USA > New York > Lewis County > A history of Lewis County, in the state of New York, from the beginning of its settlement to the present time > Part 31
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Dye Stuffs .- The cultivation of saffron (Carthamus tincto- ris), for dyeing, was about 1846, a prominent business with several farmers in Lowville and Martinsburgh. At a some- what earlier period, the cultivation of madder was attempt- ed, but without success sufficient to induce a continuance of the enterprise.
Flax has been a subject of culture from the first, but never extensively as a leading business, except during the active operation of the Copenhagen works. In 1845-6, large quantities were raised, chiefly from the high price of the
276
Agricultural Statistics. Insurance Company.
seed. Linseed oil has been extensively manufactured at Lowville and Copenhagen.
Hemp was cultivated to a considerable extent in Den- mark and vicinity, soon after the establishment of Varick's cordage manufactory at Copenhagen, about 1832-5. The result was not satisfactory, chiefly from the difficulty of properly preparing it for use when grown.
Essential oils .- The manufacture of the oil of peppermint, has been an important item of business in Lowville and Harrisburgh, and is still followed to a limited extent. The first field of mint in the county was planted in 1811, by Martin Guiteau and Truman Terrill, who continued the business several years. The Buck, Morse, Humphrey, and other families have since been extensively engaged in it. In 1814, three farmers had 40 acres planted, and the profits of some of the earlier adventurers were great. The plant is usually mown three years, and the yield per acre in oil generally averages ten pounds the first year, fifteen the second, and five or six the third. It is distilled soon after being cut, or when partially cured like hay. The price of this article is very fluctuating, and on several occasions, the transition from one extreme to the other has resulted in heavy losses. Other essential oils, as of hemlock, cedar, spearmint, &c., have been made to a limited extent.
Silk .- In 1843, Ira Adams received a premium of $3.79, at the rate of 15 cents per pound, for cocoons, and $1.12 at the rate of 50 cents per pound for reeled silk. This was probably the largest amount ever raised in one year by one person, and but few have ever attempted silk culture in the county. The Morus multicaulis speculation prevailed in this county to only a moderate degree, as compared with other sections.
THE LEWIS COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, was in- corporated Feb. 27, 1837, and Ela Collins, Isaac W. Bost- wick, Stephen Leonard, Andrew W. Doig, Jared House, Merrit M. Norton, John W. Martin, Carlos P. Scovil, Enoch Thompson, Isaac W. Bush, Asa L. Sheldon, Ashley Daven- port, Abraham Miller, John Whittlesey and Ela Merriam were appointed directors. The directors elected John Whit- tlesey president of the company, but the organization was never completed and no policies were issued.
THE LEWIS COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY was formed May 28, 1812, when the Rev. James Murdock was chosen president; Rev. Isaac Clinton, vice president; Stephen Leonard, treasurer; Barnabas Yale, secretary; and Jedediah Darrow, jr., Dea. Mather Bosworth, Dea. Samuel Dean, Wm. S. Radcliff and
Sabbath School, Anti-Slavery and Educational Societies. 277
John McCollister, a committee. Members were required to pay $1 the first year and 50 cents annually until it amounted to $3. During the seven first years there was no change of officers except in the committee, which included at different times the Rev. Jeduthan Higby, Dea. Seth Miller, Jonathan Barker, Paul Abbott, Lemuel Dickinson, Chillus Doty, John Ives and Chester Shumway. In Aug. 1827, a Bible soc., auxil- iary to the Am. B. S., was formed in this county. Its dona- tions to the parent society have been $599.08, and its remit- tances for bibles and testaments $3,056.39. Stephen Leonard has acted as treasurer from the beginning, excepting one year. In 1828 it established auxiliaries in each town, but this was found unadvisable. A Bible census has been several times taken, by the first of which in 1829, it was found that 400 families in 2000 were without the Bible. In 1848 it was found that 708 out of 3743 families were destitute, and of that number 278 were supplied, the remaining 430 being all Catholic.
In 1818, John W. Towne of Marlborough, Vt., agent of Holbrook & Fessenden, got an immense subscription list for a $12 quarto family bible in this county.
