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 44
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405
Jefferson County Agricultural Society.
mate eminently salubrious, and when we consider that with the natural advantages which flow from its extensive connection with our interior seas, and the artificial facilities which it will derive from the improve- ments of our internal navigation, the markets of the north and south will be open to its productions; we must be persuaded that the attain- ment of fullness of population, and exuberance of wealth, depends entirely upon yourselves.
You have, gentlemen, wisely chosen the true road which leads to pros- perity. Agriculture is the source of subsistence ; subsistence is the basis of population ; and population is the foundation of prosperity and power. Agriculture is also the parent of individual and national opulence. It comprehends in its operations all the sources of wealth. It employs land, labor, and capital. It comprises the cultivation of all the fruits of the earth; embraces almost every method of obtaining food for labor, and includes the raising of domestic animals, because that employment is necessarily identified with the cultivation of vegetable food. And as the prosperity of a country essentially depends upon the quantity of sur- plus produce derived from the soil, and as the amount of the materials of subsistence will always be regulated by the exertions of agriculturists, it is evident that its benefits in these respects can not be too highly appreciated." But when we further reflect, that it is favorable to exercise, the guardian of health-to contemplation, the parent of wisdom -to activity, the friend of virtue; and (to adopt the emphatic language of a sublime poet) to that
'Sweet peace which goodness bosoms ever,'
we must all admit, that as it was the first, it is also the best.
Among the various measures adopted for the promotion of this pursuit, and its invariable companion, domestic manufactures, the most effectual is the establishment of societies for the collection and diffusion of informa- tion, and for the excitement of industry and emulation. This plan has been adopted in this county, and a wise legislature will cherish such institutions with extraordinary patronage. It is pleasing to see at the head of this establishment distinguished men, applying with so much public spirit, the gifts of nature, the endowments of education, and the bounties of fortune, to the improvement of this favored region. It is gratifying to perceive men who have encircled themselves with high renown, and elevated the character of their country, planting the olive by the laurel, and cultivat- ing the arts of peace with the same ability with which they directed the storm of war. And it is a subject of high felicitation to witness this confederacy of scientific and practical men; to behold the experienced agriculturist, and the enlightened professional man, combining their powers in favor of agriculture and domestic manufactures, and devising ways and means to promote the public prosperity.
There was a period of danger, when the eyes of the people of this state were directed with peculiar anxiety to this region : when you passed with honor through the difficulties with which you were environed, and vindicated the character of America at the point of the sword. On this day the public eye is fixed on you with equal attention, to view the pros- perity of your agriculture and the wide spreading and far extending progress of your useful improvements ; and I am happy to say that there will be no disappointment. The distinguished gentlemen who have united with me in this visit also unite with me in this expression of approba- tion. We offer you our best acknowledgments for your friendly invita- tion and cordial reception, and we humbly implore the blessings of the Almighty on you individually and collectively, and on the inhabitants in general of this flourishing county."
406
Jefferson County Agricultural Society.
The first viewing committee in 1818, consisted of Samuel Brown, James Parker, Simeon Hunt, Curtis G. Brooks, and Sam- uel Evans, who visited nine towns, examined seventy-five subjects, and awarded twenty-two premiums in cups, goblets, and spoons, worth $128. Three premiums in plate, worth $25, were award- ed on the plowing match: eighteen premiums on stock worth $156, and fourteen on domestic manufactures, worth $93, were awarded. At the close of the exercises, the society adjourned to attend the sale of the premium ox, which had been presented to the society by its worthy president. It was sold in small parcels, and amounted to $619.
On the 7th of April 1819, the sum of $10,000 for two years, was applied by law to the encouragement of county societies for the promotion of agriculture, and domestic manufactures, of which sum this county received $200. Under this act, the presidents of county societies assembled at Albany, formed a board of Agri- culture. Of this board, Mr. Le Ray, was elected vice president. No provision being made for a continuance beyond two years; many county societies disbanded, but this continued in operation, and held regular meetings, and fairs.
