USA > New York > Franklin County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 49
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 49
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Circumstances connected with these fires, excited suspicions with some that they were the work of an incendiary. A portion of the burnt dis- trict has been rebuilt, and ere long it is presumed the whole will be oc- cupied by blocks of elegant buildings. As an emporium of commerce, and the natural limit of navigation by sail vessels, the port of Ogdens- burgh enjoys advantages incomparably superior to those of any port on the river, and this feature of the location presented itself to the minds of the French in their selection of a site for a mission, the English in their retention of it as a fur station, and the early purchasers under the state as a point for the establishment of a commercial interest and the nucleus of a new settlement.
The completion of the Northern rail road has done infinitely more than all other causes combined to give an impulse to the prosperity of Ogdensburgh and of Northern New York generally, and in our history of improvements will be found an account of the origin, progress and completion of that work. This, in connection with the system of Cana- dian roads in progress and the great natural advantages of the place, can not fail to give it an eminence as [a commercial point which it so truly deserves. Its streets are adorned with many buildings that for elegance and durability would do credit to any of our largest cities. The traveler will find at its several hotels those conveniences and attentions which
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render the tourist's life agreeable, and the capitalist an opportunity for investment that can not fail to richly remunerate. We here present a view of one of the hotels.
du-
J.W.
St. Lawrence Hotel, Ogdensburgh, N. Y.
This hotel is on the corner of State and Ford streets; the main build- ing on the corner was built in 1842, and the addition on the right, (the lower story of which is occupied by stores, and which is known as the Seymour block), in 1851. The whole has a front of 132 feet on State and 94 on Ford streets. Besides the public halls, parlors, &c., it has 86 sleep- ing apartments, and from the observatory on the top a splendid view of the village, the river, and the Canada shore for many miles, is afforded. It is ownedby Geo. N. Seymour, Esq., and kept by Brown, Sperry & Co.
A cemetery association was incorporated under the general act July 26, 1847, with Geo. N. Seymour, Elijah B. Allen, John Fine, Collins A. Burnliam, Edwin Clark, David C. Judson, Wm. Brown, Amos Bacon, and James G. Hopkins, trustees. It was dedicated on the 18th of Sept., 1847, by the clergy and citizens, at which an address was delivered by the Hon. John Fine, and suitable religious exercises and the singing of a hymn composed for the occasion by Mr. C. T. Pooler, closed the ex- ercises of the day. The circumstances of such an occasion, were pe- culiarly calculated to make a serious and lasting impression ; as a few revolving years would doubtless lay beneath the surface upon which they
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stood many who participated in the exercises of the day. The cemetery is situated on the bank of the Oswegatchie, about a mile from the village, and when the premises are completed after the contemplated plan, will be at once an appropriate and ornamental ground, and will compare fa- vorably with the cemeteries of most towns of the size.
The Ogdensburgh Library was incorporated June 10, 1838, with George Guest, Bishop Perkins, James G. Hopkins, Charles Lawton, and Baron S. Doty, trustees. This is believed to have been dissolved several years. School district No. 1, in this village, has the largest public library in the county.
The Ogdensburgh Atheneum was the name of a society organized at that place in 1830, for the purpose of obtaining for the perusal of its members, the principal periodicals of Europe and America. It continued in operation about three years. This was the first effort for the establish- ment of an association for mutual benefit. Courses of lectures had oc- casionally been given by citizens and strangers, and in the winter of 1851-2, a very general interest was felt in a series of lectures which were got up under the name of a Lyceum, and at the expense of a fund raised for the purpose in the village. While these lectures were in progress, the project of a more permanent and useful organization was discussed, and on the last evening of the course, a consultation was held, which eventually resulted in the formation of a Young Men's Association, adopt- ing for its constitution that of the Albany association.
