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 19
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that have been lost here, and the subject of establishing a light, or at least one or more life boats, with the necessary apparatus, on the beach, for use in case of shipwrecks, commends itself strongly to the charities of the humane, and the attention of government.
In 1829 a survey of the mouth of Sandy Creek was made, by order of the general government, with the view of improving it for a harbor. The estimated cost of the work was $36,000, but nothing was ever done towards effecting this. The completion of the railroad has diminished the amount of commerce at this place, which was always small. A warehouse had been erected at the head of navigation, on each branch of the creek, but these are little used at present. Sandy Creek is a lawful port.
The fisheries in Mexico bay, and in front of this town, have within a few years assumed much importance, and recently gill nets have been introduced and used, at great distances from the shore in deep water. It was found that the placing of these before the mouth of streams injured the fisheries, and the subject was made a matter of complaint to the board of supervisors at their session in 1852, who passed an act by which it was forbidden to place seines or nets across, or in the waters of Skinner Creek, and the north and south branches of Big Sandy in Ellisburgh, or within 80 rods of the mouth of either, under a penalty of $50.
The Ellisburgh Union Library was formed February 16, 1813, Caleb Ellis, Brooks Harrington, Oliver Scott, Shubeal Lyman and Isaac Burr, were elected the first trustees. Like most others of the class, this has been abandoned.
Religious Societies .- The Baptists were the first to effect an organization in town. Before the formation of the present church of this order at Belleville, a few persons had been gathered by Elders Colwell and Littlefield, and adopted a covenant and art- icles of faith, with which Elder L. and some others were dis- satisfied, and which a council of brethren from neighboring churches decided to be contrary to the faith of the Baptists church. They were accordingly disbanded, and Elder L. having died, there was for some time no ministry of this order. About 1807, Joshua Freeman, then a young man, and one who has since been prominently connected with churches of this order in the county, feeling that something should be done towards reviving a church, with another young man, named Amos Noyes, commenced hold- ing meetings at Belleville. In this they had the cordial sympathies and aid of many, among others of Deacon Edward Barney. The previous covenant was modified to suit their views of gospel truth, and signed by eleven persons, who were soon joined by others, and August 22, 1807, a council called for the purpose, gave them the right hand of fellowship as a regular Baptist
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church. They enjoyed only occasional preaching till 1810, when Martin E. Cook, a licentiate, was called to the care of the church. He was afterwards ordained, and ( with an interval of two years, in which Elder Bradley was employed) continued to labor in the ministry, with great acceptance, during twenty-four years. Since then the following ministers have served as pastors at different periods: Daniel D. Reed, Abner Webb, Joel H. Green, A Webb (2d time), John F. Bishop, and the present pastor, David Mc- Farland. The present number of the church is 260. Several season's of religious awakening have occurred in this church, and many have gone out from them to the labor of the ministry. No serious divisions have occurred, and its history presents a scene of almost continual prosperity .*
In 1819, a union meeting house was erected at Belleville, cost- ing about $3,300, but the society never perfected its organiza- tion, which led to litigation. In March, 1829, the building was burned, A Baptist society had been formed December 4, 1821, with Matthew Green, Renjamin Barney and John Barney, 2d, trustees. In 1831 the present Baptist Church at this place was built, at a cost of about $2,400.
The Baptist society of Woodville, was formed Jan. 27, 1825, with Ebenezer Wood, Oliver Scott, Amaziah Fillmore, Pedro Scott, Wm. Ellsworth and Abijah Jenkins, trustees. The church was formed by the Rev. Asa Averill, since whom Peleg Card, Buckley, W. B. Downer, L. Rice and others have been employed. The society has a house of worship. The Baptist church of Mannsville was formed about 1831, by the union of one in Lorraine, and one in the west part of the town. The lat- ter, styled the 2d Baptized Church of Ellisburgh, was formed Oct. 8-13, 1817, under Elder Timothy Brewster, assisted by Elders Emery Osgood, of Henderson, Matthew Wilkie, of Wilna, Martin E. Cook, of Ellisburgh, and Elisha Morgan of Rutland. In 1833, this sect with the Congregationalists, erected their pre- sent place of worship at a cost of $1600.
