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 43
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The Jefferson County Union for promoting the observance of the Christian Sabbath, was formed August 5, 1828, having Levi Beebee, president, S. F. Snowden, Calvin Mcknight, Daniel Wardwell, vice president, Horace Hunt, treasurer, John Sessions, secretary. Its business was to be conducted by a board of twelve managers, and its constitution was signed by sixty-eight promi- nent citizens. Its objects were to discountenance traveling, or secular business upon the first day of the week, and its annual meetings were to be held in August. After existing a short time as an auxiliary of the General Union, it ceased to keep up an organization.
The union of the Watertown Presbytery and Black River Association, formed in 1829, and providing for a joint support of a plan of benevolent operations, was dissolvedfin August, 1834. These associations were abandoned by a formal vote of the Pres- bytery, August 25, 1835. Temperance and other societies have been formed at different times, many of which were soon aban- doned. The Jefferson County Society, for the promotion of temperance in the use of ardent spirits, held its first anniversary at Watertown, August 5, 1824, and was the first of these.
A meeting of the judges of the county courts, officers thereof, members of the bar, and students at law, assembled at the court house in Watertown, February 26th, 1834, and organized them- selves into a temperance society. Hon. John Macomber was elected president, B. Wright, 1st vice president, Zeno Allen, 2d
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Benevolent Associations.
vice president, P. Burchard, secretary, J. Steele, T. C. Chitten- den, and J. Butterfield, executive committee. Most of the per- sons present signed a temperance pledge.
The Jefferson County Temperance Society, auxiliary to the state society, was formed by a convention assembled for the purpose in January in 1846. The formation of town societies was strongly recommended, statistics of intemperance, &c., to be collected, and strong efforts made to stop the sale of ardent spirits by withholding licenses by vote at a popular election, which had been a short time previously directed by the legislature to be held. Measures have recently been taken to establish a Carson League, for enforcing the laws regulating the sale of ardent spirits.
An association, called the Jefferson County Education Society, was formed by a convention assembled at the court house for the purpose, September 7, 1835, forming a part of a general system of associations for the promotion of improvements in common schools. Its officers were a president, a vice president in each town, and an executive committee of five, a secretary and a treasurer. Quarterly meetings were to be held, annual addresses delivered and efforts made in the several towns to carry into effect efficient measures for the employment of qualified teachers, and the various improvements, calculated to elevate the standard of education. The officers first elected were Wm. Ruger, pre- sident ; J. Mullin, in Watertown; Joseph Graves, in Rutland; Alfred Lathrop, in Champion; Herman Strong, in Rodman; Daniel Howard, in Adams; John Boyden, in Lorraine; Hiram Barney, in Ellisburgh; Forrester Dexter, in Houndsfield; Tho- mas Knapp, in Brownville; Dr. Wood, in Lyme; E. G. Merrick, in Clayton; William Martin, in Alexandria; A. M. Harger, in Pamelia; E. Tucker, in Philadelphia; Elisha Steele, Jr., in Le Ray; Rufus H. King, in Antwerp; Eli West, in Wilna, vice presidents; Peleg Burchard, secretary; Egbert Ten Eyck, trea- surer; B. A. Hickox, Dr. Reuben Goodale, Justin Butterfield, Dr. A. Trowbridge, and Charles Mason, executive committee.
This association was of short continuance. The supervisors, in November, 1841, by a vote of eighteen to nine, agreed upon appointing two county superintendents of schools, and Ira May- hew, of Adams, and Henry D. Sewall, of Pamelia, were accord- ingly named for that office. In 1842, Lysander H. Brown was appointed in place of Sewall, and, in 1843, Porter Montgomery in place of Mayhew. In the same year the county was divided into two districts, the dividing line being Black River, excepting that Wilna was attached to the southern portion, Mr. Brown received the charge of the northern and Mr. Montgomery of the southern district. In 1844 this division was abolished, and Mr. 26
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Aid to the Greeks and Irish Relief.
Montgomery received the charge of all the schools in the county. In 1845, Erwin S. Barnes was appointed, and held his office un- til it was abolished by an act of the legislature.
At the adoption of the free school law, a special meeting of the supervisors was held, December 26, 1849, and the treasurer was authorized by a resolution to borrow of the state, on the credit of the county, the sum of $7,112.59, to be applied to the use of common schools. This loan was sanctioned by a special act, passed April 10, 1850, and directed to be made from the capital of the school fund, to be repaid the next year by a tax upon the county. At the first election on the free school law, about sixty- five per cent of all the votes were for the law; and in the follow- ing election, sixty per cent voted for its repeal. In 1849, active efforts were made to sustain the law by its friends, and a con- vention met at Watertown in October, at which resolutions were passed warmly commending the spirit of the act, and an address was published urging the electors to support it. The several candidates for assembly were interrogated upon their views on this subject.