This organization was effected May 8, 1852, there having been pre- viously circulated a subscription for obtaining the means necessary for the purposes. The price of membership was fixed at $5, and the con- dition of the subscription was, that forty members should be procured before an association should be formed. In two months from the date of the adoption of the constitution and by-laws, the number was in- creased to fifty members. On the 9th of July the following officers were chosen :
Rev. L. Merrill Miller, president ; S. Foote, A. B. James, Z. B. Bridges, vice presidents ; R. Slade, recording secretary ; E. M. Holbrook, correspond- ing secretary ; George Morris, treasurer ; J. G. Hopkins, H. G. Foote, W. C. Brown, P. R. Randall, R. W. Judson, R. G. Pettibone, R. Morris, S. S. Blodget, H. H. Humphrey, H. F. Lawrence, managers. The latter, with the other officers above named, constitute an executive committee. Sub committees on rooms and fixtures, on the supply of the reading room, the library, &c., and others to procure donations and subscriptions, and to make arrangements for lectures, were appointed. Commodious rooms in the second story of Judson's block, opposite the St. Lawrence hotel, were taken, a small but select library purchased, and a reading room supplied with all the standard magazines and numerous papers, was fitted up. These rooms are open daily and on evenings, to citizen members and strangers. The design of this association is to embrace, besides a library and reading room, a course of public lectures during the winter months. The interest which has thus far been very generally manifested in this measure, give assurance that the association will be one of a permanent character; well calculated to promote the intellect- ual welfare of the community in which it is located, and that its success will be proportioned to the excellent intentions which led to its institu- tion. It is hoped that the model thus offered will find an imitation in other large villages in the county.
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE
The earliest settlement in the vicinity of Black lake, in the town of Oswegatchie, was made in 1797, by Capt. Joseph Thurber, and his sons. Kelsey J. and John K. Thurber, from the town of Augusta, in Canada, but originally from New Hampshire. Mr. Thurber had been a very early settler at Plattsburgh. David Rose, David Judson, Thomas J. Davies, . and others, were very early settlers in this part of the town. Jacob Pohlman, a millwright, who had been employed in 1797 by Ford, on his mill at Ogdensburgh, was an early settler in this town in the vicinity of the lake. He emigrated from Germany when a young man, and first ar- rived in Philadelphia. At Albany he met with Mr. Ford, who persuaded him to remove to the new settlement, and he spent the remainder of his life in town.
The river road towards Morristown began to be settled at about the same time, Thomas Lee being the pioneer settler. Schools were first commenced in Oswegatchie in this settlement, and John K. Thurber was the first teacher. Capt. David Griffin, Adam Millis, and Elijah Carley, also located along this road. The first death in the town of Oswegatchie, after the arrival of Judge Ford and his party, was Mrs. Lyon. The first marriage among the settlers was that of James Chambers and Elizabeth Thurber, in 1796. As there was no magistrate or clergyman authorized to perform the marriage ceremony, the parties crossed to Canada to get yoked. In 1801, Mr. John King, from New Jersey, arrived as a clerk for Mr. Ford.
The village of Heuvelton, near the southern border of the town, was surveyed into a village plat by Judge Edsall, of Madrid, before it had an inhabitant, and received the name of Fordsburgh, from Nathan Ford. It was sometimes mentioned as the East Branch, meaning the place where the highway crossed the East Branch, or Oswegatchie. This river was sometimes so called, and Indian river bore the name of West Branch. Truman Bristol, and families by the name of Havens, Jones, and Os- burne, began small improvements about 1805. In the fall of 1806, Jairus Remington, formerly a Presbyterian minister, a native of Massachusetts, but then from Putney, Vt., moved in by way of the Black river country, with his family, and commenced keeping a public house on the left bank of the river. He had been on several times before, and had made an arrangement with Judge Ford to establish an inn at this point, where it was very much needed for the accommodation of the numerous travelers and emigrants who were coming into the country by the State road then newly opened. Judge Ford wrote Jan. 6, 1806, as follows :
" I have also sold four lots in our village at the East Branch bridge, to a gentleman who is a man of education and influence in Massachusetts,
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and also in Vermont. His intention is to set up business, and from the representation he makes to me I am induced to believe he will be very serviceable, not only as an inhabitant, but as being a person who will bring with him a number of emigrants. I have made it his interest to be servicable to us this way, as I have also those who have gone to Ver- mont. This gentleman has also gone for his family. He has made ar- rangements for building, and as an evidence of his being in earnest, he has made considerable advances to carpenters here, for beginning early in the spring. From present appearances I have grounds to believe there will be a strong emigration to our settlement the ensuing season."
