USA > New York > Ontario County > A history of Ontario County, New York and its people, Volume I > Part 35
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380
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
NO. XXX.
THE TOWN OF GORHAM.
First Called "Easton," Then "Lincoln," and, Finally, Gorham-The Pioneer Settlement Was at Reed Corners - Organization of the Gorham Agricultural Society-The Early Families- Trials and Privations of the First Settlers-The Schools- Church History.
BY LEWIS C. LINCOLN.
The town of Gorham is situated on the east side of Canan- daigua lake, having a lake front of about seven miles. The terri- tory was first organized into a town on the 27th of January, 1789. This organization included all of townships 9 and 10, second range, of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, and was first called "Easton." On the 17th of April, 1806, the name of the town was changed to "Lincoln," and on the 6th day of April, 1807, it was again re-chris- tened, being given the name of Gorham, in honor of one of the original proprietors, Nathaniel Gorham. In 1822, the town was divided and the part now known as Hopewell was organized into a separate township. In 1824, all that part of Canandaigua embraced in township 9, in the third range, lying east of Canan- daigua lake, was annexed to Gorham, the people on the east side finding it inconvenient to belong to a town which was divided by the lake. This portion of the town became known as the "gore," on account of a bend in the shore of the lake.
The township was sold to Caleb Benton by Phelps and Gorham. Benton was a physician who lived in Columbia county. He sold the land to many early settlers whose deeds were never recorded or preserved, and consequently it is impossible to give a very accurate account of the first purchasers of small parcels of land.
The first settlement was made in the year 1789, in the locality
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THE TOWN OF GORHAM.
of Reed Corners, James Wood being the pioneer. Other pioneers in this part of the town were Silas Reed, John McPherson, and Jeremiah Swart. Educational interests were not neglected in these early times, the first school house in this district being erected near the present Congregational church. A tavern was kept in the early part of the century by Mr. Sherwood, who was succeeded by Jere- miah Swart.
It must be remembered that it was a hazardous undertaking at this early period for a man to take his family and move into the wilderness, where neighbors were few and far between, and where the native Indians were still in evidence and would make their entrance to a pioneer's dwelling unannounced. There were no roads and with very scanty implements, the pioneer had to make - his way in the forest, clearing off the trees and stumps, that he might grow flax for his clothes, and wheat for his bread. In order to get a little money with which to buy sugar and hardware, he had to haul his wheat to Albany. If his fire went out, he must depend upon his neighbor's fire or a flint stone. The deer and bear and smaller game of the forest furnished him with meat. It was a time when men and women appreciated their neighbors, when they met often to exchange the necessary articles of food, or raiment, or implement. There was but little money to use as a medium of exchange and not much in the way of the necessities of life for sale. Each man and family depended upon their own resources for the articles of furniture or need. It was a time that required men of courage, determination, and perseverance to win from nature at first hand a sustenance.
The citizens of Gorham have always taken a deep interest in their schools and the education of their youth. In the year 1813 the town was divided into school districts and moneys appropriated for the maintenance of schools. It would be hard to trace the his- tory of each school district from the beginning. In the early years, families that were some distance from school-houses clubbed together, hired a teacher, and maintained their own private school. The children remained in school, at least during the winter months, until they were men and women grown. It was no unusual thing for a country district school to have an attendance of as many as fifty students, ranging from the grades of infancy to higher math- ematics or philosophy. It is said that in one school district in the town five families each sent ten children to the same school, mak-
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
ing a total of fifty. The town of Gorham at present is divided into sixteen school districts. Its most costly school building is that erected in the year 1910 in the village of Gorham.
Gorham Families.
James Wood, who was the first settler of the town of Gorham, has many descendants still living near Reed Corners, the locality where he made his home in 1789, among whom might be mentioned Clark Wood, Mrs. Silva Harris, who lives on the original place, Emma Wood, and Gilbert Elwell.