The struggle of the Greeks for independence excited the sympathies of our citizens in common with other sections of the state, and on the 19th of December, 1826, a meeting was held at D. Hungerford's hotel, in Watertown, to express their interest in the measure. The supervisor, town clerk, and assessors of each town, were solicited to act as a committee for collecting subscriptions in their several towns, and remitting the same to the county committee; Elisha Camp, Jason Fairbanks, Benjamin Wright, V. Le Ray, and O. Hungerford, were appointed a com- mittee to cause the funds received to be applied for the objects intended. Circulars were addressed to other county clerks, re- questing a similar action.
Contributions for the Greeks were collected in March, 1828, at Watertown, as follows: Presbyterian church, $61-57; Univer- salist church, $32.00; Baptist church, $17.61; Sunday school, $24; Watertown Chapter, No. 59 (Masonic), $50. Other col- lections were made soon after and forwarded, and several meet- ings were held.
A meeting of citizens of Watertown was held February 23, 1847, to take measures for the relief of the Irish, who were starving from the failure of the potato crop, upon which they mainly relied for food. The meeting organized, and appointed a committee, who prepared and published a stirring appeal to the citizens of the county, and urged the contribution of money, provisions, and clothing. A subscription of $375 was at once collected, and measures were taken to have collections taken up in the churches, in aid of this charitable fund. The store of L.
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Jefferson County Medical Society.
Paddock, Esq., the treasurer, was designated as the place of de- posit for the money or articles collected. About $3,000 worth was sent from the county for this object.
The Jefferson County Medical Society was formed December 17, 1806, by a meeting of the physicians of the county, held in pursuance of an act incorporating medical societies. John Dur- kee, Isaac Magoon, David B. Ripley, Isaiah Massey, Jabez Kingsbury, Benjamin Farlie, James D. Seisco, Ozias H. Rawson, Daniel Barney, Eli Eastman, H. Wilcox, Elias Skinner, and Hugh Henderson, were present, and united in the organization. The first officers were, John Durkee, president; Daniel Barney, vice president; Hugh Henderson, secretary; Isaiah Massey, treasurer; Benjamin Farlie, Eli Eastman, and Hugh Henderson, censors; H. Henderson, delegate to the state society.
August 11, 1807, a committee was appointed to enquire whether any unauthorized persons were practicing medicine, and to prosecute them if so. July 4, 1809, a committee of six was ap- pointed to report the number of quacks and unlicensed physicians. On the 13th of March, 1810, they reported nineteen names. A code of medical ethics was published by the society in 1829. At the July session, in 1830, a central committee of five, and one from each town, was appointed to take a medical topograph- ical survey of the county; but this measure was not carried into effect. During many years it was the custom of the society to offer prizes for essays on given subjects. The list of members has been destroyed by fire, and the following names of those ad- mitted by resolution is not perfect, but the best that can now be obtained. The year when each was elected is subjoined to his name; they are arranged alphabetically.
Ephraim Adams, 1823; E. M. Adams, 1828; Jesse Ayres, 1829; Jo- seph Bagg, 1821; La Mont Bagg, 1829; William Baker, 1807; James K. Bates, 1829; William J. Bates, 1824; C. Barge, 1829; Daniel Barney, 1826; Joshua Beals, Jr., 1807; Abner Benton, 1828; Daniel Brainard, 1807; - Brewster, 1820; James Brooks, 1822; William H. Buchan- nan, 1817; Joshua J. Barrett, 1810; John M. Burton, 1818; H. W. Bushnell, 1828; Nathan Chever, 1810; Joseph N. Clark, 1819; Joseph Clary, 1811; W. G. Comstock, 1843; Caleb Corp, 1828; John Cowen, 1811; Ithamer B. Crawe, 1822; Benjamin Cushman, 1818; O. W. Cush- man, 1828; John D. Davison, 1828; William H. H. Davis, 1841; Walter Dewey, 1838; Foster Dexter, 1838; David Dickerson, 1828; H. S. Dick- enson, 1835; Joel Dresser, 1807; John Durkee, 1806; E. Dutton, 1815; Pelatiah Dwight, 1828; Chester Eastman, 1835; Eli Eastman, 1806; Amos Ellis, 1839; Jonathan Ellis, 1831; Alfred Ely, 1817; Benjamin Farlie, 1806; Elkanah French, 1828; William J. Fish, 1826; Samuel Gaines, 1831; Charles Goodale, 1841; Reuben Goodale, 1813; Simon Goodel, 1848; A. W. Gray, 1828; Alpheus S. Green, 1817; Joseph Green, 1807; Kilborn Hannahs, 1837; Curtis Haven, 1822; Hugh Hen- derson, 1806; John M. Henderson, 1810; H. H. Hills, 1828; S. Hough- ton, 1816; Amasa How, 1811; S. W. Hunt, 1831; Paul Hutchinson, 1809; Isaac Jenks, 1828; - - Jones, 1828; Converse Johnson, 1828;
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Medical History.