On the 28th of March, 1828, an act was passed incorporating Le Ray de Chaumont, Perley Keyes, Elisha Camp, Peter N. Cushman, Egbert Ten Eyck, Rodney Burt, Daniel Eames, Micah Sterling, Noadiah Hubbard, Orville Hungerford, George White, Hiram Merrill, John Brown, Curtis Golden, Samuel C. Kennedy, Ezekiel Jewett, Albert Brayton, Samuel Brown, John B. Essel- styn, Abijah Farwell, Edmund Kirby, V. Le Ray de Chaumont, Alfred Freeman, Simeon Hunt, Stoel Warner, Asa Carter, Jona- than Graves, William Doxtater, Clark Allen, Liberty Bates, and such as might join them, as the Jefferson County Agricultural Society. J. Le Ray, was named first presidents, P. Keyes, E. Camp, and P. N. Cushman, vice president, O. Hungerford trea- surer, E. Ten Eyck, secretary. Elections were to be held on the last Tuesday of September, and the income was limited to $5,000. Under this act the society continued to hold annual fairs, with one or two exceptions, until reorganized under the general act of 1841.
In March, 1830, members of the society, then the only one of the class existing in the state, petitioned the legislature for the power of offering premiums for horses of the best speed, and that the racing of horses for such premiums might be allowed under proper regulations, and restrictions. The petitioners set forth; that the rearing of horses is much attended to in the country; " That the value of horses in market, depends much upon their speed and activity; but, that owing to the restrictions now ex- isting by law, it is impossible properly to test the speed of horses
407
Jefferson County Agricultural Society.
at home, and consequently they can not command that price in market which they would command could their value be known.
The soil of the county is well adapted to the growing of grains both fine and coarse; but, in consequence of the distance from the markets of the state, those productions will not bear trans- portation, so that the farmers are compelled to resort to the rais- ing of live stock, as almost the only resource for money in the county."* This petition met with a favorable report from the committee to whom it was referred, but failed to procure a law authorizing a race course.
A convention for the formation of a State Agricultural Society, met at Albany, February 14, 1832, of which Le Ray de Chau- mont was chosen president. The other delegates from Jefferson County were Orville Hungerford, V. Le Ray de Chaumont, Ed- mund Kirby, Jason Fairbanks, Isaac H. Bronson, Perley Keyes, Robert Lansing, Nathan Strong, Philip Maxwell, and Robert Nichols. The result of this convention was the formation of a state society, having for its objects to improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, and the household arts. Besides the usual officers of such organizations, it had a general committee, the members of which were to be located in the several counties, and be equal to the representation in the assembly. Those ap- pointed in Jefferson County were V. Le Ray de Chaumont, Ed- mund Kirby, and Egbert Ten Eyck.
By this act no provision was made for county societies. In December, 1833, the Jefferson County Society addressed a me- morial, urging this object and calling attention to their own county, in proof of the beneficial results of these organizations, as shown in improved breeds of stock, in the general practice of better and more systematic husbandry, and in a wholesome spirit of emulation, imparting value to farms and respectability to farmers. An anxious desire for an extension of these benefits induced this application, in which of the two plans, which had been before the legislature at its former session, one of which provided for the establishment of agricultural schools, and the other for county and state societies, they expressed their prefer- ence for the latter, as at that time more extensively useful. The committee who signed this memorial, were J. Le Ray de Chau- mont, E. Ten Eyck, E. Kirby, George White, Olney Pearce, and Orville Hungerford.
On the 5th of May, 1841, an act for the encouragement of agricultural societies was passed, by which this was to receive $183, for five years, and on the 19th of June of that year a new organization was completed. In the summer of 1843, the society erected in the rear of the court house a hall, 105 by 50 feet, at
* Assembly Documents, 1830, vol. iv, No. 308.
408
Ellisburgh Agricultural Society.
a cost of $1,000, for the holding of fairs. On the 24th of August, 1851, the executive committee resolved to purchase ten acres of land on the Brownville road, about half a mile west of the rail road, which has been enclosed, and the building origin- ally built near the court house removed and fitted up, with additions for the permanent use of the society. Great credit is due to the forecast of the executive committee, in thus securing a most eligible site for the annual fairs of the society.