THE LEWIS COUNTY SABBATH SCHOOL UNION was formed in 1825, and held annual meetings about 5 years. It became auxiliary to the Am. S. S. U. The first anniversary gather- ing of S. S. pupils was at Lowville July 2, 1829, at which 550 scholars were present. The services were unusually impressive from the funeral of Anna Shepherd, a child of twelve years of age, which was held upon the occasion. In 1830, 400 met at Martinsburgh, and similar gatherings have been held annually or oftener since this period.
THE LEWIS COUNTY ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY was formed Aug., 1835, auxiliary to the Am. A. S. Society, and reor- ganized Jan. 10, 1837, embracing at first members of both of the great political parties, and of all religious creeds. It was soon after merged in a political party which in 1846, num- bered 5 per cent of all the votes cast for governor. At no other election has their vote been so high.
THE EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY OF LEWIS COUNTY was formed Nov. 14, 1845, with D. P. Mayhew, president ; Sidney Syl- vester, Ist vice president ; A. D. Pease, 2d vice president ; Harrison Barnes, corresponding secretary ; A. S. Easton, recording secretary, and J. P. Clark,1 treasurer. After a few years this organization was given up, and a Teachers' associa- tion was formed which has since been continued with great
1 Mr. Clark of Denmark, now a professor in Irving college, Tennessee.
278
Educational and Temperance Societies.
advantage. Teacher's institutes have been held annually since 1846, in different parts of the county, beginning at Turin.
Lewis county was composed of 12 towns in 1844, when acts were passed requiring the supervisors of each county to appoint one or more superintendents of schools. It so happened that the board was equally divided, and from political grounds could not unite upon a candidate for this office. No effort was made until 1843, when after three days' ineffectual balloting the board adjourned. Notice was duly given by the secretary of state that unless the county complied with the statute, the public school moneys would be withheld. This led to a special meeting of the supervisors, and the forenoon of the first day was again spent to no purpose. Upon assembling after dinner, it was found that but eleven persons were present, the twelfth being on his way from the hotel. The vote was at once pressed to an issue and the dilemma ceased. The incumbents of this office until its discontinuance were Sidney Sylvester of Copenha- gen, Jan. 16, 1844, and Alfred H. Bush of Turin, Nov. 16, 1846.
Under the act of 1856 creating the office of school com- missioner, the county has been divided into two districts, the southern, or No. 1, embracing we believe the towns of Greig, Martinsburgh and towns south, and the other, the remainder of the county.
SOCIETY FOR THE ACQUISITION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE .- Under this name an association was formed in this county April 26, 1843, and continued till Sept. 2, 1848. It consisted at one time of about forty young men, mostly students, and was designed for mutual improvement by the reading of original papers, debates, &c.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES .- The first society of this kind in the county,1 was formed at Copenhagen, in February, 1825, and consisted of twelve members. It grew out of prosecu- tions for the sale of ardent spirits without a license, under an act passed February 18, 1820, requiring poor masters to recover certain fines for the benefit of the poor. These suits were instituted by Levi Robbins, poor master, and although judgment was got, the town would release the par- ties convicted, by a vote of town meeting. The discussions which these measures raised, led to the formation of a
1 Turin may incidentally claim an earlier attempt at reform with regard to intemperance. At a town meeting held in 1821, it voted that no licenses should be granted (unless the applicant should first produce a certificate of the town sealer, that his measures had been compared and found correct).
279
Temperance Societies.
society, consisting of Norman Guiteau, Levi Robbins, Wm. C. Lawton, David Goodenough, Dr. John Loud, Austin H. Robbins, Harris Bronson, Edward S. Robbins, Wm. Keen, J. Stoddard, and two others not remembered by our inform- ant.
A town society was formed in Turin, July, 1827, in Low- ville in February, 1828, in West Leyden in January, 1829, and in Martinsburgh in October, 1830. Societies were also formed in Stow Square, Leyden and Greig. The first tem- perance tavern in the state, so far as we are informed, was opened by Douglas Wright of Denmark, in 1817, and con- tinued two years. The first merchants who discontinued the sale of liquors, were Fowler & Woolworth of Turin, in April, 1829, and their trade fell off one-third in conse- quence.