The First Congregational Church of Ellisburgh, was formed by David M. Dixon, and Oliver Leavitt, Jan. 1, 1817, of six members. The Rev. J. A. Clayton was employed soon after, and was the only settled pastor. He was installed Nov. 9, 1826. He had several successors. On the 11th of Nov. 1823, a society was formed, of which the trustees were Amos Hudson, Hiram Taylor, Daniel Wardwell, John Otis, Wm. T. Fisk, and Wm. Cole. A church edifice was erected, but the organization became reduced, and was finally given up in the summer of 1844, having numbered 143 members. The church has been for some time private prop- erty, and in 1843 was taken down.
* From materials kindly furnished by W. L. Cook, the present clerk.
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The Congregational Church of Woodville was formed Nov. 52, and a society Dec. 14, 1836, of which Ebenezer Wood, Oliver Batchelor, and Wm. Gray were trustees. A union house had been erected and partly finished previously; in 1837 it was taken down and a brick church erected, at a cost of about $1,100. Rev. Chas. B. Pond became the first pastor, and was installed Jan. 23. 1840. In 4 years Elisha P. Cook succeeded, since whom David Powell, J. Burchard, Frederick Hebard, and - Smith have been em- ployed, of whom Mr. Hebard was installed pastor.
The Second Congregational Church and society of Ellisburgh was reorganized at Mannsville, Aug. 18, 1834, with Roswell Keeney, Benjamin P. Grenell, and Daniel Wardwell, trustees. The early records of this church have been burnt; they own an interest in the meeting house at Mannsville.
The First Presbyterian Society in the town of Ellisburgh was formed Aug. 28, 1820, and elected Nathan Barden, Isaac Burr, Wm. T. Fisk, Amos Hudson, Liberty Bates, and Royce March, trustees. In 1830 it was reorganized and the same year erected in Belleville, a meeting house, at a cost of about $500. A church organization was formed at the house of Nathan Barden, Dec. 18, 1829, by the Rev. Jedediah Burchard, of five males and six females, and on the 11th of Feb. 1830, it united with the Water- town Presbytery. The successors of Mr. Burchard have been - Spencer, J. Burchard, (2nd time), O. Parker, C. B. Pond, C. W. Baker, S. Cole, J. A. Canfield, Ingersoll, J. Carlisle, and at present J. Burchard. The society is now erecting a new church edifice at a cost, besides the lot, of about $2,800.
· The Universalist Church of Ellisburgh was formed Aug. 26, 1821, with 19 members; the present number is 50. The persons chiefly instrumental in forming it, were Isaac Mendall, Silas Emerson, John Clark, and Rev. Cornelius G. Persons. The clergy have been C. G. Persons, Chas. B. Brown, Oliver Wilcox, Luther Rice, Pitt Morse, and Alfred Peck. The society was formed Sept. 2, 1833, with J. Mendall, Edmund M. Eldridge, Daniel Stearns, Edmund Palmer, and Richard Cheever, trustees. A Church was erected at Ellis Village in 1843, at a cost of $1,500.
Zion Church (Episcopal), at Pierrepont Manor, was legally organized Jan. 4, 1836; Amos C. Treadway being at the time rector. William C. Pierrepont, and Thomas Warren were chosen church wardens, and Thomas Blenking, Jr., Cornelius M. Tabor, Jason Marsh, Harvey Allen, Pardon Earl, Thomas E. Williamson, Robert Myrick, and John Allen were elected vestrymen. A church had been erected the summer previous by Mr. Pierrepont, at a cost of $3,000, which was consecrated Aug. 16, 1836. The rectors have been the Rev. Messrs. A. C. Treadway, Nathaniel Watkins, Josiah E. Bartlet, and E. C. Ellsworth,
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The Methodist Episcopal Society in Ellisburgh Village was formed March 5, 1832, with Oliver N. Snow, Benj. Chamberlin, Lyman Ellis, Jeremiah Lewis, and Hiram Mosley, trustees. In 1833 they built a church, which in 1850 was removed, repaired, and a steeple added. In 1836 a parsonage was built.