The Ellisburgh Agricultural Society was organized March 8, 1849, the first officers being Alvah Bull, president; Mason Salisbury, A. G. Earl, vice presidents; William T. Searles, re- cording secretary; Samuel Hackley, corresponding secretary; Green Packer, James Brodie, A. F. Wood, M. Stearns, M. S. Wood, T. Shepard, executive committee.
At its first organization, it was designed to apply to the town of Ellisburgh only, and was instituted and sustained by a num- ber of spirited agriculturists who were desirous of promoting a competition in the rearing of stock and the details of farm hus- bandry in general, but who found it difficult to attend the fairs of the county society, or to excite through them that local in- terest and emulation so desirable to attain.
Comparatively, but few had attended the fairs at Watertown, and the benefits of association scarcely extended to the more re- mote sections of the county. This society has held one fair annually since its organization, viz: at Ellis Village in 1849 and 1850; at Belleville in 1851; at Ellis Village in 1852, and at Belleville in 1853.
By a resolution of January 8, 1853, the citizens of Adams and Henderson were allowed to compete for premiums, but all meet- ings were to be held in Ellisburgh, and on the 10th of March, 1853, an eligible lot, partly in a cleared field and partly in an open wood, was leased from William T. Searls for ten years, the first six years being free of rent, on condition that the premises should be enclosed in a high board fence, and the remaining four to be paid at the rate of ten dollars per annum. The subjects for premiums embrace the various classes of domestic animals, agricultural implements, the produce of the field, the orchard, the dairy and the garden, household manufactures and miscella- neous articles; and the money with which these premiums are paid is derived from the annual contributions of members.
The officers for 1853 were Mason Salisbury president; John C. Cooper, Henry Green. Jr., vice presidents; Calvin Littlefield, recording secretary; B. K. Hawes, corresponding secretary ; John Clark, treasurer; V. C. Warner, Nelson Boomer, Ferendez Brown, C. B. Eastman, James F. Converse, Jabez Hunting, S. D. Hungerford, A. E. Webster, and George Clark, executive committee.
409
Masonic Associations.
The Cape Vincent Town Agricultural Society was formed in the spring of 1850, having in view the same objects as the county society, limiting its operations to the town, and offering premiums. In December, 1852, its rules were altered to allow .citizens of Lyme, Clayton and Wolf Island, to compete for pre- miums. Its officers are, a president, two vice presidents, a recording and corresponding secretary, and treasurer, who form an executive committee. Memberships fifty cents annually. About $100 have been given each year for premiums. Its offi- cers have been as follows: presidents, John B. Esselstyn, Wil- lard Ainsworth, Roswell T. Lee, and Charles Smith; recording secretaries, Robert Bartlet, John W. Little, Nelson B. Williams; corresponding secretary, L. H. Ainsworth; treasurers, N. B. Williams, Sidney W. Ainsworth, William Esselstyn, Thomas B. Raymond. The society is at presont in a very flourishing condition, and will doubtless be productive of much good.
Associations for Mutual Benefit .- Masonic .- The first lodge formed in the county was at Sackets Harbor, in 1805, styled the Sackets Harbor Lodge, with Augustus Sacket, Jenks Simmons, and Squire Reed, successively masters. In the war it was suspend- ed, and in 1818, Athol Lodge, No. 308, was formed, with Hiram Steele, master. It continued until 1827.
Sackets Harbor Lodge, No. 135, was formed May 28, 1848, with Smuel Lyons master, and is still continued.