A County temperance society was formed at Martins- burgh, September 15, 1828, and became auxiliary to the State temperance society, upon the formation of the latter. This county society in a few years fell into neglect.1 The Washingtonian Temperance movement began in 1843. A society styled the Washington Association of Lewis was formed July 15, 1843, and at the close of that year 5,000 members belonged to it in Lewis county. Anniversary meetings were held June 25, 1844, and July 8, 1845, and the interest continued until the vote upon the license question in 1846 and 1847, divided public sentiment. A Carson League was formed at the county seat, July 13, 1854. Capital $100,000, in shares of $5, of which 25 cents were required to be paid. It is believed a few prosecutions were begun, but a decision of the Court of Appeals terminated its existence.
The B. R. Am. Conf., of the M. E. Church, at Lowville, December, 1826, voted to use its influence to prevent the use of ardent spirits in their society, and in 1832 passed strong resolutions, in which the use, manufacture or sale of liquors was declared strongly derogatory to Christian char- acter and a fit subject of discipline.
Temperance lecturers through the country have been fre- quent ; among which were Rev. D. C. Axtel, in Oct., 1829 ; Samuel Chipman in 1833, and November, 1845 ; L. A. Cran- dall in 1839; Caleb Lyon of Lyonsdale, in the spring of 1842; J. P. Coffin, in December, 1842, and Thomas N. Johnson, in September, 1844.
1 In 1830, there were 10 town societies, and 677 members ; in 1831, there were 9 town societies, and 1,237 members ; in 1832, there were 13 town societies, and 2,118 members.
280
Excise Vote. Masons. Odd Fellows.
The vote on the license question in May, 1846 and 1847, was as follows, in the several towns :
1846.
1847.
No No License. License. License. License.
Croghan,
12
10
Denmark,
119
285
234
256
Diana,
47
33
Greig,
30
4
Harrisburgh,
53
73
Leyden, .
129
112
Lowville,
168
218
205
176
Martinsburgh,
173
196
214
161
Osceola,
14
Pinckney,
45
84
Turin, ..
139
130
184
124
Watson,
90
72
West Turin,.
169
117
189
74
Total,
1,173
1,348
1,026
791
MASONIC LODGES .- A Mark lodge was formed at Martins- burgh, about 1810, at the house of Adoniram Foot, and afterwards removed to Denmark. It was merged in chap- ters about 1824.
A Master's lodge was formed at a very early day at the house of Jonathan Collins, in Turin. It was the first in the county.
Jefferson Lodge, No. 64, was formed in the winter of 1806-7, in Martinsburgh, with Chillus Doty, Master; Wm. Derby- shire, S. W .; Solomon Rathbone, J. W. It was removed to Lowville, and held for some time in the house of Ira Ste- phens, from whence it has returned to Martinsburgh. Before its removal it was held at the house of Chillus Doty and A. Foot, and after its return at the house of David Waters. Its charter was surrendered June 3, 1831.
Orient Lodge was formed in Denmark about 1810, with Jonathan Barker, M., Sueton Fairchild, S. W., and - Van Vleck, J. W. A new charter was granted September 6, 1851, No. 238 ; and it has been removed from Denmark village to Copenhagen.
Lowville Lodge, No. 134, was chartered June 13, 1848, and has since been sustained.
Turin Lodge, No. 184, was chartered December 3, 1850.
ODD FELLOWS' LODGES .- Six lodges of the I. O. O. F.,
1
€ t
.
281
Odd Fellows. Religious Bodies.
have been formed, of which four continue in this county, as follows :
Lewis Lodge, No. 92. Constableville. Meetings Saturdays. Copenhagen Lodge, No. 190. Copenhagen. Meetings Sat- urdays.
Cynosure Lodge, No. 215. Turin. (Charter surrendered). Adelphia Lodge, No. 308. Lowville. Meetings Mondays. Central Lodge, No. 367. Martinsburgh. (Extinct).