Judge Pinney and family settled here in 1808; Redfield and family soon after. David Burroughs, from Shaftsbury, Vt., arrived in 1811. There were few settlers besides these, till 1820, when Jacob A. Vanden Heuvel,* an enterprising gentleman from New York, having purchased the village and an extensive tract of land adjoining, commenced the erection of a grist mill, and numerous other improvements. His father was a Hollander, who emigrated to New York in 1792, having previously resided several years in the Dutch colony of Demarara, in Guiana, of which he was for some time the governor. In compliment to the new proprietor, the place received the name of Heuvel, which was in January, 1832, changed to Heuvelton, its present name. A saw mill and dam had been erected by Mr. Remington for many years. The place soon after began to increase in population quite rapidly. The bridge first erected, was above its present location, and was carried off. One or two others on the same place failed. The first school in the settlement was a very small one, taught by Mr. Dyer Badger in the winter of 1808, in a small shanty near the site of the present school house.
The first religious meetings were held by Methodists. Dr. S. N. Sher- man was the first physician of the place, having located here in 1825. Mr. Van Heuvel with much liberality erected a church for the Episcopal worship, but it was never much used by this denomination, and has passed into the hands of the Universalists. The first death in this part of the town is said to have been that of Mr. David Seymour, who was drowned in 1806. He was at the time engaged in the erection of a bridge.
Religious Societies .- The annals of the Methodist Episcopal Church, show that a circuit denominated Oswegatchie, existed as early as 1793, and it is from this probable, that meetings were occasionally held by the Methodists at the garrison, while still a British post. The importance of some organization was early felt, and led to the formation of the First Church and Congregation of Christ, in the town of Oswegatchie, Oct. 10, 1805, with Nathan Ford, John Lyon, Aaron Welton, Louis Hasbrouck
* Mr. V. H. was authorized by an act of the legislature passed Feb. 8, 1832, to assume the name of Van Heuvel, by which he has since been known. His father, John Van Den Heuvel, died in New York, May 6, 1826.
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and Thomas J. Davies, trustees. In a letter of November 29, 1804, Col' Ogden wrote to Judge Ford, as follows:
" You have added hereto the state of my attempt to effect the establish- ment of a clergyman with you. From what has passed it seems pretty certain that one will visit you with my letter, on the receipt of which I pray you do every thing in your power to establish him with you, render his visit as pleasing as possible, show him as extensive an annuity as pos- sible. Will not Tibbets and and others from the other townships, as well as from the other side of the river, contribute towards his establishment? I am certain nothing will promote our object more than the settlement of a proper clergyman and erection of a church. The following is a copy of my letter to you which I have left with the bishop, dated New York, 23d November: "My desire that a church should early be established at Ogdensburgh, has induced me to wait on bishop Moore, and some other of the clergy of this place, desiring a clergyman might be induced to make you a visit, under the belief that having explored the town, situa- tion, &c., he will be desirous of becoming a resident with you."
The following are the proposals I have made: Samuel Ogden pro- poses to have two town lots laid out in the town, near the church and court house lots, one to be held as a parsonage, and conveyed for its use, the other to be conveyed in fee simple to the first clergyman who shall reside in the town, and perforin Episcopal duties therein, for the term of ten years. One farm shall be also laid out in the vicinity of the town as a parsonage, to be conveyed for the use of the church, also a convenient lot in town whereon to build a church, and for a burying ground. The bishop has presented you with two dozen prayer books. How shall I send them?" This was rather an unwelcome duty to impose upon judge Ford, who was a zealous Presbyterian, and the story is related as autlien- tic, that he was so determined to establish one of this denomination, that he declared he would go to h-ll for one rather than be disappointed. The ingenious manner in which he answered the above letter is worthy of perusal. It forms a part of a long letter dated Jan. 11, 1805.