The First Episcopal Methodist Church and Society in Belleville was formed May 5, 1841, having Edward Boomer, Elias Dickin- son, Thomas Ellis, Edward B. Hawes, Jesse Hubbard, Riley Chamberlain, Hall W. Baxter, Nelson Boomer, and John R. Hawes, trustees. They have a house of worship, and have been twice reorganized.
HENDERSON.
This town comprises number six of the eleven towns, and is the most westerly in the county, if we except the Galloo and Stony islands, which belong to Houndsfield. It was formed with its present limits, February 17th, 1806, from Ellisburgh.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Reuben Putnam, March 11th, 1806, at which Jesse Hopkins was chosen supervisor, Mark Hopkins clerk, Lodowick Salisbury, Daniel Spencer, and Emory Osgood, assessors, Elijah Williams, consta- ble and collector, John B. Carpenter, Samuel Hubbard, poor masters, Marval Danly, Asa Smith and Anthony Sprague, commissioners highways, George W. Clark, Willes Fellows, and Jedediah McCumber, fence viewers, Reuben Putnam, pound master, Israel Thomas, James Barney, Levi Scofield, Thomas Drury, Calvin Bishop, Robert Farrel, Benjamin Barney, John B. Carpenter, William White, Simeon Porter, path masters.
Supervisors, 1806-10, Jesse Hopkins; 1811, James Hender- son, Jr .; 1812, Asa Smith; 1813, Mark Hopkins; 1814-5, Asa Smith; 1816, Maik Hopkins; 1817, John S. Porter; 1818, Noah Tubbs; 1819, Asa Smith; 1820-4, Noah Tubbs; 1825-6, Caleb Harris; 1827, Jonathan Bullard; 1828-31, Caleb Harris; 1832, Peter N. Cushman; 1833-4, Caleb Harris; 1835-7, Peter N. Cushman; 1838-40, David Montague; 1841, George Jeffers; 1842-3, John Carpenter, 1844, Joseph A. Montague; 1845, William McNeil; 1846-51, Henry Green, Jr .; 1852 Washing- ton Bullard; 1853, H. Green, Jr.
1811-12. Voted that Canada thistles shall be mowed in the old of the moon, in June, July, and August. Penalty $5, one half to the complainant, one half to the overseers of poor. Wolf bounties of $10 in 1807, to 1815 except in 1809, when $5 were offered for wolves, wild cats and panthers.
This town fell to the share of William Henderson of New York, one of the four who bought the eleven towns of Constable, and from him it derived its name. He was accustomed to spend
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a part of each summer here for several years, and remained in- terested in the title of the town till his death.
There was an ancient portage from the head of Henderson Bay to Stony Creek across this town, by which the exposure of passing Stony Point, which forms a cape difficult to navigate with small boats, was avoided. At the head of the bay, there is said to be a trace, thought to be the remains of a kind of wharf or landing. The evidences of aboriginal occupation were no- ticed at one or two places in this town, and near an ancient trench enclosure there is said to have been found a golden cross, about two inches long, and furnished with a ring to be worn on the neck. In our first chapter we have noticed the trace of a stockade, supposed to have been built by the French. The figure in the margin represents a plan and section of this fort. This trace oc- curs on Six Town Point, so named from its being a part of township No. 6, which extends in a narrow peninsula, that in high water be- comes an island, more than two miles into the bay, and forms in the rear a harbor, which tor extent, safety, and facility of access, has not its superior on the lake. This circumstance gave value to the township, in the opinion of the early proprietors, and had a beginning been properly made and directed with suitable energy, the place might at this time have been an important commercial point.