Juris Lodge, No. 417. Port Leyden, and afterwards near Lyons Falls, in Greig. Meetings Saturdays.
A few "Daughters of Rebekah " were admitted at the Juris Lodge, in 1853 or 1854, but no others are, it is be- lieved, reported.
Sons of Temperance .- Eleven lodges of this order have ex- isted in this county, all of which are extinct. They were formed between 1844 and 1850, the first at Copenhagen, and the last at Lowville, viz :
Copenhagen Lodge No. 45 ; Constableville No. 46 ; Col- linsville No. 63 ; Port Leyden No. 64; Cedar Grove (Deer river) No. 65 ; West Martinsburgh No. 170 ; New Bremen No. 206 ; Houseville No. 217 ; Dayspring (Martinsburgh) No. 218 ; Turin No. 219, and Lowville No. 267. Eight of these reported Jan. 1852, a total of 228 contributing mem- bers.
Daughters of Temperance .- A society of 12 members of this order, named " Hope of the Fallen Union," was organized in Martinsburgh Jan. 9, 1851, by Mrs. J. A. Granger of Champion. It was of ephemeral duration.
Good Templars .- This order was instituted at Martins- burgh in June and at Deer river in July 1854.
CHAPTER VIII.
RELIGIOUS BODIES.
Methodist Episcopal .- The churches of this county are in- cluded in the Black River conference, which was formed in 1835.1 This region was embraced in the N. Y. confer- ence till 1809, in that of Genesee from 1809 to 1829, and in that of Oneida from 1829 to 1835. The county formed a part of Albany district till 1808, of Cayuga district from 1808 to 1812, of Oneida district from 1812 to 1820, and of Black River district from 1820 to 1839. The Herkimer and Gouverneur districts divided the county from 1839 to 1844,
J*
282
Religious Bodies.
since which theAdams district has embraced nearly its entire area.
The presiding elders of the Black River district were Rinaldo M. Everts, 1821-2; Dan. Barnes, 1823-5; Goodwin Stoddard, 1826; Nathaniel Salisbury, 1827-30; Josiah Keyes, 1831-2; John Dempster,2 1833, and Gardner Baker 1836-9. In the Herkimer district it was Geo. Gary3 in 1836-9, and Aaron Adams in 1840-1. In Gouverneur dis- trict, W. S. Bowdish, 1839 ; Lewis Whitcomb in 1841; and N. Salisbury in 1842-3. In Adams district in has been L. Whitcomb in 1844; N. Salisbury in 1845-6; Isaac Stone4 in 1847 ; Geo. C. Woodruff in 1848-9; Geo. Gary in 1850-1; A. J. Phelps in 1852 ; Gardner Baker in 1853-9.
The Black River circuit formed in 1804, embraced the whole of the northern part of the state west and north of the great forest. Turin circuit was formed in 1812, but in 2 years was discontinued. Lowville and Martinsburgh to- gether formed a circuit from 1832 to 1840, when the latter was separated. Watson Mission was formed in 1834, and in about ten years it became a circuit. New Bremen be- came a mission in 1849, and Copenhagen a circuit in 1840. The Black river circuit was changed to the Turin circuit in 1844. New Boston became a mission in 1851.
While the Black River circuit embraced the whole county, its ministers were Griffin, Sweet, and Asa Cummins in 1804; G. Sweet and Seymour Ensign in 1805; Mathew Van Duzan and William Vredenburgh in 1806 ; Datus En- sign in 1807; M. Van Duzan and Luther Bishop in 1808 ; L. Bishop and Wm. Jewett in 1809 ; Joseph Willis and Chand- ley Lambert1 in 1810; Wm. Snow and Truman Gillett in 1811; Joseph Kinkead in 1812; Isaac Puffer and Goodwin Stoddard in 1813 ; C. Lambert in 1814; Ira Fairbank and
1 This conference was incorporated by special act, April 17, 1841, with power to hold real estate not exceeding $20,000, and an income not over $10,000 annually.