Many descendants of Silas Reed, whose name is connected with the early organization of the town, are among its citizens at present. Mason Reed, Mrs. M. Dear, and Mrs. Clara Salisbury are his great-grandchildren. John McPherson came in 1798. He was an Irishman, but of Protestant faith ; he was a weaver by trade and worked at his trade in this new land, being known as the Irish weaver. His son, Samuel McPherson, was postmaster at Reed Corners for a number of years, and his grandson, John McPherson, still lives on the original lot. Jeremiah Swart came in about the year 1800. The names of Swart and Guernsey are associated in the old records as town officers. In 1809, Harvey Stone came from Greene county, and located a little south of Reed Corners, on lot 52. Among his descendants who are still living in this locality, are his granddaughters, Mrs. S. B. Douglass and Mrs. N. B. Cook. His son, Harvey Stone, Jr., was town supervisor, 1857-59, and took a prominent part in local politics. Joseph, Levi, William, and James Wilson came from Pennsylvania and located at Wilson's corners, in 1812. They bought large tracts of land, much of which is still in the possession of their descendants, among whom may be men- tioned M. J. Wilson. of Rushville, and John R. Wilson, of Gorham. George W. Powell. who is now county superintendent of highways, and Adelbert Powell are great-grandchildren.
The pioneer on lot 59 was Thomas Ruffs, who moved into the town in 1811 and bought his farm of one Nicholas Law for about four dollars per acre. the usual price for land at that time.
The first school-house in this district was erected in 1811, the first teachers being Mrs. Laura Clark and Oliver Babcock.
In school district No. 16, known as the Russell district, there settled at an early date Nathan Pratt, who came from Halifax with his brother Elisha, in about the year 1801. The Pratt property
383
THE TOWN OF GORHAM.
remained in the family until a very recent date. Mary and Julia Pratt, two sisters, held a life interest in this property. They never married and lived to a good old age. The land was deeded to the Pratts by Nicholas Law, a New York lawyer, who owned consid- erable property in this locality, but who never settled here. Charles Russeil is one of the early names connected with this district. Benjamin Washburn came from Herkimer county and took up land in lots 61 and 67, and some of his descendants are still living in this locality. Richard Washburn came here in 1801, and reared a family of four sons, John, Richard, Michael, and Lyman, and four daugh- ters, the most of whose lives were lived in Gorham. Mrs. James Ketchum, a daughter, is still living at an advanced age at Rushville, and great-grandchildren are found in the families of DeForest Reed and James Winne.
Near Rushville, on the south line of the town, Henry Green located at the early date of 1799. He came from Windsor, Massa- chusetts. He was the father of a large family, members of which took a prominent part in Gorham affairs. Some of the children are now living in the town. Nathan Loomis came to the village of Rushville in 1815, from Connecticut. He passed through the town of Geneva during the cold season, and stopping at a house, his son. Chester, saw what he took to be a curious black box standing near the middle of the room. Never having seen anything of the kind in his section of the country, the child naturally attempted to exam- ine its character, but upon putting fingers upon the "black box" (a stove), he speedily discovered one of its qualities and learned a useful and enduring lesson.
About the year 1805, Samuel Torrey built a blacksmith shop just north of West river, near the Presbyterian church. Several other blacksmith shops were built about this time at Reed Cor- ners, Gorham, and in the country districts. In those early days the shop of the blacksmith was about the only manufacturing establish- ment in this locality. The blacksmith had to work his own iron and to make his coal or charcoal. The name of Captain Harwood was linked with this district as being a man of character and con- viction, and when the tidings of war against Great Britain reached the neighborhood, he responded. He settled in Rushville in the year 1799. The first school was kept in the Presbyterian meeting- house. The names of Elisha Pratt and Samuel Powers are remem- bered as those of early teachers.
384
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
The first prominent inhabitant of the southwest portion of the town was Christian Fisher, who located upon lot 33 in the year 1805. He lived to the extreme old age of nearly a hundred years. His daughter, Mrs. Charles Ferguson, and his grandson, Allie Fisher, are now living on the old place. John Ferguson came in 1813 from near Albany. The Franciscos came in about 1807, and a Briggs family were identified with the early settlement of this section. In the year 1810, a man by the name of Aleck Sheep lived in this neighborhood. The first school building in this district, which was built of unhewn logs, was located on what is now called the Rappalee farm. Abner Duvalle and a Mr. Bascom were two of the first teachers. The fire place was huge in size as compared with the room, and when a stove was used in its stead, it became a topic of general interest.