" I confess I feel much embarrassment in answering that part of your letter which relates to the establishing of a clergyman. Not because I do not think your arrangements judicious and liberal, but because there are local considerations which claim to be deliberately and cautiously examined, for however much this measure may partake of yours and my wish, I fear our interest will be materially affected by it at this time, be- cause the whole emigration to this country is, and has been, with very few exceptions, Presbyterian, and this summer pains have been taken to settle a clergyman in Lisbon, of that denomination. A visible spring has been given to emigration in that town in consequence of it. Our neighbors are pursuing that kind of policy which comports with the feel- ings and wishes of the people in this respect, by which they expect to profit, and they will. The moment a measure should be pursued, which had the shadow of appearance to direct the religious opinions of the peo- ple, (no matter how pure our motives may be,) jealousies will be excited, and uneasiness created. It is not necessary for me to tell you how quick the sensibility of people are engaged when their religious notions and prejudices are touched ; reason loses its force, and passion and rancor are the only visible features. Since Lisbon has settled their clergyman, our people are anxious to have one also. The idea has been much pressed and much urged by them, and they have determined to have one, but he must be a Presbyterian. I have suggested our idea, but it will not take. The question now is whether we shall find it our interest to resist their
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wishes and the wishes of those who it is probable will come to our set- tlement, or whether it will not be better to let them follow their own pre- judices, and please themselves in their religious pursuits. It unquestion- ably must be the means of casting a double emigration into Lisbon, and this I make no doubt, has operated as a reason for the haste with which Lisbon has settled their clergyman. We shall find it our interest to move in this thing with caution, and not hastily take a step by which our neigh- bors will gain in proportion as we lose, by a wrong move upon the chess board. We stand delicately situated at this time. There are those whose interest it is to take every advantage of any unguarded measure we may pursue, for however much there is of harmony and good understanding in the country at this time, there are jealousies and secret feelings in the breasts of some people in this world, on account of the court house. I have now and then heard them echoed in whispers. There was no belief the exertion which has been made would have been to have the court house built. It is certain that edifice was considered as a thing which might be visible seven years hence, but it is now fixed by law; consequently all hope of changing its situation has vanished. This circumstance gives us an evident advantage of the other towns, and they will naturally for a time, feel jealousies, for they are natural upon such occasions; and if by any means we should excite a religious clamor, we must expect advantage to be taken of it, in which case we shall lose more than we shall gain. I conceive this would be the case for the purpose of counteracting the ad- vantage we now hold. As from any assistance from our neighbors on the opposite shore, it is out of the question, for they are universally Scotch Presbyterians or Methodists. As for , he never gave a farthing in his life for the support of any clergyman; he holds all alike in equal contempt. No assistance can reasonably be calculated upon from without, and want of accordance within our settlement must and will beget an expense which will not be favorable to our interests, for we can not calculate upon more than a mere trifle from the settlers, if any thing at all. It is only necessary for you to ask yourself what success it is pro- bable you would meet with were you to set a subscription on foot to be subscribed by Presbyterians and Methodists, for the support of a Church of England clergyman ? There are few who are better able to answer this question than yourself, for your knowledge of the exciting of preju- dices which attach to different sects, is such as will enable you to make a prompt decision. I have tried to comprise my ideas upon this subject in as concise a manner as possible, and shall conclude them by observing that circumstanced as we are, whether it would be good policy to take any step upon this subject at present, but leave the people to act for themselves. * * *
Believe me to be with warmest affection, your friend,
N. FORD.
Samuel Ogden, Esq."
A Baptist church was formed July 29, 1809, under Elder Samuel Rowley, a missionary from Massachusetts, of 9 members. The present stone church in State street was erected in 1833. A society had been formed May 23, 1821, with Harry Eastman, Charles Hull and Erastus Vilas, as trustees.
The Presbyterian church was organized Dec. 8, 1819, of 9 males and 9 females. The whole number received into full communion up to Aug., 1852, was 646; present number, 255. The society was incorporated
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June 1, 1820, with N. Ford, T. Lyon, Duncan Turner, Joseph Rosseel, Wolcott Hubbell and Wm. I. Guest, trustees. Their clergymen have been Rev. Barnabas Bruen, 1819; James McAuley, 1821; James B. Ambler, 1827; E. G. Smith, 1829; J. A. Savage, 1832; L. Merrill Miller, 1851. The above dates are those in which they commenced their labors respectively. Mr. Savage, after a pastor- ate of nearly 20 years, was dismissed from his charge, in order to assume the presidency of Carroll Presbyterian Church and Parsonage, Ogdensburgh. College, Wisconsin. A temporary wooden building was erected for a church, in 1818, on the southwest corner of Ford and Caroline streets, and the present church was built in 1824, at a cost of $9,000, and in 1847, enlarged to its present size, at a cost of $3,000. The church has a clock, bell and a good organ, and adjoining, a parsonage lot, with dwelling and other fixtures, worth in the aggregate, including the church property, about $15,000. There is a flourishing sabbath school connected with the church, numbering over 200 scholars, and a library of about 500 volumes. The ladies' missionary society contribute $50 per year, and a Dorcas society $40, to charitable objects annually. Contribution to other benevolent associa- tions, $250 per annum. Most of the above data were collected by the Rev. L. M. Miller, for this work.