2 Mr. Dempster went as a missionary in Buenos Ayres. He is now at the Gar- rett Biblical institute, Evanston, Ill.
3 Mr. Gary was born in Middlefield, N. Y., Dec. 8, 1793, and admitted to trial as a preacher, while but fifteen years of age. Having been employed many years in New England and central New York, he was in 1844 appointed to take charge of Oregon mission, where he remained four years. He died at Camden, N. Y., March 25, 1855, having labored 46 years, of which 23 were as a presiding elder, 6 as a missionary, and 16 on circuits or stations.
4 Mr. S. was born in Hoosick, N. Y., March 28, 1797, and died in Onondaga county, Sept. 10, 1850, having served in the ministry nearly thirty years.
1 Chandley Lambert was born in Alford, Mass., March 27, 1781, and at the age of twenty-seven entered the Methodist ministry, in which he labored zealously about twenty years. He subsequently settled in Lowville where he died, March 16, 1845.
4
283
Religious Bodies.
James Hazen in 1815 ; I. Fairbank and G. Stoddard in 1816 ; J. Willis in 1817; Andrew Prindle and Abraham Lippet in 1818 ; A. Prindle and Henry Peck in 1819; Nathaniel Reeder and J. Willis in 1820 ; Benjamin Dighton in 1821; C. Lambert in 1822; Truman Dixon, Squire Chase2 and Elijah King (sup.) in 1823 ; Benj. G. Paddock and N. Salis- bury in 1824 ; B. G. Paddock and S. Chase in 1825; I. Puffer and John Ercanbrack in 1826; I. Puffer and I. Stone in 1827 ; John H. Wallace and I. Stone in 1828 ; Calvin Haw- ley in 1829; Josiah Keyes and L. Whitcomb in 1830, and Anson Fuller in 1831-2.
The Black River conference was held in the grove south of Turin village, July 31, 1839, and at Lowville July 17, 1846.
The Missionary society of the B. R. Q. M. Conf. was found- ed Dec. 29, 1827 and a constitution adopted May 3, 1828.
Presbyterian .- The Watertown Presbytery includes this county. It was formed in 1830, from the St. Lawrence Presb. which was organized from that of Oneida in 1816, and held its first session in Martinsburgh in the fall of that year. The Revs. Jas. Murdock, Isaac Clinton, Samuel F. Snowden, Jeduthan Higby, jr., and David Banks (of Water- town), were original members of this body. The principal facts concerning the union and withdrawal of churches, are noted under the towns where they severally occur.
Congregational .- The Black River association was formed at Lowville, Sept. 1, 1807, by delegates from churches at Leyden, West Leyden, Turin, Lowville, Denmark, and six towns in Jefferson county.
The Free Communion Baptists, were first organized in this county in 1813, by persons who had belonged to the Baptist church, but were led to differ upon doctrinal points, pro- bably through the influence of persons from Russia, Herki- mer county. The B. R. yearly meeting, adopted its con- stitution in Sept., 1830, and embraced the region between East Canada creek and the Genesee. In the spring of 1844, this sect was merged in the Free Will Baptists, and their
2 Mr. Chase was born in Scipio, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1803, was licensed to preach in June 1822, and was soon after received on trial in the Genesee conference. He preached at various places in this and Oneida conference, and in 1831 was appointed presiding elder of Potsdam district. In 1836 he was sent by his own request on a mission to Liberia where he remained about two years, when he returned with greatly impaired health. In 1841, while at Lowville, the opportunity for returning to the African mission offered, and he again sailed to Liberia where he remained till March 1843. He died at Syracuse while attending conference, July 26, 1843, and was buried at Houseville. He married Julia, daughter of Eli Rogers of Martinsburgh.
284
Religious Bodies. Newspapers.
number in Lewis county, has become very small. They are embraced in the St. Lawrence yearly, and the Jefferson quarterly meetings. Small societies exist in Diana, Har- risburgh, West Turin and Watson.
Baptists .- The Black River Baptist association, was formed in 1808, at which time there existed a church at Denmark of 29 members under the Rev. Peleg Card, and another at Turin of 65 members under the Rev. Stephen Parsons. The association then also included Jefferson and parts of St. Law- rence and Oswego counties numbering in all 9 churches, 371 members, and 5 ministers. The B. R. missionary soc. was formed in 1817, and up to 1844, had received $7,837.