The town was surveyed into lots, in 1801, by Benjamin Wright of Rome, the plan of subdivision being similar to that of Adams, into lots and quarters. In 1805, lot No. 20, near the present village of Henderson Harbor, was surveyed into twenty lots, or four ranges, of ten lots each, for the purpose of a village.
The town of Henderson began to settle under the agency of Asher Miller, of Rutland, about 1802, the land books showing that Thomas Clark, Samuel Stewart, Philip Crumett, John Stafford, and Peter Cramer, had taken up lands in this town, to the extent of 1,195 acres, on the 26th of October previous. Moses Barret, William Petty, Daniel Spencer, Capt. John Bishop and sons, Calvin,* Luther, Asa and Sylvester, Jedediah and James McCumber, Samuel Hubbard,; Elijah Williams, Levi Scofield, William Johnson, David Bronson, John and Marvel Danley, Andrew Darymple, Luman Peck, Jonathan Crapo, George W. Clark, Thomas Drury, Anthony Sprague, Daniel Forbes, Emory Osgood and many others, whose names were not procured, settled within two or three years from the opening of settlement, being mostly emigrants from New England.
* Died January 24th, 1850. aged 68.
៛ Died July 14th, 1843, aged 82.
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On Henderson Bay, three miles east of the little village of Henderson Harbor, a Scotch settlement was formed in 1803-7, by John and Duncan Drummond, Charles and Peter Barrie, Duncan Campbell, Thomas Bell, James Crawe, Daniel Scott, and John McCraull, from Perthshire in Scotland. A store was opened by C. Barrie in 1823, in this settlement, and kept several years. Abel Shepard located in the same settlement in 1806.
The first physician who settled in town was Elias Skinner, and the second Daniel Barney,* the latter having settled in 1807. Alfred Forbes is said to have taught the first school in the winter of 1808-9.
A paper before us, showing the balance due from settlers in this town, Jan. 1, 1809, contains the following names of those who were living in town, at that time: A. Jones, R. Favel, Jeremiah Harris, Horace Heath, Samuel McNitt, Amos Hart, Daniel Hardy, Benj. Hammond, Samuel Jones, Daniel McNeil, Martin T. Morseman, Appleton Skinner, Asa and Ira Smith, Samuel Foster, Wm. Waring, Wm. White, Daniel Pierce, John B. Carpenter, Luther S. Kullinger, Lodowick Salisbury, T. Hunsden, W. White and Thomas Bull, who owed an aggre- gate of $17,734.87, for lands. Dr. Isaac Bronson became an owner of a large tract in 1807, which was sold and settled by a separate agency, Abel French succeeded Miller, a few months, in the agency, and April 8, 1805, an agreement was made between Wm. Henderson and Jesse Hopkins, by which the latter became the agent of this town and Pinckney, and continued in the employment of Mr. Henderson many years. Some difficulty growing out of the agency, led to the publication of a pamphlet by Mr. Hopkins in 1823, which affords some interesting data relative to the early history of the town.
In 1803-4, but ten families wintered in town. In May, 1806, there were seventy families, generally middle aged and young people, with small property, but industrious and contented, although many were quite poor, who had exhausted their means in getting into the town, and were destitute of provisions. A contract was made soon after for clearing twenty-five acres of lands at the harbor, which the proprietor had hoped to establish as a commercial port, and caused to be surveyed into a village plot to which he gave the name of Naples.
The bay, which is unsurpassed for beauty, as it is unrivaled for safety and convenience of access, was named the Bay of Naples, and high expectations were founded upon the future greatness of this port. On the declaration of war, Sackets Har- bor was selected as the great naval station of the lake, and both
* Dr. B. died May 19, 1828.
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Mr. Henderson and his agent, were, it is said, being opposed to that measure, averse to having any military or naval operations undertaken at this place. It in consequence lost the opportunity which with judicious management and decided natural advan- tages, it might have been secured of being a place of importance.
