at this place, a little below the present dam. John Brown (afterwards Judge Brown), a brother of Jacob, at an early day bought the lands adjacent to the village, south of the river, and erected mills. The mills and store were at first owned by Jacob Brown, and his father, Samuel,* but afterwards his brother of that name became the merchant. The village for some years grew more rapidly than any in the county, and until after the location of the public buildings at Watertown, it exhibited more thrift and business than that place. Much importance was attached, at an early day, to the navigation of Black River below this place, which was naturally difficult, on account of a rapid at Fish Island (now Dexter's), and in 1810 an act was passed, incorporating the
* S. Brown, Sen., died at Brownville Sept. 24, 1813.
99
Brownville.
Black River Navigation Company, of which it appears, from a paper recorded in the clerk's office June 5, 1810, that the fol- lowing persons were subscribers, with the number of shares, at $10, taken by each: Samuel Brown, Jr., 20; Jacob Brown, 35; Micah Sterling, 10; Benjamin Skinner, 10; John Brown, 20; Wm. M. Lord, 20; Judah Williams, 10; Samuel Starr, 20; Jo- seph Starling, 10; Wm. Hunter, 10; Richard M. Esselstyn, 10; James Shields, 5; Gersham Tuttle, 5; Thomas M. Converse, 5; A.masa Trowbridge, 10. The commissioners were Ethel Bronson, John Brown, Wm. M. Lord and Thomas M. Converse. On the 8th of March, 1811, the company received an amendment of their charter, by which the president and directors were to ap- point a collector, who should receive from every boat of five tons and upwards, 25 cents per ton, and for small boats not more than 50 cents per ton, for going and returning, provided the re- ceipts shall not exceed 14 per cent on the capital invested. The company was required to finish their work within three years, and were empowered to dispose of their surplus water as they might see fit. In 1812, and 1815, the time for completing the work was extended, and in the latter year wooden locks were built, sufficient to allow the passage of Durham boats. By an advertisement. in the Sackets Harbor Gazette, dated May 1, 1817, the public was informed that no higher tolls than 50 cents would be collected on a boat passing the locks. About 1828 the project of building a steam boat, to ply between Brownville and ports on the river and lake, being in discussion, stone locks were built in place of the wooden ones, which had decayed. The steamer Brownville was built in the summer of 1827 by a company, the original parties of which were Turner & Dodd, but Wm. S. Ely, Wm. Lord, Edmund Kirby and Hoel Lawrence, of this place, with parties in Oswego and Ogdensburgh, became afterwards interested, from having made advances. It had a keel 80 feet, beam 20 feet, and depth of hold 63 feet, with a bur- den of 100 tons, and engines of 35 to 40 horse power. She was built at the village, on the north side, and having with difficulty passed the locks, was burned to the water's edge, on her first trip to Ogdensburgh, but was run upon an island, and her crew saved. The hull was towed back to Brownville, and rebuilt by Capt. E. B. Dodd, and after a short time was sold at Sackets Harbor, and the name changed to the William Avery. The vil- lage of Dexter, six miles from Sackets Harbor, has long since been regarded as the head of navigation on Black River.
On the announcement of the declaration of war, Brownville became the seat of much activity and excitement, from its being the head quarters of General Brown, who had the personal di- rection of military operations on this frontier during most of
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.