John P. Johnson, 1828; C. P. Kimball, 1814; D. S. Kimball, 1828; Jabez Kingsbury, 1806; Isaac Magoon, 1806; Frederick P. Markham, 1814; J. Marsh, 1816; Elisha Matthews, 1808; Isaiah Massey, 1806; E. R. Maxson, 1846; Philip Maxwell, 1828; Hiram Mills, 1826; Alpheus Morse, 1818; Henry J. Munson, 1829; Alvah Murdock, 1829; - Nel- son, 1819; Isaac Olney, 1812; Charles Orvis, 1826; Horatio Orvis, 1807; Amos Page, 1819; Almond Pitcher, 1828; Caleb Preston, 1828; Sam- uel Randall, 1817; Ozias H. Rawsom, 1806; David Ripley, 1806; William Robinson, 1812; Ralph Rogers, 1820; William V. V. Rosa, 1843; G. S. Sacket, 1828; James D. Seisco, 1806; Stephen Seymour, 1830; Abel Sher- man, 1807 ; Henry H. Sherwood, 1808; Jonathan Sherwood, 1818; William J. Sikes, 1828; Ira A. Smith, 1820; S. W. Sole, 1841; John Safford, 1811; Gorden P. Spencer, 1828; Russell Steel, 1810; Aaron Sumner, 1831; Benjamin Tractor, 1842; Amasa Trowbridge, 1809; William R. Trow- bridge, 1846; Samuel Tucker, 1828; Noah Tubbs, 1811; William E. Tyler, 1843; Rufus S. Waite,1820; Walter Webb, 1823; James A. Wells, 1821; Eli West; Isaac Weston, 1807; Samuel Whetmore, 1828; H. Wilcox, 1806; William H. Wiser, 1833; Isaac S. Wood, 1810; Caleb Woodward, 1826; Ira Wright, 1828; A. M. Van Ostrand, 1843.
The diseases which have occurred in our county can scarcely be said to offer any peculiarity worthy of remark. Few sections are more generally healthy, or less exposed to local causes of disease. The sickness of 1798, and of 1828, have been noticed on pages 80, 147, 158, and 202. The lake and river shore, and the borders of Perch and Indian rivers, have been in some dry seasons subject to intermittent fevers; but less now than formerly.
The vicinity of Natural Bridge, in Wilna, is thought to pre- sent endemical causes of bronchocele, a malady somewhat common there.
The spring of 1813 was remarkable for the prevalence of an epidemic,pneumonia typhoides which having prevailed in the east- ern portions of the union, during the previous winter, first ap- peared in the county about the 8th of March, and raged with great severity till the 1st of May. Some idea of its prevalence may be judged from the experience of a single physician* who in the ordinary limits of his practice, met in that period with 330 cases, of which 13 were fatal. Its appearance was a little earlier in Lewis county, and later at Watertown than at Rutland. The attack was generally sudden, and the fate of the patient was often decided within a few hours; in about one third of the cases, the disease attacked the head, and in the remainder the lungs. It was epidemic, but not contagious, and in its course it spread over a wide extent of country. No exemptions of age, sex, or condition, were noticed. Other epidemics of less fatality have been observed, but statistics are wanting concerning them. In 1822-3, a very fatal but limited sickness from a local cause occurred in Rutland, and in the winter of 1844-5 a similar but more fatal
* Dr. C. P. Kemball, of Rutland, from whom many interesting facts have been received.
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Jefferson County Agricultural Society.
and prevalent sickness occurred in Antwerp, of which many died. The cholera has on the several occasions of its return spread an alarm through the county, but fortunately never vis- ited our border except perhaps in a few scattered cases.