Roman Catholics .- This county is embraced in the Diocese of Albany, and contains nine churches, of which two are unfinished. They are distributed as follows: Crogan 1, Diana 1, Harrisburgh 1, New Bremen 2, Pinckney 1, West Turin 3.
Universalists .- The B. R. association was formed June, 1823, and includes this county, Jefferson and Oswego. The only churches erected within our limits are at Denmark and Talcottville.
FRIENDS .- There is but one society of this sect in the co. (Lowville), which belongs to the Le Ray Monthly meeting.
Revivals of religion have occurred in the winter of 1803- 4, at Turin (among the Baptists), in 1818, 1822, 1831, 1832, 1842-3, and 1857. In that of 1832 the Rev. Jacob Knapp held meetings at the Line church, at Lowville and at Turin. The Rev. Jedediah Burchard in the same year held meetings at Stow square, Denmark and Leyden Hill. That of 1857, was characterized by the absence of excitement, and by its apparently spontaneous origin.
CHAPTER IX.
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.
The Black River Gazette, the first newspaper printed north of the Mohawk valley within the state, was begun at Mar- tinsburgh, March 10th, 1807, by James B. Robbins, and con- tinued a year. It was Republican in politics, and chiefly under the patronage of Gen. Martin. The press was re- moved to Watertown and used in printing the first paper in
Truly yours mm Se Easton
285
Newspapers.
Jefferson county. While at Martinsburgh, this paper was 19 by 21 inches in size, with four columns to the page, and the type was of the old style with the long s. Ephraim Luce was post rider.
The Lewis County Sentinel was begun at Martinsburgh, Oct. 12, 1824, by Charles Nichols, and published one year, at $2.00 by post or $1.75 if taken at the office. The size was 19 by 22 inches, four columns to the page. Neutral in politics.
The Martinsburgh Sentinel and Lewis County Advertiser was first issued Oct. 13, 1829, by James Ketchum Averill. Terms $2.00 to village and mail subscribers, $1.75 if taken at the office and $1.50 in clubs of ten or more. If not paid till the end of the year, $2.50. It was a small sheet, with five col- umns to the page, and ended in Feb., 1830. Democratic in politics. Mr. Averill has since been long connected with the press in the north-eastern part of the state.
The Lewis County Gazette was begun in Lowville in the spring of 1821, by Lewis G. Hoffman, and was continued nearly two years, when its publisher removed to Black Rock. He now resides in Waterford, Saratoga co. This paper was 18 by 24 inches, with four columns to the page, and was issued weekly at $2.50 per annum. In politics it was Bucktail.
The Black River Gazette was begun by Wm. L. Easton1 at Lowville, Oct. 19, 1825, and published until Dec. 1, 1830, by him, when Joseph M. Farr became publisher and continued it until 1833. It began of the same size as the Lewis Co. Sentinel, upon the same press that had been used by that paper, but the second year was enlarged by one column to the page, and in the second volume till No. 33, H. L. and W. L. Easton were associated. It was issued at $2.00 per annum, and professed to be impartial and independent in politics. The nominations of both parties were kept stand- ing in its columns previous to elections, and it was open to discussion upon any subject of public interest until 1832, when it adopted the anti-masonic nominations and advocated the election of William Wirt to the presidency. Mr. Easton became a joint publisher again Oct. 10, 1832, and continued such till the end.
1 William L. Easton was born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1806, came to this county in 1825, and has since mostly resided at Lowville. He was one of the first directors of the Bank of Lowville, which office he held nearly twenty years, and was for some time its cashier and president. He was surrogate of Lewis county about four years.
286
Newspapers.
The Lewis Democrat was begun by Le Grand Byington March, 25, 1834, and was published one year. It supported the whig party, advocated Seward's claims as candidate for governor. Size and terms the same as that of the B. R. Gazette, the press and type of which were employed upon this paper. Its editor has since figured in the Ohio legis- lature, and now resides at Iowa City.
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