Eastern Light Lodge, No. 136, was formed at Watertown, June 17, 1806, the first officers being Powell Hall, M., S. C. Ken- nedy, S. W., Zelotus Harvey, J. W., Benjamin Allen, T., Isaiah Massey, S., Hart Massey, S. D., Josiah Farrar, J. D., Benjamin Pool, S. S., Samuel Foster, J. S., Andrew Bassenger, Tyler. The masters have been: 1806, P. Hall; 1807. S. C. Kennedy; 1809, C. McKnight; 1813, Isaiah Massey; 1814, Isaac Lee, till November 15, 1815, when the charter was surrendered, and June 5, 1817, a new one was granted for Watertown Lodge, No. 289, under which the masters have been, 1815, I. Lee; 1819, Dyer Huntington; 1821, Abner Baker, Jr .; 1823, David W. Bucklin; 1824, A. Baker, Jr .; 1826, Isaac H. Bronson; 1827, I. B. Crawe; 1829, I. H. Bronson; 1832, Asher N. Corss. The charter being forfeited, was restored in 1835, when William H. Shumway was chosen master; 1836, A. N. Corss; 1844, W. H. Shumway; 1845, Calvin Auborn; 1846, Lysander H. Brown; 1848, P. Horr; 1849, L. H. Brown; 1850, A. D. Button; 1851, Randolph Barns. In 1840, the number was changed to 49.
Champion Lodge, No. 146, was opened March 26th, 1807, at the house of Edward Buttricks, in the village, the first officers being Zelotus Harvey, M .; John Pardee, S. W .; Reuben Tread- way, J. W .; Noadiah Hubbard, T .; Jinson Clark, S; William
410
Masonic Associations.
Coffeen, S. D .; Timothy Jackson, J. D .; Asa Harris, Aaron Palmer, stewards; Daniel Coffeen, tyler. The Masters have been: 1807, Z. Harvey; 1808, William Coffeen; 1809, Aaron Palmer; 1811, N. Hubbard; 1812, Fairchild Hubbard; 1813, Asher Wilmott; 1814, A. Palmer; 1817, Sylvester Meriam; 1818, A. Palmer; 1819, Alexander Copley; 1820, Samuel Dean; 1821, A. Palmer; 1822, Eli West; 1823, S. Dean; 1824, E. West; 1825, S. Dean; 1826, Ward Hubbard. In August, 1827, the last regular meeting under the old charter was held, and there being a considerable amount of funds on hand, these were applied to the erection of the present stone academy in Champion Village, in 1834, of which the building committee were Noadiah Hubbard, John P. Johnson, Levi Ellis, Solomon Hopkins and Hubby Dorwin. The lodge, with a new charter, No. 29, opened December 19th, 1836. The masters have since been: 1836, J. P. Johnson; 1837, Ward Hubbard; 1843, Samuel A. Budd; 1846, W. Hubbard; 1847, Albert L. White; 1848, Seth Merrill; 1850, W. Hubbard; 1851, William A. Hollister. The lodge room is in the upper story of the academy.
Rising Sun Lodge, No. 124, was formed at Adams, about 1806, the first master being Robert Merrick. During the anti- masonic excitement the lodge went down. It has been lately revived with the same name and number.
Washington Lodge, No. 256, was formed at Henderson, March 10th, 1816, with Emory Osgood, M .; Noah Tubbs, S. W .; Daniel Leonard, J. W. In 1824, it contributed half the expense of erecting a Baptist church, the second story being fitted for a lodge room. About 1832 it sold out to the society and was given up.
Orion Lodge, No. 286, was formed at Woodville October 27th, 1817, with Martin E. Cook, M .; Oliver Scott, S. W .; Ebenezer Wood, J. W. It was afterwards removed to Ellis Village, and, about 1827, abandoned.
Brownville Lodge, No. 318, was installed March 31st, 1819, by Isaac Lee acting as G. M .; A. Trowbridge, D. G. M. Its masters have been Sylvester Reed, Peleg Burchard, James Mc- Kenzie, Hoel Lawrence, Warren Skinner, S. Reed. From 1827 till 1839 the meetings were discontinued, when the charter was revived as No. 53. The masters have since been Alanson Skinner, Richard Buckmaster, Arba Strong, John N. Cole, A. Skinner, R. Buckmaster, Charles K. Loomis, Horace Skinner, and Morrison C. Loomis.
Cape Vincent Lodge, No. 344, was installed July 10th, 1822, by Isaac Lee. The petition in December previous was signed by John B. and R. M. Esselstyn, Elnathan Judd, Zebulon Con- verse, Elisha Johnson, Henry Ainsworth, James Buckley,
411
Masonic Associations.