The Agricultural Society of Jefferson County .- As the till- age of the soil has been and must necessarily continue to be, the principal source of wealth in the county, every measure tend- ing to the promotion of this object, is especially deserving of notice. Such was the feeling that in 1817 prompted to the form- ation of an agricultural society, which has ever since continued in active and efficient operation, surviving every other county society in the state that originated at an early period, and at present exerting a beneficial influence comparable with the most flourishing.
The first act for the encouragement of agriculture or manufac- tures that operated in the county, was passed April 8, 1808, giving eighty dollars premium to the one who should produce the best specimen of woolen cloth of uniform texture and quality not less than thirty yards long. The award was to be made by the judges of the court of common pleas, and paid by the comp- troller. Mr. Le Ray, having imported some fine wool sheep, thus afforded the material, and specimens were produced by Hart Massey and Noadiah Hubbard, which were so nearly alike in quality that the premium was divided between them. Some ir- regularity in application made a special act necessary, which was passed March 19, 1810.
The Jefferson County Agricultural Society was formed at the house of Isaac Lee, in Watertown, October 25, 1817, at which J. D. LeRay was chosen president; Jacob Brown, first vice president; Ethel Bronson, second vice president; Egbert Ten Eyck, secretary; Oren Stone, treasurer, and one in each town as a local committee, viz: William M. Lord, Houndsfield; Hart Massey, Watertown; George White, Rutland; Noadiah Hub- bard, Champion; Ahiza Smith, Henderson; Eliphalet Edmonds, Adams; Nathan Strong, Rodman; Ebenezer Wood, Ellisburgh; Clark Allen, Lorraine; John B. Esselstyn, Lyme; Walter B. Cole, Brownville; Roswell Woodruff, Le Ray; Silvius Hoard, Antwerp; Thomas Brayton, Wilna.
This was the second county society in the state, that of Otsego county being the first. The first in the Union is said to have been that of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, after which the most of those that followed have been modeled. Mr. Elkanah Watson, who may be said to have been its founder, gives the following account of its origin :*
In the fall of 1807, having procured the first pair of merino
* History of Agricultural Societies on the modern Berkshire system p. 116
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Jefferson County Agricultural Society.
sheep that had appeared in that county, if not in the state, which, although defective in grade, were far superior to any that had been before seen, he was induced to notify an exhibition under the great elm tree, in the public square, in Pittsfield, of these two sheep, on a certain day. Many farmers, and even women, were exci- ted by curiosity to attend this first, novel, and humble exhibition, and its projector giving to his reasoning the rule-of-three form, thus argued to himself. If two animals : are capable of exciting so much attention :: what would be the effect on a larger scale, with larger animals? This little incident subsequently led to other and more extensive operations in the line of exhibitions, until the sphere of their influence has come to embrace the en- tire range of domestic industry; exciting emulation in the lowly cottage and among the humble classes, as well as with the more opulent, and diffusing the republican principle of equality, by elevating and dignifying the pursuits of the laboring classes.
The following is a copy of the first articles of association, of our county society :
" 1. The objects of this society are, the promotion and improve- ment of agricultural and rural economy.
2. Every member of this society shall subscribe these articles, or a copy thereof, and pay, at the time of subscribing, one dollar to the treasury for the use of the society; he shall also pay in like manner, on or before the second Tuesday of October, one dollar, annually, so long as he continues a member, and when- ever a member chooses to withdraw, he shall have liberty so to do on giving notice in writing to the secretary, and paying all arrears and dues, including the current year.
3. The officers of the society shall consist of a president, two vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer, to be chosen by bal- lot, and such other officers as the by-laws shall direct.
4. The next meeting of the society shall be on the last Mon- day of December next, at the house of Isaac Lee; at which meet- ing, and at any future stated meeting of the society, the members present shall have power to make such laws and regulations as they shall deem expedient, for carrying into effect the objects of this society.
5. No salary or pecuniary reward shall be allowed to any of- ficer, or committee of this society, for discharging their official duties."
The by-laws provided for two stated meetings annually, on the first Mondays of March and October; at the first of which, the officers were to be elected, and at the latter a fair was to be held. The general affairs of the society were vested in a committee, consisting of the president, secretary, and five mem- bers; and a committee of three members was to be appointed in
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Jefferson County Agricultural Society.
each town, to distribute seeds, plants, scions, books, &c., and to receive and transmit meritorious communications to the central body. Honorary members were to be admitted on a two-third vote. A viewing committee of five, to judge on the improve- ments and cultivation of lands; a committee of produce, nine in number, to judge on the quantity and quality of produce, and an inspecting committee, of nine, for domestic animals, were to be annually appointed by the executive committee.