The recollections of each log school house are interesting. The associations and games of childhood, and the peculiarities of the teacher, were indelibly impressed upon the minds of the pupils. These were the only schools available to most of the children. In the central western portion of the town, bordering on Canandaigua lake, is located the Gage school district. The first settler was Otis Lincoln, who came from Otsego county in 1806 and located on lot 2. Lincoln had served as a soldier in the Revolution, and when one of his sons was drafted in 1812, the old man served as his sub- stitute. Henry Lincoln, his son, who lived on the original prop- erty until he died in 1885, as a small boy helped to sharpen the old sword by turning the grindstone. The sword had seen service in the Revolution and was again taken to the front in defense of the country. The Lincoln homestead is now occupied by a great- grandson of the pioneer.
In this neighborhood. on lot 5, settled Southwick Cole in 1805, which made him a neighboring pioneer with the Lincoln family. Amasa Gage was the name of the man after whom the school dis- trict has been named. He came to the locality when it was a wilder- ness, with only two inhabitants between his place and Canandaigua, a distance of seven miles. He brought three children with him, and ten were born to him after settling in Gorham. Two died in infancy and eleven grew to maturity. The land which he took up is still in the possession of his descendants, and there are many of them now living in the town and are among its prosperous and successful men.
385
THE TOWN OF GORHAM.
Joshua Washburn in 1827 bought the Cole farm, where he resided until his death in 1879. By a first wife, Christine Wager, there were three children and by a second wife, Phoebe Ketchum, there were seven children, all of whom grew up and were residents of Gorham. The farm is still in the possession of the family.
The streams in this locality running into the lake were used in an early day for water power. A grist-mill was built on the creek running through the Cole farm in 1815 by Henry Elliott. In 1808 a tannery was built and operated for a number of years near the present school-house. This building was afterwards used for school purposes, but was soon abandoned for another building, which was later burned, following which the present school-house was erected.
Further north on the lake shore is the Davis tract of about seven hundred acres, which was purchased at a very early date by William Davis, of Philadelphia. Part of the agreement of the pur- chase was that the Indians should be paid a barrel of flour per acre. William Davis's son-in-law, Dr. Hahn, came upon the prop- erty, built the present dwelling house, and set up the practice of medicine. John and Christain Fisher, C. Carson, and John Gulick were early settlers, who rented the land of Mr. Davis, agreeing to pay a yearly rent of from five to seven bushels per acre for the use of the land as fast as it could be cleared. Edward Davis, a grand- son of the original purchaser, is now owner of much of the tract.
East of this section, on what is now called the middle road, James Wood, a son of the first pioneer at Reed Corners, built a frame house upon lot 57, in the year 1806. A man by the name of Aleck Sampson lived on what is now known as the James Turner farm. On lot 58 was a man by the name of Koomer, who was suc- ceeded by a Mr. Sackett, who in turn gave way for Isaac Shaw, and this property still remains in the Shaw family. Jonathan Stearns, in 1803, settled on lot 54, and Addison, his son, and Emmit, his grandson, have been his successors up to the present time.
In about the center of the town, on lot 28, located David Pick- ett, from Oneida county, in 1820. He held the office of supervisor and was a member of the Assembly. Francis Harris occupied lot 33 and his son and grandsons in succession have remained in pos- session of the old farm. The first frame house in this locality was built by Elis Newman, on lot 27. The farm of A. Newman on the
386
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
same lot was known as the halfway place between Bethel and Reed Corners. Lot 20 was the former home of Jonathan Arnold. South of his home stood the first school-house to be constructed of boards and logs, making it a notable improvement over most of the early buildings. James Hogeboom lived in this section and was one of the early school teachers. He enjoyed the distinction of having as a pupil Martin VanBuren, later President of the United States.
East of Reed Corners, on lot 26, there settled at an early date a Dutch colony from Hoosick-on-the-Hudson. They moved away or have died out and few of their names can be given. Darius Miner came to this section from Seneca, in 1812. Ebenezer Lewis came from the east prior to 1800 and settled on lot 38. Levi Sor- tell took up land on lot 21, in 1810. Frederick Spaulding was upon lot 22 at the early date of 1812. A farm on lot 23 was taken up by Nathaniel Smith, who lived upon it until he reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years. The first school-house was built in 1820 and Darius Miner was the first teacher. This school- house was located upon the corner opposite the Degraff place. William Dewitt was the local blacksmith and had a good reputa- tion for skill and excellence as a mechanic.