Andrew Estes, William Palmer, John Nash, Count Real, Joseph Cross, S. P. Sheldon, Samuel Doxsee, Willis Merritt, and D. Slo- cum. The first officers were J. B. Esselstyn, M .; E. Judd, S. W .; Z. Converse, J. W .; R. M. Esselstyn, S .; H. Ainsworth, T. During the anti-masonic excitement the lodge was broken up, and the present year a new one has been formed that was installed July 28th, 1853.
Union Lodge, No. 397, was formed March 24th, 1824, at Rodman, with Levi Heath, M .; William P. McKinstrey, S. W .; Philon Parker, J. W. Mr. McKinstrey succeeded as master, when in 1827 it was dissolved. The by-laws were signed by 43 members.
Alexandria Lodge, No. 383, was formed in 1824, at Theresa, the successive masters being William Storm, Dr. John D. Davi- son, and Archibald Fisher. It went down in 1827 or 1828. On the 21st of June, 1850, Theresa Lodge, No. 174, was chartered, with J. D. Davison, M .; John Moak, S. W .; and John Dillen- back, J. W. J. Moak, succeeded as master.
The Queen of Sheba Lodge, John Howe, M., was formed at Antwerp, a few years before the rise of anti-masonry, and went down in that period. The Antwerp Lodge was instituted 1847.
Carthage Lodge was installed July 11, 1826, the address be- ing delivered by Isaac Clinton, of Lowville. The officers were, Eli West, M .; Thomas Brayton, S. W .; N. Starks, J. W. In June, 1849, it was revived as No. 158, with E. West, M .; Joseph Crowner, S. W .; K. E. Parker, J. W.
Hermon Lodge, was instituted at Evans' Mills, in the fall of 1826, with William Palmer, M .; who held the office till the charter was surrendered, soon after. It has not since been revived.
Scotch Lodge, No. 500, was instituted April 23, 1827, with John McRobbie, M .; James Fairbairn, S. W .; William Fachney, J. W. The charter was forfeited January 19, 1833. The lodge was installed at Ox Bow, and the meetings were held in the Scotch Settlement, in the adjoining town of Rossie.
Depauville Lodge, was formed shortly before 1828, and existed but a short time. It had about thirty members.
Chaumont Lodge, No. 172, was installed August 7, 1850, and now has fifty-five members. Its masters have been Frederick Bell, P. P. Gage and F. Bell.
Alexandria Lodge was instituted at Plessis, in the summer of 1853, with Jason Clark, M .; Martin J. Hutchins, S. W .; Daniel Roof, J. W. In October, it numbered about twenty members.
Clayton Lodge, No. 296, was formed in February, 1853.
CHAPTERS .- Watertown Chapter, No. 59, was instituted Feb- ruary 7, 1817, with Egbert Ten Eyck, H. P .; Amasa Trow- bridge, K .; Isaac Lee, S.
412
Chapters .- Odd Fellows' Lodges.
Sackets Harbor Chapter, No. 68, was formed February 7, 1820, upon the application of M. T. Woolsey, William King and John Clitz. In December, 1849, it was revived, after many years interval, with Thomas S. Hall, H. P .; Jason Phelps, K .; and Samuel Whittlesey, S.
Meridian Sun Chapter, was instituted at Adams, March 11, 1824, and has been long since discontinued.
Rising Virtue Chapter, No. 96, was revived at Chaumont, on an old charter, in August, 1851, with ten members. Its first officers were R. T. Lee, H. P .; F. Bell, K .; Z. Converse, S.
Watertown Encampment, No. 11, was formed June 9, 1826, with Orville Hungerford, Grand Com .; Adriel Ely, Generalis- simo; and Isaac H. Bronson, Capt. Gen. It now numbers about twenty-five members.