The first address before the society was delivered by Le Ray de Chaumont. After alluding to the interest he had felt on this subject, and the part he had taken in the first settlement of Ot- sego county, in 1785, he adds:
" It has now the honor to take the lead in establishing in this great state the first agricultural society. I mention this example more particularly as being by a greater analogy with us, more easy to follow, and to excite a noble and profitable emula- tion. * * The object of our society, and its more direct business is, to encourage every branch of agriculture, and rural economy, best adapted to our soil and climate, by a well digested combination of science and practice; to promote inquiries and receive information the most useful to agriculture; to suggest experiments and improvements which may tend to the ameliora- tion and prosperity of agriculture, and, of course, our manufac- tures, of which they are the aliment and support. By premiums, we excite a spirit of generous pride and emulation, a desire to gain a knowledge of the most profitable and practical husbandry; to get the best breeds of domestic animals; to more neatly culti- vate our farms; to raise the cleanest and best crops; in a word, to make agriculture more systematic, lucrative, and respectable."
From this quotation it was evident, that at that period, the advantages to be derived from association were fully appreciated, and the experience of nearly forty years has done little more than to confirm the views of these pioneer founders of the society. The venerable John Adams, ex-president of the United States, received, with others, a copy of the proceedings of the first meet- ing, and he thus wrote:
QUINCY, February 12, 1818.
SIR,-" I have received and read with pleasure an address to the Agricultural Society of Jefferson County, in the state of New York, and as I know not from whom it came, who should I thank for it but its author? I rejoice in every new society which has agriculture for its object, and see with delight that the spirit is spreading through the United States. If I could worship any of the heathen gods, it would be old Saturn, because I believe him to be only an allegorical personification of Agriculture, and the children he devoured, to be only his own grapes and figs, apples and pears, wheat and barley. I agree with you in the main in every sentiment, particularly relative to grapes and corn; yet we can not have perfect roast beef, nor perfect roast spare-rib, nor perfect
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Jefferson County Agricultural Society.
poultry, without maize. We must therefore sacrifice a little luxury to a great deal of public good. From the style of this address I should not have suspected it to have been written by any other than a native of this country. Thirty-nine years ago, I little thought I should live to see the heir-apparent to the princely palaces and garden of Passy, my fellow citizen in the republican wilderness of America, laying the foundation for more ample domains and perhaps more splendid palaces. I observed the motto of the Hotel de Valentinnis, which I had then the honor to inhabit, " se sta bene, non se move" - If you stand well, stand still. But you have proved the maxim not to be infallible ; and I rejoice in it.
Your sincere well wisher and humble servant,
JOHN ADAMS."
Le Ray de Chaumont.
At the first meeting, upon motion of Ethel Bronson, a com- mittee of nine persons, styled a Committee of Manufactures, was added to those previously existing.
The First Cattle Show and Fair of the society was held on the 28th and 29th of September, 1818. The first day was devot- ed to the exhibition of stock, and domestic manufacture, and in receiving communications on various subjects presented by the occasion. Governor Clinton, General Stephen Van Rensselaer, Colonel Jenkins, G. Parish, and other distinguished strangers, were present on the stand with the officers of the society. The pens for cattle were arranged in a circle, the platform in the centre, and the domestic manufactures were displayed in the Court House. In the course of the afternoon, Mr. Roswell Wood- ruff exhibited a cart drawn by seventeen yoke of oxen and steers, the product of his own farm; Judge Hubbard and Colonel Harris, of Champion, exhibited a cart drawn by fifteen yoke of very fine fat cattle, and the officers of the society dined at the house of Butler Ranney, where extensive preparations had been made for the occasion. On the 29th, a plowing match came off with horse and ox teams, after which a procession was formed, which preceded by a band of music attached to the 2d Regt. U. S. Infantry, marched to the Court House, while a salute was fired at the Arsenal, under the direction of Major Masters. An ad- dress was delivered by J. D. Le Ray de Chaumont, the president of the society, which was followed by one by De Witt Clinton, then governor of the state. Believing that the latter will be read with peculiar interest, we here insert it.
"Independent of the very flattering references which have been made in the very able address just delivered, and which demand my sincere acknowledgments, it would be difficult for me to refrain from express- ing the high gratification which I have derived from the first exhibition of this respectable association.
When we recollect that scarcely twenty years have passed away, since the first inhabitant erected his hut in this county, and when we see that it now contains flourishing villages, and a considerable population, cha- racterized as the proceedings of this day evince, by intelligent views and well-directed exertions; that its soil is uncommonly fertile, and its cli-
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