James Robson, a native of England, took up a large tract of land in the center of Gorham in the year 1820. He had three sons, James, William and John, each of whom owned in their time large farms and were successful business men. James Robson, son of the pioneer, owned a farm on lot 19 containing 350 acres. William Robson lived on the old homestead which originally contained 800 acres. John Robson's farm was located on lot 27 and contained 270 acres. The family of John Robson consisted of seven chil- dren, James A., Jane T., Ann, Mary, Nellie (deceased), Phoebe E., and Fannie. James A. Robson studied law and is now a Justice of the Supreme Court in the Seventh Judicial District.
In school district No. 15, on the line of Yates county, was the Blodgett family. Ludin was the first to come from Oneida county in 1800 and settled upon lot 17. Ephraim Blodgett came to the same place soon afterwards. He finally moved to Canandaigua and lived to be a very old man. The Gates tavern was located in this district and had a reputation for comfort and hospitality beyond the most of such taverns at this date. The first school- house was built in 1807. Chester Loomis was among those who
387
THE TOWN OF GORHAM.
taught school in this district. Lemuel Morse, later a justice of the peace, and a member of Assembly, was also one of the early teachers. In 1800, Richard Westbrook from Pennsylvania took up his residence on lot 33. James Lewis and William Bassett located in this district about the same time. Solomon Blodgett in 1808 bought lot 30, which was sold in pieces to Lewis George, Samuel Reed, a son of Silas, and Horatio Gates, son of Daniel. The log house put up by Lewis George was, for a time, used for a school-house. Lucy Catlin was one of the first teachers. In 1806, the first road in this district, and one of the first in the town, was surveyed and laid out.
Church History.
The Presbyterian church was organized February 26, 1828, by Reverend Henry Axtell, Henry P. Strong, and Ansel D. Eddy. It was composed of twenty-four members. who were members of a church in Hopewell. The following are their names: Jacob Hovey, Peter C. Fiero, Abraham Fiero, Orin Crittenden, Levi Sawtelle, James Robson, Alada Bridgman, Mary Hovey, Hannah Fiero, and her sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, Canadice Crittenden, Mahitabil Soule, Sarah Newman, Sarah Sawtelle, Silva Fitch. Hannah Groesbeck, Mary Snyder, Sabra Crittenden, and Abigail Wise. The church prospered and increased in numbers and in 1832 had one hundred and two communicants ; in 1836, one hundred and twenty-eight. The first elders were Jacob Hovey, Orin Crittenden, and Peter Fiero. They were set apart to their office by Rev. Joseph Merrill on March 8, 1828. Orin Crittenden was the first clerk of the session. The first deacons were Levi Hatfield and Mason Sawtelle. Rev. Flavel Gaylord was pastor from 1830 until 1840. He was followed by Rev. Hosea Kittredge, 1841. Rev. Alva Lily was next pastor for two years, and he was succeeded by Charles Merwin, who was installed on April 6, 1845, and dismissed about a year later.
The original church building stood about a mile from Reed Corners. In 1843 a new edifice was built at Gorham and a separa- tion took place between those desiring to worship at Reed Cor- ners rather than at Gorham. The present pastor is Dr. John McColl, under whose care the church is in a prosperous condition.
The Congregational church, at Reed Corners, is an offshoot, as above noted, from the Presbyterian society at Gorham. The old
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
meeting-house, which stood near Babbitt's corners, was moved to Reed Corners, a distance of about a mile. This building was burned on Christmas night, 1903, and a new modern church build- ing was erected the next year.
It has been with considerable difficulty that this church has been supported. At one time a Baptist minister was secured, and at another time the pastor was a Dutch Reformed minister, who presented his doctrinal views so well that the people accepted them and the church became a Dutch Reformed society. In the course of a few years another change was made and the society became Congregational. Rev. Warren Day was one of the first pastors under the new name. Rev. C. M. Bartholomew was pastor from 1881 to 1885. The Rev. Dr. McColl, of the Gorham Presby- terian church, is at present in charge.