Mr. Hopkins built a house and opened a land office near the town of Naples, which he had laid out, the provisions used for his laborers being brought from Kingston, and the lumber from Ellisburgh and Sackets Harbor. In 1807, a small store was opened, and several unsuccessful attempts were made to bring business to the place. Among other measures, Mr. Henderson procured the passage of a law for the opening of a State Road from Lowville to Henderson Harbor, which was laid out from Lowville into Pinckney, but never completed. He also in 1809, caused a dam and saw mill to be built on Stony Creek, near the head of navigation, but the former gave way and the enterprise resulted in a total loss. In the next season the dam was rebuilt, and a mill erected at great expense. In 1811, a negotiation was held with General Matoon, of Massachusetts, for the sale of the township, but failed on account of the prospects of war. In 1812, Mr. Hopkins erected a large sized school house at the harbor, which was to serve also as a place for religious meetings. He also commenced the building of vessels at this place, the first of which was a schooner of twenty tons. Several large clear- ings were made on account of Henderson, the year previous. In the year 1814, a second vessel, of forty tons, and soon after two others were built, and the place began to present the appearance of considerable business. Mr. Hopkins continued in the agency until 1822, engaged with varied success in a series of specula- tions, some of which were successful and some very unfortunate, when, having fallen considerably in arrears, he was superseded in the agency, and his improvements taken to apply on his liabilities.
On the 25th of May, 1814, an association styled the Henderson Woolen Manufacturing Company, was formed, having Allen Kilby, Hezekiah Doolittle, Joseph Dickey, Tilley F. Smead and Chester Norton, its first trustees. This company never went into operation, but organized and expended a considerable sum in improvements.
Henderson Village, sometimes called Salisbury's Mills, from Lodowick Salisbury, a prominent citizen at an early day, is situ- ated in the valley of Stony Creek, and mostly on the south bank, 3} miles from its mouth. It has three stores, an inn, two tanneries, a saw mill, a grist mill, a small woolen factory, most kinds of mechanic shops, and about sixty families. It has churches of the Methodist, Baptist, and Universalist orders.
Henderson Harbor is a place one and a half miles distant from
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Henderson Village, has less business than formerly, and consists of about a dozen houses. The shore here rises by a gentle slope to a spacious plain, and the prospect presented by the bay and islands, is one of romantic interest.
Near the mouth of Stony Creek, at the head of navigation, are mills, and two or three vessels have been built here. On Stony Point, a light has been maintained since 1837, an appro- priation of $3000 having been made for its erection on the 3d of March in that year.
The Henderson Social Library, was formed Feb. 9, 1819, of which, Percival Bullard, Peter N. Cushman, Chester Norton, Rufus Hatch, Thomas Fobes, Allen Kilbey, and Elijah Williams, were elected the first trustees.
Religious Societies .- The first Baptist Church of Henderson, was formed June 26, 1806, at the house of Merril Danly by Emory Osgood, who officiated as pastor till Sept. 11, 1823. In October 1818, the members being scattered, a new church was formed from this, the parent body being the same that now wor- ships at Smithville, and the colony that of Henderson Village. The first Baptist society of Smithville was formed September 9, 1823, with Henry Keith, Austin Robbins, and Ebenezer Sumner, trustees. This society in concert with the Congregationlists in 1832, erected a stone church at Smithville, forty four by sixty feet, at a cost of about $3000. It is still owned in equal shares by the two societies. The clergy employed since Mr. Osgood have been, Elders Elisha Morgan, Jesse Elliott, Norman Chase, J. N. Webb, Daniel D. Reed, Elisha Sawyer, Henry Ward, Joshua Freeman, and Amasa Heath.
The First Baptist society, of Henderson, was formed June 5, 1824, with Samuel Cole, Shuball Athiston, and Amasa Brown, trustees. In 1824, this society, assisted by the masonic fraternity, erected a church, the latter using the second story as a lodge room. They sold their interest about 1832. In 1853, this build- ing, which stood a little south of Henderson Village, was taken down, and a new one erected near the centre of the village. The same clergy have generally been employed here as at Smithville.