On the occurrence of the abduction of William Morgan, the anti-masonic excitement pervaded this, with other sections, and nearly every lodge in the county surrendered its charter. The matter soon got into politics, and several papers were succes- sively established at Adams and Watertown, as more fully stated in our account of the press. In 1830, thirteen masonic and five anti-masonic supervisors were elected, and in 1831 an equal number of each. This question unsettled former political organi- zations, and in innumerable instances made political friends those who had previously been opponents.
Odd Fellows .- Black River Lodge, No. 124, and Iroquois Lodge, No. 161, formed at Watertown, were united September, 24, 1844, as the Jefferson Union Lodge, No. 124, and has since been the only lodge of this order in the place. Tuscarora Lodge, No. 250, was formed at Antwerp, about 1846. Cassiopia Lodge, No. 291, formed at Plessis, April 13, 1847, and in December removed to Theresa. Wampanoag Lodge, No. 311, formed at Sackets Harbor, September, 1847. Wenona Lodge, No. 323, formed at Adams, October 18, 1847. Montcalm Lodge, No. 69, formed at Clayton, February 18, 1848. Tohopeka Lodge, No. 63, formed at Carthage, in 1851. Collins Lodge, No. 421, formed at Belleville, February 5, 1852. Montezuma Lodge, No. 36, was formed at Champion. Montezuma Encampment, No. 56, I. O.O.F., was instituted at Watertown, November, 19, 1837; J. J. Safford, Chief Patriarch; Sylvester Smith, H. P .; Wm. H. Sigoumey, S. W .; John H. Smith, J. W .; Benj. Lewis, S .; Morris Livings- ton, T. The chief patriarchs have been J. J. Safford, C. G. Wright, J. L. Rowlison, B. F. Stillman, John Collins, W. R. Trowbridge, Wm. A. Loomis, M. M. Reed, Frederick Emerson. The high priests have been S. Smith, J. L. Rowlison, C. H. Wright, Wm. A. Loomis, W. R. Trowbridge, W. W. Wright, M. M. Reed, F. Emerson, W. W. Wright.
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413
Sons of Temperance.
Sons of Temperance .- About thirty divisions of this organiza- tion have existed in the county, many of which have ceased to exist, and from present appearances this order will soon give place to some other movement in the cause of temperance. In March, 1851, there were 28 divisions, and 1,116 contributing members. Divisions have been established at the following places, in the order of their numbers.
Northern Star, 90, December 20, 1850, at Three Mile Bay ; Morning Star, 156, at Watertown; Adams, 124, at Adams, in 1848; it soon went down and was succeeded by Cheerful Hope, 166, which has also ceased. Occidental Star, 167, S. Rutland; Jefferson, 187, February 10, 1851, at Black River; Rising Sun, 210, at Sackets Harbor, ceased December, 1852; Ægis, 236, at Carthage; Antwerp, 274, September 19, 1850; Depauville, 275, December, 28, 1849; Pine Grove, 280, at St. Lawrence (Cape Vincent); Meridian, 303, at Watertown; Mountain Wave, 346, at Redwood; Brownville, 360; Annexed Star, 398, at Champion; Natural Bridge, 506; Kossuth, 519, at Theresa; Polar Star, 545, at Point Peninsula; Meridian Star, 546, at Cape Vincent; Chaumont, 547; Lafargeville, 556; Plessis, 590; Rolling Billow, 630, at Stone Mills; Radiant Star, 631, at Evans' Mills; French Creek, 635; Elm Corners, 637, at Three Mile Bay; Olive, 642, at Woodville, April 1, 1850; Dexter, 665; Fellowship, 669, at Smithville.
Daughters of Temperance have organized at Adams, and, it is believed, at one or two other places, but none now exist.
Good Samaritans. Eagle Lodge, No. 47, was formed at Wood- ville, April 15, 1852. The office of W. C. has been held by G. A. Jenkins, S. T. Wood, H. D. Converse, John A. Rowe, H. D. Jenkins, C. C. Clark. Adams Lodge, No. 46, was formed a little earlier, and has become extinct. Cataract Lodge, No. - , formed at Watertown, of 17 charter members, February 22, 1853.
Cadets of Temperance, have existed at several places in the county, but we have been unable to obtain definite information of them.
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