The First Baptist church was formed early in the history of the town, and services were held in school-houses and the homes of the members. The first church was erected at Baldwin's cor- ners. In 1841, this church building was torn down and moved to Bethel, or Gorham, and became known as the Bethel Baptist church. The first minister was Abraham Ennis. The first deacons were Henry Douglass, J. W. VanArsdel, and Abraham Watkins. Rev. Hugh Kane is the present pastor.
The Baptist church at Reed Corners is known as the Gorham Baptist church. The organization was formed in 1804 and held meetings in the vicinity of the Pickett school-house. In due time a house of worship was erected on the Reed Corners and Gorham road, about three miles from Reed Corners. In 1841 this building was moved to Reed Corners, and a part of the members of the Baptist church, which was moved from Baldwin's corners at this time, joined the Reed church. The first pastor was Rev. John G. Stearns, who was an able preacher and became somewhat cele- brated because of his book, entitled "Stearns on Masonry." This book was published in 1829 and contained what was claimed to be a full exposition of the secrets and ceremonies of the order. There are a few copies of the book still in existence.
The Methodist church at Rushville was organized in 1821. The first members were: Ebenezer Streeter, wife, and mother, Jesse C. Boardman, Hannah Pratt, John A. Peabody, Samuel Whitman. James Peabody, and George B. Turner. Through the efforts of Rev. Ira Fairbanks, in 1830, a meeting-house was projected, which
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THE TOWN OF GORHAM.
was dedicated on June 25, 1832, by Rev. John Copeland, at that time the resident pastor. The present building was erected in 1866-7, at a cost of $20,000. It was dedicated in 1867 by Rev. Matthew Simpson. The local pastor's name was F. G. Hibbard. The church has a membership of two hundred, and the present pastor is Rev. Harry King.
The Congregational church of Rushville, although located a few feet over the county line in Yates county, deserves a notice in Gorham's history, as many of her citizens are included in its congregation. The church was organized in 1802, under the name of Augusta and Gorham. The first pastor was Abijah Warren. The present building was erected in 1818. The church has never been without a supply or pastor for more than three months during this long period. The present minister is a Baptist supply by the name of Rev. A. Trennary.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Gorham was organized in 1796, by Jefferson Hamilton and Arming Owen, missionaries from Philadelphia, who came to the vicinity of Gorham, and held meetings in a log meeting-house about two miles east of the village, in the town of Seneca. The church was visited by a revival in 1817, under the labors of Rev. Thomas Ewing, the local pastor; and the community was so stirred and lifted in spiritual things, that Rev. P. Hollet, a pastor from the Methodist itinerancy, proposed the name Bethel (House of God) to the rising village. The meetings were held in different places, in the log house near the present dwelling of J. M. Pulver, and in one of the village school-houses.
The present organization of the society was made in 1828, and a house of worship erected which cost about one thousand dollars. The first trustees were John Q. Groesback, O. F. Rice, and Seaman Tompkins. Revivals were experienced under the labors of Revs, Smith and Zina J. Buck. These ministers died in the vicinity and were buried in the old cemetery at Gorham. In 1842, the preaching was held in Gorham (Bethel) and the church was located here from that date. The following names of families are connected with its early history: Stokes, Phillips, Rice, Arnold, Schuyler, Hanley, and Runyan. The Hersheys and others were supporters, but not members until years later. The church building was remodeled in 1868 at an expense of over two thousand dollars. The first Sunday school was organized in 1828, with A. Hill for superintendent. The
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
present building was erected in 1905, by Joseph Hershey and C. W. Perkins and presented to the organization. The church is now under the pastoral care of Rev. E. Jarvis.
. Reed Corners.
Reed Corners is the name of the small settlement, which is located a little north of the center of the town and on the old stage route from Rushville to Canandaigua. Here were held the first town meetings and it has continued to be the meeting place for the transaction of the town's business. The only retail store in the place is conducted by E. B. Winne, who carries a general line of groceries and supplies. James Partice is the blacksmith. There is an apple dryer of large capacity, owned and operated by the Rush- ville Evaporating and Packing Company. The hotel, after having been conducted for the accommodation of the public for nearly a century, is now closed.
Grange No. 363, P. of H., owns the public hall, which is used for town meetings and public entertainments and amusements. The present master of the grange is Emory Megaffee. The grange was organized in 1876 and has been in continuous operation since that time. It has a membership of over one hundred and fifty.
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