The Smithville Congregational church was formed January 3, 1824, by Rev. Abel L. Crandall, of ten males, twenty-two fe- males. March 13, 1824, the church resolved to unite with the St. Lawrence Presbytery, on the accommodation plan. Rev. Messrs. J. Ingersoll, D. Spear, L. A. Sawyer, J. Covert, A. Putnam, H. Doane, George J. King, Charles Halsey, L. M. Shepard, George Turner, and Henry Budge, have since been employed, mostly one-half of the time, the remainder being at North Adams. In 1829 the church joined the Black River Association, and has since so remained. Meetings were held in a school house, built with
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the view of holding meetings, until the present church was built. The Congregational Society of Smithville was formed Septem- ber 16, 1823, having William Gilbert, Joseph T. French, and Daniel McNeil, trustees, who united with the Baptists in erect- ing a church as above stated.
The Presbyterians, about 1820, erected a small church in Henderson Village, that has been for many years taken down, and they have no place of worship at present, in town. A soci- etv was formed on the 28th of October, 1819, with Adonijah Wheaton, Ralph French, and Jesse Hopkins, trustees.
The Methodists first organized a society in this town July 29, 1830, with Beebee Smith, Cyrus Hall, Amos White, Joseph J. Hatch and Calvin Bishop, trustees. The first society at the vil- lage of Henderson was formed April 9, 1844, with Harvey Crit- tenden, Amos White and Sylvanus Ward, trustees. The Metho- dists have two churches in town, one on Bishop Street, and one in the village, erected by the above societies respectively.
The First Universalist Society of Henderson was formed Janu- ary 13, 1823, with John S. Porter, Roswell Davis, and Amasa Hungerford, trustees. The Henderson Universalist Charitable Society had been formed February 5, 1819, of thirteen members, but not legally perfected till four years. In 1829 a church 40 by 60 feet was erected in the village, at a cost of $3,000, and- dedicated in December, 1839. On the 9th of March, 1822, a church organization was effected by Rev. Pitt Morse, of nine- teen members. The clergy since employed have been P. Morse, C. G. Person, Seth Jones, P. Morse, L. Rice, and Alfred Peck.
On the 25th of December, 1825, a society of the New Jeru- salem (commonly called Swedenborgian), was formed in Ellis- burgh, at Brewster's school house, of thirteen members, in that town and Henderson, but mostly in the latter. Rev. Holland Weeks, formerly a Congregational minister, of Abington, Mass., who came into Henderson to reside in 1821, and who soon be- gan to hold meetings in school houses, was the promulgator of these doctrines in town, and preached gratuitously for many years. The meetings of the new church were kept up regularly by him, till near his death, at the school house in Henderson Village, and are still more or less regularly held, as reading meetings. The greatest number of members has been between thirty and forty ; present number seventeen. The Rev. Mr. Weeks died in town July 24, 1843, aged 75 years. The first members of the New Jerusalem in this town were Holland Weeks, Joseph Dickey, Moses J. Morseman, Edward Leslie, Jeremiah Sias, Charles Stearns, Jr., John Burt Blanchard, Lucy Ann Blanchard, Alvin Wood, Lydia Wood, Ann H. Adams, Hannah M. Good- ale, and Harriet A. Weeks.
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Houndsfield.
HOUNDSFIELD.
This township, or No. 1, of the Black River Tract, was formed from Watertown, February 17, 1806, the first town meeting being held at the house of Joseph Landon.
A proposition for the formation of a new town from Water- town and Adams had been previously discussed, which was de- signed to take three ranges of lots from the north side of No. 7, and annex to No. 1, the new town to be called Newport. A special meeting was called in Adams, to take the matter under consideration, on the 10th of November, 1803, and avote against the division was passed, but the meeting united in a petition for the erection of No. 8 into a separate town, which was done at the next session of the legislature, under the name of Harrison, since changed to Rodman.
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