St. John's Church. - The Rev. Daniel Nash, on a mis- sionary tour, in 1816, visited this place, and in a report which he made says, that he was the first Episcopal cler- gyman who had visited that vil- lage and the county of St. Lawrence. The St. John's Church and Rectory, Ogdensburgh. second one who officiated, was the Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, a missionary who came early in June, 1818, and at times performed divine offices in the court house ; and on the 23d of May, 1820, a society was incorporated, having Thomas
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J. Davies and Isaac Plumb, wardens; George Parish, Louis Hasbrouck, David Ford, David C. Judson, Andrew McCollom, Junius Walton, Rich- ard W. Colfax and Sylvester Gilbert, vestrymen. The first report to the bishop, was that of 15 members. In 1821, it was resolved to build a stone church edifice, and in the same year, Rev. L. Carter was invited to a temporary charge, which he immediately assumed, and on the 10th of August, 1821, he laid the corner stone on a lot of ground, given for that purpose, by David and George Parish. In October, 1823, the build- ing was opened for worship. In 1824, the Rev. Addison Searle and Rev. Mr. Beardsley were called to take temporary charge of the congre- gation, and in 1825, the first measures were adopted by the vestry, for the erection of the present rectory. In the same year, the Rev. Mr. Todd accepted the charge of the parish. In 1830, the Rev. Nathaniel Huse was called to the parochial charge, and in 1833, the Rev. Richard Bury was chosen to a temporary charge. In 1838, the Rev. Francis Tremayne became the minister, and in 1836, the Rev. William Barton became the first rector, and continued until 1839, when he resigned, and the Rev. - Brayton was temporarily employed. In 1840, the Rev. H. R. Peters was invited to the rectorship, and still remains. In 1843, the church was thoroughly repaired, enlarged and made to assume its present appearance. This work was undertaken by Hon. H. Van Rensselaer, one of the wardens, who very liberally proposed to make the addition, and carry up the tower to a proportionate height, in con- sideration of the additional pews. This increased the length 30 feet, making its present dimensions 90 by 42 feet, and the church is capable of seating from 500 to 600. In consequence of the growth of the con- gregation, further additions, or a new edifice will ere long be needed. The rectory adjoins the church in the same enclosure, is of stone, and was built on land given by George Parish. There is a large bell in the tower, and the church contains a fine organ. The author is indebted to the Rev. Mr. Peters for the foregoing data.
The first M. E. church in town was incorporated Feb. 22, 1825, with Ichabod Arnold Joseph Brooks, Joseph Cole, David Chapin and Joseph Arnold, trustees. It has been reorganized Nov. 13, 1827, and Feb. 17, 1828. A second M. E. society was incorporated June 1, 1840, with Benj. Nichols, Uriah Van Waters, Amasa Pace, Ransom Lovejoy, James Russell, Joseph D. Hutchinson and Hiram Young, trustees. It was re- organized Dec. 12, 1848. This denomination in 1850, erected the pre- sent large brick church on Franklin street. A society was formed at Heuvelton, Sept. 14, 1843, with Nathan F. Griffin, Isaac Gray and Amos H. Hewlett, trustees.
The second Presbyterian church and society in Oswegatchie, was formed April 4, 1832, with Alex. McCall, John J. Dorn, John Lamon, Ezra Day and David Griffin, trustees. They have a church in the west part of the town.
The first congregational society of Heuvelton was formed Sept. 26, 1842, with G. T. Howard, Andrew M. Gray, Ebenezer Kate, John Pick- ens and A. H. McMurphy, trustees. It reorganized Nov. 3, 1850.
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